Having Disparate Nonelectrical Function Patents (Class 429/8)
  • Publication number: 20100209744
    Abstract: A battery pack including a bare cell and an absorber disposed on a surface of the bare cell. The absorber is formed of a ferrite sintered body, which may be divided into sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bongyoung KIM
  • Publication number: 20100201126
    Abstract: Provided are a turbo generator and a fuel cell system having the same. The turbo generator includes a housing; an air inlet formed on the same axis as the axis of the housing on a first side of the housing; a rotor, a stator winding unit, impeller, and a turbine wheel mounted in the housing; and a tie-shaft installed to pass through the impeller and the turbine wheel and rotatably and integrally support the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: Samsung Techwin Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung-bae Chen, Jin-Tae Kim, Jae-Youl Her
  • Publication number: 20100136375
    Abstract: An in-line planar fuel cell height measurement system is mainly composed of a main stand, at least a top platform above a high temperature furnace, a displacement detection unit on the top platform with a central axis connecting to an extension rod that goes downward into the high temperature furnace and contacts the top surface of the cell stack inside the high temperature furnace, a displacement display unit connecting to the displacement detection unit through signal transmission cables, and a data processing unit connecting to the displacement display unit through signal transmission cables, so the displacement detection unit can sense the height change for the cell stack in the high temperature furnace during temperature rise and operation and send out a signal, which can be directly displayed by the displacement display unit and received by a data processing unit for further analysis and storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: YUNG-NENG CHENG, Ruey-Yi Lee, Hung-Hsiang Lin
  • Publication number: 20100092806
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a power source configured to provide power to one or more external components. The power source includes one or more metallization layers. At least one of the one or more metallization layers is configured as an antenna for transmitting or receiving wireless signals. The power source could include a hydrogen generator configured to produce hydrogen gas and a fuel cell configured to generate an electrical current using the hydrogen gas. The hydrogen generator could include a fuel for producing the hydrogen gas and a selectively permeable membrane surrounding the fuel. The fuel cell could include a first electrode surrounding the selectively permeable membrane, a proton exchange membrane surrounding the first electrode, and a second electrode surrounding the proton exchange membrane. The hydrogen generator may be configured to produce the hydrogen gas using water, and the power source may consume only oxygen gas and optionally water vapor from an ambient environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Andrzej Peczalski, Steven J. Eickhoff
  • Publication number: 20090269621
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated device (10) comprising at least one active organic element (14, 24, 26), a substrate supporting the at least one active organic element, a prefabricated thin battery (20) coupled to the at least one active organic element, and an encapsulation for sealing the integrated device, wherein one of the substrate and the encapsulation is formed by the prefabricated thin battery. This structure allows for a thin integrated device. The present invention also relates to a method for the manufacturing of such an integrated device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Herbert Lifka, Albertus Adrianus Maria Dortmans, Eric Alexander Meulenkamp, Cristina Tanase
  • Publication number: 20090256766
    Abstract: A mobile phone antenna integrated with a battery, comprising: a plurality of battery electrodes; a dielectric layer separating the battery electrodes from one another; and a slot formed in the battery electrodes; wherein walls of the slot are parallel to each other and the electrodes with said slot are adapted to emit and receive electromagnetic waves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: BURY SP Z O.O.
    Inventor: Henryk BURY
  • Publication number: 20090239104
    Abstract: A method including: optimizing space within a device by having a feed element for an antenna as an integral part of the device but not having the antenna as an integral part of the device; and providing the antenna as a part of a battery for the device. A radio communications device including: a battery comprising: a metal housing element; and an accessible conductive contact electrically connected to the metal housing; and a RF feed element for connection to the external conductive contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventor: Petri Keski-Opas
  • Publication number: 20090220388
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a single step design for carbon dioxide removal and fixation using a cell incorporating a carbon dioxide selective film tor active/passive transport while simultaneously producing oxygen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Bruce F. Monzyk, Peter M. Martin, Christopher J. Pestak, Linda M. Carleton
  • Publication number: 20090208779
    Abstract: In electronic equipment using a fuel cell as a power source, an antenna and a fuel cell, which are provided in a lower case of a main body receiving electronic parts, are arranged at a given distance from each other. An acceptable communication state can be established in the electronic equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventors: Yoshie OZEKI, Hiroyuki Hasebe, Hideyuki Oozu, Yukinori Akamoto, Takashi Shimoyamada, Hideaki Yasui, Kenichi Takahashi, Nobuyasu Negishi, Kiyoshi Senoue, Koichi Kawamura
  • Publication number: 20090159311
    Abstract: A battery system for storing electrical power and supplying electrical power to a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes multiple battery packs, each with a plurality of cells. The cells in each battery pack are electrically connected with one another and the multiple battery packs are also electrically connected with one another to combine the total energy output of the cells of the system. The electrical connections between at least some of the cells include a severable feature, whereby the electrical connection is severed locally at the severable feature in response to an impact force that is in excess of a predetermined magnitude and/or an overcurrent/overtemperature condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Weixin Zheng, Jianhua Zhu, Xi Shen, Hao Hu, Qing Lai, Yingliang Ji, Liying Pan, Yuanyuan He
  • Publication number: 20090142628
    Abstract: The battery system cooled via coolant has a battery block 3 with a plurality of rectangular batteries 1 retained in a stacked configuration by a battery holder 4; a cooling plate 8 disposed in thermal contact with the bottom surface of the battery block 3 and having a hollow region 18 inside; cooling pipe 6 disposed inside the hollow region 18 of the cooling plate 8; and a coolant supply device 7 to supply coolant to the cooling pipe 6. The hollow cooling plate 8 has a surface plate 8A that makes thermal contact with the bottom surface of the battery block 3, and cooling pipe 6 is disposed within the hollow region 18 in contact with the inside of the surface plate 8A. Further, the cooling plate 8 hollow region 18 is filled with plastic foam 9.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Wataru Okada, Hideo Shimizu, Shinsuke Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20090129069
    Abstract: A flashlight apparatus including a body portion formed from a woven material, the body portion having a longitudinal length and forming at least part of an adjustable cavity for containing at least one battery, and a head portion coupled to the body portion and having at least one of an illumination source for providing illumination and a connector for connecting the flashlight to another device. Accordingly, the flashlight can supply power to the another device. The body portion can adjust (e.g., its length and diameter—or area) to the size and number of battery cells contained therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventor: Victor A. Grossman
  • Publication number: 20090092861
    Abstract: Power unit for an electronic device and process for control and regulation of an electronic device powered by a fuel cell. Power unit includes a fuel cell having a low output voltage between 0.3 and 1V, and a conversion device coupled to the fuel cell to convert an input voltage as low as 0.3 V to a higher output voltage to operate the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: MORE ENERGY LTD.
    Inventors: Zeev Aleyraz, Zohar Peleg, Gennadi Finkelshtain
  • Publication number: 20090087693
    Abstract: A secondary battery having a porous filling member that occupies a portion of a molding space between a bare cell and a protective circuit board. The presence of the filling member makes it possible to uniformly apply a molding resin into the molding space and to reduce defects due to thickness irregularity of a mold or a surface defect thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Heongsin Kim, Sangjoo Lee, Youngho Kim, Nohyun Kwang
  • Publication number: 20090087694
    Abstract: A protection circuit board for a secondary battery includes: a printed circuit board; a protection circuit attached to the printed circuit board and electrically connected thereto; a conducting pad electrically connected to a conducting pad of the protection circuit; a charging/discharging terminal electrically connected to the protection circuit and the conducting pad; a lead plate electrically connected to the conducting pad, the lead plate including at least one soldering hole arranged on a surface thereof to couple the lead plate to the conducting pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventor: Seokryun Park
  • Publication number: 20090047548
    Abstract: A fuel cell sealing plate taking-out method that may include forming an air layer between adjacent sealing plates and taking out a sealing plate from a stack of sealing plates one by one. A protrusion may be formed beforehand at one or more surfaces of each sealing plate. Also, a sealing plate taking-out apparatus having a suction pad and a projection that protrudes more than the suction pad toward the sealing plate. Due to the air layer formed between adjacent sealing plates, it may be possible to take out the sealing plate one by one from the stack of sealing plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: Shiro Akiyama, Shigemitsu Nomoto
  • Publication number: 20090042065
    Abstract: A method of activating a micro-cell in which the micro-cell includes a first compartment, a second compartment, a fluid in the first compartment, an element in the second compartment and a porous barrier separating the first compartment from the second compartment. The porous barrier, in a first state, is operable to prevent the fluid from entering the second compartment whereas the porous barrier, in a second state, is operable, in response to an event, to allow the fluid to enter the second compartment and interact with the element in the second compartment so as to generate an activation signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: MPHASE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Steve Simon, Victor A. Lifton
  • Patent number: 7488546
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a medium- or large-sized battery pack having a plurality of unit cells. The battery pack includes a safety device (fire-extinguishing safety device) for spraying a material to prevent or restrain the fire or the explosion of the battery pack when the temperature of the battery pack exceeds the critical temperature level threatening the safety of the battery pack. The fire-extinguishing safety device according to the present invention has the effect of securing the safety of the battery pack when the temperature or the voltage is abruptly increased entirely or partially in the battery pack due to various causes, such as a breakdown of a safety system, and it is not possible to control the battery pack only by an operation control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: KiJae Kim, Jongmoon Yoon
  • Publication number: 20090035608
    Abstract: A system comprising a first battery cavity and a second battery cavity adjacent to the first battery cavity. Both of the first and second battery cavities are oriented in a common direction. The system also comprises a third battery cavity which comprises at least part of the first battery cavity and at least part of the second battery cavity. The third battery cavity is oriented in a different direction than the common direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Robert Campesi, Yancy Chen, David N. Skinner
  • Publication number: 20080138664
    Abstract: The invention concerns an energy production unit, of electric energy in particular, comprising a fuel cell (1) and a heat source (2) thermally coupled to the fuel cell (1) at least to allow the rise in temperature of this fuel cell (1). According to the invention, it is provided that the heat source (2) comprises a radiating burner (20), that the fuel cell (1) is confined within a thermal insulation enclosure itself heated by the combustion gases (F) derived from the burner (20), and that this unit also comprises temperature regulation means (4) capable of controlling, from around 200° C. to at least 800° C., the temperature of the combustion gases (F) heating the enclosure 3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Stephane Hody, Jean-Francois Fourmigue
  • Publication number: 20080107923
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell, comprising: an electrolyte having a first active exterior surface and a second active exterior surface aligned with the first active exterior surface; a first electrode having a main contact surface area disposed on the first active exterior surface of the electrolyte, wherein the main contact surface area of the first electrode defines a conductive path that does not completely cover the first active exterior surface; a second electrode disposed on the second active exterior surface of the electrolyte; and wherein, the electrochemical cell's resistance to oxygen ions is less than an electrochemical cell having a pair of electrodes configured to cover a greater percentage of the first and second active exterior surface areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventors: David P. Wallace, Paul C. Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20080057353
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuel cell system having activation assist apparatus and method, wherein the method aims to provide an effective operating method for activating the fluid drawing device in the fuel cell system through external force. The external force acts to activate the fluid drawing device without going through the internal fuel cell. Another object of the activation method is to control the activation of fluid drawing device through an internal chargeable cell and a micro control unit. The activation method further detects and analyzes the status of fuel in the fuel cell through the micro control unit to determine whether to activate the fluid drawing device. In case the chargeable cell is unable to activate the micro control unit or fluid drawing device, it can be recharged and then activate the micro control unit or the fluid drawing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventors: CHUN-CHIN TUNG, Wen-Hsing Chang
  • Patent number: 7163757
    Abstract: A secondary battery with high safety is provided. A heater and a diode are connected in series, and a thermistor is connected in parallel with thus formed series circuit. A fuse is connected in series with thus formed parallel circuit to form a protective circuit, which is attached to an accumulator to complete a secondary battery. In the case of overcharging, the accumulator generates heat so that the thermistor heats up to increase the resistance value. As a result, the current pass through the heater, which generates heat to break the fuse. In the case of short circuit, the diode is reverse-biased and no current passes through the heater so that the fuse does not break.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignees: Sony Corp., Sony Chemical & Information Device Corporation
    Inventors: Norikazu Iwasaki, Masami Kawazu, Hisaya Tamura, Kazutaka Furuta
  • Patent number: 6955864
    Abstract: A system and method provides a status indicator to a battery pack of a medical device. The battery pack includes a power supply capable of being connected to the medical device. The battery pack also includes an indicator to automatically indicate a status of at least a portion of at least one of the battery pack and the medical device. For example, the indicator can indicate a status of the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Defibtech, LLC
    Inventors: Gintaras A. Vaisnys, Giovanni C. Meier, Glenn W. Laub
  • Patent number: 6955863
    Abstract: A compartment interchangeably holds either a battery or a fuel cartridge for powering a portable electronic device. The compartment includes electrical contacts to access energy stored in a battery. The compartment further includes a fuel port to access fuel stored in a fuel cartridge. Either of the battery or the fuel cartridge may be installed in the compartment. A portable electronic device, which is powered interchangeably by either a battery or a fuel cell, includes the compartment. A method of powering the portable electronic device includes installing either a battery or a fuel cartridge into a compartment that interchangeably holds the battery and the fuel cartridge, and powering the device using energy stored in the respectively installed battery or energy stored in fuel contained in the respectively installed fuel cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Heather N. Bean, Mark N. Robins
  • Patent number: 6645663
    Abstract: A life extending device, such as a capacitor, is optionally positioned to be electrically connected in parallel with a battery. In one embodiment, the life extending device is optionally inserted in a battery holder which is used in substitution for the original battery. The battery holder is designed for at least one AA battery and the battery being replaced is a lithium ion or lithium metal primary battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Heather N Bean, Christopher A. Whitman, Matt Flach, Jerry Swinford
  • Publication number: 20030203245
    Abstract: An electrohydrodynamically enhanced heat transfer system (EHD) and method takes advantage of an electrode completely encapsulated in an insulating material and coupled to a power supply to generate an electric field between a heat transfer surface and the encapsulated electrode when energized for interacting with the heat exchange surface and the working media to reduce frost formation on the heat transfer surface, thereby enhancing heat transfer therebetween. For certain applications of the EHD enhanced heat transfer technique with the encapsulated electrode, the power supply is completely encapsulated and can be immersed into the working media. In order to reduce accumulation of condensed liquid onto the electrode, the surface of the insulating material of the encapsulated electrode is either covered with a water repellent, or heated a few degrees above the dew point temperature of the air surrounding the heat transfer surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventors: Serguei V. Dessiatoun, Igor Ivakhnenko, Michael M. Ohadi
  • Patent number: 6594886
    Abstract: The method of fuse manufacture has a step to fabricate a metal plate with an overall long narrow shape, with a plurality of rows of connecting pieces having separated tips and connected aft ends, and with the tip of each connecting piece arranged in a straight line; a step to connect the tips of adjacent connecting pieces by welding wire to the connecting piece tip regions which are arranged in a straight line; a step to treat two adjacent connecting pieces as a unit, to cut the wire between each two-connecting piece unit for separation, and to detach each individual connecting piece; and a step to bend the wire, connecting each cut two-connecting piece unit, to form the pair of connecting pieces into a straight line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Osaki, Hisashi Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20030082415
    Abstract: A storage stable hydrogen cell comprising an anode cap subassembly, cathode can subassembly, and a grommet is disclosed. For one embodiment the cathode in the cathode can subassembly is configured for contact with the electrolyte. The cathode is hydrogen permeable and substantially impermeable to O2, CO2 and water. In turn, the cathode can preclude the passage of O2, CO2 and water into and out of the cell, and simultaneously can facilitate the permeation of hydrogen through at least one aperture in the cell. In another embodiment, a commercially available Zn-air cell is converted into storage stable H2 cells by sealing a membrane structure around the apertures of the Zn-air cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Ashok V. Joshi, Strahinja K. Zecevic
  • Publication number: 20030012972
    Abstract: A composite strip of compacted powders, which has a three layers structure, is continuously obtained by means of a rolling machine for powder compacting. The composite strip is sintered at a temperature of 460° C. to 550° C. to form a sintered composite strip. The sintered composite strip is continuously bonded by rolling to a steel strip. The bonded composite strip is optionally subjected to a heat treatment of heating at a temperature of 250° C. to 400° C. followed by heating to a temperature of 400° C. to 510° C., holding the strip under the temperature for not less than 30 seconds, and rapidly cooling down to 300° C. at a cooling rate of not lower than 50° C./minute, whereby obtaining a multi-layered composite material consisting of the steel strip, a sintered bonding layer, a sintered sliding layer and a sintered sacrificial layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Yasukuni Hasegawa, Koue Ohkawa, Hiroyuki Sugawara
  • Publication number: 20020031700
    Abstract: A switch for controlling the supply of current from a battery cell in a cell cavity to a battery terminal in a battery casing is disclosed. The switch includes a mounting base, a first buss bar connected to the mounting base and connectable to the battery cell, a second buss bar connected to the mounting base and connectable to the battery terminal, and a relay having open and closed positions. The relay includes a third buss bar that places the first buss bar and the second buss bar in contact to provide current from the battery cell to the battery terminal when the relay is in the closed position. The relay is moved into a latched open position when a first winding of a coil of the relay is energized by electricity, and is moved back into a latched closed position when a second winding of the coil is energized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: William J. Wruck, Majid Taghikhani, Wen-Hong Kao, Edward N. Mrotek, Michael L. Thomposon, Guy L. Pfeifer, William Berry, Nick Rajnovic, James R. Krenz, Dennis Nykiel
  • Patent number: 6285492
    Abstract: Electrochemical displays have electronic or ionic pathways between electrodes interrupted to control activation. Electrochemical erosion of one of the electrodes reveals an underlying graphic image. Game assemblies are constructed by dividing electrochemical components between a main substrate and one or more mounting pieces that can be assembled on the main substrate to activate the display cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Timer Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David M. Good, Chauncey T. Mitchell, Jr., Mark A. Shadle, Gerrit L. Verschuur, Robert Parker
  • Patent number: 6243596
    Abstract: A unique battery pack for a cellular telephone has a reduced-volume high-density battery allowing space for additional elements. Computerized elements are implemented in the battery pack to provide functionality of an Internet browser. These elements include a CPU, memory, and a display apparatus, and also software executable by the CPU to do Internet browsing and to display the data downloaded from the Internet. By removing a conventional battery pack from a cellular telephone and substituting an adapter pack according to an embodiment of the invention, the cellular telephone becomes a hand-held computer device capable of browsing the Internet and displaying Internet pages. In preferred embodiments audio apparatus is included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Lextron Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Dan Kikinis
  • Patent number: 6243192
    Abstract: Printed electrochemical display cells are arranged in layer form with two electrode layers and an electrolyte layer occupying distinct areas of a substrate. When activated, an electrochemical reaction progressively increases the area occupied by the electrolyte layer and progressively decreases the area occupied by the thin-film electrode layer. The thin-film electrode layer recedes at a boundary in common with the electrolyte layer and provides an irreversible indication of change at a rate governed by the electrochemical reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Timer Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chauncey T. Mitchell, Jr., Gerrit L. Verschuur, Mark A. Shadle, David M. Good, Robert Parker
  • Patent number: 6060186
    Abstract: An electrical battery comprises in a metallic casing filled with electrolyte at least one electrode pair comprising a separator, a positive electrode, a separator and a negative electrode, the electrodes of the same polarity being connected in parallel and to positive and negative output terminals insulated from the casing. It includes an additional electrode in contact with the bottom of the casing and impregnated with electrolyte containing an electrochemically active material chosen so that its electrochemical potential is in the range of passivating and stabilizing the metal of the casing. In one embodiment the casing is made of aluminum and the additional electrode is made from a material selected from a metallic oxide or sulfide, containing lithium or not, the potential of which relative to lithium is in the range 2 V to 3.5 V, for example V.sub.2 O.sub.5, Li.sub.x V.sub.2 O.sub.5, MnO.sub.2, Li.sub.x MnO.sub.2, MoS.sub.2, Li.sub.x MOS.sub.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventor: Michel Broussely
  • Patent number: 6047068
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for determining an encryption key associated with an integrated circuit having a memory plane that includes a matrix of electric contacts on it's surface and a layer of inhomogeneous electric resistivity material disposed on the matrix. An encryption key is determined by the integrated circuit on the basis of the random distribution of the electrical resistances connecting the various electric contacts of the matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Schlumberger Industries
    Inventors: Alain Rhelimi, Vincent Rigal, Rene Rose
  • Patent number: 5912759
    Abstract: An electrochemical display cell has a layered construction including two electrode layers separated by a dielectric layer. Concentric openings are formed in the dielectric layer and one of the electrode layers exposing a designated portion of the other electrode layer. An electrolyte layer overlaps the one electrode layer and the designated portion of the other electrode layer. When activated, current flow cascades through the openings in the one electrode layer and the dielectric layer to the designated portion of the other electrode layer supporting an electrochemical reaction that erodes the designated portion revealing underlying visual information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Wisconsin Label Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Good, Mark A. Shadle, Gerrit L. Verschuur, Chauncey T. Mitchell, Jr., Robert Parker
  • Patent number: 5804331
    Abstract: A device for a battery with a spacer preventing direct physical contact between first and second batteries arranged in physical series. A resilient conductor providing an electroconductive contact between a center electrode of the first battery and a terminal electrode of the second battery is held by the spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Mag Instrument, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony Maglica
  • Patent number: 5795675
    Abstract: A device for a battery with a spacer preventing direct physical contact between first and second batteries arranged in physical series. A resilient conductor providing an electroconductive contact between a center electrode of the first battery and a terminal electrode of the second battery is held by the spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: MAG Instrument, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony Maglica
  • Patent number: 5607787
    Abstract: A high temperature storage battery comprises a plurality of panels forming a housing defining a cell storage cavity, heat insulating material in or adjacent the panels, and a non-aqueous high temperature electrochemical cell within the cell storage cavity. It also includes holding means for holding a dispersable protective substance. The holding means is adapted to discharge protective substance into the cavity on the temperature in the cavity exceeding a predetermined temperature, and/or on rupturing thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Programme 3 Patent Holdings
    Inventors: Roger J. Wedlake, Roger J. Bones, David L. Segal
  • Patent number: 5593792
    Abstract: Electrochemical heat sources, materials used to make electrochemical heat sources and methods of forming electrochemical heat sources are disclosed. The electrochemical heat sources includes at least two metallic agents capable of interacting electrochemical with one another, such as magnesium and iron or nickel. The metallic agents may be provided in a variety of forms, including a frozen melt, a bimetallic foil, wire of a first metal wrapped around strands of a different metal, and a mechanical alloy. The metallic agents may be in the form of a powder filling a straw, or small particles extruded with a binder or pressed to form a rod. The powder filled straw or rod may be placed in a heat chamber surrounded by tobacco in a smoking article. An electrolyte solution contacts the metallic agents in the heat chamber to initiate the electrochemical interaction, generating heat which in turn may be used to volatilize nicotine and flavor materials in the tobacco.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Ernest G. Farrier, Joseph J. Chiou, Richard L. Lehman, Chandra K. Banerjee
  • Patent number: 5498486
    Abstract: A battery has an exposed negative terminal (2), but the positive terminal (10) is hidden within the casing of the battery and instead only a dummy terminal (3) is visible. When the vehicle is parked, power is fed from the positive terminal (10) through an isolator relay (12) to an INHIBIT circuit (C). When power is made available through the ignition switch to a terminal (6), power is fed via a socket (4) to a keypad. A predetermined code has to be set into the keypad in order to pass an operating signal to an electronic lock (13), which is effective to switch the relay (12) to connect power to an ENABLE circuit (B) and to disconnect the supply from the INHIBIT circuit (C). This causes a solenoid (9) to operate for a time determined by a timer (14) so that the positive terminal (10) is connected to the dummy terminal (3) through a plunger (9A). When the ignition key is moved to the start position power is supplied through the starter lead connected from the terminal (3) to a starter motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: B.I.G. Batteries Limited
    Inventor: Peter P. Gatehouse
  • Patent number: 5356728
    Abstract: This invention discloses cross-flow electrochemical reactor cells containing oxygen permeable materials which have both electron conductivity and oxygen ion conductivity, cross-flow reactors, and electrochemical processes using cross-flow reactor cells having oxygen permeable monolithic cores to control and facilitate transport of oxygen from an oxygen-containing gas stream to oxidation reactions of organic compounds in another gas stream. These cross-flow electrochemical reactors comprise a hollow ceramic blade positioned across a gas stream flow or a stack of crossed hollow ceramic blades containing a channel or channels for flow of gas streams. Each channel has at least one channel wall disposed between a channel and a portion of an outer surface of the ceramic blade, or a common wall with adjacent blades in a stack comprising a gas-impervious mixed metal oxide material of a perovskite structure having electron conductivity and oxygen ion conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Uthamalingam Balachandran, Roger B. Poeppel, Mark S. Kleefisch, Thaddeus P. Kobylinski, Carl A. Udovich
  • Patent number: 4990412
    Abstract: A cryogenic compressor for compressing hydrogen and oxygen and method for compressing these two gases. In a first preferred embodiment, an electrochemical compressor (12) is operative to compress hydrogen and oxygen gas. These two gases separately enter chamber (120 and 132) in an enclosure (118). Between the two chambers is disposed a catalytic membrane (124), sandwiched between a porous cathode (122) and a porous anode (126). A catalytic reaction combines the gases to form water, producing an electrical current as a byproduct. Adjacent chamber 132 are disposed a porous anode (134) and a porous cathode (138), sandwiched on each side of a catalytic membrane (136). An electric potential applied to porous anode (134) and porous cathode (138) transports water molecules and hydrogen from chamber (132) through catalytic membrane (136) into a chamber (140). The pressure in chamber (140) is substantially greater than the pressure in chamber (132).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Devin W. Hersey
  • Patent number: 4661422
    Abstract: A process for the selective production of partially oxidized organic compounds at the catalytic anode of a fuel cell wherein oxide anions formed at the fuel cell cathode by ionization of oxygen containing gas are transported by a molten salt oxygen containing electrolyte to the catalytic anode where selective partial oxidation of organic compounds is facilitated by the catalytic anode. Suitable catalytic anodes include catalysts selected from elements of the Periodic Table appearing in a group selected from the group consisting of Group IB, IIB, IIIA, VB, VIB, VIIB and VIII, in metallic oxide or cermet form. The process of this invention is particularly useful in the production of methanol by partial oxidation of methane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1987
    Assignee: Institute of Gas Technology
    Inventors: Leonard G. Marianowski, Karl S. Vorres
  • Patent number: 4634642
    Abstract: An electric storage battery whose basic features are that it comprises four terminals electrically connected in pairs under the battery cover, which permits it to be used in any type of vehicle regardless of the position of its collectors, and the arrangement of two C-shaped handles pivotally connected at their ends to two vertical partition walls and capable of occupying two positions, (1) a vertical position in which they function as a handle and (2) a horizontal position in which they permit the batteries to be stacked while protecting the terminals from possible damage from the stacked weight and the shock or rubbing of one battery against the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1987
    Assignee: Sociedad Espanola del Acumulador Tudor, S.A.
    Inventor: Juan A. Lopez-Doriga Lopez-Doriga
  • Patent number: 4614694
    Abstract: The subject invention provides a baffle capable of floating on the electrolyte in a battery cell, and diverts with that floating baffle any splashing electrolyte away from a gas venting device at the top of the cell, particularly during vibration of that cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1986
    Assignee: Teledyne Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Danny O. Manthis
  • Patent number: 4587180
    Abstract: A non-aqueous cell of the type having a negative electrode of a light metal such as lithium or sodium pressure bonded either directly or through the medium of a negative-electrode current collector to the inner surface of a negative terminal case, which non-aqueous cell has means for buffering heat transfer disposed inside said negative terminal case and allows a connecting tab to be bonded by welding at one end thereof to the outer surface of said negative terminal case at the position opposite that of said means for buffering heat transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1986
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsunori Hara, Yukiteru Yoshihira, Toshiro Furuhashi
  • Patent number: 4569890
    Abstract: Fuel gas mixtures of different composition containing hydrogen may be the main products or by-products of chemical conversion processes such as, without limitation, processes for the conversion of solid or liquid fuels. Such gas mixtures are, however, normally not fit for public gas supplies, as their heating value and their density and other properties would normally not conform to the standards and the codes of practice for gas properties. Methanation is a known process for the conversion of hydrogen-rich fuel gas mixtures into gases conforming to standard specifications. During the exothermal reaction of methanation, more than 15% of the enthalphy of the reactants may be lost.The invention allows the increase of the heating value of hydrogen-rich fuel gas mixtures, said increase being achieved at a high efficiency and maximizing the recovery of useful energy in the form of gas conforming to standards and electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1986
    Assignee: Ruhrgas Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Gunter Barthel
  • Patent number: 4528248
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell and method whereby a reactive metal anode is contacted with an aqueous electrolyte containing the hydroxide of the anodic metal, and the electrolyte is circulated to a scrubber for contact with carbon dioxide. In the scrubber, the precipitable carbonate of the anodic metal is formed, thereby reducing the metal hydroxide concentration in the electrolyte. The metal carbonate is separated from the electrolyte and the electrolyte is recirculated to the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1985
    Assignee: Lockheed Missiles & Space Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew D. Galbraith