Patents by Inventor Ikuo Yonezu
Ikuo Yonezu 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).
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Patent number: 6117589Abstract: A lithium battery and method for manufacturing the lithium battery are provided. The battery includes electrodes formed of a layer of an active material, the active material being capable of occluding and discharging lithium electrochemically, provided on the surface of a current collector, electrode external terminals for providing electricity to the outside of the battery, and an electrode tab joined at an end thereof to a surface of said current collector and at another end thereof to an electrode external terminal. The electrode tab has a roughened surface at the end joined to the current collector, and the roughened surface is welded to the surface of said current collector. The roughened surface is produced by chemical etching, abrasion by an abrasive, abrasion by ultrasonic waves or by blasting with an abrasive.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 1998Date of Patent: September 12, 2000Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kouichi Satou, Kazunari Ookita, Yoshito Chikano, Mitsuzou Nogami, Ikuo Yonezu, Koji Nishio
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Patent number: 6110304Abstract: The hydrogen-absorbing alloy electrode for alkaline storage batteries according to the invention comprises a hydrogen absorbing alloy powder prepared by grinding a strip of hydrogen absorbing alloy produced by solidifying a molten alloy by a roll method and satisfying the following relations:r/t.ltoreq.0.5 (1)60.ltoreq.t.ltoreq.180 (2)30.ltoreq.r.ltoreq.90 (3)wherein r represents the mean particle size (.mu.m) of the hydrogen absorbing alloy powder and t represents the mean thickness (.mu.m) of the strip absorbing alloy. The hydrogen absorbing alloy electrode of this invention features an improved high-rate discharge characteristic at low temperature.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 1996Date of Patent: August 29, 2000Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Mitsuzo Nogami, Yoshinori Matsuura, Mamoru Kimoto, Nobuyuki Higashiyama, Mitsunori Tokuda, Takahiro Isono, Ikuo Yonezu, Koji Nishio
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Patent number: 6077626Abstract: In an alkali storage battery comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode and an alkali electrolyte in a battery can, .alpha.-nickel hydroxide containing manganese is used as a cathode active material for the positive electrode, and the difference between a charging potential and an oxygen gas evolution potential at the positive electrode is increased, to suppress oxygen gas evolution during the charging, and the volume percentage of the cathode active material and an anode active material is set to not less than 75% in the battery can, to obtain a large battery capacity.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 1999Date of Patent: June 20, 2000Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Mitsuzou Nogami, Mutsumi Yano, Mitsunori Tokuda, Syuichi Suzuki, Shin Fujitani, Reizo Maeda, Ikuo Yonezu, Koji Nishio
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Patent number: 6068713Abstract: A hydrogen absorbing alloy is provided which is increased in reaction rate without being restricted in composition and which is unimpaired in the reversibility of reaction and hydrogen absorption-desorption cycle life characteristics. The alloy contains the phase of an intermetallic compound of the composition A5T19 wherein A is at least one element selected from the group consisting of La, Ce, Pr, Sm, Nd, Mm (misch metal), Y, Gd, Ca, Mg, Ti, Zr and Hf, and T is at least one element selected from the group consisting of B, Bi, Al, Si, Cr, V, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sn and Sb. The alloy is produced by mixing together an alloy containing an AT3 phase and an alloy containing an AT4 phase, mechanically alloying the mixture to form the phase of intermetallic compound of the composition A5T19 in addition to the AT3 and AT4 phases, and subsequently mixing together or mechanically alloying the resulting alloy and an alloy containing AT5 phase.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 1997Date of Patent: May 30, 2000Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masaharu Yamaguchi, Haruyuki Inui, Koichi Sato, Koichi Nishimura, Shin Fujitani, Ikuo Yonezu, Koji Nishio
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Patent number: 6068948Abstract: In the present invention, a hydrogen absorbing alloy treated upon immersed in an acid solution containing at least a quinone compound, a hydrogen absorbing alloy immersed in water to which at least a quinone compound is added, or a hydrogen absorbing alloy treated upon being immersed in an acid solution containing at least a quinone compound and then immersed in water to which at least a quinone compound is added is used for a hydrogen absorbing alloy electrode, and the hydrogen absorbing alloy electrode is used as a negative electrode of an alkali secondary battery.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 1997Date of Patent: May 30, 2000Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Teruhiko Imoto, Yoshinori Matsuura, Nobuyuki Higashiyama, Mamoru Kimoto, Mitsuzou Nogami, Ikuo Yonezu, Koji Nishio
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Patent number: 6060195Abstract: In the non-sintered nickel electrode for an alkaline storage battery according to the present invention, the active material powder is made up of composite particles, each comprising a nickel hydroxide-containing core particle and a shell layer coating the nickel hydroxide-containing core particle, the shell layer containing a bismuth-containing compound, or is made up of composite particles, each comprising a nickel hydroxide-containing core particle, an inner shell layer coating the nickel hydroxide-containing core particle and an outer shell layer coating the inner shell layer, the inner shell layer containing a bismuth-containing compound and the outer shell layer containing cobalt metal, cobalt monoxide, cobalt hydroxide, cobalt oxyhydroxide or a sodium-containing cobalt compound prepared by adding an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide to cobalt metal, cobalt monoxide, cobalt hydroxide or cobalt oxyhydroxide to obtain a mixture and heat-treating the mixture in the presence of oxygen.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 1998Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Katsuhiko Shinyama, Reizo Maeda, Yoshinori Matsuura, Mitsuzo Nogami, Ikuo Yonezu, Koji Nishio
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Patent number: 6057057Abstract: A conductive agent for use in alkaline storage batteries in accordance with one aspect of the present invention contains 0.1 to 10% by weight sodium. This sodium content results from cobalt or a cobalt compound, to which an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide is added and heated to 50 to 200.degree. C. A non-sintered nickel electrode for use in alkaline storage batteries is also proposed. In this electrode, the aforesaid conductive agent in accordance with the present invention is added to a pulverulent active material consisting of grains of nickel hydroxide or grains mainly constituted by nickel hydroxide such that 1 to 20 parts by weight of the conductive agent is added to 100 parts by weight nickel hydroxide contained in the pulverulent active material. Another non-sintered nickel electrode for use in alkaline storage batteries is also proposed.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1997Date of Patent: May 2, 2000Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Mutsumi Yano, Mitsuzo Nogami, Katsuhiko Shinyama, Masao Inoue, Hiroshi Watanabe, Reizo Maeda, Ikuo Yonezu, Koji Nishio
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Patent number: 6045594Abstract: A method is disclosed for manufacturing a nonaqueous battery which includes a negative electrode containing lithium or a material capable of occluding and discharging lithium, a positive electrode containing an oxide of manganese or cobalt, and a nonaqueous electrolyte. In the method the nonaqueous electrolyte is treated with an oxide of the metal of the positive electrode before the nonaqueous electrolyte is assembled into the battery. The method provides a nonaqueous electrolyte battery having an improved self-discharge property.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 1999Date of Patent: April 4, 2000Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co. Ltd.Inventors: Atsushi Yanai, Katsunori Yanagida, Yoshito Chikano, Ikuo Yonezu, Koji Nishio
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Patent number: 6007946Abstract: In the non-sintered nickel electrode for an alkaline storage battery according to the invention, a yttrium metal powder and/or a yttrium compound powder has been added to a particulate active material comprising composite particles each consisting of a nickel hydroxide core and a sodium-doped cobalt compound shell. Because the yttrium metal powder and/or yttrium compound powder inhibits the diffusion of cobalt into the nickel hydroxide core, the non-sintered nickel electrode of the invention exhibits a high utilization efficiency not only in an initial phase of charge-discharge cycling but over a long time of use. Moreover, because the yttrium metal powder and/or yttrium compound powder enhances the oxygen overpotential, the non-sintered nickel electrode for an alkaline storage battery according to the invention shows very satisfactory charge characteristics particularly at high temperatures.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1997Date of Patent: December 28, 1999Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Mutsumi Yano, Mitsuzo Nogami, Katsuhiko Shinyama, Kousuke Satoguchi, Mitsunori Tokuda, Ikuo Yonezu, Koji Nishio, Masao Inoue, Shin Fujitani
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Patent number: 5987895Abstract: Molded bodies of a hydrogen absorbing alloy accommodated in a hydrogen storage container are made readily replaceable to ensure stabilized supply of hydrogen gas. When exhibiting an impaired hydrogen absorbing-desorbing capacity, the molded bodies can be easily replaced by new molded bodies, whereby a specified hydrogen absorbing-desorbing capacity can be maintained. The hydrogen gas released from the storage container is partly utilized to heat the container and thereby maintain the alloy at a predetermined temperature, consequently assuring a device, such as a fuel cell, of stabilized supply of hydrogen from the container.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 1998Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kouichi Nishimura, Kouichi Satoh, Shin Fujitani, Ikuo Yonezu, Koji Nishio
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Patent number: 5932513Abstract: A container packed with a mixture of powders classified respectively into two or at least three particle-size distribution groups which are different in average particle size, the powders comprising a hydrogen absorbing alloy singly or the combination of such an alloy and a substance not absorbing hydrogen. The mixture is at least 0.03 to not greater than 0.50 in the ratio d.sub.2 /d.sub.1 wherein d.sub.1 is the average particle size of the powder having the particle-size distribution of the largest average particle size, and d.sub.2 is the average particle size of the powder having the particle-size distribution of the second largest average particle size. The weight ratio of the powder to the total weight of the powders is greater when that powder has a particle-size distribution of larger average particle size.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 1998Date of Patent: August 3, 1999Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroshi Nakamura, Shin Fujitani, Yumiko Nakamura, Hiroshi Watanabe, Ikuo Yonezu, Takahiro Yonesaki, Kouichi Nishimura
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Patent number: 5908487Abstract: A hydrogen absorbing alloy-packed container packed with a mixture of powders classified respectively into at least two particle-size distribution groups, each of which is different in mean particle size, the powders comprising a hydrogen absorbing alloy singly or the combination of a hydrogen absorbing alloy and a substance not absorbing hydrogen, the mixture having a ratio r.sub.N+1 /r.sub.N, wherein r.sub.N is the mean particle size of the powder having a particle-size distribution of the Nth largest mean particle size, N being an integer of not smaller than 1, and r.sub.N+1 is the mean particle size of the powder having a particle-size distribution of the (N+1)th largest mean particle size, of at least 0.03 to not greater than 0.50. The alloy powders can be selected from the group consisting of lanthanum-nickel, mischmetal-nickel, iron titanium and titanium manganese.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 1997Date of Patent: June 1, 1999Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Koichi Nishimura, Takahiro Yonesaki, Shin Fujitani, Hiroshi Nakamura, Yumiko Nakamura, Ikuo Yonezu, Hiroshi Watanabe
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Patent number: 5900558Abstract: A container packed with a mixture of powders classified respectively into two or at least three particle-size distribution groups which are different in average particle size, the powders comprising a hydrogen absorbing alloy singly or the combination of such an alloy and a substance not absorbing hydrogen. The mixture is at least 0.03 to not greater than 0.50 in the ratio d.sub.2 /d.sub.1 wherein d.sub.1 is the average particle size of the powder having the particle-size distribution of the largest average particle size, and d.sub.2 is the average particle size of the powder having the particle-size distribution of the second largest average particle size. The weight ratio of the powder to the total weight of the powders is greater when that powder has a particle-size distribution of larger average particle size.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 1997Date of Patent: May 4, 1999Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroshi Nakamura, Shin Fujitani, Yumiko Nakamura, Hiroshi Watanabe, Ikuo Yonezu, Takahiro Yonesaki, Kouichi Nishimura
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Patent number: 5876869Abstract: A hydrogen absorbing alloy electrode contains an alloy which comprises particles A of a first hydrogen absorbing alloy and particles B of a second hydrogen absorbing alloy of a composition different from the composition of the first alloy joined to the particles A, with a joint layer C formed at the resulting joint interfaces and having a new composition containing the component elements of the first and second alloys. In a specific embodiment, particles A of a first hydrogen absorbing alloy having a CaCu.sub.5 -type structure are joined to particles B of a second hydrogen absorbing alloy having a Zr--Ni Laves-phase structure. In another embodiment, particles A of a first hydrogen absorbing alloy having a CaCu.sub.5 -type structure are joined to particles B of a second hydrogen absorbing alloy having a CaCu.sub.5 -type structure and different form the first alloy in composition.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 1996Date of Patent: March 2, 1999Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroshi Nakamura, Teruhiko Imoto, Toshikazu Yoshida, Shin Fujitani, Ikuo Yonezu
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Patent number: 5851690Abstract: A hydrogen absorbing alloy for use in an environment where the alloy has the possibility of contacting oxygen is capable of inhibiting impairment of the hydrogen absorbing ability thereof when coming into contact with oxygen. The alloy has a composition represented in atomic ratio by Ti.sub.1-x Y.sub.x Mn.sub.y wherein x and y are in the range of 0<x.ltoreq.0.2 and 1.5.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.2.0, respectively, and comprises a C14-type crystal structure of Laves phase, the Laves phase having a segregaton phase of high Y concentration. Ti can be replaced by Hf and/or Zr within the range of over 0 to not greater than (1-x)/2 included in 1-x for the Ti atom. Mn can be replaced by V or Fe within the range of over 0 to not greater than y/2 included in y for the Mn atom.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 1997Date of Patent: December 22, 1998Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yumiko Nakamura, Hiroshi Nakamura, Maki Kamikawa, Hiroshi Watanabe, Shin Fujitani, Ikuo Yonezu
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Patent number: 5841043Abstract: A shaped body of hydrogen absorbing alloy prepared by pressing a mixture of a hydrogen absorbing alloy powder A having a first particle-size distribution, a hydrogen absorbing alloy powder B having a second particle-size distribution and a binder C, the powder A being larger than the powder B in mean particle size, the mixture being at least 0.03 to not gerater than 0.50 in the mean particle size ratio r.sub.B /r.sub.A of the powder B to the powder A wherein r.sub.A and r.sub.B are the mean particle sizes of the respective powders A and B. The hydrogen absorbing alloy of the powder B is higher than the hydrogen absorbing alloy of the powder A in the rate of progress of pulverization resulting from absorption and desorption of hydrogen.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1997Date of Patent: November 24, 1998Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Koichi Nishimura, Takahiro Yonesaki, Shin Fujitani, Hiroshi Nakamura, Yumiko Nakamura, Ikuo Yonezu, Hiroshi Watanabe
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Patent number: 5797269Abstract: Molded bodies of a hydrogen absorbing alloy accommodated in a hydrogen storage container are made readily replaceable to ensure stabilized supply of hydrogen gas. When exhibiting an impaired hydrogen absorbing-desorbing capacity, the molded bodies can be easily replaced by new molded bodies, whereby a specified hydrogen absorbing-desorbing capacity can be maintained. The hydrogen gas released from the storage container is partly utilized to heat the container and thereby maintain the alloy at a predetermined temperature, consequently assuring a device, such as a fuel cell, of stabilized supply of hydrogen from the container.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 1997Date of Patent: August 25, 1998Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kouichi Nishimura, Kouichi Satoh, Shin Fujitani, Ikuo Yonezu, Koji Nishio
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Patent number: 5728483Abstract: The invention provides a system for storing and utilizing hydrogen comprising a liquefied hydrogen storage container 1 to be filled with liquefied hydrogen 2, a fuel cell 5 operable by a supply of hydrogen gas and serving as a hydrogen utilizing device, hydrogen gas piping 37 interconnecting the storage container 1 and the fuel cell 5, a hydrogen absorbing alloy container 3 connected to an intermediate portion of the piping 37 and having a hydrogen absorbing alloy 4 accommodated therein, a heat accumulator 6 having a heat storage medium 7 accommodated therein, piping 25 and a pump 22 for circulating the heat storage medium 7 between the fuel cell 5 and the heat accumulator 6, and piping 24 and a pump 21 for circulating the heat storage medium between the alloy container 3 and the heat accumulator 6.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 1997Date of Patent: March 17, 1998Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shin Fujitani, Koichi Nishimura, Koichi Sato, Ikuo Yonezu, Koji Nishio
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Hydrogen-absorbing alloy electrode and method for evaluating hydrogen-absorbing alloys for electrode
Patent number: 5688341Abstract: A hydrogen-absorbing alloy electrode utilizes as an electrode material a hydrogen-absorbing alloy having selectively oriented crystals, which is expressed in terms of a specific maximum value obtained from analysis of powder X-ray diffractometry. This electrode, in which the hydrogen-absorbing alloy used is hardly pulverized upon repeated charge-discharge cycles and oxidation thereof is suppressed, gives metal hydride alkaline secondary batteries having excellent cycle characteristics. A method for evaluating hydogen-absorbing alloys for electrode comprises, utilizing the fact that there exists a clear relationship between specific parameters obtained by analyzing data based on the hydrogen-absorbing alloy to be evaluated and the characteristics of the electrode obtained therefrom, preparing and using analytical curves with the specific parameters.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 1996Date of Patent: November 18, 1997Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co. LtdInventors: Takahiro Isono, Hiroshi Watanabe, Shin Fujitani, Hiroshi Nakamura, Yumiko Nakamura, Ikuo Yonezu -
Patent number: 5676202Abstract: In a heat exchanger according to the present invention, there are provided a filling container having a first containing section containing a hydrogen-absorbing metal material for middle or high temperature, a second containing section containing a hydrogen-absorbing metal material for low temperature which is higher in equilibrium hydrogen pressure at the same temperature than the hydrogen-absorbing metal material for middle or high temperature, and a hydrogen passage for moving hydrogen between the first containing section and the second containing section; a guiding section having a heating section provided with heating means for heating the filling container, a heat radiating section provided with a heat exchanging section for radiating heat generated in the filling container outward, and a heat absorbing section provided with a heat exchanging section for cooling the outside by absorption of heat in the filling container; and moving means for moving the filling container back and forth in the guiding secType: GrantFiled: October 23, 1995Date of Patent: October 14, 1997Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Koji Akashi, Naoki Hiro, Kenji Nasako, Teruhiko Imoto, Koichi Nishimura, Ikuo Yonezu