Patents by Inventor Catherine C. Vavonese

Catherine C. Vavonese 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).

  • Integrated solid oxide fuel cell mechanization and method of using for transportation industry applications
    Patent number: 6562496
    Abstract: A method of starting a solid oxide fuel cell system is disclosed. The method comprises pressurizing a main plenum to a first pressure. The main plenum comprises a first supply of fuel, blowers, and air control valves. The first supply of fuel and a first supply of air are directed to a preheated micro-reformer. A heated pre-reformate is created in the micro-reformer and discharged from the micro-reformer to a main reformer. The main reformer is preheated with the heated pre-reformate. A second supply of fuel and a second supply of air are introduced to the main reformer. A heated main reformate is created in the main reformer and directed to a waste energy recovery assembly. A cathode supply is heated in the waste energy recovery system and then directed to a solid oxide fuel cell stack in order to heat the solid oxide fuel cell stack. Methods of transitioning, operating, shutting down, and maintaining in standby mode are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignees: Delphi Technologies, Inc., Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael T. Faville, M. James Grieve, John G. Noetzel, Karl J. Haltiner, Jr., Christopher M. DeMinco, Kevin R. Keegan, John F. O'Brien, Subhasish Mukerjee, David R. Schumann, Steven R. Shaffer, Juergen T. Kammerer, Catherine C. Vavonese, James M. Haller, Donald J. Armstrong, Harry L. Husted, Haskell Simpkins
  • Integrated solid oxide fuel cell mechanization and method of using for transportation industry applications
    Publication number: 20020025458
    Abstract: A method of starting a solid oxide fuel cell system is disclosed. The method comprises pressurizing a main plenum to a first pressure. The main plenum comprises a first supply of fuel, blowers, and air control valves. The first supply of fuel and a first supply of air are directed to a preheated micro-reformer. A heated pre-reformate is created in the micro-reformer and discharged from the micro-reformer to a main reformer. The main reformer is preheated with the heated pre-reformate. A second supply of fuel and a second supply of air are introduced to the main reformer. A heated main reformate is created in the main reformer and directed to a waste energy recovery assembly. A cathode supply is heated in the waste energy recovery system and then directed to a solid oxide fuel cell stack in order to heat the solid oxide fuel cell stack. Methods of transitioning, operating, shutting down, and maintaining in standby mode are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventors: Michael T. Faville, M. James Grieve, John G. Noetzel, Karl J. Haltiner, Christopher M. DeMinco, Kevin R. Keegan, John F. O'Brien, Subhasish Mukerjee, David R. Schumann, Steven R. Shaffer, Juergen T. Kammerer, Catherine C. Vavonese, James M. Haller, Donald J. Armstrong, Harry L. Husted, Haskell Simpkins