Patents Examined by Ladan Mohaddes
  • High efficiency energy conversion and storage systems using carbon nanostructured materials
    Patent number: 9406985
    Abstract: An energy storage device structure comprises a first electrode layer, an electrolyte layer and a second electrode layer. At least one of the electrode layers comprise a metallic base layer, a layer of carbon nanotubes grown on the base layer and a layer of carbon nanoparticles disposed on the carbon nanotube layer, the carbon nanoparticle layer being arranged to face the electrolyte layer. The structure has much larger width and length than thickness, so it is rolled up or folded and then hermetically sealed to form an energy storage unit. The layer of carbon nanotubes is grown on the metallic base layer by a chemical vapor deposition process at a temperature no higher than 550° C. The carbon nanotubes in the carbon nanotube layer are at least partially aligned in a direction that is perpendicular to the surface of the metallic base layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Gehan Amaratunga, Haolan Wang, Husnu Emrah Unalan, Markku Antti Kyosti Rouvala, Di Wei
  • Positive electrode active material for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries, method for manufacturing the same, and nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery using said positive electrode active material
    Patent number: 9406928
    Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing the positive electrode active material for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries, the method comprising: a first step, wherein an alkaline solution with a tungsten compound dissolved therein is added to and mixed with a lithium metal composite oxide powder represented by a general formula LizNi1—x—yCoxMyO2 (wherein, 0.10?x?0.35, 0?y?0.35, 0.97?Z?1.20, and M is at least one element selected from Mn, V, Mg, Mo, Nb, Ti, and Al), including primary particles and secondary particles composed of aggregation of the primary particles, and thereby W is dispersed on a surface of the primary particles; and a second step, wherein, by heat treating the mixture of the alkaline solution with the tungsten compound dissolved therein and the lithium metal composite oxide powder, fine particles containing W and Li are formed on a surface of the primary particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: SUMITOMO METAL MINING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Rei Kokado, Kensaku Mori
  • Non-aqueous electrolyte solution
    Patent number: 9397368
    Abstract: The present invention directs to a non-aqueous electrolyte solution, including (I) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of fluorinated linear sulfones and fluorinated linear sulfonic acid esters, and (II) an electrolyte salt. Such a non-aqueous electrolyte solution has high oxidation resistance, minimizes its decomposition even when hydrofluoric acid is produced. Also, the solution is less likely to cause, in the case of being used for a secondary cell, swelling of the cell and lowering of the battery performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Meiten Koh, Hideo Sakata, Hitomi Nakazawa, Kyouhei Sawaki, Tomoyo Sanagi, Akiyoshi Yamauchi, Aoi Nakazono, Akinori Tani, Masahiro Tomita, Yuki Adachi
  • Battery pack
    Patent number: 9397320
    Abstract: A case for a battery cell includes a heat radiation unit, a terminal unit, and an insulating frame interlocked with the heat radiation unit and the terminal unit to form the case. The heat radiation unit and the terminal unit are integrated by the insulating frame so that it is possible to prevent the heat radiation unit or the terminal unit from being separated from the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eun-Ok Kwak, Kyung-Won Seo, Jeong-Deok Byun, Byoung-Ju Kim, Jong-Wook Yoon
  • Elongate battery for implantable medical device
    Patent number: 9362570
    Abstract: A battery assembly for a medical device includes an elongate cathode, an elongate anode, an electrolyte, and an elongate housing assembly encapsulating the cathode, the anode, and the electrolyte. The battery assembly also includes a first electrode exposed from and electrically insulated from the housing assembly. One of the anode and the cathode is electrically coupled to the first electrode, and the other of the anode and the cathode is electrically coupled to the housing assembly. Respective axes of the cathode and the anode are substantially parallel to an axis of the housing assembly, and the cathode and anode each include a flat portion that face each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Lund, Steven J. May, Donald R. Merritt, Hailiang Zhao
  • Method of preparing electrode assembly and electrode assembly prepared using the method
    Patent number: 9343779
    Abstract: Provided are a method of preparing an electrode assembly, in which both sides of a single current collector are coated to form an anode and a cathode, and the current collector is then bent into a vertical sectional zigzag shape and integrated in a state of disposing a separator at interfaces between facing electrode patterns, an electrode assembly prepared by the above method, and a secondary battery comprising the electrode assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun Kyung Do, Jong Mo Jung, You Rim Yoon, Young Geun Choi, Joo Young Choi, Seung Jae Yoon, Jong Hyun Chae, Jae Kyung Kim
  • Shared electrode hybrid battery-fuel cell system
    Patent number: 9343735
    Abstract: A hybrid power cell is provided that combines a nickel-metal hydride battery, solid state hydrogen storage, and alkaline fuel cell technologies in a single cell operating within a targeted intermediate temperature range. A cell includes a cathode that is capable of using raw atmospheric air as an oxygen source and an anode that is capable of reversible electrochemical and gas phase hydrogen storage, where the anode and the cathode are highly functional at intermediate temperatures. The resulting hybrid power cell overcomes prior challenges of reliable high-capacity grid-tied energy storage necessary for greater renewable energy adoption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Ovonic Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Kwo-hsiung Young, Diana Wong, Jean Nei, Benjamin Reichman, Benjamin Chao, William Mays
  • Separator for non-aqueous batteries and non-aqueous battery equipped with same, and process for manufacturing separator for non-aqueous batteries
    Patent number: 9343721
    Abstract: Provided is a separator for non-aqueous batteries, capable of being usefully used in non-aqueous batteries, and a non-aqueous battery equipped with this separator. The separator for non-aqueous batteries includes: a base layer comprising a fiber aggregate, and an electrolyte-swellable resin layer formed on at least one surface of the base layer, the resin layer comprising a urethane resin (C) obtained by reacting a polyol (A) including a vinyl polymer (a1) and a polyether polyol (a2) with a polyisocyanate (B). The vinyl polymer (a1) has as a main chain a vinyl polymer (a1?) having two hydroxyl groups at one of the termini of the main chain, and a polyoxyethylene chain having a number average molecular weight of 200 to 800 as a side chain, the percentage of the polyoxyethylene chain based on the vinyl polymer (a1) being within the range of 70 mass % to 98 mass %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: KURARAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Hayakawa, Takayoshi Hosoya, Hiroyuki Kawai, Hideo Hayashi, Yutaka Hayashi, Kohsuke Togashi, Naotaka Gotoh
  • Non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery
    Patent number: 9337513
    Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery which is one example of an embodiment of the present disclosure is a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery including a non-aqueous electrolyte which contains a non-aqueous solvent. The non-aqueous solvent contains a fluoroethylene carbonate, a difluorobutylene carbonate, and at least one of a fluorinated chain carbonate and a fluorinated chain carboxylic acid ester, total volumetric contents of which is more than 50 percent with respect to the total volume of the non-aqueous solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takanobu Chiga, Takashi Takeuchi
  • Structural electric device having improved safety
    Patent number: 9331363
    Abstract: Provided is a novel structural electric device having improved safety. More particularly, provided is a novel structural electric device devised to resolve several issues regarding heat generation, ignition, and explosion, which may be caused by a sharp needle-shaped object penetrating an electric device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Seung Su Cho, Seung Taek Hong, Seung Don Choi, Dae Sik Choi, Yong Kyu Ju, Dae Hong Kwon, You Rim Yoon, Soul Gie Hong
  • Apparatus and associated methods
    Patent number: 9324995
    Abstract: An apparatus including a substrate and an active material, the substrate including an open interconnected wall structure of electrically conductive material having one or more pores, the open interconnected wall structure providing the substrate upon which the active material is supported, wherein the active material includes an electrically insulating lithium-based compound configured for use in generating and/or storing electrons, and wherein the open interconnected wall structure is configured to act as a charge collector for the generated and/or stored electrons through which an electrical path for the electrons is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Teuvo Tapani Ryhanen, Di Wei, Peter Andrew Matthews, Piers Andrew
  • In situ fuel cell contamination sampling device
    Patent number: 9306232
    Abstract: A filtration device for a fuel cell system is provided. The filtration device includes a filter adapted to receive a reactant for a fuel cell. The filter includes a molecular sieve material adapted to separate a contaminant from the reactant supplied to the fuel cell. A membrane electrode assembly having the filter integrally formed therewith, and a fuel cell stack having the filter disposed adjacent at least one of the end plates of the fuel cell stack, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Kelly O'Leary, Sean Mackinnon, Michael Budinski
  • Redox flow battery
    Patent number: 9302596
    Abstract: A redox flow battery. A metal-ligand coordination compound including an aromatic ligand that contains an electron withdrawing group is used as the catholyte and/or the anolyte so that a redox flow battery having high energy density and excellent charge/discharge efficiency may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Joung-won Park, Myung-jin Lee, Seung-sik Hwang, Doo-yeon Lee, Duk-jin Oh
  • Packaging material for lithium ion battery, lithium ion battery, and method for manufacturing lithium ion battery
    Patent number: 9306196
    Abstract: A packaging material for a lithium ion battery includes: a base material layer that is formed from a film obtained by biaxially stretching a multi-layered coextruded film including a first thermoplastic resin layer having rigidity and chemical resistance and being disposed at an outer side thereof, a second thermoplastic resin layer having a capability of propagating stress and adhesiveness, and a third thermoplastic resin layer having toughness; a metal foil layer that is laminated on one surface of the base material layer; an anti-corrosion-treated layer that is laminated on the metal foil layer; an inner adhesive layer that is laminated on the anti-corrosion-treated layer; and a sealant layer that is laminated on the inner adhesive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masayoshi Suzuta, Tomoaki Taniguchi
  • Electrochemical cells
    Patent number: 9306195
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell is presented. An anode compartment in the cell contains a sacrificial metal in an amount between about 10 volume percent and about 40 volume percent, based on the volume of the compartment. The sacrificial metal has an oxidation potential less than the oxidation potential of iron. An energy storage device including such an electrochemical cell is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Michael Alan Vallance
  • Electrochemical cell with adjacent cathodes
    Patent number: 9289611
    Abstract: The disclosure includes an electrochemical cell comprising a first cathode and a second cathodes are adjacent one another in a stacked arrangement to form a cathode stack in the electrochemical cell. The first cathode includes a first current collector and a first cathode form of active material covering the first current collector, and the second cathode includes a second current collector and a second cathode form of active material covering the second current collector. The second current collector is in electrical contact with the first current collector. The electrochemical cell further comprises an anode adjacent to the cathode stack, and a separator located between the cathode stack and the anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph J. Viavattine
  • Reintroduction of lithium into recycled battery materials
    Patent number: 9287552
    Abstract: Methods for making a recycled or refurbished electrode material for an energy-storage device are provided. One example method comprises harvesting a lithium-deficient electrode material from a recycling or waste stream, and replenishing at least some lithium in the lithium-deficient electrode material. A second example method comprises breeching an enclosure of a cell of an energy storage device, replenishing at least some lithium in a lithium-deficient electrode material of the cell, and sealing the enclosure of the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Inventor: Steven E. Sloop
  • Graphite negative material for lithium-ion battery, method for preparing the same and lithium-ion battery
    Patent number: 9281521
    Abstract: A graphite negative material for a lithium-ion battery includes a number of graphite layers parallel to each other. A number of channels are through the graphite layers. And the channels are capable of allowing lithium ions to pass therethrough freely. A method for preparing the graphite negative material and a lithium-ion battery including the graphite negative material are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: MICROVAST POWER SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhuoqun Zheng, Tianshu Deng, Yunhua Nie, Xiaoping Zhou
  • Method for producing aluminum foil
    Patent number: 9267216
    Abstract: A method for producing an aluminum foil of the present invention is characterized in that an aluminum film is formed on a surface of a substrate by electrolysis using a plating solution containing at least (1) a dialkyl sulfone, (2) an aluminum halide, and (3) at least one nitrogen-containing compound selected from the group consisting of an ammonium halide, a hydrogen halide salt of a primary amine, a hydrogen halide salt of a secondary amine, a hydrogen halide salt of a tertiary amine, and a quaternary ammonium salt represented by the general formula: R1R2R3R4N.X (R1 to R4 independently represent an alkyl group and are the same as or different from one another, and X represents a counteranion for the quaternary ammonium cation), then the film is separated from the substrate to obtain an aluminum foil, and the obtained aluminum foil is subjected to a heat treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: HITACHI METALS LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi Okamoto, Hiroyuki Hoshi, Setsuo Andou
  • Porous film, battery separator, and battery
    Patent number: 9259900
    Abstract: A porous film which is produced using a resin composition containing an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyolefin and a polyolefin wax having a weight average molecular weight of 3000 or less, in which the number of branches per 1000 carbon atoms that constitute the main chain of the polyolefin wax is 15 or less; a porous film which is produced using a resin composition containing an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyolefin and a polyolefin wax having a weight average molecular weight of 3000 or less, and which does not substantially contain a component that melts at a temperature of 60° C. or lower; a laminated porous film which comprises one of the porous films and a heat-resistance porous layer laminated on at least one surface of the porous film; and a separator for batteries, which comprises the porous film or the laminated porous film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Hirohiko Hasegawa, Yasuo Shinohara, Daizaburo Yashiki