Stephen Burr Porter

US Patent:

6902837, Jun 7, 2005

Filed:

Oct 11, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/065386

Inventors:

Donald McCluskey - West Hartford CT, US
Stephen Porter - Bristol CT, US
Michael Spaner - Deep River CT, US

Assignee:

Proton Energy Systems, Inc. - Walllingford CT

International Classification:

H01M016/00
H01M008/04

US Classification:

429 9, 429 23, 307 64, 320138, 700286

Abstract:

A power system comprising: a primary power source in electrical communication with a bridging power source, wherein the bridging power source is in electrical communication with a bus; a secondary power source in electrical communication with the bus, wherein the secondary power source comprises an electrochemical system including a fuel cell. The system further includes: a controller electrically disposed between and in operable communication with the bus and the bridging power source, and electrically disposed between and in communication with the bus and the secondary power source. The controller monitors the primary power source, initiates powering by the bridge power source when the primary power source exhibits selected characteristics, initiates the secondary power source when the bridging power source is depleted exceeding a first selected threshold, and initiates interruption of powering by the secondary power source.

US Patent:

7006898, Feb 28, 2006

Filed:

Jul 17, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/604395

Inventors:

Frano Barbir - Rocky Hill CT, US
Stephen C. Porter - Burlington CT, US
Mark A. Lillis - South Windsor CT, US

Assignee:

Proton Energy Systems, Inc. - Wallingford CT

International Classification:

G05D 11/00
H01M 8/04

US Classification:

700286, 700 79, 429 22, 702 60

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for operating a power system is disclosed. A plurality of sensor signals each representative of an operating characteristic of a power system module are received at a common data bus. The sensor signals are received and analyzed at a controller for the presence of an abnormal operating condition, and in response thereto it is determined whether an operational adjustment of the power system module is desirable. In response to the existence of a desirable adjustment condition, the operation of the power system module is automatically adjusted. A sensor of the plurality of sensors is arranged for providing an operating characteristic that is derivable from one or more of the other sensors, which include a different type of sensor, thereby providing redundant system information for determining whether an operational adjustment of the power system module is desirable.

US Patent:

7244524, Jul 17, 2007

Filed:

Jan 13, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/034687

Inventors:

Donald McCluskey - West Hartford CT, US
Stephen Porter - Bristol CT, US
Michael Spaner - Deep River CT, US

Assignee:

Proton Energy Systems, Inc. - Wallingford CT

International Classification:

H01M 16/00
H01M 8/04
H01M 8/18

US Classification:

429 9, 429 21, 429 23, 307 64, 320138

Abstract:

A power system comprising: a primary power source in electrical communication with a electrolysis cell, wherein the electrolysis cell is in electrical communication with a bus; a secondary power source in electrical communication with the bus, wherein the secondary power source comprises an electrochemical system including a fuel cell. The system further includes: a controller electrically disposed between and in operable communication with the bus and the electrolysis cell, and electrically disposed between and in communication with the bus and the secondary power source. The controller monitors the primary power source, initiates powering by the bridge power source when the primary power source exhibits selected characteristics, initiates the secondary power source when the electrolysis cell is depleted exceeding a first selected threshold, and initiates interruption of powering by the secondary power source.

US Patent:

7316242, Jan 8, 2008

Filed:

Apr 6, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/708992

Inventors:

Stephen Charles Porter - Burlington CT, US
Mark Andrew Lillis - South Windsor CT, US
Dean Edwin Halter - West Hartford CT, US
Iris Liane Shiroma - Rocky Hill CT, US
Spyros Nomikos - Plantation FL, US

Assignee:

Proton Energy Systems, Inc - Wallingford CT

International Classification:

F17D 1/04

US Classification:

137255, 137266

Abstract:

A regenerative fuel cell system is provided having at least one hydrogen storage container fluidly coupled to at least one hydrogen generator and at least one power generator. Each power generator further includes a fuel cell fluidly coupled to the hydrogen storage container, an electric energy storage device, and an unregulated dc bus electrically connected to said fuel cell and said electric storage device. The system further provides for a health monitoring system for determining the occurrence of critical events which may necessitate the disabling of the system.

US Patent:

7850838, Dec 14, 2010

Filed:

Aug 1, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/461478

Inventors:

Ken Wayne Dreier - Madison CT, US
Michael Thomas Kowalski - Seymour CT, US
Stephen Charles Porter - Burlington CT, US
Oscar Ken Chow - Simsbury CT, US
Nicholas Paul Borland - Montpelier VT, US
Stephen Arthur Goyette - New Hartford CT, US

Assignee:

Proton Energy Systems, Inc. - Wallingford CT

International Classification:

C25B 9/00
C25B 15/00

US Classification:

205637, 204239, 204274

Abstract:

A system for providing hydrogen gas is provided. The system includes a hydrogen generator that produces gas from water. One or more heat generation devices are arranged to provide heating of the enclosure during different modes of operation to prevent freezing of components. A plurality of temperature sensors are arranged and coupled to a controller to selectively activate a heat source if the temperature of the component is less than a predetermined temperature.

US Patent:

20050181244, Aug 18, 2005

Filed:

Feb 12, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/708165

Inventors:

Stephen Porter - Burlington CT, US
Mark Lillis - South Windsor CT, US
Dean Halter - West Hartford CT, US
Iris Shiroma - Rocky Hill CT, US
A. Speranza - West Hartford CT, US
Spyridon Nomikos - Plantation FL, US
Michael Cardin - Berlin CT, US

Assignee:

PROTON ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC. - Wallingford CT

International Classification:

H01M008/00

US Classification:

429012000, 048174000

Abstract:

A regenerative fuel cell system is provided having at least one hydrogen storage container fluidly coupled to at least one hydrogen generator and at least one power generator. Each power generator further includes a fuel cell fluidly coupled to the hydrogen storage container, an electric energy storage device, and an unregulated dc bus electrically connected to said fuel cell and said electric storage device. The system further provides for a health monitoring system for determining the occurrence of critical events which may necessitate the disabling of the system.

US Patent:

20050278076, Dec 15, 2005

Filed:

Aug 19, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/208174

Inventors:

Frano Barbir - Rocky Hill CT, US
Stephen Porter - Burlington CT, US
Mark Lillis - South Windsor CT, US

International Classification:

H01M008/04

US Classification:

700286000, 429022000

Abstract:

A fuel cell power system has a plurality of fuel cell power modules, a plurality of local controllers, and a master controller. Each fuel cell power module includes a fuel cell for generating electrical power, and each local controller controls one respective fuel cell power module. The master controller controls the local controllers.