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).

  • Publication number: 20230375016
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Michel Distelmans, Julie Colin, Robert Sperry, Dustin Vickress, Michael Vale
  • Publication number: 20230340675
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Michael A. VALE, Michel Leopold Bertrand DISTELMANS
  • Patent number: 9580825
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Hydrogenics Corporation
    Inventors: Ali Rusta-Sallehy, Michael Vale, David Frank, Nathaniel Ian Joos
  • Patent number: 8838696
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Syniverse Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Abhishek Tiwari, Jonah Kaj Fleming, Alan Michael Vale
  • Publication number: 20130228456
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: Hydrogenics Corporation
    Inventors: Ali RUSTA-SALLEHY, Michael VALE, David FRANK, Nathaniel Ian JOOS
  • Patent number: 8419910
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Hydrogenics Corporation
    Inventors: Ali Rusta-Sallehy, Michael Vale, David Frank, Nathaniel Ian Joos
  • Publication number: 20120066355
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Abhishek Tiwari, Jonah Kaj Fleming, Alan Michael Vale
  • Patent number: 8119175
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Givaudan S.A.
    Inventors: Jon Christian Soper, Jeff Molnar, James Michael Vale
  • Publication number: 20100119359
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventors: Richard Brendon Scarlin, Roger Padfield, Helen Elizabeth Parker, Robert Jupp, Ian Michael Vale, Martin Reigl, Maurus Herzog, Rolf Doebler
  • Publication number: 20090071819
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Ali Rusta-Sallehy, Michael Vale, David Frank, Nathaniel Ian Joos
  • Patent number: 7353085
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Hydrogenics Corporation
    Inventors: Ali Rusta-Sallehy, Michael Vale
  • Patent number: 7325343
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 7117106
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Hydrogenics Corporation
    Inventors: Ali Rusta-Sallehy, Michael Vale
  • Publication number: 20050215124
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Inventors: Michael Vale, Bryn Epp, Stephane Masse, Nathaniel Joos
  • Publication number: 20050209800
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Inventors: Ali Rusta-Sallehy, Michael Vale
  • Publication number: 20050197743
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Publication date: September 8, 2005
    Inventors: Ali Rusta-Sallehy, Michael Vale
  • Publication number: 20050186458
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Publication date: August 25, 2005
    Inventors: Ali Rusta-Sallehy, Michael Vale, David Frank, Nathaniel Joos
  • Publication number: 20050183948
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Publication date: August 25, 2005
    Inventors: Ali Rusta-Sallehy, Michael Vale
  • Patent number: 6647652
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20020095840
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Applicant: Steelcase Development Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Anthony Seiber, Scott Michael Miller, Alan Fredrick Mauer, Peter Scott MacDonald, Robert Peter Arko, Alan Michael Vale, Steven Ryutaro Takayama