Patents by Inventor Thomas G. Herron

Thomas G. Herron 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: 8728676
    Abstract: A system for optimizing the purge cycle of a fuel cell stack responsive to the performance of the fuel cell. The system includes a controller that measures a process parameter indicative of the rate at which water is being produced in the fuel cell. If the measured value exceeds a threshold value, then the purge assembly is automatically actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: DCNS SA
    Inventor: Thomas G. Herron
  • Patent number: 8563188
    Abstract: A fuel cell system that includes a control system for regulating the power produced by the fuel cell system. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack adapted to produce electrical power from a feed. In some embodiments, the fuel cell system includes a fuel processing assembly adapted to produce the feed for the fuel cell stack from one or more feedstocks. The control system regulates the power produced by the fuel cell system to prevent damage to, and/or failure of, the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Idatech, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Edlund, Thomas G. Herron, Craig F. Holmes
  • Publication number: 20120231356
    Abstract: A fuel cell system that includes a control system for regulating the power produced by the fuel cell system. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack adapted to produce electrical power from a feed. In some embodiments, the fuel cell system includes a fuel processing assembly adapted to produce the feed for the fuel cell stack from one or more feedstocks. The control system regulates the power produced by the fuel cell system to prevent damage to, and/or failure of, the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: IDATECH, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Edlund, Thomas G. Herron, Craig F. Holmes
  • Patent number: 8133626
    Abstract: A fuel cell system that includes a control system for regulating the power produced by the fuel cell system. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack adapted to produce electrical power from a feed. In some embodiments, the fuel cell system includes a fuel processing assembly adapted to produce the feed for the fuel cell stack from one or more feedstocks. The control system regulates the power produced by the fuel cell system to prevent damage to, and/or failure of, the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Idatech, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Edlund, Thomas G. Herron, Craig F. Holmes
  • Patent number: 7971449
    Abstract: Heat-activated heat-pump systems and related methods are disclosed that include a power cycle coupled to a vapor-compression refrigeration cycle both utilizing the same working fluid. The power cycle comprises a boiler, an expander receiving superheated vapor and producing work from the superheated vapor, a condenser, and a pump. A regenerator conducts a first stream of working fluid from the pump to the boiler and a second stream of the working fluid from the expander to the condenser while transferring heat from the second stream to the first stream. The refrigeration cycle comprises a compressor that compresses the working fluid from the evaporator and delivers the compressed working fluid to a condenser. The expander and compressor are coupled together such that at least a portion of the work produced by the expander is utilized for running the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: State of Oregon acting by and through the State Board of Higher Education on Behalf of Oregon State University
    Inventors: Richard B. Peterson, Thomas G. Herron, Monte K. Drost
  • Patent number: 7939211
    Abstract: A control system and method for a fuel processing system. The control system automates the operation of a fuel processing system by monitoring operating parameters and automatically controlling the operation of the system responsive to the monitored parameters, predefined subroutines and/or user inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Idatech, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Edlund, Thomas G. Herron, William A. Pledger
  • Publication number: 20110076574
    Abstract: A fuel cell system that includes a control system for regulating the power produced by the fuel cell system. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack adapted to produce electrical power from a feed. In some embodiments, the fuel cell system includes a fuel processing assembly adapted to produce the feed for the fuel cell stack from one or more feedstocks. The control system regulates the power produced by the fuel cell system to prevent damage to, and/or failure of, the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: IDATECH, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Edlund, Thomas G. Herron, Craig F. Holmes
  • Patent number: 7846569
    Abstract: Methods for operating a fuel cell system under reduced load conditions. The fuel cell system includes a control system for regulating the power produced by the fuel cell system. The fuel cell system further includes a fuel cell stack adapted to produce electrical power from a feed. In some embodiments, the fuel cell system includes a fuel processing assembly adapted to produce the feed for the fuel cell stack from one or more feedstocks. The control system regulates the power produced by the fuel cell system to prevent damage to, and/or failure of, the system. The methods include selectively diverting at least a portion of the feed from delivery to the fuel cell stack if an applied load is less than the currently available power output of the fuel cell system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Idatech, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Edlund, Thomas G. Herron, Craig F. Holmes
  • Publication number: 20100297511
    Abstract: A control system and method for a fuel processing system. The control system automates the operation of a fuel processing system by monitoring operating parameters and automatically controlling the operation of the system responsive to the monitored parameters, predefined subroutines and/or user inputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: IDATECH, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Edlund, Thomas G. Herron, William A. Pledger
  • Patent number: 7771882
    Abstract: A control system and method for a fuel processing system. The control system automates the operation of a fuel processing system by monitoring operating parameters and automatically controlling the operation of the system responsive to the monitored parameters, predefined subroutines and/or user inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Idatech, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Edlund, Thomas G. Herron, William A. Pledger
  • Publication number: 20100136448
    Abstract: A system for optimizing the purge cycle of a fuel cell stack responsive to the performance of the fuel cell. The system includes a controller that measures a process parameter indicative of the rate at which water is being produced in the fuel cell. If the measured value exceeds a threshold value, then the purge assembly is automatically actuated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: IDATECH, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas G. Herron
  • Patent number: 7655332
    Abstract: A system for optimizing the purge cycle of a fuel cell stack responsive to the performance of the fuel cell. The system includes a controller that measures a process parameter indicative of the rate at which water is being produced in the fuel cell. If the measured value exceeds a threshold value, then the purge assembly is automatically actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Idatech, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas G. Herron
  • Publication number: 20080176118
    Abstract: A control system and method for a fuel processing system. The control system automates the operation of a fuel processing system by monitoring operating parameters and automatically controlling the operation of the system responsive to the monitored parameters, predefined subroutines and/or user inputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: David J. Edlund, Thomas G. Herron, William A. Pledger
  • Patent number: 7208241
    Abstract: A control system and method for a fuel processing system. The control system automates the operation of a fuel processing system by monitoring operating parameters and automatically controlling the operation of the system responsive to the monitored parameters, predefined subroutines and/or user inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: IdaTech, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Edlund, Thomas G. Herron, William A. Pledger
  • Patent number: 7135048
    Abstract: A fuel processing assembly adapted to produce hydrogen gas from a volatile feedstock. The fuel processing assembly includes a fuel processor, such as a steam reformer. The fuel processing assembly further includes a feed assembly adapted to deliver a volatile feedstock, such as propane, to the fuel processor. In some embodiments, the fuel processing system includes a fuel cell stack that includes at least one fuel cell adapted to produce electrical power from hydrogen gas produced by the fuel processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: IdaTech, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Edlund, Thomas G. Herron
  • Patent number: 7005113
    Abstract: A fuel processing assembly adapted to produce hydrogen gas from a carbon-containing feedstock. The fuel processing assembly includes a fuel processor, such as a steam reformer. The fuel processing assembly further includes a feed assembly adapted to deliver a carbon-containing feedstock, such as a hydrocarbon, to the fuel processor. In some embodiments, the fuel processing system includes a fuel cell stack that includes at least one fuel cell adapted to produce electrical power from hydrogen gas produced by the fuel processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: IdaTech, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Edlund, Thomas G. Herron
  • Patent number: 6979507
    Abstract: A fuel cell system that includes a control system for regulating the power produced by the fuel cell system. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack adapted to produce electrical power from a feed. In some embodiments, the fuel cell system includes a fuel processing assembly adapted to produce the feed for the fuel cell stack from one or more feedstocks. The control system regulates the power produced by the fuel cell system to prevent damage to, and/or failure of, the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: IdaTech, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Edlund, Thomas G. Herron, Craig F. Holmes
  • Patent number: 6887605
    Abstract: A system for optimizing the purge cycle of a fuel cell stack responsive to the performance of the fuel cell. The system includes a controller that measures a process parameter indicative of the rate at which water is being produced in the fuel cell. If the measured value exceeds a threshold value, then the purge assembly is automatically actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: IdaTech, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas G. Herron
  • Patent number: 6811908
    Abstract: A control system and method for a fuel processing system. The control system automates the operation of a fuel processing system by monitoring operating parameters and automatically controlling the operation of the system responsive to the monitored parameters, predefined subroutines and/or user inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: IdaTech, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Edlund, Thomas G. Herron, William A. Pledger
  • Publication number: 20030113601
    Abstract: A fuel cell system that includes a control system for regulating the power produced by the fuel cell system. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack adapted to produce electrical power from a feed. In some embodiments, the fuel cell system includes a fuel processing assembly adapted to produce the feed for the fuel cell stack from one or more feedstocks. The control system regulates the power produced by the fuel cell system to prevent damage to, and/or failure of, the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventors: David J. Edlund, Thomas G. Herron, Craig F. Holmes