Reactive, Absorbable Or Diffusive Type Patents (Class 429/86)
  • Patent number: 11804633
    Abstract: A degassing unit to be connected fluid-tightly to a pressure compensation opening of an electronics housing has a base body with gas passage opening. A semipermeable membrane, fastened fluid-tightly to a membrane carrier, allows gaseous media to pass from an environment into the electronics housing and in reverse but prevents passage of liquid media and solids. In normal operation, the membrane covers the gas passage opening. An axial seal circumferentially extends about the gas passage opening. The membrane carrier is moveable relative to the base body and, in normal operation, is pressed by axial force seal-tightly against the axial seal. The membrane carrier, when a predetermined pressure difference between housing interior and environment is surpassed, lifts off the base body to release an emergency degassing opening surrounding the membrane. The axial seal is a lip seal and made of a material softer than a material of the membrane carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: MANN+HUMMEL GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Zbiral, Axel Liebendoerfer, Thomas Jessberger, Markus Hanselmann
  • Patent number: 11698184
    Abstract: A lighting module includes a first printed circuit board (PCB) with a push button switch and a charging port, a second PCB with a light emitting diode (LED), a rechargeable battery sandwiched between the PCB's, and ring disposed between the PCB's and surrounding the battery. A device including the lighting module, a body having a cavity with an aperture, and a cap having a protrusion facing the body. The lighting module received in the cavity, with the cap covering the aperture. The protrusion and push button switch are positioned such that when the cap is pushed inward near the protrusion, the protrusion pushes the push button switch and activates the lighting module. The cap further includes a ridge surrounding the protrusion on the outward side, the ridge preventing the protrusion from being pushed into the push button switch, unless the cap is pressed at approximately a location of the protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Nite Ize, Inc.
    Inventors: Bowden Ormsbee, Steven L. Lindquist
  • Patent number: 11411276
    Abstract: A battery pack includes: an assembled battery having battery cells; a battery case that houses the assembled battery; a wiring case assembled to the battery case; and an elastic member held between the battery cell and the wiring case. A safety valve is formed on one surface of the battery cell. The elastic member has a first end surface that comes in contact with a region in which the safety valve is not formed on the one surface of the battery cell, and a second end surface that comes in contact with a facing surface of the wiring case that faces the one surface. The wiring case has a regulation member that comes in contact with a side surface of the elastic member which connects the first end surface to the second end surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hidehiro Kinoshita, Masato Niwa
  • Patent number: 11394067
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the technical field of battery system, and discloses a battery, a battery enclosure and a vehicle, wherein the battery comprises a battery enclosure defining a receiving space; a thermal isolation panel disposed in the receiving space and dividing the receiving space into a plurality of subspaces; and a plurality of cells respectively arranged in the subspaces and divided into a plurality of groups by the thermal isolation panel; wherein a weakened zone for guiding energy release when thermal runaway occurs in the cells is formed on an enclosure wall of the battery enclosure adjacent to the cell. The cells of the battery are separated by the thermal isolation panel so as to prevent the thermal runaway events from rapid spreading in the battery. At the same time, by providing a weakened zone on the battery enclosure wall adjoining the cell, an optimal venting direction can be provided for the cell in case of a thermal runaway, thus the battery has high safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: FARASIS ENERGY (GANZHOU) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jackson Edwards, Andrew Larson, Benjamin Zeiger
  • Patent number: 11355802
    Abstract: According to the present disclosure, technology of preventing reduction of battery performances in manufacturing steps is provided for a secondary battery provided with a protective member for preventing cleavage of a welded part. A secondary battery disclosed herein includes an electrode body including a terminal connecting part, an exterior body including a welded part at an outer circumferential edge part, and an electrode terminal connected with the terminal connecting part. The secondary battery includes a protective member that is placed between the exterior body and the electrode body, and regulates shrinkage deformation of the exterior body toward a center in a width direction. The second battery further includes a movement regulating means for regulating movement of the protective member. This can prevent reduction of battery performances in manufacturing steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masashi Kato
  • Patent number: 11289767
    Abstract: A valve assembly for a battery cover is provided. The valve assembly may advantageously allow for testing prior to installation on a battery cover. A battery is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: CPS Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas E. Elison, Dale B. Trester, Arunraj Varatharajah
  • Patent number: 11258121
    Abstract: A metal/air button cell includes a cell cup having at least one inlet opening via which atmospheric oxygen can enter the interior, the cell cup has an inner side facing the interior, and an oppositely directed outer side, an air cathode is in the form of a cathode disk with a circumferential cathode disk periphery, the air cathode includes a metal collector structure, the cathode disk is arranged such that the cathode disk periphery bears along a circumferential contact zone against the inner side of a cladding region, the cell cup has, on its outer side, at least one recess made by impression and becomes visible as a raised portion on the inner side, and the at least one recess is made in the outer side such that the raised portion exerts a pressure against the cathode disk periphery in the region of the contact zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: VARTA Microbattery GmbH
    Inventors: Cornelia Wiedemann, Wolfgang Thorwart, Stefan Senz, Stephan Frosch, Berthold Bühler
  • Patent number: 11158885
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing configured to form at least a portion of an outer surface of the electronic device; a battery disposed inside the housing; a circuit board disposed inside the housing; a gas sensor module including at least one gas sensor and mounted in the circuit board; and at least one wall disposed adjacent to the gas sensor module, wherein in the at least one wall, a first opening configured to introduce a gas leaked from the battery and a second opening configured to introduce air outside the electronic device are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yongsuk Lee, Hyunku Park
  • Patent number: 10960376
    Abstract: A recombinator for the catalytic recombination of hydrogen and oxygen generated in energy converters, in particular accumulators, to form water, comprising a housing in which a volume space is formed, into which the gases can flow via an opening and in which a recombination device is arranged that comprises a portion for a catalyst material and a portion for an absorption material, wherein the flow path of the gases to be recombined extends through the portion comprising the absorption material into the portion comprising the catalyst material, wherein a distance space is formed between the portion comprising the absorption material and the portion comprising the catalyst material, wherein the catalyst material is configured as a catalyst bar, the catalyst bar is arranged in a first gas-permeable tube and the distance space is formed in a gap space between the inner walling of the first gas-permeable tube and the outer wall of the catalyst bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Hoppecke Batterien GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Philipp Strohmenger, Hugo Pack, Alexander Rein
  • Patent number: 10957940
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to electrochemical cells having semi-solid electrodes that include a gel polymer additive such that the electrodes demonstrate longer cycle life while significantly retaining the electronic performance of the electrodes and the electrochemical cells formed therefrom. In some embodiments, a semi-solid electrode can include about 20% to about 75% by volume of an active material, about 0.5% to about 25% by volume of a conductive material, and about 20% to about 70% by volume of an electrolyte. The electrolyte further includes about 0.01% to about 1.5% by weight of a polymer additive. In some embodiments, the electrolyte can include about 0.1% to about 0.7% of the polymer additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: 24M Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Taison Tan, Naoki Ota, Jeffry Disko
  • Patent number: 10333133
    Abstract: A cap assembly for a secondary battery includes: a cap plate; a current interrupt device (CID); a middle plate; and an insulator. The CID includes: a vent plate under the cap plate and including a vent portion protruding downward; and a sub-plate under the vent plate and connected to the vent portion. The middle plate is between the vent plate and the sub-plate and is electrically connected to the vent plate via the sub-plate. The insulator is between the vent plate and the middle plate, and the insulator includes a crosslinked polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gun Gue Park, Hyo Rim Bak
  • Patent number: 9620752
    Abstract: A vented battery cover with a vent cover is disclosed. The vent cover may be capable of attachment to the battery at a first position and a second position using one or more first snap features and one or more second snap features. The vent cover may also provide a fluid path from a fill tube hole in the battery cover to a vent wherein the path is a labyrinth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Glenn W. Andersen
  • Patent number: 9257689
    Abstract: A battery pack includes one or more bare cells and an exterior member. Each of the bare cells has a pair of long side surfaces opposite to each other, and short side surfaces that connect the long side surfaces. The exterior member is composed of an adhesive layer provided adjacent to the bare cells while surrounding a portion of the bare cells, and a base material layer provided on the adhesive layer. In the battery pack, the adhesive layer has one or more openings therein, and the opening is provided adjacent to a portion at which the long and short side surfaces of the bare cell come in contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sang-Hun Park
  • Patent number: 9236589
    Abstract: A battery module and a vehicle including a battery module. A battery module includes: a housing including an inlet to pass air from an outside of the housing into an interior of the housing; at least one rechargeable battery housed in the interior of the housing; and an opening/closing member configured to control an opening state of the inlet according to a pressure of the air acting against the opening/closing member from the outside of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sang-Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 9214652
    Abstract: An electric storage element includes: an electrode body having a positive electrode and a negative electrode; a case for housing the electrode body; an insulating member arranged in the case to insulate the electrode body from the case; and a spacer arranged in the case. The spacer is arranged between the insulating member and the electrode body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: GS YUASA INTERNATIONAL LTD.
    Inventors: Shogo Tsuruta, Syun Ito, Hirokazu Kambayashi
  • Patent number: 9115823
    Abstract: The present invention is to a protective valve cap and a valve cap assembly. The protective valve cap secures and protects a valve and a valve cap during shipping and manufacturing of the assembly of parts comprising the valve and a valve cap assembly. The protective valve cap has a first end comprising a cylinder having a diameter and a length to fit inside and substantially secure the valve cap, a second end comprising an open cylinder having a diameter and a length to fit over and substantially secure an end of a valve that engages the valve cap, and an interferant structure, preferably a solid wall structure, integrally formed with and disposed between the ends and having a diameter larger than the ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: VPI Acquisition Corp.
    Inventors: Dennis J. Smith, Gregory S. Bowes
  • Patent number: 9088033
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a battery pack including a battery cell array including three or fewer battery cells, each of which has an electrode assembly of a cathode/separator/anode structure disposed in a battery case together with an electrolyte in a sealed state, arranged in the lateral direction, the battery cells having a current capacity of 3 amperes (Ah) or more and being electrically connected in series to each other, a protection circuit module (PCM) connected to the upper end of the battery cell array to control the operation of the battery pack, the protection circuit module including a protection circuit, from which a function to adjust voltage unbalance between the battery cells is removed, and a pack case in which the battery cell array and the protection circuit module are disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Seunghyun Bang, Youngsun Park, Chunyeon Kim, Ho Sang Kwon
  • Patent number: 9076995
    Abstract: A secondary battery according to the present exemplary embodiment is a secondary battery including a laminated electrode body provided with at least one pair of positive and negative electrodes and an outer enclosure that accommodates the laminated electrode body, wherein the outer enclosure includes one or more concave portions, inside a border corresponding to an outer edge of an electrode surface of an outermost layer of the laminated electrode body, on a surface facing the electrode surface, and wherein, when a band-shaped outer circumferential region having an area that is a half of an area inside the border is set inside the border, at least one of the concave portions is located inside the outer circumferential region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shin Serizawa, Hiroo Takahashi, Daisuke Kawasaki, Jiro Iriyama, Ryuichi Kasahara, Emiko Fujii, Tetsuya Kajita, Tatsuji Numata
  • Patent number: 8944087
    Abstract: A drainage device for placement on a housing includes an external plug component and a liquid expandable component. The external plug component has a first cap section and a second attachment section. The first cap section is positionable over an exterior side of a housing wall. The first attachment section is adapted to attach the drainage device to an opening in the housing wall. The liquid expandable component contacts the external plug component and is adapted to contact a structure within the housing when the drainage device is placed on the housing. Characteristically, the liquid expandable component has a higher volume when contacted with liquid than when dry. The liquid expandable component pushes the internal plug component away from the structure within the housing when the liquid expandable component transitions from a non-liquid-containing state to a liquid containing state thereby providing a path for liquid to escape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jurgen Thyroff, Johannes Lauer
  • Patent number: 8765278
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of lithium/air batteries and methods of making and using the same. Certain embodiments are pouch-cell batteries encased within an oxygen-permeable membrane packaging material that is less than 2% of the total battery weight. Some embodiments include a hybrid air electrode comprising carbon and an ion insertion material, wherein the mass ratio of ion insertion material to carbon is 0.2 to 0.8. The air electrode may include hydrophobic, porous fibers. In particular embodiments, the air electrode is soaked with an electrolyte comprising one or more solvents including dimethyl ether, and the dimethyl ether subsequently is evacuated from the soaked electrode. In other embodiments, the electrolyte comprises 10-20% crown ether by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Ji-Guang Zhang, Jie Xiao, Wu Xu, Deyu Wang, Ralph E. Williford, Jun Liu
  • Patent number: 8709630
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery including an electrode assembly capable of being charged and discharged; a case accommodating the electrode assembly; a cap assembly, the cap assembly including a cap plate coupled to an opening of the case, and a vent member in the cap plate, the vent member being configured to open at a predetermined internal pressure, a terminal exposed to an outer side of the cap plate; a lower insulating member, the lower insulating member insulating the terminal and the cap plate at a lower side of the cap plate; and a channel member between the electrode assembly and the cap plate and forming a space, the channel member being fixed to the lower insulating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignees: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Yong-Sam Kim, Sung-Bae Kim
  • Patent number: 8481187
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of lithium/air batteries and methods of making and using the same. Certain embodiments are pouch-cell batteries encased within an oxygen-permeable membrane packaging material that is less than 2% of the total battery weight. Some embodiments include a hybrid air electrode comprising carbon and an ion insertion material, wherein the mass ratio of ion insertion material to carbon is 0.2 to 0.8. The air electrode may include hydrophobic, porous fibers. In particular embodiments, the air electrode is soaked with an electrolyte comprising one or more solvents including dimethyl ether, and the dimethyl ether subsequently is evacuated from the soaked electrode. In other embodiments, the electrolyte comprises 10-20% crown ether by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Ji-Guang Zhang, Jie Xiao, Wu Xu, Deyu Wang, Ralph E. Williford, Jun Liu
  • Patent number: 8323811
    Abstract: A lead acid storage battery according to the present invention comprises a battery container for housing a plurality of cells, a middle lid for covering the battery container, and an upper lid for covering the middle lid, wherein, on the upper surface of the middle lid, a gas discharging port for discharging the gas generated inside of the cell and an electrolyte recirculating port for recirculating the moisture to be discharged along with the gas within the cell are formed as corresponding to each cell. A plurality of exhaust chambers separated by an exhaust chamber partition are formed in a space surrounded by the middle lid and the upper lid, and a mechanism for collectively exhausting the gas discharged from the gas discharging port to the outside of the battery by interconnecting the plurality of exhaust chambers is comprised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: GS Yuasa International Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuma Saito, Kenji Hirakawa, Motoshi Kiribayashi
  • 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: 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
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7807282
    Abstract: A nickel-metal hydride storage battery is provided capable of suppressing an increase of discharge reserve of a negative electrode and preventing lowering of battery characteristics. A nickel-metal hydride storage battery 100 of the present invention comprises a battery main part (an electrode plate group 150, an electrolyte, and others), a case 102 housing this battery main part, and a safety valve device 101 having an excessive pressure preventing function for preventing excessive rise of the internal pressure in the case 102 by discharging gas from the case 102 when the internal pressure in the case 102 exceeds a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Hamada, Tomohiro Matsuura, Toyohiko Eto, Hiroyuki Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 7704621
    Abstract: A battery includes a cathode having an interior surface and an exterior surface, and defining a cavity and two open ends; a separator disposed adjacent to the interior surface of the cathode; an anode disposed adjacent to the separator and inside the cavity; an air-permeable, liquid-impermeable barrier layer disposed adjacent to the exterior surface of the cathode, and defining an exterior surface of the battery; two end members connected to the open ends of the cathode; and an anode current collector extending through the two end members. Methods designed such a battery is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: G. Steven Kelsey, Yelena Kouznetsova, Boris Makovetski, Sathya Motupally, Jonathan O'Neill, David L. Pappas, Robert Pavlinsky, Oleg Podoprigora, Thomas Richards, William Wandeloski
  • Patent number: 7563531
    Abstract: An air depolarized battery with an improved sealing member for sealing the air inlet port(s) of the battery before use is disclosed. The sealing member has areas of relatively high and low permeability, with an area of low permeability over at least a portion of an air inlet port. The sealing member may comprise a plurality of layers, where the area of highest permeability includes a portion of the lowest permeability layer that has a higher permeability than a surrounding portion thereof. The rate of flow of air through the low permeability area and into the battery can be easily modified to maintain a desired battery open circuit voltage during battery storage to allow activation of the battery within a short time after removal of the sealing member, while minimizing losses in discharge capacity before use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon A. Bartling, Timothy D. Foley, Sonya C. Pitts
  • Publication number: 20080299445
    Abstract: A chargeable and dischargeable lithium cell and the filter unit capable of absorbing flammable materials are housed inside a casing. When an overvoltage is impressed from a battery charger to a battery pack and then internal gases inside the lithium cell are discharged out of an explosion-proof valve, the flammable materials included in internal gases are absorbed by the filter unit to change the internal gases into nonflammable gases. The internal gases purified by passing through the filter unit are exhausted from a gas-vent opening to the outside of the casing. By providing the filter unit inside the casing, the flammable materials discharged out of the lithium cell 1 can be prevented from leaking to the outside of the casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: DENSEI-LAMBDA K.K.
    Inventors: Yasuo Nagasawa, Hiroyuki Yashiro, Kazuhiko Nakane, Hiroshi Nakazawa
  • Publication number: 20080096074
    Abstract: Air depolarized electrochemical cells are formed having a cell construction for improving or enhancing air flow to an air electrode. The electrochemical cell includes a layer of material disposed between a positive air electrode and an inner surface of a base of a cell casing, and having a surface facing the base, with the layer of material being an air permeable, hydrophobic layer or an air and water permeable layer. At least one of the inner surface of the base and the surface of the layer of material facing the base comprises at least one projection or at least one groove or a combination thereof whereby an open air channel is provided between the inner surface of the base and the layer of material, with the air channel being in contact with at least one air aperture of the cell. Methods for producing air depolarized electrochemical cells having air flow channels are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventor: James X. Wu
  • Patent number: 7326489
    Abstract: A catalyst device for use with battery cells to recombine oxygen and hydrogen gas and thereby improve the performance and life of such cells. The catalyst device has the ability to filter out catalyst poisons and control the temperature of the recombination reactions. A container houses the catalyst within a chamber. A catalyst poison filter is provided in the chamber with the catalyst. The movement of gas and vapor to and from the chamber is controlled by a microporous section of the device. The pore size is chosen to allow gas and vapor to pass, but not liquids, and to also prevent a flame from passing through. Within these parameters the pore size can also be chosen to control and or limit the amount of gas that can pass through to the catalyst in a given time period. Preferably, the microporous section is formed as a disc that seals an opening in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Philadelphia Scientific
    Inventors: William E. M. Jones, Harold A Vanasse
  • Patent number: 7273675
    Abstract: The invention provides a battery including a power generating element container, a positive electrode mixture, and a hydrogen gas permeable sheet provided in an opening of the power generating element container, the hydrogen gas permeable sheet having a water repellence of 2 kPa or more and a He gas permeability at 30° C. in a range of 2×10?6 to 10000×10?6 (cm3 (STP) cm/sec·cm2·cmHg), wherein a distance between the positive electrode mixture and the hydrogen gas permeable sheet gradually decreases toward a side wall of the power generating element container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hidesato Saruwatari, Haruchika Ishii, Takahiro Hirai, Norio Takami
  • Patent number: 7244528
    Abstract: Disclosed is an aluminum negative electrode battery comprising a closed space provided by at least one member including a hydrogen gas permeating member that contains an organic material having a He gas permeability of 2×10?10 (cm3(STP)cm/sec·cm2·cmHg) or more at 30° C., and a power generating element including an electrolyte, a positive electrode and a negative electrode containing at least one of aluminum and aluminum alloy, and the power generating element provided in the closed space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hidesato Saruwatari, Haruchika Ishii, Takahiro Hirai, Norio Takami, Mitsuo Kasori
  • Patent number: 7056617
    Abstract: A non-hermetically sealed, electrochemical power source, includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a separator between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a membrane in fluid communication with an environment external to the battery. The second electrode is between the separator and the membrane. The membrane includes a first portion having a different property, e.g., density, porosity, mass transport resistance, thickness, or gas permeability, than a second portion of the membrane. Methods of designing an electrochemical cell cartridge are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: G. Steven Kelsey, Yelena Kouznetsova, Boris Makovetski, Sathya Motupally, Jonathan O'Neill, David L. Pappas, Robert Pavlinsky, Oleg Podoprigora, Thomas Richards, William Wandeloski
  • Patent number: 7029786
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a single point watering system for use with a lead-acid battery having a plurality of battery cell access ports. The system comprises a plurality of refill valves and a plurality of refill valves and a manifold having (i) a water feed tube with at least one external port and a plurality of outlets each communicating with one of the plurality of refill valves, and (ii) at least one passageway housing a flame arrestor to permit the discharge of gases from the battery cells to the surrounding environment only through the flame arrestor. The manifold is removably and sealably mountable to the battery so that each refill valve is in fluid communication with one of the battery cell access ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Flow-Rite Controls, Ltd.
    Inventor: Daniel N. Campau
  • Patent number: 6949310
    Abstract: Secondary batteries are subjected to power cycling, and those which have a liquid electrolyte within the interior volume are equipped with a pressure relief valve. A void space over the liquid electrolyte may be subjected to gas pressure variations with respect to the ambient. The pressure relief valve structure comprises a vertically oriented gas flow chamber, and an outer relief vent adapted to open only when gas pressure within the battery and the gas flow chamber exceeds a predetermined pressure with respect to the ambient pressure. The gas flow chamber extends below the top surface of the battery, and has a dome-like cap which extends downwardly and has a plurality of openings so as to permit unimpeded gas flow between the interior of the battery and the gas flow chamber. There is a porous membrane covering the dome which permits gas flow between the interior of the battery and the gas flow chamber, but precludes flow of liquid electrolyte from the interior volume of the battery to the gas flow chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: PowerGenix Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Phillips
  • Patent number: 6881513
    Abstract: A leak retardant automotive battery includes a housing containing a plurality of cells that each have a filling plug and a battery cover closing the housing above the cells. The battery cover includes a central blockage that divides the housing into two compartments that each contain a set of cells. The cells in each compartment are connected by vent holes in the battery cover that are respectively connected to associated vent cap assemblies so as to separately vent each compartment through its associated vent cap assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignees: Exide Industries Ltd., Shin-Kobe Electric Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Partha Dasgupta, Subhradas Bandyapadhyayay, Debashish Mazumdar, Surendra Kumar Mittal
  • Patent number: 6879855
    Abstract: The invention is a method for increasing the airflow to a zinc-air battery such that the energy density is 500 mwh/cc to 1000 mwh/cc. This allows 8 to 16 hours use as a primary (throw-away) battery, with, for example, high-duty cycle, high-drain cochlear implants, and neuromuscular stimulators for nerves, muscles, and both nerves and muscles together. The systems incorporating the high energy density source are also part of the invention, as well as the resulting apparatus of the method. The uses of this inexpensive, i.e., a $1.00 per day, throw-away primary battery are new uses of the modified zinc-air battery and are directed toward helping people hear again, walk again, and regain body functionality which they have otherwise lost permanently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: The Alfred E. Mann Foundation for Scientific Research
    Inventors: Joseph H. Schulman, Albert A Maltan, Thomas A. Santogrossi
  • Publication number: 20040247996
    Abstract: A battery venting system that is useful for cordless power tools. The system can include a cell that may have a sleeve with a plurality of apertures surrounding a peripheral side face of the cell to enhance heat dissipation from the cell. A plurality of cells may be electrically connected to form a cell pack. A carrier includes an upper carrier and a lower carrier to sandwich a plurality of cells that are aligned parallel to each other. The carriers include at least one vent hole that are aligned with a gap formed from adjacent cells to define an elongated fluid flow path. A charger may be provided to receive a housing containing the carrier and may be provided with a fan to direct a flow into the fluid flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Applicant: ONE WORLD TEHNOLOGIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Roger Q. Smith, Xiao Ping Liu
  • Publication number: 20040247969
    Abstract: Improved metal-air fuel cell battery systems having metal-fuel realized in the form of metal-fuel tape cartridges and metal-fuel cards, which can be either manually or automatically inserted within the power generation bay of the system. In order to produce a range of output voltages, the metal-fuel tape has a plurality of electrically-isolated metal-fuel tracks and the metal-fuel cards have a plurality of electrically-isolated metal-fuel strips. An output voltage configuration subsystem is provided for configuring the voltages produced by the individual cells to produce a desired output. A subsystem is provided for detecting oxide formation on the metal-fuel tracks and strips so that only metal-fuel that has been oxidized is reduced during recharging operations. A subsystem is also provided for controlling the flow of oxygen into the power generation head in order to control the power output from the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Sadeg M. Faris, Yuen-Ming Chang, Tspin Tsai, Wenbin Yao
  • Publication number: 20040241537
    Abstract: The invention presents an air battery comprising a battery container having a surface in which air pores are formed, an electrode group provided in the battery container and including an air positive electrode, and a laminated sheet including a barrier film which is provided between the surface and the air positive electrode, and of which oxygen permeation coefficient is 1×10−14 mol·m/m2·sec·Pa or less, and a gap holding member which is laminated on the barrier film and is opposite to the air positive electrode, and the gap holding member comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of a porous film, a nonwoven fabric, and a woven fabric, wherein the air pores of the battery container are closed by the laminated sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Tetsuo Okuyama, Takashi Kuboki, Takahisa Ohsaki, Norio Takami
  • Publication number: 20040185331
    Abstract: The invention provides a battery including a power generating element container, a positive electrode mixture, and a hydrogen gas permeable sheet provided in an opening of the power generating element container, the hydrogen gas permeable sheet having a water repellence of 2 kPa or more and a He gas permeability at 30° C. in a range of 2×10−6 to 10000×10−6 (cm3 (STP) cm/sec·cm2·cmHg), wherein a distance between the positive electrode mixture and the hydrogen gas permeable sheet gradually decreases toward a side wall of the power generating element container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Hidesato Saruwatari, Haruchika Ishii, Takahiro Hirai, Norio Takami
  • Publication number: 20040175603
    Abstract: A metal-gas battery, such as a zinc-air battery, has one or more metal-gas cells. Each metal-gas cell has a metal anode sandwiched between a pair of gas cathodes. Each gas cathode is disposed within a rigid retaining structure. The retaining structures of each gas cathode are attached to one another by an expandable soft pocket capable of holding an electrolyte solution. The metal anode is disposed within the soft pocket without an enclosure separator bag. The metal-gas cell is mechanically refueled by expanding the soft pocket to allow easy removal from the cell of a spent anode and easy insertion into the cell of a fresh anode. In order to avoid the unpredicted electrolyte leakage, the gas diffusion electrodes are installed on the soft pocket to instead of a rigid cell housing to eliminate the stress created by different coefficients of thermal expansion of materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventors: De-Qian Yang, Yu-Qiang Yang
  • Publication number: 20040161661
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a single point watering system for use with a lead-acid battery having a plurality of battery cell access ports. The system comprises a plurality of refill valves and a plurality of refill valves and a manifold having (i) a water feed tube with at least one external port and a plurality of outlets each communicating with one of the plurality of refill valves, and (ii) at least one passageway housing a flame arrestor to permit the discharge of gases from the battery cells to the surrounding environment only through the flame arrestor. The manifold is removably and sealably mountable to the battery so that each refill valve is in fluid communication with one of the battery cell access ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Inventor: Daniel N. Campau
  • Patent number: 6756151
    Abstract: A draining device including a threaded portion, the threaded portion depending outwardly from an annular portion and having an inner opening in fluid communication with a pair of openings in the annular portion, where said pair of openings provides a pathway for draining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Shijian Zhou, Timothy H. Kline, Donald F. Turner, James R. Nowakowski
  • Patent number: 6746795
    Abstract: A battery cap is provided for engagement in a fill port of a cell of a deep cycle, lead-acid electrical storage battery. The battery cap is formed of a hollow, tubular body having an upper end with an expansive mouth opening, and a lower end at which a transverse floor extends radially inwardly. The floor includes a central, annular convex downwardly projecting portion that defines a central fluid passage opening. The interior of the tubular wall defines a radially inwardly projecting flame arrester seat spaced from both the upper and lower ends of the body. A pair of gas escape ports are defined in the tubular wall between the flame arrester seat and the mouth opening. A diverter is located in the lower portion of the tubular body beneath a disc shaped micropore filter that serves as the flame arrester and which is seated on the flame arrester seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventor: William R. Schwarz
  • Publication number: 20040086779
    Abstract: A rechargeable multi-cell battery including a plurality of electrochemical cells. Each of the cells includes a gas port that allows passage of cell gases into and out of the cell but prevent passage of cell electrolyte out of the cell. The gas port may be a gas permeable membrane. The multi-cell batter may be a bipolar battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Lin R. Higley, Marshall D. Muller, Dennis A. Corrigan
  • Patent number: 6660425
    Abstract: A catalyst device for use-with battery cells to recombine oxygen and hydrogen gas and thereby improve the performance and life of such cells. The catalyst device has the ability to filter out catalyst poisons and control the temperature of the recombination reactions. A container houses the catalyst within a chamber. A catalyst poison filter is provided in the chamber with the catalyst. The movement of gas and vapor to and from the chamber is controlled by a microporous section of the device. The pore size is chosen to allow gas and vapor to pass, but not liquids, and to also prevent a flame from passing through. Within these parameters the pore size can also be chosen to control and or limit the amount of gas that can pass through to the catalyst in a given time period. Preferably, the microporous section is formed as a disc that seals an opening in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Inventors: William E. M. Jones, Harold A. Vanasse, Joshua E. Clapper
  • Publication number: 20030219650
    Abstract: Disclosed is an aluminum negative electrode battery comprising a closed space provided by at least one member including a hydrogen gas permeating member that contains an organic material having a He gas permeability of 2×10−10 (cm3 (STP) cm/sec·cm2·cmHg) or more at 30° C., and a power generating element including an electrolyte, a positive electrode and a negative electrode containing at least one of aluminum and aluminum alloy, and the power generating element provided in the closed space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventors: Hidesato Saruwatari, Haruchika Ishii, Takahiro Hirai, Norio Takami, Mitsuo Kasori