Patents Examined by Amanda J Barrow
  • Patent number: 11031650
    Abstract: A battery module includes: a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; and a bus bar to which electrode leads provided at the respective plurality of battery cells are coupled, wherein the bus bar presses the electrode leads so that the bus bar and the electrode leads are electrically connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Inventors: Kyung-Mo Kim, Jeong-O Mun, Jin-Yong Park, Jung-Hoon Lee, Ho-June Chi
  • Patent number: 11018390
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a lid for storage battery comprising a terminal having a rectangular parallelepiped shape and a cavity portion, and a nut having a rectangular parallelepiped shape and being inserted into the cavity portion. The terminal has a first through-hole extending from an upper surface toward a lower surface of the terminal and a second through-hole extending from a front surface toward a rear plate portion of the terminal. The nut has a first screw hole extending from an upper surface toward a lower surface of the nut, and a second screw hole extending from a front surface toward a back surface of the nut, the first and second screw holes communicating with the first and second through-holes of the terminal, respectively. A direction in which the first screw hole extends does not intersect with a direction in which the second screw hole extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: GS Yuasa International Ltd.
    Inventors: Shin Osaki, Hiroshi Haruyama, Eiji Hojo, Yasuhide Nakayama
  • Patent number: 11018372
    Abstract: A sodium-ion battery includes an electrode and a passivation layer on the electrode material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Gerbrand Ceder, YaoSen Tian, YingZhi Sun, Daniel C. Hannah, Shou-Hang Bo
  • Patent number: 11018368
    Abstract: A pouch forming method and a pouch forming device are provided. In particular, the pouch forming method for forming an accommodation part that accommodates an electrode assembly in a pouch sheet includes a seating process of seating the pouch sheet on a top surface of a lower die in which a forming groove is formed in an upper portion thereof. In a vacuum elongation process, a lower portion of the pouch sheet, in which the accommodation part is formed, is elongated by vacuum, and in an accommodation part formation process, the portion of the pouch sheet, which is elongated by the vacuum, is pressed by a punch disposed above the pouch sheet in a direction in which the forming groove is formed to form the accommodation part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Inventors: Gee Hwan Kim, Sang Don Lee, Min Seung Choi, Sang Uk Yeo
  • Patent number: 11018351
    Abstract: A single cell structure for a fuel cell includes: a framed membrane electrode assembly; a pair of separators disposed on both sides of the framed membrane electrode assembly; a gas channel portion which is formed between one of the pair of separators and the membrane electrode assembly, and to which gas is supplied; a manifold portion having a hole that penetrates the frame and the separator in a stacking direction; a protrusion that protrudes from at least one of the pair of separators toward the framed membrane electrode assembly to support the frame near the manifold portion; an extended portion of the frame that extends toward the manifold portion beyond the protrusion; and a gas flowing portion that is formed at the extended portion to supply the gas from the manifold portion to the gas channel portion. The gas flowing portion includes a bump that is disposed at the extended portion of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Keiji Ichihara
  • Patent number: 11011746
    Abstract: A composite cathode active material for a lithium battery including: a lithium composite oxide; and a coating layer including a metal oxide and a lithium fluoride, (LiF) wherein the coating layer is disposed on at least a portion of a surface of the lithium composite oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignees: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kwangjin Park, Junho Park, Jaegu Yoon, Sukgi Hong
  • Patent number: 11005130
    Abstract: An onboard battery for a vehicle includes battery modules each including battery cells disposed therein, a housing case that houses the battery modules, and intake ducts that introduce cooling air into the battery modules. The cooling air is taken from rearward into the battery modules via the intake ducts. The battery modules include at least three battery modules, at least two of the battery modules being disposed in upper and lower stages. At least two of the battery modules are arranged along a longitudinal direction. One of the battery modules is disposed at the forefront.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Hara
  • Patent number: 10978683
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing n battery cells (n?2), each including a respective reference electrode for measuring a relative electrode potential, including: (i) manufacturing a reference cell composed of an electrolyte solution, the reference electrodes, and a lithium electrode; (ii) charging the reference cell; (iii) charging the reference cell to 40% to 60% of a capacity discharged in the process (ii), thereby performing formation on the reference electrodes; (iv) manufacturing the n battery cells, each of the battery cells including a respective one of the reference electrodes, an electrode assembly, the electrolyte solution and a battery case; and (v) in each of the battery cells, measuring a relative potential of the respective one of the reference electrodes and a positive electrode of the respective electrode assembly, and a relative potential of the respective one of the reference electrodes and a negative electrode of the respective electrode assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Inventors: Ji Won Min, Sun Hwak Woo, Seok Koo Kim, Sei Woon Oh, Eun Ju Lee
  • Patent number: 10978715
    Abstract: An innovative fuel cell system with MEAs includes a polymer electrolyte membrane, a gas diffusion layer (GDL) made of porous metal foam, and a catalyst layer. A fuel cell has a metal foam layer that improves efficiency and lifetime of the conventional gas diffusion layer, which consists of both gas diffusion barrier (GDB) and microporous layer (MPL). This metal foam GDL enables consistent maintenance of the suitable structure and even distribution of pores during the operation. Due to the combination of mechanical and physical properties of metallic foam, the fuel cell is not deformed by external physical strain. Among many other processing methods of open-cell metal foams, ice-templating provides a cheap, easy processing route suitable for mass production. Furthermore, it provides well-aligned and long channel pores, which improve gas and water flow during the operation of the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: CellMobility, Inc.
    Inventors: Yong-Hun Cho, Hyelim Choi, Ok-Hee Kim, Yung-Eun Sung, Heeman Choe
  • Patent number: 10978748
    Abstract: A lithium or sodium battery includes a cathode containing manganese; an anode containing an active anode material; a separator; an electrolyte; and a transition metal ion sequestration agent; wherein the transition metal ion sequestration agent contains a micron or nano-sized inorganic compound and the transition metal ion sequestration agent is located on and/or within the separator; on and/or within the anode; in the electrolyte; or any combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel R. Vissers, Khalil Amine, Zonghai Chen, Ujjal Das
  • Patent number: 10971707
    Abstract: A method for producing a laminated all-solid-state battery 100, including: housing an all-solid-state battery laminate 15, having one or more all-solid-state unit cells, in a casing 20 composed of a laminated film 21, the one or more all-solid-state unit cells obtained by laminating a negative electrode current collector layer having a negative electrode current collector tab 1a, a negative electrode active material layer, a solid electrolyte layer, a positive electrode active material layer and a positive electrode current collector layer having a positive electrode current collector tab 5a in this order, pressing the all-solid-state battery laminate 15 housed in the casing 20 in the direction of lamination from outside the casing 20, injecting a filler into the casing 20 while maintaining pressure, and sealing the casing 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazuhito Kato
  • Patent number: 10971745
    Abstract: A fuel cell reversal event is diagnosed by integrating current density via a controller in response to determine an accumulated charge density. The controller executes a control action when the accumulated charge density exceeds a threshold, including recording a diagnostic code indicative of event severity. The control action may include continuing stack operation at reduced power capability when the accumulated charge density exceeds a first threshold and shutting off the stack when the accumulated charge density exceeds a higher second threshold. The event may be detected by calculating a voltage difference between an average and a minimum cell voltage, and then determining if the difference exceeds a voltage difference threshold. The charge density thresholds may be adjusted based on age, state of health, and/or temperature of the fuel cell or stack. A fuel cell system includes the stack and controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Manish Sinha, Jingxin Zhang, Andrew J. Maslyn
  • Patent number: 10938009
    Abstract: A first separator (130) covers a first surface of a cathode electrode (110). The first separator (130) has a melting point of a first temperature. A second separator (140) covers a second surface of the cathode electrode (110). The second separator (140) has a melting point of a second temperature higher than the first temperature. An adhesive layer (132) is formed by melting a portion of the first separator (130). The adhesive layer (132) pastes the first separator (130) and the second separator (140) to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Envision AESC Energy Devices Ltd.
    Inventor: Akihiro Modeki
  • Patent number: 10930907
    Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of cylindrical batteries, a wiring board, a plurality of positive electrode-side current collector members, and a plurality of negative electrode-side current collector members. The wiring board is a wiring board having a multilayer structure in which wiring patterns are formed in a plurality of layers, and includes a positive electrode-side wiring pattern and a negative electrode-side wiring pattern. The respective wiring patterns are formed as different layers of the wiring board. Each positive electrode-side current collector member electrically connects a sealing body functioning as a positive electrode external terminal of each cylindrical battery and the positive electrode-side wiring pattern. Each negative electrode-side current collector member electrically connects a case body functioning as a negative electrode external terminal of each cylindrical battery and the negative electrode-side wiring pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jiro Muratsu, Chifumi Murayama
  • Patent number: 10923754
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer blend proton exchange membrane comprising a soluble polymer and a sulfonated polymer, wherein the soluble polymer is at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polysulfone, polyethersulfone and polyvinylidene fluoride, the sulfonated polymer is at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of sulfonated poly(ether-ether-ketone), sulfonated poly(ether-ketone-ether-ketone-ketone), sulfonated poly(phthalazinone ether keton), sulfonated phenolphthalein poly(ether sulfone), sulfonated polyimides, sulfonated polyphosphazene and sulfonated polybenzimidazole, and wherein the degree of sulfonation of the sulfonated polymer is in the range of 96% to 118%. The present invention further relates to a method for manufacturing the polymer blend proton exchange membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: BEIJING PU NENG CENTURY SCI & TECH CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Mianyan Huang, Yanling Zhao, Linlin Li
  • Patent number: 10923690
    Abstract: A refined microcrystalline electrode manufacturing method is provided. The refined microcrystalline electrode manufacturing method includes the following step. First, an active material electrode layer is subjected to a conventional thermal annealing (CTA) process in an oxygen-containing environment at a first temperature interval to form an active material crystallization precursor; the active material crystallization precursor is subjected to a rapid thermal annealing (RTA) process in the oxygen-containing environment at a second temperature interval to form an active material coating layer with uniformly distributed fine microcrystal grains, wherein the temperature range of the second temperature interval is greater than the temperature range of the first temperature interval. In addition, a thin film battery and a thin film battery manufacturing method are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH, ATOMIC ENERGY COUNCIL, EXECUTIVE YUAN, R.O.C
    Inventors: Tien-Hsiang Hsueh, Yuh-Jenq Yu, Chi-Hung Su, Der-Jun Jan
  • Patent number: 10886563
    Abstract: A polymer solid electrolyte having high ion conductivity and interfacial stability is provided. An additive including an organic compound having a highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy of ?8.5 eV or higher is used, which facilitates film formation in a positive electrode due to low oxidation potential. The resulting polymer solid electrolytes have enhanced film formation on the surface of a positive electrode surface and enhanced interfacial stability, while maintaining battery performance. Lithium secondary battery having enhanced performance are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Seungha Kim, Youngcheol Choi, Jonghyun Chae, Kyoung Hoon Kim, Yeonju Lee, Daeil Kim, Lucia Kim
  • Patent number: 10862124
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a conducting material composition which is allowed to provide an electrode having a higher content of uniformly dispersed carbon nanotubes, thereby providing a lithium rechargeable batteryelectrode having more improved electrical characteristics and life characteristics, a slurry composition for forming a lithium rechargeable batteryelectrode using the same, and a lithium rechargeable battery. The conducting material composition includes carbon nanotube; and a dispersing agent including a plurality of polyaromatic hydrocarbon oxides, in which the dispersing agent contains the polyaromatic hydrocarbon oxides having a molecular weight of 300 to 1000 in an amount of 60% by weight or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Inventors: Kwon Nam Sohn, Kil Sun Lee, Won Jong Kwon, Byung Hun Oh, Su Jin Park, In Young Kim
  • Patent number: 10854904
    Abstract: Disclosed are a polymer electrolyte membrane, a method for manufacturing the same and a membrane-electrode assembly comprising the same, the polymer electrolyte membrane includes a hydrocarbon-containing ion conductive layer; and a fluorine-containing ion conductor discontinuously dispersed on the hydrocarbon-containing ion conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: KOLON INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Moo Seok Lee, Yong Cheol Shin, Na Young Kim, Dong Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 10826112
    Abstract: A negative electrode active material includes a carbon material; a plurality of first particles including a first silicon oxide particle and a carbon layer and a plurality of second particles including a carbon particle and a second silicon oxide particle, and when a first mass of the first silicon oxide particle per gram of the negative electrode active material is referred to as M1 gram, and a second mass of the second silicon oxide particle per gram of the negative electrode active material is referred to as M2 grams, 0.40?M1/(M1+M2)?0.85 is satisfied, and when a first discharge capacity associated with the carbon material and the carbon particle is referred to as CpC, and a second discharge capacity associated with the first silicon oxide particle and the second silicon oxide particle is referred to as CpSO, 0.15?CpSO/(CpC+CpSO)?0.5 is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Matsushita, Masaki Kuratsuka