Patents Assigned to Zinc Matrix Power, Inc.
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Patent number: 7218076Abstract: A battery charging system comprising: a current source; a battery; and a voltage and current regulator, which regulates voltage applied to the battery and current supplied to the battery. The battery charging system shapes the current supplied to the battery, and may be used to taper the current supplied to the battery. The voltage and current regulator may comprise: an adjustable band-gap voltage reference diode, a potentiometer, a resistor, and a transistor, or an adjustable shunt regulator, and a transistor operating in conjunction with the adjustable shunt regulator, or other suitable voltage and current regulator means. The battery charging system regulates the current flow supplied to the battery, which originates from a constant charging current source. As the battery voltage exceeds a predefined terminal voltage, the battery charging system diverts charging current through a transistor, thus clamping the battery at the terminal voltage and shaping the current supplied to the battery.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2004Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Assignee: Zinc Matrix Power, Inc.Inventors: Michael Cheiky, Te-Chien F. Yang
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Patent number: 7029792Abstract: A heterogeneous, cellulose battery separator made of a mixture of cellulose and a polymer with hydrogen permeability for use in zinc-based batteries exhibiting increased hydrogen transport through the membrane while maintaining low electrical impedance and exhibiting resistance to zinc ion transport preventing zinc dendrite formation.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2004Date of Patent: April 18, 2006Assignee: Zinc Matrix Power, Inc.Inventors: Michael Cheiky, Wilson Hago
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Patent number: 6943530Abstract: A battery charging system comprising: a current source; a battery; and a voltage and current regulator, which regulates voltage applied to the battery and current supplied to the battery. The battery charging system shapes the current supplied to the battery, and may be used to taper the current supplied to the battery. The voltage and current regulator may comprise: an adjustable band-gap voltage reference diode, a potentiometer, a resistor, and a transistor, or an adjustable shunt regulator, and a transistor operating in conjunction with the adjustable shunt regulator, or other suitable voltage and current regulator means. The battery charging system regulates the current flow supplied to the battery, which originates from a constant charging current source. As the battery voltage exceeds a predefined terminal voltage, the battery charging system diverts charging current through a transistor, thus clamping the battery at the terminal voltage and shaping the current supplied to the battery.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2004Date of Patent: September 13, 2005Assignee: Zinc Matrix Power, Inc.Inventors: Michael Cheiky, Te-Chien F. Yang
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Patent number: 6943529Abstract: A battery charging system comprising: a current source; a battery; and a voltage and current regulator, which regulates voltage applied to the battery and current supplied to the battery. The battery charging system shapes the current supplied to the battery, and may be used to taper the current supplied to the battery. The voltage and current regulator may comprise: an adjustable band-gap voltage reference diode, a potentiometer, a resistor, and a transistor, or an adjustable shunt regulator, and a transistor operating in conjunction with the adjustable shunt regulator, or other suitable voltage and current regulator means. The battery charging system regulates the current flow supplied to the battery, which originates from a constant charging current source. As the battery voltage exceeds a predefined terminal voltage, the battery charging system diverts charging current through a transistor, thus clamping the battery at the terminal voltage and shaping the current supplied to the battery.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2001Date of Patent: September 13, 2005Assignee: Zinc Matrix Power, Inc.Inventors: Michael Cheiky, Te-Chien F. Yang
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Patent number: 6929884Abstract: A film which slowly releases solids is prepared by dissolving cellulose in a solvent such as an alkali metal salt, for example L1Cl in a polar solvent such as DMAC, dispersing the solid in the solution and gelling the solution with water to form a film.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2002Date of Patent: August 16, 2005Assignee: Zinc Matrix Power, Inc.Inventors: Michael Cheiky, Wilson Hago
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Patent number: 6884542Abstract: A container method for pre-treating the inside surface of a titanium container before electroplating a metal conductive such as silver to increase adhesion for use in a lightweight alkaline battery comprising the step of applying an alkaline solution of peroxide to the surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2002Date of Patent: April 26, 2005Assignee: Zinc Matrix Power, Inc.Inventors: Michael Cheiky, Jan Lofvander
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Patent number: 6806681Abstract: An increased capacity battery holder, which allows a device to be used for a longer time duration than can be achieved from solely internally contained batteries, capable of providing additional energy to the device, beyond internal space and volume limitations of the device, having additional battery holding capacity external to the device, with the additional battery holding capacity self contained within the battery holder. The battery holder provides maximum energy output, a portion of the battery holder being matingly removably attachable and optionally removably lockable to the device. The battery holder is safe, of simple construction, easy to install and remove therefrom the device, acts as an additional means for holding and/or handling the device, and is capable of forming an integral assembly with the device. The battery holder has means for preventing inadvertent shorting and/or reversing polarity of the batteries, and optionally recharging means for recharging the batteries.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2002Date of Patent: October 19, 2004Assignee: Zinc Matrix Power, Inc.Inventors: Michael Cheiky, Robert B. Nimocks
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Patent number: 6743548Abstract: A rechargeable, alkaline, zinc-based battery containing a stack of hydrogen permeable cellulose-based films, each one optionally containing a dispersion of metal salts. A film may contain copper salt that reacts with cellulose to prevent zinc dispersion. A second film may contain fluoride salts that react with silver ions to prevent silver plating. A third optional film contains sulfide salts that react with copper ions to form copper sulfide salts to lower copper ion concentration in the electrolyte. The stack may also contain at least one hydrogen-permeable regenerated cellulose film and at least one hydrogen permeable hydrocarbon film such as polypropylene.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2001Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: Zinc Matrix Power, Inc.Inventors: Michael Cheiky, Wilson Hago
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Patent number: 6733920Abstract: A heterogeneous, cellulose battery separator made of a mixture of cellulose and a polymer with hydrogen permeability for use in zinc-based batteries exhibiting increased hydrogen transport through the membrane while maintaining low electrical impedance and exhibiting resistance to zinc ion transport preventing zinc dendrite formation.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2001Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: Zinc Matrix Power, Inc.Inventors: Michael Cheiky, Wilson Hago
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Patent number: 6682854Abstract: Separator for silver-zinc batteries made of cellulose and containing insoluble fluoride ions which when placed next to the cathode slowly release and retard silver deposition thereon.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2001Date of Patent: January 27, 2004Assignee: Zinc Matrix Power, Inc.Inventors: Michael Cheiky, Wilson Hago
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Patent number: 6641949Abstract: A battery that generates a gas during charge or discharge contains a two-stage vent system including a rigid case permeable to the gas such as ethyl celluose which is permeable to hydrogen gas disposed in an expandable envelope impermeable to the gas such as metallized plastic film. The gas permeates the walls of the case and expands the envelope. The gas is vented from the envelope through a porous plug such as microporous polyethylene sealed into the film.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2001Date of Patent: November 4, 2003Assignee: Zinc Matrix Power, Inc.Inventors: Michael Cheiky, Glen Robles
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Patent number: 6582851Abstract: An anode paste material for use in zinc-based batteries that is designed to reduce zinc ion diffusion and resultant electrode shape change as well as zinc dendrite formation while optionally allowing for hydrogen permeability through the matrix comprising a regenerated cellulose film containing domains of hydrogen permeable polymer, particles of zinc and zinc oxide surrounded by hydrocarbon beads.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2001Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: Zinc Matrix Power, Inc.Inventors: Michael Cheiky, Wilson Hago
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Patent number: 6558849Abstract: A battery separator containing cellulose and an insoluble inorganic salt of copper ions when placed in a zinc-based battery, minimizes zinc dendrite formation to extend battery cycle life.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2001Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Assignee: Zinc Matrix Power, Inc.Inventors: Michael Cheiky, Wilson Hago
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Patent number: 6541160Abstract: A battery separator for use in a zinc-based battery containing sulfide ions is employed to minimize copper ion diffusion into the electrodes by placing a regenerated cellulose separator next to the copper-containing layer containing low solubility sulfide salts and precipitating the copper ions.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2001Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Zinc Matrix Power, Inc.Inventors: Michael Cheiky, Wilson Hago
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Patent number: 6522102Abstract: A battery charging method and system, the battery charging method comprising: charging at least one battery at a first voltage for a first time duration; charging the batteries at a second voltage for a second time duration; determining state of charge of the batteries at the end of the second time duration; if the batteries are not substantially fully charged at the end of the second time duration, the total charging time is evaluated to determine if the batteries have been charged for a time duration greater than or equal to a third time duration, and if the total charging time has not exceeded or is not equal to the third time duration, charging the batteries at the first voltage for the first time duration and charging the batteries at the second voltage for the second time duration is repeated; if the batteries are substantially fully charged at the end of the second time duration, battery charging is ceased; or if the total charging time has exceeded or is equal to the third time duration at the end ofType: GrantFiled: December 14, 2001Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Assignee: Zinc Matrix Power, Inc.Inventors: Michael Cheiky, Te-Chien F. Yang
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Patent number: 6489054Abstract: A battery case for a battery containing swellable cellulose separators including case members having opposed undulating mating surfaces and a rim and groove sized to space the surfaces a predetermined distance apart to form a gripping channel such that the outer portion of a stack of dry separators occupies at least 80% but no more than 98% of said channel. On injecting liquid electrolyte into the case, the separators swell and are securely gripped by said undulations and mating surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2001Date of Patent: December 3, 2002Assignee: Zinc Matrix Power, Inc.Inventors: Michael Cheiky, Glen Robles
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Patent number: 6459243Abstract: A battery charging method and system, the battery charging method comprising: charging at least one battery at a first voltage for a first time duration; determining state of charge of the batteries at the end of the first time duration; if the batteries are substantially fully charged at the end of the first time duration, charging the batteries at the first voltage for a second time duration, and charging the batteries at a second voltage for a third duration of time; if the batteries are substantially fully depleted at the end of the first time duration, charging the batteries at the first voltage for an alternate second time duration, and charging the batteries at the second voltage for an alternate third duration of time.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2001Date of Patent: October 1, 2002Assignee: Zinc Matrix Power, Inc.Inventors: Michael Cheiky, Te-Chien F. Yang