Hydrogen Storage Patents (Class 420/900)
  • Patent number: 11912580
    Abstract: The invention discloses nano magnesium hydride and an in-situ preparation method thereof, including disposing and stirring magnesium chloride and lithium hydride in an organic solvent under a protection of an inert atmosphere, so as to obtain an organic suspension of a mixture; performing an ultrasonic treatment to the organic suspension, so as to promote a chemical reaction of the mixture. After the reaction is completed, the suspension is filtered; the solid reaction product is washed, centrifuged and dried to remove residual organic matter, so as to obtain nano-magnesium hydride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yongfeng Liu, Xin Zhang, Hongge Pan, Mingxia Gao
  • Patent number: 11380830
    Abstract: An energy harvesting apparatus may include a thermoelectric device, a heat exchanger coupled to the thermoelectric device, a thermal capacitor container, and a thermal capacitor generation device. The thermal capacitor generation device may be configured to generate a thermal capacitor fluid, to be contained in the thermal capacitor container. An electrical energy storage device may be electrically connected to the thermoelectric device, to store electricity generated by the thermoelectric device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Nathan D. Hiller, Paul Alan Beazley
  • Patent number: 11192784
    Abstract: A method for making a metal-hydride slurry includes adding metal to a liquid carrier to create a metal slurry and hydriding the metal in the metal slurry to create a metal-hydride slurry. In some embodiments, a metal hydride is added to the liquid carrier of the metal slurry prior to hydriding the metal. The metal can be magnesium and the metal hydride can be magnesium hydride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Safe Hydrogen, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth S. Brown, Jr., David D. G. Bowen, Andrew W. McClaine
  • Patent number: 10974961
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to novel metal hydrides, processes for their preparation, and their use in hydrogen storage applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: USW Commercial Services, LTD.
    Inventor: David Antonelli
  • Patent number: 10305099
    Abstract: Provided is an electrode alloy powder that is useful to obtain a nickel-metal hydride storage battery having a high battery capacity and a reduced self-discharge. The alloy powder is: a mixture including particles of a first hydrogen storage alloy having an AB5-type crystal structure, and particles of at least one second hydrogen storage alloy selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen storage alloy a having an AB2-type crystal structure and a hydrogen storage alloy b having an AB3-type crystal structure, wherein an amount of the first hydrogen storage alloy included in the mixture is greater than 50 mass %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideaki Ohyama, Akiko Okabe, Fumio Kato
  • Patent number: 10122055
    Abstract: An ambient-heat engine has a substantially thermally-conductive housing whose interior is divided into a high-pressure chamber and a low-pressure chamber by a substantially gas-impermeable barrier. An ionically-conductive, electrical-energy-generating mechanism forms at least a portion of the barrier. First hydrogen-storage medium is disposed within the high-pressure chamber and second hydrogen-storage medium is disposed within the low-pressure chamber. An electrical-energy storage device connected to the ionically-conductive, electrical-energy-generating mechanism is operable between a charge condition and a discharge condition. In a charge condition, hydrogen atoms within the high-pressure chamber are converted to hydrogen ions and conducted through the electrical-energy-generating mechanism to the low-pressure chamber causing electrical-energy to be generated to the electrical-energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: JOHNSON IP HOLDING, LLC
    Inventor: Lonnie G. Johnson
  • Patent number: 10038189
    Abstract: A transition metal composite hydroxide can be used as a precursor to allow a lithium transition metal composite oxide having a small and highly uniform particle diameter to be obtained. A method also is provided for producing a transition metal composite hydroxide represented by a general formula (1) MxWsAt(OH)2+?, coated with a compound containing the additive element, and serving as a precursor of a positive electrode active material for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries. The method includes producing a composite hydroxide particle, forming nuclei, growing a formed nucleus; and forming a coating material containing a metal oxide or hydroxide on the surfaces of composite hydroxide particles obtained through the upstream step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: SUMITOMO METAL MINING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Toya, Atsushi Fukui
  • Patent number: 9859556
    Abstract: Hydrogen storage alloy powder, an anode, and a nickel-hydrogen rechargeable battery are provided, which are excellent in low-temperature characteristics and both in initial activity and cycle life at the same time, which properties are trading-off in conventional nickel-hydrogen rechargeable batteries. The alloy powder has a composition represented by formula (1) R1-aMgaNibAlcMd (R: rare earth elements including Sc and Y, or the like; 0.005?a?0.40, 3.00?b?4.50, 0?c?0.50, 0?d?1.00, 3.00?b+c+d?4.50), and has an arithmetical mean roughness (Ra) of the powder particle outer surface of not less than 2 ?m, or a crushing strength of not higher than 35,000 gf/mm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: SANTOKU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takayuki Otsuki, Akiyasu Ota, Yasunori Yanagi
  • Patent number: 9782738
    Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and method for continuously producing carbon nanotubes, the apparatus includes i) a reactor to synthesize carbon nanotubes, ii) a separator to separate a mixed gas from the carbon nanotubes transferred from the reactor, iii) a filter to remove all or part of one or more component gases from the separated mixed gas, and iv) a recirculation pipe to recirculate the filtered mixed gas to the reactor for carbon nanotubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Kwang-Hyun Chang, Jin-Do Kim, Kwang-Woo Yoon
  • Patent number: 9777968
    Abstract: The invention provides a thermal energy storage system comprising a metal-containing first material with a thermal energy storage density of about 1300 kJ/kg to about 2200 kJ/kg based on hydrogenation; a metal-containing second material with a thermal energy storage density of about 200 kJ/kg to about 1000 kJ/kg based on hydrogenation; and a hydrogen conduit for reversibly transporting hydrogen between the first material and the second material. At a temperature of 20° C. and in 1 hour, at least 90% of the metal is converted to the hydride. At a temperature of 0° C. and in 1 hour, at least 90% of the metal hydride is converted to the metal and hydrogen. The disclosed metal hydride materials have a combination of thermodynamic energy storage densities and kinetic power capabilities that previously have not been demonstrated. This performance enables practical use of thermal energy storage systems for electric vehicle heating and cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: John J. Vajo, Zhigang Fang
  • Patent number: 9687802
    Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and method for continuously producing carbon nanotubes. More specifically, disclosed are an apparatus for continuously producing carbon nanotubes including i) a reactor to synthesize carbon nanotubes, ii) a separator to separate a mixed gas from the carbon nanotubes transferred from the reactor, iii) a filter to remove all or part of one or more component gases from the separated mixed gas, and iv) a recirculation pipe to recirculate the filtered mixed gas to the reactor for carbon nanotubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwang-Hyun Chang, Jin-Do Kim, Kwang-Woo Yoon
  • Patent number: 9318745
    Abstract: To provide a conductive agent for a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery and the like, in which oxidative decomposition reaction of an electrolyte is sufficiently suppressed during charging and discharging under high-temperature, high-voltage conditions and thus the cycle characteristics under these conditions are improved. A conductive agent main body composed of carbon and a compound attached to a surface of the conductive agent main body are contained. The average particle size of primary particles or secondary particles of the conductive agent main body is larger than the average particle size of the compound and the compound contains at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of aluminum, zirconium, magnesium, and a rare earth element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Matsumoto, Takeshi Ogasawara
  • Patent number: 9005572
    Abstract: A device includes a chemical hydride fuel pellet having a plurality of holes extending from a first end to a second end. A plurality of tubes formed of water vapor permeable and hydrogen impermeable material extend from the first end to the second end through the tubes. A container has an inlet for water vapor containing gas coupled to the first end of the tubes and an outlet coupled to the second end of the tubes. A hydrogen outlet is coupled to the fuel pellet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Steven J. Eickhoff
  • Patent number: 8883109
    Abstract: Complex hydrides based on Al(BH4)3 are stabilized by the presence of one or more additional metal elements or organic adducts to provide high capacity hydrogen storage material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC (SRNS)
    Inventors: Ragaiy Zidan, Rana F. Mohtadi, Christopher Fewox, Premkumar Sivasubramanian
  • Patent number: 8845960
    Abstract: A crystalline AlH3 is ball-milled in a hydrogen atmosphere while applying a force of 10 G to 30 G (in which G is gravitational acceleration). The milling time is more than 10 minutes and less than 60 minutes. The hydrogen storage material thus produced has a structure containing a plurality of matrix phases and a grain boundary phase disposed between the matrix phases. The matrix phases comprise Al and have a side length of 1 to 200 nm, and the grain boundary phase comprises an amorphous phase and contains hydrogen in the state of a solid solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuya Hosoe, Terumi Furuta, Hiroshi Sakai, Izuru Kanoya
  • Patent number: 8690985
    Abstract: A hydrogen storage material is formed by mixing and combining particles of a metal A selected from Mg and Al, particles of a metal B selected from Ni and Cu, and particles of an intermetallic compound A-B of the metal A and the metal B, together. A method of producing the hydrogen storage material includes a step of mixing the particles of the intermetallic compound A-B with the particles of the metal B, a step of adding particles of a hydride A-H of the metal A to the mixture and mixing them together, and a step of dehydrogenating the hydride A-H to convert it to the metal A.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tamio Shinozawa, Takanobu Yamada
  • Patent number: 8651270
    Abstract: Hydrogen energy systems for obtaining hydrogen gas from a solid storage medium using controlled laser beams. Also disclosed are systems for charging/recharging magnesium with hydrogen to obtain magnesium hydride. Other relatively safe systems assisting storage, transport and use (as in vehicles) of such solid storage mediums are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: Paul H. Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8551655
    Abstract: Disclosed are a negative active material for a secondary lithium battery and a secondary lithium battery including the same. The negative active material for a secondary lithium battery includes an amorphous silicon-based compound represented by the following Chemical Formula 1. SiAxHy??Chemical Formula 1 In Chemical Formula 1, A is at least one element selected from C, N, or a combination thereof, 0<x, 0<y, and 0.1?x+y?1.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sumihito Ishida, Hee-Joong Kim, Hyun-Uk Jo, Deok-Hyun Kim, Jong-Ki Lee, Seok-Gyun Woo
  • Patent number: 8535460
    Abstract: A hydrogen storage alloy is provided which has an extremely low Co content, and can maintain the drain (power) performance (especially pulse discharge characteristics), activity (degree of activity), and life performance at high levels. The hydrogen storage alloy is manufactured by weighing and mixing every material for the hydrogen storage alloy so as to provide an alloy composition represented by the general formula MmNiaMnbAlcCod or MmNiaMnbAlcCodFee, and controlling the manufacturing method and manufacturing conditions so that both the a-axis length and the c-axis length of the crystal lattice are in a predetermined range. Although it is sufficient if the a-axis length of the crystal lattice is 499 pm or more and the c-axis length is 405 pm or more, by further specifying the a-axis length and c-axis length depending on the values of ABx, a hydrogen storage alloy having high durability can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Mukai, Shigeki Nakayama, Kiyotaka Yasuda, Shinya Kagei, Hidetoshi Inoue
  • Patent number: 8481151
    Abstract: A hydrogen storage alloy comprises a hydrogen storage base formed of a mixture of magnesium and an alloy, such as a magnesium-nickel alloy, a magnesium-titanium alloy, a magnesium-niobium alloy, a magnesium-manganese alloy, or a magnesium-cobalt alloy, and a catalytic layer covering a surface of the base. A hydrogen storage alloy unit includes the hydrogen storage base and a porous body including an assembly of nanofibers. The alloy may be vapor-deposited onto the assembly of nanofibers. The nanofibers may be tangled to provide spaces between the fibers for the passage of hydrogen molecules. The nanofibers in one example are also porous. A catalytic layer of platinum may cover a surface of the hydrogen storage base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Atsumitec
    Inventors: Naoki Uchiyama, Tomomi Kanai, Kazumi Harada
  • Patent number: 8444876
    Abstract: A doped hydrogen storage material according to the general formula: MgxByMzHn wherein: (i) the ratio of x/y is in the range of from 0.15 to 1.5; (ii) z is in the range of from 0.005 to 0.35; (iii) x+y+z equals 1; (iv) M=is one or more metals selected from the group of selected Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn; (v) n is no more than 4y; and wherein x/y does not equal 0.5 and at least part of the doped hydrogen storage material is amorphous. The doped hydrogen storage materials are used for storing hydrogen, and also disclosed is a method for reversibly desorbing and/or absorbing hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Ilika Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Alexandra Teodora Anghel, Brian Elliott Hayden, Duncan Clifford Smith, Jean-Philippe Soulie
  • Patent number: 8440100
    Abstract: A ternary hydrogen storage system having a constant stoichiometric molar ratio of LiNH2:MgH2:LiBH4 of 2:1:1. It was found that the incorporation of MgH2 particles of approximately 10 nm to 20 nm exhibit a lower initial hydrogen release temperature of 150° C. Furthermore, it is observed that the particle size of LiBNH quaternary hydride has a significant effect on the hydrogen sorption concentration with an optimum size of 28 nm. The as-synthesized hydrides exhibit two main hydrogen release temperatures, one around 160° C. and the other around 300° C., with the main hydrogen release temperature reduced from 310° C. to 270° C., while hydrogen is first reversibly released at temperatures as low as 150° C. with a total hydrogen capacity of 6 wt. % to 8 wt. %. Detailed thermal, capacity, structural and microstructural properties have been demonstrated and correlated with the activation energies of these materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Sesha S. Srinivasan, Michael U. Niemann, D. Yogi Goswami, Elias K. Stefanakos
  • Patent number: 8394738
    Abstract: A mixed powder of AlH3 and MgH2 is ball-milled in a hydrogen atmosphere while applying force of 5 G through 30 G (in which G is gravitational acceleration), and the thus-obtained milled product is dehydrogenated to produce a hydrogen storage material. The hydrogen storage material comprises an amorphous phase containing an Al—Mg alloy as a mother phase, and a crystalline Al phase having a maximum length of 100 nm or less, the crystalline Al phase being distributed as a dispersed phase in the mother phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuya Hosoe, Izuru Kanoya, Terumi Furuta, Hiroshi Sakai
  • Patent number: 8258077
    Abstract: A crystalline Al phase and a crystalline TiH2 phase each having a maximum length of 200 nm or less are dispersed in an amorphous phase containing an Al—Mg alloy to obtain a hydrogen storage material capable of reversibly storing and releasing hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuya Hosoe, Izuru Kanoya, Hiroshi Sakai, Terumi Furuta
  • Patent number: 8216545
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a doped hydrogen storage material according to the general formula: MgxByMzHn wherein: (i) the ratio of x/y is in the range of from 0.15 to 1.5; (ii) z is in the range of from 0.005 to 0.35; (iii) x+y+z equals 1; (iv) M=is one or more metals selected from the group of selected Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn; (v) n is no more than 4y; and wherein x/y does not equal 0.5 and at least part of the doped hydrogen storage material is amorphous. The present invention further relates to the use of doped hydrogen storage materials according to the invention for storing hydrogen and a method for reversibly desorbing and/or absorbing hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Ilika Technologies Ltd
    Inventors: Alexandra Teodora Anghel, Brian Elliott Hayden, Duncan Clifford Smith, Jean-Philippe Soulie
  • Patent number: 8163267
    Abstract: In a method of synthesizing magnesium-cobalt pentahydride, a MgCo2 alloy is synthesized by completely reacting cobalt (Co) metal and excess magnesium (Mg) metal, followed by an isothermal evaporation casting process (IECP) for removing the residual magnesium metal. Then, the magnesium-cobalt alloy and another magnesium metal are ball-milled and hydrogenated to synthesize the magnesium-cobalt pentahydride (Mg2CoH5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: National Central University
    Inventors: Sheng-Long Lee, Rong-Ruey Jeng, Che-Wei Hsu, Yu-Chou Tsai
  • Patent number: 8153020
    Abstract: A ternary hydrogen storage system having a constant stoichiometric molar ratio of LiNH2:MgH2:LiBH4 of 2:1:1. It was found that the incorporation of MgH2 particles of approximately 10 nm to 20 nm exhibit a lower initial hydrogen release temperature of 150° C. Furthermore, it is observed that the particle size of LiBNH quaternary hydride has a significant effect on the hydrogen sorption concentration with an optimum size of 28 nm. The as-synthesized hydrides exhibit two main hydrogen release temperatures, one around 160° C. and the other around 300° C., with the main hydrogen release temperature reduced from 310° C. to 270° C., while hydrogen is first reversibly released at temperatures as low as 150° C. with a total hydrogen capacity of 6 wt. % to 8 wt. %. Detailed thermal, capacity, structural and microstructural properties have been demonstrated and correlated with the activation energies of these materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Sesha S. Srinivasan, Michael U. Niemann, D. Yogi Goswami, Elias K. Stefanakos
  • Patent number: 8153554
    Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure, a process for synthesis of a complex hydride material for hydrogen storage is provided. The process includes mixing a borohydride with at least one additive agent and at least one catalyst and heating the mixture at a temperature of less than about 600° C. and a pressure of H2 gas to form a complex hydride material. The complex hydride material comprises MAlxByHz, wherein M is an alkali metal or group IIA metal, Al is the element aluminum, x is any number from 0 to 1, B is the element boron, y is a number from 0 to 13, and z is a number from 4 to 57 with the additive agent and catalyst still being present. The complex hydride material is capable of cyclic dehydrogenation and rehydrogenation and has a hydrogen capacity of at least about 4 weight percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: James A. Ritter, Tao Wang, Armin D. Ebner, Charles E. Holland
  • Patent number: 8079464
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a hydrogen storage system includes a core of hydrogen sorbent material and a shell of crystalline metal hydride material enclosing at least a portion of the core of hydrogen sorbent material. In another embodiment, the hydrogen storage system further includes an intermediate layer of amorphous metal hydride material, at least a portion of which being positioned between the core of hydrogen sorbent material and the shell of crystalline metal hydride material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jun Yang, Andrea Pulskamp, Shinichi Hirano
  • Patent number: 8071064
    Abstract: State-of-the-art electronic structure calculations yield results consistent with the observed compound SiLi2Mg and provide likelihood of the availability of IrLi2Mg and RhLi2Mg. Similar calculations provide likelihood of the availability of YLi2MgHn, ZrLi2MgHn, NbLi2MgHn, MoLi2MgHn, TcLi2MgHn, RuLi2MgHn, RhLi2MgHn, LaLi2MgHn, Ce4+Li2MgHn, Ce3+Li2MgHn, PrLi2MgHn, NdLi2MgHn, PmLi2MgHn, SmLi2MgHn, EuLi2MgHn, GdLi2MgHn, TbLi2MgHn, DyLi2MgHn, HoLi2MgHn, ErLi2MgHn, TmLi2MgHn, YbLi2MgHn, LuLi2MgHn, HfLi2MgHn, TaLi2MgHn, ReLi2MgHn, OsLi2MgHn, and IrLi2MgHn (here n is an integer having a value in a particular compound of 4-7) as solid hydrides for the storage and release of hydrogen. Different hydrogen contents may be obtained in compounds having the same XLi2Mg crystal structures. These materials offer utility for hydrogen storage systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jan F. Herbst, Martin S. Meyer, James R. Salvador
  • Patent number: 8062624
    Abstract: Hydrogen is stored by adsorbing the hydrogen to a carbon nanomaterial that includes carbon nanospheres. The carbon nanospheres are multi-walled, hollow carbon nanostructures with a maximum diameter in a range from about 10 nm to about 200 nm. The nanospheres have an irregular outer surface with graphitic defects and an aspect ratio of less than 3:1. The carbon nanospheres can store hydrogen in quantities of at least 1.0% by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Headwaters Technology Innovation, LLC
    Inventors: Bing Zhou, Cheng Zhang
  • Patent number: 8021606
    Abstract: A hydrogen storage alloy containing a phase of a chemical composition defined by a general formula A5·xB1+xC24: wherein in the general formula A5·xB1+xC24, A denotes one or more element(s) selected from rare earth elements; B denotes one or more element(s) selected from a group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba; C denotes one or more element(s) selected from a group consisting of Ni, Co, Mn, Al, Cr, Fe, Cu, Zn, Si, Sn, V, Nb, Ta, Ti, Zr, and Hf; and x denotes a numeral in a range from ?0.1 to 0.8: and the phase has a crystal structure belonging to a space group of R-3m and having a length ratio of the c-axis to the a-axis of the lattice constant in a range of 11.5 to 12.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignees: GS Yuasa International Ltd., National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology
    Inventors: Tetsuya Ozaki, Tetsuo Sakai, Manabu Kanemoto, Minoru Kuzuhara, Tadashi Kakeya, Masaharu Watada
  • Patent number: 8012452
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparation of a material adapted to reversible storage of hydrogen, including steps consisting of providing a first powder of a magnesium-based material, hydrogenating the first powder to convert at least part of the first powder into metal hydrides, mixing the first hydrogenating powder with a second powder additive, the proportion by mass of the second powder in the mix obtained being between 1% and 20% by mass, wherein the additive is formed from an alloy with a centred cubic structure based on titatnium, vanadium and at least one other metal chosen from chromium or manganese, and grinding the mix of first and second powders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
    Inventors: Daniel Fruchart, Patricia De Rango, Jean Charbonnier, Salvatore Miraglia, Sophie Rivoirard, Nataliya Skryabina, Michel Jehan
  • Patent number: 7988800
    Abstract: In order to accurately and efficiently alloy a Mg-REM-Ni based hydrogen-absorbing alloy in accordance with a target composition, which was difficult in the industrial production by the conventional technique, a rare earth element starting material and a nickel starting material are firstly melted in a melting furnace to form a melt of REM-Ni alloy, and then a magnesium starting material is added to the alloy melt and an interior of the melting furnace is kept at a given pressure to form a melt of Mg-REM-Ni alloy, and thereafter the alloy melt is cooled and solidified at a given cooling rate to produce a Mg-REM-Ni based hydrogen-absorbing alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Japan Metals and Chemicals Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahito Osawa, Katsuyuki Kudo, Akihito Maeda, Seiji Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7968071
    Abstract: State-of-the-art electronic structure calculations provide the likelihood of the availability of AlLi2MgHn, ScLi2MgHn, TiLi2MgHn, VLi2MgHn, CrLi2MgHn, MnLi2MgHn, FeLi2MgHn, CoLi2MgHn, NiLi2MgHn, CuLi2MgHn, ZnLi2MgHn, GaLi2MgHn, GeLi2MgHn, PdLi2MgHn, AgLi2MgHn, CdLi2MgHn, InLi2MgHn, SnLi2MgHn, SbLi2MgHn, PtLi2MgHn, AuLi2MgHn, HgLi2MgHn, TlLi2MgHn, PbLi2MgHn, and BiLi2MgHn (here n is an integer having a value in a particular compound of 4-7) as solid hydrides for the storage and release of hydrogen. Different hydrogen contents may be obtained in compounds having the same XLi2Mg crystal structures. These materials offer utility for hydrogen storage systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Jan F. Herbst
  • Patent number: 7943255
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a hydrogen-absorption alloy electrode which comprises particles of a hydrogen-absorption alloy that comprises a rare earth element, Ni, Co and Al. The method comprises subjecting the hydrogen-absorption alloy particles to an alkaline treatment in a 10 to 50 weight % NaOH solution at 60 to 140° C. for 0.5 to 5 hours such that on the surface of the particles (amount of Al on surface/amount of Al in alloy)<(amount of Co on surface/amount of Co in alloy).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kojiro Ito, Shinichiro Ito, Hajime Seri, Shinichi Yuasa, Munehisa Ikoma
  • Patent number: 7935305
    Abstract: The present invention relates to hydrogen storage alloys, methods for producing the same, and anodes produced with such alloys for nickel-hydrogen rechargeable batteries. The alloys are useful as electrode materials for nickel-hydrogen rechargeable batteries, excellent, when used as anode materials, in corrosion resistance or activity such as initial activity and high rate discharge performance, of low cost compared to the conventional alloys with a higher Co content, and recyclable. The alloys are of a composition represented by the formula (1), and has a substantially single phase structure, and the crystals thereof have an average long axis diameter of 30 to 160 ?m, or not smaller than 5 ?m and smaller than 30 ?m. The present anodes for rechargeable batteries contain at least one of these hydrogen storage alloys: RNixCoyMz??(1) (R: rare earth elements etc., M: Mg, Al, etc., 3.7?x?5.3, 0.1?y?5.0, 0.1?z?1.0, 5.1?x+y+z?5.5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Santoku Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyofumi Takamaru, Hideaki Ikeda, Koji Tatsumi
  • Patent number: 7914846
    Abstract: A process for encapsulating a metal hydride within a hollow glass sphere is provided. The process includes providing a hollow glass sphere, the hollow glass sphere having a shell enclosing an inner volume. The hollow glass sphere is placed within an enclosed chamber and the chamber is evacuated such that a negative pressure is present therewithin. The hollow glass sphere within the evacuated enclosed chamber is subjected to an external element such that the shell affords for molecules to diffuse therethrough. In some instances, the external element is heat, infrared light and combinations thereof. Thereafter, a metal hydride is provided in the form of a vapor and the evacuated enclosed chamber with the hollow glass sphere is exposed to metal hydride vapor and molecules of the metal hydride diffuse through the shell into the inner volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Rana F. Mohtadi
  • Patent number: 7871537
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a magnesium-based hydrogen storage material according to the present invention comprises a) forming a mixture of a magnesium hydride powder and a transition metal halide powder, b) adding the mixture and balls into a vessel, c) filling the vessel with an inert gas or hydrogen, and d) subjecting the mixture to high energy ball milling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Jae-Hyeok Shim, Seon-Ah Jin, Young-Whan Cho
  • Patent number: 7833928
    Abstract: The invention relates to a metal-containing, hydrogen-storing material which contains a catalyst for the purpose of hydration or dehydration, said catalyst being a metal carbonate. The method for producing such a metal-containing, hydrogen-storing material is characterized by subjecting the metal-containing material and/or the catalyst in the form of a metal carbonate to a mechanical milling process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: GKSS-Forschungszentrum Geesthacht GmbH
    Inventors: Gagik Barkhordarian, Thomas Klassen, Rüdiger Bormann
  • Patent number: 7820325
    Abstract: An active material composition for an alkaline storage battery comprises a) an alloy capable of forming a hydride, of formula R1-yMgyNit-zMz in which R is La, optionally substituted by Nd and/or Pr, M is at least one element chosen from the group comprising Mn, Fe, Al, Co, Cu, Zr and Sn, in which 0.1?y?0.4, 3.2?t?3.5, and z?0.5, and of which the equilibrium hydrogen pressure with the alloy, for a hydrogen insertion into the alloy of 0.5 H/Metal at 40°, is less than 0.7 bar, and b) a yttrium-based compound in a mixture with alloy a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: SAFT
    Inventors: Patrick Bernard, Bernard Knosp, Michele Baudry
  • Patent number: 7776258
    Abstract: A hydrogen storage alloy includes a composition defined by the following formula (Ca1-XLX)(Li1-Y-ZMYNiZ)m, wherein the L denotes one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Na, K, Rb, Cs, Mg, Sr, Ba, Sc, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu, the M denotes one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Ir, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Ag, Au, Zn, Cd, B, Al, Ga, In, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, Sb, Bi, and S, and the mole ratios X, Y, Z, and m respectively satisfy the following 0<X?0.4, 0?Y?0.4, 0.1?Z?0.4, and 1.8?m?2.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Tatsuoki Kohno
  • Patent number: 7758805
    Abstract: A hydrogen occlusive alloy has a cubic structure and a composition represented by the following general formula (1): (Mg1-XLX)(Ni1-Y-ZMYLiZ)m??(1) where the element L is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Na, Cs, Ca, Sr, Ba, Sc, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu, the element M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Fe, Co, Pd, Pt, Cu, Ag, Zn, Cd, B, Al, Ga, In, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, Sb and Bi, and mole ratios X, Y, Z and m are 0<X?0.5, 0<Y?0.5, 0.1?Z?0.9, and 1.8?m?2.2, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Tohoku University
    Inventors: Tatsuoki Kohno, Shin-ichi Orimo, Yuko Nakamori
  • Patent number: 7708815
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a composite hydrogen storage material comprising active material particles and a binder, wherein the binder immobilizes the active material particles sufficient to maintain relative spatial relationships between the active material particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Angstrom Power Incorporated
    Inventor: Joerg Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 7700237
    Abstract: The composition of hydrogen storage alloy particles used in a negative plate of an alkaline secondary battery is expressed by a general formula: (Laa Prb Ndc Zd)1-w Mgw Niz-x-y Alx Ty. In the formula, Z is an element selected from the group consisting of Ce and others, and T is an element selected from the group consisting of V and others. Subscripts a, b, c and d fall in ranges of 0?a?0.25, 0<b, 0<c, and 0?d?0.20, respectively, and satisfy the relationship expressed by a+b+c+d=1, where 0.20?b/c?0.35. Subscripts x, y, z and w fall in ranges of 0.15?x ?0.30, 0?y?0.5, 3.3?z?3.8, and 0.05?w?0.15, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaru Kihara, Takahiro Endo, Tatsuya Aizawa
  • Patent number: 7691216
    Abstract: A melt of a hydrogen storage alloy having an arbitrary composition is cooled gradually at a cooling rate of 5° C./min or less and solidified. Alternatively an alloy having an arbitrary composition, after heating to a temperature equal to or more than a melting point thereof, is cooled gradually at a cooling rate of 5° C./min or less and solidified. Thereby a homogeneous alloy reduced in segregation, precipitates, or inclusions is obtained. The homogeneous alloy is excellent in the hydrogen storage amount, in the plateau property and in durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: The Japan Steel Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hironobu Arashima, Takashi Ebisawa, Hideaki Itoh
  • Patent number: 7678502
    Abstract: An alkaline storage cell has a positive electrode, a negative electrode containing a hydrogen storage alloy, and an alkaline electrolyte. The hydrogen storage alloy has a composition expressed by a general expression: ((PrNd)?Ln1-?)1-?Mg?Ni?-?-?Al?T?, where Ln represents at least one element chosen from a group consisting of La, Ce, etc., T represents at least one element chosen from a group consisting of V, Nb, etc., and subscripts ?, ?, ?, ? and ? represent numerical values which satisfy 0.7<?, 0.05<?<0.15, 3.0???4.2, 0.15???0.30 and 0???0.20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Endo, Masaru Kihara, Tatsuya Aizawa
  • Patent number: 7674320
    Abstract: Hydrogen gas at a hydrogen refueling site is cooled below liquid nitrogen temperature (e.g., about 80K) for more efficient adsorption of hydrogen on hydrogen adsorbent particles in the fuel storage of a hydrogen powered vehicle. When compressed hydrogen gas is available it may be cooled with liquid nitrogen and then sub-cooled below about 70K by a Joule-Thompson expansion. When liquid hydrogen provides hydrogen gas it may be cooled below liquid nitrogen temperatures by mixing with liquid hydrogen or by heat exchange with liquid hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Senthil Kumar Vadivelu
  • Patent number: 7670588
    Abstract: Hydrogen is stored by adsorbing the hydrogen to a carbon nanomaterial that includes carbon nanospheres. The carbon nanospheres are multi-walled, hollow carbon nanostructures with a maximum diameter in a range from about 10 nm to about 200 nm. The nanospheres have an irregular outer surface and an aspect ratio of less than 3:1. The carbon nanospheres can store hydrogen in quantities of at least 1.0% by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Headwaters Technology Innovation, LLC
    Inventors: Bing Zhou, Cheng Zhang
  • Patent number: 7651546
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing high-purity hydrogen storage alloy Mg2Ni applicable to industry and capable of manufacturing continuously. First, raw materials of magnesium-nickel with weight percentage of nickel between 23.5 and 50.2 are heated, melt, and mixed uniformly. Cool the magnesium-nickel liquid and control the temperature to be above the solidification temperature and below the liquification temperature in the phase diagram of magnesium-nickel. By making advantage of segregation principle in phase diagrams, solid-state high-purity ?-phase Mg2Ni hydrogen storage alloy is given. Then high-purity ?-phase Mg2Ni hydrogen storage alloy with atomic ratio of 2:1, no other phases, and with excellent hydrogen absorption-desorption dynamics is given.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology, Armaments Bureau, M.N.D.
    Inventors: Yuan-Pang Wu, Hui-Yun Bor, Rong-Ruey Jeng