Patents by Inventor Crispin L. DeBellis
Crispin L. DeBellis 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: 8668752Abstract: The present invention provides a gas generator that may be used for startup and shutdown of a fuel cell. In one non-limiting embodiment, the gas generator may include a nitrogen generator structured to receive air, extract oxygen (O2) from the air and discharge the balance in the form of a nitrogen-rich gas; a merging chamber structured to receive a hydrocarbon fuel and the nitrogen-rich gas and to discharge a feed mixture containing both the hydrocarbon fuel and the nitrogen-rich gas; and a catalytic reactor structured to receive the feed mixture and to catalytically convert the feed mixture into a reducing gas.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2009Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems (US) Inc.Inventors: Mark Vincent Scotto, Daniel P. Birmingham, Crispin L. DeBellis, Mark Anthony Perna, Gregory C. Rush
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Patent number: 8636817Abstract: The present invention provides a gas generator that may be used for startup and shutdown of a fuel cell. In one non-limiting embodiment, the gas generator may include a nitrogen generator structured to receive air, extract oxygen (O2) from the air and discharge the balance in the form of a nitrogen-rich gas; a merging chamber structured to receive a hydrocarbon fuel and the nitrogen-rich gas and to discharge a feed mixture containing both the hydrocarbon fuel and the nitrogen-rich gas; and a catalytic reactor structured to receive the feed mixture and to catalytically convert the feed mixture into a reducing gas.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2009Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems (US) Inc.Inventors: Mark Vincent Scotto, Daniel P. Birmingham, Crispin L. DeBellis, Mark Anthony Perna, Gregory C. Rush
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Patent number: 8597841Abstract: The present invention provides a method for generating a gas that may be used for startup and shutdown of a fuel cell. In a non-limiting embodiment, the method may include generating a nitrogen-rich stream; merging the nitrogen-rich stream with a hydrocarbon fuel stream into a feed mixture stream; and catalytically converting the feed mixture into a reducing gas.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2009Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: LG Fuel Cell Systems Inc.Inventors: Mark Vincent Scotto, Daniel P. Birmingham, Crispin L. DeBellis, Mark Anthony Perna, Gregory C. Rush
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Patent number: 8557458Abstract: The present invention provides a method for generating a gas that may be used for startup and shutdown of a fuel cell. In a non-limiting embodiment, the method may include generating a nitrogen-rich stream; merging the nitrogen-rich stream with a hydrocarbon fuel stream into a feed mixture stream; and catalytically converting the feed mixture into a reducing gas.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2012Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: LG Fuel Cell Systems Inc.Inventors: Mark Vincent Scotto, Daniel P. Birmingham, Crispin L. DeBellis, Mark Anthony Perna, Gregory C. Rush
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Publication number: 20110059376Abstract: The present invention provides a method for generating a gas that may be used for startup and shutdown of a fuel cell. In a non-limiting embodiment, the method may include generating a nitrogen-rich stream; merging the nitrogen-rich stream with a hydrocarbon fuel stream into a feed mixture stream; and catalytically converting the feed mixture into a reducing gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2009Publication date: March 10, 2011Inventors: Mark Vincent Scotto, Daniel P. Birmingham, Crispin L. DeBellis, Mark Anthony Perna, Gregory C. Rush
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Publication number: 20110059377Abstract: The present invention provides a gas generator that may be used for startup and shutdown of a fuel cell. In one non-limiting embodiment, the gas generator may include a nitrogen generator structured to receive air, extract oxygen (O2) from the air and discharge the balance in the form of a nitrogen-rich gas; a merging chamber structured to receive a hydrocarbon fuel and the nitrogen-rich gas and to discharge a feed mixture containing both the hydrocarbon fuel and the nitrogen-rich gas; and a catalytic reactor structured to receive the feed mixture and to catalytically convert the feed mixture into a reducing gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2009Publication date: March 10, 2011Inventors: Mark Vincent Scotto, Daniel P. Birmingham, Crispin L. DeBellis, Mark Anthony Perna, Gregory C. Rush
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Patent number: 7799451Abstract: A method of modifying reformate gas composition downstream of the reformer so that it remains in a carbon-free region, i.e. above the critical oxygen/carbon ratio even at the desired minimum operating temperature. This is accomplished by using staged partial oxidation in a partial oxidation chamber downstream of the reformer. A small amount of air (or oxygen) is added. The net result is an increase in the oxygen/carbon ratio and, thus, a lowering of the required temperature for soot-free operation. Immediately downstream of this partial oxidation chamber, heat can be removed to cool the gas prior to a second stage of partial oxidation. A second stage partial oxidation chamber produces additional water and further increases the oxygen/carbon ratio and further lowers the required gas temperature for soot-free operation.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2008Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems (US) Inc.Inventors: Mark A. Perna, Milind V. Kantak, Daniel P. Birmingham, Gregory C. Rush, Crispin L. DeBellis
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Publication number: 20090123800Abstract: A method of modifying reformate gas composition downstream of the reformer so that it remains in a carbon-free region, i.e. above the critical oxygen/carbon ratio even at the desired minimum operating temperature. This is accomplished by using staged partial oxidation in a partial oxidation chamber downstream of the reformer. A small amount of air (or oxygen) is added. The net result is an increase in the oxygen/carbon ratio and, thus, a lowering of the required temperature for soot-free operation. Immediately downstream of this partial oxidation chamber, heat can be removed to cool the gas prior to a second stage of partial oxidation. A second stage partial oxidation chamber produces additional water and further increases the oxygen/carbon ratio and further lowers the required gas temperature for soot-free operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2008Publication date: May 14, 2009Inventors: Mark A. Perna, Milind V. Kantak, Daniel P. Birmingham, Gregory C. Rush, Crispin L. DeBellis
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Patent number: 7510793Abstract: A method of modifying reformate gas composition downstream of the reformer so that it remains in a carbon-free region, i.e. above the critical oxygen/carbon ratio even at the desired minimum operating temperature. This is accomplished by using staged partial oxidation in a partial oxidation chamber downstream of the reformer. A small amount of air (or oxygen) is added. The net result is an increase in the oxygen/carbon ratio and, thus, a lowering of the required temperature for soot-free operation. Immediately downstream of this partial oxidation chamber, heat can be removed to cool the gas prior to a second stage of partial oxidation. A second stage partial oxidation chamber produces additional water and further increases the oxygen/carbon ratio and further lowers the required gas temperature for soot-free operation.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2004Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignee: Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems (US) Inc.Inventors: Mark A. Perna, Milind V. Kantak, Daniel P. Birmingham, Gregory C. Rush, Crispin L. DeBellis
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Publication number: 20030044331Abstract: An annular heat-exchange reactor vessel allows for selectively controlled heat transfer between a first fluid and second fluid flowing through the vessel. Optionally, catalyst means may be added to further convert either fluid into a desired end product. In this regard, it is envisioned that the present invention will have particular utility in fuel processing systems. Additional, in-line upstream or downstream annular modules may also be incorporated to create a more complete, efficient and/or compact system. Various methods for constructing this reactor system are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2001Publication date: March 6, 2003Applicant: McDERMOTT TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Crispin L. DeBellis, William R. Gwynne, Milind V. Kantak, Timothy A. Fuller
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Patent number: 6461148Abstract: A burner, particularly for use in thermophotovoltaic (TPV) applications, is provided having a fuel distribution tube with integrated swirl vanes adjacent exit holes in the sides of the fuel distribution tube, a ceramic burner cap attached the top end of the fuel distribution tube and a liquid fuel being provided through a fuel feed tube protruding through the bottom end of the fuel distribution tube, thereby forming a burner assembly. The burner assembly fits slidably into a cylindrical burner sleeve which forces primary combustion air through a passage formed between the sleeve and the swirl vanes. The primary combustion air mixes with the fuel in the vanes and burner slot formed between the burner cap and sleeve. The fuel feed tube used to supply fuel to the burner is a heated tube having a small orifice at the burner end. The tube is heated using an internal heater that vaporizes the fuel and can also use recuperated heat from the burner combustion process.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2000Date of Patent: October 8, 2002Assignee: McDermott Technology, Inc.Inventors: Mark V. Scotto, Crispin L. DeBellis, Edward D. Daum
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Publication number: 20020131919Abstract: A modular fuel processing system has component modules stacked together into a single tower or stacked separately in various configurations in other embodiments. A backbone member having all fluid connections for the modules thereon connects the component modules of the stack(s). The backbone member may contain quick disconnect fittings on each module. The modules of the system are preferably configured using plate-type reactors.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2001Publication date: September 19, 2002Inventors: Crispin L. DeBellis, Timothy A. Fuller, Milind V. Kantak, Thomas J. Flynn, Stephen W. Scoles
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Patent number: 5932885Abstract: A thermally integrated burner/emitter/recuperator (BER) for a thermophotovoltaic (TPV) electric generator achieves improved energy efficiency using either liquid or gaseous fuels. A mixed ceramic and metallic alloy heat exchanger, together with a high temperature emitter, achieves increased energy density in a compact and lightweight assembly.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 1997Date of Patent: August 3, 1999Assignee: McDermott Technology, Inc.Inventors: Crispin L. DeBellis, Mark V. Scotto, John D. Malloy, III, Stephen W. Scoles, Donald L. Hindman, Jeffrey A. Rogers