Patents by Inventor Stephen LAWES

Stephen LAWES 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).

  • Publication number: 20240055634
    Abstract: A system and method for predictive fuel cell management system for an integrated hydrogen-electric engine is disclosed. The system includes a fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cells and a computer having a memory and one or more processors. The one or more processors configured to predict, during a first phase of energy demand on the integrated hydrogen-electric engine, an impending occurrence of a second phase of energy demand on the integrated hydrogen-electric engine, wherein the second phase of energy demand includes a predetermined energy demand; and generate a predetermined amount of energy from the plurality of fuel cells based on the predicted second phase of energy demand prior to starting the second phase of energy demand to improve energy efficiency and performance of the integrated hydrogen-electric engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Applicant: ZeroAvia, Ltd.
    Inventors: Valery MIFTAKHOV, Stephen LAWES
  • Patent number: 11848458
    Abstract: A system including a battery module configured for use in an electric aircraft includes at least a battery cell and a battery module casing. The at least a battery cell includes at least a pair of cell tabs and at least a conductor. The battery module casing includes at least a lithiophobic surface with an ejecta barrier and at least a nonlithiphobic surface that is configured to vent the cell ejecta. The battery module casing closely matches the dimensions of the battery cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Cuberg, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Lawes, Seamus Bannon, Sam Meyjes, Stuart Schreiber
  • Publication number: 20230402591
    Abstract: A system for electrical energy production from chemical reagents in a compartmentalized cell includes: at least two electrodes, comprising at least one anode and at least one cathode; at least one separator, that separates the anodes and the cathodes; and an ionic liquid electrolyte system. The system can be a battery or one or more cells of a battery system. The ionic liquid electrolyte system comprises an ionic liquid solvent; an ether co-solvent, comprising a minority fraction, by weight, of the electrolyte; and a lithium salt. In preferred variations, the anode is a lithium metal anode and the cathode is a metal oxide cathode and the separator is a polyolefin separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Applicant: Cuberg, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Y. Wang, Jason Koeller, Olivia Risset, Kaixiang Lin, Stephen Lawes, Mauro Pasta
  • Patent number: 11837763
    Abstract: A system and method for predictive fuel cell management system for an integrated hydrogen-electric engine is disclosed. The system includes a fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cells and a computer having a memory and one or more processors. The one or more processors configured to predict, during a first phase of energy demand on the integrated hydrogen-electric engine, an impending occurrence of a second phase of energy demand on the integrated hydrogen-electric engine, wherein the second phase of energy demand includes a predetermined energy demand; and generate a predetermined amount of energy from the plurality of fuel cells based on the predicted second phase of energy demand prior to starting the second phase of energy demand to improve energy efficiency and performance of the integrated hydrogen-electric engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: ZeroAvia Ltd
    Inventors: Valery Miftakhov, Stephen Lawes
  • Publication number: 20230387710
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for controlling the charge and discharge characteristics of lithium-metal liquid-electrolyte (LiMLE) electrochemical cells that ensure extended cycle life even at high charge rates. In some examples, a method comprises charging a LiMLE electrochemical cell using a set of charge characteristics and discharging the cell using a set of discharge characteristics. These characteristics are specifically tailored to the cell design. For example, the cell temperature can be higher during the charge than during the discharge, especially for viscous electrolytes. For example, the cell can be heated before charging, e.g., using a separate heater and/or charge-discharge pulses (before or while charging the cell). In the same or other examples, the set of charge characteristics comprises charge pulses such that each pair of charge pulses is separated by a discharge pulse. The current during each discharge pulse can be greater during each charge pulse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: Cuberg, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Fawdon, Seamus Bannon, Nadine Kuhn, Stephen Lawes, Ali Hemmatifar, Richard Wang, Jeremy Gong, Eiara Fajardo, Kathryn Hicks
  • Patent number: 11777087
    Abstract: A system for electrical energy production from chemical reagents in a compartmentalized cell includes: at least two electrodes, comprising at least one anode and at least one cathode; at least one separator, that separates the anodes and the cathodes; and an ionic liquid electrolyte system. The system can be a battery or one or more cells of a battery system. The ionic liquid electrolyte system comprises an ionic liquid solvent; an ether co-solvent, comprising a minority fraction, by weight, of the electrolyte; and a lithium salt. In preferred variations, the anode is a lithium metal anode and the cathode is a metal oxide cathode and the separator is a polyolefin separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Cuberg, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Y. Wang, Jason Koeller, Olivia Risset, Kaixiang Lin, Stephen Lawes, Mauro Pasta
  • Publication number: 20230291061
    Abstract: Described herein are battery assemblies that comprise lithium-metal electrochemical cells and pressure-applying structures disposed adjacent to the cells and applying uniform pressure to the cells. Specifically, this uniform pressure is applied between a minimum threshold and a maximum threshold at any operating state of charge of these cells and, in some examples, over the entire operating lifetime of the cells. A pressure-applying structure can be positioned between a pair of adjacent cells or between a cell and an assembly enclosure. In some examples, the footprint of the pressure-inducing structure fully covers the footprint of the negative-electrode planar portion. The pressure-inducing structure may have a stress relaxation of less than 5% and/or a compression set of less than 10%. The pressure-inducing structure may remain in an elastic deformation region at any operating condition. In some examples, the pressure-inducing structure is foam or aerogel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: Cuberg, Inc.
    Inventors: Seamus Bannon, Nadine Kuhn, Edward Meyjes, Stephen Lawes, Richard Wang, Chan Lojewski
  • Publication number: 20230253610
    Abstract: Described herein are battery assemblies that comprise lithium-metal electrochemical cells and lithium-ejecta containment components. A lithium-ejecta containment component is configured to prevent or at least reduce the migration of lithium metal that has been ejected from any of the lithium-metal electrochemical cells. For example, a lithium-ejecta containment component can be positioned between a pair of lithium-metal electrochemical cells and/or between the battery-assembly enclosure and each cell. In the same or other examples, a lithium-ejecta containment component can be integrated into the battery-assembly enclosure and/or cell enclosures. Furthermore, a lithium-ejecta containment component can be configured to absorb and contain the ejected lithium metal. In further examples, a lithium-ejecta containment component is configured to direct the ejected lithium metal away from the battery assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2022
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Applicant: Cuberg, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Lawes, Edward Meyjes, Seamus Bannon, Alex Beraud, Luke Strohbehn, Richard Wang
  • Patent number: 11664491
    Abstract: An anode for an electrochemical cell comprises a lithium metal or lithium metal alloy, and a polymer coating deposited on the lithium metal or lithium metal alloy. The polymer coating is doped with lithium ions and comprises a polyisocyanurate material. The polyisocyanurate material contains ether- and/or silicone-containing further groups. The ether-containing group is a polyether, and/or wherein the silicone-containing group is a siloxane group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: JOHNSON MATTHEY PLC
    Inventors: Thomas Klimmasch, Jan Weikard, Hans-Josef Laas, Jürgen Köcher, David Ainsworth, Stephen Rowlands, Justyna Katarzyna Kreis, Stephen Lawes, Sebastien Desilani
  • Publication number: 20230055863
    Abstract: A system for electrical energy production from chemical reagents in a compartmentalized cell includes: at least two electrodes, comprising at least one anode and at least one cathode; at least one separator, that separates the anodes and the cathodes; and an ionic liquid electrolyte system. The system can be a battery or one or more cells of a battery system. The ionic liquid electrolyte system comprises an ionic liquid solvent; an ether co-solvent, comprising a minority fraction, by weight, of the electrolyte; and a lithium salt. In preferred variations, the anode is a lithium metal anode and the cathode is a metal oxide cathode and the separator is a polyolefin separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Applicant: Cuberg, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Y. Wang, Jason Koeller, Olivia Risset, Kaixiang Lin, Stephen Lawes, Mauro Pasta
  • Patent number: 11522177
    Abstract: A system for electrical energy production from chemical reagents in a compartmentalized cell includes: at least two electrodes, comprising at least one anode and at least one cathode; at least one separator, that separates the anodes and the cathodes; and an ionic liquid electrolyte system. The system can be a battery or one or more cells of a battery system. The ionic liquid electrolyte system comprises an ionic liquid solvent; an ether co-solvent, comprising a minority fraction, by weight, of the electrolyte; and a lithium salt. In preferred variations, the anode is a lithium metal anode and the cathode is a metal oxide cathode and the separator is a polyolefin separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Cuberg, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Y. Wang, Jason Koeller, Olivia Risset, Kaixiang Lin, Stephen Lawes, Mauro Pasta
  • Publication number: 20220359895
    Abstract: A hydrogen-electric engine includes a fuel cell stack including a plurality of fuel cells. Each fuel cell of the plurality of fuel cells includes an anode and a cathode. The hydrogen-electric engine also includes an air compressor system configured to supply compressed air to the cathode, a hydrogen fuel source configured to supply hydrogen gas, an elongated shaft supporting the air compressor system and the fuel cell stack, and a motor assembly disposed in electrical communication with the fuel cell stack. Each fuel cell generates a voltage, as an open cell voltage, by forming water with the supplied compressed air and the supplied hydrogen gas and is electrically coupled with a clamp circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Applicant: ZeroAvia, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen LAWES, Ritish TEJPAL
  • Publication number: 20220336832
    Abstract: A method for jump-starting a hydrogen fuel cell-powered aircraft is disclosed. The method accesses a fuel cell stack containing latent oxygen therein. Accesses a hydrogen fuel source and provides hydrogen from the hydrogen fuel source into the fuel cell stack causing the hydrogen to mix with the latent oxygen in the fuel cell stack and generate a voltage. The voltage is then provided to a component of the hydrogen fuel cell-powered aircraft such that additional oxygen is introduced to the fuel stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Applicant: ZeroAvia, Ltd.
    Inventors: Stephen Lawes, Ritish Tejpal
  • Publication number: 20220328855
    Abstract: A system and method for predictive fuel cell management system for an integrated hydrogen-electric engine is disclosed. The system includes a fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cells and a computer having a memory and one or more processors. The one or more processors configured to predict, during a first phase of energy demand on the integrated hydrogen-electric engine, an impending occurrence of a second phase of energy demand on the integrated hydrogen-electric engine, wherein the second phase of energy demand includes a predetermined energy demand; and generate a predetermined amount of energy from the plurality of fuel cells based on the predicted second phase of energy demand prior to starting the second phase of energy demand to improve energy efficiency and performance of the integrated hydrogen-electric engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Applicant: ZeroAvia, Ltd.
    Inventors: Valery MIFTAKHOV, Stephen LAWES
  • Publication number: 20200194786
    Abstract: A system for electrical energy production from chemical reagents in a compartmentalized cell includes: at least two electrodes, comprising at least one anode and at least one cathode; at least one separator, that separates the anodes and the cathodes; and an ionic liquid electrolyte system. The system can be a battery or one or more cells of a battery system. The ionic liquid electrolyte system comprises an ionic liquid solvent; an ether co-solvent, comprising a minority fraction, by weight, of the electrolyte; and a lithium salt. In preferred variations, the anode is a lithium metal anode and the cathode is a metal oxide cathode and the separator is a polyolefin separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Richard Y. Wang, Jason Koeller, Olivia Risset, Kaixiang Lin, Stephen Lawes, Mauro Pasta
  • Patent number: 10680603
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an isolation and voltage regulation circuit for an electrochemical power source, the circuit comprising: an input terminal (202) for coupling to the power source and receiving an input voltage (Vin) from the power source; an output terminal (204) for coupling to a load; a diode circuit (206) connected between the input terminal and the output terminal; a diode controller (208) configured to control electrical conduction through the diode circuit between the input terminal and the output terminal, the diode controller having a first controller input (210) coupled to the output terminal and a second controller input (212); and a reference controller (220) configured to set a voltage at the second controller input (212) in accordance with a comparison between the input voltage (Vin) and a reference voltage (Vref).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Intelligent Energy Limited
    Inventors: Brendan Devaney, Stephen Lawes
  • Publication number: 20190229326
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an anode for an electrochemical cell, said anode comprising a lithium metal or lithium metal alloy, and a polymer coating deposited on the lithium metal or lithium metal alloy, wherein the polymer coating is doped with lithium ions and comprises a polyisocyanurate material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas KLIMMASCH, Jan WEIKARD, Hans-Josef LAAS, Jürgen KÖCHER, David AINSWORTH, Stephen ROWLANDS, Justyna Katarzyna KREIS, Stephen LAWES, Sebastien DESILANI
  • Publication number: 20180323781
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an isolation and voltage regulation circuit for an electrochemical power source, the circuit comprising: an input terminal (202) for coupling to the power source and receiving an input voltage (Vin) from the power source; an output terminal (204) for coupling to a load; a diode circuit (206) connected between the input terminal and the output terminal; a diode controller (208) configured to control electrical conduction through the diode circuit between the input terminal and the output terminal, the diode controller having a first controller input (210) coupled to the output terminal and a second controller input (212); and a reference controller (220) configured to set a voltage at the second controller input (212) in accordance with a comparison between the input voltage (Vin) and a reference voltage (Vref).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Applicant: Intelligent Energy Limited
    Inventors: Brendan DEVANEY, Stephen LAWES
  • Publication number: 20060053110
    Abstract: Methods, systems and programs for estimating exposure to outdoor advertising are provided. In certain embodiments, exposure data is produced based on respondent data and traffic data. In certain embodiments, exposure data is produced based on outdoor inventory data and traffic data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Publication date: March 9, 2006
    Inventors: William McDonald, Thomas Adler, Stephen Lawe, Wendy Welles, Michael McCoy