Patents Examined by Raymond Alejandro
  • Patent number: 11929534
    Abstract: A method for a redox flow battery may include, interrupting cycling of the redox flow battery, including charging the redox flow battery to a threshold charge condition, draining positive and negative electrolyte from the redox flow battery, circulating a wash solution through the redox flow battery, and returning the positive and negative electrolyte to the redox flow battery, and resuming cycling of the redox flow battery. In this way, contamination of the redox flow battery system can be reduced, thereby prolonging the life and increasing performance of the redox flow battery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: ESS TECH, INC.
    Inventors: Yang Song, Craig E. Evans, Brady Thompson
  • Patent number: 11923516
    Abstract: Provided herein are apparatuses and methods of useful for managing pressure in electrochemical devices. The methods and systems use inputs and combinations of inputs to predictively pressurize or depressurize a battery. The methods minimize energy losses from excessive battery pressure when the battery is not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: QuantumScape Battery, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Hettrich
  • Patent number: 11923584
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a membrane for a redox flow battery which is prevented from being curled and exhibits high power efficiency, a membrane electrode assembly for a redox flow battery, a cell for a redox flow battery, and a redox flow battery. The object can be attained by a membrane for a redox flow battery, comprising a first ion-exchange resin layer, an anion-exchange resin layer containing an anion-exchange compound, and a second ion-exchange resin layer in the presented order, wherein a value obtained by dividing a thickness of the first ion-exchange resin layer by a thickness of the second ion-exchange resin layer is 0.7 or more and 1.3 or less, and a thickness of the anion-exchange resin layer is 0.02 ?m or larger and 3 ?m or smaller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: ASAHI KASEI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroko Kamochi, Yuka Kanada, Kazuya Kai, Junya Yamashita
  • Patent number: 11909076
    Abstract: A method of making a fuel cell stack includes applying an electrically conductive, compliant contact print ink containing an electrically conductive material, a plasticizer, a solvent, and a binder to at least one of a surface of an electrode of a fuel cell or a surface of an interconnect, and placing the fuel cell and the interconnect in the fuel cell stack such that the compliant contact print ink is located between the electrode of the fuel cell and the interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Andres Leming
  • Patent number: 11901532
    Abstract: Provided is a battery module and battery rack having enhanced fire safety features. The battery module includes a swelling/pressure sensor that detects swelling of a battery cell. An output signal of the sensor is used to halt operation of a battery rack/battery system containing the battery module and prevent charging and discharging of the battery module. In an embodiment, the battery module uses an AC-to-AC power supply to provide AC frequency power for balancing battery cells of the battery module. In an embodiment, the battery rack includes an internal water fire suppression system that provides battery cooling in the event of a battery cell fire to prevent the spread and/or reigniting of the fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: VLTRU SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Virgil L. Beaston, Michael W. Allen, David Middleton, Howard Scott Ryan
  • Patent number: 11901567
    Abstract: This anode catalyst layer for a fuel cell contains electrode catalyst particles, a carbon carrier on which the electrode catalyst particles are loaded, water electrolysis catalyst particles, a proton-conducting binder, and graphitized carbon. At least part of the carbon carrier has a crystallite size La of 3.0 nm or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: CATALER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiro Hori, Yosuke Horiuchi
  • Patent number: 11894563
    Abstract: Described herein are novel alumina substrate-supported thin film SOFCs that may be produced at significantly reduced cost while providing improved robustness, high electrochemical performance, and the capability of effective carbon deposition resistance while still using Ni-cermet as an anode functional layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: Xingjian Xue, Chunlei Ren
  • Patent number: 11894514
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid-state battery that is based on a phthalocyanine solid-state electrolyte/anode connection that is chemically obtained. Such chemical connection process yields a solid electrolyte interphase that connects the solid-state battery's phthalocyanine solid-state electrolyte and anode. Unlike other processes for forming solid-state electrolyte/anode connections, the present chemical process does not require that solid-state electrolyte be ductile and flow under high pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Lawrence G. Scanlon, William A Feld, Jacob W Lawson, Leah R Lucente
  • Patent number: 11888184
    Abstract: The present subject matter pertains to PolyMET plate for a Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cell where the PolyMET plate includes a body made of a polymeric material and comprise a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. Furthermore, the PolyMET plate includes a plurality of in-plane conductive pathways on the first surface defining a reaction area on the first surface, where the plurality of in-plane conductive pathways is formed as a coating of conductive material on the first surface. Moreover, the PolyMET plate also includes a through-plane conductive pathway formed of a solid conductive material extending between the first surface and second surface, such that the through-plane conductive pathway is electrically coupled to the in-plane conductive pathways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: INDIAN OIL CORPORATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Kapil Sonkar, Tarun Jindal, Sachin Chugh, Alok Sharma, Gurpreet Singh Kapur, Sankara Sri Venkata Ramakumar
  • Patent number: 11885829
    Abstract: A maturation process for an electric battery cell comprises charging the electric battery cell, subjecting the electric battery cell to a maturation period of at least one day while no electrical load other than a measurement apparatus is connected to the electric battery cell, and taking at least one measurement of the open circuit voltage of the electric battery cell during the maturation period using the measurement apparatus. The measurement apparatus is incorporated into a structure of the electric battery cell, forming an integral part of the electric battery cell. The maturation process further comprises determining whether electric battery cell is defective in dependence on the at least one measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: DUKOSI LIMITED
    Inventors: Joel Sylvester, Timothy Crymble, Grant Stone, Gregory Cameron, Josh Robert Leworthy
  • Patent number: 11881581
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of making core-shell and yolk-shell nanoparticles, and to electrodes comprising the same. The core-shell and yolk-shell nanoparticles and electrodes comprising them are suitable for use in electrochemical cells, such as fluoride shuttle batteries. The shell may protect the metal core from oxidation, including in an electrochemical cell. In some embodiments, an electrochemically active structure includes a dimensionally changeable active material forming a particle that expands or contracts upon reaction with or release of fluoride ions. One or more particles are at least partially surrounded with a fluoride-conducting encapsulant and optionally one or more voids are formed between the active material and the encapsulant using sacrificial layers or selective etching. When the electrochemically active structures are used in secondary batteries, the presence of voids can accommodate dimensional changes of the active material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignees: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Nam Hawn Chou, Kaoru Omichi, Ryan McKenney, Qingmin Xu, Christopher Brooks, Simon C. Jones, Isabelle M. Darolles, Hongjin Tan
  • Patent number: 11876268
    Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane includes an ion-conducting polymeric electrolyte material and platelets, distributed through the polymeric electrolyte material. The platelets have an aspect ratio of length to thickness of at least 2:1. The platelets are aligned generally parallel to a length of the membrane. The platelets can be functionalized with free radical scavengers, or other moieties, to extend the lifetime of the membrane or of a membrane electrode assembly incorporating the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Elif Karatay, Kathryn F. Murphy, Mahati Chintapalli
  • Patent number: 11876181
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a phosphorus additive that is useful for stable cycling and storage of lithium ion cells at high temperatures, an electrolyte containing the phosphorus additive, and an electrochemical energy storage device containing the electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: NOHMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Surya S. Moganty, Rutvik Vaidya, Xiaojing Zhu, Yue Wu, John Sinicropi, Gabriel Torres
  • Patent number: 11876184
    Abstract: To provide a lithium secondary battery capable of suppressing short circuits and having high energy density and high output. An electrolyte medium for a lithium secondary battery includes a low dielectric constant solvent, a lithium salt, and a polyvalent cation salt. The polyvalent cation salt is dispersed as particles in the electrolyte medium and can flow without being immobilized. The electrolyte medium includes 20 mass % or less of a high dielectric constant solvent. A lithium secondary battery including the electrolyte medium for a lithium secondary battery can suppress short circuits and provide high energy density and high output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ogasa, Hideki Kurihara, Masashi Inamoto
  • Patent number: 11870043
    Abstract: A wireless battery management system, a manager node for the same, and a channel operating method, which operate a channel so as to stably support wireless communication in the wireless battery management system, are provided. The wireless battery management system includes a manager node and a monitor node. The manager node establishes a first network being a short-range wireless network by using at least one of a first channel and a second channel, and when a second network using the same communication channel and modulation method as a communication channel and a modulation method of the first network is detected, changing the first channel to a third channel and changing the second channel to a fourth channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: SILICON WORKS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yong Ju Seon, Heung Lyeol Lee, Seung Jun Choi, Deog Soo Kim, Hee Jin Lee, Jong Chan Kim
  • Patent number: 11870066
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for manufacturing a lithium electrode, comprising a cutting stage, a laser irradiation portion and a lithium metal film supply portion, in which a plurality of adsorption holes and a plurality of unit electrode pattern grooves are formed on the upper surface of the cutting stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: LG ENERGY SOLUTION, LTD.
    Inventors: Gi Su Park, Minsun Song, Jaegil Lee, Kyungsik Hong, Jong Mo Jung
  • Patent number: 11855264
    Abstract: A method and system for dispersing stored energy in an energy storage system to delay or arrest propagation of thermal runaway and thermally-induced cascading failures. The system includes a plurality of battery sub-assemblies and DC-DC converters connected to a shared DC bus through which energy may be exchanged. The system may be interfaced to an AC power grid or DC power system through an additional power converter. The method of dispersing stored energy uses this system to charge and discharge sub-assemblies such that the system is less susceptible to propagation of thermal runaway. The method determines, based on awareness of current system state, battery types, and electrical and thermal structure, the sequence of charging and discharging actions to best inhibit thermal runaway while preserving the system's ability to perform subsequent energy redistribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Jacob Mueller, Yuliya Preger, John C. Hewson, Andrew Kurzawski
  • Patent number: 11855263
    Abstract: A communication device includes a battery, a communication module, a first charging circuit between the battery and the communication module, a fast charge signal, a second charging circuit between the battery and the communication module, and a control module configured to route power from the battery to the communication module via the second charging circuit in response to the fast charge signal being enabled and to route the power via the first charging circuit in response to the fast charge signal being disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Murali Krishna Bezawada, Golakoti Ravi Kumar
  • Patent number: 11855320
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for detecting a hydrogen leak in a fuel cell system including initiating a shutdown process of a fuel cell stack in the fuel cell system by a controller, measuring a volume of hydrogen in a reservoir, pulsing a volume of hydrogen into the reservoir or pulsing hydrogen directly into the fuel cell stack if the volume of hydrogen is insufficient to sustain a voltage discharge process during the shutdown process, making the fuel cell system enter a discharge state by the controller, wherein hydrogen and oxygen in the fuel cell stack are consumed in an electrochemical reaction to discharge voltage in the fuel cell stack, measuring a rate of the voltage discharge by the controller, and detecting the hydrogen leak based on the rate of the voltage discharge or via negative pressure measurements made at the anode inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: HYDROGENICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sonia Sorbera, Robert Bencak, Prabhsimran Malhi, Luke Fregonese
  • Patent number: 11848432
    Abstract: A battery module which includes: a battery stack formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells respectively including electrode tabs on each other; bus bar assemblies located on both sides of the battery stack, from which the electrode tabs are drawn, to electrically connect the plurality of battery cells to each other through the plurality of electrode tabs; and a sensing module assembly disposed on one side of the battery stack, from which the electrode tab is not drawn out, to electrically connect the bus bar assemblies on both sides of the battery stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: SK ON CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seung Hun Lee, Yun Joo Noh, Tae Gu Lee