Patents by Inventor Thomas Herdtle

Thomas Herdtle 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).

  • Publication number: 20050212707
    Abstract: Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags include compensating elements. The compensating elements enhance the operation of a compensated RFID tag, even when in close proximity to other RFID tags, whether the other tags are compensated or uncompensated. The compensating elements can include a closed loop of conductive material added to a RFID tag antenna. The conductive loop compensates the RFID tag performance when multiple RFID tags are in close proximity, keeping the frequency response of the assembled group of tags substantially centered near the operating frequency of the RFID system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Inventors: William Egbert, Thomas Herdtle
  • Patent number: 6780536
    Abstract: Flow field designs are provided, as well as flow field devices employing the subject flow field designs. A fluid distribution assembly is provided comprising a flow field device and a fluid transport layer disposed between the flow field device and a target area, where, for at least one finite non-zero flow rate and at least one use rate of an active component of the fluid in the fluid transport layer, lateral flux of the active component varies by no more than 35% through at least 90% of all overland portions of said fluid transport layer. In one embodiment, the flow field device comprises a flow field comprising a serpentine channel, comprising non-parallel sequential major segments. In a further embodiment, the angles between successive major segments of the serpentine channel vary progressively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Mark Kevitt Debe, Thomas Herdtle
  • Publication number: 20040096724
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack is provided comprising one or more fuel cell modules, each fuel cell module comprising at least one membrane electrode assembly having no hard stop layer; two or more compression plates; and at least one plurality of mechanical linkages connecting a pair of compression plates located on either side of at least one fuel cell module, which may be engaged to maintain a predetermined gap distance between the pair of compression plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Mark Kevitt Debe, Larry Allan Schleif, Thomas Herdtle, Andrew James Steinbach
  • Publication number: 20040096715
    Abstract: A liquid cooled fuel cell stack is provided which comprises fuel cell modules which comprise one or more membrane electrode assemblies (MEA's); cooling plates which comprise cooling channels; a manifold box communicating with each cooling channel inlet; and a diffuser within the manifold box having a plurality of diffuser outlets distributed evenly with respect to the cooling channel inlets. Typically a two-chamber manifold box is used, to allow counter-flow of coolant in opposite directions in cooling channels on opposite sides of the stack. Typically the stack is insulated around its exterior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Thomas Herdtle, Hamid Reza Mortazavi, Andrew James Steinbach, Mark Kevitt Debe, Larry Allan Schleif
  • Patent number: 6640805
    Abstract: A novel metering valve having improved flow for delivery of an aerosol formulation is disclosed. Methods of delivering an aerosol formulation using a device comprising the novel metering valve are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Gustavo H. Castro, Thomas Herdtle, Cathleen M. Arsenault, Antony J. Davis
  • Patent number: 6555261
    Abstract: A flow field for an electrochemical cell such as a fuel cell is provided, having micro-flow channels having a width or depth of less than 800 &mgr;m, a pitch of less than 800 &mgr;m, or a proportion of inter-channel land area of less than 25%. The channels may further comprise micro-features within the channels. A flow field plate comprising the subject flow field is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Krzysztof A. Lewinski, Raymond Patrick Johnston, Thomas Herdtle, David Adrian Ylitalo
  • Publication number: 20030059662
    Abstract: Flow field designs are provided, as well as flow field devices employing the subject flow field designs. A fluid distribution assembly is provided comprising a flow field device and a fluid transport layer disposed between the flow field device and a target area, where, for at least one finite non-zero flow rate and at least one use rate of an active component of the fluid in the fluid transport layer, lateral flux of the active component varies by no more than 35% through at least 90% of all overland portions of said fluid transport layer. In one embodiment, the flow field device comprises a flow field comprising a serpentine channel, comprising non-parallel sequential major segments. In a further embodiment, the angles between successive major segments of the serpentine channel vary progressively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Mark Kevitt Debe, Thomas Herdtle
  • Publication number: 20030010794
    Abstract: A novel metering valve having improved flow for delivery of an aerosol formulation is disclosed. Methods of improving the flow characteristics of a metering valve are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Thomas Herdtle, Gustavo H. Castro, Cathleen M. Arsenault
  • Publication number: 20020134376
    Abstract: A novel metering valve having improved flow for delivery of an aerosol formulation is disclosed. Methods of delivering an aerosol formulation using a device comprising the novel metering valve are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Gustavo H. Castro, Thomas Herdtle, Cathleen M. Arsenault, Antony J. Davis