Patents Issued in November 2, 2004
  • Patent number: 6811887
    Abstract: This invention relates to a transformer and more particularly, to a system and method for making a transformer utilizing dynamic magnetic compaction. A coil is placed in a conductive container, and a conductive powder material, such as ferrite, is placed in the container and surrounds the coil and the turns of the coil. A power supply energizes a capacitor which subsequently provides a high energizing current to a second, energizing coil within which the container, material and inner coil are situated, thereby causing the container, powder materials and coil to be compacted to provide an electrical component, such as a transformer, motor, commutator, rotor or choke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: IAP Research, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Barber, David P. Bauer, Edward A. Knoth, Duane C. Newman
  • Patent number: 6811888
    Abstract: A workpiece is coated with carbonizable polymer for laser machining an aperture through the workpiece. The workpiece is protected by the polymer during laser machining so that the surface of the workpiece and areas surrounding the aperture are substantially free of debris produced by the laser machining process. The carbonized polymer is removed after laser machining. A method of forming an aperture by a laser on a thin metallic plate is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Christoph Hamann, Michael J. Kelley
  • Patent number: 6811889
    Abstract: A magneto-optical recording medium including a recording layer for recording information and a substrate for supporting the recording layer is disclosed. The recording layer includes: a recording magnetic film for recording the information, the recording magnetic film being formed of a perpendicular magnetic anisotropy film; and a readout magnetic film for optically reading out the information, the readout magnetic film being capable of being magnetically coupled with the recording magnetic film by an exchange-coupling force. The composition of the readout magnetic film may be chosen such that the exchange coupling force from the recording magnetic film does not affect the magnetization around the surface of the readout magnetic film on the side on which the readout light is incident.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Kudoh, Yasumori Hino, Yuuichi Fukamachi, Masahiro Birukawa
  • Patent number: 6811890
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a disk for information storage. The disk, in one embodiment, comprises a substrate 204, antiferromagnetically exchange coupled first and second ferromagnetic films 220 and 236, a spacer film 228, and at least one buffer film 232 located between the first and second ferromagnetic films. One or more of the following statements is true with respect to the buffer film 232: (i) the buffer film 232 is paramagnetic; (ii) the buffer film 232 is superparamagnetic at temperatures of about 50° C. or less; and (iii) a lattice mismatch between the buffer film 232 and at least one of the first and second ferromagnetic films 220 and 236 in contact with the buffer film is about 5% or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Maxtor Corporation
    Inventors: Jianing Richard Zhou, Geon Choe, Kenneth E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6811891
    Abstract: A corrosion-resistant coated brass metal coated with a corrosion resistant alloy. The corrosion resistant alloy is a tin metal alloy or a tin and zinc metal alloy. The corrosion resistant metal alloy may also include one or more metal additives to improve the coating process and/or to alter the properties of the tin or tin and zinc metal alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: The Louis Berkman Company
    Inventors: Jay F. Carey, II, Mehrooz Zamanzadeh, Nicholas R. Hesske
  • Patent number: 6811892
    Abstract: A tin-lead solder alloy containing copper and optionally silver as its alloying constituents. The solder alloy consists essentially of, by weight, about 55% to about 75% tin, about 11% to about 44% lead, up to about 4% silver, nickel, palladium, platinum and/or gold, greater than 1% to about 10% copper, and incidental impurities. The solder alloys contain a small portion of CuSn intermetallic compounds, and exhibit a melting mechanism in which all but the intermetallic compounds melt within a narrow temperature range, though the actual liquidus temperature of the alloys may be considerably higher, such that the alloys can be treated as requiring peak reflow temperatures of about 250° C. or less. The intermetallic compounds precipitate out to form a diffusion barrier that increases the reliability of solder connections formed therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Shing Yeh, Bradley H. Carter, Frank Stepniak, Scott D. Brandenburg
  • Patent number: 6811893
    Abstract: A thermoplastic resin-coated aluminum plate is provided which is less liable to develop ply separation or cracks in a resin coating film during drawing or ironing and on which the resin coating film is less likely to peel off the aluminum plate. A semi-non-porous anodized film is formed on at least one side of the aluminum plate, a coating layer is formed on the semi-non-porous anodized film, and a thermoplastic resin coating film is formed on the coating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Plastics, Inc., Mitsubishi Aluminum Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Wakayama, Keitaro Yamaguchi, Nobuhiro Sakata
  • Patent number: 6811894
    Abstract: A nickel base single crystal compliant layer on a ceramic blade has the capability to sustain high stresses and high operating temperature. Layers of nickel and platinum bonded on a single crystal superalloy over a sputtered gold-chromium layer support the high stress levels at elevated temperature without extrusion of the soft platinum or nickel layer and without destruction of an NiO compliant surface. The compliant layers have survived stress and temperature conditions without failure to the ceramic blade and the system can be stressed/heated and unloaded/cooled repeatedly without damage to the ceramic blades. A single crystal nickel base superalloy (i.e., SC180) has high strength properties at elevated temperature. Thin layers of chromium followed by gold are e-beam evaporated on one side of a polished surface of the alloy. Pure nickel is electroplated over this e-beam gold-chromium layer. Platinum is either electroplated or plated electrolessly over the nickel layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Dave Narasimhan, Alexander S. Kozlov, Margaret Eagan, Milton Ortiz
  • Patent number: 6811895
    Abstract: An illuminated display integrated with a fabric substrate, comprising a rear electrode formed on a portion of a front surface of the fabric substrate, the rear electrode being formed on the fabric substrate portion by applying a catalyst to the fabric portion and subsequently immersing the fabric portion in an electroless plating bath followed by immersing the fabric portion in an electrode bath, a dielectric layer formed onto the fabric substrate surface substantially over the rear electrode, a light emmitting layer formed onto the dielectric layer, a transparent conductive layer formed onto the light emitting layer; and a front electrode lead electrically connected to the transparent conductive layer to transport energy thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Lumimove, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Murasko, Patrick J. Kinlen
  • Patent number: 6811896
    Abstract: An organic light emitting device (OLED) has a thick (100 to 250 nanometers) porphyrin buffer layer between the anode and the luminescent region. The thick porphyrin buffer layer in the OLED results in a small increase in device operating voltage, reduces the possibility of OLED shorting and can improve color purity in blue emitting OLEDs due to its significant optical absorption in the red range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Hany Aziz, Zoran D. Popovic, Nan-Xing Hu, Ah-Mee Hor
  • Patent number: 6811897
    Abstract: There is disclosed an organic electro luminescence display device comprising a two-dimensional array of pixels comprising organic electro luminescence elements capable of emitting a of color or different plural colors, each of the organic electro luminescence elements being provided with an anode, a cathode, a polymeric luminescence layer located between the anode and the cathode, and a hole injection layer. The hole injection layer is constituted by solid matters containing a donor molecule comprising polythiophene and/or a derivative thereof, and an acceptor molecule comprising polystyrenesulfonic acid and/or a derivative thereof, a concentration of sulfate ion in the hole injection layer is 125 ppm or less, and components having a molecular weight of 110,000 or less is 35% or less based on an entire solid matters, the molecular weight being converted as sodium polystyrenesulfonate in an aqueous gel permeation chromatography measured by using UV of 254 nm in wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Naito, Naoko Kihara, Rei Hasegawa, Shintaro Enomoto, Yutaka Nakai, Kazushige Yamamoto, Hiroki Iwanaga, Kimito Sakai, Yasushi Mori
  • Patent number: 6811898
    Abstract: The present invention provides an abrasion-resistant coating which has high oxidation resistance and durability and can be applied easily at a low cost. The abrasion-resistant coating in accordance with the present invention is formed at the tip end of a base material forming a gas turbine blade. The abrasion-resistant coating at the tip end has a thickness of 300 microns. On the tip end, hard particles H consisting of CBN are fixed in a bond coating formed by heating, melting, and solidification of a mixture of a brazing filler metal and M—Cr—Al—Y (M designates a metal element such as Co and Ni). The hard particles H are Ni and Co coated to improve wettability relative to the brazing filler metal, and are arranged so that some of them are partially protruded from the surface of bond coating to exhibit the grindability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Ohara, Masahiko Mega
  • Patent number: 6811899
    Abstract: A coated tool for warm-and/or-hot working with a superior galling resistance property and a superior wear resistance, comprising: a base material selected from the group consisting of a hot die steel and a high speed steel; and a coating as a working surface, the coating having: a layer “a” provided on said base material, the layer “a” being made of at least one kind selected from the group consisting of a nitride, a carbide and a carbonitride, each of which contains as the main constituent thereof at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of Ti, V, Cr, Al and Si; and a layer “b” provided on the layer “a”, the layer “b” being made of a sulfide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Inoue
  • Patent number: 6811900
    Abstract: When plural-layer ceramic coatings are formed on a surface of an grain-oriented silicon steel sheet after finish annealing according to the invention, TiNO coating is formed as a first coating layer by a hollow cathode process under an application of a high bias voltage to the steel sheet, whereby ceramic tension coatings having excellent coating adhesion property and hence tension applying effect can be formed. As a result, ultra-low iron loss grain-oriented silicon steel sheets having an excellent iron loss property even after stress relief annealing at high temperatures for a long time can be stably obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: JFE Steel Corporation
    Inventor: Yukio Inokuti
  • Patent number: 6811901
    Abstract: The invention includes a thin film optical coating having a layer comprising sol-gel derived niobium oxide which is capable of providing an index of refraction of at least about 1.90. The invention also includes a thin film optical coating having a layer comprising a sol-gel derived oxide system including niobium oxide and a second oxide component such as aluminum oxide and/or silicon oxide which is capable of providing an index of refraction of from about 1.60 to about 1.90. Also included in the present invention are processes for producing such thin film coatings. In the processes, a substrate is immersed in a mixture comprising niobium chloride and an alcohol, withdrawn from the mixture, and heat-treated. The mixture may also include aluminum precursors and/or silicon precursors. The heat-treatment may occur at various temperatures, including those under 200° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Denglas Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Nanning J. Arfsten, James F. Gavlas
  • Patent number: 6811902
    Abstract: A battery pack containing a plurality of battery modules, these modules comprising a plurality of individual battery units, these battery units comprising a plurality of bicells with opposing terminals. The battery modules are connected in series by use of a flexible circuit and by opposing positive and negative terminals of each battery unit. The terminals of each battery unit contain a region of apertures which allow the adhesive of the packaging material to seal more effectively, thereby eliminating or reducing the amount of leakage from an individual battery unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Morgan Rey Benson, Steven D Cochran
  • Patent number: 6811903
    Abstract: A rechargeable electrochemical cell system is provided. The system includes a plurality of cells, wherein each cell is comprised of a first electrode, a second electrode, and a third electrode electrically isolated from the second electrode. The cell system may be discharged upon application of a load across a discharge circuit, which is formed from the first electrodes and the second electrodes. The cell may be recharged upon application of a voltage across a recharging circuit, which is formed of at least one of the first electrodes and at least one of the third electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Evlonyx, Inc.
    Inventors: Aditi Vartak, Tsepin Tsai
  • Patent number: 6811904
    Abstract: A method for generating electricity in which a dry hydrocarbon and/or carbonaceous fluid fuel is introduced into the anode side of a solid oxide fuel cell having an anode electrode of porous YSZ and an electron—conducting metal having an oxide form which melts at a temperature less than about 1550° C. An oxidant is introduced into the cathode side of the cell and is electrochemically reacted with the dry fluid fuel resulting in substantially complete oxidation of the fluid fuel and generation of electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
    Inventors: Raymond J. Gorte, John M. Vohs, Radu Craciun
  • Patent number: 6811905
    Abstract: A fuel cell and method using the same. The fuel cell comprises a membrane electrode assembly, the membrane electrode assembly comprising a proton exchange membrane having a front face and a rear face. An anode is coupled to the front face of the proton exchange membrane, and a cathode is coupled to the rear face of the proton exchange membrane. A vapor diffusion chamber is positioned in the front of the anode, and a vapor transport member is positioned in front of the vapor diffusion chamber. The vapor transport member is substantially impermeable to an organic fuel/water mixture in a liquid phase but is permeable to the organic fuel/water mixture in a vapor phase. In operation, a liquid fuel mixture delivered to the vapor transport member evaporates from the vapor transport member and is delivered to the anode in vapor form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Giner Electro Chemical Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Cecelia C. Cropley, Simon G. Stone
  • Patent number: 6811906
    Abstract: A fuel cell power system comprising a fuel cell having a cathode and an anode adapted to be coupled to a fuel supply, and which is configured to produce electrical power having a current and voltage output; a controller electrically coupled with the fuel cell, and configured to selectively short the anode to the cathode of the fuel cell; and circuitry configured to measure resistance of the fuel cell in timed relation to the shorting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Relion, Inc.
    Inventors: Lijun Bai, David R. Lott, Vanell L. Martin
  • Patent number: 6811907
    Abstract: A fuel processor assembly that contains a device for supplying a high voltage electric discharge, a first catalytic body, and a second catalytic body. The two catalytic bodies have different shapes and properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Nanoset, LLC
    Inventors: Xingwu Wang, Huihui Duan, Bigang Min
  • Patent number: 6811908
    Abstract: A control system and method for a fuel processing system. The control system automates the operation of a fuel processing system by monitoring operating parameters and automatically controlling the operation of the system responsive to the monitored parameters, predefined subroutines and/or user inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: IdaTech, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Edlund, Thomas G. Herron, William A. Pledger
  • Patent number: 6811909
    Abstract: There is provided a fuel cell that is reduced in both size and weight while securing a sealed state of respective communication paths by respective sealing members between separators and an electrode assembly. In this fuel cell there are provided in each one of separators communication ports for reaction gases and cooling medium that are provided on an outer side of gas sealing members, and communication paths that detour around the gas sealing members in the thickness direction of the separators and connect the reaction gas communication ports with gas communication paths. A cooling surface sealing member that seals off the cooling medium communication path from the reaction gas communication holes is placed at a position shifted from the communication paths towards the communication holes. A convex portion is provided between the reaction gas communication path and the communications ports of one separator, while a concave portion that receives the convex portion is provided in the other separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Narutoshi Sugita, Seiji Sugiura
  • Patent number: 6811910
    Abstract: A metal air cell system comprises a frame structure configured with variable airflow paths. The variable airflow paths provide alternatives between direct open loop airflow and semi-closed loop air flow, wherein air is at least partially circulated around the cell components. This is particularly useful for operation in different temperature environments. The open loop mode is useful for high temperature environments, and the semi-closed loop mode is useful for low temperature environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Evionyx, Inc.
    Inventors: Tsepin Tsai, William F. Morris
  • Patent number: 6811911
    Abstract: The present invention provides an ion conducting matrix comprising: (i) 5 to 60% by volume of an inorganic powder having a good aqueous electrolyte absorption capacity; (ii) 5 to 50% by volume of a polymeric binder that is chemically compatible with an aqueous electrolyte; and (iii) 10 to 90% by volume of an aqueous electrolyte, wherein the inorganic powder comprises essentially sub-micron particles. The present invention further provides a membrane being a film made of the matrix of the invention and a composite electrode comprising 10 to 70% by volume of the matrix of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Tel Aviv University Future Technology Development L.P.
    Inventors: Emanuel Peled, Tair Duvdevani, Avi Melman
  • Patent number: 6811912
    Abstract: A solid state fuel cell is fabricated from three substructures. There is a porous anode made from n+ silicon which is surrounded by a non-porous ring. The pore size of the anode material is sufficiently large to allow hydrogen gas to flow through and is of a sufficiently high conductivity to easily permit current flow of electrons. One side of the anode has enlarged pores and a layer of titanium and platinum is sputtered or otherwise deposited on the surface with the enlarged pores to produce a coated surface. A cathode is made in a similar manner and is fabricated as the anode. There is a center electrolytic section made from a low conductivity silicon or silicon carbide. The center electrolytic section has the coated side of the anode secured to one side and has the coated side of the cathode secured to the other side. The other or un-coated face of both the anode and the cathode has an electrical contact secured thereto to permit electrons to leave the anode and to reenter the cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Kulite Semiconductor Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony D. Kurtz
  • Patent number: 6811913
    Abstract: A reversible electrochemical system adapted to operate between a fuel cell mode, an electrolysis mode, and an electrolysis and fuel cell alternating mode(energy storage mode), operating on a fuel gas mixture and an oxygen-containing gas mixture. In the fuel cell mode, a current of electrons is delivered to an oxygen electrode where their charge is transferred to a plurality of oxygen ions which are passed through an electrolyte to a fuel electrode where the charge is transferred back to the electrode. In the electrolysis mode, a current of electrons is sent to a fuel electrode where the charge is transferred to a plurality of oxygen ions formed by the decomposition of steam. The oxygen ions pass through an electrolyte to an oxygen electrode where the charge is transferred back to the electrons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Technology Management, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Ruhl
  • Patent number: 6811914
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an interconnect for an electrically driven solid electrolyte oxygen separation device comprising a composition of matter represented by the general formula: LnxCax′Ax″MnyBy′O3−&dgr; wherein Ln is selected from the group consisting of La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu; A is selected from the group consisting of Sr, Ba and Y; B is selected from the group consisting of Cu, Co, Cr, Fe, Ni, Zn, Nb, Zr, V, Ta, Ti, Al, Mg, and Ga; 0.1≦x≦0.9; 0.1≦x′≦0.9; 0≦x″≦0.5; 0.5<y<1.2; and 0≦y′≦0.5; provided that x+x′+x″=1 and 1.2>y+y′>1.0 wherein &dgr; is a number which renders the composition of matter charge neutral.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Laurence Meixner
  • Patent number: 6811915
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell in which the cell frame is integrated with the flow field support member defining a contiguous surface includes an electrode, a proton exchange membrane and a flow field support member disposed at the electrode, a cell frame disposed at the flow field support member, and a membrane support element disposed intermediate the flow field support member and the frame. A resilient seal may be disposed at the cell frame. A method of integrating the frame with the flow field support member includes disposing the membrane support element in a gap between the frame and the flow field support member and melting the membrane support element into the frame and the flow field support member to form a contiguous surface. A method of sealing a flow field of the cell includes disposing a resilient seal at the cell frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Proton Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Dristy, Greg A. Hanlon
  • Patent number: 6811916
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are fuel cell systems and, more specifically, fuel cell electrode pair and stack assemblies and various methods relating thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Neah Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan C. Mallari, Suzanne M. Snyder, Vinh Chung, Slobodan Petrovic
  • Patent number: 6811917
    Abstract: A conductive, moldable composite material for the manufacture of electrochemical cell components comprising a thermosetting resin system and conductive filler wherein the thermosetting resin composition comprises: (1) a polybutadiene or polyisoprene resin; (2) an optional functionalized liquid polybutadiene or polyisoprene resin; (3) an optional butadiene- or isoprene-containing copolymer; and (4) an optional low molecular weight polymer. In a preferred embodiment, the conductive moldable composite material is used to form a bipolar plate, current collector or other electrochemical cell component. Articles made of the conductive moldable composite material are resistant to chemical attack and hydrolysis, have excellent mechanical strength and toughness, have a volume resistivity of about 0.116 ohm-cm or less and preferably about 0.04 ohm-cm or less and a thermal conductivity of at least about 5 watts/meter ° K.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: World Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce B. Fitts, Vincent R. Landi, Saroj Kumar Roy
  • Patent number: 6811918
    Abstract: A PEM fuel cell having a current collector comprising a polymer composite and a diffusion media engaging said polymer composite. The polymer composite has a hyperconductive surface layer engaging the diffusion media to reduce the contact resistance therebetween. The hyperconductive surface layer is formed by depositing or smearing an electrically-conductive material on the surface of the polymer composite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Richard H. Blunk, Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid, Daniel John Lisi, Youssef Morcos Mikhail
  • Patent number: 6811919
    Abstract: A method of transporting a lithium secondary battery includes transporting the battery including an electrode body obtained by winding or laminating a positive electrode and a negative electrode via a separator, and a non-aqueous electrolyte solution in a state where: E/Cp+T3<t . . . (1) where E (J/g) is energy quantity per unit weight of said battery; Cp (J/° C.·g) is the specific heat of said battery; T3 (° C.) is a normal transportation temperature of said battery; and t (° C.) is the lowest temperature at which said battery falls into an unsafe state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Nemoto
  • Patent number: 6811920
    Abstract: A lithium ion secondary battery is so designed as to facilitate the insertion of the top insulator plate and to secure the fixation of the electrode group. This structure can reduce the probability of the electrode group moving around in the battery case to be damaged when the battery is dropped or shocked, thereby maintaining high safety standards even when a high pressure is applied from outside the battery. In a lithium ion secondary battery provided with a safety valve and composed of an electrode group which consists of a band-shaped positive electrode plate and a band-shaped negative electrode plate wound together with a separator disposed therebetween and which is housed in a cylindrical metal battery case with a bottom, together with a top insulator plate, the top insulator plate is designed to be elastic and is provided in its center with a through hole into which a center core member is press-fitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Murashige, Naoto Arai
  • Patent number: 6811921
    Abstract: A battery pack comprises: a battery unit (12) including a plurality of batteries (1) arranged flatly and electrically connected with one another by either series or parallel connection, or a combination thereof; a pair of heat transfer plates (8a, 8b) made of a material exhibiting excellent thermal conductivity and arranged in parallel to a surface where the battery unit (12) is arranged, of which one makes surface contact with a top-surface side of each of the batteries (1) of the battery unit (12), and the other makes surface contact with a back-surface side of each of the batteries (1) of the battery unit (12); and a housing (2) made of a material exhibiting excellent thermal conductivity, the housing accommodating the battery unit (12) and the pair of heat transfer plates (8a, 8b) and making surface contact with the pair of heat transfer plates (8a, 8b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Dansui, Hideki Kasahara
  • Patent number: 6811922
    Abstract: A battery pack is disclosed that includes a battery receiving frame. The frame is a single integral piece comprising two end cap portions and two spine portions, and is preferably molded from a flexible thermoplastic. One of the two spines has a free end, allowing that spine to be flexed so as to create an opening for insertion of electrochemical cells into the frame. The pack optionally includes the application of a label to portions of the frame and cells. The battery pack frame is molded from a thermoplastic resin material. Preferably, the material is a mixture of a polyolefin matrix comprising more than 30 weight percent of the thermoplastic material and an aromatic polymer having a repeating unit that comprises at least one aromatic functional group. In the preferred embodiment, the polyolefin is a polypropylene and the aromatic polymer is a poly(phenylene oxide).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Silvester Madjar, Thomas Shea, Lawrence Sinkewich
  • Patent number: 6811923
    Abstract: Positive electrode active material for nonaqueous electrolytic solution secondary batteries is made of a metal oxide. A content of coarse particles, of which particles sizes are 600% or more with respect to an average particle size of the metal oxide, is 1% or less by volume, and a content of high density particles, of which densities are 150% or more with respect to an average density of the metal oxide, is 1000 ppm or less. By using the positive electrode active material, battery characteristics and a manufacturing yield may be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Ryo Sakai, Yasuhiro Shirakawa, Kotaro Iyasu, Nobukazu Suzuki, Hisayasu Mitsui
  • Patent number: 6811924
    Abstract: A LiFePO4 carbon composite material is to be synthesized in a single phase satisfactorily to achieve superior cell characteristics. In preparing a cathode active material, a starting material for synthesis of a compound represented by the general formula LixFePO4, where 0<x≦1, is mixed, milled and sintered and a carbon material is added to the resulting mass at an optional time point in the course of mixing, milling and sintering. Li3PO4, Fe3(PO4)2 or its hydrates Fe3(PO4)2.nH2O, where n denotes the number of hydrates, are used as the starting material for synthesis of LixFePO4. The particle size distribution of particles of the starting material for synthesis following the milling with the particle size not less than 3 &mgr;m is set to 2.2% or less in terms of the volumetric integration frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Mamoru Hosoya, Kimio Takahashi, Yuzuru Fukushima
  • Patent number: 6811925
    Abstract: A positive active material for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries which has a higher capacity and improved thermal stability in a charged state and is less expensive compared to the current active material of LiCoO2 is provided by a lithium compound oxide having the formula: LiaNibCocMndMeO2  (1) where M stands for one or two of W and Mo, 0.90≦a≦1.15, 0<b<0.99, 0<c≦0.5, 0<d≦0.5, 0<c+d≦0.9, 0.01≦e≦0.1, and b+c+d+e=1, the lithium compound oxide giving an X-ray diffraction pattern including a diffraction peak or peaks assigned to a compound oxide of Li and W and/or a compound oxide of Li and Mo, in addition to main diffraction peaks assigned to a hexagonal crystal structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignees: Chuo Denki Kogyo Co., Ltd., Japan Storage Battery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Yamato, Koji Hayashi, Hajime Kitamura, Takahiro Miyashita, Yoshinori Naruoka, Junichi Toriyama, Masanao Terasaki
  • Patent number: 6811926
    Abstract: A zinc electrode is provided for use in electrochemical cells having an alkaline electrolyte and high cycle life. The zinc electrode comprises a mixture of zinc oxide together with an inorganic fiber which contains silica and alumina. Preferably, the composition of the inorganic fiber is in the range of 80% to 99% alumina, and 1% to 20% silica. Typically, the zinc electrode will further comprise an inorganic fiber additive in the range of 2% to 15% by weight of the zinc oxide electrode. Also, the zinc electrode will typically further include 2% up to 10% of bismuth oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Powergenix Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Phillips
  • Patent number: 6811927
    Abstract: A battery highly inhibited from suffering self-discharge. The battery is characterized by containing a built-in polymer which has in the molecule a carbodiimide unit represented the following formula (I): —[—R—N═C═N—)]n—  (I) wherein R means an organic group and n means an integer of 1 to 10,000).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Masakatsu Urairi, Keisuke Kii, Yutaka Kishii, Yutaka Yamamura, Masao Abe, Sadahito Misumi, Fumiteru Asai
  • Patent number: 6811928
    Abstract: Conventional batteries are disadvantageous in that a firm outer case must be used to maintain an electrical connection between electrodes, which has been an obstacle to size reduction. Those in which each electrode and a separator are joined with an adhesive resin suffer from conflict between adhesive strength and battery characteristics, particularly ion conductivity and internal resistivity. To solve these problems, it is an object of the invention to reduce resistance between electrodes, i.e., internal resistance of a battery to improve battery characteristics while securing both insulation function against electron conduction and ion conductivity between electrodes and also to maintain adhesive strength enough to firmly join the electrodes thereby to provide a light, compact and thin battery. The internal resistivity can be diminished by joining a positive electrode and a negative electrode with an adhesive resin layer having at least one adhesive resin layer containing a filler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeru Aihara, Daigo Takemura, Hisashi Shiota, Jun Aragane, Hiroaki Urushibata, Yasuhiro Yoshida, Kouji Hamano, Michio Murai, Takayuki Inuzuka
  • Patent number: 6811929
    Abstract: A lithium battery having a cathode, an anode, and a separator interposed between the cathode and the anode, wherein the separator is an insulating resin sheet having a network structure in which a polymeric gel electrolyte is contained. The polymer electrolyte is prepared by polymerizing a polymer electrolyte precursor having a polymer represented by formula 1, a crosslinking agent represented by formula 2, and an electrolyte solution composed of a lithium salt and a non-aqueous organic solvents. Formula 1 is as follows: Formula 2 is as follows: In formula 1 and formula 2, x ranges from 0.1 to 0.6 mol, y ranges from 0.1 to 0.8 mol, z ranges from 0.1 to 0.8 mol, R is an alkyl having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, n is an integer from 3 to 30, and R′ is hydrogen or CH3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ilyeong-gon Noh, Ki-ho Kim
  • Patent number: 6811930
    Abstract: A post-exposure treatment method of a silver halide emulsion layer in the manufacture of a hologram, a hologram manufacturing using the post-exposure treatment method, and a holographic optical element including the hologram are provided. The post-exposure treatment method of a silver halide emulsion layer involves: pre-hardening the silver halide emulsion layer after exposure; developing the pre-hardened silver halide emulsion layer using a developer solution; bleaching the developed silver halide emulsion layer; hardening the bleached silver halide emulsion layer; drying the hardened silver halide emulsion layer; surface-hardening the dried silver halide emulsion layer; fixing the hardened silver halide emulsion layer; treating the fixed silver halide emulsion layer using warm water; and drying the silver halide emulsion layer which has been treated using warm water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jong-man Kim
  • Patent number: 6811931
    Abstract: A photomask plate with a film surface protective layer is characterized in that a protective layer forming solution is prepared by mixing a main constituent comprising a two-liquid cross-linked antifouling surface coating agent, prepared by combining a mixed resin of a fluororesin and an acrylic resin in a solvent mixture of n-butyl acetate, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) and methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK), with a cross-linking curing agent, prepared by mixing a polyisocyanate prepolymer and ethyl acetate, and a diluent comprising n-butyl acetate, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) and cellosolve (ethylene glycol monoethyl ether) acetate. This protective layer forming solution is applied to a film surface of a photomask plate photosensitive emulsion layer produced by forming the film surface of the photosensitive emulsion layer (an emulsion photomask) on a substrate. The protective layer forming solution is then aged to form a film surface protective layer in a laminated manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Sineisha Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akio Fujioka
  • Patent number: 6811932
    Abstract: A method and system for determining a mask for fabricating semiconductor device is described. The method and system include patterning a resist layer on at least one mask material to provide a patterned resist layer. The patterned resist layer has a plurality of apertures therein. The plurality of apertures is for the plurality of features. The plurality of apertures has a plurality of apertures sizes and a plurality of aperture pitches. The method and system also include providing a test mask for a plurality of features using the resist layer. The test mask has the plurality of apertures therein. The method and system also include determining a plurality of flow rates for the plurality of aperture pitches and the plurality of aperture sizes based upon the plurality of features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Hung-Eil Kim
  • Patent number: 6811933
    Abstract: A photolithography method and apparatus for producing minima of light intensity corresponding to a point in a phase shift mask is described. The phase shift in the light produced by the mask varies in a spiral fashion around the point so that the phase shift measured along lines drawn across the surface of the mask which pass through the point have a 180° jump at the point, and lines passing around the point have no jumps between 130° and 230°, and most preferably no jumps between 100° and 260°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Inventor: Marc David Levenson
  • Patent number: 6811934
    Abstract: Methods of correcting for overlay error, wherein the methods account for relative offset across the field of exposures of more than one photolithography projection system, as well as systems to perform the methods and apparatus produced therefrom. The methods include defining at least two zones within a field of a mask having substantially similar overlay error values. The methods further include modifying the coordinates of a feature of the mask in response to a correction for the zone to which the feature is mapped, where the correction corresponds to a nominal overlay error value for that zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Bill Baggenstoss
  • Patent number: 6811935
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for extending the use of phase shift techniques to implementation of masks used for complex layouts in the layers of integrated circuits, beyond selected critical dimension features such as transistor gates to which such structures have been limited in the past. The method includes identifying features for which phase shifting can be applied, automatically mapping the phase shifting regions for implementation of such features, resolving phase conflicts which might occur according to a given design rule, and application of sub-resolution assist features within phase shift regions and optical proximity correction features to phase shift regions. In one approach, phase shift regions are laid out so that they extend around corners in a feature, and in one or more identified corners having greater process latitude, the phase shift regions are divided and assigned opposite phases in the corner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Numerical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Christophe Pierrat
  • Patent number: 6811936
    Abstract: A pellicle membrane structure (800) is made by a process that includes depositing (115) a etch mask layer (110) on the backside of the semiconductor wafer, deposting (120) a first pellicle membrane protection layer (205) on a frontside of the semiconductor wafer, depositing (125) a layer of membrane material (210) that is preferably SiOF on the first membrane protection layer, and depositing (130) a second pellicle membrane protection layer (215) on the membrane material layer, forming a pattern (140) for an opening (410) in the semiconductor, and etching (150) to form the opening. Oxygen plasma (155) is then used to remove carbon from the exposed portions of the pellicle membrane protection layers, which are preferably SiCN, which in the preferable embodiment changes the exposed surfaces to SiOF, thereby forming a thin SiOF membrane (715) over the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Smith, Sang-In Han