Patents by Inventor David R. Lott
David R. Lott 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: 9293778Abstract: A proton exchange membrane fuel cell is described and which includes a proton exchange membrane having at least one gas diffusion layer which is juxtaposed relative thereto, and which is fabricated, at least in part, of a porous, electrically conductive, inorganic material which is selected from the group comprising metal diborides, metal disilicides, metal nitrides, metal carbides, and composites, laminates and solid solutions thereof.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2007Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Emergent Power Inc.Inventors: Scott A. Spink, David R. Lott, Matthew M. Wright, Dinesh S. Yemul, William A. Fuglevand, Shiblihanna I. Bayuuk, Runrun Duan, Lijun Bai
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Patent number: 9012101Abstract: The patent relates to fuel cell systems and controlling fuel cell systems. One fuel cell system includes at least one fuel cell stack that includes multiple different serially arranged cells. The system also includes at least one component configured to effect an operating environment of the at least one fuel cell stack. The system further includes a controller configured to operate the at least one component at a primary control point relating to one or more parameters of the operating environment. The controller is further configured to temporarily adjust the at least one component to a secondary control point relating to the one or more parameters. The controller can then re-adjust the at least one component to the primary control point. The fuel cell system can achieve greater overall performance than can be obtained without the adjusting and re-adjusting.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2013Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: ReliOn, Inc.Inventors: Dinesh S. Yemul, Scott A. Spink, David R Lott, Lijun Bai
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Publication number: 20130337353Abstract: The patent relates to fuel cell systems and controlling fuel cell systems. One fuel cell system includes at least one fuel cell stack that includes multiple different serially arranged cells. The system also includes at least one component configured to effect an operating environment of the at least one fuel cell stack. The system further includes a controller configured to operate the at least one component at a primary control point relating to one or more parameters of the operating environment. The controller is further configured to temporarily adjust the at least one component to a secondary control point relating to the one or more parameters. The controller can then re-adjust the at least one component to the primary control point. The fuel cell system can achieve greater overall performance than can be obtained without the adjusting and re-adjusting.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2013Publication date: December 19, 2013Inventors: Dinesh S. Yemul, Scott A. Spink, David R. Lott, Lijun Bai
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Patent number: 8597846Abstract: A proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack and novel proton exchange membrane fuel cell module are disclosed and wherein the proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack includes a plurality of repeating, serially electrically coupled fuel cell stack modules, and which are sealably mounted together by a compressive force of less than about 60 pounds per square inch.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2012Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: ReliOn, Inc.Inventors: Scott A. Spink, David R. Lott, Matthew M. Wright, Eric J. Ryan, Dinesh S. Yemul, John M. Fisher
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Publication number: 20130071698Abstract: The concepts relate to in-line shunting of fuel cells. In one case, a fuel cell stack can include multiple serially arranged cells. The multiple serially arranged cells can be compressed against one another and can be supplied by a fuel supply manifold that is integral and internal to the fuel cell stack. A power source can be electrically coupled with the fuel cell stack at a bus. A controller can be configured to shunt sub-sets of the fuel cell stack while the fuel cell stack continues to supply power to the bus.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2012Publication date: March 21, 2013Applicant: RELION, INC.Inventors: Dinesh S. Yemul, William A. Fuglevand, Lijun Bai, Mark W. Grimes, David R. Lott, Scott A. Spink
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Publication number: 20120214078Abstract: A proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack and novel proton exchange membrane fuel cell module are disclosed and wherein the proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack includes a plurality of repeating, serially electrically coupled fuel cell stack modules, and which are sealably mounted together by a compressive force of less than about 60 pounds per square inch.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2012Publication date: August 23, 2012Applicant: RELION, INC.Inventors: Scott A. Spink, David R. Lott, Matthew M. Wright, Eric J. Ryan, Dinesh S. Yemul, John M. Fisher
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Patent number: 8192889Abstract: A proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack and novel proton exchange membrane fuel cell module are disclosed and wherein the proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack includes a plurality of repeating, serially electrically coupled fuel cell stack modules, and which are sealably mounted together by a compressive force of less than about 60 pounds per square inch.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2011Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: ReliOn, Inc.Inventors: Scott A. Spink, David R. Lott, Matthew M. Wright, Eric J. Ryan, Dinesh S. Yemul, John M. Fisher
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Publication number: 20110300467Abstract: A proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack and novel proton exchange membrane fuel cell module are disclosed and wherein the proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack includes a plurality of repeating, serially electrically coupled fuel cell stack modules, and which are sealably mounted together by a compressive force of less than about 60 pounds per square inch.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2011Publication date: December 8, 2011Applicant: RELION, INC.Inventors: Scott A. Spink, David R. Lott, Matthew M. Wright, Eric J. Ryan, Dinesh S. Yemul, John M. Fisher
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Patent number: 8026020Abstract: A proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack and novel proton exchange membrane fuel cell module are disclosed and wherein the proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack includes a plurality of repeating, serially electrically coupled fuel cell stack modules, and which are sealably mounted together by a compressive force of less than about 60 pounds per square inch.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2007Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignee: ReliOn, Inc.Inventors: Scott A. Spink, David R. Lott, Matthew M. Wright, Eric J. Ryan, Dinesh S. Yemul, John M. Fisher
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Patent number: 8003274Abstract: A direct liquid fuel cell is disclosed and wherein the fuel cell includes an anode fluid diffusion layer positioned adjacent to the anode side of the membrane electrode assembly, and which consists of, at least in part, a porous electrically conductive ceramic material which is substantially devoid of predetermined fluid passageways. A source of an aqueous hydrocarbon fuel solution is coupled in direct fluid flowing relation relative to the anode fluid diffusion layer, and the anode fluid diffusion layer substantially evenly distributes the aqueous hydrocarbon fuel solution across the active area surface of the anode side of the membrane electrode assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2007Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: ReliOn, Inc.Inventors: Scott A. Spink, David R. Lott, William A. Fuglevand
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Patent number: 7722972Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a fuel cell which has an anode and a cathode includes first and second circuitry which are utilized, to selectively short the anode to the cathode and further is useful in measuring the rate of voltage recovery following shorting, and which can be utilized as a predictor of appropriate fuel cell hydration and can be further utilized to adjust the operational conditions of the fuel cell.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2005Date of Patent: May 25, 2010Assignee: Relion, Inc.Inventors: Lijun Bai, David R. Lott, Mark Hernick
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Publication number: 20090169941Abstract: A direct liquid fuel cell is disclosed and wherein the fuel cell includes an anode fluid diffusion layer positioned adjacent to the anode side of the membrane electrode assembly, and which consists of, at least in part, a porous electrically conductive ceramic material which is substantially devoid of predetermined fluid passageways. A source of an aqueous hydrocarbon fuel solution is coupled in direct fluid flowing relation relative to the anode fluid diffusion layer, and the anode fluid diffusion layer substantially evenly distributes the aqueous hydrocarbon fuel solution across the active area surface of the anode side of the membrane electrode assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2007Publication date: July 2, 2009Inventors: Scott A. Spink, David R. Lott, William A. Fuglevand
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Publication number: 20080305378Abstract: A proton exchange membrane fuel cell is described and which includes a proton exchange membrane having at least one gas diffusion layer which is juxtaposed relative thereto, and which is fabricated, at least in part, of a porous, electrically conductive, inorganic material which is selected from the group comprising metal diborides, metal disilicides, metal nitrides, metal carbides, and composites, laminates and solid solutions thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2007Publication date: December 11, 2008Inventors: Scott A. Spink, David R. Lott, Matthew M. Wright, Dinesh S. Yemul, William A. Fuglevand, Shiblihanna I. Bayyuk, Runrun Duan, Lijun Bai
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Publication number: 20080280178Abstract: A proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack and novel proton exchange membrane fuel cell module are disclosed and wherein the proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack includes a plurality of repeating, serially electrically coupled fuel cell stack modules, and which are sealably mounted together by a compressive force of less than about 60 pounds per square inch.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2007Publication date: November 13, 2008Inventors: Scott A. Spink, David R. Lott, Matthew M. Wright, Eric J. Ryan, Dinesh S. Yemul, John M. Fisher
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Patent number: 7049017Abstract: A fuel cell power system comprising a fuel cell having a cathode and an anode adapted to be coupled to a fuel supply, and which is configured to produce electrical power having a current and voltage output; a controller electrically coupled with the fuel cell, and configured to selectively short the anode to the cathode of the fuel cell; and circuitry configured to measure resistance of the fuel cell in timed relation to the shorting.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2003Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: Relion, Inc.Inventors: Lijun Bai, David R. Lott, Vanell L. Martin
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Patent number: 6982129Abstract: A fuel cell power system comprising a fuel cell having a cathode and an anode adapted to be coupled to a fuel supply, and which is configured to produce electrical power having a current and voltage output; a controller electrically coupled with the fuel cell, and configured to selectively short the anode to the cathode of the fuel cell; and circuitry configured to measure resistance of the fuel cell in timed relation to the shorting.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2003Date of Patent: January 3, 2006Assignee: Relion, Inc.Inventors: Lijun Bai, David R. Lott, Vanell L. Martin
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Patent number: 6828050Abstract: A fuel cell is disclosed and which includes an anode and a cathode and which produces a voltage output which is supplied to a load; an electrical energy storage device is provided; and a controller is electrically coupled to the fuel cell, and which periodically shunts the voltage output of the fuel cell between the anode and cathode by electrically coupling the electrical energy storage device to the anode and cathode of the fuel cell.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2002Date of Patent: December 7, 2004Assignee: Relion, Inc.Inventors: Lijun Bai, Wade A. Huravitch, David R. Lott, Vanell L. Martin
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Patent number: 6811906Abstract: A fuel cell power system comprising a fuel cell having a cathode and an anode adapted to be coupled to a fuel supply, and which is configured to produce electrical power having a current and voltage output; a controller electrically coupled with the fuel cell, and configured to selectively short the anode to the cathode of the fuel cell; and circuitry configured to measure resistance of the fuel cell in timed relation to the shorting.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2003Date of Patent: November 2, 2004Assignee: Relion, Inc.Inventors: Lijun Bai, David R. Lott, Vanell L. Martin
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Patent number: 6805987Abstract: A fuel cell power system comprising a fuel cell having a cathode and an anode adapted to be coupled to a fuel supply, and which is configured to produce electrical power having a current and voltage output; a controller electrically coupled with the fuel cell, and configured to selectively short the anode to the cathode of the fuel cell; and circuitry configured to measure resistance of the fuel cell in timed relation to the shorting.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2003Date of Patent: October 19, 2004Assignee: Relion, Inc.Inventors: Lijun Bai, David R. Lott, Vanell L. Martin
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Patent number: RE39556Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved fuel cell and method of controlling same having an anode and a cathode which produces an electrical current having a given voltage and current output and which includes a controller electrically coupled with the fuel cell and which shunts the electrical current between the anode and the cathode of the fuel cell. The invention also discloses a method for controlling the fuel cell having an anode, a cathode and a given voltage and current output and which include determining the voltage and current output of the fuel cell; and shunting the electrical current between the anode and cathode of the fuel cell under first and second operation parameters.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2001Date of Patent: April 10, 2007Assignee: Relion, Inc.Inventors: William A. Fuglevand, Peter D. DeVries, Greg A. Lloyd, David R. Lott, John P. Scartozzi