Patents by Inventor Alex Prilutsky

Alex Prilutsky 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: 10020550
    Abstract: An energy storage pack includes a coolant inlet manifold, a coolant outlet manifold, and a plurality of thermal-exchange tubes extending between the coolant inlet manifold and the coolant outlet manifold to exchange heat between coolant passing through the plurality of thermal-exchange tubes and a plurality of battery cells mounted adjacent to and among the plurality of thermal-exchange tubes within the energy storage pack. In one embodiment, at least one of coolant inlet manifold and the coolant outlet manifold includes a plurality of thermal-exchange tube terminating structures and a plurality of hose segments intercoupling the plurality of thermal-exchange tube terminating structures. The energy storage pack may further include a coolant inlet opening located on the coolant inlet manifold and a coolant outlet opening located on the coolant outlet manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert David Sumpf, Jr., Ernest Matthew Villanueva, David Elias Hegeman, Satvik Vipin Batavia, Ganesh Ramanarayan Singh, Alex Prilutsky, Scott Ira Kohn, Bruce Phillip Edwards, Peter Thomas Tennessen, Jayesh Bharat Gorasia, Hugh Burnett Ross
  • Patent number: 9692025
    Abstract: A battery cell design is disclosed that provides a predictable pathway through a portion of the cell (e.g., the cell cap assembly) for the efficient release of the thermal energy that occurs during thermal runaway, thereby reducing the chances of a rupture in an undesirable location. Furthermore the disclosed design maintains the functionality of the cell cap as the positive terminal of the cell, thereby having minimal impact on the manufacturability of the cell as well as its use in a variety of applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: TESLA, INC.
    Inventors: Francisco LePort, Scott I. Kohn, Orion A. King, Alex Prilutsky
  • Publication number: 20170162922
    Abstract: An energy storage pack includes a coolant inlet manifold, a coolant outlet manifold, and a plurality of thermal-exchange tubes extending between the coolant inlet manifold and the coolant outlet manifold to exchange heat between coolant passing through the plurality of thermal-exchange tubes and a plurality of battery cells mounted adjacent to and among the plurality of thermal-exchange tubes within the energy storage pack. In one embodiment, at least one of coolant inlet manifold and the coolant outlet manifold includes a plurality of thermal-exchange tube terminating structures and a plurality of hose segments intercoupling the plurality of thermal-exchange tube terminating structures. The energy storage pack may further include a coolant inlet opening located on the coolant inlet manifold and a coolant outlet opening located on the coolant outlet manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Applicant: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert David Sumpf, JR., Ernest Matthew Villanueva, David Elias Hegeman, Satvik Vipin Batavia, Ganesh Ramanarayan Singh, Alex Prilutsky, Scott Ira Kohn, Bruce Phillip Edwards, Peter Thomas Tennessen, Jayesh Bharat Gorasia, Hugh Burnett Ross
  • Patent number: 9577227
    Abstract: A method includes: assembling a thermal-exchange tube in a module housing for an energy storage pack; assembling cells in the module housing, wherein the thermal-exchange tube runs between rows of the cells; applying an adhesive that affixes the cells and the thermal-exchange tube to the module housing; curing a first portion of the adhesive by radiation, wherein a second portion of the adhesive is shielded from the radiation by the cells or the thermal-exchange tube; and curing at least the second portion of the adhesive by a chemical cure mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Sumpf, Ernest Villanueva, David E. Hegeman, Satvik Vipin Batavia, Ganesh Singh, Alex Prilutsky, Scott I. Kohn, Bruce P. Edwards, Peter Tennessen
  • Publication number: 20160104875
    Abstract: A battery cell design is disclosed that provides a predictable pathway through a portion of the cell (e.g., the cell cap assembly) for the efficient release of the thermal energy that occurs during thermal runaway, thereby reducing the chances of a rupture in an undesirable location. Furthermore the disclosed design maintains the functionality of the cell cap as the positive terminal of the cell, thereby having minimal impact on the manufacturability of the cell as well as its use in a variety of applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Francisco LePort, Scott I. Kohn, Orion A. King, Alex Prilutsky
  • Patent number: 9252400
    Abstract: A battery cell design is disclosed that provides a predictable pathway through a portion of the cell (e.g., the cell cap assembly) for the efficient release of the thermal energy that occurs during thermal runaway, thereby reducing the chances of a rupture in an undesirable location. Furthermore the disclosed design maintains the functionality of the cell cap as the positive terminal of the cell, thereby having minimal impact on the manufacturability of the cell as well as its use in a variety of applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Francisco LePort, Scott Ira Kohn, Orion Andrew King, Alex Prilutsky
  • Patent number: 9093726
    Abstract: An active thermal runaway mitigation system is provided that mitigates the effects of a single cell undergoing thermal runaway, thereby preventing the propagation of the thermal runaway event to neighboring cells within the battery pack. The provided system includes at least one, fluid-containing conduit in proximity to the cells within the battery pack. The conduit includes a plurality of breach points in proximity to the subset of cells, where each breach point is configured to form a breach at a preset temperature that is lower than the melting temperature of the conduit. Once a breach is formed, the fluid contained within the conduit is discharged through the breach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Prilutsky, Weston Arthur Hermann
  • Publication number: 20150111082
    Abstract: A method includes: assembling a thermal-exchange tube in a module housing for an energy storage pack; assembling cells in the module housing, wherein the thermal-exchange tube runs between rows of the cells; applying an adhesive that affixes the cells and the thermal-exchange tube to the module housing; curing a first portion of the adhesive by radiation, wherein a second portion of the adhesive is shielded from the radiation by the cells or the thermal-exchange tube; and curing at least the second portion of the adhesive by a chemical cure mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Sumpf, Ernest Villanueva, David E. Hegeman, Satvik Vipin Batavia, Ganesh Singh, Alex Prilutsky, Scott I. Kohn, Bruce P. Edwards, Peter Tennessen
  • Patent number: 8421469
    Abstract: A test apparatus and corresponding method for simulating an internal cell short and initiating thermal runaway in a battery cell is disclosed whereby the cell is internally heated through rapid charge and discharge cycles at high currents. The magnitude of the selected current may be modulated to simulate a cell short with the desired power profile without unrealistically heating neighboring cells or interfering with the thermal environment of the cell within the module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Weston Arthur Hermann, Nicholas Paul Manov, Paul Karplus, Alex Prilutsky
  • Publication number: 20130059181
    Abstract: A battery cell design is disclosed that provides a predictable pathway through a portion of the cell (e.g., the cell cap assembly) for the efficient release of the thermal energy that occurs during thermal runaway, thereby reducing the chances of a rupture in an undesirable location. Furthermore the disclosed design maintains the functionality of the cell cap as the positive terminal of the cell, thereby having minimal impact on the manufacturability of the cell as well as its use in a variety of applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: TESLA MOTORS, INC.
    Inventors: Francisco LePort, Scott Ira Kohn, Orion Andrew King, Alex Prilutsky
  • Patent number: 8367233
    Abstract: A battery pack thermal management system is provided that is comprised of at least one enclosure failure port integrated into at least one wall of a battery pack enclosure, where the enclosure failure port(s) remains closed during normal operation of the battery pack, and opens during a battery pack thermal runaway event, thereby providing a flow path for hot gas generated during the thermal runaway event to be exhausted out of the battery pack enclosure in a controlled fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Weston Arthur Hermann, Alex Prilutsky, Vineet Haresh Mehta
  • Patent number: 8361642
    Abstract: A battery pack thermal management system is provided that is comprised of at least one enclosure failure port integrated into at least one wall of a battery pack enclosure, where the enclosure failure port(s) remains closed during normal operation of the battery pack, and opens during a battery pack thermal runaway event, thereby providing a flow path for hot gas generated during the thermal runaway event to be exhausted out of the battery pack enclosure in a controlled fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Weston Arthur Hermann, Alex Prilutsky, Vineet Haresh Mehta
  • Patent number: 8361649
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided in which a pre-formed secondary can comprised of one or more layers of a high yield strength material is positioned around the pre-formed battery case, the pre-formed secondary can inhibiting the flow of hot, pressurized gas from within the battery through perforations formed in the battery casing during a thermal runaway event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Weston Arthur Hermann, Vineet Haresh Mehta, Alex Prilutsky, Scott Ira Kohn
  • Publication number: 20120308858
    Abstract: A battery pack thermal management system is provided that is comprised of at least one enclosure failure port integrated into at least one wall of a battery pack enclosure, where the enclosure failure port(s) remains closed during normal operation of the battery pack, and opens during a battery pack thermal runaway event, thereby providing a flow path for hot gas generated during the thermal runaway event to be exhausted out of the battery pack enclosure in a controlled fashion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: TESLA MOTORS, INC.
    Inventors: Weston Arthur Hermann, Alex Prilutsky, Vineet Haresh Mehta
  • Publication number: 20120308859
    Abstract: A battery pack thermal management system is provided that is comprised of at least one enclosure failure port integrated into at least one wall of a battery pack enclosure, where the enclosure failure port(s) remains closed during normal operation of the battery pack, and opens during a battery pack thermal runaway event, thereby providing a flow path for hot gas generated during the thermal runaway event to be exhausted out of the battery pack enclosure in a controlled fashion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: TESLA MOTORS, INC.
    Inventors: Weston Arthur Hermann, Alex Prilutsky, Vineet Haresh Mehta
  • Publication number: 20120308857
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided in which a pre-formed secondary can comprised of one or more layers of a high yield strength material is positioned around the pre-formed battery case, the pre-formed secondary can inhibiting the flow of hot, pressurized gas from within the battery through perforations formed in the battery casing during a thermal runaway event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: TESLA MOTORS, INC.
    Inventors: Weston Arthur Hermann, Vineet Haresh Mehta, Alex Prilutsky, Scott Ira Kohn
  • Patent number: 8304108
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided in which a pre-formed sleeve or pre-formed secondary can comprised of one or more layers of a high yield strength material is positioned around the pre-formed battery case, the pre-formed sleeve/secondary can inhibiting the flow of hot, pressurized gas from within the battery through perforations formed in the battery casing during a thermal runaway event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Weston Arthur Hermann, Vineet Haresh Mehta, Alex Prilutsky, Scott Ira Kohn
  • Patent number: 8277965
    Abstract: A battery pack thermal management system is provided that is comprised of at least one enclosure failure port integrated into at least one wall of a battery pack enclosure, where the enclosure failure port(s) remains closed during normal operation of the battery pack, and opens during a battery pack thermal runaway event, thereby providing a flow path for hot gas generated during the thermal runaway event to be exhausted out of the battery pack enclosure in a controlled fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Weston Arthur Hermann, Alex Prilutsky, Vineet Haresh Mehta
  • Patent number: 8263254
    Abstract: A battery assembly is provided that includes a layer of intumescent material that coats the sidewall and bottom surface of the cell casing, excluding at least one case contact region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Vineet Haresh Mehta, Alex Prilutsky, Weston Arthur Hermann
  • Publication number: 20120013341
    Abstract: A test apparatus and corresponding method for simulating an internal cell short and initiating thermal runaway in a battery cell is disclosed whereby the cell is internally heated through rapid charge and discharge cycles at high currents. The magnitude of the selected current may be modulated to simulate a cell short with the desired power profile without unrealistically heating neighboring cells or interfering with the thermal environment of the cell within the module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: TESLA MOTORS, INC.
    Inventors: Weston Arthur Hermann, Nicholas Paul Manov, Paul Karplus, Alex Prilutsky