Liquid Electrolytic Capacitor Patents (Class 361/503)
  • Patent number: 7317607
    Abstract: In an electric double layer capacitor including two plate-like polarizable electrodes stacked in layers via a separator and constituted by housing these in an outer packaging member, a contact area between a first polarizable electrode and the separator is different from a contact area between a second polarizable electrode and the separator, and the polarizable electrode with a smaller contact area is formed thicker than the polarizable electrode with a larger contact area. In addition, it is preferable that the first polarizable electrode and the second polarizable electrode have a generally equal volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Omura, Hiroshi Nakajima
  • Patent number: 7312976
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a double electric layer heterogeneous electrochemical supercapacitor (HES) and a method of manufacture. Single-cell or multi-cell versions of the HES can be produced. Output characteristics of the HES are optimized by carefully controlling particular parameters of the HES' design and construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Universal Supercapacitors LLC
    Inventors: Samvel Avakovich Kazaryan, Gamir Galievich Kharisov, Vladimir Alexandrovich Kazarov, Sergey Vitalievich Litvinenko, Sergey Nikolaevich Razumov
  • Patent number: 7310219
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrochemical capacitor, and provides an electrochemical capacitor which has a fully lowered internal resistance and can yield excellent charging/discharging characteristics. The electrochemical capacitor of the present invention is mainly constituted by an anode and a cathode which oppose each other, an insulating separator disposed between the anode and cathode adjacent thereto, an electrolytic solution, and a casing accommodating them in a closed state. The anode contains a substantially spherical carbon material having an electronic conductivity as a constituent material, whereas the cathode contains a fibrous carbon material having an electronic conductivity as a constituent material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Atsuko Kosuda, Satoshi Maruyama
  • Patent number: 7307831
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrode includes a preparatory step of preparing an electrode matrix comprising a collector and an active material containing layer formed on at least one face of the collector, at least one edge part of the collector including an exposed surface free of the active material containing layer, an edge part of the active material containing layer on a side close to the exposed surface including a thinner part having a thickness smaller than a maximum thickness of the active material containing layer; and a roll-pressing step of pressing the electrode matrix with a roll press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Tanaka, Yousuke Miyaki, Kazuo Katai, Kiyonori Hinoki
  • Patent number: 7307830
    Abstract: High reliable energy density capability of double-layer capacitor electrode technology now enables the use of capacitors as supplements to, or replacements for, battery technologies. In one application, when sized to a standard battery form factor, the large end terminal surface areas of such form factors enable that the energy density of capacitors can now be safely used as direct drop-in replacements for batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Maxwell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rolland Gallay, Daniel Schlunke, Richard Smith
  • Publication number: 20070279840
    Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems associated with and/or having capacitors are disclosed herein. In various embodiments, a capacitor may be formed within a substrate having an interwoven-fiber material. In various ones of these embodiments, a capacitor may have a first electrode including an activation material disposed on a surface of an interwoven-fiber material, a second electrode including an electrolytic solution, and an insulating material disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventors: Xing Jin, Lei Hua, Yaling Zhao
  • Patent number: 7303974
    Abstract: A method is provided for optimizing the physical characteristics of a coating solution for an undercoat layer formed between a polarizable electrode layer and surface-roughened collector. A first step is carried out to form an undercoat layer on a collector whose surface has been roughened, and a second step is carried out to form a polarizable electrode layer on the undercoat layer. The first step is performed by coating the collector with a coating solution for the undercoat layer that includes electroconductive particles, a binder, and a solvent; the viscosity of the coating solution for the undercoat layer is set to from 0.15 to 0.75 Pa·s, and the weight ratio (P/B) of the electroconductive particles (P) and binder (B) is set to from 20/80 to 40/60. The coating area of the undercoat layer can thereby be adjusted with high precision, and the resistance of the undercoat layer can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: TDK Corporation and Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyonori Hinoki, Tsuyoshi Ichiki, Kazutoshi Emoto, Takehiko Sasaki, Kenichi Murakami, Shigeki Oyama, Manabu Iwaida
  • Patent number: 7303975
    Abstract: A method is provided for optimizing the physical characteristics of a coating solution for a polarizable electrode layer formed on a collector. A first step is carried out to prepare a coating solution that includes porous particles, a fluorine-based binder, a good solvent that dissolves said fluorine-based binder, and a poor solvent that does not dissolve said fluorine-based binder. A second step is carried out to coat a collector with said coating solution to form the polarizable electrode layer on the collector. The viscosity of said coating solution for the polarizable electrode layer is set to between 0.5 to 3.5 Pa·s and a weight ratio (GS/PS) of said good solvent (GS) and said poor solvent (PS) is set to between 60/40 to 80/20. The occurrence of cracks in the polarizable electrode layer and large nonuniformities in the thickness of the polarizable electrode layer can thus be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: TDK Corporation and Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyonori Hinoki, Tsuyoshi Ichiki, Kazutoshi Emoto, Takehiko Sasaki, Kenichi Murakami, Shigeki Oyama, Manabu Iwaida
  • Publication number: 20070274024
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electric double layer capacitor that has less chance for internal resistance increase. For this objective, in this electric double layer capacitor, an electric double layer capacitor element sandwiches a separator between a cathode and an anode, arranged inside a container comprising a lid and a concave shaped containing portion. On the inner bottom face in the containing portion, an insulating layer having a first conductive layer connected to a connecting terminal, and an opening portion penetrates to the first conductive layer are formed, wherein a second conductive layer fills inside the opening portion. Onto the insulating layer and the second conductive layer, a third conductive layer which laminates a first layer comprised of aluminum and a second layer comprised of carbon, is formed and connected to the cathode. The fourth conductive layer is connected to the anode, and also connected to the connecting terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Applicant: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Nemoto, Koji Endo, Kikuko Kato, Yasuo Nakahara, Hiroshi Nonoue
  • Patent number: 7301753
    Abstract: The present subject matter includes a first capacitor stack including a first plurality of anode layers and a first plurality of cathode layers and a second capacitor stack including a second plurality of anode layers and a second plurality of cathode layers. In various embodiments, a flexible bus is welded to the first capacitor stack and to the second capacitor stack. The flexible bus is adapted to conduct electricity between the first capacitor stack and the second capacitor stack. Also, the present subject matter includes embodiments where the first capacitor stack and the second capacitor stack are disposed in a case filled with an electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory J. Sherwood
  • Patent number: 7295424
    Abstract: There are provided an aluminum electrolytic capacitor comprising an anode, a cathode comprising aluminum and an electrolytic solution containing an onium salt of fluorine-containing anion, wherein the electrolytic solution has a water concentration of 1% by weight or less, or wherein the cathode has a peak top of Al2p spectrum of 74.0 to 75.8 eV as measured by a method in which the surface of the cathode in the aluminum electrolytic capacitor heated at 125° C. for 50 hours is analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS); an electrolytic solution for electrolytic capacitor comprising a quaternary cyclic amidinium tetrafluoroaluminate and a solvent and containing specific impurity compounds in a total amount of 0.6% by weight or less, and an electrolytic capacitor using the electrolytic solution; and a method for preparing an organic onium tetrafluoroaluminate which is advantageously used in an aluminum electrolytic capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Takeda, Hiroo Miyauchi, Makoto Ue
  • Patent number: 7295423
    Abstract: A dry process based capacitor and method for making a self-supporting dry adhesive electrode film for use therein is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Maxwell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Porter Mitchell, Xiaomei Xi, Linda Zhong, Bin Zou
  • Patent number: 7292431
    Abstract: The invention is an electrochemical capacitor with its electrodes made on a conducting substrate with a layer of a redox polymer of the poly[Me(R-Salen)] type deposited onto the substrate. Me is a transition metal (for example, Ni, Pd, Co, Cu, Fe), R is an electron-donating substituent (for example, CH3O—, C2H5O—, HO—, —CH3), Salen is a residue of bis(salicylaldehyde)-ethylendiamine in Schiff's base. The electrolyte comprises of an organic solvent, compounds capable of dissolving in such solvents with the resulting concentration of no less than 0.01 mol/l and dissociating with the formation of ions, which are electrochemically inactive within the range of potentials from ?3.0 V to +1.5 V (for example, salts of tetramethyl ammonium, tetrapropyl ammonium, tetrabutyl ammonium), and a dissolved metal complex [Me(R-Salen)]. The method of using the capacitor contemplates periodically alternating the connection polarity of the electrodes, causing the electrochemical characteristics of the electrodes to regenerate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Gen 3 Partners, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Mikhailovich Timonov, Sergey Anatolijevich Logvinov, Dmitriy Ivanovich Pivunov, Svetlana Viktorovna Vasiljeva, Nik Shkolnik, Sam Kogan
  • Patent number: 7289312
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an electrical charge storage device (ECSD) with enhanced power characteristics. More particularly, the present invention relates to enhancing the current density, voltage rating, power transfer characteristics, frequency response and charge storage density of various devices, such as capacitors, batteries, fuel cells and other electrical charge storage devices. For example, one aspect of the present invention is solid state and electrolytic capacitors where the conductor surface area is increased with smooth structures, thereby reducing the distance separating the conductors, and improving the effective dielectric characteristics by employing construction techniques on atomic, molecular, and macroscopic levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Inventor: William B. Duff, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7286334
    Abstract: The invention is intended to reduce expansion proportion of electric double layer capacitors by combining nonporous carbonaceous electrodes produced by a specific method with an electrolyte of a specific structure. Provided is an electric double layer capacitor comprising nonporous carbonaceous electrodes soaked in an organic electrolytic solution, wherein the organic electrolytic solution contains a pyrrolidinium compound salt as a solute, and wherein the carbonaceous electrodes are electrodes obtained by the method comprising a step of obtaining a carbon powder by prebaking a needle coke green powder under an inert atmosphere, baking the prebaked needle coke powder in the presence of alkali hydroxide under an inert atmosphere, and removing the alkali hydroxide; and a step of shaping the carbon powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Power Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Nakamura, Michio Okamura
  • Patent number: 7268205
    Abstract: Devices formed of or including biocompatible polyhydroxyalkanoates are provided with controlled degradation rates, preferably less than one year under physiological conditions. Preferred devices include sutures, suture fasteners, meniscus repair devices, rivets, tacks, staples, screws (including interference screws), bone plates and bone plating systems, surgical mesh, repair patches, slings, cardiovascular patches, orthopedic pins (including bone filling augmentation material), adhesion barriers, stents, guided tissue repair/regeneration devices, articular cartilage repair devices, nerve guides, tendon repair devices, atrial septal defect repair devices, pericardial patches, bulking and filling agents, vein valves, bone marrow scaffolds, meniscus regeneration devices, ligament and tendon grafts, ocular cell implants, spinal fusion cages, skin substitutes, dural substitutes, bone graft substitutes, bone dowels, wound dressings, and hemostats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Metabolix, Inc.
    Inventors: Simon F. Williams, David P. Martin, Frank A. Skraly
  • Patent number: 7268996
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrolyte for use in very high voltage electrolytic capacitors and to an electrolytic capacitor impregnated with the electrolyte of the present invention for use in an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). The electrolyte according to the present invention is composed of a mixture of an alkoxy-substituted alcohol, such as 2-methoxyethanol, 2-ethoxyethanol, or 2-butoxyethanol, and a long chain dicarboxylic acid, where the acid functional groups are separated by 34 carbons (referred to as “dimer acid”) or 54 carbons (referred to as “trimer acid”). The solution is then neutralized with ammonium hydroxide or other amine, such as ammonia, dimethylamine, trimethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, ethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, diisopropylethylamine and N-methylimidazole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Roland Francis Dapo, Christopher Feger
  • Patent number: 7262953
    Abstract: An electrolytic capacitor having a low impedance characteristic, having a high withstand voltage characteristic of 100V class, wherein the electrolytic capacitor provides an excellent high temperature life characteristic and an excellent leakage characteristic. The electrolyte solution containing the aluminum tetrafluoride salt is used. The electrolytic capacitor of the present invention has a low impedance characteristic, a high withstand voltage characteristic, and an excellent high temperature life characteristic. Moreover, the aforementioned electrolyte solution is used, and a foil showing noble potential at least in the electrolyte solution than the electrode potential of the cathode tab, or a cathode electrode foil subjected to chemical treatment is used as the cathode electrode foil, so as to obtain an excellent leakage characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignees: Nippon Chemi-Con Corporation, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Ozawa, Masayuki Takeda, Makoto Ue
  • Publication number: 20070195488
    Abstract: An active material of the present invention has fine pores formed in the interlayer of a carbon material capable of exhibiting electrochemical double layer capacitance. The fine pores are formed by forming an oxidized graphite structure combined with oxygen in the interlayer of a part or whole of the carbon material containing soft carbon and then removing a part or whole of oxygen in the interlayer. A method for producing an energy storage active material for use in an electrochemical double layer capacitor comprises pre-treating a carbon material through heat treatment and oxidizing the pre-treated carbon material using an oxidant. The method further comprises reducing the oxidized carbon material through heat treatment. The interlayer distances of an active material for respective steps, measured by a powder X-ray diffraction method, are 0.33˜0.36 nm in the pre-treatment step, 0.5˜2.1 nm in the oxidation step, and 0.34˜0.5 nm in the reduction step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Applicant: KOREA ELECTROTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Ick Jun KIM, Sun Hye YANG, Seong In MOON, Hyun Soo KIM, Min Jae JEON
  • Patent number: 7256099
    Abstract: A first electrode and a second electrode to be used are electrodes each of which has a collector, and a porous material layer with electron conductivity placed between the collector and a separator, and each of which has a configuration wherein the porous material layer includes at least particles of a porous material with electron conductivity, and a thermoplastic resin being capable of binding the particles of the porous material together and having a softening point TB lower than a softening point TS of the separator. A production method includes a thermal treatment step of thermally treating a laminate at a thermal treatment temperature T1 satisfying a condition represented by Formula (1): TB?T1<TS, thereby bringing the collector of the first electrode, the porous material layer of the first electrode, the separator, the porous material layer of the second electrode, and the collector of the second electrode in the laminate into an integrated state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuya Takahashi, Kazuo Katai, Yousuke Miyaki
  • Patent number: 7256982
    Abstract: A capacitor is provided which includes a plurality of electrodes and a fluid electrolyte provided to electrically associate the plurality of electrodes. One of the plurality of electrodes includes poly (ethylene 3,4-dioxythiophene) or a titanate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Inventors: Philip Michael Lessner, Brian Melody, John Tony Kinard, Joachim Hossick Schott
  • Patent number: 7251122
    Abstract: An electric chemical capacitor includes first and second electrodes each including a collector 111, 121, a polarized electrode layer 112, 122 and an undercoat layer 113, 123 for bonding the collector and the polarized electrode layer with each other, and a separator put between the first and second electrodes so that the polarized electrode layers 112 and 122 face each other, wherein an end portion of each undercoat layer 113, 123 is located in the same position as or on the outer side of an end portion of the corresponding polarized electrode layer 112, 122, and located on the inner side of an end portion of the separator 130. Thus, the polarized electrode layers can be prevented from peeling from the collector. Further, the undercoat layers can be prevented from abutting against each other, and the undercoat layer of one electrode and the collector of the other electrode can be prevented from abutting against each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyonori Hinoki, Yousuke Miyaki, Kazuo Katai, Hideki Tanaka, Tsuyoshi Ichiki
  • Patent number: 7248460
    Abstract: An electric double layer capacitor includes: a cell which includes a pair of polarizable electrodes impregnated with an electrolytic solution and disposed in opposed relation with a separator interposed therebetween; collector electrodes respectively attached to the polarizable electrodes; and a sealing member of a synthetic resin which seals a periphery of the cell. The collector electrodes extend outward of the sealing member through the sealing member in contact with the sealing member. The collector electrodes each have a rough surface portion which extends through the sealing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Omura, Yasuhiro Kishimoto, Mamoru Kimoto, Kikuko Kato, Hiroshi Nakajima
  • Patent number: 7245478
    Abstract: Particles of active electrode material are made by blending and fibrillizing (i.e., fibrillating) a mixture of activated carbon, conductive carbon, and fibrillizable binder. In selected embodiments, chloride level in the activated carbon is relatively low, a small amount of conductive carbon with low impurity levels and high conductivity is used, and the binder is inert. For example, chloride content of the activated carbon is below 50 ppm, and total impurities in the conductive carbon are below 120 ppm. The mixture may include about 10% of PTFE and 0.5% or less of conductive carbon. Blending and fibrillization may be performed without solvents. The fibrillized particles are dried, blended again to reduce clumping, and used to make active electrode material film. The film is attached to a current collector to obtain an electrode for use in various electrical devices, including double layer capacitors. The electrode increases breakdown voltage of the capacitor electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Maxwell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Linda Zhong, Xiaomei Xi
  • Patent number: 7242572
    Abstract: A sealed electrode enclosed in separator material is provided for use in a capacitor cell. The separator may either be adhered to the electrode in sheets, or may be formed into a pouch, which is used to enclose the electrode. A method of preparing the electrode sealed with separator is described in which an adhesive is used to secure the pouch to the electrode before sealing it. The prefabricated electrode and separator combination may be used in both coiled capacitor cells and flat capacitor cells that are often used in implantable medical devices. Electrodes prepared in this fashion can be efficiently and reliably aligned within the case of a capacitor cell, and have no exposed electrode surfaces that could lead to short-circuiting within the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Norton, Anthony W. Rorvick, Mark D. Breyen, Paul A. Pignato, Thomas P. Miltich
  • Patent number: 7236348
    Abstract: A reinforcing material-having functional sheet of a sheet-like functional material including a functional powder and a binder resin and, laminated thereon, a reinforcing sheet comprising a woven fabric or a non-woven fabric, which are bonded, wherein the basis weight of the reinforcing sheet, the fiber diameter of the fiber constituting the reinforcing sheet and the functional sheet thickness are in specific ranges. A sheet-like electrode for electric double layer capacitors, which electrode comprises a sheet-like electrode of carbon fine powder and a fluorine-containing polymer resin and, laminated thereon, the reinforcing sheet, and an electric double layer capacitor having this electrode. The functional sheet has strength and no elimination of the functional material powder, and also efficiently exhibits high functional properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Nippon Valqua Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Asano, Toru Sugitani, Michinao Hayashi, Daijirou Akiyama
  • Patent number: 7236349
    Abstract: The present invention is an electrode for an electrochemical capacitor provided with a collector having electronic conductivity and a porous body layer having electronic conductivity, the porous body layer containing porous particles having electronic conductivity and a binder which is able to bind the porous particles with one another, wherein the content of the porous particles in the porous body layer is in a range from 88 to 92% by mass on the basis of the total amount of the porous body layer, and the porous body layer has an apparent density in a range from 0.62 to 0.70 g/cm3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Yousuke Miyaki, Kazuo Katai, Hideki Tanaka, Kiyonori Hinoki
  • Patent number: 7233481
    Abstract: An electric double layer capacitor has a pair of activated carbon electrodes and an organic solution in which an electrolyte is dissolved in an organic solvent. An electrolyte solution is also provided. In the electric double layer capacitor, at least one of cycloalkane, cycloalkene, or derivatives thereof is contained in at least one of the activated carbon and the organic electrolyte solution. The organic solvent contains a main solvent and an additive solvent. The main solvent contains propylenecarbonate in a range of from 99.9 to 70 wt %, and at least one of ethylenecarbonate and dimethylcarbonate in a range of from 0.1 to 30 wt %, and the additive solvent contains cycloalkane in a range of from 5 to 30 wt % to the total amount of the organic solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Fujino
  • Patent number: 7227738
    Abstract: There are provided an aluminum electrolytic capacitor comprising an anode, a cathode comprising aluminum and an electrolytic solution containing an onium salt of fluorine-containing anion, wherein the electrolytic solution has a water concentration of 1% by weight or less, or wherein the cathode has a peak top of Al2p spectrum of 74.0 to 75.8 eV as measured by a method in which the surface of the cathode in the aluminum electrolytic capacitor heated at 125° C. for 50 hours is analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS); an electrolytic solution for electrolytic capacitor comprising a quaternary cyclic amidinium tetrafluoroaluminate and a solvent and containing specific impurity compounds in a total amount of 0.6% by weight or less, and an electrolytic capacitor using the electrolytic solution; and a method for preparing an organic onium tetrafluoroaluminate which is advantageously used in an aluminum electrolytic capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Takeda, Hiroo Miyauchi, Makoto Ue
  • Patent number: 7227737
    Abstract: Electrodes of a double-layer capacitor are designed so that sub-capacitors formed at each electrode are stressed substantially equally at the rated voltage of the double-layer capacitor. In an exemplary embodiment, each electrode includes a current collector and an active electrode layer, such as a layer of activated carbon. The electrodes are held apart by a porous separator, and the assembly is immersed in an electrolyte. The thicknesses of the active electrode layers differ, resulting in asymmetrical construction of the capacitor. Different thicknesses cause the sub-capacitors to have different capacitances. When voltage is applied to the double-layer capacitor, the voltage is divided unequally between the unequal sub-capacitors. Properly selected thicknesses allow the voltages at the sub-capacitors to stress equally each sub-capacitor. The rated voltage of the double-layer capacitor can then be increased without overstressing the sub-capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Maxwell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Porter Mitchell, Xiaomei Xi, Linda Zhong, Bin Zou
  • Patent number: 7224574
    Abstract: An electric double layer capacitor in which gas generation due to decomposition of a solvent of an electrolyte solution in the capacitor is reduced and performance maintaining ratio is superior, is provided by a method which is different from a method of adding additives to the electrolyte solution. The electric double layer capacitor has activated carbon polarizing electrodes and a non-water-based solvent, and a positive electrode of the activated carbon polarizing electrodes contains an antacid agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Fujino, Byoungju Lee
  • Patent number: 7224576
    Abstract: The present invention provides improved cathodes and methods for producing such cathodes for ultimate use in conjunction with valve metal capacitors. A family of titanium carbide cathodes according to the present invention can be produced so that they inhabit a pre-existing metallic surface such as an inner surface of a titanium casing adjacent but insulated from direct electrical communication from an anode. Foil-type valve metal anodes as well as porous valve metal anodes formed from metallic powders may be used in conjunction with the titanium cathodes of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Joachim Hossick-Schott
  • Patent number: 7214328
    Abstract: An electrolytic solution for operating electrolytic capacitors which deteriorates extremely little in electrical properties even when used in a high-tension capacitor. The electrolytic solution comprises a compound expressed by general formula (1) below and a compound expressed by general formula (2) below or their salts: where each R is a same or different alkyl group, and R? is hydrogen, a methyl group or an ethyl group, and n is an integer of 0 to 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Okamura Oil Mill, Ltd.
    Inventors: Noritaka Miyoshi, Masashi Nakagawa, Yasuyuki Yamagawa, Kazuhisa Takii
  • Patent number: 7212397
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrochemical cell including: at least a pair of current collector plates that are placed in parallel to each other, flat electrodes containing aqueous electrolyte printed on opposing faces of said current collectors, such that a peripheral region is defined on each of said faces of said current collectors, which region is not covered by said electrode, and a separating medium interposed between said electrodes, the geometric form and size of said separating medium being identical to the form and size of said current collector plates, said separating medium having a central region permeable to said electrolyte, surrounded by a peripheral masked region which is non-permeable to said electrolyte, such that the permeable region of said separating medium coincide with the electrodes printed on the opposing faces of said current collectors, with respect to position, geometric form and size; wherein the pores in the peripheral region of the separating medium are impregnated with a suit
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Cellergy Ltd.
    Inventor: Joel Lang
  • Patent number: 7209341
    Abstract: An electric double-layer capacitor includes a carbon composite electrode which serves as a polarizing electrode and made of a single-layer carbon nanohorn aggregate having a specific structure and a very large surface area. The single carbon nanohorn aggregate is mixed with a phenol resin, the mixture is formed and heated to produce a carbon composite electrode. The carbon composite electrode is impregnated with an electrolyte to become a polarizing electrode. An electric double-layer capacitor includes this polarizing electrode has a large capacitance and is capable of discharging with large current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignees: Japan Science and Technology Agency, NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Tsutomu Yoshitake, Sumio Iijima, Masako Yudasaka
  • Patent number: 7209342
    Abstract: A phosphazene compound and an ionic liquid are added to a non-aqueous electrolyte to provide a less flammable electric double layer capacitor in which decline in storage characteristics under a high temperature and deterioration under a high charging voltage are suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tooru Matsui, Masaki Deguchi, Hiroshi Yoshizawa
  • Patent number: 7206189
    Abstract: Composite electrode/current collectors for capacitors, e.g., a flow-through capacitor or electric double layer capacitor are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for making a composite electrode/current collectors and capacitors having at least one composite electrode/current collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Energy Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Reynolds, III
  • Patent number: 7206191
    Abstract: The present subject matter includes a capacitor stack having a plurality of cathode layers, and a plurality of anode layers. Separator paper is shaped and sized to separate the anode and the cathode and prevent breakdown. The capacitor stack is compact, and is adapted for use in compact devices. For example, the capacitor stack is adapted for use in cardiac rhythm management devices which are implanted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory J. Sherwood, Brian V. Waytashek
  • Patent number: 7206190
    Abstract: In an electrode for an electric double layer capacitor of the present invention, the peak value of particle size distribution of graphite particles added to a conductive adhesive is in a range of 2.6 to 3.2 ?m, not less than 100,000 dimples having a largest outer diameter in a range of 4 to 10 ?m and a depth in a range of 4 to 15 ?m are formed on the surface of the collector sheet per 1 cm2, and the occupied area of the dimples to the entire surface area of the collector sheet is not more than 50%. By determining the saponification value of polyvinylalcohol which is used as a binder component of the conductive adhesive in a range of 90.0 to 98.5, adhesiveness of the collector sheet and the electrode forming sheet is improved. Furthermore, by substituting H atoms contained in the polyvinylalcohol with Si atoms, adhesiveness of the collector sheet and the electrode forming sheet can be further improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., No-Tape Industrial Co., Ltd., Daido Metal Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Murakami, Manabu Iwaida, Shigeki Oyama, Toshiaki Fukushima, Tomohiko Kawaguchi, Kouki Ozaki, Masanori Tsutsui
  • Patent number: 7198654
    Abstract: A separator sheet for manufacturing an electric double layer capacitor, and a method for manufacturing the electric double layer capacitor using the same, are provided. According to an embodiment, the separator sheet for manufacturing the electric double layer capacitor comprises: a plurality of separators; and a resin film holding the plurality of separators, wherein the separators are disposed in the resin film at a predetermined interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kang Yoon Kim, Sang Gon Lee, Young Kee Seo, Jung Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 7179883
    Abstract: Devices formed of or including biocompatible polyhydroxyalkanoates are provided with controlled degradation rates, preferably less than one year under physiological conditions. Preferred devices include sutures, suture fasteners, meniscus repair devices, rivets, tacks, staples, screws (including interference screws), bone plates and bone plating systems, surgical mesh, repair patches, slings, cardiovascular patches, orthopedic pins (including bone filling augmentation material), adhesion barriers, stents, guided tissue repair/regeneration devices, articular cartilage repair devices, nerve guides, tendon repair devices, atrial septal defect repair devices, pericardial patches, bulking and filling agents, vein valves, bone marrow scaffolds, meniscus regeneration devices, ligament and tendon grafts, ocular cell implants, spinal fusion cages, skin substitutes, dural substitutes, bone graft substitutes, bone dowels, wound dressings, and hemostats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Metabolix, Inc.
    Inventors: Simon F. Williams, David P. Martin, Frank A. Skraly
  • Patent number: 7180725
    Abstract: Present invention relates to an electric double-layer capacitor having positive and negative electrodes containing nonporous carbon as an electrode active material. In the nonporous carbon, multiple layers of graphene having an average interplanar spacing d002 of 0.350 to 0.380 nm have been grown well. The positive and negative electrodes are impregnated with an electrolyte solution. The nonporous carbon is obtained by activating easily graphitizable carbon, which in turn is obtained by calcining needle coke or pitch made infusible. The elctrolyte solution is either a liquid electrolyte having a planar molecular structure or an electrolyte solution consisting of a liquid electrolyte dissolved in an organic solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Capacitor Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Makoto Takeuchi, Akinori Mogami, Katsumi Koike
  • Patent number: 7177139
    Abstract: An electrical double layer capacitor is provided which is capable of ensuring its reliability and providing increased energy density per unit volume of a capacitor. A negative electrode is so configured as to cover all surfaces of a positive electrode and, therefore, there is no portion in which the positive electrode does not face the negative electrode, which enables generation of gas within the capacitor to be suppressed and ensures reliability of the capacitor. Portions in which the negative electrode do not face the positive electrode serve as non-covered portions and, therefore, electrostatic capacitance per unit volume of electrodes is made to increase, and energy density is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: NEC Tokin Corporation
    Inventor: Wataru Oizumi
  • Patent number: 7173806
    Abstract: An electrode for an electrochemical capacitor includes a sheet-like current collector and a polarizable electrode layer. The polarizable electrode layer is provided on the current collector with a predetermined bare portion left. The polarizable electrode layer has undergone an embossment work and at least part of the bare portion of the current collector has not undergone any embossment work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyonori Hinoki, Kazuo Katai, Yosuke Miyaki, Hideki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7167353
    Abstract: The water present within an ionic liquid that is in a liquid state at 25° C. or an organic solution containing at least one ionic compound is decomposed by bringing electrodes into contact with the ionic liquid or organic solution within an atmosphere having a dew-point temperature not higher than ?40° C. or under a reduced pressure of not more than 75 torr, thereby reducing the water content. This process makes it possible to obtain highly dehydrated ionic liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Nisshinbo Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kanako Yuyama, Ryutaro Nozu, Gen Masuda, Takaya Sato
  • Patent number: 7160615
    Abstract: An electrode sheet of an electric double layer capacitor is produced by using granules for formation of an electrode of an electric double layer capacitor which are obtained by kneading and then crushing materials including an activated material, a conductive filler, and a binder at 50 to 97 mass-%, 1 to 30 mass-%, and 2 to 20 mass-%, respectively, and which are essentially granules whose diameter is in a range of 47 to 840 ?m. A method for manufacturing a sheet-like electrode by mixing and kneading materials including an activated carbon, carbon black, and PTFE into a kneaded material, producing a forming material by converting the kneaded material into granules, and forming and rolling the forming material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Daido Metal Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Manabu Iwaida, Shigeki Oyama, Kenichi Murakami, Kouki Ozaki, Masanori Tsutsui
  • Patent number: 7154738
    Abstract: A polarizing electrode for an electric double layer capacitor has good moldability and is capable of achieving higher density of electrode and higher capacity. An electric double layer capacitor employs the same. The polarizing electrode for an electric double layer capacitor is made of an activated carbon obtained by activating a hard-to-graphitize material (for example, phenol resin) with water vapor, and the activated carbon has a median particle size within a range from 4 ?m to 8 ?m in the particle size distribution as measured by a laser diffraction method and a benzene adsorption ratio of not less than 47.0% and not more than 60% by weight of activated carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Kuraray Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeki Oyama, Manabu Iwaida, Kenichi Murakami
  • Patent number: 7154737
    Abstract: Secondary cells and electrical double-layer capacitors of excellent charge-discharge efficiency, stability and low-temperature properties can be obtained using nonaqueous electrolytes which contain an ionic liquid that has general formula (1) below and is liquid at not higher than 50° C. and an ion-conductive polymer. In formula (1), R1 to R4 are each independently an alkyl group of 1 to 5 carbons or an alkoxyalkyl group of the formula R?—O—(CH2)n— (R? being methyl or ethyl, and the letter n being an integer from 1 to 4), and any two from among R1, R2, R3 and R4 may together form a ring, with the proviso that at least one of R1 to R4 is an alkoxyalkyl group of the above formula. X is a nitrogen atom or a phosphorus atom, and Y is a monovalent anion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Nisshinbo Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Maruo, Shoko Marukane, Gen Masuda, Takaya Sato
  • Patent number: 7110242
    Abstract: A novel electrode and method of making the same. The electrode may be used in electric double layer capacitors. The electrodes include activated carbon that has been mixed with a thermosetting polymer binder. Activated carbon cloth may also be used. The method of modifying the activated carbon helps produce an electrode with considerably higher electric capacity, higher durability, and low resistance, while maintaining high conductivity. Additionally, the electrodes may be produced more quickly and inexpensively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: C and T Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Michail N. Adrianov, Vera V. Litvinskaya, Vitaly P. Popov, Valentin V. Chebykin, Pavel A. Shmatko, Gennady V. Dvoretskiy
  • Patent number: 7102877
    Abstract: A method for making an electrode including a particle based film is disclosed in which the film is coated and/or impregnated with veins of conductive material. A support backing is placed adjacent to one side of the film to provide support and prevent damaging the film while the conductive material is applied onto the opposite side of the film. The film is bonded directly to a current collector of an energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Maxwell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Porter Mitchell, Xiaomei Xi, Linda Zhong, Vincent Hermann