Patents by Inventor Lawrence Moulthrop
Lawrence Moulthrop 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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Publication number: 20080060937Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a proton exchange membrane disposed between and in intimate contact with the electrodes, and a pressure pad disposed in electrical communication with the first electrode. The pressure pad is an electrically conductive sheet and is of a structure that is conformable to pressure variations within the cell. Methods of forming the pressure pad include disposing dimples or corrugations at the electrically conductive member. A method of maintaining compression within the cell includes disposing the electrically conductive member and the compression member at the first electrode, applying a load at the cell to compress the cell components, and maintaining electrical communication through the electrically conductive member.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2007Publication date: March 13, 2008Applicant: PROTON ENERGY SYSTEMS INC.Inventors: Trent Molter, Lawrence Moulthrop, Jason Shiepe, A. Speranza, Robert Byron
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Publication number: 20070243624Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for monitoring and reporting the controlled and uncontrolled emissions of hydrogen gas from an end use application such as a hydrogen cooled electrical generator. The system first determines a quantity hydrogen produced by a hydrogen conversion device from a first operating parameter. The quantity of hydrogen released in a controlled manner is determined from a second operating parameter. The amount of uncontrolled hydrogen emissions may then be calculated from the produced hydrogen and controlled release values. A report detailing the type and amounts of hydrogen emissions may then be created.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2006Publication date: October 18, 2007Applicant: Proton Energy Systems Inc.Inventors: A. Speranza, William Bailey, Angelo Morson, Lawrence Moulthrop
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Patent number: 7159444Abstract: A system and method are provided for monitoring the levels of combustible gas in a gas stream. The system includes means for controlling the relative humidity of the the gas stream to maintain a humidity level in the performance range of combustible gas sensors. A number techniques are illustrated for achieving the humidity control, including, secondary phase separations, mixing the gas with dry air and adjusting of the gas stream temperature.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2002Date of Patent: January 9, 2007Assignee: Proton Energy Systems, Inc.Inventors: Edward Demarest, John Koopman, Norman Schaefer, Andrzej Stanek, Iris Shiroma, Allan Tomasco, Elena Stockton, Frano Barbir, John Zagaja, Thomas Skoczylas, Lawrence Moulthrop
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Publication number: 20060286429Abstract: Treated porous flow field members are used to support membranes in electrochemical cells and to enhance fluid flow to and from the membrane. The treated porous includes a support material having at least a portion thereof treated with a quantity of hydrophobic polymer, a quantity of hydrophilic polymer, or a quantity of a mixture of a hydrophobic polymer and a hydrophilic polymer. Depending on the type of treatment and the placement of the polymer-treated porous support, various fluid flow enhancements are attained.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2001Publication date: December 21, 2006Inventors: Jason Shiepe, Trent Molter, Lawrence Moulthrop
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Publication number: 20060236608Abstract: A system for delivering hydrogen to a vehicle is provided which includes a first hydrogen generator coupled to a first compressor. A second hydrogen generator is also provided that produces hydrogen gas at a pressure at least 2 times that produced by said first generator. Coupled to the second hydrogen generator is a second compressor that increases the pressure of the hydrogen gas produces to a desired delivery pressure. A storage vessel is coupled to both first and second compressors to store the hydrogen gas at a desired pressure level prior to dispensing.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2005Publication date: October 26, 2006Inventors: Amjad Khan, Thomas Maloney, Lawrence Moulthrop, Michael Kowalski, Erik White
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Patent number: 7060379Abstract: A power system, comprising: a primary power source in electrical communication with a bus and a bridging power source, wherein the bridging power source comprises at least one of a capacitor, a battery, and an electrolysis cell, and the bridging power source is in electrical communication with the bus; and a secondary power source in electrical communication with the bus. A method for operating a power system, comprising: monitoring a primary power source; if the primary power source exhibits selected characteristics, directing power from a bridging power source to a bus and initiating a secondary power source, and the bridging power source comprises at least one of a capacitor, a battery, and an electrolysis cell; and unless the secondary power source exhibits the selected characteristics, powering the bus with the secondary power source and ceasing the directing power from the bridging power source.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2002Date of Patent: June 13, 2006Assignee: Proton Energy Systems, Inc.Inventors: A. John Speranza, Michael Cardin, Lawrence Moulthrop, Mark Lillis, John Zagaja
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Publication number: 20060118428Abstract: An electrochemical system having a plurality of discrete electrochemical cell stacks is described. The system includes a water-oxygen management system fluidly coupled to the plurality of electrochemical cell stacks and a hydrogen management system fluidly coupled to the plurality of electrochemical cells. A means for ventilating the system and a control system for monitoring and operating said electrochemical system, said control system including a means for detecting abnormal operating conditions and a means for degrading the performance of said electrochemical system in response to said abnormal condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2005Publication date: June 8, 2006Inventors: Justin Baltrucki, Michael Spaner, Lawrence Moulthrop
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Publication number: 20060078773Abstract: A system for providing back-up power to a load powered by a primary power source comprises: a fuel cell arrangement for generating back-up power for the load, a bridging power source for generating bridge power for the load, and a controller in operable communication with the fuel cell arrangement and the bridging power source. The controller is adapted to initiate application of the bridge power to the load upon detecting a deterioration of power from the primary power source, and is further adapted to initiate application of the back-up power to the load upon detecting a power capability of the back-up power to power the load.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2005Publication date: April 13, 2006Inventors: A. Speranza, Michael Cardin, Lawrence Moulthrop, Mark Lillis, John Zagaja
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Publication number: 20050129996Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a regenerative electrochemical cell system, comprises: a fuel cell module, an electrolysis module, a heat exchange, and an inverted hydrogen storage device. The fuel cell module can comprise a fuel cell hydrogen inlet in fluid communication a hydrogen storage system, and a fuel cell oxygen inlet in fluid communication with a surrounding atmosphere and in fluid communication with a gaseous portion of an oxygen/water phase separation device. The electrolysis module can comprise an electrolysis water inlet in fluid communication with the water storage device via the fuel cell module, and an electrolysis water outlet in fluid communication with a second water storage device. The inverted hydrogen storage device can comprise a fluid inlet in fluid communication with an electrolysis hydrogen outlet, and a gas outlet in fluid communication with a fuel cell hydrogen inlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2005Publication date: June 16, 2005Inventors: Lawrence Moulthrop, Trent Molter, A. Speranza, Mark Lillis, William Smith, Jason Shiepe, Thomas Skoczylas
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Publication number: 20050121315Abstract: An electrochemical system having a plurality of discrete electrochemical cell stacks is described. The system includes a water-oxygen management system fluidly coupled to the plurality of electrochemical cell stacks and a hydrogen management system fluidly coupled to the plurality of electrochemical cells. A means for ventilating the system and a control system for monitoring and operating said electrochemical system, said control system including a means for detecting abnormal operating conditions and a means for degrading the performance of said electrochemical system in response to said abnormal condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2004Publication date: June 9, 2005Inventors: Justin Baltrucki, A. Speranza, Michael Spaner, Curt Ebner, Ken Dreier, Stephen Goyette, Lawrence Moulthrop, Matthew Christopher
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Patent number: 6857397Abstract: A system and method are provided for generating hydrogen for use with an internal combustion engine. The system includes a venturi device coupled with an exhaust stream from the internal combustion engine. The venturi device creates a gas flow through a condenser to generate reactant water. After the reactant water is polished to remove contaminants, hydrogen and oxygen are disassociated using a PEM based electrolyzer. The hydrogen gas is used by the internal combustion engine to assist in the combustion process and reduce pollutant emissions.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2003Date of Patent: February 22, 2005Assignee: Proton Energy Systems, Inc.Inventors: John Zagaja, Trent Molter, Lawrence Moulthrop, William Smith
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Publication number: 20050029107Abstract: In one embodiment, a storage medium encoded with machine-readable program instructions for controlling a gas output from an electrochemical cell electrically connected to an electrical source, can include instructions for causing a machine to implement a method. The method can comprise: receiving a sensed signal indicating a parameter of the gas output, comparing the sensed signal to a predetermined value, and providing an information signal to the electrical source when the sensed signal differs from the predetermined value by an amount greater than a predetermined variance.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2004Publication date: February 10, 2005Inventors: A. Speranza, Lawrence Moulthrop
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Publication number: 20040144336Abstract: A system and method are provided for generating hydrogen for use with an internal combustion engine. The system includes a venturi device coupled with an exhaust stream from the internal combustion engine. The venturi device creates a gas flow through a condenser to generate reactant water. After the reactant water is polished to remove contaminants, hydrogen and oxygen are disassociated using a PEM based electrolyzer. The hydrogen gas is used by the internal combustion engine to assist in the combustion process and reduce pollutant emissions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2003Publication date: July 29, 2004Applicant: PROTON ENERGY SYSTEMSInventors: John Zagaja, Trent Molter, Lawrence Moulthrop, William Smith
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Publication number: 20040099045Abstract: A system and method are provided for monitoring the levels of combustible gas in a gas stream. The system includes means for controlling the relative humidity of the the gas stream to maintain a humidity level in the performance range of combustible gas sensors. A number techniques are illustrated for achieving the humidity control, including, secondary phase separations, mixing the gas with dry air and adjusting of the gas stream temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2002Publication date: May 27, 2004Applicant: Proton Energy SystemsInventors: Edward Demarest, John Koopman, Norman Schaefer, Andrzej Stanek, Iris Shiroma, Allan Tomasco, Elena Stockton, Frano Barbir, John Zagaja, Thomas Skoczylas, Lawrence Moulthrop
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Patent number: 6659049Abstract: A system and method are provided for generating hydrogen for use with an internal combustion engine. The system includes a venturi device coupled with an exhaust stream from the internal combustion engine. The venturi device creates a gas flow through a condenser to generate reactant water. After the reactant water is polished to remove contaminants, hydrogen and oxygen are disassociated using a PEM based electrolyzer. The hydrogen gas is used by the internal combustion engine to assist in the combustion process and reduce pollutant emissions.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Proton Energy SystemsInventors: John Zagaja, Trent Molter, Lawrence Moulthrop, William Smith
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Publication number: 20030072977Abstract: A power system, comprising: a primary power source in electrical communication with a bus and a bridging power source, wherein the bridging power source comprises at least one of a capacitor, a battery, and an electrolysis cell, and the bridging power source is in electrical communication with said the; and a secondary power source in electrical communication with the bus. A method for operating a power system, comprising: monitoring a primary power source; if the primary power source exhibits selected characteristics, directing power from a bridging power source to a bus and initiating a secondary power source, and the bridging power source comprises at least one of a capacitor, a battery, and an electrolysis cell; and unless the secondary power source exhibits the selected characteristics, powering the bus with the secondary power source and ceasing the directing power from the bridging power source.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2002Publication date: April 17, 2003Inventors: A. John Speranza, Michael Cardin, Lawrence Moulthrop, Mark Lillis, John Zagaja