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).
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Patent number: 9711828Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 6, 2014Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Axel Heise
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Patent number: 9490508Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 16, 2011Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventor: Axel Heise
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Patent number: 9368770Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 23, 2011Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Axel Heise
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Patent number: 9261312Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 19, 2014Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Axel Heise, Alastair Gordon Anderson, Stefan Toepfer
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Patent number: 9012103Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 5, 2013Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Axel Heise
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Publication number: 20150104688Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2014Publication date: April 16, 2015Inventors: Axel Heise, Alastair Gordon Anderson, Stefan Toepfer
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Patent number: 8978920Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 10, 2014Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Patrick Breuer, Axel Heise
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Patent number: 8945749Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 15, 2011Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Axel Heise, Alastair Gordon Anderson, Stefan Toepfer
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Publication number: 20150014945Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2013Publication date: January 15, 2015Inventors: Axel Heise, Patrick Breuer, Jens-Uwe Sparschuh
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Patent number: 8927129Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 19, 2011Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Axel Heise
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Patent number: 8910651Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Axel Heise
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Patent number: 8841016Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 22, 2011Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Alastair Gordon Anderson, Reiner Essinger, Peter Gross, Axel Heise, Joachim Lauk, Ralf Lerch, Manfred Mohr, Stefan Toepfer
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Publication number: 20140261742Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventor: AXEL HEISE
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Publication number: 20140263366Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Patrick Breuer, Axel Heise
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Publication number: 20140242437Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2014Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Axel Heise
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Patent number: 8800588Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 13, 2011Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Axel Heise
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Publication number: 20140220469Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2013Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Axel Heise
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Patent number: 8771382Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 25, 2011Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Axel Heise
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Publication number: 20130157100Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2011Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Axel HEISE, Alastair Gordon ANDERSON, Stefan TOEPFER
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Publication number: 20130157101Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2011Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventor: Axel Heise