With Measuring, Testing, Or Indicating Means Patents (Class 429/90)
  • Publication number: 20140152264
    Abstract: An electrochemical energy converter device (1) with at least one in particular rechargeable electrode assembly (2), which is provided so as to make electrical energy available, at least temporarily, in particular to a consumer load, which has at least two electrodes (3, 3a) of differing polarity, with at least one current conducting device (4, 4a), which is provided so as to be electrically connected, preferably materially connected, with one of the electrodes (3, 3a) of the electrode assembly (2), with a cell housing (5) with a first housing part (6), wherein the first housing part (6) is provided so as to enclose the electrode assembly (2) at least in certain sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Li-Tec Battery GmbH
    Inventor: Li-Tec Battery GmbH
  • Patent number: 8741459
    Abstract: A device which judges a change of a capacity balance between a cathode and an anode of a secondary battery in a non-destructive manner is provided. The secondary battery has one of the capacities of the cathode and the anode greater than the other capacity. A battery ECU calculates an internal resistance (DCIR) of the secondary battery based on a current and a voltage of the secondary battery. When the calculated internal resistance (DCIR) is higher than the initial state in a low SOC region or a high SOC region, the battery ECU judges that the capacity balance between the cathode and the anode of the secondary battery has changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic EV Energy Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motoyoshi Okumura, Katsunori Maegawa
  • Patent number: 8741472
    Abstract: An electric storage device includes: a battery block including a chassis with a plurality of storage cells installed therein; a control unit placed on the chassis for monitoring states of the plurality of storage cells based on signals concerning their physical quantities; a plurality of wires arranged on the chassis for directing the signals to the control unit; a confining member fixed on one surface of the chassis, where the control unit is placed, for defining a route along which the plurality of wires are arranged. The confining member includes a first direction restrainer defining the route for bending the wires, withstanding a reaction force accompanying bending of the plurality of wires, and a second direction restrainer withstanding a force exerted by the plurality of wires which are inserted into the route and tend to be lifted up toward a leaving direction from the one surface of the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Vehicle Energy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takatoshi Yamamoto, Masahiro Kaneshige
  • Publication number: 20140147713
    Abstract: A battery monitoring apparatus monitors a battery pack configured by a plurality of battery cells. The battery monitoring apparatus includes a main monitoring unit, a sub monitoring unit and a control unit. The main monitoring unit monitors a plurality of physical quantities indicating a battery state of the battery pack. The sub monitoring unit monitors a part of the physical quantities separately from the main monitoring unit. The control unit detects malfunction of the battery pack on the basis of at least one of a monitoring result of the main monitoring unit and a monitoring result of the sub monitoring unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shunichi Mizobe, Tsuneo Maebara, Masaya Itou
  • Publication number: 20140141301
    Abstract: Disclosed are a battery state notifying unit readily exchangeble between battery packs differing in the number of battery cell, a bus bar module and a battery pack including the battery state notifying unit, and a battery state monitoring system including the battery state notifying unit. The battery state notifying unit includes a plurality of subunits corresponding to every battery cell, and the subunits in accordance with a cell temperature signal corresponding to a voltage outputted by a bus bar and a terminal fitting, generates a battery state data composed of a digital signal including a data indicating a state of the battery cell corresponding to the subunit, and transmits the battery state data to the external battery state monitoring unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshihito Aoki
  • Publication number: 20140139228
    Abstract: An electrochemical device includes at least one electrochemical cell having an anode electrode and a cathode electrode, a reservoir configured to store an electrolyte and a mass distribution measuring device. The mass distribution measuring device includes at least one of a scale, a first pressure sensor located in a lower portion of the reservoir and a second pressure sensor located in an upper portion of the reservoir, or at least one strain gauge or load cell configured to measure a change a weight of the at least one electrochemical cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: PRIMUS POWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Peter Tennessen, Alissa Peterson, Paul Kreiner, Lauren Wessel Hart, Ryan Larsen, Jonathan Hall
  • Patent number: 8728642
    Abstract: An energy storage system comprising at least one energy storage module adapted to supply electrical energy to a hybrid vehicle. The energy storage module comprises an enclosure, at least one battery array located within the enclosure, and an energy storage controller module located within the enclosure and electrically connected to the battery array. A high voltage junction box is attached to a first end of the enclosure and having a plurality of high voltage connection terminals connected by a plug-in bussed electrical center configured to reduce the possibility of unintentional grounding or shorting, and decreases the safety risk to a technician during servicing. At least one of the high voltage connection terminals is configured to receive a high voltage conductor connected between the energy storage module and an inverter of the hybrid vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Maskew, Timothy A. Gasaway, Brian C. Morrow
  • Publication number: 20140134468
    Abstract: An electrochemical energy storage device (1) comprising a housing (2) at or on which at least one antenna (3, 4, 13, 14) is arranged and which is connected to a transmitter (7, 8, 9, 10) of electromagnetic waves disposed in the interior of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicants: Deutsche ACCUmotive GmbH & Co. KG, Li-Tec Battery GmbH
    Inventors: Tim SCHAEFER, Detlef DIEBALL
  • Patent number: 8722217
    Abstract: A battery pack includes a battery cell including a case and at least one cell tab, the case including a lip, the cell tab protruding through the lip, and a protective circuit module including a circuit board located at a top side of the lip, at least one electrode tab located on the circuit board, and at least one circuit device located at the circuit board, and the at least one cell tab is connected to the at least one electrode tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sangjoo Lee
  • Publication number: 20140120392
    Abstract: An energy storage module in which a plurality of energy storage cells including electrode terminals are stacked, includes a bus bar that electrically connects a plurality of electrode terminals, a conductive member that is secured on the bus bar, a detection section that detects a voltage of each of the energy storage cells, and a wiring board, a wire that is electrically connected to the detection section, and a pad that is connected to the wire being formed on the wiring board, the conductive member coming in contact with the pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: JM Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Ueno, Kazuhiro Ohhashi, Tomohiro Ohshima, Kenji Nansaka
  • Patent number: 8709627
    Abstract: A battery terminal includes a housing, a bus bar, a first connector, a second connector and a current detector. The housing is made by resin. The bus bar is integrally provided with the housing. The first connector is provided on the bus bar and is adapted to be connected with a battery. The current detector is provided on the bus bar. The second connector is provided on the bus bar. The second connector is adapted to be connected with a harness, and is disposed at a position offset from a straight line passing the first connector and the current detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohiro Matsushima, Shinichi Hashio
  • Publication number: 20140113166
    Abstract: A safety device for arrangement in a battery cell of a lithium-ion battery includes at least one metallic conductor configured in a planar form, in particular a metal plate or a metal foil. The conductor includes an insulating layer applied thereon and a terminal contact configured for the electrical connection to a terminal of the battery cell. The conductor has at least one heating resistor with a first contact and a second contact arranged on the insulating layer so as to enable an electric current to be passed through the heating resistor by way of the contacts. A battery module with a control device includes at least one lithium-ion battery cell with the safety device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicants: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Schneider, Anne Heubner, Holger Reinshagen
  • Publication number: 20140113168
    Abstract: A frame for an electrochemical energy storage device, which comprises two current conductors of different polarity, wherein the current conductors are used for exchanging electrical charge with the energy storage device, with an accommodation space, configured for at least partially accommodating the energy storage device, with a frame body, configured for delimiting the accommodation space with respect to the surroundings, with an electrical connecting device, configured for contacting one of these current conductors, configured for electrically connecting to a further one of these energy storage devices, or to a consumer, with a measuring device, configured for detecting a parameter of the energy storage device, wherein the parameter allows a conclusion as to an, in particular undesired, operating state of the energy storage device, with an in particular capacitive first communication device, configured for transmitting one of these parameters, data and/or signals, particularly to a superordinate control
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Li-Tec Battery GmbH
    Inventor: Tim Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20140113165
    Abstract: Battery assemblies are disclosed which may include a plurality of battery cells positioned in trays which are stacked. The battery cells of each tray may be electrically connected together. The battery trays may include a battery support which extends under and supports a middle portion of the battery cells of the respective battery tray. The battery support may be a thermal sink for the battery cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventors: Bruce James Silk, Derrick Scott Buck, Thomas Tople, Stephen Alford
  • Patent number: 8703009
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a lithium ion battery and process for creating such, comprising higher binder to carbon conductor ratios than presently used in the industry. The battery is characterized by much lower interfacial resistances at the anode and cathode as a result of initially mixing a carbon conductor with a binder, then with the active material. Further improvements in cycleability can also be realized by first mixing the carbon conductor with the active material first and then adding the binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Gao Liu, Vincent S. Battaglia, Honghe Zheng
  • Publication number: 20140106192
    Abstract: This invention relates to a monitoring electrode for measuring voltage of each of a cathode and an anode of a secondary battery including the cathode, the anode and an electrolyte, which includes a first end portion inserted into the secondary battery so as to be incorporated in the electrolyte but disposed so that it is not in contact with the cathode or the anode; and a second end portion extending from the first end portion and having branches respectively connected to the cathode and the anode, and to a secondary battery using the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicants: KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Dong Gun Kim
  • Publication number: 20140103880
    Abstract: Converter cell having at least one particularly rechargeable electrode assembly, that is designed to at least temporarily supply electrical energy particularly to a consumer, which has at least two electrodes of different polarity, with at least one current conducting device, which is designed to be electrically, preferably materially connected to one of the electrodes of the electrode assembly, with a cell housing with a first housing section, wherein the first housing section is designed to at enclose at least areas of the electrode assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventors: Tim Schaefer, Marco Zichner, Werner Hufenbach, Detlef Dieball, Sascha Schulte
  • Patent number: 8691408
    Abstract: A secondary battery includes a case having positive and negative electrodes, a safety device attached to a surface of the case and having a resistance value which changes during swelling of the case, and a protective circuit module attached to a side of the case while being electrically connected to the safety device. The resistance value of the safety device changes as the case swells, and the protective circuit module reduces or interrupts charging/discharging currents in response thereto. The safety device can be used for all secondary batteries regardless of capacity, can quickly react against abruptly rising internal temperature and rapid swelling, and can stably prevent swelling which occurs above an allowable temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eui-Sun Hong, Yoon-Tai Kwak
  • Patent number: 8691411
    Abstract: A battery pack includes a pack body that includes a battery cell and that has an external shape substantially symmetric with respect to the horizontal and vertical axes, viewed from a front face on which terminals are arranged, and a terminal unit on the front face. The terminal unit includes a positive terminal, a negative terminal, a control terminal, and a temperature detection terminal for outputting temperature data. The positive terminal and the negative terminal are arranged on one side with respect to a center line in the width direction of the pack body. The control terminal is arranged symmetrically to the temperature detection terminal with respect to the center line in the width direction of the pack body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tsukasa Takahashi, Tomomichi Okada, Shoji Tatehata
  • Publication number: 20140093751
    Abstract: A housing assembly (5) for a secondary battery (1), comprising a receiving space (11) designed to receive at least one secondary cell (2, 2a), a wall (4) designed to delimit, in particular protect, the receiving space (11), particularly with respect to the environment, wherein the wall (4) comprises at least: one functional device (8, 8a, 8b), which is designed to enable and/or assist the release of energy from the at least one secondary cell (2, 2a), particularly to a load (12), which is designed for the particularly electrical operative connection to the at least one secondary cell (2, 2a), and one first support element (7) which is designed to support the at least one functional device (8, 8a, 8b), wherein the first support element (7) is formed particularly at least sectionally from a fiber-interspersed first polymer material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Li-Tec Battery GmbH
    Inventors: Tim SCHAEFER, Werner Hufenbach, Marco Zichner
  • Patent number: 8687338
    Abstract: A highly reliable protection element for a storage battery is provided. A protection element includes a low melting point metal body and heater elements. The low melting point metal body is connected to a charger side line and a storage battery side line of a charge/discharge circuit. The heater element is connected to the storage battery side line and a switch, and the heater element is connected to the charger side line and a switch. When the switches are operated, a voltage that is not affected by a voltage drop of the low melting point metal body is applied to one of the heater elements, so that the low melting point metal body can be reliably fused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigefumi Odaohhara
  • Publication number: 20140087221
    Abstract: Disclosed is a battery module including a unit cell assembly including two or more battery cells or unit modules; a left case coupled to a left side of the assembly, the left case provided at a left outer side thereof with a first fastening groove extending parallel to a longitudinal direction of the battery module such that a sensing assembly is fastened into the first groove, the left case being provided at opposite ends thereof with second fastening grooves formed parallel to a height direction of the battery; and a right case coupled to a right side of the assembly, an external input and output terminal oriented to a front of the battery, the right case provided at a right inner side thereof with a plurality of fixing grooves formed parallel to a longitudinal direction of the assembly such that the assembly is fastened and fixed into the fixing grooves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: SeongTae KIM, Jin Kyu LEE, JunSeok CHOI, TaeHyuck KIM, TaeHwan ROH, DalMo KANG
  • Patent number: 8679665
    Abstract: A battery for use in a power tool, including a battery housing, at least one battery cell in the battery housing, a pivoting member at least partially enclosed within the battery housing which moves between a latched position and an unlatched position, and a biasing device associated with the pivoting member for urging the pivoting member towards the latched position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Heinzen, Robert L. Turk, Robert Meyer
  • Patent number: 8679664
    Abstract: The present invention is a battery comprising: a power section containing a sulfur-based material; a distinguishing section which discolors by chemical reaction with hydrogen sulfide; and an exterior body incorporating the power section and the distinguishing section, the distinguishing section being observable from outside the exterior body. By checking discoloration of the distinguishing section or the distinguishing means, it is possible to easily detect the presence or absence of hydrogen sulfide in the battery and then judge deterioration of the battery with non-destructive inspection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirokazu Kawaoka, Hiroshi Nagase, Yasuyuki Tamane
  • Patent number: 8679682
    Abstract: A nonaqueous-electrolyte battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode which is constituted of a negative-electrode current collector and a layer containing a negative active material and deposited on one or each side of the negative-electrode current collector and in which the layer contains at least one member selected from lithium carbonate, lithium sulfide, lithium phosphide, and lithium fluoride and further contains a lithium-titanium composite oxide, and a nonaqueous electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hiroki Inagaki, Norio Takami, Shinsuke Matsuno
  • Publication number: 20140079960
    Abstract: A battery system includes a master rack that has a first battery pack and a master battery management system, which master battery management system controls the first battery pack, and includes a slave rack that has a second battery pack and a slave battery management system, which the slave battery management system controls the second battery pack in response to a command from the master battery management system. The slave battery management system reports information as to a state of the second battery pack, and the master battery management system controls the first battery pack after the master battery management system receives the information from the slave battery management system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Han-Seok YUN
  • Publication number: 20140072831
    Abstract: The battery pack includes a first case, a second case coupled with the first case, a plurality of battery cells which are received between the first case and the second case and are positioned side-by-side, and a label comprising a first surface attached to an outer surface of the first case and a second surface attached to an outer surface of the second case, in which a side coupling portion of the first case and the second case forms an outwardly convex round shape, the label comprises an intermediate surface which encloses an outer circumferential surface of the side coupling portion, and the intermediate surface is formed continuous from the first surface and the second surface. Thus, area and thickness of a label-attached portion of a case on which a label is attached may be minimized, allowing a slim structure of a battery pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Han-Jun Wang, Dae-Yon Moon
  • Publication number: 20140072843
    Abstract: An electrochemical energy store, e.g., a lithium-ion battery, includes a cell chamber, in which at least one anode, at least one cathode, and an electrolyte, which is situated between the anode and the cathode, are situated, the cell chamber being separated from the external surroundings by a housing, and at least one detection substance for the detection of a leak of the housing being situated in the cell chamber. The energy store configuration allows a leak of the energy store to be detected in a simple way.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Dirk LIEMERSDORF, Frank BAUMANN, Bernd SCHUMANN, Jens GRIMMINGER, Thomas CLASSEN, Kathy SAHNER, Joerg THIELEN
  • Publication number: 20140072847
    Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of rechargeable unit cells; and a lead tab assembly that electrically connects the unit cells together, wherein the lead tab assembly includes a first lead tab extending in a first direction and that is electrically connected to a first unit cell of the unit cells; a second lead tab that extends in the first direction and that is electrically connected to a second unit cell of the unit cells; a temperature-sensing element that is located between the first lead tab and the second lead tab and is electrically connected to the first lead tab and the second lead tab; and an insulating member that accommodates at least a portion of the first lead tab, the second lead tab, and the temperature-sensing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dae-Yon Moon, Han-Jun Wang
  • Publication number: 20140062410
    Abstract: An electrochemical energy storage cell has an electrode assembly, containing at least one first electrode of a first polarity and at least one second electrode of a second polarity, a film-like casing, which at least partially encloses the electrode assembly; and at least one first current-conducting device, which is connected to at least one first electrode of the electrode assembly in an electrically conductive manner and projects out of the casing at least partially, and at least one second current-conducting device, which is connected to at least one second electrode of the electrode assembly in an electronically conductive manner and projects out of the casing at least partially.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicants: Daimler AG, Li-Tec Battery GmbH
    Inventors: Tim SCHAEFER, Detlef DIEBALL
  • Publication number: 20140067323
    Abstract: A system includes a battery pack having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and battery cells. The system also includes a thermal system having heat transfer fluid, a flow device, an inlet thermocouple, one or more internal thermocouples connected to a respective one of the battery cells, and a controller. The controller receives and processes temperature signals from the thermocouples using a thermal model to diagnose performance of the flow device. The system may estimate values when an outlet thermocouple is not used. A method includes circulating the fluid through the battery pack, positioning an inlet thermocouple proximate to the fluid inlet, and connecting one or more internal thermocouples to respective battery cells. A controller receives and processes temperature signals from the inlet thermocouple and the internal thermocouple(s) to diagnose performance of the flow device using the thermal model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Scott M. Skelton
  • Publication number: 20140065453
    Abstract: An electrochemical energy storage cell (10) includes an electrode assembly (12), which comprises at least one first electrode (14) of a first polarity and at least one second electrode (16) of a second polarity, and a film-like casing (24), which at least partially encloses the electrode assembly (12). To improve safety, the casing (24) comprises at least one first functional layer (243), which is designed to be at least partially electrically conductive and is connected to the at least one first electrode (14) of the electrode assembly (12) in an electrically conductive manner (21), and at least one electrical insulating layer (245), which separates the first functional layer (243) of the casing (24) in a layering direction (25) of the casing from the electrode assembly (12) in the normal operating state of the energy storage cell (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicants: Daimler AG, Li-Tec Battery GmbH
    Inventors: Tim Schaefer, Detlef Dieball
  • Patent number: 8663825
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to indicating an end of life condition of an electrochemical device, and more particularly to systems and methods for sensing and determining an end of life condition in a cell comprising a high capacity cathode material suitable for use in a non-aqueous electrochemical cell. The high capacity cathode material has an amorphous or semi-crystalline form of copper manganese oxide, and optionally fluorinated carbon. The present disclosure additionally relates to transmitting the determined end of life condition to a user or monitoring device of the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Eaglepicher Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Greg Miller, William Studyvin, Michael Parrot, John C. Pugsley, Ernest Ndzebet, Min Qi Yang, Viet Vu, Umamaheswari Janakiraman, Jeremy Chi-Han Chang, Ramanathan Thillaiyan, Dong Zhang, Mario Destephen
  • Publication number: 20140057141
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for mitigating electrolyte migration in a redox flow battery system. A first parameter of a first electrolyte in a first flow path of a redox flow battery cell block may be measured. The first flow path may have an inlet to and an outlet from the redox flow battery cell block. A second parameter of a second electrolyte in a second flow path of the redox flow battery cell block may be measured. The second flow path may have an inlet to and an outlet from the redox flow battery cell block. The first parameter may be detected to be greater than the second parameter. A first device coupled to the redox flow battery cell block in the second flow path may be operated to increase the second parameter in the second flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: EverVault Corporation
    Inventors: Ron MOSSO, Sumitha DURAIRAJ, Jay SHA, Jeremy MEYERS
  • Publication number: 20140057146
    Abstract: A battery includes at least two battery cells and a first electrical connection between a first battery pole of one of the at least two battery cells and a second battery pole of one other battery cell of the at least two battery cells. A second electrical connection branches off from the first electrical connection for the purpose of measuring a battery cell voltage of at least one battery cell of the at least two battery cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicants: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Kohlberger
  • Patent number: 8658300
    Abstract: A fuel gauge circuit detects a residual quantity of a battery 1 and is disposed on a substrate 20 together with a protection circuit 40 which protects charging/discharging of the battery 1. The fuel gauge circuit includes a voltage monitor terminal T1 disposed on a side facing a positive power-supply terminal 21 of the substrate and connected to each of the positive power-supply terminal 21 and a voltage sensor 31 disposed in the circuit, a voltage through terminal T6 disposed on a side facing the protection circuit, opposite to the side facing the positive power-supply terminal 21, and connected to a voltage monitor terminal T11 of the protection circuit, and a wiring 32 disposed within the circuit to connect the voltage monitor terminal T1 of the fuel gauge circuit to the voltage through terminal T11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takatoshi Itagaki, Akira Ikeuchi, Makio Abe
  • Publication number: 20140050954
    Abstract: Provided is a battery module in which at least one battery cell including an electrode tab including an anode tab and a cathode tab is stacked, including: a sensing assembly installed in a space between the anode tab and the cathode tab at a side of the battery module at which the electrode tab is positioned; and a terminal installed at the side of the battery module at which the electrode tab is positioned and connected to each of the electrode tabs of the battery cells positioned at the outermost portions, wherein the terminal is bonded and connected to a surface positioned at an inner side of the battery module in both sides of the anode tab and the cathode tab.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: SK INNOVATION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Young Ki Kim, Won Jun Lee, Seung Bum Kim
  • Patent number: 8652670
    Abstract: What is provided is a battery system (1) including: a battery side control unit (40) which is generates a battery side information signal having battery information of the battery cells (2); a battery accommodation casing (3) which accommodates the battery cells (2) and the battery side control unit (40); a battery side communication unit (34) which transmits the battery side information signal; a controller side communication unit (32, 33) which generates a synthesized battery side information signal; and a controller side control unit (50) which is electrically connected to the controller side communication unit (32, 33) and generates controlling information corresponding to each battery cell inside the battery accommodation casing (3) based on the battery information and the address information included in the synthesized battery side information signal received from the controller side communication unit (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masataka Uchida
  • Publication number: 20140045010
    Abstract: A battery assembly for use in an electronic device is provided. The battery assembly may include a battery cell (e.g., a rechargeable battery cell), a battery connector for providing power from the battery cell to the electronic device, and a flex circuit electrically coupling the battery cell to the electronic device. The battery connector may be located adjacent the battery cell, and may include one or more alignment mechanisms for ensuring that conductive pads of the battery connector align properly with corresponding conductive elements of the electronic device. The battery cell may be fixed to the electronic device using an adhesive layer (e.g., double sided tape) placed between the cell and the electronic device. A tab may extend beyond the periphery of the battery cell to allow a user to pull or peal the battery cell from the electronic device for replacement or repair. In some embodiments, a tool may be used to grasp the tab.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Myers, Erik L. Wang, Trent Weber, Jason Sloey
  • Patent number: 8647766
    Abstract: A battery having a plurality of cell pairs arranged in an array is disclosed. The cells pairs are coupled longitudinally. Sense leads are provided on the ends of cell pairs to obviate providing a sense lead proximate the junction of the cell pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Patrick Daniel Maguire
  • Patent number: 8642198
    Abstract: A battery system includes a platform having an aperture formed therethrough, a flexible member having a generally planar configuration and extending across the aperture, wherein a portion of the flexible member is coextensive with the aperture, a cell provided adjacent the platform, and a sensor coupled to the flexible member and positioned proximate the cell. The sensor is configured to detect a temperature of the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Center
    Inventors: Steven J. Wood, Dale B. Trester
  • Publication number: 20140030560
    Abstract: A battery is provided with solid state cooling means so that it may operate within a predetermined operating temperature range is described. Suitably such a battery may be a high voltage-high current battery intended for use in a vehicle propelled by an electric motor such as a hybrid or electric vehicle. A plurality of thermoelectric assemblies is positioned in thermal contact with the assembled cells and/or modules which comprise the battery. These assemblies may be appropriately powered to pump heat from the battery responsive to a plurality of temperature sensors associated with individual cells or modules so that the battery temperature is maintained within the predetermined temperature range. The thermoelectric assemblies may also be powered to pump heat to the battery to more rapidly increase its temperature to the predetermined operating range under low temperature conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Leonid C. Lev, Gregory P. Meisner, Nikolay Kondratyev
  • Publication number: 20140030566
    Abstract: A battery pack that has end plates and side plates so as to define an opening. The end plates and side plates are interconnected to inhibit swelling of the batteries in direction of the end plates. The battery pack includes a top plate that is interconnected to the side plates so as to maintain an interval between the side plates to inhibit swelling of the batteries in the direction of the side plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun-Ho Lee
  • Publication number: 20140023897
    Abstract: A storage battery module 20 includes plural battery cells 320 in which a wound electrode group 322 having positive and negative electrodes, and positive and negative electrode collector plates 327a and 327b connected to the positive and negative electrodes are accommodated in a battery cell 321, and positive and negative external terminals 331 and 341 are provided to be exposed to outside of the battery case 321, a circuit board 350 including a temperature detecting wiring 302 of the battery cell 320 connected to the positive and negative external terminals 331 and 341, and a temperature sensor 381 for detecting a temperature of the battery cell 320 provided above the wiring 302.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: HITACHI VEHICLE ENERGY, LTD.
    Inventor: Atsuo Suga
  • Publication number: 20140015535
    Abstract: A battery cell assembly includes a battery cell, a pouch, and a conductive lead. The pouch surrounds the battery cell and includes an inner insulative jacket, an outer insulative jacket, and a conductive foil disposed between the inner and outer insulative jackets. The conductive lead extends through the outer insulative jacket and is electrically coupled to the conductive foil. The conductive lead is configured to electrically couple to battery circuitry for monitoring a voltage on the conductive foil to determine a fault condition. The battery circuitry may include measurement circuitry for measuring the voltage on the conductive foil and logic circuitry for determining a fault condition based on the measured voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventor: JOHN T. LOPEZ
  • Publication number: 20140017528
    Abstract: In a rack-mount power supply device, a plurality of battery packs are removably placed in a rack main body. In each battery pack, a battery including a plurality of unit cells is housed in an outer case, and positive and negative output terminals are provided so as to come out on a back surface of the outer case. The rack main body includes a plurality of housing spaces housing the battery packs, respectively, and includes input terminals on a facing surface which is an inner surface of each housing space and which faces output terminals, the output terminals being to be electrically connected to the input terminals in a fitting state. In the rack main body, the input terminals are wired in a predetermined connection state on the back sides of the respective facing surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventors: Yuji Uehara, Masao Yamaguchi, Takanori Harada
  • Publication number: 20140017532
    Abstract: A power supply device in which bars BB extend in one direction and connect the terminals of the battery cells adjacent to each other. The lines (20) are electrically connectable to the bars BB. The tabs TB electrically connect the bars BB to the lines (20). The bar BB is formed of a clad plate formed of a first metal (3A) and a second metal (3B). The bar BB includes first and second holders (3a and 3b), and a tab holder. The first and second holders (3a and 3b) are arranged in the first and second metals, respectively, and hold the terminals at holding positions. The tab holder is arranged in the first metal (3A), and holds the tab TB at a holding position. The impedance between the first holder (3a) and the tab holder is substantially equal to the impedance between the tab holder and the second holder (3b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventors: Yoshitomo Nishihara, Kazumi Ohkura, Tsuyoshi Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20140004389
    Abstract: An exothermic component has a reactive multilayer arranged in grid-shape fashion on a carrier. The exothermic component can be incorporated in an electrode construction of a galvanic cell comprising electrode layers, a separator layer and current collecting layers. In addition, a matrix-like sensor arrangement can be provided in the electrode construction. Defect locations in the electrode construction can be identified on the basis of output signals of the sensor arrangement. By igniting selected regions of the reactive multilayer grid, which react exothermically, it is possible to destroy the defect locations in a targeted manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: Li-Tec Battery GmbH
    Inventor: Tim Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20140004398
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the end-of-charging condition of a lithium-ion accumulator with a negative electrode formed with at least one alloy, according to which a surface pressure with a determined force from the external portion of the accumulator (A) against an element (2, 2?, 3) is detected, the surface pressure being generated by the thickness increase due to ion insertion at the negative electrode and thereby defining the end-of-charging condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternatives
    Inventors: Yvan Reynier, Willy Porcher
  • Publication number: 20140004911
    Abstract: A mobile wireless communications device may include a portable device housing, wireless communications circuitry carried by the portable device housing, and a self-contained rechargeable battery pack carried by the portable housing for powering the wireless communications circuitry. The self-contained rechargeable battery pack may include a battery casing, at least one internal battery cell carried within the battery casing, internal battery circuitry carried within the battery casing, and at least one internal filter element carried within the battery casing and coupled to the internal battery circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
    Inventors: LIZHONG ZHU, MICHAEL STEPHEN CORRIGAN, GEORGE SOLIMAN MANKARUSE