Patents by Inventor Mark A. Lillis

Mark A. Lillis 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: 7241522
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Proton Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence C. Moulthrop, Jr., Trent M. Molter, A. John Speranza, Mark A. Lillis, William Smith, Jason Shiepe, Thomas M. Skoczylas
  • Patent number: 7006898
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a power system is disclosed. A plurality of sensor signals each representative of an operating characteristic of a power system module are received at a common data bus. The sensor signals are received and analyzed at a controller for the presence of an abnormal operating condition, and in response thereto it is determined whether an operational adjustment of the power system module is desirable. In response to the existence of a desirable adjustment condition, the operation of the power system module is automatically adjusted. A sensor of the plurality of sensors is arranged for providing an operating characteristic that is derivable from one or more of the other sensors, which include a different type of sensor, thereby providing redundant system information for determining whether an operational adjustment of the power system module is desirable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Proton Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Frano Barbir, Stephen C. Porter, Mark A. Lillis
  • Patent number: 6903818
    Abstract: An optical particle counter has a gain-apertured laser cavity producing laser light, an inlet jet providing fluid flow into a particle detecting region within the laser cavity, the inlet jet having an inlet jet orifice; a detection optics assembly located to collect light scattered from particles with the detecting region for producing an output signal indicative of the particles; and an optical barrier complex located to reduce noise as compared to the gain-apertured system without the optical barrier complex for fluid flow rates greater than or equal to about 0.1 cubic feet per minute. The optical barrier complex inhibits laser light from illuminating turbulent eddy currents originating on the interior walls of the inlet jet. The optical barrier complex includes one or more physical apertures, one or more optical stops, or both which are located to prevent laser light from illuminating the eddy currents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Particle Measuring Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd A. Cerni, Dwight A. Sehler, Mark A. Lilly
  • Patent number: 6887601
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the regenerative electrochemical cell system comprises: a fuel cell module comprising a fuel cell oxygen inlet in fluid communication a water storage device, and a fuel cell hydrogen inlet in fluid communication with both an oxygen source and with a gaseous portion of an water phase separation device; an electrolysis module comprising an electrolysis water inlet in fluid communication with the water storage device via a fuel cell oxygen outlet, and an electrolysis water outlet in fluid communication with the fuel cell hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Proton Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence C. Moulthrop, Jr., Trent M. Molter, A. John Speranza, Mark A. Lillis, William Smith, Jason Shiepe, Thomas M. Skoczylas
  • Publication number: 20040080747
    Abstract: An optical particle counter has a gain-apertured laser cavity producing laser light, an inlet jet providing fluid flow into a particle detecting region within the laser cavity, the inlet jet having an inlet jet orifice; a detection optics assembly located to collect light scattered from particles with the detecting region for producing an output signal indicative of the particles; and an optical barrier complex located to reduce noise as compared to the gain-apertured system without the optical barrier complex for fluid flow rates greater than or equal to about 0.1 cubic feet per minute. The optical barrier complex inhibits laser light from illuminating turbulent eddy currents originating on the interior walls of the inlet jet. The optical barrier complex includes one or more physical apertures, one or more optical stops, or both which are located to prevent laser light from illuminating the eddy currents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Particle Measuring Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd A. Cerni, Dwight A. Sehler, Mark A. Lilly
  • Publication number: 20030082417
    Abstract: In one embodiment, A hydrogen gas detector calibration system comprises: a mixing tube; a first conduit in fluid communication with a hydrogen-free gas, wherein the first conduit comprises a first orifice in fluid communication with the mixing tube; an electrolysis cell for generating hydrogen gas; a second conduit in fluid communication with the hydrogen gas, wherein the second conduit comprises a second orifice in fluid communication with the mixing tube; and the hydrogen gas detector in fluid communication with the mixing tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventor: Mark A. Lillis
  • Publication number: 20030077491
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are weight sensing systems, electrochemical cell systems, methods for operating an electrochemical system, and processes for controlling a liquid level in a fluid vessel. In one embodiment, the electrochemical cell system comprises: an electrochemical cell stack, a fluid containment vessel comprising a vessel inlet in fluid communication with a stack outlet and a vessel outlet in fluid communication with a stack inlet, wherein the vessel inlet comprises an inlet control device, and wherein the outlet comprises an outlet control device; and a load cell disposed in operable communication with the fluid containment vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventor: Mark A. Lillis
  • Publication number: 20020051898
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the regenerative electrochemical cell system comprises: a fuel cell module comprising a fuel cell oxygen inlet in fluid communication a water storage device, and a fuel cell hydrogen inlet in fluid communication with both an oxygen source and with a gaseous portion of an water phase separation device; an electrolysis module comprising an electrolysis water inlet in fluid communication with the water storage device via a fuel cell oxygen outlet, and an electrolysis water outlet in fluid communication with the fuel cell hydrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Inventors: Lawrence C. Moulthrop, Trent M. Molter, A. John Speranza, Mark A. Lillis, William Smith, Jason Shiepe, Thomas M. Skoczylas