Patents by Inventor Dana Kelley
Dana Kelley 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: 8871404Abstract: A manifold seal for a fuel cell system includes a sealing area defined by a peripheral portion of a fuel cell stack of the fuel cell system and a portion of an end plate positioned on the fuel cell stack. The manifold seal includes a manifold frame defining a mating surface which sealingly engages the sealing area. The mating surface has a slot formed therein which opens towards the sealing area. The manifold seal includes a bracket defining a base portion and having a lip projecting from an edge thereof. The base portion is moveably secured to a face of the end plate so that the edge is positioned on the sealing area. The base portion is positioned inwardly from the sealing area and the manifold frame. The lip is moveably engaged in and cooperates with the slot to seal a gap between the mating surface and the sealing area.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2013Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: FuelCell Energy, Inc.Inventors: Glenn DiCostanzo, Dana Kelley, Louis Ernst, Jr.
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Publication number: 20130295490Abstract: A manifold seal for a fuel cell system includes a sealing area defined by a peripheral portion of a fuel cell stack of the fuel cell system and a portion of an end plate positioned on the fuel cell stack. The manifold seal includes a manifold frame defining a mating surface which sealingly engages the sealing area. The mating surface has a slot formed therein which opens towards the sealing area. The manifold seal includes a bracket defining a base portion and having a lip projecting from an edge thereof. The base portion is moveably secured to a face of the end plate so that the edge is positioned on the sealing area. The base portion is positioned inwardly from the sealing area and the manifold frame. The lip is moveably engaged in and cooperates with the slot to seal a gap between the mating surface and the sealing area.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Inventors: Glenn DiCostanzo, Dana Kelley, Louis Ernst, JR.
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Patent number: 8541144Abstract: A manifold seal for a fuel cell system includes a sealing area defined by a peripheral portion of a fuel cell stack of the fuel cell system and a portion of an end plate positioned on the fuel cell stack. The manifold seal includes a manifold frame defining a mating surface which sealingly engages the sealing area. The manifold seal also includes a bracket defining a base portion and having a lip projecting from an edge thereof. The base portion is moveably secured to a face of the end plate so that the edge is positioned on the sealing area. The lip is moveably engaged in and cooperates with a slot formed in the mating surface to seal a gap between the mating surface and the sealing area caused by movement of the fuel cell stack.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2009Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: FuelCell Energy, Inc.Inventors: Glenn DiCostanzo, Dana Kelley, Louis Ernst, Jr.
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Patent number: 8088697Abstract: A fibrous ceramic material including a plurality of fibers entangled with one another. The fibrous ceramic material includes at least one connector projecting between the fibers. At least a portion of the fibers have the connectors extending between and attach the fibers to one another. A method of manufacturing the fibrous ceramic material includes providing a precursor material having a plurality of fibers. A holder is provided for holding the precursor material. The precursor material is placed on the holder and both are heated to between about 1500 degrees Celsius and about 1700 degrees Celsius to form the fibrous ceramic material, thereby causing connectors to project from a portion of the fibers and attach the fibers to one another.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2008Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: FuelCell Energy, Inc.Inventors: Chao-Yi Yuh, Dana A. Kelley, Nikhil H. Jalani
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Patent number: 8057955Abstract: A caulk is provided for use in a fuel cell system having an externally manifolded fuel cell stack, forming a gas seal between a manifold gasket and the stack face. The caulk is formed of a ceramic material and a binder formed into a paste.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2006Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: FuelCell Energy, Inc.Inventors: Dana A. Kelley, Chao-Yi Yuh, Mohammad Farooque
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Publication number: 20110104585Abstract: A manifold seal for a fuel cell system includes a sealing area defined by a peripheral portion of a fuel cell stack of the fuel cell system and a portion of an end plate positioned on the fuel cell stack. The manifold seal includes a manifold frame defining a mating surface which sealingly engages the sealing area. The manifold seal also includes a bracket defining a base portion and having a lip projecting from an edge thereof. The base portion is moveably secured to a face of the end plate so that the edge is positioned on the sealing area. The lip is moveably engaged in and cooperates with a slot formed in the mating surface to seal a gap between the mating surface and the sealing area caused by movement of the fuel cell stack.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2009Publication date: May 5, 2011Applicant: FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.Inventors: Glenn DiCostanzo, Dana Kelley, Louis Ernst, JR.
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Patent number: 7740988Abstract: An assembly having fuel cell plate structure adapted for use in a fuel cell in which gas flow channels are arranged to carry process gas adjacent the active and wet seal areas of the fuel cell, the plate structure having one or more baffles arranged such that when the plate structure is in the fuel cell the baffles of the plate structure cause the process gas flowing adjacent the wet seal areas to be directed away from the wet seal areas and toward the active areas of the cell.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2006Date of Patent: June 22, 2010Assignee: FuelCell Energy, Inc.Inventors: Zhiwen Ma, Chao-Yi Yuh, Dana A. Kelley, Mohammad Farooque, William Beesley
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Publication number: 20100068601Abstract: A fibrous ceramic material including a plurality of fibers entangled with one another. The fibrous ceramic material includes at least one connector projecting between the fibers. At least a portion of the fibers have the connectors extending between and attach the fibers to one another. A method of manufacturing the fibrous ceramic material includes providing a precursor material having a plurality of fibers. A holder is provided for holding the precursor material. The precursor material is placed on the holder and both are heated to between about 1500 degrees Celsius and about 1700 degrees Celsius to form the fibrous ceramic material, thereby causing connectors to project from a portion of the fibers and attach the fibers to one another.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2008Publication date: March 18, 2010Inventors: Chao-Yi Yuh, Dana A. Kelley, Nikhil H. Jalani
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Patent number: 7494736Abstract: An assembly having a dielectric frame which utilizes a plurality of segments, each segment having opposing first and second surfaces and first and second ends portions. Each of the first and second end portions has an end surface and a cutout extending from the end surface of the end portion along the length of the segment and from the first surface to the second surface. The segments of the frame are arranged in abutting relationship with the first surfaces of the segments aligned and the second surfaces of said segments aligned and with the end surface of a first end portion of a segment abutting the end surface of the second end portion of the adjacent segment. In this way, the cutouts of the first and second end portions of abutting segments form a keyway and a key is situated in the keyway so as to hold the abutting segments together. In accordance with the invention, certain of the segments are provided with recesses in the first surfaces of the segments adjacent the cutouts.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2004Date of Patent: February 24, 2009Assignee: FuelCell Energy, Inc.Inventors: Eric Hansell, Dana A. Kelley, Mohammad Farooque, Kevin Dickson, Paul Gilbert
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Patent number: 7294427Abstract: A gasket for use in a fuel cell system having at least one externally manifolded fuel cell stack, for sealing the manifold edge and the stack face. In accordance with the present invention, the gasket accommodates differential movement between the stack and manifold by promoting slippage at interfaces between the gasket and the dielectric and between the gasket and the stack face.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2004Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignees: FuelCell Energy, Inc., United States of America Department of EnergyInventors: Dana A. Kelley, Mohammad Farooque
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Publication number: 20070231663Abstract: A caulk is provided for use in a fuel cell system having an externally manifolded fuel cell stack, forming a gas seal between a manifold gasket and the stack face. The caulk is formed of a ceramic material and a binder formed into a paste.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2006Publication date: October 4, 2007Inventors: Dana Kelley, Chao-Yi Yuh, Mohammad Farooque
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Publication number: 20070231659Abstract: An assembly having fuel cell plate structure adapted for use in a fuel cell in which gas flow channels are arranged to carry process gas adjacent the active and wet seal areas of the fuel cell, the plate structure having one or more baffles arranged such that when the plate structure is in the fuel cell the baffles of the plate structure cause the process gas flowing adjacent the wet seal areas to be directed away from the wet seal areas and toward the active areas of the cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2006Publication date: October 4, 2007Inventors: Zhiwen Ma, Chao-Yi Yuh, Dana Kelley, Mohammad Farooque, William Beesley
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Patent number: 7276304Abstract: A fuel cell system with improved electrical isolation having a fuel cell stack with a positive potential end and a negative potential, a manifold for use in coupling gases to and from a face of the fuel cell stack, an electrical isolating assembly for electrically isolating the manifold from the stack, and a unit for adjusting an electrical potential of the manifold such as to impede the flow of electrolyte from the stack across the isolating assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2004Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: FuelCell Energy, Inc.Inventors: Dana A. Kelley, Mohammad Farooque, Keith Davis
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Publication number: 20060141324Abstract: A gasket for use in a fuel cell system having at least one externally manifolded fuel cell stack, for sealing the manifold edge and the stack face. In accordance with the present invention, the gasket accommodates differential movement between the stack and manifold by promoting slippage at interfaces between the gasket and the dielectric and between the gasket and the stack face.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2004Publication date: June 29, 2006Inventors: Dana Kelley, Mohammad Farooque
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Publication number: 20060141325Abstract: An assembly having a dielectric frame which utilizes a plurality of segments, each segment having opposing first and second surfaces and first and second ends portions. Each of the first and second end portions has an end surface and a cutout extending from the end surface of the end portion along the length of the segment and from the first surface to the second surface. The segments of the frame are arranged in abutting relationship with the first surfaces of the segments aligned and the second surfaces of said segments aligned and with the end surface of a first end portion of a segment abutting the end surface of the second end portion of the adjacent segment. In this way, the cutouts of the first and second end portions of abutting segments form a keyway and a key is situated in the keyway so as to hold the abutting segments together. In accordance with the invention, certain of the segments are provided with recesses in the first surfaces of the segments adjacent the cutouts.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2004Publication date: June 29, 2006Inventors: Eric Hansell, Dana Kelley, Mohammad Farooque, Kevin Dickson, Paul Gilbert
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Publication number: 20060141306Abstract: A fuel cell system with improved electrical isolation having a fuel cell stack with a positive potential end and a negative potential, a manifold for use in coupling gases to and from a face of the fuel cell stack, an electrical isolating assembly for electrically isolating the manifold from the stack, and a unit for adjusting an electrical potential of the manifold such as to impede the flow of electrolyte from the stack across the isolating assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2004Publication date: June 29, 2006Inventors: Dana Kelley, Mohammad Farooque, Keith Davis
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Patent number: 6964825Abstract: A fuel cell gasket assembly for use in conjunction with a fuel cell stack by placing the gasket assembly between the periphery of a face of the stack and a manifold. The periphery of the stack face includes periphery portions that expand differently during operation of the stack. The gasket assembly comprises a member adapted to have different compressibilities over predetermined portions of the member and/or a resilient shim embedded in preselected sections the member whereby the gasket maintains contact with the periphery of the stack face and the manifold. The structure of the gasket assembly of the present invention provides a compliant fuel cell gasket assembly that accommodates bipolar plate growth and end cell growth in the fuel cell stack and maintains the gas seal between the stack and manifold structure.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2003Date of Patent: November 15, 2005Assignee: FuelCell Energy, Inc.Inventors: Mohammad Farooque, Chao-Yi Yuh, Dana Kelley, Michael Cramer
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Patent number: 6887611Abstract: A fuel cell stack manifold system in which a flexible manifold body includes a pan having a central area, sidewall extending outward from the periphery of the central area, and at least one compound fold comprising a central area fold connecting adjacent portions of the central area and extending between opposite sides of the central area, and a sidewall fold connecting adjacent portions of the sidewall. The manifold system further includes a rail assembly for attachment to the manifold body and adapted to receive pins by which dielectric insulators are joined to the manifold assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2002Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Inventors: Michael Cramer, Jagdish Shah, Richard P. Hayes, Dana A. Kelley
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Publication number: 20050058872Abstract: A connection assembly for connecting first and second components so as to promote electrical isolation therebetween comprising first and second members adapted to be connected to the first and second components and a dielectric member situated between the first and second members. A fastening assembly is provided to fasten the first and second members and the dielectric member together as a unit. The fastening assembly includes dielectric elements and a dielectric coating is applied to preselected surface areas of the first and second members. The first component of the connection assembly may be at a different electrical potential than the second component.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2003Publication date: March 17, 2005Inventors: Scott Blanchet, Dana Kelley, Mohammad Farooque, Richard Way
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Publication number: 20050042494Abstract: A compliant member is described for placement in a fuel cell, in a wet seal area thereof, which is defined by a bipolar plate structure and is adjacent an electrode and current collector. The compliant member comprises a flat body member having sections extending outwardly of the plane of the body member and imparting compliance to the compliant member.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2003Publication date: February 24, 2005Inventors: Chao-Yi Yuh, Michael Cramer, Mohammad Farooque, Dana Kelley, Chris Begley