Patents by Inventor Thomas Skoczylas

Thomas Skoczylas 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: 20090095638
    Abstract: A system and process for remediation of a contaminated environment such as soil and groundwater is disclosed. The system includes a hydrogen generation device that produces hydrogen gas, oxygen gas and a hydrogen-water mixture. The hydrogen-water mixture is injected under pressure into the contaminated environment to stimulate anaerobic decomposition of the contaminating materials such as halogenated hydrocarbons. The oxygen gas is also injected into portions of the contaminated environment containing non-chlorinated hydrocarbons to promote aerobic decomposition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: PROTON ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Skoczylas, A. John Speranza
  • Publication number: 20090035631
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell can comprise: a first electrode and a second electrode with a membrane disposed therebetween and in ionic communication with the first electrode and the second electrode and a sintered porous support member disposed on a side of the membrane opposite the second electrode, wherein the support member comprises a first portion on first side of the support member proximate the membrane and a second portion disposed on a side of the first portion opposite the membrane, wherein the second portion has a second portion porosity different from a first portion porosity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: PROTON ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: John Zagaja, Dave Christensen, Durwood Beringer, Tushar Ghuwalewala, Chris Capuano, Tony Hurtado, Thomas Skoczylas
  • Patent number: 7159444
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for monitoring the levels of combustible gas in a gas stream. The system includes means for controlling the relative humidity of the the gas stream to maintain a humidity level in the performance range of combustible gas sensors. A number techniques are illustrated for achieving the humidity control, including, secondary phase separations, mixing the gas with dry air and adjusting of the gas stream temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Proton Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Demarest, John Koopman, Norman Schaefer, Andrzej Stanek, Iris Shiroma, Allan Tomasco, Elena Stockton, Frano Barbir, John Zagaja, Thomas Skoczylas, Lawrence Moulthrop
  • Patent number: 6926988
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a proton exchange membrane disposed between and in intimate contact with the electrodes, and a pressure pad disposed in electrical communication with the first electrode. The pressure pad is compatible with the cell environment and is configured to support the electrodes and the membrane. The pressure pad includes an electrically conductive member and a compression member disposed at the electrically conductive member. A method of maintaining compression within the cell includes disposing the electrically conductive member and the compression member at the first electrode, applying a load at the cell to compress the cell components, and maintaining electrical communication through the electrically conductive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Proton Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Dristy, Thomas Skoczylas, Greg A. Hanlon, Jason K. Shiepe
  • Patent number: 6916443
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell capable of operating in pressure differentials exceeding about 2,000 psi, using a porous electrode. The porous electrode comprises a catalyst adsorbed on or in a porous support that is disposed in intimate contact and fluid communication with the electrolyte membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Proton Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Skoczylas, Matthew Christopher, Jason K. Shiepe, Mark E. Dristy, Trent M. Molter
  • Publication number: 20050142402
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell capable of operating in pressure differentials exceeding about 2,000 psi, using a porous electrode. The porous electrode comprises a catalyst adsorbed on or in a porous support that is disposed in intimate contact and fluid communication with the electrolyte membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Skoczylas, Matthew Christopher, Jason Shiepe, Mark Dristy, Trent Molter
  • Publication number: 20050142435
    Abstract: A method of forming a pressure pad can comprise: disposing a first electrically conductive member at a first compression member to form a first ring assembly; disposing a second electrically conductive member at a second compression member to form a second ring assembly; and arranging the first ring assembly at the second ring assembly in a concentric pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Inventors: Mark Dristy, Thomas Skoczylas, Greg Hanlon, Jason Shiepe
  • Publication number: 20050129996
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a regenerative electrochemical cell system, comprises: a fuel cell module, an electrolysis module, a heat exchange, and an inverted hydrogen storage device. The fuel cell module can comprise a fuel cell hydrogen inlet in fluid communication a hydrogen storage system, and a fuel cell oxygen inlet in fluid communication with a surrounding atmosphere and in fluid communication with a gaseous portion of an oxygen/water phase separation device. The electrolysis module can comprise an electrolysis water inlet in fluid communication with the water storage device via the fuel cell module, and an electrolysis water outlet in fluid communication with a second water storage device. The inverted hydrogen storage device can comprise a fluid inlet in fluid communication with an electrolysis hydrogen outlet, and a gas outlet in fluid communication with a fuel cell hydrogen inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Inventors: Lawrence Moulthrop, Trent Molter, A. Speranza, Mark Lillis, William Smith, Jason Shiepe, Thomas Skoczylas
  • Patent number: 6869720
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the electrochemical cell comprises: a first electrode, a second electrode, and a membrane disposed between and in ionic communication with the first electrode and the second electrode. A first flow field is in fluid communication with the first electrode and disposed opposite the membrane, with a second flow field in fluid communication with second electrode and disposed opposite the membrane, and an electrically conductive pressure pad adjacent the first flow field and the first electrode. The pressure pad comprises a mixture of at least one substoichiometric oxide of titanium and an elastomeric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Proton Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Everett Anderson, Gregory A. Hanlon, Thomas Skoczylas
  • Publication number: 20040105773
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell capable of operating in pressure differentials exceeding about 2,000 psi, using a porous electrode. The porous electrode comprises a catalyst adsorbed on or in a porous support that is disposed in intimate contact and fluid communication with the electrolyte membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicant: PROTON ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Skoczylas, Matthew Christopher, Jason K. Shiepe, Mark E. Dristy, Trent M. Molter
  • Publication number: 20040099045
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for monitoring the levels of combustible gas in a gas stream. The system includes means for controlling the relative humidity of the the gas stream to maintain a humidity level in the performance range of combustible gas sensors. A number techniques are illustrated for achieving the humidity control, including, secondary phase separations, mixing the gas with dry air and adjusting of the gas stream temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Applicant: Proton Energy Systems
    Inventors: Edward Demarest, John Koopman, Norman Schaefer, Andrzej Stanek, Iris Shiroma, Allan Tomasco, Elena Stockton, Frano Barbir, John Zagaja, Thomas Skoczylas, Lawrence Moulthrop
  • Patent number: 6666961
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell capable of operating in pressure differentials exceeding about 2,000 psi, using a porous electrode. The porous electrode comprises a catalyst adsorbed on or in a porous support that is disposed in intimate contact and fluid communication with the electrolyte membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Proton Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Skoczylas, Matthew Christopher, Jason K. Shiepe, Mark E. Dristy, Trent M. Molter
  • Publication number: 20030022053
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the electrochemical cell comprises: a first electrode, a second electrode, and a membrane disposed between and in ionic communication with the first electrode and the second electrode. A first flow field is in fluid communication with the first electrode and disposed opposite the membrane, with a second flow field in fluid communication with second electrode and disposed opposite the membrane, and an electrically conductive pressure pad adjacent the first flow field and the first electrode. The pressure pad comprises a mixture of at least one substoichiometric oxide of titanium and an elastomeric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Everett Anderson, Gregory A. Hanlon, Thomas Skoczylas
  • Publication number: 20020182472
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a proton exchange membrane disposed between and in intimate contact with the electrodes, a pressure pad disposed in electrical communication with the first electrode, and a pressure distributor disposed adjacent to the pressure pad. The pressure pad may be an electrically conductive sheet and an elastomeric material disposed at the electrically conductive sheet. The pressure distributor may be a screen mesh. A method of distributing a load on a pressure pad includes disposing a screen mesh at an elastomeric material of the pressure pad and pressing the screen mesh into the elastomeric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Trent M. Molter, Robert H. Byron, Geoffrey Grant, Lawrence C. Moulthrop, Doug Ortiz, Jason K. Shiepe, Thomas Skoczylas, A. John Speranza
  • Publication number: 20020127462
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes first and second electrodes, a proton exchange membrane disposed between and in intimate contact with the electrodes, and a pressure pad disposed in electrical communication with the first electrode. The pressure pad is configured to support the electrodes and the membrane and includes an electrically conductive member and a compression member disposed at the electrically conductive member. The compression member includes alternating rows of first and second perforations. The first perforations are dimensioned to threadedly receive the electrically conductive member therethrough, and the second perforations are configured and dimensioned to facilitate the distribution of pressure across a face of the pressure pad. A method of forming a pressure pad for an electrochemical cell includes disposing alternating rows of first and second perforations in an elastomeric member and threading an electrically conductive member through each row of the first perforations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: Jason K. Shiepe, Mark E. Dristy, Greg A. Hanlon, Doug Ortiz, Thomas Skoczylas
  • Publication number: 20020071984
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a proton exchange membrane disposed between and in intimate contact with the electrodes, and a pressure pad disposed in electrical communication with the first electrode. The pressure pad is compatible with the cell environment and is configured to support the electrodes and the membrane. The pressure pad includes an electrically conductive member and a compression member disposed at the electrically conductive member. A method of maintaining compression within the cell includes disposing the electrically conductive member and the compression member at the first electrode, applying a load at the cell to compress the cell components, and maintaining electrical communication through the electrically conductive member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: Mark E. Dristy, Thomas Skoczylas, Greg A. Hanlon, Jason K. Shiepe