Patents by Inventor Matthew Otis

Matthew Otis 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: 11605825
    Abstract: A fuel reformer module (8005) for initiating catalytic partial oxidation (CPOX) to reform a hydrocarbon fuel oxidant mixture (2025, 3025) to output a syngas reformate (2027) to solid oxide fuel cell stack (2080, 5040). A solid non-porous ceramic catalyzing body (3030) includes a plurality of catalyst coated fuel passages (3085). A thermally conductive element (9005, 10005, 11005, 13005), with a coefficient of thermal conductivity of 50 W/m° K or greater is thermally conductively coupled with the catalyzing body. A first thermal sensor (8030) is thermally conductively coupled with the thermally conductive element. A second thermal sensor is thermally conductively coupled with a surface of the fuel cell stack. A control method independently modulates an oxidant input flow rate, based on first thermal sensor signal values, a hydrocarbon fuel input flow rate, based on second thermal sensor signal values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Upstart Power, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Palumbo, Siddhant Singhal, Matthew Otis, Tyler Cote, Richard Flathers, Paul Osenar
  • Publication number: 20220285716
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system includes high thermal conductivity materials such as copper to increase thermal energy transfer by thermal conduction. The copper is protected from oxidation by nickel electroplating and protected from thermal damage by providing oxidation resistant liners inside combustion chambers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventors: Nathan PALUMBO, Paul OSENAR, Matthew OTIS, James PILCZAK
  • Patent number: 11317212
    Abstract: A distributed mode actuator (DMA) includes a flat panel extending in a plane and a rigid member(s) extended parallel to the plane. The members are mechanically attached to or glued and/or embedded within the face of the flat panel. All associated members are free to vibrate perpendicular and horizontally to the plane. The DMA also includes a magnet and electrically-conducting coil. The coil and magnet are mechanically coupled to the member or associated member. When the coil is energized, an interaction between a magnetic field of the magnet and a magnetic field from the coil applies a force sufficient to generate vibrations and/or movement perpendicular and horizontally to the plane. The DMA also includes components embedded within and attached to the plane, and indentations within the plane, to facilitate acoustical and vibrational waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Inventor: Matthew Otis
  • Publication number: 20220086567
    Abstract: A distributed mode actuator (DMA) includes a flat panel extending in a plane and a rigid member(s) extended parallel to the plane. The members are mechanically attached to or glued and/or embedded within the face of the flat panel. All associated members are free to vibrate perpendicular and horizontally to the plane. The DMA also includes a magnet and electrically-conducting coil. The coil and magnet are mechanically coupled to the member or associated member. When the coil is energized, an interaction between a magnetic field of the magnet and a magnetic field from the coil applies a force sufficient to generate vibrations and/or movement perpendicular and horizontally to the plane. The DMA also includes components embedded within and attached to the plane, and indentations within the plane, to facilitate acoustical and vibrational waves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2020
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventor: Matthew Otis
  • Publication number: 20200403255
    Abstract: A fuel reformer module (8005) for initiating catalytic partial oxidation (CPOX) to reform a hydrocarbon fuel oxidant mixture (2025, 3025) to output a syngas reformate (2027) to solid oxide fuel cell stack (2080, 5040). A solid non-porous ceramic catalyzing body (3030) includes a plurality of catalyst coated fuel passages (3085). A thermally conductive element (9005, 10005, 11005, 13005), with a coefficient of thermal conductivity of 50 W/m° K or greater is thermally conductively coupled with the catalyzing body. A first thermal sensor (8030) is thermally conductively coupled with the thermally conductive element. A second thermal sensor is thermally conductively coupled with a surface of the fuel cell stack. A control method independently modulates an oxidant input flow rate, based on first thermal sensor signal values, a hydrocarbon fuel input flow rate, based on second thermal sensor signal values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Upstart Power, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Palumbo, Siddhant Singhal, Matthew Otis, Tyler Cote, Richard Flathers, Paul Osenar
  • Patent number: 10790523
    Abstract: A fuel reformer module (8005) for initiating catalytic partial oxidation (CPOX) to reform a hydrocarbon fuel oxidant mixture (2025, 3025) to output a syngas reformate (2027) to solid oxide fuel cell stack (2080, 5040). A solid non-porous ceramic catalyzing body (3030) includes a plurality of catalyst coated fuel passages (3085). A thermally conductive element (9005, 10005, 11005, 13005), with a coefficient of thermal conductivity of 50 W/m° K or greater is thermally conductively coupled with the catalyzing body. A first thermal sensor (8030) is thermally conductively coupled with the thermally conductive element. A second thermal sensor is thermally conductively coupled with a surface of the fuel cell stack. A control method independently modulates an oxidant input flow rate, based on first thermal sensor signal values, a hydrocarbon fuel input flow rate, based on second thermal sensor signal values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Upstart Power, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Palumbo, Siddhant Singhal, Matthew Otis, Tyler Samuel Cote, Richard Flathers, Paul Osenar
  • Publication number: 20180191009
    Abstract: A fuel reformer module (8005) for initiating catalytic partial oxidation (CPOX) to reform a hydrocarbon fuel oxidant mixture (2025, 3025) to output a syngas reformate (2027) to solid oxide fuel cell stack (2080, 5040). A solid non-porous ceramic catalyzing body (3030) includes a plurality of catalyst coated fuel passages (3085). A thermally conductive element (9005, 10005, 11005, 13005), with a coefficient of thermal conductivity of 50 W/m° K or greater is thermally conductively coupled with the catalyzing body. A first thermal sensor (8030) is thermally conductively coupled with the thermally conductive element. A second thermal sensor is thermally conductively coupled with a surface of the fuel cell stack. A control method independently modulates an oxidant input flow rate, based on first thermal sensor signal values, a hydrocarbon fuel input flow rate, based on second thermal sensor signal values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Nathan Palumbo, Siddhant Singhal, Matthew Otis, Tyler Samuel Cote, Richard Flathers, Paul Osenar