Patents by Inventor Roger Van Boeyen
Roger Van Boeyen 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: 11749814Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a pair of bipolar plates and a membrane electrode assembly between the bipolar plates. The membrane electrode assembly comprises an anode compartment, a cathode compartment, and a proton exchange membrane disposed therebetween. The cell further includes a sealing surface formed in one of the pair of bipolar plates and a gasket located between the sealing surface and the proton exchange membrane. The gasket is configured to plastically deform to create a seal about one of the cathode compartment or the anode compartment. The sealing surface can include one or more protrusions.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2020Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Nuvera Fuel Cells, LLCInventors: Roger Van Boeyen, Edward Domit, Kevin Beverage, Scott Blanchet, John Stang
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Patent number: 11552319Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards the design of electrochemical cells for use in high pressure or high differential pressure operations. The electrochemical cells of the present disclosure have non-circular external pressure boundaries, i.e., the cells have non-circular profiles. In such cells, the internal fluid pressure during operation is balanced by the axial tensile forces developed in the bipolar plates, which prevent the external pressure boundaries of the cells from flexing or deforming. That is, the bipolar plates are configured to function as tension members during operation of the cells. To function as an effective tension member, the thickness of a particular bipolar plate is determined based on the yield strength of the material selected for fabricating the bipolar plate, the internal fluid pressure in the flow structure adjacent to the bipolar plate, and the thickness of the adjacent flow structure.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2013Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: Nuvera Fuel Cells, LLCInventors: Scott Blanchet, Benjamin Lunt, Ed Domit, Kevin Beverage, Roger Van Boeyen, Wonseok Yoon
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Publication number: 20220037676Abstract: An undulating structure for use in a fuel cell includes a plurality of peaks and valleys. A method of making a structure for use in a fuel cell includes providing a mesh or screen sheet having one or more edges, forming the mesh or screen sheet into an undulating structure and treating one or more of the edges. A flow field for a fuel cell, comprising at least one metal mesh or screen, wherein the at least one metal mesh or screen includes a plurality of peaks and valleys. A fuel cell, comprising a first corrugated mesh or screen positioned within an anode of the fuel cell, a second corrugated mesh or screen positioned within a cathode of the fuel cell, and a membrane positioned between the first corrugated mesh or screen and the second corrugated mesh or screen.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2021Publication date: February 3, 2022Applicant: NUVERA FUEL CELLS, INCInventors: Scott BLANCHET, Roger VAN BOEYEN
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Patent number: 11105010Abstract: The design and method of fabrication of a three-dimensional, porous flow structure for use in a high differential pressure electrochemical cell is described. The flow structure is formed by compacting a highly porous metallic substrate and laminating at least one micro-porous material layer onto the compacted substrate. The flow structure provides void volume greater than about 55% and yield strength greater than about 12,000 psi. In one embodiment, the flow structure comprises a porosity gradient towards the electrolyte membrane, which helps in redistributing mechanical load from the electrolyte membrane throughout the structural elements of the open, porous flow structure, while simultaneously maintaining sufficient fluid permeability and electrical conductivity through the flow structure.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2019Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: Nuvera Fuel Cells, LLCInventors: Scott Blanchet, Roger Van Boeyen
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Publication number: 20210057764Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a pair of bipolar plates and a membrane electrode assembly between the bipolar plates. The membrane electrode assembly comprises an anode compartment, a cathode compartment, and a proton exchange membrane disposed therebetween. The cell further includes a sealing surface formed in one of the pair of bipolar plates and a gasket located between the sealing surface and the proton exchange membrane. The gasket is configured to plastically deform to create a seal about one of the cathode compartment or the anode compartment. The sealing surface can include one or more protrusions.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2020Publication date: February 25, 2021Applicant: NUVERA FUEL CELLS, INC.Inventors: Roger VAN BOEYEN, Edward DOMIT, Kevin BEVERAGE, Scott BLANCHET, John STANG
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Publication number: 20210050606Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a pair of bipolar plates and a membrane electrode assembly between the bipolar plates. The membrane electrode assembly comprises an anode compartment, a cathode compartment, and a proton exchange membrane disposed therebetween. The cell further includes a sealing surface formed in one of the pair of bipolar plates and a gasket located between the sealing surface and the proton exchange membrane. The gasket is configured to plastically deform to create a seal about one of the cathode compartment or the anode compartment. The sealing surface can include one or more protrusions.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2020Publication date: February 18, 2021Applicant: NUVERA FUEL CELLS, INC.Inventors: Roger Van Boeyen, Edward Domit, Kevin Beverage, Scott Blanchet, John Stang
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Patent number: 10847815Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a pair of bipolar plates and a membrane electrode assembly between the bipolar plates. The membrane electrode assembly comprises an anode compartment, a cathode compartment, and a proton exchange membrane disposed therebetween. The cell further includes a sealing surface formed in one of the pair of bipolar plates and a gasket located between the sealing surface and the proton exchange membrane. The gasket is configured to plastically deform to create a seal about one of the cathode compartment or the anode compartment. The sealing surface can include one or more protrusions.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2014Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Nuvera Fuel Cells, LLPInventors: Roger Van Boeyen, Edward Domit, Kevin Beverage, Scott Blanchet, John Stang
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Patent number: 10727501Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a bipolar plate of an electrochemical cell. The bipolar plate may have a frame and a base. The bipolar plate may also have a polymeric coating applied to at least one of the frame and the base. The present disclosure is also directed to a method of assembling a bipolar plate for an electrochemical cell. The method may include compressing a frame and a base of the bipolar plate, at least one of the frame and the base has a polymeric coating. The polymeric coating may be an electrical insulator for the electrochemical cell, a seal for sealing one or more zones of the electrochemical cell, and a corrosion protection later of the electrochemical cell.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2019Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: Nuvera Fuel Cells, LLPInventor: Roger Van Boeyen
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Publication number: 20190341629Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a bipolar plate of an electrochemical cell. The bipolar plate may have a frame and a base. The bipolar plate may also have a polymeric coating applied to at least one of the frame and the base. The present disclosure is also directed to a method of assembling a bipolar plate for an electrochemical cell. The method may include compressing a frame and a base of the bipolar plate, at least one of the frame and the base has a polymeric coating. The polymeric coating may be an electrical insulator for the electrochemical cell, a seal for sealing one or more zones of the electrochemical cell, and a corrosion protection later of the electrochemical cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2019Publication date: November 7, 2019Applicant: Nuvera Fuel Cells , LLCInventor: Roger Van Boeyen
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Patent number: 10468691Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards the design of bipolar plates for use in conduction-cooled electrochemical cells. Heat generated during the operation of the cell is removed from the active area of the cell to the periphery of the cell via the one or more bipolar plates in the cell. The one or more bipolar plates are configured to function as heat sinks to collect heat from the active area of the cell and to conduct the heat to the periphery of the plate where the heat is removed by traditional heat transfer means. The boundary of the one or more bipolar plates can be provided with heat dissipation structures to facilitate removal of heat from the plates. To function as effective heat sinks, the thickness of the one or more bipolar plates can be determined based on the rate of heat generation in the cell during operation, the thermal conductivity (âkâ) of the material selected to form the plate, and the desired temperature gradient in a direction orthogonal to the plate (â?Tâ).Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2016Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: Nuvera Fuel Cells, LLCInventors: Scott Blanchet, Benjamin Lunt, Edward Domit, Roger Van Boeyen
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Patent number: 10396366Abstract: The present disclosure is direct to a bipolar plate of an electrochemical cell. The bipolar plate may have a frame and a base. The bipolar plate may also have a polymeric coating applied to at least one of the frame and the base. The present disclosure is also directed to a method of assembling a bipolar plate for an electrochemical cell. The method may include compressing a frame and a base of the bipolar plate, at least one of the frame and the base has a polymeric coating. The polymeric coating may be an electrical insulator for the electrochemical cell, a seal for sealing one or more zones of the electrochemical cell, and a corrosion protection later of the electrochemical cell.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2016Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: Nuvera Fuel Cells, LLCInventor: Roger Van Boeyen
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Publication number: 20190242021Abstract: The design and method of fabrication of a three-dimensional, porous flow structure for use in a high differential pressure electrochemical cell is described. The flow structure is formed by compacting a highly porous metallic substrate and laminating at least one micro-porous material layer onto the compacted substrate. The flow structure provides void volume greater than about 55% and yield strength greater than about 12,000 psi. In one embodiment, the flow structure comprises a porosity gradient towards the electrolyte membrane, which helps in redistributing mechanical load from the electrolyte membrane throughout the structural elements of the open, porous flow structure, while simultaneously maintaining sufficient fluid permeability and electrical conductivity through the flow structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2019Publication date: August 8, 2019Applicant: Nuvera Fuel Cells, LLCInventors: Scott Blanchet, Roger Van Boeyen
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Patent number: 10287695Abstract: The design and method of fabrication of a three-dimensional, porous flow structure for use in a high differential pressure electrochemical cell is described. The flow structure is formed by compacting a highly porous metallic substrate and laminating at least one micro-porous material layer onto the compacted substrate. The flow structure provides void volume greater than about 55% and yield strength greater than about 12,000 psi. In one embodiment, the flow structure comprises a porosity gradient towards the electrolyte membrane, which helps in redistributing mechanical load from the electrolyte membrane throughout the structural elements of the open, porous flow structure, while simultaneously maintaining sufficient fluid permeability and electrical conductivity through the flow structure.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2013Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: Nuvera Fuel Cells, LLCInventors: Scott Blanchet, Roger Van Boeyen
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Patent number: 10273588Abstract: A method of sealing a multi-component bipolar plate is disclosed. The method may include inserting a first seal between a first component and a second component, wherein the first seal is aligned with a first plurality of protrusions formed on a surface of at least one of the first component and the second component. The method may also include compressing the first component and the second component to cause the penetration of the first plurality of protrusions into the first seal. The method may further include plastically deforming the first seal in order to create a first sealing surface between the first component and the second component.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2015Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: Nuvera fuel Cells, LLCInventors: Edward Domit, Scott Blanchet, Roger Van Boeyen, Kevin Beverage
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Patent number: 10141585Abstract: A bipolar plate assembly is provided. The bipolar plate assembly may have a first seal assembly including a first high pressure seal, a second high pressure seal, and an insert plate disposed between the first high pressure seal and the second high pressure seal. The insert plate may have a plurality of ridges formed on an upper surface and a lower surface of the insert plate configured to penetrate into the first high pressure seal and the second high pressure seal when the first high pressure seal and the second high pressure seal are pressed onto the insert plate, thereby forming the seal assembly. The bipolar plate assembly may also have a frame and a base configured to be joined to form a bipolar plate and define a high pressure zone. The seal assembly when installed in the bipolar plate may be configured to seal the high pressure zone.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2016Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: Nuvera Fuels Cells, LLCInventors: Kevin Beverage, Ed Domit, Roger Van Boeyen
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Patent number: 10000856Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a pair of bipolar plates and a membrane electrode assembly between the bipolar plates. The electrochemical cell further includes a first seal defining a high pressure zone, wherein the first seal is located between the bipolar plates and configured to contain a first fluid within the high pressure zone. Further, the electrochemical cell includes a second seal defining an intermediate pressure zone, wherein the second seal is located between the bipolar plates and configured to contain a second fluid within the intermediate pressure zone. The first seal is configured to leak the first fluid into the intermediate pressure zone when the first seal unseats.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2016Date of Patent: June 19, 2018Assignee: Nuvera Fuel Cells, LLCInventors: Ed Domit, Scott Blanchet, Roger Van Boeyen, Kevin Beverage
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Publication number: 20170107633Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a pair of bipolar plates and a membrane electrode assembly between the bipolar plates. The electrochemical cell further includes a first seal defining a high pressure zone, wherein the first seal is located between the bipolar plates and configured to contain a first fluid within the high pressure zone. Further, the electrochemical cell includes a second seal defining an intermediate pressure zone, wherein the second seal is located between the bipolar plates and configured to contain a second fluid within the intermediate pressure zone. The first seal is configured to leak the first fluid into the intermediate pressure zone when the first seal unseats.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2016Publication date: April 20, 2017Applicant: Nuvera Fuel Cells, LLCInventors: Ed Domit, Scott Blanchet, Roger Van Boeyen, Kevin Beverage
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Publication number: 20170092962Abstract: The present disclosure is direct to a bipolar plate of an electrochemical cell. The bipolar plate may have a frame and a base. The bipolar plate may also have a polymeric coating applied to at least one of the frame and the base. The present disclosure is also directed to a method of assembling a bipolar plate for an electrochemical cell. The method may include compressing a frame and a base of the bipolar plate, at least one of the frame and the base has a polymeric coating. The polymeric coating may be an electrical insulator for the electrochemical cell, a seal for sealing one or more zones of the electrochemical cell, and a corrosion protection later of the electrochemical cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2016Publication date: March 30, 2017Applicant: Nuvera Fuel Cells, LLCInventor: Roger Van Boeyen
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Publication number: 20170082097Abstract: Embodiments of present disclosure are directed to a bipolar plate assembly. The bipolar plate assembly has a frame and a base. At least one of the frame and the base has a shape of a force concentrator pattern or has a first surface having a force concentrator pattern, the force concentrator pattern including a raised surface extending partially across the first surface. A surface area of the force concentrator pattern across the length of the frame or base is generally constant, thereby producing a uniform compressive pressure along the length of the frame or base when the bipolar plate assembly is under compression.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2016Publication date: March 23, 2017Applicant: Nuvera Fuel Cells, LLCInventor: Roger Van Boeyen
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Publication number: 20170047596Abstract: A bipolar plate assembly is provided. The bipolar plate assembly may have a first seal assembly including a first high pressure seal, a second high pressure seal, and an insert plate disposed between the first high pressure seal and the second high pressure seal. The insert plate may have a plurality of ridges formed on an upper surface and a lower surface of the insert plate configured to penetrate into the first high pressure seal and the second high pressure seal when the first high pressure seal and the second high pressure seal are pressed onto the insert plate, thereby forming the seal assembly. The bipolar plate assembly may also have a frame and a base configured to be joined to form a bipolar plate and define a high pressure zone. The seal assembly when installed in the bipolar plate may be configured to seal the high pressure zone.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2016Publication date: February 16, 2017Applicant: Nuvera Fuel Cells, LLCInventors: Kevin Beverage, Ed Domit, Roger Van Boeyen