With Measuring, Testing, Or Indicating Means Patents (Class 429/90)
  • Publication number: 20120177958
    Abstract: A sealed rectangular battery excellent in volumetric efficiency and pressure resistance is provided. The sealed rectangular battery includes an electrode group having a positive electrode and a negative electrode and a cell casing for accommodating therein the electrode group and an electrolyte solution, which casing includes a rectangular frame member, a first lid member and a second lid member. Each of the first and second lid members includes a body portion for covering one of the openings of the frame member, and a side portion formed so as to protrude from the body portion substantially along at least one set of sides opposite to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventors: Kazuo Tsutsumi, Kazuya NISHIMURA
  • Publication number: 20120171527
    Abstract: A battery module has following features, that are: a plurality of unit batteries, in which battery elements are sealed with a film casing material, is laminated and electrically connected in series or parallel, or in series and parallel, to make an assembled battery; and on a length-direction central portion of the assembled battery, at least one strip-shaped circular frame body is disposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: NEC ENERGY DEVICES, LTD.
    Inventor: Kazuto Hiroma
  • Patent number: 8211559
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting liquid leaked from an energy storage structure, e.g., a battery is provided. One embodiment includes a sensor that detects the leaked electrolyte as it leaks through a breach in the wall retaining the electrolyte in the battery. The sensor has a sheet-like layer with a conductive surface and an electrical connection to a first interface. The sensor is positioned substantially flush to the battery wall, so that leaking electrolyte contacts the sensor. If the battery has a case, there is a first external communication point in electrical communication with the first interface. In the absence of leaked electrolyte there is substantially no electrical connection between the first external communication point and either of the terminals as indicated by a very high resistance. When leaked electrolyte is present there is an electrical connection between the first external communication point and either of the terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Susan Marie Waggoner
  • Patent number: 8211560
    Abstract: The invention relates to a battery pack, especially for a hand-held power tool. Said battery pack comprises a battery housing (10) and an electronic unit (16) housed in said battery housing (10). The electronic unit (16) has one or more light sources (18). A first light-guiding element (28) can be inserted into the battery housing (10) and interacts with the at least one light source (18) in such a manner that the light emitted by the at least one light source (18) can be injected into the first light-guiding element (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Metabowerke GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Stickel, Olaf Schmid
  • Publication number: 20120164492
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an accumulator with extended durability. The invention is described in relation to a lithium-ion-accumulator for supplying a motor vehicle drive. However, it should be noted that the invention will also be applicable for batteries without lithium and/or independent from motor vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: LI-TEC BATTERY GMBH
    Inventors: Walter Lachenmeier, Andreas Gutsch, Tim Schaefer
  • Patent number: 8206858
    Abstract: A fuel cell system and a starting method therefor are capable of setting a start-up mode which is appropriate to energy stored in a secondary battery so as to eliminate problems in starting the fuel cell system. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, a secondary battery which is electrically connected with the fuel cell, a secondary-battery charge-amount detection unit which detects an amount of charge in the secondary battery, and a memory which stores at least one threshold value for determining the start-up mode of the fuel cell system. Stored electric energy which corresponds to the amount of charge in the secondary battery is calculated, and a start-up mode of the fuel cell system is determined based on the electric energy stored in the secondary battery and the threshold value stored in the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masatsugu Oishi, Yasuyuki Muramatsu
  • Publication number: 20120148890
    Abstract: A battery system (1) includes: an electrical cell (2) which is accommodated in each battery accommodation casing (22) so that at least one of first facing side surfaces (51) and (52) in a stacking direction (X) of a stacked structure and at least one of second facing side surfaces (53) and (54) in the direction (Y) lying at right angles to the stacking direction (X) faces the battery accommodation casing wall surface (22a) or the battery accommodation casing partition plate wall surface (23a); separation state detecting devices (24a) and (24b) for detecting a first separation distance (W1) between the first side surfaces (51) and (52) and any one of the wall surfaces (22a) and (23a) and a second separation distance (W2) between the second side surfaces (53) and (54) and any one of the wall surfaces (22a) and (23a); and a control unit that determines that the corresponding secondary battery (2) has an abnormal internal pressure when both the first separation distance (W1) and the second separation distance (W2
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicants: KYUSHU ELECTRIC POWER CO., INC., MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsufumi Goto, Masami Miura
  • Publication number: 20120148880
    Abstract: The task at hand is achieved by a method for operating a battery having at least one galvanic cell. The at least one galvanic cell is subjected at least temporally to an examination, particularly at a predetermined operating state of the battery or the galvanic cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: LI-TEC BATTERY GMBH
    Inventors: Tim Schaefer, Andreas Gutsch, Claus-Rupert Hohenthanner
  • Publication number: 20120148888
    Abstract: A secondary battery including: an electrode assembly; a case for accommodating the electrode assembly and an electrolytic solution; and an identifying tape disposed in the case and that discolors when reacted with the electrolytic solution, wherein the identifying tape includes: a base film; an adhesive material disposed on one surface of the base film; and a discoloration material disposed on one surface of the base film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young-Kwang Yun
  • Patent number: 8197963
    Abstract: A lithium ion secondary battery includes an electrode assembly having a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate, and a separator interposed therebetween; a case in which the electrode assembly is received; a cap plate formed with a terminal hole and an electrolyte injection hole; and a washer installed at an upper portion of the cap plate, the washer having at least one transparent part formed thereon or having a transparent part formed on an entire surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Minho Song
  • Publication number: 20120143386
    Abstract: A method of controlling the connection of a collection of a plurality of electricity providing devices to an electrical power network is described. In this, the plurality of electricity providing devices having a communication line therebetween and the method comprises receiving a message at a first electricity providing device from a controlling device and, in response to the message: connecting the first electricity providing device to the electrical power network; and sending, from the first electricity providing device to a second electricity providing device, a second message containing data in response to which the second electricity providing device is connected to the electrical power network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher RUTHERFORD, Philip MARIVOET
  • Publication number: 20120141843
    Abstract: An electrochemical energy accumulator apparatus according to the invention has at least one galvanic cell. Furthermore, the electrochemical energy accumulator apparatus has at least one diverting device which is assigned to the at least one galvanic cell, and at least one connecting device which is assigned to the at least one diverting device. The electrochemical energy accumulator apparatus is characterized in that the at least one connecting device is assigned at least one heat exchanger device, wherein the at least one heat exchanger device is designed to exchange thermal energy with the at least one connecting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: LI-TEC BATTERY GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Gutsch, Tim Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20120129025
    Abstract: Technologies are generally described for a battery, a method for implementing a battery and a rechargeable battery system. In some examples, the rechargeable battery system includes a battery. The battery may include a first electrode including a tantalum component, a vanadium component and a boron component. The battery may further include a second electrode and an electrical insulator between the first and the second electrode. The battery system may include a housing, where the housing includes the first electrode, and where the housing is effective to communicate light and oxygen to the first electrode. A sensor may be disposed so as to be effective to detect a reaction of tantalum and oxygen in the housing and generate a reaction signal in response. A processor may be in electrical communication with the sensor and effective to receive the reaction signal and generate an indication based on the reaction signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventor: Thevasahayam Arockiadoss
  • Publication number: 20120129022
    Abstract: An electrochemical device is disclosed that includes a plurality of cells that each include a face, wherein a terminal is disposed on the faces of each respective cell. A bus bar has a bus bar height and electrically couples the terminals from cell-to-cell within the electrochemical device. A plurality of sheets are disposed between the plurality of cells, the plurality of sheets are substantially the same height as the combined, height of each cell and bus bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Peter KALISH, Kashyap Shah, Kristopher Frutschy, Stuart Towie, James Browell, Roger Bull, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Michael Patrick Marley, John D. Butine, Harold Alan Ellsworth, John L. Donner, Stephen Pelkowski, Owen Scott Quirion, Neil A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8182937
    Abstract: A battery includes a housing, a cathode and an anode within the housing, and a battery-life indicator including a fragrance that is released to indicate usage of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Stuart M. Davis, Steven J. Specht
  • Publication number: 20120121953
    Abstract: A battery pack assembly comprises at least one light emitting device, a switch for operating the light emitting devices, a case, and a battery pack. The battery pack assembly includes a support portion, an elastic connection portion, a button and an observation portion. The support portion is fixed to an inside of the case. The elastic connection portion is extended from one side of the support portion. The button is formed at an end portion of the elastic connection portion. The observation portion is fixed between the support portion and the case, and is configured to allow light emitted from the light emitting devices to pass therethrough. In the battery pack assembly, the button is exposed through the button hole, and light passing through the observation portion is exposed through the observation holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Moo-Ryong Baek
  • Publication number: 20120121951
    Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a rechargeable battery has a cathode cavity formed in a cathode housing and a anode cavity in a anode housing. A moveable membrane is disposed between the cathode cavity and the anode cavity. The cathode cavities are filled with an electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Eric Gardner, Dean Wheeler, Grant Evans, Paul Allred
  • Publication number: 20120121952
    Abstract: A battery status detecting device, the battery status detecting device being configured to detect a status of a rechargeable battery which powers an electronic device, the battery status detecting device includes a capacity degradation rate calculating part configured to calculate a capacity degradation rate of the rechargeable battery; an internal resistance value calculating part configured to calculate an internal resistance value of the rechargeable battery; a determining part configured to determine necessity of exchange of the rechargeable battery based on the capacity degradation rate calculated by the capacity degradation rate calculating part and the internal resistance value calculated by the internal resistance value calculating part; and an outputting part configured to output a signal corresponding to a determination result of the determining part, wherein the determining part determines that the exchange of the rechargeable battery is necessary in a case where one of or both of the capacity degr
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: Yoshihide Majima, Kazuhiko Takeno, Yasuyuki Kanai, Haruo Uemura
  • Patent number: 8178227
    Abstract: A method for detecting cell failure within a battery pack based on variations in the measured electrical isolation resistance of the battery pack is provided. The method includes the steps of monitoring the isolation resistance; determining when the isolation resistance falls below a first preset value; determining how long it takes for the electrical isolation resistance to recover to greater than a second preset value; determining when the isolation resistance falls below a third preset value; and performing a predetermined response after the electrical isolation resistance falls below the first preset resistance value and recovers to greater than the second resistance value and then falls below the third preset resistance value and if the time period is within a preset time range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventor: Weston Arthur Hermann
  • Publication number: 20120114994
    Abstract: An electrical cell includes a first battery block including a first stacked electrode body formed by stacking a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate through a separator and a first spacer arranged on the first stacked electrode body; a second battery block that including a second stacked electrode body formed by stacking a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate through a separator and a second spacer arranged on the second stacked electrode body; a battery case containing the first battery block and the second battery block to contact the first spacer and the second spacer; and a sensor, wherein the sensor is arranged in a sensor arrangement region formed between the first spacer and the second spacer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Tomoyoshi Kurahashi
  • Patent number: 8173287
    Abstract: A battery pack, and more particularly, a temperature compensated current measuring device which can accurately measure an actual current flowing in a circuit of a charging/discharging path in the battery pack. The temperature compensated current measuring device includes a conductor in which current flows, a temperature sensor disposed around the conductor to measure a temperature of the conductor, and a temperature compensated current detection circuit part electrically connected to two positions of the conductor to measure a voltage between the two positions, electrically connected to the temperature sensor to measure a temperature of the conductor, and measuring the current flowing in the conductor by using the measured temperature and the voltage as an input signal. Thus, it is possible to accurately calculate an actual charging/discharging current with the temperature compensated current measuring device and effectively control the charging capacity of the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sesub Sim
  • Patent number: 8168315
    Abstract: A method for detecting cell failure within a battery pack based on variations in the measured electrical isolation resistance of the battery pack is provided. The method includes the steps of monitoring the isolation resistance; determining when the isolation resistance falls below a preset value; and performing a predetermined response when the isolation resistance falls below the preset value. The method may include additional steps such as (i) determining how long the isolation resistance remains below the preset value; (ii) determining the rate of change in the isolation resistance; (iii) determining how long it takes for the electrical isolation resistance to recover; (iv) determining when the isolation resistance falls below a third preset value, wherein this step is performed after the isolation resistance recovers to greater than the second preset value; and (v) monitoring for a secondary effect associated with cell failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventor: Weston Arthur Hermann
  • Patent number: 8168314
    Abstract: Methods for evaluating battery safety under internal short-circuit conditions are improved to eliminate variations in evaluation results and accurately evaluate battery safety under internal short-circuit conditions. An internal short-circuit is caused in a battery by using an internal short-circuit causing method in which battery information obtained upon the occurrence of an internal short-circuit hardly changes with the structure of the battery. At this time, the battery information is detected to accurately evaluate the safety of the battery upon the internal short-circuit and identify the safety level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Masato Fujikawa, Shinji Kasamatsu, Hajime Nishino, Mikinari Shimada
  • Publication number: 20120100405
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery pack attachable to a power tool includes a display element, a remaining capacity detection device, a remaining capacity display control device, an abnormality detection device, and an abnormality display control device. The display element is provided such that a lighted state thereof can be confirmed from outside. The remaining capacity detection device detects a remaining capacity of a rechargeable battery. The remaining capacity display control device displays the remaining capacity detected by the remaining capacity detection device by controlling the lighted state of the display element. The abnormality detection device detects an abnormality of the rechargeable battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masafumi NODA, Hitoshi SUZUKI, Hisakazu OKABAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20120096883
    Abstract: This invention is about a climate simulation system (10) which provides with minimum energy consumption, the growth under preferred climate conditions and monitoring of living species such as plant, bacteria and insects in research laboratories, which minimizes the temperature fluctuation within the air-conditioning chamber and which provides the cooling of air-conditioning chamber (20) by use of cold accumulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventor: Hamdi Tavsan
  • Patent number: 8164341
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring voltage of individual cells connected in series includes a single flying capacitor. The capacitor stores the charge of one of the cells such that a primary analog-to-digital converter (ADC) connected to the capacitor may process a representation of the voltage of the cell being measured. A secondary ADC is connected directly to the cell being measured. The measurements of the primary and secondary ADCs are then compared to verify the accuracy of the flying capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: EnerDel. Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald H. Jaeger, Chad Hartzog
  • Patent number: 8163412
    Abstract: A battery cell interconnect and voltage sensing assembly and a method for coupling a battery cell assembly thereto are provided. The battery cell interconnect and voltage sensing assembly includes a frame member holding a plurality of electrical interconnect members and a circuit board with an electrical connector. The assembly routes an electrical current from battery cell assemblies through the electrical interconnect members and can allow a voltage at each of the electrical interconnect members to be sensed at the electrical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: William Koetting, Kwok Tom, David C. Robertson, Heekook Yang, Martin J. Klein
  • Patent number: 8163409
    Abstract: A method for evaluating the safety of a battery under an internal short-circuit condition. The method for evaluating an internal short-circuit of a battery is characterized in that a short-circuit can be caused at a desired location inside the battery. According to the evaluation method of the invention, the evaluation result is not affected by the constitution of the outermost part of the battery unlike nail penetration tests which are conventional evaluation methods. Also, unlike crush tests which are conventional evaluation methods, the locations of short-circuits do not vary among tests and the safety under an internal short-circuit condition can be evaluated accurately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Masato Fujikawa, Shinji Kasamatsu, Hajime Nishino, Mikinari Shimada
  • Patent number: 8163411
    Abstract: The abnormality detection apparatus for a battery pack includes a first determining function of making a first determination that abnormality is present when a voltage across a unit battery of interest is higher than a first threshold, a second determining function of making a second determination that abnormality is present when the voltage is lower than a second threshold lower than the first threshold, a short-circuit function of making a short-circuit between a detection line of interest connected to one electrode of a unit battery of interest and an adjacent detection line connected to the other electrode of the unit battery, and a third determining function of making a third determination that there is faulty electrical continuity in the detection line of interest if the first determining function makes the first determination and the second determining function makes the second determination when the short circuit function makes the short-circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Tomomichi Mizoguchi, Yuuki Takemoto
  • Publication number: 20120094154
    Abstract: A battery system includes an indicator, a sensor, and a controller. The indicator has multiple channels and is operable for displaying information about a battery cell unit according to control signals received via the channels. The channels include a first channel and the control signals include a first control signal. The sensor is operable for generating a sense signal. The controller has a first pin coupled to both the first channel and the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventor: Guoxing LI
  • Publication number: 20120088134
    Abstract: An improved emergency power system is disclosed for providing electrical power to a load such as a blowout preventer of a petroleum drilling apparatus. The improved emergency power system comprises a thermal battery having an anode and a cathode with a separator containing an electrolyte disposed therebetween. An internal heat layer is located in proximity to the separator containing the electrolyte. A squib is provided for activating the internal heat layer. The thermal battery remains dormant until the squib is energized to ignite the squib enabling the heat layer to render the electrolyte molten thereby activating battery to provide electrical power to the load. The squib may be energized remotely, mechanically or electrically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: The Enser Corporation
    Inventors: Bradford A. Wood, James K. Pugh, Juan A. Cubero
  • Publication number: 20120088135
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a battery module including two or more battery cells, wherein the battery module is configured in a structure in which a sensor (a “temperature sensor”) to measure the temperature of at least one of the battery cells is disposed between the at least one of the battery cells and a corresponding member contacting the at least one of the battery cells, the corresponding member is provided at a region thereof contacting the at least one of the battery cells with a groove formed in a shape corresponding to the temperature sensor, and the temperature sensor is disposed in contact with the outside of the at least one of the battery cells in a state in which the temperature sensor is mounted in the groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Minjung KIM, Jinkyu LEE, Dal Mo KANG, Hee Soo YOON
  • Patent number: 8154298
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting an electrical variable of a rechargeable battery and a method for producing said apparatus, has: a measuring element (1), a printed circuit board (4) and a contact element (5) having a first end (6) and a second end (7), wherein the first end (6) of the contact element (5) is electrically connected to the printed circuit board (4), and the second end (7) of the contact element (5) is electrically connected to the measuring element (1) by a welded joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Ralf Schimmel
  • Publication number: 20120082876
    Abstract: An electric storage device includes: a battery block including a chassis with a plurality of storage cells installed therein; a control unit placed on the chassis for monitoring states of the plurality of storage cells based on signals concerning their physical quantities; a plurality of wires arranged on the chassis for directing the signals to the control unit; a confining member fixed on one surface of the chassis, where the control unit is placed, for defining a route along which the plurality of wires are arranged. The confining member includes a first direction restrainer defining the route for bending the wires, withstanding a reaction force accompanying bending of the plurality of wires, and a second direction restrainer withstanding a force exerted by the plurality of wires which are inserted into the route and tend to be lifted up toward a leaving direction from the one surface of the chassis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: Hitachi Vehicle Energy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takatoshi YAMAMOTO, Masahiro Kaneshige
  • Patent number: 8124266
    Abstract: An electric storage device is provided with a battery cell, a collector foil having a first metal plate and a second metal plate laminated together, and a voltmeter for measuring potential difference between the first metal plate and the second metal plate. The first metal plate and the second metal plate are formed of mutually different metals. The collector foil is arranged to be in contact with the battery cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeshi Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8120209
    Abstract: A voltage sensing device with which high-precision voltage sensing is possible without the need to obtain a unique correction constant for each device. A pair of voltage input nodes NCk and NCk-1 is selected from voltage input nodes NC0-NCn in switch part 10, and they are connected to sensing input nodes NA and NB in two types of patterns with different polarity (forward connection, reverse connection). Sensing input nodes NA and NB are held at reference potential Vm by voltage sensing part 20, and current Ina and Inb corresponding to the voltage at voltage input nodes NCk and NCk-1 flows to input resistors RIk and RIk-1. Currents Ina and Inb are synthesized at different ratios in voltage sensing part 20, and sensed voltage signal S20 is generated according to the synthesized current Ic. Sensed voltage data S40 with low error is generated according to the difference between the two sensed voltage signals S20 generated in the two connection patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Toru Tanaka, Akio Ogura, Kazuya Omagari, Nariaki Ogasawara
  • Patent number: 8114535
    Abstract: A battery pack assembly comprising a plurality of battery packs each including a plurality of cells and at least one metering plate for metering the quantity of air flowing respectively through each of the air paths of the battery packs. An inlet metering plate is disposed upstream of the battery packs to meter the uneven flow of cooling air generated by the inlet manifold. The inlet metering plate utilizes a plurality of apertures, which can vary in size and shape, to produce equal streams of cooling air to cool all the battery packs to a substantially uniform temperature. An outlet metering plate can be disposed downstream of the battery packs to meter the flow of outgoing cooling air through the channels of the upper cylindrical sections to produce equal air flow around all of the cells in a stack to cool all of the cells to a substantially uniform temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Debashis Ghosh, Steven C. Guzy
  • Patent number: 8114540
    Abstract: A buss bar for connecting electrochemical cells together includes a conductive member having a first end, a second end, and an elongated body between the first end and second end. The body includes a stress relief region configured to dampen vibrational forces received by the buss bar. The buss bar also includes a voltage sense terminal coupled to the conductive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Dale B. Trester, Steven J. Wood, Gary P. Houchin-Miller
  • Publication number: 20120028084
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a spacer used in a battery pack having a plurality of battery cells mounted in a pack case, wherein the spacer is configured to have a top shape corresponding to the inner shape of the pack case in vertical section and a bottom shape corresponding to the outer circumferential shape of the battery cells in vertical section so that the spacer can be mounted in a space defined between the battery cells and the pack case, grooves, in which electrical connection members are mounted, are formed at the top of the spacer, and the spacer includes at least one temperature detection member mounting part including a horizontal opening open in one direction or in opposite directions and a vertical opening communicating with the horizontal opening so that a temperature detection member is inserted from one side of the spacer and mounted in a space defined between the battery cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD
    Inventors: Youngsun Park, SooRyoung Kim, Seunghyun Bang, Won Joon Choi
  • Publication number: 20120030146
    Abstract: A right-angle electrical connector is configured to be mounted onto an upper mounting surface of a substrate that defines a bottom surface opposed from the upper mounting surface so as to define a thickness. The connector includes a connector housing and a plurality of electrical contacts retained by the connector housing. The connector housing overhangs an edge of the substrate and extends down with respect to the upper surface to a depth from the upper mounting surface that is less than the thickness of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventor: Alan D. Crighton
  • Patent number: 8102152
    Abstract: According to a deterioration detecting method for rechargeable lithium batteries, battery voltages of a rechargeable lithium battery before and after the completion of charging or discharging are measured. An evaluation value is calculated based on the measured battery voltages. This evaluation value is compared with a reference value of the rechargeable lithium battery stored in advance. A deterioration level of the rechargeable lithium battery is estimated based on this comparison result. In addition, further deterioration can be suppressed by controlling charging and discharging of the rechargeable lithium battery based on the estimated deterioration level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Masaya Ugaji, Takayuki Shirane, Kaoru Inoue
  • Publication number: 20120015221
    Abstract: Provided is a battery pack comprising a plurality of batteries; and a plurality of memories that correspond respectively to the batteries and that each record deterioration information of the corresponding battery. Each set of a battery and a corresponding memory may be formed integrally as a battery cell. As a result, the deterioration information of each battery cell can be known even after the battery pack is disassembled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicants: THE JAPAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE, LIMITED, ITOCHU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroaki MURASE, Kazuhiro MUTO
  • Publication number: 20120015220
    Abstract: The present invention is a battery comprising: a power section containing a sulfur-based material; a distinguishing section which discolors by chemical reaction with hydrogen sulfide; and an exterior body incorporating the power section and the distinguishing section, the distinguishing section being observable from outside the exterior body. By checking discoloration of the distinguishing section or the distinguishing means, it is possible to easily detect the presence or absence of hydrogen sulfide in the battery and then judge deterioration of the battery with non-destructive inspection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirokazu Kawaoka, Hiroshi Nagase, Yasuyuki Tamane
  • Patent number: 8097352
    Abstract: A battery system that can prevent a battery from bursting and a battery safety alarm system therefore are provided. A battery system includes an optical fiber wound around an outer circumferential portion of a battery. The battery system detects an abnormality of the battery on the basis of a loss of the laser beam caused by lateral pressure acting on the optical fiber. An alarm warns a user of the abnormality when the abnormality is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventor: Kenichi Fuse
  • Publication number: 20120009448
    Abstract: This invention relates to a diagnostic system for the internal status of a lithium battery. It includes a lithium battery unit, a plurality of sensor units and a control system. The lithium battery unit has a battery shell body and a lithium battery. The lithium battery is installed at the battery shell body. Each sensor unit comprises an electrically conductive wire and a sensor part. The internal part is disposed between the internal surface of the battery shell body and the lithium battery. The electrically conductive wire is connected respectively the sensor part and the control system so it can receive the data measured by the sensor part. The user can know the change inside the lithium battery. Therefore, it has the advantages and functions of real time monitoring, the enhancement of utilization safety, and the extension of product life.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: YUAN ZE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: CHI-YUAN LEE, SHUO-JEN LEE
  • Publication number: 20120009449
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided an active material for a battery. The active material includes secondary particle which contains primary particles of a monoclinic ?-type titanium composite oxide having an average primary particle diameter of 1 nm to 10 ?m. The secondary particle has an average secondary particle diameter of 1 ?m to 100 ?m. The secondary particle has compression fracture strength of 20 MPa or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventors: Hiroki INAGAKI, Wen ZHANG, Yasuhiro HARADA, Keigo HOSHINA, Yuki OTANI, Norio TAKAMI
  • Publication number: 20120009447
    Abstract: A power supply device, which is simply assembled and in which a cell assembly and a measuring section are freely inserted and detached, is provided. A power supply device 1 includes a cell assembly 2, a plurality of first bus bars 51, a plate 3 to which the plurality of bus bars 51 are attached. The plate is overlapped on the cell assembly 2. The cell assembly 2 has a plurality of cells 21 respectively including positive electrodes 23 at one ends and negative electrodes 24 at the other ends. The first bus bars 51 connect the positive electrodes 23 of the one cells 21 to the negative electrodes 24 of the other cells 21 of the cell assembly 2 which are mutually adjacent when the plate 3 is overlapped or overlaid on the cell assembly 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomohiro Ikeda, Takao Shoji, Shinichi Yanagihara, Yoshiaki Ichikawa, Shigeyuki Ogasawara, Kazuhisa Meguro, Yasuyoshi Fukao, Junta Katayama
  • Patent number: 8092081
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for determining when a battery, or one or more batteries within a battery pack, undergoes an undesired thermal event such as thermal runaway. The system uses an optical fiber mounted in close proximity to, or in contact with, an external surface of the battery or batteries to be monitored. A source of light is optically coupled to the input facet of the optical fiber and a detector optically coupled to the output facet of the optical fiber. Battery health is determined by monitoring the light transmitted through the optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Weston Arthur Hermann, Paul Bryan Kreiner, Scott Ira Kohn, Dorian West, Jonathan Louis Hall
  • 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: 8084154
    Abstract: A process of controlling the temperature of a battery pack includes the steps of determining the operating mode and present temperature of the battery pack. Optimal temperature for the battery pack depends on the operating mode and the difference between the present temperature and the previously identified optimal temperature. The battery pack is warmed if the temperature difference (measured minus optimal) is large. The optimal time interval over which the battery pack should be warmed is a function of the operating mode and the previously calculated temperature difference. A heater is switchably operated enabling and disabling the heat generating element to warm the pack to the previously identified optimal temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Inventor: Karl Frederick Scheucher