Patents Issued in July 15, 2014
  • Patent number: 8778489
    Abstract: An optical layered product has a translucent substrate having at least an optically functional layer, containing translucent microparticles, provided directly or via another layer onto one or both sides of the substrate. The standard deviation of area dispersion variability of the translucent microparticles in the optically functional layer is in the range of 0.04 to 0.20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Tomoegawa Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaomi Kuwabara, Chikara Murata, Kazuya Ohishi, Hideki Moriuchi
  • Patent number: 8778490
    Abstract: An absorbent composite comprising: a base material and water-absorbent resin particles; wherein the following conditions (1) to (4) are fulfilled: (1) the weight ratio of water-absorbent resin relative to the total weight of the base material and water-absorbent resin is 65 to 99 wt %, (2) the water-absorbent resin particles adhering directly to the base material constitute 50 wt % or more of the total water-absorbent resin particles; (3) the average absorption capacity of the water-absorbent resin particles is 50 g/g or more; and (4) the amount of residual monomers in the water-absorbent resin is 200 ppm or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corporation
    Inventors: Tsutomu Akiyama, Tamotsu Kodama, Masataka Nishi, Hiroshige Okamoto
  • Patent number: 8778491
    Abstract: A coated article is described. The coated article includes a substrate, a titanium bonding layer, a titanium-chromium alloy transition layer, and a titanium-chromium-nitrogen hard layer formed thereon, and in that order. The titanium bonding layer is a titanium layer. The titanium-chromium alloy transition layer is a titanium-chromium alloy layer. The titanium-chromium-nitrogen hard layer is a titanium-chromium-nitrogen layer. The titanium bonding layer, titanium-chromium alloy transition layer, and the titanium-chromium-nitrogen hard layer are formed by ion beam assisted sputtering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Chwan-Hwa Chiang, Jia-Lin Chen, Yi-Jun Huang, Hai-Bo Pan, Xu Li
  • Patent number: 8778492
    Abstract: A composition comprising multistage polymeric particles having an average particle diameter from 0.5 to 15 ?m and a Vicker's scale hardness from 100 to 700 Kgf/mm2; and a film-forming polymer having Tg no greater than 80° C. The refractive index difference measured from 400 nm to 800 nm between the polymeric particles and the film-forming polymer is no greater than 0.02 and the average refractive index difference measured from 800 nm to 2500 nm between the polymeric particles and the film-forming polymer is at least 0.04.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Rohm and Haas Company
    Inventors: Edward E. LaFleur, Luu T. Le, Edwin Nungesser
  • Patent number: 8778493
    Abstract: A composition comprising multistage polymeric particles having an average particle diameter from 0.5 to 15 ?m and a Vicker's scale hardness from 100 to 700 Kgf/mm2; and a film-forming polymer having Tg no greater than 80° C. The refractive index difference measured from 400 nm to 800 nm between the polymeric particles and the film-forming polymer is no greater than 0.02 and the average refractive index difference measured from 800 nm to 2500 nm between the polymeric particles and the film-forming polymer is at least 0.04.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Rohm and Haas Company
    Inventors: Edward E. Lafleur, Luu T. Le, Edwin Nungesser
  • Patent number: 8778494
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an intrinsically markable laser pigment in the form of a reducible metal compound in the form of a preparation, and to the use thereof in inorganic systems and in organic polymers, in particular plastics, surface coatings, automobile paints, powder coatings, printing inks, paper coatings and papermaking stocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Edler, Helge Bettina Kniess, Klaus Bernhardt
  • Patent number: 8778495
    Abstract: A phenol-formaldehyde novolac resin having a low concentration of free phenol prepared by distilling residual phenol from a molten novolac resin and replacing at least a portion of the phenol with a solvent having a volatility equal to or less than phenol. Such modified novolac resins are suitable for the production of resin coated molding sands for shell molding and sand cores, as well as for the production of resin coated proppants for use in oil and gas recovery operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Gerogia-Pacific Chemicals LLC
    Inventors: Richard A. Rediger, Edward Lucas
  • Patent number: 8778496
    Abstract: A chemically-strengthened glass sheet including: a smooth first side; and a rough second side, wherein the compressive stress values of the smooth first-side and the rough second-side are substantially in equipoise. Methods of making and using the glass sheet, as defined herein, are disclosed. A display system that incorporates the glass sheet, as defined herein, is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: Shandon Dee Hart
  • Patent number: 8778497
    Abstract: An underlayment mat for single ply roof membranes which provides the following: insulation, separate the roof membrane from incompatible materials in the substrate, protect the roof membrane from puncture or undue wear from irregular surfaces on the substrate, provide adequate support while being flexible enough to work with the single ply membrane to absorb shock and, or provide a continuous, flat upper surface on which a roof covering is applied. The underlayment member may be woven or unwoven, it may be spun bound or needled punched or constructed by whatever method best achieves the desired physical characteristics herein described at the most economical cost. Further, this mat may be made of the following materials including but not limited to and either individually or combined: Various synthetic fibers, acrylic, rayon, nylon, polyester, foam or foam scraps, and or mineral fibers such as glass, carbon, mineral wool, ceramic, and slag wood fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: L&P Property Management Company
    Inventors: Ralph Berryman Smith, Donald Otis McCleskey, Norman F. Manning, L. Ralph Smith
  • Patent number: 8778498
    Abstract: The disclosure provides for a system and method for dense barrier coatings for oxidation protection. In an embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided a dense barrier-coating system for use with a dry polymer-matrix composite (PMC) substrate having a first coefficient of thermal expansion. The system comprises a flexible sublayer free of water, wherein a first surface of the flexible sublayer is bonded to a first surface of the PMC. The system further comprises an oxygen-impervious, dense barrier-coating layer, wherein a first surface of the oxygen-impervious, dense barrier-coating layer is bonded to a second surface of the flexible sublayer, and further wherein the oxygen-impervious, dense barrier-coating layer is selected from the group consisting of metallic materials and ceramic materials each having a respective second coefficient of thermal expansion. The flexibility of the flexible sublayer protects the respective bonds when the first and second coefficients of thermal expansion are unequal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Thomas K. Tsotsis
  • Patent number: 8778499
    Abstract: To provide a coating composition for back coating, by which, in a solar heat-collecting reflector, a cured coating film layer excellent in durability such as heat resistance or water resistance and excellent in weather resistance, scratch resistance and impact resistance, can be formed, and a solar heat-collecting reflector having such a cured coating film layer. A coating composition for back coating to be used for the production of a solar heat-collecting reflector, which comprises a fluoropolymer (A) having units (A1) derived from a fluoroolefin and units (A2) having a crosslinkable group. A solar heat-collecting reflector having a cured coating film layer formed by the coating composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Shun Saito, Masataka Aikawa, Takashi Takayanagi, Sho Masuda
  • Patent number: 8778500
    Abstract: The present invention provide a laminated polyester film which is capable of ensuring a good dimensional stability without being subjected to such a surface saponification treatment with an alkali solution as required for triacetyl cellulose films, is available at low costs, exhibits a good adhesion property to adhesives and a high total light transmittance, and can be suitably used as a protective film for polarizing films. The laminated polyester film of the present invention comprises a polyester film; a coating layer formed on one surface of the polyester film which comprises an acrylic resin or a urethane resin as a main component; and a coating layer formed on the other surface of the polyester film which comprises a urethane resin having a polycarbonate structure. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the coating layer comprising the acrylic resin or the urethane resin as a main component has a thickness of 0.04 to 0.15 ?m, and the polyester film comprises an ultraviolet absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Taishi Kawasaki, Toshihiro Koda, Masato Fujita
  • Patent number: 8778501
    Abstract: A fluorescence based oxygen sensor can be prepared comprising a polyaniline polymer doped with one or more pyrene carboxylic acids. The polyaniline has the formula: and the pyrene carboxylic acids have the formula: Pyrene-R—COOH??(II); wherein R is an aliphatic linking group having 1 to 11 carbon atoms, n represents half the degree of polymerization, x is about 0.5, and (1?x) is about 0.5. The sensor can be coated onto a support. Upon excitation with an appropriate wavelength, the polyaniline/pyrene coating fluoresces. Upon exposure to oxygen the fluorescence rapidly decays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Bogdan Catalin Serban, Mihai N. Mihaila, Octavian Buiu
  • Patent number: 8778502
    Abstract: A glass ceramic composition includes a SrZrO3 ceramic, a Li2O—MgO—ZnO—B2O3—SiO2-based glass, Mg2SiO4 in an amount of about 5 to 40 weight percent, and a SrTiO3 ceramic in an amount in the range of about 0 to about 6 weight percent of the total. The Li2O—MgO—ZnO—B2O3—SiO2-based glass accounts for about 1 to about 12 weight percent of the total.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasutaka Sugimoto, Sadaaki Sakamoto, Hiroshige Adachi
  • Patent number: 8778503
    Abstract: An intermediate transfer member includes a poly(amic acid amideimide), or a mixture of a poly(amic acid amideimide), a phosphate ester, an optional polysiloxane, and an optional conductive filler component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Jin Wu, Jonathan H. Herko, Francisco J. Lopez, Kyle B. Tallman, Michael S. Roetker, David W. Martin, Brian P. Gilmartin
  • Patent number: 8778504
    Abstract: This invention relates to a paper coating composition for enhancing the stiffness of paper or paperboard, comprising an alkali soluble polymer prepared by polymerization of at least one monomer A and at least one monomer B, wherein monomer A is selected from the following group: acrylic acid alkyl esters, methacrylic acid alkyl esters styrene, methyl styrene, acrylonitrile, vinyl acetate. 2 hydroxy alkyl acrylate, and monomer B is selected from the following group: acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid (meth)acrylamide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Clariant Production (France)
    Inventors: Jean Yves Anquetil, Damien Corpet
  • Patent number: 8778505
    Abstract: The disclosure provides tissue webs, and products incorporating the same, where the webs comprise wood and bamboo fibers. More specifically the disclosure provides soft and durable through-air dried tissue webs comprising at least about 10 percent bamboo fiber by weight of the web. In the through-air dried tissue webs of the present disclosure, bamboo typically replaces high average fiber length wood fibers, which increases the bulk of the through-air dried web without negatively effecting softness or durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Gerard Shannon
  • Patent number: 8778506
    Abstract: An organic electroluminescent element comprising a metal complex represented by Formula (1), wherein Z is a hydrocarbon ring or a heterocyclic ring, provided that each of the hydrocarbon ring and the heterocyclic ring has a substituent having a steric parameter (Es) of ?0.5 or less at the third atom of the ring counted from a nitrogen atom attached to Z, the nitrogen atom being counted as the first atom, X, Y, A, B, X1-L1-X2, M1, m1 and m2 are described in the specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Dai Ikemizu, Hiroshi Kita, Masato Nishizeki, Eisaku Katoh, Tomohiro Oshiyama
  • Patent number: 8778507
    Abstract: Disclosed is an organic electroluminescent (EL) device having high emission luminance and high emission efficiency. Particularly disclosed are a blue-light emitting organic EL device, which is high in emission luminance, color purity, emission efficiency and durability, a display and an illuminating device each employing the organic EL device. The organic El device is characterized in that it comprises a light emission layer containing two or more kinds of host compounds and at least one dopant, wherein at least one of the two or more kinds of host compounds has an excited triplet energy of not less than 2.7 eV, and the dopant is a phosphorescent compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Junko Tamura, Hiroshi Kita, Eisaku Katoh, Noriko Yasukawa
  • Patent number: 8778508
    Abstract: Novel organometallic compounds are provided, which include a 2-phenylpyridine iridium (Irppy) complex having alkyl and/or aryl substituted ligands and a heteroleptic or a homoleptic nature. These materials may be advantageously used in OLEDs to tune evaporation temperature and solubility, narrow emission, and increase device efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Universal Display Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond Kwong, Chuanjun Xia, Jason Brooks, Bert Alleyne, Bin Ma, James Fiordeliso, Yonggang Wu
  • Patent number: 8778509
    Abstract: An organic electroluminescence element comprising at least an emission layer sandwiched between an anode and a cathode, wherein the emission layer comprises a metal complex having a partial structure represented by Formula (1):
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Noriko Yasukawa, Eisaku Katoh, Tomohiro Oshiyama
  • Patent number: 8778510
    Abstract: A pyrromethene-boron complex compound represented by the following formula (1); wherein Z1 and Z2 are independently a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy group or a substituted or unsubstituted aryloxy group, at least one of Z1 and Z2 is an alkoxy group substituted with a fluorine atom or an aryloxy group substituted with a fluorine atom or a fluoroalkyl group, and Z1 and Z2 may form a ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumio Okuda, Kiyoshi Ikeda, Takayasu Sado, Takahiko Ochi, Yoshimitsu Tanabe, Bunji Sawano
  • Patent number: 8778511
    Abstract: An organic light emitting device is provided. The device includes an anode and a cathode. A first organic layer is disposed between the anode and the cathode. The first organic layer is an emissive layer that includes a first organic emitting material. The device also includes a second organic layer disposed between the anode and the first organic layer. The second organic layer is a non-emissive layer. The second organic layer includes an organic small molecule hole transport material having a concentration of 50 to 99 wt %, and an organic small molecule electron transport material having a concentration of 0.1 to 5 wt %. Other materials may be present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Universal Display Corporation
    Inventors: Vadim Adamovich, Brian D'Andrade, Michael S. Weaver
  • Patent number: 8778512
    Abstract: The present invention relates new compounds and to an organic electronic device comprising at least one substantially organic layer comprising a non fully conjugated chemical compound, which compound is preferably used in electron transport layers, electron injection layers. The invention also includes a process for preparing an organic electronic device, wherein the substantially organic layer comprising a non fully conjugated chemical compound is deposited on a first layer, and a second layer is deposited on the substantially organic layer, preferably a cathode being deposited on the substantially organic layer comprising the non fully conjugated chemical compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Novaled AG
    Inventors: Sascha Dorok, Ulrich Heggemann, Andrea Lux, Carsten Rothe
  • Patent number: 8778513
    Abstract: An article including a perovskite manganese (Mn) oxide thin film, includes a substrate having an oriented perovskite structure that is (m10) oriented, where 19?m?2, and having an [100] axis direction; and a perovskite manganese (Mn) oxide thin film having a perovskite crystal lattice containing barium Ba and a rare earth element Ln in A sites of the perovskite crystal lattice, the perovskite manganese (Mn) oxide thin film being formed on the substrate so as to cover at least part of a surface of the substrate, and having atomic planes stacked in a pattern of LnO—MnO2—BaO—MnO2-LnO . . . in the [100] axis direction of the substrate. The perovskite manganese (Mn) oxide thin film provided thoroughly exploits the resistance changes caused by charge and orbital ordering in the perovskite manganese oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasushi Ogimoto
  • Patent number: 8778514
    Abstract: A transparent dielectric composition comprising tin, oxygen and one of aluminum or magnesium with preferably higher than 15% by weight of aluminum or magnesium offers improved thermal stability over tin oxide with respect to appearance and optical properties under high temperature processes. For example, upon a heat treatment at temperatures higher than 500 C, changes in color and index of refraction of the present transparent dielectric composition are noticeably less than those of tin oxide films of comparable thickness. The transparent dielectric composition can be used in high transmittance, low emissivity coated panels, providing thermal stability so that there are no significant changes in the coating optical and structural properties, such as visible transmission, IR reflectance, microscopic morphological properties, color appearance, and haze characteristics, of the as-coated and heated treated products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignees: Intermolecular, Inc., Guardian Industries Corporation
    Inventors: Minh Huu Le, Zhi-Wen Sun, Guowen Ding, Mohd Hassan, Sandeep Jaggi, Muhammad Imran, Jingyu Lao, Yiwei Lu, Richard Blacker
  • Patent number: 8778515
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a practical magneto-resistive effect element for CPP-GMR, which exhibits appropriate resistance-area-product and high magnetoresistance change ratio, and meets the demand for a narrow read gap. Certain embodiments of a magneto-resistive effect element in accordance with the present invention include a pinned ferromagnetic layer containing a first ferromagnetic film having a magnetization direction fixed in one direction, a free ferromagnetic layer containing a second ferromagnetic film having a magnetization direction varying in response to an external magnetic field, an intermediate layer provided between the pinned ferromagnetic layer and the free ferromagnetic layer, and a current confinement layer for confining a current. At least one of the pinned ferromagnetic layer or the free ferromagnetic layer includes a highly spin polarized layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Yo Sato, Katsumi Hoshino, Hiroyuki Hoshiya
  • Patent number: 8778516
    Abstract: A production method of a base plate for a disk drive made by aluminum die casting which can reduce scattering of particles and minimizes particle contamination is provided. The production method of a base plate for a disk drive includes a forming step for forming a base member by aluminum die casting, a coating step for coating the base member with a resin film, a machining step for removing a part of the resin film and a surface layer of the base member in order to expose the aluminum surface, a pretreatment step for immersing the base member with the exposed aluminum surface in a pretreatment solution containing no fluoride, and a metal film forming step for coating the exposed aluminum surface with a metal film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiichi Kobayashi, Akihiko Suzuki, Osamu Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8778517
    Abstract: A secondary battery including a bare cell having an electrode terminal provided at a side of the bare cell and a cap plate insulated from the electrode terminal; a protective circuit module provided on a surface of the bare cell and electrically connected to the electrode terminal and the cap plate; a secondary protective element connecting the electrode terminal to the protective circuit module and provided between the bare cell and the protective circuit module; and a holder provided between the bare cell and the protective circuit module to support the protective circuit module, and including an accommodation part accommodating the secondary protective element, wherein at least one of the holder or the protective circuit module includes at least one passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Youngho Kim
  • Patent number: 8778518
    Abstract: A battery pack includes a bare cell sealed by a cap plate, a circuit board disposed on the cap plate, a cover coupled to the cap plate, and a size control unit formed between the upper cover and the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Woon-Seong Baek
  • Patent number: 8778519
    Abstract: A thermal management system is provided that minimizes the effects of thermal runaway within a battery pack. The system includes a sealed battery pack enclosure configured to hold a plurality of batteries and at least one exhaust nozzle assembly. The exhaust nozzle assembly includes an exhaust nozzle that passes and directs the flow of hot gas from within the battery pack to the ambient environment during a thermal runaway event, a nozzle seal mounted within the exhaust nozzle that seals the exhaust nozzle during normal operation of the battery pack, and a nozzle seal mounting nut that holds the nozzle seal within the exhaust nozzle during normal operation and then melts during a thermal runaway event, thereby allowing the nozzle seal to be ejected through the exhaust nozzle during the event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Frey, Dustin Grace
  • Patent number: 8778520
    Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid electrolyte battery having a mixing device (5), wherein the liquid electrolyte battery has a battery case (1), an electrode stack (2), an electrolyte having an electrolyte level (3), and a mixing device (5) and the mixing device (5) has the following characteristics: a channel plate (6) arranged vertically in the battery case (1) in the installed state, a drainage plate (7) arranged horizontally in the battery case in the installed state, and a hinge (8) connecting the channel plate (6) to the drainage plate (7), wherein the hinge (8) has a pivot angle that is dimensioned such that an electrode stack (2) can be inserted into the battery case (1) when the drainage plate (7) is pivoted upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: IQ Power Licensing AG
    Inventors: Charles Robert Sullivan, Steffen Tschirch
  • Patent number: 8778521
    Abstract: A mandrel for use in a battery assembly may include a positive mandrel portion and a negative mandrel portion. Each of the mandrel portions may include a connector element coupling region and an electrode coupling region. The connector element coupling region may be configured to be coupled to a connector element and the electrode coupling region may be configured to be coupled to an electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Nidelkoff, Jay T. Rassat, Jeffrey J. Clayton, Nicholas J. Haupt, Paul B. Aamodt
  • Patent number: 8778522
    Abstract: Disclosed are ionically conductive membranes for protection of active metal anodes and methods for their fabrication. The membranes may be incorporated in active metal negative electrode (anode) structures and battery cells. In accordance with the invention, the membrane has the desired properties of high overall ionic conductivity and chemical stability towards the anode, the cathode and ambient conditions encountered in battery manufacturing. The membrane is capable of protecting an active metal anode from deleterious reaction with other battery components or ambient conditions while providing a high level of ionic conductivity to facilitate manufacture and/or enhance performance of a battery cell in which the membrane is incorporated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: PolyPlus Battery Company
    Inventors: Steven J. Visco, Yevgeniy S. Nimon, Bruce D. Katz
  • Patent number: 8778523
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrochemical cell constructed in a structure in which a plurality of full cells or bicells, as unit cells, are folded by a separation film formed in the shape of a long sheet, and separators of the unit cells are secured to the separation film by thermal welding. The electrochemical cell according to the present invention has the effect of preventing the electrodes of the stacked electrodes from being separated from the separation film or from being twisted due to external impacts and vibrations, thereby restraining the electrochemical cell from generating heat or catching fire. Furthermore, the structural stability of the electrochemical cell is maintained even when the temperature of the electrochemical cell is increased, or the volume of the electrochemical cell is increased due to the generation of gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ji Heon Ryu, Jaepil Lee, Jeong Hee Choi, Min Su Kim, Youngjoon Shin
  • Patent number: 8778524
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrochemical device. The electrochemical device includes: (a) a composite separator including a porous substrate, a first porous coating layer coated on one surface of the porous substrate, and a second porous coating layer coated on the other surface of the porous substrate; (b) an anode disposed to face the first porous coating layer; and (c) a cathode disposed to face the second porous coating layer. The first and second porous coating layers are each independently composed of a mixture including inorganic particles and a binder polymer. The first porous coating layer is thicker than the second porous coating layer. The electrochemical device has good thermal stability and improved cycle characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Joo-Sung Lee, Jang-Hyuk Hong, Jong-Hun Kim, Bo-Kyung Ryu
  • Patent number: 8778525
    Abstract: A multi-layer, microporous polyethylene membrane comprising (a) a first microporous layer made of a polyethylene resin, and (b) a second microporous layer comprising a polyethylene resin, and a heat-resistant polymer having a melting point or a glass transition temperature of 170° C. or higher, the heat-resistant polymer being dispersed in the form of fine particles in the polyethylene resin, and the second microporous layer having pores containing fine particles of the heat-resistant polymer as nuclei from which the cleavage of polyethylene resin fibrils starts, the multi-layer microporous polyethylene membrane having well-balanced shutdown properties, meltdown properties, permeability, mechanical strength, heat shrinkage resistance and compression resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Toray Battery Separator Film Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Shintaro Kikuchi, Kotaro Takita
  • Patent number: 8778526
    Abstract: A secondary battery includes an electrode assembly having a first electrode plate with a first electrode non-coated portion, the first electrode non-coated portion including a first protrusion part at an upper part of the electrode assembly, a second electrode plate with a second electrode non-coated portion, the second electrode non-coated portion including a second protrusion part at an upper part of the electrode assembly, and a separator disposed between the first and second electrode plates, first and second current collecting plates electrically connected to respective first and second electrode plates, and a case accommodating the electrode assembly and the first and second current collecting plates, the case having a shape corresponding to the first and second protrusion parts of the electrode assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignees: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Minhyung Guen
  • Patent number: 8778527
    Abstract: A battery casing assembly for a vehicle includes a battery housing accommodating a battery therein; at least one cover having a size corresponding to a side surface of the battery housing so as to cover the side surface; and at least one guide formed along one or more edges of the battery housing to allow the cover to be fitted therein. With the structure, the battery casing assembly can prevent the heat emitted from the engine of the vehicle being transferred to the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Young Kug Lee
  • Patent number: 8778528
    Abstract: An electricity storage device includes: a plurality of cells that are aligned in a predetermined direction; a pair of end plates that sandwich the plurality of cells in the predetermined direction; and a restraining member that extends in the predetermined direction, is fixed to the pair of end plates, and exerts a restraining force on the plurality of cells in the predetermined direction via the end plates. Each of the end plates includes a first plate and a second plate. The first plate has a plurality of ribs on a surface that faces the adjacent cell and is formed of insulating material. The second plate is fixed to the first plate on a side opposite to the surface that faces the adjacent cell and is formed of material stronger than the insulating material for the first plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Kojima Press Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomotaka Osakabe, Mikio Wakasugi, Masahiro Imai, Ryogo Murayama
  • Patent number: 8778529
    Abstract: A lithium secondary battery includes: a bare cell having an electrode assembly and a case for containing the electrode assembly; a protection circuit module connected to the bare cell; and a cover enclosing the protection circuit module and the bare cell and having an external terminal electrically connected to electrodes of the electrode assembly, wherein a part of the cover is a molded portion made of resin using a mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyung-Won Seo
  • Patent number: 8778530
    Abstract: A battery includes a case, an electrode assembly located within the case and comprising first and second electrodes, a first terminal electrically connected with the first electrode, and a second terminal electrically connected with the second electrode. The first and second terminals project through the case. One of the first and second terminals has first and second connection formations. The first and second connection formations have mutually different shapes and are located on respectively different aspects of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignees: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Dukjung Kim
  • Patent number: 8778531
    Abstract: Pouch-type lithium polymer batteries and a methods for manufacturing them are disclosed. One such battery comprises a wound electrode assembly comprising positive and negative electrode plates and a separator. Positive and negative electrode tabs are attached to the positive and negative electrode plates and extend from the electrode assembly. The electrode assembly is encased within a pouch which comprises a cavity and a cover. The positive and negative electrode tabs extend outside the pouch. A protective circuit module is electrically connected to the positive and negative electrode tabs and is molded with, or encased in a resin to form a protective circuit construction which is positioned against a front surface of the pouch. The pouch-type lithium polymer batteries of this invention can be used in external apparatuses such as laptop computers or PDAs. The protective circuit constructions of this invention are not short-circuited to external circuits of the external apparatuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyung Bok Lee
  • Patent number: 8778532
    Abstract: This lithium electrochemical device includes a stack of layers suitable for constituting a micro-battery deposited on a substrate and encapsulated using a protective cap sealed onto the substrate. It includes two collectors of the current generated by the micro-battery and at least one insulating layer inert as regards lithium. The collectors and the insulating layer or layers are deposited on the substrate. The protective cap is sealed onto the substrate using the layers constituting the current collectors and the insulating layer or layers. The cap has layers of the same nature, positioned in the same order in line with their respective layers deposited on the substrate, so that when the cap is sealed onto the substrate, the respective layers deposited on the cap and on the substrate come into contact with each other to provide the actual seal of the cap on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignees: Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique, ST Microelectronics SA
    Inventors: Raphaël Salot, Steve Martin, Sami Oukassi
  • Patent number: 8778533
    Abstract: An electrolyte includes a mixture of polymerizable compounds, or a polymer, in which the mixture includes a polymerizable compound having an aromatic functional group and a polymerizable functional group, and a polymerizable compound having a phosphorus-containing functional group that contains phosphorus, and having a polymerizable functional group, and in which the polymer has residues of each of the phosphorus-containing functional group, the aromatic functional group and the polymerizable functional group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Norio Iwayasu, Jinbao Zhao, Hidetoshi Honbo
  • Patent number: 8778534
    Abstract: The invention generally encompasses phosphonium ionic liquids and compositions and their use in many applications, including but not limited to: as electrolytes in electronic devices such as memory devices including static, permanent and dynamic random access memory, as battery electrolytes, as a heat transfer medium, fuel cells and electrochromatic devices, among other applications. In particular, the invention generally relates to phosphonium ionic liquids, compositions and molecules possessing structural features, wherein the molecules exhibit superior combination of thermodynamic stability, low volatility, wide liquidus range and ionic conductivity. The invention further encompasses methods of making such phosphonium ionic liquids, compositions and molecules, and operational devices and systems comprising the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: eSionic ES, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Adrian Hawkins, David A. Hudgins, Levi J. Irwin
  • Patent number: 8778536
    Abstract: Provided are a lithium manganese oxide positive active material for a lithium ion secondary battery and a lithium ion secondary battery including the same. The lithium manganese oxide positive active material includes a spinel lithium manganese oxide of three or more types of particles having different sizes mixed therein, wherein first type particles have an average diameter of 5 ?m or greater, second type particles have an average diameter of 1 ?m or less, third type particles have an average diameter of 200 nm or less, and the average diameter of the second type particles is greater than that of the third type particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Fine Chemicals Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shin Jung Choi, Sung Nim Jo
  • Patent number: 8778537
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices are implemented in connection with rechargeable batteries. One such device includes a cathode that has lithiated sulfur. The device also includes a porous structure having pores containing the lithium-sulfide particles introduced during a manufacturing stage thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Yi Cui, Yuan Yang, Matthew McDowell, Ariel Jackson
  • Patent number: 8778538
    Abstract: A durable electrode material suitable for use in Li ion batteries is provided. The material is comprised of a continuous network of graphite regions integrated with, and in good electrical contact with a composite comprising graphene sheets and an electrically active material, such as silicon, wherein the electrically active material is dispersed between, and supported by, the graphene sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Harold H. Kung, Jung K. Lee
  • Patent number: 8778539
    Abstract: A secondary battery electrode, which is formed by stacking an electrode active material layer (I) containing spinel-structured lithium manganate as an electrode active material and an electrode active material layer (II) containing, as an electrode active material, a composite oxide represented by the following Chemical formula (1) in a thickness direction of the electrode, in which the electrode active material layer (I) is disposed in contact with a current collector, and an average particle diameter of the composite oxide is smaller than an average particle diameter of the spinel-structured lithium manganate. In such a way, it is possible to provide a secondary battery electrode capable of realizing a secondary battery excellent in both of a volumetric energy density and a volumetric output density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Ohsawa, Mieko Kawai