Patents by Inventor Sigmar Brauninger

Sigmar Brauninger 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: 10535889
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel proton-conducting polymer membrane based on polyazole polymers which, owing to their outstanding chemical and thermal properties, can be used widely and are suitable in particular as polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) for producing membrane electrode assemblies or so-called PEM fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Brian Benicewicz, Sigmar Bräuninger, Gordon Calundann, Max Molleo, Guoqing Qian
  • Patent number: 9997791
    Abstract: The present invention relates to membrane electrode units (MEU) for high temperature fuel cells having an improved stability and a process for their manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Sigmar Bräuninger, Detlef Ott, Jörg Belack, Moritz Ehrenstein, Seonghan Yu, Andrew Van Dyke, Emory S. De Castro
  • Publication number: 20180123155
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel proton-conducting polymer membrane based on polyazole polymers which, owing to their outstanding chemical and thermal properties, can be used widely and are suitable in particular as polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) for producing membrane electrode assemblies or so-called PEM fuel cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Brian Benicewicz, Sigmar Bräuninger, Gordon Calundann, Max Molleo, Guoqing Qian
  • Patent number: 9812725
    Abstract: A membrane obtainable by A) mixing: (vii) aromatic tetraamino compounds and (viii) aromatic carboxylic acids or esters thereof which contain at least two acid groups per carboxylic acid monomer, or (ix) aromatic and/or heteroaromatic diaminocarboxylic acids, in polyphosphoric acid to form a solution and/or dispersion B) heating the mixture from step A), and polymerizing until an intrinsic viscosity of at least 0.8 dl/g, is obtained for the polymer being formed, C) adding polyazole polymers, D) heating the mixture from step C), E) applying a membrane layer using the mixture according to step D) on a carrier or an electrode, F) treating the membrane formed in the presence of water and/or moisture, G) removing the membrane from the carrier; wherein the content of all polyazole polymers in the membrane is between 5% to 25% by weight and wherein the membrane has a Young Modulus is at least 2.0 MPa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Brian Benicewicz, Sigmar Bräuninger, Gordon Calundann, Guoqing Qian
  • Patent number: 9168567
    Abstract: The invention relates to improved polymer membranes, to processes for production thereof and to the use thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Sigmar Bräuninger, Werner Urban
  • Patent number: 9162220
    Abstract: A process for preparing a catalyst material comprising an electrically conducting support material, a proton-conducting, polyazole-based polymer and a catalytically active material. A catalyst material prepared by the process of the invention. A catalyst ink comprising a catalyst material of the invention and a solvent. A catalyst-coated membrane (CCM) comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane and also catalytically active layers comprising a catalyst material of the present invention. A gas diffusion electrode (GDE) comprising a gas diffusion layer and a catalytically active layer comprising a catalyst material of the invention. A membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane, catalytically active layers comprising a catalyst material of the invention, and gas diffusion layers. And a fuel cell comprising a membrane-electrode assembly of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Ömer Ünsal, Sigmar Bräuninger, Claudia Querner, Ekkehard Schwab
  • Patent number: 9095845
    Abstract: A catalyst material comprising an electrically conducting support material, a proton-conducting, acid-doped polymer based on a polyazole salt, and a catalytically active material. A process for preparing the catalyst material. A catalyst material prepared by the process of the invention. A catalyst ink comprising the catalyst material of the invention and a solvent. A catalyst-coated membrane (CCM) comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane and also catalytically active layers comprising a catalyst material of the present invention. A gas diffusion electrode (GDE) comprising a gas diffusion layer and a catalytically active layer comprising a catalyst material of the invention. A membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane, catalytically active layers comprising a catalyst material of the invention, and gas diffusion layers. And a fuel cell comprising a membrane-electrode assembly of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Oemer Uensal, Sigmar Brauninger, Claudia Querner, Ekkehard Schwab
  • Patent number: 9048478
    Abstract: Proton-conducting polymer electrolyte membrane based on a polyazole salt of an inorganic or organic acid which is doped with an acid as electrolyte, wherein the polyazole salt of the organic or inorganic acid has a lower solubility in the acid used as electrolyte than the polyazole salt of the acid used as electrolyte, a process for producing the inventive proton-conducting polymer electrolyte membrane, a membrane-electrode assembly comprising at least two electrochemically active electrodes which are separated by a polymer electrolyte membrane, wherein the polymer electrolyte membrane is a proton-conducting polymer electrolyte membrane according to the invention, and a fuel cell comprising at least one membrane-electrode assembly according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Ömer Ünsal, Sigmar Bräuninger, Jörg Belack, Oliver Gronwald
  • Publication number: 20150064599
    Abstract: The present invention relates to membrane electrode units (MEU) for high temperature fuel cells having an improved stability and a process for their manufacture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Sigmar Bräuninger, Detlef Ott, Jörg Belack, Moritz Ehrenstein, Seonghan Yu, Andrew Van Dyke, Emory S. De Castro
  • Patent number: 8679436
    Abstract: Process for working up an exhaust gas from a system for producing hydroxylamine or hydroxylammonium salts by catalytic reduction of nitrogen monoxide with hydrogen, the exhaust gas containing nitrogen monoxide, hydrogen, dinitrogen monoxide, nitrogen and ammonia. At least some of the hydrogen present in the exhaust gas is separated off from the exhaust gas by means of a gas-tight membrane-electrode assembly which comprises at least one selectively proton-conducting membrane, a retentate side, a permeate side, and, on each side of the membrane, at least one electrode catalyst, wherein, on the retentate side of the membrane, at least some of the hydrogen is oxidized to protons at the anode catalyst and the protons, after crossing the membrane, are, on the permeate side, at the cathode catalyst according to (I) reduced to hydrogen and/or (II) reacted with oxygen to form water, the oxygen originating from an oxygen-containing stream which is contacted with the permeate side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Arnd Garsuch, Alexander Panchenko, Sigmar Bräuninger, Jens Scheidel, Alfred Thome
  • Publication number: 20130183222
    Abstract: A process for working up an exhaust gas A from a system for producing hydroxylamine or hydroxylammonium salts by catalytic reduction of nitrogen monoxide with hydrogen, wherein the exhaust gas A comprises nitrogen monoxide, hydrogen, dinitrogen monoxide, nitrogen and ammonia, and at least some of the hydrogen present in the exhaust gas A is separated off from the exhaust gas A by means of a gas-tight membrane-electrode assembly which comprises at least one selectively proton-conducting membrane, a retentate side, a permeate side, and, on each side of the membrane, at least one electrode catalyst, wherein, on the retentate side of the membrane, at least some of the hydrogen is oxidized to protons at the anode catalyst and the protons, after crossing the membrane, are, on the permeate side, at the cathode catalyst according to I reduced to hydrogen and/or II reacted with oxygen to form water, wherein the oxygen originates from an oxygen-comprising stream O which is contacted with the permeate side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Arnd Garsuch, Alexander Panchenko, Sigmar Bräuninger, Jens Scheidel, Alfred Thome
  • Publication number: 20120156588
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a membrane electrode assembly comprising at least two electrochemically active electrodes which are separated by at least one polymer electrolyte membrane, the aforementioned polymer electrolyte membrane having at least one reinforcement, wherein the reinforcement comprises at least one film which has holes through which the polymer electrolyte membrane is in contact with both electrochemically active electrodes. The membrane electrode assembly is suitable for applications in fuel cells, especially in high-temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Oliver Gronwald, Thomas Justus Schmidt, Detlef Ott, Seonghan Yu, Sigmar Bräuninger
  • Publication number: 20120100457
    Abstract: A process for preparing a catalyst material comprising an electrically conducting support material, a proton-conducting, polyazole-based polymer and a catalytically active material. A catalyst material prepared by the process of the invention. A catalyst ink comprising a catalyst material of the invention and a solvent. A catalyst-coated membrane (CCM) comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane and also catalytically active layers comprising a catalyst material of the present invention. A gas diffusion electrode (GDE) comprising a gas diffusion layer and a catalytically active layer comprising a catalyst material of the invention. A membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane, catalytically active layers comprising a catalyst material of the invention, and gas diffusion layers. And a fuel cell comprising a membrane-electrode assembly of the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Ömer Ünsal, Sigmar Bräuninger, Claudia Querner, Ekkehard Schwab
  • Publication number: 20120100455
    Abstract: A catalyst material comprising an electrically conducting support material, a proton-conducting, acid-doped polymer based on a polyazole salt, and a catalytically active material. A process for preparing the catalyst material. A catalyst material prepared by the process of the invention. A catalyst ink comprising the catalyst material of the invention and a solvent. A catalyst-coated membrane (CCM) comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane and also catalytically active layers comprising a catalyst material of the present invention. A gas diffusion electrode (GDE) comprising a gas diffusion layer and a catalytically active layer comprising a catalyst material of the invention. A membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane, catalytically active layers comprising a catalyst material of the invention, and gas diffusion layers. And a fuel cell comprising a membrane-electrode assembly of the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Oemer UENSAL, Sigmar Bräuninger, Claudia Querner, Ekkehard Schwab
  • Publication number: 20110318661
    Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly, comprising at least one phosphoric acid-containing polymer electrolyte membrane and at least one gas diffusion electrode, said gas diffusion electrode comprising: i. at least one catalyst layer and ii. at least one gas diffusion medium having at least two gas diffusion layers, the first gas diffusion layer comprising an electrically conductive macroporous layer in which the pores have a mean pore diameter in the range from 10 ?m to 30 ?m, the second gas diffusion layer comprising an electrically conductive macroporous layer in which the pores have a mean pore diameter in the range from 10 ?m to 30 ?m, the gas diffusion medium comprising polytetrafluoroethylene, the first gas diffusion layer having a higher polytetrafluoroethylene concentration than the second gas diffusion layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Oemer Uensal, Sigmar Bräuninger, Werner Urban, Jennifer Dahl, Lucas Montag, Stefan Herzog
  • Publication number: 20110262835
    Abstract: Proton-conducting polymer electrolyte membrane based on a polyazole salt of an inorganic or organic acid which is doped with an acid as electrolyte, wherein the polyazole salt of the organic or inorganic acid has a lower solubility in the acid used as electrolyte than the polyazole salt of the acid used as electrolyte, a process for producing the inventive proton-conducting polymer electrolyte membrane, a membrane-electrode assembly comprising at least two electrochemically active electrodes which are separated by a polymer electrolyte membrane, wherein the polymer electrolyte membrane is a proton-conducting polymer electrolyte membrane according to the invention, and a fuel cell comprising at least one membrane-electrode assembly according to the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Ömer Ünsal, Sigmar Bräuninger, Jörg Belack, Oliver Gronwald
  • Publication number: 20080248944
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst ink for producing membrane-electrode assemblies for polymer electrolyte fuel cells which comprises, apart from the customary components catalyst material, acidic ionomer and solvent, an additive component comprising at least one low molecular weight organic compound which comprises at least two basic nitrogen atoms. The invention further relates to processes for producing such catalyst inks and their use for producing membrane-electrode assemblies for polymer electrolyte fuel cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Sven Thate, Sigmar Brauninger
  • Patent number: 6448776
    Abstract: A method for measuring fitness for use of a storage battery subject to electric loading including determining a load profile (current profile I(t) or power profile P(t)) as a function of time t, for the storage battery, recording an actual voltage response U(t) of the storage battery to the load profile or calculating a voltage response U(t) of the storage battery to the load profile, and determining a fitness for use value SOH for the storage battery based on the difference between a lowest (highest) voltage value Umin (Umax) during application of the load profile to the storage battery, and based on a voltage limiting value U1, wherein U1 is a voltage value which may not be undershot (overshot) by the voltage U(t) at any time t during which the load profile is applied to the storage battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: VB Autobatterie GmbH
    Inventors: Eberhard Meissner, Sigmar Bräuninger
  • Publication number: 20010033170
    Abstract: A method for measuring fitness for use of a storage battery subject to electric loading including determining a load profile (current profile I(t) or power profile P(t)) as a function of time t, for the storage battery, recording an actual voltage response U(t) of the storage battery to the load profile or calculating a voltage response U(t) of the storage battery to the load profile, and determining a fitness for use value SOH for the storage battery based on the difference between a lowest (highest) voltage value Umin (Umax) during application of the load profile to the storage battery, and based on a voltage limiting value U1, wherein U1 is a voltage value which may not be undershot (overshot) by the voltage U(t) at any time t during which the load profile is applied to the storage battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventors: Eberhard Meissner, Sigmar Brauninger