Patents by Inventor John J. Conley

John J. Conley 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).

  • Wax elements as passive control devices in fuel cell power systems
    Patent number: 8785067
    Abstract: A fuel cell system that employs one or more wax elements to provide passive control. In one embodiment, a wax element device is positioned within a coolant stream pipe. The wax element device includes a wax element positioned within a container. An electrically conductive rod is positioned within the wax element and extends out of the pipe. As the wax element expands and contracts in response to temperature changes in the cooling fluid, the rod moves up and down to make various electrical contacts and control the various devices, such a coolant pump and a coolant fan. In another embodiment, the rod extends into a cathode exhaust pipe of the fuel cell system, and is coupled to a back-pressure valve therein. As the temperature of the cooling fluid changes, the wax element expands and contracts to control the position of the back-pressure valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Prem Menon, John J. Conley, David A. Masten, Bruce J. Clingerman
  • Use of Wax Elements as Passive Control Devices in Fuel Cell Power Systems
    Publication number: 20080187803
    Abstract: A fuel cell system that employs one or more wax elements to provide passive control. In one embodiment, a wax element device is positioned within a coolant stream pipe. The wax element device includes a wax element positioned within a container. An electrically conductive rod is positioned within the wax element and extends out of the pipe. As the wax element expands and contracts in response to temperature changes in the cooling fluid, the rod moves up and down to make various electrical contacts and control the various devices, such a coolant pump and a coolant fan. In another embodiment, the rod extends into a cathode exhaust pipe of the fuel cell system, and is coupled to a back-pressure valve therein. As the temperature of the cooling fluid changes, the wax element expands and contracts to control the position of the back-pressure valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Prem Menon, John J. Conley, David A. Masten, Bruce J. Clingerman