Patents by Inventor John B. Bates

John B. Bates 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: 6168884
    Abstract: A thin-film rechargeable battery includes a cathode film; including a lithium transition metal oxide, an electrolyte film coupled to the cathode film, the electrolyte film being substantially nonreactive with oxidizing materials and with metallic lithium, an anode current collector coupled to the electrolyte film; and an overlying layer coupled to the anode current collector. The thin-film rechargeable battery is activated during an initial charge by electrochemical plating of a metallic lithium anode between the anode current collector and the electrolyte film. The plating of the anode during charging and the stripping of the anode layer during discharging are essentially reversible. Therefore, almost no diminishment of discharge capacity occurs, even after many discharge and charge cycles. Other advantages include no need for special packaging for shipping and handling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation
    Inventors: Bernd J. Neudecker, Nancy J. Dudney, John B. Bates
  • Patent number: 5612152
    Abstract: Rechargeable lithium batteries which employ characteristics of thin-film batteries can be used to satisfy power requirements within a relatively broad range. Thin-film battery cells utilizing a film of anode material, a film of cathode material and an electrolyte of an amorphous lithium phosphorus oxynitride can be connected in series or parallel relationship for the purpose of withdrawing electrical power simultaneously from the cells. In addition, such battery cells which employ a lithium intercalation compound as its cathode material can be connected in a manner suitable for supplying power for the operation of an electric vehicle. Still further, by incorporating within the battery cell a relatively thick cathode of a lithium intercalation compound, a relatively thick anode of lithium and an electrolyte film of lithium phosphorus oxynitride, the battery cell is rendered capable of supplying power for any of a number of consumer products, such as a laptop computer or a cellular telephone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: John B. Bates
  • Patent number: 5597660
    Abstract: Described is a thin-film battery, especially a thin-film microbattery, and a method for making same having application as a backup or primary integrated power source for electronic devices. The battery includes a novel electrolyte amorphous lithium phosphorus oxynitride which is electrochemically stable and does not react with the lithium anode and a novel vanadium oxide cathode Configured as a microbattery, the battery can be fabricated directly onto a semiconductor chip, onto the semiconductor die or onto any portion of the chip carrier. The battery can be fabricated to any specified size or shape to meet the requirements of a particular application. The battery is fabricated of solid state materials and is capable of operation between -15.degree. C. and 150.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John B. Bates, Nancy J. Dudney
  • Patent number: 5569520
    Abstract: Rechargeable lithium batteries which employ characteristics of thin-film batteries can be used to satisfy power requirements within a relatively broad range. Thin-film battery cells utilizing a film of anode material, a film of cathode material and an electrolyte of an amorphorus lithium phosphorus oxynitride can be connected in series or parallel relationship for the purpose of withdrawing electrical power simultaneously from the cells. In addition, such battery cells which employ a lithium intercalation compound as its cathode material can be connected in a manner suitable for supplying power for the operation of an electric vehicle. Still further, by incorporating within the battery cell a relatively thick cathode of a lithium intercalation compound, a relatively thick anode of lithium and an electrolyte film of lithium phosphorus oxynitride, the battery cell is rendered capable of supplying power for any of a number of consumer products, such as a laptop computer or a cellular telephone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: John B. Bates
  • Patent number: 5567210
    Abstract: Described is a thin-film battery, especially a thin-film microbattery, and a method for making same having application as a backup or primary integrated power source for electronic devices. The battery includes a novel electrolyte which is electrochemically stable and does not react with the lithium anode and a novel vanadium oxide cathode Configured as a microbattery, the battery can be fabricated directly onto a semiconductor chip, onto the semiconductor die or onto any portion of the chip carrier. The battery can be fabricated to any specified size or shape to meet the requirements of a particular application. The battery is fabricated of solid state materials and is capable of operation between -15.degree. C. and 150.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John B. Bates, Nancy J. Dudney
  • Patent number: 5561004
    Abstract: A thin film battery including components which are capable of reacting upon exposure to air and water vapor incorporates a packaging system which provides a barrier against the penetration of air and water vapor. The packaging system includes a protective sheath overlying and coating the battery components and can be comprised of an overlayer including metal, ceramic, a ceramic-metal combination, a parylene-metal combination, a parylene-ceramic combination or a parylene-metal-ceramic combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Inventors: John B. Bates, Nancy J. Dudney, Kim A. Weatherspoon
  • Patent number: 5512147
    Abstract: Described is a thin-film battery, especially a thin-film microbattery, and a method for making same having application as a backup or primary integrated power source for electronic devices. The battery includes a novel electrolyte which is electrochemically stable and does not react with the lithium anode and a novel vanadium oxide cathode Configured as a microbattery, the battery can be fabricated directly onto a semiconductor chip, onto the semiconductor die or onto any portion of the chip carrier. The battery can be fabricated to any specified size or shape to meet the requirements of a particular application. The battery is fabricated of solid state materials and is capable of operation between -15.degree. C. and 150.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John B. Bates, Nancy J. Dudney
  • Patent number: 5455126
    Abstract: Described is a thin-film battery, especially a thin-film microbattery, and a method for making same having application as a backup or primary integrated power source for electronic devices. The battery includes a novel electrolyte which is electrochemically stable and does not react with the lithium anode and a novel vanadium oxide cathode Configured as a microbattery, the battery can be fabricated directly onto a semiconductor chip, onto the semiconductor die or onto any portion of the chip carrier. The battery can be fabricated to any specified size or shape to meet the requirements of a particular application. The battery is fabricated of solid state materials and is capable of operation between -15.degree. C. and 150.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John B. Bates, Nancy J. Dudney, Greg R. Gruzalski, Christopher F. Luck
  • Patent number: 5338625
    Abstract: Described is a thin-film battery, especially a thin-film microbattery, and a method for making same having application as a backup or primary integrated power source for electronic devices. The battery includes a novel electrolyte which is electrochemically stable and does not react with the lithium anode and a novel vanadium oxide cathode Configured as a microbattery, the battery can be fabricated directly onto a semiconductor chip, onto the semiconductor die or onto any portion of the chip carrier. The battery can be fabricated to any specified size or shape to meet the requirements of a particular application. The battery is fabricated of solid state materials and is capable of operation between -15.degree. C. and 150.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John B. Bates, Nancy J. Dudney, Greg R. Gruzalski, Christopher F. Luck
  • Patent number: 5332906
    Abstract: A scintillator assembly for use in conjunction with a photomultiplier or the like in the detection of alpha radiation utilizes a substrate or transparent yttrium aluminum garnet and a relatively thin film of cerium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet coated upon the substrate. The film material is applied to the substrate in a sputtering process, and the applied film and substrate are annealed to effect crystallization of the film upon the substrate. The resultant assembly provides relatively high energy resolution during use in a detection instrument and is sufficiently rugged for use in field environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Lauf, Stephanie A. McElhaney, John B. Bates
  • Patent number: 5314765
    Abstract: A battery structure including a cathode, a lithium metal anode and an electrolyte disposed between the lithium anode and the cathode utilizes a thin-film layer of lithium phosphorus oxynitride overlying so as to coat the lithium anode and thereby separate the lithium anode from the electrolyte. If desired, a preliminary layer of lithium nitride may be coated upon the lithium anode before the lithium phosphorous oxynitride is, in turn, coated upon the lithium anode so that the separation of the anode and the electrolyte is further enhanced. By coating the lithium anode with this material lay-up, the life of the battery is lengthened and the performance of the battery is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: John B. Bates