Patents by Inventor Timothy J. Fuller

Timothy J. Fuller 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).

  • Organo-copper reagents for attaching perfluorosulfonic acid groups to polyolefins
    Patent number: 9040596
    Abstract: An ion conducting membrane for fuel cells involves coupling a compound having a sulfonic acid group with a polymeric backbone. Each of the compounds having a sulfonic acid group and the polymeric backbone are first functionalized with a halogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Timothy J. Fuller, Lijun Zou, Michael R. Schoeneweiss
  • Lithium ion battery
    Patent number: 9023520
    Abstract: A lithium ion battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a microporous polymer separator disposed between the negative electrode and the positive electrode, and a polymer having a chelating agent tethered thereto. The polymer is incorporated into the lithium ion battery such that the chelating agent complexes with metal cations in a manner sufficient to not affect movement of lithium ions across the microporous polymer separator during operation of the lithium ion battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ion C. Halalay, Timothy J. Fuller, Lijun Zou, Zicheng Li
  • CROWN ETHER CONTAINING PEM ELECTRODE
    Publication number: 20150105239
    Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly for fuel cells includes a proton conducting membrane having a first side and a second side. The membrane electrode assembly further includes an anode disposed over the first side of the proton conducting layer and a cathode catalyst layer disposed over the second side of the proton conducting layer. One or both of the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer includes a first polymer which has cyclic polyether groups. An ink composition for forming a fuel cell catalyst layer is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: TIMOTHY J. FULLER, LIJUN ZOU, JAMES MITCHELL, MICHAEL R. SCHOENEWEISS
  • Fuel cells having improved durability
    Patent number: 8999595
    Abstract: A fuel cell or a fuel cell stack component comprises an active area and a non-active area. A peroxide decomposing metal compound or metal alloy is disposed in or on the non-active area of a fuel cell or a fuel cell component. The metal compound or alloy is capable of providing a peroxide decomposing metal species that can migrate from the non-active area to an active area of a fuel cell. A fuel cell or membrane electrode assembly having a peroxide decomposing metal compound or alloy disposed in its non-active area exhibits improved durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Sean M. MacKinnon, Frank Coms, Timothy J. Fuller, Craig S. Gittleman, Ruichun Jiang
  • LITHIUM ION BATTERY ELECTRODES
    Publication number: 20150093639
    Abstract: A lithium ion battery includes a positive electrode and a negative electrode. In an example, a positive electrode for the lithium ion battery includes a lithium transition metal oxide-based active material and a high surface area carbon. The positive electrode further includes a reactive binder having a macrocycle bonded thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Ion C. Halalay, Timothy J. Fuller, Zicheng Li
  • LITHIUM ION BATTERY SEPARATORS AND ELECTRODES
    Publication number: 20150093626
    Abstract: A lithium ion battery separator includes a porous film of a polymeric chelating agent. The polymeric chelating agent includes a poly(undecylenyl-macrocycle), where the macrocycle is a chelating agent. A positive electrode includes a structure and a coating formed on a surface of the structure. The structure includes a lithium transition metal based active material, a binder, and a conductive carbon; and the coating includes a poly(undecylenyl-macrocycle), where the macrocycle is a chelating agent. The separator and/or positive electrode are suitable for use in a lithium ion battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Timothy J. Fuller, Ion C. Halalay, James Mitchell, Lijun Zou
  • LITHIUM ION BATTERY COMPONENTS WITH CHELATING AGENTS HAVING ORIENTED PERMANENT DIPOLE MOMENTS
    Publication number: 20150093628
    Abstract: One example of a lithium ion battery component is a lithium ion battery separator including a planar microporous polymer membrane and a chelating agent bonded to the planar microporous polymer membrane through a linking group. The chelating agent is bonded such that the permanent dipole moment of the chelating agent is oriented perpendicular to the plane of the planar microporous polymer membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Ion C. Halalay, Timothy J. Fuller, Zicheng Li
  • Sulfonated perfluorosulfonic acid polyelectrolyte membranes
    Patent number: 8993193
    Abstract: New proton conducting membranes are made of perfluorosulfonic acid polymers films that have been treated by exposing them to a chlorosulfonating agent. The membranes are used as a proton exchange membrane in PEM fuel cells operating at temperatures above 95° C., or at low relative humidity. In various embodiments, the treated films have superior physical properties such as tensile strength, when compared to an untreated film. In some embodiments, the ion exchange capacity (IEC) of the treated films is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Timothy J. Fuller, Beba T. Dobulis
  • LITHIUM ION BATTERY
    Publication number: 20140329143
    Abstract: In a lithium ion battery, one or more chelating agents may be attached to a microporous polymer separator for placement between a negative electrode and a positive electrode or to a polymer binder material used to construct the negative electrode, the positive electrode, or both. The chelating agents may comprise, for example, at least one of a crown ether, a crown ether, a podand, a lariat ether, a calixarene, a calixcrown, or mixtures thereof. The chelating agents can help improve the useful life of the lithium ion battery by complexing with unwanted metal cations that may become present in the battery's electrolyte solution while, at the same time, not significantly interfering with the movement of lithium ions between the negative and positive electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Ion C. Halalay, Stephen J. Harris, Timothy J. Fuller
  • Sodium stannate additive to improve the durability of PEMS for H/air fuel cells
    Patent number: 8852823
    Abstract: An ion conducting membrane for fuel cell applications includes an ion conducting polymer and a tin-containing compound at least partially dispersed within the ion conducting polymer. The ion conducting membranes exhibit improved performance over membranes not incorporating such tin-containing compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Timothy J. Fuller, Michael R. Schoeneweiss, Sean M Mackinnon, Frank Coms
  • Pt nanotubes
    Patent number: 8833434
    Abstract: A method for making hollow metal tubes includes a step combining a polyphenylene sulfide-containing resin with a water soluble carrier resin to form a resinous mixture. The resinous mixture is then extruded to form an extruded resinous mixture. The extruded resinous mixture includes polyphenylene sulfide-containing fibers within the carrier resin. The extruded resinous mixture is contacted (i.e., washed) with water to separate the polyphenylene sulfide-containing fibers from the carrier resin. The polyphenylene sulfide-containing fibers are then coated with a metal layer. The hollow metal tubes are then formed by removing the polyphenylene sulfide-containing fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: James Mitchell, Timothy J. Fuller, Lijun Zou
  • LITHIUM ION BATTERY
    Publication number: 20140242452
    Abstract: A lithium-ion cell has a positive electrode comprising at least one active material comprising a lithium transition metal compound in a binder comprising at least one binder material with functional groups selected from alkali and alkaline earth salts of acid groups and hydroxyl groups, amine groups, isocyanate groups, urethane groups, urea groups, amide groups, and combinations of these; a negative electrode comprising metallic lithium or a lithium host material with appropriately low operation voltage vs. metallic lithium; a nonaqueous solution of a lithium salt; and an electrically nonconductive, ion-pervious separator positioned between the electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas P. W. Pieczonka, Junghyun Kim, Zicheng Li, Timothy J. Fuller, Nicholas P. Irish, Bob R. Powell, JR., Ion C. Halalay
  • Crown ether containing PEM electrode
    Patent number: 8795924
    Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly for fuel cells includes a proton conducting membrane having a first side and a second side. The membrane electrode assembly further includes an anode disposed over the first side of the proton conducting layer and a cathode catalyst layer disposed over the second side of the proton conducting layer. One or both of the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer includes a first polymer which has cyclic polyether groups. An ink composition for forming a fuel cell catalyst layer is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Timothy J. Fuller, Lijun Zou, James Mitchell, Michael R. Schoeneweiss
  • Lithium ion battery
    Patent number: 8785054
    Abstract: In a lithium ion battery, one or more chelating agents may be attached to a microporous polymer separator for placement between a negative electrode and a positive electrode or to a polymer binder material used to construct the negative electrode, the positive electrode, or both. The chelating agents may comprise, for example, at least one of a crown ether, a podand, a lariat ether, a calixarene, a calixcrown, or mixtures thereof. The chelating agents can help improve the useful life of the lithium ion battery by complexing with unwanted metal cations that may become present in the battery's electrolyte solution while, at the same time, not significantly interfering with the movement of lithium ions between the negative and positive electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ion C. Halalay, Stephen J. Harris, Timothy J. Fuller
  • Lithium ion battery
    Patent number: 8765301
    Abstract: One embodiment may include a lithium ion battery, wherein one or more chelating agents may be attached to a battery component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ion C. Halalay, Timothy J. Fuller, Lijun Zou
  • Cobalt(II) tetramethoxyphenylporphyrin (CoTMPP) ionomer stabilization to prevent electrode degradation
    Patent number: 8735021
    Abstract: A membrane/electrode assembly for fuel cell applications includes an ion conducting polymer and a porphyrin-containing compound at least partially dispersed within the ion conducting polymer, a first electrode and a second electrode. At least one of the first and second electrodes also includes the porphyrin-containing compound. The membrane/electrode assembly exhibits improved performance over membrane/electrode assembly not incorporating such porphyrin-containing compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Timothy J. Fuller, Michael R. Schoeneweiss, Junliang Zhang
  • Hydrophilic, electrically conductive fluid distribution plate for fuel cell
    Patent number: 8735016
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides a hydrophilic electrically conductive fluid distribution plate and a method of making, and system for using, the hydrophilic electrically conductive fluid distribution plate. In at least one embodiment, the plate comprises a plate body defining a set of fluid flow channels configured to distribute flow of a fluid across at least one side of the plate, and a composite conductive coating having a water contact angle of less than 40° adhered to the plate body. In at least one embodiment, the composite coating comprises a polymeric conductive layer adhered to the plate body having an exterior surface, and a particulate carbon layer adhered to the exterior surface of the polymeric conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Youssef M. Mikhail, Gayatri Vyas, Feng Zhong, Richard H. Blunk, Daniel J. Lisi, Michael K. Budinski, Gerald W. Fly, Timothy J. Fuller, Brian K. Brady, Keith E. Newman
  • Method of preparing a water vapor transfer membrane
    Patent number: 8709199
    Abstract: A method of making a water vapor transport membrane is described. The method can include providing two sheets, each sheet comprising a support layer with an ionomer layer thereon; applying a solvent to at least one sheet; and contacting the ionomer layers of the two sheets to form a composite membrane comprising a composite ionomer layer between the two support layers. A composite membrane is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Annette M. Brenner, Shawn M. Clapham, Lijun Zou, Timothy J. Fuller
  • PFCB Nanometer Scale Fibers
    Publication number: 20140113214
    Abstract: A method for making a fibrous layer for fuel cell applications includes a step of combining a perfuorocyclobutyl-containing resin with a water soluble carrier resin to form a resinous mixture. The resinous mixture is then shaped to form a shaped resinous mixture. The shaped resinous mixture includes perfuorocyclobutyl-containing structures within the carrier resin. The shaped resinous mixture is contacted (i.e., washed) with water to separate the perfuorocyclobutyl-containing structures from the carrier resin. Optional protogenic groups and then a catalyst are added to the perfuorocyclobutyl-containing structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: James Mitchell, Timothy J. Fuller, Lijun Zou
  • Annealed WVT Membranes to Impart Durability and Performance
    Publication number: 20140080080
    Abstract: A method for improving the chemical stability of a vapor transfer membrane includes providing a vapor transfer membrane including an ionomer layer having protogenic groups and then annealing the vapor transfer membrane at a temperature greater than about 100° C. Advantageously, the performance and durability of WVT membranes are markedly improved by thermally annealing the membranes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Annette M. Brenner, Shawn M. Clapham, Lijun Zou, Timothy J. Fuller, Craig S. Gittleman