Patents by Inventor Charles W. Mcclure

Charles W. Mcclure 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: 11161252
    Abstract: A multi-tasking end effector system includes a base frame connected to a robot arm of a robot. A first shaft is rotatably supported on the base frame. A first pin-wheel assembly is rotatably mounted to the shaft at a first end of the base frame. Multiple first die assemblies are mounted to the first pin-wheel assembly. A second pin-wheel assembly is rotatably mounted to the shaft at a second end of the base frame. Multiple second die assemblies are mounted to the second pin-wheel assembly and individually oriented in mirror image configuration to one of the multiple first die assemblies. An index motor rotates the first shaft and co-rotates paired and mirror image die assemblies. First and second tab-bending actuators mounted to the base frame are operated to bend opposed cell tabs of a battery cell positioned between the first and second pin-wheel assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Yhu-tin Lin, Erik B Golm, Charles W McClure
  • Publication number: 20210101294
    Abstract: A multi-tasking end effector system includes a base frame connected to a robot arm of a robot. A first shaft is rotatably supported on the base frame. A first pin-wheel assembly is rotatably mounted to the shaft at a first end of the base frame. Multiple first die assemblies are mounted to the first pin-wheel assembly. A second pin-wheel assembly is rotatably mounted to the shaft at a second end of the base frame. Multiple second die assemblies are mounted to the second pin-wheel assembly and individually oriented in mirror image configuration to one of the multiple first die assemblies. An index motor rotates the first shaft and co-rotates paired and mirror image die assemblies. First and second tab-bending actuators mounted to the base frame are operated to bend opposed cell tabs of a battery cell positioned between the first and second pin-wheel assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventors: Yhu-tin Lin, Erik B. Golm, Charles W. McClure
  • Patent number: 9847561
    Abstract: A modular battery pack and method of making a battery pack. Prismatic can battery cells are interspersed with cooling frames along a stacking axis within a housing such that numerous a cell-frame assemblies, each with a cooling path, are formed. Resiliently-biased sealing members on the frames are arranged such that they remain out of the way of a footprint defined by the joined cells and frames to promote ease of high-speed cell-to-frame assembly. Upon formation of the cell-frame assembly and subsequent placement into the housing with inner walls that press against the protruding ends of the sealing member, the sealing member is forced by the housing to come into contact engagement with a corresponding surface of the edge of the battery cell. The generally linear, planar contact surface formed by the contact engagement promotes the formation of a sealing surface that makes it harder for introduced cooling air to escape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Barton W. McLaughlin, Charles W. McClure, Andrew P. Oury
  • Publication number: 20150372355
    Abstract: A modular battery pack and method of making a battery pack. Prismatic can battery cells are interspersed with cooling frames along a stacking axis within a housing such that numerous a cell-frame assemblies, each with a cooling path, are formed. Resiliently-biased sealing members on the frames are arranged such that they remain out of the way of a footprint defined by the joined cells and frames to promote ease of high-speed cell-to-frame assembly. Upon formation of the cell-frame assembly and subsequent placement into the housing with inner walls that press against the protruding ends of the sealing member, the sealing member is forced by the housing to come into contact engagement with a corresponding surface of the edge of the battery cell. The generally linear, planar contact surface formed by the contact engagement promotes the formation of a sealing surface that makes it harder for introduced cooling air to escape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Barton W. McLaughlin, Charles W. McClure, Andrew P. Oury
  • Patent number: 8870518
    Abstract: A device and to a method for stacking plate-like products into a straight, cylindrical stack having an upper and a lower side and at least two side surfaces arranged at a distance from each other. In order to create a desired pretension in the stack already during stacking, which can even be maintained when individual products are added, the plate-like products are lifted against gravity from the bottom to the top into a stack nest, the products are held in the stack nest by applying a force on the side surfaces thereof to prevent dropping in the direction of gravity. While the force application is maintained, further products are added to the stack in the stack nest from the bottom side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Grohmann Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Grohmann, Lothar Thommes, Charles W. McClure
  • Publication number: 20110305553
    Abstract: A device and to a method for stacking plate-like products into a straight, cylindrical stack having an upper and a lower side and at least two side surfaces arranged at a distance from each other. In order to create a desired pretension in the stack already during stacking, which can even be maintained when individual products are added, the plate-like products are lifted against gravity from the bottom to the top into a stack nest, the products are held in the stack nest by applying a force on the side surfaces thereof to prevent dropping in the direction of gravity. While the force application is maintained, further products are added to the stack in the stack nest from the bottom side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: Grohmann Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Grohmann, Lothar Thommes, Charles W. Mcclure