Patents by Inventor Andrew G. Gilicinski
Andrew G. Gilicinski has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 8114554Abstract: An arrangement for a direct methanol fuel cell includes a fuel cartridge that supplies a source of fuel to the direct methanol fuel cell. The fuel cartridge has a surface area enhanced planar vaporization membrane residing in the fuel cartridge. The arrangement also includes a fuel reservoir that receives fuel from the fuel cartridge, the fuel reservoir arranged to deliver fuel to the fuel cell. The fuel reservoir also including a surface area enhanced planar vaporization membrane residing in the fuel reservoir. The combination of the surface area enhanced planar vaporization membranes residing in the fuel cartridge and reservoir provides a dual stage vaporization of fuel to the fuel cell. Other features included are passive or active arrangements to increase the temperature of the fuel or reduce pressure in the fuel container to enhance rate of vaporization.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2003Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: The Gillette Company—South BostonInventors: Javit A. Drake, Andrew G. Gilicinski, Gordon G. Guay, Leslie Pinnell
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Patent number: 8084166Abstract: An arrangement for a direct methanol fuel cell includes a fuel cartridge that supplies a source of fuel to the direct methanol fuel cell. The fuel cartridge has a surface area enhanced planar vaporization membrane residing in the fuel cartridge. The arrangement also includes a fuel reservoir that receives fuel from the fuel cartridge, the fuel reservoir arranged to deliver fuel to the fuel cell. The fuel reservoir also including a surface area enhanced planar vaporization membrane residing in the fuel reservoir. The combination of the surface area enhanced planar vaporization membranes residing in the fuel cartridge and reservoir provides a dual stage vaporization of fuel to the fuel cell. Other features included are passive or active arrangements to increase the temperature of the fuel or reduce pressure in the fuel container to enhance rate of vaporization.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2003Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: The Gillette CompanyInventors: Javit A. Drake, Andrew G. Gilicinski, Gordon G. Guay, Leslie J. Pinnell
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Patent number: 8057957Abstract: Fuel cells and methods of operating fuel cells are disclosed. In one aspect, the invention features a fuel source for a fuel cell including a housing having an outlet, a structure having a portion in the housing, the structure defining a cavity and having a surface defining an opening in fluid communication with the cavity, and a fuel in the housing. The fuel is in fluid communication with the outlet through the opening and the cavity of the structure.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2007Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: The Gillette CompanyInventors: Andrew G. Gilicinski, Bryan L. Hesse
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Publication number: 20110236796Abstract: Fuel cell systems including a fuel composition are disclosed. In some embodiments, a fuel composition includes an organic polymer, and a fuel such as methanol, and the composition has a hardness of at least about 2 grams peak force, as determined by penetration test using a texture analyzer.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2011Publication date: September 29, 2011Inventors: Zhiping Jiang, Andrew G. Gilicinski, Javit A. Drake, Anna Maria Bofinger
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Patent number: 8003277Abstract: Fuel sources, fuel cells and methods of operating fuel cells are disclosed. In one aspect, the invention features a fuel source for a fuel cell, including a housing made substantially from a fuel-permeable material, and a fuel in the housing.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2008Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: The Gillette CompanyInventors: Javit A. Drake, Anna Maria Bofinger, Andrew G. Gilicinski, In Tae Bae
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Patent number: 7989117Abstract: Fuel compositions, methods of making the compositions, and fuel cell systems including a fuel composition are disclosed. In some embodiments, a fuel composition includes a polymer, and a fuel such as methanol, wherein the composition has a hardness of at least about 2 grams peak force, as determined by penetration test using a texture analyzer.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2009Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: The Gillette CompanyInventors: Zhiping Jiang, Andrew G. Gilicinski, Javit A. Drake, Anna Maria Bofinger
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Patent number: 7932634Abstract: A hybrid power supply includes a switching type DC/DC boost type converter that receives energy from a fuel cell and is arranged to deliver the energy to a rechargeable cell, set to provide a fixed output voltage that is less than the full charge voltage of the rechargeable cell. The hybrid power supply includes a circuit including a fuel cell current control that senses fuel cell current, and controls in part operation of the converter to provide constant current discharge on the fuel cell side of the hybrid power supply.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2003Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: The Gillette CompanyInventors: Jordan T. Bourilkov, David N. Klein, John Rotondo, Andrew G. Gilicinski
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Patent number: 7862926Abstract: A hybrid power supply includes a fuel cell and an interface between the fuel cell and a fuel cartridge or external battery and a switching type DC/DC boost type converter that receives energy from the fuel cell or external battery and is arranged to deliver the energy to a rechargeable cell. The hybrid power supply also includes a fuel cell current sensor/comparator, included in a feedback control loop disposed about the DC/DC converter, which controls in part operation of the converter to provide constant current discharge on the fuel battery side of the hybrid power supply. An adapter that couples a source of AC power such as a charger to the interconnect is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2009Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: The Gillette CompanyInventors: Jordan T. Bourilkov, Andrew G. Gilicinski, David N. Klein, John Rotondo
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Patent number: 7767351Abstract: A cartridge includes a first housing, a second housing within the first housing, and a colorant. The first housing has an interior surface and an exterior surface, and the second housing contains an alcohol fuel or a hydrocarbon fuel and has an interior surface and an exterior surface. The colorant is supported by at least a portion of the interior surface of the first housing.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2009Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: The Gillette CompanyInventors: Anna Maria Bofinger, Andrew G. Gilicinski, Javit A. Drake, Leslie J. Pinnell, Steven J. Specht
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Patent number: 7740965Abstract: A battery includes a battery can housing an cell that supplies electrical energy at terminals of the cell by an electro-chemical reaction with oxygen, the can including, a first member having at least one hole that is exposed to air; and a second member. The battery also includes a mechanism coupled to one of the first and second members to move the one of the first and second members such that when current is drawn from the battery, the opening in the member allows air to pass into the battery, and to move the one of the first and second members such that when current is not drawn from the battery, the opening in the member is not in registration to inhibit air to pass into the battery. The battery also includes a circuit to control the mechanism. In one embodiment the circuit monitors levels of O2 in a air plenum that surrounds the cell.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2003Date of Patent: June 22, 2010Assignee: The Gillette CompanyInventors: Thomas Richards, Andrew G. Gilicinski, Robert Pavlinsky
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Publication number: 20100108909Abstract: A battery includes a battery can housing an cell that supplies electrical energy at terminals of the cell by an electro-chemical reaction with oxygen, the can including, a first member having at least one hole that is exposed to air; and a second member. The battery also includes a mechanism coupled to one of the first and second members to move the one of the first and second members such that when current is drawn from the battery, the opening in the member allows air to pass into the battery, and to move the one of the first and second members such that when current is not drawn from the battery, the opening in the member is not in registration to inhibit air to pass into the battery. The battery also includes a circuit to control the mechanism. In one embodiment the circuit monitors levels of O2 in a air plenum that surrounds the cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2010Publication date: May 6, 2010Inventors: Thomas Richards, Andrew G. Gilicinski, Robert Pavlinsky
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Publication number: 20100112399Abstract: A battery includes a battery can housing an cell that supplies electrical energy at terminals of the cell by an electro-chemical reaction with oxygen, the can including, a first member having at least one hole that is exposed to air; and a second member. The battery also includes a mechanism coupled to one of the first and second members to move the one of the first and second members such that when current is drawn from the battery, the opening in the member allows air to pass into the battery, and to move the one of the first and second members such that when current is not drawn from the battery, the opening in the member is not in registration to inhibit air to pass into the battery. The battery also includes a circuit to control the mechanism. In one embodiment the circuit monitors levels of O2 in a air plenum that surrounds the cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2010Publication date: May 6, 2010Inventors: Thomas Richards, Andrew G. Gilicinski, Robert Pavlinsky
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Publication number: 20100062310Abstract: A cartridge includes a first housing, a second housing within the first housing, and a colorant. The first housing has an interior surface and an exterior surface, and the second housing contains an alcohol fuel or a hydrocarbon fuel and has an interior surface and an exterior surface. The colorant is supported by at least a portion of the interior surface of the first housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2009Publication date: March 11, 2010Inventors: Anna Maria Bofinger, Andrew G. Gilicinski, Javit A. Drake, Leslie J. Pinnell, Steven J. Specht
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Patent number: 7638214Abstract: A cartridge includes a first housing, a second housing within the first housing, and a colorant. The first housing has an interior surface and an exterior surface, and the second housing contains an alcohol fuel or a hydrocarbon fuel and has an interior surface and an exterior surface. The colorant is supported by at least a portion of the interior surface of the first housing.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2005Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: The Gillette CompanyInventors: Anna Maria Bofinger, Andrew G. Gilicinski, Javit A. Drake, Leslie J. Pinnell, Steven J. Specht
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Publication number: 20090169971Abstract: Fuel compositions, methods of making the compositions, and fuel cell systems including a fuel composition are disclosed. In some embodiments, a fuel composition includes a polymer, and a fuel such as methanol, wherein the composition has a hardness of at least about 2 grams peak force, as determined by penetration test using a texture analyzer.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2009Publication date: July 2, 2009Inventors: Zhiping Jiang, Andrew G. Gilicinski, Javit A. Drake, Anna Maria Bofinger
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Publication number: 20090128088Abstract: A hybrid power supply includes a fuel cell and an interface between the fuel cell and a fuel cartridge or external battery and a switching type DC/DC boost type converter that receives energy from the fuel cell or external battery and is arranged to deliver the energy to a rechargeable cell. The hybrid power supply also includes a fuel cell current sensor/comparator, included in a feedback control loop disposed about the DC/DC converter, which controls in part operation of the converter to provide constant current discharge on the fuel battery side of the hybrid power supply. An adapter that couples a source of AC power such as a charger to the interconnect is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2009Publication date: May 21, 2009Applicant: THE GILLETTE COMPANYInventors: Jordan T. Bourilkov, Andrew G. Gilicinski, David N. Klein, John Rotondo
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Patent number: 7534510Abstract: Fuel compositions, methods of making the compositions, and fuel cell systems including a fuel composition are disclosed. In some embodiments, a fuel composition includes a polymer, and a fuel such as methanol, wherein the composition has a hardness of at least about 2 grams peak force, as determined by penetration test using a texture analyzer.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2004Date of Patent: May 19, 2009Assignee: The Gillette CompanyInventors: Zhiping Jiang, Andrew G. Gilicinski, Javit A. Drake, Anna Maria Bofinger
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Publication number: 20090081525Abstract: Fuel sources, fuel cells and methods of operating fuel cells are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2008Publication date: March 26, 2009Inventors: Javit A. Drake, Anna Maria Bofinger, Andrew G. Gilicinski, In Tae Bae
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Patent number: 7482091Abstract: A hybrid power supply includes a fuel cell and an interface between the fuel cell and a fuel cartridge or external battery and a switching type DC/DC boost type converter that receives energy from the fuel cell or external battery and is arranged to deliver the energy to a rechargeable cell. The hybrid power supply also includes a fuel cell current sensor/comparator, included in a feedback control loop disposed about the DC/DC converter, which controls in part operation of the converter to provide constant current discharge on the fuel battery side of the hybrid power supply. An adapter that couples a source of AC power such as a charger to the interconnect is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2003Date of Patent: January 27, 2009Assignee: The Gillette CompanyInventors: Jordan T. Bourilkov, Andrew G. Gilicinski, David N. Klein, John Rotondo
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Patent number: 7481851Abstract: A method of forming an anode comprising zinc for an alkaline cell. The method involves mixing zinc particles with binders including preferably polyvinylalcohol, surfactant and water to form a wet paste. The wet paste is molded into the near shape of the cell's anode cavity and then heated to evaporate water. A solid porous zinc mass is formed having microscopic void spaces between the zinc particles. The solid mass can be inserted into the cell's anode cavity and aqueous alkaline electrolyte, preferably comprising potassium hydroxide, then added. The solid mass absorbs the aqueous electrolyte and expands to fill the anode cavity to form the final fresh anode. Zinc fibers may be added to increase the structural integrity of the solid mass.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2004Date of Patent: January 27, 2009Assignee: The Gillette CompanyInventors: Thomas C. Richards, George Cintra, Andrew G. Gilicinski, Zhiping Jiang, C. Robert Parent