Patents by Inventor George Buffleben

George Buffleben 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).

  • Publication number: 20050051757
    Abstract: A composition for removing hydrogen from an atmosphere, comprising a mixture of a polyphenyl ether and a hydrogenation catalyst, preferably a precious metal catalyst, and most preferably Pt. This composition is stable in the presence of oxygen, will not polymerize or degrade upon exposure to temperatures in excess of 200° C., or prolonged exposure to temperatures in the range of 100-300° C. Moreover, these novel hydrogen getter materials can be used to efficiently removing hydrogen from mixtures of hydrogen/inert gas (e.g., He, Ar, N2), hydrogen/ammonia atmospheres, such as may be encountered in heat exchangers, and hydrogen/carbon dioxide atmospheres. Water vapor and common atmospheric gases have no adverse effect on the ability of these getter materials to absorb hydrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Publication date: March 10, 2005
    Inventors: Timothy Shepodd, George Buffleben
  • Patent number: 6471886
    Abstract: Thionyl chloride is a hazardous and reactive chemical used as the liquid cathode in commercial primary batteries. Contrary to previous thinking, ASZM-TEDA® carbon (Calgon Corporation) reversibly absorbs thionyl chloride. Thus, several candidate materials were examined as irreversible getters for thionyl chloride. The capacity, rate and effect of temperature were also explored. A wide variety of likely materials were investigated through screening experiments focusing on the degree of heat generated by the reaction as well as the material absorption capacity and irreversibility, in order to help narrow the group of possible getter choices. More thorough, quantitative measurements were performed on promising materials. The best performing getter was a mixture of ZnO and ASZM-TEDA® carbon. In this example, the ZnO reacts with thionyl chloride to form ZnCl2 and SO2. The SO2 is then irreversibly gettered by ASZM-TEDA® carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Sandia National Laboratories
    Inventors: George Buffleben, Steven H. Goods, Timothy Shepodd, David R. Wheeler, LeRoy Whinnery, Jr.