Patents Issued in January 24, 2017
  • Patent number: 9553316
    Abstract: A composition includes LiO2, reduced graphene oxide, and a metal catalyst or residue thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: Jun Lu, Khalil Amine, Larry A. Curtiss, Kah Chun Lau, Yang-Kook Sun, Yun Jung Lee, Xiangyi Luo
  • Patent number: 9553317
    Abstract: A ceramic cathode material of a solid oxide fuel cell and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. The method includes mixing a lanthanum-containing compound, a cobalt-containing compound, a nickel-containing compound, and a copper-containing compound, for preparing the ceramic cathode material of the solid oxide fuel cell of intermediate/low type. The ceramic cathode material of the solid oxide fuel cell is LaCozNiyCuxO3??, in which x ranges from 0.01 to 0.3, y ranges from 0 to 0.89, and z ranges from 0.1 to 0.99. The ceramic cathode material manufactured by mixing the lanthanum-containing compound, the cobalt-containing compound, the nickel-containing compound, and the copper-containing compound when operating within the temperature range from 500 to 800 degrees Celsius is of high electrical conductivity and reduced thermal expansion coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: National Taipei University of Technology
    Inventors: Sea-Fue Wang, Yung-Fu Hsu, Yi-Xin Liu
  • Patent number: 9553318
    Abstract: A method for removing a surfactant from a palladium nanoparticle includes exposing the palladium nanoparticle to hydrogen and removing the surfactant from the palladium nanoparticle. A method includes synthesizing a palladium nanoparticle using a surfactant. The surfactant influences a geometric property of the palladium nanoparticle and bonds to the palladium nanoparticle. The method also includes exposing the palladium nanoparticle to hydrogen to remove the surfactant from the palladium nanoparticle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventor: Minhua Shao
  • Patent number: 9553319
    Abstract: The present invention is a hydrophilic polymer, which can be hydrated to form a hydrated hydrophilic polymer having a water content of at least 65%, wherein water content is defined as [(mass of the hydrated hydrophilic polymer?mass of the dry hydrophilic polymer)/mass of the hydrated hydrophilic polymer]×100. The hydrophilic polymer may be hydrated to form a hydrated hydrophilic polymer having a water content of at least 65%. The present invention also 10 provides MEAs and electrochemical cells and methods of forming same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: ITM POWER (RESEARCH) LIMITED
    Inventors: Ryan Malcolmson, Daniel Greenhalgh
  • Patent number: 9553320
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell module for generating electrical energy by electrochemical reactions of a fuel gas and an oxygen-containing gas, and a condenser for condensing water vapor in an exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell module by heat exchange between the exhaust gas and a coolant to collect the condensed water and supplying the collected condensed water to the fuel cell module. The condenser includes an air cooling condensing mechanism using the oxygen-containing gas as the coolant, and a water cooling condensing mechanism using the hot water stored in the hot water storage unit as the coolant. The air cooling condensing mechanism includes a thermoelectric converter for performing thermoelectric conversion by a temperature difference between the exhaust gas and the oxygen-containing gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tetsuya Ogawa
  • Patent number: 9553321
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for capturing CO2 from a combustion source using molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs). At least a portion of the anode exhaust can be recycled for use as part of anode input stream. This can allow for a reduction in the amount of fuel cell area required for separating CO2 from the combustion source exhaust and/or modifications in how the fuel cells can be operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: EXXONMOBILE RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Paul J. Berlowitz, Timothy Andrew Barckholtz, Frank Hershkowitz
  • Patent number: 9553322
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel processor; a fuel cell stack; a first water tank; a combustor; a water discharge passage connected to a water drain port formed in the first water tank to discharge the water from inside of the first water tank; a water filling detector configured to detect that at least one of the water drain port and the water discharge passage is filled with water; a water supply unit for supplying the water to the first water tank; and a controller configured to execute a water filling step of supplying the water to the first water, supply the combustible gas to the combustor via the first water tank and cause the combustor to combust the combustible gas, when the water filling detector detects that at least one of the water drain port and the water discharge passage is filled with water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Manabu Takahashi, Motomichi Katou
  • Patent number: 9553323
    Abstract: A fluidized contaminant separator and water-control loop (10) decontaminates a fuel reactant stream of a fuel cell (12). Water passes over surfaces of an ammonia dissolving media (61) within a fluidized bed (62) while the fuel reactant stream simultaneously passes over the surfaces to dissolve contaminants from the fuel reactant stream into a separated contaminant and water stream. A fuel-control heat exchanger (57) upstream from the scrubber (58) removes heat from the fuel stream. A water-control loop (78) directs flow of the separated contaminants and water stream from an accumulator (68) through an ion exchange bed (88) which removes contaminants from the stream. Decontaminated water is directed back into the scrubber (58) to flow through the fluidized bed (62). Separating contaminants from the fuel reactant stream and then isolating and concentrating the separated contaminants within the ion exchange material (88) minimizes costs and maintenance requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: DOOSAN FUEL CELL AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Joshua D. Isom, Leslie L. VanDine, Derek W. Hildreth, John L. Preston, Paul R. Hanrahan, Lynn Reni
  • Patent number: 9553324
    Abstract: A resin frame member of a resin frame equipped membrane electrode assembly includes a recess where adhesive is provided. An inner protrusion on an inner side of the recess abuts against an electrode catalyst layer protruding outward beyond a gas diffusion layer of a membrane electrode assembly. An outer protrusion on an outer side of the recess abuts against the outermost portion of a gas diffusion layer of the membrane electrode assembly such that a solid polymer electrolyte membrane is interposed between the outer protrusion and the gas diffusion layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihito Tanaka, Naoki Mitsuta, Seiji Sugiura
  • Patent number: 9553325
    Abstract: Provided are a polymer electrolyte membrane used in fuel cells, and a method for producing the same, the method including a step of filling a crosslinkable ion conductor in the pores of a porous nanoweb support; and a step of crosslinking the ion conductor filled in the pores of the porous nanoweb support. The method for producing a polymer electrolyte membrane uses a relatively smaller amount of an organic solvent, can ameliorate defects of the support caused by solvent evaporation, and can enhance the impregnability of the ion conductor to the support and the convenience of the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: KOLON INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Dong Hoon Lee, Na Young Kim, Moo Seok Lee, Yong Cheol Shin
  • Patent number: 9553326
    Abstract: Provided are an aromatic sulfonic acid derivative and a sulfonic acid group-containing polymer, each of which has excellent proton conductivity even under low humidification conditions, while having excellent mechanical strength and chemical stability, and enables a solid polymer fuel cell to achieve high output and excellent physical durability when used therein. This aromatic sulfonic acid derivative has a specific structure and is characterized in that a sulfonic acid group is introduced into more than 50% of all the phenyl groups. This sulfonic acid group-containing polymer is characterized by being obtained by polymerization using the aromatic sulfonic acid derivative, and is also characterized by having a specific structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Daisuke Izuhara, Hiroaki Umeda, Emi Amano, Tomoyuki Kunita
  • Patent number: 9553327
    Abstract: A method for forming a modified solid polymer includes a step of contacting a solid fluorinated polymer with a sodium sodium-naphthalenide solution to form a treated fluorinated solid polymer. The treated fluorinated solid polymer is contacted with carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, or sulfur trioxide to form a solid grafted fluorinated polymer. Characteristically, the grafted fluorinated polymer includes appended CO2H or SO2H or SO3H groups. The solid grafted fluorinated polymer is advantageously incorporated into a fuel cell as part of the ion-conducting membrane or a water transport membrane in a humidifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Timothy J. Fuller, Ruichun Jiang
  • Patent number: 9553328
    Abstract: An electrochemical system for storing electrical energy in metallic material comprises a charging assembly having one or more cathode and anode couples for metal deposition and a discharging assembly having one or more cathodes and spaces amid the cathodes for containing metal anode. The charging assembly and discharging assembly are physically separated allowing independent operation of the charging and discharging facilities and independent scaling of power and energy capabilities. It also allows storage of anode metal material in simple containers separated from the charging and discharging assemblies and thus allows for economical energy storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: e-Zn Inc.
    Inventor: Xiaoge Gregory Zhang
  • Patent number: 9553329
    Abstract: The invention relates to an article comprising: a) one or more stacks of battery plates comprising one or more bipolar plates; b) located between each plate is a separator and a liquid electrolyte; further comprising one of more of the features: an integrated valve and an integrated channel communicating with the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: ADVANCED BATTERY CONCEPTS, LLC
    Inventors: Edward O. Shaffer, II, Donald Hobday
  • Patent number: 9553330
    Abstract: There is herein described energy storage batteries and methods of manufacturing said energy storage batteries. More particularly, there is described energy storage batteries comprising a laminar configuration and co-planar and co-parallel anodes and cathodes and methods of manufacturing said energy storage batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Energy Diagnostics Limited
    Inventor: John Dilleen
  • Patent number: 9553331
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a solid electrolyte material is an oxide represented by ABO3, wherein an A-site includes Li and vacancies. A cubic root V1/3 of a unit cell volume is within a range of 386 pm?V1/3?397 pm. A peak top ?top of an absorption peak in an infrared absorption spectrum satisfies Expression (1) ?top (cm?1)=4.7×V1/3 (pm)?b ??(1), provided that 1220?b?1240.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Harada, Norio Takami, Hiroki Inagaki
  • Patent number: 9553332
    Abstract: The present invention provides an energy storage device comprising a cathode region having an active region which expands or contracts from a first volume to a second volume during a period of a charge and discharge. The device has a a solid state catholyte material which includes lithium, phosphorus, sulfur, and silicon elements. The device has a protective material formed overlying exposed regions of the cathode material to substantially maintain the sulfur species within the catholyte material. Also included is a novel oxygen doped configuration of LiaSiPbSc containing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: QuantumScape Corporation
    Inventors: Cheng Chieh Chao, Zhebo Chen, Tim Holme, Marie A. Mayer, Gilbert N. Riley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9553333
    Abstract: Provided are a nonaqueous electrolyte solution having improved durability properties in terms of cycling, storage and the like and improved discharge characteristic at a high current density, and a nonaqueous electrolyte battery that uses that nonaqueous electrolyte solution. The nonaqueous electrolyte solution containing a lithium salt and a nonaqueous solvent that dissolves the lithium salt, wherein the nonaqueous electrolyte solution contains a compound represented by formula (1) and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a compound having a cyano group, a cyclic ester compound having a sulfur atom and a compound having an isocyanate group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI CHEMICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Tokuda, Shuhei Sawa, Minoru Kotato, Kunihisa Shima, Youichi Ohashi, Koji Fukamizu
  • Patent number: 9553334
    Abstract: An object is to provide a nonaqueous electrolyte and a nonaqueous-electrolyte secondary battery which have excellent discharge load characteristics and are excellent in high-temperature storability, cycle characteristics, high capacity, continuous-charge characteristics, storability, gas evolution inhibition during continuous charge, high-current-density charge/discharge characteristics, discharge load characteristics, etc. The object has been accomplished with a nonaqueous electrolyte which comprises: a monofluorophosphate and/or a difluorophosphate; and further a compound having a specific chemical structure or specific properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI CHEMICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Fujii, Youichi Ohashi, Shinichi Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 9553335
    Abstract: A lead-acid battery improving the charge acceptance in an initial stage, suppressing the decrease of the charge acceptance for a long time use of the battery and having a long life is provided. In a lead-acid battery using a paste type negative plate prepared by filling a past form negative active material using a lead powder as a starting material in a collector made of a lead alloy, a flake graphite and a condensate of bisphenols and aminobenzene sulfonic acid are contained in the negative active material. The average primary particle diameter of the flake graphite is 10 ?m or more and 220 ?m or less, preferably, 100 ?m or more and 220 ?m or less. The content of the flake graphite is preferably from 0.5 mass parts to 2.7 mass parts and, more preferably, from 1.1 mass parts to 2.2 mass parts based on 100 mass parts of the negative active material (spongy metallic lead) in a fully charged state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: HITACHI CHEMICAL COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Kogure, Masatoshi Toduka
  • Patent number: 9553336
    Abstract: Provided is a power supply system capable of being used in a well over a long period of time. A power supply system for a well according to the present invention includes a secondary battery having an operating temperature range including a temperature of the inside of a well and supplying power to a device installed in the well; and a charge-discharge mechanism for charging and discharging the secondary battery, and is installed in the well. The secondary battery to be used in the power supply system may be a molten salt battery, and may include a sensor and communication apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Keiichiro Tanabe, Koma Numata, Koji Nitta, Shoichiro Sakai, Atsushi Fukunaga, Eiko Itani, Shinji Inazawa
  • Patent number: 9553337
    Abstract: Provided is a sodium secondary battery capable of operating at a low temperature. More particularly, the sodium secondary battery according to the present invention includes: an anode containing sodium; a cathode containing a transition metal and an alkali metal halide; and a sodium ion conductive solid electrolyte provided between the anode and the cathode, wherein the cathode is impregnated in a molten salt electrolyte containing a sodium.metal halogen salt including at least two kinds of halogens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignees: SK Innovation Co., Ltd., Ceramatec, Inc.
    Inventors: Je Hyun Chae, Won Sang Koh, Seung Ok Lee, Dai In Park, Jeong Soo Kim, Sai Bhavaraju, Mathew Richard Robins, Alexis L. Eccleston, Ashok V. Joshi
  • Patent number: 9553338
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lithium secondary battery including a cathode, an anode, a separator disposed between the cathode and the anode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte. An ionomer is included in at least one element selected from the group consisting of the cathode, the anode, the separator, and the non-aqueous electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyoung Ho Ahn, Jeong Woo Oh, Min Jung Kim, Doo Kyung Yang, Chul Haeng Lee, Yi Jin Jung
  • Patent number: 9553339
    Abstract: A security architecture, a battery, and a motor vehicle that has a corresponding battery are configured to be used to combine battery packs of a lower security integrity level into a battery system that has a higher security integrity level. The security architecture is for at least two batteries and each battery includes at least one electrochemical cell. The at least two batteries are each combined with at least one data processing unit to form a respective module. The security architecture is configured such that input signals of at least one second module are processed by the at least one data processing unit of at least one first module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignees: Robert Bosch GmbH, Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Frank Stimm, Andreas Heyl
  • Patent number: 9553340
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery module includes a plurality of unit cells including rechargeable batteries and adjacently disposed, at least one bus bar connecting electrode terminals of adjacent unit cells of the plurality of unit cells, and a cover configured to cover the plurality of unit cells, the cover including a coupling part coupled with the at least one bus bar, and a signal detector electrically connected to the bus bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignees: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD., ROBERT BOSCH GmbH
    Inventor: Duk-Jung Kim
  • Patent number: 9553341
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling access to a logic circuit in a battery by one or more components connected to the battery includes the components initially providing no voltage to a data contact, and sampling a voltage level at the data contact to determine if another component is presently connected to the logic circuit. When the sampled voltage indicates no other component is presently accessing the logic circuit, the component applies a voltage to the logic circuit via the data contact and access the logic circuit. When the sampled voltage indicates that a prior-connected component is connected to the battery, the component uses a voltage level provided by the prior-connected component to access the logic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Roy L Kerfoot, Jr., John E Herrmann
  • Patent number: 9553342
    Abstract: A battery pack includes a plurality of battery cells; a case accommodating the battery cells; a protective circuit module comprising a circuit board adjacent to the battery cells; a temperature sensitive element on the protective circuit module; and a flexible printed circuit board comprising a conductive pattern layer, wherein the conductive pattern layer is thermally connected to the temperature sensitive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyungjae Shin, Kiwoong Kim
  • Patent number: 9553343
    Abstract: A system includes a cell interconnect board including a printed circuit board (PCB) disposed proximate a power assembly having a plurality of pouch battery cells, including at least a first battery cell and a second battery cell in a stacked orientation relative to each other. The cell interconnect board includes an interconnect spanning a slot in the cell interconnect board and configured to receive a first tab electrode extending from the first battery cell and a second tab electrode extending from the second battery cell, such that the first and second tab electrodes are in contact with each other. The system also includes a sensor configured to measure a parameter associated with the power assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Robert G. Malcolm, Perry M. Wyatt, Thanh T. Nguyen, James Pinon, Ajinkya S. Joshi
  • Patent number: 9553344
    Abstract: A battery assembly including an array of battery cells, a conduit system, and an emitter is provided. The conduit system may deliver coolant for thermally communicating with the array and may define a channel with a wall having dielectric or magnetic particles. The emitter may be located proximate the wall and configured to selectively output a magnetic field, an electric field, or a voltage to impart a compression force on the particles to adjust a cross-sectional area of the channel to control a flow of the coolant therethrough. The channel may be a flexible resin-based tube. The assembly may also include a sensor and a controller. The controller may be configured to activate the emitter based on signals from the sensor indicative of conditions of the assembly or system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alvaro Masias, Brian Joseph Robert
  • Patent number: 9553345
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heat exchanger, in particular for controlling the temperature of batteries or electronics, having at least one header with a bottom and a top, with openings which are provided in the bottom for receiving tube ends of tubes which are in fluidic communication with the headers, the headers being formed from a U-shaped element with two parallel limbs and a bottom region which connects the limbs, the openings being provided in the bottom region and a wall region which is introduced between the limbs being provided as top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: MAHLE INTERNATIONAL GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Hirsch, Heiko Neff, Martin Engelhardt
  • Patent number: 9553346
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to battery systems. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a battery system having a first battery group and a second battery group. The first battery group and the second battery group can share a single housing, or be positioned within separate housings. The first battery group and the second battery group can each have a plurality of cells configured in parallel, and the two groups can be electrically integrated. When operating at a low temperature, the first battery group is configured to provide electrical energy to a heating module that selectively heats up one or more segments of the second battery group. In addition, the first battery group also provides energy for initial operation of an electric vehicle or equipment. Once the selected segments of the battery group are heated up to an operating temperature, the selected segments supply electrical power to the vehicle or equipment and charge the first battery group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: QuantumScape Corporation
    Inventor: Weston Arthur Hermann
  • Patent number: 9553347
    Abstract: A signal line conductor extends in a direction in which a signal propagates, and a dielectric, surrounding the signal line conductor, also extends in the direction in which the signal propagates. Conductive films that define and function as a ground conductor extend on a side surface of the dielectric in the direction in which the signal propagates. Furthermore, conductive films that define and function as a bridge conductor extend on a side surface of the dielectric in a direction across the direction in which the signal propagates, and thus connect the conductive films to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noboru Kato, Satoshi Ishino, Jun Sasaki
  • Patent number: 9553348
    Abstract: A vertical three dimensional (3D) microstrip line structure for improved tunable characteristic impedance, methods of manufacturing the same and design structures are provided. More specifically, a method is provided that includes forming a first microstrip line structure within a back end of the line (BEOL) stack. The method further includes forming a second microstrip line structure separated from the BEOL stack by a predetermined horizontal distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Barbara S. Dewitt, Essam Mina, BM Farid Rahman, Guoan Wang
  • Patent number: 9553349
    Abstract: To achieve favorable directivity in a directional coupler, even with a low magnetic-field coupling coefficient, the directional coupler includes a main line, a secondary line, and impedance conversion sections. The main line is connected between a signal input port and a signal output port. The secondary line is coupled to the main line through coupling capacitance and mutual inductance. The impedance conversion sections are connected between the secondary line and a coupling port or an isolation port, and the impedance viewed from the secondary line differs from the impedance viewed from a port side while both impedances viewed from the secondary line are equal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazutaka Mukaiyama
  • Patent number: 9553350
    Abstract: An antenna mount assembly disclosed herein provides for an efficient and elegant solution for installation of radio frequency antennas on existing wooden poles. An implementation of the antenna mount assembly includes a saddle comprising a plurality of concave plates, each of the plurality of concave plates configured to be attached to a pole. A pipe mount attachment element is welded to one of the plurality of concave plates. A pipe mount is attached to the pipe mount attachment element and the pipe mount is configured to attach an antenna element thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: MICRO WIRELESS SOLUTIONS, CORP.
    Inventor: Michael J. DiPiero
  • Patent number: 9553351
    Abstract: The invention is a new type of antenna connection which allows two or more antennas to be connected to an external circuit via a small surface contact. Surface contact size is reduced due to the use of coupling electrodes, at least portions of which are laid adjacent to and parallel with each other such that alternating current coupling occurs between them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: PILKINGTON GROUP LIMITED
    Inventor: Detlef Baranski
  • Patent number: 9553352
    Abstract: A display, such as for a touch-sensitive communication device, can include a transparent cover glass, pixels that emit light through the cover glass, and multiple antennas positioned along respective paths in an inactive area between the pixels. The antennas do not obstruct the light produced by the pixels, and can therefore be composed of opaque materials, such as metallic thin films, without affecting the optical properties of the display. In some examples, several antennas can have the same size and shape but different orientations, so that a radio can switch between or among the antennas to optimize reception. In some examples, the antennas can have different sizes and/or shapes, so that the antennas can send and/or receive radio signals in different frequency ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum. In some examples, locating the antennas in the display can allow the device to include a metallic housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Helen Kankan Pan, Akihiro Takagi, Bryce Horine, Harry G. Skinner
  • Patent number: 9553353
    Abstract: A system for transmitting or receiving signals may include a dielectric substrate having a major face, a communication circuit, and an electromagnetic-energy directing assembly. The circuit may include a transducer configured to convert between RF electrical and RF electromagnetic signals and supported in a position spaced from the major face of the substrate operatively coupled to the transducer. The directing assembly may be supported by the substrate in spaced relationship from the transducer and configured to direct EM energy in a region including the transducer and along a line extending away from the transducer and transverse to a plane of the major face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Keyssa, Inc.
    Inventors: Emilio Sovero, Gary D. McCormack
  • Patent number: 9553354
    Abstract: The present antenna comprises a metallic base, defining an inner housing; an irradiating element, in the form of a metallic rod, having one end to be secured, in an electrically insulated manner, to the base; and a coaxial cable to connect the antenna to the TV set and having a mesh and a central wire, respectively and electrically connected to the base and to the irradiating element, in the interior of the housing. The antenna further comprises an electronic circuit located in the interior of the housing and having an input connected to the end of the rod, and an output connected to the central wire of the coaxial cable, said electronic circuit blocking the passage of signals in undesired frequencies, from the irradiating element to the coaxial cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Instituto Presbiteriano Mackenzie
    Inventors: Gunnar Bedicks Junior, Cristiano Akamine, Guido Stolfi, Ariston Leite Pereira
  • Patent number: 9553355
    Abstract: An antenna structure includes a radiation body, a grounding portion, a feeding portion, and a variable capacitor. The grounding portion is coupled to the radiation body and is configured to couple to ground. The feeding portion is coupled between the radiation body and the variable capacitor, the feeding portion is configured to receive feeding signals via the variable capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Chiun Mai Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Yi-Ting Chen, Cho-Kang Hsu
  • Patent number: 9553356
    Abstract: An antenna module includes a main antenna and a parasitic resonator. The main antenna includes a feed arm, a ground arm, a first radiating body connected to one end of the feed arm, a second radiating body, and a third radiating body connected to one end of the ground arm. The first radiating body and the third radiating body are connected to the second radiating body and positioned at two sides of the second radiating body. The parasitic resonator is resonated with the main antenna and configured for widening a high frequency bandwidth of the main antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Chiun Mai Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Tze-Hsuan Chang, Cho-Kang Hsu
  • Patent number: 9553357
    Abstract: An antenna mounting system for use with recreational vehicles and boats as well as stationary objects. The system includes a pedestal securable to the recreational vehicle and an antenna head containing an antenna element and securable to the pedestal. The pedestal has an upstanding male portion slidably receivable in a mating, female portion of the antenna head. In assembling the system, the male and female portions are first axially aligned and then moved axially toward each other to a predetermined, operating position where they are snapped together in a locking engagement. Anti-rotation structure including one or more pairs of mating, channels and protuberance is also provided to prevent the pedestal and antenna head from being rotated relative to each other about their aligned axes (and the coaxial cable running through them from being twisted) as they are moved together to the predetermined and locked, operating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Winegard Company
    Inventor: Marty R. Taeger
  • Patent number: 9553358
    Abstract: Antenna assemblies, which may be used in meter reading systems, are provided. One example of antenna assembly includes a first antenna vertically configured to be mounted on a top surface of a vehicle and a second antenna vertically configured to be mounted on the top surface of the vehicle. The antenna assembly also includes a receiver configured to communicate with a plurality of wireless utility meters via the first and second antennas. The first and second antennas are aligned with a direction of travel of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventor: Edward C. Parish
  • Patent number: 9553359
    Abstract: An antenna apparatus includes a glass plate that is fixed to a flange of a vehicle body at a window opening portion of the vehicle body; a dielectric material; a conductive film provided between the glass plate and the dielectric material; and a monopolar feeding portion provided on the dielectric material at a surface opposite to a glass plate side and at a position capable of being capacitively coupled to the conductive film, the antenna apparatus being configured such that a clearance between an end portion of the flange of the vehicle body and an outer edge of the conductive film functions as a slot antenna, the conductive film being provided with a notch having one end as an open end at the outer edge of the conductive film in the vicinity of the feeding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: ASAHI GLASS COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventor: Osamu Kagaya
  • Patent number: 9553360
    Abstract: A helix antenna device includes a board, a signal output circuit, a ground wire, and a helix antenna. The board includes first holes and second holes. The first holes are aligned to form a first row, and the second holes are aligned to form a second row. The signal output circuit is disposed on the board. The ground wire disposed on the board is between the first row and the second row and is connected to the signal output circuit. The helix antenna is rotationally passed through the first holes and the second holes so that it can surround a part of the area of the board. One end of the helix antenna is electrically connected to the signal output circuit. Thereby, it is convenient to have the helix antenna assembled to the board, and the structure parameters of the helix antenna are not easily influenced due to deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Getac Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jia-Min Huang, Yen-Ching Lee
  • Patent number: 9553361
    Abstract: The invention relates to a balanced antenna system comprising a radiator connected via a matching circuit to a balun. In certain embodiments, the radiator comprises a first radiating element and a second radiating element and the matching circuit comprises a first impedance-matching circuit connected to the first radiating element and a second impedance-matching circuit connected to the second radiating element. The first and second matching circuits may be identical and are connected through the balun to a single port. To minimize the component count, the design of the matching circuit and balun is co-optimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: SMART ANTENNA TECHNOLOGIES LTD
    Inventors: Zhen Hua Sampson Hu, Peter Hall
  • Patent number: 9553362
    Abstract: [Object] To provide an antenna device which has a radiation pattern of wide angle, does not generate nulls in the vicinity of a front of an antenna, and has a high radiation efficiency. [Organization] An array antenna device 1 having a plurality of radiation elements has: a dielectric substrate 2; two or more series array antennas 10, 20 which are formed on the dielectric substrate and to which the plurality of radiation elements 11 to 13, 21 to 23 are connected in series by conductor lines 15, 25; a distributor 30 formed in a layer different from a layer of the dielectric substrate where the series array antennas are formed, the distributor distributing power via capacitive coupling to the two or more series array antennas; and a phase adjuster (conductor lines 34 to 37) adjusting a phase of power distributed by the distributor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignees: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD., FURUKAWA AUTOMOTIVES SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Daisuke Inoue, Masayuki Nagata
  • Patent number: 9553363
    Abstract: A method for optimizing a phased array antenna. A predicted future health state for elements in the phased array antenna is identified. A configuration for the elements to use a radiation pattern based on the predicted future health state for the elements taking into account potential degradation of a group of the elements in the predicted future health state is also identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: David L. Allen, Gavin D. Holland
  • Patent number: 9553364
    Abstract: An antenna assembly may include a ground shield defining an interior chamber, a feed line coupled to the ground shield within the interior chamber, a plurality of dielectric members, and a plurality of liquid crystal members. Each of the plurality of liquid crystal members may be spaced apart from another of the liquid crystal members by at least one of the plurality of dielectric members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: John D. Williams
  • Patent number: 9553365
    Abstract: A multiband reception antenna enables the combined reception of circularly polarized satellite radio signals from at least one satellite radio service which emits with circular polarization and of terrestrially emitted radio signals. The multiband reception antenna comprises at least one satellite reception antenna with a ring line emitter and a plurality of vertical emitters are connected to the ring line emitter over the circumference of the ring line emitter. Furthermore, a monopole is provided, with a monopole connection point formed at the lower end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: DELPHI DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan Lindenmeier, Heinz Lindenmeier, Leopold Reiter, Jochen Hopf