With Significant Electrolyte Patents (Class 361/504)
  • Publication number: 20090207557
    Abstract: An aluminum electrolytic capacitor having an excellent short-circuit resistance, high capacitance, long life, and low equivalent series resistance (ESR) is provided. For this purpose, the aluminum electrolytic capacitor includes a capacitor element having a positive electrode foil, a first separator, a negative electrode foil, and a second separator, which are sequentially laminated one on another and wound together. After the capacitor element is impregnated with a driving electrolyte solution and housed in a metallic case, an open end of the metallic case is sealed with a sealing material. A ratio of B/A, i.e. a ratio of total thickness B of the first and second separators after winding with respect to total thickness A of the first and second separators before winding, is set in the range from 0.5 to 0.8.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hisao Nagara, Kazunari Imamoto, Shigetaka Furusawa, Hiroyuki Matsuura
  • Patent number: 7576969
    Abstract: A coin-shaped storage cell (1) has a pair of polarizable electrodes (17, 18), an insulating separator (21) interposed between the polarizable electrodes, an electrolytic solution (22) impregnated in the polarizable electrodes (17, 18) and the separator (21), a metal case (11) for housing the polarizable electrodes (17, 18), an insulating ring packing (15) arranged in the metal case, and a top lid (13) which is caulked integrally with the metal case (11) via the ring packing (15). The inner bottom surface of the metal case (11) is provided with recessed and projected portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Sato, Masashige Ashizaki, Koichi Morikawa, Isamu Nishiyama, Nario Niibo, Masayuki Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 7576970
    Abstract: A hybrid capacitive storage system and method for storing electrical energy and hydrogen comprising at least a first dielectric layer, which dielectric layer is substantially impermeable to hydrogen. The hybrid storage system further comprises at least a first catalytic electrode layer disposed on at least a portion of a first surface of said first dielectric layer, which first catalytic electrode layer converts molecular hydrogen into atomic hydrogen, an electrode layer disposed on at least a portion of a second surface of said first dielectric layer, which electrode layer is selectively electrically connected to said first catalytic electrode layer; and at least one field generator for selectively applying a field to said storage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William Paul Minnear, Luke Nathaniel Brewer
  • Patent number: 7576971
    Abstract: Asymmetric supercapacitors comprise: a positive electrode comprising a current collector and a first active material selected from the group consisting of manganese dioxide, silver oxide, iron sulfide, lithium manganese oxide, lithium cobalt oxide, lithium nickel oxide, lithium iron phosphate, and a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing active materials; a negative electrode comprising a carbonaceous active material; an aqueous electrolyte solution selected from the group consisting of aqueous solutions of hydroxides of alkali metals, aqueous solutions of carbonates of alkali metals, aqueous solutions of chlorides of alkali metals, aqueous solutions of sulfates of alkali metals, aqueous solutions of nitrates of alkali metals, and a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing aqueous solutions; and a separator plate. Alternatively, the electrolyte can be a non-aqueous ionic conducting electrolyte or a solid electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: U.S. Nanocorp, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen M. Lipka, John R. Miller, Tongsan D. Xiao, Jinxiang Dai
  • Patent number: 7563290
    Abstract: A method for forming a capacitor including forming an anode from a valve metal; forming an oxide on the anode to form an anodized anode; dipping the anodized anode into a slurry of conductive polymer; drying the intrinsically conductive polymer; and providing external terminations in electrical contact with the anode and the conductive polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Kemet Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Yongjian Qiu, Randy S. Hahn, Keith R. Brenneman
  • Patent number: 7564676
    Abstract: A method for producing activated carbon for electrodes of electric double layer capacitors is disclosed which comprises an activation step wherein activated carbon is obtained by mixing an alkali metal hydroxide with a carbon raw material for the activated carbon and heating the mixture in an inert gas atmosphere, a deactivation removal step wherein the alkali metal in the activated carbon is deactivated and removed, and a heat treatment step wherein the activated carbon having gone through the deactivation removal step is heated in an inert gas atmosphere at a temperature higher than 400° C. but not higher than the heating temperature in the activation step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Nippon Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Kitajima, Yuichi Nakano, Kiwamu Takeshita, Keizo Ikai, Tatsuji Maruyama, Hideki Ono, Haruyoshi Mizuta
  • Patent number: 7554790
    Abstract: A surface mount energy storage device in the form of a supercapacitor (1) includes a generally rectangular folded prismatic housing (2) and two energy storage elements (not shown) that are sealingly contained within the housing (2) and which are connected in series. A mount, in the form of an integrally formed tinned metal frame (3), extends about and captively retains housing (2) in the folded configuration shown. Two terminals, in the form of elongate contacts (4, 5) extend from the energy storage elements and terminate outside housing (2) for allowing external electrical connection to the elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: CAP-XX Limited
    Inventors: David Albert James, Stephen Robert Wilson, Alina Kay Sloan, Richard Michael Stephens
  • Publication number: 20090147443
    Abstract: An electrolytic solution for an electrolytic capacitor includes an organic solvent, an additive dissolved in the organic solvent, and an electrolyte. The additive is made of at least one of borates represented by one of formula (1), formula (2), and formula (3). The electrolyte is phthalic acid 1,2,3,4-tetramethylimidazolynium. Here the terminal is CH3 or H, each of R1, R2, and R3 is one of —CH2O—, —C2H4O—, —C3H6O—, and —C4H8O—, and each of k, l, m, and n is any natural number.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kazumitsu Honda, Keiko Yamaga
  • Patent number: 7542266
    Abstract: A cylindrical battery including a wound electrode assembly and a center pin disposed in a center space of the electrode assembly, the center pin having a gap along its length, the gap defined by opposing edges of the center pin, wherein at least one of the opposing edges is sloped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kwang Su Kim
  • Publication number: 20090135549
    Abstract: A lithium ion capacitor includes a positive electrode including a positive electrode active material capable of reversibly doping either one or both of a lithium ion and an anion, a negative electrode including a negative electrode active material capable of reversibly doping a lithium ion, and a non-protonic organic solvent electrolytic solution of a lithium salt as an electrolytic solution. The lithium ion is doped to either one or both of the negative electrode and positive electrode so that the positive electrode potential after the positive electrode and negative electrode are short-circuited is 2.0 V or less. A surface of the negative electrode is covered with a polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobuo Ando, Shinichi Tasaki, Kohei Matsui, Atsuro Shirakami, Hiromoto Taguchi, Kenji Kojima
  • Patent number: 7539006
    Abstract: An electrolytic capacitor using an electrolytic solution constituted by a solvent consisting of from 20 to 80 wt % of an organic solvent and from 80 to 20 wt % of water, the electrolytic capacitor comprising a nitro or nitroso compound except for nitrophenol, nitrobenzoic acid, dinitrobenzoic acid, nitrophenone and nitroanisole, in a portion inside the capacitor other than in the electrolytic solution. The electrolytic capacitor exhibits a low impedance, excellent low temperature stability and good life characteristics, and further, is excellent in the effect to absorb a hydrogen gas, even when use is made of an electrolyte solution employing mixed solvent having a great water content and when an electrolytic capacitor is used under a high temperature condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Rubycon Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiko Komatsu, Tetsushi Ogawara, Shigeru Uzawa
  • Patent number: 7539007
    Abstract: Methods and structures are provided for electrically coupling a conductor and a conductive element containing a dissimilar material. A method for electrically coupling a first element containing a first conductive material to a conductor formed of a dissimilar second material includes cladding a second conductive element with the conductor. The second element contains a facilitator material that facilitates the melting of the dissimilar material. A third element containing a third conductive material that is metallurgically compatible with the facilitator material is cladded with a fourth element containing a fourth conductive material that is metallurgically compatible with the first conductive material to form a connector. The fourth element is welded to the first element and the second element is welded to the third element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Hailiang Zhao, Steven J. May, Jeffrey S. Lund, Kurt J. Casby
  • Patent number: 7532455
    Abstract: An energy storage device comprises a pair of electrodes in contact with an electrolyte and a dielectric separator therebetween. The separator comprises a chelating material capable of binding parasitic to ions with the electrolyte, so to prevent the free circulation of the parasitic ions within the electrolyte. In one embodiment, the chelating material comprises chitosan, which may be provided in fibrous form and which may be included within a non-woven fabric of cellulosic and/or olefinic, or which may be instead coated on the separator or otherwise comprised in the separator. In another embodiment, the chelating material comprises chitosan, and the ion-binding capability of the chitosan is enhanced by chemically binding a chelating agent to the chitosan so to create a multi-dentate ligand that binds with the parasitic ions, particularly multi-valent metal ions, to create coordination compounds. One such chelating agent is ethylendiamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Maxwell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Porter Mitchell
  • Patent number: 7532454
    Abstract: The invention relates to a novel method for preparing electrodes based on activated carbon and carbon nanotubes on a collector. The invention also relates to the electrode obtained thereby and the supercapacitor comprising same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Arkema France
    Inventors: Dominique Plee, Pierre-Louis Taberna
  • Patent number: 7511941
    Abstract: A method and implementation for improved performance and sealing of an energy storage device are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Maxwell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Roland Gallay, Daniel Schlunke
  • Patent number: 7511942
    Abstract: Thermal protection is provided in systems utilizing high-current double-layer capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Maxwell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Guy C. Thrap
  • Patent number: 7505250
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a carbon-porous media composite electrode material, a composite electrode using the same and a preparation method thereof. The carbon-porous media composite electrode can be applied for a device such as a secondary battery, a capacitor or the like, or for preparing ultra pure water using a capacitive deionization process, purifying salty water or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Byung Won Cho, Won Il Cho, Dong Jin Suh, Chun Mo Yang, Woon Hyuk Choi
  • Patent number: 7492571
    Abstract: A coated electrode is provided for use in energy storage devices. The coated electrode comprises a dry particles that are fibrillized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Inventors: Linda Zhong, Porter Mitchell, Vincent Hermann, Chennia Nanjudiah
  • Patent number: 7492572
    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. The electrolyte solution containing the aluminum tetrafluoride salt is used. The moisture content of the capacitor element is adjusted to 0.7% by weight or less, wit respect to the weight of the capacitor element, preferably 0.5% by weight or less, and most preferably 0.4% by weight or less. In this way, the electrolytic capacitor having the low impedance characteristic and the high resistance voltage characteristic, and the excellent high temperature life characteristic is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignees: Nippon Chemi-Con Corporation, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Ozawa, Masayuki Takeda, Makoto Ue
  • Patent number: 7489497
    Abstract: An electrochemical device of this invention has a stacked member, in which a plurality of collectors having polarizable electrode layers formed on the surfaces thereof and a plurality of separators which separate the adjacent polarizable electrode layers are arranged in alternation, and a pair of fixed collecting plates arranged on both sides in the stacking direction of the stacked member. The pair of fixed collecting plates has a depressed portion which exerts pressure on the stacked member and a protruding portion which forms a gap with the stacked member. The protruding portions terminate at the peripheral portions of the fixed collecting plates so that gaps are formed between the stacked member and the fixed collecting plates. These gaps serve as permeation apertures for electrolytic solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Ryuichi Sakamoto, Minoru Takeishi, Masahiro Koshimizu
  • Patent number: 7485240
    Abstract: An electrolyte including ?-butyrolactone, a cosolvent and an alcohol is disclosed, which may be used in an electrolytic capacitor with very high operating voltage. Optional additional additives are added to the electrolyte to enhance its conductivity and reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Feger, Jesse S. Shaffer
  • Patent number: 7477505
    Abstract: A capacitor bank for an electrical power generator comprises: a positive assembly having a positive electrical terminal; a negative assembly having a negative electrical terminal; at least one capacitor sandwiched between and electrically coupled to the positive and negative assemblies; and electrical interconnects coupled to each of the terminals and for coupling to a load or to another capacitor bank. The positive and negative assemblies of the capacitor bank are each stackable on the positive and negative assemblies of another capacitor bank. When two capacitor banks are stacked with their positive assemblies facing each other, the interconnects couple the capacitor banks in series, and when two capacitor banks are stacked with a positive assembly facing a negative assembly, the interconnects couple the capacitor banks in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: General Hydrogen Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Timmerman, Alan John Mulvenna
  • Patent number: 7474520
    Abstract: A storage device, which has a simple structure and a low connection resistance and is robust, and which is ease to mount is provided. In the storage device, an L-shaped aluminum busbar 157 protrudes from the center of the top of a sealing plate 41 to the right. The busbar 157 has a barrel portion 157a and a projecting part 157b horizontally protruding from the top end of the barrel portion 157a. A terminal hole 159 is made in an end of the projecting part 157b, so that the positive electrode of another unitary cell to be connected in series can be connected. The barrel portion 157a of the busbar 157 is welded to the sealing plate 41, and the length of the projecting part 257b is minimized. Accordingly, the device is robust and has a low resistance, and consequently can deal with a large current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Masami Kashihara, Katsuji Ikeda, Yoshihiro Hozumi
  • Patent number: 7474519
    Abstract: A capacitor provides a plurality of selectable capacitance values, by selective connection of six concentrically wound capacitor sections of a capacitive element each having a capacitance value. The capacitor sections each have a respective section element terminal at a first end of the capacitive elements and the capacitor sections have a common element terminal at a second end of the capacitive element. A pressure interrupter cover assembly is sealingly secured to the open end a case for the element and has a deformable cover with a centrally mounted common cover terminal and a plurality of section cover terminals mounted at spaced apart locations. A conductor frangibly connects the common element terminal of the capacitive element to the common cover terminal and conductors respectively frangibly connect the capacitor section terminals to the section cover terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: American Radionic Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Stockman
  • Patent number: 7471502
    Abstract: Electrical storage devices having excellent low-temperature properties can be obtained by using a quaternary salt (or ionic liquid) of general formula (1) below as an electrolyte salt for electrical storage devices or a liquid electrolyte for electrical storage devices. 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—, with the proviso that at least one group from among R1 to R4 is the above alkoxyalkyl group. X is a nitrogen or phosphorus atom, and Y is a monovalent anion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Nisshinbo Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Takaya Sato, Gen Masuda, Ryutaro Nozu, Tatsuya Maruo
  • Publication number: 20080316677
    Abstract: Disclosed is an ultracapacitor having electrodes containing mineral microtubules, an electrolyte between the electrodes, and a separator in the electrolyte to provide electrical insulation between the electrodes, while allowing ion flow within the electrolyte. The electrodes may be formed from a paste containing microtubules, a conductive polymer containing mineral microtubules, or an aerogel containing the mineral microtubules. The mineral microtubules may be filled with carbon, a pseudocapacitance material, or a magnetoresistive material. The mineral microtubules may also be coated with a photoconductive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: NaturalNano Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Gunderman, John M. Hammond
  • Publication number: 20080316679
    Abstract: It is provided the electrolytic solution for use in the electrolytic capacitor including a capacitor element and a casing containing said capacitor element, said capacitor element including a pair of electrodes, and a conductive separator (E) which is formed with a conductive polymer layer (F) containing a dopant agent (H) on its surface and is interposed between said pair of electrodes, said conductive separator (E) and said pair of electrodes being rolled up in an overlapped state with each other, and spaces between said pair of electrodes being impregnated with the electrolytic solution for electrolytic capacitor, wherein an acid component (D) and a base component (C) as electrolytic components to be contained in said electrolytic solution are at such a molar ratio that the acid component (D) is excessive. By use of said electrolytic solution for electrolytic capacitor, the increase in the ESR with the elapse of time in an electrolytic capacitor is suppressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Yukiyasu Sugihara, Keiko Hamada, Hiroyuki Matsuura, Shigetaka Furusawa, Hiroki Kusayanagi, Shinya Taguchi
  • Patent number: 7466539
    Abstract: Disclosed are supercapacitors having organosilicon electrolytes, high surface area/porous electrodes, and optionally organosilicon separators. Electrodes are formed from high surface area material (such as porous carbon nanotubes or carbon nanofibers), which has been impregnated with the electrolyte. These type devices appear particularly suitable for use in electric and hybrid electric vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Viacheslav V. Dementiev, Robert C. West, Robert J. Hamers, Kiu-Yuen Tse
  • Publication number: 20080304208
    Abstract: The present invention provides means for forming an oxide film on a metal surface, means for repairing a defect of an oxide film, a high-performance electrolytic capacitor using the means, and an electrolyte of the capacitor. Namely, the prevent invention provides a method for easily forming an oxide film on the surface of a metal or an alloy thereof by anodization using a solution containing an ionic liquid. In an application of this method, an electrolytic capacitor having means for repairing a defect of an oxide film can be formed by a method using, as an electrolyte, an ionic liquid, a solution containing an ionic liquid and a salt, or a solution containing an ionic liquid and a conductive polymer or a TCNQ salt, and a valve metal or an alloy thereof as a metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: Mutsuaki Murakami, Masamitsu Tachibana, Hiroyuki Furutani, Hideo Yamagishi
  • Patent number: 7463478
    Abstract: A porous electrolytic solution reservoir which is capable of being impregnated with an electrolytic solution is provided in an exterior case so as to make contact with a separator. The average diameter of the pores in the electrolytic solution reservoir is greater than the average diameter of pores in the separator. The electrolytic solution reservoir is impregnated with a predetermined amount of electrolytic solution, so that the occupation ratio of electrolytic solution within the pores in the separator becomes 50% or more when fully charged, and the occupation ratio of electrolytic solution within the pores in the electrolytic solution reservoir becomes 100% or less when fully discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenro Mitsuda, Yoshiyuki Takuma, Daigo Takemura, Kazuki Kubo, Tetsuo Mitani, Fumiyuki Miyamoto, Takashi Masuda
  • Patent number: 7440258
    Abstract: A thermally fitted interconnect couples energy storage cells without the use of additional materials of fasteners. Variations of the interconnect can be used to facilitate fitting of multiple energy storage cell with multiple cell to cell spacings in a rapid and inexpensive manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Maxwell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Guy C. Thrap, James L. Borkenhagen, Mark Wardas, Adrian Schneuwly, Philippe Lauper
  • Publication number: 20080247118
    Abstract: A composite comprising a porous carbon structure comprising a surface and pores and a coating on the surface comprising MnO2, wherein the coating does not completely fill or obstruct a majority of the pores, and wherein the coating is formed by self-limiting electroless deposition. A capacitor comprising an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte, wherein the anode, the cathode, or both comprise a composite comprising a porous carbon structure comprising a surface and pores and a coating on the surface comprising MnO2, and a current collector in electrical contact with the composite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Long, Anne E. Fischer, Debra R. Rolison
  • Patent number: 7428138
    Abstract: A capacitor may be formed of carbon nanotubes. Carbon nanotubes, grown on substrates, may be formed in a desired pattern. The pattern may be defined by placing catalyst in appropriate locations for carbon nanotube growth from a substrate. Then, intermeshing arrays of carbon nanotubes may be formed by juxtaposing the carbon nanotubes formed on opposed substrates. In some embodiments, the carbon nanotubes may be covered by a dielectric which may be adhered by functionalizing the carbon nanotubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Larry E. Mosley, James G. Maveety, Edward R. Prack
  • Patent number: 7426103
    Abstract: An electric double layer capacitor is configured as follows. A changeover switch is connected to a positive electrode of the electric double layer capacitor, a power supply or electric load is connected to a terminal a of the changeover switch, and an auxiliary electrode is connected to a terminal b thereof through a resistor. The changeover switch is being switched to the terminal a, and discharge and charge of the electric double layer capacitor are repeated. When a discharge capacity becomes equal to or less than a lower limit threshold or an internal resistance becomes equal to or more than an upper limit threshold, the changeover switch is switched to the terminal b from the terminal a to make a channel between the positive electrode and the auxiliary electrode be a closed circuit through the resistor, and resistance discharge is conducted from the positive electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Nisshinbo Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryutaro Nozu, Mami Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7408764
    Abstract: This invention describes a means by which performance characteristics of capacitors can be improved. This is achieved by reducing the temperature, preferably but not exclusively to cryogenic temperatures below 100 K. The dielectric strength, dielectric losses, equivalent series resistance, and plate losses in many capacitors, such as film capacitors, improve as the temperature is decreased. Current carrying capacity is improved. A capacitor bank exhibits energy densities up to four times those of conventional, room-temperature capacitor banks. Cryogenic capacitors can be combined with cryogenically operated semiconductors or with superconductors to reduce the size, weight, and losses of a complete system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Inventors: Otward M. Mueller, Eduard K. Mueller, Michael J. Hennessy
  • Patent number: 7405922
    Abstract: A high reliability and low power consumption anti-lock brake system is disclosed. The two pilot valves are controlled so as not to be energized concurrently. The secondary battery of the anti-lock brake system is charged by a power supply and/or a generator. An electric double layer capacitor having a housing made of functionally graded aluminum ceramic material is used as the secondary battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: NEC Tokin Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Kawaguchi, Nobuo Seko, Tatsuo Itoh, Takashi Nagai, Yoshiaki Okita, Hiroyasu Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7402260
    Abstract: A non-aqueous mixture solvent for a non-aqueous electrolytic solution to be used for electrochemical energy devices, which contains an aprotic solvent, and a fluorinated ketone of the formula: (wherein Rf1 and Rf2 each independently represents a fluorinated aliphatic group, or Rf1 and Rf2 together form a cyclic group, Q represents a fluorinated or non-fluorinated alkylene group or a bond, and n represents 0 or 1), and an electrolytic solution containing the mixture solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Haruki Segawa, Hideto Yanome
  • Patent number: 7403371
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making an electrochemical capacitor electrode including a collector and an electronically conductive porous layer formed on the collector, the porous layer containing at least an electronically conductive porous particle and a binder adapted to bind the porous particle; the method including a mixing step of mixing the binder and a porous particle with a solvent including an organic solvent usable in a nonaqueous electrolytic solution, the organic solvent existing on a surface of the porous particle. The present invention also provides a porous particle with a solvent, wherein an organic solvent usable in a nonaqueous electrolytic solution exists on the surface of a porous body having an electronic conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Yousuke Miyaki, Tetsuya Takahashi, Atsuko Kosuda
  • Patent number: 7400490
    Abstract: Disclosed is an ultracapacitor having electrodes containing mineral microtubules, an electrolyte between the electrodes, and a separator in the electrolyte to provide electrical insulation between the electrodes, while allowing ion flow within the electrolyte. The electrodes may be formed from a paste containing microtubules, a conductive polymer containing mineral microtubules, or an aerogel containing the mineral microtubles. The mineral microtubules may be filed with carbon, a pseudocapacitance material, or a magnetoresistive material. The mineral microtubules may also be coated with a photoconductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: NaturalNano Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Gunderman, John M Hammond
  • Publication number: 20080165472
    Abstract: Novel electrolytic capacitors are based on a composite liquid crystal electrolyte sandwiched between two electrodes where the electrolyte comprises a dispersion of a lyotropic liquid crystal in a dispersion media, and where the liquid crystal is a chromonic liquid crystal and the dispersion media is selected from a variety of materials ranging from liquids to solid polymers. Further the electrolyte optimally including a surfactant or surfactant system selected so as to influence the charge characteristics of the capacitor. The capacitors provide relatively high capacitance in a relatively thin device; are insensitive to reversal of polarity of an applied bias voltage; and can be produced at selected charging and discharging frequencies which in turn influences the characteristics of release of stored power. The invention further relates to methods of making the capacitors which utilize low cost materials and low cost fabrication techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Liang-Chy Chien, Andrii B. Golovin
  • Patent number: 7397650
    Abstract: An electric double layer capacitor uses a multi-layer electrode structure, which has a plurality of electrode layers composed of a binder and an electrode material and coated on a current-collecting member, each of the electrode layers including a macromolecular substance. A first electrode layer in contact with the current-collecting member and the second electrode layer in contact with the first electrode layer are formed of different constituents or have different proportions of the same constituent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignees: Nisshinbo Industries, Inc., Itochu Corporation
    Inventors: Takaya Sato, Tatsuo Shimizu
  • Patent number: 7382600
    Abstract: A charge storage device comprising: a first electrode; a second electrode being opposed to and spaced apart from the first electrode; a porous separator disposed between the electrodes; a sealed package for containing the electrodes, the separator and an electrolyte in which the electrodes are immersed; and a first terminal and a second terminal being electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode respectively and both extending from the package to allow external electrical connect to the respective electrodes, wherein the gravimetric FOM of the device is greater than about 2.1 Watts/gram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: CAP-XX Limited
    Inventors: George Lange Paul, Rory Albert James Pynenburg, Peter John Mahon, Anthony Michael Vassallo, Philip Andrew Jones, Sarkis Keshishian, Anthony Gaetano Pandolfo
  • Patent number: 7379289
    Abstract: The present invention provides a highly conductive separator of which surface is coated with conductive polymer molecules, and provides an electrolytic capacitor having a low ESR characteristic using the separator. The conductive separator is formed by sticking the conductive polymer molecules to an insulating separator substrate by chemical oxidative polymerization, and the stuck amount of the conductive polymer molecules per basis weight of the separator substrate is set in the range of 3 to 30 g/m2. Conductive polymer molecules that are hardly de-doped can be formed in the electrolyte for driving by chemical oxidative polymerization, so that an electrolytic capacitor having high capacitance and low ESR can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Nitta, Hiroyuki Matsuura, Hiroki Kusayanagi
  • Patent number: 7352559
    Abstract: Electrical devices which incorporate electrodes coated with carbon nanotubes. An anode is placed in conductive relationship with the coated electrode. A gas medium is placed between the electrode and anode which medium also participates in the transfer of electrons. Using specific gas media in combination with nanotube coated electrodes allows for the production of electromagnetic radiation sources which have extended life, reduced power requirements, and significantly decreased operating temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Inventor: Chien-Min Sung
  • Patent number: 7352558
    Abstract: An inexpensive and reliable dry process based capacitor and method for making a self-supporting dry electrode film for use therein is disclosed. Also disclosed is an exemplary process for manufacturing an electrode for use in an energy storage device product, the process comprising: supplying dry carbon particles; supplying dry binder; dry mixing the dry carbon particles and dry binder; and dry fibrillizing the dry binder to create a matrix within which to support the dry carbon particles as dry material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Maxwell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Linda Zhong, Xiaomei Xi, Porter Mitchell, Bin Zou
  • Publication number: 20080055819
    Abstract: A lithium-ion capacitor excellent in durability, which has high energy density and high capacity retention ratio when the capacitor is charged and discharged at a high load, is disclosed. The lithium-ion capacitor includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode and an aprotic organic solvent of a lithium salt as an electrolyte solution. In the lithium-ion capacitor, a positive electrode active material allows lithium ions and/or anions to be doped thereinto and de-doped therefrom, and a negative electrode active material allows lithium ions to be doped thereinto and de-doped therefrom. At least one of the negative electrode and the positive electrode is pre-doped with lithium ions so that after the positive electrode and the negative electrode are shortcircuited, a potential of the positive electrode is 2 V (relative to Li/Li+) or lower. A thickness of a positive electrode layer of the positive electrode is within a range from 18 to 108 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiromoto Taguchi, Shinichi Tasaki, Nobuo Ando, Mitsuru Nagai, Yukinori Hatou
  • Patent number: 7324328
    Abstract: An ultracapacitor formed on a semiconductor substrate includes a plurality conductive layers with intervening dielectric layers. These layers form a plurality of capacitors which may be connected in parallel to store a charge for powering an electronic circuit or for performing a variety of integrated circuit applications. A plurality of ultracapacitors of this type may be connected in series or may be designed in stacked configuration for attaining a specific charge distribution profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Siva G. Narendra, Shekhar Y. Borkar
  • 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: 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
  • 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