Patents Examined by Thomas H. Parsons
  • Pulsed laser cutting of thin film battery
    Patent number: 8728176
    Abstract: A battery fabrication method comprises forming at least one battery cell on a battery substrate by depositing a plurality of battery component films on the battery substrate, the battery component films comprising at least a pair of electrodes about an electrolyte. An overlying protective multilayer coating is formed over the battery cell. A plurality of pulsed laser bursts of a pulsed laser beam is applied to the battery substrate, the pulsed laser bursts having sufficient power and duration to cut through the battery substrate and the overlying protective multilayer coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Front Edge Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jianchao Li, Kai-Wei Nieh, Sandeep Makhar
  • Battery cover device for portable terminal
    Patent number: 8715845
    Abstract: A battery cover device for a portable terminal is provided. The battery cover device includes a battery recess formed on a surface of the terminal, a cover plate adapted to attach to and detach from a surface of the terminal to cover the battery recess, and a push rod adapted to protract to and retract from a surface of the terminal. The push rod receives elastic force to protrude from a surface of the terminal and release the cover plate from the terminal. The battery cover device is advantageous in that the cover plate can be easily released by using the push rod or elastic piece, and a battery pack can be easily mounted on a slim terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-Ho Lee, Dong-Yup Lee
  • Fuel cell module and fuel cell comprising fuel cell module
    Patent number: 8658228
    Abstract: A tubular fuel cell module comprising a tubular fuel cell capable of improving current collection efficiency, and a fuel cell comprising the fuel cell module are provided. A fuel cell module (100) includes a plurality of tubular fuel cells (10A, 10A, . . . ) arranged in parallel and a first current collector (35), wherein the tubular fuel cells (10A, 10A, . . . ) are woven by the first current collector (35) in a direction crossing an axial direction of the tubular fuel cells (10A, 10A, . . . ) in a plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Haruyuki Nakanishi, Shigeaki Murata, Masahiro Imanishi, Yoshihisa Tamura
  • Fuel cell, fuel cell system, and control method of fuel cell system
    Patent number: 8652698
    Abstract: A fuel cell has multiple cells, the multiple cells including a first cell having a first fuel gas flow path, and a second cell having a second fuel gas flow path and a sensor that measures a specific parameter value relating to a decrease in concentration of fuel gas in the second fuel gas flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignees: Nippon Soken, Inc., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hisayoshi Ota, Kazuyori Yamada, Masaru Tsunokawa, Manabu Kato, Hiroo Yoshikawa
  • Secondary battery
    Patent number: 8603668
    Abstract: A secondary battery includes a can having an opening at a side thereof, an electrode assembly inside the can, the electrode assembly including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, a one-unit cap covering the opening of the can, the one-unit cap including a current interrupt unit, a cap-up on the current interrupt unit, a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) device between the current interrupt unit and the cap-up, and an adhesive unit attaching the current interrupt unit to the cap-up to integrate the current interrupt unit, the PTC device, and the cap-up with each other, and an insulating gasket sealing a space between the can and the one-unit cap to seal the can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwangsoo Kim, Junghwan Lee, Sungmin Chu, Yongtae Kim, Sungho Cho
  • Fuel cell system and transportation equipment including the same
    Patent number: 8597847
    Abstract: A fuel cell system for use in transportation equipment, for example, can determine an abnormality in its fuel supply device without additional detectors being provided for abnormality detection. The fuel cell system is mounted on a motorbike, and includes a cell stack which includes a plurality of fuel cells, an aqueous solution pump arranged to supply aqueous methanol solution to the cell stack, a controller which includes a CPU, an inflow temperature sensor arranged to detect a temperature of aqueous methanol solution which is introduced to the cell stack, and an outflow temperature sensor arranged to detect a temperature of aqueous methanol solution discharged from the cell stack. The CPU obtains an inflow outflow temperature difference by calculating a difference between a detection result from the inflow temperature sensor and a detection result from the outflow temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuyoshi Furukawa
  • Battery assembly
    Patent number: 8592066
    Abstract: A battery assembly that standardizes a protective circuit module to be commonly used for various types of bare cells. The battery assembly includes a bare cell, and an adaptor structure positioned on a first end portion of the bare cell and having a seat in which the protective circuit module is seated. The adaptor structure electrically connects the protective circuit module to the bare cell. The protective circuit module has a standardized shape operationally connectable to various types of bare cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Woon-Seong Baek
  • Non-aqueous electrolyte battery
    Patent number: 8568926
    Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte battery includes an electrode group includes a positive electrode and a negative electrode disposed through a separator, and a non-aqueous electrolyte. The negative electrode comprises a current collector and a porous negative electrode layer formed on the current collector and containing a lithium compound. The porous negative electrode layer has a first peak at a pore diameter of 0.04 to 0.15 ?m and a second peak at a pore diameter of 0.8 to 6 ?m in the relation between the pore diameter and log differential intrusion obtained in the mercury press-in method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hidesato Saruwatari, Hideaki Morishima, Hiroki Inagaki, Norio Takami
  • Electrochemical device comprising composite bipolar plate and method of using the same
    Patent number: 8551670
    Abstract: An electrochemical device and methods of using the same. In one embodiment, the electrochemical device may be used as a fuel cell and/or as an electrolyzer and includes a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), an anodic gas diffusion medium in contact with the anode of the MEA, a cathodic gas diffusion medium in contact with the cathode, a first bipolar plate in contact with the anodic gas diffusion medium, and a second bipolar plate in contact with the cathodic gas diffusion medium. Each of the bipolar plates includes an electrically-conductive, chemically-inert, non-porous, liquid-permeable, substantially gas-impermeable membrane in contact with its respective gas diffusion medium, as well as a fluid chamber and a non-porous an electrically-conductive plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Giner Electrochemical Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Cortney K. Mittelsteadt, William A. Braff
  • Secondary battery
    Patent number: 8541132
    Abstract: A secondary battery is disclosed. In one embodiment, the battery includes i) an electrode assembly, ii) an electrolyte, iii) a tape attached to at least part of an outer surface of the electrode assembly and iv) a case accommodating the electrode assembly, electrolyte and tape. The tape includes a base layer, and wherein at least a portion of the base layer is configured to exhibit an adhesive property when contacting the electrolyte so as to contact an inner surface of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Daekyu Kim
  • Fuel cell system
    Patent number: 8541142
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes: an oxidizing gas supply shut valve; an oxidizing gas exhaust shut valve; a cathode pressure measuring unit as a pressure detection unit for detecting a cathode pressure value which is a pressure of a channel between the oxidizing gas supply shut valve and the oxidizing gas exhaust shut valve; a stop processing unit which closes the oxidizing gas supply shut valve and the oxidizing gas exhaust shut valve when operation of the fuel cell stack is stopped; and a judgment unit which judges whether the operations of the oxidizing gas supply shut valve and the oxidizing gas exhaust shut valve have failed according to the cathode pressure value upon stop when the operation of the fuel cell stack is stopped and the cathode pressure value upon start when the operation of the fuel cell stack is started after the stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tetsuya Bono
  • Method for controlling operation of fuel cell at low temperature
    Patent number: 8518593
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for controlling the operation of a fuel cell system at low temperature that can suitably prevent flooding in a cathode of a fuel cell stack during low-temperature operation, thus improving the operation stability and durability of the fuel cell stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Industry-University Cooperation Foundation Hanyang University
    Inventors: Dong Hun Lee, Seo Ho Choi, Sun Soon Park, Myoung Ho Sunwoo, Jung Hwan Ryu, Keon Yup Chu, Ki Chun Jo
  • Method for production of stacked battery
    Patent number: 8491673
    Abstract: A method for production of a stacked battery having a step of determining in advance a simultaneously bondable number of electrode current collection tabs and a step of forming groups of current collection tabs, and a step of displacing the bonding positions of the groups of positive electrode current collection tabs or those of negative electrode current collection tabs relative to each other in the direction of drawing out the positive electrode current collection tabs or the negative electrode current collection tabs, or in the direction perpendicular to the direction and collectively bonding the positive electrode current collection tabs or the negative electrode current collection tabs, of each group under the bonding conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: NEC Energy Devices, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Daidoji, Tomokazu Kumeuchi, Koichi Zama
  • Holder case for secondary battery and lithium secondary battery using the same
    Patent number: 8445131
    Abstract: A holder case for secondary battery having an improved longitudinal compression property and a lithium secondary battery using the same in which a case for secondary battery includes a case body and a first rib. The case body includes first and second long-side walls opposite to each other, first and second short-side walls, a bottom wall connected to one end portions of the two long-side walls and the two short-side walls, and an opening positioned at the other end portions of the two long-side walls and the two short-side walls while being opposite to the bottom wall. The first rib is disposed on the case body and extends from a middle portion of the first long-side wall to a middle portion of the second long-side wall via the second short-side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ho-Seong Kim
  • Non-aqueous electrolyte battery
    Patent number: 8431273
    Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte battery includes an electrode group includes a positive electrode and a negative electrode disposed through a separator, and a non-aqueous electrolyte. The negative electrode comprises a current collector and a porous negative electrode layer formed on the current collector and containing a lithium compound. The porous negative electrode layer has a first peak at a pore diameter of 0.04 to 0.15 ?m and a second peak at a pore diameter of 0.8 to 6 ?m in the relation between the pore diameter and log differential intrusion obtained in the mercury press-in method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hidesato Saruwatari, Hideaki Morishima, Hiroki Inagaki, Norio Takami
  • Battery grid
    Patent number: 8399135
    Abstract: A battery grid is provided having a frame that includes a top element, a bottom element, a first side element, and a second side element. A current collection lug is coupled to the top element. The battery grid includes a plurality of wires provided within the frame and defining a plurality of open areas. The plurality of wires includes a plurality of linear vertical wire members which extend from the top element toward the bottom element, first side element, or second side element. At least one of the linear vertical wire members includes a discontinuity terminating the linear vertical wire member before reaching the bottom element, first side element, or second side element, the discontinuity being defined by parallel horizontal wire members defining an open space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Glenn W. Andersen, Eric M. Taylor, Kenneth A. Adams, Edward N. Mrotek, Jeffrey P. Zagrodnik, Shu Jen F. Kao
  • Fuel cell power generation system and method of operating thereof
    Patent number: 8377600
    Abstract: A temperature adjustment member is arranged to control temperature of a reformer independently of temperature of a fuel cell module. The reformer is structured as a three-fluid heat exchanger into which a fluid is introducible whose temperature is higher or lower than exhaust-gas temperature of the fuel cell module. Then, the temperature of the reformer is controlled independently of operation temperature of the fuel cell by introducing the higher-temperature or lower-temperature fluid into the reformer. Also, a high-temperature or low-temperature gas is mixed with the module's exhaust gas, thereby adjusting temperature of the exhaust gas itself. This also controls the temperature of the reformer independently of the operation temperature of the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shin Takahashi, Hiromi Tokoi, Akira Gunji, Toshiya Abe, Takeshi Saito
  • Assembling method of solid oxide fuel cell
    Patent number: 8377611
    Abstract: An assembling method of a solid oxide fuel cell, having a stack structure in which sheet bodies and separators are stacked in alternating layers, includes a stacking step, a sealing step, and a reduction process step. In the sealing step, a laminate in which a crystallized glass material is interposed between the perimetric portions adjacent to each other is heated, so that the crystallization rate of the crystallized glass is increased to 0 to 50%. Accordingly, the perimetric portions adjacent to each other are integrated and sealed, and a room for glass softening is left. In the reduction process step, the laminate is heated, and a reduction gas is supplied into a fuel channel, whereby the reduction process is performed to the fuel electrode layer, and the crystallization rate is increased to 70 to 100%. Thus, the assembly of the fuel cell is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Ohmori, Natsumi Shimogawa, Masayuki Shinkai, Toshiyuki Nakamura
  • Connector for battery pack
    Patent number: 8372534
    Abstract: A battery pack having battery connectors for connecting batteries in series and a battery connector are disclosed that reduce the risks of potential electric shocks during assembly and servicing of a battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Bathium Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Claude Carignan, Pierre Leverone, Alain Vallee, Shu-Fu Yeh, Guy Gilbert
  • Fuel cell
    Patent number: 8349522
    Abstract: A fuel cell (1) includes an anode (11), a cathode (14), an electrolyte layer (13) containing ceria and provided between the anode (11) and the cathode (14), and at least two intermediate layers containing zirconia and provided between the electrolyte layer (13) and the anode (11). The at least two intermediate layers include a first intermediate layer (18) that contains ceria and a second intermediate layer (19) that has a higher zirconia concentration than the first intermediate layer and is provided between the first intermediate layer and the anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ayano Kobayashi, Makoto Ohmori