Patents by Inventor John P. Salvador
John P. Salvador 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: 9496572Abstract: A fuel cell system is provided that includes a fuel cell stack and an air compressor in communication with a cathode inlet, a hydrogen source in communication with an anode inlet, and a start-up battery adapted to power the air compressor. The start-up battery is at least one of a low-voltage battery and a high-voltage battery. A pressure sensor is in communication with the air compressor and adapted to measure a compressor outlet pressure. A power conversion module is in electrical communication with the start-up battery and the air compressor. A controller is in communication with the power conversion module and adapted to set an air compressor speed based on an available electrical energy. A closed-loop method of operating the fuel cell system at start-up is also provided, wherein an anode purge is scheduled based on an air flow rate calculated from the compressor outlet pressure and the actual speed.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2007Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Abdullah B. Alp, Akbar Chowdhury, Matthew C. Kirklin, Matthew K. Hortop, John P. Salvador
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Patent number: 9385382Abstract: System and methods for controlling and optimizing coolant system parameters in a fuel cell system to obtain a requested cabin temperature in a fuel cell vehicle are presented. A method for managing a temperature in a vehicle cabin may include receiving an indication relating to a desired vehicle cabin temperature and a plurality of measured operating parameters. Based on the measured operating parameters, a projected output temperature of a cabin heat exchanger may be estimated. A determination may be made that the projected output temperature of the cabin heat exchanger is less than the indication. Based on the determination a fuel cell coolant parameter may be adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2013Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: John P. Salvador, Steven D. Burch, John P. Nolan, Remy Fontaine, Bram Peters, Oliver Maier
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Patent number: 9368816Abstract: A fuel cell system including a fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cells, each of the fuel cells including an electrolyte membrane disposed between an anode and a cathode, an anode supply manifold in fluid communication with the anodes of the fuel cells, the anode supply manifold providing fluid communication between a source of hydrogen and the anodes, an anode exhaust manifold in fluid communication with the anodes of the fuel cells, and a fan in fluid communication with the anodes of the fuel cells, wherein the fan controls a flow of fluid through the anodes of the fuel cells after the fuel cell system is shutdown.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2013Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Thomas A. Greszler, Gary M. Robb, John P. Salvador, Balasubramanian Lakshmanan, Hubert Gasteiger
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Patent number: 9368817Abstract: A method for reconditioning a fuel cell stack. The method includes periodically increasing the relative humidity level of the cathode input airflow to the stack to saturate the cell membrane electrode assemblies to be greater than the relative humidity levels during normal stack operating conditions. The method also includes providing hydrogen to the anode side of the fuel cell stack at system shut down while the membrane electrode assemblies are saturated without stack loads being applied so that the hydrogen crosses the cell membranes to the cathode side and reacts with oxygen to reduce stack contaminants.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2009Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: GL Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Daniel T. Folmsbee, Balasubramanian Lakshmanan, John P. Salvador, Joe C. Machuca, Bernd Krause, David R. Savage, David A. Arthur, Derek R. Lebzelter
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Patent number: 8993185Abstract: A system and method for determining a maximum average cell voltage set-point for fuel cells in a fuel cell stack that considers oxidation of the catalyst in the fuel cells. The method includes determining the average cell voltage, the stack current density (I) and an internal resistance (R) of membranes in the fuel cells to calculate an IR corrected average cell voltage. The IR corrected average cell voltage is then used to determine the oxidation state of the catalyst particles using, for example, an empirical model. The oxidation state of the particles is then used to calculate the maximum average cell voltage set-point of the fuel cells, which is used to set the minimum power requested from the fuel cell stack.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2014Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: John P. Salvador, Thomas A. Greszler, Brian A. Litteer
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Patent number: 8945785Abstract: A system and method for reducing the frequency of stack stand-by mode events, if necessary, as a fuel cell stack ages and experiences lower performance. The method determines an irreversible voltage loss of the fuel cell stack at predetermined time intervals and determines a stack voltage degradation variable based on the irreversible voltage loss. The method also determines if the stack voltage degradation variable indicates that the fuel cell stack will not meet predetermined stack end-of-life voltage requirements and calculates a maximum allowed voltage degradation rate of the fuel cell stack. The method calculates a maximum number of stand-by mode events per unit time that can be allowed to prevent the stack from exceeding the maximum allowed degradation rate and controls the number of stand-by mode events based on the calculated maximum number of stand-by mode events.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2012Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Daniel I. Harris, Derek R. Lebzelter, John P. Salvador, William H. Pettit, Akbar Chowdhury, Edward G. Himes
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Patent number: 8924043Abstract: System and methods for preventing battery depletion in a vehicle are disclosed. In certain embodiments, a method for preventing depletion of a battery included in a vehicle may include receiving a measurement of the SOC of the battery from an SOC sensor. A determination may be made as to whether the SOC of the battery has reached a threshold indicating that the battery is nearing depletion. Based on the determination, a notification may be transmitted to a remote device associated with a user of the vehicle. In certain embodiments, the user may use the notification to decide whether to remotely start a system of the vehicle to recharge the battery.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2012Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Andrew J. Maslyn, John P. Salvador
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Publication number: 20140363752Abstract: System and methods for controlling and optimizing coolant system parameters in a fuel cell system to obtain a requested cabin temperature in a fuel cell vehicle are presented. A method for managing a temperature in a vehicle cabin may include receiving an indication relating to a desired vehicle cabin temperature and a plurality of measured operating parameters. Based on the measured operating parameters, a projected output temperature of a cabin heat exchanger may be estimated. A determination may be made that the projected output temperature of the cabin heat exchanger is less than the indication. Based on the determination a fuel cell coolant parameter may be adjusted.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2013Publication date: December 11, 2014Inventors: JOHN P. SALVADOR, STEVEN D. BURCH, JOHN P. NOLAN, REMY FONTAINE, BRAM PETERS, OLIVER MAIER
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Publication number: 20140170514Abstract: A system and method for controlling a fuel cell system start time based on various vehicle parameters. The method includes providing a plurality of inputs that identify operating conditions of the fuel cell system and determining a maximum allowable start-time of the fuel cell system using a hybridization control strategy and the plurality of inputs. The method then determines a maximum compressor speed and ramp rate to provide the optimal allowable start-time of the fuel cell system minimizing energy consumption and noise.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2012Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Daniel I. HARRIS, Loren DEVRIES, Charles MACKINTOSH, John P. SALVADOR, Derek S. KILMER
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Patent number: 8722264Abstract: A method for providing a current density set-point for a fuel cell stack in response to a power request from the stack where the set-point is determined based on system parameters that identify the life and degradation of the stack. The method includes dividing a current density range of the fuel cell stack into a predetermined number of sample regions, and selecting the sample regions in order from low to high during the current set-point analysis. The method calculates an average cell voltage for the current density of the selected sample region, and stack power from the average cell voltage. The method then determines whether a power request signal is less than the stack power for the selected sample region and greater than the calculated power for the previous sample region, and if so, calculates the current density set-point at the requested power based on these values.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2008Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Sriram Ganapathy, Kiran Mallavarapu, Balasubramanian Lakshmanan, John P. Salvador, Frank X. Leo
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Patent number: 8722263Abstract: A method for determining when to inject hydrogen gas into the anode side of a fuel cell stack associated with a fuel cell vehicle when the vehicle is off. The method includes estimating the concentration of hydrogen gas in the anode side of the fuel cell stack using a gas concentration model and determining if the estimated concentration of hydrogen gas is below a first predetermined threshold. If the estimated hydrogen gas is less than the threshold, then hydrogen gas is injected into the anode side from a hydrogen source. While the hydrogen gas is being injected, the method compares the estimated concentration of the hydrogen gas in the anode side to a desired concentration, and generates an error signal there between. If the error signal is greater than a second predetermined threshold, the algorithm continues to inject the hydrogen into the anode side of the fuel cell stack.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2010Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Jun Cai, Joseph Nicholas Lovria, Sriram Ganapathy, Jaehak Jung, John P. Salvador
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Publication number: 20140120441Abstract: A system and method for determining a maximum average cell voltage set-point for fuel cells in a fuel cell stack that considers oxidation of the catalyst in the fuel cells. The method includes determining the average cell voltage, the stack current density (I) and an internal resistance (R) of membranes in the fuel cells to calculate an IR corrected average cell voltage. The IR corrected average cell voltage is then used to determine the oxidation state of the catalyst particles using, for example, an empirical model. The oxidation state of the particles is then used to calculate the maximum average cell voltage set-point of the fuel cells, which is used to set the minimum power requested from the fuel cell stack.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2014Publication date: May 1, 2014Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: John P. Salvador, Thomas A. Greszler, Brian A. Litteer
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Patent number: 8647785Abstract: A system and method for determining a maximum average cell voltage set-point for fuel cells in a fuel cell stack that considers oxidation of the catalyst in the fuel cells. The method includes determining the average cell voltage, the stack current density (I) and an internal resistance (R) of membranes in the fuel cells to calculate an IR corrected average cell voltage. The IR corrected average cell voltage is then used to determine the oxidation state of the catalyst particles using, for example, an empirical model. The oxidation state of the particles is then used to calculate the maximum average cell voltage set-point of the fuel cells, which is used to set the minimum power requested from the fuel cell stack.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2011Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: John P. Salvador, Thomas A. Greszler, Brian A. Litteer
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Publication number: 20140038073Abstract: A fuel cell system including a fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cells, each of the fuel cells including an electrolyte membrane disposed between an anode and a cathode, an anode supply manifold in fluid communication with the anodes of the fuel cells, the anode supply manifold providing fluid communication between a source of hydrogen and the anodes, an anode exhaust manifold in fluid communication with the anodes of the fuel cells, and a fan in fluid communication with the anodes of the fuel cells, wherein the fan controls a flow of fluid through the anodes of the fuel cells after the fuel cell system is shutdown.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2013Publication date: February 6, 2014Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Thomas A. Greszler, Gary M. Robb, John P. Salvador, Balasubramanian Lakshmanan, Hubert Gasteiger
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Publication number: 20140018975Abstract: System and methods for preventing battery depletion in a vehicle are disclosed. In certain embodiments, a method for preventing depletion of a battery included in a vehicle may include receiving a measurement of the SOC of the battery from an SOC sensor. A determination may be made as to whether the SOC of the battery has reached a threshold indicating that the battery is nearing depletion. Based on the determination, a notification may be transmitted to a remote device associated with a user of the vehicle. In certain embodiments, the user may use the notification to decide whether to remotely start a system of the vehicle to recharge the battery.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2012Publication date: January 16, 2014Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Andrew J. Maslyn, John P. Salvador
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Patent number: 8580445Abstract: A fuel cell system including a fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cells, each of the fuel cells including an electrolyte membrane disposed between an anode and a cathode, an anode supply manifold in fluid communication with the anodes of the fuel cells, the anode supply manifold providing fluid communication between a source of hydrogen and the anodes, an anode exhaust manifold in fluid communication with the anodes of the fuel cells, and a fan in fluid communication with the anodes of the fuel cells, wherein the fan controls a flow of fluid through the anodes of the fuel cells after the fuel cell system is shutdown.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2008Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Thomas A. Greszler, Gary M. Robb, John P. Salvador, Balasubramanian Lakshmanan, Hubert Gasteiger
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Patent number: 8524405Abstract: A system and method for detecting small hydrogen leaks in an anode of a fuel cell system. The method includes determining that a shut-down sequence has begun, and if so, deplete the cathode side of a fuel cell stack of oxygen. The method then increases the pressure of the anode side of the fuel cell stack to a predetermined set-point, and monitors the pressure decay of the anode side of the stack. The method compares the rate of pressure decay to an expected pressure decay rate, and if the measured pressure decay rate exceeds the expected pressure decay rate by a certain threshold, determines that a potential leak exists.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2010Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: John P. Salvador, Joseph Nicholas Lovria
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Publication number: 20130209906Abstract: A system and method for controlling the reactants in anode and cathode compartments of a fuel cell stack while the fuel cell stack is in a stand-by or idle-stop mode. The method includes identifying a voltage set-point for an average voltage of the fuel cells in the fuel cell stack or an overall stack voltage that is a minimum voltage acceptable for the idle-stop mode. The actual cell voltage average or stack voltage is compared to the voltage set-point to generate a voltage error. The voltage error is provided to a controller that does one or both of providing hydrogen gas to the anode compartment of the stack to increase the anode compartment pressure, which decreases the voltage error if the voltage is above the voltage set-point, or providing more cathode air to the cathode compartment of the fuel cell stack if the voltage error is below the voltage set-point.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2012Publication date: August 15, 2013Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Daniel I. Harris, John P. Salvador
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Method of mitigating fuel cell degradation due to startup and shutdown via hydrogen/nitrogen storage
Patent number: 8492046Abstract: A method of operating the fuel cell stack having an anode side and a cathode side by flowing hydrogen into the anode side and flowing air into the cathode side. The fuel cell produces electricity that is used to operate a primary electrical device. To shut down the stack in one embodiment, the primary electrical device is disconnected from the stack. The flow of air into the cathode side is stopped and positive hydrogen pressure is maintained on the anode side. The fuel cell stack is shorted and oxygen in the cathode side is allowed to be consumed by hydrogen. The inlet and outlet valves of the anode and the cathode sides are closed. Thereafter, the flow of hydrogen into the anode side is stopped and the flow of exhaust from the cathode side is stopped.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2006Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Paul Taichiang Yu, Frederick T. Wagner, Glenn W. Skala, Balsu Lakshmanan, John P. Salvador -
Publication number: 20130177826Abstract: A system and method for reducing the frequency of stack stand-by mode events, if necessary, as a fuel cell stack ages and experiences lower performance. The method determines an irreversible voltage loss of the fuel cell stack at predetermined time intervals and determines a stack voltage degradation variable based on the irreversible voltage loss. The method also determines if the stack voltage degradation variable indicates that the fuel cell stack will not meet predetermined stack end-of-life voltage requirements and calculates a maximum allowed voltage degradation rate of the fuel cell stack. The method calculates a maximum number of stand-by mode events per unit time that can be allowed to prevent the stack from exceeding the maximum allowed degradation rate and controls the number of stand-by mode events based on the calculated maximum number of stand-by mode events.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2012Publication date: July 11, 2013Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Daniel I. HARRIS, Derek R. LEBZELTER, John P. SALVADOR, William H. PETTIT, Akbar CHOWDHURY, Edward G. HIMES