Patents by Inventor Andrew Kindler

Andrew Kindler 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).

  • Publication number: 20050003254
    Abstract: Improvements to non acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Publication date: January 6, 2005
    Inventors: Subbarao Surampudi, Harvey Frank, Sekharipuram Narayanan, William Chun, Barbara Jeffries-Nakamura, Andrew Kindler, Gerald Halpert
  • Patent number: 6703150
    Abstract: Improvements to non acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Subbarao Surampudi, Harvey A. Frank, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, William Chun, Barbara Jeffries-Nakamura, Andrew Kindler, Gerald Halpert
  • Patent number: 6589684
    Abstract: Improvements to non acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Subbarao Surampudi, Harvey A. Frank, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, William Chun, Barbara Jeffries-Nakamura, Andrew Kindler, Gerald Halpert
  • Patent number: 6444341
    Abstract: An electrolyte membrane for use in a fuel cell can contain sulfonated polyphenylether sulfones. The membrane can contain a first sulfonated polyphenylether sulfone and a second sulfonated polyphenylether sulfone, wherein the first sulfonated polyphenylether and the second sulfonated polyphenylether sulfone have equivalent weights greater than about 560, and the first sulfonated polyphenylether and the second sulfonated polyphenylether sulfone also have different equivalent weights. Also, a membrane for use in a fuel cell can contain a sulfonated polyphenylether sulfone and an unsulfonated polyphenylether sulfone. Methods for manufacturing a membrane electrode assemblies for use in fuel cells can include roughening a membrane surface. Electrodes and methods for fabricating such electrodes for use in a chemical fuel cell can include sintering an electrode. Such membranes and electrodes can be assembled into chemical fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Shiao-Ping S. Yen, Andrew Kindler, Andre Yavrouian, Gerald Halpert
  • Patent number: 6440594
    Abstract: Improvements to fuel cells include introduction of the fuel as an aerosol of liquid fuel droplets suspended in a gas. The particle size of the liquid fuel droplets may be controlled for optimal fuel cell performance by selection of different aerosol generators or by separating droplets based upon size using a particle size conditioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Andrew Kindler, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, Thomas I. Valdez
  • Patent number: 6420059
    Abstract: Improvements to non acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Subbarao Surampudi, Harvey A. Frank, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, William Chun, Barbara Jeffries-Nakamura, Andrew Kindler, Gerald Halpert
  • Patent number: 6399235
    Abstract: An electrolyte membrane for use in a fuel cell can contain sulfonated polyphenylether sulfones. The membrane can contain a first sulfonated polyphenylether sulfone and a second sulfonated polyphenylether sulfone, wherein the first sulfonated polyphenylether and the second sulfonated polyphenylether sulfone have equivalent weights greater than about 560, and the first sulfonated polyphenylether and the second sulfonated polyphenylether sulfone also have different equivalent weights. Also, a membrane for use in a fuel cell can contain a sulfonated polyphenylether sulfone and an unsulfonated polyphenylether sulfone. Methods for manufacturing a membrane electrode assemblies for use in fuel cells can include roughening a membrane surface. Electrodes and methods for fabricating such electrodes for use in a chemical fuel cell can include sintering an electrode. Such membranes and electrodes can be assembled into chemical fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Shiao-Ping S. Yen, Andrew Kindler, Andre Yavrouian, Gerald Halpert
  • Publication number: 20010050230
    Abstract: Improvements to non acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Applicant: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Subbaroa Surampudi, Harvey A. Frank, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, William Chun, Barbara Jeffries-Nakamura, Andrew Kindler, Gerald Halpert
  • Patent number: 6303244
    Abstract: Improvements to non acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: California institute of Technology
    Inventors: Subbarao Surampudi, Harvey A. Frank, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, William Chun, Barbara Jeffries-Nakamura, Andrew Kindler, Gerald Halpert
  • Patent number: 6291093
    Abstract: New fuel cell components for use in liquid feed fuel cell systems are provided. The components include biplates and endplates, having a hydrophilic surface and allow high efficiency operation. Conductive elements and a wicking device also form a part of the fuel cell components of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Andrew Kindler, Albany Lee
  • Patent number: 6265093
    Abstract: Improvements to non acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous. Methanol is delivered to the fuel cell through a filter comprising molecular sieves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Subbarao Surampudi, Harvey A. Frank, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, William Chun, Barbara Jeffries-Nakamura, Andrew Kindler, Gerald Halpert
  • Patent number: 6254748
    Abstract: Improvements to non-acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Subbarao Surampudi, Harvey A. Frank, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, William Chun, Barbara Jeffries-Nakamura, Andrew Kindler, Gerald Halpert
  • Patent number: 6228518
    Abstract: New fuel cell elements for use in liquid feed fuel cells are provided. The elements including biplates and endplates are low in cost, light in weight, and allow high efficiency operation. Electrically conductive elements are also a part of the fuel cell elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Andrew Kindler
  • Patent number: 6150047
    Abstract: An electrolyte membrane for use in a fuel cell can contain sulfonated polyphenylether sulfones. The membrane can contain a first sulfonated polyphenylether sulfone and a second sulfonated polyphenylether sulfone, wherein the first sulfonated polyphenylether and the second sulfonated polyphenylether sulfone have equivalent weights greater than about 560, and the first sulfonated polyphenylether and the second sulfonated polyphenylether sulfone also have different equivalent weights. Also, a membrane for use in a fuel cell can contain a sulfonated polyphenylether sulfone and an unsulfonated polyphenylether sulfone. Methods for manufacturing a membrane electrode assemblies for use in fuel cells can include roughening a membrane surface. Electrodes and methods for fabricating such electrodes for use in a chemical fuel cell can include sintering an electrode. Such membranes and electrodes can be assembled into chemical fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Shiao-Ping S. Yen, Andrew Kindler, Andre Yavrouian, Gerald Halpert
  • Patent number: 6146781
    Abstract: Improvements to non-acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Subbarao Surampudi, Harvey A. Frank, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, William Chun, Barbara Jeffries-Nakamura, Andrew Kindler, Gerald Halpert
  • Patent number: 6136463
    Abstract: An improved fuel cell electrode, as well as fuel cells and membrane electrode assemblies that include such an electrode, in which the electrode includes a backing layer having a sintered layer thereon, and a non-sintered free-catalyst layer. The invention also features a method of forming the electrode by sintering a backing material with a catalyst material and then applying a free-catalyst layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Andrew Kindler, Shiao-Ping Yen
  • Patent number: 5992008
    Abstract: Improvements to direct feed methanol fuel cells include new protocols for component formation. Catalyst-water repellent material is applied in formation of electrodes and sintered before application of ionomer. A membrane used in formation of an electrode assembly is specially pre-treated to improve bonding between catalyst and membrane. The improved electrode and the pre-treated membrane are assembled into a membrane electrode assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Andrew Kindler
  • Patent number: 5773162
    Abstract: Improvements to non acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Subbarao Surampudi, Harvey A. Frank, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, William Chun, Barbara Jeffries-Nakamura, Andrew Kindler, Gerald Halpert
  • Patent number: 5494831
    Abstract: A electrochemical immunosensor system is provided which uses electrical signals to measure binding events. The system includes an immunosensor having a sensing electrode in contact with a fluid containing an analyte concentration. A quantity of antibodies or other binding agent is adsorbed on or otherwise affixed to the electrode surface such that a portion of the antibodies of the binding agent binds a portion of the analyte to form complexes on the electrode surface. Signal generating means develop an electrical signal at the sensing electrode such that a response current is produced through the sensing electrode. The response current has measurable signal characteristics which are dependent upon the number of complexes formed, and therefore the analyte concentration within the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company
    Inventor: Andrew Kindler
  • Patent number: 5266421
    Abstract: A membrane-electrode assembly for use in thermoelectrochemical systems. The electrode assembly includes a radiation grafted cation exchange membrane which is plasma etched to provide an etched anode surface and etched cathode surface. A catalytic cathode layer is thermally bonded to the etched cathode surface and a catalytic anode layer is thermally bonded to the etched anode membrane surface. The resulting membrane-electrode assembly is resistant to delamination and provides electrochemical performance which is equal to or better than that obtained with more expensive conventional electrodialysis membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company
    Inventors: Carl W. Townsend, Arthur B. Naselow, Andrew Kindler