Patents by Inventor Arne Ballantine

Arne Ballantine 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).

  • Parallel control of multiple uninterruptable power modules (“UPMs”)
    Patent number: 9639130
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments enable parallel control of multiple uninterruptable power modules (“UPMs”) connecting multiple power sources to a bus in parallel. A UPM may be comprised of at least one controller coupled to at least one inverter, and the UPM may be configured to convert the DC voltage output from a DC source to an AC voltage, such as an AC voltage suitable for output to an AC bus. A UPM may receive a power sharing command and control its at least one inverter based at least in part on the received power sharing command to output a voltage to a bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ranganathan Gurunathan, Arne Ballantine, Prasad Pmsvvsv, Carl Cottuli, Saravanakumar Narayanasamy, Badri Narayanan, Deepak Balakrishnan
  • SORBENT BED ASSEMBLY AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM INCLUDING SAME
    Publication number: 20170098842
    Abstract: A sorbent bed assembly, a fuel cell system including the sorbent bed assembly, and methods of using the same. The sorbent bed assembly includes sorbent beds disposed in a stack, such that the sorbent beds extend lengthwise in a non-vertical direction, and conduits configured to fluidly connect the sorbent beds. One or more of the sorbent beds may also include a housing, a removable cartridge disposed in the housing and comprising a sorbent material configured to purify the fuel, and a support configured to prevent the fuel from bypassing the cartridge when the fuel flows through the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: David Trevisan, Abraham Bruno Caulk, Emma Campbell, Chad Pearson, Arne Ballantine, Jessica Mahler, Venkat Ramani, Gilbert Richards, Christian Daco
  • Fuel cell system for charging an electric vehicle
    Patent number: 9597966
    Abstract: A method for charging electric vehicles includes receiving information regarding an electric vehicle. At least a portion of the information is received through a vehicle interface configured to place a battery of the electric vehicle into electrical communication with a fuel cell system. A charge is delivered from the fuel cell system to the battery of the electric vehicle through the vehicle interface without use of a direct current to alternating current (DC/AC) converter. The charge is delivered based at least in part on the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: K. R. Sridhar, Stuart Aaron, Arne Ballantine, Peter Light, Scott Reynolds, Ramesh Srinivasan, Ranganathan Gurunathan
  • FUEL CELL VENTILATION SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20170069923
    Abstract: A roof cap assembly for a fuel cell system includes a housing, and a cover assembly disposed on the housing and configured to move between a first position and a second position. The cover assembly includes a cover comprising a first opening and a second opening, and a door connected to the cover and configured to selectively open and close the second opening. When the cover assembly is in the first position, the door closes the second opening, such that the reaction exhaust and the cabinet exhaust are directed through the first opening. When the cover assembly is in the second position, the door opens the second opening, such that the cabinet exhaust is directed through first opening and the reaction exhaust is directed through the second opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: David Trevisan, Gilbert Richards, Arne Ballantine, Jessica Mahler, Ross Parker, Zachary Odenheimer
  • INTERGRATED FUEL CELL AND ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS AND METHOD OF OPERATING THEREOF
    Publication number: 20170005480
    Abstract: An electrical power system, including a fuel cell system having a plurality of fuel cell segments and an energy storage system electrically coupled to the fuel cell system. The energy storage system including a plurality of energy storage system technologies, an energy storage system direct current (DC) bus configured to electrically connect the plurality of energy storage system technologies to the fuel cell system, and an energy storage system technologies management system configured manage impedance of the energy storage system and electric coupling of the energy storage system and the fuel cell system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: Arne BALLANTINE, Peter GROSS, Ranganathan GURUNATHAN, Prasad PMSVVSV, Carl COTTULI
  • Structure and method for fuel cell system where multiple fuel cells and power electronics feed loads in parallel allowing for integrated electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS)
    Patent number: 9461320
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments enable electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (“EIS”) to be performed on electrochemical devices, such as fuel cell stack segments, by power electronics connecting the electrochemical devices in parallel to a common load and/or bus. In an embodiment, the power electronics may compensate for any ripple generated during EIS such that no ripple is realized at the common load and/or bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Arne Ballantine, Ranganathan Gurunathan, Prasad Pmsvvsv, Anilkumar Vishnuvarjula
  • Convergent energized IT apparatus for commercial use
    Patent number: 9462724
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a combined power and IT modular system including a housing, an IT load, and a DC power generator which is electrically connected to the IT load, wherein the IT load and the DC power generator are both located in the housing. Further embodiments include a method of operating a combined power and IT module including step of providing a combined power and IT module including a housing, an IT load, and a DC power generator which is electrically connected to the IT load, wherein the IT load and the DC power generator are both located in the housing, and operating the DC power generator to supply power to the IT load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignees: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION, HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT LP
    Inventors: Kfir Godrich, William Thayer, Arne Ballantine
  • MODULAR PAD FOR A FUEL CELL SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20160260996
    Abstract: A pad for a fuel cell system includes a base having an upper surface, a separator disposed on the upper surface of the base, frames disposed on the separator and configured to support modules of the fuel cell system, and plumbing disposed between the upper surface of the base and the frames, and connected to the fuel cell modules. The separator is configured to space apart the frames and the upper surface of the base. The base may include modular sections that may be arranged in a linear configuration, a rectangular configuration, an orthogonal configuration, or a stepped configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: David Trevisan, Arne Ballantine, Jessica Mahler, Ross Parker, Christian Daco, Gilbert Richards
  • CARBON DIOXIDE SEPARATOR, FUEL CELL SYSTEM INCLUDING SAME, AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE FUEL CELL SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20160248111
    Abstract: A system and method in which a high temperature fuel cell stack exhaust stream is recycled back into the fuel inlet stream of the high temperature fuel cell stack. The recycled stream may be sent to a carbon dioxide separator that separates carbon dioxide from the fuel exhaust stream. The carbon dioxide separator may include a carbon dioxide separation membrane, an oxygen blocking membrane, and a water blocking membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: Michael GASDA, Arne BALLANTINE, Chockkalingam KARUPPAIAH, W. S. Winston HO
  • OVERVOLTAGE SNUBBER FOR GRID TIE INVERTER
    Publication number: 20160172963
    Abstract: An overvoltage snubber circuit configured to receive an alternating current (AC) overvoltage includes a first rectifier configured to convert the AC overvoltage to a direct current (DC) overvoltage, a chopper circuit electrically connected to the first rectifier and configured to break up the DC overvoltage and to output a variable DC voltage, and a resistor electrically connected to the chopper circuit and configured to dissipate energy of the variable DC voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Rajesh GOPINATH, Arne BALLANTINE, Carl COTTULI
  • B-SIDE FEED FOR CRITICAL POWER APPLICATIONS
    Publication number: 20160087443
    Abstract: A method of providing power to a load, such as an IT load, includes generating an output power using at least one power module comprising at least one fuel cell segment, providing a first portion of the output power through a grid to an A-side power feed of the load, and providing a second portion of the output power to a B-side power feed of the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Arne Ballantine, Ranganathan Gurunathan, Muralidhara Ramakrishna Shyamavadhani, Chad Pearson, William Thayer, KR Sridhar
  • AIR COOLED FUEL CELL SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20160079613
    Abstract: An air-cooled electronics module is disclosed. The air-cooled electronics module includes a housing and a heat exchanger disposed within the housing and separating the housing into a first portion and a second portion. The air-cooled electronics module also includes one or more electronic components disposed within the first portion, and one or more additional electronic components disposed within the second portion. The air-cooled electronics module further includes at least one fan configured to blow air into the second portion. The air in the first portion is substantially stagnant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Ranganathan GURUNATHAN, Deepak BALAKRISHNAN, Rajkannu GOVINDAN, Navaneetha KRISHNAN, David TREVISAN, Arne BALLANTINE, Jessica MAHLER, Ross PARKER, Zachary ODENHEIMER, Gilbert RICHARDS
  • MODULAR FUEL CELL SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20160072146
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack module includes a base, a cover dome removably positioned on the base, and a plurality of fuel cell stacks removably positioned on the base below the cover dome. A modular fuel cell system includes a plurality of the fuel cell stack modules, where each fuel cell stack module may be electrically disconnected, removed from the fuel cell system, repaired or serviced without stopping an operation of the other fuel cell stack modules in the fuel cell system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: K.R. Sridhar, Swaminathan Venkataraman, William David Lyle, Arne Ballantine
  • SOFC SYSTEM WITH SELECTIVE CO2 REMOVAL
    Publication number: 20160043413
    Abstract: A system and method in which a high temperature fuel cell stack exhaust stream is recycled back into the fuel inlet stream of the high temperature fuel cell stack. The recycled stream may be sent to a carbon dioxide separation device which separates carbon dioxide from the fuel exhaust stream. The carbon dioxide separation device may be a carbon dioxide trap, an electrochemical carbon dioxide separator, or a membrane separator. A water separator may be used in conjunction with the carbon dioxide separation device or used separately to continuously remove water from the recycled stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: James McElroy, Matthias Gottmann, Chockkalingam Karuppaiah, Arne Ballantine, Swaminathan Venkataraman, John Finn
  • Ammonia or hydrazine injection into fuel cell systems
    Patent number: 9240599
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a controller, a fuel cell stack, a fuel inlet conduit operatively connected to the fuel cell stack, the fuel inlet conduit adapted to receive fuel from a fuel supply, a recycling conduit operatively connecting the fuel cell stack to the fuel inlet conduit, the recycling conduit adapted to recycle a portion of a fuel exhaust stream from the fuel cell stack to the fuel inlet conduit, and an ammonia or hydrazine storage vessel operatively connected to the fuel inlet conduit via a valve coupled to the controller. The controller is configured to control the operation of the valve to provide ammonia or hydrazine from the ammonia or hydrazine storage vessel into the fuel inlet conduit upon detecting a change in the fuel from the fuel supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: James McElroy, Arne Ballantine
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DETECTING DEFECTS IN A FUEL CELL STACK
    Publication number: 20160011071
    Abstract: A method for testing a fuel cell stack includes providing a fluid, such as an ammonia-containing fluid, in a first reactant flow path in a first portion of the fuel cell stack, detecting the presence of the fluid using a detector, such as an ammonia detector, positioned within or adjacent to a second portion of the fuel cell stack that is separated from the first portion of the fuel cell stack and determining the presence of a defect in the stack based on detecting the presence of the fluid. Further embodiments relate to testing a fuel cell stack using a microphone that detects an audio signal indicative of a stack defect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: James WILSON, Arne BALLANTINE, Matthias GOTTMANN, Tad ARMSTRONG, Martin PERRY, David EDMONSTON, Michael LESHER, Joshua BAIME
  • B-side feed for critical power applications
    Patent number: 9214812
    Abstract: A method of providing power to a load, such as an IT load, includes generating an output power using at least one power module comprising at least one fuel cell segment, providing a first portion of the output power through a grid to an A-side power feed of the load, and providing a second portion of the output power to a B-side power feed of the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Arne Ballantine, Ranganathan Gurunathan, Muralidhara Ramakrishna Shyamavadhani, Chad Pearson, William Thayer, KR Sridhar
  • SOFC system with selective CO2 removal
    Patent number: 9190685
    Abstract: A system and method in which a high temperature fuel cell stack exhaust stream is recycled back into the fuel inlet stream of the high temperature fuel cell stack. The recycled stream may be sent to a carbon dioxide separation device which separates carbon dioxide from the fuel exhaust stream. The carbon dioxide separation device may be a carbon dioxide trap, an electrochemical carbon dioxide separator, or a membrane separator. A water separator may be used in conjunction with the carbon dioxide separation device or used separately to continuously remove water from the recycled stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: James McElroy, Matthias Gottmann, Chockkalingam Karuppaiah, Arne Ballantine, Swaminathan Venkataraman, John Finn
  • Fuel Cell System with Grid Independent Operation and DC Microgrid Capability
    Publication number: 20150298566
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes grid independent operation with DC microgrid capability. This fuel cell system has a capability of operation with and without the grid, and with DC micro-grid capability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Ramesh Srinivasan, Rajaram Swaminathan, Ranganathan Gurunathan, Arne Ballantine, James McElroy
  • Parallel Control of Multiple Uninterruptable Power Modules ("UPMs")
    Publication number: 20150288220
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments enable parallel control of multiple uninterruptable power modules (“UPMs”) connecting multiple power sources to a bus in parallel. A UPM may be comprised of at least one controller coupled to at least one inverter, and the UPM may be configured to convert the DC voltage output from a DC source to an AC voltage, such as an AC voltage suitable for output to an AC bus. A UPM may receive a power sharing command and control its at least one inverter based at least in part on the received power sharing command to output a voltage to a bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Ranganathan Gurunathan, Arne Ballantine, Prasad PMSVVSV, Carl Cottuli, Saravanakumar Narayanasamy, Badri Narayanan, Deepak Balakrishnan