Patents by Inventor Vincenzo Ortisi

Vincenzo Ortisi 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).

  • Method and circuit for managing start-up phase of at least a micro fuel cell to be connected to a load
    Patent number: 7906874
    Abstract: A managing method of the start-up phase of at least one micro fuel cell to be connected to a load includes: measuring a micro fuel cell voltage value across the micro fuel cell activated by means of a fuel injection; comparing the micro fuel cell voltage value with a first threshold voltage value; and establishing an operation mode of the micro fuel cell as follows: as long as the micro fuel cell voltage value is lower than the first threshold voltage value, the micro fuel cell operates in a first open circuit state, during which it is not connected to the load; when the micro fuel cell voltage value overcomes the first threshold voltage value, the micro fuel cell passes to a second pre-ignition state, during which it supplies a current value corresponding to the first threshold voltage value, according to a static voltage-current characteristic of the micro fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Nastasi, Salvatore Abbisso, Vincenzo Ortisi
  • METHOD AND CIRCUIT FOR MANAGING START-UP PHASE OF AT LEAST A MICRO FUEL CELL TO BE CONNECTED TO A LOAD
    Publication number: 20070237992
    Abstract: A managing method of the start-up phase of at least one micro fuel cell to be connected to a load includes: measuring a micro fuel cell voltage value across the micro fuel cell activated by means of a fuel injection; comparing the micro fuel cell voltage value with a first threshold voltage value; and establishing an operation mode of the micro fuel cell as follows: as long as the micro fuel cell voltage value is lower than the first threshold voltage value, the micro fuel cell operates in a first open circuit state, during which it is not connected to the load; when the micro fuel cell voltage value overcomes the first threshold voltage value, the micro fuel cell passes to a second pre-ignition state, during which it supplies a current value corresponding to the first threshold voltage value, according to a static voltage-current characteristic of the micro fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Nastasi, Salvatore Abbisso, Vincenzo Ortisi