Patents by Inventor Lawrence Novacco

Lawrence Novacco 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: 11949130
    Abstract: An end cell assembly for a fuel cell stack includes an end plate and at least two inactive anode parts disposed adjacent to the end plate. Each inactive anode part comprises a nickel foam anode disposed directly above an anode current collector and a separator sheet disposed 5 above the nickel foam anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Chao-Yi Yuh, Lawrence Novacco, Ling Chen, Ramakrishnan Venkataraman
  • Publication number: 20210126265
    Abstract: An end cell assembly for a fuel cell stack includes an end plate and at least two inactive anode parts disposed adjacent to the end plate. Each inactive anode part comprises a nickel foam anode disposed directly above an anode current collector and a separator sheet disposed 5 above the nickel foam anode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventors: Chao-Yi YUH, Lawrence NOVACCO, Ling CHEN, Ramakrishnan VENKATARAMAN
  • Publication number: 20060123705
    Abstract: A fuel reformer having an enclosure with first and second opposing surfaces, a sidewall connecting the first and second opposing surfaces and an inlet port and an outlet port in the sidewall. A plate assembly supporting a catalyst and baffles are also disposed in the enclosure. A main baffle extends into the enclosure from a point of the sidewall between the inlet and outlet ports. The main baffle cooperates with the enclosure and the plate assembly to establish a path for the flow of fuel gas through the reformer from the inlet port to the outlet port. At least a first directing baffle extends in the enclosure from one of the sidewall and the main baffle and cooperates with the plate assembly and the enclosure to alter the gas flow path. Desired graded catalyst loading pattern has been defined for optimized thermal management for the internal reforming high temperature fuel cells so as to achieve high cell performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventors: Zhiwen Ma, Ramakrishnan Venkataraman, Lawrence Novacco
  • Publication number: 20040071617
    Abstract: A fuel reformer having an enclosure with an inlet port and an outlet port. A plate assembly for supporting catalyst is disposed in the enclosure. A compliant baffle is also disposed in the enclosure and cooperates with the plate assembly to establish a path for the flow of fuel gas through the reformer from the inlet port to the outlet port. The baffle and plate assembly also segment the enclosure into an inlet section communicating with the inlet port, an outlet section communicating with the outlet port and a turn section connecting the inlet and outlet sections. The baffle is further arranged to direct the flow of gas to a predetermined area of the turn section and the catalyst is disposed such that the reformer is devoid of catalyst in the inlet section to a point in the turn section and includes catalyst from that point in the turn section through the return section, the catalyst varying in amount in a predetermined manner in at least the return section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Scott Blanchet, Lawrence Novacco
  • Publication number: 20020197518
    Abstract: A fuel cell corrugated current collector having successive spaced rows of corrugations, with the corrugations in a given row establishing successive peak and valley regions along the given row and the spaced rows of corrugations being adapted so that corresponding peak regions from row-to-row establish through passages for receiving and supporting solid catalyst elements. The spaced rows of corrugations are such that there is a given pitch between successive peak regions. The corrugations in the rows are also such that corresponding peak regions from row-to-row have a finite off-set which is less than 50 percent of the pitch. This establishes a plurality of through passages in the current collector each extending from row-to-row for receiving and supporting the solid catalyst elements. Also, the off-set is based on the catalyst dimensions and is set such that the corrugations engage the catalyst elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventors: Scott Blanchet, Joel Doyon, Lawrence Novacco
  • Patent number: 6492045
    Abstract: A fuel cell corrugated current collector having successive spaced rows of corrugations, with the corrugations in a given row establishing successive peak and valley regions along the given row and the spaced rows of corrugations being adapted so that corresponding peak regions from row-to-row establish through passages for receiving and supporting solid catalyst elements. The spaced rows of corrugations are such that there is a given pitch between successive peak regions. The corrugations in the rows are also such that corresponding peak regions from row-to-row have a finite off-set which is less than 50 percent of the pitch. This establishes a plurality of through passages in the current collector each extending from row-to-row for receiving and supporting the solid catalyst elements. Also, the off-set is based on the catalyst dimensions and is set such that the corrugations engage the catalyst elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: FuelCell Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Blanchet, Joel Doyon, Lawrence Novacco