Robert A Fuss

US Patent:

6358637, Mar 19, 2002

Filed:

Dec 13, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/459591

Inventors:

Robert Lee Fuss - Spencerport NY

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

H01M 810

US Classification:

429 12, 429 30

Abstract:

A PEM fuel cell is vacuum-dried before storing under freezing conditions.

US Patent:

6692264, Feb 17, 2004

Filed:

Nov 13, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/008420

Inventors:

Robert L. Fuss - Spencerport NY

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

H01R 1200

US Classification:

439 66

Abstract:

A connector and method for electrically connecting to a series of closely spaced edges for use in monitoring individual cells using bipolar plates of a fuel cell stack. The connector includes an elongated elastomeric strip with electrical conductivity for a first side thereof to an opposing side thereof, but not having meaningful electrical conductivity in use along its elongated length. This elongate strip is held at an angle in relation to the closely spaced edges by alignment protrusions. This enables the use of a series of connectors which nest together to contact all the closely spaced edges. A plurality of electrically conductive elements are located on a printed circuit board against the opposing side of the elongated elastomeric strip in corresponding relationship to the closely spaced edges located against the first side of the elongate elastomeric strip. Means is provided for exerting a force to push the first side of the elongated elastomeric strip against the closely spaced edges is also provided.

US Patent:

6755669, Jun 29, 2004

Filed:

Nov 20, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/300287

Inventors:

Carl M. Marsiglio - Spencerport NY
Robert L. Fuss - Spencerport NY

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

H01R 458

US Classification:

439 86, 439591

Abstract:

Recesses are located along an elongated elastomeric member. Electrical contacts are associated with the elastomeric member in registration with the recesses. The elastomeric member expands or compresses along its length to receive one of the closely spaced plates in each of the plurality of recesses and to thereby register the electrical contacts with a corresponding contact point on the plates. The elastomeric strip is confined under compression between two adjacent members which may be parts of two plates or of a single plate. The adjacent members define a recess, including locking protrusions, adapted to resist removal of the connector from within the retention recess unless the elongated elastomeric strip is compressed. An associated method optionally includes allowing the compressed elastomeric strip to push against adjacent members to generate a force which pushes the contact points against the one of the closely spaced plates.

US Patent:

6786741, Sep 7, 2004

Filed:

Feb 4, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/772000

Inventors:

Carl M. Marsiglio - Spencerport NY
Robert L. Fuss - Spencerport NY

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

H01R 1200

US Classification:

439 86, 439591

Abstract:

Recesses are located along an elongated elastomeric member. Electrical contacts are associated with the elastomeric member in registration with the recesses. The elastomeric member expands or compresses along its length to receive one of the closely spaced plates in each of the plurality of recesses and to thereby register the electrical contacts with a corresponding contact point on the plates. The elastomeric strip is confined under compression between two adjacent members which may be parts of two plates or of a single plate. The adjacent members define a recess, including locking protrusions, adapted to resist removal of the connector from within the retention recess unless the elongated elastomeric strip is compressed. An associated method optionally includes allowing the compressed elastomeric strip to push against adjacent members to generate a force which pushes the contact points against the one of the closely spaced plates.

US Patent:

6828053, Dec 7, 2004

Filed:

Jul 26, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/206140

Inventors:

Gerald W. Fly - Geneseo NY
Michael W. Murphy - Manchester NY
Robert L. Fuss - Spencerport NY
Lewis J. DiPietro - Rochester NY

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

H01M 804

US Classification:

429 32, 429 12, 429 18, 204401

Abstract:

A sensor plate for measuring current and/or temperature distribution of an operating fuel cell. The sensor plate has a circuit board interposed between an anode flow field plate and a cathode flow field plate of the fuel cell. A flow field plate is segmented into a plurality of electrically isolated regions without disrupting the flow field of the plate. The circuit board has an array of resistors and/or thermistors mounted to it wherein each resistor and/or thermistor is associated with one of the electrically isolated regions of the segmented plate. The current distribution of the electrically isolated regions of the fuel cell is calculated by using the voltage drop across the resistors and the known resistance values of the resistors mounted to the circuit board.

US Patent:

6887598, May 3, 2005

Filed:

Aug 16, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/222377

Inventors:

Eric L. Thompson - Honeoye Falls NY, US
Robert L. Fuss - Spencerport NY, US

Assignee:

Generals Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

H01M008/04

US Classification:

429 13, 429 12, 429 17

Abstract:

A method for starting a frozen fuel cell stack includes discontinuing reactant humidification before shutting down the fuel cell stack. The anode and cathode are purged with the dry reactants. The fuel cell stack is soaked at freezing temperatures. During subsequent startup, dry reactants are initially delivered. An outlet temperature of the anode and a current load of the fuel cell stack are measured. The dry reactants are shut off when the temperature of the anode outlet or the current load reach predetermined values. The open circuit voltage potential of the fuel cells is monitored and compared to a first voltage value. When the open circuit voltage exceeds the first value, the fuel cell stack begins supplying current load. The current load of the fuel cell stack is increased or decreased based on a difference between the minimum voltage and a second voltage value.

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.

US Patent:

7494734, Feb 24, 2009

Filed:

May 14, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/845904

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:

H01M 2/02
B05D 1/36

US Classification:

429 34, 428 38, 428 39, 427115, 4274071

Abstract:

A fuel cell or electrochemical cell has 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 that includes a plurality of passivated regions and a plurality of non-passivated regions dispersed among the passivated regions. The surface is further coated with an electrically conductive, corrosion resistant coating. Methods include treating the electrically conductive contact element by passivation to resist corrosion while still maintaining electrical conductivity of the element.