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).

  • Patent number: 7897693
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a copolymer comprises a sulfonatable segment covalently linked to an un-sulfonatable segment through an organic linking group. The sulfonatable group segment may be sulfonated through direction sulfonation or sulfonation through a spacer molecule. In another embodiment, a copolymer comprises a sulfonated segment and an unsulfonated segment. A membrane electrode assembly and a fuel cell may be produced using the copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean M MacKinnon, Timothy J. Fuller
  • Patent number: 7897692
    Abstract: A sulfonated aromatic perfluorocyclobutane block copolymer comprises a hydrophobic perfluorocyclobutane ether chain segment and a hydrophilic sulfonated perfluorocyclobutane ether chain segment. The sulfonated perfluorocyclobutane copolymer may be used to make proton conductive membranes and membrane electrode assemblies in fuel cells. Processes of making the block copolymer through thermal coupling reactions are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean M Mackinnon, Timothy J. Fuller, Frank Coms
  • Publication number: 20110045381
    Abstract: A solid electrochemical cell membrane composition comprises a hydrocarbon polymeric main chain and a perfluorinated superacid side group. A method of producing the membrane composition is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Fuller, Michael R. Schoeneweiss, Sean M. MacKinnon, Frank Coms
  • Patent number: 7888433
    Abstract: A polymer for ion conductor applications includes a polymer segment having a perfluorocyclobutyl moiety and a polymer segment not having such a moiety. One of these polymer segments is sulfonated to improve ionic conductivity. Fuel cells incorporating the ion conducting polymers are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Fuller, Sean M Mackinnon, Michael R. Schoeneweiss
  • Patent number: 7851551
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of poly(vinylbenzyl alcohol) by, for example the hydrolysis of poly(vinylbenzyl acetate) in the presence of a basic catalyst in an organic solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy J. Fuller, Damodar M. Pai, John F. Yanus, Markus R. Silvestri, Kenny-Tuan T Dinh, Yuhua Tong
  • Publication number: 20100047657
    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: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Sean M. MacKinnon, Michael R. Schoeneweiss, Timothy J. Fuller, Craig S. Gittleman
  • Publication number: 20100044616
    Abstract: A polymer blend useful as an ion conductor in fuel cells includes a first polymer that includes a non-ionic segment and a second polymer that includes a sulfonic acid group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy J. FULLER, Sean M. MACKINNON, Michael R. Schoeneweiss, Craig S. Gittleman
  • Patent number: 7659319
    Abstract: Proton conducting membranes are made of sulfonated films comprising poly(arylene sulfide), an olefinic polymer, and an elastomer. They are used in PEM fuel cells operating at temperatures above 95° C., or at low relative humidity. According to methods of the invention, sulfonated poly(phenylene sulfide) (SPPS) films are 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Fuller, Beba T. Dobulis
  • Patent number: 7655373
    Abstract: A method for forming images including a) depositing an electrostatic latent image on a charge retentive surface of a photoreceptor member having a substrate; a charge transport layer with charge transport materials; and an overcoat layer positioned on the charge transport layer, wherein the overcoat layer includes a crosslinkable alcohol-soluble polyamide; and wherein the overcoat layer further includes additives having titanium dioxide, silica, a crosslinking agent, a deletion control agent, and a charge transport molecule; and b) applying a developer material via a development component to the charge-retentive surface to develop the electrostatic latent image to form a developed image on the charge-retentive surface, wherein the developer material comprises emulsion aggregation toner, and further wherein at least one of the additives create a texturized surface on the charge retentive surface thereby reducing the contact area between the emulsion aggregation toners and the charge retentive surface enabling
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Kenny-Tuan T. Dinh, Timothy J. Fuller, Paul J. DeFeo, Damodar M. Pai, John F. Yanus, Linda L. Ferrarese, Cindy C. Chen
  • Publication number: 20090280383
    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: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: SEAN M. MACKINNON, TIMOTHY J. FULLER, MICHAEL R. SCHOENEWEISS
  • Publication number: 20090280382
    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: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Sean M. MacKinnon, Timothy J. Fuller
  • Publication number: 20090278083
    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: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Fuller, Sean M. MacKinnon, Michael R. Schoeneweiss, Craig S. Gittleman
  • Publication number: 20090281245
    Abstract: A proton conductive graft polymer comprises at least a structure unit of a sulfonated polymer side chain covalently attached to a hydrophobic perfluorocyclobutane polymer main chain. The sulfonated condensation polymer side chain has a high local ion exchange capacity while the main polymer chain is substantially free of sulfonic acid group. A membrane made from the graft polymer can provide good mechanical properties and high proton conductivity at wide range of humidity and temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Sean M. MacKinnon, Timothy J. Fuller, Frank Coms, Michael R. Schoeneweiss
  • Publication number: 20090278091
    Abstract: A sulfonated aromatic perfluorocyclobutane block copolymer comprises a hydrophobic perfluorocyclobutane ether chain segment and a hydrophilic sulfonated perfluorocyclobutane ether chain segment. The sulfonated perfluorocyclobutane copolymer may be used to make proton conductive membranes and membrane electrode assemblies in fuel cells. Processes of making the block copolymer through thermal coupling reactions are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Sean M. Mackinnon, Timothy J. Fuller, Frank Coms
  • Publication number: 20090281270
    Abstract: A polymer for ion conductor applications includes a polymer segment having a perfluorocyclobutyl moiety and a polymer segment not having such a moiety. One of these polymer segments is sulfonated to improve ionic conductivity. Fuel cells incorporating the ion conducting polymers are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Fuller, Sean M. MacKinnon, Michael R. Schoeneweiss
  • Publication number: 20090281262
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a copolymer comprises a sulfonatable segment covalently linked to an un-sulfonatable segment through an organic linking group. The sulfonatable group segment may be sulfonated through direction sulfonation or sulfonation through a spacer molecule. In another embodiment, a copolymer comprises a sulfonated segment and an unsulfonated segment. A membrane electrode assembly and a fuel cell may be produced using the copolymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Sean M. MacKinnon, Timothy J. Fuller
  • Patent number: 7601449
    Abstract: Proton conducting membranes are made of sulfonated films comprising poly(arylene sulfide), an olefinic polymer, and an elastomer. They are used in PEM fuel cells operating at temperatures above 95° C., or at low relative humidity. According to methods of the invention, sulfonated poly(phenylene sulfide) (SPPS) films are 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Fuller, Beba T. Dobulis
  • Publication number: 20090226791
    Abstract: Proton conducting membranes are made of sulfonated films comprising poly(arylene sulfide), an olefinic polymer, and an elastomer. They are used in PEM fuel cells operating at temperatures above 95° C., or at low relative humidity. According to methods of the invention, sulfonated poly(phenylene sulfide) (SPPS) films are 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventors: TIMOTHY J. FULLER, BEBA T. DOBULIS
  • Publication number: 20090181276
    Abstract: One embodiment includes a method comprising providing a first catalyst coated gas diffusion media layer, depositing a wet first proton exchange membrane layer over the first catalyst coated gas diffusion media layer to form a first proton exchange membrane layer; providing a second catalyst coated gas diffusion media layer; contacting the second catalyst coated gas diffusion media layer, or second proton exchange membrane layer, with the first proton exchange membrane layer; and hot pressing together the catalyst coated diffusion layers and proton exchange membrane layer(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Beutel, Timothy J. Fuller
  • Patent number: 7547733
    Abstract: An organic/inorganic composite proton exchange membrane (PEM) is disclosed. The PEM includes a proton exchange membrane and a particulate inorganic conductor filler material provided in the proton exchange membrane. The particulate inorganic conductor filler material imparts enhanced water retention capabilities to the PEM at high temperatures, as well as enhances the proton conductivity of the PEM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Tao Xie, Timothy J. Fuller