Having Unit Enclosing Housing Patents (Class 429/153)
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Publication number: 20030232239Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2003Publication date: December 18, 2003Inventors: Philippe Gow, Anthony Osgood, Dennis A. Corrigan, Lin R. Higley, Marshall D. Muller, Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Rajeev Puttaiah
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Publication number: 20030228516Abstract: The Conformable Battery encompasses a class of devices wherein the outer casing of the battery may be configured in a variety of shapes to fit specific applications including flat planar designs (circular, square, rectangular) and three-dimensional geometric shapes (e.g., curved plates, thin cylinders with hollow cores, other geometric shapes). The internal structure of the battery consists of multi-cell compartments where the walls of the compartments are bonded to the outer skin contributing to the batteries' structural stiffness, integrity, and ability to sustain moderate to high internal pressure, with enhanced ability to dissipate heat. The design is applicable to the patented Bimodal Battery concept (U.S. Pat. No. 6,187,471B1) as well as other battery design concepts.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2003Publication date: December 11, 2003Inventor: Patrick P. McDermott
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Patent number: 6645668Abstract: Cracking or the like is prevented from being formed in an outer wall of a container of a closed battery module whose internal space is divided by partitions. Each partition dividing the internal space of the container of the closed battery module is provided with a deformable portion that deforms before a stress greater than an allowable value is caused in a container outer wall by load applied to the container. When a load is applied to the module container, the partitions dividing the container internal space restrict deformation of the container outer walls, so that great stress is likely to occur in the outer walls. However, as the deformable portion of a partition deforms due to such load, the stress caused in the container outer walls decreases, so that formation of a crack or the like in the container outer walls becomes less likely.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2001Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Inventor: Toyohiko Etou
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Publication number: 20030194602Abstract: A thermal battery is housed in a chamber that utilizes micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS)-based technology to offer superior chemical stability and advantageous mechanical and thermal properties. The thermal battery of the present invention is activated by heat, for example heat generated by a pyrotechnic charge, for example thermite, for immediate and thorough activation of the electrolyte. The anode, cathode and electrolyte of the battery are formed of pellets having a curved interface for increased current density. The electrolyte preferably comprises a three-component eutectic salt mixture. In this manner, the thermal battery of the present invention is well suited for applications that require highly integrated thermal batteries that are relatively small in physical size, yet are capable of reliable performance over a wide range of operating conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2002Publication date: October 16, 2003Inventor: Sami Daoud
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Publication number: 20030165735Abstract: This invention provides a small battery and an electric double layer capacitor exhibiting adequate cell voltage and capacitor withstand voltage. Specifically, this invention provides a battery or electric double layer capacitor in which basic cells comprising a pair of electrodes oppositely laminated via the separator, and an electrolyte are packaged in a resin sheet package, wherein 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; and the adjacent basic cells via the sheet current collector are fluid-tightly separated within the resin sheet package.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2003Publication date: September 4, 2003Inventors: Tomoki Nobuta, Toshihiko Nishiyama, Hiroyuki Kamisuki, Gaku Harada, Masato Kurosaki, Yuji Nakagawa, Masaya Mitani
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Publication number: 20030165736Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2003Publication date: September 4, 2003Inventor: Masaru Hiratsuka
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Publication number: 20030157402Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2003Publication date: August 21, 2003Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.Inventors: Shinji Hamada, Toyohiko Eto, Takashi Asahina
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Publication number: 20030152829Abstract: A rechargeable, thin film lithium battery cell (10) is provided having a supporting substrate (11), a cathode current collector (12), a cathode (13), a solid state electrolyte (14), an anode (15) and an anode current collector (17).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2002Publication date: August 14, 2003Inventors: Ji-Guang Zhang, Eleston Maxie
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Publication number: 20030152832Abstract: Vibration-resistant accumulator and method of its manufacture The present invention relates to a vibration-resistant accumulator with a housing (20), which comprises one or more cell boxes (16) each with a plate block (15) with positive and negative plate groups (14a, 14b), with the individual plates (1a, 1b) in a plate block (15) separated from one another by separators (6), the plates (1a, 1b) of each plate group (14a, 14b) having lugs (2a, 2b) and being connected together electrically by cell connectors (3a, 3b).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2003Publication date: August 14, 2003Inventors: Friedrich Kramm, Wolfgang Imhof, Gunter Schmidt-Lukasch
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Publication number: 20030148176Abstract: Battery comprising a plurality of series-connected galvanic cells, a metal casing and at least one layer of electrically insulating material between the cells and the casing, of which battery the metal casing, on the inner side, comprises an organic coating layer of the film type which is arranged on the metal surface by lamination or is formed thereon by extrusion and which serves as the layer of electrically insulating material.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2002Publication date: August 7, 2003Inventors: Jozef Franciscus Elisabeth Gootzen, Gijsbertus Cornelis Van Haastrecht
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Publication number: 20030143458Abstract: A sealed prismatic battery includes an electrode plate group having positive and negative electrode plates stacked upon one another with a separator interposed therebetween, collectors each connected to a lead portion on either side of the electrode plate group and having one or more connection bosses formed in a middle part thereof, and a battery case, generally rectangular in shape, for accommodating the electrode plate group connected with the collectors. The battery case has a through-hole for the connection boss of the collector to penetrate therethrough via a rubber seal. A battery module includes a plurality of the sealed prismatic batteries, the connection bosses of which are connected to each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2003Publication date: July 31, 2003Inventors: Takashi Asahina, Shinji Hamada, Toyohiko Eto
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Patent number: 6569561Abstract: A battery module is constructed of an integral battery case which is constituted by forming a plurality of prismatic cell cases into a unitized body, wherein positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates laminated alternately upon one another with intervening separators are respectively accommodated in each of the cell cases, thereby constituting a plurality of cells, these cells being electrically connected in series. A plurality of such battery modules are arranged in a direction in which the electrode plates within each cell are laminated in a condition with coolant passages formed between the battery modules, and bound tightly together with end plates arranged at both ends in the direction of adjacent arrangement of the battery modules.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2000Date of Patent: May 27, 2003Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tadao Kimura, Shinji Hamada, Yoshiaki Ogata, Tomokazu Yamauchi, Toshiyuki Sekimori
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Patent number: 6555265Abstract: A valve-regulated lead acid (VRLA) battery cell (2,40) has positive and negative plates (10,11,41,42) separated by separator media (12,43) and held together under pressure. The separator is adapted to support therein an electrolyte. Each plate has a first single or plurality of tabs (12,13,46) on a first side and a second single or plurality of tabs (15,16,47) on a second side of the plate, each tab being connected to a busbar (17,18,49,50) to form positive and negative busbars on each of the first and second sides of the plate. The cell may be alternatively configured in a spirally-wound arrangement or in a prismatic arrangement of flat plates. The cell may be constructed of a plurality of such positive and negative plates. A VLRA battery (1, 40) may be constructed of one or a plurality of such VLRA cells, in which case the busbars of neighboring cells are connected by welded joints. The busbars are serviced by at least plural pairs of positive and negative terminals (24,25,33,34,52,53,54,55).Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2000Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Hawker Energy Products, Inc.Inventors: Frank Albert Fleming, Russell Harvey Newnham
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Publication number: 20030077508Abstract: A prismatic battery module includes a prismatic battery case having a plurality of prismatic cell cases connected to one another through separation walls, a planar electroconductive connector forming part of the separation wall between the cell cases, an electrode plate group arranged in each cell case, and an electrolyte placed in each cell case. Lead portions of positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates of the electrode plate group are directly connected to the electroconductive connector. The prismatic battery module requires fewer connection points and provides shorter electrical communication paths, thereby reducing internal resistance.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2001Publication date: April 24, 2003Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.Inventors: Takashi Asahina, Shinji Hamada, Toyohiko Eto, Shinsuke Fukuda
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Patent number: 6551741Abstract: An integrated battery case 2 is made by coupling together a plurality of cell cases 3 into an integral body, open ends of the cell cases 3 being closed integrally with a lid member 4. Communicating paths 37 for communicating a suitable number of neighboring cell cases 3 with one another are provided in the lid member 4, whereby the cell cases 3 have a uniform internal pressure.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2000Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shinji Hamada, Hiroshi Inoue, Noriyuki Fujioka, Munehisa Ikoma
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Publication number: 20030072997Abstract: A battery having a battery housing defining a receiving area, the housing is configured to receive and engage a plurality of cells each having a cell housing and a cell element received and engaged within each of the cell housings. The cell element has a plurality of positive plates each having a positive tab portion depending outwardly from a periphery, a plurality of negative plates each having a negative tab portion depending outwardly from a periphery, and a nonconductive separator disposed in between the plurality of positive plates and the plurality of negative plates. A positive plate having a positive post is secured to each of the positive tab portions and a negative plate having a negative post is secured to each of the negative tab portions. An inner cover is inserted into the housing after the cells are inserted therein and the inner cover is configured to cover the positive and negative plates while allowing a portion of the positive and negative posts to pass therethough.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2001Publication date: April 17, 2003Inventors: Denis Estreich, Randall F. Brantley
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Patent number: 6541154Abstract: A multi-cell structure battery (1A) comprising: a plurality of columnar cells accommodated in a casing (11); bus bars (23A, 23B) to connect respective terminals of the cells; signal transmitting wires (16) to connect the respective cells to an external device; a cell holder (12) to hold the cells; and a covering (13) fixed to the cell holder so as to oppose against the terminals of the cells, the bus bars being disposed on an inner surface of the covering opposed to the terminals of the cells and the signal transmitting wires being disposed in an outer surface of the covering.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2001Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Shin-Kobe Electric Machinery Co., Ltd.Inventors: Etsuo Oogami, Tatsuo Horiba
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Publication number: 20030059670Abstract: 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 neighbouring 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: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2002Publication date: March 27, 2003Applicant: NBT GmbHInventors: Dieter Bechtold, Uwe Kohler
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Publication number: 20030059676Abstract: An electric accumulator battery, constituted of a series of independent modules, each of which comprises a recipient with a lid subdivided into cells in which positive and negative helically wound electrodes and an intermediate separator are housed. The recipient of each module comprises an outer wall, of straight rectangular prismatic shape, and an inner wall which defines three cylindrical cells (9) of coplanar axes, tangent to each other and closed on the lower base. Axial ventilation passages are defined between these two walls, which pass through the base through openings (5 and 6).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2002Publication date: March 27, 2003Applicant: S.E. Acumulador Tudor, S.A.Inventors: Rafael Ruiz Rodriguez, Antonio Ripoll Anton, Ernesto Collado Parra
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Patent number: 6528204Abstract: A lithium secondary battery (5) comprising individual cells connected with one another, which cells each comprise a negative electrode including negative electrode material (9), a positive electrode including positive electrode material (10), a separator (6) sandwiched between the negative and the positive electrode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte solution between the negative and the positive electrode. The negative and the positive electrode material is provided in segments on the respective current collectors in order to increase the pliability of the battery. Common current collectors (7, 8) are used for all individual cells connected with one another.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2000Date of Patent: March 4, 2003Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Rifat A. M. Hikmet, Hans Feil
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Publication number: 20030027044Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2002Publication date: February 6, 2003Inventors: Takashi Asahina, Shinji Hamada, Shinsuke Fukuda, Toyohiko Eto
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Patent number: 6495282Abstract: In a method for arranging cells, a plurality of cells each configured in an substantially elliptic cylindrical shape having a major axis and a minor axis in its sectional shape, and the sectional surface including the major axis of each of the lid wall and the bottom wall of each of the cells, is arranged to be inclined with respect to a vertical line perpendicular to an arrangement reference surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2000Date of Patent: December 17, 2002Assignee: Japan Storage Battery Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroaki Yoshida, Masanao Terasaki
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Patent number: 6482541Abstract: A frame assembly for receiving and supporting batteries in at least one horizontal row comprises a pair of generally parallel spaced apart, aligned base supports with each base support having a front end and a rear end. Four vertical corner supports, including a front pair and a rear pair are secured to the base supports with the front pair of corner supports being generally equally spaced from the rear pair of corner supports. At least one pair of horizontal supports are secured to the corner supports. The horizontal support pair includes a front horizontal support and a rear horizontal support. Each horizontal support has two ends with each end of the front horizontal support being secured to one of the corner supports of the front pair of corner supports and with each end of the rear horizontal support being secured to one of the corner supports of the rear pair of corner supports.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2000Date of Patent: November 19, 2002Assignee: EnerSys Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Bator, Jr., Gary William Parsons
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Publication number: 20020168563Abstract: A power generator includes a plurality of chambers, each of which has therein a positive electrode and a negative electrode. Each of the chambers has an entry port that is connected to a source of water through a timer valve. The water is periodically provided through the timer valve to the entry ports. The chambers additionally have en exit port that opens in response to pressure of the water from the timer valve. Water from the exit ports passes from the power source.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2001Publication date: November 14, 2002Inventor: Iraj Hessabi
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Patent number: 6479180Abstract: In a vehicle fuel cell supporting apparatus and method supporting a fuel cell formed by a plurality of unit cells, each of which is provided with an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte film, and is laminated together with a separator intervening therebetween in a forward and rearward direction of the vehicle, relative movement, in a forward direction of the vehicle, of the cell element located at the front most position of the fuel cell with respect to the vehicle is blocked.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2000Date of Patent: November 12, 2002Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tetsuo Uozumi
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Patent number: 6465123Abstract: A Battery container is provided for a plurality of cylindrical accumulator elements which are arranged parallel to one another in rows and/or layers essentially horizontally. At least one first fixing element is arranged on a bottom plate and a cover plate of the battery container. The fixing elements extend transversely to the longitudinal axes of the accumulator elements and, with a form-locking action, fix and support the accumulator elements in the horizontal and the vertical direction. In the case of a layer-type arrangement of the accumulator elements, additional fixing elements are provided which are arranged between two layers of accumulator elements respectively and which also extend transversely to the longitudinal axes of the accumulator elements and, while acting upon the accumulator elements in a form-locking manner, fix and support the accumulator elements in the horizontal and vertical direction.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2000Date of Patent: October 15, 2002Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AGInventors: Bernd M. Baumann, Johann German
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Patent number: 6461762Abstract: This specification discloses a rechargeable battery structure and the method of making the same. The battery comprises a stacked structure suitable for rectangular batteries by an S-shape sequential folding so as to increase the energy density and the charge/discharge cycle of the battery while lowering the safety worry about filling too much electrolyte. The feature of a stacked battery structure is that no active material of the positive and negative electrodes is coated at folded corners. The folded corner is also glued to make a thinner battery cell after squeezing under pressure. This folded cell is further under the application of heat and pressure and put into a rectangular battery case made of metal or aluminum foil. A new battery structure is thus obtained after filling electrolyte and encapsulation.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2000Date of Patent: October 8, 2002Assignee: Industrial Technology Research InstituteInventors: Chang-Rung Yang, Yih-Song Jan
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Patent number: 6461759Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 9, 2000Date of Patent: October 8, 2002Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch, Ltd.Inventors: Robert D. Miller, Tina L. Urso, Paul T. Hallifax
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Publication number: 20020136946Abstract: A rechargeable electrochemical energy storage cell structure capable of providing high voltage operation comprises a plurality of electrode and separator member assemblies comprising individual cells disposed in electrical series circuit arrangement with interposed electrically conductive divider members and sealed within an enveloping casing. Each divider member engages the casing to form sealed compartments for the individual electrochemical cell assemblies in order to prevent migration of electrolyte which might otherwise result in deleterious ionic shorting between electrodes of opposite charge and comprising separate component cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2001Publication date: September 26, 2002Inventors: Glenn G. Amatucci, Duncan Culver
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Patent number: 6451474Abstract: A battery pack that reduces thickness and lightens weight as required for battery power sources of portable electronic equipment. A battery pack is constituted by accommodating a battery and battery protection device between a top case and bottom case forming a pack case. Since the battery is formed accommodated within an external casing wherein positive and negative electrode plates are formed by laminated sheet, reduced thickness and reduced weight of battery pack can be achieved. Also, since the face of bottom case opposite the battery is formed as a resiliently deformable face which is formed of small thickness, when expansion takes place such that the thickness of the battery as a whole increases, resiliently deformable face deforms maintaining a planar condition by resilient deformation, so that there is no possibility of an adverse effect on the equipment due to drum-shaped swelling being produced in battery pack, by such swelling.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2000Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Katsumi Kozu, Shigeru Kajiwara, Shoji Konishi, Takashi Takemura, Junji Fujiwara, Ryoichi Kaiwa, Tetsuo Hirabayashi
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Patent number: 6436155Abstract: A method for producing a battery cell having a plurality of film layers, a plurality of current collector layers, and at least one separator layer, with each current collector layer including a predetermined lead portion. The method includes the steps of providing at least one notch in each layer, and stacking the layers with the notches positioned with respect to one another to expose the predetermined lead portion of each current collector layer. A battery cell including an electrode having an area defined by a perimeter including an edge, a counter electrode having an area defined by a perimeter including an edge, and a separator having an area defined by a perimeter including an edge is also provided. The separator is sandwiched between the electrode and the counter electrode in a layered relationship with at least portions of the edges being continuous.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2001Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.Inventor: Oliver J. Gross
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Patent number: 6410184Abstract: The power source holds a plurality of parallel oriented power modules in a holder-case. The holder-case is provided with cover-casings on both sides and intermediate-casings between them. Holder ribs project from the insides of cover-casings and from both sides of intermediate-casings for arranging power modules in a plurality of rows and retaining them in fixed positions. Cover-casings on both sides and intermediate-casings are joined to sandwich and hold the plurality of rows of power modules in fixed positions via the holder ribs.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2000Date of Patent: June 25, 2002Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tatsuhito Horiuchi, Yoshiharu Takasaki
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Patent number: 6403252Abstract: An improved battery pack is disclosed. The improved battery pack is designed in light, thin, safe, and user-friendly card configuration to make interchangeability between appliances easy and possible. In addition, outside the battery card there is an injection mechanism that fits the battery card in electrical apparatus when slot-in and inject-out, and inside the battery card there is a built-in fuel gauge circuit that regulates voltage with a capacity indicator.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 1999Date of Patent: June 11, 2002Inventors: Cyril C. K. Chiang, Min Hon Rei
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Patent number: 6294288Abstract: The invention provides a battery cell including an electrode having an area defined by a perimeter including an edge, a counter electrode having an area defined by a perimeter including an edge, and a separator having an area defined by a perimeter including an edge. The separator is sandwiched between the electrode and the counter electrode in a layered relationship with at least portions of the edges being contiguous. The separator and one of the electrode and the counter electrode each include a first notch in the edge exposing a portion of the other of the electrode and counter electrode. The separator and the other of the electrode and the counter electrode each include a second notch in the edge exposing a portion of the one of the electrode and the counter electrode.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 1999Date of Patent: September 25, 2001Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.Inventor: Oliver J. Gross
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Publication number: 20010014417Abstract: Cracking or the like is prevented from being formed in an outer wall of a container of a closed battery module whose internal space is divided by partitions. Each partition dividing the internal space of the container of the closed battery module is provided with a deformable portion that deforms before a stress greater than an allowable value is caused in a container outer wall by load applied to the container. When a load is applied to the module container, the partitions dividing the container internal space restrict deformation of the container outer walls, so that great stress is likely to occur in the outer walls. However, as the deformable portion of a partition deforms due to such load, the stress caused in the container outer walls decreases, so that formation of a crack or the like in the container outer walls becomes less likely.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2001Publication date: August 16, 2001Inventor: Toyohiko Etou
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Publication number: 20010007728Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2001Publication date: July 12, 2001Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.Inventors: Yoshiaki Ogata, Shinji Hamada
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Patent number: 6238818Abstract: The invention relates to a housing which receives dry cells in an in-line or end to end orientation. The invention includes features which prevent the incorrect orientation by preventing dry cell terminals making contact with the necessary components. In this way, it prevents premature dissipation of dry cells or their impairment. The mechanism by which these features do this is to recess one terminal namely that terminal which would be contacted by the positive terminal of a dry cell. In this way, the negative terminal of a dry cell can never make electrical connection. Another feature of the invention is the provision of an aperture having a profile of a silhouette of a dry cell, which has advantages in low light situations, saves material, and allows for relatively easy extraction of dry cells from the cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 1999Date of Patent: May 29, 2001Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.Inventor: David R. Dalton
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Patent number: 6228524Abstract: The invention relates to a storage battery with several cylindrical cells, the cell walls of which are in close heat-conducting contact with a temperature-control device. The temperature-control device has at least two hollow bodies (2) through which a temperature-control medium flows, which bodies display semicircular bulges (6), the radii of which correspond approximately to that of the cells (1), and which are arranged in such a way that they fix the spatial positions of the cells (1) to each other.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 1998Date of Patent: May 8, 2001Assignee: Varta AktiengesellschaftInventors: Uwe Köhler, Ulrich Jahn
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Patent number: 6228528Abstract: The invention pertains to housings and enclosures for assemblies of electrochemical cells such as used in consumer electronic devices. A system of structural elements having constant cross-section along at least one axis is provided to construct protective housings for electrochemical cell assemblies. Where cell assemblies include sensitive circuit elements such as circuit boards the fabricated housings include cover portions to reduce the chance of impact or contact damage to the circuit elements. By designing structural elements having open and constant cross-sections, a family of housing components may be fabricated from a single structural element by altering a length. Different configuration housings may also be constructed by rearranging the housing components or introducing additional interconnecting components. By incorporating a unified interconnecting element into each component, interchangeability is increased.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 1998Date of Patent: May 8, 2001Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.Inventors: Rick Burkholder, David Baggaley, Ernest Botos, Alexander Jacobs, III
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Patent number: 6225006Abstract: A method of making lead-acid batteries uses a container standardized for a twelve-volt battery and dual flag straps in the inner cells so that batteries with voltages of two, four, six, or twelve can be preselected as desired, the more preferred embodiments having one terminal cell with either two terminal bases or dual flags so as to minimize the assembly equipment required.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 1999Date of Patent: May 1, 2001Assignee: GNB Technologies, Inc.Inventors: William H. Kump, Steven R. Peterson
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Patent number: 6197446Abstract: A sealed secondary battery assembly in which electricity-generating elements are accommodated in cases made of resin formed in rectangular tubular shape having a bottom, a plurality of cells constituted by sealing the apertures of cases by covers made of resin are arranged in series, these being electrically connected by electrical connection elements, wherein: the cases of the individual cells are constituted by a unitary case and the covers of the individual cells are constituted by a unitary cover, support elements made of resin in which are fixed electrical connection elements are joined to support element mounting passage sections provided on partition sections that define the space for the cells, said electrical connection elements being thereby arranged so as to pass through said partition sections.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 1999Date of Patent: March 6, 2001Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shinsuke Fukuda, Mitsugu Takaki, Kenji Sato, Rye Iwamura, Toshinobu Yokoyama
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Patent number: 6120930Abstract: An improved electrochemical generator is disclosed. The electrochemical generator includes a thin-film electrochemical cell which is maintained in a state of compression through use of an internal or an external pressure apparatus. A thermal conductor, which is connected to at least one of the positive or negative contacts of the cell, conducts current into and out of the cell and also conducts thermal energy between the cell and thermally conductive, electrically resistive material disposed on a vessel wall adjacent the conductor. The thermally conductive, electrically resistive material may include an anodized coating or a thin sheet of a plastic, mineral-based material or conductive polymer material. The thermal conductor is fabricated to include a resilient portion which expands and contracts to maintain mechanical contact between the cell and the thermally conductive material in the presence of relative movement between the cell and the wall structure.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 1997Date of Patent: September 19, 2000Assignees: 3M Innovative Properties Corporation, Hydro-QuebecInventors: Roger Rouillard, Michael K. Domroese, Joseph A. Hoffman, David D. Lindeman, Joseph-Robert-Gaetan Noel, Vern E. Radewald, Michel Ranger, Anthony Sudano, Jennifer L. Trice, Thomas A. Turgeon
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Patent number: 6117584Abstract: A thermal conductor for use with an electrochemical energy storage device is disclosed. The thermal conductor is attached to one or both of the anode and cathode contacts of an electrochemical cell. A resilient portion of the conductor varies in height or position to maintain contact between the conductor and an adjacent wall structure of a containment vessel in response to relative movement between the conductor and the wall structure. The thermal conductor conducts current into and out of the electrochemical cell and conducts thermal energy between the electrochemical cell and thermally conductive and electrically resistive material disposed between the conductor and the wall structure. The thermal conductor may be fabricated to include a resilient portion having one of a substantially C-shaped, double C-shaped, Z-shaped, V-shaped, O-shaped, S-shaped, or finger-shaped cross-section.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 1997Date of Patent: September 12, 2000Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Joseph A. Hoffman, Michael K. Domroese, David D. Lindeman, Vern E. Radewald, Roger Rouillard, Jennifer L. Trice
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Patent number: 6096452Abstract: The present invention consists of a device for retaining a one-piece battery with a prismatic casing having two longitudinal walls and two transverse walls. The device contains two plates applied to respective transverse walls and at least one cinching mechanism for the plates consisting of at least one flat strip closed on itself surrounding the longitudinal walls and the transverse walls are provided with the plates. The device is characterized in that at least one of the plates contains at least one recessed housing and the strip closely follows the shape of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 1998Date of Patent: August 1, 2000Assignee: AlcatelInventors: Claude Gilabert, Michel Leturque, Roclof Verhoog
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Patent number: 6051328Abstract: Provided are metal-air cells for connecting to one another to form a battery stack. Two or more of the cells are joined by heat or chemical fusing to create the battery stack. Each of the metal-air cells have a case with an exterior surface and an interior surface that defines a chamber that contains an anode and an air cathode. The case defines air openings that extend between the exterior surface and the interior surface for supplying air from the environment exterior to the case to the air cathodes within the chamber. In one embodiment, each metal-air cell includes a plurality of protruding connector members and a plurality of protruding mechanical stops. Two cells are joined by fusing connector members of one cell to connector members of the other cell. During the fusing of the connector members, the mechanical stops of the cells being joined abut one another to arrest movement of the cells toward one another. The arresting causes a plenum to be uniformly defined between the cells.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 1998Date of Patent: April 18, 2000Assignee: AER Energy Resources, Inc.Inventors: John D. Witzigreuter, Christopher S. Pedicini
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Patent number: 5906899Abstract: A sealed lead acid storage battery includes a monoblock container, a cover, plural assembly elements, each assembly element comprising a plurality of positive and negative electrode plates that are stacked via separators in a predetermined direction, a positive and negative electrode strap, and a positive and negative electrode terminal. The positive and negative electrode terminals protrude above the cover. The container further comprises ribs formed inside a bottom surface thereof for enabling the electrode plates to rest on the ribs. Each positive electrode plate has a pair of feet that are formed on a lower end thereof in a substantially symmetrical arrangement and further comprises a lug connected to the positive electrode strap that is disposed at a position shifting either to the left or to the right. One of the feet correspond to the position having the lug not resting on any rib, while the other foot rests on a rib.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 1996Date of Patent: May 25, 1999Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Muneyoshi Noda, Yasuhiko Uchida, Yukihiro Onoda, Hiroshi Sugiyama
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Patent number: 5902697Abstract: Disclosed herein is a safety feature for batteries comprising an integrated series of lithium-ion bi-cells. Each individual bi-cell comprises, sequentially, an anode, a film separator, a cathode, a film separator, and an anode. When multiple bi-cells are joined within a single package an insulator element, preferably an electrolyte permeable insulator element, is placed between anode elements of adjoining bi-cells. This insulator element appears to restrict internal shorting during crushing of the battery, thus avoiding undesirable effects of shorting such as thermal run-away and producing a safer battery.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 1998Date of Patent: May 11, 1999Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.Inventors: Wade Guindy, Tibor Kalnoki-Kis
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Patent number: 5891589Abstract: Provided are metal-air cells that each include a plurality of protruding connector members and a plurality of protruding mechanical stops. Two or more of the cells are joined to create a battery stack. Two cells are joined by heating connector members of the cells, and then forcing the cells together so that the connector members of one cell are welded or fused to connector members of the other cell. During the fusing of the connector members, the mechanical stops of the cells being joined abut one another to arrest movement of the cells toward one another. The arresting causes a plenum to be uniformly defined between the cells. The fused connector members and abutting mechanical stops cooperate to define three-dimensional truss-like system that provides structural integrity. Each of the metal-air cells have a case with an exterior. surface and an interior surface that defines a chamber that contains an anode and air cathodes.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 1997Date of Patent: April 6, 1999Assignee: AER Energy Resources, Inc.Inventors: John D. Witzigreuter, Christopher S. Pedicini
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Patent number: 5770331Abstract: A new technique for securing into place a plurality of layers which make a battery body, and for preventing electrical short-circuits within the battery by retarding the formation of dendritic growths is disclosed. A radiation curable layer of material is coated onto a portion of at least one outwardly exposed face of a battery body, whereupon the layer of material is then cured. The cured layer of material is positioned relative to the body such that the cured layer provides support to the body in a manner to secure in place a plurality of layers which make up the battery body, thereby ensuring proper electrical contact between the plurality of layers. In addition, the cured layer of material is also positioned such that the cured layer inhibits formation of short circuiting electrical paths between the anode and cathode layers of the battery, the paths being caused by formation of dendritic growths extending out from the anode layer towards the cathode layer.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 1996Date of Patent: June 23, 1998Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.Inventors: Ib I. Olsen, Russell D. Moulton, Benjamin Chaloner-Gill, James Buckley, Neal Golovin, Douglas J. Payne
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Patent number: 5728488Abstract: In a high-energy battery with a plurality of individual cells, the individual cells have the shape of flat parallelepipeds. The parallelepipeds are arranged flush to form a flat battery body. The battery body is surrounded on its two wide sides by a liquid heat exchange medium.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 1996Date of Patent: March 17, 1998Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Herbert Kranz, Peter Catchpole, Robert Hoeppler