Patents Examined by Brent C Thomas
  • Patent number: 11621441
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a lithium-ion battery high-voltage distribution system architecture are disclosed. A battery pack includes: a plurality of lithium-ion battery cells; a disconnect mechanism operable in an operational position between a battery bus and the plurality of lithium-ion battery cells and a bypass position between the battery bus and a bus-power pass through; and a battery management system. The battery management system is configured to monitor battery pack performance; and responsive to detecting a triggering event in the battery pack performance, cause the disconnect mechanism to be in the bypass position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Sheverria Antony Aikens, Mehdy Barekatein, Glen M. Brown
  • Patent number: 11588172
    Abstract: An all-solid-state battery includes a pair of electrode layers consisting of first and second electrode layers, and a solid-state electrolyte layer positioned between the pair of electrode layers, wherein the first electrode layer contains an electrode active material having an olivine-type crystalline structure, the solid-state electrolyte layer contains a solid-state electrolyte having a NASICON-type crystalline structure, and the solid-state electrolyte layer in the vicinity of the first electrode layer is expressed by a composition formula LixAyCozM?aM?bP3Oc. The all-solid-state battery can improve the long-term cycle stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: TAIYO YUDEN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daigo Ito, Takeyuki Fukushima, Hidenori Somei, Yoichiro Ogata, Chie Kawamura
  • Patent number: 11581564
    Abstract: An electrochemical system having two metallic separator plates, an electrochemical cell arranged between the separator plates and sealed by at least one sealing element, and fixing elements for fixing the separator plates. The fixing elements comprise at least two fixing elements which are designed as integral with the first or with the second separator plate, which differ from the at least one sealing element, are spaced apart from the at least one sealing element parallel to the plate planes of the separator plates, and project at least in sections beyond the plate planes of the separator plates in a stacking direction. The first fixing element is thereby supported on the second fixing element in such a way that the second fixing element prevents a displacement of the first separator plate relative to the second separator plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Reinz-Dichtungs-GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Stoehr, Andre Speidel, Rainer Glueck
  • Patent number: 11575124
    Abstract: Electrode protection in electrochemical cells, and more specifically, electrode protection in both aqueous and non-aqueous electrochemical cells, including rechargeable lithium batteries, are presented. Advantageously, electrochemical cells described herein are not only compatible with environments that are typically unsuitable for lithium, but the cells may be also capable of displaying long cycle life, high lithium cycling efficiency, and high energy density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Sion Power Corporation
    Inventors: John D. Affinito, Yuriy V. Mikhaylik, Yordan M. Geronov, Christopher J. Sheehan
  • Patent number: 11552370
    Abstract: In accordance with at least selected embodiments or aspects, the present invention is directed to improved, unique, and/or complex performance lead acid battery separators, such as improved flooded lead acid battery separators, batteries including such separators, methods of production, and/or methods of use. The preferred battery separator of the present invention addresses and optimizes multiple separator properties simultaneously. It is believed that the present invention is the first to recognize the need to address multiple separator properties simultaneously, the first to choose particular multiple separator property combinations, and the first to produce commercially viable multiple property battery separators, especially such a separator having negative cross ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Daramic, LLC
    Inventors: J. Kevin Whear, Eric H. Miller, Margaret R. Roberts
  • Patent number: 11545677
    Abstract: A fuel cell vehicle thermal management system with cold start function includes a fuel cell stack, electronic water pump, electronic thermostat, cold start heater and first solenoid valve, all connected to a thermal management controller, and air intake preheating heat exchangers. The coolant outlet of the fuel cell stack is connected with an inlet of the electronic water pump, and an outlet of the electronic water pump is connected with the inlets of the electronic thermostat and the first solenoid valve. The first outlet of the electronic thermostat is connected with the inlet of the heater. The outlet of the heater is connected with the inlet of the fuel cell stack. The outlet of the first solenoid valve is connected with the inlet of the intake preheating heat exchanger. The outlet of the intake preheating heat exchanger is connected with the inlet of the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Shusheng Xiong, Xiaoxuan Zhang, Wei Li, Renpu Jiang, Zhankuan Wu, Shiyan Ye, Guodong Chen
  • Patent number: 11545681
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, a first discharger, an opening-and-closing valve, a second discharger, a voltage detector, and a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Rei Morinaga
  • Patent number: 11502319
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a control method for a fuel cell. The control method includes: collecting, by a controller, state information of a fuel cell (FC) stack; determining, by the controller, a degradation state of the FC stack from the collected state information of the FC stack; correcting, by the controller, a basic threshold output corresponding to a present driving state of a vehicle on the basis of information of the determined degradation state of the FC stack; comparing, by the controller, a post-correction threshold output that is obtained by correcting the basic threshold output and a motor demand output, and determining, by the controller, stopping or restarting of a fuel cell; and controlling, by the controller, such that the determined stopping or restarting state of the fuel cell is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Young Woo Jung, Jung Jae Lee
  • Patent number: 11495804
    Abstract: An air electrode catalyst for an air secondary battery includes a pyrochlore-type composite oxide having two or more crystal structures having a different amount of oxygen. A battery, according to some embodiments, includes an electrode group including an air electrode and a negative electrode stacked with a separator therebetween, and a container accommodating the electrode group along with an alkali electrolyte solution, wherein the air electrode includes the air electrode catalyst. The air electrode catalyst may have a pyrochlore-type composite oxide having a crystal structure represented by Bi2Ru2O6.92 and a crystal structure represented by Bi2Ru2O7.33.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignees: FDK CORPORATION, JAPAN METALS AND CHEMICALS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shohei Unoki, Takeshi Kajiwara, Takahiro Endo, Shigekazu Yasuoka, Yoshikatsu Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11462748
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fuel cell separator, includes: stacking a first separator plate and a second separator plate having first and second protruding portions so that the first and second protruding portions protrude in a direction away from the first separator plate, the first and second protruding portions being adjacent to both sides of a first junction portion to be joined to the first separator plate; pressing the first and second protruding portions toward the first separator plate so that the first junction portion is pressed against the first separator plate; and joining the first junction portion to the first separator plate while the first junction portion is being pressed against the first separator plate, wherein in the pressing, the first junction portion is pressed against the first separator plate by elastic deformation of a first bent portion bent between the first junction portion and the first protruding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazunori Shibata
  • Patent number: 11437636
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell a current sensor that detects a current of the fuel cell, a plurality of cell voltage sensors that detects a voltage in a unit of one or two or more cells of the fuel cell among the cells, a pump that adjusts a flow rate of the cooling medium, and a controller. The controller estimates, in a first case, a calorific value of the fuel cell using each detected cell voltage value and the detected current value, decides the flow rate of the cooling medium based on the estimated calorific value, and controls the operation of the pump such that the flow rate of the cooling medium is lower than that of a case where the estimated calorific value is the same in a normal operation of the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shuhei Nakamura, Tsuyoshi Maruo, Osamu Hamanoi, Hiroyuki Tsunekawa
  • Patent number: 11374293
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for battery cells with positive polarity rigid containers. In accordance with disclosed embodiments, the cell may include a container and a lid piece that couple together to form a rectangular prismatic geometry. An electrode assembly having positive and negative coils may be disposed within the cell, and the positive coil may be conductively coupled to the cell. In this way, the cell (e.g., both the lid and the container) may be positively polarized. Further, the electrode assembly may incorporate a jelly-roll or a stacked structure. In one embodiment, the lid piece may include a vent that opens in response to pressure in the cell surpassing an established threshold. The lid may further include a positive terminal, negative terminal, and a method for filling the cell with electrolyte. Another embodiment may provide a battery module include multiple cells with positive polarity rigid containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: CPS TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Jason Daniel Fuhr, Jonathan Paul Lobert, Xugang Zhang
  • Patent number: 11349154
    Abstract: A secondary battery includes: a first electrode; a second electrode; a first solid electrolyte covering the first electrode, the first solid electrolyte containing an alkaline earth metal; and a liquid electrolyte filling the space between the first electrode and the second electrode, the liquid electrolyte containing a non-aqueous solvent and a salt of the alkaline earth metal dissolved in the non-aqueous solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuji Tsujita, Yu Nishitani, Norihito Fujinoki, Morio Tomiyama
  • Patent number: 11316185
    Abstract: A fuel cell may include a cell stack including a plurality of unit cells stacked in a first direction, first and second end plates disposed at corresponding first and second end portions of the cell stack, at least one clamping member coupled to the first and second end plates to clamp the plurality of unit cells in the first direction and configured to generate heat in a response to a control signal, and a controller configured to generate the control signal based on the temperature of the cell stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Suk Min Baeck, Yong Suk Heo
  • Patent number: 11309556
    Abstract: An electrical power supply system has a fuel cell module and a battery. The fuel cell can be selectively connected to the battery system through a diode. The system preferably also has a current sensor and a controller adapted to close a contactor in a by-pass circuit around the diode after sensing a current flowing from the fuel cell through the diode. The system may also have a resistor and a contactor in another by-pass circuit around the diode. In a start-up method, a first contactor is closed to connect the fuel cell in parallel with the battery through the diode and one or more reactant pumps for the fuel cell are turned on. A current sensor is monitored for a signal indicating current flow through the diode. After a current is indicated, a by-pass circuit is provided around the diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: HYDROGENICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Paolo Forte
  • Patent number: 11302921
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods of storing electrical energy for electric vehicles are provided. A battery pack can be disposed in an electric vehicle to power the electric vehicle. A battery cell can be arranged in the battery pack. The battery cell can have a housing. The housing can define a cavity within the housing. The battery cell can have a solid electrolyte arranged within the cavity. The battery cell can have a cathode disposed within the cavity along a first side of the solid electrolyte. The battery cell can have an anode. The anode can have a carbon nanotube structure. The anode can be disposed within the cavity along the second side of the solid electrolyte and separated from the cathode by the solid electrolyte. The carbon nanotube structure can have pores. The pores can be deposited with electrolyte material to retain lithium material received via the solid electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: CHONGQING JINKANG POWERTRAIN NEW ENERGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Gang Yang, Ying Liu, Yifan Tang
  • Patent number: 11302922
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods of storing electrical energy for electric vehicles are provided. A battery pack can be disposed in an electric vehicle to power the electric vehicle. A battery cell can be arranged in the battery pack. The battery cell can have a housing. The housing can define a cavity within the housing. The battery cell can have a solid electrolyte arranged within the cavity. The battery cell can have a cathode disposed within the cavity along a first side of the solid electrolyte. The battery cell can have an anode. The anode can have a carbon nanotube structure. The anode can be disposed within the cavity along the second side of the solid electrolyte and separated from the cathode by the solid electrolyte. The carbon nanotube structure can have pores. The pores can be deposited with electrolyte material to retain lithium material received via the solid electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: CHONGQING JINKANG POWERTRAIN NEW ENERGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Gang Yang, Ying Liu, Yifan Tang
  • Patent number: 11296388
    Abstract: A secondary battery includes an outer can, a sealing body sealing an opening of the outer can, an electrode group housed together with an electrolyte inside the outer can, and a positive electrode current collector arranged between the electrode group and the sealing body. The positive electrode current collector has a current collector center through hole provided at a position facing an electrode group through hole of the electrode group. The sealing body includes a lid plate having an exhaust hole at the center, a valve body arranged at a position closing the exhaust hole from the outside of the lid plate, and a positive electrode terminal electrically connected to the lid plate and housing inside with the valve body pressed toward the lid plate. An inner diameter dimension DC of the current collector center through hole of the positive electrode current collector is equal to or less than an inner diameter dimension DL of the exhaust hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: FDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yusuke Fukuda, Hiroyuki Shibaoka, Isao Mugima, Tomomi Yokosawa
  • Patent number: 11271267
    Abstract: A battery ejection system is disclosed. The battery ejection system comprises a pressure vessel, a battery submodule positioned at least partway in the pressure vessel and configured to release gas into the pressure vessel, and a seal of the pressure vessel configured to release in the event a pressure level in the pressure vessel exceeds a threshold pressure level. The battery submodule is configured to be ejected from an electrical connection in the event the seal is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Kitty Hawk Corporation
    Inventor: George James Hansel
  • Patent number: 11183738
    Abstract: In accordance with at least selected embodiments or aspects, the present invention is directed to improved, unique, and/or complex performance lead acid battery separators, such as improved flooded lead acid battery separators, batteries including such separators, methods of production, and/or methods of use. The preferred battery separator of the present invention addresses and optimizes multiple separator properties simultaneously. It is believed that the present invention is the first to recognize the need to address multiple separator properties simultaneously, the first to choose particular multiple separator property combinations, and the first to produce commercially viable multiple property battery separators, especially such a separator having negative cross ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Daramic, LLC
    Inventors: J. Kevin Whear, Eric H. Miller, Margaret R. Roberts