Patents Examined by Kaity V Chandler
  • Patent number: 11289757
    Abstract: Describe herein is an energy storage system that includes a battery and a heat source. The battery harvests waste heat from the heat source to keep itself warm while storing electrical energy generated from a heat to energy transforming source. If the heat source is radioactive (e.g. radioisotope decay) a radiation hard battery is intimately connected to a waste heat source. The radiation hard battery harvests waste heat from the heat source to warm itself and to shield the radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: THE AEROSPACE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eric Joseph Nemanick, Henry Helvajian, Brian Shen
  • Patent number: 11283116
    Abstract: The embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a battery heating system and method, and relate to the field of batteries. The battery heating system may include: a temperature sampling module configured to collect a target sampling temperature; a control module configured to control a heating module to enter a first heating mode when the target sampling temperature is not lower than a preset expected heating temperature; the heating module configured to enter the first heating mode to intermittently heat the battery module set by using a first portion of external electric energy, so as to maintain the target sampling temperature at the preset expected heating temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited
    Inventors: Yu Liu, Jinglin Li, Qiandeng Li
  • Patent number: 11258119
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a battery box which comprises a lower frame body and a heat exchange assembly, the heat exchange assembly comprises a heat exchange plate, a heat insulating pad, a temperature preserving pad and a protective plate. The heat exchange plate is provided with a flow passage therein; a first part of the heat insulating pad and the circumferential edge of the heat exchange plate are stacked in the up-down direction, the first part of the heat insulating pad is sandwiched between a lower surface of the lower frame body and the upper surface of the circumferential edge of the heat exchange plate; at least a portion of the temperature preserving pad is provided below the heat exchange plate. Therefore, at least the heat transfer in the upward direction between the lower frame body and the circumferential edge of the heat exchange plate is blocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED
    Inventors: Heng Wang, Jinqing Ji, Wenhui Zhang, Mu Qian, Yanhuo Xiang
  • Patent number: 11258138
    Abstract: A welding step involves solid-state welding together an external terminal and a seat portion of an internal terminal by causing the external terminal or the internal terminal to vibrate while detaching an insulator from the external terminal in at least a region surrounding the seat portion and pressing the external terminal against the seat portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomotaka Hagino, Yoichi Naruse
  • Patent number: 11245142
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the thermal energy management of systems of electrically powered vehicles (EVs), which enhance the mission capabilities, or performance. The method includes an approach in which thermal energy harvesting, dissipation, storage, and distribution operate in concert. The method concurrently enables, immediate and longer-term management, including storage of thermal energy for subsequent use. The apparatus, includes the multi-functional integration of thermal energy storage, for the benefit of enhanced EV form, capabilities or performances. The apparatus includes connecting elements which provide selective, thermal conduction pathways, which link the management system. The thermal conductive pathways may be actuated in response to temperature, or by other activation means. Thermally managed systems which require persistent heating, or cooling or maintenance within a specified range, are addressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Sunlight Aerospace Inc.
    Inventors: Allan James Bruce, Michael Cyrus, Sergey Frolov
  • Patent number: 11245113
    Abstract: A secondary battery includes: a first oxide semiconductor having a first conductivity type; a first charging layer disposed on the first oxide semiconductor layer, and composed by including a first insulating material and a second oxide semiconductor having the first conductivity type; a second charging layer disposed on the first charging layer; a third oxide semiconductor layer having a second conductivity type disposed on the second charging layer; and a hydroxide layer disposed between the first charging layer and the third oxide semiconductor layer, and containing a hydroxide of a metal constituting the third oxide semiconductor layer. The highly reliable secondary battery is capable of improving an energy density and increasing battery characteristics (electricity accumulation capacity).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Nihon Micronics
    Inventors: Takashi Tonokawa, Yutaka Kosaka, Kazuyuki Tsunokuni, Hikaru Takano, Shigefusa Chichibu, Kazunobu Kojima
  • Patent number: 11223078
    Abstract: A battery pack includes one or more clearance adjusting units. Along a direction in which a plurality of cells are arranged, the one or more clearance adjusting unit are disposed intermittently between adjacent pairs of the cells or between sets of adjacent pairs of the cells. Each of the clearance adjusting units includes a pair of plates respectively placed against respective planar portions of the cells adjacent thereto, and an elastic body disposed between the pair of plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Rika Shimazaki
  • Patent number: 11220642
    Abstract: A pulverized coal gasification device and process for producing high heating value coal gas with low carbon residue content includes a U-shaped coal gas generation furnace and a coal gas-semicoke separating device, and the U-shaped coal gas generation furnace consists of two section structures including high-temperature and low-temperature sections which are arranged in a U-shaped manner; the high-temperature section and the low-temperature section share an ash hopper; the high-temperature section is a downward entrained-flow bed, and the low-temperature section is an upward entrained-flow bed; and an inlet of the coal gas separating device is connected to the outlet of the low-temperature section, a solid outlet of the coal gas separating device is connected to an inlet of the high-temperature section, and a gas outlet of the coal gas separating device is connected to a coal gas waste heat utilizing and purifying system. The coal utilization rate can be greatly increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: SHANDONG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chunyuan Ma, Tao Wang, Binxuan Zhou, Zhen Zhang, Jiapeng Fu, Liqiang Zhang, Xiqiang Zhao, Xingxing Cheng
  • Patent number: 11220641
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a gasifier and/or a gasification process that provides a long, uniform temperature zone in the gasifier, regardless of the particle size, chemical composition, and moisture content of the fuel by sandwiching a reduction zones between two oxidation zones. The gasifier and/or gasification process has a char that is more energy-dense and almost devoid of moisture that affords for an additional (or char) oxidation zone with a temperature that is higher than a first oxidation zone which is closer to an evaporation and devolatilization zone. As such, the additional (or char) oxidation zone contributes to augmenting the reduction zone temperature, thereby providing a favorable dual impact in improving syngas composition and near-complete conversion of the tar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Inventor: Nikhil Manubhai Patel
  • Patent number: 11208605
    Abstract: A solids discharge system (SDS) is configured to separate solids from product gas. The system includes a solids separation device and at least one solids transfer conduit configured to receive solids from the solids separation device. The solids transfer conduit is selectively partitioned into a plurality of compartments (or “sections”) along its length by isolation valves. A gas supply conduit and a gas discharge conduits are connected to one of the sections to facilitate removal of solids. A filter in fluid communication with that section is configured to prevent solids from passing through the gas discharge conduit so that the solids can be removed from one of the sections of the solids transfer conduit. A product gas generation system incorporates first and second reactors, the latter of which receives products created by the second reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: ThermoChem Recovery International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ravi Chandran, Dave G. Newport, Daniel Michael Leo, Daniel A. Burciaga, Justin Kevin Miller, Kaitlin Emily Harrington, Brian Christopher Attwood, Emily Jane Schultheis, Kelly Ann Kishton
  • Patent number: 11201339
    Abstract: A fuel cell system with a plurality of fuel cell modules connected to form a fuel cell group having first and second electrical supply terminals that terminate to an electrical load; a measuring device connected to the fuel cell modules that measures a load current of the respective fuel cell modules; and a controller that detects a respective operating state of the fuel cell modules. The controller is connected to and controls operation of the fuel cell modules, and detects whether the operating state is in a respective partial load range of the respective fuel cell module. The controller provides a load current demanded by the load in a first partial-load operating mode of the load by operating all fuel cell modules of the fuel cell group such that all of the fuel cell modules are within the respective partial load range of the respective fuel cell module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: PROTON MOTOR FUEL CELL GMBH
    Inventor: Mathias Reum
  • Patent number: 11193073
    Abstract: A carbonaceous fuel gasification system for a supercritical CO2 power cycle system includes a micronized char preparation system comprising a devolatilizer that receives solid carbonaceous fuel, hydrogen, oxygen, and fluidizing steam and produces micronized char, steam, hydrogen, and volatiles. An indirect gasifier includes a vessel comprising a gasification chamber that receives the micronized char, a conveying gas, and steam where the gasification chamber provides syngas, ash, and steam. A combustion chamber receives syngas and an oxidant and burns the mixture of syngas with the oxidant to provide heat for gasification and for heating incoming flows, thereby generating steam and CO2. The heat for gasification is transferred from the combustion chamber to the gasification chamber by circulating refractory sand. A syngas cooler cools the syngas and generates steam and provides to a supercritical CO2 power cycle system that performs a supercritical CO2 power cycle for generating power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Wormser Energy Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Wormser, John Parkes, Douglas M. Todd
  • Patent number: 11177542
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a secondary battery and a battery module. The secondary battery comprises a case, comprising a base plate and a side plate connected with the base plate, wherein the base plate and the side plate form a receiving hole and an opening in communication with the receiving hole, the opening is arranged opposite to the base plate in an axial direction of the receiving hole, and the base plate has a thickness larger than that of the side plate; a cap assembly, sealingly connected with the side plate to close the opening; and an electrode assembly, disposed in the receiving hole and comprising two or more electrode units, which are stacked in the axial direction, and each electrode unit is arranged with a wide side opposite to the base plate and a narrow side toward the side plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited
    Inventors: Fei Hu, Haizu Jin, Dongyang Shi, Zhenhua Li, Ning Chen, Yuanbao Chen
  • Patent number: 11171352
    Abstract: An assembly device for a battery component proposed herein includes at least one of members that are a positioning pin and a chuck, and a suction machine. There is at least one exhaust passage inside the at least one of the members that are the positioning pin and the chuck. An outer peripheral surface of the at least one of the members that are the positioning pin and the chuck has at least one dust-collecting port to which the at least one exhaust passage opens. The at least one exhaust passage is connected to the suction machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshinori Okura, Tomohiro Ono, Yuta Nemoto
  • Patent number: 11155760
    Abstract: Processes for natural gas production are described. The processes involve combining a membrane separation system and a thermal oxidizing system. The high and low hydrocarbon permeate streams from the membrane separation system are introduced into the thermal oxidizing system separately. The high hydrocarbon permeate stream provides fuel for the thermal oxidizing system, allowing a reduction in external fuel usage. The reduction in total fuel required yields increased gas production for the total plant. A solvent based acid gas removal system can optionally be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Whyman, David Farr, Jan De Ren, Manu Gustaaf Rosa Van Leuvenhaege
  • Patent number: 11128003
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, in a secondary battery, a first container member has an accommodating space defined by a bottom wall and side walls, and includes a flange, defining an edge of the opening of the accommodating space, at a portion opposite to the bottom wall. The electrode group is accommodated in the accommodating space, and the second container member is arranged to face the flange. A welding part, provided on an outer side relative to the edge of the opening, hermetically welds the flange and the second container member to seal the accommodating space. A projection, provided on one of the flange and the second container member between the welding part and the edge of the opening, projects toward another of the flange and the second container member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Hirokiyo Mamyoda, Tatsuya Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 11111141
    Abstract: A system for hydrogen formation includes a container and at least one object. The container defines a reservoir and is flexible along the reservoir. The container forms a gas-tight seal between the reservoir and an atmosphere outside of the container. The at least one object includes aluminum in an activated form. The at least one object is disposed in an inert environment in the reservoir, and the activated form of the aluminum reactable to produce hydrogen in the reservoir upon exposure to water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: LTAG SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan T. Slocum, Alexander H. Slocum
  • Patent number: 11108057
    Abstract: A bipolar plate arranged to face an electrode along which electrolyte is circulated, the bipolar plate includes a flow passage that is provided on at least one of front and back surfaces of the bipolar plate and along which the electrolyte is circulated. The flow passage provided on the at least one of the front and back surfaces of the bipolar plate includes an introduction path along which the electrolyte is introduced and a discharge path that does not communicate with and is independent of the introduction path and along which the electrolyte is discharged. At least one of the introduction path and the discharge path includes an inclined groove that non-orthogonally intersects a long side and a short side of an imaginary rectangle that includes an outer edge of the bipolar plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Nakaishi, Kei Hanafusa
  • Patent number: 11084996
    Abstract: A two-stage gasification reactor may include a reactor lower section and a reactor upper section. The reactor lower section may include (a) a lower reactor body, (b) two primary feed nozzles, configured to introduce at least one of a dry feedstock or a first slurried feedstock and located on opposing terminal ends of the lower reactor body, and (c) at least two secondary feed nozzles, configured to introduce a liquid hydrocarbon feedstock, located on the lower reactor body. The reactor upper section may include (a) an upper reactor body, (b) at least one upper feed nozzle, configured to introduce at least one of a dry feedstock or a first slurried feedstock, located on the upper reactor body, and (c) an outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: LUMMUS TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Chancelor L. Williams, Albert C. Tsang, Philip Rodney Amick, Jayesh Shah, Paul Edgar Michaud, Shrinivas Lokare
  • Patent number: 11081697
    Abstract: An object of the present disclosure relates to an electrode active material that has excellent discharge capacity and is used in an all solid fluoride ion battery. The present disclosure achieves the object by providing an electrode active material to be used in an all solid fluoride ion battery, the electrode active material comprising: an active material region that contains an active material component including a layered structure; and a coating region positioned in a surface side of the active material region; and a fluorine concentration in the coating region is higher than a fluorine concentration in the active material region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hidenori Miki