Patents Examined by Robert Hodge
  • Fuel cartridges for fuel cells and methods for making same
    Patent number: 7794886
    Abstract: Fuel supplies for fuel cells are disclosed. The fuel supplies can be a pressurized or non-pressurized cartridge that can be used with any fuel cells, including but not limited to, direct methanol fuel cell or reformer fuel cell. In one aspect, a fuel supply may contain a reaction chamber to convert fuel to hydrogen. The fuel supplies may also contain a pump. The fuel supply may have a valve connecting the fuel to the fuel cell, and a vent to vent gas from the fuel supply. Methods for forming various fuel supplies are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Societe BIC
    Inventors: Paul Adams, Andrew J. Curello
  • Battery separator for lithium polymer battery
    Patent number: 7794511
    Abstract: A battery separator for a lithium battery is disclosed. The separator has a microporous membrane and a coating thereon. The coating is made from a mixture of a gel forming polymer, a first solvent, and a second solvent. The first solvent is more volatile than the second solvent. The second solvent acts as a pore former for the gel-forming polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Celgard Inc.
    Inventors: C. Glen Wensley, Kevin D. Chambers
  • Silver vanadium oxide-fluoride material useful as a battery cathode
    Patent number: 7790317
    Abstract: Metal oxide-fluoride material including silver, vanadium, oxygen and fluorine, such as Ag4V2O6F2, is made and useful as a cathode for a battery. The material is made by subjecting silver oxide, vanadium oxide, and aqueous solution of HF to superambient temperature in a pressure vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Poeppelmeier, Heather K. Izumi, Erin M. Sorensen, John T. Vaughey
  • High-capacity nanostructured germanium-containing materials and lithium alloys thereof
    Patent number: 7781102
    Abstract: Electrodes comprising an alkali metal, for example, lithium, alloyed with nanostructured materials of formula SizGe(z-1), where 0<z?1; formula SizGe(z-1), where 0<z<1; and/or germanium exhibit a combination of improved capacities, cycle lives, and/or cycling rates compared with similar electrodes made from graphite. These electrodes are useful as anodes for secondary electrochemical cells, for example, batteries and electrochemical supercapacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignees: California Institute of Technology, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (C.N.R.S.)
    Inventors: Jason A. Graetz, Brent T. Fultz, Channing Ahn, Rachid Yazami
  • Method and system of activating fuel cell stack
    Patent number: 7776483
    Abstract: An activation method and system to selectively activate defective cells in a laminated fuel cell stack. The system includes a tank to store a polar solvent used to activate the cells; a body including a transfer unit to transfer the polar solvent to the fuel cell stack and a control unit to control the transfer unit; and a nozzle coupled to the body, to be inserted into an inlet manifold of the fuel cell stack. The nozzle has an opening positioned opposite to a channel inlet of at least one non-activated cell of the plurality of cells, to jet the polar solvent into only a channel of the non-activated cell, through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun-Ho Sauk, Young-Seung Na, Kyoung-Hwan Choi, Sang-Kyun Kang, Ji-Rae Kim
  • Non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery and battery pack using the same
    Patent number: 7767348
    Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes an electrode assembly formed by winding positive and negative electrodes, and an insulating layer together. Each of the electrodes has a core sheet and mixture layers formed on both sides of the sheet. The insulating layer electrically insulates the electrodes. At least one of the electrodes includes a core-exposed portion continuous parallel to the winding direction. Each of the mixture layers has an inclined weight region where the amount of mixture per unit area decreases toward the core-exposed portion, and a constant weight region in which the amount of mixture per unit area is constant. The inclined weight region has a width of not more than 0.2 of the width of the mixture layers and has an average mixture density of not less than 40% and not more than 99% of the mixture density of the constant weight region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Masatoshi Nagayama, Takuya Nakashima, Yoshiyuki Muraoka
  • Nonaqueous electrolyte and nonaqueous-electrolyte battery
    Patent number: 7754388
    Abstract: The object is to provide a nonaqueous-electrolyte battery having high charge/discharge efficiency and excellent high-rate performance. This subject is accomplished by using a nonaqueous electrolyte which comprises an organic solvent and a lithium salt dissolved therein and is characterized by containing at least one quaternary ammonium salt in an amount of 0.06 mol/L or larger and 0.5 mol/L or smaller. This effect is thought to be attributable to the following mechanism: in a relatively early stage (stage in which the negative-electrode potential is relatively noble) in a first charge step, a satisfactory protective coating film is formed on the negative electrode by the action of the quaternary ammonium salt and, hence, the organic solvent employed in the nonaqueous electrolyte is inhibited from decomposing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: GS Yuasa Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroe Nakagawa, Toshiyuki Nukada, Yuki Fujimoto
  • Molding a battery
    Patent number: 7731766
    Abstract: A mold for a battery, such as a secondary battery, and a method of molding a battery, such as a secondary battery, using the mold, uses a minimum amount of a molding substance, such as a resin, has its molding time shortened, and has a safety vent of a can being prevented from being fractured by high pressure during a molding process. Runners, through which a resin flows, are arranged parallel to cavities and the safety vent of the can is positioned closest to the gates, into which a resin is injected after the can and a protective circuit board are seated in the cavities. Due to the structure of the runners of the mold and the location of the safety vent of the can, the amount of resin used and the molding time are reduced. A fracture of the safety vent is avoided since a lower pressure occurs at the location closest to the gates during a resin filling process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Heui-Sang Yoon
  • Flexible thin printed battery and device and method of manufacturing same
    Patent number: 7727290
    Abstract: A flat, flexible electrochemical cell is provided. The within invention describes various aspects of the flat, flexible electrochemical cell. A printed anode is provided that obviates the need for a discrete anode current collector, thereby reducing the size of the battery. An advantageous electrolyte is provided that enables the use of a metallic cathode current collector, thereby improving the performance of the battery. Printable gelled electrolytes and separators are provided, enabling the construction of both co-facial and co-planar batteries. Cell contacts are provided that reduce the potential for electrolyte creepage in the flat, flexible electrochemical cells of the within invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Jing Zhang, Mark A. Schubert, Guanghong Zheng
  • Fuel supply apparatus
    Patent number: 7718301
    Abstract: A fuel supply apparatus for supplying fuel to a fuel cell has a fuel supply unit and a water suction unit. When the fuel cell is mounted onto the fuel supply apparatus, the apparatus supplies fuel to the fuel cell and removes the water inside the fuel cell by suction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideo Tamamura, Masaru Yanagisawa
  • Process for preparing lithium manganate
    Patent number: 7713313
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing lithium manganate having lithium-in cell stability by utilizing manganese oxides having lower oxidation states in the furnacing step and by using stoichiometric amounts of lithium hydroxide monohydrate and a manganese oxide in water as a starting mixture. Cr, Ni, Mg, AL oxides are optionally added.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Lithdyne LLC
    Inventors: W. Novis Smith, Joel R. McCloskey, Joseph B. Kejha, James J. Gormley
  • Method to maximize fuel cell stack shorting resistance
    Patent number: 7709120
    Abstract: A method of producing a fuel cell stack is disclosed, the method including the steps of compressing the fuel cell stack at a first pressure and compressing the fuel cell stack at a second pressure higher than the first pressure, wherein a shorting resistance of fuel cells in the fuel cell stack is maximized and a durability of the fuel cell stack is maximized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Yeh-Hung Lai, Jeffrey A. Rock
  • High temperature fuel cell system and method of operating same
    Patent number: 7704618
    Abstract: A high temperature fuel cell stack system, such as a solid oxide fuel cell system, with an improved balance of plant efficiency includes a thermally integrated reformer, combustor and the fuel cell stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Swaminathan Venkataraman, Matthias Gottmann, John Finn
  • Battery cover assembly for portable electronic device
    Patent number: 7700223
    Abstract: A battery cover assembly for coupling to a housing of an electronic device, the battery cover assembly comprising: a cover (10) comprising an inner surface (106) and a button slot (101) defined therein; a movable member (20) comprising a main body (21), a button (211) formed on the main body and extending through the button slot, and a catch assembly extending from the main body; and a fixing plate (30) coupled to the cover, with the movable member being sandwiched between the fixing plate and the cover, the fixing plate defining at least one opening, the catch assembly of the movable member extending through the opening and being adapted for engageably securing the cover assembly to the housing (40). The battery cover assembly has a steady structure. The battery cover assembly is convenient to open and close.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Peng-Jin Ge, Rui-Hao Chen, Xing-Huang Luo, Tai-Jun Liu, Gang Yang, Hsiao-Hua Tu
  • Low Pt content direct methanol fuel cell anode catalyst: nanophase PtRuNiZr
    Patent number: 7695849
    Abstract: A method for the preparation of a metallic material having catalytic activity that includes synthesizing a material composition comprising a metal content with a lower Pt content than a binary alloy containing Pt but that displays at least a comparable catalytic activity on a per mole Pt basis as the binary alloy containing Pt; and evaluating a representative sample of the material composition to ensure that the material composition displays a property of at least a comparable catalytic activity on a per mole Pt basis as a representative binary alloy containing Pt. Furthermore, metallic compositions are disclosed that possess substantial resistance to corrosive acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, Jay F. Whitacre
  • Sealed prismatic battery
    Patent number: 7691532
    Abstract: A sealed prismatic battery has a battery case made of a plurality of prismatic cell cases coupled together via partition walls. Electrode plate groups are accommodated together with liquid electrolyte in each of the cell cases. Each electrode plate group consists of alternately stacked-up positive and negative electrode plates with separators interposed therebetween, lead portions of positive and negative electrode plates being protruded on opposite sides. Collectors are bonded to these lead portions. Between the collectors and end walls (and/or partition walls) of the battery case are provided conductive plates that are connected to the collectors one or more than one location in their middle part so as to decrease the resistance between connection terminals and the electrode plate groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignees: Panasonic Corporation, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Asahina, Hiromi Kajiya, Shinji Hamada, Toyohiko Eto
  • Organic electrolytic solution and lithium battery employing the same
    Patent number: 7678505
    Abstract: An organic electrolytic solution and a lithium battery employing the same are provided. The organic electrolytic solution includes: a lithium salt; an organic solvent containing a high dielectric constant solvent and a low boiling point solvent; and an additive comprising a crotonate derivative including a substituted silyl group. The organic electrolytic solution and the lithium battery employing such an electrolytic solution suppress a reduction decomposition of a polar solvent and decrease irreversible capacity in the first cycle. Thus, the charge/discharge efficiency, lifespan, and reliability of the battery can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seok-soo Lee, Young-gyoon Ryu, Han-su Kim
  • Fuel cartridges for fuel cells and methods for making same
    Patent number: 7674540
    Abstract: Fuel supplies for fuel cells are disclosed. The fuel supplies can be a pressurized or non-pressurized cartridge that can be used with any fuel cells, including but not limited to, direct methanol fuel cell or reformer fuel cell. In one aspect, a fuel supply may contain a reaction chamber to convert fuel to hydrogen. The fuel supplies may also contain a pump. The fuel supply may have a valve connecting the fuel to the fuel cell, and a vent to vent gas from the fuel supply. Methods for forming various fuel supplies are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Societe BIC
    Inventors: Paul Adams, Andrew J. Curello
  • Enclosed nickel-metal hydride storage battery
    Patent number: 7666549
    Abstract: An alkaline storage battery of the present invention includes a battery case and a group of electrodes. The battery case is provided with a resin case and a coating layer made of a resin formed on at least one surface selected from an inner surface and an outer surface of the resin case. The hydrogen permeability coefficient of the resin that is the material of the coating layer is 1×10?15 mol·m/m2·sec·Pa or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignees: Panasonic Corporation, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsunori Komori, Yoshiaki Ogata, Atsushi Adachi, Katsunori Maegawa, Noriyuki Fujioka, Haruyoshi Yamashita, Yasuhiro Takahashi
  • Positive electrode active material for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, production method thereof, and non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery using the same
    Patent number: 7666551
    Abstract: A positive electrode active material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery of this invention includes: a lithium nickel composite oxide containing lithium, nickel, and at least one metal element other than lithium and nickel; and a layer containing lithium carbonate, aluminum hydroxide, and aluminum oxide, the layer being carried on the surface of the lithium nickel composite oxide. The lithium nickel composite oxide is composed such that the ratio of the nickel to the total of the nickel and the at least one metal element is 30 mol % or more. The layer is composed such that the amount of the lithium carbonate is 0.5 to 5 mol per 100 mol of the lithium nickel composite oxide. The total of aluminum atoms contained in the aluminum hydroxide and the aluminum oxide is 0.5 to 5 mol per 100 mol of the lithium nickel composite oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yasutaka Kogetsu, Takaya Saito, Yoshiyuki Ozaki