| ADAPTIVE MATERIALS, INC. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20120077099 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL WITH MULTIPLE FUEL STREAMS - Disclosed herein is a solid oxide fuel cell including an electrochemical cell, a first fuel reformer, and a first feed tube. The electrochemical cell includes an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte. The anode at least partially defines an anode chamber. The anode is configured to convert a reformed fuel to an exhaust fluid comprising water. The fuel reformer is configured to receive raw fuel and to convert raw fuel to reformed fuel. The fuel reformer is disposed within the anode chamber. The first feed tube is disposed within the anode chamber. The first feed tube is configured to route raw fuel downstream the first fuel reformer such that raw fuel reacts with water of the exhaust fluid. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120021314 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL WITH INTERNAL REFORMING MEMBER - A solid oxide fuel cell module includes a fuel cell tube defining a fuel cell tube inner chamber. The fuel cell tube includes a fuel cell tube inlet, a fuel cell tube outlet, and an active portion comprising an anode layer, a cathode layer, and an electrolyte layer. The active portion is configured to react an oxidizing fluid and a reducing fluid to generate an electromotive force. The solid oxide fuel cell module further includes an internal reforming member disposed within the fuel cell tube, the internal reforming member being configured to receive raw fuel and convert raw fuel to reformed fuel. The solid fuel cell tube further includes an anode current collector disposed within the fuel cell tube, the anode current collector connected to the anode layer of the anode current collector and providing support to the internal reforming member such that the internal reforming member retains a desired position within the fuel cell tube. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120007432 | WEARABLE POWER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - The present disclosure sets forth a power management system including a plurality of power management devices configured to transfer power among a plurality of external devices. The power management system includes a first power management device and a second power management device. The first power management device includes a first, second and third communication ports along with first, second and third power ports. The second power management device includes fourth, fifth and sixth communications port along with fourth, fifth and sixth power ports. The first power port of the first power management device is coupled to the fourth power port of the second power management device such that first and second power and the first communications port of the first power management device is coupled to the fourth communications port of the second power management device. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20110215752 | Fuel Cell Battery Charger - A fuel cell battery charger configured to power a rechargeable battery includes a fuel cell and a battery docking station. The battery docking station receives power from the fuel cell, and the battery docking station is configured to charge multiple classes of batteries. Different classes of batteries have at least one of a different shape and a different charging voltage. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110207013 | MULTIPLE FLOW STREAM SENSOR - A solid oxide fuel cell system ( | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110195334 | FUEL CELL STACK INCLUDING INTERCONNECTED FUEL CELL TUBES - A solid oxide fuel cell stack includes a first fuel cell tube, a second fuel cell tube, and an interconnect member. The first fuel cell tube further includes an active area having a plurality of electrochemical cells connected in series, a first cathode lead disposed between the plurality of electrochemical cells connected in series and a first fuel cell tube inlet and a first anode lead disposed between the plurality of electrochemical cells connected in series and a first fuel cell tube outlet. The second fuel cell tube includes a second fuel cell tube comprising an active area having a plurality of electrochemical cells connected in series, a second anode lead disposed between a plurality of electrochemical cells connected in series and a first fuel cell tube inlet and a second cathode lead disposed between the plurality of electrochemical cells connected in series and a first fuel cell tube outlet. The interconnect member electrically connecting one of the first anode lead to the second cathode lead and the first cathode lead to the second anode lead. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110195333 | FUEL CELL STACK INCLUDING INTERNAL REFORMING AND ELECTROCHEMICALLY ACTIVE SEGEMENTS CONNECTED IN SERIES - A solid oxide fuel cell stack includes a solid oxide fuel cell tube and a reformer inside the tube. The tube includes a plurality of electrochemical cells electrically connected in series. Each electrochemical cell includes an electrolyte disposed between an interior anode and an exterior cathode. The fuel reformer is configured to convert a hydrocarbon fuel to a fuel cell fuel comprising hydrogen such that hydrogen is provided to an anode of the solid oxide fuel tube. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110189587 | Interconnect Member for Fuel Cell - A solid oxide fuel cell includes a plurality of fuel cell tubes. Each fuel cell includes an active area and an anode outer surface disposed downstream the active area. The solid oxide fuel cell tube further includes an interconnect member disposed circumferentially around the fuel cell tube electrically contacting the anode outer surface. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110189578 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM INCLUDING A RESILIENT MANIFOLD INTERCONNECTING MEMBER - A solid oxide fuel cell module includes a manifold member comprising a plurality of openings. The solid oxide fuel cell module further includes a plurality of fuel cell tube units. The solid oxide fuel cell module further includes a fuel cell tube unit to manifold interconnect member providing a fluid flow channel between the manifold member and the plurality of tubes, wherein the fuel cell tube unit to manifold interconnect member comprises a polymer material. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110189572 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM WITH FLAME PROTECTION MEMBER - A solid oxide fuel cell system includes a first fuel cell tube, a flame tip protection member and a current conduction member. The first fuel cell tube has a flame end. The flame end has exit opening. The fuel cell tube is configured to deliver combustible gas to the flame tip region generating a flame kernel. The flame protection member is configured to inhibit at least one of mass transfer and heat transfer between the fuel cell tube and the flame tip region. The current conduction member is disposed through the exit opening of the flame end of the first fuel cell tube. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110123884 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A FUEL CELL SYSTEM DURING SHUTDOWN - A method for controlling a fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell stack is described in accordance with exemplary embodiments. The method includes operating the fuel cell system in a base operating mode. The method further includes drawing power from the fuel cell stack at a controlled rate when operating the fuel cell system in the base operating mode. The method further includes receiving a fuel cell stack shutdown command. The method further includes transitioning the fuel cell stack from the base operating mode to a base shutdown mode when the fuel cell stack shutdown command is received. The base shutdown mode includes discontinuing power draw from the fuel cell stack and providing fuel to the fuel cell stack at a controlled fuel flow rate. The fuel flow rate being controlled such that the fuel cell stack temperature decreases. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110071707 | Method for Managing Power Boost in a Fuel Cell Powered Aerial Vehicle - An aerial vehicle is configured to operate in a base fuel cell operating mode and a fuel cell boost operating mode. A method for controlling the aerial includes providing a base fuel cell upper power limit. The method further includes controlling the fuel cell power level below the base fuel cell upper power limit when the aerial vehicle is operating in the base fuel cell operating mode. The method further includes operating the fuel cell above the base upper fuel cell power limit when the aerial vehicle is operating in the fuel cell boost operating mode. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110071706 | METHOD FOR MANAGING POWER AND ENERGY IN A FUEL CELL POWERED AERIAL VEHICLE BASED ON SECONDARY OPERATION PRIORITY - A method for managing power flow within an aerial vehicle includes determining a fuel cell power limit and a battery energy reserve. The method further includes determining a flight operation power requirement. The method further includes determining priority levels of secondary operations and providing power for secondary operations based on the priority levels. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110003219 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL INCLUDING BYPASS CIRCUIT - In one aspect there is disclosed a solid oxide fuel cell including an insulating housing. A plurality of interconnected cells defining a stack are disposed within the housing. Each of the fuel cells includes an anode and a cathode. A bypass circuit is positioned outside of the housing and is coupled between the anode and the cathode of at least a portion of the plurality of cells allowing modification of an interconnection between the cells. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20100316919 | FUEL CELL STACK WITH HEAT RECUPERATOR - A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of solid oxide fuel cell tubes and a heat recuperator. The heat recuperator is formed from sheet metal. The plurality of walls define an exhaust gas channel having an exhaust gas flowing therethrough and an oxidant channel having an oxidant flowing therethrough. The exhaust gas channel is in thermal communication with the oxidant channel such that heat is transferred between the exhaust gas and the oxidant. | 12-16-2010 |
| 20100310948 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM WITH INTEGRATED AIR HANDLING PLATE - A fuel cell system includes a fuel reformer configured to react a raw fuel and oxygen to produce a reformed fuel. The fuel cell system further includes a fuel cell configured to generate electricity by reacting oxygen at a first electrode and reformed fuel at a second electrode. The fuel cell system further includes a plate member at least partially defining an air chamber wall, an air chamber inlet, and an air chamber outlet. The air chamber is configured to route air to at least one of the fuel reformer and the first electrode of the fuel cell stack. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100304254 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A FUEL CELL UTILIZING A FUEL CELL SENSOR - A method for controlling a fuel cell system including measuring an open circuit voltage of a fuel cell. The method further includes determining an air actuator control signal based on the open circuit voltage of the fuel cell. The method further includes controlling the air actuator based on the air actuator control signal. The method further includes determining a fuel actuator control signal based on the open circuit voltage of the fuel cell. The method further includes controlling the fuel actuator based on the fuel actuator control signal. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100304253 | METHOD OF CONTROLLING A FUEL CELL SYSTEM UTILIZING A FUEL CELL SENSOR - A method for controlling a fuel cell system, the fuel cell system is described in accordance with exemplary embodiments. The method includes measuring an open circuit voltage of the fuel cell. The method further includes determining an air actuator control signal based on the open circuit voltage of the fuel cell. The method further includes controlling the air actuator based on the air actuator control signal. The method further includes determining a fuel actuator control signal based on the open circuit voltage of the fuel cell. The method further includes controlling the fuel actuator based on the fuel actuator control signal. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100273069 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM INCLUDING A FUEL MODULE - A fuel cell system includes an energy conversion module and a fuel module that is detachable from the energy conversion module. The fuel module includes a fuel tank, a fuel module identification member including fuel module data and a fuel filter member. The control module is configured to access the fuel module data from the fuel module identification member. The fuel cell stack is configured to utilize the refined fuel to generate electrical energy. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100273068 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM INCLUDING A FUEL FILTER MEMBER WITH A FILTER PROPERTY INDICATOR - A fuel cell system includes a fuel tank, a replaceable fuel filter, a fuel cell stack, and a control system. The fuel tank includes raw fuel stored therein. The replaceable fuel filter member includes a filter property indicator and is configured to receive raw fuel from the fuel tank and to refine the raw fuel to a refined fuel. The fuel cell stack is configured to receive refined fuel from the fuel filter and to utilize the refine fuel to generate electricity and a control system configured to access the filter property indicator of the fuel filter member. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100183930 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A WATER BASED FUEL REFORMER - A method for operating a fuel cell system includes monitoring a signal indicative of a water level within the fuel cell system. The method further includes determining an anode air flow rate based on the monitored signal indicative of water level. The method further includes controlling the anode air actuator based on the determined anode air flow rate. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100183929 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL SYSTEM INCLUDING A WATER BASED FUEL REFORMER - A solid oxide fuel cell system includes an electrochemical fuel cell, a fuel reformer and a hydrogen separation member. The electrochemical fuel cell includes a fuel electrode electrochemically generating water from hydrogen fuel and oxygen ions. The fuel reformer configured to receive a raw fuel stream and to react raw fuel and recycled water to form hydrogen fuel and exhaust gases. The hydrogen separation member is configured to separate hydrogen fuel from the exhaust gases such that the hydrogen fuel transported through the hydrogen separation member is routed from the hydrogen separation member to the fuel electrode. The hydrogen separation member partially defines a water recycle conduit configured to route water to the raw fuel stream upstream the fuel reformer. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100134077 | POWER MANAGEMENT APPARATUS WITH BUCK BOOST CONVERTER MODULE - A power management apparatus includes a first electrical lead and a second electrical lead. The first electrical lead routes electrical current at a first electrical lead electrical potential level and the second electrical lead route electrical current at a second current port electrical potential level. The power management apparatus further includes a first electrical parameter sensor configured to measure a first electrical lead electrical parameter and a second electrical parameter sensor configured to measure a second electrical lead electrical parameter. The power management apparatus further comprises a buck boost converter electrically coupled to both the first electrical lead and the second electrical lead. The buck boost converter is configured to convert electrical current between the first electrical lead electric potential level and the second electrical lead electric potential level at a controlled potential conversion level. The power management apparatus further comprises a controller is configured to receive operating current from either one of the first electrical lead and the second electrical lead. The controller is configured to monitor the first electrical parameter sensor and the second electrical parameter sensor and being configured to output control signals to the buck boost converter. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100075192 | CURRENT COLLECTOR FOR SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL TUBE WITH INTERNAL FUEL PROCESSING - A solid oxide fuel cell includes a tube, a spacer element, a catalytic substrate and an anode current collector. The solid oxide fuel cell further includes a spacer element disposed within the tube. The solid oxide fuel cell further includes a catalytic substrate disposed within the anode current collector electrically contacting the anode of the tube and providing an electrical current path inside the tube past the catalytic substrate to the inlet opening. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100055520 | SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL TUBE WITH INTERNAL FUEL PROCESSING - A solid oxide fuel cell comprises a tube forming an anode, electrolyte and cathode, and a catalytic substrate is positioned within the tube. Such solid oxide fuel cells are highly compact and lightweight, and can be used in portable applications. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20090291333 | REACTION PRODUCT CONTROL SYSTEM AND PROCESS FOR CONTROLLING A REACTION PRODUCT IN A FUEL CELL - A reaction product control system for a fuel cell that includes a controller and a fuel mass flow sensor linked with the controller. An oxidant mass flow sensor is also linked with the controller. Fuel and oxidant control devices are linked with the controller. A fuel and oxidant react to form a reaction product. The fuel mass flow sensor is calibrated for a fuel at an oxidant flow rate and the controller then automatically adjusts the fuel control device when the fuel changes composition to produce the desired reaction product. | 11-26-2009 |
| 20090274937 | FUEL CELL SYSTEM WITH CIRCUIT MODULES - A solid oxide fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack and a voltage providing member configured to provide a non-zero reference voltage to the fuel cell stack. The fuel cell stack includes a plurality of fuel cell stack subunits electrically coupled in series electrical connections and a plurality of field effect transistor assemblies. The field effect transistor assemblies include a switch member. Each field effect transistor assemblies is coupled to one of the fuel cell stack subunits and comprises a ground lead, a positive lead, a negative lead, and a bypass lead, a voltage between the ground lead and at least one of the positive lead and the negative lead providing an operating voltage for operating the switching member. | 11-05-2009 |
| 20080241609 | INTEGRATED FUEL-AIR DELIVERY SYSTEM - An integrated fuel and air delivery system for a fuel cell that includes a pump and an air inlet member connected to the pump. Additionally, an air outlet member is connected to the pump. Desired quantities of fuel and air are mixed in the air outlet member and resonance of the fuel and air are removed prior to introduction into the fuel cell. | 10-02-2008 |
