Patents by Inventor William A. Pledger

William A. Pledger 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: 6319306
    Abstract: Membrane modules that contain one or more hydrogen-selective membranes, methods for preparing the same, and hydrogen purification systems, fuel processors and devices containing the same. In some embodiments, the membrane modules include one or more hydrogen-selective membranes supported on a screen structure, of which a variety of embodiments are disclosed. In some embodiments, the membrane or membranes are adhesively mounted on the screen structure during assembly. In some embodiments, the screen structure includes a plurality of screen members adhesively mounted together during assembly. In some embodiments, the screen structure includes a coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: IdaTech, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Edlund, William A. Pledger, Todd Studebaker
  • Patent number: 6221117
    Abstract: A fuel processing system is disclosed. The system includes a steam reformer adapted to produce hydrogen from a feedstock consisting of water and at least one of an alcohol and a hydrocarbon feedstock. The hydrogen is produced by reacting the feedstock in the present of a reforming catalyst. The product stream is passed through a hydrogen-selective membrane module, at which the permeate stream is polished to remove trade carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, and the byproduct stream is combusted to heat the reformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: IdaTech, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Edlund, William A. Pledger
  • Patent number: 5997594
    Abstract: A steam reformer with internal hydrogen purification includes internal bulk hydrogen purification, internal hydrogen polishing to remove trace levels of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, an integrated combustion method utilizing waste gas to heat the reformer, efficient integration of heat transfer, and a compact design. One steam reformer shown includes a concentric cylindrical architecture nesting an annular combustion region, an annular reforming region, an annular hydrogen transport region, and a cylindrical polishing region. Other reformers shown include modified combustion systems distributed within a reformation region, isolated vaporization chambers, combustion systems providing uniform temperature gradient, and plate membrane construction methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Northwest Power Systems, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Edlund, William A. Pledger
  • Patent number: 4087508
    Abstract: A mould for injection welding a junction between a thermoplastics sleeve and a cable having an outer sheath of thermoplastics material, which mould comprises three parts: one part is heat-conductive with a bore for receiving the end of the cable; one part is heat-insulating with a bore for receiving the sleeve, and the final part is heat-conductive with an enlarged bore for surrounding the actual joint. When the mould is assembled, this final part receives the ends, at least, of the other two parts and prevents relative axial and radial movement between the mould parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1978
    Assignee: The Post Office
    Inventors: William George Frederick Slaughter, Peter William Pledger, John Patrick Auriole Lowry