Patents by Inventor Mei Cai

Mei Cai 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: 20240405332
    Abstract: A battery system includes N hollow battery cells, each including an enclosure including a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side wall; a hollow center tube including a side wall and a cavity enclosed by the side wall, and a roll including electrode and separator layers arranged between an outer surface of the hollow center tube and the enclosure. The hollow center tube passes through at least one of the top surface and the bottom surface of the enclosure. A battery heat exchange system includes a first fluid channel including N ports configured to at least one of supply fluid to and receive fluid from at least one end of the hollow center tube of the N hollow battery cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2023
    Publication date: December 5, 2024
    Inventors: Hui-ping WANG, Lu HUANG, Fang DAI, Guangze LI, Mei CAI
  • Publication number: 20240405319
    Abstract: A hollow battery cell includes an enclosure including a top surface, a bottom surface, and side walls. A hollow center tube includes a side wall passing through at least one of the top surface and the bottom surface of the enclosure. A roll includes one or more electrodes and separators arranged between an outer surface of the hollow center tube and the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2023
    Publication date: December 5, 2024
    Inventors: Fang DAI, Hui-ping WANG, Lu HUANG, Guangze LI, Mei CAI
  • Patent number: 12119484
    Abstract: A positive electrode including a plurality of electroactive particles defining an electroactive layer is provided. A first lithium-containing coating is disposed on one or more surfaces of the electroactive layer. The first lithium-containing coating covers between about 30% and about 50% of a total exposed surface area of the electroactive layer. A second lithium-containing coating encompasses at least one electroactive particle of the plurality of electroactive particles. The second lithium-containing coating covers between about 95% and about 100% of the at least one electroactive particle. The first and second lithium-containing coatings each have a thickness between about 0.2 nm and about 5 nm. The positive electrode further includes an electrolyte additive that aids in the formation of a first passivation layer on exposed surfaces of the first lithium-containing coating, and a second passivation layer on exposed surfaces of the second lithium-containing coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Biqiong Wang, Meinan He, Anne M. Dailly, Matthew Beckner, Mei Cai
  • Patent number: 12113163
    Abstract: A system for coating a separator for a battery includes a separator feed and collection assembly configured to dispense the separator, a coating distribution device configured to flow a coating material toward the separator, and an electric field generator configured to generate an electric field in a gap between the coating distribution device and the separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Ruchira Dharmasena, Shuru Chen, Fang Dai, Mei Cai, Sanaz Ketabi
  • Publication number: 20240309561
    Abstract: A method of preparing biodegradable plant fiber masterbatch includes: step S1, forming a first mixture, a central control device adjusting the quality of calcium oxide added, and selecting the particle size of calcium oxide added; step S2, micronizing the first mixture by microwave grinding via a grinding device, and the central control device adjusts the microwave power; step S3, forming a second mixture, mixing the second mixture, compatibilizer and matrix resin to form a third mixture, and determining the water absorption of the third mixture; step S4, analyzing whether the water absorption of the third mixture meet a preset criteria; step S5, extruding, by a extruding device, the third mixture for granulation, and adjusts the CO2 concentration in the extruding device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2023
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Inventors: Haitao CAI, Mei YE, Weilong CAI, Qicong ZHOU, Maorong WU
  • Patent number: 12095059
    Abstract: A thermal barrier component for an electrochemical cell according to various aspects of the present disclosure includes a functional material. The functional material includes at least one of a hydrate of a metal carbonate and a hydrate of a metal phosphate. The functional material is configured to release water vapor at a first temperature of greater than or equal to about 100° C. and decompose to release a gaseous fire retardant at a second temperature of greater than or equal to about 300° C. Another thermal barrier component according to various aspects of the present disclosure includes a hydrate and a fire retardant. The hydrate is configured to release water in an amount greater than or equal to about 1 kg at a first temperature of greater than or equal to about 100° C. The fire retardant is configured to decompose at a second temperature of greater than or equal to about 300° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Xingcheng Xiao, Yangbing Zeng, Mei Cai
  • Patent number: 12062770
    Abstract: A thermal barrier component for an electrochemical cell (e.g., a battery) includes a mat, a functional material, and a polymer binder. The mat includes a porous matrix. The functional material is in pores of the porous matrix. The functional material includes an oxide. In certain aspects, the functional material may be a composite material. The polymer binder is in contact with the porous matrix and the functional material. At least one of the porous matrix, the functional material, and the polymer binder is configured to serve as an intumescent carbon source. The oxide is configured to catalyze thermal degradation of the intumescent carbon source to form intumescent carbon at a first temperature. The first temperature is greater than or equal to about 300° C. The thermal barrier component is configured to mitigate thermal runaway in an electrochemical cell. The thermal barrier component may include one or more layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Xingcheng Xiao, Mei Cai, Wei Zeng, Aijie Chen
  • Patent number: 12040505
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an interfacial lithium fluoride layer for an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions is disclosed. In the method, a substrate is positioned in a reaction chamber of an atomic layer deposition reactor and a lithium fluoride (LiF) precursor is introduced into the reaction chamber such that the LiF precursor contacts and chemically reacts with functional groups on the substrate. Then, an oxidant is introduced into the reaction chamber to form a single molecular layer of lithium fluoride on the substrate. The lithium fluoride layer is formed on the substrate at a temperature of greater than or equal to about 110 degrees Celsius to less than or equal to about 250 degrees Celsius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Biqiong Wang, Meinan He, Mei Cai, Andrew J. Galant, William Osad
  • Publication number: 20240234953
    Abstract: A coated polymer separator for a battery cell is provided. The coated polymer separator includes a polymer separator including a first primary surface and a second primary surface. The coated polymer separator further includes a ceramic-based composite coating disposed on the first primary surface and the second primary surface. The ceramic-based composite coating includes lithiated zeolite particles and particles of a second ceramic material including an oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2023
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Xingcheng Xiao, Mei Cai, Sherman H. Zeng
  • Publication number: 20240222789
    Abstract: Electrochemical cells and methods for making electrochemical cells are provided. In one example, an electrochemical cell includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator that is disposed between the positive and negative electrodes. The separator is electrically insulating and ionically conductive. An electrolyte is operatively disposed between the positive and negative electrodes and interfaces with the separator to conduct ions between the positive and negative electrodes. A porous ceramic powder impregnated with an intermediate oxidation state alkali metal compound is coupled to one of the separator and the positive electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2023
    Publication date: July 4, 2024
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Xingcheng Xiao, Meinan He, Mei Cai
  • Patent number: 12021221
    Abstract: An electrode for an electrochemical cell is provided. The electrode includes a carbon membrane having a first face and an opposing second face, wherein at least a portion of the carbon membrane is modified to include an elevated number of nucleation sites for lithium relative to the carbon membrane when unmodified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Xingcheng Xiao, Hongliang Wang, Gayatri V. Dadheech, Mei Cai
  • Patent number: 11984599
    Abstract: An electrode component for an electrochemical cell is provided herein. The electrode component includes a current collector having a first surface, a metal oxide layer disposed on the first surface of the current collector, and a lithium-containing layer bonded to the first surface of the current collector. The metal oxide layer includes a plurality of features. A method for manufacturing such an electrode component is also provided herein. The method includes directing a laser beam toward the first surface of the current collector in the presence of oxygen to form the metal oxide layer on the first surface and applying the lithium-containing layer to the metal oxide layer thereby bonding the lithium-containing layer with the current collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Fang Dai, Hongliang Wang, Shuru Chen, Qinglin Zhang, Mei Cai
  • Patent number: 11962885
    Abstract: A fixing structure includes a first supporting disc, a second supporting disc, and an electronic connector. The first supporting disc defines a first through hole. The second supporting disc is movably connected to the first supporting disc. The second supporting disc defines a first receiving groove for receiving a voice coil motor having a lens. The second supporting disc further defines a second through hole passing through a bottom of the first receiving groove. The first through hole and the second through hole are coaxial. The electronic connector is disposed on the second supporting disc, and can be electrically connected to the voice coil motor and an external power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: TRIPLE WIN TECHNOLOGY(SHENZHEN) CO.LTD.
    Inventors: Mei Cai, Yen-Sheng Lin
  • Patent number: 11955666
    Abstract: A battery system includes an enclosure having opposed first and second major walls, a perimetral wall connecting the first and second major walls along respective perimeters thereof, and an interior defined by the first and second major walls and the perimetral wall, wherein the enclosure is configured for containing an anode assembly, a cathode assembly and an electrolyte within the interior. A longitudinal embossment is formed in the perimetral wall extending outward from the interior and extending along opposed adjacent portions of the first and second perimeters. A wall port is defined in the perimetral wall in fluid communication with the interior, wherein the wall port is configured for permitting flow of the electrolyte therethrough into and out of the interior. First and second electrodes extend through the perimetral wall and are configured for electrical connection with the anode assembly and cathode assembly, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ruchira Dharmasena, Meinan He, Mei Cai
  • Patent number: 11936066
    Abstract: Lithium ion-exchanged zeolite particles and methods of making such lithium ion-exchanged zeolite particles are provided herein. The method includes combining precursor zeolite particles with (NH4)3PO4 to form a first mixture including intermediate zeolite particles including NH4+ cations. The method further includes adding a lithium salt to the first mixture to form the lithium ion-exchanged zeolite particles, or separating the intermediate zeolite particle from the first mixture and combining the intermediate zeolite particles with the lithium salt to form the lithium ion-exchanged zeolite particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Xingcheng Xiao, Mei Cai
  • Publication number: 20240088430
    Abstract: A hybrid solid-state electrolyte layer for use in an electrochemical cell is provided. The hybrid solid-state electrolyte layer includes a polymeric material, a ceramic material, and an interfacial material adhering the polymeric material and the ceramic material. The interfacial material includes a branched copolymer that includes dopamine and a second monomer. The second monomer forms a polymeric moiety in the copolymer that is the same or similar to the polymeric material. In certain variations, the polymeric material defines a polymeric layer, the ceramic material defines a ceramic layer, and the interfacial material defines an interfacial layer that is disposed between the polymeric layer and the ceramic layer. In other variations, the polymeric material defines a polymeric matrix, the ceramic material defines a plurality of ceramic particles dispersed in the polymeric matrix, and the plurality of ceramic particles are coated with the interfacial material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicants: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Fan XU, Robert D. SCHMIDT, Mei CAI, Manuela Ferreira BORRAS, Yingxi Elaine ZHU
  • Publication number: 20240047821
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an interfacial lithium fluoride layer for an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions is disclosed. In the method, a substrate is positioned in a reaction chamber of an atomic layer deposition reactor and a lithium fluoride (LiF) precursor is introduced into the reaction chamber such that the LiF precursor contacts and chemically reacts with functional groups on the substrate. Then, an oxidant is introduced into the reaction chamber to form a single molecular layer of lithium fluoride on the substrate. The lithium fluoride layer is formed on the substrate at a temperature of greater than or equal to about 110 degrees Celsius to less than or equal to about 250 degrees Celsius.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2022
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Biqiong WANG, Meinan HE, Mei CAI, Andrew J. GALANT, William OSAD
  • Publication number: 20240021787
    Abstract: A hybrid functional particle for use in an electrochemical cell that cycle lithium ions is provided. The hybrid functional particle includes a lithiated zeolite having a plurality of pores and a plurality of lithium-containing particles disposed within one or more pores of the plurality of pores of the lithiated zeolite. For example, the lithiated zeolite has a porosity ranging from about 10 vol. % to about 90 vol. %, and the lithium-containing particles can fill an amount ranging from about 1% to about 100% of a total porosity of the lithiated zeolite. The electrochemical cell includes first and second electrodes separated by a separating layer, and the hybrid functional particle may be disposed within one or both of the electrodes, coated on one or more sides of one or both of the electrodes, disposed within the separating layer, and/or coated on one or more surfaces of the separating layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2022
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Xingcheng XIAO, Mei CAI, Yifan ZHAO
  • Patent number: 11852457
    Abstract: A system for measuring a thickness of a coating arranged on an anode substrate includes an optical measurement system configured to transmit a light signal having a known first polarization toward the anode substrate through the coating such that the light signal is reflected from the surface of the anode substrate, a detection module positioned to receive the reflected light signal and configured to determine a second polarization of the reflected light signal that is different from the first polarization and measure a polarization difference between the first polarization and the second polarization, and a measurement module configured to receive the measured polarization difference, calculate the thickness of the coating based on the measured polarization difference, and generate an output based on the calculated thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Fang Dai, Hongliang Wang, Shuru Chen, Mei Cai
  • Patent number: 11784305
    Abstract: An example of a negative electrode includes silicon nanoparticles having a carbon coating thereon. The carbon coating has an oxygen-free structure including pentagon rings. The negative electrode with the silicon nanoparticles having the carbon coating thereon may be incorporated into a lithium-based battery. In an example of a method, silicon nanoparticles are provided. A carbon precursor is applied on the silicon nanoparticles. The carbon precursor is an oxygen-free, fluorene-based polymer. Then the silicon nanoparticles are heated in an inert gas atmosphere to form the carbon coating on the silicon nanoparticles. The carbon coating formed on the silicon nanoparticles has an oxygen-free structure including pentagon rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Li Yang, Mei Cai, Meng Jiang, Martin S. Ruthkosky