Patents by Inventor Pinakin Patel
Pinakin Patel 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: 20090111002Abstract: An assembly and associated method of manufacture are provided in which electrostatic deposition is used to directly apply and/or apply without solvents an electrode to one of an ion-conducting member, a member adapted to hold an ion-conducting member and a gas diffusion layer of the assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2007Publication date: April 30, 2009Inventors: Matthew Lambrech, Pinakin Patel
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Publication number: 20080261091Abstract: An oxidizer assembly provided with a housing having a plurality of inlets each for receiving a different gas and a plurality of outlets each corresponding to a different one of the inlets and outputting gas resulting from the gas received from its corresponding inlet. A catalyst assembly able to support gas flow therethrough is disposed within the housing and includes a catalyst able to oxidize carbon monoxide gas and to be regenerated. The catalyst assembly is further adapted to be movable such that successive parts of the assembly are able to be brought repeatedly in communication with a first inlet and its corresponding first outlet and then a second inlet and its corresponding second outlet of the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2008Publication date: October 23, 2008Inventors: Sai P. Katikaneni, Pinakin Patel
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Publication number: 20080171257Abstract: A fuel cell assembly having a plurality of fuel cells arranged in a stack. An end plate assembly abuts the fuel cell at an end of said stack. The end plate assembly has an inlet area adapted to receive an exhaust gas from the stack, an outlet area and a passage connecting the inlet area and outlet area and adapted to carry the exhaust gas received at the inlet area from the inlet area to the outlet area. A further end plate assembly abuts the fuel cell at a further opposing end of the stack. The further end plate assembly has a further inlet area adapted to receive a further exhaust gas from the stack, a further outlet area and a further passage connecting the further inlet area and further outlet area and adapted to carry the further exhaust gas received at the further inlet area from the further inlet area to the further outlet area.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2008Publication date: July 17, 2008Inventor: Pinakin Patel
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Patent number: 7393605Abstract: An end unit for a fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cell stacked in a first direction, the end unit for stacking in the first direction adjacent an end fuel cell in the fuel cell stack.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2006Date of Patent: July 1, 2008Assignee: FuelCell Energy, Inc.Inventors: Scott Blanchet, Pinakin Patel
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Patent number: 7381488Abstract: An oxidizer assembly provided with a housing having a plurality of inlets each for receiving a different gas and a plurality of outlets each corresponding to a different one of the inlets and outputting gas resulting from the gas received from its corresponding inlet. A catalyst assembly able to support gas flow therethrough is disposed within the housing and includes a catalyst able to oxidize carbon monoxide gas and to be regenerated. The catalyst assembly is further adapted to be movable such that successive parts of the assembly are able to be brought repeatedly in communication with a first inlet and its corresponding first outlet and then a second inlet and its corresponding second outlet of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2004Date of Patent: June 3, 2008Assignee: FuelCell Energy, Inc.Inventors: Sai P. Katikaneni, Pinakin Patel
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Patent number: 7323270Abstract: A modular multi-stack fuel-cell assembly in which the fuel-cell stacks are situated within a containment structure and in which a gas distributor is provided in the structure and distributes received fuel and oxidant gases to the stacks and receives exhausted fuel and oxidant gas from the stacks so as to realize a desired gas flow distribution and gas pressure differential through the stacks. The gas distributor is centrally and symmetrically arranged relative to the stacks so that it itself promotes realization of the desired gas flow distribution and pressure differential.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2004Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignees: FuelCell Energy, Inc., United States Department of EnergyInventors: Pinakin Patel, Willam Urko
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Publication number: 20060204821Abstract: An end unit for a fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cell stacked in a first direction, the end unit for stacking in the first direction adjacent an end fuel cell in the fuel cell stack.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2006Publication date: September 14, 2006Inventors: Scott Blanchet, Pinakin Patel
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Patent number: 7070874Abstract: An end unit for a fuel cell stack is described that contains an integrated heat exchanger for superheating the fuel gas before delivery to the stack. Heat is transferred from the hot cathode outlet stream to the cool fuel inlet stream in a space adjacent the stack's end plate. The end unit is designed as a hollow box forming the shell of the exchanger with the heat exchanger inside. The end unit has openings that allow fuel cell process gas to be taken directly from the stack without requiring piping or ductwork to be attached to thin manifolds. Separate chambers are provided for both the cathode outlet and anode outlet gas, thereby allowing all process connections to be made at one end of the stack. The end unit also features a current collection post that is separated from the end cell of the stack by a multitude of members which provide structural support for the end unit and act to more uniformly collect electrical current than would a single, large current post.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2002Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: FuelCell Energy, Inc.Inventors: Scott Blanchet, Pinakin Patel
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Publication number: 20060035135Abstract: A modular multi-stack fuel-cell assembly in which the fuel-cell stacks are situated within a containment structure and in which a gas distributor is provided in the structure and distributes received fuel and oxidant gases to the stacks and receives exhausted fuel and oxidant gas from the stacks so as to realize a desired gas flow distribution and gas pressure differential through the stacks. The gas distributor is centrally and symmetrically arranged relative to the stacks so that it itself promotes realization of the desired gas flow distribution and pressure differential.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2004Publication date: February 16, 2006Inventors: Pinakin Patel, Willam Urko
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Publication number: 20060035119Abstract: An oxidizer assembly provided with a housing having a plurality of inlets each for receiving a different gas and a plurality of outlets each corresponding to a different one of the inlets and outputting gas resulting from the gas received from its corresponding inlet. A catalyst assembly able to support gas flow therethrough is disposed within the housing and includes a catalyst able to oxidize carbon monoxide gas and to be regenerated. The catalyst assembly is further adapted to be movable such that successive parts of the assembly are able to be brought repeatedly in communication with a first inlet and its corresponding first outlet and then a second inlet and its corresponding second outlet of the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2004Publication date: February 16, 2006Inventors: Sai Katikaneni, Pinakin Patel
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Publication number: 20060019130Abstract: A PEM fuel cell system in which an oxidizer is provided and in which the catalyst for the oxidizer is an OMS-2 catalyst and, in particular, an M-OMS-2 catalyst. Preferable catalysts are Co-OMS-2, Cu-OMS-2 and Ag-OMS-2 and, more preferably, Ag-OMS-2. Also, the effectiveness of the oxidizer is enhanced by one or more of the controlled addition of oxidant to the fuel feed and/or oxidizer, controlling the space velocity of the fuel feed and controlling the operating temperature of the oxidizer. A system for regeneration of the M-OMS-2 catalyst and a method of making the catalyst are additionally provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2004Publication date: January 26, 2006Inventors: Sai Katikaneni, Pinakin Patel, Steven Suib
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Patent number: 6902840Abstract: A fuel cell system containing a mixer/eductor for reducing the pressure difference between the gases in the anode and cathode-sides of a fuel cell stack. The mixer/eductor is placed at the mixing point between the anode tail or exhaust fuel gas and the fresh air or oxidant supply gas inlet. The incoming oxidant pressure is converted to a high momentum stream to form a suction on the fuel exhaust gas. This suction compensates for pressure losses in the gas piping and the oxidizer used to burn the exhaust fuel gas resulting in substantial balancing of the anode and cathode-side gas pressures. The mixer/eductor can be in the form of an axial or annular jet pump unit, both of which are advantageous in aggressively mixing the fuel exhaust gas with the incoming oxidant or air. The mixer/eductor geometry can be varied to provide the proper suction to balance pressures over a chosen range of operating conditions.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2002Date of Patent: June 7, 2005Assignee: FuelCell Energy, Inc.Inventors: Scott Blanchet, Pinakin Patel
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Publication number: 20040005491Abstract: A fuel cell system containing a mixer/eductor for reducing the pressure difference between the gases in the anode and cathode-sides of a fuel cell stack. The mixer/eductor is placed at the mixing point between the anode tail or exhaust fuel gas and the fresh air or oxidant supply gas inlet. The incoming oxidant pressure is converted to a high momentum stream to form a suction on the fuel exhaust gas. This suction compensates for pressure losses in the gas piping and the oxidizer used to burn the exhaust fuel gas resulting in substantial balancing of the anode and cathode-side gas pressures. The mixer/eductor can be in the form of an axial or annular jet pump unit, both of which are advantageous in aggressively mixing the fuel exhaust gas with the incoming oxidant or air. The mixer/eductor geometry can be varied to provide the proper suction to balance pressures over a chosen range of operating conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2002Publication date: January 8, 2004Inventors: Scott Blanchet, Pinakin Patel
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Patent number: 5674371Abstract: A process for providing a variety of light to medium colors of anodized aluminum or aluminum alloy which comprises the steps of anodizing an aluminum or aluminum alloy workpiece in an aqueous strong acid electrolyte solution such as a sulfuric acid solution by application of direct current at a current density of 5 to about 25 amperes per square foot and a temperature of from 55.degree. F. to 90.degree. F. to form on the workpiece a porous anodic oxide film having a thickness of at least about 3 microns; subjecting the resulting anodized workpiece to alternating current at a voltage of about 5 to about 25 volts for about 1 to 25 minutes in an aqueous strong acid electrolyte solution such as a sulfuric acid solution comprising about 1 to 15 volume percent of an organic carboxylic acid containing at least one reactive group in the alpha-position, wherein said reactive group is a hydroxy, amino, keto or carboxyl group; and electrolytically coloring the workpiece.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1995Date of Patent: October 7, 1997Assignee: Clariant Finance (BVI) LimitedInventor: Pinakin Patel
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Patent number: 5513766Abstract: Improvements in the etching of aluminum and aluminum alloys is obtained by etching the workpiece in a caustic etching bath in the presence of an anionic surfactant of the sulfate or sulfonate type. Satisfactory results are achieved with reduced amounts of dissolved aluminum.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1993Date of Patent: May 7, 1996Assignee: Sandoz Ltd.Inventors: Richard L. Ranieri, Pinakin Patel
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Patent number: 5374455Abstract: Aluminum oxide sealant compositions, concentrates, and processes employing the same are described which comprise an alkaline earth metal salt and certain sulfonated compounds. Unexpected improvements in seal quality are obtained using the compositions of the invention, and in the substantial absence of smut formation. Advantageously, the aqueous sealant compositions of the invention may be cobalt and nickel-free, can be prepared from tap water, and can be employed at temperatures below the boiling point.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 1993Date of Patent: December 20, 1994Assignee: Sandoz Ltd.Inventors: Pinakin Patel, Richard L. Ranieri
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Patent number: 5362317Abstract: Aluminum oxide sealant compositions, concentrates, and processes employing the same are described which comprise an alkaline earth metal salt and certain sulfonated compounds. Unexpected improvements in seal quality are obtained using the compositions of the invention, and in the substantial absence of smut formation. Advantageously, the aqueous sealant compositions of the invention may be cobalt and nickel-free, can be prepared from tap water, and can be employed at temperatures below the boiling point.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 1993Date of Patent: November 8, 1994Assignee: Sandoz Ltd.Inventors: Pinakin Patel, Richard L. Ranieri
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Patent number: 4791033Abstract: In a fuel cell system employing an internally reforming fuel cell and a gas transfer device for recycling hydrogen gas in the fuel cell exhaust back to the fuel cell, the supply fuel is passed through the transfer device so as to allow controllable transfer of water with the transferred hydrogen, thereby providing a stream automatically containing water necessary for the steam reforming reaction in the fuel cell.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 1988Date of Patent: December 13, 1988Assignee: Energy Research CorporationInventor: Pinakin Patel
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Patent number: 4567117Abstract: A fuel cell comprising a catalyst for endothermic reforming of the hydrocarbon content of fuel in such a manner as to promote uniform temperature distribution in the cell.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 1984Date of Patent: January 28, 1986Assignee: Energy Research CorporationInventors: Pinakin Patel, Dilip Dharia, Hansraj Maru
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Patent number: 4467050Abstract: A fuel cell catalyst member formed from a metallic plate to whose surface is electrophoretically applied a porous support layer of ceramic material into which is impregnated an active catalyst material.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 1982Date of Patent: August 21, 1984Assignee: Energy Research CorporationInventors: Pinakin Patel, Dilip Dharia, Hansraj Maru