Patents Assigned to A123 Systems, Inc.
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Patent number: 8236441Abstract: In some embodiments, a battery cell can include an assembly having an anode sheet and a cathode sheet separated by separator membranes, each sheet having an electroactive layer on a current collector. At least one of the current collectors can be in electrical communication with conducting tabs that extend from at least one of the anode sheet and the cathode sheet, the conducting tabs extends from an end face of the spirally wound assembly. In addition, the cell can include a first tab insulator having concentrically positioned outer and inner members, each of the outer and inner members having at least one slot that allows one or more of the plurality of conducting tabs to pass through. The inner and outer members are adjustable with respect to relative angular orientation of the at least one slot on the outer and inner members of the first tab insulator.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2008Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: A123 Systems, Inc.Inventors: William H. Gardner, Grace S. Chang
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Publication number: 20120196170Abstract: A battery system including: a plurality of subunits each of which has a heatsink and a battery cell and two voltage terminals symmetrically positioned with respect to a centerline of that battery cell, wherein all of the battery cells are arranged so that their voltage terminals are aligned along two rows; a plurality of identical busbar supports equal in number to the plurality of subunits, each having two slots and mounted on a corresponding different one of the subunits with each of the terminals of the battery cell extending up through the two slots; and a plurality of bimetallic busbars, each one supported by a different corresponding subset of the busbar supports and electrically connected directly to either a first or second terminal of each of the battery cells of each of the modules on which those busbar supports are mounted.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2012Publication date: August 2, 2012Applicant: A123 Systems, Inc.Inventors: Mujeeb Ijaz, Jonathan E. Hostler, Shazad M. Butt
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Publication number: 20120171568Abstract: A prismatic battery cell is provided. The prismatic battery cell includes a plurality of electrode films conducting electricity in the prismatic battery cell, a terminal welded to the plurality of electrodes, and a buffer film welded to the plurality of electrodes, the plurality of electrodes interposing the terminal and the buffer film.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2012Publication date: July 5, 2012Applicant: A123 SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Shazad Mahmood Butt, John Kim
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Patent number: 8206469Abstract: An energy storage device includes a first electrode comprising a first material and a second electrode comprising a second material, at least a portion of the first and second materials forming an interpenetrating network when dispersed in an electrolyte, the electrolyte, the first material and the second material are selected so that the first and second materials exert a repelling force on each other when combined. An electrochemical device, includes a first electrode in electrical communication with a first current collector; a second electrode in electrical communication with a second current collector; and an ionically conductive medium in ionic contact with said first and second electrodes, wherein at least a portion of the first and second electrodes form an interpenetrating network and wherein at least one of the first and second electrodes comprises an electrode structure providing two or more pathways to its current collector.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2011Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignees: A123 Systems, Inc., Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Yet-Ming Chiang, William D. Moorehead, Antoni S. Gozdz, Richard K. Holman, Andrew L. Loxley, Gilbert N. Riley, Jr., Michael S. Viola
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Patent number: 8187735Abstract: Electroactive compositions are disclosed for use in lithium ion battery electrodes. The compositions, such as multifunctional mixed metal olivines, provide an electrochemical cell having a plurality of open circuit voltages at different states of charge. The compositions afford improved state-of-charge monitoring, overcharge protection and/or overdischarge protection for lithium ion batteries.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2008Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: A123 Systems, Inc.Inventors: Yet-Ming Chiang, Andrew C. Chu, Young-Il Jang, Nonglak Meethong, Yu-Hua Kao, Gilbert N. Riley, Jr., Anthony E. Pullen, Karen E. Thomas-Alyea
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Patent number: 8187753Abstract: Materials useful as electrodes for lithium batteries have very good electronic and ionic conductivities. They are fabricated from a starting mixture which includes a metal, a phosphate ion, and an additive which enhances the transport of lithium ions in the resultant material. The mixture is heated in a reducing environment to produce the material. The additive may comprise a pentavalent metal or a carbon. In certain embodiments the material is a two-phase material. Also disclosed are electrodes which incorporate the materials and lithium batteries which incorporate those electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2010Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: A123 Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael Wixom, Chuanjing Xu
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Publication number: 20120104856Abstract: A battery system comprises a first battery unit; a DC voltage bus; a second battery unit electrically connected to the DC voltage bus; a current-limiting component; and switching circuitry for connecting the first battery unit to the DC voltage bus, where the switching circuitry is configured to electrically connect the first battery unit to the DC voltage bus either directly or through a current-limiting component, depending on an operating parameter of the first battery unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2010Publication date: May 3, 2012Applicant: A123 SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Peter GOTTLIEB, C. Michael HOFF, Thomas FARKAS
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Patent number: 8168326Abstract: An energy storage device includes a first electrode comprising a first material and a second electrode comprising a second material, at least a portion of the first and second materials forming an interpenetrating network when dispersed in an electrolyte, the electrolyte, the first material and the second material are selected so that the first and second materials exert a repelling force on each other when combined. An electrochemical device, includes a first electrode in electrical communication with a first current collector; a second electrode in electrical communication with a second current collector; and an ionically conductive medium in ionic contact with said first and second electrodes, wherein at least a portion of the first and second electrodes form an interpenetrating network and wherein at least one of the first and second electrodes comprises an electrode structure providing two or more pathways to its current collector.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2009Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignees: A123 Systems, Inc., Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Yet-Ming Chiang, William D. Moorehead, Antoni S. Gozdz, Richard K. Holman, Andrew L. Loxley, Gilbert N. Riley, Jr., Michael S. Viola
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Publication number: 20120098543Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating a state of a battery to a vehicle controller are disclosed. In one example, a battery pack outputs a signal indicative of an amount of capability the battery pack has to source or sink current at present operating conditions. The system and method may improve vehicle drivability and reduce battery pack degradation.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2010Publication date: April 26, 2012Applicant: A123 Systems, Inc.Inventors: Brian D. Rutkowski, Brian C. Moorhead
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Patent number: 8163410Abstract: A battery management system includes one or more lithium ion cells in electrical connection, each said cell comprising: first and second working electrodes and one or more reference electrodes, each reference electrode electronically isolated from the working electrodes and having a separate tab or current collector exiting the cell and providing an additional terminal for electrical measurement; and a battery management system comprising a battery state-of-charge monitor, said monitor being operable for receiving information relating to the potential difference of the working electrodes and the potential of one or more of the working electrodes versus the reference electrode.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2008Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: A123 Systems, Inc.Inventors: Ricardo Fulop, Yet-Ming Chiang, Karen E. Thomas-Alyea, William H. Gardner
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Patent number: 8158090Abstract: Amorphous or partially amorphous nanoscale ion storage materials are provided. For example, lithium transition metal phosphate storage compounds are nanoscale and amorphous or partially amorphous in an as-prepared state, or become amorphous or partially amorphous upon electrochemical intercalation or de-intercalation by lithium. These nanoscale ion storage materials are useful for producing devices such as high energy and high power storage batteries.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2006Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: A123 Systems, Inc.Inventors: Yet-Ming Chiang, Anthony E. Pullen, Nonglak Meethong
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Publication number: 20120080938Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling the output of a battery pack are disclosed. In one example, a battery pack contactor is closed after receiving a request to open the battery pack contactor during a power-up sequence. The system and method may reduce battery pack degradation.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2010Publication date: April 5, 2012Applicant: A123 SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Brian D. Rutkowski, Brian C. Moorhead
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Publication number: 20120074904Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling the output of a battery pack are disclosed. In one example, a battery pack contactor is opened in response to battery pack current. The system and method may reduce battery pack degradation and increase system flexibility.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2010Publication date: March 29, 2012Applicant: A123 Systems, Inc.Inventors: Brian D. Rutkowski, Brian C. Moorhead
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Patent number: 8119280Abstract: A cap assembly for use in an electrochemical cell. The cap assembly includes a tab collection post, a core insert, and at least one current collecting tab connected at one end to an electrode foil in the electrochemical cell, and horizontally connected at the other end to the tab collection post and the core insert. The at least one current collecting tab is disposed between and welded with the tab collection post and the core insert. The cap assembly also includes a shock absorber disposed around the core insert.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2008Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: A123 Systems, Inc.Inventors: William H. Gardner, Donald G. Dafoe, Lucien Fontaine
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Publication number: 20120038322Abstract: Systems and methods for adjusting sampling and switching rates of a battery management system are provided. For example, a rate at which different battery cells of a battery cell stack are in communication with an analog to digital converter may be adjusted in response to conditions of a battery cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2010Publication date: February 16, 2012Applicant: A123 SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Brian C. Moorhead, Brian D. Rutkowski
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Patent number: 8088512Abstract: An electrochemical device includes a first electrode in electrical communication with a first current collector, a second electrode in electrical communication with a second current collector and a crosslinked solid polymer in contact with the first and second electrodes. At least one of the first and second electrodes includes a network of electrically connected particles comprising an electroactive material, and the particles of one electrode exert a repelling force on the other electrode when the first and second electrodes are combined with an uncrosslinked precursor to the solid polymer.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2008Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: A123 Systems, Inc.Inventors: Antoni S. Gozdz, Richard K. Holman, Andrew L. Loxley, Ronnie Wilkins
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Patent number: 8084158Abstract: A compact, robust, multifunctional and highly manufacturable rechargeable cylindrical electrochemical cell is provided. In some embodiments, a cell can include a spirally wound assembly having an anode sheet and a cathode sheet separated by separator membranes, each sheet having a electroactive layer on a current collector. At least one of the current collectors can be in electrical communication with conducting tabs that extend from at least one of the anode sheet and the cathode sheet, the conducting tabs extends from an end face of the spirally wound assembly. The centers of the plurality of conducting tabs can be located within a 90 degree quadrant of an end face of the spirally wound assembly.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2007Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: A123 Systems, Inc.Inventors: Andrew C. Chu, Antoni S. Gozdz, Gilbert N. Riley, Jr., C. Michael Hoff
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Publication number: 20110309795Abstract: Systems and methods for actively balancing battery cells are disclosed. In one example, a charge is supplied to different battery cells at different times during a battery discharge cycle. The method may reduce instantaneous current draw within a battery pack.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2010Publication date: December 22, 2011Applicant: A123 SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Paul W. Firehammer, Benjamin Sinsheimer
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Publication number: 20110309796Abstract: Systems and methods for a managing charge within a battery pack are disclosed. In one example, flyback transformers manage charge in a second current path. The system and method can improve battery efficiency and performance at least during some conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2010Publication date: December 22, 2011Applicant: A123 SYSTEMS, INC.Inventor: Paul W. Firehammer
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Publication number: 20110309799Abstract: Systems and methods for extending the useable capacity of a battery pack are disclosed. In one example, flyback transformers supply charge to lower capacity battery cells to extend battery output.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2010Publication date: December 22, 2011Applicant: A123 SYSTEMS, INC.Inventor: Paul W. Firehammer