Patents by Inventor Helmut Ringel
Helmut Ringel 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: 8153327Abstract: In a high-temperature fuel cell at least one electroconductive agent is provided for contacting an anode with an interconnector. Side edges of the interconnector are electrically connected with the anode by the electroconductive agent. Electrically nonconductive spring-loaded elements are provided between the anode and the interconnector for permitting relative movement therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2006Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbHInventor: Helmut Ringel
-
Patent number: 8071252Abstract: An interconnector for high-temperature fuel cells is characterized in that the interconnector comprises two components (A, B) made of different materials. Component (A), which is in contact with the electrodes and ensures the electric connection between the fuel cell units, is made of a chromium oxide-forming, high-temperature alloy, and component (B), which connects the fuel cell units mechanically, is made of a corrosion-resistant, non-electroconducting, high-temperature material which does not bleed any chromium.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2006Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbHInventor: Helmut Ringel
-
Publication number: 20110223516Abstract: A cassette for a high-temperature fuel cell stack, comprising at least one fuel cell including an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte, and a metal cell frame which surrounds the fuel cell peripherally, wherein the metal cell frame has two sections, these being an inner thin compensating frame that contacts the fuel cell and a thicker, rigid outer frame which is provided for contacting the interconnector. The inner compensating frame comprises a peripheral bead at room temperature, which entirely disappears at temperatures between 980° C. and 1100° C., as a result of the prevailing stresses. The bead has special relief functions. It is significant that this special function of the formed bead is exclusively achieved by way of the warping in the compensating metal sheet or the compensating film, and is formed solely by way of the joining sequence applied, which is to say only in combination with the joining process employed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2008Publication date: September 15, 2011Applicant: Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbHInventors: Helmut Ringel, Uwe Reisgen
-
Publication number: 20090117414Abstract: An interconnector for high-temperature fuel cells is characterised in that the interconnector comprises two components (A, B) made of different materials. Component (A), which is in contact with the electrodes and ensures the electric connection between the fuel cell units, is made of a chromium oxide-forming, high-temperature alloy, and component (B), which connects the fuel cell units mechanically, is made of a corrosion-resistant, non-electroconducting, high-temperature material which does not bleed any chromium.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2006Publication date: May 7, 2009Inventor: Helmut Ringel
-
Publication number: 20090061300Abstract: The invention relates to an interconnector for high temperature fuel cells, characterized in that the side edges of the interconnector are electrically contacted to the anode by means of an electrically conducting medium and the anode is mounted in the interconnector by means of spring elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2006Publication date: March 5, 2009Inventor: Helmut Ringel
-
Patent number: 7026067Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel cell stack with a plurality of plate shaped fuel cells. Each fuel cell provides an electrolyte layer, an adjacent electrode and cathode. The fuel cells are connected mechanically and electrically by bipolar plates. Tightness is ensured in an improved manner. The fuel cells provide a cathode, an anode and an electrolyte layer arranged between the cathode and anode. Each cathode is adjacent to a cathode chamber and each anode is adjacent to an anode chamber. The bipolar plates comprise first openings which are used to provide channels to allow operating material to be transported to the fuel cells or to enable the removal of depleted operating material. The bipolar plates have additional openings, in which the fuel cells are arranged. When the fuel cell is disposed in the opening, it is only substantially and openly accessible from one side. This openly accessible side or surface is essentially formed by a fuel cell electrode.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2001Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Assignee: Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbHInventor: Helmut Ringel
-
Publication number: 20030165729Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel cell stack with a plurality of plate shaped fuel cells. Each fuel cell provides an electrolyte layer, an adjacent electrode and cathode. The fuel cells are connected mechanically and electrically by bipolar plates. Tightness is ensured in an improved manner. The fuel cells provide a cathode, an anode and an electrolyte layer arranged between the cathode and anode. Each cathode is adjacent to a cathode chamber and each anode is adjacent to an anode chamber. The bipolar plates comprise first openings which are used to provide channels to allow operating material to be transported to the fuel cells or to enable the removal of depleted operating material. The bipolar plates have additional openings, in which the fuel cells are arranged. When the fuel cell is disposed in the opening, it is only substantially and openly accessible from one side. This openly accessible side or surface is essentially formed by a fuel cell electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2003Publication date: September 4, 2003Inventor: Helmut Ringel
-
Patent number: 6268076Abstract: A current collector for a SOFC fuel-cell pile including a base body made from a first heat-resistant ferrite alloy which contains chromium and aluminum and has an aluminum content of more than 2 wt %, the base body defining guide ducts for feeding fuels, and at least one contact element made from a second heat-resistant ferrite alloy which contains chromium and has an aluminum content of less than 2 wt %, the at least one contact element being fastened facing away from the base body at the end of a ridge of the base body, which bounds a side wall of a guide duct. In a fuel cell provided with electrodes and the current collector, the volatilization of chromium oxides is largely suppressed, while adequate electrical conductivity of the contact points between the current collector and the electrodes are simultaneously ensured.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 1999Date of Patent: July 31, 2001Assignee: Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbHInventors: Uwe Diekmann, Helmut Ringel
-
Patent number: 5932366Abstract: In a solid electrolyte high temperature fuel cell arrangement comprising several fuel cells arranged upright directly adjacent one another and connected in series wherein each cell is defined between opposite planar connecting plates defining therebetween a chamber in which a solid electrolyte element with opposite cathode and anode surfaces is disposed in spaced relationship from the side walls of the connecting plates so as to form air and fuel gas channels with top discharge openings at opposite sides of the solid electrolyte element, the planar connecting plates include flow passages for conducting at least one of the air and fuel gas to the bottom of the air and gas channels, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 1997Date of Patent: August 3, 1999Assignee: Forschungszentrum Julich GmbHInventor: Helmut Ringel
-
Patent number: 4915039Abstract: A process for heat-treating refuse comprising the steps of decomposing in a combustion furnace a quantity of refuse into slag, emitted gas and fly dust. The fly dust is separated into a fine dust fraction and a coarse dust fraction. The coarse dust fraction is fed back to the combustion chamber, and the fine dust fraction is treated for removal of desired constituents.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 1988Date of Patent: April 10, 1990Assignee: Kernforschungsanlage Juelich GmbHInventor: Helmut Ringel
-
Patent number: 4816041Abstract: A process and installation for the adsorptive separation, in an adsorption olumn, of krypton from a gas mixture containing, in particular, nitrogen in addition to the krypton. The adsorption column is filled with an adsorption medium which adsorbs krypton and nitrogen over a length L extending in the direction of the inflowing gas mixture. After the adsorption of the gas components in the adsorptive column, the adsorption medium is desorbed in the following process step through the intermediary of a gaseous scavenging medium. The scavenging medium flows through the adsorption column in the same direction in which the gas mixture was introduced into the adsorption column during the first process step. The adsorption medium is charged with krypton commencing from the gas inlet of the adsorption column over only such a partial length L.sub.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 1985Date of Patent: March 28, 1989Assignee: Kernforschungsanlage Julich Gesellschaft mit beschrankter HaftungInventors: Helmut Ringel, Wolfgang Frommelt, Kurt Hein, Martin Messler
-
Patent number: 4654056Abstract: A process for the separation of krypton from a radioactive waste gas mixt which is released during the chemical dissolution of burned-down nuclear fuel particles, and which in a carrier gas such as air, in addition to krypton, also contains xenon, argon, nitrous oxide and residual gas components. The waste gas mixture flowing out from a resolver has xenon removed therefrom after purifying the waste gas of nitrous oxides and radioactive residual gas components, such as aerosols, iodine, tritium and carbon(C-14) dioxide; and wherein krypton is finally withdrawn from the residual gas mixture and then stored. The invention also relates to an arrangement for the implementation of the inventive process.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 1984Date of Patent: March 31, 1987Assignee: Kernforschungsanlage Julich Gesellschaft mit beschrankter HaftungInventor: Helmut Ringel
-
Patent number: 4562000Abstract: A process for the separation of krypton from a radioactive waste gas mixt which is released during the chemical dissolution of burned-down nuclear fuel particles, and which in a carrier gas such as air, in addition to krypton, also contains xenon, argon, nitrous oxide and residual gas components. The waste gas mixture flowing out from a resolver has xenon removed therefrom after purifying the waste gas of nitrous oxides and radioactive residual gas components, such as aerosols, iodine, tritium and carbon(C-14) dioxide; and wherein krypton is finally withdrawn from the residual gas mixture and then stored. The invention also relates to an arrangement for the implementation of the inventive process.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 1983Date of Patent: December 31, 1985Assignee: Kernforschungsanlage Julich Gesellschaft mit beschrankter HaftungInventor: Helmut Ringel
-
Patent number: 4533365Abstract: For the separation and recycling of NO.sub.x gas constituents through adstion and desorption on a molecular sieve the molecular sieve is passed through in sequential, alternating process steps. Initially, the NO.sub.x is retained up to saturation of the molecular sieve. Thereafter the molecular sieve is regenerated through the introduction of gas. In order to reduce the demands during scavenging of the molecular sieve, and then to facilitate the provision of a closed separating and recycling system, the molecular sieve for regeneration is heated to a temperature for desorbing the adsorbed NO.sub.x and scavenged with a portion of the waste gas containing the NO.sub.x which is to be cleaned. The scavenging gas flow is recycled after passing through the molecular sieve.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 1983Date of Patent: August 6, 1985Assignee: Kernforschungsanlage Julich Gesellschaft mit beschrankter HaftungInventor: Helmut Ringel
-
Patent number: 4514296Abstract: An apparatus charges weakly acidic cationic ion exchange resin particles with uranyl ions by contacting the particles stepwise with aqueous uranyl nitrate solution at higher uranium concentrations from stage to stage. An alkaline medium is added to the uranyl nitrate solution in each stage to increase the successive pH values of the uranyl nitrate solution contacting the particles in dependance upon the uranium concentration effective for maximum charging of the particles with uranyl ions.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 1981Date of Patent: April 30, 1985Assignee: Kernforschungsanlage Julich, Gesellschaft mit beschrankter HaftungInventors: Helmut Ringel, Erich Zimmer, Nabil Abdelmonem
-
Patent number: 4430030Abstract: An operating process for the formation of a steady particle stream of particles which are conveyed within a flow conduit through the intermediary of a flow medium, and which are introduced into the medium flow under the effect of gravity through an infeed conduit discharging into the flow conduit. The invention also includes an arrangement for the effectuation of the process. A partial flow of the flow medium from the flow conduit is introduced into the infeed conduit in a direction counter to the flow direction of the particles, and is regulated in the manner so as to set the desired particle flow. The volumetric flow of the flow medium which streams counter to the particles in the infeed conduit can, in an advantageous manner, be regulated externally of the infeed conduit whereby no regulating devices will be located in the flow path of the particles.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1980Date of Patent: February 7, 1984Assignee: Kernforschungsanlage Julich GmbHInventors: Hans Langen, Helmut Ringel
-
Patent number: 4279866Abstract: Weakly acidic cationic ion exchange resin particles are charged with uranyl ions by contacting the particles step wise with aqueous uranyl nitrate solution at higher uranium concentrations from stage to stage. An alkaline medium is added to the uranyl nitrate solution in each stage to increase the successive pH values of the uranyl nitrate solution contacting the particles in dependence upon the uranium concentration effective for maximum charging of the particles with uranyl ions.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 1978Date of Patent: July 21, 1981Assignee: Kernforschungsanlage Julich Gesellschaft mit beschrankter HaftungInventors: Helmut Ringel, Erich Zimmer, Nabil Abdelmonem
-
Patent number: 4224258Abstract: A vibrating nozzle produces a stream of drops of a nitrate solution that attain spherical drop shape before entering an ammonia gas phase where gas supply nozzles direct streams of ammonia gas obliquely against the drop stream with a component of motion in the direction of movement of the droplet stream, the incidence of the gas streams on the droplet stream being offset a few millimeters from each other along the path of the droplet stream. The flow of gas is at a speed 10 to 20 times that of the velocity of the drops of solution that are uniformly hardened on the surface in their spherical shape so that there is no deformation upon entering the aqueous solution of ammonia in the lower part of the container that confines the ammonia gas phase. The ammonia solution completes the conversion of the nitrate to the corresponding oxide, producing highly uniform spheres such are required for subsequent sintering in the production of nuclear fuel or breeder elements.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 1978Date of Patent: September 23, 1980Assignee: Kernforschungsanlage Julich Gesellschaft mit beschrankter HaftungInventors: Hans Langen, Paul Naefe, Helmut Ringel
-
Patent number: 4193953Abstract: A hydrosol containing, in nitrate form, a fuel or fuel-and-breeder material which is projected horizontally in the form of droplets into a gas phase containing gaseous ammonia and allowed to fall in a drip-casting column into a precipitation bath containing ammonium hydroxide. In the gas phase, the droplets are hardened just enough to prevent their deformation upon penetrating into the precipitation bath where the hardening is completed. A falling height of 5 cm is suitable. The granules are washed free of ammonium nitrate, then dried, and then sintered. The heavy metal content in the hydrosol is between 1.5 and 3 moles per liter, and the pH value of the precipitation bath is between 8 and 9. The hydrosol contains the heavy metal in oxide form and the process can be used with a thorium oxide hydrosol or a hydrosol that, in addition to thorium oxide, contains the oxide of hexavalent uranium, in the latter case the hexavalent uranium being present in a proportion up to 25% by weight of the total heavy metal.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 1978Date of Patent: March 18, 1980Assignee: Kernforschungsanlage Julich Gesellschaft mit beschrankter HaftungInventors: Hans Langen, Helmut Ringel, Erich Zimmer
-
Patent number: 4075104Abstract: A device for separating in a continuous process particles such as heavy ml particles consisting of fuel and/or breeder materials for core reactors, from a first liquid and introducing the separated particles into a second liquid. The device comprises a screen in the form of a movable endless belt or drum over which ends a feeding line conveying the first liquid containing the particles to be separated onto the endless screen. While the particles are retained on the surface of the moving screen journalled in a housing, the first liquid passes through the screen into a catching funnel and from there to a discharge, the catching funnel being arranged in the housing. In the lower portion of the housing and in contact with the outer screen surfaces is a second liquid which takes off from the outside of the screen the particles deposited onto the screen.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 1975Date of Patent: February 21, 1978Assignee: Kernforschungsanlage Julich Gesellschaft mit beschrankter HaftungInventor: Helmut Ringel