With Measuring, Testing, Or Indicating Means Patents (Class 429/90)
  • Patent number: 9315908
    Abstract: There is provided a method of production of chlorine.sodium hydroxide capable of being operated stably and economically by preventing calcium from being deposited in an ion exchange membrane. The liquid retention layer 3 having a liquid retention amount per unit volume of the liquid retention layer of 0.10 g-H2O/cm3 or more and 0.80 g-H2O/cm3 or less is put between the ion exchange membrane 12 and the gas diffusion electrode 16. Calcium ions transferred through the ion exchange membrane 12 easily diffuse, thereby making it possible to suppress increase in an electrolytic voltage and drop in current efficiency generated by deposition of the calcium ions inside the ion exchange membrane 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignees: CHLORINE ENGINEERS CORP., KANEKA CORPORATION, TOAGOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomonori Idutsu, Koji Saiki, Yukinori Iguchi, Kiyohito Asaumi
  • Patent number: 9276298
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed include automatically determining alarm threshold settings for monitored battery cells in battery systems. Battery monitoring control units are provided that are configured to initiate battery performance tests (e.g., ohmic tests) on battery cells in a battery system. Failing battery cells are identified as those battery cells having battery performance characteristics outside defined battery performance threshold settings. An initial performance alarm threshold setting is established for each battery cell because of unique performance characteristics that can substantially change during initial charging cycles before the battery cells have settled. A settled performance alarm threshold setting specific to each battery cell is then established based on battery cell performance during the defined settling time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: NDSL, Inc.
    Inventors: David Brown, David Robert Battle, Christopher James Belcher, Duncan Joseph Brown, George Feller
  • Patent number: 9207288
    Abstract: An electrical current sensor includes a magnetic detection element whose characteristics are changed by an inductive magnetic field from a current to be measured, a plurality of coils that are connected in series with each other and which are arranged in the vicinity of the magnetic detection element, and generates a canceling magnetic field for canceling the inductive magnetic field by a feedback current flowing in the coils, and a switch circuit that selects a coil electrically connected with an input terminal and/or an output terminal of the feedback current from the plurality of coils, and controls a coil for allowing the feedback current to flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: ALPS GREEN DEVICES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Nomura, Manabu Tamura
  • Patent number: 9209501
    Abstract: An energy storage system having a multiple different types of energy storage and conversion devices. Each device is equipped with one or more sensors and RFID tags to communicate sensor information wirelessly to a central electronic management system, which is used to control the operation of each device. Each device can have multiple RFID tags and sensor types. Several energy storage and conversion devices can be combined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph C. Farmer, Todd M. Bandhauer
  • Patent number: 9178188
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery includes a plurality of electrode assemblies including positive and negative electrodes separated by a separator and a pair of electrode tabs protruding to both sides. A case receives the plurality of electrode assemblies. First and second current collecting plates cover openings formed on both sides of the case. First and second insulation plates are respectively disposed between the plurality of electrode assemblies and the first and second current collecting plates. The pair of electrode tabs at one side of the electrode assemblies pass through a first through hole formed in the first insulation plate and the pair of electrode tables at the other side of the electrode assemblies pass through a second through hole formed in the second insulation plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wan-Mook Lim
  • Patent number: 9157827
    Abstract: Ground support equipment that makes it easier to monitor the electrochemical health of a battery. This ground support equipment is configured to implement methods for estimating the total volume and the free volume of liquid electrolyte in an electrochemical cell or in a battery containing several electrochemical cells. The methods involve measuring a center of gravity and/or a moment of inertia. The systems include ground-support equipment suitable for use in aircraft maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Brian J. Tillotson
  • Patent number: 9136713
    Abstract: An apparatus for actively balancing a cell group in a battery power system comprises a main cell unit further comprising a first local cell module and a second local cell module in parallel creating a parallel cell module. The main cell unit is electrically coupled to a system control unit and the system control unit is communicatively coupled to the first local cell module and the second local cell module. A compensation cell and a power switch unit is communicatively connected to the main cell unit and communicatively connected to the system control unit. The compensation cell and the power switch unit further comprise a plurality of compensation cells. The plurality of compensation cells is paired with the parallel cell module to become the cell group with optimized total capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Inventors: Win Cheng, Jeff Yeu-Farn Hsieh
  • Patent number: 9099725
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a high current connection device for contacting multiple energy storage units of an energy storage in parallel and/or in series, having the following characteristics: two poles for connecting the high current connection device to a current consumer, at least two positive terminal contacting connections for connecting to positive terminals of the energy storage units, at least two negative terminal contacting connections for connecting to negative terminals of the energy storage units, a printed circuit board for receiving the poles, the positive terminal contacting connections and the negative terminal contacting connections, and wherein each positive terminal contacting connection is assigned to one negative terminal contacting connection and one energy storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Amphenol-Tuchel Electronic GMBH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Langhoff, Till Beck
  • Patent number: 9097771
    Abstract: Disclosed is a voltage sensing assembly for sensing voltage of battery cells, each having electrode terminals formed at an upper or lower end thereof, in a state in which the voltage sensing assembly is mounted to a battery module, the voltage sensing assembly including (a) a block case formed of an electrically insulating material, the block case being mounted, horizontally within a space between electrode terminal connection parts of the battery cells, to the front or rear of the battery module, (b) wires connected respectively to voltage sensing terminals, each of the voltage sensing terminals being integrally formed at an upper or lower end of a corresponding one of bus bars electrically connected to the electrode terminal connection parts of the battery cells, and (c) a connector that transmits detected voltages of the wires to a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: BumHyun Lee, Jong Moon Yoon, JaeHun Yang
  • Patent number: 9065123
    Abstract: The present invention aims to decrease in the number of components and to achieve An improvement in terms of workablility for assembly. Bus bars (11) and (12) electrically connecting the positive and negative poles of adjacent unit batteries (1) and a detection circuit (13) configured to detect the voltage of the unit batteries (1) are integrally molded with resin into a bus bar module (10). One bus bar (11) of the bus bar module (10) connects the positive pole of one unit battery (1a) and the negative pole of a positive pole side unit battery (1b) situated on the positive pole side of the unit battery (1a) in the battery module; and the other bus bar (12) connected to the negative pole of the unit battery (1a) is connected to the positive pole of a negative pole side unit battery (1c) situated on the negative pole side of the unit battery (1a) in the battery module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: AISAN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masahiro Kako, Mikiharu Yoshizaka, Tatsuhisa Matsuda, Fusatomo Miyake
  • Publication number: 20150147613
    Abstract: A plurality of power storage cells and a plurality of power storage cell holders are stacked alternately in the stacking direction. End plates are superimposed at opposite ends of the power storage cells and power storage cell holders. The end plates are connected by a frame, the frame is covered by an insulator, and the plurality of power storage cells are electrically connected by a bus bar plate, forming a power storage module. Since the surface of the power storage cell is formed from a covered portion covered by the condensation-preventing sheet and a non-covered portion not covered by the condensation-preventing sheet, and the non-covered portion is covered by the power storage cell holder, the insulator, and the bus bar plate, the non-covered portion is covered as much as possible to provide heat insulation, minimizing occurrence of condensed water and preventing formation of a liquid junction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi Hayashida, Tsubasa Ikeya, Masao Kawata, Makoto Ishiguro
  • Publication number: 20150147607
    Abstract: A battery assembly heat insulating container includes a box body and a lid body. The box body has an opening on its upper surface, and contains a battery module formed by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series or in parallel. The lid body is placed on the upper surface of the box body. The battery assembly heat insulating container is adapted to provide heat insulation between an external space and an internal space formed by the box body and the lid body and configured to contain the battery module. A circuit member configured to detect leakage of active material from the battery module is provided at the bottom of the box body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventor: Motohiro FUKUHARA
  • Publication number: 20150147614
    Abstract: In some variations, an apparatus provides real-time monitoring of voltage and differential voltage of both anode and cathode in a battery configured with at least one reference electrode. Voltage monitors are connected to a computer programmed for receiving anode voltage signals; receiving cathode voltage signals; calculating the derivative of the anode voltage with respect to time or with respect to capacity; and calculating the derivative of the cathode voltage with respect to time or with respect to capacity. Other variations provide an apparatus for real-time assessment of capacities of both anode and cathode in a battery, comprising a computer programmed for receiving electrode voltage signals; estimating first and second electrode open-circuit voltages at two different times, and correlating the first and second electrode open-circuit voltages to first and second electrode states of charge, respectively, for each of anode and cathode. The anode and cathode capacities may then be estimated independently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Shuoqin WANG, John WANG, Jason A. GRAETZ, Souren SOUKIAZIAN, Elena SHERMAN, Ping LIU, Mark VERBRUGGE
  • Patent number: 9040186
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of use are provided that include a battery cell comprising a flexible resistive thermal device. The resistive thermal device includes a flexible conductive circuit that is positioned on or adjacent to the surface of the battery cell. Resistance measured in the conductive circuit is correlated with a temperature of the battery cell thereby allowing control of a cooling system and/or the charging/discharging rates of the battery cell to be adjusted in response to temperature. Flexibility of the resistive thermal device also accommodates dimensional changes in the battery cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Leonid C. Lev, Nikolay Kondratyev
  • Publication number: 20150140378
    Abstract: A material design of a molten salt battery which is suitable for a temperature range in which the battery is used is shown, and a molten salt battery applicable even under a severe environment where vibrations are given is provided. In the molten salt battery according to the present invention, the operating temperature range of 25° C. to 300° C. is divided into ranges of 25° C. to 120° C., 80° C. to 140° C. and 140° C. to 300° C., and for each temperature range, a material that is a choice is defined for each of an outer package, a binder, an anode active material and a separator as well as an electrolytic solution. Further, the molten salt battery includes a vibration controlling portion for reducing vibrations given to the outer package. As for the electrolytic solution, for example, an electrolytic solution containing an organic cation and FSA as an anion, or NaFSA is suitable for the range of 25° C. to 120° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiichiro TANABE, Koma NUMATA, Koji NITTA, Shoichiro SAKAI, Atsushi FUKUNAGA, Eiko ITANI, Shinji INAZAWA
  • Publication number: 20150140379
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a system and method for identifying a battery are generally described. In some embodiments, the battery identification system comprises a battery with a portion of exposed can and electrodes configured to measure an electrical property of the battery. In some embodiments, the measured electrical property is the voltage between the can and a first terminal of the battery. In some embodiments, a battery is identified based on an identification mark such as a ringed barcode or two-dimensional barcode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Chi W. Yau
  • Publication number: 20150140380
    Abstract: A battery module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of cell cartridges including at least one battery cell having an electrode terminal and a molding case to receive the battery cell, the molding case having a plurality of coupling protrusions protruding outward, and a sensing module connected to the coupling protrusions to couple the plurality of cell cartridges, the sensing module having a voltage sensing terminal coming into contact with the electrode terminal by the coupling. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a cost and time taken to manufacture the battery module may reduce by simplifying a connection structure of the plurality of battery cells, and simplifying a coupling structure between the battery cell and the sensing module installed to sense the voltage of the battery cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Dal-Mo KANG, Jong-Woon CHOI, Jeong-O MUN, Jun-Yeob SEONG, Young-Sop EOM, Ki-Youn KIM, Sun-Mo AN, Gang-U LEE
  • Patent number: 9034498
    Abstract: A secondary battery including: an electrode assembly; a case for accommodating the electrode assembly and an electrolytic solution; and an identifying tape disposed in the case and that discolors when reacted with the electrolytic solution, wherein the identifying tape includes: a base film; an adhesive material disposed on one surface of the base film; and a discoloration material disposed on one surface of the base film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young-Kwang Yun
  • Publication number: 20150132623
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a non-aqueous electrolyte battery is provided. The non-aqueous electrolyte battery includes a negative electrode contained a negative electrode active material. The negative electrode active material includes a monoclinic ?-type titanium-based oxide or lithium titanium-based oxide. The monoclinic ?-type titanium-based oxide or lithium titanium-based oxide has a peak belonging to (011), which appears at 2?1 in a range of 24.40° or more and 24.88° or less, in an X-ray diffraction pattern obtained by wide angle X-ray diffractometry using CuK? radiation as an X-ray source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Hiroki INAGAKI, Norio Takami
  • Publication number: 20150132614
    Abstract: A sensor arrangement according to an embodiment comprises a transmitter to be arranged inside a battery cell and to transmit a signal based on at least one sensed operational parameter of the battery cell wirelessly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Klaus Elian, Jochen Dangelmaier, Franz Michael Darrer, Thomas Müller, Mathias Vaupel, Manfred Fries, Günther Ruhl, Horst Theuss
  • Publication number: 20150132620
    Abstract: A sensor system for detecting a leak of a system component from an electrochemical storage system, in particular a lithium-ion battery. To determine a defect in the electrochemical storage system, the sensor system includes a reaction chamber containing a detection component, and a measuring device for determining a physical variable within the reaction chamber. The value of the physical variable is changeable by a chemical reaction of the system component with the detection component, so that a leak of the system component is detectable via a change in the value of the physical variable. Also described is a sensor element for such a sensor system, an electrochemical storage system having such a sensor system or sensor element, the use of such a sensor system or sensor element, and a mobile or stationary system, for example an electric vehicle, equipped with the sensor system, the sensor element, or the storage system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Kathy Sahner, Jens Grimminger, Marcus Wegner, Dirk Liemersdorf
  • Publication number: 20150132617
    Abstract: A battery is disclosed that includes a sealed case. A plurality of cells are positioned in the sealed case. A controller is connected with and powered by the cells. A display is connected with the controller and mounted on the case. The controller is configured to monitor at least one state of the battery, wherein the at least one state comprises a voltage level state of the battery. The controller is configured to display the voltage level state on the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: J-J.A.D.E. ENTERPRISE LLC
    Inventor: Dale Petruzzi
  • Publication number: 20150132621
    Abstract: An encasing film for a galvanic element has at least one force sensor for detecting an expansion state of the encasing film. The encasing film is produced from an elastic and electrically insulating material, e.g., plastic. The force sensor, which has a strain gauge, is situated on a surface of the encasing film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Fabian Henrici, Remigius Has, Jens Schneider
  • Publication number: 20150132622
    Abstract: A starter battery is provided comprising a plurality of pouch-type prismatic cells stacked to form an array and configured to output a voltage sufficient to start a vehicle engine. The starter battery further includes a housing configured to contain the array wherein the housing includes a tray and a lid attached with the tray such that the housing provides a compressive force sufficient to prevent cell delamination and to constrain expansion or swelling of the cells during operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Jerry Gohl, Timothy Hughes, Arfan Ahmad, Jason Davis, Robert Dickie, Kevin Martus, Michael Shenberger, David Allen
  • Patent number: 9028994
    Abstract: A battery module includes at least one pair of first and second battery cells, each of the first and second battery cells including a first electrode terminal and a second electrode terminal and a first face including a first connecting portion, a terminal connecting member electrically connecting the first electrode terminal of the first battery cell and the second electrode terminal of the second battery cell, and a sensing member including a second connecting portion coupled with the first connecting portion. The first and second connecting portions are located on the first face and the terminal connecting member is in a pressure applying relationship with the first and second connecting portions. The first face may be provided by a cap plate, and the first and second electrode terminals are spaced apart at respective ends of the cap plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignees: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Ji-Hyoung Yoon
  • Patent number: 9030169
    Abstract: A battery system and method of providing a state of charge of for the system in one embodiment includes at least one first cell, the at least one first cell having a first battery chemistry exhibiting a first open circuit potential, and at least one second cell in series connection with the at least one first cell, the at least one second cell having a second battery chemistry exhibiting a second open circuit potential, wherein the at least one first cell exhibits an open circuit potential with a center slope that is greater than the center slope of the open circuit potential exhibited by the at least one second cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: John F. Christensen, Jasim Ahmed
  • Publication number: 20150125726
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a battery system, a battery, and a motor vehicle having a battery system. In order to be able to determine a battery current flowing through the battery system, the battery system has a measuring unit and a determination unit, which are connected to a battery line of the battery system by means of separate contact or connection points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: SAMSUNG SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chrysanthos Tzivanopoulos
  • Publication number: 20150125727
    Abstract: A bus bar module is to be installed to a battery pack for serially connecting plural battery elements in the battery pack. The bus bar module includes a module main body formed of an insulative material, a wire routing path provided on the module main body; a sensor installation portion that is provided in the wire routing path and at which a sensor for detecting temperature of at least one of the plural battery elements; and a separation tab that prevents a sensor installed in the sensor installation portion from contacting with an electrical wire routed in the wire routing path. According to the bus bar module, the sensor can be installed by utilizing the wire routing path without preparing a special space for the sensor, and abrasions of the electric wires due to contacts with the sensor can be prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Haifeng LUI, Yukihisa KIKUCHI
  • Publication number: 20150125725
    Abstract: A touch battery has a short contact member, an insulating ring, an intermediate threaded connector, a PCBA control panel, a touch member, a tail membrane, a battery pole having a battery provided therein, and a tobacco rod. The battery supplies input power for the PCBA control panel. The PCBA control panel is electrically connected to the short contact member and the touch member, respectively. The battery pole is disposed in the tobacco rod. The tobacco rod is connected to the short contact member via the intermediate threaded connector. The short contact member is disposed inside the intermediate threaded connector via the insulating ring. The tail membrane is connected to the touch member. The battery is allowed to output normally in a constant-voltage touch manner, so that the conventional manual output with keys is avoided, and the demands of consumers for multiple selections are met.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: SHENZHEN BAUWAY TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventor: Xuewu ZHOU
  • Patent number: 9023499
    Abstract: A battery module includes: a plurality of connecting members electrically connecting electric terminals of adjacent electric cells; and a flexible flat cable formed by flatly encapsulating an outer circumference of a flat conductor with an insulating resin and joining the plurality of connecting members. Portions of the flexible flat cable to be disposed between adjacent connecting members are provided with folded portions formed by folding the flexible flat cable at folded lines. The folded lines extend in a direction crossing a longitudinal direction of the flexible flat cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignees: Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Takase, Ryoya Okamoto, Tomoyuki Sakata, Masakuni Kasugai, Hiroki Hirai
  • Publication number: 20150111076
    Abstract: A battery pack for housing plural secondary batteries inside a case includes a battery management unit for managing states of the plural secondary batteries, an information transfer circuit which is connected to the battery management unit and transfers information about the secondary batteries to the battery management unit, and a diagnostic circuit which is branched and formed from the information transfer circuit and is extended to an outer surface of the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koichi SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20150110155
    Abstract: An example electric vehicle battery thermocouple includes a temperature sense lead of a first material, and an electric vehicle battery component of a second material different than the first material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Joseph Turgeon, Masahiro Kimoto
  • Patent number: 9005788
    Abstract: A series-parallel battery system with a buffer resistor coupled to each junction of batteries or battery cells. Buffer resistors on the same row are coupled to a measurement node. Terminals of the battery system and the measurement nodes are treated as measurement points that are coupled to a conventional battery management unit. The buffer resistors provide a means for limiting in-rush current and a means for maintaining voltage balance across the row of batteries in the parallel columns of batteries. A control unit in series with each series of batteries monitors current in the series and comprises a switch to deactivate the column when the current exceeds a set of predetermined current levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Amperex Technology Limited
    Inventor: Li-Yan Zhu
  • Patent number: 8999541
    Abstract: A battery pack including: a case in which a plurality of batteries are received; an electrode tab to connect the batteries to form one unit; and a data wire having a first end connected to the electrode tab, to act as a signal transmitting line of the plurality of batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-Yup Han, No-Hyun Kwag, Kyung-Won Seo, Jeong-Deok Byun
  • Publication number: 20150093614
    Abstract: A secondary battery system and a secondary battery failure detection system includes a monitoring unit, a main gas pipe, a plurality of auxiliary gas pipes, and a plurality of solenoid valves provided in correspondence with the respective auxiliary gas pipes. The monitoring unit includes a pump for sucking a gas supplied into the main gas pipe, an active material detection sensor for detecting active material contained in the gas, a failure module identification unit for identifying a module having a failure based on an output from the active material detection sensor, and a sequence controller for performing opening/closing operation of the solenoid valves in accordance with a predetermined sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventor: Motohiro FUKUHARA
  • Publication number: 20150086819
    Abstract: A voltage detecting terminal includes a flat plate-shaped electric contact portion having an insertion hole into which an electrode column of a battery is inserted, and a bent portion formed such that a tip is bent upward with respect to the electric contact portion. The bent portion is provided with a holding portion, and both ends of the holding portion in a plate width direction are expanded in the plate width direction, respectively. The voltage detecting terminal has a lower end surface of the holding portion in a thickness direction abutting against supporting surfaces of the plate and is held by a first housing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigeyuki OGASAWARA, Shinichi YANAGIHARA, Michio OTA
  • Patent number: 8986866
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a battery pack that includes a fault-monitoring mechanism for detecting faults in the battery pack and indicating the faults to a user. The battery pack also includes a battery cell and enclosure material that encloses the battery cell. The fault may correspond to penetration of the battery pack, a puncture in the enclosure material, a short circuit within the battery cell, and/or a change in pressure within the battery pack. To detect the fault, the fault-monitoring mechanism may utilize a conductive mechanism, a color-changing mechanism, and/or a sensor mechanism in the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Brian Lynch, Scott A. Myers, Fletcher R. Rothkopf
  • Patent number: 8986872
    Abstract: A battery cell assembly includes a ganged plurality of battery cells. The battery cells are electrically connected in series. At least one hinge is disposed between an adjacent pair of the battery cells. The battery cells are configured to be stacked upon a folding of the battery cell assembly at the at least one hinge. A cooling plate assembly for use with the battery cell assembly, and a battery power system having the battery cell assembly interlaced with the cooling plate assembly, is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Leonid C. Lev, Anne M. Dailly, Nikolay Kondratyev
  • Patent number: 8986861
    Abstract: An electricity accumulation device includes an electricity accumulation element, an outer jacket material configured to house the electricity accumulation element, and a deformation sensor disposed on an expansive surface of the outer jacket material. The deformation sensor includes a sensor membrane having a base material made of an elastomer or a resin and conductive fillers filling the base material, the sensor membrane being subjected to bending deformation along with expansion of the outer jacket material, and a pair of electrodes connected to the sensor membrane. A three-dimensional conductive path is formed in the sensor membrane through contact between the conductive fillers. An electric resistance is increased along with an increase in amount of deformation of the sensor membrane from a natural state. The electricity accumulation device senses expansion of the outer jacket material on the basis of variations in electric resistance along with bending deformation of the sensor membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Sumitomo Riko Company Limited
    Inventors: Masaru Murayama, Atsushi Muramatsu, Yuuki Saitou
  • Patent number: 8986867
    Abstract: A battery pack assembly comprises at least one light emitting device, a switch for operating the light emitting devices, a case, and a battery pack. The battery pack assembly includes a support portion, an elastic connection portion, a button and an observation portion. The support portion is fixed to an inside of the case. The elastic connection portion is extended from one side of the support portion. The button is formed at an end portion of the elastic connection portion. The observation portion is fixed between the support portion and the case, and is configured to allow light emitted from the light emitting devices to pass therethrough. In the battery pack assembly, the button is exposed through the button hole, and light passing through the observation portion is exposed through the observation holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Moo-Ryong Baek
  • Publication number: 20150077124
    Abstract: An assembled battery module includes battery cells connected in series, resistors, a voltage measuring unit, failure detection switches, and a control unit. Each resistor is connected between a positive or negative electrode of the corresponding battery cell and a corresponding node for the positive or negative electrode. Each failure detection switch is connected between the two nodes corresponding to positive and negative electrodes of a battery cell to allow on-off switching between the two nodes. The control unit detects a disconnection between a positive or negative electrode of a battery cell to a corresponding node based on first and second voltages measured between two nodes, the first voltage being measured when one of the two failure detection switches connected to the corresponding node is switched from on to off and the second voltage being measured when the other failure detection switch is switched from on to off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Atsuhisa SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20150079439
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided an active substance. The active substance includes a plurality of composites and a binding phase positioned between the composites. The composite includes an active material particle and a coating layer coating the active material particles. The coating layer includes at least one selected from the group consisting of hydroxyalkyl cellulose and carboxymethyl cellulose. The binding phase includes at least one selected from the group consisting of polyvinylidene fluoride, styrene-butadiene rubber, and an acrylic-based polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Takuya IWASAKI, Hiroki Inagaki, Norio Takami
  • Publication number: 20150079438
    Abstract: In general, according to one embodiment, an active material for a battery includes a monoclinic ?-type titanium oxide or a monoclinic ?-type titanium complex oxide. In the active material for a battery, carbonate ions are disposed on at least a part of the surface thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Hiroki INAGAKI, Wen ZHANG, Takuya IWASAKI, Norio TAKAMI
  • Publication number: 20150079437
    Abstract: A battery pack is disclosed. In one aspect, the battery pack includes a battery cell, a temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature of the battery cell, and an inner cover substantially covering the battery cell. The inner cover includes a sensor attachment fixing the temperature sensor to the battery cell. The battery pack has a structure for easily attaching the temperature sensor to the battery cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ik-Jae JEONG, Min-Cheol Bae, Kyoung-Hwan Noh, Hong-Keun Choi
  • Publication number: 20150072198
    Abstract: A battery cell unit includes a battery cell and a monitoring device for monitoring the state of the battery cell. The monitoring device comprises an actuating device configured to activate an impedance spectroscopy mode provided by the battery cell unit, in which impedance spectroscopy mode measurement currents can be applied to the battery cell to perform impedance spectroscopy of the battery cell, said measurement currents flowing through the battery cell and comprising alternating currents at different frequencies. The monitoring device also comprises a sensor device designed to detect the measurement currents and the corresponding measurement voltages, each of which is a battery cell voltage arising as a response to a measurement current, such that a complex impedance of the battery cell can be determined from the measured values of the measurement currents and the measurement voltages as a function of the frequency of the measurement currents within predetermined tolerance limits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventor: Holger Fink
  • Publication number: 20150072193
    Abstract: A system includes a lid disposed over battery cells in a battery module. The lid includes flexible fingers, and each of the flexible fingers aligns with a corresponding one of the battery cells. Each of the flexible fingers is configured to exert a downward force against the corresponding one of the battery cells, and the flexible fingers are configured to accommodate varying heights of the battery cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Mikhail S. Balk, Richard M. DeKeuster, Stephen D. Cash
  • Publication number: 20150072196
    Abstract: A printed circuit board (PCB) assembly may include a PCB and a high current interconnect mounted on the PCB. The high current interconnect may be configured to electrically couple a first high current bladed component, a second high current bladed component, and a trace disposed on the PCB. The high current interconnect may include feet made of a conductive material that are coupled to the PCB. The trace may be coupled to the feet via a weld.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Edward J. Soleski, Richard M. DeKeuster, Brian L. Thieme, Ronald J. Dulle, Mikhail S. Balk
  • Publication number: 20150072190
    Abstract: A battery cell assembly having a battery cell and a thin profile sensor is provided. The battery cell has a housing and first and second electrical terminals extending therefrom. The thin profile sensor has a flexible plastic sheet, a microprocessor, and a sensing circuit. The microprocessor and the sensing circuit are coupled to the flexible plastic sheet. The flexible plastic sheet is coupled to an exterior surface of the housing of the battery cell. The sensing circuit generates a signal that is indicative of an operational parameter value of the battery cell. The microprocessor determines the operational parameter value based on the signal from the sensing circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventor: Greg Bober
  • Publication number: 20150072195
    Abstract: A battery module and a method of manufacture are provided. The battery module may include a printed circuit board (PCB) assembly. The PCB assembly may include a PCB designed to be disposed in a battery module for controlling operations of the battery module. The PCB may also include voltage sensing circuitry. In addition, the PCB assembly may include a bus bar cell interconnect. The bus bar cell interconnect may electrically couple batteries of the battery module. The PCB assembly may also include a voltage sense connection tab. The voltage sense connection tab may carry a voltage between a bus bar cell interconnect of the battery module and the voltage sensing circuitry on the PCB.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Edward J. Soleski, Mikhail S. Balk, Lisa L. Winders, Richard M. DeKeuster, John P. Dinkelman
  • Publication number: 20150072197
    Abstract: The present invention provides a test battery case which is capable of conducting an internal short-circuit test with accuracy. The test battery case according to the present invention includes a container for housing a power generating element, and a closing member detachably secured to the container, wherein the container has an opening for the internal short-circuit test, the opening being closed by the closing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Keisuke Sawanishi, Tomitaro Hara