Regenerating, Salvage Or Repair Feature Other Than Only Addition Of Electrolyte To Cell Or Electrically Charging Per Se Patents (Class 429/49)
  • Patent number: 9490462
    Abstract: A separator for a battery according to the present disclosure (present separator) is held between a positive electrode and a negative electrode of the battery and includes an inorganic layer formation part and an inorganic layer non-formation part formed at an end. In addition, a nonaqueous electrolytic secondary battery according to the present disclosure includes: an electrode assembly including: a positive electrode having an active material layer including a positive electrode active material and a positive electrode current collector foil exposure part; a negative electrode having an active material layer including a negative electrode active material and a negative electrode current collector foil exposure part; and the present separator held between the positive electrode and the negative electrode; a case for housing the electrode assembly; and an electrolyte held between the positive electrode and the negative electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: GS Yuasa International Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Teshima, Sumio Mori, Akihiko Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 9413001
    Abstract: Provided is a composite including lead oxide particles (PbO2) and functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNTs).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignees: BAR ILAN UNIVERSITY, VULCAN AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRIES LTD.
    Inventors: Tomer Zimrin, Roni Shapira, Doron Aurbach, Beni Cahana
  • Patent number: 9324998
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing slurry for coating of electrodes for use in lithium ion batteries, wherein the method comprises mixing active materials with a binder into a binder solution, and adding an organic carbonate to the binder solution to generate the slurry. The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing electrodes for a lithium battery cell, wherein the method comprises mixing active materials with a binder into a binder solution, adding an organic carbonate to the binder solution to generate slurry, wherein the above adding step is carried out at temperature above melting temperature of the organic carbonate, coating electrode material with the slurry, drying the coating on the electrode material by drying the organic carbonate, and surface treatment of the slurry so that the electrode is prepared for use in a lithium ion battery cell. Further, the invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a lithium ion battery cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Electrovaya, Inc.
    Inventors: Bjorn Haugseter, Tom Henriksen, Lars Ole Valøen, Akhilesh Kumar Srivastava
  • Patent number: 9219293
    Abstract: The present subject matter provides apparatus and methods for controlling lithium deposition during manufacture of implantable medical device batteries. A method includes processing materials to form the battery and performing a discharge conditioning process step. The discharge conditioning process step includes using a reduced discharge load and applying a discharge load intermittently to decrease formation of lithium deposits on negatively charged surfaces within the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Ignacio Chi, Michael J. Root
  • Patent number: 9102529
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of methods and systems for hydrogen production using an electro-activated material are provided. In some exemplary embodiments, carbon can be electro-activated and used in a chemical reaction with water and a fuel, such as aluminum, to generate hydrogen, where the by-products are electro-activated carbon, and aluminum oxide or aluminum hydroxide. Controlling the temperature of the reaction, and the amounts of aluminum and electro-activated carbon can provide hydrogen on demand at a desired rate of hydrogen generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: H2 Catalyst, LLC
    Inventor: Douglas Howard Phillips
  • Patent number: 9017839
    Abstract: An all-solid lithium secondary battery which uses a sulfide-based solid electrolyte material and has a power-generating element that has formed therein an oxide layer containing substantially no moisture, which is produced by oxidation of the sulfide-based solid electrolyte material in a zone where the electrolyte-containing layer containing at least the sulfide-based solid electrolyte material is in contact with an external air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasushi Tsuchida, Fuminori Mizuno
  • Publication number: 20150104679
    Abstract: A process for conditioning an electrochemical cell system comprising at least two electrochemical cells comprises selecting from the fuel electrodes of the electrochemical cells groups comprising: a charged group and a reset group. The process also comprises holding the fuel electrodes within the charged group at a predetermined state of charge associated with a set concentration of metal fuel ions in solution in the ionically conductive medium. The process further comprises resetting the fuel electrodes within the reset group. An electrochemical cell system includes a plurality of fuel electrodes and one or more controllers configured to regulate the concentration of reducible metal fuel ions in solution with an ionically conductive medium by maintaining a predetermined state of charge of at least one of the fuel electrodes, and initiate a charging, discharging, or resetting process on at least one other fuel electrode. Other features and embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Todd TRIMBLE, Sergey PUZHAEZ, Joel HAYES, Ramkumar KRISHNAN, Cody A. FRIESEN
  • Patent number: 8980203
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the recovery of high purity litharge from spent lead acid battery paste at a low temperature which does not produce sulfur dioxide. In the process lead acetate or other lead salt is produced which is converted to high purity litharge by precipitation with a base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Retriev Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: W. Novis Smith, Steven Kinsbursky
  • Patent number: 8982579
    Abstract: An electrical assembly is assembled by affixing two conductors to a battery block without the use of solder, inserting a PCB into a PCB opening in the battery block and inserting a battery into a battery block opening in the battery block. Each of the two conductors will have a first lead in mechanical and electrical contact with the battery without the use of any solder and a second lead in mechanical and electrical contact with the PCB without any use of solder. As a result of such assembly, the PCB is held within the PCB opening by a mechanical fit without the use of any solder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Inventor: Carmen Rapisarda
  • Publication number: 20150044518
    Abstract: A fail safe battery pack is disclosed and claimed wherein first and second housings are affixed together. A plurality of battery cells reside within and fixedly engage the first and the second housings. First and second printed circuit boards (PCBs) reside within first and second lattice structures of the first and second housings. A variable bias device resides in the first and/or second lattice structure of the first and second housing and engages the first and/or second PCBs. When the bias of the variable bias device is sufficiently large it overcomes a plurality of fixed mechanically biased devices operating between the PCB and the plurality of battery cells and tending to separate same and causes the PCB to electrically communicate with the plurality of battery cells. When the bias of the variable bias device is sufficiently small, the plurality of fixed mechanically biased devices separates the PCB and the plurality of battery cells rendering the battery cells in an electrically safe condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: KARL F. SCHEUCHER
  • Publication number: 20150044517
    Abstract: Articles and methods for protection of electrodes in electrochemical cells, including protective material precursor layers for use in electrode protective structures, are provided. Certain embodiments relate to electrode protective structures that comprise protective material precursor layers that, upon direct contact with a liquid electrolyte, cause a reaction product to form between the material of the precursor layer and a component of the electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Sion Power Corporation
    Inventors: Yuriy V. Mikhaylik, Michael G. Laramie, David Child
  • Publication number: 20150017487
    Abstract: A battery, particularly a lithium-metal battery or a lithium-ion battery, having at least one galvanic cell surrounded by a cell housing. To increase the safety of the battery and to close up again a cell opened by a safety device or by a leakage, the inner chamber of the cell housing of the at least one cell includes a first chemical component, a chamber bordering on at least one section of the outer side of the housing including a second chemical component; a solid reaction product being developable by the chemical reaction of the first and second chemical components. The first component is containable in the electrolyte of the cell and the second component in a cooling and/or tempering arrangement. Also described is a cooling and/or tempering arrangement based on it, and an electrolyte, an electrolytic liquid, a safety system, a method and a mobile or stationary system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Martin Tenzer, Jens Grimminger, Jean Fanous, Marcus Wegner
  • Patent number: 8927125
    Abstract: A quencher for a flow cell battery is described. The quencher utilizes a quench solution formed from FeCl2 in a dilute HCl solution in order to quench chlorine emissions from the flow cell battery. A quench sensor is further described. The quench sensor monitors the concentration level of FeCl2 in the quench solution and may also monitor the level of the quench solution in the quencher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Imergy Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Majid Keshavarz, Saroj Kumar Sahu, Ge Zu
  • Publication number: 20150004443
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a lithium-ion battery is provided in which a power-generating element including a positive electrode element and a negative electrode element is housed in a case, wherein the case contains a compound releasing an electron toward the positive electrode element to provide a proton at an electric potential lower than a first electric potential being a positive electrode potential corresponding to a negative electrode potential at which precipitation of lithium occurs, the electric potential lower than the first electric potential being a second electric potential and being higher than a positive electrode potential corresponding to an upper limit value of working voltages of the lithium-ion battery, and the apparatus includes a controller configured to perform recovery processing of changing the lithium precipitated on the negative electrode element into a lithium ion using the proton by using a power source section supplying a power to the lithium-ion battery to bring the positive e
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: Kosuke Iwase
  • Publication number: 20140377597
    Abstract: Methods for making a recycled or refurbished electrode material for an energy-storage device are provided. One example method comprises harvesting a lithium-deficient electrode material from a recycling or waste stream, and replenishing at least some lithium in the lithium-deficient electrode material. A second example method comprises breeching an enclosure of a cell of an energy storage device, replenishing at least some lithium in a lithium-deficient electrode material of the cell, and sealing the enclosure of the cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventor: Steven E. Sloop
  • Patent number: 8911696
    Abstract: High purity MnO and zinc oxide may be efficiently recovered from alkaline and/or carbon zinc batteries using a process involving the treatment of the crushed batteries with an alkali hydroxide to produce insoluble manganese oxides and an alkali zincate solution. Zinc oxide is obtained by reacting the zinc solution with carbon dioxide or an acid such as a mineral acid and furnacing. The manganese oxides are converted to MnO by furnacing under an inert atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Retriev Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: W. Novis Smith, James Applegate
  • Patent number: 8852768
    Abstract: An aqueous electrolyte battery is provided with a positive electrode, a negative electrolyte, an aqueous electrolyte, and a deposition portion that promotes deposition of discharge product and that is provided at a location that contacts the aqueous electrolyte and that is a location other than at a catalyst included in the positive electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koji Suto
  • Patent number: 8846225
    Abstract: Methods for making a recycled or refurbished electrode material for an energy-storage device are provided. One example method comprises harvesting a lithium-deficient electrode material from a recycling or waste stream, and replenishing at least some lithium in the lithium-deficient electrode material. A second example method comprises breeching an enclosure of a cell of an energy storage device, replenishing at least some lithium in a lithium-deficient electrode material of the cell, and sealing the enclosure of the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventor: Steven E. Sloop
  • Patent number: 8835026
    Abstract: Disclosed are a recovery for a metaloxidic cathodic active material for a lithium ion secondary battery and a synthesis thereof by the recovery method, wherein the recovery method includes (a) dissolving a cathodic active material from a waste lithium ion secondary battery using sulfuric acid solution containing sulfurous acid gas to generate a solution containing metal ions, (b) injecting sodium hydroxide solution and ammonia solution in the solution containing the metal ions to fabricate an electrode active material precursor, and (c) filtrating the active material precursor, followed by drying and grinding, thus to fabricate a solid-state cathodic active material precursor, and the synthesis method is achieved by mixing the electrode active material precursor fabricated according to the recovery method with lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide, followed by heat treatment, to generate a metaloxidic cathodic active material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Kyung Yoon Chung, Hwa Young Lee, Byung-Won Cho
  • Patent number: 8734972
    Abstract: Provided is a battery pack processing apparatus and a processing method with which discharge can be performed in a short time when a battery pack is discharged by immersing the battery pack in a discharge liquid. A processing apparatus A is for discharging a battery pack P having single cells c and a case b by immersing the battery pack P in the discharge liquid. The processing apparatus A includes an aperture-forming machine 20 forming an aperture through which the discharge liquid can flow inside the case b by pressurizing the battery pack P. A state can thus be achieved which is the same as the state that results if the single cells c accommodated in the case b are individually immersed in the discharge liquid. A protection circuit f for preventing an over-discharge is prevented from suppressing a discharge current from the battery pack P, enabling the discharge in a short time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunari Maeba, Ryozo Ushio
  • Patent number: 8735006
    Abstract: An aqueous electrolyte battery is provided with a positive electrode, a negative electrolyte, an aqueous electrolyte, and a deposition portion that promotes deposition of discharge product and that is provided at a location that contacts the aqueous electrolyte and that is a location other than at a catalyst included in the positive electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koji Suto
  • Patent number: 8728419
    Abstract: The invention relates to the recovery of manganese dioxide, zinc hydroxide/oxide and steel from metal cased alkaline dry cell batteries which have been wet crushed. There is also a process for recovery of the steel and high purity manganese dioxide which can be directly utilized in the electrode for alkaline dry cell batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Retriev Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: W. Novis Smith, Michael Arutunian, Scott Swoffer
  • Publication number: 20140106185
    Abstract: Technologies for recycling rechargeable batteries are described. For example, a rechargeable battery may be recycled through a cycle that includes one or more of determining a battery condition while the rechargeable battery may be used in a networkable device, updating a rechargeable battery database with the battery condition over a network, determining recycling instructions, and outputting the recycling instructions on the networkable device. In other examples, multiple rechargeable batteries may be recycled by receiving battery conditions and identification codes over a network, updating a rechargeable battery database with battery conditions and identification codes, and assigning rechargeable batteries to recycling processes according to battery conditions and identification codes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventor: Ezekiel Kruglick
  • Patent number: 8696785
    Abstract: A method for recycling a battery pack includes steps of: roasting the battery pack that houses a battery assembly that is in a charged condition, as it is, dismantling the roasted battery pack and separating the battery pack into unit cells and parts other than the unit cells, comminuting the unit cells obtained by separation, washing and screening the comminuted cells, dehydrating a slurry below a sieve after screening and recovering metals used for positive and negative electrodes, and recovering metal containing nickel by magnetically separating metal remaining on the sieve after screening, using a magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shuji Iida
  • Publication number: 20140099520
    Abstract: The disclosure discloses a liquid flow battery system and a repairing device thereof. The repairing device, used for cleaning a battery stack of the liquid flow battery system, comprises an acid liquid storage tank (11), configured to store an acid solution; a first acid liquid pipe (12) connected with a first end of the acid liquid storage tank (11), configured to be connected with a first end of the battery stack; a second acid liquid pipe (13) connected with a second end of the acid liquid storage tank (11), configured to be connected with a second end of the battery stack; and a power device (14) arranged in the first acid liquid pipe (12) or the second acid liquid pipe (13) and configured to drive the acid solution in the acid liquid storage tank (11) to flow circularly in the first acid liquid pipe (12) and the second acid liquid pipe (13).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Dongfang Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hao Tang, Cong Yin, Zhankui Zhang, Roggui Wang, Guangyo Xie, Yuncheng Hu
  • Publication number: 20140079961
    Abstract: The invention pertains to the technical field of a Li-ion battery, in particular to a method of replenishing lithium for the negative plate of a Li-ion battery. Under inert atmosphere, organic lithium solution is sprayed or dripped on the negative plate surface so that lithium-ion in the organic lithium solution is reduced to lithium metal which is embedded in the negative plate, and then the negative plate is dried. Compared with the prior art, in the invention, the organic lithium solution is uniformly sprayed or dripped on the negative plate surface for realization of lithium replenishment by way of a wet process, thus effectively avoiding floating of lithium metal powder in the air during lithium replenishment by way of a dry process, which not only guarantees production safety, but also is characterized by simple process and lower cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventors: Kaifu Zhong, Zhen Chen
  • Patent number: 8658295
    Abstract: One embodiment includes a lithium-ion battery negative electrode including one or more low-melting point alloys that react with lithium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Yang T. Cheng, Adam T. Timmons, Stephen J. Harris
  • Patent number: 8615864
    Abstract: A disassembled battery and methods for disassembling the battery are provided. Holes are formed in an enclosure of the battery and a fluid is injected into the battery to inactivate an electrolyte inside the battery. The enclosure of the battery is then cut to define strips in the enclosure that can be peeled back to expose a core inside the battery. The core can be extracted and recycled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventor: Atsushi Mizusawa
  • Patent number: 8586218
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for recycling alkaline batteries to recover metals and zinc and manganese compounds. The process provides for the separation of metal pieces and the chemical separation and recovery of zinc and manganese compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Toxco, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Novis Smith, Michael Arutunian, Scott Swoffer
  • Publication number: 20130302652
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a method for operating a battery system having at least a first battery module and a second battery module. The method includes activating the first battery module for a defined clock time, then activating the second battery module for the defined clock time, and at the same time deactivating the first battery module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicants: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Joerg Wolff, Hans Partes, Anne Heubner
  • Publication number: 20130280560
    Abstract: A battery pack including: a plurality of battery modules, each including a plurality of battery cells arranged in a direction; at least one first fuse between battery modules of the plurality of battery modules; a battery control unit connected to the at least one first fuse; and at least one sensing unit connected to the battery control unit, the battery control unit being configured to transfer a signal received from the at least one sensing unit to the at least one first fuse, and the at least one first fuse including a power cutoff unit at a region of a connection member connecting the battery modules to each other, and a case surrounding the power cutoff unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicants: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH, SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Young-Bin Lim
  • Patent number: 8562923
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the recovery of high purity litharge from spent lead acid battery paste at a low temperature which does not produce sulfur dioxide. In the process lead acetate is produced which is converted to pure litharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Toxco, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Novis Smith, Steven A. Kinsbursky
  • Patent number: 8557412
    Abstract: It is a major object of the invention to provide a method for processing a battery member, by which a cathode active material and a sulfide solid electrolyte material can be efficiently separated from each other and the cathode active material and Li contained in the sulfide solid electrolyte material can be efficiently recovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasushi Tsuchida, Yukinari Kotani, Yukiyoshi Ueno, Shigenori Hama, Hirofumi Nakamoto, Hiroshi Nagase, Masato Kamiya
  • Patent number: 8551299
    Abstract: A method of producing HCl from H2 and Cl2 is provided. In some embodiments, the method comprises at least one photochemical chamber placed in fluid communication with at least one source of H2 and at least one source of Cl2. In some embodiments, the photochemical chamber effects the formation of HCl through the use of at least one source of ultraviolet radiation contained therein. In some embodiments, the HCl product may be captured and used as a gas. In some embodiments, the HCl product may be absorbed into water to form an aqueous HCl solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Deeya Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Majid Keshavarz, Saroj Kumar Sahu, Chockkalingam Karuppaiah, Ge Zu, Suresh Kumar Surapalan Nair, Vasanthan Mani
  • Publication number: 20130260186
    Abstract: A method for modifying an electrochemical cell includes: providing an electrochemical cell including a cathode, an anode, and a layer disposed therebetween, particularly a separator or a polymer electrolyte; effecting at least one charge and discharge sequence on the electro-chemical cell; detecting damage or defect to a first material of a cell component subjected to the at least one first charge and discharge cycle; removing at least portions of the damaged or defective first material from the cell component, whereby at least one cell component is obtained having a first area including the first material and a second area from which damaged or defective first material has been removed; and introducing a second material into the second area formed in the cell component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Li-Tech Battery GmbH
    Inventor: Tim Schaefer
  • Patent number: 8546028
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for charging the cell by electrodeposition of metal fuel on the anode thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents for and on behalf of Arizona State University
    Inventors: Cody A. Friesen, Joel Hayes
  • Patent number: 8541118
    Abstract: This invention provides a lithium-ion battery in which a coating film forming agent degradation reaction is prevented. A lithium-ion battery 100 in which electrodes 1 and 2 and an electrolyte are accommodated in a battery container 13 , and which has a means of for adding a coating film forming agent 20 for adding a coating film forming agent 21 that forms a coating film on the surface of each of electrodes 1 and 2 to an electrolyte in a battery container 13 is provided. With the use of such means of adding a coating film forming agent 20, a reaction of electrochemical degradation of a coating film forming agent 21 is prevented, allowing long-term preservation. Also, with the addition of a coating film forming agent 21 to an electrolyte, a deteriorated coating film on the surface of each of electrodes 1 and 2 is repaired such that a lithium-ion battery 100 can be regenerated, resulting in extension of battery life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takefumi Okumura, Ryo Inoue, Toshio Abe
  • Patent number: 8535818
    Abstract: One embodiment includes a method including use of a manifold connected to one or more pouches for rejuvenating failed or degraded pouch-type lithium-ions batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Stephen J. Harris
  • Patent number: 8497030
    Abstract: Embodiments related to recycling alkaline batteries are disclosed. In one disclosed embodiment, a method for recycling a battery having a basic electrolyte comprises rupturing the battery under anaerobic conditions and flooding the interior of the battery with carbon dioxide in an anaerobic chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Inventor: Steven E. Sloop
  • Publication number: 20130164571
    Abstract: Provided are a solid battery which can reduce overvoltage and a regeneration method thereof. The solid battery comprises: an anode capable of absorbing and releasing an alkali metal ion or alkaline earth metal ion; a solid electrolyte layer containing a solid electrolyte having ion conductivity and disposed in a manner to contact the anode; a cathode capable of releasing and absorbing the alkali metal ion or alkaline earth metal ion which moves between the anode and cathode; a heating device to heat the anode to a temperature at which it softens; and a fastening device capable of applying force to closely contact the solid electrolyte layer with the anode. The regeneration method comprises the steps of heating the anode to a temperature at which it softens, and compressing the softened anode, in a direction intersecting a face of the anode which contacts with the solid electrolyte layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yutaka Hirose
  • Patent number: 8460807
    Abstract: A battery pack is described. One embodiment of the battery pack includes a pair of end frames, the end frames having a top and a bottom and a pair of sides, the end frames having a detent on at least one of the sides of the end frames to receive a clamp; a frame positioned between the pair of end frames, the frame having a top and a bottom and a pair of sides, the frame having a ridge on at least one of the sides of the frame; a plurality of battery cells positioned in the frame and the pair of end frames, the plurality of battery cells electrically connected to each other at the top of the frame; and at least one cooling fin positioned between the battery cells. Methods of repairing battery packs are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Patrick J. Meehan, Stuart D. Barter, William L. Martz, Megan J. Quick, Rick F. Rourke, Edgar M. Storm, Derek R. Weber
  • Patent number: 8440357
    Abstract: Systems that facilitate operating proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells are provided. The systems employ a fuel supply component that supplies fuel to the proton exchange membrane fuel cell; and a regeneration component that provides a reducing agent comprising a mixture of hydrogen and nitrogen, or a reducing plasma to a cathode catalyst of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell to reduce the cathode catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Tim Z. Hossain, Daniel E. Posey
  • Patent number: 8404138
    Abstract: An electrode of a secondary battery is treated to remove an electrode material adhering to the current collector of the electrode. The electrode is treated by exposing to a stripping agent, which is constituted as an aqueous solution containing at least one of an organic sulfonic acid and derivative thereof, and the electrode exposure to each other to strip the electrode material from the current collector constituting the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazutaka Arimura, Hiroshi Yamasaki
  • Publication number: 20130065092
    Abstract: Provided is a battery pack processing apparatus and a processing method with which discharge can be performed in a short time when a battery pack is discharged by immersing the battery pack in a discharge liquid. A processing apparatus A is for discharging a battery pack P having single cells c and a case b by immersing the battery pack P in the discharge liquid. The processing apparatus A includes an aperture-forming machine 20 forming an aperture through which the discharge liquid can flow inside the case b by pressurizing the battery pack P. A state can thus be achieved which is the same as the state that results if the single cells c accommodated in the case b are individually immersed in the discharge liquid. A protection circuit f for preventing an over-discharge is prevented from suppressing a discharge current from the battery pack P, enabling the discharge in a short time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: SUMITOMO METAL MINING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazunari Maeba, Ryozo Ushio
  • Patent number: 8389137
    Abstract: A method of reusing a rechargeable battery includes collecting from users assembled batteries formed by rechargeable batteries, each holding initial individual information including at least a manufacturing date and an initial weight of the rechargeable battery. The collected assembled batteries are dismantled into rechargeable batteries, each holding the individual information. The rechargeable batteries of the dismantled assembled batteries are classified into groups based on the initial individual information of the rechargeable batteries and individual information of the plurality of rechargeable batteries obtained after the dismantling. A regenerated assembled battery is rebuilt reusing rechargeable batteries that have been classified into the same group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic EV Energy Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsunori Maegawa, Toshiaki Nakanishi, Katsunori Komori
  • Patent number: 8354195
    Abstract: The invention discloses an innovative fuel cell-type electrochemical energy conversion device and method of potentially high power density capability, suitable especially for stand-alone applications such as electricity-powered vehicles The inventive device, named “storage fuel cell”, may be viewed as a converted storage battery, including plates, electrolyte and separators that can be similar to the ordinary known lead-acid battery. Thus it can be charged from an electrical source, or discharged across an external load with the usually high surge current features of storage batteries. An innovative additional charging mode of the storage fuel cell, by chemical reactions of each electrode with fuel and oxidizer supplied at specific flow ratios, is however the prime object of this invention. Whereas all types of prior art fuel cells exchange ions between the electrodes, across the electrolyte, each of the electrodes of the instant fuel cell independently exchanges ions, only using their adjoining electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Inventors: Aharon Brandstetter, Haim Brandstetter
  • Patent number: 8354180
    Abstract: An electrode plate (20) for storage batteries is immersed into an aqueous solution (18) containing phosphoric acid, an ethoxy alcohol, ammonium bifluoride, sulfonic acid and sodium xylenesulfonate, and the aqueous solution (18) is stirred by a screw stirrer (22). The aqueous solution (18) is kept at about 30° C. by a heater (14), and the active material of the electrode (20) is separated therefrom. The aqueous solution (18) contains the respective solutes in the following mass ratios: 15-20 parts by mass of the phosphoric acid; 3-7 parts by mass of the ethoxy alcohol; 2-6 parts by mass of the ammonium bifluoride; 4-8 parts by mass of the sulfonic acid; and 1-3 parts by mass of the sodium xylenesulfonate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignees: Panasonic EV Energy Co., Ltd., Omega Techno Modeling Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Kamo, Kyoichi Shukuri, Shunji Kuramoto
  • Publication number: 20120326675
    Abstract: A system for removing a layer of lead sulfate insulation crystals in which lead sulfate is selectively subjected to heating by dielectric relaxation loss at a peak frequency of lead sulfate dielectric relaxation loss of 10 MHz, thereby finely decomposing the crystals which have turned into poor conductors to oxidize positive electrodes of lead oxide and reduce negative electrodes of elemental lead by charging current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventor: Hiroto Tateno
  • Publication number: 20120308852
    Abstract: A disperser regenerates an adsorbed water layer on a surface layer of a DLC-Si film by replenishing water to the DLC-Si film, for example, during treatment or following the completion of treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventor: Takashi KONO
  • Publication number: 20120244390
    Abstract: One embodiment includes a lithium-ion battery negative electrode including one or more low-melting point alloys that react with lithium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Yang T. Cheng, Adam T. Timmons, Stephen J. Harris