Patents by Inventor James S. Siepierski
James S. Siepierski 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: 8158296Abstract: Systems of checking thermal-induced circulation of a coolant in a fuel cell stack are disclosed. The system includes coolant inlet and outlet lines extending from a fuel cell stack. A pump and a radiator are confluently connected to the coolant inlet and coolant outlet lines. In one embodiment, a valve (either check type or automatic type) is provided in the coolant outlet line at the bottom of the fuel cell stack to prevent the flow of cold coolant from the coolant outlet line into the fuel cell stack upon start-up of the fuel cell stack. In another embodiment, a valve (either one-way flow control type or automatic type) is provided in the coolant inlet line at the top of the fuel cell stack. A method of checking thermal-induced circulation of a coolant in a fuel cell stack is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2010Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Stephen Farris, Martin M. Hoch, Eric L. Thompson, James S. Siepierski
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Publication number: 20100291456Abstract: Systems of checking thermal-induced circulation of a coolant in a fuel cell stack are disclosed. The system includes coolant inlet and outlet lines extending from a fuel cell stack. A pump and a radiator are confluently connected to the coolant inlet and coolant outlet lines. In one embodiment, a valve (either check type or automatic type) is provided in the coolant outlet line at the bottom of the fuel cell stack to prevent the flow of cold coolant from the coolant outlet line into the fuel cell stack upon start-up of the fuel cell stack. In another embodiment, a valve (either one-way flow control type or automatic type) is provided in the coolant inlet line at the top of the fuel cell stack. A method of checking thermal-induced circulation of a coolant in a fuel cell stack is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2010Publication date: November 18, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Stephen Farris, Martin M. Hoch, Eric L. Thompson, James S. Siepierski
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Patent number: 7781113Abstract: Systems of checking thermal-induced circulation of a coolant in a fuel cell stack are disclosed. The system includes coolant inlet and outlet lines extending from a fuel cell stack. A pump and a radiator are confluently connected to the coolant inlet and coolant outlet lines. In one embodiment, a valve (either check type or automatic type) is provided in the coolant outlet line at the bottom of the fuel cell stack to prevent the flow of cold coolant from the coolant outlet line into the fuel cell stack upon start-up of the fuel cell stack. In another embodiment, a valve (either one-way flow control type or automatic type) is provided in the coolant inlet line at the top of the fuel cell stack. A method of checking thermal-induced circulation of a coolant in a fuel cell stack is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2005Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Farris, Martin M. Hoch, Eric L. Thompson, James S. Siepierski
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Publication number: 20080187796Abstract: A fuel cell system that employs an air compressor for providing cathode inlet air to the cathode side of a fuel cell stack and an anode gas recirculation blower that recirculates anode exhaust gas back to the anode side of the fuel cell stack. The fuel cell system also employs an electric motor having a drive shaft that is coupled to both the air compressor and the anode recirculation blower so that the compressor and blower are driven by a common motor. The compressor and blower are designed so that as the load on the stack increases and decreases, the motor will increase and decrease the speed of the air compressor and the anode recirculation blower in combination to provide the proper cathode and anode reactant gas flow to the stack for the load.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2007Publication date: August 7, 2008Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Joseph D. Rainville, James S. Siepierski
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Patent number: 7320840Abstract: A fuel cell system including a combined injector/ejector system. The pressure of a hydrogen gas being injected into the fuel cell system by the injector acts as a pump that draws an anode exhaust gas being carried by the ejector back into the fuel cell system. The respective gases mix together in proximity to the ejector prior to being introduced back into the fuel cell system. A pressure controller can be provided to control the pressure of the hydrogen gas applied to the injector to more effectively draw the anode exhaust gas. In this manner, the need for a separate pump for the ejector, and the energy required for its operation, is eliminated or at least lessened, thus increasing the overall energy efficiency of the fuel cell system.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2004Date of Patent: January 22, 2008Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Rainer Pechtold, James S. Siepierski
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Patent number: 7205058Abstract: A fuel cell system is provided for storing energy created from the reaction of residual gases at shutdown of a fuel cell stack. This energy can then be used for powering a component of the fuel cell stack and enables air to be used to purge the anode gas.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2003Date of Patent: April 17, 2007Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Mahmoud H Abd Elhamid, James S Siepierski, Joseph D Rainville
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Patent number: 7067211Abstract: A fuel cell system and process using an organic Rankine cycle to produce shaft work to operate a fuel cell system component such as an air compressor. The air compressor delivers compressed air to a fuel cell stack. The steps of the Rankine cycle include pumping a liquid working fluid to an elevated pressure, heating the fluid to a gas, expanding the high temperature and high-pressure gas through an expander to produce shaft work used to drive a fuel cell system component such as an air compressor, and then removing energy from the cooling fluid to change the gas back to a liquid, and repeating the cycle. The liquid fluid can be heated by an external boiler, or one of the components of the fuel cell system such as the combustor and/or the fuel cell stack.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2001Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: James H. Lee, James S. Siepierski, George R. Woody
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Patent number: 6902838Abstract: A fuel cell system and process using an organic Rankine cycle to produce shaft work to operate a fuel cell system component such as an air compressor. The air compressor delivers compressed air to a fuel cell stack. The steps of the Rankine cycle include pumping a liquid working fluid to an elevated pressure, heating the fluid to a gas, expanding the high temperature and high-pressure gas through an expander to produce shaft work used to drive a fuel cell system component such as an air compressor, and then removing energy from the cooling fluid to change the gas back to a liquid, and repeating the cycle. The liquid fluid can be heated by an external boiler, or one of the components of the fuel cell system such as the combustor and/or the fuel cell stack.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2001Date of Patent: June 7, 2005Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: James H. Lee, James S. Siepierski, George R. Woody
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Patent number: 6884528Abstract: A fuel cell system and process using an organic Rankine cycle to produce shaft work to operate a fuel cell system component such as an air compressor. The air compressor delivers compressed air to a fuel cell stack. The steps of the Rankine cycle include pumping a liquid working fluid to an elevated pressure, heating the fluid to a gas, expanding the high temperature and high-pressure gas through an expander to produce shaft work used to drive a fuel cell system component such as an air compressor, and then removing energy from the cooling fluid to change the gas back to a liquid, and repeating the cycle. The liquid fluid can be heated by an external boiler, or one of the components of the fuel cell system such as the combustor and/or the fuel cell stack.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2001Date of Patent: April 26, 2005Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: James H. Lee, James S. Siepierski, George R. Woody
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Patent number: 6830842Abstract: A fuel cell system that can be used to power a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a fuel cell stack, which uses hydrogen and an oxidizer to generate electricity, and a re-circulation loop that returns unreacted hydrogen to the fuel cell stack. The system includes a hermetically sealed assembly having a blower portion that pressurizes hydrogen in the re-circulation loop and a motor portion that drives the blower. The system also includes a source of make-up hydrogen for replenishing hydrogen in the re-circulation loop. The source introduces make-up hydrogen in the motor portion of the assembly at a pressure greater than the pressure in the blower portion of the assembly. Consequently, make-up hydrogen flows from the motor portion of the assembly into the blower portion assembly where it mixes with components in the re-circulation loop. A method of replenishing hydrogen in the fuel cell stack is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2001Date of Patent: December 14, 2004Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: James S. Siepierski, Ulrich Dumke
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Publication number: 20040161647Abstract: A fuel cell system is provided with an oxidant supply that utilizes a centrifugal compressor that has a surge control system. The surge control system provides a recirculation port from the outlet compressor back to the compressor inlet. A valve is provided in the recirculation passage that allows the system to maintain its requested pressure and flow by selective reintroduction of compressed air to the inlet of the compressor. The recirculation subjects the compressor to a higher mass flow rate where it can make more pressure without surging, and thereby returns the compressor to an “on map” situation.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2003Publication date: August 19, 2004Inventors: Joseph D. Rainville, James S. Siepierski
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Publication number: 20030077499Abstract: A fuel cell system that can be used to power a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a fuel cell stack, which uses hydrogen and an oxidizer to generate electricity, and a re-circulation loop that returns unreacted hydrogen to the fuel cell stack. The system includes a hermetically sealed assembly having a blower portion that pressurizes hydrogen in the re-circulation loop and a motor portion that drives the blower. The system also includes a source of make-up hydrogen for replenishing hydrogen in the re-circulation loop. The source introduces make-up hydrogen in the motor portion of the assembly at a pressure greater than the pressure in the blower portion of the assembly. Consequently, make-up hydrogen flows from the motor portion of the assembly into the blower portion assembly where it mixes with components in the re-circulation loop. A method of replenishing hydrogen in the fuel cell stack is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2001Publication date: April 24, 2003Inventors: James S. Siepierski, Ulrich Dumke
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Publication number: 20020055024Abstract: A fuel cell system and process using an organic Rankine cycle to produce shaft work to operate a fuel cell system component such as an air compressor. The air compressor delivers compressed air to a fuel cell stack. The steps of the Rankine cycle include pumping a liquid working fluid to an elevated pressure, heating the fluid to a gas, expanding the high temperature and high-pressure gas through an expander to produce shaft work used to drive a fuel cell system component such as an air compressor, and then removing energy from the cooling fluid to change the gas back to a liquid, and repeating the cycle. The liquid fluid can be heated by an external boiler, or one of the components of the fuel cell system such as the combustor and/or the fuel cell stack.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2001Publication date: May 9, 2002Applicant: General Motors CorporationInventors: James H. Lee, James S. Siepierski, George R. Woody
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Publication number: 20020055026Abstract: A fuel cell system and process using an organic Rankine cycle to produce shaft work to operate a fuel cell system component such as an air compressor. The air compressor delivers compressed air to a fuel cell stack. The steps of the Rankine cycle include pumping a liquid working fluid to an elevated pressure, heating the fluid to a gas, expanding the high temperature and high-pressure gas through an expander to produce shaft work used to drive a fuel cell system component such as an air compressor, and then removing energy from the cooling fluid to change the gas back to a liquid, and repeating the cycle. The liquid fluid can be heated by an external boiler, or one of the components of the fuel cell system such as the combustor and/or the fuel cell stack.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2001Publication date: May 9, 2002Applicant: General Motors CorporationInventors: James H. Lee, James S. Siepierski, George R. Woody
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Publication number: 20020055025Abstract: A fuel cell system and process using an organic Rankine cycle to produce shaft work to operate a fuel cell system component such as an air compressor. The air compressor delivers compressed air to a fuel cell stack. The steps of the Rankine cycle include pumping a liquid working fluid to an elevated pressure, heating the fluid to a gas, expanding the high temperature and high-pressure gas through an expander to produce shaft work used to drive a fuel cell system component such as an air compressor, and then removing energy from the cooling fluid to change the gas back to a liquid, and repeating the cycle. The liquid fluid can be heated by an external boiler, or one of the components of the fuel cell system such as the combustor and/or the fuel cell stack.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2001Publication date: May 9, 2002Applicant: General Motors CorporationInventors: James H. Lee, James S. Siepierski, George R. Woody
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Patent number: 6365289Abstract: A fuel cell system and process using an organic Rankine cycle to produce shaft work to operate a fuel cell system component such as an air compressor. The air compressor delivers compressed air to a fuel cell stack. The steps of the Rankine cycle include pumping a liquid working fluid to an elevated pressure, heating the fluid to a gas, expanding the high temperature and high-pressure gas through an expander to produce shaft work used to drive a fuel cell system component such as an air compressor, and then removing energy from the cooling fluid to change the gas back to a liquid, and repeating the cycle. The liquid fluid can be heated by an external boiler, or one of the components of the fuel cell system such as the combustor and/or the fuel cell stack.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1999Date of Patent: April 2, 2002Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: James H. Lee, James S. Siepierski, George R. Woody
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Patent number: 6268074Abstract: A fuel cell system including a dry compressor for pressurizing air supplied to the cathode side of the fuel cell. An injector sprays a controlled amount of water on to the compressor's rotor(s) to improve the energy efficiency of the compressor. The amount of water sprayed out the rotor(s) is controlled relative to the mass flow rate of air inputted to the compressor.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 1999Date of Patent: July 31, 2001Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: James S. Siepierski, Barbara S. Moore, Martin Monroe Hoch