Patents Examined by Monique M. Wills
  • Patent number: 12294053
    Abstract: Provided is a method for producing a high-purity aqueous lithium salt solution, the method allowing filtering aluminum phosphate in a short time. The method for producing a high-purity aqueous lithium salt solution includes: a step of adjusting the pH of a slurry containing a mixture of lithium phosphate and aluminum hydroxide obtained from a first aqueous lithium salt solution being a raw material to a range of 2 to 3 to obtain a precipitate of aluminum phosphate; a step of filtering off and removing the precipitate of aluminum phosphate to obtain a second aqueous lithium salt solution; and a step of purifying the second aqueous lithium salt solution to obtain a high-purity aqueous lithium salt solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: Asaka Riken Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keita Yamada, Yukio Sakuma, Hiroto Inoue
  • Patent number: 12293852
    Abstract: A mixed ionic-electronic conductor (MIEC) in contact with a solid electrolyte includes a material having a bandgap less than 3 eV. The material includes an end-member phase directly connected to an alkali metal by a tie-line in an equilibrium phase diagram. The material is thermodynamically stable with a solid electrolyte. The MIEC includes plurality of open pores, formed within the MIEC, to facilitate motion of the alkali metal to at least one of store the alkali metal in the plurality of open pores or release the alkali metal from the plurality of open pores. The solid electrolyte has an ionic conductivity to ions of the alkali metal greater than 1 mS cm?1, a thickness less than 100 ?m, and comprises at least one of a ceramic or a polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Ju Li, Andrea Maurano, Yuming Chen, Ziqiang Wang, So Yeon Kim
  • Patent number: 12288842
    Abstract: An aspect of the present invention is a sulfide solid electrolyte that contains at least one element M selected from the group consisting of Al, Si, B, Mg, Zr, Ti, Hf, Ca, Sr, Sc, Ce, Ta, Nb, W, Mo, and V, and N and has a crystalline structure. Another aspect of the present invention is a sulfide solid electrolyte that contains Al and N and that has a crystalline structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: GS Yuasa International Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiro Fukushima, Ryo Sakuma, Tadashi Kakeya
  • Patent number: 12288897
    Abstract: A lead-acid battery is disclosed. The lead-acid storage battery has a container with a cover, the container including one or more compartments. One or more cell elements are provided in the one or more compartments. The one or more cell elements include a positive plate, the positive plate having a positive grid and a positive electrochemically active material on the positive grid; a negative plate, the negative plate having a negative grid and a negative electrochemically active material on the negative grid, wherein the negative electrochemically active material comprises barium sulfate and an organic expander; and a separator between the positive plate and the negative plate. Electrolyte is provided within the container. One or more terminal posts extend from the cover and are electrically coupled to the one or more cell elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignees: CPS Technology Holdings LLC, Clarios Germany GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Frank-Thomas Johns, Uwe Bitomsky, Andreas Dudenbostel, Matthew A Spence, Kavi G. Loganathan, Qingfang Shi, Cornelia Brendel
  • Patent number: 12283702
    Abstract: A seal can be moved from a production position for a production tool into an installation position for a battery housing. The seal has a seal body to be arranged between a housing flange of a lower housing part and a housing cover of the battery housing, and has positioning elements and fixing elements for positioning and fixing the seal body on the housing flange. The seal body is designed as a one-piece, frame-like sealing ring made of a resilient plastic and has a seal body portion, which is reversibly variable in length, with fold regions. The seal body portion in the folded state of the fold regions provides the production position and in the unfolded state of the fold regions provides the installation position. Positioning regions and fixing regions in which the positioning elements and fixing elements are arranged have a greater width than the fold regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Josef Braun, Andreas Obermaier, Joern Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 12278380
    Abstract: The present invention relates to: a current collector comprising a metal plate having a plurality of through holes formed in the thickness direction, and a porous reinforcing material filling the through holes of the metal plate; and a secondary battery comprising the current collector, and provides the effects of increasing ion conductivity of the current collector in the thickness direction and preventing stress from being concentrated at a specific part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: LG ENERGY SOLUTION, LTD.
    Inventors: Yo Han Ko, Jung Noh Lee, Jong Pil Park
  • Patent number: 12278342
    Abstract: Battery cells of this disclosure include a zinc anode and a cathode having acidified metal oxide nanomaterials combined with alkaline battery chemistry materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: HHeLi, LLC
    Inventor: Paige L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 12278351
    Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to methods and reactors for recycling a positive electrode material of a lithium-ion battery. One example provides a method of recycling a positive electrode material of a lithium-ion battery. The positive electrode material comprises a metal m having a n+ oxidation state (mn+). A reaction mixture is formed comprising the positive electrode material, an oxidizing agent, and lithium ions. The positive electrode material is electrochemically replenished with lithium via electrochemical reduction of the lithium ions while maintaining the n+ oxidation state of the metal m in the positive electrode material via the oxidizing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: HULICO LLC
    Inventors: Steven E. Sloop, Lauren E. Crandon
  • Patent number: 12266783
    Abstract: A blended expander formula for use in the preparation of lead acid battery electrodes is disclosed. The mixture comprises fine particle barium sulfate, a first oxylignin, a second oxylignin, and a carbonaceous material. A method, a negative paste, and a negative electrode including the blended expander mixture are also disclosed. A lead-acid absorbent glass mat battery is further disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignees: Clarios Germany GmbH & Co. KG, CPS Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Frank-Thomas Johns, Cornelia Brendel, Kavi Loganathan, Matthew A. Spence
  • Patent number: 12266762
    Abstract: Provided are an electrolyte additive for lithium secondary battery including a compound represented by Formula 1 below, an electrolyte for lithium secondary battery including the same, and a lithium secondary battery including the electrolyte. wherein, in Formula 1, R1 to R3 are as defined in the detailed description.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Olga Tsay, Hyejin Park, Myungheui Woo, Hyunbong Choi, Pavel Shatunov
  • Patent number: 12266816
    Abstract: A battery transporting apparatus includes a frame member configured to support a battery cell; a frame supporting adjustable member coupled to a lower side of the frame member to be adjustable in a width direction of the battery cell among length, width and thickness directions of the battery cell; a widthwise mover coupled to the frame supporting adjustable member to move the frame supporting adjustable member; and a support coupled to the frame supporting adjustable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: LG ENERGY SOLUTION, LTD.
    Inventors: Dong-Hee Lee, Sung-Guk Hong
  • Patent number: 12255318
    Abstract: The non-aqueous electrolyte battery is excellent in high-temperature storage characteristics and load characteristics at low temperature. A non-aqueous electrolyte battery of the present invention includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator, and a non-aqueous electrolyte. The negative electrode includes a lithium layer, a lithium-aluminum alloy layer formed on a surface of the lithium layer, and a carbon layer on the lithium-aluminum alloy layer. The non-aqueous electrolyte battery of the present invention can be manufactured by a method for manufacturing a non-aqueous electrolyte battery that includes providing an aluminum layer on the surface of the lithium layer to obtain a laminate, forming the carbon layer on a surface of the aluminum layer to obtain a laminate for a negative electrode, and causing the lithium layer and the aluminum layer of the laminate for a negative electrode to react with each other to form the lithium-aluminum alloy layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: MAXELL, LTD.
    Inventors: Hikaru Konishi, Soichi Watari, Koya Nakatani
  • Patent number: 12249746
    Abstract: Solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell stacks require a significant nominal compressive loading for proper operation and sealing. This loading is typically provided using relatively thick end plates and tight straps. In certain fuel cell applications, one or more solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell stacks are secured in larger enclosures (e.g. for isolation and crashworthiness in automotive applications). The enclosures however can themselves be sturdy enough to provide the necessary loading on the fuel cell stacks within. The present invention takes advantage of that to allow for use of thinner end plates and/or weaker straps which would otherwise be insufficient for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: CELLCENTRIC GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Rae Hartwell, Christopher Richards, Elisabeth Funk Woolliams, Kathleen Megale
  • Patent number: 12249712
    Abstract: A positive electrode active material in the form of a single particle and a lithium secondary battery containing the positive electrode active material thereof are provided. The positive electrode active material has a nickel-based lithium composite metal oxide single particle. The single particle includes a metal doped in the crystal lattice thereof. The single particle includes, in the crystal lattice, a surface part having a rock salt structure, a spinel structure, or a mixed structure thereof from a surface of the single particle to a depth of 0.13% to 5.26% of a radius of the single particle, and a central part having a layered structure from an interface with the surface part thereof to the center part of the single particle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: LG Energy Solution, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tae Gu Yoo, Younguk Park, Jintae Hwang, Wang Mo Jung, Sungbin Park
  • Patent number: 12237523
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a first unit cell including a first electricity generator and a first casing containing the first electricity generator, a second unit cell including a second electricity generator and a second casing containing the second electricity generator, and an outer container containing the first unit cell and the second unit cell. The electrochemical cell further includes a liquid layer between the first casing and the second casing. The liquid layer is in direct contact with the first casing and the second casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takaaki Fukushima
  • Patent number: 12237511
    Abstract: Batteries, component structures and manufacturing methods, in particular including a glassy embedded battery electrode assembly having a composite material structure composed of interpenetrating material components including a porous electroactive network including a solid electroactive material, and a continuous glassy medium including a Li ion conducting sulfide glass, can achieve enhanced power output, reduced charging time and/or improved cycle life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: PolyPlus Battery Company
    Inventors: Steven J. Visco, Yevgeniy S. Nimon, Bruce D. Katz, Vitaliy Nimon
  • Patent number: 12237527
    Abstract: An electric energy storage device comprises four energy units with a same rated voltage and a socket. The four energy units are divided into two energy modules each comprising with two energy units. Each energy module is provided with a positive electrode and a negative electrode. The socket includes four voltage output terminals connected to the positive and negative electrodes of the two energy modules and is provided with two control parts, which respectively control the two energy units in the two corresponding energy modules to switch between parallel state and series state. An electric tool system is also provided, comprising a plug that is connected to the socket, and different plugs can connect the four energy units in different connection states. The electric energy storage device with multiple output voltages can be matched with various electric tools with different rated voltages, and reduces the cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: Globe (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chuanjun Liu, An Yan
  • Patent number: 12230750
    Abstract: A button-type secondary battery according to the present disclosure includes: an electrode assembly; a lower can configured to accommodate the electrode assembly; an upper can coupled to an opening of the lower can; a gasket configured to insulate a coupling portion between the lower can and the upper can; and a center part provided at a core portion of the electrode assembly, wherein the center part includes: a center pin inserted into the core portion of the electrode assembly; and an upper plate provided with an upper cover surface provided on an upper end of the center pin to protect an upper portion of the electrode assembly, wherein an edge of the upper cover surface is provided to be supported on an inner wall of the lower can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: LG ENERGY SOLUTION, LTD.
    Inventors: Min Su Cho, Joo Hwan Sung, Yong Gon Lee, Je Jun Lee, Jae Won Lim, Geon Woo Min, Min Gyu Kim, Sang Hak Chae
  • Patent number: 12224414
    Abstract: A method for obtaining a metal salt from a spent lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery may include contacting a leaching solvent to a portion of the spent lithium-ion battery to form a first dispersion. The first dispersion is heated to a temperature in a range from 50° C. to 90° C. by applying microwave radiation. The temperature of the first dispersion is maintained to be in the range from 50° C. to 90° C. for a period in a range from 10 seconds to 5 minutes by further applying microwave radiation to the heated first dispersion. The first dispersion is filtered to obtain a first filtrate. A first base is contacted with the first filtrate to increase a pH of the first filtrate to a first predetermined value to precipitate a first metal salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: AGR LITHIUM INC.
    Inventors: Amol Naik, Rupesh Singh, Vipin Tyagi, Nishchay Chadha
  • Patent number: 12218316
    Abstract: A convection enhanced energy storage system includes an electrochemical cell with a positive electrode, a separator, and a negative electrode, a tank holding an electrolyte, and a pump connected to the electrochemical cell and the tank to circulate the electrolyte. The electrochemical cell has large ? and ? values, which has high transport resistance from diffusion and there is limited salt in the electrolyte solution to compensate. A computer system can implement a model of a convection enhanced energy storage system, for example for simulation to select parameters for such an energy storage system. The model includes: a convection term in a Nernst-Planck equation representing the convection enhanced energy storage system; boundary conditions of a cell of the convection enhanced energy storage system to account for forced convection at boundaries; gauging conservation of anions within an external tank; and calculating electrode active area as a function of porosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Fikile Richard Brushett, Weiran Gao, Javit Drake, Michael Orella