Patents by Inventor Eric S. Mettler

Eric S. Mettler 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).

  • Patent number: 7678488
    Abstract: The present invention concerns improvements in fuel cell fabrication. It concerns an improved, integrated and modular BSP/MEA/Manifolds, which facilitates single cell (module) leak and performance testing prior to assembly in a fuel cell stack as well as facilitating manufacturing and cost reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Altergy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerrold E. Franklin, Eric S. Mettler
  • Patent number: 7670707
    Abstract: A laminar electrical contact for fuel cells is disclosed. By optimizing the contact area and pressure between a separator plate and a membrane electrode assembly, the lamina of the present invention improves fuel cell efficiency and performance. The lamina may rest upon compliant members or springs that push the lamina into the adjoining membrane electrode assembly, thereby assuring continuous and robust electrical contact between the separator plate and the membrane electrode assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Altergy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerrold E. Franklin, Eric S. Mettler
  • Patent number: 6815113
    Abstract: This invention provides arrays of independently acting compliant electrical contacts within a fuel cell. These contacts maintain electrical contact between a plate and the adjacent membrane electrode assembly, and provide substantially uniform internal pressure distribution and substantially uniform electrical contact. In one embodiment, the electrical contacts are springs, which can take a variety of forms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Altergy Systems
    Inventors: Jerrold E. Franklin, Eric S. Mettler
  • Publication number: 20040053099
    Abstract: The present invention concerns improvements in fuel cell fabrication. Arrays of independent acting compliant electrical contacts are incorporated within a fuel cell which improve fuel cell operation by creating uniform and intimate electrical contact with the adjacent membrane electrode assembly (MEA). These compliant electrical contacts provide substantial uniform internal pressure distribution and substantially uniform electrical contact. In one embodiment, the array of compliant electrical contacts are in the form of a plurality of metal springs of various configurations which are electrically and mechanical contacted to a conducting base plate. In another embodiment the array of compliant electrical contacts are in the form of a plurality of small metal pins or rods which are electrically and mechanically contacted to a conducting base plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Jerrold E. Franklin, Eric S. Mettler, Muralidharan P. Arikara, Lawrence Bawden
  • Publication number: 20020142664
    Abstract: This invention provides arrays of independently acting compliant electrical contacts within a fuel cell. These contacts maintain electrical contact between a plate and the adjacent membrane electrode assembly, and provide substantially uniform internal pressure distribution and substantially uniform electrical contact. In one embodiment, the electrical contacts are springs, which can take a variety of forms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Jerrold E. Franklin, Eric S. Mettler
  • Publication number: 20020022170
    Abstract: The present invention concerns improvements in fuel cell fabrication. It concerns an improved, integrated and modular BSP/MEA/Manifolds, which facilitates single cell (module) leak and performance testing prior to assembly in a fuel cell stack as well as facilitating manufacturing and cost reduction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventors: Jerrold E. Franklin, Eric S. Mettler, Muralidharan P. Arikara, Lawrence R. Bawden
  • Publication number: 20020022382
    Abstract: This invention concerns improvements in fuel cell fabrication. Arrays of independent acting compliant electrical contacts are incorporated within a fuel cell which improve fuel cell Bi Polar Separator Plate (bipolar separator plate) which improve fuel cell operation by creating uniform and intimate electrical contact with the adjacent membrane electrode assembly (Membrane electrode assembly). These compliant electrical contacts provide substantial uniform internal pressure distribution and substantially uniform electrical contact. In one embodiment, the array of compliant electrical contacts are in the form of a plurality of metal springs of various configurations which are electrically and mechanical contacted to a conducting base plate. In another embodiment the array of compliant electrical contacts are in the form of a plurality of small metal pins or rods which are electrically and mechanically contacted to a conducting base plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventors: Jerrold E. Franklin, Eric S. Mettler, Muralidharan P. Arikara, Lawrence R. Bawden