Patents Assigned to Daramic LLC
  • Patent number: 12237534
    Abstract: A separator for a lead acid battery is a porous membrane having a positive electrode face and a negative electrode face. A plurality of longitudinally extending ribs, a plurality of protrusions or a nonwoven material may be disposed upon the positive electrode face. A plurality of transversely extending ribs are disposed upon the negative electrode face. The transverse ribs disposed upon the negative electrode face are preferably juxtaposed to a negative electrode of the lead acid battery, when the separator is placed within that battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: Daramic, LLC
    Inventors: Eric H. Miller, J. Kevin Whear
  • Patent number: 12230769
    Abstract: In accordance with at least selected embodiments, the present application or invention is directed to novel or improved porous membranes or substrates, separator membranes, separators, composites, electrochemical devices, batteries, methods of making such membranes or substrates, separators, and/or batteries, and/or methods of using such membranes or substrates, separators and/or batteries. In accordance with at least certain embodiments, the present application is directed to novel or improved porous membranes having a coating layer, battery separator membranes having a coating layer, separators, energy storage devices, batteries, including lead acid batteries including such separators, methods of making such membranes, separators, and/or batteries, and/or methods of using such membranes, separators and/or batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: Daramic, LLC
    Inventors: J. Kevin Whear, Ahila Krishnamoorthy, Susmitha Appikatla
  • Patent number: 12215228
    Abstract: In accordance with at least selected embodiments or aspects, the present invention is directed to improved, unique, and/or high performance ISS lead acid battery separators, such as improved ISS flooded lead acid battery separators, ISS batteries including such separators, methods of production, and/or methods of use. The preferred ISS separator may include negative cross ribs and/or PIMS minerals. In accordance with more particular embodiments or examples, a PIMS mineral (preferably fish meal, a bio-mineral) is provided as at least a partial substitution for the silica filler component in a silica filled lead acid battery separator (preferably a polyethylene/silica separator formulation). In accordance with at least selected embodiments, the present invention is directed to new or improved batteries, separators, components, and/or compositions having heavy metal removal capabilities and/or methods of manufacture and/or methods of use thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Daramic, LLC
    Inventors: J. Kevin Whear, John R. Timmons, Jeffrey K. Chambers, Tejas R. Shah
  • Patent number: 12176494
    Abstract: In accordance with at least selected embodiments, the present disclosure or invention is directed to improved battery separators, high conductance separators, improved lead-acid batteries, such as flooded lead-acid batteries, high conductance batteries, improved systems, and/or, improved vehicles including such batteries, and/or methods of manufacture or use of such separators or batteries, and/or combinations thereof. In accordance with at least certain embodiments, the present disclosure or invention is directed to improved lead acid batteries incorporating the improved separators and which exhibit increased conductance. Particular, non-limiting examples may include lead acid battery separators having structure or features designed to improve conductance, lower ER, lower water loss, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: Daramic, LLC
    Inventors: Eric H Miller, Nicholas R. Shelton, William L. Walter
  • Patent number: 12159976
    Abstract: A battery separator for a lead/acid battery is resistant to oxidation arising from the use of water or acid containing contaminants, for example chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), titanium (Ti), copper (Cu), and the like. The separator is a microporous membrane including a rubber. The rubber is no more than about 12% by weight of the separator. The rubber may be rubber latex, tire crumb, and combinations thereof. The rubber may be impregnated into the microporous membrane. The microporous membrane may be a microporous sheet of polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride, phenol-formaldehyde resins, cross-linked rubber, or nonwoven fibers. A method for preventing the oxidation and/or extending battery life of the separator is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignee: Daramic, LLC
    Inventors: Eric H. Miller, J. Kevin Whear, Jeffrey K. Chambers
  • Patent number: 12148951
    Abstract: A separator is provided with a novel construction and/or a combination of improved properties. Batteries, methods, and systems associated therewith are also provided. In certain embodiments, novel or improved separators, battery separators, enhanced flooded battery separators, batteries, cells, and/or methods of manufacture and/or use of such separators, battery separators, enhanced flooded battery separators, cells, and/or batteries are provided. In addition, there is disclosed herein methods, systems, and battery separators having a reduced ER, improved puncture strength, improved separator CMD stiffness, improved oxidation resistance, reduced separator thickness, reduced basis weight, and any combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: Daramic, LLC
    Inventors: J. Kevin Whear, Mohammed Naiha
  • Patent number: 12125988
    Abstract: In at least select embodiments, the instant disclosure is directed to new or improved battery separators, components, materials, additives, surfactants, lead acid batteries, systems, vehicles, and/or related methods of production and/or use. In at least certain embodiments, the instant disclosure is directed to surfactants or other additives for use with a battery separator for use in a lead acid battery, to battery separators with a surfactant or other additive, and/or to batteries including such separators. In at least certain select embodiments, the instant disclosure relates to new or improved lead acid battery separators and/or systems including improved water loss technology and/or methods of manufacture and/or use thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: Daramic, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey K. Chambers
  • Patent number: 12113237
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a separator is provided with a fibrous mat for retaining the active material on an electrode of a lead-acid battery. New or improved mats, separators, batteries, methods, and/or systems are also disclosed, shown, claimed, and/or provided. For example, in at least one possibly preferred embodiment, a composite separator is provided with a fibrous mat for retaining the active material on an electrode of a lead-acid battery. In at least one possibly particularly preferred embodiment, a PE membrane separator is provided with at least one fibrous mat for retaining the active material on an electrode of a lead-acid battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: Daramic, LLC
    Inventors: Eric H. Miller, Ahila Krishnamoorthy, James P. Perry, J. Kevin Whear
  • Patent number: 12113178
    Abstract: Improved battery separators are disclosed herein for use in various lead acid batteries, and in particular lead acid battery strings. The improved separators, batteries, battery strings, methods, and vehicles disclosed herein provide substantially increased battery life, substantially reduced battery fail rate, and substantially higher voltage uniformity among the various batteries in a battery string. The improved battery strings may be advantageously employed in high depth of discharge applications such as electric bicycles, golf carts (or golf cars), uninterrupted power supply (UPS) backup power battery strings, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: Daramic, LLC
    Inventors: Eric H. Miller, Yanxia Wu
  • Patent number: 12107275
    Abstract: The present disclosure or invention is directed to novel or improved separators for a variety of lead acid batteries and/or systems. In addition, exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are directed to novel or improved battery separators, separator profiles, separator and electrode assemblies incorporating the same, battery cells incorporating the same, batteries incorporating the same, systems incorporating the same, and/or methods of manufacturing and/or of using the same, and/or the like, and/or combinations thereof. For example, disclosed herein are exemplary embodiments of improved electrode plate and separator assemblies (400) for lead acid batteries, improved lead acid cells or batteries incorporating the improved assemblies, systems or vehicles incorporating the improved assemblies (400) and/or batteries (100), and methods related thereto. The electrode plate (200, 201) may have a grid (202) of a stamped, cast, or expanded metal manufacturing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Daramic, LLC
    Inventor: J. Kevin Whear
  • Patent number: 12087969
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are exemplary embodiments of improved separators for lead acid batteries, improved lead acid batteries incorporating the improved separators, and vehicles, devices, or systems incorporating the same. A lead acid battery separator is provided with a porous membrane with a plurality of ribs extending from a surface thereon. The plurality of ribs preferably includes both positive ribs and negative ribs having similar heights. The ribs are provided with a plurality of discontinuous peaks arranged such as to provide resilient support for the porous membrane in order to resist forces exerted by active material swelling and thus mitigate the effects of acid starvation associated with such swelling, and increasing the acid availability at the electrodes. A lead acid battery is further provided that incorporates the provided separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Daramic LLC
    Inventor: J. Kevin Whear
  • Patent number: 12051783
    Abstract: New or improved battery separators for lead-acid batteries that include a carbon or mineral additive applied to the separator. In possibly preferred embodiments, the battery separator may include engineered carbon materials applied to the battery separator to modify sulfate crystal formation while decreasing the detrimental consequences of excessive gas evolution into the negative electrode itself. In one embodiment, a method of enhancing the lead-acid energy storage performance of a lead-acid battery may include delivering carbon to the negative active material surface of the battery separator where the carbon may effectively enhance charge acceptance and improve life cycle performance of a lead-acid battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: Daramic, LLC
    Inventors: J. Kevin Whear, James P. Perry, Jeffrey K. Chambers, Larry A Spickard, John R. Timmons
  • Patent number: 12034181
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a separator is provided with a fibrous mat for retaining the active material on an electrode of a lead-acid battery. New or improved mats, separators, batteries, methods, and/or systems are also disclosed, shown, claimed, and/or provided. For example, in at least one possibly preferred embodiment, a composite separator is provided with a fibrous mat for retaining the active material on an electrode of a lead-acid battery. In at least one possibly particularly preferred embodiment, a PE membrane separator is provided with at least one fibrous mat for retaining the active material on an electrode of a lead-acid battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: Daramic, LLC
    Inventors: Eric H. Miller, Ahila Krishnamoorthy, James P. Perry, J. Kevin Whear
  • Patent number: 11996582
    Abstract: Improved battery separators, batteries, and systems, as well as methods relating thereto are disclosed herein for use in various lead acid batteries such as valve-regulated lead acid (VRLA) batteries that include one or more AGM layers. The improved battery separators described herein may provide a battery system with an advantage of a significantly decreased acid filling time and a significantly increased acid filling speed. Various improved batteries, methods and systems are described herein using such improved battery separators that increase acid filling speed and decrease acid filling time for a VRLA battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Daramic, LLC
    Inventors: Eric H Miller, Robert W. Saffel
  • Patent number: 11976197
    Abstract: In accordance with at least selected embodiments or aspects, the present invention is directed to improved, unique, and/or high performance ISS lead acid battery separators, such as improved ISS flooded lead acid battery separators, ISS batteries including such separators, methods of production, and/or methods of use. The preferred ISS separator may include negative cross ribs and/or PIMS minerals. In accordance with more particular embodiments or examples, a PIMS mineral (preferably fish meal, a bio-mineral) is provided as at least a partial substitution for the silica filler component in a silica filled lead acid battery separator (preferably a polyethylene/silica separator formulation). In accordance with at least selected embodiments, the present invention is directed to new or improved batteries, separators, components, and/or compositions having heavy metal removal capabilities and/or methods of manufacture and/or methods of use thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Daramic, LLC
    Inventors: J. Kevin Whear, John R. Timmons, Jeffrey K. Chambers, Tejas R. Shah
  • Patent number: 11942655
    Abstract: A separator for a lead acid battery is a porous membrane having a positive electrode face and a negative electrode face. A plurality of longitudinally extending ribs, a plurality of protrusions or a nonwoven material may be disposed upon the positive electrode face. A plurality of transversely extending ribs are disposed upon the negative electrode face. The transverse ribs disposed upon the negative electrode face are preferably juxtaposed to a negative electrode of the lead acid battery, when the separator is placed within that battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Daramic, LLC
    Inventors: Eric H. Miller, J. Kevin Whear
  • Patent number: 11942656
    Abstract: New, improved or optimized battery separators, components, batteries, industrial batteries, inverter batteries, batteries for heavy or light industrial applications, forklift batteries, float charged batteries, inverters, accumulators, systems, methods, profiles, additives, compositions, composites, mixes, coatings, and/or related methods of water retention, water loss prevention, improved charge acceptance, production, use, and/or combinations thereof are provided or disclosed. More particularly, the present invention is directed to one or more improved battery separators having various improvements that may result in decreased water loss for a battery in which such a separator is incorporated, enhanced charge acceptance, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Daramic, LLC
    Inventors: Surendra K. Mittal, Jeffrey K. Chambers, Jörg Deiters
  • Patent number: 11916252
    Abstract: New or improved lead acid batteries with vapor pressure barriers and/or improved battery separators, as well as systems, vehicles, and/or methods of manufacture and/or use thereof are disclosed herein. In at least select embodiments, the instant disclosure provides new or improved lead acid batteries with a vapor pressure barrier. In at least select embodiments, the instant disclosure provides new or improved lead acid battery vapor pressure barriers along with new or improved battery separators, and/or methods of manufacture and/or use thereof. In at least select embodiments, the instant disclosure provides a new or improved lead acid battery with a vapor pressure barrier that reduces the water loss from the battery. In at least select embodiments, a method of reducing the water loss of a lead acid battery may include providing a vapor pressure barrier, such as a layer of oil, inside the lead acid battery along with an improved battery separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Daramic, LLC
    Inventors: Margaret R. Roberts, Jeffrey K. Chambers, James Perry, J. Kevin Whear
  • Patent number: 11881593
    Abstract: New or improved lead acid batteries with vapor pressure barriers and/or improved battery separators, as well as systems, vehicles, and/or methods of manufacture and/or use thereof are disclosed herein. In at least select embodiments, the instant disclosure provides new or improved lead acid batteries with a vapor pressure barrier. In at least select embodiments, the instant disclosure provides new or improved lead acid battery vapor pressure barriers along with new or improved battery separators, and/or methods of manufacture and/or use thereof. In at least select embodiments, the instant disclosure provides a new or improved lead acid battery with a vapor pressure barrier that reduces the water loss from the battery. In at least select embodiments, a method of reducing the water loss of a lead acid battery may include providing a vapor pressure barrier, such as a layer of oil, inside the lead acid battery along with an improved battery separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Daramic, LLC
    Inventors: Margaret R. Roberts, Jeffrey K. Chambers, James Perry, J. Kevin Whear
  • Patent number: 11870041
    Abstract: Improved battery separators are disclosed herein for use in flooded lead-acid batteries, and in particular enhanced flooded lead-acid batteries. The improved separators disclosed herein provide for enhanced electrolyte mixing and substantially reduced acid stratification. The improved flooded lead-acid batteries may be advantageously employed in applications in which the battery remains in a partial state of charge, for instance in start/stop vehicle systems. Also, improved lead-acid batteries, such as flooded lead-acid batteries, improved systems that include a lead-acid battery and a battery separator, improved battery separators, improved vehicles including such systems, and/or methods of manufacture and/or use may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Daramic, LLC
    Inventors: Eric H. Miller, M. Neal Golovin, Ahila Krishnamoorthy, Matthew Howard, James P. Perry, J. Kevin Whear