Patents by Inventor Steven Couse

Steven Couse 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).

  • Sealed porous structures for solid oxide fuel cells and methods of fabricating thereof
    Patent number: 12126057
    Abstract: Described herein are solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), comprising anode-conductor seals and/or cathode-conductor seals used for sealing porous metal structures and controlling the distribution of fuel and oxidants within these porous structures. For example, a SOFC comprises an anode conductor, cathode conductor, and electrolyte, disposed between the anode and cathode conductors. The anode conductor comprises multiple porous portions (permeable to the fuel) and a non-porous portion. The SOFC also comprises an anode-conductor seal, forming a stack with the non-porous portion. This sealing stack extends between the electrolyte and current collector and separates two porous portions thereby preventing the fuel and oxidant migration between these portions. In some examples, the sealing stack forms an enclosed boundary around one porous portion of the anode conductor. In the same or other examples, another sealing stack is formed in the cathode conductor, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: Proof Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Vlad Kalika, Steven Couse, Timothy G. Dummer
  • SEALED POROUS STRUCTURES FOR SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELLS AND METHODS OF FABRICATING THEREOF
    Publication number: 20230132773
    Abstract: Described herein are solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), comprising anode-conductor seals and/or cathode-conductor seals used for sealing porous metal structures and controlling the distribution of fuel and oxidants within these porous structures. For example, a SOFC comprises an anode conductor, cathode conductor, and electrolyte, disposed between the anode and cathode conductors. The anode conductor comprises multiple porous portions (permeable to the fuel) and a non-porous portion. The SOFC also comprises an anode-conductor seal, forming a stack with the non-porous portion. This sealing stack extends between the electrolyte and current collector and separates two porous portions thereby preventing the fuel and oxidant migration between these portions. In some examples, the sealing stack forms an enclosed boundary around one porous portion of the anode conductor. In the same or other examples, another sealing stack is formed in the cathode conductor, e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Applicant: Proof Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Vlad Kalika, Steven Couse, Timothy G. Dummer
  • Solid oxide fuel cell stack with floating cells
    Patent number: 7553579
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell stack includes a fuel cell unit consisting of a fuel cell framed by a cell holder plate and upper and lower cushioning elements. The fuel cell unit is stacked with flow field seals and solid flow separator plates. The fuel cell thus floats without direct contact with rigid stack elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Versa Power Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Steven Couse, Zheng Tang
  • SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL STACK WITH FLOATING CELLS
    Publication number: 20040197636
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell stack includes a fuel cell unit consisting of a fuel cell framed by a cell holder plate and upper and lower cushioning elements. The fuel cell unit is stacked with flow field seals and solid flow separator plates. The fuel cell thus floats without direct contact with rigid stack elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Steven Couse, Zheng Tang