Plural Cells Patents (Class 429/149)
  • Publication number: 20120148902
    Abstract: A cable-type secondary battery is disclosed. The cable-type secondary battery includes electrodes, each of which includes a current collector having a horizontal cross section of a predetermined shape and an active material layer formed on the surface of the current collector. The electrodes extend in the lengthwise direction and are arranged in parallel. The current collector includes a polymer core and a metal coating layer formed on the surface of the polymer core. The use of the metal-coated polymer current collectors having high flexibility and conductivity makes the secondary battery highly flexible while maintaining the performance of the secondary battery. In addition, the cable-type secondary battery can be reduced in weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Yo-Han Kwon, Je-Young Kim, Ki-Tae Kim, Heon-Cheol Shin, Hyung-Man Cho, Hye-Ran Jung
  • Patent number: 8197960
    Abstract: A battery module comprising: a plurality of battery cells of substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape; a first casing having a first holding section 42 that holds one end of the plurality of battery cells; a second casing having a second holding section 52 that holds the other end of the plurality of battery cells; and a plurality of insulating members arranged between the battery cells; wherein the battery cells are arranged lined up so that adjacent main walls thereof extending between the one ends and the other ends face each other and the plurality of insulating members are arranged in mutually separated fashion between the main walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Shinichiro Kosugi, Bruce Falls
  • Patent number: 8192859
    Abstract: A secondary battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode containing a metal compound having a lithium ion absorption potential of 0.2V (vs.Li/Li+) or more, a separator and a nonaqueous electrolyte. The separator is provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The separator comprises cellulose fibers and pores having a specific surface area of 5 to 15 m2/g. The separator has a porosity of 55 to 80%, and a pore diameter distribution having a first peak in a pore diameter range of 0.2 ?m (inclusive) to 2 ?m (exclusive) and a second peak in a pore diameter range of 2 to 30 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Norio Takami, Hiroki Inagaki, Takashi Kuboki
  • Publication number: 20120135291
    Abstract: A method for preparing a mixture of a powder of an electrode active compound and of a powder of an electron conducting compound, wherein the following successive steps are performed: a liquid medium is prepared containing the powder of the electrode active compound and the powder of the electron conducting compound; the liquid medium containing the powder of the electrode active compound and the powder of the electron conducting compound is subjected to the action of high energy ultrasonic waves; the liquid medium is removed; the mixture of the powder of the electrode active compound and of the powder of the electron conducting compound is collected. The thereby obtained mixture. An electrode comprising said mixture as an electrochemically active material. A cell comprising at least such an electrode, and an accumulator or battery comprising one or more of these cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternatives
    Inventors: Sébastien Patoux, Carole Bourbon, Lise Daniel
  • Publication number: 20120129035
    Abstract: There is provided a lithium ion secondary cell excellent in charging and discharging cycle characteristics. A lithium ion secondary cell includes an electrode body including a positive electrode having a positive electrode active material, a negative electrode having a negative electrode active material, and a separator, and a non-aqueous electrolyte containing a lithium salt as a supporting salt in an organic solvent, the electrode body and the non-aqueous electrolyte being accommodated in a case. The positive electrode active material is a lithium transition metal oxide having a spinel type structure. The electrolyte contains a compound represented by a chemical formula (I) in an amount of ? mol relative to the total content ? mol of moisture to be mixed in the cell. ? satisfies ?0.8 log(?/?)?1.5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Koji Takahata, Yukihiro Okada
  • Publication number: 20120121960
    Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a rechargeable battery has a cathode cavity formed in a cathode housing and a anode cavity in a anode housing. A moveable membrane is disposed between the cathode cavity and the anode cavity. The cathode cavities are filled with an electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Eric Gardner, Dean Wheeler, Grant Evans, Paul Alfred
  • Patent number: 8178232
    Abstract: A battery pack includes a multi cell assembly having a plurality of bare cells, the multi cell assembly defining opposing planar surfaces. The battery pack also includes a protection circuit at one side of the multi cell assembly, a case surrounding a periphery of the multi cell assembly and the protection circuit and exposing the opposing planar surfaces of the multi cell assembly to an exterior of the multi cell assembly and reinforcing tape attached to the opposing planar surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Heong-Sin Kim
  • Patent number: 8178234
    Abstract: Cell-to-cell connection plates (1) each integrally having a welding part (2) shaped to fall within a circular end of a battery case (7) and a connecting part (2) extending from this welding part (2) are provided. The cell-to-cell connection plates (1) are attached to one electrode terminal and the other electrode terminal of the battery case (7) by welding the welding parts (2), respectively. The connecting parts (3) of the respective cell-to-cell connection plates (1) attached to each adjoining pair of cylindrical batteries (Ba) are overlapped with each other and coupled into electric connection. Consequently, regardless of whether a plurality of cylindrical batteries (Ba) are axially arranged in series or radially juxtaposed, each adjoining two can be connected to each other by using the identical cell-to-cell connection plates (1) for cost reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Fukuoka, Masahiko Kato
  • Publication number: 20120115004
    Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of rechargeable batteries, end plates at outer sides of the rechargeable batteries; fixing members fixed to the end plates, each fixing member having a support step protruding from at least one side end, a reinforcement member contacting the fixing member, and a fastener fixing the fixing member and the reinforcement member to the end plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Shi-Dong Park, Tae-Yong Kim, Kang-Sik Jung
  • Patent number: 8173294
    Abstract: A modular battery includes a housing, a first planar battery cell having a first planar electrode surface, a second planar battery cell having a second planar electrode surface, and an interconnector disposed between the first planar surface and the second planar surface and electrically connecting the first and second planar electrode surfaces, side peripheries of the interconnector, the first and second planar battery cells being electrically insulated from the housing. A method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Lightening Energy
    Inventors: Duncan Culver, Christopher K. Dyer, Michael L. Epstein
  • Publication number: 20120104990
    Abstract: Electrochemical cells having molten electrodes having an alkali metal provide receipt and delivery of power by transporting atoms of the alkali metal between electrode environments of disparate chemical potentials through an electrochemical pathway comprising a salt of the alkali metal. The chemical potential of the alkali metal is decreased when combined with one or more non-alkali metals, thus producing a voltage between an electrode comprising the molten the alkali metal and the electrode comprising the combined alkali/non-alkali metals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Dane A. Boysen, David J. Bradwell, Kai Jiang, Hojong Kim, Luis A. Ortiz, Donald R. Sadoway, Alina A. Tomaszowska, Weifeng Wei, Kangli Wang
  • Patent number: 8168323
    Abstract: A plastic battery cover for closing a battery housing includes a top surface, a bottom surface, at least one terminal extending through the battery cover, and a connecting flank extending from the at least one terminal, the connecting flank in contact with the battery cover. The connecting flank is configured such that a region between the at least one terminal and the top surface of the battery cover is adapted to prevent the formation of a gap between the terminal and the adjacent portion of the battery cover after the volume reduction of the plastic in this region during the manufacture of the battery cover by injection molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: VB Autobatterie GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Gerolf Richter, Peter Streuer, Olaf Sielemann, Hans-Heinrich Schirmer
  • Publication number: 20120100412
    Abstract: Provided is a cable-type secondary battery including an electrode assembly having a horizontal cross section of a predetermined shape and extending longitudinally, and a wire-type outer current collector wound on the outer surface of the electrode assembly, the electrode assembly including an inner current collector, an anode active material layer, and an electrolyte layer, and a cathode active material layer. The wire-type outer current collector has excellent flexibility and a predetermined level of elasticity, and thus, improves the flexibility of the entire cable-type secondary battery and prevents a short circuit from occurring and the active material from falling off from the active material layer, due to the deformation of the cable-type secondary battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventors: Yo-Han Kwon, Je-Young Kim, Ki-tae Kim, Heon-Cheol Shin, Hyung-Man Cho, Hye-Ran Jung
  • Patent number: 8163411
    Abstract: The abnormality detection apparatus for a battery pack includes a first determining function of making a first determination that abnormality is present when a voltage across a unit battery of interest is higher than a first threshold, a second determining function of making a second determination that abnormality is present when the voltage is lower than a second threshold lower than the first threshold, a short-circuit function of making a short-circuit between a detection line of interest connected to one electrode of a unit battery of interest and an adjacent detection line connected to the other electrode of the unit battery, and a third determining function of making a third determination that there is faulty electrical continuity in the detection line of interest if the first determining function makes the first determination and the second determining function makes the second determination when the short circuit function makes the short-circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Tomomichi Mizoguchi, Yuuki Takemoto
  • Patent number: 8163420
    Abstract: A battery system has a battery block with a plurality of battery cells that are rectangular batteries stacked with intervening insulating separators, and that battery block is held by fastening components. The fastening components are provided with a pair of endplates disposed at the ends of the stacked battery cells, and metal bands on both sides of the battery block connected at both ends to the endplates. An insulating separator has an insulating plate section, which intervenes between adjacent battery cells, and insulating walls, which cover both battery cell side-walls, formed from plastic as a single-piece. In this battery system, insulating plate sections are sandwiched between battery cells, and the insulating walls are disposed between battery cell outer side-walls and metal bands to insulate the battery cells from the metal bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wataru Okada, Shinsuke Nakamura, Tomoyuki Ohmura, Akinobu Wakabayashi
  • Publication number: 20120094151
    Abstract: A battery management system is disclosed. The system includes a variable discharge resistor and a temperature measuring unit to measure the temperature of the discharge resistor. The resistance of the discharge resistor is modified based at least in part on the measured temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Meen-Suk Kim
  • Patent number: 8153294
    Abstract: A multiple-cell battery includes a battery case and a number of cells positioned in the battery case. Each of the cells includes a positive lead and a negative lead. A number of electrically conductive elastic elements are correspondingly seated between every two adjacent positive leads and/or negative leads. The elastic elements each include at least two contacting portions resiliently abutting against the two adjacent positive leads and/or negative leads, so as to connect the cells in series and/or in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Dongguan Amperex Technology Limited
    Inventors: Wei Chen, Kitchu Lam
  • Publication number: 20120077064
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, it is provided with a positive electrode active material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery represented by a general formula Li(LiaMnbNicCodFee)O2-xFx, wherein a, b, c, d, e and x in the general formula are values such that 0<a?0.33, 0<b?0.67, 0?c<1, 0?d<1, 0?e<1 and 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tetsuya SASAKAWA, Hiroki Inagaki, Norio Takami
  • Publication number: 20120077074
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided an active material including a titanium oxide compound having a monoclinic titanium dioxide crystal structure and satisfying the equation (I). S1/(S2+S3)?1.9??(I). In the above equation, S1 is the peak area of a peak existing in a wavelength range from 1430 cm?1 to 1460 cm?1, S2 is the peak area of a peak existing in a wavelength range from 1470 cm?1 to 1500 cm?1, and S3 is the peak area of a peak existing in a wavelength range from 1520 cm?1 to 1560 cm?1, in the infrared diffusion reflective spectrum of the active material after pyridine is absorbed and then released.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventors: Keigo Hoshina, Wen Zhang, Yuki Otani, Yasuhiro Harada, Hiroki Inagaki, Norio Takami
  • Patent number: 8142921
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery having electrical stability includes an electrode assembly, a case, a cap assembly, and a spacer. The electrode assembly includes an anode, a cathode, and a separator interposed between the anode and the cathode. The case has an opening in which the electrode assembly is inserted and has a first thickness portion having a first thickness and a second thickness portion having a second thickness smaller than the first thickness. The cap assembly is coupled to the opening of the case and electrically connected to the electrode assembly. The spacer is fixed to an end of the case, and includes a supporting protrusion that engages with a portion of the case where the first thickness portion and the second thickness portion are connected to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tae-Yong Kim
  • Patent number: 8142523
    Abstract: A method for making a battery is disclosed which comprises providing a plurality of Electrochemical Cell (EC) bundles; providing a current collecting terminal having first and second ends; electrically connecting the projections of the sheet like electrodes extending from one end a first EC bundle together via the first end of the current collecting terminal; electrically connecting the projections of the sheet like electrodes extending from one end of a second EC bundle together via the second end of the current collecting terminal such that the first and second EC bundles are mechanically and electrically connected together and form a string of at least two EC bundles; and folding the string of at least two EC bundles by bending the current collecting terminal connecting the at least two EC bundles together such that the first and second EC bundles are positioned in a side by side relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Bathium Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolas Cyr, Martin Burns, Frederic Lague
  • Publication number: 20120058379
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes a nonaqueous electrolytic solution, a positive electrode and a negative electrode is provided. The nonaqueous electrolytic solution comprises a nonaqueous solvent. The nonaqueous solvent comprises from 50 to 95% by volume of a sulfone-based compound represented by the following formula 1: wherein R1 and R2 are each an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms and satisfy R1?R2. The positive electrode comprises a composite oxide represented by Li1-xMn1.5-yNi0.5-zMy+zO4. The negative electrode comprises a negative electrode active material being capable of absorbing and releasing lithium at 1 V or more based on a metallic lithium potential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventors: Takashi KISHI, Norio TAKAMI, Takuya IWASAKI, Hiroki INAGAKI
  • Patent number: 8129950
    Abstract: The application concerns a battery module, comprising cells, two external terminals, a message communication infrastructure, a module control unit comprising a message processing unit, connected to the infrastructure to send and receive messages. According to the application, at least two of the message systems chosen from among: a first message system for cell characterization, a second message system for cell forming, and a third message system for utilization of a battery pack comprising several modules connected via their user terminals, when the pack is associated with a consumer machine for the purpose of supplying it with electric energy, are provided in the message processing unit, which is able to be configured into any one of the message systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: BATSCAP
    Inventors: Jacques Colin, Jean-Jacques Jestin, Christian Sellin
  • Publication number: 20120048588
    Abstract: A battery device has a body unit having a battery pack mounted thereto, an adaptor cord and a connecting device. An adaptor cord can connect the body unit to a power tool. A connecting device is associated with the adaptor cord for permitting the body unit to be separated from the power tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki IYODA, Hiroaki KANAYAMA, Hiroshi YAMAGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20120052363
    Abstract: Described herein are multi-functional composite materials containing energy storage assemblies that can be significantly resistant to tension/compression stress. The energy storage assemblies can contain at least one energy storage layer that contains an insulating layer having a plurality of openings arranged in a spaced apart manner, and a plurality of energy storage devices, each energy storage device being contained within one of the openings. The energy storage devices can be electrically connected to one another. The energy storage layer can contain a support material upon which electrical connections are formed. One or more energy storage layers can be disposed between two or more stress carrying layers to form an energy storage assembly that can have significant resistance to tension/compression stress. Energy storage devices suitable for use in the energy storage assemblies can include, for example, batteries, capacitors and/or supercapacitors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: APPLIED NANOSTRUCTURED SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventor: Corey Adam FLEISCHER
  • Patent number: 8124270
    Abstract: A prismatic sealed rechargeable battery includes a substantially prismatic battery case that accommodates an electrode plate assembly and an electrolyte solution. The battery case is formed of metal. On a side face of the battery case, a thin plate is provided which has a plurality of protruding portions formed in parallel at appropriate intervals. The protruding portion and the side face form spaces opened at both ends therebetween. The thin plate is bonded to the side face of the battery case by making flat portions between the protruding portions into surface-contact with the side face, thereby improving cooling capability of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignees: Panasonic Corporation, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Asahina, Shinji Hamada, Toyohiko Eto
  • Patent number: 8124262
    Abstract: A battery pack includes plural battery cells (1), and insulating separators (10) disposed between adjacent battery cells (1), where the plurality of battery cells are disposed in a stacked configuration with a prescribed gap between the adjacent battery cells. A separator (10) has plural gas channels that enable the flow of cooling gas. The gas channels have cooling gas entranceways and exit ways, which open at the sides of the battery block formed by the stacked battery cells. The separator 10 has cut sections formed to position the entranceways and exit ways of the gas channels inward from the sides of the battery block. This allows cooling gas near entranceways and exit ways to be smoothly introduced to, and exhausted from the gas channels, and reduces cooling gas pressure losses in those regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wataru Okada, Shinsuke Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8119275
    Abstract: A removable and short-circuit-avoidable lithium battery module mainly makes use of a protective device mounted between a control circuit and any two cells. Wherein, the protective device includes a base plate and a conductive surface connecting with the cell, an output tab connecting with the control circuit, and a protective unit mounted on the conductive surface and the output tab. Whereby, the conductive surface and the output tab have larger areas to respectively link the cell and the control circuit. While connecting with electricity, the cell and the control circuit would be more accurately connected. Moreover, the protective unit would become disconnected while the cell and the control circuit are fell and collided, so as to prevent the cell and the control circuit from the inaccurate connection and destruction. The present invention also facilitates to swiftly replace the protective device while it is damaged and to contribute a convenient utility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: STL Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chien-Fang Lee, Po-Kun Chen
  • Patent number: 8119269
    Abstract: The present invention includes three-dimensional secondary battery cells comprising an electrolyte, a cathode, an anode, and an auxiliary electrode. The cathode, the anode, and the auxiliary electrode have a surface in contact with the electrolyte. The anode and the cathode are electrolytically coupled. The auxiliary electrode is electrolytically coupled and electrically coupled to at least one of the anode or the cathode. Electrically coupled means directly or indirectly connected in series by wires, traces or other connecting elements. The average distance between the surface of the auxiliary electrode and the surface of the coupled cathode or the coupled anode is between about 1 micron and about 10,000 microns. The average distance means the average of the shortest path for ion transfer from every point on the coupled cathode or anode to the auxiliary electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Enovix Corporation
    Inventors: Murali Ramasubramanian, Robert M. Spotnitz
  • 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: 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: 8110300
    Abstract: A mounting system for a plurality of battery modules needed to form a battery pack includes a battery tray with a combination of fixed and detachable retainers that enable insertion/removal of individual battery modules from the battery pack, both during assembly of the battery pack and later in conjunction with service during its operation. The battery tray may be disposed on a base plate for added support, as well as integration of more than one battery tray and associated modules into a battery pack. A cover may be added to for additional support and protection of the battery modules. Where multiple battery trays are integrated on a base plate, the battery trays may be oriented on the base plate in different directions. The battery mounting system may be used in a motor vehicle or other applications that use a battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark Niedzwiecki, Martin J. Klein, William Koetting
  • Publication number: 20120028105
    Abstract: High performance battery packs are described especially for use in electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Based on high energy lithium ion battery designs, the battery packs can have pairs of parallel connected batteries to supply an energy capacity at full discharge of at least about 40 kilowatt-hours or in alternative embodiments a set of all series connected batteries that can produce at full discharge at least about 15 kilowatt-hours. In some embodiments, lithium rich positive electrode active materials can be used to faun the batteries in which the material comprises a composition approximately represented by a formula xLi2M?O3.(1?x)LiMO2 with x from about 0.05 to about 0.8.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Sujeet Kumar, James P. Buckley
  • Patent number: 8105709
    Abstract: There is disclosed a battery module that includes a housing. At least one terminal is melt joined with the bus member of the housing sealing the terminal relative to the bus member and providing a conductive path to an interior of the battery module. The terminal may be melt joined in an ultrasonic joining operation or in a thermal insertion operation. A plurality of cells are disposed in the housing with each of the cells electrically coupled via bus bars integrated into a bus member. Each of the cells includes a plurality of positive and negative electrodes that are spaced by a separator. The negative electrode includes a substrate having tab meeting at a flange that is connected to an active material portion of the electrode. The positive electrode includes a substrate having a tab meeting at a flange that is connected to an active material portion of the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Cobasys LLC
    Inventor: John V. Hellmann
  • Patent number: 8105714
    Abstract: A lithium-ion battery includes a plurality of generally planar positive and negative electrodes arranged in alternating fashion to form an electrode stack. Each of the electrodes includes a current collector having two opposed surfaces and an active material provided on at least one of the two opposed surfaces. The active material of the negative electrodes has a potential that is greater than 0.2 volts versus a reference electrode. The area of the current collectors of the negative electrodes covered by active material is not larger than the area of the current collectors of the positive electrodes covered by active material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig L. Schmidt, Erik R. Scott, William G. Howard, Gaurav Jain
  • Publication number: 20120021271
    Abstract: A battery cell assembly includes a plurality of sub-assemblies. Each sub-assembly includes a heat sink and a first frame and a second frame disposed on opposite sides of the heat sink. The sub-assemblies are stacked to form a plurality of cell pockets that receive a battery cell. The battery cell assembly further includes a plurality of tie rods for fixing the plurality of sub-assemblies together. The first frame is formed with a plurality of through holes, and the second frame is formed with a plurality of protrusions with a hole extending therethrough. The frames are brought together such that each protrusion is at least partially received in a respective through hole. The interior surfaces of corresponding protrusions and through holes of the stack of frames form a passage for one of the tie rods to extend through.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: Tom Tople, Ed Cates, Len Wolf, Bruce Silk
  • Publication number: 20120015233
    Abstract: Provided is a cable-type secondary battery including an inner electrode comprising at least two anodes arranged in parallel that extend longitudinally and have a horizontal cross section of a predetermined shape, an electrolyte layer serving as an ion channel surrounding the inner electrode, an outer electrode comprising a tubular cathode having a horizontal cross section of a predetermined shape and surrounding the electrolyte layer, and a protection coating surrounding the outer electrode. The cable-type secondary battery has free shape adaptation due to its linearity and flexibility. A plurality of inner electrodes within a tubular outer electrode leads to an increased contact area therebetween and consequently a high battery rate. It is easy to control the capacity balance between the inner and outer electrodes by adjusting the number of inner electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Yo-Han Kwon, Je-Young Kim, Byung-Hun Oh, Ki-Tae Kim
  • Publication number: 20120009449
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided an active material for a battery. The active material includes secondary particle which contains primary particles of a monoclinic ?-type titanium composite oxide having an average primary particle diameter of 1 nm to 10 ?m. The secondary particle has an average secondary particle diameter of 1 ?m to 100 ?m. The secondary particle has compression fracture strength of 20 MPa or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventors: Hiroki INAGAKI, Wen ZHANG, Yasuhiro HARADA, Keigo HOSHINA, Yuki OTANI, Norio TAKAMI
  • Publication number: 20120009460
    Abstract: A negative electrode active material includes lithium-titanium composite oxide porous particles having an average pore size of 50 to 500 ?.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventors: Hiroki INAGAKI, Norio Takami
  • Patent number: 8088519
    Abstract: Battery cartridges are disclosed that include a housing having a plurality of air access openings configured to selectively control flow of air into the housing; and at least two adjacent metal-air electrochemical cells within the housing, each electrochemical cell having an outer gas permeable barrier membrane layer that defines the exterior surface of the electrochemical cell; wherein there is a gap between adjacent electrochemical cells in the housing and wherein the air access openings in the housing are positioned over or partially overlapping each gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: G. Steven Kelsey, Yelena Kouznetsova, Boris Makovetski, Sathya Motupally, Jonathan O'Neill, David L. Pappas, Robert Pavlinsky, Oleg Podoprigora, Thomas Richards, William Wandeloski
  • Publication number: 20110311849
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery includes a housing, a plurality of cells within the housing, and a cover which closes the housing. The battery also includes a plurality of filling openings arranged in the cover separated from one another by a distance and a plurality of plugs. Each of the plurality of plugs is configured to close one of the plurality of filling openings. A flexible connecting element connects at least two of the plugs. The flexible connecting element is configured such that the distance between the plugs which are connected to one another can be variably matched to the distance between their associated filling openings by rotating at least one of the plugs connected by the flexible connecting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: VB Autobatterie GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Gerolf Richter, Peter Streuer
  • Patent number: 8076021
    Abstract: The present invention provides a bipolar battery made by using a polymer gel electrolyte or a liquid electrolyte in an electrolyte layer, which is highly reliable and prevents liquid junction (short circuit) caused by leak out of an electrolyte solution from the electrolyte part. The present invention provides a bipolar battery laminated, in series, with a plurality pieces of bipolar electrodes which is formed with a positive electrode on one surface of a collector, and a negative electrode on the other surface, so as to sandwich an electrolyte layer, characterized by being provided with a separator which retains the electrolyte later, and a seal resin which is formed and arranged at the outer circumference part of a part of the separator where the electrolyte is retained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Shimamura, Kenji Hosaka, Kyoichi Watanabe, Takaaki Abe, Takuya Kinoshita, Hideaki Horie, Hajime Sato, Ryouichi Senbokuya
  • Publication number: 20110300431
    Abstract: Coating a battery cell, or at least one battery cell in an assembly of battery cells or in a battery, or coating an assembly of battery cells or a battery which contains a battery cell or such an assembly with a fire-resistant coating is effective for protecting the cell, assembly, and battery and for retarding fire propagation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: Bluefin Robotics Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Smith, Richard A. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20110300432
    Abstract: Rechargeable, high-density electrochemical devices are disclosed. These electrochemical devices may, for example, include high energy densities that store more energy in a given, limited volume than other batteries and still show acceptable power or current rate capability without any liquid or gel-type battery components. Certain embodiments may involve, for example, low volume or mass of all of the battery components other than the cathode, while simultaneously achieving high electrochemically active mass inside the positive cathode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventors: Shawn W. SNYDER, Bernd J. Neudecker
  • Publication number: 20110274962
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a non-aqueous electrolyte battery includes an outer container, a positive electrode housed in the outer container, a negative electrode housed in the outer container such as to spatially apart from the positive electrode and includes a particulate active material, and a non-aqueous electrolyte filled in the outer container, wherein the particulate active material includes a particle containing a substance having a lithium absorption and desorption potential of from 1 V vs. Li/Li+ to 3 V vs. Li/Li+, and a coating layer made of a spinel-type lithium-titanium composite oxide formed on the surface of the particle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: Hiroki INAGAKI, Norio Takami
  • Publication number: 20110274950
    Abstract: An electrochemical storage device including a plurality of electrochemical cells connected electrically in series. Each cell includes an anode electrode, a cathode electrode and an aqueous electrolyte. The charge storage capacity of the anode electrode is less than the charge storage capacity of the cathode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: Aquion Energy Inc.
    Inventor: Jay Whitacre
  • Publication number: 20110274955
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pouch type case having trimming portions formed on both sides or four corners thereof and a battery pack including the same. The trimming portions are formed on the corners of the pouch type case such that the trimming portions are indented toward an electrode assembly accommodating part to reduce a unit area so as to increase pressure applied to unit cells when a battery pack is assembled, thereby facilitating assembling of the battery pack and increasing cell capacity per unit area. Furthermore, the unit cells can be fixed in the battery pack more stably. The pouch type case reduces the unit area so as to include a relatively large number of cells for pressure applied to the cells when the battery pack is assembled to thereby increase the cell capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Hyo Seok Park, Young Joon Shin, Hyun Woo Park
  • Publication number: 20110262798
    Abstract: The invention relates to an improved electrochemical construction or storage element for storing and discharging electric energy, characterized by a reduction or the prevention of a formation of magnetic stray fields. For this purpose the element has at least two electrochemical cells comprising the typical components. Said cells are disposed relative to each other such that a tag (12a) of a cell (20a), said tag being connected to the cathode accumulator, is positioned relative to a tag (12b) of an adjacent cell (20b) connected to the anode accumulator such that magnetic fields generated by moving electric charges in the tags (13a, 12b) overlap and substantially compensate each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.
    Inventors: Gerold Neumann, Peter Gulde, Andreas Wuersig
  • Publication number: 20110262797
    Abstract: A battery module, battery pack, and electric vehicle, the battery module including a plurality of unit battery cells; a pair of end plates coupled together in a spaced relationship for receiving the unit battery cells therebetween; and a pressure control unit between the unit battery cells and the at least one end plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventor: Tae-Yong KIM
  • Publication number: 20110229753
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric energy storage device such as a capacitor, a secondary battery, or the like, and more particularly, to an electric energy storage device capable of improving high output characteristics by using a voltage terminal. The electric energy storage device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a positive electrode and a negative electrode storing electric energy and a positive current terminal and a negative current terminal connected to the positive electrode and the negative electrode to apply current; and a positive voltage terminal and a negative voltage terminal connected to the positive electrode and the negative electrode to detect voltage across the positive electrode and the negative electrode, wherein the charging or discharging operation is controlled by using the detected voltage across the positive electrode and the negative electrode as control voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: Kim's TechKnowledge Inc.
    Inventor: Seong Min Kim