Patents Examined by John S. Maples
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Patent number: 8679661Abstract: Provided is a pouch type secondary battery. In more detail, a pouch type secondary battery includes an electrode assembly, a pouch type battery case, a sealing part, and an exhaust part, wherein the exhaust part is formed to have adhesion weaker than that of the sealing part to release the sealing of the exhaust part when the pouch type secondary battery is swollen due to high pressure generated within the secondary battery under the conditions of overheating such as overcharging, internal short, and the like, thereby discharging materials in the pouch type secondary battery to the outside so as to secure safety of the pouch type secondary battery.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2012Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: SK Innovation Co., Ltd.Inventors: Heechan Park, Sangbum Kim
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Patent number: 8673514Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell system including a fuel cell which is a DC power source and boosting unit which boosts the output voltage of the fuel cell for supply to a load. The boosting unit has: a main boosting unit which has a switch and a coil and boosts the output voltage of the fuel cell by a back electromotive force of the coil generated by a switching operation of the switch with respect to the coil; and a sub boosting unit having a snubber capacitor which adjusts a potential difference between the both electrodes of the switch by an accumulation amount and reduces the switching loss of the switch by adjusting the accumulation amount of the snubber capacitor upon a switching operation. The electricity of the snubber capacitor discharged when reducing the accumulation amount of the snubber capacitor is made to flow into processing unit other than the fuel cell by the sub boosting unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2008Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Fusaki Igarashi
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Patent number: 8673493Abstract: A rechargeable magnesium-ion battery includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and an electrolyte layer between the first electrode and the second electrode. The electrolyte includes a source of magnesium ions, such as a magnesium salt. The first electrode includes an active material, the active material including indium and tin, for example as a solid solution or intermetallic compound of indium and tin.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2012Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Nikhilendra Singh, Masaki Matsui
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Patent number: 8663861Abstract: The amount of fuel supplied to a fuel cell is set to a second set value Qm2 smaller than a first set value Qm1 determined based on a load. Then, an output current Ifcr of the fuel cell with the fuel supply amount set to the second set value Qm2 is detected. The output current Ifcr is compared with a reference value Iref for determining mild deterioration to determine whether the fuel cell has deteriorated from the comparison result. If a determination that the fuel cell has deteriorated is made, the fuel supply amount is reset to a third set value Qm3 larger than the second set value Qm2.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2011Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Masaki Mitsui, Takashi Akiyama
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Patent number: 8663856Abstract: A fuel cell stack is provided having a plurality of unit cells stacked in a horizontal direction. Each unit cell includes an electrolyte membrane having two surfaces and a peripheral edge, electrodes provided on both surfaces of the electrolyte membrane, frame-shaped members provided on both surfaces of the electrolyte membrane adjacent to the respective electrodes and adjacent the peripheral edge of the electrolyte membrane, separators provided on the electrodes and the frame-shaped members and having a reactant gas passage for supplying a reactant gas to each of the electrodes, and a manifold formed in the stacking direction in fluid communication with the reactant gas passage. The manifold includes a horizontal edge portion in fluid communication with the reactant gas passage.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2009Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Fumio Kagami, Motoharu Obika
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Patent number: 8663841Abstract: A power storage device in which charge capacity and discharge capacity are high and deterioration in battery characteristics due to charge/discharge is small is provided. A power storage device in which charge capacity and discharge capacity are high and output characteristics are excellent is provided. A power storage device in which charge capacity and discharge capacity are high and cycle characteristics are excellent is provided. A power storage device includes a negative electrode. The negative electrode includes a current collector, an active material including a plurality of protrusions protruding from the current collector and an outer shell in contact with and attached to surfaces of the plurality of protrusions, and graphene in contact with and attached to the outer shell. Axes of the plurality of protrusions are oriented in the same direction. A common portion may be provided between the current collector and the plurality of protrusions.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2012Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ryota Tajima, Takeshi Osada
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Patent number: 8663859Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell electrochemical system includes receiving at least one of a cost of electricity and a cost of fuel and adjusting at least one of an operating efficiency and throughput of the fuel cell based on the at least one of the received cost of electricity and the received cost of fuel.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2012Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Bloom Energy CorporationInventors: Fred Mitlitsky, K. R. Sridhar, Matthias Gottmann, Swaminathan Venkataraman
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Patent number: 8647770Abstract: A rechargeable magnesium-ion battery includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and an electrolyte layer between the first electrode and the second electrode. The electrolyte includes a source of magnesium ions, such as a magnesium salt. The first electrode includes an active material, the active material including tin and bismuth, for example as a binary combination of Sn and Bi, such as a solid solution or intermetallic compound.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2012Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Nikhilendra Singh, Masaki Matsui
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Patent number: 8637208Abstract: The electrode for a fuel cell according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an electrode substrate and a catalyst layer disposed on the electrode substrate, the catalyst layer including metal nanoparticles, a binder and a catalyst. The metal nanoparticles in the catalyst layer improve electrical conductivity, and also have catalyst activity to implement a catalytic synergetic effect so as to provide a high power fuel cell.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2007Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: In-Hyuk Son, Sang-Il Han
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Patent number: 8628886Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell; a circulating system that circulates and supplies fuel off-gas discharged from the fuel cell to the fuel cell; a pump that pumps a fluid in the circulating system; a discharge valve through which the fluid in the circulating system is discharged to the outside; and a control device that controls the pump and the discharge valve. If operation of the fuel cell is started in a cold environment, the control device executes a control to start power generation in the fuel cell for a first period before activating the pump and executes a control to drive the pump while the discharge valve is closed for a second period.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2011Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Michitaro Itoga
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Patent number: 8614017Abstract: A battery comprises a battery case forming a substantially sealed enclosure and an electrode stack within the enclosure. The electrode stack includes a first set of electrode elements and a second set of electrode elements. The electrode elements in the second set alternate with the electrode elements in the first set within the electrode stack. In addition, the electrode elements include coincident alignment apertures. The coincident alignment apertures are configured to restrict rotation of the electrode elements to align the electrode elements when the alignment apertures are positioned over mating alignment protrusions during assembly of the electrode stack. The battery further comprises a feedthrough including a feedthrough pin extending through the battery case. The feedthrough pin is electrically coupled to the electrode stack and serves as a positive terminal for the battery.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2010Date of Patent: December 24, 2013Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventor: Joseph Viavattine
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Patent number: 8614031Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fuel cell system with various features for optimal operations of an electronic device, a battery charger or a fuel refilling device. The fuel cell system includes an information storage device associated with the fuel supply, pump and/or refilling device. The information storage device can be any electronic storage device including, but not limited to, an EEPROM or a PLA. The information storage device can include encrypted information. The information storage device can include software code for confirming the identification of the cartridge before operation of the electronic device and/or refilling device. The present invention is also directed to system architecture for a fuel cell system that utilizes information storage devices.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2012Date of Patent: December 24, 2013Assignee: Societe BicInventors: Paul Adams, Andrew J. Curello, Floyd Fairbanks
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Patent number: 8609279Abstract: A rechargeable lithium battery including a negative electrode made by depositing a noncrystalline thin film composed entirely or mainly of silicon on a current collector, a positive electrode and a nonaqueous electrolyte, characterized in that said nonaqueous electrolyte contains carbon dioxide dissolved therein.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2004Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Daizo Jito, Noriyuki Tamura, Nobuhiro Sakitani, Hiroshi Minami, Hiromasa Yagi, Maruo Kamino, Katsunobu Sayama, Yoshio Kato, Shigeki Matsuta
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Patent number: 8609292Abstract: A basic injection time of an injector is obtained from an FC current detected in step S1. The basic injection time based on the FC current is multiplied by a predetermined correction coefficient for correction (learning), and the thus obtained value is re-defined as the basic injection time to obtain an injection time feedforward term (F/F term) to be obtained finally. The correction coefficient K is set by obtaining a flow rate characteristic per unit drive time of the injector in accordance with the relation between a total drive time and a total injection quantity of the injector until an FC inlet pressure on the anode side of a fuel cell reaches a predetermined target pressure by increasing the FC inlet pressure to the target pressure at a system start. The correction coefficient K is updated every system start.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2007Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kenji Umayahara
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Patent number: 8603660Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of electrochemical cells arranged in a first row and a second row offset from the first row. The battery module also includes a heat exchanger configured to allow a fluid to flow through the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is disposed between the first and second rows of cells and has a shape that is complementary to the cells in the first and second rows of cells so that an external surface of the heat exchanger contacts a portion of each of the plurality of electrochemical cells. The heat exchanger is configured to route the fluid between an inlet and an outlet such that a path of the fluid flow includes a plurality of adjacent fluid flow segments.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2011Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Johnson Controls—Saft Advanced Power Solutions LLCInventors: Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Anthony C. Pacheco, Martin Wiegmann, Ralf Joswig, Markus Hoh, Mikhail Balk, Kem Obasih
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Patent number: 8603704Abstract: An interlockable bead seal for a bipolar plate is provided. The interlockable bead seal includes a first elongate bead formed on a first plate and a second elongate bead formed on a second plate. The first elongate bead has a sealing surface and the second elongate bead has a trough. An interlockable bipolar plate having the interlockable bead seals, and a fuel cell stack formed from a plurality of the interlockable bipolar plates, are also provided. A lateral slippage between components of the fuel cell stack is militated against by the interlockable bipolar plates.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2012Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Mark W. Keyser, Gerald W. Fly
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Patent number: 8597824Abstract: A lithium secondary battery includes a supporting sealing member between a safety vent and a gasket to enhance a safety of the lithium secondary battery by preventing a gas or an electrolyte from leaking.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2006Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventor: Woohyuk Choi
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Patent number: 8592080Abstract: A secondary battery including an electrode assembly, a can accommodating the electrode assembly, a cap plate coupled to the can, an electrolyte injection unit including an injection hole penetrating the cap plate and an injection ring protruding from the injection hole, and a stopper to seal the electrolyte injection unit.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2010Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignees: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Chiyoung Lee, Tatsuya Hashimoto, Sangeun Cheon, Seokyoon Yoo, Dongwook Kim, Jongseok Moon
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Patent number: 8592094Abstract: The present invention relates to a membrane electrochemical generator (100) characterized by improved electrical insulation and reduced volume. The membrane electrochemical generator (100) is fed with gaseous reactants and comprises a multiplicity of reaction cells (101) assembled in a filter-press configuration. Each of said reaction cells (101) is delimited by a pair of bipolar sheets (102), formed by a metallic central body (110) integrated in a frame (111) made of polymeric material. The polymeric material may be of the thermoplastic or thermosetting type and the frame (111) is laid on the metallic central body (110) by molding.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2010Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: Nuvera Fuel Cells Europe S.R.L.Inventors: Marcello Liotta, Eduardo Trifoni
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Patent number: 8586253Abstract: A closed loop energy storage system configured with a hydrogen tank, an oxygen tank, a fuel cell stack and an electrolyzer. A heat exchanger freeze-dries the hydrogen and oxygen prior to their storage in their respective tanks. The heat exchanger also uses excess fuel cell heat to preheat streams of hydrogen and oxygen coming from the tanks. Phase separators serve both to separate water from hydrogen and oxygen, and to store the water. A thermal management system encloses all the system components except the tanks. An airfoil-shaped shell covers the system, and the larger of the two tanks extends substantially across the shell at its point of greatest camber thickness. The tanks are composed of polymer liners integral with composite shells.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2012Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: AeroVironment Inc.Inventors: Bart D. Hibbs, William M. Parks, Omourtag A. Velev