David John Edlund

US Patent:

6375906, Apr 23, 2002

Filed:

Aug 10, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/636250

Inventors:

David J. Edlund - Bend OR
Thomas G. Herron - Bend OR

Assignee:

IdaTech, LLC - Bend OR

International Classification:

B01J 800

US Classification:

422189, 422105, 422198, 422200, 422202, 422208, 481279, 429 24, 429 25, 429 26

Abstract:

A fuel processing assembly adapted to produce hydrogen gas from a carbon-containing feedstock. The fuel processing assembly includes a fuel processor, such as a steam reformer. The fuel processing assembly further includes a feed assembly adapted to deliver a carbon-containing feedstock, such as a hydrocarbon, to the fuel processor. In some embodiments, the fuel processing system includes a fuel cell stack that includes at least one fuel cell adapted to produce electrical power from hydrogen gas produced by the fuel processor.

US Patent:

6376113, Apr 23, 2002

Filed:

Nov 12, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/190917

Inventors:

David J. Edlund - Bend OR
William A. Pledger - Sisters OR

Assignee:

IdaTech, LLC - Bend OR

International Classification:

H01M 806

US Classification:

429 19, 429 17

Abstract:

The invented system includes a fuel-cell system comprising a fuel cell that produces electrical power from air (oxygen) and hydrogen, and a fuel processor that produces hydrogen from a variety of feedstocks. One such fuel processor is a steam reformer which produces purified hydrogen from a carbon-containing feedstock and water. In the invented system, various mechanisms for implementing the cold start-up of the fuel processor are disclosed, as well as mechanisms for optimizing and/or harvesting the heat and water requirements of the system, and maintaining desired the feed ratios of feedstock to water in the fuel processor and purity of the process water used in the system.

US Patent:

6383670, May 7, 2002

Filed:

Oct 6, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/414049

Inventors:

David J. Edlund - Bend OR
Thomas G. Herron - Bend OR
William A. Pledger - Sisters OR

Assignee:

IdaTech, LLC - Bend OR

International Classification:

H01M 806

US Classification:

429 20, 429 22, 422108

Abstract:

A control system and method for a fuel processing system. The control system automates the operation of a fuel processing system by monitoring operating parameters and automatically controlling the operation of the system responsive to the monitored parameters, predefined subroutines and/or user inputs.

US Patent:

6419728, Jul 16, 2002

Filed:

Nov 27, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/723724

Inventors:

David J. Edlund - Bend OR

Assignee:

IdaTech, LLC - Bend OR

International Classification:

B01D 5322

US Classification:

96 4, 95 56, 216 46, 216 53, 216108

Abstract:

A hydrogen-permeable metal membrane with increased hydrogen flux compared to conventional metal membranes is disclosed. Without sacrificing selectivity, the membrane enables a greater throughput of purified hydrogen. A method for preparing the invention includes at least one etching step in which a controlled volume of etchant is used to selectively remove material from the membranes surface. Methods for repairing holes or other defects in the membrane are also disclosed.

US Patent:

6451464, Sep 17, 2002

Filed:

Jan 3, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/477128

Inventors:

David J. Edlund - Bend OR
William A. Pledger - Sisters OR

Assignee:

IdaTech, LLC - Bend OR

International Classification:

H01M 804

US Classification:

429 19, 429 17, 429 22

Abstract:

A system and method for preventing damage to a fuel cell stack resulting from impurities in the product stream from a fuel processor, such as may occur should the separation region of the fuel processor fail. The system and method include detecting the concentration of at least one component of the product stream and isolating the fuel cell stack should this concentration exceed an acceptable threshold level. Examples of impurities in the product stream include; carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane and water.

US Patent:

6458189, Oct 1, 2002

Filed:

Nov 14, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/003164

Inventors:

David J. Edlund - Bend OR
William A. Pledger - Sisters OR
Todd Studebaker - Bend OR

Assignee:

IdaTech, LLC - Bend OR

International Classification:

B01D 5322

US Classification:

96 7, 96 11, 55524, 481277, 481279

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.

US Patent:

6465118, Oct 15, 2002

Filed:

Jan 3, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/476963

Inventors:

Anthony J. Dickman - Bend OR
David J. Edlund - Bend OR
William A. Pledger - Sisters OR

Assignee:

IdaTech, LLC - Bend OR

International Classification:

H01M 804

US Classification:

429 20, 429 22, 429 24, 429 26

Abstract:

A system and method for recovering thermal energy from a fuel processing system comprising a fuel processor and a fuel cell stack. The system includes a heat recovery system including a heat exchange fluid that recovers thermal energy from such sources as the combustion exhaust from the fuel processor, the cathode chamber exhaust from the fuel cell stack and/or the fuel cell stack directly.

US Patent:

6494937, Dec 17, 2002

Filed:

Sep 27, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/967172

Inventors:

David J. Edlund - Bend OR
Charles R. Hill - Bend OR
William A. Pledger - Sisters OR
R. Todd Studebaker - Bend OR

Assignee:

IdaTech, LLC - Bend OR

International Classification:

B01D 5322

US Classification:

96 4, 95 55, 96 9, 96 11

Abstract:

A hydrogen purification device, components thereof, and fuel processors and fuel cell system containing the same. The hydrogen purification devices include an enclosure that contains a separation assembly adapted to receive a mixed gas stream containing hydrogen gas and to produce a stream that contains pure or at least substantially pure hydrogen gas therefrom. The separation assembly may include at least one hydrogen-permeable and/or hydrogen-selective membrane, In some embodiments, the enclosure includes a pair of end plates and a shell extending generally between the end plates. In some embodiments, the enclosure includes a shell that is integrated with at least one of the end plates. In some embodiments, at least one of the end plates includes a deflection and/or stress abatement structure. In some embodiments, the device includes components formed from materials having similar or the same coefficients of thermal expansion.