Having Electrical Circuitry Patents (Class 429/92)
  • Patent number: 8658294
    Abstract: A protection module capable of being utilized by a secondary battery regardless of the external mounting structure of the secondary battery for mounting the secondary battery to an external device. Accordingly, it is unnecessary to separately manufacture a protective circuit module according to the external mounting structure of the battery. The secondary battery includes: a plurality of bare cells each of which includes a can, an electrode assembly, and a cap assembly; a first protective circuit module located on the upper surface of the bare cells that is formed by the cap assemblies; and a secondary protective circuit module located on a side surface of the bare cells that is formed by curved surfaces of the cans. The first protective circuit module and the second protective circuit module are electrically connected to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Youngcheol Jang, Eunok Kwak
  • Publication number: 20130337302
    Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte battery, containing a case and provided in the case, a positive electrode containing at least one selected from the group consisting of spinel type lithium-manganese-nickel composite oxide and lithium phosphate oxide having an olivine structure, a negative electrode and a nonaqueous electrolyte. The negative electrode comprises a lithium-titanium composite oxide, wherein a crystallite diameter of the lithium-titanium composite oxide is not larger than 6.9×102 ?. The lithium-titanium composite oxide comprises: rutile TiO2; anatase TiO2; Li2TiO3; and a lithium titanate having a spinel structure. A main peak intensity relative to lithium titanate set at 100, as determined by X-ray diffractometry, of each of lithium titanate having a spinel structure, the rutile TiO2, the anatase TiO2 and Li2TiO3 is not larger than 7.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Hiroki INAGAKI, Norio Takami
  • Patent number: 8597807
    Abstract: A battery includes an external terminal, a thermal fuse, a bare cell, an electrode assembly disposed within the bare cell and electrically coupled to the external terminal via the thermal fuse, such that the thermal fuse electrically disconnects the electrode assembly from the external terminal when a temperature of the battery reaches a predetermined value, a top cover, a protective circuit module within the top cover and on the bare cell, and a thermally insulating top sheet disposed on the thermal fuse, between the thermal fuse and the protective circuit module, the top sheet having a recess configured to receive the thermal fuse, such that the top sheet covers the top surface of the thermal fuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sangjoo Lee, Heuisang Yoon, Woonseong Baek
  • Patent number: 8586222
    Abstract: A cluster or array of reference electrode materials is prepared and used to monitor the state of charge of positive and negative active electrode materials of a lithium-ion cell. The reference electrode materials are composed so as to provide useful electrochemical potential values when placed in the same electrolyte in proximity with a positive or negative electrode. The array of reference electrodes includes at least two electrically discrete instances of reference electrode materials. Such duplication of reference material in the array permits confirmation of the present quality and activity of a reference material used for evaluation of positive and/or negative electrode material in a lithium-ion cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Adam T Timmons, Mark W. Verbrugge
  • Patent number: 8586221
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery constructed with a bare cell, a protective circuit board electrically connected to the bare cell, a lead plate operationally connecting the bare cell and the protective circuit board, and a combining case covering an upper end of the bare cell, the protective circuit board and the lead plate. The lead plate is constructed with a first plate electrically connected to an outside surface of the protective circuit board, a second plate electrically connected to the bare cell, and an inside bending part connected between the first plate and the second plate. The first plate of the lead plate is bent around the inside bending part at 180 degrees such that the bare cell is coupled with the protective circuit board in parallel. Therefore, the distance between the bare cell and the protective circuit is reduced, and the capacity per volume of the rechargeable battery is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyungwon Seo, Jeongdeok Byun, Yonggeol Kwon, Seok Koh
  • Publication number: 20130302655
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for monitoring an electrolyte level in a battery cell and generating an indication of a fault condition when the electrolyte level drops below a predetermined acceptable level. The system may make use of a controller, an ultrasonic transmit circuit for transmitting an ultrasonic signal into an interior area of the battery cell, and an ultrasonic receive circuit for receiving the ultrasonic signal after it has been reflected from the interior area of the battery cell. The controller may use the reflected ultrasonic signal and a predetermined calibration signal representing the predetermined acceptable level of the electrolyte to determine when the electrolyte level has dropped below the predetermined acceptable level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: LIEBERT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Edward W. DEVEAU, David STEWART, David POPKEN, Juan MARTINEZ
  • Patent number: 8574741
    Abstract: A method for controlling a plurality of sodium-sulfur batteries that, in an interconnected system in which a power generation device that fluctuates in output and an electric power storage-compensation device are combined to supply power to an electric power system, are each included in the electric power storage-compensation device and compensate for output fluctuations of the power generation device, is provided. When one sodium-sulfur battery of the plurality of sodium-sulfur batteries reaches a discharge end, the sodium-sulfur battery reaching the discharge end is charged from a sodium-sulfur battery other than the sodium-sulfur battery reaching the discharge end. When one sodium-sulfur battery of the plurality of sodium-sulfur batteries reaches a charge end, the sodium-sulfur battery reaching the charge end is discharged to charge a sodium-sulfur battery other than the sodium-sulfur battery reaching the charge end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuharu Sato
  • Patent number: 8574751
    Abstract: A secondary battery with a protective circuit module including a rechargeable bare cell having a first electrode and a second electrode and a protective circuit board having a protective circuit for the rechargeable bare cell. A conductive bonding layer is located on the protective circuit board and a secondary protective element assembly is attached to the protective circuit board by the conductive bonding layer. A first lead plate electrically connects the secondary protective element assembly to the first electrode, and a second lead plate electrically connects the protective circuit board to the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Youngcheol Jang, Nohyun Kwak, Sangjoo Lee
  • Publication number: 20130252051
    Abstract: A battery system including: a secondary battery (7A) including a stacked electrode body housed in a battery can (11A), a positive electrode terminal and the battery can (11A) being electrically connected; a secondary battery (7B) including a stacked electrode body housed in a battery can (11B), a positive electrode terminal and the battery can (11B) being electrically connected; a cell can voltage sensor (9A) that measures a first voltage of the battery can (11A); a cell can voltage sensor (9B) that measures a second voltage of the battery can (11B); and a BMU (15) that receives information corresponding to the measured first and second voltages of the cell can voltage sensors (9A, 9B). The BMU (15) activates expansion detection information based on the information when the first voltage increases and the second voltage decreases substantially simultaneously with the increase, thereby enabling detection of presence or absence of expansion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuaki Hiramura, Akira Takeyama
  • Patent number: 8541122
    Abstract: A battery management system includes one or more lithium ion cells in electrical connection, each said cell comprising: first and second working electrodes and one or more reference electrodes, each reference electrode electronically isolated from the working electrodes and having a separate tab or current collector exiting the cell and providing an additional terminal for electrical measurement; and a battery management system comprising a battery state-of-charge monitor, said monitor being operable for receiving information relating to the potential difference of the working electrodes and the potential of one or more of the working electrodes versus the reference electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: A123 Systems LLC
    Inventors: Ricardo Fulop, Yet-Ming Chiang, Karen E. Thomas-Alyea, William H. Gardner
  • Patent number: 8518570
    Abstract: A battery system includes: a battery unit formed by electrically connected in series a plurality of cell groups each made up with a plurality of battery cells electrically connected in series; a plurality of sensing lines for detecting voltages of respective battery cells in the battery unit; an integrated circuit provided to each of the cell group, to which the sensing lines for detecting voltages of respective battery cells in the cell group are connected; a case having housed therein a substrate at which a plurality of integrated circuits provided for the cell groups respectively are mounted; noise protection capacitors disposed between input terminals of the plurality of sensing lines; and at least one protection element against static electricity which is connected between the input terminals and the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Vehicle Energy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiko Kudo, Gosuke Shibahara, Mutsumi Kikuchi, Satoru Shigeta
  • Publication number: 20130216878
    Abstract: A battery cell interconnect and voltage sensing assembly and method are provided. The assembly includes a frame member having a rectangular ring-shaped peripheral wall with first, second, third and fourth wall portions. The frame member further includes a central plate portion. The assembly further includes an electrical interconnect member electrically that is coupled to an electrical terminal of a battery cell. The electrical interconnect member has a tab that extends through an aperture in the central plate portion. The assembly further includes a circuit board and an encapsulation portion that is bonded to and covers a side of the circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: LG CHEM LTD.
    Inventors: Robert Merriman, Bryan Symons
  • Patent number: 8486548
    Abstract: A battery storage system includes: a plurality of battery modules that are electrically connected in series and in parallel, each comprising a plurality of battery cells; a plurality of sensors provided to each of the plurality of battery modules, that output at least signals corresponding to voltage and current of the each of the battery modules; a plurality of first control devices each of which is provided to the each of the plurality of battery modules, and obtains a power that can be inputted and outputted to and from the each of the battery modules based upon the voltage and current obtained from the output signals of the sensors of the each of the battery modules; and a second control device that performs overall control of the plurality of first control devices, and if a fault of a sensor in any one of the plurality of battery modules has occurred, the second control device obtains a total power that can be inputted and outputted to and from the all of the battery modules, based upon powers each of wh
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Vehicle Energy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Ueda, Yoshinori Aoshima
  • Publication number: 20130136965
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide simpler and more reliable electrical wiring than a lead wire. A battery pack includes at least one rechargeable secondary battery (1), a battery holder (70) for housing the secondary battery (1) in a predetermined position, a pack circuit board (74) having a mounted electronic circuit for monitoring the secondary battery (1), and an electrical connection wire (85) for electrically wiring the pack circuit board (74). Here, the electrical connection wire (85) is a bent metal wire. Because wiring is realized using metal wire, and the metal connection is secured after the wiring has been completed, movement and deformation due to vibrations and other factors, such as that which occurs in the case of conventional lead wires, are avoided, and reliability can be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
  • Patent number: 8431260
    Abstract: The invention concerns an interconnection system (100) of an energy storage assembly (200), with an electronic support for controlling (300) the health status of the energy storage assembly (200), the interconnection system (101) being characterized in that it comprises an interconnection support (101) including a conductive circuit (800) formed on electrically conductive surface, said circuit (800) forming an electrical connection between the electronic control support (300) and the pole terminals (500) of the cells to which it is connected, respectively, through connecting means and through retaining means (110, 120, 150), said retaining means (110, 120, 150) being adapted to urged into contact, on the pole terminals (500), with support means (510) so as to arrange the pole terminals (500) on the interconnection support (101) and adapted to provide a direct electrical connection of the pole terminals (500) with the conductive circuit (800).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Batscap
    Inventor: Luc Nedelec
  • Publication number: 20130078490
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a negative electrode active material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery cell includes a composite. The composite includes a carbonaceous material, a silicon oxide dispersed in the carbonaceous material, and a silicon dispersed in the silicon oxide. A half-value width of a diffraction peak of a Si (220) plane in powder X-ray diffraction measurement of the composite is in a range of 1.5° to 8.0°. A mean size of a silicon oxide phase is in a range of 50 nm to 1,000 nm. A value of (a standard deviation)/(the mean size) is equal to or less than 1.0 where the standard deviation of a size distribution of the silicon oxide phase is defined by (d84%?d16%)/2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Tomokazu MORITA, Norio Takami, Takashi Kuboki
  • Publication number: 20130065101
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an active material includes a monoclinic system ?-type titanium composite oxide. The monoclinic system ?-type titanium composite oxide includes a first element including at least one of Mo and W and satisfies the following formula (1): B>A (1) In the formula, A is an intensity of a peak which is derived from (110) plane of the monoclinic system ?-type titanium composite oxide in a wide-angle X-ray diffraction pattern. B is an intensity of a peak which is derived from (002) plane of the monoclinic system ?-type titanium composite oxide in the wide-angle X-ray diffraction pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: Hiroki Inagaki, Yasuhiro Harada, Norio Takami
  • Patent number: 8389140
    Abstract: The present invention enables a user to receive a financial service anywhere through a mobile terminal equipped with a UIM (User Identification Module) electronic card. In the present invention, a user enters his or her password to a mobile terminal with a UIM card including subscriber telephone number, finance, authorization, and personal information, then, if the entered password is correct, authorization is processed with a remote authorizing server based on the authorization information. After authorization, user's requesting service, e.g., payment service, transaction particulars inquiry service, prepaid card recharging service is conducted through a mobile network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: SK Planet Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang Woo Yu, Ki Hyong Lee, Hye Soon Kim, Jung Won Lee, Hae Seong Jang, Jae Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 8362909
    Abstract: Various embodiments of systems, methods and apparatus are provided for adjusting a low battery detection threshold in a remote control. An embodiment of a method includes determining a type of a battery powering a remote control of an entertainment device and determining a first low battery threshold for the battery based on the type of the battery. The first low battery threshold indicates a low battery condition of the remote control. Responsive to measuring a voltage of the battery, a determination is made regarding whether the voltage of the battery is below the low battery threshold. Responsive to determining that the voltage of the battery is below the first low battery threshold, a low battery message is transmitted to an entertainment device. The entertainment device utilizes the message to present an indicator to a user regarding the low battery condition of the remote control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: William R. Reams
  • Patent number: 8344732
    Abstract: There is provided a measuring system capable of rendering a power source voltage of an internal circuit higher than a drivable voltage of the internal circuit by removing or reducing a chloride film with greater certainty, thereby enabling operation, and initial activation of the internal circuit to be normally executed, or preventing the internal circuit from running away. The measuring system comprises a thionyl chloride based primary cell, a cell voltage measurement unit, and an internal circuit provided with state-transition controller wherein in the case of transition of the internal circuit to a state thereof, having a discharge current larger than the discharge current in the present state thereof, the transition is made according to results of comparison of a voltage measured by the cell voltage measurement unit with a threshold on the basis of a discharge current in a state before, or after the transition of the internal circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiko Moriya, Naoki Maeda, Toshimitsu Uemura
  • Patent number: 8343644
    Abstract: A medical device having a battery pack comprising an indicator, wherein the battery pack indicator indicates the status of the battery pack when the battery pack is disassociated from the medical device and indicates the status of the medical device when associated with the medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Defibtech, LLC
    Inventors: Gintaras A. Vaisnys, Giovanni C. Meier, Glenn W. Laub
  • Publication number: 20120315522
    Abstract: Disclosed is a voltage sensing assembly for a battery module to sense voltage of battery cells having electrode terminals formed at the upper or lower end thereof in a state in which the voltage sensing assembly is mounted in the battery module, the voltage sensing assembly including (a) an upper and a lower block case to be coupled to each other in an assembled fashion, the upper block case and the lower block case being made of an electrically insulative material, the upper block case and the lower block case being mounted to a region (front or rear) of the battery module corresponding to electrode terminal connection parts of the battery cells, (b) upper-row and lower-row conductive sensors to be connected to the electrode terminal connection parts of the battery cells, respectively, and (c) a connector to transmit voltages sensed by the conductive sensors to a battery management system (BMS).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Yong Shik SHIN, Jong Moon YOON, JaeHun YANG, Jin Kyu LEE, BumHyun LEE, DalMo KANG
  • Patent number: 8263244
    Abstract: A battery assembly includes a housing and N charge storage devices within the housing. The system also includes a first tray includes a first side that includes X areas that transfer first current from electrolyte leaked from a first one of the N charge storage devices to a current detector. The tray includes a second side that insulates the housing from the electrolyte. N and X are integers greater than or equal to 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Cobasys, LLC
    Inventor: Satish Anantharaman
  • 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: 20120141848
    Abstract: A suppressed noise cell controller includes, corresponding to a number of cell packs, a plurality of ICs each having a voltage detecting circuit detecting voltages of respective cells of a cell pack in which four cells are connected in series, a switch control circuit controlling conduction and a blocking operation of a plurality of switch elements connected in parallel to the respective cells via capacity adjusting resistors, terminal LIN1 for inputting control information, terminal LIN2 for outputting control information, terminal Vcc and GND terminal, and terminal LIN2 of a higher-order IC and terminal LIN1 of a lower-order IC are daisy chain connected. The Vcc terminal of each IC is connected to a positive electrode of a higher-order cell among cells constituting a corresponding cell pack via a noise eliminating inductor, and the GND terminal is coupled directly to Vcc of the lower-order IC. Noise isn't superposed on LIN1 or LIN2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: HITACHI VEHICLE ENERGY, LTD.
    Inventors: Masaki Nagaoka, Akihiko Kudo, Mutsumi Kikuchi, Kenichiro Tsuru, Tatsumi Yamauchi, Akihiko Emori
  • Publication number: 20120129024
    Abstract: A modular frame includes a first row of cell slots configured to receive first prismatic cells of a battery pack system. A second row of cell slots is configured to receive second prismatic cells of the battery pack system. A central interface beam is disposed between the first row of cell slots and the second row of cell slots. The central interface beam includes a first side and a second side. The first side is configured to receive terminals of the first prismatic cells. The second side opposes the first side and is configured to receive terminals of the second prismatic cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: COBASYS, LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Marchio, Frank A. Valdez, Jozef Gorog
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8163410
    Abstract: A battery management system includes one or more lithium ion cells in electrical connection, each said cell comprising: first and second working electrodes and one or more reference electrodes, each reference electrode electronically isolated from the working electrodes and having a separate tab or current collector exiting the cell and providing an additional terminal for electrical measurement; and a battery management system comprising a battery state-of-charge monitor, said monitor being operable for receiving information relating to the potential difference of the working electrodes and the potential of one or more of the working electrodes versus the reference electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: A123 Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ricardo Fulop, Yet-Ming Chiang, Karen E. Thomas-Alyea, William H. Gardner
  • Publication number: 20120077064
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, it is provided with a positive electrode active material for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery represented by a general formula Li(LiaMnbNicCodFee)O2-xFx, wherein a, b, c, d, e and x in the general formula are values such that 0<a?0.33, 0<b?0.67, 0?c<1, 0?d<1, 0?e<1 and 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tetsuya SASAKAWA, Hiroki Inagaki, Norio Takami
  • Patent number: 8138713
    Abstract: An electrical energy storage device for a solar cell includes at least one electrode substrate coated with a oxide or mixed oxides layer. When the electrical energy storage device is electrically connected with a receive unit of the solar unit in parallel, the electrical energy storage device can have the advantages of high electric energy density, enhancing the charging efficiency of the solar cell, and reducing the charging time of the solar cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignees: National Energy Technology Co., Ltd., Apogee Power, Inc.
    Inventors: Keh-Chi Tsai, Steve James, Wen-Hua Lin
  • Publication number: 20120045673
    Abstract: An apparatus for indicating remaining electric charge of a battery and a device for power supplying and recharging comprising the same are disclosed. The apparatus for indicating remaining electric charge of a battery according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises: a conducting part including a light emitting unit connected between one electrode connected to a positive electrode of the battery and another electrode connected to a negative electrode of the battery so as to emit light with luminance corresponding to a potential difference between the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the battery; and a nonconducting part preventing electric conduction by covering a remaining region other than parts of the battery to which the one electrode and the other electrode are connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG MOBILE DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Seung-Jin Lee
  • Patent number: 8119270
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a lead acid battery having a liquid surface sensor (3) installed to a liquid surface sensor installation portion (2a) on a top face of a container lid (2), an electronic circuit board (4) contained in a recessed portion (2b) on the top face of the container lid (2), terminal connecting conductors (5a, 6a) connecting the electronic circuit board (4) to terminals (5, 6), and a liquid surface sensor connecting conductor (8) connecting the liquid surface sensor (3) to the electronic circuit board (4), preventing from catching on an object on the top face of the container lid (2) by insert molding the terminal connecting conductors (5a, 6a) and the liquid surface sensor connecting conductor (8) in the container lid (2), preventing the terminal connecting conductors (5a, 6a) and the liquid surface sensor connecting conductor (8) from being corroded by an electrolyte solution even if the electrolyte solution is spotted on the top face, and improving the outer appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: GS Yuasa International Ltd.
    Inventors: Wataru Mashiko, Mitsunori Maeda, Hiroyasu Kawada, Takashi Akimoto, Tomohiro Imamura, Motoshi Kiribayashi
  • Publication number: 20120019195
    Abstract: The present invention is an energy accumulation and storage system which improves the harnessing of energy, specifically electrical energy, from low efficiency or intermittent energy sources and allows for the rapid transfer of such harnessed energy to mobile battery operated applications such as automobiles, lawn mowers, and other vehicle types. The present invention also incorporates an energy management system capable of maximizing the efficiency of the collection, storage and use of energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventor: Francois Gagnon
  • Patent number: 8080331
    Abstract: A battery pack includes a roughly rectangular casing, a main circuit board disposed at a bottom surface, and cylindrical battery cells disposed over the main circuit board in two rows and four layers and a battery cells in each set of paired battery cells being connected in parallel, and the four sets of the parallel-connected paired battery cells being connected in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Masakazu Naito
  • Patent number: 8080332
    Abstract: A battery pack includes a roughly rectangular casing, a main circuit board disposed at a bottom surface of the casing, and cylindrical battery cells arranged in two rows and two layers over the main circuit board and connected in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Masakazu Naito
  • Patent number: 8034476
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a battery module constructed in a structure in which a plurality of plate-shaped secondary battery cells (‘battery cells’), which can be charged and discharged, are sequentially stacked on a lower plate, and an upper plate is coupled to the uppermost battery cell, wherein the plates are provided at the top and bottom and/or the right and left sides thereof with a sliding coupling structure, and the battery module is provided at the front thereof with grips, and a middle- or large-sized battery pack including a plurality of battery modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin Woong Ha, Jeeho Kim, Yongshik Shin
  • Publication number: 20110223453
    Abstract: A contact pad configured to sense the voltage of a cell module assembly including at least one battery cell, is electrically connected to a voltage sensing module for measuring the voltage of the battery cell in the cell module assembly and electrically contacted with an electrode of the battery cell, and is made of a conductive organic elastomer, thereby improving reliability of electrical contact with each battery cell, and effectively preventing malfunction of the cell module assembly caused by impurities, external physical shocks and so on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Ju-Seok Lee, Jin-Kyu Shin, John E. NamGoong
  • Patent number: 8017259
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a battery management system for controlling the operation of a middle- or large-sized battery pack, the battery management system comprising: a battery management system printed circuit board (BMS PCB) comprising a circuit and elements for controlling the operation of the battery pack; a connector attached to one side of the BMS PCB; a housing including a housing body for receiving the BMS PCB while partially exposing the connector and a cover for covering the housing body, the cover is coupled to the housing body while the cover is disposed on the housing body; and a waterproofing member interposed between the housing body and the cover, constituting the housing, such that the waterproofing member is in tight contact with the interface between the housing body and the cover, the waterproofing member being constructed in a structure to be coupled at coupling regions of the housing body and the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Hun Yang, Jong-yul Ro, Junill Yoon
  • Patent number: 8009054
    Abstract: Various embodiments of systems, methods and apparatus are provided for adjusting a low battery detection threshold in a remote control. An embodiment of a method includes determining a type of a battery powering a remote control of an entertainment device and determining a first low battery threshold for the battery based on the type of the battery. The first low battery threshold indicates a low battery condition of the remote control. Responsive to measuring a voltage of the battery, a determination is made regarding whether the voltage of the battery is below the low battery threshold. Responsive to determining that the voltage of the battery is below the first low battery threshold, a low battery message is transmitted to an entertainment device. The entertainment device utilizes the message to present an indicator to a user regarding the low battery condition of the remote control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventor: William R Reams
  • Patent number: 7968227
    Abstract: A can-type rechargeable battery includes a connection portion for coupling a protection circuit to a can-type bare cell and a lead plate for coupling the connection portion to the can. At least one protrusion is disposed at a connection portion outside the can and a lead plate has a hole that is engaged with the protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sung Jae Cho
  • Publication number: 20110128154
    Abstract: A battery electrolyte monitor including a probe and a control circuit. The control circuit includes a capacitive element within the probe. The probe is acid resistant, and therefore the probe protects the capacitive element from contact with the battery electrolyte. The control circuit periodically charges and discharges the capacitive element using direct current. Depending on at least one of a charging characteristic and a discharging characteristic, the control circuit determines the electrolyte level. If the electrolyte is below a desired minimum level, the control circuit illuminates an indicator light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: FLOW-RITE CONTROLS, LTD.
    Inventors: Mark W. Herrema, Roger D. Burdi
  • Patent number: 7901611
    Abstract: An electrospinning system using a spinneret and a counter electrode is first operated for a fixed amount of time at known system and operational parameters to generate a fiber mat having a measured fiber mat width associated therewith. Next, acceleration of the fiberizable material at the spinneret is modeled to determine values of mass, drag, and surface tension associated with the fiberizable material at the spinneret output. The model is then applied in an inversion process to generate predicted values of an electric charge at the spinneret output and an electric field between the spinneret and electrode required to fabricate a selected fiber mat design. The electric charge and electric field are indicative of design values for system and operational parameters needed to fabricate the selected fiber mat design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Russell A. Wincheski
  • Patent number: 7875378
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a voltage sensing member constructed in a structure in which linear mounting parts are mounted to supporting parts coupled to the bottom of a battery module, conductive sensing parts are mounted on the mounting parts while the conductive sensing parts are in elastic contact with electrode terminals of battery cells, and the sensing parts are electrically connected to a battery management system (BMS). The voltage sensing member according to the present invention is manufactured by a simple assembly process without using a plurality of members for mechanical coupling and electrical connection. Consequently, the present invention has the effect of reducing the manufacturing costs of the voltage sensing member. Also, the voltage sensing member is maintained in elastic and stable contact when external impact or frequent vibration is applied to the voltage sensing member. Consequently, the present invention has the effect of performing stable voltage sensing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Heekook Yang, Juyoung Kim, Jongmoon Yoon
  • Patent number: 7862920
    Abstract: A sequence or array of electrochemical cells storing both digital and analog data. Both binary code and codes having a higher base may be stored in the memory device to increase information density. Such battery arrays could also provide power for the micro or nanodevice. Devices are microscale and nanoscale in size and utilize electrically conductive atomic force microscopy tips to record and read data stored in the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: The University of Tulsa
    Inventors: Dale Teeters, Anthony Layson, Christina Dewan
  • Patent number: 7855010
    Abstract: A system and method provides a status indicator to a battery pack of a medical device. The battery pack includes a power supply capable of being connected to the medical device. The battery pack also includes an indicator to automatically indicate a status of at least a portion of at least one of the battery pack and the medical device. For example, the indicator can indicate a status of the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Defibtech LLC
    Inventors: Gintaras A. Vaisnys, Giovanni C. Meier, Glenn W. Laub
  • Patent number: 7833669
    Abstract: An energy supply (ES) is formed by a fuel cell (1), a power distributor (4) connected to the fuel cell (1), and a secondary cell (7) connected to the power distributor (4), a whole load set (WL) is connected to the power distributor (4), and a controller (8) controls the power distributor (4) to warm the energy supply (ES) by alternatively repeating a power charging distribution (S61) in which power (Gm) generated at the fuel cell (1) is distributed to the secondary cell (7) and the load set (WL), and a power discharging distribution (S71) in which a sum of power (Gr) generated at the fuels cell (1) and power (Dp) discharged from the secondary cell (7) is distributed to the load set (WL).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Aso, Mitsunori Kumada