Patents Issued in January 3, 2017
  • Patent number: 9537124
    Abstract: A variable insulating battery pack system includes a battery pack enclosure sized and configured to contain the battery pack, an enclosure space in the battery pack enclosure and a fluid pump disposed in fluid communication with the enclosure space and adapted to evacuate and pressurize the enclosure space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joe Stanek, Chris Adam Ochocinski
  • Patent number: 9537125
    Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of battery cells arranged in a first direction, a pair of end plates adjacent to outermost battery cells of the plurality of battery cells, the pair of end plates extending along the plurality of battery cells in a second direction and being spaced apart along the first direction, and at least one bush member coupled to each of the end plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shi-Dong Park, Jong-Han Rhee, Tae-Yong Kim, Jun-Woo Cho, Seong-Joon Park
  • Patent number: 9537126
    Abstract: The battery pack according to the present invention includes a plurality of battery cells generating an electric current to which leads are connected in order to supply the generated electric current. At least two of the leads of the battery cells are welded in the plurality of battery cells. A shock absorbing unit is formed bent between the welded connection portion and the battery cell of each of the leads. Therefore, it is possible to minimize damage to the connection portions of the leads caused by external vibration or shock, and to improve the durability of the leads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Jae Heon Song
  • Patent number: 9537127
    Abstract: A battery assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a plurality of battery cells and a support structure positioned about the plurality of battery cells. The support structure includes at least one sidewall and the at least one sidewall includes a first flange that extends adjacent a top surface of each of the plurality of battery cells and a second flange that extends beyond a bottom surface of each of the plurality of battery cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart Schreiber, Patrick Daniel Maguire, Rajaram Subramanian, Edward Popyk, Keith Kearney
  • Patent number: 9537128
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide an assembled battery including a battery holder capable of holding single battery cells while automatically aligning the cells during assembly. In the assembled battery (100) according to the present invention, a plurality of single battery cells (101) arranged in a row and battery holders (144) disposed between the plurality of single battery cells (101) are held in a state of being mutually pressed in an arranged direction. The battery holders (144) include a positioning means (144f, 144g) that positions the single battery cells (101) by biasing the single battery cells (101), while being pressed in the arranged direction, in a direction intersecting the arranged direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Sekine
  • Patent number: 9537129
    Abstract: Methods of forming a lithium-ion battery on a vehicle component by spinning and vehicle components with a batteries formed thereon are disclosed. The spinning may include electrospinning. A first electrode layer may be spun, followed by a first separator layer, a second electrode layer, and a second separator layer. Each layer may be spun directly onto the previously spun layer to provide a battery that does not include metal current collectors. The anode and/or cathode layers may include polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers. To render the anode and cathode layers conductive, they may be carbonized using a heat source (e.g., a laser). The disclosed method may allow for the formation of batteries directly onto a vehicle component, such as a body panel, thereby using otherwise empty space to increase the battery capacity of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin James Rhodes, James A. Adams
  • Patent number: 9537130
    Abstract: A battery module including a plurality of battery cells aligned in a direction, each of the battery cells including a cap plate including a terminal portion, and a vent portion to exhaust a gas; a cover covering the vent portions; and a heat-resistance member between the battery cells and the cover, and having an opening formed in a region corresponding to each vent portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignees: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Ji-Hyeong Yoon
  • Patent number: 9537131
    Abstract: A method is presented for fabricating an anode preloaded with consumable metals. The method provides a material (X), which may be one of the following materials: carbon, metals able to be electrochemically alloyed with a metal (Me), intercalation oxides, electrochemically active organic compounds, and combinations of the above-listed materials. The method loads the metal (Me) into the material (X). Typically, Me is an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, or a combination of the two. As a result, the method forms a preloaded anode comprising Me/X for use in a battery comprising a M1YM2Z(CN)N.MH2O cathode, where M1 and M2 are transition metals. The method loads the metal (Me) into the material (X) using physical (mechanical) mixing, a chemical reaction, or an electrochemical reaction. Also provided is preloaded anode, preloaded with consumable metals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Long Wang, Yuhao Lu, Jong-Jan Lee
  • Patent number: 9537132
    Abstract: A battery includes a plurality of battery modules which are arranged in battery strings and are selectively activated or deactivated by driving. The battery module voltage of a respective battery module contributes to an output voltage of the corresponding battery string of the battery in the activated state. The battery further includes a switching converter topology which is coupled to the battery strings and is configured to selectively generate currents flowing into one or more of the battery strings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignees: Robert Bosch GmbH, Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Stefan Butzmann
  • Patent number: 9537133
    Abstract: An electric storage device includes: a power generating element; a housing container that houses the power generating element; a connecting body electrically connected to the power generating element; and an insulating member that fits the housing container at a plurality of fitting portions, secures the connecting body, and insulates a conductive path, which includes the power generating element and the connecting body, and the housing container from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: GS YUASA INTERNATIONAL LTD
    Inventors: Masamitsu Tononishi, Shogo Tsuruta, Ryutaro Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 9537134
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly for performing charging and discharging operations, a case accommodating the electrode assembly, a cap plate coupled to an opening of the case, an electrode terminal installed on the cap plate, and a lead tab connecting the electrode assembly to the electrode terminal, the lead tab including a terminal connection part connected to the electrode terminal, and a current-collecting connection part connected to the electrode assembly, the current-collecting connection part including a welding portion connected to the electrode assembly, and an absorption portion separated from the welding portion in a first direction parallel to the cap plate and provided on an outer side of the welding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong-Hyeon Lee, Sang-Won Byun, Jeong-Wan Haam
  • Patent number: 9537135
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery including a case; a cap plate on the case; a terminal post protruding from the cap plate; a terminal plate coupled to the terminal post, wherein the terminal plate includes a body having an opening; and a conductor within the opening and coupled to the body, wherein the conductor substantially surrounds a circumference of the terminal post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignees: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Sangwon Byun, Youngkee Shin, Jinhwan Chang, Myungjin Jeong, Sangshin Choi, Jeongwon Oh, Sooseok Choi
  • Patent number: 9537136
    Abstract: A battery pack includes a lead tab, a connection member positioned on a protective circuit module, the connection member connecting the protective circuit module and the lead tab and having a first through-hole, and a soldering member inserted into the connection member through the first through-hole so as to form a connection between the connection member and the lead tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae-Uk Ryu
  • Patent number: 9537137
    Abstract: The main object of the present invention is to provide a cathode active material capable of reducing the initial interface resistance against a solid electrolyte material. The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems by providing a cathode active material comprising a cathode active substance exhibiting strong basicity and a coat layer formed so as to cover the surface of the above-mentioned cathode active substance and provided with a polyanionic structural part exhibiting acidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasushi Tsuchida, Hiroshi Nagase, Shigeki Sato, Masashi Kodama, Haruhisa Hirokawa
  • Patent number: 9537138
    Abstract: A method for preparing a mixture of a powder of an electrode active compound and of a powder of an electron conducting compound is disclosed. According to some aspects, the method includes preparing a liquid medium containing the powder of the electrode active compound and the powder of the electron conducting compound, subjecting the liquid medium containing the powder of the electrode active compound and the powder of the electron conducting compound to the action of high energy ultrasonic waves, removing the liquid medium, and collecting the mixture of the powder of the electrode active compound and of the powder of the electron conducting compound. According to some aspects, an electrode including the mixture as an electrochemically active material, a cell including the electrode, and an accumulator or battery including one or more of these cells are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux energies alternatives
    Inventors: Sébastien Patoux, Carole Bourbon, Lise Daniel
  • Patent number: 9537139
    Abstract: [Objectives] The present invention provides a non-aqueous secondary battery in which a material containing Si and O as constituent elements is used in a negative electrode. The present invention provides a non-aqueous secondary battery having good charge discharge cycle characteristics, and suppressing the battery swelling associated with the charge and the discharge. Also, the present invention relates to a negative electrode that can provide the non-aqueous secondary battery. [Solution] The negative electrode includes a negative electrode active material, including a composite of a material containing Si and O as constitution elements (atom ratio x of O to Si is 0.5?x?1.5) in combination with a carbon material, and graphite. The graphite has an average particle diameter dg (?m) of 4 to 20 ?m. The material containing Si and O as constitution elements has an average particle diameter ds (?m) of 1 ?m or more. The ratio ds/dg (i.e., ds to dg) is 0.05 to 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: HITACHI MAXELL LTD.
    Inventors: Naokage Tanaka, Akira Inaba, Keiichiro Uenae, Masayuki Yamada, Kazunobu Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 9537140
    Abstract: Provided is a new 5 V class spinel exhibiting an operating potential of 4.5 V or more (5 V class), which can suppress the amount of gas generation during high temperature cycles. Suggested is a manganese spinel-type lithium transition metal oxide represented by formula: Li[NiyMn2-(a+b)-y-zLiaTibMz]O4 (wherein 0?z?0.3, 0.3?y<0.6, and M=at least one or more metal elements selected from the group consisting of Al, Mg, Fe and Co), in which in the above formula, the following relationships are satisfied: a>0, b>0, and 3?b/a?8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Natsumi Shibamura, Yanko Marinov Todorov, Shinya Kagei, Yoshimi Hata
  • Patent number: 9537141
    Abstract: A method for making a lithium ion battery electrode is provided. A support having a support surface is provided. A graphene layer is formed on the support surface of the support. An electrode material layer is applied on an exposed surface of the graphene layer. The graphene layer is located between the electrode material layer and the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jia-Ping Wang, Kai-Li Jiang, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Patent number: 9537142
    Abstract: The present invention is a method for manufacturing a negative electrode active material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery. The method includes depositing silicon on a substrate by vapor deposition by using a metallic silicon as a raw material, the substrate having a temperature controlled to 300° C. to 800° C. under reduced pressure; and pulverizing and classifying the deposited silicon. The resulting negative electrode active material composed of silicon particles is an active material useful as a negative electrode of a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery in which high initial efficiency and high battery capacity of silicon are kept, cycle performance is superior, and an amount of a change in volume decreases at the time of charge and discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: SHIN-ETSU CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tetsuo Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 9537143
    Abstract: An electrode for a lead-acid voltaic cell comprises a high surface area, high porosity 3-dimensional lattice structure wherein the core elements forming the lattice are substantially contiguous. The core elements are coated with one or more corrosion resistant and conductive materials, and solid active materials are coated on the core elements and retained within the matrix. The lattice structure acts as the current collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Epic Ventures Inc.
    Inventor: Peter G. Berrang
  • Patent number: 9537144
    Abstract: A sulfur-containing electrode has a binder comprising a single-lithium ion conductor. The electrode may be used a cathode in a lithium-sulfur or silicon-sulfur battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Xiaosong Huang, Mei Cai, Mark W. Verbrugge, Li Yang
  • Patent number: 9537145
    Abstract: A negative electrode for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery of the embodiment includes a current collector; and an electrode mixture layer that is formed on the current collector and contains a first particle, a second particle and a binder. The first particle is comprised of silicon, a silicon oxide and a carbonaceous material. The second particle has electron conductivity and an oxygen content of 1% or lower. The electrode mixture layer is characterized in that silicon concentrations in the vicinity of the surface having contact with the current collector and the vicinity of the opposite surface to the surface having contact with the current collector are higher than a silicon concentration at the central part in the thickness direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Norikazu Osada, Takashi Kuboki, Shinsuke Matsuno
  • Patent number: 9537146
    Abstract: The invention is to provide a positive electrode material for sodium batteries, which has high operating potential and enable charging and discharging at high potential, and a method for producing thereof. Disclosed is a positive electrode material for sodium batteries, comprising positive electrode active material particles represented by the following general formula (1), and an electroconductive carbonaceous material that coats at least part of the surface of the positive electrode active material particles: General Formula (1): NaxMy(AO4)z(P2O7)w wherein M is at least one selected from the group consisting of Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn; A is at least one selected from the group consisting of Al, Si, P, S, Ti, V and W; x is a value that satisfies 4?x?2; y is a value that satisfies 4?y?1; z is a value that satisfies 4?x?0; w is a value that satisfies 1?w?0; and at least one of z and w is 1 or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masafumi Nose
  • Patent number: 9537147
    Abstract: An anode structure may include a first bus bar having a first conductive coating, a second bus bar having a second conductive coating, and a plurality of silicon elements between the first bus bar and the second bus bar with a first void between a first one of the silicon elements and a second one of the silicon elements. Additionally, at least the first one of the silicon elements to expand into the first void.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Andy Keates
  • Patent number: 9537148
    Abstract: Disclosed is a positive electrode active substance for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery including a composite oxide containing lithium and nickel, in which the positive electrode active substance has a structure of secondary particles formed by aggregation of primary particles. The average particle diameter of the primary particles (D1) is 0.9 ?m or less. The average particle diameter of the primary particles (D1) and the standard deviation (?) of the average particle diameter of the primary particles (D1) meet the relationship of D1/?2?24.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Manabu Kaseda, Shigeo Ibuka, Hiroaki Tanizaki, Kodai Nagano, Kenta Uwai
  • Patent number: 9537149
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a lithium transition metal phosphate. The disclosed method for manufacturing a lithium transition metal phosphate comprises the steps of: injecting reaction materials containing lithium, a transition metal, and a phosphate, into a reactor, and mixing the raw materials at the molecular level in the reactor; and allowing the reaction materials to chemically react in the reactor so as to cause nucleation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chun Joong Kim, Yun Jung Park, Dong Gyu Chang, Ji Ho Park, Woo Young Yang
  • Patent number: 9537150
    Abstract: To provide an electrode for secondary battery, electrode which can materialize secondary batteries that are adapted into producing high output and additionally whose durability is high. It is characterized in possessing an electrode material that has an active-material powder 11, a conductive material 12 being formed of a carbonaceous material, and being adhered to a surface of said active-material powder 11, and fibrous conductive materials 13 being bonded to said conductive material 12. First of all, it becomes feasible to maintain the electric connection between the active-material powder and the conductive material stably by adhering the conductive material to a surface of the active-material powder. Further, the fibrous conductive materials are bonded to the conductive material that is adhered to a surface of the active-material powder. It is feasible to maintain the electric connection by getting the fibrous conductive materials entangled to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, SEI Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Yano, Tetsuhiro Ishikawa, Shinji Saito, Takehiko Sawai
  • Patent number: 9537151
    Abstract: A lithium ion battery electrode includes an electrode material layer. The lithium ion battery electrode further includes a current collector. The current collector is located on a surface of the electrode material layer. The current collector is a carbon nanotube layer. The carbon nanotube layer consists of a number of carbon nanotubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jia-Ping Wang, Ke Wang, Kai-Li Jiang, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Patent number: 9537152
    Abstract: A collector for bipolar lithium ion secondary batteries comprises a first conductive layer that is obtained by adding a conductive filler to a base that contains an imide group-containing resin, and a second conductive layer that has a function of blocking lithium ions. The second conductive layer comprises a blocking resin layer that is obtained by adding a conductive filler to a base that contains a resin which contains no imide group, and a metal layer. This collector for bipolar lithium ion secondary batteries is used in such a manner that the first conductive layer is on the positive electrode active material layer side with respect to the second conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Kaneka Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Tanaka, Masami Yanagida, Kohei Ogawa, Satoshi Oku, Masahiro Kojima, Takashi Kikuchi, Takashi Ito
  • Patent number: 9537153
    Abstract: This current collector for a lithium electrochemical accumulator includes an electronically-insulating viscoelastic foam associated with an electroconductive polymer film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Marianne Chami, Severine Jouanneau-si Larbi
  • Patent number: 9537154
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an anode for a secondary battery, comprising a wire-type current collector; a metallic anode active material layer formed on the surface of the wire-type current collector and comprising a metallic anode active material; and an inert metal layer formed on the surface of the metallic anode active material layer and having no reactivity with lithium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yo-Han Kwon, Sang-Wook Woo, Je-Young Kim
  • Patent number: 9537155
    Abstract: Electrocatalysts having non-corrosive, non-carbon support particles are provided as well as the method of making the electrocatalysts and the non-corrosive, non-carbon support particles. Embodiments of the non-corrosive, non-carbon support particle consists essentially of titanium dioxide and ruthenium dioxide. The electrocatalyst can be used in fuel cells, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Nilesh Dale, Ellazar Niangar, Taehee Han, Kan Huang, Gregory DiLeo
  • Patent number: 9537156
    Abstract: A membrane-electrode assembly for a fuel cell of the present invention includes an anode and a cathode facing each other, and a polymer electrolyte membrane interposed therebetween. At least one of the anode and the cathode includes a catalyst layer and an electrode substrate. The catalyst layer includes a catalyst and a porous ionomer. The polymer electrolyte membrane contacts one side of the catalyst layer and the electrode substrate contacts the other side of the catalyst layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hee-Tak Kim, Hae-Kwon Yoon, Young-Mi Park
  • Patent number: 9537157
    Abstract: A nanoconverter or nanosensor is disclosed capable of directly generating electricity through physisorption interactions with molecules that are dipole containing organic species in a molecule interaction zone. High surface-to-volume ratio semiconductor nanowires or nanotubes (such as ZnO, silicon, carbon, etc.) are grown either aligned or randomly-aligned on a substrate. Epoxy or other nonconductive polymers are used to seal portions of the nanowires or nanotubes to create molecule noninteraction zones. By correlating certain molecule species to voltages generated, a nanosensor may quickly identify which species is detected. Nanoconverters in a series parallel arrangement may be constructed in planar, stacked, or rolled arrays to supply power to nano- and micro-devices without use of external batteries. In some cases breath, from human or other life forms, contain sufficient molecules to power a nanoconverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Yinmin Wang, Xianying Wang, Alex V. Hamza
  • Patent number: 9537158
    Abstract: An oxidation-resistant ferritic stainless steel including a ferritic stainless steel base material, and a Cu-containing spinel-structured oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Dong-Ik Kim, Byung Kyu Kim, Ju Heon Kim, Young-Su Lee, In Suk Choi, Jin-Yoo Suh, Jae-Hyeok Shim, Woo Sang Jung, Young Whan Cho
  • Patent number: 9537159
    Abstract: In a fuel cell vehicle of the present invention, a floor panel is constructed to have a center tunnel formed to extend in a front-rear direction of the vehicle. A fluid distributor provided below the floor panel is at least partly located in the center tunnel and is operative to distribute a supply of a fluid in a vehicle width direction. At least one fuel cell stack is provided adjacent to the fluid distributor in the vehicle width direction below the floor panel and is operative to receive the distributive supply of the fluid from the fluid distributor. This fuel cell system has an efficient component layout from the total standpoint of the operability and the space efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasunobu Jufuku, Hiroshi Arisawa
  • Patent number: 9537160
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing the corrosive effects of an air/hydrogen front in a fuel cell stack. The method includes shutting down the fuel cell stack and then initiating a hydrogen sustaining process where hydrogen is periodically injected into an anode side of the fuel cell stack while the stack is shut down for a predetermined period of time. The method determines that the hydrogen sustaining process has ended, and then purges the anode side and a cathode side of the fuel cell stack with air after the hydrogen sustaining process has ended and the stack is still shut-down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Steven G. Goebel
  • Patent number: 9537161
    Abstract: A valve for reducing the likelihood of ice-related blockage in a fuel cell and methods for starting a fuel cell system. The valve includes a valve plate and coupling plate that are cooperative with one another within a valve body such that flexural forces imparted to the valve plate from a pressurized fluid are transferred to localized contact surfaces between the valve plate and coupling plate. By concentrating these forces to such a localized area, improvements in the ability of the fluid to initiate and propagate a crack in built-up ice around the valve's seating region is improved. In this way, fuel cell starting in cold conditions—such as those associated with temperatures at or below the freezing point of water—is also improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Rock
  • Patent number: 9537162
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Soon Woo Kwon, Joon Yong Lee
  • Patent number: 9537163
    Abstract: A control device includes a combustion apparatus temperature comparison unit for comparing a temperature of a combustion apparatus and a combustion apparatus temperature range, a combustion apparatus flame-out determination unit for determining whether flame-out occurs in the combustion apparatus based on a comparison result by the combustion apparatus temperature comparison unit, and a combustion apparatus control unit for starting or stopping operation of a start-up combustor based on a determination result by the combustion apparatus flame-out determination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yuki Yoshimine
  • Patent number: 9537164
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring fuel cells in a fuel cell group. The system includes a sensor circuit, such as a voltage sensor circuit, that monitors a condition of the fuel cells. If the sensor circuit detects a low performing cell, then it sends a signal to a tone generator that generates a frequency signal that switches a load into and out of the cell group. A voltage sensor detects the voltage of the cell group including the frequency signal, and sends the detected voltage signal to a tone decoder that decodes the frequency signal to determine that the fuel cells are low performing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: David D. Rea, Kenneth L. Kaye
  • Patent number: 9537165
    Abstract: A fuel cell module (includes a first area where an exhaust gas combustor and a start-up combustor are provided, an annular second area around the first area and where a reformer and a heat exchanger are provided, and an annular third area around the second area and where an evaporator is provided. Second circumscribed non-uniform-flow suppression plates are provided along the minimum circumscribed circles which contact outer surfaces of heat exchange pipes of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Ogawa, Yuki Yoshimine
  • Patent number: 9537166
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a new method for the production of electrochemical cells, in particular individual cells for fuel cells and stacks, in which the individual components of a membrane electrode assembly are compressed and bonded by use of ultrasonic waves and the absence of any further additional heating. The method according to the invention allows faster cycles during the lamination of the membrane electrode assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
    Inventors: Todd Snelson, Raymond Puffer, Daniel Walczyk, Jake Pyzza, Lakshmi Krishnan
  • Patent number: 9537167
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuel cell having an anode; a cathode opposing the anode; a first electrolyte membrane disposed between the anode and the cathode; a second electrolyte membrane disposed between the anode and the cathode; and an A/C junction electrode disposed between the first electrolyte membrane and the second electrolyte membrane, the A/C junction electrode comprising a first gas diffusion layer; a second gas diffusion layer; a current collector disposed between the first gas diffusion layer and the second gas diffusion layer; a first catalyst layer disposed between the first electrolyte membrane and the first gas diffusion layer; and a second catalyst layer disposed between the second electrolyte membrane and the second gas diffusion layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Rongzhong Jiang, Dat Tien Tran, Deryn D. Chu
  • Patent number: 9537168
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved membrane electrode assemblies, having two electrochemically active electrodes separated by a polymer electrolyte membrane. The membrane electrode assemblies according to the instant invention contains at least one phosphoric acid-containing polymer electrolyte membrane and two gas diffusion electrodes one of each located at both sides of said membrane, each of the gas diffusion electrodes having at least one catalyst layer facing towards the membrane. At least one of the gas diffusion electrodes contains a gas diffusion medium comprising an electrically conductive macroporous layer in which the pores have a mean pore diameter in the range from 10 ?m to 30 ?m and at least one micro porous layer arranged between said gas diffusion medium and said catalyst layer facing towards the membrane having a defined pore void volume and pore hydrophobicity measured by the Cobb Titration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Zhenyu Liu, Yu-Min Tsou, Emory De Castro
  • Patent number: 9537169
    Abstract: An electrochemical device and methods of using the same. In one embodiment, the electrochemical device may be used as a fuel cell and/or as an electrolyzer and includes a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), an anodic gas diffusion medium in contact with the anode of the MEA, a cathodic gas diffusion medium in contact with the cathode, a first bipolar plate in contact with the anodic gas diffusion medium, and a second bipolar plate in contact with the cathodic gas diffusion medium. Each of the bipolar plates includes an electrically-conductive, chemically-inert, non-porous, liquid-permeable, substantially gas-impermeable membrane in contact with its respective gas diffusion medium, as well as a fluid chamber and a non-porous an electrically-conductive plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: GINER, INC.
    Inventors: Cortney K. Mittelsteadt, William A. Braff
  • Patent number: 9537170
    Abstract: A small and high-density biofuel cell capable of easily supplying fuel; and an electronic apparatus are provided. The biofuel cell is formed using a stack in which two power generating bodies that include at least a pair of electrodes and a separator are stacked through a gas diffusion layer through which only gas is permeable, the electrodes forming an anode and a cathode and having at least one surface on which an oxidoreductase is present, the separator being arranged between the electrodes and including a proton permeable membrane. In addition, cathode-side surfaces of the respective power generating bodies of the stack are arranged in contact with the gas diffusion layer. This biofuel cell is mounted on the electronic apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroki Mita
  • Patent number: 9537171
    Abstract: A fuel cell module includes a fuel cell stack, a reformer, and an exhaust gas combustor. The fuel cell stack has an oxygen-containing exhaust gas channel and a fuel exhaust gas channel at one end in a stacking direction of fuel cells. An exhaust gas combustor connected to the oxygen-containing exhaust gas channel and the fuel exhaust gas channel are provided at the one end of the fuel cell stack in the stacking direction. A reformer is provided around the exhaust gas combustor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Keiji Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 9537172
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, in a manufacturing method of a sealed secondary battery of the embodiment, a first sealing body, which is configured to seal an opening portion of a lid body to cover the opening portion and is formed into a sheet-like shape by using a metal material, is placed on the lid body, and the first sealing body is welded to the lid body. The sealed secondary battery having the first sealing body welded thereto is charged, and the sealed secondary battery is discharged after the charge. A hole is bored in the first sealing body to form a hole portion after the discharge, a second sealing body is placed to cover the first sealing body, and the second sealing body is welded to the lid body through the first sealing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Naotada Okada, Kenta Fukatsu
  • Patent number: 9537173
    Abstract: A pouch type lithium secondary battery including a medium- or large-sized battery module includes: a jelly-roll type electrode assembly; a resin-type first packing material that is formed of a two-layer structure having an inner resin layer and an outer resin layer, and for packing the jelly-roll type electrode assembly in the form of a unit cell; and a metal-type second packing material that integrally packs and contains two or more unit cells packed in the first packing material in the form of a module, and prevents moisture and gas penetration by a sealed structure. The pouch type lithium secondary battery is applicable particularly to medium- and large-sized batteries for EVs, p-HEVs, HEVs, and so on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang Hun Kim, Jong Hwan Kim, Han Ho Lee, Jong Hyun Chae