Patents Examined by Jacob Marks
  • Patent number: 9397338
    Abstract: Electrodes and methods of forming electrodes are described herein. The electrode can be an electrode of an electrochemical cell or battery. The electrode includes a current collector and a film in electrical communication with the current collector. The film may include a carbon phase that holds the film together. The electrode further includes an electrode attachment substance that adheres the film to the current collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: ENEVATE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Benjamin Park, Sung Won Choi, Ian Browne, William Schank
  • Patent number: 9391325
    Abstract: In order to provide a 3V level non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery with a flat voltage and excellent cycle life at a high rate with low cost, the present invention provides a positive electrode represented by the formula: Li2±?[Me]4O8?x, wherein 0??<0.4, 0?x<2, and Me is a transition metal containing Mn and at least one selected from the group consisting of Ni, Cr, Fe, Co and Cu, said active material exhibiting topotactic two-phase reactions during charge and discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignees: Panasonic Corporation, Osaka City University
    Inventors: Tsutomu Ohzuku, Hiroshi Yoshizawa, Masatoshi Nagayama, Hizuru Koshina
  • Patent number: 9384904
    Abstract: An object is to suppress electrochemical decomposition of an electrolyte solution and the like at a negative electrode in a lithium ion battery or a lithium ion capacitor; thus, irreversible capacity is reduced, cycle performance is improved, or operating temperature range is extended. A negative electrode for a power storage device including a negative electrode current collector, a negative electrode active material layer which is over the negative electrode current collector and includes a plurality of particles of a negative electrode active material, and a film covering part of the negative electrode active material. The film has an insulating property and lithium ion conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Inoue, Sachiko Kataniwa, Kazutaka Kuriki, Junpei Momo
  • Patent number: 9373861
    Abstract: Counter electrodes are used within the context of a flow cell to attract shunt current depositions during operation. The counter electrodes may be electrically connected with an anode of the flow cell to attract the depositions and then electrically connected with a cathode of the flow cell to remove the depositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: ViZn Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek C. Tarrant, Richard M. Bendert, Gerald P. Backer
  • Patent number: 9373836
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a non-aqueous electrolyte battery includes an outer package, a positive electrode housed in the outer package, a negative electrode housed with a space from the positive electrode in the outer package and including an active material, and a non-aqueous electrolyte filled in the outer package. The active material includes a lithium-titanium composite oxide particle, and a coating layer formed on at least a part of the surface of the particle and including at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Zr, Fe, Nb, Co, Ni, Cu and Si, an oxide of at least one metal selected from the group or an alloy containing at least one metal selected from the group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Hiroki Inagaki, Keigo Hoshina, Norio Takami
  • Patent number: 9373827
    Abstract: A battery compartment insert for use with a battery holder that utilizes an assembly of two cells sealed in shrink wrap, thus replacing the need for use of the battery assembly. The insert includes a battery compartment lid for holding two separate lithium bromide battery cells and four electrical contacts. There are two electrical contacts corresponding to each battery cell. The battery compartment lid includes two diodes each corresponding to one of the battery cells and guide posts such that each individual battery cell can be taken out and replaced. The battery compartment lid corresponds to the battery holder such that two electrical contacts are each able to electrically communicate with a corresponding battery cell such that a device may be powered by the battery cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Paul Teas
  • Patent number: 9368773
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a battery cell module including a plurality of lithium ion battery cells, each having a degassing opening, and a cover substantially sealingly connected to a corresponding surface of each of the battery cells. The cover defines a gas receiving space configured to at least temporarily receive gas escaping from the battery cells. The gas receiving space is open in the direction of the battery cells. The opening area of the gas receiving space extends across a plurality of the battery cells. The disclosure further relates to a method for producing a battery cell module, to a battery, and to a motor vehicle having the battery cell module or the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Boris Gendlin, Michael Gless, Ralf Angerbauer, Conrad Bubeck, Stefan Baumann, Andreas Ruehle
  • Patent number: 9362544
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for control of a current interruption component in a battery system. Various embodiments consistent with the present disclosure may include a detection system configured to detect an event (e.g., an impact event, a resistive short, a coolant leak, etc.) and a control system configured to receive information from the detection system and to generate a control signal based upon detection of the event. The control signal may selectively actuate an electrical clearing component. A current interruption component may be configured to selectively interrupt a flow of current upon an occurrence of a condition that results from actuation of the electrical clearing component. Upon detection of the event by the detection system, the control system may generate the control signal to actuate the electrical clearing component, and the actuation of the electrical clearing component may trigger the current interruption system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Paul W. Kelley, Andrew K. Chandler, Brian J. Martel
  • Patent number: 9362589
    Abstract: The non-aqueous electrolyte battery includes an outer case, a positive electrode housed in the outer case, a negative electrode housed in the outer case such that the negative electrode is separated from the positive electrode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte accommodated in the outer case. The negative electrode comprises a current collector and negative electrode layer formed on one surface or both surfaces of the current collector. The negative electrode layer includes at least one main negative electrode layer which is formed on the surface of the current collector and contains a first active material, and a surface layer which is formed on the surface of the main negative electrode layer and contains a second active material different from the first active material, the second active material being a lithium titanium composite oxide having a spinel structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Hiroki Inagaki, Norio Takami
  • Patent number: 9362584
    Abstract: This invention provides a redox fuel cell comprising an anode and a cathode separated by an ion selective polymer electrolyte membrane; means for supplying a fuel to the anode region of the cell; means for supplying an oxidant to the cathode region of the cell; means for providing an electrical circuit between the anode and the cathode; a non-volatile catholyte solution flowing fluid communication with the cathode, the catholyte solution comprising a polyoxometallate redox couple being at least partially reduced at the cathode in operation of the cell, and at least partially re-generated by reaction with the oxidant after such reduction at the cathode, the catholyte solution comprising at least about 0.075M of the said polyoxometallate, and a vanadium (IV) compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: ACAL ENERGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Kathryn Knuckey, Belloumi Kangati, Clare Downs, Andrew Potter
  • Patent number: 9356321
    Abstract: In a lead-acid battery including an electrode plate group housed in a cell chamber 6 with an electrolyte, each positive electrode plate includes a positive electrode grid made of lead or a lead alloy containing no antimony, and a positive electrode active material with which the positive electrode grid is filled. Each negative electrode plate includes a negative electrode grid made of lead or a lead alloy containing no antimony, a surface layer formed on a surface of the negative electrode grid and made of a lead alloy containing antimony, and a negative electrode active material with which the negative electrode grid is filled. A mass ratio MN/MP falls within a range of 0.70 to 1.10, where MP represents the mass of the positive electrode active material per cell chamber, and MN represents the mass of the negative electrode active material per cell chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Etsuko Ogasawara, Misaki Harada, Kazuhiro Sugie, Kenji Izumi, Yu Kojima, Kazuhiko Shimoda, Kazunari Ando
  • Patent number: 9350001
    Abstract: A polymer battery pack assembly comprising a mounting frame having a first cavity defining a first mounting location and a second cavity defining a second mounting location, the first and second cavities being separated from each other; a top case mounted on the second mounting location, the top case having a third cavity defining a third mounting location; a lithium polymer battery cell mounted within the first mounting location, the battery cell having a positive tap and a negative tap extending beyond the first cavity towards the second mounting location; and a protection circuit module mounted in the third mounting location, the protection circuit module being electrically connected to the positive tap and the negative tap when the top case is mounted to the mounting frame such that the protection circuit module fits into said second cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Woon-Seong Baek, Kyung-Won Seo, Jong-Wook Yoon
  • Patent number: 9350034
    Abstract: To improve assembly precision of a fuel cell by improving a sealing property. A first gasket 12 is integrally formed with a first gas diffusion layer 11 and a second gasket 14 is integrally formed with a second gas diffusion layer 13, and a hinge portion 15 connects the first gasket 12 to the second gasket 14. The gas diffusion layer incorporated gasket sandwiches a membrane-electrode from both sides in the thickness direction. A seal protrusion 12c is formed in a surface of the first gasket 12 or the second gasket 14 and comes into close contact with the membrane-electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: NOK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hajime Yui, Shigeru Watanabe, Kenichi Oba
  • Patent number: 9350050
    Abstract: A current collector includes a first principal plane and a second principal plane. In the current collector, the roughness of the first principal plane and second principal plane being mutually different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenichi Kawase, Isamu Konishiike, Tomoo Takada, Masayuki Iwama, Nozomu Morita, Yoshikazu Kato
  • Patent number: 9350021
    Abstract: Provided is a cathode active material which is superior in safety and cost and makes it possible to provide a nonaqueous secondary battery having a long life. The cathode active material has a composition represented by the following formula (1): LiMn1-xMxP1-yAlyO4??(1) (wherein M is at least one selected from the group consisting of Ti, V, Zr, Sn and Y, x is in a range of 0<x?0.5, and y is in a range of 0<y?0.25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Ohira, Motoaki Nishijima, Yuichi Kamimura
  • Patent number: 9343723
    Abstract: A battery pack having a battery cell and a case accommodating the battery cell and including a terminal portion that is electrically connected to the battery cell. The terminal portion includes a first groove portion for attaching a temperature sensor for obtaining temperature information of the battery cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong-Wook Yoon, Eun-Ok Kwak, Byoung-Ju Kim, Jeong-Deok Byun
  • Patent number: 9343746
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to SOFC with a multilayer structure comprising a porous ceramic cathode, optionally a cathodic triple phase boundary layer, a bilayer electrolyte comprising a cerium oxide comprising layer and a bismuth oxide comprising layer, an anion functional layer, and a porous ceramic anode with electrical interconnects, wherein the SOFC displays a very high power density at temperatures below 700° C. with hydrogen or hydrocarbon fuels. The low temperature conversion of chemical energy to electrical energy allows the fabrication of the fuel cells using stainless steel or other metal alloys rather than ceramic conductive oxides as the interconnects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
    Inventors: Eric D. Wachsman, Heesung Yoon, Kang Taek Lee, Matthew Camaratta, Jin Soo Ahn
  • Patent number: 9337507
    Abstract: The power generation efficiency of a microbial power generator is increased by using an easy and inexpensive unit. Two plate-like cation-exchange membranes are disposed in parallel in a tank. This arrangement allows an anode chamber to be formed between the cation-exchange membranes. Two cathode chambers are separated from the anode chamber by using the respective ion-permeable nonconductive membranes. An oxygen-containing gas is made to pass through the cathode chamber. An anode solution is supplied to the anode chamber, and, preferably, the anode solution is made to circulate. A biologically treated exhaust gas is used as the oxygen-containing gas to be supplied to the cathode chamber. Carbon dioxide in the biologically treated exhaust gas can promote transport of Na+ and K+ ions, and water vapor can increase the ion permeability, thereby increasing the power generation efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: KURITA WATER INDUSTRIES LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsuro Fukase, Nobuhiro Orita, Kazunari Komatsu
  • Patent number: 9337515
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery includes: an electrode assembly formed by winding a positive and negative electrode plate and a separator between the electrode plates, and including a cavity along an axial direction of the electrode assembly; a center pin along the axial direction and housed in the cavity; a can having an opening; and a cap assembly configured to close the opening, wherein the center pin includes: a center portion along a radial direction of the center pin; a first perimeter portion coupled to a first end portion of the center portion and extending from the first end portion toward a second end portion of the center portion; and a second perimeter portion coupled to the first end portion of the center portion and extending from the first end portion toward the second end portion in a circumferential direction opposite to a circumferential direction of the first perimeter portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Myoung-Han Ryu
  • Patent number: 9331347
    Abstract: A fuel cell system that can quickly transition to idling stop and can suppress degradation of the electrolyte membrane and decline in cell voltage during idling stop, without requiring a discharge resistor to be provided, and a control method thereof are provided. A fuel cell system (1) includes a fuel cell (10) configured by layering a plurality of fuel cell cells that generate power by reactant gas being supplied thereto, and a supply device 20 that supplies reactant gas to the fuel cell (10), in which idling stop control is initiated to supply air of a lower flow rate than during idling power generation to the fuel cell (10), while producing lower current than during idling power generation from the fuel cell (10), in a case of a predetermined condition being established during idling power generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuji Matsumoto, Kenichiro Ueda, Chihiro Wake, Go Kikuchi, Koichiro Miyata