Patents Examined by Donald L. Walton
  • Rechargeable battery
    Patent number: 4873160
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery comprises an internal cell having a pair of electrodes, an insulated cylindrical case having an internal space for holding the internal cell and end walls provided on both ends thereof and substantially conforming to a prescribed conventional battery in outside dimension, an insulated cover plate having an opening in its center and being provided on one of the end walls of the case, and a first auxiliary terminal having a flange portion held by the said one of the end walls of the case and the cover plate to be supported by the same and a projection protruding from the central opening of the cover plate and being electrically connected to one of the electrodes of the internal cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1989
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Miyazaki, Tetsunori Matsuoka
  • Self-aligned polysilicon emitter and contact structure for high performance bipolar transistors
    Patent number: 4871684
    Abstract: A semiconductor process for fabricating bipolar devices of one type and extendible to include bipolar devices of a second type in the same epi-layer. The process protects selected surfaces of the epi-layer against deleterious processes associated with the formation of future emitter/contact regions for the devices. Subsequently, such emitter/contact regions are formed beneath such protected surfaces and contribute to enhanced device performance. The process also provides improved planarization of an insulating layer on the epi-layer by chemical-mechanical polishing. The planarization in conjunction with a mask formed in the insulating layer facilitates the formation of self-aligned emitter/base regions to appropriate thicknesses for high performance devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1989
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Reinhard Glang, San-Mei Ku
  • Cell circuit interrupter
    Patent number: 4871553
    Abstract: The invention relates to a galvanic cell having a failsafe circuit interrupter means for electrically isolating one cover terminal of the cell from the cell's electrochemical system in which the closed end of the container is modified so that the closed end of the container can bulge beyond a predetermined amount in response to internal pressure buildup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1989
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Harry R. Huhndorff
  • Cylindrical alkaline batteries
    Patent number: 4869978
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cylindrical alkaline battery comprising a positive electrode case of a cylindrical form having an opening at one end and accommodating an electricity-generating element comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator and an alkaline electrolytic solution, an insulating gasket provided at the opening of the positive electrode case, a bottom plate being the negative electrode terminal provided on the gasket, and a heat-shrinkable member such as shrink tube or the like covering the outer surface of the positive electrode case. In this battery, the opening end of the positive electrode case and the outer surface of the battery extending therefrom are covered with an electrical insulating film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1989
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Isao Kubo, Toshikazu Kaneko, Hirofumi Iwaki, Yoji Kajikawa, Junichi Asaoka, Jun Miyoshi
  • Electrolyte additive for lithium-sulfur dioxide electrochemical cell
    Patent number: 4869977
    Abstract: The degradation of organic electrode separators in rechargeable lithium-sulfur dioxide electrochemical cells which utilize chemically uncombined aluminum chloride as an electrolyte component can be reduced by incorporating an additive into the electrolyte which is effective to provide a redox couple having a potential in the range which is above that of the SO.sub.2 /S.sub.2 O.sub.4.sup.-2 couple and below that of the Cl.sub.2 /Cl.sup.- couple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1989
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: John F. Connolly, Robert J. Thrash, Bruce D. Webber
  • Battery holder mechanism
    Patent number: 4868074
    Abstract: A battery holder mechanism comprises lower supporting portions for receiving the peripheral edge of a battery holder body from below and upper supporting portions for receiving the same from above when the battery holder body is inserted into a battery inserting opening of a package of an electronic appliance, such as an IC card. The upper and lower supporting portions are provided alternatingly inside an inserting hole of a package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Omori, Toshinobu Banjo, Shigeo Onoda
  • Highly active catalyst and highly active electrode made of this catalyst
    Patent number: 4868073
    Abstract: A highly active powder catalyst with a high concentration of platinum group elements prepared from an amorphous alloy consisting of at least one of valve metals, at least one of platinum group elements and balance being at least one element selected from Ni and Co by immersion in a hydrofluoric acid, and a highly active electrode prepared by using the above mentioned powder catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Assignees: Yanmar Diesel Engine Co., Ltd., Koji Hashimoto
    Inventors: Koji Hashimoto, Toshihisa Kanda, Asahi Kawashima, Katsuhiko Asami
  • Liquid metal thermal electric converter
    Patent number: 4868072
    Abstract: A liquid metal thermal electric converter which converts heat energy to electrical energy. The design of the liquid metal thermal electric converter incorporates a unique configuration which directs the metal fluid pressure to the outside of the tube which results in the structural loads in the tube to be compressive. A liquid metal thermal electric converter refluxing boiler with series connection of tubes and a multiple cell liquid metal thermal electric converter are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Joseph P. Abbin, Charles E. Andraka, Laurance L. Lukens, James B. Moreno
  • Hydrogen fuel reforming in a fog cooled fuel cell power plant assembly
    Patent number: 4865926
    Abstract: The power section of a phosphoric acid fuel cell power plant is cooled by injection of water droplets or fog into the anode gas stream exhaust, wherein the water droplets are vaporized. The anode exhaust with the water vapor therein is then split with a portion thereof being directed to the burner in the catalytic reformer to be consumed by the reformer burner. The remainder of the anode exhaust is routed to the reformer inlet where it provides the water necessary for the reforming reaction. The fog is produced by condensation of water out of the exhaust from a turbocompressor which compresses the air supply for the cathode side of the power section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: International Fuel Cells Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander H. Levy, Ronald J. Wertheim
  • Electric battery
    Patent number: 4865928
    Abstract: For the effective removal of Joule heat from the interior of a high-performance lead battery, especially those with a fixed electrolyte, at least one of the negative grid plates which participate in the development of the electrodes are provided with a U-shaped tube which surrounds and is attached to the grid, in place of the usual grid frame, and through which a coolant circulates. Especially advantageous due to its capacity to conduct heat is a combination of a lead-coated, copper mesh grid and a copper tube, with a residual strip of unexpanded copper sheeting attached to the grid mesh along the remaining upper section of the frame, and developing the conducting lug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: Varta Batterie Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Gerolf Richter
  • Method for forming a gas-permeable and ion-permeable membrane
    Patent number: 4865930
    Abstract: A method for forming a gas-permeable and ion-permeable membrane comprising fully impregnating a porous ion-impermeable or non-conductive polymer substrate with an ion-conducting polymer material to form a composite and subsequently stretching the composite to re-form pores in the substrate. The resulting membrane comprises regions of the ion-conducting material juxtaposed to the gas-permeable pores formed in the substrate by the stretching process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company
    Inventors: Andrew Kindler, Lin R. Higley
  • Electric cells and process for making the same
    Patent number: 4865932
    Abstract: An electric cell comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte containing a lithium salt is provided wherein the negative electrode has a two-layer structure of a lithium-aluminum alloy layer and an aluminum layer. The cell is fabricated by placing a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte in a cell container comprising positive and negative electrode casings, and forming a seal between the positive and negative electrode casings. The negative electrode is electrochemically formed in situ in the cell container from a lithium-clad aluminum substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignees: Bridgestone Corporation, Seiko Electronic Components Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitomo Masuda, Isamu Shinoda, Masao Ogawa, Toyoo Harada, Takao Ogino, Kazuo Takayama, Tadaaki Miyazaki, Takahiro Kawagoe
  • Process for producing battery electrodes by electrochemical reduction
    Patent number: 4863484
    Abstract: Battery electrodes, such as those having nickel hydroxide as electrochemically active material, may be produced according to the invention by reducing the electrodes after normal impregnation processing is completed to remove residual nitrate in the impregnated electrode. The alkali metal hydroxide electrolyte utilized in this reduction may be reused up to 7 to 10 times. The reduced electrodes can be used directly to assemble batteries or may be processed further by a formation and characterization electrolytic cycling of charge and discharge. The alkali metal hydroxide electrolyte utilized in this characterization may be reused up to 22 times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Assignee: Globe-Union Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Beauchamp, Leonard J. Burant
  • Nonaqueous electrolyte cell
    Patent number: 4863817
    Abstract: In a nonaqueous electrolyte cell comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a nonaqueous electrolyte containing an alkali metal ion, an electrolytic manganese dioxide which is prepared by subjecting a manganese dioxide-forming electrolytic solution to electrolysis while introducing a gas therein is used as an active material for the positive electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Takao Ogino, Tadaaki Miyazaki, Takahiro Kawagoe, Masaki Yoshio
  • Electrical safety system for batteries
    Patent number: 4861684
    Abstract: In this invention for totally eliminating the fire and/or electrical hazards associated with maintaining batteries for both automobiles and aircraft use, a weighted disconnect link is connected to an internal battery cell jumper. This link is arranged to bridge the center two cells of the battery by positioning the weighted link into the spring clips of the cell bridge lugs, thus completing the circuit within the battery. The section of the battery that houses the weighted link will be totally isolated from the electrolyte and explosive gas. An access door is provided in the battery for contact cleaning and maintenance if it should be necessary. This door provides a means to re-engage the link manually after it has been tripped by adequate G force. The G force is the key to the functioning of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Inventor: Dwight D. Law
  • Multi-cell, vacuum activated deferred action battery
    Patent number: 4861686
    Abstract: A multi-option, multi-cell, vacuum activated, deferred action battery which consists of a non-frangible vial which can be punctured allowing a vacuum pressure in a battery cell assembly to draw said battery fluid into said battery cells thus activating the device. This activation can occur with or without external forces such as spin or setback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventor: Gilbert R. Snyder
  • Zinc-alkaline battery
    Patent number: 4861688
    Abstract: This invention uses as the anode active material a zinc alloy containing Ni, at least one element selected from In, Pb, Ga and Cd and, optionally further, one element selected from Al, Mg, Ca, Ba and Sr for the anode of a conventional zinc-alkaline battery which employs zinc as the anode active material, aqueous alkaline solution as the electrolyte, and manganese dioxide, silver oxide, oxygen and so forth as the cathode active material. The use of such zinc alloy permits the reduction of the amount of mercury to be used for amalgamation of the anode zinc surface which is made for the purpose of corrosion inhibition, thereby enabling the provision of a low-pollution zinc-alkaline battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Assignees: Matsushita Electric Indus. Co. Ltd., Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Miura, Kanji Takata, Ryoji Okazaki, Toyohide Uemura, Keiichi Kagawa
  • Cathode flow control for fuel cell power plant
    Patent number: 4859545
    Abstract: A system and method for regulating the total oxygen content entering the cathode side of a fuel cell stack at less than full power depends on measurement of: oxygen partial pressure in the cathode exhaust stream; total flow entering the cathode; and current produced by the stack. During partial power operation of the stack, it is desirable to limit the cathode potential, or voltage, by recycling cathode exhaust and mixing it with incoming fresh air fed into the cathodes. This system ensures that the total oxygen flow to the cathodes remains constant at any given current by reducing the amount of fresh air flowing to the cathodes as the recycled cathode exhaust flow is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Assignee: International Fuel Cells Corporation
    Inventors: Glenn W. Scheffler, George Vartanian
  • Multilaminate material and separator assembly for electrochemical cells
    Patent number: 4855196
    Abstract: A multilaminate material for separating electrodes of opposite polarity in cells and battery assemblies has at least one layer of flexible, microporous retaining mat bonded to at least one layer of semi-rigid, porous support material, and a microporous separator. A unitary multilaminate separator assembly is formed by sealing at least two opposite peripheral edges of two aligned sheets of multilaminate separator material to provide an electrode receiving slot. The separator assemblies allow continuous automated battery assembly in an efficient and safe manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: KW Battery Company
    Inventor: Mark L. Eggers
  • Electrochemical cell with internal circuit interrupter
    Patent number: 4855195
    Abstract: Electrochemical cells employ a current collector-safety switch member comprised of a shape memory alloy in the electric circuit in the cell. The collector-safety switch member has a base portion and a plurality of legs extended therefrom and when the internal temperature of the cell rises, the legs of the collector-safety switch member are retracted to thereby disconnect the electrical circuit in the cell. These cells can also be comprised of a resettable thermal switch for inhibiting the flow of current in the cell at a temperature below the disconnect temperature of the current collector-safety switch member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Georgopoulos, John Langkau