Patents by Inventor Robert C. Thompson

Robert C. Thompson 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: 10637091
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack and a method of assembling a fuel cell stack includes compressing fuel cells along their stacking axis. A compression retention device made up of an enclosure may be used with one or more optional insertable shims to correct for any stack height variations. Significantly, the enclosure is formed to allow the stack to be loaded in compression by a press such that the cells that make up the stack are placed into and maintained in a substantially compressed state while the compression force is not imparted to the enclosure. By resolving any stack height variances while the cells of the stack are maintained in their substantially compressed state, assembly operations are simplified in that repeated compression and decompression of the stack is avoided while trying to ensure that the stack and enclosure are joined into their final assembly form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: David A. Martinchek, Robert C Thompson, Masaaki Sakano, Hiroyuki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10396370
    Abstract: A passive tortuous path drain for a directing fluid flow from an enclosure includes a drain body having a front face and a back face. The front face defines a curved trenched channel having a first curved channel end and a second curved channel end. The front face also defines a second trenched channel. The drain body defines at least one egress opening in fluid communication with the second trenched channel. The first curved channel end and a second curved channel end are in fluid communication with the second trenched channel. Characteristically, the drain is adapted to be positioned adjacent to a drain opening in an enclosure such that liquid flows from the drain opening to the curved trenched channel and then to the second trenched channel exiting through the egress opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: David A. Martinchek, Robert C. Thompson
  • Patent number: 10211477
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack assembly is provided which includes a first bipolar plate, a second bipolar plate, a sub-gasket, and a gas diffusion layer. The second bipolar plate may define a bypass channel with the first bipolar plate. The bypass channel includes at least one embossment formed therein. The gas diffusion layer may be disposed between the first bipolar plate and the second bipolar plate while the sub-gasket is sandwiched between metal bead seals formed in each of the first bipolar plate and the second bi-polar plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Matthew J. Beutel, Jeffrey D. Williams, Robert C. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20180342743
    Abstract: A passive tortuous path drain for a directing fluid flow from an enclosure includes a drain body having a front face and a back face. The front face defines a curved trenched channel having a first curved channel end and a second curved channel end. The front face also defines a second trenched channel. The drain body defines at least one egress opening in fluid communication with the second trenched channel. The first curved channel end and a second curved channel end are in fluid communication with the second trenched channel. Characteristically, the drain is adapted to be positioned adjacent to a drain opening in an enclosure such that liquid flows from the drain opening to the curved trenched channel and then to the second trenched channel exiting through the egress opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: DAVID A. MARTINCHEK, ROBERT C. THOMPSON
  • Publication number: 20180254503
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack and a method of assembling a fuel cell stack includes compressing fuel cells along their stacking axis. A compression retention device made up of an enclosure may be used with one or more optional insertable shims to correct for any stack height variations. Significantly, the enclosure is formed to allow the stack to be loaded in compression by a press such that the cells that make up the stack are placed into and maintained in a substantially compressed state while the compression force is not imparted to the enclosure. By resolving any stack height variances while the cells of the stack are maintained in their substantially compressed state, assembly operations are simplified in that repeated compression and decompression of the stack is avoided while trying to ensure that the stack and enclosure are joined into their final assembly form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Applicants: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: David A. Martinchek, Robert C Thompson, Masaaki Sakano, Hiroyuki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9997800
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack and a method of assembling a fuel cell stack includes compressing fuel cells along their stacking axis. A compression retention device made up of an enclosure may be used with one or more optional insertable shims to correct for any stack height variations. Significantly, the enclosure is formed to allow the stack to be loaded in compression by a press such that the cells that make up the stack are placed into and maintained in a substantially compressed state while the compression force is not imparted to the enclosure. By resolving any stack height variances while the cells of the stack are maintained in their substantially compressed state, assembly operations are simplified in that repeated compression and decompression of the stack is avoided while trying to ensure that the stack and enclosure are joined into their final assembly form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: David A. Martinchek, Robert C. Thompson, Masaaki Sakano, Hiroyuki Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20180048012
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack assembly is provided which includes a first bipolar plate, a second bipolar plate, a sub-gasket, and a gas diffusion layer. The second bipolar plate may define a bypass channel with the first bipolar plate. The bypass channel includes at least one embossment formed therein. The gas diffusion layer may be disposed between the first bipolar plate and the second bipolar plate while the sub-gasket is sandwiched between metal bead seals formed in each of the first bipolar plate and the second bi-polar plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Matthew J. Beutel, Jeffrey D. Williams, Robert C. Thompson
  • Patent number: 9627705
    Abstract: A system and method for aligning and reducing the relative movement between adjacent fuel cells within a fuel cell stack. The inter-cell cooperation between fuel cells along a stacking dimension is enhanced by one or more datum placed along the edge of a bipolar plate that makes up a part of a cell-containing assembly. The datum is shaped along a thickness that substantially coincides with the cell stacking dimension to avoid shifting between adjacently-stacked cells that may otherwise arise out of the occurrence of a significant acceleration along the dimension that defines the major surfaces of the plates, cells and their respective assemblies. By having the datum be integrally formed with numerous stacked cells, the need to affix individual tabs each plate is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: David A. Martinchek, Robert C. Thompson
  • Patent number: 9590263
    Abstract: A system and method for aligning and reducing the relative movement between adjacent fuel cells within a fuel cell stack. The inter-cell cooperation between fuel cells along a stacking dimension is enhanced by one or more datum placed along the edge of a bipolar plate that makes up a part of a cell-containing assembly. The datum is shaped along a thickness dimension that substantially coincides with the cell stacking dimension to promote a nested fit with a comparable datum on an adjacently-stacked bipolar plate. This nesting facilitates an interference fit that enhances the resistance to sliding movement between respective cells that may otherwise arise out of the occurrence of a significant acceleration along the dimension that defines the major surfaces of the plates, cells and their respective assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: David A. Martinchek, Robert C. Thompson, Martin Heinzmann
  • Publication number: 20160285124
    Abstract: A system and method for aligning and reducing the relative movement between adjacent fuel cells within a fuel cell stack. The inter-cell cooperation between fuel cells along a stacking dimension is enhanced by one or more datum placed along the edge of a bipolar plate that makes up a part of a cell-containing assembly. The datum is shaped along a thickness that substantially coincides with the cell stacking dimension to avoid shifting between adjacently-stacked cells that may otherwise arise out of the occurrence of a significant acceleration along the dimension that defines the major surfaces of the plates, cells and their respective assemblies. By having the datum be integrally formed with numerous stacked cells, the need to affix individual tabs each plate is avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: David A. Martinchek, Robert C. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20160072145
    Abstract: A system and method for aligning and reducing the relative movement between adjacent fuel cells within a fuel cell stack. The inter-cell cooperation between fuel cells along a stacking dimension is enhanced by one or more datum placed along the edge of a bipolar plate that makes up a part of a cell-containing assembly. The datum is shaped along a thickness dimension that substantially coincides with the cell stacking dimension to promote a nested fit with a comparable datum on an adjacently-stacked bipolar plate. This nesting facilitates an interference fit that enhances the resistance to sliding movement between respective cells that may otherwise arise out of the occurrence of a significant acceleration along the dimension that defines the major surfaces of the plates, cells and their respective assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: David A. Martinchek, Robert C. Thompson, Martin Heinzmann
  • Publication number: 20160013508
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack and a method of assembling a fuel cell stack includes compressing fuel cells along their stacking axis. A compression retention device made up of an enclosure may be used with one or more optional insertable shims to correct for any stack height variations. Significantly, the enclosure is formed to allow the stack to be loaded in compression by a press such that the cells that make up the stack are placed into and maintained in a substantially compressed state while the compression force is not imparted to the enclosure. By resolving any stack height variances while the cells of the stack are maintained in their substantially compressed state, assembly operations are simplified in that repeated compression and decompression of the stack is avoided while trying to ensure that the stack and enclosure are joined into their final assembly form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: David A. Martinchek, Robert C. Thompson, Masaaki Sakano, Hiroyuki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9141650
    Abstract: A computer-based method for generating multi-generational relationships within a relational model. The method includes applying, with a processing device, a filter to parent node data and child node data in the relational model, the relational model stored in a computer memory, adding filtered data to a database within a computer memory via instructions executed by the processing device, the filtered data including relational model data that passed through the filter, and applying, through instructions executed by the processing device, a parent node selection process to every child node in the filtered data that is associated with a parent node record not conforming to the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Eric L. Nicks, Steven M. Gunther, James Michael Cress, Jr., Robert C. Thompson
  • Patent number: 8415298
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for diagnosing mental disorders. The invention also provides methods of identifying modulators of mental disorders as well as methods of using these modulators to treat patients suffering from mental disorders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University of Stanford
    Inventors: Huda Akil, William E. Bunney, Jr., Prabhakara V. Choudary, Simon J. Evans, Edward G. Jones, Jun Li, Juan F. Lopez, David M. Lyons, Margherita Molnar, Richard M. Myers, Alan F. Schatzberg, Richard Stein, Robert C. Thompson, Hiroaki Tomita, Marquis P. Vawter, Stanley J. Watson
  • Publication number: 20110224144
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for diagnosing mental disorders (e.g., psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia). The invention also provides methods of identifying modulators of such mental disorders as well as methods of using these modulators to treat patients suffering from such mental disorders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Huda Akil, Mary Atz, William E. Bunney, JR., Prabhakara V. Choudary, Simon J. Evans, Edward G. Jones, Jun Li, Juan F. Lopez, Richard Myers, Robert C. Thompson, Hiroaki Tomita, Marquis P. Vawter, Stanley Watson
  • Publication number: 20110014610
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for diagnosing mental disorders (e.g., psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia and mood disorders such as major depression disorder and bipolar disorder). The invention also provides methods of identifying modulators of such mental disorders as well as methods of using these modulators to treat patients suffering from such mental disorders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Huda Akil, Mary Atz, William E. Bunney, JR., William Byerley, Kathleen Casey, Prabhakara V. Choudary, Simon J. Evans, Edward G. Jones, Jun Li, Juan F. Lopez, Richard M. Myers, Brandi Rollins, Robert C. Thompson, Hiroaki Tomita, Marquis P. Vawter, Stanley J. Watson
  • Patent number: 7687235
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for diagnosing mental disorders (e.g., psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia and mood disorders such as major depression disorder and bipolar disorder). The invention also provides methods of identifying modulators of such mental disorders as well as methods of using these modulators to treat patients suffering from such mental disorders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Huda Akil, Mary Atz, William E. Bunney, Jr., William Byerley, Kathleen Casey, Prabhakara V. Choudary, Simon J. Evans, Edward G. Jones, Jun Li, Juan F. Lopez, Richard M. Myers, Brandi Rollins, Robert C. Thompson, Hiroaki Tomita, Marquis P. Vawter, Stanley J. Watson
  • Patent number: 7597258
    Abstract: A system is provided for improved elections which may separate the identity of the voter from the content of the vote she casts. The system may be implemented using electronic or other communication methods. Separate entities may be used to implement the system, with one entity acting as a member services system, and another entity acting as an election services system. The member services system may control voter information for all members of a group eligible to vote in a specific election. The election services system may control the voting process, including receiving votes from members, without having access to the voter information controlled by the member services system. The two entities might be configured so that no single person or organization may connect the voter information to a particular vote. This separation of voter information from information in the members' votes may comply with various government regulations relating to elections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: CCComplete, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald B. Feldkamp, G. Scott Scholler, Michael J. Baum, Robert C. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20090233842
    Abstract: The present application relates to the treatment and diagnosis of mood disorders, including bipolar disorder, major depression disorder and schizophrenia. The invention provides novel diagnostic markers and assays, as well as research tools for the development and discovery of agents and compounds which are useful for treating patients who suffer from mental illness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: Prtzker Neuropsychiatric Research Fund LLC
    Inventors: Huda Akil, Stanley J. Watson, Simon J. Evans, Cortney Turner, Rene Bernard, Ilan Kerman, Robert C. Thompson, Margit Burmeister, Laura J. Scott, Fan Meng, Michael Boehnke, William E. Bunney, JR., Marquis P. Vawter, Edward G. Jones, Prabhakara V. Choudary, Richard M. Myers, Alan F. Schatzberg, Jun Li, Devin Absher, Hiroaki Tomita
  • Publication number: 20090117565
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for diagnosing mental disorders such as mood disorders, including bipolar disorder I and II and major depression; The invention also provides methods of identifying modulators of such mental disorders as well as methods of using these modulators to treat patients suffering from such mental disorders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Huda Akil, William E. Bunney, JR., Prabhakara V. Choudary, Simon J. Evans, Edward G. Jones, Jun Li, Juan F. Lopez, Robert C. Thompson, Richard Myers, Hiroaki Tomita, Marquis P. Vawter, Stanley Watson