Patents by Inventor Bryan Tipton

Bryan Tipton 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).

  • Method and apparatus for venting and purging of a fuel cell
    Patent number: 7132181
    Abstract: Hydrogen in a fuel cell is vented and purged with a fail-closed valve using stored energy (e.g. from a capacitor) when a diagnostic parameter is outside of an acceptable operating range. The valve closes after the stored energy has depleted. A safety switch in the relay circuit of the solenoid switch (or solenoid valve) is also grounded in computer-implemented shutdowns. Benefits from the invention include use of air-compatible catalysts, minimized parasitic losses to power output, minimized contamination of fuel cell internal surfaces after venting, minimized risk of explosive mixture buildup, and efficient operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce J Clingerman, Kiran Mallavarapu, Bryan Tipton, Rodney J Rhodes, Robert Chalfant
  • Method and apparatus for venting and purging of a fuel cell
    Publication number: 20050031922
    Abstract: Hydrogen in a fuel cell is vented and purged with a fail-closed valve using stored energy (e.g. from a capacitor) when a diagnostic parameter is outside of an acceptable operating range. The valve closes after the stored energy has depleted. A safety switch in the relay circuit of the solenoid switch (or solenoid valve) is also grounded in computer-implemented shutdowns. Benefits from the invention include use of air-compatible catalysts, minimized parasitic losses to power output, minimized contamination of fuel cell internal surfaces after venting, minimized risk of explosive mixture buildup, and efficient operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Publication date: February 10, 2005
    Inventors: Bruce Clingerman, Kiran Mallavarapu, Bryan Tipton, Rodney Rhodes, Robert Chalfant