Patents by Inventor Michael J Oakely

Michael J Oakely 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).

  • Solid oxide fuel cell stack
    Patent number: 7422820
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell stack (10) comprises a plurality of modules (12). Each module (12) comprises an elongate hollow member (14). Each hollow member (14) has at least one passage (32) extending longitudinally through the hollow member (14) for the flow of reactant. Each hollow member (14) has two parallel flat surfaces (16,18). At least one of the modules (12A, 12B, 12C) includes a plurality of solid oxide fuel cells (20). The solid oxide fuel cells (20) are arranged on the flat surfaces (16,18) of the modules (12A, 12B, 12C). At least one end (34) of each module (12) is connected to an end (36) of an adjacent module (12) to allow reactant to flow sequentially through the modules (12). The arrangement of the modules (12) provides compliance in the solid oxide fuel cell stack (10) and thermal and mechanical stresses in the solid oxide fuel cell stack (10) are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Gerard D Agnew, Nigel T Hart, Michael J Oakely, Mark N Pashley, Eric W Dean
  • Solid oxide fuel cell stack
    Publication number: 20040166390
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell stack (10) comprises a plurality of modules (12). Each module (12) comprises an elongate hollow member (14). Each hollow member (14) has at least one passage (32) extending longitudinally through the hollow member (14) for the flow of reactant. Each hollow member (14) has two parallel flat surfaces (16,18). At least one of the modules (12A, 12B, 12C) includes a plurality of solid oxide fuel cells (20). The solid oxide fuel cells (20) are arranged on the flat surfaces (16,18) of the modules (12A, 12B, 12C). At least one end (34) of each module (12) is connected to an end (36) of an adjacent module (12) to allow reactant to flow sequentially through the modules (12). The arrangement of the modules (12) provides compliance in the solid oxide fuel cell stack (10) and thermal and mechanical stresses in the solid oxide fuel cell stack (10) are reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventors: Gerard D. Agnew, Nigel T. Hart, Michael J. Oakely, Mark N. Pashley, Eric W. Dean