d CIRCUIT, LOGIC CIRCUIT, PROCESSOR, ELECTRONIC COMPONENT, AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A circuit suitable for data backup of a logic circuit is provided. The circuit includes first to fourth nodes, a capacitor, first to third transistors, and first and second circuits. Data can be loaded and stored between the circuit and the logic circuit. The first node is electrically connected to a data output terminal of the logic circuit. The second node is electrically connected to a data input terminal of the logic circuit. The capacitor is electrically connected to the third node. The first transistor controls electrical continuity between the first node and the third node. The second transistor controls electrical continuity between the second node and the third node. The third transistor controls electrical continuity between the second node and the fourth node. The first and second circuits have functions of raising gate voltage of the first transistor and raising gate voltage of the second transistor, respectively. Full Article
d Memory Device and Method for Operating a Memory Device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Devices are provided in which a metastable state can be detected in a memory device by means of a metastability detector. Corresponding information can be conveyed to a further device which, in dependence thereon, can process data from the memory device. Full Article
d CLOCK SELECTION CIRCUIT AND POWER SUPPLY DEVICE EQUIPPED WITH THE SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT To provide a clock selection circuit capable of reducing clock omission generated when switching from a state of being synchronized with a first clock to a second clock. The clock selection circuit is equipped with a clock detection circuit which detects a first clock to output a detected signal, a switch which outputs the first clock when the detected signal is at a first level and outputs a second clock when the detected signal is at a second level different from the first level, and a one-shot circuit which outputs a one-shot pulse in response to switching of the detected signal from the first level to the second level. The output of the switch and the output of the one-shot circuit are added to be outputted as an output clock. Full Article
d FINE DELAY STRUCTURE WITH PROGRAMMABLE DELAY RANGES By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A circuit includes a first node, a first inverter connected to the first node and a second node. A variable resistive element is connected to the second node and a third node. A first switch is connected to the second node, a first capacitive element is connected in series with the first switch and the third node, a second switch connected to the second node, a second capacitive element is connected in series with the second switch and the third node, and a second inverter is connected to the third node and a fourth node. Full Article
d CIRCUIT AND METHOD FOR GENERATION OF A CLOCK SIGNAL WITH DUTY-CYCLE ADJUSTMENT By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A clock-signal generator circuit, for generating an output clock signal starting from an input clock signal, includes: a monostable stage having a clock input configured to receive the input clock signal, a control input configured to receive a control signal, and an output configured to supply the output clock signal having a duty cycle variable as a function of the control signal; and a feedback loop, operatively coupled to the monostable stage for generating the control signal as a function of a detected value, and of a desired value, of the duty cycle of the output clock signal. Full Article
d DOUBLE FREQUENCY-SHIFT KEYING MODULATING DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A double frequency-shift keying modulating device includes a modulation module. The modulation module receives an oscillating signal and a digital signal, and generates a modulation output signal that has a first frequency. The first frequency is associated with a frequency of the oscillating signal and varies periodically at a second frequency. The second frequency is associated with the digital signal and the frequency of the oscillating signal. Full Article
d DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A DYNAMIC REFERENCE SIGNAL FOR A DRIVER CIRCUIT FOR A SEMICONDUCTOR POWER SWITCH By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A device (442) for producing a dynamic reference signal (UREF) for a control circuit for a power semiconductor switch comprises a reference signal generator (442) for providing a dynamic reference signal (UREF), which has a stationary signal level after elapse of a predefined time following a switching process of the power semiconductor switch, a passive charging circuit (450) which is configured to increase a signal level of the dynamic reference signal in reaction to a switching of a control signal of the power semiconductor switch from an OFF state to ON state for at least one part of the predefined time above the stationary signal level, in order to produce the dynamic reference signal and an output (A) for tapping the dynamic reference signal (UREF). Full Article
d System and Method for a Switchable Capacitance By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT In accordance with an embodiment, an adjustable capacitance circuit comprising a first branch comprising plurality of transistors having load paths coupled in series with a first capacitor. A method of operating the adjustable capacitance circuit includes programming a capacitance by selectively turning-on and turning-off ones of the plurality of transistors, wherein the load path of each transistor of the plurality of transistors is resistive when the transistor is on and is capacitive when the transistor is off. Full Article
d ULTRA HIGH PERFORMANCE SILICON CARBIDE GATE DRIVERS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A system includes a SiC semiconductor power device; a power supply board that is configured to provide power to a first gate driver board via a connector; the first gate driver board that is coupled and configured to provide current to the SiC semiconductor power device, wherein the first gate driver board is coupled to the power supply board via the connector, and wherein the first gate driver board is separated from the power supply board; and an interconnect board that is coupled to the first gate driver board, wherein the interconnect board is configured to couple the first gate driver board a second gate driver board. Full Article
d SEMICONDUCTOR APPARATUS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A semiconductor apparatus may include a noise determination circuit, a strobe signal control circuit, and a reception circuit. The noise determination circuit may sense and determine noise of a reference voltage, and generate an up control signal and a down control signal. The strobe signal control circuit may adjust a transition timing of a strobe signal in response to the up control signal and the down control signal, and output a control strobe signal. The reception circuit may generate internal data signal in response to external data signal, the reference voltage, and the control strobe signal. Full Article
d HALF-BRIDGE CIRCUIT, H-BRIDGE CIRCUIT AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A half-bridge circuit comprises a high supply contact and a low supply contact. A half-bridge output contact is connectable to drive a load and has a high-side between the high supply contact and the half-bridge output contact and a low-side between the half-bridge output contact and the low supply contact. A high-side bidirectional vertical power transistor at the high-side has a source connected to the high supply contact, and a low-side bidirectional vertical power transistor at the low-side, transistor has a source connected to the low supply contact. The high-side bidirectional vertical power transistor and low-side bidirectional vertical power transistor are connected in cascode and share a common drain connected to the half-bridge output contact, and are controllable to alternatingly allow a current flow from the high supply contact to the half-bridge output contact or from the half-bridge output contact to the low supply contact. Full Article
d DRIVING CIRCUIT By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A driving circuit includes a first switching element operating in a turned-on state or a turned-off state depending on a control voltage; a second switching element operating complementarily to the first switching element depending on the control voltage; a constant voltage circuit unit turning on depending on a source-gate voltage of the first switching element to maintain a constant voltage; a current adjusting circuit operating in a turned-on state or a turned-off state depending on the control voltage, and adjusting an operating current flowing to a ground depending on a current control signal in the turned-on state of the current adjusting circuit; a current control circuit controlling the operating current by providing the current control signal to the current adjusting circuit in a turned-on state of the constant voltage circuit unit; and a signal transfer circuit providing the control voltage to a gate of the second switching element. Full Article
d FEED-FORWARD CIRCUIT TO IMPROVE INTERMODULATION DISTORTION PERFORMANCE OF RADIO-FREQUENCY SWITCH By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A radio-frequency (RF) switch includes a field-effect transistor (FET) disposed between a first node and a second node, the FET having a source, a drain, a gate, and a body. The RF switch further includes a coupling circuit including a first path and a second path, the first path being connected between the gate and one of the source or the drain via a first resistor in series with a first capacitor, the second path being connected between the body and the one of the source or the drain via a second resistor in series with a second capacitor, the coupling circuit configured to allow discharge of interface charge from either or both of the gate and body. Full Article
d Construction and Optical Control of Bipolar Junction Transistors and Thyristors By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Methods and systems include constructing and operating a semiconductor device with a mid-band dopant layer. In various implementations, carriers that are optically excited in a mid-band dopant region may provide injection currents that may reduce transition times and increase achievable operating frequency in a bipolar junction transistor (BJT). In various implementations, carriers that are optically excited in a mid-band dopant region within a thyristor may improve closure transition time, effective current spreading velocity, and maximum rate of current rise. Full Article
d PHASE LOCKED LOOPS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT This application relates to methods and apparatus for phase locked loops. A phase-and-frequency detector (101) receives a reference clock signal (CKref) and a feedback signal (SFB) and outputs a first adjustment signal (U) that is modulated between respective first and second signal levels to provide control pulses indicating that an increase in frequency required for phase and frequency lock, and a second adjustment signal (D) that is modulated between respective first and second signal levels to provide control pulses indicating that a decrease in frequency required for phase and frequency lock. First and second time-to-digital converters (201-1 and 201-2) receive the first and second adjustment signals respectively and output respective first and second digital signals indicative of the duration of said control pulses. Each time-to-digital converter comprises a controlled-oscillator (401, 801) configured so as to operate at a first frequency when the respective adjustment signal is at the first signal level and operate at a second frequency when the respective adjustment signal is at the second signal level and a counter (403) configured to produce a count value of the number oscillations of the controlled-oscillator in each of a succession of count periods defined by a count clock signal. The first and second digital signals are based on the count values output from the respective counters. The difference between the first and second digital signals may be determined and input to digital loop filter (203) before driving numerically-controlled-oscillator (204) to produce the output signal. Full Article
d NONAQUEOUS ELECTROLYTE SECONDARY BATTERY AND BATTERY PACK By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery of the present invention includes a positive electrode containing olivine-structured Fe or a Mn-containing phosphorus compound as a positive electrode active material; a negative electrode containing a titanium-containing metal oxide capable of inserting and extracting lithium ions as a negative electrode active material; a nonwoven fabric separator, which contains an electrically insulating fiber and is bonded to a surface of at least one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode; and a nonaqueous electrolyte. In a thickness direction of the nonwoven fabric separator, a density of the fiber on a side having contact with the positive electrode is high, and a density of the fiber on a side having contact with the negative electrode is low. Full Article
d NONAQUEOUS ELECTROLYTE SECONDARY BATTERY SEPARATOR By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery separator that achieves an excellent rate characteristic by having a tensile creep compliance J satisfying at least one of the following three conditions in a case where stress of 30 MPa is applied for t seconds: (i) when t=300 seconds, J=4.5 GPa−1 to 14.0 GPa−1, (ii) when t=1800 seconds, J=9.0 GPa−1 to 25.0 GPa−1, (iii) when t=600 seconds, J=12.0 GPa−5 to 32.0 GPa−1. Full Article
d SEPARATOR FOR RECHARGEABLE BATTERY AND RECHARGEABLE BATTERY INCLUDING THE SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A separator for a rechargeable battery and a rechargeable lithium battery, the separator including a porous substrate; and a heat-resistant porous layer on at least one surface of the porous substrate, wherein the heat-resistant porous layer includes a filler and a copolymer including a structural unit of vinylidenefluoride, a structural unit of hexafluoropropylene, and a structural unit of a carboxyl-containing monomer, the structural unit of hexafluoropropylene is present in an amount of about 4 wt % to about 10 wt %, based on a total weight of the copolymer, and the structural unit of a carboxyl-containing monomer is present in an amount of about 1 wt % to about 7 wt %, based on the total weight of the copolymer. Full Article
d SECONDARY BATTERY By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A secondary battery includes a case composed of a metal containing aluminum as a main component, a stacked electrode assembly arranged in the case, a negative electrode current collector electrically connecting negative electrodes of the stacked electrode assembly to a negative electrode terminal, a positive electrode current collector electrically connecting positive electrodes of the stacked electrode assembly to a positive electrode terminal, a first metal plate arranged between the case and the stacked electrode assembly, and a spacer arranged between the case and the first metal plate, the spacer being composed of an insulating material. The positive electrodes are electrically connected to the case or a second metal plate arranged on the first metal plate with an insulating member provided between the first metal plate and the insulating member. The negative electrode current collector is in contact with the first metal plate to establish electrical connection between the negative electrode current collector and the first metal plate. Full Article
d SECONDARY BATTERY By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A secondary battery is disclosed. In one aspect, the secondary battery includes a case accommodating an electrode assembly, a cap plate sealing an opening of the case, an electrode terminal electrically connected to the electrode assembly and disposed over the cap, and an insulating member provided between the cap plate and the electrode terminal and configured to insulate the electrode terminal from the cap plate. The battery also includes a connection tab disposed over the electrode terminal, and a safety device having a portion positioned under the connection tab and electrically connected to the electrode terminal via the connection tab. The safety device has at least one of electric conductivity and thermal conductivity greater than that of the connection tab, and at least a part of the safety device is seated on the insulating member. Full Article
d METHODS FOR ALKALIATING ROLL ANODES By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to processes that may be used singly or in combination to prevent lithium (or alkali metal) plating or dendrite buildup on bare substrate areas or edges of electrode rolls during alkaliation of a battery or electrochemical cell anode composed of a conductive substrate and coatings, in which the electrode rolls may be coated on one or both sides and may have exposed substrate on edges, or on continuous or discontinuous portions of either or both substrate surfaces. Full Article
d POSITIVE ELECTRODE ACTIVE MATERIAL FOR LITHIUM SECONDARY BATTERIES, POSITIVE ELECTRODE FOR LITHIUM SECONDARY BATTERIES, AND LITHIUM SECONDARY BATTERY By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The object of the present invention is to provide a positive electrode active material usable for a lithium ion battery capable of high charge/discharge cycle performance and high discharge capacity. The positive electrode active material for a lithium secondary battery has a layered structure and comprises at least nickel, cobalt and manganese. Further, the positive electrode active material satisfies requirements (1) to (3) below: (1) a primary particle size of 0.1 μm to 1 μm, and a 50% cumulative particle size D50 of 1 μm to 10 μm, (2) a ratio (D90/D10) of volume-based 90% cumulative particle size D50 to volume-based 10% cumulative particle size D10 of 2 to 6, and (3) a lithium carbonate content in a residual alkali on particle surfaces of 0.1% by mass to 0.8% by mass as measured by neutralization titration. Full Article
d POSITIVE ELECTRODE FOR NONAQUEOUS ELECTROLYTE SECONDARY BATTERY AND NONAQUEOUS ELECTROLYTE SECONDARY BATTERY By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The positive electrode as an embodiment includes a positive electrode current collector mainly composed of aluminum, a positive electrode mixture layer containing a lithium-containing transition metal oxide and disposed above the positive electrode current collector, and a protective layer disposed between the positive electrode current collector and the positive electrode mixture layer. The protective layer contains inorganic particles, an electro-conductive material, and a binding material; is mainly composed of the inorganic particles; and is disposed on the positive electrode current collector to cover the positive electrode current collector in approximately the entire area where the positive electrode mixture layer is disposed and at least a part of the exposed portion of the positive electrode current collector where the positive electrode mixture layer is not disposed on the surface of the positive electrode current collector. Full Article
d POSITIVE ELECTRODE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT According to one embodiment, a positive electrode includes a positive electrode layer and a positive electrode current collector. The positive electrode layer includes a positive electrode active material including a first oxide represented by the following formula (α) and/or a second oxide represented by the following formula (β). The positive electrode layer has an intensity ratio falling within a range of 0.25 to 0.7. The ratio is represented by the following formula (1) in an X-ray diffraction pattern obtained by using CuKα radiation for a surface of the positive electrode layer. LixNi1−a−bCoaMnbMcO2 (α) LixNi1−a−cCoaMcO2 (β) I2/I1 (1) Full Article
d POSITIVE ELECTRODE ACTIVE MATERIAL FOR SODIUM SECONDARY BATTERY, AND METHOD FOR PREPARING SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to a positive electrode active material for a sodium secondary battery, and a method for preparing the same. The positive electrode active material for the sodium secondary battery according to the present invention is structurally more stable by replacing a part of the transition metal with Li, and accordingly, the thermal stability and life characteristics of the sodium battery including the positive electrode active material are greatly improved. Full Article
d CARBON MATERIAL, METHOD FOR PRODUCING CARBON MATERIAL, AND NON-AQUEOUS SECONDARY BATTERY USING CARBON MATERIAL By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A carbon material for a non-aqueous secondary battery containing a graphite capable of occluding and releasing lithium ions, and having a cumulative pore volume at pore diameters in a range of 0.01 μm to 1 μm of 0.08 mL/g or more, a roundness, as determined by flow-type particle image analysis, of 0.88 or greater, and a pore diameter to particle diameter ratio (PD/d50 (%)) of 1.8 or less, the ratio being given by equation (1A): PD/d50 (%)=mode pore diameter (PD) in a pore diameter range of 0.01 μm to 1 μm in a pore distribution determined by mercury intrusion/volume-based average particle diameter (d50)×100 is provided. Full Article
d REVERSIBLE FUEL CELL OXYGEN ELECTRODE, REVERSIBLE FUEL CELL INCLUDING THE SAME, AND METHOD FOR PREPARING THE SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed are a reversible fuel cell oxygen electrode in which IrO2 is electrodeposited and formed on a porous carbon material and platinum is applied thereon to form a porous platinum layer, a reversible fuel cell including the same, and a method for preparing the same. According to the corresponding reversible fuel cell oxygen electrode, as the loading amounts of IrO2 and platinum used in the reversible fuel cell oxygen electrode can be lowered, it is possible to exhibit excellent reversible fuel cell performances (excellent fuel cell performance and water electrolysis performance) by improving the mass transport of water and oxygen while being capable of reducing the loading amounts of IrO2 and platinum. Further, it is possible to exhibit a good activity of a catalyst when the present disclosure is applied to a reversible fuel cell oxygen electrode and to reduce corrosion of carbon. Full Article
d ANODE FOR MOLTEN CARBONATE FUEL CELL HAVING IMPROVED CREEP PROPERTY, METHOD FOR PREPARING THE SAME, AND MOLTEN CARBONATE FUEL CELL USING THE ANODE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed is an anode for a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) having improved creep property by adding an additive for imparting creep resistance to nickel-aluminum alloy and nickel as materials for an anode. Improved sintering property, creep property and increased mechanical strength of a molten carbonate fuel cell may be obtained accordingly. Full Article
d METHOD OF MAKING A PROTON EXCHANGE MEMBRANE USING A GAS DIFFUSION ELECTRODE AS A SUBSTRATE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT One embodiment includes a method comprising the steps of providing a first dry catalyst coated gas diffusion media layer, depositing a wet first proton exchange membrane layer over the first catalyst coated gas diffusion media layer to form a first proton exchange membrane layer; providing a second dry catalyst coated gas diffusion media layer; contacting the second dry catalyst coated gas diffusion media layer with the first proton exchange membrane layer; and hot pressing together the first and second dry catalyst coated gas diffusion media layers with the wet proton exchange membrane layer therebetween. Full Article
d CATALYST COMPOSITION FOR ALKALINE ELECTROCHEMICAL ENERGY CONVERSION REACTION AND USE THEREOF By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A catalyst composition and a use thereof are provided. The catalyst composition includes a support and at least one RuXMY alloy attached to the surface of the support, wherein M is a transition metal and X≧Y. The catalyst composition is used in an alkaline electrochemical energy conversion reaction, and can improve the energy conversion efficiency for an electrochemical energy conversion device and significantly reduce material costs. Full Article
d ELECTRODE CATALYST FOR FUEL CELLS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A means of inhibiting the occurrence of overvoltage in an electrode catalyst for fuel cells so as to substantially prevent reduction of fuel cell performance includes an anode electrode catalyst for fuel cells, which contains a carbon support having at least one pore having a pore size of 10 nm or less and a pore volume of 1.1 to 8.4 cm3/g and catalyst particles having particle sizes of 3.1 nm or less and supported by the carbon support so that the density of supported catalyst particles is 15% to 40% by mass. Full Article
d SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PREVENTING CHROMIUM CONTAMINATION OF SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELLS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT In some embodiments, a solid oxide fuel system is provided. The solid oxide fuel cell system may include a chromium-getter material. The chromium-getter material may react with chromium to remove chromium species from chromium vapor. The solid oxide fuel cell system may also include an inert substrate. The chromium-getter material may be coated onto the inert substrate. The coated substrate may remove chromium species from chromium vapor before the chromium species can react with a cathode in the solid oxide fuel cell system. Full Article
d SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL, FUEL CELL STACK DEVICE, FUEL CELL MODULE, AND FUEL CELL APPARATUS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A solid oxide fuel cell having an electric power generating element unit that is configured by sandwiching a solid electrolyte layer between a fuel electrode layer and an oxygen electrode layer with a pore that is present in the solid electrolyte layer and is covered with a sealing material. In addition, a pore that is present in an interconnector, which is electrically connected to the fuel electrode layer or the oxygen electrode layer, is covered with the sealing material. Consequently, the solid oxide fuel cell is capable of easily preventing gas leakage. Full Article
d FUEL CELL UNIT INCLUDING AN EXCHANGEABLE DEIONIZATION DEVICE AND A VEHICLE INCLUDING SUCH A FUEL CELL UNIT By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A fuel cell unit having at least one fuel cell, a cooling circuit and a deionization device (10). The deionization device includes a housing (16) and a deionizing agent (11) located therein A vehicle is also provided having such a fuel cell unit. It is provided that the deionization device (10) can be or is connected in a fluid-conveying manner to the cooling circuit (5) with a single connection unit (15) via a flow inlet (13) and a flow outlet (14). Full Article
d HYDROGEN PURGING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR FUEL CELL SYSTEM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A hydrogen purging device for a fuel cell system includes a humidifier that humidifies dry air supplied from an air blower, using moist air discharged from a cathode of a stack and supplies the humidified air to the cathode. A water trap and a hydrogen recirculation blower are sequentially connected to an outlet of an anode, wherein a hydrogen outlet of the water trap and an inlet of the humidifier are connected by a cathode-hydrogen purging line for purging hydrogen to the cathode so that the hydrogen discharged from the anode of the fuel stack is purged to the cathode during idling or during normal driving. Full Article
d FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND CONTROL METHOD FOR FUEL CELL SYSTEM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A fuel cell system for supplying anode gas and cathode gas to a fuel cell and causing the fuel cell to generate power according to a load includes a component that circulates discharged gas of either the anode gas or the cathode gas discharged from the fuel cell to the fuel cell. The fuel cell system includes a power generation control unit that controls a power generation state of the fuel cell on the basis of the load, a freezing prediction unit that predicts the freezing of the component on the basis of a temperature of the fuel cell system. The fuel cell system includes an operation execution unit that executes a warm-up operation without stopping the fuel cell system or after the stop of the fuel cell system in the case of receiving a stop command of the fuel cell system when the freezing of the component is predicted. Full Article
d FLOWING ELECTROLYTE FUEL CELL WITH IMPROVED PERFORMANCE AND STABILITY By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A flowing electrolyte fuel cell system design (DHCFC-Flow) is provided. The use of a flowing oxygen-saturated electrolyte in a fuel cell offers a significant enhancement in the cell performance characteristics. The mass transfer and reaction kinetics of the superoxide/peroxide/oxide ion (mobile oxygen ion species) in the fuel cell are enhanced by recirculating an oxidizing gas-saturated electrolyte. Recirculating oxygen-saturated electrolyte through a liquid channel enhances the maximal current observed in a fuel cell. The use of a oxygen saturated electrolyte ensures that the reaction kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction are fast and the use of convection ameliorates concentration gradients and the diffusion-limited maximum current density. The superoxide ion is generated in situ by the reduction of the oxygen dissolved in the gaseous electrolyte. Also, a dual porosity membrane allows the uniform flow of fuel (e.g., methane) on the fuel side, without allowing phase mixing. The capillary pressure for liquid intrusion into the gas phase and vice versa is quite large, estimated to be 1-10 psi. This makes it easier to control the fluctuations in gas/liquid velocity which might otherwise lead to phase mixing and the loss of fuel cell performance. In one variation, a dual-porosity membrane structure is incorporated in the system to allow uniform flow of fuel and prevent mixing of fuel with a liquid electrolyte. Full Article
d Method for Starting the Normal Operation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method for starting the normal operation of an electrical system with a fuel cell and a transducer from a stop mode is disclosed. The transducer absorbs the electrical power of the fuel cell, in which at least one reactant supply of the fuel cell was interrupted, where the interrupted reactant supply is resumed from a restart signal, and where a fuel cell voltage is prescribed and then regulated by the transducer. The prescribed fuel cell voltage is prescribed in a way that an electrical unloaded fuel cell supplied with reactants will exceed the prescribed fuel cell voltage in every case, and the current of the transducer necessary for maintaining the prescribed fuel cell voltage is measured, where the normal operation is released as of a prescribed current necessary to that effect. Full Article
d HYDROGEN GENERATOR AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND METHOD By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Embodiments of the invention provide a fuel cell system including a fuel cell coupled to a controller configured to route power generated by the fuel cell to at least one peripheral device. Embodiments include a hydrogen generator including a reactor vessel enclosed by a housing. The hydrogen generator is fluidly coupled to the fuel cell and configured to deliver hydrogen to the fuel cell. Embodiments include at least one water harvesting system fluidly coupled to the hydrogen generator and configured to deliver water or water vapor to the hydrogen generator using a controller. Some embodiments include at least one waste heat recovery system used to heat harvested water or water vapor delivered to the hydrogen generator. Some embodiments include a fuel cell system fueling method using the hydrogen generator fluidly coupled to the fuel cell including delivery of captured water or water vapor to the hydrogen generator. Full Article
d PROTON EXCHANGE MEMBRANE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A manufacturing method of a proton exchange membrane is provided, which includes the steps as follows. The hydroxyl groups are disposed on the surface of a substrate by a hydrophilic treatment. The hydroxyl groups on the substrate are chemically modified with a coupling agent by a sol-gel process. The substrate is exposed to an amino acid with a phosphonate radical so that the amino acid containing a phosphonate radical can be chemically bonded with the coupling agent. The chemically bonded substrate is immersed in phosphoric acid for absorbing the phosphoric acid. The substrate blended with the phosphoric acid is placed between at least two leak-proof films for the purpose of preventing the leakage of the absorbed phosphoric acid. The proton exchange membrane manufactured by this method enable to retain the phosphoric acid in organic/inorganic complex form and micron/nano complex pore size. Full Article
d INEXPENSIVE METAL-FREE ORGANIC REDOX FLOW BATTERY (ORBAT) FOR GRID-SCALE STORAGE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A flow battery includes a positive electrode, a positive electrode electrolyte, a negative electrode, a negative electrode electrolyte, and a polymer electrolyte membrane interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The positive electrode electrolyte includes water and a first redox couple. The first redox couple includes a first organic compound which includes a first moiety in conjugation with a second moiety. The first organic compound is reduced during discharge while during charging the reduction product of the first organic compound is oxidized to the first organic compound. The negative electrode electrolyte includes water and a second redox couple. The second couple includes a second organic compound including a first moiety in conjugation with a second moiety. The reduction product of the second organic compound is oxidized to the second organic compound during discharge. Full Article
d LITHIUM ION SECONDARY BATTERY By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A lithium ion secondary battery including: a positive electrode including a positive electrode active material capable of intercalating and deintercalating a lithium ion; a negative electrode including a negative electrode active material capable of intercalating and deintercalating a lithium ion; and a non-aqueous electrolytic solution, wherein the positive electrode active material includes a Mn-based spinel-type composite oxide and an additional active material, and the content of the Mn-based spinel-type composite oxide based on the whole of the positive electrode active material is 60% by mass or less, and the negative electrode active material includes a first graphite particle containing natural graphite and a second graphite particle containing artificial graphite, and the content of the second graphite particle based on the sum total of the first graphite particle and the second graphite particle is in the range of 1 to 30% by mass. Full Article
d POSITIVE ELECTRODE ACTIVE MATERIAL FOR NONAQUEOUS ELECTROLYTE SECONDARY BATTERIES, PRODUCTION METHOD THEREOF, AND NONAQUEOUS ELECTROLYTE SECONDARY BATTERY INCLUDING SAID MATERIAL By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Provided is a positive electrode active material that can be used to fabricate a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery having excellent output characteristics not only in an environment at normal temperature but also in all temperature environments from extremely low to high temperatures. A positive electrode active material for nonaqueous electrolyte secondary batteries, the positive electrode active material includes a boron compound and lithium-nickel-cobalt-manganese composite oxide of general formula (1) having a layered hexagonal crystal structure. The lithium-nickel-cobalt-manganese composite oxide includes secondary particles composed of agglomerated primary particles. The boron compound is present on at least part of the surface of the primary particles, and contains lithium. Li1+sNixCoyMnzMotMwO2 (1) Full Article
d SOLID ELECTROLYTE AND LITHIUM BATTERY INCLUDING THE SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A solid electrolyte for an all-solid secondary battery, the solid electrolyte including: Li, S, P, an M1 element, and an M2 element, wherein the M1 element is at least one element selected from Na, K, Rb, Sc, Fr, and the M2 element is at least one element selected from F, Cl, Br, I, molar amounts of lithium and the M1 element satisfy 0 Full Article
d GARNET MATERIALS FOR LI SECONDARY BATTERIES AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING GARNET MATERIALS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Set forth herein are garnet material compositions, e.g., lithium-stuffed garnets and lithium-stuffed garnets doped with alumina, which are suitable for use as electrolytes and catholytes in solid state battery applications. Also set forth herein are lithium-stuffed garnet thin films having fine grains therein. Disclosed herein are novel and inventive methods of making and using lithium-stuffed garnets as catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes for all solid state lithium rechargeable batteries. Also disclosed herein are novel electrochemical devices which incorporate these garnet catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes. Also set forth herein are methods for preparing novel structures, including dense thin ( Full Article
d NON-AQUEOUS ELECTROLYTE SECONDARY CELL By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell includes: a positive electrode including a positive electrode active material which contains as a primary component, a lithium composite oxide in which the rate of nickel to the total number of moles of metal elements other than lithium is 50 percent by mole or more; a negative electrode; and a non-aqueous electrolyte. The non-aqueous electrolyte contains lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)amide and a fluorinated chain carboxylic acid ester represented by the following formula, R1 and R2 each represent H, F, or CH3-xFx (x represents 1, 2, or 3) and may be equivalent to or different from each other. R3 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms and may contain F. Full Article
d ELECTROLYTE SOLUTION COMPRISING SULFUR DIOXIDE-BASED IONIC LIQUID ELECTROLYTE, AND SODIUM-SULFUR DIOXIDE SECONDARY BATTERY HAVING SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The described technology relates to an electrolyte solution comprising a sulfur dioxide-based ionic liquid electrolyte, and a sodium-sulfur dioxide (Na—SO2) secondary battery having same, one purpose of the described technology being to enhance the storage characteristics of sulfur dioxide gas in an electrolyte solution. The sodium-sulfur dioxide secondary battery includes a negative electrode which is formed from an inorganic material and which contains sodium. The battery also includes a positive electrode which is formed from a carbon material and a sulfur dioxide-based inorganic electrolyte solution. Here, the electrolyte solution contains a sulfur dioxide-based ionic liquid electrolyte prepared by injecting SO2 gas in an ionic liquid. Full Article
d LITHIUM SECONDARY BATTERY By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A lithium secondary battery includes: a negative electrode, a positive electrode, and an electrolyte disposed between the negative electrode and the positive electrode, wherein the negative electrode includes a silicon composite including silicon, a silicon oxide of the formula SiOx wherein 0 Full Article
d LITHIUM BATTERY ELECTROLYTE SOLUTION CONTAINING (2,2-DIFLUOROETHYL) ETHYL CARBONATE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A battery electrolyte solution contains a lithium salt dissolved in a solvent phase comprising at least 10% by weight N of (2,2-difluoroethyl) ethyl carbonate. The solvent phase comprises optionally other solvent materials such as 4-fluoroethylene carbonate and other carbonate solvents. This battery electrolyte is highly stable even when used in batteries in which the cathode material has a high operating potential (such as 4.5V or more) relative to Li/Li+. Batteries containing this electrolyte solution therefore have excellent cycling stability. Full Article
d LITHIUM SECONDARY BATTERY By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A lithium secondary battery includes a case, a jelly roll housed in the case, the jelly roll including a plurality of electrode plates and a separation film disposed between the plurality of electrode plates, and a heat conduction plate disposed on both sides of the jelly roll and housed in the case together with the jelly roll. Full Article