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).

  • Partly Fluorinated Polyolefins by Ziegler-Natta Polymerization
    Publication number: 20130260287
    Abstract: A method of forming a polymer includes a step of polymerizing a compound having formula 1 with a Ziegler-Natta catalyst to form a polymer having formula 2: wherein: R is a fluorinated C1-18 alkyl group, a fluorinated ether group, or a fluorinated silane ether; and n is a number from about 20 to 500 on average.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Timothy J. Fuller, Lijun Zou
  • Multi-Layer Polyelectrolyte Membranes
    Publication number: 20130202987
    Abstract: A multilayer polyelectrolyte membrane for fuel cell applications includes a first perfluorocyclobutyl-containing layer that includes a polymer having perfluorocyclobutyl moieties. The first layer is characteristically planar having a first major side and a second major side over which additional layers are disposed. The membrane also includes a first PFSA layer disposed over the first major side of the first layer and a second PFSA layer disposed over the second major side of the first layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Lijun Zou, Scott C. Moose, Timothy J. Fuller
  • LITHIUM ION BATTERY
    Publication number: 20130183582
    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: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPRATIONS LLC.
    Inventors: Ion C. Halalay, Timothy J. Fuller, Lijun Zou, Zicheng Li
  • Organo-Copper Reagents for Attaching Perfluorosulfonic Acid Groups to Polyolefins
    Publication number: 20130171528
    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: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: TIMOTHY J. FULLER, LIJUN ZOU, MICHAEL R. SCHOENEWEISS
  • Membrane treatment method
    Patent number: 8475971
    Abstract: A method of enhancing electrical performance of a membrane for a fuel cell is disclosed. The method includes providing a perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) ionomer in an aqueous hydroxylated hydrocarbon aqueous solution. The PFSA dispersion or solution has an acid number the same or higher than an acid number of the membrane. The membrane is immersed in the solution such that the high acid number PFSA dispersion diffuses into the membrane. After immersion, the removed membrane is then dried under tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Timothy J. Fuller, Beba T. Dobulis
  • Electrode With Reduced Mud Cracking Via Mixed Equivalent Weight Ionomers
    Publication number: 20130142946
    Abstract: An ink composition for forming a fuel cell electrode, and in particular, a fuel cell cathode layer is provided. The ink composition includes a first protogenic group-containing ionomer having an equivalent weight less than 800, an optional second protogenic group-containing ionomer having an equivalent weight greater than 800, and a catalyst composition. Electrode layers formed from the ink composition are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Bradley M. Houghtaling, Thomas A. Greszler, Timothy J. Fuller
  • Method for stabilizing polyelectrolyte membrane films used in fuel cells
    Patent number: 8431286
    Abstract: A novel method of altering extruded membrane films for PEM (polymer electrolyte membrane) fuel cells in such a manner that the membrane films swell substantially uniformly in both the in-plane x and y directions when immersed in water or ionomer solution is disclosed. The invention includes cutting a membrane film from an extruded membrane sheet in a diagonal orientation with respect to the membrane process direction of the membrane sheet. The membrane film exhibits reduced internal stress as compared to conventionally-prepared membrane films and allows a more even distribution of pressure in a fuel cell stack, thereby reducing the incidence of swollen membrane-induced failure mechanisms in the fuel cell stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Timothy J. Fuller, Beba T. Dobulis
  • WATER VAPOR TRANSPORT MEMBRANE
    Publication number: 20130087936
    Abstract: A water vapor transport membrane for a membrane humidifier and a method for making the water vapor transport membrane are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Annette M. Brenner, Timothy J. Fuller, Lijun Zou
  • Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Additive to Polyelectrolyte Membrane
    Publication number: 20130084516
    Abstract: An ion-conducting membrane for fuel cells includes an ion-conducting polymer having protogenic groups and poly(methyl methacrylate). Characteristically, the ion-conducting layer is planar having a thickness from 1 microns to 200 microns. A membrane electrode assembly includes the ion-conducting membrane interposed between a cathode layer and an anode layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Michael R. Schoeneweiss, Timothy J. Fuller, Lijun Zou
  • Co(II)tetramethoxyphenylporphyrin additive to PFSA PEMS for improved fuel cell durability
    Patent number: 8409765
    Abstract: An ion conducting membrane for fuel cell applications includes an ion conducting polymer and a porphyrin-containing compound at least partially dispersed within the ion conducting polymer. The ion conducting membranes exhibit improved performance over membranes not incorporating such porphyrin-containing compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Michael R. Schoeneweiss, Timothy J. Fuller, Frank Coms, Sean M MacKinnon
  • METHOD OF PREPARING A WATER VAPOR TRANSFER MEMBRANE
    Publication number: 20130062278
    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: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Annette M. Brenner, Shawn M. Clapham, Lijun Zou, Timothy J. Fuller
  • Membrane with Laminated Structure and Orientation Controlled Nanofiber Reinforcement Additives for Fuel Cells
    Publication number: 20130022895
    Abstract: An ion-conducting membrane for fuel cell applications a first layer including a first ion-conducting polymer and nanofibers dispersed therein. The first layer includes a first side and a second side. A second layer is disposed over the first side of the first layer and includes a second ion-conducting polymer without nanofibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Ruichun Jiang, Timothy J. Fuller, Craig S. Gittleman
  • ePTFE-Supported Polyelectrolyte Membranes Made with Ionomer-Kynar Blends
    Publication number: 20130022894
    Abstract: A composite membrane for fuel cells includes an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene substrate having a predefined void volume, a first polymer and a second polymer each of which fill at least a portion of the void volume. The first polymer includes the following chemical moiety: Polymer electrolyte membranes and fuel cells incorporating the composite membrane are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Lijun Zou, Timothy J. Fuller, Michael R. Schoeneweiss
  • Fuel cell with spatially non-homogeneous ionic membrane
    Patent number: 8354201
    Abstract: A fuel cell includes a first flow field plate defining at least one flow field channel. A cathode catalyst layer is disposed over at least a portion of the first flow field plate. A polymeric ion conducting membrane is disposed over cathode catalyst layer. An anode catalyst layer is disposed over the polymeric ion conducting membrane. Finally, a second flow field plate defining at least one flow field channel is disposed over the anode catalyst layer. The polymeric ion conducting membrane extends beyond the cathode catalyst layer and the anode catalyst layer such that the fuel cell has at least one peripheral region with the polymeric catalyst layer interposed between first flow field plate and the second flow field plate without the cathode catalyst layer and the anode catalyst layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Sean M MacKinnon, Timothy J. Fuller, Annette M. Brenner
  • SEPARATOR ROLL MEMBRANE COATING FOR FUEL CELL HUMIDIFIER
    Publication number: 20120217661
    Abstract: A water vapor transfer unit with separator plates and a method of making the same. In such an assembly, an ionomer coating that facilitates moisture transfer from a moisture-rich flowpath to a moisture-deficient flowpath and an underlying separator may both be prepared from continuous, roll-based methods. The ionomer may be applied to a separator assembly as the last processing step such that the handling of the fragile membrane is kept to a minimum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Annette M. Brenner, Timothy J. Fuller, Lijun Zou
  • Polymer dispersant addition to fuel cell electrode inks for improved manufacturability
    Patent number: 8252712
    Abstract: An ink composition for forming a fuel cell electrode includes a catalyst composition, a polymeric binder, a polymeric dispersant, and a solvent. The polymeric dispersant includes a perfluorocyclobutyl-containing polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Roland J. Koestner, Sean M Mackinnon, Timothy J. Fuller, Jeanette E. Owejan
  • Poly(Perfluorocyclobutane) Ionomer with Phosphonic Acid Groups for High Temperature Fuel Cells
    Publication number: 20120214882
    Abstract: A polymer for ion conductor applications includes a polymer segment having a perfluorocyclobutyl moiety and a phosphonated aryl group and a polymer segment a perfluorocyclobutyl moiety without phosphonated aryl group. The polymer is formed into an ion conducting membrane for fuel cell applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Lijun Zou, Timothy J. Fuller, Michael R. Schoeneweiss
  • ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY WITH INTEGRATED REINFORCEMENT LAYER
    Publication number: 20120189942
    Abstract: An electrode assembly and a method of making an electrode assembly. One embodiment of the method includes coating an ionomer solution onto a catalyst coated diffusion media to form a wet ionomer layer, and applying a porous reinforcement layer to the wet ionomer layer such that the wet ionomer layer at least partially impregnates the reinforcement layer. Drying the wet ionomer layer with the impregnated reinforcement layer and joining it to the catalyst coated diffusion media forms an assembly that includes an integrally-reinforced proton exchange membrane layer. This layer may be additionally joined to other ionomer layers and other catalyst coated diffusion media such that a membrane electrode assembly is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Scott C. Moose, Scott L. Peters, Timothy J. Fuller
  • FUEL CELL STACK COMPRISING AN IMPERMEABLE COATING
    Publication number: 20120141912
    Abstract: A fuel cell comprises a substantially contaminant free and contaminant impermeable coating disposed on at least one of a cathode, an anode, a gasket, an insulator plate, a cooler plate, a bipolar plate, a gas diffusion media layer, a polymer electrolyte membrane, an end plate, a tie-bolt, and a gas flow manifold. A process of producing a fuel cell and a fuel cell stack component are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Kelly Ann O'Leary, Sean M. MacKinnon, Michael K. Budinski, Timothy J. Fuller, Mark A. Bissell
  • Detachable vehicle fender
    Patent number: D690243
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Inventor: Timothy J. Fuller