Patents Examined by Jennifer O'Malley
  • Patent number: 6117595
    Abstract: A high sodium ion conducting inorganic composite solid electrolyte obtained by mixing Na.sub.4 Zr.sub.2 Si.sub.3 O.sub.12 with titanium oxide and sintering the resultant mixture and a method for the production of a high sodium ion conducting inorganic composite solid electrolyte, consisting essentially of the steps of mixing Na.sub.4 Zr.sub.2 Si.sub.3 O.sub.12 with titanium oxide and sintering the resultant mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Agency of Industrial Science & Technology and Ministry of International Trade & Industry
    Inventors: Tomonari Takeuchi, Elisabeth Betourne, Mitsuharu Tabuchi, Osamu Nakamura, Hiroyuki Kageyama
  • Patent number: 6071638
    Abstract: A cell with spiral-wound electrodes comprises a container, two current output terminals of opposite polarity carried by the container, each current output comprising a part exterior to the container and an internal part, and two electrodes spiral-wound about a longitudinal axis, one of positive polarity and the other of negative polarity, electrically connected to a corresponding current output. At least one terminal has a cylindrical shoulder having a diameter greater than the transverse dimension of the exterior part of the terminal. The electrode is provided with a plurality of conductive blade members in part substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, mechanically and electrically connected to one edge of the electrode are projecting from this edge. The blade members are grouped together on and fixed to at least part of the periphery of the shoulder in order to establish electrical contact between the electrode and the current output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: SAFT
    Inventor: Jean Fradin
  • Patent number: 6068948
    Abstract: In the present invention, a hydrogen absorbing alloy treated upon immersed in an acid solution containing at least a quinone compound, a hydrogen absorbing alloy immersed in water to which at least a quinone compound is added, or a hydrogen absorbing alloy treated upon being immersed in an acid solution containing at least a quinone compound and then immersed in water to which at least a quinone compound is added is used for a hydrogen absorbing alloy electrode, and the hydrogen absorbing alloy electrode is used as a negative electrode of an alkali secondary battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Teruhiko Imoto, Yoshinori Matsuura, Nobuyuki Higashiyama, Mamoru Kimoto, Mitsuzou Nogami, Ikuo Yonezu, Koji Nishio
  • Patent number: 6066416
    Abstract: A positive electrode active material and a positive electrode for an alkaline storage battery are disclosed which exhibit high charge efficiency at a high temperature. The positive electrode active material comprises particles formed by agglomeration of crystals of nickel hydroxide active material, at least the surface layer of the particles containing a solid solution nickel hydroxide with manganese incorporated therein. The solid solution is present as crystals growing on the crystal surface of said nickel hydroxide active material and/or crystals independent of crystals of the nickel hydroxide active material. The content of manganese in the solid solution is at least one mole percent on the whole metal ions in the solid solution and not higher than 10 mole percent on the combined total amount of the metal ions in the nickel hydroxide active material and the solid solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Okada, Kazuhiro Ohta, Hiromu Matsuda, Yoshinori Toyoguchi
  • Patent number: 6045771
    Abstract: There is provided a novel lithium nickel complex oxide represented by the general formula:Li.sub.y-x1 Ni.sub.1-x2 M.sub.x O.sub.2wherein M represents one selected from the group consisting of Al, Fe, Co, Mn and Mg, x=x.sub.1 +x.sub.2, O<x.sub.1 .ltoreq.0.2, O<x.sub.2 .ltoreq.0.5, 0<x.ltoreq.0.5, and 0.9.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.1.3, and wherein the crystals have been sufficiently developed and are highly purified, and a positive electrode active material for a secondary battery whose stability of high discharge capacity is excellent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Fuji Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukio Matsubara, Masami Ueda, Tadashi Fukami, Kazumi Fujimori, Tamaki Machi
  • Patent number: 6033800
    Abstract: A battery container for containing battery elements includes large thickness sections formed on the outer rims of walls that compose the container and small thickness areas formed in the areas surrounded by the large thickness sections. A spacer that is formed of straight-line ribs, a combination of latticed ribs and projections, cylindrical projections or the like is disposed on the small thickness areas and the outer surface of the spacing means protruded out of the outer surfaces of the large thickness sections, thereby ensuring the mechanical strength and durability of the container and at the same time allowing cooling air to circulate efficiently along the walls of the battery envelope. This facilitates the transfer of heat produced inside of the battery to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Ichiyanagi, Manabu Kakino, Kenji Sato, Shinji Hamada, Munehisa Ikoma
  • Patent number: 6022643
    Abstract: Novel fluorinated boron-based compounds which act as anion receptors in non-aqueous battery electrolytes are provided. When added to non-aqueous battery electrolytes, the fluorinated boron-based compounds of the invention enhance ionic conductivity and cation transference number of non-aqueous electrolytes. The fluorinated boron-based anion receptors include borane and borate compounds bearing different fluorinated alkyl and aryl groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Brookhaven Science Associates
    Inventors: Hung Sui Lee, Xia-Oing Yang, James McBreen, Caili Xiang
  • Patent number: 6019802
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing nonaqueous secondary battery comprising, in a battery case, positive and negative electrodes capable of intercalating and deintercalating lithium and a nonaqueous electrolyte containing a lithium salt, the electrodes being prepared by applying a water-dispersion electrode material mixture paste containing at least an active material capable of intercalating and deintercalating lithium and at least one conducting agent comprising a carbonaceous compound onto a collector and drying, wherein at least one of the electrodes is prepared from a water-dispersion electrode material mixture paste which is prepared by using a dispersion comprising water having dispersed therein at least one conducting agent together with a dispersion aid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ishizuka, Hideki Tomiyama
  • Patent number: 6020086
    Abstract: An accumulator device for an electric or electronic apparatus includes an active element for charging and for producing electric power, and a casing for the active element. In order to counterbalance the pressure increase occurring during the charging operation of the active element, the casing for the active element is curved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Steven Van Lerberghe
  • Patent number: 6013394
    Abstract: An alkali metal, solid cathode, nonaqueous electrochemical cell capable of delivering high current pulses, rapidly recovering its open circuit voltage and having high current capacity, is described. The stated benefits are realized by the addition of at least one organic sulfate additive to an electrolyte comprising an alkali metal salt dissolved in a mixture of a low viscosity solvent and a high permittivity solvent. A preferred solvent mixture includes propylene carbonate, dimethoxyethane and a dialkyl sulfate additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong Gan, Esther S. Takuchi
  • Patent number: 6007945
    Abstract: Solid solution of titanium dioxide and tin dioxide is utilized as the anode active substance in the negative electrode of a rechargeable lithium battery. The lithium battery comprised of a negative electrode containing particles of titanium dioxide-tin dioxide solid solution, a non-aqueous lithium ion bearing electrolyte and a positive electrode, usually made of a lithium containing chalcogenide compound provides stable voltage, has high reversible anode capacity and high energy density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Electrofuel Inc.
    Inventors: James K. Jacobs, Sankar Dasgupta
  • Patent number: 6001139
    Abstract: This invention provides a cylinder type nonaqueous secondary battery which comprises a positive electrode active material comprising a lithium-containing transition metal oxide, a composite oxide or composite chalcogen negative electrode material capable of intercalating and deintercalating lithium and a nonaqueous electrolyte containing a lithium metal salt, wherein high discharging capacity and excellent charge and discharge cycle characteristics are obtained by mounting a metal foil mainly comprising lithium in advance in a coiled group in which a current collector sheet coated with the positive electrode active material (positive electrode sheet), another current collector sheet coated with the negative electrode material (negative electrode sheet) and a separator are coiled in a spiral form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Asanuma, Hiroshi Inoue, Yukio Maekawa, Mitsutoshi Tanaka, Yukio Miyaki, Hiroshi Ishizuka, Shoichiro Yasunami, Kazuo Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 5993494
    Abstract: A bipolar cell, such as a lead-acid cell, comprising bipolar plates having a conductive metal substrate with a pre-cured active material grid comprising a mesh and positive active material in contact on one side of the conductive substrate and a negative active material grid unadhered to the conductive substrate and positioned in contact on the opposite side from the positive active material grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: GNB Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Lookose Malikayil
  • Patent number: 5993995
    Abstract: The present invention provides a paste type nickel electrode for a storage cell having an alkaline electrolyte, the electrode comprising a current collector and a paste containing a nickel-based hydroxide and an oxidized compound of cobalt syncrystallized with at least one other element, wherein said hydroxide forms a first powder and wherein said compound forms a second powder distinct from said first powder, said powders being mixed mechanically within said paste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: SAFT
    Inventors: Patrick Bernard, Fran.cedilla.oise Bertrand, Olivier Simonneau
  • Patent number: 5985489
    Abstract: A superior lithium secondary battery having high total discharge capacity, high effective discharge capacity, high total discharge efficiency, and high effective discharge rate can be obtained by using, as a carbon electrode for a lithium secondary battery, a carbon for a lithium secondary battery obtained by successively conducting a halogenation treatment, a dehalogenation treatment, and a pore adjustment treatment on a dry-distilled charcoal, or by successively conducting a crushing treatment, a molding treatment, and a carbonization treatment on a dry-distilled charcoal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Nippon Sanso Corporation
    Inventors: Takushi Ohsaki, Ryuichi Yazaki, Hiroshi Taira, Takashi Inui, Mitsuo Kigure, Akihiro Nakamura
  • Patent number: 5972531
    Abstract: A recovering process for recovering constituent components of a battery having at least an active material layer formed on a collector, said process includes at least a step of separating said active material layer from said collector by applying thermal shock to the electrode by way of at least cooling the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Soichiro Kawakami
  • Patent number: 5962159
    Abstract: The battery pack which can be attached independent of its orientation houses rechargeable batteries within a case and has positive and negative (+ -) charge-discharge terminals at one end of the case. The charge-discharge terminals are arranged to connect to electrical apparatus without regard to the orientation of the front or back sides of the case. The + - charge-discharge terminals are sheet metal bent in flat-sided c-shapes, and comprise a parallel charge-discharge terminal piece which attaches to the case parallel to the case opening plane and a perpendicular charge-discharge terminal piece which attaches to the case perpendicular to the parallel charge-discharge terminal piece. The parallel charge-discharge terminal piece attaches by fitting into an attachment section formed as a single piece in the case opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsunori Satou, Naohisa Tsukamura
  • Patent number: 5948564
    Abstract: A positive electrode for use in alkaline rechargeable electrochemical cells comprising: a material comprising a compositionally and structurally disordered multiphase nickel hydroxide host matrix which includes at least one modifier chosen from the group consisting of F, Li, Na, K, Mg, Ba, La, Se, Nd, Pr, Y, Co, Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Sc, Sn, Sb, Te, Bi, Ru, and Pb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Michael A. Fetcenko, Srinivasan Venkatesan, Arthur Holland
  • Patent number: 5939221
    Abstract: After opening spent NaS cells, one or more NaS cells are loaded to and maintained in separator plates within a heating tank in such a way that the opening or openings thereof are oriented downwards. After no less than the time required to melt the Na and after Na has drained from the opening, the NaS cells from which Na has drained are removed from the separator plates within the heating tank and, in addition to this, a number of other opened NaS cells equal in number to those removed are loaded into and maintained in the empty spaces within the separator plates from which these NaS cells have been removed. In the recovery of Na, this method is efficient and time reducing and, furthermore, according to this method it is possible to make recovery facilities simpler and smaller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomonori Tsuchimoto, Yoshihiko Kurashima, Katsuichi Iwata
  • Patent number: 5935728
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell comprising a medium rate electrode region intended to be discharged under a substantially constant drain and a high rate electrode region disposed in a jellyroll wound configuration intended to be pulse discharged, is described. Both electrode regions share a common anode and are activated with the same electreolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: David M. Spillman, Esther S. Takeuchi