Thomas R Hopper

US Patent:

6447942, Sep 10, 2002

Filed:

Mar 13, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/524116

Inventors:

Stanford R. Ovshinsky - Bloomfield Hills MI
Srinivasan Venkatesan - Southfield MI
Boyko Aladjov - Rochester Hills MI
Rosa T. Young - Bloomfield Hills MI
Thomas Hopper - Clawson MI

Assignee:

Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. - Rochester Hills MI

International Classification:

H01M 400

US Classification:

429 27, 429 12, 429 44, 4292182, 429 17, 420900

Abstract:

A fuel cell which has the ability to start up instantly and can accept recaptured energy such as that of regenerative braking by operating in reverse as an electrolyzer. The instant startup fuel cells have increased efficiency and power availability (higher voltage and current) and a dramatic improvement in operating temperature range of about -20 to 150Â C.

US Patent:

6492057, Dec 10, 2002

Filed:

Apr 14, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/291927

Inventors:

Stanford R. Ovshinsky - Troy MI
Srinivasan Venkatesan - Troy MI
Boyko Alajov - Troy MI
Kevin Fok - Troy MI
Thomas J. Hopper - Troy MI
James L. Strebe - Troy MI

Assignee:

Ovonic Battery Company, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

H01M 436

US Classification:

429108, 429201, 429206, 429207, 429347

Abstract:

An alkaline electrochemical cell having a hydrogen absorbing alloy negative electrode. The electrochemical cell comprises an alkaline electrolyte comprising an additive material which reduces cell pressure by decreasing hydrogen gas evolution.

US Patent:

6503659, Jan 7, 2003

Filed:

Jul 13, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/352255

Inventors:

Stanford R. Ovshinsky - Bloomfield Hills MI
Srinivasan Venkatesan - Southfield MI
Boyko Aladjov - Rochester Hills MI
Kevin Fok - Troy MI
Thomas J. Hopper - Clarkston MI
Lynn Taylor - Sterling Heights MI

Assignee:

Ovonic Battery Company, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

H01M 458

US Classification:

4292182, 429 59, 429137, 429220, 429223, 429247

Abstract:

A layered hydrogen absorbing alloy electrode for an alkaline electrochemical cell. The layered electrode comprises a outer layer comprising a metal oxide, metal sulfide or mixtures thereof. The outer layer reduces the internal pressure of electrochemical cell.

US Patent:

6589686, Jul 8, 2003

Filed:

Jan 8, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/039544

Inventors:

Stanford R. Ovshinsky - Bloomfield Hills MI
Boyko Aladjov - Rochester Hills MI
Srinivasan Venkatesan - Southfield MI
Subhash K. Dhar - Bloomfield Hills MI
Thomas Hopper - Clawson MI
Kevin Fok - Troy MI

Assignee:

Ovonic Battery Company, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

H01M 1044

US Classification:

429 52, 429 50, 429 13, 4292182, 296231, 420900

Abstract:

A method of activating a metal hydride electrode of an alkaline fuel cell. The method comprises the step of applying current cycles to the anode where each current cycle includes a forward current effective to at least partially charge the electrode and a reverse current effective to at least partially discharge the electrode.

US Patent:

6605375, Aug 12, 2003

Filed:

Feb 28, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/796280

Inventors:

Stanford R. Ovshinsky - Bloomfield Hills MI
Boyko Aladjov - Rochester Hills MI
Srinivasan Venkatesan - Southfield MI
Subhash K. Dhar - Bloomfield Hills MI
Thomas Hopper - Clarkston MI
Kevin Fok - Troy MI

Assignee:

Ovonic Battery Company, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

H01M 1044

US Classification:

429 13, 4292182, 429 21, 429 23, 429 50, 429 52, 205 57, 420900

Abstract:

A method of activating a hydrogen storage alloy electrode. The method comprises the step of applying current cycles to the electrode where each current cycle includes a forward pulse effective to at least partially charge the electrode and a reverse pulse effective to at least partially discharge the electrode.

US Patent:

6613471, Sep 2, 2003

Filed:

Oct 31, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/999393

Inventors:

Stanford R. Ovshinsky - Bloomfield Hills MI
Boyko Aladjov - Rochester Hills MI
Srinivasan Venkatesan - Southfield MI
Thomas Hopper - Clawson MI
Kevin Fok - Troy MI
Subhash Dhar - Bloomfield Hills MI

Assignee:

Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. - Rochester Hills MI

International Classification:

H01M 486

US Classification:

429 42, 429 44, 429 27, 4292182, 429105

Abstract:

A hydrogen storage alloy active material for the anode of Ovonic instant startup/regenerative fuel cells. The active material includes a hydrogen storage alloy material with a water reactive chemical hydride additive, which, upon utilization of the active material in an anode of an alkaline electrolyte fuel cell, gives the anode added benefits, not attainable by using hydrogen storage alloy material alone. These added benefits include 1) precharge of the hydrogen storage material with hydrogen; 2) higher porosity/increased surface area/reduced electrode polarization at high currents; 3) simplified, faster activation of the hydrogen storage alloy; and 4) optionally, enhanced corrosion protection for the hydrogen storage alloy.

US Patent:

6703156, Mar 9, 2004

Filed:

Oct 4, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/264760

Inventors:

Stanford R. Ovshinsky - Bloomfield Hills MI
Srinivasan Venkatesan - Southfield MI
Boyko Aladjov - Rochester Hills MI
Subhash K. Dhar - Bloomfield Hills MI
Kevin Fok - Troy MI
Thomas Hopper - Clawson MI

Assignee:

Texaco Ovonic Fuel Cell, LLC - Rochester Hills MI

International Classification:

H01M 496

US Classification:

429 40, 429 27, 429 42, 429 44, 429 17

Abstract:

Fuel cell oxygen electrode and instant startup fuel cells employing such oxygen electrode. The oxygen electrode operates through the mechanism of redox couples which uniquely provide multiple degrees of freedom in selecting the operating voltages available for such fuel cells. Such oxygen electrodes provide the fuel cells in which they are used a âbufferâ or âchargeâ of oxidizer available within the oxygen electrode at all times.

US Patent:

6777125, Aug 17, 2004

Filed:

Jun 28, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/185414

Inventors:

Srinivasan Venkatesan - Southfield MI
Boyko Aladjov - Rochester Hills MI
Subhash Dhar - Bloomfield Hills MI
Kevin Fok - Troy MI
Thomas Hopper - Clawson MI

Assignee:

Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. - Rochester Hills MI

International Classification:

H01M 400

US Classification:

429 27, 429 40, 429 42, 429 44, 429 17, 4292182, 4292181, 429217

Abstract:

Fuel cell oxygen electrode and instant startup fuel cells employing such oxygen electrode. The oxygen electrode operates through the mechanism of redox couples which uniquely provide multiple degrees of freedom in selecting the operating voltages available for such fuel cells. Such oxygen electrodes provide the fuel cells in which they are used a âbufferâ or âchargeâ of oxidizer available within the oxygen electrode at all times.