Patents by Inventor Trent Molter

Trent Molter 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).

  • Publication number: 20180257933
    Abstract: An electrochemical hydrogen isotope recycling apparatus for recycling an isotope of hydrogen includes an electrochemical recycling unit, the unit comprising: an anode; a cathode; and an isotope-treated, proton exchange membrane operatively disposed between the anode and cathode, the isotope-treated, proton exchange membrane having heavy water containing the isotope of hydrogen therein, the device configured to receive a feedstream containing the isotope of hydrogen. A process by which high purity hydrogen isotope products are produced using an electrochemical membrane process in which all conventional water containing components are pre-processed using a heavy water containing the isotope of hydrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Daryl Ludlow, Glenn Eisman, Trent Molter
  • Publication number: 20180209051
    Abstract: An electrochemical hydrogen isotope recycling apparatus for recycling an isotope of hydrogen includes an electrochemical recycling unit, the unit comprising: an anode; a cathode; and an isotope-treated, proton exchange membrane operatively disposed between the anode and cathode, the isotope-treated, proton exchange membrane having heavy water containing the isotope of hydrogen therein, the device configured to receive a feedstream containing the isotope of hydrogen. A process by which high purity hydrogen isotope products are produced using an electrochemical membrane process in which all conventional water containing components are pre-processed using a heavy water containing the isotope of hydrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Inventors: Philip Baker, Daryl Ludlow, Glenn Eismann, Gregory Hesler, Eugene LeDuc, Karen Murdoch, Trent Molter
  • Publication number: 20080060937
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a proton exchange membrane disposed between and in intimate contact with the electrodes, and a pressure pad disposed in electrical communication with the first electrode. The pressure pad is an electrically conductive sheet and is of a structure that is conformable to pressure variations within the cell. Methods of forming the pressure pad include disposing dimples or corrugations at the electrically conductive member. A method of maintaining compression within the cell includes disposing the electrically conductive member and the compression member at the first electrode, applying a load at the cell to compress the cell components, and maintaining electrical communication through the electrically conductive member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: PROTON ENERGY SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Trent Molter, Lawrence Moulthrop, Jason Shiepe, A. Speranza, Robert Byron
  • Publication number: 20070172715
    Abstract: The invention provides a fuel cell system. The fuel cell system can include a modular power section, the power section including at least one power module, and at least one modular energy storage section, the energy storage section including at least one reactant storage module. The power section can include a plurality of power modules. Similarly, the energy storage section can include a plurality of reactant storage modules. At least one of the power module and reactant storage module can include fluids quick disconnect fittings to operably couple the module to the fuel cell system to facilitate modular operation. In accordance with a further aspect, the system can further include a regeneration section, the regeneration section having an electrolyzer configured and adapted to dissociate water received from the power module into hydrogen and oxygen by way of a fluids manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Trent Molter, Ken Reifsnider, Frano Barbir
  • Patent number: 7169493
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell apparatus and a heat storage device. The heat storage device is in fluid communication with and responsive to the fuel cell apparatus and is adapted to receive and store heat from and deliver heat to the fuel cell apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Proton Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Trent Molter, Mark Lillis, Spyros Nomikos
  • Publication number: 20060286429
    Abstract: Treated porous flow field members are used to support membranes in electrochemical cells and to enhance fluid flow to and from the membrane. The treated porous includes a support material having at least a portion thereof treated with a quantity of hydrophobic polymer, a quantity of hydrophilic polymer, or a quantity of a mixture of a hydrophobic polymer and a hydrophilic polymer. Depending on the type of treatment and the placement of the polymer-treated porous support, various fluid flow enhancements are attained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Inventors: Jason Shiepe, Trent Molter, Lawrence Moulthrop
  • Publication number: 20050142402
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell capable of operating in pressure differentials exceeding about 2,000 psi, using a porous electrode. The porous electrode comprises a catalyst adsorbed on or in a porous support that is disposed in intimate contact and fluid communication with the electrolyte membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Skoczylas, Matthew Christopher, Jason Shiepe, Mark Dristy, Trent Molter
  • Publication number: 20050129996
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a regenerative electrochemical cell system, comprises: a fuel cell module, an electrolysis module, a heat exchange, and an inverted hydrogen storage device. The fuel cell module can comprise a fuel cell hydrogen inlet in fluid communication a hydrogen storage system, and a fuel cell oxygen inlet in fluid communication with a surrounding atmosphere and in fluid communication with a gaseous portion of an oxygen/water phase separation device. The electrolysis module can comprise an electrolysis water inlet in fluid communication with the water storage device via the fuel cell module, and an electrolysis water outlet in fluid communication with a second water storage device. The inverted hydrogen storage device can comprise a fluid inlet in fluid communication with an electrolysis hydrogen outlet, and a gas outlet in fluid communication with a fuel cell hydrogen inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Inventors: Lawrence Moulthrop, Trent Molter, A. Speranza, Mark Lillis, William Smith, Jason Shiepe, Thomas Skoczylas
  • Patent number: 6857397
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for generating hydrogen for use with an internal combustion engine. The system includes a venturi device coupled with an exhaust stream from the internal combustion engine. The venturi device creates a gas flow through a condenser to generate reactant water. After the reactant water is polished to remove contaminants, hydrogen and oxygen are disassociated using a PEM based electrolyzer. The hydrogen gas is used by the internal combustion engine to assist in the combustion process and reduce pollutant emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Proton Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John Zagaja, Trent Molter, Lawrence Moulthrop, William Smith
  • Publication number: 20040219407
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell apparatus and a heat storage device. The heat storage device is in fluid communication with and responsive to the fuel cell apparatus and is adapted to receive and store heat from and deliver heat to the fuel cell apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: Trent Molter, Mark Lillis, Spyros Nomikos
  • Publication number: 20040144336
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for generating hydrogen for use with an internal combustion engine. The system includes a venturi device coupled with an exhaust stream from the internal combustion engine. The venturi device creates a gas flow through a condenser to generate reactant water. After the reactant water is polished to remove contaminants, hydrogen and oxygen are disassociated using a PEM based electrolyzer. The hydrogen gas is used by the internal combustion engine to assist in the combustion process and reduce pollutant emissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Applicant: PROTON ENERGY SYSTEMS
    Inventors: John Zagaja, Trent Molter, Lawrence Moulthrop, William Smith
  • Publication number: 20040013923
    Abstract: An energy storage and recovery system includes a renewable power source, a hydrogen generation device in electrical communication with the renewable power source, a hydrogen storage device in fluid communication with the hydrogen generation device, a hydrogen fueled electricity generator in fluid communication with the hydrogen storage device, and a pressure regulator interposed between and in fluid communication with the hydrogen fueled electricity generator and the hydrogen storage device. The pressure regulator is set at an operating pressure of the hydrogen fueled electricity generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Trent Molter, Larry Moulthrop, John Speranza, William Smith
  • Patent number: 6659049
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for generating hydrogen for use with an internal combustion engine. The system includes a venturi device coupled with an exhaust stream from the internal combustion engine. The venturi device creates a gas flow through a condenser to generate reactant water. After the reactant water is polished to remove contaminants, hydrogen and oxygen are disassociated using a PEM based electrolyzer. The hydrogen gas is used by the internal combustion engine to assist in the combustion process and reduce pollutant emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Proton Energy Systems
    Inventors: John Zagaja, Trent Molter, Lawrence Moulthrop, William Smith
  • Publication number: 20030159663
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for generating hydrogen for use with an internal combustion engine. The system includes a venturi device coupled with an exhaust stream from the internal combustion engine. The venturi device creates a gas flow through a condenser to generate reactant water. After the reactant water is polished to remove contaminants, hydrogen and oxygen are disassociated using a PEM based electrolyzer. The hydrogen gas is used by the internal combustion engine to assist in the combustion process and reduce pollutant emissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: John Zagaja, Trent Molter, Lawrence C. Moulthrop, William Smith