Patents by Inventor Sergio Espinoza

Sergio Espinoza 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: 10770742
    Abstract: A Reversible Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (RSOFC) system includes a Reversible Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (RSOFC) unit, a bi-directional alternating current/direct current (AC/DC) converter, coupled to the RSOFC unit, a common bus, coupled to the bi-directional AC/DC converter and to a power grid, and a plurality of RSOFC subsystems, coupled to receive power only through the common bus. The RSOFC unit has a fuel cell mode, wherein the RSOFC unit produces electrical power from fuel, and an electrolysis mode, wherein the RSOFC unit consumes electrical power to produce the fuel. The bi-directional AC/DC converter is coupled to the RSOFC unit, and is configured to convert direct current (DC) electrical power produced by the RSOFC unit into outgoing alternating current (AC) power, and to convert incoming AC power into DC power for consumption by the RSOFC unit in electrolysis mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Joshua M. Mermelstein, Sergio Espinoza
  • Publication number: 20180183085
    Abstract: A Reversible Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (RSOFC) system includes a Reversible Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (RSOFC) unit, a bi-directional alternating current/direct current (AC/DC) converter, coupled to the RSOFC unit, a common bus, coupled to the bi-directional AC/DC converter and to a power grid, and a plurality of RSOFC subsystems, coupled to receive power only through the common bus. The RSOFC unit has a fuel cell mode, wherein the RSOFC unit produces electrical power from fuel, and an electrolysis mode, wherein the RSOFC unit consumes electrical power to produce the fuel. The bi-directional AC/DC converter is coupled to the RSOFC unit, and is configured to convert direct current (DC) electrical power produced by the RSOFC unit into outgoing alternating current (AC) power, and to convert incoming AC power into DC power for consumption by the RSOFC unit in electrolysis mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: JOSHUA M. MERMELSTEIN, SERGIO ESPINOZA
  • Patent number: 9917322
    Abstract: A Reversible Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (RSOFC) system includes a Reversible Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (RSOFC) unit, a bi-directional alternating current/direct current (AC/DC) converter, coupled to the RSOFC unit, a common bus, coupled to the bi-directional AC/DC converter and to a power grid, and a plurality of RSOFC subsystems, coupled to receive power only through the common bus. The RSOFC unit has a fuel cell mode, wherein the RSOFC unit produces electrical power from fuel, and an electrolysis mode, wherein the RSOFC unit consumes electrical power to produce the fuel. The bi-directional AC/DC converter is coupled to the RSOFC unit, and is configured to convert direct current (DC) electrical power produced by the RSOFC unit into outgoing alternating current (AC) power, and to convert incoming AC power into DC power for consumption by the RSOFC unit in electrolysis mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Joshua M. Mermelstein, Sergio Espinoza
  • Patent number: 9834846
    Abstract: A method for transitioning between fuel cell and electrolysis modes in a Reversible Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (RSOFC) system includes measuring and recording sensor data indicating a status of components associated with an RSOFC system coupled to an electrical power grid, the system comprising an RSOFC unit, a hydrogen compression system, a hydrogen storage system, and a water supply, determining a state of the RSOFC system based on the sensor data through a conditional logic algorithm, and transitioning the RSOFC system between the fuel cell mode and the electrolysis mode based upon the sensor data and the system state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Joshua M. Mermelstein, Sergio Espinoza
  • Publication number: 20170005357
    Abstract: A Reversible Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (RSOFC) system includes a Reversible Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (RSOFC) unit, a bi-directional alternating current/direct current (AC/DC) converter, coupled to the RSOFC unit, a common bus, coupled to the bi-directional AC/DC converter and to a power grid, and a plurality of RSOFC subsystems, coupled to receive power only through the common bus. The RSOFC unit has a fuel cell mode, wherein the RSOFC unit produces electrical power from fuel, and an electrolysis mode, wherein the RSOFC unit consumes electrical power to produce the fuel. The bi-directional AC/DC converter is coupled to the RSOFC unit, and is configured to convert direct current (DC) electrical power produced by the RSOFC unit into outgoing alternating current (AC) power, and to convert incoming AC power into DC power for consumption by the RSOFC unit in electrolysis mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: JOSHUA M. MERMELSTEIN, SERGIO ESPINOZA
  • Publication number: 20160369416
    Abstract: A method for transitioning between fuel cell and electrolysis modes in a Reversible Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (RSOFC) system includes measuring and recording sensor data indicating a status of components associated with an RSOFC system coupled to an electrical power grid, the system comprising an RSOFC unit, a hydrogen compression system, a hydrogen storage system, and a water supply, determining a state of the RSOFC system based on the sensor data through a conditional logic algorithm, and transitioning the RSOFC system between the fuel cell mode and the electrolysis mode based upon the sensor data and the system state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: JOSHUA M. MERMELSTEIN, SERGIO ESPINOZA
  • Publication number: 20070290067
    Abstract: An individually controlled sprinkler system includes a water source providing water at a suitable pressure for a sprinkler system. A piping system including at least two sprinkler heads is connected to the water source at locations remote from the water source. Each of the sprinkler heads has an electrically controllable valving system. A microprocessor control system is electrically connected to each of the sprinkler heads. The control system is programmable and provides controllable input signals to the sprinkler heads allowing an individually adjusted flow to be produced by each sprinkler head. The control system also provides programmed input signals to lighting fixtures. The sprinkler heads and lighting fixtures are connected to the control system with wires or using a radio frequency transmitter connected to the control system and suitable receivers connected to the sprinkler heads and lighting fixtures. The control system is accessed remotely over a network or telephone system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventor: Sergio Espinoza