Patents by Inventor Nathaniel Joos
Nathaniel Joos 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: 20230231155Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for impregnating resin in one or more coolant channels in a bipolar plate before or after assembly of the bipolar plates into a fuel cell stack.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2023Publication date: July 20, 2023Inventors: Qing NI, Arun DURAISAMY, Nathaniel JOOS
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Publication number: 20070166598Abstract: When a conventional fuel cell module is shutdown the conditions within the fuel cell stack change. The conditions change because elements that support and regulate the operation of the fuel cell stack switch to their respective shutdown states. For example, the input and output valves are closed, which cuts off the supply inflows and exhaust outflows. Moreover, when an element such as a flow control device switches to a shutdown state internal conditions, such as for example, the pressure within the anode electrodes change. When the internal conditions of the fuel cell stack change the reactants (e.g. hydrogen and oxygen) remaining in the fuel cell stack and the feed lines (between the fuel cell stack and the closed valves) are substantially consumed in combustion reactions as opposed to being consumed in electrochemical reactions yielding a useful form of energy.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2007Publication date: July 19, 2007Applicant: Hydrogenics CorporationInventors: Nathaniel Joos, Stephen Burany
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Publication number: 20070154770Abstract: An end plate for an electrochemical cell stack is described herein. The end plate includes an outer face and an inner face, wherein a plurality of cavities are provided on the inner face. The inner face comprises a central region and a peripheral region surrounding the central region and a first plurality of cavities are provided in the central region forming an array of cavities. The end plate further comprises a second plurality of cavities in the peripheral region.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2004Publication date: July 5, 2007Inventors: David Frank, Nathaniel Joos, Ricardo Bazzarell, Dzamarija Mario
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Publication number: 20060210855Abstract: The conventional arrangement of the reactant and coolant flow field structures causes a number of problems that require flow field plates to be made relatively thick. However, by making flow field plates thicker, size and weight are added to an electrochemical cell stack that is difficult to reduce. Yet, thin plates of conventional design are susceptible to cracking and/or rupturing. By contrast, according to some embodiments of the invention there is provided a cooperative arrangement of reactant flow field channels and ribs with coolant flow field channels and ribs that may reduce stress on individual flow field plates, thereby possibly permitting thinner flow field plates. More specifically, according to some embodiments of the invention the majority of ribs included in respective reactant and coolant flow field structures on the same flow field plate are aligned with one another.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2005Publication date: September 21, 2006Inventors: David Frank, Nathaniel Joos
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Publication number: 20060210857Abstract: Typically a seal is arranged around each coolant manifold aperture on each plate included in an electrochemical cell stack. However, each coolant seal is susceptible to failure. Coolant leakage from a failed coolant seal around a coolant manifold aperture on a MEA sheet can be extremely harmful because, in many cases, the coolant is corrosive to the electrolyte layer included on the MEA sheet. By contrast, in some embodiments of the invention, coolant manifold apertures are not included on MEA sheets/sheets in order to further isolate respective the electrolyte layers from coolant flowing through an electrochemical cell stack during operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2005Publication date: September 21, 2006Inventors: David Frank, Nathaniel Joos
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Publication number: 20060204823Abstract: An end assembly for an electrochemical cell stack is described. The end assembly includes an end plate having an outer face facing away from the cell stack and an inner face opposite the outer face. Passageways in the end plate that terminate at openings on the inner face allow process fluids to pass through the end plate. Overmolding on a portion of the passageways act as a protective barrier.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2005Publication date: September 14, 2006Applicant: Hydrogenics CorporationInventors: Antonio Mazza, Nathaniel Joos, David Frank
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Publication number: 20060204824Abstract: A system for collecting current in an electrochemical cell stack is described. The system includes an end plate having an outer face facing away from the cell stack and an inner face opposite the outer face. The system also includes a plurality of connection ports on the end plate for the transmission of process fluids. A plurality of passageways in the end plate connect the connection ports to openings on the inner face, and allow the process fluids to pass through the end plate. The system also includes a flow field plate in electrical communication with the end plate to allow current to flow therebetween.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2005Publication date: September 14, 2006Applicant: Hydrogenics CorporationInventors: Antonio Mazza, Nathaniel Joos, David Frank
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Publication number: 20060068267Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly for an electrochemical cell assembly is provided with a modified catalyst layout. The modified catalyst layout improves reactant fluid flow along the membrane electrode assembly, reduces wear on the membrane electrode assembly and improves electrochemical cell efficiency during operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2004Publication date: March 30, 2006Applicant: Hydrogenics CorporationInventors: David Frank, Nathaniel Joos, Mario Dzamarija, Raymond Candido, Rami Abouatallah
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Publication number: 20060046131Abstract: An electrochemical cell assembly with structural improvements for improving cell operation. The electrochemical cell assembly may include at least one of an extended MEA and chamfered edges on the flow field plates for preventing the shorting of the anode and cathode flow field plates. Further, the flow field plates may include a pocket for providing an appropriate space to accommodate a gas diffusion media and applying an appropriate amount of compression to the gas diffusion media.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2004Publication date: March 2, 2006Applicant: Hydrogenics CorporationInventors: David Frank, Nathaniel Joos, Mario Dzamarija, Raymond Candido, Antonio Mazza
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Publication number: 20050260482Abstract: Aspects of some embodiments of the present invention provide flow field plates that have been designed to include a flow field for uniformly distributing both a process gas/fluid and heat produced by an electrochemical reaction involving the process gas/fluid over an area covered by the flow field. Thus, for some embodiments of the present invention, in order to achieve a substantially uniform heat distribution and, possibly, in turn a substantially uniform reaction rate over the flow field, the process gas/fluid within each of the flow channels is preferably subjected to substantially the same heat exchange history as the process gas/fluid in any of the other flow channels. In some embodiments of the invention, this is accomplished by making all of the flow channels substantially the same total length.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2004Publication date: November 24, 2005Inventors: David Frank, Nathaniel Joos
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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: 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: 20050115825Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide electrolyzer cells in which distribution of water over the surface of an electrolyte layer (e.g. a MEA) is improved. Specifically, some embodiments provide an electrolyzer cell, including a flow field plate arranged in combination with at least two porous metal layers having smooth and flat surfaces, in which water is more uniformly distributed across an active surface of an electrolyte layer, which in turn may lead to a more uniform reaction rate over the active area of the electrolyte layer. Other related embodiments also include simplifications that may reduce costs related to manufacturing and assembly of electrochemical cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2004Publication date: June 2, 2005Inventors: David Frank, Nathaniel Joos
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Publication number: 20050095492Abstract: A sealing technique is provided for forming complex and multiple seal configurations for fuel cells and other electrochemical cells. To provide a seal, for sealing chambers for oxidant, fuel and/or coolant, a groove network is provided extending through the various elements of the fuel cell assembly and a seal material is then injected into the groove network. Several structural improvements have been made to cell components in relation to this seal in place process to reduce manufacturing cost and improve the performance of the electrochemical cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2004Publication date: May 5, 2005Applicant: Hydrogenics CorporationInventors: David Frank, Mario Dzamarija, Raymond Candido, Nathaniel Joos, Antonio Mazza
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Publication number: 20050074657Abstract: A hydrogen production and water recovery system for a fuel cell utilizes hydrogen storage in a metal hydride or the like. An exhaust stream from the fuel cell is passed through the storage media, simultaneously to cool the exhaust stream to promote condensation of water vapor and to heat the media to promote generation of hydrogen. The recovered water can be stored, returned to a coolant loop, and at a later time electrolyzed to generate hydrogen.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2004Publication date: April 7, 2005Applicant: Hydrogenics CorporationInventors: Ali Rusta-Sallehy, Nathaniel Joos, David Frank
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Publication number: 20050069749Abstract: Aspects of some embodiments of the present invention provide flow field plates that have been designed to potentially reduce the unit cost of each flow field plate employed in an electrochemical cell stack. Thus, for some embodiments of the present invention an electrochemical cell includes a number of flow field plates each having a number of manifold apertures that all have the same area. A first one of the manifold apertures is used for a first process gas/fluid and a second one of the manifold apertures is used for a second process gas/fluid. The manifold apertures on the flow field plates align to form elongate channels that extend through the electrochemical cell as described in more detail herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2004Publication date: March 31, 2005Inventors: David Frank, Nathaniel Joos, Xuesong Chen, Sonia Sorbera
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Publication number: 20050064272Abstract: A fuel cell stack comprising a plurality of fuel cells, each having an anode flow field plate, a cathode flow field plate and a membrane electrode assembly disposed between the flow field plates. The anode and cathode flow field plates have primary channels and ribs separating the primary channels. At least a portion of the anode and cathode primary channels are disposed directly opposite one another with a membrane exchange assembly therebetween and with at least some of the ribs on the anode and cathode flow field plates located directly opposite one another to sandwich the membrane exchange assembly therebetween. The flow field plates can also have inlet distribution and outlet collection channels. Each of these distribution and collection channels is connected to a plurality of the primary channels, preferably located centrally, so as to improve flow distribution of the reactants.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2004Publication date: March 24, 2005Applicant: Hydrogenics CorporationInventors: David Frank, Xuesong Chen, Sonia Sorbera, Nathaniel Joos
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Publication number: 20050031936Abstract: The present invention relates to the design of flow field plates suited for use in electrochemical cells. According to aspects of some embodiments of the invention a true single plate bipolar flow field plate is provided. Moreover, according to other aspects of some embodiments of the invention active surfaces corresponding to an anode and a cathode, respectively, are substantially identical to one another, whereas in other embodiments the respective active surfaces are identical to one another after a transformation such as a reflection or 180 degree rotation.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2004Publication date: February 10, 2005Inventor: Nathaniel Joos
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Publication number: 20050026022Abstract: When a conventional fuel cell module is shutdown the conditions within the fuel cell stack change. The conditions change because elements that support and regulate the operation of the fuel cell stack switch to their respective shutdown states. For example, the input and output valves are closed, which cuts off the supply inflows and exhaust outflows. Moreover, when an element such as a flow control device switches to a shutdown state internal conditions, such as for example, the pressure within the anode electrodes change. When the internal conditions of the fuel cell stack change the reactants (e.g. hydrogen and oxygen) remaining in the fuel cell stack and the feed lines (between the fuel cell stack and the closed valves) are substantially consumed in combustion reactions as opposed to being consumed in electrochemical reactions yielding a useful form of energy.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2004Publication date: February 3, 2005Inventor: Nathaniel Joos
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Publication number: 20050019646Abstract: The present invention relates to the design of flow field plates suited for use in electrochemical cells. According to aspects of some embodiments of the invention a true single plate bipolar flow field plate is provided. Moreover, according to other aspects of some embodiments of the invention active surfaces corresponding to an anode and a cathode, respectively, are substantially identical to one another, whereas in other embodiments the respective active surfaces are identical to one another after a transformation such as a reflection or 180 degree rotation.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2004Publication date: January 27, 2005Inventor: Nathaniel Joos