Patents by Inventor Viet H. Vu
Viet H. Vu 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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Patent number: 11978878Abstract: A lithium and zinc ion bi-polar battery includes, in one example, a plurality of carbon or titanium bi-polar current collectors arranged with cells to form a stack of bi-polar configuration such that each of the bi-polar current collectors is between and in direct contact with a zinc electrode and lithium-ion intercalation electrode of an adjacent pair of the cells.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2023Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: AEsir Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Adam Weisenstein, Melissa D. McIntyre, Randy Moore, Allen Charkey, Viet H. Vu
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Publication number: 20170117592Abstract: A process of reconditioning a lithium-ion cell is provided that unexpectedly improves cell capacity, reduces cold temperature impedance and increases cold cranking amps. The process involves a reconditioning step of holding a cell at a sub-discharge voltage for a recovery time. The sub-discharge voltage is 1.0V or less in many embodiments, optionally 0.0V. Holding this sub-discharge voltage for a recovery time of several hours will result in recovery of lost capacity that is in excess of that explainable by recovery of ions transferred to an anode overhang.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2017Publication date: April 27, 2017Inventors: Pu Zhang, Viet H. Vu, Hongxia Zhou, Patrick L. Hagans, Michael Wixom
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Publication number: 20150091530Abstract: A process of reconditioning a lithium-ion cell is provided that unexpectedly improves cell capacity, reduces cold temperature impedance and increases cold cranking amps. The process involves a reconditioning step of holding a cell at a sub-discharge voltage for a recovery time. The sub-discharge voltage is 1.0V or less in many embodiments, optionally 0.0V. Holding this sub-discharge voltage for a recovery time of several hours will result in recovery of lost capacity that is in excess of that explainable by recovery of ions transferred to an anode overhang.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2014Publication date: April 2, 2015Inventors: Pu Zhang, Viet H. Vu, Hongxia Zhou, Patrick L. Hagans, Michael Wixom
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Patent number: 8691439Abstract: Alkaline electrochemical cells having extended service life and acceptable gassing and corrosion properties are disclosed. An amphoteric surfactant can be incorporated into the gelled anode mixture of an alkaline electrochemical cell, optionally with an organic phosphate ester surfactant or a sulfonic acid type organic surfactant or both. Zinc particles having a defined distribution of particle sizes can also be incorporated into a zinc anode. The electrolyte included, in the anode mixture can have a reduced hydroxide concentration.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2010Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Spectrum Brands, Inc.Inventors: Ernest Ndzebet, Mario Destephen, William C Bushong, M. Edgar Armacanqui, Andrew J Roszkowski, Viet H Vu
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Patent number: 7931981Abstract: The present invention relates to a high capacity electrochemical cell having a cathode containing an oxide of copper as an active material, as well as an anode, an electrolyte, and separators for use with the cathodes of the invention in an alkaline electrochemical cell.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2009Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: Rovcal Inc.Inventors: David Boone, William C. Bushong, Paul Cheeseman, Gregory J. Davidson, Mario Destephen, Zhihong Jin, Jon Luecke, Erik Mortensen, Ernest Ndzebet, Karthik Ramaswami, Sergiy V. Sazhin, Viet H. Vu
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Patent number: 7859220Abstract: A rechargeable electrochemical cell charger is provided for charging electrochemical cells at high current rates. The charger provides a sufficient force between the charge contacts and the cell terminals to remove nonconductive contaminants when the cell is inserted into the charger, thereby increasing the conductivity at the point of contact. The charger can include an air moving system for the dissipation of heat from the electrochemical cell during charging, and a heat sensor to determine the cell temperature during charging.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2004Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Rovcal, Inc.Inventors: William C. Bushong, Paul Cheeseman, Michael Root, Viet H. Vu
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Patent number: 7807296Abstract: The present invention relates to a copper-manganese mixed oxide cathode material, which is suitable for use in a cathode of an electrochemical cell, and which has the formula MnxCuyOz.nH2O, wherein the oxidation state of Cu is between about +1 and about +3, the oxidation state of Mn is between about +2 and about +7, x is equal to about 3-y, y is less than about 3, z is calculated or experimentally determined, using means known in the art, based on the values of x and y, as well as the oxidation states of Mn and Cu, and nH2O represents the surface and structural water present in the mixed oxide material. The present invention further relates to an electrochemical cell comprising the noted cathode material.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2007Date of Patent: October 5, 2010Assignee: Roval, Inc.Inventors: Viet H. Vu, Ernest Ndzebet, Akshaya Kumar, Deborah Gilbert, William C. Bushong, Karthik Ramaswami, Juergen Scherer
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Publication number: 20100233533Abstract: Alkaline electrochemical cells having extended service life and acceptable gassing and corrosion properties are disclosed. An amphoteric surfactant can be incorporated into the gelled anode mixture of an alkaline electrochemical cell, optionally with an organic phosphate ester surfactant or a sulfonic acid type organic surfactant or both. Zinc particles having a defined distribution of particle sizes can also be incorporated into a zinc anode. The electrolyte included, in the anode mixture can have a reduced hydroxide concentration.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2010Publication date: September 16, 2010Applicant: ROVCAL, INC.Inventors: Ernest Ndzebet, Mario Destephen, William C. Bushong, M. Edgar Armacanqui, Andrew J. Roszkowski, Viet H. Vu
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Patent number: 7763384Abstract: The present invention relates to a high capacity electrochemical cell including an anode, a cathode, and a separator disposed between the anode and cathode. The anode is configured to operate in combination with a quantity of an oxide of copper in the cathode. The cell is capable of operating at a discharge voltage greater than 1.05 volts for at least an initial 5% of a cell discharge period at a current density of at least 5 mA/g, and can include a cathode active material that includes an oxide of copper.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2004Date of Patent: July 27, 2010Assignee: Rovcal, Inc.Inventors: David Boone, William C. Bushong, Paul Cheeseman, Gregory J Davidson, Mario Destephen, Zihong Jin, Jon Luecke, Erik Mortensen, Ernest Ndzebet, Karthik Ramaswami, Sergey Sazhin, Viet H. Vu
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Patent number: 7749654Abstract: Alkaline electrochemical cells having extended service life and acceptable gassing and corrosion properties are disclosed. An amphoteric surfactant can be incorporated into the gelled anode mixture of an alkaline electrochemical cell, optionally with an organic phosphate ester surfactant or a sulfonic acid type organic surfactant or both. Zinc particles having a defined distribution of particle sizes can also be incorporated into a zinc anode. The electrolyte included, in the anode mixture can have a reduced hydroxide concentration.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2007Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: Rovcal, Inc.Inventors: Ernest Ndzebet, Mario Destephen, William C. Bushong, M. Edgar Armacanqui, Andrew J. Roszkowski, Viet H. Vu
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Patent number: 7740984Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide a high capacity electrochemical cell having an anode, a cathode, and a separator disposed between the anode and cathode. The cathode includes a mixture having a first component, a second component and a third component. The first component includes a first element, the second component includes a second element, and the third component includes the first element and the second element. The mixture can, for instance, be a mixed metal oxide. The separator is configured to provide suitable ionic transport between the anode and the cathode.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2005Date of Patent: June 22, 2010Assignee: Rovcal, Inc.Inventors: William C. Bushong, Paul Cheeseman, Zhihong Jin, Erik Mortensen, Ernest Ndzebet, Karthik Ramaswami, Viet H. Vu, Deborah Gilbert, Juergen Scherer
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Publication number: 20100112431Abstract: The present invention relates to a high capacity electrochemical cell having a cathode containing an oxide of copper as an active material, as well as an anode, an electrolyte, and separators for use with the cathodes of the invention in an alkaline electrochemical cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2009Publication date: May 6, 2010Applicant: Rovcal Inc.Inventors: David Boone, Wiliam C. Bushong, Paul Cheeseman, Gregory J. Davidson, Mario Destephen, Zihong Jin, Jon Luecke, Erik Mortensen, Ernest Ndzebet, Karthik Ramaswami, Sergey Sazhin, Viet H. Vu
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Patent number: 7645540Abstract: The present invention relates to a high capacity electrochemical cell having a cathode containing an oxide of copper as an active material, as well as an anode, an electrolyte, and separators for use with the cathodes of the invention in an alkaline electrochemical cell.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2004Date of Patent: January 12, 2010Assignee: Rovcal, Inc.Inventors: David Boone, William C. Bushong, Paul Cheeseman, Gregory J. Davidson, Mario Destephen, Zhihong Jin, Jon Luecke, Erik Mortensen, Ernest Ndzebet, Karthik Ramaswami, Sergey Sazhin, Viet H. Vu
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Patent number: 7615508Abstract: A cathode for an air recovery alkaline battery is disclosed. The cathode contains at least about 60% by weight MnO2 and at least about 2% by weight of a hydrophobic polymer; the MnO2 consists essentially of electrochemically synthesized MnO2.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2007Date of Patent: November 10, 2009Assignee: The Gillette CompanyInventors: Alexander Kaplan, Thomas Kelly, Viet H. Vu
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Patent number: 7557542Abstract: A rechargeable electrochemical cell charging system is provided having a thermistor that engages the negative cell terminal at a location remote from the negative charge contact. The thermistor outputs temperature data to a controller in the charger that determines the rate of cell temperature increase. When the increase reaches a predetermined rate, the charge to the cell is discontinued. The cell can also include an air moving system that circulates cool ambient air through battery compartment to cool the batteries being charged.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2008Date of Patent: July 7, 2009Assignee: Rovcal, Inc.Inventors: William C. Bushong, Viet H. Vu, Michael Root
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Publication number: 20080191661Abstract: A rechargeable electrochemical cell charging system is provided having a thermistor that engages the negative cell terminal at a location remote from the negative charge contact. The thermistor outputs temperature data to a controller in the charger that determines the rate of cell temperature increase. When the increase reaches a predetermined predetermined rate, the charge to the cell is discontinued. The cell can also include an air moving system that circulates cool ambient air through battery compartment to cool the batteries being charged.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2008Publication date: August 14, 2008Applicant: ROVCAL, INC.Inventors: William C. Bushong, Viet H. Vu, Michael Root
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Patent number: 7372237Abstract: A rechargeable electrochemical cell charging system is provided having a thermistor that engages the negative cell terminal at a location remote from the negative charge contact. The thermistor outputs temperature data to a controller in the charger that determines the rate of cell temperature increase. When the increase reaches a predetermined predetermined rate, the charge to the cell is discontinued. The cell can also include an air moving system that circulates cool ambient air through battery compartment to cool the batteries being charged.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2004Date of Patent: May 13, 2008Assignee: Rovcal, Inc.Inventors: William C. Bushong, Viet H. Vu, Michael Root
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Publication number: 20080038634Abstract: An electrochemical cell is provided that includes a container, a cathode and anode disposed in the container, and a separator disposed between the anode and cathode. The cell further includes an extender either included in or separate from the cathode. An agent is further provided that interacts with soluble ionic species generated in the cathode to prevent the migration of the species to the anode.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2004Publication date: February 14, 2008Applicant: Rovcal, Inc.Inventors: William C. Bushong, Paul Cheeseman, Gregory J. Davidson, Zihong Jin, Erik Mortensen, Ernest Ndzebet, Karthik Ramaswami, Viet H. Vu
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Patent number: 7288920Abstract: A rechargeable electrochemical cell is provided having a pressure-responsive apparatus for determining a charge termination point. In particular, a reversible pressure-responsive switch may be disposed in a cap at the open end of a rechargeable metal hydride cell. The reversible pressure-responsive switch may also contain a vent system for releasing the cell internal pressure. Alternatively, a rechargeable cell may include a strain gauge disposed in its outer surface whose resistance changes as the outer surface of the battery expands due to internal pressure accumulation during charging. Additionally, a rechargeable cell is used combination with a charging source that can supply constant voltage, constant current, alternating current, or voltage that varies between a minimum threshold and a maximum threshold.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2005Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: Spectrum Brands, Inc. ( FKA Rayovac Corporation)Inventors: William C. Bushong, Paul Cheeseman, Thomas Kaufman, Michael Root, Aaron Rositch, Marc L. Syvertsen, Viet H. Vu
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Patent number: 7238448Abstract: A cathode for an air recovery alkaline battery is disclosed. The cathode contains at least about 60% by weight MnO2 and at least about 2% by weight of a hydrophobic polymer; the MnO2 consists essentially of electrochemically synthesized MnO2.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2000Date of Patent: July 3, 2007Assignee: The Gillette CompanyInventors: Alexander Kaplan, Thomas Kelly, Viet H. Vu