Patents by Inventor Larry L. Swette

Larry L. Swette 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: 8182659
    Abstract: Electrochemical cell comprises, in one embodiment, a proton exchange membrane (PEM), an anode positioned along one face of the PEM, and a cathode positioned along the other face of the PEM. An electrically-conductive, compressible, spring-like, porous pad for defining a fluid cavity is placed in contact with the outer face of the cathode or the outer face of the anode. The porous pad comprises a particulate or mat of one or more doped- or reduced-valve metal oxides, which are bound together with one or more thermoplastic resins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Giner Electrochemical Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony B. LaConti, Larry L. Swette
  • Publication number: 20100288629
    Abstract: Electrochemical cell comprises, in one embodiment, a proton exchange membrane (PEM), an anode positioned along one face of the PEM, and a cathode positioned along the other face of the PEM. An electrically-conductive, compressible, spring-like, porous pad for defining a fluid cavity is placed in contact with the outer face of the cathode or the outer face of the anode. The porous pad comprises a particulate or mat of one or more doped- or reduced-valve metal oxides, which are bound together with one or more thermoplastic resins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventors: Anthony B. LaConti, Larry L. Swette
  • Patent number: 7704627
    Abstract: Electrolysis cell comprises, in one embodiment, a proton exchange membrane (PEM), an anode positioned along one face of the PEM, and a cathode positioned along the other face of the PEM. An electrically-conductive, compressible, spring-like, porous pad for defining a fluid cavity is placed in contact with the outer face of the cathode. The porous pad comprises a mat of carbon fibers bound together with one or more, preferably thermoplastic, resins, the mat having a density of about 0.2-1.5 g/cm3. Cell frames are placed in peripheral contact with the metal screen and the compression pad for peripherally containing fluids present therewithin. Electrically-conductive separators are placed in contact with the metal screen and the compression pad for axially containing fluids present therewithin. A plurality of the cells may be arranged in series in a bipolar configuration without requiring a separate compression pad between cells (for gas pressure differentials up to about 400 psi or greater).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Giner Electrochemical Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony B. LaConti, William A. Titterington, Larry L. Swette, Ricardo Leon, Kwang S. Kim
  • Publication number: 20090152105
    Abstract: Electrolysis cell comprises, in one embodiment, a proton exchange membrane (PEM), an anode positioned along one face of the PEM, and a cathode positioned along the other face of the PEM. An electrically-conductive, compressible, spring-like, porous pad for defining a fluid cavity is placed in contact with the outer face of the cathode. The porous pad comprises a mat of carbon fibers bound together with one or more, preferably thermoplastic, resins, the mat having a density of about 0.2-1.5 g/cm3. Cell frames are placed in peripheral contact with the metal screen and the compression pad for peripherally containing fluids present therewithin. Electrically-conductive separators are placed in contact with the metal screen and the compression pad for axially containing fluids present therewithin. A plurality of the cells may be arranged in series in a bipolar configuration without requiring a separate compression pad between cells (for gas pressure differentials up to about 400 psi or greater).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Anthony B. LaConti, William A. Titterington, Larry L. Swette, Ricardo Leon, Kwang S. Kim
  • Patent number: 7438985
    Abstract: Electrolysis cell comprises, in one embodiment, a proton exchange membrane (PEM), an anode positioned along one face of the PEM, and a cathode positioned along the other face of the PEM. A multi-layer metal screen for defining a first fluid cavity is placed in contact with the outer face of the anode, and an electrically-conductive, compressible, spring-like, porous pad for defining a second fluid cavity is placed in contact with the outer face of the cathode. The porous pad comprises a mat of carbon fibers bound together with one or more, preferably thermoplastic, resins, the mat having a density of about 0.2-1.5 g/cm3. Cell frames are placed in peripheral contact with the metal screen and the compression pad for peripherally containing fluids present therewithin. Electrically-conductive separators are placed in contact with the metal screen and the compression pad for axially containing fluids present therewithin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Giner Electrochemical Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony B. LaConti, William A. Titterington, Larry L. Swette, Ricardo Leon, Kwang S. Kim
  • Patent number: 7261967
    Abstract: Electrolysis cell comprises, in one embodiment, a proton exchange membrane (PEM), an anode positioned along one face of the PEM, and a cathode positioned along the other face of the PEM. A multi-layer metal screen for defining a first fluid cavity is placed in contact with the outer face of the anode, and an electrically-conductive, compressible, spring-like, porous pad for defining a second fluid cavity is placed in contact with the outer face of the cathode. The porous pad comprises a mat of carbon fibers bound together with one or more, preferably thermoplastic, resins, the mat having a density of about 0.2-1.5 g/cm3. Cell frames are placed in peripheral contact with the metal screen and the compression pad for peripherally containing fluids present therewithin. Electrically-conductive separators are placed in contact with the metal screen and the compression pad for axially containing fluids present therewithin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Giner Electrochemical Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony B. LaConti, William A. Titterington, Larry L. Swette, Ricardo Leon, Kwang S. Kim
  • Patent number: 7229534
    Abstract: Electrolysis cell comprises, in one embodiment, a proton exchange membrane (PEM), an anode positioned along one face of the PEM, and a cathode positioned along the other face of the PEM. A multi-layer metal screen for defining a first fluid cavity is placed in contact with the outer face of the anode, and an electrically-conductive, compressible, spring-like, porous pad for defining a second fluid cavity is placed in contact with the outer face of the cathode. The porous pad comprises a mat of carbon fibers bound together with one or more, preferably thermoplastic, resins, the mat having a density of about 0.2–1.5 g/cm3. Cell frames are placed in peripheral contact with the metal screen and the compression pad for peripherally containing fluids present therewithin. Electrically-conductive separators are placed in contact with the metal screen and the compression pad for axially containing fluids present therewithin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Giner Electrochemical Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony B. LaConti, William A. Titterington, Larry L. Swette, Ricardo Leon, Kwang S. Kim
  • Publication number: 20040016638
    Abstract: Electrolysis cell comprises, in one embodiment, a proton exchange membrane (PEM), an anode positioned along one face of the PEM, and a cathode positioned along the other face of the PEM. A multi-layer metal screen for defining a first fluid cavity is placed in contact with the outer face of the anode, and an electrically-conductive, compressible, spring-like, porous pad for defining a second fluid cavity is placed in contact with the outer face of the cathode. The porous pad comprises a mat of carbon fibers bound together with one or more, preferably thermoplastic, resins, the mat having a density of about 0.2-1.5 g/cm3. Cell frames are placed in peripheral contact with the metal screen and the compression pad for peripherally containing fluids present therewithin. Electrically-conductive separators are placed in contact with the metal screen and the compression pad for axially containing fluids present therewithin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventors: Anthony B. LaConti, William A. Titterington, Larry L. Swette, Ricardo Leon, Kwang S. Kim
  • Publication number: 20030087427
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to enhance oxygen delivery to tissue encapsulated in an immunobarrier device. In one embodiment, in situ electrochemical oxygen generation by electrolysis of water into oxygen and hydrogen supplies oxygen to the tissue. In one embodiment a thin, multilayer sheet electrolyzer is enclosed in silicone rubber membranes permeable to gas and water vapor but not liquids. The anode side of the electrolyzer is in contact with one face of the device. Water vapor diffuses into the electrolyzer, decomposes at the anode, and oxygen diffuses back through the membrane to the implanted tissue, thus providing a continuous supply of water, continuous diffusion of O2 and H2 out of the electrolyzer, and exclusion of biological components that might contaminate the electrolyzer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventors: Clark K. Colton, Larry L. Swette
  • Patent number: 6500319
    Abstract: Electrochemical cell comprises, in one embodiment, a proton exchange membrane (PEM), an anode positioned along one face of the PEM, and a cathode positioned along the other face of the PEM. To enhance electrolysis, platinum catalysts are present between the anode and the PEM and between the cathode and the PEM. A multi-layer metal screen for defining a first fluid cavity is placed in contact with the outer face of the anode, and an electrically-conductive, spring-like, porous pad for defining a second fluid cavity is placed in contact with the outer face of the cathode. The porous pad comprises a mat of carbon fibers having a density of about 0.2-0.55 g/cm3. Cell frames are placed in peripheral contact with the metal screen and the compression pad for peripherally containing fluids present therewithin. Electrically-conductive separators are placed in contact with the metal screen and the compression pad for axially containing fluids present therewithin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Giner Electrochemical Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony B. LaConti, William A. Titterington, Larry L. Swette, Ricardo Leon
  • Publication number: 20020144898
    Abstract: Electrochemical cell comprises, in one embodiment, a proton exchange membrane (PEM), an anode positioned along one face of the PEM, and a cathode positioned along the other face of the PEM. To enhance electrolysis, platinum catalysts are present between the anode and the PEM and between the cathode and the PEM. A multi-layer metal screen for defining a first fluid cavity is placed in contact with the outer face of the anode, and an electrically-conductive, spring-like, porous pad for defining a second fluid cavity is placed in contact with the outer face of the cathode. The porous pad comprises a mat of carbon fibers having a density of about 0.2-0.55 g/cm3. Cell frames are placed in peripheral contact with the metal screen and the compression pad for peripherally containing fluids present therewithin. Electrically-conductive separators are placed in contact with the metal screen and the compression pad for axially containing fluids present therewithin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventors: Anthony B. LaConti, William A. Titterington, Larry L. Swette, Ricardo Leon
  • Patent number: 6368592
    Abstract: Oxygen is supplied to cells in vitro or in vivo by generating oxygen with an oxygen generator that electrolyzes water to oxygen and hydrogen. Oxygen can be generated substantially without generating free hydrogen using a multilayer electrolyzer sheet having a proton exchange membrane sandwiched by an anode layer and a cathode layer. The oxygen generator may be used to supply oxygen to cells contained by a culture plate, a culture flask, a microtiter plate or an extracorporeal circuit, or to cells in an encapsulating chamber for implanting in the body such as an immunoisolation chamber bounded by a semipermeable barrier layer that allows selected components to enter and leave the chamber. A bioactive molecule may be present with the cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Clark K. Colton, Larry L. Swette
  • Patent number: 6179986
    Abstract: Disclosed is a novel proton-exchange membrane (PEM) based solid polymer electrolyte electrochemical oxygen control (EOC) system that can deplete and control the oxygen from a closed container to levels sufficient for both disinfestation and preservation. With the use of this electrochemical process, many insects that infest raw agricultural products and other produce can be exterminated, without detriment to the quality of the produce and without deposition of harmful residue, by reducing the ambient oxygen to a controlled low level for several days. The electrochemical process features the use of a bipolar stack comprised of a selected number of PEM cells connected electrically in series and separated by an electrically conductive bipolar plate. Each cell contains a membrane and electrode assembly, consisting of an anode structure and cathode structure in intimate contact with a PEM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Giner Electrochemical Systems LLC
    Inventors: Larry L. Swette, Anthony B. LaConti
  • Patent number: 5964992
    Abstract: A graphite reference electrode for use in the cathodic protection of steel embedded in concrete has been produced with a stable catalyzed structure that when equilibrated with air or oxygen and an electrolyte reaches a reproducible and reversible redox potential. This stable device is produced by exposure to hydrogen peroxide, impregnating with a metal oxide followed by a coating treatment. The embedded catalyzed graphite reference electrodes can be used in impressed cathodic protection systems or monitoring the corrosion condition of embedded steel to provide an early warning of impending damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Giner, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry L. Swette, Mourad Manoukian, Monjid Hamdan, Anthony LaConti, Ali Akbar Sohanghpurwala, William T. Scannell
  • Patent number: 5944661
    Abstract: A method for continuous tracking of blood alcohol, is comprised of 1) a potential- and diffusion-controlled electrochemical solid polymer electrolyte sensor that continuously and concurrently measures very low concentrations of ethanol vapor at the surface of the skin as well as skin properties such as temperature and ionic conductivity, 2) a sensor control circuit, and 3) a data acquisition-recording device. Sensitive and reproducible measurements of ethanol over a wide population range is obtained by simultaneously maintaining the potential of the sensing electrode constant at a voltage above the rest potential of the platinum/air (O.sub.2) electrode and by use of a thin, permselective diffusion-control membrane over the sensing electrode, and in series with the human stratum corneum membrane. The electrochemical oxidation current is a direct measure of the local ethanol vapor concentration over the skin surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Giner, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry L. Swette, Arthur E. Griffith, Anthony B. LaConti
  • Patent number: 4317565
    Abstract: A foot-operable electromechanical paper feeding device designed to display handwritten or printed information in continual serial line order for transcription to typewritten copy or computer terminal entry. The transcription copy feeder displays single lines of any letter height in a fixed horizontal space directly behind the typewriter or keyboard, and may be operated to feed paper in forward or reverse at variable speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1982
    Inventor: Larry L. Swette
  • Patent number: 3990910
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery comprising two or more electrochemical cells using a reoxidizable nickel oxide at the positive electrode and hydrogen as the negative electrode reactant. The electrodes of the cells are disposed in a common chamber in a battery case and connected so as to series couple the cells between a pair of terminals. The battery case is precharged with hydrogen gas while the positive electrodes are in a discharged state and then is sealed off. Additional hydrogen gas is evolved during charging and the state of charge can be determined by monitoring the gas pressure in the battery case. On discharging the battery, hydrogen is consumed down to the precharge level. The battery has inherent protection against damage from overcharging and overdischarging. The unique overdischarge mechanism prevents battery failure in the event that one cell in the series in discharged prematurely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1972
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1976
    Assignee: Tyco Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose Giner, Larry L. Swette