Patents Examined by Aaron Greso
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Patent number: 9553312Abstract: Provided is a cathode active material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery that has a uniform particle size and high packing density, and that is capable of increased battery capacity and improved coulomb efficiency. When producing a nickel composite hydroxide that is a precursor to the cathode active material by supplying an aqueous solution that includes at least a nickel salt, a neutralizing agent and a complexing agent into a reaction vessel while stirring and performing a crystallization reaction, a nickel composite hydroxide slurry is obtained while controlling the ratio of the average particle size per volume of secondary particles of nickel composite hydroxide that is generated inside the reaction vessel with respect to the average particle size per volume of secondary particles of nickel composite hydroxide that is finally obtained so as to be 0.2 to 0.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2013Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: SUMITOMO METAL MINING CO., LTDInventors: Mitsuru Yamauchi, Kazuomi Ryoshi, Kensaku Mori
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Patent number: 9537193Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell module for generating electrical energy by electrochemical reactions of a fuel gas and an oxygen-containing gas, a condenser for condensing water vapor in an exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell module by heat exchange between the exhaust gas and a coolant to collect the condensed water and supplying the collected condensed water to the fuel cell module. The condenser includes an air cooling condensing mechanism using the oxygen-containing gas as the coolant. The air cooling condensing mechanism includes a secondary battery for inducing endothermic reaction during charging and inducing exothermic reaction during discharging.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2012Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Tetsuya Ogawa
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Patent number: 9520583Abstract: A galvanic element includes at least one lithium-intercalating and at least one lithium-deintercalating electrode. A positive electrode and a negative electrode are separated by a polyimide-based separator that has a labyrinth porosity. The polyimide-based separator is configured at least on one side with a porous, ceramically-based coating that comprises a binder and ceramic particles.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2014Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Thomas Wöhrle, Felix Eberle
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Patent number: 9515343Abstract: An exemplary embodiment provides a rechargeable battery maintaining a bent state of a case by minimizing a deformation of the case of the bent state. A rechargeable battery according to an exemplary embodiment includes an electrode assembly; a case receiving the electrode assembly; a cap plate sealing an opening of the case; and an electrode terminal installed to the cap plate and electrically connected to the electrode assembly, wherein the case includes a first curved surface portion bent toward a center of the electrode assembly and a second curved surface portion bent to be far from the center, and a reinforcing member adhered to the first curved surface portion.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2014Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jae-Il Seong
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Patent number: 9515305Abstract: A battery pack having a connector that is designed to work outdoors or in a moist environment. The battery pack includes a case including a first case attached to a second case to enclose an inner space within, a plurality of rechargeable batteries arranged within the inner space and a connector arranged within the inner space of the case, being exposed to an outside of the battery pack to enable a device external to the battery pack to be electrically connected via the connector to the rechargeable batteries, wherein the connector is arranged to form a waterproof barrier between an outside of the battery pack and a remainder of the inner space of the case not occupied by the connector.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2012Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventor: Nohyun Kwag
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Patent number: 9508964Abstract: A voltage detecting terminal includes a flat plate-shaped electric contact portion having an insertion hole into which an electrode column of a battery is inserted, and a bent portion formed such that a tip is bent upward with respect to the electric contact portion. The bent portion is provided with a holding portion, and both ends of the holding portion in a plate width direction are expanded in the plate width direction, respectively. The voltage detecting terminal has a lower end surface of the holding portion in a thickness direction abutting against supporting surfaces of the plate and is held by a first housing portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2014Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATIONInventors: Shigeyuki Ogasawara, Shinichi Yanagihara, Michio Ota
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Patent number: 9502735Abstract: This invention provides lithium-based batteries that include one or more inorganic barrier layers disposed between the anode and the cathode. The inorganic barrier layer is a lithium-ion conductor and is non-permeable to lithium-containing compounds, such as lithium polysulfides or lithium dendrites. The inorganic barrier layer may be in direct contact with the anode or cathode, or electrically isolated from the anode and cathode. The principles disclosed herein solve the problem of maintaining electrical isolation of the anode and cathode, while providing efficient lithium-ion conduction without crossover of other lithium species that would otherwise limit the power performance of the battery.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2016Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: Ping Liu, Jocelyn Hicks-Garner, Adam F. Gross, Jun Liu
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Patent number: 9493349Abstract: A system for generating and purifying hydrogen. To generate hydrogen, the system includes inlets configured to receive a hydrogen carrier and an inert insulator, a mixing chamber configured to combine the hydrogen carrier and the inert insulator, a heat exchanger configured to apply heat to the mixture of hydrogen carrier and the inert insulator, wherein the applied heat results in the generation of hydrogen from the hydrogen carrier, and an outlet configured to release the generated hydrogen. To purify hydrogen, the system includes a primary inlet to receive a starting material and an ammonia filtration subassembly, which may include an absorption column configured to absorb the ammonia into water for providing purified hydrogen at a first purity level. The ammonia filtration subassembly may also include an adsorbent member configured to adsorb ammonia from the starting material into an adsorbent for providing purified hydrogen at a second purity level.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2012Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: Purdue Research FoundationInventors: Arvind Varma, Hyun Tae Hwang, Ahmad Al-Kukhun
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Patent number: 9490503Abstract: Electrolyte solutions including combinations of high dielectric and low viscosity solvents. These solvent combinations provide low temperature performance and high temperature stability in lithium ion battery cells.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2015Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignees: WILDCAT DISCOVERY TECHNOLOGIES, INC., JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANYInventors: Gang Cheng, Ye Zhu, Deidre Strand, Boutros Hallac, Bernhard M. Metz
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Patent number: 9478825Abstract: This invention provides lithium-based batteries that include one or more inorganic barrier layers disposed between the anode and the cathode. The inorganic barrier layer is a lithium-ion conductor and is non-permeable to lithium-containing compounds, such as lithium polysulfides or lithium dendrites. The inorganic barrier layer may be in direct contact with the anode or cathode, or electrically isolated from the anode and cathode. The principles disclosed herein solve the problem of maintaining electrical isolation of the anode and cathode, while providing efficient lithium-ion conduction without crossover of other lithium species that would otherwise limit the power performance of the battery.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2015Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: Ping Liu, Jocelyn Hicks-Garner, Adam F. Gross, Jun Liu
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Patent number: 9478837Abstract: A lithium-air battery includes a cathode including a porous active carbon material, a separator, an anode including lithium, and an electrolyte including a lithium salt and polyalkylene glycol ether, where the porous active carbon material is free of a metal-based catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2015Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLCInventors: Khalil Amine, Larry A. Curtiss, Jun Lu, Kah Chun Lau, Zhengcheng Zhang, Yang-Kook Sun
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Patent number: 9466852Abstract: A proton conductor includes an electrolytic layer having first and second main surfaces; and a plurality of catalyst particles. The first main surface of the electrolytic layer includes a flat portion and a plurality of recessed portions. The plurality of catalyst particles are respectively located in the plurality of recessed portions. The flat portion of the first main surface and parts of surfaces of the plurality of catalyst particles exposed from the plurality of recessed portions form a third main surface. The electrolytic layer is formed of a single crystal of a perovskite-type oxide having a proton conductivity. The catalyst particles are formed of a single crystal of a noble metal material. The perovskite-type oxide of the electrolytic layer) has a crystal orientation that matches a crystal orientation of the noble metal material of the plurality of catalyst particles.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2014Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tomoyuki Komori, Yuji Zenitani, Takashi Nishihara
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Patent number: 9466856Abstract: Disclosed is a non-aqueous electrolyte comprising: an acrylate compound; a sulfinyl group-containing compound; an organic solvent; and an electrolyte salt. Also, disclosed is an electrode comprising a coating layer formed partially or totally on a surface thereof, the coating layer comprising: (i) a reduced form of an acrylate compound; and (ii) a reduced form of a sulfinyl group-containing compound. Further, disclosed is an electrochemical device comprising a cathode, an anode and a non-aqueous electrolyte, wherein (i) the non-aqueous electrolyte is the aforementioned non-aqueous electrolyte; and/or (ii) the cathode and/or the anode is the aforementioned electrode.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2014Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.Inventors: Jeong-Ju Cho, Ho-Chun Lee, Su-Jin Yoon, Soo-Min Park
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Patent number: 9461328Abstract: The bootstrap start-up system (42) achieves an efficient start-up of the power plant (10) that minimizes formation of soot within a reformed hydrogen rich fuel. A burner (48) receives un-reformed fuel directly from the fuel supply (30) and combusts the fuel to heat cathode air which then heats an electrolyte (24) within the fuel cell (12). A dilute hydrogen forming gas (68) cycles through a sealed heat-cycling loop (66) to transfer heat and generated steam from an anode side (32) of the electrolyte (24) through fuel processing system (36) components (38, 40) and back to an anode flow field (26) until fuel processing system components (38, 40) achieve predetermined optimal temperatures and steam content. Then, the heat-cycling loop (66) is unsealed and the un-reformed fuel is admitted into the fuel processing system (36) and anode flow (26) field to commence ordinary operation of the power plant (10).Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2012Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Inc.Inventor: Michael T Lines
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Patent number: 9461286Abstract: An exemplary attachment device includes a twist-lock rotatable from a first position to a second position. The twist-lock in the first position permits movement of a battery array to and from an installed position within a battery pack. The twist-lock in the second position secures the battery array in the installed position.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2014Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Rajaram Subramanian, Patrick Daniel Maguire, Rohit Gunna, Steve Droste
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Patent number: 9455448Abstract: A current collector in the form of a conductive substrate subjected to a special chemical etch to provide the current collector having a multi-thickness structure, is described. The multiple-thickness current collector structure provides an electrochemical cell with increased charge capacity per volume while enabling a robust weld connection thereto. The current collector has a frame and comprises within an inner perimeter of the frame, first strand structures that intersect second strand structures to provide a plurality of openings or interstices bordered by the strands. At least one tab portion having a thicker distal portion spaced from a thinner proximal tab portion that extends from an outer perimeter of the frame.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2014Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: Greatbatch Ltd.Inventors: Kenneth B. Talamine, Lou Serpe, Gary L. Freitag
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Patent number: 9450225Abstract: A cover is provided, and a battery wiring module is provided with the cover. The cover can cover a resin protector of the battery wiring module, and the battery wiring module includes: a bus bar that electrically connects positive and negative electrode terminals of a cell group formed by arranging in a row a plurality of cells having the electrode terminals; and the resin protector that holds the bus bar. The resin protector can be deformed or moved in accordance with a variation of a pitch between the electrode terminals. The cover for the battery wiring module includes a dislocation compensating portion that compensates a dislocation of the resin protector resulting from deformation or movement thereof.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2012Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignees: AUTONETWORKS TECHNOLOGIES, LTD., SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD., SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventor: Osamu Nakayama
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Patent number: 9425479Abstract: A battery module includes a battery unit having a plurality of batteries; a pair of end plates, one of the end plates installed at either end of the battery unit; and a fixing band that encircles the end plates and the battery unit, wherein the fixing band is made from a material that expands when heated and contracts when cooled.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2010Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignees: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd, Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Tae-Yong Kim
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Patent number: 9413001Abstract: Provided is a composite including lead oxide particles (PbO2) and functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNTs).Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2012Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignees: BAR ILAN UNIVERSITY, VULCAN AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRIES LTD.Inventors: Tomer Zimrin, Roni Shapira, Doron Aurbach, Beni Cahana
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Patent number: 9406916Abstract: A battery module includes first and second plates opposite each other, first and second frames respectively connecting tops and bottoms of the first and second plates to define a casing, the first frame being connected to the second frame and having a shape corresponding to the second frame, and a plurality of battery cells stacked in the casing, each battery cell including a first surface with a terminal portion, the first surface of each battery cell facing the first plate, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a pair of third surfaces spaced part from each other, each third surface connecting the first and second surfaces and being parallel to the second frame.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2012Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignees: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD., ROBERT BOSCH GmbHInventors: Myung-Chul Kim, Hee-Joon Jin