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).

  • FUEL CELLS HAVING IMPROVED DURABILITY
    Publication number: 20120135332
    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: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Sean M. Mackinnon, Frank Coms, Timothy J. Fuller, Craig S. Gittleman, Ruichun Jiang
  • Nano-Fibers for Electrical Power Generation
    Publication number: 20120122011
    Abstract: A fibrous sheet for fuel cell or battery applications is formed by electrospinning a fluorinated ion-conducting polymer solution to form an agglomeration of fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Lijun Zou, Timothy J. Fuller, Michael R. Schoeneweiss
  • Sulfonated polyelectrolyte membranes containing perfluorosulfonate ionomers
    Patent number: 8178224
    Abstract: New proton conducting membranes are made of sulfonated poly(arylene sulfide) polymers (SPAS) and a perfluorosulfonic acid polymer. A preferred poly(arylene sulfide) polymer is poly(p-phenylene sulfide). The membranes are used as a proton exchange membrane in PEM fuel cells operating at temperatures above 60° C., or at low relative humidity. According to methods of the invention, sulfonated poly(phenylene sulfide) (SPPS) films may be provided with a wide range of physical properties, which depend in part on the ion exchange capacity of the films. In particular, the degree or level of sulfonation can be tailored by adjusting reaction conditions such as temperature and time. In a preferred embodiment, an ionomer comprising perfluorosulfonic acid polymer is imbibed into the insoluble SPAS films by immersing the films in a solution or dispersion of the ionomers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Timothy J. Fuller, Beba T. Dobulis
  • METHOD FOR STABILIZING POLYELECTROLYTE MEMBRANE FILMS USED IN FUEL CELLS
    Publication number: 20120115066
    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: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Timothy J. Fuller, Beba T. Doublis
  • Battery Separator
    Publication number: 20120102725
    Abstract: Resinous fibers of nanometer to micrometer width dimensions are drawn from a multi-component system by a melt extrusion process. The process includes a step of combining a fiber resin with a water-soluble carrier resin to form a resinous mixture. The resinous mixture is extruded to form an extruded resinous mixture, the extruded resinous mixture having strands of the fiber resin with the carrier resin. The extruded resinous mixture is then contacted with water to separate the strands of the fiber resin from the carrier resin. A fibrous sheet is then formed from the strands of fiber resin. The fibrous sheets are useful in filtration, as battery separators in Li ion batteries and as diffusion layers in fuel cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Fuller, James Mitchell
  • LITHIUM ION BATTERY
    Publication number: 20120082893
    Abstract: One embodiment may include a lithium ion battery, wherein one or more chelating agents may be attached to a battery component
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ion C. Halalay, Timothy J. Fuller, Lijun Zou
  • Adhesion of polymeric coatings to bipolar plate surfaces using silane coupling agents
    Patent number: 8133591
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electrically conductive element for an electrochemical cell element having enhanced protection for an underlying metal substrate with a surface susceptible to forming metal oxides. One or more regions of the surface are coated with a metal coating overlaid with an adhesion promoting coating comprising a silicon containing material derived from organosilanes. The adhesion promoting coating is overlaid with a conductive, protective polymeric coating. The present invention further provides methods of making such an electrochemical cell element to have improved adhesion of conductive, protective polymer coatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Inventors: Feng Zhong, Tao Xie, Richard H. Blunk, Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Brian K. Brady, Timothy J. Fuller
  • FUEL CELL ADHESIVE AND PROCESS OF MAKING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20110281195
    Abstract: A fuel cell adhesive comprises a polyolefin adhesive having a bonding strength sufficient to adhere two fuel cell stack components together. The bonding strength of the polyolefin adhesive is less than the cohesive strength of any of the fuel cell stack components such that two adhesively bonded fuel cell stack components can be easily separated and re-joined without causing any mechanical damages to the fuel cell stack components. The polyolefin adhesive may be prepared by polymerizing at least an ?-olefin monomer in the presence of a molecular weight controlling agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC
    Inventors: Timothy J. Fuller, Vindo Kumar
  • Perfluorocyclobutane based water vapor transfer membranes
    Patent number: 8058352
    Abstract: A membrane humidifier assembly includes a first flow field plate adapted to facilitate flow of a first gas thereto and a second flow field plate adapted to facilitate flow of a second gas thereto. A polymeric membrane is disposed between the first and second flow fields and adapted to permit transfer of water from the first flow field plate to the second flow field plate. The polymeric membrane includes a polymer having perfluorocyclobutyl groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Sean M MacKinnon, Timothy J. Fuller, Annette M. Brenner
  • Polyelectrolyte membranes made of poly(perfluorocyclobutanes) with pendant perfluorosulfonic acid groups and blends with poly(vinylidene fluoride)
    Patent number: 8053530
    Abstract: A polymer useful as an ion conductor in fuel cells includes a perfluorocyclobutyl moiety and pendant PFSA side groups. The polymer is made by a variation of the Ullmann reaction. Ion conducting membranes incorporating the polymer are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Timothy J. Fuller, Sean M MacKinnon, Michael R. Schoeneweiss
  • Ion exchange membrane having lamellar morphology and process of making the same
    Patent number: 8048963
    Abstract: An ion exchange membrane is prepared from a block copolymer comprising a hydrophobic polymer segment and a polar polymer segment. The ion exchange membrane is formed by placing a film layer in steam, water or an electric field at a temperature greater than about 40° C. for sufficient amount of time to develop a bicontinuous morphology. The ion exchange membrane is also formed from a film layer comprising a block copolymer and a solvent. The film layer is placed in an electric field at an elevated temperature and dried therein. The film layer is thereby converted into an ion exchange membrane with bicontinuous morphology. The ion exchange membrane prepared according to these processes exhibits improved mechanical and electrochemical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Timothy J. Fuller, Sean M MacKinnon, Michael R. Schoeneweiss
  • Combination of main-chain and side-chain sulfonation of PFCB-6F high-temperature fuel cell membranes
    Patent number: 8044146
    Abstract: A polymer useful as an ion conducting membrane for fuel cell applications includes both main chain and side chain protogenic groups. Methods for preparing the polymer include addition of the side chains both before and after addition of the protogenic groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Lijun Zou, Sean M. MacKinnon, Timothy J. Fuller
  • COMBINATION OF MAIN-CHAIN AND SIDE-CHAIN SULFONATION OF PFCB-6F HIGH-TEMPERATURE FUEL CELL MEMBRANES
    Publication number: 20110257278
    Abstract: A polymer useful as an ion conducting membrane for fuel cell applications includes both main chain and side chain protogenic groups. Methods for preparing the polymer include addition of the side chains both before and after addition of the protogenic groups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Lijun Zou, Sean M. MacKinnon, Timothy J. Fuller
  • Cobalt(II) Tetramethoxyphenylporphyrin (CoTMPP) Ionomer Stabilization to Prevent Electrode Degradation
    Publication number: 20110256467
    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: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Fuller, Michael R. Schoeneweiss, Junliang Zhang
  • Blended PEM's with elastomers for improved mechanical durability
    Patent number: 8030405
    Abstract: A blend composition comprises a fluorine-containing polymer electrolyte and a fluoro-rubber. An electrolyte membrane may be prepared from the blend composition. The electrolyte membrane may be used in electrochemical cells such as electrolyzers, batteries and fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Sean M MacKinnon, Timothy J. Fuller, Michael R. Schoeneweiss
  • Sulfonated-Perfluorocyclobutane Polyelectrolyte Membranes for Fuel Cells
    Publication number: 20110229797
    Abstract: A process for preparing a polymer comprising sulfonating a perfluorocyclobutane polymer with a sulfonating agent to form a sulfonated perfluorocyclobutane polymer, wherein the sulfonating agent comprises oleum, SO3 or a combination thereof is provided. A process for preparing proton exchange membranes and fuel cells comprising the proton exchange membrane are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Timothy J. Fuller, Michael R. Schoeneweiss
  • Composite membrane
    Patent number: 8008404
    Abstract: A composite membrane for fuel cell applications includes a support substrate with a predefined void volume. The void volume is at least partially filled with an ion conducting polymer composition. Characteristically, the ion conducting polymer composition includes a first polymer with a cyclobutyl moiety and a second polymer that is different than the first polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Sean M MacKinnon, Timothy J. Fuller
  • Gradient reinforced proton exchange membrane
    Patent number: 8003732
    Abstract: An ion conducting polymeric structure suitable for fuel cell applications is provided. The polymeric structure comprises a non-homogenous polymeric layer. The non-homogeneous layer is a blend of a first polymer comprising cyclobutyl moiety; and a second polymer having a non-ionic polymer segment. The weight ratio of the first polymer to the second polymer varies as a function of position within the non-homogenous layer. The blend composition may be cast into an electrolyte membrane that can be used to prepare electrochemical cells such as batteries and fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Sean M MacKinnon, Michael R. Schoeneweiss, Timothy J. Fuller, Craig S. Gittleman
  • Polyelectrolyte membranes derived from soluble perfluorocyclobutane polymers with sulfonyl chloride groups
    Patent number: 7989512
    Abstract: A method of forming an ionomeric membrane includes a step of reacting a first polymer in chlorosulfonic acid to form a first precipitate. The first precipitate comprising a polymer including a polymer unit having at least one —SO2Cl moiety attached thereto and includes a step of dissolving the first precipitate in a polar aprotic solvent to form the first solution. A polymeric membrane is then formed from the first solution such that the membrane includes the polymer unit having at least one —SO2Cl. The polymer including a polymer unit a polymer unit having at least one —SO2Cl is then reacted with a nucleophilic compound to form the polymeric membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Timothy J. Fuller, Sean M MacKinnon, Michael R. Schoeneweiss
  • Polyelectrolyte membranes comprised of blends of PFSA and sulfonated PFCB polymers
    Patent number: 7985805
    Abstract: A polymer blend useful as an ion conductor in fuel cells includes a first polymer having a cyclobutyl moiety and a second polymer include a sulfonic acid group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Timothy J. Fuller, Sean M MacKinnon, Michael R. Schoeneweiss, Craig S. Gittleman