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).

  • Optimizing contractual management of the total output of a fleet of fuel cells
    Patent number: 9141923
    Abstract: A fuel cell fleet has a plurality of fuel cell systems each connected to a data server. The data server may be configured to obtain operational data from of the plurality of fuel cell systems. An efficiency controller operably connected to the data server and is configured to predict an efficiency and a power output of the fleet from the operational data and optimize the efficiency of the fleet to minimize the fleet fuel consumption while maintaining a desired fleet output power. The efficiency may be determined by a ratio of the fleet output current or output power to the fleet fuel consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Smith, David Weingaertner, Pramod Vachhani, Brent Miller, Ram Ramanan, Arne Ballantine, Swaminathan Venkataraman, Deepak Shukla
  • 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)
    Publication number: 20150228990
    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: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: Arne BALLANTINE, Ranganathan GURUNATHAN, Prasad PMSVVSV, Anilkumar VISHNUVARJULA
  • Fuel cell system with grid independent operation and DC microgrid capability
    Patent number: 9106098
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ramesh Srinivasan, Rajaram Swaminathan, Ranganathan Gurunathan, Arne Ballantine, James McElroy
  • Energy center
    Patent number: 9089077
    Abstract: Systems are provided for creating and operating data centers. A data center may include an information technology (IT) load and a fuel cell generator configured to provide power to the IT load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Arne Ballantine, Kr Sridhar, Jon Christopher Motta, Peter Light, Carl Cottuli, Jessica Mahler
  • Structure and Method for Indicating Undesirable Constituents In a Fuel Cell System
    Publication number: 20150194685
    Abstract: An optical detection system for detecting undesirable constituents in a fuel cell system includes a sensing material configured to change color in the presence of the undesirable constituents and at least one sensor configured to register the change in color of the sensing material. The sensor is coupled to a corresponding light source. The sensing material, the sensor and the light source are enclosed in a housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Inventors: Arne Ballantine, David Trevisan, Venkat Ramani, Emma Campbell, Jessica Mahler, Michael Wright, Jeffrey W. Schrieber
  • Convergent energized IT apparatus for residential use
    Patent number: 9059600
    Abstract: A residential box data center system includes an information technology (IT) load, a direct current (DC) power generator electrically connected to the IT load and a housing, where both the IT load and the DC power generator are located in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kfir Godrich, William Thayer, Arne Ballantine
  • Rapid thermal processing for SOFC manufacturing
    Patent number: 9059449
    Abstract: Methods of heat treating at least one component of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system. The method includes heating the at least one component with a rapid thermal process, wherein the rapid thermal process heats at least a portion of the component at a rate of approximately 50° C./sec or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryan Hallum, Michael Gasda, Arne Ballantine, Ravi Oswal
  • Structure and method for SOFC operation with failed cell diode bypass
    Patent number: 9059434
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack which includes a plurality of fuel cells contacted in series by a plurality of interconnect plates. At least two interconnect plates are contacted by a high-temperature bypass diode that is physically integrated in the fuel cell stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ranganathan Gurunathan, Arne Ballantine
  • DERIVATION OF CONTROL PARAMETERS OF FUEL CELL SYSTEMS FOR FLEXIBLE FUEL OPERATION
    Publication number: 20150140464
    Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell system includes characterizing the fuel or fuels being provided into the fuel cell system, characterizing the oxidizing gas or gases being provided into the fuel cell system, and calculating at least one of the steam:carbon ratio, fuel utilization and oxidizing gas utilization based on the step of characterization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: David WEINGAERTNER, Arne BALLANTINE, Swaminathan VENKATARAMAN
  • FUEL CELL SYSTEM COMPONENTS
    Publication number: 20150140468
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack module includes a plurality of fuel cell stacks, a base supporting the plurality of fuel cell stacks, and a metal shell located over the base and the fuel cell stacks. The metal shell contains an integrated heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Martin Perry, Arne Ballantine
  • FUEL CELL SYSTEM OPERATED ON LIQUID FUELS
    Publication number: 20150132672
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, a heavy hydrocarbon fuel source, and a fractionator configured to separate light ends from heavy ends of a heavy hydrocarbon fuel provided from the heavy hydrocarbon fuel source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Swaminathan Venkataraman, Arne Ballantine, David Weingaertner
  • DC MICRO-GRID
    Publication number: 20150130277
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for creating and operating a Direct Current (DC) micro-grid. A DC micro-grid may include power generators, energy storage devices, and loads coupled to a common DC bus. Power electronics devices may couple the power generators, energy storage devices, and loads to the common DC bus and provide power transfer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Arne BALLANTINE, Chad PEARSON, Ranganathan GURUNATHAN, Prasad PMSVVSV, Alberto DORONZO
  • Method of operating an energy center
    Patent number: 9019700
    Abstract: Methods are provided for creating and operating data centers. A data center may include an information technology (IT) load and a fuel cell generator configured to provide power to the IT load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Arne Ballantine, KR Sridhar, Jon Christopher Motta, Peter Light, Carl Cottuli, Jessica Mahler
  • Derivation of control parameters of fuel cell systems for flexible fuel operation
    Patent number: 8968955
    Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell system includes characterizing the fuel or fuels being provided into the fuel cell system, characterizing the oxidizing gas or gases being provided into the fuel cell system, and calculating at least one of the steam:carbon ratio, fuel utilization and oxidizing gas utilization based on the step of characterization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: David Weingaertner, Arne Ballantine, Swaminathan Venkataraman
  • Ammonia fueled SOFC system
    Patent number: 8916300
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided in which ammonia is used as a fuel source for solid oxide fuel cell systems. In the various aspects a high temperature fuel cell stack exhaust stream is recycled through one or more separation or conversion devices to create a purified recycled fuel exhaust stream that is recycled back into the fuel inlet stream of the high temperature fuel cell stack. In various aspects a nitrogen separator may remove nitrogen from the recycled fuel cell stack exhaust stream, a water separator may remove water from the recycled fuel cell stack exhaust stream, and/or an ammonia reactor and hydrogen separator may be used to condition the fuel inlet stream of the high temperature fuel cell stack. In a further aspect a molten carbonate fuel cell and/or Sabatier reactor may be used to condition the fuel inlet stream of the high temperature fuel cell stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: James McElroy, Arne Ballantine, Matthias Gottmann
  • Fuel Cell Mechanical Components
    Publication number: 20140342252
    Abstract: A modular fuel cell system includes a base, at least four power modules arranged in a row on the base, and a fuel processing module and power conditioning module arranged on at least one end of the row on the base. Each power module includes a separate cabinet which contains at least one fuel cell stack located in a hot box. The power modules are electrically and fluidly connected to the at least one fuel processing and power conditioning modules through the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Gilbert Richards, David Trevisan, Michael Lee, Jessica Mahler, Ross Parker, Alex Clarabut, Chad Pearson, Arne Ballantine, David Weingaertner, Jason Hixson, Fred Mitlitsky
  • Fuel cell stack module shell with integrated heat exchanger
    Patent number: 8852820
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack module includes a plurality of fuel cell stacks, a base supporting the plurality of fuel cell stacks, and a metal shell located over the base and the fuel cell stacks. The metal shell contains an integrated heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Martin Perry, Arne Ballantine
  • Fuel cell mechanical components
    Patent number: 8822101
    Abstract: A modular fuel cell system includes a base, at least four power modules arranged in a row on the base, and a fuel processing module and power conditioning module arranged on at least one end of the row on the base. Each power module includes a separate cabinet which contains at least one fuel cell stack located in a hot box. The power modules are electrically and fluidly connected to the at least one fuel processing and power conditioning modules through the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Gilbert Richards, David Trevisan, Michael Lee, Jessica Mahler, Ross Parker, Alex Clarabut, Chad Pearson, Arne Ballantine, David Weingaertner, Jason Hixson, Fred Mitlitsky
  • Fuel cell system with interruption control
    Patent number: 8802308
    Abstract: A method for operating a fuel cell system during an interruption includes identifying a load interruption in which an external load is partially or fully unable to draw electrical power from the fuel cell system. At least a first fuel cell column of the fuel cell system is operated in an electrolysis mode such that the first fuel cell column generates fuel during the load interruption. Power is provided to the first fuel cell column in the electrolysis mode from at least a second fuel cell column of the fuel cell system. The second fuel cell column is operating in a normal power generation operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Matthias Gottmann, Arne Ballantine, James F. McElroy
  • Fuel cell bypass diode structures and attachment methods
    Patent number: 8802250
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack which includes a plurality of fuel cells contacted in series by a plurality of interconnects. The various embodiments provide systems and methods for coupling a fuel cell stack with an electric bypass module within a hot zone. The bypass module may include elements for conducting a current between interconnects in a fuel cell stack and thereby bypass a failed fuel cell that has become a resistive parasitic load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Matthias Gottmann, Arne Ballantine, Chockkalingam Karuppaiah