Patents by Inventor Ravindra S. Upadhye
Ravindra S. Upadhye 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: 8715882Abstract: A phosphoric acid fuel cell according to one embodiment includes an array of microchannels defined by a porous electrolyte support structure extending between bottom and upper support layers, the microchannels including fuel and oxidant microchannels; fuel electrodes formed along some of the microchannels; and air electrodes formed along other of the microchannels. A method of making a phosphoric acid fuel cell according to one embodiment includes etching an array of microchannels in a substrate, thereby forming walls between the microchannels; processing the walls to make the walls porous, thereby forming a porous electrolyte support structure; forming anode electrodes along some of the walls; forming cathode electrodes along other of the walls; and filling the porous electrolyte support structure with a phosphoric acid electrolyte. Additional embodiments are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2010Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Lawrene Livermore National Security, LLC.Inventors: David A. Sopchak, Jeffrey D. Morse, Ravindra S. Upadhye, Jack Kotovsky, Robert T. Graff
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Patent number: 8557480Abstract: A fuel cell according to one embodiment includes a porous electrolyte support structure defining an array of microchannels, the microchannels including fuel and oxidant microchannels; fuel electrodes formed along some of the microchannels; and oxidant electrodes formed along other of the microchannels. A method of making a fuel cell according to one embodiment includes forming an array of walls defining microchannels therebetween using at least one of molding, stamping, extrusion, injection and electrodeposition; processing the walls to make the walls porous, thereby creating a porous electrolyte support structure; forming anode electrodes along some of the microchannels; and forming cathode electrodes along other of the microchannels. Additional embodiments are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2010Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventors: Jeffrey D. Morse, Ravindra S. Upadhye, Christopher M. Spadaccini, Hyung Gyu Park
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Patent number: 8057988Abstract: A microreactor comprising a silicon wafer, a multiplicity of microchannels in the silicon wafer, and a catalyst coating the microchannels. In one embodiment the catalyst coating the microchannels comprises a nanostructured material. In another embodiment the catalyst coating the microchannels comprises an aerogel. In another embodiment the catalyst coating the microchannels comprises a solgel. In another embodiment the catalyst coating the microchannels comprises carbon nanotubes.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2010Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventors: Jeffrey D. Morse, David A. Sopchak, Ravindra S. Upadhye, John G. Reynolds, Joseph H. Satcher, Alex E. Gash
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Patent number: 7993785Abstract: Described herein is a means to incorporate catalytic materials into the fuel flow field structures of MEMS-based fuel cells, which enable catalytic reforming of a hydrocarbon based fuel, such as methane, methanol, or butane. Methods of fabrication are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2003Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventors: Alan F. Jankowski, Jeffrey D. Morse, Ravindra S. Upadhye, Mark A. Havstad
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Publication number: 20110053018Abstract: A fuel cell according to one embodiment includes a porous electrolyte support structure defining an array of microchannels, the microchannels including fuel and oxidant microchannels; fuel electrodes formed along some of the microchannels; and oxidant electrodes formed along other of the microchannels. A method of making a fuel cell according to one embodiment includes forming an array of walls defining microchannels therebetween using at least one of molding, stamping, extrusion, injection and electrodeposition; processing the walls to make the walls porous, thereby creating a porous electrolyte support structure; forming anode electrodes along some of the microchannels; and forming cathode electrodes along other of the microchannels. Additional embodiments are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2010Publication date: March 3, 2011Inventors: Jeffrey D. Morse, Ravindra S. Upadhye, Christopher M. Spadaccini, Hyung Gyu Park
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Publication number: 20100323278Abstract: A phosphoric acid fuel cell according to one embodiment includes an array of microchannels defined by a porous electrolyte support structure extending between bottom and upper support layers, the microchannels including fuel and oxidant microchannels; fuel electrodes formed along some of the microchannels; and air electrodes formed along other of the microchannels. A method of making a phosphoric acid fuel cell according to one embodiment includes etching an array of microchannels in a substrate, thereby forming walls between the microchannels; processing the walls to make the walls porous, thereby forming a porous electrolyte support structure; forming anode electrodes along some of the walls; forming cathode electrodes along other of the walls; and filling the porous electrolyte support structure with a phosphoric acid electrolyte. Additional embodiments are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2010Publication date: December 23, 2010Inventors: David A. Sopchak, Jeffrey D. Morse, Ravindra S. Upadhye, Jack Kotovsky, Robert T. Graff
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Patent number: 7855018Abstract: A phosphoric acid fuel cell system comprising a porous electrolyte support, a phosphoric acid electrolyte in the porous electrolyte support, a cathode electrode contacting the phosphoric acid electrolyte, and an anode electrode contacting the phosphoric acid electrolyte.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2010Date of Patent: December 21, 2010Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventors: David A. Sopchak, Jeffrey D. Morse, Ravindra S. Upadhye, Jack Kotovsky, Robert T. Graff
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Publication number: 20100273090Abstract: A phosphoric acid fuel cell system comprising a porous electrolyte support, a phosphoric acid electrolyte in the porous electrolyte support, a cathode electrode contacting the phosphoric acid electrolyte, and an anode electrode contacting the phosphoric acid electrolyte.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2010Publication date: October 28, 2010Inventors: David A. Sopchak, Jeffrey D. Morse, Ravindra S. Upadhye, Jack Kotovsky, Robert T. Graff
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Publication number: 20100221667Abstract: A microreactor comprising a silicon wafer, a multiplicity of microchannels in the silicon wafer, and a catalyst coating the microchannels. In one embodiment the catalyst coating the microchannels comprises a nanostructured material. In another embodiment the catalyst coating the microchannels comprises an aerogel. In another embodiment the catalyst coating the microchannels comprises a solgel. In another embodiment the catalyst coating the microchannels comprises carbon nanotubes.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2010Publication date: September 2, 2010Inventors: Jeffrey D. Morse, David A. Sopchak, Ravindra S. Upadhye, John G. Reynolds, Joseph H. Satcher, Alex E. Gash
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Patent number: 7776479Abstract: A phosphoric acid fuel cell system comprising a porous electrolyte support, a phosphoric acid electrolyte in the porous electrolyte support, a cathode electrode contacting the phosphoric acid electrolyte, and an anode electrode contacting the phosphoric acid electrolyte.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2005Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventors: David A. Sopchak, Jeffrey D. Morse, Ravindra S. Upadhye, Jack Kotovsky, Robert T. Graff
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Patent number: 7744830Abstract: A microreactor comprising a silicon wafer, a multiplicity of microchannels in the silicon wafer, and a catalyst coating the microchannels. In one embodiment the catalyst coating the microchannels comprises a nanostructured material. In another embodiment the catalyst coating the microchannels comprises an aerogel. In another embodiment the catalyst coating the microchannels comprises a solgel. In another embodiment the catalyst coating the microchannels comprises carbon nanotubes.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2005Date of Patent: June 29, 2010Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLCInventors: Jeffrey D. Morse, David A. Sopchak, Ravindra S. Upadhye, John G. Reynolds, Joseph H. Satcher, Alex E. Gash
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Patent number: 7431084Abstract: A system of obtaining hydrogen from a coal seam by providing a production well that extends into the coal seam; positioning a conduit in the production well leaving an annulus between the conduit and the coal gasification production well, the conduit having a wall; closing the annulus at the lower end to seal it from the coal gasification cavity and the syngas; providing at least a portion of the wall with a bifunctional membrane that serves the dual purpose of providing a catalyzing reaction and selectively allowing hydrogen to pass through the wall and into the annulus; and producing the hydrogen through the annulus.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2006Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventor: Ravindra S. Upadhye
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Publication number: 20040072039Abstract: Described herein is a means to incorporate catalytic materials into the fuel flow field structures of MEMS-based fuel cells, which enable catalytic reforming of a hydrocarbon based fuel, such as methane, methanol, or butane. Methods of fabrication are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2003Publication date: April 15, 2004Applicant: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Alan F. Jankowski, Jeffrey D. Morse, Ravindra S. Upadhye, Mark A. Havstad
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Patent number: 5545800Abstract: A reduction method is provided for the treatment of arsenic-containing organic compounds with simultaneous recovery of pure arsenic. Arsenic-containing organic compounds include pesticides, herbicides, and chemical warfare agents such as Lewisite. The arsenic-containing compound is decomposed using a reducing agent. Arsine gas may be formed directly by using a hydrogen-rich reducing agent, or a metal arsenide may be formed using a pure metal reducing agent. In the latter case, the arsenide is reacted with an acid to form arsine gas. In either case, the arsine gas is then reduced to elemental arsenic.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 1994Date of Patent: August 13, 1996Assignee: Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Ravindra S. Upadhye, Francis T. Wang
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Patent number: 5491280Abstract: An injector nozzle has been designed for safely injecting energetic waste materials, such as high explosives, propellants, and rocket fuels, into a molten salt reactor in a molten salt destruction process without premature detonation or back burn in the injection system. The energetic waste material is typically diluted to form a fluid fuel mixture that is injected rapidly into the reactor. A carrier gas used in the nozzle serves as a carrier for the fuel mixture, and further dilutes the energetic material and increases its injection velocity into the reactor. The injector nozzle is cooled to keep the fuel mixture below the decomposition temperature to prevent spontaneous detonation of the explosive materials before contact with the high-temperature molten salt bath.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1993Date of Patent: February 13, 1996Assignee: Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: William A. Brummond, Ravindra S. Upadhye
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Patent number: 5434335Abstract: A molten salt destruction process is used to treat and destroy energetic waste materials such as high explosives, propellants, and rocket fuels. The energetic material is pre-blended with a solid or fluid diluent in safe proportions to form a fluid fuel mixture. The fuel mixture is rapidly introduced into a high temperature molten salt bath. A stream of molten salt is removed from the vessel and may be recycled as diluent. Additionally, the molten salt stream may be pumped from the reactor, circulated outside the reactor for further processing, and delivered back into the reactor or cooled and circulated to the feed delivery system to further dilute the fuel mixture entering the reactor.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 1993Date of Patent: July 18, 1995Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: William A. Brummond, Ravindra S. Upadhye, Cesar O. Pruneda
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Patent number: 5227239Abstract: A method is described for making hollow aerogel microspheres of 800-1200 .mu. diameter and 100-300 .mu. wall thickness by forming hollow alcogel microspheres during the sol/gel process in a catalytic atmosphere and capturing them on a foam surface containing catalyst. Supercritical drying of the formed hollow alcogel microspheres yields hollow aerogel microspheres which are suitable for ICF targets.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1990Date of Patent: July 13, 1993Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventors: Ravindra S. Upadhye, Sten A. Henning