Patents by Inventor Benjamin Charles Nuttall

Benjamin Charles Nuttall 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).

  • Patent number: 7118820
    Abstract: An arrangement is provided in a fuel cell power plant (10) for dispensing (58 74, 60, 64) a liquid medium, such as water (66), into a process oxidant (air) stream (53) that flows through one gas channel (42) in an energy recovery device (ERD) (32). An exhaust gas stream (48) containing heat and moisture from the fuel cell (12) flows through another channel (44) in the ERD. An enthalpy exchange barrier (46) separates the one and the other gas channels, but allows mass and/or heat transfer therebetween. The water is injected into the air stream (53) in a controlled (70, 74) amount, and perhaps temperature (78), in response to sensed parameters (80, 84, 90) of the power plant, including the process air stream, to adjust one or more conditions in the power plant. Controlling ERD dryness, providing a defrost capability for the ERD, and/or preventing excessive water accumulation in the system are several of the conditions controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: UTC Fuel Cells, LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin Charles Nuttall, Bryan F. Dufner, Albert P. Grasso