Patents by Inventor Steven G. Goebel

Steven G. Goebel 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).

  • Diffusion media for seal support for improved fuel cell design
    Patent number: 7972741
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack that includes straight cathode flow channels and straight anode flow channels through a seal area between bipolar plates in the stack. The fuel cell stack includes a seal that extends around the active area of the stack and between the stack headers and the active area. At the locations where the cathode flow channels extend through a seal area to the cathode input header and the cathode outlet header, and the anode flow channels extend through a seal area to the anode input header and the anode output header, the diffusion media layer on one side of the membrane is extended to provide the seal load. Alternately, shims can be used to carry the seal load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Steven G. Goebel, Matthew J. Beutel, Jeffrey A. Rock
  • FUEL CELL OPERATIONAL METHODS FOR HYDROGEN ADDITION AFTER SHUTDOWN
    Publication number: 20110143243
    Abstract: A method for reducing the probability of an air/hydrogen front in a fuel cell stack is disclosed that includes closing anode valves for an anode side of the fuel cell stack to permit a desired quantity of hydrogen to be left in the anode side upon shutdown and determining a schedule to inject hydrogen during the time the fuel cell stack is shutdown. The pressure on an anode input line is determined and a discrete amount of hydrogen is injected into the anode side of the stack according to the determined schedule by opening anode input line valves based on the determined pressure along the anode input line so as to inject the hydrogen into the anode side of the stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: David A. Arthur, Dieter Kaimann, Thomas W. Tighe, Steven G. Goebel, John P. Salvador, Gary M. Robb, Daniel I. Harris, Joseph Nicholas Lovria, Balasubramanian Lakshmanan, Daniel T. Folmsbee
  • INJECTOR FLOW MEASUREMENT FOR FUEL CELL APPLICATIONS
    Publication number: 20110138883
    Abstract: A method for determining the amount of fuel flow from a high pressure gas tank to the anode side of a fuel cell stack through pulsed injector. The anode sub-system pressure is measured just before the injector pulse and just after injector pulse and a difference between the pressures is determined. The difference between the pressures, the volume of the anode sub-system, the ideal gas constant, the anode sub-system temperature, the fuel consumed from the reaction in the fuel cell stack during the injection event and the fuel cross-over through membranes in the fuel cells of the fuel cell stack are used to determine the amount of hydrogen gas injected by the injector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Steven R. FALTA, Steven G. GOEBEL, Daniel C. DI FIORE, Ralf SENNER
  • FUEL CELL OPERATIONAL METHODS FOR OXYGEN DEPLETION AT SHUTDOWN
    Publication number: 20110143241
    Abstract: A method for creating an oxygen depleted gas in a fuel cell system, including operating a fuel cell stack at a desired cathode stoichiometry at fuel cell system shutdown to displace a cathode exhaust gas with an oxygen depleted gas. The method further includes closing a cathode flow valve and turning off a compressor to stop the flow of cathode air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Tighe, Steven G. Goebel, Gary M. Robb, Abdullah B. Alp, Balasubramanian Lakshmanan, Joseph Nicholas Lovria
  • Anode accumulation tank with high nitrogen concentration bleed for a fuel cell stack fuel delivery system
    Patent number: 7960062
    Abstract: A fuel cell system is described having a fuel cell stack including a PEM fuel cell having an anode and a cathode, the fuel cell stack further including an anode outlet and an anode inlet, a hydrogen storage device in communication with the anode inlet and configured to supply a hydrogen gas to the fuel cell stack, and an accumulation reservoir in communication with the anode outlet of the fuel cell stack. The accumulation reservoir is configured to accumulate a quantity of water and an exhaust stream including the hydrogen gas during a purge event and resupply the exhaust stream to the fuel cell stack after the purge event is complete. The accumulation reservoir can be a second fuel cell stack. A method of operating the fuel cell system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jon P. Owejan, John C. Fagley, Steven G. Goebel
  • Fluid flow path for stamped bipolar plate
    Patent number: 7951507
    Abstract: A stamped bipolar plate of a fuel cell stack includes a first stamped plate half having a first reactant flow field formed therein, a portion of which defines a first reactant header region. A second stamped plate half has a first coolant flow field formed therein, a portion of which defines a first set of coolant feed channels that extend at least partially across the first reactant header region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventors: Steven G Goebel, Nafissa Haimad
  • MEMBRANE WITH OPTIMIZED DIMENSIONS FOR A FUEL CELL
    Publication number: 20110123891
    Abstract: A UEA for a fuel cell having an active region and a feed region is provided. The UEA includes an electrolyte membrane disposed between a pair of electrodes. The electrolyte membrane and the pair of electrodes is further disposed between a pair of DM. The electrolyte membrane, the pair of electrodes, and the DM are configured to be disposed at the active region of the fuel cell. A barrier film coupled to the electrolyte membrane is configured to be disposed at the feed region of the fuel cell. The dimensions of the electrolyte membrane are thereby optimized. A fuel cell having the UEA, and a fuel cell stack formed from a plurality of the fuel cells, is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Beutel, Saurabh Vyas, Ronald L. James, Steven G. Goebel
  • Balanced hydrogen feed for a fuel cell
    Patent number: 7935455
    Abstract: A system and method of balancing a hydrogen feed for a fuel cell to optimize flow of hydrogen through the fuel cell, wherein a pressure drop through parallel feed channels and active area channels of the fuel cell is balanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Steven G. Goebel
  • Membrane with optimized dimensions for a fuel cell
    Patent number: 7935453
    Abstract: A UEA for a fuel cell having an active region and a feed region is provided. The UEA includes an electrolyte membrane disposed between a pair of electrodes. The electrolyte membrane and the pair of electrodes is further disposed between a pair of DM. The electrolyte membrane, the pair of electrodes, and the DM are configured to be disposed at the active region of the fuel cell. A barrier film coupled to the electrolyte membrane is configured to be disposed at the feed region of the fuel cell. The dimensions of the electrolyte membrane are thereby optimized. A fuel cell having the UEA, and a fuel cell stack formed from a plurality of the fuel cells, is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Matthew J. Beutel, Saurabh Vyas, Ronald L. James, Steven G. Goebel
  • PEM FUEL CELL STACK INLET WATER REGULATION SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20110091779
    Abstract: A fuel cell assembly is provided that includes a fluid collection member disposed in a fluid inlet for a reactant, wherein the fluid collection member militates against liquid water on an inner surface of the fluid inlet from being received by a fuel cell of the fuel cell assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Jon P. Owejan, Steven G. Goebel, James M. Keogan, Thomas A. Trabold
  • METHOD TO REDUCE TIME UNTIL ACCEPTABLE DRIVE AWAY IN A FUEL CELL SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20110086284
    Abstract: Methods and systems of reducing the start-up time for a fuel cell are described. One method of reducing the start-up time includes: concurrently supporting load requests for the fuel cell and stabilizing the voltage of the fuel cell; wherein stabilizing the voltage of the fuel cell comprises: providing a flow of hydrogen to the fuel cell and opening an anode valve, wherein the hydrogen flow continues for predetermined volume or a predetermined time; and ending voltage stabilization after the predetermined volume or predetermined time is exceeded while continuing to support load requests for the fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Akbar Chowdhury, Seth E. Lerner, Steven G. Goebel
  • CONTROL DETECTION METHOD TO ENABLE GAS COMPOSITION OBSERVING DURING FUEL CELL SYSTEM STARTUP
    Publication number: 20110086283
    Abstract: A detection method for enabling gas composition observation during fuel cell system start-up is described. In one embodiment, the method includes initiating a flow of hydrogen to the anode to pressurize the anode; opening an anode flow valve; determining if an anode pressure exceeds an anode pressure threshold; enabling anode flow set point detection after a first predetermined time if the anode pressure exceeds the anode pressure threshold; monitoring an anode flow set point using the anode flow set point detection; determining if the anode flow set point exceeds an anode flow set point threshold; and closing the anode flow valve after a second predetermined time if the anode flow set point exceeds the anode flow set point threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Seth E. Lerner, Akbar Chowdhury, Steven G. Goebel
  • REMEDIAL START METHOD IN A FUEL CELL
    Publication number: 20110086282
    Abstract: A remedial method for starting a fuel cell system is described. The method includes determining if the remedial method is required; providing air to an exhaust of a fuel cell stack; setting a hydrogen flow rate to an anode side of the fuel cell stack; providing a predetermined volume of hydrogen to the anode side of the fuel cell at the hydrogen flow rate; providing a predetermined volume of air to a cathode side of the fuel cell stack after the predetermined volume of hydrogen has been provided to the anode side while continuing to provide air to the exhaust of the fuel cell stack and hydrogen to the anode side of the fuel cell stack; determining if a stack voltage is stable after the predetermined volume of air has been provided to the cathode side; and closing the anode outlet valve after the stack voltage is stable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Seth E. Lerner, Akbar Chowdhury, Steven G. Goebel
  • PEM FUEL CELL STACK INLET WATER REGULATION SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20110053011
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack assembly is disclosed that includes a porous member disposed within a flow path for a reactant. A fluid collection member is provided within the flow path adjacent to and in fluid communication with the porous member. The porous member and the fluid collection member cooperate to collect liquid water from the reactant flowing in the flow path, wherein the collected liquid water may be drained from the fluid collection member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Jon P. Owejan, Thomas A. Trabold, William H. Pettit, Thomas W. Tighe, James M. Keogan, Eric J. Connor, Steven G. Goebel
  • MEMBRANE HUMIDIFIER FOR A FUEL CELL
    Publication number: 20110039167
    Abstract: A membrane humidifier for a fuel cell with a wet side plate having a plurality of flow channels formed therein and a dry side plate having a plurality of flow channels formed therein, the flow channels of the wet side plate adapted to facilitate a flow of a wet gas therethrough and the flow channels of said dry side plate adapted to facilitate a flow of a dry gas therethrough, wherein a pressure drop in the humidifier is minimized and a humidification of a proton exchange membrane in the fuel cell is optimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Yan Zhang, Annette M. Brenner, Hubert A. Gasteiger, Steven G. Goebel, Glenn W. Skala
  • Membrane humidifier for a fuel cell
    Patent number: 7875396
    Abstract: A membrane humidifier for a fuel cell is disclosed, wherein a pressure drop in the humidifier is minimized and a humidification of a proton exchange membrane in the fuel cell is optimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Yan Zhang, Annette M. Brenner, Hubert A. Gasteiger, Steven G. Goebel, Glenn W. Skala
  • Management via dynamic water holdup estimator in a fuel cell
    Patent number: 7862935
    Abstract: A strategy of controlling a state of hydration of a fuel cell(s) and actively managing operation of the fuel cell(s) to achieve a desired state of hydration. The control strategy monitors the state of hydration and a rate of change of the state of hydration which are used to control the operation of the fuel cell(s). A supervisory control strategy is implemented that alters the operating parameters of the fuel cell(s) based upon the state of hydration, the rate of change of the state of hydration, and a desired operational range for the state of hydration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Manish Sinha, John C. Fagley, Peter Willimowski, Steven G. Goebel
  • Fuel processor primary reactor and combustor startup via electrically-heated catalyst
    Patent number: 7862631
    Abstract: A primary reactor for a fuel processor system that employs steam and air to convert a liquid hydrocarbon fuel into a hydrogen-rich gas stream. The liquid fuel and an air-steam mixture are mixed in a mixing region within the reactor. The fuel mixture is then directed through an electrically heated catalyst region that heats the mixture to the operation temperature of a light-off catalyst at system start-up. The heated fuel mixture is then directed through a light-off catalyst monolith where the hydrocarbon fuel is dissociated. Once the fuel mixture is heated to the operating temperature of the light-off catalyst, the electrically heated catalyst region is turned off because the exothermic reaction in the light-off catalyst monolith generates the heat necessary to sustain the catalytic reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven D. Burch, William H. Pettit, Steven G. Goebel
  • FABRICATION OF ELECTRODES WITH MULTIPLE NANOSTRUCTURED THIN CATALYTIC LAYERS
    Publication number: 20100291473
    Abstract: A method of making a reconstructed electrode having a plurality of nanostructured thin catalytic layers is provided. The method includes combining a donor decal comprising at least one nanostructured thin catalytic layer on a substrate with an acceptor decal comprising a porous substrate and at least one nanostructured thin catalytic layer. The donor decal and acceptor decal are bonded together using a temporary adhesive, and the donor substrate is removed. The temporary adhesive is then removed with appropriate solvents. Catalyst coated proton exchange membranes and catalyst coated diffusion media made from the reconstructed electrode decals having a plurality of nanostructured thin catalytic layers are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Chunxin Ji, Steven G. Goebel, Matthew Dioguardi
  • ANODE WATER SEPARATOR FOR A FUEL CELL SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20100227230
    Abstract: An anode reactant recycling system for a fuel cell is disclosed, the system including a hollow main body, a bleed conduit, an injector, a water separator, and a hydrophilic porous media. The anode reactant recycling system for a fuel cell is adapted to minimize a required number of components, eliminate the need for the anode heat exchanger, use a single valve for removal of condensate and reactant byproducts from the anode reactant recycling system, and provide an upstream volume for startup pressurization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: GB GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, NIC.
    Inventors: Steven G. Goebel, Steven R. Falta, Jon P. Owejan