Patents Examined by Gabrielle Brouillette
  • Carbon materials for negative electrode of secondary battery and manufacturing process
    Patent number: 6316146
    Abstract: A carbon material for negative electrode of a secondary battery, in particular lithium-ion secondary battery, is prepared by pyrolysis in an inert gas atmosphere or in a vacuum of a composite resin obtained by dissolving pitch in a pitch-soluble resin such as a nobolac phenol resin as it is, or a resin solidified by curing treatment in a state in which the above composite resin is dispersed in a resin solidified by curing treatment or in an uncured resin having a phenol hydroxyl radical such as resol type phenol resin, followed by pulverization in an inert gas, and further heat treatment in an inert gas atmosphere or in a vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Watanabe, Norishige Nanai, Katsuhiro Nichogi, Akihito Miyamoto, Soji Tsuchiya
  • Cooling a fuel cell stack
    Patent number: 6316137
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack and a pump system. The pump system circulates a coolant through the fuel cell stack. The coolant is substantially electrically non-conductive and has a freezing point substantially below the freezing point of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Plug Power Inc.
    Inventor: James H. Kralick
  • Apparatus for manufacturing electrode plate for nonaqueous electrolyte battery
    Patent number: 6314638
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing an electrode plate of a nonaqueous secondary battery comprises means for moving a sheet conductive base material in a first direction, a die nozzle for injecting an electrode material composition onto the sheet conductive base material, a pump disposed in supplying pipes, a valve disposed at the pipes between the pump and the die nozzle, a suction system disposed at the pipes between the valve and the die nozzle, and means for drying the electrode material composition. To form uncoated areas, either the die nozzle or sheet conductive base material may be configured to move in a direction substantially perpendicular to one another, or the die nozzle may be configured to move along the first direction. Additionally a coated amount of the electrode material composition per unit area along the first direction may be continuously increased or decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Toshiba Battery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Kaido, Kouichi Matsumoto, Minoru Hashimoto, Mitsuru Furuichi
  • Interconnector for high temperature fuel cells
    Patent number: 6316136
    Abstract: The interconnector (1) for high temperature fuel cells is arranged between a first and a second planar electrochemically active element (2, 2′). In this it separates a chamber (41) containing a combustion gas from a chamber (51, 53) containing oxygen. A porous sinter body (10) of the interconnector has pores (101) which are at least partly sealed by a medium (11′). Through the sealing, a passage of gases between the named chambers (41, 51) is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Sulzer Hexis AG
    Inventor: Emad Batawi
  • Sealed secondary battery assembly
    Patent number: 6312851
    Abstract: A sealed secondary battery assembly in which electricity-generating elements (1) are accommodated in battery cases (3) formed in rectangular tubular shape having a bottom, a plurality of cells (2a to 2j) constituted by sealing the apertures of battery cases (3) by covers (4) are arranged in series, and these are electrically connected by means of electrical connecting elements (9), wherein the battery cases (3) of the individual cells (2a to 2j) are constituted by a unitary battery case (51) and electrical connection elements (9) are arranged so as to pass through partition sections (53, 54) that define the space for the individual cells (2a to 2j), and coolant passages (55, 56) that communicate with the outside are formed in the partition sections (53, 54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinsuke Fukuda, Mitsugu Takaki, Kenji Sato, Akira Iwamura, Toshinobu Yokoyama
  • Battery cell cover with flexible positive post terminal
    Patent number: 6312852
    Abstract: An expandable, flexible connection between a battery cell case cover and a terminal is provided which compensates for expansions of plates or grids of one polarity connected to that terminal. The expandable design encompasses a flexible battery case which facilitates movement of the battery terminal without compromising the scal between the case and the terminal. Preferably, a tubular thermoplastic sleeve is formed integrally with the case cover and extends into an opening between the cover and a terminal bushing which supports battery plates of one polarity. An annular flexible thermoplastic connector connects the sleeve to the case or to the bushing, with the connector being thinner than the case cover to afford more flexibility than the case cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: C&D Charter Holdings Inc.
    Inventor: Franz M. Wagner
  • Electrical rechargeable battery in the form of a button cell
    Patent number: 6312848
    Abstract: An electrical accumulator having a case in the form of a button cell which is closed such that it is gastight, including a case cover and a case cup with an interposed electrically insulating seal, which contain an electrode set including positive and negative electrodes as well as interposed separators, with at least two electrodes of one polarity being mechanically. and electrically connected at at least two points on their circumference in such a manner that a mechanically robust electrode packet results. The invention furthermore relates to a method for producing such a rechargeable battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Varta Geratebatterie GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Kilb, Dejan Ilic, Eduard Pytlik, Siegfried Weitbrecht
  • Fuel cell and power chip technology
    Patent number: 6312846
    Abstract: A fuel cell is disclosed which is formed on a semiconductor wafer by etching channel in the wafer and forming a proton exchange membrane PEM barrier in the etched channel. The barrier divides the channel into two. A hydrogen fuel is admitted into one of the divided channels and an oxidant into the other. The hydrogen reacts with a catalyst formed on an anode electrode at the hydrogen side of the channel to release hydrogen ions (protons) which are absorbed into the PEM. The protons migrate through the PEM and recombine with return hydrogen electrons on a cathode electrode on the oxygen side of the PEM and the oxygen to form water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Integrated Fuel Cell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen A. Marsh
  • Base tube for fuel cell
    Patent number: 6312847
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a base tube for a fuel cell produced by forming a film of a fuel electrode and a film of an air electrode on a surface of the base tube, the base tube comprising a mixture of a raw material for the base tube, and coarse particles of metal oxide, whereby the mixture shrinks nonuniformly when sintered to increase the porosity of the base tube. Thus, the gas permeability and the cell electrical efficiency can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tsukuda, Akihiro Yamashita, Kenichiro Kosaka, Nagao Hisatome, Toru Houjyou
  • Prismatic electrochemical cell
    Patent number: 6309775
    Abstract: A sealed, prismatic electrochemical cell has an electrode plate comprising a porous structure with a maximum linear dimension of the porous structure in the principle direction of ion flow of at least 20 percent of the maximum linear dimension of the housing cavity in the principle direction of ion flow. The cell can produce good current density while having a high capacity. The electrode construction can result in a low diffusion polarization despite the thickness of the electrode. The overall cell can be economically manufactured, and has a low percentage of its internal volume occupied by inactive materials. Electrode plaque constructions and active material compounds are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Duracell Inc.
    Inventor: Richard M. Mank
  • Assembled storage battery unit of the collective type
    Patent number: 6309776
    Abstract: An assembled storage battery unit of the collective type includes a plurality of storage batteries assembled as a unit. The storage batteries each include positive and negative electrodes layered through a separator and contained in a bottomed parallelepiped battery casing filled with electrolyte and a closure plate welded to an upper opening end of the battery casing to seal the interior of the battery casing. The battery casings each are integrally formed with a plurality of vertical ribs spaced in parallel at one side wall thereof faced to the corresponding side wall of the battery casing adjacent thereto. The vertical ribs of each of the battery casings are coupled with the corresponding vertical ribs of the battery casing adjacent thereto to form a plurality of vertical ventilation spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Okajima, Takashi Oda, Michinori Ikezoe
  • Electroactive high storage capacity polyacetylene-co-polysulfur materials and electrolytic cells containing same
    Patent number: 6309778
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel electroactive energy storing organic polymers, which organic polymers, in their oxidized or fully charged state, comprise polysulfur components. Also provided are electrochemical cells comprising composite cathodes utilizing such polymers, and methods of making such composite cathodes and cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Moltech Corporation
    Inventors: Terje A. Skotheim, Boris Trofimov, Anastasiya Grigorevna Malkina, Igor P. Kovaley
  • Hydrogen storage alloy electrode and method for manufacturing the same
    Patent number: 6309779
    Abstract: A hydrogen storage alloy electrode having a high capacity and excellent cycle characteristics is provided. The electrode is made from particulate active material comprising a hydrogen storage alloy of body-centered cubic crystal structure or body-centered tetragonal crystal structure, said hydrogen storage alloy being represented by the general formula TiaM1bCrcM2dLe, wherein M1 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Nb and Mo; M2 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, V, Zn, Zr, Ag, Hf, Ta, W, Al, Si, C, N, P and B; L is at least one element selected from the group consisting of rare-earth elements and Y; 0.2≦a≦0.7; 0.01≦b≦0.4; 0.1≦c≦0.7; 0≦d≦0.3; 0≦e≦0.03; and a+b+c+d+e=1.0, and said particulate active material having a Ti—Ni system alloy phase in the surface portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoichiro Tsuji, Osamu Yamamoto, Yoshinori Toyoguchi, Hiromu Matsuda
  • Serially-linked serpentine flow channels for PEM fuel cell
    Patent number: 6309773
    Abstract: A PEM fuel cell having serpentine flow field channels comprising a plurality of serially-linked serpentine segments extending between inlet and exhaust manifolds. Each segment has an inlet leg, an exit leg, at least one medial leg therebetween and hairpin curved ends connecting the medial leg(s) to other legs of the segment. A bridging section of each flow channel connects adjacent segments of the same channel one to the next. The hairpin-curved ends of the medial legs are spaced from bridging sections by different distances depending on the difference in pressure in the bridging section and the hairpin-curved ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey Allan Rock
  • Molten carbonate fuel cell
    Patent number: 6306535
    Abstract: A binder layer is formed on a surface of ceramic powder. This ceramic powder is formed into a sheet to form a sheet for an electrolyte plate of a molten carbonate fuel cell, to which a carbonate electrolyte is impregnated, thereby an electrolyte plate is constituted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Norihiro Tomimatsu, Hideyuki Ohzu, Yoshihiro Akasaka, Kazuaki Nakagawa
  • Electrolyte cosolvents including acrylate and methacrylate oligomers
    Patent number: 6306546
    Abstract: A new class of low flammability cosolvents comprising saturated C1-C8 alkyl (meth)acrylate oligomers having a molecular weight in the range of from about 160 to 1000 g/mol are disclosed for use in nonaqueous electrolytes for electrochemical cells. A novel process for preparing saturated meth(acrylic) oligomeric electrolyte cosolvents is also disclosed. Secondary electrochemical cells employing an anode, a cathode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte solution comprising these new cosolvents are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Rohm and Haas Company
    Inventors: Edward Ewart LaFleur, Jian Huang
  • Mat of glass and other fibers in a separator of a storage battery
    Patent number: 6306539
    Abstract: Methods and materials for producing microfibers, and methods or collecting the formed fibers as mats, either by themselves or with various additive, are disclosed. The mats are masses of intermeshed glass or other fibers produced by suspending the fibers in a gaseous medium, and collecting the suspended fibers on a foraminous material. The fibers suspended in the gaseous medium have a BET surface area of from 0.2 to 5 m2 per gram. A method for adding additional materials to the mats is also disclosed; this method involves suspending the additives in the gaseous medium with the fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: KVG Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: George C. Zguris
  • Battery cover having recessed attachment feature
    Patent number: 6303247
    Abstract: An electric storage battery includes a case for housing the battery's active, energy-storage elements, and a cover. The cover is configured to be secured to the case to thereby enclose the active elements. The cover includes one or more blind bores having a deformation relief feature on an inner surface thereof so as to configure the blind bore to receive a fastener for mounting a component to the battery. The deformation relief feature includes a plurality of ribs separated by intervening grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Tammy M. Griffey, Dane E. Carter
  • Secondary battery including an electrolytic solution with an organic additive
    Patent number: 6303250
    Abstract: A battery excellent in high temperature storage characteristic is presented. It comprises a positive electrode containing a positive electrode active material, a negative electrode containing a negative electrode material, a nonaqueous solvent, and an electrolytic solution containing at least one of organic compounds expressed in formula 1 and formula 2. The positive electrode active material has an oxide compound containing a lithium atom, and the negative electrode material has a material capable of storing and releasing a lithium ion. Formula 1 where R1, R2, R3, R4 are individually at least one selected from the group consisting of H, aryl group, and aryl group having a functional group containing a substituent having an electron attracting property, and the number of H is three or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoichiro Watanabe, Kazuya Iwamoto, Atsushi Ueda, Jun Nunome, Hizuru Koshina
  • Fuel cell channeled distribution of hydration water
    Patent number: 6303245
    Abstract: A fluid flow plate for a fuel cell is provided with hydration channels along the reactant channel lands of the plate. Water is injected into a gas diffusion layer facing the hydration channels in order to promote hydration of the fuel cell membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Plug Power Inc.
    Inventor: Milton H. Nelson