Patents Examined by Maria J Laios
-
Patent number: 8361648Abstract: In a portable electronic device having a battery compartment and a removeable cover therefor, the battery compartment and cover are configured to accommodate batteries of at least two different sizes.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2012Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Norman M. Ladouceur, Jason T. Griffin, Frank Tyneski
-
Patent number: 8354197Abstract: A fuel cell stack (30) includes an integrated end plate assembly having a current collector (40) secured adjacent and end cell (36) of the stack, a pressure plate (42) secured adjacent the current collector (40), and a backbone (60) secured within a backbone-support plane (44) defined within the plate (42). Tie rod ends (62, 64, 66, 68) of the backbone (60) extend over a gap (84) defined between the backbone-support plane (44) and a deflection plane (50) defined within the pressure plate (42) so that the tie rod ends deflect within the gap (84) upon tightening of tie rods (78, 80). Deflection of the backbone enables the backbone (60) to permit limited expansion of the fuel cell stack (30) during operation, and the backbone (60) has adequate flexural strength to prohibit expansion of the stack (30) beyond operating dynamic limits of the stack (30).Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2006Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: UTC Fuel Cells, LLCInventors: Jeffrey G. Lake, Leonard A. Bach, Pedro Inigo, Evan C. Rege, Chris Vargas, Stephen P Victor
-
Patent number: 8354203Abstract: The invention relates to bipolar plates for fuel cell systems. According to the invention, the component sheets of a bipolar plate (1) are formed for a welded joint (4, 5), such that between the profile regions (6) of the channel ducts (2), only small local surfaces remain as welding zones (10). The above is achieved by means of a corresponding shape of the profile molding (8, 9) of the component sheets. As a result of said reduction of the welding zones to small regions of the total surface, a larger proportion of the area is available for the channels (2), in other words, the channel cross-section and hence the coolant flow can be increased. At the same time the structure for the use of gas diffusion layers made from non-wovens, textiles or paper can be optimized.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2008Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: Daimler AGInventors: Florian Finsterwalder, Joerg Kleemann, Thomas Kunick, Markus Schudy
-
Patent number: 8343653Abstract: A secondary battery according to the present invention includes a polymer cell in which insulating wing portions are provided on lead tabs and a top case assembled to the polymer cell and having an evasion portion to reduce interference with the insulating wing portions. A secondary battery can reduce interference which occurs between an insulating wing portion having an irregular shape. Further, as a result, it is possible to reduce the variance of the external dimension of an inner pack and achieve a more stable manufacturing process of the inner pack, and increase the reliability and competency of the inner pack to which the polymer cell is applied.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2010Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventor: Woon-Seong Baek
-
Patent number: 8338042Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a controller that estimates or detects an air replacement state of a fuel electrode and a hydrogen circulation path while the operation of the fuel cell system is stopped. Upon starting the fuel cell system, the controller changes the order in which the operation of a hydrogen circulation pump is started and a hydrogen pressure regulator is opened to start the supply of hydrogen gas on the basis of the estimated or detected air replacement state, thereby preventing deterioration caused by uneven distribution of air and hydrogen in the fuel electrode.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2006Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shinichi Makino, Masatoshi Iio
-
Patent number: 8329357Abstract: A fluid consuming battery (10) is provided with a fluid regulating system (50) for regulating fluid entry into the battery. The battery (10) includes a fluid consuming cell (20) having a cell housing with fluid entry ports for the passage of a fluid into the cell housing. A first fluid consuming electrode and a second electrode are disposed within the cell housing. The fluid regulating system (50) includes a valve having a moving plate (66) disposed adjacent to a fixed plate (62). The moving plate and fixed plate both have fluid entry ports (68, 64) that align in an open valve position and are misaligned in a closed valve position. The fluid regulating system (50) also includes an actuator that may include one or more shape memory alloy (SMA) components (82a, 82b) for moving the moving plate (66) relative to the fixed plate (62) to open and close the valve.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2007Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.Inventor: John C. Bailey
-
Patent number: 8329329Abstract: A battery cover includes a main body, two guiding members, a resilient member received in the main body, and an end cover arranged at one end of the main body. The guiding members are slidably received in the main body. The resilient member resists the guiding members. The resilient member not only provides an elastic force, but also positions the at least one guiding member in the main body.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2009Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: Shao-Ying Wang
-
Patent number: 8323852Abstract: An ejector comprises a body, a nozzle, a needle, a diffuser which draws in a second fluid using negative pressure caused by ejection of a first fluid from the nozzle and mixes the first and second fluids together, first and second diaphragms which allows the nozzle to shift in an axial direction with respect to the needle, and a first fluid chamber which is supplied with the first fluid. A valve in which a valve body contacts and separates from a valve seat according to the shifting action of the nozzle is formed by providing either the nozzle or the needle with the valve body and providing the other with the valve seat in the first fluid chamber. A back pressure chamber connecting to the first fluid chamber via the valve is provided between a trunk portion of the nozzle and a basal part of the needle.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2010Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazunori Fukuma, Satoshi Inoue
-
Patent number: 8323831Abstract: A nanocomposite electrode that includes a current collector, an electroactive layer a conductive adhesive contacting the surface of the current collector and an interlayer region in electrical communication with the current collector and the electroactive material. The interlayer region is interposed between the current collector and the electroactive layer and includes a portion of the conductive adhesive intermixed with a portion of the electroactive layer. The electroactive layer includes electroactive material having a surface area of at least about 10 m2/g. The conductive adhesive may be at least partially soluble in electrode casting solvent. Electrochemical devices, such as lithium secondary cells, containing an electrode with an interlayer region are also provided, as are processes for making such electrodes and electrochemical devices.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2006Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: A123 Systems, Inc.Inventors: Ronnie Wilkins, Antoni S. Gozdz, Hung-Chieh Shiao
-
Patent number: 8309265Abstract: The present invention provides an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell that has a minute projection cluster on one side or both sides of a polymer electrolyte membrane. Further, the present invention provides a production method of an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell, wherein a mold comprising convex portions having a fixed planar pattern is pressed on one side or both sides of a polymer electrolyte membrane, then while concave portions of the polymer electrolyte membrane formed in the concave portions are being stretched, the mold is removed from the polymer electrolyte membrane for forming a minute projection cluster.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2004Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Akihiro Miyauchi, Kenichi Souma, Shuichi Suzuki, Yoshiyuki Takamori, Masahiko Ogino, Takashi Ando, Hidetoshi Honbo
-
Patent number: 8309248Abstract: A battery cell carrier assembly having a battery cell carrier for holding a battery cell is provided. The battery cell carrier includes a trapping member for holding the battery cell. The battery cell carrier has at least one aperture extending therethrough for allowing air to flow therethrough to contact the first side of the battery cell for cooling the battery cell. The battery cell carrier further includes a panel member configured to be coupled to the trapping member for holding the battery cell therebetween. The panel member has at least one aperture extending therethrough for allowing air to flow therethrough to contact the battery cell for cooling the battery cell.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2007Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.Inventors: William Koetting, Kwok Tom, Martin J. Klein, Prabhakar Patil, Kelly Kebl
-
Patent number: 8293394Abstract: A battery cover latching mechanism is provided. The battery cover latching mechanism includes a body member, a battery cover, and a button mounted on the body member. The body member defines a battery receiving space and includes a latching block. The battery cover is placed on the body member to cover the battery receiving space, the battery cover includes a clamp. The button resists the clamp and slides between a first position and a second position. When the button is at a first position, the clamp is released from the latching block. When the button slides from the first position to the second position, the button resists the clamp to move towards the latching block and then latch with the latching block.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2009Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) LimitedInventor: Sheng-Tao Zhou
-
Patent number: 8227113Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery has a positive electrode containing a positive electrode active material, a negative electrode containing a negative electrode active material, and a non-aqueous electrolyte. The positive electrode active material includes a lithium-nickel-manganese composite oxide having a hexagonal layered rock-salt structure that belongs to the space group R-3m, and contains lithium in 3b sites that contain transition metals. The lithium-nickel-manganese composite oxide is represented by the molecular formula Li[LixNiyMnzMb]O2-a where: 0<x<0.4, 0.12<y<0.5, 0.3<z<0.62, and 0?a<0.5; M is at least one metal element having a valency of from 2 to 6; and the variables x, y, z, and b satisfy the expressions x>(1?2y)/3, 1/4?y/z?1.0, 0<b/(y+z)?0.1, and 1.0?x+y+z+b?1.1.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2011Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Noriyuki Shimizu, Hideki Kitao, Yoshinori Kida
-
Patent number: 8227110Abstract: A secondary battery includes: a bare cell having an electrode assembly including two electrodes and a separator arranged between the two electrodes, a cell container having an opening and adapted to contain the electrode assembly, and a cap assembly adapted to cover the opening; and an accessory unit having a protective circuit module and adapted to be electrically connected to the bare cell via at least one electrode from outside of the bare cell. The accessory unit is adapted to be affixed to the bare cell with an adhesive member arranged in at least a portion of facing surfaces of both the bare cell and the accessory unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2005Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kyu-Nam Han
-
Patent number: 8197979Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell comprising a thin ceramic electrolyte sheet having an increased street width is disclosed. Also disclosed are solid oxide fuel cells comprising: a substantially flat ceramic electrolyte sheet, a substantially flat ceramic electrolyte sheet having a seal area of greater thickness than the active area of the electrolyte sheet, a ceramic electrolyte sheet that overhangs the seal area, a ceramic electrolyte sheet and at least one substantially flat border material, and a border material having a non-linear edge. Methods of making a solid oxide fuel cell in accordance with the disclosed embodiments are also disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of making a solid oxide fuel cell wherein the seal has a uniform thickness, wherein the seal is heated to remove a volatile component prior to sealing, and wherein the distance between the frame and the ceramic electrolyte sheet of the device is constant.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2007Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: Michael Edward Badding, Jacqueline Leslie Brown, Steven F Hoysan, Thomas Dale Ketcham, Scott Christopher Pollard, Dell Joseph St Julien, Sujanto Widjaja
-
Patent number: 8197985Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, a fluid unit, a load applying mechanism, and a casing. The casing contains the fuel cell stack, the fluid unit, and the load applying mechanism. A heat insulating member is provided between the fuel cell stack and the load applying mechanism. The heat insulating member limits heat transmission from the fuel cell stack to the load applying mechanism. The load applying mechanism includes metal springs for applying a load to the fuel cell stack in a stacking direction of the fuel cell stack.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2005Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hiroki Homma
-
Patent number: 8197962Abstract: In an assembled battery (2), batteries (3) are arranged in such a manner that sealing plates (13) for sealing openings of battery cases (10) face the same direction. Terminal (10) of first electrodes of the batteries (3) are connected to a first electrode connecting pieces (33) arranged near the sealing plates (13), and terminal (13) of second electrodes of the batteries (3) are connected to a second electrode connecting pieces (27) arranged near the sealing plates (13). The first electrode connecting pieces (33) are connected in parallel with each other, and the second electrode connecting pieces (27) are connected in parallel with each other. The first electrode connecting pieces (33) and the second electrode connecting pieces (27) are stacked on the sealing plates (13) with an insulating member (32) interposed therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2010Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Toshiki Itoi, Shunsuke Yasui, Hiroshi Takasaki
-
Patent number: 8192879Abstract: An algorithm for determining the maximum net power available from a fuel cell stack as the stack degrades over time using an online adaptive estimation of a polarization curve of the stack. The algorithm separates the current density range of the stack into sample regions, and selects a first sample region from the far left of the estimated polarization curve. The algorithm then calculates the cell voltage for that current density sample region, and determines whether the calculated cell voltage is less than or equal to a predetermined cell voltage limit. If the calculated cell voltage is not less than the cell voltage limit, then the algorithm selects the next sample region along the polarization curve. When the calculated cell voltage does reach the cell voltage limit, then the algorithm uses that current density for the sample region being analyzed to calculate the maximum power of the fuel cell stack.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2008Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: John P. Salvador, Sriram Ganapathy, Kiran Mallavarapu, Frank X Leo, Balasubramanian Lakshmanan
-
Patent number: 8178245Abstract: An electrode assembly and a secondary battery having the same are provided. The electrode assembly includes a positive electrode including a positive electrode active material layer, a negative electrode including a negative electrode active material layer, and a porous layer for separating the positive and negative electrodes from each other that is formed of a combination of a ceramic material having a particle size of about 50 to 300 nm (particle size distribution value: D50) and a binder. Moreover, the porous layer contains an antacid. The secondary battery having the electrode assembly has satisfactory lifespan and overcharge characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2009Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jin-Hee Kim
-
Patent number: 8173314Abstract: A fuel cell power system includes a fuel cell stack prepared by stacking a plurality of electric cells, each having an anode and a cathode with an electrolyte therebetween, a fuel supply line and an oxidant supply line that respectively supply a fuel and an oxidant to the fuel cell stack, and a fuel exhaust line and an oxidant exhaust line that respectively exhaust the fuel and oxidant supplied to the fuel cell stack.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2005Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Toshiba Fuel Cell Power Systems CorporationInventors: Hiroshi Chizawa, Yasuji Ogami