Patents Issued in August 17, 2017
  • Publication number: 20170237045
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a prismatic battery cell including an electrode assembly including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, the electrode assembly having a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal protruding from at least one side of the positive electrode and the negative electrode, two or more case members coupled to each other so as to have a shape corresponding to the external shape of the electrode assembly such that the case members surround the electrode assembly, the case members having a predetermined opening, through which one surface of the electrode assembly, at least, corresponding to protruding portions of the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal is exposed, and a cap plate coupled to the opening of the case members in a sealed state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Ki Tae KIM, Hyung Ku YUN, Dong-Myung KIM, Hyojin KIM
  • Publication number: 20170237046
    Abstract: Provided is a method for producing a lithium ion cell having an outer container composed of a resin molded article, and the method for producing a lithium ion cell includes a current collector forming process of forming, on the inner side of an outer container, each of a first electrode current collector and a second electrode current collector composed of an electrically conductive polymer composition by using a molding die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: SANYO CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro SHINDO, Yusuke MIZUNO, Kenichi KAWAKITA, Yasuhiko OHSAWA, Yuki KUSACHI, Hajime SATOU, Hiroshi AKAMA, Hideaki HORIE
  • Publication number: 20170237047
    Abstract: A cell cover for a prismatic cell, in particular a lithium-based cell, is provided. The cell cover includes a cover plate having a bottom side, a top side and at least one current-carrying cutout, at least one electrical terminal arranged at the top side, at least one current clip associated with the at least one electrical terminal, each current clip being connectable to the cover plate in a corresponding connecting region of the bottom side of the cover plate. A corresponding electrical conductor is arranged in each current-carrying cutout. The electrical terminals and respective current clip are contactable with their associated electrical conductor. The cover plate has in at least one of the connecting regions at least one connecting cutout spaced apart from the current-carrying cutout. A corresponding one of the current clips is connectable to the cover plate in a positively locking manner at the connecting cutout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Robert LUSTIG, Thomas HOEFLER, Michael KREITZ, Arno PERNER, Sebastian SCHARNER, Peter LAMP
  • Publication number: 20170237048
    Abstract: A method of making a cover for the positive plate for acid batteries, comprising a set of thermally formed tubes of non-woven fabric, characterised in that a tape (1) of non-woven fabric of a width corresponding to the length of future tubes is wrapped into a single, oval loop, and the extreme ends are laid so as to form an overlap (2) in the zone between vertices (4) of the loop, then the loop is stitched crosswise to form a set of multiple channels (3) which are then thermally formed into cover tubes (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventor: Wladyslaw BINDA
  • Publication number: 20170237049
    Abstract: Provided is a sealed battery, which includes an insulating member arranged between a lid member and a collector terminal member. The insulating member includes a cylindrical portion that is positioned between a through hole and a connecting portion and surrounds the connecting portion, and a flat plate portion positioned between the lid member and the flange portion, and the flat plate portion has a first projecting portion projecting towards the lid member side, and a second projecting portion projecting towards the flange portion side. In a sectional view taken along a virtual plane including a central axis of the connecting portion, a peak of the first projecting portion is provided at a position closer to the central axis than a peak position of the second projecting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koshiro YONEDA
  • Publication number: 20170237050
    Abstract: The invention relates to a frame device (18) for accommodating storage cells (12) of an energy storage module (10), in particular a battery module, comprising—two plate-like closure elements (20) which form two ends (22, 24) of the frame device (18) that are opposite one another along an axis (14),—connection elements (30) which are arranged on mutually opposite sides (26, 28) of the frame device (18) and which extend from one end (22) to the other end (24) of the frame device (18) and mechanically connect the two closure elements (20) over a distance. For connection to the two closure elements (20), provision is made for each of the connection elements (30) to be provided at each of the ends thereof with a pin (42) which is oriented transversely to the axis (14) and which respectively engages in a cutout (40) in one of the closure elements (20) and is releasably fixed there by means of a respective latch-type securing element (32). The invention further relates to a corresponding energy storage module (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Nicolai Joerg, Dirk Liepold, Jochen Schweinbenz, Jonas Schuetz, Kushtrim Krasniqi, Lukasz Paczkowski, Markus Kohlberger, Steffen Benz, Ulrich Lange
  • Publication number: 20170237051
    Abstract: A battery cell holder that may be used to form interconnection of cells in series and/or parallel arrangements. The cell holder includes slots for receiving battery cells, conductive apertures within the slots for attaching a conductor to the cells, and a hinge. The cell holder is foldable about the hinge and includes a keying system that allows multiple cell holders to be interconnected to form battery packs of multiple sizes and arrangements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: Eetrex, Inc.
    Inventor: Kyle William Butterfield
  • Publication number: 20170237052
    Abstract: A vehicle battery pack system includes a cable bracket that has a conductive base, and a clamp. The base includes a mount, base arm, and base bridge. The mount is configured to be mounted to an electrical ground. The base bridge defines an aperture and fixedly couples the mount to the base arm. The base arm has a concave surface. The clamp includes a clamp arm and clamp bridge. The clamp bridge defines an aperture. The clamp arm is fixedly coupled to the clamp bridge and has a concave surface opposing the concave surface of the base arm. A fastener is received through the apertures to couple the clamp to the base. A protrusion extends radially inward from at least one of the concave surfaces. The protrusion is coupled for electrical communication with the mount to transmit electricity between the protrusion and the electrical ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Michael J Petkus, Constantine J Nicolopoulos
  • Publication number: 20170237053
    Abstract: A battery pack includes a case which includes at least one battery module having a plurality of battery cells, a bottom plate where the battery module is placed, side plates and erected around the bottom plate, and a top plate provided in the upper ends of the side plates and to face the bottom plate, and a bracket provided in the side plates and to fix the case to a vehicle loading portion, and a partitioning member which is provided in the case and transfers a force added to the top plate to the bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: Hitachi Automotive Systems ,Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsuo SUGAWARA
  • Publication number: 20170237054
    Abstract: A heat containment system is provided comprising a double wall steel insulated box, a vent system with a flame arrestor and a filter, a fire proof insulated lid with a fire proof seal and a latch, a fire proof wire way, and a built in charger stand. The system is configured to contain heat of a fire. The vent system to prevent excessive pressure inside the box. The built in charger stand holds a charger. The box contains heat of a battery fire associated with charging of a lithium battery. The box has a vent system to prevent excessive pressure inside the box from combustion gases. The vent system has a filter that removes soot from the combustion gases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventor: Thomas Michael Mast
  • Publication number: 20170237055
    Abstract: A battery module includes: a case body for storing a plurality of cells each having an exhaust gas valve; an exhaust passage for releasing, to the outside of the case body, the high-pressure and high-temperature exhaust gas having come from the cells; and a flow route changing unit that is disposed in the exhaust passage, has a hole for passing the exhaust gas, and elongates the flow route of the exhaust gas from the upstream side to the downstream side of the exhaust passage by changing the flow direction of the exhaust gas a plurality of times in a zigzag manner along at least one of the width and height directions of the exhaust passage. The flow route changing unit includes a plurality of flat plates each having a hole for passing the exhaust gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: KEISUKE SHIMIZU, DAISUKE KISHII, TAKESHI ENOMOTO
  • Publication number: 20170237056
    Abstract: Provided is a multi-layered porous film which includes a functional layer having a controlled thickness in a length-wise direction thereof and which is suitable as a separator for batteries. The multi-layered porous film includes a base film, and a functional layer containing both an inorganic filler and a binder resin, the functional layer being formed on the base film, wherein a difference between a maximum basis weight and a minimum basis weight of the multi-layered porous film in a length-wise direction thereof is equal to or smaller than 2 grams/m2, the basis weight being measured every 100 meters interval. The separator fabricated by cutting a film roll comprised of a multi-layered porous film into pieces each having a given length has small lot-based fluctuation in quality, and makes it possible to fabricate a battery having a small fluctuation in quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Koichiro WATANABE, Jian WANG, Yasutoshi MINEMOTO, Shinya KIMURA
  • Publication number: 20170237057
    Abstract: An energy storage apparatus provided with an energy storage device is provided with an electrode terminal disposed on the energy storage device, and a bus bar placed on a surface of the electrode terminal and connected to the electrode terminal. The bus bar includes a plurality of opening portions formed such that the surface of the electrode terminal is exposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Shogo TSURUTA, Yuichiro YAMAMOTO, Ryutaro NISHIKAWA, Tsuyoshi HIDAKA
  • Publication number: 20170237058
    Abstract: A battery includes: positive and negative electrode terminals at least partially provided outside an outer packaging body; and a current cut-off device placed inside the outer packaging body. The current cut-off device is provided in either one of the positive and negative electrode terminals and cuts off an electric current path between the battery element and the either one of the positive and negative electrode when a pressure in the outer packaging body increases. The battery is provided in the movable body such that the either one of the positive and negative electrode terminals provided with the current cut-off device is placed on a vertically upper side relative to the other one of them. The current cut-off device is placed on the vertically upper side relative to a liquid level of the electrolytic solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Satomi YAMAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20170237059
    Abstract: A power battery cap structure and a power battery are provided. The power battery cap structure includes a first terminal, a second terminal and a cap assembly; the second terminal is electrically insulated from the cap assembly. The power battery cap structure further includes a resistance which electrically connects the first terminal with the cap assembly. The cap assembly includes a cap sheet, a first short circuit part and a second short circuit part; the first and second short circuit part are attached to the cap sheet, when internal pressure of the power battery exceeds predetermined threshold, the first and second short circuit part act and form a first path passing through the first terminal, the second short circuit part, the resistance and the second terminal, and a second path passing through the first terminal, the first and second short circuit part and the second terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED
    Inventors: Quankun LI, Kai WU, Pinghua DENG, Xiaobo CHEN
  • Publication number: 20170237060
    Abstract: With a battery using a flexible outer package, electric current is reliably interrupted when the temperature is increased due to the occurrence of abnormality, thereby preventing excessive heat generation. A battery 1 includes a battery element 10, a pair of first terminals 11 that are electrically connected to the battery element 10, a flexible outer package 13, and a second terminal 12. The outer package 13 is partitioned into a first chamber 13a in which the battery element 10 is sealed and a second chamber 13b which is adjacent to the first chamber 13a. The second terminal 12 is led out from the second chamber 13b to the outside of the outer package 13 so that one first terminal 11 is made electrically connectable to an external wiring through the second chamber 13b. A gas generation material 14 which generates a gas at a predetermined temperature or higher is sealed in the second chamber 13b.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko INOUE, Kenichi SHIMURA
  • Publication number: 20170237061
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method for manufacturing an electrode including mixing at least two electrode materials selected from a carbon material, a metal oxide precursor, and a conductive polymer with a solvent to prepare a mixture, coating the mixture on a current collector, and radiating IPL (intense pulsed light) on the mixture coated on the current collector, the electrode manufactured according to the method, and a supercapacitor and rechargeable lithium battery including the electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Yong-Won SONG, Jung Ah LIM, Tae Hee YOO, Sun Min KIM
  • Publication number: 20170237062
    Abstract: An electrode plate is produced by a wet granule forming process and a film forming process. In the wet granule forming process, wet granules are formed by mixing electrode mixture materials including at least an active material and a binder with a solvent. In the film forming process, a sheet-shaped electrode mixture layer is formed by causing the wet granules to pass through a gap between a pair of rolls so as to be rolled, and the electrode mixture layer is adhered onto a current collector foil. In the wet granule forming process, a powder of copper having an average particle size of 100 nm or smaller is used as one of the electrode mixture materials, and the amount of the powder of copper added in a range of 0.05 wt % to 2.00 wt % with respect to the total weight of the electrode mixture materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Kunihiko HAYASHI, Tomoyuki UEZONO
  • Publication number: 20170237063
    Abstract: The present invention provides one with a battery having an iron anode, e.g., a Ni—Fe battery, having improved performance characteristics. The battery uses a particular electrolyte and/or battery separator. The resulting characteristics of efficiency, charge retention and cycle life are much improved over such batteries in the prior art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: Encell Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Randy Gene Ogg
  • Publication number: 20170237064
    Abstract: An electrode material for a lithium-ion secondary battery includes an electrode active material and a carbonaceous film with which a surface of the electrode active material is coated, in which a powder resistance under compression at a pressure of 45 MPa is 130 ?·cm or lower and a lithium-ion secondary battery including a cathode including the electrode material for a lithium-ion secondary battery and an anode made of lithium metal exhibits battery characteristics that a difference between a sum of a charge capacity thereof obtained when constant current charged with an upper limit voltage with respect to the anode set to 4.20 V and a charge capacity thereof obtained when constant voltage charged at 4.20 V for ten days after the constant current charge and a discharge capacity thereof obtained when constant current discharged to 2 V after the constant voltage charge is set to 20 mAh/g or lower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: TAKAO KITAGAWA, MASATAKA OYAMA
  • Publication number: 20170237065
    Abstract: A nickel-hydrogen secondary battery includes an electrode group comprising a separator, a positive electrode, and a negative electrode, and the positive electrode contains a positive electrode active material including a base particle comprising a nickel hydroxide particle containing Mn in solid solution and a conductive layer comprising a Co compound and covering the surface of the base particle, wherein the X-ray absorption edge energy of Mn detected within 6500 to 6600 eV by measurement with an XAFS method is 6548 eV or higher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Takeshi Ito, Yuzo Imoto, Masaru Kihara, Takayuki Yano, Shigekazu Yasuoka, Shuuichi Doi, Takashi Yamazaki, Yuji Kataoka
  • Publication number: 20170237066
    Abstract: A nickel-hydrogen secondary battery includes an electrode group including a separator, a positive electrode, and a negative electrode, and the positive electrode includes a positive electrode active material particle including a base particle and a surface layer covering the surface of the base particle, and the base particle contains nickel hydroxide, and the surface layer contains a trivalent or higher-valent cobalt compound and Co3O4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Yuzo Imoto, Takeshi Ito, Shuuichi Doi, Takashi Yamazaki, Yuji Kataoka
  • Publication number: 20170237067
    Abstract: The main object of the present invention is to provide an active material that has a favorable cycle property. The present invention achieves the object by providing an active material to be used for a fluoride ion battery comprising a crystal phase having a layered perovskite structure, and represented by An+1BnO3n+1??Fx (A is composed of at least one of an alkaline earth metal element and a rare earth element; B is composed of at least one of Mn, Co, Ti, Cr, Fe, Cu, Zn, V, Ni, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ru, Pd, W, Re, Bi, and Sb; “n” is 1 or 2; “?” satisfies 0???2; and “x” satisfies 0?x?2.2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, KYOTO UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Hidenori MIKI, Zempachi OGUMI, Yoshiharu UCHIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20170237068
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided an active material for a battery. The active material includes secondary particle which contains primary particles of a monoclinic ?-type titanium composite oxide having an average primary particle diameter of 1 nm to 10 ?m. The secondary particle has an average secondary particle diameter of 1 ?m to 100 ?m. The secondary particle has compression fracture strength of 20 MPa or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Hiroki INAGAKI, Wen ZHANG, Yasuhiro HARADA, Keigo HOSHINA, Yuki OTANI, Norio TAKAMI
  • Publication number: 20170237069
    Abstract: A positive electrode active material, which has a crystallite size ?/crystallite size ? ratio (?/?) of 1 to 1.75 or less, wherein the crystallite size ? is within a peak region of 2?=18.7±1° and the crystallite size ? is within a peak region of 2?=44.6±1°, each determined by a powder X-ray diffraction measurement using Cu-K? ray, and has a composition represented by formula (I) below: Li[Lix(NiaCobMncMd)1-x]O2??(I) wherein 0?x?0.2, 0.3<a<0.7, 0<b<0.4, 0<c<0.4, 0?d<0.1, a+b+c+d=1, and M is at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Fe, Cr, Ti, Mg, Al and Zr.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicants: SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY, LIMITED, TANAKA CHEMICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenji TAKAMORI, Hiroyuki KURITA, Yuichiro IMANARI, Daisuke YAMASHITA, Kimiyasu NAKAO, Kyousuke DOUMAE
  • Publication number: 20170237070
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery that has a large charge/discharge capacity, has a small irreversible capacity, which is the difference between the doping capacity and the de-doping capacity, and is capable of effectively using an active material. The problem described above can be solved by a method for producing a carbonaceous material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery anode, the method including: (1) an alkali metal compound impregnating step of adding an elemental alkali metal or a compound containing an elemental alkali metal to a carbonaceous precursor to obtain an alkali-impregnated carbonaceous precursor; (2) a heat treatment step of: (a) obtaining a heat-treated product by performing main heat treatment on the alkali-impregnated carbonaceous precursor at 800° C. to 1500° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Naohiro SONOBE, Kazuhiko SHIMIZU
  • Publication number: 20170237071
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery which has a large charge/discharge capacity, has a small irreversible capacity, and is capable of effectively using an active material. This object can be achieved by a material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery anode; a specific surface area determined by a BET method being not greater than 30 m2/g; an atomic ratio (H/C) of hydrogen atoms to carbon atoms determined by elemental analysis being not greater than 0.1; an average particle size being not greater than 50 ?m; and a diffraction intensity ratio (R-value) determined by Equation (1) being not greater than 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: Kureha Corporation
    Inventors: NAOHIRO SONOBE, KAZUHIKO SHIMIZU
  • Publication number: 20170237072
    Abstract: Described is a salt of the general formula: Mg2+(Lx)6(PF6)2 wherein each L is a ligand selected from dichloromethane, a cyclic ether, or a nitrile of the general formula R—C?N. The method of making the salt comprises the steps: providing Mg metal, activating the Mg metal in a first dry solution comprising a first ligand solution (L1), treating the dry solution of activated Mg metal and L1 with NOPF6 in a second dry solution comprising a second ligand solution (L2), heating the treated Mg metal solution removing residual solvent under vacuum, and recrystallizing the remaining solid to form the salt wherein Lx comprises a mixture of L1 and L2. The salt can be used as the salt in an electrolyte, or as an additive to an electrolyte, in a cell or battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Evan KEYZER, Clare GREY, Hugh GLASS, Dominic WRIGHT
  • Publication number: 20170237073
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a conductor, and a lithium secondary battery including a conductor manufactured using the manufacturing method, and the method for manufacturing a conductor includes removing metal impurities in a conductor by irradiating microwave on the conductor including the metal impurities and converting the metal impurities into metal oxides. A conductor manufactured using the manufacturing method converts metal impurities included in the conductor to metal oxides that are inactive at a battery operating voltage and not eluted in an electrolyte liquid, and therefore, is capable of enhancing battery performance properties, particularly, capacity and lifespan properties without concern of metal impurity elution and a defect occurrence under a low pressure caused therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ji Hoon Ryu, Dong Myung Kim, Ki Tae Kim, Rae Hwan Jo
  • Publication number: 20170237074
    Abstract: High capacity energy storage devices and energy storage device components, and more specifically, to a system and method for fabricating such high capacity energy storage devices and storage device components using processes that form three-dimensional porous structures are provided. In one embodiment, an anode structure for use in a high capacity energy storage device, comprising a conductive collector substrate, a three-dimensional copper-tin-iron porous conductive matrix formed on one or more surfaces of the conductive collector substrate, comprising a plurality of meso-porous structures formed over the conductive current collector, and an anodically active material deposited over the three-dimensional copper-tin-iron porous conductive matrix is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Sergey D. LOPATIN, Dmitri A. BREVNOV, Eric H. LIU, Robert Z. BACHRACH, Connie P. WANG
  • Publication number: 20170237075
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hierarchical composite structure comprising an open cell graphene foam or graphene-like foam, wherein the graphene foam or graphene-like foam is coated with a conductive nanoporous spongy structure and wherein at least 10% v/v of the hollow of the pores of the graphene foam or graphene-like foam is filled with the conductive nanoporous spongy structure. The invention also relates to a process for preparing a hierarchical composite structure wherein a conductive nanoporous spongy structure is electrodeposited so as to coat the open-cell graphene foam or graphene-like foam and to partially fill the hollow of the pores of the graphene foam or graphene-like foam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Jorge Pedrós, Alberto Boscá, Javier Martínez, Fernando Calle, Sandra Ruiz-Gómez, Lucas Pérez, Violeta Barranco, Antonio Páez Dueñas, Jesús García San Luis
  • Publication number: 20170237076
    Abstract: An electrically conductive member of the present disclosure includes a base member containing chromium (Cr), and a first layer provided on a surface of the base member and containing chromium(III) oxide (Cr2O3). The first layer also contains titanium (Ti).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Takeshi KOZAI, Kazunari SUGIHARA, Tetsuro FUJIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20170237077
    Abstract: An illustrative example method of making a fuel cell component includes mixing a catalyst material with a hydrophobic binder in a solvent to establish a liquid mixture having at least some coagulation of the catalyst material and the hydrophobic binder. The liquid mixture is applied to at least one side of a porous gas diffusion layer. At least some of the solvent of the applied liquid mixture is removed from the porous gas diffusion layer. The catalyst material remaining on the porous gas diffusion layer is dried under pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Kevin ARPIN, Nicole HOFSTETTER
  • Publication number: 20170237078
    Abstract: A method of treating a carbon substrate, includes the successive steps of impregnating the carbon substrate with an aqueous solution containing an amorphous fluorinated copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and of perfluoromethoxy dioxole, drying the carbon substrate at a pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure, and obtaining a carbon substrate impregnated with a fluorinated copolymer. Such a carbon substrate may be used as a gas diffusion layer in a fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Yohann Thomas, Marie Heitzmann, Joël Pauchet, Maxime Schroder
  • Publication number: 20170237079
    Abstract: A porous carbon sheet includes a carbon fiber and a binding material, wherein when in a measured surface depth distribution, a ratio of an area of a portion having a depth of 20 ?m or less in a measured area of one surface is a surface layer area ratio X, and a ratio of an area of a portion having a depth of 20 ?m or less in a measured area of another surface is a surface layer area ratio Y, the surface layer area ratio X is larger than the surface layer area ratio Y, and a difference between the surface layer area ratios is 3% or more and 12% or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Yasuaki Tanimura, Takashi Chida, Toru Sugahara, Masamichi Utsunomiya, Toshiya Kamae, Katsuya Sode, Takashi Ando
  • Publication number: 20170237080
    Abstract: An expanded graphite sheet and a battery using the expanded graphite sheet are provided, that can inhibit the expanded graphite sheet from swelling even when the expanded graphite sheet is used for, for example, a positive electrode for an air battery. An expanded graphite sheet includes an expanded graphite and has a surface water contact angle of greater than or equal to 90 degrees and a surface resistivity of less than or equal to 70 m?/sq. It is desirable that a polyolefin resin be contained in the expanded graphite sheet in a dispersed state. It is desirable that the polyolefin resin be polypropylene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: TOYO TANSO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Hosokawa, Nobuya Misaki
  • Publication number: 20170237081
    Abstract: An apparatus including a first electrode including a substantially homogeneous mixture of graphene oxide and a proton conductor; a second electrode including reduced graphene oxide; and spaced-apart charge collectors for the respective first and second electrodes, wherein the first and second electrodes extend from their respective charge collectors towards one another to form a junction at an interface there between, and wherein the substantially homogeneous mixture of the first electrode is configured to be sufficiently hydrophobic to prevent intermixing of the homogeneous mixture with the reduced graphene oxide of the second electrode in proximity to one or both of the respective charge collectors to prevent short circuiting of the spaced-apart charge collectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventor: Di WEI
  • Publication number: 20170237082
    Abstract: The invention provides a water-activated, deferred-action battery having a housing containing at least one cell, comprising at least one anode selected from the group consisting of magnesium, aluminum, zinc and alloys thereof; a cathode comprising a skeletal frame including conductive metal and having a portion of its surface area formed as open spaces, and further comprising a heat-pressed, rigid static bed of active cathode material encompassing the skeletal frame, the cathode material comprising basic copper sulfate, said cathode material being compacted and fused to itself and to the skeletal frame under pressure and/or heat, to form a heat-fused, conductive, electrochemically active phase; at least one cavity separating the cathode and the at least one anode, and at least one aperture leading to the at least one cavity for the ingress of an electrolyte-forming, aqueous liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: Epsilor-Electric Fuel LTD
    Inventors: Jonathan R. GOLDSTEIN, Shahaf KOZOKARO
  • Publication number: 20170237083
    Abstract: In a fuel cell separator comprising gas flow channels composed of a plurality of concavoconvex parts in the center region and flat parts on the periphery of the gas flow channels, the fuel cell separator provided with the first bent parts that bend approximately vertically to the same direction respectively at both edge parts at least in one direction among on flat parts in both directions of gas flow channels, and the second bent parts between gas flow channel-side flat parts and edge-side flat parts on the flat parts in the inward from the first bent parts on both sides with a smoothly curved cross-sectional shape of the gas flow channel-side bent ends of the second bent parts, and the production method thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: Shimizu-seisakusyo co., ltd.
    Inventor: Haruo IMAI
  • Publication number: 20170237084
    Abstract: Provided is a metallic material including: a base metal made of a metal; a metal compound layer stacked on a surface of the base metal, the metal compound layer mainly containing a compound of at least one transition metal in the fourth period and oxygen; a platinum group portion dispersed on a surface of the metal compound layer, the platinum group portion mainly containing at least one platinum group element; and a platinum group compound coating film which covers the platinum group portion, the platinum group compound coating film mainly containing a compound of at least one platinum group element and oxygen. The at least one platinum group element contained in the platinum group portion is preferably one or more of Ru, Rh, Os, and Ir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshitaka NISHIYAMA, Junko IMAMURA, Yasuhiro MASAKI, Masanari KIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20170237085
    Abstract: A fuel cell includes a resin-framed membrane electrode assembly, first and second separators, and a resin frame member. The resin frame member is provided to surround an outer periphery of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane. The first and second separators sandwich the resin-framed membrane electrode assembly therebetween in a stacking direction to define a reactant gas flow channel between each of the first and second separators and the resin-framed membrane electrode assembly. The first and second separators include a reactant gas manifold hole which passes through the first and second separators in the stacking direction. The resin frame member includes a bridge portion having connecting flow channels connecting the reactant gas flow channel and the reactant gas manifold hole. At least one of the connecting flow channels has a sloped surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hidetada KOJIMA, Yukihito TANAKA
  • Publication number: 20170237086
    Abstract: An electrolyzer or unitized regenerative fuel cell has a flow field with at least one channel, wherein the cross-sectional area of the channel varies along at least a portion of the channel length. In some embodiments the channel width decreases along at least a portion of the length of the channel according to a natural exponential function. The use of this type of improved flow field channel can improve performance and efficiency of operation of the electrolyzer device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Sean Michael MacKinnon, Matthew Paul Paone, Raoul Jacob Kingma, Greg John Montie
  • Publication number: 20170237087
    Abstract: A high-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell stack may include a plurality of cell units; a cooling assembly including a plurality of first independent cooling plates disposed on top surfaces of the plurality of cell units, respectively, and a plurality of second independent cooling plates disposed on bottom surfaces of the plurality of cell units, respectively; and a support assembly configured to support the plurality of cell units and the cooling assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Young-Jun Sohn, Minjin Kim, Seung-Gon Kim, Gu-Gon Park, Byungchan Bae, Sung-Dae Yim, Seok-Hee Park, Tae-Hyun Yang, Won-Yong Lee, Chang-Soo Kim
  • Publication number: 20170237088
    Abstract: A high-temperature operating fuel-cell module includes a fuel-cell stack; a fuel-cell stack container in which the fuel-cell stack is contained and cathode off-gas discharged from the fuel-cell stack flows; a cathode off-gas collector that is provided in the fuel-cell stack container and in which the cathode off-gas is collected; an anode off-gas passage through which anode off-gas discharged from the fuel-cell stack flows; and a combustor that combusts the cathode off-gas collected in the cathode off-gas collector and the anode off-gas flowing through the anode off-gas passage, the combustor comprising: a combustion chamber in which the anode and cathode off-gas are mixed and combusted, an ejector that is connected to the anode off-gas passage and ejects the anode off-gas into the combustion chamber, and a diffusion plate that surrounds the ejector so that the ejector is located at the center of the diffusion plate, and ejects the cathode off-gas into the combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: KUNIHIRO UKAI, HIDEKI NAKATA, AICHI AIDA
  • Publication number: 20170237089
    Abstract: A gas connector comprising a gas outlet port; and a re-configurable mating interface. The mating interface is configured to provide a first mating profile and a second mating profile. The first mating profile is configured for connecting the gas connector to a first type of electronic device and the second mating profile is configured for connecting the gas connector to a second, different, type of electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: Intelligent Energy Limited
    Inventor: Zachary Elliott
  • Publication number: 20170237090
    Abstract: An integrated fuel cell control system is provided. The integrated fuel cell control system includes at least one sensor, at least one hydrogen on/off valve, and a fuel control unit (FCU). The FCU is configured to directly operate the at least one sensor and the at least one hydrogen on/off valve in real time and to determine a supply pressure of hydrogen supplied to a fuel cell. Thereby, noise between controllers may be removed and costs may be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Ji Tae Kim, Kyu Il Lee, Keun Bong Ham
  • Publication number: 20170237091
    Abstract: An apparatus monitors the state of charge (SOC) of a flow battery system. The monitoring method include determining SOCs of at least two pairs of different monitoring positions. A pair of monitoring position may be located inside of an anode electrolyte storage tank (2) and inside of a cathode electrolyte storage tank (3), or inside of an anode electrolyte outlet pipeline (6) of a stack and inside of a cathode electrolyte outlet pipeline (7) of the stack, or inside of an anode electrolyte inlet pipeline (8) of the stack and inside of a cathode electrolyte inlet pipeline (9) of the stack. The SOCsum of the flow battery system is acquired according to the SOCs corresponding to different pair of monitoring positions, respectively. The method ensures acquiring an SOC monitoring result timely and accurately.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Yu ZHANG, Yi ZOU, Huamin ZHANG, Ying LI, Xiaoli WANG, Xi HAN, Lecong HAN, Tao ZHANG, Xiangkun MA, Honggui ZHAO
  • Publication number: 20170237092
    Abstract: A fuel cell system has a battery, a gas supply portion, a temperature acquisition portion configured to acquire a presumed temperature that is presumed to reach during the operation stop of the fuel cell; and a scavenaing controlling portion. When it is determined that the presumed temperature is a predetermined temperature or more at the time of the operation stop of the fuel cell, the scavenging controlling portion performs the stop-time scavenging operation with a first scavenging ability; and when it is determined that the presumed temperature is less than the predetermined temperature, the scavenging controlling portion performs the stop-time scavenging operation with a second scavenging ability higher than the first scavenging ability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohiro OGAWA, Hiroyuki IMANISHI, Yohei OKAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20170237093
    Abstract: The present teachings provide multi-reformable fuel delivery systems and methods that can deliver, without the use of a liquid pump, any hydrocarbon fuel, i.e., a liquid or gaseous reformable fuel, for example, to at least one of a reformer, a vaporizer, a fuel cell stack, an afterburner and other assemblies and components of a fuel cell unit or system, More specifically, gas pressure can be used to control and deliver gaseous reformable fuels and/or liquid reformable fuels in the delivery systems and methods of the present teachings. The delivery systems and methods also can apply to the delivery of a liquid reactant such as water and gaseous reactants such as an oxygen-containing gas (e.g., air) and steam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Paul DeWald, Caine Finnerty
  • Publication number: 20170237094
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a first temperature sensor to detect a valve temperature of a sealing valve. A second temperature sensor is provided in a refrigerant circulation circuit to detect a fuel cell temperature of a fuel cell through a refrigerant. The circuitry is configured to calculate a sealing valve estimated temperature by subtracting a correction value from the fuel cell temperature detected by the second temperature sensor after the fuel cell stops generating electric power and after the sealing valve is closed. The circuitry is configured to determine whether at least one of the valve temperature and the sealing valve estimated temperature is lower than a predicted freezing temperature. The circuitry is configured to open the sealing valve when it is determined that the at least one of the valve temperature and the sealing valve estimated temperature is lower than the predicted freezing temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kuniaki OJIMA, Takuya TAMURA