Patents by Inventor Christopher J. Chuah

Christopher J. Chuah 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).

  • System and method for purging condensate from an electrochemical cell stack prior to operation
    Patent number: 8153319
    Abstract: A system and technique for purging condensate from an electrochemical cell stack prior to operating the stack in one of a power producing mode of operation and an electrochemical pumping mode of operation is provided. The system and technique include storing hydrogen in the anode and cathode chambers of the stack to place the stack in a shutdown state, purging the anode and cathode chambers of condensate prior to starting operation of the stack, and preventing a fuel starvation condition in the stack while purging by sequencing communication of a fuel flow and an oxidant flow to the anode chamber with an oxidant flow to the cathode chamber while purging the condensate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Chuah, Jeffrey W. Schrieber, Thomas V. Doherty, Jun Takeuchi, Akifumi Otaka
  • Transitioning an electrochemical cell stack between a power producing mode and a pumping mode
    Publication number: 20100285379
    Abstract: A technique includes operating an electrochemical cell stack in a power producing mode, including communicating a fuel flow in an anode chamber of the stack and communicating an oxidant flow in a cathode chamber of the stack. The technique includes halting the oxidant flow and monitoring a voltage of the stack while the oxidant flow is halted, and in response to the voltage decreasing below a predefined threshold, transitioning the stack into an electrochemical cell pumping mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Schrieber, Richard Maddaloni, Zhigang Qi, Chris Brown, Christopher J. Chuah, P.E., Glen Benson, James Winkelman
  • Condensate drainage subsystem for an electrochemical cell system
    Publication number: 20090123795
    Abstract: A technique that is usable with an electrochemical cell includes in response to a power producing mode of the cell, communicating a cathode exhaust that is provided by the cell through a liquid trap sealing device. The technique includes in response to an pumping mode of the cell, isolating the liquid trap sealing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventors: Christopher J. Chuah, P.E., John Van Heertum
  • System and Method For Purging Condensate From An Electrochemical Cell Stack Prior To Operation
    Publication number: 20090123790
    Abstract: A system and technique for purging condensate from an electrochemical cell stack prior to operating the stack in one of a power producing mode of operation and an electrochemical pumping mode of operation is provided. The system and technique include storing hydrogen in the anode and cathode chambers of the stack to place the stack in a shutdown state, purging the anode and cathode chambers of condensate prior to starting operation of the stack, and preventing a fuel starvation condition in the stack while purging by sequencing communication of a fuel flow and an oxidant flow to the anode chamber with an oxidant flow to the cathode chamber while purging the condensate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventors: Christopher J. Chuah, P.E., Jeffrey W. Schrieber, Thomas V. Doherty, Jun Takeuchi, Akifumi Otaka
  • Integrated exhaust combustor and thermal recovery for fuel cells
    Publication number: 20070248860
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a combustor and a thermal recovery device that is integrated with the combustor. The combustor produces an exhaust flow in response to an exhaust flow from an electrochemical cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Inventors: Michael Penev, Christopher J. Chuah, Richard H. Cutright