Patents Issued in August 6, 2013
  • Patent number: 8501313
    Abstract: To provide a wavelength conversion film which is capable of maintaining an optical wavelength converting function for a longer period of time than conventional wavelength conversion films. A wavelength conversion film 10 containing an inorganic ultraviolet blocking material and a wavelength converting material, which consists of one or more layers, at least one of which is a base film layer 12 containing a thermoplastic resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Hiroshi Aruga, Yasuko Shimoi
  • Patent number: 8501314
    Abstract: A method of coating at least a portion of the exposed surface of a metal comprises: a) applying to said surface a curable coating composition comprising an aqueous solution of at least one partially or substantially completely hydrolyzed, and optionally partially condensed, silane possessing one or more hydroxyl groups and, optionally, one or more organonitrogen groups, said hydroxyl group(s) and optional organonitrogen group(s) being bonded to different carbon atoms of a bridging group linking such group(s) to the silicon atom of the partially or substantially completely hydrolyzed and optionally partially condensed silane; and, b) curing the curable coating composition on the surface of the metal to provide an anti-corrosion and/or adhesion promoting coating thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Momentive Performance Materials Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander S. Borovik, Shiu-Chin H. Su
  • Patent number: 8501315
    Abstract: The present invention provides a high-gloss pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet according to which, even if a surface thereof becomes uneven due to grit or the like, the evenness can be recovered. In a pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 1A comprising a substrate film 2A having a specular gloss Gs (60°) of not less than 80% and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 3, the substrate film 2A is made to have a storage modulus at some temperature between 70° C. and 90° C. in a range of from 1.0×101 to 2.8×102 MPa, and is preferably made to have a storage modulus at from 5 to 35° C. in a range of from 1.0×102 to 5.0×103 MPa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Linetec Corporation
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Tanaka, Yoshitomo Ono, Atsushi Tezuna
  • Patent number: 8501316
    Abstract: A wax printing process, apparatus, formulation, and label. The process includes contacting a wax formulation with a surface having at least one etched region thereon, and confronting a carrier with the surface such that at least a portion of the wax transfers from the etched surface to the carrier. The apparatus includes a tray and a manifold positioned in the tray. In another aspect, the apparatus includes a gravure sleeve and a heatable mandrel disposed inside the gravure sleeve. The wax formulation includes a paraffin wax, an ester wax, a hydrocarbon resin, a microcrystalline wax, and an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin. The label includes a carrier and a wax release layer confronting a surface of the carrier. The wax release layer confronts less that the entire surface of the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Multi-Color Corporation
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Laprade, Gary McFarland
  • Patent number: 8501317
    Abstract: Cloth, in which air permeability is variable by energization, includes: a fibrous object composed of composite fibers, each of the composite fibers including: an electrical-conductive polymeric material; and a material different from the electrical-conductive polymeric material, the different material being directly stacked on the electrical-conductive polymeric material; and electrodes which are attached to the fibrous object, and energize the electrical-conductive polymeric material. Each of the composite fibers has a structure in which the material different from the electrical-conductive polymeric material is stacked on at least a part of a surface of the electrical-conductive polymeric material, or a structure in which either one of the electrical-conductive polymeric material and the material different from the electrical-conductive polymeric material penetrates the other material in a longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroaki Miura
  • Patent number: 8501318
    Abstract: The present invention provides a dispersible and electrically conductive nano graphene platelet (NGP) material comprising at least a single-layer or multiple-layer graphene sheet, wherein the NGP material has an oxygen content no greater than 25% by weight and no less than 5% by weight. This NGP material can be produced by: (a) preparing a pristine NGP material from a graphitic material; and (b) subjecting the pristine NGP material to an oxidation treatment. Alternatively, the production process may comprise: (A) preparing a graphite oxide (GO) from a laminar graphite material; (b) exposing the GO to a first temperature for a first period of time to obtain exfoliated graphite; and (c) exposing the exfoliated graphite to a second temperature in a protective atmosphere for a second period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Inventors: Bor Z. Jang, Aruna Zhamu
  • Patent number: 8501319
    Abstract: A composite material that includes a dopant comprised of pre-formed, three dimensional assemblies of skeletal structures that are comprised of solgel derived nanoparticles. The composite material includes a chemically bonded, in situ formed, polymer coating that at least partially coats mesoporous surfaces of the nanoparticles to provide enhancement of random dispersion of the dopant and to minimize or avoid agglomeration. Further, the polymer may be functionalized or the mesoporous surfaces of the nanoparticles may be treated to enable stronger chemical bonding between the dopant and the polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: The Curators of the University of Missouri, University of Missouri System, Office of Technology and Special Projects
    Inventors: Nicholas Leventis, Chariklia Sotiriou-Leventis
  • Patent number: 8501320
    Abstract: In a particular embodiment, a particulate material includes alumina hydrate. The particulate material has a 500 psi Compaction Volume Ratio of at least about 4.0 cc/cc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Olivier Guiselin, Nathalie Pluta, Yves Boussant-Roux, Doruk O. Yener
  • Patent number: 8501321
    Abstract: In the bundle of long thin carbon structures of the present invention, end parts of the bundle are interconnected in a carbon network. The interconnected end parts form a flat surface. By this, an electrical connection structure with low resistance and/or a thermal connection structure with high thermal conductivity are obtained. The bundle of long thin carbon structures can be used suitably as a via, heat removal bump or other electronic element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Daiyu Kondo
  • Patent number: 8501322
    Abstract: An intermediate transfer member includes a mixture of a polyimide, a metal dialkyldithiophosphate, a polysiloxane, and an optional conductive filler component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Jin Wu
  • Patent number: 8501323
    Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a two-component composition comprising a polyol component and a polyisocyanate component, for producing polyurethane gel coats for epoxy-resin and vinyl-ester resin composite materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Mankiewicz Gerb. & Co. (GmbH & Co. KG)
    Inventor: Jochen Wehner
  • Patent number: 8501325
    Abstract: Provided is a charging member provided with a surface layer capable of suppressing the bleeding of a low-molecular weight component from an elastic layer with improved reliability. The charging member comprises a support, an elastic layer, and a surface layer, and the surface layer contains a polymer having an Si—O—Ta bond and having a structural unit represented by the following structural formula (1) and a structural unit represented by the following structural formula (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuya Tomomizu, Noriaki Kuroda, Noriko Nagamine
  • Patent number: 8501326
    Abstract: Adhesive compositions have properties that make them particularly well suited for recyclable corrugated boards for use in transporting and storing perishable foods such as fresh and frozen produce, seafood and meats together with ice, or under refrigeration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Henkel Corporation
    Inventors: Shawn E. DeJong, Michael Kircher
  • Patent number: 8501327
    Abstract: An aluminum alloy clad sheet for heat exchangers includes a core layer, a sacrificial layer disposed on one side of the core layer, and a brazing layer of an Al—Si alloy disposed on the other side of the core layer, wherein the core layer contains Si: 0.15% to 1.6% by mass, Mn: 0.3% to 2.0% by mass, Cu: 0.1% to 1.0% by mass, Ti: 0.02% to 0.30% by mass, and the remainder of Al and incidental impurities, and the sacrificial layer contains Zn: 4.0% to 10.0% by mass, Cr: 0.01% to 0.5% by mass, and the remainder of Al and incidental impurities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Kobayashi, Shinji Sakashita, Toshiki Ueda
  • Patent number: 8501328
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are red phosphorescent compounds of the following one of Formulas 1 to 3 wherein Formula 1 R1 and R2 are independently a C1-C4 alkyl group, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl groups and C1-C4 alkoxy groups, wherein Formula 2 R1, R2, R3 and R4 are independently selected from C1-C4 alkyl groups and C1-C4 alkoxy groups, wherein Formula 3 R1, R2, R3 and R4 are independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl groups and C1-C4 alkoxy groups, and wherein is selected from 2,4-pentanedione, 2,2,6,6,-tetramethylheptane-3,5-dione, 1,3-propanedione, 1,3-butanedione, 3,5-heptanedione, 1,1,1-trifluoro-2,4-pentanedione, 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoro-2,4-pentanedione and 2,2-dimethyl-3,5-hexanedione.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung Keun Kim, Jeong Dae Seo, Hyun Cheol Jeong, Chun Gun Park, Jong Kwan Bin, Kyung Hoon Lee, Sung Hoon Pieh
  • Patent number: 8501329
    Abstract: A compound having the following structure as at least a part: wherein FA and FA? are a substituted or unsubstituted fused aromatic ring which may be the same or different, and at least one of FA and FA? is a fused aromatic ring having 4 or more rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsunori Ito, Masahiro Kawamura
  • Patent number: 8501330
    Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium adapted for high recording density and high data recording rate comprises a non-magnetic substrate having at least one surface with a layer stack formed thereon, the layer stack including a perpendicular recording layer containing a plurality of columnar-shaped magnetic grains extending perpendicularly to the substrate surface for a length, with a first end distal the surface and a second end proximal the surface, wherein each of the magnetic grains has: (1) a gradient of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy field Hk extending along its length between the first end and second ends; and (2) predetermined local exchange coupling strengths along the length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Shaoping Li, Kaizhong Gao, Lei Wang, Wenzhong Zhu, Xiaobin Wang
  • Patent number: 8501331
    Abstract: A binder composition for a magnetic recording medium contains a vinyl copolymer having a structural unit of general formula [1]: wherein R1 is H, halogen, or methyl, L1 is a single bond or a divalent linking group, and Y is an alicyclic group; a structural unit of general formula [2]: wherein R2 is H, halogen, or methyl, L2 is a single bond or a divalent linking group, and Z is a hydrocarbon group with a carbon number of from 8 to 50; and a structural unit of general formula [3]: wherein R3 is H, halogen, or methyl, and L3 is a single bond or a divalent linking group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Masataka Yoshizawa, Masato Nagura, Satoshi Matsubaguchi, Ayako Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8501332
    Abstract: Energy conversion devices and methods for altering transport of reaction species therein include use of a dielectrically graded structure (e.g., region, layer). For example, in photon energy conversion devices (e.g., solar cells) or in chemical energy conversion devices (e.g., fuel cells) one or more non-electric structures which provide a gradient in dielectric constant are positioned within the cell to alter the direction and/or rate of transport of a photo-generated or chemical reaction-generated species.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: The Research Foundation of State University of New York
    Inventor: Charles M. Fortmann
  • Patent number: 8501333
    Abstract: A cap assembly for a secondary battery is coupled to an open end of a battery can receiving an electrode assembly in which a separator is interposed between cathode and anode plates, and includes a top cap disposed on an uppermost portion in a protrusive form to form a cathode terminal; a safety element disposed below the top cap to contact the top cap; a safety vent disposed to contact the safety element; a current intercepting member having an upper portion welded to a lower end of the safety vent and a lower portion capable of being connected to the electrode assembly; a first gasket surrounding an outer circumference of the current intercepting member; and a second gasket surrounding the rims of the top cap, the safety element, and the safety vent, and a lower end portion extending to surround the lower portion of the current intercepting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Je-Jun Lee, Sung-Jong Kim, Cha-Hun Ku
  • Patent number: 8501334
    Abstract: Provided is a pouch-type rechargeable battery. A rechargeable battery according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: an electrode assembly including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode; a case receiving the electrode assembly; an electrolyte solution injection member positioned at one side of the case and forming an injection hole; and a sealing member covering and sealing the injection hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seung-Beob Yi
  • Patent number: 8501335
    Abstract: A battery unit 1 comprises cell blocks 20, a circuit board 40 arranged below the cell blocks 20, a metallic receiving member 30 arranged between the cell blocks 20 and the circuit board 40 to receive an electrolyte leaking out of cells 21 constituting the cell blocks 20, an absorbent sheet 51 arranged in the metallic receiving member 30, and pedestals 52 arranged in the metallic receiving member 30 to support the cell blocks 20, thereby positioning the cell blocks 20 not to contact the absorbent sheet 51.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: FDK Twicell Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Imaizumi, Masanori Yamashita
  • Patent number: 8501336
    Abstract: A battery box includes at least one battery and a switch apparatus. The switch apparatus includes a first conductor, a second conductor, and an operation element. The first conductor includes a first conductive portion and a first contact portion protruding from the first conductive portion. The second conductor includes a second conductive portion and a second contact portion protruding from the second conductive portion. The operation element is movable with respect to the housing and able to resist the second conductive portion along with the movement of the operation element. When the operation element is moved to resist the second conductive portion, the second contact portion contacts with the first contact portion, and when the operation element is moved to separate from the second conductive portion, the second contact portion does not contact with the first contact portion. An electronic device using the battery box is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bao-Shuai Liu
  • Patent number: 8501337
    Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a housing defining a first chamber and a second chamber and forming a separating wall between the first chamber and the second chamber, and a cover attaching to the housing. Two batteries are respectively received in the first chamber and the second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Yan-Long Liu, Hsiao-Hua Tu, Jun Wang
  • Patent number: 8501338
    Abstract: A system and method for improving electrochemical power sources through the dispensing encapsulation and dispersion into galvanic chambers of an electrochemical cell. Features of the method include the optimization of the concentration levels of chemicals involved in desired energy producing reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Andres M. Cardenas-Valencia, Norma A. Alcantar, Xiaoling Ding, Ryan G. Toomey, Lawrence C. Langebrake
  • Patent number: 8501339
    Abstract: Active metal and active metal intercalation electrode structures and battery cells having ionically conductive protective architecture including an active metal (e.g., lithium) conductive impervious layer separated from the electrode (anode) by a porous separator impregnated with a non-aqueous electrolyte (anolyte). This protective architecture prevents the active metal from deleterious reaction with the environment on the other (cathode) side of the impervious layer, which may include aqueous or non-aqueous liquid electrolytes (catholytes) and/or a variety electrochemically active materials, including liquid, solid and gaseous oxidizers. Safety additives and designs that facilitate manufacture are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: PolyPlus Battery Company
    Inventors: Steven J. Visco, Bruce D. Katz, Yevgeniy S. Nimon, Lutgard C. De Jonghe
  • Patent number: 8501340
    Abstract: A battery module includes first supporting members on first terminals of a plurality of batteries, second supporting members on second terminals of the plurality of batteries, the second supporting members having different heights from the first supporting members, and a bus bar that electrically connects a first terminal of a first one of the plurality of batteries to a second terminal of a second one of the plurality of batteries. The bus bar includes a first connection part that is supported on the first supporting member, a second connection part that is supported on the second supporting member, and a third connection part that forms an angle with respect to the first connection part and the second connection part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignees: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Robert Bosch, GmbH
    Inventor: Yong-Sam Kim
  • Patent number: 8501341
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery including a collector plate having a fuse hole and a fuse protrusion, increasing the reliability of the fuse hole in view of its functionality as a fuse while strengthening a section where the fuse hole is formed, thereby improving safety of the rechargeable battery. A rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly including a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate, and a separator between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate; a case containing the electrode assembly; and a collector plate electrically connected to the first electrode plate and including a fuse portion including a fuse hole formed therein and a fuse protrusion extending from a first side of the fuse portion adjacent a first end of the fuse hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignees: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Sangwon Byun
  • Patent number: 8501342
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery is provided including a bare cell having a can. The can has an electrode assembly. The electrode assembly has an electrode terminal withdrawn from one surface of the bare cell. A circuit is electrically coupled to the bare cell. The circuit includes a charge-discharge circuit and an antenna circuit. A case is connected to the electrode terminal for receiving and covering the circuit. An antenna assembly is on an outer surface of the bare cell. The antenna assembly includes a line antenna for receiving a radio frequency signal. The line antenna is coupled to the antenna circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeongdeok Byun, Kyungwon Seo
  • Patent number: 8501343
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pouch-type battery including a cathode and an anode protruding from opposite sides of a battery case in opposite directions, wherein the pouch-type battery is constructed in a structure in which two receiving parts are formed at a one-unit sheet-type battery case in a symmetrical fashion such that an electrode assembly is received in the receiving parts, the battery case is bent between the two receiving parts (along a bending line) such that one of the receiving parts overlaps with the other receiving part while the electrode assembly is received in the other receiving part, the bent battery case being scaled, the two receiving parts are continuously formed while the two receiving parts are in contact with the bending line, and the battery case is provided at the edge thereof where the bending line runs with bent depression parts having a depth equivalent to that of the receiving parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seungjae You, Min Su Kim
  • Patent number: 8501344
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a battery module including a charge and discharge stack, constituted by a plurality of secondary battery cells that can be charged and discharged or a plurality of unit modules having the secondary battery cells, mounted between an upper module case and a lower module case, wherein the lower module case is provided with joint structures including coupling parts (upper and lower coupling parts) for allowing both upward and downward couplings, and the upper module case is provided with joint holes communicating with the upper coupling parts of the joint structures. The battery module according to the present invention has the effect of reinforcing the low mechanical strength of the battery cells while the weight and size of the battery module is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Hun Yang, Heekook Yang, Jongmoon Yoon
  • Patent number: 8501345
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell is provided. The cell includes a plurality of electrode sheets separated by at least one separator sheet. A positive extension tab is attached to a current collecting tabs of positive electrode sheets, and a negative extension tab is attached to current collecting tabs of the negative electrode sheets. The dimensions of the positive extension tab and the negative extension tab are selected such that temperature difference between positive extension tab and the negative extension tab are minimized when the electrochemical cell is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: A123 Systems LLC
    Inventors: William H. Gardner, Stefan Tillmann
  • Patent number: 8501346
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery having improved supporting force of a lead tab and fastening force between the lead tab and an electrode terminal. A rechargeable battery according to an exemplary embodiment includes an electrode assembly formed by winding positive and negative electrodes formed at both sides of a separator together with the separator, a case housing the electrode assembly therein, a cap plate sealing an opening at one side of the case, an electrode terminal formed in a terminal hole of the cap plate, and a lead tab connecting the electrode terminal and the electrode assembly in the case. The electrode terminal includes an inner terminal plate formed at an inner side of the cap plate and a main coupling protrusion and a first auxiliary coupling protrusion protruding from the inner terminal plate and respectively coupled to a first fastening hole and a second fastening hole of the lead tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignees: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Sang-Won Byun, Byung-Kyu Ahn
  • Patent number: 8501348
    Abstract: The present invention provides a lithium ion battery anode material comprising a submicron-scaled graphitic fibril having a diameter or thickness less than 1 ?m but greater than 100 nm, wherein the fibril is obtained by splitting a micron-scaled carbon fiber or graphite fiber along the fiber axis direction. This type of graphitic fibril exhibits exceptionally high electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, elastic modulus, and strength. The anode material exhibits a high reversible capacity and good charge/discharge cycling stability for both low and high charge rate conditions. Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is an anode active material containing a graphitic fibril with a diameter greater than 1 ?m but less than 6 ?m obtained by splitting a carbon fiber or graphite fiber of at least 6 ?m in diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Nanotek Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Aruna Zhamu, Bor Z. Jang
  • Patent number: 8501349
    Abstract: An energy storage device (100) providing high storage densities via hydrogen storage. The device (100) includes a counter electrode (110), a storage electrode (130), and an ion conducting membrane (120) positioned between the counter electrode (110) and the storage electrode (130). The counter electrode (110) is formed of one or more materials with an affinity for hydrogen and includes an exchange matrix for elements/materials selected from the non-noble materials that have an affinity for hydrogen. The storage electrode (130) is loaded with hydrogen such as atomic or mono-hydrogen that is adsorbed by a hydrogen storage material such that the hydrogen (132, 134) may be stored with low chemical bonding. The hydrogen storage material is typically formed of a lightweight material such as carbon or boron with a network of passage-ways or intercalants for storing and conducting mono-hydrogen, protons, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC
    Inventor: Lin Jay Simpson
  • Patent number: 8501350
    Abstract: To provide a lithium manganese composite oxide capable of improving the initial discharge capacity of secondary batteries by removing more Li ions than the conventional lithium manganese composite oxide does when used in the positive electrode used for secondary batteries. A lithium manganese composite oxide having a Li2MnO3 type crystal structure, wherein a part of Li and/or Mn in a lithium manganese oxide represented by a formula Li2MnO3 is substituted by one or more doping elements M selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Si, Ge, Sn, P, Sb and Bi. The above-described lithium manganese composite oxide, wherein the doping elements are P and/or Si. A positive electrode used for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries, comprising the above-described lithium manganese composite oxide. A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprising the above-described positive electrode used for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventors: Ryoji Kanno, Makoto Yoshioka, Yoshihiro Kawakami
  • Patent number: 8501351
    Abstract: Active material for a negative electrode of a rechargeable zinc alkaline electrochemical cell is made with zinc metal particles coated with tin and/or lead. The zinc particles may be coated by adding lead and tin salts to a slurry containing zinc particles, a thickening agent and water. The remaining zinc electrode constituents such as zinc oxide (ZnO), bismuth oxide (Bi2O3), a dispersing agent, and a binding agent such as Teflon are then added. The resulting slurry/paste has a stable viscosity and is easy to work with during manufacture of the zinc electrode. Further, the zinc electrode is much less prone to gassing when cobalt is present in the electrolyte. Cells manufactured from electrodes produced in accordance with this invention exhibit much less hydrogen gassing, by as much as 60-80%, than conventional cells. The cycle life and shelf life of the cells is also enhanced, as the zinc conductive matrix remains intact and shelf discharge is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: PowerGenix Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Phillips, Samaresh Mohanta, Cecilia Maske, Deepan Chakkaravarthi Bose, James J. Wu, Bryan L. McKinney
  • Patent number: 8501352
    Abstract: A composite material having: particles of a first lithium-metal oxide compound, particles of a conductive second lithium-metal oxide compound, a conductive matrix, and a polymeric binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Arnold Stux, Karen Lyons
  • Patent number: 8501353
    Abstract: An object is to improve characteristics of a power storage device and achieve a long lifetime. In the case where a lithium nitride is used for a negative electrode active material of a power storage device, a plurality of lithium nitride layers with different lithium concentrations are stacked. For example, in the case where a first lithium nitride layer and a second lithium nitride layer are stacked over a current collector, lithium is contained in the first lithium nitride layer at a lower concentration than lithium contained in the second lithium nitride layer. In this case, a concentration of a transition metal of the first lithium nitride layer is higher than a concentration of the transition metal of the second lithium nitride layer. Note that another alkali metal may be used instead of lithium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tamae Moriwaka, Tatsuya Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8501354
    Abstract: Using a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery containing lithium iron phosphate as a positive electrode active material and graphite as a negative electrode active material, a low-cost, high energy density battery is provided that exhibits good performance at high rate current and good cycle performance even at high temperature. The non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery has a positive electrode having a positive electrode current collector and a positive electrode active material-containing layer formed on a surface of the positive electrode current collector, the positive electrode active material-containing layer containing a conductive agent and a positive electrode active material including lithium iron phosphate, a negative electrode containing a carbon material, and a non-aqueous electrolyte. The non-aqueous electrolyte contains vinylene carbonate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunori Donoue, Denis Yau Wai Yu, Takao Inoue, Masahisa Fujimoto, Hiroshi Kurokawa
  • Patent number: 8501355
    Abstract: Provided are an electrolyte which may prevent the degradation of the battery performance by including a functional group which can react with a side reaction site which is responsible for decomposition of negative electrode material components and a functional group which can react with moisture which is responsible for decomposition of positive electrode material components in an electrolyte of the battery to ensure the stability of the battery at high temperatures, and a secondary battery manufactured by adding the same. The present invention may employ a compound including a functional group which can react with a side reaction site of a negative electrode material and a functional group which can react with moisture to maximize the improvement of the storage performance of a secondary battery at high temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yo Jin Kim, Han Ho Lee, Seung Don Choi
  • Patent number: 8501356
    Abstract: An additive typified by tris(trimethylsilyl)phosphate, tris(trimethylsilyl)borate, and tetrakis(trimethylsiloxy)titanium (Chem. 3) are applied to a nonaqueous electrolyte containing a chain carbonate and/or a chain carboxylate as a main solvent (contained at a ratio of 70 volume % or higher). It is preferable that 0?a<30 is satisfied, in which “a” denotes the volume of a cyclic carbonate among carbonates having no carbon-carbon double bond in the entire volume, defined as 100, of the carbonates having no carbon-carbon double bond and chain carboxylates in a nonaqueous solvent contained in the nonaqueous electrolyte (0<a<30 in the case no chain carboxylate is contained).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: GS Yuasa International Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazusa Ohkubo, Koji Sukino, Shigeki Yamate, Suguru Kozono, Yoshihiro Katayama, Toshiyuki Nukuda
  • Patent number: 8501358
    Abstract: The present invention is a solid oxide fuel cell device (1), having a fuel cell module (2) furnished with a plurality of fuel cell units (16); fuel supply means (38) for supplying fuel; generating oxidant gas supply means (45) for supplying oxidant gas for generation; combustion section placed at one end portion of the solid oxide fuel cell units for combusting fuel; and control means for controlling the fuel supply means and generating oxidant gas supply means, and executing the startup mode operation for raising the solid oxide fuel cell units to a predetermined temperature, as well as the generating mode operation for outputting electrical power; whereby during the startup mode operation, the control means generates a weak power smaller than the generation startup power, raising the temperature of the solid oxide fuel cell units by the heat of generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Toto Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsukasa Shigezumi, Toshiharu Otsuka, Katsuhisa Tsuchiya, Kiyotaka Nakano, Toshiharu Ooe
  • Patent number: 8501359
    Abstract: When stopping an operation of a fuel cell power plant, a controller (30) first stops fuel gas supply to an anode (2), then supplies a dry oxidant gas to a cathode (3) such that the output voltage of the fuel cell stack (1) decreases. The controller (30) then connects a secondary battery (31) to the fuel cell stack (1) so as to consume an output power generated by a reaction of the residual fuel gas in the anode (2). After this processing, the controller (30) replaces the residual fuel gas in the anode (2) with dry oxidant gas, then maintains the fuel cell stack (1) in a closed state, thereby preventing local cell formation in the anode due to mixing of the residual fuel gas with oxidant gas, and hence preventing corrosion of a catalyst layer of the cathode (3) due to local cell corrosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoichi Shimoi, Seiho Sugawara
  • Patent number: 8501360
    Abstract: It is possible to suppress over-discharge of an accumulator even when the accumulator is in charge-limited state in a fuel cell output control device. A vehicle drive control system including a fuel cell and an accumulator uses a control unit having: an FC output instruction value calculation module which calculates an output instruction value of a fuel cell according to a power required by a rotary machine; a regeneration limit judgment module which judges whether regeneration is limited for the rotary machine; a battery limit judgment module which judges whether charge of the accumulator is limited; and a required power correction module which corrects the required power of the fuel cell when the charge of the accumulator is limited and neither of the fuel cell or the rotary machine generates power, so as to limit discharge from the accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsushi Imai
  • Patent number: 8501361
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicular power source unit having an external electric power supply controlling element (94) configured to control the operation of a heater (16) and a recharger (22) operated by an electric power supplied from a commercial power source (70) via an external power source connector (25) according to a terminal voltage and temperature of a fuel cell (10) detected by a fuel cell state detecting element (91) and a state of a battery (20) detected by a battery state detecting element (92) when a fuel cell vehicle is halted, the supply of reactant gas to the fuel cell (10) by a fuel cell controlling element (93) is stopped and the external power source connector (25) is connected to the commercial power source (70).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Takuro Uemura, Keisuke Fujimaki
  • Patent number: 8501362
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of fuel cell modules. Each of the fuel cell modules has a first membrane electrode assembly and a second membrane electrode assembly respectively having an electrolyte membrane and being arranged, such that respective first electrodes are opposed to each other. The fuel cell module also has a first reactive gas flow path arranged to supply a first reactive gas to the first electrodes included in the first membrane electrode assembly and the second membrane electrode assembly, a second reactive gas flow path arranged to supply a second reactive gas to the second electrodes included in the first membrane electrode assembly and the second membrane electrode assembly, and a coolant flow path arranged to cool down the second electrodes included in the first membrane electrode assembly and the second membrane electrode assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuki Amemiya
  • Patent number: 8501363
    Abstract: A fuel cell plate is disclosed, the fuel cell plate including a first unipolar plate, a second unipolar plate cooperating with the first unipolar plate to form a bipolar plate having a coolant inlet, a coolant outlet, a reactant inlet, and a reactant outlet, and a coolant flow channel in fluid communication with the coolant inlet formed intermediate the first unipolar plate and the second unipolar plate, the coolant flow channel having a second portion disposed between a first portion and a third portion thereof adjacent to the reactant outlet, wherein the second portion is spaced apart from the reactant inlet at a first distance and the first portion and the third portion are each spaced apart from the reactant inlet at a distance greater than the first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Steven J. Spencer
  • Patent number: 8501365
    Abstract: A solid electrolyte fuel cell comprises a solid electrolyte body having a fuel electrode contacting a fuel gas and an air electrode contacting air. A plurality of the solid electrolyte fuel cells are stacked to form a solid electrolyte fuel cell stack, in which the stacked body of the solid electrolyte fuel cells is pressed in the stacked direction and fixed by a fixing member inserted into a through-hole passing through the stacked body in the stacked direction. Inside the through-hole, there is equipped an inner gas channel for supplying the gas to the solid electrolyte fuel cell side or evacuating the gas from the solid electrolyte fuel cell side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Uematsu, Masahiro Shibata, Hiroshi Sumi, Hiroya Ishikawa, Keizo Furusaki
  • Patent number: 8501366
    Abstract: A membrane electrode structure suitable for use in a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) that comprises membrane-affixed metal nanoparticles whose formation is controlled by a photochemical process that controls deposition of the metal nanoparticles using a photocatalyst integrated with a polymer electrolyte membrane, such as an ionomer membrane. Impregnation of the polymer membrane with the photocatalyst prior to metal deposition greatly reduces the required amount of metal precursor in the deposition reaction solution by restricting metal reduction substantially to the formation of metal nanoparticles affixed on or near the surface of the polymer membrane with minimal formation of metallic particles not directly associated with the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Yujiang Song, John A. Shelnutt