Patents Issued in November 2, 2017
-
Publication number: 20170317331Abstract: An apparatus includes a battery stack including a plurality of alternating anodes and cathodes, wherein each of the anodes is positioned between first and second separators, and wherein a tab of the anode extends out from between the first and second separators, and an edge tape extending across a top of the first and second separators.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventor: Arild Vedoy
-
Publication number: 20170317332Abstract: A battery module includes a lower housing and a plurality of battery cells. The plurality of battery cells are electrically coupled together to produce a voltage. A lid assembly is disposed over the battery cells and is coupled to the lower housing. The lid assembly includes a lid and a plurality of bus bar interconnects mounted on the lid. A printed circuit board (PCB) assembly is disposed on and coupled to the lid assembly, and the PCB assembly includes a PCB. A cover is disposed over and coupled to the lower housing to hermetically seal the battery module.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: Richard M. DeKeuster, Edward J. Soleski, Robert J. Mack, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Stephen D. Cash, Lisa L. Winders, Jack L. Johnson
-
Publication number: 20170317333Abstract: A battery holder containing 2 or more batteries connected to allow multiple voltage outputs. Each output being protected by an automatically resettable circuit to limit maximum current under all possible external connections and sound an alarm or produce a visual indication or both if any output current is exceeded. Protection and alarm are designed to sense current levels and work in holders with weak batteries, alkaline cells, mercury cells, lithium cells, rechargeable cells, and any cell with voltage greater than 1 volt. Protection and alarm will also work when battery holder has some batteries not installed. Protection circuits are not part of the batteries and remain with the battery holder when batteries are changed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: Arthur F. Seymour, Alexander R. Matz
-
Publication number: 20170317334Abstract: A cathode plate of an all-solid battery configures a cathode of an all-solid battery including a solid electrolyte layer composed of an oxide-based ceramic material. A surface roughness on a solid electrolyte layer-side surface of the cathode plate on which the solid electrolyte layer is formed falls within a range of 0.1 micrometer to 0.7 micrometer.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Applicant: NGK INSULATORS, LTD.Inventors: Yukinobu YURA, Naoto OHIRA, Nobuyuki KOBAYASHI
-
Publication number: 20170317335Abstract: A method for making a thin film lithium ion battery is provided. A cathode material layer and an anode material layer are provided. A carbon nanotube array is applied to a surface of the cathode material layer and pressed to form a first carbon nanotube layer on the surface of the cathode material layer to obtain a cathode electrode. A second carbon nanotube layer is formed on a surface of the anode material layer to obtain an anode electrode. A solid electrolyte layer is applied between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode to form a battery cell. At least one battery cell is then encapsulated in an external encapsulating shell.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: JIA-PING WANG, KE WANG, SHU LUO, KAI-LI JIANG, SHOU-SHAN FAN
-
Publication number: 20170317336Abstract: A lithium-ion battery anode layer, comprising an anode active material embedded in pores of a solid graphene foam composed of multiple pores and pore walls, wherein (a) the pore walls contain a pristine graphene material having essentially no (less than 0.01%) non-carbon elements or a non-pristine graphene material having 0.01% to 5% by weight of non-carbon elements; (b) the anode active material is in an amount from 0.5% to 95% by weight based on the total weight of the graphene foam and the anode active material combined, and (c) some of the multiple pores are lodged with particles of the anode active material and other pores are particle-free, and the graphene foam is sufficiently elastic to accommodate volume expansion and shrinkage of the particles of the anode active material during a battery charge-discharge cycle to avoid expansion of the anode layer. Preferably, the solid graphene foam has a density from 0.01 to 1.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Applicant: Nanotek Instruments, Inc.Inventors: Aruna Zhamu, Bor Z. Jang
-
Publication number: 20170317337Abstract: A positive electrode for an all-solid secondary battery, comprising a positive electrode active material expressed by A2S.AX, wherein A is an alkali metal; and X is selected from I, Br, Cl, F, BF4, BH4, SO4, BO3, PO4, O, Se, N, P, As, Sb, PF6, AsF6, ClO4, NO3, CO3, CF3SO3, CF3COO, N(SO2F)2 and N(CF3SO2)2.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2015Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: Akitoshi HAYASHI, Masahiro TATSUMISAGO
-
Publication number: 20170317338Abstract: A composite electrode is provided having a collector, the collector is coated with an electrode composition containing an active electrode material, a binding agent, and a conductivity additive such as conductive carbon black. The electrode composition has a concentration gradient along the direction of the electrode thickness in respect of the active electrode material and the conductivity additive, with the concentration gradient of the active electrode material increasing toward the collector, and the concentration gradient of the conductivity additive and the binder decreasing toward the collector. Two different methods of producing the composite electrode are also provided. A lithium-ion battery is further provided which includes a composite electrode having a collector, the collector is coated with an electrode composition containing an active electrode material, a binding agent, and a conductivity additive.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: Thomas WOEHRLE, Matthias TSCHECH, Thomas HOEFLER, Sung-Jin KIM, Sebastian SCHARNER, Jens VETTER, Jan-Oliver ROTH, Tobias ZEILINGER, Matthias WAGNER
-
Publication number: 20170317339Abstract: A positive electrode composition for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprises a lithium transition metal complex oxide represented by a general formula LiaNi1-x-yCoxM1yWzM2wO2, where 1.0?a?1.5, 0?x?0.5, 0?y?0.5, 0.002?z?0.03, 0?w?0.02, 0?x+y?0.7, M1 represents at least one selected from the group consisting of Mn and Al, and M2 represents at least one selected from the group consisting of Zr, Ti, Mg, Ta, Nb and Mo; and a boron compound comprising at least boron element and oxygen element.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Applicant: NICHIA CORPORATIONInventors: Kousuke SHIMOKITA, Kenta KAWAI, Kiyofumi INOUCHI
-
Publication number: 20170317340Abstract: A sulfur-carbon composite in which sulfur is combined with porous carbon is provided. In the sulfur-carbon composite, a mass loss ratio X at 500° C. in thermal mass analysis and a mass ratio Y of sulfur/(sulfur+carbon) in an observation visual field at a magnification of 1000 in SEM-EDS quantitative analysis satisfy the relationship of |X/Y?1|?0.12, and porous carbon has a mean pore diameter of 1 to 6 nm, and a specific surface area of 2000 m2g?1 or more and 3000 m2g?1 or less.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2015Publication date: November 2, 2017Applicant: GS Yuasa International Ltd.Inventor: Heisuke NISHIKAWA
-
Publication number: 20170317341Abstract: Provided is a composite electrode material. The composite electrode material is disposed on a surface of an electrode. The composite electrode material includes a plurality of conductive material layers and a plurality of active material layers. The conductive material layers and the active material layers are alternately stacked along a direction non-parallel to the surface of the electrode, and are arranged disorderly along a direction parallel to the surface of the electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2016Publication date: November 2, 2017Applicant: National Chiao Tung UniversityInventors: Tseung-Yuen Tseng, Chih-Chieh Yang
-
Publication number: 20170317342Abstract: A positive electrode active material of the present invention includes lithium cobalt oxide particles; and a surface treatment layer positioned on a surface of the lithium cobalt oxide particle, and the lithium cobalt oxide particle includes lithium deficient lithium cobalt oxide having a Li/Co molar ratio of less than 1, included in an Fd-3m space group, and having a cubic-type crystal structure, in a surface side of the particle. The surface treatment layer includes at least one element selected from the group consisting of transition metals and elements in group 13.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2015Publication date: November 2, 2017Applicant: LG Chem, Ltd.Inventors: Min Suk Kang, Chi Ho Jo, Ji Hoon Ryu, Sun Sik Shin, Wang Mo Jung
-
Publication number: 20170317343Abstract: A production method for a cathode material of a lithium sulfur battery includes, in sequence: a step of preparing a first dispersed solution in which a carbon particle is dispersed in a lithium sulfate solution; a step of adding a solvent in the first dispersed solution, the solvent being a solvent in which lithium sulfate is insoluble; a step of separating a precursor particle from the first dispersed solution in which the solvent is added; and a step of changing the precursor particle into a cathode active material particle by heating the precursor particle under an inert atmosphere.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2015Publication date: November 2, 2017Applicant: NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION YOKOHAMA NATIONAL UNIVERSITYInventors: Masayoshi WATANABE, Kaoru DOKKO, Zhe LI, Shiguo ZHANG
-
Publication number: 20170317344Abstract: A nickel lithium ion battery positive electrode material having a concentration gradient, and a preparation method therefor. The material is a core-shell material having a concentration gradient, the core material is a material having a high content of nickel, and the shell material is a ternary material having a low content of nickel. The method comprises: synthesizing a material precursor having a high content of nickel by means of co-precipitation, co-precipitating a ternary material solution having a low content of nickel outside the material precursor having a high content of nickel, aging, washing, and drying to form a composite precursor in which the low nickel material coats the high nickel material, adding a lithium source, grinding, mixing, calcining, and cooling to prepare a high nickel lithium ion battery positive electrode material.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2014Publication date: November 2, 2017Applicant: INSTITUTE OF PROCESS ENGINEERING, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCESInventors: Qiangqiang TAN, Guangwei KAN, Yuxing XU
-
Publication number: 20170317345Abstract: The invention provides a cathode sheet for use in a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, including a composite material comprising a collector and a layer of a cathode active material provided thereon. The layer of a cathode active material includes: (a) a conductive polymer and (b) at least one selected from a polycarboxylic acid and a metal salt of a polycarboxylic acid; and the conductive polymer is a polymer in a dedoped state or in a dedoped and reduced state. The polymer constituting the conductive polymer is at least one selected from polyaniline, a polyaniline derivative, polypyrrole, a polypyrrole derivative, and polythiophene; and the polycarboxylic acid is at least one selected from polyacrylic acid, polymethacrylic acid, polyvinylbenzoic acid, polyallylbenzoic acid, polymethallylbenzoic acid, polymaleic acid, polyfumaric acid, polyglutaminic acid, polyaspartic acid, alginic acid, carboxymethylcellulose, and a copolymer including repeating units of at least two of the polymers listed herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Applicant: NITTO DENKO CORPORATIONInventors: Masao ABE, Akira OTANI, Yujiro KAWASHIMA, Yoshihiro UETANI, Hiroyoshi TAKE, Yutaka KISHII, Aimi MATSUURA, Yuki KAJISA, Yohei ANDO
-
Publication number: 20170317346Abstract: To increase the volume density or weight density of lithium ions that can be received and released in and from a positive electrode active material to achieve high capacity and high energy density of a secondary battery. A lithium manganese composite oxide represented by LixMnyMzOw that includes a region belonging to a space group C2/c and is covered with a carbon-containing layer is used as the positive electrode active material. The element M is an element other than lithium and manganese. The lithium manganese composite oxide has high structural stability and high capacity.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: Tatsuya IKENUMA, Shuhei YOSHITOMI, Takahiro KAWAKAMI, Yumiko YONEDA, Yohei MOMMA
-
Publication number: 20170317347Abstract: Anodes for the lithium secondary batteries include a strong, electrically conductive, porous superstructure filled with a milled or melted interstitial material, such as nano-scaled silicon; the milled or melted interstitial material provides high lithiation capacity, and the superstructure provides durability and controls the anode's electromechanical expansion and contraction during the lithiation and de-lithiation cycle. Embodiments include porous superstructures comprised of silicon carbide, tungsten, and other materials, many of which offer capability of lithiating.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2015Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: John Carberry, Tim Wilson
-
Publication number: 20170317348Abstract: A negative electrode active material for nonaqueous secondary batteries is disclosed. The active material contains a silicon solid solution having one or more than one of a group 3 semimetal or metal element, a group 4 semimetal or metal element except silicon, and a group 5 nonmetal or semimetal element incorporated in silicon as a solute element. The solute element is present more on the crystal grain boundaries of the silicon solid solution than inside the grains.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: Hitohiko IDE, Daisuke INOUE, Shinya KAGEI, Natsumi SHIBAMURA, Yasunori TABIRA
-
Publication number: 20170317349Abstract: The present disclosure provides a novel composite transition metal oxide-based precursor, a preparing method thereof, and a cathode active material for a secondary battery prepared from the precursor. In the present disclosure, it is possible to enhance productivity and economic efficiency due to a high reaction yield during the synthesis of a cathode active material and to enhance the initial discharge capacity and lifespan characteristics of a secondary battery including a cathode active material by using an oxide-based precursor having a high oxygen fraction instead of a hydroxide-based precursor used as a precursor of a cathode active material in the related art.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2016Publication date: November 2, 2017Applicant: LG Chem, Ltd.Inventors: Seo Hee JU, Kwon Young CHOI, Sung Ho BAN, Jun Ho EOM
-
Publication number: 20170317350Abstract: The present invention generally relates to P2-type layered materials for electrochemical devices such as Na-ion batteries with high rate performance, and methods of making or using such materials. In some embodiments, the P2-type layered material has the chemical formula NaX(MnQFeRCoT)O2. The P2-type layered material may be synthesized, for example, by a solid state reaction. In some cases, the P2-type layered material may be used as an electrode in an electrochemical device. The electrochemical device may have higher initial discharge capacities at various charge/discharge rates in galvanostatic testing compared with the initial discharge capacities of other P2-type layered materials.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Gerbrand Ceder, Lei Liu
-
Publication number: 20170317351Abstract: A lead-based alloy containing alloying additions of bismuth, antimony, arsenic, and tin is used for the production of doped leady oxides, lead-acid battery active materials, lead-acid battery electrodes, and lead-acid batteries.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: R. David Prengaman, Timothy W. Ellis, Matthew T. Raiford
-
Publication number: 20170317352Abstract: A negative electrode for a lithium metal battery including: a lithium metal electrode including a lithium metal or a lithium metal alloy; and a protective layer on at least portion of the lithium metal electrode, wherein the protective layer has a Young's modulus of about 106 pascals or greater and includes at least one particle having a particle size of greater than 1 micrometer to about 100 micrometers, and wherein the at least one particle include an organic particle, an inorganic particle, an organic-inorganic particle, or a combination thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: Yonggun Lee, Saebom Ryu, Toshinori SUGIMOTO, Yooseong Yang, Wonseok Chang, Joonseon Jeong
-
Publication number: 20170317353Abstract: Various embodiments of binder compositions, electrodes incorporating the binder compositions, fabrication methods for the binder compositions, and energy storage devices having the electrodes are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a binder composition includes an electrolyte solution that is ionically conductive, a polymeric material having a plurality of molecules mixed with the electrolyte solution, and a filler having a plurality of electrically conductive particles suspended in the adhesive matrix. The electrolyte solution plasticizing the polymeric material forming an adhesive matrix having the molecules of the polymeric material in an amorphous state.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2015Publication date: November 2, 2017Applicant: Washington State UniversityInventors: Weihong ZHONG, Yu WANG
-
Publication number: 20170317354Abstract: Provided is a method for producing a binder composition for an electrochemical device that can sufficiently inhibit importation of contaminants into an electrochemical device when used in production of the electrochemical device. The method for producing a binder composition for an electrochemical device includes filling, into a container, a binder composition for an electrochemical device that contains a binder, wherein the container is a container made of a resin and shaped in a clean environment in which the number of particles of 0.5 ?m in diameter is no greater than 100,000 particles per 1 ft3.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2015Publication date: November 2, 2017Applicant: ZEON CORPORATIONInventor: Norikazu YAMAMOTO
-
Publication number: 20170317355Abstract: Provided is an alloy comprising eight or more types of constituent elements, wherein the relative difference in terms of distance between nearest neighbors DNN between a constituent element having the largest distance between nearest neighbors DNN when constituting a bulk crystal from a single element and a constituent element having the smallest distance between nearest neighbors DNN when constituting a bulk crystal from a single element is 9% or less, the number of constituent elements having the same crystal structure when constituting a bulk crystal from a single element is not more than 3, and the difference in concentration between the constituent element having the highest concentration and the constituent element having the lowest concentration is 2 at. % or lower.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2014Publication date: November 2, 2017Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.Inventor: Tomio IWASAKI
-
Publication number: 20170317356Abstract: A system and method for manufacturing a micropillar array (20). A carrier (11) is provided with a layer of metal ink (20i). A high energy light source (14) irradiates the metal ink (20i) via a mask (13) between the carrier (11) and the light source. The mask is configured to pass a cross-section illuminated image of the micropillar array onto the metal ink (20i), thereby causing a patterned sintering of the metal ink (20i) to form a first subsection layer (21) of the micropillar array (20) in the layer of metal ink (20i). A further layer of the metal ink (20i) is applied on top of the first subsection layer (21) of the micropillar array (20) and irradiated via the mask (13) to form a second subsection layer (21) of the micropillar array on top. The process is repeated to achieve high aspect ratio micropillars 20p.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2015Publication date: November 2, 2017Applicant: Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepast-natuurwetenschappelijk onderzoek TNOInventors: Sandeep UNNIKRISHNAN, Rob Jacob HENDRIKS
-
Publication number: 20170317357Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide: a method for producing a gas diffusion electrode base which enables the achievement of a gas diffusion electrode base that has a microporous layer with small surface roughness and is not susceptible to damaging an electrolyte membrane; and a gas diffusion electrode base that has a microporous layer with small surface roughness and is not susceptible to damaging an electrolyte membrane. For the purpose of achieving the above-described purpose, the present invention has the configuration described below. Namely, a specific gas diffusion electrode base which has a carbon sheet and a microporous layer, and wherein the carbon sheet is porous and the DBP oil absorption of a carbon powder contained in the microporous layer is 70-155 ml/100 g.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2015Publication date: November 2, 2017Applicant: TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC.Inventors: Masamichi UTSUNOMIYA, Yasuaki TANIMURA, Toshiya KAMAE
-
Publication number: 20170317358Abstract: A gas channel forming plate is arranged between a membrane electrode assembly and a flat separator base. The gas channel forming plate includes gas channels arranged on a surface that faces the membrane electrode assembly, water channels each formed on the back side of the protrusion between an adjacent pair of the gas channels, communication passages that connect the gas channels and the water channels to each other, and guide portions formed by causing an inner wall surface of a gas channel to protrude inward in the gas channel. The guide portions are formed such that the upstream edge of each communication passage is arranged in a range in which, in the velocity vector of the gas flowing in the gas channel, the directional component directed from the side corresponding to the membrane electrode assembly toward the flat separator base has a positive value.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Applicant: TOYOTA SHATAI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yoshinori SHINOZAKI, Satoshi FUTAMI, Kousuke KAWAJIRI, Keiji HASHIMOTO
-
Publication number: 20170317359Abstract: A process (30) for producing a distributor plate (1) for an electrochemical system, wherein the distributor plate (1) has at least one metal foil (2) having a first surface (3) and a second surface (4) and the process (30) has the following process steps: a) pretreatment (31) of the metal foil (2); b) mask formation (32) at least on the first surface (3) of the pretreated metal foil (2); c) structure formation (33) at least on the first surface (3) of the metal foil (2) provided with the mask (10), as a result of which a first fluid distributor structure (5) is formed; d) mask removal (36).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: Kai Weeber, Silvan Hippchen
-
Publication number: 20170317360Abstract: A method of forming diffusion barrier layer includes providing an interconnect for a fuel cell stack, forming a glass barrier precursor layer over a Mn and/or Co containing electrically conductive contact layer on the interconnect, and heating the barrier precursor layer to precipitate crystals in the barrier precursor layer to convert the barrier precursor layer to a glass ceramic barrier layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: Shailendra Parihar, Emad El Batawi, Anita Pradeep Hothur
-
Publication number: 20170317361Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel cell (10) having a stack comprising a bipolar plate (20) which has a flow field (22) formed by a profiled section of the bipolar plate (20), and an elongated sealing element (21) which at least partially surrounds the flow field (22), and a membrane electrode assembly (30). It is provided that, inside a cavity (25) formed between the membrane electrode assembly (30) and the bipolar plate (20) in a region between the sealing element (21) and the flow field (22), a filling agent (24) is arranged which extends in the extension direction of the cavity (25).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2015Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: Christian Martin ZILLICH, Friedhelm WALKLING
-
Publication number: 20170317362Abstract: A fuel cell includes a power-generation channel provided on a surface of a cathode-side separator which faces a MEA and a cooling channel provided on a surface of the cathode-side separator opposite to the MEA. Air flows through the power-generation channel and the cooling channel. The cooling channel is separated from the power-generation channel by a side wall. The cross-sectional area of the power-generation channel on the air outlet side is smaller than that of the power-generation channel at a position upstream of the air outlet side, and the cross-sectional area of the cooling channel on the air outlet side is larger than that of the cooling channel at a position upstream of the air outlet side. A through-hole is provided in a side wall that separates the power-generation channel from the cooling channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: Naoki TAKEHIRO, Makoto ADACHI
-
Publication number: 20170317363Abstract: Parasitic reactions, such as evolution of hydrogen at the negative electrode, can occur under the operating conditions of flow batteries and other electrochemical systems. Such parasitic reactions can undesirably impact operating performance by altering the pH and/or state of charge of one or both electrolyte solutions in a flow battery. Electrochemical balancing cells can allow adjustment of electrolyte solutions to take place. Electrochemical balancing cells suitable for placement in fluid communication with both electrolyte solutions of a flow battery can include: a first chamber containing a first electrode, a second chamber containing a second electrode, a third chamber disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber, a cation-selective membrane forming a first interface between the first chamber and the third chamber, and a bipolar membrane, a cation-selective membrane, or a membrane electrode assembly forming a second interface between the second chamber and the third chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2016Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventor: Joseph Johannes Henricus PIJPERS
-
Publication number: 20170317364Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel cell system (100) comprising a fuel cell stack (10) comprising anode chambers (11) and cathode chambers (12), an anode supply (20) comprising an anode supply path (21) for supplying an anode operating gas to the anode chambers (11), and an anode exhaust path (22) for discharging an anode exhaust gas from the anode chambers (11), and a cathode supply (30) comprising a cathode supply path (31) for supplying a cathode operating gas to the cathode chambers (12) and a cathode exhaust path (32) for discharging a cathode exhaust gas from the cathode chambers (12), and comprising a negative-pressure generation means (40) for generating a negative pressure in the cathode chambers (12).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2015Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: Christian LUCAS, Natalja ERMATSCHENKO, Daniel GRUNDEI
-
Publication number: 20170317365Abstract: A method comprising feeding a fuel and an oxidant to individual cells in a fuel cell stack, each having two electrode layers and an electrolyte layer arranged between the electrode layers. The method further includes compressing the cell stack with a clamping device, and detecting a compression pressure upon the cell stack with at least one pressure sensor. The method also includes determining a moisture content of the two electrolyte layers based on the detected compression pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Stephan STRAHL, Arnulf SPONHEIMER, Uwe GUSSEN
-
Publication number: 20170317366Abstract: A pinhole determination method for a fuel cell includes steps of: blocking air supply to a fuel cell stack by a controller; measuring a cell voltage value of each of unit fuel cells of the fuel cell stack; and determining whether or not a pinhole is present by comparing the cell voltage value with an average cell voltage value.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2016Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: Jung Hwan Ryu, Soon Woo Kwon
-
Publication number: 20170317367Abstract: A high-temperature operating fuel cell system includes a reformer that produces a reformed gas from air and a raw material, an air supplier that supplies the air to the reformer, a fuel cell that generates electricity with the reformed gas and air, a combustor in which unutilized portions of the reformed gas and the air burn, a combustion exhaust gas path of a combustion exhaust gas, a depurator including a combustion catalyst for freeing the combustion exhaust gas of toxic substances, a heater that heats the combustion catalyst, and a controller. At start-up in a case of having detected an abnormal stoppage in which a purge operation is impossible, the controller first controls the heater so that the combustion catalyst is heated to a predetermined temperature and then controls the air supplier so that the high-temperature operating fuel cell system is purged by supplying the air to the reformer.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: JIN ZHANG, HIDENOBU WAKITA, MASASHI MORITA
-
Publication number: 20170317368Abstract: A fuel cell membrane electrode assembly is provided comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane comprising a first polymer electrolyte and at least one manganese compound; and one or more electrode layers comprising a catalyst and at least one cerium compound. The membrane electrode assembly demonstrates an unexpected combination of durability and performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: Daniel M. Pierpont, Steven J. Hamrock, Matthew H. Frey
-
Publication number: 20170317369Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid composition comprising a polymer bearing —SO3H groups and a perfluoroelastomer, a method for manufacturing said liquid composition and an article manufactured by using said composition. Preferably, said article is a proton exchange membrane, which shows at the same time good mechanical resistance and electrochemical properties and is useful for example as separator in fuel cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2015Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: Luca MERLO, Stefano TONELLA, Martina CORASANITI, Claudio OLDANI
-
Publication number: 20170317370Abstract: The present specification relates to a polymer with improved acid resistance, a polymer electrolyte membrane including the same, a membrane-electrode assembly including the polymer electrolyte membrane, a fuel cell including the membrane-electrode assembly, and a redox flow battery including the polymer electrolyte membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2015Publication date: November 2, 2017Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.Inventors: Esder KANG, Joong Jin HAN, Youngjea KIM, Sehee JUNG, Hyun Woog RYU, Yong Jin JANG, Soyoung YU
-
Publication number: 20170317371Abstract: A cell structure includes a cathode, an anode, and a protonically conductive solid electrolyte layer between the cathode and the anode. The solid electrolyte layer contains a compound having a perovskite structure and containing zirconium, cerium, and a rare-earth element other than cerium. If the solid electrolyte layer has a thickness of T, the elemental ratio of zirconium to cerium at a position 0.25 T from a surface of the solid electrolyte layer opposite the cathode, ZrC/CeC, and the elemental ratio of zirconium to cerium at a position 0.25 T from a surface of the solid electrolyte layer opposite the anode, ZrA/CeA, satisfy ZrC/CeC>ZrA/CeA, and ZrC/CeC>1.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2015Publication date: November 2, 2017Applicant: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Takahiro HIGASHINO, Yohei NODA, Chihiro HIRAIWA, Naho MIZUHARA, Hiromasa TAWARAYAMA, Hisao TAKEUCHI, Masatoshi MAJIMA
-
Publication number: 20170317372Abstract: A fluid distribution device distributes at least two fluids of a fuel cell. The fluid distribution device comprises a block body, first and second external manifolds and first and second communicating portions. The block body includes a side surface that receives the fuel cell. The first external manifold is disposed adjacent the side surface. The second external manifold is disposed away from the side surface. The first and second external manifolds partially overlap, as viewed from the side surface. The second external manifold includes an extension portion that does not overlap with the first external manifold as viewed from the side surface. The first communicating portion has a first hole only communicating a first fluid to the first external manifold from the side surface. The second communicating portion has a second hole portion only communicating a second fluid to the extension portion from the side surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: Takuya HASEGAWA, Ryuji FUJIEDA
-
Publication number: 20170317373Abstract: In order to produce an electro-chemical unit for a fuel cell stack in which a plurality of electro-chemical units follow one another along a stacking direction wherein the electro-chemical unit includes a membrane electrode unit having an anode-side electro-chemically active surface which has an outer border that is defined by an anode-side bordering element and wherein the electro-chemical unit also includes a cathode-side electro-chemically active surface which has an outer border that is defined by a cathode-side bordering element in such a way as to prevent enhanced aging of the membrane electrode unit due to regions of the membrane electrode unit only being supplied with an oxidizing agent, it is proposed that the outer border of the anode-side electro-chemically active surface be displaced outwardly at least in sections thereof with respect to the outer border of the cathode-side electro-chemically active surface in a direction running perpendicularly to the stacking direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: Peter Stahl, Juergen Kraft, Michael Goetz
-
Publication number: 20170317374Abstract: To provide a secondary battery that can be mounted on a substrate and can easily select a voltage to be output in manufacture and a manufacturing method thereof. A secondary battery in which small cells with substantially the same form are stacked and whose voltage to be output is easily selected in manufacture by changing the number of stacked layers is manufactured. In the cell, an electrolytic solution including a spacer and a polymer is used to keep at least a certain distance between the positive electrode active material layer and the negative electrode active material layer with the spacer. Furthermore, the electrolytic solution is made to gelate by the polymer to be an electrolytic solution that can be formed in the form of a sheet. Furthermore, the positive electrode active material layer and the negative electrode active material layer are formed using a printing method typified by screen printing.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2015Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventor: Minoru TAKAHASHI
-
Publication number: 20170317375Abstract: An electrode assembly includes: a plurality of first electrodes, each including a first electrode portion having a first active material layer thereon and a first uncoated region electrically connected to the first electrode portion; a separation membrane including a plurality of receiving portions arranged at intervals and respectively accommodating the first electrode portions, the separation membrane being folded so that surfaces of adjacent ones of the receiving portions face each other; and a plurality of second electrodes respectively positioned between adjacent ones of the receiving portions that face each other to overlap a corresponding one of the first electrode portions. The plurality of second electrodes each include a second electrode portion having a second active material layer thereon and a second uncoated region electrically connected to the second electrode portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventor: Gi-Bong Cho
-
Publication number: 20170317376Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a pressing jig of secondary battery cell, the pressing jig including: one pair of pressing plates hinge-coupled to be mutually foldable, and having space therebetween where the cell of the secondary battery may be disposed; and a locking mechanism configured to fixate a folded state of the one pair of pressing plates, wherein at least one of the one pair of pressing plates is made of a polyacetal (POM) material.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2015Publication date: November 2, 2017Applicant: LG Chem, Ltd.Inventors: Du-Seong Yoon, Ji-Hyun Kim, Jae-Hyun Lee
-
Publication number: 20170317377Abstract: In the present invention, a secondary battery comprises: a battery element (20) in which a positive pole plate and a negative pole plate are layered; a housing (10) for housing the battery element (20) and an electrolyte; electrode tabs (21, 25) of the positive electrode and the negative electrode that are led out from the housing (10); a fusing part (25b) that is formed in a part of the electrode tab and preferentially fuses if a predetermined current has flowed; and a reinforcing member (33) which is attached to an electrode tab at least at the section having the fusing part (25b), and which is attached so as to be separated from the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2015Publication date: November 2, 2017Applicant: NEC CorporationInventors: Kazuhiko INOUE, Kenichi SHIMURA, Shinya SUDO, Noboru YOSHIDA
-
Publication number: 20170317378Abstract: Composite particles for electrochemical device electrodes, which contain an electrode active material and a binder. A composite particle layer formed of the composite particles has a pressure loss of 5.0 mbar or less and a dynamic repose angle of 20° or more and less than 40°.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2015Publication date: November 2, 2017Applicant: ZEON CORPORATIONInventor: Taku MATSUMURA
-
Publication number: 20170317379Abstract: A lithium-ion battery includes: a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte solution; in which the positive electrode comprises a current collector, and a positive electrode material mixture that is placed on at least one side of the current collector, in which the positive electrode material mixture comprises a positive electrode conductive material, a lithium nickel manganese complex oxide as a positive electrode active material, and a resin having a structural unit derived from a nitrile group-containing monomer as a positive electrode binder, and in which n a density of the positive electrode material mixture is from 2.5 g/cm3 to 3.2 g/cm3.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2015Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: Ryuichiro FUKUTA, Katsunori KOJIMA
-
Publication number: 20170317380Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery having high input/output characteristics and preferable cycle characteristics is provided. A non-aqueous electrolyte according to one example of an embodiment includes a positive electrode which includes a positive electrode active material containing as a primary component, a lithium transition metal oxide having a layered structure, the content of Co of which is with respect to the total mass of metal elements except Li is 1 to 20 percent by mole; a negative electrode which includes a negative electrode active material containing Si; and a non-aqueous electrolyte which includes a fluorinated chain carboxylic acid ester.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2015Publication date: November 2, 2017Applicant: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Manabu Takijiri, Takanobu Chiga, Masaki Hasegawa