Patents by Inventor Herwig Haas

Herwig Haas 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: 10069148
    Abstract: Use of a selectively conducting anode component in solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells can reduce the degradation associated with repeated startup and shutdown, but can also adversely affect a cell's tolerance to voltage reversal along with its performance. It was shown that these adverse affects can be mitigated against in certain ways. However, improved results can be obtained by employing a selectively conducting component which comprises a mixed layer of a selectively conducting material and carbon. The mixed layer contacts the side of the anode opposite the solid polymer electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignees: Daimler AG, Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Francine Berretta, Stephen Lee, Joy Roberts, Stanley Tam, Herwig Haas
  • Patent number: 9941523
    Abstract: Use of noble metal alloy catalysts, such as PtCo, as the cathode catalyst in solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells can provide enhanced performance at low current densities over that obtained from the noble metal itself. Unfortunately, the performance at high current densities has been relatively poor. However, using a specific bilayer cathode construction, in which a noble metal/non-noble metal alloy layer is located adjacent the cathode gas diffusion layer and a noble metal layer is located adjacent the membrane electrolyte, can provide superior performance at all current densities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignees: Daimler AG, Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Carmen Chuy, Scott McDermid, Herwig Haas, Rajeev Vohra, Mike Davis
  • Patent number: 9564642
    Abstract: The degradation associated with repeated startup and shutdown of solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells comprising PtCo alloy cathode catalysts can be particularly poor. However, a marked and unexpected improvement in durability is observed as a result of incorporating a selectively conducting component in electrical series with the anode components in the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignees: Daimler AG, Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Herwig Haas, Joy Roberts, Francine Berretta, Amy Shun-Wen Yang
  • Patent number: 9263748
    Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for a fuel cell which exhibits enhanced reversal tolerance. In particular, a layer of iridium or an iridium compound, preferably metallic iridium or iridium oxide supported on TiO2, is provided on the anode to electrolyze available water and pass the majority of the current during a reversal of the fuel cell, thereby preventing damage to the MEA. The iridium or iridium compound is applied to an anode structure according to a predetermined pattern, with only part of the anode active area containing Ir. The parts of the MEA that do not contain Ir are not expected to suffer degradation from Ir cross-over, so that overall degradation of the cell will be diminished. Having less precious metals will also translate into less cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignees: Daimler AG, Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Hao Zhang, Herwig Haas, Sumit Kundu
  • Publication number: 20150325859
    Abstract: Use of a selectively conducting anode component in solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells can reduce the degradation associated with repeated startup and shutdown, but can also adversely affect a cell's tolerance to voltage reversal along with its performance. It was shown that these adverse affects can be mitigated against in certain ways. However, improved results can be obtained by employing a selectively conducting component which comprises a mixed layer of a selectively conducting material and carbon. The mixed layer contacts the side of the anode opposite the solid polymer electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Francine Berretta, Stephen Lee, Joy Roberts, Stanley Tam, Herwig Haas
  • Publication number: 20150155567
    Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for a fuel cell which exhibits enhanced reversal tolerance. In particular, a layer of iridium or an iridium compound, preferably metallic iridium or iridium oxide supported on TiO2, is provided on the anode to electrolyze available water and pass the majority of the current during a reversal of the fuel cell, thereby preventing damage to the MEA. The iridium or iridium compound is applied to an anode structure according to a predetermined pattern, with only part of the anode active area containing Ir. The parts of the MEA that do not contain Ir are not expected to suffer degradation from Ir cross-over, so that overall degradation of the cell will be diminished. Having less precious metals will also translate into less cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventors: Hao Zhang, Herwig Haas, Sumit Kundu
  • Patent number: 8968960
    Abstract: Ruthenium or a Ruthenium compound is applied to an anode structure according to a predetermined pattern, with only part of the anode active area containing Ru. The parts of the MEA that do not contain Ru are not expected to suffer degradation from Ru cross-over, so that overall degradation of the cell will be diminished. Having less precious metals will also translate into less cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignees: Daimler AG, Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Hao Zhang, Herwig Haas, Andrew Leow, Mike Davis, Richard Fellows
  • Publication number: 20140030625
    Abstract: Use of a selectively conducting anode component in solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells can reduce the degradation associated with repeated startup and shutdown, but unfortunately can also adversely affect a cell's tolerance to voltage reversal. Use of a carbon sublayer in such cells can improve the tolerance to voltage reversal, but can adversely affect cell performance. However, employing an appropriate selection of selectively conducting material and carbon sublayer, in which the carbon sublayer is in contact with the side of the anode opposite the solid polymer electrolyte, can provide for cells that exhibit acceptable behaviour in every regard. A suitable selectively conducting material comprises platinum deposited on tin oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventors: Herwig Haas, Joy Roberts, Francine Berretta, Amy Shun-Wen Yang, Stephen Lee, Sima Ronasi
  • Patent number: 8580448
    Abstract: By incorporating a selectively conducting component in electrical series with the anode components in a solid polymer fuel cell, degradation during startup and shutdown can be reduced. As a result, the startup and shutdown procedures can be simplified and consequently certain system apparatus may be omitted. The anode does not need to be rapidly purged with hydrogen on startup or with air on shutdown. Additionally, the auxiliary load usually employed during such purging is not required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignees: Daimler AG, Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Herwig Haas, Francine Berretta, Yvonne Hsieh, Guy Pepin, Joy Roberts, Amy Shun-Wen Yang
  • Publication number: 20130236807
    Abstract: The degradation associated with repeated startup and shutdown of solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells comprising PtCo alloy cathode catalysts can be particularly poor. However, a marked and unexpected improvement in durability is observed as a result of incorporating a selectively conducting component in electrical series with the anode components in the fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicants: FORD MOTOR COMPANY, DAIMLER AG
    Inventors: Herwig Haas, Joy Roberts, Francine Berretta, Amy Shun-Wen Yang
  • Publication number: 20130236812
    Abstract: The degradation associated with repeated startup and shutdown of solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells comprising PtCo alloy cathode catalysts can be particularly poor. However, a marked and unexpected improvement in durability is observed as a result of incorporating a selectively conducting component in electrical series with the anode components in the fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicants: FORD MOTOR COMPANY, DAIMLER AG
    Inventors: Herwig Haas, Joy Roberts, Francine Berretta, Amy Shun-Wen Yang
  • Publication number: 20130022891
    Abstract: Use of noble metal alloy catalysts, such as PtCo, as the cathode catalyst in solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells can provide enhanced performance at low current densities over that obtained from the noble metal itself. Unfortunately, the performance at high current densities has been relatively poor. However, using a specific bilayer cathode construction, in which a noble metal/non-noble metal alloy layer is located adjacent the cathode gas diffusion layer and a noble metal layer is located adjacent the membrane electrolyte, can provide superior performance at all current densities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicants: FORD MOTOR COMPANY, DAIMLER AG
    Inventors: Carmen Chuy, Scott McDermid, Herwig Haas, Rajeev Vohra, Mike Davis
  • Publication number: 20130017471
    Abstract: To reduce degradation of a solid polymer fuel cell during startup and shutdown, a selectively conducting component is incorporated in electrical series with the anode components in the fuel cell. The component is characterized by a low electrical resistance in the presence of hydrogen or fuel and a high resistance in the presence of air. High cathode potentials can be prevented by integrating such a component into the fuel cell. A suitable selectively conducting component can comprise a layer of selectively conducting material, such as a metal oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicants: FORD MOTOR COMPANY, DAIMLER AG
    Inventors: Herwig Haas, Joy Roberts, Francine Berretta, Amy Shun-Wen Yang, Yvonne Hsieh, Guy Pepin, Andrew Leow, Richard Fellows, Nicolae Barsan
  • Publication number: 20120328967
    Abstract: By incorporating a selectively conducting component in electrical series with the anode components in a solid polymer fuel cell, degradation during startup and shutdown can be reduced. As a result, the startup and shutdown procedures can be simplified and consequently certain system apparatus may be omitted. The anode does not need to be rapidly purged with hydrogen on startup or with air on shutdown. Additionally, the auxiliary load usually employed during such purging is not required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicants: FORD MOTOR COMPANY, DAIMLER AG
    Inventors: Herwig Haas, Francine Berretta, Yvonne Hsieh, Guy Pepin, Joy Roberts, Amy Shun-Wen Yang
  • Publication number: 20110269057
    Abstract: Ruthenium or a Ruthenium compound is applied to an anode structure according to a predetermined pattern, with only part of the anode active area containing Ru. The parts of the MEA that do not contain Ru are not expected to suffer degradation from Ru cross-over, so that overall degradation of the cell will be diminished. Having less precious metals will also translate into less cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicants: FORD MOTOR COMPANY, DAIMLER AG
    Inventors: Herwig Haas, Richard Fellows, Hao Zhang, Andrew Leow, Mike Davis
  • Publication number: 20070248847
    Abstract: Improved water distribution can be obtained within the cells of a fuel cell series stack by maintaining a suitable temperature difference between the cathode and anode sides of each cell in the stack during shutdown.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Inventors: Herwig Haas, Cara Startek, Michael Sexsmith, Andrew DeSouza, Kelvin Fong
  • Publication number: 20070134527
    Abstract: A fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell stack and at least one hydration sensor apparatus for measuring membrane hydration in the fuel cell stack is disclosed. The hydration sensor apparatus comprises (1) an electrically insulated sensor comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane, (2) a power supply, and (3) a load resistor. The sensor, the power supply and the load resistor of the hydration sensor apparatus are electrically connected and the sensor of the hydration sensor apparatus is fluidly connected to the fuel cell stack such that, during operation of the fuel cell system, the polymer electrolyte membrane of the hydration sensor apparatus is exposed to a fuel fluid stream of the fuel cell stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Publication date: June 14, 2007
    Inventors: Andrew Desouza, Herwig Haas
  • Publication number: 20070072016
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods of ceasing operation of an electric power generating system improve the cold starting capability of the system. The system comprises a fuel cell stack connectable to an external circuit for supplying power to the external circuit. The stack comprises at least one solid polymer fuel cell, and the system further comprises a fuel passage for directing a fuel stream through the stack and an oxidant passage for directing an oxidant stream through the stack, a sensor assembly connected to the stack for monitoring a parameter indicative of stack performance, a controller for controlling at least one stack operating parameter, and a control system communicative with the sensor assembly and stack operating parameter controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventors: Jean St-Pierre, NengYou Jia, Marian Geest, Abderrahmane Atbi, Herwig Haas
  • Publication number: 20060210856
    Abstract: Improved water distribution can be obtained within the cells of a fuel cell series stack by maintaining a suitable temperature difference between the cathode and anode sides of each cell in the stack during shutdown. This can be accomplished by thermally insulating the “hot” end and sides of the stack and by providing a thermal mass adjacent to the “hot” end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Publication date: September 21, 2006
    Inventors: Radu Bradean, Herwig Haas, Christopher Richards, David Adam
  • Publication number: 20060121322
    Abstract: Methods and systems for improving the ability of a fuel cell stack to start following freezing conditions, including directing a drying stream through at least a portion of the fuel cell stack, directing a rehumidifying stream through at least a portion of the fuel cell stack prior to shutting down the power generating system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Inventors: Herwig Haas, Sybel Chor, Liviu-Ion Cosacescu, Reza Rahmani, Christopher Richards