Patents Examined by Daniel Gatewood
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Patent number: 8926715Abstract: In a method of manufacturing an electrode assembly for a rectangular battery, in which positive electrodes and negative electrodes are alternately laminated so that a separator exists between the respective positive and negative electrodes, the manufacturing method includes the steps of: arranging a plurality of guide members in zigzag form in a perpendicular direction; inserting a continuous member of the separator between one and another one rows of the guide members; folding, into zigzag form, the continuous member by intersecting the rows of the guide members in a horizontal direction; inserting alternately the positive electrodes and the negative electrodes in respective valley grooves of the zigzag-folded continuous member; withdrawing the guide members from the respective valley grooves of the continuous member; and pressing, thereafter, the continuous member in the zigzag direction so as to make flat the continuous member.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2008Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Eliiy Power Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takuya Sakata, Ayumi Yoshida, Hiroshi Sato
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Patent number: 8921005Abstract: A uniform and dense resin coat is formed on a surface of a peripheral region of a fuel cell separator. However, the formed resin coat may contain defects (holes). With the present invention, however, any such defects in the resin coat are coated with a metal coat. That is, when depositing metal in complex ions on the fuel cell separator by an electrodeposition process, the metal is adhered not only to a power generation region but also to a portion where the surface (separator base material surface) is exposed by the defects of the resin coat, thereby forming the metal coat on the defects. Thus, it is possible to improve the corrosion resistance of the fuel cell separator as compared to the case that the surface of the separator base material is exposed at the portions of the defects of the resin coat.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2008Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hirofumi Onishi, Jin Hak Kim, Yusuke Watanabe, Makoto Yoshida
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Patent number: 8921002Abstract: A first transport system moves a web comprising a subgasketed CCM layer and an application system applies a crosslinkable resin to at least a subgasketed portion of the subgasketed CCM layer. The crosslinkable resin preferably comprises a photocurable cationic crosslinkable resin. A first curing apparatus subjects an exposed surface of the crosslinkable resin to a photo curing process to initiate curing of the crosslinkable resin. A second transport system moves a GDL into adhering contact with a partially cured exposed surface of the crosslinkable resin of the CCM layer so as to form an MEA layer. A second curing apparatus subjects the GDL, partially cured crosslinkable resin, and CCM layer structure to a thermal curing process to substantially complete curing of the crosslinkable resin. A converting system is configured to receive the MEA layer and produce a plurality of discrete MEAs from the MEA layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2013Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Michael A. Yandrasits, Michael T. Hicks, Daniel M. Pierpont
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Patent number: 8920999Abstract: A fluid injection/ejection system for a fuel cell stack is disclosed, wherein the system includes an array of injectors and ejectors that support hydrogen recirculation and maximize a use of the hydrogen and an efficiency of the fuel cell stack.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2007Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Ralph Senner, Benno Andreas-Schott
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Patent number: 8916280Abstract: A battery pack that can reduce manufacturing costs and simplify an assembly structure. The battery pack includes a first case having an inner space, at least one battery cell arranged in the inner space of the first case, a second case coupled to the first case to accommodate the battery cell, and a coupling part arranged inside the coupled first and second cases. The coupling part includes a handle part and a protrusion part that is integrally formed with the handle part and protrudes outward according to a movement of the handle part.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2011Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventor: Wonil Lee
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Patent number: 8916287Abstract: A rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator therebetween; a case that has an opening that houses the electrode assembly; a cap assembly including a cap plate that covers the opening of the case; and an electrode terminal that is electrically connected to the electrode assembly and protrudes through the cap plate to the outside of the case. The electrode terminal includes a lower terminal plate that is connected to the electrode assembly, an upper terminal plate that covers an upper part of the lower terminal plate, and a terminal fastener that is housed in a space between the lower terminal plate and the upper terminal plate that protrudes through an upper surface of the upper terminal plate.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2010Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignees: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Sung-Bae Kim
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Patent number: 8900752Abstract: A lead manganese-based cathode material is provided. Furthermore, a lithium or lithium ion rechargeable electrochemical cell is provided incorporating lead manganese-based cathode material in a positive electrode. In addition, a process for preparing a stable lead manganese-based cathode material is provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2011Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: Terrill B. Atwater, Arek Suszko
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Patent number: 8889278Abstract: A contact pad configured to sense the voltage of a cell module assembly including at least one battery cell, is electrically connected to a voltage sensing module for measuring the voltage of the battery cell in the cell module assembly and electrically contacted with an electrode of the battery cell, and is made of a conductive organic elastomer, thereby improving reliability of electrical contact with each battery cell, and effectively preventing malfunction of the cell module assembly caused by impurities, external physical shocks and so on.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2009Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.Inventors: Ju-Seok Lee, Jin-Kyu Shin, John E. NamGoong
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Patent number: 8877366Abstract: A cooling plate for a battery pack with a plurality of battery cells is provided. The cooling plate includes a cooling fin with a substantially planar surface and a perimeter. The cooling plate includes a frame abutting the cooling fin and forming a seal with the cooling fin adjacent the perimeter of the same. The frame and the cooling fin define at least one fluid inlet, at least one fluid outlet, and a flow channel therebetween. The at least one fluid inlet and the at least one fluid outlet are disposed through the seal and are in fluid communication with the flow channel. The flow channel is disposed adjacent the perimeter and in heat transfer communication with the substantially planar surface of the cooling fin. A battery pack with the cooling plate, and a method for controlling a temperature of the battery pack, are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2010Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Derek R. Weber, Roger Michael Brisbane
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Patent number: 8877371Abstract: A rechargeable battery including an electrode assembly including a first electrode and a second electrode; a metal support plate electrically connected to the first electrode, the metal support plate being disposed on at least one side of the electrode assembly; and a case electrically connected to the second electrode and electrically insulated from the metal support plate, the case accommodating the electrode assembly and the metal support plate, wherein the metal support plate includes a protrusion protruding toward an inner side of the case.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2011Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignees: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Yong-Sam Kim, Jang-Hyun Song
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Patent number: 8871381Abstract: A secondary battery includes an electrode assembly having a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator interposed between the positive and negative electrode plates, a can having at least one groove portion on an inner surface thereof, the electrode assembly being inserted into the can through an opening of the can to face the inner surface of the can, a cap assembly configured to seal the opening of the can, and an insulation case positioned in the can between the electrode assembly and the cap assembly, the insulation case including at least one protruding portion inserted into the groove portion of the can.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2010Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jeong-Man Park
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Patent number: 8871382Abstract: A battery is equipped with a case (200) in which a fill opening (aperture) (201) is formed and a sealing cap (210), which closes the fill opening (201) formed in the case (200). The sealing cap (210) is formed of a thin plate that covers the fill opening (201) in the case (200), the circumferential edge (211) of the sealing cap (210) is bonded to the case (200), and the center (212) of the sealing cap (210) is bent from the circumferential edge (211) and bulges up toward the outside of the case (200). In addition, a chamfer (213) is applied at the bent corner of the sealing cap (210).Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2009Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masato Komatsuki, Hiroki Nagai, Yoichi Naruse, Hiroya Kondou, Kaoru Yugahara
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Patent number: 8865369Abstract: An apparatus is used for the recirculation of anode exhaust gases of a fuel cell, with a recirculation blower and at least one jet pump operated by a propulsion gas stream. The propelling medium is in this case a pressurized fuel, for example hydrogen. The anode outlet of the fuel cell is connected to the intake connection of the at least one jet pump. The outlet of the at least one jet pump is then connected to both the anode inlet and the intake connection of the recirculation blower. The output of the recirculation blower can be connected to the intake connection of the at least one jet pump.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2007Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Daimler AGInventor: Arnold Lamm
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Patent number: 8852790Abstract: A secondary battery including: a cell unit including at least one battery cell; a protection circuit module including a circuit board having at least one terminal hole and at least one electrode tab. The electrode tab includes an insertion plate that is inserted into the terminal hole, to electrically connect the cell unit and the circuit board. The insertion plate includes a locking wing.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2009Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventor: Daeyon Moom
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Patent number: 8846236Abstract: An insulative battery holding frame for holding a battery cell includes a fixing portion for fixing the frame to a base member, and an electrical connection preventing portion for preventing any electrical connection between the base member and the fixing portion, the connection being caused by flow of a fluid. The electrical connection preventing portion can include an entrance preventing portion for preventing the fluid having electrical conductivity from entering into the fixing portion, and a guiding portion for guiding the fluid into an insulation region arranged in a lower side portion of the secondary battery cell.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2009Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Kojima Press Industry Co., LtdInventors: Takehito Yoda, Kazuya Matsushita
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Patent number: 8841026Abstract: A cathode, a method of preparing the same, and a lithium battery including the cathode. The cathode includes: a current collector; a first cathode active material layer disposed on the current collector; and a second cathode active material layer disposed on the first cathode active material layer, wherein the first cathode active material layer comprises a lithium transition metal oxide having a layered structure, and the second cathode active material layer comprises a lithium transition metal oxide having a spinel structure and an average working potential of 4.5 V or more.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2011Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kyu-sung Park, Seung-sik Hwang
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Patent number: 8828599Abstract: A battery pack is provided. The battery pack includes a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery that includes a substantially thin-plate-shaped battery element covered with a laminated sheet such that a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal are exposed, and has a first end face from which the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal are led out. An exterior casing covers five faces of the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, the five faces excluding a second end face next to the first end face. A support covers the second end face of the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery. At least one of the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal is extended along a first connection portion provided for the first end face and a second connection portion provided for the second end face and is connected to an external power supply provided for the support.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2009Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Tadashi Miebori
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Patent number: 8828572Abstract: A portable terminal device has a battery cover that can be opened/closed without a tool, and is small and thin, with a waterproof structure. The device has a housing with a battery pocket which houses a battery; and a battery cover which slides and opens/closes the battery pocket. The housing has a battery cover engaging section wherein a locking claw disposed on one end of the battery cover slides and is inserted such that the end of the battery cover is supported; and a packing deformation preventing/suppressing wall, which surrounds the battery pocket, except on the battery cover engaging section, and prevents a packing, integrally molded with the battery cover from deforming. The packing is integrally molded with the battery cover and a deformation preventing rib prevents the packing from deforming in the region having no packing deformation preventing/suppressing wall.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2009Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventor: Takefumi Ishida
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Patent number: 8802305Abstract: A fuel cell system comprises an oxygen removing device having an inlet fluidly connected to at least one of the reactant gas source and an outlet of the cathode gas flow field, and an outlet fluidly connected to each of an anode control valve and a cathode control valve. Various fuel cell operation processes are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2010Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Bernd Karuse
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Patent number: 8802311Abstract: A fuel cell stack structure includes, for example, a plurality of unit cells each having an aperture formed therethrough. A first fuel cell stack is formed by stacking the plurality of unit cells in a stacking direction and has an internal manifold opening defined by the apertures. A fluid passage within the cell for flowing a fluid that flows within the internal manifold is configured and arranged to flow the fluid in a direction generally perpendicular to the stacking direction of the unit cell. The structure also includes an external manifold having an external passage for supplying the fluid to the internal manifold, wherein an external manifold surface facing a flow direction of the fluid creates a vortex in fluid flowing within the external passage proximal to the internal manifold.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2007Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Keita Iritsuki, Yasushi Ichikawa, Yuichiro Tabuchi