Patents by Inventor Thomas E. Springer

Thomas E. Springer 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).

  • Fuel processor for fuel cell power system
    Patent number: 4650727
    Abstract: A catalytic organic fuel processing apparatus, which can be used in a fuel cell power system, contains within a housing a catalyst chamber, a variable speed fan, and a combustion chamber. Vaporized organic fuel is circulated by the fan past the combustion chamber with which it is in indirect heat exchange relationship. The heated vaporized organic fuel enters a catalyst bed where it is converted into a desired product such as hydrogen needed to power the fuel cell. During periods of high demand, air is injected upstream of the combustion chamber and organic fuel injection means to burn with some of the organic fuel on the outside of the combustion chamber, and thus be in direct heat exchange relation with the organic fuel going into the catalyst bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1987
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Nicholas E. Vanderborgh, Thomas E. Springer, James R. Huff