Having Means For Draining Or Removing Electrolyte From A Cell Other Than Filler Opening Patents (Class 429/95)
  • Patent number: 10535852
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery comprises a chassis including a lower fixation plate, and a plurality of battery cells on the lower fixation plate. The lower fixation plate includes at least one flow channel positioned to collect condensate from the battery cells and move the collected condensate away from the battery cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kevin S. Callahan, Bruce L. Drolen, James C. Russell, John R. Lowell, Thomas P. Barrera, Timothy R. North
  • Patent number: 8637173
    Abstract: Disclosed is a battery pack including guide recesses inside a case. The battery pack includes a core pack including a bare cell, and a protective circuit member electrically connected to the bare cell, a case accommodating the core pack, and an upper cover covering the core pack. The case includes a base plate, reinforcement plates vertically extending from edges of the base plate, and a resin part surrounding the reinforcement plates. A guide recess is disposed inside the resin part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seok Koh
  • Patent number: 8557421
    Abstract: A container for testing an electrochemical cell having at least one anode and at least one cathode. The container includes a base and a lid movably coupled to the base between an open position and a closed position. The base and the lid cooperate to define an internal cavity that is sized to receive the electrochemical cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Bobby Hardwick, Kyle Deckard
  • Patent number: 8535818
    Abstract: One embodiment includes a method including use of a manifold connected to one or more pouches for rejuvenating failed or degraded pouch-type lithium-ions batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Stephen J. Harris
  • Patent number: 8501334
    Abstract: Provided is a pouch-type rechargeable battery. A rechargeable battery according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: an electrode assembly including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode; a case receiving the electrode assembly; an electrolyte solution injection member positioned at one side of the case and forming an injection hole; and a sealing member covering and sealing the injection hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seung-Beob Yi
  • Patent number: 8501335
    Abstract: A battery unit 1 comprises cell blocks 20, a circuit board 40 arranged below the cell blocks 20, a metallic receiving member 30 arranged between the cell blocks 20 and the circuit board 40 to receive an electrolyte leaking out of cells 21 constituting the cell blocks 20, an absorbent sheet 51 arranged in the metallic receiving member 30, and pedestals 52 arranged in the metallic receiving member 30 to support the cell blocks 20, thereby positioning the cell blocks 20 not to contact the absorbent sheet 51.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: FDK Twicell Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Imaizumi, Masanori Yamashita
  • Patent number: 8497030
    Abstract: Embodiments related to recycling alkaline batteries are disclosed. In one disclosed embodiment, a method for recycling a battery having a basic electrolyte comprises rupturing the battery under anaerobic conditions and flooding the interior of the battery with carbon dioxide in an anaerobic chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Inventor: Steven E. Sloop
  • Patent number: 8354183
    Abstract: An adapter includes an insertion part that is inserted into a body of a power tool and has terminals for electrically connecting with the power tool; a pair of rails for guiding insertion of a battery pack in a direction substantially orthogonal to the insertion direction of the insertion part; an operating part constituting tool-latching device for attaching to and detaching from the body of the power tool; and a receiving part constituting battery-latching device for attaching to and detaching from the battery pack. The operating part of the tool-latching device and the receiving-side of the battery-latching device are disposed in different positions when viewing the adapter in the insertion direction of the insertion part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuuichi Konuma, Masateru Niyada, Takuya Konnai
  • Patent number: 8067107
    Abstract: A method of refurbishing a lithium-containing energy storage and/or conversion device is disclosed, wherein the energy storage and/or conversion device includes electrodes and an electrolyte, and wherein the method includes substantially removing the electrolyte from the energy storage and/or conversion device, substantially removing waste products from surfaces of the electrodes, and adding a new quantity of electrolyte to the energy storage and/or conversion device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Eco-Bat Indiana, LLC
    Inventors: Steven E. Sloop, Robert Parker
  • Patent number: 7858216
    Abstract: A method of recycling a lithium-containing energy storage device including an electrolyte is provided. The method includes placing the storage device in an extraction vessel, sealing the extraction vessel, adding a fluid containing CO2 as a primary component to the extraction vessel under such conditions that the CO2 is in a supercritical phase, dissolving the electrolyte in the fluid, transferring the fluid to a recovery vessel and recovering the electrolyte from the fluid in the recovery vessel. Methods of refurbishing lithium-containing energy storage and conversion devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Eco-Bat Indiana, LLC
    Inventor: Steven E. Sloop
  • Patent number: 7732078
    Abstract: A liquid-absorbent composition, which has a liquid-absorbent crosslinked resin that exhibits excellent absorption of the nonaqueous electrolyte of nonaqueous electrolyte secondary cells that constitute a nonaqueous electrolyte battery pack (and particularly a lithium ion nonaqueous electrolyte rechargeable battery pack), contains a powder of a liquid-absorbent crosslinked resin produced by crosslinking a methyl vinyl ether/maleic anhydride copolymer with a polyfunctional isocyanate compound, and a binder resin. Also, a liquid-absorbent sheet for a nonaqueous electrolyte battery pack contains supporting substrate and formed on one side of a supporting substrate a liquid-absorbent crosslinked resin layer, produced by crosslinking a methyl vinyl ether/maleic anhydride copolymer with a polyfunctional isocyanate compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Chemical & Information Device Corporation
    Inventors: Mamiko Nomura, Hiroshi Samukawa
  • Patent number: 7198865
    Abstract: A system and method of removing an electrolyte from energy storage and conversion devices using a supercritical fluid are provided. The method includes placing a selected device in a container, adding a fluid to the container, adjusting at least one of a temperature and a pressure of the fluid in the container to form the supercritical fluid from the fluid in the container, exposing the supercritical fluid to the electrolyte, and removing the supercritical fluid from the container, wherein removal of the supercritical fluid causes removal of the electrolyte from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Inventor: Steven E. Sloop
  • Publication number: 20030186110
    Abstract: A system and method of removing an electrolyte from energy storage and conversion devices using a supercritical fluid are provided. The method includes placing a selected device in a container, adding a fluid to the container, adjusting at least one of a temperature and a pressure of the fluid in the container to form the supercritical fluid from the fluid in the container, exposing the supercritical fluid to the electrolyte, and removing the supercritical fluid from the container, wherein removal of the supercritical fluid causes removal of the electrolyte from the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventor: Steven E. Sloop
  • Patent number: 6558833
    Abstract: A battery system for electric vehicles in which replenishment of the energy content of the batteries is accomplished by pumping liquids into tanks on the vehicles from pumps at service stations, similar to, and in a comparable time to, the filling of the tanks of conventional vehicles. The system also extracts used liquids, which have been depleted of energy content, from the vehicles and returns them to the service station where they are recharged for subsequent supply to other vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Reginald F.H. McCoy
  • Patent number: 6530145
    Abstract: A fixture, for liquid electrolyte impregnation of an electrochemical cell, includes a base on which a cap is removably provided. The base includes a nest that receives the electrochemical cell. The cap includes a fill port in communication with the nest. In order to impregnate the cell, a vacuum is created in the nest via the fill port. Subsequently, the electrolyte is injected through the fill port and into the nest. The vacuum may be applied via the fill port, or alternatively, a vacuum port may be provided in the cap through which the vacuum is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventors: Mark Beigay, Bobby Dean, J. Richard Raines, H. Wayne Swofford
  • Publication number: 20030008201
    Abstract: A method for recycling a battery pack is provided that enables a degraded battery pack to be replaced at a low cost while maintaining the advantages of a conventional sealed-type nickel-metal hydride secondary battery as being free from maintenance or leak of an electrolyte. The battery pack accommodates a battery module having a plurality of cells, which are a sealed-type nickel-metal hydride secondary battery, combined with each other. When the battery pack is judged as being degraded in a market, the battery pack is collected from the market as a battery to be replaced; a cell or battery module judged as being degraded is renewed by adding an electrolyte thereto; the battery module is installed in the battery pack again; and the battery pack is supplied as a replacement battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsunori Komori, Noriyuki Fujioka, Tadao Kimura, Haruyoshi Yamashita, Yasuhiro Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6242125
    Abstract: A circulation system for a flowing-electrolyte battery having at least one electrochemical cell, an anolyte reservoir, and a catholyte reservoir. The circulation system includes an anolyte pump coupled in fluid flowing relationship to the anolyte reservoir which pumps anolyte from the anolyte reservoir to the at least one electrochemical cell. A catholyte pump is coupled in fluid flowing relationship to the catholyte reservoir and also pumps catholyte to the at least one electrochemical cell. A second phase pump is coupled in fluid flowing relationship to the catholyte reservoir and is used to introduce second phase electrolyte into the aqueous catholyte pumped by the catholyte pump. The second phase pump is controlled by a controller so that the second phase is introduced into the catholyte stream in a metered fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: ZBB Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip A. Eidler, Peter J. Lex, Robert R. Rixford, Bjorn Jonshagen
  • Patent number: 6214489
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method to obtain the agitation of the electrolyte inside a lead-acid storage battery comprising at least one canalization duct (4) of electrolyte which is immersed inside the storage battery. Said method consists in: connecting said canalization duct (4) of electrolyte with a device (50) realizing repetitive and alternative cycles of pressure decrease and of return to the initial pressure in the section of tube (40, 41) which connects said device to said canalization duct, said cycles causing the movement of the electrolyte being sucked and dropped respectively in said canalization duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Inventor: Olimpio Stocchiero
  • Patent number: 6194100
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making a valve regulated lead-acid battery cell including forming a flooded electrolyte lead-acid cell having an interior head space, positive and negative plates and fibrous plate separators positioned between the plates. The plates and the separators are housed in a container having flexible side walls. A vacuum is then drawn in the cell interior sufficient to create a flexure force on the cell side walls sufficient to push excess electrolyte from the fibrous mat separators leaving an amount of residual and absorbed electrolyte in the cell corresponding to proper saturation of the fibrous plate separators. The vacuum is then released thereby permitting any residual electrolyte to be absorbed into the fibrous separator material. Desirably the vacuum drawn in the cell interior is up to about 28 inches of mercury.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Douglas Battery Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: David G. Vutetakis, Christopher R. Cestone, Stanley K. Wilkie
  • Patent number: 6077622
    Abstract: A method of recycling a deteriorated nickel-hydrogen battery. Concentrated sulfuric acid containing at least one of Ni ions, Co ions and La ions is poured into the deteriorated nickel-hydrogen battery and the interior thereof is cleaned with the concentrated sulfuric acid. The state of the interior of the battery is maintained at a temperature of 60.+-.10.degree. C., and an electric current is supplied in such a direction as to charge the nickel-hydrogen battery. Then, the interior of the nickel-hydrogen battery is cleaned and filled with an alkali electrolyte containing a reducing agent. Consequently, .gamma.-NiOOH changes to .beta.-NiOOH to restore the capacity of a positive electrode, and Mm(OH).sub.3, Al(OH).sub.3, Mn(OH).sub.2 and CO(OH).sub.2 dissolve in concentrated sulfuric acid to activate the surface of a negative electrode. In addition, the hydrophilic property of the separator is restored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Taketoshi Minohara
  • Patent number: 5817434
    Abstract: A high temperature storage battery comprises a battery housing defining a cell storage cavity, and a plurality of non-aqueous high temperature electrochemical cells within the storage cavity. A base is provided below the cells, and there is a reservoir for released cell reactants in or below the base. At least one access opening through which reactants which are accidentally released from the cells can enter the reservoir, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Electro Chemical Holdings Societe Anonyme
    Inventors: Stephen D. Brooker, Roger N. Bull
  • Patent number: 5650241
    Abstract: A metal-air battery assembly having plurality of free standing metal-air cells forming a cell group within a battery case assembly. Each free standing cell has flexible, compressible walls capable of containing electrolyte, the walls comprising air cathodes including cathode current distributors. Each cell has a split anode assembly and current. The anode assembly has one or more reactive anode fuel plates and an anode current collector. Each of the cells is free standing and easily replaced. The battery case assembly has a mechanism for compressing the cells when the lid is closed and releasing the cell group for servicing when the lid is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Inventor: Richard L. McGee
  • Patent number: 5601943
    Abstract: A module for liquid electrolyte, electric energy storing devices. The module includes a double-walled container having an innerwall and an outerwall and a rim. The container includes a first well for holding liquid electrolyte electric energy storing devices and which is defined by the inner wall. The container also includes a first electrolyte reservoir having a shelf and a lid for covering the first reservoir. The innerwall and outerwall define a second electrolyte reservoir which surrounds the first electrolyte reservoir so that the first and second reservoirs are in nested relationship. The reservoirs are designed so that a physical puncture of the module will cause the electrolyte from the first reservoir to mix with the electrolyte from the second before it leaks from the module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: ZBB Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip A. Eidler, Eric Loppnow
  • Patent number: 5543243
    Abstract: A liquid electrolyte battery (10) comprises a number of electrolytic cells (12), an inlet port (22) extending into a first electrolytic cell (12-1), an electrolyte transport channel (30) residing within each electrolytic cell, a number of carry-over passages (40) hydraulically connecting adjacent electrolytic cells, an outlet port (50) extending from a last electrolytic cell (12-4), and a pump (58) for introducing an electrolyte solution or air into the electrolytic cells. The battery electrolyte is replenished by introducing an electrolyte solution (14) into the first electrolytic cell, causing the electrolyte level to rise and be hydraulically transported through the carry-over passages to fill each electrolytic cell. The electrolyte exiting the last electrolytic cell is collected and reintroduced back into the first electrolytic cell and circulated throughout the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Trojan Battery Company
    Inventor: William B. Brecht
  • Patent number: 5340667
    Abstract: A system for increasing the efficiency of electro-chemical batteries includes a liquid electrolyte battery having positive and negative terminals and electrolyte fluid input and output ports. The system also is provided with an electrolyte distribution manifold, an electrolyte filter, an electrolyte holding tank, and a pump and control valves for circulating the electrolyte fluid between the battery and the holding tank, whereby stratification of the electrolyte fluid is prevented and gases and solids are removed from the electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Inventors: Billy M. Stinson, Thomas A. Stoneham
  • Patent number: 5317105
    Abstract: An EMI/RFI gasket provides a barrier to EMI and RFI radiation transmission to and from electronic circuits within an electronic system chassis having receptacles that receive electrical connectors and an electrically grounded cover plate that connects the chassis to an electrical ground. The EMI/RFI gasket helps to provide a 360.degree. EMI/RFI barrier for the electronic system chassis. The EMI/RFI gasket is a flexible, electrically-conductive material with sufficient surface area to adhere and electrically connect to the cover plate. The EMI/RFI gasket has a receiving slot that is symmetrical about a longitudinal axis and a latitudinal axis of the gasket plate. A plurality of deflected teeth formed from the gasket plate are positioned around the receiving slot and deflected from the gasket plate to contact the connector at points separated by not greater than a predetermined distance. The predetermined distance is at least in part a function of the expected EMI and RFI radiation wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Alcatel Network Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: William F. Weber
  • Patent number: 5135820
    Abstract: The present invention provides method and apparatus for the automatic recirculation of battery electrolyte from industrial and similar batteries. The invention employs a vacuum system to remove electrolyte from a cell of the battery, transfer it to a central location where it can be treated, and then return it to the battery for its continued use. The invention lends itself to many forms of electrolyte treatment, including temperature adjustment, filtering, and removal of excess gases. The invention may be readily employed on virtually all industrial batteries with minimal modification and effort, and it greatly decreases maintenance time and expense for such batteries while increasing their flexibility and uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Inventor: William E. M. Jones
  • Patent number: 4628011
    Abstract: The invention disclosed is a process and apparatus for reducing the concentration of dissolved contaminant in a contaminated liquid, with specific application to the regeneration of contaminated electrolyte in an electrolytic cell, wherein the electrolyte is removed from the cell under vacuum and mixed with a washing liquid e.g. water and clean electrolyte. The mixed electrolyte is returned to the cell and the process repeated until the contaminant concentration in the washing liquid and electrolyte are substantially the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1986
    Assignee: Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence
    Inventors: Kieva Feldman, Robert J. Charest, Gaston Verville, Joseph L. Lackner
  • Patent number: 4532953
    Abstract: A pair of vacuum chambers (27 and 28) are mounted on a T-bar gripper (19) which engages the back walls of a pair of adjacent batteries (16). Operation of a knurled, internally threaded collar (23) draws the vacuum chambers into sealed (54) engagement with the battery casings. A pair of drills (66) mounted at acute angles greater than 45.degree. are operated to drill angular holes (71) through the casings into the vicinity of the bottoms of the casings. Application of vacuum to the chambers draws electrolyte from the casings to levels below the levels of the entries of the angular holes into the casings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1985
    Assignee: AT&T Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ambrose L. Rysewyk
  • Patent number: 4245011
    Abstract: A process for carrying out chemical and/or electrochemical reactions in a reaction chamber traversed by a suspension of particles in a fluid is improved due to the fact that the suspension emerging from the chamber is separated into two fractions: a "concentrated fraction" comprising the greater part or all of the particles and a "fluid fraction" comprising the greater part or all of the fluid. The "fluid fraction" is introduced into a reservoir. A flow of the fluid from the reservoir is combined with the "concentrated fraction" in order to form a suspension, which is then introduced into the reaction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1981
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin
    Inventor: Jean-Yves Machat
  • Patent number: 4074017
    Abstract: A wet cell storage type battery which may be quickly restored to a fully charged condition by the removal and replacement of its electrical generating elements or slowly recharged in the normal manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1978
    Inventor: Lewis R. Kinsey
  • Patent number: 4009322
    Abstract: On the inside of the cover for a storage battery from which liquid is to be drained when the battery is inverted and rocked from side to side upstanding ribs are disposed to concentrate and direct the liquid to the vent openings. Additional ribs may block the flow of liquid past the vent opening in one direction and, in covers where the vent openings are disposed in a recessed channel, a rib may be employed to concentrate and direct liquid over the shoulder formed by the recess when the battery is inverted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1975
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1977
    Assignee: Gould Inc.
    Inventor: Alby Henry Wolf