Patents by Inventor Steven J. Eickhoff

Steven J. Eickhoff 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: 9214683
    Abstract: A power generator includes a chemical hydride multilayer fuel cell stack. A flow path extends through the fuel cell stack to provide oxygen containing air to the fuel cell stack and to cool the fuel cell stack. A hydrogen generator is coupled to the flow path to receive water vapor from ambient air introduced into the flow path and water vapor generated by the fuel cell stack and to provide hydrogen to the fuel cell stack. A controller separately controls airflow past the fuel cell stack and water vapor provided to the hydrogen generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Eickhoff, Yue Liu, Fouad A. Nusseibeh
  • Publication number: 20150303501
    Abstract: A power generator includes a hydrogen producing fuel in a first high pressure chamber. A fuel cell having a proton exchange membrane is disposed in a second low pressure chamber. A water absorbing material provides water vapor to the hydrogen producing fuel, and a plurality of valves control hydrogen provided to the fuel cell from the first high pressure chamber, and exposure of the water absorbing material to ambient and the high pressure chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventor: Steven J. Eickhoff
  • Publication number: 20150200408
    Abstract: A method of forming a fuel cell stack, wherein the stack includes an anode electrode layer, an adhesive and anode gas diffusion layer coupled to the anode electrode layer, an ion exchange membrane coupled on a first side to the gas diffusion layer opposite the anode electrode layer, an adhesive and cathode gas diffusion layer coupled to a second side of the ion exchange membrane, and a cathode electrode layer coupled to the adhesive and cathode gas diffusion layer opposite the ion exchange membrane. The fuel cell stack may be flexible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Inventor: Steven J. Eickhoff
  • Patent number: 9065128
    Abstract: A device and method of forming a power generator includes a container, a fuel cell stack within the container, a metal hydride hydrogen producing fuel within the container, wherein the fuel cell stack is sandwiched between the container and an anode support surrounding the fuel and in close thermal contact with the fuel. The fuel cell stack has a cathode electrode for exposure to oxygen and an anode electrode for exposure to hydrogen. A cathode is electrically coupled to the cathode electrode of the fuel cell stack and supported by the container such that at least a portion of it is exposed on an outside of the container. An anode is electrically coupled to the anode electrode of the fuel cell stack and supported by the container such that at least a portion of it is exposed on the outside of the container spaced apart from the exposed cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Steven J. Eickhoff
  • Publication number: 20150132676
    Abstract: A power generator includes a cavity to accept a hydrogen producing fuel cartridge. A channel is coupled to receive hydrogen from the fuel cartridge. A manifold is coupled to the channel to receive hydrogen from the channel, the manifold having an opening to receive oxygen and water vapor, the manifold being positioned to provide the water vapor to the cavity. An array of fuel cell membranes is supported by the manifold to receive hydrogen from the manifold and oxygen from the opening in the manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Steven J. Eickhoff
  • Publication number: 20150132671
    Abstract: A power generator includes a case having a surface with a perforation and a cavity containing a gas generating fuel. A membrane is supported by the case inside the cavity, the membrane having an impermeable valve plate positioned proximate the perforation, wherein the membrane is water vapor permeable and gas impermeable and flexes responsive to a difference in pressure between the cavity and outside the cavity to selectively allow water vapor to pass through the perforation to the fuel as a function of the difference in pressure. A fuel cell membrane is supported by the case and positioned to receive hydrogen at an anode side of the fuel cell membrane and to receive oxygen from outside the power generator at a cathode side of the fuel cell membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Honeyweel International Inc.
    Inventor: Steven J. Eickhoff
  • Publication number: 20150132214
    Abstract: A device includes a case having a surface with a perforation and a cavity. A membrane is supported by the case inside the cavity and has an impermeable valve plate positioned proximate the perforation. The membrane is water vapor permeable and gas impermeable and flexes responsive to a difference in pressure between the cavity and outside the cavity to selectively allow water vapor to pass through the perforation into the cavity as a function of the difference in pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Steven J. Eickhoff
  • Patent number: 9029038
    Abstract: A method of forming a fuel cell stack, wherein the stack includes an anode electrode layer, an adhesive and anode gas diffusion layer coupled to the anode electrode layer, an ion exchange membrane coupled on a first side to the gas diffusion layer opposite the anode electrode layer, an adhesive and cathode gas diffusion layer coupled to a second side of the ion exchange membrane, and a cathode electrode layer coupled to the adhesive and cathode gas diffusion layer opposite the ion exchange membrane. The fuel cell stack may be flexible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Steven J. Eickhoff
  • Patent number: 9029028
    Abstract: A device using needed hydrogen gas flow and electricity for operation obtained from a fuel cell power supply. Also, water generated by the fuel cell may be recycled for hydrogen generation which may be used by the device and in turn expanded by the fuel cell for further electrical power generation. The device may be a gas chromatograph, a fluid calibration mechanism, a flame ionization detector, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Eickhoff, Adam McBrady, Ulrich Bonne, Roland A. Wood
  • Publication number: 20150111120
    Abstract: A power generator includes a power generator cavity adapted to receive a fuel cartridge, a protrusion disposed with in the cavity to engage a check valve of the fuel cartridge, a fuel cell to convert hydrogen and oxygen to electricity and to generate water vapor, and a passage to transport hydrogen from the cavity to the fuel cell and water vapor to the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Steven J. Eickhoff
  • Patent number: 9005572
    Abstract: A device includes a chemical hydride fuel pellet having a plurality of holes extending from a first end to a second end. A plurality of tubes formed of water vapor permeable and hydrogen impermeable material extend from the first end to the second end through the tubes. A container has an inlet for water vapor containing gas coupled to the first end of the tubes and an outlet coupled to the second end of the tubes. A hydrogen outlet is coupled to the fuel pellet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Steven J. Eickhoff
  • Publication number: 20150096670
    Abstract: An example fuel cell assembly may include a proton exchange membrane (or membrane electrode assembly) that has a first major surface and a second major surface. An anode electrode, which may include a patterned metal layer with a plurality of apertures extending through the patterned metal layer, may also be provided. An anode gas diffusion layer secured to an anode adhesive frame may be situated between the anode electrode and the first major surface of the proton exchange membrane. A cathode electrode may, in some instances, include a patterned metal layer with a plurality of apertures extending through the patterned metal layer. A cathode gas diffusion layer secured to a cathode adhesive frame may be situated between the cathode electrode and the second major surface of the proton exchange membrane. In some instances a fuel cell assembly may be flexible so that the fuel cell assembly can be rolled into a rolled configuration that defines an inner cavity with open ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventor: Steven J. Eickhoff
  • Patent number: 8993135
    Abstract: A flexible fuel cell stack is also described that includes an anode electrode layer, an adhesive and anode gas diffusion layer coupled to the anode electrode layer, an ion exchange membrane coupled on a first side to the gas diffusion layer opposite the anode electrode layer, an adhesive and cathode gas diffusion layer coupled to a second side of the ion exchange membrane, and a cathode electrode layer coupled to the adhesive and cathode gas diffusion layer opposite the ion exchange membrane. The fuel cell stack may be incorporated into a power generator that includes a hydrogen producing fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Steven J. Eickhoff
  • Patent number: 8962211
    Abstract: A device and method of forming a power generator includes a container, a fuel cell stack within the container, a metal hydride hydrogen producing fuel within the container, wherein the fuel cell stack is sandwiched between the container and an anode support surrounding the fuel and in close thermal contact with the fuel. The fuel cell stack has a cathode electrode for exposure to oxygen and an anode electrode for exposure to hydrogen. A cathode is electrically coupled to the cathode electrode of the fuel cell stack and supported by the container such that at least a portion of it is exposed on an outside of the container. An anode is electrically coupled to the anode electrode of the fuel cell stack and supported by the container such that at least a portion of it is exposed on the outside of the container spaced apart from the exposed cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Steven J. Eickhoff
  • Patent number: 8962198
    Abstract: A power generator includes a hydrogen producing fuel in a first high pressure chamber. A fuel cell having a proton exchange membrane is disposed in a second low pressure chamber. A water absorbing material provides water vapor to the hydrogen producing fuel, and a plurality of valves control hydrogen provided to the fuel cell from the first high pressure chamber, and exposure of the water absorbing material to ambient and the high pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Steven J. Eickhoff
  • Patent number: 8932780
    Abstract: An example fuel cell assembly may include a proton exchange membrane (or membrane electrode assembly) that has a first major surface and a second major surface. An anode electrode, which may include a patterned metal layer with a plurality of apertures extending through the patterned metal layer, may also be provided. An anode gas diffusion layer secured to an anode adhesive frame may be situated between the anode electrode and the first major surface of the proton exchange membrane. A cathode electrode may, in some instances, include a patterned metal layer with a plurality of apertures extending through the patterned metal layer. A cathode gas diffusion layer secured to a cathode adhesive frame may be situated between the cathode electrode and the second major surface of the proton exchange membrane. In some instances a fuel cell assembly may be flexible so that the fuel cell assembly can be rolled into a rolled configuration that defines an inner cavity with open ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Steven J. Eickhoff
  • Publication number: 20140342261
    Abstract: A power generator includes a fuel container adapted to hold a hydrogen containing fuel. A sliding valve is coupled between a fuel cell and a fuel container. A pressure responsive actuator is coupled to the two stage valve and the fuel container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventor: Steven J. Eickhoff
  • Patent number: 8871398
    Abstract: A power generator includes a hydrogen generator that generates hydrogen in response to water vapor. A solid oxide fuel cell is coupled to the hydrogen generator for receiving hydrogen and is coupled to a source of oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Eickhoff, Chunbo Zhang
  • Publication number: 20140295327
    Abstract: A device and method of forming a power generator includes a container, a fuel cell stack within the container, a metal hydride hydrogen producing fuel within the container, wherein the fuel cell stack is sandwiched between the container and an anode support surrounding the fuel and in close thermal contact with the fuel. The fuel cell stack has a cathode electrode for exposure to oxygen and an anode electrode for exposure to hydrogen. A cathode is electrically coupled to the cathode electrode of the fuel cell stack and supported by the container such that at least a portion of it is exposed on an outside of the container. An anode is electrically coupled to the anode electrode of the fuel cell stack and supported by the container such that at least a portion of it is exposed on the outside of the container spaced apart from the exposed cathode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventor: Steven J. Eickhoff
  • Publication number: 20140259892
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a hydrogen generating fuel comprising grains comprising a promoter and AlH3, each grain having a size between 1 and 10 ?m. In some embodiments, the grains can be pressed into a porous pellet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Eickhoff, Stephen Kenyon Swanson