Curtis M Richardson

US Patent:

6451467, Sep 17, 2002

Filed:

Jun 30, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/608048

Inventors:

Norman Peschke - Clifton Park NY
Curtis Richardson - Voorheesville NY

Assignee:

Plug Power Inc. - Latham NY

International Classification:

H01M 804

US Classification:

429 23, 429 22, 429 34, 429 35

Abstract:

An automated reactant flow control subsystem is provided for a fuel cell system. The subsystem is achieved with a minimum of parts for decreased cost and increased reliability. The subsystem includes a fail-safe solenoid-actuated three-way valve in the fuel line that achieves very low pressure drop and very low parasitic load requirements. The subsystem also includes a fuel bypass system such as a flare, and a controller to automatically interlock the fuel and oxidant streams of the fuel cell.

US Patent:

7008715, Mar 7, 2006

Filed:

Jun 24, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/178862

Inventors:

Curtis A. Richardson - Voorheesville NY, US
Sean M. Kelly - Churchville NY, US
Bernard Edlinger - Augsburg, DE

Assignee:

Delphi Technologies, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

H01M 2/00
H01M 2/14

US Classification:

429 34, 429 39, 429 38, 429 30

Abstract:

A fuel cell assembly or system including flexible metal bellows elements in one or more tubes intended for carrying hot gases during operation of the assembly. The bellows elements include a tubing element having plurality of annular corrugated folds. Thermal expansion and contraction of rigid tubes and of the non-tubular elements of the assembly can lead to buckling, cracking, and failure of the tubes and failure of the assembly or system. The flexible bellows elements, having relatively low axial and radial spring rates thus are able to absorb thermal and vibrational dimensional changes in the assembly. In addition, the corrugations provide significant resistance to axial heat flow and large radiant surface area, thus increasing thermal isolation where desired between relatively hot and relatively cold regions of the assembly.

US Patent:

7255157, Aug 14, 2007

Filed:

Dec 20, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/018774

Inventors:

Curtis A. Richardson - Voorheesville NY, US

Assignee:

Delphi Technologies, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

F28D 7/08

US Classification:

165163, 165158

Abstract:

A heat exchanger for a solid-oxide fuel cell assembly. A plurality of parallel tubes conveys fuel cell stack exhaust gas from a first manifold means to a second manifold means. The tubes are highly corrugated to increase the wall area and decrease the wall thickness. The tubes are disposed in a jacket through which is passed incoming air to be heated. The tubes may be linear between two manifolds, or they may be curved such that the first and second manifold functions are accommodated within a single component.

US Patent:

7402357, Jul 22, 2008

Filed:

Jun 27, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/607603

Inventors:

Curtis A. Richardson - Voorheesville NY, US

Assignee:

Delphi Technologies, Inc - Troy MI

International Classification:

H01M 2/08

US Classification:

429 34, 429 35, 429 36

Abstract:

In a solid-oxide fuel cell assembly, a sealing gasket is disposed between spaced, parallel components and includes a gas-filled pillow structure formed in the general shape of the manifold opening to be sealed. The gasket acts as a passive gas spring that responds with increased seating force to increased temperature. The gasket comprises first and second elements formed from sheet or foil metal stock having mating concavities and joined along their mutual surfaces to form the gas-filled pillow structure in the shape of each opening to be sealed. The first and second elements are respectively formed of the same material as the components and diffusion bonded on their outer surfaces to their respective component surfaces.

US Patent:

20040163800, Aug 26, 2004

Filed:

Feb 25, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/375834

Inventors:

Curtis Richardson - Voorheesville NY, US

International Classification:

F28F013/12
F28D007/10

US Classification:

165/109100, 165/157000

Abstract:

A heat exchanger for a solid-oxide fuel cell assembly. A plurality of parallel tubes conveys fuel cell stack exhaust gas from a first manifold means to a second manifold means. The tubes are highly corrugated to increase the wall area and decrease the wall thickness. The tubes are disposed in a jacket through which is passed incoming air to be heated. The tubes may be linear between two manifolds, or they may be curved such that the first and second manifold functions are accommodated within a single component.

US Patent:

20040265659, Dec 30, 2004

Filed:

Jun 26, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/606850

Inventors:

Curtis Richardson - Voorheesville NY, US
Michael Yax - Rochester NY, US

International Classification:

H01M008/04
H01M008/00
H01M008/12

US Classification:

429/025000, 429/022000

Abstract:

In a fuel cell assembly, a passive gas spring is disposed between the stack and the supporting structure for maintaining compressive force on the stack and manifold seal. As variation in temperature of the assembly and structure causes dimensional changes therein, the pressure within the gas spring also changes accordingly. The gas spring is provided with inlet and outlet check valves, the outlet check valve opening to expel air when internal spring pressure reaches a predetermined upper pressure limit, and the inlet check valve opening to admit air when the internal spring pressure falls below a predetermined lower pressure limit in a currently preferred embodiment, the outlet check valve allows exit of gas from the gas spring at pressures exceeding 5 psig, to prevent rupture of the gas spring, and the inlet check valve allows entrance of gas into the gas spring as the spring cools following use.