Patents by Inventor Tommy M. Gunther
Tommy M. Gunther 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: 11462805Abstract: A vehicle traction battery assembly including a pair of battery cells and a busbar is provided. Each of the battery cells may include a terminal and one or more locating features. The busbar may span between the cells and define a pair of arms each having a member sized to at least partially interlock with the one or more locating features. The busbar may span between the cells such that the busbar covers at least a portion of upper surfaces defined by each of the cells. At least one of the terminal apertures may be spaced in between outer edges of the respective arms such that a first and second surface area provide space sufficient for weld spots.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2019Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Rajaram Subramanian, Francisco Fernandez, Stuart Schreiber, Tommy M. Gunther, Yunan Guo
-
Patent number: 11299023Abstract: A fastener assembly includes a stud and a nut. The stud has a proximal end and a distal end with a body therebetween. The stud also has a central axis extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The proximal end has a flange for coupling to a surface. The body has a cavity opening to an orifice at the distal end. The nut is retained within the cavity. Rotation of the nut about the central axis is inhibited.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2016Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: James McManaman, Tommy M. Gunther, Steven Droste, Rajaram Subramanian
-
Publication number: 20190341596Abstract: A vehicle traction battery assembly including a pair of battery cells and a busbar is provided. Each of the battery cells may include a terminal and one or more locating features. The busbar may span between the cells and define a pair of arms each having a member sized to at least partially interlock with the one or more locating features. The busbar may span between the cells such that the busbar covers at least a portion of upper surfaces defined by each of the cells. At least one of the terminal apertures may be spaced in between outer edges of the respective arms such that a first and second surface area provide space sufficient for weld spots.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2019Publication date: November 7, 2019Inventors: Rajaram SUBRAMANIAN, Francisco FERNANDEZ, Stuart SCHREIBER, Tommy M. GUNTHER, Yunan Guo
-
Patent number: 10403875Abstract: A vehicle traction battery assembly including a pair of battery cells and a busbar is provided. Each of the battery cells may include a terminal and one or more locating features. The busbar may span between the cells and define a pair of arms each having a member sized to at least partially interlock with the one or more locating features. The busbar may span between the cells such that the busbar covers at least a portion of upper surfaces defined by each of the cells. At least one of the terminal apertures may be spaced in between outer edges of the respective arms such that a first and second surface area provide space sufficient for weld spots.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2015Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Rajaram Subramanian, Francisco Fernandez, Stuart Schreiber, Tommy M. Gunther, Yunan Guo
-
Patent number: 9985267Abstract: An assembly connecting a battery bus bar to battery cell terminals, with the bus bar provided with spring clips. The clips fit over the battery terminals and hold the bus bar and terminals in contact, with welding attaching the clip to the terminals.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2017Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Tommy M. Gunther, Wei Long Qiu, Yunan Guo, Louis Paspal, Francisco Fernandez
-
Publication number: 20170263911Abstract: An assembly and method of connecting a bus bar to battery cell terminals to produce a bus bar clip assembly. A bus bar is provided with spring clips. The clips fit over the battery terminals and hold the bus bar and terminals in contact for welding the components together.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2017Publication date: September 14, 2017Inventors: Tommy M. Gunther, Wei Long Qiu, Yunan Guo, Louis Paspal, Francisco Fernandez
-
Publication number: 20170232916Abstract: A fastener assembly includes a stud and a nut. The stud has a proximal end and a distal end with a body therebetween. The stud also has a central axis extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The proximal end has a flange for coupling to a surface. The body has a cavity opening to an orifice at the distal end. The nut is retained within the cavity. Rotation of the nut about the central axis is inhibited.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2016Publication date: August 17, 2017Inventors: James MCMANAMAN, Tommy M. GUNTHER, Steven DROSTE, Rajaram SUBRAMANIAN
-
Patent number: 9698402Abstract: A method of welding a bus bar to battery cell terminals to produce a bus bar clip assembly. A bus bar is provided with spring clips. The clips fit over the battery terminals and hold the bus bar and terminals in contact for welding the components together.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2014Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Tommy M. Gunther, Wei Long Qiu, Yunan Guo, Louis Paspal, Francisco Fernandez
-
Patent number: 9634364Abstract: A vehicle including a pair of spaced apart battery cell arrays, a pair of sub-structures configured to retain the arrays, and a thermal plate assembly disposed between the arrays is provided. Each of the sub-structures may include opposing endplates and opposing upper and lower sidewalls secured to the endplates and each having a flange extending toward and overlapping with the respective flange of the other sub-structure to join the sub-structures without mechanical fastening. The thermal plate assembly may be disposed between the overlapping flanges and the arrays to form a sandwich formation. The thermal plate assembly may include at least one thermal interface component disposed on a side of a thermal plate, and in contact with a portion of at least one of the battery cell arrays.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2014Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Rajaram Subramanian, Patrick Daniel Maguire, Tommy M. Gunther, Keith Kearney, Stuart Schreiber, John Jardine
-
Patent number: 9543557Abstract: A traction battery assembly for a vehicle includes an array of cells stacked on a tray. The array of cells defines opposing longitudinal sides and opposing lateral sides. First and second L-shaped components are attached to the tray. Each of the components includes an end wall and a sidewall that are integrally formed to define a substantially 90° corner. The first and second components are attached together such that each of the sidewalls is disposed adjacent one of the longitudinal sides and each of the end walls is disposed adjacent one of the lateral sides to form a housing around the tray that has an open top and an open bottom.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2014Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Tommy M. Gunther, Rajaram Subramanian, Stuart Schreiber, John Jardine, Keith Kearney
-
Publication number: 20160308187Abstract: A vehicle traction battery assembly including a pair of battery cells and a busbar is provided. Each of the battery cells may include a terminal and one or more locating features. The busbar may span between the cells and define a pair of arms each having a member sized to at least partially interlock with the one or more locating features. The busbar may span between the cells such that the busbar covers at least a portion of upper surfaces defined by each of the cells. At least one of the terminal apertures may be spaced in between outer edges of the respective arms such that a first and second surface area provide space sufficient for weld spots.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2015Publication date: October 20, 2016Inventors: Rajaram Subramanian, Francisco Fernandez, Stuart Schreiber, Tommy M. Gunther, Yunan Guo
-
Patent number: 9356270Abstract: A battery assembly includes a lower array including opposing endplates having upwardly protruding pins, and an upper array including opposing endplates having pin bores. The upper array includes a mid-tray defining holes positioned such that the pins are receivable in the holes and the bores when the arrays are properly oriented and such that the mid-tray blocks the pins from being received within the bores when the arrays are positioned in a reverse orientation.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2014Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Rajaram Subramanian, Tommy M. Gunther, Daniel Miller, Steven Droste, Andrew Elms
-
Publication number: 20160118701Abstract: A vehicle including a pair of spaced apart battery cell arrays, a pair of sub-structures configured to retain the arrays, and a thermal plate assembly disposed between the arrays is provided. Each of the sub-structures may include opposing endplates and opposing upper and lower sidewalls secured to the endplates and each having a flange extending toward and overlapping with the respective flange of the other sub-structure to join the sub-structures without mechanical fastening. The thermal plate assembly may be disposed between the overlapping flanges and the arrays to form a sandwich formation. The thermal plate assembly may include at least one thermal interface component disposed on a side of a thermal plate, and in contact with a portion of at least one of the battery cell arrays.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2014Publication date: April 28, 2016Inventors: Rajaram SUBRAMANIAN, Patrick Daniel MAGUIRE, Tommy M. GUNTHER, Keith KEARNEY, Stuart SCHREIBER, John JARDINE
-
Publication number: 20160093847Abstract: A traction battery assembly for a vehicle includes an array of cells stacked on a tray. The array of cells defines opposing longitudinal sides and opposing lateral sides. First and second L-shaped components are attached to the tray. Each of the components includes an end wall and a sidewall that are integrally formed to define a substantially 90° corner. The first and second components are attached together such that each of the sidewalls is disposed adjacent one of the longitudinal sides and each of the end walls is disposed adjacent one of the lateral sides to form a housing around the tray that has an open top and an open bottom.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2014Publication date: March 31, 2016Inventors: Tommy M. GUNTHER, Rajaram SUBRAMANIAN, Stuart SCHREIBER, John JARDINE, Keith KEARNEY
-
Publication number: 20160056426Abstract: A battery assembly includes a lower array including opposing endplates having upwardly protruding pins, and an upper array including opposing endplates having pin bores. The upper array includes a mid-tray defining holes positioned such that the pins are receivable in the holes and the bores when the arrays are properly oriented and such that the mid-tray blocks the pins from being received within the bores when the arrays are positioned in a reverse orientation.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2014Publication date: February 25, 2016Inventors: Rajaram SUBRAMANIAN, Tommy M. GUNTHER, Daniel MILLER, Steven DROSTE, Andrew ELMS
-
Publication number: 20150263326Abstract: A method of welding a bus bar to battery cell terminals to produce a bus bar clip assembly. A bus bar is provided with spring clips. The clips fit over the battery terminals and hold the bus bar and terminals in contact for welding the components together.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2014Publication date: September 17, 2015Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Tommy M. Gunther, Wei Long Qiu, Yunan Guo, Louis Paspal, Francisco Fernandez