Patents by Inventor Tobin J. Fisher
Tobin J. Fisher 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: 9515336Abstract: A method of supplying fuel to a fuel cell system wherein a flexible diaphragm controls ingress and egress of liquid reactant. The method utilizes a pump assembly including a first subassembly and a second subassembly. The first subassembly includes a fluid conduit; an inlet fluidly coupled to the liquid reactant dispenser and the fluid conduit; an outlet fluidly coupled to a reaction chamber and the fluid conduit; and a diaphragm, defining a portion of the fluid conduit, that flexes to pump the liquid reactant from the inlet to the outlet. The diaphragm preferably includes an actuation point coupled to the diaphragm, wherein the liquid reactant is substantially contained within the first subassembly during pumping. The second subassembly is couplable to the first subassembly, and is fluidly isolated from the liquid reactant wherein operation of the actuator causes diaphragm flexion.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2015Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: Intelligent Energy LimitedInventors: Daniel Braithwaite, Tibor Fabian, Tobin J. Fisher, Jonathan Louis Glassmann, Andrew Gust Peterson, Adam Rodriguez
-
Publication number: 20150349357Abstract: A pump assembly including a first subassembly and a second subassembly. The first subassembly includes a fluid conduit; an inlet fluidly coupled to the liquid reactant dispenser and the fluid conduit; an outlet fluidly coupled to a reaction chamber and the fluid conduit; and a diaphragm, defining a portion of the fluid conduit, that flexes to pump the liquid reactant from the inlet to the outlet. The diaphragm preferably includes an actuation point coupled to the diaphragm, wherein the liquid reactant is substantially contained within the first subassembly during pumping. The second subassembly is couplable to the first subassembly, and is fluidly isolated from the liquid reactant. The second subassembly includes an actuator that couples to the actuation point, wherein operation of the actuator causes pumping action.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2015Publication date: December 3, 2015Applicant: Intelligent Energy LimitedInventors: Daniel Braithwaite, Tibor Fabian, Tobin J. Fisher, Jonathan Louis Glassmann, Andrew Gust Peterson, Adam Rodriguez
-
Patent number: 9142849Abstract: A pump assembly including a first subassembly and a second subassembly. The first subassembly includes a fluid conduit; an inlet fluidly coupled to the liquid reactant dispenser and the fluid conduit; an outlet fluidly coupled to a reaction chamber and the fluid conduit; and a diaphragm, defining a portion of the fluid conduit, that flexes to pump the liquid reactant from the inlet to the outlet. The diaphragm preferably includes an actuation point coupled to the diaphragm, wherein the liquid reactant is substantially contained within the first subassembly during pumping. The second subassembly is couplable to the first subassembly, and is fluidly isolated from the liquid reactant. The second subassembly includes an actuator that couples to the actuation point, wherein operation of the actuator causes pumping action.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2014Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: Intelligent Energy LimitedInventors: Daniel Braithwaite, Tibor Fabian, Tobin J. Fisher, Jonathan Louis Glassmann, Andrew Gust Peterson, Adam Rodriguez, Russell H. Barton
-
Publication number: 20150214562Abstract: The current invention is a fuel cell controller that includes a first control loop, where the first control loop is disposed to adjust a fuel cell current to regulate a hydrogen output pressure from the fuel cell to a pressure target valve, and further includes a second control loop disposed to adjust a hydrogen flow rate from a hydrogen generator to match a DC/DC power output to a power target value.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2015Publication date: July 30, 2015Inventors: Tibor Fabian, Tobin J. Fisher, Daniel Braithwaite
-
Patent number: 9034531Abstract: The current invention is a fuel cell controller that includes a first control loop, where the first control loop is disposed to adjust a fuel cell current to regulate a hydrogen output pressure from the fuel cell to a pressure target valve, and further includes a second control loop disposed to adjust a hydrogen flow rate from a hydrogen generator to match a DC/DC power output to a power target value.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2009Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: Ardica Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Tibor Fabian, Tobin J. Fisher, Daniel Braithwaite
-
Publication number: 20150072255Abstract: A pump assembly including a first subassembly and a second subassembly. The first subassembly includes a fluid conduit; an inlet fluidly coupled to the liquid reactant dispenser and the fluid conduit; an outlet fluidly coupled to a reaction chamber and the fluid conduit; and a diaphragm, defining a portion of the fluid conduit, that flexes to pump the liquid reactant from the inlet to the outlet. The diaphragm preferably includes an actuation point coupled to the diaphragm, wherein the liquid reactant is substantially contained within the first subassembly during pumping. The second subassembly is couplable to the first subassembly, and is fluidly isolated from the liquid reactant. The second subassembly includes an actuator that couples to the actuation point, wherein operation of the actuator causes pumping action.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Inventors: Daniel Braithwaite, Tibor Fabian, Tobin J. Fisher, Jonathan Louis Glassman, Andrew Gust Peterson, Adam Rodriguez, Russell Barton
-
Patent number: 8795926Abstract: A pump assembly including a first subassembly and a second subassembly. The first subassembly includes a fluid conduit; an inlet fluidly coupled to the liquid reactant dispenser and the fluid conduit; an outlet fluidly coupled to a reaction chamber and the fluid conduit; and a diaphragm, defining a portion of the fluid conduit, that flexes to pump the liquid reactant from the inlet to the outlet. The diaphragm preferably includes an actuation point coupled to the diaphragm, wherein the liquid reactant is substantially contained within the first subassembly during pumping. The second subassembly is couplable to the first subassembly, and is fluidly isolated from the liquid reactant. The second subassembly includes an actuator that couples to the actuation point, wherein operation of the actuator causes pumping action.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2011Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Intelligent Energy LimitedInventors: Daniel Braithwaite, Tibor Fabian, Tobin J. Fisher, Jonathan Louis Glassman, Andrew Phillip Gust Peterson, Adam Rodriguez, Russell Barton
-
Publication number: 20120189928Abstract: A pump assembly including a first subassembly and a second subassembly. The first subassembly includes a fluid conduit; an inlet fluidly coupled to the liquid reactant dispenser and the fluid conduit; an outlet fluidly coupled to a reaction chamber and the fluid conduit; and a diaphragm, defining a portion of the fluid conduit, that flexes to pump the liquid reactant from the inlet to the outlet. The diaphragm preferably includes an actuation point coupled to the diaphragm, wherein the liquid reactant is substantially contained within the first subassembly during pumping. The second subassembly is couplable to the first subassembly, and is fluidly isolated from the liquid reactant. The second subassembly includes an actuator that couples to the actuation point, wherein operation of the actuator causes pumping action.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2011Publication date: July 26, 2012Applicant: Ardica Technologies, Inc.Inventors: DANIEL BRAITHWAITE, TIBOR FABIAN, TOBIN J. FISHER, JONATHAN LOUIS GLASSMAN, ANDREW PHILLIP GUST PETERSON, ADAM RODRIGUEZ
-
Publication number: 20120183943Abstract: A portable device provides a retractable writing surface that may be extended from a housing and held sufficiently flat by the device to facilitate marking on the writing surface with a writing implement, such as a dry-erase marker. The device maintains sufficient rigidity in the extended writing surface, such that the device may be used without an additional support surface, such as a clip board or table. The writing surface may be retracted back into the housing to protect the writing surface and to reduce the size of the device for storage or transport. Retracting the writing surface may include rolling the writing surface onto a spool. One or more resilient members may be used to make the extended writing surface flat when the writing surface is extended from the housing. The writing surface may include a flexible computer display screen.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2012Publication date: July 19, 2012Applicant: ZIPBOARD, INC.Inventors: Robert Budryk, Tobin J. Fisher
-
Patent number: 8192890Abstract: A fuel cell air exchanger is provided. The fuel cell air exchanger includes a platform having at least one throughput opening and at least one holding post, where the holding post fixedly holds a fuel cell offset from the platform and proximal to the opening, where the opening can have many shapes. The fuel cell air exchanger provides an unimpeded air exchange through the openings to the fuel cell and can be flexible, semi-flexible or rigid. The fuel cell air exchanger can hold an array of fuel cells and fuel cell electronics. A chimney feature provides enhanced airflow when the air exchanger is disposed in a vertical position.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2009Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Ardica Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Tobin J. Fisher, Tibor Fabian
-
Patent number: 8100697Abstract: A portable, retractable writing surface device provides a writing surface that may be extended from a housing and held sufficiently flat by the device to facilitate marking on the writing surface with a writing implement, such as a dry-erase marker, chalk, grease crayon, pencil, pen, permanent marker or the like. The device maintains sufficient rigidity in the extended writing surface, such that the device may be used without an additional support surface, such as a clip board or table. The writing surface may be retracted back into the housing to protect the writing surface and to reduce the size of the device for storage or transport, such as within a pocket or briefcase. Retracting the writing surface may include rolling the writing surface onto a spool, accordion folding the writing surface or otherwise reconfiguring the writing surface to make it fit into a compact space (collectively referred to herein as “compressing” the writing surface).Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2009Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: ZipBoard, Inc.Inventors: Robert Budryk, Tobin J. Fisher
-
Patent number: 8062797Abstract: An article of clothing with an on-demand power supply for electrical devices is provided. The power supply includes stiff planar fuel cell devices that are distributed in a plane. The number of fuel cells is dependent on the power requirements for the electrical devices. The planar stiff fuel cells are flexibly interconnected in the plane by a flexible interconnection, which allows the fuel cells to move with respect to each other out of the plane. This further allows the power supply to be nicely integrated in an article of clothing and minimizes negative impact to a body region or to the article of clothing. The electrical and fuel connections between the fuel cells are integrated with the flexible interconnection. To further integrate and increase ease of operation a control system is included to control the on-demand power supply or control power levels for the electrical device.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2005Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: Ardica Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Tobin J. Fisher, Thomas C. Covington, Jonathan L. Glassman, Jesse M. Thomas, Daniel Braithwaite
-
Publication number: 20100173214Abstract: The current invention is a fuel cell controller that includes a first control loop, where the first control loop is disposed to adjust a fuel cell current to regulate a hydrogen output pressure from the fuel cell to a pressure target valve, and further includes a second control loop disposed to adjust a hydrogen flow rate from a hydrogen generator to match a DC/DC power output to a power target value.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2009Publication date: July 8, 2010Inventors: Tibor Fabian, Tobin J. Fisher, Daniel Braithwaite
-
Patent number: 7637263Abstract: Electrochemical devices are utilized as an on-demand personal temperature control system, as well as an on-demand power supply for electrical devices. The electrochemical devices are planar stiff fuel cells flexibly interconnected in a plane by a flexible interconnecting means. This allows the fuel cells to move with respect to each other out of the plane. This further allows it to be nicely integrated in an article of clothing, to minimize negative impact to a body region or to the article of clothing, and to maximize the heat conduction area to a body region. To further integrate and increase ease of operation a control system and sensors could be included to control: (i) on-demand power and/or heat supply, (ii) temperature levels, and/or (iii) power levels for the electrical device(s).Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2005Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: Ardica Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Tobin J. Fisher, Thomas C. Covington, Jonathan L. Glassman, Jesse M. Thomas, Daniel Braithwaite
-
Publication number: 20090305112Abstract: A fuel cell air exchanger is provided. The fuel cell air exchanger includes a platform having at least one throughput opening and at least one holding post, where the holding post fixedly holds a fuel cell offset from the platform and proximal to the opening, where the opening can have many shapes. The fuel cell air exchanger provides an unimpeded air exchange through the openings to the fuel cell and can be flexible, semi-flexible or rigid. The fuel cell air exchanger can hold an array of fuel cells and fuel cell electronics. A chimney feature provides enhanced airflow when the air exchanger is disposed in a vertical position.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2009Publication date: December 10, 2009Inventors: Tobin J. Fisher, Tibor Fabian
-
Publication number: 20090269634Abstract: A fuel cell gas purge system is provided that includes at least one fuel cell, such as a fuel cell stack or a fuel cell array, a fuel supply, and an adjustable fuel cell current load. The system further includes at least one passive purge valve disposed to purge accumulated non-fuel matter in the fuel cell, and operates according to a pressure differential across the valve. The valve can be a passive bi-directional valve, such as a dome valve, or a passive unidirectional valve. Further included is a purge management module that has a purge request module to determine when to increase the pressure of the hydrogen fuel to initiate the purge, and a purge complete module to determine when to adjust the pressure of the hydrogen fuel to complete the purge. The non-fuel matter can include non-fuel gases or condensed water.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2009Publication date: October 29, 2009Inventors: Tibor Fabian, Tobin J. Fisher, Daniel Braithwaite
-
Publication number: 20090233265Abstract: A portable, retractable writing surface device provides a writing surface that may be extended from a housing and held sufficiently flat by the device to facilitate marking on the writing surface with a writing implement, such as a dry-erase marker, chalk, grease crayon, pencil, pen, permanent marker or the like. The device maintains sufficient rigidity in the extended writing surface, such that the device may be used without an additional support surface, such as a clip board or table. The writing surface may be retracted back into the housing to protect the writing surface and to reduce the size of the device for storage or transport, such as within a pocket or briefcase. Retracting the writing surface may include rolling the writing surface onto a spool, accordion folding the writing surface or otherwise reconfiguring the writing surface to make it fit into a compact space (collectively referred to herein as “compressing” the writing surface).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2009Publication date: September 17, 2009Applicant: ZIPBOARD, INC.Inventors: Robert Budryk, Tobin J. Fisher