Patents by Inventor Stanford R. Ovshinsky

Stanford R. Ovshinsky 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).

  • Safe, ecomomical transport of hydrogen in pelletized form
    Patent number: 6627148
    Abstract: A magnesium hydrogen storage alloy that has been hydrided and compacted into highly dense pellets for shipment and use, a method for making said magnesium alloy and a method for the safe, economical shipment of said hydrided magnesium hydrogen storage material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Rosa T. Young, Ned T. Stetson, Vitaliy Myasnikov
  • Fuel cell cathodes and their fuel cells
    Patent number: 6620539
    Abstract: Fuel cell cathodes and instant startup fuel cells employing the cathode. The cathodes operate through the mechanism of redox couples which uniquely provide multiple degrees of freedom in selecting the operating voltages available for such fuel cells. Such cathodes provide the fuel cells in which they are used a “buffer” or “charge” of oxidizer available within the cathode at all times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Boyko Aladjov, Srinivasan Venkatesan, Subhash Dhar
  • High capacity transition metal based hydrogen storage materials for the reversible storage of hydrogen
    Patent number: 6616891
    Abstract: A reversible hydrogen storage alloy capable of absorbing approximately 4 weight percent hydrogen and desorbing up to 2.8 weight percent hydrogen at temperatures up to 100° C. The hydrogen storage alloy is generally composed of titanium, vanadium, chromium, and manganese. Additional elements such as zirconium, yttrium, iron, nickel, zinc, molybdenum, and tantalum may also be included in the alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Krishna Sapru, Zhaosheng Tan, Mohamed Bazzi, Subramanian Ramachandran, Stanford R. Ovshinsky
  • Active material for fuel cell anodes incorporating an additive for precharging/activation thereof
    Patent number: 6613471
    Abstract: A hydrogen storage alloy active material for the anode of Ovonic instant startup/regenerative fuel cells. The active material includes a hydrogen storage alloy material with a water reactive chemical hydride additive, which, upon utilization of the active material in an anode of an alkaline electrolyte fuel cell, gives the anode added benefits, not attainable by using hydrogen storage alloy material alone. These added benefits include 1) precharge of the hydrogen storage material with hydrogen; 2) higher porosity/increased surface area/reduced electrode polarization at high currents; 3) simplified, faster activation of the hydrogen storage alloy; and 4) optionally, enhanced corrosion protection for the hydrogen storage alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Boyko Aladjov, Srinivasan Venkatesan, Thomas Hopper, Kevin Fok, Subhash Dhar
  • Parallel flow fuel cell
    Publication number: 20030162074
    Abstract: A fuel cell utilizing parallel flow of a hydrogen stream, an oxygen stream, and an electrolyte solution with respect to the electrodes, while maintaining mechanical support within the fuel cell. The fuel cell contains multiple layers of electrodes which absorb and react hydrogen and oxygen. The fuel cell is designed to maintain mechanical support within the fuel cell while the electrodes expand and contract in response to the absorption of oxygen and hydrogen. The design of the fuel cell provides a substantially more compact design by not requiring space to allow for the expansion and contraction of the electrodes within the fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: Zdravko Menjak, Boyko Aladjov, Srinivasan Venkatesan, Subhash K. Dhar, Stanford R. Ovshinsky
  • Very low emission hybrid electric vehicle incorporating an integrated propulsion system including a hydrogen powered internal combustion engine and a high power Ni-MH battery pack
    Publication number: 20030157045
    Abstract: A very low emission hybrid electric vehicle incorporating an integrated propulsion system which includes a hydrogen powered internal combustion engine, a metal hydride hydrogen storage unit, an electric motor, high specific power, high energy density nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, and preferably a regenerative braking system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Robert C. Stempel
  • Hydrogen infrastructure, a combined bulk hydrogen storage/single stage metal hydride hydrogen compressor therefor and alloys for use therein
    Publication number: 20030150218
    Abstract: A combine bulk storage/single stage metal hydride compressor, a hydrogen storage alloy therefore and a hydrogen transportation/distribution infrastructure which incorporates the combine bulk storage/single stage metal hydride compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Rosa T. Young, Baoquan Huang, Farshad Bavarian, Gene Nemanich
  • Method of activating hydrogen storage alloy electrode
    Patent number: 6605375
    Abstract: A method of activating a hydrogen storage alloy electrode. The method comprises the step of applying current cycles to the electrode where each current cycle includes a forward pulse effective to at least partially charge the electrode and a reverse pulse effective to at least partially discharge the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Ovonic Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Boyko Aladjov, Srinivasan Venkatesan, Subhash K. Dhar, Thomas Hopper, Kevin Fok
  • Modified electrochemical hydrogen storage alloy having increased capacity, rate capability and catalytic activity
    Publication number: 20030148180
    Abstract: A modified Ti—V—Zr—Ni—Mn—Cr electrochemical hydrogen storage alloy which has at least one of the following characteristics: 1) an increased charge/discharge rate capability over that the base Ti—V—Zr—Ni—Mn—Cr electrochemical hydrogen storage alloy; 2) a formation cycling requirement which is reduced to one tenth that of the base Ti—V—Zr—Ni—Mn—Cr electrochemical hydrogen storage alloy; or 3) an oxide surface layer having a higher electrochemical hydrogen storage catalytic activity than the base Ti—V—Zr—Ni—Mn—Cr electrochemical hydrogen storage alloy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Michael A. Fetcenko, Kwo Young, Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Benjamin Reichman, John Koch, William Mays
  • Hydrogen infrastructure, a combined bulk hydrogen storage/single stage metal hydride hydrogen compressor therefor and alloys for use therein
    Patent number: 6591616
    Abstract: A combine bulk storage/single stage metal hydride compressor, a hydrogen storage alloy therefore and a hydrogen transportation/distribution infrastructure which incorporates the combine bulk storage/single stage metal hydride compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Rosa T. Young, Baoquan Huang, Farshad Bavarian, Gene Nemanich
  • Catalytic hydrogen storge composite material and fuel cell employing same
    Publication number: 20030129476
    Abstract: A composite hydrogen storage material including 1) an active material having hydrogen storage capacity; and 2) a catalytic material having greater catalytic activity toward the dissociation of molecular hydrogen and/or oxidation of hydrogen than that of said active material having hydrogen storage capacity. Also, a fuel cell employing anodes formed from the composite hydrogen storage material. The fuel cell has the ability to start up instantly and can accept recaptured energy such as that of regenerative braking by operating in reverse as an electrolyzer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventor: Stanford R. Ovshinsky
  • Very low emission hybrid electric vehicle incorporating an integrated propulsion system including a fuel cell and a high power nickel metal hydride battery pack
    Publication number: 20030129459
    Abstract: A very low emission hybrid electric vehicle incorporating an integrated propulsion system which includes a fuel cell, a metal hydride hydrogen storage unit, an electric motor, high specific power, high energy density nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, and preferably a regenerative braking system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Robert C. Stempel
  • Method of fuel cell activation
    Patent number: 6589686
    Abstract: A method of activating a metal hydride electrode of an alkaline fuel cell. The method comprises the step of applying current cycles to the anode where each current cycle includes a forward current effective to at least partially charge the electrode and a reverse current effective to at least partially discharge the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Ovonic Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Boyko Aladjov, Srinivasan Venkatesan, Subhash K. Dhar, Thomas Hopper, Kevin Fok
  • Composite positive electrode material and method for making same
    Patent number: 6569566
    Abstract: A method for making a composite positive electrode material for use in electrochemical cells. The composite material comprises a particle of positive electrode material and a nucleating particle at least partially embedded within the interior of the particle of positive electrode material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Ovonic Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Fetcenko, Christian Fierro, Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Beth Sommers, Benjamin Reichman, Kwo Young, William Mays
  • Semiconductor with coordinatively irregular structures
    Publication number: 20030096098
    Abstract: A non-single crystalline semiconductor material includes coordinatively irregular structures characterized by distorted chemical bonding, reduced dimensionality and novel electronic properties. A process for forming the material permits variation of the size, concentration and spatial distribution of coordinatively irregular structures. The electronic properties of the material can be changed by controlling the characteristics of the coordinatively irregular structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Boil Pashmakov, David V. Tsu
  • Very low emission hybrid electric vehicle incorporating an integrated propulsion system including a hydrogen powered internal combustion engine and a high power Ni-MH battery pack
    Patent number: 6565836
    Abstract: A very low emission hybrid electric vehicle incorporating an integrated propulsion system which includes a hydrogen powered internal combustion engine, a metal hydride hydrogen storage unit, an electric motor, high specific power, high energy density nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, and preferably a regenerative braking system. The nickel-metal hydride battery module preferably has a peak power density in relation to energy density as defined by: P>1,375−15E, where P is greater than 600 Watts/kilogram, where P is the peak power density as measured in Watts/kilogram and E is the energy density as measured in Watt-hours/kilogram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Ovonic Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Robert C. Stempel
  • Hybrid electric vehicle
    Patent number: 6557655
    Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle drive system comprising a combustion engine, an electric motor and at least one nickel-metal hydride battery module forming a power source for providing electric power to the electric motor, the at least one nickel-metal hydride battery module having a peak power density in relation to energy density as defined by: P>1,375−15E where P is the peak power density as measured in Watts/kilogram and E is the energy density as measured in Watt-hours/kilogram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Ovonic Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Robert C. Stempel
  • Composite positive electrode material and method for making same
    Patent number: 6548209
    Abstract: A composite positive electrode material for use in electrochemical cells. The composite material includes a particle of positive electrode material and a nucleating particle at least partially embedded within the interior of the particle of positive electrode material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Ovonic Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Fetcenko, Christian Fierro, Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Beth Sommers, Benjamin Reichman, Kwo Young, William Mays
  • Regenerative bipolar fuel cell
    Publication number: 20030059664
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a fuel cell, which incorporates a bipolar plate. The regenerative bipolar fuel cell of the present invention contains at least one hydrogen electrode in contact with a hydrogen stream and at least one oxygen electrode in contact with an oxygen stream. At least one electrolyte chamber is in contact with the hydrogen electrode and at least one electrolyte chamber is in contact with the oxygen electrode. The electrolyte chambers provide mechanical support within the fuel cell and provide an uninterrupted pathway for an electrolyte solution to contact the hydrogen electrode and the oxygen electrode, respectively. At least one bipolar plate is positioned between the hydrogen electrode and the oxygen electrode. The bipolar plate has a hydrogen side in contact with the hydrogen electrode and an oxygen side in contact with the oxygen electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Zdravko Menjak, Srinivasan Venkatesan, Boyko Aladjov, Latchezara M. Gradinarova, Hong Wang, Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Subhash K. Dhar
  • Method and system for hydrogen powered internal combustion engine
    Publication number: 20030056510
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle having a hydrogen powered internal combustion engine employing a cylinder deactivation strategy during idle or light load conditions. A continuous stream of air is supplied to the hydrogen internal combustion engine. A control system responsive to engine speed and accelerator pedal position calculates a specific amount of hydrogen to inject into the continuous air stream. The resulting stream is combusted in the engine to provide power to the vehicle. During idling or light load conditions, the hydrogen supply to one or more cylinders may cease while maintaining the flow of air to the cylinders. A rechargeable battery and an electric motor receiving power from the battery are used to supplement the hydrogen powered internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Robert C. Stempel, Richard O. Geiss, Bruce A. Webster, Ian Kinoshta