Patents Examined by Tracy Dove
  • Method for manufacturing a gasket
    Patent number: 8460402
    Abstract: A gasket for a bipolar battery comprises a structural part in the shape of a frame having an upper surface and a lower surface, and at least one channel to permit gas passage through the gasket. The structural part may be made from a first material having hydrophobic properties. The gasket further comprises at least a first sealing surface arranged in a closed loop projecting from the upper surface, and at least a second sealing surface arranged in a closed loop projecting from the lower surface. The first and the second sealing surfaces are provided on at least one sealing part, are made from a second material, and the first material of the structural part has a higher elastic modulus than an elastic modulus of the second material of the sealing parts. A bipolar battery and a method for manufacturing a gasket are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Nilar International AB
    Inventors: David Hock, Lars Fredriksson, Neil H. Puester
  • Li-ion battery with over-charge/over-discharge failsafe
    Patent number: 8426046
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell in one embodiment includes a negative electrode including a form of lithium, a positive electrode spaced apart from the negative electrode, a separator positioned between the negative electrode and the positive electrode, an active material in the positive electrode including a form of lithium, and a gas neutralizing additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: John F. Christensen, Boris Kozinsky, Jasim Ahmed, Nalin Chaturvedi
  • Cap assembly comprising gasket prevented from sagging
    Patent number: 8420257
    Abstract: A cap assembly is provided. The cap assembly comprises a main gasket surrounding the outer circumference of a safety vent and an auxiliary gasket surrounding the outer circumference of a current interrupt device (CID). The main gasket is supported by the auxiliary gasket, leaving no space between the main gasket and the safety vent. The cap assembly is constructed such that the auxiliary gasket prevents the main gasket seated on a beading portion from sagging. This construction makes the cap assembly effective in preventing an electrolyte from leaking. Further provided is a cylindrical secondary battery comprising the cap assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Jong Kim, Je Jun Lee, Cha Hun Ku
  • Ni-Al alloy anode for molten carbonate fuel cell made by in-situ sintering
    Patent number: 8415075
    Abstract: Disclosed is a Ni—Al alloy anode for molten carbonate fuel cell made by in-situ sintering the Ni—Al alloy. Further, disclosed is a method for preparing the same comprising steps of preparing a sheet with Ni—Al alloy powders (S1); and installing the sheet in a fuel cell without any heat treatment for sintering the Ni—Al alloy in the sheet and then in-situ sintering the Ni—Al alloy in the sheet during a pretreatment process of the cell with the sheet (S2), wherein a reaction activity of the Ni—Al alloy anode can be maintained, the method is simple and economic, and a mass production of the Ni—Al alloy anode and a scale-up in the method are easy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Sung Pil Yoon, Seong Ahn Hong, In Hwan Oh, Tae Hoon Lim, Suk-Woo Nam, Heung Yong Ha, Jonghee Han, Eun Ae Cho, Jaeyoung Lee
  • Positive electrode active material for secondary cell and nonaqueous electrolyte secondary cell using the same, and method for analysis of positive electrode active material for secondary cell
    Patent number: 8409754
    Abstract: A positive electrode active material for use in a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell comprises a powdery metal oxide (LiCoO2, LiNiO2, LiMn2O4 or the like). When the positive electrode active material is classified with a classification precision index ? of 0.7 or greater so as to obtain a coarse powder having a classification ratio in a range of 0.1% to 5%, a ratio (B/A) of the content (B) of an impurity metal element in the coarse powder obtained by the classification to the content (A) of the impurity metal element in the powder before the classification is 1.5 or less. The contents of the impurity metal elements are compared with respect to Ca, Mn, Fe, Cr, Cu, Zn and the like (exclusive of the metal element constituting the powdery metal oxide). The positive electrode active material for a secondary cell serves to improve cell performance capabilities and production yields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Ryo Sakai, Yasuhiro Shirakawa, Hajime Takeuchi, Yasumasa Ooya, Koshin Tanaka, Kazuki Amemiya, Shouta Endou
  • Contoured battery for implantable medical devices
    Patent number: 8389155
    Abstract: A battery having an electrode assembly located in a housing that efficiently utilizes the space available in many implantable medical devices is disclosed. The battery housing provides a cover and a shallow case a preferably planar, major bottom portion, an open top to receive the cover opposing the bottom portion, and a plurality of sides being radiused at intersections with each other and with the bottom to allow for the close abutting of other components located within the implantable device while also providing for efficient location of the battery within an arcuate edge of the device. The cover and the shallow case being substantially hermetically sealed by a laser weld technique and an insulator member disposed within the case to provide a barrier to incident laser radiation so that during welding radiation does not impinge upon radiation sensitive component(s) disposed within the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul B. Aamodt, Franise D. Bartley, Steve M. Bruesehoff, Kurt J. Casby, David P. Haas, Karl E. Hokanson, Thomas M. Nutzman, Andrew J. Ries, Scott J. Robinson, Randy S. Roles, Sonja K. Somdahl, Walter C. Sunderland, Jason T. Papenfuss, William J. Farrell, Kimberly A. Chaffin
  • Method for manufacturing lithium secondary battery and apparatus for manufacturing the same
    Patent number: 8375568
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of the present invention includes ejecting a melt 61 of a solid electrolyte onto at least one electrode plate selected from a positive electrode plate 20 and a negative electrode plate 30, thereby depositing the melt 61 onto the at least one electrode plate, and compressing the positive electrode plate 20 and the negative electrode plate 30 while sandwiching the melt 61, thereby forming a layered body including the positive electrode plate 20, an electrolyte layer 62 including the solid electrolyte, and the negative electrode plate 30. In accordance with this manufacturing method, a thin lithium secondary battery having excellent characteristics can be manufactured in a highly productive manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Honda, Yoriko Takai, Sadayuki Okazaki, Syuji Ito, Junichi Inaba, Hiroshi Higuchi
  • Separator for providing a uniting force to electrode and electrochemical cell containing the same
    Patent number: 8377583
    Abstract: A separator includes a porous substrate having a plurality of pores; a porous coating layer formed on at least one surface of the porous substrate and made of a mixture of a plurality of inorganic particles and a binder polymer; and a dot pattern layer formed on a surface of the porous coating layer and having a plurality of dots made of polymer and arranged at predetermined intervals. The separator may control short-circuit between positive and negative electrodes though an electrochemical device is overheated. Also, a united force to an electrode is enhanced due to the polymer dot pattern layer, thereby preventing the electrode and the separator from being separated. Accordingly, inorganic particles of the porous coating layer formed on the porous substrate are not separated, thereby improving stability of an electrochemical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Young Lee, Seok-Koo Kim, Jong-Hun Kim, Jang-Hyuk Hong
  • Li-ion battery with variable volume reservoir
    Patent number: 8329327
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell in one embodiment includes a first electrode, a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode, a separator positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode, an active material within the second electrode, and a variable volume reservoir in fluid connection with the active material, such that changes in the volume of the active material cause changes in volume of the variable volume reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: John F. Christensen, Boris Kozinsky, Jasim Ahmed, Nalin Chaturvedi
  • Batteries having multiple anode portions
    Patent number: 8323835
    Abstract: A battery includes a housing, an anode and a cathode within the housing, the anode having a first portion and a second portion adjacent to each other, a current collector at least partially disposed in the anode, a separator between the anode and the cathode, and an anode portion separator at least partially disposed in the anode and between the first and second portions of the anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Stuart M. Davis, Javit A. Drake, Richard E. Durkot, Gary A. Miller, Thomas C. Richards
  • Batteries comprising alkali-transition metal phosphates and preferred electrolytes
    Patent number: 8318352
    Abstract: A secondary electrochemical cell is described having (a) a first electrode comprising an active material of the formula LiaCoeFefM1gM2hM3iXY4, (b) a second electrode which is a counter-electrode to said first electrode; and (c) an electrolyte comprising an electrolyte salt, a cyclic ester and a carbonate selected from the group consisting of alkyl carbonates, alkylene carbonates, and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: M. Yazid Saidi, Haitao Huang, James K. Pugh
  • Terminal of rechargeable battery and method of manufacturing the same
    Patent number: 8309246
    Abstract: A terminal of a rechargeable battery, which can provide a current path having reduced resistance between a bus bar and the terminal by separately forming a collector terminal and a coupling terminal while increasing a coupling force between the bus bar and the collector terminal, and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. In one embodiment, the terminal includes a collector terminal electrically connected to an electrode assembly disposed at the inside of a case and protruding toward the outside of the case, a lower fixing member having the collector terminal passing therethrough, a coupling terminal coupled to the lower fixing member in a sliding manner and protruding toward the outside of the lower fixing member, and an upper fixing member allowing the coupling terminal to pass therethrough and to be coupled thereto and covering the lower fixing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: SB Limotive Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chiyoung Lee, Seokyoon Yoo, Joongheon Kim, Jongseok Moon
  • Battery gasket and alkaline battery using the same
    Patent number: 8298704
    Abstract: A gasket is made of an injection molded resin integral with a cylindrical boss portion having a through hole in which a current collector is inserted, a rim portion for sealing an opening of a battery case, and a connecting portion for connecting the boss portion and the rim portion, wherein the boss portion has an annular injection portion at an end face thereof, which is a trace of an injection molding gate, a ratio (S1/S2) between an axial cross-sectional area (S1) of the boss portion and an axial cross-sectional area (S2) of the injection portion is in the range of 10 to 25, and an outer diameter of the boss portion is in the range of 3.0 to 4.2 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Ichiro Matsuhisa, Susumu Kato
  • Humidifier for fuel cell and process for warming the same
    Patent number: 8298710
    Abstract: A humidifier for humidifying a fuel cell composed of an anode side humidifier and a cathode side humidifier each possessing a plurality of hollow fiber membrane modules for migrating moisture between a supply gas, which is supplied to a fuel cell, and an exhaust gas, which is exhausted from the fuel cell to thereby humidify the supply gas, the humidifier comprising: a pair of heads which hold both ends of the hollow fiber membrane modules, a connecting member which connects each of heads, and a device for warming the supply gas composed of conduits through which a cooling medium exhausted from the fuel cell is passed. The device for warming the supply gas is configured so that first warms a humidifier at an outlet side of the supply gas, and then warms a humidifier at an inlet side of the supply gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Kusano, Toshikatsu Katagiri, Motohiro Suzuki, Kenji Nagumo
  • Protected active metal electrode and battery cell with ionically conductive protective architecture
    Patent number: 8293398
    Abstract: Active metal and active metal intercalation electrode structures and battery cells having ionically conductive protective architecture including an active metal (e.g., lithium) conductive impervious layer separated from the electrode (anode) by a porous separator impregnated with a non-aqueous electrolyte (anolyte). This protective architecture prevents the active metal from deleterious reaction with the environment on the other (cathode) side of the impervious layer, which may include aqueous or non-aqueous liquid electrolytes (catholytes) and/or a variety electrochemically active materials, including liquid, solid and gaseous oxidizers. Safety additives and designs that facilitate manufacture are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: PolyPlus Battery Company
    Inventors: Steven J. Visco, Bruce D. Katz, Yevgeniy S. Nimon, Lutgard C. De Jonghe
  • Fuel cell stack features for improved water management
    Patent number: 8268492
    Abstract: An electric insulator for a fuel cell stack with a plurality of fuel cell plates is provided. The electric insulator includes an insulation layer having a water management feature adapted to militate against liquid water contacting the fuel cell plates. Fuel cell stacks having the water management feature are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jon P. Owejan, Steven R. Falta, Thomas W. Tighe
  • Solid polymer electrolyte material, liquid composition, solid polymer fuel cell and fluoropolymer
    Patent number: 8263710
    Abstract: A solid polymer electrolyte material made of a copolymer comprising a repeating unit based on a fluoromonomer A which gives a polymer having an alicyclic structure in its main chain by radical polymerization, and a repeating unit based on a fluoromonomer B of the following formula (1): CF2?CF(Rf)jSO2X??(1) wherein j is 0 or 1, X is a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom or OM {wherein M is a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal atom or a group of NR1R2R3R4 (wherein each of R1, R2, R3 and R4 which may be the same or different, is a hydrogen atom or a monovalent organic group)}, and Rf is a C1-20 polyfluoroalkylene group having a straight chain or branched structure which may contain ether oxygen atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Atsushi Watakabe, Takeshi Eriguchi, Toshihiro Tanuma, Yasuhiro Kunisa
  • Battery cover
    Patent number: 8241776
    Abstract: Described is a battery cover having upper and lower shells that can be coupled to each other to protect the battery's core and internal circuit board. The shells can be ultrasonically welded to provide at least one loop of continuous weld. Once welded together, the cover reduces battery's exposure to moisture and other external element leading to reduced electrical shorts and improved safety and efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: BYD Company Limited
    Inventors: Jinliang Xiang, Xiaoli Cai
  • Polymer electrolyte fuel cell, electrolyte material therefore and method for its production
    Patent number: 8227139
    Abstract: An electrolyte material for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which is made of a copolymer comprising repeating units based on CF2?CFCF2OCF2CF2SO3H and repeating units based on tetrafluoroethylene and which has an ion exchange capacity of from 0.9 to 1.5 (meq/g dry resin). This electrolyte material has ion conductivity and durability equal to conventional electrolyte material, is easy to synthesize, has a softening point higher than electrolyte material heretofore widely used for application to fuel cells and is suitable for operation of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell at a temperature higher than the conventional material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventor: Atsushi Watakabe
  • Battery pack having intercell connector and manufacturing method thereof
    Patent number: 8206847
    Abstract: A battery pack couples first and second batteries mutually linearly via a connector of a metallic plate. The connector formed of a tube with a bottom is composed of a bottom portion and a side wall. Regarding the bottom portion, an outer periphery is welded to a bottom wall of a second battery casing, while an inner periphery inwardly of the outer periphery is welded to a sealing plate of the first battery. The side wall of the connector, protruded toward the first battery, has an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter at an end portion of the first battery. Regarding the battery pack, the end portion of the first battery is inserted inside the side wall of the connector in a non-contact state, and the bottom portion is welded to the first and second batteries, thus the first and second batteries being mutually coupled by the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yutaka Miyazaki