Patents Issued in May 31, 2011
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Patent number: 7951464Abstract: A composite material may be provided with unique alignment characteristics. The composite material may include a matrix material and a plurality of fibers disposed in the matrix material, wherein the plurality of fibers is magnetically aligned in a uniform spacing within the matrix material.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2009Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Herbert Chidsey Roberts
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Patent number: 7951465Abstract: To provide a steel-aluminum welded material and a spot welding method therefor having high weld strength. The steel-aluminum welded material 3 includes a steel material 1 and an aluminum material 2 having predetermined widths. The area of a nugget 5 of a spot-welded part is determined as a function of the thickness of the aluminum material 2, and the area of a part of the nugget 5 corresponding to a part having a thickness in a range between 0.5 and 10 ?m of an interface reaction layer 6 is defined as a function of the thickness of the aluminum material 2.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2005Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.Inventors: Wataru Urushihara, Mikako Takeda, Katsushi Matsumoto, Jun Katoh, Yasuaki Sugizaki, Hidekazu Ido
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Patent number: 7951466Abstract: A titanium alloy material includes a Ti—Al alloy and an oxide film on the Ti—Al alloy. The Ti—Al alloy contains 0.50-3.0 mass % Al and a balance of Ti and unavoidable impurities. The titanium alloy material has excellent hydrogen absorption resistance and can be used as a basic structural material in hydrogen absorption environments.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2003Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.Inventors: Shinji Sakashita, Takashi Yashiki, Katsuhiro Matsukado, Takenori Nakayama
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Patent number: 7951467Abstract: Recent semiconductor device becomes high powered, and on the material of heat sinks on which these devices are mounted, lower thermal expansion coefficient and higher thermal conductivity are needed. For this requirement, material with thermal conductivity as high as Cu alone and also with low thermal expansion coefficient, is needed. An aspect in accordance with the present invention provides, a cladding material in which 1st material layer and 2nd material layer are laminated alternately, wherein thermal expansion coefficient of said 2nd material is lower than the thermal expansion coefficient of said 1st material, and thermal conductivity of said 2nd material is lower than the thermal conductivity of said 1st material, and a total number of laminated layers composed of said 1st material and said 2nd material is 5 or more.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2006Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Inventor: Eiki Tsushima
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Patent number: 7951468Abstract: Molten metal is injected uniformly into a horizontal mold from a feed chamber in a horizontal or vertical direction at a controlled rate, directly on top of the metal already within the mold. A cooling medium is applied to the bottom surface of the mold, with the type and flow rate of the cooling medium being varied to produce a controlled cooling rate throughout the casting process. The rate of introduction of molten metal and the flow rate of the cooling medium are both controlled to produce a relatively uniform solidification rate within the mold, thereby producing a uniform microstructure throughout the casting, and low stresses throughout the casting.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2008Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Alcoa Inc.Inventors: Men G. Chu, Ho Yu, Alvaro Giron, Kenneth Joseph Kallaher, Jeffrey J. Shaw
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Patent number: 7951469Abstract: A welding material, to be used for welding a base metal made of an austenitic alloy comprising C?2.0%, Si?4.0%, Mn: 0.01 to 3.0%, P: more than 0.03% to not more 0.3%, S?0.03%, Cr: 12 to 35%, Ni: 6 to 80%, sol. Al: 0.001 to 1% and N?0.3%, with the balance being Fe and impurities to a base metal made of another austenitic alloy, which comprises C: more than 0.3% to 3.0%, Si?4.0%, Mn?3.0%, P?0.03%, S?0.03%, Cr: more than 22% to 55%, Ni: more than 30% to not more than 70%, sol. Al: 0.001 to 1% and N?0.3%, with the balance being Fe and impurities can suppress the weld solidification cracking which occurs in an austenitic alloy having a high P content and showing fully austenitic solidification. Therefore, the said welding material can be widely used in such fields where a welding fabrication is required. The said welding material may contain a specific amount or amounts of one or more elements selected from Cu, Mo, W, V, Nb, Ti, Ta, Zr, Hf, Co, B, Ca, Mg and REM.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2010Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Takahiro Osuki, Kazuhiro Ogawa, Hirokazu Okada
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Patent number: 7951470Abstract: According to the present invention, a light-emitting element, a light-emitting device, and a lighting system, each of which has a broad spectrum like sunlight and has high color rendering properties, can be obtained. One embodiment of the present invention has a light-emitting device which includes at least two kinds of luminescence center materials, and at least one kind of the luminescence center materials is a quinoxaline derivative represented by the following general formula (1): wherein R1 to R4 are individually hydrogen or an alkyl group having 4 carbon atoms (a straight-chain structure or a branch structure).Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2005Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.Inventors: Atsushi Tokuda, Masakazu Egawa
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Patent number: 7951471Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a substance capable of emitting phosphorescence. In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide a light-emitting element that is excellent in chromaticity. One aspect of the present invention is an organometallic complex having a structure represented by a general formula (1). In the general formula (1), R1 to R4 are each any one of hydrogen, a halogen element, an acyl group, an alkyl group, an alkoxyl group, an aryl group, a cyano group, and a heterocyclic group. In addition, R5 to R13 are each any one of hydrogen, an acyl group, an alkyl group, an alkoxyl group, an aryl group, a heterocyclic group, and an electron-withdrawing group. An organometallic complex having such a structure can emit phosphorescence with higher emission intensity.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2005Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hideko Inoue, Satoko Shitagaki, Satoshi Seo
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Patent number: 7951472Abstract: An organic light-emitting device comprising a light-emitting layer or a plurality of thin organic compound layers containing a light emitting layer interposed between a pair of electrodes, wherein at least one layer comprises at least one light emitting material containing a compound having a partial structure represented by following formula (21) or a tautomer thereof: wherein the compound having the partial structure represented by formula (21) has two or more different ligands.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2010Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventors: Tatsuya Igarashi, Keizo Kimura, Kazumi Nii
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Patent number: 7951473Abstract: The invention discloses optical coatings with improved durability, the coating comprising a durability enhancing layer, a nucleation layer and an infrared reflecting layer. The invention also discloses methods of making thin film layers having enhanced durability.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2007Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: AGC Flat Glass North America, Inc.Inventor: Peter Maschwitz
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Patent number: 7951474Abstract: A gas release valve to be mounted in an access port of a battery cell includes a housing, the upper side of which is closed by a lid. The lower side of the lid has an opening leading into the battery cell and is in communication, via degassing passageways closed by an elastic sealing element, with at least one vent provided in the lid. The elastic sealing element is a preloaded non-return element, the inner surface of which is urged into sealing contact with a seat provided in the housing by it s own elasticity and, in addition, by a pressure differential with the outer pressure that acts through the vent against the outer surface of the sealing element.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2006Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Abertax Reserach & Development LtdInventors: George Schembri, Joseph Pule', Joseph Cilia, Werner Schmidt
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Patent number: 7951475Abstract: The present invention concerns a vent valve for acid batteries comprising a substantially cylindrical plug portion (28) which is designed for being brought into engagement with a cell opening of the acid battery (1) and which has at least one passage opening communicating the cell interior of the acid battery with the ambient atmosphere, wherein provided in the passage opening is a valve arrangement (29) having an inlet communicating with the cell interior and an outlet connected to the ambient atmosphere. In order to provide a vent valve for an acid battery, in particular an acid battery with fixed electrolyte, which is simple and inexpensive to produce and which affords improved protection against the escape of battery acid, it is proposed in accordance with the invention that at least one turbulence chamber (30) follows the passage opening of the plug portion (28) in the direction of the cell interior and a gas-permeable filter unit (31, 31?) follows the turbulence chamber (30).Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2006Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Deutsche EXIDE GmbHInventors: Wolfgang Imhof, Friedrich Kramm, Christian Recker
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Patent number: 7951476Abstract: An electrode assembly for a rechargeable battery resists external impacts applied to the rechargeable battery, and includes a sealing tape attached to an outer circumference of the rechargeable battery, which extends toward an upper part and a lower part to prevent the electrode assembly from unfastening, and a top insulating plate and a bottom insulating plate may be attached to the extended portion of the sealing tape. A shock resistant electrode assembly for a rechargeable battery has an insulating plate attached thereto by an extended portion of a sealing tape, thereby preventing the electrode assembly from moving in a battery housing when an external impact is applied.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2007Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventor: Daekyu Kim
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Patent number: 7951477Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of cells. The battery module also includes a housing configured to substantially enclose the plurality of cells. The battery module further includes a lower tray configured to receive the plurality of cells. The lower tray is located inside the housing adjacent a bottom of the housing. The lower tray has a top side and a bottom side The top side has a plurality of sockets configured to receive the plurality of cells in a closely packed arrangement. The bottom side is configured to define a chamber between the lower tray and the bottom of the housing. The chamber is sealed off from the rest of the battery module and is configured to receive released gas from the plurality of cells.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2009Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Johnson Controls-SAFT Advanced Power Solutions LLCInventors: Steven J. Wood, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Dale B. Trester
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Patent number: 7951478Abstract: A battery pack includes battery modules; battery module stacked members including the stacked battery modules; a battery module group including the battery module stacked members arranged in a plane; and a lower plate arranged to hold the battery module group. The lower plate includes a main body made from a resin, the main body supporting the battery module stacked members arranged in parallel, and including mounting surfaces each of which one of the battery module stacked members is mounted on; and metal frames each inserted and molded in one of the mounting surfaces, the metal frames being arranged in an arrangement direction of the battery module stacked members, and electrically insulated with each other.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2007Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Toshifumi Takamatsu
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Patent number: 7951479Abstract: The present subject matter includes an apparatus, having: an anode having an elongate ribbon shape; a cathode having an elongate ribbon shape, the cathode disposed adjacent to and in alignment with the anode; a separator disposed between the anode and the cathode; and a first porous edge film disposed between a first edge of the cathode and the anode, with the one or more surfaces of the first porous edge film facing the cathode and defining a first cathode interface of the first porous edge film; wherein an first adhesive interconnects the first porous edge film to the cathode, the first adhesive covering less than the entire cathode interface, and the anode and cathode are disposed in a case with an electrolyte.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2005Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Shawn Kelley, Tom E. Notebaart
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Patent number: 7951480Abstract: An electrode system includes one or more separator materials formed into a bag having at least two seams. The seams are positioned so as to define the perimeter of a pocket configured to receive an electrode within the bag. At least one gap is formed between seams adjacent to one another along the perimeter of the pocket. Additionally, at least one of the seams includes a spacer positioned between portions of the one or more separator materials joined by the at least one seam.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2003Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Quallion LLCInventors: David M. Skinlo, Hiroyuki Yumoto, David L. DeMuth
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Patent number: 7951481Abstract: A separator for use in a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell, including a membrane/electrode assembly including a fuel electrode and an oxidant electrode disposed on either side of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane; a first separator superposed against a surface of the oxidant electrode forming an oxidant gas flow passage; and a second separator superposed against a surface of the fuel electrode forming a fuel gas flow passage. The first separator and the second separator are composed of rectangular thin metal plates, with outer peripheral edges of the first separator and the second separator each bending inclined towards a secondary face thereof on an opposite side of a primary face thereof that is superposed against the membrane/electrode assembly, thereby integrally forming a reinforcing rib.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2005Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Yutaka Ishioka, Yasuhiko Mihara, Ryo Hirai
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Patent number: 7951482Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery including an electrode assembly, a non-aqueous electrolyte, and a substantially rectangular battery case for housing the electrode assembly and the non-aqueous electrolyte. The thickness ?, the width ?, and the height ? of the battery case satisfy the relation ?<???c. The electrode assembly includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a porous heat-resistant layer disposed between these electrodes. The positive electrode includes a positive electrode active material layer, and the negative electrode includes a negative electrode active material layer. The ratio of the pore volume included in a predetermined area of the porous heat-resistant layer to the battery theoretical capacity is 0.18 to 1.117 ml/Ah. The predetermined area has the same area as the positive electrode active material layer. The porosity of the porous heat-resistant layer is 35 to 85%.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2006Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Hiroaki Ichinose, Masatoshi Nagayama
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Patent number: 7951483Abstract: The present invention provides an assembled battery with reduced weight and high reliability that can achieve improvement of assembling easiness at low cost. An assembled battery is provided with a frame holding a plurality of unit cells 14 having positive polarity at one end and negative polarity at the other end. The frame is composed of two outer frames 2 having the same shape and an inner frame 3. The unit cells 14 constituting an assembled battery 1 are disposed on both sides of the inner frame 3, and one outer frame 2 and the other outer frame 2 are disposed such that the unit cells are sandwiched between the former outer frame 2 and the inner frame 3 and between the latter outer frame 2 and the inner frame 3. The two outer frames 2 are joined to the inner frame 3 through side face coupling portions 23 and vertical coupling portions 24.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2006Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Hitachi Vehicle Energy, Ltd.Inventors: Toshiaki Onuki, Takeyuki Goto, Koutarou Ikeda, Tunemi Aiba
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Patent number: 7951484Abstract: The method for producing a battery can according to this invention includes the steps of: (1) producing a battery can having a cylindrical side wall, a bottom, and an opening from a steel plate by a can-making process; (2) washing the battery can with tap water or industrial water; (3) washing the battery can with water having a conductivity of 80 ?S/cm or less after the step (2); and (4) drying the battery can after the step (3).Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2008Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventor: Katsuhiko Mori
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Patent number: 7951485Abstract: A lithium rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly arranged in a can and an insulating case positioned at an upper portion of the electrode assembly. The insulating case includes at least one protrusion protruding toward an inner wall of the can.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2006Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hwa Il Uh
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Patent number: 7951486Abstract: A cap assembly for a secondary battery in which an insulating member is disposed in a partial or entire terminal plate, resulting in improved stability. The cap assembly includes a terminal plate and an insulating member. The insulating member is disposed in a partial or entire region of the terminal plate other than a region to which a negative electrode tab is welded.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2008Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventor: Sang-Joon Lee
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Patent number: 7951487Abstract: A positive electrode 2 includes a positive electrode current collector lead 70 connected to a core exposed part 78 formed at a longitudinal center of a current collector core 72. A negative electrode 3 includes a double-coated part 14 including an active material layer 13 and a porous protective film 28 formed on each surface of a current collector core 12, a core exposed part 18, and a single-coated part 17 which is located between the double-coated part 14 and the core exposed part 18, and includes the active material layer 13 and the porous protective film 28 formed only on one of the surfaces of the current collector core 12. A plurality of grooves 10 are formed in each surface of the double-coated part 14, while the grooves 10 are not formed in the single-coated part 17. A negative electrode current collector lead 20 is connected to the core exposed part 18. The negative electrode 3 is wound in such a manner that the core exposed part 18 constitutes a last wound end.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2009Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Masaharu Miyahisa, Seiichi Kato, Mao Yamashita
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Patent number: 7951488Abstract: A cathode and a battery including the cathode are provided. The cathode includes a cathode mixture layer with a cathode active material and a binder. The binder can include, for example, a synthetic rubber latex and a thickener, polyvinylidene fluoride denaturalized by maleic acid and/or the like.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2010Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Yoshikazu Kato, Ryosuke Takagi
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Patent number: 7951489Abstract: An anode active material including a metal core and a coating layer formed on a surface of the metal core is provided. The coating layer includes a conductive metal material. The coating layer covering the metal core is carbon-based and includes a conductive metal material. The anode active material has good electron conductivity and elasticity, thereby enhancing charge/discharge capacity and reducing the stress caused by expansion of the carbon-based coating layer and the metal core during charge/discharge cycles. Direct contact between the metal core and the electrolyte solution is remarkably reduced. In addition, anodes and lithium batteries including the anode active material exhibit excellent charge/discharge characteristics, such as discharge capacity and initial charge/discharge efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2006Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Gue-sung Kim, Young-min Choi, Han-su Kim
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Patent number: 7951490Abstract: A secondary battery both having a cathode and an anode with a separator in between. The cathode comprises a stable complex oxide LixNi1-y-zMnyMIzO2 and a highly conductive complex oxide LisMIIl-t-uMntMIIIuO2. Each of MI and MIII includes at least one kind selected from the group consisting of elements in Group 2 through Group 14, and MII includes at least one kind selected from the group consisting of Ni and Co, and the values of x, y, z, s, t and u are within a range of 0.9?x?1.1, 0.25?y?0.45, 0.01?z?0.30, 0.9?s?1.1, 0.05?t?0.20, and 0.01?u?0.10, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2007Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Yosuke Hosoya, Yoshikatsu Yamamoto
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Patent number: 7951491Abstract: A positive electrode includes a collector and a positive electrode mixture layer formed on the collector and containing a polyacrylonitrile based resin-containing binder and a positive electrode active material. The polyacrylonitrile in the positive electrode mixture layer is crosslinked and carbonized.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2008Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Takashi Tokunaga, Yoshiaki Obana, Toshikazu Nakaura, Hiroyuki Akashi
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Patent number: 7951492Abstract: A secondary battery includes a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate, a separator interposed therebetween, and at least one insulation member. The first electrode plate has a first electrode collector having at least one surface on which a first electrode active material is coated to form a coating portion, a first electrode uncoated portion formed on at least one end of the first electrode collector, and a first protrusion formed on at least one end of the electrode coating portion. The second electrode plate includes a similar second electrode collector, a second electrode coating portion, a second electrode uncoated portion, and a second protrusion. The separator insulates the first electrode plate from the second electrode plate. The at least one insulation member is formed on and covers the first protrusion, the second protrusion, or both such that an electrolyte is flowable through the at least one insulation member.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2005Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jung Ho Kim, Youn Han Chang
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Patent number: 7951493Abstract: A process for preparing a food composition by mixing a nutritive base with at least one long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid; cooking the resulting mixture at a temperature not less than about 50° C.; adding to the food composition at least one oxidatively protected long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid; and packaging the resulting composition in an oxygen depleted environment within a sealed container to provide the food product that exhibits (1) acceptable palatability to an animal and (2) a shelf-life of at least about 6 months when stored at ambient temperature without opening the container.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2006Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc.Inventors: Hungwei Charlie Lin, Harry Mead Clark, III, Brent Karl Pope, Jerry Don Millican, Viswas Ghorpade, Dale Allen Fritsch
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Patent number: 7951494Abstract: The present invention provides a solid electrolyte with high ion-conductivity which is cheap and exhibits high conductivity in an alkaline form, and stably keeps high conductivity because of a small amount of the leak of a compound bearing conductivity even in a wet state. The invention is useful in an electrochemical system using the solid electrolyte, such as a fuel cell. The solid electrolyte with high ion-conductivity comprises a hybrid compound which contains at least polyvinyl alcohol and a zirconic acid compound, and also a nitrogen-containing organic compound having a structure of amine, quaternary ammonium compound and/or imine, obtained by hydrolyzing a zirconium salt or an oxyzirconium salt in a solution including water, polyvinyl alcohol, a zirconium salt or an oxyzirconium salt and a nitrogen-containing organic compound having a structure of amine, quaternary ammonium compound and/or imine coexist, removing a solvent and contacting with alkali.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2008Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignees: Nippon Kodoshi Corporation, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Haruo Sawa, Haruyuki Nakanishi, Shinichi Matsumoto
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Patent number: 7951495Abstract: This invention relates to a safe electrolyte having no risk of igniting-firing, and more particularly to a non-aqueous electrolyte for a battery comprising an ionic liquid composed of a cation portion and an anion portion, and a supporting salt, characterized in that the cation portion of the ionic liquid contains phosphorus and nitrogen, as well as an electrolyte for an electric double layer capacitor comprising an ionic liquid composed of a cation portion and an anion portion, characterized in that the cation portion of the ionic liquid contains phosphorus and nitrogen.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2006Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Bridgestone CorporationInventors: Masashi Otsuki, Hiroshi Kanno
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Patent number: 7951496Abstract: A power generation system is provided. The power generation system includes a fuel cell controller, at least one fuel cell cluster operably connected to the fuel cell controller and a data server operably connected to the fuel cell cluster. The data server is configured to obtain operational data from the fuel cell cluster. In addition, a model server operably connected to the data server. The model server is configured to model the operational characteristics of the fuel cell cluster during the actual operation of the fuel cell cluster and modify the operation of the fuel cell cluster in real-time, based on the operational data obtained by the data server.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2007Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Bloom Energy CorporationInventors: David Weingaertner, Swaminathan Venkataraman
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Patent number: 7951497Abstract: A fuel cell system of the present invention comprises a fuel cell (13), a load value detecting means (16) configured to detect a load value of a load of electric power or heat which is generated by equipment (14) supplied with the electric power or the heat from the fuel cell system, a load value storage means (17) configured to store a history of the load value which is detected by the load value detecting means (16), a load value predicting means (18) configured to predict a load value which is going to be generated, based on the history of the load value, and to store the predicted load value as load value data, and scheduled start-up time of a fuel cell (13) is decided based on the load value data.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2004Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Yoshikazu Tanaka, Takashi Nishikawa, Masataka Ozeki, Akinari Nakamura
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Patent number: 7951498Abstract: A control algorithm for operating an integrated fuel cell system includes the following steps: determining whether a power output of a fuel cell is within a first predetermined range of an electrical load coupled to the fuel cell; lowering a reactant flow to the fuel cell when the power output is within the first predetermined range; detecting an increase of the electrical load; determining whether the increase exceeds a second predetermined range; and increasing a reactant flow to the fuel cell when the increase exceeds the second predetermined range.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2006Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Plug Power Inc.Inventors: Daniel O. Jones, John W. Parks
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Patent number: 7951499Abstract: A fuel cell system comprises: a fuel container for storing fuel liquefied with pressure; a reformer for generating hydrogen from the fuel through a catalyst reaction based on heat energy; an electric generator for generating electricity by transforming energy of an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen into electric energy; a condenser for condensing water produced in the electric generator; and a heat exchanger passing through the condenser for cooling the condenser by latent heat of the fuel. With this configuration, cooling water cooled by latent heat of a fuel container is employed to cool the condenser without using a separate cooler. Furthermore, air is mixed with butane fuel without using a separate power unit, so that it is possible to achieve a more compact and highly efficient fuel cell.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2007Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ju Yong Kim, Sung Chul Lee, Chan Ho Lee, Dong Myung Suh, Jin Goo Ahn, Jin Kwang Kim, Dong Uk Lee
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Patent number: 7951500Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention provides for an anode side gas flow heater for a fuel cell generator that comprises a recirculating anode gas flow 28, at least one burner 24, and an energy source 22. The energy source heats the burner, the anode gas flow passes over the at least one burner and is heated, and the heated anode gas flow is then passed through the anode side of the fuel cell generator 4, where the fuel cell generator is heated.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2006Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.Inventors: Stephen E. Veyo, Raymond A. George
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Patent number: 7951501Abstract: A fuel cell is provided, which includes a first plenum around an anode for receiving fuel, and a second plenum around a cathode for receiving oxygen. A fluid controller controls the supply of fuel to the first plenum or oxygen to the second plenum. A sensor detects the load on the fuel cell, and a controller controls the fluid controller in response to the load detected by the sensor. A method for controlling the output of a fuel cell is also provided, which includes the step of providing a fuel cell having a reaction area with an effective area where reactions may occur. The demand on the fuel cell is detected and the effective area of the reaction area is varied in response to the demand. Alternatively, the fuel cell may have an internal resistance, and the method may include varying the internal resistance in response to the demand.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2007Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: The Trustees of Princeton UniversityInventors: Jay B Benziger, Claire H. Woo
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Patent number: 7951502Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell comprising a cell laminate having a plurality of laminated cells, an end plate arranged on the outer side of the laminating direction of the cell laminate, and a spring module interposed between the cell laminate and the end plate for adjusting a compression load on the cell laminate. The spring module includes a coil spring arranged between an upper plate and a lower plate for separating the upper plate and the lower plate from each other by an elastic force. The end plate includes a plurality of load adjusting screws. The spring module is given a load at a plurality of load inputting portions by the load adjusting screws.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2007Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Toshiyuki Inagaki
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Patent number: 7951503Abstract: A curable resin composition for fuel cell electrolyte films characterized by comprising (1) 100 parts by mass of a monomer having at least one ethylenically unsaturated group per molecule and having, per molecule, either at least one, tonically conductive group or at least one precursor group capable of giving an tonically conductive group through a chemical reaction, (2) 10-400 parts by mass of an oligomer which has, per molecule, at least two reactive groups copolymerizable with the ethylenically unsaturated group of the ingredient (1) and has a number-average molecular weight of 400 or higher, (3) 10-400 parts by mass of a fluororesin, and (4) 0-2,000 parts by mass of a solvent.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2005Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.Inventors: Mitsuhito Takahashi, Toshio Ohba, Nobuo Kawada, Shigeru Konishi
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Patent number: 7951504Abstract: Provided is a fuel cartridge in which a follower is prevented from being deformed and from separating even when heavy vibration is exerted onto the fuel cartridge. The fuel cartridge is detachably connected with a fuel cell main body and assumes a construction in which the fuel cartridge is equipped with a fuel-storing vessel for storing a liquid fuel, a fuel discharge part, and a follower which seals the liquid fuel and moves as the liquid fuel is consumed at a rear end part of the liquid fuel. The follower is provided with a follower auxiliary member and a cap member both of which have no fluidity and are insoluble in the liquid fuel.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2007Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignees: Mitsubishi Pencil Company, Limited, Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kiyoshi Fujisawa, Toshimi Kamitani, Yasunari Kabasawa, Yugo Matsuda
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Patent number: 7951505Abstract: A fuel cell system including a fuel cell, constructed as an integrated stack comprising a laminate, produced by stacking a plurality of cells between two end plates, and a fuel supply device for supplying fuel to the fuel cell. In this fuel cell system, a plurality of individual fuel supply ports, for supplying fuel independently from the fuel supply device to each of the plurality of cells, are formed on the end plates, thus forming individual fuel supply channels that deliver fuel from the plurality of individual fuel supply ports to the fuel electrodes of the corresponding cells, respectively. This fuel cell system is compact, and enables equal supply of a predetermined quantity of fuel to each of the plurality of cells.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2005Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Shinsuke Fukuda, Katsumi Kozu
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Patent number: 7951506Abstract: A bipolar plate for fuel cells includes a plurality of flow paths in which fuel flows. The flow paths include a first flow path formed by a plurality of flow channels and a second flow path formed by a plurality of islands. A direct liquid fuel cell stack comprises the bipolar plate.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2005Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kyoung Hwan Choi, Jong-koo Lim, Yong-hun Cho, Il Moon
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Patent number: 7951507Abstract: A stamped bipolar plate of a fuel cell stack includes a first stamped plate half having a first reactant flow field formed therein, a portion of which defines a first reactant header region. A second stamped plate half has a first coolant flow field formed therein, a portion of which defines a first set of coolant feed channels that extend at least partially across the first reactant header region.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2004Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Inventors: Steven G Goebel, Nafissa Haimad
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Patent number: 7951508Abstract: A fuel cell is formed by stacking a membrane electrode assembly and separators alternately. Each of the separators includes first and second metal plates. A coolant flow field is formed between the first and second metal plates. The coolant flow field is connected to inlet buffers and outlet buffers. Protrusions for limiting the flow of a coolant are provided at the inlet buffers and the outlet buffers on upper and lower opposite end positions of the coolant flow field.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2004Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Seiji Sugiura, Shuhei Goto, Masahiro Mohri
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Patent number: 7951509Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell stack includes a plurality of solid oxide fuel cells, wherein each solid oxide fuel cell comprises an electrolyte located between an anode electrode and a cathode electrode, a plurality of gas separators, and at least one compliant cathode contact material. The contact material may be a metallic felt, foam or mesh, an electrically conductive glass or an electrically conductive ceramic felt located between at least one of the plurality of gas separators and a cathode electrode of an adjacent solid oxide fuel cell.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2007Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Bloom Energy CorporationInventors: Mark Cassidy, Stephen Couse
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Patent number: 7951510Abstract: A bipolar plate for use in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell having an electrically conductive polymer coated on at least one region of a surface of the plate in contact with a flow field. The coated region is hydrophobic or hydrophilic as compared to an uncoated region of the surface to prevent liquid accumulation. Electroconductive polymer coatings are applied by electrochemical polymerization.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2004Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Chunxin Ji, Steven R Falta, Thomas A Trabold, Brian K Brady
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Patent number: 7951511Abstract: The present invention provides a cathode and a fuel cell, which are built to prevent escape of liquids, e.g. water and fuel solution, from the cell. Thus, according to a first aspect thereof, the present invention provides a cathode suitable for use in a fuel cell having a proton conducting membrane, the cathode comprising a plurality of layers including a catalyst layer and a hydrophobic porous support layer, wherein at least one of said plurality of layers is a liquid water leak-proof layer, which allows gas to pass through it and prevents passage of liquid water and/or aqueous fuel solution.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2010Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Tel-Aviv University Future Technology Development L.P.Inventors: Emanuel Peled, Tair Duvdevani, Arnon Blum, Vladimir Livshits, Adi Aharon
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Patent number: 7951512Abstract: In order to provide a reticle capable of increasing the number of chips per wafer and of enabling highly accurate alignment, and an exposure method using the reticle, a first alignment mark arrangement region (8) and a second alignment mark arrangement region (9) are provided on both sides of a multi-chip region (2) so that a sum of a size of the first alignment mark arrangement region and a size of the second alignment mark arrangement region is made the same as a size of a chip region (1).Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2009Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.Inventor: Daisuke Okano
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Patent number: 7951513Abstract: A silicon single crystal film having a crystal plane as its principal plane, the crystal plane being inclined at 3 to 5° from any lattice plane belonging to {100} planes or {111} planes is used as a pellicle film. The silicon single crystal having such a crystal plane as its principal plane has effective bond density and Young's modulus thereof which are about 40% to about 50% higher than those of a silicon single crystal with <100> orientation, and therefore a cleavage and crack do not easily occur. Moreover, the silicon single crystal has a high chemical resistance such as hydrofluoric acid resistance, and hardly causes an etch pit and void. Accordingly, the present invention can provide a pellicle comprising a pellicle film for EUV having high transmission, and excellent mechanical and chemical stability, as well as having a high yield, and being practical also in cost.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2009Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshihiro Kubota, Shoji Akiyama, Toshihiko Shindo