Patents by Inventor Tommy Skiba
Tommy Skiba 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).
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Patent number: 11878470Abstract: A powder removal fixture includes a mounting arm extending along and rotatable about a mounting arm axis, at least one pneumatic knocker mounted to the mounting arm via a strike plate, and configured to impact the strike plate, and a build plate attachment mechanism disposed on the mount bar, and configured to receive a build plate having an at least partially formed component.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2022Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventors: David W. Morganson, Tommy Skiba, Brendan Gustafson
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Publication number: 20230278287Abstract: A powder removal fixture includes a mounting arm extending along and rotatable about a mounting arm axis, at least one pneumatic knocker mounted to the mounting arm via a strike plate, and configured to impact the strike plate, and a build plate attachment mechanism disposed on the mount bar, and configured to receive a build plate having an at least partially formed component.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2022Publication date: September 7, 2023Inventors: David W. Morganson, Tommy Skiba, Brendan Gustafson
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Patent number: 11174744Abstract: An assembly for use in an attritable engine includes a hub and a blade. The hub is configured to rotate about a centerline axis passing through a center of the hub and is formed with a first type of layer-by-layer additive manufacturing process. The blade is connected to and extends radially outward from the hub. The blade is formed with a second type of layer-by-layer additive manufacturing process that is different than the first layer-by-layer additive manufacturing process. The hub and the blade are integrally formed together as a single piece of material with a layer-by-layer additive manufacturing process. The blade includes a root of a first material, a platform connected to the root, an airfoil connected to and extending from the platform, and a tip connected on a distal end of the airfoil opposite from the root. The platform includes a material that is different from the first.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2018Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: Raytheon Technologies CorporationInventors: Lawrence Binek, Tommy Skiba, Matthew B. Kennedy, Evan Butcher, Jesse R. Boyer, Vijay Narayan Jagdale, Dmytro Mykolayovych Voytovych
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Publication number: 20210016392Abstract: A waste product removal system for an additive manufacturing system can include a suction nozzle configured to connect to a suction source for providing suction to a build area of the additive manufacturing system. The waste product removal system can include a shield in operable communication with the nozzle and configured to extend downward near the nozzle to prevent reintroduction of the material ejection to a powder in the build area. The shield can be configured to guide material ejection from the build area to the suction nozzle.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2019Publication date: January 21, 2021Inventors: Brian A. Fisher, Tommy Skiba
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Publication number: 20200102844Abstract: An assembly for use in an attritable engine includes a hub and a blade. The hub is configured to rotate about a centerline axis passing through a center of the hub and is formed with a first type of layer-by-layer additive manufacturing process. The blade is connected to and extends radially outward from the hub. The blade is formed with a second type of layer-by-layer additive manufacturing process that is different than the first layer-by-layer additive manufacturing process. The hub and the blade are integrally formed together as a single piece of material with a layer-by-layer additive manufacturing process. The blade includes a root of a first material, a platform connected to the root, an airfoil connected to and extending from the platform, and a tip connected on a distal end of the airfoil opposite from the root. The platform includes a material that is different from the first.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2018Publication date: April 2, 2020Inventors: Lawrence Binek, Tommy Skiba, Matthew B. Kennedy, Evan Butcher, Jesse R. Boyer, Vijay Narayan Jagdale, Dmytro Mykolayovych Voytovych
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Patent number: 10446859Abstract: An exemplary manifold assembly includes a gas inlet manifold configured to introduce a gas to a fuel cell. A gas outlet manifold is configured to direct gas away from the fuel cell. A drain channel connects the inlet manifold to the outlet manifold. The drain channel is configured to carry liquid from the gas inlet manifold to the gas outlet manifold.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2012Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: AUDI AGInventors: Tommy Skiba, Christopher John Carnevale
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Patent number: 9455455Abstract: Fuel cells (38) have passageways (83, 84) that provide water through one or both reactant gas flow field plates (75, 81) of each fuel cell, whereby the fuel cell is cooled evaporatively. The water passageways may be vented by a porous plug (not shown), or by a microvacuum pump (89). A condenser (59) may have a reservoir (64); the condenser (59) may be a vehicle radiator. A highly water permeable wicking layer (90) is disposed adjacent to one or both water passageways (83, 84) which exist between individual fuel cells (38). The passageways may be flow-through passageways (83) (FIG. 5) or they may be interdigitated passageways (83a, 83b) (FIG. 6) in order to increase the flow of water-purging air through the wicking layer (90) utilized to clear the stack of water during shutdown in cold environments.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2010Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: Audi AGInventors: Tommy Skiba, Robert M. Darling
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Patent number: 9455456Abstract: An anode exhaust recycle turbocharger (100) has a turbocharger turbine (102) secured in fluid communication with a compressed oxidant stream within an oxidant inlet line (218) downstream from a compressed oxidant supply (104), and the anode exhaust recycle turbocharger (100) also includes a turbocharger compressor (106) mechanically linked to the turbocharger turbine (102) and secured in fluid communication with a flow of anode exhaust passing through an anode exhaust recycle loop (238) of the solid oxide fuel cell power plant (200). All or a portion of compressed oxidant within an oxidant inlet line (218) drives the turbocharger turbine (102) to thereby compress the anode exhaust stream in the recycle loop (238). A high-temperature, automotive-type turbocharger (100) replaces a recycle loop blower-compressor (52).Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2015Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Inc.Inventors: Kazuo Saito, Tommy Skiba, Kirtikumar H. Patel
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Publication number: 20150303499Abstract: An anode exhaust recycle turbocharger (100) has a turbocharger turbine (102) secured in fluid communication with a compressed oxidant stream within an oxidant inlet line (218) downstream from a compressed oxidant supply (104), and the anode exhaust recycle turbocharger (100) also includes a turbocharger compressor (106) mechanically linked to the turbocharger turbine (102) and secured in fluid communication with a flow of anode exhaust passing through an anode exhaust recycle loop (238) of the solid oxide fuel cell power plant (200). All or a portion of compressed oxidant within an oxidant inlet line (218) drives the turbocharger turbine (102) to thereby compress the anode exhaust stream in the recycle loop (238). A high-temperature, automotive-type turbocharger (100) replaces a recycle loop blower-compressor (52).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2015Publication date: October 22, 2015Inventors: Kazuo Saito, Tommy Skiba, Kirtikumar H. Patel
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Patent number: 9083016Abstract: An anode exhaust recycle turbocharger (100) has a turbocharger turbine (102) secured in fluid communication with a compressed oxidant stream within an oxidant inlet line (218) downstream from a compressed oxidant supply (104), and the anode exhaust recycle turbocharger (100) also includes a turbocharger compressor (106) mechanically linked to the turbocharger turbine (102) and secured in fluid communication with a flow of anode exhaust passing through an anode exhaust recycle loop (238) of the solid oxide fuel cell power plant (200). All or a portion of compressed oxidant within an oxidant inlet line (218) drives the turbocharger turbine (102) to thereby compress the anode exhaust stream in the recycle loop (238). A high-temperature, automotive-type turbocharger (100) replaces a recycle loop blower-compressor (52).Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2012Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Inc.Inventors: Kazuo Saito, Tommy Skiba, Kirtikumar H. Patel
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Publication number: 20150099201Abstract: An exemplary manifold assembly includes a gas inlet manifold configured to introduce a gas to a fuel cell. A gas outlet manifold is configured to direct gas away from the fuel cell. A drain channel connects the inlet manifold to the outlet manifold. The drain channel is configured to carry liquid from the gas inlet manifold to the gas outlet manifold.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2012Publication date: April 9, 2015Applicant: Ballard Power Systems Inc.Inventors: Tommy Skiba, Christopher John Carnevale
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Patent number: 8921010Abstract: A unitized electrode assembly (9) for use in the fuel cell comprises a first GDL (23), a PEM (28), and a second GDL (12), with electrode catalysts (27, 30) disposed between said PEM and each of said GDLs, said layers (23, 27, 30, 12) being impregnated with a thermoplastic polymer a sufficient distance from each edge of the UEA so as to form a fluid seal (13). The UEA is formed by a process which comprises making a sandwich of some or all of said layers (23, 27, 28, 30 and 33), with thermoplastic polymer film (22, 25, 32, 35) extending inwardly from the edges of said sandwich a sufficient distance to form the seal, said thermoplastic polymer film being disposed between each electrode and the adjacent GDL and/or between each GDL and release film (21, 36) on the top and bottom of the sandwich.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2013Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Inc.Inventors: Tommy Skiba, Chi-Hum Paik, Thomas D. Jarvi
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Publication number: 20140014254Abstract: A unitized electrode assembly (9) for use in the fuel cell comprises a first GDL (23), a PEM (28), and a second GDL (12), with electrode catalysts (27, 30) disposed between said PEM and each of said GDLs, said layers (23, 27, 30, 12) being impregnated with a thermoplastic polymer a sufficient distance from each edge of the UEA so as to form a fluid seal (13). The UEA is formed by a process which comprises making a sandwich of some or all of said layers (23, 27, 28, 30 and 33), with thermoplastic polymer film (22, 25, 32, 35) extending inwardly from the edges of said sandwich a sufficient distance to form the seal, said thermoplastic polymer film being disposed between each electrode and the adjacent GDL and/or between each GDL and release film (21, 36) on the top and bottom of the sandwich.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2013Publication date: January 16, 2014Inventors: Tommy Skiba, Chi-Hum Paik, Thomas D. Jarvi
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Patent number: 8568943Abstract: A unitized electrode assembly (9) for use in the fuel cell comprises a first GDL (23), a PEM (28), and a second GDL (12), with electrode catalyst (27, 30) disposed between said PEM and each of said GDLs, said layers (23, 27, 30, 12) being impregnated with a thermoplastic polymer a sufficient distance from each edge of the UEA so as to form a fluid seal (13). The UEA is formed by a process which comprises making a sandwich of some or all of said layers (23, 27, 28, 30 and 33), with thermoplastic polymer film (22, 25, 32, 35) extending inwardly from the edges of said sandwich a sufficient distance to form the seal, said thermoplastic polymer film being disposed between each electrode and the adjacent GDL and/or between each GDL and release film (21, 36) on the top and bottom of the sandwich.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2005Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Tommy Skiba, Chi-Hum Paik, Thomas D. Jarvi
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Publication number: 20130224622Abstract: Fuel cells (38) have passageways (83, 84) that provide water through one or both reactant gas flow field plates (75, 81) of each fuel cell, whereby the fuel cell is cooled evaporatively. The water passageways may be vented by a porous plug (not shown), or by a microvacuum pump (89). A condenser (59) may have a reservoir (64); the condenser (59) may be a vehicle radiator. A highly water permeable wicking layer (90) is disposed adjacent to one or both water passageways (83, 84) which exist between individual fuel cells (38). The passageways may be flow-through passageways (83) (FIG. 5) or they may be interdigitated passageways (83a, 83b) (FIG. 6) in order to increase the flow of water-purging air through the wicking layer (90) utilized to clear the stack of water during shutdown in cold environments.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2010Publication date: August 29, 2013Inventors: Tommy Skiba, Robert M. Darling
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Publication number: 20130059230Abstract: A fuel cell proton exchange membrane electrolyte is formed of a first layer (6) having its stronger tensile strength oriented in one direction, laminated to a second layer (7) having its stronger tensile strength oriented perpendicular to the stronger direction of the first layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2010Publication date: March 7, 2013Applicant: UTC POWER CORPORATIONInventors: Tommy Skiba, Jesse M. Marzullo
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Publication number: 20120315558Abstract: The invention is a hydrogen passivation shut down system for a fuel cell power plant (10, 200). During shut down of the plant (10, 200), hydrogen fuel is permitted to transfer between an anode flow path (24, 24?) and a cathode flow path (38, 38?) while a low-pressure hydrogen generator (202) selectively generates an adequate amount of hydrogen and directs flow of the low-pressure hydrogen into the fuel cell (12?) downstream from a hydrogen inlet valve (52?) to maintain the fuel cell (12?) in a passive state.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2012Publication date: December 13, 2012Applicant: UTC POWER CORPORATIONInventors: Carl A. REISER, Tommy SKIBA, Timothy W. PATTERSON, JR.
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Patent number: 8288054Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly includes an anode, a cathode, a membrane disposed between the anode and the cathode, wherein at least one of the anode, cathode and membrane contains a hydrocarbon ionomer, and an electrode catalyst disposed in at least one of the anode and the cathode, wherein the catalyst is a metal alloy catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2005Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: UTC Power CorporationInventors: Sathya Motupally, Ned Cipollini, Lesia Protsailo, Andrew Haug, Tommy Skiba, Chi-Hum Paik
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Patent number: 8277991Abstract: The invention is a hydrogen passivation shut down system for a fuel cell power plant (10, 200). During shut down of the plant (10, 200), hydrogen fuel is permitted to transfer between an anode flow path (24, 24?) and a cathode flow path (38, 38?). A passive hydrogen bleed line (202) permits passage of a smallest amount of hydrogen into the fuel cell (12?) necessary to maintain the fuel cell (12?) in a passive state. A diffusion media (204) may be secured in fluid communication with the bleed line (202) to maintain a constant, slow rate of diffusion of the hydrogen into the fuel cell (12?) despite varying pressure differentials between the shutdown fuel cell (12?) and ambient atmosphere adjacent the cell (12?).Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2009Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: UTC Power CorporationInventors: Carl A. Reiser, Tommy Skiba, Timothy W. Patterson, Jr.
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Publication number: 20110318666Abstract: A fuel cell is disclosed that includes an electrode assembly arranged between a cathode and an anode. The anode and cathode have lateral surfaces adjoining lateral surface of the electrode assembly and respectively include fuel and oxidant flow fields. Interfacial seals are not arranged between the lateral surfaces. Instead, a sealant is applied to the anode, the cathode and the electrode assembly to fluidly separate the fuel and oxidant flow fields. In one example, the adjoining lateral surfaces are in abutting engagement with one another. The sealant is applied in a liquid, uncured state to perimeter surfaces of the electrode assembly, the anode and the cathode that surround the lateral surfaces.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2008Publication date: December 29, 2011Inventors: Timothy W. Patterson, Jr., Tommy Skiba, David D. Jayne