Patents by Inventor Troy Small

Troy Small 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: 8012380
    Abstract: A multi-phase proton conducting material comprising a proton-conducting ceramic phase and a stabilizing ceramic phase. Under the presence of a partial pressure gradient of hydrogen across the membrane or under the influence of an electrical potential, a membrane fabricated with this material selectively transports hydrogen ions through the proton conducting phase, which results in ultrahigh purity hydrogen permeation through the membrane. The stabilizing ceramic phase may be substantially structurally and chemically identical to at least one product of a reaction between the proton conducting phase and at least one expected gas under operating conditions of a membrane fabricated using the material. In a barium cerate-based proton conducting membrane, one stabilizing phase is ceria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Ceramatec, Inc.
    Inventors: S. Elangovan, Balakrishnan G. Nair, Troy Small, Brian Heck
  • Publication number: 20100050739
    Abstract: A gas sensor may include a sintered heating component which includes a ceramic insulating material, and a separately sintered sensing component which includes an ionically conductive material. The sensor may also include a bond attaching the sensing component to the heating component. The bond may be made of bonding material which is different from the insulating material and the ionically conductive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Jesse Nachlas, Balakrishnan G. Nair, Raymond Ashton Cutler, Thomas Koerner Pace, Gangqiang Wang, Troy A. Small
  • Publication number: 20080032140
    Abstract: A multi-phase proton conducting material comprising a proton-conducting ceramic phase and a stabilizing ceramic phase. Under the presence of a partial pressure gradient of hydrogen across the membrane or under the influence of an electrical potential, a membrane fabricated with this material selectively transports hydrogen ions through the proton conducting phase, which results in ultrahigh purity hydrogen permeation through the membrane. The stabilizing ceramic phase may be substantially structurally and chemically identical to at least one product of a reaction between the proton conducting phase and at least one expected gas under operating conditions of a membrane fabricated using the material. In a barium cerate-based proton conducting membrane, one stabilizing phase is ceria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Inventors: S. Elangovan, Balakrishnan Nair, Troy Small, Brian Heck
  • Publication number: 20070289870
    Abstract: A sensing apparatus to measure ammonia in a gas mixture. The sensing apparatus includes a sensing element, which includes substrate, a first electrode assembly, and a second electrode assembly. The first electrode assembly includes a first sensor electrode coupled to the substrate. The first electrode assembly is configured to react to the ammonia in the gas mixture. The second electrode assembly includes a second sensor electrode coupled to the substrate. The second electrode assembly is configured to react to the ammonia in the gas mixture. The first and second electrode assemblies are configured to generate a differential electrical signal in response to the ammonia detected by the second electrode assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventors: Balakrishnan Nair, Jesse Nachias, Troy Small
  • Patent number: 7258820
    Abstract: A multi-phase mixed protonic/electronic conducting material comprising a proton-conducting ceramic phase and an electron conductive ceramic phase. Under the presence of a partial pressure gradient of hydrogen across the membrane, a membrane fabricated with this material selectively transports hydrogen ions through the protonically conductive ceramic phase and electrons through the electronically conducting ceramic phase, which results in ultrahigh purity hydrogen permeation through the membrane. The material has a high electronic conductivity and hydrogen gas transport is rate-limited by the protonic conductivity of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Ceramatec, Inc.
    Inventors: Singaravelu Elangovan, Balakrishnan G. Nair, Troy A. Small
  • Publication number: 20050194571
    Abstract: A multi-phase mixed protonic/electronic conducting material comprising a proton-conducting ceramic phase and an electron conductive ceramic phase. Under the presence of a partial pressure gradient of hydrogen across the membrane, a membrane fabricated with this material selectively transports hydrogen ions through the protonically conductive ceramic phase and electrons through the electronically conducting ceramic phase, which results in ultrahigh purity hydrogen permeation through the membrane. The material has a high electronic conductivity and hydrogen gas transport is rate-limited by the protonic conductivity of the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Publication date: September 8, 2005
    Inventors: Singaravelu Elangovan, Balakrishnan Nair, Troy Small