Patents by Inventor Gerald Hornburg

Gerald Hornburg 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: 9023548
    Abstract: A fuel cell system 1 has at least one fuel cell stack 2, which comprises a plurality of plate-shaped fuel cells 10. A retaining device 3 is provided for installing the fuel cell stack in a vehicle 6. When the fuel cell stack 2 is installed in the vehicle 6, the plate-shaped fuel cells 10 are arranged inclined relative to the vertical 9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventor: Gerald Hornburg
  • Patent number: 8865360
    Abstract: A fuel cell system for a vehicle includes a burner for producing a heat flow by combustion of a fuel gas which reacts with an oxidant. A heating heat exchanger provided to heat a vehicle passenger compartment is arranged in a coolant circuit of the fuel cell system, and is externally heated, at least at times, by the burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventor: Gerald Hornburg
  • Patent number: 8573344
    Abstract: A vehicle drive system comprises an electrical drive motor and a fuel cell system providing the electrical power. According to the invention, the drive motor and the fuel cell are integrated into a unit and firmly joined together. The fuel cell system may comprise two fuel cells or fuel cell stacks, which are arranged relative to each other so as to form a ā€œVā€. Peripheral units for operation of the fuel cell may be arranged in an interior of the V.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Gerald Hornburg, Simon Steinhuebl, Werner Englert
  • Patent number: 8481217
    Abstract: A fuel supply system for a fuel cell stack includes a cathode gas supply line for supplying an oxidant to the cathode input of the fuel cell stack and an anode gas supply line for supplying fuel to the anode input of the fuel cell stack. An anode gas recirculation line recirculates partially used anode gas from the anode output to the anode input while a purge line may be connected for conducting away the partially used anode gas, as a purge gas from the anode gas recirculation line into the cathode gas supply line. The supply system also includes a conditioning arrangement disposed upstream of the cathode input. The conditioning arrangement is designed to a) mix a partial flow of the oxidant with the purge gas in a mixing station, b) compress accelerate, and/or heat the partial flow or the mixed flow, and c) conduct the mixed flow into the cathode gas supply line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Gerald Hornburg, Matthias Jesse, Cosimo S. Mazzotta
  • Publication number: 20110183230
    Abstract: A fuel cell system 1 has at least one fuel cell stack 2, which comprises a plurality of plate-shaped fuel cells 10. A retaining device 3 is provided for installing the fuel cell stack in a vehicle 6. When the fuel cell stack 2 is installed in the vehicle 6, the plate-shaped fuel cells 10 are arranged inclined relative to the vertical 9.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: Daimler AG
    Inventor: Gerald Hornburg
  • Publication number: 20100200317
    Abstract: A vehicle drive system comprises an electrical drive motor and a fuel cell system providing the electrical power. According to the invention, the drive motor and the fuel cell are integrated into a unit and firmly joined together. The fuel cell system may comprise two fuel cells or fuel cell stacks, which are arranged relative to each other so as to form a ā€œVā€. Peripheral units for operation of the fuel cell may be arranged in an interior of the V.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Gerald Hornburg, Simon Steinhuebl, Werner Englert
  • Publication number: 20100092822
    Abstract: A fuel cell system for a vehicle includes a burner for producing a heat flow by combustion of a fuel gas which reacts with an oxidant. A heating heat exchanger provided to heat a vehicle passenger compartment is arranged in a coolant circuit of the fuel cell system, and is externally heated, at least at times, by the burner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicants: Daimler AG, Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Gerald Hornburg
  • Publication number: 20100035100
    Abstract: A fuel supply system for a fuel cell stack includes a cathode gas supply line for supplying an oxidant to the cathode input of the fuel cell stack and an anode gas supply line for supplying fuel to the anode input of the fuel cell stack. An anode gas recirculation line recirculates partially used anode gas from the anode output to the anode input while a purge line may be connected for conducting away the partially used anode gas, as a purge gas from the anode gas recirculation line into the cathode gas supply line. The supply system also includes a conditioning arrangement disposed upstream of the cathode input. The conditioning arrangement is designed to a) mix a partial flow of the oxidant with the purge gas in a mixing station, b) compress accelerate, and/or heat the partial flow or the mixed flow, and c) conduct the mixed flow into the cathode gas supply line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicants: Daimler AG, Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gerald Hornburg, Matthias Jesse, Cosimo S. Mazzotta
  • Publication number: 20040224201
    Abstract: Liquid cooled systems having coolant circulation loops must often operate in below freezing conditions. For instance, in various applications certain fuel cell systems must be able to tolerate repeated shutdown and storage in below freezing conditions. Conventional glycol-based coolants typically used for internal combustion engines are generally unsuitable for use in the associated fuel cell cooling subsystems due to the presence of additives and/or inhibitors which are normally included to deal with problems relating to decomposition of the glycol. With additives or inhibitors present, the coolant conductivity can be sufficiently high as to result in electrical shorting or corrosion problems. However, provided the purity of the coolant is maintained, a pure glycol and water coolant mixture may be used as a fuel cell system coolant to obtain suitable antifreeze protection. Adequate purity can be maintained by including an ion exchange resin unit in the cooling subsystem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Applicant: Ballard Power Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Jean St-Pierre, Stephen A. Campbell, Mark K. Watson, Michael P. Sexsmith, Monika Derflinger, Gerald Hornburg
  • Publication number: 20020092690
    Abstract: A system for starting a vehicle operated particularly by means of a fuel cell system includes devices for the arbitrary initiation of a starting operation of the fuel cell system or of a starting preparation of the vehicle independently of the presence of a driver in the direct proximity of the vehicle, particularly inside the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventors: Uwe Benz, Klaus Graage, Gerald Hornburg, Josef Sonntag, Detlef Zur Megede
  • Patent number: 6408966
    Abstract: A fuel cell vehicle comprises an electric drive system and a fuel cell system for providing electric energy for the drive system. According to the invention, the electric drive system is set up for regenerating braking energy, and devices are provided for the direct utilization of the regenerated braking energy in at least one energy-consuming component of the fuel cell system. This direct braking energy utilization in the fuel cell system increases the degree of energy utilization without the requirement of a separate intermediate energy storage device for the intermediate storing of regenerated braking energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Xcellsis GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Benz, Gerald Hornburg, Werner Tillmetz
  • Patent number: 6190791
    Abstract: A proton exchange membrane fuel cell system includes a proton exchange membrane fuel cell; a first compressor for compressing the process air supplied to the fuel cell; a first expander coupled with compressor for driving the first compressor; and a catalytic burner as the heat source. The cathode offgas from the fuel cell is fed to the catalytic burner as an air supply and the expander is operated by the exhaust air from the catalytic burner. A portion of the gas from the burner is expanded in a second expander, which is coupled to a second compressor which further compresses the air from the first compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Xcellsis GmbH
    Inventor: Gerald Hornburg
  • Patent number: 5981096
    Abstract: A fuel cell system has an anode space and a cathode space which are separated from one another by a proton-conducting membrane, and an oxygen-containing gas flows through the cathode space. According to the invention, it is suggested to admit to the anode space a liquid fuel/coolant mixture, preferably a methanol/water mixture. By means of this combination of the fuel circulation and the coolant circulation, the system can be manufactured in a more compact and lower-cost manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Gerald Hornburg, Arnold Lamm, Peter Urban
  • Patent number: 5794732
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for starting a vehicle which is driven by an electric drive unit supplied with electrical energy from a fuel cell. A compressor is arranged in the feed line of the fuel cell for the oxidant mass flow and is driven by an electric motor supplied with voltage from the fuel cell itself. For the purpose of starting the fuel cell, a starter motor is provided for driving the compressor which is fed from a 12 V starter battery. In addition, a safety interrogation is initiated before starting the vehicle. The fuel cell is not run up to a prescribed no-load power with the aid of the starter motor until successful termination of the safety interrogation. The drive unit is then released after this no-load power has been reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Helmut Lorenz, Karl-Ernst Noreikat, Thomas Klaiber, Wolfram Fleck, Josef Sonntag, Gerald Hornburg, Andreas Gaulhofer
  • Patent number: 5646852
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for controlling the power of an electric drive unit in a vehicle. The drive unit is supplied with electrical energy by a fuel cell in the vehicle. On the basis of a power request which is determined from the accelerator pedal position, the air flow rate required to provide the set power from the fuel cell is calculated and set by controlling rotational speed of a compressor arranged in the air intake line to the fuel cell. To prevent the fuel cell from producing more electrical power than the drive unit can absorb, the drive unit acts limits the power request by emitting appropriate error messages. The set value for the power is fed to the drive unit and can be corrected such that the drive unit never demands more power than the amount of power instantaneously produced by the fuel cell to prevent fuel cell collapse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Helmut Lorenz, Karl-Ernst Noreikat, Thomas Klaiber, Wolfram Fleck, Josef Sonntag, Gerald Hornburg, Andreas Gaulhofer
  • Patent number: 5645950
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus control output of an air-breathing fuel cell system which consists of an air supply line, a fuel cell, an air exhaust line, and a separate gas supply system for hydrogen gas. To control the fuel cell output, an adjustable rotary speed compressor is located in the air supply line and a variable absorption capacity expander is located in the air exhaust line. The compressor, the expander, and an additional electric motor are positioned on a common shaft. The expander converts the pressure energy contained in the exhaust air into mechanical energy and delivers that energy via the common shaft to the compressor. The air volume flow is controlled by the compressor rotary speed and adjusted to a preset value. A preset working pressure is established in the fuel cell system by adjusting the absorption capacity of the expander.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz AG
    Inventors: Uwe Benz, Wolfram Fleck, Gerald Hornburg
  • Patent number: 5547776
    Abstract: A fuel cell assembly within an electrochemical fuel cell stack has a cooling jacket disposed adjacent the cathode layer. The cooling layer comprises a coolant stream inlet, a coolant stream outlet, and at least one channel for directing a coolant stream from the coolant stream inlet to the coolant stream outlet. The coolant stream channels extend such that the coolest region of the cooling layer substantially coincides with the region of the adjacent cathode layer having the highest concentration of oxygen (and also the lowest water content), and the warmest region of the cooling layer substantially coincides with the region of the adjacent cathode layer having the lowest concentration of oxygen (and also the highest water content).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignees: Ballard Power Systems Inc., Daimler-Benz AG
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Fletcher, Clarence Y. Chow, Eric G. Pow, Boguslav M. Wozniczka, Henry H. Voss, Gerald Hornburg
  • Patent number: 5434016
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus control output of an air-breathing fuel cell system which consists of an air supply line, a fuel cell, an air exhaust line, and a separate gas supply system for hydrogen gas. To control the fuel cell output, an adjustable rotary speed compressor is located in the air supply line and a variable absorption capacity expander is located in the air exhaust line. The compressor, the expander, and an additional electric motor are positioned on a common shaft. The expander converts the pressure energy contained in the exhaust air into mechanical energy and delivers that energy via the common shaft to the compressor. The air volume flow is controlled by the compressor rotary speed and adjusted to a preset value. A preset working pressure is established in the fuel cell system by adjusting the absorption capacity of the expander.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz AG
    Inventors: Uwe Benz, Wolfram Fleck, Gerald Hornburg