Patents by Inventor Richard A. Langan

Richard A. Langan 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: 20100040941
    Abstract: A flat, flexible electrochemical cell is provided. The within invention describes various aspects of the flat, flexible electrochemical cell. A printed anode is provided that obviates the need for a discrete anode current collector, thereby reducing the size of the battery. An advantageous electrolyte is provided that enables the use of a metallic cathode current collector, thereby improving the performance of the battery. Printable gelled electrolytes and separators are provided, enabling the construction of both co-facial and co-planar batteries. Cell contacts are provided that reduce the potential for electrolyte creepage in the flat, flexible electrochemical cells of the within invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: EVEREADY BATTERY COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Mark A. Schubert, Jing Zhang, Guanghong Zheng, Frank H. Feddrix, Richard A. Langan, Frank B. Tudron, Gary R. Tucholski, Abdelkader Hilmi, John C. Bailey, Andrew Webber
  • Patent number: 7632585
    Abstract: A fluid consuming battery (10) is provided with a fluid regulating system (50) for regulating fluid entry into the battery. The battery (10) includes a fluid consuming cell (20) having a cell housing with fluid entry ports for the passage of a fluid into the cell housing. A first fluid consuming electrode and a second electrode are disposed within the cell housing. The fluid regulating system (50) includes a valve having a moving plate (66) disposed adjacent to a fixed plate (62). The moving plate and fixed plate both have fluid entry ports (68, 64) that align in an open valve position and are misaligned in a closed valve position. The fluid regulating system (50) also includes an actuator that may include one or more shape memory alloy (SMA) components (82a, 82b) for moving the moving plate (66) relative to the fixed plate (62) to open and close the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Co., Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Blakey, John M. Somerville, Richard A. Langan
  • Patent number: 7625664
    Abstract: A flat, flexible electrochemical cell is provided. The within invention describes various aspects of the flat, flexible electrochemical cell. A printed anode is provided that obviates the need for a discrete anode current collector, thereby reducing the size of the battery. An advantageous electrolyte is provided that enables the use of a metallic cathode current collector, thereby improving the performance of the battery. Printable gelled electrolytes and separators are provided, enabling the construction of both co-facial and co-planar batteries. Cell contacts are provided that reduce the potential for electrolyte creepage in the flat, flexible electrochemical cells of the within invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Schubert, Jing Zhang, Guanghong Zheng, Frank H. Feddrix, Richard A. Langan, Frank B. Tudron, Gary R. Tucholski, Abdelkader Hilmi, John C. Bailey, Andrew Webber
  • Patent number: 7618739
    Abstract: A fluid consuming battery (10) is provided with a fluid regulating system (50) for regulating fluid entry into the battery. The battery (10) includes a fluid consuming cell (20) having a cell housing with fluid entry ports for the passage of a fluid into the cell housing. A first fluid consuming electrode and a second electrode are disposed within the cell housing. The fluid regulating system (50) includes a valve having a moving plate (66) disposed adjacent to a fixed plate (62). The moving plate and fixed plate both have fluid entry ports (68, 64) that align in an open valve position and are misaligned in a closed valve position. The fluid regulating system (50) also includes an actuator that may include one or more shape memory alloy (SMA) components (82a, 82b) for moving the moving plate (66) relative to the fixed plate (62) to open and close the valve. The chassis (550) may include an electrically conductive frame (500) integrally formed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory W. Broburg, Richard A. Langan, Michael J. Brandon, II
  • Publication number: 20080254345
    Abstract: A fluid consuming battery (10) is provided with a fluid regulating system (50) for regulating fluid entry into the battery. The battery (10) includes a fluid consuming cell (20) having a cell housing with fluid entry ports for the passage of a fluid into the cell housing. A first fluid consuming electrode and a second electrode are disposed within the cell housing. The fluid regulating system (50) includes a valve having a moving plate (66) disposed adjacent to a fixed plate (62). The moving plate and fixed plate both have fluid entry ports (68, 64) that align in an open valve position and are misaligned in a closed valve position. The fluid regulating system (50) also includes an actuator that may include one or more shape memory alloy (SMA) components (82a, 82b) for moving the moving plate (66) relative to the fixed plate (62) to open and close the valve. The chassis (550) may include an electrically conductive frame (500) integrally formed therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventors: Gregory W. Broburg, Richard A. Langan, Michael J. Brandon
  • Publication number: 20080254346
    Abstract: A fluid consuming battery (10) is provided with a fluid regulating system (50) for regulating fluid entry into the battery. The battery (10) includes a fluid consuming cell (20) having a cell housing with fluid entry ports for the passage of a fluid into the cell housing. A first fluid consuming electrode and a second electrode are disposed within the cell housing. The fluid regulating system (50) includes a valve having a moving plate (66) disposed adjacent to a fixed plate (62). The moving plate and fixed plate both have fluid entry ports (68, 64) that align in an open valve position and are misaligned in a closed valve position. The fluid regulating system (50) also includes an actuator that may include one or more shape memory alloy (SMA) components (82a, 82b) for moving the moving plate (66) relative to the fixed plate (62) to open and close the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventors: Oliver W. Burstall, David M. Blakey, John C. Bailey, John M. Somerville, Richard A. Langan, Michael J. Mingay
  • Publication number: 20080254340
    Abstract: A fluid consuming battery (10) is provided with a fluid regulating system (50) for regulating fluid entry into the battery. The battery (10) includes a fluid consuming cell (20) having a cell housing with fluid entry ports for the passage of a fluid into the cell housing. A first fluid consuming electrode and a second electrode are disposed within the cell housing. The fluid regulating system (50) includes a valve having a moving plate (66) disposed adjacent to a fixed plate (62). The moving plate and fixed plate both have fluid entry ports (68, 64) that align in an open valve position and are misaligned in a closed valve position. The fluid regulating system (50) also includes an actuator that may include one or more shape memory alloy (SMA) components (82a, 82b) for moving the moving plate (66) relative to the fixed plate (62) to open and close the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventors: David M. Blakey, John M. Somerville, Richard A. Langan
  • Publication number: 20080254341
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell having a fluid consuming electrode and a fluid regulating system for controlling the rate of entry of fluids into the cell. The fluid regulating system may include a valve for controlling the rate of entry of fluids into the cell and an actuator for operating the valve. The actuator comprises an ionic polymer that responds to changes in a potential applied across the actuator to open or close the valve. In one embodiment, the actuator comprises at least one conducting polymer. In one embodiment, the actuator comprises polypyrrole, at least one polypyrrole derivative, or mixtures of two of more thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventors: John C. Bailey, Steven D. Jones, Richard A. Langan, Matthew Cole, John David Wyndham Madden
  • Publication number: 20080213651
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell with a collector assembly for sealing the open end of a cell container. The collector assembly includes a retainer and a contact spring with a peripheral flange, each having a central opening therein. A pressure release vent member disposed between the retainer and the peripheral flange of the contact spring seals the openings in the retainer and contact spring under normal conditions and ruptures to release pressure from within the cell when the internal pressure exceeds a predetermined limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: James X. Wu, Richard A. Langan
  • Patent number: 7348096
    Abstract: A flat, flexible electrochemical cell is provided. The within invention describes various aspects of the flat, flexible electrochemical cell. A printed anode is provided that obviates the need for a discrete anode current collector, thereby reducing the size of the battery. An advantageous electrolyte is provided that enables the use of a metallic cathode current collector, thereby improving the performance of the battery. Printable gelled electrolytes and separators are provided, enabling the construction of both co-facial and co-planar batteries. Cell contacts are provided that reduce the potential for electrolyte creepage in the flat, flexible electrochemical cells of the within invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Schubert, Jing Zhang, Guanghong Zheng, Frank H. Feddrix, Richard A. Langan, Frank B. Tudron, Gary R. Tucholski, Abdelkader Hilmi, John C. Bailey, Andrew Webber
  • Patent number: 7314681
    Abstract: An alkaline battery cell with increased discharge capacity is provided. Both the internal volume and the electrode interfacial surface area are increased, without unnecessarily increasing the overall cell volume, by increasing the height but not the diameter of the electrodes, thereby avoiding an unnecessary increase in the total cell volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Fred Randell, Richard A. Langan
  • Patent number: 6676714
    Abstract: The invention provides for an apparatus and method for making a flexible battery that is electrolyte-tight by ensuring that electrolyte does not contact the unsealed portion of the battery enclosure when electrolyte is injected into the battery enclosure and before it is sealed. The apparatus for assembling a flexible battery comprises a support body adapted to support a battery enclosure having an electrode pouch and a fill opening located in an upper portion of the electrode pouch. The apparatus comprises a dispensing element having a discharge orifice that directs the flow of electrolyte inside the electrode pouch and away from the unsealed surfaces of the battery enclosure when the dispensing element is in the fill position. The method of assembling a pouch battery comprises arranging the battery enclosure so that the fill opening is located in an upper portion of the electrode pouch and dispensing the electrolyte into the electrode pouch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard A. Langan
  • Publication number: 20030165744
    Abstract: A flat, flexible electrochemical cell is provided. The within invention describes various aspects of the flat, flexible electrochemical cell. A printed anode is provided that obviates the need for a discrete anode current collector, thereby reducing the size of the battery. An advantageous electrolyte is provided that enables the use of a metallic cathode current collector, thereby improving the performance of the battery. Printable gelled electrolytes and separators are provided, enabling the construction of both co-facial and co-planar batteries. Cell contacts are provided that reduce the potential for electrolyte creepage in the flat, flexible electrochemical cells of the within invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Inventors: Mark A. Schubert, Jing Zhang, Guanghong Zheng, Frank H. Feddrix, Richard A. Langan, Frank B. Tudron, Gary R. Tucholski, Abdelkader Hilmi, John C. Bailey, Andrew Webber
  • Publication number: 20020106555
    Abstract: The invention provides for an apparatus and method for making a flexible battery that is electrolyte-tight by ensuring that electrolyte does not contact the unsealed portion of the battery enclosure when electrolyte is injected into the battery enclosure and before it is sealed. The apparatus for assembling a flexible battery comprises a support body adapted to support a battery enclosure having an electrode pouch and a fill opening located in an upper portion of the electrode pouch. The apparatus comprises a dispensing element having a discharge orifice that directs the flow of electrolyte inside the electrode pouch and away from the unsealed surfaces of the battery enclosure when the dispensing element is in the fill position. The method of assembling a pouch battery comprises arranging the battery enclosure so that the fill opening is located in an upper portion of the electrode pouch and dispensing the electrolyte into the electrode pouch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Applicant: EVEREADY BATTERY COMPANY, INC.
    Inventor: Richard A. Langan
  • Patent number: 4913988
    Abstract: The specification discloses a nonaqueous electrochemical cell wherein the cathode includes minor amounts of both lithium carbonate and calcium hydroxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard A. Langan
  • Patent number: 4478921
    Abstract: A nonaqueous cell employing a manganese dioxide-containing solid cathode having a minor amount of manganese carbonate to improve the pulse voltage capability of the cell at low temperatures such as -10.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1984
    Assignee: Union Carbide Corporation
    Inventor: Richard A. Langan
  • Patent number: 4250234
    Abstract: A divalent silver oxide cell wherein the surface of the divalent silver oxide electrode facing the separator is reduced to monovalent silver oxide so as to improve high temperature stability of the silver oxide electrode in contact with the cell's electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1981
    Assignee: Union Carbide Corporation
    Inventor: Richard A. Langan