Patents Assigned to Advanced Energy Technology
  • Patent number: 6746768
    Abstract: A thermal interface and a thermal interface as part of a thermal management system that comprises a heat source, and a cooling module. The heat source has an external surface; the thermal interface is a flexible graphite sheet article having two parallel planar surfaces, with the first planar surface of the thermal interface being in operative contact with the external surface of the heat source and the second planar surface being in contact with the cooling module. The graphite sheet contains oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Advanced Energy Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Greinke, Daniel W. Krassowski
  • Patent number: 6716381
    Abstract: A process for embossing a flexible graphite sheet, and the flexible graphite article produced thereby is presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Advanced Energy Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Jeremy Klug
  • Patent number: 6706400
    Abstract: A flexible graphite sheet exhibiting enhanced isotropy is provided. In addition, an apparatus, system and method for continuously producing a resin-impregnated flexible graphite sheet is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Advanced Energy Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Angelo Mercuri, Joseph Paul Capp, Michael Lee Warddrip, Thomas William Weber
  • Patent number: 6702970
    Abstract: Processes and systems to reduce sticking of graphite materials and particularly resin impregnated graphite materials to forming tools, such as an embossing roller, during a process of manufacturing articles from the graphite materials. In one embodiment, an aerosol spray non-stick material is intermittently sprayed upon the embossing rollers. In a second embodiment, one or more sheets of thin flexible solid non-stick material, such as polyethylene, are sandwiched between the graphite material and the embossing rollers. The system is particularly useful for manufacturing material useful in producing components of fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Advanced Energy Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Jeremy H. Klug
  • Patent number: 6673289
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing flexible sheets of expanded graphite material from recycled materials, comprising providing source materials in the form of flexible sheets of expanded graphite; comminuting the source materials into particles; re-expanding the particles; and preparing a mat from the re-expanded particles. Also described herein is a process of manufacturing a graphite material comprising grinding a cured resin impregnated graphite material into particles; removing at least part of the resin from the particles; and expanding the resin removed particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Advanced Energy Technology inc.
    Inventors: Robert Anderson Reynolds, III, Julian Norley, Ronald Alfred Greinke
  • Patent number: 6673284
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexible graphite sheet having increased isotropic properties. More particularly, the present invention relates to a flexible graphite sheet formed from particles of expanded natural graphite formed from graphite flake sized no more than about 30% by weight +80 mesh prior to expansion. The resulting sheet of flexible graphite exhibits improved conductive and fluid sealing properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Advanced Energy Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Angelo Mercuri, Jeffrey John Gough, Ronald Alfred Greinke
  • Patent number: 6669919
    Abstract: A method for providing intercalated graphite flake with improved exfoliation characteristics, specifically, improved expansion pressure, is presented. The method includes treating graphite flakes with an oxidizing intercalant solution to provide intercalated graphite flakes; washing the intercalated graphite flakes; and adding a surfactant to the washed graphite flakes. The invention also includes the intercalated graphite flakes thusly prepared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Advanced Energy Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald Alfred Greinke
  • Patent number: 6663807
    Abstract: Processes are provided for formation of complex shapes by embossing of a sheet of flexible graphite material. In one approach, a sheet of material is provided with a variable resin concentration across its width, and the position of the variable resin concentration is correlated with the position of embossing features which will result in thinner areas in the embossed articles. In a second approach, recesses are provided in the embossing rollers to accommodate material flow during embossing. These recesses result in protrusions formed on the articles, which protrusions must then be removed in a machining operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Advanced Energy Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Jeremy H. Klug
  • Patent number: 6620506
    Abstract: Fluid permeable graphite article in the form of a perforated flexible graphite sheet having increased electrical and thermal conductivity transverse to the surfaces of the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Advanced Energy Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Angelo Mercuri, Thomas William Weber, Michael Lee Warddrip
  • Patent number: 6613252
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing material suitable for the construction of a component of a fuel cell, such as a flow field plate or electrode. Uncured resin impregnated flexible graphite sheet is ground into particles. Without re-expanding the particles, and without adding further resin to the particles, the particles are molded into the form of the desired material. The material is then cured. Additives may be mixed with the particles to improve the properties of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Advanced Energy Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Julian Norley, Michael Lee Warddrip, Daniel Witold Krassowski, Robert Angelo Mercuri
  • Patent number: 5368958
    Abstract: Lithium based electrical cells having a new anode electrode construction are described. The cells have a sandwich construction of lithium sheet, conductive foil and lithium sheet, wherein the anode tab is welded directly onto the conductive foil not onto the lithium. Alternatively, the tab is connected onto the lithium in an area where the lithium does not dissolve during discharge, so that the tab will not become disconnected from the anode sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: Advanced Energy Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: Toshiro Hirai, Jun-ichi Yamaki
  • Patent number: 5278005
    Abstract: An anode material for use in lithium based electrical cells is described. The anode material comprises a fine and uniform dispersion of second phase particles in lithium. The particles have an average particle size from about 0.5 .mu.M to about 40 .mu.M and are present at a concentration ranging from about 0.1 At % to about 10 At %. The anode material exhibits a reduction in dentrite and mossy Li formation, while maintaining the necessary mechanical properties of the material for easy working. The new anode demonstrates excellent cell performance and thermal stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: Advanced Energy Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Goro Yamauchi, Fred Laman, Kunio Moriya
  • Patent number: 5270134
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electrolyte for use in a secondary lithium battery comprising (i) vanadium oxide-based cathode active material having a molar ratio of oxygen to vanadium between two and three, (ii) an anode active material selected from the group consisting of lithium, lithium ion dischargeable alloys, lithium ion dischargeable intercalation or insertion compounds, and (iii) an electrolyte solution of lithium salt(s) dissolved in a mixed organic solvent. The organic solvent is a mixture of three kinds of solvents, namely ethylene carbonate (EC), propylene carbonate (PC) and 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (2MeTHF) in the following ratio:EC (x)PC(y)2MeTHF(z)where x, y and z are volumetric mixing percentages of each solvent, and x+y+z=100, x<y, z<y and x+y>50 (or z<50). The resultant secondary lithium battery has a good charge-discharge cycle life and is safe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Advanced Energy Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Shin-Ichi Tobishima, Kunio Moriya
  • Patent number: 5200141
    Abstract: An improvement is set forth in a thermionic fuel element which includes a collector base supporting a collector adjacent and closely spaced from an emitter which is supported by an emitter base, the emitter base being adapted to be heated by a heat source. In accordance with the invention a thermal shield structure is located between a portion of the emitter and the collector. The shield structure insulates that portion of the collector opposite the shield structure from receiving at least a portion of the radiation developed by the heat source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Advanced Energy Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary O. Fitzpatrick
  • Patent number: 4252103
    Abstract: In a solar heating panel, the panel includes a plate-like solar collector having a serpentine shaped fluid conduit soldered to the plate collector in heat exchange relation therewith. Laterally directed manifolds are provided at opposite ends of the collector and are coupled in fluid communication with the serpentine flow path for coupling a plurality of such solar heating panels in parallel across a manifold structure. The panels include frame structures having a pair of elongated side frame members closed at opposite ends by means of end members with the side and end members having slots formed therein in registration one with the other such that when the side members are mated to the end members, the slots are in registration to define the side ports in the frame for passage therethrough of said manifold conduits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1981
    Assignee: Advanced Energy Technology
    Inventors: Melvin K. Carter, Fredric Nadel