Patents Examined by Monique Wills
  • Patent number: 9478794
    Abstract: A secondary battery including a cathode having a primary cathode active material and an alkaline source material selected from the group consisting of Li2O, Li2O2, Li2S, LiF, LiCl, Li2Br, Na2O, Na2O2, Na2S, NaF, NaCl, and a mixture of any two or more thereof; an anode having an anode active material; an electrolyte; and a separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: Huiming Wu, Khalil Amine, Ali Abouimrane
  • Patent number: 9478795
    Abstract: Provided is a positive active material for a lithium secondary battery includes a lithium transition metal composite oxide having an ?-NaFeO2-type crystal structure and represented by the composition formula of Li1+?Me1??O2 (Me is a transition metal including Co, Ni and Mn and ?>0). The positive active material contains Na in an amount of 900 ppm or more and 16000 ppm or less, or K in an amount of 1200 ppm or more and 18000 ppm or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: GS Yuasa International Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Endo, Hiromasa Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 9472805
    Abstract: A method for synthesizing alkali metal silicate which can be easily microparticulated, a method for synthesizing, with the use of the alkali metal silicate, alkali transition metal silicate, and alkali metal silicate and alkali transition metal silicate which are synthesized by the synthesis methods are disclosed. The alkali metal silicate is synthesized by the following steps: forming a basic solution including an alkali metal salt; mixing the basic solution including the alkali metal salt with silicon particles to form a basic solution including the alkali metal silicate; and adding the basic solution including the alkali metal silicate to a poor solvent for the alkali metal silicate to precipitate the alkali metal silicate. Further, the alkali metal silicate is mixed with a microparticulated compound including a transition metal to form a mixture, and the mixture is subjected to heat treatment, whereby the alkali transition metal silicate is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mako Motoyoshi, Takahiro Kawakami, Masaki Yamakaji
  • Patent number: 9461312
    Abstract: An electrode (31c) for fuel cell comprises: a catalyst carrier (110) that is an electrically-conductive carrier (130) with a catalyst (120) supported thereon; a first electrolyte resin (141); and a second electrolyte resin (142). The first electrolyte resin has oxygen permeability of less than 2.2×10?14 mol/(m s Pa) in an environment having temperature of 80 degrees Celsius and relative humidity of 50%. The second electrolyte resin has oxygen permeability of not less than 2.2×10?14 mol/(m s Pa) in the environment having temperature of 80 degrees Celsius and relative humidity of 50%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, E.I. DUPONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Masanori Aimu, Randal Lewis Perry, Mark Gerrit Roelofs, Robert Clayton Wheland, Ralph Munson Aten, Andri E. Elia
  • Patent number: 9455446
    Abstract: A sodium or potassium battery is provided, prior to an initial charge and discharge cycle, with a halogen salt additive. As is conventional, the battery is made up of the following components: an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte. In addition, the battery includes a halogen salt (MX), where M is a metal and X is a halogen element. The halogen salt is added to the anode, the cathode, the electrolyte, or combinations thereof. The concentration MX with respect to the component(s) to which it is added is in the range of 0.01% to 10% in weight. The element X can be selected from the group of halogen elements listed in the Periodic Table. M is a material such as lithium, sodium, potassium, cesium, magnesium, calcium, barium, titanium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, ammonium, or combinations thereof. Advantageously, the electrolyte may be either aqueous or non-aqueous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuhao Lu, Sean Vail, Xin Zhao, Jie Song
  • Patent number: 9455442
    Abstract: A carbon-coated active material composite, an electrode and a lithium ion battery capable of improving electron conductivity and lithium ion conductivity when an electrode active material having a carbonaceous film formed on the surface is used as an electrode material are provided. In the carbon-coated active material composite, charge migration of lithium ions occurs at an interface between a carbonaceous film and an electrode active material, an activation energy of an insertion and removal reaction of lithium ions at an interface between the carbon-coated active material composite and an electrolytic solution is 45 kJ/mol to 85 kJ/mol, a value of a carbon supported amount to a specific surface area of particles of an electrode active material is 0.01 to 0.5, and the activation energy is measured using an electrolyte solution obtained by mixing ethylene carbonate and diethyl carbonate at a 1:1 ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: SUMITOMO OSAKA CEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Mine, Takao Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 9455431
    Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a cyanometallate cathode battery. The method provides a cathode of AXM1YM2Z(CN)N.MH2O, where “A” is selected from a first group of metals, and where M1 and M2 are transition metals. The method provides an anode and a metal ion-permeable membrane separating the anode from the cathode. A third electrode is also provided including “B” metal ions selected from the first group of metals. Typically, the first group of metals includes alkali and alkaline metals. The method intercalates “B” metal ions from the third electrode to the anode, the cathode, or both the anode and cathode to form a completely fabricated battery. In one aspect, a solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer including the “B” metal ions overlies a surface of the anode, the cathode, or both the anode and cathode. A cyanometallate cathode battery is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuhao Lu, Long Wang, Jong-Jan Lee
  • Patent number: 9450224
    Abstract: A method is provided for synthesizing sodium iron(II)-hexacyanoferrate(II). A Fe(CN)6 material is mixed with the first solution and either an anti-oxidant or a reducing agent. The Fe(CN)6 material may be either ferrocyanide ([Fe(CN)6]4?) or ferricyanide ([Fe(CN)6]3?). As a result, sodium iron(II)-hexacyanoferrate(II) (Na1+XFe[Fe(CN)6]Z.MH2O is formed, where X is less than or equal to 1, and where M is in a range between 0 and 7. In one aspect, the first solution including includes A ions, such as alkali metal ions, alkaline earth metal ions, or combinations thereof, resulting in the formation of Na1+XAYFe[Fe(CN)6]Z.MH2O, where Y is less than or equal to 1. Also provided are a Na1+XFe[Fe(CN)6]Z.MH2O battery and Na1+XFe[Fe(CN)6]Z.MH2O battery electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuhao Lu, Sean Andrew Vail
  • Patent number: 9450217
    Abstract: A pouch battery including an electrode assembly, and a pouch case comprising a receiving part accommodating the electrode assembly, wherein corners or vertices of the receiving part are coated with a UV curing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Suhee Han
  • Patent number: 9443664
    Abstract: A method is provided for charging a supercapacitor. The method initially provides a supercapacitor with a metal cyanometallate (MCM) particle anode, an electrolyte including a salt (DB) made up of cations (D+) anions (B?), and a cathode including carbonaceous materials (?). The method connects an external charging device between the anode and cathode, and the charging device supplies electrons to the anode and accepting electrons from the cathode. In response to the charging device, cations are inserted into the anode while anions are absorbed on the surface of the cathode. A supercapacitor device is also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuhao Lu, Long Wang, Jong-Jan Lee
  • Patent number: 9442542
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to techniques for facilitating thermal transfer in a portable electronic device. The portable electronic device includes a battery pack, which further includes a battery cell. The battery pack may supply power to a set of components in the portable electronic device. The portable electronic device also includes a heat dissipator composed of graphene. The heat dissipator may be in thermal contact with one or more of the components. The heat dissipator may also be disposed over a surface of the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Ramesh C. Bhardwaj
  • Patent number: 9444122
    Abstract: A battery module and a battery temperature managing system of a battery temperature managing system includes a battery module; a heat exchanger connected with the battery module via a coolant circulating circuit, and a temperature control device connected with the heat exchanger via a refrigerant circulating circuit, in which a coolant in the coolant circulating circuit and a refrigerant in the refrigerant circulating circuit exchange heat with each other via the heat exchanger, and the battery module is cooled or heated by the coolant when the coolant flows through the battery module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: BYD COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Weixin Zheng, Yuanyuan He, Yi Zeng
  • Patent number: 9444106
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for simultaneous application of multiple fuel cell component coatings onto a substrate. The method comprises providing a substrate, and simultaneously coating two or more solutions onto the substrate under laminar flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Scott C. Moose, Bradley M. Houghtaling
  • Patent number: 9431655
    Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating an antimony anode. The method disperses antimony (Sb) particles in a layered carbon network using a process such as mechanical mixing, ball milling, stirring, or ultrasound sonication, forming a Sb/carbon composite. The Sb/carbon composite is mixed with a binder, forming a mixture, and the mixture is deposited on a current collector. Advantageously, the binder may be an aqueous (water soluble) binder. In one aspect, prior to dispersing the Sb particles in the layered carbon network, the Sb particles are coated with carbon. For example, the Sb particles may be dispersed in a solution including a polymer, where the solution may be an aqueous or organic. Alternatively, the Sb particles may be dispersed in a solution including a monomer. The monomer solution is polymerized to form polymer sheathed Sb core-shell structures, and then carbonized. Associated Sb anodes and Sb anode batteries are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Xin Zhao, Sean Vail, Yuhao Lu
  • Patent number: 9431667
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a fuel cell comprising a cathode flow field and a strip is provided. The cathode flow field plate defines a plurality of cathode channels for receiving a first fluid from a cathode source when the fuel cell is in an operational state. The strip includes a flexible first portion positioned about the plurality of cathode channels, the flexible first portion for moving toward the plurality of cathode channels to prevent a flow of the first fluid therein when the fuel cell is in an inoperative state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Milos Milacic
  • Patent number: 9425444
    Abstract: A vehicle battery assembly includes a housing defining a plenum having an inlet, and a plurality of battery cells disposed within the housing. The plenum has an effective cross-sectional area that decreases as a distance from the inlet increases and is arranged to promote development of generally uniform pressure within the plenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas A. Wagner
  • Patent number: 9425447
    Abstract: A motor vehicle battery has at least one battery module with a plurality of battery cells (11) that have connection poles and degassing predetermined breaking points (14). The battery module also has a common battery module control device (19) for all of the battery cells (11) of the battery module. The degassing predetermined breaking points (14) of the battery cells (11) are on one side of the battery module and are offset inward in relation to the connection poles of the battery cells to form a recess (15). A guide element (16) is positioned in the recess (15) and extends along all of the battery cells (11) of the respective battery module to define a degassing channel (17) on one side and defining an accommodation space (18) for the battery module control device (19) on the other side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignees: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft, Robert Bosch GmbH, Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Thomas Fritz, Alexander Klausmann, Klaus Wipfler, Claus Gerald Pflueger
  • Patent number: 9422630
    Abstract: Method and system for generating electrical energy from a volume of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: 4th-Phase, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald H. Pollack
  • Patent number: 9425469
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of fuel cell technology and, more particularly, relates to an integrated gas diffusion layer with a sealing function and a method of making the same. The integrated gas diffusion layer includes a gas diffusion member and a sealing member having fuel inlet and outlet openings, oxidant inlet and outlet openings, and coolant inlet and outlet openings. The sealing member is sized to substantially cover the peripheral portion of the gas diffusion member. The sealing member and the gas diffusion member are integrally injection molded or adhered together by adhesive bonding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Inventor: Yong Gao
  • Patent number: 9419299
    Abstract: Alkali (or other active) metal battery and other electrochemical cells incorporating active metal anodes together with aqueous cathode/electrolyte systems. The battery cells have a highly ionically conductive protective membrane adjacent to the alkali metal anode that effectively isolates (de-couples) the alkali metal electrode from solvent, electrolyte processing and/or cathode environments, and at the same time allows ion transport in and out of these environments. Isolation of the anode from other components of a battery cell or other electrochemical cell in this way allows the use of virtually any solvent, electrolyte and/or cathode material in conjunction with the anode. Also, optimization of electrolytes or cathode-side solvent systems may be done without impacting anode stability or performance. In particular, Li/water, Li/air and Li/metal hydride cells, components, configurations and fabrication techniques are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: PolyPlus Battery Company
    Inventors: Steven J. Visco, Yevgeniy S. Nimon