Patents by Inventor Brian Aher
Brian Aher 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: 12283726Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a redox flow battery (RFB) may include a shell, an electrolyte storage tank assembly disposed in the shell, wherein at least a portion of the electrolyte storage tank assembly is supported by the shell, an electrochemical cell, and an electrolyte circulation system configured for fluid communication between the electrolyte storage tank assembly and the electrochemical cell. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the electrolyte storage tank assembly defines a tank assembly heat transfer system between an outer surface of the electrolyte storage tank assembly and an inner surface of the shell. In other embodiments, a pump assembly in the electrolyte circulation system is moveable between a first position and a second position. In other embodiments, a gas management system includes a first gas exchange device in fluid communication with the catholyte headspace and the anolyte.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2022Date of Patent: April 22, 2025Assignee: VENTURE LENDING & LEASING VIII, INC.Inventors: Richard O. Winter, Kathryn M. Oseen-Senda, Brian Aher, Jonathan Horner, Guanguang Xia, Jinfeng Wu, Erik K. L. Johnson, Jason I. Cruz
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Publication number: 20240186543Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a redox flow battery (RFB) may include a shell, an electrolyte storage tank assembly disposed in the shell, wherein at least a portion of the electrolyte storage tank assembly is supported by the shell, an electrochemical cell, and an electrolyte circulation system configured for fluid communication between the electrolyte storage tank assembly and the electrochemical cell. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the electrolyte storage tank assembly defines a tank assembly heat transfer system between an outer surface of the electrolyte storage tank assembly and an inner surface of the shell. In other embodiments, a pump assembly in the electrolyte circulation system is moveable between a first position and a second position. In other embodiments, a gas management system includes a first gas exchange device in fluid communication with the catholyte headspace and the anolyte.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2022Publication date: June 6, 2024Inventors: Richard O. Winter, Kathryn M. Oseen-Senda, Brian Aher, Jonathan Horner, Guanguang Xia, Jinfeng Wu, Erik K.L. Johnson, Jason I. Cruz
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Patent number: 11276870Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a redox flow battery (RFB) may include a shell, an electrolyte storage tank assembly disposed in the shell, wherein at least a portion of the electrolyte storage tank assembly is supported by the shell, an electrochemical cell, and an electrolyte circulation system configured for fluid communication between the electrolyte storage tank assembly and the electrochemical cell. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the electrolyte storage tank assembly defines a tank assembly heat transfer system between an outer surface of the electrolyte storage tank assembly and an inner surface of the shell. In other embodiments, a pump assembly in the electrolyte circulation system is moveable between a first position and a second position. In other embodiments, a gas management system includes a first gas exchange device in fluid communication with the catholyte headspace and the anolyte.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2018Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Inventors: Richard O. Winter, Kathryn M. Oseen-Senda, Brian Aher, Jonathan Horner, Guanguang Xia, Jinfeng Wu, Erik K. L. Johnson, Jason I. Cruz
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Publication number: 20190326619Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a redox flow battery (RFB) may include a shell, an electrolyte storage tank assembly disposed in the shell, wherein at least a portion of the electrolyte storage tank assembly is supported by the shell, an electrochemical cell, and an electrolyte circulation system configured for fluid communication between the electrolyte storage tank assembly and the electrochemical cell. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the electrolyte storage tank assembly defines a tank assembly heat transfer system between an outer surface of the electrolyte storage tank assembly and an inner surface of the shell. In other embodiments, a pump assembly in the electrolyte circulation system is moveable between a first position and a second position. In other embodiments, a gas management system includes a first gas exchange device in fluid communication with the catholyte headspace and the anolyte.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2018Publication date: October 24, 2019Applicant: UniEnergy Technologies, LLCInventors: Richard O. Winter, Kathryn M. Oseen-Senda, Brian Aher, Jonathan Horner, Guanguang Xia, Jinfeng Wu, Erik K.L. Johnson, Jason I. Cruz
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Patent number: 9203070Abstract: A method for making a flat polymer foam having a core layer of nano-sized open, interconnected cells that includes saturating a solid-state polymer with a supercritical fluid, allowing the gas to desorb for at least 35 minutes, and then heating the gas-saturated solid polymer for at least 3 minutes while constraining the foam in the thickness dimension. Any skin layer formed on the exterior may be removed via polishing, thus creating a foam with an open structure from side to side. The foam can be used as a battery separator.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2014Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: University of Washington through its Center for CommercializationInventors: Vipin Kumar, Brian Aher, Krishna Nadella, Michael Waggoner
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Publication number: 20150119482Abstract: A method for creating a foam from a solid thermoplastic material is disclosed. The method includes heating a solid, noncellular thermoplastic material to a temperature greater than the material's glass transition temperature, and below the melting temperature, and then allowing the material to cool; after the material has cooled, saturating the cooled thermoplastic material with a non-reacting gas to provide a gas-saturated material; and heating the gas-saturated material below the melting temperature of the material so that the material remains a solid, and causes nucleation of bubbles, and creation of cells in the material.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2013Publication date: April 30, 2015Applicant: University of Washington through its Center for CommercializationInventors: Vipin Kumar, Brian Aher, Huimin Guo
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Publication number: 20140287321Abstract: A method for making a flat polymer foam having a core layer of nano-sized open, interconnected cells that includes saturating a solid-state polymer with a supercritical fluid, allowing the gas to desorb for at least 35 minutes, and then heating the gas-saturated solid polymer for at least 3 minutes while constraining the foam in the thickness dimension. Any skin layer formed on the exterior may be removed via polishing, thus creating a foam with an open structure from side to side. The foam can be used as a battery separator.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2014Publication date: September 25, 2014Applicant: University of Washington through its Center for CommercializationInventors: Vipin Kumar, Brian Aher, Krishna Nadella, Michael Waggoner