Grid Or Holder For Active Material Patents (Class 429/233)
  • Publication number: 20040229126
    Abstract: The present invention provides batteries with low cost, excellent in high rate discharge characteristics (high power characteristics) and high reliability. For example, the present invention provides Ni/MH batteries with low cost, excellent in high rate discharge characteristics (high power characteristics) and high reliability. The batteries of the present invention are obtained by applying the conductive electrode substrate obtained by the following method to a positive electrode and/or a negative electrode and by combining these electrodes with a separator which is much thinner than conventional separators. The conductive electrode substrate which is made three dimensional is obtained by forming innumerable bridge structural portions on both sides of a nickel foil, having no burr on the apparent surface of said three dimensional substrate. The same type of substrate made of Al and Cu foil are applicable for a Li secondary battery system positive and negative electrodes, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Applicant: M&G ECO-BATTERY INSTITUTE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Isao Matsumoto, Hiroshi Kawano, Masakazu Ikeyama, Keisuke Aoki
  • Publication number: 20040219433
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for applying an electrically conductive coating on at least a portion of a sheet-like component of an electrochemical (EC) cell. The method comprises providing an electrically conductive material having a flowable consistency and applying it on the sheet-like component while creating a shearing stress in the electrically conductive material to form the coating. The invention also concerns an apparatus capable of implementing the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: Simon Besner, Richard Laliberte, Alain Vallee
  • Patent number: 6805719
    Abstract: An anode-limited battery and method of assembly are provided in which a lithium anode subassembly is constructed from two pieces of lithium foil. An elongated thicker piece of lithium foil is cohesively bonded at one end to a shorter, thinner piece of lithium foil. An optional current collector stabilizes the area of the cohesive bond. The thicker lithium foil forms the inner windings of a coiled electrode, which face reactive cathode material on both sides. The thinner foil forms the outermost winding, which faces reactive cathode material on only one side. Thus, an appropriate amount of lithium is available for cathode discharge. The method of electrode assembly allows a narrow tolerance of the lithium anode such that the benefits of an anode-limited cell may be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul B. Aamodt, Karl Hokanson, Sonja K. Somdahl
  • Patent number: 6802917
    Abstract: A process for enhancing chemical stability and corrosion resistance is described for perforated current collectors made by continuous production processes for use in electrochemical cells, including storage batteries such as lead-acid batteries. The process relies on utilizing a strip processing method, selected from the group of reciprocating expansion, rotary expansion and punching, to perforate the solid metal strip to form a grid or mesh, as a deformation treatment. The perforation-deformation treatment is followed in rapid succession by a heat-treatment to obtain a recrystallized microstructure in the current collector and optionally by quenching to rapidly reduce the temperature to below approximately 80° C. The process yields an improved microstructure consisting of a high frequency of special low &Sgr; CSL grain boundaries (>50%), exhibiting significantly improved resistance to intergranular corrosion and cracking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Integran Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Klaus Tomantschger, David L. Limoges, Peter K. Lin, Gino Palumbo
  • Patent number: 6803151
    Abstract: An electrode comprising a noble-metal free grid comprising lead, wherein the grid has an essentially PbO free PbO2 coating covering all, or essentially all of the surface of the grid. Also described is a method of forming an electrode, comprising applying an essentially PbO free PbO2 coating to a noble-metal free grid comprising lead, wherein the coating covers all, or essentially all of the surface of the grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rongrong Chen, John Lewis Ayres
  • Patent number: 6800400
    Abstract: A lithium secondary battery comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a nonaqueous electrolyte, wherein the positive electrode or the negative electrode is an electrode obtained by depositing a thin film of active material capable of lithium storage and release on a current collector, the thin film is divided into columns by gaps formed therein in a manner to extend in its thickness direction and the columnar portions are adhered at their bottoms to the current collector, and the nonaqueous electrolyte contains at least one selected from phosphate ester, phosphite ester, borate ester and carboxylic ester having a fluoroalkyl group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Taeko Ota, Ryuji Ohshita, Maruo Kamino
  • Publication number: 20040191631
    Abstract: A negative electrode for a rechargeable lithium battery which is obtained by sintering under a non-oxidizing atmosphere, in the form of a layer on a surface of a metal foil current collector, an anode mix containing a binder and particles of active material containing silicon and/or a silicon alloy; the negative electrode being characterized in that the metal foil current corrector has projections and recesses on its surface, the projection is shaped to have a recurved side face portion that curves more outwardly as it extends closer to a distal end of the projection, and the binder penetrates into spaces defined by the recurved side face portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventors: Atsushi Fukui, Mariko Torimae, Yasuyuki Kusumoto, Hisaki Tarui
  • Patent number: 6794087
    Abstract: A lithium battery including a lithium negative electrode, a positive electrode, a separator and an electrolyte. The lithium negative electrode is prepared by melting lithium metal under an inert gas atmosphere to prepare a liquid lithium metal and coating the liquid lithium metal on a current collector. The positive electrode includes a positive active material, an electrically conductive material, and a binder. The separator is placed between the positive and the negative electrodes, and the electrolyte is immersed in the positive and negative electrodes and separator, and includes a lithium salt and organic solvents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yun-Suk Choi
  • Patent number: 6783888
    Abstract: The minimization or elimination of swelling in lithium cells containing CFx as part of the cathode electrode and discharged under high rate applications is described. When CFx materials are synthesized from fibrous carbonaceous materials, in comparison to petroleum coke, cell swelling is greatly reduced, and in some cases eliminated. Preferred precursors are carbon fibers and MCMB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong Gan, Sally Ann Smesko, Esther S. Takeuchi, Steven M. Davis
  • Patent number: 6780543
    Abstract: A first lithium secondary battery of the present invention is formed by placing at least a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte in a battery case in which a positive electrode connecting member to which the positive electrode is connected and a negative electrode connecting member to which the negative electrode is connected are electrically separated, wherein said positive electrode connecting member is composed of clad material comprising one of aluminum or aluminum alloy and one of austenitic stainless steel or ferrite stainless steel, and the aluminum or aluminum alloy in the clad material is in the positive electrode side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Yoshimura, Hiroshi Nakajima, Maruo Kamino
  • Publication number: 20040161669
    Abstract: An electrode assembly and construction method therefor for use in small high performance batteries suitable for implantable medical device applications. The electrode assembly comprises a stack of precisely aligned planar elements including alternately arranged positive and negative planar electrodes having a planar separator interposed between adjacent electrodes. Each electrode is preferably formed of a thin metal substrate carrying active material on front and rear faces. The peripheral edge of each electrode defines an active area and a tab extending therefrom. The front and rear faces of the active area each carries a layer of active material. The faces of the tab area are preferably bare. The positive electrode tabs are located at a first position along the peripheral edge whereas the negative tabs are located at a second position spaced from said first position. Each tab carries a clip to form a reinforcing strip adjacent each tab face. Alignment holes are formed in the clips and tabs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventors: Vladimir Zolotnik, Alex Z. Pal, Jose A. Ulloa, Vladimir Gusev, Joseph Wong
  • Patent number: 6777134
    Abstract: A negative electrode for a rechargeable battery including: a current collector, a first layer containing a conductive material to occlude and release lithium ion, the first layer formed on the current collector, a second layer containing a metal selected from lithium and lithium alloy, the second layer formed on the first layer, and a third layer containing a lithium ion conductive material, the third layer formed on the second layer. The third layer prevents the lithium and/or the lithium alloy in the second layer from being in contact with the electrolyte and smoothly feeds the lithium to the second layer to improve the efficiency of the negative electrode. The first layer can occlude and release the part of the lithium to be occluded and released, thereby reducing the volume change of the second layer. Such a structure of the negative electrode enables us to enhance cycling efficiency, and to attain long cycle life and good safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Mori, Hironori Yamamoto, Koji Utsugi, Jiro Iriyama, Tamaki Miura, Mariko Miyachi
  • Publication number: 20040157128
    Abstract: A metal foil for a current collector of a secondary battery formed by electrodeposition and has a thickness (T) of 8 to 40 &mgr;m, the metal foil satisfying the following formulae:
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Hirohisa Seto, Tadayuki Tamaki, Toshiaki Shiota, Ryoichi Noumi, Kunihiro Fukui, Masanari Kimoto
  • Publication number: 20040157121
    Abstract: For avoiding problems in existent non-aqueous electrolyte cells or electric double layer capacitors of a rectangular pyramidal shape that sealing at high reliability can not be attained unless a bonded portion has a margin of a certain degree in view of electrolytes contained therein, a metal layer comprising a metal ring and a brazing material having a heat expansion coefficient approximate to that of a concave vessel of a non-aqueous electrolyte cell or an electric doceble layer capacitor is disposed to the edge of the vessel, a sealing plate made of a metal having a property similar with the metal ring and having a brazing material layer at the bonded surface is also used for the sealing plate and, further, paired electrodes comprising a positive electrode and a negative electrode, a separator and an electrolyte are contained in the concave vessel, the sealing plate is placed on the vessel and seam welding is conducted by using a resistance welding method thereby capable of attaining sealing at high reliab
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Shunji Watanabe, Yoshibumi Nakamura, Hideharu Onodera, Tsugio Sakai
  • Publication number: 20040151987
    Abstract: The invention provides a battery which can improve cycle characteristics by forming a more stable and stronger film on the surface of an anode active material layer. A cathode and an anode are layered with a separator in between. The anode has an anode collector and the anode active material layer. The anode active material layer contains Si, Sn, or an alloy thereof, and formed by vapor-phase method, liquid phase method, or sinter method. It is preferable that the anode active material layer is alloyed with the anode collector on at least a part of interface between the anode active material layer and the anode collector. The separator is impregnated with an electrolyte solution. The electrolyte solution contains cyclic carbonic ester having saturated bonds such as vinylene carbonate and vinylethylene carbonate as a solvent. Consequently, a strong and stable film is formed on the surface of the anode active material layer, and decomposition of the electrolyte solution in the anode is inhibited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Kenichi Kawase, Tomoo Takada, Yukio Miyaki
  • Publication number: 20040151982
    Abstract: A precursor chemical compound is applied to a surface sought to be coated, and subjected to a rapid thermally activated chemical reaction process (RTACRP) in which the temperature is quickly raised and lowered. The desired coating is formed from the precursor chemical compound by a chemical reaction at the elevated temperature. The structural/chemical integrity of the surface is preserved due to the use of RTACRP. The approach may be used to manufacture a high-energy density lead-acid battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: Indian Institute of Science
    Inventors: Srinivasarao Shivashankar, Ashok Kumar Shukla, Anil Uttam Mane, Bellie Hariprakash, Shaik Abdul Gaffoor
  • Patent number: 6770399
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a composite material for anode of lithium secondary battery, comprising: a porous particle nucleus formed by bonding of at least silicon-containing particles and carbon-containing particles, and a carbon-made covering layer formed thereon; and a process for producing such a composite material. The composite material has an average particle diameter of preferably 0.1 to 50 &mgr;m and a specific surface area of preferably 5 m2/g or less. In the composite material, the silicon content in the porous particle nucleus is 10 to 90% by mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuo Umeno, Kenji Fukuda, Tadanori Tsunawaki, Youichiro Hara
  • Patent number: 6767670
    Abstract: An alkali metal/solid cathode electrochemical cell, such as of a Li/SVO couple, having the cathode material supported on a titanium current collector screen coated with a carbonaceous material is described. The thusly-coated titanium current collector provides the cell with higher rate capability in comparison to cells of a similar chemistry having the cathode active material contacted to an uncoated titanium current collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William M. Paulot, Mark J. Roy, Gary L. Freitag, Dominick J. Frustaci, Hong Gan, Esther S. Takeuchi
  • Publication number: 20040142240
    Abstract: A positive electrode active material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, comprising a lithium-containing composite oxide, wherein the composite oxide is represented by the general formula: LizCo1-x-yMgxMyO2, the element M included in the general formula is at least one selected from the group consisting of Al, Ti, Sr, Mn, Ni and Ca, the values x, y and z included in the general formula satisfy: (i) 0≦z≦1.03; (ii) 0.005≦x≦0.1; and (iii) 0.001≦y≦0.03, the composite oxide has a crystal structure attributed to a hexagonal system in an overcharged state having a potential over 4.25 V relative to metallic Li, and a maximum value of an oxygen generation peak in a gas chromatograph mass spectrometry measurement of the composite oxide in the overcharged state is in the range of 330 to 370° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Nagayama, Hiroshi Yoshizawa
  • Publication number: 20040131942
    Abstract: An alkaline cell having a flat housing, preferably of cuboid shape. The cell can have an anode comprising zinc and a cathode comprising MnO2. The housing can have a relatively small overall thickness, typically between about 5 and 10 mm. Cell contents can be supplied through an open end in the housing and an end cap assembly inserted therein to seal the cell. The end cap assembly includes an insulating sealing member having a circumferential skirt which surrounds wide portions of the anode current collector. This provides a barrier between said wide portions of the current collector and the cell housing. The end cap assembly includes a vent mechanism which can activate, when gas pressure within the cell reaches a level typically between about 100 and 300 psig (6.89×105 and 20.69×105 pascal gage). The cathode can be formed of a plurality of stacked slabs having aligned hollow centers forming a central core with anode material placed therein. A separator is between anode and cathode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: David Anglin, Mark Ashbolt, Anthony Malgioglio, Alexander Shelekhin, Steven J. Specht, Matthew Sylvestre, Philip Trainer, Robert A. Yoppolo
  • Publication number: 20040126654
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell laminate is disclosed which comprises an electrolyte separator, a cathode film and a cathode current collector, a metallic anode film, and an insulating support film onto which the cathode film and the cathode current collector are coated onto a first surface thereof and the metallic anode film is positioned onto a second surface thereof. The cathode film and the anode film being electrically and ionically isolated from each other by the insulating support film. The electrochemical cell laminate according to the invention may be stacked wound or rolled to form an electrochemical battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Anthony Sudano, Richard Laliberte
  • Patent number: 6756156
    Abstract: In a rectangular alkaline storage battery, the sides of negative cores of negative electrode plates 10, which are disposed at the outermost positions of the group of electrode plates and oppose an outer casing can 40, are exposed. The pore ratios (ratio of total area taken up by pores to area of electrode plate) of the exposed cores must be made lower than those of the other unexposed cores. The pore ratio of the exposed negative core is specified as falling within a range of 10% to 40%. As a result, the negative electrode plates 10 are improved in binding strength, thereby inhibiting exfoliation of an active material. Further, there can be obtained a large rectangular alkaline storage battery which has superior permeability for a gas which would arise in the battery, an improved capacity ratio, and greater volumetric energy density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Ikeda, Masao Takee, Teruhiko Imoto, Masao Inoue, Tetsuyuki Murata, Atsutoshi Ako
  • Patent number: 6755873
    Abstract: A gel electrolyte battery in which adhesion between a layer of an active material of an electrode and a gel electrolyte is raised to provide for sufficient mobility of lithium ions, and a method for the preparation of the gel electrolyte battery. The gel electrolyte battery is comprised of a battery device accommodated in an exterior material of a laminated film and sealed in it on heat fusion. The method for the preparation of the gel electrolyte battery includes a battery device preparation step of layering a positive electrode and a negative electrode via a gel electrolyte to form the battery device, an accommodating step of accommodating the battery device from the battery device preparation step in the laminated film, and a heating step of heating the battery device, accommodated in the laminated film in the accommodating step, under a pressured state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Mizutani, Takashi Ono, Masayuki Shida
  • Patent number: 6746801
    Abstract: An electrode for a lithium secondary battery in which an alloy thin film containing Sn (tin) and In (indium) is formed on the surface of a current collector having a surface roughness Ra of 0.1 &mgr;m or more, and a lithium secondary battery using thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Tamura, Daizo Jito, Ryuji Ohshita, Masahisa Fujimoto, Maruo Kamino, Shin Fujitani
  • Patent number: 6743547
    Abstract: An electrode having the configuration: first active material/current collector/second active material is described. One of the electrode active materials in a cohesive form of active particles being firmly held together as part of the same mass is incapable of moving through the current collector to the other side thereof. However, in an un-cohesive form of active particles not being firmly held together as part of a mass, the one electrode active material is capable of communication through the current collector. The other or second active material is in a form in-capable of communication through the current collector, whether it is in a cohesive or un-cohesive powder form. Then, the assembly of first active material/current collector/second active material is pressed from either the direction of the first electrode active material to the second electrode active material, or visa versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong Gan, Sally Ann Smesko, Esther S. Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 6740441
    Abstract: Provided are low-cost, mechanically strong, highly electronically conductive current collects and associated structures for solid-state electrochemical devices, techniques for forming these structures, and devices incorporating the structures. The invention provides solid state electrochemical devices having as current interconnects a ferritic steel felt or screen coated with a protective oxide film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Craig P. Jacobson, Steven J. Visco, Lutgard C. DeJonghe
  • Patent number: 6740451
    Abstract: An alkaline battery includes a cathode including a gold salt, an anode including zinc, a separator between the cathode and the anode, and an alkaline electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Paul A. Christian, Stuart M. Davis, Tatjana Mezini
  • Publication number: 20040096733
    Abstract: In a battery newly developed by inventors of the invention in which the capacity of the anode is represented by the sum of a capacity component by insertion and extraction of light metal and a capacity component by precipitation and dissolution of the light metal, a further improvement in a volume energy density or a weight energy density can be achieved. Moreover, a short circuit, damage or the like in the battery due to the external application of pressure or the like can be prevented from being extended in the vicinity of an outermost circumference or an innermost circumference of a spirally wound electrode body in the battery. An outermost circumferential surface of a spirally wound electrode body (20) is covered with a cathode current collector (21a).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Gorou Shibamoto, Shigeru Fujita, Momoe Adachi, Hiroyuki Akashi
  • Patent number: 6737196
    Abstract: A lithium (Li) polymer battery is provided. The Li polymer battery includes: a positive plate including a positive collector having a plurality of openings and a positive active material layer on at least one surface of the positive collector; a negative plate including a negative collector in a foil form, and a negative active material layer on at least on surface of the negative collector; and a separator between the positive and negative plates, for insulating the positive and negative plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Samsung Display Devices Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Youn-han Chang, Jung-ho Kim
  • Patent number: 6737193
    Abstract: Compounds containing at least one tetraketopiperazine-1,4-diyl unit are disclosed as active materials in the positive electrodes of batteries. Novel methods for preparing the tetraketopiperazine unit-containing compounds include: (i) reacting an oxalyl halide and an oxamide, and adding water or an aqueous alkali solution to the reaction mixture, (ii) reacting an oxalyl halide and a silylamine, (iii) reacting an oximidyl halide and an amine, (iv) reacting an oxalyl halide and a silylamine, and reacting with an amine, (v) reacting an oxalyl halide and a dioxamide, (vi) reacting an oximidyl halide and a diamine, and (vii) reacting an oxalyl halide and a silylamine, and reacting with a diamine. A novel method for preparing an oximidyl halide is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: IM&T Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Teruo Umemoto
  • Patent number: 6733926
    Abstract: An electrode component for an electrochemical cell or a capacitor is described wherein the electrode is produced by physical vapor depositing an electrode active material onto a substrate to coat the substrate. The thusly produced electrode is useful as a cathode in a primary electrochemical cell and as a cathode and an anode in a secondary cell, and as an electrode in an electrochemical capacitor and an electrolytic capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Barry C. Muffoletto, Ashish Shah, Neal N. Nesselbeck
  • Publication number: 20040081889
    Abstract: A negative electrode for a lithium secondary battery includes a substrate having a mean roughness of 30 to 4000 Å and a lithium layer coated on the substrate, and a lithium secondary battery includes the negative electrode. The obtained lithium secondary battery has improved cycle-life characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: SAMSUNG SDI CO,, LTD
    Inventors: Jea-Woan Lee, Chung-Kun Cho
  • Publication number: 20040072078
    Abstract: A stacked battery comprises a sheet electrode including a collector, and an electrolyte layer placed between the electrodes. In the stacked battery, an electrode stacked body is formed by stacking the electrode and the electrolyte layer, and the electrodes are placed on outermost layers of the electrode stacked body in such a manner so that the collectors are exposed to the outside of the stacked battery in the stacking direction of the electrode stacked body and function as terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tatsuhiro Fukuzawa, Kouichi Nemoto
  • Patent number: 6716556
    Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte rechargeable battery including a positive electrode comprising a molybdenum metal oxide deposited, in the form of a thin film, on an aluminum-containing substrate and represented by the formula Mo1−xMxO2+y (where M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co, Mn, Fe, Cu, Al, Mg, W, Sc, Ti, Zn, Ga, Ge, Nb, Rh, Pd and Sn, x satisfies the relationship 0.005≦x≦0.5, and y satisfies the relationship 0.6≦y≦1.2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuya Sunagawa, Yoichi Domoto, Ryuji Ohshita, Hisaki Tarui, Shin Fujitani, Ikuo Yonezu
  • Publication number: 20040058238
    Abstract: A cell including a cathode having a second cathode active material of a relatively high energy density but of a relatively low rate capability sandwiched between two current collectors and with a first cathode active material having a relatively low energy density but of a relatively high rate capability in contact with the opposite sides of the current collectors, is described. In this type of cell construction, it is important that the weight ratio of the first and second cathode active materials is within a strict tolerance. Further, it is important to be able to track and record this information, as well as other data, for each cell built in a production facility. Marking the current collectors and the cell casing with identifying I.D. matrixes that are read and recorded during cell manufacture does this.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventor: Robert Miller
  • Publication number: 20040053125
    Abstract: The subject of the invention is an electrochemical device, especially an electrically controllable system with variable energy and/or optical properties or a photovoltaic device, comprising at least one substrate (1) carrying an electroactive stack of layers (3) arranged between an electrode called a “lower” electrode and an electrode called an “upper” electrode. Each electrode comprises at least one electroconductive layer (2) in electrical contact with at least one current lead. These current leads are arranged outside the region of the carrier substrate (1) which is covered by the stack of electroactive layers (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe Giron, Fabien Beteille, Xavier Fanton, Laurent Claude, Samuel Dubrenat
  • Patent number: 6707660
    Abstract: A flat capacitor and a method of making the flat capacitor, the capacitor having a one-piece metal foil case. The capacitor includes a metal foil case with a flange, the case being made of a blank that is folded onto itself so the peripheral flanges are brought into mutual contact and welded. A lead extends from an anode within the capacitor through a hole in the capacitor case in the fold. An elastomeric body inserted in the hole and surrounding the lead provides electrical insulation and a seal is produced when the metal foil blank is folded to close the case of the capacitor. Preferably, the anode is a wet slug anode, such as sintered tantalum having an oxide coating, and the inside surface of the metal foil case is preferably coated with a porous metal oxide, such as ruthenium oxide, providing a capacitor with high energy storage density and breakdown voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Inventors: David A. Evans, Ross Blakeney
  • Patent number: 6706442
    Abstract: An alkaline storage battery comprising an improved separator and having a high energy density and an excellent cycle life characteristic is disclosed. The alkaline storage battery in accordance with the present invention comprises a positive electrode including a nickel hydroxide material as an active material, a negative electrode, a separator and an electrolyte, wherein the nickel hydroxide material of the positive electrode contains at least Mn or is disposed with a coating of a cobalt oxide material on its surface and wherein the separator carries particles of a hydrophilic and insulating metal oxide directly attached to its surface. The metal oxide particle is preferably at least one selected from the group consisting of titanium oxide, aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide, potassium titanate, tungsten oxide, and zinc oxide. The most preferable one is anatase type TiO2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Sakamoto, Hidekatsu Izumi, Yoichi Izumi, Yoshio Moriwaki
  • Patent number: 6706449
    Abstract: Provided are anodes for use in electrochemical cells, wherein the anode comprises an anode active layer comprising lithium and a polymer anode substrate comprising a polymer film layer and a protective crosslinked polymer layer, in which the protective crosslinked polymer layer is in contact with the anode active layer on the side opposite to the surface in contact with the polymer film layer. The present invention also pertains to methods for forming such anodes and electrochemical cells comprising such anodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Moltech Corporation
    Inventors: Yuriy V. Mikhaylik, Christopher J. Sheehan, Terje A. Skotheim
  • Patent number: 6699615
    Abstract: An electrical battery has a vessel accommodating an electrolyte, a positive electrode and a negative electrode arranged in the vessel at a distance from one another in contact with the electrolyte, and a partition arranged in the vessel between the electrodes so that positive ions formed by an electrolytic process from a material of the positive electrode in the electrolyte move toward one side of the partition, and negative ions formed by an electrolytic process from a material of the electrolyte move to an opposite side of the partition during charging of the battery, so that the positive ions and the negative ions at both sides of the partition are attracted to one another and accumulate at both sides of the partition in great quantities so as to provide a significant charge in the battery, one of the electrodes being movable toward the partition to be located in a zone of accumulation of the ions of corresponding charge so as to obtain the charge with high voltage, so that a discharge of the battery is pe
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Inventor: Timofei Gutkin
  • Patent number: 6699620
    Abstract: A lead alloy coating for a positive grid of a lead acid battery is provided. The lead alloy coating includes a tin content of at least about 0.1%, but not more than about 3%; and a residual lead content. The lead alloy coating optionally includes a calcium content of at least about 0.01%, but not more than about 0.1%, with or without a silver content of at least about 0.01%, but not more than about 0.1%. Alternatively, the lead alloy coating optionally includes a barium content of at least about 0.01%, but not more than about 0.1%, with or without a silver content of at least about 0.01%, but not more than about 0.1%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Lu Zhang, John Lewis Ayres
  • Publication number: 20040038129
    Abstract: A method of making a lead alloy grid for use in a plate for a lead acid battery that enables thin battery plates with a high surface area. The method of the present invention includes forming the lead alloy, such as by direct casting, to a very small thickness, then work hardening the cast strip to create a grid by forming indentations and protrusions in the thinly cast alloy strip, which in addition to strengthening the strip, provides a desirable surface topography for paste adhesion and interface characteristics. The work hardening, for example embossing, may further include splitting the strip at a high point of the protrusions and indentations to create perforated protrusions and indentations. The grid may then be used to make a plate by pasting an active mass onto the grid, steaming the pasted grid, and curing the pasted grid to provide a plate having a thickness of about 0.05 inch or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventor: Gamdur Singh Mann
  • Publication number: 20040029013
    Abstract: Cable for high voltage direct current transmission having at least one conductor and at least one extruded insulating layer consisting of a polymeric composition of a polyethylene and at least one unsaturated fatty acid. Insulating composition having a polyethylene and at least one unsaturated fatty acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Gabriele Perego, Enrico Albizzati
  • Publication number: 20040018430
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to electrodes for use in electrochemical devices, and more particularly, to coated electrode particles for use in solid electrochemical cells, and to materials and systems for improving electronic conductivity and repulsive force characteristics of an electrode network. The present invention also relates to an article comprising a plurality of electroactive particles that form an electrode network wherein the electroactive particles are coated with a system of electrically conductive and low refractive index materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: A123 Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard K. Holman, Yet-Ming Chiang, Antoni S. Gozdz, Andrew Loxley, Benjamin Nunes, Michele Ostraat, Gilbert N. Riley, Michael S. Viola
  • Patent number: 6682852
    Abstract: Concave portions and convex portions are formed on a peripheral surface of a thin metal sheet by applying a pressing force thereto while the metal sheet is being embossed; pores are each formed on an apex of each of the concave portions and convex portions and burrs each projecting outward from a peripheral edge of each of the pores are generated by the pressing force; the metal sheets having the concave portions and convex portions formed thereon are layered on each other; the burr at the apex of each convex portion of a lower-layer metal sheet is interlocked with the burr at the apex of each concave portion of an upper-layer metal sheet adjacent to the lower-layer metal sheet to integrate the metal sheets with each other; and an active substance is charged into spaces between the upper-layer metal sheet and the lower-layer metal sheet through an aperture at the apex of each of the concave portions and convex portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Katayama Special Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirofumi Sugikawa
  • Patent number: 6682848
    Abstract: A porous metal material 10 was filled with an active material slurry, dried, and then rolled to a predetermined thickness. This rolling causes pores 11 formed by a network skeleton to be stretched in the rolling direction (direction represented by the arrow in FIG. 1(a)) to form pores 12 having a shape similar to ellipsoid or deformed ellipsoid having a long axis. Subsequently, the porous metal material was cut in such an arrangement that the longitudinal direction of the pores 12 having a shape similar to ellipsoid or deformed ellipsoid coincides with the crosswise direction of the electrode plate, and then subjected to roller treatment through a series of rollers in the longitudinal direction of the electrode plate. This roller treatment causes numerous cracks 14 to be formed at a very small pitch in the direction parallel to the rolling direction as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1(c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Yano, Masao Takee, Akifumi Yamawaki
  • Patent number: 6680146
    Abstract: An electrode plate unit capable of suppressing the internal short circuit caused by flashing that is formed on the end portion of a positive electrode plate and a battery using the same. The electrode plate unit includes a group of electrode plates in which a plurality of positive electrode plates and a plurality of negative electrode plates are laminated alternately via separators, a positive electrode collector plate connected to one side face of the group of electrode plates for connection to the positive electrode plate, and a negative electrode collector plate connected to another side face of the group of electrode plates for connection to the negative electrode plate, wherein the edge portion of the positive electrode plate is protruded from the edge portion of the negative electrode plate on the entire side face excluding the side face to which the negative electrode collector plate of the group of electrode plates is connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinsuke Fukuda, Naoto Arai, Noriyuki Fujioka, Shinji Hamada
  • Publication number: 20040009402
    Abstract: The invention provides a battery achieving excellent battery characteristics by using, as an anode active material, any of metal elements and metalloid elements each of which can form an alloy with a lithium, alloys of these elements, and compounds of these elements. Mesh projections as a frame structure are formed on the surface on the side facing an anode active material layer, of an anode collector. By the mesh projections, expansion and contraction in the plane direction of the anode active material layer is suppressed. Thus, pulverization, peeling, and the like of the anode active material layer caused by expansion and contraction thereof are prevented and the cycle characteristics are improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Momoe Adachi, Yukio Miyaki, Hiroshi Imoto
  • Patent number: 6673493
    Abstract: A new sandwich cathode design is provided comprising a cathode active material mixed with a binder and a conductive diluent in at least two differing formulations. The formulations are then individually pressed on opposite sides of a current collector, so that both are in direct contact with the current collector. Preferably, the active formulation on the side of the current collector facing the anode is of a lesser percentage of the active material than that on the opposite side of the current collector. Such an exemplary cathode design might look like: SVO (100-x % active)/current collector/SVO (100-y % active)/current collector/SVO (100-x % active), wherein x is greater than y.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Wilson Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong Gan, Esther S. Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 6673494
    Abstract: An anode comprises one or more sheets of expanded zinc mesh. The thickness and mesh size of the expanded zinc mesh may vary. A single sheet of zinc mesh may be coiled, forming continuous electrical contact with itself. Alternatively, a single sheet of zinc mesh may be folded into layers, each layer in electrical contact with its adjacent layers. A third alternative is the use of two or more sheets of zinc mesh, layered on top of each other so that each layer is in electrical contact with adjacent layers. These zinc mesh anodes are combined with a casing, a cathode, an electrolyte solution, and a separator between the cathode and anode to manufacture electrochemical cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Alltrista Zinc Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Jack T. West, Jim Dyer, Albert H. Giles, Jon Headrick, Johnny Smelcer, Randy Beets