Patents Issued in March 31, 2016
  • Publication number: 20160093885
    Abstract: Provided is a cathode active material that can simultaneously improve the capacity characteristics, output characteristics, and cycling characteristics of a rechargeable battery when used as cathode material for a non-aqueous electrolyte rechargeable battery. After performing nucleation by controlling an aqueous solution for nucleation that includes a metal compound that includes at least a transition metal and an ammonium ion donor so that the pH value becomes 12.0 to 14.0 (nucleation process), nuclei are caused to grow by controlling aqueous solution for particle growth that includes the nuclei so that the pH value is less than in the nucleation process and is 10.5 to 12.0 (particle growth process).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Yasutaka KAMATA, Taira AIDA, Hiroyuki TOYA
  • Publication number: 20160093886
    Abstract: A lithium-sulfur cell for a battery includes: a negative electrode; a positive electrode; and at least one diffusion barrier situated between the negative electrode and the positive electrode. At least one of the negative and positive electrodes includes a porous graphite foil made of expanded graphite, and the at least one diffusion barrier is composed of a brittle material having a thickness of ?10 ?m. At least two lithium-sulfur cells are provided in an interconnected arrangement in a battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Stefan Doerne, Ulrich Hasenkox, Christoph Brehm, Lutz Baumgaertner
  • Publication number: 20160093887
    Abstract: Disclosed are an electrode assembly for sulfur-lithium ion batteries that uses a lithium-containing compound as a cathode active material and a sulfur-containing compound as an anode active material and a sulfur-lithium ion battery including the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Min Chul Jang, Hong Kyu Park, Yu Mi Kim, Byoung Kuk Son, Da Young Sung, Seong Ho Lee
  • Publication number: 20160093888
    Abstract: A cathode material which does not easily deteriorate when used in batteries, a method for producing cathode materials, a cathode, and a lithium ion battery are provided. A cathode material including a cathode active material, in which the cathode active material is expressed by Li1+xAyDzPO4 (here, A represents one or more metal elements selected from the group consisting of Co, Mn, Ni, Fe, Cu, and Cr, D represents one or more metal elements selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ti, Zn, B, Al, Ga, In, Si, Ge, Sc, Y, and rare earth elements, 0<x<1, 0<y<1, 0?z<1.5, and 0.9<y+z?1), and, in thermogravimetric analysis in an inert gas atmosphere, when a temperature is increased in a temperature range from 100° C. to 300° C. at a temperature-increase rate of 10° C./minute, a weight loss ratio in the temperature range is 0.3% by weight or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Masataka OYAMA, Satoru OSHITARI, Ryuuta YAMAYA
  • Publication number: 20160093889
    Abstract: The invention relates to materials for use as electrodes in an alkali-ion secondary (rechargeable) battery, particularly a lithium-ion battery. The invention provides transition-metal compounds having the ordered-olivine or the rhombohedral NASICON structure and the polyanion (PO4)3? as at least one constituent for use as electrode material for alkali-ion rechargeable batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Michel Armand, John B. Goodenough, Akshaya K. Padhi, Kirakodu S. Nanjundaswamy, Christian Masquelier
  • Publication number: 20160093890
    Abstract: A method of: providing an emulsion having a zinc powder and a liquid phase; drying the emulsion to form a sponge; sintering the sponge in an inert atmosphere to form a sintered sponge; heating the sintered sponge in an oxidizing atmosphere to form an oxidized sponge having zinc oxide on the surface of the oxidized sponge; and heating the oxidized sponge in an inert atmosphere at above the melting point of the zinc. A method of: providing an emulsion comprising a zinc powder and a liquid phase; placing the emulsion into a mold, wherein the emulsion is in contact with a metal substrate; and drying the emulsion to form a sponge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Debra R. Rolison, Joseph F. Parker, Jeffrey W. Long
  • Publication number: 20160093891
    Abstract: Electrocatalysts for the anode electro-oxidation of formic acid in direct formic acid fuel cells (DFAFCs). The Pd-, Pt- or PdPt-based electrocatalysts contain CeO2-modified ordered mesoporous carbon (OMC) as support material. Compositions and ratios of Pd:Pt in the electrocatalysts as well as methods of preparing and characterizing the catalysts and the CeO2-OMC support material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Ateeq Ur REHMAN, Shakeel Ahmed, Mohammad Mozahar Hossain, Sleem Ur Rahman
  • Publication number: 20160093892
    Abstract: Provided are an electrode for fuel cell including a support with improved durability and capable of suppressing poisoning of catalyst particles by ionomer, and a method for manufacturing the same. The method at least includes: performing heat treatment of a support made of mesoporous carbon having a crystallite diameter Lc at 002 plane that is 1.5 nm or less, at 1,700° C. or more and less than 2,300° C.; supporting catalyst particles at least inside of the support subjected to the heat treatment; and applying ionomer to the support supporting the catalyst particles for coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicants: NIPPON STEEL & SUMIKIN CHEMICAL CO., LTD, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mikihiro HORI, Hisao KATO
  • Publication number: 20160093893
    Abstract: An electrode for a fuel cell is disclosed. More particularly, the electrode includes a porous substrate and nitrogen-doped graphene included in the substrate. A method for making the electrode is also disclosed. The method involves providing a porous substrate and forming nitrogen-doped graphene in the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Typher Yom, Jong Won Yom
  • Publication number: 20160093894
    Abstract: A fuel cell includes a catalyst layer containing a polymer electrolyte and catalyst-carrying carbon. A value of an initial weight ratio of the polymer electrolyte to the catalyst-carrying carbon in the catalyst layer is set to a value that is smaller by 0.1 to 0.2 than a value of a weight ratio of the polymer electrolyte to the catalyst-carrying carbon in the catalyst layer which maximizes a maximum output of the fuel cell in a state where the polymer electrolyte is not swollen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Go TEJIMA
  • Publication number: 20160093895
    Abstract: Non-flammable electrolyte compositions for lithium metal primary batteries and the cells containing these electrolytes are described. The electrolyte compositions comprise one or more partially or fully fluorinated functionalized short chain polyethers with one or more lithium salts, and may include one or more cosolvents, and may have one or more fire retardants added. Said short chain functionalized fluorinated polyethers have much better ionic conductivity than the alkyl terminated fluorinated polyethers or long chain perfluoropolyethers, which provide superior flame resistance without sacrificing overall battery performance. Heat resistant, non-flammable primary lithium cells are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Lin-Shu Du, David Moureau
  • Publication number: 20160093896
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell stack includes a support, a plurality of power generation elements connected in series, each including a fuel electrode, a solid electrolyte, and an air electrode stacked in that order on the support, and an interconnector electrically connecting an air electrode in one of the two adjacent power generation elements to a fuel electrode in the other power generation element. A solid electrolyte for one of the power generation elements is provided on the downside of the interconnector provided on the downside of the air electrode in the one power generation element so that the solid electrolyte is joined to the interconnector, and a solid electrolyte for the other power generation element is provided on the upper side of the interconnector provided on the upper side of the fuel electrode for the other power generation element so that the solid electrolyte is joined to the interconnector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Yasuo KAKINUMA, Osamu OKAMOTO, Shigeru ANDO, Hironobu MURAKAMI, Seiki FURUYA, Yutaka MOMIYAMA, Kiyoshi HAYAMA, Naoki WATANABE, Shuhei TANAKA, Nobuo ISAKA, Takuya HOSHIKO, Masaki SATO
  • Publication number: 20160093897
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell stack includes a support, a plurality of power generation elements provided on a surface of the support, the plurality of power generation elements connected in series, each including at least a fuel electrode, a solid electrolyte, and an air electrode stacked in that order, and an interconnector that electrically connects an air electrode in one of adjacent power generation elements to a fuel electrode in the other power generation element. A solid electrolyte in adjacent one power generation element is provided between a fuel electrode in the adjacent one power generation element and the fuel electrode in the adjacent other power generation element, and an insulating member is provided at a position that is on the solid electrolyte in the adjacent one power generation element and between the air electrode in the adjacent one power generation element and the solid electrolyte therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Yasuo KAKINUMA, Osamu OKAMOTO, Shigeru ANDO, Hironobu MURAKAMI, Seiki FURUYA, Yutaka MOMIYAMA, Kiyoshi HAYAMA, Naoki WATANABE, Shuhei TANAKA, Nobuo ISAKA, Takuya HOSHIKO, Masaki SATO
  • Publication number: 20160093898
    Abstract: A bipolar plate for a fuel cell is provided. The bipolar plate includes a main body with a first end and a second end spaced from the first end along a longitudinal axis of the main body. At least one inlet is disposed at the first end of the main body. At least one outlet corresponding to the at least one inlet is disposed at the second end of the main body. At least one continuous flow path extends from the at least one inlet to the at least one outlet. The main body comprises a single, contiguous piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Benjamin D. Gould, Ravi Ramamurti, Karen Swider-Lyons, Michael Schuette, Joseph Rodgers, Chris Netwall
  • Publication number: 20160093899
    Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell including a plurality of stacked unit cells, each including a membrane-electrode assembly and a separator stacked on the membrane-electrode assembly. The separator includes a separator plate that overlaps the membrane-electrode assembly when seen from a stacking direction, a first terminal portion configured to protrude from the separator plate toward an outer side in a plane direction, a plate covering portion configured to cover an outer peripheral edge of the separator plate, and a terminal covering portion configured to be formed integrally with the plate covering portion and covers the first terminal portion. A plurality of the first terminal portions, which are adjacent to each other in the stacking direction, include offset portions which shift from each other when seen from the stacking direction, and are covered with the terminal covering portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Shohei TOYOTA, Shuhei GOTO, Ryu OKANO, Hiroaki OTA
  • Publication number: 20160093900
    Abstract: A fuel cell (1) has a plate (2) produced by powder metallurgy which comprises in one piece a porous substrate area (4) to which the electrochemically active cell layers (6) are applied, and a gastight edge area (5) which is provided with gas passages (17, 18).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Marco Brandner, Thomas Franco, Georg Kunschert, Reinhold Zach, Gebhard Zobl
  • Publication number: 20160093901
    Abstract: A fuel cell includes: a membrane electrode assembly; a porous member arranged on a cathode side of the membrane electrode assembly and having a first surface, a second surface, and an end surface portion, the end surface portion being between an end side portion of the first surface and the second surface; a sealing plate arranged along the end side portion of the first surface; and a separator plate arranged on the second surface. The porous member supplies oxidant gas to the membrane electrode assembly through the first surface, and discharges oxidant off-gas to a discharge portion of the fuel ceil via the end surface portion. The first surface has a first region facing the sealing plate and being between the sealing plate and the second region, the second surface has a second region. A hydrophilicity of the first region is different from that of the second region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomoo YOSHIZUMI, Takashi KONDOU
  • Publication number: 20160093902
    Abstract: A fuel cell includes: a membrane electrode assembly; a gas flow path member that has a first side that is arranged on a surface of the membrane electrode assembly: a pair of separators that are arranged sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly and the gas flow path member, and each have a separating portion and a plurality of holes separated by the separating portion, the holes being provided in each of opposite sides of the separator and being lined up in a predetermined direction along the sides; and a sealing plate that is arranged on an end portion of the first side adjacent to the holes, and is welded to the gas flow path member at a predetermined welding position, the predetermined welding position being provided in a region that includes a position on a straight line that passes through the separating portion and is perpendicular to the sides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takashi KONDOU
  • Publication number: 20160093903
    Abstract: An apparatus for diagnosing a state of a fuel cell stack is provided. The apparatus may diagnose the state of the fuel cell stack without including the DC-DC converter which boosts the DC voltage and the inverter which converts the boosted DC voltage into the AC voltage. In particular, the apparatus may diagnose the state of the fuel cell by applying the rectangular wave of the single frequency having a duty ration of about 0.5 to the fuel cell stack, measuring the voltage of the fuel cell stack, detecting the even multiple harmonic component of the frequency of the rectangular wave by performing the frequency conversion on the measured voltage, and then diagnosing the state of the fuel cell stack based on the magnitude of the detected harmonic component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Kwi Seong Jeong, Sang Bok Won, Young Bum Kum, Jae Jun Ko
  • Publication number: 20160093904
    Abstract: A secondary battery system includes a battery system stack having at least one negative electrode, wherein the negative electrode includes an oxidizable metal. The secondary battery system further includes a cold trap or an expander, an optional compressor, an optional oxygen reservoir, and battery control system. The cold trap or expander having an inlet operably connected to the battery system stack, a first outlet operably connected to the battery system stack and a second outlet. The second outlet of the cold trap or the expander may optionally operably connected to the oxygen reservoir via the compressor. The oxygen reservoir having an outlet operably connected to the battery system stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Paul Albertus, John F. Christensen, Timm Lohmann, Boris Kozinsky, Nikhil Ravi
  • Publication number: 20160093905
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel cell arrangement (1) and a motor vehicle having a fuel cell arrangement (1). In order to be able to produce the fuel cell arrangement (1) in a compact manner and to be able to operate said fuel cell arrangement in an efficient manner, it is provided in accordance with the invention that an exhaust gas flow path (3a) of the fuel cell arrangement (1) extends through a jet pump (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Christian LUCAS, Natalja ERMATSCHENKO
  • Publication number: 20160093906
    Abstract: A device and a method for controlling a cold start of a fuel cell system are provided and are capable of increasing a fuel cell load to reduce a cold start time using a kinetic energy storage method for a rotor of a motor for driving a fuel cell system. The method improves cold start performance by performing self-heating of a fuel cell stack based on an increase in an output current amount of a fuel cell and by restricting a motor torque simultaneously with generating the motor torque while applying a current to a motor when a vehicle stops to consume an output current of the fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Soon Woo Kwon, Joon Yong Lee
  • Publication number: 20160093907
    Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a method of fabricating a fuel cell membrane-electrode-assembly (MEA) having an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and a membrane disposed between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode, includes fabricating each of the anode electrode, the cathode electrode, and the membrane separately by electrospinning; and placing the membrane between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode, and pressing then together to form the fuel cell MEA.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Peter N. Pintauro, Jason Ballengee, Matthew Brodt
  • Publication number: 20160093908
    Abstract: In an manufacturing apparatus, a belt-shaped electrolyte polymer is conveyed in a state disposed to a back sheet. A first reinforcement membrane is conveyed in a state disposed to a back sheet, and, in a first sticking section, stuck with the belt-shaped electrolyte polymer. In a first thermocompression bonding section, the belt-shaped electrolyte polymer and the first reinforcement membrane are thermally compressed. At this time, a molten electrolyte polymer reaches between the first reinforcement membrane and the back sheet thereof, and the first adhesiveness between the first reinforcement membrane and the back sheet thereof becomes higher than the second adhesiveness between the belt-shaped electrolyte polymer and the back sheet thereof. A first peel section peels, in this state, the back sheet from the belt-shaped electrolyte polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroki KITOH, Hiroshi HARADA, Noritoshi OKA
  • Publication number: 20160093909
    Abstract: There is provided a solid oxide fuel cell stack including an interconnector that has excellent electrical conductivity, gas sealing property, and adhesion to a solid electrolyte. The solid oxide fuel cell stack includes a plurality of power generation elements, each of which including at least a fuel electrode, a solid electrolyte, and an air electrode stacked in that order; and an interconnector that electrically connects the air electrode in one of adjacent power generation elements in the plurality of the power generation elements to the fuel electrode in the other power generation element, the plurality of power generation elements being connected in series to each other, wherein an intermediate layer having a porosity of not more than 1% and an electrical conductivity of not less than 0.05 S/cm is provided between the interconnector and the fuel electrode in the other power generation element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Yasuo KAKINUMA, Osamu OKAMOTO, Shigeru ANDO, Hironobu MURAKAMI, Seiki FURUYA, Yutaka MOMIYAMA, Kiyoshi HAYAMA, Naoki WATANABE, Shuhei TANAKA, Nobuo ISAKA, Takuya HOSHIKO, Masaki SATO
  • Publication number: 20160093910
    Abstract: There is provided a solid oxide fuel cell stack including a ceramic interconnector that has good electrical conductivity and oxide ion insulating property, that is, power generation efficiency. The solid oxide fuel cell stack includes at least: a plurality of power generation elements, each of which including a fuel electrode, a solid electrolyte, and an air electrode stacked in that order; and an interconnector that electrically connects the air electrode in one of adjacent power generation elements in the plurality of power generation elements to the fuel electrode in the other power generation element, the plurality of power generation elements being connected in series, wherein the interconnector is formed of formula (1): SraLabTi1-c-dNbcFedO3-???formula (1) wherein a, b, c, and d are a positive real number that satisfies 0.1?a?0.8, 0.1?b?0.8, 0.05?c?0.2, and 0.2?d?0.5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Yasuo KAKINUMA, Osamu OKAMOTO, Shigeru ANDO, Hironobu MURAKAMI, Seiki FURUYA, Yutaka MOMIYAMA, Kiyoshi HAYAMA, Naoki WATANABE, Shuhei TANAKA, Nobuo ISAKA, Takuya HOSHIKO, Masaki SATO
  • Publication number: 20160093911
    Abstract: A first end plate that constitutes a fuel cell stack is provided with an oxidant gas supply manifold member that connects an oxidant gas inlet communication hole and a circular external pipe. The oxidant gas supply manifold member has a non-circular opening portion that communicates with the oxidant gas inlet communication hole and a circular opening portion that communicates with the circular external pipe. The non-circular opening portion is disposed within an area covered by the circular opening portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Tadashi Nishiyama, Yuta Ikeda, Masaharu Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20160093912
    Abstract: The present invention provides a lithium-ion battery. The lithium-ion battery includes: a positive electrode plate including a positive current collector and a positive conductive membrane which is formed on the surface of the positive current collector by coating, drying and compacting a positive mixture slurry containing a positive active material, a positive conductive additive and a positive binder; a negative electrode plate including a negative current collector and a negative conductive membrane which is formed on the surface of the negative current collector by coating, drying and compacting a negative mixture slurry containing a negative active material, a negative conductive additive and a negative binder; a separator; an electrolyte; and a packaging foil. The compacted density of the positive conductive membrane is at a range from 3.9 g/cm3 to 4.4 g/cm3; the compacted density of negative conductive membrane is at a range from 1.55 g/cm3 to 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: Dongguan Amperex Technology Limited
    Inventors: Qiang ZHENG, Shengwei Wang, Chao Gao, Fuping Luo
  • Publication number: 20160093913
    Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery (large size cell) that has high output (low resistance) and high capacity makes it possible to improve the cycle characteristics of a battery by controlling the balance of the resistance between positive and negative electrodes. The non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery has a positive electrode which comprises an active material and a conductive aid, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte layer, and having battery capacity of 3 Ah or more and an absolute value of battery internal resistance of 30 m? or less, in which the non-aqueous electrolyte second battery is characterized in that the zeta (?) potential between the active material and the conductive aid is in the range of 0.3 mV to 2 mV as an absolute value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Haruyuki SAITO, Manabu KASEDA, Takayuki FUJII, Hiroaki TANIZAKI
  • Publication number: 20160093914
    Abstract: A positive electrode active material for a lithium ion secondary cell, in which the amount of a transition metal present in the vicinity of the outermost surface thereof is significantly decreased is provided. A solid electrolyte-coated positive electrode active material powder contains particles of a positive electrode active material for lithium ion secondary cell, containing a composite oxide of Li and a transition metal M, having on a surface thereof a coating layer of a solid electrolyte represented by Li1+XAlXTi2?X(PO4)3, wherein 0 £×£ 0.5. An average proportion of a total atom number of Al, Ti and P in a total atom number of Al, Ti, M and P within an etching depth of 1 nm from the outermost surface determined by analysis in a depth direction with XPS is 50% or more. The transition metal M is, for example, at least one kind of Co, Ni and Mn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Koji TANOUE, Yoshiaki AIKI
  • Publication number: 20160093915
    Abstract: A composition for forming a lithium reduction resistant layer includes a solvent, and a lithium compound, a lanthanum compound, a zirconium compound, and a compound containing a metal M, each of which shows solubility in the solvent, and in which with respect to the stoichiometric composition of a compound represented by the general formula (I), the lithium compound is contained in an amount 1.05 times or more and 2.50 times or less, the lanthanum compound and the zirconium compound are contained in an amount 0.70 times or more and 1.00 times or less, and the compound containing a metal M is contained in an equal amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Hitoshi YAMAMOTO, Tomofumi YOKOYAMA
  • Publication number: 20160093916
    Abstract: An electrolyte including a block copolymer containing a co-continuous domain including an ion conductive phase and a structural phase, wherein the structural phase includes a polymer segment having a glass transition temperature that is equal to or lower than room temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Junhyuk MOON, Myungjin LEE, Wonseok CHANG, Hyorang KANG
  • Publication number: 20160093917
    Abstract: A passively impact resistant composite electrolyte composition includes an electrolyte solvent, up to 2M of an electrolyte salt, and shear thickening ceramic particles having a polydispersity index of no greater than 0.1, an average particle size of in a range of 50 nm to 1 ?m, and an absolute zeta potential of no greater than ±40 mV.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Gabriel M. Veith, Beth L. Armstrong, Wyatt E. Tenhaeff, Nancy J. Dudney
  • Publication number: 20160093918
    Abstract: Described herein are materials for use in electrolytes that provide a number of desirable characteristics when implemented within batteries, such as high stability during battery cycling up to high temperatures, high voltages, high discharge capacity, high coulombic efficiency, and excellent retention of discharge capacity and coulombic efficiency over several cycles of charging and discharging. In some embodiments, a high voltage electrolyte includes a base electrolyte and a set of additive compounds, which impart these desirable performance characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Gang Cheng, Bin Li, Steven Kaye
  • Publication number: 20160093919
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vanadium solid-salt battery including: a power generating unit including first and second electrode members each containing vanadium, a separator separating the first and second electrode members from each other, and an electrolyte; a first sheet making contact with the first electrode member; a first flat plate-shaped conductive member making surface contact with the first sheet; a second sheet making contact with the second electrode member; a second flat plate-shaped conductive member making surface contact with the second sheet; a third sheet covering the first and second flat plate-shaped conductive members; and a first bonding portion bonding a peripheral portion of the third sheet so that at least portions of the first flat plate-shaped conductive member, the first sheet, the power generating unit, the second sheet and the second flat plate-shaped conductive member are pressure-bonded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Shigeki Yoshida, Tomoo Yamamura, Kiyoshi Sakamoto
  • Publication number: 20160093920
    Abstract: A battery pack includes a battery cell having an electrode tab and a protective circuit module electrically connected to the electrode tab. The protective circuit module has a first surface in an assembling direction of the electrode tab and a second surface opposite the first surface. The electrode tab is separated from the first surface. Therefore, the battery pack has an improved connection structure between the battery cell and the protective circuit module, and short circuits can be prevented or substantially prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventor: Eunjoong Lee
  • Publication number: 20160093921
    Abstract: A battery system has positive and negative pack terminals, and positive and negative sense terminals. An electrochemical cell assembly has positive and negative cell terminals. An electrically conductive power path has a positive leg that connects the positive cell terminal to the positive pack terminal, and a negative leg that connects the negative cell terminal to the negative pack terminal. A power switch circuit is connected in the power path. An electrically conductive sense path separate from the power path has a positive leg that connects the positive cell terminal to the positive sense terminal, and a negative leg that connects to the negative sense terminal. A sense switch circuit is connected in the sense path. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Karthik Kadirvel, Soundararajan Manthiri, Salvatore Reddiconto, Liquan Tan
  • Publication number: 20160093922
    Abstract: A positive electrode according to an embodiment includes a positive electrode current collector, a positive electrode mixture layer disposed on the current collector, and an intermediate layer disposed between the positive electrode current collector and the positive electrode mixture layer. The intermediate layer includes particles, the particles are mainly composed of a material having a thermal conductivity of 100 W/m·K or more and a specific resistance of 103 ?·m or more, and the particles have a Vickers hardness of 5 GPa or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: KAZUKI ENDO, YASUNARI SUGITA, TOMOKI SHIOZAKI
  • Publication number: 20160093923
    Abstract: Techniques for providing phase change electrolytes that can be used to improve safety of electrochemical devices, such as lithium batteries, are disclosed herein. At normal operation temperature, the phase change electrolyte is capable of switching “on” with high ionic conductivities in a liquid state. When an electrochemical device system (filled with the phase change electrolyte) encounters abnormal high temperature due to overcharge or shorting, the phase change electrolyte inside the device is capable of switching “off” with low ionic conductivities in a gel state and shut down ionic conductive flow to prevent disastrous electrochemical or chemical events, such as thermal runaway and explosion. When temperature of the electrochemical device returns to normal, the phase change material inside the electrochemical device can switch back to “on” with high ionic conductivities in a liquid state, thereby providing electrochemical devices with inherent safety, especially for rechargeable lithium batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: HongPeng Wang, Chun-Yi Liang
  • Publication number: 20160093924
    Abstract: A sensor element includes mechanical connectors adapted to couple to conventional battery electrical terminals to provide mechanical support for the sensor on a battery housing or device, at least one sensing element that is capable of emitting an electrical signal upon sensing an sensed environmental variable, and an electrical connector, distinct from the mechanical connectors for receiving power from, and sending signals to, the battery housing or device. The coupled unit can be used to provide powered sensing and communication capability. The coupled unit's outputs could be processed with user presence information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Roel Peeters, James Blackwell
  • Publication number: 20160093925
    Abstract: A method of in-situ electrolyte preparation in a flow battery includes providing a vanadium-based electrolyte solution having vanadium ions of predominantly vanadium V4+ to a first electrode and a second electrode of at least one cell of a flow battery. The vanadium V4+ at the first electrode is converted to vanadium V3+ and the vanadium V4+ at the second electrode is converted to vanadium V5+ by providing electrical energy to the electrodes. A reducing agent is then provided to the vanadium V5+ at the second electrode to reduce the V5+ to vanadium the V4+. The vanadium V3+ at the first electrode is then converted to vanadium V2+ and the vanadium V4+ at the second electrode is then converted to vanadium V5+ by providing electrical energy to the electrodes. A simple method to produce predominantly vanadium V4+ electrolyte from a V5+ source, such as V2O5, is also taught.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Weina Li, Michael L. Perry
  • Publication number: 20160093926
    Abstract: A battery pack comprising: a body removably connectable to a first electrical device and a second electrical device; a rechargeable battery unit; a charging connector formed in the body and being connectable to a power source for charging the battery unit; a power connector formed in the body and being connectable to the first electrical device for charging the first electrical device; a USB port formed in the body and being connectable to the second electrical device for charging the second electrical device, the USB port being positioned away from the power connector so that the battery pack be concurrently connectable to the first electrical device via the power connector and to the second electrical device via the USB port; and a control unit for charging the rechargeable battery unit and for transferring electrical power to at least one of the power connector and the USB port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventor: Clifford A. Wright
  • Publication number: 20160093927
    Abstract: A vehicle can include a traction battery and a controller in communication with the battery to determine the battery state using sensed battery electrode capacity to account for battery aging. The sensed battery electrode capacity can be dependent on active lithium ions at a positive electrode of the traction battery. The controller can compare a battery voltage model to measured battery voltage during a vehicle drive cycle, receive sensed current though put data and open circuit voltage at the battery, and determine if a deviation threshold is exceeded. The controller can also correct electrode capacity using a mean of the measured open-circuit voltage to correct the capacity error to less than one amp-hour or initiate an active lithium capacity correction using a variance of the current throughput to correct the capacity error to less than one amp-hour. This information can be used to control the vehicle and battery usage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: James Matthew MARCICKI, OuJung KWON, Theodore James MILLER, Xiao Guang YANG
  • Publication number: 20160093928
    Abstract: A battery pack has a battery, a sensor module, a first power supply module and an indicating module. The sensor module is used to detect a change in an electrical field or magnetic field nearby the battery pack and to activate the indicating module in response to the change being detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Wu Chen, Fengqin Zhou
  • Publication number: 20160093929
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a battery module with a housing having first and second ends and first and second lateral sides between the first and second ends. The battery module includes prismatic electrochemical cells and a cooling duct having first and second segments. A first body of the first segment extends along the first lateral side of the housing and includes a first opening to environment. A second body of the second segment extends along the second lateral side of the housing and includes a second opening to the environment. The first and second openings are proximate to the second end of the housing. The battery module includes a fan disposed on the first end of the housing. The fan is fluidly coupled to the cooling duct and provides airflow through the first and second openings and along the first and second bodies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Kem M. Obasih, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Jonathan P. Lobert, Qingfang Shi
  • Publication number: 20160093930
    Abstract: A battery assembly is provided that utilizes electrically isolated heat sinks to enhance battery pack thermal management and safety. The battery assembly is divided into groups of batteries, where the batteries within each group are of the same voltage, and where each battery group is serially coupled to the other battery groups. The heat sink is segmented, where each heat sink segment is thermally coupled to the batteries within a single battery group, and where each heat sink segment is electrically isolated from the adjacent heat sink segments. The heat sink segments are thermally coupled to a cold plate, and electrically isolated from the cold plate by a layer of a thermal interface material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: ATIEVA, INC.
    Inventors: Richard Biskup, Benson Tsai
  • Publication number: 20160093931
    Abstract: A battery assembly is provided that utilizes electrically isolated heat sinks to enhance battery pack thermal management and safety. The battery assembly is divided into groups of batteries, where the batteries within each group are of the same voltage, and where each battery group is serially coupled to the other battery groups. The heat sink is segmented, where each heat sink segment is thermally coupled to the batteries within a single battery group, and where each heat sink segment is electrically isolated from the adjacent heat sink segments. The heat sink segments are thermally coupled to, and electrically isolated from, at least one coolant conduit which, in turn, is coupled to a thermal management system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: Atieva, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Dore Rawlinson, Richard Biskup, Benson Tsai
  • Publication number: 20160093932
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a battery system with a battery module having electrochemical cells inside of a housing. The housing includes a first side and a second side opposite to the first side. The battery module includes a heat sink coupled with the second side of the housing and a thermal interface disposed between, and in contact with, the heat sink and the electrochemical cells. The thermal interface contacts base ends of the electrochemical cells. The system includes a cage disposed about the battery module. The cage includes a cage side positioned next to the second side of the housing and having openings disposed in the cage side. The openings enable air to be drawn into the cage. The air passes over the heat sink of the battery module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Kem M. Obasih, Richard M. DeKeuster
  • Publication number: 20160093933
    Abstract: An onboard battery for a vehicle includes battery modules including battery cells disposed in a predetermined state, and a cell cover in which the battery cells are disposed. A part of an internal space of the cell cover is formed as chambers into which cooling air is sent. The onboard battery also includes a housing case that houses the battery modules, an intake duct that sends the cooling air into the battery modules, and an exhaust duct that discharges the cooling air sent into the battery modules. A heater that heats the battery cells is disposed in one of the chambers. A heat sink located opposite to the battery cells and attached to the heater is disposed in the one of the chambers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventor: Minoru IIDA
  • Publication number: 20160093934
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a system having a battery module, where the battery module includes a housing having a top side, a lateral side, and an edge extending along and between the top side and the lateral side. The battery module also includes electrochemical cells disposed in the housing, and a heat sink disposed on the lateral side of the housing. A fan is disposed over the top side of the housing. A hood includes a first hood portion disposed over the top side of the housing and the fan and a second hood portion coupled to the first hood portion and disposed over the lateral side of the housing, where the hood defines an airspace between the hood and the housing and the hood is configured to guide an airflow through the airspace from the fan on the top side of the housing, over the edge between the top side and the lateral side of the housing, and over the heat sink disposed on the lateral side of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Kem M. Obasih, Richard M. DeKeuster