Patents Assigned to Space Charge, LLC
  • Patent number: 11769653
    Abstract: Energy conversion systems that may employ control grid electrodes, acceleration grid electrodes, inductive elements, multi-stage anodes, and emissive carbon coatings on the cathode and anode are described. These and other characteristics may allow for advantageous thermal energy to electrical energy conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Space Charge, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Sweeney, Devin Vollmer, John Read
  • Publication number: 20230118610
    Abstract: Integrated devices comprising integrated circuits and energy storage devices are described. Disclosed energy storage devices correspond to an all-solid-state construction, and do not include any gels, liquids, or other materials that are incompatible with microfabrication techniques. Disclosed energy storage device comprises energy storage cells with electrodes comprising metal-containing compositions, like metal oxides, metal nitrides, or metal hydrides, and a solid state electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Applicant: Space Charge, LLC
    Inventors: John B. Read, Daniel C. Sweeney
  • Publication number: 20230088541
    Abstract: Thermionic generators are described herein that include a variety of features that allow the devices to efficiently and effectively convert large amounts of thermal energy directly to electrical energy, such as in the form of currents and/or voltages. For example, the thermionic generators can be used to generate an electron beam from a thermionic emission device, and focus or shape the electron beam in such a way that allows the energy of electrons in the electron beam to be captured and converted to electrical energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicant: Space Charge, LLC
    Inventors: John B. Read, Daniel C. Sweeney
  • Patent number: 11527774
    Abstract: Described are energy storage devices employing a gas storage structure, which can accommodate or store gas evolved from the energy storage device. The energy storage device comprises an electrochemical cell with electrodes comprising metal-containing compositions, like metal oxides, metal nitrides, or metal hydrides, and a solid state electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Space Charge, LLC
    Inventors: John B. Read, Daniel C. Sweeney
  • Publication number: 20210104389
    Abstract: Energy conversion systems that may employ control grid electrodes, acceleration grid electrodes, inductive elements, multi-stage anodes, and emissive carbon coatings on the cathode and anode are described. These and other characteristics may allow for advantageous thermal energy to electrical energy conversion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Applicant: Space Charge, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Sweeney, Devin Vollmer, John Read
  • Patent number: 10840072
    Abstract: Energy conversion systems that may employ control grid electrodes, acceleration grid electrodes, inductive elements, multi-stage anodes, and emissive carbon coatings on the cathode and anode are described. These and other characteristics may allow for advantageous thermal energy to electrical energy conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Space Charge, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Sweeney, Devin Vollmer, John Read
  • Publication number: 20200227779
    Abstract: Described are energy storage devices employing a gas storage structure, which can accommodate or store gas evolved from the energy storage device. The energy storage device comprises an electrochemical cell with electrodes comprising metal-containing compositions, like metal oxides, metal nitrides, or metal hydrides, and a solid state electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Applicant: Space Charge, LLC
    Inventors: John B. Read, Daniel C. Sweeney
  • Patent number: 10658705
    Abstract: Described are solid-state energy storage devices and methods of making solid-state energy storage devices in which components of the batteries are truly solid-state and do not comprise a gel. Useful electrodes include metals and metal oxides, and useful electrolytes include amorphous ceramic thin film electrolytes that permit conduction or migration of ions across the electrolyte. Disclosed methods of making solid-state energy storage devices include multi-stage deposition processes, in which an electrode is deposited in a first stage and an electrolyte is deposited in a second stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Space Charge, LLC
    Inventors: John B. Read, Daniel C. Sweeney
  • Patent number: 10601074
    Abstract: Described are solid-state energy storage devices and methods of making solid-state energy storage devices in which components of the batteries are truly solid-state and do not comprise a gel. Useful electrodes include metals and metal oxides, and useful electrolytes include amorphous ceramic thin film electrolytes that permit conduction or migration of ions across the electrolyte. Disclosed methods of making solid-state energy storage devices include multi-stage deposition processes, in which an electrode is deposited in a first stage and an electrolyte is deposited in a second stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Space Charge, LLC
    Inventors: John B. Read, Daniel C. Sweeney
  • Publication number: 20200027710
    Abstract: Energy conversion systems that may employ control grid electrodes, acceleration grid electrodes, inductive elements, multi-stage anodes, and emissive carbon coatings on the cathode and anode are described. These and other characteristics may allow for advantageous thermal energy to electrical energy conversion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Applicant: Space Charge, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Sweeney, Devin Vollmer, John Read
  • Publication number: 20190280338
    Abstract: Described are solid-state energy storage devices and methods of making solid-state energy storage devices in which components of the batteries are truly solid-state and do not comprise a gel. Useful electrodes include metals and metal oxides, and useful electrolytes include amorphous ceramic thin film electrolytes that permit conduction or migration of ions across the electrolyte. Disclosed methods of making solid-state energy storage devices include multi-stage deposition processes, in which an electrode is deposited in a first stage and an electrolyte is deposited in a second stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Applicant: Space Charge, LLC
    Inventors: John B. Read, Daniel C. Sweeney
  • Patent number: 10388496
    Abstract: Energy conversion systems that may employ control grid electrodes, acceleration grid electrodes, inductive elements, multi-stage anodes, and emissive carbon coatings on the cathode and anode are described. These and other characteristics may allow for advantageous thermal energy to electrical energy conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Space Charge, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Sweeney, Devin Vollmer, John Read
  • Publication number: 20190221883
    Abstract: Described are solid-state electrochemical energy storage devices and methods of making solid-state electrochemical energy storage devices in which components of the batteries are truly solid-state and do not comprise a gel. Nor do they rely on lithium-containing electrolytes. Electrolytes useful with the solid-state electrochemical energy storage described herein include, for example, ceramic electrolytes exhibiting a crystal structure including voids or crystallographic defects that permit conduction or migration of oxygen ions across a layer of the ceramic electrolyte. Disclosed methods of making solid-state electrochemical energy storage devices include multi-stage deposition processes, in which an electrode is deposited in a first stage and an electrolyte is deposited in a second stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Applicant: Space Charge, LLC
    Inventors: John B. Read, Daniel C. Sweeney
  • Publication number: 20190189410
    Abstract: Energy conversion systems that may employ control grid electrodes, acceleration grid electrodes, inductive elements, multi-stage anodes, and emissive carbon coatings on the cathode and anode are described. These and other characteristics may allow for advantageous thermal energy to electrical energy conversion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Applicant: Space Charge, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Sweeney, Devin Vollmer, John Read
  • Patent number: 10199682
    Abstract: Described are solid-state electrochemical energy storage devices and methods of making solid-state electrochemical energy storage devices in which components of the batteries are truly solid-state and do not comprise a gel. Nor do they rely on lithium-containing electrolytes. Electrolytes useful with the solid-state electrochemical energy storage described herein include, for example, ceramic electrolytes exhibiting a crystal structure including voids or crystallographic defects that permit conduction or migration of oxygen ions across a layer of the ceramic electrolyte. Disclosed methods of making solid-state electrochemical energy storage devices include multi-stage deposition processes, in which an electrode is deposited in a first stage and an electrolyte is deposited in a second stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: SPACE CHARGE, LLC
    Inventors: John B. Read, Daniel C. Sweeney
  • Publication number: 20180159175
    Abstract: Described are solid-state electrochemical energy storage devices and methods of making solid-state electrochemical energy storage devices in which components of the batteries are truly solid-state and do not comprise a gel. Nor do they rely on lithium-containing electrolytes. Electrolytes useful with the solid-state electrochemical energy storage described herein include, for example, ceramic electrolytes exhibiting a crystal structure including voids or crystallographic defects that permit conduction or migration of oxygen ions across a layer of the ceramic electrolyte. Disclosed methods of making solid-state electrochemical energy storage devices include multi-stage deposition processes, in which an electrode is deposited in a first stage and an electrolyte is deposited in a second stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Applicant: Space Charge, LLC
    Inventors: John B. Read, Daniel C. Sweeney
  • Patent number: 9853325
    Abstract: Described are solid-state electrochemical energy storage devices and methods of making solid-state electrochemical energy storage devices in which components of the batteries are truly solid-state and do not comprise a gel. Nor do they rely on lithium-containing electrolytes. Electrolytes useful with the solid-state electrochemical energy storage described herein include, for example, ceramic electrolytes exhibiting a crystal structure including voids or crystallographic defects that permit conduction or migration of oxygen ions across a layer of the ceramic electrolyte. Disclosed methods of making solid-state electrochemical energy storage devices include multi-stage deposition processes, in which an electrode is deposited in a first stage and an electrolyte is deposited in a second stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Space Charge, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel C. Sweeney, John B. Read
  • Publication number: 20170069932
    Abstract: Described are solid-state electrochemical energy storage devices and methods of making solid-state electrochemical energy storage devices in which components of the batteries are truly solid-state and do not comprise a gel. Nor do they rely on lithium-containing electrolytes. Electrolytes useful with the solid-state electrochemical energy storage described herein include, for example, ceramic electrolytes exhibiting a crystal structure including voids or crystallographic defects that permit conduction or migration of oxygen ions across a layer of the ceramic electrolyte. Disclosed methods of making solid-state electrochemical energy storage devices include multi-stage deposition processes, in which an electrode is deposited in a first stage and an electrolyte is deposited in a second stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Applicant: Space Charge, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel C. Sweeney, John B. Read
  • Publication number: 20130170097
    Abstract: Devices and methods for storing energy at a high density are described. In some embodiments, the devices include a first electrode and a second electrode containing a transition metal oxide. A solid electrolyte having yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) is located between the first and second electrode. The thickness of the electrolyte located between the two electrodes is less than one micrometer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: Space Charge, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel C. Sweeney, John B. Read
  • Patent number: 8259432
    Abstract: Devices for storing energy at a high density are described. The devices include a solid dielectric that is preformed to present a high exposed area onto which an electrode is formed. The dielectric material has a high dielectric constant (high relative permittivity) and a high breakdown voltage, allowing a high voltage difference between paired electrodes to effect a high stored energy density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Space Charge, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel C. Sweeney, John B. Read