Separate Ventilating Inlet And Exhaust Openings Patents (Class 429/83)
  • Publication number: 20120214034
    Abstract: An electricity storage module according to the present invention includes: a battery case that includes a cooling medium intake port, a cooling medium outlet port, and a cooling flow passage through which a plurality of battery cells housed therein in a parallel array pattern are cooled; and a duct detachably mounted at the cooling medium intake port of the battery case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: Hitachi Vehicle Energy, Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuo Minokawa
  • Publication number: 20120129023
    Abstract: A battery pack device of an embodiment includes a battery module, a casing, an air inlet, an air outlet, and a ventilation channel. In the battery module, a plurality of battery cells stacked one on another are disposed. The casing is installed while housing the battery module therein. The air inlet is provided in the casing and lets an outside air into the casing. The air outlet is provided in the casing, disposed at a position higher than a position of the air inlet, and lets the air out of the casing. The ventilation channel, in the casing, connects the air inlet and the air outlet, and inclines with respect to a horizontal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Takafumi Nakahama, Nobumitsu Tada, Kenya Kurokawa, Tadashi Shudo, Taihei Koyama, Takeo Kakuchi
  • Patent number: 8178226
    Abstract: Battery element 2 is sandwiched between and surrounded by casing films 4, 5 each having a thermo-fusing resin layer, and is sealed by thermally fused region 6 formed by thermally fusing around the overall periphery. Cross-link structure portion 13 is formed in part of thermally fused region 6 by cross-linking casing film 5, and gas release chamber 12 is formed with its leading end positioned in cross-link structure portion 13. Gas release chamber 12 is a portion which is surrounded by thermally fused region 6 along its periphery, and in which casing films 4, 5 are not thermally fused. Tube 14 which is open at both ends is connected to gas release chamber 12, while sandwiched between casing films 4, 5, with its leading end positioned in gas release chamber 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignees: NEC Corporation, Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yageta, Makihiro Otohata, Masatomo Mizuta, Takeshi Kanai
  • Publication number: 20120088132
    Abstract: A battery unit and a battery module including a stack of a plurality of the battery units. The battery unit includes: a battery cell including electrode terminals; and a case for housing the battery cell, wherein the case includes: a spacer that is disposed on facing portions of an edge of the case and protrudes in a thickness direction of the case, an inlet guide portion for guiding air for cooling the battery cell, and an outlet guide portion for guiding air to be discharged toward the electrode terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Laurence Sang-Kyu AHN
  • Patent number: 8153289
    Abstract: A secondary battery has a safety vent formed on a can accommodating an electrode assembly. The safety vent is formed in a groove shape and the depth of the groove varies. The fracture site of the safety vent is controlled by adjusting the depth of the safety vent. The safety vent is prevented from damaging the electrode assembly when the electrode assembly is inserted in the can, and contacts the safety vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hwail Uh, Sangwoo Lee
  • Patent number: 8124262
    Abstract: A battery pack includes plural battery cells (1), and insulating separators (10) disposed between adjacent battery cells (1), where the plurality of battery cells are disposed in a stacked configuration with a prescribed gap between the adjacent battery cells. A separator (10) has plural gas channels that enable the flow of cooling gas. The gas channels have cooling gas entranceways and exit ways, which open at the sides of the battery block formed by the stacked battery cells. The separator 10 has cut sections formed to position the entranceways and exit ways of the gas channels inward from the sides of the battery block. This allows cooling gas near entranceways and exit ways to be smoothly introduced to, and exhausted from the gas channels, and reduces cooling gas pressure losses in those regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wataru Okada, Shinsuke Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20120003520
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lithium secondary battery unit set where a plurality of lithium secondary batteries are stacked, and a lithium secondary battery set including a plurality of lithium secondary battery unit sets. The present invention relates to a lithium secondary battery unit set with a bus bar and a lithium secondary battery set with a bus bar. The lithium secondary battery unit set with a bus bar: accommodates and protects a plurality of lithium secondary batteries comprising a pouch and an electrode tab; facilitates the changes of voltage and capacity as the stacked structure of the lithium secondary batteries becomes free; prevents the flow of overcurrent during charging and discharging; and enables uniform temperature distribution of the stacked batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: SK INNOVATION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seungjun Lee, Jungsik Yun, Hyosung Lee, Jeonkeun Oh
  • Patent number: 8062781
    Abstract: A degassing system for an accumulator includes a corso with a degassing opening, a pin that is arranged in the corso, at least one flap that is mounted such that it can rotate around the pin, a spring that is arranged to exert a torque on the at least one flap, and a seal that is arranged such that the at least one flap rests on the seal in a rest position and closes the degassing opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Hybrid and Recycling GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Joswig, Martin Wiegmann
  • Publication number: 20110223452
    Abstract: A secondary battery module comprises a casing in which vents are formed so as to allow outside air to flow in a vertical direction and one or more partition walls partition an internal space of the casing into a plurality of cell chambers. The partition wall comprises the pipe member as communication path to communicate between the cell chambers and the outside of the casing so as to allow outside air to be introduced into the internal space of the cell chambers. The secondary battery module further comprises a plurality of rod-shaped battery cells housed in the cell chambers and beams to support the battery cells along a horizontal direction and at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction in the cell chambers such that a cell axis direction is perpendicular to the vertical direction and extends along the partition wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Yoshida, Katsunori Nishimura
  • 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: 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
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20110177367
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a middle or large-sized battery pack case in which a battery module having a plurality of stacked battery cells or unit modules (‘unit cells’), which can be charged and discharged, is mounted, wherein the battery pack case is provided at an upper part and a lower part thereof with a coolant inlet port and a coolant outlet port, respectively, which are directed in opposite directions so that a coolant for cooling the unit cells can flow from one side to the other side of the battery module in a direction perpendicular to a stacking direction of the unit cells, the battery pack case being further provided with a flow space (‘a coolant introduction part’) extending from the coolant inlet port to the battery module and another flow space (‘a coolant discharge part’) extending from the battery module to the coolant outlet port, an upper end inside of the coolant introduction part facing the top of a unit cell stack is configured to have an inclined plane inclined from the end opposite to the co
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Chae-Ho Chung, Dal Mo Kang, Ye-Hoon Im, Jongmoon Yoon
  • Publication number: 20110177366
    Abstract: A battery pack of the present invention includes: a battery assembly including a plurality of batteries having a sealed portion, the plurality of batteries being connected to each other; a terminal portion electrically connected to the battery assembly and outputting electric power; and a composite layer structure including a heat-absorbing layer and a heat-conductive layer layered on the heat-absorbing layer, the composite layer structure being arranged at least at a part of a periphery of the battery assembly. The heat-absorbing layer has a specific heat of 1,000 J/kg·° C. or more. The heat-conductive layer has a heat conductivity of 10 W/m·K or more. This configuration allows for a small, light, and highly safe battery pack that is free from battery pack damage even when a battery in the battery pack has trouble and emits a high-temperature inflammable gas to expose the inside of the battery pack to a high-temperature environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira Nagasaki, Norio Marubayashi, Hajime Nishino, Yasushi Hirakawa
  • 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: 7892666
    Abstract: The cell case (10) of the present invention includes first cooling channel wall surfaces (13c) and second cooling channel wall surfaces (13d) that form a cooling channel (13A) through which cooling air flows for cooling a film-covered battery (1); wherein the area of the opening of a portion that is the outlet (13b) of cooling channel (13A) is greater than the area of the opening of the portion that is the inlet (13a) of the cooling channel (13A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignees: NEC Corporation, Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hisako Nakano, Takaaki Fujitani, Tetsuo Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20110027632
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a high-reliability battery pack that is capable of exhausting the gas even when the quantity of the gas released from the cell is small, and to provide a vehicle with the battery pack which can improve the reliability. A battery pack 10 has a battery module unit 50 that is formed from a plurality of arranged battery modules 40, each of which has a plurality of cells 30 in a case 41, a cooling air flow passage 20 where a cooling air flow 21 flows, and a gas exhaust duct 60 which forms a gas exhaust passage. The gas exhaust duct 60 extends in an arrangement direction S of the plurality of the battery modules 40 while being contiguous to the battery module unit 50, and takes in the gas 61 released in the case 41 from the cell 30, then exhausts the gas 61 from the battery module 40.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: Tatsuya Higashino, Kazuo Saito, Toshiyuki Motohashi
  • Publication number: 20100316895
    Abstract: The invention relates to a battery pack (1) for electric vehicles or vehicles with an electric hybrid drive. The battery pack (1) according to the invention comprises a battery housing (2) and battery cells, which are arranged within the battery housing (2), are self-contained and are electrically connected to one another in order to achieve a desired terminal voltage. A plurality of battery cells are in each case arranged at a distance from one another in a fastening frame (6) and in each case form cell modules (4). The cell modules (4) are in each case arranged on fastening elements, which pass through the battery housing (2), the fastening elements, being in the form of spacers between the cell modules (4) and, with the battery housing (2), forming a bearing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: EVONIK DEGUSSA GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Hedrich, Sven Augustin, Uwe Paulmann, Andreas Gutsch, Guenter Eichinger, Andreas Fuchs
  • Patent number: 7771865
    Abstract: A battery unit comprises a bypass structure. The bypass structure includes a bypass exit opening formed at one end of a second direction traversing a first direction at a first end of the battery case, the first direction being oriented from the first end to a second end at which an outlet is formed, a bypass entrance opening formed in a central part of the battery case along the first direction and in a central part along the second direction, a bypass duct by which the bypass exit opening communicates with the bypass entrance opening, and a flow path which guides a cooling gas downstream of the bypass entrance opening to both sides of the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Mitsubishi Jidosha Engineering Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiichi Takasaki, Hirotaka Togashi
  • Patent number: 7746033
    Abstract: A secondary battery module includes a unit battery aggregate having a plurality of unit batteries arranged spaced from each other; a housing adapted to receive the unit battery aggregate; and a communicating member installed inside the housing, the communicating member adapted to supply a cooling medium flowing into the housing between a plurality of the unit batteries. The housing includes an inlet for flowing temperature control air into the unit battery aggregate, an outlet for flowing out the air passing through the unit battery, and a communicating member arranged perpendicular to the direction of inflow and outflow of the air with respect to the inlet and the outlet to communicate with a flowing channel between unit batteries, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gun-Goo Lee, Yoon-Cheol Jeon, Tae-Yong Kim
  • Patent number: 7746034
    Abstract: A battery module includes unit cells and a housing for accommodating the unit cells therein, the housing having paths for circulating a cooling medium. The housing includes: a unit cell receptor for receiving the unit cells, the unit cell receptor having an inner space with an inner spatial section area perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the housing; and a cooling medium circulator having an inner space for circulating a cooling medium, the inner space being in communication with the inner space of the unit cell receptor and having an inner spatial section area perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the housing. The inner spatial section area of the unit cell receptor is larger than the inner spatial section area of the circulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gun-Goo Lee, Tae-Yong Kim, Yoon-Cheol Jeon
  • Patent number: 7736792
    Abstract: A cordless power tool has a housing which includes a mechanism to couple with a removable battery pack. The battery pack includes one or more battery cells as well as a vent system in the battery pack housing which enables fluid to move through the housing. A mechanism is associated with the battery pack to dissipate heat from the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Moores, Jr., Rouse R. Bailey, Jr., Robert Bradus, John R. Cochran, Lee W. Ramstrom, Fred S. Watts, Paul S. White, Daniele C. Brotto, Janet M. Embrey
  • Patent number: 7733065
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cooling system for vehicle battery packs, which is constructed such that an intake duct for introducing a coolant, such as air, which cools a battery pack, into the battery pack from a predetermined region is not included, air existing inside a vehicle at a region around a battery pack isolated from a cabin of the vehicle is directly introduced into the battery pack, and the air having passed through the battery pack, which has been heated, is discharged through an exhaust duct connected to an internal space of the vehicle, in which a possibility of air to be recirculated to the region around the battery pack is low. The battery pack cooling system according to the present invention uses air existing inside the vehicle. Consequently, the control of temperature and humidity is easier than when external air is used, and generation of noise and backward flow of flames and toxic gas generated during a fire, which are problems caused when the air in the cabin is used, are prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Junill Yoon, Jaesung Ahn
  • Patent number: 7674549
    Abstract: A fuel cell system is provided in which the amount of a reaction product discharged outside the system can be reduced, the reaction product, such as water, being formed by the electrochemical reaction of a fuel cell. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell power generation apparatus and a fuel cartridge which is detachable from a fuel cell. The fuel cell power generation apparatus includes a case containing a fuel cell therein, an air intake port provided in the case, and an emitted material discharge port provided in the case. The air intake port and the emitted material discharge port are arranged in different positions of the case. The fuel cartridge includes a fuel storage unit storing fuel, a fuel supply port supplying the fuel to the fuel cell, and a removal unit which removes water discharged from the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroko Kanai, Takashi Yasuo, Hiroki Kabumoto
  • Publication number: 20100003582
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly having positive and negative electrodes and a separator interposed between the positive and negative electrodes, a case for receiving the electrode assembly, and a plurality of projections formed on an outer surface of the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventors: Duck-Chul Hwang, Geun-Bae Kim, Yong-Chul Park, Won-Il Jung, Jong-Hwa Lee, Jeom-Soo Kim, Euy-Young Jung
  • Patent number: 7618738
    Abstract: A metal-air battery is shown. The metal-air battery includes a housing holding at least one metal-air cell and an interface electrically coupled to the housing holding the at least one metal-air cell. The interface includes an air management system. The air management system includes a housing having at least one cavity and a passage to allow air flow from the cavity. The housing carries contacts to make electrical contact with the interface. A motor is disposed within the one cavity and an impeller is in communication with the motor. An electronic circuit is provided to control the motor and a cover disposed over one side of the housing. The metal-air battery can be a zinc-air battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Frank Beerwerth, Christian Neyer
  • Publication number: 20090258282
    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: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicants: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Vehicle Energy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu HARADA, Masuhiro ONISHI, Seiichi SATO, Yoshihisa TSURUMI
  • Publication number: 20090197154
    Abstract: A battery unit comprises a bypass structure. The bypass structure includes a bypass exit opening formed at one end of a second direction traversing a first direction at a first end of the battery case, the first direction being oriented from the first end to a second end at which an outlet is formed, a bypass entrance opening formed in a central part of the battery case along the first direction and in a central part along the second direction, a bypass duct by which the bypass exit opening communicates with the bypass entrance opening, and a flow path which guides a cooling gas downstream of the bypass entrance opening to both sides of the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: Seiichi Takasaki, Hirotaka Tagashi
  • Patent number: 7547487
    Abstract: A multi-cell battery in which a plurality of electrochemical cells are disposed in a battery case. The battery case includes one or more partitions which divide the interior of the case into a plurality of cell compartments that house the electrochemical cells. The battery case includes at least one gas channel have a tortuous pathway designed to trap electrolyte which may escape from the cell compartments. A unique battery terminal may be molded into the battery case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Ovonic Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Brendan Smith, Richard Bendert, Steve Bronczyk
  • Publication number: 20090148754
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device for housing a plurality of electrochemical cells, wherein the housing provides stability, temperature control and maximum packing density. The battery module housing comprises a first semi-enclosure and a second semi-enclosure, wherein the first and second semi-enclosure are aligned to form compartments there between. Each compartment is designed to accommodate at least one electrochemical cell, such as a cylindrical battery or a prismatic battery. Each semi-enclosure comprises an interior wall and an exterior wall. The interior and exterior wall align together to form a flow path between the walls through which coolant or any other thermal management medium may flow. The coolant enters the semi-enclosure through a coolant inlet, flows between the interior and exterior walls; then flows out of the semi-enclosure through a coolant outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventors: Michael A. Marchio, Jozef Gorog
  • Publication number: 20080268328
    Abstract: A battery module that includes a plurality of unit batteries, a frame, and supporters. The frame includes holes for receiving and supporting the unit batteries. Each of the supporters is formed in a form of a protrusion and is disposed between the holes and the unit batteries for supporting the unit batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Gun-Goo Lee, Ki-Woon Kim, Jun-Pyo Park, Ji-Hyoung Yoon
  • Patent number: 7413827
    Abstract: A car power source apparatus is provided with a driving battery which drives an electric motor, heaters which heat the driving battery, a control circuit which controls power to the heaters, a temperature sensor which detects battery temperature and issues a detected temperature signal to the control circuit, and a surrounding temperature sensor which detects surrounding temperature and also issues a detected temperature signal to the control circuit. When the car is not being driven and the driving battery is heated via the heaters powered by the driving battery, the set temperature is changed corresponding to the detected surrounding temperature in the control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinya Inui
  • Publication number: 20080187820
    Abstract: The cell case (10) of the present invention includes first cooling channel wall surfaces (13c) and second cooling channel wall surfaces (13d) that form a cooling channel (13A) through which cooling air flows for cooling a film-covered battery (1); wherein the area of the opening of a portion that is the outlet (13b) of cooling channel (13A) is greater than the area of the opening of the portion that is the inlet (13a) of the cooling channel (13A).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2005
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicants: NEC CORPORATION, FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hisako Nakano, Takaaki Fujitani, Tetsuo Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7399551
    Abstract: In a battery cooling structure, a battery case housing a large number of battery modules is formed into the shape of a rectangular tube having a cooling air inlet and a cooling air outlet, and V-shaped cooling air guide channels having a decreasing flow-path cross sectional area are provided on inner faces of air guide plates that define upper and lower faces of the rectangular tube. The flow of cooling air is deflected by these V-shaped cooling air guide channels toward a central part on the downstream side, thus effectively cooling the battery modules disposed in the central part, for which the cooling effect is poor to make uniform the temperature of the battery modules, resulting in a suppressed variation in capacity and lifetime. Moreover, since it is not necessary to provide a bypass passage in the battery case, it is possible to simplify the structure of the battery case, reduce the dimensions, and improve the degree of freedom in the layout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Yagi, Eiji Koike, Harumi Takedomi, Takeo Nishibori
  • Patent number: 7326490
    Abstract: A cordless power tool has a housing which includes a mechanism to couple with a removable battery pack. The battery pack includes one or more battery cells as well as a vent system in the battery pack housing which enables fluid to move through the housing. A mechanism is associated with the battery pack to dissipate heat from the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G Moores, Jr., Rouse R Bailey, Jr., Robert Bradus, John R Cochran, Lee W Ramstrom, Douglas L Kreiser
  • Patent number: 7264901
    Abstract: A monoblock battery case and a monoblock battery. The monoblock battery case comprises a first and a second container each having partitions that divide the containers into cell compartments. The first container is attached to and co-operates with the second container to form one or more coolant channels disposed between the first and second containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Ovonic Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Philippe Gow, Anthony Osgood, Subhash K. Dhar, Dennis A. Corrigan, Stanford R. Ovshinsky
  • Patent number: 7252904
    Abstract: A cordless power tool has a housing which includes a mechanism to couple with a removable battery pack. The battery pack includes one or more battery cells as well as a vent system in the battery pack housing which enables fluid to move through the housing. A mechanism is associated with the battery pack to dissipate heat from the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G Moores, Jr., Rouse R Bailey, Jr., Robert Bradus, John R Cochran, Lee W Ramstrom, Douglas L Kreiser
  • Patent number: 7217473
    Abstract: Mechanically and thermally improved rechargeable batteries, modules and fluid-cooled battery pack systems. The battery is prismatic in shape with an optimized thickness to width to height aspect ratio which provides the battery with balanced optimal properties when compared with prismatic batteries lacking this optimized aspect ratio. The fluid-cooled battery pack includes; 1) a battery-pack case having coolant inlet and outlet; 2) battery modules within the case such that the battery module is spaced from the case walls and from other battery modules to form coolant flow channels along at least one surface of the bundled batteries; and 3) at least one coolant transport means. The width of the coolant flow channels allows for maximum heat transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Ovanic Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Dennis A. Corrigan, Srinivasan Venkatesan, Subhash K. Dhar, Arthur Holland, Donn Fillmore, Lin Higley, Philippe Gow, Ronald Himmler, Nick Karditsas, Kenneth Laming, Anthony Osgood
  • Patent number: 7056616
    Abstract: A cordless power tool has a housing which includes a mechanism to couple with a removable battery pack. The battery pack includes one or more battery cells as well as a vent system in the battery pack housing which enables fluid to move through the housing. A mechanism is associated with the battery pack to dissipate heat from the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Moores, Jr., Rouse R. Bailey, Jr., Robert Bradus, John R. Cochran, Lee W. Ramstrom, Douglas L. Kreiser
  • Patent number: 7026066
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a hollow main body. This main body is powered by a fuel cell which generates a vapor-containing gas during operation. The vapor-containing gas generated by the fuel cell is made to flow along a predetermined passage by a cooling fan and is discharged from a discharge port formed in the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Akihiro Ozeki, Shogo Hachiya
  • Patent number: 7014945
    Abstract: A cordless power tool has a housing which includes a mechanism to couple with a removable battery pack. The battery pack includes one or more battery cells as well as a vent system in the battery pack housing which enables fluid to move through the housing. A mechanism is associated with the battery pack to dissipate heat from the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Moores, Jr., Rouse R. Bailey, Jr., Robert Bradus, John R. Cochran, Lee W. Ramstrom, Fred S. Watts, Paul S. White, Daniele C. Brotto, Janet M. Embrey
  • Patent number: 6824915
    Abstract: Air managers for power supplies such as metal-air batteries or fuel cells are described. In some embodiments, the air managers can include a diaphragm, the movement of which can cause air to be exchanged, for example, between the interior and exterior of the casing of a metal-air battery or fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventor: Christopher S. Pedicini
  • Publication number: 20040151978
    Abstract: A direct-write method and apparatus for depositing a functional material with a preferred orientation onto a target surface. The method comprises the following steps: (1) forming a precursor fluid to the functional material, with the fluid containing a liquid component; (2) operating a dispensing device to discharge and deposit the precursor fluid onto the target surface in a substantially point-by-point manner and at least partially removing the liquid component from the deposited fluid to form a thin layer of the functional material which is substantially solidified and is of a predetermined pattern; and (3) during the liquid-removing step, subjecting the deposited fluid to a highly localized electric or magnetic field for poling until a preferred orientation is attained in the deposited functional material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: Wen C. Huang
  • Patent number: 6759159
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a synthetic air jet for a metal-air battery. A synthetic air jet can be housed within, incorporated into, or attached to a battery casing to generate a convective air flow for an air cathode of a metal-air cell contained within the casing. A means for activating the synthetic air jet controls the air flow through the battery casing. When the synthetic air jet is activated, the internal volume of the synthetic air jet changes. The expansion and contraction of the synthetic air jet creates an air flow through the battery, thus providing reactant air for the air cathode of the metal-air cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Gary Edward Gray, John Douglas Witzigreuter, Christopher Steven Pedicini
  • Publication number: 20040048146
    Abstract: Electrochemical cells and electrochemical cell systems are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: David Adamson, Boris Makovetski, David L. Pappas, Robert Pavlinsky, Michael J. Zuraw
  • Publication number: 20040013936
    Abstract: A vent cap (10) for a battery having a centrally disposed cavity (22) to militate against contamination of battery components from impurities contained in the ambient air and also including a plurality of alternating partitions (26) which creates a condensation medium for the deposit of droplets of electrolyte carried by gases venting from the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventor: James H. Barrett Jr
  • Patent number: 6645666
    Abstract: A cordless power tool has a housing which includes a mechanism to couple with a removable battery pack. The battery pack includes one or more battery cells as well as a vent system in the battery pack housing which enables fluid to move through the housing. A mechanism is associated with the battery pack to dissipate heat from the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Moores, Jr., Rouse R. Bailey, Jr., Robert Bradus, John R. Cochran, Lee W. Ramstrom, Fred S. Watts, Paul S. White, Daniele C. Brotto, Janet M. Embrey
  • Publication number: 20030162084
    Abstract: In the present battery apparatus for vehicle, a temperature detecting plate 30 is fixed outside a casing 10 accommodating a plurality of secondary batteries 20. The casing 10 is provided with ventilation holes 15 for cooling the secondary batteries 20 between the secondary batteries 20 and the temperature detecting plate 30. The temperature detecting plate 30 fixes temperature sensors 50 on an insulation substrate 31. The insulation substrate 31 has air holes 33 communicated with the ventilation holes 15 of the casing 10, and a communicating portion 34 is provided between the air holes 33, and the temperature sensor 50 is fixed to the communicating portion 34, whereby the temperature sensor 50 is located so as to access to the surface of the secondary battery 20 via the ventilation hole 15.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: Naohiro Shigeta, Masaki Yugo, Tetsu Miyamoto, Shoichi Toya, Hideo Shimizu
  • Patent number: RE42468
    Abstract: A charging station (1) for a rechargeable battery (5) that can be electrically and physically connected to the rechargeable battery (5). The charging station (1) has charger electronics (2) in a charger housing (3) and an electrical and physical contact interface (4) for the battery (5). An air blower (6) producing an air current (L) through two air vents (7a, 7b) is arranged in the charger housing (3). The air vent (7a) of the physical contact interface (4) is spatially associated with the battery (5) and the charger electronics (2) is arranged in the air current (L) to transfer heat. In the cooling process, in a first stage, an air volume (V) at cooling temperature CT is moved past the battery to transfer heat into and onto the battery and, in a second stage, the air volume (V) at an intermediate temperature IT>CT permeates the charger housing (2) containing the charging electronics (2.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernd Heigl, Bernd Ziegler, Rainer Ontl