External Type Patents (Class 429/93)
  • Publication number: 20140199570
    Abstract: A battery pack which includes a plurality of contact portions in a terminal accommodating portion provided in each of cell receiving portions of a plurality of battery cells, so that one selected from the plurality of contact portions can be electrically connected to electrode terminals of the battery cells even if the plurality of battery cells have different widths of wide walls. In addition, since the battery pack includes a series/parallel switch provided outside an external pack, a connection method of a plurality of battery cells provided inside the external pack can be switched to series/parallel connection. Further, since the battery pack includes a capacity display unit provided outside an external pack, capacity levels of a plurality of battery cells provided inside the external pack can be identified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mansik Cho
  • Patent number: 8685255
    Abstract: A method of operating a capacitive deionization cell using a regeneration cycle to increase pure flow rate and efficiency of the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Voltea B.V.
    Inventors: Sean Knapp, Marshall L. Leffew, II
  • Patent number: 8673486
    Abstract: A battery pack having a holder case capable of preventing short-circuit between a cap plate and an electric terminal, instead of a washer, thereby increasing a coupling force between the holder case and a bare cell while minimizing the volume of the battery pack. The battery pack includes a bare cell including an electrode assembly, a can accommodating the electrode assembly, and a cap assembly for finishing an upper opening of the can, a holder case including a bottom portion covering one side surface of the bare cell, first and second support portions formed at first and second sides of the bottom portion, and an insulating portion fixed while covering a portion of a cap plate forming the cap assembly, a protection circuit module coupled to an upper portion of the holder case, and a cover case fixed to one side surface of the bare cell while covering the holder case and the protection circuit module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eunok Kwak, Seok Koh, Youngho Kim, Kyungho Park
  • 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: 20140017533
    Abstract: A battery module includes a battery block, a cover member, a circuit board, a wiring member, and a first connection member. The battery block includes a plurality of battery cells, and has a terminal surface. Terminals of the plurality of battery cells are arranged on the terminal surface. The cover member is arranged on or above the terminal surface of the battery block. The circuit board overlaps the cover member, and includes a voltage detection circuit for detecting terminal voltages of the plurality of battery cells. The wiring member overlaps the cover member, and is electrically connected to the terminals of the plurality of battery cells. The first connection member electrically connects the circuit board to the wiring member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventors: Yoshitomo Nishihara, Yasuhiro Asai, Tsuyoshi Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20130344362
    Abstract: A temperature-controlling plate and a plastic housing for one or multiple galvanic cell(s) is provided. The one or more multiple galvanic cells can be at least one of lithium cells and lithium-ion cells. To improve the temperature control of the cells and to reduce costs and weight, the temperature-controlling plate or the plastic housing includes at least one section provided for heat dissipation which is formed from a plastic compound which includes at least one additive for increasing the thermal conductivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GmbH
    Inventors: Sven Robert Raisch, Dirk Schmiederer
  • Patent number: 8597814
    Abstract: A connection terminal of a secondary battery and a secondary battery using the same, and more particularly, to a connection terminal and a secondary battery using the same that have the anti-press function and the support function of a protection circuit board as well as the function of electrically connecting a bare cell with the protection circuit board. A connection terminal is installed between one side of a bare cell and a protective circuit board and includes a connection part that is connected with one electric terminal of the protective circuit board and a support part, and the support part has a horizontal support part that is fixed to one side of the bare cell and a vertical support part that connects the horizontal support part with the connection part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Youngcheol Jang, Nohyun Kwag, Sangjoo Lee, Kyungwon Seo
  • Publication number: 20130302655
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for monitoring an electrolyte level in a battery cell and generating an indication of a fault condition when the electrolyte level drops below a predetermined acceptable level. The system may make use of a controller, an ultrasonic transmit circuit for transmitting an ultrasonic signal into an interior area of the battery cell, and an ultrasonic receive circuit for receiving the ultrasonic signal after it has been reflected from the interior area of the battery cell. The controller may use the reflected ultrasonic signal and a predetermined calibration signal representing the predetermined acceptable level of the electrolyte to determine when the electrolyte level has dropped below the predetermined acceptable level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: LIEBERT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Edward W. DEVEAU, David STEWART, David POPKEN, Juan MARTINEZ
  • Publication number: 20130293020
    Abstract: A battery management system used to monitor a number of batteries. This battery management system includes a number of isolation circuits electrically connected to the batteries. The battery management system includes a measuring unit electrically connected to the isolation circuits to turn on or off the isolation circuits and measure voltages simultaneously of the batteries when the isolation circuits are turned on by the measuring unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kyung-Sub Shim
  • Patent number: 8574741
    Abstract: A method for controlling a plurality of sodium-sulfur batteries that, in an interconnected system in which a power generation device that fluctuates in output and an electric power storage-compensation device are combined to supply power to an electric power system, are each included in the electric power storage-compensation device and compensate for output fluctuations of the power generation device, is provided. When one sodium-sulfur battery of the plurality of sodium-sulfur batteries reaches a discharge end, the sodium-sulfur battery reaching the discharge end is charged from a sodium-sulfur battery other than the sodium-sulfur battery reaching the discharge end. When one sodium-sulfur battery of the plurality of sodium-sulfur batteries reaches a charge end, the sodium-sulfur battery reaching the charge end is discharged to charge a sodium-sulfur battery other than the sodium-sulfur battery reaching the charge end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuharu Sato
  • Patent number: 8563152
    Abstract: A battery cell includes a power generating element, an electrode connected to the power generating element and configured to electrically connect the power generating element to outside, and an exterior member configured to cover the power generating element. The exterior member includes an insulating layer and a conductive layer, and the conductive layer includes a connection section electrically connected to the outs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Morita, Atsushi Kawase
  • Patent number: 8557421
    Abstract: A container for testing an electrochemical cell having at least one anode and at least one cathode. The container includes a base and a lid movably coupled to the base between an open position and a closed position. The base and the lid cooperate to define an internal cavity that is sized to receive the electrochemical cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Bobby Hardwick, Kyle Deckard
  • Patent number: 8546003
    Abstract: A secondary battery having a bare cell and a protective circuit module disposed over the bare cell and electrically connected to the bare cell via a first lead plate, in which the first lead plate includes a first plate, a second plate connected to the first plate, and a third plate arranged opposite to the first plate and connected to the second plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bongyoung Kim
  • Publication number: 20130252052
    Abstract: A battery pack, an integrated device for sensing individual battery voltage in a battery pack and a method of forming an integrated voltage-sensing circuit for use in a battery-powered automobile propulsion system. The integrated voltage-sensing circuit includes a busbar, a terminal pin and a voltage-sensing fuse electrically disposed between the busbar and the terminal pin. The construction of the voltage-sensing circuit is such that it forms an integral structure upon being coupled to the modular housing or related structure that may subsequently be secured to a frame that is used to provide support to each battery cell within the battery pack. In one form, the modular housing and voltage-sensing circuit may be secured to the frame during a frame molding process such that upon completion of the molding, the housing and at least a portion of the voltage-sensing circuit are encapsulated within the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Evan J. Dawley
  • Publication number: 20130193927
    Abstract: Electrochemical energy storage device (1) with at least one electrode assembly, particularly a rechargeable electrode assembly (2), that is designed to at least temporarily supply electrical energy, which electrode assembly has at least two electrodes (3, 3a) of differing polarities, with a functional device (5) that is designed to be electrically connected to the at least two electrodes (3, 3a) of differing polarity, and which is designed to be switchable to a second state, wherein the electrodes (3, 3a) of differing polarity are electrically connected to each other when the functional device (5) is in the second state, with a cell housing (6) that is designed to at least partially surround the electrode assembly (2) and the functional device (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: LI-TEC BATTERY GMBH
    Inventor: Tim Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20130193926
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a battery system having a large number of battery cells which are connected in series. At least one battery cell of the large number of battery cells is connected in parallel with an electrical component. The resistance of the electrical component is reduced when a voltage, which is applied to the electrical component and to the battery cell, exceeds a predetermined voltage threshold value. The disclosure also describes a method for charging a large number of battery cells which are connected in series. The method can be executed using the battery system according to the disclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicants: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Kluthe, Francois Mothais, Frank Heitkaemper, Robert Thomas
  • Publication number: 20130164567
    Abstract: Modular sealed battery packs configured to provide enhanced performance and safety features, along with associated apparatus, systems, and methods for monitoring and controlling operation and use of such battery packs and associated coupled devices and systems are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: SEEKTECH, INC.
    Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Alexander L. Warren, David A. Cox, Joseph B. Phaneuf, Paul G. Stuart
  • Patent number: 8460816
    Abstract: Rechargeable battery assemblies and methods of constructing rechargeable battery assemblies are provided. Rechargeable battery assemblies can include a storage cell and receive circuitry comprising a receive coil operatively connected to receive control circuitry, the receive coil configured to receive inductively coupled current, the receive control circuitry configured to rectify the current and communicate charging power to the storage cell, the coil wound around a shield/core comprising magnetically permeable material, and the shield/core disposed around the storage cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Etymotic Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Julstrom, Timothy S. Monroe, Mead C. Killion, John E. Oltman
  • Patent number: 8455122
    Abstract: Disclosed is a voltage sensing assembly for a battery module to sense voltage of battery cells having electrode terminals formed at the upper or lower end thereof in a state in which the voltage sensing assembly is mounted in the battery module, the voltage sensing assembly including (a) an upper and a lower block case to be coupled to each other in an assembled fashion, the upper block case and the lower block case being made of an electrically insulative material, the upper block case and the lower block case being mounted to a region (front or rear) of the battery module corresponding to electrode terminal connection parts of the battery cells, (b) upper-row and lower-row conductive sensors to be connected to the electrode terminal connection parts of the battery cells, respectively, and (c) a connector to transmit voltages sensed by the conductive sensors to a battery management system (BMS).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong Shik Shin, Jong Moon Yoon, JaeHun Yang, Jin Kyu Lee, BumHyun Lee, DalMo Kang
  • Patent number: 8431260
    Abstract: The invention concerns an interconnection system (100) of an energy storage assembly (200), with an electronic support for controlling (300) the health status of the energy storage assembly (200), the interconnection system (101) being characterized in that it comprises an interconnection support (101) including a conductive circuit (800) formed on electrically conductive surface, said circuit (800) forming an electrical connection between the electronic control support (300) and the pole terminals (500) of the cells to which it is connected, respectively, through connecting means and through retaining means (110, 120, 150), said retaining means (110, 120, 150) being adapted to urged into contact, on the pole terminals (500), with support means (510) so as to arrange the pole terminals (500) on the interconnection support (101) and adapted to provide a direct electrical connection of the pole terminals (500) with the conductive circuit (800).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Batscap
    Inventor: Luc Nedelec
  • Patent number: 8415044
    Abstract: A label indicating exposure to water is disposed in a plastic member of the battery. The label is prevented from being separated and disappeared and from being exchanged or modified arbitrarily by a battery user by having an edge of the label molded to the battery case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Sik Chung, Ki Eob Moon, Seog Jin Yoon, Cheol Woong Lee
  • Publication number: 20130059182
    Abstract: A power storage apparatus, electric device, electric vehicle, and power system are disclosed. In an example embodiment, a power storage apparatus includes a battery block comprising a plurality of battery cells and an isolating unit that enables wireless information transfer regarding battery information of the battery block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Komatsu, Hidekazu Kikuchi, Koji Umetsu, Naoyuki Sugeno, Morihiko Sato
  • Publication number: 20130045404
    Abstract: A battery fuel gauge apparatus comprises a current amplifier formed by a first transistor and a second transistor. Both transistors operate in the same operation conditions except that the second transistor has a smaller channel width in comparison with that of the first transistor. The first transistor is connected in series with a battery pack. The second transistor is connected in series with a sensing device. The sensing device comprises a first resistor and a second resistor connected in series. The first resistor has a positive temperature coefficient and the second resistor has a negative temperature coefficient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Justin Shi
  • Publication number: 20130040177
    Abstract: A battery terminal unit with a current sensor includes a bus bar for a battery terminal and a receiving portion. The bus bar includes an attachment part attached to a battery post, an extension part extended from the attachment part, and a connection part which continues to the extension part and is configured to connect a wire harness. The receiving portion receives a board on which a magnetic detection element is mounted so that the board is opposed to a surface of the extension part. The attachment part, the extension part and the connection part are integrally formed. The connection part continues to the extension part through an extending portion bent from the extension part so as to be positioned laterally to the extension part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinichi Hashio, Toshirou Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 8367234
    Abstract: A battery pack includes a secondary battery, a discharge-control transistor, a charge-control transistor connected in series with the discharge-control transistor between a negative power source terminal of the secondary battery and either a terminal of a load or a negative power source terminal of a charger, and a battery protection semiconductor device for protecting a secondary battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Goto
  • Patent number: 8343644
    Abstract: A medical device having a battery pack comprising an indicator, wherein the battery pack indicator indicates the status of the battery pack when the battery pack is disassociated from the medical device and indicates the status of the medical device when associated with the medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Defibtech, LLC
    Inventors: Gintaras A. Vaisnys, Giovanni C. Meier, Glenn W. Laub
  • Patent number: 8197963
    Abstract: A lithium ion secondary battery includes an electrode assembly having a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate, and a separator interposed therebetween; a case in which the electrode assembly is received; a cap plate formed with a terminal hole and an electrolyte injection hole; and a washer installed at an upper portion of the cap plate, the washer having at least one transparent part formed thereon or having a transparent part formed on an entire surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Minho Song
  • Publication number: 20120143542
    Abstract: A SOC (state of charge) estimation method for a rechargeable battery includes: measuring a battery parameter of the rechargeable battery; judging whether the battery parameter of the rechargeable battery is stable; if the battery parameter of the rechargeable battery is not stable yet, estimating an open circuit voltage of the rechargeable battery by a fuzzy control and expanding an established experiment data of the rechargeable battery into a 3D function by the fuzzy control; and calculating a time domain dynamic equation and converting into a SOC function, substituting the SOC function into the fuzzy control to estimate an SOC estimation value, wherein the time domain dynamic equation performing a time domain dynamic monitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventor: Chien-Hsun Wu
  • Patent number: 8192855
    Abstract: A secondary battery having a bare cell and a protective circuit module disposed over the bare cell and electrically connected to the bare cell via a first lead plate, in which the first lead plate includes a first plate, a second plate connected to the first plate, and a third plate arranged opposite to the first plate and connected to the second plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bongyoung Kim
  • Patent number: 8182937
    Abstract: A battery includes a housing, a cathode and an anode within the housing, and a battery-life indicator including a fragrance that is released to indicate usage of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Stuart M. Davis, Steven J. Specht
  • Patent number: 8178227
    Abstract: A method for detecting cell failure within a battery pack based on variations in the measured electrical isolation resistance of the battery pack is provided. The method includes the steps of monitoring the isolation resistance; determining when the isolation resistance falls below a first preset value; determining how long it takes for the electrical isolation resistance to recover to greater than a second preset value; determining when the isolation resistance falls below a third preset value; and performing a predetermined response after the electrical isolation resistance falls below the first preset resistance value and recovers to greater than the second resistance value and then falls below the third preset resistance value and if the time period is within a preset time range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventor: Weston Arthur Hermann
  • Patent number: 8168315
    Abstract: A method for detecting cell failure within a battery pack based on variations in the measured electrical isolation resistance of the battery pack is provided. The method includes the steps of monitoring the isolation resistance; determining when the isolation resistance falls below a preset value; and performing a predetermined response when the isolation resistance falls below the preset value. The method may include additional steps such as (i) determining how long the isolation resistance remains below the preset value; (ii) determining the rate of change in the isolation resistance; (iii) determining how long it takes for the electrical isolation resistance to recover; (iv) determining when the isolation resistance falls below a third preset value, wherein this step is performed after the isolation resistance recovers to greater than the second preset value; and (v) monitoring for a secondary effect associated with cell failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventor: Weston Arthur Hermann
  • Publication number: 20120058372
    Abstract: A battery cell for identifying a state of battery cell. The battery pack includes: a battery cell; a switch contact unit electrically connected to the battery cell; a switch unit comprising a viscoelastic unit disposed to face the switch contact unit and contacting the switch contact unit so as to generate an on-signal for displaying a state of the battery cell; and a display unit for displaying the state of the battery cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sang-Hun Park
  • Publication number: 20120052345
    Abstract: A cell controller having excellent productivity is provided. A cell-con 80 has 12 ICs IC-1 to IC-2 mounted on a substrate, and these ICs detect voltages of respective cells constituting a cell pack, perform capacity adjustment on the respective cells, and are mounted two by two on rectangular longer sides of a rectangular continuous straight line L-L? defined on a substrate from the IC-1 on a highest potential side to the IC-12 on a lowest potential side continuously in order of potential differences of the corresponding cell packs. Distances between the rectangular shorter sides of the rectangular continuous straight line L-L? are the same. On the cell-con 80, between the IC-1 to IC-12 having different ground voltages, each of the ICs has signal output terminals connected to signal input terminals of a lower order IC respectively in an electrically non-insulated state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: HITACHI VEHICLE ENERGY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi KAI, Tunemi AIBA, Akihiko KUDO, Yoshinori AOSHIMA, Akihiko EMORI
  • Patent number: 8114540
    Abstract: A buss bar for connecting electrochemical cells together includes a conductive member having a first end, a second end, and an elongated body between the first end and second end. The body includes a stress relief region configured to dampen vibrational forces received by the buss bar. The buss bar also includes a voltage sense terminal coupled to the conductive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Dale B. Trester, Steven J. Wood, Gary P. Houchin-Miller
  • Publication number: 20120015222
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a secondary battery device includes a first assembled battery including a plurality of secondary battery cells, a second assembled battery including a plurality of secondary battery cells and connected in series to a low-potential terminal of the first assembled battery, a disconnecting module capable of mechanically switching connection between the first assembled battery and the second assembled battery, a voltage measurement circuit configured to measure voltages of the plurality of secondary battery cells of the second assembled battery, a first power source wiring connected between a high-potential terminal of the second assembled battery and the voltage measurement circuit, a second power source wiring connected between a low-potential terminal of the second assembled battery and the voltage measurement circuit, and a filter connected between the first power source wiring and the second power source wiring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Shinichiro KOSUGI, Yasuhiro Miyamoto
  • Publication number: 20120009445
    Abstract: A battery monitoring system includes a first module and a second module coupled to the first module. The first module shifts a reference signal to a first shifted signal. The second module shifts the reference signal to a second shifted signal and shifts the first shifted signal to a third shifted signal. The second module also monitors a set of cells through the first module and provides an output signal indicative of a status of the set of cells. The second and third shifted signals are usable for calibrating the output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventor: Guoxing LI
  • Publication number: 20110318612
    Abstract: A battery module having at least one battery and an indicator unit, wherein the status of the indicator unit displays, whether the battery module is fresh or used, wherein an irreversible change of the indicator unit can be brought about externally, wherein through the irreversible change it is displayed that the battery module is no longer fresh, and wherein the status of the indicator unit is externally queryable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Process Solutions AG
    Inventors: Ingo Laible, Stefan Probst, Christian Seiler, Werner Thoren
  • Publication number: 20110274952
    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: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: MITSUMI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takatoshi Itagaki, Akira Ikeuchi, Makio Abe
  • Publication number: 20110234232
    Abstract: A battery cell sorting machine includes an inserting unit into which a battery cell is inserted, a measuring unit on which the inserted battery cell is placed, an open circuit voltage (OCV) measuring unit configured to measure an OCV of the battery cell placed on the measuring unit, a loading unit configured to discharge the battery cell placed on the measuring unit, a discharge voltage measuring unit configured to measure a discharge voltage of the battery cell discharged by the loading unit, and a control unit configured to sort battery cells placed on the measuring unit into different groups, wherein the control unit is configured to calculate a voltage differential between the OCV and the discharge voltage of each of the battery cells and to sort the battery cells having corresponding voltage differential ranges between the OCV and the discharge voltage into one group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Huntae Ro
  • Publication number: 20110195285
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a voltage sensing member for sensing the voltage of battery cells constituting a battery module, the voltage sensing member comprising: (a) a pair of supporting parts mounted to the bottom of the battery module at regions (the front and rear parts of the battery module) corresponding to electrode terminal connections of the battery cells; (b) connection parts for electrically connecting the supporting parts to a connector; (c) a plurality of conductive sensing parts protruding upward while one end of each linear mounting part is connected to the corresponding support part and the other end of each linear mounting part is elastically connected to electrode terminals of the battery cells; and (d) a connector mounted on the front part or the rear part of the battery module for transmitting the sensed voltage of the battery cells to a battery management system (BMS).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Yong Shik Shin, Hee Kook Yang, JaeHun Yang, Jong Moon Yoon, Ju Young Kim
  • Publication number: 20110183168
    Abstract: An electrolyte detector is provided that includes two micrometers which slide relative to each other along a frame to adjust the electrolyte detector to a size of the battery. A transmitter rod and a receiver rod support an acoustic transmitter and an acoustic receiver, respectively, and are slidably mounted with respect to the micrometers. The micrometers measure the position of the transmitter and receiver for placement on the side of the battery at a desired level of electrolyte. A transmitter director and receiver director concentrates the transmission and receipt of acoustic energy to locate the electrolyte level. An electronic circuit analyzes the received signal to determine whether the signal is transmitted through air or through an electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Nathan Johnnie, Francis J. O'Brien, JR., Helene B. Anderson, Joseph W. Robicheau
  • Patent number: 7968227
    Abstract: A can-type rechargeable battery includes a connection portion for coupling a protection circuit to a can-type bare cell and a lead plate for coupling the connection portion to the can. At least one protrusion is disposed at a connection portion outside the can and a lead plate has a hole that is engaged with the protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sung Jae Cho
  • Publication number: 20110135980
    Abstract: A battery cell includes a power generating element, an electrode connected to the power generating element and configured to electrically connect the power generating element to outside, and an exterior member configured to cover the power generating element. The exterior member includes an insulating layer and a conductive layer, and the conductive layer includes a connection section electrically connected to the outs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Morita, Atsushi Kawase
  • Publication number: 20110126829
    Abstract: This disclosure describes methods and apparatus for indicating battery cell status on a battery pack assembly used during mechanical ventilation. Embodiments described herein seek to provide methods for indicating battery cell status on the exposed exterior of a battery assembly pack both when the battery is in use and when the battery is not in use during mechanical ventilation. Embodiments utilize power from the ventilator as well as power from the battery pack itself to light the indicators during periods of battery use and non-use, respectively. Embodiments described herein further seek to provide an apparatus indicating battery cell status on the exposed exterior of the battery pack assembly during mechanical ventilation. Embodiments described herein further seek to provide an apparatus for a battery pack assembly used during mechanical ventilation. Embodiments described herein seek to provide a system for a ventilation system with an inserted battery pack assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
    Inventors: Danis Carter, Terry Landis, Thomas Wallner, John Leek
  • Publication number: 20110104535
    Abstract: A photonic crystal electrical property indicator for a battery comprising: an electrically conductive working electrode and an electrically conductive counter electrode; an electrically-responsive photonic crystal material in contact with at least one of said first and second electrically conductive electrodes; an ionically conductive electrolyte provided between the working and counter electrodes; and electrical conductors for connecting the indicator to terminals of the battery; wherein the photonic crystal material has a reflectance spectrum that is responsive to a change in at least one electrical property of the battery, thereby providing an optically detectable indication of the at least one electrical property of the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Andre Arsenault, Geoffrey Alan Ozin
  • Publication number: 20110059342
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a voltage sensing member for sensing voltages of battery cells constituting a battery module, the voltage sensing member including (a) a pair of supporting parts, i.e.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: BumHyun LEE, Jin Kyu Lee, Hee Soo Yoon, Dal Mo Kang, Jongmoon Yoon, Jae Hun Yang, Inchul Shin, Yongshik Shin
  • Publication number: 20110025272
    Abstract: A charging method is a method for charging assembled cells formed by connecting two or more cells in series. Specifically, constant-current charging is performed on the assembled cells, and when the inter-terminal voltage value of one of the cells reaches a first voltage value, the charging current value is reduced from the first current value to a second current value, and constant-current charging in which the charging current value is the second current value is performed on the assembled cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: Takeaki Nagashima, Yoshiyuki Nakatamari
  • Patent number: 7775810
    Abstract: A voltage tap apparatus functions as both a voltage tap and a cell isolator for conductive case battery cells that are joined end-to-end in a series chain. The apparatus includes conductive leadframe elements partially encased in a plastic frame that engages the joined cells about their juncture, with portions of the lead-frame elements exposed to electrically contact the conductive cases of the cells. In a first embodiment, the plastic frame is in the form of a hinged clamp that closes about the juncture of the cells, and the lead-frame elements are routed to terminals formed on one end of the frame. In a second embodiment, the plastic frame and a connector are mounted on a printed circuit board and the leadframe elements in the plastic frame couple the battery cells to the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Lawrence, David L. Brown, Robert C. Beer, Jerry J. Wendling
  • Publication number: 20100203369
    Abstract: A bicycle battery connection system includes a battery data determination circuit, a battery data processing circuit and an adapter. The battery data determination circuit is electrically connected to one of the first-type battery having an MCU and a second-type battery without an MCU through the adapter for enabling battery data of the connected battery to be processed by the battery data processing circuit and outputted as battery status for display on a display device in front of the user and for further battery output control. Thus, either a first-type battery or a second-type battery can be used and detected for automatic matching, and therefore the battery connection system allows a bicycle to use any of different types of batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: J. D COMPONENTS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Charles Liang