Patents by Inventor Dewen Kong

Dewen Kong has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20220173377
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to high capacity (e.g., areal capacity greater than about 4 mAh/cm2 to less than or equal to about 50 mAh/cm2) electrodes for electrochemical cells. An example electrode may include a current collector (e.g., meshed current collector) and one or more electroactive material layers having thicknesses greater than about 150 ?m to less than or equal to about 5 mm. The electroactive material layers may each include lithium manganese iron phosphate (LiMnxFe1-xPO4, where 0?x?1) (LMFP). The electrode may further include one or more electronically conductive adhesive layers disposed between the current collector and the electroactive material layers. The adhesive layers may include one or more polymer components and one or more conductive fillers. The electroactive material layers may be gradient layers, where sublayers closer to the current collector has a lower porosity than layers further from the current collector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Dewen KONG, Xiaochao QUE, Haijing LIU, Xiaosong HUANG, Mark W. VERBRUGGE, Meiyuan WU
  • Publication number: 20220045379
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates a temperature regulating system including an anisotropic material for use as a heating material or element (e.g., an active heater) and a cooling material or element (e.g., passive cooling) in a battery pack including one or more electrochemical cells. The temperature regulating system includes one or more temperature control elements. Each temperature control element is configured to be in a heat transfer relationship with one or more electrochemical cells so as to heat and/or cool the one or more electrochemical cells of the battery pack. Each temperature control element includes two or more structural elements and one or more anisotropic elements disposed between the two or more structural elements. The temperature control elements may be disposed between the electrochemical cells of the stack, disposed around the electrochemical cells of the stack, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Dave G. RICH, Saad HASAN, Lyall K. WINGER, Dewen KONG, Haijing LIU
  • Publication number: 20220021044
    Abstract: A thermal device comprises a first layer of a non-metallic material that is a good conductor of heat and electricity, that includes a first terminal and a second terminal, and that has a first surface and a second surface; a metallic material disposed on the first surface of the first layer; a first plastic layer disposed on the metallic material; and a second plastic layer disposed on the second surface of the first layer. The first plastic layer and the second plastic layer include a plastic material that is a good conductor of heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventors: Dewen KONG, Dave G. RICH, Lyall K. WINGER, Meiyuan WU, Jingyuan LIU, Haijing LIU
  • Patent number: 11205798
    Abstract: A capacitor-assisted, solid-state lithium-ion battery is formed by replacing at least one of the electrodes of the battery with a capacitor electrode of suitable particulate composition for the replaced battery particulate anode or cathode material. The solid-state electrodes typically contain solid-state electrode material and are separated with solid-state electrode material. In another embodiment the capacitor anode or cathode particles may be mixed with lithium-ion battery anode or cathode particles respectively. Preferably, the battery comprises at least two positively-charged electrodes and two negatively-charged electrodes, and the location and compositions of the capacitor material electrode(s) may be selected to provide a desired combination of energy and power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Zhe Li, Dave G. Rich, Haijing Liu, Dewen Kong, Sherman H. Zeng
  • Patent number: 11171365
    Abstract: A capacitor-assisted, solid-state lithium-ion battery is formed by replacing at least one of the electrodes of the battery with a capacitor electrode of suitable particulate composition for the replaced battery particulate anode or cathode material. The solid-state electrodes typically contain quasi-solid-state electrode material and are separated with a layer of quasi-solid-state electrolyte material. In another embodiment the capacitor anode or cathode particles may be mixed with lithium-ion battery anode or cathode particles respectively. Preferably, the battery comprises at least two positively-charged electrodes and two negatively-charged electrodes, and the location, number and compositions of the capacitor material electrode(s) may be selected to provide a desired combination of energy and power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Zhe Li, Dave G. Rich, Haijing Liu, Dewen Kong, Sherman H. Zeng
  • Patent number: 11121375
    Abstract: Individual electrodes for a solid-state lithium-ion battery cell may be formed, for example, by elevated temperature consolidation in air of a mixture of resin-bonded, electrode active material particles, oxide solid electrolyte particles, and particles of a non-carbon electronic conductive additive. Depending on the selected compositions of the electrode materials and the solid electrolyte, one or both of the cathode and anode layer members may be formed to include the non-carbon electronic conductive additive. The battery cell is assembled with the solid-state electrodes placed on opposite sides of a consolidated layer of oxide electrolyte particles. The electronic conductivity of at least one of the cathode and anode is increased by the incorporation of particles of a selected non-carbon electronic conducive additive with the respective electrode particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Mengyan Hou, Zhe Li, Dewen Kong, Haijing Liu, Qili Su
  • Publication number: 20210151809
    Abstract: A capacitor-assisted battery module includes a housing, a positive terminal, a negative terminal, one or more capacitor-assisted battery cells and one or more first switches. The one or more capacitor-assisted battery cells are disposed in the housing and include one or more battery terminals and one or more capacitor terminals. The one or more battery terminals are connected to battery electrodes. The one or more capacitor terminals are connected to capacitor electrodes. At least one of the one or more battery terminals and the capacitor terminals is connected to the negative terminal. One or more first switches is configured to connect the one or more capacitor terminals to the positive terminal. An overall voltage of the capacitor assisted battery module is measured across the positive terminal and the negative terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Dewen KONG, Xiaochao QUE, Dave G. RICH, Si CHEN, Meiyuan WU, Haijing LIU
  • Publication number: 20210151260
    Abstract: A capacitor-assisted electrode for an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions is provided. The capacitor-assisted electrode may include at least two electroactive materials disposed on one or more surfaces of a current collector. A first electroactive material of the at least two electroactive materials may have a first reversible specific capacity and forms a first electroactive material having a first press density. A second electroactive material of the at least two electroactive materials has a second reversible specific capacity and forms a second electroactive material having a second press density. The second reversible specific capacity may be different from the first reversible specific capacity. The second press density may be different from the first press density. One or more capacitor materials may be disposed on or intermingled with one or more of the at least two electroactive materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Dewen KONG, Xiaochao QUE, Meiyuan WU, Si CHEN, Haijing LIU, Mark W. VERBRUGGE
  • Publication number: 20210110979
    Abstract: A capacitor-assisted hybrid lithium-ion electrochemical cell assembly includes two positive electrodes having a first polarity, each having at least two electrically conductive tabs disposed on at least one first edge and at least one second edge. Further, two negative electrodes having a second polarity each having at least two electrically conductive tabs disposed on at least one first edge and at least one second edge. At least one of the two positive electrodes or negative electrodes are distinct from one another. The electrically conductive tabs are substantially aligned in the electrochemical cell to respectively define a plurality of positive electrical connectors and a plurality of negative electrical connectors to reduce current density during high power charging and discharging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Xiaochao QUE, Dave G. RICH, Haijing LIU, Dewen KONG
  • Publication number: 20210110980
    Abstract: Hybrid lithium-ion electrochemical cells include a first electrode having a first polarity and a first electroactive material that reversibly cycles lithium ions having a first maximum operational voltage and a second electrode having the first polarity with a second electroactive material having a second maximum operational voltage. A difference between the second and first maximum operational voltages defines a predetermined voltage difference. Also included are at least one third electrode including a third electroactive material that reversibly cycles lithium ions having a second polarity opposite to the first polarity, a separator, and electrolyte. A voltage modification component (e.g., diode) is in electrical communication with the first and the second electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Qili SU, Haijing LIU, Meiyuan WU, Dewen KONG, Mengyan HOU
  • Patent number: 10944100
    Abstract: At least one of the anode and cathode of a lithium-ion processing electrochemical cell are prepared with a layer of mixed particles of both active lithium battery electrode materials and lithium ion adsorbing capacitor materials, or with co-extensive, contiguous layers of battery electrode particles in one layer and capacitor particles in the adjoining layer. The proportions of active battery electrode particles and active capacitor particles in one or both of the electrodes are predetermined to provide specified energy density (Wh/kg) and power density (W/kg) properties of the cell for its intended application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Haijing Liu, Zhiqiang Yu, Dewen Kong, Meiyuan Wu
  • Publication number: 20210066711
    Abstract: A material including TiO2 nanoparticles at least partially embedded in a matrix material of TixNbyOz, where 0<x?2, 0<y?24, and 0<z?62, is provided. Methods of making the material are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Yong LU, Dewen KONG, Mengyan HOU, Zhe LI, Haijing LIU
  • Publication number: 20210066746
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a softened solid-state electrolyte, comprises an oxide-based solid-state electrolyte, where at least a portion of the oxide anions in the oxide-based solid-state electrolyte is replaced with a replacement anion. In another embodiment, a softened solid-state electrolyte comprises a sulfide-based solid-state electrolyte, wherein at least a portion of the sulfide anions in the sulfide-based solid-state electrolyte is replaced with the replacement anion. When the replacement anion replaces the oxide anion, the replacement anion has a larger atomic radius than the oxide anion and when the replacement anion replaces the sulfide anion, the replacement anion has a larger atomic radius than the sulfide anion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Mengyan Hou, Haijing Liu, Dewen Kong, Yong Lu
  • Publication number: 20210065993
    Abstract: Hybrid electrochemical cells and modules include an anode two-sided current collector a coated with host material in anode region(s) and a cathode two-sided current collector coated with active material in cathode region(s), and one or more of the anode current collector and the cathode current collector is coated with capacitor material in one or more distinct, non-overlapping capacitor regions. A hybrid anode and/or cathode can include gaps between capacitor regions and anode regions and cathode regions. The capacitor material applied to an electrode is different from the host or active material thereof. Active material includes lithium metal oxides and lithium metal phosphates such as LiFePO4, Li(NixMnyCoz)O2, and/or LiMn2O4; host material includes graphite, silicon, silicon-Li/Sn/Cu alloys, Si/Co/Fe/TiSn oxides, and low-surface area carbon; and capacitor material includes activated carbon, metal oxides, and metal sulfides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Helen Liu, Xiaochao Que, Dewen Kong, Jianfeng Wang
  • Publication number: 20210057776
    Abstract: A solid-state battery cell, such as a lithium-ion cell, is assembled with a solid electrolyte layer member positioned between co-extensive surface layers of an anode active layer member and a cathode active material layer member. At least one of the engaging surfaces of the solid electrolyte layer is not flat. It is formed with a topographical pattern comprising recesses in a flat surface, or a surface of projections and recesses, and placed against a compatibly-shaped, mating surface of the anode layer and/or the cathode layer. The re-shaping of the surface(s) of the solid electrolyte layer and adjoining electrode layer(s) is to significantly increase the effective contact area with the facing layer of electrode material and improve the conduction of ions across the interface. A thin film of interlayer material may be placed between the surfaces of the facing cell members with the specially shaped adjacent faces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Yong Lu, Zhe Li, Dewen Kong
  • Publication number: 20210036385
    Abstract: An anode electrode with enhanced state of charge estimation is provided. The anode electrode comprises anode layer and a negative current collector. The negative current collector has a first side and a second side. The anode layer comprises lithium-titanium oxide and a second anode material (e.g. niobium-titanium oxide) disposed on at least one of the first and second sides of the negative current collector with single-layer or layer-by-layer coated structures. The second anode material (e.g. niobium-titanium oxide) can be physically blended with lithium-titanium oxide or be at least partially coated on the surface of lithium-titanium oxide or their combinations. The anode electrode further comprises a binder and a conductive carbon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Yong Lu, Dewen Kong, Mengyan Hou, Zhe Li, Haijing Liu
  • Publication number: 20210020929
    Abstract: Solid-state electrodes and methods of forming solid-state electrodes and batteries are provided. The method includes contacting an electrode precursor with a liquid. The liquid includes one or more precursors of an ionically conductive polymer. The electrode precursor includes a plurality of electroactive particles and a plurality of electrolyte particles disposed on a current collector. A plurality of interparticle pores exists between the electroactive and electrolyte particles. When the electrode precursor is contacted with the liquid, the liquid flows into the interparticle pores. The one or more precursors of the ionically conductive polymer are electropolymerized so as to cause the formation of a polymeric matrix (including the ionically conductive polymer) that surrounds and embeds the plurality of electroactive particles and the plurality of electrolyte particles so as to form the solid-state electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Dewen KONG, Yong LU, Mengyan HOU, Zhe LI, Haijing LIU
  • Publication number: 20210012975
    Abstract: A hybrid lithium ion capacitor battery and method of making the same is disclosed. The hybrid lithium ion capacitor battery includes a positive electrode separated from a negative electrode by a separator layer. A first activated carbon layer is disposed between the separator layer and one of the positive and negative electrodes. The first activated carbon layer is coated on a first surface of the separator layer. A second activated carbon layer is disposed between the separator layer and the other of the positive and negative electrodes. The second activated carbon layer is coated on a second surface of the separator layer. A first current collector coextensively contacts the first electrode and a second current collector coextensively contacts the second electrode. An electrolytic solution carries lithium cations between the positive and negative electrodes through the activated carbon coated separator layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Qili SU, Dewen KONG, Yong LU, Zhe LI
  • Publication number: 20200403267
    Abstract: A lithium-ion battery cell is formed of a layer of anode material comprising a mixture of anode active material particles and particles of a first solid electrolyte composition, an electrolyte layer of solid electrolyte particles of a second solid electrolyte composition, and a layer of cathode material comprising a mixture of cathode active material particles and particles of a third solid electrolyte compositions. In the cell, the three solid electrolyte compositions are varied to enhance the performance of the cell. Layers of interlayer material are placed between one or both of the layers of electrode material and the solid electrolyte material and/or between electrolyte layers. And, optionally, the otherwise solid-state cell is infiltrated with a suitable liquid electrolyte. These variables are managed to enhance macro/micro interfaces between the solid materials and layers and to improve the electrochemical performance of the cell, especially for high-voltage cathode material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Zhe Li, Mengyan Hou, Haijing Liu, Dewen Kong, Yong Lu
  • Patent number: 10826139
    Abstract: A battery enclosure shaped and sized to accept and surround a battery includes an outer case defining an aperture and having a base forming a bottom of the battery enclosure, the case having a first wall connected to a second wall, the second wall connected to a third wall, and a fourth wall portion connected to the first and third walls, each of the first, second, third, and fourth walls extending orthogonally from the base. The battery enclosure including a separable outer lid shaped to fit around the aperture of the case. The outer case and the outer lid having a material having thermal conductivity of less than about 0.3 W/mK, the battery enclosure has an air inlet selectively providing airflow to the battery enclosure and an air outlet selectively providing airflow from the battery enclosure, the outer case has a first thickness, the outer lid portion has a second thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Dave G. Rich, Saad Hasan, Jeffrey Wyka, Jianfeng Wang, Dewen Kong, Haijing Liu