Patents Examined by Prince Willis, Jr.
  • Nonaqueous secondary battery
    Patent number: 5487960
    Abstract: A nonaqueous secondary battery comprising a positive electrode and a negative electrode, in which a mixture of the positive electrode active material contains an acid containing at least one of P, B, Si, Mo, and W or a salt thereof. The battery has improved safety in case of abrupt temperature rise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsutoshi Tanaka
  • Interlocking frame system for lithium-polymer battery construction
    Patent number: 5487958
    Abstract: Frames for batteries which are constructed of planar battery cells prevent the planar battery cells from shifting while the batteries are vacuum sealed. These frames do not add to the thickness of the batteries but have the advantage of increasing the rigidity of the battery, reducing the shifting of the battery cells during assembly, and preventing vulnerable edges which result in non-uniformities and low energy density. The interlocking frame design allows cells to be stacked onto a battery with relatively tight alignment, high volumetric efficiency and improved safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Inventor: Drew Tura
  • Magnetic fluid composition
    Patent number: 5487840
    Abstract: A magnetic fluid composition comprising a low-volatile organic solvent as a carrier having dispersed therein ferromagnetic fine particles coated with a surface active agent having a lipophilic group having affinity to said low-volatile organic solvent, and a thixotropy-imparting agent is disclosed. The composition is prevented from splashing for an extended period of time even when used in a magnetic fluid-sealed apparatus operated at such a high speed that the rotational speed of the sealing part is 2 m/sec or higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshikazu Yabe, Atsuhiro Yamamoto, Atsushi Yokouchi, Kunio Esumi
  • Metal extractant solution comprising N-ethyl hydroxamic acid chelants and kerosene solvent
    Patent number: 5487842
    Abstract: N-ethyl alkanohydroxamic acids, where said alkyl group is a straight chain alkyl group of 8 to 10 carbon atoms, or a branched alkyl group of 8 to 25 carbon atoms, provided said alkyl group is not cyclic, useful as metal chelants for use in organic solvent extractant solutions such as kerosene to extract metals from aqueous solutions by forming complexes of the extracted metal with the N-ethyl hydroxamic acid. Metals can be stripped from complexes of N-ethyl hydroxamic acids at higher concentrations into lower strength acid stripping agents. The N-ethyl hydroxamic acid-containing organic solvent extraction solutions exhibit rapid phase separation from aqueous solutions, good hydrolytic stability and resistance to forming emulsions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Met-Tech Systems Limited
    Inventor: Bruce F. Monzyk
  • Battery assembly
    Patent number: 5486432
    Abstract: A battery assembly is provided with two terminals at one end of a stack of cells. One of the terminals is centrally located upon the end of the stack and is electrically connected to the stack at the same end. The other terminal is spaced apart from the central terminal and is electrically connected to the other end of the stack by an elongated conductor. An insulating sheath holds the stack of cells together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: Streamlight, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond L. Sharrah, Charles W. Craft
  • Air bag fabric containing graft polymer thereon
    Patent number: 5486210
    Abstract: A method for making an air bag by forming a fabric structure of filaments or yarns in the configuration of an air bag, and grafting first and/or second components onto some or all of the filaments or yarns to provide the fabric structure with increased resistance to fraying, filament or yarn pull-out, or distortion during manufacture or use of the air bag compared to non-grafted filaments or yarns. The graft component(s) may be applied to the filaments or yarns prior to, during or after formation of the fabric structure. An air bag material suitable for use in a passive restraint system is also disclosed utilizing grafted fabric substrate provided by the above described method. A passive restraint system utilizing such fabrics is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: Reeves Brothers, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Kerr, John R. Damewood, Jill Menzel, Paul Thottathil, Mohan L. Sanduja
  • Additives for extruding polymer electrolytes
    Patent number: 5486435
    Abstract: Preparation of an electrolyte film for lithium/polymer electrolyte batteries by extruding a powder mixture containing a polymer, a lithium salt and an additive consisting of an ultra fine powder of a metal oxide, such as silica, aluminum, or titanium oxide with a particle size between about 7 and 40 nm. The role of the additive is to prevent the formation of adhesive solid blocks in the powder mixture and to allow the introduction of this mixture in the extruder. Electrolyte compositions, electrolytes as well as electrochemical generators obtained according to the invention are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: Hydro-Quebec
    Inventors: Fernand Brochu, Michel Duval
  • Cleaning through perhydrolysis conducted in dense fluid medium
    Patent number: 5486212
    Abstract: The invention provides a cleaning agent and method for removing stains from fabrics comprising a combination of dense gas, a source of hydrogen peroxide and an organic bleach activator therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: The Clorox Company
    Inventors: James D. Mitchell, Vincent E. Alvarez, Daniel T. Carty, James R. Latham
  • Button cell
    Patent number: 5486433
    Abstract: A button cell containing electrodes having a polygonal shape, preferably square or hexagonal, in a flat housing is advantageous when compared to such cells having conventional round pressed powder electrodes. The electrodes can be cut from a continuously manufactured rolled strip with a metallic web overlay without appreciable material waste. The webs of the electrodes face outwardly toward the top and bottom of the housing when the electrodes are fitted into the cell. The free space left between the electrode edges and the interior of the cylindrical cell housing is available as electrolyte collecting space and is advantageous for gas take-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: Varta Batterie Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Helmut F. Glaser
  • Process for enhancing the whiteness, brightness and chormaticity of paper making fibres
    Patent number: 5482514
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the addition of photosensitising compounds to woodpulps and mixtures thereof for enhancing their whiteness, brightness and chromaticity, as well as to the paper making fibres so obtained and the use thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: Ciba-Geigy Corporation
    Inventor: Axel von Raven
  • Fuel cell/gas turbine combined power generation system and method for operating the same
    Patent number: 5482791
    Abstract: A combined fuel cell/gas turbine power generation system includes a fuel cell, a reformer connected to the fuel cell for producing a hydrogen rich reformed gas by steam reforming and feeding the reformed gas to the fuel cell, an air compressor having an electric motor which drives the air compressor, the air compressor compressing air taken from open air and feeding a pressurized air to the fuel cell, a gas turbine which is connected to the fuel cell and generates power using, as a working fluid, an exhaust combustion gas from the reformer obtained by burning an off gas and off air from the fuel cell, and a generator which is coaxially connected to the gas turbine and driven by the axial output power of the gas turbine, the generator generating power with the axial output power of the generator, the output power of the generator driving the electric motor in the air compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Shingai, Hideo Nishigaki
  • Process for bleaching textiles
    Patent number: 5482516
    Abstract: A rapid bleaching process for cellulosic materials such as cotton and cotton blends. The bleaching liquor includes a mixture of hydrogen peroxide, potassium hydroxide and a stabilizer combined with controlled time and temperature to produce a rapid bleach in about 10 minutes or less. The resulting textile goods are soft, absorbent, mote-free with a Hunter Scale Whiteness Value of greater than about 110 and less than about 0.65% extractable solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: Surry Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventor: Sherman H. Sheppard
  • Coal-water mixture and process for producing same
    Patent number: 5482517
    Abstract: A coal-water mixture is disclosed which can be produced without using synthetic additives. After an acid such as a mineral acid is added to coal powder which is obtained by grinding coal such as jet coal or gas coal, water anti a plasticizer, composed of a humic acid derivative, are added to produce the coal-water mixture. The humic acid derivative is produced by grinding brown coal into brown coal powder, and adding and mixing caustic soda and sodium sulfite thereto. By the addition of the mineral acid to the powder of jet coal or gas coal, organic ferrum complexes which act as a stabilizer can be produced. With the use of coal powder in which coarse coal particles of a larger particle size are mixed with fine coal particles of a smaller particle size, the suspension can be further improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Inventor: Hideji Ikeda
  • Silica sols for obtaining a hide which is called a stabilized pickled or white or stabilized white
    Patent number: 5480456
    Abstract: Use of an aqueous silica sol for obtaining a stabilized pickled white or a stabilized white from a hide, in particular by treatment of a hide at a pH between 1 and 8, at ambient temperature, in an aqueous or brine bath with a density between 1.014 and 1.09, with an aqueous silica sol containing by weight 10 to 50% silica in the form of discrete particles, not linked together by siloxane bonds and having an average diameter between 3 and 100 nm, and process for obtaining a pickled white.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Societe Francaise Hoechst
    Inventors: Jean Pore, Sergio Cuccodoro, Jean P. Moretti, Patrice Rouet
  • Method for bleaching textiles
    Patent number: 5480457
    Abstract: A method for using a bleaching composition comprising a partially saturated carrier and a bleaching agent prepared by first mixing the dry carrier with the dry bleaching agent and then adding water while continuing mixing to produce a moist powder. This powder is used in a tumbler with at least partially nonsynthetic dyed fabrics to dry bleach or fade the dye from the fabrics. Specifically, the bleaching composition is a mix of potassium permanganate as the bleaching agent and diatomaceous earth as the carrier and is tumbled with the fabric to remove the dye from the fabric. The tumbling causes repeated contact with the bleaching agent and removes the dye in the fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Ocean Wash, Inc.
    Inventors: Glen A. Dickson, Donnie R. Gray
  • Bipolar compression cell for a water-activated battery
    Patent number: 5480743
    Abstract: A bipolar compression cell for a water-activated battery that can be used with a plurality of such cells stacked together in a side-by-side array to form the bipolar battery. Each cell includes an elastomeric frame that can be compressed and a special alloy foil that separates cuprous iodide and magnesium elements and which does not interact with the cuprous iodide or magnesium to allow for bipolar action when the cells are stacked side-by-side. The use of elastomeric frames allows for low cost manufacture, eliminating manual construction. The water-activated battery is especially useful in sonobuoys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: ACR Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter K. McCarter, Jorgen T. Fischer
  • Electrochemical cell including compressed, unbonded, electrode granules and liquid electrolyte
    Patent number: 5480742
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell including a housing containing a cathode electrode, an anode electrode, electrode terminals, and a liquid electrolyte; characterized in that the electrodes are in the form of unbonded granules located in separate compartments within the housing and separated by a separator; the granules filling their respective compartments and being subjected to a compressive force to produce good electrical contact between their outer surfaces; the electrolyte filling the interstitial spaces between the granules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Inventors: Mordechai Erez, Israel Reshef
  • 2-aminocarboxylic acid hydrochloride compositions for removal of hard-water deposits
    Patent number: 5480574
    Abstract: A hard-water-deposit-removing composition comprises the hydrochloride salt of a 2-aminocarboxylic acid, water, optionally a thickener, optionally an abrasive, and optionally a surfactant. The invention further provides a method for removing hard-water deposits from metal, glass, plastic, and ceramic surfaces by applying the composition, allowing contact until substantially all of the deposit is removed, and washing away the composition and dissolved deposit with water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Inventor: Gary M. Singerman
  • Nonaqueous secondary battery
    Patent number: 5478671
    Abstract: A nonaqueous secondary battery comprises an anode active material, a cathode active material and a nonaqueous electrolyte. The anode active material is a transition metal oxide of which an inherent crystal structure has been changed by insertion of lithium ions, and is in the condition that the changed crystal structure is not changed during repeated charging and discharging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshio Idota
  • Activation of bleach precursors with imine quaternary salts
    Patent number: 5478357
    Abstract: A bleaching composition is described that includes a peroxygen compound such as sodium perborate, an oxygen transfer agent in the form of a quaternary imine salt and a bleach precursor. The quaternary imine salt at relatively low concentrations enhances the activity of the precursor. A method for bleaching substrates is also provided, especially a method for cleaning fabrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Lever Brothers Company, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen A. Madison, Janet L. Coope