Patents Examined by Christopher Domone
  • Patent number: 9774022
    Abstract: A wiring module includes an insulating protector. The insulating protector includes a main body and a lid. The main body includes a holding portion that holds at least one of an element connecting member and an external connecting member. The lid is attached to the main body. The lid swings between an open position and a closed position. The holding portion is open at the open position and closed at the closed position. The lid includes a shaft for detachable attachment. The main body includes a shaft holder that receives the shaft and holds the shaft such that rotation of the shaft is allowed. The main body includes a restriction portion to hold the lid to the main body such that the swing of the lid is restricted between the open position and the closed position. The lid includes a restriction portion receiving portion that receives the restriction portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignees: SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD., HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaru Shitamichi, Yoshinao Kobayashi, Yuko Kinoshita, Tomomi Kurita, Yusuke Ozaki, Nobuaki Ishibashi
  • Patent number: 9768436
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery includes a case accommodating an electrode assembly; a cap plate coupled to the case and having a short-circuit hole; a first electrode terminal and a second electrode terminal extending through the cap plate and electrically connected to the electrode assembly; a membrane fixed to the cap plate in the short-circuit hole and configured to electrically connect the first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal to cause a short circuit; a connection plate electrically connected to the first electrode terminal and spaced from a side of a short-circuit member; a top insulating member located between the connection plate and the cap plate; and a fixing member fixed to the cap plate and supporting the top insulating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-Hyung Guen, Chi-Young Lee
  • Patent number: 9761918
    Abstract: A traction battery assembly is provided. The traction battery assembly may include a battery cell array, a pair of endplates, and a first coolant channel. The battery cell array may define a longitudinal center axis along an upper face of the array. The pair of endplates may be configured to longitudinally retain the array therebetween. The first coolant channel may be in thermal communication with each battery cell along the upper face, span a longitudinal length of the array, and be offset from the longitudinal center axis. The assembly may include a second coolant channel in thermal communication with each battery cell, spanning the longitudinal length of the array, and covering a portion of the upper face of the array and a side face of the array. Each of the endplates may further define a plenum open to the first coolant channel and the second coolant channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Evan Mascianica, Josef Dollison, Jeremy Samborsky, Daniel Miller
  • Patent number: 9761880
    Abstract: [Problem] A non-aqueous electrolyte battery is provided that shows good cycle performance and good storage performance under high temperature conditions and exhibits high reliability even with a battery configuration featuring high capacity. A method of manufacturing the battery is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Ogasawara, Hiroshi Minami, Naoki Imachi, Atsushi Kaiduka, Yasunori Baba, Yoshinori Kida, Shin Fujitani
  • Patent number: 9761860
    Abstract: Disclosed is a secondary battery capable of preventing damage to a current interrupt device caused by generation and transmission of vibration, and thereby achieving prevention of malfunction of the current interrupt device, and improvement of quality of the secondary battery. In addition, disclosed is a method of manufacturing the secondary battery. Specifically disclosed is a secondary battery, in which a positive electrode terminal is placed on the upper face of a sealing plate, a holder is placed on the lower face of the sealing plate, and the sealing plate is joined to the positive electrode terminal and the holder by a rivet. The secondary battery includes an adhered portion for adhering the holder to the sealing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kosuke Nakamura, Naoyuki Wada, Ichiro Murata, Yukihiro Okada
  • Patent number: 9748584
    Abstract: A fuel cell assembly comprising an enclosure having a fuel cell stack mounted therein. The fuel cell stack has an inlet face for receiving coolant/oxidant fluid and an outlet face for expelling said coolant/oxidant fluid. The fuel cell stack further includes a pair of end faces extending transversely between the inlet face and outlet face. The enclosure defines a flow path for the coolant/oxidant fluid that is configured to guide the coolant/oxidant fluid to the inlet face, from the outlet face, and over at least one of the end faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Intelligent Energy Limited
    Inventors: Peter David Hood, Christopher James Gurney
  • Patent number: 9748546
    Abstract: A flexible microporous polymer sheet having first and second opposite major surfaces comprises a polymer matrix binding a filler component that exhibits high oil absorption capacity in its initial state before the start of material processing. The polymer matrix includes a polyolefin component and has three-dimensional interconnecting and interpenetrating pore and polymer networks through which the bound filler component is distributed from the first major surface to the second major surface. The polyolefin and filler components are included in amounts that result in a microporous polymer sheet having between about 75% and about 90% porosity and containing less than about 10 wt. % polyolefin component. Preferred polyolefin and filler components include ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene and high oil absorption precipitated silica, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: AMTEK RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Jeff Frenzel, Jungseung Kim, Robert R. Waterhouse, Richard W. Pekala
  • Patent number: 9742025
    Abstract: A battery pack includes a module stack body having a plurality of stacked battery modules; first and second connecting members each provided on the same surface of the module stack body in order to hold the stacked battery modules and extending in the stacking direction of the battery modules; a first reinforcing member fixed to the first and second connecting members at first and second fixed points; and a second reinforcing member fixed to the first and second connecting members at third and fourth fixed points. Orientation of the components along the stacking direction of the battery modules of vectors having respectively the first and third fixed points as a start point and the second and fourth fixed points as an end point are opposed to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kentaro Hatta, Keisuke Satou, Ryuichi Amagai
  • Patent number: 9741992
    Abstract: A bus bar module includes bus bars and block circuits. A voltage detection circuit included in each block circuit detects voltage values of electric storage elements via lines connected to the respective bus bars. The number of the electric storage elements assigned to a first block circuit is an even number equal to or larger than a minimum number and smaller than a maximum number. The number of the electric storage elements assigned to a second block circuit is equal to or larger than the minimum number and smaller than the maximum number. The number of the electric storage elements assigned to each third block circuit is the maximum number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuharu Terada, Norio Nishiwaki, Takayoshi Amano
  • Patent number: 9735450
    Abstract: Provided herein are energy storage devices. In some cases, the energy storage devices are capable of being transported on a vehicle and storing a large amount of energy. An energy storage device is provided comprising at least one liquid metal electrode, an energy storage capacity of at least about 1 MWh and a response time less than or equal to about 100 milliseconds (ms).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: AMBRI INC.
    Inventors: David J. Bradwell, Hari Nayar
  • Patent number: 9735448
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electrolytic solution for a non-aqueous secondary battery, the electrolytic solution including: an organic metal compound; an electrolyte; and an organic solvent, in which the organic metal compound includes a central metal and a multidentate ligand, and the ligand includes an oxygen atom bonded to the central metal, and a nitrogen atom or a sulfur atom bonded to the central metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Yohei Ishiji
  • Patent number: 9728802
    Abstract: In polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells and electrolyzes, attaining and maintaining high membrane conductivity and durability is crucial for performance and efficiency. The use of low equivalent weight (EW) perfluorinated ionomers is one of the few options available to improve membrane conductivity. However, excessive dimensional changes of low EW ionomers upon application of wet/dry or freeze/thaw cycles yield catastrophic losses in membrane integrity. Incorporation of ionomers within porous, dimensionally-stable perforated polymer electrolyte membrane substrates provides improved PEM performance and longevity. The present invention provides novel methods using micromolds to fabricate the perforated polymer electrolyte membrane substrates. These novel methods using micromolds create uniform and well-defined pore structures. In addition, these novel methods using micromolds described herein may be used in batch or continuous processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: GINER, INC.
    Inventors: Cortney Mittelsteadt, Avni Argun, Castro Laicer, Jason Willey
  • Patent number: 9722257
    Abstract: One embodiment includes a method of forming a hydrophilic particle containing electrode including providing a catalyst; providing hydrophilic particles suspended in a liquid to form a liquid suspension; contacting said catalyst with said liquid suspension; and, drying said liquid suspension contacting said catalyst to leave said hydrophilic particles attached to said catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Eric L. Thompson, Anusorn Kongkanand, Frederick T. Wagner
  • Patent number: 9716267
    Abstract: A parameter for producing a positive electrode having excellent safety, and a positive electrode active material layer satisfying the parameter. The positive electrode active material layer includes a first positive electrode active material, a second positive electrode active material having a lower charge/discharge potential than the first positive electrode active material, and an additive. When the first positive electrode active material tap density is defined as dt1, the second positive electrode active material tap density is defined as dt2, a true density of the additive is defined as d3, a mass percentage of the first positive electrode active material is defined as Wt1, a mass percentage of the second positive electrode active material is defined as Wt2, a mass percentage of the additive is defined as Wt3, and a porosity of the positive electrode active material layer is defined as p, the positive electrode active material layer satisfies (1?p)×(Wt1/dt1)/((Wt1/dt1)+(Wt2/dt2)+(Wt3/d3))<0.38.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Tatsuya Eguchi, Takeshi Maki, Manabu Miyoshi, Yuuhi Sato, Jun Kaneda, Yusuke Yamamoto, Takahiro Sugioka
  • Patent number: 9711764
    Abstract: An electric storage apparatus of the present invention includes: a plurality of electric storage devices aligned in a first direction; and a frame configured to hold the plurality of electric storage devices, the frame including: a first frame element that is arranged so as to face the plurality of electric storage devices from one side in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction and to directly or indirectly abut the plurality of electric storage devices; and a second frame element that is arranged so as to face the plurality of electric storage devices from the other side in the second direction, wherein the second frame element includes, between the second frame element and the plurality of electric storage devices, a holding part having projections that are respectively in contact with the plurality of electric storage devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: GS YUASA INTERNATIONAL LTD.
    Inventors: Ryota Mochizuki, Masao Kawata
  • Patent number: 9698405
    Abstract: An electric connector and a battery comprising the same may be provided. The electric connector (3) may comprise a core fixing part and an extension part (32) connected to the core fixing part. The core fixing part may include at least two hosting portions (31) each configured to hold an electrode tab of a winding core of a battery, respectively, and a connection portion (33) configured to connect the two adjacent hosting portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignees: SHENZHEN BYD AUTO R&D COMPANY LIMITED, BYD COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Yuanyuan He, Weixin Zheng
  • Patent number: 9698421
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an active cathode material of the general formula (I): MxN iaM1bM2cO2 (I) in which the variables are each defined as follows: M is an alkali metal, M1 is V, Cr, Mn, Fe or Co, M2 is Ge, Sn, Ti or Zr, x is in the range from 0.5 to 0.8, a is in the range from 0.1 to 0.4, b is in the range from 0.05 to 0.6, c is in the range from 0.05 to 0.6, wherein a+b+c=1. The present invention further relates to an electrode material comprising said active cathode material, to electrodes produced from or using said electrode material and to a rechargeable electrochemical cell comprising at least one electrode. The present invention further relates to a process for preparing said active cathode material of the general formula (I).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Arnd Garsuch, Shinichi Komaba, Naoaki Yabuuchi, Hiroaki Yoshida
  • Patent number: 9698430
    Abstract: A lithium-lanthanum-titanium oxide sintered material has a lithium ion conductivity 3.0×10?4 Scm?1 or more at a measuring temperature of 27° C., the material is described by one of general formulas (1-a)LaxLi2-3xTiO3-aSrTiO3, (1-a)LaxLi2-3xTiO3-aLa0.5K0.5TiO3, LaxLi2-3xTi1-aMaO3-a, and Srx-1.5aLaaLi1.5-2xTi0.5Ta0.5O3 (0.55?x?0.59, 0?a?0.2, M=at least one of Al, Fe and Ga), and concentration of S is 1500 ppm or less. The material is obtained by sintering raw material powder mixture having S content amount of 2000 ppm or less in the entirety of raw material powders for mixture, that is, titanium raw material, lithium raw material, and lanthanum raw material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignees: TOHO TITANIUM CO., LTD., NAKASHIMA SANGYO CO., LTD., THE GAKUSHUIN SCHOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mamoru Nakashima, Yoshiyuki Inaguma, Mikio Nakashima
  • Patent number: 9692047
    Abstract: A positive electrode active material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to an example of an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a lithium composite oxide as a main component. The ratio of a number of moles of Ni in the lithium composite oxide to a total number of moles of metal elements in the lithium composite oxide other than Li is larger than 30 mol %. The lithium composite oxide includes particles each including aggregated primary particles having a volumetric average particle size of 0.5 ?m or more and at least one element selected from W, Mo, Nb, and Ta is dissolved in the lithium composite oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hidekazu Hiratsuka, Akihiro Maeda
  • Patent number: 9680190
    Abstract: An intelligent multiple-loop electric vehicle cooling system includes a battery pack, an electric drive module, a battery radiator, an electric drive module radiator, electric pumps, pass-through valves, three-way valves, a PTC heater, a heat exchanger. The cooling system is provided with two electric pumps, two pass-through valves, and three three-way valves that are connected through pipelines to form multiple loops. Compared with the prior art, by means of the present invention, multiple three-way valves and pass-through valves are disposed, to connect pipelines to form loops meeting different cooling or heating requirements. These loops are selectively opened or closed according to features and working states of a battery pack and an electric drive module of an electric vehicle, to ensure temperature balance of the electric vehicle and efficient operation of the electric vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: BORDRIN MOTOR CORPORATION, INC.
    Inventor: Yingbo Xia