Patents by Inventor Michael Vale
Michael Vale 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).
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Publication number: 20230375016Abstract: A vortex breaker assembly includes a vessel, a first conduit, and a fluid source. The vessel having a first fluid arranged therein. The vessel includes an opening formed in an outer wall. The first conduit is coupled to the vessel and configured to open into the vessel via the opening such that the first fluid can flow into the first conduit via the opening. The first conduit includes an inlet formed therein. The fluid source provides a second fluid to the at least one inlet. The second fluid flows into the first conduit from the inlet at a predetermined flow momentum such that the second fluid interacts with the first fluid flowing from the vessel and through the first conduit so as to disrupt a flow field of the first fluid and minimize formation of a fluidic vortex of the first fluid at the opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2023Publication date: November 23, 2023Inventors: Michel Distelmans, Julie Colin, Robert Sperry, Dustin Vickress, Michael Vale
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Publication number: 20230340675Abstract: An electrolysis system includes an electrolyzer cell configured to convert water into oxygen gas and hydrogen gas using electrolysis, and a membrane degasser operatively coupled downstream from the electrolyzer cell and configured to receive a water solution output by the electrolyzer cell. The membrane degasser is configured to remove hydrogen gas from the water solution to generate degassed water. The membrane degasser outputs the degassed water to a water tank for recirculation to the electrolyzer cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2023Publication date: October 26, 2023Inventors: Michael A. VALE, Michel Leopold Bertrand DISTELMANS
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Patent number: 9580825Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a balance-of-plant system and apparatus suited for regulating the operation of an electrolyzer cell stack. Specifically, in some embodiments, a balance-of-plant system and apparatus is operable to regulate the respective pressures of at least two reaction products relative to one another. Various examples are provided to demonstrate how the respective pressures of two reaction products can be regulated in relation to one another in a pressure following configuration, thereby regulating the pressure differential across an electrolyte layer according to aspects of different embodiments of the invention. Some of the examples provided also include design simplifications and alternatives that may reduce production costs of electrochemical cells configured according to aspects of different embodiments of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2013Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: Hydrogenics CorporationInventors: Ali Rusta-Sallehy, Michael Vale, David Frank, Nathaniel Ian Joos
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Patent number: 8838696Abstract: A method or apparatus to provide a video ecosystem is described. The video ecosystem, in one embodiment, permits live video streaming between users on different platforms, carriers, and/or devices.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2011Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Syniverse Technologies, LLCInventors: Abhishek Tiwari, Jonah Kaj Fleming, Alan Michael Vale
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Publication number: 20130228456Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a balance-of-plant system and apparatus suited for regulating the operation of an electrolyzer cell stack. Specifically, in some embodiments, a balance-of-plant system and apparatus is operable to regulate the respective pressures of at least two reaction products relative to one another. Various examples are provided to demonstrate how the respective pressures of two reaction products can be regulated in relation to one another in a pressure following configuration, thereby regulating the pressure differential across an electrolyte layer according to aspects of different embodiments of the invention. Some of the examples provided also include design simplifications and alternatives that may reduce production costs of electrochemical cells configured according to aspects of different embodiments of the invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2013Publication date: September 5, 2013Applicant: Hydrogenics CorporationInventors: Ali RUSTA-SALLEHY, Michael VALE, David FRANK, Nathaniel Ian JOOS
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Patent number: 8419910Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a balance-of-plant system and apparatus suited for regulating the operation of an electrolyzer cell stack. Specifically, in some embodiments, a balance-of-plant system and apparatus is operable to regulate the respective pressures of at least two reaction products relative to one another. Various examples are provided to demonstrate how the respective pressures of two reaction products can be regulated in relation to one another in a pressure following configuration, thereby regulating the pressure differential across an electrolyte layer according to aspects of different embodiments of the invention. Some of the examples provided also include design simplifications and alternatives that may reduce production costs of electrochemical cells configured according to aspects of different embodiments of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2008Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: Hydrogenics CorporationInventors: Ali Rusta-Sallehy, Michael Vale, David Frank, Nathaniel Ian Joos
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Publication number: 20120066355Abstract: A method or apparatus to provide a video ecosystem is described. The video ecosystem, in one embodiment, permits live video streaming between users on different platforms, carriers, and/or devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2011Publication date: March 15, 2012Inventors: Abhishek Tiwari, Jonah Kaj Fleming, Alan Michael Vale
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Patent number: 8119175Abstract: Heterogenous matrix particles having a continuous phase of a polymer and a discontinuous phase of an oil, and optionally an active such as a flavor or a fragrance. The continuous phase comprises at least one filler. The matrix particles exhibit high loading efficiency and low amounts of surface oil.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2004Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Givaudan S.A.Inventors: Jon Christian Soper, Jeff Molnar, James Michael Vale
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Publication number: 20100119359Abstract: A steam turbine with an operating temperature of more than 650° C. includes a thermally highly-loaded housing (G) which is produced by a casting technique at least partially from a nickel-based alloy. Production of such a steam turbine is simplified by the housing (G) being divided into a multiplicity of smaller housing sections (G1, . . . , G8; G21, G22, G31, G32) which are interconnected and together form the housing (G).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2009Publication date: May 13, 2010Inventors: Richard Brendon Scarlin, Roger Padfield, Helen Elizabeth Parker, Robert Jupp, Ian Michael Vale, Martin Reigl, Maurus Herzog, Rolf Doebler
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Publication number: 20090071819Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a balance-of-plant system and apparatus suited for regulating the operation of an electrolyzer cell stack. Specifically, in some embodiments, a balance-of-plant system and apparatus is operable to regulate the respective pressures of at least two reaction products relative to one another. Various examples are provided to demonstrate how the respective pressures of two reaction products can be regulated in relation to one another in a pressure following configuration, thereby regulating the pressure differential across an electrolyte layer according to aspects of different embodiments of the invention. Some of the examples provided also include design simplifications and alternatives that may reduce production costs of electrochemical cells configured according to aspects of different embodiments of the invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2008Publication date: March 19, 2009Inventors: Ali Rusta-Sallehy, Michael Vale, David Frank, Nathaniel Ian Joos
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Patent number: 7353085Abstract: As an electrochemical cell stack gets older the internal resistances within the stack rise overtime as the materials that the stack is made of degrade. Consequently, an old and “worn” electrochemical cell stack draws less current at the same stack voltage and operating temperature as a new stack. When the current draw falls the electrochemical reaction rates also fall, as less energy is available to drive the electrochemical reactions. However, if the operating temperature of an older stack is controllable raised the current draw by an electrolyzer cell stack also rises, which in turn causes the reaction rates to rise again. Accordingly, in some embodiments, a balance-of-plant system is operable to regulate the current draw of an electrolyzer cell stack by first manipulating the operating temperature of the same electrolyzer cell stack.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2004Date of Patent: April 1, 2008Assignee: Hydrogenics CorporationInventors: Ali Rusta-Sallehy, Michael Vale
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Patent number: 7325343Abstract: An apparatus configured to allow the retention of at least one display board with a mounting structure is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a retaining system. A portion of the retaining system is deformable to retain at least one display board in a press-in, interference engagement. The apparatus may also include a mounting structure such as an easel. An apparatus for use with one or more display boards is also disclosed. The apparatus comprises a mounting structure including a base and a first panel coupled to the base. The first panel is configured to support the one or more display boards and to be selectively movable between a first position and a second position.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2002Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.Inventors: Charles Anthony Seiber, Scott Michael Miller, Alan Fredrick Mauer, Peter Scott Macdonald, Robert Peter Arko, Alan Michael Vale, Steven Ryutaro Takayama
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Patent number: 7117106Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method suited for controlling the operation of an electrolyzer cell module. Specifically, some embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method that incorporates a call to an alarm recovery sequence into a safety system suited for use with an electrolyzer cell module, which is able to suspend the normal operations and initiate an alarm recovery sequence upon detecting that a corresponding alarm threshold has been violated. The safety system and method is then able to restart the normal operations if it is determined that the alarm recovery sequence was successful, meaning that the process and operating parameters that violated the particular alarm threshold have been brought back to within a safe operating range.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2004Date of Patent: October 3, 2006Assignee: Hydrogenics CorporationInventors: Ali Rusta-Sallehy, Michael Vale
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Publication number: 20050215124Abstract: The invention provides a voltage monitoring system with a partially distributed electrical connector for connecting circuit components of the voltage monitoring system to one or more components associated with the plurality of electrochemical cells. The at least one partially distributed electrical connector comprises a connector for connecting with the circuit components, a unitary portion connected to the connector, a distributed portion having a first end connected to the unitary portion and a second end connected to the one or more components associated with the plurality of electrochemical cells, and, a plurality of conductors running from the connector to the second end of the distributed portion, the plurality of conductors being electrically isolated from one another. The distributed portion is flexible.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2005Publication date: September 29, 2005Inventors: Michael Vale, Bryn Epp, Stephane Masse, Nathaniel Joos
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Publication number: 20050209800Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method suited for controlling the operation of an electrolyzer cell module. Specifically, some embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method that incorporates a call to an alarm recovery sequence into a safety system suited for use with an electrolyzer cell module, which is able to suspend the normal operations and initiate an alarm recovery sequence upon detecting that a corresponding alarm threshold has been violated. The safety system and method is then able to restart the normal operations if it is determined that the alarm recovery sequence was successful, meaning that the process and operating parameters that violated the particular alarm threshold have been brought back to within a safe operating range.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2004Publication date: September 22, 2005Inventors: Ali Rusta-Sallehy, Michael Vale
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Publication number: 20050197743Abstract: As an electrochemical cell stack gets older the internal resistances within the stack rise overtime as the materials that the stack is made of degrade. Consequently, an old and “worn” electrochemical cell stack draws less current at the same stack voltage and operating temperature as a new stack. When the current draw falls the electrochemical reaction rates also fall, as less energy is available to drive the electrochemical reactions. However, if the operating temperature of an older stack is controllably raised the current draw by an electrolyzer cell stack also rises, which in turn causes the reaction rates to rise again. Accordingly, in some embodiments, a balance-of-plant system is operable to regulate the current draw of an electrolyzer cell stack by first manipulating the operating temperature of the same electrolyzer cell stack.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2004Publication date: September 8, 2005Inventors: Ali Rusta-Sallehy, Michael Vale
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Publication number: 20050186458Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a balance-of-plant system and apparatus suited for regulating the operation of an electrolyzer cell stack. Specifically, in some embodiments, a balance-of-plant system and apparatus is operable to regulate the respective pressures of at least two reaction products relative to one another. Various examples are provided to demonstrate how the respective pressures of two reaction products can be regulated in relation to one another in a pressure following configuration, thereby regulating the pressure differential across an electrolyte layer according to aspects of different embodiments of the invention. Some of the examples provided also include design simplifications and alternatives that may reduce production costs of electrochemical cells configured according to aspects of different embodiments of the invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2004Publication date: August 25, 2005Inventors: Ali Rusta-Sallehy, Michael Vale, David Frank, Nathaniel Joos
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Publication number: 20050183948Abstract: Abruptly shutting down an electrolyzer cell module during normal operation may, in some instances, be necessary when one or more process and operating parameters uncontrollably deviate into an unsafe range. However, abruptly shutting down an electrolyzer cell module may have residual effects that make it difficult to restart the electrolyzer cell module. In particular, in some instances a circulation pump is de-primed by the accumulation of gas bubbles within the circulation pump, which normally do not exist during normal operation since a fluid containing dissolved gas molecules is pressurized to ensure that the gas remains dissolved. In some embodiments of the invention there is provided a modified safety system that can controllably shutdown an electrolyzer cell module in an emergency situation so as to prevent instances of pump de-priming.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2004Publication date: August 25, 2005Inventors: Ali Rusta-Sallehy, Michael Vale
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Patent number: 6647652Abstract: An apparatus for display of information in a work environment is disclosed. The apparatus includes a display board having a substantially solid core and defining a first side having a first surface and a second side opposite of the first side having a second surface. A first surface treatment may include a reusable adhesive and a clear film cover over the reusable adhesive. The display board may have a generally rectangular shape and may include a plurality of corner members and a mounting structure. A mounting structure for at least one display board is also disclosed. The mounting structure may include a pivotal interface adapted to engage a mounting interface of the display board so that the display board is removably pivotally mounted within the mounting structure. An easel for use with a first display board is further disclosed. The easel may include a base, a frame coupled to the base, a storage area formed by the frame, and a panel coupled to the frame.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2000Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.Inventors: Charles Anthony Seiber, Scott Michael Miller, Alan Fredrick Mauer, Peter Scott Macdonald, Robert Peter Arko, Alan Michael Vale, Steven Ryutaro Takayama
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Publication number: 20020095840Abstract: An apparatus configured to allow the retention of at least one display board with a mounting structure is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a retaining system. A portion of the retaining system is deformable to retain at least one display board in a press-in, interference engagement. The apparatus may also include a mounting structure such as an easel. An apparatus for use with one or more display boards is also disclosed. The apparatus comprises a mounting structure including a base and a first panel coupled to the base. The first panel is configured to support the one or more display boards and to be selectively movable between a first position and a second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2002Publication date: July 25, 2002Applicant: Steelcase Development CorporationInventors: Charles Anthony Seiber, Scott Michael Miller, Alan Fredrick Mauer, Peter Scott MacDonald, Robert Peter Arko, Alan Michael Vale, Steven Ryutaro Takayama