Patents by Inventor Stephane Renou
Stephane Renou 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).
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Patent number: 9597708Abstract: An electrically-conductive layer of material having a composition comprising lanthanum and strontium is described. The material is characterized by a microstructure having bimodal porosity. Another concept in this disclosure relates to a solid oxide fuel cell attached to at least one cathode interconnect by a cathode bond layer. The bond layer includes a microstructure having bimodal porosity. A fuel cell stack which incorporates at least one of the cathode bond layers is also described herein, along with related processes for forming the cathode bond layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2007Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jian Wu, Todd-Michael Striker, Stephane Renou, Simon William Gaunt
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Patent number: 8378668Abstract: A method of non-destructive testing that employs composite systems that include a curable resin and detectable particles that have a property that can be distinguished from a property of the resin is disclosed. Array probes useful in the method also are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2008Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Waseem Ibrahim Faidi, Changting Wang, Stephane Renou, Shu Ching Quek, Nilesh Tralshawala, Aparna Chakrapani Sheila-Vadde, Peter J. Fritz
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Patent number: 8034219Abstract: Disclosed herein are a system and a method for the production of hydrogen. The system advantageously combines an independent high temperature heat source with a solid oxide electrolyzer cell and a heat exchanger located between the cathode inlet and the cathode outlet. The heat exchanger is used to extract heat from the molecular components such as hydrogen derived from the electrolysis. A portion of the hydrogen generated in the solid oxide electrolyzer cell is recombined with steam and recycled to the solid oxide electrolyzer cell. The oxygen generated on the anode side is swept with compressed air and used to drive a gas turbine that is in operative communication with a generator. Electricity generated by the generator is used to drive the electrolysis in the solid oxide electrolyzer cell.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2009Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Andrew Maxwell Peter, Stephane Renou, James Anthony Ruud, Leah Diane Crider, Kenneth Walter Browall, Chellappa Balan
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Publication number: 20110217616Abstract: An electrically-conductive layer of material having a composition comprising lanthanum and strontium is described. The material is characterized by a microstructure having bimodal porosity. Another concept in this disclosure relates to a solid oxide fuel cell attached to at least one cathode interconnect by a cathode bond layer. The bond layer includes a microstructure having bimodal porosity. A fuel cell stack which incorporates at least one of the cathode bond layers is also described herein, along with related processes for forming the cathode bond layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2007Publication date: September 8, 2011Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Jian Wu, Todd-Michael Striker, Stephane Renou, Simon William Gaunt
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Patent number: 7748259Abstract: Systems and methods for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) surface analysis. Exemplary embodiments include systems and methods for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) surface analysis, including a SOFC having a ceramic surface, a scanner adjacent the ceramic surface for collecting data related to the ceramic surface, a structure for retaining the SOFC with respect to the scanner, a device for collecting a processing the ceramic surface data and a process residing on the device, the process for analyzing and presenting the ceramic surface data.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2006Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Waseem Ibrahim Faidi, Andrzej May, Thomas James Batzinger, Harry Israel Ringermacher, Andrew Philip Shapiro, Stephane Renou, Daguang Zheng, Haiyan Sun
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Publication number: 20100134098Abstract: The invention provides composite systems, articles comprising the composite system, methods for the in-situ, non-destructive testing of the articles and/or composite systems, as well as array probes useful in the methods. The composite systems comprise a curable resin and at least one plurality of detectable particles.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2008Publication date: June 3, 2010Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Waseem Ibrahim Faidi, Changting Wang, Stephane Renou, Shu Ching Quek, Nilesh Tralshawala, Aparna Chakrapani Sheila-Vadde, Peter J. Fritz
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Patent number: 7713642Abstract: A system and method for operating a fuel cell, including reacting a fuel with an oxidant within the fuel cell to produce electricity and reaction products comprising steam. The fuel is fed through the fuel cell, wherein a concentration of the steam increases in the first direction through the fuel cell. The direction of fuel-flow through the fuel cell is altered or reversed upon satisfying a condition, thereby altering the concentration gradient of steam in the fuel cell and providing for removal of carbon deposition with the fuel cell. Such reversal of fuel flow may also provide an exhaust from the fuel cell that can regenerate an external or adjacent hydrocarbon reformer.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2005Date of Patent: May 11, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Gregory Lee Warner, Kenneth Walter Browall, Stephane Renou
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Patent number: 7691770Abstract: A method of making an electrode structure is provided. The method includes disposing an electrocatalytic material on an electrode, applying heat to the electrocatalytic material to form a volatile oxide of the electrocatalytic material, and applying a voltage to the electrode to reduce the volatile oxide to provide a number of nano-sized electrocatalytic particles on or proximate to a triple phase boundary, where the number of nano-sized electrocatalytic particles is greater on or proximate to the triple phase boundary than in an area that is not on or proximate to the triple phase boundary, and where the triple phase boundary is disposed on the electrode.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2005Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: James Anthony Ruud, Kenneth Walter Browall, Timothy Joseph Rehg, Stephane Renou, Todd-Michael Striker
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Publication number: 20090317705Abstract: A method for the formation of a diffusion barrier layer on a surface of at least one fuel cell interconnect structure is described. The interconnect structure is usually formed from ferritic stainless steel, and includes chromium. The method includes the step of coating an austenite phase-stabilizer on the interconnect surface, and then heating the coated surface. The heat treatment transforms the microstructure of the surface region of the interconnect, from a substantially ferritic body-centered cubic (BCC) phase to a substantially austenitic face-centered cubic (FCC) phase. The diffusion rate of chromium through the FCC phase is relatively low. Thus, the formation of a thick layer of chromium oxide can be minimized, leading to better fuel cell performance. Related fuel cells and fuel cell stacks are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2008Publication date: December 24, 2009Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Matthew Joseph Alinger, Frederic Joseph Klug, James Anthony Ruud, Stephane Renou, Reza Sarrafi-Nour
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Publication number: 20090139874Abstract: Disclosed herein are a system and a method for the production of hydrogen. The system advantageously combines an independent high temperature heat source with a solid oxide electrolyzer cell and a heat exchanger located between the cathode inlet and the cathode outlet. The heat exchanger is used to extract heat from the molecular components such as hydrogen derived from the electrolysis. A portion of the hydrogen generated in the solid oxide electrolyzer cell is recombined with steam and recycled to the solid oxide electrolyzer cell. The oxygen generated on the anode side is swept with compressed air and used to drive a gas turbine that is in operative communication with a generator. Electricity generated by the generator is used to drive the electrolysis in the solid oxide electrolyzer cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2009Publication date: June 4, 2009Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Andrew Maxwell Peter, Stephane Renou, James Anthony Ruud, Leah Diane Crider, Kenneth Walter Browall, Chellappa Balan
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Patent number: 7491309Abstract: Disclosed herein are a system and a method for the production of hydrogen. The system advantageously combines an independent high temperature heat source with a solid oxide electrolyzer cell and a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is used to extract heat from the molecular components such as hydrogen derived from the electrolysis. A portion of the hydrogen generated in the solid oxide electrolyzer cell is recombined with steam and recycled to the solid oxide electrolyzer cell. The oxygen generated on the anode side is swept with compressed air and used to drive a gas turbine that is in operative communication with a generator. Electricity generated by the generator is used to drive the electrolysis in the solid oxide electrolyzer cell.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2005Date of Patent: February 17, 2009Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Andrew Maxwell Peter, Chellappa Balan, James Anthony Ruud, Stephane Renou, Kenneth Walter Browall
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Publication number: 20080299436Abstract: A composite ceramic electrolyte is provided. The composite ceramic electrolyte has a microstructure, which comprises a first ceramic composition comprising a plurality of nano-dimensional microcracks, and a second ceramic composition substantially embedded within at least a portion of the plurality of nano-dimensional microcracks. The first and the second compositions are different. A solid oxide fuel cell comprising a composite ceramic electrolyte having such a microstructure is provided. A method of making a composite ceramic electrolyte is also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2007Publication date: December 4, 2008Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Todd-Michael Striker, James Anthony Ruud, Stephane Renou
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Publication number: 20080176113Abstract: Systems and methods for high performing in-situ SOFC cathodes, demonstrating self-improved performance over time. Exemplary embodiments include a SOFC including an electrolyte layer, an anode coupled to the electrolyte layer and a cathode coupled to the electrolyte layer, wherein the anode is prepared by applying an anode contact layer to the anode layer and applying anode bond paste to the anode contact layer, wherein the cathode is prepared by screen printing a cathode layer on the electrolyte with or without a barrier layer, and applying cathode bond paste to the dried cathode layer and drying the cathode bond paste in an oven.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2007Publication date: July 24, 2008Inventors: Jian Wu, Simon William Gaunt, James Anthony Ruud, Stephane Renou, Todd Michael Striker
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Publication number: 20080145727Abstract: Systems and methods for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) surface analysis. Exemplary embodiments include systems and methods for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) surface analysis, including a SOFC having a ceramic surface, a scanner adjacent the ceramic surface for collecting data related to the ceramic surface, a structure for retaining the SOFC with respect to the scanner, a device for collecting a processing the ceramic surface data and a process residing on the device, the process for analyzing and presenting the ceramic surface data.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2006Publication date: June 19, 2008Inventors: Waseem Ibrahim Faidi, Andrzej May, Thomas James Batzinger, Harry Israel Ringermacher, Andrew Philip Shapiro, Stephane Renou, Daguang Zheng, Haihan Sun
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Publication number: 20080131750Abstract: A ceramic electrolyte is provided. The ceramic electrolyte has a microstructure, which comprises at least a first region comprising a plurality of microcracks having a first average microcrack length and a first average microcrack width, and a second region comprising a second average microcrack length and a second average microcrack width. The microstructure satisfies the criteria of (a) the first average microcrack length being different from the second average microcrack length; or (b) the first average microcrack width being different from the second average microcrack width. A solid oxide fuel cell comprising a ceramic electrolyte having such a microstructure is provided. A method of making a ceramic electrolyte is also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2006Publication date: June 5, 2008Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRICInventors: Todd-Michael Striker, James Anthony Ruud, Stephane Renou
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Publication number: 20070138022Abstract: Disclosed herein are a system and a method for the production of hydrogen. The system advantageously combines an independent high temperature heat source with a solid oxide electrolyzer cell and a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is used to extract heat from the molecular components such as hydrogen derived from the electrolysis. A portion of the hydrogen generated in the solid oxide electrolyzer cell is recombined with steam and recycled to the solid oxide electrolyzer cell. The oxygen generated on the anode side is swept with compressed air and used to drive a gas turbine that is in operative communication with a generator. Electricity generated by the generator is used to drive the electrolysis in the solid oxide electrolyzer cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2005Publication date: June 21, 2007Inventors: Andrew Peter, Chellappa Balan, James Ruud, Stephane Renou, Kenneth Browall
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Patent number: 7219040Abstract: A method and system of designing the operations and controls of a gas turbine, includes generating an operations model for the gas turbine including at least one objective function and defining operations and control constraints for the operations model of the gas turbine. An online dynamic optimizer/controller dynamically optimizes and controls operation of the gas turbine using model based control based on the operations model and the operations and control constraints. The model based control may include model predictive control.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2002Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Stephane Renou, Minesh Ashok Shah
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Publication number: 20070077462Abstract: A system and method for operating a fuel cell, including reacting a fuel with an oxidant within the fuel cell to produce electricity and reaction products comprising steam. The fuel is fed through the fuel cell, wherein a concentration of the steam increases in the first direction through the fuel cell. The direction of fuel-flow through the fuel cell is altered or reversed upon satisfying a condition, thereby altering the concentration gradient of steam in the fuel cell and providing for removal of carbon deposition with the fuel cell. Such reversal of fuel flow may also provide an exhaust from the fuel cell that can regenerate an external or adjacent hydrocarbon reformer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2005Publication date: April 5, 2007Inventors: Gregory Warner, Kenneth Browall, Stephane Renou
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Publication number: 20070054798Abstract: A method of making an electrode structure is provided. The method includes disposing an electrocatalytic material on an electrode, applying heat to the electrocatalytic material to form a volatile oxide of the electrocatalytic material, and applying a voltage to the electrode to reduce the volatile oxide to provide a number of nano-sized electrocatalytic particles on or proximate to a triple phase boundary, where the number of nano-sized electrocatalytic particles is greater on or proximate to the triple phase boundary than in an area that is not on or proximate to the triple phase boundary, and where the triple phase boundary is disposed on the electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2005Publication date: March 8, 2007Inventors: James Ruud, Kenneth Browall, Timothy Rehg, Stephane Renou, Todd-Michael Striker
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Publication number: 20040088060Abstract: A method and system of designing the operations and controls of a gas turbine, includes generating an operations model for the gas turbine including at least one objective function and defining operations and control constraints for the operations model of the gas turbine. An online dynamic optimizer/controller dynamically optimizes and controls operation of the gas turbine using model based control based on the operations model and the operations and control constraints. The model based control may include model predictive control.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2002Publication date: May 6, 2004Inventors: Stephane Renou, Minesh Ashok Shah