Patents Issued in March 31, 2015
  • Patent number: 8993126
    Abstract: In the light-emitting element in which a plurality of EL layers is separated from each other by a charge generation layer, provided are an electron relay layer in contact with an anode side of the charge generation region and an electron transport layer in contact with the electron relay layer. The electron transport layer contains an alkaline earth metal. A concentration gradient of the alkaline earth metal contained in the electron transport layer is such that the concentration of the alkaline earth metal becomes lower from an interface between the electron transport layer and the electron relay layer to the anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromi Nowatari, Satoshi Seo, Nobuharu Ohsawa
  • Patent number: 8993127
    Abstract: A substance having a hole-transport property and a wide band gap is provided. A fluorene compound represented by a general formula (G1) is provided. In the general formula (G1), ?1 and ?2 separately represent a substituted or unsubstituted arylene group having 6 to 13 carbon atoms; Ar1 represents a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted 4-dibenzothiophenyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted 4-dibenzofuranyl group; n and k separately represent 0 or 1; Q1 represents sulfur or oxygen; and R1 to R15 separately represent hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, or an aryl group having 6 to 14 carbon atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Harue Osaka, Takako Takasu, Hiromi Nowatari, Satoko Shitagaki, Nobuharu Ohsawa, Satoshi Seo, Kyoko Takeda, Sachiko Kawakami, Tsunenori Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8993128
    Abstract: A heterocyclic compound, organic light-emitting device, and a flat panel display device, the heterocyclic compound being represented by Formula 1 or 2 below:
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sun-Young Lee, Seok-Hwan Hwang, Young-Kook Kim, Yoon-Hyun Kwak, Hye-Jin Jung, Jin-O Lim, Jong-Hyuk Lee, Sang-Hyun Han, Se-Jin Cho
  • Patent number: 8993129
    Abstract: Fluorescence-emitting material which improves luminous efficiency of an organic light-emitting element such as an organic EL element or an organic PL element and an organic light-emitting element using the fluorescence-emitting material. The fluorescence-emitting material includes a compound having an indolocarbazole skeleton represented by the following general formula (1), as defined in the specification. The organic light-emitting element includes an organic EL element including: a substrate; an anode; a cathode; and a light-emitting layer, the anode and the cathode being laminated on the substrate and the light-emitting layer being sandwiched between the anode and the cathode, in which the light-emitting layer includes: the organic light-emitting material; and as a host material, an organic compound having excited triplet energy higher than that of the organic light-emitting material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignees: Nippon Steel & Sumikin Chemical Co., Ltd., Kyushu University, National University Corporation
    Inventors: Ayataka Endo, Chihaya Adachi, Kazuaki Yoshimura, Atsushi Kawada, Hiroshi Miyazaki, Takahiro Kai
  • Patent number: 8993130
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel organic compound is represented by the following formula(I), the organic EL device employing the organic compound as host material or dopant material of emitting layer and/or as electron transporting material can lower driving voltage, prolong half-lifetime and increase the efficiency. wherein m represent an integer of 0 to 10, n represent an integer of 0 to 2. X is a divalent bridge selected from the atom or group consisting from O, S, C(R5)2, N(R5), Si(R5)2. Ar, R1 to R4 are substituents and the same definition as described in the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Inventors: Feng-Wen Yen, Cheng-Hao Chang
  • Patent number: 8993131
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a metal-containing apparatus including a substrate member constructed of a metal that is highly resistant to pitting corrosion and wear in aggressive media. An exemplary metal-containing apparatus is a plate heat exchanger. The metal includes an oxidation layer on the surface thereof and a thin metal oxide nanoporous film on top of the oxidation layer. The nanoporous film is highly compliant and is comprised of oxygen and aluminum, titanium, silicon, zirconium and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Marc A. Anderson, M. Isabel Tejedor, Ole Christensen
  • Patent number: 8993132
    Abstract: A cubic boron nitride sintered body tool has, at least at a cutting edge, a cubic boron nitride sintered body composed of a cubic boron nitride particle and a binder phase. The binder phase contains at least Al2O3 and a Zr compound. On any straight line in the sintered body, the mean value of a continuous distance occupied by Al2O3 is 0.1-1.0 ?m, and the standard deviation of the continuous distance occupied by Al2O3 is not more than 0.8. On the straight line, X/Y is 0.1-1 where X represents the number of points of contact between Al2O3 and the Zr compound, and Y represents the sum of the number of points of contact between Al2O3 and cBN and the number of points of contact between Al2O3 and binder phase component(s) other than Al2O3 and the Zr compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Hardmetal Corp.
    Inventors: Katsumi Okamura, Machiko Abe, Satoru Kukino
  • Patent number: 8993133
    Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) media including a non-magnetic or superparamagnetic grain isolation magnetic anisotropy layer (GIMAL) to provide a template for initially well-isolated small grain microstructure as well as improvement of Ku in core grains of a magnetic recording layer. The GIMAL composition may be adjusted to have lattice parameters similar to a bottom magnetic recording layer and to provide a buffer for reducing interface strains caused by lattice mismatch between the bottom magnetic recording layer and an underlying layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: WD Media, LLC
    Inventors: Shaoping Li, B. Ramamurthy Acharya
  • Patent number: 8993134
    Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium, comprising: a substrate; a buffer layer deposited in a first orientation on top of the substrate; an underlayer deposited in a second orientation on top of the buffer layer, the underlayer comprising an electrically conductive oxide; and a magnetic recording layer deposited on top of the underlayer and having an axis of magnetic anisotropy substantially perpendicular to the surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bollapragada Varaprasad, Yukiko Takahashi, Kazuhiro Hono, Antony Ajan, Hua Yuan, Alexander S. Chernyshov
  • Patent number: 8993135
    Abstract: A flexible fuel cell stack is also described that includes an anode electrode layer, an adhesive and anode gas diffusion layer coupled to the anode electrode layer, an ion exchange membrane coupled on a first side to the gas diffusion layer opposite the anode electrode layer, an adhesive and cathode gas diffusion layer coupled to a second side of the ion exchange membrane, and a cathode electrode layer coupled to the adhesive and cathode gas diffusion layer opposite the ion exchange membrane. The fuel cell stack may be incorporated into a power generator that includes a hydrogen producing fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Steven J. Eickhoff
  • Patent number: 8993136
    Abstract: A heating system and a method for heating a battery module are provided. The method includes determining if a temperature signal indicates that the temperature level of the battery module is less than a threshold temperature level. If the temperature level is less than a threshold temperature level, and a first battery cell group is not electrically balanced with a second battery cell group, then the method includes selecting at least one of the first and second battery cell groups to be at least partially discharged. If the first battery cell group is selected, then the method includes partially discharging the first battery cell group through a first resistor to generate heat energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: David C. Robertson, Daniel K. McNeill
  • Patent number: 8993137
    Abstract: An energy storage system, in particular a battery having a plurality of battery cells. These battery cells are accommodated in a first container. The first container is separated from a second container by a separating element, which allows for establishing a pressure difference ?p for expansion of a gas out of the first container into the second container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Norden, Jochen Fassnacht
  • Patent number: 8993138
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery according to the present invention includes an electrode assembly that includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, a case that contains the electrode assembly and a cap assembly that is connected to the case. The positive electrode includes a current collector and a positive active material layer that includes an NCM-based positive active material disposed at the collector. The cap assembly includes a vent plate having a notch, and a current interrupt portion that interrupts electrical connection in a case of an increase in pressure inside the case. When a current interrupt pressure of the current interrupt portion is “A,” a vent fracture pressure at which the vent plate fractures at the notch is “B,” and the capacity of the rechargeable battery is “X,” they satisfy a formula of A/B=1.22?0.39X+D (?0.08?D?0.08).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jin-Hee Kim
  • Patent number: 8993139
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sealed secondary battery provided with a current cut-off device which employs an inexpensive and uncomplicated construction, without the need to mount a separate current cut-off device on the battery body. A sealed secondary battery (10) comprises a battery casing (11) and a sealing plate (12), an electrode body (21) and current collecting plates (22, 22) provided on the inside of this casing (11). A contact section (11c) formed as part of the bottom (11a) of this battery casing (11) is bowed further inwards towards the negative electrode-side current collecting plate (22b) than the peripheral section of the bottom (11a) of this battery casing (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoshi Suzuki, Katsumi Ito
  • Patent number: 8993140
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery cell has at least one energy-optimized cell unit and at least one power-optimized cell unit. The power-optimized cell unit is configured in such a way that it can be used to generate a higher power than with the energy-optimized cell unit. The energy-optimized cell unit is configured in such a way that it can be used to store a higher quantity of energy per volume of the energy-optimized cell unit and/or per mass of the energy-optimized cell unit than with the power-optimized cell unit. The at least one energy-optimized cell unit and the at least one power-optimized cell unit are arranged in a common cell housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Schiemann, Peter Birke, Carsten Patzelt, Hans-Georg Schweiger, Bjoern Ripp
  • Patent number: 8993141
    Abstract: Cap assembly, coupled to an open end of a battery can free from a beading portion, includes a top cap at an uppermost portion in a protrusive form forming a cathode terminal, a safety element below the top cap contacting the top cap, a safety vent contacting the safety element, a gasket surrounding outer circumferences of top cap, the safety element and vent, a cover surrounding the gasket so the top cap, safety element and vent adhere to each other, and a welding member at an upper portion of the cover having an outer end protruding more outwards than the outer end of the cover placed on the open end of the battery can, the welding member having a first notch at an upper surface thereof, protruding more than the outer end of the cover, and welded to the open end of the battery can where first notch is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-Jong Kim, Cha-Hun Ku, Je-Jun Lee
  • Patent number: 8993142
    Abstract: In a battery pack for an electric car, a plurality of battery modules are mounted to be divided between the front and rear of a middle cross member and a main switch and a junction board are disposed in the front and rear of the middle cross member respectively. A bent part of a second high voltage cable, which bends into a U-shape and pass through beneath the middle cross member, is held by a cable holder and fixed to a fixing part. Since only a bus bar disposed in the intermediate part of the first high voltage cable is bent into a U-shape and passed through beneath the middle cross member, not only is a wiring operation of the first high voltage cable easy, but it is also possible to minimize the length of the bus bar to thus enhance the reliability with respect to vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Sakai, Kosuke Tachikawa, Makoto Kawahara
  • Patent number: 8993143
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a winding type electrode assembly (‘jelly-roll’) constructed in a structure in which a cathode sheet and an anode sheet are wound in a circle while a separator is interposed between the cathode sheet and the anode sheet or the assembly is compressed in one direction after winding, wherein the jelly-roll includes an active material non-coated portion formed at the wound end of the jelly-roll, a conductive tape attached to the wound end of the jelly-roll for covering the wound outside of the jelly-roll including the active material non-coated portion, and an elastic member attached to the inside of the active material non-coated portion, the elastic member having a thickness equivalent to 50 to 200% of the height of an active material layer, and a secondary battery including the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Se-Hoon Baek, Dongmyung Kim, Eui Kwang Jeong, Hyunwoo Cho, Joo-Hwan Sung
  • Patent number: 8993144
    Abstract: A three-dimensional shaped battery includes a cell structure including a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, and a separation layer disposed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, where the cell structure may include a plurality of pattern units having different sizes from each other and a connecting portion which connects the pattern units to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Moon-seok Kwon, Seok-gwang Doo, Hyuk Chang, Jae-man Choi
  • Patent number: 8993145
    Abstract: A cell undergoing a thermal runaway process is characterized by high local temperatures at the cell. Thermal insulator prevents the high temperatures from dissipating to nearby cells such that thermal runaway is triggered in the nearby cells. In addition, thermal conductors are provided that form conduction paths that draw heat from a cell undergoing thermal runaway and distribute the heat to other cells in manner that thermal runaway is not triggered in cells that are near the failing cell. If sufficient heat is drawn away from a failing cell, temperatures of the cells surrounding the failed cell can remain low enough to prevent the surrounding cells from undergoing the thermal runaway process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Zee.Aero Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas P. Muniz
  • Patent number: 8993146
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cable-type secondary battery having a horizontal cross section of a predetermined shape and extending longitudinally, comprising: a core for supplying lithium ions, which comprises an electrolyte; an inner electrode, comprising an open-structured inner current collector surrounding the outer surface of the core, and an inner electrode active material layer formed on the surface of the inner current collector; a separation layer surrounding the outer surface of the inner electrode to prevent a short circuit between electrodes; and an outer electrode surrounding the outer surface of the separation layer and comprising an outer electrode active material layer and an outer current collector. The core disposed in the inner electrode having an open structure, from which the electrolyte of the core for supplying lithium ions can be easily penetrated into an electrode active material, thereby facilitating the supply and exchange of lithium ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yo-Han Kwon, Sang-Wook Woo, Hye-Ran Jung, Je-Young Kim
  • Patent number: 8993147
    Abstract: A battery pack including a plurality of battery cells and having improved battery lifetime. The battery pack includes a holder case defining a plurality of cell spaces; and a plurality of battery cells are accommodated in a pattern in a portion of the plurality of cell spaces, wherein some of the plurality of cell spaces are empty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-Hong An, No-Hyun Kwag
  • Patent number: 8993148
    Abstract: A rechargeable lithium ion button cell battery having a sealed housing comprises an inner casing and an outer casing, both casings have at least one flat area as top or bottom of the battery, and a round or oval side wall vertically formed to the flat area. Said side walls are single wall not folded double walls. An insulation gasket is positioned between said side walls, and the outer casing opening is mechanically crimped to complete the seal of the battery. Inside the sealed housing the anode & cathode electrodes are spiral wound with separator to be a round or oval roll. Said roll axis is vertical to the said flat areas of the casings. The two electrodes are tapered in width and comprise current collectors of metal foils coated with lithium-intercalating active materials, leaving small area of uncoated metal foils as welding tabs for connecting to the casings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Inventors: Fang Wang, Fajiong Sun
  • Patent number: 8993149
    Abstract: A battery housing is comprised of a unitary, seamless base member having a generally planar, quadrilateral bottom face with a side wall extending therefrom. The length dimension of the bottom face is at least twice the height of the side wall. The base member has an open top face. The housing includes a cover which closes the open top face and is engageable with the side wall of the base. An electrically resistive sealing gasket is configured to contact the cover member and the side wall so as to provide a fluid-tight seal. The components are mechanically interlocked by crimping or hemming. The housing is specifically configured to accommodate stacking of individual batteries into power assemblies, and the geometry of the housing optimizes thermal management. Further disclosed are batteries and battery assemblies including the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: A123 Systems LLC
    Inventor: Viet Vu
  • Patent number: 8993150
    Abstract: A battery has two or more individual cells that are connected in series and which, for contacting purposes, each has at least one contact electrode to the positive electrode (cathode) and at least one contact electrode to the negative electrode (anode). The two are made of metals that differ from each other. The contact electrodes to the anode and the cathode have passive corrosion protection at least in the respective contacting region of the contact electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Sven Bergmann, Michael Schiemann, Peter Birke, Hans-Georg Schweiger, Michael Keller
  • Patent number: 8993151
    Abstract: A container for a battery is disclosed. The container includes first and second side walls coupled to end walls and a base forming a recess. The side walls and end walls each have an edge. A container intercell partition wall is provided in the recess and has a segment which extends above the edge of any one or more of the first side wall, second side wall, and end walls. A cover is also provided having a cover intercell partition wall with a recessed area which accommodates the extended segment of the container intercell partition wall. The cover intercell partition wall may be coupled to the container intercell partition wall by a heat seal. A method of assembling a battery container is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Robert J. Mack
  • Patent number: 8993152
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly including wound positive and negative electrodes with a separator therebetween, a case configured to contain the electrode assembly, a cap plate configured to seal an opening of the case, the cap plate including a terminal hole therethrough, an electrode terminal through the terminal hole of the cap plate, the electrode terminal including a terminal through-out portion extending through the terminal hole, a terminal plate connected to the terminal through-out portion outside the case, and a fastening portion including a terminal fastening portion connected to the terminal plate, and a lead tab inside the case, the lead tab connecting the terminal through-out portion of the electrode terminal to the electrode assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignees: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Sang-Won Byun, Sung-Bae Kim
  • Patent number: 8993153
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to ramped battery contacts for a battery pack that support multiple engagement methods to devices, such as terminals, recharging stations, and the like. The battery pack can make a connection with a terminal one way and with a recharging station with another. Advantageously, the multiple engagement methods allow for different connectors for the different applications associated with the terminal and the recharging station. In an exemplary embodiment, the ramped battery contacts enable a terminal to connect to a battery pack through pogo-pin contacts to prevent disconnections in a rugged environment. The same ramped battery contacts can connect to a recharging station with leaf spring contacts through a swiping action that makes insertion and removal of the battery pack in the recharger quicker and easier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Bacon, Edward Voli
  • Patent number: 8993154
    Abstract: A storage system for the storage of electric energy for a vehicle with electric propulsion; the storage system has: a plurality of chemical batteries, which are divided into groups, each of which comprises chemical batteries connected to each other in series and/or in parallel; and two rigid busbars, which connect the groups of chemical batteries in parallel and have respective connection portions, which constitute the connection terminals of the storage system to the outside; each rigid busbar has a variable cross section, which increases close to the connection portion, so that the cross section of each busbar is the largest at the connection portion and the smallest in correspondence to the end which lies the farthest from the connection portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Ferrari S.p.A.
    Inventor: Fabrizio Favaretto
  • Patent number: 8993155
    Abstract: In a prismatic secondary battery, an internal negative electrode terminal is electrically connected to a collector through through-holes formed in a sealing plate, a gasket, and an insulating member in a manner electrically insulated from the sealing plate. The sealing plate has one face on which a protrusion is formed, an insulating plate has a face that is on the sealing plate and on which a concave portion fitted to the protrusion is formed, each of the protrusion and the concave portion of the insulating plate is provided at one position on respective sides of the through-hole, and at least one of the protrusions has a top face on which a concave portion is formed. The battery having such a structure is unlikely to cause rotary displacement between the insulating plate and the sealing plate even when a rotary torque is applied to the internal terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Okutani, Yoshinori Yokoyama, Takayuki Hattori, Yasuhiro Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 8993156
    Abstract: To provide a carbon-based negative electrode material which can be used with an electrolyte containing PC as a main ingredient, a carbon-based negative electrode material having a graphene layer structure is crystalline and has pores. That is, the crystal structure of the carbon-based negative electrode material is distorted more significantly than that of graphite. Accordingly, the carbon-based negative electrode material has a larger interlayer distance between graphenes than graphite. It has been shown that such a negative electrode material can be used for a secondary battery which contains an electrolyte containing PC as a main ingredient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Inoue, Junpei Momo, Hiroatsu Todoriki, Teppei Oguni
  • Patent number: 8993157
    Abstract: PVDF-g-PAN has been synthesized by grafting polyacrylonitrile onto polyvinylidene fluoride using an ATRP/AGET method. The novel polymer is ionically conducive and has much more flexibility than PVDF alone, making it especially useful either as a binder in battery cell electrodes or as a polymer electrolyte in a battery cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Seeo, Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Yang, Hany Basam Eitouni, Yan Li
  • Patent number: 8993158
    Abstract: The present invention provides a non-aqueous electrolyte solution which contains a silyl ester group-containing phosphonic acid derivative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Takeshi Kobayashi, Shigeru Mio, Hidenobu Nogi, Takashi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8993159
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to electrochemical cells having high rate capability, and more particularly to devices, systems and methods of producing high capacity and high rate capability batteries having relatively thick semi-solid electrodes. In some embodiments, an electrochemical cell includes an anode, a semi-solid cathode that includes a suspension of an active material and a conductive material in a liquid electrolyte, and an ion permeable membrane disposed between the anode and the cathode. The semi-solid cathode has a thickness in the range of about 250 ?m-2,500 ?m, and the electrochemical cell has an area specific capacity of at least 5 mAh/cm2 at a C-rate of C/2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: 24M Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Yet-Ming Chiang, Mihai Duduta, Richard Holman, Pimpa Limthongkul, Taison Tan
  • Patent number: 8993160
    Abstract: The present invention provides a positive electrode for lithium ion battery reducing a contact resistance of a battery and achieving an excellent output property. The positive electrode for lithium ion battery comprising a mixed layer comprising: metal forming a current collector, and positive electrode active material dispersed in a state of layer in the metal forming the current collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation
    Inventor: Ryuichi Nagase
  • Patent number: 8993161
    Abstract: Compositions of discrete carbon nanotubes for improved performance lead acid batteries. Further disclosed is a method to form a lead-acid battery with discrete carbon nanotubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Molecular Rebar Design, LLC
    Inventors: Clive P. Bosnyak, Kurt W. Swogger
  • Patent number: 8993162
    Abstract: A positive electrode for a lithium secondary battery provided by the present invention includes an electrically conductive layer and an active material layer on a surface of a positive electrode current collector. The electrically conductive layer contains at least one type of water-insoluble polymer that is soluble in an organic solvent as a binder, the active material layer contains at least one type of water-soluble and/or water-dispersible polymer that dissolves or disperses in water as a binder, and a mass ratio (B/A) of mass (B) per unit surface area of the binder in the active material layer to mass (A) per unit surface area of the binder in the electrically conductive layer satisfies a relationship of 0.06?B/A?0.35.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 8993163
    Abstract: A positive electrode active material provided by the present invention is formed of a lithium-nickel-containing metal phosphate compound represented by a general formula: LiNi(1-x)MxPO4(1) (in Formula (1), M is one or more metal elements selected from divalent and trivalent metal elements, and x is a number satisfying the condition 0<x<0.5). At least part of a surface of the lithium-nickel-containing metal phosphate compound is covered with carbon, and the lithium-nickel-containing metal phosphate compound covered with carbon has an olivine-type crystal structure confirmed by structure analysis by X-ray diffraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Jun Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8993164
    Abstract: A support for carrying a catalyst is obtained by carbonizing raw materials containing a nitrogen-containing organic substance and a metal. The support for carrying a catalyst may have a peak at a diffraction angle of around 26° in an X-ray diffraction pattern, the peak including 20 to 45% of a graphite-like structure component and 55 to 80% of an amorphous component. In addition, the support for carrying a catalyst may have an intensity ratio of a band at 1,360 cm?1 to a band at 1,580 cm?1 (I1,360/I1,580) in a Raman spectrum of 0.3 or more and 1.0 or less. In addition, the support for carrying a catalyst may be obtained by carbonizing the raw materials to obtain a carbonized material, subjecting the carbonized material to a metal removal treatment, and subjecting the resultant to a heat treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignees: Nisshinbo Holdings Inc., National University Corporation Gunma University
    Inventors: Erina Matsuzaka, Takeaki Kishimoto, Jun-ichi Ozaki
  • Patent number: 8993165
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed at clathrate (Type I) allotropes of silicon, germanium and tin. In method form, the present disclosure is directed at methods for forming clathrate allotropes of silicon, germanium or tin which methods lead to the formation of empty cage structures suitable for use as electrodes in rechargeable type batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Michael A. Miller, Kwai S. Chan, Wuwei Liang, Candace K. Chan
  • Patent number: 8993166
    Abstract: A battery with the high capacity, the superior cycle characteristics, and the superior initial charge and discharge efficiency, and an anode active material used for it are provided. The anode active material contains at least tin, cobalt, carbon, and phosphorus as an element. A carbon content is from 9.9 wt % to 29.7 wt %, a phosphorus content is from 0.1 wt % to 2.2 wt %, and a cobalt ration to the total of the tin and the cobalt is from 24 wt % to 70 wt %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Mizutani, Hiroshi Inoue, Akinori Kita, Akira Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8993167
    Abstract: Provided is a cathode active material composed of lithium nickel oxide represented by Formula 1, wherein the lithium nickel oxide contains nickel in an amount of 40% or higher, based on the total weight of transition metals, and the cathode active material comprises a first coating layer provided on the surface thereof and a second coating layer provided on the surface of the first coating layer, wherein the first coating layer is composed of a non-reactive material selected from the group consisting of oxides, nitrides, sulfides and mixtures or complexes thereof and the second coating layer is composed of a carbon-based material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung kyun Chang, Hong-Kyu Park, Sinyoung Park
  • Patent number: 8993168
    Abstract: Disclosed is a powder comprising a lithium-containing compound and a nickel-containing mixed metal compound, and satisfying the following requirements of (1) and (2) when the powder is analyzed by plasma emission spectrometry of particles: (1) an absolute deviation of a synchronous distribution chart against an approximated straight-line is 0.10 or less, wherein the approximated straight-line is evaluated from a synchronous distribution chart obtained by plotting an emission intensity of lithium and an emission intensity of nickel of each particle composing of the powder, and (2) a release rate of lithium evaluated by the following formula is 80 or less: Release rate of lithium=(nb/na)×100 wherein, na is the number of particles containing lithium in the powder, and nb is the number of particles containing lithium and not containing nickel in the powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventors: Satoshi Shimano, Kensaku Horie, Toshinori Isobe
  • Patent number: 8993169
    Abstract: A positive electrode composition is presented. The composition includes at least one electroactive metal; at least one alkali metal halide; and at least one additive including a plurality of nanoparticles, wherein the plurality of nanoparticles includes tungsten carbide. An energy storage device, and a related method for the preparation of an energy storage device, are also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard Louis Hart, Michael Alan Vallance, David Charles Bogdan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8993170
    Abstract: A composite carbon material of negative electrode in lithium ion, which is made of composite graphite, includes a spherical graphite and a cover layer, wherein the cover layer is pyrolytic carbon of organic substance. Inserted transition metal elements are contained between layers of graphite crystal. Preparation of the negative electrode includes the steps of: crushing graphite, shaping to form a spherical shape, purifying treatment, washing, dewatering and drying, dipped in salt solution doped by transition metal in multivalence, mixed with organic matter, covering treatment, and carbonizing treatment or graphitization treatment. The negative electrode provides advantages of reversible specific capacity larger than 350 mAh/g, coulomb efficiency higher than 94% at first cycle, conservation rate for capacity larger than 8-% in 500 times of circulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: BTR New Energy Materials Inc.
    Inventors: Min Yue, Wanhong Zhang
  • Patent number: 8993171
    Abstract: To provide an active material from which a sufficient discharge capacity is obtained, an electrode containing the active material, a lithium secondary battery including the electrode, and a method for making an active material. A method for making an active material includes a temperature elevation step of heating a mixture containing a lithium source, a pentavalent vanadium source, a phosphoric acid source, water, and a reductant in a hermetically sealed container at a temperature elevation rate T1 from 25° C. to 110° C. and then at a temperature elevation rate T2 from 110° C. to a designated temperature of 200° C. or more, in which T1>T2; T1=0.5 to 10° C./min; and T2=0.1 to 2.2° C./min.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Sano, Keitaro Otsuki, Kouji Tokita, Tomohiko Kato, Akiji Higuchi
  • Patent number: 8993172
    Abstract: A battery on a conductive metal wire and components of a battery on a conductive metal wire of circular cross section diameter of 5-500 micrometers and methods of making the battery and battery components are disclosed. In one embodiment, the battery features a porous anode or cathode layer which assist with ion exchange in batteries. Methods of forming the porous anode or cathode layer include deposition of an inert gas or hydrogen enriched carbon or silicon layer on a heated metal wire followed by annealing of the inert gas or hydrogen enriched carbon silicon layer. Energy storage devices having bundles of batteries on wires are also disclosed as are other energy storage devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Kalptree Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Deepak Upadhyaya
  • Patent number: 8993174
    Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated electrode assembly having a structure in which a cathode, an anode, and a separation layer disposed between the cathode and the anode are integrated with one another, wherein the separation layer has a multilayer structure including at least one two-phase electrolyte including a liquid phase component and a polymer matrix and at least one three-phase electrolyte including a liquid phase component, a solid component, and a polymer matrix, wherein the polymer matrices of the separation layer are coupled to the cathode or the anode and the liquid phase components of the separation layer are partially introduced into an electrode in a process of manufacturing the electrode assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: YoHan Kwon, Sung-Kyun Chang, Seung-tae Hong, Je Young Kim, SungJin Kim
  • Patent number: 8993175
    Abstract: A polymer electrolyte including: a lithium salt; an organic solvent; a fluorine compound; and a polymer of a monomer represented by Formula 1 below. H2C?C—(OR)n—OCH?CH2??Formula 1 In Formula 1, R is a C2-C10 alkylene group, and n is in a range of about 1 to about 1000.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung-sik Hwang, Han-su Kim, Jae-man Choi, Moon-seok Kwon
  • Patent number: 8993176
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a sulfide solid electrolyte glass producing a tiny amount of hydrogen sulfide. The present invention attains the above-mentioned object by providing a sulfide solid electrolyte glass including Li3PS4, characterized in that Li4P2S7 is not detected by 31P NMR measurement and the content of Li2S as determined by XPS measurement is 3% by mol or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuki Kato, Koji Kawamoto, Shigenori Hama, Takamasa Otomo