Patents by Inventor Joseph M. Daly
Joseph M. Daly 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: 11804608Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell. The fuel cell includes an anode having an anode inlet configured to receive anode feed gas, and an anode outlet configured to output anode exhaust. The fuel cell further includes a cathode having a cathode inlet and a cathode outlet. The fuel cell system further includes an anode blower configured to receive the anode exhaust and output a higher-pressure anode exhaust. The fuel cell system further includes an anode blower recycle line configured to receive a portion of the higher-pressure anode exhaust downstream from the anode blower and to output the portion of the higher-pressure anode exhaust upstream from the anode blower. The fuel cell system further includes a first valve disposed in the blower recycle line, the first valve configured to open when the anode of the fuel cell is under-pressurized.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2021Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.Inventors: Joseph M. Daly, Jeffrey Brown, Matthew Crowley, Robert S. Fournier, William J. Snyder, Fred C. Jahnke
-
Publication number: 20230327149Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell. The fuel cell includes an anode having an anode inlet configured to receive anode feed gas, and an anode outlet configured to output anode exhaust. The fuel cell further includes a cathode having a cathode inlet and a cathode outlet. The fuel cell system further includes an anode blower configured to receive the anode exhaust and output a higher-pressure anode exhaust. The fuel cell system further includes an anode blower recycle line configured to receive a portion of the higher-pressure anode exhaust downstream from the anode blower and to output the portion of the higher-pressure anode exhaust upstream from the anode blower. The fuel cell system further includes a first valve disposed in the blower recycle line, the first valve configured to open when the anode of the fuel cell is under-pressurized.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2023Publication date: October 12, 2023Inventors: Joseph M. DALY, Jeffrey BROWN, Matthew CROWLEY, Robert S. FOURNIER, William J. SNYDER, Fred C. JAHNKE
-
Patent number: 11698230Abstract: A method for manufacturing a heat exchanger includes: providing a porous material that has a porosity of about 30% to about 80%; forming an oxide layer on a surface of the porous material by heat treating the porous material at a temperature in a range of 600° C. to 900° C. for a time period in a range of 8 hours to 12 hours in air; and integrating the porous material into a cold side flow passage of the heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2021Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Assignee: FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.Inventors: Matthew Lambrech, Joseph M. Daly, Andrew Skok, Kazim Naqvi, Dennis Farrenkopf, Ling Chen, Allen Adriani
-
Publication number: 20220034597Abstract: A method for manufacturing a heat exchanger includes: providing a porous material that has a porosity of about 30% to about 80%; forming an oxide layer on a surface of the porous material by heat treating the porous material at a temperature in a range of 600° C. to 900° C. for a time period in a range of 8 hours to 12 hours in air; and integrating the porous material into a cold side flow passage of the heat exchanger.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2021Publication date: February 3, 2022Inventors: Matthew LAMBRECH, Joseph M. DALY, Andrew SKOK, Kazim NAQVI, Dennis FARRENKOPF, Ling CHEN, Allen ADRIANI
-
Publication number: 20210399318Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell module having an anode having an anode inlet configured to receive anode feed gas and an anode outlet configured to output anode exhaust into an anode exhaust conduit. The fuel cell module further includes a cathode having a cathode inlet configured to receive cathode feed gas and a cathode outlet. The fuel cell system also includes an anode exhaust processing system fluidly coupled to the anode exhaust conduit and a gas injection system disposed downstream of the anode inlet and upstream of the anode exhaust processing system. The gas injection system is configured to inject a gas within the anode exhaust conduit to prevent an under-pressurization condition of the anode.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2021Publication date: December 23, 2021Inventors: Robert S. Fournier, Thomas J. Voytek, Joseph M. Daly
-
Patent number: 11175101Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a porous material in a cold side flow passage. The porous material is configured to distribute a liquid phase throughout the cold side flow passage through capillary action.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2017Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: FuelCell Energy, LLCInventors: Matthew Lambrech, Joseph M. Daly, Andrew Skok, Kazim Naqvi, Dennis Farrenkopf, Ling Chen, Allen Adriani
-
Publication number: 20210175524Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell. The fuel cell includes an anode having an anode inlet configured to receive anode feed gas, and an anode outlet configured to output anode exhaust. The fuel cell further includes a cathode having a cathode inlet and a cathode outlet. The fuel cell system further includes an anode blower configured to receive the anode exhaust and output a higher-pressure anode exhaust. The fuel cell system further includes an anode blower recycle line configured to receive a portion of the higher-pressure anode exhaust downstream from the anode blower and to output the portion of the higher-pressure anode exhaust upstream from the anode blower. The fuel cell system further includes a first valve disposed in the blower recycle line, the first valve configured to open when the anode of the fuel cell is under-pressurized.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2021Publication date: June 10, 2021Inventors: Joseph M. DALY, Jeffrey BROWN, Matthew CROWLEY, Robert S. FOURNIER, William J. SNYDER, Fred C. JAHNKE
-
Patent number: 10483562Abstract: A fuel cell system includes at least one fuel cell module and at least one relational water seal configured to limit a magnitude of a pressure differential in the fuel cell system in an anode under-pressurization situation in which the second pressure exceeds the first pressure by at least a first predetermined amount. The fuel cell module includes a fuel cell assembly having one or more fuel cells arranged in a stack configuration, an anode inlet manifold, an anode outlet manifold having a first pressure, a cathode inlet manifold having a second pressure, and a cathode outlet manifold.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2017Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.Inventors: Fred C. Jahnke, Matthew Lambrech, Joseph M. Daly
-
Publication number: 20190285358Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a porous material in a cold side flow passage. The porous material is configured to distribute a liquid phase throughout the cold side flow passage through capillary action.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2017Publication date: September 19, 2019Inventors: Matthew LAMBRECH, Joseph M. DALY, Andrew SKOK, Kazim NAQVI, Dennis FARRENKOPF, Ling CHEN, Allen ADRIANI
-
Publication number: 20180375121Abstract: A fuel cell system includes at least one fuel cell module and at least one relational water seal configured to limit a magnitude of a pressure differential in the fuel cell system in an anode under-pressurization situation in which the second pressure exceeds the first pressure by at least a first predetermined amount. The fuel cell module includes a fuel cell assembly having one or more fuel cells arranged in a stack configuration, an anode inlet manifold, an anode outlet manifold having a first pressure, a cathode inlet manifold having a second pressure, and a cathode outlet manifold.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2017Publication date: December 27, 2018Inventors: Fred C. JAHNKE, Matthew LAMBRECH, Joseph M. DALY
-
Patent number: 9017433Abstract: A pre-processing assembly and method for processing fuel feedstock containing oxygen and hydrocarbons having higher and lower hydrocarbon content for a fuel cell, wherein the pre-processing assembly has a deoxidizing bed for reducing oxygen in the fuel feedstock and a pre-reforming bed for reducing higher hydrocarbon content in the fuel feedstock and wherein the deoxidizing bed and the pre-reforming bed are disposed within a common reaction vessel such that the fuel feedstock first passes through the deoxidizing bed and thereafter through the pre-reforming bed. The pre-reforming assembly may further include a propane processor bed for processing propane and propylene in the fuel feedstock, where the propane processor bed is disposed within the common reaction vessel with the deoxidizing bed and the pre-reforming bed.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2011Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: FuelCell Energy, Inc.Inventors: Sai P. Katikaneni, Joseph M. Daly, Mohammad Farooque
-
Patent number: 8999590Abstract: A monitoring assembly for use in a fuel cell system for detecting sulfur-containing compounds in fuel. The monitoring assembly comprises an indicator assembly for passing the fuel therethrough, the indicator assembly including an indicator material and a housing for housing said indicator material, wherein the housing is adapted to be placed on-line in one of a main path receiving substantially all the fuel and a bypass path receiving only a portion of the fuel in the fuel cell system and the indicator material is such that when the housing is placed on-line in the fuel cell system at least one physical property of the indicator material changes when the indicator material is exposed to sulfur-containing compounds in the fuel of the fuel cell system, and the indicator assembly being additionally adapted to allow detection of the change in the physical property of the indicator material.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2007Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: FuelCell Energy, Inc.Inventors: Sai P. Katikaneni, Joseph M. Daly
-
Patent number: 8697451Abstract: A sulfur breakthrough monitoring assembly for use in a fuel utilization system for detecting sulfur-containing compounds in desulfurized fuel, said monitoring assembly comprising: a heater for heating desulfurized fuel to a predetermined temperature, the predetermined temperature being between 450° C. and 600° C., a sulfur breakthrough detector adapted to receive heated fuel from the heater and including at least a reforming catalyst bed for reforming the heated fuel and a plurality of temperature sensors including a first temperature sensor for sensing temperature of the heated fuel before the fuel is conveyed through the reforming catalyst bed and a second temperature sensor for sensing temperature in the reforming catalyst bed, and a controller for determining whether concentration of the sulfur-containing compounds in the fuel exceeds a first predetermined concentration based on temperature outputs from the first and second temperature sensors.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2010Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: FuelCell Energy, Inc.Inventor: Joseph M. Daly
-
Patent number: 8652694Abstract: A water transfer assembly for use in a fuel cell system having an anode and a cathode, the anode being adapted to receive fuel and to output anode exhaust and the cathode being adapted to receive oxidant gas and to output cathode exhaust, the water transfer assembly comprising a first cooling assembly adapted to receive the cathode exhaust and to quench cool the cathode exhaust to recover a first portion of water including non-volatile contaminants from the cathode exhaust and to output cleansed cathode exhaust and the first water portion, and a second cooling assembly adapted to receive the cleansed cathode exhaust and to recover a second water portion from the cleansed cathode exhaust, the second water portion being suitable for humidifying the fuel supplied to the anode.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2008Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: FuelCell Energy, Inc.Inventors: Fred C. Jahnke, Joseph M. Daly
-
Patent number: 8445147Abstract: A humidifier assembly for humidifying fuel for use in a fuel cell system, comprising a water heater adapted to receive recycled water and to generate heated water using cathode exhaust, and a fuel saturator adapted to receive deaerated cleansed water, at least a portion of the deaerated cleansed water comprising the heated water, and fuel and to humidify the fuel with a first portion of the deaerated cleansed water, the fuel saturator tower outputting humidified fuel for use in the fuel cell system and a second portion of the deaerated cleansed water for use as recycled water in the water heater.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2009Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: FuelCell Energy, Inc.Inventors: Fred C. Jahnke, Joseph M. Daly, Matti A. Lilback
-
Patent number: 8367256Abstract: A water recovery assembly for use in a fuel cell system having an anode and a cathode, the anode being adapted to receive fuel and output anode exhaust, the water recovery assembly comprising a first cooling assembly adapted to receive and quench cool the anode exhaust and to recover a first portion of water including electrolyte from the anode exhaust, and to output quenched anode exhaust and the first portion of water, and a second cooling assembly adapted to receive the quenched anode exhaust and to recover a second portion of water from the quenched anode exhaust, the second portion of water being suitable for humidifying the fuel supplied to the anode.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2008Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: FuelCell Energy, Inc.Inventors: Fred C. Jahnke, Joseph M. Daly, Anthony J. Leo
-
Publication number: 20120129267Abstract: A sulfur breakthrough monitoring assembly for use in a fuel utilization system for detecting sulfur-containing compounds in desulfurized fuel, said monitoring assembly comprising: a heater for heating desulfurized fuel to a predetermined temperature, the predetermined temperature being between 450° C. and 600° C., a sulfur breakthrough detector adapted to receive heated fuel from the heater and including at least a reforming catalyst bed for reforming the heated fuel and a plurality of temperature sensors including a first temperature sensor for sensing temperature of the heated fuel before the fuel is conveyed through the reforming catalyst bed and a second temperature sensor for sensing temperature in the reforming catalyst bed, and a controller for determining whether concentration of the sulfur-containing compounds in the fuel exceeds a first predetermined concentration based on temperature outputs from the first and second temperature sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2010Publication date: May 24, 2012Applicant: FuelCell Energy, Inc.Inventor: Joseph M. DALY
-
Patent number: 8062804Abstract: A flow control assembly for use in a fuel cell system, comprising a sensor for sensing hydrogen concentration in one of anode exhaust leaving an anode side of the fuel cell system and a gas derived from the anode exhaust, and a fuel flow control assembly for controlling the flow of fuel to the anode side of the fuel cell system based on the hydrogen concentration sensed by the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: FuelCell Energy, Inc.Inventors: Joseph M. Daly, Fred C. Jahnke, Steven A. Koehler
-
Publication number: 20110192085Abstract: A pre-processing assembly and method for processing fuel feedstock containing oxygen and hydrocarbons having higher and lower hydrocarbon content for a fuel cell, wherein the pre-processing assembly has a deoxidizing bed for reducing oxygen in the fuel feedstock and a pre-reforming bed for reducing higher hydrocarbon content in the fuel feedstock and wherein the deoxidizing bed and the pre-reforming bed are disposed within a common reaction vessel such that the fuel feedstock first passes through the deoxidizing bed and thereafter through the pre-reforming bed. The pre-reforming assembly may further include a propane processor bed for processing propane and propylene in the fuel feedstock, where the propane processor bed is disposed within the common reaction vessel with the deoxidizing bed and the pre-reforming bed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2011Publication date: August 11, 2011Applicant: FuelCell Energy, Inc.Inventors: SAI P. KATIKANENI, Joseph M. Daly, Mohammad Farooque
-
Patent number: 7871450Abstract: A pre-processing assembly and method for processing fuel feedstock containing oxygen and hydrocarbons having higher and lower hydrocarbon content for a fuel cell, wherein the pre-processing assembly has a deoxidizing bed for reducing oxygen in the fuel feedstock and a pre-reforming bed for reducing higher hydrocarbon content in the fuel feedstock and wherein the deoxidizing bed and the pre-reforming bed are disposed within a common reaction vessel such that the fuel feedstock first passes through the deoxidizing bed and thereafter through the pre-reforming bed. The pre-reforming assembly may further include a propane processor bed for processing propane and propylene in the fuel feedstock, where the propane processor bed is disposed within the common reaction vessel with the deoxidizing bed and the pre-reforming bed.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2009Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: FuelCell Energy, Inc.Inventors: Sai P. Katikaneni, Joseph M. Daly