Patents by Inventor Kimio Kinoshita

Kimio Kinoshita 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).

  • Publication number: 20200013561
    Abstract: Mixture of particles comprising a non-conducting or semi-conducting nucleus covered with a hybrid conductor coating and hybrid conductor chains located between the particles of the mixture to constitute a conductivity network, that is prepared by mechanical crushing. Due to a very good conductivity of the network, a low resistivity, a very good capacity under elevated current and/or a good density of energy, these mixtures of particles are advantageously incorporated in anodes and cathodes of electrochemical generators, resulting in highly performing electrochemical systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Applicant: HYDRO-QUEBEC
    Inventors: Karim Zaghib, Patrick Charest, Abdelbast Guerfi, Michel Perrier, Kimio Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 9870873
    Abstract: Mixture of particles comprising a non-conducting or semi-conducting nucleus covered with a hybrid conductor coating and hybrid conductor chains located between the particles of the mixture to constitute a conductivity network, that is prepared by mechanical crushing. Due to a very good conductivity of the network, a low resistivity, a very good capacity under elevated current and/or a good density of energy, these mixtures of particles are advantageously incorporated in anodes and cathodes of electrochemical generators, resulting in highly performing electrochemical systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: HYDRO-QUEBEC
    Inventors: Karim Zaghib, Patrick Charest, Abdelbast Guerfi, Michel Perrier, Kimio Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 9768441
    Abstract: Process for the preparation of electrodes from a porous material making it possible to obtain electrodes that are useful in electrochemical systems and that have at least one of the following properties: a high capacity in mAh/gram, a high capacity in mAh/liter, a good capacity for cycling, a low rate of self-discharge, and a good environmental tolerance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: HYDRO-QUEBEC
    Inventors: Karim Zaghib, Abdelbast Guerfi, Patrick Charest, Robert Kostecki, Kimio Kinoshita, Michel Armand
  • Patent number: 9508983
    Abstract: A method for modifying graphite particles having a prismatic shape or a cylindrical shape characterized by an edge function fe and a basal function fb, said method providing increase of the edge function and lowering of the basal function, wherein the method includes submitting the graphite particles to at least one physical means selected from attrition, jet mill, ball mill, hammer mill, or atomizer mill, in the presence of at least one chemical compound chosen from the group of compounds of the formula MFz, in which M represents an alkaline or alkaline-earth metal and z represents 1 or 2, NaCl and NH4F or a mixture thereof, said compound or compounds being added in solid form, at the beginning of the step using the physical means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: HYDRO-QUEBEC
    Inventors: Abdelbast Guerfi, Fernand Brochu, Kimio Kinoshita, Karim Zaghib
  • Patent number: 9444092
    Abstract: Modified graphite particles obtained from graphite or based on graphite, the said particles having impurities in their internal structure and having on the surface a low, even nil, rate of an impurity or several impurities. In addition, these particles have at least one of the following characteristics: a tab density between 0.3 and 1.5 g/cc; a potatolike shape; and a granulometric dispersion such that the D90/D10 ratio varies between 2 and 5 and the particles have a size between 1 and 50 ?m. These particles can be used for fuel cells, electrochemical generators, or as moisture absorbers and/or oxygen absorbers and they have important electrochemical properties. The electrochemical cells and batteries thus obtained are stable and safe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: HYDRO-QUEBEC
    Inventors: Abdelbast Guerfi, Fernand Brochu, Kimio Kinoshita, Karim Zaghib
  • Patent number: 9412999
    Abstract: Modified graphite particles obtained from graphite or based on graphite, the said particles having impurities in their internal structure and having on the surface a low, even nil, rate of an impurity or several impurities. In addition, these particles have at least one of the following characteristics: a tab density between 0.3 and 1.5 g/cc; a potatolike shape; and a granulometric dispersion such that the D90/D10 ratio varies between 2 and 5 and the particles have a size between 1 and 50 ?m. These particles can be used for fuel cells, electrochemical generators, or as moisture absorbers and/or oxygen absorbers and they have important electrochemical properties. The electrochemical cells and batteries thus obtained are stable and safe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: HYDRO-QUEBEC
    Inventors: Abdelbast Guerfi, Fernand Brochu, Kimio Kinoshita, Karim Zaghib
  • Publication number: 20160141603
    Abstract: Modified graphite particles obtained from graphite or based on graphite, the said particles having impurities in their internal structure and having on the surface a low, even nil, rate of an impurity or several impurities. In addition, these particles have at least one of the following characteristics: a tab density between 0.3 and 1.5 g/cc; a potatolike shape; and a granulometric dispersion such that the D90/D10 ratio varies between 2 and 5 and the particles have a size between 1 and 50 ?m. These particles can be used for fuel cells, electrochemical generators, or as moisture absorbers and/or oxygen absorbers and they have important electrochemical properties. The electrochemical cells and batteries thus obtained are stable and safe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicant: HYDRO QUEBEC
    Inventors: Abdelbast GUERFI, Fernand BROCHU, Kimio KINOSHITA, Karim ZAGHIB
  • Patent number: 9312537
    Abstract: A method for modifying graphite particles having a prismatic shape or a cylindrical shape characterized by an edge function fe and a basal function fb, said method providing increase of the edge function and lowering of the basal function, wherein the method includes submitting the graphite particles to at least one physical means selected from attrition, jet mill, ball mill, hammer mill, or atomizer mill, in the presence of at least one chemical compound chosen from the group of compounds of the formula MFz, in which M represents an alkaline or alkaline-earth metal and z represents 1 or 2, NaCl and NH4F or a mixture thereof, said compound or compounds being added in solid form, at the beginning of the step using the physical means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: HYDRO-QUEBEC
    Inventors: Abdelbast Guerfi, Fernand Brochu, Kimio Kinoshita, Karim Zaghib
  • Publication number: 20160060119
    Abstract: A method for modifying graphite particles having a prismatic shape or a cylindrical shape characterized by an edge function fe and a basal function fb, said method providing increase of the edge function and lowering of the basal function, wherein the method includes submitting the graphite particles to at least one physical means selected from attrition, jet mill, ball mill, hammer mill, or atomizer mill, in the presence of at least one chemical compound chosen from the group of compounds of the formula MFz, in which M represents an alkaline or alkaline-earth metal and z represents 1 or 2, NaCl and NH4F or a mixture thereof, said compound or compounds being added in solid form, at the beginning of the step using the physical means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Applicant: HYDRO-QUEBEC
    Inventors: Abdelbast GUERFI, Fernand BROCHU, Kimio KINOSHITA, Karim ZAGHIB
  • Patent number: 9184437
    Abstract: Modified graphite particles are obtained from graphite or based on graphite. The particles have impurities in their internal structure and have on the surface a low, even nil, rate of an impurity or several impurities. In addition, these particles have at least one of the following characteristics: a tab density between 0.3 and 1.5 g/cc; a potatolike shape; and a granulometric dispersion such that the D90/D10 ratio varies between 2 and 5 and the particles have a size between 1 and 50 ?m. These particles can be used for fuel cells, electrochemical generators, or as moisture absorbers and/or oxygen absorbers and they have important electrochemical properties. The electrochemical cells and batteries thus obtained are stable and safe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: HYDRO-QUEBEC
    Inventors: Abdelbast Guerfi, Fernand Brochu, Kimio Kinoshita, Karim Zaghib
  • Publication number: 20150155727
    Abstract: Methods, systems and structures for monitoring, managing electrolyte concentrations in redox flow batteries are provided by introducing a first quantity of a liquid electrolyte into a first chamber of a test cell and introducing a second quantity of the liquid electrolyte into a second chamber of the test cell. The method further provides for measuring a voltage of the test cell, measuring an elapsed time from the test cell reaching a first voltage until the test cell reaches a second voltage; and determining a degree of imbalance of the liquid electrolyte based on the elapsed time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventors: On Kok Chang, David Andrew Sopchak, Ai Quoc Pham, Kimio Kinoshita
  • Publication number: 20150086896
    Abstract: Methods, systems and structures for monitoring, managing electrolyte concentrations in redox flow batteries are provided by introducing a first quantity of a liquid electrolyte into a first chamber of a test cell and introducing a second quantity of the liquid electrolyte into a second chamber of the test cell. The method further provides for measuring a voltage of the test cell, measuring an elapsed time from the test cell reaching a first voltage until the test cell reaches a second voltage; and determining a degree of imbalance of the liquid electrolyte based on the elapsed time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: On Kok CHANG, David Andrew Sopchak, Ai Quoc Pham, Kimio Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 8980484
    Abstract: Methods, systems and structures for monitoring, managing electrolyte concentrations in redox flow batteries are provided by introducing a first quantity of a liquid electrolyte into a first chamber of a test cell and introducing a second quantity of the liquid electrolyte into a second chamber of the test cell. The method further provides for measuring a voltage of the test cell, measuring an elapsed time from the test cell reaching a first voltage until the test cell reaches a second voltage; and determining a degree of imbalance of the liquid electrolyte based on the elapsed time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Enervault Corporation
    Inventors: On Kok Chang, David Andrew Sopchak, Ai Quoc Pham, Kimio Kinoshita
  • Publication number: 20140374265
    Abstract: Process for the preparation of electrodes from a porous material making it possible to obtain electrodes that are useful in electrochemical systems and that have at least one of the following properties: a high capacity in mAh/gram, a high capacity in mAh/liter, a good capacity for cycling, a low rate of self-discharge, and a good environmental tolerance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: Hydro-Quebec
    Inventors: Karim ZAGHIB, Abdelbast Guerfi, Patrick Charest, Robert Kostecki, Kimio Kinoshita, Michel Armand
  • Patent number: 8828103
    Abstract: Process for the preparation of electrodes from a porous material making it possible to obtain electrodes that are useful in electrochemical systems and that have at least one of the following properties: a high capacity in mAh/gram, a high capacity in mAh/liter, a good capacity for cycling, a low rate of self discharge, and a good environmental tolerance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Hydro-Quebec
    Inventors: Karim Zaghib, Abdelbast Guerfi, Patrick Charest, Robert Kostecki, Kimio Kinoshita, Michel Armand
  • Publication number: 20140205911
    Abstract: Mixture of particles comprising a non-conducting or semi-conducting nucleus covered with a hybrid conductor coating and hybrid conductor chains located between the particles of the mixture to constitute a conductivity network, that is prepared by mechanical crushing. Due to a very good conductivity of the network, a low resistivity, a very good capacity under elevated current and/or a good density of energy, these mixtures of particles are advantageously incorporated in anodes and cathodes of electrochemical generators, resulting in highly performing electrochemical systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: HYDRO-QUEBEC
    Inventors: Karim ZAGHIB, Patrick Charest, Abdelbast Guerfi, Michel Perrier, Kimio Kinoshita
  • Publication number: 20130323600
    Abstract: Modified graphite particles are obtained from graphite or based on graphite. The particles have impurities in their internal structure and have on the surface a low, even nil, rate of an impurity or several impurities. In addition, these particles have at least one of the following characteristics: a tab density between 0.3 and 1.5 g/cc; a potatolike shape; and a granulometric dispersion such that the D90/D10 ratio varies between 2 and 5 and the particles have a size between 1 and 50 ?m. These particles can be used for fuel cells, electrochemical generators, or as moisture absorbers and/or oxygen absorbers and they have important electrochemical properties. The electrochemical cells and batteries thus obtained are stable and safe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: HYDRO QUEBEC
    Inventors: ABDELBAST GUERFI, FERNAND BROCHU, KIMIO KINOSHITA, KARIM ZAGHIB
  • Publication number: 20130084506
    Abstract: Methods, systems and structures for monitoring, managing electrolyte concentrations in redox flow batteries are provided by introducing a first quantity of a liquid electrolyte into a first chamber of a test cell and introducing a second quantity of the liquid electrolyte into a second chamber of the test cell. The method further provides for measuring a voltage of the test cell, measuring an elapsed time from the test cell reaching a first voltage until the test cell reaches a second voltage; and determining a degree of imbalance of the liquid electrolyte based on the elapsed time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: EnerVault Corporation
    Inventors: On Kok CHANG, Ai Quoc Pham, Kimio Kinoshita
  • Publication number: 20130022852
    Abstract: Methods for improving the electrical conductivity of a carbon felt material is provided. In some embodiments, a method improving the electrical conductivity of a carbon felt material comprises applying a carbon source liquid to at least a portion of a carbon felt material, optionally removing excess carbon source liquid from the carbon felt material, and converting the carbon source material to solid carbon, such as by heating. Also provided are materials and products created using these methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: EnerVault Corporation
    Inventors: On Kok Chang, Kimio Kinoshita, Ronald James Mosso
  • Publication number: 20130011702
    Abstract: A redox flow battery system is provided with one or more tanks for containing electrolytes. Embodiments of electrolyte tanks include active and/or passive dividers within a single tank structure. Dividers may be configured to prevent mixing of a charged electrolyte and a discharged electrolyte stored within a single tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: EnerVault Corporation
    Inventors: Craig R. Horne, Darren Bawden Hickey, Kimio Kinoshita, Ronald James Mosso, Bruce Lin