Patents Examined by Maria J Laios
  • Equal distribution-typed connecting member, and battery pack employed with the same
    Patent number: 8828585
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are an equal distribution type connecting member for connecting two or more devices to an external circuit, the connection member including a first connection circuit connected to a connection point of the external circuit, and second connection circuits sequentially connected to the first connection circuit, the second connection circuits being constructed in a structure in which the sectional areas of the second connection circuits are increased and/or the lengths of the second connection circuits are decreased with the increase of the connection distance between the connection point of the external circuit and connection points of the devices, thereby equalizing internal resistances between the connection point of the external circuit and the connection points of the devices, and a middle- or large-sized battery pack including the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin Woong Ha, JaeSeong Yeo, Yongshik Shin, Jeeho Kim
  • Fuel cell system
    Patent number: 8815460
    Abstract: Even in a case where a rapid variance is demanded as to the input voltage of a converter and the output terminal voltage of a fuel cell, stable converter control is realized. On judging that the change ratio of the demand power of a fuel cell exceeds a set threshold value, a controller executes converter stabilization processing. First, the controller controls a battery converter so that an input voltage of an inverter becomes a set target input voltage. Then, after the input voltage of the inverter reaches the target input voltage, the controller controls an FC converter so that an output terminal voltage of the fuel cell becomes a set target output terminal voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kota Manabe
  • Thermoelectric conversion device using a solvating material
    Patent number: 8802251
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermoelectric conversion device using a solvating material, the device comprising: a cell with a closed structure, comprising a metal ammonia or metal amine compound as a solvating material; a polarization or porous separation membrane; and a heating unit, which prevents the outflow of the solvating material and thus maintains the solvating material in a reversible state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Dongguk University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation
    Inventors: Joon Hyeon Jeon, Han Woo Park, Ji Beom Kim, Jin Koo Rhee
  • Separation method of secondary battery
    Patent number: 8802260
    Abstract: A method for disassembling a battery pack to separate a secondary battery which can be reused, without impairing the performance of a secondary battery, having remaining life which, constitutes the battery pack. A pair of holding plates is brought into contact with binding plates on both ends of a battery pack to compress the battery pack in the stacking direction. The open circuit voltage before and after the compression is measured, and based on an amount of change of the open circuit voltage before and after compression, a battery pack which can be reused is separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic EV Energy Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Nakanishi, Shuhei Marukawa
  • Battery having an electrode terminal fixed to a battery case
    Patent number: 8795880
    Abstract: A battery (100) includes a terminal fixing portion (40) projecting outwardly from a lid body (14), and an outer cover member (60) covering the terminal fixing portion (40). The terminal fixing portion (40) includes a hole (42) into which an electrode terminal (30) is inserted. The outer cover member (60) includes a cylindrical portion (62) (deformation restricting portion) covering an outer peripheral surface (40b) of the terminal fixing portion (40) and restrict deformation of the outer peripheral surface (40b) of the terminal fixing portion (40), and a pressure application portion (64) that compresses against a top end portion (40a) of the terminal fixing portion (40) and causes the terminal fixing portion (40) to deform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masanori Matsubara
  • Nickel coated aluminum battery cell tabs
    Patent number: 8790815
    Abstract: A battery cell tab is described. The battery cell tab is anodized on one end and has a metal coating on the other end. Battery cells and methods of making battery cell tabs are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Robert S. Bucchi, Daniel J. Casoli, Kathleen M. Campbell, Joseph Nicotina
  • Fuel cell
    Patent number: 8778553
    Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly and an anode side metal separator and a cathode side metal separator sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly. An oxygen-containing gas flows in an oxygen-containing gas flow field in a horizontal direction. A coolant flows in a coolant flow field in a vertical direction. The coolant flow field is connected to coolant supply passages and coolant discharge passages. The opening of one of the coolant supply passages and the opening of one of the coolant discharge passages are smaller than those of the other coolant supply passages and the other coolant discharge passages in cross section, respectively. Thus, the flow rate of the coolant supplied to an area near outlets of the oxygen-containing gas flow field and the fuel gas flow field become smaller than the flow rate of the coolant supplied to the other area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Mohri, Kentaro Nagoshi, Masaru Oda
  • Battery assemblies
    Patent number: 8765282
    Abstract: A battery module includes first, second, and third stacked battery cells, the second battery cell being arranged between the first battery cell and the third battery cell. The battery module further includes a first heat transfer layer arranged between the first battery cell and the second battery cell and a second heat transfer layer arranged between the second battery cell and the third battery cell. The battery module may further include a fluid conduit coupled to the first heat transfer layer and the second heat transfer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Manfred Herrmann
  • Conductive structure for an electrode assembly of a lithium secondary battery
    Patent number: 8758928
    Abstract: An electrode assembly of a lithium secondary battery is specially designed such that the positive and negative layers are formed at a side thereof with a large uncoated negative lead area and a large uncoated positive lead area. In addition, the collecting area is located correspondingly to the negative lead area or the positive lead area. And then the clasping assemblies are fixed outside the positive lead area or the negative lead area. In this way, the two pressing pieces are firmly pressed against the positive lead area or the negative lead area. On the one hand, the respective layers of the positive lead area or the negative lead area are pressed closely against one another, and on the other hand, the innermost layer of the positive lead area or the negative lead area is allowed to be maintained in a tight electrical contact with the collecting area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Inventor: Donald P. H. Wu
  • Electrochemical cell package
    Patent number: 8758931
    Abstract: A lithium-ion battery package can include flexible foil, a first conductor patch exposed on the flexible foil, a second conductor patch exposed on the flexible foil, a folded orientation of the flexible foil that includes a contact between the first conductor patch and the second conductor patch, and an expanded orientation of the flexible foil that includes a space between the first conductor patch and the second conductor patch. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Bouziane Yebka, Joseph Anthony Holung, Kenneth Scott Seethaler, Tin-Lup Wong
  • Rechargeable lithium batteries comprising means for the sorption of harmful substances in the form of a multilayer polymeric sheet
    Patent number: 8741457
    Abstract: Rechargeable lithium batteries are described comprising an airtight container, electrodes immersed in an electrolytic solution and spaced apart by means of one or more separators, electrical contacts connected to the electrodes and a means for sorbing harmful substances formed of a multilayer polymeric sheet (10) comprised of an inner layer (12) of a polymeric material containing particles (11) of one or more getter materials for the sorption of the harmful substances, and at least one external protective layer (13) of a polymeric material impermeable to the electrolyte, wherein all the polymeric materials are permeable to the harmful substances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Saes Getters S.p.A.
    Inventors: Luca Toia, Johnny Mio Bertolo, Giorgio Longoni, Marco Amiotti
  • Inertia enhanced latching system
    Patent number: 8741464
    Abstract: An electronic device and battery are presented. The electronic device includes the battery, which has a first latch. The first latch has an arm and a hook. The arm is connected with the battery at a connected end and the hook at a free end opposed to the connected end. The hook forms a peak and a base connected with the free end. The base forms an inwardly projecting groove. The electronic device also includes a device housing forming a main cavity bound by first and second side surfaces, a rear surface and a bottom surface. The first side surface includes a ledge for receiving the groove and defines a latch cavity for receiving the first latch. In an engaged position, the peak extends into the latch cavity and the groove engages the ledge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Motorola Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Friedli, Kevin K. Maggert, Mark C. Taraboulos
  • Fuel cell shutdown with steam purging
    Patent number: 8722270
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for steam purging a solid oxide fuel cell stack. Purging the SOFC stack with steam has a physical flushing effect, removing carbon monoxide containing reformate and free oxygen gas from the anode area thereby reducing the potential for nickel oxide or nickel carbonyl formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Versa Power Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Pastula, James Smith, Quincy Yueh Feng Chiang
  • Smart battery separators
    Patent number: 8722231
    Abstract: A separator for an energy storage cell having a microporous matrix including a reversible porosity-controlling agent. The porosity-controlling agent is selected from the group consisting of agents that change size as a function of temperature, agents that change size as a function of electrolyte concentration, and agents that change size as a function of temperature and electrolyte concentration to provide a change in an overall porosity of the separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: MP Assets Corporation
    Inventors: George H. Brilmyer, Robert A. Wimberly
  • Battery pack
    Patent number: 8715842
    Abstract: A battery pack that includes a bare cell, a protection circuit module arranged on the bare cell and a case arranged on the protection circuit module, wherein the protection circuit module and the case include coupling members to couple the protection circuit module to the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Samsug SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sangjoo Lee, Heuisang Yoon, Jeongdeok Byun
  • Sealed battery
    Patent number: 8697269
    Abstract: A sealed battery terminal 18 of a first aspect of the invention includes an electrically-conductive terminal cap 19, a rupture disk 25 made of flexible electrically conductive material electrically connected to the electrically-conductive terminal cap 19, and an electrically-conductive terminal plate 20 abutting the rupture disk 25. In the sealed battery terminal 18, an opening 23c is formed in the terminal plate 20, the rupture disk 25 is arranged to close the opening 23c, and an abutting part of an inner periphery of the opening of the terminal plate 20 and the rupture disk 25 is welded by a high energy beam at a plurality of places. Accordingly, a sealed battery terminal having a safety valve system in which the rupture disk placed in the cap and the terminal plate are electrically connected directly by welding with the high energy beam can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Syuichi Yamashita, Haruhiko Yamamoto
  • Fuel cell stack, and method for the production of a fuel cell stack
    Patent number: 8691468
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel cell stack comprising a base plate supporting fuel cells and a cap of an electrically insulating material, particularly of ceramics, for electrically insulating the fuel cells stacked on top of each other partially enveloping the fuel cells stacked on top of each other. According to the invention it is contemplated that a metal cap provided for guiding cathode gas envelops the cap including the fuel cells together with the base plate and that the metal cap is attached to the base plate in a sealed manner. The invention further relates to a method for producing a fuel cell stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignees: Enerday GmbH, Webasto AG, Staxera GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Käding, Jens Hafemeister, Uwe Bergmann, Gregor Holstermann
  • Battery cell assembly, heat exchanger, and method for manufacturing the heat exchanger
    Patent number: 8662153
    Abstract: A battery cell assembly, a heat exchanger, and a method for manufacturing the heat exchanger are provided. The heat exchanger includes a rectangular-shaped sheet having first and second rectangular-shaped sheet portions coupled together at a bent edge such that the sheet portions are disposed proximate to one another. Outer edges of the first and second rectangular-shaped sheet portions are coupled together such that an interior region is formed between the first and second rectangular-shaped sheet portions. The bent edge has first and second apertures extending therethrough. The heat exchanger further includes a first inlet port disposed on the bent edge over the first aperture, and a second outlet port disposed on the bent edge over the second aperture, such that fluid can flow through the first inlet port and into the interior region and then through the outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: William Koetting, Sean O'Kane, Kwok Tom, Josh Payne
  • Method for manufacturing electrode, and method for manufacturing power storage device and power generation and storage device having the electrode
    Patent number: 8658313
    Abstract: The characteristics of a power storage device are improved and the lifetime of the power storage device is prolonged. An electrode is manufactured through the following steps: a step of forming an electrode film; a step of forming a damage layer by ion doping on the electrode film; and a step of providing a damage region between the damage layer and a surface. Alkali ion insertion and extraction can be performed by dipping of an electrode, in which the damage layer and the damage region are formed, in a solution containing an alkali ion. A space in which the volume of the electrode is expanded can be secured by the formation of the damage layer and the damage region. Note that another lithium may be used instead of an alkali metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazutaka Kuriki, Junpei Momo, Takafumi Mizoguchi
  • Niobium oxide compositions and methods for using same
    Patent number: 8647773
    Abstract: The disclosure relates a niobium oxide useful in anodes of secondary lithium ion batteries. Such niobium oxide has formula LixM1?yNbyNb2O7, wherein 0?x?3, 0?y?1, and M represents Ti or Zr. The niobium oxide may be in the form of particles, which may be carbon coated. The disclosure also relates to an electrode composition containing at least one or more niobium oxides of formula LixM1?yNbyNb2O7. The disclosure further relates to electrodes, such as anodes, and batteries containing at least one or more niobium oxides of formula LixM1?yNbyNb2O7. Furthermore, the disclosure relates to methods of forming the above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: John B. Goodenough, Jian-Tao Han