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).

  • Patent number: 7085155
    Abstract: An electronic device for securing the contents of data storage and processing elements. The device includes a security element and a phase-change element connected in a parallel arrangement. The security element is a three-terminal device, having an ON state and an OFF state which differ in resistance and regulate electronic access to the phase-change element by controlling the flow of electrical current applied to the parallel combination. In the ON state, the resistance of the security element is less than that of the phase-change element, thereby precluding a determination of the resistance of the phase-change element. In this PROTECT mode, the contents of the phase-change element are secured. In the OFF state, the resistance of the security element is greater than that of the phase-change material so that the resistance of the parallel combination approaches that of the phase-change element. In this READ mode, the resistance and information content of the phase-change element can be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Morrel H. Cohen
  • Patent number: 7070878
    Abstract: A layered oxygen electrode incorporating a peroxide decomposition catalyst. The design of the oxygen electrode promotes oxygen dissociation and absorption within the oxygen electrode. The oxygen electrode has differing layers of hydrophobicity which allow chemical impregnation of the active catalyst material into the oxygen electrode where the active catalyst material is needed most.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Ovonic Fuel Cell Company LLC
    Inventors: Srinivasan Venkatesan, Hong Wang, Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Boyko Aladjov, Subhash Dhar
  • Patent number: 7045484
    Abstract: A method of making a catalyst. The method comprises the step of leaching alloy particles. Preferably, the alloy particles are hydrogen storage alloy particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Ovonic Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Fetcenko, Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Kwo Young
  • Patent number: 7033699
    Abstract: Fuel cell cathodes and instant startup fuel cells employing the cathodes. The cathodes operate through the valency change 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: October 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Ovonic Fuel Cell Company LLC
    Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Srinivasan Venkatesan, Hong Wang, Boyko Aladjov
  • Patent number: 7029600
    Abstract: A complex aluminum hydride doped with a catalytic material adapted to increase the kinetics of hydrogen absorption/desorption of the aluminum hydride without reducing the hydrogen storage capacity of the aluminum hydride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Ovonie Fuel Cell LLC
    Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Boyko Aladjov, Srinivasan Venkatesan, Meera Vijan, Subhash K. Dhar
  • Patent number: 7023009
    Abstract: An electrically operated memory element comprising a phase-change memory material, a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact. At least one of the electrical contact being a thin-film layer having a sidewall electrical coupled to the memory material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Ovonyx, Inc.
    Inventors: Sergey A. Kostylev, Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Wolodymyr Czubatyi, Patrick Klersy, Boil Pashmakov
  • Patent number: 7018740
    Abstract: Fuel cell oxygen electrode and instant startup fuel cells employing such oxygen electrode. The oxygen electrode operates through the mechanism of redox couples which uniquely provide multiple degrees of freedom in selecting the operating voltages available for such fuel cells. Such oxygen electrodes provide the fuel cells in which they are used a “buffer” or “charge” of oxidizer available within the oxygen electrode at all times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Texaco Ovonic Fuel Cell LLC
    Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Srinivasan Venkatesan, Boyko Aladjov, Subhash K. Dhar, Kevin Fok, Thomas Hopper
  • Patent number: 7008706
    Abstract: A vehicle drive system powered by a hybrid fuel cell including at least one cathode, at least one anode, and at least one auxiliary electrode. The auxiliary electrode works in combination with the anode to provide a current as a rechargeable battery while the anode and cathode work in combination to provide an electrical current as a fuel cell. The cathode and the auxiliary electrode may operate alone or in tandem to provide an electrical current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Ovonic Fuel Cell Company LLC
    Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Srinivasan Venkatesan, Zdravko Menjak, Boyko Aladjov, Hong Wang
  • Patent number: 6998184
    Abstract: A hybrid fuel cell/battery including at least one cathode, at least one anode, and at least one auxiliary electrode. The auxiliary electrode works in combination with the anode to provide a current as a rechargeable battery while the anode and cathode work in combination to provide an electrical current as a fuel cell. The cathode and the auxiliary electrode may operate alone or in tandem to provide an electrical current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Texaco Ovonic Fuel Cell, LLC
    Inventors: Srinivasan Venkatesan, Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Boyko Aladjov, Hong Wang, Zdravko Menjak, Subhash K. Dhar
  • Patent number: 6991719
    Abstract: A method for the production and storage of hydrogen. The hydrogen is produced via electrolysis and as the hydrogen is formed it is absorbed into a hydrogen storing cathode. Once the hydrogen storing cathode has become completely hydrided, it is shipped to end users as a metal hydride supply of hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Texaco Ovonic Fuel Cell LLC
    Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Srinivasan Venkatesan, Hong Wang, Subhash K. Dhar
  • Patent number: 6989216
    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 utilizes electrode assemblies having a frame overmolded around the electrode to maintain a flow rates and low pressure throughout the fuel cell. The fuel cell is also designed to maintain mechanical support within the fuel cell while the electrodes expand and contract in response to the absorption of oxygen and hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Texaco Ovonic Fuel Cell LLC
    Inventors: Rajeev Puttaiah, Zdravko Menjak, Latchezara M. Gradinarova, Srinivasan Venkatesan, Boyko Aladjov, Subhash Dhar, Stanford R. Ovshinsky
  • Patent number: 6969866
    Abstract: A memory element comprising a volume of phase change memory material; and first and second contact for supplying an electrical signal to the memory material, wherein the first contact comprises a conductive sidewall spacer. Alternately, the first contact may comprise a contact layer having an edge adjacent to the memory material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Ovonyx, Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler Lowrey, Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Guy C. Wicker, Patrick J. Klersy, Boil Pashmakov, Wolodymyr Czubatyj, Sergey A. Kostylev
  • Patent number: 6969867
    Abstract: Multi-terminal field effect devices comprising a chalcogenide material. The devices include a first terminal, a second terminal and a field effect terminal. Application of a gate signal to the field effect terminal modulates the current passing through the chalcogenide material between the first and second terminals and/or modifies the holding voltage or current of the chalcogenide material between the first and second terminals. The devices may be used as interconnection devices in circuits and networks to regulate current flow between circuit or network elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Stanford R. Ovshinsky
  • Patent number: 6967344
    Abstract: Multi-terminal electronic switching devices comprising a chalcogenide material switchable between a resistive state and a conductive state. The devices include a first terminal, a second terminal and a control terminal. Application of a control signal to the control terminal modulates the conductivity of the chalcogenide material between the first and second terminals and/or the threshold voltage required to switch the chalcogenide material between the first and second terminals from a resistive state to a conductive state. The devices may be used as interconnection devices or signal providing devices in circuits and networks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Boil Pashmakov
  • Patent number: 6964826
    Abstract: An industrial catalyst having: a support; a plurality of metallic particulates distributed throughout the support; and a metal at least partially covering the surface of the support. A method for making a catalyst including the steps of: forming a support with non-noble metal particulates distributed throughout the support; and at least partially covering the surface of the support with a metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Ovonic Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Benjamin Reichman, Michael A. Fetcenko, Kwo Young, William Mays, James Strebe
  • Patent number: 6963893
    Abstract: A method of factoring numbers in a non-binary computation scheme and more particularly, a method of factoring numbers utilizing a digital multistate phase change material. The method includes providing energy in an amount characteristic of the number to be factored to a phase change material programmed according to a potential factor of the number. The programming strategy provides for the setting of the phase change material once for each time a multiple of a potential factor is present in the number to be factored. By counting the number of multiples and assessing the state of the phase change material upon execution of the method, a determination of whether a potential factor is indeed a factor may be made. A given volume of phase change material may be reprogrammed for different factors or separate volumes of phase change material may be employed for different factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Boil Pashmakov
  • Patent number: 6960406
    Abstract: A fluorinated carbon based gas diffusion layer for use in hydrogen and oxygen electrodes. The fluorinated carbon based gas diffusion layer provides for uniform distribution of hydrogen or oxygen across the electrode while maintaining a high level of hydrophobicity within the gas diffusion layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Texaco Ovonic Fuel Cell LLC
    Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Srinivasan Venkatesan, Hong Wang, Boyko Aladjov, Subhash Dhar
  • Patent number: 6933072
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Energy Conersion Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Zdravko Menjak, Boyko Aladjov, Srinivasan Venkatesan, Subhash K. Dhar, Stanford R. Ovshinsky
  • Patent number: 6926986
    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 utilizes encapsulated electrodes to maintain a high air flow rate and low pressure throughout the fuel cell. The fuel cell is also designed to maintain mechanical support within the fuel cell while the electrodes expand and contract in response to the absorption of oxygen and hydrogen. Gas is predistributed by the compression plates and electrode plates to supply the electrodes with high concentrations of oxygen from air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices
    Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Ana Menjak, Thomas Hopper, Zdravko Menjak, Kevin Fok, Boyko Aladjov, Srinivasan Venkatesan, Subhash K. Dhar
  • Patent number: 6918430
    Abstract: An onboard hydrogen storage unit with heat transfer system for a hydrogen powered vehicle. The system includes a hydrogen storage vessel containing a hydrogen storage alloy configured to receive a stream of hydrogen and provide hydrogen for use in powering a vehicle. During refueling a cooling/heating loop is used to remove the heat of hydride formation from the hydrogen storage alloy and during operation of the vehicle the heating/cooling loop is used to supply heat to the hydrogen storage alloy to aid in hydrogen desorption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Texaco Ovonic Hydrogen Systems LLC
    Inventors: Vitaliy Myasnikov, Rosa Young, Yang Li, Stanford R. Ovshinsky