Patents Assigned to Saft
  • Patent number: 9159976
    Abstract: A container for a sealed secondary cell containing an electrode plate group is provided comprising a wall forming a base (2) in electrically conducting material, the base comprising a peripheral portion (2a), a closure member portion (2b) and a weakened portion (2c) joining the peripheral portion (2a) to the closure member portion and designed to rupture in the presence of an excess pressure inside the container. An electrically insulating ring member (4) is mounted on the peripheral portion to support the electrode plate group, and the container includes an electrically conducting flexible connection part (3), electrically connected to the closure member portion (2b) and to the electrode plate group, in which, in the presence of an excess pressure leading to rupturing of the weakened portion, the connection part guides the closure member portion to a position after rupture which is substantially parallel to its position prior to rupture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: SAFT GROUPE SA
    Inventors: Gerard Rigobert, Luc Mermillod-Blondin
  • Patent number: 9105902
    Abstract: A device for aiding in the fracture of a vent of an electrochemical cell includes a main body having a first surface and a plurality of lobes extending out from the first surface of the main body such that an open space is provided between adjacent lobes. Each of the plurality of lobes are configured to make contact with the vent during deployment of the vent such that the vent completely separates from a bottom of the electrochemical cell. The open space provided between adjacent lobes is configured to allow gases from inside the electrochemical cell to pass through during deployment of the vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Controls-SAFT Advanced Power Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Matt Tyler, Jason Fuhr
  • Patent number: 9099715
    Abstract: A sealed accumulator container (2) intended to contain an electrochemical bundle (9), the container comprising a wall forming a bottom (3) in an electrically conducting material comprising: a peripheral portion (3a), a cap (3c), an embrittled portion (3b) delimiting the cap, joining the peripheral portion to the cap, adapted so as to break upon overpressure inside the container, in which container is positioned an electrically conducting deformable membrane (10) electrically connecting electrodes of same polarity of an electrochemical bundle to the cap, and in which container, overpressure causes deformation of the membrane, this deformation causing failure of the embrittled portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: SAFT
    Inventors: Gérard Rigobert, Luc Mermillod-Blondin, Florian Gaulet
  • Publication number: 20150214547
    Abstract: A compound of formula Li4+xMnM1aM2bOc wherein: M1 is selected from the group consisting in Ni, Mn, Co, Fe and a mixture thereof; M2 is selected from the group consisting in Si, Ti, Mo, B, Al and a mixture thereof; with: ?1.2?x?3; 0<a?2.5; 0?b?1.5; 4.3?c?10; and c=4+a+n·b+x/2 wherein n=2 when M2 is selected from the group consisting in Si, Ti, Mo or a mixture thereof; and n=1.5 when M2 is selected from the group consisting in B, Al or a mixture thereof; and n=0 if b=0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Applicants: SAFT, UMICORE
    Inventors: Christian Jordy, Georges Caillon, Thierry Hezeque, Stephane Levasseur, Nina V. Kosova, Evgeniya T. Devyatkina
  • Publication number: 20150140419
    Abstract: A Lithium-Ion monoblock battery assembly including a housing having a cavity for receiving an electrode assembly. Also including a cover sealingly attached to the housing, and a bussing integrally molded with at least one of the housing and the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: SAFT GROUPE SA
    Inventors: Michael C. DUFFIELD, Daniel E. KELLEY, Gerard RIGOBERT, Alexandre BEUGNON
  • Publication number: 20150140418
    Abstract: A monoblock battery assembly including an electrode assembly having at least one positive electrode, at least one negative electrode, one or more insulative sheets between the at least one positive electrode and the at least one negative electrode, and an outermost insulative layer which substantially encases the at least one positive electrode, the at least one negative electrode, and the one or more insulative sheets. A housing having a cavity for receiving the electrode assembly is provided and a cover is sealingly attached to the housing. A bussing is electrically connected to the at least one positive electrode and the at least one negative electrode of the electrode assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: SAFT GROUPE SA
    Inventors: Michael C. Duffield, Matthew C. BLOSS, Bjorn MARLID
  • Publication number: 20150115736
    Abstract: A battery system may include a plurality of battery modules connected in series. A battery module of the plurality of battery modules may include a cell stack array, a first solid state switch and a second solid state switch arranged in a half bridge configuration and configured to operate in a complementary fashion, and a solid state driver connected to both gates of the first solid state switch and second solid state switch and configured to turn on and off the first solid state switch and the second solid state switch. Further, the cell stack array is configured to be active when the first solid state switch is on and the second solid state switch is off, and configured to be bypassed when the first solid state switch is off and the second solid state switch is on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: SAFT S.A.
    Inventor: James G. SNYDER
  • Patent number: 8999582
    Abstract: A composition including (a) a lithiated oxide of transition metals containing at least nickel, cobalt and aluminum and (b) a lithiated phosphate of at least one transition metal, the surface of which is at least partially covered by a layer of carbon. In the composition, the proportion by mass of the lithiated oxide of transition metals containing at least nickel, cobalt and aluminum is less than or equal to 10% of the weight of the composition, and the proportion by mass of the lithiated phosphate of at least one transition metal is greater than or equal to 90% of the weight of the composition. A lithium-ion or lithium-polymer type accumulator including at least one positive electrode containing this composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: SAFT Groupe SA
    Inventors: Cecile Tessier, Julien Breger, Olivier Jan, Philippe Biensan, Bridget Deveney, Kamen Nechev
  • Patent number: 8999538
    Abstract: A battery module having sealed vent chamber includes a plurality of electrochemical cells each having a vent at an end thereof. The module also includes a structure defining a chamber and comprising a plurality of sockets, each socket configured to receive one of the plurality of electrochemical cells such that the vents of the electrochemical cells are located in the chamber. The module further includes a seal provided between at least one of the electrochemical cells and its associated socket. At least a portion of the seal is deformable such that gases released from the electrochemical cells into the chamber compress the deformable portion of the seal against the electrochemical cells to seal the gases in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Controls—SAFT Advanced Power Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Jason D. Fuhr, Dale Trester, Gary Houchin-Miller, Chris Bonin, Anthony C. Pacheco
  • Patent number: 8969756
    Abstract: A workpiece cutting apparatus includes a laser source, a first suction system, and a first finger configured to guide a workpiece as it moves past the laser source. The first finger includes a first end provided adjacent a point where a laser from the laser source cuts the workpiece, and the first end of the first finger includes an aperture in fluid communication with the first suction system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Controls—SAFT Advanced Power Solutions LLC
    Inventor: Thomas J. Dougherty
  • Patent number: 8945740
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a housing having a first end and a vent located at the first end that is configured to deploy from the housing to allow the expulsion of gases from within the cell. The electrochemical cell also includes at least one projection extending outward from the first end adjacent the vent. The at least one projection is configured to prevent accidental deployment of the vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Controls—SAFT Advanced Power Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Jason D. Fuhr, Wataru Tsutsui, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Christopher M. Bonin
  • Publication number: 20150030903
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell including a prismatic electrode stack extending in a prismatic plane and having a plurality of positive electrode plates and a plurality of negative electrode plates stacked alternately with intervening separators therebetween. The positive electrode plates and the negative electrode plates are laterally offset so that end leads of the positive electrode plates extend from one side of the electrode stack and end leads of the negative electrode plates extend from an opposite side of the electrode stack. A positive bus strap is joined to the end leads of the positive electrode plates and a negative bus strap is joined to the end leads of the negative electrode plates such that said positive and negative bus straps and attaching portions of said end leads of the positive and negative electrode plates are disposed parallel to each other and perpendicular to the prismatic plane of the prismatic electrode stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: SAFT
    Inventors: Matthew Carlton BLOSS, Randy BEDSAUL, Steven Dwaine COCHRAN, Björn MARLID
  • Patent number: 8889296
    Abstract: The hydration of cadmium oxide in the presence of nickel acetate gives the possibility of obtaining a compound of general formula Cd1-xNix(OH)2-y(CH3CO2)y with 0<x?0.05 and 0<y?0.10. This compound may be advantageously, used as an electrochemically active material of an anode of the envelope type of a nickel cadmium generator. This anode does not contain any sulfates responsible for the formation of short-circuits. Further, this anode has a high electrochemical yield. A method for preparing this compound and the anode is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Saft Groupe SA
    Inventors: Stéphanie Chevalier, Claudette Audry, Mélanie Dendary, Philippe Desprez, Björn Marlid, Rune Sjövall, Jerry Gottfridsson
  • Patent number: 8874298
    Abstract: A battery system includes a plurality of battery modules electrically coupled together in series. The battery system also includes a first electronic control unit (ECU) configured to act as a master ECU. The master ECU is electronically coupled to a first one of the plurality of battery modules. The battery system further includes a plurality of slave ECUs, wherein each slave ECU is electronically coupled to one of the other of the plurality of battery modules. The master ECU is configured to control whether electrical power is provided to each of the plurality of slave ECUs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls—Saft Advanced Power Solutions LLC.
    Inventors: Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Craig W. Rigby, Thomas J. Dougherty, James S. Symanski
  • Patent number: 8841877
    Abstract: An electrical power supply system is provided comprising a number of rechargeable cells, a number of control electronics circuits and a charger which consists of apparatus for producing electricity from a renewable energy source, the electrochemical cells being divided into separate branches connected in parallel to the charger. Each control electronics circuit controls the charging of one branch by measuring a current being applied to the branch, integrating the current measured in the branch, determining a state of charge of the cell or cells of the branch, comparing the integrated current value with a set value set as a function of the determined state of charge, and interrupting the passage of current being applied to the branch when the integrated current reaches the set value. This system makes it possible to optimize the sharing out of charging current between parallel branches of battery cells while being adaptable as regards the number of cells used in parallel in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Saft Groupe SA
    Inventors: Claude Chanson, Antoine Juan
  • Publication number: 20140272503
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell including an electrode assembly including a winding core, a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator, the first electrode, the second electrode, and the separator being wound around the winding core, a current collector connected to the first electrode, and a case that accommodates the wound electrode assembly and the current collector. The winding core is welded to the current collector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: SAFT
    Inventor: SAFT
  • Publication number: 20140234709
    Abstract: An electrode comprising a current collector containing aluminum, having a three dimensional porous structure in which: certain pores are open; the average diameter of the open pores being greater than or equal to 50 ?m and less than or equal to 250 ?m; two contiguous open pores communicate by at least one opening the diameter of which being greater than or equal to 20 ?m and less than or equal to 80 ?m; said structure containing a mixture comprising: a) at least one active material of the fluorinated carbon CFx type with x ranging between 0.5 and 1.2; b) at least one electron conducting additive; c) at least one binder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: SAFT
    Inventors: Patrick BERNARD, Bernard SIMON, Michel HILAIRE
  • Patent number: 8802256
    Abstract: A safety device for a sealed cell (1) comprising alternating positive and negative electrodes respectively connected to positive and negative current output terminals (6, 7) placed in a container (2) having an end (3) that is closed by a wall. The wall of the closed end presents thinning (13) adapted to be torn by excess pressure inside the container, and the thinning is adapted, on being torn, to interrupt electrical conduction between the electrodes of one polarity and the corresponding current output terminal. The device of the invention is simple in design, is capable of operating at low pressures, and over a wide range of pressures, and acts as a circuit interrupter without decreasing the current density that flows in the electrical circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: SAFT
    Inventors: Gerard Rigobert, Claude Gilabert, Jonac Philippe, Dominique Ligeois
  • Patent number: 8788225
    Abstract: A system for assessing the accuracy of an electrochemical cell voltage measurement includes a cell discharge circuit electrically coupled to at least one electrochemical cell and configured to partially discharge the at least one cell when the cell discharge circuit is activated, and a cell measurement circuit electrically coupled to the at least one cell and to the cell discharge circuit. The cell measurement circuit is configured to measure a voltage of the at least one cell before activation of the cell discharge circuit and after activation of the cell discharge circuit. The cell measurement circuit compares the voltage before activation of the cell discharge circuit to the voltage after activation of the cell discharge circuit to detect if an error in the voltage measurement occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls-Saft Advanced Power Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Steven J. Wood, Emmanuel Maubert, Olivier Veglio
  • Publication number: 20140162097
    Abstract: A current collector for an electrochemical cell includes a member having an outer member and an inner member coupled to the outer member by a plurality of flexible arms configured to allow the inner member to move relative to the outer member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Johnson Controls - SAFT Advanced Power Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Jason D. Fuhr, Gerald K. Bowen, John P. Dinkleman, Thomas J. Dougherty, Wataru Tsutsui, Christopher M. Bonin