Patents by Inventor Glen E. Benson

Glen E. Benson 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).

  • Method and apparatus for a combined fuel cell and hydrogen purification system
    Patent number: 7416800
    Abstract: Fuel cell systems and associated methods of operation are provided whereby application of a fuel cell is coordinated with a fuel processor and a hydrogen separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Plug Power Inc.
    Inventors: Glen E. Benson, Arne W. Ballantine, John W. Parks, Wieslaw J. Zielinski, Eric T. White, Robert A. Sinuc
  • Method and apparatus for a combined fuel cell and hydrogen purification system
    Patent number: 7011903
    Abstract: Fuel cell systems and associated methods of operation are provided whereby application of a fuel cell is coordinated with a fuel processor and a hydrogen separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Plug Power Inc.
    Inventors: Glen E. Benson, Arne W. Ballantine, John W. Parks, Wieslaw J. Zielinski, Eric T. White, Robert A. Sinuc
  • Method and apparatus for a combined fuel cell and hydrogen purification system
    Patent number: 6821664
    Abstract: A method includes (1) operating a fuel processing reactor to convert a hydrocarbon into reformate; (2) flowing reformate through a first pressure regulator to reduce the pressure of the reformate; (3) supplying reformate from the first pressure regulator to a fuel cell to generate electrical power; (4) flowing a portion of the reformate from the fuel processor to a second pressure regulator to reduce the pressure of the reformate while generating the electrical power with the fuel cell; and (5) supplying reformate from the second pressure regulator to the hydrogen purification system while generating the electrical power with the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Plug Power, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Parks, Glen E. Benson, Wieslaw J. Zielinski, Arne W. Ballantine, Richard L. Chartrand
  • Method and apparatus for a combined fuel cell and hydrogen purification system
    Publication number: 20040058209
    Abstract: Fuel cell systems and associated methods of operation are provided whereby application of a fuel cell is coordinated with a fuel processor and a hydrogen separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicant: Plug Power Inc.
    Inventors: Glen E. Benson, Arne W. Ballantine, John W. Parks, Wieslaw J. Zielinski, Eric T. White, Robert A. Sinuc
  • Method and apparatus for a combined fuel cell and hydrogen purification system
    Publication number: 20040058208
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to apparatuses and associated methods of operation whereby the operation of a fuel cell is coordinated with a fuel processing reactor and a hydrogen separation system. In one embodiment, a method is provided of coordinating operation of a combined fuel processor, fuel cell and hydrogen purification system, including the following steps: (1) operating a fuel processing reactor to convert a hydrocarbon into reformate; (2) flowing reformate through a first pressure regulator to reduce the pressure of the reformate; (3) supplying reformate from the first pressure regulator to a fuel cell to generate electrical power; (4) flowing a portion of the reformate from the fuel processor to a second pressure regulator to reduce the pressure of the reformate while generating the electrical power with the fuel cell; and (5) supplying reformate from the second pressure regulator to the hydrogen purification system while generating the electrical power with the fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicant: Plug Power Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Parks, Glen E. Benson, Wieslaw J. Zielinski, Arne W. Ballantine, Richard L. Chartrand