Patents Examined by Basia Ridley
  • Patent number: 10811644
    Abstract: Systems and methods which provide nickel-zinc textile batteries formed from highly conductive yarn-based components which are configured to facilitate textile material processing, such as weaving, knitting, etc., are described. Embodiments of a conductive yarn-based nickel-zinc textile battery may be constructed using scalably produced highly conductive yarns, such as stainless steel yarns, coated or covered with zinc (anodes) and nickel (cathode) materials, wherein the foregoing yarn anode and cathode components may be coated with an electrolyte to form yarn-based battery assemblies. A conductive yarn-based nickel-zinc textile battery may be constructed by weaving or knitting such yarn-based battery assemblies into a textile material, such as using industrial weaving or knitting machines, hand weaving or knitting processes, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: City University of Hong Kong
    Inventors: Chunyi Zhi, Yan Huang, Zijie Tang
  • Patent number: 10804571
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a battery cell is provided. The battery cell has an electrode assembly with a plurality of unit cells that a cathode plate and an anode plate coupled to a separator. A separation sheet or a separator is interposed therebetween. The method includes applying an electrode active material a side of a current collector to manufacture a cathode plate and an anode plate and forming an electrode tab by notching the uncoated portion of the exterior periphery the current collector in the cathode plate and the anode plate where an electrode active material is not coated while forming an aperture. The aperture penetrates through an active material coating layer and the current collector in the coated portion. The method further includes coupling the cathode plate and the anode plate to a separator at a position to allow communication of the apertures to manufacture a unit cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun Gyu Han, Ji Young Kim, Dae Sik Choi
  • Patent number: 10804536
    Abstract: Substituted ?-MnO2 compounds are provided, where a portion of the Mn is replaced by at least one alternative element. Electrochemical cells incorporating substituted ?-MnO2 into the cathode, as well as methods of preparing the substituted ?-MnO2, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Energizer Brands, LLC
    Inventors: George Louis Schimek, Robert M. Estanek, Steven J. Limmer, Guanghong Zheng
  • Patent number: 10784491
    Abstract: A battery terminal includes a main body in which a battery post is inserted and a fastener having a pair of fastening abutting portions. The main body has a notch portion provided in at least an end in a fastening direction, accommodating and positioning one of the pair of fastening abutting portions. An abutting-portion-side opposite surface on the fastening abutting portion side and a notch-portion-side opposite surface on the notch portion side have respective abutting surfaces. A relief surface is provided on at least one of the abutting-portion-side opposite surface and the notch-portion-side opposite surface such that a relief space is formed with a clearance from the other one of the opposite surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiya Sasaki, Takashi Yoshida, Takayuki Kato, Hideto Yoshinaga
  • Patent number: 10763551
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an energy storage device (1) comprising forming a stack comprising at least a first electrode layer (6), a first current collecting layer (12) and an electrolyte layer 8 disposed between the first electrode layer (6) and the first current collecting layer (12). Forming a first groove (24) in the stack through the first electrode layer (6) and the electrolyte layer (8), thereby forming exposed edges of the first electrode layer 6 and the electrolyte layer (8). Filling at least part of the first groove (24) with an electrically insulating material thereby covering the exposed edges of the first electrode layer (6) and the electrolyte layer (8) with the insulating material. Cutting through the insulating material and the first current collecting layer (12) along at least part of the first groove (24) in order to form an exposed edge of the first current collecting layer (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventor: Michael Edward Rendall
  • Patent number: 10727528
    Abstract: A method of producing a lithium ion secondary battery includes preparing a case in which an electrode group including at least a positive electrode and a negative electrode is accommodated; impregnating a first electrolyte solution into the electrode group, lowering a potential of the negative electrode to a first potential, injecting FEC into a case, and lowering a potential of the negative electrode to a second potential. The negative electrode contains at least graphite and silicon oxide. The first electrolyte solution does not contain FEC. An additive has a reductive decomposition potential of 0.5 V (vs. Li+/Li) or more and 1.5 V (vs. Li+/Li) or less. The first potential is higher than 0.2 V (vs. Li+/Li) and is equal to or lower than the reductive decomposition potential. The second potential is 0.2 V (vs. Li+/Li) or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroki Iguchi, Hideaki Fujita, Hideki Sano, Kaoru Inoue
  • Patent number: 10720673
    Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes at least an electrode composite material layer, an intermediate layer, and an electrode current collector. The intermediate layer is arranged between the electrode composite material layer and the electrode current collector. The intermediate layer contains at least a foaming filler, a resin, and a conductive material. A value calculated by dividing an amount (mass %) of the foaming filler by an amount (mass %) of the resin is not smaller than 1.1 and not greater than 2.8 and a value calculated by dividing an amount (mass %) of the foaming filler by an amount (mass %) of the conductive material is not smaller than 8 and not greater than 14. The intermediate layer has a thickness not smaller than 2 ?m and not greater than 7 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Torita, Keiichi Takahashi, Yusuke Fukumoto
  • Patent number: 10700317
    Abstract: A battery module includes a housing having an opening and an electrochemical cell disposed in the housing. The electrochemical cell includes a first cell surface having electrode terminals and an second cell surface substantially opposite the first cell surface. The battery module also includes a heat sink integral with the housing and disposed substantially opposite the opening of the housing and a thermally conductive adhesive bonded to the second cell surface and a heat sink surface that is facing the second cell surface. The thermally conductive adhesive includes a bonding shear strength and bonding tensile strength between the electrochemical cell and the heat sink of between approximately 5 megaPascals (MPa) and 50 MPa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: CPS Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew R. Tyler, Xugang Zhang
  • Patent number: 10686174
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a separating membrane in gel form, for an alkali metal ion battery, the method consisting of extruding a mix comprising: an alkali metal salt, a dinitrile compound with formula N?C—R—C?N, in which R is a hydrocarbon group CnH2n, and n is equal to 1 or 2 and preferably equal to 2, a hot melt support polymer, soluble in the dinitrile compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Sebastien Solan, Camille Guerin
  • Patent number: 10686227
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to Li-ion batteries. In one aspect an electrolyte structure for use in a battery comprises an electrolyte and an interconnected boron nitride structure disposed in the electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Onur Ergen, Alexander K. Zettl
  • Patent number: 10680283
    Abstract: A lithium metal battery is disclosed. The lithium battery comprising a Li metal anode, a cathode and an electrolyte in between the Li metal anode and the cathode wherein the electrolyte includes immobilized anions at least at the interface between the Li metal anode and the electrolyte to maintain the anionic concentration at the interface above zero throughout the charge-discharge cycles thereby preventing surface potential instability at the interface of the Li metal anode and electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: BLUE SOLUTIONS CANADA INC.
    Inventors: Patrick Leblanc, Frederic Cotton, Alain Vallee, Cedric Reboul-Salze
  • Patent number: 10673098
    Abstract: A core (u1, u2) around which a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery separator is to be wound. A side surface of the core (u1, u2) has a depression (20). This makes it possible, in a case where cores (separator cores) are stored by being stacked while still wet after cleaning, to prevent damage to a core caused by a problem where cores stick together and an core lower in a stack falls when a core higher in the stack is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Daizaburo Yashiki, Daijiro Hoshida
  • Patent number: 10669612
    Abstract: A calcium-free lead alloy comprises lead and 0.003 wt %-0.025 wt % of at least two rare-earth metals. The rare-earth metals are at least a lanthanide and yttrium. Uses of the lead alloy include an electrode with an electrode structure, which is at least partly formed of the lead alloy and a lead-acid accumulator with the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Hoppecke Batterien GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Eduardo Cattaneo, Bernhard Riegel
  • Patent number: 10665891
    Abstract: The present invention provides a lithium-sulfur thermal battery including: a positive electrode including sulfur (S8) or a sulfur compound, and a solid electrolyte including a lithium salt and a polymer having a melting point lower than a melting point of a negative electrode; a lithium metal negative electrode or lithium alloy; a solid electrolyte membrane disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode and including a lithium salt and a polymer having a melting point lower than a melting point of the lithium metal negative electrode or lithium alloy; and a heater configured to provide heat so that the polymer is melted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: J-INNOTECH CO., LTD
    Inventors: Yong Ju Jung, Hye Jeong Yang, Tae Hyeon Yang, Ji Hun Kang, Jin Kyeong Kang, Jong Won Park
  • Patent number: 10665889
    Abstract: Provided is an electrode stack formed by integrating a first separator, a first electrode plate, a second separator, and a second electrode plate. The first separator has a first separator body, and a first bonding layer that is formed on a principal surface of the first separator body and contains first polyethylene particles. The second separator has a second separator body, and a second bonding layer that is formed on a principal surface of the second separator body and contains second polyethylene particles. The number of particles of the first polyethylene particles per unit area of the first bonding layer is larger than the number of particles of the second polyethylene particles per unit area of the second bonding layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takahiro Kuhara
  • Patent number: 10637105
    Abstract: A battery embedded structure is disclosed. The battery embedded structure comprises a substrate including one or more stacked battery units. Each stacked battery unit includes two or more conductive layers and one or more unit cells. Each unit cell is disposed between two conductive layers. The substrate has a principal surface provided by one or more respective side surfaces of the one or more stacked battery units. The battery embedded structure also comprises a wiring layer disposed on the principal surface of the substrate. The wiring layer includes a plurality of electrical paths and a plurality of vias. Each via is connected with one electrical path. Each via is located at a position corresponding to an edge surface of a conductive layer of the two or more conductive layers of the one or more stacked battery units so as to contact electrically to that conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Keiji Matsumoto, Hiroyuki Mori
  • Patent number: 10622670
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a positive electrode active material for a secondary battery, which comprises a core including a lithium composite metal oxide, and a surface treatment layer located on a surface of the core and including an amorphous oxide, wherein the amorphous oxide including silicon (Si), nitrogen (N) and at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of a Group 1A element, a Group 2A element, and a Group 3B element, and a method for preparing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae Jin Lee, Dong Hun Lee, Ji Hoon Ryu, Gi Beom Han, Dong Hwi Kim, Wang Mo Jung, Sang Wook Lee
  • Patent number: 10581119
    Abstract: Electrochemical cells that cycle lithium ions and methods for suppressing or minimizing dendrite formation are provided. The electrochemical cells include a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator disposed therebetween. At least one transition metal ion-trapping moiety, including one or more polymers functionalized with one or more trapping groups, may be included within the electrochemical cell as a coating, pore filler, substitute pendant group, or binder. The one or more trapping groups may be selected from the group consisting of: crown ethers, siderophores, bactins, ortho-phenanthroline, iminodiacetic acid dilithium salt, oxalates malonates, fumarates, succinates, itaconates, phosphonates, and combinations thereof, and may bind to metal ions found within the electrochemical cell to minimize or suppress formation of dendrite protrusions on the negative electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Ion C. Halalay, Zicheng Li, Timothy J. Fuller, Bob R. Powell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10535857
    Abstract: The present application relates to an end plate assembly of a battery module and a battery module. The end plate assembly includes an end plate and an energy absorbing component, the energy absorbing component is arranged between the end plate and a battery, the energy absorbing component includes a stress bearing plate and a bending plate, the bending plate and the stress bearing plate are connected with each other. After the battery module is assembled, if the battery of the battery module expands and applies an expansion force to the energy absorbing component, then the bending plate of the energy absorbing component will deform elastically, so as to absorb the expansion force of the battery. Therefore, the end plate of the end plate assembly will stress smaller expansion force, so as to prevent the battery module from failure, thereby improving structural strength of the battery module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED
    Inventor: Shubing You
  • Patent number: 10535851
    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: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomohiko Yokoyama, Yoshiyuki Muraoka, Takahiro Fukuoka, Kyosuke Miyata