Patents by Inventor Michael T. Hicks

Michael T. Hicks 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: 8921002
    Abstract: A first transport system moves a web comprising a subgasketed CCM layer and an application system applies a crosslinkable resin to at least a subgasketed portion of the subgasketed CCM layer. The crosslinkable resin preferably comprises a photocurable cationic crosslinkable resin. A first curing apparatus subjects an exposed surface of the crosslinkable resin to a photo curing process to initiate curing of the crosslinkable resin. A second transport system moves a GDL into adhering contact with a partially cured exposed surface of the crosslinkable resin of the CCM layer so as to form an MEA layer. A second curing apparatus subjects the GDL, partially cured crosslinkable resin, and CCM layer structure to a thermal curing process to substantially complete curing of the crosslinkable resin. A converting system is configured to receive the MEA layer and produce a plurality of discrete MEAs from the MEA layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Yandrasits, Michael T. Hicks, Daniel M. Pierpont
  • Patent number: 8609296
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for making fuel cell components via a roll to roll process are described. Spaced apart apertures are cut in first and second gasket webs that each include adhesives. The first and second gasket webs are transported to a bonding station on conveyers. A membrane web that includes at least an electrolyte membrane is also transported to the bonding station. At the bonding station, a gasketed membrane web is formed by attaching the first and second gasket webs to the membrane web. The first gasket web is attached to a first surface of the membrane web via the adhesive layer of the first gasket web. The second gasket web is attached to a second surface of the membrane web via the adhesive layer of the second gasket web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Daniel M. Pierpont, Eric J. Hanson, Michael T. Hicks, Eric J. Iverson, David J. Miller, Scott A. Ripley
  • Patent number: 8426078
    Abstract: A first transport system moves a web comprising a subgasketed CCM layer and an application system applies a crosslinkable resin to at least a subgasketed portion of the subgasketed CCM layer. The crosslinkable resin preferably comprises a photocurable cationic crosslinkable resin. A first curing apparatus subjects an exposed surface of the crosslinkable resin to a photo curing process to initiate curing of the crosslinkable resin. A second transport system moves a GDL into adhering contact with a partially cured exposed surface of the crosslinkable resin of the CCM layer so as to form an MEA layer. A second curing apparatus subjects the GDL, partially cured crosslinkable resin, and CCM layer structure to a thermal curing process to substantially complete curing of the crosslinkable resin. A converting system is configured to receive the MEA layer and produce a plurality of discrete MEAs from the MEA layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Yandrasits, Michael T. Hicks, Daniel M. Pierpont
  • Publication number: 20130004882
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for making fuel cell components via a roll to roll process are described. Spaced apart apertures are cut in first and second gasket webs that each include adhesives. The first and second gasket webs are transported to a bonding station on conveyers. A membrane web that includes at least an electrolyte membrane is also transported to the bonding station. At the bonding station, a gasketed membrane web is formed by attaching the first and second gasket webs to the membrane web. The first gasket web is attached to a first surface of the membrane web via the adhesive layer of the first gasket web. The second gasket web is attached to a second surface of the membrane web via the adhesive layer of the second gasket web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Daniel M. Pierpont, Eric J. Hanson, Michael T. Hicks, Eric J. Iverson, David J. Miller, Scott A. Ripley
  • Patent number: 8288059
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for making fuel cell components via a roll to roll process are described. Spaced apart apertures are cut in first and second gasket webs that each include adhesives. The first and second gasket webs are transported to a bonding station on conveyers. A membrane web that includes at least an electrolyte membrane is also transported to the bonding station. At the bonding station, a gasketed membrane web is formed by attaching the first and second gasket webs to the membrane web. The first gasket web is attached to a first surface of the membrane web via the adhesive layer of the first gasket web. The second gasket web is attached to a second surface of the membrane web via the adhesive layer of the second gasket web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Daniel M. Pierpont, Eric J. Hanson, Michael T. Hicks, Eric J. Iverson, David J. Miller, Scott A. Ripley
  • Publication number: 20090169949
    Abstract: A catalyst ink is provided comprising: a) solids, comprising: i) a catalyst material, and ii) a polymer electrolyte; b) an aqueous solvent; and c) a coalescing solvent. In some embodiments, the coalescing solvent is selected from the group consisting of alkanes, alkenes, amines, ethers, and aromatic compounds which may optionally be substituted. In some embodiments, the coalescing solvent is selected from the group consisting of partially fluorinated alkanes, partially fluorinated tertiary amines, fully fluorinated alkanes and fully fluorinated tertiary amines. In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a fuel cell membrane electrode assembly comprising a catalyst layer comprising a coalescing solvent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Michael T. HICKS, Steven J. HAMROCK, Eric J. HANSON, Theresa M. WATSCHKE, Mark S. SCHABERG
  • Publication number: 20090162734
    Abstract: A first transport system moves a web comprising a subgasketed CCM layer and an application system applies a crosslinkable resin to at least a subgasketed portion of the subgasketed CCM layer. The crosslinkable resin preferably comprises a photocurable cationic crosslinkable resin. A first curing apparatus subjects an exposed surface of the crosslinkable resin to a photo curing process to initiate curing of the crosslinkable resin. A second transport system moves a GDL into adhering contact with a partially cured exposed surface of the crosslinkable resin of the CCM layer so as to form an MEA layer. A second curing apparatus subjects the GDL, partially cured crosslinkable resin, and CCM layer structure to a thermal curing process to substantially complete curing of the crosslinkable resin. A converting system is configured to receive the MEA layer and produce a plurality of discrete MEAs from the MEA layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Michael A. Yandrasits, Michael T. Hicks, Daniel M. Pierpont
  • Publication number: 20080145712
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for making fuel cell components via a roll to roll process are described. Spaced apart apertures are cut in first and second gasket webs that each include adhesives. The first and second gasket webs are transported to a bonding station on conveyers. A membrane web that includes at least an electrolyte membrane is also transported to the bonding station. At the bonding station, a gasketed membrane web is formed by attaching the first and second gasket webs to the membrane web. The first gasket web is attached to a first surface of the membrane web via the adhesive layer of the first gasket web. The second gasket web is attached to a second surface of the membrane web via the adhesive layer of the second gasket web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Daniel M. Pierpont, Eric J. Hanson, Michael T. Hicks, Eric J. Iverson, David J. Miller, Scott A. Ripley
  • Patent number: 6238543
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process, for the electrolytic coupling of carboxylic acids, carried out in a polymer electrolyte membrane reactor. The reactor design (1) discloses the use of gaseous or neat liquid reactants without the use of organic cosolvents, (2) prevents the loss of platinum, and (3) permits the use of oxygen reduction to water as the cathode reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignees: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, University of North Carolina
    Inventors: Clarence Garland Law, Jr., Peter S. Fedkiw, Michael T. Hicks