Patents by Inventor Fortunat J. Mueller

Fortunat J. Mueller 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).

  • Saturated vapor block for frozen fuel cell power plant
    Patent number: 8835067
    Abstract: A fuel cell power plant includes a cell stack assembly having an anode and a cathode. A component is arranged in fluid connection with at least one of the anode and cathode. The component has a first shut-down cooling rate. A heat exchanger is arranged in fluid communication with and between the component and one of the anode and cathode. The heat exchanger has a second shut-down cooling rate greater than the first shut-down cooling rate. Water vapor within the fuel cell power plant outside of the cell stack assembly will condense and freeze in the heat exchanger rather than the component, avoiding malfunction of the component upon start-up in below freezing environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Inc.
    Inventors: David G. Converse, Fortunat J. Mueller