Electrolyte Properties Patents (Class 324/425)
  • Patent number: 8330467
    Abstract: A measuring device is used in conjunction with a programmable controller for monitoring electrolyte levels in the battery. According to one implementation, the measuring device is located in a battery and is configured to detect when the electrolyte level in the battery falls below a particular level. The controller is in electrical communication with the electrolyte detection device. The controller is configured to: (i) receive a signal from the electrolyte level detection device indicating when the electrolyte level in the battery has fallen below the particular level; (ii) introduce a wait-period after the signal is received; and (iii) enable an indicator to indicate that the electrolyte level in the battery should be refilled when the wait-period expires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Philadelphia Scientific LLC
    Inventors: Duncan Jones, John Worthingdon
  • Patent number: 8317996
    Abstract: A method is provided for corrosion protection in a marine construction, such as a marine surface vessel or a marine structure, the marine construction including at least one metal element and a sacrificial anode adapted to be at least partly immerged in an electrolyte in the form of water, in which the marine construction is at least partly immerged, the at least one metal element including a metal part, the sacrificial anode being provided for corrosion protection of the metal part. The method includes connecting at least one of the at least one metal element and the sacrificial anode to a DC electrical power outlet so as to allow an electric de-passivation current through an electrical circuit including the sacrificial anode, the metal element and the electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: AB Volvo Penta
    Inventors: Carl Nelvig, Petter Igede
  • Patent number: 8299902
    Abstract: Systems, products, and methods are disclosed for helping to ensure that an alarm of a mobile communications device is activated when desired. An illustrative method includes receiving an indication of a desired time that the alarm is intended to be activated, determining a power level of a power source that is powering the mobile communications device, determining whether the power level will provide sufficient power to the mobile communications device to enable it to activate the alarm at the desired time and, if so, then enabling the alarm to be set. Further, the power source could be monitored as the alarm-activation time approaches so that if variables change that might prevent the alarm from activating, then changes or preventive measures can be taken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventor: Pujan Roka
  • Patent number: 8274291
    Abstract: When a battery current is not larger than a limit current set depending on the battery temperature and is flowing continuously for a predetermined time set depending on the battery temperature or longer, a decision is made that a secondary battery is in stable state. When the secondary battery is in stabilized state, the battery voltage is considered to be equal to the open circuit voltage and SOC estimation is performed based on the open circuit voltage-SOC characteristics. When the product of the internal resistance of the secondary battery and the limit current is made substantially constant (constant voltage) by setting the limit current in association with temperature dependence of the internal resistance, estimation error can be kept within a predetermined range in the stabilized state even if SOC estimation is performed while the battery voltage is assumed as the open circuit voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenji Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 8248087
    Abstract: A liquid concentration measuring device has first and second switches, which are turned on and off at two frequencies. When the first switch is turned on and the second switch is turned off, a detection electrode pair is charged. When the first switch is turned off and the second switch is turned on, the positive side of the detection electrode pair is grounded so that the charged detection electrode pair discharges. The difference between the output voltages of an amplifier produced by charging and discharging the detection electrode pair at the two frequencies is used to determine an alcohol concentration in gasoline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hirotsugu Ishino, Jun Tarui
  • Patent number: 8237448
    Abstract: An electronic vehicle tester includes a battery tester configured to measure a parameter of a battery of a vehicle. A tire tester is configured to receive a parameter of a tire of the vehicle. A wireless receiver can be configured to receive pressure information from a transmitter associated with a tire of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
  • Patent number: 8199023
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, methods, and apparatus for extracting molten liquid from an electrolysis cell. In one embodiment, a system includes a container and an electrical characteristic detector. The container comprises a body adapted to contain molten liquid and a spout. The spout includes a base portion, a tip portion and a passageway connecting the base portion to the tip portion. The electrical characteristic detector is coupled to the container and is configured to determine an electrical characteristic associated with the molten liquid as the molten liquid passes into the body of the container via the passageway. A process parameter associated with the removal of the molten liquid from the container may be changed when it is determined that an electrical characteristic associated with the molten liquid has achieved a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Leonardo Paulino, Donald P. Ziegler
  • Patent number: 8196218
    Abstract: An exemplary, highly integrated, SPM-based system for measuring the conductivity and/or force of substance under programmable engaging/stretching processes is described. A sample bias is applied across two electrodes. A substance to be measured is sandwiched between them. A first electrode is first brought relative to a second electrode (engaging) in programmable pathways that can be described as stretching distance versus time curves. The process of engaging the electrodes continues until a certain current reached, a certain force reached and whichever case happens first. The electrodes are then separated (stretching) in programmable pathways that can be described as stretching distance versus time curves. A periodic modulation can be applied to the engaging/stretching process to realize different stretch pathways. The sample bias across the electrodes is kept constant or swept in a programmable shape over time, described as a voltage-versus time curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Bingqian Xu, Fan Chen
  • Patent number: 8179139
    Abstract: The rechargeable battery abnormality detection apparatus is provided with an internal short circuit detection section (20b) that monitors rechargeable battery (1) voltage change when no charging or discharging takes place, and detects internal short circuit abnormality when battery voltage drop during a predetermined time period exceeds a preset threshold voltage; a degradation appraisal section (20d) that judges the degree of rechargeable battery degradation; and a threshold control section (20c) that incrementally increases the threshold voltage according to the degree of degradation determined by the degradation appraisal section (20d).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Kawasumi, Toru Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 8179094
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a device and method for improved battery learn cycles for battery backup units within data storage devices. The backup unit includes a first battery pack, a corresponding charge capacity gauge, one or more second battery packs, a corresponding charge capacity gauge, and a controller switch configured to select only one battery pack for a learn cycle at any given time. The charge capacity gauges are such that, at the end of the learn cycle discharge phase, the depth of discharge of the learn cycle battery pack is such that the charge capacity of the learn cycle battery pack combined with the full charge capacity of the remaining battery packs is sufficient for the device cached data to be off-loaded to a physical data storage device, and the data storage device does not have to switch from a write-back cache mode to a write-through cache mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: LSI Corporation
    Inventors: Lakshmana Anupindi, Brian Skinner
  • Publication number: 20120098544
    Abstract: A reference electrode comprises an outside wall which acts as a boundary between electrolyte and sample solution, which outside wall comprises a resin which is ionically conducting, non-porous and salt-loaded, and a barrier through which no electrochemical communication between the electrolyte and sample solution is possible. A window is present in said barrier thereby allowing electrochemical communication between the electrolyte and the sample solution through the resin at said window. The reference electrode can be suitable for use with a separate measuring electrode, or can be combined with a measuring electrode in a single unit electrode assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventor: Timothy Russell
  • Patent number: 8159193
    Abstract: A semiconductor device which can operate normally even when the communication distance is extremely short, and which stores excess electric power which is not needed for circuit operation of the semiconductor device when a large amount of electric power is supplied thereto. The following are included: an antenna; a first AC/DC converter circuit which is connected to the antenna; a second AC/DC converter circuit which is connected to the antenna through a switching element; a detecting circuit which controls operation of the switching element in accordance with the value of a voltage output from the first AC/DC converter circuit; and a battery which stores electric power supplied from the antenna through the second AC/DC converter circuit. When the switching element is operated, electric power supplied from outside is at least partly supplied to the battery through the second AC/DC converter circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Kato, Kazuma Furutani
  • Patent number: 8154296
    Abstract: A method of monitoring cathodic protection of an item located at an underwater facility having an item requiring cathodic protection, and the facility are provided. The facility can include a processing device. The steps can include providing a pair of first and second electrodes, the first electrode being electrically connected to the item and the second electrode being in contact with water proximate the item, measuring the potential between the first and second electrodes, producing an electrical signal indicative of the cathodic protection level, converting the signal into a communications format compatible with the processing device and passing it to the processing device, and transmitting the converted signal from the processing device to a surface location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Controls Limited
    Inventors: Junxiang Guo, Jonathan Lakin, Nnanna Kalu Okwun-Kalu
  • Patent number: 8134357
    Abstract: The invention provides a multi-electrode measuring system including a front end device which is a sensing device including a multi-electrode sensing device having a plurality of electrodes; a multi-channel fixture coupled to the multi-electrode sensing device; and a reference electrode. A back-end device as a virtual instrumentation is an electronic device including a read out circuit device coupled to the multi-channel fixture and the reference electrode for receiving each original signal from each electrode of the multi-electrode sensing device and the reference electrode determining a sample solution; a data acquisition device coupled to the read out circuit device for digitizing each original signal to form a digital signal and for array sampling; and a signal processing device coupled to the data acquisition device for processing each signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: National Yunlin University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Jung-Chuan Chou, Wei-Chuan Chen, Cheng-Wei Chen, Chien-Cheng Chen
  • Patent number: 8125191
    Abstract: An early warning method for an abnormal state of a lithium battery and a recording medium applicable to a portable electronic device are provided. The method includes the following steps. A plurality of curves of voltage against electric quantity is obtained according to different predicted average current consumptions of the portable electronic device. An operating average current consumption and an operating electric quantity from a first voltage to a second voltage are obtained when the lithium battery at an operating test state in a unit time. One of the curves of voltage against electric quantity is searched, and a warning electric quantity is obtained in a range from the first voltage to the second voltage. The warning electric quantity is compared with the electric quantity, so as to provide an early warning of an abnormal state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Inventec Appliances Corp.
    Inventor: Chien-Chen Chen
  • Publication number: 20120006103
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting current or potential generated in a liquid sample suitable for use in a chromatography or other liquid sample analytical system. One embodiment is an electrolytic ion transfer device with a signal detector in communication with the electrodes of the transfer device. Another is a combination ion transfer device/electrolyte generator. Another substitutes a detector for the ion transfer device in the combination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: Dionex Corporation
    Inventors: Purnendu K. Dasgupta, Bingcheng Yang, Kannan Srinivasan
  • Patent number: 8080990
    Abstract: A method for ascertaining operating parameters of an electrochemical storage battery, taking into account electrolyte stratification. The method including a) determining a first functional relationship between no-load voltage and state of charge as a value for the withdrawable charge in relation to nominal capacity of the storage battery, which is obtained in the state having electrolyte stratification in a discharge phase using the charge conversion since a prior no-load phase or pre-charge; b) determining a second functional relationship between no-load voltage and state of charge as a value for the withdrawable charge in relation to nominal capacity of the storage battery, obtained in the state having electrolyte stratification in a discharge phase using an accumulated charge conversion; and c) ascertaining operating parameters from the point of intersection of the first and second functional relationships and/or the slope of straight lines for describing the first and/or second functional relationships.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Christine Ehret, Daniel Heinze, Andreas Jossen, Volker Spaeth
  • Patent number: 8072188
    Abstract: This power supply device includes a series circuit of a first switching element and a second switching element connected in parallel with a DC power supply unit, and a smoothing filter circuit which includes a series circuit of an inductor and a smoothing capacitor connected in parallel with the second switching element. The power supply device also includes a control unit and a drive circuit for generating first and second PWM pulses by respectively driving the first and second switching elements ON and OFF, and for creating a dead time between those switching pulse signals. And this control unit changes the frequency of the switching pulse signal according to the pulse width of either the first PWM pulses or the second PWM pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Sansha Electric Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanori Yorinobu, Shigeru Okamoto, Hajime Katsushima
  • Patent number: 8044814
    Abstract: The invention provides a system and battery including a state-of-charge indicator (SOCI) to monitor and display the amount of charge within the battery. The SOCI is capable of operating in a hibernate mode, an active mode, and/or a sleep mode. The battery may be manufactured, shipped and/or stored with the SOCI operating in a power-saving hibernate mode. The SOCI may exit the hibernate mode and begin operating in active mode if a physical key connected to the battery is removed. In addition, the SOCI may operate in a sleep mode while the battery is not being used to conserve power. Furthermore, the invention provides a method of making a battery including a SOCI to monitor and display the state of charge of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: EaglePicher Energy Products Corporation
    Inventors: Gregg C. Bruce, Christo Brand
  • Patent number: 8035396
    Abstract: Battery system is widely used in emergent power plant or communication network power plant and its effective management is important. When any one of batteries connected to each other in series is failed during operation of the battery system, since reliability of the system cannot be secured, a problem is arisen to stable operation of the communication network. In a method of separating inferior battery, the battery is operated in floating charge state without separation to generate square current containing charge current and easily generated to flow through the battery cell, voltage signal generated from terminal voltage of the battery by the measuring signal is processed such that only internal impedance voltage signal is separated from harmonics ripple voltage and noise voltage by a synchronized detection calculating algorithm to calculate the internal impedance or effective value thereof (resistance component).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Inventor: Deuk Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 8022833
    Abstract: A method of operating a wireless memory device is provided. In the method, the wireless memory device detects the power state of a power supply source in response to a power measurement command received from a host and controls data transmission/reception based on the measured power state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sung-Goo Cho
  • Publication number: 20110221445
    Abstract: The present invention describes a method for the measurement of the stabilizer additive concentration in electroless metal and metal alloy plating electrolytes comprising a voltammetric measurement. Said method comprises the steps a. conditioning of the working electrode, b. interaction of intermediates on the working electrode, c. measurement of the Faradaic current and d. determining the Faradaic current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: Constanze Donner, Guenther Bauer, Therese Stern, Kay Wurdinger, Lutz Brandt, Frank Bruening
  • Patent number: 8007655
    Abstract: A method and system for determining chemical properties of a fluid. The method and system include providing a weak electrolyte fluid, a container for the fluid, a detection method performed by a device having at least two electrodes, a detection and amplification device coupled to the electrodes and a sensed current compared to an uncontaminated, base fluid or compared to data characteristic of fluid contaminated or chemically changed in order to monitor and characterize the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Danyluk, Francis Mess, Sergey Tereshko, Anatoly Zharin
  • Patent number: 8008924
    Abstract: A detecting circuit for detecting a battery having a first and second electrode, includes a contacting portion electrically connecting to the first electrode of the battery, a seesaw electrically connected to the second electrode of the battery, and an actuator electrically connecting to the second electrode of the battery. One end of the seesaw electrically contacts with the contacting portion when the battery have a protection circuit. The actuator is configured for providing power onto another end of the seesaw to separate the contacting portion with the seesaw when the battery has no a protection circuit. The detecting circuit can truly and handily judges whether the detected battery has the protection circuit according to the action of the seesaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chuan-Feng Wu
  • Patent number: 7999555
    Abstract: A number and a combination of N-pole connectors and (N+1)-pole connectors are determined such that a number of fuel cells included in the fuel cell stack and a number of all of poles included in the plurality of terminal-side connectors are equal to each other. Further, when the number of fuel cells of the fuel cell stack changes, the change can be addressed by changing the number and the combination of the N-pole connectors and the (N+1)-pole connectors without newly providing a terminal-side connector other than the N-pole connector and the (N+1)-pole connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Norishige Konno
  • Patent number: 7996098
    Abstract: Reactive replenishable device management comprises receiving device measurement data from at least one device, updating one or more device usage profiles associated with the at least one device, and if an analysis of the one or more device usage profiles indicates usage of the at least one device is sub-optimal, performing one or more of: controlling at least one of an attribute or an operation of the at least one device, issuing one or more device management recommendations to a user of the at least one device, and issuing one or more user alerts to the user. The at least one device comprises at least one of one or more replenishable devices, one or more replenishers associated with the one or more replenishable devices, and one or more other devices associated with the one or more replenishable devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Aerovironment, Inc.
    Inventors: Blake Dickinson, Lisa Lei Horiuchi, Nathaniel Jordan Ramer
  • Publication number: 20110128154
    Abstract: A battery electrolyte monitor including a probe and a control circuit. The control circuit includes a capacitive element within the probe. The probe is acid resistant, and therefore the probe protects the capacitive element from contact with the battery electrolyte. The control circuit periodically charges and discharges the capacitive element using direct current. Depending on at least one of a charging characteristic and a discharging characteristic, the control circuit determines the electrolyte level. If the electrolyte is below a desired minimum level, the control circuit illuminates an indicator light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: FLOW-RITE CONTROLS, LTD.
    Inventors: Mark W. Herrema, Roger D. Burdi
  • Patent number: 7914927
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a material for electrolytic solutions suited for use as material in electrolytic solutions serving as ionic conductors in electrochemical devices, such as large-capacity cells or batteries. The present invention is related to a material for electrolytic solutions which comprises, as an essential constituent, an anion represented by the general formula (i): wherein X represents at least one element selected from among B, N, O, Al, Si, P, S, As and Se; M1 and M2 are the same or different and each represents an organic linking group; a is an integer of not less than i, and b, c And d each independently is an integer of not less than 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiichiro Mizuta, Yukiko Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7880471
    Abstract: An adapter for a potentiometric sensor having a sensor shaft, which has a reference liquid opening in its exterior surface. The adapter comprises an annular chamber member having a sensor opening for receiving the sensor shaft. Arranged in the sensor opening are first and second sealing rings for the sensor shaft. The axial position of the reference liquid opening lies between the first and second sealing rings. Formed between the sealing rings and the sensor shaft is an annular chamber, which is in communication with the reference liquid opening. The annular chamber member further includes a duct extending between the annular chamber and a reference feed opening. The adapter further includes a process connection member having a process connection opening, which surrounds the sensor shaft, and whose axis is aligned with the axis of the sensor opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Conducta Gesellschaft fur Mess-und Regeltechnik mbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Christian Fanselow, Lothar Auerswald
  • Patent number: 7868777
    Abstract: The invention provides a system and battery including a state-of-charge indicator (SOCI) to monitor and display the amount of charge within the battery. The SOCI is capable of operating in a hibernate mode, an active mode, and/or a sleep mode. The battery may be manufactured, shipped and/or stored with the SOCI operating in a power-saving hibernate mode. The SOCI may exit the hibernate mode and begin operating in active mode if a physical key connected to the battery is removed. In addition, the SOCI may operate in a sleep mode while the battery is not being used to conserve power. Furthermore, the invention provides a method of making a battery including a SOCI to monitor and display the state of charge of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: EaglePicher Technologies
    Inventors: Gregg C Bruce, Christo Brand
  • Patent number: 7812613
    Abstract: A measuring device is used in conjunction with a programmable controller for monitoring electrolyte levels in the battery. According to one implementation, the measuring device is located in a battery and is configured to detect when the electrolyte level in the battery falls below a particular level. The controller is in electrical communication with the electrolyte detection device. The controller is configured to: (i) receive a signal from the electrolyte level detection device indicating when the electrolyte level in the battery has fallen below the particular level; (ii) introduce a wait-period after the signal is received; and (iii) enable an indicator to indicate that the electrolyte level in the battery should be refilled when the wait-period expires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Philadelphia Scientific
    Inventors: Duncan Jones, John Worthingdon
  • Patent number: 7791349
    Abstract: A fuel cell diagnostic apparatus that diagnoses a fuel cell in which a plurality of power generating cells are stacked together includes a voltage applying device that applies voltage from outside of the fuel cell; a magnetic field measuring device that measures a magnetic field in or around the fuel cell when external voltage is being applied; and a diagnostic device that diagnoses the state of the fuel cell from the measurement results of the magnetic field. By diagnosing an in-plane distribution of current in the power generating cells by measuring the magnetic field, the distribution of water in an electrolyte membrane after power is generated can be diagnosed based on the diagnostic results of that in-plane distribution of the current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Chisato Kato
  • Patent number: 7782017
    Abstract: Apparatus is configured for producing an output signal indicating an operating status of a monitored circuit. An input signal relating to the monitored circuit is received at an input node. A pulse train generator, coupled to the input node, is configured for generating a pulse train of a prescribed repetition rate at a duty cycle alternated between first and second duty cycle values at a prescribed frequency. The duty cycle and frequency are indicative of operating status of the monitored circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Linear Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas P. Hack, Robert C. Dobkin, Alfonso Centuori, Andrew Bishop
  • Publication number: 20100090850
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, methods, and apparatus for extracting molten liquid from an electrolysis cell. In one embodiment, a system includes a container and an electrical characteristic detector. The container comprises a body adapted to contain molten liquid and a spout. The spout includes a base portion, a tip portion and a passageway connecting the base portion to the tip portion. The electrical characteristic detector is coupled to the container and is configured to determine an electrical characteristic associated with the molten liquid as the molten liquid passes into the body of the container via the passageway. A process parameter associated with the removal of the molten liquid from the container may be changed when it is determined that an electrical characteristic associated with the molten liquid has achieved a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: Alcoa Inc.
    Inventors: Leonardo Paulino, Donald P. Ziegler
  • Patent number: 7663357
    Abstract: A signal readout circuit for amperometric sensor for reading a readout signal of a sensor includes an amplifier, a first transistor, a second transistor, and a first resistor. A negative input end of the amplifier receives an input voltage, and a positive input end of the amplifier is connected to a reference electrode of the sensor. Gates of the first transistor and the second transistor are connected to an output end of the amplifier, a drain of the first transistor is connected to a counter electrode of the sensor, and a drain of the second transistor is connected to the first resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Chung Yuan Christian University
    Inventors: Wen-Yaw Chung, Tsai-Tseng Kuo, Ying-Hsian Wang, Dorota Genowefa Pijanowska, Wladyslaw Torbicz
  • Publication number: 20090146662
    Abstract: A number and a combination of N-pole connectors and (N+1)-pole connectors are determined such that a number of fuel cells included in the fuel cell stack and a number of all of poles included in the plurality of terminal-side connectors are equal to each other. Further, when the number of fuel cells of the fuel cell stack changes, the change can be addressed by changing the number and the combination of the N-pole connectors and the (N+1)-pole connectors without newly providing a terminal-side connector other than the N-pole connector and the (N+1)-pole connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventor: Norishige Konno
  • Patent number: 7525285
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an implementation of a method for cell equalization. The present invention uses other information such as the individual cell state-of-charge (SOC) estimates, and individual capacities and/or cell Coulombic efficiencies, possibly available from a dual extended Kalman filter. The present invention defines or refers to an operational SOC range between a minimum and a maximum. The minimum and maximum could be constants or could be dynamic based on functions of other variables. SOC can be measured relative to maximum charge or relative to maximum discharge for each cell. When the SOC is not consistent across the cells, a prioritizing scheme is used to determine which cells require equalization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventor: Gregory L. Plett
  • Patent number: 7521934
    Abstract: A current measurement control system for a power supply system is provided. The current measurement control system includes a load module that estimates a total load of the power supply system. An amplification module selectively determines an amplification factor based on the total load and amplifies a current signal based on the amplification factor. A current measurement module measures current based on the amplified current signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Yazaki North America, Inc.
    Inventors: James Leroy Jones, III, Sam Yonghong Guo, Yuanyuan Wu
  • Publication number: 20090096458
    Abstract: An adapter for a potentiometric sensor having a sensor shaft, which has a reference liquid opening in its exterior surface. The adapter comprises an annular chamber member having a sensor opening for receiving the sensor shaft. Arranged in the sensor opening are first and second sealing rings for the sensor shaft. The axial position of the reference liquid opening lies between the first and second sealing rings. Formed between the sealing rings and the sensor shaft is an annular chamber, which is in communication with the reference liquid opening. The annular chamber member further includes a duct extending between the annular chamber and a reference feed opening. The adapter further includes a process connection member having a process connection opening, which surrounds the sensor shaft, and whose axis is aligned with the axis of the sensor opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2005
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Conducta Gesellschaft fur Mess-und Regeltechnik mbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Christian Fanselow, Lothar Auerswald
  • Patent number: 7482941
    Abstract: The invention provides a system and battery including a state-of-charge indicator (SOCI) to monitor and display the amount of charge within the battery. The SOCI is capable of operating in a hibernate mode, an active mode, and/or a sleep mode. The battery may be manufactured, shipped and/or stored with the SOCI operating in a power-saving hibernate mode. The SOCI may exit the hibernate mode and begin operating in active mode if a physical key connected to the battery is removed. In addition, the SOCI may operate in a sleep mode while the battery is not being used to conserve power. Furthermore, the invention provides a method of making a battery including a SOCI to monitor and display the state of charge of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Eaglepicher Energy Products Corporation
    Inventors: Gregg C. Bruce, Christo Brand
  • Publication number: 20090021263
    Abstract: A multi-ion potential sensor is disclosed. The multi-ion potential sensor comprises a substrate, a conductive layer, an isolation layer, a tin oxide (SnO2) layer and a selective layer. The conductive layer comprises a plurality of independent conductive areas, wherein every conductive area comprises a readout area, a transmissive area and a sensing area, and the transmissive area of every conductive area is packaged by the isolation layer. The tin oxide layer comprises a plurality of independent tin oxide areas, wherein every tin oxide area is deposited on the sensing area, and the selective layer comprises a plurality of independent selective areas, wherein every selective area is set on the tin oxide area. The multi-ion potential sensor has various advantages, such as good sensitivity, low cost, simplicity, disposable, portable and data acquisition by a computer for different applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: CHUNG YUAN CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Shen-Kan Hsiung, Jung-Chuan Chou, Tai-Ping Sun, Nien-Hsuan Chou, Shien-I Wei
  • Patent number: 7474103
    Abstract: At least one of continuous disconnection, intermittent disconnection, and temporary disconnection, of wireless communication between the input device and the game apparatus is detected. Remaining battery amount data representing a remaining battery amount of the input device is obtained via the wireless communication. It is determined that the power of the input device is insufficient based on that the wireless communication is detected to be disconnected and that the obtained remaining battery amount data represents a remaining battery amount of a predetermined level or lower. When it is determined that the power is insufficient, the power insufficiency is notified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoichi Yamada, Kenji Matsutani, Toshio Iwawaki
  • Patent number: 7459911
    Abstract: A method for detecting the state of electrical connection of an energy store, e.g., a battery, to a vehicle's electrical system includes ascertaining operating variables, e.g., battery current IB and generator current IG, essentially in time synchronous fashion. When there is a change in the generator current IG of the generator during a transitional time, the energy store is checked for the value of the battery current IB for the detection of a compensating effect in the form of a current delivery or a current consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Merkle
  • Patent number: 7444192
    Abstract: Reactive replenishable device management comprises receiving device measurement data from at least one device, updating one or more device usage profiles associated with the at least one device, and if an analysis of the one or more device usage profiles indicates usage of the at least one device is sub-optimal, performing one or more of: controlling at least one of an attribute or an operation of the at least one device, issuing one or more device management recommendations to a user of the at least one device, and issuing one or more user alerts to the user. The at least one device comprises at least one of one or more replenishable devices, one or more replenishers associated with the one or more replenishable devices, and one or more other devices associated with the one or more replenishable devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Aerovironment, Inc.
    Inventors: Blake Dickinson, Lisa Lei Horiuchi, Nathaniel Jordan Ramer
  • Publication number: 20080238430
    Abstract: Methods and associated apparatus for testing an electrochemical device, such as a fuel cell. A first method involves charging the fuel cell during a charge period; discharging the fuel cell during a discharge period; and monitoring the response of the fuel cell during at least part of the discharge period or the open-circuit response of the fuel cell. Another method involves testing the fuel cell when the fuel cell is in a passive state in which substantially no electrochemical reactions are taking place in the fuel cell. simultaneously applying a stimulus to all of the devices, and independently monitoring the response of each of the devices to the stimulus. Further methods involve obtaining test data from a device being tested; obtaining equivalent circuit values; calculating sets of simulation data for each equivalent circuit value; comparing sets of simulation data with the test data; and selecting one of the equivalent circuit values based on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: EATON POWER QUALITY LIMITED
    Inventors: Shannon Charles Page, Adnan Al-Anbuky, Susan Pran Krumdieck
  • Patent number: 7420374
    Abstract: This invention provides an electronic device that has a battery with a power storage unit and a display module, a power detector and a display control module. The power storage unit is for storing electrical power and the display module is placed on the surface of the battery. The power detector is selectively coupled to the battery, and generates a remaining power signal after detecting the remaining power in the battery. The remaining power signal is used to control the display control module. When the power detector is selectively coupled to the battery, the display module shows the current remaining power in response to the action of the display control module. When the power detector is separated from the battery, the display module is essentially capable of maintaining the showing of remaining power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignees: QISDA Corporation, Benq Corporation
    Inventor: Wei-jou Chen
  • Patent number: 7397221
    Abstract: A battery protection device protects a battery from an abnormal state. The battery protection device includes a detector that detects an abnormality of the battery and outputs an abnormality detection signal when the abnormality is detected. A current is input to an input terminal from outside. A voltage converter converts the current input to the input terminal to voltage and outputs the voltage. A combiner combines the abnormality detection signal with the voltage and outputs a combined signal. A current converter converts the combined signal to a current. An output terminal outputs the current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsemi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuya Sakuma, Shuhei Abe, Kazuhiro Ooshita, Yukihiro Terada
  • Publication number: 20080042654
    Abstract: A fuel cell diagnostic apparatus that diagnoses a fuel cell in which a plurality of power generating cells are stacked together includes a voltage applying device that applies voltage from outside of the fuel cell; a magnetic field measuring device that measures a magnetic field in or around the fuel cell when external voltage is being applied; and a diagnostic device that diagnoses the state of the fuel cell from the measurement results of the magnetic field. By diagnosing an in-plane distribution of current in the power generating cells by measuring the magnetic field, the distribution of water in an electrolyte membrane after power is generated can be diagnosed based on the diagnostic results of that in-plane distribution of the current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventor: Chisato Kato
  • Patent number: 7327147
    Abstract: A method for determining characteristic variables for electrical states of an energy storage battery includes subdividing an electrolyte volume of the battery into at least two electrolyte volume components with associated electrolyte balancing areasabd defining at least two electrode plate balancing areas by subdividing the total resistance of electrode plates in the battery into resistance components for the defined electrode plate balancing areas and by subdividing the total energy storage capacity of the electrode plates into energy storage capacity components for the defined electrode plate balancing areas. The method further includes determining the electrolyte concentration of the electrolyte volume components for the defined electrolyte balancing areas and determining the amounts of charge which are held in the electrode plates in each of the electrode plate balancing areas. At least one characteristic variable for associated electrical states of the battery is determined using a mathematical model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: VB Autobatterie GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventor: Ingo Koch
  • Patent number: RE41255
    Abstract: The present invention supports power management modes which includes (1) a maximum power performance mode, (2) a battery-optimized mode, and (3) a performance/optimization cycling mode for performing the maximum performance mode and the battery-optimized mode alternately within a prescribed period of time. The cycling mode allows flexibility in power management and faster charging of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: ANPA Inc.
    Inventors: Young Ju Lee, Jong Goon Choi