Patents by Inventor Abraham B. Caulk

Abraham B. Caulk 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: 20240106058
    Abstract: A battery pack can include a plurality of battery cells arranged adjacent one another in a row. The battery pack can include a first spacer plate aligned with and positioned adjacent the first cell of the plurality of battery cells, a second spacer plate aligned with and positioned adjacent the last cell of the plurality of battery cells, and a housing enclosing the plurality of battery cells. The housing can include a first sidewall positioned adjacent the first spacer plate and a second sidewall positioned adjacent the second spacer plate such that the plurality of battery cells can be positioned between the first sidewall and the second sidewall. The battery pack can include a cover. A layer of adhesive can be disposed between the battery cells and the cover. Various techniques can be employed to improve the durability of the battery pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Dylan Erb, Nivay Anandarajah, Alexander Bartlett, Abraham B. Caulk, Edward T. Hillstrom, Evan D. Maley, Erik C. Ostergaard, Matthew I. Woods
  • Publication number: 20240106023
    Abstract: A battery pack can include an enclosure with a first panel opposite and spaced apart from a second panel. First and second battery cell stacks can be positioned between the first and the second panels. Each of the first and the second battery cell stacks can include a plurality of interconnected battery cells. A busbar fuse can be electrically connected between the first and the second battery cell stack and can include an exterior thermal contact that is thermally connected to the first panel. A thermal interface material (TIM) can be disposed between the exterior thermal contact and the first panel where the first panel can form a portion of a heat exchanger. A shell can at least partially enclose the busbar fuse and can retain a potting compound or phase change material around the busbar fuse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Abraham B. Caulk, Dylan Erb, Nivay Anandarajah, Alexander Bartlett, David T. Rosenberg, Zhongying Shi
  • Publication number: 20240106076
    Abstract: A battery pack can include a plurality of battery cells arranged adjacent one another in a row. The battery pack can include a first spacer plate aligned with and positioned adjacent the first cell of the plurality of battery cells, a second spacer plate aligned with and positioned adjacent the last cell of the plurality of battery cells, and a housing enclosing the plurality of battery cells. The housing can include a first sidewall positioned adjacent the first spacer plate and a second sidewall positioned adjacent the second spacer plate such that the plurality of battery cells can be positioned between the first sidewall and the second sidewall. The battery pack can include a cover. A layer of adhesive can be disposed between the battery cells and the cover. Various techniques can be employed to improve the durability of the battery pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Dylan Erb, Abraham B. Caulk, Erik C. Ostergaard, Nivay Anandarajah, Alexander Bartlett, Edward T. Hillstrom, Evan D. Maley, Matthew I. Woods
  • Publication number: 20240106062
    Abstract: A battery pack can include a plurality of battery cells arranged adjacent one another in a row. The battery pack can include a first spacer plate aligned with and positioned adjacent the first cell of the plurality of battery cells, a second spacer plate aligned with and positioned adjacent the last cell of the plurality of battery cells, and a housing enclosing the plurality of battery cells. The housing can include a first sidewall positioned adjacent the first spacer plate and a second sidewall positioned adjacent the second spacer plate such that the plurality of battery cells can be positioned between the first sidewall and the second sidewall. The battery pack can include a cover. A layer of adhesive can be disposed between the battery cells and the cover. Various techniques can be employed to improve the durability of the battery pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Dylan Erb, Nivay Anandarajah, Alexander Bartlett, Abraham B. Caulk, Edward T. Hillstrom, Evan D. Maley, Erik C. Ostergaard, Matthew I. Woods
  • Publication number: 20240097210
    Abstract: A battery pack includes a housing defining a housing interior, a first stack of electrochemical cells disposed in the housing interior, a second stack of electrochemical cells disposed in the housing interior, and an electronics compartment disposed in the housing interior. The electronics compartment is positioned between the first stack of electrochemical cells and the second stack of electrochemical cells. Further, the electronics compartment extends along a majority of a length of the battery pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Nivay Anandarajah, Evan D. Maley, Matthew I Woods, Dylan C. Erb, Abraham B. Caulk, Joseph D. Rainey, John M. Schoech
  • Patent number: 11923494
    Abstract: Energy storage devices, battery cells, and batteries of the present technology may include a base plate. The batteries may include a first circuit board overlying the base plate. The batteries may include a battery stack overlying the first circuit board and electrically coupled with the first circuit board. The battery stack may include a plurality of battery cells. The battery stack may define an aperture through an active region of the battery stack. The batteries may include a second circuit board overlying the battery stack and electrically coupled with the battery stack. The batteries may include a compression plate overlying the second circuit board. The batteries may include a retaining member compressibly coupling the compression plate with the base plate. The retaining member may extend through the aperture through the active region of the battery stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Dylan Erb, Abraham B. Caulk, Ross L. Johnstal, Paul W. Firehammer, Edward T. Hillstrom, Zhongying Shi, Ian E. O'Connor, Alexander J. Clarabut
  • Publication number: 20230387553
    Abstract: Battery packs according to some embodiments of the present technology may include a first end beam and a second end beam. The battery packs may include a plurality of battery cells disposed between the first end beam and the second end beam. Each battery cell of the plurality of battery cells may be separated from an adjacent battery cell by an interface material. Each battery cell may include a first terminal and a second terminal on a first surface of the battery cell. The battery packs may include a plurality of busbar segments electrically coupling each cell of the plurality of battery cells. The battery packs may include a bus tray including a plurality of bus tray segments. Each bus tray segment may seat at least two busbar segments. Each bus tray segment may extend at least partially across at least three battery cells of the plurality of battery cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Abraham B. Caulk, Alexander J. Clarabut, Dylan Erb, Nivay Anandarajah
  • Publication number: 20230387552
    Abstract: Energy storage devices, battery cells, and batteries of the present technology may include a first circuit board defining a plurality of apertures through the first circuit board. The batteries may include a battery stack overlying the first circuit board and electrically coupled with the first circuit board. The battery stack may include a plurality of battery cells. The battery stack may define a plurality of apertures axially aligned with a corresponding aperture through the first circuit board. The batteries may include a second circuit board that defines a plurality of apertures through the second circuit board. The batteries may include a plurality of fasteners, each fastener extending through a separate channel of the plurality of channels. The batteries may include a plurality of conductive extensions electrically coupling each battery cell of the battery stack with one or more fasteners of the plurality of fasteners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Dylan Erb, Abraham B. Caulk, Ross L. Johnstal, Paul W. Firehammer, Edward T. Hillstrom, Zhongying Shi, Ian E. O'Connor, Alexander J. Clarabut
  • Publication number: 20230387554
    Abstract: Battery packs according to some embodiments of the present technology may include a first end beam and a second end beam. The battery packs may include a plurality of battery cells disposed between the first end beam and the second end beam. Each battery cell of the plurality of battery cells may be separated from an adjacent battery cell by an interface material. Each battery cell may include a first terminal and a second terminal on a first surface of the battery cell. The battery packs may include a plurality of busbar segments electrically coupling each cell of the plurality of battery cells. The battery packs may include a bus tray including a plurality of bus tray segments. Each bus tray segment may seat at least two busbar segments. Each bus tray segment may extend at least partially across at least three battery cells of the plurality of battery cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Abraham B. Caulk, Alexander J. Clarabut, Dylan Erb, Nivay Anandarajah
  • Publication number: 20230387555
    Abstract: Battery packs according to some embodiments of the present technology may include a first end beam and a second end beam. The battery packs may include a plurality of battery cells disposed between the first end beam and the second end beam. Each battery cell of the plurality of battery cells may be separated from an adjacent battery cell by an interface material. Each battery cell may include a first terminal and a second terminal on a first surface of the battery cell. The battery packs may include a plurality of busbar segments electrically coupling each cell of the plurality of battery cells. The battery packs may include a bus tray including a plurality of bus tray segments. Each bus tray segment may seat at least two busbar segments. Each bus tray segment may extend at least partially across at least three battery cells of the plurality of battery cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Abraham B. Caulk, Alexander J. Clarabut, Dylan Erb, Nivay Anandarajah
  • Patent number: 11677120
    Abstract: Energy storage devices, battery cells, and batteries of the present technology may include a first circuit board defining a plurality of apertures through the first circuit board. The batteries may include a battery stack overlying the first circuit board and electrically coupled with the first circuit board. The battery stack may include a plurality of battery cells. The battery stack may define a plurality of apertures axially aligned with a corresponding aperture through the first circuit board. The batteries may include a second circuit board that defines a plurality of apertures through the second circuit board. The batteries may include a plurality of fasteners, each fastener extending through a separate channel of the plurality of channels. The batteries may include a plurality of conductive extensions electrically coupling each battery cell of the battery stack with one or more fasteners of the plurality of fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Dylan Erb, Abraham B. Caulk, Ross L. Johnstal, Paul W. Firehammer, Edward T. Hillstrom, Zhongying Shi, Ian E. O'Connor, Alexander J. Clarabut
  • Publication number: 20230100440
    Abstract: Battery packs according to some embodiments of the present technology may include a first end beam and a second end beam. The battery packs may include a first side beam and a second side beam each extending between the first end beam and the second end beam. The battery packs may include a base. The first end beam, the second end beam, the first side beam, the second side beam, and the base may be welded along each interface between each component. The battery packs may include a plurality of battery cells disposed between the first side beam and the second side beam. Each battery cell of the plurality of battery cells may be separated from an adjacent battery cell by an interface material. The battery packs may include a lid coupled with a surface of each battery cell of the plurality of battery cells facing the lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Dylan Erb, Nivay Anandarajah, Abraham B. Caulk, Alexander J. Clarabut, Yu-Hung Li, Evan D. Maley
  • Patent number: 11600891
    Abstract: Energy storage devices, battery cells, and batteries of the present technology may include a first circuit board characterized by a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The second surface may include a conductive layer. The batteries may include a battery stack overlying the first circuit board and electrically coupled with the second surface of the first circuit board. The battery stack may include a plurality of battery cells. The batteries may include a second circuit board overlying the battery stack. The second circuit board may be characterized by a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The second surface may include a conductive layer, and the battery stack may be electrically coupled with the second surface of the second circuit board. The batteries may include a power distribution block electrically coupled with the first and second circuit boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Dylan Erb, Abraham B. Caulk, Ross L. Johnstal, Paul W. Firehammer, Edward T. Hillstrom, Zhongying Shi, Isaac S. Harper
  • Patent number: 11588155
    Abstract: Energy storage devices, battery cells, and batteries of the present technology may include a first battery cell. The first battery cell may include an anode current collector, and an anode active material disposed on the anode current collector. The first battery cell may include a cathode current collector and a cathode active material disposed on the cathode current collector. The current collectors may be polymeric materials. The batteries may include a first conductive band electrically coupled with the first battery cell. The first conductive band may be seated on the second surface of one of the anode current collector or the cathode current collector. The first conductive band may extend about a perimeter of the one of the anode current collector or the cathode current collector. The batteries may include a cell module including a first flexible extension electrically coupled with the first conductive band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Dylan Erb, Abraham B. Caulk, Ross L. Johnstal, Paul W. Firehammer, Edward T. Hillstrom, Christopher T. Campbell, Andrew C. Chu
  • Patent number: 11502354
    Abstract: Energy storage systems, battery cells, and batteries of the present technology may include a heat exchanger or fluid delivery structure that may transfer heat from a battery cell or cell block to a heat exchange fluid. The heat exchanger or fluid delivery structure may substantially maintain an interfacial temperature during a temperature increase from the battery cell or cell block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Inventors: Ghyrn E. Loveness, Abraham B. Caulk, Edward P. Yankoski, Zhongying Shi, Kenneth S. Smith, Mujeeb I. Ijaz, Luke A. Wilhelm, Jonathan L. Hall
  • Patent number: 11296381
    Abstract: Battery packs are presented. The battery packs include a plurality of cell blocks, each cell block comprising a plurality of battery cells. The battery pack also includes a plenum chamber configured to fluidly couple each of the cell blocks to an exterior of the battery pack in response to a thermal event in the battery cell in a separate cell block. In some embodiments, at least one of the cell blocks is configured to be fluidly coupled to the plenum structure via a cell block vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Josef L. Miler, Alexander J. Clarabut, Mujeeb I. Ijaz, Jonathan Hall, Luke A. Wilhelm, Abraham B. Caulk, Dirk E. Long, Yu-Hung Li
  • Publication number: 20220077489
    Abstract: Energy storage devices, battery cells, and batteries of the present technology may include a base plate. The batteries may include a first circuit board overlying the base plate. The batteries may include a battery stack overlying the first circuit board and electrically coupled with the first circuit board. The battery stack may include a plurality of battery cells. The battery stack may define an aperture through an active region of the battery stack. The batteries may include a second circuit board overlying the battery stack and electrically coupled with the battery stack. The batteries may include a compression plate overlying the second circuit board. The batteries may include a retaining member compressibly coupling the compression plate with the base plate. The retaining member may extend through the aperture through the active region of the battery stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Dylan Erb, Abraham B. Caulk, Ross L. Johnstal, Paul W. Firehammer, Edward T. Hillstrom, Zhongying Shi, Ian E. O'Connor, Alexander J. Clarabut
  • Publication number: 20220077444
    Abstract: Energy storage devices, battery cells, and batteries of the present technology may include a first circuit board defining a plurality of apertures through the first circuit board. The batteries may include a battery stack overlying the first circuit board and electrically coupled with the first circuit board. The battery stack may include a plurality of battery cells. The battery stack may define a plurality of apertures axially aligned with a corresponding aperture through the first circuit board. The batteries may include a second circuit board that defines a plurality of apertures through the second circuit board. The batteries may include a plurality of fasteners, each fastener extending through a separate channel of the plurality of channels. The batteries may include a plurality of conductive extensions electrically coupling each battery cell of the battery stack with one or more fasteners of the plurality of fasteners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Dylan Erb, Abraham B. Caulk, Ross L. Johnstal, Paul W. Firehammer, Edward T. Hillstrom, Zhongying Shi, Ian E. O'Connor, Alexander J. Clarabut
  • Patent number: 10923788
    Abstract: Energy storage systems, battery cells, and batteries of the present technology may include a heat exchanger or fluid delivery structure that may transfer heat from a battery cell or cell block to a heat exchange fluid. The heat exchanger or fluid delivery structure may substantially maintain an interfacial temperature during a temperature increase from the battery cell or cell block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Inventors: Ghyrn E. Loveness, Abraham B. Caulk, Edward P. Yankoski, Zhongying Shi, Kenneth S. Smith, Mujeeb I. Ijaz, Luke A. Wilhelm, Jonathan L. Hall
  • Publication number: 20190157636
    Abstract: Battery packs are presented. The battery packs include a plurality of cell blocks, each cell block comprising a plurality of battery cells. The battery pack also includes a plenum chamber configured to fluidly couple each of the cell blocks to an exterior of the battery pack in response to a thermal event in the battery cell in a separate cell block. In some embodiments, at least one of the cell blocks is configured to be fluidly coupled to the plenum structure via a cell block vent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Josef L. Miler, Alexander J. Clarabut, Mujeeb I. Ijaz, Jonathan Hall, Luke A. Wilhelm, Abraham B. Caulk, Dirk E. Long, Yu-Hung Li