Patents Represented by Attorney Michael F. Scalise
  • Patent number: 6607861
    Abstract: Lithium electrochemical cells having a sandwich cathode electrode of SVO/CFx/SVO active materials are described. Such a design improves the service life of defibrillator electrochemical cells. A preferred formulation uses &ggr;-SVO/CFx/&ggr;-SVO or (&ggr;+&egr;)-SVO/CFx/(&ggr;+&egr;)-SVO sandwiched cathode electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong Gan, Esther S. Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 6605385
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell of either a primary or a secondary chemistry, is described. In either case, the cell has a negative electrode of lithium or of an anode material which is capable of intercalating and de-intercalating lithium coupled with a positive electrode of a cathode active material. A carbonate compound is mixed with either the anode material or the cathode active material prior to contact with its current collector. The resulting electrode couple is activated by a nonaqueous electrolyte. The electrolyte flows into and throughout the electrodes causing the carbonate additive to dissolve in the electrolyte. The carbonate solute is then able to contact the lithium to provide an electrically insulating and ionically conducting passivation layer thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong Gan, Esther S. Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 6593028
    Abstract: A casing having substantially parallel side walls connected by a curved end wall receives a cathode electrode having substantially parallel opposed side walls connected by end walls. The cathode electrode is enclosed by a separator envelope that substantially conforms to an upper surface of the electrode. Accordingly, along the perimeter of the electrode the separator has a non-uniform spacing with respect to the edges of the electrode. The upper surface of the separator is disposed in a relatively closely spaced relationship with the electrode proximate the header and lid where welding takes place. At the opposite end of the cathode electrode there is space inside the casing that provides for electrode swelling. Since no welding operations take place there, the separator is provided in a relatively loose relationship with respect to the cathode to accommodate swelling during discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventor: Richard McCormick
  • Patent number: 6593029
    Abstract: In primary cells, the addition of gaseous carbon dioxide to the nonaqueous electrolyte has beneficial effects in terms of minimizing or eliminating voltage delay and reducing Rdc build-up when the cell is subjected to pulse current discharge conditions. For secondary systems, carbon dioxide provided in the electrolyte benefits cycling efficiency. The problem is that carbon dioxide readily degases from an electrolyte prepared under an ambient atmosphere. To prevent this, the carbon dioxide-containing electrolyte is prepared and stored in a carbon dioxide atmosphere. Also, the thusly prepared electrolyte is filed into the casing in a carbon dioxide-containing atmosphere. This prevents degassing of the additive from the electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: David M. Spillman, Hong Gan, Esther S. Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 6594139
    Abstract: An electrode component for an electrochemical cell or a capacitor is described wherein the electrode is produced by physical vapor depositing an electrode active material onto a substrate to coat the substrate. The thusly produced electrode is useful as a cathode in a primary electrochemical cell and as a cathode and an anode in a secondary cell, and as an electrode in an electrochemical capacitor and an electrolytic capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Barry C. Muffoletto, Ashish Shah, Neal N. Nesselbeck
  • Patent number: 6586131
    Abstract: An alkali metal secondary electrochemical cell, and preferably a lithium ion cell, provided with a removable gas relief valve, is described. The gas release valve is positioned on the casing, in fluid flow communication between the inside thereof and the exterior. This gas release valve serves to eliminate cell gases that build up inside the casing during the cell's formation stage. Once the lithium-ion cell has completed formation, the gas release valve is removed and replaced with a hermetic closure. Removal of the gas release valve and sealing of the cell takes place in an environment in which no outside gas is capable of being introduced inside the casing. The cell can also be provided in a tank filled with inert gas and a filter which separates the cell gas from the inert gas. When cell formation is completed, the cell hermetically sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Paul Hallifax, Tina L. Urso, David M. Spillman, Bruce Meyer
  • Patent number: 6586135
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell of either a primary or a secondary chemistry, is described. In either case, the cell has a negative electrode of lithium or of an anode material which is capable of intercalating and de-intercalating lithium coupled with a positive electrode of a cathode active material. A dicarbonate compound is mixed with either the anode material or the cathode active material prior to contact with its current collector. The resulting electrode couple is activated by a nonaqueous electrolyte. The electrolyte flows into and throughout the electrodes causing the dicarbonate additive to dissolve in the electrolyte. The dicarbonate solute is then able to contact the lithium to provide an electrically insulating and ionically conducting passivation layer thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbach Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong Gan, Esther S. Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 6586134
    Abstract: The present invention provides a new process for attaching the anode lead to the battery case, creating a case negative design. The anode lead is an extension of the anode current collector and is nested between the case and the lid. Excess lead material is ground or cut off and the case to lid seal is achieved by laser/electron beam welding. The new procedure enhances the hermicity of the cell and the new process is applicable to a number of additional applications. This includes primary lithium batteries, implantable batteries, lithium based rechargeable cells, also acid or alkaline based batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventor: John Skoumpris
  • Patent number: 6582545
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the realization that the dimensions and basis weight of an electrode active admixture such as a transition metal oxide, and particularly silver vanadium oxide, formed into an electrode structure from an admixture paste subjected to a calendering process are influenced by the calender direction. To obtain electrode structures of a desired low basis weight requires a secondary calendering step performed in a direction reverse or orthogonal to that used to form the initial sheet tape. Orthogonal or reverse feed of the electrode active admixture provides for fibrillation of the fluoro-polymeric binder in other than the initial direction. This lets the binder spread in directions transverse to the initial direction to form the low basis weight electrode active structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: William C. Thiebolt, III, Douglas P. Eberhard, Jeffrey C. Grisante
  • Patent number: 6569562
    Abstract: alkali metal electrochemical cell capable of discharge at elevated pressure and temperature is described. To help increase the cell's pressure tolerance, the cell header has an internal groove surrounding the glass-to-metal seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: David M. Spillman, Christine A. Frysz, Harvey A. Hornung, II, Esther S. Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 6566007
    Abstract: A single phase silver vanadium oxide prepared from a mixture of a decomposable silver salt and vanadium oxide first heated at about 2° C. to about 40° C. above the decomposition temperature of the mixture followed by a second heating in a temperature range of about 490° C. to about 520° C. is described. The silver vanadium oxide material is coupled with a lithium anode and activated with a nonaquecus electrolyte to provide an improved high energy density electrochemical cell having increased pulse voltages and a reduction in voltage delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Esther S. Takeuchi, Randolph A. Leising
  • Patent number: 6562515
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell of either a primary or a secondary chemistry, is described. In either case, the cell has a negative electrode of lithium or of an anode material which is capable of intercalating and de-intercalating lithium coupled with a positive electrode of a cathode active material. A nitrate compound is mixed with either the anode material or the cathode active material prior to contact with its current collector. The resulting electrode couple is activated by a nonaqueous electrolyte. The electrolyte flows into and throughout the electrodes causing the nitrate additive to dissolve in the electrolyte. The nitrate solute is then able to contact the lithium to provide an electrically insulating and ionically conducting passivation layer thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong Gan, Esther S. Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 6558845
    Abstract: The present invention is related to an electrochemical cell comprising an anode of a Group IA metal and a cathode of a mixed phase metal oxide prepared from a combination of starting materials comprising vanadium oxide and a mixture of at least one of a decomposable silver-containing constituent and a decomposable copper-containing constituent. The starting materials are mixed together to form a homogeneous admixture that is not further mixed once decomposition heating begins to form the product active material. The present cathode material is particularly useful for implantable medical applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch, Ltd.
    Inventors: Randolph A. Leising, Esther S. Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 6551747
    Abstract: A new sandwich cathode design having a second cathode active material of a relatively high energy density but of a relatively low rate capability sandwiched between two current collectors and with a first cathode active material having a relatively low energy density but of a relatively high rate capability in contact with the opposite sides of the two current collectors, is described. The present cathode design is useful for powering an implantable medical device requiring a high rate discharge application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventor: Hong Gan
  • Patent number: 6541158
    Abstract: Cobalt-based alloys are provided for use as a positive electrode current collector in a solid cathode, nonaqueous liquid electrolyte, alkali metal anode active electrochemical cell. The cobalt-based alloys are characterized by chemical compatibility with aggressive cell environments, high corrosion resistance and resistance to fluorination and passivation at elevated temperatures, thus improving the longevity and performance of the electrochemical cell. The cell can be of either a primary or a secondary configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Christine A. Frysz, Sally Ann Smesko, Peter A. Kreidler, W. Richard Brown, Esther S. Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 6537698
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell of either a primary or a secondary chemistry, is described. In either case, the cell has a negative electrode of lithium or of an anode material which is capable of intercalating and de-intercalating lithium coupled with a positive electrode of a cathode active material. A phosphonate compound is mixed with either the anode material or the cathode active material prior to contact with its current collector. The resulting electrode couple is activated by a non-aqueous electrolyte. The electrolyte flows into and throughout the electrodes causing the phosphonate additive to dissolve in the electrolyte. The phosphonate solute is then able to contact the lithium to provide an electrically insulating and ionically conducting passivation layer thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong Gan, Esther S. Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 6528207
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell of either a primary or a secondary chemistry, is described. In either case, the cell has a negative electrode of lithium or of an anode material which is capable of intercalating and de-intercalating lithium coupled with a positive electrode of a cathode active material. A nitrite compound is mixed with either the anode material or the cathode active material prior to contact with its current collector. The resulting electrode couple is activated by a non-aqueous electrolyte. The electrolyte flows into and throughout the electrodes causing the nitrite compound to dissolve in the electrolyte. The nitrite solute is then able to contact the lithium to provide an electrically insulating and ionically conducting passivation layer thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong Gan, Esther S. Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 6511772
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell of either a primary or a secondary chemistry, is described. In either case, the cell has a negative electrode of lithium or of an anode material which is capable of intercalating and de-intercalating lithium coupled with a positive electrode of a cathode active material. A phosphate compound is mixed with either the anode material or the cathode active material prior to contact with its current collector. The resulting electrode couple is activated by a non-aqueous electrolyte. The electrolyte flows into and throughout the electrodes causing the phosphate compound to dissolve in the electrolyte. The phosphate solute is then able to contact the lithium to provide an electrically insulating and ionically conducting passivation layer thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong Gan, Esther S. Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 6508901
    Abstract: A system and method for cutting and heat sealing polypropylene film and/or other separator material around individually shaped cathode, anode or other active components, for use in a battery or capacitor and/or other implantable medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert D. Miller, Raymond S. Konopa
  • Patent number: 6495285
    Abstract: A lithium ion electrochemical cell having high charge/discharge capacity, long cycle life and exhibiting a reduced first cycle irreversible capacity, is described. The stated benefits are realized by the addition of at least one phosphonate additive having the formula (R1O)P(═O) (OR2) (R3) provided in the electrolyte. In the phosphonate formula, R3 is a hydrogen atom and wherein at least one, but not both, of R1 and R2 is a hydrogen atom and the other of R1 and R2 is an organic group containing 1 to 13 carbon atoms. Or, at least one of R1 and R2 is an organic group containing at least 3 carbon atoms and having an sp or sp2 hybridized carbon atom bonded to an sp3 hybridized carbon atom bonded to the oxygen atom bonded to the phosphorous atom, or at least one of R1 and R2 is an unsaturated inorganic group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong Gan, Esther S. Takeuchi