POWERGENIX SYSTEMS, INC. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20140205868 | CYLINDRICAL NICKEL-ZINC CELL WITH POSITIVE CAN - Rechargeable nickel zinc cells, and methods of manufacture, of a configuration that utilizes a positive can with a vent cap at the positive pole of the battery are described. | 07-24-2014 |
20140199591 | PASTED NICKEL HYDROXIDE ELECTRODE AND ADDITIVES FOR RECHARGEABLE ALKALINE BATTERIES - A pasted positive nickel hydroxide electrode for use in battery cells (e.g., in nickel zinc cells, and nickel metal hydride cells) includes nickel hydroxide particles, a cobalt metal and/or cobalt compound and a sulfur-containing complexing agent capable of forming a complex with cobalt. The presence of the sulfur-containing complexing agent, such as dialkyldithiocarbamate (e.g., sodium diethyldithiocarbamate) improves lifetime and capacity utilization of the nickel electrode. The resulting pasted nickel hydroxide electrode includes a CoOOH conductive matrix after formation. The surface of the nickel hydroxide particles in the electrode is modified in some embodiments by providing a cobalt-containing coating onto the surface of the nickel hydroxide particles, followed by oxidation with a strong oxidizing agent. The complexing agent can be added before, after, or during the oxidation. | 07-17-2014 |
20140175869 | CONTROLLING BATTERY STATES OF CHARGE IN SYSTEMS HAVING SEPARATE POWER SOURCES - A control system is designed or configured to control the state of charge of a battery or battery pack in a system containing a separate power source, which is separate from the battery or battery pack. In operation, the battery or battery pack is called upon to intermittently provide power for certain functions. The separate power source may be, for example, an AC electrical power source for a UPS or an engine of a vehicle such as a micro hybrid vehicle. The battery may be a nickel zinc aqueous battery. The control system may be designed or configured to implement one or more of the following functions: monitoring the state of charge of the battery or battery pack; directing rapid recharge of the battery or battery pack from the separate power source when the battery or battery pack is not performing its functions; and directing charge to fully charged level or a float charge level, which is different from the fully charged level, in response to operating conditions. | 06-26-2014 |
20140050949 | NICKEL-ZINC RECHARGEABLE PENCIL BATTERY - A rechargeable pencil battery has a hollow cylindrical positive electrode including nickel hydroxide; a gelled negative electrode comprising at least one of zinc and a zinc compound; a separator interposed between the hollow cylindrical positive electrode and the gelled negative electrode; and a negative electrode current collector inserted into the gelled negative electrode. Rechargeable batteries of the invention are capable of between about 50 and 1000 cycles from a fully charge state to a fully discharged state at a discharge rates of about 0.5 C or greater, in some embodiments about 1 C or greater. Batteries of the invention have a ratio of length to diameter of between about 1.5:1 and about 20:1, and therefore can be longer than typical commercially available batteries but also include batteries of commercial sizes e.g. AAAA, AAA, AA, C, D, sub-C and the like. | 02-20-2014 |
20140030567 | HEAT SEALING SEPARATORS FOR NICKEL ZINC CELLS - Embodiments are described in terms of selective methods of sealing separators and jellyroll electrode assemblies and cells made using such methods. More particularly, methods of selectively heat sealing separators to encapsulate one of two electrodes for nickel-zinc rechargeable cells having jellyroll assemblies are described. Selective heat sealing may be applied to both ends of a jellyroll electrode assembly in order to selectively seal one of two electrodes on each end of the jellyroll. | 01-30-2014 |
20130171482 | NICKEL-ZINC RECHARGEABLE PENCIL BATTERY - A rechargeable pencil battery has a hollow cylindrical positive electrode including nickel hydroxide; a gelled negative electrode comprising at least one of zinc and a zinc compound; a separator interposed between the hollow cylindrical positive electrode and the gelled negative electrode; and a negative electrode current collector inserted into the gelled negative electrode. Rechargeable batteries of the invention are capable of between about 50 and 1000 cycles from a fully charge state to a fully discharged state at a discharge rates of about 0.5 C or greater, in some embodiments about 1 C or greater. Batteries of the invention have a ratio of length to diameter of between about 1.5:1 and about 20:1, and therefore can be longer than typical commercially available batteries but also include batteries of commercial sizes e.g. AAAA, AAA, AA, C, D, sub-C and the like. | 07-04-2013 |
20120279056 | HEAT SEALING SEPARATORS FOR NICKEL ZINC CELLS - Embodiments are described in terms of selective methods of sealing separators and jellyroll electrode assemblies and cells made using such methods. More particularly, methods of selectively heat sealing separators to encapsulate one of two electrodes for nickel-zinc rechargeable cells having jellyroll assemblies are described. Selective heat sealing may be applied to both ends of a jellyroll electrode assembly in order to selectively seal one of two electrodes on each end of the jellyroll. | 11-08-2012 |
20120205248 | TIN AND TIN-ZINC PLATED SUBSTRATES TO IMPROVE NI-ZN CELL PERFORMANCE - An improved Ni—Zn cell with a negative electrode substrate plated with tin or tin and zinc during manufacturing has a reduced gassing rate. The copper or brass substrate is electrolytic cleaned, activated, electroplated with a matte surface to a defined thickness range, pasted with zinc oxide electrochemically active material, and baked. The defined plating thickness range of 40-80 μIn maximizes formation of an intermetallic compound Cu | 08-16-2012 |
20120018670 | NICKEL HYDROXIDE ELECTRODE FOR RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES - The nickel hydroxide particles for a nickel hydroxide electrode may be treated using an alkaline solution of a strong oxidizing agent such as sodium or potassium persulfate to modify the surface nickel hydroxide structure. The resulting modified surface structure has been found to impart various benefits to electrodes formed from the nickel hydroxide. It is believed that the oxidation of cobalt compounds at the surface of the nickel hydroxide particles results in a highly conductive cobalt compound that plays an important role in the high reliability, high stability and high capacity utilization of nickel electrodes as described herein. | 01-26-2012 |
20120018669 | PASTED NICKEL HYDROXIDE ELECTRODE FOR RECHARGEABLE NICKEL-ZINC BATTERIES - Active material for a positive electrode of a rechargeable alkaline electrochemical cell is made with nickel hydroxide particles or cobalt-coated nickel hydroxide particles treated with strongly oxidizing reagents such as alkali metal persulfate in alkaline solution. The active material also may be made with cobalt-coated nickel hydroxide particles having a high percentage of cobalt(III) on a surface or an average cobalt oxidation state of about 3 measured across the particles. The treated nickel hydroxide or cobalt-coated nickel hydroxide decreases the cobalt solubility in the alkaline electrolyte and increases the high-rate charge and discharge capability. The lower cobalt solubility decreases cobalt migration that can increase self discharge and lead to premature failure. | 01-26-2012 |
20110168565 | TIN AND TIN-ZINC PLATED SUBSTRATES TO IMPROVE NI-ZN CELL PERFORMANCE - An improved Ni—Zn cell with a negative electrode substrate plated with tin or tin and zinc during manufacturing has a reduced gassing rate. The copper or brass substrate is electrolytic cleaned, activated, electroplated with a matte surface to a defined thickness range, pasted with zinc oxide electrochemically active material, and baked. The defined plating thickness range of 40-80 μIn maximizes formation of an intermetallic compound Cu | 07-14-2011 |
20110086252 | CYLINDRICAL NICKEL-ZINC CELL WITH POSITIVE CAN - Rechargeable nickel zinc cells, and methods of manufacture, of a configuration that utilizes a positive can with a vent cap at the positive pole of the battery are described. | 04-14-2011 |
20110059343 | HEAT SEALING SEPARATORS FOR NICKEL-ZINC CELLS - Embodiments are described in terms of selective methods of sealing separators and jellyroll electrode assemblies and cells made using such methods. More particularly, methods of selectively heat sealing separators to encapsulate one of two electrodes for nickel-zinc rechargeable cells having jellyroll assemblies are described. Selective heat sealing may be applied to both ends of a jellyroll electrode assembly in order to selectively seal one of two electrodes on each end of the jellyroll. | 03-10-2011 |
20110039139 | METHOD OF MANUFACTURING NICKEL ZINC BATTERIES - Methods of manufacturing a rechargeable power cell are described. Methods include providing a slurry or paste of negative electrode materials having low toxicity and including dispersants to prevent the agglomeration of particles that may adversely affect the performance of power cells. The methods utilize semi-permeable sheets to separate the electrodes and minimize formation of dendrites; and further provide electrode specific electrolyte to achieve efficient electrochemistry and to further discourage dendritic growth in the cell. The negative electrode materials may be comprised of zinc and zinc compounds. Zinc and zinc compounds are notably less toxic than the cadmium used in NiCad batteries. The described methods may utilize some production techniques employed in existing NiCad production lines. Thus, the methods described will find particular use in an already well-defined and mature manufacturing base. | 02-17-2011 |
20110033747 | CARBON FIBER ZINC NEGATIVE ELECTRODE - The conductivity of a zinc negative electrode is enhanced through use of surfactant-coated carbon fibers. Carbon fibers, along with other active materials such as bismuth oxide, zinc etc., form an electronically conductive matrix in zinc negative electrodes. Zinc negative electrodes as described herein are particularly useful in nickel zinc secondary batteries. | 02-10-2011 |
20100291439 | PASTED ZINC ELECTRODE FOR RECHARGEABLE NICKEL-ZINC BATTERIES - Active material for a negative electrode of a rechargeable zinc alkaline electrochemical cell is made with zinc metal particles coated with tin and/or lead. The zinc particles may be coated by adding lead and tin salts to a slurry containing zinc particles, a thickening agent and water. The remaining zinc electrode constituents such as zinc oxide (ZnO), bismuth oxide (Bi | 11-18-2010 |
20100092857 | METALLIC ZINC-BASED CURRENT COLLECTOR - A nickel zinc battery cell includes a metallic zinc-based current collection substrate as a part of the negative electrode. The metallic zinc-based current collector may be made of or be coated with a zinc metal or zinc alloy material and may be a foil, perforated, or expanded material. Battery cells incorporating the zinc-based current collector exhibit good cycle lifetime and initial charge performance. | 04-15-2010 |
20090233159 | CYLINDRICAL NICKEL-ZINC CELL WITH NEGATIVE CAN - A nickel-zinc battery cell is formed with a negative can, a positive cap, and a jelly roll of electrochemically active positive and negative materials within. The inner surface of the can is protected with an anticorrosive material that may be coated or plated onto the can. Good electrical contact between the jelly roll and the cap is achieved through folding the nickel substrate over to contact a positive current collection disk. | 09-17-2009 |
20090208839 | NICKEL HYDROXIDE ELECTRODE FOR RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES - The nickel hydroxide particles for a nickel hydroxide electrode may be treated using an alkaline solution of a strong oxidizing agent such as sodium or potassium persulfate to modify the surface nickel hydroxide structure. The resulting modified surface structure has been found to impart various benefits to electrodes formed from the nickel hydroxide. It is believed that the oxidation of cobalt compounds at the surface of the nickel hydroxide particles results in a highly conductive cobalt compound that plays an important role in the high reliability, high stability and high capacity utilization of nickel electrodes as described herein. | 08-20-2009 |
20090202904 | PASTED NICKEL HYDROXIDE ELECTRODE FOR RECHARGEABLE NICKEL-ZINC BATTERIES - Active material for a positive electrode of a rechargeable alkaline electrochemical cell is made with nickel hydroxide particles or cobalt-coated nickel hydroxide particles treated with strongly oxidizing reagents such as alkali metal persulfate in alkaline solution. The active material also may be made with cobalt-coated nickel hydroxide particles having a high percentage of cobalt(III) on a surface or an average cobalt oxidation state of about 3 measured across the particles. The treated nickel hydroxide or cobalt-coated nickel hydroxide decreases the cobalt solubility in the alkaline electrolyte and increases the high-rate charge and discharge capability. The lower cobalt solubility decreases cobalt migration that can increase self discharge and lead to premature failure. | 08-13-2009 |
20090090636 | TIN AND TIN-ZINC PLATED SUBSTRATES TO IMPROVE NI-ZN CELL PERFORMANCE - An improved Ni—Zn cell with a negative electrode substrate plated with tin or tin and zinc during manufacturing has a reduced gassing rate. The copper or brass substrate is electrolytic cleaned, activated, electroplated with a matte surface to a defined thickness range, pasted with zinc oxide electrochemically active material, and baked. The defined plating thickness range of 40-80 μIn maximizes formation of an intermetallic compound Cu | 04-09-2009 |