Patents Examined by Basia Ridley
  • Electrical power storage unit for motor vehicles
    Patent number: 9496530
    Abstract: An electrical power storage unit for motor vehicles, having a housing comprising an electrical battery cell pack in a first housing section and an electrical circuit therefor in a second housing section separated from the first housing section and separately openable, wherein the second housing section has at least one separated and independently openable maintenance region, which—with the exception of an optional contact-protected high-voltage fuse—does not comprise any electrical circuit components operating above a predetermined low-voltage limit, preferably 60 V DC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Oliver Heidenbauer
  • Separable fuel cartridge
    Patent number: 9490491
    Abstract: A fuel supply (10) is attachable to a fuel cell system (12). The fuel supply includes a fuel supply connector (14) configured to be attached to the fuel cell system. A fuel supply connector automatically separates the fuel supply from the fuel cell system in a predetermined manner if exposed to a separation load. Valves (24, 26) or filler material (23a-d) are used to automatically stop the flow of fuel through the fuel supply connector. Alternatively, the fuel supply connector includes a flexible tube (114) and a valve disposed within the connector. The flexibility of the tube prevents the connector from breaking in case of a separation load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Intelligent Energy Limited
    Inventors: Paul Adams, Andrew J. Curello, Constance R. Stepan, Hung T. Than
  • Rechargeable lithium battery
    Patent number: 9478799
    Abstract: In an aspect, a rechargeable lithium battery including a negative electrode including a silicon-based negative active material is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Soon-Rewl Lee, Ick-Kyu Choi, Young-Ki Kim, Young-Hun Lee, Na-Leum Yoo, Na-Ri Park, Yong-Chul Park
  • System, method and apparatus for forming a thin film lithium ion battery
    Patent number: 9478797
    Abstract: A system and method of forming a thin film battery includes a substrate, a first current collector formed on the substrate, a cathode layer formed on a portion of the first current collector, a solid layer of electrolyte material formed on the cathode layer, a silicon-metal thin film anode layer formed on the solid layer of electrolyte material and a second current collector electrically coupled to the silicon-metal thin film anode layer. A method and a system for forming the thin film battery are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: APPLEJACK 199 L.P.
    Inventors: Wenming Li, Byunghoon Yoon, Ann Koo
  • Lithium ion secondary battery
    Patent number: 9472809
    Abstract: Provided is a lithium ion secondary battery capable of realizing a high energy density while maintaining output. A lithium ion secondary battery D1 according to the present invention includes an electrode having an active material mix layer 31 on both surfaces of a current collector 35. The active material mix layer 31 has a smaller void ratio in a current collector side region 34 of the active material mix layer 31 and a surface side region 32 of the active material mix layer 31 than in an intermediate region 33 between the current collector side region 34 and the surface side region 32 of the active material mix layer 31.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Ikuo Ozaki, Yoshimasa Koishikawa
  • Battery wrap
    Patent number: 9474171
    Abstract: The invention described herein generally pertains to batteries for a welding operation having insulating structure thereabout. Particularly, various welding batteries can be provided one one or more battery wraps that can be opened or closed to increase or decrease the insulating effect thereof. In some embodiments, battery wraps can be integrated with batteries used in hybrid welders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: LINCOLN GLOBAL, INC.
    Inventors: Donald F. Maglietta, Darren Stockton, Bryan Scott Burkhart
  • Lithium secondary battery having improved lifespan characteristics
    Patent number: 9472830
    Abstract: Disclosed is a lithium secondary battery having improved lifespan characteristics. More particularly, a lithium secondary battery comprising a cathode, an anode, a separator interposed between the cathode and anode, and an electrolyte, wherein the anode comprises lithium titanium oxide (LTO) as an anode active material, the electrolyte comprises a lithium salt; a non-aqueous-based solvent; and (a) a phosphate compound which can prevent gas generation during high-temperature storage, (b) a sulfonate compound which can reduce discharge resistance by forming a low-resistance SEI layer, or a mixture of the compound (a) and the compound (b), is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyoung Ho Ahn, Chul Haeng Lee, Jung Hoon Lee, Doo Kyung Yang, Young Min Lim
  • Cylindrical lithium-ion cell
    Patent number: 9472795
    Abstract: A cylindrical lithium ion battery in which an electrode group formed by winding a positive electrode and a negative electrode is housed in a battery case is disclosed. A sealing plate seals an opening of the battery case. An insulating plate having a plurality of openings is provided on a side of the electrode group closer to the sealing plate. The plurality of openings include a first hole with a largest opening area, and a plurality of second holes with opening areas smaller than the opening area of the first hole. An opening ratio of the first hole is 12% or more and 40% or less; a sum of opening ratios of the second holes is 0.3% or more and 10% or less; and a total opening ratio of all the openings is 20% or more and 50% or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomohiko Yokoyama, Yoshiyuki Muraoka, Takahiro Fukuoka, Kyosuke Miyata
  • Battery
    Patent number: 9466841
    Abstract: Provided is a battery having an outer package made of a laminated film, and further with a terminal having a plate-form first metal layer, and second metal layers laid over both surfaces of the first metal layer, respectively. The terminal is sandwiched between portions of the resin layer or between the resin layers, and at its sandwiched region the second metal layers of the terminal contact the resin layer(s) of the laminated film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: GS YUASA INTERNATIONAL LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Yoshida, Keita Nakamura
  • Fuel cell system and humidification device of the same
    Patent number: 9466846
    Abstract: A fuel cell system is disclosed. More specifically, the fuel cell system may include a stack that includes an electrical generation assembly of a fuel cell, an air supply unit that supplies air to a cathode of the fuel cell, a humidifier that humidifies exhaust air that is exhausted from the cathode and supply air that is supplied from the air supply unit, a hydrogen supply unit that supplies the anode of the fuel cell with hydrogen, and a water trap that traps condensate that is generated by the anode and exhausts it. In particular, the supply air is supplied to an upstream side of the humidifier and the condensate that is trapped in the water trap is supplied to an upstream side of the humidifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Hyo Sub Shim, Se Joon Im, HyunJae Lee, Deukkuen Ahn, Jong Hyun Lee
  • Vanadium oxide based amorphous cathode materials for rechargeable magnesium battery
    Patent number: 9461306
    Abstract: A magnesium electrochemical cell having a positive electrode containing as an active ingredient, an amorphous material of formula [V2O5]c[MgXy]d[MaOb]e is provided. In the formula M is an element selected from the group consisting of P, B, Si, Ge and Mo, and X is O, F, Cl, Br or I.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Fuminori Mizuno, Ruigang Zhang, Jason Germain, Keiko Kato, Timothy Sean Arthur
  • Power storage device cell, manufacturing method and storing method therefor, and electric storage device
    Patent number: 9461347
    Abstract: A power storage device cell is configured such that a capacitor positive electrode and a lithium positive electrode are directly connected with each other; a second electrode layer is formed of a material including particles of phosphoric-acid-type lithium compound having an olivine-type structure; the third electrode layers are formed mainly of particles of lithium titanate; and a third collector foil is formed of an aluminum foil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Makiko Kise, Kenro Mitsuda, Shigeru Aihara, Daigo Takemura
  • Electrode assembly
    Patent number: 9455433
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electrode assembly comprising a plurality of unit cells, each unit cell having a full-cell or a bi-cell structure comprising a cathode, an anode, and a first separator interposed between the cathode and the anode, and the plurality of unit cells being stacked by surrounding each unit cell with a second separator, wherein the second separator has an average pore diameter (d2) larger than the average pore diameter (d1) of the first separator in the unit cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ji-Hye Park, Song-Taek Oh, Su-Rim Lee, Jung-Seok Choi, Hyeok-Moo Lee
  • Battery pack of improved safety
    Patent number: 9455436
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a battery pack configured such that battery modules, each of which includes a plurality of battery cells or unit modules connected to each other in series, are connected to each other in series in a state in which the battery modules are in tight contact with each other or stacked adjacent to each other, the battery pack including a fuse connected in series in an electrical connection circuit between the battery modules and a circuit breaker mounted at an outside of at least one of the battery modules to perform electric conduction when the battery cells swell, the circuit breaker being electrically connected to the electrical connection circuit to break the fuse when electric conduction is performed due to swelling of the battery cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Taehwan Roh, Jin Kyu Lee, Junseok Choi, Min Chul Jang, In Cur Shin, Dalmo Kang, Seongtae Kim, Taehyuck Kim
  • Fuel cell
    Patent number: 9450253
    Abstract: In a fuel cell having a cell structure in which a gas flow passage is formed by an expanded metal, a bond portion connecting a mesh of the expanded metal stands partially upright in a position where a bond length is shortened so as to form a part of a strand portion. Hence, in an opening formed by the mesh of the expanded metal, a surface area on which front and rear openings overlap in a direction increases when seen from an direction. Thus, a sectional area of gas flow passages constituted by a continuum in the direction of the openings overlapping in the direction increases. As a result, a gas flow flows without making repeated narrow turns, leading to a reduction in gas pressure loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA AUTO BODY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomokazu Hayashi, Naotoshi Miyamoto
  • Hydrogen producing cell, hydrogen producing device, and energy system including the hydrogen producing device
    Patent number: 9447509
    Abstract: A hydrogen producing cell of the present invention is provided with an electrolyte supply hole, an electrolyte discharge hole, a first hydrogen circulation hole and a second hydrogen circulation hole respectively penetrating a housing. In disposing the hydrogen producing cell, the electrolyte supply hole is arranged on a vertically upper side than the electrolyte discharge hole, the first hydrogen circulation hole is arranged on a vertically upper side than the electrolyte supply hole, and the second hydrogen circulation hole is arranged on a vertically upper side than the electrolyte discharge hole. By this configuration, it is possible to considerably reduce the length of a pipe and the number of manifolds concerning the electrolyte and hydrogen, and to link the hydrogen producing cells with one another simply and rationally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Suzuki, Takaiki Nomura, Kazuhito Hato, Kenichi Tokuhiro, Satoru Tamura
  • Preparation of high energy-density electrode materials for rechargeable magnesium batteries
    Patent number: 9444094
    Abstract: An anode active material for a magnesium battery includes a Metal M which electrochemically alloys with magnesium, magnesium, and carbon that are ball milled forming an active material mixture. The mixture may be of the formula: MgaM1-a (0?a<1)+Carbon wherein the mixture is ball milled and has a stoichiometric amount of M and Mg and carbon of from 0.1-50 weight percent of the total mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ruigang Zhang, Fuminori Mizuno
  • System and method for reducing fuel cell power plant emissions
    Patent number: 9444110
    Abstract: A system and method for operating fuel cell power plant 10 includes enclosing fuel bearing components, such as fuel cell stack 28 and reformer 24, into a fuel compartment 12 separate from motorized components in a motor compartment 14, and consuming leaked fuel in the fuel compartment 12 using a fuel bearing component such as cell stack 28 and/or burner 26, thereby reducing fuel emissions from the plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: DOOSAN FUEL CELL AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: John L. Preston, Peter F. Foley, Paul R. Hanrahan, Joshua D. Isom
  • Battery unit and secondary battery assembly equipped with the battery unit
    Patent number: 9444086
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a battery unit includes a first cell unit, a second cell unit and a third cell unit arranged adjacent to the first cell unit, respectively. Each cell unit includes a plurality of secondary battery cells, and the respective secondary battery cells are formed of a main body of a substantially rectangular solid shape and a pair of first and second electrodes of different polarities each other pulled out from one end of the main body. A first bus bar connects the first electrodes of the first cell unit and the second electrodes of the second cell unit in a first line, and a second bus bar connects the second electrodes of the first cell unit and the first electrodes of the third cell unit in a second line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hideo Shimizu, Nagaaki Muro, Masahiro Sekino, Hidenori Miyamoto, Mitsuhiro Saito, Kenji Yazawa, Toshinori Uchida
  • Lithium/dissolved polysulfide rechargeable lithium—sulfur batteries and methods of making the same
    Patent number: 9444119
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a rechargeable Li—S battery including a cathode including a firbrous carbon material, a catholyte including a polysulfide, and an anode. In another embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a charged or partially charged rechargeable Li—S battery including a cathode including a fibrous carbon material and amorphous microparticles of elemental sulfur, a catholyte including high-order polysulfides having a general formula of Li2Sn, wherein n is at least eight, and an anode. In another embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a discharged or partially discharged rechargeable Li—S battery including a cathode including a fibrous carbon material and amorphous microparticles of Li2S, a catholyte including a negligible amount of polysulfides, and an anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: Arumugam Manthiram, Yongzhu Fu