Patents by Inventor Yanhai Du

Yanhai Du 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).

  • Publication number: 20230307673
    Abstract: A multifunctional manifold for use with electrochemical devices having a spiral cross-section, such as spiral solid-oxide fuel cells, includes an interface that is configured to be placed in operative communication with such devices. The interface includes a fuel interface section and an oxidant interface section that are each configured as spirals. The spiral interface sections also include channels that are configured to be placed in operative communication with corresponding spiral channels of the electrochemical device to deliver operating gases, such as fuel gas and oxidant gas, thereto. In addition to delivering operating gases to the fuel cells, the multifunctional manifold is also configured to act as an electrical current collector and a heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Applicants: Kent State University, Yanhai Power Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Yanhai Du, Aliia Mubarak Moh Maar
  • Patent number: 11682777
    Abstract: A multifunctional manifold for use with electrochemical devices having a spiral cross-section, such as spiral solid-oxide fuel cells, includes an interface that is configured to be placed in operative communication with such devices. The interface includes a fuel interface section and an oxidant interface section that are each configured as spirals. The spiral interface sections also include channels that are configured to be placed in operative communication with corresponding spiral channels of the electrochemical device to deliver operating gases, such as fuel gas and oxidant gas, thereto. In addition to delivering operating gases to the fuel cells, the multifunctional manifold is also configured to act as an electrical current collector and a heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignees: Kent State University, YANHAI POWER TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Yanhai Du, Aliia Mubarak Moh Maar
  • Publication number: 20220181653
    Abstract: A testing device for tubular solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) includes a housing within which the tubular SOFC is mounted. The housing includes suitable inlets and outlets to allow a fuel gas, such as hydrogen, and an oxidant, such as air or oxygen, to interact with the anode and cathode of the tubular SOFC. In addition, the housing is formed of suitable material for placement in a heating device, such as a tubular furnace or a miniature tubular heater. A temperature sensor and computing device may monitor the temperature of the tubular SOFC in order to control the operation of the tubular heating device. In addition, the device provides electrical current collectors for coupling to the anode and cathode of the SOFC, which may be removable and reusable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Applicant: Kent State University
    Inventor: Yanhai Du
  • Patent number: 11296342
    Abstract: A testing device for tubular solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) includes a housing within which the tubular SOFC is mounted. The housing includes suitable inlets and outlets to allow a fuel gas, such as hydrogen, and an oxidant, such as air or oxygen, to interact with the anode and cathode of the tubular SOFC. In addition, the housing is formed of suitable material for placement in a heating device, such as a tubular furnace or a miniature tubular heater. A temperature sensor and computing device may monitor the temperature of the tubular SOFC in order to control the operation of the tubular heating device. In addition, the device provides electrical current collectors for coupling to the anode and cathode of the SOFC, which may be removable and reusable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Kent State University
    Inventor: Yanhai Du
  • Publication number: 20210175526
    Abstract: A multifunctional manifold for use with electrochemical devices having a spiral cross-section, such as spiral solid-oxide fuel cells, includes an interface that is configured to be placed in operative communication with such devices. The interface includes a fuel interface section and an oxidant interface section that are each configured as spirals. The spiral interface sections also include channels that are configured to be placed in operative communication with corresponding spiral channels of the electrochemical device to deliver operating gases, such as fuel gas and oxidant gas, thereto. In addition to delivering operating gases to the fuel cells, the multifunctional manifold is also configured to act as an electrical current collector and a heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Applicant: Kent State University
    Inventors: Yanhai Du, Aliia Mubarak Moh Maar
  • Publication number: 20210159519
    Abstract: A testing device for tubular solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) includes a housing within which the tubular SOFC is mounted. The housing includes suitable inlets and outlets to allow a fuel gas, such as hydrogen, and an oxidant, such as air or oxygen, to interact with the anode and cathode of the tubular SOFC. In addition, the housing is formed of suitable material for placement in a heating device, such as a tubular furnace or a miniature tubular heater. A temperature sensor and computing device may monitor the temperature of the tubular SOFC in order to control the operation of the tubular heating device. In addition, the device provides electrical current collectors for coupling to the anode and cathode of the SOFC, which may be removable and reusable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Applicant: Kent State University
    Inventor: Yanhai Du
  • Patent number: 9281531
    Abstract: The present teachings relate to an electrochemical system including an electrochemical device and multiple independent circuits which permit independent control of the reaction rates at different sections of the electrochemical device. The electrochemical device can be a fuel cell or an electrolyzer, and can include a common electrode in electrical communication with two or more independent circuits. The present teachings also relate to operating methods of the electrochemical system described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: CP SOFC IP, LLC
    Inventors: Caine Finnerty, Yanhai Du, Jun Cai
  • Patent number: 9238781
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a system for removing sulfur from liquid hydrocarbon fuel. The system includes a reactor having a fuel inlet and fuel outlet. The fuel inlet and fuel outlet are in fluid communication with a fuel path passing through the reactor. The fuel path is defined by an inner helical thread portion and an outer helical thread portion. The inner helical thread portion is complimentary with and has a smaller diameter than the outer helical thread portion. The inner helical thread portion surrounds a heating element and the outer helical thread portion is surrounded by an outer cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: Yanhai Du, Ken Reifsnider
  • Publication number: 20140061098
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a system for removing sulfur from liquid hydrocarbon fuel. The system includes a reactor having a fuel inlet and fuel outlet. The fuel inlet and fuel outlet are in fluid communication with a fuel path passing through the reactor. The fuel path is defined by an inner helical thread portion and an outer helical thread portion. The inner helical thread portion is complimentary with and has a smaller diameter than the outer helical thread portion. The inner helical thread portion surrounds a heating element and the outer helical thread portion is surrounded by an outer cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Yanhai Du, Ken Reifsnider
  • Patent number: 8182959
    Abstract: The present teachings relate to an electrochemical cell having a closed Fermat spiral shape. The electrochemical cell comprises an anode, a cathode, an electrolyte, a fuel channel, an oxidant channel, and optionally a reforming layer. The electrochemical cell can be made through extrusion, gel-casting, or 3-D printing. The electrochemical cell can be a solid oxide fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: CP SOFC IP, LLC
    Inventors: Yanhai Du, Caine Finnerty
  • Publication number: 20110143242
    Abstract: The present teachings relate to an electrochemical system including an electrochemical device and multiple independent circuits which permit independent control of the reaction rates at different sections of the electrochemical device. The electrochemical device can be a fuel cell or an electrolyzer, and can include a common electrode in electrical communication with two or more independent circuits. The present teachings also relate to operating methods of the electrochemical system described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Caine Finnerty, Yanhai Du, Jun Cai
  • Publication number: 20090117435
    Abstract: The present teachings relate to an electrochemical cell having a closed Fermat spiral shape. The electrochemical cell comprises an anode, a cathode, an electrolyte, a fuel channel, an oxidant channel, and optionally a reforming layer. The electrochemical cell can be made through extrusion, gel-casting, or 3-D printing. The electrochemical cell can be a solid oxide fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventors: Yanhai Du, Caine Finnerty
  • Publication number: 20080292918
    Abstract: The present teachings relate to an electrochemical system including an electrochemical device and multiple independent circuits which permit independent control of the reaction rates at different sections of the electrochemical device. The electrochemical device can be a fuel cell or an electrolyzer, and can include a common electrode in electrical communication with two or more independent circuits. The present teachings also relate to operating methods of the electrochemical system described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventors: Caine Finnerty, Yanhai Du, Jun Cai
  • Publication number: 20060172141
    Abstract: A joint comprises a first structural element, a second structural element and a seal intermediate between the first structural element and the second structural element. The seal comprises a first porous ceramic film disposed on the first structural element, a second porous ceramic film disposed on the second structural element and adjacent to the first porous ceramic film, and a filler material, wherein the filler material is interposed between the first porous ceramic film and the second porous ceramic film and/or impregnated into at least a portion of pores of the first porous ceramic film and the second porous ceramic film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Publication date: August 3, 2006
    Inventors: Xinyu Huang, Kenneth Reifsnider, Raymond England, Yanhai Du
  • Publication number: 20040258972
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an electrochemical cell stack comprises at least two electrochemical cells, wherein each electrochemical cell comprises a hollow elongated electrolyte, having disposed upon it an anode and a cathode, and further wherein with the exception of the outermost cell, each electrochemical cell is placed within another electrochemical cell in a manner such that at least one of the surfaces of the respective electrochemical cells are approximately parallel to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Yanhai Du, Nigel Mark Sammes, Raymond Oliver England
  • Publication number: 20040247973
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a green electrolyte tube comprises forming a composition comprising lanthanum-strontium-gallium-magnesium oxide powder, a binder, a lubricant, a solvent and a pH control agent into a green electrolyte tube, wherein the outer diameter of the green electrolyte tube has a tolerance of less than or equal to about ±0.3 millimeters over a tube length of greater than or equal to about 5 millimeters, and the wall thickness of the green electrolyte tube has a tolerance of less than or equal to about ±0.2 millimeters over a length of greater than or equal to about 5 millimeters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Nigel Mark Sammes, Yanhai Du