Patents by Inventor Robert Mason

Robert Mason 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).

  • Publication number: 20130157169
    Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly includes a membrane, an anode catalyst layer and a cathode catalyst layer. The anode catalyst layer is on a first side of the membrane and the cathode catalyst layer is on a second side of the membrane, wherein the second side of the membrane is opposite the first side of the membrane along a first axis. The cathode catalyst layer includes agglomerates formed of a catalyst support supporting catalyst particles, an agglomerate ionomer and an inter-agglomerate ionomer. The agglomerate ionomer surrounds the agglomerates and the inter-agglomerate ionomer is in regions between the agglomerates surrounded by the agglomerate ionomer. The agglomerate ionomer is different than the inter-agglomerate. Methods to produce the catalyst layer are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: UTC POWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas H. Madden, Robert Mason Darling, Michael L. Perry
  • Publication number: 20130149619
    Abstract: An example method of controlling fluid distribution within a fuel cell includes adjusting a flow of a reactant moving within a fuel cell to increase water within a portion of the fuel cell. Another example method of controlling fluid distribution within a fuel cell includes adjusting a flow of fuel entering a fuel cell, a velocity of air entering the fuel cell, or both, so that a first amount of water exiting the fuel cell in a fuel stream is about the same as a second amount of water exiting the fuel cell in an airstream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: UTC POWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vishal Onkarmal Mittal, Robert Mason Darling
  • Publication number: 20130101923
    Abstract: A method of assembly of a fuel cell plate includes forming channels in a body to provide a flow field. A porous media is inserted into the flow field. The fuel cell plate is a non-porous body including a side having the flow field providing a fluid flow path. The porous media is provided in the fluid flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: UTC POWER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Robert Mason Darling
  • Publication number: 20130034798
    Abstract: An example fuel cell device includes an electrode assembly having two gas diffusion layers (GDLs). One GDL is adjacent to the anode electrode and the other GDL is adjacent to the cathode electrode. Seals on the periphery of the GDLs are configured to block reactant gases from direct mixing within the GDLs. Sealing the perimeter of the GDLs blocks liquid-water flow from exiting the gas diffusion layer. The disclosed example provides an opening in the seal near a fluid exit area of the fuel cell that provides a path for communicating water from the active area through a perimeter portion of the GDL. An example method of managing fluid in a fuel cell includes providing an opening in a perimeter seal of a GDL of the fuel cell. The method communicates a fluid through a channel in the plate and moves water through the opening using the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: UTC POWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ned E. Cipollini, Robert Mason Darling
  • Publication number: 20130011770
    Abstract: A fuel cell (10) device includes a plurality of channels (32, 34) that have at least one unrestricted inlet (33), a conduit for directing a flow having a distribution pattern (84) to the unrestricted inlet (33) and an opening (40) between the conduit (50) and the opening (40) for receiving the flow distribution pattern (84), the opening having such dimension (L, W) in which the distribution pattern tends to normalize within the opening so that flow to each of the unrestricted inlet (33) tends to normalize across said opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventors: Arun Pandy, Louis Chiappetta, JR., Robert Mason Darling, Mallika Gummalla
  • Publication number: 20120323343
    Abstract: A control system is disclosed. The control system may have a physical sensor configured to measure physical parameter values of a machine. The control system may also have a virtual sensor network system configured to receive the physical parameter values measured by the physical sensor as input parameter values, and generate output parameter values based on the input parameter values. Further, the control system may have an electronic control module configured to store an output parameter value default rate of change and an output parameter value threshold rate of change, compare a rate of change of the output parameter values generated by the virtual sensor network system to the output parameter value threshold rate of change, and control the machine based on the output parameter value default rate of change if the rate of change of the output parameter values exceeds the output parameter value threshold rate of change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventors: Anthony James GRICHNIK, Timothy Joe Felty, James Robert Mason
  • Publication number: 20120164559
    Abstract: A flow field plate for use in a fuel cell includes a non-porous plate body having a flow field that extends between first and second ends of the non-porous plate body. The flow field includes a plurality of channels having channel inlets and channel outlets, a fluid inlet portion that diverges from the first end to the channel inlets, and a fluid outlet portion that converges from the channel outlets to the second end. A fuel cell including the flow field plate includes an electrode assembly having an electrolyte between an anode catalyst and a cathode catalyst. The flow field of the flow field plate is side by side with the electrode assembly. A method of processing a flow field plate includes forming the flow field in a non-porous plate body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Robert Mason Darling, Eric J. O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20120015274
    Abstract: A flow field plate for use in a fuel cell includes a non-porous plate body having a flow field with a plurality of channels extending between a channel inlet end and a channel outlet end, a first flow distribution portion adjacent the channel inlet end for distributing a fluid to the plurality of channels, and a second flow distribution portion adjacent the channel outlet end for collecting the fluid from the plurality of channels. A first flow guide within the first flow distribution portion establishes a desired flow distribution to the plurality of channels, and a second flow guide within the second flow distribution portion establishes a desired flow distribution from the plurality of channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventor: Robert Mason Darling
  • Publication number: 20120009502
    Abstract: A flow field plate for use in a fuel cell includes a non-porous plate body having a flow field. The flow field includes a plurality of channels and a flow distribution portion adjacent an end of the plurality of channels for distributing fluid between a manifold and the channels. A flow guide within the flow distribution portion establishes a desired flow distribution between the manifold and the plurality of channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventors: Robert Mason Darling, Eric J. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 8086640
    Abstract: A method for modifying data coverage in a modeling system is disclosed. The method may include obtaining data records relating to a plurality of input variables and one or more output parameters and selecting a plurality of input parameters from the plurality of input variables. The method may further include evaluating a coverage of the data records in a modeling space and modifying the coverage of the data records, if a data coverage condition is detected. The method may also include generating a computational model indicative of interrelationships between the plurality of input parameters and the one or more output parameters based on the data records.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony James Grichnik, Michael Seskin, James Robert Mason
  • Patent number: 8076037
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes at least one fuel cell having a fuel inlet for directing a hydrogen fuel to the fuel cell to generate electric current; a sensor cell having an anode, a cathode and a membrane between the anode and the cathode, the anode being communicated with the fuel inlet to receive a portion of fuel from the fuel inlet, the sensor cell being connected across the stack to carry the electric current whereby hydrogen from the portion of fuel is electrochemically pumped to the cathode of the sensor cell; and a sensor communicated with the sensor cell to receive a signal corresponding to evolution of hydrogen from the anode to the cathode of the sensor cell and adapted to detect contaminants in the fuel based upon the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: UTC Power Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Perry, Timothy Patterson, Robert Mason Darling
  • Publication number: 20110207004
    Abstract: A flow field plate for use in a fuel cell includes a porous, wettable plate body including a first reactant gas channel having an inlet portion, a second reactant gas channel having an outlet portion that is adjacent the inlet portion of the first reactant gas channel, and at least one moisture reservoir fluidly connected with pores of the porous, wettable plate body. The at least one moisture reservoir can selectively collect and release moisture received from a reactant gas in the outlet portion to thereby selectively move the moisture from the outlet portion toward the adjacent inlet portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventors: Robert Mason Darling, Shampa Kandoi
  • Publication number: 20110191163
    Abstract: Among other things, publishers of digital content are enabled each to define, for each of one or more digital content items, a style in which the digital content item is to be presented to a user and a condition under which the user may have the digital content item presented. The digital content items are stored in a content library, the styles and conditions associated with the digital content items are stored in a server. Each of the digital content items is enabled to be presented to users within presentation contexts that are accessible to the users and controlled by presentation context providers. The presentation of the digital content items includes obtaining the digital content items from the server and controlling the presentation to occur under the conditions and in the styles defined by the publishers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: Brightcove, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Allaire, Robert Mason
  • Publication number: 20110166918
    Abstract: Among other things, publishers of digital content are enabled each to define, for each of one or more digital content items, a style in which the digital content item is to be presented to a user and a condition under which the user may have the digital content item presented. The digital content items are stored in a content library, the styles and conditions associated with the digital content items are stored in a server. Each of the digital content items is enabled to be presented to users within presentation contexts that are accessible to the users and controlled by presentation context providers. The presentation of the digital content items includes obtaining the digital content items from the server and controlling the presentation to occur under the conditions and in the styles defined by the publishers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: Brightcove, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy ALLAIRE, Robert MASON
  • Publication number: 20110111326
    Abstract: An exemplary fuel cell device includes an electrode assembly. A hydrophobic gas diffusion layer is on a first side of the electrode assembly. A first, solid, non-porous plate is adjacent the hydrophobic gas diffusion layer. A hydrophilic gas diffusion layer is on a second side of the electrode assembly. A second flow field plate is adjacent the hydrophilic gas diffusion layer. The second flow field plate has a porous portion facing the hydrophilic gas diffusion layer. The porous portion is configured to absorb liquid water from the electrode assembly when the fuel assembly device is shutdown.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: Paravastu Badrinarayanan, Timothy W. Patterson, Robert Mason Darlling
  • Patent number: 7925973
    Abstract: Among other things, publishers of digital content are enabled each to define, for each of one or more digital content items, a style in which the digital content item is to be presented to a user and a condition under which the user may have the digital content item presented. The digital content items are stored in a content library, the styles and conditions associated with the digital content items are stored in a server. Each of the digital content items is enabled to be presented to users within presentation contexts that are accessible to the users and controlled by presentation context providers. The presentation of the digital content items includes obtaining the digital content items from the server and controlling the presentation to occur under the conditions and in the styles defined by the publishers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Brightcove, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Allaire, Robert Mason
  • Publication number: 20110033758
    Abstract: A flow field plate for use in a fuel cell includes a porous, wettable plate body. A plurality of flow channels are arranged on the body such that an inlet portion of a first flow channel is adjacent an outlet portion of a second flow channel. Moisture from a fluid in the outlet portion of the second flow channel can move through the body of the porous, wettable plate from the outlet portion of the second flow channel toward the adjacent inlet portion of the first flow channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventor: Robert Mason Darling
  • Patent number: 7885403
    Abstract: A hand held communications device is provided. The device includes: a circuit board including electronic components; display coupled to the circuit board; a housing substantially surrounding the circuit board and electronic components, wherein the housing includes a base element covering a bottom side of the circuit board and electronic components and a housing element attached to the base element covering a top side of the circuit board and electronic components, wherein the housing element includes a display aperture with the display partially projecting therethrough; and a cover removably connected to the housing by a connection, wherein the cover and the base element substantially enclose the housing element therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Fuhrmann, Annett Ortscheid (nee Wilke), Dirk Umbach, Ricky William Barnett, Terence Johnson, Mark Robert Mason, Bruce Samuels, Tony Horne
  • Publication number: 20110020732
    Abstract: An exemplary flow field plate for use in a fuel cell includes a plurality of inlet flow channels. A plurality of outlet flow channels are also included. The flow channels are arranged such that at least two of the inlet flow channels are immediately adjacent each other on a first side of the two of the inlet flow channels. At least one of the outlet flow channels is immediately adjacent each of the two inlet flow channels on a second, opposite side of each of the two inlet flow channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventor: Robert Mason Darling
  • Publication number: 20110003217
    Abstract: An exemplary device for managing moisture content within a fuel cell includes a reactant distribution plate having a plurality of members that establish reactant flow channels that are open on at least one side of the plate. A wicking layer is against the one side of the plate. The wicking layer includes a first portion that is uninterrupted and covers over at least some of the channels. A second portion of the wicking layer extends along ends of at least some of the members such that sections of the channels coextensive with the second portion are open toward the one side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventors: Robert Mason Darling, Paravastu Badrinarayanan