Patents Examined by Tony Chuo
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Patent number: 8703320Abstract: A battery pack includes a secondary battery, an outer case receiving the secondary battery, and a cooling unit disposed at a predetermined position of the outer case, wherein the cooling unit includes a first heatsink disposed toward the inside of the outer case, a second heatsink disposed toward the outside of the outer case, and a thermoelectric device between the first heatsink and the second heatsink.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2010Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignees: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Kwon Sohn
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Patent number: 8697271Abstract: The present invention provides a molten salt containing at least two salts, and having a melting point of 350° C. or more and 430° C. or less and an electric conductivity at 500° C. of 2.2 S/cm or more. The present invention also provides a thermal battery including the molten salt as an electrolyte.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2013Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventor: Syozo Fujiwara
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Patent number: 8685584Abstract: The present invention provides a method for removing residual water in a fuel cell, which controls the humidity of purge gases to effectively remove residual water in the fuel cell and to maintain the humidity in a membrane at a constant level, thus ensuring the durability of the membrane. For this purpose, the present invention provides a method for removing residual water in a fuel cell, characterized in that the relative humidities of purge gases supplied to an anode and a cathode are controlled to selectively reduce water content in the fuel cell and water content in a membrane.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2009Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, The Penn State Research FoundationInventors: Kyu Taek Cho, Jong Jin Yoon, Jong Hyun Lee, Matthew M. Mench, Ahmet Turhan
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Patent number: 8673811Abstract: A system for storing and retrieving elemental hydrogen. The system includes a housing, a hydrogen storage element enclosed within the housing and having a solid-state hydrogen storage material, and a control system for regulating storage of hydrogen into and retrieval of hydrogen from the storage material. At least a portion of the storage material is a porous matrix material having atoms of a first element capable of bonding with more than one hydrogen atom per atom of the first element, and atoms of a second element capable of molecularly bonding to atoms of the first element and hydrogen. Different atoms of the first element have bond sites available for different numbers of hydrogen atoms at different levels of bonding energy. The atoms of the second element are bonded to those atoms of the first element having bond sites for more than one hydrogen atom.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2010Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Inventor: Peter James Schubert
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Patent number: 8673517Abstract: To provide a polymer electrolyte membrane for polymer electrolyte fuel cells having high mechanical strength and excellent dimensional stability when it contains water even when it is made thin and the concentration of ionic groups is increased so as to reduce the electrical resistance, and a membrane/electrode assembly providing high output and having excellent durability.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2009Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, LimitedInventors: Seigo Kotera, Tetsuji Shimohira, Satoru Hommura, Susumu Saito
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Patent number: 8658306Abstract: A conductive electrode terminal connecting member configured to electrically connect plate-shaped secondary battery cells (‘battery cells’) constituting a battery module to each other is provided. The electrode terminal connecting member includes a left-wing connection part to which electrode terminals of left-side battery cells are connected so as to achieve electrical connection in series or in series and in parallel between the battery cells, and a right-wing connection part to which electrode terminals of right-side battery cells are connected so as to achieve electrical connection in series or in series and in parallel between the battery cells. The left-wing connection part is provided with slits through which the electrode terminals of the respective battery cells are inserted, and the right-wing connection part is provided with slits through which the electrode terminals of the respective battery cells are inserted.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2009Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.Inventors: Youngsun Park, Han Eun Kim, Yonghan Lee, John E. Namgoong, Sain Park, Masayuki Wakebe
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Patent number: 8652708Abstract: A fluid flow plate of a fuel cell includes a main body and a supporting frame. The main body includes a plurality of fluid channels and an opening, wherein the fluid channels converge at the opening. The supporting frame, mounted on the periphery of the opening, is annular shaped and frames the fluid channels. The supporting frame includes a pair of supporting walls respectively disposed on two sides of the fluid channels.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2010Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Industrial Technology Research InstituteInventors: Huan-Ruei Shiu, Chi-Chang Chen, Shiqah-Ping Jung, Wen-Chen Chang, Fanghei Tsau
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Patent number: 8647790Abstract: A fuel cell stack including an electricity generating unit and a pair of end plates is disclosed. The electricity generating unit includes membrane-electrode assemblies and separators interposed between the membrane-electrode assemblies. The separators have recess portions formed on side faces thereof and may be configured to hold an external device for replacement of a single membrane-electrode assembly within the fuel cell stack. The end plates are located sandwiching the electricity generating unit by using fastening members to press the electricity generating unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2010Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., LtdInventors: Myoung-Ki Min, Hee-Tak Kim, Geun-Seok Chai, Sang-Il Han, Tae-Yoon Kim, Sung-Yong Cho, Kah-Young Song
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Patent number: 8623541Abstract: Disclosed herein is a middle- or large-sized battery module having a structure in which two or more plate-shaped secondary battery cells (‘battery cells’) are arranged in a lateral direction thereof, wherein the battery cells have electrode terminals arranged in the same direction, plate-shaped electrode terminal connecting members to electrically connect the battery cells to one another are electrically connected to oriented surfaces of the electrode terminals of the battery cells, each of the electrode terminal connecting members is provided at a top and/or bottom thereof with a coupling structure to interconnect electrode terminal connecting members, and at least one end of an insulating joint member coupled in the coupling structure is supported by a module case.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2009Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.Inventors: Won Joon Choi, Youngsun Park, John E. Namgoong, SooRyoung Kim, Myung Hwan Kim
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Patent number: 8623534Abstract: An annular device includes an annular main body, a battery mounting portion, and a battery cover. The battery mounting portion protrudes from an inner surface of the main body, and includes a first arcuate element and a second arcuate element opposite to each other. The battery cover is operable to clasp the battery mounting portion, and includes a first arcuate member and a second arcuate member opposite to each other. The first arcuate member clasps the first arcuate surface, and the second arcuate member clasps the second arcuate surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2010Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Rui Liu, Gang Cheng, Meng-Hua He, Jia-Ning Huang, Te-Sheng Jan, Yu-Tao Chen, Chun-Che Yen
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Patent number: 8617257Abstract: There is provided a simple-structured and inexpensive device for stacking a successive separator and sheet electrodes which can protect an end portion of a sheet electrode when folding the successive separator, and which enables smooth folding of the separator to improve the productivity. The device comprises a stacking stage 10 which adsorbs and holds a leading end of the tape-like separator S, and on which sheet electrodes P, N and the separator S are successively stacked, separator reciprocating means for reciprocating the tape-like separator S on the stacking stage 10 with the stacking stage 10 being as a center, and a folding guide member 20 which comes close/moves apart relative to the stacking stage 10, covers both side ends of the stacked sheet electrode P, N in the moving direction of the separator S, and guides folding of the separator S accompanied by a reciprocal movement of the separator S at both side ends of the sheet electrode.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2007Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Enax, Inc.Inventors: Munehiro Kadowaki, Kiyoko Abe, Kazunori Ozawa
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Patent number: 8603691Abstract: A casing of a fuel cell system is divided into a module area, a fluid supply area, and an electric parts area. The fluid supply area is provided on a first side surface of the module area, and an electric parts area is provided on a second side surface of the module area. A fuel cell module and a combustor are provided in the module area.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2008Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tetsuya Ogawa, Jun Yamamoto, Tomio Miyazaki, Shuji Nagatani
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Patent number: 8592075Abstract: The invention relates to a unique battery having a physicochemically active membrane separator/electrolyte-electrode monolith and method of making the same. The Applicant's invented battery employs a physicochemically active membrane separator/electrolyte-electrode that acts as a separator, electrolyte, and electrode, within the same monolithic structure. The chemical composition, physical arrangement of molecules, and physical geometry of the pores play a role in the sequestration and conduction of ions. In one preferred embodiment, ions are transported via the ion-hoping mechanism where the oxygens of the Al2O3 wall are available for positive ion coordination (i.e. Li+). This active membrane-electrode composite can be adjusted to a desired level of ion conductivity by manipulating the chemical composition and structure of the pore wall to either increase or decrease ion conduction.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2012Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: U.S. Department of EnergyInventors: Rex E. Gerald, II, Katarina J. Ruscic, Devin N. Sears, Luis J. Smith, Robert J. Klingler, Jerome W. Rathke
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Patent number: 8563164Abstract: A cylindrical type alkaline storage battery includes a cylindrical container having electrical conductivity, and an electrode assembly contained in the container, the electrode assembly being a roll obtained by rolling up a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate and a separator together. Provided that the maximum diameter of the container is Dmax and that the number of turns of the positive electrode plate is N, the relationship N?[0.5×Dmax?2.65] is fulfilled (where “[ ]” represents Gauss' notation). Where the battery is of AA size, for example, the number N of turns is four or more. Also, provided the circumferential position of the roll starting end of the positive electrode plate is a reference position, the angle ? measured from the circumferential position of the roll terminating end of the positive electrode plate to the reference position ranges from 180° to 270°.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2006Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Taishi Maeda
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Patent number: 8557429Abstract: An object is to provide a battery pack which can restrict movements of battery a module and a spacer even after use for a long period. A battery pack 100 comprises a plurality of battery modules 110, a plurality of holding spacers 130 each being placed in a space between the battery modules, and a first and second spacer support members 160, 170 which hold the holding spacers 130 in a vertical direction Z. Each holding spacer 130 includes a plurality of first elastic members 143 and a plurality of second elastic members 145 which protrude in the vertical direction Z. The holding spacer 130 is elastically held between the first and second spacer support members 160, 170 while the first and second elastic members 143, 145 are elastically deformed into elastic pressure contact with the first and second spacer support members 160, 170.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2006Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shinji Hamada, Yoshitaka Sugimoto, Toyohiko Eto
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Patent number: 8530072Abstract: A lithium secondary battery having enhanced safety, which includes an electrode group, a non-aqueous electrolyte and a battery can for housing them. The electrode group includes: a positive electrode having a strip-shaped positive electrode current collector and a material mixture layer carried thereon; a negative electrode having a strip-shaped negative electrode current collector and a material mixture layer carried thereon; a separator; and a porous heat resistant layer. The positive and negative electrodes are spirally wound with the separator and the porous heat resistant layer interposed therebetween. An outermost surface of the electrode group includes an exposed portion of either of the positive and negative electrode current collectors. The exposed portion faces an inner surface of the battery can with the separator interposed therebetween, and has opposite polarity to that of the battery can.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2007Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Masato Fujikawa, Kaoru Inoue, Mikinari Shimada
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Patent number: 8512899Abstract: The present invention concerns polymers obtained by anionic initiation and bearing functions that can be activated by cationic initiations that are not reactive in the presence of anionic polymerization initiators. The presence of such cationic initiation functions allow an efficient cross-linking of the polymer after molding, particularly in the form of a thin film. It is thus possible to obtain polymers with well-defined properties in terms of molecular weight and cross-linking density. The polymers of the present invention are capable of dissolving ionic compounds inducing a conductivity for the preparation of solid electrolytes.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2008Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Hydro-QuebecInventors: Christophe Michot, Alain Vallee, Paul-Etienne Harvey, Michel Gauthier, Michel Armand
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Patent number: 8512885Abstract: A battery includes a battery case including battery chemistry for supplying electricity, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end; a first positive terminal, a first negative terminal, and a first insulator therebetween at the first end that together form a first positive terminal and negative terminal configuration; a second positive terminal, a second negative terminal, and a second insulator therebetween at the second end that together form a second positive terminal and negative terminal configuration, wherein the second positive terminal and the second negative terminal configuration is a mirror image of the first positive terminal and the first negative terminal configuration.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2012Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: XGlow P/T, LLCInventors: Richard S. Popper, Jensen Jorgensen
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Patent number: 8507142Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a cell stack, a secondary battery, and a controller including a CPU, a main switch, and a stop button. After the main switch is turned OFF, if there is no power generation stopping command from the stop button, the CPU stops power generation in the cell stack after continuing power generation in the cell stack until a charge rate of the secondary battery becomes not lower than a first threshold value. If the charge rate is not lower than a second threshold value and is lower than the first threshold value, generation in the cell stack is stopped in response to the power generation stopping command from the stop button. If the charge rate is lower than the second threshold value, power generation in the cell stack is continued to charge the secondary battery until the charge rate becomes not lower than the second threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2007Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yasuyuki Muramatsu
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Patent number: 8486546Abstract: A cap assembly for a battery and a battery incorporating the cap assembly. The cap assembly includes a plate that connects the electrodes of the bare cell of the battery. The cap assembly includes a vent member that includes a protrusion that is physically connected to the plate. Excess pressure within the bare cell results in the protrusion disconnecting from the plate thereby interrupting current. The vent further includes two circular notches, an inner notch and an outer notch. The vent further includes a cross notch that extends radially outward so as to intersect and extend beyond both the first and second notches. The notches are configured to release when the pressure within the bare cell exceeds a burst pressure.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2009Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Dae-Kyu Kim, Kyeong-Min Jeong