Patents by Inventor Mohan Karulkar

Mohan Karulkar 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: 11600875
    Abstract: A traction battery cell assembly including a battery cell and a cell case is provided. The cell case defines a cavity sized for receiving the battery cell and includes an inner wall, an outer wall, and a plurality of support chambers disposed between the inner wall and the outer wall. Each of the support chambers defines a polygon having multiple sides. The sides are arranged with one another to define an agent cavity to house neutralizing agent. The plurality of support chambers is arranged with the inner wall and the outer wall such that an impact to one of the walls causes a puncture to one of the sides of the support chambers releasing the neutralizing agent. Each of the support chambers may include five or more sides and adjacent sides may define an angle therebetween greater than ninety degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Joseph Robert, Andrew Robert Drews, Mohan Karulkar
  • Patent number: 11189872
    Abstract: A pouch battery cell includes a rigid frame forming a skeleton of the cell and defining an aperture, an anode, a separator, a cathode, and a thermal transfer device disposed within the aperture, the anode and cathode each including a current collector with an exposed tab portion bonded to a terminal, integrated into the frame, and the thermal transfer device integrated into the frame and partially extending to the cell exterior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Drews, Brian Robert, Mohan Karulkar
  • Patent number: 11158897
    Abstract: A pouch battery cell includes a rigid frame forming a skeleton of the cell and defining an aperture, an anode, a separator, a cathode, and a thermal transfer device disposed within the aperture, the anode and cathode each including a current collector with an exposed tab portion bonded to a terminal, integrated into the frame, and the thermal transfer device integrated into the frame and partially extending to the cell exterior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Drews, Brian Robert, Mohan Karulkar
  • Patent number: 10930978
    Abstract: A lithium ion pouch battery cell includes a rigid frame forming a skeleton of the cell and defining an aperture, an anode, a separator, and a cathode disposed within the aperture. The anode and cathode each include a current collector with an exposed tab portion, and a pair of terminals, integrated into the frame, each having an exterior portion and an interior portion bonded to one of the current collectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Robert Drews, Brian Joseph Robert, Mohan Karulkar
  • Patent number: 10707522
    Abstract: A method of making a solid state battery may include heating a flux sandwiched between a solid ceramic electrolyte and a group one metal. The flux may be heated such that it roughens a surface of the solid ceramic electrolyte and the group one metal melts and adheres to the surface of the solid ceramic electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Venkataramani Anandan, Andrew Robert Drews, Mohan Karulkar
  • Patent number: 10700322
    Abstract: A plug for a fill port of a battery cell includes a body defining a channel. The plug includes a cover coupled to the body and covering the channel. The cover is configured to open in response to predetermined conditions to vent the battery cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohan Karulkar, Brian Joseph Robert, Andrew Robert Drews
  • Patent number: 10700323
    Abstract: A battery system is disclosed. The system may include a frame surrounding a battery active region and defining a vent carried by the frame and mounted between the battery active region and coolant passage. The vent may be configured to vent gas from the battery active region to the coolant passage responsive to a pressure or temperature of the gas exceeding a predetermined threshold, and to isolate the battery active region from the coolant passage otherwise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohan Karulkar, Andrew Robert Drews, Brian Joseph Robert
  • Patent number: 10446819
    Abstract: A battery containment structure is provided. The battery containment structure may include a first pliable pouch, a second pliable pouch, and a vent. The first pliable pouch may surround a battery active region. The second pliable pouch may surround the first pliable pouch. The vent may be carried by the first pliable pouch and configured to vent gas from the battery active region responsive to a pressure or temperature of the gas surpassing a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohan Karulkar, Andrew Robert Drews, Brian Joseph Robert
  • Publication number: 20190221786
    Abstract: A traction battery cell assembly including a battery cell and a cell case is provided. The cell case defines a cavity sized for receiving the battery cell and includes an inner wall, an outer wall, and a plurality of support chambers disposed between the inner wall and the outer wall. Each of the support chambers defines a polygon having multiple sides. The sides are arranged with one another to define an agent cavity to house neutralizing agent. The plurality of support chambers is arranged with the inner wall and the outer wall such that an impact to one of the walls causes a puncture to one of the sides of the support chambers releasing the neutralizing agent. Each of the support chambers may include five or more sides and adjacent sides may define an angle therebetween greater than ninety degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Joseph Robert, Andrew Robert Drews, Mohan Karulkar
  • Publication number: 20190097195
    Abstract: A battery containment structure is provided. The battery containment structure may include a first pliable pouch, a second pliable pouch, and a vent. The first pliable pouch may surround a battery active region. The second pliable pouch may surround the first pliable pouch. The vent may be carried by the first pliable pouch and configured to vent gas from the battery active region responsive to a pressure or temperature of the gas surpassing a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Mohan KARULKAR, Andrew Robert DREWS, Brian Joseph ROBERT
  • Patent number: 10224525
    Abstract: An exemplary battery support assembly includes a bladder device with a pocket that receives at least one battery cell of a traction battery. The bladder provides a fluid flow path that diverges at an end of the pocket into a first section on a first side of the pocket and a second section on an opposing, second side of the pocket. An exemplary battery support method includes moving a flow of fluid along a fluid flow path toward at least one battery cell; and diverging the flow into a first or second section of the fluid flow path such that the flow moves along opposing sides of the at least one battery cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mohan Karulkar, Thomas J. Coupar, Brian Joseph Robert
  • Publication number: 20190067659
    Abstract: A battery system is disclosed. The system may include a frame surrounding a battery active region and defining a vent carried by the frame and mounted between the battery active region and coolant passage. The vent may be configured to vent gas from the battery active region to the coolant passage responsive to a pressure or temperature of the gas exceeding a predetermined threshold, and to isolate the battery active region from the coolant passage otherwise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Mohan KARULKAR, Andrew Robert DREWS, Brian Joseph ROBERT
  • Patent number: 10141550
    Abstract: A pouch battery cell assembly for a traction battery includes a housing, a first intermediate terminal member, and a first terminal tab. The housing defines a cavity. The first intermediate terminal member is disposed at least partially within the housing and defines an access port open to an exterior of the housing and the cavity which may be sized for electrolyte injection. The first terminal tab is embedded within the first intermediate terminal member. A pressure sensitive release mechanism may be disposed within the access port to selectively vent gases from the cavity. A second intermediate terminal member may be at least partially disposed within the housing and a second terminal tab may be embedded within the second intermediate terminal member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Joseph Robert, Andrew Robert Drews, Mohan Karulkar
  • Publication number: 20180287117
    Abstract: A plug for a fill port of a battery cell includes a body defining a channel. The plug includes a cover coupled to the body and covering the channel. The cover is configured to open in response to predetermined conditions to vent the battery cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Mohan KARULKAR, Brian Joseph ROBERT, Andrew Robert DREWS
  • Publication number: 20180219191
    Abstract: A pouch battery cell includes a rigid frame forming a skeleton of the cell and defining an aperture, an anode, a separator, a cathode, and a thermal transfer device disposed within the aperture, the anode and cathode each including a current collector with an exposed tab portion bonded to a terminal, integrated into the frame, and the thermal transfer device integrated into the frame and partially extending to the cell exterior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Drews, Brian Robert, Mohan Karulkar
  • Publication number: 20180219261
    Abstract: A lithium ion pouch battery cell includes a rigid frame forming a skeleton of the cell and defining an aperture, an anode, a separator, and a cathode disposed within the aperture. The anode and cathode each include a current collector with an exposed tab portion, and a pair of terminals, integrated into the frame, each having an exterior portion and an interior portion bonded to one of the current collectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Robert Drews, Brian Joseph Robert, Mohan Karulkar
  • Publication number: 20180175340
    Abstract: An exemplary battery support assembly includes a bladder device with a pocket that receives at least one battery cell of a traction battery. The bladder provides a fluid flow path that diverges at an end of the pocket into a first section on a first side of the pocket and a second section on an opposing, second side of the pocket. An exemplary battery support method includes moving a flow of fluid along a fluid flow path toward at least one battery cell; and diverging the flow into a first or second section of the fluid flow path such that the flow moves along opposing sides of the at least one battery cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Mohan Karulkar, Thomas J. Coupar, Brian Joseph Robert
  • Publication number: 20180114955
    Abstract: A pouch battery cell assembly for a traction battery includes a housing, a first intermediate terminal member, and a first terminal tab. The housing defines a cavity. The first intermediate terminal member is disposed at least partially within the housing and defines an access port open to an exterior of the housing and the cavity which may be sized for electrolyte injection. The first terminal tab is embedded within the first intermediate terminal member. A pressure sensitive release mechanism may be disposed within the access port to selectively vent gases from the cavity. A second intermediate terminal member may be at least partially disposed within the housing and a second terminal tab may be embedded within the second intermediate terminal member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: Brian Joseph Robert, Andrew Robert Drews, Mohan Karulkar
  • Patent number: 9863360
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting a temperature of an engine fuel rail at a plurality of locations along the engine fuel rail. In one example, a method may include detecting temperatures along the engine fuel rail with a plurality of metal film thermocouples adhered to the engine fuel rail and arranged proximate to engine fuel injectors, and adjusting fuel injector operation and/or fuel rail pressure in response to the detected fuel rail temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael McQuillen, Gopichandra Surnilla, Mohan Karulkar, Brian Joseph Robert, Richard E. Soltis, Larry Dean Elie
  • Publication number: 20170356382
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for detecting a temperature of an engine fuel rail at a plurality of locations along the engine fuel rail. In one example, a method may include detecting temperatures along the engine fuel rail with a plurality of metal film thermocouples adhered to the engine fuel rail and arranged proximate to engine fuel injectors, and adjusting fuel injector operation and/or fuel rail pressure in response to the detected fuel rail temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Michael McQuillen, Gopichandra Surnilla, Mohan Karulkar, Brian Joseph Robert, Richard E. Soltis, Larry Dean Elie