Patents by Inventor Helen Elizabeth Vanbenschoten

Helen Elizabeth Vanbenschoten 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: 11444286
    Abstract: Electrochemical cells, such as those present within flow batteries, can include at least one electrode with one face being more hydrophilic than is the other. Such electrodes can lessen the incidence of parasitic reactions by directing convective electrolyte circulation toward a separator in the electrochemical cell. Flow batteries containing the electrochemical cells can include: a first half-cell containing a first electrode with a first face and a second face that are directionally opposite one another, a second half-cell containing a second electrode with a first face and a second face that are directionally opposite one another, and a separator disposed between the first half-cell and the second half-cell. The first face of both the first and second electrodes is disposed adjacent to the separator. The first face of at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is more hydrophilic than is the second face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy Loretz, Srivatsava Venkataranga Puranam, Helen Elizabeth Vanbenschoten
  • Publication number: 20200152993
    Abstract: Electrochemical cells, such as those present within flow batteries, can include at least one electrode with one face being more hydrophilic than is the other. Such electrodes can lessen the incidence of parasitic reactions by directing convective electrolyte circulation toward a separator in the electrochemical cell. Flow batteries containing the electrochemical cells can include: a first half-cell containing a first electrode with a first face and a second face that are directionally opposite one another, a second half-cell containing a second electrode with a first face and a second face that are directionally opposite one another, and a separator disposed between the first half-cell and the second half-cell. The first face of both the first and second electrodes is disposed adjacent to the separator. The first face of at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is more hydrophilic than is the second face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Jeremy Loretz, Srivatsava Venkataranga Puranam, Helen Elizabeth Vanbenschoten
  • Patent number: 10573899
    Abstract: Electrochemical cells, such as those present within flow batteries, can include at least one electrode with one face being more hydrophilic than is the other. Such electrodes can lessen the incidence of parasitic reactions by directing convective electrolyte circulation toward a separator in the electrochemical cell. Flow batteries containing the electrochemical cells can include: a first half-cell containing a first electrode with a first face and a second face that are directionally opposite one another, a second half-cell containing a second electrode with a first face and a second face that are directionally opposite one another, and a separator disposed between the first half-cell and the second half-cell. The first face of both the first and second electrodes is disposed adjacent to the separator. The first face of at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is more hydrophilic than is the second face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy Loretz, Srivatsava Venkataranga Puranam, Helen Elizabeth Vanbenschoten
  • Patent number: 10403911
    Abstract: Electrochemical cells, such as those present within flow batteries, can have an electrode and a bipolar plate in at least one half-cell interfacially bonded together with an electrically conductive adhesive. Bonding the bipolar plate to the electrode can decrease contact resistance and sometimes lessen the incidence of parasitic reactions in the electrochemical cell. Flow batteries containing these features can include: a first half-cell containing a first electrode in interfacial contact with a first bipolar plate, a second half-cell containing a second electrode in interfacial contact with a second bipolar plate, and a separator disposed between the first half-cell and the second half-cell. An electrically conductive adhesive interfacially bonds at least one of the first electrode to the first bipolar plate and the second electrode to the second bipolar plate. Each electrode maintains fluid communication with its corresponding bipolar plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Srivatsava Venkataranga Puranam, Timothy B. Grejtak, Jeremy Loretz, Thomas H. Madden, Joseph Johannes Henricus Pijpers, Helen Elizabeth Vanbenschoten, Curtis Warrington
  • Patent number: 10109879
    Abstract: Electrochemical cells, such as those present within flow batteries, can have at least one electrode with a density gradient in which the density increases outwardly from a separator. Such electrodes can decrease contact resistance and lessen the incidence of parasitic reactions in the electrochemical cell. Flow batteries containing the electrochemical cells can include: a first half-cell containing a first electrode, a second half-cell containing a second electrode, and a separator disposed between the first half-cell and the second half-cell. At least one of the first electrode and the second electrode has a density gradient such that a density of at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode increases outwardly from the separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy Loretz, Srivatsava Venkataranga Puranam, Helen Elizabeth Vanbenschoten
  • Publication number: 20180108916
    Abstract: Electrochemical cells, such as those present within flow batteries, can include at least one electrode with one face being more hydrophilic than is the other. Such electrodes can lessen the incidence of parasitic reactions by directing convective electrolyte circulation toward a separator in the electrochemical cell. Flow batteries containing the electrochemical cells can include: a first half-cell containing a first electrode with a first face and a second face that are directionally opposite one another, a second half-cell containing a second electrode with a first face and a second face that are directionally opposite one another, and a separator disposed between the first half-cell and the second half-cell. The first face of both the first and second electrodes is disposed adjacent to the separator. The first face of at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is more hydrophilic than is the second face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Jeremy LORETZ, Srivatsava Venkataranga PURANAM, Helen Elizabeth VANBENSCHOTEN
  • Publication number: 20180102556
    Abstract: Electrochemical cells, such as those present within flow batteries, can have an electrode and a bipolar plate in at least one half-cell interfacially bonded together with an electrically conductive adhesive. Bonding the bipolar plate to the electrode can decrease contact resistance and sometimes lessen the incidence of parasitic reactions in the electrochemical cell. Flow batteries containing these features can include: a first half-cell containing a first electrode in interfacial contact with a first bipolar plate, a second half-cell containing a second electrode in interfacial contact with a second bipolar plate, and a separator disposed between the first half-cell and the second half-cell. An electrically conductive adhesive interfacially bonds at least one of the first electrode to the first bipolar plate and the second electrode to the second bipolar plate. Each electrode maintains fluid communication with its corresponding bipolar plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Inventors: Srivatsava Venkataranga PURANAM, Timothy B. GREJTAK, Jeremy LORETZ, Thomas H. MADDEN, Joseph Johannes Henricus PIJPERS, Helen Elizabeth VANBENSCHOTEN, Curtis WARRINGTON
  • Publication number: 20170346123
    Abstract: Electrochemical cells, such as those present within flow batteries, can have at least one electrode with a density gradient in which the density increases outwardly from a separator. Such electrodes can decrease contact resistance and lessen the incidence of parasitic reactions in the electrochemical cell. Flow batteries containing the electrochemical cells can include: a first half-cell containing a first electrode, a second half-cell containing a second electrode, and a separator disposed between the first half-cell and the second half-cell. At least one of the first electrode and the second electrode has a density gradient such that a density of at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode increases outwardly from the separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Jeremy LORETZ, Srivatsava Venkataranga Puranam, Helen Elizabeth Vanbenschoten