Patents by Inventor Rolf A. Brand

Rolf A. Brand 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: 7285192
    Abstract: A pressure electrolyzer having a pressure reservoir, an electrolytic cell block containing a number of electrolytic cells and positioned in the pressure reservoir, the electrolytic cells each containing anodes and cathodes, and an electrolyte circulatory system for supplying electrolyte to the anodes and cathodes. The circulatory system includes an oxygen separator operative to separate gaseous oxygen formed during operation of the pressure electrolyzer and a hydrogen separator operative to separate gaseous hydrogen formed during operation of the pressure electrolyzer, and a store of an inert gas, to inert the pressure electrolyzer when it is switched off. The store of inert gas is supplied to the oxygen separator. The electrolyte circulatory system further includes a connecting line arranged so that a part of the electrolyte can be pushed out of the hydrogen separator when the inert gas is applied to the oxygen separator so as to displace the gaseous hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: GHW Gesellschaft für Hochleistungselektrolyseure zur Wasserstofferzeugung mbH
    Inventors: Rolf A Brand, Oddmund Wallevik
  • Publication number: 20060049039
    Abstract: A pressure electrolyser having a pressure reservoir, an electrolytic cell block containing a number of electrolytic cells and positioned in the pressure reservoir, the electrolytic cells each containing anodes and cathodes, and an electrolyte circulatory system for supplying electrolyte to the anodes and cathodes. The circulatory system includes an oxygen separator operative to separate gaseous oxygen formed during operation of the pressure electrolyser and a hydrogen separator operative to separate gaseous hydrogen formed during operation of the pressure electrolyser, and a store of an inert gas, to inert the pressure electrolyser when it is switched off. The store of inert gas is supplied to the oxygen separator. The electrolyte circulatory system further includes a connecting line arranged so that a part of the electrolyte can be pushed out of the hydrogen separator when the inert gas is applied to the oxygen separator so as to displace the gaseous hydrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Publication date: March 9, 2006
    Inventors: Rolf Brand, Oddmund Wallevik
  • Publication number: 20050077174
    Abstract: The invention discloses a pressure electrolyzer comprising a pressure vessel (2) and an electrolytic-cell block (3) arranged in the pressure vessel (2) and containing a plurality of electrolytic cells (4) combined in the form of a stack. The electrolytic cells (4) in each case contain anodes (11) and cathodes (12), and an electrolyte-circuit system is provided for supplying an anolyte to the anodes (11) and for supplying a catholyte to the cathodes (12), and wherein the electrolytic-cell block (3) comprises a housing (5) which is sealed relative to the interior of the pressure vessel (2). The invention provides that the housing (5) of the electrolytic-cell block (3), together with the pressure vessel (2), forms at least two chambers (7, 8) separated from each other, which constitute a part of the electrolyte-circuit system and which are defined relative to the electrolytic cells (4) by the housing (5) and relative to the atmosphere by the pressure vessel (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2002
    Publication date: April 14, 2005
    Inventors: Rolf Brand, Pietro d'Erasmo, Hans Hofmann, Marko Raemisch
  • Patent number: 5384208
    Abstract: A cell structure for electrolyzer units and fuel cells, comprising an electrolyte-permeable diaphragm, one metallic, electrolyte-permeable electrode respectively on either side of the diaphragm, an electrically conductive bipolar cell partition respectively which bounds the cell, one electrically conductive structure respectively between the electrode and the cell partition which acts as an elastic spacer and current supply, and a frame construction which encloses the cell on the circumference side. The diaphragm is constructed as a flat plate, with layer-type electrodes resting directly on it and integrally connected with it. The cell partitions are constructed of sheet metal, if necessary, with spacers. The spaces between the electrodes and the cell partitions are at least partially filled with lamellar structures which are axially and perpendicularly fluid-permeable and rest against the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Deutsche Aerospace AG
    Inventors: Rolf A. Brand, Hans Hofmann, Jurgen Hildebrandt
  • Patent number: 4662582
    Abstract: In a lightweight aircraft having a principal longitudinal load-carrying member, a wing structure mounted on the load-carrying member, a tail rudder and elevator assembly mounted on the load-carrying member, a propeller mounted on the load-carrying member for rotation about the member's longitudinal center line, an engine mounted on the load-carrying member, and means drivingly connecting the engine to the propeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1987
    Inventor: Rolf Brand
  • Patent number: 4611774
    Abstract: An assembly for mounting a propeller, which is driven by an aircraft engine, on a longitudinal member of a lightweight aircraft. The assembly includes a sleeve positioned about the longitudinal member, and a pair of opposed adjustable cups securing the sleeve at its ends longitudinally relative to the longitudinal member. A rotating mechanism mounted to the propeller, rotatable about the sleeve, and driven by the aircraft engine rotates the propeller concentrically about a longitudinal axis of the longitudinal member. Suitable bearings are disposed between the rotating mechanism and the sleeve and the rotating mechanism rotates on these bearings. Vibration dampening rings are placed between the cups and the sleeve and dampen the vibration transmitted between the rotating mechanism and the longitudinal member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1986
    Inventor: Rolf Brand
  • Patent number: 4579301
    Abstract: A pilot module for a lightweight aircraft having a fuselage primary structure that includes a longitudinally disposed support structure, or boom and also having a wing structure attached to the fuselage primary structure, a tail structure attached aft of the wing structure to the fuselage primary structure, and a propeller assembly attached to the fuselage primary structure. The pilot module includes a pilot support shell constructed of a composite material formed to support the seat, legs, and back of a pilot positioned on it and forming an integral part of the fuselage primary structure. The pilot support shell is positioned at least partially forward of the forward end of the boom. At least one reinforcing member is connected to the pilot support shell and to the boom and is constructed in a single piece with the support shell. The reinforcing member also forms an integral part of the fuselage primary structure. An external fairing is positioned behind and attached to the pilot support shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1986
    Inventor: Rolf Brand
  • Patent number: 4560119
    Abstract: An ultralightweight aircraft including a principal longitudinally disposed load-carrying member and a wing structure supported by the load-carrying member and positioned in a horizontal plane spaced a distance below or above the horizontal plane of the load-carrying member. A housing is attached to and depends from the load-carrying member, an operator's station is disposed within the housing, the wing structure is attached to the housing and a landing gear system connected to a lower surface of the housing. A rudder and elevator assembly is mounted on the load-carrying member aft of the wing structure. A propeller is mounted on the load-carrying member between the wing structure and the rudder and elevator assembly for rotation about a longitudinal centerline of the load-carrying member. An engine is directly mounted on the load-carrying member, and a belt system drivingly connects the output of the engine to the propeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Inventor: Rolf Brand
  • Patent number: 4500053
    Abstract: A device for mounting an aircraft engine and a propeller on a longitudinal member or fuselage of a lightweight aircraft. A sleeve is disposed about the longitudinal member and securing devices which prevent longitudinal movement of the sleeve relative to the longitudinal member are positioned at either end of the sleeve. Vibration dampening rings are disposed between the securing devices and cups which can be threaded along the sleeve placing the rings in the desired compression. The engine and the propeller are mounted on the sleeve. A driving sleeve is rotatably mounted on the sleeve and is drivingly attached at one end to the output of the engine and is mounted at the other end to the propeller. The propeller is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal member and the wing structure and tail structure can be mounted on the longitudinal member as well with the propeller positioned between them. The mounting device can also be used for biplanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1985
    Inventor: Rolf Brand
  • Patent number: 4382566
    Abstract: In a lightweight aircraft having a principal longitudinal load-carrying member, a wing structure mounted on the load-carrying member, a tail rudder and elevator assembly mounted on the load-carrying member, a propeller mounted on the load-carrying member for rotation about the member's longitudinal center line, an engine mounted on the load-carrying member, and means drivingly connecting the engine to the propeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1983
    Inventor: Rolf Brand
  • Patent number: 4281518
    Abstract: A method of separating certain components of a gas mixture in which the gas mixture is cooled and certain components are separated in a liquid or solid state characterized by introducing the gas mixture into a separator tank, adding a cooling agent such as a liquid or cold inert gas so as to cool the gas mixture and separating component in a solid state and subsequently fusing the separated solid into a liquid in a collecting tank. The concentrated gas mixture to be separated is directly removed from its place of use and directly supplied to the separator tank without allowing any further admixture of secondary air. The device for carrying out the method comprises an insulated tank to which air having entrained sulfer dioxide is introduced. The air flow is controlled so that it is oriented in a particular direction and it is passed beyond nozzles for injecting an inert gas such as liquid nitrogen into the interior of the insulated tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Muller, Albert Seidel, Gunther Schmidt, Holm Schubert-Klempnauer, Werner Malburg, Rolf A. Brand