Patents by Inventor Qingcheng Zeng
Qingcheng Zeng 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).
-
Publication number: 20240170689Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming solid-electrolyte-interface layers on electrodes of a plurality of electrolytic cells involves use of a cell formation fixture configured to define a scalable and pressurizable volume containing the electrolytic cells, while exposing terminals of the cells to ambient atmospheric pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2023Publication date: May 23, 2024Inventors: Qingcheng Zeng, Steven Kaye
-
Publication number: 20240063460Abstract: A battery cell includes a cathode casing forming all or a majority of the external can of the battery cell. The battery further includes an anode tab covering at least a portion of a face of the battery cell and an insulating layer for electrically isolating the anode tab from the cathode casing. A plurality of such battery cells may be arranged within a battery pack in contact with each other, and may be held in compression. A conduction enhancement layer may be applied between the anode tab of a first cell and the cathode casing of a second cell within the battery pack. One or more heat dissipation elements may be arranged within the battery pack, in contact with the battery cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2023Publication date: February 22, 2024Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jonathan L. Hall, Luke A. Wilhelm, Qingcheng Zeng, Mujeeb Ijaz, Donald G. Dafoe
-
Publication number: 20240030529Abstract: A cap assembly that includes a cap plate having an upper surface and a lower surface, the cap plate being formed to seal an opening of a cell case and to have a terminal hole, an electrode terminal inserted into the terminal hole, and an insulator positioned between the cap plate and the electrode terminal and inserted into the terminal hole, with the insulator making contact with the lower surface of the cap plate. The insulator has a first unibody structure and insulates the electrode terminal from the cap plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2023Publication date: January 25, 2024Applicant: Our Next Energy, Inc.Inventors: Qingcheng Zeng, Steven Kaye
-
Publication number: 20240030453Abstract: An anode-free cell that includes a cathode and a separator-collector-separator structure. The separator-collector-separator structure includes a perforated anode current collector, and a polymer layer contiguously disposed on both surfaces of the perforated anode current collector through perforations in the perforated anode current collector. The polymer layer is a binder.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2023Publication date: January 25, 2024Applicant: Our Next Energy, Inc.Inventors: Qingcheng Zeng, Steven Kaye
-
Patent number: 11862801Abstract: Batteries according to embodiments of the present technology may include a battery cell having a first current collector including a polymer and a metal at least partially disposed about surfaces of the polymer. An edge region of the first current collector may be maintained free of the metal on a first surface of the first current collector. The battery cell may include a second current collector. The battery cell may also include a separator disposed between the first current collector and the second current collector. The separator may include a polymer, and the separator and the first current collector may be laminated proximate the edge region of the first current collector along the first surface of the first current collector.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2018Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventor: Qingcheng Zeng
-
Patent number: 11837707Abstract: A battery cell includes a cathode casing forming all or a majority of the external can of the battery cell. The battery further includes an anode tab covering at least a portion of a face of the battery cell and an insulating layer for electrically isolating the anode tab from the cathode casing. A plurality of such battery cells may be arranged within a battery pack in contact with each other, and may be held in compression. A conduction enhancement layer may be applied between the anode tab of a first cell and the cathode casing of a second cell within the battery pack. One or more heat dissipation elements may be arranged within the battery pack, in contact with the battery cells.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2020Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jonathan L. Hall, Luke A. Wilhelm, Qingcheng Zeng, Mujeeb Ijaz, Donald G. Dafoe
-
Patent number: 11791470Abstract: Energy storage devices, battery cells, and batteries of the present technology may include a first current collector, and may include a separator. The battery cell may include a first active material disposed between the first current collector and the separator. The battery cell may include an electrolyte diffusion material disposed between the first active material and the first current collector.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2019Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christopher T. Campbell, Andrew C. Chu, Tobias Zeilinger, Ghyrn E. Loveness, Qingcheng Zeng, Kenzo Nagai, Donald G. Dafoe
-
Patent number: 11699815Abstract: Batteries according to embodiments of the present technology may include a first battery cell including a first body characterized by a first length and a first width, and a first tab extending from an edge of the first body. The first tab may be characterized by a width less than the first width of the first body. The batteries may also include a second battery cell stacked below the first battery cell. The second battery cell may include a second body characterized by a second length and a second width, and a second tab extending from an edge of the second body. The second tab may be characterized by a width less than the second width of the second body. The second tab may also be characterized by a width greater than the width of the first tab providing an extension of the second tab protruding from below the first tab.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2021Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Qingcheng Zeng, Donald G. Dafoe
-
Publication number: 20230076651Abstract: Energy storage devices, battery cells, and batteries of the present technology may include a first cell and a second cell disposed adjacent the first cell. The devices may include a stacked current collector coupled between the first cell and the second cell. The current collector may include a grid or matrix, and may include a combination of conductive and insulative materials.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2022Publication date: March 9, 2023Inventors: Andrew C. Chu, Christopher T. Campbell, Qingcheng Zeng, Kenzo Nagai, Isaac S. Harper, Donald G. Dafoe
-
Patent number: 11532824Abstract: Energy storage devices, battery cells, and batteries of the present technology may include a first cell and a second cell disposed adjacent the first cell. The devices may include a stacked current collector coupled between the first cell and the second cell. The current collector may include a grid or matrix, and may include a combination of conductive and insulative materials.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2019Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Andrew C. Chu, Christopher T. Campbell, Qingcheng Zeng, Kenzo Nagai, Isaac S. Harper, Donald G. Dafoe
-
Publication number: 20220264944Abstract: Aspects of the current subject matter relate to methods and system for protecting a battery cell and/or a /pack of multiple battery cells serving as a power source of a vaporizer device from developing a short-circuit in a vaporizer device. In one aspect, a vaporizer device is provided. The vaporizer device may include a power source including a battery and a power source lead extending outward from a distal end of the battery. The vaporizer device may further include a printed circuit board (PCB) electrically coupled to the power source via the power source lead extending outward from the battery. The vaporizer device may further include an insulator at least partially surrounding the power source lead. The insulator may be mechanically coupled to at least one of the power source and the PCB.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2022Publication date: August 25, 2022Inventors: Jie Guan, Nicholas R. Marker, Erik A. Vaknine, Val Valentine, Tianren Xu, Qingcheng Zeng
-
Publication number: 20220240576Abstract: A vaporization device includes a power source comprising a shell including a hermetic chamber. The hermetic chamber having an anode, an anode current collector, a cathode, a cathode current collector, a separator, and an electrolyte disposed therein. The hermetic chamber including the anode, the anode current collector, the cathode, the cathode current collector, and the electrolyte forming a battery serving as a power source for the vaporizer device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2022Publication date: August 4, 2022Inventors: Jie Guan, Val Valentine, Tianren Xu, Qingcheng Zeng
-
Publication number: 20220183359Abstract: A vaporizer device includes a fuel cell disposed with a device body and configured to receive a cartridge having a first compartment that holds a vaporizable material, a second compartment that holds a fuel, a heating element, and a wicking element that can draw the vaporizable material to the heating element to be vaporized. The vaporizer cartridge is configured for fluidically, thermally, and/or electrically coupling to a vaporizer device body. Various implementations of the vaporizer cartridge are described that include one or more features for a fuel cell within the cartridge.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2022Publication date: June 16, 2022Inventors: Jie GUAN, Val VALENTINE, Qingcheng ZENG
-
Publication number: 20220167683Abstract: A vaporizer that includes a metal-air battery, in particular a zinc-air battery is described herein. The metal-air battery can have increased power output relative to conventional batteries. Various embodiments of the vaporizer are described that include one or more features for low environmental impact, disposability, and increased power output. Related systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2022Publication date: June 2, 2022Inventors: Jie GUAN, Val VALENTINE, Qingcheng ZENG
-
Patent number: 11335977Abstract: Batteries according to embodiments of the present technology may include a first battery cell including a first current collector. The batteries may include a second battery cell including a second current collector. The second battery cell may be vertically aligned with the first battery cell, and the second current collector may be positioned adjacent the first current collector. The first battery cell and the second battery cell may be electrically coupled together so the first battery cell and the second battery cell transfer current through the cells between the first current collector and the second current collector. The batteries may also include a patterned coupling material disposed between the first battery cell and the second battery cell and joining the first current collector with the second current collector.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2018Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Inventors: Qingcheng Zeng, Tobias Zeilinger, Kenzo Nagai, Donald G. Dafoe
-
Patent number: 11296361Abstract: A bipolar battery including a first electrochemical cell and a second electrochemical cell is provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2016Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Inventors: Andrew C. Chu, Qingcheng Zeng, Donald G. Dafoe, Steven Kaye
-
Patent number: 11264665Abstract: Battery housings and batteries are presented for accommodating swelling of an electrode assembly. In one aspect, a battery includes an electrode assembly that includes a cathode and an anode. The battery also includes a receptacle that includes at least one feedthrough disposed through one or more sides of the receptacle. A lid is sealed to the receptacle. The receptacle, the at least one feedthrough, and the lid form a sealed volume in which the electrode assembly and an electrolyte are disposed. The lid is configured to displace from a first position to a second position in response to a swelling of the electrode assembly within the sealed volume. The receptacle is configured to strain less than the lid during the swelling of the electrode assembly. The second position of the lid may correspond to an expanded volume of the electrode assembly that is 15% greater than an initial volume.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2020Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Qingcheng Zeng, Donald G. Dafoe, Kenzo Nagai
-
Publication number: 20220007722Abstract: Cartridges for vaporizer devices are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a cartridge can include a reservoir housing that includes a reservoir chamber configured to selectively hold a vaporizable material, and an atomizer in fluid communication with the reservoir chamber. The atomizer includes a substrate having an array of ordered pores configured to draw a predetermined volume of vaporizable material from the reservoir chamber at a predetermined rate, and at least one heating material configured to selectively heat the at least a portion of the vaporizable material drawn into the substrate to generate a vaporized material. Vaporizer devices are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2021Publication date: January 13, 2022Inventors: Val Valentine, Qingcheng Zeng
-
Patent number: 11189834Abstract: Energy storage devices, battery cells, and batteries of the present technology may include a first current collector and a second current collector. Exemplary battery cells may also include a first region defined between the first current collector and the second current collector. The first region may include electrode materials. The battery cells may also include a second region defined between the first current collector and the second current collector. The second region may be fluidly isolated from the first region. The second region may include an electrolyte.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2018Date of Patent: November 30, 2021Inventor: Qingcheng Zeng
-
Patent number: 11043703Abstract: Batteries according to embodiments of the present technology may include a first battery cell including a first body characterized by a first length and a first width, and a first tab extending from an edge of the first body. The first tab may be characterized by a width less than the first width of the first body. The batteries may also include a second battery cell stacked below the first battery cell. The second battery cell may include a second body characterized by a second length and a second width, and a second tab extending from an edge of the second body. The second tab may be characterized by a width less than the second width of the second body. The second tab may also be characterized by a width greater than the width of the first tab providing an extension of the second tab protruding from below the first tab.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2018Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Inventors: Qingcheng Zeng, Donald G. Dafoe