Having Unit Enclosing Housing Patents (Class 429/153)
  • Publication number: 20090226804
    Abstract: A cell binder includes a frame body and a frame body. A storage portion of a electric storage cell are pressed/clamped by the bottom of an accommodating portion of the frame body and the bottom of an accommodating portion of the frame body. Also, a sealing portion of the electric storage cell is accommodated in a gap between the bottom of a fitting concave portion of the frame body 16 and the front end of a projecting portion of the other frame body, in a state of being deflected by bending, and the sealing portion is clamped between an inner wall of the fitting concave portion and an outer wall of the projecting portion, thereby fitting the frame bodies to each other. This makes it possible to reduce the size for clamping the sealing portion and to achieve the downsizing of the entire package. In addition, providing the sealing portion with deflections allows movements of the electric storage cell to be accommodated when vibrations are applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2005
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masaki Komuro
  • Patent number: 7563535
    Abstract: Disclosed are a battery pack and a method of producing the same. A battery pack includes a cell main body in which a cell element comprising a solid state electrolyte or a gel form electrolyte disposed between a cathode active material layer and an anode active material layer is contained inside a sheath material comprised of an aluminum laminated film, an outer case having a box-like shape with one end face open and containing the cell main body therein, and a cap for closing the open face of the outer case. In the battery pack, initial charging of the cell main body is conducted after the cell main body is contained into the outer case to assemble the battery pack. An enhancement of cell capacity at a fixed outside size or a reduction in outside size at a fixed cell capacity is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Masaru Hiratsuka
  • Patent number: 7556656
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a battery is provided including the step of locating a plurality of unit cells in a support body having an opening portion. A plurality of jigs each having a convex portion and a bore are mounted at the support body so as to cause the convex portion to be fit into the opening portion of the support body. A spacing between the support body and the plurality of the unit cells is filled with a plastic resin by charging the plastic resin into the spacing between the support body and the plurality of unit cells through the bore of one jig of the plurality of jigs, while releasing air inside the support body through the bore of another jig of the plurality of jigs that is opposite to the one jig.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyoichi Watanabe, Hideaki Horie
  • Patent number: 7548429
    Abstract: The invention includes a storage rack for storing an array of battery cells in an uninterrupted power source (UPS). The rack at least meets the seismic testing requirements of NEBS GR-63-CORE (Issue 2 Apr. 2002). The rack includes a base module having pair of spaced end supports. Each end support includes opposed vertical frame members, opposed horizontal frame members, and a plate extending substantially continuously therebetween. At least one rail and a plurality of shelves extend between the end supports. The rail and shelves are welded to the end supports. The rack further includes at least one stack module configured to be stacked atop the base module and removably connected to the base module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Douglas Battery Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Russell L. Miller
  • Patent number: 7531270
    Abstract: A battery module of the present invention is adaptable to be utilized in various configurations including and not limited to an overlapping battery cell packaging configuration and a vertical stack battery cell packaging configuration used in an automotive vehicle. The battery module has a plurality of battery heatsink assemblies with the cells disposed therebetween. A plurality of rods extend through the each heatsink assemblies to secure the heatsink assemblies and the cell with one another to form the battery module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Enerdel, Inc.
    Inventors: Derrick Scott Buck, Robert N. Fattig, Bruce J. Silk
  • Patent number: 7525287
    Abstract: This invention provides a battery pack for driving a compact electric motor of a compact engine starting device mounted on a working machine, comprising lithium-based secondary battery comprising two cells, the entire discharge capacity of the cells being 500 to 2000 mAh, charging voltage per one cell being 3.0 to 4.2 V, various electronic circuits like driving and battery protection circuits of an electric motor, maximum discharge current of the battery having high rate of 10 to 60 A, the protection circuit including an overdischarge inhibit circuit (A) interposed in the electric motor driving circuit and automatically stopping the driving operation of the electric motor after time required for starting the engine elapsed, the volume of the battery pack being as extremely low as 2.5×104 to 1.0×105 mm3, the tire required until the engine is started from the actuation of the electric motor being set to an interval as short as 5 to 15 seconds, since high current can flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Husqvarna Zenoah Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Miyashita, Ryou Ono, Takashi Oniwa, Hiroshi Hokari
  • Patent number: 7508689
    Abstract: A inverter has a switching device for switching DC to change it to AC, and a bipolar type rechargeable battery connected to the switching device in parallel or in series for smoothing the current from the switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Horie, Takaaki Abe, Takamitsu Saito, Osamu Shimamura
  • Publication number: 20090023059
    Abstract: A battery module 11 is structured to include a flat-type battery in which current can be taken out from both faces of an electric generation element 20 in a layered direction, flat-plate-type electrode tabs 50 and 60 having a face contact with a current-taking-out plane of the flat-type battery to take out current, and a packaging case 100 covering the flat-type battery and the electrode tab. The inner face of the packaging case and the electrode tab have therebetween an elastic member 120.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventors: Takuya Kinoshita, Hideaki Horie, Osamu Shimamura, Kenji Hosaka, Takaaki Abe
  • Patent number: 7438988
    Abstract: Secondary battery structure 100 has secondary batteries 110 equipped with metallic battery cases 111 , temperature detectors 120 for detecting temperature of the secondary batteries 110 , and supporting members 130 for supporting the temperature detectors 120 . Each of the temperature detectors 120 has a detector body 121 which detects surface temperature of the battery case 111 by contacting with a bottom surface 111c (temperature-detected surface) on the battery case 111, and a fixing portion 122 which engages with the supporting member 130 and fixes the temperature detector 120 to the secondary battery 110 while keeping the detector body 121 contact with the bottom surface 111c on the battery case 111.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Misu, Toyohiko Eto
  • Patent number: 7429431
    Abstract: A battery is provided with a support body, a surface of the support body, a plurality of unit cells located inside the support body, and an opening portion communicating between an inside and an outside of the support body. A resonance is allowed in the surface of the support body and the opening portion is provided in the surface of the support body at a region involving a loop position of the resonance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyoichi Watanabe, Hideaki Horie
  • Patent number: 7410725
    Abstract: An improved electrochemical single or multi-cell energy storage device and casing are provided. The casing may be a pair of U-shaped shells, a single foil piece or even a tube-shaped structure which encases the internal electrochemical cell stack. The energy storage device and casing advantageously exhibit low internal resistance, low ESR, a high voltage/capacity, and a low contact resistance between the internal stack and the outer casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: AVX Corporation
    Inventors: Arieh Meitav, Joel Lang, Niles Fleischer, David Lifschitz, Eugene Pecherer, Eli Rosh Chodesh, Joost Manassen, Bharat Rawal
  • Publication number: 20080160400
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a structure of layering unit cells for a lithium polymer battery, in which electrode terminals are provided on surfaces of the respective unit cells for the lithium polymer battery, and are alternately layered, thus allowing the unit cells to be connected in series through only a layering operation without an additional connecting device. The battery system includes first and second unit cells each having a pouch and anode and cathode terminals which are connected to a surface of the pouch and are oppositely bent in upward and downward directions. In this case, the cathode terminal of the second unit cell is directly connected to the anode terminal of the first unit cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: SK ENERGY CO., LTD
    Inventor: Jeon-Keun Oh
  • Patent number: 7332242
    Abstract: A lithium based battery includes a cell structure group formed by stacking unit cells each including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed therebetween, or formed by repeatedly folding or winding an integral body of the unit cells; a battery container for containing the cell structure group; and an electrolyte, which is poured in the battery container after the cell structure group is contained in the battery container. The outer peripheral surface of the battery container is covered with an ion impermeable and extensible high polymer sheet having a tensile elongation percentage of 1% or more. With this configuration, even if there happens such a severe accident that nail pieces the battery or the battery is crashed, it is possible to prevent a large short-circuit current from flowing between the positive and negative electrodes, and hence to ensure a higher safety of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Itochu Corporation
    Inventors: Takaya Sato, Hiroshi Yoshida, Zenzo Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20080032191
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a protected and portable battery storage system and method of use. One embodiment relates a portable battery storage system, including a plurality of batteries and a plurality of sealed pouches. The batteries are shaped in a coin or disc configuration. The sealed pouches are interconnected to one another in a strip configuration. The batteries are positioned within a non-conductive internal region of each sealed pouch that protects them from damage and incidental short-circuiting. The non-conductive internal regions of the sealed pouches are sealed air-tight from the exterior via a lamination closure. The sealed pouches further include an individual opening system to allow a user to open a single sealed pouch for removal of the corresponding battery. One particular opening system includes a notch to facilitate hand-tearing of the sealed pouch. An alternative opening system includes utilizing a resealable opening system such as a ZIPLOC closure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Inventors: Gregory Kennedy, Douglas Kennedy
  • Patent number: 7294433
    Abstract: Electrode plate assemblies forming independent elements for electromotive force each contained in a partition member are series-connected and accommodated in a battery case. Each element is constructed as a nickel-metal hydride rechargeable battery cell and has an electromotive force of predetermined voltage, and so the battery connected in series has an output voltage and can be applied to general-purpose uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Murashige, Tetsuo Nanno, Yoichi Izumi, Munehisa Ikoma
  • Patent number: 7291423
    Abstract: A prismatic sealed battery has a prismatic battery case (3) which includes a plurality of prismatic containers (4) coupled in a row via partitions (5), electrode plate assemblies (8), and collectors (10) which are joined to lead portions on both sides of the electrode plate assemblies (8). Each container (4) contains the electrode plate assembly (8) to which said collectors 10 are joined. An opening (21) is formed in at least one side wall (20) of the prismatic battery case (3) and in a position where each partition (5) is disposed, in such a manner as to face the containers (4) on both sides, and a conductive connection member (23) disposed in the opening (21) is connected to the collectors (10, 10) on both sides of the partition (5). Since the current-carrying path between the electrode plate assemblies (8) becomes short, internal resistance decreases, and hence internal resistance per cell (2) is reduced. Even and full use of the whole electrode plate assembly (8) achieves higher power output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiromi Kajiya, Shoji Karasawa, Masato Onishi, Takashi Asahina, Shinji Hamada, Toyohiko Eto
  • Patent number: 7166390
    Abstract: A group of electrodes are accommodated in a prismatic cell case of a rechargeable battery. Intervening separators are provided between positive and negative electrode plates arranged alternately in parallel to long lateral walls of the cell case. The positive electrode plates each include a lead portion having a surface on which at least one lead plate is attached. Lateral edges of the positive electrode plates protrude beyond the negative electrode plates on one side, and lateral edges of the negative electrode plates protrude beyond the group of positive electrode plates on the opposite side. The protruding portions form the lead portions. Upper open ends of the cell cases are closed by an integral lid member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Hamada, Hiroshi Inoue, Akihiro Taniguchi, Nobuyasu Morishita, Noriyuki Fujioka, Munehisa Ikoma, Yoshiaki Ogata
  • Patent number: 7108940
    Abstract: A battery mechanism is disclosed. The battery mechanism in one embodiment includes battery assemblies, a switching mechanism, and an actuating mechanism. The battery assemblies are removably mounted to the switching mechanism. The switching mechanism has a non-energized position in which the battery assemblies are electrically disconnected from the switching mechanism. The switching mechanism also has an energized position in which the battery assemblies are electrically connected to the switching mechanism. The actuating mechanism is connected to the switching mechanism, and switches the switching mechanism between the non-energized and the energized positions. The actuating mechanism preferably is activated remotely, improving personnel safety. The number and make-up of the battery assemblies may be varied to provide for different voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Joseph F. Sharrow, Kurt W. Solomon, Frank E. Peterkin, Jack S. Bernardes, Brian J. Hankla
  • Patent number: 7056619
    Abstract: A chargeable battery for medical diagnostic instruments includes a battery having an outer sheathing (2) in which an Li-ion cell (11) and a protective circuit are accommodated along with a charge/discharge module (12, 13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Heine Optotechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Helmut M. Heine, Norbert Merkt
  • Patent number: 7035078
    Abstract: An electrode assembly in embodiments of the invention can include a unitary member formed from an electrically conductive material having a central portion, and tab and plate portions extending radially outward from the central portion. The unitary member can be folded to configure the plate portions in a stacked configuration, thereby providing an electrically connected support structure for a cathode and/or anode assembly without individual connections/welds of plates to a common connection. The elimination of multiple welds lowers the internal resistance of the electrode assembly, and improves the structural integrity. Embodiments of the invention include batteries and implantable medical devices (IMDs) which incorporate the design flexibility in the shape and contour of the electrode assembly and hence, the overall shape and design of batteries and IMDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph J. Viavattine
  • Patent number: 7022432
    Abstract: A prismatic sealed battery module includes: a prismatic battery case; an electrode plate group constituted by alternately layering positive and negative electrode plates with a separator arranged therebetween; and an electrolyte. The positive or negative electrode plates protruding from each end face of the electrode plate group are bonded to a collector member. A metal connector is fixed to the central part of the collector member facing the inner surface of the side end wall of the battery case. The collector member is connected, at the metal connector, to an external terminal using an externally connecting bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Asahina, Shinji Hamada, Shinsuke Fukuda, Toyohiko Eto
  • Patent number: 6998190
    Abstract: A small battery and an electric double layer capacitor exhibit adequate cell voltage and capacitor withstand voltage. Specifically, the battery or electric double layer capacitor includes basic cells having a pair of electrodes oppositely laminated via the separator, and an electrolyte are packaged in a resin sheet package. The basic cells are laminated in series via a sheet current collector. The sheet current collector extends to an edge of the resin sheet package around the periphery of the basic cells laminated on both sides of the current collector. The sheet current collector is glued or fused to the resin sheet in its edge. The adjacent basic cells via the sheet current collector are fluid-tightly separated within the resin sheet package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: NEC TOKIN Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoki Nobuta, Toshihiko Nishiyama, Hiroyuki Kamisuki, Gaku Harada, Masato Kurosaki, Yuji Nakagawa, Masaya Mitani
  • Patent number: 6969567
    Abstract: A rechargeable multi-cell battery including a plurality of electrochemical cells. Each of the cells includes a gas port that allows passage of cell gases into and out of the cell but prevent passage of cell electrolyte out of the cell. The gas port may be a gas permeable membrane. The multi-cell batter may be a bipolar battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Texaco Ovonic Battery Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Lin R. Higley, Marshall D. Muller, Dennis A. Corrigan
  • Patent number: 6946219
    Abstract: A sealed prismatic battery having a battery case made of a plurality of prismatic cell cases coupled together via partition walls, electrode plate groups, and collectors bonded to lead portions on both sides of the electrode plate groups. In at least one side wall of the battery case is formed openings at locations corresponding to the partition walls such as to open to the cell cases on both sides of the partition walls. Pairs of conductive connection plates are connected to each other through the partition walls and formed with connection pieces that face the openings. The collectors are connected together via the conductive connection plates, i.e., they are connected to the connection pieces after the electrode plate groups are encased in the cell cases, and the openings are sealed by sealing plates in a manner that separates the cell cases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toyoda Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Hamada, Toyohiko Eto, Takashi Asahina
  • Patent number: 6924060
    Abstract: In a prismatic sealed battery module which includes a plurality of electrode plate groups, collectors joined to leads on both sides of the electrode plate group, and a prismatic battery case for storing the plurality of electrode plate groups, a connected-electrode-plate-group body is constituted by connecting the plurality of electrode groups with collectors interposed between them. A sheet covering both side surfaces and a bottom surface of the peripheral surfaces of the connected-electrode-plate-group body is provided. After gaps between the sheet and outer edges of the collectors are sealed, the connected-electrode-plate-group body is placed in the prismatic battery case. Thereby, the current-carrying paths between the electrode plate groups are short and straight, resulting in reduced internal resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Hamada, Takashi Asahina, Toyohiko Eto
  • Patent number: 6908711
    Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a high power electrochemical energy storage device, comprising at least one stackable, monolithic battery unit. The monolithic battery unit includes at least two electrochemical energy storage cells. The cells have a lithium ion insertion anode and a lithium ion insertion cathode, a bipolar current collector between cells and end plate current collectors at the opposing ends of each battery unit. A frame may be associated with the perimeter of the current collector. The current collector comprises a high-conductivity metal. The device also has the at least two storage cells substantially aligned adjacent one another, a separator material associated between the anode and the cathode within each cell; and an electrolyte within each cell. Additionally, the present invention is drawn to a device combining two or more of the monolithic units, either in series or in parallel or any combination thereof, so as to create a high power, high voltage energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Pacific Lithium New Zealand Limited
    Inventors: Denis G. Fauteux, Hans Desilvestro, Marty Van Buren, Sonya Michelsen
  • Patent number: 6870725
    Abstract: An electric double layer capacitor, including at least one basic cell, an electrode plate, and an outer package which covers the basic cell and the electrode plate in a decompression state. The basic cell may be laminated in its thickness direction to form a layered cell and includes a separator, a pair of polarized electrodes disposed so as to sandwich the separator, a pair of collectors disposed so as to sandwich the polarized electrodes, and a gasket disposed between the pair of collectors so as to surround the pair of polarized electrodes. The electrode plate body is attached to each of the collectors located at the outermost side in a laminated direction of the layered cell. A sealing material having a higher gas barrier property than the collectors is disposed so as to seal an interface between the collectors and the electrode plate in the outer package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: NEC Tokin Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Sakata, Kazuya Mimura, Yutaka Nakazawa, Satoshi Abe
  • Patent number: 6866962
    Abstract: A sealed rechargeable battery with sets of wound electrodes arranged in a housing, wherein the housing has at least two main chambers separated by a cell separating wall and in each of which there are located at least two electrode coils. The electrode coils within the main chambers are connected in parallel and the storage elements formed in the main chambers are electrically connected in series. The positive poles of the electrode coils in one main chamber point in one direction and in the neighboring main chamber they point in the opposite direction. The positive or negative electrodes of the electrode coils in one of the main chambers are respectively connected by a contact disk, which are provided with pole posts, and the opposite poles of all the cells are electrically connected in series by a contact disk connecting all the cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Varta Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Bechtold, Uwe Kohler
  • Patent number: 6864013
    Abstract: A multi-cell monoblock battery in which a plurality of electrochemical cells are disposed in a battery case. The battery case includes one or more cell partitions which divide the interior of the case into a plurality of cell compartments that house the electrochemical cells. Preferably, one or more coolant channels are integrally formed with at least one of the cell partitions. The coolant channels may have inlets and outlets disposed in the walls of the battery case so as to provide a cross-flow cooling design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Chevron Texaco Technology Ventures, LLC
    Inventors: Philippe Gow, Anthony Osgood, Dennis A. Corrigan, Lin R. Higley, Marshall D. Muller, Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Rajeev Puttaiah
  • Patent number: 6858345
    Abstract: A high power bipolar battery, such as a high power lithium polymer battery is provided. The bipolar battery includes a plurality of multiple cell assemblies. The plurality of multiple cell assemblies is connected in series to form the high power bipolar battery. Each of the plurality of multiple cell assemblies includes a rigid core with a bipolar cell stack of multiple cells wound together around the rigid core to produce a large active cell area. The wound bipolar cell stack includes a positive battery connection and a negative battery connection. A container surrounds the bipolar cell stack. A positive terminal carried by the container is connected to the positive battery connection. A negative terminal carried by the container is spaced apart from the positive terminal and connected to the negative battery connection. A state-of-charge connector carried by the container is spaced apart from the positive and negative terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: The University of Chicago
    Inventors: Khalil Amine, Paul A. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6844109
    Abstract: A Li-ion and/or Li-ion polymer battery, comprised of a plurality of battery cells, each battery cell comprised of at least one cathode section, an anode section and at least one separator layer disposed between the anode section and the at least one cathode section. A first, planar metal mesh layer is disposed within the anode section, the first metal mesh layer having a coplanar tab extending beyond the separator layer to define a negative lead. A second, planar metal mesh layer is disposed within the cathode section, the second metal mesh layer having a coplanar tab extending beyond the separator layer to form a positive lead. A plurality of reinforcing bands are wrapped around the peripheral edges of the battery cells securing the battery cells together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xuekun Xing, Frough K. Shokoohi, Wanjun Fang, Hiroki Sugiura
  • Publication number: 20040253512
    Abstract: A bipolar battery includes a bipolar electrode and an electrolyte layer. The bipolar electrode includes a current collector, a positive electrode layer formed on one surface of the current collector, and a negative electrode layer formed on the other surface of the current collector. The bipolar electrode is sequentially laminated to provide connection in series via the electrolyte layer to form a stack structure. The positive electrode layer, the negative electrode layer and the electrolyte layer are potted with a resin portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kyoichi Watanabe, Kenji Hosaka, Kouichi Nemoto
  • Patent number: 6828059
    Abstract: An electrode assembly constructed of continuous anode and cathode electrodes that are overlaid in overlapping fashion and wound into a cell stack suitable for prismatic and cuboidal-shaped cases. The cathode electrode strip has some regions where the electrode material is pressed to a high density and has some regions where the active material is substantially removed from the current collector screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Miller, Tina L. Urso, Paul T. Hallifax
  • Patent number: 6821673
    Abstract: In each of the cells that constitute an battery module, a plurality of positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates are layered parallel to the long lateral walls of prismatic cell cases with intervening separators therebetween, wherein lateral edge portions of the positive electrode plates protrude beyond the negative electrode plates on one side, and lateral edge portions of the negative electrode plates protrude beyond the group of positive electrode plates on the opposite side, the protruding portions forming lead portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Hamada, Hiroshi Inoue, Akihiro Taniguchi, Nobuyasu Morishita, Noriyuki Fujioka, Munehisa Ikoma, Yoshiaki Ogata
  • Publication number: 20040229121
    Abstract: A group of electrodes are accommodated in a prismatic cell case of a rechargeable battery. Intervening separators are provided between positive and negative electrode plates arranged alternately in parallel to long lateral walls of the cell case. The positive electrode plates each include a lead portion having a surface on which at least one lead plate is attached. Lateral edges of the positive electrode plates protrude beyond the negative electrode plates on one side, and lateral edges of the negative electrode plates protrude beyond the group of positive electrode plates on the opposite side. The protruding portions form the lead portions. Upper open ends of the cell cases are closed by an integral lid member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Applicants: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinji Hamada, Hiroshi Inoue, Akihiro Taniguchi, Nobuyasu Morishita, Noriyuki Fujioka, Munehisa Ikoma, Yoshiaki Ogata
  • Publication number: 20040229112
    Abstract: A battery mechanism is disclosed. The battery mechanism in one embodiment includes battery assemblies, a switching mechanism, and an actuating mechanism. The battery assemblies are removably mounted to the switching mechanism. The switching mechanism has a non-energized position in which the battery assemblies are electrically disconnected from the switching mechanism. The switching mechanism also has an energized position in which the battery assemblies are electrically connected to the switching mechanism. The actuating mechanism is connected to the switching mechanism, and switches the switching mechanism between the non-energized and the energized positions. The actuating mechanism preferably is activated remotely, improving personnel safety. The number and make-up of the battery assemblies may be varied to provide for different voltages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventors: Joseph F. Sharrow, Kurt W. Solomon, Frank E. Petterkin, Jack S. Bernardes, Brian J. Hankla
  • Patent number: 6811921
    Abstract: A battery pack comprises: a battery unit (12) including a plurality of batteries (1) arranged flatly and electrically connected with one another by either series or parallel connection, or a combination thereof; a pair of heat transfer plates (8a, 8b) made of a material exhibiting excellent thermal conductivity and arranged in parallel to a surface where the battery unit (12) is arranged, of which one makes surface contact with a top-surface side of each of the batteries (1) of the battery unit (12), and the other makes surface contact with a back-surface side of each of the batteries (1) of the battery unit (12); and a housing (2) made of a material exhibiting excellent thermal conductivity, the housing accommodating the battery unit (12) and the pair of heat transfer plates (8a, 8b) and making surface contact with the pair of heat transfer plates (8a, 8b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Dansui, Hideki Kasahara
  • Publication number: 20040197647
    Abstract: Electrode plate assemblies (41a, 41b, 41c) forming independent elements for electromotive force each contained in a partition member (46) are series-connected and accommodated in a battery case (45). Each element is constructed as a nickel-metal hydride rechargeable battery cell and has an electromotive force of 1.2V, and so the battery connected in series has an output voltage of 3.6V and can be applied to general purpose uses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Shinji Murashige, Tetsuo Nanno, Yoichi Izumi, Munehisa Ikoma
  • Patent number: 6797427
    Abstract: A battery for use in various temperature environments includes a plurality of cells arranged in a close packing arrangement and a sleeve that is disposed around the cells. The sleeve is constructed from a material that acts as an insulator at relatively low temperatures and that acts as a conductor at relatively high temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Hossein Maleki, Anaba Anani, Ganesh Venugopal
  • Patent number: 6790556
    Abstract: An improved electrochemical single or multi-cell energy storage device and casing are provided. The casing may be a pair of U-shaped shells, a single foil piece or even a tube-shaped structure which encases the internal electrochemical cell stack. The energy storage device and casing advantageously exhibit low internal resistance, low ESR, a high voltage/capacity, and a low contact resistance between the internal stack and the outer casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: E.C.R. - Electro Chemical Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Arieh Meitav, Joel Lang, Niles Fleischer, David Lifschitz, Eugene Pecherer, Eli Rosh Chodesh, Joost Manassen, Bharat Rawal
  • Publication number: 20040170891
    Abstract: A prismatic sealed battery has a prismatic battery case (3) which includes a plurality of prismatic containers (4) coupled in a row via partitions (5), electrode plate assemblies (8), and collectors (10) which are joined to lead portions on both sides of the electrode plate assemblies (8). Each container (4) contains the electrode plate assembly (8) to which said collectors 10 are joined. An opening (21) is formed in at least one side wall (20) of the prismatic battery case (3) and in a position where each partition (5) is disposed, in such a manner as to face the containers (4) on both sides, and a conductive connection member (23) disposed in the opening (21) is connected to the collectors (10, 10) on both sides of the partition (5). Since the current-carrying path between the electrode plate assemblies (8) becomes short, internal resistance decreases, and hence internal resistance per cell (2) is reduced. Even and full use of the whole electrode plate assembly (8) achieves higher power output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Hiromi Kajiya, Shoji Karasawa, Masato Onishi, Takashi Asahina, Shinji Hamada, Toyohiko Eto
  • Publication number: 20040170888
    Abstract: A housing for a vehicle battery includes a top portion configured for attachment to a battery cover and a plurality of containers extending from the top portion for containing elements of a battery. The plurality of containers are arranged in an offset configuration such that at least a portion of the top portion extends away from the plurality of containers due to the offset configuration. A structure for reinforcing the portion of the top portion is provided that extends away from the plurality of containers. According to one embodiment, the structure includes at least one rib for providing enhanced structural integrity for the portion of the top portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Gerald A. Cummins, Jack Bruss
  • Patent number: 6773846
    Abstract: A mobile rack type battery box is constructed to include two hollow rectangular cover shells symmetrically fastened together by screws, each cover shell having at least one longitudinal inside groove for receiving electric wires and ventilation, and a plurality of battery cells mounted in the holding space defined within the cover shells and horizontally abutted against one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignees: Allis Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jake Chen, Johnny Lin
  • Patent number: 6743546
    Abstract: Battery with a flexible laminate casing includes a means for fixing the electrode assembly (2) within the casing (1, 18). The fixing means may be a frame (19, 33, 38, 50, 54) attached to the periphery of the electrode assembly, or an insulating spacer (59, 69, 70, 77, 78) encased within the casing together with the electrode assembly such as to fill a space between one end of the electrode assembly and the casing. Alternatively, the fixing means may be constructed of a material with which the casing and the electrode assembly are joined together by applying heat and pressure, or may be an abutting surface (87h) provided to the casing (87) itself such as to make contact with one end face of the electrode assembly within the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Kaneda, Hideaki Yoshio, Yoshitaka Matsumasa, Hiroaki Ichinose, Hitoshi Suzuki, Shingo Tsuda
  • Patent number: 6726733
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrochemical element, specifically an electrochemical element with improved energy density comprising stacked electrochemical cells. In order to achieve such objects, the present invention provides an electrochemical element comprising electrochemical cells which are multiply stacked, said electrochemical cells formed by stacking full cells or bicells having a cathode, a separator layer, and an anode sequentially as a basic unit, and a separator film interposed between each stacked cell wherein, said separator film has a unit length which is determined to wrap the electrochemical cells, and folds outward every unit length to fold each electrochemical cell in a Z-shape starting from the electrochemical cell of a first spot to the electrochemical cell of the last spot continuously while the remaining separator film wraps an outer portion of the stacked cell and a method for manufacturing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: LG Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyang-Mok Lee, Soon-Ho Ahn, Kyung-Joon Kim, Jae-Hyun Lee
  • Patent number: 6709785
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrochemical element, specifically an electrochemical element with improved energy density comprising multiply stacked electrochemical cells. In order to achieve such objects, the present invention provides an electrochemical element comprising electrochemical cells which are multiply stacked, said electrochemical cells formed by stacking full cells having a cathode, a separator layer, and an anode sequentially as a basic unit, and a separator film interposed between each stacked full cell wherein, said separator film has a unit length which is determined to wrap the electrochemical cells and folds inward every unit length to wrap each electrochemical cell starting from the center electrochemical cell to the outermost electrochemical cell continuously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: LG Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyang-Mok Lee, Soon-Ho Ahn, Kyung-Joon Kim, Jae-Hyun Lee
  • Patent number: 6709783
    Abstract: In a battery pack 1 wherein prismatic battery modules 2 are arranged parallel with each other, cooling passages 7 are formed by interposing spacers 6 made of metallic material between mutually facing long side faces 2a, 2a of the battery modules 2, 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Ogata, Shinji Hamada
  • Publication number: 20040053126
    Abstract: A plurality of projections (29, 30) for projection welding are formed respectively on the opposite sides of a connector (27). The electrode plate (22) of the sealing member (20) of one of two adjacent cells (Ba1) is bonded and connected by projection welding to a side of the connector (27) by way of the projections (29), while the cell case (19) of the other cell (Ba2) is bonded and connected by projection welding to the other side of the connector (27) by way of the projections (30). In this way, a plurality of cells are connected in series.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Fujio Hirano, Akio Kujirai
  • Publication number: 20040053127
    Abstract: The invention realises an improved container for accumulators equipped with one or more cells, suitable for housing one or more elements of the accumulator and defined by walls of which one is equipped with one flexible support tab, for one or more elements, which substantially extends on a vertical plane. A portion of the longitudinal profile of the support tab has a twist with respect to the vertical plane suitable for giving the desired flexibility to the support tab.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventor: Franco Stocchiero
  • Publication number: 20040043289
    Abstract: A laminate packaging flat cell comprises a laminate film formed by combining polymer and metal with each other; a power generating element formed of a plurality of electrode plates and separators, and hermetically sealed by the laminate film; and an electrode terminal lead coupled to the electrode plate. In the laminate packaging flat cell of the present invention, the power generating element is hermetically sealed by forming a thermally welded portion on an outer periphery of the laminate film, and the electrode terminal lead protrudes from the thermally welded portion, and a through-hole is provided in a position thereof contacting the thermally welded portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD
    Inventors: Osamu Shimamura, Takaaki Abe, Takanori Ito, Takamitsu Saito, Hideaki Horie, Hiroshi Sugawara