Ray R Eshraghi

US Patent:

6338913, Jan 15, 2002

Filed:

Jul 24, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/624070

Inventors:

Ray R. Eshraghi - Cary NC

Assignee:

Microcell Corporation - Raleigh NC

International Classification:

H01M 486

US Classification:

429 41, 429133, 429141, 502101

Abstract:

A fibrous microcell structure comprising at least one electrically conductive fibrous element circumscribed by a porous membrane separator having coated, impregnated or extruded at an inner surface thereof a first electrocatalyst layer having an electrically conductive hydrogen- or oxygen-permselective membrane thereon, with an electrolyte disposed in porosity of the porous membrane separator. The structure includes a central lumen, at least one electrically conductive fibrous element and interstitial volume accommodating flow of feed through the lumen, at least one electrically conductive fibrous element in contact with the second electrocatalyst layer, and the porous membrane separator at its outer surface being in contact with an electrocatalyst and at least one electrically conductive fiber.

US Patent:

6399232, Jun 4, 2002

Filed:

Jul 24, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/621228

Inventors:

Ray R. Eshraghi - Cary NC

Assignee:

Microcell Corporation - Raleigh NC

International Classification:

H01M 218

US Classification:

429 27, 429 94, 429140, 296231

Abstract:

Series-connected microcell structures and assemblies are efficiently utilized for electrochemical generation/conversion of energy. The microcell structures of the invention are readily constructed from discrete fibrous microcell elements that are fabricated in sheet form and assembled into layered, sub-bundled and bundled conformations that produce high voltage, high power density outputs in applications such as fuel cell and battery systems.

US Patent:

6403248, Jun 11, 2002

Filed:

Jul 24, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/624303

Inventors:

Ray R. Eshraghi - Cary NC

Assignee:

Microcell Corporation - Raleigh NC

International Classification:

H01M 644

US Classification:

429 34, 429 40, 429140, 296231

Abstract:

A microcell assembly wherein water is generated by electrochemical reaction and sorptive channeling elements are provided in the assembly to remove excess water from the locus of electrochemical reaction. The water management techniques of the invention enhance electrochemical generation/conversion of energy, and facilitate high voltage, high power density outputs for applications such as fuel cell and battery systems.

US Patent:

6403517, Jun 11, 2002

Filed:

Jul 24, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/625218

Inventors:

Ray R. Eshraghi - Cary NC

Assignee:

Microcell Corporation - Raleigh NC

International Classification:

H01M 488

US Classification:

502101, 429 40, 429140

Abstract:

Fabrication process for manufacture of microcell structures and assemblies, in which a microcell precursor is contacted with one or more of electrolytes, electrocatalysts, electrocatalyst reducing agents, and hydrophicity-imparting materials. The process may derive the precursor from a high rate extrusion process in which the electrocatalyst is impregnated, coated or extruded on a fibrous substrate to form an electrode. The process of the invention permits the high volume production of fibrous microcell elements for correlative high volume production of highly compact, small footprint electrochemical cells useful for a variety of vehicular, consumer and industrial applications.

US Patent:

6444339, Sep 3, 2002

Filed:

Jul 24, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/625219

Inventors:

Ray R. Eshraghi - Cary NC

Assignee:

Microcell Corporation - Raleigh NC

International Classification:

H01M 804

US Classification:

429 26, 429140

Abstract:

Microcell structures and assemblies utilized for electrochemical generation/conversion of energy, in which high voltage, high power density outputs are produced for applications such as fuel cell and battery systems, with high efficiency extraction of heat produced in electrochemical reaction. The superior efficacy of thermal management achieved by the invention permits highly compact, small footprint electrochemical cells to be usefully employed in a variety of vehicular, consumer and industrial applications.

US Patent:

6495281, Dec 17, 2002

Filed:

Jul 24, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/621713

Inventors:

Ray R. Eshraghi - Cary NC

Assignee:

Microcell Corporation - Raleigh NC

International Classification:

H01M 218

US Classification:

429 40, 429140, 4292182, 502101

Abstract:

Corrosion management componentry for use in fibrous electrochemical systems for generation/conversion of energy. Fibrous structures are provided for enhanced resistance to oxidative degradation of microcell-based high voltage, high power density fuel cell and battery systems.

US Patent:

6884539, Apr 26, 2005

Filed:

Jul 2, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/188471

Inventors:

Ray R. Eshraghi - Cary NC, US

Assignee:

Microcell Corporation - Raleigh NC

International Classification:

H01M002/18

US Classification:

429 40, 429 44, 429237, 429245, 429140, 29 2, 296231, 296235

Abstract:

A fibrous microcell structure comprising: (1) an inner electrode, (2) a hollow fibrous membrane separator in contact with the inner electrode, (3) an electrolyte embedded in the hollow fibrous membrane separator, and (4) an outer electrode, wherein at least one of the inner and outer electrodes comprises a metal clad composite having two or more metal layers bonded together by solid-phase bonding. Preferably, such fibrous microcell structure is a fuel cell that comprises inner current collector, an inner catalyst layer, a hollow fibrous membrane separator in contact with the inner catalyst layer and the inner current collector, an electrolyte embedded in the hollow fibrous membrane separator, an outer catalyst layer, and an outer current collector.

US Patent:

7229712, Jun 12, 2007

Filed:

Mar 5, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/794687

Inventors:

Ray R. Eshraghi - Cary NC, US
Michael W. Riley - Morrisville NC, US

Assignee:

Microcell Corporation - Raleigh NC

International Classification:

H01M 8/10
H01M 2/02
H01M 8/24
H01M 8/04

US Classification:

429 31, 429 33, 429 34, 429 44, 429 32, 429 26

Abstract:

The present invention relates to microfibrous fuel cell sub-bundle structures, fuel cell bundles and fuel cell assemblies formed by such fuel cell sub-bundles and bundles. Specifically, a fuel cell sub-bundle is provided, which comprises multiple microfibrous fuel cells. Each microfibrous fuel cell comprises: (a) a hollow microfibrous membrane separator comprising an electrolyte medium, (b) an inner electrocatalyst layer in contact with an inner surface of such membrane separator, (c) an outer electrocatalyst layer in contact with an outer surface of such membrane separator, and (d) an individual current collector in electrical contact with the inner surface of such membrane separator. Each of such multiple microfibrous fuel cells is in electrical contact with a common current collector at the outer surface of its membrane separator.