Patents Examined by Michael L Dignan
  • Patent number: 11824222
    Abstract: A high-voltage battery for an electrically operated vehicle, the battery housing of which has a housing cover and a housing lower part which delimit a housing interior which is divided into at least one battery cell compartment equipped with battery cells and at least one component compartment for electronic components. A degassing space is formed between a battery cell top of the battery cells and the housing cover, into which space hot exhaust gas flows during a thermal event in one of the battery cells from an exhaust gas outlet of the damaged battery cell. The high-voltage battery has a partition wall which separates the degassing space from the component compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Marvin Czech, Eduard Main
  • Patent number: 11817588
    Abstract: Provided here is a method of manufacturing a lattice electrode useful in an energy storage device such as a battery or capacitor. A lattice electrode useful in an energy storage device such as a battery or capacitor also is provided, along with energy storage devices such as batteries or capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignees: Carnegie Mellon University, The Curators of the University of Missouri
    Inventors: Rahul Panat, Jie Li, Jonghyun Park, Mohammad Sadeq Saleh
  • Patent number: 11817594
    Abstract: A battery module includes a cell assembly including at least one battery cell, a module case accommodating the cell assembly, an upper frame positioned on one surface of the cell assembly in the module case to at least partially cover the cell assembly, a flexible printed circuit board configured to be mounted longitudinally on the upper frame to sense the battery cell, and a protective cover in which a main cover portion parallel to a main surface of the upper frame is mounted on the upper frame so as to cover the flexible printed circuit board in the module case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: LG ENERGY SOLUTION, LTD.
    Inventors: Dai Ki Min, Jae Hyeon Ju, Jisu Yoon
  • Patent number: 11811083
    Abstract: The present application provides a battery module, a battery pack and a vehicle, the battery module includes a battery and a frame assembly. The frame assembly includes two first splints, two second splints and a first strap. Each first splint includes a plurality of first connecting plates, and the plurality of first connecting plates are arranged side by side in a second direction. One of two adjacent first connecting plates is provided with a first positioning groove, and the other is provided with a first positioning protrusion, and the two adjacent first connecting plates are spliced and connected through a clearance fitting between the first positioning groove and the corresponding first positioning protrusion. This assembly method is simple and fast, which improves a grouping efficiency of the battery module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED
    Inventors: Sien Chen, Shoujiang Xu, Xiaoshan Dai
  • Patent number: 11799164
    Abstract: A flexible printed circuit board which includes: a base film; and multiple wires formed on the base film, in which in a region attached to a battery including multiple arrayed cells, a conductor portion to be the multiple wires is provided only on one surface of the base film, at at least part of a region apart from the region attached to the battery, a conductor portion to be the multiple wires is provided on each surface of the base film, and the flexible printed circuit board further includes multiple conductive portions configured to electrically connect the wires on one surface side of the base film and the wires on the other surface side of the base film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: NIPPON MEKTRON, LTD.
    Inventors: Shunsuke Tomita, Tomoki Kanayama, Kazuyuki Azuma
  • Patent number: 11777172
    Abstract: A battery pack including m number of battery cells arranged in a first direction; and spacers on the battery cells, the spacers each including a plurality of spacer units arranged in the first direction, wherein each of the spacer units extends across n number of battery cells, in which n<m, and each of the spacer units includes a plurality of spacing bars, each spacing bar being between adjacent ones of the battery cells, and connection bars connecting the plurality of spacing bars to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seonung Choi, Jieon Kim, Hoomin Lee, Jaelim Ryu, Hanho Kim, Jonghyun Lee, Taekyung Lee
  • Patent number: 11777149
    Abstract: A stackable electrical-energy bussing system, for energy storage battery cells constructed according to the present invention includes a battery cell case having electrically conductive terminals that fit together with the terminals of a similar battery cell in order to enable multiple battery cells to be interconnected physically and electrically by stacking them atop each other. A Stackbatt bussing system housing contains the electricity-producing elements for each cell, connected from each opposing side. Preferably, the battery cell includes at least two such male terminals in spaced-apart relationship on the top side of the cell case, and at least two such female bus tubes that mate and receive with a spaced-apart relationship on both sides of the Stackbatt bussing system. Preferably, a multi-cell battery bussing system constructed to the invention includes multiple battery cells as described above, stacked when desired to achieve desired battery voltage for series and or parallel configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Inventor: Ted Thomas
  • Patent number: 11757087
    Abstract: Methods are provided for forming an electrode. The method can comprise thermally reducing GeO2 powders at a reducing temperature of 300° C. to 600° C. to produce Ge particles; mixing the Ge particles with an organic binder and a carbon source; and pressing the Ge particles with the binder and the carbon source to form the electrode. Electrodes are also provided that include a plurality of microparticles comprising Ge grains, an organic binder, and a carbon source, wherein the Ge grains comprise cubic Ge and are bonded together to form Ge particles, and wherein the Ge grains define nanopores within the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: Xiao-Dong Zhou, Kuber Mishra, Fu-Sheng Ke
  • Patent number: 11749864
    Abstract: A fixing structure (300) for a battery pack is provided. The battery pack includes a box body (100). The fixing structure (300) is disposed on an outer surface of the box body (100) and includes a first connecting body (301), a second connecting body (302), and a transition body (303). The first connecting body (301) has one end connected with the box body (100). The second connecting body (302) has one end connected with the box body (100). The second connecting body (302) is spaced apart from the first connecting body (301). The transition body (303) has two ends connected with one end of the first connecting body (301) away from the box body (100) and one end of the second connecting body (302) away from the box body (100) respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignees: Shenzhen Hairun New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., Xiamen Hithium Energy Storage Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wancai Zhang, Junmin Feng
  • Patent number: 11728538
    Abstract: A power tool battery pack receptacle includes a cavity in which a portion of a battery pack is receivable, an insertion end, a closed end opposite the insertion end along an insertion axis of the battery pack, and a rail extending between the insertion end and the closed end. The rail includes a first portion having a variable height and a second portion having a substantially constant height. The first portion is positioned adjacent the insertion end and the second portion is spaced from the insertion end. The rail is configured to be received within a groove of the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Techtronic Cordless GP
    Inventors: Krishna Sai Teja Kalavala, Elton L. Watson
  • Patent number: 11728524
    Abstract: A battery arrangement (10) for an electrically drivable motor vehicle has a battery housing (12) for receiving battery cells for electrically driving the motor vehicle. A control electronics system (14) is provided outside the battery housing (12) for controlling the battery cells. A module housing (16) is connected to the battery housing (12) for covering the control electronics system (14) and a module heat-conducting element (28) is provided between the control electronics system (14) and the module housing (16) so that heat generated in the control electronics system (14) is dissipated to the module housing (16) by heat conduction. The module housing (16) and the module heat element (28) passively cool the control electronics system (14), which is provided outside the battery housing (12), thereby providing simple and cost-effective dissipation of heat produced in the battery arrangement (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h. c. F. Porsche AG
    Inventor: Dominik Grass
  • Patent number: 11721874
    Abstract: A bus bar assembly includes a frame, a plurality of sensing bus bars integrally provided on the frame, an inter bus bar configured to connect any one pair of sensing bus bars, among the plurality of sensing bus bars, to each other, and a terminal bus bar configured to connect any one of the plurality of sensing bus bars to an external terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Inventors: Doo Han Yoon, Jong Woon Choi, Jae Hun Yang
  • Patent number: 11721871
    Abstract: Provided are a terminal protection device and a battery module. The terminal protection device includes a base having a bottom portion and side plates connected to peripheral sides of the bottom portion, the side plates and the bottom portion together form an accommodation cavity, and an input port is in communication with the accommodation cavity; each of the side plates is provided with an input port, through which an output electrode passes; each of the side plates is further provided with a connection port, the connection port is in communication with the accommodation cavity such that an external electric connector can pass through the connection port) and be connected to the output electrode; and a protection plate is provided at the connection port, and the protection plate detachably covers the connection port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited
    Inventors: Daohui Liu, Jihua Yao, Yangzhi Huang, Shengtian Cai, Sheng Shen, Haidong Zhang
  • Patent number: 11705592
    Abstract: A battery module is disclosed, which includes: a multiplicity of battery cells; a printed circuit board with a first series-connector with a first pad area and a second pad area, and a second series-connector with a third pad area and a fourth pad area; a cross-connector, which connects the first series-connector between the first pad area and the second pad area with the second series-connector between the third pad area and the fourth pad area; and a sensor configured to detect a cross-current at the cross-connector. The first contact electrode of a first battery cell is connected with the first pad area. The second contact electrode of a second battery cell is connected with the second pad area. The first contact electrode of a third battery cell is connected with the third pad area. The second contact electrode of a fourth battery cell is connected with the fourth pad area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
    Inventors: Gergely György Balazs, Tibor Debreceni, Péter Dudás, Daniel Lorincz, Sandor Hallai
  • Patent number: 11705597
    Abstract: An energy storage unit mounting facility, having a basic body, which defines multiple mounting regions arranged vertically on top of one another for at least one electric energy storage unit. The electric energy storage unit is introducible into the mounting region in the horizontal direction and removable from the mounting region in the horizontal direction. Securing devices are provided to secure the electric energy storage unit in the mounting region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: MAN ENERGY SOLUTIONS SE
    Inventors: Susanne Lehner, Carina Kern, Michael Pilawa
  • Patent number: 11697504
    Abstract: A battery system, in particular for an aircraft, having a housing, which is sealed gas-tight, and a cell block, which is formed from a plurality of battery cells connected electrically and mechanically by contact plates. The housing can be connected to a vacuum pump in order to generate vacuum within the housing and a vacuum prevails within the housing, wherein at least one housing side wall of the housing is flexible enough that the housing side wall is tensioned together with the cell block by the vacuum acting within the housing. A vehicle, in particular an aircraft, may be electrified, at least in part, by such a battery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: OBRIST TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Frank Obrist, Oliver Obrist, Martin Graz
  • Patent number: 11695172
    Abstract: A heat-radiating structure of a cylindrical battery cell includes a first plate configured to contact an upper partial area of a battery cell and to which a current of the battery cell is discharged, the first plate having an area not contacting the battery cell, a second plate disposed between the first plate and the battery cell, the second plate not contacting the battery cell, and a heat transfer part disposed between the second plate and the battery cell and configured to transfer heat generated in the battery cell to the second plate while contacting the battery cell is provided. The second plate contacts the area of the first plate not contacting the battery cell and a portion of the current discharged from the battery cell to the first plate is discharged from the second plate. A heat-radiating system of a cylindrical battery is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: LG ENERGY SOLUTION, LTD.
    Inventors: Jae Sang Kim, Kun Joo Yang, Seog Jin Yoon
  • Patent number: 11679487
    Abstract: The invention relates to a battery pack, including: a battery pack cover; a battery pack base; a cell group including several cells; a battery terminal connector; a mounting cavity, the mounting cavity being formed with a socket for inserting housing terminals to be electrically connected to battery pack terminals; a locking apparatus, capable of driving the battery pack and an electric tool be locked connection or released, a seal member blocking a passage from the socket to the cell group is disposed inside the mounting cavity; the battery pack includes a battery pack housing seal member blocking communication between the outside and the mounting cavity, and the battery pack housing seal member is disposed at a joint between the battery pack cover and the battery pack base; and the locking apparatus is mounted on a battery pack housing and isolated outside the mounting cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Positec Power Tools (Suzhou) Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Yong Qiao
  • Patent number: 11677116
    Abstract: A battery pack includes: a housing (18); one or more battery cells (12) housed inside the housing; one or more seat surfaces (52a, 54a, 56a, 58a) disposed inside the housing; a circuit board (16), which is housed inside the housing and is mounted on the seat surface(s); and one or more terminals (20b, 22b) electrically connected to the circuit board. One or more elastic sheets (60, 62) surround(s) the perimeter(s) of the terminal(s) and is (are) interposed between the circuit board and the seat surface(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignees: MAKITA CORPORATION, MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Nagahama, Hideyuki Taga, Toshiaki Ueno, Naoki Nishi
  • Patent number: 11670819
    Abstract: A battery pack that includes a housing. The housing includes a support portion that is configured to removably connect to a device, such as a cordless, hand-held power tool. The battery pack is configured to electrically and/or communicatively connect to the device through at least one terminal. The at least one terminal can include a battery positive power terminal, a battery negative power terminal, and a communications terminal. In some embodiments, at least one of the terminals of the battery pack is positioned at a first depth level within the support portion and at least one of the terminals of the battery pack is positioned at a second depth level within the support portion. The battery pack includes a first distance between the first depth level and the second depth level (e.g., approximately 0.5 inches).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Techtronic Cordless GP
    Inventor: Tyler J. Rowe