Patents Examined by Helen O Conley
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Patent number: 8771861Abstract: A secondary battery and a method for manufacturing the same, the secondary battery includes an electrode assembly and a pouch, the electrode assembly having a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode and insulating the first electrode and the second electrode from each other, the pouch configured to have a bottom face and lateral faces extending from edges of the bottom face and including a cavity to accommodate the electrode assembly. The pouch includes an alignment protrusion provided on its lateral face. The electrode assembly including an alignment indentation provided at its edge. The alignment indentation corresponds to the alignment protrusion of the pouch.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2010Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventor: Changbum Ahn
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Patent number: 8771893Abstract: A fuel cell system operating method in which a temperature of a fuel cell power generator is measured when the fuel cell power generator stops generating power, and it is determined whether the temperature is within a predetermined temperature range, and a reverse current is supplied to the fuel cell power generator upon restart if the temperature was determined to be outside of the predetermined range so as to increase the efficiency of the system after restarting the fuel cell power generator after being exposed to extreme conditions. Subsequently, the reverse current supply to the fuel cell power generator stops and electric energy is generated through an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen in the fuel cell power generator.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2008Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ulrike Krewer, Jun-Young Park, Jin-Hwa Lee, Hye-Jung Cho, Toshihiko Ichinose
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Patent number: 8771899Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system includes a structure having an ionically-conductive, electrically-resistive electrolyte/separator layer covering an inner or outer surface of a carbon-containing electrically-conductive hollow fiber and a catalyst coupled to the hollow fiber, an anode extending along at least part of a length of the structure, and a cathode extending along at least part of the length of the structure, the cathode being on an opposite side of the hollow fiber as the anode. In another embodiment, a method includes acquiring a structure having an ionically-conductive, electrically-resistive electrolyte/separator layer covering an inner or outer surface of a carbon-containing electrically-conductive hollow fiber and a catalyst along one side thereof, adding an anode that extends along at least part of a length of the structure, and adding a cathode that extends along at least part of the length of the structure on an opposite side as the anode.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2010Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC.Inventors: Kevin C. Langry, Joseph C. Farmer
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Patent number: 8765007Abstract: A method of evaluating a positive electrode active material has a density ratio-determining step of determining a ratio of an apparent density Da of the positive electrode active material to a theoretical density Db of the positive electrode active material. For example, when the positive electrode active material contains no closed space in the positive electrode active material, such as closed pores of the positive electrode active material, the ratio (Da/Db) of the apparent density Da of the positive electrode active material to the theoretical density Db of the positive electrode active material will be a value close to 1; however, the more the closed space such as the closed pores exists in the positive electrode active material, the smaller the ratio (Da/Db). Thus, the ratio (Da/Db) can serve as an indicator for measuring the degree of density of the positive electrode active material.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2010Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroki Nagai, Hidekazu Hiratsuka
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Patent number: 8765297Abstract: An Advanced Graphite, with a lower degree of ordered carbon domains and a surface area greater than ten times that of typical battery grade graphites, is used in negative active material (NAM) of valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) type Spiral wound 6V/25 Ah lead-acid batteries. A significant and unexpected cycle life was achieved for the Advanced Graphite mix where the battery was able to cycle beyond 145,000 cycles above the failure voltage of 9V in a non-stop, power-assist cycle-life test. Batteries with Advanced Graphite also showed increased charge acceptance power and discharge power compared to control groups.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2011Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Exide TechnologiesInventors: Sudhakar Jagannathan, Melchor Fernandez Garcia
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Patent number: 8765301Abstract: One embodiment may include a lithium ion battery, wherein one or more chelating agents may be attached to a battery component.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2011Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Ion C. Halalay, Timothy J. Fuller, Lijun Zou
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Patent number: 8758923Abstract: A battery pack including a housing for accommodating a plurality of secondary batteries; a cooling unit for cooling the secondary batteries, the cooling unit including an inlet through which a cooling fluid flows in and an outlet through which the cooling fluid flows out; and a terminal unit detachably connectable to the cooling unit, the terminal unit including a first terminal for circulating the cooling fluid.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2010Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignees: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Ji-Hyoung Yoon, Kwon Sohn
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Patent number: 8741172Abstract: A lithium-titanium complex oxide whose total water generation amount and total carbon dioxide generation amount measured by thermal decomposition GC-MS are preferably 1500 wt ppm or less and 2000 wt ppm or less, respectively, is obtained by subjecting a mixture of titanium compound and lithium compound to a heat treatment at 600° C. or above, cooling the obtained reaction product to 50° C. or below, and then subjecting the cooled reaction product to a reheat treatment involving heating to the maximum temperature of 300 to 700° C. and then cooling, wherein the dew point of the ambience of the reheat treatment is controlled at ?30° C. or below at a temperature of 200° C. or above.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2012Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Taiyo Yuden Co., Ltd.Inventors: Daigo Ito, Chie Kawamura, Masaki Mochigi, Toshimasa Suzuki
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Patent number: 8734977Abstract: A battery module includes a cooling tube through which cooling air passes, a unit battery installed on the cooling tube, and a temperature adjusting unit installed on the cooling tube to adjust a temperature of the unit battery.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2006Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Gun-Goo Lee, Tae-Yong Kim, Hong-Sup Lim
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Patent number: 8734983Abstract: An improved housing for a rolled-ribbon electrochemical device is provided. The housing comprises a fastener that aligns first and second cups during assembly and maintains electrode contact independent of external pressure on the housing eliminating the possibility of an open circuit state for a cell. In one alternative embodiment, the fastener comprises a stem that fits into a hollow tube and resists detachment from the tube. In another alternative embodiment, the fastener comprises a stem that fits into a grommet and resists detachment from the grommet. In yet another alternative embodiment, the fastener comprises a tube that fits into a grommet and resists detachment from the grommet.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2005Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Inventek CorporationInventor: Thomas D. Kaun
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Patent number: 8728664Abstract: An anode for a lithium secondary battery contains an active material and a binder mixture. The active material can occlude or liberate lithium. The binder mixture includes a synthetic rubber-based latex-type binder, a cellulose-based thickener, and an acrylamide-based water-soluble polymer. The adhesive forces among electrode materials and between the electrode materials and a current collector are greatly increased. As a result, the number of battery defects, which are caused by low adhesive forces in the electrode plate manufacturing process, in particular, a rolling process, can be unexpectedly decreased. At the same time, high-rate discharge characteristics can be improved by decreasing the resistance at the interface between the electrode materials and the current collector.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2004Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jin-Hwan Park, Tae-Byoung Oh, Dae-Ho Lee, Kil-Won Cho
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Patent number: 8728676Abstract: A system for optimizing the purge cycle of a fuel cell stack responsive to the performance of the fuel cell. The system includes a controller that measures a process parameter indicative of the rate at which water is being produced in the fuel cell. If the measured value exceeds a threshold value, then the purge assembly is automatically actuated.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2010Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: DCNS SAInventor: Thomas G. Herron
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Patent number: 8722226Abstract: Redox flow devices are described including a positive electrode current collector, a negative electrode current collector, and an ion-permeable membrane separating said positive and negative current collectors, positioned and arranged to define a positive electroactive zone and a negative electroactive zone; wherein at least one of said positive and negative electroactive zone comprises a flowable semi-solid composition comprising ion storage compound particles capable of taking up or releasing said ions during operation of the cell, and wherein the ion storage compound particles have a polydisperse size distribution in which the finest particles present in at least 5 vol % of the total volume, is at least a factor of 5 smaller than the largest particles present in at least 5 vol % of the total volume.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2010Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: 24M Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Yet-Ming Chiang, William Craig Carter, Mihai Duduta, Pimpa Limthongkul
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Patent number: 8722227Abstract: Redox flow devices are described in which at least one of the positive electrode or negative electrode-active materials is a semi-solid or is a condensed ion-storing electroactive material, and in which at least one of the electrode-active materials is transported to and from an assembly at which the electrochemical reaction occurs, producing electrical energy. The electronic conductivity of the semi-solid is increased by the addition of conductive particles to suspensions and/or via the surface modification of the solid in semi-solids (e.g., by coating the solid with a more electron conductive coating material to increase the power of the device). High energy density and high power redox flow devices are disclosed. The redox flow devices described herein can also include one or more inventive design features. In addition, inventive chemistries for use in redox flow devices are also described.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2013Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 24-M Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Yet-Ming Chiang, W. Craig Carter, Bryan Y. Ho, Mihai Duduta, Pimpa Limthongkul
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Patent number: 8722235Abstract: A thin printed flexible electrochemical cell with a high moisture and oxygen barrier polymer film sealed and folded package featuring a printed cathode deposited on a highly conductive carbon printed cathode collector with a zinc foil anode or printed anode placed adjacent to the cathode. After the cell components are added to the special laminated polymer substrate, the web is processed automatically on a modified high-speed commercial horizontal pouch filling machine to complete the cell assembly process. In this process a starch coated paper separator layer may be inserted over the anode and the cathode, and then the aqueous electrolyte solution is added to the cell. To complete the process, all four edges of the cell are heat sealed to confine the cell components within the cell cavity and each cell is trimmed off the continuous web.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2005Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Blue Spark Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Gary R. Tucholski, Ed T. Russell, Dennis W. McComsey
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Patent number: 8709675Abstract: The fuel cell base module stacking structure has large compactness, very litte ohmic losses and ease as for implementing the seal of the assembly. It consists of a concentric stack of several fuel cell base cells each consisting on either side of an interconnector (24) sandwiching an anode (21), an electrolyte (22) and a cathode (23), each cell being thereby placed upon each other. The module is completed with two cases for distributing combustible gases. Application to gas fuel cells of the SOFC type.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2005Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie AtomiqueInventors: Damien Gallet, Franck Blein, Jean-Luc Sarro
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Patent number: 8709674Abstract: A plurality of tubular solid oxide fuel cells are embedded in a solid phase porous foam matrix that serves as a support structure for the fuel cells. The foam matrix has multiple regions with at least one property differing between at least two regions. The properties include porosity, electrical conductivity, and catalyst loading.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2005Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Alberta Research Council Inc.Inventors: Partho Sarkar, Mark Richardson, Luis Yamarte
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Patent number: 8709679Abstract: Active metal fuel cells are provided. An active metal fuel cell has a renewable active metal (e.g., lithium) anode and a cathode structure that includes an electronically conductive component (e.g., a porous metal or alloy), an ionically conductive component (e.g., an electrolyte), and a fluid oxidant (e.g., air, water or a peroxide or other aqueous solution). The pairing of an active metal anode with a cathode oxidant in a fuel cell is enabled by an ionically conductive protective membrane on the surface of the anode facing the cathode.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2012Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: PolyPlus Battery CompanyInventors: Steven J. Visco, Yevgeniy S. Nimon, Bruce D. Katz, Lutgard C. De Jonghe
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Patent number: 8709631Abstract: A bioelectric battery may be used to power implantable devices. The bioelectric battery may have an anode electrode and a cathode electrode separated by an insulating member comprising a tube having a first end and a second end, wherein said anode is inserted into said first end of said tube and said cathode surrounds said tube such that the tube provides a support for the cathode electrode. The bioelectric battery may also have a membrane surrounding the cathode to reduce tissue encapsulation. Alternatively, an anode electrode, a cathode electrode surrounding the cathode electrode, a permeable membrane surrounding the cathode electrode. An electrolyte is disposed within the permeable membrane and a mesh surrounds the permeable membrane. In an alternative embodiment, a pacemaker housing acts as a cathode electrode for a bioelectric battery and an anode electrode is attached to the housing with an insulative adhesive.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2007Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.Inventors: Naixiong Jiang, Gene A. Bornzin, John W. Poore, Sheldon Williams, Weiqun Yang, Taraneh Ghaffari Farazi
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Patent number: 8709649Abstract: A secondary battery includes an electrode assembly having a first electrode plate electrically connected to a first electrode tab and a second electrode plate electrically connected to a second electrode tab and an outer casing housing the electrode assembly. At least one of the first electrode tab or the second electrode tab includes at least one first groove extending in a longitudinal direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2008Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jang-Ho Lee