Including Deforming Means Patents (Class 29/731)
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Patent number: 10707476Abstract: A method of producing a negative electrode sheet includes forming a fluoride coating on surfaces of a plurality of negative electrode active material particles by performing a fluorination treatment on the surfaces of the plurality of negative electrode active material particles; producing a negative electrode composite material containing a plurality of wet granules obtained by mixing and granulating the negative electrode active material particles with the fluoride coating on the surfaces, a binder, and water as a solvent; causing the negative electrode composite material to pass through a gap between two rollers that face each other, compressing the negative electrode composite material into a film, and attaching the film to a surface of a current collector foil; and forming a negative electrode mixture layer on the surface of the current collector foil by drying the film on the surface of the current collector foil.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2018Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Masakazu Umehara
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Publication number: 20150107097Abstract: A manufacturer of gas cells performs an arrangement process of arranging solid substances at positions corresponding to holes each of which is provided on each of a plurality of cells. Then, the manufacturer of the gas cells performs an accommodation process of accommodating gas in inner spaces of the cells through an air flow path connected to the holes. Further, the manufacturer of the gas cells performs a sealing process of sealing the spaces by melting the solid substances to close the holes corresponding to the solid substances.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2014Publication date: April 23, 2015Inventor: Kimio NAGASAKA
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Patent number: 8883353Abstract: The invention relates to a rolled electrode for a storage battery, wherein the electrode (10) is of substantially plate-like design and has a frame (12, 13, 15, 17) with a grid (16) arranged therein. A contact lug (14) for connecting the electrode to a battery pole is also provided on the frame (12, 13, 15, 17). Electrodes of this type are used, for example, in lead-acid storage batteries for vehicles, for example as a starter battery. The intention is to specify an electrode with improved electrical and mechanical properties and also possible ways of producing said electrode. To this end, the frame (12, 13, 15, 17) and/or the contact lug (14) in the electrode according to the invention have/has a greater thickness than the grid (16) arranged therein, at least in specific regions. A machine for producing such an electrode and a production method are also specified.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2009Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Johnson Controls Autobatterie GmbH & Co. KGaAInventor: Peter Streuer
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Publication number: 20140325833Abstract: According to the method for manufacturing electrode sheets, in a first cutting step, an original sheet, including a belt-shaped metal foil and an electrode material coated thereon in a lengthwise direction to form a plurality of coated portions spaced at a predetermined gap, is cut at a location between the coated portions. In a pressing step, the original sheet strips having been cut in the first cutting step are pressed. In this case, the original sheet strips that are pressed by the rolling device are independent from each other. Therefore, the effect produced in rolling of the coated portions remains within each of the original sheet strips. In addition, distortions occurring in the original sheet strips can be prevented from affecting each other and the occurrence of wrinkles can be inhibited.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2014Publication date: November 6, 2014Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Tsuyoshi ITO, Akiji Hayashi, Hiroki ISHIDA, Ichiro SHIBATA, Keisuke OMORI
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Publication number: 20140308577Abstract: Disclosed herein is a battery case including a receiving part having an electrode assembly mounted therein, wherein the receiving part, which is formed by deforming a sheet type base material, is configured to have a stair-like structure in which at least one corner and/or surface forming a shape of the receiving part is deformed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2014Publication date: October 16, 2014Inventors: Young Hoon KIM, Sungjin KWON, Dong-Myung KIM, Ki Woong KIM, Hyun PARK, Soonho AHN
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Patent number: 8835040Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 11, 2013Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Hibar Systems, Ltd.Inventor: Djuro Slivar
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Publication number: 20130305524Abstract: Method for producing electric cells for electrochemical energy storage devices, the method of production comprising the following steps: (S1a) feeding an anode strip, (S1b) feeding a cathode strip (20), (S1c) feeding a separator strip (30), preferably two separator strips, (S3a) stamping out an anode element from the anode strip, (S3b) stamping out a cathode element from the cathode strip (20), (S5) cutting the separator strip (30), preferably the two separator strips, into separator elements, (S6a) applying an anode element to a first separator element to form an anode-separator element, (S6b) applying a cathode element to a second separator element to form a cathode-separator element, and (S7) stacking an anode number of anode-separator elements and a cathode number of cathode-separator elements to form an anode-separator-and-cathode-separator stack.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2011Publication date: November 21, 2013Applicant: Li-Tec Battery GmbHInventors: Claus-Rupert Hohenthanner, Erhard Schletterer, Tim Schaefer
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Publication number: 20130309566Abstract: A secondary battery 100 comprises a positive electrode current collector 221 and a positive electrode active material layer 223 applied on the positive electrode current collector 221 and containing at least a positive electrode active material. The lithium-ion secondary battery 100 further comprises a negative electrode current collector 241 provided so as to oppose the positive electrode current collector 221 and a negative electrode active material layer 243 applied on the negative electrode current collector 241 and containing at least a negative electrode active material. The lithium-ion secondary battery 100 is also formed with a porous insulating layer 245 which contains stacked resin particles having insulating properties and is formed so as to cover at least one of the positive electrode active material layer 223 and the negative electrode active material layer 243 (in this case, negative electrode active material layer 243).Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2011Publication date: November 21, 2013Inventor: Masakazu Umehara
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Publication number: 20130252081Abstract: Disclosed herein is a battery case including a receiving part having an electrode assembly mounted therein, wherein the receiving part, which is formed by deforming a sheet type base material, is configured to have a stair-like structure in which at least one corner and/or surface forming a shape of the receiving part is deformed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.Inventors: Young Hun KIM, Sungjin KWON, Dong-Myung KIM, Ki Woong KIM, Hyun PARK, Soonho AHN
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Publication number: 20120246917Abstract: A continuous press apparatus presses an electrode band plate having a band-shaped metal foil collector on which an electrode active material is formed at intervals in a longitudinal direction. The apparatus includes a pair of press rollers, gap adjusting means for adjusting a gap between the press rollers, detecting means for detecting that a rear end of the electrode active material portion arrives at the position between the press rollers, and the gap adjusting means adjust the gap between the press rollers in response to the detection.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2012Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: IHI CORPORATIONInventors: Shinji Dairen, Nobuhiro Tazoe, Akihiro Nomura, Hisashi Honjo
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Publication number: 20120240391Abstract: The approaches and apparatuses for fabricating cathodes can be adapted to improve control over cathode composition and to better accommodate batteries of any shape and their assembly. For example, a first solid having an alkali metal halide, a second solid having a transition metal, and a third solid having an alkali metal aluminum halide are combined into a mixture. The mixture can be heated in a vacuum to a temperature that is greater than or equal to the melting point of the third solid. When the third solid is substantially molten liquid, the mixture is compressed into a desired cathode shape and then cooled to solidify the mixture in the desired cathode shape.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2011Publication date: September 27, 2012Applicant: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Kerry D. Meinhardt, Vincent L. Sprenkle, Gregory W. Coffey
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Publication number: 20120115022Abstract: The present invention provides a step (S1) for manufacturing a battery (10), which includes a case (30) having through holes (33), electric terminals (40) projecting outward from the case (30) and fixed to the holes (33), and insulating members (50) interposed between the case (30) and the terminals (40). In the step (S1), a flanged portion (34) standing out from the case (30), located around the hole (33) is formed, a reinforcing member (35) is fitted to the outer periphery of the flanged portion (34) that reinforces against the outward force applied to the flanged portion (34), and the terminal (40) and the insulating member (50) are inserted into the flanged portion (34), and then the flanged portion (34) is press-fitted from the outside of the case (30) for fixing the terminal (40) to the hole (33). According to the present invention, the battery with high sealing property at the fitted portion among the case and the terminal.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2009Publication date: May 10, 2012Inventors: Hiroyasu Kado, Shigeru Takashiro, Shigetaka Nagamatsu, Keigo Yamada, Kaori Ueda, Takahiro Oshima
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Patent number: 8163040Abstract: A method for manufacturing a cylindrical battery includes allowing a cylindrical battery case (5) with a bottom to contain an electrode plate group, carrying out a groove-forming processing on an outside periphery of an opening of the battery case, disposing a sealing plate in the opening of the battery case through a gasket, and crimping and sealing the end of the opening of the battery case.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2006Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventor: Kazutaka Teramoto
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Publication number: 20110212368Abstract: The invention relates to a rolled electrode for a storage battery, wherein the electrode (10) is of substantially plate-like design and has a frame (12, 13, 15, 17) with a grid (16) arranged therein. A contact lug (14) for connecting the electrode to a battery pole is also provided on the frame (12, 13, 15, 17). Electrodes of this type are used, for example, in lead-acid storage batteries for vehicles, for example as a starter battery. The intention is to specify an electrode with improved electrical and mechanical properties and also possible ways of producing said electrode. To this end, the frame (12, 13, 15, 17) and/or the contact lug (14) in the electrode according to the invention have/has a greater thickness than the grid (16) arranged therein, at least in specific regions. A machine for producing such an electrode and a production method are also specified.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2009Publication date: September 1, 2011Inventor: Peter Streuer
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Publication number: 20110131799Abstract: According to the method for manufacturing electrode sheets, in a first cutting step, an original sheet, including a belt-shaped metal foil and an electrode material coated thereon in a lengthwise direction to form a plurality of coated portions spaced at a predetermined gap, is cut at a location between the coated portions. In a pressing step, the original sheet strips having been cut in the first cutting step are pressed. In this case, the original sheet strips that are pressed by the rolling device are independent from each other. Therefore, the effect produced in rolling of the coated portions remains within each of the original sheet strips. In addition, distortions occurring in the original sheet strips can be prevented from affecting each other and the occurrence of wrinkles can be inhibited.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2009Publication date: June 9, 2011Inventors: Tsuyoshi Ito, Akiji Hayashi, Hiroki Ishida, Ichiro Shibata, Keisuke Omori
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Publication number: 20100047666Abstract: An electrochemical cell having a catalytic electrode in electrical contact with a catalytic electrode casing and more particularly to an electrochemical cell having a catalytic electrode casing provided with a feature to improve reliability of electrode-to-casing contact. Methods for forming electrochemical cells having improved reliability with respect to catalytic electrode casing contact are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2008Publication date: February 25, 2010Inventor: James G. Tatsumi
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Patent number: 7644486Abstract: A method for forming flanged end of an inner conductor of a coaxial resonator at one end of the conductive body. The flange is formed integral to the conductive body by flaring the end of the conductive body. The size and shape of the flange are selected to achieve a desired capacitance surface area for use in a resonator. A combination of expanding tool and calibration tool are used to control the size and shape of the flange that will be formed on the end of the conductive body.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2006Date of Patent: January 12, 2010Assignee: Powerwave Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Teuvo Haapalahti, Pekka Jokilehto, Tapio Suvanto, Pentti Mehtätalo
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Patent number: 7534525Abstract: A battery element is housed and sealed in a package body, and further, packed together with a connecting board and a frame by the package body. A laminate material for sealing the battery element is used as an outer package material of a battery pack. Thus, the increase of volume for the pack is reduced as much as possible.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2006Date of Patent: May 19, 2009Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Masaru Hiratsuka, Mitsuo Sakamoto, Takao Sawaguchi, Kazuhito Hatta, Hiroyuki Yamada
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Publication number: 20090100669Abstract: For manufacturing a battery including positive and negative sheet electrodes formed from positive and negative electrode sheets each having active-material-coated portions on opposite surfaces, except for opposite surfaces of one side edge portion, of the sheet and non-active-material-coated portions on the opposite surfaces of the one side edge portion, a method includes: forming a succession of corrugations on each of the sheets, having the coated portions provided thereon, in a longitudinal direction of the sheet; roll-pressing each of the sheets having the corrugations formed thereon; constructing an electrode assembly of the positive and negative sheet electrodes with a separator interposed therebetween; and connecting current collectors to the non-coated portions of the sheet electrodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2008Publication date: April 23, 2009Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTDInventors: Kohei IKEDA, Tetsuhiro Takehara, Tomonori Moriwaki, Mitsuhiro Funaki
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Publication number: 20080254354Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a can and a jelly roll disposed in the can. The jelly roll includes a positive electrode and a negative electrode, wherein positive winding foils protrude from a positive end of the jelly roll and negative winding foils protrude from a negative end of the jelly roll. The positive winding foils are folded in a same direction to overlap each other in a first pattern of recesses and the negative winding foils are folded in a same direction to overlap each other in a second pattern of recesses. A positive disk includes a plurality of leg forms welded into the first pattern of recesses formed in the positive winding foils. A negative disk includes a plurality of leg forms welded into the second pattern of recesses formed in the winding foils. At least one of the positive disk and the negative disk is electrically insulated from the can.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2007Publication date: October 16, 2008Applicant: SAFTInventor: Grant R. Adams
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Publication number: 20080221629Abstract: A method includes the step of providing a sheet of lithium and a sheet of substrate material. The method further includes the step of pressing the sheet of lithium and the sheet of substrate material together in a die, the die having at least one surface that includes a plurality of force concentrating features configured to create regions of relatively higher pressure and regions of relatively lower pressure in at least one of the sheet of lithium and the sheet of substrate material. In another embodiment, a method includes the steps of providing a sheet of lithium material and a substrate material, and applying force to the sheet of lithium and the sheet of substrate material to form a plurality of protrusions on at least one of the sheet of lithium and the sheet of substrate material. The method includes the further step of pressing at least a portion of the sheet of lithium to the substrate material with sufficient force to at least partially deform the protrusions.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2007Publication date: September 11, 2008Applicant: CARDIAC PACEMAKERS, INC.Inventors: Adam J. Morgan, Daniel J. Foster, Brian L. Schmidt
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Patent number: 7210220Abstract: A sealing technique is provided for forming complex and multiple seal configurations for fuel cells and other electrochemical cells. To provide a seal, for sealing chambers for oxidant, fuel and/or coolant, a groove network is provided extending through the various elements of the fuel cell assembly. A source of seal material is then connected to an external filling port and injected into the groove network, and the seal material is then cured to form the seal. There is thus formed a “seal in place”, that is robust and can accommodate variations in tolerances and dimensions, and that can be bonded, where possible, to individual elements of the fuel cell assembly. This avoids the difficulty, labor intensive cost and complexity of manually assembling many individual gaskets into complex groove shapes and the like. The seal material can be selected to be comparable with a wide variety of gases, liquid coolants and the like.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2003Date of Patent: May 1, 2007Assignee: Hydrogenics CorporationInventors: David G. Frank, Joseph Cargnelli, Lawrence Eugene Frisch, William Gordon Bradford, Myron Timothy Maxson, Brian Jeffery Swanton, Howard Stimson Travis
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Patent number: 7096565Abstract: A method and apparatus for making an inner conductor from a conductive body integrally forms a flange on one end of the conductive body. The flange is formed integral to the conductive body by flaring the end of the conductive body. The size and shape of the flange is selected to achieve a desired capacitance surface area for use in a resonator. A resonator housing that has a plurality of cavities can be provided with a plurality of conductive bodies that are inserted into holes located in a bottom wall of the resonator body and that protrude into the plurality of cavities. The resonator housing and conductive bodies are placed onto a flanging fixture to produce a flange on each conductive body of a desired size and shape to achieve a desired capacitance surface area. The plurality of conductive bodies can be simultaneously flanged and fastened to the base of the resonator housing.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2003Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignee: Powerwave Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Teuvo Haapalahti, Pekka Jokilehto, Tapio Suvanto, Pentti Mehtätalo
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Patent number: 6944942Abstract: A single step method and apparatus for the production of expanded metal mesh from deformable metal strip such as lead or lead-alloy strip for use in lead-acid battery manufacture. The apparatus comprises a pair of opposed rolls each having a plurality of spaced discs having opposite side walls and circumferential, equally spaced, convexly shaped tool surfaces alternating with substantially flat surfaces, said discs having radial notches formed in the opposite sidewalls of alternate circumferential flat surfaces, whereby peripheral surfaces of opposing rolls are adapted to interact on deformable strip passing therebetween to concurrently slit and form convex wire segments and alternate nodes in said strip by intermeshing of said shaped tool surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2003Date of Patent: September 20, 2005Assignee: Teck Cominco Metals Ltd.Inventor: John V. Marlow
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Patent number: 6740131Abstract: An apparatus and method provide for automated converting of a web of a thin patterned catalyst-coated membrane to separate membrane sheets for fuel cell assembly. The membrane typically has a thickness of about one thousandth of an inch. Automated web converting involves transporting, with use of a movable vacuum, an end portion of the membrane web from a first location to a second location. With use of respective first and second vacuums at the first and second locations, and after removal of the movable vacuum, the end portion of the membrane web is releasably secured at the first and second locations. The membrane web is cut within a gap defined between a single catalyst pattern of the membrane web end portion and an adjacent catalyst pattern to produce a membrane sheet. The membrane sheet is precisely positioned to a desired orientation to facilitate subsequent processing of the membrane sheet.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2002Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Gary William Schukar, John Russell Mlinar, Mark Hyland Smith, Steven Mark Spicer
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Patent number: 6685753Abstract: A method for placing an edge piece on a battery plate includes bending a thin strip of bendable plastic material into an open top, U-shaped channel. The channel is then cut into an edge piece having a length which is substantially equal to the edge of the battery plate which is to be covered. The edge piece is supported with this open top oriented towards a battery plate that is transported toward it in a manner such that the battery plate edge will be inserted into it. Once the edge of the battery plate has been inserted into the edge piece the edge piece is released so that the battery plate can be carried out of the apparatus. An apparatus for accomplishing this includes a feed mechanism which transports the strip of bendable plastic material. A bending mechanism forms this strip into the open top, U-shaped channel. The channel is then fully inserted into an assembly station where a first sensor stops the feed mechanism and a cutter cuts the channel into the proper-sized edge piece.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2000Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: Tekmax, Inc.Inventors: David A. Johnson, Peter E. Johnson
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Patent number: 6656232Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a battery electrode from foamed metal electrode material includes first and second rollers which are parallel to each other at a shaft center, and rotatable in directions opposite to each other, and a guide bar which is between the first and second rollers. A method for manufacturing a battery electrode includes supplying a foamed metal electrode material including voids, and having a filled portion filled with active material and an unfilled portion without the active material, and a boundary line between the filled and unfilled portions. Part of the unfilled portion is folded in parallel to the boundary line passing through the unfilled portion, and at right angle against the unfilled portion. A lead welding portion is formed along the direction of the longer side, by applying, to the unfilled bent portion, a force in the direction perpendicular to the filled portion in a way to crush the voids, and compress the bent portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2001Date of Patent: December 2, 2003Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroyuki Usui, Tsuneo Ando, Ikuo Katsumata, Hiroki Takeshima
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Patent number: 6613106Abstract: Membrane electrode assemblies are described that include an ion conductive membrane a catalyst adjacent to the major surfaces of the ion conductive membrane and a porous particle filled polymer membrane adjacent to the ion conductive membrane. The catalyst can be disposed on the major surfaces of the ion conductive membrane. Preferably, the catalyst is disposed in nanostructures. The polymer film serving as the electrode backing layer preferably is processed by heating the particle loaded porous film to a temperature within about 20 degrees of the melting point of the polymer to decrease the Gurley value and the electrical resistivity. The MEAs can be produced in a continuous roll process. The MEAs can be used to produce fuel cells, electrolyzers and electrochemical reactors.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2000Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Mark K. Debe, James M. Larson, William V. Balsimo, Andrew J. Steinbach, Raymond J. Ziegler
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Publication number: 20030121131Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus for producing a grid for a battery plate which can improve the life performance of a lead storage battery, and in which a lead sheet 4 is prevented from being undulated or causing vibrations in a carrying-out portion of disk cutter rolls 2 and 3, and also a method of producing such a grid.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2002Publication date: July 3, 2003Applicant: Japan Storage Battery Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshiomi Fujiwara, Hiroyuki Tanaka, Tadashi Nishida
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Publication number: 20020157242Abstract: A polymer battery module (2) provided with tabs (4) is put in a package (5) and an open end part of the package (5) is heat-sealed by a heat-sealing machine (10). The heat-sealing machine (10) is provided with a pair of sealing heads (10a, 10b) respectively having sealing surfaces (12). The sealing surfaces (12) of the sealing heads (10a, 10b) are provided with recesses (11) in parts thereof corresponding to the tabs (4) of the polymer battery module (2) contained in the package (5) as located in place between the sealing heads (10a, 10b) for heat-sealing.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2001Publication date: October 31, 2002Inventors: Jun Fukuda, Masataka Okushita, Kazuki Yamada, Rikiya Yamashita, Hiroshi Miyama
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Patent number: 6442811Abstract: A battery plate stacker is delineated for enveloping expanded metal battery plates and stacking positive and negative plates in an alternating pattern, comprising, a battery plate feeder; a carrier coupled to the battery plate feeder; and a wire flattener module coupled to the carrier that conveys the expanded metal battery plates through the wire flattener module. The wire flattener module includes one or more pairs of rotatable members, each pair being aligned with a separate edge portion of an expanded metal battery plate while lying on the carrier. As the plate is conveyed through the pair(s) of members, they force any wires extending away from the surfaces of the plate back into positions flush with the plate surfaces, thereby avoiding puncturing of the separator material when it is crimped around the plate.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2000Date of Patent: September 3, 2002Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Raad A. Dawood, Donald C. Whittenburg, Raymond P. Rubocki
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Patent number: 6327774Abstract: The present invention relates to an assembling machine for Ni-MH batteries and an assembly process thereof, more particularly, to an automated assembling machine for a negative electrode plate Ni-MH battery wherein the negative electrode plate for Ni-MH batteries can be made through an automated on-line production process so that cost, time, and reject rate of production thereof can be substantially reduced, and hence production efficiency can be maximized.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 1999Date of Patent: December 11, 2001Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: San Cheon, Ho-Yeon Kim, Hi-Un Won
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Patent number: 6238445Abstract: The method of heating a battery case with a case heater is disclosed comprising the steps of rapidly moving the case heater into engagement with the battery case. After engagement of the case heater with the battery case, the case heater is slowly moved a predetermined distance to melt the battery case.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2000Date of Patent: May 29, 2001Assignee: Farmer Mold & Machine Works, Inc.Inventors: John E. Farmer, Randy J. Erwin
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Patent number: 6122820Abstract: A battery plate stacker is delineated for enveloping expanded metal battery plates and stacking positive and negative plates in an alternating pattern, comprising, a battery plate feeder; a carrier coupled to the battery plate feeder; and a wire flattener module coupled to the carrier that conveys expanded metal battery plates through the wire flattener module. The wire flattener module includes one or more pairs of rotatable members, each pair being aligned with a separate edge portion of an expanded metal battery plate while lying on the carrier. As the plate is conveyed through the pair(s) of members, they force any wires extending away from the surfaces of the plate back into positions flush with the plate surfaces, thereby avoiding puncturing of the separator material when it is crimped around the plate.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 1998Date of Patent: September 26, 2000Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Raad A. Dawood, Donald C. Whittenburg, Raymond P. Rubocki
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Patent number: 6035518Abstract: A method for preparing a cylindrical separator from sheet material and for inserting the separator in the cylindrical anode space of a semi-finished cell, in which the separator is wound from a sheet material around a mandrel to have a diameter smaller than the diameter of the anode space so that the sheet is temporarily affixed to the outer surface of the mandrel by providing vacuum through the mandrel wall, and the so obtained winding is inserted axially in the cathode cylinder. When the insertion is ready, the vacuum is disrupted, and the wound structure expands and presses against the cathode wall.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 1999Date of Patent: March 14, 2000Assignee: Battery Technologies Inc.Inventor: Djuro Slivar
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Patent number: 5983488Abstract: A process for manufacture of molten carbonate fuel cell matrices in which an aluminate precursor material and a lithium salt are mixed in an aqueous or organic solvent, resulting in formation of a suspension, the suspension is heated to a temperature less than a boiling of the solvent, resulting in formation of a slurry comprising a lithium aluminate precursor material, at least one casting additive is added to the slurry, the slurry is formed into a desired shape, the desired shape is dried or cured to yield a green molten carbonate fuel cell structure, and the green molten carbonate fuel cell structure is heated after assembly into a molten carbonate fuel cell to the molten carbonate fuel cell operating temperature, resulting in transformation of the lithium aluminate precursor material to lithium aluminate.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 1997Date of Patent: November 16, 1999Assignee: M-C Power CorporationInventors: Diane S. Erickson, Charles R. Bernat
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Patent number: 5803935Abstract: A device for conveying and sectioning of separator strip in devices for producing pockets for battery plates with a conveyor means which conveys the separator strip to a device for dividing the separator strip into separator strip sections, and with another conveyor means which feeds the separator strip sections to a means for folding the separator strip sections around battery plates. The conveyor means for the separator strip and the separator strip sections are continuous conveyor belts supplied with negative pressure, which have several rows of holes and which are routed over chambers supplied with negative pressure. The side of the chamber supplied with negative pressure which faces the continuous conveyor belt has slot-like openings which align with the rows of holes in the continuous conveyor belt. The effective length of the slots of the chamber supplied with negative pressure, that is, the chamber of the conveyor means which is located after the means for dividing the separator strip, can be changed.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 1996Date of Patent: September 8, 1998Assignee: BM Battery Machines GmbHInventors: Anton Schwetz, Josef Gruber, Anton Papst
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Patent number: 5626989Abstract: A storage battery having various cell constructions to increase the surface-to-weight ratio of active material exposed to electrolyte ions, to reduce internal resistance, and to extend the life of the battery is provided. One configuration for the battery cell utilizes pleated positive and negative plates which are monolithically coupled to respective electrodes. Another configuration for the battery cell utilizes a single positive plate and a single negative plate which are interrelated in, for example, a serpentine configuration.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 1994Date of Patent: May 6, 1997Assignee: Long Island Lighting CompanyInventor: George J. Doundoulakis
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Patent number: 5607484Abstract: Battery plate envelopes include a sheet of porous film material having a folded widthwise bottom edge and overlapped lateral edges to thereby form a pocket for receiving a battery plate therein. The overlapped lateral edges are joined to one another by a lengthwise extending series of discontinuous joining regions with adjacent ones of the discontinuous joining regions being separated by respective unsealed regions. These unsealed regions thereby establish respective lateral channels through which fluid (e.g., electrolyte employed in a wet storage battery) may pass to the interior pocket, and hence to the battery plate. The discontinuous joining regions are most preferably formed by passing the sheet material through the nip between opposed joining rings, each of which is provided with a series of triangularly-shaped teeth with smooth land areas formed between adjacent teeth series.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 1995Date of Patent: March 4, 1997Assignee: Exide CorporationInventors: Galen Redden, Rex E. Luzader
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Patent number: 5578397Abstract: A method for forming an electrode plate which includes an active portion pasted with active material and a plate head which includes a connection tab. The plate head is constituted by the same metal foam as the plate support, but the density of the metal foam in the plate head is not less than 2.5 times the density of the metal foam in the remainder of the electrode plate, the higher density of the plate head coming from an operation in which the foam of the support is compressed, the tab of the plate head emerging from the middle of the thickness of the plate and being derived from compression of the support in two directions: compression firstly in the direction of its height; and compression secondly in the direction of its thickness. Such an electrode plate is made from a plate of metal foam whose top edge is compressed so as to form the plate head.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1994Date of Patent: November 26, 1996Assignee: SAFTInventors: Roelof Verhoog, Donald Stewart
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Patent number: 5503949Abstract: In a plate block for lead batteries having plates of one polarity with plate lugs which are thicker than the plate lugs of the plates of the other polarity, an equalization of the volumes and of the areas of the two lug types is achieved by providing the thicker lugs with a wedge-like taper toward their end, so that the end thickness of the tapered lugs is less than that of the thinner lugs, which are left in their original shape (i.e., an essentially rectangular cross-section). As a result, the heat applied to the two lug types is balanced during casting on of the pole bridges in similar casting molds and at the same lead temperature. The wedge-like geometry is imparted to the thicker lugs by machining them with a face milling tool.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 1994Date of Patent: April 2, 1996Assignee: Varta Batterie AktiengesellschaftInventors: Jose Arus, Gerald Boke, Herbert Koss
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Patent number: 5490867Abstract: A rectangular nickel-metal hydride secondary cell permits improving the air-tightness and-also permits preventing a metal case from being deformed in the step of folding an open end portion of the metal case.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1994Date of Patent: February 13, 1996Assignee: Toshiba Battery Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hideaki Kozawa, Kazuo Kojima, Tomoyuki Ono, Hirofumi Yanagawa, Hideaki Kitazume, Kouji Taguchi
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Patent number: 5234473Abstract: A heating platen transfer device and method for use with a battery heat seal machine of the type that is used for sealing a top cover to a battery container. The mobile platen transfer device is used with the machine to quickly and safely remove an outgoing platen and replace it with an incoming platen when changing battery sizes and types on the battery assembly line. There is also disclosed herein a novel method for sealing a battery top cover to a battery container.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 1991Date of Patent: August 10, 1993Assignee: Daniell Battery Mfg. Co., Inc.Inventors: Alan L. Piper, Dennis E. Magee, Thomas E. Ferris
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Patent number: 5202198Abstract: A lead acid storage battery and method of making same wherein a plurality of plate lugs are welded to a plate strap while a bed of insulating particulates (e.g., glass beads) at the roots of the lugs underlie the strap during welding to insulate the battery case from heat and prevent molten lead from entering the container.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 1992Date of Patent: April 13, 1993Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Renard E. Mix, George W. Brutchen
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Patent number: 5154731Abstract: An electrochemical cell, such as an alkaline cell, employing at least two separator strips in which the strips have notches appropriately placed so that when the separator is formed into a closed end cylindrical configuration it will have substantially no folds protruding inside and or outside its wall at the area adjacent its bottom surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 1990Date of Patent: October 13, 1992Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.Inventor: Jerrold Winger
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Patent number: 5152806Abstract: A battery heat seal machine and method for sealing a top cover to a battery container. The machine has a one-piece heating platen with thermal expansion features which eliminate stress on the platen bearings that support the platen. A new type of top cover holder and pickup device is also employed in the machine to positively grasp the top cover around the center line of the cover and to lift it up and return it as desired. The pickup device design may be used with small automotive batteries and with large commercial batteries. A mobile platen transfer device is used with the machine to quickly and safely remove an outgoing platen and replace it with an incoming platen when changing battery sizes and types on the battery assembly line.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 1990Date of Patent: October 6, 1992Assignee: Daniell Battery Mfg. Co., Inc.Inventors: Alan L. Piper, Dennis E. Magee, Thomas E. Ferris
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Patent number: 5140744Abstract: A multicell storage battery may be assembled to fit various floor space and height requirements by using standardized multicell modules having keyed connector means such that the modules can be connected only in selected orientations which facilitate the electrical connection of terminals. These standardized modules eliminate the need for standard and reverse polarity modules which existed in the prior art, and simplify battery assembly on site while allowing greater flexibility to adjust to space limitations. The keyed connectors comprise mating structures on the sides of the rectangular frame of the modules, which in combination with the modules being configured to stand vertically, create cooling ducts for the cells. An easily installed safety shield encloses the terminals of the cells and provides a front cooling duct.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1990Date of Patent: August 25, 1992Inventor: Robert D. Miller
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Patent number: 5075958Abstract: An electrochemical cell, such as an alkaline cell, employing a multi-strip separator formed into a closed end cylindrical configuration and where an electrically insulating barrier, such as a plastic film, is disposed at the bottom surface of the separator to prevent electrical shorting between the electrodes of the cell at this location.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 1990Date of Patent: December 31, 1991Assignee: Everady Battery Company, Inc.Inventors: Marc P. Kelemen, Harry R. Huhndorff, Craig A. Cooper
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Patent number: 5044070Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the fabrication of wire anodes for electrolytic capacitors, the wires being obtained by the compacting of a wire, made of anodizable material, in the cavity of a compression sleeve under the effect of a piston, the wire going through the piston from one side to the other along the axis to its movement and through the sleeve by passing into its cavity. Also disclosed is a device for the implementation of the method.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 1990Date of Patent: September 3, 1991Assignee: Compagnie Europeenne de Composants Electroniques LCCInventor: Francois Delalande
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Patent number: 5025551Abstract: A method of making a lead-acid battery includes providing continuous lengths of end separator stock, positive plate stock, intermediate separator stock and negative plate stock with optional use of end separators. The separators, positive plates and negative plates are individually severed from the continuous length of stock and sequentially formed into an assembly. The assembly is introduced into a battery cell container. A plurality of assemblies may be established prior to introduction into the battery cell container. In a preferred embodiment, the assembly zone moves relative to the cutting stations for the respective continuous lengths of stock and facilitates sequential establishment of the assembly without intermediate storage of the individual separators and elements.The apparatus includes equipment for supplying continuous lengths of end separator stock, positive plate stock, intermediate separator stock and negative plate stock.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 1990Date of Patent: June 25, 1991Assignee: Sealed Energy Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael V. Rose, Daniel E. Smith