And Inorganic Material Patents (Class 429/251)
  • Patent number: 7682740
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrode comprising a first organic/inorganic composite porous coating layer formed on its surface, wherein the first coating layer includes inorganic particles and a binder polymer for interconnecting and fixing the inorganic particles, and has micropores formed by interstitial volumes among the inorganic particles. An electrochemical device including the same electrode is also disclosed. Further, disclosed is a method for manufacturing an electrode having an organic/inorganic composite porous coating layer on the surface thereof, comprising the steps of: (a) coating a current collector with slurry containing an electrode active material and drying it to provide an electrode; and (b) coating the surface of electrode obtained from step (a) with a mixture of inorganic particles with a binder polymer. A lithium secondary battery including the electrode shows improved safety and minimized degradation in battery performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun Hang Yong, Sang Young Lee, Seok Koo Kim, Soon Ho Ahn
  • Patent number: 7670724
    Abstract: A metal-air battery includes a housing having an aperture for the passage of air and a pair of electrodes that extend from the housing. An air cathode may be interconnected with one of the electrodes and an anode may include a metal foil that is interconnected with another of the electrodes. A separator may be interposed between the air cathode and the metal foil and a barrier layer may surround the metal foil. The barrier layer may function to substantially reduce the passage of moisture to the metal foil. A method of making a metal-air battery is also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Yuk Chan, Terrill B. Atwater
  • Patent number: 7662518
    Abstract: A microporous polyolefin battery separator membrane is extremely high in porosity, high in puncture strength, very low in shrinkage and with shutdown temperature of 130-140 degrees C. and melt integrity greater than 165 degrees C. It consists of 20-30% by weight of a UHMW polyethylene having Mw of 1×106 or higher, 60-70% by weight of a HDPE having average Mw of between 200,000-500,000 and 5-15% by weight of TiO2 with an average particle size of less than 0.2 microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Inventors: Abbas Samii, Garrin Samii, David Veno
  • Patent number: 7659036
    Abstract: A lithium rechargeable battery includes a separator that shows excellent safety characteristics such as short circuit resistance and heat resistance. The lithium rechargeable battery includes a cathode, an anode, a separator that separates the cathode and the anode from each other, and a non-aqueous electrolyte, wherein the separator includes a porous membrane formed of a ceramic material and a binder, and wherein the binder includes at least one crystalline resin having a crystal melting temperature of 250° C. or higher or at least one non-crystalline resin having an initial decomposition temperature of 250° C. or higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jinhee Kim, Wonchull Han, Jaevun Min
  • Patent number: 7655360
    Abstract: An electrical separator for a lithium battery is composed of a porous carrier coated with a porous inorganic nonelectroconductive material and a porous shutdown layer on the porous inorganic nonelectroconductive coating. The shutdown layer melts at a selected temperature defined by layer composition. Upon melting, the pores of the inorganic layer are closed. Such an electrical separator provides a lithium battery of improved safety. A method to produce the electrical separator is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Degussa AG
    Inventors: Volker Hennige, Christian Hying, Gerhard Hoerpel
  • Publication number: 20100015530
    Abstract: A separator for an electrochemical device of the present invention includes a porous film including: a filler; an organic binder; and at least one resin selected from resin A that has a melting point of 80 to 140° C. and resin B that absorbs a non-aqueous electrolyte and swells upon heating and whose swelling degree increases with increasing temperature, and the filler contains boehmite having a secondary particle structure in which primary particles are connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventors: Hideaki Katayama, Yoshinori Sato, Toshihiro Abe, Nobuaki Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7638241
    Abstract: Disclosed is an organic/inorganic composite separator including: a porous substrate having pores; and a porous active layer containing a mixture of inorganic particles and a binder polymer with which at least one surface of the porous substrate is coated. The organic/inorganic composite separator of the present invention may be useful to enhance peeling and scratch resistances and improve a lamination characteristic by introducing a porous active layer onto a porous substrate having pores, the porous active layer having heterogeneity of morphology toward a thickness direction in which a content ratio of the binder polymer/inorganic particles present in a surface layer is higher than that of the binder polymer/inorganic particles present inside the surface layer. Accordingly, the stability and performances of a battery can be improved together since the detachment of inorganic particles from the porous active layer may be reduced during the assembly process of the electrochemical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Young Lee, Dae-Jong Seo, Joon-Yong Sohn, Seok-Koo Kim, Jang-Hyuk Hong, Young-Soo Kim, Hyun-Min Jang
  • Publication number: 20090274954
    Abstract: There is provided a porous film, comprising a polymer having a thermal decomposition initiation temperature of 200° C. or more and a raw material monomer thereof, wherein a ratio of the raw material monomer is 0.05% by weight or more and 5% by weight or less based on the total weight of the polymer and the raw material monomer; and a laminated porous film, wherein the porous film and a porous film containing a thermoplastic resin are laminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Sato, Yasuo Shinohara, Yutaka Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20090246640
    Abstract: An electrode assembly includes a positive electrode including a positive electrode active material; a negative electrode including a negative electrode active material; and a separator separating the positive electrode and the negative electrode from each other, and the separator including a porous layer formed by a combination of a barium titanate (BaTiO3) and a binder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyo-Rim BAK
  • Publication number: 20090246639
    Abstract: An electrode assembly for a secondary battery comprising an adiabatic plate attached to the negative electrode plate is disclosed. The electrode assembly comprises a positive electrode plate having a positive electrode collector, a positive electrode coating, and a non-coated area on the positive electrode collector. The negative electrode plate has a negative electrode collector, a negative electrode coating, and a non-coated area on the negative electrode collector. A separator insulates the positive and negative electrode plates. Positive and negative electrode tabs are attached to the non-coated areas of the positive and negative electrode collectors. The negative electrode plate has an adiabatic plate attached to the surface of a non-coated area of the negative electrode collector that is opposite the surface to which the negative electrode tab is attached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventor: Cheon Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 7588824
    Abstract: The components of and a proton conducting membrane (PCM) produced from a host polymer and an attached or physically blended in hydrogen cyano fullerene proton-source agent, with the physical blending of the host polymer and hydrogen cyano fullerene further promoted by a poly(ethylene oxide) attached fullerene mixing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Fred Wudl, Galen D. Stucky, Hengbin Wang, Bruno Jousselme, Ken Tasaki, Arunkumar Venkatesan
  • Patent number: 7575832
    Abstract: Separators for lithium batteries based on a sheetlike flexible substrate provided with a plurality of openings and having a porous inorganic electrically insulating coating on and in the substrate, the coating closing the openings in the substrate, the material of the substrate being selected from woven or non-woven electrically nonconductive polymeric fibers and the inorganic electrically conductive coating comprising metal oxide particles, the separators being electrical insulators and having lithium ion conducting properties without the presence of an electrolyte, the separators comprising at least one lithium ion conducting inorganic material which may also contain organic groups chemically bonded to the inorganic coating, which separators, after filling them with an additional lithium ion conducting electrolyte, have much higher ion conduction than conventional combinations of non-lithium ion conducting separators and electrolyte; a process for producing the separators; and batteries, such as high power
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Degussa AG
    Inventors: Volker Hennige, Christian Hying, Gerhard Hoerpel
  • Patent number: 7560193
    Abstract: In a secondary battery including a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a porous film bonded to the surface of at least one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode, the porous film includes ceramic particles and a binder, and the ceramic particles include polycrystalline particles obtained by mechanically crushing a fired material comprising a ceramic that is directly synthesized from a ceramic precursor. The porous film has a porosity of 40 to 80%, for example. The porous film can be formed by a method including the steps of: obtaining a fired material comprising a ceramic from a ceramic precursor; obtaining ceramic particles by mechanically crushing the fired material of the ceramic; obtaining a slurry including the ceramic particles and a binder; and applying the slurry onto the surface of an electrode, followed by drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeo Ikuta, Yusuke Fukumoto
  • Patent number: 7553587
    Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery has an insulating porous membrane, on at least one of a positive electrode, negative electrode, and separator thereof. The membrane contains an inorganic filler, and an active agent for dispersing the inorganic filler uniformly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Kozo Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20090111025
    Abstract: Disclosed is an organic/inorganic composite porous separator comprising: (a) a polyolefin-based separator substrate; and (b) an active layer formed by coating at least one region selected from the group consisting of a surface of the substrate and a part of pores present in the substrate with a mixture of inorganic particles and a binder polymer, wherein the inorganic particles in the active layer are interconnected among themselves and are fixed by the binder polymer, and interstitial volumes among the inorganic particles form a pore structure. A method for manufacturing the same separator and an electrochemical device including the same separator are also disclosed. An electrochemical device comprising the organic/inorganic composite porous separator shows improved thermal and electrochemical safety and quality, simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Sang Young LEE, Seok Koo KIM, Jung Don SUK, Hyun Hang YONG, Jang Hyuk HONG, Soon Ho AHN
  • Publication number: 20080274410
    Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery is provided that remarkably improves battery reliability by quickly lowering the potential of the positive electrode while preventing separator shrinkage at high temperatures. A separator has on its surface a shrinkage-prevention-layer formed portion (3a), in which a layer for preventing separator shrinkage is formed, and a shrinkage-prevention-layer unformed portion (3b), in which the layer for preventing separator shrinkage is not formed. A positive electrode current collector and a negative electrode current collector respectively have a positive electrode current collector exposed portion (1b) and a negative electrode current collector exposed portion (2b). The shrinkage-prevention-layer unformed portion (3b) of the separator is disposed at a region where the current collector exposed portions (1b, 2b) face each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: Yasunori Baba, Naoki Imachi, Takeshi Ogasawara
  • Patent number: 7435507
    Abstract: A lithium ion secondary battery has an electrode group including: a winding core; and a positive electrode and a negative electrode that are wound around the winding core. This electrode group does not have an independent separator between the positive and negative electrodes. A porous film is integrally formed on both sides of at least one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The negative electrode and the positive electrode are connected to the winding core by a negative electrode resin film and a positive electrode resin film, respectively. The use of such resin films makes it possible to reduce the breakage of the porous films and prevent a short-circuit between the positive and negative electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsumoru Ohata, Shigeo Ikuta, Akiko Fujino, Tetsuya Hayashi, Kohei Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7422825
    Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery including: a positive electrode; a negative electrode; a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode; a non-aqueous electrolyte; and a porous insulating film adhered to a surface of at least one selected from the group consisting of the positive electrode and the negative electrode, the porous insulating film including an inorganic oxide filler and a film binder, wherein the ratio R of actual volume to apparent volume of the separator is not less than 0.4 and not greater than 0.7, and wherein the ratio R and a porosity P of the porous insulating film satisfy the relational formula: ?0.10?R?P?0.30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kaoru Inoue, Kiyomi Kato, Kohei Suzuki, Shigeo Ikuta, Yusuke Fukumoto, Tetsuya Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7419720
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a plastics molding composition based on polyarylene sulfide and/or on liquid-crystalline plastic, where the molding composition comprises carbon black and graphite and/or metal powder, the carbon black has a specific surface area of from 500 to 1500 m2/g, and a dibutyl phthalate value of from 100 to 700 ml/100 g, and the graphite has a specific surface area of from 1 to 35 m2/g. The molding compositions of the invention have good conductivities, and better flowabilities and mechanical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: TICONA GmbH
    Inventors: Achim Hofmann, Hans-Gerhard Fritz, Ralf Kaiser
  • Patent number: 7399556
    Abstract: Provided are a composite polymer electrolyte for a lithium secondary battery in which a composite polymer matrix multi-layer structure composed of a plurality of polymer matrices with different pore sizes is impregnated with an electrolyte solution, and a method of manufacturing the same. Among the polymer matrices, a microporous polymer matrix with a smaller pore size contains a lithium cationic single-ion conducting inorganic filler, thereby enhancing ionic conductivity, the distribution uniformity of the impregnated electrolyte solution, and maintenance characteristics. The microporous polymer matrix containing the lithium cationic single-ion conducting inorganic filler is coated on a surface of a porous polymer matrix to form the composite polymer matrix multi-layer structure, which is then impregnated with the electrolyte solution, to manufacture the composite polymer electrolyte. The composite polymer electrolyte is used in a unit battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Young Gi Lee, Kwang Man Kim, Kwang Sun Ryu, Soon Ho Chang
  • Patent number: 7323273
    Abstract: A microporous polyolefin battery separator membrane is extremely high in porosity, high in puncture strength, very low in shrinkage and with shutdown temperature of 130-140 degrees C. and melt integrity greater than 165 degrees C. It is made of UHMWPE having a weight-average molecular weight of 1×106 or more and an inert filler. A second microporous polyolefin battery separator has a shutdown temperature of between 95 and 110 degrees C. and a melt integrity of more than 165 degrees C. It is made from an UHMWPE having a weight-average molecular weight of 1×106 or more, a shutdown (LMWPE) having a weight-average molecular weight of 4500 or less and an inert filler. Both membranes have a thickness of 5-75 microns, a porosity of 30-95%, an air permeability of 1-200 sec/10 cc, an average pore diameter of 0.001 to 1 micron and puncture strength of more than 300 grams/25 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Inventors: Garrin Samii, Abbas M Samii, David C Veno
  • Patent number: 7323274
    Abstract: A microporous polyolefin battery separator membrane is extremely high in porosity, high in puncture strength, very low in shrinkage and with shutdown temperature of 130-140 degrees C. and melt integrity greater than 165 degrees C. It is made of UHMWPE having a weight-average molecular weight of 1×106 or more and an inert filler. A second microporous polyolefin battery separator has a shutdown temperature of between 95 and 110 degrees C. and a melt integrity of more than 165 degrees C. It is made from an UHMWPE having a weight-average molecular weight of 1×106 or more, a shutdown (LMWPE) having a weight-average molecular weight of 4500 or less and an inert filler. Both membranes have a thickness of 5-75 microns, a porosity of 30-95%, an air permeability of 1-200 sec/10 cc, an average pore diameter of 0.001 to 1 micron and puncture strength of more than 300 grams/25 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Inventors: Garrin Samii, Abbas M Samii, David C Veno
  • Patent number: 7288338
    Abstract: A binderless glass fiber mat suitable for use as a separator for valve regulated (“recombinant”) lead acid (“VRLA”) batteries is disclosed. The separator is produced by a dry process by collecting the fibers from fiberizing apparatus, without subjecting them to a wet paper making or other post forming process, and selecting portions of the collected fibers which are sufficiently uniform in thickness and grammage for use as battery separators. The fibers can be entwined to produce a superior separator material. Additives can be introduced during the collection process to enhance the properties of the separator. A battery comprises at least one stack of alternating positive and negative plates, with the separator between adjacent plates. Separators according to the invention are significantly more resilient and have longer fibers than otherwise identical separators made from different samples of the same glass fibers, but by a conventional wet paper making process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: KVG Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: George Zguris
  • Publication number: 20070231700
    Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery has an insulating porous membrane, on at least one of a positive electrode, negative electrode, and separator thereof. The membrane contains an inorganic filler, and an active agent for dispersing the inorganic filler uniformly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventor: Kozo Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20070190427
    Abstract: Provided are separators for use in an electrochemical cell comprising (a) an inorganic oxide and (b) an organic polymer, wherein the inorganic oxide comprises organic substituents. Preferably, the inorganic oxide comprises an hydrated aluminum oxide of the formula Al2O3.xH2O, wherein x is less than 1.0, and wherein the hydrated aluminum oxide comprises organic substituents, preferably comprising a reaction product of a multifunctional monomer and/or organic carbonate with an aluminum oxide, such as pseudo-boehmite and an aluminum oxide. Also provided are electrochemical cells comprising such separators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Inventors: Steven Allen Carlson, Ifenna Kingsley Anakor
  • Patent number: 7105251
    Abstract: A nonaqueous secondary battery comprising a positive electrode and a negative electrode both containing a material capable of reversibly intercalating and deintercalating lithium, a nonaqueous electrolyte containing a lithium salt, and a separator, which has a least one protective layer on the negative electrode and/or the positive electrode. The battery has a high discharge potential, satisfactory charge and discharge cycle characteristics, and high safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Ube Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukio Miyaki, Masuo Kabutomori, Noriyuki Inoue, Hiroshi Ishizuka, Toshiaki Aono, Mikihiko Kato, Hideki Tomiyama
  • Patent number: 7081321
    Abstract: A separator for metal/halogen batteries is provided which is excellent in thermal resistance, resistance to stress-cracking and electric properties. A separator for metal/halogen batteries comprising a polyolefin having a viscosity average molecular weight of not less than 350,000 and not more than 2,000,000, in which polyolefin the proportion by weight of a polyolefin having a molecular weight of not less than 1,000,000 is not less than 15% and not more than 80%, and a hydrophilic fine particulate inorganic material(s), wherein the weight ratio of the polyolefins to the hydrophilic fine particulate inorganic material(s) is not less than 0.55 and less than 1, said separator having a pore volume of not less than 900 mm3/g and a thickness of 0.2 to 1.0 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Nishimura, Takuya Segawa
  • Patent number: 6949315
    Abstract: A microporous polyolefin battery separator membrane is extremely high in porosity, high in puncture strength, very low in shrinkage and with shutdown temperature of 130–140 degrees C. and melt integrity greater than 165 degrees C. It is made of UHMWPE having a weight-average molecular weight of 1×106 or more and an inert filler. A second microporous polyolefin battery separator has a shutdown temperature of between 95 and 110 degrees C. and a melt integrity of more than 165 degrees C. It is made from an UHMWPE having a weight-average molecular weight of 1×106 or more, a shutdown (LMWPE) having a weight-average molecular weight of 4500 or less and an inert filler. Both membranes have a thickness of 5–75 microns, a porosity of 30–95%, an air permeability of 1–200 sec/10 cc, an average pore diameter of 0.001 to 1 micron and puncture strength of more than 300 grams/25 {circumflex over (l)}¼ m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Inventors: Garrin Samii, Abbas M Samii, Dave C. Veno
  • Patent number: 6949285
    Abstract: A membrane comprising a composition including (a) 1 to 99 wt-% of at least one polyurethane elastomer comprising at least one hard segment and at least one soft segment, and (b) 99 to 1 wt-% of a solid, wherein said solid is incorporated in said at least one polyurethane elastomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Tekeshi Tobinaga, Klemens Mathauer, Bernd Bronstert, Helmut Möhwald
  • Patent number: 6939645
    Abstract: A separator for a valve regulated lead acid battery is composed mainly of fine glass fibers and also contains inorganic powder, beaten natural pulp, and heat-weldable organic fibers. The heat-weldable organic fibers have a fineness of 1.5 d (deniers) or less and a fiber length of 1 mm or more, and the amount of the heat-weldable organic fibers is from 3% to 15% by weight. A valve regulated lead acid battery employs the separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Sugiyama, Atsushi Asada, Shuhei Nagakubo
  • Patent number: 6929884
    Abstract: A film which slowly releases solids is prepared by dissolving cellulose in a solvent such as an alkali metal salt, for example L1Cl in a polar solvent such as DMAC, dispersing the solid in the solution and gelling the solution with water to form a film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Zinc Matrix Power, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Cheiky, Wilson Hago
  • Patent number: 6869726
    Abstract: A battery separator comprising at least one fibrous layer and at least one support layer, wherein the support layer is formed of an acid-resistant material and comprises a plurality of macroscopic openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Daramic, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry Zucker
  • Patent number: 6821672
    Abstract: A binderless glass fiber mat suitable for use as a separator for valve regulated (“recombinant”) lead acid (“VRLA”) batteries is disclosed. The separator is produced by a dry process by collecting the fibers from fiberizing apparatus, without subjecting them to a wet paper making or other post forming process, and selecting portions of the collected fibers which are sufficiently uniform in thickness and grammage for use as battery separators. The fibers can be entwined to produce a superior separator material. Additives can be introduced during the collection process to enhance the properties of the separator. A battery comprises at least one stack of alternating positive and negative plates, with the separator between adjacent plates. Separators according to the invention are significantly more resilient and have longer fibers than otherwise identical separators made from different samples of the same glass fibers, but by a conventional wet paper making process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: KVG Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: George C. Zguris
  • Publication number: 20040180265
    Abstract: A separator for a valve regulated lead acid battery is composed mainly of fine glass fibers 1 and also contains inorganic powder 3, beaten natural pulp 2, and heat-weldable organic fibers 4. The heat-weldable organic fibers 4 have a fineness of 1.5 d (deniers) or less and a fiber length of 1 mm or more, and the amount of the heat-weldable organic fibers is from 3% to 15% by weight. The separator is excellent in resistance against a short circuit between a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate of the battery such as an electrochemical short circuit, for example a short circuit due to lead penetration, and a mechanical short circuit. The separator is also excellent in folding endurance, in durability against repetition of folding, and in tearing strength, and allows easy formation of envelope-like separator, thus preventing active materials from being coming off at the sides thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Applicant: NIPPON SHEET GLASS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shoji Sugiyama, Atsushi Asada, Shuhei Nagakubo
  • Patent number: 6787266
    Abstract: A battery, in which measures are taken to suppress a reduction in charge/discharge capacity and degradation of load characteristics due to peeling of an active material off the current collector during repeated charging and discharging, is disclosed. Boehmite treatment or chromate treatment of the current collector surface of the electrode plate for the battery suppresses the degradation of charge/discharge capacity and load characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Hashimoto, Hiroyuki Murai, Yorihito Ohana, Hiroshi Matsuno, Hideya Asano
  • Patent number: 6777135
    Abstract: The non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery of the present invention comprises, e.g., a positive electrode 6, a negative electrode 5, a polymer membrane 1 containing carbon powder or the like, and a separating membrane layer 7 for preventing shortcircuiting. A carbon powder, silicon powder, tin powder or aluminum powder 2 contained in the polymer membrane 1 containing carbon powder or the like absorbs as a lithium-absorbing material metallic lithium powders 3 or metallic lithium dendrite 4 which has been produced from the negative electrode 5 due to charge or discharge and takes no part in charge or discharge. This lithium-absorbing material is less reactive than the metallic lithium powders 3 or metallic lithium dendrite 4 and thus enhances the safety of the battery and controls shortcircuiting between the positive electrode and the negative electrode due to metallic lithium dendrite, making it possible to drastically improve charge and discharge cycle life performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Japan Storage Battery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikio Okada, Hideo Yasuda
  • Patent number: 6773847
    Abstract: A battery comprising a positive electrode (10), a negative electrode (20) and a separator (31) provided interposed between the positive electrode (10) and the negative electrode (20), characterized in that at least one surface of said separator (31) is bonded to said positive electrode (10) or negative electrode (20) via a porous resin layer (41, 33) containing a solid filler. This battery can provide a battery which exhibits a high energy density and an excellent cycle life performance even if the electricity-storing element is received in a flexible material case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: GS-Melcotec Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeo Komatsu, Yasushi Harada, Masaaki Nishida
  • Patent number: 6743549
    Abstract: This invention relates to electrolyte solution compositions useful in lithium-ion batteries. These electrolytes feature lower volatility than solutions known in the art while retaining excellent battery performance using graphite based negative electrode active materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Christopher Marc Doyle, Andrew Edward Feiring, Paul Gregory Bekiarian, William Brown Farnham, Susan Kuharcik Choi
  • Patent number: 6713217
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, and more particularly to its separator, and it is an object thereof to prevent electrolyte leakage accident due to elevation of cell internal pressure even if the cell is exposed to high temperature without sacrificing the cell capacity. To achieve the object, by using the polyolefin group separator large in endothermic calorie per unit area by the heat of fusion in a temperature range of 70 to 150° C., and selecting appropriate graphite powder for negative electrode and organic solvent in nonaqueous electrolyte, the electrolyte leakage accident can be successfully eliminated by suppressing the reaction between the cell active substance and organic solvent, thereby suppressing elevation of cell internal pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takafumi Oura, Masaki Kitagawa, Hajime Nishino, Hizuru Koshina
  • Publication number: 20040053123
    Abstract: A Li-ion polymer battery and methods for its fabrication. A first and second layer, of a polymer/particulate material composition, separate and bind each anode and cathode. The polymer of the first layer and its associated solvent differ from the polymer of the second layer and its associated solvent. Solubility requirements are such that the polymer of the first layer is non-soluble in the solvent of the second layer, and the polymer of the second layer is non-soluble in the solvent of the first layer. The polymers and particulate materials of the layers form a porous structure for containing the electrolyte of the battery so as to eliminate the need for a substantial case for enclosing the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Applicant: Changs Ascending Enterprise Co.
    Inventors: Tsun-Yu Chang, Prashant N. Kumta, Chun-Chieh Chang
  • Patent number: 6706450
    Abstract: A separator for a valve-regulated lead acid battery consists mainly of fine glass fibers. The separator includes inorganic powder in an amount of 5 to 30% by weight and natural pulp in an amount of 3 to 20% by weight, and has a density of not less than 0.165 g/cm3. The separator sufficiently suppresses the occurrence of electrical short circuits between the positive and negative electrode plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Asada
  • Publication number: 20040029014
    Abstract: A positive electrode of a lithium-sulfur battery, a method of producing the same, and a lithium-sulfur battery include, as the positive electrode, a current collector, a positive active material layer on the current collector, and a polymer layer on the positive active material on the current collector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Duck-Chul Hwang, Zin Park, Jae-Woan Lee
  • Patent number: 6682854
    Abstract: Separator for silver-zinc batteries made of cellulose and containing insoluble fluoride ions which when placed next to the cathode slowly release and retard silver deposition thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Zinc Matrix Power, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Cheiky, Wilson Hago
  • Patent number: 6677083
    Abstract: An inorganic compound with a specific inductive capacity not less than 12, is contained in a separator, a gelated electrolyte, a non-aqueous electrolyte, and an electrode. This improves the degree of ion dissociation of a lithium compound as an electrolytic salt contained in the non-aqueous solvent, the gelated electrolyte, and the electrolytic salt, while diminishing resistance against ion conduction to improve ion conductivity and while preventing crystallization in a low-temperature environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yusuke Suzuki, Mashio Shibuya, Tomitaro Hara
  • Patent number: 6630265
    Abstract: An inexpensive composite electrolyte for use in electrochemical fuel cells includes (i) an inorganic cation exchange material, (i) a silica-based binder; and (ii) a polymer-based binder. The cation exchange material includes aluminosilicate clays. The composite electrolyte can be fabricated with a tape casting apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Hoku Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl Milton Taft, III, Matthew Robert Kurano
  • Patent number: 6627346
    Abstract: A battery separator favorably employable for lithium secondary battery comprises at least one porous film in which 100 to 40,000 ppm of particles of silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, magnesium oxide, zinc oxide or metal oxides containing at least two metal elements selected from the group consisting of Si, Al, Mg and Zn having a mean diameter of 0.1 to 10 &mgr;m are dispersed in a porous resin matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Ube Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Kinouchi, Tetsuo Akazawa, Takashi Oe, Ryuichiro Kogure, Kenji Kawabata, Yuuji Nakakita
  • Publication number: 20030175593
    Abstract: The invention provides a separator in lead acid battery, composed of fiber material and polymers; the polymers provide functions of increasing the mechanical strength for separators, avoiding shortage between positive and negative electrodes, and decreasing the thickness of separators. The invention also provides a manufacturing method of battery separators, whereby polymers are used to coat or absorb to porous separators through means of spraying, immersing, brushing, adhering or other similar means, thus acquiring thinner battery separators with increased mechanical strength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Applicant: CSB Battery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Richard Chen, Chien-Hsien Ho, Thaweechai Phanthapirat, Alejandro Martinez
  • Publication number: 20030124429
    Abstract: The non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery of the present invention comprises, e.g., a positive electrode 6, a negative electrode 5, a polymer membrane 1 containing carbon powder or the like, and a separating membrane layer 7 for preventing shortcircuiting. A carbon powder, silicon powder, tin powder or aluminum powder 2 contained in the polymer membrane 1 containing carbon powder or the like absorbs as a lithium-intercalating material lithium powders 3 or dendrite 4 which has been produced from the negative electrode 5 due to charge or discharge and takes no part in charge or discharge. This lithium-intercalating material is less reactive than the lithium powders 3 or dendrite 4 and thus enhances the safety of the battery and controls shortcircuiting between the positive electrode and the negative electrode due to dendrite, making it possible to drastically improve charge and discharge cycle life performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Mikio Okada, Hideo Yasuda
  • Publication number: 20030108796
    Abstract: A separator for metal/halogen batteries is provided which is excellent in thermal resistance, resistance to stress-cracking and electric properties. A separator for metal/halogen batteries comprising a polyolefin having a viscosity average molecular weight of not less than 350,000 and not more than 2,000,000, in which polyolefin the proportion by weight of a polyolefin having a molecular weight of not less than 1,000,000 is not less than 15% and not more than 80%, and a hydrophilic fine particulate inorganic material(s), wherein the weight ratio of the polyolefins to the hydrophilic fine particulate inorganic material(s) is not less than 0.55 and less than 1, said separator having a pore volume of not less than 900 mm3/g and a thickness of 0.2 to 1.0 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Nishimura, Takuya Segawa
  • Patent number: 6558849
    Abstract: A battery separator containing cellulose and an insoluble inorganic salt of copper ions when placed in a zinc-based battery, minimizes zinc dendrite formation to extend battery cycle life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Zinc Matrix Power, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Cheiky, Wilson Hago