MAXWELL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20140308554 | COLLECTOR PLATE FOR ENERGY STORAGE DEVICE AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING - This disclosure provides collector plates for an energy storage device, energy storage devices with a collector plate, and methods for manufacturing the same. In one aspect, a collector plate includes a body. One or more apertures extend into the body. The apertures are configured to allow a portion of a free end of a spirally wound current collector of a spirally wound electrode for an energy storage device to extend into the one or more apertures. | 10-16-2014 |
20140272538 | ELECTRODE GRAPHITE FILM AND ELECTRODE DIVIDER RING FOR AN ENERGY STORAGE DEVICE - An energy storage device can have a first graphite film, a second graphite film and an electrode divider ring between the first graphite film and the second graphite film, forming a sealed enclosure. The energy storage device may be compatible with an aqueous electrolyte or a non-aqueous electrolyte. A method of forming an energy storage device can include providing an electrode divider ring, a first graphite film and a second graphite film. The method can include pressing a first edge of the electrode divider ring into a surface of the first graphite film, and pressing a second opposing edge of the electrode divider ring into a surface of the second graphite film to form a sealed enclosure. The sealed enclosure may have as opposing surfaces the surface of the first graphite film and the surface of the second graphite film. | 09-18-2014 |
20140173610 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING AND CONTROLLING POWER CONSUMPTION AND HEAT GENERATION IN COMPUTER SYSTEMS - Methods and systems of operating a computer system including a processor are disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes providing a discretized operating system for controlling applications executed by the computer system, and replacing an idle task of the discretized operating system with a substitute idle task that causes the processor to enter a dormant mode, a priority level of the substitute idle task being the same as a priority level of the idle task. | 06-19-2014 |
20140104752 | ELECTROLYTE FOR THREE-VOLT ULTRACAPACITOR - An electric double-layer ultracapacitor configured to maintain desired operation at an operating voltage of three volts, where the capacitor includes a housing component, a first and a second current collector, a positive and a negative electrode electrically coupled to one of the first and second current collectors, and a separator positioned between the positive and the negative electrode. The capacitor may also include an electrolyte in ionic contact with the electrodes and the separator, the electrolyte having acetonitrile and a quaternary ammonium salt with a molarity of less than one. | 04-17-2014 |
20140098465 | ELECTRODE POROSITY FOR THREE-VOLT ULTRACAPACITOR - An electric double-layer ultracapacitor configured to maintain desired operation at an operating voltage of three volts, where the capacitor includes a housing component, a first and a second current collector, a positive and a negative electrode electrically coupled to one of the first and second current collectors, a separator positioned between the positive and the negative electrode, and an electrolyte in ionic contact with the electrodes and the separator. At least one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode can be made of a carbon based layer having a mesoporosity and/or a microporosity optimized for ionic mobility therewithin. | 04-10-2014 |
20140098464 | CARBON SURFACE MODIFICATION FOR THREE-VOLT ULTRACAPACITOR - An electric double-layer ultracapacitor configured to maintain desired operation at an operating voltage of three volts, where the capacitor includes a housing component, a first and a second current collector, a positive and a negative electrode electrically coupled to one of the first and second current collectors, and a separator positioned between the positive and the negative electrode. At least one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode can include a treated carbon material, where the treated carbon material includes a reduction in a number of hydrogen-containing functional groups, nitrogen-containing functional groups and/or oxygen-containing functional groups. | 04-10-2014 |
20140098463 | COATED HOUSING FOR ULTRACAPACITOR - An electric double-layer ultracapacitor configured to maintain desired operation at an operating voltage of three volts, where the capacitor includes a housing component, a first and a second current collector, a positive and a negative electrode electrically coupled to one of the first and second current collectors, and a separator positioned between the positive and the negative electrode. The capacitor may also include a protective coating disposed on an inner surface of the housing for the ultracapacitor. | 04-10-2014 |
20130266825 | ULTRACAPACITOR AND BATTERY DEVICE WITH STANDARD FORM FACTOR - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for a battery system. The battery system includes an enclosure, a battery disposed within the enclosure; and at least one ultracapacitor. The ultracapacitor is disposed within the enclosure and coupled to the battery to provide electrical energy via battery terminals. The enclosure conforms to a standard form factor for a battery that comprises one or more conventional storage cells without an ultracapacitor. | 10-10-2013 |
20130157141 | BATTERY WITH A RECYCLABLE DRY PARTICLE BASED ELECTRODE - A dry process based battery that includes an electrode with one or more recycled structure is disclosed. | 06-20-2013 |
20130119923 | SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR MANAGING A DEGRADED STATE OF A CAPACITOR SYSTEM - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for managing a capacitor system. In one aspect, an energy storage system includes a capacitor system, a charging circuit, and a controller. The capacitor system includes one or more capacitors. The charging circuit is configured to charge the capacitor system to a first target voltage. The controller is configured to detect a first condition and is programmed, in response to the first condition, to instruct the charging circuit to charge the capacitor system to a second target voltage that is less than the first target voltage. The controller is programmed to provide a notification that the capacitor system is operating in a degraded state. | 05-16-2013 |
20130093400 | MAXIMIZING LIFE OF CAPACITORS IN SERIES MODULES | 04-18-2013 |
20130056138 | ELECTRODE FOR ENERGY STORAGE DEVICE WITH MICROPOROUS AND MESOPOROUS ACTIVATED CARBON PARTICLES - A method of making an active electrode material is provided. Activated carbon having between about 70 and 98 percent microporous activated carbon particles of a total amount of activated carbon by weight and between about 2 and 30 percent mesoporous activated carbon particles of the total amount of activated carbon by weight is provided. Binder is provided. The activated carbon and the binder is mixed to form an active electrode material mixture. In some implementations, a method of making an electrode film includes forming a film of active electrode material comprising activated carbon having between about 70 and 98 percent microporous activated carbon particles of a total amount of activated carbon by weight and between about 2 and 30 percent mesoporous activated carbon particles of the total amount of activated carbon by weight. The method further includes bonding the film to a current collector to form an electrode film. | 03-07-2013 |
20120319471 | ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS AND METHODS - In an energy storage system that includes a battery and an ultracapacitor, the state of charge (SOC) of the capacitor is the subject of a dynamic set-point. This dynamic set-point control is a function of the load regime to which the storage system is exposed, for example a hybrid automobile or electric automobile. The control may be based in part upon real-time fast Fourier transform analysis of load current, permitting real-time adjustment of control coefficients. In this way, it is possible to minimize the occurrence of the capacitor being fully charged at a time when it would be desired to be able to absorb high current, for example from regenerative braking. Likewise it is possible to minimize the occurrence of the capacitor being nearly discharged at a time when it would be desirable to have boost power available. A result is that even a relatively small ultracapacitor (having perhaps one two-hundredth the energy storage capacity of the battery) can permit greatly reducing waste heat dissipated in the battery, and can reduce otherwise unnecessary cycling of current into and out of the battery. This can extend battery life and battery performance. | 12-20-2012 |
20120183886 | ENERGY STORAGE DEVICE - In one embodiment, an energy storage device having a first electrode supported by a first collector sheet; a second electrode supported by a second collector sheet; and a dielectric separator therebetween, all spirally wound together. A container houses this spiral winding, with the first collector sheet having an end in contact with the base and the second collector sheet having an end oriented towards an opening opposite to the base. A collector plate is interposed between the second collector sheet and the opening and is restrained in posibion by a crimp in the container. A lid is positioned in the opening and has one side in electrical contact with the collector plate an an opposite side oriented outwardly of the container. The lid is restrained in position by rolling the one or more container walls over the lid. | 07-19-2012 |
20120117419 | SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ERROR CORRECTION IN MULTI-PROCESSOR SYSTEMS - This disclosure provides apparatus, methods and systems for error correction in multi processor systems. Some implementations include a plurality of computing modules, each computing module including a processor. Each processor may include processing state. In some other implementations, each computing module may also include a memory. Upon receiving a signal to perform a partial re-synchronization, a hash of each processor's state data may be performed. In some embodiments, a hash of at least a portion of each computing module's memory data may also be performed. The hashes for each processor are then compared to determine majority hashes and possible minority hashes. Upon identifying a minority hash, the computing module that produced the minority hash may receive new processing state data from one of the computing modules that produced a majority hash. | 05-10-2012 |
20120040243 | ELECTRODE FORMATION FROM A POWDERED MIXTURE - Particles of active electrode material, such as a fibrillized mixture of carbon, and binder are deposited onto a surface of a current collector sheet. The current collector sheet and the particles are processed in a high-pressure nip, such as a calender. As a result of the high-pressure processing, a film of active electrode material is formed on and bonded to the surface of the current collector sheet. The process is then repeated to form a second film on the second surface of the current collector sheet. In an embodiment, the particles are applied to both surfaces of the current collector sheet at the same time, followed by a pass through a calender. The current collector sheet with the bonded films is shaped into electrodes suitable for use in various electrical devices, including double layer capacitors. | 02-16-2012 |
20110299219 | ENERGY STORAGE DEVICE PRODUCT - A compressible and deformable layer is densified and laminated to a layer of a material that is relatively resistant to stretching. The densification and bonding take place in a single step. As used in fabrication of electrodes, for example, electrodes for double layer capacitors, a deformable and compressible active electrode film is manufactured from activated carbon, conductive carbon, and a polymer. The electrode film may be bonded directly to a collector. Alternatively, a collector may be coated with a wet adhesive layer. The adhesive layer is subsequently dried onto the foil. The dried adhesive and foil combination may be manufactured as a product for later sale or use, and may be stored as such on a storage roll or other storage device. The active electrode film is overlayed on the metal foil, and processed in a laminating device, such as a calender. Lamination both densifies the active electrode film and bonds the film to the metal foil. Spreading of the active electrode film in the plane parallel to the plane of the metal foil is reduced or eliminated during lamination, because of the adhesion between the film and the foil. | 12-08-2011 |
20110231684 | Methods and apparatus for managing and controlling power consumption and heat generation in computer systems - A method for reducing power consumption and heat generation in a computer system employs a substitute idle task that puts the processor into a dormant mode, e.g., sleep, nap, or doze mode. The substitute idle task replaces a conventional operating system idle task. The substitute idle task may have a low priority, such as that of the conventional idle task, which it replaces. At each occurrence of a quantum interrupt, a task scheduler schedules applications for execution during the accompanying time slice. After the scheduled applications are done, the substitute idle task is executed. The dormant mode caused by the idle task reduces the system's power consumption. The idle task may also have a high priority and be designed to run for a predetermined percentage of time. As the processor spends the predetermined percentage of time in the dormant mode, known power consumption reduction may be guaranteed in the system. | 09-22-2011 |
20110165318 | Electrode formation by lamination of particles onto a current collector - Particles of active electrode material, such as a fibrillized mixture of carbon, and binder are deposited onto a surface of a current collector sheet. The current collector sheet and the particles are processed in a high-pressure nip, such as a calender. As a result of the high-pressure processing, a film of active electrode material is formed on and bonded to the surface of the current collector sheet. The process is then repeated to form a second film on the second surface of the current collector sheet. In an embodiment, the particles are applied to both surfaces of the current collector sheet at the same time, followed by a pass through a calender. The current collector sheet with the bonded films is shaped into electrodes suitable for use in various electrical devices, including double layer capacitors. | 07-07-2011 |
20110114896 | Dry-particle packaging systems and methods of making same - A dry particle packaging system and method for making is disclosed. | 05-19-2011 |
20110075457 | Capacitor startup apparatus and method with failsafe short circuit protection - Electronic circuits couple energy storage devices, such as double layer capacitors or rechargeable battery cells, to a power supply output, thereby improving noise suppression and extending ride-through capability of the power supply. In a typical circuit, an energy storage device is coupled in series with a switch that controls the charging current into the energy storage device. The switch is controlled by a comparator that receives a signal related to the voltage level of the power supply. In some embodiments, the comparator also receives a feedback signal related to a charging current flowing into the energy storage device. The circuit is configured so that the switch limits the charging current to a predetermined current level, or does not allow the charging current to flow until the output voltage of the power supply reaches a predetermined voltage level. | 03-31-2011 |
20100263910 | Dry-Particle Based Adhesive and Dry Film and Methods of Making Same - Dry process based energy storage device structures and methods for using a dry adhesive therein are disclosed. | 10-21-2010 |
20100155912 | APPARATUS FOR SHIELDING INTEGRATED CIRCUIT DEVICES - A high reliability radiation shielding integrated circuit apparatus comprising a plurality of package layers; a radiation shielding lid or base coupled to the plurality of package layers; wherein the circuit die are shielded from receiving an amount of radiation greater than the total dose of tolerance of the circuit die. In one embodiment, an integrated circuit apparatus for use in high reliability applications is disclosed. The integrated circuit apparatus is designed to be highly reliable and protect integrated circuit die from failing or becoming unreliable due to radiation, mechanical forces, thermal exposure, or chemical contaminates. | 06-24-2010 |
20100119699 | Particle based electrodes and methods of making same - A coated electrode is provided for use in energy storage devices. The coated electrode comprises a dry fibrillized polymer that is fibrillized with no processing additives. | 05-13-2010 |
20100110613 | Ultracapacitor electrode with controlled iron content - Particles of active electrode material are made by blending or mixing a mixture of activated carbon, optional conductive carbon, and binder. In selected implementations, iron level in the activated carbon is relatively low, a small amount of conductive carbon with low impurity levels and high conductivity is used, and the binder is inert. For one example, iron content of the activated carbon and the resultant mixture is below 20 ppm. The electrode material may be attached to a current collector to obtain an electrode for use in various electrical devices, including a double layer capacitor. The electrode decreases current leakage of the capacitor. | 05-06-2010 |
20100110612 | Electrode for energy storage device - An energy storage device electrode product is provided. The product comprises: at least one current collector and at least one electrode film disposed adjacent to the at least one current collector. The at least one current collector comprises a plurality of voids extending through a thickness of the current collector, wherein the plurality of voids allow electrolyte to flow through the thickness of the current collector. The plurality of voids extending through the current collector is formed without reducing a surface area of a conductive material of the current collector disposed adjacent to the electrode by more than about fifty percent. A method of producing an electrode product and a double layer capacitor product are also disclosed. | 05-06-2010 |
20100097741 | ULTRACAPACITOR ELECTRODE WITH CONTROLLED SULFUR CONTENT - Particles of active electrode material are made by blending mixing a mixture of activated carbon and binder. In selected implementations, sulfur level in the activated carbon is relatively low and the binder is inert. For example, sulfur content of the activated carbon and the resultant mixture is below 300 ppm and in other implementations, below 50 ppm. The electrode material may be attached to a current collector to obtain an electrode for use in various electrical devices, including a double layer capacitor. The electrode decreases current leakage of the capacitor. | 04-22-2010 |
20100067173 | ENERGY STORAGE APPARATUS AND ARTICLE OF MANUFACTURE - An energy storage apparatus and article of manufacture is disclosed. In one embodiment, the energy storage apparatus comprises a jelly roll, having a first and second sheet and a first and second separator member, and at least one terminal element. In another embodiment, an article of manufacture comprising forming a cylindrical housing and stamping a longitudinal indentation on an exterior surface of the cylindrical housing is disclosed. In one alternate embodiment, the longitudinal indentation is adapted to slowly fracture under pressure exerted on an interior surface of the cylindrical housing, thereby preventing catastrophic failure, such as for example an explosion. | 03-18-2010 |
20100045301 | Apparatus and method for monitoring high voltage capacitors - State of a high voltage capacitor is monitored to detect partial discharge within the capacitor and approaching end-of-life of the capacitor. Partial discharge may be detected through an increased capacitance of the capacitor, and the resulting increase in the alternating current through the capacitor. Partial discharge may also be detected by presence of high frequency components in the current. Moreover, partial discharge may be detected through an increase in the internal pressure of the capacitor. When partial discharge is detected, a warning is generated, and the capacitor may be replaced in response to the warning. Periodic or random checks of the capacitor state, as indicated by the current or pressure, may also be performed. Warnings may be, for example, visual and/or audio, and may be transmitted to remote locations by radio frequency, infrared signals, or via power lines. | 02-25-2010 |
20100033901 | Dry-particle based adhesive electrode and methods of making same - A dry process based capacitor and method for making a self-supporting dry adhesive electrode film for use therein is disclosed. | 02-11-2010 |
20100033898 | Electrode for energy storage device - Particles of active electrode material are made by blending or mixing a mixture of activated carbon, optional conductive carbon, and binder. In selected implementations, the activated carbon particles have between about 70 and 98 percent microporous activated carbon particles and between about 2 and 30 percent mesaporous activated carbon particles by weight. Optionally, a small amount of conductive particles, such as conductive carbon particles may be used. In one implementation, the binder is inert. The electrode material may be attached to a current collector to obtain an electrode for use in various energy storage devices, including a double layer capacitor. | 02-11-2010 |
20100014215 | Recyclable dry particle based electrode and methods of making same - A dry process based capacitor and method for using one or more recyclable electrode structure is disclosed. | 01-21-2010 |
20090321678 | Method and apparatus for ultracapacitor electrode with controlled binder content - Particles of active electrode material are made by blending or mixing a mixture of activated carbon, optional conductive carbon, and binder. In selected implementations, binder content in the electrode material is relatively low, typically the binder content of the mixture being between about 3 percent and about 10 percent by weight. The electrode material may be attached to a current collector to obtain an electrode for use in various electrical devices, including a double layer capacitor. The composition of the mixture increases the energy density and the integrity of the electrode. | 12-31-2009 |
20090303659 | Energy Storage Device - In one embodiment, an energy storage device comprises a first electrode supported by a first collectors sheet; a second electrode supported by a second collector sheet; and a dielectric separator therebetween, all spirally would together. A container houses this spiral winding, with the first collector sheet having an end in contact with the base and the second collector sheet having an end oriented towards an opening opposite to the base. A collector plate is interposed between the second collector sheet and the opening and is restrained in position by a crimp in the container. A lid is positioned in the opening and has one side in electrical contact with the collector plate and an opposite side oriented outwardly of the container. The lid is restrained in position by rolling the one or more container walls over the lid. | 12-10-2009 |
20090290288 | Electrical energy storage devices with separator between electrodes and methods for fabricating the devices - Films of active electrode material, such as films made from carbon and fibrillized polymer, are attached to a porous separator. Outer surfaces of the films (i.e., surfaces opposite those adjoining the separator) are then covered with current collectors. The 5 resulting stack is usable in fabrication of electrical energy storage devices. The stack can be shaped as needed, connected to terminals, and immersed in an electrolytic solution to provide a double layer capacitor. | 11-26-2009 |
20090158088 | Self-Correcting Computer - The fault-tolerant or self-correcting computer system is disclosed. The computer system that is provided with various sets of protections against failures that may be caused by space radiation, for example. Improved reliability of the system is achieved by scrubbing of the components on a regular schedule, rather than waiting for an error to be detected. Thus, errors that may go undetected for an extended period are not allowed to propagate and further damage the system. Three or more processors are provided to operate in parallel, and a controller is provided to receive signals from the processors and, using a voting logic, determines a majority signal value. In this manner, the controller can detect an error when a signal from one of the processors differs from the majority signal. The system is also provided with a scrubbing module for resynchronizing the processors after a predetermined milestone has been reached. The milestone may be a predetermined time interval or any other event that may be defined by a user. | 06-18-2009 |
20090097188 | Carbon Surface Modifications - Electrode material typically is made from treated carbons. The number of functional groups residing on the treated carbon is reduced before the treated carbon is integrated into an electrochemical double layer capacitor. In one implementation, the number of functional groups on a given treated carbon is reduced by over 80%. | 04-16-2009 |
20080266753 | DENSIFICATION OF COMPRESSIBLE LAYERS DURING ELECTRODE LAMINATION - A compressible and deformable layer is densified and laminated to a layer of a material that is relatively resistant to stretching. The densification and bonding take place in a single step. As used in fabrication of electrodes, for example, electrodes for double layer capacitors, a deformable and compressible active electrode film is manufactured from activated carbon, conductive carbon, and a polymer. The electrode film may be bonded directly to a collector. Alternatively, a collector may be coated with a wet adhesive layer. The adhesive layer is subsequently dried onto the foil. The dried adhesive and foil combination may be manufactured as a product for later sale or use, and may be stored as such on a storage roll or other storage device. The active electrode film is overlayed on the metal foil, and processed in a laminating device, such as a calender. Lamination both densifies the active electrode film and bonds the film to the metal foil. Spreading of the active electrode film in the plane parallel to the plane of the metal foil is reduced or eliminated during lamination, because of the adhesion between the film and the foil. | 10-30-2008 |
20080266752 | THERMAL INTERCONNECTS FOR COUPLING ENERGY STORAGE DEVICES - A thermally fitted interconnect couples energy storage cells without the use of additional materials of fasteners. Variations of the interconnect can be used to facilitate fitting of multiple energy storage cell with multiple cell to cell spacings in a rapid and inexpensive manner. | 10-30-2008 |
20080259525 | ENERGY STORAGE APPARATUS AND ARTICLE OF MANUFACTURE - An energy storage apparatus and article of manufacture is disclosed. In one embodiment, the energy storage apparatus comprises a jelly roll, having a first and second sheet and a first and second separator member, and at least one terminal element. In another embodiment, an article of manufacture comprising forming a cylindrical housing and stamping a longitudinal indentation on an exterior surface of the cylindrical housing is disclosed. In one alternate embodiment, the longitudinal indentation is adapted to slowly fracture under pressure exerted on an interior surface of the cylindrical housing, thereby preventing catastrophic failure, such as for example an explosion. | 10-23-2008 |
20080236742 | DENSIFICATION OF COMPRESSIBLE LAYERS DURING ELECTRODE LAMINATION - A compressible and deformable layer is densified and laminated to a layer of a material that is relatively resistant to stretching. The densification and bonding take place in a single step. As used in fabrication of electrodes, for example, electrodes for double layer capacitors, a deformable and compressible active electrode film is manufactured from activated carbon, conductive carbon, and a polymer. The electrode film may be bonded directly to a collector. Alternatively, a collector may be coated with a wet adhesive layer. The adhesive layer is subsequently dried onto the foil. The dried adhesive and foil combination may be manufactured as a product for later sale or use, and may be stored as such on a storage roll or other storage device. The active electrode film is overlayed on the metal foil, and processed in a laminating device, such as a calendar. Lamination both densifies the active electrode film and bonds the film to the metal foil. Spreading of the active electrode film in the plane parallel to the plane of the metal foil is reduced or eliminated during lamination, because of the adhesion between the film and the foil. | 10-02-2008 |
20080206446 | RECYCLABLE DRY-PARTICLE BASED ADHESIVE ELECTRODE AND METHODS OF MAKING SAME - A dry process based capacitor and method for using one or more recyclable electrode film structure is disclosed. | 08-28-2008 |
20080204973 | ULTRACAPACITOR ELECTRODE WITH CONTROLLED IRON CONTENT - Particles of active electrode material are made by blending or mixing a mixture of activated carbon, optional conductive carbon, and binder. In selected implementations, iron level in the activated carbon is relatively low, a small amount of conductive carbon with low impurity levels and high conductivity is used, and the binder is inert. For one example, iron content of the activated carbon and the resultant mixture is below 20 ppm. The electrode material may be attached to a current collector to obtain an electrode for use in various electrical devices, including a double layer capacitor. The electrode decreases current leakage of the capacitor. | 08-28-2008 |
20080201925 | ULTRACAPACITOR ELECTRODE WITH CONTROLLED SULFUR CONTENT - Particles of active electrode material are made by blending mixing a mixture of activated carbon and binder. In selected implementations, sulfur level in the activated carbon is relatively low and the binder is inert. For example, sulfur content of the activated carbon and the resultant mixture is below 300 ppm and in other implementations, below 50 ppm. The electrode material may be attached to a current collector to obtain an electrode for use in various electrical devices, including a double layer capacitor. The electrode decreases current leakage of the capacitor. | 08-28-2008 |