Patents by Inventor John P. Scartozzi

John P. Scartozzi 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: 6773839
    Abstract: Fuel cell power systems and methods of controlling a fuel cell power system are provided. According to one aspect, a fuel cell power system includes a plurality of fuel cells electrically coupled with plural terminals and individually configured to convert chemical energy into electricity; and a digital control system configured to at least one of control and monitor an operation of the fuel cells. Another aspect provides a method of controlling a fuel cell power system including providing a plurality of fuel cells individually configured to convert chemical energy into electricity; electrically coupling the plurality of fuel cells; providing a first terminal coupled with the fuel cells; providing a second terminal coupled with the fuel cells; and coupling a digital control system with the fuel cells to at least one of monitor and control an operation of the fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Relion, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Fuglevand, Shiblihanna I. Bayyuk, Greg Lloyd, Peter D. Devries, David R. Lott, John P. Scartozzi
  • Patent number: 6703155
    Abstract: A power tap device for use in a fuel cell stack having a plurality of stackable items including separator plates, and membrane electrode assemblies each having an anode and cathode and configured to be respectively stacked between pairs of separator plates, comprises first and second major outer surfaces, the first major outer surface being electrically conductive, the second major outer surface being electrically conductive; and a dielectric separating the first major outer surface from the second major outer surface, wherein the power tap device is sized and arranged to be interposed between stackable items in the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Avista Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: John P. Scartozzi
  • Publication number: 20040043274
    Abstract: A fuel cell power system is described and which includes a plurality of modules each enclosing a fuel cell stack and a cooling system, and wherein at least one of the modules can be easily removed from the fuel cell power system, by hand, while the remaining modules continue to operate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventors: John P. Scartozzi, Peter D. DeVries
  • Publication number: 20030091884
    Abstract: A power tap device for use in a fuel cell stack having a plurality of stackable items including separator plates, and membrane electrode assemblies each having an anode and cathode and configured to be respectively stacked between pairs of separator plates, comprises first and second major outer surfaces, the first major outer surface being electrically conductive, the second major outer surface being electrically conductive; and a dielectric separating the first major outer surface from the second major outer surface, wherein the power tap device is sized and arranged to be interposed between stackable items in the stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventor: John P. Scartozzi
  • Publication number: 20030077495
    Abstract: A method of testing a fuel cell for gas leaks comprises providing a gas sensor in gas sensing relation to the fuel cell system, and initiating a pressure test of the fuel cell in response to the gas sensor sensing more than a predetermined amount of a target gas. A fuel cell power system comprises a fuel cell defining a fluid vessel having a fuel inlet and bleed outlet; a fuel valve upstream of the fuel inlet; a bleed valve downstream of the fuel outlet; and a pressure transducer in fluid communication with the fluid vessel, wherein a pressure test of the fluid vessel can be performed in-situ.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: John P. Scartozzi, Scott Spink, Peter D. DeVries
  • Publication number: 20030003337
    Abstract: A fuel cell power system is described and which includes a plurality of modules each enclosing a fuel cell stack and a cooling assembly, and wherein at least one of the modules can be easily removed from the fuel cell power system, by hand, while the remaining modules continue to operate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: John P. Scartozzi, Peter D. DeVries
  • Patent number: 6468682
    Abstract: An ion exchange membrane fuel cell is described and which includes a module enclosing a membrane electrode diffusion assembly which has an active area defined by a surface area, and which produces an average current density of at least about 350 mA per square centimeter of surface area when supplied with a dilute fuel at a nominal voltage of about 0.5 volts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Avista Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Fuglevand, Peter D. DeVries, Glen Alden Lloyd, David R. Lott, John P. Scartozzi
  • Patent number: 6387556
    Abstract: Fuel cell power systems and methods of controlling a fuel cell power system are provided. According to one aspect, a fuel cell power system includes a plurality of fuel cells electrically coupled with plural terminals and individually configured to convert chemical energy into electricity; and a digital control system configured to at least one of control and monitor an operation of the fuel cells. Another aspect provides a method of controlling a fuel cell power system including providing a plurality of fuel cells individually configured to convert chemical energy into electricity; electrically coupling the plurality of fuel cells; providing a first terminal coupled with the fuel cells; providing a second terminal coupled with the fuel cells; and coupling a digital control system with the fuel cells to at least one of monitor and control an operation of the fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Avista Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Fuglevand, Shiblihanna I. Bayyuk, Greg Lloyd, Peter D. Devries, David R. Lott, John P. Scartozzi
  • Publication number: 20020031692
    Abstract: Fuel cell power systems and methods of controlling a fuel cell power system are provided. According to one aspect, a fuel cell power system includes a plurality of fuel cells electrically coupled with plural terminals and individually configured to convert chemical energy into electricity; and a digital control system configured to at least one of control and monitor an operation of the fuel cells. Another aspect provides a method of controlling a fuel cell power system including providing a plurality of fuel cells individually configured to convert chemical energy into electricity; electrically coupling the plurality of fuel cells; providing a first terminal coupled with the fuel cells; providing a second terminal coupled with the fuel cells; and coupling a digital control system with the fuel cells to at least one of monitor and control an operation of the fuel cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventors: William A. Fuglevand, Shiblihanna I. Bayyuk, Greg Lloyd, Peter D. Devries, David R. Lott, John P. Scartozzi
  • Publication number: 20020018922
    Abstract: Fuel cell power systems and methods of controlling a fuel cell power system are provided. According to one aspect, a fuel cell power system includes a plurality of fuel cells electrically coupled with plural terminals and individually configured to convert chemical energy into electricity; and a digital control system configured to at least one of control and monitor an operation of the fuel cells. Another aspect provides a method of controlling a fuel cell power system including providing a plurality of fuel cells individually configured to convert chemical energy into electricity; electrically coupling the plurality of fuel cells; providing a first terminal coupled with the fuel cells; providing a second terminal coupled with the fuel cells; and coupling a digital control system with the fuel cells to at least one of monitor and control an operation of the fuel cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventors: William A. Fuglevand, Shiblihanna I. Bayyuk, Greg LLoyd, Peter D. Devries, David R. Lott, John P. Scartozzi
  • Patent number: 6218035
    Abstract: A proton exchange membrane fuel cell power system for producing electrical power is described and which includes a plurality of discrete fuel cell modules having at least two membrane electrode diffusion assemblies, each of the membrane electrode diffusion assemblies having opposite anode and cathode sides; a pair of current collectors are individually disposed in juxtaposed ohmic electrical contact with opposite anode and cathode sides of each of the membrane electrode diffusion assemblies; and individual force application assemblies apply a given force to the pair current collectors and the individual membrane electrode diffusion assemblies. The proton exchange membrane fuel cell power system also includes an enclosure mounting a plurality of subracks which receive the discrete fuel cell modules. Additionally, a control system is disclosed which optimizes the performance parameters of the discrete proton exchange membrane fuel cell modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Avista Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Fuglevand, Shiblihanna I. Bayyuk, Greg Alden Lloyd, Peter David DeVries, David R. Lott, John P. Scartozzi, Gregory M. Somers, Ronald G. Stokes
  • Patent number: 6096449
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved fuel cell and method for controlling same having an anode and a cathode which produces an electrical current having a given voltage and current output and which includes a controller electrically coupled with the fuel cell and which shunts the electrical current between the anode and the cathode of the fuel cell. The invention also discloses a method for controlling the fuel cell having an anode, a cathode and a given voltage and current output and which includes determining the voltage and current output of the fuel cell; and shunting the electrical current between the anode and cathode of the fuel cell under first and second operational conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Avista Labs
    Inventors: William A. Fuglevand, Peter D. DeVries, Greg A. Lloyd, David R. Lott, John P. Scartozzi
  • Patent number: 6030718
    Abstract: A proton exchange membrane fuel cell power system for producing electrical power is described and which includes a plurality of discrete fuel cell modules having at least two membrane electrode diffusion assemblies, each of the membrane electrode diffusion assemblies having opposite anode and cathode sides; a pair of current collectors are individually disposed in juxtaposed ohmic electrical contact with opposite anode and cathode sides of each of the membrane electrode diffusion assemblies; and individual force application assemblies apply a given force to the pair current collectors and the individual membrane electrode diffusion assemblies. The proton exchange membrane fuel cell power system also includes an enclosure mounting a plurality of subracks which receive the discrete fuel cell modules. Additionally, a control system is disclosed which optimizes the performance parameters of the discrete proton exchange membrane fuel cell modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Avista Corporation
    Inventors: William A. Fuglevand, Shiblihanna I. Bayyuk, Greg Alden Lloyd, Peter David De Vries, David R. Lott, John P. Scartozzi, Gregory M. Somers, Ronald G. Stokes
  • Patent number: RE39556
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved fuel cell and method of controlling same having an anode and a cathode which produces an electrical current having a given voltage and current output and which includes a controller electrically coupled with the fuel cell and which shunts the electrical current between the anode and the cathode of the fuel cell. The invention also discloses a method for controlling the fuel cell having an anode, a cathode and a given voltage and current output and which include determining the voltage and current output of the fuel cell; and shunting the electrical current between the anode and cathode of the fuel cell under first and second operation parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Relion, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Fuglevand, Peter D. DeVries, Greg A. Lloyd, David R. Lott, John P. Scartozzi