Patents by Inventor Brian J. Koch

Brian J. Koch has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10338150
    Abstract: System and methods for determining battery system energy capability in a vehicle are presented. A voltage offset of a battery system may be determined based on comparison of an open circuit voltage of the battery system and a measured voltage. An estimated remaining pack energy may be determined based, at least in part, on the voltage offset. Similarly, an estimated total pack energy may be determined based, at least in part, on the voltage offset. An energy capability of the battery system may be determined based on the estimated remaining pack energy and the estimated total pack energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC.
    Inventors: Kurt M. Johnson, Brian J. Koch
  • Patent number: 10320216
    Abstract: A battery assembly includes a battery having first and second electrodes and an electrolyte. A controller is operatively connected to the battery. The controller includes a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which is recorded instructions for executing a method for estimating a charge acceptance capability of the battery. Interaction of the electrolyte and at least one of the first and second electrodes produces a discharge product. The controller is programmed to quantize and track both accumulation and removal of the discharge product when at least one enabling condition is met. The controller is programmed to initialize a timer when the enabling condition is met and increment the timer by a calculation time interval (?t).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC.
    Inventors: Brian J. Koch, Robert S. Conell
  • Patent number: 10288693
    Abstract: A number of variations include a method, which may include using at least a segment of voltage-based Battery State Estimation data, and using real-time linear regression, which may be a method of estimating future behavior of a system based on current and previous data points, to provide a robust and fast-adapting impedance response approximator. Linear regression may be performed by forming an RC circuit which is “equivalent” to electrochemical impedance spectroscopy data and processing the runtime values of that RC circuit using any number of known real-time linear regression algorithms including, but not limited, to a weighted recursive least squares (WRLS), Kalman filter or other means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Daniel R. Baker, Mark W. Verbrugge, Patrick Frost, Brian J. Koch, Charles W. Wampler, II, Patricia M. Laskowsky
  • Patent number: 10288692
    Abstract: System and methods for estimating a relationship between a SOC and an OCV of a battery system included in a vehicle are presented. In certain embodiments, an initial relationship between an open circuit voltage (“OCV”) and a state of charge (“SOC”) of a cell of the battery system may be determined at a beginning of life of the cell. Changes in one or more stoichiometric points of a half-cell of the cell may be determined as the cell ages. Based on the determined stoichiometric point changes of the half-cell, an initial relationship between the OCV and the SOC of the cell may be adjusted to generate an updated relationship between the OCV and the SOC of the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Patricia M. Laskowsky, Patrick Frost, Raghunathan K, Brian J. Koch, John E. Novak
  • Publication number: 20190126770
    Abstract: Disclosed are battery management systems with control logic for battery state estimation (BSE), methods for making/using/assembling a battery cell with a reference electrode, and electric drive vehicles equipped with a traction battery pack and BSE capabilities. In an example, a battery cell assembly includes a battery housing with an electrolyte composition stored within the battery housing. The electrolyte composition transports ions between working electrodes. A first working (anode) electrode is attached to the battery housing in electrochemical contact with the electrolyte composition. Likewise, a second working (cathode) electrode is attached to the battery housing in electrochemical contact with the electrolyte composition. A reference electrode is interposed between the first and second working electrodes, placed in electrochemical contact with the electrolyte composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Brian J. Koch, Charles W. Wampler, Mark W. Verbrugge, Daniel R. Baker
  • Patent number: 10236541
    Abstract: A battery cell testing fixture is provided which includes a user interface, a separator assembly and an optional stand. The user interface includes a module for receiving input voltage data from at least one circuit to provide a variety of battery cell conditions. The separator assembly includes an integrated reference electrode or reference component. The separator assembly is operatively configured to be used with a plurality of test batteries in succession. The separator assembly may be operatively configured to communicate with a current collector, a meter and the user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Brian J Koch, Ashley McAllister, Robert S Conell
  • Publication number: 20190031035
    Abstract: Methods for fast-charging batteries while minimizing lithium plating (LP) comprise charging the battery in a first phase at a near-maximum charging current, subsequently charging the battery in a second phase by decreasing the charging current while charging in order to maintain the anode potential equal to or above an anode potential threshold, and subsequently charging the battery in a third phase at constant cell potential such that the cathode potential remains below a cathode potential threshold. LP can be detected by determining the derivative of the charging current and examining the derivative for smooth curves or local discontinuities, wherein a smooth curve indicates the absence of LP and a curve with a local discontinuity indicates the presence of LP. A fast-charging profile can be defined by plotting the cell potential vs. the charging current from the first phase, the second phase, and the third phase to define a fast-charging profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventor: Brian J. Koch
  • Publication number: 20180316195
    Abstract: During the charging of lithium-ion batteries, comprising graphite anode particles, the goal is to intercalate lithium into the anode materials as LiC6. But it is possible to conduct the charging process at a rate that lithium is undesirably plated, undetected, as lithium metal on the particles of graphite. During an open-circuit period of battery operation, immediately following such a charging period, the presence of lithium plating can be detected, using a computer-based monitoring system, by continually measuring the cell potential (Vcell) over a brief period of open-circuit time and then determining dVcell/dt (mV/s) over a like period of time. It is found that the presence of a discontinuity in the derivative curve (a local maximum) reliably correlates with plated lithium on the graphite particles of the anode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Mark W. Verbrugge, Brian J. Koch, Daniel R. Baker
  • Publication number: 20180284195
    Abstract: Evaluation of a DC power source can include communication with a voltmeter that is arranged to monitor electrical potential across positive and negative electrodes. The method includes determining a full-cell open-circuit voltage (“OCV”), an associated positive half-cell OCV, and an associated negative half-cell OCV at a start-of-life point of the DC power source. A lithium balance model is executed to determine a plurality of beginning states associated with an electrode alignment of the DC power source. An in-use state for the full-cell OCV is determined. An optimization routine is executed employing the lithium balance model to determine in-use states associated with the electrode alignment of the DC power source based upon the in-use state for the full-cell OCV and the beginning states associated with electrode alignment. A negative-to-positive (“N/P”) ratio is determined based upon the in-use states, and battery life is evaluated based upon the N/P ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Raghunathan K, Brian J. Koch
  • Patent number: 10048320
    Abstract: System and methods for estimating a future power capability of a battery system included in a vehicle are presented. In some embodiments, a method for estimating a future power capability of a battery system may include determining an initial battery voltage when the battery operates at a current limit and estimating a future battery current at a first time when the battery operates at the associated voltage limit based on the initial battery current. A future battery voltage at the first time when the battery operates at the associated current limit may be determined based on the initial battery voltage. An estimated voltage-limited power capability of the battery at the first time may be determined based on the future battery current and an estimated current-limited power capability of the battery at the first time may be determined based on the future battery voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Frost, Brian J. Koch, Patricia M. Laskowsky, Ashley McAllister
  • Publication number: 20180072159
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a product comprising: an electrochemical device comprising an anode and a cathode, and at least one sensor comprising a plurality of strain sensing components and at least one temperature sensing component wherein each of the anode and the cathode comprises at least one strain sensing component comprising an optical fiber comprising at least one grating, wherein the at least one sensor is constructed and arranged to provide measurements that derive both state of charge and temperature of the anode and the cathode simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: CHARLES W. WAMPLER II, Brian J. Koch, Mark W. Verbrugge
  • Publication number: 20180062221
    Abstract: A reference structure and a separator assembly is provided. The separator assembly provides a base layer, a first contact, an optional second contact and a reference component which may be implemented in various applications. The base layer includes a first side and a second side. The first contact is affixed on the first side of the base layer between the base layer and an anode. The second contact is affixed on the second side of the base layer. A reference component is affixed to the second side of the base layer and the optional second contact, if implemented. The reference structure includes a semi-permeable reference component affixed or coupled to a base element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Brian J. Koch, Ashley McAllister, Robert S. Conell
  • Publication number: 20180062222
    Abstract: A battery cell system and an associated monitoring system is provided which includes at least an anode, a cathode, a separator formed from a base layer, first and second contacts and a reference component. The anode and cathode are disposed in a lithium ion non-aqueous solution within a housing. The base layer of the separator includes a first side and a second side. The base layer is operatively configured to separate the anode and the cathode within the housing. The first contact of the separator is affixed to the first side of the base layer between the base layer and an anode. The second contact is affixed to the second side of the base layer with the reference component disposed on the second contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Brian J Koch, Ashley McAllister, Robert S Conell
  • Publication number: 20180062216
    Abstract: A battery cell testing fixture is provided which includes a user interface, a separator assembly and an optional stand. The user interface includes a module for receiving input voltage data from at least one circuit to provide a variety of battery cell conditions. The separator assembly includes an integrated reference electrode or reference component. The separator assembly is operatively configured to be used with a plurality of test batteries in succession. The separator assembly may be operatively configured to communicate with a current collector, a meter and the user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Brian J. Koch, Ashley McAllister, Robert S. Conell
  • Publication number: 20170324254
    Abstract: A battery assembly includes a battery having first and second electrodes and an electrolyte. A controller is operatively connected to the battery. The controller includes a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which is recorded instructions for executing a method for estimating a charge acceptance capability of the battery. Interaction of the electrolyte and at least one of the first and second electrodes produces a discharge product. The controller is programmed to quantize and track both accumulation and removal of the discharge product when at least one enabling condition is met. The controller is programmed to initialize a timer when the enabling condition is met and increment the timer by a calculation time interval (?t).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Brian J. Koch, Robert S. Conell
  • Patent number: 9726732
    Abstract: A system and method for estimating internal parameters of a lithium-ion battery to provide a reliable battery state-of-charge estimate. The method uses a two RC-pair equivalent battery circuit model to estimate the battery parameters, including a battery open circuit voltage, an ohmic resistance, a double layer capacitance, a charge transfer resistance, a diffusion resistance and a diffusion capacitance. The method further uses the equivalent circuit model to provide a difference equation from which the battery parameters are adapted, and calculates the battery parameters from the difference equation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jian Lin, Xidong Tang, Brian J. Koch, Joseph M. Lograsso, Damon R. Frisch, Rezina S. Nabi
  • Patent number: 9575128
    Abstract: Adaptive estimation techniques to create a battery state estimator to estimate power capabilities of the battery pack in a vehicle. The estimator adaptively updates circuit model parameters used to calculate the voltage states of the ECM of a battery pack. The adaptive estimation techniques may also be used to calculate a solid-state diffusion voltage effects within the battery pack. The adaptive estimator is used to increase robustness of the calculation to sensor noise, modeling error, and battery pack degradation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Frost, Brian J. Koch, Damon R. Frisch, Brett B. Stawinski, Patricia M. Laskowsky, Kurt M. Johnson, Robert C. Baraszu
  • Publication number: 20160363629
    Abstract: System and methods for estimating a future power capability of a battery system included in a vehicle are presented. In some embodiments, a method for estimating a future power capability of a battery system may include determining an initial battery voltage when the battery operates at a current limit and estimating a future battery current at a first time when the battery operates at the associated voltage limit based on the initial battery current. A future battery voltage at the first time when the battery operates at the associated current limit may be determined based on the initial battery voltage. An estimated voltage-limited power capability of the battery at the first time may be determined based on the future battery current and an estimated current-limited power capability of the battery at the first time may be determined based on the future battery voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: PATRICK FROST, BRIAN J. KOCH, PATRICIA M. LASKOWSKY, ASHLEY MCALLISTER
  • Publication number: 20160363630
    Abstract: System and methods for estimating a relationship between a SOC and an OCV of a battery system included in a vehicle are presented. In certain embodiments, an initial relationship between an open circuit voltage (“OCV”) and a state of charge (“SOC”) of a cell of the battery system may be determined at a beginning of life of the cell. Changes in one or more stoichiometric points of a half-cell of the cell may be determined as the cell ages. Based on the determined stoichiometric point changes of the half-cell, an initial relationship between the OCV and the SOC of the cell may be adjusted to generate an updated relationship between the OCV and the SOC of the cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: PATRICIA M. LASKOWSKY, PATRICK FROST, RAGHUNATHAN K, BRIAN J. KOCH, JOHN E. NOVAK
  • Patent number: 9511670
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor for measuring the magnetic properties of a battery cell, and converting the magnetic properties to a battery cell SOC. The magnetic sensor includes a magnetic core formed of laminated high permeability plates provided in a C-shape. An extended portion of the battery cell extends through a transverse opening in the core so that it is positioned within the core. A driving coil is wrapped around one end of the magnetic core and generates a magnetic field in the core that extends across the transverse opening and through the battery cell. A receiving coil is wrapped around an opposite end of the core that receives the magnetic field, and converts the magnetic field to a representative current. A detection circuit converts the receiving coil current to the battery cell SOC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan O. Conell, Brian J. Koch