Patents by Inventor Joseph L. Passaniti
Joseph L. Passaniti 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).
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Publication number: 20090081497Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to an on-demand hydrogen gas generation device, suitable for use in a fuel cell, which utilizes water electrolysis, and more particularly galvanic cell corrosion, and/or a chemical hydride reaction, to produce hydrogen gas. The present disclosure additionally relates to such a device that comprises a switching mechanism that has an electrical current passing therethrough and that repeatedly and reversibly moves between a first position and a second position when exposed to pressure differential resulting from hydrogen gas generation, in order to (1) alter the rate at which hydrogen gas is generated, such that hydrogen gas is generated on an as-needed basis for a fuel cell connected thereto, and/or (2) ensure a substantially constant flow of hydrogen gas is released therefrom.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2008Publication date: March 26, 2009Applicant: Rovcal, IncInventors: Viet Vu, Zhihong Jin, Juergen Scherer, Joseph L. Passaniti, Gregory J. Davidson, Craig Rom, Mario DeStephen, Jon Luecke, Erik Mortensen, Jamie L. Ostroha, Karthik Ramaswami, Tony Rubsam, William C. Bushong
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Publication number: 20090078568Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to an on-demand hydrogen gas generation device, suitable for use in a fuel cell, which utilizes water electrolysis, and more particularly galvanic cell corrosion, and/or a chemical hydride reaction, to produce hydrogen gas. The present disclosure additionally relates to such a device that comprises a switching mechanism that has an electrical current passing therethrough and that repeatedly and reversibly moves between a first position and a second position when exposed to pressure differential resulting from hydrogen gas generation, in order to (1) alter the rate at which hydrogen gas is generated, such that hydrogen gas is generated on an as-needed basis for a fuel cell connected thereto, and/or (2) ensure a substantially constant flow of hydrogen gas is released therefrom.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2008Publication date: March 26, 2009Applicant: ROVCAL, INC.Inventors: Karthik Ramaswami, Zhihong Jin, Erik Mortensen, Gregory J. Davidson, Mario DeStephen, Joseph L. Passaniti, Jon Luecke, Jamie L. Ostroha, Tony Rubsam, Juergen Scherer, Viet Vu, William C. Bushong
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Publication number: 20090081501Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to an on-demand hydrogen gas generation device, suitable for use in a fuel cell, which utilizes water electrolysis, and more particularly galvanic cell corrosion, and/or a chemical hydride reaction, to produce hydrogen gas. The present disclosure additionally relates to such a device that comprises a switching mechanism that has an electrical current passing therethrough and that repeatedly and reversibly moves between a first position and a second position when exposed to pressure differential resulting from hydrogen gas generation, in order to (1) alter the rate at which hydrogen gas is generated, such that hydrogen gas is generated on an as-needed basis for a fuel cell connected thereto, and/or (2) ensure a substantially constant flow of hydrogen gas is released therefrom.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2008Publication date: March 26, 2009Applicant: ROVCAL, INC.Inventors: Viet Vu, Zhihong Jin, Juergen Scherer, Joseph L. Passaniti, Gregory J. Davidson, Craig Rom, Mario DeStephen, Jon Luecke, Erik Mortensen, Jamie L. Ostroha, Karthik Ramaswami, Tony Rubsam, William C. Bushong
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Patent number: 6153330Abstract: The performance characteristics of alkaline manganese dioxide cells are improved by applying a thin, polymeric coating to the inner surface of an unplated steel positive current collector, and including a silicon compound in the coating. The polymeric coating comprises, in combination, a first film forming binder component and a second component comprising an electrically conductive component such as carbon or a filler. The combination of the coating and the silicon compound reduces the internal resistance of the cell, and may be used on unplated steel.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 1998Date of Patent: November 28, 2000Assignee: Rayovac CorporationInventors: Kenneth H. Kenyon, Joseph L. Passaniti
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Patent number: 6010802Abstract: Collector assemblies and methods of making and using them, and electrochemical cells made with such current collector assemblies, are disclosed. The invention provides a current collector assembly which permits safe, effective venting of pressure in the cell; reduces early activation of venting structures in the current collector assembly; contains fewer piece parts than known structurally-robust current collectors; is easy to implement; and provides superior tolerance to outside impact forces. Current collectors of the invention provide a stiffer, more rigid washer, repositioned closer to the bottom plate at its central region while the washer maintains the traditional function of controlling positioning of the seal body of the current collector assembly.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 1996Date of Patent: January 4, 2000Assignee: Rayovac CorporationInventors: Joseph L. Passaniti, Gregory J. Davidson, Kenneth H. Kenyon
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Patent number: 5814419Abstract: The performance characteristics of alkaline manganese dioxide cells are improved by applying a thin, polymeric coating to the inner surface of an unplated steel positive current collector, and treating the current collector with an aqueous solution of sodium silicate before or after the coating is applied to the inner surface. Silicic acid may also be added to the coating before its application to the inner surface of the current collector. In either embodiment of the invention, sodium silicate or silicic acid may also be added to the cathode mixture. The polymeric coating comprises, in combination, a first film forming binder component and a second component comprising an electrically conductive component such as carbon or a filler. The combination of the coating and the sodium silicate or silicic acid treatment of the current collector reduces the internal resistance of the cell, and may even be used on unplated steel.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 1995Date of Patent: September 29, 1998Assignee: Rayovac CorporationInventors: Kenneth Harry Kenyon, Joseph L. Passaniti
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Patent number: 5672443Abstract: A battery sealing cap having a base with a top surface and a bottom surface, an annular rim attached to and extending outward from the top surface of the base, and a central portion having a first end and a second end attached to and generally located on the base such that the first end extends outward from the top surface and the second end extends outward from the bottom surface. The battery sealing cap also includes a centrally located channel with a longitudinal axis extending from the first end to a closed bottom portion at the second end, the closed bottom portion having a tab extending into the channel which is out of alignment with the longitudinal axis of the channel.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 1995Date of Patent: September 30, 1997Assignees: Phillips Plastics Corporation, Rayovac CorporationInventors: Timothy L. Salisbury, Charles A. Draheim, Joseph L. Passaniti
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Patent number: 5656395Abstract: A metal current collecting substrate for an air cathode in an electrochemical metal air cell is provided for, wherein the substrate is hardened by one of the steps of sandblasting, shotblasting, plastic deformation of the substrate below the recrystallization temperature range of the metal thereof, and heating the substrate to above the transformation temperature of the metal thereof followed by quenching the substrate below the transformation temperature of the metal thereof. Catalytically active materials, most preferably a mixture of carbon and manganese dioxide, are pressed or otherwise disposed upon the hardened substrate. The substrate is capable of being connected to electrical circuitry. Most preferably, the substrate is a metal screen that has been hardened, roughened and pitted by sandblasting before the catalytically active materials are disposed thereupon, and before the substrate is incorporated into an electrochemical metal air cell.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: August 12, 1997Inventors: Robert B. Dopp, John E. Oltman, Joseph L. Passaniti
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Patent number: 5650246Abstract: A metal current collecting substrate for an air cathode in an electrochemical metal air cell is provided for, wherein the substrate is hardened by one of the steps of sandblasting, shotblasting, plastic deformation of the substrate below the recrystallization temperature range of the metal thereof, and heating the substrate to above the transformation temperature of the metal thereof followed by quenching the substrate below the transformation temperature of the metal thereof. Catalytically active materials, most preferably a mixture of carbon and manganese dioxide, are pressed or otherwise disposed upon the hardened substrate. The substrate is capable of being connected to electrical circuitry. Most preferably, the substrate is a metal screen that has been hardened, roughened and pitted by sandblasting before the catalytically active materials are disposed thereupon, and before the substrate is incorporated into an electrochemical metal air cell.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 1995Date of Patent: July 22, 1997Assignee: Rayovac CorporationInventors: Robert B. Dopp, John E. Oltman, Joseph L. Passaniti
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Patent number: 5637117Abstract: A metal current collecting substrate for an air cathode in an electrochemical metal air cell is provided for, wherein the substrate is hardened by one of the steps of sandblasting, shotblasting, plastic deformation of the substrate below the recrystallization temperature range of the metal thereof, and heating the substrate to above the transformation temperature of the metal thereof followed by quenching the substrate below the transformation temperature of the metal thereof. Catalytically active materials, most preferably a mixture of carbon and manganese dioxide, are pressed or otherwise disposed upon the hardened substrate. The substrate is capable of being connected to electrical circuitry. Most preferably, the substrate is a metal screen that has been hardened, roughened and pitted by sandblasting before the catalytically active materials are disposed thereupon, and before the substrate is incorporated into an electrochemical metal air cell.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: June 10, 1997Assignee: Rayovac CorporationInventors: Robert B. Dopp, John E. Oltman, Joseph L. Passaniti
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Patent number: 5589109Abstract: Solid divalent silver oxide is reacted in hot aqueous alkaline reaction medium with a solid bismuth component and a reducing agent. The reaction product comprises a novel compound containing silver, bismuth, and oxygen, which is used in making cathode pellets for use in alkaline electrochemical cells. The cells exhibit low internal impedance and substantially single voltage discharge characteristic of monovalent silver oxide while retaining a significant portion of the coulombic capacity a of divalent silver cathode, without toxicity problems attendant cathodes containing lead and/or cadmium.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 1995Date of Patent: December 31, 1996Assignee: Rayovac CorporationInventors: Joseph L. Passaniti, El-Sayed A. Megahed, Nuri A. Zreiba
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Patent number: 5587259Abstract: A metal current collecting substrate for an air cathode in an electrochemical metal air cell is provided for, wherein the substrate is hardened by one of the steps of sandblasting, shotblasting, plastic deformation of the substrate below the recrystallization temperature range of the metal thereof, and heating the substrate to above the transformation temperature of the metal thereof followed by quenching the substrate below the transformation temperature of the metal thereof. Catalytically active materials, most preferably a mixture of carbon and manganese dioxide, are pressed or otherwise disposed upon the hardened substrate. The substrate is capable of being connected to electrical circuitry. Most preferably, the substrate is a metal screen that has been hardened, roughened and pitted by sandblasting before the catalytically active materials are disposed thereupon, and before the substrate is incorporated into an electrochemical metal air cell.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 1994Date of Patent: December 24, 1996Assignee: Rayovac CorporationInventors: Robert B. Dopp, John E. Oltman, Joseph L. Passaniti
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Patent number: 5389469Abstract: Solid divalent silver oxide is reacted in hot aqueous alkaline reaction medium with a solid bismuth component and a reducing agent. The reaction product comprises a novel compound containing silver, bismuth, and oxygen, which is used in making cathode pellets for use in alkaline electrochemical cells. The cells exhibit low internal impedance and substantially single voltage discharge characteristic of monovalent silver oxide while retaining a significant portion of the coulombic capacity a of divalent silver cathode, without toxicity problems attendant cathodes containing lead and/or cadmium.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 1993Date of Patent: February 14, 1995Assignee: Rayovac CorporationInventors: Joseph L. Passaniti, El-Sayed A. Megahed, Nuri A. Zreiba
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Patent number: 5378562Abstract: A method of making an air cathode material for a metal-air cell is provided. In the air cathode material of the present invention, manganese compounds of valence state +2 act as catalysts for the reduction of oxygen, and are distributed substantially evenly throughout a carbon matrix. Manganese compounds of valence state +2 form between carbon particles after the carbon particles are added to an aqueous solution of potassium permanganate.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 1994Date of Patent: January 3, 1995Assignee: Rayovac CorporationInventors: Joseph L. Passaniti, Robert B. Dopp
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Patent number: 5308711Abstract: An air cathode for a metal-air cell and methods for making it are provided. In the air cathode of the present invention, manganese compounds of valence state +2 act as catalysts for the reduction of oxygen, and are distributed substantially evenly throughout a carbon matrix. Manganese compounds of valence state +2 form between carbon particles after the carbon particles are added to an aqueous solution of potassium permanganate.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 1993Date of Patent: May 3, 1994Assignee: Rayovac CorporationInventors: Joseph L. Passaniti, Robert B. Dopp