Patents Examined by Cynthia K. Walls
  • Patent number: 10727474
    Abstract: Cast components can improve the effectiveness of current state-of-the-art in thermal battery processing technology in terms of cost, labor, materials usage, and flexibility. Cast components can include cast cathodes, anodes, and separators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Eric Allcorn, Ganesan Nagasubramanian, Christopher A. Apblett
  • Patent number: 10707508
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a battery, a fuel cell, an air pump, and a processor. The battery stores electric power. The fuel cell supplies electric power to the battery. The air pump is driven with the electric power supplied from the battery to supply air to the fuel cell. The processor, when starting the fuel cell system, is configured to compare an amount of the electric power stored in the battery with a threshold electric power. If the amount of the electric power is higher than or equal to the threshold electric power, the air pump is driven. If the amount of the electric power is lower than the threshold electric power, the air pump is prohibited to drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kuniaki Ojima
  • Patent number: 10700380
    Abstract: A lithium secondary battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode on which a lithium metal is deposited in a charged state, a separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and a nonaqueous electrolyte containing a nonaqueous solvent and a lithium salt containing a carborane anion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akira Kano, Hirotetsu Suzuki, Junichi Sakamoto, Kensuke Nakura
  • Patent number: 10700314
    Abstract: The present application relates to a secondary battery head cover assembly, a secondary battery including the same and an assembling method thereof. The secondary battery head cover assembly includes a head cover and an insulation structure, the insulation structure includes a top connection sheet and two naked battery core insulation sheets, an electrode pole is provided on the head cover, and an electrode pole through hole is provided at a position on the top connection sheet corresponding to the electrode pole, the top connection sheet is located below the head cover and is connected to the head cover. The secondary battery includes the secondary battery head cover assembly and the naked battery core, the naked battery core is located below the top connection sheet, and the two naked battery core insulation sheets wrap the side and bottom surfaces of the naked battery core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOG CO., LIMITED
    Inventors: Qingkui Chi, Kaifu Zhong
  • Patent number: 10693119
    Abstract: An accumulator, specifically a small accumulator, comprises at least two positive electrodes, each with a contact terminal, and at least two negative electrodes, each with a contact terminal. The accumulator further comprises at least one contacting device having at least one contacting element which is arranged between two adjoining contact terminals and interconnects said two adjoining contact terminals in an electrically conductive manner. The accumulator further comprises a housing, which entirely accommodates the at least two positive electrodes, the at least two negative electrodes and the at least one contacting device. The accumulator comprises at least one cladding structure, which encloses the at least one contacting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: WYON AG
    Inventors: Paul Wyser, Remo Sutter
  • Patent number: 10686169
    Abstract: A secondary battery packaging material according to the present invention includes: a substrate layer having a first surface and containing polyester or polyamide; a metal foil layer laminated on the first surface of the substrate layer; an anti-corrosion treatment layer laminated on the metal foil layer; an adhesive layer laminated on the anti-corrosion treatment layer and containing two or more polyolefins; and a heat-sealable resin layer laminated on the adhesive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yuki Muroi
  • Patent number: 10680217
    Abstract: An assembled battery includes: a plurality of batteries; a holder having a holder part configured to hold outer circumferential surfaces of the batteries inserted in the battery through-holes; and a plurality of adhesive bodies that combine the batteries and inner circumferential surfaces of the holder part with each other. Each of the inner circumferential surfaces includes: a posture restricting portion configured to restrict a posture of each battery; a departing portion configured to depart from each battery around the whole circumference of the battery even when the battery takes any posture within the range; and a liquid-pouring groove connected from the second surface to the departing portion, and every adhesive body includes a whole-circumferential combined portion where the departing portion and the departing-portion opposing portion of each battery are combined with each other around the whole circumference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takatoshi Morimitsu, Yutaka Masugi
  • Patent number: 10680279
    Abstract: The present invention provides an art that can improve further battery performance of lithium ion secondary batteries in which a lithium salt is added to the interior of the batteries. A herein disclosed lithium ion secondary battery electrode is constituted by disposing, on a surface of a foil-like electrode current collector, an electrode mixture layer that contains a particulate electrode active material. With this electrode, a lithium salt having a lithium ion intake capability is added to the electrode mixture layer; dividing the electrode mixture layer into three equal regions, which are a first region, a second region, and a third region, in a thickness direction, an amount of the lithium salt component in the first region and an amount of the lithium salt component in the third region satisfy the relationship 0<S3/S1?4; and a maximum particle diameter of aggregates of the lithium salt present in the electrode mixture layer is less than 1 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuji Yamamoto, Ryuta Sugiura
  • Patent number: 10680289
    Abstract: Improved anodes and cells are provided, which enable fast charging rates with enhanced safety due to much reduced probability of metallization of lithium on the anode, preventing dendrite growth and related risks of fire or explosion. Anodes and/or electrolytes have buffering zones for partly reducing and gradually introducing lithium ions into the anode for lithiation, to prevent lithium ion accumulation at the anode electrolyte interface and consequent metallization and dendrite growth. Various anode active materials and combinations, modifications through nanoparticles and a range of coatings which implement the improved anodes are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Storedot Ltd.
    Inventors: Doron Burshtain, Nir Kedem, Eran Sella, Daniel Aronov
  • Patent number: 10673056
    Abstract: A secondary battery, including an electrode assembly, a positive terminal, a negative terminal, a top cover plate, a conductive plate and a contact plate, wherein the electrode assembly includes a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate and a separator provided therebetween, the positive electrode plate is electrically connected with the positive terminal, and the negative electrode plate is electrically connected with the negative terminal, the contact plate is attached to the negative terminal, the top cover plate is insulated from the negative terminal and is electrically connected with the positive terminal, the conductive plate is fixedly connected with the top cover plate, the contact plate is configured to deform under gas pressure to be in contact with the conductive plate when an internal pressure of the secondary battery exceeds a reference pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED
    Inventors: Xiang Li, Rulai Cai, Peng Wang, Wei Yang
  • Patent number: 10661664
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery system, a battery pack, and methods of manufacturing the same are disclosed herein. The rechargeable battery system and/or battery pack can be for an electric vehicle. The rechargeable battery system and/or battery pack can include a plurality of battery cells arranged into one or more rows, a busbar, and a housing. The housing can include a plurality of receptacles that can engage with the plurality of battery cells to secure a relative position of the plurality of battery cells with respect to each other. The housing can define a cooling duct in thermal connection with the plurality of receptacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Thunder Power New Energy Vehicle Development Company Limited
    Inventor: Francesco Mastrandrea
  • Patent number: 10658687
    Abstract: An air shut-off valve apparatus for a fuel cell system and a method of controlling the same are provided. In particular, hydrogen injected into a fuel cell stack is discharged by being diluted with external air when starting the fuel cell system. The apparatus includes a valve body that has an inlet air path connected to a cathode of the fuel cell stack and through which air injected into the fuel cell stack flows, and an outlet air path through which air discharged from the fuel cell stack flows. A bypass body is provided and includes a bypass air path that connects the inlet air path and the outlet air path and a valve flap is disposed at the valve body and opens and closes the inlet and outlet air paths at a first side thereof, and the bypass air path at a second side thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jeong Hee Park, Byeong Seung Lee, Duck Whan Kim
  • Patent number: 10637068
    Abstract: A gas diffusion electrode for an electro-synthetic or electro-energy cell, for example a fuel cell, including one or more gas permeable layers, a first conductive layer provided on a first side of the gas diffusion electrode, and a second layer, which may be a second conductive layer, provided on a second side of the gas diffusion electrode. The one or more gas permeable layers are positioned between the first conductive layer and the second layer, which may be a second conductive layer, and the one or more gas permeable layers provide a gas channel. The one or more gas permeable layers are gas permeable and substantially impermeable to the liquid electrolyte. The porous conductive material is gas permeable and liquid electrolyte permeable. The gas diffusion electrode can be one of a plurality of alternating anode/cathode sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: AquaHydrex, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerhard Frederick Swiegers, Stephen Thomas Beirne, Jun Chen, Caiyun Wang
  • Patent number: 10637102
    Abstract: A winding-type battery includes a battery case, a power generating element, a cap for blocking an opening of the battery case, and a gasket for insulating the battery case from the cap. The first electrode is connected to the cap via a first current collecting lead, and the second electrode is connected to the battery case via a second current collecting lead. A groove is formed near the opening end of the battery case. The gasket includes: an annular seal portion interposed between a rim of the cap and the region from the groove to the end; and a tubular portion that is integrated with the seal portion, and is disposed closer to the electrode group than the seal portion is. The first current collecting lead is connected to the cap through a hollow in the tubular portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Teruhisa Miura, Koki Inoue, Akira Kakinuma, Katsuhisa Wadasaki, Yasutaka Kogetsu, Yuki Suehiro
  • Patent number: 10637059
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a positive electrode composite material comprising at least one Na-based positive electrode active material and Na3P for a battery using sodium ions as electrochemical vector, to a positive electrode comprising such a positive electrode composite material, and to the Na-ion battery comprising such a positive electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignees: CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE, COLLEGE DE FRANCE, SORBONNE UNIVERSITE, UNIVERSITE TOULOUSE IIIā€”PAUL SABATIER
    Inventors: Jean-Marie Tarascon, Patrick Rozier, Biao Zhang
  • Patent number: 10629942
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a secondary battery comprising: an electrode assembly; and a thermal contractible protection layer disposed on an outer surface of the electrode assembly and contracted by heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung Pil Lee, Hee Won Lee
  • Patent number: 10629930
    Abstract: A controller closes a cutoff valve and a purge valve when a pressure value detected by a pressure sensor is an abnormal value. The controller then judges that an on-off valve has failed when the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor P1 has lowered, whereas the controller judges that the pressure sensor has failed when the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor has not lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiromu Saito
  • Patent number: 10622673
    Abstract: Provided is a thin beta-alumina-based solid electrolyte sheet having a high ion conduction value. The solid electrolyte sheet containing ?-alumina and/or ??-alumina and having a thickness of 1 mm or less and a voidage of 20% or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: NIPPON ELECTRIC GLASS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junichi Ikejiri, Hideo Yamauchi, Fumio Sato
  • Patent number: 10622632
    Abstract: Secondary batteries which include embedded silicon carbide nanofibers are described and provided. Methods of production of the materials for use in the secondary batteries are further described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Nanostar Inc.
    Inventors: Shiva Adireddy, Alexander L. Girau, Jonathan Goodman, Meysam Shahami, Leigang Xue, Byoungchul You
  • Patent number: 10622625
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a positive electrode and a secondary battery including the same, and particularly, to a positive electrode which includes a current collector; a first active material layer including first active material particles and disposed on the current collector; and a first pattern and a second pattern alternately disposed separately from each other on the first active material layer, wherein the first pattern includes first pattern active material particles, the second pattern includes second pattern active material particles, the first pattern has a thickness greater than that of the second pattern, and the second pattern has a volume expansion rate greater than that of the first pattern, and a secondary battery including the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hye Ri Jung, Jung Pil Lee