Patents by Inventor Kristie W. Kwong

Kristie W. Kwong 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: 9184468
    Abstract: Provided are electrochemical cells and electrolytes used to build such cells. The electrolytes include imide salts and/or methide salts as well as fluorinated solvents capable of maintaining single phase solutions at between about ?30° C. to about 80° C. The fluorinated solvents, such as fluorinated carbonates, fluorinated esters, and fluorinated esters, are less flammable than their non-fluorinated counterparts and improve safety characteristics of cells containing these solvents. The amount of fluorinated solvents in electrolytes may be between about 30% and 80% by weight not accounting weight of the salts. Linear and cyclic imide salts, such as LiN(SO2CF2CF3)2, and LiN(SO2CF3)2, as well as methide salts, such as LiC(SO2CF3)3 and LiC(SO2CF2CF3)3, may be used in these electrolytes. Fluorinated alkyl groups enhance solubility of these salts in the fluorinated solvents. In some embodiments, the electrolyte may also include a flame retardant, such as a phosphazene, and/or one or more ionic liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: A123 Systems LLC
    Inventors: Konstantin Tikhonov, Ka Ki Yip, Tzu-Yuan Lin, Norman Lei, Guillermo Guerrero-Zavala, Kristie W. Kwong
  • Patent number: 9184467
    Abstract: Provided are electrochemical cells and electrolytes used to build such cells. An electrolyte includes at least one salt having a molecular weight less than about 250. Such salts allow forming electrolytes with higher salt concentrations and ensure high conductivity and ion transport in these electrolytes. The low molecular weight salt may have a concentration of at least about 0.5M and may be combined with one or more other salts, such as linear and cyclic imide salts and/or methide salts. The concentration of these additional salts may be less than that of the low molecular weight salt, in some embodiments, twice less. The additional salts may have a molecular weight greater than about 250. The electrolyte may also include one or more fluorinated solvents and may be capable of maintaining single phase solutions at between about ?30° C. to about 80° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: A123 Systems LLC
    Inventors: Konstantin Tikhonov, Ka Ki Yip, Tzu-Yuan Lin, Norman Lei, Guillermo Guerrero-Zavala, Kristie W. Kwong
  • Publication number: 20130337339
    Abstract: Provided are electrochemical cells and electrolytes used to build such cells. An electrolyte includes at least one salt having a molecular weight less than about 250. Such salts allow forming electrolytes with higher salt concentrations and ensure high conductivity and ion transport in these electrolytes. The low molecular weight salt may have a concentration of at least about 0.5M and may be combined with one or more other salts, such as linear and cyclic imide salts and/or methide salts. The concentration of these additional salts may be less than that of the low molecular weight salt, in some embodiments, twice less. The additional salts may have a molecular weight greater than about 250. The electrolyte may also include one or more fluorinated solvents and may be capable of maintaining single phase solutions at between about ?30° C. to about 80° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Konstantin Tikhonov, Ka Ki Yip, Tzu-Yuan Lin, Norman Lei, Guillermo Guerrero-Zavala, Kristie W. Kwong
  • Publication number: 20130337340
    Abstract: Provided are electrochemical cells and electrolytes used to build such cells. The electrolytes include imide salts and/or methide salts as well as fluorinated solvents capable of maintaining single phase solutions at between about ?30° C. to about 80° C. The fluorinated solvents, such as fluorinated carbonates, fluorinated esters, and fluorinated esters, are less flammable than their non-fluorinated counterparts and improve safety characteristics of cells containing these solvents. The amount of fluorinated solvents in electrolytes may be between about 30% and 80% by weight not accounting weight of the salts. Linear and cyclic imide salts, such as LiN(SO2CF2CF3)2, and LiN(SO2CF3)2, as well as methide salts, such as LiC(SO2CF3)3 and LiC(SO2CF2CF3)3, may be used in these electrolytes. Fluorinated alkyl groups enhance solubility of these salts in the fluorinated solvents. In some embodiments, the electrolyte may also include a flame retardant, such as a phosphazene, and/or one or more ionic liquids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Konstantin Tikhonov, Ka Ki Yip, Tzu-Yuan Lin, Norman Lei, Guillermo Guerrero-Zavala, Kristie W. Kwong