Patents by Inventor James X. Wu
James X. Wu 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: 8399124Abstract: A seal member having a thermoplastic body for an electrochemical cell containing a nonaqueous organic solvent electrolyte. In particular, the seal member is preferably one or more of (a) a seal located between a cell container wall and a cell cover and (b) a seal of a vent assembly, more particularly a ball vent assembly. The seal member has a composite construction including one or more vapor transmission barrier layers disposed on a portion of the thermoplastic body.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2008Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.Inventors: Weiwei Huang, James X. Wu, James J. Mieskoski, Paula J. Hughes
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Patent number: 8383255Abstract: An end assembly seals a cylindrical electrochemical cell. The assembly includes a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) device and a gasket having a protrusion that cooperates with the end assembly isolates the PTC device from primary axial compression forces present in the closure assembly. In further embodiments of the present invention, the end assembly may be produced by insert molding a seal element about the terminal cover and the gasket itself has an E or F shaped cross section.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2009Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.Inventors: Matthew T Wendling, Mark A Schubert, James X Wu
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Publication number: 20120151754Abstract: A closure assembly for an electrochemical cell including a container and an end assembly sealing an open end of the container in order to minimize mass or weight loss of the cell due to electrolyte vapor transmission is disclosed. The end assembly is provided with a vent member capable of venting a fluid when the pressure within the cell exceeds a predetermined limit; a contact member operatively in electrical contact with a conductive contact of the end assembly and a current collector of an electrode of the cell; and an insulating, polymeric seal member disposed at least between conductive components of the closure assembly having different polarities. In a preferred embodiment, the seal member has a selected dimensional ratio in order to minimize vapor transmission of the electrolyte through the seal member.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2012Publication date: June 21, 2012Applicant: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.Inventor: James X. Wu
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Patent number: 8173284Abstract: An electrochemical cell with a collector assembly for sealing the open end of a cell container. The collector assembly includes a retainer and a contact spring with a peripheral flange, each having a central opening therein. A pressure release vent member disposed between the retainer and the peripheral flange of the contact spring seals the openings in the retainer and contact spring under normal conditions and ruptures to release pressure from within the cell when the internal pressure exceeds a predetermined limit.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2011Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.Inventors: James X Wu, Richard A Langan
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Patent number: 8147999Abstract: A closure assembly for an electrochemical cell including a container and an end assembly sealing an open end of the container in order to minimize mass or weight loss of the cell due to electrolyte vapor transmission is disclosed. The end assembly is provided with a vent member capable of venting a fluid when the pressure within the cell exceeds a predetermined limit; a contact member operatively in electrical contact with a conductive contact of the end assembly and a current collector of an electrode of the cell; and an insulating, polymeric seal member disposed at least between conductive components of the closure assembly having different polarities. In a preferred embodiment, the seal member has a selected dimensional ratio in order to minimize vapor transmission of the electrolyte through the seal member.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2008Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.Inventor: James X. Wu
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Patent number: 8076015Abstract: An electrochemical cell with a pressure relief vent formed in a metal plate disposed in at least one of the closed end and the open end of the container. The pressure relief vent has an annular ring that includes a reduced thickness groove, interrupted in at least two places by unthinned sections of the plate. When the vent opens to relieve pressure from within the cell, the area of the plate within the annular ring remains attached to the remainder of the plate by at least one of the unthinned sections. A can with such a pressure relief vent formed in the can bottom is useful as an electrochemical cell container.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2007Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.Inventors: Richard L. Bouffard, Peter M. Lewis, Huaxin Li, Paul R. Elsdon, Jr., Richard J. Sosnovich, Jr., Warren Emerson Sweet, Robert E. Ray, Jr., James X. Wu
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Publication number: 20110183164Abstract: An electrochemical cell with a collector assembly for sealing the open end of a cell container. The collector assembly includes a retainer and a contact spring with a peripheral flange, each having a central opening therein. A pressure release vent member disposed between the retainer and the peripheral flange of the contact spring seals the openings in the retainer and contact spring under normal conditions and ruptures to release pressure from within the cell when the internal pressure exceeds a predetermined limit.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2011Publication date: July 28, 2011Applicant: EVEREADY BATTERY COMPANY, INC.Inventors: James X. Wu, Richard A. Langan
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Patent number: 7923138Abstract: An electrochemical cell with a collector assembly for sealing the open end of a cell container. The collector assembly includes a retainer and a contact spring with a peripheral flange, each having a central opening therein. A pressure release vent member disposed between the retainer and the peripheral flange of the contact spring seals the openings in the retainer and contact spring under normal conditions and ruptures to release pressure from within the cell when the internal pressure exceeds a predetermined limit.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2010Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.Inventors: James X Wu, Richard A Langan
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Publication number: 20110014507Abstract: An electrochemical cell with a collector assembly for sealing the open end of a cell container. The collector assembly includes a retainer and a contact spring with a peripheral flange, each having a central opening therein. A pressure release vent member disposed between the retainer and the peripheral flange of the contact spring seals the openings in the retainer and contact spring under normal conditions and ruptures to release pressure from within the cell when the internal pressure exceeds a predetermined limit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2010Publication date: January 20, 2011Applicant: EVEREADY BATTERY COMPANY, INC.Inventors: James X. Wu, Richard A. Langan
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Patent number: 7855006Abstract: A fluid consuming battery (10) is provided with a fluid regulating system (50) for regulating fluid entry into the battery. The battery (10) includes a fluid consuming cell (20) having a cell housing with fluid entry ports for the passage of a fluid into the cell housing. A first fluid consuming electrode and a second electrode are disposed within the cell housing. The fluid regulating system (50) includes a valve having a moving plate (66) disposed adjacent to a fixed plate (62). The moving plate and fixed plate both have fluid entry ports (68, 64) that align in an open valve position and are misaligned in a closed valve position. The fluid regulating system (50) also includes an actuator that may include one or more shape memory alloy (SMA) components (82a, 82b) for moving the moving plate (66) relative to the fixed plate (62) to open and close the valve.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2007Date of Patent: December 21, 2010Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.Inventors: James X. Wu, Robert M. Janmey, Richard A. Langan
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Patent number: 7833647Abstract: A closure assembly and rupturable vent seal adapted for use in an electrochemical battery cell is disclosed. The vent seal includes a series of peripheral projections that can be folded to insure proper sealing of the vent without wrinkles or overlapping folded portions. Methods of accomplishing the invention are also contemplated.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2006Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.Inventors: Jeannine L. Martinson, Richard A. Langan, James X. Wu
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Patent number: 7824790Abstract: An electrochemical cell with a collector assembly for sealing the open end of a cell container. The collector assembly includes a retainer and a contact spring with a peripheral flange, each having a central opening therein. A pressure release vent member disposed between the retainer and the peripheral flange of the contact spring seals the openings in the retainer and contact spring under normal conditions and ruptures to release pressure from within the cell when the internal pressure exceeds a predetermined limit.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2008Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Eveready Battery Co., Inc.Inventors: James X. Wu, Richard A. Langan
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Publication number: 20100248014Abstract: A seal member having a thermoplastic body for an electrochemical cell containing a nonaqueous organic solvent electrolyte. In particular, the seal member is preferably one or more of (a) a seal located between a cell container wall and a cell cover and (b) a seal of a vent assembly, more particularly a ball vent assembly. The seal member has a composite construction including one or more vapor transmission barrier layers disposed on a portion of the thermoplastic body.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2008Publication date: September 30, 2010Applicant: EVEREADY BATTERY COMPANY, INC.Inventors: Weiwei Huang, James X Wu, James J Mieskoski, Paula J Hughes
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Publication number: 20100215996Abstract: An end assembly seals a cylindrical electrochemical cell. The assembly includes a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) device and a gasket having a protrusion that cooperates with the end assembly isolates the PTC device from primary axial compression forces present in the closure assembly. In further embodiments of the present invention, the end assembly may be produced by insert molding a seal element about the terminal cover and the gasket itself has an E or F shaped cross section.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2009Publication date: August 26, 2010Applicant: EVEREADY BATTERY COMPANY, INC.Inventors: Matthew T. Wendling, Mark A. Schubert, James X. Wu
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Patent number: 7687189Abstract: An electrochemical cell with a collector assembly for sealing the open end of a cell container. The collector assembly includes a retainer and a contact spring with a peripheral flange, each having a central opening therein. A pressure release vent member disposed between the retainer and the peripheral flange of the contact spring seals the openings in the retainer and contact spring under normal conditions and ruptures to release pressure from within the cell when the internal pressure exceeds a predetermined limit.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2004Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.Inventors: James X. Wu, Richard A. Langan
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Publication number: 20090311583Abstract: A closure assembly for an electrochemical cell including a container and an end assembly sealing an open end of the container in order to minimize mass or weight loss of the cell due to electrolyte vapor transmission is disclosed. The end assembly is provided with a vent member capable of venting a fluid when the pressure within the cell exceeds a predetermined limit; a contact member operatively in electrical contact with a conductive contact of the end assembly and a current collector of an electrode of the cell; and an insulating, polymeric seal member disposed at least between conductive components of the closure assembly having different polarities. In a preferred embodiment, the seal member has a selected dimensional ratio in order to minimize vapor transmission of the electrolyte through the seal member.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2008Publication date: December 17, 2009Inventor: James X. Wu
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Patent number: 7618742Abstract: An electrochemical battery cell with an electrical lead for electrical contact between one of the cell's electrodes and the side of the cell container. A portion of the lead, disposed between the electrode assembly and the side wall of the container, includes an initially non-planar shape that is in a partially deformed, compressed configuration within the cell to bias the lead against the internal surface of the side wall of the container, thereby applying sufficient force to provide good electrical contact between the electrode and the container. The initially non-planar shape can include one or more V-shaped or arc-shaped grooves, and the grooves can be disposed parallel to a longitudinal axis of the electrode assembly. Also disclosed is a process for making such a cell.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2005Date of Patent: November 17, 2009Assignee: Eveready Battery Co., Inc.Inventors: David A. Kaplin, James X. Wu
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Publication number: 20080254343Abstract: An electrochemical cell having a current interrupting switch as an internal component of the cell that is thermally responsive and breaks an electrical path within the cell thereby preventing current flow when temperature within the cell is at or above an activating temperature. The switch is reversible and current flow and a closed circuit is re-established when temperature within the cell returns below the activating temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2007Publication date: October 16, 2008Inventors: David A. Kaplin, James X. Wu
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Publication number: 20080213651Abstract: An electrochemical cell with a collector assembly for sealing the open end of a cell container. The collector assembly includes a retainer and a contact spring with a peripheral flange, each having a central opening therein. A pressure release vent member disposed between the retainer and the peripheral flange of the contact spring seals the openings in the retainer and contact spring under normal conditions and ruptures to release pressure from within the cell when the internal pressure exceeds a predetermined limit.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2008Publication date: September 4, 2008Inventors: James X. Wu, Richard A. Langan
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Publication number: 20080096074Abstract: Air depolarized electrochemical cells are formed having a cell construction for improving or enhancing air flow to an air electrode. The electrochemical cell includes a layer of material disposed between a positive air electrode and an inner surface of a base of a cell casing, and having a surface facing the base, with the layer of material being an air permeable, hydrophobic layer or an air and water permeable layer. At least one of the inner surface of the base and the surface of the layer of material facing the base comprises at least one projection or at least one groove or a combination thereof whereby an open air channel is provided between the inner surface of the base and the layer of material, with the air channel being in contact with at least one air aperture of the cell. Methods for producing air depolarized electrochemical cells having air flow channels are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2006Publication date: April 24, 2008Inventor: James X. Wu