Patents Examined by Christopher Domone
  • Patent number: 8911904
    Abstract: Compositions and methods of making are provided for treated mesoporous metal oxide microspheres electrodes. The compositions comprise (a) microspheres with an average diameter between 200 nanometers (nm) and 10 micrometers (?m); (b) mesopores on the surface and interior of the microspheres, wherein the mesopores have an average diameter between 1 nm and 50 nm and the microspheres have a surface area between 50 m2/g and 500 m2/g, and wherein the composition has an electrical conductivity of at least 1×10?7 S/cm at 25° C. and 60 MPa. The methods of making comprise forming a mesoporous metal oxide microsphere composition and treating the mesoporous metal oxide microspheres by at least one method selected from the group consisting of: (i) annealing in a reducing atmosphere, (ii) doping with an aliovalent element, and (iii) coating with a coating composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Mariappan Parans Paranthaman, Zhonghe Bi, Craig A. Bridges, Gilbert M. Brown
  • Patent number: 8889293
    Abstract: A lithium ion battery includes a cathode electrode, an anode electrode, and an electrolyte. The anode electrode is spaced from the cathode electrode. The anode electrode includes an anode active material. The anode active material includes sulfur grafted poly(pyridinopyridine). The sulfur grafted poly(pyridinopyridine) includes a poly(pyridinopyridine) matrix and sulfur dispersed in the poly(pyridinopyridine) matrix. The electrolyte is located between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiang-Ming He, Li Wang, Jian-Jun Li, Jian Gao, Wen-Ting Sun
  • Patent number: 8883351
    Abstract: The formation method of graphene includes the steps of forming a layer including graphene oxide over a first conductive layer; and supplying a potential at which the reduction reaction of the graphene oxide occurs to the first conductive layer in an electrolyte where the first conductive layer as a working electrode and a second conductive layer with a as a counter electrode are immersed. A manufacturing method of a power storage device including at least a positive electrode, a negative electrode, an electrolyte, and a separator includes a step of forming graphene for an active material layer of one of or both the positive electrode and the negative electrode by the formation method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroatsu Todoriki, Yumiko Saito, Takahiro Kawakami, Kuniharu Nomoto, Mikio Yukawa
  • Patent number: 8865346
    Abstract: A cathode electrode of a lithium ion battery includes a cathode current collector and a cathode material layer. The cathode material layer is located on a surface of the cathode current collector. The cathode material layer includes a cathode active material. The cathode active material includes sulfur grafted poly(pyridinopyridine). The sulfur grafted poly(pyridinopyridine) includes a poly(pyridinopyridine) matrix and sulfur dispersed in the poly(pyridinopyridine) matrix. The cathode current collector includes a polymer substrate and a graphene layer located on a surface of the polymer substrate adjacent to the cathode material layer. A lithium ion battery using the cathode electrode is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiang-Ming He, Li Wang, Jian-Jun Li, Jian Gao
  • Patent number: 8859159
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for generating a virtual sound source for monitoring the operating state of a fuel cell stack, which monitors in real time the deviation and deterioration of a plurality of cells in a fuel cell stack during operation, and expresses the results as a chord or different sounds, thus allowing a driver to easily recognize the operating state of the fuel cell stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Sae Hoon Kim, Sang Mun Chin, Kwi Seong Jeong
  • Patent number: 8852771
    Abstract: A battery includes a cylindrical shaft core, and a wound electrode formed by winding a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate, and a separator around the outer periphery of the core. The wound electrode has a first wound portion formed by winding a first active material uncoated portion of the first electrode plate, a second wound portion formed by winding a second active material uncoated portion of the second electrode plate, and a power generating portion positioned between the first and second wound portions and formed by winding the first and second electrode plates, and the separator. The shaft core has a current collector portion composed of a metal, which is comprised of a joint portion connected to the first or second wound portion. The portions of the first or second wound portion, which are positioned on the outside of the shaft core in the radial direction with respect to the joint portion, are overlapped and welded to the joint portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Kusama, Tomohiro Matsuura
  • Patent number: 8846226
    Abstract: A cell includes a case having a plurality of walls, a power generating element housed in the case in a state of being away from an inner surface of a bottom surface of the case, and a heat transfer member in contact with an outer surface of the bottom surface of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Lithium Energy Japan
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tasai, Seiji Nemoto
  • Patent number: 8846263
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a housing assembly for at least two fuel cells, comprising: a hollow profile-like body (12) extending in an axial direction (z) and being adapted to laterally encompass at least two fuel cells stacked on one another in axial direction (z), and a fastening mechanism to interconnect the body (12) with at least one end plate (18, 28) adapted to support the at least two fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Belenos Clean Power Holding AG
    Inventor: Uwe Hannesen
  • Patent number: 8846227
    Abstract: A cooling/heating element for a rechargeable battery, the cooling/heating element including a cooling area having a first boundary which physically contacts a first cell of the rechargeable battery, and a second boundary which physically contacts a second cell of the rechargeable battery. The cooling/heating element can be stacked and also include an inlet and/or outlet which interacts with an inlet and/or outlet of an adjacent cooling/heating element in a stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Magna Steyr Battery Systems GmbH & Co. OG
    Inventor: Gert Krammer
  • Patent number: 8841041
    Abstract: An Organic Rankine Cycle system is combined with a fuel cell system, with the working fluid of the Organic Rankine Cycle system being integrated directly into the cooling system for the fuel cell. The waste heat from the fuel cell is therefore applied directly to preheat and evaporate the working fluid in the Organic Rankine Cycle system to thereby provide improved efficiencies in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce P. Biederman, Lili Zhang, John Ferro, Paul R. Margiott
  • Patent number: 8828613
    Abstract: Fuel-cell assemblies containing a membrane electrode assembly, methods for preparing the membrane electrode assembly, and methods for functionalizing catalytic surfaces of catalyst particles in the membrane electrode assembly of the fuel cell assembly have been described. The fuel-cell assemblies and their membrane electrode assemblies contain cathode catalyst materials having catalytic surfaces that are functionalized with cyano groups to improve catalyst activity. The cathode catalyst materials may include a catalytic metal such as platinum or a platinum alloy. The cyano groups may be derived from a cyanide source that is electro-oxidized onto the catalytic surfaces. Nonlimiting examples of cyanide sources include amino acids such as glycine, alanine, and serine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jingxin Zhang, Rohit Makharia, Jeanette E. Owejan
  • Patent number: 8815444
    Abstract: Composite current collectors containing coatings of metals, alloys or compounds, selected from the group of Zn, Cd, Hg, Ga, In, Tl, Sn, Pb, As, Sb, Bi and Se on non-metallic, non-conductive or poorly-conductive substrates are disclosed. The composite current collectors can be used in electrochemical cells particularly sealed cells requiring a long storage life. Selected metals, metal alloys or metal compounds are applied to polymer or ceramic substrates by vacuum deposition techniques, extrusion, conductive paints (dispersed as particles in a suitable paint), electroless deposition, cementation; or after suitable metallization by galvanic means (electrodeposition or electrophoresis). Metal compound coatings are reduced to their respective metals by chemical or galvanic means. The current collectors described are particular suitable for use in sealed primary or rechargeable galvanic cells containing mercury-fee and lead-free alkaline zinc electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Rosecreek Technologies Inc
    Inventor: Klaus Tomantschger
  • Patent number: 8802315
    Abstract: A composition including a cross-linkable compound and at least one selected from compounds represented by Formula 1, a composite obtained from the composition, an electrode including the composition or the composite, a composite membrane including the composite, and a fuel cell including the composite membrane, wherein, in Formula 1, a and R are as defined in the specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ki-hyun Kim, Pil-won Heo, Chan-ho Pak, Seong-woo Choi
  • Patent number: 8785018
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a battery pack case. An upper cover, a lower support base and each side cover form at least one seating depression extending in a sideways direction. Each of the front and rear covers has band locking depressions at positions corresponding to the seating depressions. Each band locking depression has a shape corresponding to a related one of fixing bands. Each fixing band includes a band body which is made of rubber, fabric or plastic and extends a predetermined length in one direction, and a locking protrusion provided on each of opposite ends of the band body. The locking protrusion has a structure corresponding to a related one of the band locking depressions. The locking protrusions of the fixing bands are inserted into the corresponding band locking depressions, thus fastening the elements including the front cover and the rear cover together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Global Battery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gueng Hyun Nam, Tae Sin Kim, Duck Jun Lee, Jin Woo Roh, Min Ho Jang
  • Patent number: 8785036
    Abstract: Electrochemical device and method for assembling an electrochemical device. The electrochemical device has an electrochemical module and an enclosure configured to enclose the electrochemical module. The enclosure has a first housing portion forming a first rim and being an insulative material and a second housing portion forming a second rim and being the insulative material, the first housing portion and the second housing portion at least partially forming, when the first rim substantially abuts the second rim, a volume configured to enclose the electrochemical device. The enclosure further has a crimp ring engaging the first rim and the second rim, the crimp ring securing the first housing portion with respect to the second housing portion and a grommet positioned between and contacting the first rim and the second rim. The enclosure is substantially sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Christian S. Nielsen
  • Patent number: 8771869
    Abstract: A secondary battery including an electrode assembly; a terminal electrically connected to the electrode assembly; and a case accommodating the electrode assembly and the terminal, wherein the terminal includes a collecting plate connected to the electrode assembly; a collecting terminal connected to the collecting plate and protruding out of the case; a terminal plate outside of the case, the terminal plate including a terminal through hole at one side thereof and a reinforcement member recess at another side thereof, the collecting terminal passing through the terminal through hole, and a female screw thread being provided to the reinforcement member recess; and a reinforcement member in the reinforcement member recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignees: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Sangwon Byun, Sungbae Kim, Dukjung Kim
  • Patent number: 8771876
    Abstract: A positive electrode active material includes a lithium complex oxide particle, and a coating layer formed on at least a part of the surface of the lithium complex oxide particle. The lithium complex oxide particle is a lithium complex oxide particle composed mainly of nickel. The coating layer contains an oxo acid and/or an oxo acid compound, an acidity of the surface of the lithium complex oxide particle composed mainly of nickel is increased by the coating layer. The acidity is determined based on a pH of a supernatant of water in a state where after 1.0 part by weight of the lithium complex oxide particle composed mainly of nickel and having a coating layer formed thereon is dispersed in 50 parts by weight of water. The lithium complex oxide particle sediments, and the pH is less than 8.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Haruo Watanabe, Tomoyo Ooyama, Yosuke Hosoya, Shigeru Fujita
  • Patent number: 8771851
    Abstract: A battery pack includes a plurality of batteries, a circuit board electrically connected to the batteries, a housing having a battery receiving unit to receive the plurality of batteries, the circuit board being at an end of the housing, and a fuse unit electrically connected between the batteries and the circuit board. The fuse unit is coupled to a fuse fixing unit at a side surface of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bongyoung Kim
  • Patent number: 8765288
    Abstract: An individual cell for a battery comprises an electrode stack disposed within a cell housing and a method for the production thereof. The individual electrodes, preferably electrode foils, are electrically connected to lead vanes, and at least electrodes of different polarity are separated and insulated from each other by a separator preferably a separator foil. Lead vanes of the same polarity are electrically connected to each other to form a pole. The lead vanes of a pole are electrically compressed with each other and/or welded to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Jens Meintschel, Dirk Schroeter
  • Patent number: 8766642
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell is provided. The electrochemical cell comprises a cathode compartment, wherein a metal in a solid form is disposed in the cathode compartment. The electrochemical cell further comprises a separator, an anode compartment, and at least one contact device disposed in the cathode compartment or in the anode compartment. The contact device is suspended from the top of the electrochemical cell in the cathode compartment or in the anode compartment. The electrochemical cell is in a ground state. An electrochemical cell during its working is also provided. Methods for using and manufacturing the electrochemical cell are also provided. The electrochemical cell is used to determine a state-of-charge of a source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Charles Bogdan, Jr., Charles Dominic Iacovangelo, Michael Alan Vallance