Patents by Inventor Martin W. Earl

Martin W. Earl 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: 5654113
    Abstract: A rechargeable electrochemical battery having a solid organic electrolyte and a thin film cathode and anode. In particular, the battery employs a proton-conducting organic polymer which is a mixture of a strong acid and a base polymer, a thin film anode containing a hydride alloy, and a thin film cathode containing a NiO.sub.x active material. The battery is rechargeable and capable of fast discharging and recharging. Further, the battery can be hermetically sealed in a case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Comsat Corporation
    Inventors: Hariharan Vaidyanathan, Martin W. Earl
  • Patent number: 5503947
    Abstract: A common pressure vessel type Ni-H.sub.2 battery having a thermally conductive rack disposed within the pressure vessel and having an outer wall conforming to and in thermal contact with the inner surface of a cylindrical center wall portion of the pressure vessel and a plurality of fins dividing the rack into a plurality of compartments. A Ni-H.sub.2 battery cell is disposed in each of the compartments in thermal contact with adjacent ones of the fins. A plurality of flexure springs extend between racks, providing a radial force on the racks so as to urge the outer walls of the racks into contact with respective portions of the wall of the pressure vessel. A stopper is formed internally of the pressure vessel and a wave spring is disposed between a weld ring provided at the end of the rack opposite the stopper for forcing the racks in the longitudinal direction of the pressure vessel into contact with the stopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Comsat Corporation
    Inventors: William H. Kelly, Wein-Shen Jiang, Ronald R. Kessler, Max A. Morris, Martin W. Earl
  • Patent number: 5354630
    Abstract: A common pressure vessel type Ni--H.sub.2 storage battery having an outer pressure vessel that contains a stack of compartments. Each of the compartments including at least one battery cell, a heat transfer member, and a cell spacer for maintaining a relatively constant distance between adjacent compartments. The heat transfer members include a fin portion, which is in thermal contact with the battery cell, and a flange portion which extends longitudinally from the fin portion and is in tight thermal contact with the inner wall of the pressure vessel. The heat transfer member serves to transfer heat generated from a battery cell radially outward to the pressure vessel, which is capable of dissipating the heat into the surrounding atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Comsat
    Inventors: Martin W. Earl, William H. Kelly, Wein-Shen Jiang, Ronald R. Kessler, Fred W. Brantner
  • Patent number: 5310609
    Abstract: An intercell connector for electrically interconnecting a plurality of battery cells, each of the battery cells including a plurality of spaced apart positive and negative electrode plates encased in a plastic casing. The intercell connector includes first and second buss bars disposed in spaced apart relation to each other and each including a base portion and an electrode connecting portion extending from the base portion, the base portions of the first and second buss bars respectively including first and second electrode terminals aligned with each other; and an insulator for insulating the first and second buss bars from each other. The connector is disposed in the casing of each of the cells so as to extend transversely to the electrode plates with the casing being bonded to a portion of the insulator such that only the electrode terminals are exposed outside the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Comsat
    Inventors: Martin W. Earl, Ronald R. Kessler, Max A. Morris
  • Patent number: 5100745
    Abstract: A method for rejuvenating Ni-H.sub.2 battery cells suffering a voltage anomaly providing an improved cell output voltage and capacity. After the battery containing the cells suffering the voltage anomaly is removed from service, the battery is discharged. Discharging the battery reduces the hydrogen pressure within the cells, thereby increasing the rate of mass transport of free water back to the electrode stacks of the cells. The cells are then left to stand for a period sufficient to allow any free water to diffuse back to the electrode stacks. If gravity is available, the cell can simply be rotated to return the free water to the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: Communications Satellite Corporation
    Inventor: Martin W. Earl