Other

Hydro-quebec

3m Innovative Properties Company

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

H Power Enterprises of Canada Inc.

Guy Ross

Orlin Bruce Knudson

Jean Rouillard

Ronald A Hagen

Christophe Comte

Thomas A Turgeon

Anthony Sudano

Michel Ranger

Roger Rouillard

Philippe St-Germain

Dominik Daigle

Andr&eacute; Morin

Andre Morin

Jean-Guy Chouinard

Raymond Roberge

An electrochemical energy storage device includes a number of solid-state thin-film electrochemical cells which are selectively interconnected in series or parallel through use of an integrated interconnect board. The interconnect board is typically disposed within a sealed housing which also houses the electrochemical cells, and includes a first contact and a second contact respectively coupled to first and second power terminals of the energy storage device. The interconnect board advantageously provides for selective series or parallel connectivity with the electrochemical cells, irrespective of electrochemical cell position within the housing. Fuses and various electrical and electro-mechanical devices, such as bypass, equalization, and communication devices for example, may also be mounted to the interconnect board and selectively connected to the electrochemical cells.

Solid-state energy storage module employing integrated interconnect board

A method of forming a shielded asphalt surface on a prepared subgrade for a roadway, or the like, to prevent water infiltration, freeze-thaw cycles, and roots from damaging the surface. The method involves forming a recess along the outer edges of the subgrade; depositing asphalt into the recess and compacting the deposited asphalt to form an edge portion at about the same height as the subgrade; depositing asphalt onto the subgrade to form the roadway surface and also onto the edge portion; compacting the deposited asphalt thereby integrating the asphalt that forms the roadway surface with the asphalt that forms the edge portion to provide a monolithic shielded asphalt surface.

Monolithic asphalt surface with shielding edges

The present invention is directed to an improved electrochemical energy storage device. The electrochemical energy storage device includes a number of solid-state, thin-film electrochemical cells which are selectively interconnected in series or parallel through use of an integrated interconnect board. The interconnect board is typically disposed within a sealed housing which also houses the electrochemical cells, and includes a first contact and a second contact respectively coupled to first and second power terminals of the energy storage device. The interconnect board advantageously provides for selective series or parallel connectivity with the electrochemical cells, irrespective of electrochemical cell position within the housing. Fuses and various electrical and electromechanical devices, such as bypass, equalization, and communication devices for example, may also be mounted to the interconnect board and selectively connected to the electrochemical cells.

A system for molding a design onto a surface comprising providing an asphalt molding mesh comprising pattern molding elements formed of a flexible material having a generally V-shaped cross-section in a configuration corresponding to a pattern to be molded in the asphalt, wherein the molding mesh is in the form of an open mesh, defining open spaces between the molding elements; positioning the molding mesh onto the surface and depositing hot asphalt into the open spaces between the molding elements and levelling the asphalt, and then rolling over the mesh and asphalt to mold and compact the asphalt about the mesh and facilitate adherence to the underlying surface, and, after rolling, removing the molding mesh from the asphalt.

Molded asphalt surfacing system

A method for molding a pattern on the surface of heated asphalt. The method includes: providing an asphalt molding mesh comprising pattern molding elements formed of an elastic material having a V-shaped cross-section in a configuration corresponding to a pattern to be molded in the asphalt. The mesh is then heated to substantially equalize with that of the surface of the asphalt. The mesh is positioned and inserted at least partially into the asphalt. The mesh and asphalt are rolled over to mold the asphalt and compact the asphalt about the mesh. Water is applied to the surface of the asphalt while rolling to limit the heating and expansion and buckling of the mesh. Finally, molding mesh is removed from the asphalt.

Asphalt molding system

The present invention is directed to an improved electrochemical energy storage device. The electrochemical energy storage device includes a number of solid-state, thin-film electrochemical cells which are selectively interconnected in series or parallel through use of an integrated interconnect board. The interconnect board is typically disposed within a sealed housing which also houses the electrochemical cells, and includes a first contact and a second contact respectively coupled to first and second power terminals of the energy storage device. The interconnect board advantageously provides for selective series or parallel connectivity with the electrochemical cells, irrespective of electrochemical cell position within the housing. In one embodiment, a sheet of conductive material is processed by employing a known milling, stamping, or chemical etching technique to include a connection pattern which provides for flexible and selective interconnecting of individual electrochemical cells within the housing, which may be a hermetically sealed housing. Fuses and various electrical and electro-mechanical devices, such as bypass, equalization, and communication devices for example, may also be mounted to the interconnect board and selectively connected to the electrochemical cells.

A fuel cell stand-by energy supply system is provided for supplying electrical power to a device operated by power from an electrical utility in the event of a power failure. The system is comprised of a microcontroller which is connected to a detector capable of detecting power failure. The microcontroller monitors this detector and one or more conditions of the device to which electrical power is fed. The microcontroller operates a fuel cell switch to connect the fuel cell d.c. supply directly to the d.c. device or to a voltage conditioning circuit to produce an operative a.c. supply which is connected to the device to continue operation thereof during the power failure. The microcontroller monitors and manages the load in relation to the fuel cell power. The microcontroller also performs an autodiagnostic of the fuel cell.

Fuel cell stand-by energy supply system

An apparatus for forming a pattern on the surface of asphalt comprising an endless belt having a surface formed of an elastic material and having a pattern in a form corresponding to a pattern to be impressed into the asphalt. The apparatus includes a belt pressing device, which may be in the form of a weighted roller or plate, for pressing the belt into the asphalt; and a pair of rollers spaced from either side of the belt pressing device, and at a higher elevation with respect to the asphalt surface to provide controlled lifting of the belt from the pressed asphalt. The belt is formed of an elastic material which has little compressibility, so that when pressed down by the belt pressing device, it spreads laterally outward to form pattern elements that are wider than when pressure is released, to provide clean separation from the asphalt surface.

Asphalt imprinting apparatus

An apparatus and method for regulating the charge voltage of a number of electrochemical cells connected in series is disclosed. Equalization circuitry is provided to control the amount of charge current supplied to individual electrochemical cells included within the series string of electrochemical cells without interrupting the flow of charge current through the series string. The equalization circuitry balances the potential of each of the electrochemical cells to within a pre-determined voltage setpoint tolerance during charging, and, if necessary, prior to initiating charging. Equalization of cell potentials may be effected toward the end of a charge cycle or throughout the charge cycle. Overcharge protection is also provided for each of the electrochemical cells coupled to the series connection. During a discharge mode of operation in accordance with one embodiment, the equalization circuitry is substantially non-conductive with respect to the flow of discharge current from the series string of electrochemical cells. In accordance with another embodiment, equalization of the series string of cells is effected during a discharge cycle.

Equalizer system and method for series connected energy storing devices

A method and an electrical measuring apparatus for analyzing an actual alternating voltage present on an electrical wire or electrical equipment whereby to determine if the voltage originates from a high or low impedance source for the safety of the operator. A bi-impedance probe is connected to the alternating voltage to be analyzed and the voltage signals are processed. The actual probe consists of a first series of uni-directional elements and a second parallel series of high value resistance elements. The output of the parallel connected series of elements is connected to a third series of low value resistance elements. A measuring circuit is connected to the third series of low value resistance elements and is capable of discriminating between the voltage signals from both of the series of resistive elements and is provided with a calculating circuit to determine if the voltage signals originate from a high or low impedance source. The output of the probe is connected to ground. An indicator indicates the condition of the impedance source. An alarm indicator may indicate if a predetermined threshold value, representative of a low impedance source, is exceeded.

Growing community of inventors

Beloeil, Canada

Guy Ross