Patents Issued in February 21, 2017
  • Patent number: 9577269
    Abstract: A catalytic material includes (i) a support material and (ii) a thin film catalyst coating having an inner face adjacent to the support material and an outer face, the thin film catalyst coating having a mean thickness of ?8 nm, and wherein at least 40% of the support material surface area is covered by the thin film catalyst coating; and wherein the thin film catalyst coating includes a first metal and one or more second metals, and wherein the atomic percentage of first metal in the thin film catalyst coating is not uniform through the thickness of the thin film catalyst coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: JOHNSON MATTHEY FUEL CELLS LIMITED
    Inventors: Graham Alan Hards, Ian Roy Harkness, Michael Ian Petch, Jonathan David Brereton Sharman, Edward Anthony Wright, Alexander Martin Willcocks
  • Patent number: 9577270
    Abstract: A method of processing a linked series of metallic plates, in which each plate (9) is connected to an adjacent plate along adjoining edges (8), the method comprising: providing the series of plates as a first fan-folded stack of plates (1); drawing the plates in sequence from the stack; applying a surface treatment to one or more of the plates; and stacking the plates in reverse order to form a second fan-folded stack of plates (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Intelligent Energy Limited
    Inventors: Peter David Hood, Antony Richard Wilson
  • Patent number: 9577271
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes; a fuel cell which generates electricity by using a fuel gas and an oxidant gas as reaction gases; current control means which controls current of a fuel cell; voltage control means which controls voltage of the fuel cell; and heat value control means which calculates a heat value required by the fuel cell system and decides a target current value of the current control means and a target voltage value of the voltage control means so as to generate the calculated necessary heat amount, thereby controlling the heat value. Thus, it is possible to supply a heat required for the fuel cell system without increasing the size of the fuel cell system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kota Manabe, Hiroyuki Imanishi, Tomoya Ogawa
  • Patent number: 9577272
    Abstract: A system has a fuel cell with an anode, a membrane, and a cathode. A source of fuel passes along the anode and a source of an oxygen containing gas passes along the cathode. A downstream line captures fuel downstream of the anode and a separator separates impurities from the fuel on the downstream line, and recirculates fuel downstream of the separator for passage across the anode. A method of mixing air with an oxygen concentrated gas is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Daniel O'Neill, Benjamin Elmer Bishop
  • Patent number: 9577273
    Abstract: Purge valves that are manually turned ON but are automatically or electrically turned OFF as the fuel cell's production of electricity reaches a predetermined level, e.g., steady state or thereabout are disclosed. The purge valve may be opened at system start-up, or may be opened at system shut-down so that the purge valve is armed and the fuel cell system is purged at the next start-up. Also disclosed is an integrated fluidic interface module that contains various fluidic components including one of these purge valves. The integrated fluidic interface module can operate passively or without being actively controlled by a processor. Methods of operating a fuel cell system, wherein the fuel cell system is purged at system start-up, are also disclosed. The purging automatically stops when the anode plenum is fully purged and replaced with fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Intelligent Energy Limited
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Iaconis, Aaron J. MacDonald, Benjamin Tam
  • Patent number: 9577274
    Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and a method for managing a fuel cell vehicle system, and more particularly, an apparatus and a method for managing a fuel cell vehicle system capable of optimally maintaining a driving method based on environmental information and product information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Energy Research
    Inventors: Min Jin Kim, Young-Jun Sohn, Gu-Gon Park, Byung Chan Bae, Sung-Dae Yim, Young-Woo Choi, Seok-Hee Park, Young-Gi Yoon, Tae-Hyun Yang, Won-Yong Lee, Chang-Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 9577275
    Abstract: A power generator includes a hydrogen producing fuel in a first high pressure chamber. A fuel cell having a proton exchange membrane is disposed in a second low pressure chamber. A water absorbing material provides water vapor to the hydrogen producing fuel, and a plurality of valves control hydrogen provided to the fuel cell from the first high pressure chamber, and exposure of the water absorbing material to ambient and the high pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Steven J. Eickhoff
  • Patent number: 9577276
    Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly includes an MEA structure unit and a resin frame member. The MEA structure unit includes a cathode, an anode, and a solid polymer electrolyte membrane interposed between the cathode and the anode. The resin frame member is formed around the MEA structure unit, and joined to the MEA structure unit. An adhesive layer is provided between an outer marginal portion of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane extending outward beyond an outer end of a second gas diffusion layer and an inner extension of the resin frame member. The adhesive layer includes an overlapped portion overlapped on an outer marginal end of the second gas diffusion layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Mitsuta, Yukihito Tanaka, Masashi Sugishita, Hiroshi Sohma, Kenichi Tanaka, Masahiro Fukuta
  • Patent number: 9577277
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a liquid drum type fuel cell-metal recovery apparatus, which can produce power through electrochemical oxidation of coal by continuously receiving coal/metal oxide mixed particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: GWANGJU INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Jaeyoung Lee, HyungKuk Ju, Jae Kwang Lee
  • Patent number: 9577278
    Abstract: Hybrid membranes based on crystalline titanium dioxide containing fluorine atoms within the crystalline lattice comprising atoms of titanium and oxygen are described; these hybrid membranes are particularly suitable for the production of fuel cells and electrolysers. A process for producing the aforesaid hybrid membranes is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: BRETON SPA
    Inventors: Vito Di Noto, Nicola Boaretto, Enrico Negro, Mauro Bettiol, Fabio Bassetto
  • Patent number: 9577279
    Abstract: Phosphazenium-based ionomers and methods of making them are disclosed. The ionomers are useful in making membranes for fuel cells and other devices that benefit from extremely base-stable membranes. The polymers (ionomers) contain repeating units of formula: in which all of R1, R2, W, Y and Z are hydrocarbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: CORNELL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Geoffrey W. Coates, Kevin Noonan
  • Patent number: 9577280
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device comprising a casing and a biomimetic artificial membrane arranged within the casing to form two distinct chambers, wherein each chamber is provided for enclosing a liquid of a given composition, and wherein the biomimetic artificial membrane comprises a semi-permeable membrane for supporting a lipid membrane, the lipid membrane comprising a plurality of lipid molecules arranged in a layer and including at least a transport protein, the transport protein being adapted for transport of ions and/or molecules of the liquids between the two chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: UNIVERSITE JOSEPH FOURIER—GRENOBLE 1
    Inventors: Philippe Cinquin, Donald Martin
  • Patent number: 9577281
    Abstract: Two active cell structures are prepared each comprising anode/electrolyte/cathode layers, each anode and cathode layer having embedded spaced-apart physical structures therein. Two interconnect sublayers are prepared, each comprising a layer of non-conductive material with holes formed therein and a conductor layer formed on one surface. The sublayers are placed together with the conductor layers in contact and with the holes offset to form an interconnect layer, which is then stacked between the two active cell structures. The multi-layer stack is laminated together and the anode layer of one active cell structure and the cathode layer of the other active cell structure fill the adjacent holes in the interconnect layer. The physical structures are pulled out to reveal embedded gas passages, and the multi-layer stack is sintered to form two active cells connected in series by the interconnect layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Inventors: Alan Devoe, Lambert Devoe
  • Patent number: 9577282
    Abstract: A redox flow battery. A metal-ligand coordination compound including an aromatic ligand that contains an electron withdrawing group is used as the catholyte and/or the anolyte so that a redox flow battery having high energy density and excellent charge/discharge efficiency may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Joungwon Park, Myungjin Lee, Seungsik Hwang, Dooyeon Lee, Dukjin Oh
  • Patent number: 9577283
    Abstract: A redox flow battery is described, mainly including a charge/discharge cell, a cathode electrolyte tank, and an anode electrolyte tank. The inside of the charge/discharge cell is divided into a cathode cell and an anode cell by a diaphragm. A collector plate and a cathode are contained in the cathode cell. An aqueous solution containing a Mn-polyethyleneimine complex is supplied from the cathode electrolyte tank to the cathode through a supply pipe. Thereby, an energy storage battery that has durability sufficient for practical applications in a wide range of fields can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: NISSIN ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshige Deguchi, Lan Huang, Yuki Uemura, Shosuke Yamanouchi
  • Patent number: 9577284
    Abstract: A fuel cell device including a fuel cell stack with a flexible enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Benno Andreas-Schott, Thomas P. Migliore
  • Patent number: 9577285
    Abstract: Disclosed is a solid electrolyte including particles comprising Li(1+x)Ti(2-x)Alx(PO4)3 (0?x?1) having a true density of about 2.20 to about 2.50 g/cm3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hee-Young Chu, Sung-Hwan Moon, Yuri Matulevich, Jae-Hyuk Kim, Myung-Hwan Jeong, Chang-Ui Jeong, Jong-Seo Choi, Oleg Leonidovith Andreev
  • Patent number: 9577286
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of producing a solid state lithium battery module in which the occurrence of short circuit caused by dendrites is suppressed. The invention solves this problem by providing a method of producing a solid state lithium battery module, including steps of: a pressing step of pressing a sulfide glass having an ion conductor containing a Li element, a P element, and a S element, and forming a solid electrolyte layer; and a restraining step of restraining a solid state lithium battery including the solid electrolyte layer, using restraining member, wherein, in the pressing step, the solid electrolyte layer is formed such that the average pore radius obtained by a mercury intrusion method is R (?m), and in the restraining step, the solid state lithium battery is restrained such that when the confining pressure is designated as P(MPa), the relationship: P??5900R+74 is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takamasa Ohtomo, Yuki Kato, Masatsugu Kawakami
  • Patent number: 9577287
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electrolyte component containing one or more salts including lithium bis(oxalate)borate (LiBOB), a solvent, propylene carbonate (PC) and a crystallizable polymer wherein said LiBOB is present as a weight percentage of 0.5% or more, said propylene carbonate is present as a weight percentage of between 5% and 90% and the crystallizable polymer is present at a weight percentage of greater than 1%. It also provides a galvanic cell formed from the above and a process for forming same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS
    Inventors: Ian Ward, Hugh Hubbard, Simon Charles Wellings, Jerry Barker
  • Patent number: 9577288
    Abstract: A secondary battery includes: a cathode; an anode; and an electrolytic solution. The anode includes an anode active material layer on an anode current collector. The anode active material layer includes a carbon material. The anode active material layer has a thickness from about 30 micrometers to about 100 micrometers both inclusive. The electrolytic solution includes an unsaturated cyclic ester carbonate represented by the following Formula (1) (X is a divalent group in which m-number of >C?CR1R2 and n-number of >CR3R4 are bonded in any order. Each of R1 to R4 is one of a hydrogen group, a halogen group, a monovalent hydrocarbon group, a monovalent halogenated hydrocarbon group, a monovalent oxygen-containing hydrocarbon group, and a monovalent halogenated oxygen-containing hydrocarbon group. Any two or more of the R1 to the R4 are allowed to be bonded to one another. m and n satisfy m?1 and n?0).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Ihara, Tadahiko Kubota
  • Patent number: 9577289
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell including at least one nitrogen-containing compound is disclosed. The at least one nitrogen-containing compound may form part of or be included in: an anode structure, a cathode structure, an electrolyte and/or a separator of the electrochemical cell. Also disclosed is a battery including the electrochemical cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Sion Power Corporation
    Inventors: Zhaohui Liao, Chariclea Scordilis-Kelley, Yuriy Mikhaylik
  • Patent number: 9577290
    Abstract: A power storage device using an organic solvent as a nonaqueous solvent for a nonaqueous electrolyte, in which a CV charging period in CCCV charging can be prevented from being extended and which has high performance, can be provided. The power storage device includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a nonaqueous electrolyte. The nonaqueous electrolyte includes an ionic liquid including an alicyclic quaternary ammonium cation having one or more substituents and a counter anion to the alicyclic quaternary ammonium cation, a cyclic ester, and an alkali metal salt. In particular, in the power storage device, the ionic liquid content is greater than or equal to 70 wt % and less than 100 wt % per unit weight of the ionic liquid and the cyclic ester in the nonaqueous electrolyte, or greater than or equal to 50 wt % and less than 80 wt % per unit weight of the nonaqueous electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kyosuke Ito, Toru Itakura, Nobuhiro Inoue, Jun Ishikawa, Junpei Momo
  • Patent number: 9577291
    Abstract: A system and method include receiving a temperature signal from a temperature sensor, controlling operation of an air conditioner condenser, and controlling an electric vehicle charger to operate to charge an electric vehicle battery only when the air conditioner condenser is not running.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Soumitri N. Kolavennu, David R. Kaufman
  • Patent number: 9577292
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a storing unit which is provided on a battery pack and which retains power information of the battery pack, an acquiring unit which is provided in the main unit and which acquires the power information of the battery pack from the storing unit, and a control unit which is provided in the main unit and which controls the operation of the main unit based on the power information of the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takayuki Yajima, Keiichi Komaki, Norio Fujimori, Tsuyoshi Ookubo
  • Patent number: 9577293
    Abstract: In the present invention, a method and system for equalizing and matching lithium secondary batteries belong to the field of secondary batteries. A lithium secondary battery is divided into more than one grade according to the magnitude of a consumable current Ic, the number of grades is h, the lithium secondary battery is divided into grades corresponding to the consumable current according to the magnitude of a voltage difference ?V, a battery cell at a grade same as that of the consumable current and the voltage difference is selected for matching, so the range of the consumable current of the battery group can be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: GUANGZHOU FULLRIVER BATTERY NEW TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shengcheng Tang, Shihua Zeng, Dingbo Cheng, Xiaoping Zeng
  • Patent number: 9577294
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing for a secondary battery. The secondary battery is configured to include an electrode group in a battery package. The electrode group includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator. The manufacturing method includes: (a) measuring a first voltage drop amount of the secondary battery with the passage of time in a state in which a compression force in a direction parallel to a lamination direction of the electrode group is applied to the electrode group via the battery package; (b) measuring a second voltage drop amount of the secondary battery with the passage of time in a state in which the compression force is released; and (c) detecting a small short circuit of the secondary battery by comparing the first voltage drop amount and the second voltage drop amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kosuke Iwase
  • Patent number: 9577295
    Abstract: A battery system may include a plurality of unit batteries each having a panel shape and stacked in series. The system may also include a plurality of heat conduction plates each having a panel shape and inserted between the unit batteries such that a first part of each respective heat conduction plate is inserted between opposing faces of corresponding unit batteries, with upper and lower faces of each respective heat conduction plate being in contact with the opposing faces of the corresponding unit batteries, and a second part of each respective heat conduction plate is exposed to an outside of the stacked unit batteries. The system may further include at least one heat pipe thermally coupling the plurality of heat conduction plates by successively penetrating the exposed second parts of the heat conduction plates, with an end of the heat pipe being thermally coupled to a heat radiator after penetrating a last heat conduction plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jae Woo Park, Jae Woong Kim, Man Ju Oh
  • Patent number: 9577296
    Abstract: A fluid cooled series/parallel battery pack is provided with a fluid flow system. A plurality of prismatic battery cells are arranged in parallel in two or more rows. Fluid flows in a series flow configuration from an upstream row of batteries to a downstream row of batteries. A bypass passageway provides additional fluid flow to an inner plenum located between the rows of batteries to reduce pressure drop and provide more uniform temperatures within the rows of battery cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James George Gebbie, Saravanan Paramasivam, Brian Utley, George Albert Garfinkel
  • Patent number: 9577297
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell is presented. The cell includes a housing having an interior surface defining a volume, and an elongated separator disposed in the housing volume. The elongated separator defines an axis of the cell. The separator has an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface of the separator defines a first compartment. The outer surface of the separator and the interior surface of the housing define a second compartment having a volume. The cell further includes a conductive matrix disposed in at least a portion of the second compartment volume such that the conductive matrix occupies a gap between the outer surface of the separator and the interior surface of the housing. The gap in the second compartment extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mohamed Rahmane, Badri Narayan Ramamurthi, Andrey Meshkov, Richard Louis Hart, Michael Alan Vallance, David Charles Bogdan, Jr., Chandra Sekher Yerramalli
  • Patent number: 9577298
    Abstract: An iron electrode and a method of manufacturing an iron electrode for use in an iron-based rechargeable battery are disclosed. In one embodiment, the iron electrode includes carbonyl iron powder and one of a metal sulfide additive or metal oxide additive selected from the group of metals consisting of bismuth, lead, mercury, indium, gallium, and tin for suppressing hydrogen evolution at the iron electrode during charging of the iron-based rechargeable battery. An iron-air rechargeable battery including an iron electrode comprising carbonyl iron is also disclosed, as is an iron-air battery wherein at least one of the iron electrode and the electrolyte includes an organosulfur additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: University of Southern California
    Inventors: Sri R. Narayan, G. K. Surya Prakash, Robert Aniszfeld, Aswin Manohar, Souradip Malkhandi, Bo Yang
  • Patent number: 9577299
    Abstract: An air cell includes a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and an outer frame member located at outer peripheries of the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The positive electrode and the outer frame member are integrally joined together. An assembled battery includes a plurality of air cells, the air cells being stacked on top of each other. This configuration can increase mechanical strength and improve sealing performance for an electrolysis solution in the positive electrode. In addition, a reduction in thickness of the entire air cell can be achieved so that the assembled battery suitable for use in a vehicle can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiko Tsukada, Atsushi Miyazawa, Mori Nagayama, Yasuhiro Numao
  • Patent number: 9577300
    Abstract: The present invention provides a lithium-air hybrid battery and a method for manufacturing the same, which has a structure in which a liquid electrolyte electrode and a solid electrolyte electrode are stacked on both sides of an ion conductive glass ceramic. That is, disclosed is a lithium-air hybrid battery and a method for manufacturing the same, which has a structure in which a lithium metal negative electrode includes a liquid electrolyte and a porous air positive electrode comprising a carbon, a catalyst, a binder and a solid electrolyte are separately stacked on both sides of an impermeable ion conductive glass ceramic, and the liquid electrolyte is present only in the lithium metal negative electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Dong Hui Kim, Sam Ick Son, Kyoung Han Ryu, Jun Ki Rhee, Yun Seok Kim, Ho Taek Lee
  • Patent number: 9577301
    Abstract: A feeding network is realized by dielectric phase shifting module. The module includes a dielectric device into which interlayer space is defined, a first conductor and a second conductor disposed side by side into the interlayer space and a third conductor located outside of the interlayer space and connected, at different locations, to one end, located at a same side, of each of the first and second conductors. Another end of the first conductor is defined as an input end, while another end of the second conductor and any end of the third conductor are all defined as output ends. The dielectric device is configured to slide along a longitudinal direction of the first and second conductors under external force so as to change phase of signals fed in from the input end and fed out from the output ends. Two dielectric phase-shift modules constitute a phase-shift unit thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: COMBA TELECOM SYSTEM (CHINA) LTD.
    Inventors: Ming Cao, Peitao Liu, Shanqiu Sun
  • Patent number: 9577302
    Abstract: A filter circuit providing improved attenuation, a filter having improved attenuation and a duplexer with improved isolation are provided. The filter circuit has a first and a second coupling conductor segment which couple an input port to a ground port or the filter's output port. The filter circuit can be realized in the filter. The duplexer can comprise the filter, especially as its transmission filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: EPCOS AG
    Inventors: Ravi Kiran Challa, Bhavya Adepu, Chandra Sekhar Reddy Kaipa, Ralph Durner, Wolfgang Till
  • Patent number: 9577303
    Abstract: An attenuator module having a substrate; a attenuator disposed on one surface of the substrate, the attenuator having an input terminal at one end of the attenuator and an output terminal at an opposite end of the attenuator; an electrical conductor disposed on an opposite surface of the substrate; and an electrically conductive via passing from the output terminal through the substrate to the electrical conductor disposed on the opposite surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher M. Laighton, Michael T. Borkowski
  • Patent number: 9577304
    Abstract: Disclosed is an attenuation reduction structure for high-frequency connection pads of a circuit board with an insertion component. The circuit board includes at least one pair of differential mode signal lines formed thereon. A substrate has upper and lower surfaces respectively provided with at least one pair of upper connection pads and lower connection pads. A first metal layer is formed on the lower surface of the substrate. The first metal layer includes an attenuation reduction grounding pattern structure. The attenuation reduction grounding pattern structure includes a hollow area and at least one protruded portion. The protruded portion extends from the first metal layer in a direction toward the lower connection pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Advanced Flexible Circuits Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Heng Chuo, Gwun-Jin Lin, Kuo-Fu Su
  • Patent number: 9577305
    Abstract: A stripline RF transmission cable has a flat inner conductor surrounded by a dielectric layer that is surrounded by an outer conductor. The outer conductor has a top section and a bottom section which transition to a pair of edge sections that interconnect the top section with the bottom section. The top section, bottom section and the inner conductor may be provided with generally equal widths. An average dielectric constant of the dielectric layer may be lower between the inner conductor edges and the edge sections than between a mid section of the inner conductor and the top and the bottom sections and/or spacing between the inner conductor and the dielectric layer may be reduced proximate a mid section of the inner conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Frank A Harwath
  • Patent number: 9577306
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a transmission device that includes a transmitter that generates a first electromagnetic wave to convey data, the first electromagnetic wave having at least one carrier frequency and corresponding wavelength. A coupler couples the first electromagnetic wave to a transmission medium having at least one inner portion surrounded by a dielectric material, the dielectric material having an outer surface and a corresponding circumference, wherein the coupling of the first electromagnetic wave to the transmission medium forms a second electromagnetic wave that is guided to propagate along the outer surface of the dielectric material via at least one guided-wave mode that can include an asymmetric mode, wherein the at least one carrier frequency is within a microwave or millimeter-wave frequency band and wherein the at least one corresponding wavelength is less than the circumference of the transmission medium. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Robert Bennett, Irwin Gerszberg, Farhad Barzegar, Donald J Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 9577307
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a transmission device that includes a transmitter that generates a first electromagnetic wave to convey data, the first electromagnetic wave having at least one carrier frequency and corresponding wavelength. A coupler couples the first electromagnetic wave to a transmission medium having at least one inner portion surrounded by a dielectric material, the dielectric material having an outer surface and a corresponding circumference, wherein the coupling of the first electromagnetic wave to the transmission medium forms a second electromagnetic wave that is guided to propagate along the outer surface of the dielectric material via at least one guided-wave mode that can include an asymmetric mode, wherein the at least one carrier frequency is within a microwave or millimeter-wave frequency band and wherein the at least one corresponding wavelength is less than the circumference of the transmission medium. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Shala Henry, Robert Bennett, Irwin Gerszberg, Farhad Barzegar, Donald J Barnickel, Thomas M. Willis, III
  • Patent number: 9577308
    Abstract: An interconnecting structure for electrically connecting a first electronic device with a second electronic device is provided. The first electronic device has two first bond-pads, and the second electronic device has two second bond-pads electrically connected to the two first bond-pads respectively. The interconnecting structure includes a signal transmission structure electrically connected to the two first bond-pads and the two second bond-pads; and a ground device disposed between the first electronic device and the second electronic device so that the first electronic device and the second electronic device have a same ground potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: NATIONAL CHAIO TUNG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chun-Hsing Li, Chien-Nan Kuo, Chun-Lin Ko
  • Patent number: 9577309
    Abstract: To reduce electromagnetic wave transmission loss, a connecting portion is provided on the end portion of a waveguide. A connecting portion has a first half and a second half, each made of a dielectric material. An antenna formed on a printed circuit board is interposed between the first half and the second half. The connecting portion has conductive portions and. The conductive portions have a shape corresponding to the cross-section of the conductive portion of the waveguide in cross-section orthogonal to the direction in which the circuit board extends, and surround the first half and the second half.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Molex, LLC
    Inventor: Naoyoshi Tamura
  • Patent number: 9577310
    Abstract: A semiconductor package mounting structure includes a substrate (200) and a semiconductor package (100). The substrate (200) includes an opening (210) connected to a cavity of a waveguide (310). The semiconductor package (100) is mounted on the substrate (200). The semiconductor package (100) includes a semiconductor device (110) and a probe (152) connected to the semiconductor device (110). The opening (210) includes a part that overlaps the probe (152) and a part that does not overlap the semiconductor package (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Toshihide Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 9577311
    Abstract: The invention relates to an HF resonator comprising a cylindrical cavity made of a dielectric material. An inner face of the cavity has an electrically conductive coating which is divided into a first inner coating and a second inner coating by an electrically insulating gap that encircles a lateral face of the cavity in an annular manner. An outer face of the cavity has an electrically conductive first outer coating and an electrically conductive second outer coating. The first outer coating and the second outer coating are electrically insulated from each other. The HF resonator comprises a device that is provided for applying a high-frequency electric voltage between the first outer coating and the second outer coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Back, Oliver Heid, Michael Kleemann
  • Patent number: 9577312
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide polarization alignment for wireless networking systems. A polarization aligned wireless networking system may include one or more sensors, controllers, user interfaces, and/or other modules mounted to or in proximity to a vehicle. Antennas for each of the electronic devices may be implemented with linear polarization components that can be substantially aligned with a lateral axis of the vehicle. Each electronic device may be implemented with a logic device adapted to use a corresponding antenna to form one or more wireless links between the various electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: FLIR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Johnson, Chris Hodgson, Matthieu Maindrou, Stuart Johnson
  • Patent number: 9577313
    Abstract: There is provided a three-axes pedestal for stabilizing the pointing of a mobile tracking antenna. The pedestal comprises a base support with an azimuth axis support having a centerline defining a first axis or azimuth axis, and a first frame being rotatably mounted on the azimuth axis support to rotate about the first axis, where the first frame may hold at least part of a first horizontal linear bearing assembly. The pedestal further comprises a second frame with a lower frame part, which may be slidably interconnected to the first frame via the first horizontal linear bearing assembly. The first linear bearing assembly may include dampers or suspension members for dampening linear slide movement of the second frame along the first linear bearing assembly and thereby for dampening the relative movement of the second frame to the first frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: SpaceCom Holding ApS
    Inventor: Peter Troels Nielsen
  • Patent number: 9577314
    Abstract: Antenna devices, antenna systems and methods of their fabrication are disclosed. One such antenna device includes a semiconductor chip and a chip package. The semiconductor chip includes at least one antenna that is integrated into a dielectric layer of the semiconductor chip and is configured to transmit electromagnetic waves. In addition, the chip package includes at least one ground plane, where the semiconductor chip is mounted on the chip package such that the ground plane(s) is disposed at a predetermined distance from the antenna to implement a reflection of at least a portion of the electromagnetic waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Duixian Liu, Arun S. Natarajan, Jean-Olivier Plouchart, Scott K. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 9577315
    Abstract: Electronic devices are provided that contain wireless communications circuitry. The wireless communications circuitry may include radio-frequency transceiver circuitry and antenna structures. The antenna structures may include antennas such as inverted-F antennas that contain antenna resonating elements and antenna ground elements. Antenna resonating elements may be formed from patterned conductive traces on substrates such as flex circuit substrates. Antenna ground elements may be formed from conductive device structures such as metal housing walls. Support and biasing structures such as dielectric support members and layer of foam may be used to support and bias antenna resonating elements against planar device structures. The planar device structures against which the antenna resonating elements are biased may be planar dielectric members such as transparent layers of display cover glass or other planar structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Qingxiang Li, Robert W. Schlub, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Adam D. Mittleman, Yi Jiang, Emily McMilin, Li-jun Zhang
  • Patent number: 9577316
    Abstract: An antenna with a combined bandpass/bandstop filter network is provided. The antenna includes: a first radiating arm connectable to an antenna feed, the first radiating arm configured to resonate at a first frequency; a second radiating arm, the second radiating arm and the first radiating arm, when electrically connected, configured to resonate at a second frequency lower than the first frequency; and, a filter network comprising a bandstop filter and a bandpass filter, the filter network filtering an electrical connection between the first radiating arm and the second radiating arm, the filter network configured to: electrically isolate the first radiating arm from the second radiating arm at the first frequency, and electrically connect the first radiating arm and the second radiating arm at the second frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: Seong Heon Jeong
  • Patent number: 9577317
    Abstract: A portable terminal employing a near field communication antenna with a heat radiation function is provided. The portable terminal includes a cover provided for the portable terminal, and an antenna device mounted on an inner surface of the cover. The antenna device includes a near field communication antenna coupled to a location on the inner surface of the cover, a shield sheet coupled to an upper surface of the antenna, a heat radiation sheet coupled to an upper surface of the shield sheet so as to discharge heat transmitted from the portable terminal, and a protection cover coupled to an upper surface of the heat radiation sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-Man Kim, Hong-Ki Kim, Byung-Kyu Kim, Sang-Tae Lee, Jung-Sik Choi
  • Patent number: 9577318
    Abstract: An electronic device may have wireless circuitry and components such as sensors. The electronic device may have a metal housing having first and second planar rear wall portions separated by a gap. Conductive structures may bridge the gap to electrically couple the first and second rear wall portions. The wireless circuitry may include a hybrid slot inverted-F antenna. The antenna may have an inverted-F antenna resonating element formed from peripheral housing structures that are separated from the second rear wall portion by an opening. The opening may form a C-shaped slot antenna resonating element for the antenna. The sensors may include a fingerprint sensor. The fingerprint sensor may be coupled to a button member in a button. The fingerprint sensor and other portions of the button may overlap the second planar rear wall portion to minimize interference with antenna operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Mattia Pascolini, Nanbo Jin