Patents by Inventor Rick Winter

Rick Winter 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: 8415042
    Abstract: A metal halogen electrochemical energy cell system that generates an electrical potential. One embodiment of the system includes at least one cell including at least one positive electrode and at least one negative electrode, at least one electrolyte, a mixing venturi that mixes the electrolyte with a halogen reactant, and a circulation pump that conveys the electrolyte mixed with the halogen reactant through the positive electrode and across the metal electrode. Preferably, the positive electrode comprises porous carbonaceous material, the negative electrode comprises zinc, the metal comprises zinc, the halogen comprises chlorine, the electrolyte comprises an aqueous zinc-chloride electrolyte, and the halogen reactant comprises a chlorine reactant. Also, variations of the system and a method of operation for the systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Primus Power Corporation
    Inventor: Rick Winter
  • Patent number: 8415039
    Abstract: An apparatus including at least one electrochemical flow cell in which the electrochemical flow cell includes an anode electrode, a cathode electrode and a reaction zone between the anode and the cathode. The electrochemical flow cell also includes an electrolyte storage reservoir configured to hold a molten salt electrolyte and a gas generated during charging of the at least one electrochemical flow cell and at least one conduit configured to supply the molten salt electrolyte and the gas from the storage reservoir to the at least one electrochemical flow cell. The electrochemical flow cell also includes at least one pump configured to pump the molten salt electrolyte from the storage reservoir to the reaction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Primus Power Corporation
    Inventors: Gerardo Jose la O', Rick Winter
  • Publication number: 20130045399
    Abstract: An embodiment relates an electrochemical system. The system includes (a) at least one cell that comprises a first electrode, a second electrode and a reaction zone between the first and second electrode. The system also includes (b) a liquefied halogen reactant (c) at least one metal halide electrolyte and (d) a flow circuit configured to deliver the halogen reactant and the at least one metal-halide electrolyte to the at least one cell. The flow circuit includes an electrolyte reservoir and a halogen reactant/electrolyte separation device comprising a halophilic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: Primus Power Corporation
    Inventors: Russell Cole, Gerardo Jose La O', Rick Winter
  • Publication number: 20130029185
    Abstract: An electrochemical system, such as a flow battery, includes a vessel. The vessel contains at least one cell that includes a first electrode, a second electrode and a reaction zone between the first and second electrodes. The vessel also contains a flow circuit configured to deliver a fluid comprising a liquefied halogen reactant and at least one metal halide electrolyte to the at least one cell, and at least one sensor configured to measure a property of the electrochemical system indicative of a state of charge (SOC) of the electrochemical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: Primus Power Corporation
    Inventors: David Ridley, Jonathan L. Hall, Gerardo Jose Ia O', Rick Winter, Thomas Stepien
  • Patent number: 8349477
    Abstract: A leak detection sensor for detecting a leakage of an electrolyte solution in a flow battery system is provided. The sensor includes a sensor housing, the sensor housing being at least partially surrounded by a fluid and having mounted therein at least one light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Deeya Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Gopalakrishnan R. Parakulam, Saroj Kumar Sahu, Rick Winter
  • Publication number: 20120328910
    Abstract: A flow battery and method of operating a flow battery. The flow battery includes a first electrode, a second electrode and a reaction zone located between the first electrode and the second electrode. The flow battery is configured with a first electrolyte flow configuration in charge mode and a second flow configuration in discharge mode. The first electrolyte flow configuration is at least partially different from the second electrolyte flow configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: Primus Power Corporation
    Inventors: Gerardo Jose la O', Rick Winter, Jonathan L. Hall, Pallavi Pharkya, Paul Kreiner, Russell Cole
  • Publication number: 20120282501
    Abstract: A flow battery electrode assembly including a first impermeable, substantially metal electrode consisting essentially of a metal and a second permeable electrode. The assembly also includes at least one electrically conductive spacer connecting the first impermeable, substantially metal electrode and the second permeable electrode such that the first impermeable, substantially metal electrode and the second permeable electrode are spaced apart from each other by an electrolyte flow path. At least one electrically conductive spacer includes a plurality of electrically conductive spacers which mechanically and electrically connect adjacent first impermeable, substantially metal and second permeable electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: Primus Power Corporation
    Inventors: Kyle Haynes, Paul Kreiner, Jonathan L. Hall, Brad Kell, Rick Winter
  • Publication number: 20120280820
    Abstract: A leak detection system for a flowing electrolyte battery comprising a containment member associated with at least one of a stack of a flowing electrolyte battery and an electrolyte reservoir of a flowing electrolyte battery and a sensing member for sensing a fluid leak within the containment member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventor: Rick Winter
  • Patent number: 8273472
    Abstract: An electrochemical energy generation system includes plural electrochemical cells connected electrically in series that utilize a common electrolyte that can be delivered to each of the cells and/or collected from each of the cells using one or more manifolds. The system provides a possibility for reducing shunt currents by applying a shunt-current minimizing voltage to terminals of the manifolds from the terminal electrodes of the cells connected in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Primus Power Corporation
    Inventor: Rick Winter
  • Patent number: 8268480
    Abstract: An electrochemical energy generation system can include a sealed vessel that contains inside (i) at least one electrochemical cell, which has two electrodes and a reaction zone between them; (ii) a liquefied halogen reactant, such as a liquefied molecular chlorine; (iii) at least one metal halide electrolyte; and (iv) a flow circuit that can be used for delivering the halogen reactant and the electrolyte to the at least one cell. The sealed vessel can maintain an inside pressure above a liquefication pressure for the halogen reactant. Also disclosed are methods of using and methods of making for electrochemical energy generation systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Primus Power Corporation
    Inventor: Rick Winter
  • Publication number: 20120219832
    Abstract: An apparatus including at least one electrochemical flow cell in which the electrochemical flow cell includes an anode electrode, a cathode electrode and a reaction zone between the anode and the cathode. The electrochemical flow cell also includes an electrolyte storage reservoir configured to hold a molten salt electrolyte and a gas generated during charging of the at least one electrochemical flow cell and at least one conduit configured to supply the molten salt electrolyte and the gas from the storage reservoir to the at least one electrochemical flow cell. The electrochemical flow cell also includes at least one pump configured to pump the molten salt electrolyte from the storage reservoir to the reaction zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: Primus Power Corporation
    Inventors: Gerardo Jose la O', Rick Winter
  • Patent number: 8236445
    Abstract: An electrochemical energy generation system can include a sealed vessel that contains inside (i) at least one electrochemical cell, which has two electrodes and a reaction zone between them; (ii) a liquefied halogen reactant, such as a liquefied molecular chlorine; (iii) at least one metal halide electrolyte; and (iv) a flow circuit that can be used for delivering the halogen reactant and the electrolyte to the at least one cell. The sealed vessel can maintain an inside pressure above a liquefication pressure for the halogen reactant. Also disclosed are methods of using and methods of making for electrochemical energy generation systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Primus Power Corporation
    Inventor: Rick Winter
  • Patent number: 8222043
    Abstract: A leak detection system for a flowing electrolyte battery comprising a containment member associated with at least one of a stack of a flowing electrolyte battery and an electrolyte reservoir of a flowing electrolyte battery and a sensing member for sensing a fluid leak within the containment member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Premium Power Corporation
    Inventor: Rick Winter
  • Patent number: 8202641
    Abstract: A flow battery electrode assembly with a first impermeable, substantially metal electrode, a second permeable, substantially metal electrode and at least one electrically conductive spacer. The electrically conductive spacer connects the first impermeable, substantially metal electrode and the second permeable, substantially metal electrode such that the first impermeable, substantially metal electrode and the second permeable, substantially metal electrode are spaced apart from each other by an electrolyte flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Primus Power Corporation
    Inventors: Rick Winter, Brad Kell, Jonathan Hall, Gerardo Jose la O', Thomas Stepien
  • Publication number: 20120129021
    Abstract: An electrochemical energy generation system can include a sealed vessel that contains inside (i) at least one electrochemical cell, which has two electrodes and a reaction zone between them; (ii) a liquefied halogen reactant, such as a liquefied molecular chlorine; (iii) at least one metal halide electrolyte; and (iv) a flow circuit that can be used for delivering the halogen reactant and the electrolyte to the at least one cell. The sealed vessel can maintain an inside pressure above a liquefication pressure for the halogen reactant. Also disclosed are methods of using and methods of making for electrochemical energy generation systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: Primus Power Corporation
    Inventor: Rick Winter
  • Patent number: 8137831
    Abstract: A flow battery and method of operating a flow battery. The flow battery includes a first electrode, a second electrode and a reaction zone located between the first electrode and the second electrode. The flow battery is configured with a first electrolyte flow configuration in charge mode and a second flow configuration in discharge mode. The first electrolyte flow configuration is at least partially different from the second electrolyte flow configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Primus Power Corporation
    Inventors: Gerardo Jose la O', Rick Winter, Jonathan L. Hall, Pallavi Pharkya
  • Publication number: 20120058370
    Abstract: An electrochemical flow cell includes a permeable electrode, an impermeable electrode located adjacent to and spaced apart from the permeable electrode and a reaction zone electrolyte flow channel located between a first side of the permeable electrode and a first side of the impermeable electrode. The electrochemical flow cell also includes at least one electrolyte flow channel located adjacent to a second side of the permeable electrode, at least one central electrolyte flow conduit extending through a central portion of the permeable electrode and through a central portion of the impermeable electrode and at least one peripheral electrolyte flow inlet/outlet located in a peripheral portion of the electrochemical cell above or below the permeable electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: PRIMUS POWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brad Kell, Rick Winter, Jonathan Hall
  • Publication number: 20120052340
    Abstract: A flow battery and method of operating a flow battery. The flow battery includes a first electrode, a second electrode and a reaction zone located between the first electrode and the second electrode. The flow battery is configured with a first electrolyte flow configuration in charge mode and a second flow configuration in discharge mode. The first electrolyte flow configuration is at least partially different from the second electrolyte flow configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: Primus Power Corporation
    Inventors: Gerardo Jose la O', Rick Winter, Jonathan L. Hall, Pallavi Pharkya
  • Patent number: 8114541
    Abstract: An electrochemical energy generation system can include a sealed vessel that contains inside (i) at least one electrochemical cell, which has two electrodes and a reaction zone between them; (ii) a liquefied halogen reactant, such as a liquefied molecular chlorine; (iii) at least one metal halide electrolyte; and (iv) a flow circuit that can be used for delivering the halogen reactant and the electrolyte to the at least one cell. The sealed vessel can maintain an inside pressure above a liquefication pressure for the halogen reactant. Also disclosed are methods of using and methods of making for electrochemical energy generation systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Primus Power Corporation
    Inventor: Rick Winter
  • Publication number: 20120028096
    Abstract: An electrochemical energy generation system can include a sealed vessel that contains inside (i) at least one electrochemical cell, which has two electrodes and a reaction zone between them; (ii) a liquefied halogen reactant, such as a liquefied molecular chlorine; (iii) at least one metal halide electrolyte; and (iv) a flow circuit that can be used for delivering the halogen reactant and the electrolyte to the at least one cell. The sealed vessel can maintain an inside pressure above a liquefication pressure for the halogen reactant. Also disclosed are methods of using and methods of making for electrochemical energy generation systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventor: Rick Winter