Patents by Inventor Donald L. Foster

Donald L. Foster has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9653729
    Abstract: A lithium carbon monofluoride-oxygen battery is provided that includes a lithium metal-containing electroactive anode; an electroactive cathode formed of a carbon monofluoride compound; an electrolyte solution formed of an organic solvent and a lithium salt; a casing surrounding the anode, the cathode, and the electrolyte solution; and a port bored through the casing wherein the port selectively allows the flow of gas into the casing. In addition, a method of using an electrochemical battery is provided that includes providing a lithium carbon monofluoride-oxygen battery; closing the valve of the electrochemical battery to block the flow of gas into the battery; discharging the electrochemical battery after closing the valve of the battery; opening the valve of the electrochemical battery after discharging the electrochemical battery to expose the cathode to the flow of oxygen containing gas; and discharging the electrochemical battery after opening the valve of the electrochemical battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Donald L. Foster, Jeffery A. Read, Jeffery Wolfenstine, Shengshui Zhang
  • Patent number: 8961833
    Abstract: A lithium/fluorinated carbon (Li/CFx) battery having a composite cathode including an electroactive cathode material, a non-electroactive additive, a conductive agent, and a binder. The electroactive cathode material is a single fluorinated carbon having a general formula of CFx, whereby x is an averaged value ranging from about 0.5 to about 1.2. The non-electroactive additive is at least one or a mixture of two or more oxides selected from the group comprising Mg, B, Al, Si, Cu, Zn, Y, Ti, Zr, Fe, Co, or Ni. The conductive agent is selected from the group comprising carbon, metals, and mixtures thereof. Finally, the binder is an amorphous polymer selected from the group comprising fluorinated polymers, ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM) rubbers, styrene butadiene rubbers (SBR), poly (acrylonitrile-methyl methacrylate), carboxymethyl celluloses (CMC), and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Shengshui Zhang, Donald L. Foster, Jeffery Wolfenstine, Jeffery A. Read
  • Publication number: 20130137001
    Abstract: A lithium/oxygen battery includes a lithium anode, an air cathode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte soaked in a microporous separator membrane, wherein non-aqueous electrolyte comprises a lithium salt with a general molecular formula of LiBF3X (X?F, Cl, or Br, respectively) and a non-aqueous solvent mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: U.S Government as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Shengshui Zhang, Donald L. Foster, Jeffrey A. Read
  • Publication number: 20120126182
    Abstract: A lithium/fluorinated carbon (Li/CFx) battery having a composite cathode including an electroactive cathode material, a non-electroactive additive, a conductive agent, and a binder. The electroactive cathode material is a single fluorinated carbon having a general formula of CFx, whereby x is an averaged value ranging from about 0.5 to about 1.2. The non-electroactive additive is at least one or a mixture of two or more oxides selected from the group comprising Mg, B, Al, Si, Cu, Zn, Y, Ti, Zr, Fe, Co, or Ni. The conductive agent is selected from the group comprising carbon, metals, and mixtures thereof. Finally, the binder is an amorphous polymer selected from the group comprising fluorinated polymers, ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM) rubbers, styrene butadiene rubbers (SBR), poly (acrylonitrile-methyl methacrylate), carboxymethyl celluloses (CMC), and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: U.S. Government as reperesented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: SHENGSHUI ZHANG, DONALD L. FOSTER, JEFFERY WOLFENSTINE, JEFFERY A. READ
  • Publication number: 20120088164
    Abstract: A lithium carbon monofluoride-oxygen battery is provided that includes a lithium metal-containing electroactive anode; an electroactive cathode formed of a carbon monofluoride compound; an electrolyte solution formed of an organic solvent and a lithium salt; a casing surrounding the anode, the cathode, and the electrolyte solution; and a port bored through the casing wherein the port selectively allows the flow of gas into the casing. In addition, a method of using an electrochemical battery is provided that includes providing a lithium carbon monofluoride-oxygen battery; closing the valve of the electrochemical battery to block the flow of gas into the battery; discharging the electrochemical battery after closing the valve of the battery; opening the valve of the electrochemical battery after discharging the electrochemical battery to expose the cathode to the flow of oxygen containing gas; and discharging the electrochemical battery after opening the valve of the electrochemical battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: U.S. Government as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Donald L. Foster, Jeffery A. Read, Jeffery Wolfenstine, Shengshui Zhang
  • Patent number: 6316143
    Abstract: An electrode for a rechargeable lithium-ion battery is formed by mixing stanous oxide (SnO) and lithium nitride (Li3N) in a stoichiometric ratio of 2 moles of Li3N to 3 moles of SnO to form a mixture, milling the mixture to obtain a milled powder, and processing the milled powder in accordance with an electrode-forming technique. The electrode forming technique can be any one of die pressing, spraying, doctor-blading and rolling. Conductive additives, such as carbon and binders (PVDF, cellulose and Teflon), can be introduced during the processing step. Preferably, the method is carried out in a dry, inert atmosphere of argon or helium. As a result of the invention, a smaller, lighter and more efficient lithium-ion battery is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Donald L. Foster, Jeffrey Wolfenstine, Jeffrey Read, Wishvender K. Behl
  • Patent number: 4891281
    Abstract: A non-aqueous electrochemical cell having a solid active cathode, an active metal anode and a low vapor pressure highly conductive electrolyte comprising a liquid solvate-complex of sulfur dioxide (SO.sub.2) and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt soluble therein such as those having a Group 3A element halide anion with the ratio of salt to SO.sub.2 in said electrolyte ranging from about 1:1 to 1:7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Assignee: Duracell Inc.
    Inventors: Han C. Kuo, Donald L. Foster
  • Patent number: 4812375
    Abstract: A multilayer separator is provided for insertion between the cathode and de in lithium secondary or primary batteries, the separator including porous membrane and an electroactive polymeric material contained within the separator layers wherein the polymer is one that will react with any lithium dendrite that could penetrate the separator thus preventing an internal short circuit of the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Donald L. Foster
  • Patent number: 4670363
    Abstract: An improved nonaqueous electrolyte and electrochemical cell containing same, wherein the electrolyte is comprised of a salt complexed by a tertiary amine and an aromatic organic solvent, the improvement being the addition of a solvent having a dielectric constant greater than 20 which provides an electrolyte having a conductivity sufficient to support current densities greater than 1 mA/cm.sub.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Assignee: Duracell Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Whitney, Donald L. Foster
  • Patent number: 4513067
    Abstract: A novel inorganic non-aqueous electrochemical cell having an alkali or alkaline earth metal anode, an inorganic electrolyte comprised of an SO.sub.2 solvent with an alkali or alkaline earth metal halide salt of aluminum, tantalum niobium or antimony, dissolved in the SO.sub.2 and a cathode comprised of a carbonaceous material having an apparent bulk density in excess of 5 lb/ft.sup.3 (80 gm/l). Lower bulk density carbonaceous material may, however, be used in electrolytes having high salt concentrations. Ketjenblack EC (furnace black) carbonaceous material may be admixed with a solid cathode active material which is substantially insoluble in the SO.sub.2 electrolyte to provide a high primary cell capacity and an effectively rechargeable cell. There is no SO.sub.2 per se discharge in the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1985
    Assignee: Duracell Inc.
    Inventors: Han C. Kuo, Donald L. Foster, Carl R. Schlaikjer, Mysore L. Gopikanth, Arabinda N. Dey
  • Patent number: 4329404
    Abstract: A rechargeable non-aqueous electrochemical cell with a complex electrolyte salt such as a complex of an alkali metal salt and an ether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1982
    Assignee: Duracell International Inc.
    Inventors: William L. Bowden, Donald L. Foster, Han C. Kuo, Peter R. Moses
  • Patent number: H1946
    Abstract: A secondary, lithium-ion electrochemical cell having improved properties and a method for providing a secondary, lithium-ion electrochemical cell having the same. Specifically, the invention relates to a method for reducing and/or preventing the exfoliation of the graphitic carbonaceous electrode of a lithium-ion cell, wherein the exfoliation is caused by the intercalation of electrolyte solvent along with lithium ion into the graphitic carbonaceous electrode. This method is accomplished by adding one or more chelating polyamines to the electrolyte solution of the lithium-ion cell. The novel method and the improved lithium-ion cell are claimed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: United States of America
    Inventors: Donald L. Foster, Wishvender K. Behl, Jeffery B. Wolfenstine
  • Patent number: H1076
    Abstract: A lithium ion rechargeable intercallation cell is provided including a liated graphite anode, a lithiated oxide cathode, and a solution of a lithium salt in a solvent that cycles both the lithiated graphite anode and the lithiated oxide cathode as the electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1992
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Steven M. Slane, Donald L. Foster