Patents by Inventor Pratap Rama
Pratap Rama 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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Patent number: 11757110Abstract: A method for operating a fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell assembly of a plurality of fuel cells configured to generate electrical power from a fuel flow and an oxidant flow to the plurality of fuel cells, the fuel cell assembly arranged in combination with a coolant storage module configured to supply the fuel cell assembly with a flow of coolant, the method performed when the temperature of the coolant in the coolant storage module is below a coolant temperature threshold and comprises; a first phase performed prior to activation of a coolant pump configured to deliver coolant from the coolant storage module to the fuel cell assembly and a second phase performed after activation of the coolant pump.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2017Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Intelligent Energy LimitedInventors: Shahin Moghimi, Nathaniel Thomas Palmer, Pratap Rama, Alex Mark Thirkell
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Patent number: 11715838Abstract: Aspects of methods and systems to reduce degradation of a fuel cell (110) during start-up and shut-down cycles are disclosed. An anode exhaust stream (201?) is periodically directed via fluid communication through an oxygen capture media (86). After shut-down of the fuel cell and before or during start-up said media (86) removes oxygen in the anode exhaust stream. Periodically, heating the oxygen capture media (86) is employed to purge the oxygen collected and regenerate the media.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2020Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Inventors: Max Armstrong Brown, Pratap Rama, Vincent Gardner
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Cooling module for a fuel cell system and method of detecting flowable coolant in a fuel cell system
Patent number: 11362345Abstract: Disclosed is a cooling module for use in a fuel cell system, the module includes a tank configured to receive a coolant therein, a coolant, a pump in fluid communication with the coolant in the tank and the fuel cell system, the pump being configured to transport the coolant to the fuel cell system, a heating element within the coolant in the tank, the heating element configured to heat the coolant, and at least one sensor in signal communication with a controller and in fluid communication with the tank. The sensor is configured to detect a change corresponding to the presence or absence of sufficient liquid coolant to initiate said pump, and the controller processes sensor data and is configured to actuate the pump.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2018Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: Intelligent Energy LimitedInventors: Pratap Rama, Nathaniel Thomas Palmer, Sophie Charlotte Harris, David James Grimwade, Prajwal Nirwan -
Publication number: 20220158206Abstract: Aspects of methods and systems to reduce degradation of a fuel cell (110) during start-up and shut-down cycles are disclosed. An anode exhaust stream (201?) is periodically directed via fluid communication through an oxygen capture media (86). After shut-down of the fuel cell and before or during start-up said media (86) removes oxygen in the anode exhaust stream. Periodically, heating the oxygen capture media (86) is employed to purge the oxygen collected and regenerate the media.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2020Publication date: May 19, 2022Applicant: Intelligent Energy LimitedInventors: Max Armstrong Brown, Pratap Rama, Vincent Gardner
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Patent number: 11196064Abstract: A fuel cell controller for controlling the operation of a fuel cell system comprising a plurality of fuel cells arranged together to provide electrical current at an output, the controller configured to actively set an upper limit on the rate of change in current provided by the fuel cell system at the output based on at least one electrical parameter of one or more of the fuel cells such as the lowest voltage (VMCV) of an individual fuel cell among a plurality of fuel cells.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2017Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Inventors: Shahin Moghimi, Pratap Rama
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Patent number: 10923738Abstract: A coolant injection controller for a fuel cell system, the coolant injection controller configured to actively control the flow of a coolant to a fuel cell assembly for cooling and/or hydrating the fuel cell assembly in response to a measure of fuel cell assembly performance, wherein the coolant injection controller is configured to provide for a first mode of operation if the measure of fuel cell assembly performance is below a predetermined threshold and a second mode of operation if the measure of fuel cell assembly performance is above the predetermined threshold, the first and second modes having different coolant injection profiles and wherein, in the first mode of operation, the coolant injection profile provides for control of the flow of coolant by alternating between at least two different injection flow rates.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2015Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: Intelligent Energy LimitedInventors: Shahin Moghimi, Vince Gardner, Nathaniel Palmer, Simon Foster, Pratap Rama
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Patent number: 10903512Abstract: An electrochemical fuel cell assembly comprises a fuel cell stack having a fuel delivery inlet and a fuel delivery outlet. The fuel cell stack further includes a number of fuel cells each having a membrane-electrode assembly and a fluid flow path coupled between the fuel delivery inlet and the fuel delivery outlet for delivery of fuel to the membrane electrode assembly. A fuel delivery conduit is coupled to the fuel delivery inlet for 10 delivery of fluid fuel to the stack. A bleed conduit is coupled to the fuel delivery outlet for venting fluid out of the stack. A variable orifice flow control device coupled to the bleed conduit configured to dynamically vary an amount of fluid from the fuel delivery outlet passing into the bleed conduit as a function of one or more of the control parameters: (i) measured fuel concentration; (ii) measured humidity; (iii) cell voltages of fuel cells in the 15 stack; (iv) impedance of fuel cells in the stack; (v) resistance of fuel cells in the stack.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2019Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: INTELLIGENT ENERGY LIMITEDInventors: Pratap Rama, Paul Leonard Adcock, Jignesh Karsan Devshi Patel
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Patent number: 10854896Abstract: A fuel cell system comprises an antimicrobial patterned surface. The fuel cell system may comprise a fuel cell stack, a coolant reservoir, and a coolant flow path configured to supply coolant from the coolant reservoir to the fuel cell stack. One or more of the fuel cell stack, the coolant reservoir and the coolant flow path may comprise the antimicrobial patterned surface.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2014Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: Intelligent Energy LimitedInventors: Mathias Crespy, Pratap Rama, Daniel Ninan
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Publication number: 20200321636Abstract: A fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell stack is disclosed. An ozone generator is configured to introduce ozone into a coolant in the fuel cell system. A deionisation apparatus is coupled to the fuel cell stack. A bypass conduit is arranged in parallel with the deionisation apparatus. A controller is configured to control flow of the coolant to the fuel cell stack through either the deionisation apparatus or the bypass conduit based on the operating state of the ozone generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2020Publication date: October 8, 2020Applicant: INTELLIGENT ENERGY LIMITEDInventors: Pratap Rama, Mathias Crespy
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Publication number: 20200259191Abstract: A method for operating a fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell assembly of a plurality of fuel cells configured to generate electrical power from a fuel flow and an oxidant flow to the plurality of fuel cells, the fuel cell assembly arranged in combination with a coolant storage module configured to supply the fuel cell assembly with a flow of coolant, the method performed when the temperature of the coolant in the coolant storage module is below a coolant temperature threshold and comprises; a first phase performed prior to activation of a coolant pump configured to deliver coolant from the coolant storage module to the fuel cell assembly and a second phase performed after activation of the coolant pump.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2017Publication date: August 13, 2020Applicant: Intelligent Energy LimitedInventors: Shahin Moghimi, Nathaniel Thomas Palmer, Pratap Rama, Alex Mark Thirkell
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COOLING MODULE FOR A FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND METHOD OF DETECTING FLOWABLE COOLANT IN A FUEL CELL SYSTEM
Publication number: 20200251754Abstract: Disclosed is a cooling module for use in a fuel cell system, the module includes a tank configured to receive a coolant therein, a coolant, a pump in fluid communication with the coolant in the tank and the fuel cell system, the pump being configured to transport the coolant to the fuel cell system, a heating element within the coolant in the tank, the heating element configured to heat the coolant, and at least one sensor in signal communication with a controller and in fluid communication with the tank. The sensor is configured to detect a change corresponding to the presence or absence of sufficient liquid coolant to initiate said pump, and the controller processes sensor data and is configured to actuate the pump.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2018Publication date: August 6, 2020Applicant: Intelligent Energy LimitedInventors: Pratap Rama, Nathaniel Thomas Palmer, Sophie Charlotte Harris, David James Grimwade, Prajwal Nirwan -
Patent number: 10693155Abstract: A fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell stack is disclosed. An ozone generator is configured to introduce ozone into a coolant in the fuel cell system. A deionisation apparatus is coupled to the fuel cell stack. A bypass conduit is arranged in parallel with the deionisation apparatus. A controller is configured to control flow of the coolant to the fuel cell stack through either the deionisation apparatus or the bypass conduit based on the operating state of the ozone generator.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2019Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: INTELLIGENT ENERGY LIMITEDInventors: Pratap Rama, Mathias Crespy
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Publication number: 20190237784Abstract: An electrochemical fuel cell assembly comprises a fuel cell stack having a fuel delivery inlet and a fuel delivery outlet. The fuel cell stack further includes a number of fuel cells each having a membrane-electrode assembly and a fluid flow path coupled between the fuel delivery inlet and the fuel delivery outlet for delivery of fuel to the membrane electrode assembly. A fuel delivery conduit is coupled to the fuel delivery inlet for 10 delivery of fluid fuel to the stack. A bleed conduit is coupled to the fuel delivery outlet for venting fluid out of the stack. A variable orifice flow control device coupled to the bleed conduit configured to dynamically vary an amount of fluid from the fuel delivery outlet passing into the bleed conduit as a function of one or more of the control parameters: (i) measured fuel concentration; (ii) measured humidity; (iii) cell voltages of fuel cells in the 15 stack; (iv) impedance of fuel cells in the stack; (v) resistance of fuel cells in the stack.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2019Publication date: August 1, 2019Applicant: INTELLIGENT ENERGY LIMITEDInventors: Pratap Rama, Paul Leonard Adcock, Jignesh Karsan Devshi Patel
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Publication number: 20190165388Abstract: A fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell stack is disclosed. An ozone generator is configured to introduce ozone into a coolant in the fuel cell system. A deionisation apparatus is coupled to the fuel cell stack. A bypass conduit is arranged in parallel with the deionisation apparatus. A controller is configured to control flow of the coolant to the fuel cell stack through either the deionisation apparatus or the bypass conduit based on the operating state of the ozone generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2019Publication date: May 30, 2019Applicant: INTELLIGENT ENERGY LIMITEDInventors: Pratap Rama, Mathias Crespy
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Patent number: 10218015Abstract: An electrochemical fuel cell assembly comprises a fuel cell stack having a fuel delivery inlet and a fuel delivery outlet. The fuel cell stack further includes a number of fuel cells each having a membrane-electrode assembly and a fluid flow path coupled between the fuel delivery inlet and the fuel delivery outlet for delivery of fuel to the membrane-electrode assembly. A fuel delivery conduit is coupled to the fuel delivery inlet for delivery of fluid fuel to the stack. A bleed conduit is coupled to the fuel delivery outlet for venting fluid out of the stack. A variable orifice flow control device coupled to the bleed conduit configured to dynamically vary an amount of fluid from the fuel delivery outlet passing into the bleed conduit as a function of one or more of the control parameters: (i) measured fuel concentration; (ii) measured humidity; (iii) cell voltages of fuel cells in the stack; (iv) impedance of fuel cells in the stack; (v) resistance of fuel cells in the stack.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2014Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: INTELLIGENT ENERGY LIMITEDInventors: Pratap Rama, Paul Leonard Adcock, Jignesh Karsan Devshi Patel
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Patent number: 10218009Abstract: A fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell stack is disclosed. An ozone generator is configured to introduce ozone into a coolant in the fuel cell system. A deionization apparatus is coupled to the fuel cell stack. A bypass conduit is arranged in parallel with the deionization apparatus. A controller is configured to control flow of the coolant to the fuel cell stack through either the deionization apparatus or the bypass conduit based on the operating state of the ozone generator.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2014Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: INTELLIGENT ENERGY LIMITEDInventors: Pratap Rama, Mathias Crespy
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Publication number: 20190036138Abstract: A fuel cell controller for controlling the operation of a fuel cell system comprising a plurality of fuel cells arranged together to provide electrical current at an output, the controller configured to actively set an upper limit on the rate of change in current provided by the fuel cell system at the output based on at least one electrical parameter of one or more of the fuel cells such as the lowest voltage (VMCV) of an individual fuel cell among a plurality of fuel cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2017Publication date: January 31, 2019Inventors: Shahin MOGHIMI, Pratap RAMA
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Patent number: 10181611Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell assembly configured to generate electrical power from a fuel flow and an oxidant flow, the method comprising a first phase and a subsequent second phase, the first phase comprising; operating the fuel cell assembly with a first stoichiometric ratio of oxidant flow to fuel flow to generate electrical power; providing said generated electrical power to a heater element for heating a coolant for supply to said fuel cell assembly; the second phase comprising; delivering coolant heated in the first phase to the fuel cell assembly; operating the fuel cell assembly with a second stoichiometric ratio of oxidant flow to fuel flow to generate electrical power, the second stoichiometric ratio lower than the first ratio.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2015Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: Intelligent Energy LimitedInventors: Shahin Moghimi, Vince Gardner, Nathaniel Palmer, Simon Foster, Pratap Rama
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Patent number: 10003092Abstract: A fuel cell stack assembly has a plurality of cells each having a fluid coolant conduit. A coolant feed manifold has a first inlet and a second inlet and is coupled to each fluid coolant conduit for distribution of fluid coolant within each cell. A pump is coupled for delivery of fluid coolant to the coolant feed manifold through the first and second inlets. A flow control assembly is configured to periodically modify the relative flow rates of fluid coolant through the first and second inlets so that stagnant regions in the coolant feed manifold are avoided. The flow control assembly may also be adapted to periodically interrupt the flow path between the pump and the manifold such that the fluid coolant is delivered to the manifold intermittently, thereby enabling low water flows below a minimum set point of the pump.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2013Date of Patent: June 19, 2018Assignee: INTELLIGENT ENERGY LIMITEDInventors: Ashley James Kells, Pratap Rama, Paul Leonard Adcock, Simon Edward Foster, Jonathan Cole, Emma Farndon
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Publication number: 20170331127Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell assembly configured to generate electrical power from a fuel flow and an oxidant flow, the method comprising a first phase and a subsequent second phase, the first phase comprising; operating the fuel cell assembly with a first stoichiometric ratio of oxidant flow to fuel flow to generate electrical power; providing said generated electrical power to a heater element for heating a coolant for supply to said fuel cell assembly; the second phase comprising; delivering coolant heated in the first phase to the fuel cell assembly; operating the fuel cell assembly with a second stoichiometric ratio of oxidant flow to fuel flow to generate electrical power, the second stoichiometric ratio lower than the first ratio.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2015Publication date: November 16, 2017Applicant: Intelligent Energy LimitedInventors: Shahin MOGHIMI, Vince GARDNER, Nathaniel PALMER, Simon FOSTER, Pratap RAMA