Casing Having Interlocking Structure Patents (Class 429/151)
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Patent number: 7727667Abstract: A package case is structured by a plurality of substantially identical and flat frames stacked on one another. Flat laminate cells (accumulator cells) are individually accommodated in the frames and stacked on one another, so that the number of flat laminate cells (accumulator cells) can readily be changed simply by increasing/decreasing the number of frames to be stacked to meet energy needs and the like. The accumulator device is segmented using the plurality of flat frames, so that externally applied impacts can readily be dispersed and the impact transmitted to the flat laminate cells (accumulator cells) can be reduced without reinforcing the accumulator device 1 with more than necessary strength.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2005Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Masato Sakurai
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Patent number: 7722982Abstract: This invention includes a battery pack having an improved battery retention system for coupling to another device, like a desktop charger. The battery pack, which includes one rechargeable cell and optional circuitry, has an exterior housing that is generally rectangular in cross section. The exterior housing, which includes major faces and intersection seams, has at least two female slots that project inward at an angle that is non-orthogonal to the major faces or intersection seams. These non-orthogonal slots, when coupling to corresponding non-orthogonal rails in the pocket of a battery charger, allow batteries of various sizes to be inserted into a single charger pocket with reliable and consistent electrical connections between the electrical contacts of the pocket and the charging terminals of the battery. Electrical contacts may be disposed within the non-orthogonal slots, thereby improving both the function and aesthetic appearance of the battery pack.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2005Date of Patent: May 25, 2010Assignee: Motorola, Inc.Inventors: Karl Zedell, Wooi Heong Chew, Yoshitaka Matsuzawa, Mark C. Taraboulos, Swee Theam Thor
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Patent number: 7714542Abstract: A battery unit having at least two pouch type secondary battery cells and a single safety device serving each cell in the battery unit. Each individual battery or cell body fits into a space within a casing. The battery unit may use one or more casings. The battery cells are arranged such that the terminals of different battery cells are located near the terminals of other battery cells within the unit. These terminals are connected to the safety device. The safety device may be a safety circuit board that is positioned in a space within the battery unit so that the battery unit does not consume any more space than when no safety circuit board is used.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2003Date of Patent: May 11, 2010Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hyung-Bok Lee, Byoung-Hyun Kang
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Patent number: 7701170Abstract: A battery pack including a secondary battery and a frame for mounting the secondary battery therein. A mounting ledge protrudes from one portion of the frame and a guide member protrudes from another portion of the frame. A circuit section is installed at a portion of the frame and inserted between the mounting ledge and the guide member so as to be connected to the secondary battery. A fixing part is provided in the frame and the circuit section in order to fix the circuit section to the frame.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2005Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventor: Sun Jae Kim
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Patent number: 7700227Abstract: A flat secondary battery having a fusion-bonded sealing type laminate film as an armored body tends to be inferior in sealing reliability to a flat secondary battery having a welded sealing type can as an armored body, due to a difference in sealing method between the two batteries. Therefore, there has been a large challenge of finding the way to make the sealing reliability of the laminate film secondary battery closer to that of the can type secondary battery. The sealing reliability is improved by further increasing a sealing force without taking any measure to the existing laminate film secondary battery, in such a manner that the fusion bonding area of the existing laminate film secondary battery is sandwiched from upside and downside to be cramped from outside so as to mechanically add a sealing force from outside to the sealing force of the laminate film itself.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2008Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: NEC CorporationInventor: Hiroshi Kaneta
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Publication number: 20100075216Abstract: A battery pack that allows easy application of injection molding in the formation of a battery case and is capable of improving fastening strength of the case components. For this purpose, the battery pack comprises a plurality of battery cells; a circuit module electrically connected to the plurality of battery cells; and a case accommodating the plurality of battery cells and the circuit module, wherein the case includes a first case shaped in the form of an open box and having a plurality of coupling protrusions formed thereon and a second case shaped in the form of an open box and having a plurality of coupling holes engaging with the plurality of coupling protrusions in order to couple the second case with the first case.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2009Publication date: March 25, 2010Applicant: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventor: Dae Hyeong Yoo
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Patent number: 7670714Abstract: A battery pack for an electrical device has a base body, a locking element for locking the base body to the electrical device, and an actuating element for actuating the locking element. The locking element has a retaining region, which is provided for retaining the actuating element at least in the unlocked state of the base body.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2007Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Wolf Matthias
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Patent number: 7670718Abstract: A Battery Assembly comprises a rack assembly, a plurality of guiding strips, two polar heads, a plurality of lithium batteries and safety units. The guiding strips are connected to the polar heads and are disposed on the rack assembly, respectively. The rack assembly has a containing space for accommodating the lithium batteries, and each lithium battery is connected to the guiding strip by a guiding piece via one safety unit, such that the lithium batteries are connected in parallel, thus providing enough power with a small size. In addition, each safety unit can cut off the broken lithium battery separately, so as to avoid the immediate shut-off of the electric power.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2007Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: Energy Control LimitedInventor: Donald P. H. Wu
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Publication number: 20100047676Abstract: Disclosed herein are a pack case constructed in a structure in which a plurality of battery cells are mounted in the pack case to electrically connect the battery cells with each other, wherein the pack case includes an upper case and a lower case constructed in a hollow structure in which the upper case and the lower case are coupled with each other while the battery cells are mounted between the upper case and the lower case, each case is integrally provided at the inner part thereof with a plurality of spacers for supporting the battery cells, and each case is provided at the outer part thereof with a plurality of ventilation openings which communicate with the interior of each case, and a battery pack including the pack case.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2007Publication date: February 25, 2010Applicant: LG Chem,Ltd.Inventors: Jongho Park, Yongho Cho, Joonyoung Shin
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Publication number: 20100047683Abstract: Apparatus and methodology subject matters relate to an improved electrochemical single or multi-cell energy storage device. Also, an outer casing may be provided as a pair of U-shaped shells, a single foil piece, or a tube-shaped structure which encases the internal electro chemical cell stack. The energy storage device and such casing when used advantageously exhibit low internal resistance, low ESR, a high voltage/capacity, and a low contact resistance between the internal stack and the outer casing.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2009Publication date: February 25, 2010Applicant: E.C.R.-ELECTRO CHEMICAL RESEARCH, LTD.Inventors: Arieh Meitav, Joel Lang, Niles Fleischer, David Lifschitz, Eugene Pecherer, Eli Rosh Chodesh, Joost Manassen, Bharat Rawal
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Publication number: 20090297892Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide flexible, multi-voltage battery modules having multiple cells that are nested together. The cells can be, for example, cylindrical lithium ion cells. To increase cell package density, the cells can be disposed in a nested configuration so that adjacent cell centers form equilateral triangles. The cells can be placed in a housing or case with interlocking tabs that allow multiple modules to be connected together. Within a module, the cells can be connected in different configurations by buss bars at the top and the bottom of the battery cells. The different configurations may provide different voltages for the module.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2009Publication date: December 3, 2009Applicant: A123 Systems, Inc.Inventors: Mujeeb IJAZ, Brian D. RUTKOWSKI, Shazad BUTT, Jonathan HOSTLER, Brian MOOREHEAD
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Patent number: 7625667Abstract: A battery compartment assembly includes a housing and a lid configured to be removably attached to the housing. The lid includes a pair of hinges that engage a corresponding pair of openings in the housing, and a latch that engages a ridge on the housing when the lid is in the closed position. The lid also includes a pair of contacts that extend from the lid to mate with connectors of a control unit to be powered by the batteries in the assembly. A spring is included in the housing for connecting to a positive terminal of a first battery and a negative terminal of a second battery.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2006Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Assignee: Masco Corporation of IndianaInventors: Garry Robin Marty, Timothy Jay Sailors, Jr., Jeffrey Lee Moore
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Patent number: 7618741Abstract: A battery pack, charger, and terminal blocks for the pack, charger and a cordless power tool are provided. The pack includes battery cells disposed between end caps within a bottom housing of the pack, and a potting boat for housing pack electronics electrically connected to the cells between the end caps and disposed within a pack top housing. A pack terminal block is connected to the potting boat within the top housing. The charger and the power tool each include a terminal block for providing electrical connections between the charger/tool and the battery pack. The terminal block is configured to float side-to-side to provide displaceable movement of the terminal block within the charger housing or tool housing for aligning the battery pack terminal block therein.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2006Date of Patent: November 17, 2009Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: Adam M. Casalena, Daniel J. White, Steven J. Phillips, Brent A. Kuehne, Mark M. Data, Arvind Patel
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Publication number: 20090269657Abstract: An electricity storage system comprises a plurality of battery cells in which battery elements are accommodated in angular metal battery cases, wherein the plurality of battery cells are connected together electrically and are disposed in such a manner as to form spaces between the metal battery cells, and wherein the metal battery cell comprises an angular metallic housing on an external surface of which irregularities are formed and a resin portion which is injection molded integrally on the external surface of the metallic housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2009Publication date: October 29, 2009Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Yoshinori Mita, Atsushi Sakurai
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Publication number: 20090246616Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of batteries provided adjacent to one another. Each battery includes a case, which has a frame-shaped peripheral wall having open ends and a sidewall provided at one end of the peripheral wall, and a cell which is contained in the case and exposed at the other end of the peripheral wall. In two adjacent batteries of the batteries, the other end of a peripheral wall of one battery and one end of a peripheral wall of the other battery are opposed to each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2009Publication date: October 1, 2009Inventors: Taihei KOYAMA, Takeo Kakuchi, Yosuke Tonami, Takafumi Nakahama, Norihito Togashi, Kenji Sato
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Publication number: 20090239137Abstract: A battery pack provided with a battery module including a projection, a support which holds the respective projections of a plurality of the battery modules disposed so that the projections are arranged in a straight line, and a fixing member for fixing the support to the projections.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2009Publication date: September 24, 2009Inventors: Takeo Kakuchi, Taihei Koyama, Yosuke Tonami, Takafumi Nakahama, Norihito Togashi, Kenji Sato
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Publication number: 20090214940Abstract: A power train battery assembly of an electric, fuel-cell or hybrid vehicle for transporting passengers or goods has a plurality of prefabricated battery cells (12), each encased in an individual, externally-closed housing (14). The battery cells (12) are radially clamped by a plurality of walls (2 to 8), corresponding clamp sections (26) being provided on the walls (2 to 8).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2009Publication date: August 27, 2009Inventor: Roland Haussmann
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Patent number: 7550228Abstract: The car power source battery apparatus houses a plurality of battery modules in a holder case. Battery modules have batteries connected in a straight-line fashion, and boundary regions between batteries are covered with elastomer cylinders, which can flexibly deform. The outline of elastomer cylinder regions of a battery module is wider than the outline of battery regions not covered by elastomer cylinders. The holder case is divided into a first holder and a second holder to form holding compartments to retain battery modules. The inside shape of a holding compartment is a cylinder shape which is narrower than the outline of elastomer cylinder regions and wider than the outline of battery regions. Elastomer cylinder regions are resiliently compressed by holding compartment inside surfaces to hold battery modules, and cooling gaps are established between battery regions and holding compartment inside surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2005Date of Patent: June 23, 2009Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Ryosaku Izawa
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Publication number: 20090155679Abstract: A battery pack comprises a plurality of electrochemical cells and a housing. The cells have similar shape and size. The shape is a rectangular prism with opposing major faces. The cells are aligned in a stack along an axis of the pack so that one of the major faces of each cell contacts the major face of the adjacent cell. The housing comprises a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion comprises a top plate and four side plates joined to the top plate so as to form a cavity with an opening. The cross-sectional area of the opening is at least slightly larger than the cross-sectional area of the stack, and the cross-sectional area of the cavity in a plane closer to the top plate is sized so that the stack fits snugly therein. The battery stack is disposed in the housing. The bottom portion closes the opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2008Publication date: June 18, 2009Inventors: Jianhua Zhu, Weixin Zheng, Hao Hu, Xi Shen
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Publication number: 20090142629Abstract: An intrinsically-safe battery power supply for electrical equipment in underground mining and in other areas exposed to the danger of explosion is disclosed. The power supply includes at least one chargeable storage battery cell disposed in a battery housing. At least one storage battery cell comprises a chargeable lithium storage battery cell and the battery housing is configured to be pressure-resistant and to receive all lithium storage battery cells in a manner so as to be protected from explosion. The pressure-resistant configuration of the battery housing enables the use of lithium storage battery cells in underground mining. Once the battery power supply fulfils all requirements of ignition protection certification, even modern types of lithium storage battery cell can be disposed in the battery housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2008Publication date: June 4, 2009Inventors: Jens Titschert, Norbert Schwarz, Jorg Wagener
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Publication number: 20090061298Abstract: An independent separating type power battery assembly comprises a rack assembly, a plurality of guiding strips, two polar heads, a plurality of lithium batteries and safety units. The guiding strips are connected to the polar heads and are disposed on the rack assembly, respectively. The rack assembly has a containing space for accommodating the lithium batteries, and each lithium battery is connected to the guiding strip by a guiding piece via one safety unit, such that the lithium batteries are connected in parallel, thus providing enough power with a small size. In addition, each safety unit can cut off the broken lithium battery separately, so as to avoid the immediate shut-off of the electric power.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2007Publication date: March 5, 2009Inventor: Donald P.H. WU
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Publication number: 20090011286Abstract: A battery device includes a battery set, and a casing; the casing includes a right covering part and a left covering part, which are joined together to provide a holding room for the battery set; the battery set include at least two batteries, and are held in the casing with positive and negative poles thereof being exposed through front and tail ends of the casing respectively; a socket is held in the casing, and electrically connected with the positive and the negative poles of the battery set; thus, after a plug of a charger is inserted in the socket, the single-part batteries together will be charged through the charger without the battery device being located on the charger.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2007Publication date: January 8, 2009Inventor: Yun-Zhao Liu
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Patent number: 7438988Abstract: Secondary battery structure 100 has secondary batteries 110 equipped with metallic battery cases 111 , temperature detectors 120 for detecting temperature of the secondary batteries 110 , and supporting members 130 for supporting the temperature detectors 120 . Each of the temperature detectors 120 has a detector body 121 which detects surface temperature of the battery case 111 by contacting with a bottom surface 111c (temperature-detected surface) on the battery case 111, and a fixing portion 122 which engages with the supporting member 130 and fixes the temperature detector 120 to the secondary battery 110 while keeping the detector body 121 contact with the bottom surface 111c on the battery case 111.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2005Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masahiro Misu, Toyohiko Eto
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Patent number: 7189474Abstract: A battery pack is compos d of a plurality of battery modules, holding brackets, a tubular cover, and a fan. The battery module is composed of a plurality of sealed rechargeable batteries having a metal case, which are arranged in a row and integrally connected in series. The plurality of battery modules are arranged in parallel, and the holding brackets hold both ends of the battery modules in a direction perpendicular to a parallel direction. The tubular cover forms a coolant path by surrounding the periphery of the battery modules. The fan supplies coolant to the inside of the coolant path. In the battery pack with above structure, increase in the height thereof is prevented.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2003Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shinji Hamada, Toyohiko Eto
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Patent number: 6982131Abstract: On the opposite end walls of a flat, prismatic battery case of a battery module where electrode terminals are attached, protruding components are formed such as to protrude further than the electrode terminals. Terminal holes are formed in the end walls in which the electrode terminals are fitted, and the thickness of the end walls of the integral battery case in the vicinity of the terminal holes is not the same on both sides of each of the terminal holes. Also, one or a plurality of vertical and horizontal ribs are formed on the end walls between the electrode terminals and the protruding components. Further, a sealing structure is included for a battery.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2000Date of Patent: January 3, 2006Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shinji Hamada, Izumi Yamamura, Noriyuki Fujioka, Shuhei Marukawa, Toyohiko Eto, Keiji Shukuya, Yoshiaki Ogata
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Patent number: 6946220Abstract: An economical method for manufacturing an electrode assembly of virtually any shape to fit into a similarly shaped casing without compromising volumetric efficiency is described. This is accomplished by providing an electrode assembly of multiplate anode and cathode plates that substantially match the internal shape of the casing. That way, no matter what shape the device being powered by the cell dictates the electrode assembly assumes, as little internal volume as possible is left unoccupied by electrode active materials.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2002Date of Patent: September 20, 2005Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Joseph M. Probst, Scott P. Hall
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Publication number: 20040258983Abstract: The tool comprises, in a casing (2), electrically operated components and a housing (4) to accommodate a battery (3) that powers the said components, with detachable means (10, 24) of securing the battery in its housing in a position of mechanical locking and electrical connection to the said components and in a position in which it is mechanically retained in its housing but electrically disconnected.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2004Publication date: December 23, 2004Inventors: Alain Vettoretti, Jean-Luc Simonin
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Patent number: 6824919Abstract: This invention includes a hybrid housing for rechargeable battery packs. The housing utilizes thin metal sidewalls with overlaid plastic end walls by way of an insert molding process. In a single cell, lithium-ion application, the resultant battery pack is 4.9% smaller by volume. Each sidewall up to 75% thinner than prior art sidewalls made by way of an injection molding process. The resultant battery housing is thinner and stronger than prior art housings.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2002Date of Patent: November 30, 2004Assignee: Motorola, Inc.Inventors: Tong Han Law, Wiling Tan, Seng Hai Tan, Tzer Nan Tan
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Patent number: 6699616Abstract: A battery housing for medical scooter includes a movable base provided with at least two battery compartments for each receiving a battery therein, an electrode contact provided at the bottom of each battery compartment to electrically connect to a positive or a negative electrode of the battery in the same compartment, and an electricity chamber for accommodating a charger and a power cord that could be easily pulled out to connect to an external AC power source for the charger to recharge the batteries. Two elastic conductive plates are provided below the battery compartments to contact with the electrode contacts, so that power could be supplied from the batteries to positive and negative power supply wires of the cart connected to the conductive plates. Drain holes are provided below the elastic conductive plates to protect the battery housing from damage due to accumulated water on the medical scooter.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2001Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Inventor: Donald P. H. Wu
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Patent number: 6673485Abstract: A battery module is fabricated as follows. A plurality of elements for electromotive force is accommodated in a one-piece cylindrical case and is arranged in series in an axial direction of the case. The elements for electromotive force are electrically connected through an electric connector passing through a resin partition wall which separates the elements for electromotive force from one another. The both ends of the case are sealed with sealing plates.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2001Date of Patent: January 6, 2004Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kenji Kimura, Akira Iwamura
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Publication number: 20030157401Abstract: An accumulator, particularly a lead accumulator, has a housing, which encloses multiple cells, and a block cover, which terminates the housing, including a bottom cover (1) and a top cover (2), between which a gas chamber for acid separation is implemented, which is divided into multiple cavities (3-8), corresponding to the number of cells, and which has at least one vent opening, a fill opening (9-14) being provided for each cell in the bottom cover (1). In order to improve an accumulator of this type, a gas outlet (15-20), which discharges into the associated cavity (3-8), is provided for each cell at a distance from the fill opening (9-14) in the bottom cover (1), its size being dimensioned so that in the event of brief tipping of the accumulator, no more acid may escape from the cell than is received by the cavity (3-8) assigned thereto (FIG. 2).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2002Publication date: August 21, 2003Inventors: Manfred Gelbke, Richard Kermas, Peter Schumann, Peter Holzleitner, Norbert Maleschitz, Thomas Bawart
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Patent number: 6551741Abstract: An integrated battery case 2 is made by coupling together a plurality of cell cases 3 into an integral body, open ends of the cell cases 3 being closed integrally with a lid member 4. Communicating paths 37 for communicating a suitable number of neighboring cell cases 3 with one another are provided in the lid member 4, whereby the cell cases 3 have a uniform internal pressure.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2000Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shinji Hamada, Hiroshi Inoue, Noriyuki Fujioka, Munehisa Ikoma
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Patent number: 6465123Abstract: A Battery container is provided for a plurality of cylindrical accumulator elements which are arranged parallel to one another in rows and/or layers essentially horizontally. At least one first fixing element is arranged on a bottom plate and a cover plate of the battery container. The fixing elements extend transversely to the longitudinal axes of the accumulator elements and, with a form-locking action, fix and support the accumulator elements in the horizontal and the vertical direction. In the case of a layer-type arrangement of the accumulator elements, additional fixing elements are provided which are arranged between two layers of accumulator elements respectively and which also extend transversely to the longitudinal axes of the accumulator elements and, while acting upon the accumulator elements in a form-locking manner, fix and support the accumulator elements in the horizontal and vertical direction.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2000Date of Patent: October 15, 2002Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AGInventors: Bernd M. Baumann, Johann German
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Patent number: 6455190Abstract: The battery module comprises a plurality of cells encased in prismatic cell cases having short lateral walls and long lateral walls coupled together as one piece. Each of the cells accommodates therein a group of electrode plates and liquid electrolyte, wherein collector plates are connected respectively to the groups of positive and negative electrode plates at opposite lateral edges thereof. Connection holes are formed at upper edge portions of the short lateral walls of the cell cases, and the collector plates are formed with connection bosses that fit into the connection holes, so that the connection bosses of the collector plates in neighboring cells are abutted each other and welded together, whereby two adjacent cells are connected to each other.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2000Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroshi Inoue, Nobuyuki Matsunaka, Hiromi Kajiya
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Patent number: 6444352Abstract: A battery housing including a cover that has one or more semi-rigid legs depending outwardly therefrom, and the battery housing also including a battery tray for selectively receiving one or more batteries and one or more flexible circuits. The battery tray has one or more fixtures that provide access to at least one battery and at least one flexible circuit such that the flexible circuit can be spot-welded to the battery, and each fixture is placed about the battery tray whereby each of the one or more legs of the cover snap-fits into a fixture and such action preferably affixes the cover to the battery tray to form the battery housing.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2000Date of Patent: September 3, 2002Assignee: Motorola, Inc.Inventors: Amy Terese Herrmann, Elizabeth Anne Taylor
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Patent number: 6428923Abstract: An accommodation for holding and connecting batteries, especially lithium batteries of the type ordinarily employed for photographic purposes, but in conditions where moisture constitutes a hazard, such as in electronically controlled plumbing fixtures. The accommodation is provided with a pocket-like envelope of elastomeric material with an inner surface that matches the outer surface of the battery to be accommodated therein and with an opening at one end to insert the battery therethrough and closed at the other end. The accommodation has a plate with resilient contacts on its inward-facing side inside the envelope at the closed end and the envelope is surrounded by an inward-extending collar in the vicinity of the open end that engages the battery from behind and secures it, forcing it against the contacts. A connecting cable extends moisture-tight out of the closed end.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2000Date of Patent: August 6, 2002Assignee: A + K Müller GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Heinz-Dieter Eichholz
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Patent number: 6410184Abstract: The power source holds a plurality of parallel oriented power modules in a holder-case. The holder-case is provided with cover-casings on both sides and intermediate-casings between them. Holder ribs project from the insides of cover-casings and from both sides of intermediate-casings for arranging power modules in a plurality of rows and retaining them in fixed positions. Cover-casings on both sides and intermediate-casings are joined to sandwich and hold the plurality of rows of power modules in fixed positions via the holder ribs.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2000Date of Patent: June 25, 2002Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tatsuhito Horiuchi, Yoshiharu Takasaki
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Patent number: 6379837Abstract: A battery device in which a large number of secondary batteries are efficiently housed and cemented strongly so that malfunctioning secondary batteries found after assembling can be exchanged and so that unusual heat evolution can be detected reliably. To this end, a pair of modular casing halves 43, 44 having battery housing half sections 49, 64 and a large number of terminal openings 46, 47 communicating with the battery housing half sections are coupled to each other to constitute a modular casing 13 having a battery housing section 45. A large number of secondary batteries 12 are housed in the battery housing section so that both end terminals of the secondary batteries will be exposed to outside through the terminal openings. Each modular casing half is provided with bottomed adhesive charging openings 72 in register with the respective terminal openings and adhesive efflux opening parts 78 communicating with the terminal openings and with the adhesive charging openings.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2000Date of Patent: April 30, 2002Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Hideya Takahashi, Ryoichi Yamane, Yoshikazu Kanaishi
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Patent number: 6365297Abstract: A battery pack is provided having at least first and second battery modules, and which in one embodiment has ten modules. Each battery module includes a respective first terminal extending from one end of the module and a respective second terminal extending from the other end of the module. The battery pack further includes a conductive interface having a first opening configured to receive the first terminal of the first battery module and a second opening configured to receive the second terminal of the second battery module to thereby provide an electrical series connection. The interface electrically couples the terminals of the two battery modules. The battery pack may further include an electrically non-conductive buss terminal holder configured to receive and position the first and second battery modules and the conductive interface.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 1999Date of Patent: April 2, 2002Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Michael C. Wolczak, Christopher E. Schaefer, Robert C. Beer, Brad T. Hanauer
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Patent number: 6346341Abstract: A ventilation system for a metal-air battery is disclosed. The metal-air battery has one or more air cathodes, one or more air pathways from the air cathode to a reactive gas source, a closure member associated with each of the air pathways to selectively prevent the flow of gas through the air pathways and one or more volume-changeable plenums in fluid communication with the air pathway and the air cathode. When the battery is not in use, the closure member is closed and the door is closed to save the battery life time. When the battery is activated, the air pathway is opened and the volume of the plenum is increased to introduce fresh air from the outside to the plenum. A method of producing electricity using a metal-air battery is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1998Date of Patent: February 12, 2002Assignee: AER Energy Resources, Inc.Inventor: John D. Witzigreuter
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Publication number: 20020012837Abstract: An annular pack for a cylindrical member for use in a wellbore includes a housing adapted to be mounted about an exterior circumference of the cylindrical member. The housing has mutually engagable annular segments. At least one of the annular segments defines a chamber for housing an electrical device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2001Publication date: January 31, 2002Inventors: Donald E. Hensley, Stuart Schaaf, Marvin Milewits, Fraser Walsh
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Publication number: 20010049049Abstract: An annular pack for a cylindrical member for use in a wellbore includes a housing adapted to be mounted about an exterior circumference of the cylindrical member. The housing has mutually engagable annular segments. At least one of the annular segments defines a chamber for housing an electrical device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2001Publication date: December 6, 2001Inventors: Donald E. Hensley, Stuart Schaaf, Marvin Milewits, Fraser Walsh
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Patent number: 6309776Abstract: An assembled storage battery unit of the collective type includes a plurality of storage batteries assembled as a unit. The storage batteries each include positive and negative electrodes layered through a separator and contained in a bottomed parallelepiped battery casing filled with electrolyte and a closure plate welded to an upper opening end of the battery casing to seal the interior of the battery casing. The battery casings each are integrally formed with a plurality of vertical ribs spaced in parallel at one side wall thereof faced to the corresponding side wall of the battery casing adjacent thereto. The vertical ribs of each of the battery casings are coupled with the corresponding vertical ribs of the battery casing adjacent thereto to form a plurality of vertical ventilation spaces.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 1999Date of Patent: October 30, 2001Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co. Ltd.Inventors: Hideki Okajima, Takashi Oda, Michinori Ikezoe
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Patent number: 6300005Abstract: A battery including a container, a cover and an end wall stiffener block. The container is molded with a compartment between an outer and an inner end wall into which the stiffener block is inserted. The stiffener block is preferably made of a stiff plastic or of metal. The stiffener block and compartment are sized so that a contacting relationship is maintained between the inner wall, the block, and the outer wall. The inner wall also maintains a contacting relationship with the active internal components of the battery. During assembly, both the inner and the outer end walls are heat-sealed to the cover, such that the compartment is entirely sealed.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 1999Date of Patent: October 9, 2001Assignee: GNB Technologies, Inc.Inventor: William H. Kump
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Patent number: 6270920Abstract: A battery module has a plurality of electrically connected unit cells fixed in a container. A buffer member is provided at the void between the inner wall of the container and the unit cell. By virtue of the buffer member in the battery module formed of a heat conductive elastic body, the requirement of vibration resistance can be met by the buffer member while the heat generated by the unit cell can be easily discharged via the buffer member. Thus, a battery module suppressed in degradation of the performance of the unit cell caused by heat can be provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 1999Date of Patent: August 7, 2001Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Naoya Nakanishi, Kouichi Satoh, Yoshito Chikano, Kazunari Ohkita, Ikuo Yonezu, Koji Nishio
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Patent number: 6228528Abstract: The invention pertains to housings and enclosures for assemblies of electrochemical cells such as used in consumer electronic devices. A system of structural elements having constant cross-section along at least one axis is provided to construct protective housings for electrochemical cell assemblies. Where cell assemblies include sensitive circuit elements such as circuit boards the fabricated housings include cover portions to reduce the chance of impact or contact damage to the circuit elements. By designing structural elements having open and constant cross-sections, a family of housing components may be fabricated from a single structural element by altering a length. Different configuration housings may also be constructed by rearranging the housing components or introducing additional interconnecting components. By incorporating a unified interconnecting element into each component, interchangeability is increased.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 1998Date of Patent: May 8, 2001Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.Inventors: Rick Burkholder, David Baggaley, Ernest Botos, Alexander Jacobs, III
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Patent number: 6120934Abstract: An electrically nonconductive cover system is provided which may be readily installed onto and removed from a cell tray assembly while minimizing the likelihood of accidental human contact with lead-acid cells or batteries. The cover system is reliable and secure and permits observation and maintenance of the cells without requiring cover removal.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 1999Date of Patent: September 19, 2000Assignee: GNB Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Linning, Jr., Bradley W. Stone
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Patent number: 6096452Abstract: The present invention consists of a device for retaining a one-piece battery with a prismatic casing having two longitudinal walls and two transverse walls. The device contains two plates applied to respective transverse walls and at least one cinching mechanism for the plates consisting of at least one flat strip closed on itself surrounding the longitudinal walls and the transverse walls are provided with the plates. The device is characterized in that at least one of the plates contains at least one recessed housing and the strip closely follows the shape of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 1998Date of Patent: August 1, 2000Assignee: AlcatelInventors: Claude Gilabert, Michel Leturque, Roclof Verhoog
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Patent number: 6074779Abstract: Described is a battery cell housing comprising a battery cell compartment and a latching compartment separated by an inner wall, where the battery housing is made of metal formed by combination extrusion or dual impact extrusion. This permits battery compartment wall to be thin, so that the maximum size battery cell may be inserted into it, and the latching compartment wall to be thic,k so it can be securely fastened to an electronic device. The inner wall provides an impenetrable barrier to moisture migrating from the latching compartment to the battery compartment.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: Motorola, Inc.Inventors: Michael M. Austin, Robert E. Gray
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Patent number: 6057061Abstract: The present invention is directed to a battery separator being an oriented microporous film containing ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer with a filler, and a battery containing that separator.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 1997Date of Patent: May 2, 2000Assignee: Celgard Inc.Inventors: Robert W. Callahan, Hongkyu Kim
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Patent number: 5427316Abstract: A sucking straw has a substantially flat configuration and is provided with a plurality of adjoining beverage sucking channels. The straw fits the contour of the lips so that no air may go through when liquid is being sucked by the user. The amount of liquid being sucked is substantially greater than with conventional straws.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 1994Date of Patent: June 27, 1995Inventor: Marcello Leone