Patents by Inventor Frank Coms
Frank Coms 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: 9325026Abstract: An ion conducting membrane for fuel cell applications includes an ion conducting polymer and a porphyrin-containing compound at least partially dispersed within the ion conducting polymer. The ion conducting membranes exhibit improved performance over membranes not incorporating such porphyrin-containing compounds.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2013Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Michael R. Schoeneweiss, Timothy J. Fuller, Frank Coms, Sean M. MacKinnon
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Patent number: 9083049Abstract: A fuel cell comprising: a first layer comprising a first ionomer and an additive, the additive comprising a metal oxide comprising an oxide at least one of of Ce, Mn, V, Pt, Ru, Zr, Ni, Cr, W, Co, Mo, or Sn, and wherein the additive is present in at least 0.1 weight percent of the ionomer is disclosed as one embodiment of the invention, and performance and durability are advantaged wherein one or all of the metal oxide consists essentially nanoparticles.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2006Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Timothy J. Fuller, Michael R. Schoeneweiss, Tao Xie, Frank Coms, Sean M. MacKinnon, Gerald W. Fly
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Patent number: 9083050Abstract: A fuel cell includes an ion conducting membrane having a first side and a second side. Characteristically, the ion conducting membrane has a sufficient amount of a stabilization agent and platinum to inhibit the loss of fluoride from the ion conducting membrane when compared to an ion conducting membrane having the same construction except for the presence of cerium ions.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2010Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Frank Coms, Craig Gittleman, Annette Brenner, Ruichun Jiang
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Patent number: 8999595Abstract: A fuel cell or a fuel cell stack component comprises an active area and a non-active area. A peroxide decomposing metal compound or metal alloy is disposed in or on the non-active area of a fuel cell or a fuel cell component. The metal compound or alloy is capable of providing a peroxide decomposing metal species that can migrate from the non-active area to an active area of a fuel cell. A fuel cell or membrane electrode assembly having a peroxide decomposing metal compound or alloy disposed in its non-active area exhibits improved durability.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2010Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Sean M. MacKinnon, Frank Coms, Timothy J. Fuller, Craig S. Gittleman, Ruichun Jiang
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Patent number: 8852823Abstract: An ion conducting membrane for fuel cell applications includes an ion conducting polymer and a tin-containing compound at least partially dispersed within the ion conducting polymer. The ion conducting membranes exhibit improved performance over membranes not incorporating such tin-containing compounds.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2009Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Timothy J. Fuller, Michael R. Schoeneweiss, Sean M Mackinnon, Frank Coms
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Patent number: 8409765Abstract: An ion conducting membrane for fuel cell applications includes an ion conducting polymer and a porphyrin-containing compound at least partially dispersed within the ion conducting polymer. The ion conducting membranes exhibit improved performance over membranes not incorporating such porphyrin-containing compounds.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2009Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Michael R. Schoeneweiss, Timothy J. Fuller, Frank Coms, Sean M MacKinnon
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Publication number: 20120135332Abstract: A fuel cell or a fuel cell stack component comprises an active area and a non-active area. A peroxide decomposing metal compound or metal alloy is disposed in or on the non-active area of a fuel cell or a fuel cell component. The metal compound or alloy is capable of providing a peroxide decomposing metal species that can migrate from the non-active area to an active area of a fuel cell. A fuel cell or membrane electrode assembly having a peroxide decomposing metal compound or alloy disposed in its non-active area exhibits improved durability.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2010Publication date: May 31, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Sean M. Mackinnon, Frank Coms, Timothy J. Fuller, Craig S. Gittleman, Ruichun Jiang
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Publication number: 20120122016Abstract: A fuel cell includes an anode, a cathode, and an ion conducting membrane interposed between the anode and cathode. The ion conducting membrane includes a base layer that has an ion conducting polymer and additive layer that has a metal supported on an oxide support, the oxide support scavenging hydroxyl radicals formed during fuel cell operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2010Publication date: May 17, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Ruichun Jiang, Junliang Zhang, Zhongyi Liu, Frank Coms, Craig S. Gittleman
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Publication number: 20120088181Abstract: A fuel cell includes an ion conducting membrane having a first side and a second side. Characteristically, the ion conducting membrane has a sufficient amount of a stabilization agent and platinum to inhibit the loss of fluoride from the ion conducting membrane when compared to an ion conducting membrane having the same construction except for the presence of cerium ions.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2010Publication date: April 12, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Frank Coms, Craig Gittleman, Annette Brenner, Ruichun Jiang
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Publication number: 20110287338Abstract: The fuel cell of this embodiment includes an ion conducting membrane having a first side and a second side. Characteristically, the ion conducting membrane has a sufficient amount of cerium ions to inhibit the loss of fluoride from the ion conducting membrane when compared to an ion conducting membrane having the same construction except for the presence of cerium ions. The MEA also includes a first catalyst layer disposed on the first side of the ion conducting layer and a second catalyst layer disposed on the second side of the ion conduction layer. A first gasket is disposed between the first catalyst layer and the first side of the ion conducting membrane along the periphery of the second side. Similarly, a second gasket is interposed between the second catalyst layer and the second side of the ion conducting membrane along the periphery of the second side.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2010Publication date: November 24, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventor: Frank Coms
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Publication number: 20110159405Abstract: An ion conducting membrane for fuel cell applications includes a combination of a polyvinyl polymer and an ion conducting polymer that is different than the polyvinyl polymer. The ion conducting membrane of this embodiment is able to operate in fuel cells at elevated temperatures with minimal external humidification. A fuel cell incorporating the ion conducting membrane between a first and second catalyst layer is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2009Publication date: June 30, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Timothy J. Fuller, Michael R. Schoeneweiss, Sean M. MacKinnon, Frank Coms
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Publication number: 20110053038Abstract: An ion conducting membrane for fuel cell applications includes an ion conducting polymer and a porphyrin-containing compound at least partially dispersed within the ion conducting polymer. The ion conducting membranes exhibit improved performance over membranes not incorporating such porphyrin-containing compounds.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2009Publication date: March 3, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INCInventors: Michael R. Schoeneweiss, Timothy J. Fuller, Frank Coms, Sean M. Mackinnon
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Publication number: 20110053035Abstract: An ion conducting membrane for fuel cell applications includes an ion conducting polymer and a tin-containing compound at least partially dispersed within the ion conducting polymer. The ion conducting membranes exhibit improved performance over membranes not incorporating such tin-containing compounds.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2009Publication date: March 3, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Timothy J. Fuller, Michael R. Schoeneweiss, Sean M. Mackinnon, Frank Coms
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Patent number: 7897691Abstract: A proton conductive graft polymer comprises at least a structure unit of a sulfonated polymer side chain covalently attached to a hydrophobic perfluorocyclobutane polymer main chain. The sulfonated condensation polymer side chain has a high local ion exchange capacity while the main polymer chain is substantially free of sulfonic acid group. A membrane made from the graft polymer can provide good mechanical properties and high proton conductivity at wide range of humidity and temperatures.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2008Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Sean M MacKinnon, Timothy J. Fuller, Frank Coms, Michael R. Schoeneweiss
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Patent number: 7897692Abstract: A sulfonated aromatic perfluorocyclobutane block copolymer comprises a hydrophobic perfluorocyclobutane ether chain segment and a hydrophilic sulfonated perfluorocyclobutane ether chain segment. The sulfonated perfluorocyclobutane copolymer may be used to make proton conductive membranes and membrane electrode assemblies in fuel cells. Processes of making the block copolymer through thermal coupling reactions are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2008Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Sean M Mackinnon, Timothy J. Fuller, Frank Coms
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Publication number: 20110045381Abstract: A solid electrochemical cell membrane composition comprises a hydrocarbon polymeric main chain and a perfluorinated superacid side group. A method of producing the membrane composition is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2009Publication date: February 24, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Timothy J. Fuller, Michael R. Schoeneweiss, Sean M. MacKinnon, Frank Coms
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Publication number: 20090281245Abstract: A proton conductive graft polymer comprises at least a structure unit of a sulfonated polymer side chain covalently attached to a hydrophobic perfluorocyclobutane polymer main chain. The sulfonated condensation polymer side chain has a high local ion exchange capacity while the main polymer chain is substantially free of sulfonic acid group. A membrane made from the graft polymer can provide good mechanical properties and high proton conductivity at wide range of humidity and temperatures.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2008Publication date: November 12, 2009Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Sean M. MacKinnon, Timothy J. Fuller, Frank Coms, Michael R. Schoeneweiss
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Publication number: 20090278091Abstract: A sulfonated aromatic perfluorocyclobutane block copolymer comprises a hydrophobic perfluorocyclobutane ether chain segment and a hydrophilic sulfonated perfluorocyclobutane ether chain segment. The sulfonated perfluorocyclobutane copolymer may be used to make proton conductive membranes and membrane electrode assemblies in fuel cells. Processes of making the block copolymer through thermal coupling reactions are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2008Publication date: November 12, 2009Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Sean M. Mackinnon, Timothy J. Fuller, Frank Coms
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Publication number: 20080166620Abstract: A fuel cell comprising: a first layer comprising a first ionomer and an additive, the additive comprising a metal oxide comprising an oxide at least one of of Ce, Mn, V, Pt, Ru, Zr, Ni, Cr, W, Co, Mo, or Sn, and wherein the additive is present in at least 0.1 weight percent of the ionomer is disclosed as one embodiment of the invention, and performance and durability are advantaged wherein one or all of the metal oxide consists essentially nanoparticles.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2006Publication date: July 10, 2008Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Timothy J. Fuller, Michael R. Schoeneweiss, Tao Xie, Frank Coms, Sean M. MacKinnon, Gerald W. Fly
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Publication number: 20080107945Abstract: A fuel cell substrate with an overcoat including an ionomer modified to include a cerium or manganese group and methods of making and using the same.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2006Publication date: May 8, 2008Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Frank Coms, Jeanette E. O'Hara