Patents by Inventor Matt K. Hortop

Matt K. Hortop 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).

  • Electronic by-pass control of gas around the humidifier to the fuel cell stack
    Patent number: 6884534
    Abstract: A humidity control system for a fuel cell stack includes a gas supply and a humidifier including an outlet and an inlet connected to the gas supply. A fuel cell stack includes an inlet that is connected to the outlet of the humidifier. A bypass line and a valve bypass gas around the humidifier to control the humidity of gas entering the fuel cell stack. The valve is located in the bypass line, between the gas supply and the humidifier, or between the humidifier and the fuel cell stack. The valve is a gas restriction valve, a throttle valve, or a directional valve. A humidity sensor generates a humidity signal based on humidity of gas entering the fuel cell stack. A controller connected to the humidity sensor and the valve controls the valve based on the humidity signal. The inlet of the fuel cell stack is one of a cathode flow line and an anode flow line of the fuel cell stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: William S. Wheat, Bruce J. Clingerman, Matt K. Hortop
  • Electronic by-pass control of gas around the humidifier to the fuel cell stack
    Publication number: 20020164509
    Abstract: A humidity control system for a fuel cell stack includes a gas supply and a humidifier including an outlet and an inlet connected to the gas supply. A fuel cell stack includes an inlet that is connected to the outlet of the humidifier. A bypass line and a valve bypass gas around the humidifier to control the humidity of gas entering the fuel cell stack. The valve is located in the bypass line, between the gas supply and the humidifier, or between the humidifier and the fuel cell stack. The valve is a gas restriction valve, a throttle valve, or a directional valve. A humidity sensor generates a humidity signal based on humidity of gas entering the fuel cell stack. A controller connected to the humidity sensor and the valve controls the valve based on the humidity signal. The inlet of the fuel cell stack is one of a cathode flow line and an anode flow line of the fuel cell stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventors: William S. Wheat, Bruce J. Clingerman, Matt K. Hortop