Patents by Inventor Haran Balaram

Haran Balaram 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: 11936053
    Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to electrical feedthroughs for thin battery cells. A battery cell enclosure includes a terraced portion having a reduced thickness relative to another portion of the enclosure. The enclosure includes an opening disposed on a horizontal surface of the terraced portion for receiving the electrical feedthrough. Because the feedthrough is disposed on the horizontal surface of the terraced portion, the feedthrough may be over-sized thereby reducing the resistance and impedance of the feedthrough without increasing the height or thickness of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brian K. Shiu, Christopher R. Pasma, Andrew Meyers, Haran Balaram
  • Patent number: 11552339
    Abstract: Battery systems according to embodiments of the present technology may include a battery including a first electrode terminal and a second electrode terminal accessible along a first surface of the battery. The battery systems may also include a module electrically coupled with the battery. The module may include a first mold extending toward the battery. The first mold may define a recess along a first surface of the first mold proximate the first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal. The module may include a first conductive tab electrically coupling the module with the first electrode terminal. The first electrode terminal may be at least partially positioned within a space defined by the recess defined by the first mold. The module may also include a second conductive tab electrically coupling the module with the second electrode terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Haran Balaram, Nathan J. Bohney, Jonathan C. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20220352582
    Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to electrical feedthroughs for thin battery cells. A battery cell enclosure includes a terraced portion having a reduced thickness relative to another portion of the enclosure. The enclosure includes an opening disposed on a horizontal surface of the terraced portion for receiving the electrical feedthrough. Because the feedthrough is disposed on the horizontal surface of the terraced portion, the feedthrough may be over-sized thereby reducing the resistance and impedance of the feedthrough without increasing the height or thickness of the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Brian K. Shiu, Christopher R. Pasma, Andrew Meyers, Haran Balaram
  • Patent number: 11476493
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve various battery can designs. In general, the battery can design includes two fitted surfaces oriented opposite each other and seam welded together to form an enclosure in which a battery stack is located. To form the enclosure, the two fitted surfaces are welded together along the large perimeter. Other swelling-resisting advantages may also be achieved utilizing the battery can design described herein including, but not limited to, the ability to modify one or more can wall thicknesses to control a pressure applied to the battery stack by the can, overall reduction in wall thickness of the can through the use of stronger materials for the can surfaces, additional supports structures included within the can design, and/or bossing or other localized thinning of surfaces of the can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Pasma, Siddharth Mohapatra, George V. Anastas, Bookeun Oh, YooEup Hyung, Brian K. Shiu, Haran Balaram, Junhua Liu
  • Patent number: 11417926
    Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to electrical feedthroughs for thin battery cells. A battery cell enclosure includes a terraced portion having a reduced thickness relative to another portion of the enclosure. The enclosure includes an opening disposed on a horizontal surface of the terraced portion for receiving the electrical feedthrough. Because the feedthrough is disposed on the horizontal surface of the terraced portion, the feedthrough may be over-sized thereby reducing the resistance and impedance of the feedthrough without increasing the height or thickness of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brian K. Shiu, Christopher R. Pasma, Andrew Meyers, Haran Balaram
  • Patent number: 11145925
    Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to an electrical feedthrough for a cylindrical battery cell. The electrical feedthrough may include an annular channel having an outer sidewall, an inner sidewall, and a base; an insulator formed of glass having an overmold portion; and a pin extending through the insulator and configured to form an external battery terminal. The insulator is bonded to the inner sidewall of the annular channel and a portion of the base of the annular channel. The overmold portion prevents electrical contact between a set of electrodes and the electrode feedthrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brian K. Shiu, Christopher R. Pasma, Gerald K. Cheung, Haran Balaram, Junhua Liu
  • Publication number: 20210242543
    Abstract: Battery systems according to embodiments of the present technology may include a battery. The battery may include a first electrode terminal and a second electrode terminal accessible along a first surface of the battery. The systems may include a module electrically coupled with the battery. The module may include a circuit board characterized by a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The module may include a mold extending from the first surface of the circuit board toward the battery. The module may include a first conductive tab electrically coupling the module with the first electrode terminal. The module may include a second conductive tab electrically coupling the module with the second electrode terminal. The second conductive tab may extend across the mold substantially parallel to the first surface of the circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Haran Balaram, Nathan J. Bohney, Pengchuan Wang, Jicheng Yang, Wyeman Chen, Scott Lawson Gooch, Kevin Robert Linke, Alvin Thomas Chang
  • Publication number: 20210091360
    Abstract: Battery systems according to embodiments of the present technology may include a battery. The battery may include a first electrode terminal and a second electrode terminal accessible along a first surface of the battery. The systems may include a module electrically coupled with the battery. The module may include a circuit board characterized by a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The module may include a mold extending from the first surface of the circuit board toward the battery. The module may include a first conductive tab electrically coupling the module with the first electrode terminal. The module may include a second conductive tab electrically coupling the module with the second electrode terminal. The second conductive tab may extend across the mold substantially parallel to the first surface of the circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Haran Balaram, Nathan J. Bohney, Pengchuan Wang
  • Patent number: 10949082
    Abstract: Content on a display user interface of an electronic device, such as a wearable electronic device, can be manipulated using capacitive touch sensors that may be seamlessly integrated into the housing or strap of the electronic device. The capacitive touch sensors can advantageously replace mechanical buttons and other mechanical user interface components, such as a crown, to provide industrial design opportunities not possible with the inclusion of mechanical buttons and mechanical interface components. Moreover, the capacitive touch sensors can enable ambidextrous user interface control of content displayed on a touchscreen without requiring the user to touch the touchscreen. In some examples, content displayed on the touchscreen can be accessed in response to a variety of touch gestures processed by the capacitive touch sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Haran Balaram
  • Publication number: 20210074958
    Abstract: This application relates to a battery system for reducing spacing between components in an electronic device. The battery system includes a housing surrounding an electrode assembly and a connection module. The housing is rigid or semi-rigid and connected to a common ground. The battery system can be positioned in the electronic device to contact components without damaging the components. In some embodiments, the battery system can be used as a structural element in the electronic component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Pelletier, Brad G. Boozer, Christopher M. Werner, Tianren Xu, Brian K. Shiu, Simone M. Missirian, Haran Balaram, Abhishek P. Shiwalkar, Shravan Bharadwaj, Alexander Manosov, Matthew S. Theobald, Huan Huang, Tyler S. Bushnell, Katharine R. Chemelewski, Premanand Ramadass, Yanning Song, Christopher R. Pasma
  • Publication number: 20200381783
    Abstract: Battery systems according to embodiments of the present technology may include a battery including a first electrode terminal and a second electrode terminal accessible along a first surface of the battery. The battery systems may also include a module electrically coupled with the battery. The module may include a first mold extending toward the battery. The first mold may define a recess along a first surface of the first mold proximate the first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal. The module may include a first conductive tab electrically coupling the module with the first electrode terminal. The first electrode terminal may be at least partially positioned within a space defined by the recess defined by the first mold. The module may also include a second conductive tab electrically coupling the module with the second electrode terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Haran Balaram, Nathan J. Bohney, Jonathan C. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20200220200
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve various battery can designs. In general, the battery can design includes two fitted surfaces oriented opposite each other and seam welded together to form an enclosure in which a battery stack is located. To form the enclosure, the two fitted surfaces are welded together along the large perimeter. Other swelling-resisting advantages may also be achieved utilizing the battery can design described herein including, but not limited to, the ability to modify one or more can wall thicknesses to control a pressure applied to the battery stack by the can, overall reduction in wall thickness of the can through the use of stronger materials for the can surfaces, additional supports structures included within the can design, and/or bossing or other localized thinning of surfaces of the can.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher R. Pasma, Siddharth Mohapatra, George V. Anastas, Bookeun Oh, YooEup Hyung, Brian K. Shiu, Haran Balaram, Junhua Liu
  • Publication number: 20200176728
    Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to electrical feedthroughs for thin battery cells. A battery cell enclosure includes a terraced portion having a reduced thickness relative to another portion of the enclosure. The enclosure includes an opening disposed on a horizontal surface of the terraced portion for receiving the electrical feedthrough. Because the feedthrough is disposed on the horizontal surface of the terraced portion, the feedthrough may be over-sized thereby reducing the resistance and impedance of the feedthrough without increasing the height or thickness of the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Brian K. Shiu, Christopher R. Pasma, Andrew Meyers, Haran Balaram
  • Patent number: 10629943
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve various battery can designs. In general, the battery can design includes two fitted surfaces oriented opposite each other and seam welded together to form an enclosure in which a battery stack is located. To form the enclosure, the two fitted surfaces are welded together along the large perimeter. Other swelling-resisting advantages may also be achieved utilizing the battery can design described herein including, but not limited to, the ability to modify one or more can wall thicknesses to control a pressure applied to the battery stack by the can, overall reduction in wall thickness of the can through the use of stronger materials for the can surfaces, additional supports structures included within the can design, and/or bossing or other localized thinning of surfaces of the can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher R. Pasma, Siddharth Mohapatra, George V. Anastas, Bookeun Oh, YooEup Hyung, Brian K. Shiu, Haran Balaram, Junhua Liu
  • Publication number: 20200083498
    Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to an electrical feedthrough for a cylindrical battery cell. The electrical feedthrough may include an annular channel having an outer sidewall, an inner sidewall, and a base; an insulator formed of glass having an overmold portion; and a pin extending through the insulator and configured to form an external battery terminal. The insulator is bonded to the inner sidewall of the annular channel and a portion of the base of the annular channel. The overmold portion prevents electrical contact between a set of electrodes and the electrode feedthrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Brian K. Shiu, Christopher R. Pasma, Gerald K. Cheung, Haran Balaram, Junhua Liu
  • Patent number: 10418614
    Abstract: Electrical feedthroughs are presented for redistributing thermally-induced stresses that result from welding. In some embodiments, an electrical feedthrough includes a tubular conduit having a flange at one end. The flange includes a first surface disposed opposite a second surface. The first surface includes at least one of a protrusion and a notch. The electrical feedthrough also includes an electrically-conductive terminal disposed through the tubular conduit. An electrically-insulating material is disposed between the tubular conduit and the electrically-conductive terminal and forms a seal therebetween. The protrusion and the notch are configured individually or as a combination to reduce thermally-induced stresses within the electrically-insulating material that result from welding the flange. Methods for welding such electrical feedthroughs to a wall, such as a wall of a battery housing, are also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Angelo V. Marasco, Haran Balaram
  • Publication number: 20190258395
    Abstract: Content on a display user interface of an electronic device, such as a wearable electronic device, can be manipulated using capacitive touch sensors that may be seamlessly integrated into the housing or strap of the electronic device. The capacitive touch sensors can advantageously replace mechanical buttons and other mechanical user interface components, such as a crown, to provide industrial design opportunities not possible with the inclusion of mechanical buttons and mechanical interface components. Moreover, the capacitive touch sensors can enable ambidextrous user interface control of content displayed on a touchscreen without requiring the user to touch the touchscreen. In some examples, content displayed on the touchscreen can be accessed in response to a variety of touch gestures processed by the capacitive touch sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventor: Haran Balaram
  • Patent number: 10324620
    Abstract: Content on a display user interface of an electronic device, such as a wearable electronic device, can be manipulated using capacitive touch sensors that may be seamlessly integrated into the housing or strap of the electronic device. The capacitive touch sensors can advantageously replace mechanical buttons and other mechanical user interface components, such as a crown, to provide industrial design opportunities not possible with the inclusion of mechanical buttons and mechanical interface components. Moreover, the capacitive touch sensors can enable ambidextrous user interface control of content displayed on a touchscreen without requiring the user to touch the touchscreen. In some examples, content displayed on the touchscreen can be accessed in response to a variety of touch gestures processed by the capacitive touch sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Haran Balaram
  • Patent number: 10164688
    Abstract: A first electronic device is positionable between one or more contact positions and an aligned position with respect to a second electronic device. One or more actuators of the first electronic device are activated in response to one or more sensors of the first electronic device determining that the first electronic device and second electronic device are misaligned. Activation of the actuator may result in the first electronic device moving to the aligned position. In some implementations, the actuator may move the first electronic device toward the aligned position when activated. In other implementations, the actuator may overcome static friction to put the first electronic device in motion when activated and when the first electronic device is in motion one or more alignment mechanisms may overcome the kinetic friction to move the first electronic device to the aligned position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Haran Balaram, Colin M. Ely
  • Patent number: 10034373
    Abstract: An electronic device having a circuit board and a battery is disclosed. The circuit board may include a through hole and an electrical pad surrounding the through hole. In order to electrically couple the circuit board to the battery, and in particular, an electrode of the battery, a tab (or plaque) is placed between the electrical pad and the electrode. The tab electrically couples with the electrical pad by a soldering operation. To couple (electrically and mechanically) the tab with the electrode, a welding operation is used. The welding operation may include a laser weld providing thermal energy through a laser beam. In this regard, the laser beam passes through the through hole, thereby (partially) melting the tab and forming a weld between the tab and the electrode. Accordingly, the tab covers the through hole such that the tab is positioned to receive the laser beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Werley, Haran Balaram, Richard L. Winslow