With Control Means Responsive To Battery Condition Sensing Means Patents (Class 429/61)
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Publication number: 20150044521Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to improved battery packaging designs. The battery pack design may include a battery cell, a plurality of transistors, and a controller. The transistors may be coupled to the terminals of the battery cell in an H-bridge configuration. The controller may control the transistors to bypass the battery cell based on the current flowing between the output terminals of the battery pack. In such a manner, the controller may prevent damage to the battery cell and improve the overall safety of the battery pack in hazardous conditions. Moreover, the design may allow for more efficient charging/discharging of the cells that are most ready to accept/supply current.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2014Publication date: February 12, 2015Applicant: Analog Devices, Inc.Inventors: James C. Camp, Thomas M. MacLeod
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Publication number: 20150044528Abstract: An overcurrent shut-off device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a switching unit connected to both ends of a secondary battery, the switching unit being turned on by pressure caused by a swelling phenomenon occurring in the secondary battery, and a fusing unit, as a component installed on a path of an electric current flowing through the secondary battery, being ruptured when the switching unit is turned on, to interrupt the electric current flowing through the secondary battery. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, by a turn-on operation in response to a swelling phenomenon of a secondary battery caused by a short circuit and the like, a connecting component installed on a path of an electric current flowing through a secondary battery is ruptured quickly to interrupt an overcurrent, thereby ensuring safety of the secondary battery in use.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2014Publication date: February 12, 2015Applicant: LG Chem, Ltd.Inventors: Jung-Hoon Yang, Young-Suk Cho, Jong-Hun Kim
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Publication number: 20150044527Abstract: A battery cell core is hermetically sealed inside a casing, with conductive paths formed in the casing that individually connect cell subsets of the core to a battery management circuit for detecting individual failing cell subsets and for changing the battery output voltage by forming series/parallel connections between the cell subsets. In one version, the casing has a metal can with an opening of the can being sealed by a non-conductive cap that is sealed and bonded along its periphery to the can walls. In one aspect, the cap has edge metallization along its periphery where it is sealed to the can walls. In another aspect, the conductive paths are formed in the non-conductive cap. Various other embodiments are also described and claimed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2014Publication date: February 12, 2015Inventors: Bernd J. Neudecker, Brian C. Menzel, Gregory A. Springer, Shawn W. Snyder, Timothy W. Scales, Victor William Santini
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Publication number: 20150044522Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a battery stack with a leapfrogging communication network. Each cell stage may include a controller, a transmitter, and a pair of receivers. The cell stage in the battery stack may be coupled to the closest two preceding battery cell stages in the stack. In this manner, each cell stage may be able to determine if a fault is present in an immediately preceding cell stage in the stack by monitoring the first preceding cell stage and the second preceding cell stage. If discharge/charge commands transmitted by the second preceding cell stage are not reaching the battery cell stage at issue, the controller may determine that there is a fault in the first preceding cell stage and discharge/charge the cell stage based on the commands transmitted by the second preceding cell stage.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2014Publication date: February 12, 2015Applicant: ANALOG DEVICES, INC.Inventors: James C. Camp, Thomas M. MacLeod
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Publication number: 20150037623Abstract: Described embodiments include a system and a method. A system includes a controllable electrochemical cell configured to output pulsed electric power. The controllable cell includes an electrolyte, and a first working electrode configured to transfer electrons to or from the electrolyte. The system includes a second working electrode configured to transfer electrons to or from the electrolyte. The system includes a gating electrode spaced-apart from the second working electrode and configured if biased relative to the second working electrode to modify an electric charge, field, or potential in the space between the electrolyte and the second working electrode. The system includes a control circuit configured to establish a nonlinear voltage-current property of the controllable cell in response to an externally originated trigger signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2013Publication date: February 5, 2015Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Lowell L. Wood, JR.
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Publication number: 20150037624Abstract: A battery management unit includes a cell balancing module to perform cell balancing between a cells in a battery cell stack, and a controller operable to determine, during a first charge cycle, that the first cell has reached an over-voltage threshold before the second cell, to determine, during a discharge cycle, that the first cell has reached an under-voltage threshold before the second cell, to identify the first cell as having a lower capacity than the second cell based upon the determination that the first cell reached the over-voltage threshold before the second cell and upon the determination that the first cell reached the under-voltage threshold before the second cell, and to prevent, during another charge cycle, the cell balancing module from performing cell balancing on the first cell based upon the first cell being identified as having the lower capacity than the second cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2013Publication date: February 5, 2015Applicant: Dell Products, LPInventors: Richard C. Thompson, Nikhil M. Vichare
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Publication number: 20150037628Abstract: A rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly including a first electrode and a second electrode, a case in which the electrode assembly is mounted, a cap plate coupled to the case, the cap plate including a short-circuit hole therethrough, a first terminal electrically connected to the first electrode, a second terminal electrically connected to the second electrode, an upper insulating member between the second terminal and the cap plate, the upper insulating member including a connection hole in fluid communication with the short-circuit hole, and an air vent hole spaced apart from the connection hole, and a short-circuit member in the short-circuit hole, the short-circuit member being between the cap plate and the upper insulating member, and the short-circuit member being configured to deform to electrically connect the first electrode with the second electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2014Publication date: February 5, 2015Applicant: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.Inventor: Min-Hyung GUEN
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Publication number: 20150037622Abstract: Described embodiments include a system and a method. A system includes a controllable electrochemical cell configured to output electric power. The controllable cell includes an electrolyte and a first working electrode configured to transfer electrons to or from the electrolyte. The controllable cell includes a second working electrode configured to transfer electrons to or from the electrolyte. The controllable cell includes a gating electrode spaced-apart from the second working electrode. The gating electrode is configured, if biased relative to the second working electrode, to modify an electric charge, field, or potential in the space between the electrolyte and the second working electrode. The controllable cell includes a control circuit coupled to the gating electrode of the controllable cell and configured to apply a biasing signal responsive to an electrical property of an external electrical load coupled to the controllable cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2013Publication date: February 5, 2015Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
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Patent number: 8947055Abstract: A battery control system includes a lithium ion secondary battery and a control device and further includes a voltage storage unit, a resistance storage unit, a current storage unit, a difference obtaining unit for obtaining a difference resistance ?R(Tja) between a normal internal resistance Rj(Tja) at a predetermined battery temperature Tja in a normal temperature range ATj and an initial internal resistance R0(Tja) at the predetermined battery temperature, and a maximum voltage calculation unit for giving a maximum inter-terminal voltage Vm(T), when at least a battery temperature T is within a low-temperature range ATl, as a value obtained by adding a product of the difference resistance ?R(Tja) and the allowable charging current Im(T) to the initial maximum inter-terminal voltage Vm0(T).Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2010Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tomoyoshi Ueki, Yukihiro Okada
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Patent number: 8945758Abstract: A secondary battery includes an electrode assembly; a collecting plate electrically coupled to the electrode assembly and having a short circuit hole; a short circuit member comprising a metal can, wherein the metal can is in the short circuit hole; a case accommodating the electrode assembly and the collecting plate and having an opening; and a cap assembly comprising a cap plate sealing the opening of the case.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2011Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignees: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Dukjung Kim
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Publication number: 20150028817Abstract: A battery block is equipped with a plurality of battery blocks. Each of the battery blocks includes at least one battery cell to provide a block voltage of the battery block. A first number of the battery blocks is selected, and the first number of the battery blocks is coupled to voltage terminals of the battery to set a battery voltage which corresponds to the sum of the block voltages of the first number of battery blocks. Further, a second number of the battery blocks is selected, and the second number of battery blocks is coupled to the voltage terminals of the battery to set a battery voltage which corresponds to the sum of the block voltages of the second number of battery blocks.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2013Publication date: January 29, 2015Inventor: Philip Georg Brockerhoff
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Patent number: 8936861Abstract: A sealed battery (10) provided by the present invention includes: a current cut-off valve (22); and a connecting member (30) having an engagement hole (34) formed in a location adjacent to the current cut-off valve. The current cut-off valve is conductively connected to the connecting member by joining linearly to a peripheral edge of the engagement hole and/or joining at a surface that is in contact with an inner wall of the engagement hole in a state in which part of the current cut-off valve is fitted into the engagement hole. When an internal pressure of a battery case (40) rises above a predetermined level, the current cut-off valve is deformed outward of the case by the internal pressure, the current cut-off valve is separated from the connecting member, and the electric connection between the connecting member and the current cut-off valve is broken.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2009Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Akira Kiyama, Tadayoshi Yamada
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Publication number: 20150017491Abstract: A device for preventing or extinguishing a fire in an electrochemical energy storage system comprising storage cells arranged in a storage housing, in particular lithium-ion cells, wherein a composition of expandable volume, containing a chemical compound for preventing or extinguishing a fire, is disposed with limited volume in one or a plurality of hollow spaces in or on the storage housing, and expansion of the volume of the composition can be activated by sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2013Publication date: January 15, 2015Applicant: KEY SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Martin Specht, Klaus Meiler
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Publication number: 20150017490Abstract: An advanced planar alkali metal-beta battery made by stacking a plurality of individual planar cells, where the individual cells comprises a one-piece ceramic unibody construction with an interior divided by an alkali-ion conducting solid electrolyte into separate cathode and anode compartments. The cathode comprises a premanufactured solid pellet of active cathode materials. A bellows is provided to reduce pressure accumulation in the cathode compartment.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2013Publication date: January 15, 2015Applicant: Material and Systems Research, Inc.Inventors: Gege Tao, Neill Weber, Anil V. Virkar
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Patent number: 8932743Abstract: A method of operating a RESS thermal system in a vehicle having a coolant loop for directing a coolant through a RESS and a refrigerant loop configured to selectively cool the coolant flowing through a chiller in the coolant loop, including: determining a current target temperature range for the RESS based on a current vehicle operating mode and ambient temperature; determining a temperature of the RESS; determining if the temperature of the RESS needs to increase or decrease to be within the current target temperature range; if the determination is made that the temperature of the RESS needs to increase, determining if an active heating or a passive heating of the coolant will be employed, the active heating using a greater amount of energy over a shorter time period than the passive heating; and activating the determined active heating or passive heating of the coolant.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2010Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Matthew Simonini, Stephen L. Shen, Matthew J. Martinchick, Lawrence P. Ziehr, Keith D. Buford, Paul S. Lombardo, Jonathan K. Williams, Jason J. Nolte
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Publication number: 20150010791Abstract: A battery pack according to the present disclosure includes a battery cell including at least one unit cell, a first connector which is electrically connected to the battery cell, and a second connector which is electrically connected to the battery cell and the first connector, the second connector having a corresponding shape to the first connector to be coupled with the first connector. According to the present disclosure, a plurality of battery packs may be concurrently charged, and when needed, a battery capacity may be increased by easily connecting a plurality of battery packs, thereby ensuring a sufficient usage time of an electronic appliance.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2014Publication date: January 8, 2015Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.Inventors: Seung-Pyo AHN, Hee-Gyu KIM, Suk-Jin SONG, Jung-Bo KIM, Young-Sun YUN
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Patent number: 8928326Abstract: A measuring device is used in conjunction with a programmable controller for monitoring electrolyte levels in the battery. According to one implementation, the measuring device is located in a battery and is configured to detect when the electrolyte level in the battery falls below a particular level. The controller is in electrical communication with the electrolyte detection device. The controller is configured to: (i) receive a signal from the electrolyte level detection device indicating when the electrolyte level in the battery has fallen below the particular level; (ii) introduce a wait-period after the signal is received; and (iii) enable an indicator to indicate that the electrolyte level in the battery should be refilled when the wait-period expires.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2014Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Philadelphia Scientific LLCInventors: Duncan Jones, John Worthington
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Patent number: 8927165Abstract: A method for controlling relative humidity (RH) of a cathode side of a fuel cell stack in a fuel cell system that includes an RH sensor on a cathode inlet line for providing an RH signal indicative of the RH of cathode inlet air. If the RH sensor is providing a valid RH signal, the RH signal is calculated as an RH average of the cathode inlet air. When the RH sensor is not providing a valid RH signal, the calculated RH average is utilized to control the cathode inlet air RH. If the RH sensor is not providing a valid signal during start-up, then the stack power is temporarily set at an optimum level for a known cathode inlet air RH.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2010Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Dongmei Chen, Victor W. Logan, Matthew C. Kirklin
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Publication number: 20150004448Abstract: In the non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery provided by the present invention, at or near the positive electrode constituting the non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, overcharge-reactive multimers including dimers to higher-order multimers formed by polymerization of an overcharge-reactive compound are present in a larger amount by mole than the overcharge-reactive compound remaining unpolymerized.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2012Publication date: January 1, 2015Inventors: Masahiro Morita, Yutaka Oyama, Yukihiro Okada
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Publication number: 20150004447Abstract: The present disclosure provides a lithium-ion secondary battery, which comprises: a case made from a conductive material; a cell received in the case; a cap assembly mounted to the case in a sealing way and equipped with electrode posts electrically connected to the cell, the electrode posts are a positive post and a negative electrode post; an electrolyte injected in the case; and at least one adapter member, the each adapter member is made from a conductive material and comprises: a connection portion fixedly connected to the corresponding one electrode post equipped to the cap assembly; and a contact portion extending downwardly into a space between the cell and the case from the connection portion at a lateral side of the cell, so that the contact portion contacts with the case to realize a short-circuit between the electrode posts when the case is crushed under an external force.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2014Publication date: January 1, 2015Applicant: Ningde Amperex Technology LimitedInventors: Quankun LI, Peng WANG, Pinghua DENG, Junzhong HU, Jibin GENG, Kai WU
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Publication number: 20140377604Abstract: A battery anode component for a battery cell including a current collector component having a lithium receiving side in which at least two spatially separated recesses are formed as lithium receiving chambers, at least two lithium-based anode material units which are situated in the at least two lithium receiving chambers, and a protective cover which covers the lithium receiving side at least partially and with the aid of which outer surfaces of the at least two lithium-based anode material units which are exposed by the current collector component are covered. A method is also described for manufacturing a battery anode component for a battery cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2012Publication date: December 25, 2014Inventor: Martin Tenzer
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Publication number: 20140377602Abstract: A battery management unit includes a plurality of monitoring IC chips each configured to detect at least one operating parameter of at least one battery cell or battery module, which has a predetermined number of battery cells and is connected to a first bus. The battery management unit further includes a control unit and a basis monitoring IC chip which is likewise connected to the first bus and is configured to communicate with each of the monitoring IC chips via the first bus. The basis monitoring IC chip and the control unit are connected to a second bus and are configured to communicate with each other via the second bus. The basis monitoring IC chip and the control unit are arranged on a common circuit board.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2012Publication date: December 25, 2014Inventor: Karsten Thoelmann
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Publication number: 20140377600Abstract: A secondary battery is provided, including an electrode assembly, a case accommodating the electrode assembly, a cap assembly, and an electrode terminal portion. The cap assembly includes a cap plate covering the case, an inversion plate formed in the cap plate, and an insulation plate having a first side connected to the inversion plate and a second side positioned on the cap plate. The inversion plate is configured to be inverted when the internal pressure of the case is greater than or equal to a critical level. The electrode terminal portion includes a fastening part electrically connected to the electrode assembly and a short-circuit member electrically connected to the fastening part. The short-circuit member is configured to make contact with a top portion of the insulation plate when an elastic force is applied on the short-circuit member toward the cap plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2013Publication date: December 25, 2014Applicant: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.Inventor: Minhyung Guen
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Publication number: 20140377601Abstract: A rechargeable battery including: an electrode assembly including a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate, and a separator between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate; a case accommodating the electrode assembly; a first electrode terminal and a second electrode terminal electrically connected to the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate, respectively, and protruding to the outside of the case; and a first terminal plate and a second terminal plate positioned outside the case and coupled to the first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal, respectively, and a terminal plate of the first terminal plate and the second terminal plate includes a first fuse.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2013Publication date: December 25, 2014Applicant: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.Inventor: Dukjung KIM
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Publication number: 20140377603Abstract: A battery cell includes a membrane configured to curve outwards when pressure inside the battery cell increases, thereby creating an electrically conductive connection between two poles. A conductor is arranged on an outside of the membrane and is connected to the battery cell such that the outward-curving membrane lifts the conductor from the membrane on one side such that the poles are electrically connected to one another via the conductor.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2012Publication date: December 25, 2014Inventors: Felix Eberle, Alexander Reitzle, Berengar Krieg
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Publication number: 20140370337Abstract: A secondary battery includes a cathode, an anode, and a non-aqueous electrolytic solution. The cathode includes a cathode current collector, and a cathode active material layer provided on the cathode current collector. The cathode active material layer is configured of a single layer and includes a plurality of cathode active material particles. When the cathode active material layer is divided, at one or more arbitrary positions, into two or more layers, an average particle size of the cathode active material particles in an uppermost layer is smaller than an average particle size of the cathode active material particles in a lowermost layer in the two or more layers of the divided cathode active material layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2014Publication date: December 18, 2014Inventors: Takaaki MATSUI, Takehiko ISHII
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Patent number: 8914173Abstract: A method and system for conditioning an energy storage system (ESS) for a vehicle, like a high-voltage battery or a fuel cell used for vehicle propulsion. It may be detrimental for a high-voltage battery in a parked vehicle to be exposed to extreme temperatures for an extended period of time. Thus, the method and system may be used to condition such a battery—for example, by heating it up if it is too cold or by cooling it down if it is too hot—so that the performance, durability, lifespan and/or other aspects of the battery are improved. In an exemplary embodiment, the method predicts if the battery will need conditioning the next time the vehicle is parked and, if such conditioning is needed, then the method predicts if the battery has sufficient charge to perform this conditioning. If the charge appears insufficient, then the method operates an energy generator that provides additional charge to the battery in anticipation of the needed conditioning.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2010Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: William A. Biondo, David T. Proefke, Clark E. McCall
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Patent number: 8911890Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for controlling the cooling or heating of a battery. The system includes a battery having a hermetic sealing structure to prevent passage of air from an exterior, a pressure sensor provided on the battery to measure internal pressure of the battery, an climate control system cooling or heating the battery, and a controller determining cooling or heating of the climate control system depending on whether the internal pressure of the battery is positive pressure or negative pressure based on a measured result of the pressure sensor, the controller controlling cooling or heating strength depending on a level of the positive pressure or negative pressure.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2012Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventors: Jae Woo Park, Jae Woong Kim, Man Ju Oh
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Patent number: 8906524Abstract: A secondary battery includes a module frame capable of supporting a protection circuit module in a stable manner. The secondary battery includes a bare cell including a cap plate, a protection circuit module, and a module frame provided between the cap plate and the protection circuit module to support the protection circuit module. The module frame is made of a conductive material to electrically connect the cap plate and the protection circuit module to each other.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2010Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventor: Sangjoo Lee
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Patent number: 8901890Abstract: There is provided a battery system made up by connecting multiple battery units in parallel with each other, the battery units having multiple battery banks, respectively, and multiple switching circuits connected in series to the battery banks, respectively. A switching circuit is made up by connecting a first circuit connected in series to a precharge resistor having a known resistance value, in parallel with a second circuit having a second switch. Timing for turning the second switch into the on state under an equal-current condition when the connection-target battery unit is connected to the battery system is controlled by a controller for controlling the respective outputs of the plural battery units.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2013Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Shin Yamauchi, Ryo Inaba
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Patent number: 8900732Abstract: According to some aspects, an apparatus and a method for controlling a temperature of a battery are disclosed. A cooling fan may be controlled according to a temperature of the battery, thereby preventing a reduction in performance of the battery. According to one aspect, the apparatus includes a temperature sensor configured to output an analog resistance value as a temperature of batteries of a battery pack. The apparatus further includes a battery temperature control part configured to convert the analog resistance value of the temperature sensor into a digital signal to control the temperature of the battery pack, and a cooling fan that is operated by a signal from the battery temperature control part. The battery temperature control part may include a defect discrimination part that senses a defective operation of the cooling fan.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2011Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jinwook Kang, Hyunghoon Lim
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Patent number: 8904049Abstract: A battery pack monitoring system is provided. The system includes a master microprocessor and a first microprocessor. The master microprocessor outputs a first signal from an output port thereof to induce an input port of the first microprocessor to have a first low logic voltage. The master microprocessor sends a message having a first binary ID from the communication bus port thereof through a communication bus after outputting the first signal. The first microprocessor receives the first binary ID at the communication bus port thereof and stores the first binary ID in a non-volatile memory of the first microprocessor when the input port of the first microprocessor has the first low logic voltage.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2012Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.Inventor: Richard McCormick
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Patent number: 8902072Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and a method for diagnosing an abnormality in a cell balancing circuit. The apparatus may include a plurality of cell balancing circuits respectively connected to a plurality of battery cells included in a battery pack for balancing the voltages of the battery cells, a diagnosis resistor respectively installed between the cell balancing circuit and a cathode terminal and an anode terminal of the corresponding battery cell, a voltage measuring unit for measuring a voltage difference of the balancing circuit corresponding to each of the battery cells, and a control unit for turning on or off a cell balancing circuit to be diagnosed and for determining whether there is an abnormality in the cell balancing circuit to be diagnosed, based on a variation pattern of a voltage difference of a cell balancing circuit adjacent to the cell balancing circuit to be diagnosed that is measured by the voltage measuring unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2011Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.Inventors: Sang-Hoon Lee, Dal-Hoon Lee, Ju-Hyun Kang, Jee-Ho Kim
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Patent number: 8900734Abstract: A bipolar secondary battery comprises laminated bodies. The laminated body comprises bipolar electrodes laminated via an electrolyte layer. The bipolar electrode comprises a positive electrode active material layer and a negative electrode active material layer formed on surfaces of a current collector. A positive electrode is formed on one end of the laminated bodies and a negative electrode is formed on another end. A temperature sensitive resistor having a smaller area than an electrical reaction area of the positive electrode active material layer and the negative electrode active material layer is arranged between the positive electrode and the negative electrode of a pair of adjacent laminated bodies, thereby suppressing a temperature increase caused by a high current by increasing the resistance in response to the flow of the high current into the bipolar secondary battery such as when an external circuit is shorted.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2011Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kenji Hosaka, Hirotatsu Kamimura, Shiho Inoue, Yasutaka Nakamura, Eiji Minegishi
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Publication number: 20140349145Abstract: A cooling system includes a fluid delivery system configured to bring a working liquid (such as water) into thermal contact with a battery where it vaporizes into an exhaust gas, and an exhaust system configured to vent the exhaust gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2013Publication date: November 27, 2014Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Lowell L. Wood, JR.
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Publication number: 20140349151Abstract: A plate-like battery pack has: a plurality of single cell elements; a flat battery pack case composed of an insulating material and adapted to have a plurality of holes respectively housing the single cell elements; and a plurality of sealing plates adapted to hermetically seal the holes housing the single cell elements and connect adjacent ones of the single cell elements, and the sealing plates connect the single cell elements in series, parallel or series-parallel.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2014Publication date: November 27, 2014Applicant: Connexx Systems CorporationInventor: Hisashi TSUKAMOTO
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Publication number: 20140349150Abstract: When connecting a plurality of cells in parallel, an operation to calculate an inrush current flowing when a pair of cells are selected from the cells for the parallel-connection and parallel-connected for all cell combinations. A cell combination, whose inrush current is the largest in the cell combinations which are judged that the calculated inrush current is less than or equal to a predetermined upper limit current value, is set as a cell combination to parallel-connect the cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2012Publication date: November 27, 2014Inventors: Chiduru Matsuyama, Yukari Tsukamoto, Takeshi Fujita
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Publication number: 20140349149Abstract: A rechargeable battery includes a case having an inner space, a first electrode assembly inside the case, a second electrode assembly inside the case, a current collecting member including a first current collecting piece electrically connected to an electrode of the first electrode assembly and a second current collecting piece electrically connected to an electrode of the second electrode assembly, the electrode of the second electrode assembly having a same polarity as the electrode of the first electrode assembly, a first terminal electrically connected to the first current collecting member and protruding outside the case, wherein the first current collecting piece and the second current collecting piece have different lengths.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2014Publication date: November 27, 2014Applicant: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.Inventor: Seung-Mo KIM
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Patent number: 8895168Abstract: A battery is disclosed that includes two contact areas, an electrolyte, and a conductivity mechanism to increase electron conductivity internal to the battery between the two contact areas that, in turn, deactivates the battery. In one embodiment, the conductivity mechanism is triggered external to the battery. In another embodiment, the conductivity mechanism utilizes deactivator material to increase electron conductivity through the electrolyte to deactivate the battery. In yet another embodiment, the conductivity mechanism creates multiple shorts between the two contact areas to deactivate the battery.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2010Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Bouziane Yebka, Joseph Anthony Holung, Tin-Lup Wong, Kenneth Scott Seethaler
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Publication number: 20140342200Abstract: The present invention provides a sealed lithium secondary battery in which redox shuttle reactions of an aromatic compound that is an overcharge inhibitor are inhibited, and the aromatic compound decomposes appropriately, and a desired amount of gas can be generated more stably than in conventional instances, even in high-temperature environments. In the sealed lithium secondary battery (100), an electrode assembly (80) and an electrolyte are accommodated in a battery case (50) that is provided with a current interrupt device (30). The electrolyte comprises a compound that is capable of suppressing drops in viscosity of the electrolyte as a result of a rise in temperature in a temperature region up to 100° C., and an aromatic compound capable of generating hydrogen gas when a predetermined battery voltage is exceeded.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2012Publication date: November 20, 2014Inventors: Masahiro Morita, Toshihiko Mitsuhashi, Keisuke Ohara, Yuji Yokoyama, Yusuke Fukumoto, Tatsuya Hashimoto
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Publication number: 20140342199Abstract: Apparatus for protecting battery cells. In some embodiments, a battery may comprise a series of battery cells and one or more protective plates positioned between the adjacent battery cells. In some embodiments, the plates may also be configured to provide a cooling function relative to adjacent battery cells. The plate(s) may comprise a first section and a second section coupled with the first section. The plate may be configured to fail under predetermined conditions such that, upon experiencing the predetermined conditions, at least a portion of the second section is configured to separate from at least a portion of the first section.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2013Publication date: November 20, 2014Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: BARTON W. MCLAUGHLIN, TODD H. FAST
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Publication number: 20140342193Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for monitoring one or more batteries are disclosed. One such apparatus may include a battery management device. The battery management device may include a sensor configured to detect a characteristic of a battery, a processor communicatively connected with the sensor to receive a signal indicative of the characteristic of the battery, a network interface to send the signal to a server through a network and to receive an instruction from the server through the network, and a control circuit to control one or more aspects of the battery based on the received instruction.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2013Publication date: November 20, 2014Applicant: TENERGY CORPORATIONInventors: Benjamin C. MULL, Lon SCHNEIDER, Gurudev KARANTH
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Publication number: 20140339892Abstract: A disconnection unit is configured for disconnecting a battery from a power system. A fuse is configured to interrupt a circuit between the battery and the power system. The fuse is integrated into the disconnection unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2012Publication date: November 20, 2014Inventors: Boris Gendlin, Stefan Soboll, Lars Huebner, Johannes Helmich
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Patent number: 8889282Abstract: An apparatus for supplying power to a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger vehicle or motorcycle, has a plurality of electrochemical storage cells. At least one of the electrodes respectively situated in the storage cells is made of metal or is provided with a metal layer essentially over its entire surface. The metal electrode or the metal layer, in particular a metal foil, is connected in an electrically conductive manner via a connecting element to a terminal provided outside the storage cell. To provide a reliable apparatus for supplying power, in particular for the intermittent electric motor drive of a motor vehicle, a thermally conductive cooling plate, which is in thermal contact with essentially each of the terminals of the storage cells, is provided. The cooling plate dissipates the thermal energy which is supplied by the metal electrodes or the metal layers on the electrodes to the terminal via the connecting element.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2008Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Hubertus Goesmann, Jens Vetter, Martin Mayr, Siegfried Pint
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Publication number: 20140335388Abstract: Provided is a battery pack including a drainage system capable of efficiently discharging water collected inside the battery pack using buoyancy, preventing moisture permeation from the outside, and being implemented in a simple structure to maximize economical feasibility. The battery pack includes a battery pack case having a battery pack embedded therein and having a drainage hole formed in one side thereof; and a drainage system including a body provided to be concatenated with one side of the battery pack case of a position corresponding to the drainage hole and a floating body accommodated in the body and elevated by an introduced fluid to close the drainage hole.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2012Publication date: November 13, 2014Inventor: Ye Jin Jin
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Publication number: 20140334055Abstract: A breaker is provided with: a movable piece (4) that has an elastically deformable elastic portion (43) and a movable contact on the tip of the elastic portion (43) and that presses the movable contact into contact with a fixed contact; a thermal actuator element (5) that is formed into a shape with a convex surface and is deformed by a change in temperature, thereby actuating the movable piece (4) so that the movable contact separates from the fixed contact; and a resin case (7) which houses the movable piece (4) and the thermal actuator element (5). The bottom surface of the base end (42a) of the movable piece (4) is positioned lower than the top (5a) of the upper surface of the thermal actuator element (5) by a distance (D). Thereby, a stable temperature adjustability and a resistance value are ensured in a breaker used as a protection device for a secondary battery with miniturization brought into realty.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2012Publication date: November 13, 2014Inventor: Masashi Namikawa
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Publication number: 20140333132Abstract: A battery system (201) includes a battery module (314) in which plural battery cells (310) are connected in series, a battery pack (203) in which the battery modules (314) are connected in series, parallel or series-parallel, and a battery block (212) in which the battery packs (203) are connected in series, parallel or series-parallel, which are mutually layered. In the battery system (201), a structure is adopted in which the battery module (314), the battery pack (203) and the battery block (212) are previously prepared as hierarchical variations of basic units, and these basic units are appropriately combined according to a required scale. According to the battery system of the invention, even when a system construction request of any scale occurs, the request can be flexibly dealt with.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 26, 2011Publication date: November 13, 2014Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Shin Yamauchi, Akihiko Emori
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Publication number: 20140335387Abstract: An electric storage system includes electric storage blocks and a controller determining the state of each of the electric storage blocks. The plurality of electric storage blocks are connected in series, and each of the electric storage blocks has a plurality of electric storage elements connected in parallel. Each of the electric storage elements has a current breaker breaking a current path within the electric storage element. The controller acquires at least one parameter of an internal resistance and a full charge capacity of each of the electric storage blocks, and uses a change rate between the acquired parameter and a reference value to specify the number of current breakers in a broken state (the number of breaks) in each of the electric storage blocks. The reference value refers to the value of the parameter in the electric storage block not including the current breaker in the broken state.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2012Publication date: November 13, 2014Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kenji Takahashi, Yuji Nishi, Hiroyuki Kaiya, Kenji Kimura
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Publication number: 20140335389Abstract: A battery, which is provided with a pressure-type current interrupt mechanism, is provided with: a gas-generating material placed outside an electrode body and within a battery case; a positive electrode potential member that is placed outside the electrode body and within the battery case in a manner contacting the gas-generating material, and conducts with the positive electrode of the electrode body; and a negative electrode potential member that is placed outside the electrode body and within the battery case in a manner contacting the gas-generating material while being spaced from the positive electrode potential member, and conducts with the negative electrode of the electrode body. The gas-generating material includes a gas-generating agent that generates a gas when the potential of the positive electrode potential member exceeds a gas generation potential.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2011Publication date: November 13, 2014Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Koji Takahata
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Publication number: 20140335384Abstract: A battery includes a battery cell, and an electrode of the battery cell is connected to the battery cell housing in an electrically conducting manner by a switching element. The battery also includes a monitoring circuit, which is configured to respond to detection of an interference signal by opening the switching element. The switching element is closed during operation without interference.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2012Publication date: November 13, 2014Inventors: Markus Kohlberger, Joachim Fetzer, Holger Fink