Patents by Inventor Vijay Srivatsan
Vijay Srivatsan 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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Publication number: 20240154136Abstract: A cross-flow interconnect and a fuel cell stack including the same, the interconnect including fuel inlets and outlets that extend through the interconnect adjacent to opposing first and second peripheral edges of the interconnect; an air side; and an opposing fuel side. The air side includes an air flow field including air channels that extend in a first direction, from a third peripheral edge of the interconnect to an opposing fourth peripheral edge of the interconnect; and riser seal surfaces disposed on two opposing sides of the air flow field and in which the fuel inlets and outlets are formed. The fuel side includes a fuel flow field including fuel channels that extend in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, between the fuel inlets and outlets; and a perimeter seal surface surrounding the fuel flow field and the fuel inlets and outlets.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2024Publication date: May 9, 2024Inventors: Michael GASDA, Vijay SRIVATSAN, Robert M. HINTZ, Swaminathan VENKATARAMAN, Padiadpu Shankara ANANTHA, Emad EL BATAWI, Cheng-Yu LIN, Sagar MAINKAR, Gilbert RICHARDS, Jonathan SCHOLL
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Publication number: 20240104907Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates select data (e.g., sensor data and/or depth values generated using sensor data). In some examples, techniques for determining whether to use sensor fusion are provided. In some examples, techniques for determining whether to use a voting mechanism are provided. In some examples, techniques for responding to different types of decisions are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2023Publication date: March 28, 2024Inventors: Fernando A. MUJICA, Vijay SRIVATSAN, Muhammad Umair SIDDIQUE
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Publication number: 20240104895Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates select data (e.g., sensor data and/or depth values generated using sensor data). In some examples, techniques for determining whether to use sensor fusion are provided. In some examples, techniques for determining whether to use a voting mechanism are provided. In some examples, techniques for responding to different types of decisions are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2023Publication date: March 28, 2024Inventors: Fernando A. MUJICA, Vijay SRIVATSAN, Muhammad Umair SIDDIQUE
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Patent number: 11916263Abstract: A cross-flow interconnect and a fuel cell stack including the same, the interconnect including fuel inlets and outlets that extend through the interconnect adjacent to opposing first and second peripheral edges of the interconnect; an air side; and an opposing fuel side. The air side includes an air flow field including air channels that extend in a first direction, from a third peripheral edge of the interconnect to an opposing fourth peripheral edge of the interconnect; and riser seal surfaces disposed on two opposing sides of the air flow field and in which the fuel inlets and outlets are formed. The fuel side includes a fuel flow field including fuel channels that extend in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, between the fuel inlets and outlets; and a perimeter seal surface surrounding the fuel flow field and the fuel inlets and outlets.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2022Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATIONInventors: Michael Gasda, Vijay Srivatsan, Robert M. Hintz, Swaminathan Venkataraman, Padiadpu Shankara Anantha, Emad El Batawi, Cheng-Yu Lin, Sagar Mainkar, Gilbert Richards, Jonathan Scholl
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Publication number: 20230420715Abstract: A fuel cell system includes at least one electrochemical pump separator to separate hydrogen and carbon dioxide from a fuel exhaust stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2022Publication date: December 28, 2023Inventors: David WEINGAERTNER, Greg YOUNG, Vijay SRIVATSAN, Michael PETRUCHA
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Patent number: 11705557Abstract: Various embodiments include fuel cell interconnects having a fuel distribution portion having an inlet opening, a fuel collection portion having an outlet opening, and a primary fuel flow field containing channels, wherein the fuel distribution portion comprises at least one raised feature defining a fuel distribution flow path, and the fuel distribution flow path is not continuous with the channels in the primary fuel flow field. The at least one raised feature may include, for example, a network of ribs and/or dots. Further embodiments include interconnects having a fuel distribution portion with a variable surface depth to provide variable flow restriction and/or a plenum with variable surface depth and raised a raised relief feature on the cathode side, and/or varying flow channel depths and/or rib heights adjacent a fuel hole.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2021Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATIONInventors: Daniel Darga, Cheng-Yu Lin, Vijay Srivatsan
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Publication number: 20220278341Abstract: A cross-flow interconnect and a fuel cell stack including the same, the interconnect including fuel inlets and outlets that extend through the interconnect adjacent to opposing first and second peripheral edges of the interconnect; an air side; and an opposing fuel side. The air side includes an air flow field including air channels that extend in a first direction, from a third peripheral edge of the interconnect to an opposing fourth peripheral edge of the interconnect; and riser seal surfaces disposed on two opposing sides of the air flow field and in which the fuel inlets and outlets are formed. The fuel side includes a fuel flow field including fuel channels that extend in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, between the fuel inlets and outlets; and a perimeter seal surface surrounding the fuel flow field and the fuel inlets and outlets.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2022Publication date: September 1, 2022Inventors: Michael GASDA, Vijay SRIVATSAN, Robert M. HINTZ, Swaminathan VENKATARAMAN, Padiadpu Shankara ANANTHA, Emad EL BATAWI, Cheng-Yu LIN, Sagar MAINKAR, Gilbert RICHARDS, Jonathan SCHOLL
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Patent number: 11355762Abstract: A cross-flow interconnect and a fuel cell stack including the same, the interconnect including fuel inlets and outlets that extend through the interconnect adjacent to opposing first and second peripheral edges of the interconnect; an air side; and an opposing fuel side. The air side includes an air flow field including air channels that extend in a first direction, from a third peripheral edge of the interconnect to an opposing fourth peripheral edge of the interconnect; and riser seal surfaces disposed on two opposing sides of the air flow field and in which the fuel inlets and outlets are formed. The fuel side includes a fuel flow field including fuel channels that extend in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, between the fuel inlets and outlets; and a perimeter seal surface surrounding the fuel flow field and the fuel inlets and outlets.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2019Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATIONInventors: Michael Gasda, Vijay Srivatsan, Robert M. Hintz, Swaminathan Venkataraman, Padiadpu Shankara Anantha, Emad El Batawi, Cheng-Yu Lin, Sagar Mainkar, Gilbert Richards, Jonathan Scholl
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Patent number: 11217797Abstract: Various embodiments include fuel cell interconnects having a fuel distribution portion having an inlet opening, a fuel collection portion having an outlet opening, and a primary fuel flow field containing channels, wherein the fuel distribution portion comprises at least one raised feature defining a fuel distribution flow path, and the fuel distribution flow path is not continuous with the channels in the primary fuel flow field. The at least one raised feature may include, for example, a network of ribs and/or dots. Further embodiments include interconnects having a fuel distribution portion with a variable surface depth to provide variable flow restriction and/or a plenum with variable surface depth and raised a raised relief feature on the cathode side, and/or varying flow channel depths and/or rib heights adjacent a fuel hole.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2013Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATIONInventors: Daniel Darga, Cheng-Yu Lin, Vijay Srivatsan
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Publication number: 20210273242Abstract: Various embodiments include fuel cell interconnects having a fuel distribution portion having an inlet opening, a fuel collection portion having an outlet opening, and a primary fuel flow field containing channels, wherein the fuel distribution portion comprises at least one raised feature defining a fuel distribution flow path, and the fuel distribution flow path is not continuous with the channels in the primary fuel flow field. The at least one raised feature may include, for example, a network of ribs and/or dots. Further embodiments include interconnects having a fuel distribution portion with a variable surface depth to provide variable flow restriction and/or a plenum with variable surface depth and raised a raised relief feature on the cathode side, and/or varying flow channel depths and/or rib heights adjacent a fuel hole.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2021Publication date: September 2, 2021Inventors: Daniel DARGA, Cheng-Yu LIN, Vijay SRIVATSAN
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Patent number: 10962492Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring and/or estimating a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of a component of a fuel cell system. A CTE measurement technique includes securing a measurement member over a surface of the component via a seal having a melting point, heating the seal above its melting point of the seal, cooling the component, measurement member and seal to a second temperature below the melting point of the seal, and determining the CTE of the component based on the change in the span of the measurement member after cooling. A fuel cell component characterization technique includes measuring an electrical resistivity (ER), conductivity (EC), resistance or conductance of the component, measuring at least one additional property of the component which, together with ER, EC, resistance or conductance, correlates to the CTE of the component, and sorting the component based on the measurements.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2018Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATIONInventors: Cheng-Yu Lin, Daniel Darga, Michael Groesch, Harald Herchen, Vijay Srivatsan
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Publication number: 20190372132Abstract: A cross-flow interconnect and a fuel cell stack including the same, the interconnect including fuel inlets and outlets that extend through the interconnect adjacent to opposing first and second peripheral edges of the interconnect; an air side; and an opposing fuel side. The air side includes an air flow field including air channels that extend in a first direction, from a third peripheral edge of the interconnect to an opposing fourth peripheral edge of the interconnect; and riser seal surfaces disposed on two opposing sides of the air flow field and in which the fuel inlets and outlets are formed. The fuel side includes a fuel flow field including fuel channels that extend in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, between the fuel inlets and outlets; and a perimeter seal surface surrounding the fuel flow field and the fuel inlets and outlets.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2019Publication date: December 5, 2019Inventors: Michael GASDA, Vijay SRIVATSAN, Robert M. HINTZ, Swaminathan VENKATARAMAN, Padiadpu Shankara ANANTHA, Emad EL BATAWI, Cheng-Yu LIN, Sagar MAINKAR, Gilbert RICHARDS, Jonathan SCHOLL
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Publication number: 20180217075Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring and/or estimating a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of a component of a fuel cell system. A CTE measurement technique includes securing a measurement member over a surface of the component via a seal having a melting point, heating the seal above its melting point of the seal, cooling the component, measurement member and seal to a second temperature below the melting point of the seal, and determining the CTE of the component based on the change in the span of the measurement member after cooling. A fuel cell component characterization technique includes measuring an electrical resistivity (ER), conductivity (EC), resistance or conductance of the component, measuring at least one additional property of the component which, together with ER, EC, resistance or conductance, correlates to the CTE of the component, and sorting the component based on the measurements.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2018Publication date: August 2, 2018Inventors: Cheng-Yu Lin, Daniel Darga, Michael Groesch, Harald Herchen, Vijay Srivatsan
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Patent number: 9958406Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring and/or estimating a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of a component of a fuel cell system. A CTE measurement technique includes securing a measurement member over a surface of the component via a seal having a melting point, heating the seal above its melting point of the seal, cooling the component, measurement member and seal to a second temperature below the melting point of the seal, and determining the CTE of the component based on the change in the span of the measurement member after cooling. A fuel cell component characterization technique includes measuring an electrical resistivity (ER), conductivity (EC), resistance or conductance of the component, measuring at least one additional property of the component which, together with ER, EC, resistance or conductance, correlates to the CTE of the component, and sorting the component based on the measurements.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2014Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATIONInventors: Cheng-Yu Lin, Daniel Darga, Michael Groesch, Harald Herchen, Vijay Srivatsan
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Patent number: 9673457Abstract: Various embodiments include interconnects and/or end plates having features for reducing stress in a fuel cell stack. In embodiments, an interconnect/end plate may have a window seal area that is recessed relative to the flow field to indirectly reduce stress induced by an interface seal. Other features may include a thicker protective coating and/or larger uncoated area of an end plate, providing a recessed portion on an end plate for an interface seal, and/or recessing the fuel hole region of an interconnect relative to the flow field to reduce stress on the fuel cell. Further embodiments include providing intermittent seal support to minimize asymmetric seal loading and/or a non-circular seal configuration to reduce stress around the fuel hole of a fuel cell.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2013Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATIONInventors: Vijay Srivatsan, Michael Groesch, Daniel Darga, Matthias Gottmann, Ram Ramanan, Paturi Balaji Narasimha Prasad, Ramesha Guntanur, Ananda Sundararajan, Sachin Parhar
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Patent number: 9468736Abstract: A method of making an interconnect for a solid oxide fuel cell stack includes providing a chromium alloy interconnect and providing a nickel mesh in contact with a fuel side of the interconnect. Formation of a chromium oxide layer is reduced or avoided in locations between the nickel mesh and the fuel side of the interconnect. A Cr—Ni alloy or a Cr—Fe—Ni alloy is located at least in the fuel side of the interconnect under the nickel mesh.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2014Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATIONInventors: Daniel Darga, Tad Armstrong, Vijay Srivatsan, Harald Herchen, Cheng-Yu Lin
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Patent number: 9368810Abstract: Various embodiments include interconnects and/or end plates having features for reducing stress in a fuel cell stack. In embodiments, an interconnect/end plate may have a window seal area that is recessed relative to the flow field to indirectly reduce stress induced by an interface seal. Other features may include a thicker protective coating and/or larger uncoated area of an end plate, providing a recessed portion on an end plate for an interface seal, and/or recessing the fuel hole region of an interconnect relative to the flow field to reduce stress on the fuel cell. Further embodiments include providing intermittent seal support to minimize asymmetric seal loading and/or a non-circular seal configuration to reduce stress around the fuel hole of a fuel cell.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2013Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: Bloom Energy CorporationInventors: Daniel Darga, Vijay Srivatsan, Matthias Gottmann, Ram Ramanan, Paturi Balaji Narasimha Prasad, Ramesha Guntanur
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Publication number: 20150147679Abstract: A method of making an interconnect for a solid oxide fuel cell stack includes providing a chromium alloy interconnect and providing a nickel mesh in contact with a fuel side of the interconnect. Formation of a chromium oxide layer is reduced or avoided in locations between the nickel mesh and the fuel side of the interconnect. A Cr—Ni alloy or a Cr—Fe—Ni alloy is located at least in the fuel side of the interconnect under the nickel mesh.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2014Publication date: May 28, 2015Inventors: Daniel DARGA, Tad ARMSTRONG, Vijay SRIVATSAN, Harald HERCHEN, Cheng-Yu LIN
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Publication number: 20140127602Abstract: Various embodiments include interconnects and/or end plates having features for reducing stress in a fuel cell stack. In embodiments, an interconnect/end plate may have a window seal area that is recessed relative to the flow field to indirectly reduce stress induced by an interface seal. Other features may include a thicker protective coating and/or larger uncoated area of an end plate, providing a recessed portion on an end plate for an interface seal, and/or recessing the fuel hole region of an interconnect relative to the flow field to reduce stress on the fuel cell. Further embodiments include providing intermittent seal support to minimize asymmetric seal loading and/or a non-circular seal configuration to reduce stress around the fuel hole of a fuel cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2013Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: Bloom Energy CorporationInventors: Vijay Srivatsan, Michael Groesch, Daniel Darga, Matthias Gottmann, Ram Ramanan, Paturi Balaji Narasimha Prasad, Ramesha Guntanur, Ananda Sundararajan, Sachin Parhar
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Publication number: 20140127604Abstract: Various embodiments include interconnects and/or end plates having features for reducing stress in a fuel cell stack. In embodiments, an interconnect/end plate may have a window seal area that is recessed relative to the flow field to indirectly reduce stress induced by an interface seal. Other features may include a thicker protective coating and/or larger uncoated area of an end plate, providing a recessed portion on an end plate for an interface seal, and/or recessing the fuel hole region of an interconnect relative to the flow field to reduce stress on the fuel cell. Further embodiments include providing intermittent seal support to minimize asymmetric seal loading and/or a non-circular seal configuration to reduce stress around the fuel hole of a fuel cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2013Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATIONInventors: Daniel Darga, Vijay Srivatsan, Matthias Gottmann, Ram Ramanan, Paturi Balaji Narasimha Prasad, Ramesha Guntanur