Having (manual) Electrolyte Storage Feeding A Device Patents (Class 429/80)
  • Patent number: 11165086
    Abstract: A modular flow battery includes a battery stack container housing a plurality of redox flow battery stacks in fluid communication with at least one pair of electrolyte containers including an anolyte container for holding an anolyte and a catholyte container for holding a catholyte. Additional pairs of electrolyte containers can be connected to the battery stack container to increase an amount of energy that can be stored by the modular flow battery system. Respective housings enclosing each of the battery stack container and the electrolyte containers are configured for operation in a stacked configuration. In this manner, the energy storage capacity of the modular flow battery system can be further increased with substantially no increase in a lateral area occupied by the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: LARGO CLEAN ENERGY CORP.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Modderno, Peter Gottleib, Michael Falcinelli, Shazad Butt
  • Patent number: 9257714
    Abstract: An organic electrolyte solution including a solvent; an electrolyte including a metal-ligand coordination compound; and an additive including a hydrophobic group and a metal affinic group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Joung-won Park, Duk-jin Oh, Doo-yeon Lee, Myung-jin Lee
  • Publication number: 20150030895
    Abstract: Disclosed is a battery case including a case part including a first accommodation part having an irreversible opening to irreversibly release a closed state and a second accommodation part separated from the first accommodation part, and a cover part installed at the case part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: InSung UHM, Je Young KIM
  • Publication number: 20140315049
    Abstract: A battery system includes at least one lithium cell with an electrolyte having at least one polymer which is configured to be impregnated with an electrolyte fluid. In order to increase the capacity, the life and the safety of the battery system, the battery system further includes at least one electrolyte fluid metering device, by which at least one component of the electrolyte fluid can be supplied to the lithium cell and/or by which electrolyte fluid can be discharged from the lithium cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Marcus Wegner, Matthias Mueller, Martin Tenzer
  • Patent number: 8709629
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of redox flow battery systems having modular reactant storage capabilities. Accordingly to various embodiments, a redox flow battery system may include an anolyte storage module configured to interface with other anolyte storage modules, a catholyte storage module configured to interface with other catholyte storage modules, and a reactor cell having reactant compartments in fluid communication with the anolyte and catholyte storage modules. By utilizing modular storage modules to store anolyte and catholyte reactants, the redox flow battery system may be scalable without significantly altering existing system components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: JD Holding Inc.
    Inventors: Colin Earl MacKenzie Vincent, Gary Lepp
  • Patent number: 8652668
    Abstract: A secondary battery with improved life characteristics is provided. The secondary battery (lithium-ion secondary battery) has: an electrode assembly including positive electrodes and negative electrodes; and a package container for housing the electrode assembly along with non-aqueous electrolyte liquid. The package container includes a package can for housing the electrode assembly and a sealing plate sealing the opening of the package can. On the sealing plate, an elevated portion is formed that projects toward the electrode assembly and has, on the side opposite from the electrode assembly, a cavity portion for storing refill non-aqueous electrolyte liquid. The elevated portion has a hole for feeding the refill non-aqueous electrolyte liquid stored in the cavity portion toward the electrode assembly. The hole is sealed with a sealing stopper formed of a resin material letting the refill non-aqueous electrolyte liquid leak toward the electrode assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuki Watanabe, Naoto Nishimura, Kazuya Sakashita, Yoshihiro Tsukuda
  • Patent number: 8642202
    Abstract: An organic electrolyte solution for use in a redox flow battery and the redox flow battery including the organic electrolyte solution has a high energy density because re-precipitation is prevented in the organic electrolyte solution or eduction is prevented in an electrode during reduction of a metal ion used as an electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hee-young Sun, Joung-won Park, Doo-yeon Lee, Seung-uk Son
  • Patent number: 8609974
    Abstract: A system and method is presented that uses solar power driven expansion of an electrolytic solution to force the electrolytic solution from a container through at least one pore of an insulator having a fixed surface charge of one polarity into a collection receptacle. The velocities of the cations and anions flowing through the pore differ because of the fixed surface charge of the pore and this produces an electrical charge separation, the streaming potential, as a source of electrical power. Energy absorption spans the full solar spectrum including infrared, visible and near ultraviolet wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventor: Michael E. Starzak
  • Publication number: 20130252044
    Abstract: A porous electrode for a flow battery includes a first layer having a first average pore size and a second layer having a second average pore size, wherein the second pore size is smaller than the first pore size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: PRIMUS POWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mai Fujimoto, Brad Kell, Gerardo Jose la O', Jonathan Hall, Lauren Wessel Hart, Pallavi Pharkya, Paul Kreiner, Kyle Haynes
  • Patent number: 8263251
    Abstract: An insulating plate of a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary cell is interposed between a cell element and a cover member in a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary cell including the cell element formed by stacking cathodes and anodes through separators, a cell can including a can body which houses the cell element and the cover member which closes an opening of the can body to seal the cell element, and an electrolyte injected into the cell can. The insulating plate includes a plate-shaped insulating plate body having insulating property, an injection hole which passes through the insulating plate body in the thickness direction and through which the electrolyte can be injected, and a filter member permeable to only the electrolyte and provided on one of the surfaces of the insulating plate body so as to cover the injection hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuo Fukase, Katsuhiko Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20120219832
    Abstract: An apparatus including at least one electrochemical flow cell in which the electrochemical flow cell includes an anode electrode, a cathode electrode and a reaction zone between the anode and the cathode. The electrochemical flow cell also includes an electrolyte storage reservoir configured to hold a molten salt electrolyte and a gas generated during charging of the at least one electrochemical flow cell and at least one conduit configured to supply the molten salt electrolyte and the gas from the storage reservoir to the at least one electrochemical flow cell. The electrochemical flow cell also includes at least one pump configured to pump the molten salt electrolyte from the storage reservoir to the reaction zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: Primus Power Corporation
    Inventors: Gerardo Jose la O', Rick Winter
  • Publication number: 20120183816
    Abstract: A quencher for a flow cell battery is described. The quencher utilizes a quench solution formed from FeCl2 in a dilute HCl solution in order to quench chlorine emissions from the flow cell battery. A quench sensor is further described. The quench sensor monitors the concentration level of FeCl2 in the quench solution and may also monitor the level of the quench solution in the quencher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: Deeya Energy, Incorporated
    Inventors: MAJID KESHAVARZ, Saroj Kumar Sahu, Ge Zu
  • Publication number: 20120164498
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of redox flow battery systems having modular reactant storage capabilities. Accordingly to various embodiments, a redox flow battery system may include an anolyte storage module configured to interface with other anolyte storage modules, a catholyte storage module configured to interface with other catholyte storage modules, and a reactor cell having reactant compartments in fluid communication with the anolyte and catholyte storage modules. By utilizing modular storage modules to store anolyte and catholyte reactants, the redox flow battery system may be scalable without significantly altering existing system components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: JD HOLDING INC.
    Inventors: Colin Earl MacKenzie Vincent, Gary Lepp
  • Patent number: 8202641
    Abstract: A flow battery electrode assembly with a first impermeable, substantially metal electrode, a second permeable, substantially metal electrode and at least one electrically conductive spacer. The electrically conductive spacer connects the first impermeable, substantially metal electrode and the second permeable, substantially metal electrode such that the first impermeable, substantially metal electrode and the second permeable, substantially metal electrode are spaced apart from each other by an electrolyte flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Primus Power Corporation
    Inventors: Rick Winter, Brad Kell, Jonathan Hall, Gerardo Jose la O', Thomas Stepien
  • Publication number: 20120077095
    Abstract: A three-dimensional electrode array for use in electrochemical cells, fuel cells, capacitors, supercapacitors, flow batteries, metal-air batteries and semi-solid batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventors: Farshid ROUMI, Jamshid Roumi
  • Publication number: 20110223451
    Abstract: A flow battery electrode assembly with a first impermeable, substantially metal electrode, a second permeable, substantially metal electrode and at least one electrically conductive spacer. The electrically conductive spacer connects the first impermeable, substantially metal electrode and the second permeable, substantially metal electrode such that the first impermeable, substantially metal electrode and the second permeable, substantially metal electrode are spaced apart from each other by an electrolyte flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: PRIMUS POWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rick Winter, Brad Kell, Jonathan Hall, Gerardo Jose LA O'
  • Patent number: 8008406
    Abstract: A fuel cell membrane is described comprising at least one sulfonated aromatic polyether copolymer comprising a poly-arylen-ether-ketone (PEK) moiety or sulfonated derivatives thereof, deriving from spiro-bis-indane or 4,4?-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphenol (BPAF), and an arylene-sulfone, or an arylene-ketone or sulfonated derivative thereof; said copolymer having the following formula (1): wherein Ar1 has formula, wherein X is spiro-bis-indanile (SBI) (b) or BPAF (c) having formulas: and wherein Y is H or SO3H, and Ar2 has formula wherein W is CO or SO2, and Y is H or SO3H, wherein Z is OH or Cl; and wherein at least one between Ar1 or Ar2 comprise at least one sulfonic group; and wherein n is an integer comprised between 2 and 50. A method for the production of such membrane is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.R.L.
    Inventors: Marco Antonio Salanitri, Giuseppe Consiglio, Chiara Silvana Leo, Stefania Calamia
  • Publication number: 20110200855
    Abstract: A secondary battery with improved life characteristics is provided. The secondary battery (lithium-ion secondary battery) has: an electrode assembly including positive electrodes and negative electrodes; and a package container for housing the electrode assembly along with non-aqueous electrolyte liquid. The package container includes a package can for housing the electrode assembly and a sealing plate sealing the opening of the package can. On the sealing plate, an elevated portion is formed that projects toward the electrode assembly and has, on the side opposite from the electrode assembly, a cavity portion for storing refill non-aqueous electrolyte liquid. The elevated portion has a hole for feeding the refill non-aqueous electrolyte liquid stored in the cavity portion toward the electrode assembly. The hole is sealed with a sealing stopper formed of a resin material letting the refill non-aqueous electrolyte liquid leak toward the electrode assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Yuki Watanabe, Naoto Nishimura, Kazuya Sakashita, Yoshihiro Tsukuda
  • Publication number: 20110195283
    Abstract: An organic electrolyte solution for use in a redox flow battery and the redox flow battery including the organic electrolyte solution has a high energy density because re-precipitation is prevented in the organic electrolyte solution or eduction is prevented in an electrode during reduction of a metal ion used as an electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hee-young Sun, Joung-won Park, Doo-yeon Lee, Seung-uk Son
  • Publication number: 20110143175
    Abstract: A method for providing auxiliary electrical power to an underwater well installation, the installation being linked to a surface location via an umbilical cable, to supplement any electrical power received at the installation from the umbilical cable, comprises the steps of: providing power generation means at the installation; and providing an electrical power output line for transferring electrical power generated by the power generation means to the installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Parag Vyas, Matthew Alexander Lehar, Ashalatha Devarajan, Peter John Davey, Nicholas Ellson
  • Patent number: 7740977
    Abstract: A vanadium redox battery energy storage system (“VRB-ESS”) capable of modularly incorporating additional electrolyte reservoirs to increase energy capacity while allowing for efficient low-volume operation is disclosed. The VRB-ESS of the present invention may efficiently operate using a first volume of electrolyte solution, while maintaining a second volume of electrolyte solution to be made available to the VRB-ESS as additional energy storage capacity is required. Additionally, a cap mechanism to allow the VRB-ESS of the present invention to employ an industry standard IBC container as a secondary electrolyte reservoir is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: JD Holding Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Lepp, Matthew Albert MacLennan Harper, Andy Klassen, Timothy David John Hennessy
  • Patent number: 7645538
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to any electrochemical cell casing design having an electrolyte fill aperture. The electrolyte fill aperture receives and directs the electrolyte into the casing. A fill plug has at least two components—an insert section detachably connected to a placement unit. The placement unit allows a user to properly position the insert section into the electrolyte fill aperture. Once this is done, the placement unit is detached from the insert section. The insert section in then hermetically sealed to the casing. If desired, the fill plug can be used for filling the electrolyte in the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Paul T. Hallifax, David Warchocki, James Ditzel, Gary Freitag
  • Patent number: 7641705
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell including a cell enclosure, a fill tube, a ball, a closing button, an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte. The cell enclosure defines an internal volume and includes a cover forming a fillport through hole. The fill tube is separately formed, and defines a leading section, a trailing section, and a passageway. The leading section is secured within the fillport through hole. The ball is sealingly secured within the passageway. The closing button is also separately formed, and is sealingly secured within the fillport through hole adjacent the leading section of the fill tube. The anode, cathode, and electrolyte are maintained within the internal volume. By configuring the fill tube such that the leading section thereof is secured within the fillport through hole, an overall extension of the fill tube relative to the internal volume is greatly reduced, thereby maximizing a volumetric efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Bernard Frank Heller, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7579106
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell (10) suitable for use in an implantable medical device (110) includes a case (12) and a cover (30) attached to the case. The cover (30) is formed of a first material and has an outer surface (41) and an inner surface (42) defining a thickness thereof. The cover (30) also has a fluid fill hole (34) formed therein. The fluid fill hole (34) has an outer diameter (44) at the outer surface and a smaller inner diameter (45) at the inner surface. A hermetic seal (62) is formed within the fluid fill hole (34) of a second material that is softer than the first material and that is deformed to assume the approximate shape of the fluid fill hole (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Haas, Jeffrey S. Lund
  • Publication number: 20090202891
    Abstract: An inertially activated electrochemical cell has a first and a second electrode and an electrolyte. The electrolyte, or at least an active component thereof, is enclosed in an encapsulant which can be disrupted when a compressive force is applied thereto. When the electrolyte material is encapsulated, the cell is inactive and has a long storage life. When the cell is exposed to a predetermined level of acceleration or deceleration, the encapsulant is subjected to a compressive force causing it to be thereby disrupted freeing the electrolyte material and rendering the cell active.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventor: Mel Morganstein
  • Publication number: 20090023052
    Abstract: A system and method is presented that uses solar power driven expansion of an electrolytic solution to force the electrolytic solution from a container through at least one pore of an insulator having a fixed surface charge of one polarity into a collection receptacle. The velocities of the cations and anions flowing through the pore differ because of the fixed surface charge of the pore and this produces an electrical charge separation, the streaming potential, as a source of electrical power. Energy absorption spans the full solar spectrum including infrared, visible and near ultraviolet wavelengths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventor: Michael E. STARZAK
  • Patent number: 7442466
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell, comprising: an encasement including a case having a bottom and a sidewall terminating at an open top and a cover disposed over the case open top and hermetically sealed to the case, the encasement defining an interior space for containing cell components; and an access port defining at least one lumen extending through any of the case bottom, the case sidewall or the cover for receiving a liquid electrolyte, the access port being sealed closed after receiving the liquid electrolyte using a fusion welding method in the presence of the electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt J. Casby, David P. Haas, Hailiang Zhao
  • Patent number: 7432011
    Abstract: An actuated galvanic cell is described which generated electric current responsive to introduction of electrolyte from a secondary containment means. Also housed within the containment means is a propellant which serves to drive the electrolyte from the containment means into the reaction chamber for electric current production. This propellant system is chosen from thermal, phase change, and other systems which as opposed to physical pumps impel the electrolyte into the reaction chamber without the need for additional introduction apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Andres M. Cardenas-Valencia, Robert Frederick Benson, Lawrence C. Langebrake, David P. Fries
  • Patent number: 7147972
    Abstract: A composition for prolonging battery life by reducing water loss and the degradation of properties due to dendritic precipitation, is refreshingly added to a battery electrolyte. By the refreshment of the composition, battery cycle life is substantially increased while degradation of the internal battery components is substantially reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Inventors: Johan C Fitter, Robert T Morris, Jr., Richard E Belmont, John T. C. Kan
  • Patent number: 7049026
    Abstract: Apparatus for filling the case (20) of a lead battery of the open type or of the sealed type with gas recombination, the case being filled with components for forming a gelled electrolyte, and the apparatus being characterized in that it comprises: at least two tanks (1, 2) containing said components, the first tank (1) containing sulfuric acid and the second tank (2) containing a mixture of water and a gelling agent such as particles of silica; at least two receptacles (4, 5) each connected to a respective one of the tanks (1, 2) and each containing a piston (10, 11) for expelling said components from said receptacles into pipes (17, 18); a mixer (16) into which said pipes (17, 18) open out; and a pipe (19) connecting said mixer (16) to the case (20) of said battery through the lid (21) of said battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Hawker S.A.
    Inventor: Xavier Jean-Marie René Muneret
  • Patent number: 7029786
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a single point watering system for use with a lead-acid battery having a plurality of battery cell access ports. The system comprises a plurality of refill valves and a plurality of refill valves and a manifold having (i) a water feed tube with at least one external port and a plurality of outlets each communicating with one of the plurality of refill valves, and (ii) at least one passageway housing a flame arrestor to permit the discharge of gases from the battery cells to the surrounding environment only through the flame arrestor. The manifold is removably and sealably mountable to the battery so that each refill valve is in fluid communication with one of the battery cell access ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Flow-Rite Controls, Ltd.
    Inventor: Daniel N. Campau
  • Patent number: 6869710
    Abstract: A metal air cell system is provided. The system includes a cathode having a pair of oxidant sides and anode sides. An anode is provided in two parts, each part having a side complementary each anode side of the cathode. A separator is disposed between the anode and cathode to electrically isolate the anode and the cathode. Electrolyte is disposed between the cathode and the anode, the electrolyte provided within the anode, separately at the interface between the cathode and the anode, or both within the anode and separately at the interface between the cathode and the anode. This configuration generally allows a single oxidant flow to be exposed to both portions of the cathode due to the central passage of the oxidant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: eVionyx, Inc.
    Inventors: George Tzong-Chyi Tzeng, Craig L. Cole
  • Patent number: 6844106
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell including a cell enclosure, a fill tube, a ball, a closing button, an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte. The cell enclosure defines an internal volume and includes a cover forming a fillport through hole. The fill tube is separately formed, and defines a leading section, a trailing section, and a passageway. The leading section is secured within the fillport through hole. The ball is sealingly secured within the passageway. The closing button is also separately formed, and is sealingly secured within the fillport through hole adjacent the leading section of the fill tube. The anode, cathode, and electrolyte are maintained within the internal volume. By configuring the fill tube such that the leading section thereof is secured within the fillport through hole, an overall extension of the fill tube relative to the internal volume is greatly reduced, thereby maximizing a volumetric efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Bernard Frank Heller, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20040202921
    Abstract: An electrolyte delivery apparatus that includes an electrolyte reservoir, a heating device and a pressure generator is provided. The electrolyte delivery apparatus is configured to supply electrolyte to a fuel cell, such as a molten carbonate fuel cell, or fuel cell stack, and, in certain examples, to an operating fuel cell or fuel cell stack. A fuel cell assembly including the electrolyte delivery apparatus and methods of using the electrolyte delivery apparatus are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Applicant: GenCell Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey Peter Allen
  • Publication number: 20040175599
    Abstract: A replenisher is used in a system to replenish a fuel cell. The replenisher has a casing that extends around an interior space. The casing has a partition that defines an infeed chamber and an outfeed chamber within the interior space. The partition has an access channel that extends between the infeed and outfeed chambers. The chambers each have a port. The replenisher has a biaser disposed within the casing. The biaser pressurizes the infeed chamber positively and the outfeed chamber negatively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Theodore K. Ricks, Dennis R. Zander, Eugene Sisto
  • Publication number: 20040175612
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell is constructed with components having spherical, cylindrical, or conical, including truncated conical, geometrical configurations. The components are an anode and an air cathode having the form of an electrolyte container with an endless sidewall bounded by an air permeable exterior surface opposite to a cathodic reaction surface surrounding an internal volume. The air permeable exterior surface is liquid impermeable. The anode extends in the internal volume of the electrolyte container in a confronting and spaced relation from the reaction surface for forming an electrolyte reservoir there between. Electrical conductive terminals are coupled to the cathodic reaction surface and the anode. A battery is formed by a superimposed pair of electrochemical cells as part of an array of cells located in a container for the electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventor: Allen Conti
  • Publication number: 20040161661
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a single point watering system for use with a lead-acid battery having a plurality of battery cell access ports. The system comprises a plurality of refill valves and a plurality of refill valves and a manifold having (i) a water feed tube with at least one external port and a plurality of outlets each communicating with one of the plurality of refill valves, and (ii) at least one passageway housing a flame arrestor to permit the discharge of gases from the battery cells to the surrounding environment only through the flame arrestor. The manifold is removably and sealably mountable to the battery so that each refill valve is in fluid communication with one of the battery cell access ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventor: Daniel N. Campau
  • Publication number: 20040146776
    Abstract: A fuel cell includes a reaction chamber, at least one fuel chip stored in the reaction chamber, an electrolyte chamber communicated with the reaction chamber, electrolyte installed in the electrolyte chamber. The control element is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the control element avoids the electrolyte flowing from the electrolyte chamber into the reaction chamber. In the second position, the control element allows the electrolyte to flow from the electrolyte chamber into the reaction chamber for reacting with the fuel chips for generating electricity. Alternatively, a pump is used to for pumping vapor into the reaction chamber for reacting with the fuel chips for generating electricity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventor: Jen-Fu Chen
  • Patent number: 6764588
    Abstract: A method of and system for flushing one or more cells or components thereof in a particle-based electrochemical power source is provided. Reaction solution is delivered to and withdrawn from the one or more cells when the electrochemical power source is in a standby mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Metallic Power, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart I. Smedley, Donald James Novkov, Kent I. Smedley, Raymond H. Alstadt, Frederick R. Grochulski
  • Publication number: 20040115520
    Abstract: An actuated galvanic cell is described which generated electric current responsive to introduction of electrolyte from a secondary containment means. Also housed within the containment means is a propellant which serves to drive the electrolyte from the containment means into the reaction chamber for electric current production. This propellant system is chosen from thermal, phase change, and other systems which as opposed to physical pumps impel the electrolyte into the reaction chamber without the need for additional introduction apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Andres M. Cardenas-Valencia, Robert Frederick Benson, Lawrence C. Langebrake, David P. Fries
  • Publication number: 20040076873
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery allowing replenishment of electrolytes and a safety vent therefor. The battery includes a metal jacket, a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a cover, a base, a sealing member, and a compressing member. The metal jacket is filled with electrolytes. The positive electrode and the negative electrode are disposed in the metal jacket and immersed in the electrolytes. The cover has an opening therein and connects to the metal jacket. The cover and the metal jacket encase the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The base has a through-hole and an exhaust communicating therewith. The through-hole communicates with the opening of the cover. The sealing member is disposed in the through-hole. The compressing member is disposed in the through-hole. The compressing member presses the sealing member to seal the opening of the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventor: Chih-Jung Chiu
  • Publication number: 20040062987
    Abstract: A structure of battery electrolyte container seal comprises a container, a plurality of resilient caps and a plurality of hard plugs; the cap being provided in an opening of the container; the plug in shape of a bead being inserted into a through hole of the cap; a body of the cap being fixed onto inner wall of and fully sealing up the opening of the container to reduce resistance encountered upon opening up the container for easy and rapid opening while assuring of integral sealing of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Jui-Chih Wang
  • Patent number: 6706440
    Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid injection apparatus for injecting liquid into a container, comprising an injection chamber, a container for a liquid to be injected and entirely sealed except an injection port is placed in the injection chamber with the injection port directed to the bottom, an injection cell comprising at least one unit injection cell to accommodate the liquid to be injected is installed in the injection chamber, there is provided pressure regulating means to reduce the pressure in the injection chamber and to regulate pressure in the injection chamber to the atmospheric pressure or to a level higher than the atmospheric pressure, the pressure in the injection chamber is reduced to a level lower than the atmospheric pressure by the pressure regulating means at least once, and then, by maintaining the atmospheric pressure or the pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure, the liquid is injected through the injection port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: NEC Mobile Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyohide Takimoto, Yuichi Maekawa
  • Patent number: 6635387
    Abstract: A composition for prolonging battery life by reducing water loss and the degradation of properties due to dendritic precipitation, is refreshingly added to a battery electrolyte. By the refreshment of the composition, battery cycle life is substantially increased while degradation of the internal battery components is substantially reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventors: Johan C. Fitter, Robert T. Morris, Jr., Richard E. Belmont, John T. C. Kan
  • Publication number: 20030162085
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for transportation of electrolyte for use in an electrochemical cell. The system comprises a reservoir space located within the cell and below at least two electrodes of the cell, and at least one layer of absorptive material situated between the at least two electrodes, one or more layers of absorptive material being longer in length so as to protrude into the reservoir space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: Cynthia Carol Sauseda, Boris G. Shpeizer
  • Publication number: 20030157400
    Abstract: Apparatus for filling the case (20) of a lead battery of the open type or of the sealed type with gas recombination, the case being filled with components for forming a gelled electrolyte, and the apparatus being characterized in that it comprises:
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventor: Xavier Jean-Marie Rene Muneret
  • Publication number: 20030064280
    Abstract: An electrolyte injection apparatus for injecting an electrolyte into a battery case tightly closed except an electrolyte injection hole, said apparatus comprising an electrolyte injection nozzle airtightly mounted on the electrolyte injection hole, exhaust means for exhausting the space inside the battery case with the electrolyte injection nozzle mounted on the electrolyte injection hole, an electrolyte pot connected to the electrolyte injection nozzle via an electrolyte injection valve and for storing the electrolyte to be injected into the battery case, and electrolyte feeding means for feeding a given amount of the electrolyte into the electrolyte pot via an electrolyte feeding valve, and pressurized gas feeding means for injecting the electrolyte in the electrolyte pot under pressure into the battery case, whereby the pressurized gas feeding means is connected to the electrolyte pot via a pressure valve, and the electrolyte is injected by pressurizing the electrolyte after exhausting internal space of th
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Applicant: NEC MOBILE ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuichiro Morizane
  • Publication number: 20020160247
    Abstract: A metal air cell system is provided. The system includes a cathode having a pair of oxidant sides and anode sides. An anode is provided in two parts, each part having a side complementary each anode side of the cathode. A separator is disposed between the anode and cathode to electrically isolate the anode and the cathode. Electrolyte is disposed between the cathode and the anode, the electrolyte provided within the anode, separately at the interface between the cathode and the anode, or both within the anode and separately at the interface between the cathode and the anode. This configuration generally allows a single oxidant flow to be exposed to both portions of the cathode due to the central passage of the oxidant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: George Tzong-Chyi Tzeng, Craig L. Cole
  • Patent number: 6440600
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for generating electrical energy from fluid flow comprising a conducting layer and an insulating layer for electrically insulating an electrolytic solution from the conducting layer. Pores extend through the conducting layer and the insulating exposing sections of the insulating layer within the pores. Exposed sections of the insulating layer within the pores carry a charge. A first electrode is connected with the conducting layer, while a second electrode is disposed to contact the electrolytic solution. A convertor is connected between the first and second electrodes. Fluid is flowed over the conducting layer and passed the pores to create a suction which draws charged species contained within the electrolytic solution into the pores, thereby producing a current. The convertor converts the current into electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Inventor: Michael E. Starzak
  • Patent number: 6403244
    Abstract: In an air-metal fuel cell battery (FCB) system, wherein a movable cathode structure is mounted within a housing through which metal-fuel tape is transported along a predetermined path while an ionically-conductive medium is disposed between the metal-fuel tape and the movable cathode structure. In illustrative embodiments, the movable cathode structure is realized as a rotatable cathode cylinder, and a transportable cathode belt. The ionically-conductive medium is realized as a solid-state ionically-conductive film applied to the cathode structures and/or metal-fuel tape, as well as ionically-conductive belt structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Reveo, Inc.
    Inventors: Sadeg M. Faris, Tsepin Tsai, Thomas J. Legbandt, Wayne Yao, Muguo Chen