With Control Means Responsive To Battery Condition Sensing Means Patents (Class 429/61)
  • Publication number: 20140242429
    Abstract: Disclosed is a battery pack including a battery module array constituted by one or more battery modules each including one or more unit modules each configured to have a structure in which a battery cell is surrounded by a cell cover are mounted in a module case in a state in which the unit modules are stacked while being vertically upright, a base plate on which the battery module array is loaded, a pair of end plates to support opposite sides of the array in a state in which a lower end of each of the end plates is fixed to the base plate, and an insulation member disposed between the array and each of the end plates, the insulation member being provided at a surface thereof facing the array with one or more ribs to absorb shock caused by external force and to define a coolant flow channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Bum Hyun LEE, Jin Kyu LEE, Dal Mo KANG
  • Publication number: 20140242424
    Abstract: An aircraft comprises a rechargeable battery including an array of battery cells, and means for mitigating consequences of failure of the rechargeable battery due to aircraft operating cycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Kelly T. Jones
  • Publication number: 20140242428
    Abstract: The invention provides for a high occupancy or heavy-duty vehicle with a battery propulsion power source, which may include lithium titanate batteries. The vehicle may be all-battery or may be a hybrid, and may have a composite body. The vehicle battery system may be housed within the floor of the vehicle and may have different groupings and arrangements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: PROTERRA INC.
    Inventors: Michael Walker, Dale HILL, Donald MORRIS
  • Patent number: 8816635
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes an anode connectable to a current tap and a charging medium in electrical contact with the anode. A switching device is configured to stop a charging operation of the electrochemical cell upon activation by the charging medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Chandra Sekher Yerramalli, Badri Narayan Ramamurthi, Reza Sarrafi-Nour, Andrew Philip Shapiro, Anil Raj Duggal
  • Publication number: 20140234668
    Abstract: A battery housing includes a battery frame that holds a plurality of battery cells. Each battery cell includes a positive terminal and a conducting structure at one end, a negative terminal at the opposite end, and a conductive shell that electrically couples the negative terminal to the conducting structure. An interconnect creates an electrical connection between two cells by contacting either the conducting structure or the positive terminal of each cell. The cells are positioned so that the positive terminals, conducting structures, and interconnect are all on the same side of the battery frame. As a result, the interconnect can be shorter in length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventors: Robert W. Sweney, Derek Dorresteyn
  • Publication number: 20140234674
    Abstract: A secondary battery includes: a power generation element that charges and discharges; a battery case that houses the power generation element; and an electrode terminal that is exposed in an outer surface of the battery case and is electrically connected to the power generation element. The secondary battery includes a current cutoff mechanism and an auxiliary terminal. The current cutoff mechanism is disposed on a current path connecting between the power generation element and the electrode terminal inside the battery case and capable of cutting off an electric current. The auxiliary terminal is electrically connected to the current path positioned between the power generation element and the current cutoff mechanism of current paths and exposed in the outer surface of the battery case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mizuho Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20140234673
    Abstract: The secondary battery includes an electrode assembly including a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate and a separator interposed between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate, a case accommodating the electrode assembly, and a first current collector plate electrically connected to the first electrode plate and having a first fuse part formed at its one side, wherein the first fuse part includes at least two fuse holes spaced apart from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventors: Sangwon BYUN, Haekwon YOON, Seungbok LEE, Minyeol HAN
  • Patent number: 8808883
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a secondary battery pack including a battery cell having an electrode assembly mounted in a battery case together with an electrolyte, a protection circuit module (PCM) having a protection circuit for controlling overcharge, overdischarge, and overcurrent of the battery cell, an insulative mounting member mounted to a top cap of the battery cell, and an insulative cap coupled to the upper end of the battery cell, wherein the top cap is provided with at least one protrusion-type electrode terminal, and the top cap is provided at a partial region where the protrusion-type electrode terminal is not formed with a space (depression space) depressed downward by a predetermined depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Youngsun Park, Jeongsuk Lee, Keunpyo Ahn, Chunyeon Kim, Joung Ho Ha, Masayuki Wakebe
  • Patent number: 8808885
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a battery module configured in a structure in which two or more battery cells, each of which has electrode terminals formed at one end or opposite ends thereof, are stacked in a state in which the battery cells are electrically connected to each other, wherein the electrode terminals of the battery cells are formed of plate-shaped conductive members, the electrode terminals of the battery cells are folded such that the electrode terminals are in tight contact with each other to form a bent connection part at an electrical connection region between the battery cells, and the bent connection part is surrounded by a voltage sensing member mounted to the bent connection part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: BumHyun Lee, Jin Kyu Lee, Jongmoon Yoon, Jae Hun Yang, Yongshik Shin, Dal Mo Kang
  • Patent number: 8808890
    Abstract: A battery system that can prevent a burst of a battery and a battery safety alarm system therefor are provided. A battery system includes a lithium ion battery formed in a cylindrical shape and including an organic electrolytic solution as an electrolyte. A laser beam source emits a laser beam. An optical fiber of a single mode is wound around an outer circumferential portion of the lithium ion battery in a plurality of lines and via which the laser beam emitted from the light source is transmitted. A detector receives the laser beam transmitted via the optical fiber and detects abnormality of the lithium ion battery on the basis of a loss of the laser beam due to the optical fiber or a change with time of the loss. An alarm warns a user of the abnormality when abnormality of the lithium ion battery is detected by the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventor: Kenichi Fuse
  • Patent number: 8808886
    Abstract: A battery management system is disclosed. The system includes a variable discharge resistor and a temperature measuring unit to measure the temperature of the discharge resistor. The resistance of the discharge resistor is modified based at least in part on the measured temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Meen-Suk Kim
  • Publication number: 20140227567
    Abstract: A battery module including a battery cell including: an electrode assembly including a first electrode and a second electrode; a case housing the electrode assembly; and a short circuit member at a side of the case and electrically coupled to the second electrode is disclosed. The battery may further include a short circuit connector including a short circuit conductor electrically coupled to the first electrode, the short circuit member being spaced from the short circuit conductor and being configured to change shape to contact the short circuit conductor, and the short circuit connector having a cutout below the short circuit conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-Yeol Han, Sang-Won Byun, Jin-Seop Kim, Su-Jin Yoon
  • Patent number: 8802257
    Abstract: A battery pack and a driving method thereof. The battery pack includes a battery cell; a charge switch and a discharge switch installed in a charge/discharge line of a battery cell; and a microcontroller to sense and store voltages of the battery cell, to compare the voltages of the battery cell before and after the microcontroller is reset, and to controls the charge switch and the discharge switch based on the sensed voltages of the battery cell such that the microcontroller turns off only one of the charge switch and the discharge switch when there is a change between the voltages of the battery cell before and after the microcontroller is reset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jinwan Kim, Jongwoon Yang, Susumu Segawa, Tetsuya Okada, Euijeong Hwang, Sesub Sim, Hanseok Yun, Beomgyu Kim
  • Patent number: 8805455
    Abstract: An intrinsic safety approach is provided for a battery powered communication device. Sparking is prevented at radio contacts during attachment and removal of a battery (104, 204, 304, 404) from a radio (102, 202, 302, 402) through the use of switches (112, 212, 312, 412/424) to isolate the radio capacitors from the radio contacts and/or dissipate energy from the radio capacitor through a discharge resistor (214, 314, 414).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Motorola Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Bohne, John W. Oglesbee
  • Patent number: 8802266
    Abstract: A method is generally described which includes operating an electrical energy storage device or an electrochemical energy generation device includes configuring a controller with a control algorithm to control the actions of a controllable fluid flow device as a function of states of a mobile device using the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device. The electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device is configured to provide electrical current. The method also includes providing a microchannel thermal control system for the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device. The microchannel thermal control system is configured to alter the temperature at least portions of the electrical energy storage device or the electrochemical energy generation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Alistair K. Chan, Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140220396
    Abstract: A battery pack including an upper battery module including a plurality of upper battery cells arranged in one direction, the plurality of upper battery cells having upper terminal portions, an upper bus-bar electrically connecting the upper terminal portions, and an upper housing accommodating the plurality of upper battery cells therein; and a lower battery module including a plurality of lower battery cells arranged in the one direction, the plurality of lower battery cells having lower terminal portions, a lower bus-bar electrically connecting the lower terminal portions, and a lower housing accommodating the plurality of lower battery cells therein, wherein a space portion is formed at one end of any one of the upper and lower battery modules, and a controller is positioned in the space portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicants: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH, SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jang-Wook LEE, Tae-Yong KIM
  • Patent number: 8795860
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a secondary battery pack including a battery cell having a first electrode terminal, a second electrode terminal and a pair of coupling grooves formed at the top of a battery case, a protection circuit module (PCM) including a protection circuit board (PCB), connection members A and B connected to the first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal, respectively, and a safety element, and an electrically insulated top cap having through holes communicating with the respective coupling grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: JuHwan Baek, Sangkwon Nam, Tae-Wook Kim, Jinhyun Ryu
  • Patent number: 8799636
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The processor executes a process including calculating a first accumulated time during which the battery device feeds power to the electronic apparatus while being attached to the electronic apparatus in a first attachment state in which a first surface of the battery device faces a reference surface provided in the electronic apparatus, calculating a second accumulated time during which the battery device feeds power to the electronic apparatus while being attached to the electronic apparatus in a second attachment state in which a second surface of the battery device faces the reference surface, the second surface being different from the first surface, and providing an instruction to change an attachment state of the battery device when a difference between the first accumulated time and the second accumulated time exceeds a given time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Yoshiro Takeda, Toshihiro Miyamoto
  • Publication number: 20140212710
    Abstract: Provided is a battery, and more particularly, a battery in which a cutting unit is formed in a seating groove so that the cutting unit and a sub battery module do not contact each other in a normal operation state, such that the battery may be stably driven, and a pouch of the sub battery module may be cut by the cutting unit only in an abnormal operation state such as over-charging, over-discharging, exposure to a high temperature, an electric short circuit, or the like, to prevent ignition or explosion in advance, such that safety may be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: SK INNOVATION CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jae Yun Min
  • Patent number: 8790816
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery including an electrode assembly having a first electrode and a second electrode; a case housing the electrode assembly; a cap plate coupled to the case; a terminal electrically connected to the electrode assembly and protruding from the cap plate; a connecting member on the cap plate, the connecting member including a body, a first short-circuit tab within the body and electrically connected to the first electrode, and a second short-circuit tab within the body and electrically connected to the second electrode; and a short-circuit member spaced from the first short-circuit tab and the second short-circuit tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignees: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Duk-Jung Kim, In Kim
  • Patent number: 8790803
    Abstract: 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 first collector plate electrically connected to the first electrode plate and including a fuse unit therein; a second collector plate electrically connected to the second electrode plate; and a case housing the electrode assembly, the first collector plate, and the second collector plate, the fuse unit being formed of a first material, and regions of the first collector plate other than the fuse unit being formed of a second material different from the first material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignees: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Sangwon Byun, Jeongwon Oh
  • Publication number: 20140205873
    Abstract: A system for preventing condensate formation on a battery (1), in particular on a battery (1) that is cooled by means of a cooling device, wherein the battery (1) is surrounded by a housing (6), and wherein the housing (6) has at least one air inlet opening (8) and at least one air outlet opening (9), wherein the at least one air inlet opening (8) is designed such that air supplied to the housing (6) can flow into the housing (6) so as to flow around the battery (1), and wherein the at least one air outlet opening (9) is designed such that air can flow out of the housing (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventors: Markus Klausner, Anselm Berg
  • Publication number: 20140205871
    Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes: an electrode assembly including positive and negative electrode plates; a nonaqueous electrolyte; an outer body; and a current interruption mechanism being provided on at least one of a conductive pathway between the positive electrode plate and a positive electrode external terminal and a conductive pathway between the negative electrode plate and a negative electrode external terminal. The nonaqueous electrolyte contains an overcharge inhibitor. The positive electrode active material layer has a specific surface area of 1.3 m2/g or less. The positive electrode active material layer has a total surface area of 41 m2/g or less with respect to the total mass of the overcharge inhibitor in the nonaqueous electrolyte. Thus the battery can increase a battery internal pressure inside the outer body in a short period of time to activate the current interruption mechanism to interrupt the conductive pathway if the battery is overcharged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keisuke MINAMI, Toyoki FUJIHARA, Toshiyuki NOHMA
  • Publication number: 20140203783
    Abstract: A system includes utilizes optical sensors arranged within or on portions of an electrochemical energy device (e.g., a rechargeable Li-ion battery, supercapacitor or fuel cell) to measure operating parameters (e.g., mechanical strain and/or temperature) of the electrochemical energy device during charge/recharge cycling. The measured parameter data is transmitted by way of light signals along optical fibers to a controller, which converts the light signals to electrical data signal using a light source/analyzer. A processor then extracts temperature and strain data features from the data signals, and utilizes a model-based process to detect intercalation stage changes (i.e., characteristic crystalline structure changes caused by certain concentrations of guest species, such as Li-ions, within the electrode material of the electrochemical energy device) indicated by the data features. The detected intercalation stage changes are used to generate highly accurate operating state information (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Peter Kiesel, Lars Wilko Sommer, Ajay Raghavan, Bhaskar Saha, Tobias Staudt, Alexander Lochbaum
  • Publication number: 20140205872
    Abstract: The present application provides a rechargeable battery including a battery case and a battery cap coupled to the battery case. The battery cap includes a conductive cap plate; a first electrode electrically connected to the cap plate; a second electrode insulatively connected to the cap plate, the second electrode being in electrical connection with one end of a conductive plate for securing the second electrode to the conductive cap plate; and a conductive turnover component in electrical connection with the conductive cap plate, the turnover component being initially separated from the conductive plate and capable deforming to contact other end of the conductive plate due to high pressure in the battery case, so as to short-circuit the first electrode and the second electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Ningde Amperex Technology Limited
    Inventors: Ru lai Cai, Quan kun Li, Ping hua Deng, Peng Wang
  • Publication number: 20140205874
    Abstract: A fusible link includes a current collector element, a battery cell conductor pad, and at least one fusible conductor connecting the current collector element and the battery cell conductor pad. The current collector element can be a current collector conductor pad, a current collector conductor pad and a current collector plate, or a fuse sheet. A battery cell has an anode electrode and a cathode electrode, a separate fusible link is coupled to at least one of the battery cell electrodes. The battery cell conductor pad is electrically and mechanically attached to each battery cell electrode. The fusible conductor opens under excessive current flow, and has sufficient service loop length to allow relative in-plane and out-of-plane motions between the battery cell electrode and the current collector element. The fusible links can be applied to each of a plurality of battery cells included in a battery pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: SinoElectric Powertrain Corporation
    Inventor: Peng ZHOU
  • Patent number: 8785016
    Abstract: A battery pack includes a core pack including a unit cell; a protection circuit module electrically connected to the core pack and including a switch contact portion; a frame accommodating the core pack and the protection circuit module; and a cover including a recessed portion covering at least a part of the core pack, facing the switch contact portion, and extending toward the protection circuit module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae-Yon Moon, Sang-Hun Park
  • Publication number: 20140199562
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery including an electrode assembly including a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate, and a separator interposed between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate, a first current collector plate electrically coupled to the first electrode plate and including a fuse, a second current collector plate electrically coupled to the second electrode plate, a case accommodating the electrode assembly, the first current collector plate, and the second current collector plate, a cap assembly sealing the case and including a cap plate, a first electrode terminal electrically coupled to the first current collector plate and a second electrode terminal electrically coupled to the second current collector plate, the first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal passing through the cap plate, and an insulation cover surrounding a region between the cap plate and the electrode assembly, the region including the first electrode terminal and the fuse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dukjung Kim, In Kim
  • Publication number: 20140193676
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a storing unit which is provided on a battery pack and which retains power information of the battery pack, an acquiring unit which is provided in the main unit and which acquires the power information of the battery pack from the storing unit, and a control unit which is provided in the main unit and which controls the operation of the main unit based on the power information of the battery pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: TAKAYUKI YAJIMA, KEIICHI KOMAKI, NORIO FUJIMORI, TSUYOSHI OOKUBO
  • Publication number: 20140193675
    Abstract: A secondary battery including an electrode assembly; first and second collector plates connected to respective first and second electrodes of the electrode assembly; a case accommodating the electrode assembly, the first collector plate, and the second collector plate; a cap plate sealing an opening of the case; a first electrode terminal electrically connected to the first collector plate and passing through the cap plate; a second electrode terminal electrically connected to the second collector plate and passing through the cap plate; and a short-circuit member electrically connected to the first collector plate and passing through the cap plate, the short-circuit member including a duct part in communication with an inside of the case; and a deformable part covering a top portion of the duct part and being deformable by a gas pressure inside the case to electrically connect the first electrode to the second electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicants: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH, SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Dukjung KIM
  • Patent number: 8773074
    Abstract: There is provided a battery system including a battery having a luminescent layer on surfaces of an exterior member, the luminescent layer containing a stress luminescent material that emits light in response to application of mechanical stress, a photodetector device that detects light emission by the stress luminescent material, and abnormality detection means for monitoring the light emission detected by the photodetector device and thus detecting an abnormality in the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventor: Masakatsu Noguchi
  • Patent number: 8771854
    Abstract: Provided is a secondary battery including an electrode assembly, a case accommodating the electrode assembly, a cap assembly, and an electrode terminal electrically connected to the electrode assembly. The cap assembly includes a cap plate disposed over an upper opening of the case. The electrode terminal protrudes outwardly from a terminal hole of the cap plate. The electrode terminal includes a collecting terminal extending through the terminal hole of the cap plate, a terminal plate coupled with the collecting terminal, and a coupling terminal coupled with the terminal plate. The cap plate includes a short-circuit hole therein. The short-circuit hole is at a position corresponding to a position of the coupling terminal. A short-circuit member covers the short-circuit hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignees: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Minhyung Guen, Dukjung Kim
  • Publication number: 20140186668
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus capable of suppressing a fire of a battery pack when a fire occurs at the battery pack. The fire suppression apparatus includes a fire detection sensor for detecting the probability of fire occurrence at a battery pack, a fire-extinguishing chemical tank containing a fire-extinguishing chemical in an inner space therein, and a control unit for allowing the fire-extinguishing chemical of the fire-extinguishing chemical tank into the battery pack when fire occurrence is detected by the fire detection sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Seung-Hun Jung, Dong-Seok Shin, Young-Joon Shin
  • Publication number: 20140186664
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a safety apparatus of a battery module for a vehicle. The apparatus includes a plurality of cell terminals which includes an anode terminal and a cathode terminal of a battery cell and the cell terminals are disposed diagonally adjacent to each other. In addition, the apparatus includes a safety bus bar that is configured to electrically connect the plurality of cell terminals, and maintain the electrical connection when the battery cell is not expanded and open a circuit to prevent electricity from flowing when the battery cell is expanded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Sang Mok Park
  • Publication number: 20140186665
    Abstract: A battery system includes a battery cell including a first electrode terminal, a second electrode terminal, and a conductive battery case, a first resistor including a first end which is electrically connected to the first electrode terminal and a second end which is electrically connected to the battery case, a voltmeter, a second resistor, a switch, and a control. When the switch is controlled to be changed from an off state to an on state to electrically connect the second resistor between the first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal or when the switch is controlled to be changed from the on state to the off state to electrically disconnect the second resistor between the first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal, the control device monitors a change in the voltage to determine whether the first resistor is electrically connected to the battery case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Inventor: Akira Takeyama
  • Publication number: 20140186666
    Abstract: A modular current interrupt device includes an electrically-conductive rupture disc, an electrically-conductive pressure disc attached to the rupture disc to form an electrical pathway. An electrically-insulating ring partitions a perimeter of the rupture disc from a perimeter of the pressure disc, and a seating element secures the electrically-insulated ring to the pressure disc. At least one of the rupture disc and electrically-insulating ring defines a conduit, whereby exposure of one side of the pressure disc to sufficient force through the conduit causes the pressure disc to separate from the rupture disc to thereby sever the electrical pathway. A low pressure current interrupt device (CID) activates at a minimal threshold internal gauge pressure in a range of, for example, between about 4 kg/cm2 and about 9 kg/cm2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Boston-Power, Inc.
    Inventors: Mimmo Elia, Jan-Roger Linna, Phillip E. Partin, Raymond G. Kairawicz
  • Publication number: 20140186667
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a battery pack including a power supply unit including two or more battery cells or battery modules electrically connected to each other, a cut-off portion located at at least one series connection region between the battery cells or modules to interrupt electrical connection in the battery pack upon occurrence of a short circuit of the battery cells or modules guided by a pressure driven switch, the pressure driven switch connected in parallel to the battery cells or modules at which the cut-off portion is located to detect expansion in volume of the battery cells or modules when the power supply unit malfunctions and to guide occurrence of a short circuit of the battery cells or modules, and external input and output terminals connected to electrode terminals located at outermost sides of the power supply unit to supply power to an external device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Jin Kyu LEE, JunSeok CHOI, TaeHwan ROH, SeongTae KIM, TaeHyuck KIM
  • Patent number: 8765276
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for these embodiments of the present invention, useful in manufacturing for example, includes a plurality of battery modules serially intercoupled together, each module including a housing with an anode connector and a cathode connector, each housing including a memory for storing a module identifier and wherein an anode connector of a first module is coupled to a cathode connector of a second module; and a processing system, coupled to each the module, for determining a plurality of positional attributes of each the module, one positional attribute associated with each the module of the plurality of modules, the processing system writing an ID into the memory of each particular module responsive to the associated positional attribute for the particular module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Baglino, Philip David Cole
  • Publication number: 20140177145
    Abstract: A semiconductor device generates battery state information including information of a capacity that can be extracted from a battery in the case of discharging from a full charge state until a discharge cutoff voltage at a predetermined discharge rate, based on measurement results of battery voltage, current, and temperature. The device calculates a first estimate value of capacity that can be extracted in the case of discharging the battery from the full charge state until the discharge cutoff voltage and calculates a second estimate value of capacity that can be extracted in the case of discharging the battery until a voltage larger than the discharge cutoff voltage. The device corrects the first estimate value based on a difference between a capacity value extracted from the battery by discharging the battery from the full charge state until the voltage larger than the discharge cutoff voltage and the second estimate value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Youhei Kawahara, Kenta Kobayashi, Suguru Sasaki, Yusuke Sugawara
  • Publication number: 20140178720
    Abstract: The measurement method according to the invention for an electrochemical energy storage device involves the electrochemical energy storage device being held (S1) and having contact made with it (S2) in a holding device. The electrochemical energy storage device is charged (S3) to a predetermined first charge state. The electrochemical energy storage device is discharged (S4) to a predetermined second charge state. A measuring device is used to capture (S5) at least one measured value for a physical parameter of the electrochemical energy storage device, with the physical parameter allowing the operating state of the electrochemical energy storage device to be inferred.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Li-Tec Battery GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Rentzsch, Jens Meintschel, Claus-Rupert Hohenthanner, Joerg Kaiser, Denny Thiemig
  • Patent number: 8758931
    Abstract: A lithium-ion battery package can include flexible foil, a first conductor patch exposed on the flexible foil, a second conductor patch exposed on the flexible foil, a folded orientation of the flexible foil that includes a contact between the first conductor patch and the second conductor patch, and an expanded orientation of the flexible foil that includes a space between the first conductor patch and the second conductor patch. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Bouziane Yebka, Joseph Anthony Holung, Kenneth Scott Seethaler, Tin-Lup Wong
  • Publication number: 20140170446
    Abstract: A sensor module includes an enclosure adapted to hermetically seal an opening or a hole on the outer surface of a casing or packaging, a sensor element and a membrane. The membrane is arranged between the enclosure and the opening or hole of the casing or packaging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Klaus Elian, Horst Theuss, Guenther Ruhl
  • Publication number: 20140170447
    Abstract: A battery housing includes an inner chamber configured to accommodate galvanic cells, in particular lithium-ion cells, which are provided with a cut-out area that can be opened in the event of failure of the cell. In order to prevent, retard and optionally at least partially extinguish a fire in the event of the failure of one or more cells, for example during an accident of an electrically operated vehicle, the inner chamber of the battery housing includes at least one dispenser for dispensing a flame-inhibiting, flame-retarding and/or flame-extinguishing agent. The dispenser has at least one dispenser opening arranged adjacent to a cut-out area of a cell and configured to be opened. The dispenser opening is configured to be opened during a mechanical shock and/or a temperature increase and/or a pressure increase above a predetermined limit value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicants: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Woehrle, Stephan Leuthner
  • Publication number: 20140170448
    Abstract: A lithium-ion secondary battery having a positive electrode capable of occluding and releasing lithium ions, a negative electrode capable of occluding and releasing lithium ions, a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, an electrolytic solution, and a current breaking mechanism that works in response to the rise of the battery's internal pressure, wherein the electrolytic solution is incorporated with an aromatic compound and the positive electrode is incorporated with a carbon dioxide gas generating agent which is represented by the formula AxCO3 or AyHCO3. It is highly responsive to overcharging owing to the current breaking mechanism attached thereto which activates in the early stage of overcharging. Therefore, it exhibits high battery performance as well as high safety in the case of overcharging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventors: Norio Iwayasu, Hidetoshi Honbou
  • Patent number: 8754611
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that adaptively charges a battery, wherein the battery is a lithium-ion battery which includes a transport-limiting electrode governed by diffusion, an electrolyte separator and a non-transport-limiting electrode. During operation, the system determines a lithium surface concentration at an interface between the transport-limiting electrode and the electrolyte separator based on a diffusion time for lithium in the transport-limiting electrode. Next, the system calculates a charging current or a charging voltage for the battery based on the determined lithium surface concentration. Finally, the system applies the charging current or the charging voltage to the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Greening, P. Jeffrey Ungar, William C. Athas
  • Patent number: 8748029
    Abstract: A battery pack (1) includes: multiple battery modules (3, 5, 7) stacked in a vertical direction with a predetermined gap (G1) provided between the battery modules (3, 5) and with a predetermined gap (G2) between the battery modules (5, 7); and a battery controller (13) attached to sides of the battery modules (3, 5, 7) in such a manner as to face the predetermined gap (G1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukari Tadokoro, Karuki Hamada, Tadashi Shoji
  • Patent number: 8749204
    Abstract: A battery condition detector configured to detect a micro short circuit of a rechargeable battery is disclosed. The battery condition detector includes a processing part configured to calculate the remaining capacity and the full-charge capacity of a rechargeable battery 200 and to determine the micro short circuit of the rechargeable battery 200 by detecting an overcharge of the rechargeable battery 200 based on a charged capacity charged during the charging of the rechargeable battery 200, the remaining capacity calculated at a calculation time immediately before the start of the charging, and the full-charge capacity calculated before the start of the charging; and a communications part 70 configured to output a signal according to the determination result of the processing part 50.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignees: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd., NTT DoCoMo, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshihide Majima, Keiichi Kitamura, Kazuhiko Takeno, Yasuyuki Kanai, Haruo Uemura
  • Patent number: 8748019
    Abstract: A case (20) of each battery cell (1) houses a current interrupt device (30) that cuts-off current when internal pressure exceeds a set pressure. The case has a rectangular outline with a pair of opposing planar surfaces (20A). An electrode unit (10), which is a stack of positive and negative electrode plates (10A) with intervening separators (10C), and the current interrupt device are disposed between the pair of opposing planar surfaces. A plurality of battery cells is stacked with opposing planar surfaces opposite each other to form a battery block (2). The power source apparatus has a pair of endplates (4) disposed at the ends of the battery block, the pair of endplates is connected by connecting components (5), and the pair of endplates holds the battery cells in the stacked configuration applying pressure in a direction perpendicular to the opposing planar surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wataru Okada
  • Patent number: 8751176
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring battery voltage and temperature includes a host controller and acquisition boards, and every acquisition board for the battery includes a voltage acquisition module, a temperature acquisition module, a host control chip MCU, A/D convertor module, an opto-isolator module, a CAN bus communication module and two external connection ports CN1, CN2. The input end of the AD transformation module is connected with the output end of the voltage acquisition module and the temperature acquisition module, and the output end of the A/D convertor module is connected with the opto-isolator module via a SPI bus, and the I/O port of the SPI bus module in the main control chip MCU is connected with the opto-couple isolation module, and the host control chip MCU is connected with the CAN bus communication module of the host controller via the CAN bus communication module, and the acquisition boards are connected via a socket piece in turn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Chery Automobile Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yue Wang
  • Publication number: 20140154533
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprises at least one negative electrode including at least one material which is capable of absorbing charge carrier; at least one positive electrode including at least one material capable of releasing charge carrier; at least one electrolyte capable of transporting charge carrier, between the electrodes; and at least one protective device that is substantially an integral part in at least one of the electrodes and comprises at least one enclosure, the at least one protective device being designed such that if a damaging influence damaging the electrochemical cell occurs, in particular heat, at least one stabilizing additive is released from inside the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Li-Tec Battery GmbH
    Inventors: Tim Schaefer, Denny Thiemig