Patents by Inventor P. Mark Golben

P. Mark Golben 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: 20150337729
    Abstract: An electric generator is driven by a gas turbine by using the impelling power of subatmospheric pressure hydrogen/deuterium released from hydrogen storage alloy contained in a first container and heated by indirect heat exchange with a heating medium while reabsorbing the hydrogen discharged from the gas turbine in a second hydrogen storage alloy contained in a second container and cooled by indirect heat exchange with a cooling medium. Alternately switching heating and cooling media contact with the hydride alloys maintains hydrogen gas flow as it is the pressure differential between the inlet pressure and the outlet pressure that is performing the work. Great volumes of hydrogen throughput, at subatmospheric pressures, operate the turbine. Electric energy is continuously and efficiently obtained from the electric generator. The principles can also be applied to other metal hydrides devices, e.g., pumps, compressors etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Applicant: ERGENICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: P. Mark Golben
  • Patent number: 8522573
    Abstract: A system for conversion of waste and solar heat energy into a carbon sequestration device, including as a collector for collecting carbon dioxide gas from a carbon dioxide gas source, such as ambient air. The Joule Thompson effect is used to cool and thereby refrigerate/liquefy ambient air and then extracting carbon dioxide therefrom, comprising steps of and means for providing a hydride heat engine, operating the hydride heat engine utilizing hydride thermal compression technology to compress hydrogen gas and thereby to cool ambient air to a temperature rendering air into a refrigerated/liquefied state by use of a Joule-Thompson type process, and extracting carbon dioxide from the refrigerated/liquefied ambient air and collecting the carbon dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Ergenics Corporation
    Inventor: P. Mark Golben
  • Publication number: 20120198884
    Abstract: A system for conversion of waste and solar heat energy into a carbon sequestration device, including as a collector for collecting carbon dioxide gas from a carbon dioxide gas source, such as ambient air. The Joule Thompson effect is used to cool and thereby refrigerate/liquefy ambient air and then extracting carbon dioxide therefrom, comprising steps of and means for providing a hydride heat engine, operating the hydride heat engine utilizing hydride thermal compression technology to compress hydrogen gas and thereby to cool ambient air to a temperature rendering air into a refrigerated/liquefied state by use of a Joule-Thompson type process, and extracting carbon dioxide from the refrigerated/liquefied ambient air and collecting the carbon dioxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventor: P. Mark GOLBEN
  • Patent number: 8114363
    Abstract: A system for and method of conversion of electrical energy into gaseous and liquid fuels, comprising steps of and means for provide a hydrocarbon fuels, including a collector for collecting carbon dioxide gas from a carbon dioxide gas source, a means for reducing at least a portion of the collected carbon dioxide gas to carbon monoxide, a means for producing hydrogen from a hydrogen source and a vessel for thermo-chemically reacting the hydrogen gas with carbon dioxide in a Fischer-Tropsch type process in the presence of a catalyst and heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Ergenics Corporation
    Inventor: P. Mark Golben
  • Patent number: 7318520
    Abstract: A container for use in hydrogen transfer includes structural tubular members and perforations for fluid communication with a central passage covered with a film that is selectively permeable to hydrogen, but not to other gases. The tubular member walls comprise a sturdy material to fix the hydride powder, preventing it from shifting within the container. The hydrogen flow, when being absorbed or desorbed by the metal hydride, will pass through the film both as it is absorbed in the hydride material and also after it is desorbed to pass into the central passage. Simultaneously, the tubular member material, acting as a flexible cover or support for the film, retains contaminant gases within the conduit passage, but permits hydrogen to flow therethrough. Alternatively, a flexible conduit may be interspersed within selected ones of the longitudinal structural members, and hydride material may be packed within the springs, which provide for expansion protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Ergenics Corp.
    Inventor: P. Mark Golben
  • Patent number: 7254983
    Abstract: A hydrogen gas storage container has a canister with at least one outlet opening for charging and discharging gas, the canister enclosing a metal hydride capable of absorbing and desorbing hydrogen gas and a gauge for measuring the capacity of hydrogen remaining within the hydride material. To further permit distribution of the hydrogen throughout the hydride material, a porous matrix may be disposed within said metal hydride material for providing efficient distribution of hydrogen gas to said metal hydride material. The fuel gauge may further comprise subassemblies for determining the hydrogen capacity, each of which depends for operation on a different property of the metal hydride material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Hera USA Inc.
    Inventors: David H. DaCosta, P. Mark Golben, David C. Tragna
  • Patent number: 7237428
    Abstract: A hydrogen gas storage container has a canister with at least one outlet opening for charging and discharging gas, the canister enclosing a metal hydride capable of absorbing and desorbing hydrogen gas and a gauge for measuring the capacity of hydrogen remaining within the hydride material. To further permit distribution of the hydrogen throughout the hydride material, a porous matrix may be disposed within said metal hydride material for providing efficient distribution of hydrogen gas to said metal hydride material. The fuel gauge may further comprise subassemblies for determining the hydrogen capacity, each of which depends for operation on a different property of the metal hydride material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Hera USA, Inc.
    Inventors: David H. DaCosta, P. Mark Golben, David C. Tragna
  • Publication number: 20040200735
    Abstract: A hydrogen gas storage container has a canister with at least one outlet opening for charging and discharging gas, the canister enclosing a metal hydride capable of absorbing and desorbing hydrogen gas and a gauge for measuring the capacity of hydrogen remaining within the hydride material. To further permit distribution of the hydrogen throughout the hydride material, a porous matrix may be disposed within said metal hydride material for providing efficient distribution of hydrogen gas to said metal hydride material. The fuel gauge may further comprise subassemblies for determining the hydrogen capacity, each of which depends for operation on a different property of the metal hydride material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventors: David H. DaCosta, P. Mark Golben, David C Tragna
  • Publication number: 20030070487
    Abstract: A hydrogen gas storage container has a canister with at least one outlet opening for charging and discharging gas, the canister enclosing a metal hydride capable of absorbing and desorbing hydrogen gas and a gauge for measuring the capacity of hydrogen remaining within the hydride material. To further permit distribution of the hydrogen throughout the hydride material, a porous matrix may be disposed within said metal hydride material for providing efficient distribution of hydrogen gas to said metal hydride material. The fuel gauge may further comprise subassemblies for determining the hydrogen capacity, each of which depends for operation on a different property of the metal hydride material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: David H. DaCosta, P. Mark Golben, David C. Tragna
  • Patent number: 6508866
    Abstract: Heat exchangers, hydrogen gas compressors, hydrogen gas storage devices, hydrogen gas purifiers and metal hydride air conditioners utilizing a flow of a hydrogen gas stream which is absorbed and desorbed by a metal hydride causes disproportionation and “poisoning” of the metal hydrides by introduction of impurities such as water vapor, oxygen and carbon monoxide. Use of a noble metal in powder form, when introduced in the metal hydride particles has been found to act as a catalyst and to delay absorption of the impurities in the metal hydride, and further permits the more efficient and longer use of such devices by inhibiting the undesirable disproportionation and poisoning. In another embodiment, a vent is provided in the initial stage of a hydrogen compressor to vent out the impurities before these result in decreasing efficiency of the devices due to disproportionation, poisoning and increased vapor pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Ergenics, Inc.
    Inventor: P. Mark Golben
  • Patent number: 6042960
    Abstract: An apparatus for and method of isolating an enclosed metal hydride container from an apparatus which uses hydrogen gas during periods of dormant or inactive storage of the device, including a constricted opening having a dual one way check valve arrangement to selectively open or close the hydrogen gas communication between the hydrogen storage container and the apparatus using the hydrogen. The dual check valve arrangement provides for constricting hydrogen gas flow between the chambers unless the device is in the process of charging or discharging, either of which process causes a differential pressure to develop across the dual check valve arrangement which is greater than a predetermined threshold pressure, e.g., 1-2 p.s.i. The hydrogen storage material within the hydrogen storage container comprises mixture of metal hydride particles with interspersed water adsorbing particles, such as silica gel desiccant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Ergenics, Inc.
    Inventors: David H. DaCosta, P. Mark Golben
  • Patent number: 5688611
    Abstract: An apparatus for and method of storing hydrogen gas within an enclosed metal hydride container that is isolated from an apparatus which uses hydrogen gas, including a constricted opening having a valve to selectively open or close the hydrogen gas communication between the hydrogen storage container and the apparatus using the hydrogen. The hydrogen storage material within the hydrogen storage container comprises mixture of metal hydride particles with interspersed water adsorbing particles, such as silica gel dessicant. Optionally included within the hydrogen gas communication between the storage and use may be a filter for filtering out oxygen and water vapor molecules from the hydrogen stream passing into the metal hydride particles, and may comprise a coating on each of the hydrogen absorbing metal hydride particles disposed within the hydrogen storage chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Ergenics, Inc.
    Inventor: P. Mark Golben
  • Patent number: 5623987
    Abstract: A system and method is provided whereby exhaust gases from a cold started internal combustion engine are rapidly brought to catalytic combustion conditions. Specifically, a closed system of a low pressure metal hydride heat exchanger and a high pressure metal hydride heat exchanger is provided which, upon engine ignition, effectuates hydrogen flow from the high pressure alloy exchanger to the low pressure alloy exchanger with rapid heating of the low pressure alloy due to hydrogen occlusion, and with the further provision that the heated low pressure hydride alloy exchanger is in heat exchange relationship with the cold started engine exhaust gases or the vehicle catalytic converter and provides heat necessary for initiation of catalytic combustion of pollutants in the said exhaust gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Ergenics, Inc.
    Inventors: P. Mark Golben, John E. Fox
  • Patent number: 5532074
    Abstract: An apparatus for and method of storing hydrogen gas within an enclosed metal hydride container that is isolated from an apparatus which uses hydrogen gas, including a constricted opening having a valve to selectively open or close the hydrogen gas communication between the hydrogen storage container and the apparatus using the hydrogen. Also included within the hydrogen gas communication between the storage and use is a filter for filtering out oxygen and water vapor molecules from the hydrogen stream passing from the apparatus using the hydrogen to the hydrogen storage metal hydride. The filter means comprises a thin metal disc or a hydrogen gas permeable elastomeric thin film coating, such as a polyethylene resin or silicone oil, either in the hydrogen stream path or as a coating on each of the hydrogen absorbing metal hydride particles which are disposed within the hydrogen storage chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Ergenics, Inc.
    Inventor: P. Mark Golben
  • Patent number: 5485884
    Abstract: An actuator for performing a function at a predetermined temperature includes an actuator assembly with a resiliently expandable element and a device for liberating hydrogen gas into a sealed system formed in part by the element. When the hydrogen gas pressure in the system becomes sufficiently high, the element expands to perform the function. The resiliently expandable element is a piston or a bellows and the device for liberating hydrogen gas is a hydride sensor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: Ergenics, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Hanley, E. Lee Huston, P. Mark Golben
  • Patent number: 5450721
    Abstract: A system and method is provided whereby exhaust gases from a cold started internal combustion engine are rapidly brought to catalytic combustion conditions. Specifically, a closed system of a low pressure metal hydride heat exchanger and a high pressure metal hydride heat exchanger is provided which, upon engine ignition, effectuates hydrogen flow from the high pressure alloy exchanger to the low pressure alloy exchanger with rapid heating of the low pressure alloy due to hydrogen occlusion, and with the further provision that the heated low pressure hydride alloy exchanger is in heat exchange relationship with the cold started engine exhaust gases or the vehicle catalytic converter and provides heat necessary for initiation of catalytic combustion of pollutants in the said exhaust gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Ergenics, Inc.
    Inventors: P. Mark Golben, John E. Fox
  • Patent number: 5419981
    Abstract: An electrochemical battery made of stacked cells which are separated by separator plates comprising a good heat conductive material, e.g. nickel, stainless steel, copper. The separator plates extend beyond the edge of the stacked cells and outside the enclosure of the battery. The separator plates directly conduct heat, which is generated by the electrochemical process, from the battery cells to the ambient environment. Sealing of the enclosure between the separator plates is provided by an O-ring or, alternatively, by a bellows sealed to adjacent separator plates by O-rings. Sealing is possible for hydrogen at low pressure which is presented in batteries utilizing a metal-hydride hydrogen storage capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: Ergenics, Inc.
    Inventor: P. Mark Golben
  • Patent number: 5250368
    Abstract: A metal hydride battery includes a metal hydride vessel for storing hydrogen and a battery cell in another enclosure having the capability of fluid communication between the vessel and enclosure through in-line piping. The in-line piping includes a catalytic converter and a molecular sieve dryer for adsorbing water from the hydrogen being piped from the battery cell enclosure to the hydrogen storage metal hydride vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Ergenics, Inc.
    Inventors: P. Mark Golben, Timothy D. Meyer