With Layer Of Material Or Spacing Means Patents (Class 429/135)
  • Patent number: 11342576
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly, comprising: interposing a plurality of first electrodes one by one, which are spaced apart from each other, between two separators; stacking a second electrode on each of outer surfaces of the separators on each of both sides of the first electrode at positions that are skipped by one of the plurality of positions on which the first electrodes are disposed to alternately continuously form a bi-cell, in which the second electrode/the separator/the first electrode/the separator/the second electrode are sequentially stacked, and a half-cell, in which the separator/the first electrode/the separator are sequentially stacked; cutting the stack into a unit cell in which one bi-cell and one half-cell are connected to each other; folding the unit cell so that the bi-cell and the half-cell are stacked; and stacking a plurality of folded unit cells to manufacture the electrode assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Inventors: Jung Kwan Pyo, Cha Hun Ku, Su Taek Jung, Seok Jin Kim, Tai Jin Jung
  • Patent number: 10673042
    Abstract: Electrochemical cells with a protective film that is permeable to hydrogen, or that include a catalyst that facilitates formation of mobile hydrogen species, that promotes sequestration or gettering of hydrogen or oxygen, and/or that facilitates conversion of hydrogen or oxygen to H2O, are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Imprint Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: John Devin Mackenzie, Qiang Zheng, Jesse Smithyman, Christine Ho
  • Patent number: 9748543
    Abstract: Provided are a separator for a nonaqueous cell that has air permeability and is small in thickness while maintaining strength properties; and a nonaqueous cell having this separator. The separator includes a fiber sheet in which a polyvinyl alcohol fiber is incorporated in a proportion of 30% or more by mass (based on the fiber sheet). The fiber has a fiber breaking temperature in heated water of lower than 100° C. and higher than 85° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: KURARAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Hayakawa, Hiroyuki Kawai, Hideo Hayashi, Koichi Kambe
  • Patent number: 9711769
    Abstract: Provided are a separator for a nonaqueous cell that has air permeability and is small in thickness while maintaining strength properties; and a nonaqueous cell having this separator. The separator includes a fiber sheet in which a polyvinyl alcohol fiber is incorporated in a proportion of 30% or more by mass (based on the fiber sheet). The fiber has a fiber breaking temperature in heated water of lower than 100° C. and higher than 85° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: KURARAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Hayakawa, Hiroyuki Kawai, Hideo Hayashi, Koichi Kambe
  • Patent number: 9023504
    Abstract: A secondary battery module and a battery spacer, the secondary battery module including a plurality of unit cells; and a battery spacer between the unit cells, the battery spacer including a base portion, the base portion including a portion contacting a large side surface of a unit cell, a wing portion projecting from the base portion toward an adjacent battery spacer and enclosing at least a portion of a small side surface of the unit cell, and a fastening portion on the wing portion, the fastening portion being for coupling the battery spacer to an adjacent battery spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Miso Kim
  • Patent number: 8852774
    Abstract: A battery production method according to the invention includes a winding step of winding an electrode assembly around a winding core and a flattening step of pressing the electrode assembly wound in the winding step, in a direction orthogonal to an axial direction thereof to form a flattened shape in which the wound electrode assembly is flattened in a direction that is orthogonal to the pressing direction and the axial direction, wherein a rod-shaped spacer is inserted, in parallel to the axial direction, into the electrode assembly wound during the course of winding the electrode assembly around the winding core in the winding step, and wherein the spacer is pulled out between the winding step and the flattening step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yusuke Onoda
  • Patent number: 8748032
    Abstract: Provided is a cable-type secondary battery including an anode current collector having a horizontal cross section of a predetermined shape and extending longitudinally, an anode active material pattern layer having anode active material patterns spaced away at a predetermined interval on the anode current collector, an electrolyte layer surrounding the anode active material pattern layer and serving as an ion channel, a cathode active material pattern layer having cathode active material patterns spaced away at a predetermined interval on the electrolyte layer at locations corresponding to those of the anode active material patterns, and a cathode current collector surrounding the cathode active material pattern layer. The cable-type secondary battery having the active material patterns has excellent flexibility to prevent the active material from falling off from the active material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yo-Han Kwon, Je-Young Kim, Ki-Tae Kim, Heon-Cheol Shin, Hyung-Man Cho, Hye-Ran Jung
  • Patent number: 8734984
    Abstract: When a bipolar battery is manufactured, a bipolar electrode and a separator are prepared first. Then, one electrode (for example, a positive electrode) out of positive and negative electrodes is applied with such an amount of electrolyte as being exposed on a surface of the one electrode. Then, the separator is arranged on the surface of the one electrode applied with the electrolyte, thus forming a sub-assembly unit. Then, a plurality of the sub-assembly units are layered, and the electrolyte applied to the one electrode is made to permeate through the separator to the other electrode, thus forming an assembly unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gen Takayama, Kenji Hosaka, Teruo Segawa, Hajime Satou, Hideaki Horie, Takahiro Iwasaki, Yoshio Shimoida
  • Patent number: 8703322
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a battery cartridge having a plate-shaped battery cell mounted therein, wherein the battery cartridge includes a pair of plate-shaped frames configured to fix opposite sides of the battery cell at the edge thereof in a state in which the sides of the battery cell are open, and each of the frames is provided at the inside thereof, disposed in contact with the edge of the battery cell, with an elastic pressing member configured to press the edge of the battery cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin Kyu Lee, Kwanyong Kim, Jongmoon Yoon, Jaeseong Yeo, Yongshik Shin, Hee Soo Yoon, BumHyun Lee, Dal Mo Kang
  • Patent number: 8679674
    Abstract: A battery comprises at least one battery cell on a support, the battery cell comprising a plurality of electrodes about an electrolyte, and having a surface. A thermoplastic material covers the surface of the battery cell, the thermoplastic material comprising a nitrogen permeability or oxygen permeability that is less than 20 cm3*mm/(m2*day). A cap covers the thermoplastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Front Edge Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiuh-Ming Liang, Kai-Wei Nieh
  • Patent number: 8597379
    Abstract: Embodiments are described in terms of selective methods of sealing separators and jellyroll electrode assemblies and cells made using such methods. More particularly, methods of selectively heat sealing separators to encapsulate one of two electrodes for nickel-zinc rechargeable cells having jellyroll assemblies are described. Selective heat sealing may be applied to both ends of a jellyroll electrode assembly in order to selectively seal one of two electrodes on each end of the jellyroll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: PowerGenix Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan L. McKinney, Steve Salamon, James Wu, Todd F. Tatar, Brian M. Schroeter, Jeffrey Phillips
  • Patent number: 8535822
    Abstract: A secondary battery includes an electrode assembly, an open-topped can accommodating the electrode assembly, and a cap assembly sealing the can. The electrode assembly includes a positive electrode plate having a positive electrode coated portion and positive electrode non-coating portions, a negative electrode plate having a negative electrode coated portion and negative electrode non-coating portions, and a separator interposed between the positive and negative electrode plates and wound with the electrode plates. The positive electrode non-coating portion has a region where the height of the positive electrode non-coating potion is lower than that of the positive electrode coating portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seungyeob Cha, Sangho Lee
  • Patent number: 8475955
    Abstract: A thin film battery comprises a substrate having a surface, and a plurality of battery cells on the substrate surface. Each battery cell comprises an electrolyte having opposing surfaces, and a plurality of conductors in electrical contact with at least one of the opposing surfaces of the electrolyte, the plurality of conductors including a first conductor in electrical contact with a surface of the electrolyte and a second conductor in electrical contact with the opposing surface of the electrolyte. At least one electrical connector strip connects a conductor of a first battery cell to a conductor of a second battery cell to electrically couple the first and second battery cells to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Front Edge Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Krasnov, Kai-Wei Nieh
  • Patent number: 8460819
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a battery stack arrangement (50) comprising at least one bipolar battery. Each bipolar battery comprises a plurality of battery cell arranged between endplates (22,23). Each battery cell is provided with a seal (24) arranged around the entire periphery of each cell, and a sealing pressure Fseal is applied over the seal to prevent electrolyte leakage between adjacent cells. The battery stack arrangement further comprises a mounting frame (57) including: at least two mounting units (58,59) and at least one tie unit (60, 60?, 60?) holding said mounting units together. The bipolar battery is arranged between the mounting units (58,59), and the battery stack arrangement further comprises at least one spacing element (61) arranged between the mounting units (58,59) and each spacing element (61) abuts against at least one endplate (22,23) and is held in place by said mounting frame (57) to create a stack pressure Fstack, independent of the sealing pressure Fseal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Nilar International AB
    Inventors: Lars Fredriksson, Neil H. Puester, Richard Howlett
  • Patent number: 8435665
    Abstract: A device for cooling a vehicle battery is provided that includes a plurality of electric storage elements, and a cooling body being flowed through by a coolant fluid, wherein at least one of the electric storage elements is fixed at least on one cooling plate in thermal contact, and wherein the cooling plate is connected to the cooling body so that heat may be transferred from the storage element to the fluid, wherein the cooling plate has a planar mechanical connection to the cooling body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: BEHR GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Caroline Schmid, Tobias Isermeyer, Markus Kohlberger, Florian Moldovan, Thomas Schiehlen, Herbert Damsohn, Martin Steinbach, Hans-Georg Herrmann, Juergen Eckstein
  • Patent number: 8431265
    Abstract: Provided is a battery which can reduce expansion caused by gas emission when stored at high temperature. A secondary battery (1) is constructed such that a flat wound electrode (20) as a power generating element is sandwiched between exterior members (30a, 30b), having adhesion layers (40a, 40b) interposed therebetween. The adhesion layers (40a, 40b) are, for example, two-sided adhesive tapes and have a structure such that adhesive layers are formed on both surfaces of a thin plate-shaped support layer. The support layer is preferably made of polypropylene or polyimide. The adhesion layers (40a, 40b) are composed of maleated polypropylene whose melting point is preferably in a range from 100° C. to 200° C., more preferably, in a range from 140° C. to 180° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takaaki Kimijima, Norio Mamada
  • Patent number: 8389150
    Abstract: Composite current collectors containing coatings of metals, alloys or compounds, selected from the group of Zn, Cd, Hg, Ga, In, Tl, Sn, Pb, As, Sb, Bi and Se on non-metallic, non-conductive or poorly-conductive substrates are disclosed. The composite current collectors can be used in electrochemical cells particularly sealed cells requiring a long storage life. Selected metals, metal alloys or metal compounds are applied to polymer or ceramic substrates by vacuum deposition techniques, extrusion, conductive paints (dispersed as particles in a suitable paint), electroless deposition, cementation; or after suitable metallization by galvanic means (electrodeposition or electrophoresis). Metal compound coatings are reduced to their respective metals by chemical or galvanic means. The current collectors described are particular suitable for use in sealed primary or rechargeable galvanic cells containing mercury-fee and lead-free alkaline zinc electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Inventor: Klaus Tomantschger
  • Patent number: 8367240
    Abstract: A battery comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, a separator interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an electrolyte having lithium ion conductivity. The first electrode and the second electrode are wound with the separator interposed therebetween to form an electrode assembly. The first electrode includes a current collector and an active material layer carried on one face of the current collector. The active material layer includes columnar particles having a bottom and a head, the bottom of the columnar particles being adhered to the current collector. The head of the columnar particles is positioned at an outer round side of the electrode assembly than the bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuyoshi Honda
  • Patent number: 8343648
    Abstract: An energy storage cell having a flexible envelope, which cell is attached flat to a heat-conducting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Temic Automotive Electric Motors GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Unterdörfer, Peter Birke, Swen Wiethoff, Reinhard Kassen, Nevzat Güner, Stefan Tillmann, Markjus Schweizer-Berberich, Michael Keller
  • Patent number: 8277968
    Abstract: Provided is a reactive polymer-supporting porous film for use as a battery separator which comprises a porous substrate film and a partially crosslinked reactive polymer supported on the porous substrate film, the partially crosslinked reactive polymer being obtained by the reaction of a crosslinkable polymer having at least one reactive group selected from the group consisting of 3-oxetanyl group and epoxy group in the molecule with a monocarboxylic acid. Further, provided is a method of manufacturing a battery which comprises layering electrodes on the reactive polymer-supporting porous film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignees: Nitto Denko Corporation, Sunstar Giken Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoaki Ichikawa, Yoshihiro Uetani, Shigeru Fujita, Keisuke Kii, Satoshi Nishikawa, Shinji Bessyo
  • Patent number: 8277969
    Abstract: A lithium ion secondary battery 1 includes a spirally wound electrode assembly 20 and a cylindrical battery container 10. The spirally wound electrode assembly 20 includes a negative electrode 21, a positive electrode 22 and a separator 23. The negative electrode 21 includes negative-electrode active material layers 21b and 21c containing a negative-electrode active material capable of forming an alloy with lithium. The lithium ion secondary battery 1 includes an urging part 20a. The urging part 20a is disposed in the center of and in contact with the spirally wound electrode assembly 20. The urging part 20a is contractible in diameter. The urging part 20a is configured to urge the spirally wound electrode assembly 20 radially outward at least when contracting in diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kei Kobayashi, Yasuo Takano, Taizou Sunano, Maruo Kamino
  • Publication number: 20120189894
    Abstract: An electrode assembly for a secondary battery that includes pressing parts are formed on separators surrounding positive and negative electrodes so that the electrode assembly can be bent in a zigzag shape to form a stacked structure, and thus the thermal stability of the electrode assembly can be improved and the stacked structure of the electrode assembly can be easily formed. In addition, electrolyte can easily permeate the electrode assembly. The electrode assembly includes separators, positive and negative electrode plates disposed between the separators, and pressing parts formed on the separators between the positive and negative electrode plates. Guide parts are formed at the pressing parts, and the separators are bent at the guide parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Changbum AHN
  • Patent number: 8197963
    Abstract: A lithium ion secondary battery includes an electrode assembly having a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate, and a separator interposed therebetween; a case in which the electrode assembly is received; a cap plate formed with a terminal hole and an electrolyte injection hole; and a washer installed at an upper portion of the cap plate, the washer having at least one transparent part formed thereon or having a transparent part formed on an entire surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Minho Song
  • Patent number: 8182938
    Abstract: Composite current collectors containing coatings of metals, alloys or compounds, selected from the group of Zn, Cd, Hg, Ga, In, Tl, Sn, Pb, As, Sb, Bi and Se on non-metallic, non-conductive or poorly-conductive substrates are disclosed. The composite current collectors can be used in electrochemical cells particularly sealed cells requiring a long storage life. Selected metals, metal alloys or metal compounds are applied to polymer or ceramic substrates by vacuum deposition techniques, extrusion, conductive paints (dispersed as particles in a suitable paint), electroless deposition, cementation; or after suitable metallization by galvanic means (electrodeposition or electrophoresis). Metal compound coatings are reduced to their respective metals by chemical or galvanic means. The current collectors described are particular suitable for use in sealed primary or rechargeable galvanic cells containing mercury-free and lead-free alkaline zinc electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Inventor: Klaus Tomantschger
  • Patent number: 8168322
    Abstract: A battery comprises a substrate comprising a first surface comprising a first battery cell having a first non-contact surface, a pliable dielectric abutting the first non-contact surface, the pliable dielectric comprising a peripheral edge, and a first cap about the pliable dielectric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Front Edge Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Krasnov, Kai-Wei Nieh
  • Patent number: 8133605
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of manufacturing a power storage device which enables facilitation of manufacturing of the power storage device while a plurality of terminal portions are prevented from overlapping one another when viewed from a stacking direction. The method of manufacturing the power storage device including a plurality of electrode elements stacked with electrolyte layers interposed between them, the method includes a first step of forming the electrode element which has a generally rotationally symmetric outer shape when viewed from a stacking direction and includes a terminal portion protruding in an outward direction of the power storage device in an area of the outer shape, and a second step of stacking the plurality of electrode elements formed in the first step with the electrolyte layers interposed between them at varying angles in a stacking plane such that the terminal portions do not overlap one another when viewed from the stacking direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Murata
  • Patent number: 8114536
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a frame member including an upper frame member having one major surface to which a protection circuit module (PCM) is mounted, and a lower frame member coupled with the upper frame member, the upper and lower frame members being provided at opposite major surfaces thereof with semi-cylindrical battery receiving parts corresponding to outer surfaces of the cylindrical unit cells mounted between the upper and lower frame members, a spacer provided at opposite major surfaces of a rectangular frame with pluralities of semi-cylindrical battery receiving parts corresponding to outer surfaces of the cylindrical batteries, the battery receiving parts being partially open such that the battery receiving parts communicate with neighboring battery receiving parts on the same plane, and a battery pack including the frame member and the spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Dongha Kang, SungGeun Yoon, Jaesik Chung
  • Patent number: 8114537
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a frame member including an upper frame member having one major surface to which a protection circuit module (PCM) is mounted, and a lower frame member coupled with the upper frame member, the upper and lower frame members being provided at opposite major surfaces thereof with semi-cylindrical battery receiving parts corresponding to outer surfaces of the cylindrical unit cells mounted between the upper and lower frame members, a spacer provided at opposite major surfaces of a rectangular frame with pluralities of semi-cylindrical battery receiving parts corresponding to outer surfaces of the cylindrical batteries, the battery receiving parts being partially open such that the battery receiving parts communicate with neighboring battery receiving parts on the same plane, and a battery pack including the frame member and the spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Dongha Kang, SungGeun Yoon, Jaesik Chung
  • Patent number: 8003249
    Abstract: A stacked battery sealed by a film casing shows a raised degree of resistance against vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: NEC Energy Devices, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshitomo Hirota
  • Patent number: 7976976
    Abstract: Composite current collectors containing coatings of metals, alloys or compounds, selected from the group of Zn, Cd, Hg, Ga, In, Tl, Sn, Pb, As, Sb, Bi and Se on non-metallic, non-conductive or poorly-conductive substrates are disclosed. The composite current collectors can be used in electrochemical cells particularly sealed cells requiring a long storage life. Selected metals, metal alloys or metal compounds are applied to polymer or ceramic substrates by vacuum deposition techniques, extrusion, conductive paints (dispersed as particles in a suitable paint), electroless deposition, cementation; or after suitable metallization by galvanic means (electrodeposition or electrophoresis). Metal compound coatings are reduced to their respective metals by chemical or galvanic means. The current collectors described are particular suitable for use in sealed primary or rechargeable galvanic cells containing mercury-fee and lead-free alkaline zinc electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Rosecreek Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Klaus Tomantschger
  • Patent number: 7951480
    Abstract: An electrode system includes one or more separator materials formed into a bag having at least two seams. The seams are positioned so as to define the perimeter of a pocket configured to receive an electrode within the bag. At least one gap is formed between seams adjacent to one another along the perimeter of the pocket. Additionally, at least one of the seams includes a spacer positioned between portions of the one or more separator materials joined by the at least one seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Quallion LLC
    Inventors: David M. Skinlo, Hiroyuki Yumoto, David L. DeMuth
  • Patent number: 7927729
    Abstract: A secondary battery having an electrode assembly in which strip-shaped positive and negative electrode plates are spirally wound with a strip-shaped separator interposed therebetween, the positive and negative electrode plates comprising a current collector and a material mixture layer carried thereon. The positive electrode plate has, in a vicinity of a first end at an initial winding side, an exposed portion of the positive electrode current collector having no positive electrode material mixture formed thereon and a positive electrode lead connected to the exposed portion. A first winding turn outwardly adjacent to a connecting portion of the positive electrode lead with the separator interposed therebetween and a second winding turn outwardly adjacent to the first winding turn with the separator interposed therebetween comprise a portion of the negative electrode plate carrying the negative electrode material mixture layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Muraoka, Takeshi Fukumasa, Hiroaki Furuta, Hiroshi Matsuno
  • Patent number: 7910037
    Abstract: A fuel cell manufacturing method is provided by which an unbroken strip of sheet material is sent through a molding process, an MEA assembly process and a modularization process, and is separated into individual modules in a batch process. In the molding process, separators are sequentially molded on the strip of sheet material, and a separator strip is produced in which the separators are connected together by runners. In the MEA assembly process and the modularization process, MEAs are sequentially assembled on the separator strip in which a series of the separators are connected together by the runners, and a module strip is produced in which a series of the modules are connected together by the runners. In the batch process, the series of modules is separated into the individual modules by cutting and removing the runners from the module strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuichi Itoh, Nobuhira Abe, Satoshi Ohnuma
  • Patent number: 7846579
    Abstract: A battery comprises a substrate comprising an electrolyte between a pair of conductors, at least one conductor having a non-contact surface. A cap is spaced apart from the non-contact surface of the conductor by a gap having a gap distance dg of from about 1 ?m to about 120 ?m. The gap allows the conductor to expand into the gap. The gap is further bounded by side faces about a surrounding perimeter that may be sealed with a seal. In one version, the ratio of the surface area of the non-contact surfaces on the conductor to the total surface area of the side faces is greater than about 10:1. A pliable dielectric can also be provided in the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Inventors: Victor Krasnov, Kai-Wei Nieh
  • Patent number: 7670724
    Abstract: A metal-air battery includes a housing having an aperture for the passage of air and a pair of electrodes that extend from the housing. An air cathode may be interconnected with one of the electrodes and an anode may include a metal foil that is interconnected with another of the electrodes. A separator may be interposed between the air cathode and the metal foil and a barrier layer may surround the metal foil. The barrier layer may function to substantially reduce the passage of moisture to the metal foil. A method of making a metal-air battery is also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Yuk Chan, Terrill B. Atwater
  • Patent number: 7604895
    Abstract: Provided is an electrochemical device comprising two types of separators having different energy to break, wherein the outermost electrode layer of the electrode assembly includes an active material non-coated cathode, an active material non-coated anode, and a separator (second separator) disposed between the cathode and anode and having relatively low energy to break compared to that of separators (first separator) in other electrode layers. Therefore, it is possible to remarkably improve safety of the battery by inducing primary short-circuiting in the outermost electrode layer of a battery, thus facilitating heat dissipation of the battery, upon application of external impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Je Young Kim, Pil Kyu Park, Soonho Ahn, Sang-Young Lee, SeokKoo Kim, Young Tae Lee
  • Patent number: 6921600
    Abstract: A separator (4) for a fuel cell (1a) is provided which allows effective use of heat generated in proximity to an electrolytic membrane (2) in order to melt frozen water in the gas diffusion electrodes (3a, 3b) of the fuel cell (1a). The separator (4) is provided with a plurality of projections (11) between which a gas flow passage (7a, 7b) on the surface of the separator (4) is formed and which make contact with the gas diffusion electrodes (3a, 3b). The coefficient of thermal conductivity of the projection (11) is smaller than the coefficient of thermal conductivity of other sections of the separator (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Miyazawa, Toshihiro Takekawa
  • Patent number: 6878483
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a separator which is excellent in sticking and adhesion capability with the solid electrolyte, physically strong and highly heat-resistive and to provide a solid electrolyte condenser which is excellent in the impedance characteristic and leak current characteristic. In a solid electrolyte condenser comprising an anode foil, a cathode foil, a separator, the separator is made of a nonwoven fabric containing polyester resin or its derivative manufactured by the wet method. The condenser element is formed by rolling the anode foil and the cathode foil together with the separator between them. The solid electrolyte is provided between the anode foil and the cathode foil of the condenser element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignees: Nippon Kodoshi Corporation, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Munehiro Morokuma, Yukihiro Nitta, Taiji Mizobuchi, Teruyuki Jinzenji, Masaaki Yanase
  • Patent number: 6720107
    Abstract: A redox gel battery comprising at least one cell consisting of: (i) a positive gel electrolyte containing reactive ions which are reduced but do not undergo phase transfer during operation of the battery; (ii) a negative gel electrolyte containing reactive ions which are oxidized but do not undergo phase transfer during operation of the battery; and (iii) a membrane separating the positive and negative gel electrolytes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Farnow Technologies Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Stephen Wayne Holtom, Chris Menictas
  • Publication number: 20040058249
    Abstract: Separator plates for use in a fuel cell comprising a conductive polymeric composite that is reinforced with an electrically conductive mesh or screen, and a method for making the reinforced separator plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: Yuqi Cai, Divya Chopra, Larin Godfroy, John C. Fisher
  • Patent number: 6478589
    Abstract: A safety shield for an electrical service apparatus is in the form of an enclosure surrounding in the apparatus jaw contacts. Latch members formed on the shield releasibly engage apertures in the apparatus housing to mount the shield in the housing. The latch members are configured to fill the apertures in the housing to prevent disengagement of the shield from the housing during removal of a watthour meter from the housing. In one aspect, the shield is provided with wire wrap members for winding up lengths of excess cables and conductors extending from a watthour meter. The wire wrap members include a pair of arms arranged about the periphery of the shield or spaced flanges on opposite sides of the shield. The wire wrap members also include a flange having an end extending over an aperture in the shield which acts as a strain relief for a conductor extending through the shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Ekstrom Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Darrell Robinson, Allen V. Pruehs
  • Patent number: 6451484
    Abstract: A lithium secondary battery and a method of manufacturing the battery. In the lithium secondary battery including a positive electrode plate having a positive electrode current collector and a positive electrode sheet having a positive electrode active material fixed to at least one surface of the positive electrode current collector, a negative electrode plate having a negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode sheet having a negative electrode active material fixed to at least one surface of the negative electrode current collector, a separator is interposed between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate, and a coating of a polymer material having a high elongation ratio is present on at least each one outer surface of the positive and negative electrode plates to improve battery safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Se-jong Han, Ki-ho Kim, Yun-seok Choi, Jin-soo Lee, Yong-Beom Lee, Hyung-gon Noh
  • Patent number: 6379831
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel assembly is made, wherein rows (14, 24) of fuel cells (16, 18, 20, 26, 28, 30), each having an outer interconnection (36) and an outer electrode (32), are disposed next to each other with corrugated, electrically conducting expanded metal mesh (22) between each row of cells, the corrugated mesh (22) having top crown portions (40) and bottom shoulder portions (42), where the top crown portion (40) contacts outer interconnections (36) of the fuel cells (16, 18, 20) in a first row (14), and the bottom shoulder portions (42) contacts outer electrodes (32) of the fuel cells in a second row (24), said mesh electrically connecting each row of fuel cells, and where there are no metal felt connections between any fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Draper, Ronald F. Antol, Paolo R. Zafred
  • Patent number: 6265108
    Abstract: A valve regulated lead-acid battery having a plurality of negative and positive electrode plates, a plurality of separators soaked with electrolyte interleaved between the plates, a negative strap and positive strap interconnecting the respective plurality of negative and positive electrodes includes separator material soaked with electrolyte disposed adjacent to the negative strap to thereby increase oxygen reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Inventor: Subhas Chandra Chalasani
  • Patent number: 5916706
    Abstract: A battery construction and a method of producing the construction. The construction comprises a ceramic separator having a honeycomb structure in which cells run lengthwise of the honeycomb and are separated by porous walls, and internal positive and negative electrodes positioned in part at least within the honeycomb structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: George E. Berkey, John L. Stempin, Ronald L. Stewart, Dale R. Wexell
  • Patent number: 5916514
    Abstract: A process for fabricating a fibrous electrochemical cell is disclosed. The process results in a fibrous cell comprising a single-fiber inner electrode, a hollow membrane separator with bore and shell sides surrounding said inner electrode, an electrolyte, and a second outer electrode material completing the electrochemical cell. The cell has an outside diameter in the range from about 100 micrometers to 10 millimeters. Further, a process for fabricating a fibrous electrochemical cell comprising two fibers is disclosed. In this instance, the second fiber forms the outer electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Inventor: Ray R. Eshraghi
  • Patent number: 5888667
    Abstract: The unnecessary portion of the separator which prevents the short-circuit between the cathode and the anode In the center of a cylindrical cell is cut off using cutting apparatus or laser beam to increase the inner space of the cell and the electrolyte, and to have higher cell capacity and lower inner pressure of the can while producing gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Samsung Display Devices Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin Dong Cheong, Jong Wook Lee, Byoung Hyun Kang
  • Patent number: 5432028
    Abstract: An improved battery of the type formed of cells stacked in series. The positive and negative electrodes of each cell being separated by a separator and each cell being separated by a respective bipolar wall. A sleeve-like seal is provided around the periphery of each cell. The seal is preferably made of a nonwettable material that can be made in a flexible form, such as boron nitride. The barrier seal being in sealing contact with opposed planar faces of bipolar walls bounding each cell. The seal is preferably affixed to the bipolar walls by a paintable cement made of a mixture of boron nitride powder and a clay binder suspended in a nonaqueous organic vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Geoffrey Barlow
  • Patent number: 5137754
    Abstract: A process for preparing hydrophobic material is disclosed which comprises applying a hydrocarbon polymer compound solution to the surface of material to be treated, vaporizing the solvent of the solution, and then fluorinating the polymer compound to coat the surface of the material to be treated with the fluorinated polymer compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignees: Tanaka Kikinzoku Kogyo K. K., Masahiro Watanabe
    Inventor: Masahiro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5075958
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell, such as an alkaline cell, employing a multi-strip separator formed into a closed end cylindrical configuration and where an electrically insulating barrier, such as a plastic film, is disposed at the bottom surface of the separator to prevent electrical shorting between the electrodes of the cell at this location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Assignee: Everady Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc P. Kelemen, Harry R. Huhndorff, Craig A. Cooper