Responsive To Heat Patents (Class 429/112)
  • Patent number: 11482708
    Abstract: An anode includes a mixed ionic-electronic conductor (MIEC) with an open pore structure. The open pore structure includes open pores to facilitate motion of an alkali metal into and/or out of the MIEC. The open pore structure thus provides open space to relieve the stresses generated by the alkali metal when charging/discharging a battery. The MIEC is formed from a material that is thermodynamically and electrochemically stable against the alkali metal to prevent the formation of solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) debris and the formation of dead alkali metal. The MIEC may also be passive (the MIEC does not store or release alkali metal). In one example, the open pore structure may be an array of substantially aligned tubules with a width less than about 300 nm, a wall thickness between about 1 nm to about 30 nm, and a height of at least 10 um arranged as a honeycomb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Ju Li, Yuming Chen, Ziqiang Wang
  • Patent number: 11482698
    Abstract: An immobilized selenium body, made from carbon and selenium and optionally sulfur, makes selenium more stable, requiring a higher temperature or an increase in kinetic energy for selenium to escape from the immobilized selenium body and enter a gas system, as compared to selenium alone. Immobilized selenium localized in a carbon skeleton can be utilized in a rechargeable battery. Immobilization of the selenium can impart compression stress on both the carbon skeleton and the selenium. Such compression stress enhances the electrical conductivity in the carbon skeleton and among the selenium particles and creates an interface for electrons to be delivered and or harvested in use of the battery. A rechargeable battery made from immobilized selenium can be charged or discharged at a faster rate over conventional batteries and can demonstrate excellent cycling stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignees: II-VI DELAWARE, INC., INSTITUTE OF CHEMISTRY, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
    Inventors: Elgin E. Eissler, Wen-Qing Xu, Xiaoming Li, Yancheng Zhang, Shailesh Patkar, Giovanni Barbarossa, Yu-Guo Guo, Shuaifeng Zhang, Yaxia Yin
  • Patent number: 11316145
    Abstract: A method for pre-lithiation of a negative electrode and a negative electrode formed by the method, the method including forming a mixture of inorganic material powder and molten lithium, forming a lithium metal-inorganic material composite ribbon, rolling the ribbon into a film and bonding the lithium metal-inorganic material composite film on a surface of a negative electrode to form a lithium metal-inorganic material composite layer on the surface of the negative electrode. This method reduces the deterioration of lithium during application of a mixture slurry and a negative electrode for a secondary battery, manufactured by the method for pre-lithiation, has improved initial irreversibility, and a secondary battery manufactured using such a negative electrode has excellent charging and discharging efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: LG ENERGY SOLUTION, LTD.
    Inventors: Sang Wook Woo, Eun Kyung Kim, Yoon Ah Kang, Jun Hyuk Song, Oh Byong Chae
  • Patent number: 11309577
    Abstract: A pressurized electrochemical battery and process for manufacturing the same, which comprises several connectors to at least one electrochemical cell with several electrical energy collectors that are connected to the connectors, with the electrochemical cell comprising several electrode sheets and several solid electrolyte sheets inserted between the electrode sheets, and at least one deformable chamber arranged in contact with the electrochemical cell, with the deformable chamber supplied with a fluid that deforms the chamber to apply pressure to the electrochemical cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Inventor: Manuel Torres Martinez
  • Patent number: 11200791
    Abstract: A sticker for attaching to at least one part of a machine comprising at least one rotating component to be monitored, the sticker providing a vibration status indicator indicating when a vibration of the at least one rotating component exceeds a predetermined level. The sticker is fixed to a machine part externally visible and not directly mounted onto a bearing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Anders Welin, Svetoslav Staykov
  • Patent number: 11075426
    Abstract: Provided is a battery pack, and more particularly, a battery pack capable of preventing degradation of performance at a low temperature by allowing a portion of air exhausted through an exhaust port to be introduced into an inhalation port to optimize a temperature of external air introduced into a cell module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: SK Innovation Co., Lt.d
    Inventors: Ji Seok Lee, Hyun Soo Kim, Hyun Jin Kim, Gil Jae You, Dong Joo Lim
  • Patent number: 10950834
    Abstract: A battery packaging arrangement. The battery packaging arrangement includes a first base configured to be fixedly coupled to a frame of a vehicle, a second base moveable with respect to the first base, and a plurality of cooling columns inter-disposed between the first base and the second base. Each of the plurality of cooling columns includes a plurality of receiving surfaces for receiving a corresponding plurality of battery cells. Each of the plurality of cooling columns is further configured to deform when the second base in response to a force moves towards the first base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Hangjie Liao, Waterloo Tsutsui, Trung N Nguyen, Thomas Heinrich Siegmund, Weinong Wayne Chen
  • Patent number: 10944132
    Abstract: Techniques for dynamically changing internal state of a battery are described herein. Generally, different battery configurations are described that enable transitions between different battery power states, such as to accommodate different battery charge and/or discharge scenarios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen E. Hodges, Ranveer Chandra, Julia L Meinershagen, Nissanka Arachchige Bodhi Priyantha, Anirudh Badam, Thomas Moscibroda, Anthony John Ferrese
  • Patent number: 10903531
    Abstract: Techniques for dynamically changing internal state of a battery are described herein. Generally, different battery configurations are described that enable transitions between different battery power states, such as to accommodate different battery charge and/or discharge scenarios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen E. Hodges, Ranveer Chandra, Julia L Meinershagen, Nissanka Arachchige Bodhi Priyantha, Anirudh Badam, Thomas Moscibroda, Anthony John Ferrese
  • Patent number: 10734686
    Abstract: The present invention provides a sodium-aluminum secondary cell. The cell includes a sodium metal negative electrode, a positive electrode compartment that includes an aluminum positive electrode disposed in a positive electrolyte mixture of NaAl2X7 and NaAlX4, where X is a halogen atom or mixture of different halogen atoms selected from chlorine, bromine, and iodine, and a sodium ion conductive electrolyte membrane that separates the negative electrode from the positive electrolyte. In such cases, the electrolyte membrane can include any suitable material, including, without limitation, a NaSICON-type membrane. Generally, when the cell functions, both the sodium negative electrode and the positive electrolyte are molten and in contact with the electrolyte membrane. Additionally, the cell is functional at an operating temperature between about 100° C. and about 200° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: FIELD UPGRADING USA, INC.
    Inventors: Mathew Robins, Sai Bhavaraju
  • Patent number: 10700364
    Abstract: A reserve battery is provided. The reserve battery includes a housing; a battery inside the housing, the battery including an anode, a cathode and a solid electrolyte between the anode and the cathode; and a movable piece for sliding within the housing to compress the battery such that sufficient heat is generated within the battery to activate the solid electrolyte. Methods of activating a reserve battery are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: LIGHTENING ENERGY
    Inventor: Christopher K. Dyer
  • Patent number: 10637015
    Abstract: The disclosure provides seals for devices that operate at elevated temperatures and have reactive metal vapors, such as lithium, sodium or magnesium. In some examples, such devices include energy storage devices that may be used within an electrical power grid or as part of a standalone system. The energy storage devices may be charged from an electricity production source for later discharge, such as when there is a demand for electrical energy consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: AMBRI INC.
    Inventors: Greg Thompson, David J. Bradwell, Vimal Pujari, Chia-Ying Lee, David McCleary, Jennifer Cocking, James D. Fritz
  • Patent number: 10629948
    Abstract: Provided is an aluminum secondary battery comprising an anode, a cathode, a porous separator electronically separating the anode and the cathode, and an electrolyte in ionic contact with the anode and the cathode to support reversible deposition and dissolution of aluminum at the anode, wherein the anode contains aluminum metal or an aluminum metal alloy as an anode active material and the cathode comprises a layer of recompressed exfoliated graphite or carbon material that is oriented in such a manner that the layer has a graphite edge plane in direct contact with the electrolyte and facing the separator. Typically, this graphite edge plane is substantially parallel to the separator layer plane. Such an aluminum battery delivers a high energy density, high power density, and long cycle life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Global Graphene Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Yu-Sheng Su, Aruna Zhamu, Hui He, Baofei Pan, Bor Z. Jang
  • Patent number: 10608212
    Abstract: The disclosure provides electrochemical batteries, electrochemical battery housings and methods for assembling electrochemical batteries. The battery housing can include a container, a container lid assembly and an electrical conductor. The container can include a cavity that extends into the container from a cavity aperture. The lid assembly can seal the cavity, and can include an electrically conductive container lid and an electrically conductive flange. The container lid can cover the cavity aperture and can include a conductor aperture that extends through the container lid. The flange can cover the conductor aperture and can be electrically isolated from the container lid. The conductor can be connected to the flange and can extend through the conductor aperture into the cavity. The conductor can be electrically isolated from the container lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: AMBRI INC.
    Inventors: David J. Bradwell, Alex T. Vai, Jianyi Cui, Brian Neltner
  • Patent number: 10446853
    Abstract: A thermal battery can include: an anode of lithium alloy; a metal-fluoride cathode having Ni; and an electrolyte composition in contact with the anode and cathode. A thermal battery can also include: an anode of lithium alloy; a metal-fluoride cathode having an oxide selected from V2O5 or LiVO3; and an electrolyte composition in contact with the anode and cathode. In one aspect, a metal of the metal fluoride cathode includes Ni, Fe, V, Cr, Mn, Co, or mixture thereof. In one aspect, the metal-fluoride cathode includes NiF2, FeF3, VF3, CrF3, MnF3, CoF3, or a mixture thereof. A method of providing electricity can include: providing an electronic device having a thermal battery with a metal-fluoride cathode having Ni and/or having an oxide selected from V2O5 or LiVO3; and discharging the thermal battery to provide electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: CFD Research Corporation
    Inventors: Pyoungho Choi, Sameer Singhal, Joe Don Edington
  • Patent number: 10170798
    Abstract: A rechargeable galvanic cell that has a negative electrode material made of a molten alkali metal (such as sodium or lithium). The galvanic cell also includes a positive electrode active material that may be sulfur or iodine. The positive electrode active material may be used in conjunction with a polar solvent. An ion-conductive separator is disposed between the polar solvent and the negative electrode material. The positive electrode active material has a specific gravity that is greater than the specific gravity of the polar solvent. Thus, the positive electrode active material is proximate the bottom of the positive electrode compartment while the polar solvent is above the positive electrode active material. The cell is designed to be operated at temperatures above the melting point of the alkali metal, but at temperatures that are lower than about 250° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: FIELD UPGRADING USA, INC.
    Inventors: John Howard Gordon, Javier Alvare
  • Patent number: 10128537
    Abstract: Additives to electrolytes that enable the formation of comparatively more robust SEI films on silicon anodes. The SEI films in these embodiments are seen to be more robust in part because the batteries containing these materials have higher coulombic efficiency and longer cycle life than comparable batteries without such additives. The additives preferably contain a nitrate group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Wildcat Discovery Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ye Zhu, Gang Cheng, Deidre Strand, Jen-Hsien Yang
  • Patent number: 10096869
    Abstract: A battery module and a battery temperature managing system of a battery temperature managing system includes a battery module; a heat exchanger connected with the battery module via a coolant circulating circuit, and a temperature control device connected with the heat exchanger via a refrigerant circulating circuit, in which a coolant in the coolant circulating circuit and a refrigerant in the refrigerant circulating circuit exchange heat with each other via the heat exchanger, and the battery module is cooled or heated by the coolant when the coolant flows through the battery module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: BYD COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Weixin Zheng, Yuanyuan He, Yi Zeng
  • Patent number: 9799935
    Abstract: An electrical energy production system includes at least a pair of thermally regenerating ammonia batteries. One of the batteries is in a charging mode; the other is in a discharging mode. A controller is operatively connected to the at least a pair of thermally regenerating ammonia batteries. At least one heat source is connected to the at least a pair of thermally regenerating batteries. A control valve is connected to the controller and to the at least a pair of thermally regenerating batteries. The control valve distributes heat from the heat source to a specified one of the at least a pair of thermally regenerating ammonia batteries. An electrical path connects each of the pair of thermally regenerating batteries to the controller and to a power rectification circuit. An external load is connected to the power rectification circuit such that a continuous power source is provided to the external load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Feng Zhou, Ercan Mehmet Dede, Shailesh N. Joshi
  • Patent number: 9735434
    Abstract: At least a portion of the enclosure of a thermal battery is formed of a ceramic material that is non-porous and electrically-non-conductive. The thermal battery includes at least one cell, a squib that when activated causes the at least one cell to become active, and an enclosure that surrounds the at least one cell and the squib. Squib terminals and battery terminals extend through the enclosure and are electrically connected to the squib and to the at least one cell, respectively. At least the portion of the enclosure through which the squib and battery terminals extend is formed of the ceramic material. The enclosure includes a container and a header. At least the header is made from the ceramic material, and preferably both the container and the header are made from the ceramic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: EaglePicher Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James Ferraro, Greg Kirk, Greg Miller, Charles Lamb
  • Patent number: 9728816
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lithium-rich electrode plate of a lithium-ion battery and a preparation method thereof. The electrode plate includes a collector; a film containing an active material and forming on the collector, and forming an elementary electrode plate together with the collector; and a porous lithium sheet covering on the film, so that a resulting capacity of the porous lithium sheet matches a planned lithium-supplemental capacity to an anode of a lithium-ion battery. The electrode plate can accurately control lithium supplemental quantity to the anode, improve lithium-supplemental uniformity, improve the first coulombic efficiency, energy density, and electrochemical performance of the battery, and decrease deformation of the cell. Furthermore, the method can be performed simply and the cost thereof is low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: DONGGUAN AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Conghui You, Yanjie Xu, Fubiao Cao, Hongxin Fang, Baiqing Zhang
  • Patent number: 9660312
    Abstract: A metal/air battery electrochemical cell in one embodiment includes a negative electrode, a positive electrode, an oxygen supply, and a closed oxygen conducting membrane less than about 50 microns thick located between the oxygen supply and the positive electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Timm Lohmann, John F. Christensen, Boris Kozinsky, Paul Albertus, Roel Sanchez-Carrera
  • Patent number: 9537156
    Abstract: A membrane-electrode assembly for a fuel cell of the present invention includes an anode and a cathode facing each other, and a polymer electrolyte membrane interposed therebetween. At least one of the anode and the cathode includes a catalyst layer and an electrode substrate. The catalyst layer includes a catalyst and a porous ionomer. The polymer electrolyte membrane contacts one side of the catalyst layer and the electrode substrate contacts the other side of the catalyst layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hee-Tak Kim, Hae-Kwon Yoon, Young-Mi Park
  • Patent number: 9496574
    Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly including an electrolyte membrane and catalyst layers joined on both sides of the electrolyte membrane and a pair of separators disposed at both sides of the membrane electrode assembly to respectively form gas flow spaces where two types of power generation gases flow. An electrically conductive porous substrate folded in a corrugated shape is disposed in at least one of the gas flow spaces defined on both sides of the membrane electrode assembly, and a gas flow space in which the electrically conductive porous substrate is disposed is divided into a plurality of gas flow paths substantially parallel to a flow direction of the power generation gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keita Iritsuki, Yosuke Fukuyama
  • Patent number: 9444122
    Abstract: A battery module and a battery temperature managing system of a battery temperature managing system includes a battery module; a heat exchanger connected with the battery module via a coolant circulating circuit, and a temperature control device connected with the heat exchanger via a refrigerant circulating circuit, in which a coolant in the coolant circulating circuit and a refrigerant in the refrigerant circulating circuit exchange heat with each other via the heat exchanger, and the battery module is cooled or heated by the coolant when the coolant flows through the battery module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: BYD COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Weixin Zheng, Yuanyuan He, Yi Zeng
  • Patent number: 9413057
    Abstract: A mobile wireless communications device may include a portable housing, a cellular transceiver carried by the portable housing, and a battery carried by the portable housing and comprising a pair of electrodes and an electrolyte therebetween. The mobile wireless communications device may further include a wireless communications circuit carried by the portable housing and configured to wirelessly communicate via at least one of the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Joshua Kwan Ho Wong, John Alfred Whitmore, Ying Tong Man
  • Patent number: 9281538
    Abstract: Disclosed is a thin battery including an electrode assembly in sheet form and a housing for accommodating the electrode assembly. The electrode assembly includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte layer interposed therebetween. A lubricating material with a lubricating effect is interposed between an inner surface of the housing and the electrode assembly, and is, for example, an inert gas. The inert gas includes, for example, at least one of nitrogen and argon. It is preferable that the lubricating material is present, at least, between end surfaces of the electrode assembly on both sides in the thickness direction thereof and two main flat surfaces of the inner surface of the housing which face the end surfaces, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tomohiro Ueda
  • Patent number: 9269941
    Abstract: A molten-salt battery is provided with rectangular plate-like negative electrodes (21) and rectangular plate-like positive electrodes (41) each housed in a bag-shaped separator (31). The negative electrodes (21) and positive electrodes (41) are arranged laterally and alternately in a standing manner. A lower end of a rectangular tab (22) for collecting current is joined to an upper end of each negative electrode (21) close to a side wall (1A) of a container body (1). The upper ends of the tabs (22) are joined to the lower surface of a rectangular plate-like tab lead (23). A lower end of a rectangular tab (42) for collecting current is joined to an upper end of each positive electrode (41) close to a side wall (1B) of the container body (1). The upper ends of the tabs (42) are joined to the lower surface of a rectangular plate-like tab lead (43).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Shoichiro Sakai, Atsushi Fukunaga, Atsushi Yamaguchi, Koji Nitta, Masatoshi Majima, Shinji Inazawa
  • Patent number: 9153803
    Abstract: A cell for high temperature electrochemical reactions is provided. The cell includes a container, at least a portion of the container acting as a first electrode. An extension tube has a first end and a second end, the extension tube coupled to the container at the second end forming a conduit from the container to said first end. A second electrode is positioned in the container and extends out of the container via the conduit. A seal is positioned proximate the first end of the extension tube, for sealing the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Total Marketing Services
    Inventors: Brice Hoani Valentin Chung, Paul J. Burke, Donald R. Sadoway
  • Patent number: 9065118
    Abstract: A thin, flexible, porous polymer composite film useful as a separator for a molten-salt thermal battery having a lower temperature electrolyte melt formulation 150-250° C. typical of molten alkyl nitrate/nitrite comprises 5-50 weight percent of electrically non-conductive ceramic comprising a thermoplastic in the range of 50-95 weight percent. The high-surface-area ceramic is comprised of MgO (preferred), Al2O3, AlSiO2, BN, AlN, or a mixture of two or more of the foregoing; and providing a porous network having a porosity of not less than 30 percent by volume. Likewise, the electrodes can be manufactured with polymer-bonded particulates of porous ceramic such as MgO. Cells for thermal batteries are fabricated in the uncharged state, e.g., Carbon/lithiated metal oxide. Additionally, a polymer-based thermal battery construction can free design from the rigid stacked-pellet battery design. Alternatively, a porous ceramic composite film of MgO coated non-conductive ceramic fibers may be used as a separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas D. Kaun
  • Publication number: 20150147621
    Abstract: A method for preparing an electrolyte separator for an electrochemical device is described. The method includes the step of applying a beta?-alumina coating composition, or a precursor thereof, to a porous substrate, by an atmospheric, thermal spray technique. An electrochemical device is also described. Some of these devices include an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte separator disposed between the anode and the cathode. The separator includes a thermally-sprayed layer of beta?-alumina, disposed on a porous substrate. The electrochemical device can be used as an energy storage system, or for other types of end uses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Todd Michael Striker, Richard Louis Hart, Matthew Joseph Alinger, Leonardo Ajdelsztajn
  • Publication number: 20150140378
    Abstract: A material design of a molten salt battery which is suitable for a temperature range in which the battery is used is shown, and a molten salt battery applicable even under a severe environment where vibrations are given is provided. In the molten salt battery according to the present invention, the operating temperature range of 25° C. to 300° C. is divided into ranges of 25° C. to 120° C., 80° C. to 140° C. and 140° C. to 300° C., and for each temperature range, a material that is a choice is defined for each of an outer package, a binder, an anode active material and a separator as well as an electrolytic solution. Further, the molten salt battery includes a vibration controlling portion for reducing vibrations given to the outer package. As for the electrolytic solution, for example, an electrolytic solution containing an organic cation and FSA as an anion, or NaFSA is suitable for the range of 25° C. to 120° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiichiro TANABE, Koma NUMATA, Koji NITTA, Shoichiro SAKAI, Atsushi FUKUNAGA, Eiko ITANI, Shinji INAZAWA
  • Publication number: 20150093624
    Abstract: A positive electrode composition is provided. The positive electrode composition includes at least one electroactive metal, a first alkali metal halide, an electrolyte comprising a complex metal halide having a second alkali metal halide; and sodium iodide. The electroactive metal is selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt, iron, zinc, tin, vanadium, niobium, manganese and antimony; and the first alkali metal halide and the second alkali metal halide independently comprise a halide selected from chlorine, bromine, and fluorine. The composition includes sodium iodide present in an amount in a range from about 0.1 weight percent to about 0.9 weight percent, based on a total weight of metal halides in the positive electrode composition. Related devices also form embodiments of this invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: David Charles Bogdan, JR., Michael Alan Vallance, Richard Louis Hart
  • Publication number: 20150037645
    Abstract: A cell cathode compartment comprises a granule bed comprising metal granules, metal halide granules, and sodium halide granules, a separator adjacent to the granule bed, a liquid electrolyte dispersed in the granule bed, and a porous absorbent disposed in the granule bed, wherein a transverse cross-sectional distribution of the porous absorbent in the granule bed varies in a longitudinal direction from a first position to a second position. In another embodiment, a cell cathode compartment comprises a granule bed comprising metal granules, metal halide granules, and sodium halide granules, a separator adjacent to the granule bed, a liquid electrolyte dispersed in the granule bed, and a porous absorbent coating on a surface adjacent to the granule bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Manikandan Ramani, Edward James Balaschak, Robert Christie Galloway, Raymond R. Cole, Jonathan Adam Bielik
  • Publication number: 20150017488
    Abstract: A reserve batter is provided. The reserve battery includes a housing; a battery inside the housing, the battery including an anode, a cathode and a solid electrolyte between the anode and the cathode; and a movable piece for sliding within the housing to compress the battery such that sufficient heat is generated within the battery to activate the solid electrolyte. Methods of activating a reserve battery are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventor: Christopher K. Dyer
  • Patent number: 8852819
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed at a method and apparatus for controlling fuel cell operating characteristics. In certain situations, the operating efficiency of fuel cells is degraded to external conditions. Providing a method and apparatus to control operating conditions for the fuel cell assists in improving the operating efficiency. This can be achieved by controlling certain environmental conditions, such as temperature and relatively humidity, in the area surrounding the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: David Gerard Rich, Lyall Winger, Chee-Ming Jimmy Wu
  • Publication number: 20140248522
    Abstract: An inertial igniter including: a body having a base; a striker release element rotatably disposed on the body, the striker release element having a first surface; a first biasing element for biasing the striker release element away from the base; a striker mass rotatably disposed on the base along a second axis, the striker mass having a second surface corresponding to the first surface of the striker release element, the first surface obstructing rotation of the striker mass; and a second biasing element for biasing the striker mass such that the second surface is biased towards the first surface; wherein when the body experiences an acceleration profile of a predetermined magnitude and duration, the striker release element rotates towards the base to release an engagement between the first and second surfaces and allow the striker mass to rotate under a biasing force of the second biasing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: Omnitek Partners LLC
    Inventors: Jacques Fischer, Jahangir S. Rastegar
  • Patent number: 8822051
    Abstract: A secondary battery comprises a bare cell and a protection circuit module comprising a printed circuit board and a thermistor. The thermistor comprises: a supporting member comprising an elastic material; a temperature sensor formed on the supporting member; a terminal configured to couple to a printed circuit board; and a conductive portion formed on the supporting member, wherein the conductive portion is connected to the terminal and to the temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Martin Yoo
  • Publication number: 20140234685
    Abstract: A separator for use in a molten salt battery has the problem that due to usage specific to the molten salt battery, the separator is placed under mechanical, thermal and chemical stress, so that cracking or rupture easily occurs, leading to a degradation in battery performance such as an internal short-circuit. The molten salt battery of the present invention includes a separator containing a metal oxide, particularly aluminum oxide and/or zirconium oxide in an amount of 75% or more. The separator improves mechanical, thermal and chemical resistance, and thus an internal short-circuit ascribable to the separator is hard to occur, so that the molten salt battery can be stably operated for a long period of time. The separator has high heat stability, so that the safety of the molten salt battery can be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Nitta, Shinji Inazawa, Shoichiro Sakai, Atsushi Fukunaga
  • Patent number: 8799636
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The processor executes a process including calculating a first accumulated time during which the battery device feeds power to the electronic apparatus while being attached to the electronic apparatus in a first attachment state in which a first surface of the battery device faces a reference surface provided in the electronic apparatus, calculating a second accumulated time during which the battery device feeds power to the electronic apparatus while being attached to the electronic apparatus in a second attachment state in which a second surface of the battery device faces the reference surface, the second surface being different from the first surface, and providing an instruction to change an attachment state of the battery device when a difference between the first accumulated time and the second accumulated time exceeds a given time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Yoshiro Takeda, Toshihiro Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 8795868
    Abstract: A rechargeable molten salt electrolyte battery has an anode comprising lithium, a cathode electrode comprising a conductive metal that is compatible with the nitrate melt, an electrolyte comprising lithium nitrate or lithium nitrate mixtures with other nitrates which electrolyte is capable of becoming an ionic conductive liquid upon being heated above its melting point, wherein oxygen for reaction at the cathode or within the melt is provided from an external source to be delivered to the cathode through the electrolyte and provision is made to collect lithium oxide formed during discharge to be reconstituted as lithium ions and oxygen during recharge. At least a portion of the oxygen reduction reaction is provided by a nitrate ion pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Inventor: Melvin H. Miles
  • Publication number: 20140170443
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electrochemical cell having an negative electrode compartment and a positive electrode compartment. A solid alkali ion conductive electrolyte membrane is positioned between the negative electrode compartment and the positive electrode compartment. A catholyte solution in the positive electrode compartment includes a halide ion or pseudohalide ion concentration greater than 3M, which provides degradation protection to the alkali ion conductive electrolyte membrane. The halide ion or pseudohalide ion is selected from chloride, bromide, iodide, azide, thiocyanate, and cyanide. In some embodiments, the electrochemical cell is a molten sodium rechargeable cell which functions at an operating temperature between about 100° C. and about 150° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Ceramatec, Inc.
    Inventors: Sai Bhavaraju, Mathew Robins, Chett Boxley
  • Patent number: 8741453
    Abstract: Disclosed are a current interrupting device and a secondary battery including the same. According to an embodiment, a current interrupting device comprises a first terminal; a second terminal; a fuse coupled to the first and second terminals; and a fuse body surrounding an exterior of the fuse to seal the fuse, wherein the first and second terminals include thin portions connected to the fuse, and the thin portions have a thickness less than a thickness of other portions of the first and second terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyounghan Kim, Moonhong Han, Junsun Yong, Seongdae Ji, Cheolwoo Shim, Kwangchun Kim, Jeongman Park
  • Publication number: 20140132221
    Abstract: A positive electrode composition is provided. The positive electrode composition includes at least one electroactive metal selected from the group consisting of titanium, vanadium, niobium, molybdenum, nickel, iron, cobalt, chromium, manganese, silver, antimony, cadmium, tin, lead, copper, zinc, and combination thereof, an alkali metal halide, and aluminum, present in an amount of at least 0.5 weight percent, based on the weight of the positive electrode composition. Optionally, an amount of sodium iodide of up to about 1.0 weight percent, based on the weight of the sodium halide in the positive electrode composition, is included. The composition may be included in a positive electrode with a molten electrolyte salt comprising the reaction product of an alkali metal halide and an aluminum halide. An energy storage device including the composition is provided, as well as a method of operating the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Christie Galloway, Job Thomas Rijssenbeek, Guillermo Daniel Zappi, James Sudworth
  • Patent number: 8715846
    Abstract: A slow-burn thermal battery includes a cathode, an anode, and a meltable electrolyte disposed between the cathode and the anode. The slow-burn thermal battery further includes a burnable fuse operably associated with the meltable electrolyte for melting the electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Hoelscher, Toby D. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20140065513
    Abstract: An ion-conducting composite electrolyte is provided comprising path-engineered ion-conducting ceramic electrolyte particles and a solid polymeric matrix. The path-engineered particles are characterized by an anisotropic crystalline structure and the ionic conductivity of the crystalline structure in a preferred conductivity direction H associated with one of the crystal planes of the path-engineered particle is larger than the ionic conductivity of the crystalline structure in a reduced conductivity direction L associated with another of the crystal planes of the path-engineered particle. The path-engineered particles are sized and positioned in the polymeric matrix such that a majority of the path-engineered particles breach both of the opposite major faces of the matrix body and are oriented in the polymeric matrix such that the preferred conductivity direction H is more closely aligned with a minimum path length spanning a thickness of the matrix body than is the reduced conductivity direction L.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Michael Edward Badding, Jacqueline Leslie Brown, Katherine A. Fink, Atanas Valentinov Gagov, Cameron Wayne Tanner
  • Patent number: 8652674
    Abstract: A cathode material includes a primary active cathode material and an amount of NiS2. Primary batteries (e.g., thermal batteries) can be provided that contain such a cathode material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Eaglepicher Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Geoffrey Swift, Charles Lamb, Jim Ferraro
  • Publication number: 20130344356
    Abstract: A thermal battery including: a casing; a thermal battery cell disposed in the casing and operatively connected to electrical connections exposed from the casing; a first portion of a material capable of having an exothermic reaction positioned between the casing and the thermal battery cell; a second portion of a material capable of having an exothermic reaction positioned between the casing and the thermal battery cell; a first initiator for initiating the thermal battery cell; at least one second initiator for initiating the first portion; and a fuze in communication with the first and second portions for initiating the second portion resulting from the initiation of the first portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: OMNITEK PARTNERS LLC
    Inventor: Jahangir S. Rastegar
  • Patent number: 8609974
    Abstract: A system and method is presented that uses solar power driven expansion of an electrolytic solution to force the electrolytic solution from a container through at least one pore of an insulator having a fixed surface charge of one polarity into a collection receptacle. The velocities of the cations and anions flowing through the pore differ because of the fixed surface charge of the pore and this produces an electrical charge separation, the streaming potential, as a source of electrical power. Energy absorption spans the full solar spectrum including infrared, visible and near ultraviolet wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventor: Michael E. Starzak
  • Publication number: 20130323562
    Abstract: At least a portion of the enclosure of a thermal battery is formed of a ceramic material that is non-porous and electrically-non-conductive. The thermal battery includes at least one cell, a squib that when activated causes the at least one cell to become active, and an enclosure that surrounds the at least one cell and the squib. Squib terminals and battery terminals extend through the enclosure and are electrically connected to the squib and to the at least one cell, respectively. At least the portion of the enclosure through which the squib and battery terminals extend is formed of the ceramic material. The enclosure includes a container and a header. At least the header is made from the ceramic material, and preferably both the container and the header are made from the ceramic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: EAGLEPICHER TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: James FERRARO, Greg KIRK, Greg MILLER, Charles LAMB