Patents Examined by Matthew W Van Oudenaren
  • Patent number: 11799081
    Abstract: A positive electrode material including a first positive electrode active material represented by Formula 1 and a second positive electrode active material represented by Formula 2, a positive electrode including the same, and a lithium secondary battery including the positive electrode are provided. The positive electrode material has a bimodal particle size distribution including large diameter particles and small diameter particles, and the difference in average particle diameter (D50) between the large diameter particles and the small diameter particles is 3 ?m or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Inventors: Dong Hun Lee, Wang Mo Jung, Sung Bin Park, Ji Hye Kim, Dong Hwi Kim, Hyung Man Cho, Jung Min Han
  • Patent number: 11799108
    Abstract: To provide a fuel cell system configured to suppress irreversible performance degradation of a fuel cell. A fuel cell system wherein the controller preliminarily stores a data group indicating a relationship between, when a predetermined amount of hydrogen gas is supplied from the fuel gas supplier, an amount of the supplied hydrogen gas and a hydrogen pressure increase rate; wherein the controller calculates a fuel gas pressure increase rate from a pressure change detected by the pressure sensor when the fuel gas is supplied to the fuel cell; wherein the controller determines whether or not the fuel gas pressure increase rate is smaller than the hydrogen pressure increase rate; and wherein, when the controller determines that the fuel gas pressure increase rate is smaller than the hydrogen pressure increase rate, the controller prohibits power generation of the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masaaki Matsusue
  • Patent number: 11791483
    Abstract: A method for starting a fuel cell device having a plurality of fuel cells under frost starting conditions is provided, which comprises: establishing the presence of frost starting conditions for the fuel cell device, anode-side supplying of a hydrogen-containing reactant and cathode-side supplying of an oxygen-containing reactant in a sub-stoichiometric ratio with an oxygen deficit, maintaining the supply of the reactants in a sub-stoichiometric ratio for a given interval of time, after elapsing of the interval of time, causing the complete discharging of the fuel cells in a discharge phase, and then converting the fuel cell device to a normal mode with the supplying of the reactants according to the requirements for the given operating state and the power demand. A fuel cell device and a motor vehicle are also provided for carrying out such a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Leonard Liphardt, Sebastian Disson, Keigo Suematsu, Francisco Javier Valbuena Encinas
  • Patent number: 11784329
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a stack of fuel cells, a cathode recuperator configured to heat air using cathode exhaust output from the stack, and an air inlet baffle disposed between the cathode recuperator and the stack and containing at least two rows of apertures which are separated along a vertical direction and configured to provide the heated air output from the cathode recuperator to plural areas of the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nilanjana Basu, Nandan Joshi, Hemant Gedam, Kyle Kekelis, David Edmonston
  • Patent number: 11777158
    Abstract: A battery module, which includes: a battery cell stack in which a plurality of battery cells are stacked; a flame spread prevention member configured to cover at least a portion of each battery cell; and a case configured to accommodate the battery cell stack covered by the flame spread prevention member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: LG ENERGY SOLUTION, LTD.
    Inventors: Jae-Uk Ryu, Dal-Mo Kang, Min-Ho Kwon, Su-Chang Kim, Jeong-O Mun, Jae-Min Yoo, Ji-Su Yoon
  • Patent number: 11777113
    Abstract: A system includes a power generator to generate power from an reaction involving a first fuel reactant and a second fuel reactant, a fuel reactant supply source to supply the first fuel reactant to the power generator via a fuel supply line having a fuel expansion region, a radiant fluid circuit for circulation of a radiant fluid configured to cool the power generator, and one or more thermoelectric generators in thermal contact with the fuel expansion region and the radiant fluid circuit downstream of the fuel cell to generate electric power via a Seebeck effect using at least a portion of the waste heat generated by the power generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Zach Reeder
  • Patent number: 11769934
    Abstract: A bus bar module includes: a case attached to a battery assembly including a plurality of single cells; a bus bar supported by the case and electrically connected to electrodes of the plurality of single cells of the battery assembly; and a plurality of electric wires routed in the case. The plurality of electric wires include: a plurality of voltage detection electric wires connected to the bus bar, and a temperature measurement electric wire connected to a thermistor configured to measure a temperature of at least one of the plurality of single cells. The case includes: an electric wire routing groove portion in which the plurality of voltage detection electric wires are routed, and a thermistor attachment portion to which the thermistor is attached. The thermistor attachment portion is provided in the electric wire routing groove portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignees: Yazaki Corporation, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yutaro Okazaki, Hiraku Tanaka, Shinsuke Azuma, Hiroyuki Kato, Shigeyuki Inoue, Takenori Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 11764371
    Abstract: A fuel cell system wherein the fuel cell comprises an electrolyte membrane; wherein the electrolyte membrane is a perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) membrane; wherein the controller has a data group showing a correlation between the current of the fuel cell and the temperature of the fuel cell which is necessary to keep a moisture content of the electrolyte membrane at a predetermined moisture content threshold or more; and wherein, when the temperature and voltage of the fuel cell become a predetermined first temperature threshold or more and a predetermined voltage threshold or more, respectively, the controller conducts a temperature dropping time power generation mode in which power generation is conducted while controlling the current of the fuel cell with reference to the data group, until the temperature of the fuel cell becomes a predetermined second temperature threshold which is lower than the first temperature threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Dai Horiguchi
  • Patent number: 11757099
    Abstract: A solid ion conductive layer can include a foamed matrix and an electrolyte material including a hygroscopic material. In an embodiment, the electrolyte material can include a halide-based material, a sulfide-based material, or any combination thereof. In another embodiment, the solid ion conductive layer can include total porosity of at least 30 vol % for a total volume of the solid ion conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN CERAMICS & PLASTICS, INC.
    Inventors: Yuto Takagi, Chuanping Li, Ruofan Wang, Michael McGahan, Vladimir Ouspenski, Jeremy Flamanc
  • Patent number: 11757114
    Abstract: A control unit estimates a discharged fuel gas amount, i.e., an amount of fuel gas discharged from the outlet of a cathode flow field, of a fuel exhaust gas introduced from a communication flow path to the inlet of the cathode flow field and then flowing through a cathode. The control unit calculates an oxygen-containing gas amount necessary for dilution at the time of discharge into the atmosphere, from the estimated discharged fuel gas amount, and sets a discharge amount of the air pump, based on the calculated oxygen-containing gas amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhide Inoue, Takuto Nakagawa, Manabu Iwaida, Kiyohide Hibino, Atsushi Kamachi, Akane Goto
  • Patent number: 11749819
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fuel cell system including: an air supply line configured to supply air to a fuel cell stack; a discharge line connected to the fuel cell stack and configured to guide exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell stack; a discharge adapter connected to the discharge line and configured to discharge the exhaust gas to the outside; and a bypass line having one end connected to the air supply line and the other end connected to the discharge adapter, the bypass line being configured to selectively allow the air to flow from the air supply line to the discharge adapter, thereby effectively reducing a hydrogen concentration in exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Myeong Nam Woo
  • Patent number: 11742537
    Abstract: A battery pack includes: battery cells, each including first and second end portions that are opposite each other in a length direction; a case having an accommodation space in which the battery cells and a fluid to cool the battery cells are configured to be accommodated, the case including first and second covers respectively covering the first and second end portions; first and second tab plates respectively on the first and second covers and connected to the first and second end portions; a circuit board on the first tab plate; and a first lead and a second lead through which the first and second tab plates are connected to the circuit board, the first and second leads connected to a first side portion of the circuit board. An arrangement of the leads connected to electrodes of the battery cells is improved, and heat is efficiently dissipated from a switch device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jooyul Lee, Nohyun Kwag, Seungil Kim, Gangya Park, Jungjin Lee
  • Patent number: 11742508
    Abstract: A reforming element for a molten carbonate fuel cell stack and corresponding methods are provided that can reduce or minimize temperature differences within the fuel cell stack when operating the fuel cell stack with enhanced CO2 utilization. The reforming element can include at least one surface with a reforming catalyst deposited on the surface. A difference between the minimum and maximum reforming catalyst density and/or activity on a first portion of the at least one surface can be 20% to 75%, with the highest catalyst densities and/or activities being in proximity to the side of the fuel cell stack corresponding to at least one of the anode inlet and the cathode inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignees: EXXONMOBIL TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING COMPANY, FUELCELL ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Everett J. O'Neal, Lu Han, Carla S. Pereira, Rodrigo F. Blanco Gutierrez, Timothy M. Healy, Carl A. Willman, Hossein Ghezel-Ayagh, Frank J. Dobek, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11742540
    Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for battery pack thermal management, such as heating and cooling of individual batteries arranged into battery packs. The methods and systems use thermal control modules, specifically configured to thermally couple to the side wall and the bottom end of each battery in a battery pack. In some examples, a thermal control module comprises a thermal plate and one or two battery engagement components, connected and thermally coupled to the thermal plate. Each battery engagement component comprises a plurality of battery receiving openings. When the batteries are installed into these openings, the side wall and the bottom end of each battery are thermally coupled to the thermal control module. Thermal fluid is circulated through at least the thermal plate to provide cooling or heating to the batteries without any direct contact between the thermal fluid and the batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Canoo Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Deborah Bourke, Michael Fricke, David Tarlau, Phillip Weicker, Berton Vite, Hrayr Torosyan, Cody Joel Rhebergen
  • Patent number: 11735789
    Abstract: Devices and methods for managing the state of health of an electrolyte in redox flow batteries (RFB) efficiently are described. A diffusion cell is added to the RFB which controls one or more properties of the electrolytes using the diffusion of protons through a proton exchange membrane. The diffusion cell can resemble an electrochemical cell in that there are two fluid chambers divided by a proton conducting membrane. Anolyte flows through one side of the device where it contacts the proton conducting membrane, and catholyte flows through the second side of the device where it contacts the other face of the proton conducting membrane. The concentration gradient of protons from high concentration in the catholyte to low concentration in the anolyte is the driving force for proton diffusion, rather than electromotive force, which greatly simplifies the design and operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: David E. Gray, William T. Kender, Stuart R. Miller
  • Patent number: 11728498
    Abstract: The systems, devices, and methods described herein relate to heating and cooling automotive fuel cells. A proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller may be used to control the temperature of fluid in the fuel cells. The PID may be configured to calculate and control the saturation limits of the I-term of the PID controller to reduce integral wind-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jared M. Farnsworth, Daniel C. Folick
  • Patent number: 11721853
    Abstract: This disclosure details exemplary battery pack designs for use in electrified vehicles. An exemplary battery pack assembly process may include supporting one or more components, such as a heat exchanger plate, of the battery pack against deflection during the assembly process. Supporting the heat exchanger plate to keep the plate relatively flat during the battery pack assembly process improves the flow distribution of a thermal interface material (TIM), thereby achieving improved TIM coverage and improved heat transfer between battery cells and the heat exchanger plate of the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Amar Marpu, Patrick Daniel Maguire
  • Patent number: 11715825
    Abstract: Described herein are improved composite anodes and lithium-ion batteries made therefrom. Further described are methods of making and using the improved anodes and batteries. In general, the anodes include a porous composite having a plurality of agglomerated nanocomposites. At least one of the plurality of agglomerated nanocomposites is formed from a dendritic particle, which is a three-dimensional, randomly-ordered assembly of nanoparticles of an electrically conducting material and a plurality of discrete non-porous nanoparticles of a non-carbon Group 4A element or mixture thereof disposed on a surface of the dendritic particle. At least one nanocomposite of the plurality of agglomerated nanocomposites has at least a portion of its dendritic particle in electrical communication with at least a portion of a dendritic particle of an adjacent nanocomposite in the plurality of agglomerated nanocomposites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: GEORGIA TECH RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gleb Yushin, Oleksandr Magazynskyy, Patrick Dixon, Benjamin Hertzberg
  • Patent number: 11715837
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for using an energy storage device to assist a venturi or an ejector in a fuel cell or fuel stack system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: CUMMINS INC.
    Inventor: Richard Ancimer
  • Patent number: 11710827
    Abstract: A method for the preparation of an electrode comprising a substrate made of an aluminium based material, vertically aligned carbon nanotubes and an electrically conductive polymer matrix, the method comprising the following successive steps: (a) synthesising, on a substrate made of an aluminium based material, a carpet of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes according to the technique of CVD (Chemical Vapour Deposition) at a temperature less than or equal to 650° C.; (b) electrochemically depositing the polymer matrix on the carbon nanotubes from an electrolyte solution including at least one precursor monomer of the matrix, at least one ionic liquid and at least one protic or aprotic solvent. Further disclosed is the prepared electrode and a device for storing and returning electricity such as a supercapacitor comprising the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignees: CY CERGY PARIS UNIVERSITÉ, UNIVERSITÉDE TOURS, NAWATECHNOLOGIES, COMMISSARIAT ÀL'ÉNERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ÉNERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Pierre-Henri Aubert, Philippe Banet, Aurélien Boisset, Léa Darchy, Jérémie Descarpentries, Fouad Ghamouss, Harald Hauf, Martine Mayne, Mathieu Pinault, François Tran Van, Thomas Vignal