Patents Examined by Patrick Ryan
  • Rechargeable battery
    Patent number: 9768420
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly having a first electrode and a second electrode of different polarities, a case with an opening that houses the electrode assembly, the case having a pair of opposing first side walls, each first side wall of the pair of first side walls including at least one groove extending from the opening of the case to an opposite side of the case, a cap assembly coupled to the opening of the case to seal the case, a first current collecting member and a second current collecting member inside the case, the first and second current collecting members being connected to the first electrode and the second electrode, respectively, and a first terminal and a second terminal on the cap assembly, the first and second terminals being connected to the first current collecting member and the second current collecting member, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Min-Yeol Han
  • Electric storage device, and electric storage apparatus
    Patent number: 9767965
    Abstract: An electric storage device according to the present invention includes a case having a case body and a cover plate, the cover plate has a projection to be inserted into the opening of the case body, the projection is in contact with or adjacent to the inner surface of the opening edge of the case body in the second direction, and the projection is locally located in the vicinity of the circumferential edge of the cover plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: GS YUASA INTERNATIONAL LTD.
    Inventors: Masakazu Tsutsumi, Jun Nakamura
  • Rechargeable battery having top insulating member
    Patent number: 9768436
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery includes a case accommodating an electrode assembly; a cap plate coupled to the case and having a short-circuit hole; a first electrode terminal and a second electrode terminal extending through the cap plate and electrically connected to the electrode assembly; a membrane fixed to the cap plate in the short-circuit hole and configured to electrically connect the first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal to cause a short circuit; a connection plate electrically connected to the first electrode terminal and spaced from a side of a short-circuit member; a top insulating member located between the connection plate and the cap plate; and a fixing member fixed to the cap plate and supporting the top insulating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-Hyung Guen, Chi-Young Lee
  • Solid electrolyte containing ionic liquid
    Patent number: 9768469
    Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide a gel-type solid electrolyte having flexibility while maintaining the advantages of an ionic liquid by effectively internalizing the ionic liquid into a porous metal oxide. To this end, the present invention provides the gel-type solid electrolyte which includes an ionic liquid in a porous metal oxide prepared from a silane compound represented by the following Chemical Formula 1: Si(R1)x(OR2)y(CR3?CR4R5)(4-x-y)??[Chemical Formula 1] in the Formula, R1 and R2 are alkyl groups with carbon numbers in the range of 1 to 3, which are independent from each other; R3, R4 and R5 are each independently hydrogen, a halogen element or an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms; and x is an integer in the range of 0?x?3, y is an integer in the range of 1?y?4 and x+y is an integer in the range of 2?x+y?4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sang Mi Kim, Hyun Cheol Lee, Jin Hee Lee
  • Control apparatus and control method, and combined power generation system provided therewith
    Patent number: 9768454
    Abstract: A combined power generation system is promptly activated, and stable operation thereof is provided. A control apparatus of the combined power generation system that generates power by performing cooperative operation combining an SOFC and an MGT, in which the combined power generation system includes: an exhaust fuel gas supply line that supplies exhaust fuel gas to a combustor of the MGT from the SOFC; a recirculation line that branches from the exhaust fuel gas supply line to flow the exhaust fuel gas to the SOFC; and a flow rate adjustment valve provided on a path of the exhaust fuel gas supply line, and in which a gain to an opening of the flow rate adjustment valve is adjusted according to an cooperative operation state of the SOFC and the MGT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HITACHI POWER SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Takuma Nagai, Yuichi Teramoto, Masanori Nishiura, Shigenori Koga
  • Secondary battery and method for producing secondary battery
    Patent number: 9761860
    Abstract: Disclosed is a secondary battery capable of preventing damage to a current interrupt device caused by generation and transmission of vibration, and thereby achieving prevention of malfunction of the current interrupt device, and improvement of quality of the secondary battery. In addition, disclosed is a method of manufacturing the secondary battery. Specifically disclosed is a secondary battery, in which a positive electrode terminal is placed on the upper face of a sealing plate, a holder is placed on the lower face of the sealing plate, and the sealing plate is joined to the positive electrode terminal and the holder by a rivet. The secondary battery includes an adhered portion for adhering the holder to the sealing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kosuke Nakamura, Naoyuki Wada, Ichiro Murata, Yukihiro Okada
  • Battery terminal cover
    Patent number: 9761858
    Abstract: A battery terminal cover is provided. The battery terminal cover has a base arranged to cover a battery terminal root, a tower arranged to cover a battery terminal post, and a projection coupled to the battery terminal cover. The projection has a retention area for temporary storage of a later used fastener for coupling to the battery terminal post. A battery is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignees: Johnson Controls Technology Company, Polymer Molding, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn W. Andersen, William J. Ross, Micah C. Mahnke, Jeff Hindman
  • Energy storage system with heat pipe thermal management
    Patent number: 9761919
    Abstract: An energy storage system includes: multiple cells, each cell having a first end with anode and cathode terminals, and a second end opposite the first end, the cells arranged so that the second ends are aligned; for each of the cells, electrical connections coupled to the anode and cathode terminals at the first end; and a heat pipe having a flat evaporation surface facing the second ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Lane, Hae-Won Choi, Jeff Weintraub, Carlos Mario Aguirre, Mark Riegel, Orion A. King, Nathan Chidiac, Jon Wagner, Augusto E. Barton, Ernest Villanueva, David Rosenberg
  • Cell stack device, fuel cell module, fuel cell device, and method of fabricating cell stack device
    Patent number: 9761895
    Abstract: [Object] To provide a cell stack device, the power generation efficiency of which is improved, and a fuel cell module and a fuel cell device that include the cell stack device. [Solution] A cell stack device 1 includes a cell stack 2 that includes a plurality of fuel cells 3 electrically connected to one another and arranged, the fuel cells 3 that each includes a gas channel through which a reactant gas flows. In the cell stack device 1, the fuel cells 3 of the cell stack 2 are provided in the form of fuel cell groups that each include an arbitrary number of the fuel cells 3. In the cell stack device 1, the fuel cell groups are arranged such that average pressure loss values of the fuel cells 3 of the fuel cell groups increase sequentially from a central portion to an end portion side in a fuel cell 3 arrangement direction. Thus, the power generation efficiency of the cell stack device 1 can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naruto Takahashi, Takashi Ono
  • Vehicle traction battery assembly
    Patent number: 9761918
    Abstract: A traction battery assembly is provided. The traction battery assembly may include a battery cell array, a pair of endplates, and a first coolant channel. The battery cell array may define a longitudinal center axis along an upper face of the array. The pair of endplates may be configured to longitudinally retain the array therebetween. The first coolant channel may be in thermal communication with each battery cell along the upper face, span a longitudinal length of the array, and be offset from the longitudinal center axis. The assembly may include a second coolant channel in thermal communication with each battery cell, spanning the longitudinal length of the array, and covering a portion of the upper face of the array and a side face of the array. Each of the endplates may further define a plenum open to the first coolant channel and the second coolant channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Evan Mascianica, Josef Dollison, Jeremy Samborsky, Daniel Miller
  • Non-aqueous electrolyte battery and method of manufacturing the same
    Patent number: 9761880
    Abstract: [Problem] A non-aqueous electrolyte battery is provided that shows good cycle performance and good storage performance under high temperature conditions and exhibits high reliability even with a battery configuration featuring high capacity. A method of manufacturing the battery is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Ogasawara, Hiroshi Minami, Naoki Imachi, Atsushi Kaiduka, Yasunori Baba, Yoshinori Kida, Shin Fujitani
  • Polymer electrolyte membrane for fuel cell and method for manufacturing the same
    Patent number: 9761900
    Abstract: Disclosed are a polymer electrolyte membrane showing high ion conductivity even under the condition of low humidity and high temperature and a method for manufacturing the same. The polymer electrolyte membrane of the present invention comprises a porous substrate, a self proton conducting material dispersed in the porous substrate, and an ion conductor impregnated in the porous substrate. The self proton conducting material comprises an inorganic particle functionalized with an azole ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: KOLON INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Dong Hoon Lee, Moo-Seok Lee, Na Young Kim, Yong-Cheol Shin
  • Battery case
    Patent number: 9761846
    Abstract: A battery case comprises: a first casing member; a second casing member to form a closed space together with the first casing member; a foam material provided along an inner wall surface of the closed space; and a reinforcing member provided in the closed space so as to hold the foam material between the reinforcing member and the inner wall surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: FUTABA INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryuzo Nishimura, Shinichiro Nakane, Yasumasa Seto
  • Secondary battery
    Patent number: 9761859
    Abstract: A secondary battery includes an electrode assembly, a battery case, and a cap assembly. The electrode assembly includes first and second electrodes. The battery case accommodates the electrode assembly therein and has an opened surface. The cap assembly seals the battery case and includes first and second terminal portions coupled to the respective first and second electrodes. In the secondary battery, at least one of the first and second terminal portions is coupled to a variable member including a plurality of variable plates. Accordingly, the path and resistance of current may be varied in the secondary battery, so that it is possible to reduce or prevent generation of heat caused by overcurrent. Thus, it may be possible to reduce or prevent an explosion and fire of the battery, thereby improving the safety of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun-Chul Kim, Hyun Soh
  • Manufacturing of high capacity prismatic lithium-ion alloy anodes
    Patent number: 9761882
    Abstract: High capacity energy storage devices and energy storage device components, and more specifically, to a system and method for fabricating such high capacity energy storage devices and storage device components using processes that form three-dimensional porous structures are provided. In one embodiment, an anode structure for use in a high capacity energy storage device, comprising a conductive collector substrate, a three-dimensional copper-tin-iron porous conductive matrix formed on one or more surfaces of the conductive collector substrate, comprising a plurality of meso-porous structures formed over the conductive current collector, and an anodically active material deposited over the three-dimensional copper-tin-iron porous conductive matrix is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Sergey D. Lopatin, Dmitri A. Brevnov, Eric H. Liu, Robert Z. Bachrach, Connie P. Wang
  • Energy storage
    Patent number: 9761887
    Abstract: An energy storage apparatus having a housing, a plurality of battery cells, a temperature-control system with a liquid temperature-control medium for cooling and/or heating the battery cells in the housing. An absorbent element is arranged spatially between the battery cells and the housing such that any temperature-control medium escaping from the temperature-control system is absorbed by the absorbent element. The absorbent element is separated from the battery cells by an electrically insulating layer, the electrically insulating layer being impermeable to the temperature-control medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter Dämon, Stefan Roepke, Mario Steiner, Thomas Trathnigg
  • Nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery
    Patent number: 9755197
    Abstract: Provided is a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery including a bottomed cylindrical positive electrode casing and a negative electrode casing which is fixed to an opening of the positive electrode casing through a gasket. The opening of the positive electrode casing is caulked to the negative electrode casing side to seal the accommodation space. A diameter d is in a range of 6.6 mm to 7.0 mm, and a height h1 is in a range of 1.9 mm to 2.3 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC.
    Inventor: Takumi Sawayama
  • Energy storage system and method for setting identification code to battery tray for the same
    Patent number: 9755282
    Abstract: An energy storage system includes a plurality of trays holding battery packs, each tray having a tray controller, and a switch to set an identification code to the tray, and a rack accommodating the plurality of trays, the rack having a rack controller, and fingers corresponding to each switch of the trays, the fingers selectively activating each switch when a corresponding tray is mounted on the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sang-Kyu Ahn
  • Nickel composite hydroxide and method for producing the same, positive electrode active material and method for producing the same as well as nonaqueous electrolytic secondary cell
    Patent number: 9755232
    Abstract: A nickel composite hydroxide represented by Ni1-x-y-zCoxMnyMz(OH)2+A (where 0?x?0.35, 0?y?0.35, 0?z?0.1, 0<x+y, 0<x+y+z?0.7, 0?A?0.5, with M being at least one of V, Mg, Al, Ti, Mo, Nb, Zr and W), a plate-shaped crystal core is generated by allowing a crystal core generating aqueous solution containing cobalt and/or manganese to have a pH value of 7.5 to 11.1 at a standard liquid temperature of 25° C., and slurry for the particle growth containing the plate-shaped crystal core is adjusted to a pH value of 10.5 to 12.5 at a standard liquid temperature of 25° C., while a mixed aqueous solution containing a metal compound containing at least nickel is being supplied thereto, so that the crystal core is grown as particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: SUMITOMO METAL MINING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuomi Ryoshi, Kensaku Mori
  • Fuel cell system
    Patent number: 9755253
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, a compressor, a cathode flow passage, a bypass flow passage branching from the cathode flow passage, thereby bypassing the stack, a bypass valve adjusting a bypass flow rate, a stack flow rate sensor detecting a flow rate to the stack, and a compressor flow rate sensor detecting a flow rate into the compressor. A flow rate for the stack depending on a state of a fuel cell and a flow rate the compressor controls depending on a requirement different from that of the stack are calculated. A control unit controls, when the flow rate required from the compressor is more than that required by the stack, the compressor based on the flow rate required from the compressor and a detected compressor flow rate, and controls the bypass valve based on the flow rate required by the stack and a detected stack flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitomo Asai, Hiroshi Takeda