Venting Structure Patents (Class 429/82)
  • Publication number: 20110244282
    Abstract: An electric storage module includes: a plurality of electric storage units; a casing that houses the plurality of electric storage units, and includes a pair of resin side plates that hold and support at least the plurality of electric storage units from opposite sides; a plurality of conductive members for electrically connecting the plurality of electric storage units; a metal cover member that covers the casing on an outside of each of the side plates; and a peripheral wall protruding from each of the side plates so as to surround each of the plurality of conductive members, wherein: a height of the peripheral wall from each of the side plates is higher than a height of the conductive members from each of the side plates, and smaller than a distance from each of the side plates to the cover member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: Hitachi Vehicle Energy, Ltd
    Inventors: Sadashi SETO, Tatsuo Sugawara
  • Patent number: 8017258
    Abstract: Enhanced safety is provided in the event of an information handling system catastrophic battery failure by extending a flame container outward from the battery to vent flammable gases through holes having a quenching distance that retards transfer of flames from the battery. For example, telescoping cylinder sections disposed proximate the casing of a battery cell are forced outward as a telescoping assembly when pressure within the casing exceeds a predetermined safety threshold. The flame container vents flammable gases away from other cells of the battery and may direct the vented gases to the exterior of an information handling system housing or to the interior of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Jonathan Jordan, Jack Burns, James Davis
  • Publication number: 20110217575
    Abstract: A cassette for a battery stack, including a casing for a battery pack, which casing is made of a non-conducting material. The casing has a front side with an opening for receiving the battery pack. Preferably, the casing has a back side, opposite the front side, the back side being provided with electrical connections leading into the casing and arranged to connect to the poles of a battery pack when a battery pack is inserted into the casing through the front side. Arrangement of the cassettes is also provided, wherein the cassettes in the arrangement is placed in mechanical connection on top of each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventors: Willy Hermansson, Bertil Nygren, Falah Hosini, Fredrik Tinglow, Jan R. Svensson
  • Patent number: 8012619
    Abstract: The gap between the bottom of a center gas vent pipe in a battery cell and the bottom of the cell can is established to be at least a minimum distance to reduce the risk of battery damage from inadequate gas venting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeremy Robert Carlson, Larry Glenn Estes, Joseph Anthony Holung, Timothy Humphrey, Tin-Lup Wong, Bouziane Yebka
  • Patent number: 8007933
    Abstract: A vehicle power storage unit, has: a power storage assembly; a coolant for cooling the power storage assembly; a casing having a coolant inlet through which the coolant is filled into the casing and containing the coolant and the power storage assembly; a gas-discharge pipe through which gas produced by the power storage assembly is discharged from the casing to the outside of a passenger compartment or a trunk of the vehicle; and a first pressure-release valve which is provided at the coolant inlet and through which the pressure in the casing is released to the outside when gas is produced by the power storage assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaru Takagi
  • Patent number: 8003242
    Abstract: A liquid retaining pressure relief valve for electrochemical battery cells is provided including a pressure regulator and a membrane vent that are mounted to the top and bottom ends of a threaded valve housing or plug. The valve housing or plug screws into the cell cover from the outside of the cell such that the membrane vent is internal to the cell. The membrane vent includes a thin gas permeable liquid repellant membrane that is molded into the body of the vent. The membrane is preferably composed of an expanded polytetraflouroethylene (ePTFE) polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Yardney Technical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Alben F. Puhlick, Susan J. Russell, James R. Dick, Hartwell L. Gauthier, Jr., Alexander P. Karpinski
  • Publication number: 20110195284
    Abstract: The battery module includes a plurality of battery units, a housing, a wiring board, and a lid. The battery unit is composed of one or more battery cells each having a vent mechanism. At least one surface of the housing is an open end. The housing has a plurality of storage parts partitioned by one or more partition walls. Each battery unit is stored in each storage part. The wiring board covers the open end of the housing, is disposed at the vent mechanism side of the cell, and has connection terminals connected to the battery units. The lid covers the open end of the housing and the wiring board, and has an open part. Through holes are provided on the wiring board in positions facing the battery units and in a different region from that of the connection terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventors: Shunsuke Yasui, Takuya Nakashima, Yasushi Hirakawa, Jun Asakura
  • Patent number: 7993769
    Abstract: A battery module includes a top cover and a bottom cover affixed together to accommodate a battery set, which has a conducting terminal device exposed out of the bottom cover for the connection of an external electronic device, and a movable member supported on the top surface of the bottom cover and held in a first position by spring members to block the through holes of the bottom cover and movable from the first position to a second position to open the through holes of the bottom cover for ventilation to dissipate heat when the battery module is connected to an external electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Mobiletron Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kim Y. C. Tsai, Cheng-I Teng
  • Patent number: 7989100
    Abstract: A sealed prismatic battery according to the present invention comprises a laterally long cap sealing an opening of an upper surface of a battery can and a safety vent placed on the cap and having a thin-walled valve body which opens in an abnormal rise of a battery internal pressure. The safety vent has an oval-shaped circumferential groove formed inside an oval-shaped coining section provided on an outer surface of the cap and on one end side in a lateral direction of the cap and a thin-walled valve body surrounded thereby, and the oval-shaped circumferential groove is composed of lateral side sections parallel to the lateral direction of the cap and circular arc sections connecting these lateral side sections, with one lateral side section, other lateral side section, and the thin-walled valve body of the safety vent respectively having a thickness increased in this order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi Maxell Energy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshimi Matsumoto, Osamu Watanabe, Yoshiki Somatomo
  • Patent number: 7981534
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery includes a housing, a plurality of cells within the housing, and a cover which closes the housing. The battery also includes a plurality of filling openings arranged in the cover separated from one another by a distance and a plurality of plugs. Each of the plurality of plugs is configured to close one of the plurality of filling openings. A flexible connecting element connects at least two of the plugs. The flexible connecting element is configured such that the distance between the plugs which are connected to one another can be variably matched to the distance between their associated filling openings by rotating at least one of the plugs connected by the flexible connecting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: VB Autobatterie GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Gerolf Richter, Peter Streuer
  • Patent number: 7981538
    Abstract: A battery module, including a plurality of unit cells and a cell barrier interposed between the unit cells, is provided. The cell barrier includes a body member and a fixing part disposed on the edge of the body member and connected to an adjacent cell barrier while housing a unit cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tae-Yong Kim, Sang-Won Byun, Yoon-Cheol Jeon, Gun-Goo Lee
  • Publication number: 20110171505
    Abstract: In a battery module including a plurality of batteries 40 stored in a housing, each of the batteries 40 includes an electrode portion 16 protruding from a battery case 5, a base 30A is arranged on a side of the electrode portions 16 so that the base 30A is in contact with the battery cases 5, and the electrode portions 16 are inserted in through holes 36 provided in the base 30A. Connection portions 320 connected to the electrode portions 16 are formed on upper surfaces of the electrode portions 16. A connection terminal 32 for connecting the batteries 40 in parallel is formed in a region on the base 30A in which the connection terminal 32 does not cover the through holes 36. The connection terminal 32 is connected to the connection portions 320 by fusible links 320A straddling the through holes 36.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventors: Daisuke Kishll, Naohisa Morimoto, Shunsuke Yasui, Toshiki Itoi, Shinya Geshi
  • Publication number: 20110159326
    Abstract: A secondary battery mounting vehicle and a gas treatment apparatus of a secondary battery is provided in which even if one of secondary battery modules generates heat, transfer of heat to another secondary battery can be prevented. The secondary battery mounting vehicle includes: a vehicle body having an exhaust vent; a first duct provided in the vehicle body and configured to communicate the exhaust vent and each of spouts when a plurality of secondary battery modules having the spouts from each of which a gas is spouted is mounted; a second duct provided in the vehicle body to communicate with an outside of the vehicle body; and an air flow generating mechanism configured to generate an air flow in the second duct in response to a gas flow in the first duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Takumi Oya, Tsutomu Hashimoto, Katsuo Hashizaki
  • Publication number: 20110151294
    Abstract: Disclosed is a secondary battery that comprises an electrode assembly, a can accommodating the electrode assembly, and a cap assembly coupled to an upper portion of the can and including an upper cap that transfers a current of the electrode assembly to an exterior of the can. The upper cap includes a terminal part including a first flat portion disposed at a center of the upper cap and a second flat portion extending from a periphery of the first flat portion, a peripheral part disposed at a periphery of the terminal part and stepped from the terminal part, and a connection part connecting the terminal part to the peripheral part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chohee Kang, Junsun Yong
  • Patent number: 7964300
    Abstract: There is provided a risk-free and easy-to-use battery pack using battery cells 1 as a secondary battery, in which internal gases evaporated by applying overvoltage or the like thereto are processed inside a case to be prevented from leaking to the outside of the case and thereby even if the case has been led to rise in pressure due to a thermorunaway of the battery, the case is free from breaking. To realize this performance, the battery pack 10 is provided with a battery cell housing 17 for housing lithium cells 1 and a gas processor 15 for liquefying the internal gases g generated from the lithium cells 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: TDK-Lambda Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nakazawa, Katsuhiko Nakane
  • Publication number: 20110135978
    Abstract: A battery housing for a hybrid vehicle battery includes a degassing system on a floor of the housing. The degassing system includes a base body configured for attachment to the floor, where the base body includes an opening in an upper section and is at least partially permeable to a liquid in a lower section. The degassing system also includes a guide in the base body and a float provided in the base body. The guide is configured to guide the float.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Martin Wiegmann, Ralf Joswig
  • Patent number: 7955725
    Abstract: Provided is a package for sodium-sulfur batteries in which the inner temperature can be suitably controlled even when it is installed in the place where temperatures and direction of wind change violently. Specifically, there is provided a package 101 for sodium-sulfur batteries in which air guiding plates 106a, 106b are provided being inclined obliquely and downwardly toward wall faces 109a, 109b between bottom surfaces of module batteries 4a, 4b and wall faces 109a, 109b, and in addition, flow rectifying plates 107a, 107b are provided being inclined obliquely and upwardly toward space 8 from the upper surface of module batteries 4a, 4b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yahei Takagi, Mikine Takeyama
  • Patent number: 7955732
    Abstract: A secondary battery includes an electrode group with both positive and negative electrodes and a separator interposed therebetween and a case wherein the electrode group is located. A cap assembly is combined with the case, seals it, and is electrically connected to the electrode group. Collecting plates are electrically connected to the uncoated region of the positive and negative electrodes. The respective collecting plates have a plurality of holes thereon, and may be located at both the top and the bottom of the case so that electrolyte infusion can be rapidly and easily performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyon-Sok Kim, Yong-Sam Kim
  • Publication number: 20110129703
    Abstract: A battery pack including a hollow hexahedral casing includes a first panel having first supporting holes; and a second panel having second supporting holes formed at locations corresponding to locations of the first supporting holes; and includes a plurality of secondary batteries. First ends of the secondary batteries are supported by the first supporting holes and second ends of the secondary batteries are supported by the second supporting holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jung-Yup Han
  • Publication number: 20110129704
    Abstract: A battery pack including: a case in which a plurality of batteries are received; an electrode tab to connect the batteries to form one unit; and a data wire having a first end connected to the electrode tab, to act as a signal transmitting line of the plurality of batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-Yup Han, No-Hyun Kwag, Kyung-Won Seo, Jeong-Deok Byun
  • Patent number: 7951475
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a vent valve for acid batteries comprising a substantially cylindrical plug portion (28) which is designed for being brought into engagement with a cell opening of the acid battery (1) and which has at least one passage opening communicating the cell interior of the acid battery with the ambient atmosphere, wherein provided in the passage opening is a valve arrangement (29) having an inlet communicating with the cell interior and an outlet connected to the ambient atmosphere. In order to provide a vent valve for an acid battery, in particular an acid battery with fixed electrolyte, which is simple and inexpensive to produce and which affords improved protection against the escape of battery acid, it is proposed in accordance with the invention that at least one turbulence chamber (30) follows the passage opening of the plug portion (28) in the direction of the cell interior and a gas-permeable filter unit (31, 31?) follows the turbulence chamber (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Deutsche EXIDE GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Imhof, Friedrich Kramm, Christian Recker
  • Publication number: 20110117401
    Abstract: A battery pack includes a first battery module, the first battery module including unit batteries, a first plate, and a second plate, and a second battery module, the second battery module including unit batteries, a first plate, and a second plate. The first battery module may be stacked on the second battery module, the second plate of the first battery module may be between the first battery module and the second battery module, and the second plate of the first battery module may support the unit batteries of the first battery module and contact the first plate of the second battery module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Hyun-Ye Lee, Tae-Young Kim, Myung-Chul Kim, Shi-Dong Park
  • Publication number: 20110104532
    Abstract: A battery module includes pressure release features (37, 38) for releasing excess pressure in a battery container, a wrap blanket (150) disposed between a module (13) and potting material (152) disposed in a case to secure modules (13) while allowing repair, replacement, recycling and/or reuse of modules (13) and a connector (130).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Derrick S. Buck, Robert N. Fattig, Bruce J. Silk
  • Publication number: 20110104531
    Abstract: A cap assembly comprises a cap formed of a metal having electric conductivity, a safety vent formed of a metal having electric conductivity and disposed below the cap, and a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) resistance layer which includes a conductive polymer composition having PTC characteristics and which is disposed between the cap and the safety vent. A secondary battery comprises a can including an open portion at one side, an electrode assembly accommodated in the can, and a cap assembly as described above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jang-Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 7927754
    Abstract: A pressure relief feature for a fuel cell stack is disclosed, wherein the pressure relief feature relieves excess pressure from the fuel cell stack and facilitates control of a maximum pressure reached within the fuel cell stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Daniel I. Harris
  • Patent number: 7923140
    Abstract: A fluid regulating microvalve assembly for use to control fluid flow to a fluid consuming electrode, such as an oxygen reduction electrode, in an electrochemical cell. The microvalve assembly includes a stationary valve body having an aperture and a microactuator movable from a first position where the microvalve body aperture is closed to fluid flow to at least a second position where fluid is able to pass through the microvalve body aperture. The fluid regulating microvalve assembly can utilize cell potential or a separate source to open and close the microvalve. The fluid regulating microvalve assembly can be located outside the cell housing or inside the cell housing, for example between one or more fluid inlet apertures and the fluid consuming electrode. The invention includes a method of making a multilayer microvalve assembly, particularly one for use in a fluid depolarized battery, using a printing process to deposit at least one of the layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Inventor: Brooke Schumm, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20110076521
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a battery unit includes a first cell unit, a second cell unit and a third cell unit arranged adjacent to the first cell unit, respectively. Each cell unit includes a plurality of secondary battery cells, and the respective secondary battery cells are formed of a main body of a substantially rectangular solid shape and a pair of first and second electrodes of different polarities each other pulled out from one end of the main body. A first bus bar connects the first electrodes of the first cell unit and the second electrodes of the second cell unit in a first line, and a second bus bar connects the second electrodes of the first cell unit and the first electrodes of the third cell unit in a second line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Hideo Shimizu, Nagaaki Muro, Masahiro Sekino, Hidenori Miyamoto, Mitsuhiro Saito, Kenji Yazawa, Toshinori Uchida
  • Patent number: 7914924
    Abstract: A battery pack is provided, which can be assembled easily and has a high reliability. In a case of the battery pack 1 constituted by an upper case 3 and a lower case 4, a plurality of box-shaped cells 5 and a partition member 2 are housed. The partition member 2 supports the cells in stacked manner as being spaced from each other, and has an insulating member for insulating between a cell 5b and a cell 5c, which are electrically connected in parallel. The partition member is further provided with the cells 5, a positive electrode 6, a negative electrode 7, an intermediate tub 8, and a guide for aligning the upper case 3 and the lower case 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuya Sugeno, Toshio Takeshita
  • Publication number: 20110064979
    Abstract: The opening of a cylindrical battery case 1 with a bottom is sealed by a seal assembly 5. The seal assembly 5 has an upper valve plate 13, a lower valve plate 15, and a bottom plate 16. The bottom plate 16 has inner gas vent holes 21. When the inner gas vent holes 21 are viewed from the axial direction of the battery case 1, at least a part of each inner gas vent hole 21 overlaps a valve-hole forming portion 15b of the lower valve plate 15. With this configuration, for example, even when an electrode assembly 20 is pushed up by increased internal pressure of the battery to push up the bottom plate 16, the valve hole is not closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventor: Tomohiko Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 7908049
    Abstract: To provide a fuel cell vehicle capable of reducing power consumption during a time of stopping of the vehicle. The fuel cell vehicle includes a scavenging execution determination unit 411 which determines whether or not to carry out scavenging; an ISU 40 including a microcomputer 41 installed on the scavenging execution determination unit 411. The fuel cell vehicle further includes an electrical supply circuit 43, in which, at a time of start-up by an alarm clock 46, the ISU 40 is booted, and in a case in which it is determined by the scavenging execution determination unit 411 that scavenging is to be carried out, the circuit 43 supplies electricity to the relay unit 36; and in a case in which it is determined by the scavenging execution determination unit 411 that scavenging is not to be carried out, it does not supply electricity to the relay unit 36.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Kobayashi, Yuji Nagatani, Chihiro Wake
  • Publication number: 20110059341
    Abstract: An electric vehicle is provided with a cell voltage sensor (32) and a cell temperature sensor (31) which are mounted to each of a plurality of cells (21); a gas temperature sensor (33), a carbon monoxide gas sensor (34), and a hydrogen gas sensor (35) which are mounted to a chamber (27); a gas temperature sensor (36), a carbon monoxide gas sensor (37), and a hydrogen gas sensor (38) which are mounted to a gas exhaust passage (28); and an air-conditioning fan (17), a channel-switching damper (19), and a driving motor (42) which lowers a window glass (41). When battery state values detected by the sensors (31) to (38) exceed predetermined thresholds, a battery pack (20) is judged to be abnormal. Then, the channel-switching damper (19) and the air-conditioning fan (17) are started and the window glass (41) is lowered to ventilate the vehicle interior. This speedily exhausts smoke generated from a lithium ion battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventors: Junichi Matsumoto, Teruo Ishishita
  • Publication number: 20110045327
    Abstract: Provided is an electrochemical device which is compatible with high-temperature reflow soldering using lead-free solder. An electric double-layer capacitor 10-1 has a structure in which a positive terminal 12 and a negative terminal 13 are led out of a package 14 where an electric storage element 11 is sealed. The entire package 14 and the bases of led-out portions of the positive terminal 12 and the negative terminal 13 are covered by a thermal insulation material layer 16 having a thermal conductivity lower than that of the package 14.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: TAIYO YUDEN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazushi Yawata, Motoki Kobayashi, Katsuei Ishida, Naoto Hagiwara
  • Publication number: 20110042117
    Abstract: The invention is based on an energy storage module, in particular a battery pack for supplying power to a power tool. According to the invention, a plurality of cells are interconnected electrically for energy storage. It is proposed that the cells are electrochemical storage cells having a flexible cell casing that is dimensionally unstable. The invention further relates to a power tool having at least one such energy storage module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventors: Volker Doege, Cornelius Liebenow, Rainer Glauning
  • Patent number: 7887941
    Abstract: Provision of an extension-type battery pack which is improved in safety thereof against dropping and impact application. Although a battery pack is susceptible to damage caused by an impact since partial battery cells are located outside the outline of a notebook PC when it is mounted on the notebook PC, the battery pack is provided with a partition wall structure including an air space and a fireproof wall formed of a material which does not melt at a temperature of combustible gas discharged from a gas discharge valve of the respective battery cells. The material of the fireproof wall is preferably mica or the like. The partition wall structure can be provided between an inside battery compartment and an outside battery compartment of the battery pack or can be provided among other battery cells. This prevents fire spreading to other battery cells even if high-temperature combustible gas is discharged from a battery cell damaged by an impact or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Seita Horikoshi, Kenshin Yonemochi
  • Patent number: 7879478
    Abstract: A battery module comprises: first and second rechargeable batteries, each of which includes a casing for storing an electrode assembly and a cap assembly provided on top of the casing; an interconnector provided between an upper portion of the first rechargeable battery and a lower portion of the second rechargeable battery so as to connect the first and second rechargeable batteries with each other; and an insulation cover which covers interconnected portions of the first and second rechargeable batteries, and which has at least one ventilation outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tae-Yong Kim, Sang-Won Byun
  • Publication number: 20110008658
    Abstract: A battery compartment and a battery-powered device utilizing the battery compartment. When installed to a battery-powered device, the battery compartment cavity and housed battery are maintained completely separate from the electronics of the battery-powered device. Therefore, a battery-powered device may be powered using a battery compartment of the present invention without concern that leaked electrolyte or emitted gas will enter the electronics portion of the device. A battery compartment of the present invention may also allow any built up electrolyte and/or gas to safely exit the battery compartment while simultaneously preventing or significantly inhibiting infiltration of the battery compartment by external substances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: OHAUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Felix Holken, Douglas Gardner, Neil Olesen, Zbigniew Pobocha
  • Publication number: 20100330404
    Abstract: A PTC resistor according to the present invention comprises at least one PTC composition which comprises at least one resin and at least two conductive materials. The at least two conductive materials comprises at least two conductive materials different from each other. The at least one PTC composition may comprise a first PTC composition which comprises a first resin and at least one first conductive material and a second PTC composition which is compounded with the first PTC composition and comprises a second resin and at least one second conductive material. The at least one first conductive material is at least partially different from the at least one second conductive material. One of the first resin and the second resin may comprise a reactant resin and a reactive resin which is cross-linked with the reactant resin. The PTC resistor may comprise a flame retardant agent. The PTC resistor may comprise a liquid-resistant resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hajime Nishino, Mikinari Shimada, Shinji Kasamatsu, Yasushi Hirakawa, Tomohiko Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 7858218
    Abstract: A lithium ion secondary battery including an electrode assembly, a center pin positioned within the electrode assembly, a variable-length member coupled to the center pin, the variable-length member adapted to increase in length when an interior temperature of the center pin reaches a critical temperature, a can containing the electrode assembly, the center pin, and the variable-length member, and a cap assembly coupled to the can, the cap assembly having safety means fracturable in response to the variable-length member being increased in length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seok Gyun Chang, Soon Ki Woo, Youn Han Chang, Yoo Eup Hyung
  • Publication number: 20100323228
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a lead-acid battery having a reliable exhaust structure suppressing unexpected leakage of acid mist and gas to outside the battery, and a method for fabricating such a lead-acid battery. A first gas exhaust path A for guiding gas generated in a plate pack from a cell compartment 2a to a recess 4 formed in a cover 3 is formed in the cover 3 of a lead-acid battery. A top lid 7 is placed on the top surface of the cover 3 to extend over the recess 4. Then, when the top lid 7 and the cover 3 are welded together by applying laser light 8a onto the top lid 7, a joint 10 is formed to continuously extend in the form of a band and form a closed shape so that the recess 4 and the top lid 7 form an exhaust chamber 11.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Inventors: Takeshi Okamoto, Seiji Anzai
  • Patent number: 7855011
    Abstract: The present invention describes a monoblock for a plurality of lithium ion cells. The monoblock includes a case having a base and a cover dimensioned and configured to the base. The case includes a chamber that includes cell compartments for lithium cells. Each lithium cell is disposed in a leaf spring that applies compression pressure on the cell. The structural integrity of the battery and cells is maintained using internal and external anti-swelling features including a waffle pattern, backing plates, etc. A liquid and gas pressure management system is also incorporated with the case and realized by a vent plenum, check valves, bladders, bags, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: International Battery, Inc.
    Inventor: John Eric Meschter
  • Patent number: 7855007
    Abstract: A battery assembly may include a battery and a battery housing. The battery may include an electrolyte vent to provide a pressurized electrolyte discharge during an electrolyte discharge event. The battery housing may contain the battery and may include an electrolyte control member to dissipate energy from and inhibit dispersion of the pressurized electrolyte discharge from the electrolyte vent during the electrolyte discharge event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Cobasys, LLC.
    Inventors: Oliver J. Gross, Jozef Gorog
  • Patent number: 7851078
    Abstract: A secondary battery includes an electrode assembly, a can receiving the electrode assembly, and a cap assembly coupled to the open upper part of the can. In addition, a vent including an opening, which is thinner than the can is formed on a wide side of the can, and a shock absorbing portion, which is thinner than the can and thicker than the opening, is formed near the vent. Accordingly, the vent can be protected from damage from external shocks, which are absorbed by the shock absorbing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hwa Il Uh
  • Patent number: 7851077
    Abstract: Enhanced safety is provided in the event of an information handling system catastrophic battery failure by extending a flame container outward from the battery to vent flammable gases through holes having a quenching distance that retards transfer of flames from the battery. For example, telescoping cylinder sections disposed proximate the casing of a battery cell are forced outward as a telescoping assembly when pressure within the casing exceeds a predetermined safety threshold. The flame container vents flammable gases away from other cells of the battery and may direct the vented gases to the exterior of an information handling system housing or to the interior of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Jonathan Jordan, Jack Burns, James Davis
  • Publication number: 20100310906
    Abstract: A secondary battery, in which working pressure and rupture pressure of a safety vent are effectively controlled with respect to a slope of the safety vent and shapes of rupturable grooves. The secondary battery includes an electrode assembly, a can accommodating the electrode assembly and a cap assembly coupled to the can, the cap assembly including a lower portion arranged at an upper side of the electrode assembly and having a through-hole arranged at a center thereof, a safety vent electrically connected to the electrode assembly through the through-hole and an insulator arranged between the safety vent and the lower portion of the cap assembly, wherein a first distance between a portion of the safety vent arranged at a region near the through-hole and the lower portion of the cap assembly is smaller than a second distance between a portion of the safety vent positioned furthest from the through-hole and the lower portion of the cap assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: SAMSUNG SDI, CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daekyu KIM, Ikkyu KIM, Seokjoon YOON
  • Publication number: 20100291422
    Abstract: Provided is a cap assembly for use in cylindrical lithium ion batteries. The cap assembly includes an insulating gasket defining a through hole therein, a rupture plate positioned in the through hole, a vent plate soldered on and electrically connected to the rupture plate, a current interrupt device positioned on the rupture plate, and an end cap assembled on the current interrupt device. The current interrupt device can cut off the current path when the battery discharges at a high discharge rate, so as to improve the safety performance of the lithium ion battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicants: Dongguan Amperex Technology Limited, Dongguan Amperex Electronics Technology Limited
    Inventors: Ping-hua Deng, Kai Wu, Wei Chen
  • Publication number: 20100291423
    Abstract: A substantially U-shaped sealing strip and a sealing strip are formed on an outer container of the electric storage device as first sealing strips by heat sealing processing so as to surround an electrode housing portion. Further, a safety valve portion having a narrower sealing width than other sites is formed in the center of the substantially U-shaped sealing strip. Furthermore, a second sealing strip is formed on the outer container to oppose the safety valve portion at a predetermined distance. When an internal pressure of the electrode housing portion exceeds a prescribed value due to overcharge, etc., a sealing surface of the safety valve portion peels away, thereby opening the safety valve portion such that gas in the electrode housing portion is discharged from the opened safety valve portion. Electrode material and an electrolyte are also discharged, but trapped by the second sealing strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yanagita Hideo, Nomura Sawako, Kudo Satoru
  • Publication number: 20100279156
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly, a case containing the electrode assembly and a cap assembly coupled to the case. The electrode assembly includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator between the first electrode and the second electrode. The cap assembly includes a cap plate and a deformable plate attached to the cap plate and configured to deform in response to an increase in pressure inside the case to electrically couple the first electrode and the second electrode to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventors: Yong-Sam Kim, Sang-Won Byun, Hyo-Seob Kim
  • Publication number: 20100273035
    Abstract: Provided is a stacking type quasi-bipolar electrochemical cell having a reliable, easy-to-manufacture, and simple structure. The electrochemical cell includes: an electrode including a current collector, and positive and negative active material layers disposed at both sides of the current collector and spaced apart from each other with a current collector extension part being located therebetween, wherein a polarity of the electrode is used as an opposite polarity in a neighboring cell; an electrode assembly formed by stacking a plurality of electrodes including the electrode; and an electric connection part connecting some of the electrodes of the electrode assembly which are included in the same series, the electric connection part connecting the some electrodes in parallel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: KIM'S TECHNOWLEDGE INC.
    Inventor: Seong Min Kim
  • Patent number: 7816042
    Abstract: This invention provides an actively controlled battery with a programmed-timing actuation capability. The battery comprises a first electrochemical assembly, at least a second electrochemical cell assembly electronically connected in parallel with the first assembly, and control means in control relation to the first assembly and the second assembly, wherein at least one of the assemblies comprises a metal-air cell comprising a cathode being isolated from outside air through a controllable air vent and at least one of the assemblies comprising an electrochemical cell comprising an anode active material being initially isolated from an electrolyte fluid through a control valve, with both the air vent and control valve being regulated by the control means in a programmed-timing fashion. The battery has an exceptionally long operating life and is particularly useful for powering microelectronic or communication devices such as mobile phones, laptop computers, and palm computers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Nanotek Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Wen C. Huang
  • Patent number: 7816027
    Abstract: A fluid regulating system is provided for controlling fluid to a fluid consuming battery having a fluid consuming cell. The fluid regulating system includes a valve having a moving plate disposed adjacent to a fixed plate, and both having fluid entry ports to open and close a valve. The fluid regulating system also includes an actuator for moving the moving plate to open and close the valve. The actuator is controlled to open the valve when greater battery electrical output is required to operate a device and maintains the valve in the open position for a minimum required time to minimize battery capacity loss due to operation of the fluid regulating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Brandon, II