Patents Examined by Emily Le
  • Patent number: 9608292
    Abstract: A lithium-ion battery is provided that has a fast charge and discharge rate capability and low rate of capacity fade during high rate cycling. The battery can exhibit low impedance growth and other properties allowing for its use in hybrid electric vehicle applications and other applications where high power and long battery life are important features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: A123 Systems LLC
    Inventors: Antoni S. Gozdz, Andrew C. Chu, Ricardo Fulop, Yet-Ming Chiang, Gilbert N. Riley, Jr., Roger Lin
  • Patent number: 9601752
    Abstract: Provided is a positive active material for a lithium secondary battery includes a lithium transition metal composite oxide having an ?-NaFeO2-type crystal structure and represented by the composition formula of Li1+?Me1??O2 (Me is a transition metal including Co, Ni and Mn and ?>0). The positive active material contains Na in an amount of 900 ppm or more and 16000 ppm or less, or K in an amount of 1200 ppm or more and 18000 ppm or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: GS YUASA INTERNATIONAL LTD.
    Inventors: Daisuke Endo, Hiromasa Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 9601813
    Abstract: A battery pack includes a battery cell having an electrode tab and a protective circuit module electrically connected to the electrode tab. The protective circuit module has a first surface in an assembling direction of the electrode tab and a second surface opposite the first surface. The electrode tab is separated from the first surface. Therefore, the battery pack has an improved connection structure between the battery cell and the protective circuit module, and short circuits can be prevented or substantially prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Eunjoong Lee
  • Patent number: 9601730
    Abstract: Disclosed is a secondary battery frame with improved dimension management capability and a battery pack including the same. The secondary battery frame according to the present disclosure is used to package a pouch-type secondary battery, the secondary battery frame comprising a frame body comprising a top plate surrounding a circumferential area through which an electrode lead is exposed among a circumferential area of the pouch-type secondary battery, a left plate connected to a left edge of the top plate, a right plate connected to a right edge of the top plate, and a bottom plate connected to a bottom edge of the left plate and a bottom edge of the right plate; and a protrusion protrusively formed from at least one of the top plate, the bottom plate, the left plate, and the right plate in an outward direction of the frame body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Tae-Wook Kim, Hyung-Ku Yun
  • Patent number: 9601779
    Abstract: Alkali (or other active) metal battery and other electrochemical cells incorporating active metal anodes together with aqueous cathode/electrolyte systems. The battery cells have a highly ionically conductive protective membrane adjacent to the alkali metal anode that effectively isolates (de-couples) the alkali metal electrode from solvent, electrolyte processing and/or cathode environments, and at the same time allows ion transport in and out of these environments. Isolation of the anode from other components of a battery cell or other electrochemical cell in this way allows the use of virtually any solvent, electrolyte and/or cathode material in conjunction with the anode. Also, optimization of electrolytes or cathode-side solvent systems may be done without impacting anode stability or performance. In particular, Li/water, Li/air and Li/metal hydride cells, components, configurations and fabrication techniques are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: PolyPlus Battery Company
    Inventors: Steven J. Visco, Yevgeniy S. Nimon
  • Patent number: 9583751
    Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a battery using an anode preloaded with consumable metals. The method forms an ion-permeable membrane immersed in an electrolyte. A preloaded anode is immersed in the electrolyte, comprising MeaX, where X is a material such as carbon, metal capable of being alloyed with Me, intercalation oxides, electrochemically active organic compounds, and combinations of the above-listed materials. Me is a metal such as alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, and combinations of the above-listed metals. A cathode is also immersed in the electrolyte and separated from the preloaded anode by the ion-permeable membrane. The cathode comprises M1YM2Z(CN)N.MH2O. After a plurality of initial charge and discharge operations are preformed, an anode is formed comprising MebX overlying the current collector in a battery discharge state, where 0?b<a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuhao Lu, Long Wang, Jong-Jan Lee
  • Patent number: 9577232
    Abstract: The power storage device comprises a plural cell, an exhaust passage and a sealing plate. The plural cells is aligned in a first direction, each of the cells includes a gas discharging valve for discharging a gas generated in the cell, each of the gas discharging valves is provided on a first side in a second direction of the cell, and the second direction is orthogonal to the first direction. The exhaust passage is configured to discharge the gas discharged from each of the gas discharging valves, extends in the first direction, and has an opening at a first end in the first direction. The sealing plate is provided at a second end of the exhaust passage in the first direction, includes plural recesses on a surface on the exhaust passage side of the sealing plate, and made of a resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koichi Nagamine, Takanori Kumagai, Masahiko Kitamura, Takuya Ishiguro
  • Patent number: 9577249
    Abstract: A cathode material for a lithium secondary battery, including fibrous carbon and a plurality of cathode active material particles bonded to a surface of the fibrous carbon. The cathode active material particles are composed of olivine-type LiMPO4 where M represents one or more kinds of elements selected from Fe, Mn, Ni, and Co. Also disclosed is a method of producing the cathode material and a lithium secondary battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: SHOWA DENKO K.K.
    Inventors: Isao Kabe, Gaku Oriji, Akihisa Tonegawa
  • Patent number: 9567231
    Abstract: A system and method are presented for the large scale synthesis of metal cyanometallates (MCMs). First and second precursor solutions are added to a main reactor, where the first precursor includes M1 metal cations. The second precursor solution includes AX?M2(CN)Z?, where M1 and M2 are from a first group of metals and A is from a second group of metals including alkali or alkaline earth metals. In response to stirring the first and second precursors, MCM particles are formed with the formula AXM1NM2M(CN)Z.d[H2O]ZEO.e[H2O]BND, in solution. In response to aging in the secondary reactor, the size of the MCM particles is increases. The aged MCM particles in solution are then transferred to a separation tank, where the aged MCM particles are filtered from the solution and collected. The solution reclaimed from the separation tank back is added back into the main reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuhao Lu, Wei Pan, Sean Vail, Jong-Jan Lee
  • Patent number: 9564652
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a device for producing electrical energy comprising two cells intended to contain two solutions of different concentrations of at least one solute and separated by at least one separation membrane in which channels are arranged, each of the cells being provided with an electrode intended to be in contact with the solution that said cell will contain, characterized in that the walls of the channels consist of a material chosen from boron nitride, carbon doped with boron, boron nitride doped with carbon, or any other mixture of the elements boron, carbon and nitrogen, and a method for producing electrical energy that implements such a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignees: UNIVERSITE CLAUDE BERNARD LYON I, CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE
    Inventors: Lyderic Bocquet, Anne-laure Biance, Philippe Poncharal, Alessandro Siria
  • Patent number: 9559532
    Abstract: A method for charging a metal-air battery pack at the maximum possible rate while maintaining an ambient oxygen concentration below a preset concentration is provided, thereby minimizing the risks associated with generating oxygen during the charging cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: TESLA MOTORS, INC.
    Inventors: Weston Arthur Hermann, Jeffrey Brian Straubel, David G. Beck
  • Patent number: 9559372
    Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) with enhanced current density or power density is fabricated using high temperature (HT) proton exchange membrane (PEM). The MEA can be utilized in high temperature PEM fuel cell applications. More specifically, the MEA is modified with the addition of one or more of selected materials to its catalyst layer to enhance the rates of the fuel cell reactions and thus attain dramatic increases of the power output of the MEA in the fuel cell. The MEA has application to other electro-chemical devices, including an electrolyzer, a compressor, or a generator, purifier, and concentrator of hydrogen and oxygen using HT PEM MEAs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: TRENERGI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mohammad Allama Enayetullah
  • Patent number: 9546097
    Abstract: A method is provided for synthesizing iron hexacyanoferrate (FeHCF). The method forms a first solution of a ferrocyanide source [A4Fe(CN)6.PH2O] material dissolved in a first solvent, where “A” is an alkali metal ion. A second solution is formed of a Fe(II) source dissolved in a second solvent. A reducing agent is added and, optionally, an alkali metal salt. The first and second solutions may be purged with an inert gas. The second solution is combined with the first solution to form a third solution in a low oxygen environment. The third solution is agitated in a low oxygen environment, and AX+1Fe2(CN)6.ZH2O is formed, where X is in the range of 0 to 1. The method isolates the AX+1Fe2(CN)6.ZH2O from the third solution, and dries the AX+1Fe2(CN)6.ZH2O under vacuum at a temperature greater than 60 degrees C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean Vail, Yuhao Lu, Jong-Jan Lee
  • Patent number: 9548511
    Abstract: An energy storage device can include a cathode having a first plurality of frustules, where the first plurality of frustules can include nanostructures having an oxide of manganese. The energy storage device can include an anode comprising a second plurality of frustules, where the second plurality of frustules can include nanostructures having zinc oxide. A frustule can have a plurality of nanostructures on at least one surface, where the plurality of nanostructures can include an oxide of manganese. A frustule can have a plurality of nanostructures on at least one surface, where the plurality of nanostructures can include zinc oxide. An electrode for an energy storage device includes a plurality of frustules, where each of the plurality of frustules can have a plurality of nanostructures formed on at least one surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: NthDegree Technologies Worldwide Inc.
    Inventors: Vera N. Lockett, John G. Gustafson, William J. Ray, Yasser Salah
  • Patent number: 9543599
    Abstract: There is disclosed a fuel cell assembly comprising at least one horizontally arranged fuel cell stack that has numerous fuel cells, each comprising an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte situated between the anode and the cathode; combustible gas supply means for supplying combustible gas to the anodes of the fuel cells; anode gas withdrawal means for withdrawing the anode exhaust gas from the anodes; cathode gas supply means for supplying cathode gas to the cathodes of the fuel cells; cathode gas withdrawal means for withdrawing the cathode exhaust gas from the fuel cells; and recirculation means for recirculating at least one part of the anode exhaust gas and/or the cathode exhaust gas to cathodes of the fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: MTU Onsite Energy GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Burmeister, Johann Huber, Norbert Ottmann, Stefan-Ibrahim Peterhans, Wolfgang Wagner, Christoph Weiser
  • Patent number: 9543586
    Abstract: Material compositions are provided that may comprise, for example, a vertically aligned carbon nanotube (VACNT) array, a conductive layer, and a carbon interlayer coupling the VACNT array to the conductive layer. Methods of manufacturing are provided. Such methods may comprise, for example, providing a VACNT array, providing a conductive layer, and bonding the VACNT array to the conductive layer via a carbon interlayer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Gleb Nikolayevich Yushin, Kara Linn Evanoff
  • Patent number: 9543552
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an EMF-screened plastic-organic sheet hybrid structural component, preferably a battery housing, and to its use in motor vehicles, preferably in electrically powered motor vehicles or hybrid motor vehicles, the abbreviation EMF meaning electromagnetic field(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: LANXESS Deutschland GMBH
    Inventors: Julian Haspel, Jürgen Selig
  • Patent number: 9543616
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrolyte solution for a magnesium rechargeable battery with a high ionic conductivity and a wide electrochemical window compared to the conventional electrolyte solution. The electrolyte solution is prepared by dissolving magnesium metal into the ethereal solution using combinations of metal chloride catalysts. The electrolyte solution can be applied to fabricate magnesium rechargeable batteries and magnesium hybrid batteries with a markedly increased reversible capacity, rate capability, and cycle life compared to those batteries employing the conventional electrolyte solution. Also disclosed is a method for preparing the electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Si Hyoung Oh, Byung Won Cho, Kyung Yoon Chung, Joong Kee Lee, Won Young Chang, Jae Hyun Cho, Junghoon Ha
  • Patent number: 9537157
    Abstract: A nanoconverter or nanosensor is disclosed capable of directly generating electricity through physisorption interactions with molecules that are dipole containing organic species in a molecule interaction zone. High surface-to-volume ratio semiconductor nanowires or nanotubes (such as ZnO, silicon, carbon, etc.) are grown either aligned or randomly-aligned on a substrate. Epoxy or other nonconductive polymers are used to seal portions of the nanowires or nanotubes to create molecule noninteraction zones. By correlating certain molecule species to voltages generated, a nanosensor may quickly identify which species is detected. Nanoconverters in a series parallel arrangement may be constructed in planar, stacked, or rolled arrays to supply power to nano- and micro-devices without use of external batteries. In some cases breath, from human or other life forms, contain sufficient molecules to power a nanoconverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Yinmin Wang, Xianying Wang, Alex V. Hamza
  • Patent number: 9537139
    Abstract: [Objectives] The present invention provides a non-aqueous secondary battery in which a material containing Si and O as constituent elements is used in a negative electrode. The present invention provides a non-aqueous secondary battery having good charge discharge cycle characteristics, and suppressing the battery swelling associated with the charge and the discharge. Also, the present invention relates to a negative electrode that can provide the non-aqueous secondary battery. [Solution] The negative electrode includes a negative electrode active material, including a composite of a material containing Si and O as constitution elements (atom ratio x of O to Si is 0.5?x?1.5) in combination with a carbon material, and graphite. The graphite has an average particle diameter dg (?m) of 4 to 20 ?m. The material containing Si and O as constitution elements has an average particle diameter ds (?m) of 1 ?m or more. The ratio ds/dg (i.e., ds to dg) is 0.05 to 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: HITACHI MAXELL LTD.
    Inventors: Naokage Tanaka, Akira Inaba, Keiichiro Uenae, Masayuki Yamada, Kazunobu Matsumoto