Patents by Inventor Axel Heise

Axel Heise 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: 9711828
    Abstract: A cooling system for a battery cell includes at least one plate having at least one key, and a heat sink having at least one slot formed therein. The at least one key of the at least one plate is disposed in the at least one slot. The at least one plate and the heat sink form an interference fit joint securing the at least one plate to the heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Axel Heise
  • Patent number: 9490508
    Abstract: A battery assembly includes a plurality of battery cells disposed adjacent and in heat transfer relationship with a plurality of cooling modules. The cooling modules are directly affixed to or cause to abut at least one of a first thermally conductive base and a second thermally conductive base forming a thermal transfer path from the battery cells through the cooling modules to the at least one thermally conductive base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Axel Heise
  • Patent number: 9368770
    Abstract: A cooling system for a battery cell includes a cooling plate and a heat sink. The heat sink has a pair of modules. An end of the cooling plate is constricted between the modules. The modules are placed under a compressive load to secure the cooling plate to the heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Axel Heise
  • Patent number: 9261312
    Abstract: A propulsion system for an electric vehicle includes a battery pack having at least one battery cell. A cooling system includes a cooling plate abutting the battery cell. A heat sink is in thermal communication with the cooling plate by at least one carbon fiber brush coupled to at least one of the cooling plate and the heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Axel Heise, Alastair Gordon Anderson, Stefan Toepfer
  • Patent number: 9012103
    Abstract: A TPRD for a high pressure storage vessel including an integrated pressure sensor cooperative with an activation mechanism and a method of monitoring a TPRD for use in a fuel cell system. The TPRD comprises a release piston, moveable between an open and a closed position, which controls the flow of gas from a fuel storage vessel through a gas outlet port. The thermally activated activation mechanism comprises a gas-inlet chamber and a liquid-filled bulb having an air bubble. Upon activation, the release piston moves from the closed position to the open position. The integrated pressure sensor detects the pressure within the TPRD. A difference in pressure between that of the fluid within the fuel storage vessel and the pressure within the TPRD provides indicia of impaired movement of the release piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Axel Heise
  • Publication number: 20150104688
    Abstract: A propulsion system for an electric vehicle includes a battery pack having at least one battery cell. A cooling system includes a cooling plate abutting the battery cell. A heat sink is in thermal communication with the cooling plate by at least one carbon fiber brush coupled to at least one of the cooling plate and the heat sink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Axel Heise, Alastair Gordon Anderson, Stefan Toepfer
  • Patent number: 8978920
    Abstract: Sealing assemblies may include a boss, a valve, a liner that defines a containment volume of a pressure vessel, and a support member adapted to cooperate with the liner and the valve. The support member may be formed from an anodized electrically conductive support material and generally has nonconductive surfaces in contact with the valve and the liner. Annular recesses having conductive surfaces are provided in the support member, and seals formed of conductive materials or having conductive surfaces are seated in the annular recesses. Thereby, when the valve is present in the sealing assembly, electric continuity between the valve and the liner is established through the electrically conductive surfaces of the seals, the electrically conductive surfaces of the annular recesses and the electrically conductive support material in the core of the anodized support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Breuer, Axel Heise
  • Patent number: 8945749
    Abstract: A cooling system includes a cooling plate configured to abut a battery cell. A heat sink is in thermal communication with the cooling plate by at least one carbon fiber brush, the carbon fiber brush coupled to one of the cooling plate and the heat sink and flexible at a free end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Axel Heise, Alastair Gordon Anderson, Stefan Toepfer
  • Publication number: 20150014945
    Abstract: A back-up ring assembly for high pressure gas components includes a first ring having and a second ring. The first ring is split at a first location with a first split angle, while the second ring is split at a second location with a second split angle. The first ring is concentrically positioned adjacent the second ring with the first location being offset relative to the second location. The back-up ring assembly is positionable adjacent to an O-ring in a sealed coupling in a high pressure application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Axel Heise, Patrick Breuer, Jens-Uwe Sparschuh
  • Patent number: 8927129
    Abstract: A battery module is described. The battery module includes a plurality of cooling fins having an inlet section, a center section, and an outlet section, the inlet and outlet sections extending from opposite ends of the center section at an angle from a plane defined by the center section, the cooling fins having at least one cooling channel extending from an inlet of the inlet section through the center section to an outlet of the outlet section; and a plurality of battery cells positioned in the center section between the plurality of cooling fins. A method of cooling a battery module is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Axel Heise
  • Patent number: 8910651
    Abstract: Apparatus, methods and systems for inspecting and/or sensing defects in a thermal pressure relief device. The thermal pressure relief apparatus may comprise a bulb having a fluid therein. In some implementations, a sensor may be used to determine whether the fluid within the bulb exceeds a fill level threshold. Upon determining that the fluid is below the fill level threshold, an action may be taken. In some implementations, the action may comprise providing a notification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Axel Heise
  • Patent number: 8841016
    Abstract: A battery module is described. The battery module includes a plurality of battery cells; a plurality of cooling fin assemblies, each cooling fin assembly positioned between two battery cells, the cooling fin assemblies comprising at least one cooling fin and a foot on at least one side of the cooling fin assemblies, the foot having a bottom and interlocking profiles on each end, the interlocking profiles on adjacent feet of the cooling fin assemblies interlocking the feet and forming a surface; and a heat sink contacting the surface of the interlocked feet. A method of cooling a battery module is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alastair Gordon Anderson, Reiner Essinger, Peter Gross, Axel Heise, Joachim Lauk, Ralf Lerch, Manfred Mohr, Stefan Toepfer
  • Publication number: 20140263366
    Abstract: Sealing assemblies may include a boss, a valve, a liner that defines a containment volume of a pressure vessel, and a support member adapted to cooperate with the liner and the valve. The support member may be formed from an anodized electrically conductive support material and generally has nonconductive surfaces in contact with the valve and the liner. Annular recesses having conductive surfaces are provided in the support member, and seals formed of conductive materials or having conductive surfaces are seated in the annular recesses. Thereby, when the valve is present in the sealing assembly, electric continuity between the valve and the liner is established through the electrically conductive surfaces of the seals, the electrically conductive surfaces of the annular recesses and the electrically conductive support material in the core of the anodized support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Breuer, Axel Heise
  • Publication number: 20140261742
    Abstract: Apparatus, methods and systems for inspecting and/or sensing defects in a thermal pressure relief device. The thermal pressure relief apparatus may comprise a bulb having a fluid therein. In some implementations, a sensor may be used to determine whether the fluid within the bulb exceeds a fill level threshold. Upon determining that the fluid is below the fill level threshold, an action may be taken. In some implementations, the action may comprise providing a notification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: AXEL HEISE
  • Publication number: 20140242437
    Abstract: A cooling system for a battery cell includes at least one plate having at least one key, and a heat sink having at least one slot formed therein. The at least one key of the at least one plate is disposed in the at least one slot. The at least one plate and the heat sink form an interference fit joint securing the at least one plate to the heat sink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Axel Heise
  • Patent number: 8800588
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to periodically inspect and control piston movability are provided that can include using a contactless sensor system through a gas outlet port of a pressure relief device. By moving a stop, relative movement of the piston can be compared to the fixed body reflecting a movability or a blocking of the release piston. Inductive/magnetic or optical borescope sensors can detect piston movement through the gas outlet, for example. The activation function where the piston must move when activated can therefore be tested and maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Axel Heise
  • Publication number: 20140220469
    Abstract: A TPRD for a high pressure storage vessel including an integrated pressure sensor cooperative with an activation mechanism and a method of monitoring a TPRD for use in a fuel cell system. The TPRD comprises a release piston, moveable between an open and a closed position, which controls the flow of gas from a fuel storage vessel through a gas outlet port. The thermally activated activation mechanism comprises a gas-inlet chamber and a liquid-filled bulb having an air bubble. Upon activation, the release piston moves from the closed position to the open position. The integrated pressure sensor detects the pressure within the TPRD. A difference in pressure between that of the fluid within the fuel storage vessel and the pressure within the TPRD provides indicia of impaired movement of the release piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Axel Heise
  • Patent number: 8771382
    Abstract: A cooling system for a battery cell includes at least one plate having at least one key, and a heat sink having at least one slot formed therein. The at least one key of the at least one plate is disposed in the at least one slot. The at least one plate and the heat sink form an interference fit joint securing the at least one plate to the heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Axel Heise
  • Publication number: 20130157101
    Abstract: A battery assembly includes a plurality of battery cells disposed adjacent and in heat transfer relationship with a plurality of cooling modules. The cooling modules are directly affixed to or cause to abut at least one of a first thermally conductive base and a second thermally conductive base forming a thermal transfer path from the battery cells through the cooling modules to the at least one thermally conductive base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Axel Heise
  • Publication number: 20130157100
    Abstract: A cooling system includes a cooling plate configured to abut a battery cell. A heat sink is in thermal communication with the cooling plate by at least one carbon fiber brush coupled to at least one of the cooling plate and the heat sink. The cooling system may be employed in a battery pack for a propulsion system of an electric vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Axel HEISE, Alastair Gordon ANDERSON, Stefan TOEPFER