Patents by Inventor Richard H. Blunk

Richard H. Blunk 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).

  • Patent number: 8247138
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides an electrically conductive fluid distribution plate and a method of making, and system for using, the electrically conductive fluid distribution plate. In at least one embodiment, the plate comprises an electrically conductive fluid distribution plate comprising a metallic plate body defining a set of fluid flow channels configured to distribute flow of a fluid across at least one side of the plate, a metal-containing adhesion promoting layer having a thickness less than 100 nm disposed on the plate body, and a composite polymeric conductive layer disposed on the metal-containing adhesion promoting layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Feng Zhong, Richard H. Blunk
  • Publication number: 20120189938
    Abstract: A method for forming a hydrolytically-stable hydrophilic coating on a fuel cell flow field plate comprises contacting a flow field plate with a titanium oxide sol to form a titanium oxide layer disposed upon the flow field plate. The coated flow field plate is subsequently contacted with a silicon oxide sol to form a silicon oxide/titanium oxide bilayer disposed upon the flow field plate. A flow field plate formed by the method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Richard H. Blunk
  • Patent number: 8133591
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electrically conductive element for an electrochemical cell element having enhanced protection for an underlying metal substrate with a surface susceptible to forming metal oxides. One or more regions of the surface are coated with a metal coating overlaid with an adhesion promoting coating comprising a silicon containing material derived from organosilanes. The adhesion promoting coating is overlaid with a conductive, protective polymeric coating. The present invention further provides methods of making such an electrochemical cell element to have improved adhesion of conductive, protective polymer coatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Inventors: Feng Zhong, Tao Xie, Richard H. Blunk, Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Brian K. Brady, Timothy J. Fuller
  • Publication number: 20120052207
    Abstract: Bipolar plates useful for fuel cell applications include a plate body having a channel-defining surface that is at least partially coated with a hydrophilic layer. This hydrophilic layer comprises residues of a silane-coupling agent in a sufficient amount such portions of the first hydrophilic layer have a contact angle less than a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicants: University of New Mexico, GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Richard H. Blunk, FENG ZHONG, Darren R. Dunphy
  • Patent number: 8105721
    Abstract: Methods and materials to improve water management in a fuel cell by microtexturing fuel cell elements, including the separator plate and/or the gas diffusion media. A method of manufacturing a fuel cell includes a separator plate and/or a gas diffusion media that are microtextured. Selective ablation of material and stamping can impart microtexturing, where the microtexturing facilitates water management in the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gayatri Vyas Dadheech, Richard H. Blunk, Thomas A. Trabold, Reena L. Datta, Keith E. Newman
  • Publication number: 20120021336
    Abstract: A hydrophobic composite bipolar plate for a fuel cell including a substrate having a composite material including carbon and a surface layer on the substrate. The surface layer includes silicon and oxygen, and a hydrocarbon moiety attached to at least one of the silicon or oxygen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Richard H. Blunk
  • Patent number: 8084164
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides an electrically conductive fluid distribution separator plate assembly, a method of making, and a system for using, the electrically conductive fluid distribution separator plate assembly. In at least one embodiment, the electrically conductive fluid distribution separator plate assembly comprises a metallic cathode plate having opposed surfaces and a first contact resistance, a polymeric composite anode plate adjacent to the metallic cathode plate, and a low contact resistance coating located on at least one of the surfaces of the plates, with the coating having a second contact resistance, less than the first contact resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Youssef M. Mikhail, Richard H. Blunk, John N. Owens, Daniel J. Lisi, Gayatri Vyas
  • Publication number: 20110311720
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides an electrically conductive fluid distribution plate and a method of making, and system for using, the electrically conductive fluid distribution plate. In at least one embodiment, the plate comprises an electrically conductive fluid distribution plate comprising a metallic plate body defining a set of fluid flow channels configured to distribute flow of a fluid across at least one side of the plate, a metal-containing adhesion promoting layer having a thickness less than 100 nm disposed on the plate body, and a composite polymeric conductive layer disposed on the metal-containing adhesion promoting layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Feng Zhong, Richard H. Blunk
  • Patent number: 8017280
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides an electrically conductive fluid distribution plate and a method of making, and system for using, the electrically conductive fluid distribution plate. In at least one embodiment, the plate comprises an electrically conductive fluid distribution plate comprising a metallic plate body defining a set of fluid flow channels configured to distribute flow of a fluid across at least one side of the plate, a metal-containing adhesion promoting layer having a thickness less than 100 nm disposed on the plate body, and a composite polymeric conductive layer disposed on the metal-containing adhesion promoting layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Feng Zhong, Richard H. Blunk
  • Publication number: 20110171564
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment includes a fuel cell bipolar plate having a reversible super hydrophilic-super hydrophobic coating over at least a portion thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Richard H. Blunk, Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid
  • Patent number: 7972449
    Abstract: A metal composite for use in electrochemical devices is disclosed. The metal composite comprises a stainless steel interior component and a deposited nitrided metal exterior layer, wherein the nitrided exterior layer has lower electric contact resistance and greater corrosion resistance than the stainless steel interior component. A bipolar plate made of such metal composite and methods of producing the metal composite and bipolar plate are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Youssef M. Mikhail, Gayatri Vyas Dadheech, Feng Zhong, Richard H. Blunk, Daniel J. Lisi
  • Patent number: 7955754
    Abstract: An enhanced stability and inexpensive bipolar plate for a fuel cell is disclosed. The enhanced stability bipolar plate includes a bipolar plate substrate and a corrosion-resistant coating provided on the bipolar plate substrate. A method for enhancing corrosion resistance of a bipolar plate is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Richard H. Blunk, Gayatri Vyas
  • Publication number: 20110104589
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides an electrically conductive fluid distribution separator plate assembly, a method of making, and a system for using, the electrically conductive fluid distribution separator plate assembly. In at least one embodiment, the electrically conductive fluid distribution separator plate assembly comprises a metallic cathode plate having opposed surfaces and a first contact resistance, a polymeric composite anode plate adjacent to the metallic cathode plate, and a low contact resistance coating located on at least one of the surfaces of the plates, with the coating having a second contact resistance, less than the first contact resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Youssef M. Mikhail, Richard H. Blunk, John N. Owens, Daniel J. Lisli, Gayatri Vyas
  • Patent number: 7883819
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides an electrically conductive fluid distribution separator plate assembly, a method of making, and a system for using, the electrically conductive fluid distribution separator plate assembly. In at least one embodiment, the electrically conductive fluid distribution separator plate assembly comprises a metallic cathode plate having opposed surfaces and a first contact resistance, a polymeric composite anode plate adjacent to the metallic cathode plate, and a low contact resistance coating located on at least one of the surfaces of the plates, with the coating having a second contact resistance, less-than the first contact resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technologies Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Youssef M. Mikhail, Richard H. Blunk, John N. Owens, Daniel J. Lisi, Gayatri Vyas
  • Publication number: 20110014548
    Abstract: A fuel cell comprises a bipolar plate having a conductive and hydrophilic surface layer disposed on at least a portion of its exterior area. The surface layer comprises a conductive carbon material having a hydrophilic organic group covalently attached to its surface. A process of producing a bipolar plate and a fuel cell is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Richard H. Blunk, Ping Liu, Sky Leigh Van Atta, Kevin W. Kirby
  • Publication number: 20100273094
    Abstract: A method of coating a surface of a fuel cell plate is disclosed herein, and involves forming a sol gel mixture by mixing a weak acid and a composition including at least two metal oxide precursors. One of the metal oxide precursors is configured to be hydrolyzed by the weak acid to form a mixed metal oxide framework with an other of the metal oxide precursors having at least one organic functional group that is not hydrolyzed by the weak acid. The mixture is applied to the surface, and is condensed by exposure to air at least one predetermined temperature and for a predetermined time. The sol gel mixture is immersed in water at a predetermined temperature and for a predetermined time to form a porous, hydrophilic, and conductive film on the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Wen Li, Ping Liu, Jennifer J. Zinck, Tina T. Salguero, Richard H. Blunk
  • Patent number: 7803499
    Abstract: A method for making a super-hydrophobic composite bipolar plate including providing a substrate comprising a composite material including carbon, and a surface layer on the substrate, and wherein the surface layer includes silicon and oxygen, and heating the substrate and surface layer to cause moieties including carbon from the substrate to diffuse outwardly through the surface layer so that the moiety is attached to one of the silicon or oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard H. Blunk
  • Publication number: 20100136462
    Abstract: An electrically conductive plate for fuel cell applications comprises a plate body having at least one channel-defining surface and an electrically conductive hydrophilic layer disposed over at least a portion of the channel-defining surface. The electrically conductive layer includes residues of a silane coupling agent and electrically conductive hydrophilic carbon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Richard H. Blunk, Feng Zhong, Tina T. Salguero, Kevin W. Kirby
  • Patent number: 7709116
    Abstract: A PEM fuel cell having a current collector comprising a polymer composite and a diffusion media engaging said polymer composite. The polymer composite has a hyperconductive surface layer engaging the diffusion media to reduce the contact resistance therebetween. The hyperconductive surface layer is formed by depositing or smearing an electrically-conductive material on the surface of the polymer composite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard H. Blunk, Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Daniel John Lisi, Youssef Morcos Mikhail
  • Patent number: 7709145
    Abstract: A bipolar plate having hydrophilic surfaces is disclosed. The bipolar plate includes multiple surfaces including channels having channel surfaces. A hydrophilic coating is provided on the surfaces to enhance the water management capabilties of a fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Gayatri Vyas, Yang-Tse Cheng, Richard H. Blunk