Patents by Inventor K. R. Sridhar

K. R. Sridhar 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: 7144651
    Abstract: A sealing arrangement contains a first mating surface, a second mating surface, and a felt sealing member contacting the first and the second mating surface. The arrangement may be used in a solid oxide fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: John Finn, K. R. Sridhar
  • Publication number: 20060257696
    Abstract: A method of operating a high temperature fuel cell system containing a plurality of fuel cell stacks includes operating one or more of the plurality of fuel cell stacks at a first output power while operating another one or more of the plurality of the fuel cell stacks at a second output power different from the first output power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Publication date: November 16, 2006
    Inventors: K.R. Sridhar, Ian Russell, Matthias Gottmann
  • Patent number: 7135248
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes an electrolyte, an anode, a cathode, a first conductive felt current conductor/gas flow distributor, and a first separator plate. Thus, a felt conductor/distributor sheet is located between adjacent first and second fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Ion America Corporation
    Inventors: John Finn, K. R. Sridhar
  • Publication number: 20060204798
    Abstract: A solid oxide regenerative fuel cell system is used to supply power in a fuel cell mode and to generate metabolic oxygen and a hydrocarbon fuel reserve in an electrolysis mode. The system may also be used as a secondary power source or for energy peak shaving applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Inventors: Matthias Gottmann, James McElroy, Fred Mitlitsky, K.R. Sridhar
  • Patent number: 7045237
    Abstract: A ceramic electrolyte for a solid oxide fuel cell includes at least one non-uniform surface portion. Preferably, the electrolyte surface is textured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Ion America Corporation
    Inventors: K. R. Sridhar, Dien Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7045238
    Abstract: A solid oxide regenerative fuel cell system is used to supply power in a fuel cell mode and to generate metabolic oxygen and a hydrocarbon fuel reserve in an electrolysis mode. The system may also be used as a secondary power source or for energy peak shaving applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Ion America Corporation
    Inventors: Matthias Gottmann, James Frederick McElroy, Fred Mitlitsky, K. R. Sridhar
  • Publication number: 20060040168
    Abstract: A fuel cell includes an electrolyte, a first electrode, and a second electrode. At least the first electrode comprises a nanostructured material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Publication date: February 23, 2006
    Inventor: K. R. Sridhar
  • Patent number: 6908702
    Abstract: A neutrally buoyant airship, such as a blimp, contains a lifting body which allows the airship to remain neutrally buoyant in air and a fuel cell located in the airship. A method of generating power in the neutrally buoyant airship, comprising providing a fuel and a oxidizer to a solid oxide fuel cell to generate power, and providing heat from the fuel cell to a remotely located lifting body, wherein the lifting body allows the airship to remain neutrally buoyant in air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Ion America Corporation
    Inventors: James Frederick McElroy, K. R. Sridhar
  • Publication number: 20050074650
    Abstract: A ceramic electrolyte for a solid oxide fuel cell includes at least one non-uniform surface portion. Preferably, the electrolyte surface is textured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Publication date: April 7, 2005
    Inventors: K.R. Sridhar, Dien Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20050048334
    Abstract: An electrochemical system includes a reversible fuel cell system which generates electrical energy and reactant product from fuel and oxidizer in a fuel cell mode and which generates the fuel and oxidant from the reactant product and the electrical energy in an electrolysis mode. The system also includes a reactant product delivery device which is adapted to supply the reactant product to the reversible fuel cell system operating in the electrolysis mode, in addition to or instead of the reactant product generated by the reversible fuel cell system in the fuel cell mode, and a fuel removal device which is adapted to remove the fuel generated by the reversible fuel cell system operating in the electrolysis mode from the electrochemical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Publication date: March 3, 2005
    Inventors: K.R. Sridhar, Matthias Gottmann
  • Publication number: 20040245385
    Abstract: A neutrally buoyant airship, such as a blimp, contains a lifting body which allows the airship to remain neutrally buoyant in air and a fuel cell located in the airship. A method of generating power in the neutrally buoyant airship, comprising providing a fuel and a oxidizer to a solid oxide fuel cell to generate power, and providing heat from the fuel cell to a remotely located lifting body, wherein the lifting body allows the airship to remain neutrally buoyant in air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Applicant: ION AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Frederick McElroy, K.R. Sridhar
  • Publication number: 20040224193
    Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell electrochemical system includes receiving at least one of a cost of electricity and a cost of fuel and adjusting at least one of an operating efficiency and throughput of the fuel cell based on the at least one of the received cost of electricity and the received cost of fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Applicant: Ion America Corporation
    Inventors: Fred Mitlitsky, K. R. Sridhar, Matthias Gottmann, Swaminathan Venkataraman
  • Publication number: 20040202914
    Abstract: A high temperature electrochemical system, such as a solid oxide fuel cell system, generates hydrogen and optionally electricity in a fuel cell mode. At least a part of the generated hydrogen is separated and stored or provided to a hydrogen using device. A solid oxide regenerative fuel cell system stores carbon dioxide in a fuel cell mode. The system generates a methane fuel in an electrolysis mode from the stored carbon dioxide and water by using a Sabatier subsystem. Alternatively, the system generates a hydrogen fuel in an electrolysis mode from water alone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Applicant: Ion America Corporation
    Inventors: K.R. Sridhar, James F. McElroy, John E. Finn, Fred Mitlitsky, Matthias Gottmann
  • Publication number: 20040191598
    Abstract: A solid oxide regenerative fuel cell system is used to supply power in a fuel cell mode and to generate metabolic oxygen and a hydrocarbon fuel reserve in an electrolysis mode. The system may also be used as a secondary power source or for energy peak shaving applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: ION AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthias Gottmann, James Frederick McElroy, Fred Mitlitsky, K.R. Sridhar
  • Publication number: 20030224238
    Abstract: A sealing arrangement contains a first mating surface, a second mating surface, and a felt sealing member contacting the first and the second mating surface. The arrangement may be used in a solid oxide fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Applicant: Ion America Corporation
    Inventors: John Finn, K. R. Sridhar
  • Publication number: 20030207164
    Abstract: A neutrally buoyant airship, such as a blimp, contains a lifting body which allows the airship to remain neutrally buoyant in air and a fuel cell located in the airship. A method of generating power in the neutrally buoyant airship, comprising providing a fuel and a oxidizer to a solid oxide fuel cell to generate power, and providing heat from the fuel cell to a remotely located lifting body, wherein the lifting body allows the airship to remain neutrally buoyant in air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Applicant: ION AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Frederick McElroy, K.R. Sridhar
  • Publication number: 20030180602
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes an electrolyte, an anode, a cathode, a first conductive felt current conductor/gas flow distributor, and a first separator plate. Thus, a felt conductor/distributor sheet is located between adjacent first and second fuel cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Applicant: Ion America Corporation
    Inventors: John Finn, K.R. Sridhar
  • Publication number: 20030170527
    Abstract: A system contains an air source, an adsorbent medium which selectively adsorbs nitrogen compared to oxygen, and a fuel cell. A method of enriching air with oxygen includes providing air through an adsorbent medium which selectively adsorbs nitrogen from the air compared to oxygen, and enriching oxygen concentration in the air using a temperature sensitive adsorption cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Applicant: Ion America Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Finn, K.R. Sridhar