Patents by Inventor William A. Braff

William A. Braff 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: 11942661
    Abstract: Batteries according to embodiments of the present technology may include a housing including a first terminal disposed on a first side of the housing and a second terminal disposed on the first side of the housing. The batteries may include an electrode stack positioned within the housing. The electrode stack may include an anode current collector. The anode current collector may define an anode tab along a second side of the anode current collector, and be electrically coupled with the first terminal. The electrode stack may include a cathode current collector. The cathode current collector may define a cathode tab along a second side of the cathode current collector. The cathode tab and anode tab may extend in a direction normal to a direction facing the first side of the housing. The cathode tab may be electrically coupled with the second terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher T. Campbell, Nivay Anandarajah, William A. Braff, Oskar Dondelewski, Russell A. McLellan
  • Patent number: 11929522
    Abstract: Batteries according to embodiments of the present technology may include a housing including a first terminal disposed on a first side of the housing and a second terminal disposed on the first side of the housing. The batteries may include an electrode stack positioned within the housing. The electrode stack may include an anode current collector. The anode current collector may define an anode tab along a first side of the anode current collector, and be electrically coupled with the first terminal. The electrode stack may include a cathode current collector. The cathode current collector may define a cathode tab along a second side of the cathode current collector. The cathode tab may extend from the cathode current collector in a direction normal to a direction the anode tab extends from the anode current collector. The cathode tab may be electrically coupled with a busbar disposed within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher T. Campbell, Nivay Anandarajah, William A. Braff, Oskar Dondelewski, Russell A. McLellan
  • Patent number: 11870100
    Abstract: Batteries according to embodiments of the present technology may include a housing including a first terminal disposed on a first side of the housing and a second terminal disposed on the first side of the housing. The batteries may include an electrode stack positioned within the housing. The electrode stack may include an anode current collector. The anode current collector may define an anode tab along a first side of the anode current collector, and be electrically coupled with the first terminal. The electrode stack may include a cathode current collector. The cathode current collector may define a cathode tab along a second side of the cathode current collector. The cathode tab may extend from the cathode current collector in a direction normal to a direction the anode tab extends from the anode current collector. The cathode tab may be electrically coupled with the second terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher T. Campbell, Nivay Anandarajah, William A. Braff, Oskar Dondelewski, Russell A. McLellan
  • Patent number: 11652230
    Abstract: Energy storage devices, battery cells, and rechargeable batteries of the present technology may include an anode and a cathode. The battery cells may include a separator positioned between the anode and the cathode. The battery cells may include an electrolyte incorporated with the anode and the cathode. The battery cells may also include a pseudo-reference electrode at least partially in contact with the electrolyte. The pseudo-reference electrode may be positioned between layers of the separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander A. Gorer, William A. Braff, Steven Kaye, Cory R. O'Neill
  • Publication number: 20230120402
    Abstract: A system includes a first bus, a second bus, a first battery that includes a first plurality of cells, and a second battery that includes a second plurality of cells, wherein the second battery is connected to the second bus. A first converter connects the first battery to the first bus. A second converter connects the first bus to the second bus. A controller is configured to control operation of the first converter and the second converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Philip W. Juang, Christoopher D. Laws, Brandon Pierquet, Giridhar N. Murching, William A. Braff
  • Publication number: 20230107015
    Abstract: Batteries according to embodiments of the present technology may include a housing including a first terminal disposed on a first side of the housing and a second terminal disposed on the first side of the housing. The batteries may include an electrode stack positioned within the housing. The electrode stack may include an anode current collector. The anode current collector may define an anode tab along a first side of the anode current collector, and be electrically coupled with the first terminal. The electrode stack may include a cathode current collector. The cathode current collector may define a cathode tab along a second side of the cathode current collector. The cathode tab may extend from the cathode current collector in a direction normal to a direction the anode tab extends from the anode current collector. The cathode tab may be electrically coupled with a busbar disposed within the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher T. Campbell, Nivay Anandarajah, William A. Braff, Oskar Dondelewski, Russell A. McLellan
  • Publication number: 20230101797
    Abstract: Batteries according to embodiments of the present technology may include a housing including a first terminal disposed on a first side of the housing and a second terminal disposed on the first side of the housing. The batteries may include an electrode stack positioned within the housing. The electrode stack may include an anode current collector. The anode current collector may define an anode tab along a second side of the anode current collector, and be electrically coupled with the first terminal. The electrode stack may include a cathode current collector. The cathode current collector may define a cathode tab along a second side of the cathode current collector. The cathode tab and anode tab may extend in a direction normal to a direction facing the first side of the housing. The cathode tab may be electrically coupled with the second terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher T. Campbell, Nivay Anandarajah, William A. Braff, Oskar Dondelewski, Russell A. McLellan
  • Publication number: 20230103136
    Abstract: Batteries according to embodiments of the present technology may include a housing including a first terminal disposed on a first side of the housing and a second terminal disposed on the first side of the housing. The batteries may include an electrode stack positioned within the housing. The electrode stack may include an anode current collector. The anode current collector may define an anode tab along a first side of the anode current collector, and be electrically coupled with the first terminal. The electrode stack may include a cathode current collector. The cathode current collector may define a cathode tab along a second side of the cathode current collector. The cathode tab may extend from the cathode current collector in a direction normal to a direction the anode tab extends from the anode current collector. The cathode tab may be electrically coupled with the second terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Christopher T. Campbell, Nivay Anandarajah, William A. Braff, Oskar Dondelewski, Russell A. McLellan
  • Publication number: 20230092737
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to battery cells, and more particularly, electrolyte formulations that reduce thermal runaway in lithium ion battery cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Vinay Bhat, Cory R. O'Neill, William A. Braff, Rachel Ann R. Villamayor Huang
  • Patent number: 11557909
    Abstract: A system includes a first bus, a second bus, a first battery that includes a first plurality of cells, and a second battery that includes a second plurality of cells, wherein the second battery is connected to the second bus. A first converter connects the high-voltage battery to the first bus. A second converter connects the first bus to the second bus. A controller is configured to control operation of the first converter and the second converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Philip W. Juang, Christopher D. Laws, Brandon Pierquet, Giridhar N. Murching, William A. Braff
  • Publication number: 20220190607
    Abstract: A system includes a first bus, a second bus, a first battery that includes a first plurality of cells, and a second battery that includes a second plurality of cells, wherein the second battery is connected to the second bus. A first converter connects the high-voltage battery to the first bus. A second converter connects the first bus to the second bus. A controller is configured to control operation of the first converter and the second converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Philip W. Juang, Christopher D. Laws, Brandon Pierquet, Giridhar N. Murching, William A. Braff
  • Patent number: 11296351
    Abstract: Energy storage devices, battery cells, and rechargeable batteries of the present technology may include an anode and a cathode. The battery cells may include a separator positioned between the anode and the cathode. The battery cells may include an electrolyte incorporated with the anode and the cathode. The battery cells may also include a pseudo-reference electrode at least partially in contact with the electrolyte. The pseudo-reference electrode may be electrically isolated from the anode and the cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Inventors: Alexander A. Gorer, William A. Braff, Steven Kaye, Cory R. O'Neill
  • Patent number: 11228074
    Abstract: Batteries are described that include a cathode material, and anode material, and a polymeric material that separates the cathode material from the anode material. The polymeric material has hydroxide ion conductivity of at least about 50 mS/cm, and a diffusion ration of hydroxide ions to at least one type of metal ion of at least about 10:1. Also described are methods of making a battery that include forming a layer of polymeric material between a first electrode and second electrode of the battery. In additional methods, the polymeric material is coated on at least one of the electrodes of the battery. In further methods, the polymeric material is admixed with at least one of the electrode materials to make a composite electrode material that is incorporated into the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Kaye, William A. Braff, Maria N. Luckyanova, Ghyrn E. Loveness
  • Publication number: 20200083505
    Abstract: Batteries are described that include a cathode, an anode, and a separator that electrically insulates the cathode from the anode. The separator includes a cation exchange membrane positioned between a first anion exchange membrane and a second anion exchange membrane, and has a hydroxide ion conductivity of at least about 10 mS/cm, and a diffusion ratio of hydroxide ions to at least one type of metal ion of at least about 100:1. Also described are methods of making a battery that include forming a separator between a cathode electrode and an anode electrode. The separator includes a cation exchange membrane positioned between a first anion exchange membrane and a second anion exchange membrane. The methods also include contacting the cathode electrode with a cathode current collector and the anode electrode with an anode current collector, where the cathode and anode currently collectors are electrically insulated from each other by a spacer material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Kaye, William A. Braff, Maria N. Luckyanova, Ghyrn E. Loveness
  • Publication number: 20200083507
    Abstract: Batteries are described that include a cathode material, and anode material, and a polymeric material that separates the cathode material from the anode material. The polymeric material has hydroxide ion conductivity of at least about 50 mS/cm, and a diffusion ration of hydroxide ions to at least one type of metal ion of at least about 10:1. Also described are methods of making a battery that include forming a layer of polymeric material between a first electrode and second electrode of the battery. In additional methods, the polymeric material is coated on at least one of the electrodes of the battery. In further methods, the polymeric material is admixed with at least one of the electrode materials to make a composite electrode material that is incorporated into the electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Kaye, William A. Braff, Maria N. Luckyanova, Ghyrn E. Loveness
  • Patent number: 9537169
    Abstract: An electrochemical device and methods of using the same. In one embodiment, the electrochemical device may be used as a fuel cell and/or as an electrolyzer and includes a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), an anodic gas diffusion medium in contact with the anode of the MEA, a cathodic gas diffusion medium in contact with the cathode, a first bipolar plate in contact with the anodic gas diffusion medium, and a second bipolar plate in contact with the cathodic gas diffusion medium. Each of the bipolar plates includes an electrically-conductive, chemically-inert, non-porous, liquid-permeable, substantially gas-impermeable membrane in contact with its respective gas diffusion medium, as well as a fluid chamber and a non-porous an electrically-conductive plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: GINER, INC.
    Inventors: Cortney K. Mittelsteadt, William A. Braff
  • Publication number: 20140065510
    Abstract: An electrochemical device and methods of using the same. In one embodiment, the electrochemical device may be used as a fuel cell and/or as an electrolyzer and includes a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), an anodic gas diffusion medium in contact with the anode of the MEA, a cathodic gas diffusion medium in contact with the cathode, a first bipolar plate in contact with the anodic gas diffusion medium, and a second bipolar plate in contact with the cathodic gas diffusion medium. Each of the bipolar plates includes an electrically-conductive, chemically-inert, non-porous, liquid-permeable, substantially gas-impermeable membrane in contact with its respective gas diffusion medium, as well as a fluid chamber and a non-porous an electrically-conductive plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: GINER ELECTROCHEMICAL SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Cortney K. Mittelsteadt, William A. Braff
  • Patent number: 8551670
    Abstract: An electrochemical device and methods of using the same. In one embodiment, the electrochemical device may be used as a fuel cell and/or as an electrolyzer and includes a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), an anodic gas diffusion medium in contact with the anode of the MEA, a cathodic gas diffusion medium in contact with the cathode, a first bipolar plate in contact with the anodic gas diffusion medium, and a second bipolar plate in contact with the cathodic gas diffusion medium. Each of the bipolar plates includes an electrically-conductive, chemically-inert, non-porous, liquid-permeable, substantially gas-impermeable membrane in contact with its respective gas diffusion medium, as well as a fluid chamber and a non-porous an electrically-conductive plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Giner Electrochemical Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Cortney K. Mittelsteadt, William A. Braff
  • Publication number: 20120070766
    Abstract: Electrochemical cell system. The system includes a low Reynolds number microfluidic channel including spaced apart anode and cathode forming sides thereof. A fuel channel introduces a liquid fuel into the microfluidic channel for laminar flow along the anode and an oxidant channel introduces a concentrated liquid oxidant into the microfluidic channel for laminar flow along the cathode. An electrolyte channel introduces a liquid electrolyte into the microfluidic channel for laminar flow between the fuel and oxidant flows. Electrodes are connected to the anode and cathode for connection to an external load. In another embodiment, the anode is porous and a gaseous fuel such as hydrogen diffuses through the anode into the interior of the microfluidic channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventor: William Braff
  • Publication number: 20090220845
    Abstract: An electrochemical device and methods of using the same. In one embodiment, the electrochemical device may be used as a fuel cell and/or as an electrolyzer and includes a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), an anodic gas diffusion medium in contact with the anode of the MEA, a cathodic gas diffusion medium in contact with the cathode, a first bipolar plate in contact with the anodic gas diffusion medium, and a second bipolar plate in contact with the cathodic gas diffusion medium. Each of the bipolar plates includes an electrically-conductive, chemically-inert, non-porous, liquid-permeable, substantially gas-impermeable membrane in contact with its respective gas diffusion medium, as well as a fluid chamber and a non-porous an electrically-conductive plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventors: Cortney K. Mittelsteadt, William A. Braff