Patents Examined by Matthew Van Oudenaren
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Patent number: 9118064Abstract: Provided are a redox flow battery (RF battery) in which a positive electrode electrolyte and a negative electrode electrolyte are supplied to a battery cell including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a membrane, to charge and discharge the battery, and a method of operating the RF battery. The positive electrode electrolyte contains a manganese ion, or both of a manganese ion and a titanium ion. The negative electrode electrolyte contains at least one type of metal ion selected from a titanium ion, a vanadium ion, a chromium ion, a zinc ion, and a tin ion. The RF battery can have a high electromotive force and can suppress generation of a precipitation of MnO2 by containing a titanium ion in the positive electrode electrolyte, or by being operated such that the positive electrode electrolyte has an SOC of not more than 90%.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2011Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Yongrong Dong, Toshio Shigematsu, Takahiro Kumamoto, Michiru Kubata
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Patent number: 9105888Abstract: A combined water drain and diluent gas purge valve routes fluid from the anode side of a fuel cell to the cathode inlet. When a purge of diluent gas is requested, the valve opens, draining any liquid present in the sump of a water separation device, for example. After the liquid has drained, the diluent gas is purged. An anode bleed model using fuel injector feedback can determine the amount of gas exiting the valve, and can request the valve to close once the required amount of diluent is purged. During operation, an amount of hydrogen may exit the valve. Hydrogen passing through the valve can be catalytically consumed once it reaches the cathode electrode, causing the cathode exhaust, and the fuel cell exhaust to have a reduced hydrogen content.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2011Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Steven R. Falta, Matthew A. Lang, Daniel C. Di Fiore
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Patent number: 9090481Abstract: The present invention provides a positive electrode active material for lithium ion battery having good rate characteristics. The positive electrode active material for lithium ion battery has a layer structure expressed by a composition formula: Lix(NiyM1-y)Oz, wherein M represents Mn and Co, x represents 0.9 to 1.2, y represents 0.6 to 0.9, and z represents 1.8 to 2.4. The positive electrode active material has a particle size ratio D50P/D50 of 0.60 or more, wherein D50 is the average secondary particle size of the positive electrode active material powder, and D50P is the average secondary particle size of the positive electrode active material powder after pressing at 100 MPa. The positive electrode active material contains 3% or less particles having a particle size of 0.4 ?m or less in terms of the volume ratio after pressing at 100 MPa.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2011Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: JX Nippon Mining & Metals CorporationInventor: Hirohito Satoh
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Patent number: 9077007Abstract: In various aspects, systems and methods are provided for operating a molten carbonate fuel cell with an excess of reformable fuel relative to the amount of oxidation performed in the anode of the fuel cell. Instead of selecting the operating conditions of a fuel cell to improve or maximize the electrical efficiency of the fuel cell, an excess of reformable fuel can be passed into the anode of the fuel cell to increase the chemical energy output of the fuel cell. This can lead to an increase in the total efficiency of the fuel cell based on the combined electrical efficiency and chemical efficiency of the fuel cell.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2014Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANYInventors: Paul J. Berlowitz, Timothy Andrew Barckholtz, Frank H. Hershkowitz
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Patent number: 9077006Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for capturing CO2 from a combustion source using molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs). The fuel cells are operated to have a reduced anode fuel utilization. Optionally, at least a portion of the anode exhaust is recycled for use as a fuel for the combustion source. Optionally, a second portion of the anode exhaust is recycled for use as part of an anode input stream. This can allow for a reduction in the amount of fuel cell area required for separating CO2 from the combustion source exhaust and/or modifications in how the fuel cells are operated.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2014Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering CompanyInventors: Paul J. Berlowitz, Timothy Andrew Barckholtz, Frank H. Hershkowitz
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Patent number: 9065093Abstract: Porous electrodes in which the porosity has a low tortuosity are generally provided. In some embodiments, the porous electrodes can be designed to be filled with electrolyte and used in batteries, and can include low tortuosity in the primary direction of ion transport during charge and discharge of the battery. In some embodiments, the electrodes can have a high volume fraction of electrode active material (i.e., low porosity). The attributes outlined above can allow the electrodes to be fabricated with a higher energy density, higher capacity per unit area of electrode (mAh/cm2), and greater thickness than comparable electrodes while still providing high utilization of the active material in the battery during use. Accordingly, the electrodes can be used to produce batteries with high energy densities, high power, or both compared to batteries using electrodes of conventional design with relatively highly tortuous pores.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2012Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, The Regents of the University of California, The Regents of the University of MichiganInventors: Yet-Ming Chiang, Chang-Jun Bae, John William Halloran, Qiang Fu, Antoni P. Tomsia, Can K. Erdonmez
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Patent number: 9056631Abstract: A battery case comprises: a battery tray formed from a resin, the battery tray having a bottom wall on which batteries are mounted, and a peripheral side wall which surrounds the periphery of the bottom wall; and a battery cover which covers the battery tray. A flange portion is provided on the upper surface of the peripheral side wall, and a metallic housing-shaped frame is provided beside the outer wall of the battery tray. The flange portion and the battery cover are fixed onto the upper surface of the metallic housing-shaped frame by fastening members.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2010Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Assignee: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Yoji Nakamori
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Patent number: 9054353Abstract: A supply assembly and a fuel cell system having a supply assembly that demonstrates a cost-effective and/or resilient design in operation. A supply assembly for coupling to a fuel cell device is proposed, having a gas-to-gas humidifier that is designed and/or arranged in order to humidify the oxidation means A for the fuel cell device by means of the humidity from the exhaust gases B of the fuel cell device has an exhaust gas region and an oxidation means region that are separated from one another by a separation layer. The separation layer enables a transmission of the humidity from the exhaust gas region into the oxidation means region for humidification of the oxidation means A, wherein the gas-to-gas humidifier has a monolithic honeycomb structure for fowling the exhaust gas region and the oxidation means region.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2009Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: Daimler AGInventors: Gerhard Konrad, Heiner Kunckel, Martin Heumos
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Patent number: 9048502Abstract: A lithium secondary battery and a method for producing the lithium secondary battery. The lithium secondary battery includes a negative electrode 1 in which negative electrode mixture layers 2 and 3 that contain active material particles containing silicon and/or a silicon alloy and a binder are disposed on the surfaces of a current collector 4. A electrode body is formed by spirally winding, from inside to outside, a laminate body; and in an outer end portion of the negative electrode 1, the negative electrode mixture layers 2 and 3 have tapering portions 2a and 3a whose thicknesses decrease toward ends 2b and 3b of the negative electrode mixture layers 2 and 3; and oozing portions 2d and 3d mainly containing the binder are formed at the tips of the tapering portions 2a and 3a of the negative electrode mixture layers 2 and 3.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2011Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shouichiro Sawa, Atsushi Fukui, Yasunori Watanabe, Taizou Sunano
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Patent number: 9034497Abstract: A vehicle battery pack container is provided. The container includes a base member, a peripheral wall coupled to the base member, and a cover member coupled to the peripheral wall. The container further includes a venting device having a venting housing and a flow diverter member disposed within an interior region of the venting housing. The venting housing is coupled to the base member and is in fluid communication with an aperture in the base member. The venting housing has a tubular portion and a first end portion having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough. The flow diverter member has a central shaft, a first flow diverter plate, and a second flow diverter plate.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2012Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.Inventors: Robert Merriman, Steven Lent
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Patent number: 9028990Abstract: In an embodiment, a fuel cell system for supplying emergency power to an aircraft, includes a fuel cell, a hydrogen tank, an oxygen tank, and a power distribution unit. This provides for an emergency power supply for aircraft that is reliable, independent of the outside air, and has low maintenance needs.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2006Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbHInventors: Hubert Gans, Ralf-Henning Stolte, Volker Piezunka
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Patent number: 9023516Abstract: A rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly including electrodes both sides of a separator; a case accommodating the electrode assembly; a cap plate coupled to an opening of the case; an electrode terminal assembled to a terminal hole of the cap plate; an insulator between the electrode terminal and a first surface of the cap plate; a gasket between the electrode terminal and a second surface of the cap plate; and a lead tab at one side of the gasket to connect the electrode terminals to the electrode assembly. The electrode terminal and the cap plate form a vent hole that penetrates the electrode terminal and the cap plate, and the vent hole is sealed by a vent plate.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2012Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignees: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Duk-Jung Kim
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Patent number: 9017849Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handle assembly, a battery pack, and a cooling device. The battery pack is operable to power the surgical instrument and may be inserted into the handle assembly. The cooling device is mechanically integrated with the battery pack. The cooling device is further operable to draw heat away from the battery pack while the battery pack delivers power to the surgical instrument.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2011Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: Foster B. Stulen, Richard W. Timm, William D. Dannaher, Danius P. Silkaitis, Michael J. Stokes, Jeffrey L. Aldridge
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Patent number: 8993191Abstract: A measurement device for measuring voltages along a linear array of voltage sources, such as a fuel cell stack, includes at least one movable contact or non-contact voltage probe that measures a voltage of an array element.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2012Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Bloom Energy CorporationInventors: John Matthew Fisher, Ian Russell, Chad Pearson, Robert Hintz, Nathan Ben Erlin, David Edmonston, Stephen Couse, Michael Dubuk
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Patent number: 8986866Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a battery pack that includes a fault-monitoring mechanism for detecting faults in the battery pack and indicating the faults to a user. The battery pack also includes a battery cell and enclosure material that encloses the battery cell. The fault may correspond to penetration of the battery pack, a puncture in the enclosure material, a short circuit within the battery cell, and/or a change in pressure within the battery pack. To detect the fault, the fault-monitoring mechanism may utilize a conductive mechanism, a color-changing mechanism, and/or a sensor mechanism in the battery pack.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2010Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Stephen Brian Lynch, Scott A. Myers, Fletcher R. Rothkopf
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Patent number: 8956757Abstract: A transparent electrochemical energy storage device includes a pair of electrodes and an electrolyte disposed between the electrodes. Each of the electrodes includes a substrate and a set of electrode materials that are arranged across the substrate in a pattern with a feature dimension no greater than 200 ?m and occupying an areal fraction in the range of 5% to 70%.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2012Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior UniversityInventors: Yuan Yang, Liangbing Hu, Yi Cui, Sangmoo Jeong
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Patent number: 8945777Abstract: Disclosed is a solid electrolyte for an electrochemical device. The solid electrolyte includes a composite consisting of: a plastic crystal matrix electrolyte doped with an ionic salt; and a network of a non-crosslinked polymer and a crosslinked polymer structure. The electrolyte has high ionic conductivity comparable to that of a liquid electrolyte due to the use of the plastic crystal, and high mechanical strength comparable to that of a solid electrolyte due to the introduction of the non-crosslinked polymer/crosslinked polymer structure network. Particularly, the electrolyte is highly flexible. Further disclosed is a method for preparing the electrolyte. The method does not essentially require the use of a solvent. Therefore, the electrolyte can be prepared in a simple manner. The electrolyte is suitable for use in a cable-type battery whose shape is easy to change due to its high ionic conductivity and high mechanical strength in terms of flexibility.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2011Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.Inventors: Yo-Han Kwon, Je-Young Kim, Sang-Young Lee, Byung-Hun Oh, Ki-Tae Kim, Hyo-Jeong Ha
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Patent number: 8932783Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) or SOFC sub-component comprising a YSZ solid oxide electrolyte layer (10), a LSCF cathode layer (14) and a mixed phase layer (18) comprising at least zirconia and ceria between the electrolyte layer and the cathode layer, with the cathode layer in direct contact with the mixed phase layer, that is with no ceria, other than in the mixed phase layer, between the cathode layer and the electrolyte layer. One method of forming the SOFC or sub-component comprises applying a layer of ceria on the electrolyte layer (10), heating the electrolyte and ceria layers to form the mixed phase layer (18), and removing excess ceria from the surface of the mixed phase layer before applying the cathode layer (14).Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2009Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: Ceramic Fuel Cells LimitedInventors: Merrill Ruth Watts, Sudath Dharma Kumara Amarasinghe, Jonathan Gerald Love
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Patent number: 8927141Abstract: A rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly having a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator located between the positive electrode and the negative electrode; a case housing the electrode assembly, the case having an opening; a cap assembly including a cap plate coupled to the opening of the case and a vent member on the cap plate adapted to discharge a gas from the case; and a separation member located between the electrode assembly and the cap plate to prevent the electrode assembly from significantly moving toward the cap plate.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2010Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignees: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Hyo-Seob Kim, Chun-Mo Yang
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Patent number: 8916301Abstract: In a proton exchange membrane fuel cell power plant (9) in which each of the fuel cells (11) employ reactant gas flow field channels (51) extending inwardly from a first surface of a conductive, water permeable reactant gas flow field plate (50), for at least one of the reactants of the fuel cell, a region (63) of the reactant gas flow field channels is substantially shallower than the remaining portion (60) of the flow field channels (51) thereby decreasing resistance to gas phase mass transfer from the wetted walls of the flow field plate to the gas in the region (63), the resulting increase in thickness of the web (58) adjacent the region (63) reduces the resistance to liquid water transport from the first coolant channel (52) to the inlet edge (55) of the plate (50) so that the plate supports a higher evaporation rate into the reactant gas in the shallow region (63).Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2010Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Inc.Inventor: Robert M. Darling