Hydrogen Storage Patents (Class 420/900)
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Publication number: 20040206424Abstract: A modified Ti—Mn2 hydrogen storage alloy. The alloy generally is comprised of Ti and Mn. A generic formula for the alloy is: TiQ-XZrXMnZ-YAY, where A is generally one or more of V, Cr, Fe, Ni and Al. Most preferably A is one or more of V, Cr, and Fe. The subscript Q is preferably between 0.9 and 1.1, and most preferably Q is 1.0. The subscript X is between 0.0 and 0.35, more preferably X is between 0.1 and 0.2, and most preferably X is between 0.1 and 0.15. The subscript Y is preferably between 0.3 and 1.8, more preferably Y is between 0.6 and 1.2, and most preferably Y is between 0.6 and 1.0. The subscript Z is preferably between 1.8 and 2.1, and most preferably Z is between 1.8 and 2.0. The alloys are generally single phase materials, exhibiting a hexagonal C14 Laves phase crystalline structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2004Publication date: October 21, 2004Inventors: Ned T. Stetson, Jun Yang, Benjamin Chao, Vitaliy Myasnikov, Zhaosheng Tan
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Patent number: 6790558Abstract: A method of producing an electrode alloy powder is disclosed, wherein, to provide an electrode alloy powder capable of yielding an alkaline storage battery excellent in high-rate discharge property, self-discharge property and cycle life, a first step of immersing a starting powder comprising a hydrogen storage alloy containing 20 to 70 wt % of Ni in an aqueous solution containing 30 to 80 wt % of sodium hydroxide at a temperature of 90° C. or higher and a second step of washing with water the powder which has been subjected to the first step are conducted.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2001Date of Patent: September 14, 2004Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yukihiro Okada, Miho Kayama, Yoichiro Tsuji
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Patent number: 6787103Abstract: The present invention is to obtain a Ti—Zn—Mn—V—Fe based hydrogen storage alloy having the excellent hydrogen absorbing and discharging performance at a low cost. An alloy represented by the general formula: Ti1−xZrxMnw−y−zVyFez (wherein 0≦x≦0.5, 0<y≦0.6, 0<z≦0.2, and 1.8≦w≦2.2) is produced using a ferrovanadium (alloy of a V and an Fe) as one of the raw materials. The oxygen content of the alloy is limited to 5,000 ppm or less. A hydrogen storage alloy having the excellent hydrogen absorbing and discharging performance can be produced using an inexpensive ferrovanadium. Furthermore, an impurity oxygen, which adversely effect the performance, can be limited easily.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2001Date of Patent: September 7, 2004Assignee: Japan Steel Works Ltd.Inventors: Yasuhiro Aoki, Takaaki Miyaki
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Publication number: 20040170896Abstract: A hydrogen absorbing alloy containing at least a rare-earth element, magnesium (Mg), nickel (Ni) and aluminum (Al), having an intensity ratio (IA/IB) of not smaller than 0.6 (where IA represents an intensity of the highest peak in a range of 2&thgr;=30°˜34° in the X-ray diffraction pattern using CuK&agr;-radiation as the X-ray source and IB represents the intensity of the highest peak in a range of 2&thgr;=40°˜44°), and not substantially including La as the rare-earth element.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2004Publication date: September 2, 2004Inventors: Tetsuyuki Murata, Shigekazu Yasuoka, Jun Ishida
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Publication number: 20040170520Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a hydrogen absorbing alloy which can improve a high rate discharge property while suppressing particle size reduction, exhibits cycle life characteristics equal to or higher than those of conventional alloys even when its cobalt content is decreased, and has a high capacity. Specifically, the present invention provides a hydrogen absorbing alloy having a CaCu5 type crystal structure in its principal phase, wherein the La content in the alloy is in the range of 24 to 33% by weight and the Mg or Ca content in the alloy is in the range of 0.1 to 1.0% by weight, as well as the aforesaid alloy wherein the Co content in the alloy is not greater than 9% by weight.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2004Publication date: September 2, 2004Applicant: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takao Maeda, Satoshi Shima, Naofumi Shinya
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Publication number: 20040161360Abstract: A hydrogen storage material of the present invention comprises a plurality of planar molecular layers stacked, and a particle being inserted into the planar molecular layers to define an interlayer distance between the planar molecular layers. Because the hydrogen storage material of the present invention has a sufficient hydrogen storage capacity, it is possible to realize a fuel cell vehicle capable of storing a sufficient amount of hydrogen to attain a long-distance drive.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2004Publication date: August 19, 2004Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Tomaru Ogawa, Junji Katamura, Masashi Ito, Masaharu Hatano, Mikio Kawai
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Hydrogen storage alloy, production method therefor and ickel-hydrogen secondary battery- use cathode
Publication number: 20040159377Abstract: The present invention relates to hydrogen storage alloys, methods for producing the same, and anodes produced with such alloys for nickel-hydrogen rechargeable batteries. The alloys are useful as electrode materials for nickel-hydrogen rechargeable batteries, excellent, when used as anode materials, in corrosion resistance or activity such as initial activity and high rate discharge performance, of low cost compared to the conventional alloys with a higher Co content, and recyclable. The alloys are of a composition represented by the formula (1), and has a substantially single phase structure, and the crystals thereof have an average long axis diameter of 30 to 160 &mgr;m, or not smaller than 5 &mgr;m and smaller than 30 &mgr;m. The present anodes for rechargeable batteries contain at least one of these hydrogen storage alloys.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2004Publication date: August 19, 2004Inventors: Kiyofumi Takamaru, Hideaki Ikeda, Koji Tatsumi -
Patent number: 6759165Abstract: A hydrogen-absorbing alloy which is excellent in stability in an aqueous solution and in mechanical pulverizability is disclosed. This hydrogen-absorbing alloy contains an alloy represented by the following general formula (I): Mg2M1y (I) wherein M1 is at least one element selected (excluding Mg, elements which are capable of causing an exothermic reaction with hydrogen, Al and B) from elements which are incapable of causing an exothermic reaction with hydrogen; and y is defined as 1<y≦1.5.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2001Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Shinji Tsuruta, Tatsuoki Kohno, Motoya Kanda
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Patent number: 6746645Abstract: Hydrogen propelled vehicles and fundamentally new magnesium-based hydrogen storage alloy materials which for the first time make it feasible and practical to use solid state storage and delivery of hydrogen to power internal combustion engine or fuel cell vehicles. These exceptional alloys have remarkable hydrogen storage capacity of well over 6 weight % coupled with extraordinary absorption kinetics such that the alloy powder absorbs 80% of its total capacity within 10 minutes at 300° C. and a cycle life of at least 500 cycles without loss of capacity or kinetics.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2002Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Rosa T. Young
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Patent number: 6740450Abstract: An alkaline storage battery which is excellent in charge and discharge cycle life characteristics and high-rate discharge characteristics is provided by constructing it using an electrode made of an MmNi type hydrogen-absorbing alloy powders having modified surface. The alkaline storage battery comprises a negative electrode made using a hydrogen-absorbing alloy in the form of powders comprising at least one rare earth element, nickel and at least one transition metal in which the surface portion of the alloy has nickel in metallic state exposed at the surface, pores positioned between the nickel and the nickel, and a nickel-rich layer present on the alloy surface contacting with the pores, a positive electrode made using a metal oxide, a separator, and an alkaline electrolyte.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2001Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Susumu Kikuyama, Takashi Ebihara, Akiko Miyahara, Xianglong Wang, Kohji Yuasa
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Patent number: 6737194Abstract: A low temperature hydrogen storage alloy which is not pyrophoric upon exposure to ambient atmosphere, particularly even after hydrogen charge/discharge cycling.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2002Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Rosa T. Young, Baoquan Huang
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Patent number: 6733563Abstract: Methods for making hydrogen storage tanks may include disposing a substantially solid block of hydrogen-absorbing alloy within an activation vessel. Hydrogen gas may then be introduced into the activation vessel under conditions that will cause the hydrogen-absorbing alloy to absorb hydrogen and crack or break apart. Preferably, a substantially powdered hydrogen-absorbing alloy is formed thereby. Thereafter, the substantially powdered hydrogen-absorbing alloy can be transferred from the activation vessel to a hydrogen storage tank without substantially exposing the powered hydrogen-absorbing alloy to oxygen. The hydrogen-absorbing alloy is preferably ingot-shaped when introduced into the activation vessel. Further, the substantially powdered hydrogen-absorbing alloy is preferably produced by continuously breaking the ingot-shaped hydrogen-absorbing alloy within the activation vessel due to volume expansion caused by the hydrogen-absorbing alloy having absorbed hydrogen.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2001Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Katsuyoshi Fujita, Hideki Morino, Hidehito Kubo, Keiji Toh, Hiroyuki Mitsui, Shinichi Towata, Kazuhiko Itoh, Makoto Ishikura
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Patent number: 6733724Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a hydrogen absorbing alloy which can improve a high rate discharge property while suppressing particle size reduction, exhibits cycle life characteristics equal to or higher than those of conventional alloys even when its cobalt content is decreased, and has a high capacity. Specifically, the present invention provides a hydrogen absorbing alloy having a CaCu5 type crystal structure in its principal phase, wherein the La content in the alloy is in the range of 24 to 33% by weight and the Mg or Ca content in the alloy is in the range of 0.1 to 1.0% by weight, as well as the aforesaid alloy wherein the Co content in the alloy is not greater than 9% by weight.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2000Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takao Maeda, Satoshi Shima, Naofumi Shinya
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Patent number: 6733725Abstract: Hydrogen storage compositions which liberate hydrogen readily and which are readily regenerated from a dehydrogenated state formed by liberation of hydrogen are derived from an AlH3-based complex hydride incorporating a member selected from a metalloid such as B, C, Si, P and S, a metal such as Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Mo, Zn, Ga, In and Sn, a metal which forms a stable hydride such as Be, Mg, Ca, Ti, V, Y, Zr and La and a second AlH3-based complex hydride.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2001Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: McGill UniversityInventors: Alicja Zaluska, Leszek Zaluski, John Olaf Strom-Olsen
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Patent number: 6726783Abstract: A fundamentally new magnesium-based hydrogen storage alloy material which makes it feasible and practical to use solid state storage and delivery of hydrogen to power internal combustion engine or fuel cell vehicles. These alloys have remarkable hydrogen storage capacity of well over 6 weight percent. The alloys also have extraordinary absorption kinetics such that the alloy absorbs 80 percent of its total capacity within five minutes. The alloys are in particle form where the particles have a size ranging from 30 to 70 microns. The alloys also have a dual phase structure (formed by cooling from the melt at a cooling rate of 103-104° C.). The dual phase structure is such that an intergranular region surrounds a major hydrogen storage phase thus providing the alloys with resistance to sintering during high temperature hydriding/dehydriding cycling thereof. As a result of the dual phase structure, the alloys have an extended cycle life.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2000Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.Inventors: Rosa Young, Benjamin Chao, Stanford R. Ovshinsky
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Patent number: 6726892Abstract: Various aspects of the present invention provides a nanocrystalline powder suitable for storing hydrogen and a method of producing such a powder. One embodiment provides a nanocrystalline powder containing crystals of an aluminum alloy selected from the group consisting of NaAlx, LiAlx, and MgAl2x, wherein x is between 0.9 and 1.1, desirably 0.95-1.05, preferably about 1. The nanocrystalline powder also desirably includes an intercalated catalyst selected from the group consisting of C, Ti, Pt, Pd, V, Zr, and combinations of two or more of those materials.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2002Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Assignee: Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc.Inventor: Ming Au
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Patent number: 6709497Abstract: Heat transfer management/compartmentalization system for a metal hydride hydrogen storage containment unit. The hydrogen storage alloy is preferably divided into compartments having a honeycomb configuration. Heat exchanger tubing is placed through the compartments to promote heat transfer between the hydrogen storage alloy and the exterior environment.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2002Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: Texaco Ovonic Hydrogen Systems LLCInventors: Vitaliy Myasnikov, Baoquan Huang, Rosa Young, Stanford R. Ovshinsky
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Patent number: 6703164Abstract: There is provided a hydrogen-absorbing alloy comprising, as a principal phase, at least one kind of phase selected from the group consisting of a first phase having a hexagonal crystal system (excluding a phase having a CaCu5 type crystal structure) and a second phase having a rhombohedral crystal system, the hydrogen-absorbing alloy having a composition represented by the following general formula (1): R1-a-bMgaTbNiZ-X-Y-&agr;M1XM2YMn&agr; (1) wherein R is at least one kind of element selected from rare earth elements (which include Y), T is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ca, Ti, Zr and Hf, M1 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Co and Fe, M2 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Al, Ga, Zn, Sn, Cu, Si, B, Nb, W, Mo, V, Cr, Ta, Li, P and S, and the atomic ratios of a, b, X, Y, &agr; and Z are respectively a number satisfying the conditions of: 0.15≦a≦0.37, 0≦b≦0.3, 0≦X≦1.3, 0≦Y≦0.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2001Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Hirotaka Hayashida, Masaaki Yamamoto, Hiroshi Kitayama, Shusuke Inada, Isao Sakai, Tatsuoki Kono, Hideki Yoshida, Takamichi Inaba, Motoya Kanda
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Publication number: 20040037733Abstract: A hydrogen storage alloy and its production method are disclosed, which has an extremely high effective hydrogen storage capacity in the pressure range from 0.001 to 10 MPa, and a variety of use. The alloy is principally of a body-centered cubic crystal structure, and represented by the compositional formula CraTibVcFedMeXf (M: Al etc.; X: La etc.; 30≦a≦70, 20≦b≦50, 5≦c≦20, 0≦d≦10, 0≦e≦10, and 0≦f≦10, a+b+c+d+e+f=100). The alloy contains 0.005 to 0.150 wt % of O2, and has hydrogen absorption-desorption capability of not less than 2.2% of its weight from 0 to 100° C. and from 0.001 to 10 MPa. The method includes step (a) of melting starting materials for the alloy, deoxidizing step (b) such as step (b1) of blowing Ar into the alloy melt, and casting step (c).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2003Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventor: Yutaka Oka
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Patent number: 6689193Abstract: To produce a hydrogen absorbing alloy powder, a starting powder and a plurality of balls are thrown into a container of a ball mill, and then, the inside of the container is maintained in a hydrogen atmosphere to conduct a mechanical alloying.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2002Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Mitsuya Hosoe, Izuru Kanoya, Junichi Kitagawa, Terumi Furuta, Takanori Suzuki
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Patent number: 6689233Abstract: A hydrogen storage material which is characterized by having, as a cast alloy, a flaky or similar shape with a thickness of 50 to 500 &mgr;m and showing such crystallite orientation that the X-ray diffraction pattern has an intensity ratio of plane indices (002)/(200) of 2 to 10 as measured with the cooled surface of the flaky cast alloy being in parallel with a mount, and a process of producing the same.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2001Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Company Ltd.Inventors: Kiyotaka Yasuda, Daisuke Mukai, Minoru Sakai, Shigeo Hirayama, Kazuhito Komatsu, Shinya Kagei
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Publication number: 20040011444Abstract: According to the invention, hydrogen absorbed in a PCT curve low pressure region not desorbed and utilized so far can be desorbed easily by controlling a hydrogen storage alloy temperature in the final stage of a hydrogen desorption process (T2) to a temperature higher than the hydrogen storage alloy temperature in the hydrogen absorption process (T0) and a hydrogen storage alloy temperature in the initial stage of the hydrogen desorption process (T1) (T2>T1≧T0).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2003Publication date: January 22, 2004Inventors: Masuo Okada, Takahiro Kuriiwa, Shinichi Yamashita
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Patent number: 6676159Abstract: A device for storing fuel in an engine-powered transport vehicle including at least one closed construction element which is incorporated as an integral part of the body or chassis structure of the transport vehicle. The closed construction element is arranged as a storage unit for the fuel. As a result of the invention, an improved fuel storage unit is provided for, in particular, hydrogen-gas-powered motor vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2000Date of Patent: January 13, 2004Inventor: Per-Ivar Sellergren
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Patent number: 6672078Abstract: A combine bulk storage/single stage metal hydride compressor, a hydrogen storage alloy therefore and a hydrogen transportation/distribution infrastructure which incorporates the combine bulk storage/single stage metal hydride compressor.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2003Date of Patent: January 6, 2004Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Rosa T. Young, Baoquan Huang, Farshad Bavarian, Gene Nemanich
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Publication number: 20030228252Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method generate hydrogen through a controlled chemical reaction between water and a chemical hydride. The invention includes a chemical hydride isolated from water by a water-selective membrane. A fluid containing water is brought into contact with the water-selective membrane. The water diffuses through the water-selective membrane and reacts with the chemical hydride. The water diffuses through the membrane at a predetermined rate based on a water concentration gradient across the water-selective membrane. The water-selective membrane is substantially impermeable to elements and molecules other than water. Hydrogen generated within the chemical hydride is collected and used in various applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2003Publication date: December 11, 2003Inventor: James Kevin Shurtleff
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Patent number: 6660431Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrogen storage alloy electrode composed of a hydrogen storage alloy having a CaCu5 region and a Ce2Ni7 region in the crystal structure and satisfies the relational formula: p:q=1:(4+a), where p is the sum of the mole fraction of an element occupying the Ca site of the CaCu5 region and the mole fraction of an element occupying the Ce site of the Ce2Ni7 region, q is the sum of the mole fraction of an element occupying the Cu site of the CaCu5 region and the mole fraction of an element occupying the Ni site of the Ce2Ni7 region, and −0.2≦a≦0.4. Accordingly, although the hydrogen storage alloy electrode contains a little or no Co, it is possible to obtain an electrode having little deterioration due to pulverization of the alloy and a high capacity.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2001Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Sou Kuranaka, Akihiro Maeda, Yoshio Moriwaki
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Patent number: 6656246Abstract: To produce a hydrogen absorbing alloy powder which is an aggregate of alloy particles each including a metal matrix and added-components, an aggregate of metal matrix particles and an aggregate of added-component particles are used, and mechanical alloying is carried out. In this case, the relationship between the particle size D of the metal matrix particles and the particle size d of the added-component particles is set at d≦D/6. Thus, the milling time can be shortened remarkably.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2001Date of Patent: December 2, 2003Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Izuru Kanoya, Takanori Suzuki, Mitsuya Hosoe, Hajime Goto
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Publication number: 20030209296Abstract: A hydrogen containing material comprises a first compound including hydrogen containing material and fluoride, and a second compound including a metal which becomes highly reactive with hydrogen when the metal becomes a compound including fluorine, and a compound including fluorine. The first compound and the second compound are integrally formed into a one-piece layer on the surface of the hydrogen containing material. The metal which becomes highly reactive with hydrogen when the metal becomes a compound including fluorine is at least one metal selected from a rare earth metal, rare earth alloy, Fe, Al, Mg, Ca, Mn, Zn, Zr, Li, or alloys comprising these elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2003Publication date: November 13, 2003Applicants: The Japan Steel Works, Ltd., Stella Chemifa CorporationInventors: Fumiaki Aono, Toshiharu Tabata, Akiyoshi Kosuge, Hirohisa Kikuyama, Hiroto Izumi
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Publication number: 20030205300Abstract: Hydrogen storage alloy has: (1) a main composition expressed by the formula of Mm—(Ni—Al—Co—Mn); (2) a ratio of the number of atoms expressed by the formula of (Ni—Al—Co—Mn) is 5.5<(Ni+Al+Co+Mn)≦9, and 3.5≦Ni, when Mm is set at 1 in a ratio of the number of atoms; and (3) an internal structure having a hydrogen storage alloy phase expressed by the general formula of AB5, and a second phase existing in the hydrogen storage alloy phase.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2003Publication date: November 6, 2003Inventor: Kenji Nakamura
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Patent number: 6627148Abstract: A magnesium hydrogen storage alloy that has been hydrided and compacted into highly dense pellets for shipment and use, a method for making said magnesium alloy and a method for the safe, economical shipment of said hydrided magnesium hydrogen storage material.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2000Date of Patent: September 30, 2003Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Rosa T. Young, Ned T. Stetson, Vitaliy Myasnikov
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Patent number: 6627340Abstract: Hydrogen propelled fuel cell vehicle system designs that reduce the relative cost of releasing hydrogen from hydrogen storage alloys by providing and/or utilizing secondary sources of heat to supply the heat of desorption of stored hydrogen. The secondary source can include combusting conventional secondary (non-hydrogen) fuels. The fuel supply system uses fundamentally new magnesium-based hydrogen storage alloy materials which for the first time make it feasible and practical to use solid state storage and delivery of hydrogen to power fuel cell vehicles. These exceptional alloys have remarkable hydrogen storage capacity of over 7 weight % coupled with extraordinary absorption kinetics such that the alloy powder absorbs 80% of its total capacity within 1.5 minutes at 300° C. and a cycle life of at least 2000 cycles without loss of capacity or kinetics.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2000Date of Patent: September 30, 2003Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Rosa T. Young
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Patent number: 6626323Abstract: A hydrogen storage unit which uses hydrogen storage alloys to store hydrogen, and more particularly a heat transfer management/compartmentalization system for use in such system. The hydrogen storage alloy may be divided into compartments, separated by discs, further divided into sub-compartments by a flapper wheel. The discs and flapper wheel provide for optimal heat transfer throughout the system. The compartmentalization of the vessel may prevent compaction of the hydrogen storage alloys, which could lead to excessive strain on the vessel causing damage, deformation, or rupture of the vessel.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2002Date of Patent: September 30, 2003Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.Inventors: Ned T. Stetson, Michael Marchio, Arthur Holland, Daniel Alper, David Gorman, Jun Yang
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Publication number: 20030175590Abstract: Hydrogen storage alloy has: (1) a main composition expressed by the formula of Mm-(Ni—Al—Co—Mn); (2) a ratio of the number of atoms expressed by the formula of (Ni—Al—Co—Mn) is 5.5<(Ni+Al+Co+Mn)≦9, and 3.5≦Ni, when Mm is set at 1 in a ratio of the number of atoms; and (3) an internal structure having a hydrogen storage alloy phase expressed by the general formula of AB5, and a second phase existing in the hydrogen storage alloy phase.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2003Publication date: September 18, 2003Inventor: Kenji Nakamura
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Patent number: 6610445Abstract: In the description, a hydrogen storage alloy electrode comprising a hydrogen storage alloy and a conductive metal and completely free of organic binder is disclosed, wherein at least two layers of an active material holding layer and a conductive metal layer essentially are integrated into an electrode sheet having a conductive network communicating throughout the electrode. The electrode can be used in a nickel-metal hydride storage battery, for example, particularly exhibits high efficiency charge/discharge characteristics while satisfying general characteristics as a battery, and has a relatively low cost and facilitates recycling.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2001Date of Patent: August 26, 2003Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshio Moriwaki, Sou Kuranaka, Mizuo Iwasaki, Yasuhiko Yamasaki, Akihiro Maeda
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Patent number: 6605375Abstract: A method of activating a hydrogen storage alloy electrode. The method comprises the step of applying current cycles to the electrode where each current cycle includes a forward pulse effective to at least partially charge the electrode and a reverse pulse effective to at least partially discharge the electrode.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2001Date of Patent: August 12, 2003Assignee: Ovonic Battery Company, Inc.Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Boyko Aladjov, Srinivasan Venkatesan, Subhash K. Dhar, Thomas Hopper, Kevin Fok
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Patent number: 6602639Abstract: A process for producing a hydrogen storage electrode, which comprises the steps of forming a molten metal having a composition of a hydrogen storage alloy, solidifying the molten metal at a rapid cooling speed to form a solidified hydrogen storage alloy, and heat treating the solidified hydrogen storage alloy in a range from 1000 to 1200° C. for 30 minutes-120 hours to precipitate a second phase, wherein the hydrogen storage alloy after the heat treating step comprises (1) a main composition expressed by the formula Mm—(Ni—Al—Co—Mn), (2) a ratio of the number of atoms expressed by the formula of (Ni—Al—Co—Mn) is exhibited as 5.5<(Ni+Al+Co+Mn)≦9, and 3.5≦Ni, when Mm is set at 1 in the ratio of the number of atoms, and (3) an internal structure having a hydrogen storage alloy phase expressed by the general formula of AB5, and the second phase forming an electrically conducting network in the hydrogen storage alloy phase.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 1999Date of Patent: August 5, 2003Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kenji Nakamura
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Patent number: 6596055Abstract: A process is provided for the transport and storage of hydrogen by reversible sorption and containment within carbon-metal hybrid materials. The process comprises contacting a carbon-metal hybrid composition with a hydrogen-containing gas at conditions of temperature and pressure whereby the carbon-metal hybrid composition sorbs the hydrogen gas. The hydrogen that is sorbed in the carbon-metal composition is subsequently released by lowering the H2 pressure and/or increasing the temperature to levels which cause desorption of the hydrogen gas.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2001Date of Patent: July 22, 2003Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Alan Charles Cooper, Guido Peter Pez
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Patent number: 6593031Abstract: A nickel metal-hydride cell having a paste type nickel positive electrode containing nickel hydroxide and a cobalt conducting aid selected from the group consisting of metal cobalt and cobalt compounds, a negative electrode which comprises a hydrogen absorbing alloy having a composition of the formula: MmNi5−x+yMx in which Mm is a rare earth element, M is a metal element, 0<x<2, and −0.2<y<0.6, a separator interposed between two electrodes, and an alkaline electrolytic solution, where a ratio of C—H to C—Co(II) is 1.3 or less, wherein C—H is a quantity of electricity of a discharge reserve formed in the negative electrode, and C—Co(II) is a quantity of electricity necessary for reducing cobalt oxide in the positive electrode to cobalt(II) oxide.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2000Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Assignee: Hitachi Maxell, Ltd.Inventors: Masuhiro Onishi, Hiroshi Fukunaga, Masato Isogai, Ryo Nagai
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Patent number: 6589686Abstract: A method of activating a metal hydride electrode of an alkaline fuel cell. The method comprises the step of applying current cycles to the anode where each current cycle includes a forward current effective to at least partially charge the electrode and a reverse current effective to at least partially discharge the electrode.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2002Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Assignee: Ovonic Battery Company, Inc.Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Boyko Aladjov, Srinivasan Venkatesan, Subhash K. Dhar, Thomas Hopper, Kevin Fok
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Patent number: 6576367Abstract: A hydrogen storage alloy, for use in alkaline storage batteries, having a CaCu5-type crystal structure and represented by the compositional formula MmNixCoyMnzMl-z (wherein M represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of aluminum (Al) and copper (Cu); x is a nickel (Ni) stoichiometry and satisfies 3.0≦x≦5.2; y is a cobalt (Co) stoichiometry and satisfies 0≦y≦1.2; z is a manganese (Mn) stoichiometry and satisfies 0.1≦z≦0.9; and the sum of x, y and z satisfies 4.4≦x+y+z≦5.4). The hydrogen storage alloy includes a bulk region having a CaCu5-type crystal structure and a substantially uniform composition and a surface region surrounding said bulk region and having a graded composition. When the sum in percentage of numbers of cobalt (Co) atoms and copper (Cu) atoms present in the surface region is given by a and that in the bulk region by b, the relationship a/b≧1.3 is satisfied.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2000Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Teruhiko Imoto, Masutaka Ouchi, Yohei Hirota, Kikuko Kato, Nobuyuki Higashiyama, Mamoru Kimoto, Shin Fujitani, Koji Nishio
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Publication number: 20030103861Abstract: A modified Ti—Mn2 hydrogen storage alloy. The alloy generally is comprised of Ti and Mn. A generic formula for the alloy is: TiQ−XZrXMnZ−YAY, where A is generally one or more of V, Cr, Fe, Ni and Al. Most preferably A is one or more of V, Cr, and Fe. The subscript Q is preferably between 0.9 and 1.1, and most preferably Q is 1.0. The subscript X is between 0.0 and 0.35, more preferably X is between 0.1 and 0.2, and most preferably X is between 0.1 and 0.15. The subscript Y is preferably between 0.3 and 1.8, more preferably Y is between 0.6 and 1.2,and most preferably Y is between 0.6 and 1.0. The subscript Z is preferably between 1.8 and 2.1,and most preferably Z is between 1.8 and 2.0. The alloys are generally single phase materials, exhibiting a hexagonal C14 Laves phase crystalline structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2001Publication date: June 5, 2003Inventors: Ned T. Stetson, Jun Yang, Benjamin Chao, Vitaliy Myasnikov, Zhaosheng Tan
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Publication number: 20030096164Abstract: The present invention provides a hydrogen absorbing alloy containing as a principal phase at least one phase selected from the group consisting of a second phase having a rhombohedral crystal structure and a first phase having a crystal structure of a hexagonal system excluding a phase having a CaCu5 type structure, wherein a content of a phase having a crystal structure of AB2 type is not higher than 10% by volume including 0% by volume and the hydrogen absorbing alloy has a composition represented by general formula (1) given below:Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2002Publication date: May 22, 2003Inventors: Isao Sakai, Tatsuoki Kohno, Shirou Takeno, Takamichi Inaba, Hideki Yoshida, Masaaki Yamamoto, Hirotaka Hayashida, Shusuke Inada, Hiroshi Kitayama, Motoya Kanda, Fumiyuki Kawashima, Takao Sawa
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Patent number: 6536487Abstract: Atomically engineered hydrogen storage alloys which include a spectrum of hydrogen bonding energies and multiple hydride phases which extends and enhances their storage capacity at high pressures and high pressure hydrogen storage units which contain a variable amount of these hydrogen storage alloys therein to enhance the storage capacity of the unit beyond that obtainable by conventional alloys or pressurized hydrogen gas alone.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2001Date of Patent: March 25, 2003Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Rosa Young, Baoquan Huang
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Publication number: 20030051778Abstract: A low temperature hydrogen storage alloy which is not pyrophoric upon exposure to ambient atmosphere, particularly even after hydrogen charge/discharge cycling.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2002Publication date: March 20, 2003Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Rosa T. Young, Baoquan Huang
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Patent number: 6528441Abstract: A hydrogen storage composition based on a metal hydride dispersed in an aerogel prepared by a sol-gel process. The starting material for the aerogel is an organometallic compound, including the alkoxysilanes, organometals of the form M(OR)x and MOxRy, where R is an alkyl group of the form CnH2n+1, M is an oxide-forming metal, n, x, and y are integers, and y is two less than the valence of M. A sol is prepared by combining the starting material, alcohol, water, and an acid. The sol is conditioned to the proper viscosity and a hydride in the form of a fine powder is added. The mixture is polymerized and dried under supercritical conditions. The final product is a composition having a hydride uniformly dispersed throughout an inert, stable and highly porous matrix. It is capable of absorbing up to 30 moles of hydrogen per kilogram at room temperature and pressure, rapidly and reversibly. Hydrogen absorbed by the composition can be readily be recovered by heat or evacuation.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 1996Date of Patent: March 4, 2003Assignee: Westinghouse Savannah River Company, L.L.C.Inventors: Leung K Heung, George G. Wicks
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Patent number: 6524745Abstract: An electrochemically stabilized Ca—Ni hydrogen storage alloy material for use as the active negative electrode material of an alkaline electrochemical cell. The alloy material includes at least one modifier element which stabilizes the alloy material from degradation during electrochemical cycling in an alkaline cell, by protecting calcium within the alloy and preventing dissolution of calcium into the alkaline electrolyte. The alloy has the formula (Ca1−x−yMxNi2y)Ni5−zQz, where M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of misch metal, rare earth metals, zirconium and mixtures of Zr with Ti or V, Q is at least one element selected form the group consisting of Si, Al, Ge, Sn, In, Cu, Zn, Co, and mixtures thereof, x ranges between about 0.02 and 0.2, y ranges between about 0.02 and 0.4, and z ranges from about 0.05 to about 1.00.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 1999Date of Patent: February 25, 2003Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Rosa T. Young
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Patent number: 6517970Abstract: A low temperature hydrogen storage alloy which is not pyrophoric upon exposure to ambient atmosphere, particularly even after hydrogen charge/discharge cycling.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2001Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Rosa T. Young, Baoquan Huang
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Patent number: 6517971Abstract: By using a thin film-formed positive electrode, and negative electrode and a film separator, the capacity density of the electrode plate can be improved and at the same time a nickel-hydrogen secondary battery with a higher capacity can be easily obtained; as a result a nickel-hydrogen secondary battery with a higher capacity density can be provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 1999Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshitaka Dansui, Kenji Suzuki, Kohji Yuasa
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Patent number: 6508866Abstract: Heat exchangers, hydrogen gas compressors, hydrogen gas storage devices, hydrogen gas purifiers and metal hydride air conditioners utilizing a flow of a hydrogen gas stream which is absorbed and desorbed by a metal hydride causes disproportionation and “poisoning” of the metal hydrides by introduction of impurities such as water vapor, oxygen and carbon monoxide. Use of a noble metal in powder form, when introduced in the metal hydride particles has been found to act as a catalyst and to delay absorption of the impurities in the metal hydride, and further permits the more efficient and longer use of such devices by inhibiting the undesirable disproportionation and poisoning. In another embodiment, a vent is provided in the initial stage of a hydrogen compressor to vent out the impurities before these result in decreasing efficiency of the devices due to disproportionation, poisoning and increased vapor pressure.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2001Date of Patent: January 21, 2003Assignee: Ergenics, Inc.Inventor: P. Mark Golben
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Publication number: 20030003010Abstract: A hydrogen storage alloy having a body-centered cubic structure phase capable of storing and releasing hydrogen as its main phase, and a composition of the general composition formula: Ti(100-a-0.4b)Cr(a-0.6b)Mb, wherein M is at least one element of Mo and W; and 20≦a(at %)≦80 and 0≦b (at %)<5.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2002Publication date: January 2, 2003Inventors: Masuo Okada, Takahiro Kuriiwa, Shinichi Yamashita, Tsutomu Chou