Patents by Inventor Joy A. Roberts
Joy A. Roberts 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: 10069148Abstract: Use of a selectively conducting anode component in solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells can reduce the degradation associated with repeated startup and shutdown, but can also adversely affect a cell's tolerance to voltage reversal along with its performance. It was shown that these adverse affects can be mitigated against in certain ways. However, improved results can be obtained by employing a selectively conducting component which comprises a mixed layer of a selectively conducting material and carbon. The mixed layer contacts the side of the anode opposite the solid polymer electrolyte.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2015Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignees: Daimler AG, Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Francine Berretta, Stephen Lee, Joy Roberts, Stanley Tam, Herwig Haas
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Patent number: 9564642Abstract: The degradation associated with repeated startup and shutdown of solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells comprising PtCo alloy cathode catalysts can be particularly poor. However, a marked and unexpected improvement in durability is observed as a result of incorporating a selectively conducting component in electrical series with the anode components in the fuel cell.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2013Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignees: Daimler AG, Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Herwig Haas, Joy Roberts, Francine Berretta, Amy Shun-Wen Yang
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Publication number: 20150325859Abstract: Use of a selectively conducting anode component in solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells can reduce the degradation associated with repeated startup and shutdown, but can also adversely affect a cell's tolerance to voltage reversal along with its performance. It was shown that these adverse affects can be mitigated against in certain ways. However, improved results can be obtained by employing a selectively conducting component which comprises a mixed layer of a selectively conducting material and carbon. The mixed layer contacts the side of the anode opposite the solid polymer electrolyte.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2015Publication date: November 12, 2015Inventors: Francine Berretta, Stephen Lee, Joy Roberts, Stanley Tam, Herwig Haas
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Patent number: 8835024Abstract: A method for operating a passive, air-breathing fuel cell system is described. In one embodiment, the system comprises one or more fuel cells, and a closed fuel plenum connected to a fuel supply. In some embodiments of the method, the fuel cell cathodes are exposed to ambient air, and the fuel is supplied to the anodes via the fuel plenum at a pressure greater than that of the ambient air.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2013Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Societe BICInventors: Joy Roberts, Joerg Zimmermann, Jeremy Schrooten
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Publication number: 20140038075Abstract: A method for operating a passive, air-breathing fuel cell system is described. In one embodiment, the system comprises one or more fuel cells, and a closed fuel plenum connected to a fuel supply. In some embodiments of the method, the fuel cell cathodes are exposed to ambient air, and the fuel is supplied to the anodes via the fuel plenum at a pressure greater than that of the ambient air.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2013Publication date: February 6, 2014Applicant: Société BICInventors: Joy Roberts, Joerg Zimmermann, Jeremy Schrooten
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Publication number: 20140030625Abstract: Use of a selectively conducting anode component in solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells can reduce the degradation associated with repeated startup and shutdown, but unfortunately can also adversely affect a cell's tolerance to voltage reversal. Use of a carbon sublayer in such cells can improve the tolerance to voltage reversal, but can adversely affect cell performance. However, employing an appropriate selection of selectively conducting material and carbon sublayer, in which the carbon sublayer is in contact with the side of the anode opposite the solid polymer electrolyte, can provide for cells that exhibit acceptable behaviour in every regard. A suitable selectively conducting material comprises platinum deposited on tin oxide.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2013Publication date: January 30, 2014Inventors: Herwig Haas, Joy Roberts, Francine Berretta, Amy Shun-Wen Yang, Stephen Lee, Sima Ronasi
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Patent number: 8597806Abstract: A method for operating a passive, air-breathing fuel cell system is described. In one embodiment, the system comprises one or more fuel cells, and a closed fuel plenum connected to a fuel supply. In some embodiments of the method, the fuel cell cathodes are exposed to ambient air, and the fuel is supplied to the anodes via the fuel plenum at a pressure greater than that of the ambient air.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2007Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Societe BICInventors: Joy Roberts, Joerg Zimmermann, Jeremy Schrooten
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Patent number: 8580448Abstract: By incorporating a selectively conducting component in electrical series with the anode components in a solid polymer fuel cell, degradation during startup and shutdown can be reduced. As a result, the startup and shutdown procedures can be simplified and consequently certain system apparatus may be omitted. The anode does not need to be rapidly purged with hydrogen on startup or with air on shutdown. Additionally, the auxiliary load usually employed during such purging is not required.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2011Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignees: Daimler AG, Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Herwig Haas, Francine Berretta, Yvonne Hsieh, Guy Pepin, Joy Roberts, Amy Shun-Wen Yang
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Publication number: 20130236812Abstract: The degradation associated with repeated startup and shutdown of solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells comprising PtCo alloy cathode catalysts can be particularly poor. However, a marked and unexpected improvement in durability is observed as a result of incorporating a selectively conducting component in electrical series with the anode components in the fuel cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2013Publication date: September 12, 2013Applicants: FORD MOTOR COMPANY, DAIMLER AGInventors: Herwig Haas, Joy Roberts, Francine Berretta, Amy Shun-Wen Yang
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Publication number: 20130236807Abstract: The degradation associated with repeated startup and shutdown of solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells comprising PtCo alloy cathode catalysts can be particularly poor. However, a marked and unexpected improvement in durability is observed as a result of incorporating a selectively conducting component in electrical series with the anode components in the fuel cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2012Publication date: September 12, 2013Applicants: FORD MOTOR COMPANY, DAIMLER AGInventors: Herwig Haas, Joy Roberts, Francine Berretta, Amy Shun-Wen Yang
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Publication number: 20130017471Abstract: To reduce degradation of a solid polymer fuel cell during startup and shutdown, a selectively conducting component is incorporated in electrical series with the anode components in the fuel cell. The component is characterized by a low electrical resistance in the presence of hydrogen or fuel and a high resistance in the presence of air. High cathode potentials can be prevented by integrating such a component into the fuel cell. A suitable selectively conducting component can comprise a layer of selectively conducting material, such as a metal oxide.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2010Publication date: January 17, 2013Applicants: FORD MOTOR COMPANY, DAIMLER AGInventors: Herwig Haas, Joy Roberts, Francine Berretta, Amy Shun-Wen Yang, Yvonne Hsieh, Guy Pepin, Andrew Leow, Richard Fellows, Nicolae Barsan
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Publication number: 20120328967Abstract: By incorporating a selectively conducting component in electrical series with the anode components in a solid polymer fuel cell, degradation during startup and shutdown can be reduced. As a result, the startup and shutdown procedures can be simplified and consequently certain system apparatus may be omitted. The anode does not need to be rapidly purged with hydrogen on startup or with air on shutdown. Additionally, the auxiliary load usually employed during such purging is not required.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2011Publication date: December 27, 2012Applicants: FORD MOTOR COMPANY, DAIMLER AGInventors: Herwig Haas, Francine Berretta, Yvonne Hsieh, Guy Pepin, Joy Roberts, Amy Shun-Wen Yang
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Publication number: 20110070511Abstract: Improvements in startup time for an electrochemical fuel cell system from freezing and sub-freezing temperatures may be observed by minimizing the coolant volume in the coolant subsystem. In particular, this may be accomplished by having a two pump—dual loop cooling subsystem. During startup, one pump directs coolant through a startup coolant loop and after either the fuel cell stack or the coolant temperature reaches a predetermined threshold value, coolant from a main or standard coolant loop is then directed to the fuel cell stack. In an embodiment, coolant from the standard loop mixes with coolant in the startup loop after the predetermined threshold temperature is reached.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2010Publication date: March 24, 2011Applicants: DAIMLER AG, FORD MOTOR COMPANYInventors: Amy E. Nelson, Bruce Lin, Joy A. Roberts, Uwe M. Limbeck, Craig R. Louie, Peter J. Bach
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Patent number: 7482085Abstract: An electric power generation system has elements that improve the cold start capability and freeze tolerance of a constituent fuel cell stack cooperate to reduce the amount of water remaining within the passages of the stack. The system includes a purge system that is connectable to the oxidant supply, fuel supply and/or coolant passages upstream of the stack. When the stack is shut down, the stack is disconnected from an external circuit, and purge fluid is transmitted by the purge system through the stack before the stack falls below the freezing point of water. In systems where fuel and/or oxidant streams are humidified prior to entry into the stack, a humidifier bypass system may be provided in place of the purge system. The humidifier bypass system transmits reactant fluid to the stack in fluid isolation from the humidifier, so that the inlet reactant streams are unhumidified.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2004Date of Patent: January 27, 2009Assignee: BDF IP Holdings Ltd.Inventors: Joy A Roberts, Jean St-Pierre, Marian E van der Geest, Abderrahmane Atbi, Nicholas J Fletcher
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Publication number: 20070196701Abstract: A method for operating a passive, air-breathing fuel cell system is described. In one embodiment, the system comprises one or more fuel cells, and a closed fuel plenum connected to a fuel supply. In some embodiments of the method, the fuel cell cathodes are exposed to ambient air, and the fuel is supplied to the anodes via the fuel plenum at a pressure greater than that of the ambient air.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2007Publication date: August 23, 2007Inventors: Joy Roberts, Joerg Zimmermann, Jeremy Schrooten
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Publication number: 20050175875Abstract: Improvements in startup time for an electrochemical fuel cell system from freezing and sub-freezing temperatures may be observed by minimizing the coolant volume in the coolant subsystem. In particular, this may be accomplished by having a two pump—dual loop cooling subsystem. During startup, one pump directs coolant through a startup coolant loop and after either the fuel cell stack or the coolant temperature reaches a predetermined threshold value, coolant from a main or standard coolant loop is then directed to the fuel cell stack. In an embodiment, coolant from the standard loop mixes with coolant in the startup loop after the predetermined threshold temperature is reached.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2004Publication date: August 11, 2005Inventors: Amy Nelson, Bruce Lin, Joy Roberts, Uwe Limbeck, Craig Louie, Peter Bach
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Publication number: 20050112418Abstract: An electric power generation system has elements that improve the cold start capability and freeze tolerance of a constituent fuel cell stack cooperate to reduce the amount of water remaining within the passages of the stack. The system includes a purge system that is connectable to the oxidant supply, fuel supply and/or coolant passages upstream of the stack. When the stack is shut down, the stack is disconnected from an external circuit, and purge fluid is transmitted by the purge system through the stack before the stack falls below the freezing point of water. In systems where fuel and/or oxidant streams are humidified prior to entry into the stack, a humidifier bypass system may be provided in place of the purge system. The humidifier bypass system transmits reactant fluid to the stack in fluid isolation from the humidifier, so that the inlet reactant streams are unhumidified.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2004Publication date: May 26, 2005Inventors: Joy Roberts, Jean St-Pierre, Marian van der Geest, Abderrahmane Atbi, Nicholas Fletcher
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Patent number: 6841285Abstract: The electrochemical performance of an ion-exchange membrane in a fuel cell system may be improved by impregnating therein a perfluoroamine. The amine may be primary, secondary or tertiary. Further, the amine is preferably water insoluble or only slightly water soluble. For example, the amine may be perfluorotriamylamine or perfluorotributylamine. Use of such a membrane system within a fuel cell may allow high or low temperature operation (i.e. at temperatures greater than 100° C. or less than 0° C.) as well as operation at low relative humidity.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2002Date of Patent: January 11, 2005Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Inc.Inventors: David P. Wilkinson, Joy A. Roberts, Nengyou Jia, Eagranie Yuh, Shanna D. Knights, Jean St-Pierre
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Publication number: 20040234845Abstract: A method and apparatus increase the temperature of a fuel cell via reactant starvation at one or both electrodes. Reactant starvation at an electrode results in an increased overvoltage at the electrode and hence increased internal heat generation under load. Further, starvation techniques may be used to prevent poisoning of electrode catalysts, a potential problem that is aggravated at lower temperatures. Starvation conditions can be prolonged or intermittent and can be obtained, for example, by suitably reducing the supply rate of a reactant or by operating the fuel cell at sufficiently high current density so as to consume reactant faster than it is supplied. The method can allow for some generation of useful power by the fuel cell during start-up. The method is particularly suitable for starting up a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell from temperatures below 0° C.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2004Publication date: November 25, 2004Inventors: Joy Roberts, Marian van der Geest, Jean St-Pierre, David P. Wilkinson, Alvin Lee, Stephanie Moroz
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Patent number: 6764780Abstract: A method and apparatus increase the temperature of a fuel cell via reactant starvation at one or both electrodes. Reactant starvation at an electrode results in increased internal heat generation under load. Starvation conditions can be prolonged or intermittent and can be obtained, for example, by suitably reducing the supply rate of a reactant or by operating the fuel cell at sufficiently high current density so as to consume reactant faster than it is supplied. The method can allow for some generation of useful power by the fuel cell during start-up. The method is particularly suitable for starting up a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell from temperatures below 0° C.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2001Date of Patent: July 20, 2004Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Inc.Inventors: Joy Roberts, Marian van der Geest, Jean St-Pierre, David P. Wilkinson, Alvin Lee, Stephanie Moroz