Metal-gas Cell Patents (Class 429/402)
  • Patent number: 12125977
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid electrolyte composition comprising: a) at least one (per)fuoropolyether comprising a (per)fluoropolyoxyalkylene chain [chain (Rpf)] having two chain ends, wherein at least one chain end has formula (I): —[CH(J)CH2O]na[CH2CH(J)O]na?—H??(I) wherein each J is independently H, aryl, straight or branched alkyl, and na and na?, equal to or different from each other, are zero or an integer from 1 to 50, with the proviso that na+na? is from 1 to 50; b) a poly(alkylene oxide) comprising chains of formula (II): R1B—[OCHR1A(CH2)jCHR2A]n—OR2B??(II) wherein each of R1A and R2A is independently a hydrogen atom or a C1-C5 alkyl group, j is zero or an integer of 1 to 2, R1B and R2B is independently a hydrogen atom or a C1-C3 alkyl group, and n is an integer from 5 to 1000, and c) at least one lithium salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: SOLVAY SPECIALTY POLYMERS ITALY S.P.A.
    Inventors: Elena Molena, Christine Hamon, Silvia Rita Petricci, Giulia Piana, Federico Bella, Claudio Gerbaldi
  • Patent number: 11929520
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a porous separator for electrochemical devices, configured to guarantee electrical insulation between a positive electrode and a negative electrode, wherein the porous separator includes no polyolefin substrate, and includes inorganic particles, a binder for coupling between the inorganic particles, and a crosslinking agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: LG ENERGY SOLUTION, LTD.
    Inventors: Kyoung Ho Ahn, Kwan Woo Nam, Chul Haeng Lee, Young Duk Kim, Je An Lee
  • Patent number: 11705571
    Abstract: A flow-through redox galvanic cell and a battery is described, where each flow-through galvanic cell is separated into two parts by a metal foil serving as a bi-electrode in contact with two solutions having different redox potentials. Voltage due to redox processes is formed through the foil, and two traditional electrodes (cathode and anode) in each cell are not necessary anymore. The cells in a battery should be in electric contact with each other via ion-selective membranes. The battery is easy to recharge, and it is smaller, lighter, safer and cheaper than known redox-flow batteries. It may be used as a reserve source of energy in electric grids and households. It also may be used in electric cars, and it is especially attractive for use near the seashore and on sea ships.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Inventor: Nikolai M. Kocherginsky
  • Patent number: 11335932
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides phosphonated polymers that can be used, for example, as polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) and/or catalyst ionomeric binders for electrodes in PEM fuel cells, and more particularly for high-temperature PEM fuel cells. High-temperature PEM fuel cells that use phosphonated polymers of the present disclosure suffer from reduced or no acid leaching because, in at least some examples, phosphonic acid moieties are covalently bound to the backbone of the polymers. A phosphonated polymer include a backbone having one or more aromatic monomers, with each aromatic monomer having one or more phosphonic acid groups. A phosphonic acid group may include phosphonic acid or a functional group that is hydrolysable into phosphonic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Triad National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Eun Joo Park, Yu Seung Kim
  • Patent number: 11316218
    Abstract: Provided is a lithium-air secondary battery including: an air electrode (air cathode); a lithium anode (Li anode); and an electrolyte including a superoxide dismutase mimic catalyst (SODm).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: UNIST(ULSAN NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY)
    Inventors: Hyun-Kon Song, Chihyun Hwang, Jonghak Kim
  • Patent number: 11289716
    Abstract: A bipolar plate, a fuel cell stack with the bipolar plate and a power generation system with the bipolar plate are provided. The bipolar plate includes a first polar plate and a second polar plate. The first polar plate includes a first side and a second side, and the second polar plate includes a third side and a fourth side. The first side of the first polar plate and the third side of the second polar plate have different flow fields. The bipolar plate further includes at least one synchronous undulation areas, which are the channels for the coolant to be introduced into and discharged out of the interlayer of the bipolar plate. The second polar plate is provided with a coolant diversion dike, which can guide the coolant to flow according to the preset route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Inventors: Guosheng Zhang, Zhijin Zhang, Ruiping Niu, Wenming Zhang
  • Patent number: 11211672
    Abstract: Provided is an LDH separator including a porous substrate and a layered double hydroxide (LDH) that fills up pores of the porous substrate. The LDH is composed of a plurality of hydroxide base layers containing Mg, Al, Ti, and OH group; and interlayers which are interposed between the plurality of hydroxide base layers and composed of anions and H2O.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sho Yamamoto, Naoko Inukai, Shohei Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 11177498
    Abstract: A redox flow battery includes a positive terminal, a negative terminal, and a solid state ionic conductive membrane on a macro porous support scaffold between the positive terminal and the negative terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: AMPCERA INC.
    Inventors: James Emery Brown, Hui Du, Chen Chen, Sumin Zhu
  • Patent number: 11050108
    Abstract: A battery module includes a first liquid battery and a first solid battery. The first liquid battery is a unit cell. The first solid battery is a unit cell that has a larger volume than a volume of the first liquid battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasutaka Tsutsui, Yuta Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 10593977
    Abstract: A solid alkaline fuel cell has a cathode that is supplied with an oxidant which contains oxygen, an anode that is supplied with a fuel which contains hydrogen atoms, and an inorganic solid electrolyte that is disposed between the anode and the cathode and that exhibits a hydroxide ion conductivity. The inorganic solid electrolyte enables the permeation of a fuel in an amount that produces carbon dioxide at the cathode of greater than or equal to 0.04 ?mol/s·cm2 and less than or equal to 2.5 ?mol/s·cm2 per unit surface area of a cathode-side surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihisa Takeuchi, Hirofumi Kan, Toshiyuki Nakamura, Makoto Ohmori
  • Patent number: 9561737
    Abstract: A power system is provided for a mobile machine. The power system may have a traction motor configured to propel the mobile machine during a driving operation and to generate electricity during a braking operation. The power system may also have an aluminum-air battery connected to the traction motor. The power system may further have a circuit fluidly connected to the aluminum-air battery and configured to circulate electrolyte and aluminum hydroxide particles produced by the aluminum-air battery. The power system may also have a crystallizer connected to the circuit and configured to crystallize and separate the aluminum hydroxide particles from the electrolyte. The power system may also have a heating chamber configured to heat the aluminum hydroxide particles and produce aluminum oxide separated from the electrolyte, wherein the heating chamber is powered by electricity generated by the traction motor during the braking operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc.
    Inventor: John Ernst Nielsen Madsen
  • Patent number: 9312572
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides for an electrochemical cell comprising: a fuel electrode comprising a metal fuel, a second electrode, an ionically conductive medium communicating the electrodes, the ionically conductive medium comprising at least two different additives, wherein at least one additive is selected from the group consisting of: macroheterocyclic compounds, phosphonium salts, hetero-ionic compounds and their derivatives; and, at least one additive is selected from the group consisting of: macroheterocyclic compounds, phosphonium salts, hetero-ionic compounds, and their derivatives. The fuel electrode and the second electrode are operable in a discharge mode wherein the metal fuel is oxidized at the fuel electrode functioning as an anode, whereby electrons are generated for conduction from the fuel electrode to the second electrode via a load. An ionically conductive medium and methods of operating an electrochemical cell are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: FLUIDIC, INC.
    Inventors: Todd Trimble, Paul Johnson, Cody A. Friesen
  • Patent number: 9099722
    Abstract: A recombinator for a flowing electrolyte battery comprises a housing defining a reaction chamber for receiving a halogen source and a hydrogen source. A catalyst is located within the reaction chamber to catalyze the formation of hydrogen halide from the halogen source and the hydrogen source and substantially all of the halogen source, hydrogen source and hydrogen halide within the reaction chamber are maintained in gaseous form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Redflow R&D Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Alexander Rudolf Winter
  • Publication number: 20150104719
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a galvanic cell or a battery includes: a) applying an anode layer to a current collector layer; b) applying a solid-state ionic conductor layer to the anode layer; c) applying a polymer electrolyte layer to the solid-state ionic conductor layer and/or to the anode layer with the aid of spin coating; and d) applying a cathode layer to the polymer electrolyte layer with the aid of spin coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventor: Timm Lohmann
  • Patent number: 8993180
    Abstract: There is provided a metal oxygen battery which is capable of obtaining superior batter capacity when starting use from charging. In the metal oxygen battery 1 including a positive electrode 2, which includes an oxygen-storing material and lithium oxide, and uses oxygen as an active substance, a negative electrode 3 capable of absorbing and discharging lithium ions, and an electrolyte layer 4 interposed between the positive electrode 2 and the negative electrode 3, in which the positive electrode 2, the negative electrode 3, and the electrolyte layer 4 are hermetically accommodated in a case 5, the oxygen-storing material has an oxygen amount stored at a start of charge time diluted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Tanaami, Hiroshi Sakai, Bunichi Saito, Takuya Taniuchi, Mao Hori, Tomohiro Kinoshita, Satoshi Nakada, Izuru Kanoya
  • Patent number: 8974927
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing hydrogen from an electrolyte solution, in particular an aqueous solution, is described. The apparatus includes a hydrogen-developing body having an electrolyte-contacting surface. The electrolyte-contacting surface of the hydrogen-developing body includes regions formed from magnesium, Mg, zinc, Zn, aluminium, Al, or alloys thereof alternating with regions formed from ferrum, Fe, or a ferrous alloy, Fe alloy. The apparatus may further include means for accumulating hydrogen which has developed on the surface of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: NIM Energy Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Fertman
  • Patent number: 8968941
    Abstract: A lithium-air battery includes a cathode including a porous active carbon material, a separator, an anode including lithium, and an electrolyte including a lithium salt and polyalkylene glycol ether, where the porous active carbon material is free of a metal-based catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Uchicago Argonne, LLC
    Inventors: Khalil Amine, Larry A. Curtiss, Jun Lu, Kah Chun Lau, Zhengcheng Zhang, Yang-Kook Sun
  • Patent number: 8962197
    Abstract: This invention is directed to electrolyte systems for metal-air electrochemical power sources, particularly Al-Air batteries and fuel cells with alkaline electrolyte, methods of increasing the ionic conductivity of such electrolytes, methods of increasing the electrolyte utilization coefficient and to methods of use thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Phinergy, Ltd.
    Inventor: Ernst Khasin
  • Patent number: 8951681
    Abstract: To solve a problem that in a battery having a negative electrode having a capability of releasing a metal ion, a positive electrode for causing a liquid such as water or seawater to contribute to battery reaction, and an inorganic solid electrolyte, the inorganic solid electrolyte contacts the positive electrode for a long term, whereby a deterioration is generated from the interface between the electrolyte and the positive electrode so that the battery capacity falls or the battery cannot give a high power. The positive electrode and the inorganic solid electrolyte are not brought into contact with each other. Preferably, the interval between the positive electrode and the electrolyte is set to 0.3 nm or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Ohara Inc.
    Inventor: Takashi Katoh
  • Patent number: 8940447
    Abstract: An oxygen cell capable of minimizing overvoltage increases is provided. An oxygen cell 1 comprises a positive electrode 2 that uses oxygen as an active material, a negative electrode 3 that uses metallic lithium as an active material, and an electrolyte layer 4 sandwiched between the positive electrode 2 and the negative electrode 3, wherein the positive electrode 2 contains a lithium compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Tanaami, Takuya Taniuchi, Mao Hori, Hiroshi Sakai, Yuji Isogai
  • Patent number: 8920982
    Abstract: A gas detection system is configured to detect a preset gas in a predetermined space. The gas detection system includes a gas concentration detector constructed to detect a gas concentration of the preset gas, a recording assembly, a notification module, and a decision module. When the gas concentration detected by the gas concentration detector is higher than a preset first reference value, the decision module controls the notification module to give notice. When the detected gas concentration is higher than a preset second reference value but is lower than the preset first reference value, on the other hand, the decision module controls the notification module to give no notice but record a specific piece of information into the recording assembly. This arrangement of the gas detection system enables the user to readily detect deterioration of a device utilizing a fuel, for example, fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeto Kajiwara, Katsuki Ishigaki
  • Patent number: 8911910
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention provides an electrochemical cell system comprising at least one electrochemical cell configured to be connected to a power supply to recharge the cell. The electrochemical cell system comprises a plurality of electrodes and electrode bodies therein. The electrochemical cell system further comprises a switching system configured to permit modifications of the configuration of anodes and cathodes during charging of the electrochemical cell, and a controller configured to control the switching system. The controller is configured to selectively apply the electrical current to a different number of said electrode bodies based on at least one input parameter so as to adjust a rate and density of the growth of the electrodeposited metal fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Fluidic, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramkumar Krishnan, Cody A. Friesen
  • Publication number: 20140318106
    Abstract: A metal-gas battery that utilizes an exhaust gas stream from a combustion engine as reactive gases is provided. Almost constant concentration of exhaust gases are supplied to the metal-gas battery via an existing engine systematic combustion system. The systematic combustion system keeps a definite air fuel mixture (A/F) that acts to enhance the fuel efficiency of the vehicle, and the metal-gas battery leverages the existing vehicle air management system. Exhaust heat of the exhaust gases is sometimes utilized for the heat control of the vehicle, and then the cooled exhaust gases are introduced into the metal-air battery to be consumed during a cathode reduction reaction to create and store electrical energy. The metal-gas battery supports the cleaning of exhausted gases using existing emission catalysts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Fuminori Mizuno, Paul T. Fanson
  • Publication number: 20140302406
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the fabrication of thin aluminum anode batteries using a highly reproducible process that enables high volume manufacturing of the galvanic cells. A thin aluminum anode galvanic cell having a meshed structure is provided which includes a catalytic metal layer positioned on a patterned silicon substrate, an etched dielectric layer positioned to cover the catalytic metal layer, the catalytic metal layer serving as an etch stop for the etched dielectric layer and an etched aluminum layer positioned to cover the dielectric layer, the dielectric layer serving as an etch stop for the etched aluminum layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
    Inventors: Andres M. Cardenas-Valencia, Jay Dlutowski, Melynda C. Calves, John Bumgarner, Larry Langebrake
  • Patent number: 8852768
    Abstract: An aqueous electrolyte battery is provided with a positive electrode, a negative electrolyte, an aqueous electrolyte, and a deposition portion that promotes deposition of discharge product and that is provided at a location that contacts the aqueous electrolyte and that is a location other than at a catalyst included in the positive electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koji Suto
  • Patent number: 8835061
    Abstract: There is provided a metal oxygen battery which uses an oxygen-storing material containing YMnO3 as a positive electrode material, and can reduce the discharge overpotential. The metal oxygen battery 1 has a positive electrode 2 to which oxygen is applied as an active substance, a negative electrode 3 to which metallic lithium is applied as an active substance, and an electrolyte layer 4 interposed between the positive electrode 2 and the negative electrode 3. The positive electrode 2 contains, as an oxygen-storing material, a composite metal oxide obtained by crushing and mixing a yttrium salt, a manganese salt and an organic acid, primarily calcining the mixture, and thereafter, adding a zirconium salt to the obtained primarily calcined material, and secondarily calcining the mixture, the composite metal oxide containing YMnO3 and ZrO2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Nakada, Yuji Isogai, Kiyoshi Tanaami, Takuya Taniuchi, Taichi Goto
  • Patent number: 8802303
    Abstract: Implementations and techniques for metal air batteries including a composite anode are generally disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventors: Ezekiel Kruglick, Thomas Yager, Seth Adrian Miller
  • Patent number: 8802302
    Abstract: An air battery which can maintain a good performance and inhibit ingress of water into its housing. The air battery including a power section having an air electrode, an anode containing an alkali metal, and an electrolyte layer conducting ions between the air electrode and the anode; an oxygen-containing solvent showing both hydrophobic nature and oxygen solubility; a housing being configured to incorporate the power section and the oxygen-containing solvent; and an oxygen supply portion being configured to supply oxygen gas to the oxygen-containing solvent. The oxygen-containing solvent being arranged between the oxygen supply portion and the electrolyte layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Nakanishi, Hirotoshi Imai
  • Patent number: 8778546
    Abstract: A cell suitable for use in a battery according to one embodiment includes a catalytic oxygen cathode; a stabilized zirconia electrolyte for selective oxygen anion transport; a molten salt electrolyte; and a lithium-based anode. A cell suitable for use in a battery according to another embodiment includes a catalytic oxygen cathode; an electrolyte; a membrane selective to molecular oxygen; and a lithium-based anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC.
    Inventor: Joseph C. Farmer
  • Patent number: 8758947
    Abstract: Some batteries can exhibit greatly improved performance by utilizing electrodes having randomly arranged graphene nanosheets forming a network of channels defining continuous flow paths through the electrode. The network of channels can provide a diffusion pathway for the liquid electrolyte and/or for reactant gases. Metal-air batteries can benefit from such electrodes. In particular Li-air batteries show extremely high capacities, wherein the network of channels allow oxygen to diffuse through the electrode and mesopores in the electrode can store discharge products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Jiguang Zhang, Jie Xiao, Jun Liu, Wu Xu, Xiaolin Li, Deyu Wang
  • Publication number: 20140127593
    Abstract: The metal-air battery system of this invention has a detachable anode compartment and cathode compartment for producing electric current, wherein the anode compartment and the cathode compartment are pressed into contact when the battery is put in use to generate electric power; and the anode compartment and the cathode compartment are separated when the battery is not in use to generate electric power. The anode compartment also has an injection device to inject water mist to maintain the moisture level of the metal gel inside the anode compartment. The metal-air battery system of this invention will extend the battery storage life significantly as compared to conventional metal-air battery. In addition, the metal-air battery system of this invention makes replacing anode conveniently so that the battery system can be re-used continuously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Inventors: ZONGXUAN HONG, CUNXI SHEN, AIYING CHEN
  • Patent number: 8709667
    Abstract: Disclosed is a magnesium metal-air battery in which capacity of a negative electrode made of magnesium or its alloy is sufficiently utilized for battery performance and which has a positive electrode material which is capable of coping with the capacity of the negative electrode. The magnesium metal-air battery includes at least one unit battery cell. The cell comprises a negative electrode made of magnesium or its alloy; a positive electrode-side catalyst layer including, as positive active material, activated carbon for absorbing oxygen in air, anhydrous poly-carboxylate, manganese and metal powder; a positive current collector which is made of conductive material and which is laminated on the positive electrode-side catalyst layer; and a separator which allows passing of ions between the negative electrode and the positive electrode-side catalyst layer while it separates therebetween. The positive electrode-side catalyst layer may further include carbon black, metal chloride and graphite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Suwei Association
    Inventor: Susumu Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8632920
    Abstract: A main objective of the present invention is to provide an air secondary battery which can suppress the deterioration in charge-discharge properties caused by the oxygen generated in an air cathode layer at the time of charge. The present invention solves the problems by providing an air secondary battery which comprises: an air cathode which has an air cathode layer containing a conductive material and an air cathode current collector which collects current of the air cathode layer; an anode which has an anode layer containing an anode active material and an anode current collector which collects current of the anode layer; and a permeation preventing layer which is formed on the surface of the side of the anode layer of the air cathode layer, made of a nonaqueous polymer electrolyte, and which prevents the permeation of the oxygen generated in the air cathode layer at the time of charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Nakanishi, Fuminori Mizuno
  • Patent number: 8617750
    Abstract: Implementations and techniques for metal air batteries including a composite anode are generally disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventors: Ezekiel Kruglick, Thomas A. Yager, Seth Adrian Miller
  • Publication number: 20130300372
    Abstract: An energy store includes a rechargeable primary energy store having a first electrode which generates anions and which conducts anions, a second electrode which accepts anions and/or which conducts anions, an electrolyte which is arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode and which conducts anions and is embodied as a solid, and a first redox pair which forms the second electrode or is in contact with same and which includes an oxidation reactant and an oxidation product. The store includes at least one storable second oxidation reactant that belongs to a second redox pair and a secondary energy store which is designed as a store for the second oxidation reactant. A connecting line is provided between the primary energy store and the secondary energy store, the connecting line allowing the second oxidation reactant to be conducted from the primary energy store to the secondary energy store and back.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Christian Brunhuber, Wolfgang Menapace, Nicolas Vortmeyer
  • Patent number: 8574774
    Abstract: There is provided a negative electrode comprising an aluminum alloy, wherein the alloy has a magnesium content of 0.0001% by weight or higher and 8% by weight or lower, the alloy satisfies at least one condition selected from the group consisting of the following (A) and (B): (A) an iron content is 0.0001% by weight or higher and 0.03% by weight or lower, and (B) a silicon content is 0.0001% by weight or higher and 0.02% by weight or lower, and a content of each element other than aluminum, magnesium, silicon and iron in the alloy is 0.005% by weight or lower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventors: Takitaro Yamaguchi, Hitoshi Yasuda
  • Patent number: 8546028
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for charging the cell by electrodeposition of metal fuel on the anode thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents for and on behalf of Arizona State University
    Inventors: Cody A. Friesen, Joel Hayes
  • Patent number: 8501361
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicular power source unit having an external electric power supply controlling element (94) configured to control the operation of a heater (16) and a recharger (22) operated by an electric power supplied from a commercial power source (70) via an external power source connector (25) according to a terminal voltage and temperature of a fuel cell (10) detected by a fuel cell state detecting element (91) and a state of a battery (20) detected by a battery state detecting element (92) when a fuel cell vehicle is halted, the supply of reactant gas to the fuel cell (10) by a fuel cell controlling element (93) is stopped and the external power source connector (25) is connected to the commercial power source (70).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Takuro Uemura, Keisuke Fujimaki
  • Patent number: 8475969
    Abstract: High power density generators are formed with a flexible multi-layered structure. The structure includes a fuel layer with a separate fuel cell stack adjacent to each side of the fuel layer. The structure can be flexible and formed into a variety of shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Steven J. Eickhoff
  • Publication number: 20130115524
    Abstract: The present invention relates to rechargeable electrochemical cells comprising (A) at least one cathode comprising (A1) at least one cathode active material comprising (a) at least one graphitized carbon black and (aa) at least one binder, and optionally at least one solid material through which gas can diffuse or which optionally serves as a carrier for the cathode active material, and B) at least one anode comprising metallic magnesium, metallic aluminum, metallic zinc, metallic sodium or metallic lithium. The present invention further relates to the use of inventive electrochemical cells and to metal-air batteries comprising the latter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventors: Arnd GARSUCH, Hubert GASTEIGER, Michele PIANA, Nikolaos TSIOUVARAS
  • Publication number: 20130115523
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell system is configured to utilize an oxidant reduction electrode module containing an oxidant reduction electrode mounted to a housing to form a gaseous oxidant space therein that is immersed into the ionically conductive medium. A fuel electrode is spaced from the oxidant reduction electrode, such that the ionically conductive medium may conduct ions between the fuel and oxidant reduction electrodes to support electrochemical reactions at the fuel and oxidant reduction electrodes. A gaseous oxidant channel extending through the gaseous oxidant space provides a supply of oxidant to the oxidant reduction electrode, such that the fuel electrode and the oxidant reduction electrode are configured to, during discharge, oxidize the metal fuel at the fuel electrode and reduce the oxidant at the oxidant reduction electrode, to generate a discharge potential difference therebetween for application to a load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: FLUIDIC, INC.
    Inventors: Cody A. FRIESEN, Ramkumar KRISHNAN, Michael MIHALKA, Grant FRIESEN, Andrew GOODFELLOW
  • Patent number: 8389178
    Abstract: An electrochemical energy storage device comprising a primary positive electrode, a negative electrode, and one or more ionic conductors. The ionic conductors ionically connect the primary positive electrode with the negative electrode. The primary positive electrode comprises carbon dioxide (CO2) and a means for electrochemically reducing the CO2. This means for electrochemically reducing the CO2 comprises a conductive primary current collector, contacting the CO2, whereby the CO2 is reduced upon the primary current collector during discharge. The primary current collector comprises a material to which CO2 and the ionic conductors are essentially non-corrosive. The electrochemical energy storage device uses CO2 as an electroactive species in that the CO2 is electrochemically reduced during discharge to enable the release of electrical energy from the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: U.S. Department of Energy
    Inventors: Karoly Nemeth, Michel Antonius van Veenendaal, George Srajer
  • Patent number: 8343646
    Abstract: An energy storage system according to the present disclosure includes a cell having an electrode and a deposition facilitating structure proximate the electrode for facilitating deposition of material on the electrode. The deposition facilitating structure includes first and second outer layers and an intermediate support arrangement positioned between the outer layers and connected to the outer layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Zinc Air Incorporated
    Inventors: Howard F. Wilkins, Gretchen M. Bothwell, Ronald D. Brost, Kristine M. Brost, Steven L. Peace, Paul A. Trudeau, Jr., Richard M. Bendert, Gerald P. Backer
  • Patent number: 8329346
    Abstract: A gas consuming battery is provided with an air regulating system for regulating the flow of air into the battery. The air regulating system includes a valve having a moving plate disposed adjacent to another plate. The moving plate and the other plate can both have apertures therethrough that at least partially align in an open valve and are misaligned in a closed valve. The air regulating system can also include an actuator for moving the moving plate to open and close the valve. A sealing medium including a fluid containment layer and a fluid partially contained therein is disposed between the moving and fixed plates to enhance valve operation and sealing effectiveness. The fluid containment layer includes a porous material, and the fluid has a maximum wicking height, that is equal to or greater than a maximum interfacial dimension between the valve plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Janse van Rensburg, David M. Blakey, Steven D. Jones, Jerald D. Baldwin, Jr., Richard A. Langan
  • Patent number: 8329357
    Abstract: A fluid consuming battery (10) is provided with a fluid regulating system (50) for regulating fluid entry into the battery. The battery (10) includes a fluid consuming cell (20) having a cell housing with fluid entry ports for the passage of a fluid into the cell housing. A first fluid consuming electrode and a second electrode are disposed within the cell housing. The fluid regulating system (50) includes a valve having a moving plate (66) disposed adjacent to a fixed plate (62). The moving plate and fixed plate both have fluid entry ports (68, 64) that align in an open valve position and are misaligned in a closed valve position. The fluid regulating system (50) also includes an actuator that may include one or more shape memory alloy (SMA) components (82a, 82b) for moving the moving plate (66) relative to the fixed plate (62) to open and close the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventor: John C. Bailey
  • Patent number: 8309259
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for charging the cell by electrodeposition of metal fuel on the anode thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents for and on Behalf of Arizona State University
    Inventors: Cody A. Friesen, Joel R. Hayes
  • Publication number: 20120276458
    Abstract: Methods and devices for enhanced energy storage in an electrochemical cell are provided. In some embodiments, an electrode for use in a metal-air electrochemical cell can include a plurality of nanofiber (NF) structures having high porosity, tunable mass, and tunable thickness. The NF structures are particularly suited for energy storage and can provide the electrode with exceptionally high gravimetric capacity and energy density when used in an electrochemical cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Betar M. Gallant, Yang Shao-Horn, Carl V. Thompson, II, Robert R. Mitchell, III
  • Patent number: 8227136
    Abstract: A unitized electrode assembly for a fuel cell comprising an electrolyte membrane, a subgasket, and a sealing bead disposed therebetween is disclosed. The sealing bead adapted to fill a tenting region formed between the membrane and the subgasket to maximize an operating life of the electrolyte membrane by militating against wear of membrane expansion during use of the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Scott L. Peters, Craig S. Gittleman
  • Publication number: 20120129057
    Abstract: A fuel cell system has a separation unit for separating gas-liquid mixed fluid discharged from the fuel cell stack. The separation unit has a tank for storing the separated liquid. A pair of metal electrodes is disposed on the side surfaces of the tank opposed to each other. The electrodes are used to measure the amount of the liquid in the tank and also promote the heat dissipation of the liquid in the tank. This can suppress the transpiration of the liquid in the tank and cool the liquid to a temperature suitable for the reuse in the fuel cell stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Masaki Mitsui, Tadao Kimura, Katsumi Kozu
  • Patent number: 8168337
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrochemical cell for use with an electrolyte, oxidizable solid fuel, and an oxidizer to generate electrical power. The electrochemical cell includes a permeable electrode body provided along a flow path for receiving a flow including an electrolyte. The permeable electrode body is configured to permit the electrolyte to flow therethrough and to collect solid fuel thereon from the electrolyte flowing therethrough so as to comprise a first electrode for oxidizing the fuel to generate electrons for conduction by the first electrode. The cell also includes a second electrode for receiving electrons and reducing an oxidizer. The first electrode and the second electrode are spaced apart to define a gap therebetween for receiving the flow from the permeable electrode body. One or more return channels are directly communicated to the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents for and on Behalf of Arizona State University
    Inventors: Cody A. Friesen, Joel R. Hayes