Patents by Inventor Kenneth Kawanishi

Kenneth Kawanishi 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: 11961987
    Abstract: Described herein are battery modules and methods of fabricating thereof. In some examples, a battery module comprises an enclosure, separated into two enclosure portions and a thermal portion, positioned between the two enclosure portions. Two enclosure portions are in part defined by side walls, which can be tapered. The thermal portion comprises two thermal walls, which are operable as the bottoms of the two enclosure portions and form a thermal cavity between these thermal walls. In some examples, the enclosure is a monolithically cast component. Alternatively, the enclosure can be partially cast with one thermal wall welded thereafter to a cast subassembly. The battery module also comprises two sets of batteries, each positioned into a corresponding enclosure portion. Each battery set is interconnected with an interconnecting assembly, positioned between the battery set and the corresponding cover, for this enclosure portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Harbinger Motors Inc.
    Inventors: Phil Gow, Kenneth Kawanishi, Phillip John Weicker, Cody Rhebergen, John Henry Harris, III, Vu Phan, Michael Carl Fricke, Daniel McCarron, Deborah Bourke
  • Patent number: 11949080
    Abstract: Described herein are battery packs and electric vehicles using these packs. In some examples, a battery pack comprises two portions/covers and a set of battery modules positioned within the enclosed cavity formed by these portions. A battery pack may comprise a set of pressure-relief valves positioned in and protruding through a wall of at least one portion. Each valve can be coaxial with a corresponding gap provided between two adjacent modules. The valve is configured to provide a fluid path (to the exterior of the battery pack) when the pressure inside the pack exceeds a set threshold. In some examples, the battery pack comprises an inlet tube fluidically coupled to the inlet port of each module and an outlet tube fluidically coupled to the outlet port of each module. A set of specially configured orifices or controllable valves is positioned on the fluid path through each module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Harbinger Motors Inc.
    Inventors: Phil Gow, Kenneth Kawanishi, Phillip John Weicker, Cody Rhebergen, John Henry Harris, III, Vu Phan, Michael Carl Fricke, Daniel McCarron, Deborah Bourke
  • Publication number: 20240079671
    Abstract: Described herein are battery packs and electric vehicles using these packs. In some examples, a battery pack comprises two portions/covers and a set of battery modules positioned within the enclosed cavity formed by these portions. A battery pack may comprise a set of pressure-relief valves positioned in and protruding through a wall of at least one portion. Each valve can be coaxial with a corresponding gap provided between two adjacent modules. The valve is configured to provide a fluid path (to the exterior of the battery pack) when the pressure inside the pack exceeds a set threshold. In some examples, the battery pack comprises an inlet tube fluidically coupled to the inlet port of each module and an outlet tube fluidically coupled to the outlet port of each module. A set of specially configured orifices or controllable valves is positioned on the fluid path through each module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicant: Harbinger Motors Inc.
    Inventors: Phil Gow, Kenneth Kawanishi, Phillip John Weicker, Cody Rhebergen, John Henry Harris, III, Vu Phan, Michael Carl Fricke, Daniel McCarron, Deborah Bourke
  • Publication number: 20240079686
    Abstract: Described herein are battery modules and methods of fabricating thereof. In some examples, a battery module comprises an enclosure, separated into two enclosure portions and a thermal portion, positioned between the two enclosure portions. Two enclosure portions are in part defined by side walls, which can be tapered. The thermal portion comprises two thermal walls, which are operable as the bottoms of the two enclosure portions and form a thermal cavity between these thermal walls. In some examples, the enclosure is a monolithically cast component. Alternatively, the enclosure can be partially cast with one thermal wall welded thereafter to a cast subassembly. The battery module also comprises two sets of batteries, each positioned into a corresponding enclosure portion. Each battery set is interconnected with an interconnecting assembly, positioned between the battery set and the corresponding cover, for this enclosure portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicant: Harbinger Motors Inc.
    Inventors: Phil Gow, Kenneth Kawanishi, Phillip John Weicker, Cody Rhebergen, John Henry Harris, III, Vu Phan, Michael Carl Fricke, Daniel McCarron, Deborah Bourke
  • Patent number: 11862774
    Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods enable efficient and reliable positioning, assembly, retention, interconnection, and management of battery cells in battery packs, for example battery packs utilized in electric vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: MULLEN AUTOMOTIVE, INC.
    Inventors: W. Porter Harris, Kenneth Kawanishi, W. Hunter Greene, Robert Wesley Thibault, Arun Gunasekaran
  • Publication number: 20230048671
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an interconnect assembly configured to receive and retain multiple batteries. The interconnect assembly includes a retainer configured to receive portions of the batteries, a conductive interconnect layer carried by the retainer, and a terminal bar configured to transport electrical currents to and from the conductive interconnect layer. The conductive interconnect layer includes a conductive layer positioned between first and second insulative layers, where the conductive layer has a first thickness that is less than a thickness of the terminal bar. The conductive layer includes multiple interconnects configured to be coupled to cathodes and anodes of the batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Kenneth Kawanishi, Deborah A. Bourke, Seth Lewis, Cody J. Rhebergen, Berton Vite
  • Publication number: 20230046621
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an interconnect assembly configured to receive and retain multiple batteries. The interconnect assembly includes a retainer configured to receive portions of the batteries and a conductive interconnect layer carried by the retainer. The conductive interconnect layer includes a first layer of conductive material having a first thickness and a second layer of conductive material having a second thickness less than the first thickness. The first and second layers of conductive material are attached together to form the conductive interconnect layer. The second layer of conductive material includes multiple interconnects configured to be coupled to cathodes and anodes of the batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Kenneth Kawanishi, Deborah A. Bourke, Seth Lewis, Cody J. Rhebergen, Berton Vite, Phillip J. Weicker
  • Publication number: 20230033985
    Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods enable efficient and reliable positioning, assembly, retention, interconnection, and management of battery cells in battery packs, for example battery packs utilized in electric vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Applicant: ROMEO SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: W. Porter Harris, Kenneth Kawanishi, W. Hunter Greene, Robert Wesley Thibault, Arun Gunasekaran
  • Patent number: 11509022
    Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods enable efficient and reliable positioning, assembly, retention, interconnection, and management of battery cells in battery packs, for example battery packs utilized in electric vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Romeo Systems Technology, LLC
    Inventors: W. Porter Harris, Kenneth Kawanishi, W. Hunter Greene, Robert Wesley Thibault, Arun Gunasekaran
  • Publication number: 20200343516
    Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods enable efficient and reliable positioning, assembly, retention, interconnection, and management of battery cells in battery packs, for example battery packs utilized in electric vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: W. Porter Harris, Kenneth Kawanishi, W. Hunter Greene, Robert Wesley Thibault, Arun Gunasekaran
  • Patent number: 10720626
    Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods enable efficient and reliable positioning, assembly, retention, interconnection, and management of battery cells in battery packs, for example battery packs utilized in electric vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Romeo Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Porter Harris, Kenneth Kawanishi, W. Hunter Greene, Robert Wesley Thibault, Arun Gunasekaran
  • Publication number: 20180190960
    Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods enable efficient and reliable positioning, assembly, retention, interconnection, and management of battery cells in battery packs, for example battery packs utilized in electric vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: W. Porter Harris, Kenneth Kawanishi, W. Hunter Greene, Robert Wesley Thibault, Arun Gunasekaran