Patents Assigned to Valence Technology
  • Patent number: 5648185
    Abstract: This invention is directed to novel allyl silane monomers and to solid electrolytes containing a solid polymeric matrix having incorporated therein allyl silane monomers. The solid electrolytes are used in electrolytic cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Chaloner-Gill, Neal Golovin
  • Patent number: 5643695
    Abstract: The inventions provides a battery which comprises a first electrode, a counter electrode which forms an electrochemical couple with said first electrode, and an electrolyte. The first electrode comprises graphite particles having an interlayer distance spacing of 002 planes (d.sub.002) as determined by x-ray diffraction of 0.330 to 0.340 nanometers (nm), a crystallite size in the direction of c-axis (L.sub.c) being greater than about 90 nanometers (nm) and less than about 1000 nanometers, and at least 90 percent by weight of said graphite particles having a size less than about 24 microns (.mu.m). The electrolyte comprises a solvent mixture and a solute; the solvent mixture comprises (i) ethylene carbonate (EC), and (ii) a solvent selected from the group consisting of propylene carbonate (PC), butylene carbonate (BC), and mixtures thereof with the ethylene carbonate being present in an amount by weight which is at least as great as the amount of any other solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Barker, Feng Gao
  • Patent number: 5643665
    Abstract: This invention is directed to lithium and lithium alloy metal substrates, coated with a polymeric layer containing dispersed lithium or lithium alloy metal particles. The coated metal finds use as anode material in solid electrochemical cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Eileen S. Saidi
  • Patent number: 5622791
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a photoelectrochemical cell having increased conductivity. The cell employs an electrolyte formed from a polymeric matrix, an electrolytic solvent, an inorganic ion salt and a redox couple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Dale R. Shackle
  • Patent number: 5620810
    Abstract: This invention is directed to solid electrolytes containing a solvent and, in particular, a solvent comprising a mixture of an organic carbonate and triglyme as well as electrolytic cells prepared from such solid electrolytes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Milton N. Golovin, Dale R. Shackle, Russel D. Moulton
  • Patent number: 5616309
    Abstract: The present invention provides cathode active materials having as their major component or consisting essentially entirely of an oxide of vanadium of one of the nominal general formulas: Li.sub.a Fe.sub.x V.sub.y O.sub.z and Li.sub.m Fe.sub.x V.sub.y O.sub.z. In the case of Li.sub.a Fe.sub.x V.sub.y O.sub.z the material in an initial condition does not contain any lithium so a is equal to 0. In the case of Li.sub.m Fe.sub.x V.sub.y O.sub.z the material in an initial condition contains lithium so m is greater than 0. In both cases, x is about 1, y is about 3, and z is about 8. In both cases, the V(4) state is achieved by reaction between iron and V(5) in vanadium pentoxide. In one case lithium was added by including lithium hydroxide in an aqueous solution containing the iron and the vanadium pentoxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Birgit Zachau-Christiansen, Keld West
  • Patent number: 5616152
    Abstract: A method of fabricating electrodes suitable for use in electrochemical cells is provided. Each electrode has a perforated current collector and a tab which form an integral unit. The method can be adapted for batch, semi-continuous, or continuous fabrication of electrodes having electrode material laminated onto one or both surfaces of the current collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Velasquez, Douglas B. Holmes, E. Lawrence Gogolin
  • Patent number: 5616437
    Abstract: A method of preparing an electrochemical cell wherein the composite electrode material adheres to the current collector to create good electrical contact is provided. The electrode/current collector comprises a current collector having a layer of electrically conductive metal oxide on at least one surface of the current collector and a composite electrode selected from the group consisting of composite cathode and composite anode wherein the layer of metal oxide is positioned between the current collector and composite electrode. The composite electrode remains substantially and permanently attached to the electrically conductive metal oxide layer that has been formed on the surface(s) of the current collector during the life of the electrochemical cell or battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Feng Gao
  • Patent number: 5616366
    Abstract: In a new process for making an electrode current collector assembly, an electrode composition is mixed with a volatile casting solvent and is coated onto a substrate. Then, the coated substrate is heated to drive off a major portion of the volatile casting solvent. Next, force is applied on an external surface of the coating and directed toward the substrate so as to compact the coating and reduce the volume of pore spaces in the coating. An electrolyte composition may be applied to the compacted electrode composition either before or after curing. The electrode and electrolyte compositions are each cured. In a final step, a counter-electrode layer is applied onto the electrolyte composition to form a cell assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ib I. Olsen, Gert L. Jensen
  • Patent number: 5612153
    Abstract: A secondary, solid electrolytic battery includes a number of electrically connected electrolytic cells wherein for each cell the anode and cathode are separated from each other by a mask that is a layer of electrically insulative material that is coated along the perimeter of the anode and/or cathode. The mask reduces the rate of dendrite formation and prevents edge-effects, short circuits, and related problems caused by inadvertent contact of the anode and cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell D. Moulton, Ib I. Olsen
  • Patent number: 5605550
    Abstract: In making a laminar assembly for use in the battery, a layer of battery electrode material is deposited onto a substrate surface and the battery electrode material is caused to have an uneven surface. Then an electrolyte layer is deposited onto the uneven surface of the battery electrode material. Where the method calls for first depositing the electrolyte material, then electrolyte material is deposited onto the substrate layer where the electrolyte layer is caused to have an uneven surface. Thereafter, the battery electrode material is deposited onto the uneven surface of the electrolyte material. In both cases, slippage between the battery electrode material and electrolyte material is reduced during cutting, folding and other handling process in making a laminar battery, thereby reducing the probability of shorts in the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gert L. Jensen, Benjamin Chaloner-Gill, Mark J. Isaacson
  • Patent number: 5597662
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a solid electrolyte containing a polymeric matrix, a salt, a solvent and a viscosifying agent containing a reactive group as well as electrolytic cells prepared from such solid electrolytes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Isaacson, Milton N. Golovin
  • Patent number: 5595837
    Abstract: A method of increasing the amount of alkali metal that is available during charge/discharge of an electrochemical cell that employs carbon based intercalation anodes is provided. The method comprises of prealkaliation of the carbon anode. By subjecting the anode carbon to the prealkaliation process prior to packaging the electrochemical cell, substantially all the alkali metal (e.g., lithium) which is originally present in the cathode will be available for migration between the anode and cathode during charge/discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ib I. Olsen, Rene Koksbang
  • Patent number: 5584893
    Abstract: A method of preparing an electrochemical cell wherein the electrode material adheres to the current collector to create good electrical contact is provided. A critical aspect in the process of preparing the polymer mixture for both the anode and cathode slurries is that the polymer (or copolymer) not be subject to high shear so as to be degraded. Polymer degradation contributes to the creation of the polymer concentration gradient in the electrode film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Porter H. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 5482587
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming a laminate having a smooth surface includes a planar member having, on at least one side thereof, desired surface roughness characteristics, is forced against the material layer on the substrate such that the material layer attains substantially the same surface roughness characteristics as the one side of the planar member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael E. McAleavey
  • Patent number: 5482697
    Abstract: A method of making non-stoichiometric vanadium oxides V.sub.6 O.sub.13+X by treatment with H.sub.2 O.sub.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: M. Yazid Saidi
  • Patent number: 5443809
    Abstract: Disclosed is a continuous process for the synthesis of electrode-quality metal oxide particles by the thermal decomposition of ammonium metal oxides in a fluidized bed under oxidation/reduction conditions which are controlled by the temperature and ammonium content of the process gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Ib I. Olsen
  • Patent number: 5438249
    Abstract: The state of charge of a cell that has flexible packaging and that expands and contracts with variations in state of charge is determined by measuring changes in thickness of the cell. The invention is particularly applicable to cells having a flat geometry. A battery having a state-of-charge indicator includes at least one battery cell free to expand and contract with variations in state of charge of the battery cell and a device for measuring expansion or contraction of the battery cell, a resulting measurement indicating the state of charge of the battery cell. By measuring expansion or contraction of the battery the state of charge of a battery may be readily detected. The measurement may be directly displayed so as to be visually observable, or a signal containing measurement information may be sent to a remote location to be displayed or used for control purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: On K. Chang, Charles A. Lung
  • Patent number: 5435054
    Abstract: In a new process for making a cathode current collector assembly, a cathode composition is positioned on a substrate between the substrate and a releasable layer. Next, force is applied on the releasable layer and directed toward the substrate so as to provide a smooth cathode surface in contact with the releasable layer. The cathode composition having the releasable layer maintained thereon is cooled to reduce the tackiness of the cathode composition and then the releasable layer is removed while the cathode composition remains in its condition of reduced tackiness. In an alternative process, the cathode composition is applied and then force is applied immediatly before or simultaneously with cooling the composition to a state of reduced tackiness. An electrolyte composition is applied to the smooth surface cathode and the cathode and electrolyte compositions are cured together. In a final step, an anode layer is applied onto the electrolyte composition to form a cell assembly and further curing may occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Pia E. Tonder, Dale R. Shackle
  • Patent number: 5436549
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for extending the cycle life of solid, secondary electrolytic cells employing a solid electrolyte having at least about 100 ppm water which methods involve an initial, substantially constant, high rate discharge of the fabricated, charged electrolytic cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Lundquist, Benjamin Chaloner-Gill