Patents by Inventor Joshua S. Preston

Joshua S. Preston 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: 11353222
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an air-water extraction system that includes a water selective membrane configured to transport water from humid air via selective diffusion through the water selective membrane; a low pressure chamber in fluid communication with the water selective membrane and a hydrogen gas inlet configured to deliver a dry hydrogen to the low pressure gas chamber, a membrane and electrode assembly comprising an anode, a proton exchange membrane, a cathode, and a power supply; wherein the anode is in fluid communication with the low pressure chamber, a high pressure chamber in fluid communication with the cathode for receiving a saturated hydrogen and a liquid water from the cathode; a water conduit in fluid communication with the high pressure chamber configured to remove the liquid water from the high pressure chamber, and a hydrogen conduit for removing the saturated hydrogen from the high pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: SKYRE, INC.
    Inventors: Trent M. Molter, Joshua S. Preston
  • Patent number: 11211616
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing electrochemical cell stacks of different sizes or configurations is disclosed in which a first planar module having a first planar size and configuration is assembled from a first inventory of parts including planar modular parts having mating surfaces along connectable ends. The planar modular parts are connected in a co-planar configuration to form the first planar module having the first size and configuration. A second inventory of parts including planar modular parts in common with the first inventory is identified, and a second planar module having a different planar size or configuration than the first planar module is assembled from the second inventory. The first and second planar modules are assembled with other planar modules and component to form electrochemical stacks corresponding to the planar size and configuration of the respective first or second planar module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: SUSTAINABLE INNOVATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Mark E. Dristy, Trent M. Molter, William A. G. McPhee, Joshua S. Preston, Gregory Hesler
  • Publication number: 20200284448
    Abstract: In an embodiment, an air-water extraction system comprises a water selective membrane configured to transport water from humid air via selective diffusion through the water selective membrane; a low pressure chamber in fluid communication with the water selective membrane and a hydrogen gas inlet configured to deliver a dry hydrogen to the low pressure gas chamber, a membrane and electrode assembly comprising an anode, a proton exchange membrane, a cathode, and a power supply; wherein the anode is in fluid communication with the low pressure chamber, a high pressure chamber in fluid communication with the cathode for receiving a saturated hydrogen and a liquid water from the cathode; a water conduit in fluid communication with the high pressure chamber configured to remove the liquid water from the high pressure chamber, and a hydrogen conduit for removing the saturated hydrogen from the high pressure chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Trent M. Molter, Joshua S. Preston
  • Patent number: 10648089
    Abstract: A system for providing hydrogen includes a first electrochemical cell or stack including a first cathode and a first anode separated by a first proton exchange membrane. A first inlet is in communication with the anode side of the first electrochemical cell or stack. The first inlet receives a first gas including hydrogen. A liquid composition on a liquid flow path is in communication with the cathode side of the first electrochemical cell or stack. The liquid composition includes water and a water-compatible redox compound. A second electrochemical cell stack including a second cathode and a second anode separated by a second proton exchange membrane is disposed with the anode side of the second electrochemical cell or stack in communication with the liquid flow path. A hydrogen outlet in communication with the cathode side of the second electrochemical cell or stack dispenses hydrogen from the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: SKYRE, INC.
    Inventor: Joshua S. Preston
  • Publication number: 20190024247
    Abstract: A system for providing hydrogen includes a first electrochemical cell or stack including a first cathode and a first anode separated by a first proton exchange membrane. A first inlet is in communication with the anode side of the first electrochemical cell or stack. The first inlet receives a first gas including hydrogen. A liquid composition on a liquid flow path is in communication with the cathode side of the first electrochemical cell or stack. The liquid composition includes water and a water-compatible redox compound. A second electrochemical cell stack including a second cathode and a second anode separated by a second proton exchange membrane is disposed with the anode side of the second electrochemical cell or stack in communication with the liquid flow path. A hydrogen outlet in communication with the cathode side of the second electrochemical cell or stack dispenses hydrogen from the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventor: Joshua S. Preston
  • Publication number: 20180342742
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing electrochemical cell stacks of different sizes or configurations is disclosed in which a first planar module having a first planar size and configuration is assembled from a first inventory of parts including planar modular parts having mating surfaces along connectable ends. The planar modular parts are connected in a co-planar configuration to form the first planar module having the first size and configuration. A second inventory of parts including planar modular parts in common with the first inventory is identified, and a second planar module having a different planar size or configuration than the first planar module is assembled from the second inventory. The first and second planar modules are assembled with other planar modules and component to form electrochemical stacks corresponding to the planar size and configuration of the respective first or second planar module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Mark E. Dristy, Trent M. Molter, William A. G. McPhee, Joshua S. Preston, Gregory Hesler
  • Patent number: 9518331
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for providing hydrogen that includes a first PEM electrochemical cell or stack including a membrane electrode assembly that includes an inlet for a first gas that comprises hydrogen in fluid communication with the anode side of the first electrochemical cell or cell stack, and an outlet in fluid communication with the cathode side of the first electrochemical cell or stack. A second electrochemical cell or cell stack includes a water inlet in fluid communication with the anode side of the second electrochemical cell or cell stack, and an outlet in fluid communication with the cathode side of the second electrochemical cell or cell stack. A controller is configured to operate the first electrochemical cell or cell stack as a primary hydrogen source and to controllably operate the second electrochemical cell or cell stack as a secondary hydrogen source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: SUSTAINABLE INNOVATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua S. Preston, Trent M. Molter, Mark E. Dristy, Vyas Krishnamurthy, Gregory Hesler
  • Patent number: 9463415
    Abstract: A method of operating an electrochemical cell stack is provided. The method includes feeding a reactant gas to the cell stack. The flow of the reactant gas is halted to at least one cell in the cell stack. The voltage applied to the at least one cell is increased. The flow of reactant gas to the at least one cell is initiated in response to the voltage increasing above a threshold for a predetermined amount of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: SUSTAINABLE INNOVATIONS, LLC
    Inventor: Joshua S. Preston
  • Publication number: 20150001092
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for providing hydrogen that includes a first PEM electrochemical cell or stack including a membrane electrode assembly that includes an inlet for a first gas that comprises hydrogen in fluid communication with the anode side of the first electrochemical cell or cell stack, and an outlet in fluid communication with the cathode side of the first electrochemical cell or stack. A second electrochemical cell or cell stack includes a water inlet in fluid communication with the anode side of the second electrochemical cell or cell stack, and an outlet in fluid communication with the cathode side of the second electrochemical cell or cell stack. A controller is configured to operate the first electrochemical cell or cell stack as a primary hydrogen source and to controllably operate the second electrochemical cell or cell stack as a secondary hydrogen source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Joshua S. Preston, Trent M. Molter, Mark E. Dristy, Vyas Krishnamurthy, Gregory Hesler
  • Publication number: 20140353169
    Abstract: A method of operating an electrochemical cell stack is provided. The method includes feeding a reactant gas to the cell stack. The flow of the reactant gas is halted to at least one cell in the cell stack. The voltage applied to the at least one cell is increased. The flow of reactant gas to the at least one cell is initiated in response to the voltage increasing above a threshold for a predetermined amount of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: Sustainable Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Joshua S. Preston
  • Patent number: 8013463
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for systems and methods for generating electricity while a user is moving. More particularly, the present disclosure provides for improved systems and methods for generating electricity while a user is walking or running. In exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure provides for improved systems and methods for generating electricity while a user is moving, wherein the systems and methods for generating electricity while a user is moving are portable, and wherein the systems and methods provide for a high output of auxiliary power to electronic devices and/or loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Inventor: Joshua S. Preston
  • Publication number: 20090230698
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for systems and methods for generating electricity while a user is moving. More particularly, the present disclosure provides for improved systems and methods for generating electricity while a user is walking or running. In exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure provides for improved systems and methods for generating electricity while a user is moving, wherein the systems and methods for generating electricity while a user is moving are portable, and wherein the systems and methods provide for a high output of auxiliary power to electronic devices and/or loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: University of Connecticut
    Inventor: Joshua S. Preston