Patents Examined by Miriam Stagg
  • Negative electrode for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, and non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery using the same
    Patent number: 10050262
    Abstract: Provided is a negative electrode for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, capable of improving the energy density and the cycle characteristics of the battery without lowering the initial charge/discharge efficiency of the battery. This negative electrode includes a negative electrode active material including a silicon oxide represented by SiOx and carbon material. A proportion of a mass of the silicon oxide relative to a total mass of the silicon oxide and the carbon material: y satisfies 0.03?y?0.3. A difference between a theoretical capacity density of the negative electrode active material and a charge capacity density of the negative electrode active material when a cutoff voltage is 5 mV relative to lithium metal: ?C (mAhg?1) satisfies L=?C/100 and 6y?L?12y+0.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuki Suehiro, Taisuke Yamamoto, Tatsuki Hiraoka, Katsumi Kashiwagi
  • Process for preparing nanoparticles of a catalyst for cathodic reduction of dioxygen in the presence of methanol
    Patent number: 10050283
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing nanoparticles of a catalyst for cathodic reduction and which is tolerant to methanol, these nanoparticles comprising a metallic center and a submonolayer of a chalcogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignees: CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE (C.N.R.S), UNIVERSITE DE POITIERS
    Inventors: Nicolas Alonso-Vante, Jiwei Ma, Aldo Gago
  • Porous absorbent for sodium metal halide cells
    Patent number: 10033069
    Abstract: A cell cathode compartment comprises a granule bed comprising metal granules, metal halide granules, and sodium halide granules, a separator adjacent to the granule bed, a liquid electrolyte dispersed in the granule bed, and a porous absorbent disposed in the granule bed, wherein a transverse cross-sectional distribution of the porous absorbent in the granule bed varies in a longitudinal direction from a first position to a second position. In another embodiment, a cell cathode compartment comprises a granule bed comprising metal granules, metal halide granules, and sodium halide granules, a separator adjacent to the granule bed, a liquid electrolyte dispersed in the granule bed, and a porous absorbent coating on a surface adjacent to the granule bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Manikandan Ramani, Edward James Balaschak, Robert Christie Galloway, Raymond R. Cole, Jonathan Adam Bielik
  • Battery module and method of coupling first and second electrical terminals of first and second battery cells to a voltage sense member of an interconnect assembly
    Patent number: 10020483
    Abstract: A battery module and a method are provided. The battery module includes a first battery cell having a first electrical terminal, a second battery cell having a second electrical terminal, and an interconnect assembly having a plate portion, a first finger portion, and a first voltage sense member. The first voltage sense member is coupled to the first finger portion. The first electrical terminal has a first terminal portion disposed directly on and coupled to a first voltage sense wall of the first voltage sense member. The second electrical terminal has a first terminal portion disposed on and coupled to the first terminal portion of the first electrical terminal such that the first terminal portion of the first electrical terminal is sandwiched between the first voltage sense wall of the first voltage sense member and the first terminal portion of the second electrical terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert Merriman, Heekook Yang
  • Battery module
    Patent number: 10008707
    Abstract: There is disclosed a battery module that includes a housing. At least one terminal is melt joined with the bus member of the housing sealing the terminal relative to the bus member and providing a conductive path to an interior of the battery module. The terminal may be melt joined in an ultrasonic joining operation or in a thermal insertion operation. A plurality of cells are disposed in the housing with each of the cells electrically coupled via bus bars integrated into a bus member. Each of the cells includes a plurality of positive and negative electrodes that are spaced by a separator. The negative electrode includes a substrate having tab meeting at a flange that is connected to an active material portion of the electrode. The positive electrode includes a substrate having a tab meeting at a flange that is connected to an active material portion of the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignees: Robert Bosch Battery Systems, LLC, Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: John V. Hellmann
  • High voltage redox shuttles, method for making high voltage redox shuttles
    Patent number: 10008743
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing a molecule capable of undergoing reduction-oxidation when subjected to a voltage potential, the method comprising phosphorylating hydroquinone to create a first intermediate; rearranging the first intermediate to an aryl-bis-(phosphonate) thereby creating a second intermediate comprising phosphorous alkoxy groups; alkylating (e.g., methylating) the second intermediate; converting the alkoxy groups to halides; and substituting the halides to alkyl or aryl groups. Also provided is a system for preventing overcharge in a Lithium-ion battery, the method comprising a mixture of a redox shuttle with electrolyte in the battery such that the shuttle comprises between about 10 and about 20 weight percent of the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory K. Krumdick, Trevor L. Dzwiniel, Krzysztof Pupek
  • Battery module
    Patent number: 10003055
    Abstract: A battery module includes: a plurality of battery cells and a case for housing the plurality of battery cells. The case has a plurality of through-holes which are provided to a wall part forming an outer face of the battery module and via which gas ejected from at least one of the plurality of battery cells is discharged in a dispersed manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keisuke Shimizu, Yoshihiro Shiotsu, Hiroshi Takasaki
  • Lithium air battery
    Patent number: 9997813
    Abstract: Provided is a lithium air battery in which a catalyst layer of a cathode contacting an electrolyte and using oxygen in the air as an active material is coupled to a membrane through which lithium ions pass, such that even though charge and discharge of the battery is repeated, the catalyst layer may not be detached, and a microporous polyolefin-based film is applied to the battery, such that a water-based electrolyte solvent may be prevented from being evaporated, thereby preventing performance deterioration due to repetition of the charge and discharge of the lithium air battery, and extending life span.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: SK INNOVATION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Myoung Gu Park, Kyong Sik Kim, Seong Ho Chun, Hee Young Sun, Suk Chin Lee, Jung Moon Sung
  • Magnesium-air fuel cell
    Patent number: 9991482
    Abstract: Provided is a magnesium-air fuel cell in which a conductive state is achieved when a lid is fastened, and a nonconductive state is achieved when the lid is loosened, so that the power supply can be turned ON and OFF based on a fastening state of the lid. A lid includes a lower end portion that comes into contact with a main body at a time of fastening, an anode body inserted in the main body, and an electrode plate made of metal coupled to an end of the anode body. The electrode plate includes a first terminal at least positioned at the lower end portion. The main body includes a second terminal positioned on a surface that comes into contact with the lower end portion of the lid at the time of fastening the lid. Electrical conduction is achieved when the first terminal and the second terminal come into contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: AQUA POWER SYSTEM, JAPAN
    Inventors: Tadashi Ishikawa, Yoshiaki Hasebe
  • Negative active material, method of preparing the same, negative electrode including the same, and lithium secondary battery including the negative electrode
    Patent number: 9972839
    Abstract: A negative active material, a method of preparing the same, and a lithium secondary battery including the negative electrode. The negative active material includes a plurality of titanium oxide nanotubes, wherein the Raman shift of the negative active material includes a characteristic peak located at a Raman shift between about 680 cm?1 and about 750 cm?1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Min-sang Song, Ka-hee Shin, Ja-man Choi, Moon-seok Kwon, Jeong-kuk Shon, Jong-hyeok Park, Seung-sik Hwang
  • Energy storage module comprising a plurality of prismatic storage cells and method for production thereof
    Patent number: 9972813
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy storage module for an apparatus for supplying voltage of a motor vehicle, wherein the energy storage module comprises a plurality of prismatic storage cells which are stacked in at least one row, are arranged one behind the other and are braced between at least two end plates by means of at least one tie rod, wherein at least one of the end plates has a layer structure comprising at least three successive layers, wherein two outer layers surround at least one inner layer, and wherein the inner layer has a wavy and/or diffuse structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hubertus Goesmann
  • Recharger for hydrogen fuel cells
    Patent number: 9966615
    Abstract: A recharger includes a manifold having an input to couple to a hydrogen generating module and an output port to couple to at least one rechargeable fuel cell. A vacuum pump is coupled to the manifold to evacuate the manifold. A valve is coupled to the manifold between the vacuum pump and the input of the manifold. A controller is coupled to control the vacuum pump and the valve, as well as an optional fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Steven J. Eickhoff
  • Avoiding fuel starvation of anode end fuel cell
    Patent number: 9966612
    Abstract: The fuel flow channels (20a) of the end fuel cell (9a) at the anode end (34) of a fuel cell stack are significantly deeper than the fuel flow field channels (20) of the remaining fuel cells (9) in the stack, whereby fuel starvation caused by ice in the fuel flow channels is avoided during cold startup. The fuel flow field channels of the end cell (9) at the anode end of the stack is between about 0.15 mm and about 1.5 mm deeper than the fuel flow field channels in the remaining fuel cells of the stack, or between about 35% and about 65% deeper than the fuel flow field channels in the remaining fuel cells of the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Timothy W. Patterson, Jr., Robert M. Darling
  • Flow battery with voltage-limiting device
    Patent number: 9966618
    Abstract: A flow battery includes at least one cell that has a first electrode, a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode and an electrolyte separator layer that is arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode. A storage portion is fluidly connected with the at least one cell. At least one liquid electrolyte includes an electrochemically active specie and is selectively deliverable to the at least one cell. An electric circuit is coupled with the first electrode and the second electrode. The circuit includes a voltage-limiting device that is configured to limit a voltage potential across the first electrode and the second electrode in response to a transition of the at least one cell from an inactive, shut-down mode with respect to an active, charge/discharge mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Mason Darling, Michael L. Perry
  • Electrode separator
    Patent number: 9960399
    Abstract: A multi-functional battery separator comprises two or more active separator layers deposited from different polymer solutions to form a multilayered unitary structure comprising a free-standing film, a multiplex film on one side of a porous substrate, or separate films or multiplex films on opposite sides of a porous substrate. In a preferred embodiment, the cascade coating method is used to simultaneously deposit the active separator layers wet so that the physical, electrical and morphological changes associated with the polymer drying out process are avoided or minimized. The multi-functional separator is inexpensive to fabricate, exhibits enhanced ionic conductivity and ionic barrier properties, and eliminates gaps between individual layers in a separator stack that can contribute to battery failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: ZPower, LLC
    Inventors: Hieu Duong, George Adamson
  • Battery module
    Patent number: 9960395
    Abstract: A battery module having a first battery cell; a frame member having first and second sides and first, second, third and fourth peripheral walls; and first and second thermally conductive plate members is provided. A plurality of flow channels are formed by the first and second thermally conductive plates. The third peripheral wall has a first outlet that receives the first electrical terminal of the first battery cell therethrough, such that if the first battery cell outputs gases therefrom the first outlet routes the gases from the first battery cell to outside of the frame member such that the gases are isolated from the air flowing through the plurality of flow channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jongmoon Yoon, Robert Merriman, Heekook Yang
  • Fire prevention or fire extinguishing in an electrochemical energy storage system
    Patent number: 9960455
    Abstract: A device for preventing or extinguishing a fire in an electrochemical energy storage system comprising storage cells arranged in a storage housing, in particular lithium-ion cells, wherein a composition of expandable volume, containing a chemical compound for preventing or extinguishing a fire, is disposed with limited volume in one or a plurality of hollow spaces in or on the storage housing, and expansion of the volume of the composition can be activated by sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Specht, Klaus Meiler
  • Separators, electrodes, half-cells, and cells of electrical energy storage devices
    Patent number: 9951443
    Abstract: Electrodes, separators, half-cells, and full cells of electrical energy storage devices are made with electrospinning and isostatic compression. The electrical energy storage device may include electrochemical double layer capacitors (EDLCs, also known as “supercapacitors”), hybrid supercapacitors (“HSCs”), Li-ion capacitors and electrochemical storage devices, Na-ion capacitors and electrochemical storage devices, polymer electrolyte fuel cells, and still other capacitors and electrochemical storage cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF TARTU
    Inventors: Enn Lust, Kerli Liivand, Ingrid Vaas, Thomas Thomberg, Indrek Tallo, Heisi Kurig, Tavo Romann, Rait Kanarbik, Tauno Tooming, Ester Tee, Alar Jänes
  • Positive electrode material for lithium battery, preparing method thereof and lithium battery
    Patent number: 9954225
    Abstract: Provided is a positive electrode material for a lithium battery with an atomic ratio expressed by the formula (I) Lia(MxMn2-x)(O4-yZy) for 0.8?a?1.2, 0?x?1 and 0?y?1 in which M is one or more of Li, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Al, Ti, Sc, Ge, V, Cr, Zr, Co, Ni, Zn, Cu, La, Ce, Mn, Hf, Nb, Ta, Mo, W, Ru, Ag, Sn, Pb and Si and Z is one or more of OH, halogens, N, P, S and O, and the primary particles of the positive electrode material have a spheroidal topography. The adjacent (111) family planes of the primary particles are connected by curved surfaces without obvious edges. A preparing method of a positive electrode material for a lithium battery and a lithium battery are also provided. The positive electrode material of the present invention provides a good high-temperature cycling performance and filling capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignees: NINGBO INSTITUTE OF MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, HUBEI WANRUN NEW ENERGY TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CO. LTD
    Inventors: Yonggao Xia, Zhaoping Liu, Yaletu Saixi
  • Method for welding battery module and welded structure
    Patent number: 9954256
    Abstract: Provided are a method for welding a battery module and a welded structure, and more particularly, a method for welding a battery module and a welded structure, in which a plurality of battery cells provided with electrode tabs are assembled to form a module and a voltage measurement portion of a voltage measurement means is welded to the electrode tabs so as to secure stability against vibrations and external shocks, thereby increasing reliability of voltage measurement and the voltage measurement portion is welded to the electrode tabs using the same kind of materials so as to facilitate an operation and improve productivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: SK Innovation Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wook Hyun Kim