Patents by Inventor M. James Grieve

M. James Grieve 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: 7160342
    Abstract: A method of main reformer startup is disclosed. The method comprises introducing a first supply of fuel and a first supply of air into a micro-reformer. The first supply of fuel is increased to produce a heated reformate in the micro-reformer. The heated reformate is directed through a main reformer in order to heat the main reformer. At least a portion of the heated reformate is burned in the main reformer. A second supply of fuel and a second supply of air is introduced into the main reformer to produce a main supply of reformate. A method for maintaining a vehicle device in standby condition is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: M. James Grieve, Karl Haltiner, Jr., Peter Hendler, John Noetzel
  • Patent number: 7025875
    Abstract: A method of using a diesel reforming strategy is disclosed. The method comprises supplying diesel fuel to a fractional distillation device. The diesel fuel is fractionally distilled to produce a light fuel stream and a heavy fuel stream. The light fuel stream is reformed in a reformer to produce a reformate. A method of making an apparatus for a diesel fuel reforming strategy and a method for using a fuel cell system is also disclosed. A fuel cell system for diesel fuel reforming is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: M. James Grieve, Christopher M. DeMinco, Thomas R. Thoreson
  • Patent number: 6620535
    Abstract: A method of preventing anode oxidation in a fuel cell is disclosed comprising applying a negative current to an anode of said fuel cell, such that the anode is disposed in ionic communication with a cathode through an electrolyte. Oxygen is transferred from the anode through the electrolyte to the cathode. A method preventing anode oxidation in a fuel cell by storing and using a reformate and doping an anode are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Subhasish Mukerjee, M. James Grieve, Kevin Keegan
  • Patent number: 6562496
    Abstract: A method of starting a solid oxide fuel cell system is disclosed. The method comprises pressurizing a main plenum to a first pressure. The main plenum comprises a first supply of fuel, blowers, and air control valves. The first supply of fuel and a first supply of air are directed to a preheated micro-reformer. A heated pre-reformate is created in the micro-reformer and discharged from the micro-reformer to a main reformer. The main reformer is preheated with the heated pre-reformate. A second supply of fuel and a second supply of air are introduced to the main reformer. A heated main reformate is created in the main reformer and directed to a waste energy recovery assembly. A cathode supply is heated in the waste energy recovery system and then directed to a solid oxide fuel cell stack in order to heat the solid oxide fuel cell stack. Methods of transitioning, operating, shutting down, and maintaining in standby mode are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignees: Delphi Technologies, Inc., Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael T. Faville, M. James Grieve, John G. Noetzel, Karl J. Haltiner, Jr., Christopher M. DeMinco, Kevin R. Keegan, John F. O'Brien, Subhasish Mukerjee, David R. Schumann, Steven R. Shaffer, Juergen T. Kammerer, Catherine C. Vavonese, James M. Haller, Donald J. Armstrong, Harry L. Husted, Haskell Simpkins
  • Publication number: 20020168557
    Abstract: A method of using a diesel reforming strategy is disclosed. The method comprises supplying diesel fuel to a fractional distillation device. The diesel fuel is fractionally distilled to produce a light fuel stream and a heavy fuel stream. The light fuel stream is reformed in a reformer to produce a reformate. A method of making an apparatus for a diesel fuel reforming strategy and a method for using a fuel cell system is also disclosed. A fuel cell system for diesel fuel reforming is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: M. James Grieve, Christopher M. DeMinco, Thomas R. Thoreson
  • Publication number: 20020168555
    Abstract: A method of preventing anode oxidation in a fuel cell is disclosed comprising applying a negative current to an anode of said fuel cell, such that the anode is disposed in ionic communication with a cathode through an electrolyte. Oxygen is transferred from the anode through the electrolyte to the cathode. A method preventing anode oxidation in a fuel cell by storing and using a reformate and doping an anode are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: Subhasish Mukerjee, M. James Grieve, Kevin Keegan
  • Publication number: 20020136939
    Abstract: A method for controlling a fuel cell system is disclosed. One embodiment of the method comprises supplying an amount of fuel and an amount of oxidant to a fuel cell stack. The amount of fuel supplied to the fuel cell stack is controlled to attain a desired voltage output, such that the desired voltage is at least partially based upon an input current and voltage for a battery in electrical communication with the fuel cell stack. A vehicle power system is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: M. James Grieve, Harry L. Husted, Charles R. DeJohn, John G. Noetzel, Subhasish Mukerjee
  • Publication number: 20020108309
    Abstract: A method of main reformer startup is disclosed. The method comprises introducing a first supply of fuel and a first supply of air into a micro-reformer. The first supply of fuel is increased to produce a heated reformate in the micro-reformer. The heated reformate is directed through a main reformer in order to heat the main reformer. At least a portion of the heated reformate is burned in the main reformer. A second supply of fuel and a second supply of air is introduced into the main reformer to produce a main supply of reformate. A method for maintaining a vehicle device in standby condition is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventors: M. James Grieve, Karl Haltiner, Peter Hendler, John Noetzel
  • Publication number: 20020025458
    Abstract: A method of starting a solid oxide fuel cell system is disclosed. The method comprises pressurizing a main plenum to a first pressure. The main plenum comprises a first supply of fuel, blowers, and air control valves. The first supply of fuel and a first supply of air are directed to a preheated micro-reformer. A heated pre-reformate is created in the micro-reformer and discharged from the micro-reformer to a main reformer. The main reformer is preheated with the heated pre-reformate. A second supply of fuel and a second supply of air are introduced to the main reformer. A heated main reformate is created in the main reformer and directed to a waste energy recovery assembly. A cathode supply is heated in the waste energy recovery system and then directed to a solid oxide fuel cell stack in order to heat the solid oxide fuel cell stack. Methods of transitioning, operating, shutting down, and maintaining in standby mode are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventors: Michael T. Faville, M. James Grieve, John G. Noetzel, Karl J. Haltiner, Christopher M. DeMinco, Kevin R. Keegan, John F. O'Brien, Subhasish Mukerjee, David R. Schumann, Steven R. Shaffer, Juergen T. Kammerer, Catherine C. Vavonese, James M. Haller, Donald J. Armstrong, Harry L. Husted, Haskell Simpkins