Patents Examined by Jonathan Jelsma
  • Ceramic anode materials for solid oxide fuel cells
    Patent number: 9525179
    Abstract: Novel anode materials including various compositions of vanadium-doped strontium titanate (SVT), and various compositions of vanadium- and sodium-doped strontium niobate (SNNV) for low- or intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cell (SOFCs). These materials offer high conductivity achievable at intermediate and low temperatures and can be used as the structural support of the SOFC anode and/or as the conductive phase of an anode. A method of making a low- or intermediate-temperature SOFC having an anode layer including SVT or SNNV is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: University of Maryland, College Park
    Inventors: Eric D. Wachsman, Ke-Ji Pan, Colin Gore, Mohammed Hussain Abdul Jabbar, Hee Sung Yoon
  • Electrochemical energy storage devices
    Patent number: 9520618
    Abstract: Pressure relief mechanisms can provide an outlet for cathode pressure buildup during battery operation. Mechanical cathode modifications can control cathode interfaces during battery operation. Pressure relief mechanisms and mechanical modifications can be utilized to improve performance, longevity and/or to prevent failure of batteries, such as during cycling of liquid metal batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Ambri Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Bradwell, Alex T. Vai, Tom Kinney, Sean Theriault, Garrett Lau
  • Fuel cell
    Patent number: 9520612
    Abstract: There is provided a fuel cell. The fuel cell comprises a stacked body that has a stacked configuration by stacking a plurality of single fuel cells; a fastening support member that is extended along a stacking direction of the plurality of single fuel cells and is configured to fasten the stacked body in the stacking direction; and an impact transmission member that is configured to include a dilatant fluid and is placed between the stacked body and the fastening support member to be arranged in a location corresponding to multiple consecutive single fuel cells along the stacking direction among the plurality of single fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Sato, Hiroaki Takeuchi, Hitoshi Hamada
  • Cathode material, interconnector material and solid oxide fuel cell
    Patent number: 9520597
    Abstract: A cathode material for a solid oxide fuel cell comprises a complex oxide having a perovskite structure expressed by the general formula ABO3, a content amount of P included in the complex oxide being at least 1 ppm and no more than 50 ppm, a content amount of Cr in the complex oxide being at least 1 ppm and no more than 500 ppm, and a content amount of B in the complex oxide being at least 1 ppm and no more than 50 ppm in a weight ratio relative to a total weight of the complex oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: NGK INSULATORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Ohmori, Ayano Kobayashi, Shinji Fujisaki
  • Solid oxide fuel cell
    Patent number: 9515322
    Abstract: Disclosed is a durable solid oxide fuel cell that is less likely to have a problem of a conventional solid oxide fuel cell that an air electrode containing a peroviskite oxide, when exposed to a reducing atmosphere, is separated at the stop of operation, especially shutdown. The solid oxide fuel cell includes an air electrode that is obtained by firing a compact containing a perovskite oxide and sulfur element. The content of the sulfur element in the air electrode as fresh after firing or before the start of power generation is in the range of 50 ppm to 3,000 ppm. The separation of the air electrode is effectively suppressed at the shutdown operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Toto Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Niimi, Akira Ishiguro, Shigeru Ando, Akira Kawakami, Megumi Shimazu, Yuya Takahashi
  • Battery cell of novel embedded type structure
    Patent number: 9508962
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a battery cell including an electrode assembly of a cathode/separator/anode structure, the electrode assembly being impregnated with electrolyte, the electrode assembly being chargeable and dischargeable, a battery case in which the electrode assembly is mounted, the battery case being made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, and a protective coating layer applied to at least a portion of an outer surface of the battery case, the protective coating layer containing an electrically insulative polymer material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Geon Tae Park, Sooryoung Kim, Hee Gyu Kim, Jung Hwan Kim
  • Gas-permeable filter provided with oil repellency
    Patent number: 9508971
    Abstract: A gas-permeable filter provided with oil repellency is provided. The gas-permeable filter includes a porous membrane having a surface coated with an oil-repellent agent. The oil-repellent agent includes a linear fluorine-containing hydrocarbon group represented by —R1C5F10CH2C4F9 or —R2C6F13, and the porous membrane is a stretched polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) porous membrane. Here, R1 and R2 are each independently an alkylene group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms or a phenylene group. The gas-permeable filter is provided with oil repellency without significant reduction in gas permeability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiki Ikeyama, Nobuaki Maruoka, Naofumi Kosaka, Asuka Onohara
  • Lithium-air batteries, method for making lithium-air batteries
    Patent number: 9496590
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for generating Li2O2 or composites of it, the method uses mixing lithium ions with oxygen ions in the presence of a catalyst. The catalyst comprises a plurality of metal clusters, their alloys and mixtures, each cluster consisting of between 3 and 18 metal atoms. The invention also describes a lithium-air battery which uses a lithium metal anode, and a cathode opposing the anode. The cathode supports metal clusters, each cluster consisting of size selected clusters, taken from a range of between approximately 3 and approximately 18 metal atoms, and an electrolyte positioned between the anode and the cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: Stefan Vajda, Larry A. Curtiss, Jun Lu, Khalil Amine, Eric C. Tyo
  • Silicon oxide material, making method, negative electrode, lithium ion secondary battery, and electrochemical capacitor
    Patent number: 9484159
    Abstract: A silicon oxide material having a cobalt content of 2-200 ppm is provided. A negative electrode is formed using the silicon oxide material as active material. A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery constructed using the negative electrode exhibits improved cycle performance while maintaining the high battery capacity and low volume expansion of silicon oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: SHIN-ETSU CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Fukuoka, Mitsugu Saito, Susumu Ueno, Tetsuya Inukai
  • Prismatic battery pack with novel structure
    Patent number: 9484561
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a prismatic battery pack including an electrode assembly of a cathode/separator/anode structure impregnated with an electrolyte, a prismatic container, in which the electrode assembly is mounted, the prismatic container having at least one depressed groove formed at a bottom thereof in a longitudinal direction of the prismatic battery pack, a cap plate coupled to an open upper end of the prismatic container, in which the electrode assembly is mounted, a protection circuit module (PCM) including a protection circuit to control operation of the prismatic battery pack, the PCM being loaded on the cap plate, and an insulative cap mounted to the prismatic container while surrounding the PCM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Geon Tae Park, SooRyoung Kim, Hee Gyu Kim, Jung Hwan Kim
  • Microbial fuel cell with sediment agitator
    Patent number: 9484589
    Abstract: A microbial fuel cell comprising: an anode; an anode chamber configured to house the anode and an oxygen-reduced, nutrient-rich solution from a sediment bottom of a natural water body, wherein the anode chamber shields the anode from surrounding oxygen-rich water; a cathode disposed outside the anode chamber in the oxygen-rich water and electrically coupled in series to the anode via an electrical load; and an agitator configured to periodically agitate the sediment bottom to increase the quantity of nutrients in the nutrient-rich solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Lewis Hsu, Wayne Po-Wen Liu, David Bartholomew Chadwick, Jeffrey Asher Kagan
  • Positive active material, positive electrode and rechargeable lithium battery including same
    Patent number: 9478808
    Abstract: A positive active material for a rechargeable lithium battery is disclosed. The positive material includes including a lithium-manganese oxide-based solid solution including primary particles and secondary particles having a particle diameter (D50) in the range of about 1 ?m to about 5 ?m, a particle diameter (D90) in the range of less than about 8 ?m, and a crystallite diameter of less than or equal to about 150 nm. The positive electrode for a rechargeable lithium battery includes the lithium manganese oxide-based solid solution is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuki Takei, Masatsugu Nakano
  • Electrochemical cell and membranes related thereto
    Patent number: 9472817
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to electrochemical cells and membranes including alternating electrically conductive and dielectric regions. One embodiment describes an ion-conducting composite layer for an electrochemical cell, including two or more electrically conductive components, each electrically conductive component having one or more electrically conductive passageways and one or more dielectric components, each dielectric component having one or more ion-conducting passageways. The electrically conductive components and the dielectric components are adjacently arranged to provide a fluidically impermeable composite layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Intelligent Energy Limited
    Inventors: Jeremy Schrooten, Gerard F. McLean, Paul Sobejko
  • Rechargeable battery
    Patent number: 9466823
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery including an electrode assembly, a case housing the electrode assembly, a cap plate coupled to the case, a first electrode terminal on the cap plate, and a first lead tab electrically connecting the electrode assembly and the first electrode terminal, wherein the first lead tab has a cell fuse and a heat dissipating member coupled to the first lead tab and spaced from the cell fuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yun-Jung Kwak, Jeong-Won Oh, Seok-Yoon Yoo, Chi-Young Lee, Min-Seok Koo
  • Separator for electrochemical cell with thermally induced self-discharge intrinsic in the construction
    Patent number: 9461337
    Abstract: A separator for a rechargeable electrochemical cell has a conductive first layer and a non-conductive second layer. The non-conductive second layer and the conductive first layer are adhered to one another, wherein the non-conductive second layer has a melting point below a critical temperature for the rechargeable electrochemical cell and discharges the cell when subject to overheating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Freya Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew James Manning
  • Integrated electrical power and chemical production using fuel cells
    Patent number: 9455463
    Abstract: In various aspects, systems and methods are provided for operating a molten carbonate fuel cell, such as a fuel cell assembly, with increased production of syngas while also reducing or minimizing the amount of CO2 exiting the fuel cell in the cathode exhaust stream. This can allow for improved efficiency of syngas production while also generating electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Paul J. Berlowitz, Timothy Andrew Barckholtz, Frank Hershkowitz
  • Fuel cell system
    Patent number: 9444111
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, a control valve and a controller. The fuel cell is configured to receive anode gas and cathode gas to generate electric power. The control valve is configured to control pressure of the anode gas being fed to the fuel cell through an anode flow channel. The controller controls the control valve to periodically increase and decrease the pressure of the anode gas flowing through the anode flow channel in an area downstream of the control valve. The controller sets an anode pressure differential value for the anode gas resulting from periodic increasing and decreasing of the pressure of the anode gas based on a requested fuel cell output. The controller determines a quantity of liquid in the anode flow channel. The controller decreases the anode pressure differential value that was set based on the requested fuel cell output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Ichikawa, Shinichi Makino, Ryouichi Shimoi, Susumu Maeshima, Hayato Chikugo
  • Fuel cell stack
    Patent number: 9437885
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack is provided that includes unit cells that include a manifold, an open end plate that is disposed at one side of the unit cells and that has a reaction gas inlet and outlet that are connected to the manifold, and a closed end plate that is disposed at the other side of the unit cells and that closes the manifold. In particular, the open end plate includes a first slanted surface that adjusts a flow of a reaction gas at a reaction gas inlet and a manifold interface. A first alignment protrusion forms the first slanted surface and that aligns the unit cells, and the closed end plate includes a second slanted surface that adjusts flow of a reaction gas at the manifold interface. Additionally, a second alignment protrusion forms the second slanted surface and aligns the unit cells accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Sang Mun Jin, Yoo Chang Yang
  • Active material, nonaqueous electrolyte battery, and battery pack
    Patent number: 9431657
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an active material containing a monoclinic oxide is provided. The monoclinic oxide is represented by the formula LixTiNb2O7 (0?x?5). A unit cell volume of the monoclinic oxide is 795 ?3 or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Hiroki Inagaki, Kazuki Ise, Yasuhiro Harada, Norio Takami
  • Electrode for solid-state batteries and method of preparing the electrode, solid-state battery containing the electrode, and bonding film used for preparing the electrode
    Patent number: 9425459
    Abstract: Provided are an electrode for solid-state batteries, a method of preparing the electrode, a solid-state battery including the electrode, and a bonding film used for the method of preparing the electrode. The electrode for solid-state batteries include a bonding layer interposed between an electrode layer and a current collecting member and bound to the electrode layer, where the bonding layer includes a first binder which is inactive to the solid electrolyte, a second binder which has a stronger binding ability to the current collecting member than a bonding strength of the first binder to the current collecting member; and a bonding layer conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Hoshiba, Takanobu Yamada