Patents by Inventor Harald Gründel
Harald Gründel 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: 8569906Abstract: An energy supply system for an aircraft comprises at least one fuel cell and at least one energy storage device, wherein the fuel cell, of which there is at least one, is coupled to the energy storage device, of which there is at least one, such that the energy storage device can be charged by means of the fuel cell.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2006Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbHInventors: Ralf-Henning Stolte, Harald Gründel
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Patent number: 8313868Abstract: A system is provided that combines an oxygen enrichment device (OBOGS) for generating oxygen-enriched air with a fuel cell system that includes, but is not limited to a fuel cell for using the oxygen-enriched air as a reaction gas within the fuel cell, as a result of which the output of the fuel cell is improved while the size and weight of the fuel cell remain the same.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2008Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbHInventors: Harald Gruendel, Ralf-Henning Stolte
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Patent number: 8192882Abstract: A system utilizing synergetic potentials at different systems such as of a fuel cell system and of an aircraft hydraulic system, through coupling them via a common cooling circuit system.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2007Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbHInventors: Ralf Henning Stolte, Volker Baumbach, Harald Gründel
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Patent number: 7926505Abstract: In present-day aircraft a drain mast is used on the underside of the fuselage in order to discharge grey water to the external environment. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention there is no need to provide such a drain mast in that a transfer unit is used as a connection unit, and buffer storage spaces are used between the wash basins and the vacuum waste-water system. The transfer unit comprises a self-opening valve with a floating body for automatic discharge. This purely mechanical function and the simple design result in low susceptibility to malfunction and in a long service life.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2006Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbHInventors: Claus Hoffjann, Harald Gruendel
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Patent number: 7731127Abstract: A drain-mast connector, for use in transportation vehicles such as aircraft, includes an interface pipe which extends through an outer skin of a fuselage of an aircraft via a nipple-like connector. Such a connector allows for simple plug connection of the drain mast pipe and allows less contamination of the fuselage due to grey water disposal. Such a plug-like connection does not require a complicated mounting process.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2006Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbHInventors: Claus Hoffjann, Holger Czopka, Harald Gruendel
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Publication number: 20100019568Abstract: An energy supply system for an aircraft comprises at least one fuel cell and at least one energy storage device, wherein the fuel cell, of which there is at least one, is coupled to the energy storage device, of which there is at least one, such that the energy storage device can be charged by means of the fuel cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2006Publication date: January 28, 2010Applicant: Airbus Deutschland GmbHInventors: Ralf-Henning Stolte, Harald Gründel
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Patent number: 7629068Abstract: An aircraft includes a supply system with an electrochemical reactor for generating energy, hydrogen, oxygen and clear water from grey water, a hydrocarbon containing fuel and air, so that the up to now separated systems for supply of clear water, generation of energy and generation of oxygen are combined to a combined system. The necessary redundancies may thereby secured by two or more systems of the same kind, which may be operated completely independently of each other.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2005Date of Patent: December 8, 2009Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbHInventors: Claus Hoffjann, Hans-Georg Schuldzig, Harald Gruendel, Hans-Juergen Heinrich
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Publication number: 20090214900Abstract: A fuel cell system for aircraft with a passenger cabin comprises a fuel cell. The fuel cell comprises a first inlet connection, a first outlet connection, a cathode side and an anode side, wherein the first inlet connection is formed as the inlet connection of the cathode side and wherein the first outlet connection is formed as the outlet connection of the cathode side. In addition, the fuel cell system is designed in such a way that at the first inlet connection, a gas with a pressure is applied, which corresponds to an air pressure in the passenger machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2006Publication date: August 27, 2009Applicant: AIRBUS DEUTSCHLAND GMBHInventors: Claus Hoffjann, Harald Gründel, Hans-Georg Schuldzig, Hans-Jürgen Heinrich
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Patent number: 7546981Abstract: Drain masts of commercial aircraft need to be heated in order to prevent freezing caused by the low outside temperatures when the aircraft travels at a corresponding altitude. An exemplary embodiment described in the application pertains to a drain system for an aircraft that can be used for draining liquids or gases from the aircraft or for drawing air into the aircraft. In this case, the liquids or gases are heated by means of a coolant that receives its thermal energy from a thermal or electrochemical process being carried out on board the aircraft. Consequently, the waste heat produced by the thermal or electrochemical process being carried out on board the aircraft, for example, a fuel cell process, can be carried off outboard via the drain system. In addition, the coolant can be advantageously utilized for cooling the thermal or electrochemical process.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2005Date of Patent: June 16, 2009Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbHInventors: Claus Hoffjann, Hansgeorg Schuldzig, Harald Gruendel, Hans-Juergen Heinrich
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Publication number: 20070068575Abstract: In present-day aircraft a drain mast is used on the underside of the fuselage in order to discharge grey water to the external environment. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention there is no need to provide such a drain mast in that a transfer unit is used as a connection unit, and buffer storage spaces are used between the wash basins and the vacuum waste-water system. The transfer unit comprises a self-opening valve with a floating body for automatic discharge. This purely mechanical function and the simple design result in low susceptibility to malfunction and in a long service life.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2006Publication date: March 29, 2007Applicant: Airbus Deutschland GmbHInventors: Claus Hoffjann, Harald Gruendel
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Publication number: 20060060712Abstract: Drain masts of commercial aircraft need to be heated in order to prevent freezing caused by the low outside temperatures when the aircraft travels at a corresponding altitude. An exemplary embodiment described in the application pertains to a drain system for an aircraft that can be used for draining liquids or gases from the aircraft or for drawing air into the aircraft. In this case, the liquids or gases are heated by means of a coolant that receives its thermal energy from a thermal or electrochemical process being carried out on board the aircraft. Consequently, the waste heat produced by the thermal or electrochemical process being carried out on board the aircraft, for example, a fuel cell process, can be carried off outboard via the drain system. In addition, the coolant can be advantageously utilized for cooling the thermal or electrochemical process.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2005Publication date: March 23, 2006Inventors: Claus Hoffjann, Hansgeorg Schuldzig, Harald Gruendel, Hans-Juergen Heinrich
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Publication number: 20060054740Abstract: An aircraft includes a supply system with an electrochemical reactor for generating energy, hydrogen, oxygen and clear water from grey water, a hydrocarbon containing fuel and air, so that the up to now separated systems for supply of clear water, generation of energy and generation of oxygen are combined to a combined system. The necessary redundancies may thereby secured by two or more systems of the same kind, which may be operated completely independently of each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2005Publication date: March 16, 2006Applicant: Airbus Deutschland GmbHInventors: Claus Hoffjann, Hans-Georg Schuldzig, Harald Gruendel, Hans-Juergen Heinrich
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Publication number: 20050271917Abstract: In present-day aircraft, common containers for storing of the raw materials required for on-board operation, such as oxygen and water, are used. Energy is produced by using generators and turbines. According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an electrochemical reactor for producing energy, hydrogen, oxygen, and clear water is provided, which ensures the on-board supply. According to the invention, hereby released reaction heat is used as additional process heat in an SOSE- and FP-process. In addition, by use of the hydrogen produced in the process, an extra desulphurization unit is eliminated with the fuel processing of the fuel in the FP process. In this manner, large storage volumes and weight can be saved.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2005Publication date: December 8, 2005Applicant: Airbus Deutschland GmbHInventors: Claus Hoffjann, Hans-Georg Schuldzig, Harald Gruendel, Hans-Juergen Heinrich