Patents Assigned to Saft
  • SYSTEM FOR PRE-CHARGING A CAPACITOR BY A BATTERY
    Publication number: 20140139194
    Abstract: There is provided a system for pre-charging a capacitor by means of a battery, including a switch and an element for limiting charging current of the capacitor, said switch and said limiting element being connected whereby a charging current from the battery to the capacitor may pass through said switch and said limiting element, which is characterized in that the limiting element for limiting the charging current of the capacitor is an energy transfer device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: SAFT
    Inventors: Guillaume DINAND DA SILVA, Serge MALOIZEL
  • DEVICE FOR AIDING IN THE FRACTURE OF A VENT OF AN ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL
    Publication number: 20140120384
    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: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Johnson Controls - SAFT Advanced Power Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Matt Tyler, Jason D. Fuhr
  • BATTERY SYSTEM WITH HEAT EXCHANGER
    Publication number: 20140093755
    Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of electrochemical cells arranged in a first row and a second row offset from the first row. The battery module also includes a heat exchanger configured to allow a fluid to flow through the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is disposed between the first and second rows of cells and has a shape that is complementary to the cells in the first and second rows of cells so that an external surface of the heat exchanger contacts a portion of each of the plurality of electrochemical cells. The heat exchanger is configured to route the fluid between an inlet and an outlet such that a path of the fluid flow includes a plurality of adjacent fluid flow segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Johnson Controls - SAFT Advanced Power Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Anthony C. Pacheco, Martin Wiegmann, Ralf Joswig, Markus Hoh, Mikhail Balk, Kem Obasih
  • Thermo-mechanically activated current interrupter
    Patent number: 8685555
    Abstract: A safety current interrupter device for a rechargeable cell is provided comprising a deformable material (2) adapted to deform when the temperature reaches a threshold value, a deformable membrane (3) adapted to deform under the effect of pressure and/or deformation of the deformable material (2), and an electrically conductive link member (4), adapted to break as a result of the deformation of the deformable membrane (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Saft Group SA
    Inventors: Philippe Borel, Cecile Tessier
  • Current collector for an electromechanical cell
    Patent number: 8679678
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls—SAFT Advanced Power Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Jason D. Fuhr, Gerald K. Bowen, John P. Dinkleman, Thomas J. Dougherty, Wataru Tsutsui, Chris Bonin
  • Composition for negative electrode of alkaline electrolyte battery
    Patent number: 8652684
    Abstract: The invention proposes a composition comprising: a) a hydrogen-fixing alloy of formula R1-tMgtNis-zMz in which: R represents one or more elements chosen from the group comprising La, Ce, Nd and Pr; M represents one or more elements chosen from the group comprising Mn, Fe, Al, Co, Cu, Zr and Sn; 0.1?t?0.4; 3.0?s?4.3; z?0.5; b) a manganese compound in a proportion such that the mass of manganese represents from 1 to 5.5% of the mass of the alloy, c) an yttrium compound in a proportion such that the mass of yttrium represents from 0.1% to 2% of the mass of the alloy. The invention also relates to an anode comprising the composition according to the invention. The invention also relates to an alkaline electrolyte battery comprising said at least one anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Saft Groupe SA
    Inventors: Patrick Bernard, Bernard Knosp, Michelle Baudry
  • System for monitoring the state of a battery
    Patent number: 8635038
    Abstract: The invention is a monitoring system for a battery having a plurality of accumulators. The system comprises apparatus for measuring the voltage on the terminals of each accumulator; measuring the temperature of the battery; measuring the current flowing through the battery, calculating a voltage difference between a maximum voltage measured on the terminals of one of the accumulators and a minimum voltage measured on the terminals of one of the accumulators; comparing the voltage difference with at least one threshold value depending on the measured temperature and current, and reporting an error if the voltage difference is greater than or equal to the at least one threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: SAFT
    Inventors: Sebastien Benjamin, Philippe Desprez, Gerard Barrailh, Philippe Laflaquiere
  • High voltage negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery
    Patent number: 8628694
    Abstract: The invention relates to active material for the negative electrode of secondary rechargeable lithium batteries, wherein the active material is based on doped or undoped carbon-bearing lithium titanium ramsdellite oxide with general formula Li2Ti3O7 or Li2.28Ti3.43O8. The active material comprises a carbon substituted ramsdellite phase having a general formula Li2?4cCc—Ti3O7, with 0.1<c<0.5, and more than 0.1 mol % of spinel phase having a general formula Li1+xTi2?xO4 with 0<x<0.33.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignees: Umicore, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Universite Montpellier, SAFT Groupe S.A.
    Inventors: Michèle Van Thournout, Laure Monconduit, Claire Villevieille, Josette Olivier-Fourcade, Jean-Claude Jumas, Cécile Tessier
  • Battery cell
    Patent number: 8609278
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a cell element comprising at least one electrode. A portion of the at least one electrode extends outward from an end of the cell element. The portion of the at least one electrode is folded onto itself to provide a coupling surface for conductive connection to a terminal of the electrochemical cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls—SAFT Advanced Power Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Jason D. Fuhr, Thomas J. Dougherty, John P. Dinkelman
  • Battery system with heat exchanger
    Patent number: 8603660
    Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of electrochemical cells arranged in a first row and a second row offset from the first row. The battery module also includes a heat exchanger configured to allow a fluid to flow through the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is disposed between the first and second rows of cells and has a shape that is complementary to the cells in the first and second rows of cells so that an external surface of the heat exchanger contacts a portion of each of the plurality of electrochemical cells. The heat exchanger is configured to route the fluid between an inlet and an outlet such that a path of the fluid flow includes a plurality of adjacent fluid flow segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls—Saft Advanced Power Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Anthony C. Pacheco, Martin Wiegmann, Ralf Joswig, Markus Hoh, Mikhail Balk, Kem Obasih
  • ELECTRIC ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM COMPRISING AN INVERTER
    Publication number: 20130285459
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electric energy storage system, comprising an inverter (6), several associations (21, 22), of an electric energy storage unit (1, 2) in series with a bidirectional chopper (3, 4), connected in parallel to a same input of the inverter (6), on the side of their chopper (3, 4), characterized in that at least one bidirectional chopper (3, 4), associated with an electric energy storage unit (1, 2) that can be charged and discharged asymmetrically, is sized asymmetrically for the charge and discharge of said associated storage unit (1, 2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: SAFT
    Inventors: Younes JAOUI, Christophe MORIN
  • Battery with integrally formed terminal
    Patent number: 8568915
    Abstract: A battery comprising a housing having a central longitudinal axis. A cover is coupled to the housing and a first flange is integrally formed with the cover and configured to act as a first terminal for the battery. At least a portion of the first flange extends away from the housing in a direction generally perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis. Wherein the first flange is configured for electrical coupling with a terminal of an adjacent battery in a battery system. for electrical coupling with a terminal of an adjacent battery in a battery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls—SAFT Power Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Jason D. Fuhr, Steven J. Wood, Dale B. Trester, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Thomas J. Dougherty
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING VENTING OF A SEALED STORAGE CELL
    Publication number: 20130280559
    Abstract: In a system and method for detecting venting of a sealed storage cell, the sealed storage cell comprises a container with a sealing cap adapted to be detached from the container and move in the presence of gas overpressure inside the container to allow venting of the storage cell. The detection system comprises a printed circuit board with a central portion designed to be situated opposite the sealing cap, a peripheral portion surrounding the central portion and connected to the central portion by a hinge adapted to flex during movement of the sealing cap, and at least one frangible portion adapted to break upon movement of the sealing cap. An electrical printed track connects the peripheral portion to the central portion through the hinge and frangible portion(s), and is designed to be broken upon breaking of the frangible portion(s) following movement of the sealing cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: SAFT
    Inventors: Laurent GUIDAL, Pascal SUSSET, Nicolas VIGIER
  • Interconnectors for a battery assembly
    Patent number: 8541130
    Abstract: A battery module includes multiple electrochemical cells, a circuit board, and multiple interconnectors. Each electrochemical cell includes a terminal. Each of the interconnectors is coupled to the circuit board and to a terminal of one of the electrochemical cells. Each of the interconnectors is a resilient spring-type interconnector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls—SAFT Advanced Power Solutions LLC
    Inventor: Pascal Muis
  • Mandrel with drive member for electrochemical cells
    Patent number: 8535825
    Abstract: A mandrel for an electrochemical cell includes an elongated hollow tube. At least one drive member is provided at an end of the hollow tube and is configured to receive a driver in order to rotate the mandrel. The drive member is configured to electrically insulate the hollow tube from an electrode that is wound around the hollow tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls—SAFT Advanced Power Solutions LLC.
    Inventors: Jason Fuhr, Chris Bonin
  • Battery module
    Patent number: 8530069
    Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of cells. The battery module also includes a housing configured to substantially enclose the plurality of cells. The battery module further includes a lower tray configured to receive the plurality of cells. The lower tray is located inside the housing adjacent a bottom of the housing and includes a top side and a bottom side. The top side has a plurality of sockets configured to receive the plurality of cells in a closely packed arrangement. The bottom side is configured to define a chamber between the lower tray and the bottom of the housing. The chamber is sealed off from the rest of the battery module and is configured to receive released gas from the plurality of cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls—SAFT Advanced Power Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Steven J. Wood, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Dale B. Trester
  • Lithiated oxide for a positive electrode of an alkaline accumulator
    Patent number: 8530091
    Abstract: A positive electrode of an accumulator with an alkaline electrolyte comprising a nickel-based hydroxide and a lithiated oxide of formula LixMO2 wherein M represents at least one transition metal, 0.1?x?1, said lithiated oxide having a specific surface area as measured by the BET technique of less than 40 m2/g and a grain size of less than 1 ?m. A method for making a lithiated oxide of at least one transition metal comprising the steps of: a) providing a powder of an hydroxide of said at least one transition metal, b) suspending the powder in a lithine solution in the presence of a stream of a oxidizing gas in order to form a lithiated oxide of said at least one transition metal, the lithine concentration being at least equal to about 1 mol/L, c) adding to the suspension of step b) a solution containing an oxidizing compound, d) filtering the suspension, e) washing and drying the suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: SAFT
    Inventors: Patrick Bernard, Lionel Goubault, Rémi Najean
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ESTIMATING STATE OF CHARGE OF A LITHIUM ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL HAVING A LITHIUM PHOSPHATE TYPE POSITIVE ELECTRODE
    Publication number: 20130229154
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for estimating state of charge of a cell having a positive electrode, for example of a lithium phosphate type, the charge profile of which includes a range of state of charge between about 30 and about 90% in which variation of voltage is 10 times less rapid than for a state of charge higher than 90%. Determination of state of charge for a state of charge greater than 90% is based on either the use of a calibration relationship between cell voltage and state of charge when a current is passing through the cell that is less than a predetermined threshold value and its voltage has stabilized, or on the use of coulometry the result of which is corrected taking into account the accuracy of the current sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: SAFT
    Inventors: Sebastien BENJAMIN, Philippe DESPREZ, Ali ZENATI, Gerard BARRAILH
  • Negative electrode material for Li-ion batteries
    Patent number: 8486309
    Abstract: An active material for a lithium battery electrode comprises a phase having the formula Li2+v?4cCcTi3?wFexMyM?zO7??, in which M and M? are metal ions of groups of 2 to 15 having an ionic radius between 0.5 and 0.8 ? in an octahedral environment, v, w, x, y, z and ? being associated by the relationships: 2?=?v+4w?3x?ny?n?z, with n and n? being the respective formal degrees of oxidation of M and M?; ?0.5?v?0.5; y+z>0; x+y+z=w; and 0<w?0.3; and wherein at least part of the lithium is substituted by carbon according to the relationship 0<c(2+v)/4. The invention also includes a method for synthesizing the active material which comprises mixing and grinding the precursor compounds containing the metal components, carbon and oxygen; heating the mixture in an inert atmosphere at a temperature of 950 to 1050° C. in order to make a ceramic phase; and rapidly cooling the ceramic phase to produce the active material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignees: Umicore, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Saft Groupe S.A., Universite Montpellier 2
    Inventors: Stéphane Levasseur, Cécile Tessier, Josette Olivier-Fourcade, Laure Monconduit, Costana Ionica-Bousquet, Claire Villevieille, Michèle Van Thournout
  • METHOD FOR DETERMINING A STATE VARIABLE OF AN ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL USING COMPLEX IMPEDANCE AT RADIOELECTRIC FREQUENCIES
    Publication number: 20130162258
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining a state variable such as aging of an electrochemical cell comprising an electrode plate group, that includes analyzing at least a portion of a response spectrum of the electrochemical cell to application of an electromagnetic wave in a frequency ranging from 10 kHz to 10 GHz, so as to determine an indicator of the value of the state variable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: SAFT
    Inventor: SAFT