And Inorganic Material Patents (Class 429/251)
  • Publication number: 20120251890
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a membrane comprising a flat, flexible substrate having a plurality of openings and having a porous inorganic coating situated on and in said substrate, the material of the substrate being selected from woven or non-woven, electrically non-conductive fibers, characterized in that the substrate comprises polyaramide fibers that are pure or connected to fibers of the further polymer or at least of one of these further polymers, wherein the fibers of at least one of said further polymers comprise a melting point that is lower than the decomposition point of the polyaramide fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: EVONIK DEGUSSA GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Pascaly, Rolf-Walter Terwonne, Martin Schuster, Christian Hying
  • Patent number: 8268056
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a separator. The method includes (S1) preparing a porous planar substrate having a plurality of pores, (S2) preparing a slurry containing inorganic particles dispersed therein and a polymer solution including a first binder polymer and a second binder polymer in a solvent, and sequentially coating the slurry on the porous substrate through a first discharge hole and a non-solvent incapable of dissolving the second binder polymer on the slurry through a second discharge hole adjacent to the first discharge hole, and (S3) simultaneously removing the solvent and the non-solvent by drying. According to the method, a separator with good bindability to electrodes can be manufactured in an easy manner. In addition, problems associated with the separation of inorganic particles in the course of manufacturing an electrochemical device can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Joo-Sung Lee, Jang-Hyuk Hong, Jong-Hun Kim, Bo-Kyung Ryu
  • Patent number: 8257857
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing separators includes (S1) treating at least one of the laminating surfaces of two porous substrates by corona discharge and laminating the porous substrates, (S2) preparing a slurry containing inorganic particles dispersed therein and a solution of a binder polymer in a solvent, and coating the slurry on both surfaces of the laminate of the porous substrates, and (S3) delaminating the coated laminate of the porous substrates. According to the method, two separators can be simultaneously manufactured with enhanced productivity. In addition, corona discharge can reduce damage to the surfaces of the porous substrates during lamination while maintaining the porosities of the porous substrates. Therefore, excellent performance of electrochemical devices using the separators can be ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Joo-Sung Lee, Jong-Hun Kim
  • Patent number: 8236068
    Abstract: A separator carries lithium particles on its surface. Using the separator, a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery having a high initial efficiency and improved cycle retentivity is available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikio Aramata, Meguru Kashida, Satoru Miyawaki
  • Patent number: 8227115
    Abstract: A lithium ion secondary battery includes a positive electrode containing a composite lithium oxide, a negative electrode capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium ions, a sheet-like separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, a non-aqueous electrolyte and a porous electron-insulating film attached to the surface of the negative electrode. The sheet-like separator is a monolayer film made of polypropylene resin or a multilayer film whose layer to be in contact with the positive electrode is made of polypropylene resin. The porous electron-insulating film includes an inorganic oxide filler and a binder. The inorganic oxide filler contains aluminum oxide or magnesium oxide. The sheet-like separator has a thickness not less than 1.5 times the thickness of the porous electron-insulating film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyomi Kato, Kaoru Inoue
  • Patent number: 8221921
    Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte battery has a cathode, an anode, an electrolyte, and a separator. The separator is a microporous resin film of a single layer made of a resin material in which at least one kind of insulating and flame-retarding fiber is dispersed in a polyolefin resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Ogawa, Hiroyuki Akashi, Yoshiaki Obana, Atsushi Kajita, Yukako Teshima
  • Patent number: 8216712
    Abstract: A battery includes an anode and a cathode. An electrolyte material is disposed between the anode and the cathode. A separator is disposed between the anode and the cathode. The separator comprises an anodized metal oxide layer haying substantially straight and parallel through-pores, wherein the anodized metal oxide of the porous anodized metal oxide layer is selected from the group consisting of aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, zirconium oxide, niobium oxide, tungsten oxide, tantalum oxide, and hafnium oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Enovix Corporation
    Inventors: Murali Ramasubramanian, Robert Spotnitz
  • Patent number: 8211574
    Abstract: A lithium ion secondary battery includes a positive electrode capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium ion, a negative electrode capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium ion, a porous film interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte, the porous film being adhered to a surface of at least the negative electrode. The porous film includes an inorganic filler and a first binder: The content of the first binder in the porous film is 1.5 to 8 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the filler: The first binder includes a first rubber including an acrylonitrile unit: The first rubber is water-insoluble and has a decomposition temperature of 250° C. or higher. The negative electrode includes a negative electrode active material capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium ion and a second binder, and the second binder includes a second rubber particle and a water-soluble polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kohei Suzuki, Tsumoru Ohata, Junji Nakajima, Akiko Fujino, Shigeo Ikuta, Tetsuya Hayashi, Yusuke Fukumoto, Shinji Kasamatsu
  • Publication number: 20120145468
    Abstract: Preferred embodiments of a freestanding, heat resistant microporous polymer film (10) constructed for use in an energy storage device (70, 100) implements one or more of the following approaches to exhibit excellent high temperature mechanical and dimensional stability: incorporation into a porous polyolefin film of sufficiently high loading levels of inorganic or ceramic filler material (16) to maintain porosity (18) and achieve low thermal shrinkage; use of crosslinkable polyethylene to contribute to crosslinking the polymer matrix (14) in a highly inorganic material-filled polyolefin film; and heat treating or annealing of biaxially oriented, highly inorganic material-filled polyolefin film above the melting point temperature of the polymer matrix to reduce residual stress while maintaining high porosity. The freestanding, heat resistant microporous polymer film embodiments exhibit extremely low resistance, as evidenced by MacMullin numbers of less than 4.5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Amtek Research International LLC
    Inventors: Richard W. Pekala, Srinivas Cherukupalli, Robert W. Waterhouse
  • Patent number: 8192873
    Abstract: A lithium ion secondary battery is provided. The lithium ion secondary battery generally comprises an electrode assembly, a container for accommodating the electrode assembly; and an electrolyte. The electrode assembly comprises two electrodes having opposite polarities and a separator. The separator comprises a porous membrane comprising clusters of ceramic particles. The porous membrane is formed by bonding the particle clusters with a binder. Each particle cluster is formed either by sintering or by dissolving and re-crystallizing all or a portion of the ceramic particles. The ceramic particles comprise a ceramic material having a band gap. Each particle cluster may have the shape of a grape bunch or a lamina, and may be formed by laminating scale or flake shaped ceramic particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Won Chull Han, Chan Jung Kim, Jae Woong Kim, Jun Ho Kim, Jin Hee Kim, Ha Young Lee
  • Publication number: 20120115036
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a separator. The method includes (S1) preparing a porous planar substrate having a plurality of pores, (S2) preparing a slurry containing inorganic particles dispersed therein and a polymer solution including a first binder polymer and a second binder polymer in a solvent, and coating the slurry on at least one surface of the porous substrate, (S3) spraying a non-solvent incapable of dissolving the second binder polymer on the slurry, and (S4) simultaneously removing the solvent and the non-solvent by drying. According to the method, a separator with good bindability to electrodes can be manufactured in an easy manner. In addition, problems associated with the separation of inorganic particles in the course of manufacturing an electrochemical device can be avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Joo-Sung Lee, Jang Hyuk Hong, Jong-Hun Kim, Bo-Kyung Ryu
  • Patent number: 8168332
    Abstract: A separator includes a porous substrate having a plurality of pores; and a porous coating layer formed on at least one surface of the porous substrate and made of a mixture of a plurality of inorganic particles and a binder polymer, wherein the binder polymer includes a first polyvinylidene fluoride based copolymer having solubility of 25 weight % or more with respect to acetone at 35° C.; a second polyvinylidene fluoride-based copolymer having solubility of 10 weight % or less with respect to acetone at 35° C.; and a polymer having a cyano group. This separator decelerates deterioration of life span of an electrochemical device, and prevents disintercalation of inorganic particles in the porous coating layer, thereby improving safety of the electrochemical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoon-Jung Bae, Pil-Kyu Park, Jong-Hwan Kim, Dong-Hun Han, Han-Ho Lee, Sang-Young Lee, Ji-Sang Yu, Hyun-Min Jang
  • Patent number: 8163425
    Abstract: A secondary battery includes: a positive electrode; a negative electrode; a porous electron-insulating layer adhered to a surface of at least one selected from the group consisting of the positive electrode and the negative electrode; and an electrolyte. The porous electron-insulating layer comprises a particulate filler and a resin binder, and the particulate filler comprises an indefinite-shape particle comprising a plurality of primary particles that are joined to one another. A neck is preferably formed between the primary particles. Since the porous electron-insulating layer has high porosity, it is possible to obtain a secondary battery that exhibits excellent low-temperature characteristics, which are particularly important in actual use, and that is capable of discharging at a large current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tsumoru Ohata, Junji Nakajima, Tetsuya Hayashi, Shigeo Ikuta, Yusuke Fukumoto
  • Patent number: 8163424
    Abstract: A secondary battery includes: a positive electrode; a negative electrode; a porous electron-insulating layer adhered to a surface of at least one selected from the group consisting of the positive electrode and the negative electrode; and an electrolyte. The porous electron-insulating layer comprises a particulate filler and a resin binder, and the particulate filler comprises an indefinite-shape particle comprising a plurality of primary particles that are joined to one another. A neck is preferably formed between the primary particles. Since the porous electron-insulating layer has high porosity, it is possible to obtain a secondary battery that exhibits excellent low-temperature characteristics, which are particularly important in actual use, and that is capable of discharging at a large current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tsumoru Ohata, Junji Nakajima, Tetsuya Hayashi, Shigeo Ikuta, Yusuke Fukumoto
  • Publication number: 20120090758
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a separator. The method includes (S1) preparing a porous planar substrate having a plurality of pores, (S2) preparing a slurry containing inorganic particles dispersed therein and a polymer solution including a first binder polymer and a second binder polymer in a solvent, and sequentially coating the slurry on the porous substrate through a first discharge hole and a non-solvent incapable of dissolving the second binder polymer on the slurry through a second discharge hole adjacent to the first discharge hole, and (S3) simultaneously removing the solvent and the non-solvent by drying. According to the method, a separator with good bindability to electrodes can be manufactured in an easy manner. In addition, problems associated with the separation of inorganic particles in the course of manufacturing an electrochemical device can be avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Joo Sung LEE, Jang Hyuk HONG, Jong-Hun KIM, Bo-Kyung RYU
  • Publication number: 20120094184
    Abstract: The separator for an electrochemical device of the present invention includes inorganic fine particles and a fibrous material or microporous film. Primary particles of the inorganic fine particles can be approximated to a geometric shape, and a difference between a theoretical specific surface area and an actual specific surface area of the inorganic fine particles is within ±15% relative to the theoretical specific surface area, where the theoretical specific surface area of the inorganic fine particles is calculated from a surface area, a volume and a true density of the primary particles of the inorganic fine particles, which are determined through approximation of the primary particles of the inorganic fine particles to the geometric shape, and the actual specific surface area of the inorganic fine particles is measured by the BET method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventors: Hiroshi Abe, Toshihiro Abe
  • Publication number: 20120077113
    Abstract: Provided is a microporous organic/ inorganic composite coated layer comprising a heat resistant resin and inorganic particles, formed on at least one side of microporous polyethylene. The microporous polyethylene composite film is characterized by sufficient permeability and heat resistance at the same time, of which the permeability (Gurley) of overall composite film including a coated layer is not more than 300 sec; shrinkage after 150° C. for 1 hour is 0-3% in both MD/TD directions; maximum shrinkage in TMA is not more than 3%, and TMA meldown temperature is 145-200° C. The microporous polyethylene composite film formed by means of the coated layer possesses stability at high temperature as well as excellent permeability, thereby ensuring reliability and efficiency of a battery at the same time. A separator which conforms to high power/high capacity can be provided thereby.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: SK INNOVATION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yongkyoung Kim, Jongmoon Sung, Jean Lee, Dongjin Joo, Youngkeun Lee
  • Patent number: 8119291
    Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery including: a positive electrode; a negative electrode; a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode; a non-aqueous electrolyte; and a porous insulating film adhered to a surface of at least one selected from the group consisting of the positive electrode and the negative electrode, the porous insulating film including an inorganic oxide filler and a film binder, wherein the ratio R of actual volume to apparent volume of the separator is not less than 0.4 and not greater than 0.7, and wherein the ratio R and a porosity P of the porous insulating film satisfy the relational formula: ?0.10?R?P?0.30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kaoru Inoue, Kiyomi Kato, Kohei Suzuki, Shigeo Ikuta, Yusuke Fukumoto, Tetsuya Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8101301
    Abstract: A lithium ion secondary battery is provided. The lithium ion secondary battery generally comprises an electrode assembly, a container for accommodating the electrode assembly; and an electrolyte. The electrode assembly comprises two electrodes having opposite polarities and a separator. The separator comprises a porous membrane comprising clusters of ceramic particles. The porous membrane is formed by bonding the particle clusters with a binder. Each particle cluster is formed either by sintering or by dissolving and re-crystallizing all or a portion of the ceramic particles. The ceramic particles comprise a ceramic material having a band gap. Each particle cluster may have the shape of a grape bunch or a lamina, and may be formed by laminating scale or flake shaped ceramic particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Won Chull Han, Chan Jung Kim, Jae Woong Kim, Jun Ho Kim, Jin Hee Kim, Ha Young Lee
  • Publication number: 20120015232
    Abstract: A separator is provided and includes a functional resin layer containing a resin material and an inorganic oxide filler, having a porous interconnected structure in which many pores are mutually interconnected and having a contact angle against an electrolytic solution of not more than 11 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yukako Teshima, Atsushi Kajita, Kensuke Yamamoto, Masatake Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20120015254
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a separator. The method includes (S1) preparing a slurry containing inorganic particles dispersed therein and a solution of a binder polymer in a solvent, and coating the slurry on at least one surface of a porous substrate to form a first porous coating layer, and (S2) electroprocessing a polymer solution on the outer surface of the first porous coating layer to form a second porous coating layer. The first porous coating layer formed on at least one surface of the porous substrate is composed of a highly thermally stable inorganic material to suppress short-circuiting between an anode and a cathode even when an electrochemical device is overheated. The second porous coating layer formed by electroprocessing improves the bindability of the separator to other base materials of the electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Joo-Sung Lee, Byoung-Jin Shin, Jong-Hun Kim
  • Publication number: 20110294016
    Abstract: [Object] To provide a polypropylene resin composition for use in the formation of a microporous membrane having excellent heat resistance and low thermal shrinkage ratio. [Solution] A polypropylene resin composition for use in the formation of a microporous membrane according to the present invention comprises as an essential component a propylene homopolymer (A) that satisfies the following requirements (1) to (4) and (7): (1) the intrinsic viscosity [?] is 1 dl/g or more and less than 7 dl/g; (2) the mesopentad fraction ranges from 94.0% to 99.5%; (3) the integral elution volume during heating to 100° C. is 10% or less; (4) the melting point ranges from 153° C. to 167° C.; and (7) in an elution temperature-elution volume curve, the maximum peak has a peak top temperature in the range of 105° C. to 130° C. and a half-width of 7.0° C. or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicants: PRIME POLYMER CO., LTD., MITSUI CHEMICALS, INC.
    Inventors: Satoshi Tamura, Keita Itakura, Ryoichi Tsunori, Satoshi Hashizume
  • Publication number: 20110281171
    Abstract: Disclosed is an organic/inorganic composite porous film comprising: (a) inorganic particles; and (b) a binder polymer coating layer formed partially or totally on surfaces of the inorganic particles, wherein the inorganic particles are interconnected among themselves and are fixed by the binder polymer, and interstitial volumes among the inorganic particles form a micropore structure. A method for manufacturing the same film and an electrochemical device including the same film are also disclosed. An electrochemical device comprising the organic/inorganic composite porous film shows improved safety and quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Hyun Hang YONG, Sang Young LEE, Seok Koo KIM, Soon Ho AHN, Jung Don SUK
  • Publication number: 20110281150
    Abstract: Disclosed is an organic/inorganic composite porous film comprising: (a) inorganic particles; and (b) a binder polymer coating layer formed partially or totally on surfaces of the inorganic particles, wherein the inorganic particles are interconnected among themselves and are fixed by the binder polymer, and interstitial volumes among the inorganic particles form a micropore structure. A method for manufacturing the same film and an electrochemical device including the same film are also disclosed. An electrochemical device comprising the organic/inorganic composite porous film shows improved safety and quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Hyun Hang YONG, Sang Young LEE, Seok Koo KIM, Soon Ho AHN, Jung Don SUK
  • Patent number: 8053102
    Abstract: The present invention relates to electrical separators and to a process for making them. An electrical separator is a separator used in batteries and other arrangements in which electrodes have to be separated from each other while maintaining ion conductivity for example. The separator is preferably a thin porous insulating material possessing high ion permeability, good mechanical strength and long-term stability to the chemicals and solvents used in the system, for example in the electrolyte of the battery. In batteries, the separator should fully electrically insulate the cathode from the anode. Moreover, the separator has to be permanently elastic and to follow movements in the system, for example in the electrode pack in the course of charging and discharging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Volker Hennige, Christian Hying, Gerhard Hoerpel
  • Publication number: 20110236762
    Abstract: The instant disclosure relates to porous membranes and methods of making the same. An example of the method includes exposing a polymeric film (including a polymer and i) a gel-forming polymer, ii) ceramic particles, or iii) combinations of i and ii) established on a carrier belt to a non-solvent or a slightly miscible solvent of a polymer in the polymeric film, thereby inducing formation of a porous structure in the polymeric film. The method further includes transporting the polymeric film on the carrier belt into a bath of a non-solvent or a slightly miscible solvent of the polymer for a predetermined time thereby finalizing the formation of the porous structure and forming the porous membrane. The porous membrane is removed from the non-solvent or slightly miscible solvent bath.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Xiaosong Huang, Hamid G. Kia
  • Patent number: 8003262
    Abstract: An object of this invention is to improve battery performance such as a rate capability of a nonaqueous electrolyte solution secondary battery using a separator constituting a thermoplastic resin-based porous film containing a filler. This invention provides a nonaqueous electrolyte solution secondary battery separator which is formed from a porous film containing a thermoplastic resin and a filler contained in the thermoplastic resin and has a ratio of an average pore diameter (?m) to a maximum pore diameter (?m) defined by ASTM F316-86 of 0.6 or more as well as relates to a nonaqueous electrolyte solution secondary battery using this separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Mitsubishi Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Nakashima, Yasushi Usami, Kazutaka Sasaki
  • Patent number: 7989103
    Abstract: A microporous separator film for electrochemical cells and a method of making such films is disclosed. The microporous separator film includes an intimate mixture of an electrically insulating matrix phase and a self-switching voltage activated conductive phase, wherein the voltage activated conductive phase provides a plurality of conductive paths from a first face of the microporous separator film to a second face of the microporous separator film. The method for making the composite microporous separator film includes the steps of forming an intimate mixture of at least an insulating matrix phase and a self-switching voltage activated phase, forming a film from the mixture, and generating pores within the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Farasis Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Douglas Kepler, Yu Wang
  • Patent number: 7981818
    Abstract: A multilayer composite sheet for use in a lead-acid battery includes a) a base layer including paper or a glass fiber mat; b) a layer of polymeric nanofibers bonded with discrete adhesive particles to a first surface of the base layer; and c) a scrim layer bonded with discrete adhesive particles to a surface of the layer of nanofibers opposite the base layer. A plate assembly for a lead-acid battery includes one or more multilayer composite sheets located adjacent or partially enclosing a lead plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: P. H. Glatfelter Company
    Inventor: William N. Justice
  • Patent number: 7964311
    Abstract: A lithium ion secondary battery is provided. The lithium ion secondary battery generally comprises an electrode assembly, a container for accommodating the electrode assembly; and an electrolyte. The electrode assembly comprises two electrodes having opposite polarities and a separator. The separator comprises a porous membrane comprising clusters of ceramic particles. The porous membrane is formed by bonding the particle clusters with a binder. Each particle cluster is formed either by sintering or by dissolving and re-crystallizing all or a portion of the ceramic particles. The ceramic particles comprise a ceramic material having a band gap. Each particle cluster may have the shape of a grape bunch or a lamina, and may be formed by laminating scale or flake shaped ceramic particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Won Chull Han, Chan Jung Kim, Jae Woong Kim, Jun Ho Kim, Jin Hee Kim, Ha Young Lee
  • Patent number: 7951482
    Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery including an electrode assembly, a non-aqueous electrolyte, and a substantially rectangular battery case for housing the electrode assembly and the non-aqueous electrolyte. The thickness ?, the width ?, and the height ? of the battery case satisfy the relation ?<???c. The electrode assembly includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a porous heat-resistant layer disposed between these electrodes. The positive electrode includes a positive electrode active material layer, and the negative electrode includes a negative electrode active material layer. The ratio of the pore volume included in a predetermined area of the porous heat-resistant layer to the battery theoretical capacity is 0.18 to 1.117 ml/Ah. The predetermined area has the same area as the positive electrode active material layer. The porosity of the porous heat-resistant layer is 35 to 85%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Ichinose, Masatoshi Nagayama
  • Patent number: 7951487
    Abstract: A positive electrode 2 includes a positive electrode current collector lead 70 connected to a core exposed part 78 formed at a longitudinal center of a current collector core 72. A negative electrode 3 includes a double-coated part 14 including an active material layer 13 and a porous protective film 28 formed on each surface of a current collector core 12, a core exposed part 18, and a single-coated part 17 which is located between the double-coated part 14 and the core exposed part 18, and includes the active material layer 13 and the porous protective film 28 formed only on one of the surfaces of the current collector core 12. A plurality of grooves 10 are formed in each surface of the double-coated part 14, while the grooves 10 are not formed in the single-coated part 17. A negative electrode current collector lead 20 is connected to the core exposed part 18. The negative electrode 3 is wound in such a manner that the core exposed part 18 constitutes a last wound end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Masaharu Miyahisa, Seiichi Kato, Mao Yamashita
  • Patent number: 7939204
    Abstract: A separator for a lead-acid battery enabling the lead acid battery to infallibly have a predetermined capacity after the initial charging and a prolonged service life by limiting the maximum quantity of reducing substance liberated or produced from the separator at or below a given level. The separator for a lead-acid battery comprising a porous membrane made mainly from a polyolefin resin, an inorganic powder and a mineral oil and containing a surface active agent as an auxiliary material, characterized in that the amount of any reducing substance liberated or eluted after 24 hours of electrolysis carried out at about 25° C. with a direct current of 1.2 A by using an electrolytic cell composed of the porous membrane, a positive electrode, a negative electrode and diluted sulfuric acid is 1.0 ml or less per 100 cm2 when calculated from the consumption of a (1/100)N potassium permanganate solution per 100 cm2 of the porous membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignees: Nippon Sheet Glass Company, Limited, GS Yuasa Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Matsunami, Shuhei Nagakubo, Takashi Shidomi, Masaki Kita, Junpei Yamashita
  • Patent number: 7931995
    Abstract: A solid polymer electrolyte composite for an electrochemical reaction apparatus that possesses satisfactory ion conduction properties and has excellent mechanical strength and heat resistance, is provided. the solid polymer electrolyte composite is characterized in that a solid polymer electrolyte is contained in the continuous pores of an expanded porous polytetrafluoroethylene sheet which has continuous pores and in which the inner surfaces defining the pores are covered with a functional material such as a metal oxide. An electrochemical reaction apparatus containing an electrolyte, wherein said electrochemical reaction apparatus is characterized in that the aforementioned solid polymer electrolyte composite is used as this electrolyte is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Gore Enterprise Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Bamdad Bahar, Greg Rusch, Jeffrey Kolde, Hiroshi Kato
  • Publication number: 20110081601
    Abstract: A layer includes a main body having a plurality of first pores and at least one crosslinked binder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: CARL FREUDENBERG KG
    Inventors: Christoph Weber, Michael Roth, Iain Smith, Giovanni Gentilcore
  • Patent number: 7901830
    Abstract: The instant invention relates a solid-state electrochemical cell and a novel separator/electrolyte incorporated therein. A preferred embodiment of the invented electrochemical cell generally comprises a unique metal oxyhydroxide based (i.e. AlOOH) separator/electrolyte membrane sandwiched between a first electrode and a second electrode. A preferred novel separator/electrolyte comprises a nanoparticulate metal oxyhydroxide, preferably AlOOH and a salt which are mixed and then pressed together to form a monolithic metal oxyhydroxide-salt membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Rex E. Gerald, II, Robert J. Klingler, Jerome W. Rathke
  • Patent number: 7887970
    Abstract: The instant invention relates a solid-state electrochemical cell and a novel separator/electrolyte incorporated therein. The invented electrochemical cell generally comprising: a unique metal oxyhydroxide based (i.e. AlOOH) separator/electrolyte membrane sandwiched between a first electrode and a second electrode. The novel separator/electrolyte comprises a nanoparticulate metal oxyhydroxide, preferably AlOOH and a salt which are mixed and then pressed together to form a monolithic metal oxyhydroxide-salt membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Rex E. Gerald, II, Robert J. Klingler, Jerome W. Rathke
  • Patent number: 7883799
    Abstract: The present invention provides an organic/inorganic composite porous separator, which comprises: (a) a porous substrate having pores; and (b) an organic/inorganic composite layer formed by coating at least one region selected from the group consisting of a surface of the substrate and a part of pores present in the substrate with a mixture of inorganic porous particles and a binder polymer, wherein the inorganic porous particles have a plurality of macropores with a diameter of 50 nm or greater in the particle itself thereby form a pore structure, a manufacturing method thereof, and an electrochemical device using the same. As an additional pathway for lithium ions is created due to a number of pores existing in the inorganic porous particle itself, degradation in the battery performance can be minimized, and energy density per unit weight can be increased by the weight loss effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae Jong Seo, Seok Koo Kim, Jang Hyuk Hong, Joon Yong Sohn, Sang Young Lee, Soon Ho Ahn
  • Patent number: 7875380
    Abstract: A complex membrane for an electrochemical device such as a lithium secondary battery, its manufacturing method, and an electrochemical device having the complex membrane are disclosed. The complex membrane includes a micro-porous polyolefin membrane, and a web-phase porous membrane united to at least one side of the micro-porous polyolefin membrane and composed of nano-fibers. Since the complex membrane is capable of absorbing an electrolyte uniformly, it greatly improves performance of a battery when being used for an electrochemical device. In addition, owing to excellent mechanical strength and good binding capacity to an electrode, it helps to increase a process rate for manufacturing the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Nanophil Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Suk-Won Chun, Jong-Su Park, Seong-Mu Jo, Hwa-Seop Lee
  • Patent number: 7875391
    Abstract: A lithium ion secondary battery with improved safety against both internal short-circuiting and overcharge is provided. This lithium ion secondary battery includes a positive electrode comprising a composite lithium oxide, a negative electrode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte. At least one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode has a porous film, comprising an inorganic oxide filler and a binder, on the surface facing the other electrode, and the electrode surface having the porous film partially has a protruded part. This protruded part may be a protruded part formed on the porous film itself or a protruded part formed on an electrode mixture layer. Further, a separator can also be incorporated therein. Instead of the above-mentioned porous film, the separator can be provided with a porous film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Shuji Tsutsumi, Kozo Watanabe, Mitsuhiro Takeno, Mikinari Shimada
  • Patent number: 7820330
    Abstract: An alkaline storage battery includes: a positive electrode containing nickel hydroxide; a negative electrode; a separator layer intervening between the positive electrode and the negative electrode; and an alkaline electrolyte. The separator layer includes a water-absorbing polymer, a water repellent, an alkaline aqueous solution, and a scavenger capable of trapping an element which leaches from the negative electrode into the alkaline aqueous solution. The scavenger comprises an oxygen-containing metal compound. The negative electrode is a hydrogen storage alloy electrode, a cadmium electrode or a zinc electrode. The water-absorbing polymer comprises a cross-linked polymer having at least one kind of monomer unit selected from the group consisting of an acrylate unit and a methacrylate unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Chiaki Iwakura, Naoji Furukawa, Yoshitaka Dansui, Yoichi Izumi
  • Patent number: 7790320
    Abstract: A battery separator is a microporous membrane. The membrane has a major volume of a thermoplastic polymer and a minor volume of an inert particulate filler. The filler is dispersed throughout the polymer. The membrane exhibits a maximum Z-direction compression of 95% of the original membrane thickness. Alternatively, the battery separator is a microporous membrane having a TMA compression curve with a first substantially horizontal slope between ambient temperature and 125° C., a second substantially horizontal slope at greater than 225° C. The curve of the first slope has a lower % compression than the curve of the second slope. The curve of the second slope is not less than 5% compression. The TMA compression curve is graphed so that the Y-axis represents % compression from original thickness and the X-axis represents temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Celgard LLC
    Inventors: Pankaj Arora, Ronald W. Call, Tien Dao, Khuy V. Nguyen, Donald K. Simmons, Zhengming Zhang
  • Patent number: 7790321
    Abstract: The present invention relates to electrical separators, especially for use in lithium high energy batteries, and to a process for making them. Separators for use in lithium high energy batteries have to have a very low weight and a very low thickness. It has been found that, surprisingly, such separators having a weight of less than 50 g/m2 and a thickness of less than 35 ?m are preparable by applying a ceramic coating to a polymeric web less than 30 ?m in thickness, these separators being very useful in lithium high energy batteries when pyrogenic oxides of the elements Al, Si and/or Zr are used as a particulate pore-forming component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Volker Hennige, Christian Hying, Gerhard Hoerpel
  • Patent number: 7776486
    Abstract: A separator material effective for decreasing the weight of fuel cells is provided which is lightweight, has good corrosion resistance, and exhibits a minimized increase in electrical contact resistance during use for a long period. Titanium or a titanium alloy is prepared by melting so as to contain not greater than 5 mass % B, thereby forming a titanium-based material in which fine TiB-type boride particles are precipitated and dispersed. The material is then etched in an aqueous acidic solution such that some of the TiB-type boride particles are exposed on the surface through the passive film formed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Tarutani, Akira Seki, Takashi Maeda, Wataru Takahashi, Takashi Doi
  • Patent number: 7767333
    Abstract: The separator for storage battery of the present invention is a separator for storage battery mainly composed of microfibrous glass and an expanded microcapsule which has been kept in shape with its shell rendered water-permeable by expansion is incorporated in the aforesaid microfibrous glass so that an electrolyte can be retained in the gap between the glass fibers and in the expanded microcapsule to provide a high electrolyte retention and allow the aforesaid expanded microcapsule to act as a cushioning material, whereby the separator is provided with an enhanced restoring force under pressure and is thus kept the adhesion to the electrode over an extended period of time, making it possible to attain the enhancement of the storage battery capacity and the prolongation of its life and apply only a low pressure to incorporate the electrode group in the battery case during assembly of storage battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Nippon Sheet Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Kakizaki, Takuo Mitani
  • Patent number: 7759009
    Abstract: A pyrogenic oxidic powder composed of particles, comprising (i) atoms of an element of groups 3A, 4A, 3B or 4B of the periodic table of the elements, and (ii) oxygen atoms, said particles being characterized by lithium atoms attached to said atoms via an oxygen bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Volker Hennige, Christian Hying, Gerhard Hörpel
  • Patent number: 7745050
    Abstract: A separator having a structure in which a resin layer is formed at least on one principal plane of a base material layer, wherein the resin layer has an inorganic substance is provided. A non-aqueous electrolyte battery in which a cathode and an anode are arranged through the separator so as to face each other is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Kajita, Hiroyuki Suzuki, Hiroyuki Akashi, Kenichi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 7745057
    Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery 10 according to an embodiment of the invention includes a positive electrode 11, a negative electrode 12, a separator 13 and a nonaqueous electrolyte liquid in which not only the positive electrode 11 contains a positive electrode active material charged at or higher than 4.3 V based on lithium and a halogenated cyclic carbonate is added in the nonaqueous electrolyte liquid, but also an inorganic insulating material particle layer is formed on the surface of at least either of the positive electrode 11, the negative electrode 12 and the separator 13. By employing such a constitution in the present invention, a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery using a positive electrode charged at a high electric potential of 4.3 V or more based on lithium in which the amount of a generated gas is small even when the battery is overcharged at higher temperatures, and the impact safety and reliability thereof are high, can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Abe, Masato Iwanaga
  • Patent number: 7736810
    Abstract: A porous separator for a winding-type lithium secondary battery having a gel-type polymer electrolyte includes a matrix made of polyvinyl chloride, or a matrix made of mixtures of polyvinylchloride and at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinylidenefluoride, a vinylidenefluoride/hexafluoropropylene copolymer, polymethacrylate, polyacrylonitrile and polyethyleneoxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyeong-gon Noh
  • Patent number: 7709152
    Abstract: An organic/inorganic composite separator includes (a) a polyolefin porous substrate having pores; and (b) a porous active layer containing a mixture of inorganic particles and a binder polymer, with which at least one surface of the polyolefin porous substrate is coated, wherein the porous active layer has a peeling force of 5 gf/cm or above, and a thermal shrinkage of the separator after being left alone at 150° C. for 1 hour is 50% or below in a machine direction (MD) or in a transverse direction (TD). This organic/inorganic composite separator solves the problem that inorganic particles in the porous active layer formed on the porous substrate are extracted during an assembly process of an electrochemical device, and also it may prevent an electric short circuit between cathode and anode even when the electrochemical device is overheated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seok-Koo Kim, Joon-Yong Sohn, Jong-Hyeok Park, Hyun-Min Jang, Byoung-Jin Shin, Sang-Young Lee, Jang-Hyuk Hong