Patents Examined by Helen O Conley
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Patent number: 8920954Abstract: A battery tray for storing a battery comprises: a battery storage unit comprising: a first side and a second side facing each other, and a third side and a fourth side facing each other, wherein the third and fourth sides have planar portions for accommodating a prismatic battery cell and round portions for accommodating a cylindrical battery cell; a first guiding unit extending from a lower portion of the third side to secure a first end of a prismatic battery cell; and a second guiding unit extending from a lower portion of the fourth side to secure a second end of a prismatic battery cell.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2010Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jaeil Seong, Soonki Woo, Kiyuon Jeon, Sehan Kim, Hideaki Yoshio
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Patent number: 8911905Abstract: An anode of a lithium battery includes a composite film, the composite film includes a carbon nanotube film structure and a plurality of nanoscale tin oxide particles dispersed therein. A lithium battery includes at least a cathode, an electrolyte, and the anode mentioned above. A charge/discharge capacity of the lithium battery using the anode can be improved.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2011Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignees: Tsinghua University, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chen Feng, Hao-Xu Zhang, Kai-Li Jiang, Shou-Shan Fan
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Patent number: 8900772Abstract: A fuel cartridge with which liquid leakage through an air induction hole from a fuel tank is able to be prevented and safety is able to be improved is provided. Switching drive for opening and closing an air induction hole 12 is performed by a valve 13 capable of controlling the switching drive according to a control signal. Thereby, air introduction to a fuel tank 100 containing a fuel is able to be controlled. Thus, for example, at the time of high temperature or fuel disorder, by closing the air induction hole 12 by the valve 13, fuel leakage from the fuel tank through the air induction hole of an existing check valve is able to be prevented, and safety is able to be improved.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2008Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Kazuaki Fukushima, Yoshiaki Inoue, Yuto Takagi, Atsushi Sato, Jusuke Shimura
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Patent number: 8883337Abstract: A support foot for a battery pack, a battery pack including the support foot and a method for manufacturing the battery pack are provided. The support foot is constructed with a first support part, and a second support part including a protrusion. The protrusion is inserted into the battery pack and is thermally welded to be attached to the battery pack, so that the support foot can be securely attached to the battery pack.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2008Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Il-Joong Kim, Jang-Gun Ahn
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Patent number: 8883359Abstract: A method of driving a fuel cell system is disclosed. The method of driving the fuel cell system may include supplying water to a reformer by pressing a pump pipe to pressing members to move the pressing members in a first direction, stopping power generation including stopping a supply of fuel and oxidant to the reformer, and discharging water in the reformer by moving the pressing members in a second direction opposite to the first direction while pressing the pump pipe with the pressing members. A fuel cell system is also disclosed. The fuel cell system includes a reformer, a fuel cell stack and a water transferring pump. The water transferring pump includes pressing members and a pump pipe. The pump pipe is in fluid communication with a water transferring pipe.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2010Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Woong-Ho Cho, Ming-Zi Hong, Dong-Hyun Kim, Dong-Rak Kim, Hyun Kim
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Patent number: 8883370Abstract: A fuel cell system comprises at least one fuel cell with a high-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane. The fuel cell is supplied with liquefied petroleum gas from a supply of liquefied petroleum gas. The liquefied petroleum gas can be directly fed into an anode reaction chamber of the fuel cell without complex reforming. Water vapor is admixed to the liquefied petroleum gas before it enters the anode reaction chamber.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2007Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Truma Gerätetechnik GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Andreas Schiegl, Reinhard Frank
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Patent number: 8871386Abstract: A secondary battery comprising an electrode assembly including: a first electrode plate connected to a first electrode tab, a second electrode plate connected to a second electrode tab, and a separator disposed therebetween; a can having an opening, to house the electrode assembly; and a cap assembly to seal the opening. The first electrode tab has a reinforcement portion. The first electrode tab has a welding portion connected to the cap assembly and a bent portion formed in the reinforcement portion, which is thicker than the welding portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2008Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventor: Dae-Kyu Kim
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Patent number: 8859164Abstract: In one embodiment, a bipolar plate includes a wall area and a landing area defining a fluid flow channel, and a plurality of wires extending from at least one of the landing area and the wall area. In another embodiment, an electrochemical cell includes the aforementioned bipolar plate and a gas diffusion layer (GDL) adjacent the bipolar plate and contacting at least a portion of the plurality of wires.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2011Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Alireza Pezhman Shirvanian
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Patent number: 8852785Abstract: A bipolar secondary battery has a battery element that includes first and second bipolar electrodes each having a collector disposed with a conductive resin layer containing a first resin as a base material and positive and negative electrode active material layers formed on opposite sides of the collector and a separator containing a second resin as a base material, arranged between the first and second bipolar electrodes and retaining an electrolyte material to form an electrolyte layer. The positive electrode active material layer of the first bipolar electrode, the electrolyte layer and the negative electrode active material layer of the second bipolar electrode constitute a unit cell. A melting point of the first resin is lower than or equal to a melting point of the second resin. Outer peripheries of the collectors of the first and second bipolar electrodes and an outer periphery of the separator are fused together to thereby seal an outer peripheral portion of the unit cell.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2010Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kenji Hosaka, Motoharu Obika
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Patent number: 8852801Abstract: A battery with more superior reliability is provided. The battery includes: a battery element in which a cathode having a cathode active material layer on a strip-shaped cathode current collector and an anode having an anode active material layer on a strip-shaped anode current collector are layered with a separator in between, wherein the anode active material layer is provided to occupy a first region that is overlapped with a cathode active material layer formation region in which the cathode active material layer is provided on the cathode current collector and a peripheral region thereof in the anode, and out of a second region adjacent to the first region in the longitudinal direction in the anode, a width of a third region in which the anode active material layer is not formed and the anode current collector is exposed is smaller than a width of the first region.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2010Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Tomoo Takada, Kenichi Kawase
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Patent number: 8852788Abstract: Disclosed is a porous membrane used for a secondary battery, such as lithium-ion secondary battery, wherein strength is improved and break is difficult to occur while maintaining lithium-ion conductivity. The porous membrane for a secondary battery comprising a binder for the porous membrane and a nonconductive particle, wherein the binder for the porous membrane is a polymer particle having a hetero phase structure, in which internal layer is a polymer wherein vinyl monomer components are polymerized and outer layer is a polymer wherein monomer components containing a hydrophilic functional group are polymerized. The hydrophilic functional group is at least one selected from the group consisting sulfonic acid group, carboxyl group, hydroxyl group and epoxy group.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2010Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Zeon CorporationInventors: Yasuhiro Wakizaka, Nobukazu Kaihatsu
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Patent number: 8835344Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cell electrode, which has increased physical and chemical durability, and a method for manufacturing a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) using the same. According to the present invention, the fuel cell electrode is manufactured by controlling the amount of platinum supported on a first carbon support used in an anode to be smaller than that used in a cathode to increase the mechanical strength of a catalyst layer and maintain the thickness of the catalyst layer after prolonged operation and by adding carbon nanofibers containing a radical scavenger to a catalyst slurry to decrease deterioration of chemical durability.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2011Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Jae Seung Lee
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Patent number: 8835073Abstract: Disclosed is a polymer membrane for a battery including a porous support including a fiber including a core including a high melting-point polymer; and a sheath including a low melting-point polymer surrounding the core, and a method of preparing the same. The polymer membrane for a battery may further include a proton conductive polymer.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2010Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignees: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Korea Institute of Industrial TechnologyInventors: Sang-Il Han, Hee-Tak Kim, Dae-Young Lim, Jung-Nam Im, Guk-Hwan An, Ki-Young Kim
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Patent number: 8822095Abstract: A fuel cell system including: a fuel cell stack including plural fuel cells sandwiched between two end plates; a fuel supply system supplying a stream of fuel gas to the fuel cell stack; an oxidizer supply system supplying a stream of oxidizer gas to the fuel cell stack; a closed loop coolant circulation system driving a cooling liquid through the fuel cell stack so that the cooling liquid enters the fuel cell stack, absorbs heat from the fuel cells, and exits the fuel cell stack. The coolant circulation system includes a circulation pump driving the cooling liquid, a heat exchanger removing heat from the cooling liquid and for at least partially transferring the heat to the stream of fuel gas and/or the stream of oxidizer gas.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2009Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Belenos Clean Power Holding AGInventors: Uwe Hannesen, Akinori Tsukada
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Patent number: 8822092Abstract: A fuel cell system of the present invention includes: a fuel cell (1) supplied with fuel gas and oxidizing gas to generate electricity; a fuel gas supply unit supplying the fuel gas to the fuel cell (1); an oxidizing gas supply unit supplying the oxidizing gas to the fuel cell (1); an aftercooler (7) cooling the oxidizing gas supplied to the fuel cell (1) by heat exchange with a coolant; an oxidizing gas temperature detector (16, 17) detecting temperature of the oxidizing gas; and a coolant circulation controller (21a) starting circulation of the coolant when the detected temperature of the oxidizing gas exceeds a predetermined value. The predetermined value is set to a value of not higher than a minimum electricity generation temperature of the fuel cell (1), and a circulation timing and flow rate of the coolant for the aftercooler (7) are controlled such that the supplied oxidizing gas does not become cold. This enables the fuel cell (1) to generate electricity at cold start-up.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2005Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ikuhiro Taniguchi, Hiromasa Sakai, Kotaro Akashi, Nobutaka Takahashi
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Patent number: 8822081Abstract: An electrode structure and an electrochemical cell including the electrode structure are provided. The electrode structure includes a porous three-dimensional (3D) outer net including an interconnected plurality of outer metal lines that define a plurality of outer holes between adjacent ones of the outer metal lines. The outer metal lines include a porous 3D inner net, a first layer coating the inner net, and a second layer coating the first layer. The inner net includes an interconnected plurality of inner metal lines that define a plurality of inner holes between adjacent ones of the inner metal lines. The inner metal lines include a first metal. The first layer includes a second metal. The second layer includes a third metal.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2011Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hyun-Ki Park, Jeong-Doo Yi, Ju-Yong Kim, Dong-Hee Han
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Patent number: 8802313Abstract: A separator includes a first plate and a second plate. The separator has a first fuel gas supply unit, a second fuel gas supply unit, first sandwiching sections, second sandwiching sections, a first case unit and a second case unit. A fuel gas supply passage extends through the first fuel gas supply unit and the second fuel gas supply unit in a stacking direction. The first sandwiching sections are connected to the first fuel gas supply unit through first bridges, and the second sandwiching sections are connected to a second fuel gas supply unit through first bridges. The first sandwiching sections and the second sandwiching sections sandwich electrolyte electrode assemblies. Each of the first sandwiching sections and the second sandwiching sections sandwich electrolyte electrode assemblies. Each of the first sandwiching sections has a fuel gas inlet and each of the second sandwiching sections has an oxygen-containing gas inlet.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2007Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tetsuya Ogawa, Koji Dan
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Patent number: 8790820Abstract: A secondary battery and a method of manufacturing the same, the secondary battery including a bare cell for charging and discharging electricity; a protective circuit module for protecting the bare cell; an upper case, the upper case being coupled to the protective circuit module and disposed at an upper part of the bare cell; a protective film surrounding an external surface of the bare cell; and a resin molding unit disposed in the protective film, in the upper case, and in a lower part and on a bottom surface of the bare cell.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2010Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventor: Woon-Seong Baek
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Patent number: 8790846Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a gas diffusion layer having gas flow passages formed at its one main surface, which is capable of achieving a further improvement in power generation performance. The fuel cell-use gas diffusion layer (14A, 14C) of the present invention has a double-layer structure made up of a first diffusion layer (15A, 15C) having gas flow passages (21A, 21C) at its one main surface, and a second diffusion layer (16A, 16C) disposed on the other main surface of the first diffusion layer. The first diffusion layer and the second diffusion layer are each structured with a porous member mainly comprised of conductive particles and a polymer resin, and the first diffusion layer is structured to be lower in porosity than the second diffusion layer.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2010Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Masaki Yamauchi, Yoichiro Tsuji
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Patent number: 8785054Abstract: In a lithium ion battery, one or more chelating agents may be attached to a microporous polymer separator for placement between a negative electrode and a positive electrode or to a polymer binder material used to construct the negative electrode, the positive electrode, or both. The chelating agents may comprise, for example, at least one of a crown ether, a podand, a lariat ether, a calixarene, a calixcrown, or mixtures thereof. The chelating agents can help improve the useful life of the lithium ion battery by complexing with unwanted metal cations that may become present in the battery's electrolyte solution while, at the same time, not significantly interfering with the movement of lithium ions between the negative and positive electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2009Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Ion C. Halalay, Stephen J. Harris, Timothy J. Fuller