Patents by Inventor Kazunori Urao

Kazunori Urao 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: 11715828
    Abstract: A positive-electrode material for a lithium secondary battery is provided. The material includes a lithium oxide compound or a complex oxide as reactive substance. The material also includes at least one type of carbon material, and optionally a binder. A first type of carbon material is provided as a coating on the reactive substance particles surface. A second type of carbon material is carbon black. And a third type of carbon material is a fibrous carbon material provided as a mixture of at least two types of fibrous carbon material different in fiber diameter and/or fiber length. Also, a method for preparing the material as well as lithium secondary batteries including the material is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignees: HYDRO-QUÉBEC, SEI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Karim Zaghib, Abdelbast Guerfi, Pierre Hovington, Takehiko Sawai, Shinji Saito, Kazunori Urao
  • Publication number: 20230094444
    Abstract: A method for producing an electrode material for a lithium-ion secondary battery. The method includes the following steps: (a) mixing components of a basic ingredient or active substance of electrode material and a conductive carbon material to obtain a conductive carbon material-composited material; (b) mixing the conductive carbon material-composited material and a surface layer-forming material; an (c) burning the mixture obtained at step (b) to obtain the electrode material. Also, a lithium-ion secondary battery including an electrode which includes the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Applicant: HYDRO-QUÉBEC
    Inventors: Vincent GARIEPY, Abdelbast GUERFI, Kazuma Hanai, Pierre HOVINGTON, Shinji Saito, Takehiko Sawai, Kazunori Urao, Karim ZAGHIB
  • Patent number: 11545668
    Abstract: A method for producing an electrode material for a lithium-ion secondary battery. The method includes the following steps: (a) mixing components of a basic ingredient or active substance of electrode material and a conductive carbon material to obtain a conductive carbon material-composited material; (b) mixing the conductive carbon material-composited material and a surface layer-forming material; an (c) burning the mixture obtained at step (b) to obtain the electrode material. Also, a lithium-ion secondary battery including an electrode which comprises the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: HYDRO-QUEBEC
    Inventors: Vincent Gariepy, Abdelbast Guerfi, Kazuma Hanai, Pierre Hovington, Shinji Saito, Takehiko Sawai, Kazunori Urao, Karim Zaghib
  • Publication number: 20210280922
    Abstract: The present invention provides a lithium secondary battery for an ISS which can be discharged at not less than 20 ItA when temperature is ?30 degrees centigrade and can be charged at not less than 50 ItA. The positive electrode material consists of a mixture of lithium-containing metal phosphate compound particles whose surfaces are coated with an amorphous carbon material and a conductive carbon material, in which atoms of the surface carbon materials are chemically bonded to one another. The negative electrode material contains at least one kind of particles selected from among graphite particles whose surfaces are coated with an amorphous carbon material, having a specific surface area of not less than 6 m2/g and soft carbon particles. A mixed electrolyte contains lithium hexafluorophosphate and lithium bis fluorosulfonyl imide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Takehiko SAWAI, Shinji SAITO, Kazunori URAO
  • Patent number: 10944107
    Abstract: A positive-electrode material for a lithium secondary battery is provided. The material includes a lithium oxide compound or a complex oxide as reactive substance. The material also includes at least one type of carbon material, and optionally a binder. A first type of carbon material is provided as a coating on the reactive substance particles surface. A second type of carbon material is carbon black. And a third type of carbon material is a fibrous carbon material provided as a mixture of at least two types of fibrous carbon material different in fiber diameter and/or fiber length. Also, a method for preparing the material as well as lithium secondary batteries including the material is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: HYDRO-QUÉBEC
    Inventors: Karim Zaghib, Abdelbast Guerfi, Pierre Hovington, Takehiko Sawai, Shinji Saito, Kazunori Urao
  • Publication number: 20210066718
    Abstract: A positive-electrode material for a lithium secondary battery is provided. The material includes a lithium oxide compound or a complex oxide as reactive substance. The material also includes at least one type of carbon material, and optionally a binder. A first type of carbon material is provided as a coating on the reactive substance particles surface. A second type of carbon material is carbon black. And a third type of carbon material is a fibrous carbon material provided as a mixture of at least two types of fibrous carbon material different in fiber diameter and/or fiber length. Also, a method for preparing the material as well as lithium secondary batteries including the material is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Applicants: HYDRO-QUÉBEC, SEI Corporation
    Inventors: Karim ZAGHIB, Abdelbast GUERFI, Pierre HOVINGTON, Takehiko SAWAI, Shinji SAITO, Kazunori URAO
  • Patent number: 10879567
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a lithium secondary battery in which peeling of an active substance can be prevented and the generation of metal powder can be prevented when a power collection foil is processed at an electrode production step. The method for producing the lithium secondary battery includes an electrode-producing step of producing a positive electrode and a negative electrode; a step of forming a group of electrodes by layering the positive electrode and the negative electrode on each other through a separator, or winding the positive electrode and the negative electrode through a separator; and a step of immersing the group of the electrodes in an electrolyte. The electrode-producing step has a boring step of forming a plurality of through-holes penetrating a power collection foil and having projected parts projected from at least a rear surface of the power collection foil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: SEI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takehiko Sawai, Shinji Saito, Kazunori Urao
  • Patent number: 10873073
    Abstract: Provided is positive electrode material for a highly safe lithium-ion secondary battery that can charge and discharge a large current while having long service life. Disclosed are composite particles comprising: at least one carbon material selected from the group consisting of (i) fibrous carbon material, (ii) chain-like carbon material, and (iii) carbon material produced by linking together fibrous carbon material and chain-like carbon material; and lithium-containing phosphate, wherein at least one fine pore originating from the at least one carbon material opens to outside the composite particle. Preferably, the composite particles are coated with carbon. The fibrous carbon material is preferably a carbon nanotube with an average fiber size of 5 to 200 nm. The chain-like carbon material is preferably carbon black produced by linking, like a chain, primary particles with an average particle size of 10 to 100 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignees: DENKA COMPANY LIMITED, SEI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Kawasaki, Nobuyuki Yoshino, Hiroshi Murata, Takehiko Sawai, Shinji Saito, Kazunori Urao
  • Publication number: 20190362906
    Abstract: The present invention provides a lithium secondary battery for an ISS dischargeable at not less than 15 ItA when the temperature is ?30 degrees centigrade and chargeable at not less than 50 ItA. The present invention also provides an electrochemical device in which (1) a pressure of 0.3 kgf/cm2 to 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Takehiko SAWAI, Shinji SAITO, Kazunori URAO
  • Publication number: 20190288280
    Abstract: Provided is positive electrode material for a highly safe lithium-ion secondary battery that can charge and discharge a large current while having long service life. Disclosed are composite particles comprising: particles of lithium-containing phosphate; and carbon coating comprising at least one carbon material selected from the group consisting of (i) fibrous carbon material, (ii) chain-like carbon material, and (iii) carbon material produced by linking together fibrous carbon material and chain-like carbon material, wherein each particle is coated with the carbon coating. The fibrous carbon material is preferably a carbon nanotube with an average fiber size of 5 to 200 nm. The chain-like carbon material is preferably carbon black produced by linking, like a chain, primary particles with an average particle size of 10 to 100 nm. The lithium-containing phosphate is preferably LiFePO4, LiMnPO4, LiMnxFe(1-x)PO4, LiCoPO4, or Li3V2(PO4)3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Applicant: DENKA COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Takashi KAWASAKI, Nobuyuki YOSHINO, Hiroshi MURATA, Takehiko SAWAI, Shinji SAITO, Kazunori URAO
  • Patent number: 10403893
    Abstract: A positive electrode material is used to produce a positive electrode of a lithium secondary battery, the positive electrode material being a composite lithium material that includes a first lithium compound and a second lithium compound. For instance, the first lithium compound is in the form of particles and comprises at least one compound selected from a layered lithium compound and a spinel-type lithium compound. Preferably, the second lithium compound comprises at least one compound selected from a lithium-containing phosphate compound and a lithium-containing silicate compound. An amorphous carbon material layer and/or graphene-structured carbon material layer is present on the entire surface of the first lithium compound and the second lithium compound. The second lithium compound forms a thin-film layer on part or the entirety of the carbon material layer present on the surface of the first lithium compound particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignees: HYDRO-QUEBEC, SEI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takehiko Sawai, Shinji Saito, Kazunori Urao, Kazuma Hanai, Karim Zaghib, Abdelbast Guerfi, Martin Dontigny
  • Patent number: 10230089
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electrolyte holder for a lithium secondary battery capable of holding an electrolytic solution inside electrodes or at an interface between the separator and each of the electrodes, preventing electrolyte shortage inside the electrodes, and restraining dendrite from precipitating and growing and also provide the lithium secondary battery, using the electrolyte holder, which is capable of achieving a cycle life to such an extent that the lithium secondary battery can be used for industrial application. An electrolyte holder (3) for use in the lithium secondary battery consists of a multi-layer structure having at least two hydrophilic fibrous layers (A, B) having different porosities. The electrolyte holder (3) is composed of an electrode group formed by winding a cathode (2) and an anode (1) or laminating the cathode (2) and the anode (1) one upon another with an electrolyte holder (3) serving as a separator interposed between the cathode (2) and the anode (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignees: SEI CORPORATION, NIPPON KODOSHI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takehiko Sawai, Shinji Saito, Kazunori Urao, Jyunichi Ushimoto, Masahiko Ueta, Norihiro Wada
  • Publication number: 20180287155
    Abstract: A positive-electrode material for a lithium secondary battery. The material includes a lithium oxide compound or a complex oxide as reactive substance. The material also includes at least one type of carbon material, and optionally a binder. A first type of carbon material is provided as a coating on the reactive substance particles surface. A second type of carbon material is carbon black. And a third type of carbon material is a fibrous carbon material provided as a mixture of at least two types of fibrous carbon material different in fiber diameter and/or fiber length. Also, a method for preparing the material as well as lithium secondary batteries including the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicants: Hydro-Quebec, SEI Corporation
    Inventors: Karim ZAGHIB, Abdelbast GUERFI, Pierre HOVINGTON, Takehiko SAWAI, Shinji SAITO, Kazunori URAO
  • Patent number: 10090525
    Abstract: A positive-electrode material for a lithium secondary battery. The material includes a lithium oxide compound or a complex oxide as reactive substance. The material also includes at least one type of carbon material, and optionally a binder. A first type of carbon material is provided as a coating on the reactive substance particles surface. A second type of carbon material is carbon black. And a third type of carbon material is a fibrous carbon material provided as a mixture of at least two types of fibrous carbon material different in fiber diameter and/or fiber length. Also, a method for preparing the material as well as lithium secondary batteries including the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignees: HYDRO-QUEBEC, SEI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Karim Zaghib, Abdelbast Guerfi, Pierre Hovington, Takehiko Sawai, Shinji Saito, Kazunori Urao
  • Patent number: 10050270
    Abstract: A lithium-ion secondary battery including positive and negative electrodes, a separator element, an electrical conductor element and a binder, wherein the positive electrode includes a lithium-containing metal phosphate compound coated with a carbon material having at least one phase selected from a graphene phase and an amorphous phase, and further includes carbon black and a fibrous carbon material and wherein the negative-electrode material includes a graphite carbon material having at least one carbon phase selected from a graphene phase and an amorphous phase, and further includes carbon black and a fibrous carbon material, and wherein the binder includes a water-soluble synthetic resin or a water-dispersible synthetic resin. The most preferred positive electrode includes LiFePO4, The most preferred negative electrode includes artificial graphite or graphitazable powder. The most preferred binder is carboxyl methyl cellulose further including a surface active agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: HYDRO-QUEBEC
    Inventors: Karim Zaghib, Shinji Saito, Abdelbast Guerfi, Takehiko Sawai, Kazunori Urao, Jun Nakagawa, Francis Barray, Joël Fréchette
  • Publication number: 20170324089
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electrode material, for a lithium battery, which is capable of achieving a high-energy density and a high output and continuing its properties for many years, a method of producing the electrode material, and the lithium battery. The electrode material for use in positive and negative electrodes of a lithium battery is formed as a complex by combining a carbon-based conductive material and an electrode active material with each other. The carbon-based conductive material of the electrode material is subjected to hydrophilic treatment by using a gas containing fluorine gas. The electrode material is formed as the complex by calcining a mixture of the carbon-based conductive material subjected to the hydrophilic treatment and the electrode active material in the presence of fluororesin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Takehiko SAWAI, Shinji SAITO, Kazunori URAO, Jun NAKAGAWA, Kazuma HANAI
  • Publication number: 20170214098
    Abstract: The present invention provides a lithium secondary battery for an ISS which can be discharged at not less than 20 ItA when temperature is ?30 degrees centigrade and can be charged at not less than 50 ItA. The positive electrode material consists of a mixture of lithium-containing metal phosphate compound particles whose surfaces are coated with an amorphous carbon material and a conductive carbon material, in which atoms of the surface carbon materials are chemically bonded to one another. The negative electrode material contains at least one kind of particles selected from among graphite particles whose surfaces are coated with an amorphous carbon material, having a specific surface area of not less than 6 m2/g and soft carbon particles. A mixed electrolyte contains lithium hexafluorophosphate and lithium bis fluorosulfonyl imide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Takehiko SAWAI, Shinji SAITO, Kazunori URAO
  • Publication number: 20170125813
    Abstract: A positive-electrode material for a lithium secondary battery. The material includes a lithium oxide compound or a complex oxide as reactive substance. The material also includes at least one type of carbon material, and optionally a binder. A first type of carbon material is provided as a coating on the reactive substance particles surface. A second type of carbon material is carbon black. And a third type of carbon material is a fibrous carbon material provided as a mixture of at least two types of fibrous carbon material different in fiber diameter and/or fiber length. Also, a method for preparing the material as well as lithium secondary batteries including the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicants: Hydro-Quebec, SEI Corporation
    Inventors: Karim ZAGHIB, Abdelbast GUERFI, Pierre HOVINGTON, Takehiko SAWAI, Shinji SAITO, Kazunori URAO
  • Publication number: 20170084920
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electrode material, for a lithium battery, which is capable of achieving a high-energy density and a high output and continuing its properties for many years, a method of producing the electrode material, and the lithium battery. The electrode material for use in positive and negative electrodes of a lithium battery is formed as a complex by combining a carbon-based conductive material and an electrode active material with each other. The carbon-based conductive material of the electrode material is subjected to hydrophilic treatment by using a gas containing fluorine gas. The electrode material is formed as the complex by calcining a mixture of the carbon-based conductive material subjected to the hydrophilic treatment and the electrode active material in the presence of fluororesin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Takehiko SAWAI, Shinji SAITO, Kazunori URAO, Jun NAKAGAWA, Kazuma HANAI
  • Patent number: RE49319
    Abstract: A lithium-ion secondary battery including positive and negative electrodes, a separator element, an electrical conductor element and a binder, wherein the positive electrode includes a lithium-containing metal phosphate compound coated with a carbon material having at least one phase selected from a graphene phase and an amorphous phase, and further includes carbon black and a fibrous carbon material and wherein the negative-electrode material includes a graphite carbon material having at least one carbon phase selected from a graphene phase and an amorphous phase, and further includes carbon black and a fibrous carbon material, and wherein the binder includes a water-soluble synthetic resin or a water-dispersible synthetic resin. The most preferred positive electrode includes LiFePO4, The most preferred negative electrode includes artificial graphite or graphitazable powder. The most preferred binder is carboxyl methyl cellulose further including a surface active agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: HYDRO-QUEBEC
    Inventors: Karim Zaghib, Shinji Saito, Abdelbast Guerfi, Takehiko Sawai, Kazunori Urao, Jun Nakagawa, Francis Barray, Joel Frechette