Having Means For Directing Oxidant Flow Patents (Class 429/407)
  • Patent number: 11404736
    Abstract: Disclosed is a pouch type metal-air battery. In the pouch type metal-air battery, when the electrolyte inside the cell comes out of the electrode assembly by applying external pressure, the electrolyte does not reach the space partitioned by the gas diffusion layer, the electrode assembly and the exterior material, due to the step caused by the projection part of the gas diffusion layer. As such, a plurality of pores in the exterior material, which corresponds to the space, may not be blocked. Therefore, since oxygen selectively permeated from the exterior material flows into the gas diffusion layer, and flows into the electrode assembly through the diffusion portion of the gas diffusion layer, the contact resistance with pressure may improve and the initial driving conditions and driving reproducibility may be secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Gwang Seok Oh, Young Suk Cho, Hoi Min Kwon, Su Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 11404727
    Abstract: A method for evaluating an internal short, of the present invention, inserts ionic polymer-metal composites (IPMC) in a battery cell, and applies a voltage to an external conducting wire electrically connected to the IPMC, so as to induce an internal short by means of flexural deformation of the IPMC, thereby evaluating whether the internal short occurs. The method for evaluating an internal short, according to the present invention, inserts and positions, in a battery, the IPMC capable of operating even at room temperature and low voltages and adjusts the voltage, thereby having an advantage of enabling a short to occur at a desired position and area and for a desired period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: LG Energy Solution, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seo Young Yoon, Byung Soo Kim, Ju Bin Kim
  • Patent number: 11302914
    Abstract: Thin magnesium plate 101, which contains metal magnesium, is enclosed by separator 102, which is made of fluid-permeable material and is used as magnesium fuel assembly 100 in magnesium battery 120 in this invention. Magnesium fuel assembly 100 is enclosed from both sides by cathode 103 and provided with electrolyte retention unit 106, which stores electrolyte 107, at its bottom. When magnesium fuel assembly 100 is pushed down from above, separator 102 is impregnated with electrolyte 107, thereby initiating the battery reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: MGR Energy LLP
    Inventors: Takashi Yabe, Kyoko Okemoto
  • Patent number: 11127997
    Abstract: A metal air battery includes a first battery cell module which generates electricity by oxidation of a metal and reduction of oxygen, a second battery cell module in fluid-communication with the first battery cell module and which generates electricity by oxidation of a metal and reduction of oxygen, and an air purifier in fluid-communication with the second battery cell module, where the air purifier purifies external air to supply first purified air to the second battery cell module, and the second battery cell module supplies second purified air generated by the oxidation of the metal and the reduction of the oxygen to the first battery cell module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kihyun Kim, Dongmin Im, Kyounghwan Choi
  • Patent number: 10980544
    Abstract: A system and method of delivering and detaching an implant within a body of a patient is described. A tether connects an implant with a delivery device. The delivery device includes a heater through which the tether passes. The inner lumen of the delivery system pusher may accommodate the lead wires which connect to the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: MicroVention, Inc.
    Inventor: Heath Bowman
  • Patent number: 10797359
    Abstract: An air plenum assembly includes a first plenum for cooling, where the first plenum includes an inlet for air intake located at a first side of the first plenum. The air plenum assembly further includes a second plenum for exhausting heated air, where the second plenum includes an outlet for exhausting air located at a first side of the second plenum. The air plenum assembly further includes a first aperture located on a first side of the first plenum for directing air from the inlet at the first side of the first plenum to a first compartment and includes a first vent located on a first side of the second plenum for exhausting air away from the first compartment towards the outlet at the first side of the second plenum. The first compartment is isolated from surrounding battery compartments by at least two thermal separators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Noah Singer, John Torok, Robert B. Schlak, Xiaojin Wei, Mitchell Zapotoski
  • Patent number: 10756402
    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 air flow guiding part, disposed in one area of the case, for guiding the inflow of air to the air positive electrode part when discharging and for guiding the discharge of air when charging. When discharging, the inflow of air is guided to an air positive electrode part so that discharging performance (discharging output) can be improved by pressing, and when charging, discharging of air including oxygen present in the zinc-air secondary battery is guided and promoted by pressing inside the zinc-air secondary battery so that charging performance can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: E.M.W. ENERGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Byoung Hoon Ryou, Jae Kyung Kong
  • Patent number: 10749230
    Abstract: An object is especially to provide a metal-air battery unit that has a compact configuration including a water supply space and an electrical system space. The metal-air battery unit of the present invention includes a unit main body including a plurality of metal-air battery cells, a water supply space supplying an electrolyte to the metal-air battery cells and an electrical system space coupling to a positive electrode and a negative electrode of the metal-air battery cell to control a battery output, disposed on an outer surface of the unit main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: FUJIKURA RUBBER LTD.
    Inventors: Masaki Takahashi, Tsutomu Narita, Yoshiharu Nakajima, Hiroshi Sakama
  • Patent number: 10700400
    Abstract: An air-zinc battery module includes a case having an air passage for introducing outside air and a housing space formed therein, a battery unit group which is installed in the housing space of the case and is formed by connecting a plurality of battery units to each other, wherein the battery unit is formed by stacking a plurality of air-zinc battery cells which are connected to each other, and a fan which is installed in the housing space of the case to guide air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: E.M.W.ENERGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Byoung Hoon Ryou, Jae Kyung Kong
  • Patent number: 10573945
    Abstract: The application relates to a metal-air fuel cell and uses thereof including use as a long-life, mechanically rechargeable, direct current power source for devices and products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: HYDRA LIGHT INTERNATIONAL LTD
    Inventor: Mark Dansie
  • Patent number: 10439378
    Abstract: A poke-through device for installation in a hole in a floor structure, the poke-through device including a body defining an interior. The body including a length bounded by an upper end and a lower end, the body including a central axis extending along its length. A mounting frame including a pair of opposed end lobes separated by at least one divider. One of the pair of lobes has a first electrical device mounting surface and the other of the pair of lobes including a second electrical device mounting surface. The first and second electrical mounting surfaces are angled toward the central axis. The first and second electrical device mounting surfaces each including an opening adapted to receive therein an electrical device. A first intumescent member is disposed at the body upper end, and an electrical box is secured to the body lower end. A fire resistant gasket is disposed between the electrical box and the body lower end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Gregory Richards, Mark R. Drane, Robert Kevin Jolly, Michael D. Martin
  • Patent number: 10352892
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for a trace oxygen sensor is configured with a floating cathode that has a capability to detect part-per-billion (ppb) level or less of oxygen in a gas background. An electrolyte reservoir can supply electrolyte when electrolyte level is low. An electrolyte reservoir may be connected to the main cell along with a protection electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: TELEDYNE INSTRUMENTS, INC.
    Inventor: Zhenhe Sun
  • Patent number: 10297871
    Abstract: An object is to prevent leakage of an electrolysis solution and reduce pressure loss. All air cell cartridge includes a plurality of air cells each including a positive electrode material, a negative electrode material and an electrolysis solution layer holding an electrolysis solution and interposed between the positive electrode material and the negative electrode material and each being provided with an air flow path through which air passes so as to come into contact with the positive electrode material, wherein a leakage prevention material (S) is provided to absorb the electrolysis solution leaked from the electrolysis solution layer and swell so as to block up the air flow path (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mori Nagayama, Atsushi Miyazawa, Yoshiko Tsukada
  • Patent number: 10199657
    Abstract: A metal-air battery and a component air cathode including a solid ionically conductive polymer material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: IONIC MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael A. Zimmerman, Alexei B. Gavrilov, G. Stephen Kelsey, Keith Smith
  • Patent number: 10103397
    Abstract: A metal-air battery includes a battery module configured to provide electricity by oxidation of a metal and reduction of oxygen in air; and a first air purifier in fluid communication with the battery module and including a condenser configured to condense moisture in the air and remove the condensed moisture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyukjae Kwon, Jeongsik Ko, Dongmin Im
  • Patent number: 10062895
    Abstract: A securing device for an electrical arrangement is disclosed. The electrical arrangement has at least one electrical component, which has at least one electrical contact element, and at least one electrical connection element, wherein the contact element of the component is connected to the electrical connection element by means of an electrically conductive adhesive, wherein at least one actuator is arranged between the component and the electrical connection element, and an actuating force that moves the component and the connection element apart from one another can be exerted via said at least one actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Florian Schemberg, Roman Ranzinger
  • Patent number: 9660309
    Abstract: A device for raising a temperature of a battery module for an eco-friendly vehicle, the battery module including a plurality of battery cells disposed at intervals in a housing thereof, the device blowing air introduced by a blowing fan to the battery cells to raise a temperature of each the battery cell, the device may include a temperature sensor provided on each battery cell for measuring a temperature of corresponding battery cell, a flow passage for guiding air flowed from a blowing fan to each battery cell, and an air flow rate control means provided at a region connecting the flow passage and each battery cell to control the flow rate of air introduced to each battery cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Youngjae Cho
  • Patent number: 9634365
    Abstract: A metal-air battery includes first and second cells, each cell including a negative electrode metal layer, a negative electrode electrolytic film, a positive electrode layer configured to use oxygen as an active material, and a gas diffusion layer, wherein the negative electrode metal layer, the negative electrode electrolytic film, the positive electrode layer, and the gas diffusion layer are sequentially disposed, wherein each cell has an open surface through which at least a portion of the gas diffusion layer is in fluid communication with, outside air, wherein the first and second cells contact each other, and wherein a direction of a first open surface of the first cell is different from a direction of a second open surface of the second cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Minsik Park, Jeongsik Ko, Heungchan Lee, Dongmin Im
  • Patent number: 9583777
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell, a cell stack device, a fuel cell module and a fuel cell device are disclosed. The solid oxide fuel cell includes a solid electrolyte layer, fuel electrode layer and an oxygen electrode layer. The solid electrolyte layer has gas blocking properties and includes first and second main surfaces opposite to each other. The fuel electrode layer is disposed on the first main surface while the oxygen electrode layer is disposed on the second main surface of the solid electrolyte layer. A thickness of the solid electrolyte layer is 40 ?m or less. Porosity of the solid electrolyte layer in an arbitrary cross section thereof is 3 to 15% by area. An average pore diameter of pores in the solid electrolyte layer is 2 ?m or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenichi Iwasaki, Takayuki Iwamoto
  • Patent number: 9559370
    Abstract: Provided is a lithium air battery system, and more particularly, a lithium air battery system capable of stably and continuously operating a lithium air battery by recovering an electrolytic solution evaporated in the lithium air battery and injecting the recovered electrolytic solution into the lithium air battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: SK Innovation Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Myoung Gu Park, Kyong Sik Kim, Hee Young Sun, Dock Young Yoon, Sang Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 9431685
    Abstract: A battery arrangement for a motor vehicle has a battery housing (4) with battery cells (6, 8) arranged by a holding apparatus (14). The battery cells (6, 8) are connected electrically to one another via a cell connecting element (14). A cooling arrangement (20, 22, 24, 26) cools the battery cells (6, 8) with a cooling medium. The cooling arrangement has a first one flow space (20), a conveying device and a heat exchanger for the cooling medium. Cell poles (10, 12) of the battery cells (6, 8) are arranged on the cell connecting element (14) and a printed circuit board (18) is parallel to the cell connecting element (14). A second flow space (22) is formed between the printed circuit board (18) and the cell connecting element (14) and has openings (24) in the region of the battery cells (6, 8) arranged on the cell connecting element (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hermann Dibos, Bjoern Pehnert, Thierry Mingers
  • Patent number: 9373874
    Abstract: A metal-air cell recharge apparatus, a metal-air cell assembly and a metal-air cell recharge system including the same are provided. The metal-air cell recharge apparatus for recharging a metal-air cell assembly including a secondary metal-air cell containing anode gel and a case accommodating the secondary metal-air cell therein, the apparatus includes a recharge unit for generating supply power using an external power source, and supplying the metal-air cell assembly with the supply power; and a humidified-air supply unit for generating humidified air containing a certain amount of moisture and supplying the humidified air inside the case through a humidified-air supply hole connected to the metal-air cell assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: E.M.W. ENERGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Byung Hoon Ryou, Jae Kyung Kong
  • Patent number: 9269935
    Abstract: An electronic device employs a seal member to seal a battery pack to a housing member to prevent contaminants from entering into a battery bay. The electronic device includes a housing member having an exterior surface a portion of which defines a recess, an electronic assembly contained inside the housing member, and an battery pack received in the recess in the exterior surface of the housing member and electrically connected to the electronic assembly inside the housing member. The seal member engages the battery pack and the housing member along an outer circumference of the battery pack and an inner circumference of the recess such that the seal member seals the gap between the outer circumference of the battery pack and the inner circumference of the recess, thereby preventing contaminants from an external environment from entering into an interior of the recess through the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Douglas Bandis
  • Patent number: 9112246
    Abstract: A battery pack including a battery gauge. The battery gauge includes a circuit board, light emitting devices electrically connected to a battery cell on the circuit board and turned on or off according to a voltage of the battery cell, a display unit disposed outside a pack case at positions corresponding to the light emitting devices, and a partition wall guiding light of the light emitting device to a part of the display unit corresponding to the light emitting device. Since the partition wall prevents light of the light emitting device from affecting the neighboring light emitting device, an on/off operation of the light emitting device is accurately displayed on the display unit, so that a battery discharge level can be accurately detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Eunyoung Kim
  • Patent number: 9059483
    Abstract: There is provided a selective oxygen-permeable substrate including: a selective oxygen-permeable membrane having an inorganic framework and a transition metal ion complex and being capable of selectively permeating oxygen, and a porous substrate disposed on one surface of the selective oxygen-permeable membrane. Preferably, the transition metal ion complex is bonded to the inorganic framework. More preferably, a material constituting the inorganic framework is at least one kind selected from the group consisting of silica, titania, alumina, and zirconia. The selective oxygen-permeable substrate can selectively introduce oxygen in the air into the inside and has high durability against an electrolytic solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Noda
  • Publication number: 20150132670
    Abstract: An object is to prevent leakage of an electrolysis solution and reduce pressure loss. All air cell cartridge includes a plurality of air cells each including a positive electrode material, a negative electrode material and an electrolysis solution layer holding an electrolysis solution and interposed between the positive electrode material and the negative electrode material and each being provided with an air flow path through which air passes so as to come into contact with the positive electrode material, wherein a leakage prevention material (S) is provided to absorb the electrolysis solution leaked from the electrolysis solution layer and swell so as to block up the air flow path (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Mori Nagayama, Atsushi Miyazawa, Yoshiko Tsukuda
  • Publication number: 20150125763
    Abstract: A metal air flow battery includes an electrochemical reaction unit and an oxygen exchange unit. The electrochemical reaction unit includes an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and an ionic conductive membrane between the anode and the cathode, an anode electrolyte, and a cathode electrolyte. The oxygen exchange unit contacts the cathode electrolyte with oxygen separate from the electrochemical reaction unit. At least one pump is provided for pumping cathode electrolyte between the electrochemical reaction unit and the oxygen exchange unit. A method for producing an electrical current is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: Florida State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Jian-ping Zheng, Petru Andrei, Annadanesh Shellikeri, Xujie Chen
  • Publication number: 20150118585
    Abstract: A portable electronics device includes a case, an electrical plane disposed within the case, and a laminated self-supporting uncontained air breathing membrane electrode assembly (MEA). The MEA includes an air positive electrode, a metal negative electrode, and a solid electrolyte in ionic communication with the electrodes. This arrangement, in certain circumstances, does not require a dedicated casing to surround the MEA—reducing a thickness of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Howard F. Wilkins, Ronald D. Brost, Kristine M. Brost, Matthew J. Cottrell, Randolph M. Kosted, Adam Weisenstein, William A. Garcia
  • Patent number: 9005826
    Abstract: A battery has a cathode and an anode, between which a solid electrolyte is disposed. The battery has a process gas feed on the cathode side. The battery is characterized in that an electrically conductive supporting body is disposed on the cathode surface. At least one chamber connected to the anode has a porous, oxidizable material and a redox pair that is gaseous at an operating temperature of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Harald Landes, Alessandro Zampieri
  • Publication number: 20150099198
    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: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Yoshiko Tsukada, Atsushi Miyazawa, Mori Nagayama
  • Patent number: 8993181
    Abstract: A valve-closing pressure chamber and a valve-opening pressure chamber are arranged on both sides of a main diaphragm inside an outlet shutoff valve. An upper supply/discharge tube and a lower supply/discharge tube are connected to a housing forming the outlet shutoff valve. The upper and lower supply/discharge tube supply and discharge air to and from the valve-closing pressure chamber and the valve-opening pressure chamber, respectively. An opening end, which is on the pressure chamber side, of each supply/discharge tube is obliquely cut relative to the direction of axis of the supply/discharge tube, which increases the opening area of the opening end. This prevents water present in the pressure chamber from adhering to the opening end of each supply/discharge tube and prevents the adhered water from freezing. As a result, operation performance of the outlet shutoff valve is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahiro Takeshita
  • Patent number: 8980489
    Abstract: A fuel cell type power generation device including: a fuel cell extracting electric power by an electrochemical reaction of a fuel; a first combustor burning an unreacted fuel exhausted from the fuel cell; and a second combustor burning an unburned fuel exhausted from the first combustor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshihito Terada
  • Patent number: 8968942
    Abstract: A battery system includes a metal oxygen battery. The metal oxygen battery includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The second electrode includes a metal material (M). The metal oxygen battery is in communication with an oxygen storage material. In certain instances, the oxygen storage material is contained within an oxygen containment unit. The metal oxygen battery and the oxygen containment unit may be in a closed-loop with respect to each other. The battery system further includes a conduit for providing fluid communication from one of the metal oxygen battery and the oxygen containment unit to the other of the metal oxygen battery and the oxygen containment unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andrea Pulskamp, Andrew Robert Drews, Donald J. Siegel, Bruce Carvell Blakemore, Ronald David Brost, Jun Yang, Shinichi Hirano, Michael Alan Tamor
  • Patent number: 8960344
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to efficiently mount a fuel cell system below a floor of a vehicle rear portion and to protect the fuel cell system when a forward impact force acts on a vehicle rear portion. To achieve this, a fuel cell vehicle in which a fuel cell system includes a gas tank is configured to store a fuel gas and a fuel cell unit formed by integrating a fuel cell stack, an intake duct, and an exhaust duct, the gas tank is disposed in a space below a rear floor connected to a front floor via a vertical wall portion and adjacent to the vertical wall portion, and the fuel cell unit is disposed behind the gas tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Ozawa, Toru Eguchi
  • Publication number: 20150037693
    Abstract: An air battery for use by being stacked in a battery pack has a cathode constituting member and an anode material adapted such that at least a part of the anode material is brought into direct contact with a cathode constituting member of another air battery. In this configuration, it is possible to eliminate the need to use an anode cap for sealing on the anode side and thereby possible to achieve not only reduction in weight and size but also reduction in cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: NISSON MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi Miyazawa, Keita Iritsuki, Tomokatsu Himeno, Yoshiko Tsukada
  • Patent number: 8940448
    Abstract: This invention relates to a fuel cell system comprising: a fuel cell stack; a hydrogen-gas supply device configured to supply hydrogen gas filled in a hydrogen tank into the fuel cell stack along with pressure reduction of the hydrogen gas; an air supply duct configured to supply air into the fuel cell stack; and an air exhaust duct configured to exhaust surplus air from the fuel cell stack. The hydrogen-gas supply device is disposed inside a heat exchange chamber capable of communicating with the air supply duct and the air exhaust duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Kengo Ikeya
  • Publication number: 20150024291
    Abstract: A containment vessel of a thin lithium-air battery with improved safety is provided. By using the containment vessel, an explosive reaction (ignition) of the electrolyte including lithium metal or ion can be suppressed. The containment vessel (1001) includes: a containment chamber (201) containing the thin lithium-air battery (101). It further includes: a first gas pipe (202B) and a second gas pipe (202D) communicated with an inside of the containment chamber (201); a third gas pipe (202A) and a fourth gas pipe (202C) communicated with an inside of the thin lithium-air battery (101); and a valve (204C) that is provided to the third gas pipe (202A) and controls opening and closing of communication to the containment chamber (201), wherein an inert gas supply source is provided to the first gas pipe (202B), and an air or oxygen supply source is provided to the third gas pipe (202A).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MATERIALS SCIENCE
    Inventors: Kimihiko Ito, Yoshimi Kubo
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20150010834
    Abstract: A stack for an electrical energy accumulator is provided having at least one storage cell, which in turn has a storage electrode and an air electrode that is connected to an air supply device, the air supply device having an air distribution plate, wherein the stack also has a water vapour supply device which is in contact with the storage electrode and the air distribution plate has at least one element of the water vapour supply device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Wolfgang Drenckhahn, Horst Greiner, Johann Rothfischer
  • Patent number: 8906563
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a permeable fuel electrode configured to support a metal fuel thereon, and an oxidant reduction electrode spaced from the fuel electrode. An ionically conductive medium is provided for conducting ions between the fuel and oxidant reduction electrodes, to support electrochemical reactions at the fuel and oxidant reduction electrodes. A charging electrode is also included, selected from the group consisting of (a) the oxidant reduction electrode, (b) a separate charging electrode spaced from the fuel and oxidant reduction electrodes, and (c) a portion of the permeable fuel electrode. The charging electrode is configured to evolve gaseous oxygen bubbles that generate a flow of the ionically conductive medium. One or more flow diverters are also provided in the electrochemical cell, and configured to direct the flow of the ionically conductive medium at least partially through the permeable fuel electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Fluidic, Inc.
    Inventors: Cody A Friesen, Ramkumar Krishnan, Grant Friesen, Joel Hayes
  • Publication number: 20140342250
    Abstract: An air cell includes a positive electrode layer, an electrolyte layer stacked on the positive electrode layer, a negative electrode layer stacked on the electrolyte layer and an electroconductive liquid-tight ventilation layer stacked on the positive electrode layer, the electroconductive liquid-tight ventilation layer being positioned on the opposite side of the positive electrode from the electrolyte layer. The assembled battery is provided with a plurality of the air cells described above. The assembled battery is provided with a flow path through which oxygen-containing gas flows interposed between the electrically-conductive liquid-tight ventilation layer of a first air cell and the negative electrode layer of a second air cell adjacent to the first air cell. The first air cell is electrically connected to the negative electrode layer of the second air cell via the electrically-conductive liquid-tight ventilation layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mori Nagayama, Nobutaka Chiba, Yoshiko Tsukada, Atsushi Miyazawa
  • Publication number: 20140335429
    Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly includes a gas diffusion layer, a catalytic layer in fluid communication with the gas diffusion layer, an anodic layer and a bipolar solid electrolyte disposed between the catalytic and anodic layers. The bipolar solid electrolyte inhibits carbonate formation in air breathing alkaline cells and inhibits dendritic growth between the anodic and catalytic layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Zinc Air Fuel Cells, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald D. Brost, Kristine M. Brost, Howard F. Wilkins, Randolph M. Kosted, Paula J. Kosted, Adam Weisenstein, William A. Garcia, David Wilkins
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8852824
    Abstract: A fuel cell system for generating a hydrogen test pulse includes a fuel cell stack having an anode inlet in fluid communication with a hydrogen source via a fuel spending line, a cathode inlet in fluid communication with an oxidant source, and an anode outlet and a cathode outlet in fluid communication with an exhaust line. An electric pressure regulator is in fluid communication with the fuel spending line. An overpressure valve is in fluid communication with an overpressure line, which is in fluid communication with the fuel spending line between the electric pressure regulator and the fuel cell stack. A hydrogen sensor is in communication with the exhaust line, and is configured to measure the hydrogen test pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Weispfenning
  • Publication number: 20140295299
    Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte air battery has a positive electrode comprises at least a catalyst which activates oxygen, a conductive material and a binder, when a thermal decomposition starting temperature of the binder is T1° C. and a thermal decomposition ending temperature of the binder is T2° C. A signal with any of mass numbers of 81, 100, 132 and 200 is present in pyrolysis mass spectrometry of the binder in a range of T1° C. to T2° C. Where a mass spectrum signal area of T1-100° C. or higher and lower than T1° C. is X, and a mass spectrum signal area from T1° C. to T2° C. is Y, the X and Y satisfy a relation of X?Y.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Asato KONDO, Takashi KUBOKI
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140242476
    Abstract: What is provided is an operating battery stack system (24) with interconnector plates (20) and in and out heat transfer fluids (22), where the fluids, which can be liquid or gaseous, function as heat transfer media, to pass between each interconnector plate (20) in countercurrent direction to extract heat from the battery system (24) permitting heat exchange (28) in a direction perpendicular to the fluid (22) flow and plate axis (26) resulting in lowered temperature gradients within the stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventors: Michael Kühne, Arun K. S. Iyengar
  • Publication number: 20140234731
    Abstract: A metal/air electrochemical cell in one embodiment includes a negative electrode, a positive electrode, an oxygen supply, and a closed oxygen conducting membrane less than about 50 microns thick located between the oxygen supply and the positive electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventors: Timm Lohmann, John F. Christensen, Boris Kozinsky, Paul Albertus, Roel Sanchez-Carrera
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140170509
    Abstract: An armouring material for use in an air secondary battery, including: an armouring sheet (2) constituted by laminating an outer layer (21) including heat-resistant resin film, a metal foil layer (22), and an inner layer (23) including a thermoplastic resin film, being equipped with an opening part (12) for taking oxygen in, perforating through the outer layer, the metal foil layer and the inner layer, and an oxygen-permeable membrane (3) being joined to the inner layer side in an opening part periphery (12a) and covering the opening part. The oxygen-permeable membrane is constituted from a porous fluororesin, a joining surface of outer periphery (3a) of the oxygen-permeable membrane is equipped with a primer layer (3c), and an adhesive layer (5) is provided at least in a space between the primer layer and the inner layer of the armouring sheet, to adhere the oxygen-permeable membrane to the armouring sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: SHOWA DENKO PACKAGING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kensuke NAGATA, Makoto KARATSU