Patents Examined by Wyatt McConnell
  • Patent number: 9537184
    Abstract: A lithium ion secondary battery of an embodiment includes: a battery can; an electrode assembly in the battery can formed by rolling up a positive electrode, a separator and a negative electrode; an organic electrolyte solution in the battery can; a positive electrode lead in the battery can connected to the positive electrode; a negative electrode lead in the battery can connected to the negative electrode; and an overcharge preventer in the battery can; a cap body sealing the battery can; a positive electrode terminal fixed to the cap body and connected to the positive electrode lead; and a negative electrode terminal fixed to the cap body and connected to the negative electrode lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kenichi Takahashi, Hirokiyo Mamyoda, Kiyoshi Senoue, Tatsuya Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 9537185
    Abstract: A lithium ion (Li-ion) battery cell includes a housing. The housing includes side walls coupled to and extending from a first portion of the housing to form an opening in the housing opposite the first portion of the housing. The housing includes an electrically nonconductive polymeric (e.g., plastic) material. An electrochemical cell element is disposed in the housing and immersed in electrolyte that is also disposed in the housing. The Li-ion battery cell also includes a cover including an electrically nonconductive polymeric material. The cover is disposed over the opening in the housing and sealed to the housing via a seal. The seal is configured to resist or prevent ingress of moisture into the housing and to resist or prevent egress of the electrolyte from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Matthew R. Tyler, Kem M. Obasih
  • Patent number: 9531004
    Abstract: An electroactive material for use in an electrochemical cell, like a lithium ion battery, is provided. The electroactive material comprises a multifunctional hybrid protective coating system formed over an electroactive material. The coating system includes a first oxide-based coating disposed on one or more surfaces of the electroactive material, followed by a second coating deposited via a non-aqueous process. The second coating may be a fluoride-based, nitride-based, or carbide-based coating. The first and second coatings may be applied by atomic layer deposition (ALD) to form conformal ultrathin layers over the electroactive materials. Such a multifunctional hybrid protective coating system can suppress formation of gases within the electrochemical cell and also minimize formation of solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layers on the electrode to improve battery performance. Methods for making such materials and using such materials in electrochemical cells are likewise provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Xingcheng Xiao, Mark W. Verbrugge, John S. Wang
  • Patent number: 9527055
    Abstract: A hydrogen generator includes a reformer configured to cause a reforming reaction using a material and steam to generate a hydrogen-containing gas; a shift converter configured to reduce CO in the hydrogen-containing gas by a shift reaction; an evaporator provided adjacent to the shift converter so as to perform heat exchange with an upstream side of the shift converter and configured to evaporate water; and a hydro-desulfurizer provided adjacent to the shift converter so as to perform heat exchange with a downstream side of the shift converter and configured to remove a sulfur compound in the material by a hydrodesulfurization reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seiji Fujihara, Tomoyuki Nakajima, Chie Harada, Takahiro Kusuyama, Hidenobu Wakita
  • Patent number: 9508968
    Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a battery safety valve according to the present invention, a stainless steel metal sheet is used, and an thin annular portion constituting an edge portion of a safety valve is formed in a lid by simultaneously pressing annular projecting portions provided respectively on a punch and a die so as to oppose each other, against respective surfaces of the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: NISSHIN STEEL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masato Ootsuka, Shigeru Morikawa
  • Patent number: 9509023
    Abstract: When a battery is supported on a cooling plate, since a heat transfer sheet, which is deformable by pressure, is held between the cooling plate and a cooling surface of the battery, it is possible to efficiently transfer the heat of the battery from the cooling surface to the cooling plate via the heat transfer sheet, thereby enhancing the effect in cooling the battery. Since the heat transfer sheet includes a plurality of through holes, compared with a case in which a heat transfer sheet does not include the through hole, the reaction force generated by restoration of the compressively deformed heat transfer sheet to its original shape is decreased, thus reducing the load acting on a mounting flange securing the battery to the cooling plate and thereby preventing the mounting flange from being broken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Goichi Katayama, Takeshi Ueda, Tooru Ohgaki, Arihisa Kimura, Shuji Sasaki, Kenji Shimizu
  • Patent number: 9502716
    Abstract: Highly active and stable platinum-copper (PtCu) electrocatalysts are provided. The PtCu catalysts can be in the form of discrete, spherical PtCu nanoparticles that include a particle interior comprising platinum and copper, and a surface layer comprising platinum surrounding the particle interior. The PtCu nanoparticles can exhibit enhanced oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity as compared to other Pt-based catalysts for ORR. The PtCu nanoparticles are also active as electrocatalysts for the oxidation of small molecule organic compounds, including alcohols such as methanol and ethanol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Ohio State Innovation Foundation
    Inventors: Anne Co, Eric Coleman
  • Patent number: 9493883
    Abstract: Methods for coating a metal substrate or a metal alloy with electrically conductive titania-based material. The methods produce metal components for electrochemical devices that need high electrical conductance, corrosion resistance and electrode reaction activities for long term operation at a low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: TREADSTONE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Conghua Wang
  • Patent number: 9496568
    Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell including: a membrane electrode assembly (30) formed by joining an anode (32) to one surface of an electrolyte membrane (31) and joining a cathode (33) to another surface of the electrolyte membrane (31); a frame body (20) formed integrally with the membrane electrode assembly (30); and a pair of separators (40, 41) holding the membrane electrode assembly (30) and the frame body (20) therebetween. At least one pair of holding pieces (42, 43) holding the membrane electrode assembly (30) therebetween is formed in the pair of separators (40, 41). Positions of holding end portions (42a, 43a) of the pair of holding pieces (42, 43) are shifted from each other in a stacking direction of the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takanori Oku, Manabu Sugino, Shigetaka Uehara, Mitsutaka Abe
  • Patent number: 9490469
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery includes: a plurality of electrode assemblies each including first and second electrodes; a case accommodating the electrode assemblies; a cap assembly coupled to the case and including a terminal; and a first current collector coupling the terminal with the first electrodes of the electrode assemblies. The first current collector includes a terminal connector coupled to the terminal and a plurality of electrode connectors, each of the electrode connectors being coupled to a respective one of the first electrodes, and a plurality of first fuses, each of the first fuses being between the terminal connector and a respective one of the electrode connectors and having a substantially constant cross section between the terminal connector and the respective one of the electrode connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bo-Hyun Kim, Jong-Ki Lee, Tae-Sik Kim, Hyun Soh, Hyun-Chul Kim
  • Patent number: 9484576
    Abstract: Electrodes, energy storage devices using such electrodes, and associated methods are disclosed. In an example, an electrode for use in an energy storage device can comprise porous disks comprising a porous material, the porous disks having a plurality of channels and a surface, the plurality of channels opening to the surface; and a structural material encapsulating the porous disks; where the structural material provides structural stability to the electrode during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Donald S. Gardner, Charles W. Holzwarth, Bum Ki Moon, Yang Liu, Priyanka Pande, Shanthi Murali, Nicolas Cirigliano, Zhaohui Chen
  • Patent number: 9484573
    Abstract: The present invention provides a composite anode for a battery comprising a copper current collector working electrode, at least one anode material comprising at least one of a carbon, a silicon, a conductive agent, and combinations thereof, wherein at least one anode material is deposited on a surface of the copper current collector working electrode to form the composite anode for a battery. An electrophoretic method for making this anode is provided. A lithium-ion battery having the composite anode is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: West Virginia University
    Inventors: Hui Zhang, Meng Yao, Xingbo Liu
  • Patent number: 9478828
    Abstract: In an aspect, an electrolyte that includes a lithium salt, an organic solvent, and an additive is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hokuto Yokotsuji, Hironari Takase
  • Patent number: 9478787
    Abstract: An electrochemical energy device includes a device housing and a pass-through connector extending through a wall of the device housing. The pass-through connector may include an electrically insulating connector housing having a quick connect feature and an electrically conductive pin located in the connector housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: AQUION ENERGY INC.
    Inventors: Eric Martin Sheen, Alan Douglas Munday, William G. Campbell
  • Patent number: 9470201
    Abstract: The specification relates to a composite particle for storing lithium. The composite particle is used in an electrochemical cell. The composite particle includes a metal oxide on the surface of the composite particle, a major dimension that is approximately less than or equal to 40 microns and a formula of MM?Z, wherein M is from the group of Si and Sn, M? is from a group of Mn, Mg, Al, Mo, Bronze, Be, Ti, Cu, Ce, Li, Fe, Ni, Zn, Co, Zr, K, and Na, and Z is from the group of O, Cl, P, C, S, H, and F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Inventor: Shailesh Upreti
  • Patent number: 9466821
    Abstract: Provided is a battery pack that includes: unit batteries disposed in parallel with each other and the unit batteries are prismatic type; a connecting substrate for electrically coupling the unit batteries; a plurality of tabs which extend from the connecting substrate, electrically connect the unit batteries and the connecting substrate, and are bent so that the connecting substrate is adjacently disposed to first surfaces of the unit batteries; a protection circuit module electrically connected with the connecting substrate; and a lead which extends from the protection circuit module, electrically connect the connecting substrate and the protection circuit module and are bent so that the protection circuit module is adjacently disposed to second surfaces of the unit batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Han-Jun Wang, Dae-Yon Moon
  • Patent number: 9461319
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments provide a hardware and software architecture enabling electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (“EIS”) to be performed on multiple electrochemical devices, such as fuel cells, at the same time without human interaction with the electrochemical devices. In an embodiment, a matrix switch may connect each cell of a fuel cell stack individually to an EIS analyzer enabling EIS to be performed on any fuel cell in the fuel cell stack. In a further embodiment, the EIS analyzer may be a multi-channel EIS analyzer, and the combination of the matrix switch and multi-channel EIS analyzer may enable EIS to be performed on multiple fuel cells simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Karthick Sudhan, Amit Nawathe, Rohit Srivastava, Mohamed Sharif, Abhishek Dudhmande, Timothy Bekkedahl
  • Patent number: 9455482
    Abstract: A self-recharging battery apparatus including a magnesium-air fuel cell component having external battery connector elements; a rechargeable battery; and a water-tight inner sleeve configured to and receiving the rechargeable battery and the inner sleeve being fixedly connected to an inner side of the magnesium-air fuel cell component and the rechargeable battery being electrically connected to the magnesium-air fuel cell component external battery connector elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Argopower, LLC
    Inventor: Allan Riggs
  • Patent number: 9450275
    Abstract: A lithium ion (Li-ion) battery cell includes a prismatic housing that includes four sides formed by side walls coupled to and extending from a bottom portion of the housing. The housing is configured to receive and hold a prismatic Li-ion electrochemical cell element. The housing includes an electrically nonconductive polymeric (e.g., plastic) material. Additionally, a heat sink is overmolded by the polymeric material of the housing, such that the heat sink is retained in an outer portion of the sides of the housing and the heat sink is exposed along the bottom portion of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Kem M. Obasih, Matthew R. Tyler
  • Patent number: 9444098
    Abstract: A positive active material including: a lithium-containing oxide, and a lithium-intercalatable phosphate compound disposed on the lithium-containing oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun-ho Park, Jun-young Mun, Jin-hwan Park, Jae-gu Yoon