Patents Examined by Gabrielle Brouillette
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Patent number: 7147952Abstract: A metal-air cell having an anode/electrolyte and a cathode includes a container having an upper interior surface and a lower interior surface for housing the anode/electrolyte and the cathode; a spring disposed on the upper interior surface; a cover electrically connected to the cathode, and having at least one recess; and at least one o-ring disposed on the lower interior surface facing the at least one recess. The spring is compressed when a force is applied so that the at least one o-ring and the at least one recess are separated, thereby forming an inlet to introduce air for electrochemical reaction. The spring is expanded when the force is removed so that the at least one o-ring is inserted within the at least one recess to obstruct the air.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2000Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Assignee: CMC Magnetics CorporationInventor: Ming Yu Huang
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Patent number: 6737196Abstract: A lithium (Li) polymer battery is provided. The Li polymer battery includes: a positive plate including a positive collector having a plurality of openings and a positive active material layer on at least one surface of the positive collector; a negative plate including a negative collector in a foil form, and a negative active material layer on at least on surface of the negative collector; and a separator between the positive and negative plates, for insulating the positive and negative plates.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 1999Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: Samsung Display Devices Co., Ltd.Inventors: Youn-han Chang, Jung-ho Kim
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Patent number: 6635378Abstract: A fuel cell bipolar plate including a plurality of reactant channels defining respective inlets and outlets and at least two flow restrictors respectively associated with at least two adjacent reactant channels.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 1999Date of Patent: October 21, 2003Assignee: Hybrid Power Generation System, LLCInventors: Jefferson Y. S. Yang, Gareth Dominick DeSanctis, Gordon Roy Woodcock, Joseph Timothy Rehg
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Patent number: 6586139Abstract: An alkaline battery comprises a negative electrode having an active material comprised of mercuryless zinc powder containing a gelling agent. In one embodiment, the alkaline battery comprises a current collector having an outermost surface coated with a layer of zinc or a metal having a hydrogen overvoltage higher than that of zinc, and an electrolyte containing one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of an indium compound, lead oxide; a hydroxide of alkaline earth metal and a surfactant having polyethylene oxide. In another embodiment, the negative electrode active material contains one or more species of materials selected from the group consisting of an indium compound, lead oxide, a hydroxide of alkaline earth metal and a surfactant having polyethylene oxide, and a current collector having an outermost surface coated with a layer of zinc or a metal having a hydrogen overvoltage higher than that of zinc.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.Inventors: Shunji Watanabe, Tsugio Sakai, Hideo Sakamoto
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Patent number: 6528198Abstract: A hydration system includes fuel cell fluid flow plate(s) and injection port(s). Each plate has flow channel(s) with respective inlet(s) for receiving respective portion(s) of a given stream of reactant fluid for a fuel cell. Each injection port injects a portion of liquid water directly into its respective flow channel. This serves to hydrate at least corresponding part(s) of a given membrane of the corresponding fuel cell(s). The hydration system may be augmented by a metering system including flow regulator(s). Each flow regulator meters an injecting at inlet(s) of each plate of respective portions of liquid into respective portion(s) of a given stream of fluid by corresponding injection port(s).Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 1999Date of Patent: March 4, 2003Assignee: Plug Power, Inc.Inventors: Daniel O. Jones, Michael M. Walsh
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Patent number: 6521378Abstract: An electrode containing zinc-based particles suspended in a fluid medium is disclosed. The zinc-based particles have a multi-modal distribution, such as a bi-modal distribution, of particle sizes, particle morphologies and/or particle compositions. The electrode can be used as the anode in an alkaline battery, such as a primary alkaline battery.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 1998Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Assignee: Duracell Inc.Inventors: Richard Edward Durkot, Lifun Lin, Peter Bayard Harris
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Patent number: 6503649Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and methods for variably supplying power from a stand-alone fuel cell power supply system including a power conversion unit, a power switching unit and a load control unit. Preferably, a controller manages system configuration to switch the loads, the power conversion and the delivery between the two without reducing capacity by redundantly backing up each individual portion with a bank of at least two modules for each unit. Preferably, controller actuated devices are triggered automatically in response to monitors that sense performance operating parameters and detect values operating outside a threshold range.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2000Date of Patent: January 7, 2003Assignee: Convergence, LLCInventors: Kathleen A. Czajkowski, Stephen R. Rebain
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Patent number: 6500573Abstract: A humidifier device for use in fuel cells comprising a mist humidifier unit for adding mists to process gas supplied to an electrolyte equipped in a fuel cell and a humidifier unit control device for intermittently operating the mist humidifier unit in accordance with operating condition of the fuel cell.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 1999Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo KenkyushoInventors: Takashi Simazu, Hiroshi Aoki, Tomohisa Wakasugi, Takahiko Asaoka, Kazutaka Hiroshima, Yutaka Ohya, Katsuhito Yamada
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Patent number: 6500585Abstract: Described is a method for manufacturing a bipolar plate for, for instance, a bipolar battery. According to the present invention, a negative plate is manufactured by applying a suitable paste in a metal grid, and a positive plate is manufactured by applying a suitable paste in a metal grid. The pasted plates are formed, and arranged on opposite sides of a suitable platelike substrate. The substrate is thermally pressed, then a surface activating treatment is carried out, and thereafter the substrate is lead-plated. That surface activating treatment can be carried out with a corona or, preferably, a plasma. To ensure a good electrical contact, the substrate can be roughened, and the plates can be pressed against the substrate by utilizing a compressed glass fiber mat.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 1999Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepastnatuurwetenschappelijk onderzoerk TNOInventors: Machiel Saakes, Dick Schmal, Nitte van Landschoot, Willem Johannes Kolkert
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Patent number: 6500217Abstract: A process is disclosed for applying electrode layers to a polymer electrolyte membrane strip in a desired pattern, wherein the front and back of the membrane are continuously printed with the electrode layers in the desired pattern using an ink containing an electrocatalyst, and the printed electrode layers are dried at elevated temperature immediately after the printing operation, the printing taking place while maintaining accurate positioning of the patterns of the electrode layers on the front and back in relation to one another.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 1999Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Assignee: Degussa-Huls AktiengesellschaftInventors: Karl-Anton Starz, Ralf Zuber, Wolfgang Göttenauer, Knut Fehl, Manfred Diehl
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Patent number: 6497979Abstract: A method for producing an electrode for a non-aqueous electrolyte battery which improves charge/discharge characteristics such as a discharge capacity and a charge/discharge cycle life and which provides improved physical properties of a coating film. The method includes the steps of wet-kneading a slurry containing an active material having a composition of LixNiyMzO2 (0.8<x<1.5, 0.8<y+z<1.2, 0≦z<0.35; M is at least one element selected from Co, Mg, Ca, Sr, Al, Mn and Fe), an electrically conductive agent, a binder and an organic solvent, and then performing a dispersion process on the wet-kneaded slurry by means of a narrow-gap-type dispersing apparatus to prepare a mixture coating material, which is then applied onto a collector.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 1999Date of Patent: December 24, 2002Assignees: TDK Corporation, Duracell, a division of the Gillette CompanyInventors: Tadayoshi Iijima, Shigeo Kurose, Tetsuya Takahashi, David V. Adamson, Ignacio Chi, George Cintra, Karthik Ramaswami
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Patent number: 6495278Abstract: An electrochemical cell stack comprises a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies interposed between pairs of separator plates. The stack comprises adhesively bonded layers. Preferably each membrane electrode assembly is adhesively bonded to the adjacent pair of separator plates. The adhesive bond between the plate and membrane electrode assembly preferably provides a substantially gas and liquid-tight seal around the perimeter of the electrochemically active area of the membrane electrode assembly and around any fluid manifold openings formed therein. Alternatively, or in addition, adjoining pairs of separator plates in an electrochemical cell stack may be adhesively bonded together. Such pairs of adhesively bonded plates may define cooling spaces between neighboring cells. Stacks comprising a plurality of individual cell modules may be formed, each module comprising a membrane electrode assembly bonded to a pair of separator plates.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2000Date of Patent: December 17, 2002Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Inc.Inventors: Ottmar Schmid, Johann Einhart
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Patent number: 6482540Abstract: A multi-fold rechargeable battery cell structure comprising electrode elements and separator elements, wherein relief slots are formed along the fold axes of the outermost electrode elements in order to relieve folding stresses which could result in damage and impairment of the operation of the cell. The slots are formed adjacent to regions of intact electrode material in each outermost electrode element and are arranged such that the slots of one electrode element are aligned with the regions of intact electrode material of the other electrode element. In this manner, electrode element planar integrity is maintained while the effective laminate fold region thickness is reduced.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2000Date of Patent: November 19, 2002Assignee: Valence Technology (Nevada), Inc.Inventors: Antoni S. Gozdz, Tao Zheng
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Patent number: 6479185Abstract: The present invention provides a module for retaining and cooling a group of primary or secondary electrochemical cells for use in powered devices. To provide more effective cooling and reduce thermal gradients, cells are aligned in a side-by-side configuration within a multi-pass cooling passage. The multi-pass cooling in each module results in potentially longer useful life for the entire array. Large array batteries are formed of multiple modules, the shape and configuration of the modules allowing a variety of compact combinations having high energy density. In one configuration of an array battery according to the invention, two decks of modules are stacked vertically within a rigid enclosure. Air as a cooling medium is induced through each module to reduce cell temperatures. Temperature monitoring of each cell in a module and array allow for maintenance and identification of thermal events effecting continued long term operation.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2000Date of Patent: November 12, 2002Assignee: Moltech Power Systems, Inc.Inventors: H. Coleman Hilderbrand, V. Evan House, Martin C. Orler
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Patent number: 6475656Abstract: A membrane-electrode unit (1) with integrated sealing edge for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell having a polymer electrolyte membrane (2), an anode (3) arranged on one surface of the membrane and a cathode (4) arranged on the other surface of the membrane, is made from a layer material of anode material, cathode material and polymer electrolyte membrane material disposed therebetween, from which pieces of suitable size are severed, with the membrane, in the severed pieces, being covered completely by the electrodes on both of its sides. On the periphery of said piece, a sealing edge (5) is formed such that the sealing edge (5) penetrates an edge portion (6′, 7′) of at least one of the electrodes (3, 4) and adheres to the membrane portion adjacent the edge potion and/or the sealing edge adheres to the end faces of at least one of the electrodes and the end faces of the membrane.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 1999Date of Patent: November 5, 2002Assignee: Proton Motor Fuel Cell GmbHInventors: Arthur Koschany, Thomas Schwesinger
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Patent number: 6475660Abstract: A lead-acid cell includes a case, positive and negative plates within the case, microporous separator material between adjacent plates and electrolyte in a starved amount, with the case having jar and covers joined by a weldment along overlapping cover and jars. The positive plates include a grid frame with an intermediate member extending between spaced apart generally peripheral portions of the frame, with pasted active material on the grid frame separated substantially into two portions by the intermediate member. Compressive force is adjustably continuously applied to the positive and negative plates within the case. The plates are suspended within the case at positions removed from the wall of the case, while plate growth is permitted in a manner that plate shorting is avoided.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 1997Date of Patent: November 5, 2002Assignee: C&D Charter Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Sudhan S. Misra, Franz Wagner
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Patent number: 6472099Abstract: An alkaline cell having an anode comprising zinc and a cathode comprising manganese dioxide wherein the cathode is located annularly along the inside surface of the cell housing and has a plurality of indentations on the inside of its surface facing the cell interior. Each indentation has a wall defining a channel with an opening thereto running preferably in the direction of the cell's length. The channel and opening facing the cell interior filled with anode material. The cell can have an anode current collector, typically of metal, with at least a portion of its surface extending into the cathode indentation channel. The anode current collector can have a portion of its surface extending from a point within the anode and into the cathode indentation channel through said opening. The cell can include a cathode current collector comprising a sheet of conductive material such as a sheet of metal or graphite placed within the cathode, particularly within thick regions of the cathode.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2000Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Assignee: The Gillette CompanyInventors: Tae-Won Lee, Shuming Zeng, Kenneth R. Taylor, George Cintra, Philip D. Trainer, Alexander B. Shelekhin
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Patent number: 6465128Abstract: A method of making a cathode includes decomposing a mixture comprising a metal naphthenate, e.g., cobalt naphthenate, and incorporating the decomposed mixture into the cathode. The cathode can be used, for example, in a metal-air battery and a fuel cell.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2000Date of Patent: October 15, 2002Assignee: The Gillette CompanyInventors: Joseph Sunstrom, Jack Treger
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Patent number: 6461770Abstract: A lithium battery comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a nonaqueous electrolyte containing a a solute and a solvent, wherein the positive electrode comprises a positive-electrode active material of lithium-manganese complex oxide containing boron and phosphorus.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2000Date of Patent: October 8, 2002Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Seiji Yoshimura, Taeko Ota, Shin Fujitani, Nobuhiro Nishiguchi
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Patent number: 6461758Abstract: An improved vent cap system for use in an electrochemical battery is provided which includes a ring flange for forming a ring seal between the vent cap assembly and the fill tube. When the vent cap assembly is positioned in the battery housing, the ring flange and the fill tube deform to create a seal therebetween to provide a fluid tight seal.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2000Date of Patent: October 8, 2002Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Matthias Geibl, Thomas J. Dougherty, Gerald D. Slayton, Mark S. Inkmann, Guy L. Pfeifer, Gerald A. Cummins, Edward C. Frelka, Edward N. Mrotek, Helmuth Faust, Arch A. Pope, David J. Novak, William J. Ross, Bradley R. Niemuth, Ronald F. Kirby