Patents Assigned to Hydro-Quebec
  • Publication number: 20190157679
    Abstract: This application describes an electrode material comprising particles of an electrochemically active material dispersed in a polymer binder, where the polymer binder is an acidic polymer or a mixture comprising a binder soluble in an aqueous solvent or a non-aqueous solvent (e.g. NMP) and an acidic polymer. The application also further relates to processes for the preparation of the electrode material and electrodes containing the material, as well as to the electrochemical cells and their use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Applicants: HYDRO-QUÉBEC, SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe DAIGLE, Yuichiro ASAKAWA, Shinichi UESAKA, Karim ZAGHIB
  • Publication number: 20190137592
    Abstract: The disclosed method corrects consumption measurements provided by meters presumed to be connected to a same network. The measurements taken by the meters at time intervals are collected in a form of samples used to determine electrical quantities in relation with currents and voltages relating to the meters. A selection of a group of retained samples among the samples considered to be valid, corresponding to a load range or a range of load variation ratio carried by the network based on the electrical quantities is performed. Correction functions of the consumption measurements are defined from the group of retained samples, and the consumption measurements are adapted according to the correction functions. An anomaly corresponding to an electrical non-compliance of a meter can be detected by the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Applicant: Hydro-Québec
    Inventors: François LÉONARD, Arnaud ZINFLOU, Mathieu VIAU, Alexandre BOUFFARD
  • Publication number: 20190103632
    Abstract: There is provided a use, in an electrolyte for a battery, of an additive which comprises at least one organocatalyst. Also, there is provided a method of preventing the contact between the anode and residual water in a battery and/or reducing the level of gas in a battery. Moreover, there is provided electrolyte for a battery, comprising an additive which comprises at least one organocatalyst. Moreover, there is provided a battery comprising an electrolyte which comprises an additive which comprises at least one organocatalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Applicants: HYDRO-QUÉBEC, MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe DAIGLE, Shinichi UESAKA, Yuichiro ASAKAWA, Karim ZAGHIB
  • Publication number: 20190081367
    Abstract: Process for the purification of an ionic electrolyte including at least one alkali metal salt, the process having at least one stage in which particles of at least one calcium salt are brought into contact. The process makes it possible to obtain electrolytes characterized in particular by particularly low water content. The corresponding electrochemical generators which incorporate the electrolyte as constituent component are characterized by a noteworthy stability and are particularly safe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Applicant: HYDRO-QUEBEC
    Inventors: Karim ZAGHIB, Jocelyn Jalbert, Abdelbast GUERFI, Christophe MICHOT, Michel GAUTHIER, Martin DONTIGNY, Patrick CHAREST
  • Publication number: 20190067688
    Abstract: This application describes electrode materials and methods of producing them, the materials containing particles having a core-shell structure, wherein the shell of the core-shell particles comprises a polymer, the polymer being grafted on the surface of the core particle by covalent bonds. Electrodes and electrochemical cells containing these electrode materials are also contemplated, as well as their use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Applicants: HYDRO-QUÉBEC, SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe D'AIGLE, Yuichiro ASAKAWA, Shinichi UESAKA, Karim ZAGHIB, Mélanie BEAUPRÉ
  • Publication number: 20190048281
    Abstract: Polymers used as rolling lubricating agents, to compositions including said polymers, and to alkali metal films including the polymers or compositions on the surface(s) thereof. The use of said polymers and compositions is also described for strip-rolling alkali metals or alloys thereof in order to obtain thin films. Methods for producing said thin films, which are suitable for use in electrochemical cells, are also described. An improved lubricant according to formula I, which, for example, achieves enhanced conductivity, and/or enables the production of electrochemical cells having an improved life span in cycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Applicant: HYDRO-QUEBEC
    Inventors: Karim Zaghib, Michel Armand, Patrick Bouchard, Serge Verreault, Julie Hamel-Påquet, Gabriel Girard
  • Patent number: 10193145
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of carbon-coated particles, where the particles include an electrochemically active material. The process includes the steps of emulsion polymerization, drying and thermally treating the polymer to obtain a nano-layer of carbon on the particles, where the carbon layer includes fibers and nitrogen-containing polyaromatics have a graphene-like structure. Also, the particles produced by the method as well as to electrode materials, electrodes and electrochemical cells including the particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignees: HYDRO-QUEBEC, MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe Daigle, Yuichiro Asakawa, Shinichi Uesaka, Karim Zaghib
  • Patent number: 10181621
    Abstract: An electrode including an electrode material of the same type as electrode materials used in Li-ion batteries and a dye is provided. The electrode may further include a semiconductor material. The electrode is used in the manufacture of a battery that is rechargeable using light. Method of manufacturing an electrode, including the following steps: (a) preparing a film including an electrode material of the same type as electrode materials used in Li-ion batteries; and (b) bringing into contact the film and a solution including a photosensitive dye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: HYDRO-QUEBEC
    Inventors: Andrea Paolella, Cyril Faure, Abdelbast Guerfi, Pierre Hovington, Karim Zaghib
  • Publication number: 20180356449
    Abstract: There is proposed a computer-implemented method for automatic correction of a topology of a smart network that uses the information contained in the voltage measurements provided by smart meters in order to determine which meter is connected to which transformer. The method starts from an initial topology and divides up the meters into first and second batches for each transformer. Successive reallocations of meters in the second batches are made according to similarities with average voltages calculated and corrected from the first batches of meters. The method proceeds by iterations until there remain no more meters attributable to other transformers and updates the topology so that its evolution at a given time be readable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Applicant: HYDRO-QUÉBEC
    Inventors: François LÉONARD, Arnaud ZINFLOU
  • Patent number: 10144674
    Abstract: A method for preparing a ceramic from an inorganic base material in the form of a powder with a high boiling point, including a step in which the powder of the inorganic base material is mixed with a second inorganic component which is also in powder form and which serves as a dopant for the inorganic base material. The dopant comprises a single inorganic material or a mixture of at least two inorganic materials that have a dopant effect on the inorganic base material. The method also includes a sintering step performed at a high temperature. Owing to the high density thereof, the resulting ceramics are suitable for use as a target element. The films and electrodes obtained from said ceramics have particularly beneficial properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: HYDRO-QUEBEC
    Inventors: Guy Campet, Iyad Saadeddin, Karim Zaghib
  • Patent number: 10147978
    Abstract: Process for the purification of an ionic electrolyte comprising at least one alkali metal salt, the process having at least one stage in which particles of at least one calcium salt are brought into contact. The process makes it possible to obtain electrolytes characterized in particular by a particularly low water content. The corresponding electrochemical generators which incorporate the electrolyte as constituent component are characterized by a noteworthy stability and are particularly safe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: HYDRO-QUEBEC
    Inventors: Karim Zaghib, Jocelyn Jalbert, Abdelbast Guerfi, Christophe Michot, Michel Gauthier, Martin Dontigny, Patrick Charest
  • Publication number: 20180316058
    Abstract: A metallic lithium rechargeable electrochemical accumulator, including at least one lithium metal electrode and at least one polymeric electrolyte gel. The accumulator is capable of operating at temperatures from ?20 to 60° C., essentially without formation of lithium dendrites on the whole surface of the metallic lithium electrode. The above is also wherein a particularly long life, even with intensive use at low temperature. The rechargeable accumulator can be produced by use of a production method with particular application of temperature control during the specific production stages. As a result of the extremely high electrochemical performance of said accumulator, in particular the remarkable stability thereof, the accumulator can be used in new application fields such as hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles and emergency supply systems such as those of the UPS type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Applicant: HYDRO-QUEBEC
    Inventors: Karim ZAGHIB, Michel PERRIER, Abdelbast GUERFI, Elizabeth DUPUIS, Patrick CHAREST
  • Patent number: 10106758
    Abstract: The present invention relates to polymers used as rolling lubricating agents, to compositions comprising said polymers, and to alkali metal films including the polymers or compositions on the surface(s) thereof. The use of said polymers and compositions is also described for strip-rolling alkali metals or alloys thereof in order to obtain thin films. Methods for producing said thin films, which are suitable for use in electrochemical cells, are also described. The present invention proposes an improved lubricant according to formula I, which, for example, achieves enhanced conductivity, and/or enables the production of electrochemical cells having an improved life span in cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: HYDRO-QUEBEC
    Inventors: Karim Zaghib, Michel Armand, Patrick Bouchard, Serge Verreault, Julie Hamel-Påquet, Gabriel Girard
  • Publication number: 20180287155
    Abstract: A positive-electrode material for a lithium secondary battery. The material includes a lithium oxide compound or a complex oxide as reactive substance. The material also includes at least one type of carbon material, and optionally a binder. A first type of carbon material is provided as a coating on the reactive substance particles surface. A second type of carbon material is carbon black. And a third type of carbon material is a fibrous carbon material provided as a mixture of at least two types of fibrous carbon material different in fiber diameter and/or fiber length. Also, a method for preparing the material as well as lithium secondary batteries including the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicants: Hydro-Quebec, SEI Corporation
    Inventors: Karim ZAGHIB, Abdelbast GUERFI, Pierre HOVINGTON, Takehiko SAWAI, Shinji SAITO, Kazunori URAO
  • Patent number: 10090525
    Abstract: A positive-electrode material for a lithium secondary battery. The material includes a lithium oxide compound or a complex oxide as reactive substance. The material also includes at least one type of carbon material, and optionally a binder. A first type of carbon material is provided as a coating on the reactive substance particles surface. A second type of carbon material is carbon black. And a third type of carbon material is a fibrous carbon material provided as a mixture of at least two types of fibrous carbon material different in fiber diameter and/or fiber length. Also, a method for preparing the material as well as lithium secondary batteries including the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignees: HYDRO-QUEBEC, SEI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Karim Zaghib, Abdelbast Guerfi, Pierre Hovington, Takehiko Sawai, Shinji Saito, Kazunori Urao
  • Publication number: 20180277840
    Abstract: The present application describes a process for the preparation of titanium-based compounds having an anatase type structure with cationic vacancies arising from a partial substitution of oxygen atoms by fluorine atoms and hydroxyl groups. Electrochemically active materials comprising the titanium-based compounds for use in lithium-ion battery electrodes are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Applicants: HYDRO-QUÉBEC, UNIVERSITÉ PIERRE ET MARIE CURIE (PARIS 6), CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE
    Inventors: Damien DAMBOURNET, Wei LI, Henri GROULT, Sandrine LECLERC, Christian JULIEN, Karim ZAGHIB
  • Patent number: 10050270
    Abstract: A lithium-ion secondary battery including positive and negative electrodes, a separator element, an electrical conductor element and a binder, wherein the positive electrode includes a lithium-containing metal phosphate compound coated with a carbon material having at least one phase selected from a graphene phase and an amorphous phase, and further includes carbon black and a fibrous carbon material and wherein the negative-electrode material includes a graphite carbon material having at least one carbon phase selected from a graphene phase and an amorphous phase, and further includes carbon black and a fibrous carbon material, and wherein the binder includes a water-soluble synthetic resin or a water-dispersible synthetic resin. The most preferred positive electrode includes LiFePO4, The most preferred negative electrode includes artificial graphite or graphitazable powder. The most preferred binder is carboxyl methyl cellulose further including a surface active agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: HYDRO-QUEBEC
    Inventors: Karim Zaghib, Shinji Saito, Abdelbast Guerfi, Takehiko Sawai, Kazunori Urao, Jun Nakagawa, Francis Barray, Joël Fréchette
  • Publication number: 20180155513
    Abstract: An aprotic polymer/molten salt ternary mixture solvent and to a corresponding quaternary mixture additionally including an ionic conducting salt, which are prepared by mixing the constituents of the mixture. These mixtures are advantageously used in the preparation of electrochemical membranes, electrochemical systems and of electrochromic systems. Also, electrochemical and electrochromic systems obtained hereby that exhibit, in particular, excellent electrochemical properties at low temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Applicant: HYDRO-QUÉBEC
    Inventors: Karim ZAGHIB, Patrick CHAREST, Abdelbast GUERFI, Michel DONTIGNY, Michel PETICLERC
  • Publication number: 20180138512
    Abstract: Described is a method or process for modifying the surface of carbon-coated electrochemically active materials such as complex oxides like olivine-type cathode materials. For instance, the surface of the carbon-coated powder material is modified to increase its hydrophobic characteristics. Also, specific groups may be grafted on the carbon surface of cathode material using the diazonium chemistry, for instance, by the spontaneous grafting of aryl ions generated in situ by the diazotization of an arylamine compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Applicants: HYDRO-QUÉBEC, TRANSFERT PLUS, S.E.C.
    Inventors: Daniel BÉLANGER, Nicolas DELAPORTE, Karim ZAGHIB
  • Patent number: 9972865
    Abstract: The invention relates to a metallic lithium rechargeable electrochemical accumulator, comprising at least one lithium metal electrode and at least one polymeric electrolyte gel. Said accumulator is capable of operating at temperatures from ?20 to 60° C., essentially without formation of lithium dendrites on the whole surface of the metallic lithium electrode. The above is also wherein a particularly long life, even with intensive use at low temperature. Said inventive rechargeable accumulator can be produced by use of a production method with particular application of temperature control during the specific production stages. As a result of the extremely high electrochemical performance of said accumulator, in particular the remarkable stability thereof, said accumulator can be used in new application fields such as hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles and emergency supply systems such as those of the UPS type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: HYDRO-QUEBEC
    Inventors: Karim Zaghib, Michel Perrier, Abdelbast Guerfi, Elizabeth Dupuis, Patrick Charest