Patents Examined by Alex Usyatinsky
  • Patent number: 9496579
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes first and second membrane electrode assemblies and a metal bipolar plate interposed between the first and second membrane electrode assemblies. The bipolar plate comprises first and second metal sheets facing the first and second membrane electrode assemblies and is securely fastened by welds. There is a gas diffusion layer interposed and compressed between the first membrane electrode assembly and the bipolar plate. In the absence of compression on the gas diffusion layer, regions of the gas diffusion layer surrounding the welds have a thickness smaller by at least 5 ?m relative to the average thickness of the gas diffusion layer. This is done so that the contact pressure of the gas diffusion layer with the bipolar plate in the area of the welds is lower than its average contact pressure with the bipolar plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives
    Inventors: Rémi Vincent, Benoît Barthe, Denis Tremblay
  • Patent number: 9496591
    Abstract: The Invention provides a zinc-air cell comprising at least one zinc-incorporating structure, at least one oxygen evolving structure and at least one air electrode; wherein said zinc-air cell comprises a first pair of electrodes for the charging of said air cell, said electrode pair comprising said at least one zinc-incorporating structure and said at least one oxygen evolving structure; and wherein said zinc-air cell comprises a second pair of electrodes for the discharging of said air cell, said electrode pair comprising said at least one zinc-incorporating structure and said at least one air electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: PHINERGY LTD.
    Inventors: Dekel Tzidon, Jonathan R. Goldstein, Avraham Yadgar
  • Patent number: 9490501
    Abstract: An electrolytic solution for a fluoride ion battery includes: a fluoride salt; and an alcohol material that has one OH group, and in which a molar ratio of the alcohol material is more than 1 with respect to fluoride ions of the fluoride salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, KYOTO UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Hirofumi Nakamoto, Zempachi Ogumi, Jun-ichi Yamaki
  • Patent number: 9461293
    Abstract: A power source apparatus including batteries having positive and negative electrode regions, parallel blocks with batteries stacked together and electrically connected in parallel, multiple parallel-series connected blocks with the parallel blocks electrically connected in series, and bus-bars having a plurality of terminal insertion holes. Batteries in a parallel block are stacked together lining-up positive electrode regions on one side and negative electrode regions on the other side. Parallel blocks in a multiple parallel-series connected block are stacked so as to reverse the orientation of each block added to the stack. The bus-bars are integrated pieces that can electrically connect the batteries in a parallel block in parallel as well as electrically connect the parallel blocks in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shingo Ochi
  • Patent number: 9455456
    Abstract: An anode exhaust recycle turbocharger (100) has a turbocharger turbine (102) secured in fluid communication with a compressed oxidant stream within an oxidant inlet line (218) downstream from a compressed oxidant supply (104), and the anode exhaust recycle turbocharger (100) also includes a turbocharger compressor (106) mechanically linked to the turbocharger turbine (102) and secured in fluid communication with a flow of anode exhaust passing through an anode exhaust recycle loop (238) of the solid oxide fuel cell power plant (200). All or a portion of compressed oxidant within an oxidant inlet line (218) drives the turbocharger turbine (102) to thereby compress the anode exhaust stream in the recycle loop (238). A high-temperature, automotive-type turbocharger (100) replaces a recycle loop blower-compressor (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuo Saito, Tommy Skiba, Kirtikumar H. Patel
  • Patent number: 9412982
    Abstract: A front pressing rib is formed integrally with the cell holder. The front pressing rib bridges a dimensional difference between the inside of the case to be assembled and the cell holder by generating a pressing force on the front side. That is, the cell holder is pressed rearward in the case by a pressing force of the front pressing rib that is applied to the inside of the case. The front pressing rib serves to completely bridge the dimensional difference when the cell holder is inserted into the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akira Naito
  • Patent number: 9413010
    Abstract: Provided is a lithium secondary battery in which negative-electrode active material particles containing silicon and/or a silicon alloy are used and which prevents the occurrence of breakage of a binder itself and peel-off of the binder at the interfaces with the negative-electrode active material and the negative-electrode current collector and has a high energy density and an excellent cycle characteristic. The lithium secondary battery includes: a negative electrode in which a negative-electrode active material layer including negative-electrode active material particles containing silicon and/or a silicon alloy and a binder is formed on a surface of electrically conductive metal foil serving as a negative-electrode current collector; a positive electrode; and a nonaqueous electrolyte, wherein the binder contains a polyimide resin including a crosslinked structure formed by imidization of a hexavalent or higher-valent carboxylic acid or an anhydride thereof with a diamine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Fukui, Taizo Sunano, Maruo Kamino
  • Patent number: 9413043
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cooling member mounted at a top or a bottom of a battery module configured to have a structure in which a plurality of unit modules, each of which includes one or more battery cells, is arranged in a lateral direction or a battery pack configured to have a structure in which a plurality of battery modules is arranged in a lateral direction to remove heat generated from the battery cells during charge and discharge of the battery cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: MinJung Kim, Dal Mo Kang
  • Patent number: 9397373
    Abstract: A lithium ion secondary battery including a compound containing at least one thiol group (—SH) in a molecule in a unit cell of the battery is provided. By including the compound containing thiol group (—SH) having good reactivity with copper or copper ions, the formation of dendrite through the reduction of copper ions present in the inner portion of the battery or produced during operating the battery at the surface of an anode may be prevented. The internal short between two electrodes due to the dendrite may be also prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Joon Park, Seung Don Choi, Ho Jin Jeon, Dae Sik Choi, You Rim Yoon, Chang Moon Jeong, Jae Sik Yoon, Yong Pal Park
  • Patent number: 9391309
    Abstract: An example of the present invention is provided with porous sheets 11, 21 each formed by layering a porous base material including a polyolefin and a heat-resistant porous layer including a heat-resistant resin. The porous sheets 11, 21, respectively, are connected at connecting regions 15a and 15b, 25a and 25b, respectively, which have been formed by thermal fusion of the heat-resistant porous layers facing each other by folding the sheets. Furthermore, the porous sheets 11, 21 are additionally connected at a connecting region 27 that has been formed by thermal fusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: TEIJIN LIMITED
    Inventors: Satoshi Nishikawa, Hiroki Sano, Takashi Yoshitomi
  • Patent number: 9373872
    Abstract: Apparatus for protecting battery cells. In some embodiments, a battery may comprise a series of battery cells and one or more protective plates positioned between the adjacent battery cells. In some embodiments, the plates may also be configured to provide a cooling function relative to adjacent battery cells. The plate(s) may comprise a first section and a second section coupled with the first section. The plate may be configured to fail under predetermined conditions such that, upon experiencing the predetermined conditions, at least a portion of the second section is configured to separate from at least a portion of the first section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Barton W. McLaughlin, Todd H. Fast
  • Patent number: 9368802
    Abstract: A method of producing a gaseous diffusion electrode, including the provision of a stack comprising successively a diffusion layer for a gas, a catalytic layer and a diffusion layer for an electrolyte, the deformation of the stack in such a way as to place opposite one another first and second portions of one of the two diffusion layers, and the bonding of the first and second portions with the aid of a polymer material. A gaseous diffusion electrode is furnished with a stack comprising successively a diffusion layer for a gas, a catalytic layer and a diffusion layer for an electrolyte. Two portions of one of the two diffusion layers are disposed opposite one another and separated by a first layer of polymer material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT À L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventor: Angel Zhivkov Kirchev
  • Patent number: 9362059
    Abstract: An electrochemical generator includes a first electrode covered by a passivation layer having a compound formed by repetition of a pattern of the following formula (7): in which: n is an integer comprised between 1 and 10, preferably between 1 and 4; R1 and R2 are identical or different and chosen independently from the group formed by —CH2—, a cyclic or acyclic, linear or branched alkyl chain; R3 is chosen from the group formed by —CH3, a cyclic or acyclic, linear or branched alkyl chain, and a group of the following formula (8): in which: N is a mono or polycyclic, aromatic hydrocarbonated group chosen from the group formed by phenyl, aryl groups, condensed polyaromatic groups, which may be substituted; R4 is chosen from the group formed by —CH2-, a cyclic or acyclic, linear or branched alkyl chain; and A is identical to or different from A?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT À L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Laureline Crepel, Fannie Alloin, Jean-Claude Lepretre, Sebastien Martinet
  • Patent number: 9362592
    Abstract: Provided are a method of preparing a gel polymer electrolyte secondary battery, and a gel polymer electrolyte secondary battery prepared by the method. The gel polymer electrolyte secondary battery includes a cathode, an anode, a separator and a gel polymer electrolyte in a battery case. The method includes (S1) coating a polymerization initiator on a surface of at least one selected from a group consisting of a cathode, an anode, a separator of a non-woven fabric, and a battery case, the surface needed to be contacted with a gel polymer electrolyte; (S2) putting an electrode assembly including the cathode, the anode, the separator of a non-woven fabric into the battery case; and (S3) forming a gel polymer electrolyte by introducing a gel polymer electrolyte composition including an electrolyte solvent, an electrolyte salt and a polymer electrolyte monomer into the battery case, and polymerizing the monomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Sung-Hoon Yu, Ho-Chun Lee
  • Patent number: 9356285
    Abstract: The present invention provides a positive electrode material for a nickel-zinc secondary battery, a positive electrode for a nickel-zinc secondary battery and a method for preparing the positive electrode. The positive electrode material for a nickel-zinc secondary battery provided by the present invention includes: 68 wt %˜69 wt % positive electrode active material, 0.6 wt %˜1 wt % yttrium oxide, 0.2 wt %˜0.6 wt % calcium hydroxide, 3.5 wt %˜4 wt % nickel powder, and a binder in balance; the positive electrode active material being a spherical nickel hydroxide coated with Co (III). The positive electrode material for a nickel-zinc secondary battery provided by the present invention contains no Co(II) ion and cadmium ion. The positive electrode prepared by the positive electrode material provided by the present invention can reduce the amount of hydrogen evolved in the battery while ensuring relatively high electrode charging/discharging capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: GUANGDONG POWERLINK ENERGY CO., LTD
    Inventor: Ruiling Li
  • Patent number: 9343777
    Abstract: A non-aqueous liquid electrolyte suitable for use in a non-aqueous liquid electrolyte secondary battery comprising a negative electrode and a positive electrode, capable of intercalating and deintercalating lithium ions, and the non-aqueous liquid electrolyte, the negative electrode containing a negative-electrode active material having at least one kind of atom selected from the group consisting of Si atom, Sn atom and Pb atom, wherein the non-aqueous liquid electrolyte comprises a carbonate having at least either an unsaturated bond or a halogen atom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI CHEMICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Fujii, Noriko Shima, Youichi Ohashi, Shinichi Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 9325008
    Abstract: Provided are: a solid electrolyte battery using a novel positive electrode active material that functions in an amorphous state; and a novel positive electrode active material that functions in an amorphous state. The solid electrolyte battery includes: a positive electrode layer including a positive electrode active material layer; a negative electrode layer; and a solid electrolyte layer formed between the positive electrode layer and the negative electrode layer, and the positive electrode active material includes a lithium-boric acid compound in an amorphous state, which contains Li, B, any element M1 selected from Cu, Ni, Co, Mn, Au, Ag, and Pd, and O.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Saori Hayashi, Yuichi Sabi, Susumu Sato
  • Patent number: 9325016
    Abstract: Provided are: a porous electrode substrate which has excellent handling properties and surface smoothness and satisfactory gas permeability and electrical conductivity, and enables the reduction of damage to a polymer electrolyte membrane when integrated into a fuel cell; and a process for producing the porous electrode substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI RAYON CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Sumioka, Yoshihiro Sako
  • Patent number: 9318771
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrolyte for an electrochemical device. The electrolyte includes a composite of a plastic crystal matrix electrolyte doped with an ionic salt and a crosslinked polymer structure. The electrolyte has high ionic conductivity comparable to that of a liquid electrolyte due to the use of the plastic crystal, and high mechanical strength comparable to that of a solid electrolyte due to the introduction of the crosslinked polymer structure. Further disclosed is a method for preparing the electrolyte. The method does not essentially require the use of a solvent. Therefore, the electrolyte can be prepared in a simple manner by the method. The electrolyte is suitable for use in a cable-type battery whose shape is easy to change due to its high ionic conductivity and high mechanical strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yo-Han Kwon, Je-Young Kim, Sang-Young Lee, Byung-Hun Oh, Ki-Tae Kim, Hyo-Jeong Ha
  • Patent number: 9315680
    Abstract: A conductive composition for coating a current collector of coating a current collector for a battery or an electrical double layer capacitor, where the adhesion properties between a battery current collector and an active material layer are increased to improve the battery characteristics is presented. A battery using the battery current collector using the composition is also presented. The conductive composition for coating the current collector includes a vinylsilane copolymer, a polycarboxylic acid, and a conductive auxiliary. The formulation of the vinylsilane copolymer is also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: KYORITSU CHEMICAL & CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Taichi Uemura