Patents Examined by Yoshitoshi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 10992002
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rechargeable battery, and a rechargeable battery including: a liquid cathode portion including a sodium-containing solution and a cathode current collector impregnated in the sodium-containing solution; an anode portion including a liquid organic electrolyte, an anode current collector impregnated in the liquid organic electrolyte, and an anode active material provided in the surface of the anode current collector; and a solid electrolyte provided between the cathode portion and the anode portion can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: UNIST(ULSAN NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY)
    Inventors: Young sik Kim, Jae Kwang Kim, Mooyoung Jung, Jin Hyup Han, Jeong Sun Park
  • Patent number: 10985395
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cell (2) of a redox flow battery, having at least two cell frame elements (7, 8, 9, 10), having a membrane (12) and having two electrodes (11), wherein the at least two cell frame elements, the membrane and the two electrodes close off two mutually separate cell interior spaces (4), wherein, in the at least two cell frame elements, at least four separate ducts (13, 14, 15, 16) are provided in such a way that the two cell interior spaces can be flowed through by different electrolyte solutions, and wherein the cell is, aside from the at least four separate ducts, of liquid-tight form. The invention also relates to a cell stack (1) of a redox flow battery having at least one such cell. Here, the invention proposes a particular form of the cell frame of the cell stack, and an inexpensive and simple method for manufacturing the cell stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: VoltStorage GmbH
    Inventors: Jakob Bitner, Felix Kiefl, Michael Peither
  • Patent number: 10985356
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite separation membrane for a lithium secondary battery, having an excellent effect of improving the life time and safety of a battery and a lithium secondary battery including the membrane. The composite separation membrane includes a porous base layer; a heat-resistant layer formed on one side or both sides of the porous base layer; and a fusion layer formed on an outermost layer. The heat-resistant layer includes inorganic particles connected and fixed by binder polymers, and the fusion layer includes crystalline polymers in the form of particles having a melting temperature of 100° C. or higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignees: SK Innovation Co., Ltd., SK IE Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong Jin Joo, Su Ji Lee, Kyu Young Cho, Yun Bong Kim, Jae Woong Kim
  • Patent number: 10957927
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a supply channel having first channels respectively connected with tanks, and a second channel merged with each of the first channels; first on-off valves of the first channels; a second on-off valve of the second channel; and a controller configured to control opening and closing of the first on-off valves and the second on-off valve. In a state where the second on-off valve is closed, the controller supplies first electric power used for opening the first on-off valve against a first differential pressure to at least one first on-off valve, and supplies second electric power, smaller than the first electric power and used for opening the first on-off valves against a second differential pressure smaller than the first differential pressure, to the first on-off valves other than the at least one first on-off valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Chihiro Uchimura, Yukihide Yokoyama, Takayoshi Hamano
  • Patent number: 10950846
    Abstract: Methods of forming a plurality of axial geometry carbon structures (e.g., carbon nanotubes or carbon fibers) in situ in an electrode of an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions are provided. Electroactive particles that undergo volumetric expansion are mixed with a polymer precursor and a plurality of catalytic nanoparticles comprising a metal selected from the group consisting of: iron, nickel, cobalt, alloys, and combinations thereof to form a substantially homogeneous slurry. The slurry is applied to a substrate and then heated in an environment having a temperature of ?about 1000° C. and in certain aspects, ?about 895° C. to pyrolyze the polymer precursor. The plurality of catalytic nanoparticles facilitates in situ precipitation of carbon to grow a plurality of axial geometry carbon structures. After the heating, the electrode includes an electrically conductive carbonaceous porous network comprising the plurality of electroactive particles and the plurality of axial geometry carbon structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Xingcheng Xiao, Mark W. Verbrugge
  • Patent number: 10950841
    Abstract: Provided is a battery pack in which a bus bar for modules is provided on one side of a plurality of battery modules in a height direction, and connects the battery modules that are adjacent to each other among the plurality of battery modules, in series. In addition, the bus bar for modules includes a first bus bar piece that is provided in a battery module on one side between the battery modules that are adjacent to each other, and a second bus bar piece that is provided in a battery module on the other side and is different from the first bus bar piece, and a connection portion that connects the first bus bar piece and the second bus bar piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuya Kato, Takahiro Syouda
  • Patent number: 10950872
    Abstract: A cell monitor connector is inserted with a first surface following a guide portion. When the cell monitor connector is further inserted, the cell monitor connector makes contact with a projection portion. In a state where the attachment is completed, the projection portion is elastically deformed so as to press a second surface. Due to this force, the cell monitor connector is held such that it is sandwiched between the projection portion and the guide portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazumi Sugita
  • Patent number: 10938057
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a secondary battery including an electrode body including a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate, an outer package including an opening and housing the electrode body, a sealing plate sealing the opening, a negative electrode terminal attached to the sealing plate, a negative electrode tab portion provided in the negative electrode plate, and a negative electrode collector electrically connecting the negative electrode tab portion and the negative electrode terminal to each other, the method including welding a flange portion of the negative electrode terminal and the negative electrode collector together by projecting an energy ray, the negative electrode collector includes, before the welding, a rough surface portion, and in the welding, the flange portion of the negative electrode terminal and the negative electrode collector are connected by welding by projecting an energy ray onto the rough surface portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoichi Wakimoto, Naoya Tada
  • Patent number: 10910675
    Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to the present invention includes: an electrode body including a positive electrode including a positive-electrode active material layer; an external terminal connected to the electrode body; a nonaqueous electrolyte including a gas generant, and a current interrupt device. A content of the gas generant is at least 4 mass %. The positive-electrode active material layer includes, as a positive-electrode active material, a complex oxide containing at least zirconium (Zr) and calcium (Ca) as constituent elements. When a sum total of metal elements, except metal that becomes a charge carrier, in the complex oxide is 100 mol % in terms of a mole percentage, the complex oxide contains Zr from 0.1 mol % to 0.5 mol % inclusive and Ca from 0.1 mol % to 0.3 mol % inclusive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideyuki Saka, Keiichi Takahashi, Hideaki Fujita
  • Patent number: 10903515
    Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes at least a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator, and a non-aqueous electrolyte. The positive electrode includes a positive electrode current collector, a protection layer, and a positive electrode composite material layer. The protection layer, arranged between the positive electrode current collector and positive electrode composite material layer, includes at least a first and second protection layer. The first protection layer, arranged on a surface of the positive electrode current collector, contains a first conductive material and a first resin being a non-thermoplastic polyimide resin. The second protection layer, arranged on a surface of the first protection layer, contains at least a second conductive material and a resin A being a thermoplastic resin. A melting point of the resin A is lower than a thermal decomposition temperature of the first resin. The resin A is greater in expansion coefficient than the first resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Torita, Harunari Shimamura, Yusuke Fukumoto, Akihiro Ochiai
  • Patent number: 10892518
    Abstract: A composite solid electrolyte includes: a lithium ion conductive solid electrolyte; and a polymer-containing electrolyte coating layer on a surface of a lithium ion conductive solid electrolyte, wherein the polymer-containing electrolyte coating layer includes an ion conductive polymer having an alkylene oxide segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignees: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD., MIE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yonggun Lee, Nobuyuki Imanishi, Osamu Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10892457
    Abstract: A laminated separator for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, (i) includes a porous film and a porous layer containing a polyvinylidene fluoride-based resin and (ii) has an excellent rate characteristic. The laminated separator includes the porous film containing a polyolefin-based resin as a main component and the porous layer containing the polyvinylidene fluoride-based resin, in which a surface of the porous layer has a 60-degree specular gloss of 3% to 26%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Toshihiko Ogata, Chikara Murakami
  • Patent number: 10879502
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electrode assembly including a unit cell stack having n unit cells stacked with a separation film interposed therebetween and at least one reinforcing member formed from metal that integrally covers at least one of the upper and lower surfaces and at least one side surface of the unit cell stack. In particular, n is an odd number excluding 1. Additionally, in each unit cell, one or more cathodes and one or more anodes are stacked with a separator interposed therebetween. Accordingly, the unit cells are protected against external impacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Inventors: Jeong Woo Lee, Chan Ki Park
  • Patent number: 10868327
    Abstract: A secondary battery includes a negative electrode including a plurality of first negative electrode active material particles, second negative electrode active material particles, and a negative electrode binder. The first negative electrode active material particles include a carbon material, and the second negative electrode active material particles include a silicon material. The negative electrode binder includes polyvinylidene fluoride and at least a part of the negative electrode binder is provided on a part of the surface of each of the second negative electrode active material particles. A ratio M2/M1 of an abundance M2 of the negative electrode binder on the surface and in proximity to each of the second negative electrode active material particles to an abundance M1 of the negative electrode binder on the surface and in proximity to each of the first negative electrode active material particles is larger than 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Matsushita, Mitsuhiro Ue, Masaki Kuratsuka
  • Patent number: 10862162
    Abstract: An electrode composite body includes: an active material molded body including active material particles which include a lithium composite oxide and have a particle shape, and a communication hole that is provided between the active material particles; a first solid electrolyte layer that is provided on a surface of the active material molded body, and includes a first inorganic solid electrolyte; and a second solid electrolyte layer that is provided on the surface of the active material molded body, and includes a second inorganic solid electrolyte of which a composition is different from a composition of the first inorganic solid electrolyte, and which contains boron as a constituent element and is amorphous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsutomu Teraoka, Tomofumi Yokoyama, Hitoshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10854881
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrode having superior charge-discharge capacity, even in the case of using an active material containing silicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignees: TOKYO UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE FOUNDATION, FUJIFILM WAKO PURE CHEMICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinichi Komaba, Kiyofumi Yamagiwa, Shoko Aoki, Kuniaki Okamoto, Takahiro Kiyosu, Yasuyoshi Mori, Takatoshi Matsuura, Michihiko Sato
  • Patent number: 10847773
    Abstract: Disclosed is a battery pack, including: a plurality of cells each provided with first and second electrode terminals and arranged such that the plurality of cells overlap in a first direction; and at least one bus bar including a plurality of terminal connection tabs connected with the first electrode terminals or the second electrode terminals of the plurality of cells to electrically connect the plurality of cells, in which the terminal connection tabs are bent at least one time in a region extending to the first electrode terminals or the second electrode terminals of the plurality of cells, thereby improving durability of the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: In Bo Sim, Hyun Kook Kim
  • Patent number: 10826035
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fixing frame and a battery pack. The fixing frame comprises a top connecting frame comprising two or more fixing plates spaced apart from each other in a first direction and a connecting component connecting the two adjacent fixing plates, the connecting component comprising a recess portion and an adapter portion, the recess portion being recessed in a second direction and the adapter portion being connected to both sides of the recess portion in the first direction, and the connecting component being connected to the two adjacent fixing plates via the adapter portion; and locking plates provided on the top connecting frame and extending along the second direction, the locking plate comprising in the second direction a first end connected to the top connecting frame and a second end connectable to an external structural member; wherein the first direction intersects the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited
    Inventors: Xin Zeng, Xiaoshan Dai, Lei Yang, Qiqi Huo, Shoujiang Xu, Chunyan Feng
  • Patent number: 10818986
    Abstract: A battery-cooling device for a vehicle is provided. The device includes a plurality of frames provided with battery cells mounted thereto and having apertures provided in opposite side surfaces of lower ends of the frames. A pipe is inserted through the apertures. A coolant inlet is mounted on a first side surface of a lower end of each of the plurality of frames and communicates with a first end of the pipe. A coolant is introduced into the coolant inlet. Additionally, a coolant outlet is mounted on a second side surface of the lower end of each of the plurality of frames and communicates with a second end of the pipe. The coolant is then discharged from the coolant outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Tae Hyuck Kim, Hae Kyu Lim, Yong Hwan Choi, Yong Jae Kim, Yeon Man Jeong, Yong Jin Lee
  • Patent number: 10811743
    Abstract: A battery system is provided. The system includes a channel plate of which one side surface is contacted with a battery module and includes a cooling channel therein in which refrigerant circulates to cool the battery module. A first end plate supplies the refrigerant transmitted from the outside through an inflow port to the channel plate and transmits the refrigerant passing through the channel plate to the outside through an outflow port and is coupled to the channel plate to form a space surrounding the battery module. A second end plate is coupled to the channel plate opposite the first end plate to form the space surrounding the battery module. A cover plate is coupled to the first end plate and the second end plate opposite the channel plate to form the space surrounding the battery module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Hae Kyu Lim