Bipolar Type Patents (Class 429/210)
  • Patent number: 8535824
    Abstract: An electrochemical device has one or more electrodes in electrical communication with a tab assembly. The tab assembly includes a tab having one or more clad regions. Each clad region includes a metal clad onto the tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Quallion LLC
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nakahara, Sang Young Yoon
  • Patent number: 8530083
    Abstract: An electrode is used for an electric storage device that includes plural electrodes that are stacked such that an ion-conductive layer is disposed between each pair of the electrodes. Each of the plural electrodes includes a current collector, and an electrode layer, formed on the current collector, which contains an active material. The configuration of the electrode layer (for example, the amount of the active material) varies according to the position in the electrode layer such that a current density in a first region of the electrode, where heat radiation performance is lower than the heat radiation performance in a second region of the electrode, is lower than the current density in the second region of the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8530085
    Abstract: A negative electrode active material including nanometal particles and super-conductive nanoparticles and a lithium battery including the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: So-Ra Lee, Jae-Myung Kim, Kyu-Nam Joo, Sean Do, Jong-Hee Lee, Young-Su Kim, Deok-Hyun Kim, Gu-Hyun Chung, Beom-Kwon Kim, Yong-mi Yu
  • Patent number: 8486567
    Abstract: An electrochemical device having an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and an electrolyte. At least one of the anode electrode and the cathode electrode is provided with a substantially uniform superficial relief pattern formed by a plurality of substantially uniform projections and has an electrical conductivity gradient between peaks of the projections and valleys between the projections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Gas Technology Institute
    Inventors: Qinbai Fan, Ronald Stanis
  • Patent number: 8481197
    Abstract: A bipolar secondary battery includes a plurality of bipolar electrodes, each including a current collector that has a positive electrode layer on one surface thereof and a negative electrode layer on the opposite surface thereof. A separator is disposed between adjacent two bipolar electrodes such that the positive electrode layer of one bipolar electrode and the negative electrode layer of the adjacent bipolar electrode adjacent are opposed to each other along the length of the separator. The positive electrode layer and the negative electrode layer are formed with protrudent portions disposed at positions offset from each other along a length of the current collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanobu Sato, Kenji Hosaka, Hideaki Horie, Yoshio Shimoida, Masanori Aoyagi
  • Patent number: 8481208
    Abstract: The invention provides bipolar articles (e.g., batteries and capacitors) with new architectures and methods of making and using the same. Articles are provided with interpenetrating anode and cathode structures that allow for improved power density, and arbitrary form factors that allow for formation in substantially any desired shape. The articles are useful for embedding or integral formation in various electronic devices to provide more efficient use of space in the devices. The articles optionally include self-organizing bipolar structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: A123 Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Gilbert N. Riley, Jr., Yet-Ming Chiang, Antoni S. Gozdz, Michael S. Viola, Ricardo Fulop
  • Patent number: 8460812
    Abstract: A lithium secondary battery obtained by the present invention has a negative electrode sheet 20 in which the theoretical capacities of the negative active material per unit area are equalized in a negative active material layer 24b on the outer circumference side and a negative active material layer 24a on the inner circumference side of a negative electrode collector 22, and at least one of the following conditions is met with respect to at least part of a bent section 85, which is bent toward the inside of a wound electrode body 80: (1) the percentage content of binder of the outer negative active material layer 24b is smaller than the percentage content of binder of the inner negative active material layer 24a; and (2) the density of the outer negative active material layer 24b is smaller than the density of the inner negative active material layer 24a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Takahata, Hideki Sano
  • Patent number: 8460402
    Abstract: A gasket for a bipolar battery comprises a structural part in the shape of a frame having an upper surface and a lower surface, and at least one channel to permit gas passage through the gasket. The structural part may be made from a first material having hydrophobic properties. The gasket further comprises at least a first sealing surface arranged in a closed loop projecting from the upper surface, and at least a second sealing surface arranged in a closed loop projecting from the lower surface. The first and the second sealing surfaces are provided on at least one sealing part, are made from a second material, and the first material of the structural part has a higher elastic modulus than an elastic modulus of the second material of the sealing parts. A bipolar battery and a method for manufacturing a gasket are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Nilar International AB
    Inventors: David Hock, Lars Fredriksson, Neil H. Puester
  • Publication number: 20130130096
    Abstract: Light-weight VRLA batteries comprise a thin lead substrate that is supported by non-conductive, preferably plastic frames that provide structural stability to accommodate stress and strain in the bipole assembly. In particularly preferred batteries, the plastic frames are laser welded together and phantom grids and electrode materials are coupled to the respective sides of the lead substrate. Where the phantom grid is an ultra-thin lead grid, the lead grid is preferably configured to provide a corrosion reserve of less than 10 charge-discharge cycles and the bipole assembly is charged in an in-tank formation process. Where the phantom grid is a non-conductive grid, the lead grid is preferably a plastic grid and the bipole assembly is charged in an in-container formation process. Consequently, weight, volume, and production costs are significantly reduced while specific energy is substantially increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: AIC BLAB
    Inventor: Frank Lev
  • Patent number: 8445139
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to bipolar cells including electrodes surrounding a collector. Embodiments of the bipolar cells include a collector containing a high-polymer material. The disclosure also relates to bipolar electrode batteries containing bipolar cells including a collector body containing electrically conductive high-polymer or electrically conductive particles distributed in a high-polymer. By adding such high molecular weight polymer material to the collector, the weight of the collector may be reduced and the output power density per weight of the battery may be improved. The disclosure further relates to methods of forming collecting bodies and electrodes for bipolar cells using an inkjet printing method. Bipolar cells according to the present invention may be used to fabricate batteries such as lithium ion batteries, which may be connected to form battery modules used, for example, to provide electrical power for a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Hosaka, Osamu Shimamura, Hideaki Horie, Takamitsu Saito, Takuya Kinoshita, Takaaki Abe, Naoto Kiriu
  • Publication number: 20130122362
    Abstract: A bipolar electrode is composed of a first active material layer which is, for example, a positive electrode active material layer formed to include a first active material on one side of a collector, and a second active material layer which is, for example, a negative electrode active material layer formed to include a second active material with less compressive strength than that of the first active material on the other side of the collector. Then, a density adjusting additive which is an additive material with larger compressive strength than that of the second active material is included in the second active material layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Inventors: Masanobu Sato, Yasuo Ohta, Hideaki Horie, Masanori Aoyagi
  • Publication number: 20130101903
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrochemical lithium accumulator comprising at least one first electrochemical cell and at least one second electrochemical cell separated from each other by a current-collecting substrate, which substrate supports on a first face, an electrode of said first electrochemical cell, and on its second face opposite to said first face, an electrode of opposite sign of said second electrochemical cell, each cell comprising a positive electrode and a negative electrode separated by an electrolyte, characterized inter alio in that said current-collecting substrate is in copper or in copper alloy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Céline Barchasz, Marianne Chami, Sébastien Martinet, Sébastien Patoux
  • Patent number: 8415049
    Abstract: The present invention provides a bipolar battery made by using a polymer gel electrolyte or a liquid electrolyte in an electrolyte layer, which is highly reliable and prevents liquid junction (short circuit) caused by leak out of an electrolyte solution from the electrolyte part. The present invention provides a bipolar battery laminated, in series, with a plurality pieces of bipolar electrodes which is formed with a positive electrode on one surface of a collector, and a negative electrode on the other surface, so as to sandwich an electrolyte layer, characterized by being provided with a separator which retains the electrolyte later, and a seal resin which is formed and arranged at the outer circumference part of a part of the separator where the electrolyte is retained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Shimamura, Kenji Hosaka, Kyoichi Watanabe, Takaaki Abe, Takuya Kinoshita, Hideaki Horie, Hajime Sato, Ryouichi Senbokuya
  • Publication number: 20130065110
    Abstract: A bipolar battery plate is utilized for production of a bipolar battery. The bipolar battery plate includes a frame, a substrate, first and second lead layers, and positive and negative active materials. The substrate includes insulative plastic with conductive particles homogeneously dispersed throughout the insulative plastic and exposed along surface of the substrate, the substrate positioned within the frame. The first lead layer is positioned on one side of the substrate, while the second lead layer is positioned on another side of the substrate. The first and second lead layer are electrically connected to each through the conductive particles. The positive active material is positioned on a surface of the first lead layer, and the negative active material positioned on a surface of the second lead layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventor: Thomas Faust
  • Publication number: 20130065106
    Abstract: A bipolar battery plate is utilized for production of a bipolar battery. The bipolar battery plate includes a frame, a substrate, a conductive filler, first and second lead layers, and positive and negative active materials. The substrate includes a plurality of perforations through the substrate, and the substrate is positioned within the frame. The conductive filler seals the perforations. The first lead layer is positioned on one side of the substrate, while the second lead layer is positioned on another side of the substrate. The first and second lead layers are electrically connected to each through the conductive filler sealing the perforations. The positive active material is positioned on a surface of the first lead layer, while the negative active material is positioned on a surface of the second lead layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventor: Thomas Faust
  • Publication number: 20130065105
    Abstract: A bipolar battery plate is utilized for production of a bipolar battery. The bipolar battery plate includes a frame, a substrate, first and second lead layers, and positive and negative active materials. The substrate includes a plurality of perforations through the substrate, and the substrate is positioned within the frame. The first lead layer is positioned on one side of the substrate, while the second lead layer is positioned on another side of the substrate. The first and second lead layers are electrically connected to each through the plurality of perforations. The positive active material is positioned on a surface of the first lead layer, while the negative active material is positioned on a surface of the second lead layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventor: Thomas Faust
  • Publication number: 20130040194
    Abstract: A layered composite material which is suitable, in particular, for use in a redox flow battery, contains at least one layer of a textile fabric and at least one graphite-containing molded body which is obtained by a method in which graphite particles are mixed with at least one solid organic additive to form a mixture and the thus obtained mixed is then compressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2010
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: SGL CARBON SE
    Inventors: Oswin Öttinger, Rainer Schmitt, Jürgen Bacher, Sylvia Mechen, Bastian Hudler
  • Patent number: 8372539
    Abstract: A substrate useful for the formation of, inter alia, a flow field plate for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell, the substrate formed of at least one resin-impregnated sheet of compressed particles of exfoliated graphite comprising two major surfaces, the substrate having an active area with flow field channels thereon, the sheet of compressed particles of exfoliated graphite having a local web thickness in at least about 50% of its active area that is no more than about 55% greater than the minimum web thickness of the active area of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: GrafTech International Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel W. Krassowski, Thomas W. Weber, David J. Stuart, Jeffery J. Gough, Robert A. Mercuri, Jeremy H. Klug
  • Publication number: 20130022852
    Abstract: Methods for improving the electrical conductivity of a carbon felt material is provided. In some embodiments, a method improving the electrical conductivity of a carbon felt material comprises applying a carbon source liquid to at least a portion of a carbon felt material, optionally removing excess carbon source liquid from the carbon felt material, and converting the carbon source material to solid carbon, such as by heating. Also provided are materials and products created using these methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: EnerVault Corporation
    Inventors: On Kok Chang, Kimio Kinoshita, Ronald James Mosso
  • Patent number: 8357469
    Abstract: A bipolar battery construction is disclosed comprising a substrate, openings in the substrate, an electrically conductive material placed within the openings, a negative and positive current collector foil placed on opposing sides of the substrate and negative and positive pasting frame members. The electrically conductive material may have a melting point below the thermal degradation temperature of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Advanced Battery Concepts, LLC
    Inventors: Edward Otto Shaffer, II, William Buttfield Brecht
  • Patent number: 8323829
    Abstract: An electrode is used for an electric storage device that includes plural electrodes that are stacked such that an ion-conductive layer is disposed between each pair of the electrodes. Each of the plural electrodes includes a current collector, and an electrode layer, formed on the current collector, which contains an active material. The configuration of the electrode layer (for example, the amount of the active material) varies according to the position in the electrode layer such that a current density in a first region of the electrode, where heat radiation performance is lower than the heat radiation performance in a second region of the electrode, is lower than the current density in the second region of the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8304103
    Abstract: A battery structure for improving a heat dissipating property and a vibration absorbing performance. The battery structure comprises a plurality of unit cell layers, each formed by alternately stacking a cathode active material layer formed on a surface of one collector, a separator for retaining an electrolyte and an anode active material layer formed on a surface of another collector. The battery structure also comprises a heat dissipating member disposed between at least one unit cell layer and another unit cell layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyoichi Watanabe, Hajime Sato, Kenji Hosaka, Hideaki Horie
  • Publication number: 20120270088
    Abstract: An all solid state rechargeable oxide-ion (ROB) battery (30) has a thermal energy storage (TES) unit (20) between two oxide-ion cells (22, 24) with metal-metal oxide electrodes (34, 36, 40, 42) on opposite sides of an anion conducting solid electrolyte (32,38) where none of the electrodes is contact with air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: Kevin Huang, Chun Lu, James L. Shull, Shih-Yu W. Liu, Gong Zhang, Kevin P. Litzinger
  • Publication number: 20120251896
    Abstract: An energy storage device includes a first electrode comprising a first material and a second electrode comprising a second material, at least a portion of the first and second materials forming an interpenetrating network when dispersed in an electrolyte, the electrolyte, the first material and the second material are selected so that the first and second materials exert a repelling force on each other when combined. An electrochemical device, includes a first electrode in electrical communication with a first current collector; a second electrode in electrical communication with a second current collector; and an ionicaily conductive medium in ionic contact with said first and second electrodes, wherein at least a portion of the first and second electrodes form an interpenetrating network and wherein at least one of the first and second electrodes comprises an electrode structure providing two or more pathways to its current collector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Yet-Ming Chiang, William Douglas Moorehead
  • Patent number: 8277975
    Abstract: The effective ionic conductivity in a composite structure is believed to decrease rapidly with volume fraction. A system, such as a bipolar device or energy storage device, has structures or components in which the diffusion length or path that electrodes or ions must traverse is minimized and the interfacial area exposed to the ions or electrons is maximized. The device includes components that can be reticulated or has a reticulated interface so that an interface area can be increased. The increased interfacial perimeter increases the available sites for reaction of ionic species. Many different reticulation patterns can be used. The aspect ratio of the reticulated features can be varied. Such bipolar devices can be fabricated by a variety of methods or procedures. A bipolar device having structures of reticulated interface can be tailored for the purposes of controlling and optimizing charge and discharge kinetics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Massachusetts Intitute of Technology
    Inventors: Yet-Ming Chiang, Benjamin Hellweg
  • Publication number: 20120237816
    Abstract: A bipolar battery may include a substrate having a matrix made of a thermoset polymer formed from a liquid precursor. One or more conductive pellets can be disposed in the matrix to provide electrical connection between opposite sides of the matrix. Each conductive pellet has a characteristic thickness that is greater than a thickness of the matrix. Each of the one or more conductive pellets protrudes beyond first and second surfaces of the matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: YottaQ, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin R. Roscheisen, Brent J. Bollman, Hak Fei Poon, Zhengyu Wu, Boris Monahov, Sam Kao
  • Patent number: 8263247
    Abstract: An electrolyte injection hole is formed in a current collector extension part between negative and positive active material layers of a quasi-bipolar electrode, and another electrolyte injection hole corresponding to the electrolyte injection hole of the quasi-bipolar electrode is formed in a sidewall of a hollow core around which the electrode is wound, so as to easily inject a predetermined amount of electrolyte into each unit cell of an electrode assembly through an electrolyte injection port and the core. Therefore, simple, reliable, and easy-to-manufacture electrochemical cell can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Kim's Techknowledge Inc.
    Inventor: Seong Min Kim
  • Patent number: 8263259
    Abstract: Bipolar plates and end plates for fuel cell stacks. The bipolar plates or end plates may include semi-conductive or conductive bodies, intricate features with close tolerances such as narrow flow channels and conduits with complex flow paths, integral resistive heating elements, internal catalytic reforming capability, integral heat exchanging structure, substantially flat and undistorted contact faces, integral sensors, and internal recuperative heat exchanging capacity. Methods of making bipolar plates and end plates for fuel cell stacks. The methods involve a range of integrated processing techniques that enable a flexible approach to bipolar and end plate design. In addition, the ability to reliably produce features on a small scale allows for the potential miniaturization of bipolar plates and end plates and is therefore ideally suited to further the development of small scale portable fuel cell systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel A. Kearl
  • Publication number: 20120223681
    Abstract: Electrodes as well as electrode production methods are provided that can include a substrate with the substrate comprising non-conductive material. Batteries including electrodes of the disclosure are provided. Electricity storage methods are provided that can utilize the electrodes and/or batteries of the disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Inventors: Bradley W. Stone, Alfred T. Volberding
  • Publication number: 20120208082
    Abstract: A bipolar secondary battery current collector is a bipolar secondary battery current collector having electrical conductivity. The current collector has an expansion section that expands in a thickness direction of the current collector at a temperature equal to or higher than a prescribed temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takashi Honda
  • Publication number: 20120183847
    Abstract: Contemplated bipolar lead acid batteries include a bipole assembly with a monolithic or composite current collector that is in contact with the PAM. Especially preferred current collectors have a substrate formed from pure lead and grid formed from a lead alloy, wherein the interface between the grid and substrate is formed via electroforming and/or resistance welding. Particularly preferred batteries are configured as deep cycle batteries and have a low ratio between the surface area of the grid and the weight of the PAM.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: AIC BLAB
    Inventors: Frank Lev, Leonid Rabinovich
  • Publication number: 20120171567
    Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide a method of producing a sealing structure of a bipolar battery capable of improving the sealing capability by means of solidifying the joint between a resin collector comprising a thermosetting resin before the setting reaction and a sealing layer, a method of producing the bipolar battery, and the sealing structure of the bipolar battery and the bipolar battery. The method of producing the sealing structure of the bipolar battery comprises s step of producing the sealing assembly 80 by joining the first sealing layer 81 consisting of thermosetting resin before the thermosetting reaction with the second sealing layer 82 consisting of the thermoplastic resin, and a step of producing the collector assembly 90 formed by sealing the contact area of the sealing assembly and the resin collector 60 by joining the sealing assembly with the thermosetting resin after the thermosetting reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Motoharu Obika, Kenji Hosaka
  • Publication number: 20120156559
    Abstract: A method of sealing together two elements of a bipolar battery, the method comprising: interposing an inductive heating element between the two elements; applying a current to the inductive heating element to generate localised heat to melt material in the vicinity of the heating element to seal the two elements together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: ATRAVERDA LIMITED
    Inventors: Gavin Davies, Allan Turtle
  • Patent number: 8182940
    Abstract: A redox fuel stack cell comprises a plurality of essentially similar half-cell frames of molded polymer; interleaved between them are semi-permeable membranes and bipolar plate electrodes. The frames are rectangular, with margins around central voids. At the voids, they have rebates in abutting faces for locating the plate electrodes. At their corners, they have apertures for forming ducts throughout the stack for flow of electrolyte to and from the cell cavities provided by the voids. The frames have electrolyte flow passages open in their faces abutting the frames and leading towards each other. The passages stop short of each other and are surrounded by grooves containing sealing O-rings. Diagonally opposite one of the passages end at openings passing through the frames. The other passages have no openings in the frames, but the frames have openings through them in register with the ends of the passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Renewable Enery Dynamics Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Peter John Ridley
  • Patent number: 8168326
    Abstract: An energy storage device includes a first electrode comprising a first material and a second electrode comprising a second material, at least a portion of the first and second materials forming an interpenetrating network when dispersed in an electrolyte, the electrolyte, the first material and the second material are selected so that the first and second materials exert a repelling force on each other when combined. An electrochemical device, includes a first electrode in electrical communication with a first current collector; a second electrode in electrical communication with a second current collector; and an ionically conductive medium in ionic contact with said first and second electrodes, wherein at least a portion of the first and second electrodes form an interpenetrating network and wherein at least one of the first and second electrodes comprises an electrode structure providing two or more pathways to its current collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignees: A123 Systems, Inc., Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Yet-Ming Chiang, William D. Moorehead, Antoni S. Gozdz, Richard K. Holman, Andrew L. Loxley, Gilbert N. Riley, Jr., Michael S. Viola
  • Patent number: 8163421
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery and a method of fabricating which includes stacking a plurality of electrode pages having an uncoated portion between portions coated with an active electrode material. The electrode pages are arranged in a stack and an overall current collector is connected at the uncoated portion in order to form an electrode booklet. The overall current collector maintains the arrangement of the electrode pages and electrically connects all of the uncoated portions of the electrode pages. A tilted stack of electrode pages is utilized when a large number of electrodes are desired to result in a battery cell having a vertical orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventors: Tsun-Yu Chang, Chun-Chieh Chang, Han Cheng Kuo
  • Patent number: 8148010
    Abstract: A bipolar battery and a battery assembly unit that reduces a current density change in a battery element is disclosed. The bipolar battery comprises a battery element configured by alternately stacking a bipolar electrode and an electrolyte layer, as well as cathode and anode terminal plates electrically connected to the battery element so as to extract the current from the battery element. In the bipolar battery, the total electrical resistance of the cathode and anode terminal plates along the surface direction is smaller than the total electrical resistance of the battery element along the stacking direction between the cathode and anode terminal plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Hosaka, Hideaki Horie, Hajime Satou, Yoshio Shimoida, Teruo Segawa, Gen Takayama, Ohtani Yoshihiko
  • Patent number: 8129049
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a jelly-roll type electrode assembly (“jelly-roll”) of a cathode/separator/anode structure, wherein the jelly-roll is constructed in a structure in which each electrode has active material layers formed on opposite major surfaces of a sheet-type current collector, the loading amount of an active material for the inner active material layer, constituting the inner surface of each sheet when each sheet is wound, is less than that of an active material for the outer active material layer, constituting the outer surface of each sheet when each sheet is wound, and the loading amount of the active material for the inner active material layer gradually increases from the central region of each wound sheet to the outermost region of each wound sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong Hee Kim, Dongmyung Kim, Hyungook Yoon, Yong Jeong Kim, Joo-Hwan Sung, Seung W. Chu, Sung-Pil Yoon, Dohyun Lee
  • Patent number: 8124276
    Abstract: A bipolar battery includes: a bipolar electrode composed, by forming a positive electrode active material layer 12 an one surface of a current collector and forming a negative electrode active material layer 13 on the other surface; and a separator 14 composed to be stacked alternately with the bipolar electrode, wherein, in a single cell layer 15 composed by including the positive electrode active material layer 12, the separator 14 and the negative electrode active material layer 13, which are adjacent to one another, a thickness of the separator 14 is 0.68 times or more to less than 1.0 times a thickness of the positive electrode active material layer 12, and is 0.68 times or more to less than 1.0 times a thickness of the negative electrode active material layer 13.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyoichi Watanabe, Takaaki Abe, Takamitsu Saito, Osamu Shimamura, Kenji Hosaka, Hajime Sato, Hideaki Horie
  • Patent number: 8124268
    Abstract: A gasket 20; 40; 80 for use in a starved electrolyte bipolar battery comprises a structural part 27; 44; 82 in the shape of a frame having an upper surface 1 and a lower surface 2, and at least one channel 23, 24; 83, 84 to permit gas passage through the gasket. The structural part is made from a first material having hydrophobic properties. The gasket 20; 40; 80 further comprises at least a first sealing surface 30; 47; 91 arranged in a closed loop projecting from the upper surface 1, and at least a second sealing surface 30; 47; 92 arranged in a closed loop projecting from the lower surface 2. The first and the second sealing surfaces are provided on at least one sealing part 26; 41, 41; 81, are made from a second material, and the first material of the structural part 27; 44; 82 has a higher elastic modulus than an elastic modulus of the second material of the sealing parts 26; 41, 42; 81. A starved electrolyte bipolar battery and a method for manufacturing a gasket are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Nilar International AB
    Inventors: David Hock, Lars Fredriksson, Neil H. Puester
  • Patent number: 8114543
    Abstract: A lithium ion secondary battery, having a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, the positive electrode and the negative electrode each having a collector and an active material layer provided over the collector, and the relationship Ts?4Tc being satisfied, where Ts is the puncture strength of the separator, and Tc is the puncture strength of the collector of the positive electrode and/or the negative electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Sano, Tsuyoshi Iijima
  • Publication number: 20120021268
    Abstract: A bipolar battery including unit cells fitted with an element including a first electronic conductive support, a second electronic conductive support, an electronic conductive connection connecting the first and the second support, with each support including a first and a second face separate from the first and second faces of the other support, a positive electrode material deposited on one of the faces of the first conductor, and a negative electrode material deposited on one of the faces of the other support. The positive electrode material is supported by the first support, and is positioned facing a negative electrode material, the negative electrode material is supported by the second support, and is positioned opposite a positive electrode material, where the facing electrode materials are separated by an insulator containing an electrolyte, thus forming two juxtaposed unit cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: Commissariat A L'Energie Atomique et Aux Ene Alt
    Inventors: Sophie Mailley, Pascal Tiquet
  • Publication number: 20110305927
    Abstract: A bipolar lead acid battery comprises a compression resistant separator in which the electrolyte is retained in a gelled form, and wherein quasi-bipolar electrodes are maintained in a cell stack under pressure. Most preferably, the negative active material further includes a compression resistant spacer structure and the battery is configured as a VR-BLAB where each single cell can independently vent gases during the charge cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: AIC BLAB
    Inventors: Frank Lev, Robert Lewis Clarke, Leonid Rabinovich
  • Publication number: 20110305948
    Abstract: Provided is a bipolar battery current collector that includes a conductive resin layer formed in such a manner as to, when at least part of the conductive resin layer reaches a predetermined temperature, interrupts a flow of electric current through the at least part of the conductive resin layer in a vertical direction thereof. Also provided is a bipolar battery using the current collector. It is possible by the use of the current collector to suppress local heat generation in the bipolar battery and improve the durability of the bipolar battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventors: Kazuki Miyatake, Kenji Hosaka, Yoshio Shimoida, Hideaki Horie
  • Patent number: 8076021
    Abstract: The present invention provides a bipolar battery made by using a polymer gel electrolyte or a liquid electrolyte in an electrolyte layer, which is highly reliable and prevents liquid junction (short circuit) caused by leak out of an electrolyte solution from the electrolyte part. The present invention provides a bipolar battery laminated, in series, with a plurality pieces of bipolar electrodes which is formed with a positive electrode on one surface of a collector, and a negative electrode on the other surface, so as to sandwich an electrolyte layer, characterized by being provided with a separator which retains the electrolyte later, and a seal resin which is formed and arranged at the outer circumference part of a part of the separator where the electrolyte is retained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Shimamura, Kenji Hosaka, Kyoichi Watanabe, Takaaki Abe, Takuya Kinoshita, Hideaki Horie, Hajime Sato, Ryouichi Senbokuya
  • Publication number: 20110294007
    Abstract: A bipolar secondary battery has a battery element that includes first and second bipolar electrodes each having a collector disposed with a conductive resin layer containing a first resin as a base material and positive and negative electrode active material layers formed on opposite sides of the collector and a separator containing a second resin as a base material, arranged between the first and second bipolar electrodes and retaining an electrolyte material to form an electrolyte layer. The positive electrode active material layer of the first bipolar electrode, the electrolyte layer and the negative electrode active material layer of the second bipolar electrode constitute a unit cell. A melting point of the first resin is lower than or equal to a melting point of the second resin. Outer peripheries of the collectors of the first and second bipolar electrodes and an outer periphery of the separator are fused together to thereby seal an outer peripheral portion of the unit cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Kenji Hosaka, Motoharu Obika
  • Publication number: 20110294008
    Abstract: A lightweight, durable lead-acid battery is disclosed. Alternative electrode materials and configurations are used to reduce weight, to increase material utilization and to extend service life. The electrode can include a current collector having a buffer layer in contact with the current collector and an electrochemically active material in contact with the buffer layer. In one form, the buffer layer includes a carbide, and the current collector includes carbon fibers having the buffer layer. The buffer layer can include a carbide and/or a noble metal selected from of gold, silver, tantalum, platinum, palladium and rhodium. When the electrode is to be used in a lead-acid battery, the electrochemically active material is selected from metallic lead (for a negative electrode) or lead peroxide (for a positive electrode).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Edgar Lara-Curzio, Ke An, James O. Kiggans, JR., Nancy J. Dudney, Cristian I. Contescu, Frederick S. Baker, Beth L. Armstrong
  • Publication number: 20110281159
    Abstract: A method for producing a multi-layer bipolar coated cell according to one embodiment includes applying a first active cathode material above a substrate to form a first cathode; applying a first solid-phase ionically-conductive electrolyte material above the first cathode to form a first electrode separation layer; applying a first active anode material above the first electrode separation layer to form a first anode; applying an electrically conductive barrier layer above the first anode; applying a second active cathode material above the anode material to form a second cathode; applying a second solid-phase ionically-conductive electrolyte material above the second cathode to form a second electrode separation layer; applying a second active anode material above the second electrode separation layer to form a second anode; and applying a metal material above the second anode to form a metal coating section. In another embodiment, the anode is formed prior to the cathode. Cells are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: Joseph C. Farmer, James Kaschmitter, Steve Pierce
  • Publication number: 20110274968
    Abstract: The present invention provides composite electrodes that comprise a titanium metal filler and a polymeric material. Advantageously the composite electrodes of the present invention do not suffer from the problems of carbon degradation, are thermally stable, are easily shaped, which demonstrate high power densities and which are relatively inexpensive to produce.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: ITI SCOTLAND LIMITED
    Inventors: Stephen Harrison, Chulheung Bae, David Hodgson
  • Publication number: 20110274969
    Abstract: A low cost, high specific energy and long cycle life lead acid battery includes polymer/metal current collectors. For intermediate electrodes, a current collector includes two polymer grids and a metal foil that is disposed between two grids, and for terminal electrodes, a current collector includes a polymer grid, a polymer sheet and a metal foil that is disposed between the polymer grid and sheet. The surfaces of the grids and metal foil are coated by different conductive and corrosion-resistant composites. The current collectors can be configured as monopolar or bipolar electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventor: Xiaogang Wang