Having Diverse Cells Or Diverse Removable Cells In A Support Means Patents (Class 429/9)
  • Publication number: 20120141842
    Abstract: According to one aspect, a mobile electronic device having a fuel cell configured to receive fuel and generate therefrom electrical power for the mobile electronic device, a fuel tank adapted to store fuel and provide fuel to the fuel cell, and a solid-state battery configured to provide power to the mobile device. The solid-state battery is sized and shaped to at least partially surround at least one of the fuel cell and the fuel tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: David Gerard Rich, Taha Shabbir Husain Sutarwala, Chee-Ming Jimmy Wu
  • Publication number: 20120141841
    Abstract: According to one aspect, a mobile electronic device having a fuel cell configured to receive fuel and generate therefrom electrical power for the mobile electronic device, a fuel tank adapted to store fuel and provide fuel to the fuel cell, and an energy storage device configured to provide power to the mobile device. The fuel tank is sized and shaped to at least partially surround the energy storage device. The fuel tank and the energy storage device may be in thermal contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: David Gerard Rich, Chee-Ming Jimmy Wu, Taha Shabbir Husain Sutarwala
  • Patent number: 8192890
    Abstract: A fuel cell air exchanger is provided. The fuel cell air exchanger includes a platform having at least one throughput opening and at least one holding post, where the holding post fixedly holds a fuel cell offset from the platform and proximal to the opening, where the opening can have many shapes. The fuel cell air exchanger provides an unimpeded air exchange through the openings to the fuel cell and can be flexible, semi-flexible or rigid. The fuel cell air exchanger can hold an array of fuel cells and fuel cell electronics. A chimney feature provides enhanced airflow when the air exchanger is disposed in a vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Ardica Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Tobin J. Fisher, Tibor Fabian
  • Publication number: 20120135279
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an electrochemical system (100) including a stack of series connected electrochemical units (102). The system is controlled by a control circuit (104) and includes a plurality of differential amplifiers (114), each connected by two inputs to the terminals of an electrochemical unit, in order to supply a voltage representative of the potential difference present between the terminals of said electrochemical unit. Each representative voltage is sent to a control unit (106) arranged for converting said representative voltage into a numerical value transmitted to the control circuit. The system further includes, between each differential amplifier and the control unit, a buffer means (116) controlled by the control circuit. The buffer means is capable of saving the voltage representative of the potential difference present between the terminals of the electrochemical unit to which it is connected. The voltage is saved simultaneously by all of the buffer means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: BELENOS CLEAN POWER HOLDING AG
    Inventor: Antoine TOTH
  • Publication number: 20120129018
    Abstract: A power supply device for a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger vehicle, truck or motorcycle, comprises one or more storage cell modules, each of which includes one or more electrochemical storage cells and/or double layer capacitors that are arranged next to and/or on top of one another. The device includes a cooler block having a holder for the storage cell modules and a heat dissipating structure for dissipating heat emitted by the storage cell modules. The heat dissipating structure is provided on at least one side of the holder. The cooler block includes a clamping device operatively configured to generate a predefined force by which the heat dissipating structure can be pressed against a respective storage cell module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Frank ECKSTEIN, Bjoern LATH, Hubertus GOESMANN, Micha DIRMEIER, Philipp PETZ, Alexander MEIJERING
  • Publication number: 20120121946
    Abstract: A device for supplying power to a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger vehicle, truck or motorcycle, includes one or more storage cell modules, each of which includes one or more electrochemical storage cells and/or double layer capacitors that are arranged next to and/or on top of one another. The device has a cooler block that includes a holder for the storage cell modules and a structure for dissipating the heat emitted by the storage cell modules. The cooler block has a force absorbing device with at least one—in particular, plate-shaped—force absorbing element, by which in the case of a crash a force acting on the device is absorbed and is deflected around the storage cell modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Frank Eckstein, Bjoern Lath, Hubertus Goesmann, Micha Dirmeier, Philipp Petz
  • Publication number: 20120114982
    Abstract: Provided is an energy storage device cell capable of enhancing energy density. The energy storage device cell includes: a battery main body including battery anode plate members and battery cathode plate members, in which the battery cathode plate members are placed at both ends in a stack direction; common anode plate members each including a common anode collector foil having a through-hole formed therein and common anode electrode layers, the common anode plate members being stacked on the battery cathode plate members placed at both ends in the stack direction of the battery main body; capacitor cathode plate members each including a capacitor cathode collector foil and a capacitor cathode electrode layer, in which the capacitor cathode electrode layer is placed between the common anode plate member and the capacitor cathode collector foil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenro MITSUDA, Makiko Kise, Shoji Yoshioka, Shigeru Aihara
  • Patent number: 8142925
    Abstract: In a portable electronic device having a battery compartment and a removeable cover therefor, the battery compartment and cover are configured to accommodate batteries of at least two different sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Norman M. Ladouceur, Jason T. Griffin, Frank Tyneski
  • Publication number: 20120045668
    Abstract: One example includes a configurable power source system for an implantable device having a predetermined power requirement, the system comprising a housing for a battery and a capacitor, the housing including a distance D between a first internal face and a second internal face, the housing adapted to fit within dimensions of the implantable device, a plurality of batteries of different thicknesses, each battery adapted to fit within a perimeter of the housing, a plurality of capacitors of different thicknesses, each capacitor adapted to fit within the housing and adjacent the battery and a pick and place system adapted to assemble a selected battery from the plurality of batteries and a selected capacitor from the plurality of capacitors with the housing to form a configurable power source at least meeting the predetermined power requirement for the implantable device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Inventor: Nick A. Youker
  • Patent number: 8119275
    Abstract: A removable and short-circuit-avoidable lithium battery module mainly makes use of a protective device mounted between a control circuit and any two cells. Wherein, the protective device includes a base plate and a conductive surface connecting with the cell, an output tab connecting with the control circuit, and a protective unit mounted on the conductive surface and the output tab. Whereby, the conductive surface and the output tab have larger areas to respectively link the cell and the control circuit. While connecting with electricity, the cell and the control circuit would be more accurately connected. Moreover, the protective unit would become disconnected while the cell and the control circuit are fell and collided, so as to prevent the cell and the control circuit from the inaccurate connection and destruction. The present invention also facilitates to swiftly replace the protective device while it is damaged and to contribute a convenient utility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: STL Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chien-Fang Lee, Po-Kun Chen
  • Patent number: 8120314
    Abstract: The electronic apparatus includes a portable electronic device and a charger for capacitively charging the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is temporarily placed adjacent the charger. The portable electronic device includes a device data communication unit and an associated battery, and a pair of device capacitive electrodes, defining a device conductive footprint, to receive a charging signal to charge the battery. The charger includes a base having an area larger than the device conductive footprint and able to receive the portable electronic device thereon in a plurality of different positions, and an array of charger capacitive electrodes carried by the base. A charger controller selectively drives only the charger capacitive electrodes within the device conductive footprint with a charging signal to capacitively charge the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventor: Alexander Bersenev
  • Publication number: 20120040210
    Abstract: A power source comprised of a metal-air battery pack and a non-metal-air battery pack is provided, wherein thermal energy from the metal-air battery pack is used to heat the non-metal-air battery pack. In one aspect, a thermal energy transfer system is provided that controls the flow of thermal energy from the metal-air battery pack to the non-metal-air battery pack. In another aspect, the flow of thermal energy from the metal-air battery pack to the non-metal-air battery pack is controlled and used to heat the non-metal-air battery pack prior to charging the non-metal-air battery pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: TESLA MOTORS, INC.
    Inventor: Weston Arthur Hermann
  • Publication number: 20120040211
    Abstract: A glass film for a lithium ion battery has a thickness of 300 ?m or less and a surface roughness (Ra) of 100 ? or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Takashi Murata, Katsutoshi Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20120021257
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, a secondary cell, a voltage transformer, and a control portion. The control portion charges the secondary cell with surplus electric power at the time of starting the fuel cell, and adjusts voltage of the fuel cell between an open-circuit voltage and a high-potential-avoiding voltage in the case where the secondary cell is expected to become overcharged while the output voltage of the fuel cell is decreased from the open-circuit voltage to the high-potential-avoiding voltage. The foregoing case is at least one of the case where a passage electric power that passes through the voltage transformer exceeds a secondary cell-charging-purpose permitted-to-pass electric power, the case where the input electric power restriction value for the secondary cell is exceeded, and the case where amount of regeneration by the mover that is charged is not restricted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Michio Yoshida, Atsushi Imai, Tomoya Ogawa
  • Patent number: 8097373
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel cell power supply device that can realize a reduction in size and improvement of durability of an accumulating unit while maintaining output performance that is applicable when large output is requested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Fujino, Minoru Noguchi, Eisuke Komazawa, Mitsuaki Hirakawa
  • Publication number: 20120003507
    Abstract: The invention relates to a battery system having an output voltage of more than 60 V direct current voltage. In the invention, at least two voltage sources having an output voltage of less than 60 V each, each having at least one contact, via which the at least two voltage sources can be connected in series by at least one conductive connection. A battery housing is provided in which the at least two voltage sources are arranged. According to the invention, at least one reversible, interruptible, conductive connection is functionally designed such that a series circuit of the at least two voltage sources can be created by the conductive connection when the battery housing is closed and upon opening the battery housing, a series circuit of the at least two voltage sources is reversibly interruptible. The invention further relates to a motor vehicle having the battery system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventor: Berengar Krieg
  • Publication number: 20120003509
    Abstract: A hybrid lead acid electric storage battery uses conventional lead-acid secondary battery chemistry. The battery is a sealed battery or an unsealed battery. The battery has a set of positive battery grids (plates) having cores of thin titanium expanded metal with a thickness, if flattened, preferably in the range 0.2 mm to 0.7 mm and most preferably 0.3 mm to 0.4 mm. The grid cores are of a titanium alloy containing a platinum group metal. The cores are coated with hot dip lead and are not lead electroplated. The negative plates are carbon based assemblies. Each such assembly has a metal core, preferably a sheet of expanded copper, a corrosion shield sealing the metal core, and an outer layer primarily of activated carbon covering the shield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventor: Eliot Gerber
  • Publication number: 20110318611
    Abstract: There is provided a fuel cell system. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell generating electricity and heat by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel and air, a thermoelectric element converting heat, emitted from the fuel cell, into electrical energy, and a heat storage tank storing heat emitted from the thermoelectric element. The fuel cell system includes therein a configuration allowing for the conversion of heat, emitted from a fuel cell, into electricity or the utilization of heat, thereby minimizing the amount of heat that is released at the final stage. Therefore, a reduction in the size of a heat storage tank can be achieved, and the electricity conversion efficiency of a fuel cell can be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eon Soo Lee, Jae Hyuk Jang, Tae Kon Koo
  • Publication number: 20110293972
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, a secondary battery, an oxidizing gas supplier, a gas supply flow regulator, an oxidizing gas supply path, a cathode off-gas exhaust path, a bypass flow path, a flow regulator, an available power output acquirer, and an operation controller, wherein the gas supply flow regulator regulates the gas supply flow rate to cause the oxidizing gas supplier to supply an excess gas flow rate, which is set to be greater than a target fuel gas-requiring gas flow rate, wherein the target fuel gas-requiring gas flow rate is the fuel cell-requiring gas flow rate to be supplied to the fuel cell in order to achieve the target current value, when the available power output is less than a minimum amount of electric power required for the oxidizing gas supplier to increase the gas supply flow rate from 0 to a preset gas flow rate within a preset time period, and the operation controller controls the flow regulator to make the bypass flow rate equal to a difference gas flow rate between th
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshiaki NAGANUMA, Hiromi TANAKA, Osamu YUMITA, Masashi FUJI, Nobukazu MIZUNO
  • Publication number: 20110287285
    Abstract: A battery pack includes at least one battery module comprising a plurality of unit cells stacked together; and at least one thermoelectric module on the at least one battery module, wherein the thermoelectric module may include a Peltier device having an input terminal configured to receive a polarity-convertible current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventor: Ji-Hyoung Yoon
  • Publication number: 20110236729
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system that consists of a Hydrogen production device made up of a chamber (1-10) for hydrolyzing a metal hydride, separated by a thin membrane (1-1) superposed on a rigid grid (1-5) from at least one reservoir (1-3) containing a liquid solution for the reaction, with at least one hydride-based nanoscale element. This application is an extension and continuation of an alternate patent application with internal priority claim of a patent application No. 0806821, filed on Dec. 5, 2008; that is itself an extension of patent application No. 0806820 filed on Dec. 5, 2008; that is itself is an extension of patent application No. 0804598, file on Aug. 14, 2008; that is itself is an extension of a first invention patent application No. 0803019, filed on Jun. 2, 2008. The present application is therefore a continuation in part of the patent application No. FR0804598, file on Aug. 1, 2008 (PCT-FR/2009/000999, dated Aug. 12, 2009) that is a continuation in part of a first patent application No.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventor: Alex Hr Roustaei
  • Patent number: 8023251
    Abstract: A hybrid energy storage device includes at least one cell comprising at least one positive electrode, at least one negative electrode, a separator placed between said at least one positive and said at least one negative electrode, and an electrolyte. The at least one positive electrode comprises an active material comprising lead and a tab extending from a side of the at least one positive electrode. The at least one negative electrode comprises an activated carbon material, a tab extending from a side of the at least one negative electrode, and a lead lug encapsulating said tab. A first cast-on lead strap is on the tab extending from said at least one positive electrode. A second cast-on lead strap is on the lead lug of the at least one negative electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Axion Power International, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Buiel, Victor Eshkenazi, Leonid Rabinovich, Wei Sun, Vladimir Vichnyakov, Adam Swiecki, Joseph Cole
  • Patent number: 8017276
    Abstract: An output limitation warning lamp is turned on when a possible output Qf of the fuel cell is less than a predetermined value L2. The output limitation warning lamp is provided at a combination meter in an instrument panel. The output limitation warning lamp is also turned on when a possible output Qb of the secondary battery is less than a predetermined value L3. Furthermore, the output limitation warning lamp is also turned on when an allowable drive output Qh, which is the sum of the possible output Qf of the fuel cell and the possible output Qb of the secondary battery, has been less than a required output Ed* calculated at a step before carrying out output limitation to more than a certain extent for longer than a predetermined length of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuya Fujita, Yasuhiko Niimi, Takashi Kotoh, Hideaki Mizuno, Nobuo Watanabe, Tadaichi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8017256
    Abstract: A dual-power-supply system uses both a fuel cell and a chargeable secondary battery. A differential voltage adding unit adds a differential voltage between the voltage of the fuel cell and a necessary target output voltage to the voltage of the fuel cell by using the secondary battery, thereby obtaining an output voltage of the dual-power-supply system. A control unit detects the output voltage, and controls the differential voltage adding unit such that the output voltage is equal to the target output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignees: Olympus Corporation, National University Corporation Nagaoka University of Technology
    Inventors: Toshio Horiguchi, Junichi Itoh, Kouji Orikawa
  • Patent number: 8012637
    Abstract: An output limitation warning lamp is turned on when a possible output Qf of the fuel cell is less than a predetermined value L2. The output limitation warning lamp is provided at a combination meter in an instrument panel. The output limitation warning lamp is also turned on when a possible output Qb of the secondary battery is less than a predetermined value L3. Furthermore, the output limitation warning lamp is also turned on when an allowable drive output Qh, which is the sum of the possible output Qf of the fuel cell and the possible output Qb of the secondary battery, has been less than a required output Ed* calculated at a step before carrying out output limitation to more than a certain extent for longer than a predetermined length of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuya Fujita, Yasuhiko Niimi, Takashi Kotoh, Hideaki Mizuno, Nobuo Watanabe, Tadaichi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8012614
    Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte battery has a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte. The positive electrode has a high-capacity positive electrode portion with a plate area per capacity of smaller than 200 cm2/Ah, and a high-power positive electrode portion with a plate area per capacity of 200 cm2/Ah or larger. The non-aqueous electrolyte battery is advantageous in providing a battery, with use of a single kind of non-aqueous electrolyte battery, which simultaneously satisfies the requirements on high-capacity characteristics capable of performing a long-term continuous discharge, and on high-power characteristics capable of performing a pulse discharge at a large current, without using a hybrid power supply unit which has multiple kinds of batteries and requires a complex control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takuya Nakashima, Masatoshi Nagayama, Yoshiyuki Muraoka
  • Publication number: 20110206950
    Abstract: The building of energy storage, particularly accumulators have a plurality of storage elements such as electrochemical cells, condensers, BatCaps, and the like, out of similar elements connected to one another, is known. It is disadvantageous that the storage elements largely have either distinct high-energy properties or high-power properties. A potential improvement lies in the overall performance of the energy storage, and in optimally adjusting energy inputs to output power. An energy storage is proposed, particularly an accumulator, having a plurality of storage elements. At least two strands of storage elements are connected in parallel, each strand including at least one storage element of a certain type, differing from the type of the other strand. The energy storage according to the invention is intended for accumulator-driven or battery-drive electric tools and vehicle batteries, particularly for electric drives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventor: Volker Doege
  • Publication number: 20110200850
    Abstract: A hybrid system (1) having at least one metal/air battery (10) and at least one fuel cell stack (20), in which the hybrid system (1) has an air supply device (2) with an air feed line (3), an intake device (5) and a compressor (4) for compressing the air stream in the air feed line (3), the air supply device (2) being designed both for supplying air to the at least one metal/air battery (10) and for supplying air to the at least one fuel cell stack (20) with an air stream subjected to excess pressure. A method for supplying air to a hybrid system (1) of this kind having at least one metal/air battery (10) and at least one fuel cell stack (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Ulrich Gottwick, Nils Kaiser
  • Patent number: 7985495
    Abstract: An assembled battery comprises mainly multiple non-aqueous secondary cells A and at least one electric device B for voltage detection containing a non-aqueous electrolyte connected to the multiple non-aqueous secondary cells A in series. When a difference in the non-aqueous secondary cell A between a voltage per cell (VA1) at a depth of discharge of 25% and a voltage per cell (VA2) at a depth of discharge of 75% is designated as ?VA, and a difference in the electric device B between a voltage per cell (VB1) at a depth of discharge equivalent to the depth of discharge of 25% of the non-aqueous secondary cell A and a voltage per cell (VB2) at a depth of discharge equivalent to the depth of discharge of 75% of the non-aqueous secondary cell A is designated as ?VB, the ?VB of electric device B is greater than the ?VA of non-aqueous secondary cell A.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yukihiro Okada, Masatoshi Nagayama
  • Publication number: 20110171500
    Abstract: A power generating system includes: a plurality of cells forming a fuel cell battery for generating power; a cell temperature measuring unit provided for each cell; a thermoelectric converter provided for each cell; a heating unit which heats the plurality of cells; a first control unit which controls the heating unit; and a second control unit, provided for each thermoelectric converter, for controlling the thermoelectric converter, wherein the first control unit controls the heating unit so as to bring the temperature of the heating unit to within a predetermined control temperature range, and the second control unit performs control so that if the temperature of the cell lies outside a predetermined operating temperature range, the thermoelectric converter is switched to the thermal transfer mode and is controlled so as to bring the temperature of the cell to within the predetermined operating temperature range, and if the temperature of the cell lies within the predetermined operating temperature range, t
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Kazunori Yamanaka, Kazuaki Kurihara
  • Publication number: 20110165441
    Abstract: A photovoltaic system including: one photovoltaic panel including a face configured to receive light rays, one battery mechanically connected to the photovoltaic panel by a retaining structure, and one space which is opened onto the environment external to the photovoltaic system forming an air layer separating the battery and the photovoltaic panel and including a thickness at least equal to approximately 1 cm. The ratio between the thickness of the photovoltaic system and a dimension of one side of the face of the photovoltaic panel is less than or equal to approximately 1/5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: COMMISS. A L'ENERGIE ATOM.ET AUX ENERG. ALTERNA.
    Inventors: Sylvie Genies, Helene Rouault
  • Publication number: 20110165440
    Abstract: In an electric power generation device (10a, 10b, 10c), at least either of a fuel electrode and an air electrode constituting a single chamber type fuel cell (20a, 20?a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e) extends from inside of a fuel gas channel (11) to outside of the fuel gas channel (11). In the case where the fuel electrode extends from inside of the fuel gas channel (11) to outside of the fuel gas channel (11), the fuel electrode is an N-type thermoelectric element (40, 40?). In the case where the air electrode extends from inside of the fuel gas channel (11) to outside of the fuel gas channel (11), the air electrode is a P-type thermoelectric element (30, 30?).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventor: Naoki Uchimaya
  • Publication number: 20110133686
    Abstract: A battery device for a notebook computer includes a control circuit, a rechargeable battery unit, and a fuel cell unit. The control circuit includes a transmission interface adapted to be electrically connected to the notebook computer. The rechargeable battery unit is electrically connected to the control circuit and includes a plurality of battery cells. The fuel cell unit is electrically connected to the control circuit. A volume of the fuel cell unit is substantially integral multiple of a volume of the battery cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: YOUNG GREEN ENERGY CO.
    Inventors: Cheng Wang, Nien-Hui Hsu, Po-Kuei Chou, Kuo-Tai Hung, Shin-Ping Kung, Wan-Chin Chao, Yu-Tzu Wu, Shao-Chi Huang
  • Publication number: 20110135972
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a battery system including two or more kinds of cell lines having different charge and discharge characteristics, wherein each cell line includes one or more battery cells connected in series with each other. In the battery system according to the present invention, the battery cells of at least one cell line exhibit a high-rate charge characteristic, whereas the battery cells of at least another cell line exhibit a high-rate discharge characteristic. Consequently, the high-rate charge and discharge characteristics are improved, and the balance between the charge and discharge characteristics is maintained, whereby the battery system according to the present invention is used as a power source having a high power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Jens M. Paulsen, Songhun Yoon, Hong-Kyu Park
  • Patent number: 7952320
    Abstract: The electronic apparatus includes a portable electronic device and a charger for capacitively charging the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is temporarily placed adjacent the charger. The portable electronic device includes a device data communication unit and an associated battery, and a pair of device capacitive electrodes, defining a device conductive footprint, to receive a charging signal to charge the battery. The charger includes a base having an area larger than the device conductive footprint and able to receive the portable electronic device thereon in a plurality of different positions, and an array of charger capacitive electrodes carried by the base. A charger controller selectively drives only the charger capacitive electrodes within the device conductive footprint with a charging signal to capacitively charge the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventor: Alexander Bersenev
  • Publication number: 20110111266
    Abstract: An electrical power source including at least one hollow fibre incorporated in a material structure, wherein the at least one hollow fibre forms part of an electric circuit capable of storing or generating electrical power. In this way power sources may be provided as an integral part of a fibre composite structure or fabric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS plc
    Inventors: Martyn John Hucker, Sajad Haq, Michael Dunleavy, Amy Elizabeth Dyke, Philip Lawrence Webberley
  • Publication number: 20110100328
    Abstract: A cell for use in an electrolysis unit includes a back wall, a side wall extending upwardly from and around a periphery of the back wall to define an inner region of the cell, an electrode disposed on the back wall within the inner region to divide at least a portion of the inner region into first and second regions is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventor: Buddy Ray Paul
  • Patent number: 7927757
    Abstract: This invention concerns a high temperature fuel cell with mixed anionic and protonic conduction having a protonic conduction reforming membrane directly coupled to a solid oxide fuel cell with conduction by oxygen ions, enabling use of a gradually reforming anode generating carbon deposits to be avoided. The reverse operation of the present invention outside the reforming stage forms a high water temperature electrolyser to produce hydrogen efficiently without having to separate it from water as is the case with current systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Armines
    Inventor: Alain Thorel
  • Publication number: 20110086247
    Abstract: A redox cell rebalance system is provided. In some embodiments, the rebalance system includes electrochemical cell and a photochemical cell. In some embodiments, the photochemical cell contains a source of ultraviolet radiation for producing HCl from H2 and Cl2 generated by the system. The HCl product may be collected or circulated back through the system for the rebalancing of electrolytes. A rebalance cell for use in a rebalance system is also provided. In some embodiments, the rebalance cell is the combination of an electrochemical cell and a photochemical cell. In some embodiments, a source of ultraviolet radiation is housed in the cathode compartment of the rebalance cell. In some embodiments, the source of ultraviolet radiation is used to effect the formation of HCl from H2 and Cl2 present in the rebalance cell. The HCl is dissolved in aqueous electrolytes contained in the rebalance cell, which can subsequently be circulated through a rebalance system for the rebalancing of redox cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventors: Majid Keshavarz, Chockkalingam Karuppaiah, Ge Zu, Saroj Kumar Sahu, Suresh Kumar Surapalan Nair, Vasanthan Mani, Gopalakrishnan R. Parakulam, Ali Firouzi, Veluchamy Rasu
  • Publication number: 20110086248
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an assembled battery including a combination of two kinds of secondary batteries differing in battery property (charge voltage behavior), each secondary battery including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator interposed between the positive and negative electrodes, and a non-aqueous electrolyte. That is, the present invention relates to an assembled battery including at least one first cell and at least one second cell electrically connected in series. The second cell has a greater change in charge voltage at the end of charge and a larger cell capacity. Thus, an assembled battery having excellent long-term reliability and excellent safety during overcharge can be obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventor: Kensuke Nakura
  • Publication number: 20110086246
    Abstract: The invention relates to a semiconductor device includes a substrate (1000; 2000), a solar cell (1910; 2910) formed on the substrate (1000; 2000) and a battery (1900; 2900) formed on the substrate, the battery comprising a plurality of trench batteries in a plurality of corresponding trenches (1400; 2400) in the substrate (1000; 2000). The solar cell can include a silicon solar cell (1910) comprising a plurality of p-n junctions for, during use, receiving incident light and converting at least part of the received incident light into an electrical current. Alternatively, the solar cell can include an electrochemical cell (2910) for, during use, receiving incident light and converting at least part of the received incident light into an electrical current. The invention further relates to a manufacturing method for a semiconductor device. The invention further relates to an apparatus comprising a semiconductor device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicants: NXP B.V., KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Yukiko Furukawa, Johan Hendrik Klootwijk
  • Publication number: 20110076524
    Abstract: A fuel cell power system and an operating method thereof are proposed in which, the power generation performance of the fuel cell is effectively recovered in a short period of time without additionally requiring any reducing agent or an inactive gas and while minimizing the degradation of the catalyst in use. The fuel cell power system includes a fuel cell stack in which a plurality of cells each having a membrane electrode assembly and a separator are stacked and a secondary battery which can be charged by power generated by the fuel cell stack. The fuel cell power system can supply power from either the fuel cell stack or the secondary battery to an external device. The fuel cell power system is provided with a power generation cell connection/disconnection mechanism for individually connecting and disconnecting a conductor for electrical conduction between the anode and cathode of each cell included in the fuel cell stack which controlled by a control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Takamori, Shuichi Suzuki, Makoto Morishima, Jun Kawaji
  • Patent number: 7914917
    Abstract: A hybrid power supply unit, comprises a high-capacity nonaqueous electrolyte battery group and a high-power nonaqueous electrolyte battery group different in discharge characteristics connected to each other in parallel. The high-capacity nonaqueous electrolyte battery group has a 0.2 C discharge capacity per cell greater than that of the high-power nonaqueous electrolyte battery group, and the high-power nonaqueous electrolyte battery group has a rate of 5 C discharge capacity per cell to 0.2 C discharge capacity per cell (5 C discharge capacity/0.2 C discharge capacity) greater than that of the high-capacity nonaqueous electrolyte battery group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takuya Nakashima, Tadao Kimura, Gota Asano
  • Patent number: 7915854
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, energy storage and a control subsystem. The energy storage supplements a power that is provided by the fuel cell stack. The energy storage is coupled to the fuel cell stack and has a voltage. The control system regulates a peak of the voltage based on a temperature of the energy storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Plug Power Inc.
    Inventors: Jon W. Meredith, Dustan L. Skidmore
  • Patent number: 7910244
    Abstract: In a portable electronic device having a battery compartment and a removeable cover therefor, the battery compartment and cover are configured to accommodate batteries of at least two different sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Norman M. Ladouceur, Jason T. Griffin, Frank Tyneski
  • Publication number: 20110064976
    Abstract: A fuel cell vehicle includes a fuel cell, a storage battery, a fuel-cell-output-controller, and a remaining-capacity-detector. An output of the fuel cell is supplied to a load. An output of the storage battery is supplied to the load. The fuel-cell-output-controller is configured to control the output of the fuel cell. The remaining-capacity-detector is configured to detect a current remaining capacity in the storage battery. The fuel-cell-output-controller is configured to determine and control a reference output value for the output of the fuel cell in accordance with a change in the current remaining capacity in the storage battery, and configured to increase the reference output value as an output of the load becomes higher referring to a state of the output of the load for a specific period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shinsuke SHIMODA
  • Publication number: 20110064977
    Abstract: Accumulator battery, the processing method and its use, especially for combustion engines and motor vehicles, consist in serial-parallel connection of at least one or more NiMH—Nickel-metal hydride cells and or Li-Pol—Lithium-Ion cells and or Li-Pol—Lithium polymer cells and ultracapacitors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: YDUN S.R.O.
    Inventors: Soren Wendel, Vladimir Biza
  • Patent number: 7897277
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes an electrical contact that receives power from an external power source, a battery receiving region, and a battery backed light source. A user interface receives an input indicative of a first desired operation of the lighting apparatus when power is available from the AC power source and a second desired operation of the battery backed light source in the absence of power from the AC power source. Electrical circuitry uses battery power to operate the battery backed light source in the absence of power from the AC power source based on the second desired operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig S. Meyer, Peter F. Hoffman, Joseph P. Gardner, Daniel L. Stuckey, David A. Furth
  • Patent number: 7883790
    Abstract: A medical device includes a rechargeable lithium-ion battery for providing power to the medical device. The lithium-ion battery includes a positive electrode including a current collector and a first active material, a negative electrode including a current collector and a second active material, and an auxiliary electrode including a current collector and a third active material. The auxiliary electrode is configured for selective electrical connection to one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The first active material, second active material, and third active material are configured to allow doping and undoping of lithium ions. The third active material exhibits charging and discharging capacity below a corrosion potential of the current collector of the negative electrode and above a decomposition potential of the first active material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: William G. Howard, Craig L. Schmidt, Erik R. Scott
  • Publication number: 20110012552
    Abstract: A portable power supply coupled to a garment, carrying bag, or other apparatus, is adapted for receiving energy at a solar cell or by way of a power input port for operating and charging a portable device. Power is stored within the power supply in one or more batteries or other storage devices. An output of the portable power supply is adapted to be reconfigured so as to be coupled to various types of portable device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventor: Erez Margalit