Patents Examined by Tony S Chuo
  • Patent number: 11031643
    Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus for storing energy comprises an enclosure including a coolant fluid inlet configured to couple to a coolant fluid system, a plurality of energy-storage cells housed in an arrangement within the enclosure, and a cell holder. The cell holder has retaining features configured to hold the plurality of cells in the arrangement, a first surface forming a cavity between the cell holder and an adjacent wall of the enclosure and a plurality of holes that pass from the cavity through the cell holder and to the region of the enclosure housing the plurality of energy-storage cells. The coolant fluid inlet is in fluid communication with the cavity. Each of the holes is positioned proximate to a cell. Coolant fluid passes through the coolant fluid inlet into the cavity and through the holes to the cells to reduce a temperature of each of the cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Faraday&Future Inc.
    Inventors: Evan J. Filter, Saul Guzman Carranza
  • Patent number: 11024861
    Abstract: A fuel cell vehicle performs a control for increasing a flow rate of a cathode gas discharged to a discharge pipe when parameters including power consumption of a driving motor, a speed, and an acceleration has satisfied a flooding condition which is assumed to be satisfied in a state where a water surface reaches a discharge port in comparison with a case where the flooding condition is not satisfied. It is determined that the predetermined flooding condition has been satisfied when a state where at least three conditions, (i) the power consumption of the driving motor is equal to or greater than a predetermined first threshold value, (ii) the speed is equal to or less than a predetermined second threshold value, and (iii) the acceleration is equal to or less than a predetermined third threshold value, are satisfied is continuously maintained for a predetermined fourth threshold value or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiromu Saitoh
  • Patent number: 10991960
    Abstract: A flow battery system has an electrolyte storage tank, a flow battery, and a box-type flow battery system. A circular pipe I and a circular pipe II are provided in the electrolyte storage tank; the circular pipe II is communicated with an electrolyte return opening; the circular pipe I is communicated with an electrolyte delivery outlet; the annular perimeter of the circular pipe I is not equal to the annular perimeter of the circular pipe II. The multi-layer circular pipe structure in the storage tank reduces the flowing dead zone of electrolyte in the storage tank. Moreover, The reduction in the longitudinal distance between the electrolyte delivery outlet and the electrolyte return opening also reduced the problem of SOC lag so that the SOC monitoring accuracy of the flow battery is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: DALIAN RONGKEPOWER CO., LTD
    Inventors: Jingbo Wu, Huamin Zhang, Xiangkun Ma, Hongbo Wang, Ying Quan, You Wang, Xi Han, Jun Li
  • Patent number: 10991989
    Abstract: A control module is arranged side by side with a battery module. The control module include a bus bar by which the battery module and an electric load are electrically connected to each other, and a switch by which an electrical connection between the bus bar and the electric load is switched on and off. The control module further includes a current sensor by which a current of the bus bar is detected; a control unit into which an electric signal of the current sensor is inputted, and by which connection switching of the switch is controlled; and a connection terminal by which the current sensor and the control unit are electrically connected to each other. A connection portion between the connection terminal and the current sensor is more closely disposed at a side of the control unit than a connection portion between the bus bar and the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshimitsu Inoue
  • Patent number: 10985432
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery having a terminal is disclosed. In one aspect, the rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The battery also includes a case housing the electrode assembly. The case defines a hole at the bottom of the case and an opening at the top of the case. The battery further includes a cap plate connected to the opening in the case and a first terminal bonded to the first electrode and penetrating through the hole so as to protrude beyond the exterior of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hye-Ran Lee
  • Patent number: 10978727
    Abstract: A process for forming an electrolyte for a metal-supported solid-oxide fuel cell, the process comprising: a. applying a doped-ceria green electrolyte to an anode layer; b. removing any solvents and organic matter from the green electrolyte; c. pressing the green electrolyte to increase green electrolyte density; and d. heating the green electrolyte at a rate of temperature increase whilst in the temperature range 800° C.-1000° C. of in the range 5-20° C./minute to form the electrolyte, together with an electrolyte obtained by the process, a fuel cell and fuel cell stack, comprising the electrolyte, and the use of the fuel in the generation of electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Ceres Intellectual Property Company Limited
    Inventors: Robert Leah, Adam Bone, Carl Matthews, Mike Lankin, Mahfujur Rahman, Ahmet Selcuk
  • Patent number: 10964954
    Abstract: A stretchable electrode includes: a current collector; and, disposed on a surface of the current collector, a metal layer or an electrode active material layer, wherein the current collector includes a spiral-type coil spring and an elastic polymer, the spiral-type coil spring including a coil spring wound in a spiral pattern around a point, and wherein the elastic polymer is disposed in at least a portion of an inside of the coil spring, in at least a portion of a space between spiral coils of the spiral-type coil spring, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignees: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Minsang Song, Kai Liu, Yi Cui
  • Patent number: 10950887
    Abstract: A solid-state lithium-based battery is provided in which the formation of lithium islands (i.e., lumps) during a charging/recharging cycle is reduced, or even eliminated. Reduction or elimination of lithium islands (i.e., lumps) can be provided by forming a lithium nucleation enhancement liner between a lithium-based solid-state electrolyte layer and a top electrode of a solid-state lithium based battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joel P. de Souza, Yun Seog Lee, Devendra K. Sadana
  • Patent number: 10944128
    Abstract: A solid-state lithium-based battery is provided in which the formation of lithium islands (i.e., lumps) during a charging/recharging cycle is reduced, or even eliminated. Reduction or elimination of lithium islands (i.e., lumps) can be provided by forming a lithium nucleation enhancement liner between a lithium-based solid-state electrolyte layer and a top electrode of a solid-state lithium based battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Joel P. de Souza, Yun Seog Lee, Devendra K. Sadana
  • Patent number: 10910608
    Abstract: Provided herein are a battery cell of a battery pack for electric vehicles. A housing for the battery cell can have a body and a head region. The body region can include an electrolyte, anode, and cathode. The battery cell can include a first sealing element disposed in an opening of the head region. The first sealing element can define two slots for disposing a second sealing element and a third sealing element respectively. A first conductive contact for a positive terminal coupled to the cathode can be disposed in the second sealing element. A second conductive contact for a negative terminal coupled to the anode can be disposed in the third sealing element. A first protector element disposed below the second sealing element can react to a first failure condition. A second protector element disposed below the third sealing element can react to a second failure condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignees: CHONGQING JINKANG NEW ENERGY VEHICLE CO., LTD., SF MOTORS, INC.
    Inventors: Scott Quinlan Freeman Monismith, Brennan Campbell, Ying Liu, Yifan Tang
  • Patent number: 10886553
    Abstract: Systems and methods providing modular and scalable flow batteries are disclosed. The modular design can utilize the ability of flow batteries to separate power, provided by a battery stack, from energy, provided by a stored electrolyte. Power of the system can be determined by a number of battery cell stacks, while stored energy capacity of the system can be determined by how much electrolyte is available for use by the battery cell stacks. Catholyte and anolyte solutions can be stored in pipes having an adjustable length. Electrolyte storage capacity can be increased by increasing the length of the pipes by an amount sufficient to provide a desired increase in electrolyte storage. Alternatively, electrolyte storage capacity can be decreased by decreasing the length of the pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Vionx Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Modderno, Michael Falcinelli
  • Patent number: 10886555
    Abstract: An apparatus for activating a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for fuel cells includes: a frame. A plurality of separation plates are disposed on an upper side of a base plate, which is disposed on a top portion of the frame, to move straightly in a length direction. The plurality of separation plates are spaced apart from each other with the MEA interposed therebetween in the direction in which the separation plates move. A tilt unit, which is connected to the frame and the base plate, upwardly tilt the base plate with respect to the frame and remove a coolant generated when the MEA is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nam Doo Lee, Ji Won Yu
  • Patent number: 10862092
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a separator is provided. The separator is selectively permeable to monovalent cations and includes a first surface and a second surface which is a reverse surface to the first surface. A contact angle ?1 of the first surface with respect to an aqueous electrolyte is different from a contact angle ?2 of the second surface with respect to the aqueous electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Kazuomi Yoshima, Norio Takami, Shinsuke Matsuno
  • Patent number: 10826132
    Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure is an electrochemical device that includes a first electrode, an ion reservoir electronically connected to the electrode by a first circuit, an electrolyte positioned between the first electrode and the ion reservoir and ionically connecting the first electrode and the ion reservoir, and a regulating element, where the regulating element is positioned between the first electrode and the ion reservoir, the regulating element electronically and/or ionically connects the ion reservoir and the first electrode, and the regulating element limits the transfer of at least one of electrons and/or ions between the ion reservoir and the first electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Kandler Alan Smith, Jeremy Stephan Neubauer, Shriram Santhanagopalan, Andrew Michael Colclasure, Lei Cao
  • Patent number: 10826030
    Abstract: A package structure of electronic modules includes two substrates and a sealing frame. The sealing frame comprises two first silicone frames, a second silicone frame and two crystalline interfaces. The sealing frame is disposed between and within the two substrates to form a space thereof. The sealing frame serves as an excellent moisture barrier of the package structure due to the intrinsic properties of silicone. Meanwhile, the silicone can withstand the corrosion of the polar solvents and/or the plasticizers. A manufacturing method of the package structure is disclosed in this invention as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: PROLOGIUM HOLDING INC.
    Inventor: Szu-Nan Yang
  • Patent number: 10818938
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of cells laminated. Each of the cells includes: a membrane electrode gas diffusion layer assembly; an insulating member; a first separator including a first gas passage and a first refrigerant passage; first, second, and third manifolds penetrating through the insulating member and the first separator such that a first gas, a second gas, and a refrigerant circulate through the first, second, and third manifolds, respectively; and a second separator including a second gas passage and a second refrigerant passage and configured to sandwich the membrane electrode gas diffusion layer assembly and the insulating member together with the first separator. In the each of the cells, the insulating member includes a first communication portion, a second communication portion, and a third communication portion, and the first separator has a communication opening via which the third communication portion communicates with the first refrigerant passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroki Okabe
  • Patent number: 10770760
    Abstract: A method is provided for activating a secondary battery having a negative electrode, a positive electrode, and a microporous separator between the negative and positive electrodes permeated with carrier-ion containing electrolyte, the negative electrode having anodically active silicon or an alloy thereof. The method includes transferring carrier ions from the positive electrode to the negative electrode to at least partially charge the secondary battery, and transferring carrier ions from an auxiliary electrode to the positive electrode, to provide the secondary battery with a positive electrode end of discharge voltage Vpos,eod and a negative electrode end of discharge voltage Vneg,eod when the cell is at a predefined Vcell,eod value, the value of Vpos,eod corresponding to a voltage at which the state of charge of the positive electrode is at least 95% of its coulombic capacity and Vneg,eod is at least 0.4 V (vs Li) but less than 0.9 V (vs Li).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: ENOVIX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher G. Castledine, David T. Fouchard, Jonathan C. Doan, Christopher J. Spindt, Robert M. Spotniz, James D. Wilcox, Ashok Lahiri, Murali Ramasubramanian
  • Patent number: 10720665
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrolyte for a lithium secondary battery, containing, as an electrolyte additive, at least one compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by chemical formulas 1 to 4 below, and can provide a lithium secondary battery which has improved anodic film forming characteristics and battery resistance characteristics at high voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: SOULBRAIN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Myung Hoon Jeong, Jong Hyun Lee, Seung Hoon Jung
  • Patent number: 10720676
    Abstract: A power storage pack having a charge/discharge curve with a step passing through the range of (12.5×n) V to (12.8×n) V, where n is a natural number of 1 to 125. The average discharge voltage on the lower SOC side of the start point of the step of the charge/discharge curve for the power storage pack fails within the range of (9.0×n) V to (12.5×n) V. The average charge voltage on the higher SOC side of the end point of the step of the charge/discharge curve for the power storage pack falls within the range of (12.8×n) V to (14.8×n) V.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toru Kawai, Gaku Kamitani, Masahiro Otsuka, Ryoji Yamato
  • Patent number: 10707464
    Abstract: A battery cell according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a can assembly, an electrode assembly housed inside the can assembly and a venting system including a vent port and at least one of a vent tube inside the can assembly or a spacer plate mounted between the vent port and the electrode assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph F. Freiman, Satish B. Chikkannanavar, Bhaskara Boddakayala