Patents Issued in December 31, 2013
  • Patent number: 8617732
    Abstract: An battery end cap is disclosed for limiting current flow of a battery. The battery end cap includes a cap terminal, the cap terminal comprising an external conductive surface and an internal conductive surface. The battery end cap further includes a pressure sensitive switch, wherein when the battery end cap is installed on a battery, the pressure sensitive switch is configured to bias the internal conductive surface of the cap terminal from being in electrical communication with an electrical source of the battery. Electrical communication between the cap terminal and the electrical source is created or maintained when a sufficient external pressure is applied to the battery end cap and electrical contact between the cap terminal and the internal electrical source is broken without the sufficient external pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Hutzler, Keith B. Maddern, William M. Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8617733
    Abstract: An electrochemical energy storage device includes at least one cell having at least one cathode, one anode, and one electrolyte which enables a current flow from the anode to the cathode. The electrochemical storage device is connected to a reservoir which contains a cover layer-forming additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Florian Wahl, Martin Holger Koenigsmann
  • Patent number: 8617734
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a battery cell which includes a weakness for relieving pressure. This battery cell includes a jelly roll comprising layers which are wound together, including a cathode with an active coating, a separator and an anode with an active coating. The jelly roll also includes a first conductive tab coupled to the cathode and a second conductive tab coupled to the anode. The jelly roll is enclosed in a flexible pouch, wherein the first and second conductive tabs extend through seals in the pouch to provide terminals for the battery cell. This pouch includes a weakness which yields when internal pressure in the pouch exceeds a threshold to create a hole which releases the internal pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ramesh C. Bhardwaj, Taisup Hwang, Richard M. Mank
  • Patent number: 8617735
    Abstract: A battery module includes one or more cell assemblies with a plurality of unit cells, and a housing for mounting the cell assemblies therein and circulating a temperature control cooling medium through the cell assemblies. The cell assemblies are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the housing. A guidance unit is installed in a cooling medium passage formed in the longitudinal direction of the housing, and proceeds along the passage to guide cooling medium flow along the passage toward the cell assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gun-Goo Lee, Tae-Yong Kim, Yoon-Cheol Jeon
  • Patent number: 8617736
    Abstract: Flexible electrodes comprising: a fabric substrate; a conductive polymer, copolymer or mixture of conductive polymers comprising a first component which has high specific electrochemical capacitance, and a second component which has a lower electrochemical capacitance, lower molecular density, and greater electrical conductivity compared to the first component; and a counterion stable to lithium are described. The first component may be a polymer such as polyaniline or polypyrrole, and second component may be a polymer such as polythiophene or polyEDOT. Copolymers, and polymers formed from co-monomer of these monomer units are also described. The electrodes are used in flexible devices such as flexible energy storage devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
    Inventors: Anand Indravadan Bhatt, Graeme Andrew Snook, Adam Samuel Best, Richard James Neil Helmer, Pamela Margaret Petersen
  • Patent number: 8617737
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly having a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate, and a separator between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate; a first collecting plate electrically coupled to the first electrode plate, the first collecting plate including a fuse reinforcement part having a fuse opening and a reinforcement protrusion protruding from a periphery of the fuse opening; a case housing the electrode assembly and the first collecting plate; and a cap assembly coupled to the case and comprising a cap plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignees: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Sangwon Byun, Yongsam Kim, Sooseok Choi
  • Patent number: 8617738
    Abstract: A secondary battery includes: a case; an electrode assembly housed in the case and including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator between the first electrode and the second electrode, the first electrode having a coating portion coated with a first active material and a non-coating portion absent the first active material; and a collector plate including first and second collector plates enmeshed together with the non-coating portion therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignees: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Chiyoung Lee, Seokyoon Yoo, Yoontai Kwak, Dongwook Kim, Jongseok Moon, Tatsuya Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 8617739
    Abstract: The galvanic cell according to the invention comprises at least one current conductor and a casing. Said casing at least partially surrounds said galvanic cell. A contact area is assigned to said casing. The casing is at least partially materially engaged with the current conductor via the contact area. The casing comprises at least one first layer and one second layer. The materials of said first layer and said second layer of the casing are different in respect to at least one chemical material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Li-Tec Battery GmbH
    Inventors: Tim Schaefer, Andreas Gutsch
  • Patent number: 8617740
    Abstract: In an electrochemical cell including a cathode 7, an anode 6, electrolyte 10, a hollow container 1 accommodating these members, and terminals extending from the inside to the outside of the hollow container 1, the terminals include a plurality of inner terminals 5a formed on the inner surface of the hollow container 1, a cathode outer terminal 5b1 formed on the outer surface of the hollow container 1, and an inner layer wire 5c formed on the inner layer of the hollow container 1 for commonly connecting the plurality of inner terminals 5a to the cathode outer terminal 5b1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Hideharu Onodera, Shunji Watanabe, Masaya Kon
  • Patent number: 8617741
    Abstract: A battery charger includes a battery attachment section configured to have a rechargeable battery releasably attached thereto. The battery attachment section includes a flat attachment surface having a width corresponding to a width of a bottom surface of a case of the battery to be charged and a length greater than a length of the bottom surface of the case of the battery to be charged; a plurality of locking hooks provided on the attachment surface; a charger terminal configured to contact a terminal of the battery to be charged, the charger terminal including a plurality of plate-shaped contact pieces configured to be inserted into engaging grooves of the battery to be charged; and an attachment projection adjacent to the attachment surface and configured to secure the battery to the charger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Toshio Takeshita, Kei Tashiro, Takashi Kondou, Yoshihito Tamesue
  • Patent number: 8617742
    Abstract: There is provided a lithium ion secondary cell excellent in charging and discharging cycle characteristics. A lithium ion secondary cell includes an electrode body including a positive electrode having a positive electrode active material, a negative electrode having a negative electrode active material, and a separator, and a non-aqueous electrolyte containing a lithium salt as a supporting salt in an organic solvent, the electrode body and the non-aqueous electrolyte being accommodated in a case. The positive electrode active material is a lithium transition metal oxide having a spinel type structure. The electrolyte contains a compound represented by a chemical formula (I) in an amount of ? mol relative to the total content ? mol of moisture to be mixed in the cell. ? satisfies ?0.8?log(?/?)?1.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Takahata, Yukihiro Okada
  • Patent number: 8617743
    Abstract: A primary electrochemical cell having an anode comprising lithium and a cathode comprising iron disulfide (FeS2) and carbon particles. The cell is balanced so that the anode is in theoretical capacity excess (mAmp-hrs) compared to the theoretical capacity of the cathode. The anode and cathode can be spirally wound with separator therebetween and inserted into the cell casing with electrolyte then added. The electrolyte comprises a lithium salt dissolved in organic solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Steven J. Specht, Michael Pozin, Yelena Kouznetsova, Bhupendra K. Patel, Fred J. Berkowitz
  • Patent number: 8617744
    Abstract: There can be provided an energy storage device comprising a positive electrode comprising a nitroxyl compound having a nitroxyl cation partial structure in an oxidized state and having a nitroxyl radical partial structure in a reduced state; a negative electrode comprising a carbon material which lithium ions can be reversibly intercalated into and deintercalated from; and an electrolytic solution comprising a lithium salt and an aprotic organic solvent, wherein the negative electrode is a negative electrode comprising the carbon material which lithium ions are previously intercalated into, apart from lithium ions associated with a capacity A of lithium capable of being intercalated and deintercalated in charge and discharge, thereby allowing the energy storage device to simultaneously achieve high energy density, high output characteristics, low environmental load, and high stability in charge and discharge cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Kentaro Nakahara, Shigeyuki Iwasa, Masahiro Suguro, Kazuaki Matsumoto, Kaichiro Nakano
  • Patent number: 8617745
    Abstract: A lithium-ion battery is provided that has a fast charge and discharge rate capability and low rate of capacity fade during high rate cycling. The battery can exhibit low impedance growth and other properties allowing for its use in hybrid electric vehicle applications and other applications where high power and long battery life are important features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: A123 Systems LLC
    Inventors: Antoni S. Gozdz, Andrew C. Chu, Ricardo Fulop, Yet-Ming Chiang, Gilbert N. Riley, Jr., Roger Lin
  • Patent number: 8617746
    Abstract: An Si/C composite includes carbon (C) dispersed in porous silicon (Si) particles. The Si/C composite may be used to form an anode active material to provide a lithium battery having a high capacity and excellent capacity retention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-kook Mah, Han-su Kim
  • Patent number: 8617747
    Abstract: An electrode plate for a battery comprising a plurality of electrodes in a grid where the grid defines a plurality of spaces. A paste disposed in the spaces has a top surface and a bottom surface. The paste is narrowed in the space, defining a distance between the top surface of the paste and the bottom surface of the paste that is less than the thickness of the plate over the electrodes. A retention layer of porous fabric is impressed on the top and/or bottom surface of the paste. Electrolyte disposed in electric communication with the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Firefly Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurtis C. Kelley, Mohamadkheir Alkhateeb
  • Patent number: 8617748
    Abstract: Methods and articles relating to separation of electrolyte compositions within lithium batteries are provided. The lithium batteries described herein may include an anode having lithium as the active anode species and a cathode having sulfur as the active cathode species. Suitable electrolytes for the lithium batteries can comprise a heterogeneous electrolyte including a first electrolyte solvent (e.g., dioxolane (DOL)) that partitions towards the anode and is favorable towards the anode (referred to herein as an “anode-side electrolyte solvent”) and a second electrolyte solvent (e.g., 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME)) that partitions towards the cathode and is favorable towards the cathode (and referred to herein as an “cathode-side electrolyte solvent”).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Sion Power Corporation
    Inventors: Yuriy V. Mikhaylik, Chariclea Scordilis-Kelley, Igor Kovalev, Cathie Burgess
  • Patent number: 8617749
    Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte and a lithium secondary battery using the same are provided, which satisfy both flame retardancy and charge-discharge cycle characteristics, and attain a longer lifetime of the battery. A mixture of a chain carbonate, vinylene carbonate, a fluorinated cyclic carbonate and a phosphate ester is used as the non-aqueous electrolyte. It is desirable that the phosphate ester includes trimethyl phosphate and a fluorinated phosphate ester. Further, it is desirable that ethylene carbonate is further contained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Kobayashi, Kazushige Kohno
  • Patent number: 8617750
    Abstract: Implementations and techniques for metal air batteries including a composite anode are generally disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventors: Ezekiel Kruglick, Thomas A. Yager, Seth Adrian Miller
  • Patent number: 8617751
    Abstract: A water control sheet having superior drainage and gas diffusion properties and superior handling characteristics, and a gas diffusion sheet, a membrane-electrode assembly and a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which utilize the water control sheet, are provided. The water control sheet is independent and located for use adjacent to a catalyst layer of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, and is formed of a nonwoven fabric containing conductive fibers containing conductive particles at least inside a hydrophobic organic resin. The gas diffusion sheet, the membrane-electrode assembly and the polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to the present invention have the above water control sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Japan Vilene Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsunori Ito, Manami Suzuki, Tatsuo Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8617752
    Abstract: A fuel cell system is disclosed, wherein the fuel cell system is heated by a fluid during a starting operation to mitigate against vapor condensation and ice formation in a fuel cell assembly and to decrease a warm up time of the fuel cell system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Joseph D. Rainville, Bruce J. Clingerman, Matthew C. Kirklin
  • Patent number: 8617753
    Abstract: A fuel cell system (1) which includes: a fuel cell (2) to be supplied with a gas for power generation, the gas unused for the power generation to be discharged out of the fuel cell (2); a circulation flow path (8) through which the discharged gas is resupplied to the fuel cell (2); a variable flow rate circulation pump (6) for circulating the gas through the circulation flow path (8); a valve (7) for discharging the gas in the circulation flow path (8) to the outside thereof; a voltage sensor (22) for measuring voltage of the fuel cell (2); and a controller (32) for controlling the circulation pump (6) and the valve (7). The circulation pump (6) and the valve (7) are controlled based on the voltage (CV) measured by the voltage sensor (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Fukuda
  • Patent number: 8617754
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for independently controlling the operation of fuel cell stacks and to fuel cell systems incorporating the same. These systems and methods may include providing a fuel cell system including a plurality of fuel cell stacks and at least a first energy storage device and controlling the operation of the plurality of fuel cell stacks based at least in part on a variable associated with the fuel cell system and/or an energy consuming device. These systems and methods may further include beginning production of electrical output from the fuel cell system responsive to a start condition, initiating production of electrical output from the plurality of fuel cell stacks responsive to a plurality of stack start conditions, and ceasing the production of electrical output from the fuel cell stacks responsive to at least a first stack stop condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: DCNS SA
    Inventors: Thane Rea Edmiston, Benjamin Charles Greenough
  • Patent number: 8617755
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel cell comprising a separator, plate that is positioned between electrolyte-electrode units, said plate consisting of two embossed panels with contact surfaces that rest against one another. A fluidic chamber for a coolant is configured between the two pans and a fluidic chamber for a gas is configured between each panel and the respective adjacent electrolyte-electrode unit. The fluidic chamber for the coolant comprises two sub-chambers, each facing a respective panel, and said coolant traverses the fluidic chamber exclusively in an alternate manner through the two sub-chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Günter Baschek, Arno Mattejat
  • Patent number: 8617756
    Abstract: A coolant supply manifold and a coolant discharge manifold are provided on a first end plate of a fuel cell stack. The coolant supply manifold includes a pair of supply manifold sections and a supply coupling section coupling upper portions of the pair of supply manifold sections together. The supply manifold sections are connected to a pair of coolant supply passages of a first end plate. The width of the coupling section is smaller than the width of the pair of supply manifold sections in a longitudinal direction along the long sides of the first end plate. A supply pipe extending to the outside of the first end plate is formed integrally with one of the supply manifold sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norihisa Kobayashi, Masaharu Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8617757
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a storage device, a fuel cell, a power circuit, a controller, and a memory. The memory stores a favorable combination range in which the combination of a water distribution condition of the fuel cell and the state of charge of the storage device is suitable for the required power of the vehicle, and the controller includes a water distribution condition estimating and acquiring unit that acquires the water distribution condition of the fuel cell, a state-of-charge acquiring unit that acquires the state of charge of the storage device, a combination status determining unit that determines whether the combination of the acquired water distribution condition and the acquired state of charge is within the favorable combination range, and a combination status improving unit that improves the water distribution condition of the fuel cell when the combination is not within the favorable combination range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaaki Matsusue
  • Patent number: 8617758
    Abstract: A hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell including a main cell and an auxiliary cell sharing a common electrolyte and having at least one separate electrode, circuitry for measuring the humidity ratio of the electrolyte, and control and switching circuitry for operating the main and auxiliary cells in parallel on a same load or separately on two different loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS, Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives
    Inventors: Nicolas Karst, Pierre Bouillon, Nelly Martin, Audrey Martinent
  • Patent number: 8617759
    Abstract: A flow field plate for fuel cell applications includes an electrically conductive plate having a first surface defining a plurality of channels. An active area section and an inactive area section characterize the flow field channels. A hydrophobic layer is disposed over at least a portion of the inactive area section while a hydrophilic layer is disposed over at least a portion of the active area section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gayatri Vyas Dadheech, Mahmoud H. Abd Elhamid
  • Patent number: 8617760
    Abstract: A method including providing an ion conductive membrane and deactivating a selected region of the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Matthew M. Fay, Bebe T. Dobulis, Timothy J. Fuller
  • Patent number: 8617761
    Abstract: A fuel cell includes a cell unit and a manifold capable of collecting electric current. The cell unit includes a tube support composed of a conductive material, a unit cell laminated on an outer surface of the tube support, and a current collection layer laminated on an outer surface of the unit cell. The manifold includes an inner tube supplying gas into and electrically connected with the tube support, and an outer tube provided outside the inner tube and electrically connected with the current collection layer. By the provision of a current-collectable manifold, a separate metal form or metal wire for current collection is not required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Hyuk Jang, Jong sik Yoon, Eon Soo Lee, Jong Ho Chung, Jae Hyoung Gil, Sung Han Kim
  • Patent number: 8617762
    Abstract: A method of processing a ceramic electrolyte suitable for use in a fuel cell is provided. The method comprises situating a ceramic electrolyte layer over an anode layer; and subjecting the ceramic electrolyte layer to a stress prior to operation of the fuel cell, by: exposing the top surface of the electrolyte layer to an oxidizing atmosphere and the bottom surface of the electrolyte layer to a reducing atmosphere; and heating the electrolyte layer. The stress causes a substantial increase in the number of microcracks, or in the average size of the microcracks, or in both the number of the microcracks and their average size. A solid oxide fuel cell comprising a ceramic electrolyte layer processed by the disclosed method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Shu Ching Quek, Chandra Sekher Yerramalli, Todd-Michael Striker, Badri Narayan Ramamurthi, Sylvia Marie DeCarr, Venkat Subramaniam Venkataramani
  • Patent number: 8617763
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) includes a cathode electrode, a solid oxide electrolyte, and an anode electrode having a first portion and a second portion, such that the first portion is located between the electrolyte and the second portion. The anode electrode comprises a cermet comprising a nickel containing phase and a ceramic phase. The first portion of the anode electrode contains a lower porosity and a lower ratio of the nickel containing phase to the ceramic phase than the second portion of the anode electrode. The nickel containing phase in the second portion of the anode electrode comprises nickel and at least one other metal which has a lower electrocatalytic activity than nickel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Tad Armstrong, Emad El Batawi, Eric Petersen
  • Patent number: 8617764
    Abstract: Provided are an ion conductive resin fiber, an ion conductive hybrid membrane, a membrane electrode assembly and a fuel cell. The ion conductive resin fiber comprises an inner layer including an ion conductive resin; and an outer layer including an ion conductive resin having larger EW than the ion conductive resin of the inner layer, and surrounding the inner layer. The ion conductive resin fiber and the ion conductive hybrid membrane are excellent in ion conductivity, polar solvent stability and dimensional stability under low humidity conditions. The fuel cell manufactured using the same has advantages of stable operation and management of a system at ease, removal or reduction of components related to water management, and even in case of low relative humidity, operation at high temperature of 80° C. or higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Go-Young Moon, Won-Ho Lee, Sang-Hyun Lee, Young-Il Choi, Hyuk Kim
  • Patent number: 8617765
    Abstract: Ionomeric polymers that are chemically stabilized and contain inorganic fillers are prepared, and show reduced degradation. The ionomers care useful in membranes and electrochemical cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Mark Gerrit Roelofs
  • Patent number: 8617766
    Abstract: A method for simultaneous co-generation of electric energy and hydrogen by totally electrochemical means which includes an electricity storage phase by electrolysis of an electrolysable metal solution and formation of a hydrogen-electrolysable metal battery cell and, an electricity recovery and hydrogen generation phase by operation of said battery cell. The electrolysable metal is chosen from zinc, nickel and manganese.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Ergosup
    Inventor: Gerard Bienvenu
  • Patent number: 8617767
    Abstract: Methods and systems for electrical determination and adjustment of the fuel concentration in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC) are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: IRD Fuel Cells A/S
    Inventors: Madeleine Odgaard, Steen Yde-Andersen, Joergen Sehjerning Lundsgaard
  • Patent number: 8617768
    Abstract: Provided is a carbon catalyst for a cathode of a direct fuel cell, which selectively promotes an oxygen reduction reaction even when crossover of a fuel compound occurs. The carbon catalyst for a cathode of a direct fuel cell exhibits an oxygen-reducing catalytic activity in an electrolytic solution containing a fuel compound for the direct fuel cell, and exhibits substantially no catalytic activity to oxidize the fuel compound in the electrolytic solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignees: Nisshinbo Holdings Inc., National University Corporation Gunma University
    Inventors: Takeaki Kishimoto, Rieko Kobayashi, Jun-ichi Ozaki
  • Patent number: 8617769
    Abstract: Powders of respective metal elements (Mn, Co) constituting a transition metal oxide (MnCo2O4) having a spinel type crystal structure are used as a starting material of the coating film. A film of a paste containing the mixture of the powders is formed on the surface of the interconnector, and with this state, the paste is sintered to form the coating film. In the coating body, a chromia layer including Cr2O3, a first layer including elements of Mn, Co, Fe, Cr, and O, and a second layer including elements of Mn, Co, Fe, and O are provided in this order from the side close to the interconnector at the boundary between the coating film and the interconnector. With this structure, the coating film is difficult to be peeled even if the coating body is placed in a severe temperature change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Ohmori, Takashi Ryu, Toshiyuki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8617770
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a method including providing a cathode catalyst ink comprising a first catalyst, an oxygen evolution reaction catalyst, and a solvent; and depositing the cathode catalyst ink on one of a polymer electrolyte membrane, a gas diffusion medium layer, or a decal backing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Susan G. Yan, Hubert A. Gasteiger, Paul Taichiang Yu, Wenbin Gu, Jingxin Zhang
  • Patent number: 8617771
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of MEA of the present invention includes coating a catalyst ink for first electrode catalyst layer containing an electron conducting material loading a catalyst, a polymer electrolyte, and a solvent on a substrate to form a coated layer; removing the solvent in the coated layer to form at least two types of first electrode catalyst layers having different polymer electrolyte content ratios; coating an electrolyte ink containing the polymer electrolyte and the solvent on the first electrode catalyst layer to form a coated layer; removing the solvent in the coated layer to form a polymer electrolyte layer; coating a catalyst ink for second electrode catalyst layer containing the electron conducting material loading the catalyst, the polymer electrolyte, and the solvent on the polymer electrolyte layer to form a coated layer; and removing the solvent in the coated layer to form a second electrode catalyst layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Toppan Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masashi Oota
  • Patent number: 8617772
    Abstract: The present invention provides a hologram recording material and a hologram recording medium, which are suitable for volume hologram record and can attain high refractive index change, flexibility, high sensitivity, low scattering, environment resistance, that is, storage stability, durability, low dimensional change (low shrinkage) and high multiplicity in holographic memory recording using not only a green laser but also a blue laser. A hologram recording material comprising: a radical photopolymerizable compound; and a matrix which is a dispersion medium for the radical photopolymerizable compound, wherein the radical photopolymerizable compound comprises a (meth)acrylamide derivative represented by the following general formula (I): CH2?CR1—CONR2—CH2—O—R3 (I) wherein R1 represents H or a CH3 group, R2 represents H or an organic group, and R3 represents an organic group having 3 or more carbon atoms in total. A hologram recording medium 11 which has a hologram recording layer 21.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Hayashida, Atsuko Kosuda, Jiro Yoshinari
  • Patent number: 8617773
    Abstract: In the method of correcting a mask pattern according to the embodiments, a mask pattern correction amount for a reference flare value is calculated as a reference mask correction amount, for every type of patterns within the layout, and a change amount of the mask pattern correction amount corresponding to the change amount of the flare value is calculated as the change amount information. A mask pattern corresponding to the flare value of the pattern is created based on the reference mask correction amount and the change amount information corresponding to the pattern, extracted from the information having the pattern, the reference mask correction amount, and the change amount information correlated with each other, and based on a difference between the flare value of the pattern and the reference flare value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Taiga Uno, Toshiya Kotani, Hiromitsu Mashita, Yukiyasu Arisawa
  • Patent number: 8617774
    Abstract: A method for calibrating an apparatus for the position measurement of measurement structures on a lithography mask comprises the following steps: qualifying a calibration mask comprising diffractive structures arranged thereon by determining positions of the diffractive structures with respect to one another by means of interferometric measurement, determining positions of measurement structures arranged on the calibration mask with respect to one another by means of the apparatus, and calibrating the apparatus by means of the positions determined for the measurement structures and also the positions determined for the diffractive structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMS GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Kerwien, Jochen Hetzler
  • Patent number: 8617775
    Abstract: A method for printing a desired periodic or quasi-periodic pattern of dot features into a photosensitive layer disposed on a substrate including the steps of designing a mask pattern having a periodic or quasi-periodic array of unit cells each having a ring feature, forming a mask with said mask pattern, arranging the mask substantially parallel to the photosensitive layer, arranging the distance of the photosensitive layer from the mask and illuminating the mask according to one of the methods of achromatic Talbot lithography and displacement Talbot lithography, whereby the illumination transmitted by the mask exposes the photosensitive layer to an integrated intensity distribution that prints the desired pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Eulitha AG
    Inventor: Harun Solak
  • Patent number: 8617776
    Abstract: A method and system for printing documents with one or more embedded security features is provided. Security features are embedded in the document by co-printing magnetic and non-magnetic toner on a receiver before fixation by a fixing station. The combination of magnetic and non-magnetic toners in the image results in image elements that easily show alteration or are undetectable by visual means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Jason Morgan, John F. Crichton, Raymond Rossborough, Timothy G. Armstrong, Matthias H. Regelsberger
  • Patent number: 8617777
    Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive member having a support and a photosensitive layer formed on the support, wherein the photosensitive layer contains a boron complex which is a product of the reaction of a compound having a phenolic hydroxyl group and a carbonyl group with a boron halide. Also disclosed are a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus which have such an electrophotographic photosensitive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masato Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8617778
    Abstract: An image bearing member including an electroconductive substrate, a charge generation layer, a charge transport layer and, a cross-linked type charge transport layer, the cross-linked type charge transport layer having a structure unit deriving from a first component, a second component, and a third component, the first component containing a copolymer having a cyclic structure and/or a structure represented by a Chemical structure 1 as a repeating unit, where Ra represents a hydrogen atom or methyl group and Rb represents a straight-chained saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 8 to 34 carbon atoms, the second component containing at least one of a radical polymerizable monomer and a radical polymerizable oligomer without a charge transport structure, and the third component containing one or more kinds of radical polymerizable compounds having a charge transport structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takafumi Iwamoto, Naohiro Toda
  • Patent number: 8617779
    Abstract: Presently disclosed embodiments relate to an improved electrophotographic imaging member or photoreceptor comprising a surface layer on the photoreceptor, where the surface layer comprises secondary electron emitting materials that act as a robust electrically active layer. Photoreceptors incorporating such materials into or on the surface will exhibit an increase photoreceptor life and also a reduction the operating voltage of bias charge roll (BCR) charging systems while maintaining excellent charge uniformity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory McGuire, Vladislav Skorokhod
  • Patent number: 8617780
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides white toner compositions and processes for making same. In embodiments, a desirable white toner may be produced without having to resort to excessive pigment loading, having desirable gloss characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Yi Xin Gong, Daryl W. Vanbesien, Shigang Qiu, Edward Graham Zwartz, Karen Ann Moffat, Richard P. N. Veregin, Cuong Vong, C. Geoffrey Allen
  • Patent number: 8617781
    Abstract: The carrier core particles 11 for electrophotographic developer contain lithium as a core composition. When the carrier core particles 11 are immersed in pure water at a weight ratio of 1 part core particles 11 to 10 parts pure water and shaken, the amount of lithium that leaches out to the pure water is 0.10 ppm or lower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignees: Dowa Electronics Materials Co., Ltd., Dowa IP Creation Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Kawauchi