Patents Examined by Stephen J. Kalafut
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Patent number: 8574786Abstract: Anode catalysts for conversion of hydrocarbon feeds in solid oxide fuel cell membrane reactors. An anode catalyst may be a mixture of a metal with a metal oxide, for example a mixture of copper or copper-nickel alloy or copper-cobalt alloy with Cr2O3. Mixed oxides can be prepared by dissolving into water soluble salts of the different metals, chelating the metal ions with a chelating agent, neutralizing the solution, removing water by evaporation to form a gel which then is dried, and finally heating the dried gel to form a mixed oxide of the different metals. The chelating agent can be citrate ions, and ammonia can be added to the solution until the pH of the solution is about 8. The mixed oxide so formed then is reduced, for example by hydrogen, to form a composite comprising the metal (Cu, Cu—Co, Cu—Ni) and metal oxide, here Cr2O3.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2011Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignees: The Governors of the University of Alberta, Nova Chemicals CorporationInventors: Jing-li Luo, Xian-zhu Fu, Nemanja Danilovic, Karl T. Chuang, Alan R. Sanger, Andrzej Krzywicki
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Patent number: 8568933Abstract: A metal-air fuel cell module includes a cap seat connected detachably to a casing and having a plug portion extending into an inner accommodating space in the casing for plugging an opening in the casing; a conductive gas-diffusion sheet disposed in the casing for covering sealingly air inlets in the casing, and permitting air to pass through; an electrolyte solution filled in the inner accommodating space; a metal sheet disposed in the inner accommodating space and connected detachably to the plug portion of the cap seat; a first electrode plate mounted on the casing, extending into the inner accommodating space and in electrical contact with the gas-diffusion sheet; and a second electrode plate mounted in the cap seat, extending into the inner accommodating space and in electrical contact with the metal sheet.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2010Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Inventor: Wen-Pin Lin
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Patent number: 8563160Abstract: An interconnect member for use in a vibration welded battery module having a battery tab includes a portion weldable to the battery tab, and an inlay. The inlay is positioned with respect to the portion. The inlay may be the same material as the portion, with an insulating or heat-deterring outer ring, or may be the same material as the battery tab with or without the outer ring. Voids or openings may be provided in the interconnect member to reduce the thermal mass of the interconnect member. The voids may be defined by laminated or clad layers of the portion, and may be filled with an insulating material. A battery module is also disclosed having the battery tabs and the interconnect member noted above.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2011Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Wayne W. Cai, Susan M. Smyth, Robert S. Bucchi
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Patent number: 8557431Abstract: Disclosed is a pouch including a first sealing portion wherein an upper sheet and a lower sheet are sealed, and a second sealing portion present in a partial or entire region of the first sealing portion. The pouch further includes a second sealing portion present in a partial or entire region of the first sealing portion, thus efficiently preventing permeation of external moisture and leakage of electrolyte solution through the first sealing portion and enabling fabrication of batteries with improved capacitance maintenance and resistance increase.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2010Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.Inventors: Seung Yeob Park, Han Ho Lee, Young Joon Shin
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Patent number: 8557417Abstract: A secondary battery includes a case comprising a body having a cavity and a cover sealed to the body; and an electrode assembly in the cavity, the electrode assembly including a first electrode plate having a coated portion coated with a first active material and an uncoated portion not coated with the first active material; a second electrode plate having a coated portion coated with a second active material; and a separator between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate, wherein the first electrode plate, the second electrode plate and the separator are stacked together, and wherein the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate have substantially the same surface area.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2010Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventor: Changbum Ahn
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Patent number: 8551641Abstract: A pouch type secondary battery including a safety member. The pouch type secondary battery includes an electrode assembly including first and second electrode plates having opposite electrical polarities and a first separator between the first and second electrode plates; and a safety member including a first conductive plate located on an outside of the electrode assembly and electrically connected to the first electrode plate, a second conductive plate located on an outside of the first conductive plate and electrically connected to the second electrode plate, and an insulating plate between the first and second conductive plates for insulating the first and second conductive plates from each other, and the first conductive plate has a puncture strength that is greater than a puncture strength of the second conductive plate.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2010Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Changbum Ahn, Youngbae Sohn
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Patent number: 8551634Abstract: A computer enclosure includes a frame portion and a battery holding structure. The frame portion defines a battery receiving groove for receiving a battery, a first sliding groove and a second sliding groove communicating with the battery receiving groove. The battery holding structure includes a first locking member movably received in the first sliding groove, a second locking member movably received in the second sliding groove, and a spring. The first locking member includes a first latching block. The second locking member includes a second latching block. The spring is compressed between the second locking member and an inner surface of the second sliding groove and configured to provide a force to push the second latching block into the battery receiving groove. The first and second latching members can be pushed into the battery receiving groove to cooperatively latch the battery in the battery receiving groove.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2011Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Wei-Wei Zhu, Chun-Bao Gu, Meng-Ping Xu, Wen-Hsiang Hung
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Patent number: 8541137Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte battery, containing a case and provided in the case, a positive electrode containing at least one selected from the group consisting of spinel type lithium-manganese-nickel composite oxide and lithium phosphate oxide having an olivine structure, a negative electrode and a nonaqueous electrolyte. The negative electrode comprises a lithium-titanium composite oxide, wherein a crystallite diameter of the lithium-titanium composite oxide is not larger than 6.9×102 {acute over (?)}. The lithium-titanium composite oxide comprises: rutile TiO2; anatase TiO2; Li2TiO3; and a lithium titanate having a spinel structure. A main peak intensity relative to lithium titanate set at 100, as determined by X-ray diffractometry, of each of lithium titanate having a spinel structure, the rutile TiO2, the anatase TiO2 and Li2TiO3 is not larger than 7.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2012Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Hiroki Inagaki, Norio Takami
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Patent number: 8541118Abstract: This invention provides a lithium-ion battery in which a coating film forming agent degradation reaction is prevented. A lithium-ion battery 100 in which electrodes 1 and 2 and an electrolyte are accommodated in a battery container 13 , and which has a means of for adding a coating film forming agent 20 for adding a coating film forming agent 21 that forms a coating film on the surface of each of electrodes 1 and 2 to an electrolyte in a battery container 13 is provided. With the use of such means of adding a coating film forming agent 20, a reaction of electrochemical degradation of a coating film forming agent 21 is prevented, allowing long-term preservation. Also, with the addition of a coating film forming agent 21 to an electrolyte, a deteriorated coating film on the surface of each of electrodes 1 and 2 is repaired such that a lithium-ion battery 100 can be regenerated, resulting in extension of battery life.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2011Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Takefumi Okumura, Ryo Inoue, Toshio Abe
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Patent number: 8530111Abstract: A fuel cell is disclosed. The fuel cell can include a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), converting a chemical energy to an electrical energy; a first end plate, stacked on one surface of the MEA and formed with a first coupling hole; a second end plate, stacked on the other surface of the MEA; and a protrusion, formed on the second end plate such that the protrusion penetrates the first coupling hole and an end part of the protrusion protrudes a surface of the first end plate, and the end part being transformed such that the end part couples the first end plate and the second end plate. With the present invention, the fuel cell can reduce contact resistance between elements and its overall size and prevent a leak of fuel. In the manufacturing process, the end plates and the MEA can be arranged, improving reproducibility and repetition for mass production.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2009Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hye-Yeon Cha, Young-Soo Oh, Jae-Hyuk Jang, Sung-Han Kim, Craig Miesse
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Patent number: 8524397Abstract: The battery has an electrolyte activating one or more anodes and one or more cathodes. At least one of the one or more cathodes includes or consists of one or more first active materials selected from the group consisting of: fluorinated carbon (CFx),CuCl2, and LiCuCl2; and includes or consists of one or more second active materials selected from the group consisting of lithium vanadium oxide, such as Li1+yV3O8, where y is greater than zero and/or less than 0.3, TiS2, polypyrrole, MoO2, MoS2, MnO2, V2O5, V6O13, H2V3O8, and metal vanadium oxides represented by MyH1?yV3O8 where 0<y?1 and M represents Na, Mg, Ba, K, Co, and Ca and combinations thereof.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2004Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Quallion LLCInventors: Hiroyuki Yumoto, Taison Tan, Nelly Bourgeon, Hisashi Tsukamoto, Lu Chow
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Patent number: 8524383Abstract: A power generating system includes: a plurality of cells forming a fuel cell battery for generating power; a cell temperature measuring unit provided for each cell; a thermoelectric converter provided for each cell; a heating unit which heats the plurality of cells; a first control unit which controls the heating unit; and a second control unit, provided for each thermoelectric converter, for controlling the thermoelectric converter, wherein the first control unit controls the heating unit so as to bring the temperature of the heating unit to within a predetermined control temperature range, and the second control unit performs control so that if the temperature of the cell lies outside a predetermined operating temperature range, the thermoelectric converter is switched to the thermal transfer mode and is controlled so as to bring the temperature of the cell to within the predetermined operating temperature range, and if the temperature of the cell lies within the predetermined operating temperature range, tType: GrantFiled: December 21, 2010Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventors: Kazunori Yamanaka, Kazuaki Kurihara
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Patent number: 8518577Abstract: An electrode assembly for a battery. The electrode assembly includes a positive electrode with a positive electrode active material layer and a negative electrode with a negative electrode active material layer. The assembly further includes a separator that has a porous layer formed of a ceramic material and a binder and a polyolefin resin layer. The porous layer has a thickness of about 4 to 6 ?m and the polyolefin resin layer has a thickness of about 12 to 16 ?m.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2008Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Wan-Mook Lim, Kyu-Nam Han, Myung-Ro Lee
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Patent number: 8512910Abstract: A solid oxide electrolyte including an oxygen ion conducting solid solution, wherein the solid solution is represented by Formula 1 below: Zr1-x-y-zMaxMbyMczO2-???Formula 1 wherein x is greater than 0 and less than about 0.3, y is greater than 0 and less than about 0.1, z is greater than 0 and less than about 0.1, ? is selected to make the solid solution ionically neutral, Ma, Mb, and Mc are each independently a metal selected from the group consisting of elements of Groups 3, Groups 5 through 13, and Group 14, and an ionic radius of each of Ma+3, Mb+3, and Mc+3 are different from each other.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2010Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignees: Samsung Electroncis Co., Ltd., Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Industry-University Cooperation Foundation Hanyang UniversityInventors: Hee-jung Park, Sang-mock Lee, Chan Kwak, Soo-yeon Seo, Yong-ho Choa
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Patent number: 8507148Abstract: A benzoxazine-based monomer includes a halogen atom-containing functional group and a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group. A polymer formed from the benzoxazine-based monomer may be used in an electrode for a fuel cell and electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2012Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Seongwoo Choi, Jungock Park
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Patent number: 8507138Abstract: An ejector for a fuel cell system of the present invention includes a nozzle having a nozzle hole for discharging hydrogen supplied via an inlet port of an ejector body, a diffuser for mixing hydrogen discharged from the nozzle hole and hydrogen off-gas discharged and returned via a circulation passage from a fuel cell, a needle displacing in the axial direction by a driving force of a solenoid, and a bearing member held in a hollow portion of the nozzle, and having a through hole that movably supports the needle in the axial direction.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2009Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Keihin CorporationInventors: Kouichi Yamada, Kazunori Fukuma, Makoto Wada
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Patent number: 8492015Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a battery assembly and a cover for a battery fuse terminal. One embodiment of a battery fuse terminal cover comprises a base portion having a first end and a first hinge end opposite the first end, a movable portion having a second end and a second hinge end opposite the second end and a first hinge located between the first hinge end of the base portion and the second hinge end of the movable portion. The movable portion is configured to rotate relative to the base portion via the first hinge between a concealing position and an exposing position. A cover securing member is located on the base portion and configured to secure the cover to the battery fuse terminal.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2010Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.Inventors: Avinaash Ramakrishnan, Tuan La, Bert Weinert
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Patent number: 8492045Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention a fuel cell system comprises: (i) a plurality of fuel cell packets, each packet comprising at least one fuel inlet, at least one fuel outlet, a frame, and two multi-cell fuel cell devices, the fuel cell devices situated such that an anode side of one fuel cell device faces an anode side of another fuel cell device, and the two fuel cell devices, in combination, at least partially form a fuel chamber connected to the fuel inlet and the fuel outlet; (ii) a plurality of heat exchange packets, each packet comprising at least one oxidant inlet, at least one oxidant outlet, and an internal oxidant chamber connected to the at least one oxidant inlet and the least one oxidant outlet; the heat exchange packets being parallel to and interspersed between the fuel cell packets, such that the heat exchange packets face the fuel cell packets and form, at least in part, a plurality of cathode reaction chambers between the heat exchange packets and the fuel cell packets; (Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2009Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: Michael Edward Badding, William Joseph Bouton, Peng Chen, Steven Joseph Gregorski
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Patent number: 8486563Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite material for a negative electrode, including: a plurality of iron oxide particles; and a conductivity improver, which is selected form the group consisting of copper, cobalt, nickel, tin, antimony, bismuth, indium, silver, gold, lead, cadmium, carbon black, graphite, copper salt, cobalt salt, nickel salt, tin salt, antimony salt, bismuth salt, indium salt, silver salt, gold salt, lead salt, cadmium salt, copper hydroxide, cobalt hydroxide, nickel hydroxide, stannic hydroxide, antimony hydroxide, bismuth hydroxide, indium hydroxide, silver hydroxide, gold hydroxide, lead hydroxide, cadmium hydroxide and the combination thereof. In the case of applying the composite material for a negative electrode according to the present invention in an electrochemical device, the improved charge/discharge characteristics and high capacity can be achieved.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2010Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: National Tsing Hua UniversityInventors: Kan-Sen Chou, Chen-Yu Kao, Yun-Ru Tsai
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Patent number: 8481187Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of lithium/air batteries and methods of making and using the same. Certain embodiments are pouch-cell batteries encased within an oxygen-permeable membrane packaging material that is less than 2% of the total battery weight. Some embodiments include a hybrid air electrode comprising carbon and an ion insertion material, wherein the mass ratio of ion insertion material to carbon is 0.2 to 0.8. The air electrode may include hydrophobic, porous fibers. In particular embodiments, the air electrode is soaked with an electrolyte comprising one or more solvents including dimethyl ether, and the dimethyl ether subsequently is evacuated from the soaked electrode. In other embodiments, the electrolyte comprises 10-20% crown ether by weight.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2009Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Ji-Guang Zhang, Jie Xiao, Wu Xu, Deyu Wang, Ralph E. Williford, Jun Liu