Patents Examined by Sean P Cullen
  • Patent number: 10971761
    Abstract: One or more interfacial layers in contact with a solid-state electrolyte and hybrid electrolyte materials. Interfacial layers comprise inorganic (e.g., metal oxides and soft inorganic materials) or organic materials (e.g., polymer materials, gel materials and ion-conducting liquids). The interfacial layers can improve the electrical properties (e.g., reduce the impedance) of an interface between an a cathode and/or anode and a solid-state electrolyte. The interfacial layers can be used in, for example, solid-state batteries (e.g., solid-state, ion-conducting batteries).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK
    Inventors: Liangbing Hu, Xiaogang Han, Eric D. Wachsman, Yifei Mo
  • Patent number: 10971712
    Abstract: A separator is for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery. The separator includes at least a porous film. The porous film contains a resin composition. The resin composition contains a thermoplastic resin and metal hydroxide particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koji Torita, Harunari Shimamura, Yusuke Fukumoto, Akihiro Ochiai
  • Patent number: 10957930
    Abstract: A solid alkaline fuel cell has a cathode that is supplied with an oxidant which contains oxygen, an anode that is supplied with a fuel which contains hydrogen atoms, and an inorganic solid electrolyte that is disposed between the anode and the cathode and that exhibits a hydroxide ion conductivity. The inorganic solid electrolyte enables the permeation of water of greater than or equal to 80 ?g/min·cm2 and less than or equal to 5400 ?g/min·cm2 per unit surface area of a cathode-side surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Inventors: Yukihisa Takeuchi, Hirofumi Kan, Toshiyuki Nakamura, Makoto Ohmori
  • Patent number: 10950851
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention provides an electrode having a collector and an electrode mix layer disposed on the collector. The electrode mix layer contains an active material A having a core portion A and a coat material A, and an active material B having a core portion B and a coat material B. The isoelectric point of the coat material A is 7 or lower. The isoelectric point of the coat material B is 7 or higher. The isoelectric point of at least one of the coat material A and the coat material B is not 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuji Yamamoto, Ryuta Sugiura
  • Patent number: 10950915
    Abstract: Provided is a connection module for electrically connecting a plurality of power storage modules having a plurality of power storage elements, the connection module including: connection module-side wires; a bus bar that electrically connects the adjacent power storage modules; and an insulation protector having: an arrangement groove which extends along a first direction and in which the connection module-side wires are arranged; and a bus bar holding part that holds the bus bar. The bus bar has: a main body part that extends in the first direction; and extension parts that extend from the main body part in a second direction that intersects with the first direction, and the extension parts are disposed to extend over and across the arrangement groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignees: AUTONETWORKS TECHNOLOGIES, LTD., SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD., SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Osamu Nakayama, Mitsutoshi Morita
  • Patent number: 10944100
    Abstract: At least one of the anode and cathode of a lithium-ion processing electrochemical cell are prepared with a layer of mixed particles of both active lithium battery electrode materials and lithium ion adsorbing capacitor materials, or with co-extensive, contiguous layers of battery electrode particles in one layer and capacitor particles in the adjoining layer. The proportions of active battery electrode particles and active capacitor particles in one or both of the electrodes are predetermined to provide specified energy density (Wh/kg) and power density (W/kg) properties of the cell for its intended application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Haijing Liu, Zhiqiang Yu, Dewen Kong, Meiyuan Wu
  • Patent number: 10930906
    Abstract: A battery module includes: a cell stack body that is constituted by a plurality of cells stacked in a front-rear direction; a pair of end plates disposed on a front surface and rear surface of the cell stack body; and a pair of side frames disposed on the left surface and right surface of the cell stack body. The end plates each includes: an inner wall extending along the cell stack body; an outer wall spaced from the inner wall and facing the inner wall; a plurality of connection walls connecting the inner wall and the outer wall with each other; and a plurality of hollow portions formed by the inner wall, the outer wall, and the connection walls and extending in an up-down direction. A thickness of the connection walls is thinner than a thickness of the inner wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Atsushi Sakurai
  • Patent number: 10930939
    Abstract: A manufacturing method for a fuel cell separator includes preparing a separator member in which an uncured thermosetting resin layer is provided on a surface of a core member, as a preparation step; and pressing the separator member while heating the separator member so that a gas flow passage is formed in the separator member while the uncured thermosetting resin layer is cured, as a hot-press step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Nobata
  • Patent number: 10923768
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an additive for a non-aqueous electrolyte solution, which may suppress the generation of metallic foreign matter causing a side effect in a battery while forming a stable film on the surface of an electrode, a non-aqueous electrolyte solution for a lithium secondary battery which includes the additive, and a lithium secondary battery including the non-aqueous electrolyte solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Inventors: Sung Hoon Yu, Kyung Mi Lee, Shul Kee Kim, Hyun Yeong Lee, Yoo Sun Kang
  • Patent number: 10923726
    Abstract: An artificial solid electrolyte interphase (ASEI) of an anode for a secondary battery includes a first film composed of amino-functionalized, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) that is amino-functionalized by binding with polyethyleneimine present in an amount of from 1 to 50% by weight, based on total weight of the amino-functionalized, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and that is disposed in contact with an anode material to protect the anode material; and a second film comprised of amino-functionalized, multi-walled carbon nanotubes that is amino-functionalized by binding with polyethyleneimine and that is stacked on the first film. An anode of a secondary battery including the ASEI enables rapid diffusion and stable deposition of lithium to inhibit the formation of dendrites. In a secondary battery including the anode, the ASEI prevents side reactions between a lithium metal anode and the electrolyte, achieving good electrochemical stability and high Coulombic efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Won Il Cho, Mun Sek Kim, Seung Hun Lee, Min Seop Kim, Van Dung Do, In Wook Nah, In Hwan Oh
  • Patent number: 10923699
    Abstract: A lithium-sulfur battery is provided. More specifically, a lithium-sulfur battery including a polymer non-woven fabric containing a liquid electrolyte between a positive electrode including sulfur and a separator is provided. By including a polymer non-woven fabric containing a liquid electrolyte between a positive electrode and a separator, the lithium-sulfur battery according to the present invention is capable of continuously supplying the liquid electrolyte to the positive electrode, and suppressing polysulfide elution. Accordingly, the lithium-sulfur battery has a reduced discharge overvoltage, and exhibits excellent discharge capacity and life time properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Taek Gyoung Kim, Doo Kyung Yang, Intae Park
  • Patent number: 10923296
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a positive electrode for a power storage device includes the steps of: preparing a current collector that includes a first region and a second region on a surface of the current collector, the first region having a carbon layer formed on the surface, the second region having the surface exposed; and forming a conductive polymer layer selectively on a surface of the carbon layer by immersing the current collector in an electrolytic solution containing a raw material monomer and then conducting electrolytic polymerization of the raw material monomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tougo Endou, Yasuyuki Ito, Susumu Nomoto, Nao Matsumura, Hiroki Hayashi, Makoto Akutsu
  • Patent number: 10916775
    Abstract: A main object of the present disclosure is to provide a method for producing an all-solid-state battery in which the used amount of the PVDF binder may be decreased, and the deterioration of the sulfide solid electrolyte may be suppressed. The present disclosure achieves the object by providing a method for producing an all-solid-state battery, the method comprising a step of forming an electrolyte-containing layer by using a slurry including a sulfide solid electrolyte containing a Li element, a P element, and a S element, a PVDF binder, and a solvent, and as a first solvent, the solvent includes 50 volume % or more of a ketone solvent represented by a general formula (1): wherein, in the general formula (1), R1 and R2 are each independently a saturated hydrocarbon group or an aromatic hydrocarbon group, and a carbon number of at least one of R1 and R2 is 2 or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kei Oura
  • Patent number: 10916766
    Abstract: Provided is a rechargeable alkali metal-sulfur cell comprising an anode active material layer, an electrolyte, and a cathode active material layer containing multiple particulates of a sulfur-containing material selected from a sulfur-carbon hybrid, sulfur-graphite hybrid, sulfur-graphene hybrid, conducting polymer-sulfur hybrid, metal sulfide, sulfur compound, or a combination thereof and wherein at least one of the particulates is composed of one or a plurality of sulfur-containing material particles being embraced or encapsulated by a thin layer of a high-elasticity ultra-high molecular weight polymer having a recoverable tensile strain no less than 2%, a lithium ion conductivity no less than 10?6 S/cm at room temperature, and a thickness from 0.5 nm to 10 ?m This battery exhibits an excellent combination of high sulfur content, high sulfur utilization efficiency, high energy density, and long cycle life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Global Graphene Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Aruna Zhamu, Bor Z. Jang
  • Patent number: 10916762
    Abstract: Provided is a metal-air battery including a cathode having a space which may be filled with a metal oxide formed during a discharge of the metal-air battery and thus having improved energy density and lifespan. The cathode for the metal-air battery includes a plurality of cathode materials, a plurality of electrolyte films disposed on surfaces of the plurality of cathode materials, and a plurality of spaces which are not occupied by the plurality of cathode materials and the plurality of electrolyte films. A volume of the plurality of spaces may be greater than or equal to a maximum space of a metal oxide formed during a discharge of the metal-air battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Heungchan Lee, Dongmin Im, Hyunpyo Lee
  • Patent number: 10910620
    Abstract: A preparation method of a separator according to the present disclosure includes preparing an aqueous slurry including inorganic particles, a binder polymer, and an aqueous medium, and coating the aqueous slurry on at least one surface of a porous polymer substrate to form an organic-inorganic composite porous coating layer, wherein capillary number of the aqueous slurry has a range between 0.3 and 65.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignees: LG CHEM, LTD., TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Joo-Sung Lee, Sun-Mi Jin
  • Patent number: 10903474
    Abstract: The invention relates to an unmanned aerial vehicle with an energy accumulator (20), which is connected releasably to a structural component (29) of the aerial vehicle, and with an accumulator plug (32), via which electrical energy is conducted from the energy accumulator (20) to a rotor drive (18) of the aerial vehicle. In an operating position, a locking element (25) locks the energy accumulator (20) in relation to the structural component (29) and, in a maintenance position, releases the energy accumulator (20), wherein a full engagement of the accumulator plug (32) is blocked at the same time. The invention also relates to an energy accumulator for such an aerial vehicle, and to a method for attaching an energy accumulator to such an aerial vehicle. It can easily be checked by means of the invention whether the energy accumulator has been attached correctly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Inventor: Jaroslav Halgasik
  • Patent number: 10897052
    Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell system including: a fuel cell; a tank that stores a fuel gas; a supply passage through which the fuel gas is supplied from the tank to the fuel cell; a first valve and a second valve that open and close the supply passage and are provided in order of the first valve, the second valve in a direction from an upstream side toward a downstream side; a pressure sensor that detects a pressure in a detection target region that is a region of the supply passage between the first valve and the second valve; a heating unit that heats the pressure sensor; and a controller that makes the heating unit heat the pressure sensor in a state in which a detection value of the pressure sensor is not larger than a predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keisuke Fujita, Masayuki Ito
  • Patent number: 10897064
    Abstract: A cell assembly before initial charging, including an electrode body having a positive electrode and a negative electrode, a nonaqueous electrolytic solution including a nonaqueous solvent and a supporting salt, and a case housing the electrode body and the nonaqueous electrolytic solution. The negative electrode has a negative electrode mixture layer including a particulate negative electrode active material made of amorphous-coated graphite in which the surface of graphite particles is coated with amorphous carbon, and the nonaqueous electrolytic solution includes lithium fluorosulfonate. The oil absorption amount of the negative electrode active material is 35 ml/100 g to 50 ml/100 g, and a weight proportion of the lithium fluorosulfonate in the nonaqueous electrolytic solution is 0.65 wt % to 0.85 wt %. As a result, it is possible to provide a high-performance nonaqueous electrolyte secondary cell in which both the high-rate characteristic and the Li precipitation resistance are realized at a high level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kayo Egawa
  • Patent number: 10886574
    Abstract: An electrode for a secondary battery includes titanium-containing oxide as an active material. The median pore diameter of the electrode is 0.050 ?m or more and 0.1 ?m or less and pore surface area of the electrode is 4 m2/g or more and 8 m2/g or less, by mercury porosimetry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tetsuya Sasakawa, Norio Takami