Patents by Inventor Steven Africk

Steven Africk 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: 11658354
    Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of methods and apparatus for determining the SoC and SoH a lithium ion battery and for restoring capacity to a lithium ion battery. Some embodiments provide a method and apparatus including an ultrasound transducer designed to measure characteristics of a lithium ion battery in order to determine the SoC and SoH of the lithium ion battery, and to disrupt the SSEI layer inside the lithium ion battery. Several other methods for determination of SoC and SoH and disruption of the SSEI layer are also described. Use of such methods and apparatus may be advantageous in assessing a state of the lithium ion battery, as well as rejuvenating a lithium ion battery and increasing its life span.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: TITAN ADVANCED ENERGY SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Shawn Murphy, Ashish Sreedhar, Vincent Yuan-Hsiang Lee, Steven Africk
  • Publication number: 20220349948
    Abstract: An energy storage device management system can include a management portion for charging/discharging an energy storage device and an ultrasound interrogation portion for passing ultrasound energy through the energy storage device during charge/discharge cycles. A memory stores a stream of capture data instances derived from ultrasound energy exiting the energy storage device and baseline ultrasound data instances corresponding with the energy storage device during normal charging/discharging thereof. A processor can compare each capture data instance with the baseline ultrasound data and detect abnormal operating states of the energy storage device. A warning system can issue a notification when abnormal operating states are detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. KOWALSKI, Steven A. AFRICK, Jay F. WHITACRE, Thomas C. FERREE, Maura APPLEBERRY, Shawn D. MURPHY, Sean O'DAY
  • Publication number: 20200106137
    Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of methods and apparatus for determining the SoC and SoH a lithium ion battery and for restoring capacity to a lithium ion battery. Some embodiments provide a method and apparatus including an ultrasound transducer designed to measure characteristics of a lithium ion battery in order to determine the SoC and SoH of the lithium ion battery, and to disrupt the SSEI layer inside the lithium ion battery. Several other methods for determination of SoC and SoH and disruption of the SSEI layer are also described. Use of such methods and apparatus may be advantageous in assessing a state of the lithium ion battery, as well as rejuvenating a lithium ion battery and increasing its life span.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Shawn Murphy, Ashish Sreedhar, Vincent Yuan-Hsiang Lee, Steven Africk
  • Patent number: 7984642
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for measuring and detecting properties of a variety of particles or cells in suspension. Properties, such as, for example, velocity of particles, concentration and/or size may be measured according to the methods of the invention. Acoustic energy may be introduced to a focal zone and narrow band interrogating signals may be used. The acoustic energy may cause movement or streaming of the fluid or suspension. The acoustic streaming may allow a Doppler effect measurement without any other source of velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Steven A. Africk, Clark K. Colton
  • Patent number: 7844405
    Abstract: A method of measuring the compressibility, and/or the density, of small particles, and especially nano-particles, in suspension is described. The static method uses steady pressures and measures the d-c (static) compressibility of particles. The ultrasonic method utilizes an ultrasonic pulsed doppler system to measure the compressibility of particles at ultrasonic frequencies, which may differ from static values. These methods can also be used together to provide overlapping and complementary information about the particles. In addition, the ultrasonic pulsed doppler system also provides a way to measure particle density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Inventor: Steven A. Africk
  • Patent number: 7543480
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for measuring and detecting properties of a variety of particles or cells in suspension. Properties, such as, for example, velocity of particles, concentration and/or size may be measured according to the methods of the invention. Acoustic energy may be introduced to a focal zone and narrow band interrogating signals may be used. The acoustic energy may cause movement or streaming of the fluid or suspension. The acoustic streaming may allow a Doppler effect measurement without any other source of velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Steven A. Africk, Clark K. Colton
  • Publication number: 20090138216
    Abstract: A method of measuring the compressibility, and/or the density, of small particles, and especially nano-particles, in suspension is described. The static method uses steady pressures and measures the d-c (static) compressibility of particles. The ultrasonic method utilizes an ultrasonic pulsed doppler system to measure the compressibility of particles at ultrasonic frequencies, which may differ from static values. These methods can also be used together to provide overlapping and complementary information about the particles. In addition, the ultrasonic pulsed doppler system also provides a way to measure particle density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventor: Steven A. Africk
  • Publication number: 20060178581
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for measuring and detecting properties of a variety of particles or cells in suspension. Properties, such as, for example, velocity of particles, concentration and/or size may be measured according to the methods of the invention. Acoustic energy may be introduced to a focal zone and narrow band interrogating signals may be used. The acoustic energy may cause movement or streaming of the fluid or suspension. The acoustic streaming may allow a Doppler effect measurement without any other source of velocity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Publication date: August 10, 2006
    Inventors: Steven Africk, Clark Colton