Venting Structure Patents (Class 429/82)
  • Publication number: 20130187618
    Abstract: A spiral-wound convection battery device has flow in and out of the ends with flow proceeding through flow-permeable electrodes. In the preferred configuration electrolyte flows, reverse flows, or pressure-pulse reverse flows between an electrode and counter electrode through a flow-permeable separator. The preferred configuration is as a novel stacked-cell spiral-wound battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Inventor: Homeland Technologies, LLC
  • Publication number: 20130183556
    Abstract: In one aspect, a secondary battery capable of preventing a damage of an electrode assembly by preventing the electrode assembly from contacting an inside protrusion portion of a case when subjected to a shock or vibration is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dae-Kyu KIM
  • Publication number: 20130183558
    Abstract: A vehicular lead storage battery according to the present invention includes a battery container provided with at least one cell chamber; and a cover plate 1 for covering an upper opening of the battery container. A guide path 8 for discharging gases within a cell chamber to the outside is formed in the cover plate 1. The guide path 8 includes a first guide portion 9B for horizontally guiding gases from the cell chamber; a second guide portion 9C connected to the first guide portion 9B to downwardly guide the gases from the first guide portion 9B; and a third guide portion 10A connected to the second guide portion 9C to horizontally guide the gases from the second guide portion 9C and discharge the gases from an exhaust vent 4K formed in the cover plate 1 to the outside. A corner portion 9K is formed by the first guide portion 9B and the second guide portion 9C, and a corner portion 10K is formed by the second guide portion 9C and the third guide portion 10A.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicants: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., GS YUASA INTERNATIONAL LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuhide Nakayama, Eiji Hojo, Katsuhiro Ouchi, Hidehiko Shibata
  • Patent number: 8486546
    Abstract: A cap assembly for a battery and a battery incorporating the cap assembly. The cap assembly includes a plate that connects the electrodes of the bare cell of the battery. The cap assembly includes a vent member that includes a protrusion that is physically connected to the plate. Excess pressure within the bare cell results in the protrusion disconnecting from the plate thereby interrupting current. The vent further includes two circular notches, an inner notch and an outer notch. The vent further includes a cross notch that extends radially outward so as to intersect and extend beyond both the first and second notches. The notches are configured to release when the pressure within the bare cell exceeds a burst pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae-Kyu Kim, Kyeong-Min Jeong
  • Publication number: 20130177786
    Abstract: A lithium accumulator containing positive and negative electrodes with a minimum thickness of 0.5 mm, separated by separators, where each electrode is deposited into a hole in a frame, as a part of a set of frames arranged in a stack between marginal covers, with electrical insulation between the frames of opposite electrodes and additional current collectors between identical electrodes, wherein each frame comprises at least one channel for passage of a heat exchange media and the channels of the individual frames are interconnected. Liquid accumulator electrolyte may be used as a heat exchange media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: HE3DA s.r.o.
    Inventors: Jan Prochazka, JR., Jan Prochazka, SR., Jaroslav Polivka, Jiri Postler
  • Publication number: 20130164579
    Abstract: A battery inspection apparatus includes a temperature control system configured to provide a temperature control of the batteries by supplying a temperature control fluid through a battery supporting portion to flow, between adjacent batteries, the fluid along the side surfaces thereof and by discharging the fluid through a contactor supporting portion. The contactor supporting portion is provided to face the battery supporting portion and supports a plurality of contactors. The temperature control system may include at least one cross-flow fan that is arranged along an array direction of the batteries, a vent of the fan directed to the plurality of batteries, in order to supply an air flow toward the plurality of batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
  • Publication number: 20130164567
    Abstract: Modular sealed battery packs configured to provide enhanced performance and safety features, along with associated apparatus, systems, and methods for monitoring and controlling operation and use of such battery packs and associated coupled devices and systems are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: SEEKTECH, INC.
    Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Alexander L. Warren, David A. Cox, Joseph B. Phaneuf, Paul G. Stuart
  • Publication number: 20130164578
    Abstract: A modular battery module that includes a plurality of substantially identical cartridges, a chassis, and a compression member, wherein each cartridge includes a heat sink with a thermal management channel; a prismatic cell coupled to the heat sink; and a first and a second manifold fluidly coupled to the thermal management channel, wherein the first and second manifolds form opposing edges of a frame, wherein the frame supports the edges of the heat sink. The plurality of cartridges is coupled together in the thickness direction to form a stack with a first and a second end. The chassis is formed from a first end plate, a second end plate, and the plurality of frames, wherein the first and second end plates cap the ends of the stack. The compression member couples the end plates and cartridges together, wherein the compression member applies a compressive force over a face of the batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventors: Edward Thomas Sweet, Paul Young Durkee, Nathaniel Hall-Snyder
  • Patent number: 8470469
    Abstract: A gasket is for use in a starved electrolyte bipolar battery. The gasket may be made from a hydrophobic material in the shape of a frame to prevent the creation of an electrolyte path between adjacent cells when mounted in a battery. The frame may be designed to at least partially encompass a biplate when mounted in a bipolar battery, and include a device or way to permit gas passage through the gasket. The gasket may be made from a material with deformable properties to provide a sealing to a biplate and/or endplate when mounted in a bipolar battery, whereby an outer pressure tight seal of the battery may be obtained. A starved bipolar battery and a method for manufacturing a starved bipolar battery are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Nilar International AB
    Inventors: Neil H. Puester, David Hock, Lars Fredriksson
  • Publication number: 20130157091
    Abstract: A vehicle battery pack container is provided. The container includes a base portion having an aperture extending therethrough, a peripheral wall coupled to the base portion, and a cover coupled to the peripheral wall. The container further includes a venting device having a housing and a ball disposed within an interior region of the housing. The housing is coupled to the base portion such that the venting device is in fluid communication with the aperture in the base portion. The ball seals against a sealing tab of the housing at a first operational position to prevent fluids from passing through the venting device into the container. The ball allows gases from the container to flow through the venting device when the ball is at a second operational position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gadawski
  • Publication number: 20130143083
    Abstract: A battery pack of the type that may be used in an electrically-powered vehicle comprises first and second arrays of cells disposed adjacent one another, and a housing enclosing the two arrays. The housing defines a cooling chamber surrounding heat transfer surfaces of the cells, a first manifold sealed from the cooling chamber and collecting gasses generated by the first array, and a second manifold sealed from the cooling chamber and collecting gasses generated by the second array. A tunnel connects the first and the second manifolds to allow passage of any collected gasses from the first manifold into the second manifold, and a discharge opening in the second manifold allows the collected gasses to escape from the housing. An electrically conductive bridge bar extends through the tunnel and connects the first array with the second array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Utley, Saravanan Paramasivam, Debbi Callicoat
  • Publication number: 20130143082
    Abstract: A battery module including a plurality of sub battery modules stacked together, each sub battery module comprising a plurality of battery cells, each of the battery cells having terminals and a vent portion on a first side of the sub battery modules; a pair of end plates, one of the ends plates located at each end of the battery module; a top plate on the first side of the sub battery modules; and a controller configured to control the battery cells for each of the sub battery modules, wherein each of the sub battery modules has an individual degassing region controlled by the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventor: Myung-Chul Kim
  • Publication number: 20130130079
    Abstract: A secondary battery includes an opening portion provided to a case. A first sealing body is provided to the opening portion, the first sealing body being displaced or deformed by a pressure difference between an inside and an outside of the case in such manners that the first sealing body is pressed by internal pressure to allow outflow of inside air from the opening portion when the internal pressure in the case is higher than external pressure and that the first sealing body is pressed by the external pressure to prevent entry of outside air from the opening portion when the internal pressure in the case is lower than the external pressure. Pressure in a space surrounded with the case and the first sealing body is set to be lower than pressure outside the space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventors: Tomonori Kako, Sumio Mori
  • Publication number: 20130122336
    Abstract: Provided is a pouch type secondary battery. In more detail, a pouch type secondary battery includes an electrode assembly, a pouch type battery case, a sealing part, and an exhaust part, wherein the exhaust part is formed to have adhesion weaker than that of the sealing part to release the sealing of the exhaust part when the pouch type secondary battery is swollen due to high pressure generated within the secondary battery under the conditions of overheating such as overcharging, internal short, and the like, thereby discharging materials in the pouch type secondary battery to the outside so as to secure safety of the pouch type secondary battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: SK INNOVATION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Heechan PARK, Sangbum KIM
  • Publication number: 20130122335
    Abstract: Provided are a battery cell and a battery module including the same. The battery cell is provided with a vent part, which is a predetermined region of a sealing part of a case having a width narrower than that of the other region thereof, thereby making it possible to easily discharge gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: SK INNOVATION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: HEECHAN PARK, SANG BUM KIM
  • Patent number: 8440339
    Abstract: A battery module is configured so that the first cell string and the second cell string are arranged between the first plate member and the second plate member and the second cell string is arranged closer to the second plate member side than the first cell string is and is arranged closer to the outlet side than the first cell string is. At the inlet side of the housing, the inlet is arranged closer to the first plate member than to the second cell string, at least a part between the inlet side of the second cell string and the second plate member is covered by the inlet-side guide plate, and the cooling air is introduced into the housing through the inlet so as to form a flow of the cooling air along the first plate member and a flow of the cooling air along the inlet-side guide plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Vehicle Energy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Harada, Masuhiro Onishi, Seiichi Sato, Yoshihisa Tsurumi
  • Publication number: 20130115490
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an electrode assembly having a positive electrode and a negative electrode, a case for housing the electrode assembly, and a terminal electrically coupled to the electrode assembly and protruding to an outside of the case. An internal pressure of the case is lower than an atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventors: Joong-Heon Kim, Chi-Young Lee, Jong-Seok Moon, Jeong-Wan Haam
  • Publication number: 20130115492
    Abstract: A sealed type battery includes: a can where an electrode winding group; a lid which has a liquid filling hole for injecting a liquid electrolyte and seals an opening of the can; and a liquid filling tap which is fitted to the liquid filling hole and seals the liquid filling hole by welding. A projection molten in welding is provided on one of the outer surface of the liquid filling tap and the outer surface of the lid connected to the liquid filling hole. The liquid filling tap is welded to the liquid filling hole using molten metal of the projection in welding as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: HITACHI VEHICLE ENERGY, LTD.
    Inventor: Kinya Aota
  • Publication number: 20130115491
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a battery cell which includes a weakness for relieving pressure. This battery cell includes a jelly roll comprising layers which are wound together, including a cathode with an active coating, a separator and an anode with an active coating. The jelly roll also includes a first conductive tab coupled to the cathode and a second conductive tab coupled to the anode. The jelly roll is enclosed in a flexible pouch, wherein the first and second conductive tabs extend through seals in the pouch to provide terminals for the battery cell. This pouch includes a weakness which yields when internal pressure in the pouch exceeds a threshold to create a hole which releases the internal pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130108903
    Abstract: An insulation portion for an electrochemical cell having a plurality of slots into which bent electrode tabs are slid through during an assembly process of an electrochemical cell. A latch is disposed adjacent the slots and is movable from a resting position to a biased position to engage the electrode tabs. Attachment of the insulation portion to the electrochemical cell and bending of the electrode tabs can be robotically performed, such that controllers of an attachment device and bending device are in communication with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventors: Charles E. Martin, Lucien Fontaine, William H. Gardner, Keith M. Bibby, Dale Beaver
  • Publication number: 20130108901
    Abstract: A battery housing comprises a cell compartment element (1) which at least partially delimits a cell compartment. Said cell compartment is designed to accommodate at least one electrochemical energy storage cell. A lid element (2) which is designed to be connected to the cell compartment element (1) obturates the cell compartment at least in sections thereof. The lid element (2) preferably comprises at least one fastening pin (29) and/or a bore (30) for a fastening pin for fastening the battery housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: LI-TEC BATTERY GMBH
    Inventors: Tim Schaefer, Claus-Rupert Hohenthanner
  • Patent number: 8426048
    Abstract: A battery pack including at least a battery and a casing for accommodating the battery, in which the casing has a ventilation hole communicating with the outside of the casing, and a mesh member made of metal for covering at least the ventilation hole is provided at the side surface of the casing. Preferably, the mesh member is coated with an insulating resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Masato Fujikawa, Mikinari Shimada
  • Patent number: 8420242
    Abstract: A cell module has a cell group with a plurality of cells connected to each other. The module comprises a bus bar plate including a bus bar connecting between the cells and an end cover for covering the bus bar plate. The cell module is configure to be fixed with the end cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Vehicle Energy, Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiichi Sato
  • Patent number: 8420257
    Abstract: A cap assembly is provided. The cap assembly comprises a main gasket surrounding the outer circumference of a safety vent and an auxiliary gasket surrounding the outer circumference of a current interrupt device (CID). The main gasket is supported by the auxiliary gasket, leaving no space between the main gasket and the safety vent. The cap assembly is constructed such that the auxiliary gasket prevents the main gasket seated on a beading portion from sagging. This construction makes the cap assembly effective in preventing an electrolyte from leaking. Further provided is a cylindrical secondary battery comprising the cap assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Jong Kim, Je Jun Lee, Cha Hun Ku
  • Publication number: 20130089763
    Abstract: A battery pack including at least one battery module including: a plurality of battery cells arranged in a direction, each of the battery cells including a vent; and a cover covering the plurality of battery cells and including a degassing cover covering the vents; and a cover plate on the degassing cover, at least a portion of the degassing cover having a rigidity less than a rigidity of the cover plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Inventor: Hyun-Ye Lee
  • Patent number: 8415043
    Abstract: A battery assembly comprising a housing defining an interior and at least two electrical storage cells located in the interior of the housing. A thermal transfer barrier located in the interior of the housing, the thermal transfer barrier being positioned between the at least two cells in the housing, wherein the thermal transfer barrier is formed of a material having a greater insulation capability than a material of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Gateway, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael R. Flannery
  • Publication number: 20130084477
    Abstract: A battery and an electrical apparatus accommodated in a battery pack body (1, 4) are effectively cooled. The battery pack body (1, 4) includes a battery region in which a battery module (2) is accommodated and an electrical apparatus region in which the electrical apparatus is accommodated. An air-suction portion (3) and an air-exhaust portion (37) are formed in the battery pack body (1, 4). Air which flows through the air-suction portion (36) is made to flow in the battery pack body (1, 4), thereby cooling the battery module (2) and the electrical apparatus and then, the air is made to flow out through the air-exhaust portion (37). The electrical apparatus region includes an electrical apparatus cover (27) which covers at least a portion of the electrical apparatus and which branches air which is sucked through the air-suction portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: Lithium Energy Japan
    Inventor: Lithium Organization Japan
  • Patent number: 8409737
    Abstract: An upper base portion of a top portion of a battery cell cap functions as a positive terminal, and paths for flow of electrical current are defined between the top portion and portions for welding. The portions for welding are positioned to face a side wall region between a pair of apertures adjacently provided in the top portion, and the current flowing regions are defined between the portions for welding and the side wall regions of the top portion facing to the portions for welding, each forming a symmetrical current flowing region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Vehicle Energy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsunori Suzuki, Yuki Hato
  • Publication number: 20130078487
    Abstract: A battery module includes a battery cell stack having a plurality of battery cells or unit modules connected in series and/or in parallel to each other in a state in which the battery cells or the unit modules are stacked in the lateral direction. The battery cell stack is provided at the front thereof with bus bars to connect electrode terminals of the battery cells to external input and output terminals. Voltage sensing members are provided at ends thereof with connection terminals electrically connected to electrode terminal connection parts of the battery cells to sense voltages of the battery cells or the unit modules. An upper case is provided with mounting parts, in which the voltage sensing members are mounted. A lower case is coupled to the upper. The lower case is provided at the front thereof with external input and output terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Yong Shik SHIN, Jong Moon YOON, JaeHun YANG, Jin Kyu LEE, BumHyun LEE
  • Publication number: 20130078488
    Abstract: An electric storage apparatus includes a holder for holding a plurality of electric storage devices. An inter-electric storage device air passage is formed between the electric storage devices. A holder body of the holder includes: at least one wall portion extending in a second direction, the at least one wall portion being opposed from outside to an electric storage device located at one end in a first direction among the plurality of electric storage devices; and an air vent portion formed side by side with the wall portion in a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions, the air vent portion being opened to the first and second directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: LITHIUM ENERGY JAPAN
    Inventor: LITHIUM ENERGY JAPAN
  • Publication number: 20130071703
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a mobile battery module for high power applications. The mobile battery module includes a case having a chamber therein, wherein one or more engagement elements are disposed on an inner surface of the case. A number of blocks removably engage the one or more engagement elements, wherein each block includes a pair of opposing sidewalls. Within each block, a number of end caps extend from the opposing sidewalls to cooperatively hold a number of respective cells there between.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: R. W. Beckett Corporation
    Inventors: Jeff Traczek, Tim Brewster
  • Publication number: 20130071709
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery including an electrode assembly having a first electrode and a second electrode; a case housing the electrode assembly; a cap plate coupled to the case; a terminal electrically connected to the electrode assembly and protruding from the cap plate; a connecting member on the cap plate, the connecting member including a body, a first short-circuit tab within the body and electrically connected to the first electrode, and a second short-circuit tab within the body and electrically connected to the second electrode; and a short-circuit member spaced the first short-circuit tab and the second short-circuit tab.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: Duk-Jung Kim, In Kim
  • Publication number: 20130071708
    Abstract: A battery is provided with a container, one cell wide, having a top, a bottom, two end walls, a closed side wall and an open side. Plural plate elements are formed by connecting together a plurality of positive plates, each with a tab on one side, and a plurality of negative plates, each with a tab on an opposite side. The plural plate elements are inserted face first and positioned through the open side into the container. A separate cover seals the open side of the container and compresses the plural plate elements in the container. The battery may be either a sealed, valve-regulated, lead acid type or a lithium ion type. The container may have one or more cells and head space which serves as an electrolyte reservoir. The container also has holes formed in the two end walls. A pre-cast post is arranged either in each of the holes on one side of a multi-cellular container or in a single hole in each opposite end wall of a single-cell container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventor: Darwin Danton Delans
  • Patent number: 8398726
    Abstract: A method including the steps of assembling a battery pack core; holding the core in a mold that forms a molded resin region; closing a cavity of the mold; injecting synthetic resin into the closed cavity; and ejecting the battery pack from the cavity to configure the battery pack with the battery pack core insert-molded in the molded resin region. A projection that protrudes towards an inner surface of the mold cavity is provided on the surface of the insulating cover fixed on the battery. In the resin injection step, the projection on the insulating cover is pressed directly or indirectly by the mold in a direction to put the insulating cover tightly in contact with the surface of the battery; and synthetic resin is injected into the cavity of the mold in this pressed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sadao Yamagami, Masatsugu Naka, Ryosuke Kubo
  • Patent number: 8399114
    Abstract: A battery module includes a first unit cell, a second unit cell, a first exhaust chamber, and a second exhaust chamber. The first unit cell is disposed so that a positive electrode terminal faces the first direction. The second unit cell is connected in series to the first unit cell, the negative electrode terminal is disposed so as to face the first direction, and the second unit is disposed so as to be adjacent to the first unit cell. The first exhaust chamber is disposed so as to face the positive electrode terminal of the first unit cell, and discharges a gas which is emitted from the positive electrode terminal of the first unit cell. The second exhaust chamber is disposed so as to face the positive electrode terminal of the second unit cell, and discharges a gas generated from the positive electrode terminal of the second unit cell. The end surface of the second unit cell in the first direction and the outer surface of the first exhaust chamber in the first direction are flush with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Kishii, Takuya Nakashima
  • Patent number: 8399112
    Abstract: A battery module 100 includes a plurality of batteries aligned and accommodated in a housing 20, wherein each batteries has an opening portion 17 at an electrode portion 16 of the battery to release gas generated in the battery outside the battery, the housing 20 is partitioned by a circuit board 30 disposed in contact with battery cases 5 around the electrode portions 16 of the batteries into a storage portion 54 in which the batteries are stored, and an exhaust chamber 24 via which the gas released from the opening portion 17 of the electrode portion 16 is exhausted outside the housing 20, the electrode portions 16 of the batteries are connected to a connector 32 on the circuit board 30, and the opening portions 17 of the electrode portions 16 are in communication with the exhaust chamber 24 via through holes 36 in the circuit board 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Shunsuke Yasui, Hiroshi Takasaki, Toshiki Itoi, Shinya Geshi, Daisuke Kishii
  • Publication number: 20130065100
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly including electrodes both sides of a separator; a case accommodating the electrode assembly; a cap plate coupled to an opening of the case; an electrode terminal assembled to a terminal hole of the cap plate; an insulator between the electrode terminal and a first surface of the cap plate; a gasket between the electrode terminal and a second surface of the cap plate; and a lead tab at one side of the gasket to connect the electrode terminals to the electrode assembly. The electrode terminal and the cap plate form a vent hole that penetrates the electrode terminal and the cap plate, and the vent hole is sealed by a vent plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventor: Duk-Jung Kim
  • Patent number: 8394519
    Abstract: A battery system includes a plurality of electric rechargeable cells which are stacked in a row and conductive members which electrically connect the electric rechargeable cells together. The electric rechargeable cells each has a gas exhaust port, and a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal which are disposed in such a manner as to hold the gas exhaust port therebetween. The battery system includes a gas exhaust member connected to the gas exhaust ports, a partition holding member which establishes partitions between the gas exhaust member and the positive electrode terminals and the negative electrode terminals in such a manner as to cover them and on which the conductive members are provided, and a voltage control circuit which is attached to an outer surface side of the partition holding member in a position which confronts the gas exhaust member and controls voltages of the electric rechargeable cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Atsuhiro Naganuma
  • Publication number: 20130059175
    Abstract: The invention relates to a battery with a degassing system and to a method for dissipating substances emerging from a battery, by which means the gases and electrolytes which result from chemical activity can be dissipated using simple means in this way, and battery cells are protected against damage. The invention provides that the battery with the degassing system comprises a base plate (22) and at least one cell module (12) which is arranged on the base plate (22) and has at least one battery cell (16), wherein the battery cell (16) has an upper face (34), which is provided with cell terminals (14), and a lower face (36), which is provided with at least one degassing opening (18), and the base plate (22) has at least one aperture to a catchment area at the location of the at least one degassing opening (18), wherein the lower face (36) is arranged opposite the upper face (34) and the lower face (36) is arranged below the upper face (34) in the direction of the force of gravity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Florian Engel, Ralf Angerbauer, Holger Fink
  • Publication number: 20130059181
    Abstract: A battery cell design is disclosed that provides a predictable pathway through a portion of the cell (e.g., the cell cap assembly) for the efficient release of the thermal energy that occurs during thermal runaway, thereby reducing the chances of a rupture in an undesirable location. Furthermore the disclosed design maintains the functionality of the cell cap as the positive terminal of the cell, thereby having minimal impact on the manufacturability of the cell as well as its use in a variety of applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: TESLA MOTORS, INC.
    Inventors: Francisco LePort, Scott Ira Kohn, Orion Andrew King, Alex Prilutsky
  • Publication number: 20130052497
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an air valve for an energy storage device, including: a valve body mounted in a gas vent of an energy storage device and having a passage for discharging gases within the gas vent to the outside; and a plurality of magnets mounted within the passage to apply repulsion force to one another so as to block the gas vent from the outside by the repulsion force and communicate the gas vent with the outside when a gas pressure within the gas vent is larger than the repulsion force, thereby discharging gases. By this configuration, exemplary embodiments of the present invention can configure the air valve with the simple structure capable of smoothly discharging gases generated from the energy storage device while minimizing a volume of the air valve and being semi-permanently used while minimizing a mechanical configuration of the air valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: Jung Eun NOH, Sung Yeol PARK, Yeong Su CHO
  • Patent number: 8383258
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cap assembly loaded on an open upper end of a cylindrical container of a battery in which an electrode assembly is mounted in the cylindrical container, the cap assembly including a safety vent having a predetermined notch configured to rupture by high-pressure gas generated in the battery, a current interruptive device coupled to a bottom of the safety vent by welding for interrupting current when internal pressure of the battery increases, and a current interruptive device gasket for surrounding an outer circumference of the current interruptive device, wherein the current interruptive device includes two or more through holes for gas discharge, the through holes being formed such that the sum of areas of the through holes is equal to 20% to 50% of an entire area of the current interruptive device. When high-pressure gas is generated in the battery, the cap assembly effectively interrupts current and rapidly discharges the gas, thereby greatly improving safety of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sungjong Kim, Byung Kyu Jung, SooRyoung Kim, Chahun Ku
  • Patent number: 8383256
    Abstract: A battery has a battery case with a hole, and a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) safety valve mounted to the battery case over the hole. The MEMS safety valve includes a silicon diaphragm and a silicon electrode layer with a movable electrode mounted above the diaphragm, a stationary electrode around the movable electrode, and one or more links electrically connecting the movable and the stationary electrodes. The stationary electrode, the links, and the movable electrode form part of an electrical path between one or more battery cells and a battery terminal. The links break to open the electrical path when the pressure in the battery case pushes the diaphragm and the links past a first limit. The diaphragm breaks to release fluid from the battery case when the pressure pushes the diaphragm past a second limit. The first limit may be smaller, larger, or the same as the second limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Advanced NuMicro Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Yee-Chung Fu
  • Publication number: 20130040174
    Abstract: A module case 23 is provided with a first outlet opening 35 and a first inlet opening 37 formed in side surfaces of the module case 23 opposite to each other. A plurality of battery modules 21 are arranged in a direction to which the first outlet opening 35 is open. The first outlet opening 35 of one of the battery modules 21 is connected to the first inlet opening 37 of an adjacent battery module 21 through a connecting member 57.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Hiroshi Takasaki, Shunsuke Yasui, Shinya Geshi, Takashi Nakagawa, Keisuke Naito
  • Publication number: 20130040172
    Abstract: A structure of lithium-ion battery module comprises a battery case, containing one or more flexible packaging polymer lithium-ion battery cells, at of which top a connecting conductor is arranged to connect them in series and/or parallel to form a battery pack, positive and negative poles of the battery pack are mounted on the connecting conductor. The structure further comprises a battery cover plate welded on the open end of the battery case to package the battery pack into the battery case, and the positive and negative pole terminals of the battery module are arranged on the battery cover plate and welded to the positive and negative poles. The plate is provided with one or more through hole, through which the air in the battery case is evacuated and the inert gas is injected, after that a steel ball is clamped into each through hole to seal the battery case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: Advanced Electronics Energy Limited
    Inventors: Guangsen Chen, Qun Ai, Jianqing Zhou, Weijin Wu
  • Publication number: 20130034755
    Abstract: A battery module including a plurality of battery cells arranged in a direction, and a plurality of barriers, each arranged between battery cells of the plurality of battery cells and including a body unit having at least one opening and facing a face of a battery cell of the battery cells, at least one side unit connected to at least one end of the body unit such that at least a portion of the at least one side unit contacts a side of the battery cell, and at least one fixing unit on the side unit and configured to connect the barrier to an adjacent barrier of the plurality of barriers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Inventor: Myung-Chul KIM
  • Publication number: 20130034751
    Abstract: A power battery system includes a number of parallel groups that being connected in series and a number of improved electrode boards. Each of the parallel groups comprising a number of single batteries connected in parallel. Each of the improved electrode boards being connected between two neighbored parallel groups. Each of the improved electrode boards includes a number of electrode contact plate, a conductive substrate, and a number of security devices. Each electrode contact plate connects two neighbored single batteries of two neighbored parallel groups in series. Each of the security devices corresponds to an electrode connection plate and electrically connects an electrode connection plate to the conductive substrate. Each of the security devices fuses when one of the single batteries of a parallel group occurs short circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Inventor: De-xian GENG
  • Patent number: 8367233
    Abstract: A battery pack thermal management system is provided that is comprised of at least one enclosure failure port integrated into at least one wall of a battery pack enclosure, where the enclosure failure port(s) remains closed during normal operation of the battery pack, and opens during a battery pack thermal runaway event, thereby providing a flow path for hot gas generated during the thermal runaway event to be exhausted out of the battery pack enclosure in a controlled fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Weston Arthur Hermann, Alex Prilutsky, Vineet Haresh Mehta
  • Publication number: 20130029198
    Abstract: Disclosed is a battery unit that includes: a plurality of laminate batteries (32) electrically connected with each other; and tray (33) on which the plurality of laminate batteries (32) is mounted and which is stackable on another tray (33) on which another plurality of laminate batteries (32) is mounted. On the respective outer peripheral portions of the plurality of laminate batteries (32), there are formed gas discharge sections (35) that respectively release pressures generated in the plurality of laminate batteries (32) to the outside. The plurality of laminate batteries (32) is disposed such that gas discharge sections (35) are adjacent to the outer peripheral portion of tray (33).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: NEC ENERGY DEVICES, LTD.
    Inventor: Toru Suzuki
  • Patent number: RE44291
    Abstract: A secondary battery having a cap assembly, including an electrode assembly; a case in which the electrode assembly is located; a cap assembly having a cap plate coupled to and hermetically sealing the case. A terminal member has a head with a stepped protrusion penetrating the cap plate and insulated from the cap plate by an insulating member. The stepped protrusion presses the insulating member in multiple steps. The terminal member is connected to a positive or negative electrode terminal of the electrode assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyong-Jin Kim, Young-Bae Sohn, Jang-Ho Yoon, Young-Pil Choi