Patents by Inventor Thomas Berta

Thomas Berta 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: 9853305
    Abstract: A composite membrane and moisture adjustment module using the same is disclosed. The composite membrane includes a moisture-permeable resin layer interposed between porous membranes that constitute a pair; and the mean thickness of the moisture-permeable resin layer is 5 ?m or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignees: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., W. L. Gore & Associates, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiichi Yamakawa, William B. Johnson, Mahesh Murthy, Thomas Berta
  • Patent number: 9847533
    Abstract: A solid polymer electrolyte membrane having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, where the solid polymer electrolyte membrane has a failure force greater than about 115 grams and comprises a composite membrane consisting essentially of (a) at least one expanded PTFE membrane having a porous microstructure of polymeric fibrils, and (b) at least one ion exchange material impregnated throughout the porous microstructure of the expanded PTFE membrane so as to render an interior volume of the expanded PTFE membrane substantially occlusive; (c) at least one substantially occlusive, electronically insulating first composite layer interposed between the expanded PTFE membrane and the first surface, the first composite layer comprising a plurality of first carbon particles supporting a catalyst comprising platinum and an ion exchange material, wherein a plurality of the first carbon particles has a particle size less than about 75 nm, or less than about 50 nm, or less than about 25 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Berta, William Shamrock
  • Publication number: 20150311546
    Abstract: A composite membrane and moisture adjustment module using the same is disclosed. The composite membrane includes a moisture-permeable resin layer interposed between porous membranes that constitute a pair; and the mean thickness of the moisture-permeable resin layer is 5 ?m or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Keiichi Yamakawa, William B. Johnson, Mahesh Murthy, Thomas Berta
  • Patent number: 8652705
    Abstract: A solid polymer electrolyte membrane having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, where the solid polymer electrolyte membrane has a failure force greater than about 115 grams and comprises a composite membrane consisting essentially of (a) at least one expanded PTFE membrane having a porous microstructure of polymeric fibrils, and (b) at least one ion exchange material impregnated throughout the porous microstructure of the expanded PTFE membrane so as to render an interior volume of the expanded PTFE membrane substantially occlusive; (c) at least one substantially occlusive, electronically insulating first composite layer interposed between the expanded PTFE membrane and the first surface, the first composite layer comprising a plurality of first carbon particles supporting a catalyst comprising platinum and an ion exchange material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Berta, William Shamrock, Wen Liu
  • Publication number: 20100086675
    Abstract: A solid polymer electrolyte membrane having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, where the solid polymer electrolyte membrane has a failure force greater than about 115 grams and comprises a composite membrane consisting essentially of (a) at least one expanded PTFE membrane having a porous microstructure of polymeric fibrils, and (b) at least one ion exchange material impregnated throughout the porous microstructure of the expanded PTFE membrane so as to render an interior volume of the expanded PTFE membrane substantially occlusive; (c) at least one substantially occlusive, electronically insulating first composite layer interposed between the expanded PTFE membrane and the first surface, the first composite layer comprising a plurality of first carbon particles supporting a catalyst comprising platinum and an ion exchange material, wherein a plurality of the first carbon particles has a particle size less than about 75 nm, or less than about 50 nm, or less than about 25 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas Berta, William Shamrock
  • Publication number: 20090324929
    Abstract: A composite membrane and moisture adjustment module using the same is disclosed. The composite membrane includes a moisture-permeable resin layer interposed between porous membranes that constitute a pair; and the mean thickness of the moisture-permeable resin layer is 5 ?m or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: Keiichi Yamakawa, Wiliam B. Johnson, Mahesh Murthy, Thomas Berta
  • Publication number: 20070072036
    Abstract: A solid polymer electrolyte membrane having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, where the solid polymer electrolyte membrane has a failure force greater than about 115 grams and comprises a composite membrane consisting essentially of (a) at least one expanded PTFE membrane having a porous microstructure of polymeric fibrils, and (b) at least one ion exchange material impregnated throughout the porous microstructure of the expanded PTFE membrane so as to render an interior volume of the expanded PTFE membrane substantially occlusive; (c) at least one substantially occlusive, electronically insulating first composite layer interposed between the expanded PTFE membrane and the first surface, the first composite layer comprising a plurality of first carbon particles supporting a catalyst comprising platinum and an ion exchange material, wherein a plurality of the first carbon particles has a particle size less than about 75 nm, or less than about 50 nm, or less than about 25 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Berta, William Shamrock, Wen Liu