Patents by Inventor Florian O. Mertens

Florian O. Mertens 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).

  • Hydrogen storage system materials and methods including hydrides and hydroxides
    Patent number: 7959896
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a system for methods of producing and releasing hydrogen from hydrogen storage compositions having a hydrogenated state and a dehydrogenated state. In the hydrogenated state, such a composition comprises a hydride and a hydroxide. In a dehydrogenated state, the composition comprises an oxide. A first reaction is conducted between a portion of the hydride and water to generate heat sufficient to cause a second hydrogen production reaction between a remaining portion of the hydride and the hydroxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Florian O Mertens, Scott W Jorgensen, John J Vajo
  • Procedure for the hydrogenation of BNH-containing compounds
    Patent number: 7695704
    Abstract: A process for producing borazane from boron-nitrogen and boron-nitrogen-hydrogen containing BNH-waste products. The process includes reacting the BNH-waste products with a hydrogen halide, having the formula HX, wherein X is selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, and combinations thereof, to form any of the following: a boron trihalide, having the formula BX3, an ammonium halide, having the formula NH4X, and hydrogen. The boron trihalide is then reacted with the hydrogen to form diborane, having the formula B2H6, and hydrogen halide. The ammonium halide is then converted to ammonia, having the formula NH3, and hydrogen halide. The diborane is then reacted with the ammonia to form borazane, having the formula BH3NH3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc., Albert Ludwigs Universitat Freiburg
    Inventors: Gert Wolf, Felix Baitalow, Gerhard Roewer, Steffen Hausdorf, Gerd Arnold, Ulrich Eberle, Dieter Hasenauer, Florian O. Mertens
  • Regeneration of hydrogen storage system materials and methods including hydrides and hydroxides
    Patent number: 7601329
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a hydrogen storage composition having a hydrogenated state and a dehydrogenated state. In the hydrogenated state, such composition comprises a hydride and a hydroxide. In a dehydrogenated state, the composition comprises an oxide. The present invention also provides methods of and compositions for regenerating a species of a hydroxide and a hydride material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: John J Vajo, Florian O Mertens, Scott W Jorgensen
  • Hydrogen storage materials and methods including hydrides and hydroxides
    Patent number: 7521036
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a hydrogen storage composition having a hydrogenated state and a dehydrogenated state. In the hydrogenated state, such composition comprises a hydride and a hydroxide. In a dehydrogenated state, the composition comprises an oxide. The present invention also provides methods of producing hydrogen, including for mobile fuel cell device applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: John J Vajo, Florian O Mertens, Scott W Jorgensen
  • Methods for reversibly storing hydrogen
    Patent number: 7462344
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of reversibly storing hydrogen at industrially practicable temperature and pressure conditions. A stable hydrogen storage hydride is mixed with a destabilizing hydride. The stable hydride is capable of releasing hydrogen at a first energy level. When the stable hydride is in the presence of the destabilizing hydride, the stable hydride releases hydrogen at a second energy level. The second energy level is significantly reduced from the first energy level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Vajo, Florian O. Mertens, Sky Skeith, Michael P. Balogh, Frederick E. Pinkerton, Martin S. Meyer
  • PROCEDURE FOR THE HYDROGENATION OF BNH-CONTAINING COMPOUNDS
    Publication number: 20080193356
    Abstract: A process for producing borazane from boron-nitrogen and boron-nitrogen-hydrogen containing BNH-waste products. The process includes reacting the BNH-waste products with a hydrogen halide, having the formula HX, wherein X is selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, and combinations thereof, to form any of the following: a boron trihalide, having the formula BX3, an ammonium halide, having the formula NH4X, and hydrogen. The boron trihalide is then reacted with the hydrogen to form diborane, having the formula B2H6, and hydrogen halide. The ammonium halide is then converted to ammonia, having the formula NH3, and hydrogen halide. The diborane is then reacted with the ammonia to form borazane, having the formula BH3NH3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Gert Wolf, Felix Baitalow, Gerhard Roewer, Steffen Hausdorf, Gerd Arnold, Ulrich Eberle, Dieter Hasenauer, Florian O. Mertens