Brian J Brady

US Patent:

6372376, Apr 16, 2002

Filed:

Dec 7, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/456478

Inventors:

Matthew Howard Fronk - Honeoye Falls NY
Rodney Lynn Borup - East Rochester NY
Jay S. Hulett - Rochester NY
Brian K. Brady - North Chili NY
Kevin M. Cunningham - Romeo MI

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

H01M 486

US Classification:

429 41, 429 30, 429 38, 429 44

Abstract:

A PEM fuel cell having electrical contact elements comprising a corrosion-susceptible substrate metal coated with an electrically conductive, corrosion-resistant polymer containing a plurality of electrically conductive, corrosion-resistant filler particles. The substrate may have an oxidizable metal first layer (e. g. , stainless steel) underlying the polymer coating.

US Patent:

6423483, Jul 23, 2002

Filed:

May 14, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/854873

Inventors:

Brian K. Brady - North Chili NY
Charles L. Bauer - Webster NY
Dennis J. Eichorst - Lenexa KS

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

G03C 185

US Classification:

430527, 430349, 430531, 430533

Abstract:

A photographic element comprising a polyester support; an antistatic layer; and a transparent magnetic layer comprising a cellulose binder, ferromagnetic particles and a blocked isocyanate.

US Patent:

6451431, Sep 17, 2002

Filed:

May 14, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/854732

Inventors:

Brian K. Brady - North Chili NY
Charles L. Bauer - Webster NY
Dennis J. Eichorst - Lenexa KS
Bradley K. Coltrain - Fairport NY

Assignee:

Eastman Kodak Company - Rochester NY

International Classification:

B32B 900

US Classification:

4284237, 4284752, 4284782, 428480, 428481, 430523, 430527, 430531, 430533, 430539

Abstract:

A photographic support comprising; a polyester base having a first and a second side; an antistatic layer superposed on the first side of the base; a gelatin layer superposed on the second side of the base; and an auxiliary layer overlying said antistatic layer comprising 20 to 80 percent by weight hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose and a second binder.

US Patent:

6566004, May 20, 2003

Filed:

Aug 31, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/651934

Inventors:

Gerald W. Fly - Geneseo NY
Brian K. Brady - North Chili NY

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

H01M 804

US Classification:

429 39, 429 34, 429 38

Abstract:

A proton exchange membrane fuel cell comprising a proton transmissive membrane, a catalytic anode layer on one face of the membrane, a catalytic cathode layer on the other face of the membrane, and a gas distribution layer on each of the cathode and anode layers defining a gas flow field extending over each of the catalytic layers. Each of the gas distribution layers comprises a layer of open cell conductive foam material which is divided into a plurality of generally parallel segments extending from one edge of the fuel cell to an opposite edge of the fuel cell whereby to define a plurality of generally parallel porous reactant paths extending across each catalytic layer. The segments may be defined by selectively varying the porosity of the foam material or selectively varying the thickness of the foam material. Reactant gases are delivered to the foam gas distribution layers via a manifold structure in which the reactant gases are moved upwardly along an edge of the fuel cell stack in parallel paths and selectively distributed within the stack at the desired cathode or anode levels by selective baffling and partitioning structures. A coolant layer may also be provided utilizing the same segmented foam construction utilized in the anode and cathode layers.

US Patent:

6663994, Dec 16, 2003

Filed:

Oct 23, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/694386

Inventors:

Gerald W. Fly - Geneseo NY
Brian K. Brady - North Chili NY

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

H01M 802

US Classification:

429 30, 429 33, 429 34

Abstract:

A proton exchange membrane fuel cell including a membrane electrode assembly comprising a proton transmissive membrane, a catalytic anode layer on one face of the membrane, and a catalytic cathode layer on the other face of the membrane. The fuel cell further includes a gas distribution layer on each of the cathode and anode layers defining a gas flow field extending over each of the catalytic layers. The membrane electrode assembly has a convoluted configuration whereby to increase the ratio of membrane area to planar fuel cell area and thereby increase the electrical output of the fuel cell for a given planar area size fuel cell. The convoluted configuration of the membrane electrode assembly also facilitates the division of the gas distribution layers into separate parallel channels thereby allowing the use of an inexpensive foam material for the gas distribution layers irrespective of the inherent variations in porosity of foam materials.

US Patent:

6793544, Sep 21, 2004

Filed:

Feb 5, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/358697

Inventors:

Brian K. Brady - North Chili NY
Bhaskar Sompalli - Rochester NY

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

H01R 308

US Classification:

439886, 439887, 429 29

Abstract:

The present invention relates to an electrochemical cell having a terminal collector plate element that conducts electrical current from the stack. The terminal plate has an electrically conductive region and an electrically non-conductive region of the surface. The non-conductive region is coated with a corrosion resistant coating that comprises either a passivation layer, a corrosion-resistant polymeric layer, or both. Optionally, the conductive region of the terminal plate may be protected from oxidation, by coating with an oxidation-resistant metal layer. The oxidation-resistant layer may be further coated with a conductive oxidation-resistant polymeric layer. Other preferred aspects of the present invention include methods of treating the terminal plate to resist corrosion and oxidation while still maintaining electrical conductivity.

US Patent:

6838202, Jan 4, 2005

Filed:

Aug 19, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/224140

Inventors:

Brian K. Brady - North Chili NY, US
Gerald W. Fly - Geneseo NY, US

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

H01M 804
B05D 512
B32B 330

US Classification:

429 26, 429 38, 429 39, 427115, 427124, 428457, 428566, 428600, 428613

Abstract:

A bipolar plate for use with a fuel cell is provided including an electrically conductive foam as a coolant layer between thin metal foil layers. The thin metal foil layers are provided with serpentine flow field patterns on a surface thereof.

US Patent:

6887613, May 3, 2005

Filed:

Dec 4, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/310166

Inventors:

James H. Lee - Rochester NY, US
Brian K. Brady - North Chili NY, US
Robert L. Fuss - Spencerport NY, US

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

H01H008/10

US Classification:

429 40, 429 42, 429 44

Abstract:

The present invention relates to an electrochemical cell having a catalytic electrode and an electrically conductive contact element facing the electrode. The electrically conductive contact element conducts electrical current from the electrode and has a surface comprising a plurality of passivated regions, and a plurality of non-passivated regions dispersed among the passivated regions. The surface further is coated with an electrically conductive, corrosion resistant coating. Other preferred aspects of the present invention include methods of treating the electrically conductive contact element by passivation to resist corrosion while still maintaining electrical conductivity.