Patents Examined by Stephen Kalafut
  • Method of manufacture of graphite plate assembly
    Patent number: 6596428
    Abstract: There is provided herein a graphite plate assembly including an injection molded plastic frame which carries the border detail for the graphite plate. The planar graphite plate is provided with a frame engaging protrusion around its periphery and with beveled edges bordering the broad top and bottom surfaces of the graphite plate. These beveled edges seal against respective beveled surfaces of the mold to prevent plastic from entering onto the graphite plate surfaces during injection molding of the frame. The graphite plate is held in position within the mold by a vacuum grid and locating pins while plastic is injected into the cavity space around the graphite plate from a plurality of spaced plastic injection gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Inventor: George J. Gemberling
  • Battery and method for generating an electric power
    Patent number: 6596431
    Abstract: For utilizing the chemical energy of a sugar directly as electric energy, electrolytic oxidation of a sugar on the negative electrode associated with cleavage of a carbon-carbon bond thereof is employed, thereby generating an electromotive force between the positive electrode and the negative electrode having an electrolyte therebetween. For an efficient oxidation of a sugar, it is effective for the negative electrode to have a component capable of forming a coordination compound with a sugar via a hydroxyl group thereof. Such a component may comprise a metal element capable of forming an amphoteric hydroxide. Use of an oxygen electrode as the positive electrode gives a battery capable of efficiently converting the chemical energy of a sugar into electric energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Sotomura, Isao Taniguchi
  • Apparatus for mixing fuel and an oxidant
    Patent number: 6596424
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for mixing fuel and an oxidant for use in an autothermal reformer that provides hydrogen to a fuel cell. The apparatus includes a mixing vessel (10), a first inlet (4) to the mixing vessel for movement of gaseous fuel or oxidant therethrough, a second inlet for movement of gaseous fuel or oxidant therethrough, and an exit (60) from the vessel adjacent the autothermal reformer. The discharge ends of the inlets are spaced apart from each other and from the exit which is near a POX reactor (61) that combusts the mixture of fuel and oxidant exiting from the mixing vessel. The first inlet is comprised of a plate (26) with a plurality of tubes (24) extending therefrom through which fuel or oxidant passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Steven G. Goebel
  • Nickel metal-hydride cell
    Patent number: 6593031
    Abstract: A nickel metal-hydride cell having a paste type nickel positive electrode containing nickel hydroxide and a cobalt conducting aid selected from the group consisting of metal cobalt and cobalt compounds, a negative electrode which comprises a hydrogen absorbing alloy having a composition of the formula: MmNi5−x+yMx in which Mm is a rare earth element, M is a metal element, 0<x<2, and −0.2<y<0.6, a separator interposed between two electrodes, and an alkaline electrolytic solution, where a ratio of C—H to C—Co(II) is 1.3 or less, wherein C—H is a quantity of electricity of a discharge reserve formed in the negative electrode, and C—Co(II) is a quantity of electricity necessary for reducing cobalt oxide in the positive electrode to cobalt(II) oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi Maxell, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masuhiro Onishi, Hiroshi Fukunaga, Masato Isogai, Ryo Nagai
  • Non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery
    Patent number: 6593030
    Abstract: The present invention provides a rechargeable negative electrode for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprising an alloy material which absorbs lithium during charge and desorbs lithium during discharge, and having a long cycle life. The negative electrode includes an alloy having a hexagonal closest packing structure and a Ni2In type structure composed of at least two elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Bito, Toshitada Sato, Yoshiaki Nitta
  • Battery including pressure-sensitive current-interruption structure
    Patent number: 6593025
    Abstract: An interruption structure includes an operating member disposed outside a casing, a first end of the operating member being disposed above a power generating unit and displaceable toward the outside as an internal pressure rises, a fixing member positioned opposing the operating member across the power generating unit, a holding member disposed over a sealed part of the casing and fixed to the fixing member, and an element having an electrically conductive path, held by the holding member, the element being electrically connected to at least one of the lead terminals at one end of the element and to an external electrode at the other end of the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tadamitsu Azema
  • Fuel cell separator and fuel cell of solid polymer type
    Patent number: 6593021
    Abstract: Fuel cell separators having on one side or both sides thereof channels for gas supply and discharge, which channels are formed from compositions composed mainly of thermosetting resin and graphite particles. The compositions are designed to have a flexural modulus of at most 20 GPa and a flexural strength of at least 50 MPa (both measured according to JIS K6911). Also disclosed is a solid polymer type fuel cell system in which part or all of its separators are fuel cell separators as defined above. Due to its high strength and low flexural modulus, the fuel cell separators of the invention do not break as a result of deformation at the time of fuel cell assembly. Moreover, the fuel cell separators of the invention absorb shocks and vibration imparted to the fuel cell system. Therefore, they is useful for automobile fuel cells which are normally subject to vibrations and shocks during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Nisshinbo Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuo Saito, Atsushi Hagiwara, Ayumi Horiuchi
  • Battery and method of making the same
    Patent number: 6593023
    Abstract: A method of making a battery having a cathode includes contacting carbon particles with an oxidizing agent, such as, for example, an inorganic acid, an organic acid, or an oxidizing gas, and incorporating the carbon particles into the cathode. The cathode can be used, for example, in a metal-air battery that includes a monolayer or dual-layer cathode, or in a fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Hao Chang, Ignacio Chi
  • Single cell and stack structure for solid oxide fuel cell stacks
    Patent number: 6593020
    Abstract: A single cell and stack structure for SOFC stacks is disclosed. The single cell consists of a fuel electrode, an electrolyte and an air electrode, with opposite two or four sides of said single cell is shaped while being bent downwardly, thus forming an electrode support type structure or a self-support (electrolyte support) type structure each having a reversed U-shaped cross-section. In the SOFC stack structure, electrode support type or self-support type single cells are gastightly stacked on a separating plate while being held on a plurality of sealing grooves sealed with sealant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young Sung Yoo, Young Hee Han, Thae Kapp Kang
  • Direct methanol feed fuel cell and system
    Patent number: 6589684
    Abstract: Improvements to non acid methanol fuel cells include new formulations for materials. The platinum and ruthenium are more exactly mixed together. Different materials are substituted for these materials. The backing material for the fuel cell electrode is specially treated to improve its characteristics. A special sputtered electrode is formed which is extremely porous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Subbarao Surampudi, Harvey A. Frank, Sekharipuram R. Narayanan, William Chun, Barbara Jeffries-Nakamura, Andrew Kindler, Gerald Halpert
  • Electrolytic cell for electrochemically depositing one of the following metals, copper, zinc, lead, nickel or cobalt
    Patent number: 6589404
    Abstract: The electrolytic cell has a trough-like container with a bottom, with side walls and with at least one inlet and at least one outlet for the electrolyte. Numerous plate-like electrodes are disposed in the container and are partly immersed in an electrolyte bath. The bottom of the container which is in contact with the electrolyte bath has numerous openings for the passage of electrolyte, and below the bottom there is disposed at least one distribution chamber for recirculated electrolyte. At least one of the side walls of the container is equipped with at least one recirculation chamber for recirculating electrolyte from the electrolyte bath into the distribution chamber, the upper portion of the recirculation chamber being connected with the electrolyte bath and the lower portion of the recirculation chamber communicating with the distribution chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: MG Technologies AG
    Inventors: Nikola Anastasijevic, Stefan Laibach, Reinhard Dobner, Helmut Schatton
  • Surface treatment of metallic components of electrochemical cells for improved adhesion and corrosion resistance
    Patent number: 6589298
    Abstract: A process for enhancing chemical stability, corrosion resistance and for improved adhesion characteristics is described for use on metal or metal-alloy non-consumable electrodes, current collectors or other metallic articles used in electrochemical cells. The process includes peening of the article, optionally followed by an annealing treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Integran Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Limoges, Gino Palumbo, Peter K. Lin, Klaus Tomantschger
  • Cleaved type safety valve for metal vessels
    Patent number: 6589687
    Abstract: There has been developed a safety valve installed on a small-sized cell vessel which remains hermetically sealed during the normal operation but which instantly releases the pressure in the inside of the vessel if, due to abnormalities, such as overcharging, the pressure is increased and reaches a prescribed value to prevent explosion or deformation of the cell vessel to evade the risk to the human being or destruction of the equipment. The metal foil type safety valve by the cold pressure welding of the present invention cold-pressure-welds the metal foil for sealing the air vent hole in the metal vessel. If the internal pressure in the vessel reaches the prescribed value, the metal foil is cleft to form an opening in the vessel to release the internal pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Konno Kogyosho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiichi Konno, Kazuho Suzuki, Yutaka Konno
  • Apparatus for releasing gases from rechargeable lithium electrochemical cells during the formation stage of manufacturing
    Patent number: 6586131
    Abstract: An alkali metal secondary electrochemical cell, and preferably a lithium ion cell, provided with a removable gas relief valve, is described. The gas release valve is positioned on the casing, in fluid flow communication between the inside thereof and the exterior. This gas release valve serves to eliminate cell gases that build up inside the casing during the cell's formation stage. Once the lithium-ion cell has completed formation, the gas release valve is removed and replaced with a hermetic closure. Removal of the gas release valve and sealing of the cell takes place in an environment in which no outside gas is capable of being introduced inside the casing. The cell can also be provided in a tank filled with inert gas and a filter which separates the cell gas from the inert gas. When cell formation is completed, the cell hermetically sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Paul Hallifax, Tina L. Urso, David M. Spillman, Bruce Meyer
  • Nano-battery systems
    Patent number: 6586133
    Abstract: A nano-battery or micro-battery produced by a process which includes the steps of providing a membrane with a plurality of pores, filling the membrane pores with an electrolyte, and capping the filled pores with electrodes in communication with the electrolyte to form nano-batteries or micro-batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: The University of Tulsa
    Inventors: Dale Teeters, S. Lane Fisher, Nina Korzhova
  • Method and apparatus for determining the state of charge of a lithium-ion battery
    Patent number: 6586130
    Abstract: Computer-assisted methods for determining the state of charge of a specific lithium ion battery, without the need for charging and discharging the battery, by utilizing look-up tables or algorithms which store the relationships of state of charge to open-circuit voltage or to ramp-peak current, or to both for that type of specific lithium-ion battery to determine the state of charge for that specific lithium-ion battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: James V. Guiheen, Harmohan Singh, Thirumalai G. Palanisamy
  • Differential pressure fluid flow fields for fuel cells
    Patent number: 6586128
    Abstract: Flow fields comprising a set of fluid distribution channels may be employed in fuel cells for purposes of distributing fluid reactants to an electrochemically active area of the fuel cell. Water management and reactant distribution may be improved by increasing pressure gradients between adjacent channels. Such pressure gradients may be increased by engineering the channels such that the resistance to reactant flow differs along the length of adjacent channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark C. Johnson, David P. Wilkinson, John Kenna, Olen R. Vanderleeden, Joerg Zimmerman, Mehrzad Tabatabaian
  • Liquid electrolyte fuel cell
    Patent number: 6586129
    Abstract: The invention relates to fuel cells. Fuel cells are devices which transform chemical power in to electrical power. The subject fuel cells are of simpler structure and lower cost than those previously known. The subject fuel cells include a housing chamber containing molten carbonates and two electrodes at least partially immersed in said molten carbonates. The electrodes comprise an internal working space and have pores dimensioned so that gas is kept within the electrode by capillary forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Aquarius Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Mikhail Rudolfovich Predtechensky, Vladimir Eliferievich Nakoriakov, Igor Borisovich Kouznetsov, Lev Semyonovich Tchernoy, Andrey Nikolaevich Smal, Nikolay Vasilyevich Guelfond
  • Organic-inorganic composite as a cathode material for a secondary lithium battery and method for manufacturing the same
    Patent number: 6582850
    Abstract: The present invention provides a new organic-inorganic (PDMcT+PANI)/V2O5 composites electrode material in which two different organic polymers are intercalated into the V2O5 interlayer, which shows higher discharge capacity than each isolated polymers and V2O5. Therefore, it can be used as a cathode in secondary lithium battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Nam-Gyu Park, Kwang-Man Kim, Kwang-Sun Ryu, Yong-Joon Park, Soon-Ho Chang
  • Fuel cell stack coolant conductivity sensor using differential voltage measurements
    Patent number: 6582840
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting leakage current in the coolant of a fuel cell stack. The invention eliminates the use of a conductivity sensor by using a voltmeter to measure the voltage across the coolant. If the coolant voltage is at or below a predetermined level, an excessive level of conductivity in the coolant exists, and the presence of leakage current is reported. The invention can also compare the coolant voltage to two different predetermined voltage levels, the second one higher than the first. A coolant voltage at or below the lower voltage level could signal a shut down of the stack, while a coolant voltage at or below the higher voltage level could signal an alarm or another diagnostic. The invention can optionally use a second voltmeter to measure the voltage across the stack and calculate the resistivity and conductivity of the coolant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew K. Hortop