Patents Examined by Ben Lewis
  • Patent number: 9716280
    Abstract: Provided is a highly water repellent, air permeable, and liquid leakage resistant magnesium-air fuel cell that can quickly achieve a discharge reaction peak and can discharge a predetermined amount of current for a relatively long period of time. In a magnesium-air fuel cell, a cathode body includes: a first layer including a porous body formed by mixing a conductive carbon material and fluororesin; and a second layer including a porous body formed by mixing activated carbon and fluororesin, the second layer being joined to one surface of the first layer to be in contact with reaction liquid in the outer frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: AQUA POWER SYSTEM, JAPAN
    Inventors: Tadashi Ishikawa, Yoshiaki Hasebe, Masato Hamade
  • Patent number: 9716286
    Abstract: An active cell is prepared by dispensing first electrode sub-layers, pressing in physical structures to partially embed them in an uppermost sub-layer, and dispensing more first electrode sub-layers wherein dispensing is in order of increasing porosity, then drying the sub-layers to form a first electrode layer. An electrolyte layer is then formed thereon. Further preparation includes dispensing second electrode sub-layers over the electrolyte layer, pressing in physical structures to partially embed them in an uppermost sub-layer, and dispensing more second electrode sub-layers wherein dispensing is in order of decreasing porosity, then drying the sub-layers to form a second electrode layer. A laminated stack is formed, then the physical structures are pulled out. Sintering then forms the active cell with active passages embedded in and supported by the sintered electrode layers, and with decreasing porosity in the electrode layers in a thickness direction away from the electrolyte layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Inventors: Alan Devoe, Lambert Devoe
  • Patent number: 9716300
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell system is configured to utilize an oxidant reduction electrode module containing an oxidant reduction electrode mounted to a housing to form a gaseous oxidant space therein that is immersed into the ionically conductive medium. A fuel electrode is spaced from the oxidant reduction electrode, such that the ionically conductive medium may conduct ions between the fuel and oxidant reduction electrodes to support electrochemical reactions at the fuel and oxidant reduction electrodes. A gaseous oxidant channel extending through the gaseous oxidant space provides a supply of oxidant to the oxidant reduction electrode, such that the fuel electrode and the oxidant reduction electrode are configured to, during discharge, oxidize the metal fuel at the fuel electrode and reduce the oxidant at the oxidant reduction electrode, to generate a discharge potential difference therebetween for application to a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: FLUIDIC, INC.
    Inventors: Cody Friesen, Ramkumar Krishnan, Michael Mihalka, Grant Friesen, Andrew Goodfellow
  • Patent number: 9711771
    Abstract: A membrane includes a porous membrane or layer made of a polymeric material having a plurality of surface treated (or coated) particles (or ceramic particles) having an average particle size of less than about 1 micron dispersed therein. The polymeric material may be selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polyamides, polyesters, co-polymers thereof, and combinations thereof. The particles may be selected from the group consisting of boehmite (AlOOH), SiO2, TiO2, Al2O3, BaSO4, CaCO3, BN, and combinations thereof, or the particles may be boehmite. The surface treatment (or coating) may be a molecule having a reactive end and a non-polar end. The particles may be pre-mixed in a low molecular weight wax before mixing with the polymeric material. The membrane may be used as a battery separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Celgard, LLC
    Inventors: C. Glen Wensley, Lie Shi
  • Patent number: 9711790
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonaqueous electrolyte battery including a positive electrode and a negative electrode is provided. The positive electrode includes LiNixM1?xO2 wherein M is a metal element including Mn, and x is within a range of 0.5?x?1. The negative electrode includes graphitized material particles and a layer. The graphitized material particles have an interplanar spacing of (002), according to an X-ray diffraction method, of 0.337 nm or less. The layer includes a titanium-containing oxide. The layer covers at least a part of a surface of the graphitized material particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Norio Takami, Wen Zhang, Hiroki Inagaki
  • Patent number: 9711786
    Abstract: There is provided a method for producing a negative electrode material for lithium ion secondary batteries that is easily produced and is less likely to cause deterioration in charge and discharge cycle characteristics. A method for producing a negative electrode material for lithium ion secondary batteries, comprises steps of heating a raw material composition comprising resin-retained partially exfoliated graphite having a structure in which graphene is partially exfoliated and Si particles to dope the partially exfoliated graphite with the Si particles, the partially exfoliated graphite being obtained by pyrolyzing a resin in a composition in which the resin is fixed to graphite or primary exfoliated graphite, thereby exfoliating the graphite or primary exfoliated graphite while allowing part of the above resin to remain; providing a composition comprising the above partially exfoliated graphite doped with the Si particles, a binder resin, and a solvent; and shaping the above composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shoji Nozato, Akira Nakasuga, Akihiko Fujiwara, Hiroshi Yoshitani, Yasushi Uematsu, Shotaro Kobaru
  • Patent number: 9711765
    Abstract: A replacement battery system design incorporating a pivoting battery holster and other features enabling one-handed battery removal for devices requiring a battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Ultralife Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Ladd, John Domm, Michael Manna
  • Patent number: 9705121
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a battery module having a power assembly that includes a plurality of battery cells and a plurality of bus bars that electrically couples a terminal of each of the plurality of battery cells to a terminal of an adjacent battery cell of the plurality of battery cells. The battery module also includes a lead frame that includes a plurality of cell taps respectively electrically coupled to the plurality of bus bars of the power assembly, and a plurality of leads that extends from the plurality of cell taps. The lead frame also includes a plurality of broken interconnects that electrically isolates the plurality of cell taps from one another and electrically isolates the plurality of leads from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Jason D. Fuhr, Joerg Birkholz, Jonathan P. Lobert, Marco Jansen, Martin Wiegmann, Richard M. DeKeuster, Robert J. Mack
  • Patent number: 9705148
    Abstract: Provided is a stacked structure for a fuel cell in which the plurality of fuel cells are stacked. Each of the fuel cells includes an electrolyte layer, and a cathode layer and an anode layer disposed on both surfaces of the electrolyte layer. The stacked structure includes at least one interconnector, at least one frame, and at least one complex functional part. The interconnector includes a central area electrically connected to the fuel cell, and edge area outwardly extending with respect to end portions of the fuel cell. The frame supports a side portion of the fuel cell to reinforce strength of the fuel cell supported by the interconnector. The complex functional part is disposed between the interconnector and the frame to constantly maintain an interval therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: MICO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Song Ho Choi, Sang Pil Park, Sung Wook Kim
  • Patent number: 9705128
    Abstract: The invention relates to An active material for a rechargeable lithium ion battery, comprising metal (M) based particles and a silicon oxide SiOx with 0<x<2, wherein said SiOx is an intimate mixture of amorphous silicon (Si) and crystalline silicon dioxide (SiO2); wherein the metal (M) is preferably selected from the group consisting of Si, Sn, In, Al, Fe and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Umicore
    Inventors: Stijn Put, Kris Driesen, Jean-Sebastien Bridel, Hailei Zhao, Jing Wang
  • Patent number: 9698409
    Abstract: [Object] It is an object to provide an injection method for injecting an electrolyte and an electrolyte injection apparatus which allow the electrolyte to be injected and filled into an electrode assembly within an outer can with favorable permeation, thereby easily manufacturing an electrolyte secondary battery having favorable cycle characteristics at good yield. [Solution] A solution injection nozzle 10 is inserted into a solution injection hole 101 of an outer can 100 in which an electrode assembly 110 is stored, and the solution injection hole 101 is hermetically sealed by a pressure reducing pad 11 provided so as to surround a periphery of the solution injection nozzle 10. An inside of the outer can 100 is made into a negative pressure through the pressure reducing pad 11, and an electrolyte L is supplied from the solution injection nozzle 10 into the outer can 100. The outer can 100 is rotated with the solution injection nozzle 10 as a rotation center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: O.M.C. CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shinji Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9692044
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode and an electrolyte, wherein: —the electrolyte comprises a SEI film-forming agent, and—the negative electrode comprises a micrometric Si based active material, a polymeric binder material and a conductive agent, wherein at least part of the surface of the Si based active material consists of Si—OCO—R groups, Si being part of the active material, and R being the polymeric chain of the binder material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignees: Umicore, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Umicore Korea Ltd.
    Inventors: Nathalie Delpuech, Driss Mazouzi, Bernard Lestriez, Dominique Guyomard, Lionel Roue
  • Patent number: 9692037
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery includes: an electrode assembly; a case housing the electrode assembly; a cap plate closing and sealing an opening of the case; an electrode terminal at an outside of the cap plate with respect to the case, extending through an opening in the cap plate, and electrically connected to the electrode assembly; and an insulating member between the electrode terminal and the cap plate. The electrode terminal includes: a first plate terminal electrically connected to the electrode assembly; a second plate terminal spaced from the first plate terminal; and a fuse connecting the first plate terminal and the second plate terminal and being at least partially surrounded by the insulating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Myung-Jae Jang, Sang-Won Byun, Chi-Young Lee
  • Patent number: 9692081
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a manufacturing device for a battery, includes, an electrolyte supply unit which introduces an electrolyte into a cell, a chamber which accommodates the battery cell, a first pressure adjustment unit configured to make a pressure in the battery cell lower than a pressure on the side of the electrolyte supply unit, and a second pressure adjustment unit configured to make a pressure outside the battery cell in the chamber lower than the pressure in the battery cell, thereby increasing the capacity of the battery cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Kenta Fukatsu
  • Patent number: 9692071
    Abstract: A membrane, suitable for use in a fuel cell comprises: (a) a central region comprising an ion-conducting polymeric material; (b) a border region which creates a frame around the central region and which consists of one or more non-ion-conducting materials wherein at least one of the one or more non-ion-conducting materials forms a layer; wherein the non-ion-conducting material of the border region overlaps the ion-conducting polymeric material of the central region by 0 to 10 mm in an overlap region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: JOHNSON MATTHEY FUEL CELLS LIMITED
    Inventors: David Edward Barnwell, Peter Antony Trew, Thomas Robertson Ralph, Robert Jeffrey Coleman
  • Patent number: 9671435
    Abstract: A voltage measurement circuit including a current mirror having an input branch in series with a first resistive element between first and second nodes of application of said voltage, and having an output branch providing a current representative of said voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Commissariat à l'Energie Atomoique et aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Ghislain Despesse, Sylvain Lechat Sanjuan
  • Patent number: 9673473
    Abstract: Provided is a redox flow battery including a positive electrode cell having a positive electrode and a catholyte solution; a negative electrode cell having a negative electrode and an anolyte solution; and an ion-exchange membrane disposed between the positive electrode cell and the negative electrode cell, wherein the catholyte solution and the anolyte solution each includes a non-aqueous solvent, a supporting electrolyte, and an electrolyte, and wherein the electrolyte includes a metal-ligand coordination compound, and at least one of the metal-ligand coordination compounds includes a ligand having an electron donating group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Joung-won Park, Myung-jin Lee, Basab Roy, Duk-jin Oh, Doo-yeon Lee
  • Patent number: 9673445
    Abstract: A battery is provided. The battery includes a positive electrode including a positive electrode active material layer provided on a positive electrode current collector; a negative electrode; and a separator at least including a porous film, wherein the porous film has a porosity ? [%] and an air permeability t [sec/100 cc] which satisfy formulae of: t=a×Ln(?)?4.02a+100 and ?1.87×1010×S?4.96?a??40 wherein S is the area density of the positive electrode active material layer [mg/cm2] and Ln is natural logarithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohiro Abe, Motomi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9666847
    Abstract: In accordance with at least selected aspects, objects or embodiments, optimized, novel or improved membranes, battery separators, batteries, and/or systems and/or related methods of manufacture, use and/or optimization are provided. In accordance with at least selected embodiments, the present invention is related to novel or improved battery separators that prevent dendrite growth, prevent internal shorts due to dendrite growth, or both, batteries incorporating such separators, systems incorporating such batteries, and/or related methods of manufacture, use and/or optimization thereof. In accordance with at least certain embodiments, the present invention is related to novel or improved ultra thin or super thin membranes or battery separators, and/or lithium primary batteries, cells or packs incorporating such separators, and/or systems incorporating such batteries, cells or packs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Celgard, LLC
    Inventors: Paul M. Halmo, Xiaomin Zhang, Paul D. Vido, Zhengming Zhang, Lie Shi, Daniel R. Alexander, Jill V. Watson
  • Patent number: 9666909
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrode laminate including a positive electrode having a positive electrode material coating layer formed on a positive electrode current collector, a negative electrode having a negative electrode material coating layer formed on a negative electrode current collector, and a porous polymer film interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, wherein the positive electrode, the negative electrodes, and the porous polymer films are laminated in a height direction on the basis of a plane such that the negative electrodes constitute outermost electrodes of the electrode laminate, and the positive electrode material coating layer has a larger coating area than the negative electrode material coating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Min Hee Lee, Jae Hyun Lee, Jihyun Kim