Patents by Inventor Kenneth M. Sprouse

Kenneth M. Sprouse 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).

  • Ultra-passive variable pressure regenerative fuel cell system
    Patent number: 5506066
    Abstract: An ultra-passive, variable pressure, regenerative fuel cell system in accordance with the invention utilizes a single gaseous hydrogen storage tank that encloses a plurality of smaller gaseous oxygen storage tubes. This design effectively eliminates the need for active pumping elements to protect the fuel cell's anode surface. A single heating/cooling coil, inside the gaseous hydrogen storage tank, is used to prevent: (a) icing inside the storage tanks due to isentropic expansion during electrical power generation, or (b) overheating of gases due to isentropic compression during electrical recharging operations. Advantageously, the invention also reduces the overall weight and mechanical complexity of the fuel cell system, thereby improving system reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Sprouse
  • Anode assembly for a variable pressure passive regenerative fuel cell system
    Patent number: 5407756
    Abstract: A variable pressure regenerative fuel cell system is provided having at least one wicked anode electrochemical unit cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Sprouse
  • Regenerative fuel cell system
    Patent number: 5376470
    Abstract: A variable pressure passive regenerative fuel cell system is provided wherein both the fuel cell and electrolyzer are designed to operate under variable pressure conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Sprouse
  • Regenerative fuel cell system
    Patent number: 5306577
    Abstract: A variable pressure passive regenerative fuel cell system is provided wherein both the fuel cell and electrolyzer are designed to operate under variable pressure conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Sprouse
  • Variable pressure passive regenerative fuel cell system
    Patent number: 5277994
    Abstract: A variable pressure passive regenerative fuel cell system is provided wherein both the fuel cell and electrolyzer are designed to operate under variable pressure conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Sprouse
  • Heat pipe systems
    Patent number: 5101888
    Abstract: A heat pipe system is provided in which the working fluid is selected to enhance operation of the heat pipe by utilizing a salt compound having a boiling point of about 600.degree. K. at one atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Sprouse, Adon Delgado, Jr.
  • Production of acetylene from coal by contact with a combustion gas
    Patent number: 4536603
    Abstract: A process wherein coal is reacted with a hot gas stream to produce acetylene. The process comprises the sequential steps of reacting a fuel, oxygen and steam under controlled conditions of temperature to produce a hot gas stream principally comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and steam along with minor amounts of carbon dioxide, and essentially free of O, OH and O.sub.2. The hot gas stream is accelerated to a high velocity and impinged upon a stream of particulate bituminous or subbituminous coal and thereafter the mixture of hot gas and coal is decelerated to a velocity of from about 150 to 300 feet per second. The amounts of the streams of particulate coal and hot gas are controlled to produce in the reaction zone a pressure in the range of from about 10 to 100 psia and a temperature of from about 1800.degree. to 3000.degree. F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1985
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Sprouse, Merlin D. Schuman, L. Paul Combs