Patents by Inventor Shaowu Zha

Shaowu Zha 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: 8288055
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack configured to input raw fuel from a fuel source to produce electrical energy includes a fuel cell comprising an anode, an electrolyte, and a cathode. The anode defines an anode chamber, and a hydrogen separation member is disposed within the anode chamber. The hydrogen separation member has a first side and a second side. The first side of the hydrogen separation member defines a raw fuel chamber. The hydrogen separation member transfer hydrogen between the first side and the second side to provide hydrogen fuel to the anode of the fuel cell, while inhibiting the transportation of gas molecules between the first side and the second side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Adaptive Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Halloran, Timothy LaBreche, Shaowu Zha, Aaron T. Crumm
  • Publication number: 20120077099
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a solid oxide fuel cell including an electrochemical cell, a first fuel reformer, and a first feed tube. The electrochemical cell includes an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte. The anode at least partially defines an anode chamber. The anode is configured to convert a reformed fuel to an exhaust fluid comprising water. The fuel reformer is configured to receive raw fuel and to convert raw fuel to reformed fuel. The fuel reformer is disposed within the anode chamber. The first feed tube is disposed within the anode chamber. The first feed tube is configured to route raw fuel downstream the first fuel reformer such that raw fuel reacts with water of the exhaust fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: ADAPTIVE MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Aaron Crumm, Shaowu Zha, Timothy LaBreche
  • Publication number: 20120021314
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell module includes a fuel cell tube defining a fuel cell tube inner chamber. The fuel cell tube includes a fuel cell tube inlet, a fuel cell tube outlet, and an active portion comprising an anode layer, a cathode layer, and an electrolyte layer. The active portion is configured to react an oxidizing fluid and a reducing fluid to generate an electromotive force. The solid oxide fuel cell module further includes an internal reforming member disposed within the fuel cell tube, the internal reforming member being configured to receive raw fuel and convert raw fuel to reformed fuel. The solid fuel cell tube further includes an anode current collector disposed within the fuel cell tube, the anode current collector connected to the anode layer of the anode current collector and providing support to the internal reforming member such that the internal reforming member retains a desired position within the fuel cell tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: ADAPTIVE MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Aaron Crumm, Timothy LaBreche, Shaowu Zha
  • Publication number: 20100304254
    Abstract: A method for controlling a fuel cell system including measuring an open circuit voltage of a fuel cell. The method further includes determining an air actuator control signal based on the open circuit voltage of the fuel cell. The method further includes controlling the air actuator based on the air actuator control signal. The method further includes determining a fuel actuator control signal based on the open circuit voltage of the fuel cell. The method further includes controlling the fuel actuator based on the fuel actuator control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: ADAPTIVE MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Aaron Crumm, Timothy LaBreche, Shaowu Zha
  • Publication number: 20100304253
    Abstract: A method for controlling a fuel cell system, the fuel cell system is described in accordance with exemplary embodiments. The method includes measuring an open circuit voltage of the fuel cell. The method further includes determining an air actuator control signal based on the open circuit voltage of the fuel cell. The method further includes controlling the air actuator based on the air actuator control signal. The method further includes determining a fuel actuator control signal based on the open circuit voltage of the fuel cell. The method further includes controlling the fuel actuator based on the fuel actuator control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: ADAPTIVE MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Aaron Crumm, Timothy LaBreche, Shaowu Zha
  • Publication number: 20100183937
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack configured to input raw fuel from a fuel source to produce electrical energy includes a fuel cell comprising an anode, an electrolyte, and a cathode. The anode defines an anode chamber, and a hydrogen separation member is disposed within the anode chamber. The hydrogen separation member has a first side and a second side. The first side of the hydrogen separation member defines a raw fuel chamber. The hydrogen separation member transfer hydrogen between the first side and the second side to provide hydrogen fuel to the anode of the fuel cell, while inhibiting the transportation of gas molecules between the first side and the second side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventors: John W. Halloran, Timothy LaBreche, Shaowu Zha, Aaron T. Crumm