Patents by Inventor W. Edward Mufford

W. Edward Mufford 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: 6223844
    Abstract: A fuel cell engine for a vehicle comprises at least one fuel cell stack for producing electric power from a fuel and an oxidant, a propulsion motor, for propelling the vehicle. The propulsion motor is connected to receive electric power from the at least one fuel cell stack and is operatively connected to mechanically drive a device for directing a fluid stream into the fuel cell stack. In preferred embodiments the propulsion motor is operatively connected to drive a device for directing at least one reactant fluid stream into the fuel cell stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Xcellsis GmbH
    Inventors: Craig J. Greenhill, W. Edward Mufford, Adrian J. Corless, Robert D. Merritt
  • Patent number: 6186254
    Abstract: A temperature regulating system for a fuel cell powered electric motor vehicle assists in maintaining the temperature of the fuel cell stack within a temperature range that provides satisfactory fuel cell performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Xcelliss Fuel Cell Engines Inc.
    Inventors: W. Edward Mufford, Douglas G. Strasky, Brian N. Gorbell
  • Patent number: 6053266
    Abstract: A fuel cell engine for a vehicle comprises at least one fuel cell stack for producing electric power from a fuel and an oxidant, a propulsion motor, for propelling the vehicle. The propulsion motor is connected to receive electric power from the at least one fuel cell stack and is operatively connected to mechanically drive a device for directing a fluid stream into the fuel cell stack. In preferred embodiments the propulsion motor is operatively connected to drive a device for directing at least one reactant fluid stream into the fuel cell stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: dbb Fuel Cell Engines GmbH
    Inventors: Craig J. Greenhill, W. Edward Mufford, Adrian J. Corless, Robert D. Merritt
  • Patent number: 5991670
    Abstract: A control system interrelatedly controls the electric power output and oxidant supply in a fuel cell electric power generation system. The power generation system comprises at least one fuel cell stack, and a plurality of electrical loads powered by the fuel cell stack, including an electric traction motor for propelling the vehicle, and a compressor for delivering oxidant gas to the fuel cell stack. The electric power output of the at least one fuel cell stack is dependent on the compressor speed. The control system comprises a summing device for determining the total instantaneous power demand of the electrical loads based on a plurality of sensed power demand signals, and a processor for generating a feed-forward output signal for adjusting the compressor speed to a value predicted to give fuel cell power output sufficient to satisfy the instantaneous power demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: dbb Fuel Cell Engines GmbH
    Inventors: W. Edward Mufford, Douglas G. Strasky
  • Patent number: 5771476
    Abstract: A power control system for controlling the supply of a reactant gas, such as air, for reaction within a fuel cell stack used to power, for example, a motor vehicle is set forth. The disclosed system may be used to reduce or eliminate compressor revving and instabilities common to prior systems in which fuel cell power output is dependent upon a flow of a reactant gas through a fuel cell stack, the flow of reactant gas being determined by the compressor speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: DBB Fuel Cell Engines GmbH
    Inventors: W. Edward Mufford, Douglas G. Strasky