Patents Issued in May 14, 2013
  • Patent number: 8440316
    Abstract: A malodor transmission-resistant plastic finding employment in cassettes housing flexible tubular material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Playtex Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard S. Chomik, Rosemary Knuth, Caryl Yeager, Mark Yoho
  • Patent number: 8440317
    Abstract: A protective film for a polarizing membrane is provided which is prevented in light leakage generation, and excellent in moldability. The protective film contains a polyamide resin, and is subjected to an orientation (e.g., a drawing) to have a retardation value of not less than 300 nm. The polyamide resin may also contain an alicyclic polyamide resin, e.g., a resin whose monomers are an alicyclic diamine and an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid. The polyamide resin may have microcrystallinity. The Abbe number of the polyamide resin may be not less than 40.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nagayoshi Tsukane, Tatsuo Izumitani
  • Patent number: 8440318
    Abstract: A water-soluble substrate, and more particularly a water-soluble substrate that is resistant to dissolution, and methods of making the same are disclosed. The water-soluble substrate comprises a first surface and a second surface. A coating is applied to, and substantially covers at least one of said first and second surfaces. The elongation ratio between said coating and said water-soluble substrate is at least 1. Articles, such as pouches, made from the water-soluble substrate, are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Vincenzo Catalfamo
  • Patent number: 8440319
    Abstract: A heat resistant film that comprises at least one layer that comprises a high crystallinity propylene polymer having a melt flow rate of from 0.5 g/10 min. to 15 g/10 min. and a xylene solubles of less than 3.5%. The propylene polymer may have a melting point above 158° C. The heat resistant film may further comprise at least a second layer, which may be a heterophasic random copolymer. The heat resistant film may be, for example, a blown film, a cast film, or an oriented film, and may be used in such articles of manufacture as construction films, retort packaging, and laminated articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodolfo Mier, Mark Miller
  • Patent number: 8440320
    Abstract: An article includes a substrate made of carbon fiber and zirconium diboride composites; an chromium layer deposited on the substrate; an chromium diffusing layer formed between the substrate and the chromium layer; and a iridium layer deposited on the chromium layer opposite to the chromium diffusing layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsin-Pei Chang, Wen-Rong Chen, Huann-Wu Chiang, Cheng-Shi Chen, Shyan-Juh Liu, Cong Li
  • Patent number: 8440321
    Abstract: A coated article is described. The coated article includes a substrate, a bonding layer formed on the substrate, a plurality of nickel-chromium-nitrogen layers and a plurality of zinc layers formed on the bonding layer. The bonding layer is a nickel-chromium layer. Each nickel-chromium-nitrogen layer interleaves with one zinc layer. One of the nickel-chromium-nitrogen layers is directly formed on the bonding layer. A method for making the coated article is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsin-Pei Chang, Wen-Rong Chen, Huann-Wu Chiang, Cheng-Shi Chen, Cong Li
  • Patent number: 8440322
    Abstract: The copper alloy (lining) prevails in an overwhelmingly large amount in a plain-bearing layer structure. Cu of the plain bearing copper-alloy diffuses into the Sn-based overlay diffuses into the Sn-based overlay and detrimentally impairs the performance of the overlay. The present invention takes a measure against this problem. An Sn-based overlay having a thickness of 3 to 19 ?m is deposited by electro-plating without an intermediate layer for diffusion prevention on a plain-bearing layer, which contains Sn and Ni in a total amount of more than 4 mass % to 20 mass % (the minimum amount of Sn is 4 mass %) and has a hardness of Hv 150 or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Taiho Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeyuki Suga, Hitoshi Wada, Takashi Tomikawa
  • Patent number: 8440323
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for making a hot stamped coated steel sheet product, comprising the steps of pre-coating a steel strip or sheet with aluminum- or aluminum alloy, cutting said pre-coated steel strip or sheet to obtain a pre-coated steel blank, heating the blank in a furnace preheated to a temperature and during a time defined by diagram according to thickness, at a heating rate Vc between 20 and 700° C. comprised between 4 and 12° C./s and at a heating rate Vc? between 500 and 700° C. comprised between 1.5 and 6° C./s, to obtain a heated blank; then transferring said heated blank to a die, hot stamping the heated blank in the die obtain a hot stamped steel sheet product, cooling at a mean rate Vr between the exit of the heated blank from the furnace, down to 400° C., of at least 30° C./s.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Arcelormittal France
    Inventors: Dominique Spehner, Ronald Kefferstein, Pascal Drillet
  • Patent number: 8440324
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel copolymers, compositions comprising novel copolymers, and electronic devices comprising at least one layer containing the copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Nora Sabina Radu, Frederick P. Gentry, Gene M. Rossi, Gary A. Johansson
  • Patent number: 8440325
    Abstract: An electronic device containing a hole transporting semiconductive polymer comprising a first repeat unit comprising a first nitrogen of a triarylamine in the polymer backbone and a second nitrogen of an arylamine pendant from the polymer backbone, characterised in that said semiconductive polymer performs the function of transporting holes to or from a semiconductive material in said device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignees: Cambridge Display Technology Limited, CDT Oxford Limited
    Inventors: Mary McKiernan, Natasha Conway, Richard Wilson
  • Patent number: 8440326
    Abstract: Novel materials are provided, having a single phenyl or chain of phenyls where there is a nitrogen atom on each end of the single phenyl or chain of phenyls. The nitrogen atom may be further substituted with particular triphenylene groups. Organic light-emitting devices are also provided, where the novel materials are used as a hole transport material in the device. Combinations of the hole transport material with specific host materials are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Universal Display Corporation
    Inventors: Chuanjun Xia, Raymond Kwong
  • Patent number: 8440327
    Abstract: A method of producing hard wear resistant layer with improved wear resistance. The method is a reactive arc-evaporation based process using a cathode including as main constituent at least one phase of a refractory compound Mn+1AXn (n=1, 2 or 3), wherein M is one or more metals selected from the groups IIIB, IVB, VB, VIB and VIIB of the periodic table of elements, A is one or more elements selected from the groups IIIA, IVA, VA and VIA of the periodic table of elements, and wherein X is carbon and/or nitrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Seco Tools AB
    Inventors: Jens-Petter Palmqvist, Jacob Sjolen, Lennart Karlsson
  • Patent number: 8440328
    Abstract: In one aspect, coated cutting tools are described herein which, in some embodiments, can demonstrate improved wear resistance in one or more cutting applications. In some embodiments, a coated cutting tool described herein comprises a substrate and a coating adhered to the substrate, the coating comprising an inner layer deposited by physical vapor deposition and an outer deposited by physical vapor deposition over the inner layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Kennametal Inc.
    Inventors: Aharon Inspektor, Nicholas F Waggle, Jr., Michael F Beblo, Mark J Rowe, Zhigang Ban
  • Patent number: 8440329
    Abstract: A glazing for thermal control and heating is provided. The glazing includes a transparent substrate including glass and provided with a thin-film stack including a plurality of functional layers. The thin-film stack includes at least three silver-based functional layers. The thin-film stack has a resistance R<1.5? per square.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventors: Carinne Fleury, Nicolas Nadaud, Sylvain Belliot
  • Patent number: 8440330
    Abstract: Magnetic tunnel junction cells and methods of making magnetic tunnel junction cells that include a radially protective layer extending proximate at least the ferromagnetic free layer of the cell. The radially protective layer can be specifically chosen in thickness, deposition method, material composition, and/or extent along the cell layers to enhance the effective magnetic properties of the free layer, including the effective coercivity, effective magnetic anisotropy, effective dispersion in magnetic moment, or effective spin polarization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Seagate Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Paul E. Anderson, Song S. Xue
  • Patent number: 8440331
    Abstract: A magnetic material is disclosed including a two-dimensional array of carbon atoms and a two-dimensional array of nanoholes patterned in the two-dimensional array of carbon atoms. The magnetic material has long-range magnetic ordering at a temperature below a critical temperature Tc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: University of Utah
    Inventor: Feng Liu
  • Patent number: 8440332
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a perpendicular magnetic recording medium that reduces the noise of granular recording layers, obtains sufficient overwrite characteristic that suppresses an increase in the magnetic cluster size, and allows high-density recording. According to one embodiment, a perpendicular magnetic recording medium comprising substrate having thereon at least soft magnetic layer, nonmagnetic intermediate layer, a perpendicular recording layer and protective layer formed in that order. The perpendicular recording layer consists of three or more layers of first recording layer, a second recording layer, and a third recording layer from the side nearer to the substrate. The first recording layer and the second recording layer have a granular structure comprising a grain boundary of an oxide surrounding ferromagnetic crystal grains containing Co and Pt, and the third recording layer has a non-granular structure mainly comprising Co and not containing an oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Ichiro Tamai, Kiwamu Tanahashi
  • Patent number: 8440333
    Abstract: A fuel cell is provided having excellent performance and being capable of achieving a sufficient buffer ability in a high-output operation when an enzyme is immobilized on at least one of a positive electrode and a negative electrode and of sufficiently exhibiting the ability inherent in the enzyme. A biofuel cell includes a structure in which a positive electrode and a negative electrode are opposed to each other with an electrolyte layer containing a buffer material provided therebetween, an enzyme being immobilized on at least one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The electrolyte layer contains as the buffer material a compound including an imidazole ring. As the compound including an imidazole ring, imidazole, 1-methylimidazole, 2-methylimidazole, 4-methylimidazole, 2-ethylimidazole, or the like is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takaai Nakagawa, Hideki Sakai, Taiki Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 8440334
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery including a case containing an electrode assembly, the electrode assembly having a coated region and an uncoated region, a lead member inside the case, the lead member surrounding at least a part of the uncoated region of the electrode assembly and having a first thickness, an electrode terminal connected to the lead member, and a current collecting plate having a second thickness that is thinner than the first thickness and coupled to the lead member and to the uncoated region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignees: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Yong-Sam Kim
  • Patent number: 8440335
    Abstract: An explosion-proof device for use in power batteries includes a battery cover defining an explosion-proof hole, a valve seat securely mounted in the explosion-proof hole and hermetically sealing the battery cover, and a rupture film positioned in the valve seat and hermetically sealing the explosion-proof hole. The rupture film is insulatively isolated from the valve seat via an insulative cushion enclosing the rupture film, or an insulative layer formed on the rupture film. In the explosion-proof device of the prevent invention, the rupture film is insulatively isolated from the valve seat, which can prevent the rupture film from being electrochemically corroded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Dongguan Amperex Electronics Technology Limited
    Inventors: Peng Wang, Ping-hua Deng, Biao Jin, Zhi-jun Guo
  • Patent number: 8440336
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery includes: an electrode assembly including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator between the first electrode and the second electrode; a case containing the electrode assembly; and a cap assembly coupled to the case. The cap assembly includes a cap plate and a short circuit member attached to the cap plate. The short circuit member includes a portion having a different thickness from another portion of the short circuit member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignees: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Sang-Won Byun
  • Patent number: 8440337
    Abstract: A battery safety system that includes a battery terminal configured for making an electrical connection to the system, an electrical disconnect operable to a disconnected state whereby a battery voltage is electrically isolated from the battery terminal, and a connected state, whereby the battery voltage is electrically coupled to the battery terminal. The battery safety system also includes and a terminal guard movable to an exposed position effective to allow making the electrical connection to the battery terminal, and a protected position effective to prevent electrical contact with the battery terminal other than via the electrical connection. The system is configured to prevent the electrical disconnect from being operated to the connected state if the terminal guard is not at the protected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Duane D. Kruger
  • Patent number: 8440338
    Abstract: A battery assembling body capable of preventing a temperature rise of a battery while preventing an inflow of foreign matters. The battery assembling body (12) includes a housing (15) which contains batteries (2a, 2b, 6), a side frame (17) which is used to detachably fit the housing (15) to a lower frame of a vehicle, a ventilation hole (18c) located upper part of the housing (15), and a ventilation space (24a, 24b) which is formed between the housing (15) and the batteries, and the ventilation space (24, 24b) is in communication with the ventilation hole (18c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Sato, Eisuke Komazawa, Takeshi Fujino, Mitsuaki Hirakawa
  • Patent number: 8440339
    Abstract: A battery module is configured so that the first cell string and the second cell string are arranged between the first plate member and the second plate member and the second cell string is arranged closer to the second plate member side than the first cell string is and is arranged closer to the outlet side than the first cell string is. At the inlet side of the housing, the inlet is arranged closer to the first plate member than to the second cell string, at least a part between the inlet side of the second cell string and the second plate member is covered by the inlet-side guide plate, and the cooling air is introduced into the housing through the inlet so as to form a flow of the cooling air along the first plate member and a flow of the cooling air along the inlet-side guide plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Vehicle Energy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Harada, Masuhiro Onishi, Seiichi Sato, Yoshihisa Tsurumi
  • Patent number: 8440340
    Abstract: A battery latching assembly is used for a portable electronic device. The battery latching assembly includes a base body and a latching member. The base body defines a first hole and a second hole. The latching member is attached to the base body. The latching member includes a resisting block, a button portion and a bent arm. The resisting block is received in the first hole configured for abutting against a battery. The button portion is received in the second hole. The bent arm is deformed to allow the resisting block to separate from the first hole to releasably latch the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventor: Yu Zhang
  • Patent number: 8440341
    Abstract: A battery pack that includes a holder to accommodate bare cells and a lead plate electrically connected to the holder. The lead plate includes female and male coupling members such that the holder is easily assembled with the lead plate and an error occurring when the holder and the lead plate are coupled with each other may be prevented. The lead plate may not separate from the holder after assembling the holder with the lead plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Myungchul Kim
  • Patent number: 8440342
    Abstract: Cathode materials for use in thermal batteries are disclosed. The cathode material includes a primary active material and an amount of a bi-metal sulfide such as CuFeS2. Batteries (e.g., thermal batteries) that contain such cathode materials are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Eaglepicher Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Geoffrey Swift, Charles Lamb
  • Patent number: 8440343
    Abstract: An electricity storage system comprises a plurality of battery cells in which battery elements are accommodated in angular metal battery cases, wherein the plurality of battery cells are connected together electrically and are disposed in such a manner as to form spaces between the metal battery cells, and wherein the metal battery cell comprises an angular metallic housing on an external surface of which irregularities are formed and a resin portion which is injection molded integrally on the external surface of the metallic housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Mita, Atsushi Sakurai
  • Patent number: 8440344
    Abstract: A secondary battery pack having a connecting member connecting a secondary battery to a protection circuit module. The secondary battery pack includes at least one secondary battery; a case accommodating the battery; a protection circuit module to protecting the battery; and a connecting member connecting the at least one secondary battery to the protection circuit module. The connecting member includes a first plate having a plurality of conductive patterns spaced apart from one another; and a second plate surrounding the first plate. The second plate has at least one cut-away portion on a bent portion of the first plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jang-Gun Ahn
  • Patent number: 8440345
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a battery pack wherein a rectangular battery having an electrode assembly and an electrolyte contained therein in a sealed state is received in a pack case, and an insulating material is filled in a space defined between the inner surface of the upper end of the pack case and the upper end of the battery, whereby the battery pack is manufactured with a reduced thickness, the assembly process of the battery pack is very simple, and short circuit of the battery pack or suspension of power supply from the battery pack, which may occur as the battery is moved, is effectively prevented even when the battery pack falls down or external impacts are applied to the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ki eob Moon, Tae il Kim
  • Patent number: 8440346
    Abstract: A protection circuit board for a secondary battery includes an insulation substrate, a protection circuit part including an electrode tap connection terminal and a charge/discharge terminal, arranged on the insulation substrate, and a printed circuit board including a passive element and a positive element, connected to a printed circuit board pattern. A static electricity absorbing part is arranged at a periphery of the printed circuit board pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Woochoul Kim
  • Patent number: 8440347
    Abstract: A secondary battery including an electrode assembly, a can accommodating the electrode assembly, a cap assembly sealing the can, and an insulating case interposed between the electrode assembly and the cap assembly and having two facing long side walls and two facing short side walls, wherein the two facing long side walls include opposing end portions and opposing central portions, the opposing end portions and the opposing central portions each include outer surfaces and a distance between the outer surfaces of the opposing end portions of the long side walls is greater than a distance between the outer surfaces of the opposing central portions of the long side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gun Ho Kwak, Jeong Man Park
  • Patent number: 8440348
    Abstract: The external terminal 19 has sword-guard portion 191 provided with a terminal portion 193 formed at one end thereof and a cylindrical crimping member 192 formed at another end thereof, the cylindrical crimping member 192 being inserted through openings each formed at a first insulating member 211, the opening-sealing plate 13, a second insulating member 212 and the collector 181, and being crimped in a diameter-enlarging direction, so that the sword-guard portion 191 of the external terminal 19, the opening-sealing plate 13 and the collector 181 are mechanically-fixed and a thin-walled portion made thinner than other portions formed in a tip portion of the cylindrical crimping member 192 is adhered to the collector, and the thin-walled portion 194 and the collector being welded with a high energy beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Yamauchi, Kenji Nansaka, Toshiyuki Nohma
  • Patent number: 8440349
    Abstract: The present invention provides a nonaqueous electrolytic solution exhibiting excellent battery characteristics such as electrical capacity, cycle property and storage property and capable of maintaining the battery characteristics for a long time, and a lithium secondary battery using the nonaqueous electrolytic solution. A nonaqueous electrolytic solution for a lithium secondary battery, in which an electrolyte salt is dissolved in a nonaqueous solvent, containing 0.1 to 10% by weight of an ethylene carbonate derivative represented by the general formula (I) shown below, and 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: UBE Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Abe, Takaaki Kuwata
  • Patent number: 8440350
    Abstract: Lithium-ion battery electrode constructions use an array of nanowires (or of other long thin shapes) of active electrode material anchored at one end to a surface of a metal current collector sheet in an electrode assembly or construction. This form of active electrode material permits good contact with a liquid lithium-ion containing electrolyte that infiltrates the closely-spaced thin shapes. Stresses arising from volume changes in the long shapes with lithiation and de-lithiation of the active material is mitigated by strategic placement of shape memory apply forms between attachment surfaces of the active electrode material and other members of the electrode assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Mark W. Verbrugge, Xingcheng Xiao, Anil K. Sachdev
  • Patent number: 8440351
    Abstract: A rechargeable lithium ion battery including a positive electrode a positive active material and including a negative electrode having a negative active material. The positive active material includes a lithium-manganese-based compound core and a heat resistant polymer disposed on the lithium-manganese-based compound core. The heat resistant polymer has a glass transition temperature (Tg) ranging from about 80 to about 400° C. Alternatively, the positive active material may include a lithium-manganese-based compound core and an inorganic metal compound as well as the heat resistant polymer with a glass transition temperature (Tg) ranging from about 80 to about 400° C. disposed on the lithium-manganese-based compound core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Won-Il Jung, Akira Takamuku, Hideaki Maeda, Naoya Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8440352
    Abstract: A negative electrode for a lithium secondary battery of the present invention includes a negative active material including a plate-shaped carbon powder particle agglomerated in a primary structure in which the plate-shaped particle is oriented in a plane direction and laminated. Fine carbon powder particles are then agglomerated to form a secondary structure on the surface of the primary structure such that the resulting particles include fine pores formed on the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyou-Yoon Sheem, Sang-Jin Kim, Joon-Sup Kim, Sung-Soo Kim, Yoshiaki Nitta, Sang-Min Lee, Han-Su Kim
  • Patent number: 8440353
    Abstract: A lithium mixed metal oxide containing Li, Mn and M (M represents at least one metal element, and is free from Li or Mn), and having a peak around 1.5 ? (peak A), a peak around 2.5 ? (peak B), and the value of IB/IA is not less than 0.15 and not more than 0.9 in a radial distribution function obtained by subjecting an extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectrum at K absorption edge of Mn in the oxide to the Fourier transformation, wherein IA is the intensity of peak A and IB is the intensity of peak B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventors: Yuichiro Imanari, Hiroshi Hamamatsu, Yoshihiro Kawakami
  • Patent number: 8440354
    Abstract: Provided is a lithium transition metal oxide having an ?-NaFeO2 layered crystal structure, as a cathode active material for lithium secondary battery, wherein the transition metal includes a blend of Ni and Mn, an average oxidation number of the transition metals except lithium is +3 or higher, and the lithium transition metal oxide satisfies Equations 1 and 2 below: 1.0<m(Ni)/m(Mn)??(1) m(Ni2+)/m(Mn4+)<1??(2) wherein m(Ni)/m(Mn) represents a molar ratio of nickel to manganese and m (Ni2+)/m(Mn4+) represents a molar ratio of Ni2+ to Mn4+. The cathode active material of the present invention has a uniform and stable layered structure through control of oxidation number of transition metals to a level higher than +3, in contrast to conventional cathode active materials, thus advantageously exerting improved overall electrochemical properties including electric capacity, in particular, superior high-rate charge/discharge characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung kyun Chang, Hong-Kyu Park, Sinyoung Park, Hyo-shik Kil, Hera Lee
  • Patent number: 8440355
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an equalizing electrode plate with insulated split-flow conductive structure, which is a specifically installed insulated split-flow conductive structure with internal conductive body coated with insulator; one end of the insulated split-flow conductive structure connects to the electric energy input/output terminal of the electrode plate, and another end connects to the electrode plate area farther away from the electric energy input/output terminal and/or with larger impedance in the electrode plate; thus the dedicated insulated split-flow conductive structure connects with the electric energy input/output terminal to specifically transmit the electric energy therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • Patent number: 8440356
    Abstract: Disclosed is the present invention directed to a process for manufacturing an electrode assembly, including: prior to assembling to electrode, bending a cathode, having an active material layer coated on one major surface of a current collector, and an anode, having an active material layer coated on one major surface of another current collector, in a zigzag fashion in vertical sections; and after the bending of the cathode and the anode, fitting the cathode and the anode to each other, such that the electrode active material layers face each other, while a separator is disposed between the cathode and the anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: KiJae Kim, Min Su Kim, Hey Woong Park
  • Patent number: 8440357
    Abstract: Systems that facilitate operating proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells are provided. The systems employ a fuel supply component that supplies fuel to the proton exchange membrane fuel cell; and a regeneration component that provides a reducing agent comprising a mixture of hydrogen and nitrogen, or a reducing plasma to a cathode catalyst of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell to reduce the cathode catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Tim Z. Hossain, Daniel E. Posey
  • Patent number: 8440358
    Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell system on a by-product gas containing a fuel constituent. The fuel cell system includes a fuel reformer for forming a reformate stream, a combustor for supplying heat energy to the fuel reformer, and a fuel cell stack. The method includes the steps of separating a by-product gas into a purified gas stream and a residual stream with a gaseous fuel purifier, feeding the purified gas stream to the fuel reformer configured to transform the purified gas stream to produce a reformate stream, and feeding the residual gas stream to a combustor configured to provide heat energy to the fuel reformer. The purified gas stream contains a higher concentration of preferable fuel constituents and a lower concentration of contaminants than the residual gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Malcolm James Grieve
  • Patent number: 8440359
    Abstract: A method for filling a fuel cell system with a fuel during start-up is disclosed, the method including the steps of providing a fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuels cells, each fuel cell having an active area, the fuel cell stack including an anode supply manifold and an anode exhaust manifold, the anode supply manifold and in fluid communication with a source of fuel; providing an anode sub-system in fluid communication with an anode side of the fuel cell stack; and supplying the fuel to the fuel cell stack substantially uniformly and substantially simultaneously to compress any fluids in the fuel cell stack into a volume between an end of each active area adjacent to the anode exhaust manifold and an outlet of the anode sub-system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gary M. Robb, Steven G. Goebel, Daniel I. Harris
  • Patent number: 8440360
    Abstract: This invention provides a fuel cell device which is simple in structure and easy to detect a fuel residual amount and includes a fuel tank accommodating a plurality of hydrogen storage alloys having mutually different hydrogen desorbing characteristics, a power generating section that uses the hydrogen desorbed from the fuel tank to generate electric power, a pressure sensor that detects a pressure of the hydrogen supplied into the power generating section, and an output circuit that produces a pressure variation detected by the pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideaki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8440361
    Abstract: A fuel cell system with reduced volume through decreasing the thickness of a stack comprises: a stack which comprises a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies stacked so that the cathode electrodes face each other and the anode electrodes face each other, and separators that are interposed between the membrane electrode assemblies, and which have a flow path passing through from a first face to a second face on a region corresponding to a region where each cathode electrode or anode electrode is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Youngseung Na, Inseob Song, Junwon Suh, Yeongchan Eun, Seongjin An, Gilltae Roh, Donguk Lee, Sungwon Jeong, Seokrak Chang
  • Patent number: 8440362
    Abstract: A modular fuel cell system includes a base, at least four power modules arranged in a row on the base, and a fuel processing module and power conditioning module arranged on at least one end of the row on the base. Each power module includes a separate cabinet which contains at least one fuel cell stack located in a hot box. The power modules are electrically and fluidly connected to the at least one fuel processing and power conditioning modules through the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Gilbert Richards, David Trevisan, Michael L Lee, Jessica Mahler, Ross Parker, Alex Clarabut, Chad Pearson, Arne Ballantine, David Weingaertner, Jason Hixson, Fred Mitlitsky
  • Patent number: 8440363
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrode for a fuel cell containing a catalyst layer, a gas diffusion layer including a conductive substrate, and a micro-porous layer interposed between the catalyst layer and the gas diffusion layer and including a conductive material and a dispersant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jan-Dee Kim, Yeong-Chan Eun, Seong-Jin An, Sung-Yong Cho, Ho-Jin Kweon
  • Patent number: 8440364
    Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly includes an solid polymer electrolyte membrane, an anode, and a cathode. The cathode has a stacked body of a catalyst layer and a gas diffusion layer. The catalyst layer has platinum-cobalt-supporting carbon particles and an ion conductor. The ratio (P2/P1) of the pore volume P2 (ml/g) per gram of catalyst layer in a second micro-pore diameter, ranging from 0.1 ?m to less than 1 ?m, over the pore volume P1 per gram of catalyst layer in a first micro-pore diameter, ranging from 0.01 ?m to less than 0.1 ?m, is in a range of 3.8 to 8.3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Koji Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 8440365
    Abstract: An electrolyte having a structure where a fluorinated hydrophilic segment A represented by -E2-[Rf-E1]m- and a hydrocarbon hydrophobic segment B are alternately bonded to each other through chemical bond and a production process therefor, and an electrolyte membrane, a production process therefor, a catalyst layer and a fuel cell using the same. Rf is a linear or a branched perfluoro chain having one or more carbon atoms, E1, and E2 are each a proton conductive portion represented by Formula —(CONM)i1(CO)i2(SO2NM)i3(SO2)i4— (0?i1, 0?i2?1, 0?i3, 0?i4?1, 0<i1+i3, i1 to i4 are each an integer, and M is proton, alkali metal, or alkali earth metal), 2?m (m is an integer), and Rf, E1, and E2 may be each arbitrarily selected in the repeating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo Kenkyusho, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naohiro Hoshikawa, Naoki Hasegawa, Yoichi Hosokawa, Masaya Kawasumi, Akihiro Shinohara, Hiromitsu Tanaka, Masayoshi Takami, Toshihiko Yoshida