Storage Cell Or Battery Patents (Class 29/730)
  • Patent number: 9356270
    Abstract: A battery assembly includes a lower array including opposing endplates having upwardly protruding pins, and an upper array including opposing endplates having pin bores. The upper array includes a mid-tray defining holes positioned such that the pins are receivable in the holes and the bores when the arrays are properly oriented and such that the mid-tray blocks the pins from being received within the bores when the arrays are positioned in a reverse orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rajaram Subramanian, Tommy M. Gunther, Daniel Miller, Steven Droste, Andrew Elms
  • Patent number: 9300003
    Abstract: Provided is a meandering correction apparatus for an electrode assembly. The meandering correction apparatus for the electrode assembly, which corrects a position of a second unit cell to align a first unit cell with the second unit cell in the electrode assembly in which the first and second unit cells having sizes different from each other are folded through a separator, includes a main body on which the electrode assembly is disposed, a movable jig unit disposed on one side of the main body to press one side surface of the electrode assembly, thereby moving the electrode assembly toward the other side of the main body, and a correction jig unit disposed on the other side of the main body to support the other side surface of the electrode assembly that moves by the movable jig unit, thereby correcting the position of the second unit cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Ji Won Park, Myung Hoon Ko, Chang Bum Ahn
  • Patent number: 9293782
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment provides a winder for an electrode assembly of a rechargeable battery capable of improving productivity by shortening a winding cycle. A winder for an electrode assembly of a rechargeable battery according to an exemplary embodiment includes: a nip roll catching and feeding a positive plate and a negative plate, and a separator; a rotor disposed below the nip roll to rotate; and a plurality of winding cores arranged in the rotor at a regular interval in a rotation direction of the rotor to rotate and move forward or backward from the rotor, wherein the center of the nip roll, the center of any one winding core among the plurality of winding cores, and one surface of an electrode assembly of another winding core which is winding-completed form a straight line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Un-Seop Kim, Eun-Soo Sin
  • Patent number: 9248756
    Abstract: A system for controlling battery charging in a vehicle includes a traction battery and a controller. The controller is configured to charge the traction battery to a SOC that is less than a maximum SOC based on an amount of charge predicted to be received from an anticipated regenerative braking event. The regenerative braking event is anticipated to occur during the next drive cycle. The target SOC may be set such that, upon occurrence of the anticipated regenerative braking event, the traction battery achieves the maximum SOC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Elaine Y. Chen, Jimmy Kapadia
  • Patent number: 9236607
    Abstract: A method for making a lithium ion battery cathode is provided. A carbon nanotube source including a plurality of carbon nanotubes is made. A cathode active material including a plurality of cathode active material particles and a solvent is provided. The carbon nanotube source and the cathode active material are added into the solvent, and the solvent with the carbon nanotube source and the cathode active material is shaken using ultrasonic waves. The carbon nanotube source and the cathode active material are then separated from the solvent to obtain a lithium ion battery cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jia-Ping Wang, Shu Luo, Kai-Li Jiang, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Patent number: 9236600
    Abstract: A method for making a lithium ion battery anode is provided. A carbon nanotube source including a plurality of carbon nanotubes is made. An anode material including a number of anode material particles and a solvent is provided. The carbon nanotube source and the anode material are added into the solvent, and the solvent with the carbon nanotube source and the anode material is shaken using ultrasonic waves. The carbon nanotube source and the anode material are then separated from the solvent to obtain the lithium ion battery anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jia-Ping Wang, Shu Luo, Kai-Li Jiang, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Publication number: 20150136589
    Abstract: An electrochemical system has two separator plates as well as a membrane-electrode assembly arranged at least in regions between the separator plates. The separator plates and the membrane-electrode assembly each have at least two passage openings for a flush arrangement of the separator plates and the membrane-electrode assembly at positioning devices during the assembly of the electrochemical system. At least one resilient bridge is arranged at the periphery of at least one passage opening for a mechanical butting to the at least one positioning device in such a manner that during the stacking of the separator plates and the membrane-electrode assemblies, the membrane-electrode assemblies center themselves in a direction orthogonal to the stack direction between the separator plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Horst Gehring, Claudia Kunz, Bernadette Gruenwald, Rainer Glueck, Joachim Scherer
  • Publication number: 20150129337
    Abstract: Method for battery replacement in a vehicle (110), which vehicle is equipped with a storage space (150;200;300;400) for a battery (120,122;220;320;420;620), where an opening (151;204;304;404) into the storage space exists under the vehicle, wherein the vehicle assumes a first and a second predetermined position in relation to first and second battery transport devices (130;140) that bring a battery out from the vehicle and a battery into the vehicle. The transport devices are installed at least partly above ground (100) and beside the positions, and in that the batteries are brought along a respective path (121,123) running from the storage space, under a side beam (112) of the vehicle and up to a respective position above ground and beside the vehicle. A device for automatic battery replacement and a storage device for use in a vehicle are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventor: Sten Corfitsen
  • Publication number: 20150079440
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing electrodes (14) for lead-acid batteries (30). An electrode (14) that has been produced comprises at least one upper and/or one lower frame element as well as a lattice-shaped region (12) that extends away from said upper or lower frame element (9, 10) and has a plurality of openings, the upper and/or lower frame element (9, 10) being of a greater thickness (D) than the lattice-shaped region (12). Said method comprises the steps of: a) producing a profiled strip-shaped blank (2) using a casting method in which the strip-shaped blank (2) is formed, solely by means of said casting method, to have a greater thickness (D) on one side in at least one of the regions (3, 5, 7) which should eventually form the upper or lower frame element (9, 10), than the thickness in regions (4, 6) which should eventually form the lattice-shaped region (12), and b) producing said lattice-shaped region (12) with the openings in a subsequent expanded metal process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: Tatjana Reich
  • Patent number: 8973254
    Abstract: A system and method for the rapid exchange of batteries in an electric vehicle. The electric vehicle contains a removable battery housed in the vehicle's undercarriage. The electric vehicle moves through the exchange system either by propelling itself or by being propelled by the system. As the vehicle is propelled forward, the removable battery within the vehicle is unlocked from the vehicle and replaced with a charged battery. The charged battery forces the removable battery out of the rear of the vehicle as the vehicle moves forward through the exchange. The vehicle remains powered throughout the exchange process. Once the charged battery is aligned in position under the vehicle and connected to the vehicle through corresponding contacts, the charged battery is located into place in the vehicle's undercarriage and the vehicle is ready for additional driving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Jasper EV Tech, LLC
    Inventor: Peter C. Droste
  • Patent number: 8974549
    Abstract: In a vacuum container (2), a bag-shaped laminate film (12) containing a battery element (11) and having an opening (12a) is pinched at positions corresponding to two principal surfaces (11a) of the battery element (11), the battery element (11) having a positive layer and a negative layer stacked via a separator. Pressure in the vacuum container (2) is reduced. An electrolytic solution (20) is poured from an electrolytic-solution supply line (4) into the bag-shaped laminate film (12) through the opening (12a) with pressure in the vacuum container (2) kept reduced until the entire battery element (11) is immersed in the electrolytic solution (20). The reduced pressure in the vacuum container (2) is increased to make the battery element (11) absorb the electrolytic solution (20) by means of the difference in pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignees: NEC Energy Devices, Ltd., Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Shimura, Yuta Motohashi, Gen Takayama, Masashi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8970341
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electric vehicle, a battery charging station, and an electric vehicle battery exchange reservation system including the same. The electric vehicle includes a power level detection unit adapted to detect a power level of a battery mounted on the electric vehicle; a communication unit adapted to communicate with a battery charging station; and a control unit adapted to determine a battery charging station, in which the battery of the electric vehicle is to be exchanged, based on the power level of the battery and a route of travel of the electric vehicle and transmit a battery exchange reservation command to the determined battery charging station. Based on the battery power level of the electric vehicle, a battery charging station existing along the route of travel is requested to provide battery information, and battery exchange is reserved accordingly, so that batteries can be exchanged more efficiently and conveniently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Kookmin University Industry Academy Cooperation Foundation
    Inventors: Jun-Seok Park, Won-Kyu Kim, Hee-Jeing Park, Hee-Seok Moon, Wong-Chul Choi, Jay-Il Jeong, Chi-Man Yu, Do-Yang Jung, Yong-Hark Shin, Jae-Hong Park
  • Publication number: 20150052741
    Abstract: A system and method for stacking battery cells or related assembled components. Generally planar, rectangular (prismatic-shaped) battery cells are moved from an as-received generally vertical stacking orientation to a generally horizontal stacking orientation without the need for robotic pick-and-place equipment. The system includes numerous conveyor belts that work in cooperation with one another to deliver, rotate and stack the cells or their affiliated assemblies. The belts are outfitted with components to facilitate the cell transport and rotation. The coordinated movement between the belts and the components promote the orderly transport and rotation of the cells from a substantially vertical stacking orientation into a substantially horizontal stacking orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Andrew L. Bartos, Yhu-Tin Lin, Raymond D. Turner, III
  • Patent number: 8963495
    Abstract: Provided is a battery exchange method for an electric vehicle. The battery exchange method includes (a) opening a protection cover of a battery mounting module installed at an upper portion of the electric vehicle, and transmitting an open signal to a battery charge station; (b) releasing a locking unit of a pre-mounted battery, and transmitting an unlocking signal to the battery charge station; (c) determining and storing a mounting location of the battery using an image sensor; (d) controlling movements and operations of a battery replacing robot when the unlocking signal is confirmed, and ejecting the pre-mounted battery from a battery seating base of the battery mounting module; (e) controlling movements and operations of the battery replacing robot to move a prepared fully charged battery into the battery mounting module, and mounting the fully charged battery on the battery seating base in the battery charge station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Kookmin University Industry Academy Cooperation Foundation
    Inventors: Jun Seok Park, Won-Kyu Kim, Hee-Jeing Park, Hee Seok Moon, Woongchul Choi, Jayil Jeong, Chi Man Yu, Do Yang Jung, Yong-hark Shin, Jae-Hong Park
  • Publication number: 20150030904
    Abstract: The invention relates to a connecting pole (1) for a rechargeable battery (12) having the following features: a) the connecting pole (1) has a connecting section (2), in which a pole terminal can be fastened on the connecting pole (1), b) the connecting pole (1) has a fastening section (3), in which the connecting pole (1) can be fastened in a housing part (5) of the rechargeable battery (12), c) the fastening section (3) has a labyrinth section (4), d) the outer wall (6) of the connecting pole (1) has, in the labyrinth section (4), one or more peripheral projections (7, 8, 10), e) at least two adjacently arranged peripheral projections (70, 71, 72, 73, 80, 81, 82, 83) are flanged in pairs in the mutually facing direction, wherein a recess (11) is formed on each of the peripheral projections (70, 71, 72, 73, 80, 81, 82, 83) with respect to the outer wall (6) of the connecting pole (1) by the flanged region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: VB AUTOBATTERIE GMBH & CO., KGAA
    Inventors: Anne-Laure Ledoux, Peter Streuer
  • Publication number: 20150020380
    Abstract: There is provided a stacking apparatus including: a pickup unit including a plurality of suction units that pass a first position, a second position, a third position, and a fourth position, which are disposed at equal intervals in a first direction around a circumference, in order; and a driving unit that moves the respective suction units of the plurality of suction units in order to the first position, the second position, the third position, and the fourth position and also causes up-down movement of the respective suction units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Seiji Yamaura, Tsukasa Miyazaki
  • Publication number: 20150013150
    Abstract: A bus bar attachment device includes a bus bar placing part for placing a bus bar onto a pallet, and a pressing part for causing first and second adjacent surfaces in the bus bar placed by the bus bar supply part to press against first and second adjacent wall surfaces in a bus bar positioning part of the pallet. The bus bar is placed by the bus bar supply part in a position where the first and second surfaces face the first and second wall surfaces in the bus bar positioning part, and the first and second surfaces are pressed the pressing part against the first and second wall surfaces in the bus bar positioning part to set the position of the bus bar relative to a battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Shinichiro Kitagawa, Hiroyuki Nakazawa
  • Publication number: 20150000117
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an apparatus and method for sealing a pouch case that optimizes a sealing shape or structure of a sealing portion at an inner side of the pouch case to ensure insulation of a secondary battery. The apparatus for sealing a pouch case of a pouch-type secondary battery according to the present disclosure includes an upper compression jig to apply pressure to a sealing portion of the pouch case in a downward direction, and a lower compression jig to apply pressure to the sealing portion of the pouch case in an upward direction, and at least one of the upper compression jig and the lower compression jig applies the pressure to the pouch case at different depths at an inner side end and an outer side end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Seung-Su Cho, Seung-Don Choi, Dae-Sik Choi, Hong-Sin Kim
  • Publication number: 20150000119
    Abstract: A repair apparatus of a sheet type cell that is capable of appropriately repairing and detoxifying defects of a sheet type cell having semiconductor characteristics is provided. The repair apparatus repairs a sheet type cell in which a storage layer is sandwiched by layers of a positive electrode and a negative electrode and at least the storage layer has semiconductor characteristics. The repair apparatus includes an electrical stimulation source that applies electrical stimulation between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, an electrical characteristic measurement means that measures electrical characteristics of the sheet type cell when the electrical stimulation is applied, and a control means that specifies a value of the electrical stimulation by the electrical stimulation source while considering measured electrical characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA NIHON MICRONICS, GUALA TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kiyoyasu Hiwada, Harutada Dewa, Akira Nakazawa, Nobuaki Terakado
  • Publication number: 20150000116
    Abstract: A battery pressing device includes a roller and a transport device. The roller is configured to rotate at a rotational speed when pressing a battery cell in which is disposed a battery element having electrodes and separators layered inside an external packaging. The transport mechanism is configured to transport the battery cell at a transport speed that is synchronized with the rotational speed of the roller when the battery cell is being pressed by the roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: Takeshi Yasooka
  • Patent number: 8916279
    Abstract: Provided is a battery assembling apparatus comprising a selecting section that selects as battery cells to be assembled into a battery pack, from among a plurality of battery cells, battery cells having similar charge curves that indicate a relationship between voltage and charge period, which is a time period necessary for a battery cell to be charged from a first voltage to a second voltage that is higher than the first voltage. As a result, the lifetimes of battery cells and of a battery pack assembled from a plurality of battery cells can be extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: The Japan Research Institute, Limited
    Inventors: Hiroaki Murase, Kazuhiro Muto
  • Publication number: 20140370364
    Abstract: Provided is a thin film battery module. The thin film battery module comprises: a battery module which is configured of unit cells stacked against each other; and a shock absorbing portion which surrounds the space between the unit cells and the battery module. Also provided are a thin film battery package, a thin film battery package manufacturing device, and a thin film battery package manufacturing method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Yong Yeon Kim, San Moo Kwon, Soo Tae Choi, Eun Hang Cho, Eun Jong Hwang, Sung Gyu Bang
  • Publication number: 20140352138
    Abstract: A battery pressing device for pressing a battery cell, the battery cell including an external casing, an electrolyte, a battery element in which electrodes and a separator are arranged in layers in the external casing, electrode terminals extending out of the external casing from an end of the battery element, and an insulating member for preventing short-circuiting of the electrode terminals attached to the electrode terminals inside the external casing, the battery pressing device includes a pressing member configured to press the battery cell in a layering direction of the battery element over a region so as to avoid pressing the insulating member inside the external casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicants: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Automotive Energy Supply Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Yasooka, Hiroki Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 8869384
    Abstract: Provided is an electric bus battery exchange station. The electric bus battery exchange station according to the present invention includes: an exchange station body having a battery exchange, wherein said battery exchange unit is projected out to be connected with a hole of; an imaging unit taking images of the electric bus moving toward said exchange station body; an entry process storing unit storing entry process information needed in order that the electric bus is positioned exactly below the battery exchange unit; an entry information output unit comparing an entry state of the electric bus obtained from images taken by said imaging unit with the entry information stored, and outputting entry information for modifying the entry state of the electric bus to make equal to said entry process information; and an entry information providing unit providing information outputted by said entry information output unit to the electric bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignees: Kookmin University Industry Academy Cooperation Foundation, Industry-University Cooperation Foundation of Korea Aerospace University
    Inventors: Jun Seok Park, Won-Kyu Kim, Won-Jae Jung
  • Publication number: 20140304983
    Abstract: A system for processing battery plates and arrangement thereof in the battery housing, including transportation apparatuses and individual processing stations, such as insertion stations, tin bath, and a lead casting station. The battery plates which are to be processed are arranged as plate stacks in a plurality of clamping cassettes which are equipped with the plate stacks arranged in a vertically oriented transportation apparatus which rotates in a circle. The plate stacks and the individual processing stations rotate in a vertically oriented circular movement and can be supplied to the clamping cassette which is positioned in the processing station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Sasit Industrietechnik GMBH
    Inventors: Jochen Meier, Andre Friedenberger
  • Patent number: 8844795
    Abstract: In some examples, an electrode plate K is conveyed to a gap 230 of a pair of stacking drums 210 and 220 with a conveying section 100. In synchronization with conveyance of the electrode plate K, the drums 210 and 220 feed a pair of separators S each formed into a predetermined shape with the separators S adhering to corresponding peripheral surfaces of the pair of drums 210 and 220. While feeding the electrode plate K forward in a generally horizontal manner, the separators S are sequentially stacked on both surfaces of the electrode plate K in synchronized with rotations of the drums 210 and 220, and both edge portions of the separators S are welded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignees: Kyoto Seisakusho Co., Ltd., Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Yano, Manabu Yamashita, Hiroshi Yuhara, Takahiro Yanagi, Yasufumi Okazaki
  • Publication number: 20140259646
    Abstract: Systems and methods for producing battery parts, such as battery parts, are described herein. In one embodiment, a battery part machine is configured transform a profile of one or more acid rings on a battery part from a first cross-section to a second cross-section. The machine can include a rotatable spindle configured to receive the battery part, and a first tool and a second tool configured to engage the battery part. The orientation of the first tool and the second tool can be configured to engage the battery part at adjustable to polish, crimp, flare or otherwise transform the profile of the acid rings thereon to produce a finished battery part. An operator can input operating parameters to a machine controller to adjust the finished profile of the acid rings produced by the machine without requiring disassembly thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: WATER GREMLIN COMPANY
    Inventor: Tracy L. Cain
  • Patent number: 8835040
    Abstract: Separator for cylindrical cell of the outwardly guided type, wherein a sheet material is wound around a mandrel, and starting from the winding step until the insertion of a separator into the cell, an outward support is used that renders the binding of neighboring turns of the separator winding unnecessary, and the separator sheet has an extended portion, with the extension being at least equal to the radius of the separator cylinder, and with this extended portion being wetted with distilled or de-ionized water until the material softens and the winding and the mandrel are rotated and the bottom part is folded back and heat fused to close the separator cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Hibar Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Djuro Slivar
  • Publication number: 20140237808
    Abstract: The stacked cell manufacturing method includes the steps of executing zigzag-folding of a band-like separator by the intermediary of a zigzag-folding mechanism, alternately feeding a positive-plate and a negative-plate onto the separator as folded back every time the separator is folded back by the zigzag-folding. A positive-plate transfer head and a negative-plate transfer head are set so as to alternately undergo a linearly reciprocating transfer in a horizontal direction at least on the table, the direction of a horizontal and reciprocating transfer made by the positive-plate transfer head and the negative-plate transfer head is set to coincide with a folding-back direction of the zigzag-folding of the separator, and a force caused by the horizontal and reciprocating transfer alternately made by each of these transfer heads is imparted to the separator guided onto the table, thereby executing the zigzag-folding while the separator is drawn onto the table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Hitachi Power Solutions Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji NAKAKUKI, Shuji YONAI, Mitsunori SEKIYA
  • Publication number: 20140230239
    Abstract: A production apparatus is equipped with a supply unit which has a cassette member 50 for bearing a predetermined number of positive electrode plates or negative electrode plates, and which batchwise supplies a plurality of positive electrode plates 5 or negative electrode plates 6 placed on the cassette member 50 to respective electrode plate conveying trays 19 of an electrode plate conveying member 20.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: ELIIY Power Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sato, Seiji Yamaura
  • Patent number: 8778521
    Abstract: A mandrel for use in a battery assembly may include a positive mandrel portion and a negative mandrel portion. Each of the mandrel portions may include a connector element coupling region and an electrode coupling region. The connector element coupling region may be configured to be coupled to a connector element and the electrode coupling region may be configured to be coupled to an electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Nidelkoff, Jay T. Rassat, Jeffrey J. Clayton, Nicholas J. Haupt, Paul B. Aamodt
  • Patent number: 8756798
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for fitting and equipping motor vehicle battery housings as a compact system, which comprises individual production stations and associated transport devices, wherein the battery plate packs to be processed are arranged in clamping cassettes and are provided to the device in the necessary pack width for the intended battery cells by a feeding station arranged upstream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignees: Sasit Industrietechnik GmbH, VB Autobatterie GmbH & Co. KGAA
    Inventors: Jochen Meier, Thomas Dörffel, Roger Loer
  • Patent number: 8740999
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling a fuel cell stack is disclosed, wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of dunnage cassettes adapted to cooperate with a plurality of containers, a fixture, and an assembly device to simultaneously assemble a plurality of membrane electrode assemblies together with a plurality of bipolar plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Kevin B. Rober, Gary L. Jones, Yhu-Tin Lin, James W. Wells
  • Patent number: 8722228
    Abstract: A battery includes a first battery. The first battery includes a first anode, a first cathode, and a dry electrolyte. The dry electrolyte is configured to be activated by a first biological fluid to electrically connect the first anode and the first cathode to generate an electrical current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventor: Glenn Godden
  • Publication number: 20140123475
    Abstract: Plant for the electrochemical formation of lead-acid batteries, which comprises an external circuit (5) in which an electrolytic solution flows with controlled temperature; such solution traverses the single cells (2) provided with metering caps (17) provided with an inlet duct (18) connected with a first connector to a distribution manifold (9) of the circuit and with an outlet duct connected with a second connector to return means (7) of the circuit. The plant also comprises suction means connected to the distribution manifold (9) and actuatable to suck, with the feeding to the distribution manifold (9) interrupted, the electrolytic solution contained in the distribution manifold (9) as well as possible lumps therewith that have stopped in the inlet ducts and/or in the first connectors for feeding the cells (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: SOVEMA S.p.A
    Inventor: Pietro Farina
  • Patent number: 8708321
    Abstract: A secondary battery, a jig suitable for fabrication of the secondary battery, and a method for producing a secondary battery constructed with a case accommodating the electrode assembly. The case includes a front portion terminated along opposite edges by a first wing portion and a second wing portion, and a back portion positioned opposite to the front portion, with insulating film bent along a length of a junction between the front portion and each of the first wing portion and the second wing portion, a pair of holes in the insulating film are held in parallel alignment with respect to the length of the junction, with the insulating film adhering to and covering the front portion and a corresponding one of the first wing portion and the second wing portion, in order to prevent leakage of electrolyte, and resulting corrosion of the electrically conducting metal components of the secondary battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sung-Ho Hong
  • Publication number: 20140109396
    Abstract: A stacking apparatus includes a first rotating table that is equipped with a plurality of stacking regions and intermittently rotates the plurality of stacking regions respectively to a plurality of work positions, a first turning unit; and a second turning unit. The first turning unit includes a first arm that turns between the first stacking position and a first pickup position where an anode sheet is picked up and a second arm that turns in concert with movement of the first arm between the first stacking position and a second pickup position where a separator is picked up. The second turning unit includes a third arm that picks up a cathode sheet and a fourth arm that turns in concert with movement of the third arm and picks up a separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: NAGANO AUTOMATION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichi Hirai, Seiji Yamaura
  • Patent number: 8703336
    Abstract: A primary alkaline battery includes a cathode having an alkali-deficient nickel (IV)-containing oxide including metals such as Ni, Co, Mg, Al, Ca, Y, Mn, and/or non-metals such as B, Si, Ge or a combination of metal and/or non-metal ions as stabilizing dopants; a combination of metal ions as dopants; an anode; a separator between the cathode and the anode; and an alkaline electrolyte. The battery can be pre-discharged within one hour after assembly to decrease the open circuit voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Thomas C. Richards, Paul Christian, Jennifer A. Nelson, Kirakodu S. Nanjundaswamy, Fan Zhang
  • Publication number: 20140101928
    Abstract: After a separator is brought into a tension-free state, a plurality of guide members are crossed in a horizontal direction between rows of the guide members to fold the separator or a superposed body zigzag. Positive electrode plates or negative electrode plates are inserted into the resulting furrows to produce a secondary battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: ELIIY Power Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sato, Seiji Yamaura, Takuya Sakata
  • Publication number: 20140096374
    Abstract: A battery assembling apparatus of one aspect of the invention comprises: first and second rotary tables arranged to face each other at points on respective outer circumferences and rotate in forward directions relative to each other; a battery holding part provided on the outer circumference of the first rotary table to hold a battery; a frame holding part provided on the outer circumference of the second rotary table to hold a frame; a battery supplying part for supplying batteries to the battery holding part at a position different from a facing position between the first and second rotary tables; a frame supplying part for supplying frames to the frame holding part at a position different from the facing position; and a discharging part for taking out an assembly of a battery and a frame assembled together from the facing position, the first and second rotary tables being rotated with a rotation speed ratio and in a phase relationship such that the battery holding part and the frame holding part face each
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Syuto, Tsuyoshi Yano, Koji Tamaru, Yuta Nemoto, Shogo Shibai, Hirokuni Sasaki, Shigeki Ishii
  • Publication number: 20140072853
    Abstract: A battery cell assembly and a method of manufacturing the same. The battery cell assembly includes a plurality of battery cells including anode terminals and cathode terminals, a plurality of lead tabs disposed on at least one of the anode terminal and the cathode terminal of each battery cell, wherein a groove is formed in each lead tab, and a lead plate disposed on top portions of the plurality of lead tabs, the lead plate including a connector contacting the plurality of lead tabs and a through hole formed in a position corresponding to the groove of the lead tab.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Samsung SDl Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hee-Youn Won, Dae-Yon Moon
  • Publication number: 20140050977
    Abstract: An electrode for lithium-ion secondary battery comprises: a base member which functions as a current collector; and an active material layer formed in a surface of the base member as a stripe-like pattern including a plurality of active material lines which contain silicon or a silicon compound as an active material, which are spaced apart from each other and which protrude beyond the surface of the base member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: DAINIPPON SCREEN MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masakazu SANADA, Takeshi MATSUDA, Akira IZUMI
  • Patent number: 8642227
    Abstract: The present invention is concerned with improved fuel cell stack assemblies, and methods of operation of a fuel cell stack assembly, particularly with improved gas flow and thermal management.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ceres Intellectual Property Company
    Inventors: Matthew Harrington, Paul Barnard, Robert Leah, Robert Morgan
  • Publication number: 20140026399
    Abstract: A stacking apparatus having a cylindrical conveyance drum holding and rotating to covey a separator and an electrode conveyance unit conveying a positive electrode in a tangential direction of the conveyance drum so that the positive electrode overlaps the separator. To the outer circumferential surface of the conveyance drum, there are defined a suction area for drawing the separator that is non-rotatably positioned on an upstream side of a rotation direction of the conveyance drum with respect to a location to which the positive electrode in conveyed and a non-suction area for removing the separator that is non-rotatably positioned on a downstream side of the rotation direction of the same. The separator in the suction area is conveyed to the non-suction area, is removed from the outer circumferential surface, and is transferred onto the positive electrode, thereby gradually stacking the separator on the positive electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yuhara, Takahiro Yanagi, Manabu Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20140026400
    Abstract: A device for producing a packaged electrode includes: a pair of cylindrical rotating bodies arranged with their respective outer peripheral surfaces facing each other, and each configured to convey a separator by rotating while holding the separator on the outer peripheral surface; an electrode conveyance section configured to convey an electrode having a predetermined shape in a direction tangential to the cylindrical rotating bodies toward a gap between the cylindrical rotating bodies; and a joining section which joins the separators together, with the electrode sandwiched between the separators conveyed by the cylindrical rotating bodies. Also, the electrode is packaged with the separators by simultaneously delivering and laminating the separators from the rotating cylindrical rotating bodies to both surfaces of the electrode being conveyed by the electrode conveyance section, and joining together the separators delivered to both surfaces of the electrode by means of the joining section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yuhara, Takahiro Yanagi, Manabu Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20140030607
    Abstract: A lithium-ion secondary battery 10 consisting of a laminar member 40 including a positive electrode collector layer 12, a positive electrode layer 16 consisting of a vapor-deposited polymer film 26 containing a positive electrode active substance 24, and positive-electrode-side vapor-deposited polymer films 36, 37, which are integrally laminated on each other, and a laminar member 42 including a negative electrode collector layer 14, a negative electrode layer 18 consisting of a vapor-deposited polymer film 30 containing a negative electrode active substance 28, and negative-electrode-side vapor-deposited polymer films 38, 39, which are integrally laminated on each other. The laminar members 40, 42 are superposed on each other such that the vapor-deposited polymer films 36, 37 are in contact with the vapor-deposited polymer films 38, 39. The vapor-deposited polymer films 36, 37, 38, 39 constitute a solid electrolyte layer 20.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventor: Masumi NOGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20140026398
    Abstract: A first holding unit (114) reciprocates between a first table (121) and a stacking table (141) and a second holding unit (115) reciprocates between the stacking table (141) and a second table (141). When the first holding unit (114) holds a separator-electrode assembly (20) whose horizontal position has been adjusted on the first table (121), the second holding unit (115) releases a second electrode (30) over the stacking table (141). When the first holding unit (114) releases the separator-electrode assembly (20) over the stacking table (141), the second holding unit (115) holds the second electrode (30) whose horizontal position has been adjusted on the second table (131). The present invention provides a stacking device and a stacking method which are capable of stacking the separator-electrode assembly including a first electrode sandwiched by separators and the second electrode having a different polarity from the first electrode efficiently with high accuracy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventors: Masashi Watanabe, Hiroshi Yuhara, Manabu Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20140020237
    Abstract: A joining device includes a pair of cylindrical rotors 210 and 220, holding surfaces 211 and 221 of which for holding a pair of sheet-like members 30, respectively, have a width smaller than a width of the pair of sheet-like members 30. The joining device has a conveyance unit 200 which superimposes the pair of sheet-like members sequentially while conveying the pair of sheet-like members, by rotating the pair of cylindrical rotors, and joining units (first joining units 300) which join portions of the superimposed pair of sheet-like members to each other sequentially, the portions protruding beyond the holding surfaces of the cylindrical rotors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yuhara, Takahiro Yanagi, Manabu Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20140020239
    Abstract: The stacking apparatus of the present invention includes a separator conveyance unit to convey a separator of predetermined shape in a held state, an electrode conveyance unit to convey a positive electrode of predetermined shape, and a control unit to synchronize the conveying position and conveyance speed of the separator conveyance unit with those of the electrode conveyance unit so that the separator and positive electrode overlap each other at a predetermined position. The stacking apparatus conveys the separator and positive electrode and transfers the separator onto the electrode from a downstream side of the conveying direction while gradually removing the separator from the separator conveyance unit, thereby stacking the separator on the electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yuhara, Takahiro Yanagi, Manabu Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20140020240
    Abstract: A battery electrode manufacturing apparatus including: a front end die which cuts a strip-shaped electrode material into an electrode shape; a hand which grasps the electrode material and conveys the electrode material to the cutting position of the front end die; and a first suction conveyor which is disposed upstream of the front end die in a conveying direction and has a supporting surface for supporting the electrode material during the cutting by the front end die. The hand includes a first grasper and a second grasper, and the first suction conveyor is disposed between the first grasper and the second grasper. The hand carries the electrode material to the cutting position, at such a position that the electrode material does not contact the front end die and the first suction conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: Masashi Watanabe, Hiroshi Yuhara, Manabu Yamashita