Patents Examined by Rena Dye
  • Patent number: 10991985
    Abstract: A secondary battery of sealed structure disclosed herein is provided with a stacked electrode body inside a battery case. At a region closer to a lid body of the battery case when a rectangular positive electrode sheet and rectangular negative electrode sheet that make up the electrode body is bisected with respect to a direction from the lid body to a bottom surface of a case body, a positive electrode collector exposed portion and a negative electrode collector exposed portion, which do not have a positive or negative electrode active material layer, are formed, in the rectangular positive electrode sheet and negative electrode sheet, on the inward side of the rectangular positive and negative electrode sheets, in such a manner that one side of each exposed portion makes up part of an edge, of the positive and negative electrode sheets, neighboring and opposing the lid body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Satoshi Nakashima
  • Patent number: 10985377
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the technical field of battery, and in particular, relates to a current collector, an electrode plate including the current collector, and an electrochemical device. The current collector includes an insulation layer; and a conductive layer at least located on at least one surface of the insulation layer. The conductive layer has a room temperature thin film resistor of RS, where 0.01?/??RS?0.15?/?. The current collector is provided with a plurality of holes penetrating through the insulation layer and the conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Inventors: Chengdu Liang, Huafeng Huang, Qisen Huang, Xin Liu
  • Patent number: 10985410
    Abstract: A plant-soil battery includes a plant body, a soil layer in which the plant body is planted, an anode electrode disposed in the soil layer and including microorganisms that degrade glucose discharged from the plant body to generate electrons, and a cathode electrode disposed in the soil layer to receive the electrons. The plant-soil battery is capable of supplying energy for 24 hours a day, is harmless to the environment, can be easily moved and installed, and has an adjustable generating capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: DONGGUK UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY-ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Sunil Kumar Girthar, Hee-Chang Jeon, Tae-Won Kang
  • Patent number: 10978694
    Abstract: A method for producing a positive electrode material for non-aqueous secondary batteries includes: performing a heat treatment on zirconium boride particles in an oxygen-containing atmosphere at a heat treatment temperature of not less than 220° C. and not more than 390° C., thereby obtaining heat-treated particles; and mixing the heat-treated particles with a positive electrode active material which contains a lithium transition metal complex oxide particles including at least one of cobalt and nickel in a composition thereof and having a layered structure, such that a content of the heat-treated particles relative to the lithium transition metal complex oxide particles is, as zirconium, not less than 0.25 mol % and not more than 2.2 mol %, thereby obtaining a positive electrode material for non-aqueous secondary batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: NICHIA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Keisuke Fujihara
  • Patent number: 10964923
    Abstract: A prismatic secondary battery includes an electrode body including a positive-electrode sheet and a negative-electrode sheet, a prismatic exterior body that accommodates the electrode body, a sealing plate that seals an opening of the prismatic exterior body, and a negative terminal electrically connected to the negative-electrode sheet. The prismatic secondary battery is arranged such that the sealing plate extends in the vertical direction during use of the prismatic secondary battery. The positive-electrode sheet is electrically connected to the sealing plate. The sealing plate has a recessed portion on an outer surface and a terminal insertion hole formed in the recessed portion. The negative terminal is inserted in the terminal insertion hole. An outer insulating member is disposed between the negative terminal and the sealing plate. The sealing plate has a first groove extending to an end of the recessed portion in the longitudinal direction of the sealing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yohei Muroya, Kazuki Takeno, Mitsuhiro Okada
  • Patent number: 10964953
    Abstract: A main object of the present disclosure is to provide an electrode current collector in which the peel-off of a coating layer and an aluminum oxide layer is inhibited. The present disclosure achieves the object by providing an electrode current collector to be used in an all solid state battery, the electrode current collector comprising: a current collecting layer, an aluminum oxide layer, and a coating layer containing a conductive material, a resin, and an inorganic filler, in this order; and the current collecting layer has a porous structure on a surface of the aluminum oxide layer side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuki Matsushita
  • Patent number: 10957883
    Abstract: A prismatic secondary battery includes an electrode body including a positive-electrode sheet and a negative-electrode sheet, a prismatic exterior body that accommodates the electrode body, a sealing plate that seals an opening of the prismatic exterior body, and a negative terminal electrically connected to the negative-electrode sheet. The positive-electrode sheet is electrically connected to the sealing plate. The sealing plate has a recessed portion on an outer surface and a terminal insertion hole formed in the recessed portion. The negative terminal is inserted in the terminal insertion hole. An outer insulating member is disposed between the negative terminal and the sealing plate. The sealing plate has a first groove extending to an end of the recessed portion in the longitudinal direction of the sealing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yohei Muroya, Kazuki Takeno, Mitsuhiro Okada
  • Patent number: 10957903
    Abstract: The present invention provides a layered lithium-rich manganese-based cathode material with olivine structured LiMPO4 surface modification and a preparation method thereof. The preparation method comprises: firstly, preparing a pure-phase layered lithium-rich manganese-based cathode material by using a coprecipitation method and a high temperature sintering method, and then uniformly coating and doping olivine-structured LiMPO4 to the surface of the layered lithium-manganese-rich composite cathode material by using a sol-gel method. According to the present invention, the surface of the layered lithium-rich manganese-based cathode material is modified by olivine structured LiMPO4, such that cycle stability thereof is effectively improved, and voltage drop generated by the material in the cycle course is inhibited. The preparation method according to the present invention is simple, low cost, environmentally friendly, and is suitable for large-scale industrial production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: SOUTH CHINA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Chenghao Yang, Fenghua Zheng, Xunhui Xiong, Meilin Liu
  • Patent number: 10930955
    Abstract: Provided are a fuel cell capable of favorably generating power while suppressing leakage of gas and preventing the solenoid valve from being frozen with a simple configuration; a control method for the fuel cell; and a non-transitory computer readable recording medium recording a computer program. The fuel cell includes a stack configured to generate electricity by reacting hydrogen and oxygen, an exhaust valve (or a drain valve) which is a solenoid valve discharging gas (or water) discharged from the stack to the outside, and a control unit configured to control energization of the exhaust valve (or drain valve). The exhaust valves are aligned in a gas discharging direction whereas the drain valves are aligned in a water discharging direction. If there is a risk of any solenoid valve being frozen, the control unit performs energization processing of energizing other solenoid valves in the state where at least one of the aligned solenoid valves is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Fukatsu
  • Patent number: 10910685
    Abstract: Vehicle having a high-voltage battery which has a housing, wherein the housing has a housing floor which is essentially parallel to an underlying surface on which the vehicle is standing or travelling, a housing cover which is arranged spaced apart from the housing floor, housing walls via which the housing floor is connected to the housing cover. The housing has at least one housing structure plate which has a plane of maximum size which is perpendicular with respect to the housing floor and with respect to the housing cover, and an underside which faces the housing floor or is connected thereto, and an upper side which faces the housing cover or is connected thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Schwarzer, Semi Ben Salah, Nicolas Flahaut
  • Patent number: 10910625
    Abstract: Battery parts having retaining and sealing features and associated assemblies and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a battery part includes a base portion that is configured to be embedded in battery container material of a corresponding battery container. The battery part and base portion include several torque resisting features and gripping features that resist torsional or twist loads that are applied to the battery part after it has been joined to the battery container. For example, the base portion can include several internal and external torque resisting features and gripping features that are configured to resist twisting or loosening of the battery part with reference to the battery container material, as well as prevent or inhibit fluid leakage from the battery container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Water Gremlin Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Garin, Kurt T. Gifford
  • Patent number: 10910652
    Abstract: A current collector, an electrode plate, and an electrochemical device are provided in the present disclosure. The current collector includes an insulation layer and at least one conductive layer. The insulation layer is used to support the conductive layer. The at least one conductive layer is used to support an electrode active material layer and is located above at least one surface of the insulation layer. The insulation layer has a density smaller than that of the conductive layer. A metal protective layer is arranged on at least one surface of each of the at least one conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED
    Inventors: Chengdu Liang, Xin Liu, Zuyu Wu, Qisen Huang
  • Patent number: 10892453
    Abstract: A battery pack includes a plurality of cell assemblies arranged side by side, and a restraining member restraining the plurality of cell assemblies along a direction in which the cell assemblies are arranged. Each of the plurality of cell assemblies includes a cell, a first spacer, a second spacer, a first connecting member, and a second connecting member. In adjacent cell assemblies, either one of the first and second extension portions of one of the adjacent cell assemblies and either one of the first and second extension portions of the other one of the adjacent cell assemblies are overlapped on each other between the first spacer and the second spacer that are overlapped on each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takayoshi Doi
  • Patent number: 10886550
    Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly includes: an electrolyte membrane; a catalyst electrode layer including a cathode catalyst electrode disposed on the electrolyte membrane and an anode catalyst electrode disposed under the electrolyte membrane; and a sub-gasket disposed on the electrolyte membrane to be in contact with an edge of the catalyst electrode layer. Each of the sub-gasket includes a moisture drain hole penetrating the sub-gasket to expose a portion of the electrolyte membrane outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hee Jin Woo, Ki Sub Lee
  • Patent number: 10873068
    Abstract: A secondary battery includes an electrode body that includes a positive-electrode sheet and a negative-electrode sheet, a prismatic exterior body that accommodates the electrode body, a metallic sealing plate that seals an opening of the prismatic exterior body, and a positive-electrode current collector that is electrically connected to the positive-electrode sheet and the sealing plate. The positive-electrode current collector includes a base that faces the sealing plate and a lead that is disposed on an end portion of the base. A projection is formed on the sealing plate. The projection is fitted in a connection opening that is formed in the base. The projection and the base are welded to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yohei Muroya, Hiroyuki Inoue
  • Patent number: 10868308
    Abstract: Provided herein is a lithium-ion battery cathode slurry, comprising: a cathode active material, a conductive agent, a binder material, and a solvent, wherein the cathode active material has a particle size D50 in the range from about 10 ?m to about 50 ?m, and wherein the slurry coated onto a current collector having a wet film thickness of about 100 ?m has a drying time of about 5 minutes or less under an environment having a temperature of about 60° C. to about 90° C. and a relative humidity of about 25% to about 40%. The cathode slurry disclosed herein has homogeneous ingredient dispersion and quick drying capability for making a lithium-ion battery with high quality and consistent performance. In addition, these properties of the cathode slurry increase productivity and reduce the cost of manufacturing lithium-ion batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: GRST International Limited
    Inventors: Kam Piu Ho, Ranshi Wang, Peihua Shen
  • Patent number: 10862150
    Abstract: An assembly of electrochemical cells for an electrochemical reactor, including a first electrochemical cell, including a first membrane/electrode assembly including a first anode and a first cathode on either side of a proton exchange membrane; first and second flow guides positioned on either side of the first assembly; a second electrochemical cell, including a second membrane/electrode assembly including a second anode and a second cathode on either side of a proton exchange membrane; third and fourth flow guides on either side of the second membrane/electrode assembly; the first and third flow guides have one and the same geometry; the first anode and the second anode have different distributions of surface densities of electrocatalytic material on respective faces of the first and second proton exchange membranes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternatives
    Inventor: Jean-Philippe Poirot-Crouvezier
  • Patent number: 10854860
    Abstract: An inter-battery connection device for connecting electrode terminals of a plurality of batteries comprises a housing, a bus bar attached to the housing, and a movable member attached to the housing. The bus bar electrically connects two electrode terminals of a pair of batteries adjacent to each other. The bus bar includes a pair of clips each contacting one electrode terminal and a coupling portion connecting the pair of clips. The movable member is movable between a temporary catching position attached to the housing and a final catching position attached to the housing. The movable member has a clip contact avoiding portion preventing contact between one of the clips and the electrode terminal in the temporary catching position and permitting contact between the clip and the electrode terminal during movement from the temporary catching position to the final catching position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Japan G.K.
    Inventors: Tomokazu Yamane, Hiroki Kondo
  • Patent number: 10847821
    Abstract: A temperature detecting device is equipped with an insertion hole structure for guiding a case which is inserted from outside into a holder that covers an outer wall of a battery cell, to the outer wall of the battery cell. In this insertion structure, a plurality of load distribution portions, specifically a first structure and a second structure, are formed at the periphery of an opening of an insertion hole. The load is generated upon abutment on a foreign matter that is about to enter through the insertion hole toward the battery cell. The load distribution portions distribute and release a load to the periphery of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kentaro Yamada
  • Patent number: 10833347
    Abstract: Parasitic reactions, such as production of hydrogen and oxidation by oxygen, can occur under the operating conditions of flow batteries and other electrochemical systems. Such parasitic reactions can undesirably impact operating performance by altering the pH and/or state of charge of one or both electrolyte solutions in a flow battery. Electrochemical balancing cells can allow rebalancing of electrolyte solutions to take place. Electrochemical balancing cells suitable for placement in fluid communication with both electrolyte solutions of a flow battery can include: a first chamber containing a first electrode, a second chamber containing a second electrode, a third chamber disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber, an ion-selective membrane forming a first interface between the first chamber and the third chamber, and a bipolar membrane forming a second interface between the second chamber and the third chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Y. Reece, John Goeltz, Joseph Johannes Henricus Pijpers, Paravastu Badrinarayanan