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).
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Patent number: 8182659Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 26, 2010Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Giner Electrochemical Systems, LLCInventors: Anthony B. LaConti, Larry L. Swette
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Publication number: 20100288629Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2010Publication date: November 18, 2010Inventors: Anthony B. LaConti, Larry L. Swette
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Patent number: 7704627Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 20, 2008Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: Giner Electrochemical Systems, LLCInventors: Anthony B. LaConti, William A. Titterington, Larry L. Swette, Ricardo Leon, Kwang S. Kim
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Publication number: 20090152105Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2008Publication date: June 18, 2009Inventors: Anthony B. LaConti, William A. Titterington, Larry L. Swette, Ricardo Leon, Kwang S. Kim
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Patent number: 7438985Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 4, 2006Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Giner Electrochemical Systems, LLCInventors: Anthony B. LaConti, William A. Titterington, Larry L. Swette, Ricardo Leon, Kwang S. Kim
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Patent number: 7261967Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 10, 2006Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Assignee: Giner Electrochemical Systems, LLCInventors: Anthony B. LaConti, William A. Titterington, Larry L. Swette, Ricardo Leon, Kwang S. Kim
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Patent number: 7229534Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 30, 2002Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: Giner Electrochemical Systems, LLCInventors: Anthony B. LaConti, William A. Titterington, Larry L. Swette, Ricardo Leon, Kwang S. Kim
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Publication number: 20040016638Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2002Publication date: January 29, 2004Inventors: Anthony B. LaConti, William A. Titterington, Larry L. Swette, Ricardo Leon, Kwang S. Kim
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Publication number: 20030087427Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2001Publication date: May 8, 2003Inventors: Clark K. Colton, Larry L. Swette
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Patent number: 6500319Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 5, 2001Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Assignee: Giner Electrochemical Systems, LLCInventors: Anthony B. LaConti, William A. Titterington, Larry L. Swette, Ricardo Leon
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Publication number: 20020144898Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2001Publication date: October 10, 2002Inventors: Anthony B. LaConti, William A. Titterington, Larry L. Swette, Ricardo Leon
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Patent number: 6368592Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 16, 1999Date of Patent: April 9, 2002Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Clark K. Colton, Larry L. Swette
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Patent number: 6179986Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 5, 1998Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Giner Electrochemical Systems LLCInventors: Larry L. Swette, Anthony B. LaConti
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Patent number: 5964992Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 20, 1998Date of Patent: October 12, 1999Assignee: Giner, Inc.Inventors: Larry L. Swette, Mourad Manoukian, Monjid Hamdan, Anthony LaConti, Ali Akbar Sohanghpurwala, William T. Scannell
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Patent number: 5944661Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 16, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Giner, Inc.Inventors: Larry L. Swette, Arthur E. Griffith, Anthony B. LaConti
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Patent number: 4317565Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 30, 1980Date of Patent: March 2, 1982Inventor: Larry L. Swette
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Patent number: 3990910Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 31, 1972Date of Patent: November 9, 1976Assignee: Tyco Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Jose Giner, Larry L. Swette