Patents by Inventor Kunio Tsuruta

Kunio Tsuruta 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: 11749842
    Abstract: A cell of an energy storage device with at least one electrode that is tabless, and methods of forming thereof, are described. The cell includes a first substrate having a first coating disposed thereon, wherein a second portion of the first substrate at a proximal end along the width of the first substrate comprises a conductive material. An inner separator is disposed over the first substrate. A second substrate is disposed over the inner separator. The second substrate has a second coating disposed thereon. The first substrate, the inner separator, and the second substrate in a successive manner, the first substrate, the inner separator, and the second substrate are rolled about a central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Kunio Tsuruta, Mikel Ehrlich Dermer, Rajeev Dhiman
  • Publication number: 20230155183
    Abstract: A cell of an energy storage device with at least one electrode that is tables, and methods of forming thereof, are described. The cell includes a first substrate having a first coating disposed thereon, wherein a second portion of the first substrate at a proximal end along the width of the first substrate comprises a conductive material. An inner separator is disposed over the first substrate. A second substrate is disposed over the inner separator. The second substrate has a second coating disposed thereon. The first substrate, the inner separator, and the second substrate in a successive manner, the first substrate, the inner separator, and the second substrate are rolled about a central axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Kunio Tsuruta, Mikel Ehrlich Dermer, Rajeev Dhiman
  • Patent number: 11588184
    Abstract: A cell of an energy storage device with at least one electrode that is tabless, and methods of forming thereof, are described. The cell includes a first substrate having a first coating disposed thereon, wherein a second portion of the first substrate at a proximal end along the width of the first substrate comprises a conductive material. An inner separator is disposed over the first substrate. A second substrate is disposed over the inner separator. The second substrate has a second coating disposed thereon. The first substrate, the inner separator, and the second substrate in a successive manner, the first substrate, the inner separator, and the second substrate are rolled about a central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Kunio Tsuruta, Mikel Ehrlich Dermer, Rajeev Dhiman
  • Patent number: 10673033
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a can configured to serve as one electric contact of the electrochemical cell, the can containing active materials, a diaphragm configured to serve as an opposite electric contact of the electrochemical cell, and a gasket that is initially of generally cylindrical shape, the diaphragm positioned inside the gasket in an opening of the can wherein an outer edge of the can is crimped onto the gasket, the gasket having an inner periphery inside the can and an outer periphery outside the can, the outer periphery comprising leaves that after crimping extend along an outer surface of the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Christophe Mille, Kunio Tsuruta, Kenjin Masumoto
  • Publication number: 20200144676
    Abstract: A cell of an energy storage device with at least one electrode that is tabless, and methods of forming thereof, are described. The cell includes a first substrate having a first coating disposed thereon, wherein a second portion of the first substrate at a proximal end along the width of the first substrate comprises a conductive material. An inner separator is disposed over the first substrate. A second substrate is disposed over the inner separator. The second substrate has a second coating disposed thereon. The first substrate, the inner separator, and the second substrate in a successive manner, the first substrate, the inner separator, and the second substrate are rolled about a central axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Kunio Tsuruta, Mikel Ehrlich Dermer, Rajeev Dhiman
  • Patent number: 10541413
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cathode material for a lithium ion cell comprises: generating a lithium nickel composite oxide material in a manufacturing process, wherein the manufacturing process results in residual lithium being present in the lithium nickel composite oxide material; washing the lithium nickel composite oxide material to remove at least part of the residual lithium, wherein the washing provides the lithium nickel composite oxide material with a moisture content; and drying the lithium nickel composite oxide material to remove at least part of the moisture content, the drying performed in an environment of substantially only an inert gas or air essentially free of carbon dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Shinji Arimoto, Kunio Tsuruta, Rene Leblanc, Ryan Melsert
  • Patent number: 10018681
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing cells includes: assembling cells that include at least electrodes and electrolyte contained in a housing; after assembly, storing the cells in contact with a liquid-based thermal system; circulating liquid in the liquid-based thermal system at least while the cells are in contact with the liquid-based thermal system, the liquid having a first temperature; after storing the cells at the first temperature, and while the cells have at least a partial charge, performing a first open circuit voltage (OCV) test on the cells; after the first OCV test, storing the cells at a second temperature lower than the first temperature; after storing the cells at the second temperature, performing a second OCV test on the cells; and for each of the cells, discarding or keeping the cell based at least in part on the first and second OCV tests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: TESLA, INC.
    Inventor: Kunio Tsuruta
  • Publication number: 20170294652
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cathode material for a lithium ion cell comprises: generating a lithium nickel composite oxide material in a manufacturing process, wherein the manufacturing process results in residual lithium being present in the lithium nickel composite oxide material; washing the lithium nickel composite oxide material to remove at least part of the residual lithium, wherein the washing provides the lithium nickel composite oxide material with a moisture content; and drying the lithium nickel composite oxide material to remove at least part of the moisture content, the drying performed in an environment of substantially only an inert gas or air essentially free of carbon dioxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Shinji ARIMOTO, Kunio TSURUTA, Rene LEBLANC, Ryan MELSERT
  • Patent number: 9692038
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes: a cell can; electrolyte and an active-material roll in the cell can; and a cap that closes at least one opening of the cell can, the cap comprising: a substantially flat member that covers the opening, the substantially flat member having a separation portion defined therein; and a diaphragm that covers the separation portion on an inside of the substantially flat member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: TESLA, INC.
    Inventors: Kunio Tsuruta, Kenjin Masumoto
  • Publication number: 20170062778
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a can configured to serve as one electric contact of the electrochemical cell, the can containing active materials, a diaphragm configured to serve as an opposite electric contact of the electrochemical cell, and a gasket that is initially of generally cylindrical shape, the diaphragm positioned inside the gasket in an opening of the can wherein an outer edge of the can is crimped onto the gasket, the gasket having an inner periphery inside the can and an outer periphery outside the can, the outer periphery comprising leaves that after crimping extend along an outer surface of the diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Christophe Mille, Kunio Tsuruta, Kenjin Masumoto
  • Publication number: 20160233559
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing cells includes: assembling cells that include at least electrodes and electrolyte contained in a housing; after assembly, storing the cells in contact with a liquid-based thermal system; circulating liquid in the liquid-based thermal system at least while the cells are in contact with the liquid-based thermal system, the liquid having a first temperature; after storing the cells at the first temperature, and while the cells have at least a partial charge, performing a first open circuit voltage (OCV) test on the cells; after the first OCV test, storing the cells at a second temperature lower than the first temperature; after storing the cells at the second temperature, performing a second OCV test on the cells; and for each of the cells, discarding or keeping the cell based at least in part on the first and second OCV tests.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventor: Kunio Tsuruta
  • Publication number: 20150147600
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes: a cell can; electrolyte and an active-material roll in the cell can; and a cap that closes at least one opening of the cell can, the cap comprising: a substantially flat member that covers the opening, the substantially flat member having a separation portion defined therein; and a diaphragm that covers the separation portion on an inside of the substantially flat member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Kunio TSURUTA, Kenjin Masumoto
  • Patent number: 6861821
    Abstract: A battery and a battery pack comprising a rechargeable battery (2) and a circuit substrate (3) integrated therein by a resin mold package (11) are provided. Resin is filled between the rechargeable battery (2) and the substrate (3) electrically connected thereto, so as to unite them as one battery or battery pack. The rechargeable battery (2) includes an engaging member (26) which functions as an anchor to the resin mold package (11) formed onto the battery, whereby the resin mold package (11) is firmly joined to the rechargeable battery (2). A thermo-sensitive element can be incorporated either on the circuit substrate (3) or within the space filled with resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenjin Masumoto, Katsumi Kozu, Kunio Tsuruta
  • Publication number: 20040170887
    Abstract: The open end of a battery case (1) that houses an electrode assembly (14) is sealed with a sealing plate (3), the top of the sealing plate (3) is closed off with an insulating plate (11), and inside a concave section formed in the sealing plate (3), a positive electrode lead (12) that extends from a positive electrode plate of the electrode assembly (14) is connected in series to a thermal fuse (8) and a PTC element (9) and then to a positive electrode terminal (+). A two fold safety function is provided so that in the case of an external short-circuit across the positive and negative electrodes, excessive current is regulated by a rapid increase in the resistance of the PTC element (9) accompanying the temperature increase, whereas if a temperature increase occurs that cannot be regulated in this manner, the thermal fuse (8) fuses, breaking the circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Kenjin Masumoto, Shinji Murashige, Hajime Konishi, Kunio Tsuruta, Hiroshi Yoshizawa, Masaaki Kaneda, Koji Saito, Satoshi Kataoka
  • Patent number: 6682857
    Abstract: The non-aqueous electrolyte-containing secondary battery of the present invention uses a non-aqueous electrolyte including at least one phosphoric ester derivative expressed by Formula (1): (R1aO)(R2aO)P(O)X and by Formula (2): R(1bO)P(O)X2, wherein R1a, R2a, and R1b independently denote aliphatic hydrocarbon groups having 1 to 12 carbon atoms and X denotes a halogen atom. This arrangement improves the high-temperature storage characteristics after charging and the charge-discharge cycle characteristics of the secondary battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideharu Takezawa, Shoichiro Watanabe, Shusaku Goto, Kunio Tsuruta
  • Publication number: 20030180582
    Abstract: A battery and a battery pack comprising a rechargeable battery (2) and a circuit substrate (3) integrated therein by a resin mold package (11) are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Kenjin Masumoto, Katsumi Kozu, Kunio Tsuruta
  • Patent number: 6455199
    Abstract: Graphite powder for a negative electrode in prior arts, which allows lithium ions to repeat intercalation and deintercalation reversibly by charge and discharge, has failed to attain a specific capacity close to the theoretical capacity of 372 mAh per 1 g. Also, there was a problem in storage property at a high temperature when it is attempted to improve the high rate charge and discharge characteristics. An object of the present invention is to solve these problems. In the process of pulverizing flaky graphite particles of which plane interval (d002) of (002) plane is 3.350 to 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Kitagawa, Yoshihiro Kashihara, Hizuru Koshina, Toyoji Sugimoto, Kunio Tsuruta, Shuji Ito, Hajime Nishino, Kojiro Ishikawa, Hisanori Sugimoto, Kaoru Tsukamoto
  • Publication number: 20020081497
    Abstract: The non-aqueous electrolyte-containing secondary battery of the present invention uses a non-aqueous electrolyte including at least one phosphoric ester derivative expressed by Formula (1): (R1aO)(R2aO)P(O)X and by Formula (2): R(1bO)P(O)X2, wherein R1a, R2a, and R1b independently denote aliphatic hydrocarbon groups having 1 to 12 carbon atoms and X denotes a halogen atom. This arrangement improves the high-temperature storage characteristics after charging and the charge-discharge cycle characteristics of the secondary battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD
    Inventors: Hideharu Takezawa, Shoichiro Watanabe, Shusaku Goto, Kunio Tsuruta
  • Patent number: 6258477
    Abstract: An explosion-proof non-aqueous electrolyte battery is provided which has a current cutoff device for cutting off electrical connection within the battery with safety and certainty in the event of overcharge while remaining inoperable in normal use or in storage at an elevated temperature. A pair of an upper vent plate 1 and a lower vent plate 2 mechanically and electrically coupled with each other is provided on the sealing part of-the battery where the mechanical coupling of the pair of the upper vent plate 1 and the lower vent plate 2 is so configured as to rupture and cut off an electric current in the event the internal pressure of the battery case increases beyond a predetermined value, and the rupture pressure at which the mechanical coupling between the pair of upper vent plate 1 and the lower vent plate 2 is broken has been set to decrease as the spatial volume occupancy ratio of the battery increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Kashihara, Katsuhiko Mori, Kenjin Masumoto, Kunio Tsuruta
  • Patent number: 5916628
    Abstract: A cell that is excellent in discharge characteristics and cycle characteristics is provided by filtering an active material paste, which contains an active material, a binder resin solution, and a conducting agent added as required, at least one time by a filter while stirring the active material paste in a stirring apparatus that has a stirring blade, and then coating a current collector with the active material paste. An active material paste is circulated and filtered by a feeding pump and a filter while being stirred in a stirring apparatus that has a stirring blade. Then, the active material paste is fed to another filter by a metering pump and filtered, and then, a current collector (backing) is coated with the active material paste. Then, the active material paste is dried in a dry zone and taken up by a take-up roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Ueyama, Kunio Tsuruta, Yorihito Ohana, Toshikazu Nakamura