Patents Examined by Maria Nuzzolillo
  • Patent number: 6081992
    Abstract: Assembly of an electrochemical cell using a prismatic steel can having an enlarged circular opening at one end. The active materials of this cell including the cathode are disposed into the prismatic can through the circular opening, and the circular opening is subsequently reduced in size to a round reduced size opening. A round cover and seal assembly closes the opening of the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc P. Kelemen, Susan L. Svec
  • Patent number: 6083644
    Abstract: A 1.5 V non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery having high energy density, excellent charge and discharge characteristics and long cycle life is provided. The non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery uses, as the negative electrode active material, lithium-containing silicon oxide represented by the compositional formula Li.sub.x SiO.sub.y and defined such that the lithium content x and oxygen amount y are satisfied with 1.5.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.4.5 and 0<y<2, respectively, and also uses, as the positive electrode, lithium-containing titanium oxide represented by the general formula Li.sub.x Ti.sub.y O.sub.4 wherein 0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.3 and 1.6.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.2.2 or lithium-containing iron sulfide represented by the general formula Li.sub.x FeS.sub.y wherein x.ltoreq.1.1 and 0.5.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.2.5, so that a secondary battery of about 1.5 V having high energy density, less inner resistance and excellent charge and discharge characteristics can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Shunji Watanabe, Shinichi Takasugi, Tsugio Sakai, Kensuke Tahara, Akifumi Sakata, Hideharu Onodera
  • Patent number: 6080510
    Abstract: Ternary lithium mixed oxides having a spinel-type crystal structure and the general formula (I) Li.sub.y Me.sub.x Mn.sub.2-x O.sub.4 are disclosed. In this formula (I), Me represents a metal cation from groups IIa, IIIa, Iva, IIb, IIIb, IVb, IVb, VIIb, and VIII of the Periodic Table of Elements, x is in a range between 0 and 1, and y is in a range of greater than zero and not more than 1.2. The ternary mixed lithium oxide is obtainable by reacting reaction components in the form of hydroxides and/or water-soluble metal salts dissolved in a basic aqueous medium to form a homogenous suspension of the hydroxylic reaction products, removing water and optionally further solvents from the suspension, and subjecting the dried reaction products to heat treatment by heating them to temperatures between 500.degree. C. and 900.degree. C. at a heating speed of between 1 K/min and 20 K/min. The respective mixed oxides obtained are in a form which has no phase having a radiographic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Zentrum fur Sonnenenergie-und Wasserstoff Forshung Baden Wurttemberg Gemeinnultzige Stiftung
    Inventors: Reinhard P. Hemmer, Rudiger Oesten, Margret Wohlfahrt-Mehrens, Gisela Arnold
  • Patent number: 6080509
    Abstract: Thin-profile battery circuits and constructions, and in particular button-type battery circuits and constructions and methods of forming the same are described. In one implementation, a substrate is provided having an outer surface with a pair of spaced electrical contact pads thereon. At least two thin-profile batteries are conductively bonded together in a stack having a lowermost battery and an uppermost battery. The batteries include respective positive and negative terminals. The lowermost battery has one of its positive or negative terminals adhesively bonded to one of the pair of electrical contact pads while the uppermost battery has one of its positive or negative terminals electrically connected to the other of the pair of electrical contact pads. The batteries can be provided into parallel or series electrical connections. An electrical insulator is disposed about a portion of only one of the batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark E. Tuttle
  • Patent number: 6080508
    Abstract: The terminals of a thin plate rechargeable lithium battery are coated with a heat-sealable polymer. The coating forms a band on each face of the terminals and the band is heat-sealed to the inner insulator layers of a multi-layered polymer laminate enclosing the thin plate rechargeable lithium battery at a location close to an open edge of the insulator layer. Small sheets of rigid, high melting point, polymeric materials are inserted between the bands of coating carried by the terminals and the edge of the multi-layered laminate enclosing the lithium battery. A portion of the sheets of polymeric material is adhesively attached to the face of the terminal adjacent the bands of coating. The open edges of the multi-layered polymer laminate enclosure are subsequently sealed to enclose completely the thin plate lithium battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Electrofuel Inc.
    Inventors: Sankar Dasgupta, James K. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 6080503
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell stack comprises a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies interposed between pairs of separator plates. The stack comprises adhesively bonded layers. Preferably each membrane electrode assembly is adhesively bonded to the adjacent pair of separator plates. The adhesive bond between the plate and membrane electrode assembly preferably provides a substantially gas and liquid-tight seal around the perimeter of the electrochemically active area of the membrane electrode assembly and around any fluid manifold openings formed therein. Alternatively, or in addition, adjoining pairs of separator plates in an electrochemical cell stack may be adhesively bonded together. Such pairs of adhesively bonded plates may define cooling spaces between neighboring cells. Stacks comprising a plurality of individual cell modules may be formed, each module comprising a membrane electrode assembly bonded to a pair of separator plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Ottmar Schmid, Johann Einhart
  • Patent number: 6080500
    Abstract: There is provided a movable fuel cell apparatus comprising a movable housing, a power supply, and a fuel gas cylinder. The housing is divided into a front portion and a rear portion by a partition, and composed of a main housing body, a housing cover and a door. The main housing body has a front opening. The housing cover covers the upper portion of the front opening and the door is openably connected with the main housing body. The power supply included in the rear portion comprises a fuel cell for generating electric power by electrochemical reaction using fuel gas and air supplied. The fuel gas cylinder is placed removably in the front portion of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Fuju, Yosio Azegami, Nobuyoshi Nishizawa, Akio Kawakami, Katsuyuki Makihara, Taketoshi Ouki, Akira Hamada, Koji Shindo, Tatsuji Hatayama, Satoshi Yamamoto, Osamu Tajima
  • Patent number: 6080505
    Abstract: A safety vent is provided for incorporation into sealed electrochemical cells. The vent is particularly applicable to cells experiencing transient conditions producing pressures above 250 psi (17.6 kg/cm.sup.2). By configuring a cover plate to plastically deform at elevated pressures, an increased venting area can be produced. The increased venting area allows for venting of solid matter which may be forced into vent holes during high temperatures and pressures. Effective plastic deformation is obtained by proper selection of a ductile material and cover plate thickness. By ensuring that vent clogging does not occur, pressures are limited and the integrity of the cell is maintained. By incorporating this vent into a cell, methods of successfully passing industry standard test procedures for secondary cells are provided. The vent also includes an elastomeric sealing element which is captured between the cover plate and a rigid upper plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Moltech Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul E. Pate
  • Patent number: 6077621
    Abstract: The invention is to a dual beam process for providing an ion-conducting membrane with a thin metal or metal-oxide film. The process includes the cleaning of a membrane surface with a low energy electron beam followed by the deposition of the metal or metal-oxide film by a high energy electron beam of ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: De Nora S.p.A.
    Inventors: Robert J. Allen, James R. Giallombardo
  • Patent number: 6077623
    Abstract: Electrodes, particularly useful in bipolar plates of lead-acid batteries, include a metal-containing substrate, an electrically conductive material secured to the first side of the substrate, an electrically conductive layer including a polymer secured to the second side of the substrate; and a metallic layer secured to the electrically conductive layer so that the electrically conductive layer is located between the metallic layer and the substrate. Bipolar plates are provided and include an electrically conductive electrode element, a grid spaced apart from the electrode in proximity to the first side of the electrode element, positive active material in contact with the first side or second side of the electrode element and negative active material in contact with the first side or second side of the electrode element which is not in contact with the positive active material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Inventors: Victor L. Grosvenor, Naum Pinsky
  • Patent number: 6077642
    Abstract: The present invention provides a recording material comprising a substrate and a recording layer thereon characterized in that the oxygen transmission rate of the substrate, as measured in accordance with Method B of JIS K 7126, is not greater than 50 cc/m.sup.2 /day. If necessary, a protective layer is formed on the recording layer. The substrate is composed of a sheet of base paper and a plastic film layer present at least on the side of the paper which faces a recording layer to be formed. The plastic film layer is appropriately selected from the group consisting of a polyester film, a polyvinylidene chloride film, a polycarbonate film, a polyvinylchloride film and a film of a random copolymer of ethylene and vinylalcohol. The recording material according to the present invention is excellent in the long-term preservation of images, fading resistance and light fastness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Ogata, Kazuyuki Koike, Shojiro Sano
  • Patent number: 6077622
    Abstract: A method of recycling a deteriorated nickel-hydrogen battery. Concentrated sulfuric acid containing at least one of Ni ions, Co ions and La ions is poured into the deteriorated nickel-hydrogen battery and the interior thereof is cleaned with the concentrated sulfuric acid. The state of the interior of the battery is maintained at a temperature of 60.+-.10.degree. C., and an electric current is supplied in such a direction as to charge the nickel-hydrogen battery. Then, the interior of the nickel-hydrogen battery is cleaned and filled with an alkali electrolyte containing a reducing agent. Consequently, .gamma.-NiOOH changes to .beta.-NiOOH to restore the capacity of a positive electrode, and Mm(OH).sub.3, Al(OH).sub.3, Mn(OH).sub.2 and CO(OH).sub.2 dissolve in concentrated sulfuric acid to activate the surface of a negative electrode. In addition, the hydrophilic property of the separator is restored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Taketoshi Minohara
  • Patent number: 6077620
    Abstract: A fuel cell system including a fuel reformer heated by a catalytic combustor fired by anode effluent and/or fuel from a liquid fuel supply providing fuel for the fuel cell. The combustor includes a vaporizer section heated by the combustor exhaust gases for vaporizing the fuel before feeding it into the combustor. Cathode effluent is used as the principle oxidant for the combustor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: William Henry Pettit
  • Patent number: 6077624
    Abstract: The methods and compositions of the invention provide two solutions to reduce the reactivity of VDF-based copolymers to lithiated graphite. The two approaches can be used separately or combined. In one embodiment, the relative proportion of the VdF and the other fluorinated monomer (OFM, i.e. HFP) in the copolymer is significantly reduced below conventional formulations in order to reduce the reactivity of the copolymer. In a second approach, the reactivity of the copolymer, over a broad range of monomer VdF:OFM molar ratios, is reduced by deactivating the reactive sites on the copolymer, thereby blocking the ability to undergo undesired reaction during cell operation. These methods and compositions have heretofore not been proposed and are of primary importance in preventing large exothermic reaction which can lead to thermal runaway when conventional polymer formulations are utilized in batteries in the presence of reactive components such as lithiated graphite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Porter H. Mitchell, Jeremy Barker, Tracy E. Kelley
  • Patent number: 6077626
    Abstract: In an alkali storage battery comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode and an alkali electrolyte in a battery can, .alpha.-nickel hydroxide containing manganese is used as a cathode active material for the positive electrode, and the difference between a charging potential and an oxygen gas evolution potential at the positive electrode is increased, to suppress oxygen gas evolution during the charging, and the volume percentage of the cathode active material and an anode active material is set to not less than 75% in the battery can, to obtain a large battery capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuzou Nogami, Mutsumi Yano, Mitsunori Tokuda, Syuichi Suzuki, Shin Fujitani, Reizo Maeda, Ikuo Yonezu, Koji Nishio
  • Patent number: 6074781
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell having a large anode-to-cathode interface area which achieves low current density to provide high cell efficiency. The electrochemical cell includes a can containing a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode has an outer perimeter which substantially conforms to the interior walls of the can and further has a non-cylindrical cavity provided therein. The second electrode is disposed within the non-cylindrical cavity of the first electrode. The first and second electrodes provide an interface area that varies along the length of the cell. A separator is disposed between the first and second electrodes and a cover and seal assembly is assembled to an open top end of the can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Romulus P. Jurca
  • Patent number: 6074782
    Abstract: A lead storage battery comprising a positive electrode 11 and a negative electrode 12. The negative electrode 12 contains a negative electrode active substance to which a negative electrode additive is added. The negative electrode additive is a phenol.multidot.aminobenzene sulfonic acid.multidot.formaldehyde condensate. The above-structured lead storage battery provides a prolonged cycle life and excellent charging performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Muneharu Mizutani, Katsumi Yamada, Takaki Kamio, Masanobu Kawamura
  • Patent number: 6074514
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for scavenging etchant species from a plasma formed of etchant gas prior to the etchant gas entering a primary processing chamber of a plasma reactor. There is at least one scavenging chamber, each of which is connected at an inlet thereof to an etchant gas source and at an outlet thereof to a gas distribution device of the primary processing chamber. Each scavenging chamber has a radiation applicator that irradiates the interior of the scavenging chamber and creates a plasma therein from etchant gas flowing through the chamber from the etchant gas source to the gas distribution apparatus of the primary processing chamber. The applicator uses either an inductive discharge, capacitive discharge, direct current (DC) discharge or microwave discharge to irradiate the interior of the scavenging chamber and ignite the plasma. An etchant species scavenging source is also disposed within the scavenging chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Claes Bjorkman, Hongching Shan, Michael Welch
  • Patent number: 6074772
    Abstract: A high temperature fuel cell and a method for producing the same include at least one interconnecting conducting plate which is associated with at least one electrode. A contact layer is disposed between the interconnecting conducting plate and the electrode. The contact layer is produced from an oxide mixed crystal powder which has a spinel structure and also contains, in addition to chromium, a divalent element selected from the group Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Co and Cu. The contact layer has high thermodynamic stability in addition to sufficient electrical conductivity. A high temperature fuel cell stack includes a number of the high temperature fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gerhard Hofer, Belinda Bruckner, Wilhelm Kleinlein, Harald Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6074775
    Abstract: A battery having a built-in controller that controls one or more functions of the battery is disclosed. The battery may, for example, control a charge or a discharge cycle of a battery, disconnect an electrochemical cell from the terminals of the battery in an emergency condition, provide electronic identification of all characteristics or conditions, or provide a low remaining charge warning. The battery may be a single-cell battery, a universal single-cell battery, a multiple-cell battery or a multiple-cell hybrid battery. Each individual cell preferably has a built-in controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Vladimir Gartstein, Dragan Danilo Nebrigic