Search Patents
  • Patent number: 5460900
    Abstract: A lead-acid storage battery for starting, lighting and ignition applications is disclosed which minimizes convection-induced, heat transfer from the vehicle underhood environment surrounding the battery to the battery itself and comprises an injection-molded, integral plastic container having a multi-wall configuration in which an inner container includes the cell elements of the battery and at least one outer container spaced from the inner container provides at least one fluid compartment for allowing fluid flow through the fluid compartment to achieve the desired thermal regulation, the fluid flow path being created by a series of spaced fluid baffles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: GNB Battery Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Purushothama Rao, Thomas F. Uhlemann, William H. Kump
  • Patent number: 6335116
    Abstract: A battery device designed so that a plurality of battery modules (1) are arranged in rows at given spaces in a enclosure (2). Turbulence accelerators (5), such as dummy battery units or the like, are provided in a position on the uppermost-stream side of the enclosure in which air flows in the direction of arrangement of the battery modules. The heat transfer ability for the battery modules in the upper-stream position is enhanced by the turbulence accelerators which disorders the airflow introduced into the enclosure. Auxiliary coolant intake ports (7) for the introduction of a coolant are provided in the middle of an airflow path, whereby the heat transfer ability on the lower-stream side is enhanced, so that battery temperature differences between the battery units arranged in the enclosure can be restrained. Thus, a simple-construction battery device is realized enjoying improved quality and operation stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignees: Toshiba Battery Co., Ltd., Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tetsuya Yamane, Katsumi Hisano, Tsutomu Matsui, Kei Matsuoka, Hideo Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 8563159
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a thermal strap that connects a first terminal of a first battery cell and a second terminal of a second battery cell. The thermal strap has high thermal and electrical conductivity. A wall link connects the thermal strap to a wall having high thermal conductivity. The wall link includes a first portion having high thermal and electrical conductivity and a second portion having high thermal conductivity but low electrical conductivity. The second portion is located between the first portion and the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Bren-Tronics Batteries International, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Henry M. Meehan
  • Patent number: 10797285
    Abstract: Embodiments of encapsulated battery packs, control circuitry, and their methods of manufacture are described. In one such embodiment, a battery pack includes a plurality of electrochemical pouch cells and an elastomeric encapsulant that forms at least one external surface of the battery pack. In another embodiment, a battery pack includes a plurality of electrochemical pouch cells with a portion of an encapsulant disposed between the electrochemical pouch cells and the outer housing. In yet another embodiment, a method of controlling an operation of a system includes using a current threshold of one or more electrochemical cells determined at least in part on at least one of a temperature and a state of charge of the one or more electrochemical cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Cummins Battery Systems North America LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence O. Hilligoss, Paul A. Daniel, Adrian G. Lamy
  • Patent number: 4215307
    Abstract: A novel formation method is disclosed which is compatable for use in forming high antimony as well as, maintenance free (i.e., low antimony calcium, etc.) batteries. The method includes constant circulation of a cooling fluid around the batteries to be formed while the batteries are stepped through various charging cycles of different lengths and currents. The preferred method is a "one shot" method, thus eliminating the necessity of adding successive electrolyte solutions to the batteries. Unlike prior "one shot" formation techniques, however, formation times are relatively short while plate clearance characteristics and the completeness of formation are excellent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1980
    Assignee: General Battery Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence Windisch, John Nees, Harry Channing
  • Patent number: 4629622
    Abstract: A sealed lead-acid battery of the absorption-at-the-negative-electrode type employing an immobilized liquid electrolyte in which stratification of the electrolyte is eliminated. In accordance with the invention, a lower part of the positive and negative plates is supplied with water formed by a reaction or phase change of substances contained within the container of the battery. In a preferred embodiment, this is done by producing a temperature difference within the container. Also, water may be provided to the lower part of the positive and negative plates by increasing the speed of certain reactions at the lower part of the negative plate relative to the upper part thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1986
    Assignee: Japan Storage Battery Company Limited
    Inventors: Kunio Yonezu, Kenji Asai
  • Patent number: 9034506
    Abstract: A battery having a plurality of voltage-generating cells which are arranged in particular adjacent to one another. The battery has a plurality of fastening/bearing points which are spaced apart from one another and on which the battery is fastened or bears. At least a first portion of the cells have a first mass, and optionally further include parts of the battery with an additional mass, and which come to rest between the fastening/bearing points. The first portion of the cells absorbs at least a substantial part of the bending/shear load arising in the battery between the fastening/bearing points. In addition, an I-shaped or H-shaped intermediate element is arranged between at least two voltage-generating cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: MAGNA STEYR Battery Systems GmbH & Co OG
    Inventors: Martin Michelitsch, Stefan Röpke, Mathias Pucher, Rainer Unterberger
  • Patent number: 6372377
    Abstract: Mechanically and thermally improved rechargeable batteries and modules. The battery is prismatic in shape with an optimized thickness to width to height aspect ratio which provides the battery with balanced optimal properties when compared with prismatic batteries lacking this optimized aspect ratio. The optimized thickness, width and height allow for maximum capacity and power output, while eliminating deleterious side affects. The battery case design allows for unidirectional expansion which is readily compensated for by applying external mechanical compression counter to that direction. In the module, the batteries are bound within a module bundling/compression means under external mechanical compression which is optimized to balance outward pressure due to expansion and provide additional inward compression to reduce the distance between the positive and negative electrodes, thereby increasing overall battery power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Ovonic Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Dennis A. Corrigan, Srinivasan Venkatesan, Subhash K. Dhar, Arthur Holland, Donn Fillmore, Lin Higley, Philippe Gow, Ronald Himmler, Nick Karditsas, Kenneth Laming, Anthony Osgood
  • Patent number: 6255015
    Abstract: A multiple cell monoblock battery in which a plurality of electrochemical cells are disposed in a plastic or metal case and each of the cells includes an enclosure providing for gas to exit while preventing electrolyte to exit the enclosure. A novel integral system of flow channels allows liquid coolant to flow between adjacent cells. Other special features, such as cell interconnections are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Ovonic Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis A. Corrigan, Philippe Gow, Lin R. Higley, Marshall D. Muller, Anthony Osgood, Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Joshua Payne, Rajeev Puttaiah
  • Patent number: 5516600
    Abstract: Temperature-sensitive thermal insulators for batteries are provided for. The thermal insulators are fabricated from barrier film and have one or more expandable chambers containing a fluid. The fluid has a vaporization temperature of from about 90.degree. F. to about 200.degree. F., preferably from about 100.degree. F. to about 130.degree. F. The insulator has a first volume above the fluid vaporization temperature which is greater than a second volume of the insulator below the fluid vaporization temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: GNB Battery Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Jing-Yih Cherng
  • Publication number: 20120156538
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a battery arrangement (101, 201, . . . ), comprising at least one first electrochemical cell (102, 202,) and at least one second electrochemical cell (102, 202), wherein each electrochemical cell comprises a shell (103, 203), characterized in that a shell part (104, 105, 112; 204, 205, 212;) of the shell (103, 203,) of the first electrochemical cell (102, 202), is adhesively bonded to a shell part (104, 105, 112; 204, 205, 212;) of the shell (103, 203,) of the second electrochemical cell (102, 202).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: LI-TEC BATTERY GMBH
    Inventors: Jens Meintschel, Claus-Rupert Hohenthanner
  • Patent number: 5879831
    Abstract: Mechanically and thermally improved rechargeable batteries, modules and fluid-cooled battery pack systems. The battery is prismatic in shape with an optimized thickness to width to height aspect ratio which provides the battery with balanced optimal properties when compared with prismatic batteries lacking this optimized aspect ratio. The optimized thickness, width and height allow for maximum capacity and power output, while eliminating deleterious side affects. The battery case design allows for unidirectional expansion which is readily compensated for by applying external mechanical compression counter to that direction. In the module, the batteries are bound within a module bundling/compression means under external mechanical compression which is optimized to balance outward pressure due to expansion and provide additional inward compression to reduce the distance between the positive and negative electrodes, thereby increasing overall battery power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Ovonic Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Dennis A. Corrigan, Srinivasan Venkatesan, Subhash K. Dhar, Arthur Holland, Donn Fillmore, Lin Higley, Philippe Gow, Ronald Himmler, Nick Karditsas, Kenneth Laming, Anthony Osgood
  • Patent number: 6878485
    Abstract: Mechanically and thermally improved rechargeable batteries, modules and fluid-cooled battery pack systems. The battery is prismatic in shape with an optimized thickness to width to height aspect ratio which provides the battery with balanced optimal properties when compared with prismatic batteries lacking this optimized aspect ratio. The optimized thickness, width and height allow for maximum capacity and power output, while eliminating deleterious side affects. The battery case design allows for unidirectional expansion which is readily compensated for by applying external mechanical compression counter to that direction. In the module, the batteries are bound within a module bundling/compression means under external mechanical compression which is optimized to balance outward pressure due to expansion and provide additional inward compression to reduce the distance between the positive and negative electrodes, thereby increasing overall battery power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Ovonic Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Dennis A. Corrigan, Srinivasan Venkatesan, Subhash K. Dhar, Arthur Holland, Donn Fillmore, Lin Higley, Philippe Gow, Ronald Himmler, Nick Karditsas, Kenneth Laming, Anthony Osgood
  • Patent number: 7226675
    Abstract: A very low emission hybrid electric vehicle incorporating an integrated propulsion system which includes a fuel cell, a metal hydride hydrogen storage unit, an electric motor, high specific power, high energy density nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, and preferably a regenerative braking system. The nickel-metal hydride battery module preferably has a peak power density in relation to energy density as defined by: P>1,375?15E, where P is greater than 600 Watts/kilogram, where P is the peak power density as measured in Watts/kilogram and E is the energy density as measured in Watt-hours/kilogram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Ovonic Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanford R. Ovshinsky, Robert C. Stempel
  • Publication number: 20110262793
    Abstract: A thermal management battery pack system includes a containment box having a plurality of sides located around a perimeter of the bottom and a hermetically sealed cell box containing at least one energy cell located within the cell box. The cell box has a cover and a plurality of sides. The sides of the cell box are located away from the sides of the containment box. A plurality of external power connection points are located on the cover of the cell box. A dielectric fluid fills the cell box around the at least one energy cell. A sufficient amount of a phase-change material is located in the dielectric fluid to maintain a temperature within the cell box to within about five degrees Celsius of a temperature exterior to the containment box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: International Battery, Inc.
    Inventors: Antonio Reis, Oliver Xie
  • Publication number: 20140152264
    Abstract: An electrochemical energy converter device (1) with at least one in particular rechargeable electrode assembly (2), which is provided so as to make electrical energy available, at least temporarily, in particular to a consumer load, which has at least two electrodes (3, 3a) of differing polarity, with at least one current conducting device (4, 4a), which is provided so as to be electrically connected, preferably materially connected, with one of the electrodes (3, 3a) of the electrode assembly (2), with a cell housing (5) with a first housing part (6), wherein the first housing part (6) is provided so as to enclose the electrode assembly (2) at least in certain sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Li-Tec Battery GmbH
    Inventor: Li-Tec Battery GmbH
  • Publication number: 20130216867
    Abstract: An electrochemical energy converter device (1) with at least one in particular rechargeable electrode assembly (2), which is provided to provide electrical energy at least intermittently to a consumer in particular, which has at least two electrodes (3, 3a) of different polarity, with at least a current conduction device (4, 4a), which is provided to be electrically, preferably materially connected to one of the electrodes (3, 3a) of the electrode assembly (2), with a cell housing (5) with a first housing part (6), wherein the first housing part (6) is provided to encompass the electrode assembly (2) at least in certain areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: LI-TEC BATTERY GMBH
    Inventor: Li-Tec Battery GmbH
  • Publication number: 20130207596
    Abstract: An electrochemical energy converter device (1) with at least one in particular rechargeable electrode assembly (2), which is provided so as to make electrical energy available, at least temporarily, in particular to a consumer load, which has at least two electrodes (3, 3a) of differing polarity, with at least one current conducting device (4, 4a), which is provided to be electrically connected, preferably materially connected, with one of the electrodes (3, 3a) of the electrode assembly (2), with a cell housing (5) with a first housing part (6), wherein the first housing part (6) is provided so as to enclose the electrode assembly (2) at least in certain sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: LI-TEC BATTERY GMBH
    Inventor: LI-TEC BATTERY GMBH
  • Publication number: 20110151302
    Abstract: A battery pack including a battery module including at least one battery cell; and a spray unit above the battery module for spraying an insulation fluid onto the battery module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventor: Tae-Young Kim
  • Patent number: 8486553
    Abstract: A battery pack including a battery module including at least one battery cell; and a spray unit above the battery module for spraying an insulation fluid onto the battery module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignees: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Tae-Young Kim