Having Means For Metal Fuel Resupply Patents (Class 429/404)
  • Patent number: 11735747
    Abstract: An electrode structure of a flow battery. A density of the vertical tow in the electrode fiber is larger than the density of the parallel tow. In the electrode fiber per unit volume, the quantity ratio of the vertical tow to the parallel tow is at least 6:4. The electrode structure includes an odd number of layers of the electrode fibers, and the porosity of other layers is larger than that of the center layer. The electrode structure includes the vertical tows, so that, the contact area between the outer surface of the electrode and the adjacent component is increased and the contact resistance is reduced; the electrode has good mechanical properties; the contact resistance of such structure is reduced by 30%-50%; and the layers of the electrode have different thickness depending on the porosity. After compression, the layers with optimized thickness have a consistent porosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: DALIAN RONGKEPOWER CO., LTD
    Inventors: Shenglin Liu, Hongdong Jiang, Huamin Zhang, Xiangkun Ma, Tao Zhang, Shan Jiang, Zhenkun Yang, Dan Sun, Kuanrong Yi
  • Patent number: 11394068
    Abstract: Described herein are methods, air cathodes or electrochemical cell systems configured to reduce or alleviate leakage of electrolyte within air cathodes. A method for electrolyte leakage management in an electrochemical cell system includes: configuring a plurality of air cathodes within an electrochemical cell system, each of the plurality of air cathodes comprising a frame, a membrane oxygen electrode attached to the frame to define a sealed interior cavity, an air inlet communicative with the interior cavity, a liquid outlet communicative with the interior cavity; positioning the liquid outlet lower than the air inlet; and draining electrolyte leakage from the interior cavity through the liquid outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Inventor: Xiaoge Gregory Zhang
  • Patent number: 11251650
    Abstract: An electrical system for a mobile power generation device and a mobile power generation device are disclosed. The electrical system includes an electrical cabin and a generator switch cabinet located inside the electrical cabin and including a generator switch device, the generator switch device being configured to connect or disconnect the generator of the mobile power generation device from an external load, the generator switch cabinet further includes a first output end configured to be electrically connected to the external load through a connection conductor, the first output end includes a connection terminal or a connector, the electrical cabin includes a first bottom plate, the generator switch cabinet is arranged on the first bottom plate, and the first bottom plate includes a first hollow portion, and an orthographic projection of the generator switch cabinet on the first bottom plate is at least partially overlapped with the first hollow portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: YANTAI JEREH PETROLEUM EQUIPMENT & TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yannan Liu, Huijuan Cao, Ligong Wu, Honly Wang, Tao Kou, Xu Liu, Dekun Tian, Libin Zhou
  • Patent number: 10978758
    Abstract: A metal air battery system having a rotating anode/cathode assembly. The assembly is mounted in a housing system that provides a mechanism for loading of fresh metal anodes for the purpose of mechanical recharge of the battery. The anode and cathode are able to rotate at high speed for the purposes of producing local high centrifugal (g) forces on their respective surfaces for the purpose of wiping clean liquid electrolyte from their surface to provide for almost instantaneous shutdown of chemical reactions producing hydrogen gas and electric current. The anode and cathode are also rotated at slower speeds for the purpose of providing an even corrosion of the metal anode surface and the cathode rides on the liquid electrolyte using a dynamic and or static liquid bearing design. This liquid bearing provides a constant distance and therefore electrical resistance in the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: AlumaPower Corporation
    Inventor: Geoffrey T. Sheerin
  • Patent number: 10938072
    Abstract: A zinc-air secondary battery includes an air positive electrode part, a separator, and a zinc gel negative electrode part in a case, provided with an electrolyte flow part for inducing electrolyte to flow inside the zinc gel negative electrode part. The oxygen discharging efficiency that remains in the zinc gel negative electrode part and is not smoothly discharged to the outside can be improved, and thus charging performance of the zinc-air secondary battery can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: E.M.W.ENERGY CO., LTD
    Inventors: Byoung Hoon Ryou, Jae Kyung Kong
  • Patent number: 10926661
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a processor programmed to create a virtual energy bucket for a battery, and set a short-term power limit corresponding to the virtual energy bucket that defines a discharge limit for the battery. The virtual energy bucket fills responsive to an output power of the battery being below a first power threshold and depletes responsive to the output power being above a second power threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bryan Michael Bolger, Elaine Y. Chen, Zachary March, Matthew Allen Tomai
  • Patent number: 10826143
    Abstract: A refuelable electrochemical battery is provided that features three phases of operation that repeat cyclically. In an intake phase a mixture of electrochemically active particles or pellets (e.g., aluminum pellets) and a suitable electrolyte (e.g., sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide) are fed into a cavity or chamber. In a power phase the resulting electrochemical reaction produces electrical energy. The particles are mechanically combined or collected to form one electrode, while a gas-diffusion membrane permeable by oxygen is another electrode. During the exhaust phase, a piston forces the residue of the reaction from the cavity in order to prepare for the next cycle of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Inventor: Wendell D. Brown
  • Patent number: 10665908
    Abstract: An integrated coolant bottle assembly includes a reservoir configured for use in a thermal system. Examples of such thermal systems include a cooling/heating system of a battery powered electric vehicle, electric power generators (e.g., motor-based systems), other physical plant installations, etc. Such a reservoir includes a first section and a second section. The second section is joined to the first section at a reservoir interface thereby forming the reservoir that is configured for storage and/or flow of a liquid medium. The first section may include an integrated channel that provides a pathway for the flow of the liquid medium. The reservoir may also include a component interface configured to facilitate connection of a component thereto (e.g., a pump, a battery pump, a powertrain pump, a chiller, a heater, a filter, an aerator, a valve, a connector, a fan, or a radiator).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Thomas Krull, Prem Mark Pinto
  • Patent number: 10648943
    Abstract: A refrigerant analyzer including a pump, a filtering device, a temperature/humidity regulator, an electrochemical sensor, and a control device, wherein the refrigerant analyzer is configured to circulate conditioned air through the sensing chamber for an initialization duration of time to obtain an initial output value, determine whether the initial output value is stabilized below a predetermined initial limit, circulate a refrigerant through the sensing chamber for a sensing duration of time, operate the control device to measure a sensed output value, and operate the control device to determine a measured concentration of at least one contaminant within the refrigerant based on the sensed output value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lei Chen, Zhiwei Yang, Warren Clough, Ivan Rydkin
  • Patent number: 10594008
    Abstract: An air-metal battery utilizes a magnesium anode, a carbon cathode, and a conductive fluid including glycol and water. The anode and cathode are provided in a fuel card assembly that is replaceable as a unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Inventor: Dan Curfew
  • Patent number: 10566671
    Abstract: A zinc-air cell, a battery which is a low weight, low volume, or higher energy system, or a combination thereof and an apparatus for recharging the same are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: PHINERGY LTD
    Inventor: Jonathan R. Goldstein
  • Patent number: 10559863
    Abstract: A dynamic metal-anode flow battery energy-storage system includes a discharge module, a charging module, and a delivery device. The discharge module includes a plurality of discharge reactants to be oxidized to discharge electric energy. The charging module is electrically connected to the discharge module and includes at least one electrolysis device and at least one removal device. The electrolysis device includes a conductive member which is to be energized with electricity, such that a plurality of electrolysis products having the same material with the discharge reactants are adhered to a surface thereof. The removal device includes a scraper adapted to remove the adhered electrolysis products from the surface of the conductive member. The delivery device is adapted to deliver the electrolysis products into the first electrolyte as the discharge reactants, and deliver the discharged products into the second electrolyte as the electrolysis reactants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: NATIONAL TAIPEI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Kuohsiu David Huang, Ting-Wei Hsu, Jhang-Cheng Chen, Wei-Mon Yan
  • Patent number: 10511047
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a reactant feed and return assembly, such as an anode splitter plate (ASP), are provided for facilitating reactant feed and exhaust flow in a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stack system. Embodiments include a reactant feed and return assembly including at least a first portion formed of a chromium-based alloy, such as a chromium-iron alloy, having a similar coefficient of thermal expansion as other SOFC components and may therefore reduce internal stress in an SOFC stack. Methods for making an a reactant feed and return assembly comprising a chromium-based alloy are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tad Armstrong, Martin Perry, Avinash Verma, Michael Petrucha, Dongai Shi, Cheng-Yu Lin, Shruti Baharani
  • Patent number: 10468693
    Abstract: A thermal management system for a fuel cell vehicle may include a fuel cell stack, a solid-state hydrogen storage device, and a hydrogen supply pipe, wherein the fuel cell stack receives hydrogen and air configured to generate electricity and discharge water, wherein the solid-state hydrogen storage device includes a first container accommodating a solid-state hydrogen storage material, a second container accommodating a thermochemical thermal energy storage material, a third container accommodating a heat transfer medium, and pipes connected to the first container, the second container, and the third container to circulate the heat transfer medium, and wherein the hydrogen supply pipe is connected to the first container and the fuel cell stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Junho Jang, Dong Hoon Nam
  • Patent number: 10355296
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a module for regenerating an electrolyte capable of being used in a flow battery, and a method for regenerating an electrolyte of a flow battery using the same, and in particular, to a module for regenerating an electrolyte introducing any one of anode and cathode electrolytes each stored in anode and cathode electrolyte storage units to a counter electrolyte storage unit, and circulating any one of the anode and cathode electrolytes in a direction opposite to the direction of electrolyte introduction to uniformly mix the anode and cathode electrolytes, and as a result, capable of recovering battery capacity reduced by a membrane permeation phenomenon between the anode and cathode electrolytes when driving a flow battery for a long period of time, and a method for regenerating an electrolyte of a flow battery using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Bong Hyun Jeong, Jeongbae Lee, Tae Geun Noh, Sikwon Moon
  • Patent number: 10340536
    Abstract: A modular fuel cell structure includes an anode conductive sheet, an air electrode sheet, a separating membrane, and a cathode conductive sheet stacked on a casing. The casing has a reaction vessel, and also has a first, a second, and a third flow passages, which all communicates with the reaction vessel, and are all independent. Said modular structure forms a fuel cell system with a first storage tank, a second storage tank, a retrieval device, and a feeding device which controls the first and the second storage tanks to deliver a first and a second materials to the casing. The first and the second materials are respectively injected into the reaction vessel for reaction through the first and the second flow passages, and then exhausted to the retrieval device through the third flow passage after the reaction. With the independent flow passages, the efficiency of power generation could be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: National Taipei University of Technology
    Inventors: Kuohsiu David Huang, Ting-Wei Hsu
  • Patent number: 10297887
    Abstract: A refuelable electrochemical battery is provided that features three phases of operation that repeat cyclically. In an intake phase a mixture of electrochemically active particles or pellets (e.g., aluminum pellets) and a suitable electrolyte (e.g., sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide) are fed into a cavity or chamber. In a power phase the resulting electrochemical reaction produces electrical energy. The particles are mechanically combined or collected to form one electrode, while a gas-diffusion membrane permeable by oxygen is another electrode. During the exhaust phase, a piston forces the residue of the reaction from the cavity in order to prepare for the next cycle of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Inventor: Wendell D. Brown
  • Patent number: 10283825
    Abstract: A refuelable electrochemical battery is provided that features three phases of operation that repeat cyclically. In an intake phase a mixture of electrochemically active particles or pellets (e.g., aluminum pellets) and a suitable electrolyte (e.g., sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide) are fed into a cavity or chamber. In a power phase the resulting electrochemical reaction produces electrical energy. The particles are mechanically combined or collected to form one electrode, while a gas-diffusion membrane permeable by oxygen is another electrode. During the exhaust phase, a piston forces the residue of the reaction from the cavity in order to prepare for the next cycle of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Inventor: Wendell D. Brown
  • Patent number: 10179733
    Abstract: An underwater hydrogen generator can include a watertight reaction housing enclosing a metering chamber. The metering chamber can have an upper portion that terminates at a piston opening, and a lower portion that merges into a funnel, which can further terminate at a metering opening. The metering chamber can be filled with an acid accelerator, and the watertight reaction void can be partially filled with NaBH4 in solution. The generator can further include a seawater float valve that can be in fluid communication between the external environment, the metering chamber and the void defined by the reaction housing. The float valve, metering chamber and reaction housing can cooperate to generate hydrogen when said generator is submerged, by allowing seawater to contact both the acid accelerator and the NaBH4. The size of the metering opening can determine the rate at which acid accelerator is added to the NaBH4 solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Carol A. Becker, Wayne E. Glad, Brandon J. Wiedemeier
  • Patent number: 10096873
    Abstract: A metal/air electrochemical cell comprising at least one air cathode, an alkaline electrolyte and at least one anode component, wherein the anode component is in the form a spatial body bounded by a surface consisting of two opposite parallel bases and lateral sides, with said lateral sides being provided thereon with a protective member comprising a resilient polymer seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: PHINERGY LTD.
    Inventors: Avraham Yadgar, Yisrael Miller, Dekel Tzidon
  • Patent number: 10020551
    Abstract: A liquid activated air battery includes: an electrode assembly that includes an air electrode and a metal anode; a battery container that is capable of holding the electrode assembly and electrolytic solution; a supply tank for the electrolytic solution to be supplied to the battery container; a drainage tank for the electrolytic solution discharged from the battery container; and pumps as an electrolytic solution flow mechanism that runs the electrolytic solution from the supply tank to the drainage tank through the battery container. The composition of the electrolytic solution supplied to the battery container is kept constant, and stable power output is ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mori Nagayama, Yoshiko Tsukada, Nobutaka Chiba, Atsushi Miyazawa
  • Patent number: 10008729
    Abstract: High performance flow batteries, based on alkaline zinc/ferro-ferricyanide rechargeable (“ZnFe”) and similar flow batteries, may include one or more of the following improvements. First, the battery design has a cell stack comprising a low resistance positive electrode in at least one positive half cell and a low resistance negative electrode in at least one negative half cell, where the positive electrode and negative electrode resistances are selected for uniform high current density across a region of the cell stack. Second, a flow of electrolyte, such as zinc species in the ZnFe battery, with a high level of mixing through at least one negative half cell in a Zn deposition region proximate a deposition surface where the electrolyte close to the deposition surface has sufficiently high zinc concentration for deposition rates on the deposition surface that sustain the uniform high current density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Grover Gordon, II, Alan J. Gotcher, Godfrey Sikha, Gregory J. Wilson
  • Patent number: 9780423
    Abstract: An air battery has a cathode layer, an anode layer and an electrolyte layer interposed between the cathode and anode layers. At least one of the cathode and anode layers has a passage forming member such that, when the air battery is adjacently stacked to another air battery, the passage forming member is situated between the air battery and the adjacent air battery so as to form an air passage to cathode layer. The passage forming member has conductivity and the ability to be elastically deformed according to expansion of the electrolyte layer. It is possible by this structure to, when there occurs increase in internal resistance due to expansion of the electrolyte layer, compensate such increase in internal resistance by decrease in contact resistance, maintain the cross-sectional area of the air passage at a predetermined size and prevent decrease in the output of the air battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiko Tsukada, Atsushi Miyazawa, Mori Nagayama
  • Patent number: 9666919
    Abstract: A refuelable electrochemical battery is provided that features three phases of operation that repeat cyclically. In an intake phase a mixture of electrochemically active particles or pellets (e.g., aluminum pellets) and a suitable electrolyte (e.g., sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide) are fed into a cavity or chamber. In a power phase the resulting electrochemical reaction produces electrical energy. The particles are mechanically combined or collected to form one electrode, while a gas-diffusion membrane permeable by oxygen is another electrode. During the exhaust phase, a piston forces the residue of the reaction from the cavity in order to prepare for the next cycle of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Inventor: Wendell Brown
  • Patent number: 9553328
    Abstract: An electrochemical system for storing electrical energy in metallic material comprises a charging assembly having one or more cathode and anode couples for metal deposition and a discharging assembly having one or more cathodes and spaces amid the cathodes for containing metal anode. The charging assembly and discharging assembly are physically separated allowing independent operation of the charging and discharging facilities and independent scaling of power and energy capabilities. It also allows storage of anode metal material in simple containers separated from the charging and discharging assemblies and thus allows for economical energy storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: e-Zn Inc.
    Inventor: Xiaoge Gregory Zhang
  • Patent number: 9445665
    Abstract: Autonomous trolleys include an integrated power source, which energy can be utilized for integrated trolley systems such as a wheel assist module, heating module, and cooling module. The power source may include a fuel cell system or a rechargeable electrical energy storage device or a combination thereof. The rechargeable electrical energy storage device can be charged by any other power source, including a fuel cell system. The trolley can also be equipped with a fuel tank for easy and safe refueling of a fuel cell system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Driesses Aerospace Group N.V.
    Inventors: Kevin Huang, Lucas Nastase, Tom Schreuder, Andreas Hoogeveen, Adriaan Eijkelenboom, Cyril Morozeau, Olivier Zarrouati
  • Patent number: 9337456
    Abstract: A frame member for housing a battery cell, frame assembly and frame/battery cell assembly made therefrom, as well as respective methods of making the same, are disclosed. A frame member for housing a battery cell includes an integral frame having a peripheral wall, the peripheral wall having an attachment face and an opposed cooling face, and an attachment feature located on the attachment face and a complementary attachment feature located on the attachment face that is symmetrically opposed to the attachment feature about a plane of symmetry of the frame, the peripheral wall defining an opening that is configured to matingly receive a battery cell therein. A pair of frame members having a cooling member placed therebetween and attached to the respective attachment faces comprises a frame assembly. A frame/battery cell assembly includes a pair of frame assemblies having at least one battery cell placed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: William Koetting, Kwok Tom, Josh Payne
  • Patent number: 9269995
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a fuel electrode configured to operate as an anode to consume a fuel when the fuel electrode and an associated cathode are connected to a load. An ionically conductive medium either present or flowing through the electrochemical cell is configured to conduct ions and participate in electrochemical reactions between the anode and the cathode. The cell further includes a catch tray containing catalyst material to induce the ionization of precipitates of fuel and/or fuel additives that may separate in solid form from the fuel electrode. The catch tray may be positioned to prevent a congestion of the precipitates in the ionically conductive medium, or the waste of electrically disconnected fuel and/or additives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: FLUIDIC, INC.
    Inventors: Cody A. Friesen, Ramkumar Krishnan, Grant Friesen
  • Patent number: 9252616
    Abstract: A zinc-air cell, a battery which is a low weight, low volume, or high energy system, or a combination thereof, and an apparatus for recharging the same are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: PHINERGY LTD.
    Inventor: Jonathan Russell Goldstein
  • Publication number: 20150118583
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a metal-air electrochemical power sources, specifically zinc-air batteries and fuel cells, and methods for removing solid or semi-solid spent fuel using a thickener-liquefier pair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Avraham Arbel, Jonathan R. Goldstein
  • Publication number: 20150093657
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a direct aluminum fuel cell including: an anode 11 including an aluminum-containing material; a cathode 12 capable of reducing oxygen under neutral or near-neutral conditions; a separator 13 provided between the anode 11 and the cathode 12; and an electrolytic solution with a pH of 3 to 10, wherein the electrolytic solution contains a buffer substance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Takaaki Nakagawa, Kenichi Murata, Tsunetoshi Samukawa
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20150056524
    Abstract: An electrochemical system for storing electrical energy in metallic material comprises a charging assembly having one or more cathode and anode couples for metal deposition and a discharging assembly having one or more cathodes and spaces amid the cathodes for containing metal anode. The charging assembly and discharging assembly are physically separated allowing independent operation of the charging and discharging facilities and independent scaling of power and energy capabilities. It also allows storage of anode metal material in simple containers separated from the charging and discharging assemblies and thus allows for economical energy storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventor: Xiaoge Gregory Zhang
  • Publication number: 20150044580
    Abstract: A magnesium-air battery system (200) comprises a supplier (210), a battery body (220), a wind-up reel (230) and a driver (240). A magnesium-air battery fuel element (100) is formed from a magnesium film into a roll shape. The supplier (210) is connected to the magnesium-air battery fuel element (100) and is rotationally driven by the driver (240) such that the magnesium-air battery fuel element (100) is delivered to the wind-up reel (230) via the battery body (220). The battery body (220) comprises an anode and an electrolyte and uses the magnesium-air battery fuel element (100) as a cathode acting in synergy with the anode to generate electricity. The wind-up reel (230) winds up the post-reaction magnesium-air battery fuel element that is used to generate electricity in the battery body (220), and forms a used fuel element (500) having a roll shape removable from the wind-up reel (230).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Takashi Yabe
  • Patent number: 8932771
    Abstract: Electrochemical energy storage devices, such as alkali metal-oxygen battery cells (e.g., non-aqueous lithium-air cells), have a cathode architecture with a porous structure and pore composition that is tailored to improve cell performance, especially as it pertains to one or more of the discharge/charge rate, cycle life, and delivered ampere-hour capacity. A porous cathode architecture having a pore volume that is derived from pores of varying radii wherein the pore size distribution is tailored as a function of the architecture thickness is one way to achieve one or more of the aforementioned cell performance improvements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: PolyPlus Battery Company
    Inventors: Steven J. Visco, Vitaliy Nimon, Lutgard C. De Jonghe, Yury Volfkovich, Daniil Bograchev
  • Patent number: 8877391
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrochemical cell for generating electrical power that includes an anode, a cathode, a charging electrode and an ionically conductive medium containing at least metal fuel ions and poly(ethylene glycol)tetrahydrofurfuryl. The present invention also relates to a method for charging the cell by electrodeposition of metal fuel on the anode thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Fluidic, Inc.
    Inventors: Cody A. Friesen, Todd Trimble
  • Patent number: 8835024
    Abstract: A method for operating a passive, air-breathing fuel cell system is described. In one embodiment, the system comprises one or more fuel cells, and a closed fuel plenum connected to a fuel supply. In some embodiments of the method, the fuel cell cathodes are exposed to ambient air, and the fuel is supplied to the anodes via the fuel plenum at a pressure greater than that of the ambient air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Societe BIC
    Inventors: Joy Roberts, Joerg Zimmermann, Jeremy Schrooten
  • 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: 20140162145
    Abstract: Methods for operating open electrochemical cells are disclosed. The open electrochemical cells generally comprise a cathode, an electrolyte, and an anode. One example cathode comprises: (i) a catalyst; (ii) an electronic conductor and (iii) a hydrophobic gas permeable binder. The open electrochemical cells may be operated as metal-air batteries, for example, in devices comprising the open electrochemical cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventors: Jay R. Sayre, Megan Sesslar Moore, Vince D. McGinniss
  • Patent number: 8597806
    Abstract: A method for operating a passive, air-breathing fuel cell system is described. In one embodiment, the system comprises one or more fuel cells, and a closed fuel plenum connected to a fuel supply. In some embodiments of the method, the fuel cell cathodes are exposed to ambient air, and the fuel is supplied to the anodes via the fuel plenum at a pressure greater than that of the ambient air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Societe BIC
    Inventors: Joy Roberts, Joerg Zimmermann, Jeremy Schrooten
  • Patent number: 8568933
    Abstract: A metal-air fuel cell module includes a cap seat connected detachably to a casing and having a plug portion extending into an inner accommodating space in the casing for plugging an opening in the casing; a conductive gas-diffusion sheet disposed in the casing for covering sealingly air inlets in the casing, and permitting air to pass through; an electrolyte solution filled in the inner accommodating space; a metal sheet disposed in the inner accommodating space and connected detachably to the plug portion of the cap seat; a first electrode plate mounted on the casing, extending into the inner accommodating space and in electrical contact with the gas-diffusion sheet; and a second electrode plate mounted in the cap seat, extending into the inner accommodating space and in electrical contact with the metal sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Inventor: Wen-Pin Lin
  • Publication number: 20130280623
    Abstract: The present invention has been achieved to provide a metal-air battery that allows removal of a metallic compound without suspending power supply. The metal-air battery of the present invention includes: first and second electrolytic tanks for storing an electrolytic solution; a metallic electrode to serve as an anode provided in the first electrolytic tank; and an air electrode to serve as a cathode, wherein the metallic electrode is formed of a metal which becomes a metallic ion or composes a metallic compound in the electrolytic solution with progress of a battery reaction, the first and second electrolytic tanks are communicated with each other for allowing the electrolytic solution in the first electrolytic tank to move into the second electrolytic tank, and the metallic ion or the metallic compound in the electrolytic solution is precipitated as a metallic compound precipitate in the second electrolytic tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihito YOSHIDA, Hirotaka MIZUHATA, Tomohisa YOSHIE, Masaki KAGA, Shinobu TAKENAKA, Tomoharu ARAI
  • Publication number: 20130095393
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell system is configured to utilize an ionically conductive medium flowing through a plurality of electrochemical cells. One or more gas vents are provided along a flow path for the ionically conductive medium, so as to permit gasses that evolve in the ionically conductive medium during charging or discharging to vent outside the cell system, while constraining the ionically conductive medium within the flow path of the electrochemical cell system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: FLUIDIC, INC.
    Inventors: Cody A FRIESEN, Ramkumar KRISHNAN, Grant FRIESEN, Todd TRIMBLE, Michael MIHALKA, Andrew GOODFELLOW
  • 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: 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
  • Patent number: 8148020
    Abstract: A metal-air battery has an anode in which the electrochemically active material is molybdenum. The molybdenum may be in the form of a bulk body of material or it may comprise a particulate material dispersed with or in another material. In some instances, the molybdenum may comprise a member of an alloy or mixture. Also disclosed is a modular battery system which may include the molybdenum-based anode material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Rongzhong Jiang, Charles W. Walker, Jr., Judy Walker, legal representative, Deryn Chu
  • Patent number: 8092956
    Abstract: A fuel-cell connector for releasable connection to a fuel cartridge has a cartridge-side connection element with a cartridge-side valve that opens or closes a fuel-supply opening. A connector-side valve opens and closes a fuel-receiving opening and moves, during the first insertion stage, with the cartridge-side valve and a resilient element for resisting movement in the insertion direction of a connector body unit into which the cartridge-side connection element is telescopically inserted. The connector body unit has on its outer periphery engagement means for engaging a cartridge-side connection element and a stationary mechanism part for attachment to the fuel-cell-using device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Inventors: Yasuaki Nakamura, Minoru Kanno
  • Publication number: 20110200893
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrochemical cell for generating electrical power that includes an anode, a cathode, a charging electrode and an ionically conductive medium containing at least metal fuel ions and poly(ethylene glycol)tetrahydrofurfuryl. The present invention also relates to a method for charging the cell by electrodeposition of metal fuel on the anode thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: Fluidic, Inc.
    Inventors: Cody A. Friesen, Todd Trimble
  • Patent number: 7998626
    Abstract: Active metal fuel cells are provided. An active metal fuel cell has a renewable active metal (e.g., lithium) anode and a cathode structure that includes an electronically conductive component (e.g., a porous metal or alloy), an ionically conductive component (e.g., an electrolyte), and a fluid oxidant (e.g., air, water or a peroxide or other aqueous solution). The pairing of an active metal anode with a cathode oxidant in a fuel cell is enabled by an ionically conductive protective membrane on the surface of the anode facing the cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: PolyPlus Battery Company
    Inventors: Steven J. Visco, Yevgeniy S. Nimon, Bruce D. Katz, Lutgard C. De Jonghe
  • Publication number: 20110136023
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated hydride air accumulator system and method for manufacturing the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to an integrated hydride/air accumulator with an air electrode, a hydride storage and a counter electrode conductively connected with the hydride storage which is in electrical contact with an electrolyte and an ionically conductive membrane between the air electrode and the counter electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Christian Bretthauer, Holger Reinecke, Class Mueller