Patents Assigned to Valence Technology, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20180076426
    Abstract: Rechargeable battery modules and rechargeable battery module handling methods are described. According to one aspect, a rechargeable battery module includes a housing, a plurality of terminals, a plurality of rechargeable cells within the housing and coupled with the terminals, and wherein the rechargeable cells are configured to store electrical energy, a plurality of lift members at different locations of the housing, and wherein the lift members provide a plurality of lift points for the rechargeable battery module which enable the rechargeable battery module to be lifted in a plurality of different orientations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Applicant: Valence Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Kohler, Erik Lee, Robert Craig Walker
  • Patent number: 9912178
    Abstract: Rechargeable battery systems and rechargeable battery system operational methods are described. According to one aspect, a rechargeable battery system includes a plurality of rechargeable battery modules coupled between a plurality of terminals, wherein the rechargeable battery modules individually comprise a plurality of rechargeable battery cells and charge balancing circuitry configured to implement, for individual ones of the rechargeable battery modules, first charge balancing operations with respect to the rechargeable battery cells of individual ones of the rechargeable battery modules, and to implement second charge balancing operations with respect to the rechargeable battery modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Nysen
  • Patent number: 9581652
    Abstract: Battery insulation resistance measurement methods, insulation resistance measurement methods, insulation resistance determination apparatuses, and articles of manufacture are described. According to one aspect, a battery insulation resistance measurement method includes determining a voltage of a battery, determining a voltage of a first terminal of the battery with respect to a ground reference, determining a voltage of a second terminal of the battery with respect to the ground reference, and using the voltages of the battery, the first terminal and the second terminal, determining an insulation resistance of the battery with respect to the ground reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron Klijn
  • Patent number: 9537326
    Abstract: Batteries, battery systems, battery submodules, battery operational methods, battery system operational methods, battery charging methods, and battery system charging methods are described. According to one aspect, a battery includes a first battery terminal, a second battery terminal, and a plurality of submodules individually comprising a first submodule terminal, a second submodule terminal, a plurality of rechargeable cells electrically coupled between the first and second submodule—terminals, and switching circuitry configured to electrically couple one of the first and second battery terminals with one of the first and second submodule terminals of one of the submodules during an engaged mode of operation of the one of the submodules and to electrically isolate the one of the first and second battery terminals from the one of the first and second submodule terminals of the one of the submodules during a disengaged mode of operation of the one of the submodules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Russell Troxel
  • Publication number: 20160079779
    Abstract: Batteries, battery systems, battery submodules, battery operational methods, battery system operational methods, battery charging methods, and battery system charging methods are described. According to one aspect, a battery includes a first battery terminal, a second battery terminal, and a plurality of submodules individually comprising a first submodule terminal, a second submodule terminal, a plurality of rechargeable cells electrically coupled between the first and second submodule-terminals, and switching circuitry configured to electrically couple one of the first and second battery terminals with one of the first and second submodule terminals of one of the submodules during an engaged mode of operation of the one of the submodules and to electrically isolate the one of the first and second battery terminals from the one of the first and second submodule terminals of the one of the submodules during a disengaged mode of operation of the one of the submodules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Applicant: Valence Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell M. Troxel, Joel E. Sandahl
  • Patent number: 9269955
    Abstract: The invention provides electrode active materials comprising lithium or other alkali metals, manganese, a +3 oxidation state metal ion, and optionally other metals, and a phosphate moiety. Such electrode active materials include those of the formula: AaMnbMIcMIIdMIIIePO4 wherein (a) A is selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, and mixtures thereof, and 0<a?1; (b) 0<b?1; (c) MI is a metal ion in the +3 oxidation state, and 0<c<0.5; (d) MII is metal ion, a transition metal ion, a non-transition metal ion or mixtures thereof, and 0?d<0.5; (e) MIII is a metal ion in the +1 oxidation state and 0<e<0.5; and wherein A, Mn, MI, MII, MIII, PO4, a, b, c, d and e are selected so as to maintain electroneutrality of said compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Valence Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Haitao Huang, M. Yazid Saidi
  • Publication number: 20150259208
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing lithium iron phosphate or lithium iron mixed metal phosphate. The method comprises using waste pickling liquor as a starting material wherein the waste pickling liquor is the source of the iron ions in such phosphates. The waste pickling liquor is mixed with lithium hydrogen phosphate, and optionally a source of at least one metal ion. The precipitate is then dried or filtered and calcined to produce a lithium iron phosphate or a lithium iron mixed metal phosphate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: Valence Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Titus Faulkner
  • Publication number: 20150123028
    Abstract: The invention provides electrode active materials comprising lithium or other alkali metals, manganese, a +3 oxidation state metal ion, and optionally other metals, and a phosphate moiety. Such electrode active materials include those of the formula: AaMnbMIcMIIdMIIIePO4 wherein (a) A is selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, and mixtures thereof, and 0<a<1; (b) 0<b<1; (c) MI is a metal ion in the +3 oxidation state, and 0<c<0.5; (d) MII is metal ion, a transition metal ion, a non-transition metal ion or mixtures thereof, and 0<d<0.5; (e) MIII is a metal ion in the +1 oxidation state and 0<e<0.5; and wherein A, Mn, MI, MII, MIII, PO4, a, b, c, d and e are selected so as to maintain electroneutrality of said compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: VALENCE TECHNOLOGY INC
    Inventors: Haitao Huang, M. Yazid Saidi
  • Patent number: 9011168
    Abstract: Electrical connection systems, electrical apparatuses, and electrical connection members are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Cary L. Brown
  • Patent number: 8957624
    Abstract: Rechargeable battery systems and rechargeable battery system operational methods are described. According to one aspect, a rechargeable battery system includes a plurality of rechargeable battery cells coupled between a plurality of terminals and charge shuttling circuitry configured to couple with and shuttle electrical energy between individual ones of the rechargeable battery cells, and wherein the charge shuttling circuitry is configured to receive the electrical energy from one of the rechargeable battery cells at a first voltage and to provide the electrical energy to another of the rechargeable battery cells at a second voltage greater than the first voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Nysen
  • Patent number: 8922167
    Abstract: Rechargeable battery systems and rechargeable battery system operational methods are described. According to one aspect, a rechargeable battery system includes a plurality of rechargeable battery cells coupled between a plurality of terminals and shunting circuitry configured to shunt charging electrical energy around respective ones of the rechargeable battery cells during charging of the rechargeable battery cells from substantially discharged states of charge of the rechargeable battery cells to substantially charged states of charge of the rechargeable battery cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Nysen
  • Patent number: 8884585
    Abstract: Batteries, battery systems, battery submodules, battery operational methods, battery system operational methods, battery charging methods, and battery system charging methods are described. According to one aspect, a battery includes a first battery terminal, a second battery terminal, and a plurality of submodules individually comprising a first submodule terminal, a second submodule terminal, a plurality of rechargeable cells electrically coupled between the first and second submodule terminals, and switching circuitry configured to electrically couple one of the first and second battery terminals with one of the first and second submodule terminals of one of the submodules during an engaged mode of operation of the one of the submodules and to electrically isolate the one of the first and second battery terminals from the one of the first and second submodule terminals of the one of the submodules during a disengaged mode of operation of the one of the submodules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell M. Troxel, Joel E. Sandahl
  • Patent number: 8823323
    Abstract: Batteries, battery systems, battery submodules, battery operational methods, battery system operational methods, battery charging methods, and battery system charging methods are described. According to one aspect, a battery includes a first battery terminal, a second battery terminal, and a plurality of submodules individually comprising a first submodule terminal, a second submodule terminal, a plurality of rechargeable cells electrically coupled between the first and second submodule—terminals, and switching circuitry configured to electrically couple one of the first and second battery terminals with one of the first and second submodule terminals of one of the submodules during an engaged mode of operation of the one of the submodules and to electrically isolate the one of the first and second battery terminals from the one of the first and second submodule terminals of the one of the submodules during a disengaged mode of operation of the one of the submodules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell M. Troxel, Joel E. Sandahl
  • Patent number: 8779718
    Abstract: Electrical systems, power supply apparatuses, and power supply operational methods are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Stone, Joseph Lamoreux, Christopher Darilek, Tage Bjorklund, David St. Angelo
  • Patent number: 8773068
    Abstract: Rechargeable battery systems and rechargeable battery system operational methods are described. According to one aspect, a rechargeable battery system includes a plurality of rechargeable battery modules coupled between a plurality of terminals, wherein the rechargeable battery modules individually comprise a plurality of rechargeable battery cells and charge balancing circuitry configured to implement, for individual ones of the rechargeable battery modules, first charge balancing operations to increase the balancing of states of charge of the rechargeable battery cells of individual ones of the rechargeable battery modules, and to implement second charge balancing operations to increase the balancing of states of charge of the rechargeable battery modules with respect to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Nysen
  • Publication number: 20140134865
    Abstract: Electrical connection systems, electrical apparatuses, and electrical connection members are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: VALENCE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Cary L. Brown
  • Patent number: 8603367
    Abstract: The invention provides electrode active materials comprising lithium or other alkali metals, manganese, a +3 oxidation state metal ion, and optionally other metals, and a phosphate moiety. Such electrode active materials include those of the formula: AaMnbMIcMIIdMIIIePO4 wherein (a) A is selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, and mixtures thereof, and 0<a?1; (b) 0<b?1; (c) MI is a metal ion in the +3 oxidation state, and 0<c<0.5; (d) MII is metal ion, a transition metal ion, a non-transition metal ion or mixtures thereof, and 0?d<1; (e) MIII is a metal ion in the +1 oxidation state and 0<e<0.5; and wherein A, Mn, MI, MII, MIII, PO4, a, b, c, d and e are selected so as to maintain electroneutrality of said compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Haitao Huang, Yazid Saidi
  • Patent number: 8598845
    Abstract: Battery chargers, electrical systems, and rechargeable battery charging methods are described. According to one aspect, a battery charger includes charge circuitry configured to apply a plurality of main charging pulses of electrical energy to a plurality of rechargeable cells of a battery to charge the rechargeable cells during a common charge cycle of the battery and to apply a plurality of secondary charging pulses of electrical energy to less than all of the rechargeable cells of the battery during the common charge cycle of the battery to charge the less than all of the rechargeable cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Khoon Cheng Lim, Lap Wai Chow
  • Publication number: 20130214788
    Abstract: Battery insulation resistance measurement methods, insulation resistance measurement methods, insulation resistance determination apparatuses, and articles of manufacture are described. According to one aspect, a battery insulation resistance measurement method includes determining a voltage of a battery, determining a voltage of a first terminal of the battery with respect to a ground reference, determining a voltage of a second terminal of the battery with respect to the ground reference, and using the voltages of the battery, the first terminal and the second terminal, determining an insulation resistance of the battery with respect to the ground reference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: VALENCE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Valence Technology, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8421467
    Abstract: Battery insulation resistance measurement methods, insulation resistance measurement methods, insulation resistance determination apparatuses, and articles of manufacture are described. According to one aspect, a battery insulation resistance measurement method includes determining a voltage of a battery, determining a voltage of a first terminal of the battery with respect to a ground reference, determining a voltage of a second terminal of the battery with respect to the ground reference, and using the voltages of the battery, the first terminal and the second terminal, determining an insulation resistance of the battery with respect to the ground reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Arun Klijn