Patents Examined by Aaron Greso
  • Patent number: 9337462
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrolyte battery electrode component having a layer having a surface adjoined by electrolyte in the battery and provided with a fluid-conducting channel structure. In this context, it is envisaged that through the fluid-conducting structure has channels having channel depths in the range from 10 to 200 ?m and/or at least 50% of the thickness of the active layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Karlsruher Institut fur Technologie (KIT)
    Inventors: Wilhelm Pfleging, Robert Kohler, Johannes Pröll
  • Patent number: 9337485
    Abstract: An alkaline battery including a negative electrode including zinc, a positive electrode including manganese dioxide, and an alkaline electrolyte, in which the positive electrode includes graphite particles each having a basal surface and an edge surface, and anatase titanium dioxide particles, and the anatase titanium dioxide particles have a mean particle size larger than a height of the edge surface of each graphite particle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tadaya Okada
  • Patent number: 9337516
    Abstract: A system for preventing condensate formation on a battery (1), in particular on a battery (1) that is cooled by means of a cooling device, wherein the battery (1) is surrounded by a housing (6), and wherein the housing (6) has at least one air inlet opening (8) and at least one air outlet opening (9), wherein the at least one air inlet opening (8) is designed such that air supplied to the housing (6) can flow into the housing (6) so as to flow around the battery (1), and wherein the at least one air outlet opening (9) is designed such that air can flow out of the housing (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Klausner, Anselm Berg
  • Patent number: 9328190
    Abstract: Included are nylon and polyurethane urea compositions such as in the form of powders, beads and flock to be included in extruded and molded articles containing a thermoplastic resin such as nylon 12. The addition of the powders, beads or flock improve flexibility and shape retention of such molded articles, for example in eyewear frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: INVISTA North America S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Charles Frank Iavarone, James Michael Lambert, Hong Liu, Sonia Menot, Federica Maria Roberta Stoppa
  • Patent number: 9325023
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a membrane-electrode assembly for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, in which the glass transition temperature of an electrolyte membrane is reduced using a hydrophilic solvent, and a membrane-electrode assembly for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, manufactured by the method. In the method of the invention, the glass transition temperature of the electrolyte membrane to which a catalyst is transferred is reduced compared to that in a conventional method for manufacturing a membrane-electrode assembly for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell using the decal process. Thus, even to an electrolyte membrane material having a relatively high glass transition temperature, the catalyst may be transferred at a rate of 100% at a temperature of about 120° C., at which hot pressing is carried out. Thus, the problems associated with electrolyte membrane deterioration occurring in conventional methods can be solved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology
    Inventors: Young Taik Hong, Tae Ho Kim, Young Jun Yoon, Kyung Seok Yoon, Duk Man Yu
  • Patent number: 9318758
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a lower end plate for placing a stack body on the lower end plate, a load plate for applying a load to the stack body in a stacking direction, and a fuel cell support member provided between the load plate and the stack body. The fuel cell support member includes composite layers made of composite material of alumina fiber and vermiculite. The fuel cell support member includes a first support section for applying a load to sandwiching sections at a position corresponding to electrolyte electrode assemblies, and a second support section for applying a load to reactant gas supply sections in the stacking direction. The density of the first support section is smaller than the density of the second support section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masashi Shinohara, Keiji Tsukamoto, Hideo Urata
  • Patent number: 9312549
    Abstract: The grill shutter is disposed between the front grill and the air intake duct. The grill shutter is capable of opening or closing shutter members and regulating positions of the shutter members when being opened. When a maximum supplied flow rate of air provided by the wind during running is greater than a flow rate of air required for the hydrogen fuel battery, the required flow rate of air is established only by opening/closing control of the shutter members through a grill shutter opening instruction. If this is not the case, the grill shutter members are opened fully through the grill shutter opening instruction to maximize the volume of the wind during running taken in from the front grille. Additionally, a shortfall in the required flow rate of air for the hydrogen fuel battery is compensated for by actuating the blower through a blower speed instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshihide Tachibana, Tohru Ohta, Kengo Ikeya, Yoshimasa Matsumoto, Ryuhji Ohtsuka, Yoshifumi Takai, Takanori Murakami
  • Patent number: 9312527
    Abstract: A separator (1) having heat resistant insulation layers for an electric device includes a resin porous substrate (2), and heat resistant insulation layers (3) formed on both surfaces of the resin porous substrate (2) and containing heat resistant particles having a melting point or a thermal softening point of 150° C. or higher. A parameter X represented by the following mathematical formula 1 is greater than or equal to 0.15: X = ( A ? + A ? ) C × ( A ? / A ? ) 2 [ Math ? ? 1 ] where A? and A? represent thicknesses (?m) of the respective heat resistant insulation layers (3) formed on both surfaces of the resin porous substrate (2) while fulfilling a condition of A??A?, and C represents the entire thickness (?m) of the separator (1) having heat resistant insulation layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hironobu Muramatsu, Tamaki Hirai, Kazuki Miyatake
  • Patent number: 9306241
    Abstract: Methods for fabrication of electronic systems and systems therefrom are provided. An electronic system includes a first substrate (202) having a first surface (202a) and a second substrate (208) having a second surface (208a) facing the first surface. The system also includes a plurality of battery cell layers (106-112) disposed on a plurality of laterally spaced areas on the first and second surfaces (203, 209). In the system, portions of the battery cell layers on the first surface are in physical contact with portions of the battery cell layers on the second surface and the battery cell layers on the first surface and the second surface form a plurality of electrically interconnected battery cells (206, 212) on the first and the second surfaces that are laterally spaced apart and that define one or more batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence W. Shacklette, Louis J. Rendek
  • Patent number: 9287548
    Abstract: A terminal unit of a secondary battery and a method of manufacturing the same, the terminal unit including an electrode rivet, the electrode rivet being connected to an electrode assembly; a rivet terminal, the rivet terminal including a metal different from a metal of the electrode rivet; and a medium plate, the medium plate including a same metal as the electrode rivet, and being disposed between the electrode rivet and the rivet terminal so as to be overlap-weldable to the rivet terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignees: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD., ROBERT BOSCH GmbH
    Inventors: Sang-Won Byun, Sung-Bae Kim
  • Patent number: 9281426
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method, which can comprise fabricating a system. The system can comprise a light amplification element and a charge transport element. Each of the light amplification element and a charge transport element can comprise one or more of a graphene layer, graphene oxide, graphene nano platelets, functionalized graphene, graphene/superconductor composite, tubular shaped nano carbon, semiconductor powder, thin film, nano wire, and nano rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Inventors: Khe C Nguyen, Hieu Dinh
  • Patent number: 9276241
    Abstract: The case for a molten salt battery is used for a molten salt battery containing as an electrolyte a molten salt containing sodium ions. The case is formed of aluminum or an aluminum alloy containing 90% by mass or more of aluminum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Nitta, Shoichiro Sakai, Shinji Inazawa, Chihiro Hiraiwa, Atsushi Fukunaga, Masatoshi Majima
  • Patent number: 9269998
    Abstract: The invention provides an electrochemical cell system comprising: a fuel electrode, an oxidant electrode for absorbing and reducing a gaseous oxidant, and an interior cell chamber configured to contain a volume of ionically conductive liquid therein. The ionically conductive liquid conducts ions between the fuel and oxidant electrodes. The oxidant electrode separates the ionically conductive liquid from the gaseous oxidant. A gas vent is configured to separate gas in the cell from a mist comprising the ionically conductive liquid and is positioned generally above the volume of ionically conductive liquid. The gas vent comprises a filter body portion comprised of at least one layer so as to absorb a portion of the ionically conductive liquid. The body portion is formed in a concave shape with an apex positioned towards the top of the cell in its upright orientation, and with body surfaces extending downwardly from said apex so as to drain absorbed ionically conductive medium back into the interior chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: FLUIDIC, INC.
    Inventors: Joel Hayes, Andrew Goodfellow
  • Patent number: 9251969
    Abstract: A method of making a single carbon sheet for an electrode includes mixing activated carbon; adding a dispersion comprising a PTFE binder and water to the activated carbon to form a mixture; adding the mixture to a jet mill, and fibrillating the PTFE binder; and feeding the mixture with fibrillated PTFE to a roll mill to form a single carbon sheet in a single pass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Axion Power International, Inc.
    Inventor: Jay Dandrea
  • Patent number: 9252400
    Abstract: A battery cell design is disclosed that provides a predictable pathway through a portion of the cell (e.g., the cell cap assembly) for the efficient release of the thermal energy that occurs during thermal runaway, thereby reducing the chances of a rupture in an undesirable location. Furthermore the disclosed design maintains the functionality of the cell cap as the positive terminal of the cell, thereby having minimal impact on the manufacturability of the cell as well as its use in a variety of applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Francisco LePort, Scott Ira Kohn, Orion Andrew King, Alex Prilutsky
  • Patent number: 9252449
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a stack body formed by stacking a plurality of solid oxide fuel cells in a stacking direction. The fuel cell stack includes wall plate members and fuel cell support members. The wall plate members are provided in the stacking direction of the stack body around the sides of the stack body. Each of the fuel cell support members includes a composite layer made of composite material of alumina fiber and vermiculite. The fuel cell support members are interposed between the wall plate members and the sides of the stack body, and apply a load to the sides of the stack body in directions of a separator surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masashi Shinohara, Hideo Urata
  • Patent number: 9252455
    Abstract: This invention provides lithium-based batteries that include one or more inorganic barrier layers disposed between the anode and the cathode. The inorganic barrier layer is a lithium-ion conductor and is non-permeable to lithium-containing compounds, such as lithium polysulfides or lithium dendrites. The inorganic barrier layer may be in direct contact with the anode or cathode, or electrically isolated from the anode and cathode. The principles disclosed herein solve the problem of maintaining electrical isolation of the anode and cathode, while providing efficient lithium-ion conduction without crossover of other lithium species that would otherwise limit the power performance of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Ping Liu, Jocelyn Hicks-Garner, Adam F. Gross, Jun Liu
  • Patent number: 9231271
    Abstract: A battery having the electrodes of multiple cell types interleaved to prevent thermal runaway by cooling a shorted region between electrodes. The battery includes multiple cell types where each cell type has multiple electrodes a first polarity. The electrodes of each of the cell types share a pair of the common electrodes having a second polarity. The electrodes of the multiple cell types and the multiple common electrodes are interleaved such that if the electrodes of the multiple cell types and the adjacent common electrodes of one or more cell types short together, the current within the shorted cells is sufficiently small to prevent thermal runaway and the electrodes of the adjacent cells of the other cell types of the first polarity and the common electrodes of the second polarity not having short circuits provide heat sinking for the heat generated by the short circuit to prevent thermal runaway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Amperex Technology Limited
    Inventors: Li-Yan Zhu, Jei-Wei Chang
  • Patent number: 9225028
    Abstract: A fuel cell system capable of carrying out a proper current limiting even when decreasing a cell voltage through, e.g., a rapid warm-up is provided. When a rapid warm-up is started, an acceptable cell-voltage value setting part sets a acceptable lowest-cell-voltage value in accordance with the operation state of a fuel cell. Meanwhile, a target cell-voltage value setting part sets an initial value for a target lowest-cell-voltage value. The target cell-voltage value setting part then compares a lowest cell voltage detected by a cell monitor with the set target lowest-cell-voltage value, and judges whether or not the lowest cell voltage is near the target lowest-cell-voltage value continuously for a given time period. If the result of the judgment is positive, the target cell-voltage value setting part updates the target lowest-cell-voltage value with a value obtained by decreasing the target lowest-cell-voltage value only by an update width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Imanishi, Kota Manabe, Tomoya Ogawa
  • Patent number: 9214684
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel control system and method, e.g., for a vehicle fuel cell system, which can efficiently supply hydrogen to a fuel cell stack and increase the efficiency of an ejector. For this purpose, the present invention provides a fuel control system having a series-connected multi-stage pressure control structure, in which an additional injector is provided in series between an injector for controlling the pressure of hydrogen supplied, a pressure control valve, or a pressure control actuator and a hydrogen recirculation ejector in a hydrogen supply passage, through which hydrogen is supplied from a hydrogen supply unit to a fuel cell stack, such that the pressure of hydrogen supplied is controlled in stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Bu Kil Kwon, Hyun Joon Lee, Ho June Bae