Patents by Inventor Benjamin R. Christian
Benjamin R. Christian 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: 9689624Abstract: A battery module with one or more battery cells and a heat exchange member placed in thermal communication with the battery cell, and a method of making a heat pipe system from the heat exchange member. The heat exchange member includes a container with a heat transfer fluid disposed therein. In one form, the heat transfer fluid is capable of going through a phase change as a way to absorb at least a portion of heat present in or generated by battery cell. A pressure control device cooperates with the container and heat transfer fluid such that upon attainment of a predetermined thermal event within the battery cell, the pressure control device permits liberation of at least a portion of the heat transfer fluid to an ambient environment, thereby relieving pressure on the container and removing some of the excess heat caused by the thermal event.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2011Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Adam T. Timmons, Benjamin R. Christian
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Patent number: 9446539Abstract: A method of forming a conductive adhesive includes condensation-polymerizing a carrier onto a plurality of carbon nanotubes each disposed on a substrate and having a first end and a second end spaced opposite the first end. The carrier is spaced apart from the substrate so that each of the plurality of carbon nanotubes extends continuously through the carrier such that the first end and the second end are spaced apart from the carrier. After condensation-polymerizing, the method includes removing the substrate from the plurality of carbon nanotubes without removing the carrier from the plurality of carbon nanotubes to thereby form the conductive adhesive. A conductive adhesive for removably joining a first surface and a second surface is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2011Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Benjamin R. Christian, Jeffrey A. Abell, Jessica E. Weber
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Patent number: 9196878Abstract: A battery assembly includes a plurality of stacked battery cartridges. Each battery cartridge includes a first receptacle unit, a battery cell stack, and a second receptacle unit positioned within first receptacle unit. The battery cell stack includes a first battery cell, a second battery cell, and a foam layer interposed between the first battery cell and the second battery cell. The battery cell stack is positioned within the first receptacle unit, with the second receptacle unit compressing the battery cell stack. The battery module assembly also includes a receiving assembly that holds the plurality of battery cartridges.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2012Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Benjamin R. Christian, Herman K. Phlegm, John G. Dorrough, Sami A. Syed
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Patent number: 9196939Abstract: An automotive battery module with one or more battery cells and a heat exchange member placed in thermal communication with the battery cell. Heat generated within the battery cell by, among other things, electric current that can be used to provide motive power for the automobile may be removed by the heat exchange member that is made up of a flexible substrate and one or more graphene layers disposed on the substrate. The construction of the substrate and graphene layer is such that multiple heat transfer paths are established, each defining different levels of thermal conductivity and related transfer of heat away from the battery cells.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2011Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Benjamin R. Christian, Chih-Cheng Hsu
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Patent number: 9054361Abstract: A method of assembling a battery module assembly includes a step of preparing a plurality of battery cell stacks. Each battery cell stack is constructed by positioning a pre-compressed foam unit interposed between a first battery cell and a second battery cell. Each battery cell stack is positioned in a receiving frame. After such positioning, the pre-compressed foam unit of each battery cell stack is expanded.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2012Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Benjamin R. Christian, Sami A. Syed, Herman K. Phlegm, John G. Dorrough
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Publication number: 20140141308Abstract: A battery assembly includes a plurality of stacked battery cartridges. Each battery cartridge includes a first receptacle unit, a battery cell stack, and a second receptacle unit positioned within first receptacle unit. The battery cell stack includes a first battery cell, a second battery cell, and a foam layer interposed between the first battery cell and the second battery cell. The battery cell stack is positioned within the first receptacle unit, with the second receptacle unit compressing the battery cell stack. The battery module assembly also includes a receiving assembly that holds the plurality of battery cartridges.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2012Publication date: May 22, 2014Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Benjamin R. Christian, Herman K. Phlegm, John G. Dorrough, Sami A. Syed
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Publication number: 20140141307Abstract: A method of assembling a battery module assembly includes a step of preparing a plurality of battery cell stacks. Each battery cell stack is constructed by positioning a pre-compressed foam unit interposed between a first battery cell and a second battery cell. Each battery cell stack is positioned in a receiving frame. After such positioning, the pre-compressed foam unit of each battery cell stack is expanded.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2012Publication date: May 22, 2014Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Benjamin R. Christian, Sami A. Syed, Herman K. Phlegm, John G. Dorrough
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Publication number: 20130142986Abstract: A method of forming a conductive adhesive includes condensation-polymerizing a carrier onto a plurality of carbon nanotubes each disposed on a substrate and having a first end and a second end spaced opposite the first end. The carrier is spaced apart from the substrate so that each of the plurality of carbon nanotubes extends continuously through the carrier such that the first end and the second end are spaced apart from the carrier. After condensation-polymerizing, the method includes removing the substrate from the plurality of carbon nanotubes without removing the carrier from the plurality of carbon nanotubes to thereby form the conductive adhesive. A conductive adhesive for removably joining a first surface and a second surface is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2011Publication date: June 6, 2013Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Benjamin R. Christian, Jeffrey A. Abell, Jessica E. Weber
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Publication number: 20130130074Abstract: A battery module with one or more battery cells and a heat exchange member placed in thermal communication with the battery cell, and a method of making a heat pipe system from the heat exchange member. The heat exchange member includes a container with a heat transfer fluid disposed therein. In one form, the heat transfer fluid is capable of going through a phase change as a way to absorb at least a portion of heat present in or generated by battery cell. A pressure control device cooperates with the container and heat transfer fluid such that upon attainment of a predetermined thermal event within the battery cell, the pressure control device permits liberation of at least a portion of the heat transfer fluid to an ambient environment, thereby relieving pressure on the container and removing some of the excess heat caused by the thermal event.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2011Publication date: May 23, 2013Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Adam T. Timmons, Benjamin R. Christian
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Patent number: 8439247Abstract: An ultrasonic welding system for securing a first work piece to a second work piece includes a welding assembly and a loading assembly disposed adjacent to the welding assembly. The welding assembly includes an ultrasonic controller, an ultrasonic transducer, and a welding tip. The ultrasonic transducer is configured to impart an ultrasonic vibration to the welding tip in response to an electrical signal received from the ultrasonic controller. The loading assembly is configured to generate a pressure load between the welding tip and the first work piece, and includes a first actuator and a second actuator. The first actuator is configured to apply a substantially constant load to the welding assembly, and the second actuator is configured to apply a dynamically variable load to the welding assembly.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2011Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: John Patrick Spicer, Benjamin R. Christian, Jeffrey A. Abell
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Publication number: 20130112332Abstract: An ultrasonic welding system for securing a first work piece to a second work piece includes a welding assembly and a loading assembly disposed adjacent to the welding assembly. The welding assembly includes an ultrasonic controller, an ultrasonic transducer, and a welding tip. The ultrasonic transducer is configured to impart an ultrasonic vibration to the welding tip in response to an electrical signal received from the ultrasonic controller. The loading assembly is configured to generate a pressure load between the welding tip and the first work piece, and includes a first actuator and a second actuator. The first actuator is configured to apply a substantially constant load to the welding assembly, and the second actuator is configured to apply a dynamically variable load to the welding assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2011Publication date: May 9, 2013Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: John Patrick Spicer, Benjamin R. Christian, Jeffrey A. Abell
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Publication number: 20130108897Abstract: An automotive battery module with one or more battery cells and a heat exchange member placed in thermal communication with the battery cell. Heat generated within the battery cell by, among other things, electric current that can be used to provide motive power for the automobile may be removed by the heat exchange member that is made up of a flexible substrate and one or more graphene layers disposed on the substrate. The construction of the substrate and graphene layer is such that multiple heat transfer paths are established, each defining different levels of thermal conductivity and related transfer of heat away from the battery cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2011Publication date: May 2, 2013Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Benjamin R. Christian, Chih-Cheng Hsu
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Publication number: 20120328927Abstract: An electrochemical device includes an electrochemical cell having a first volume for receiving a liquid reactant negative electrode material, a second volume for receiving a liquid reactant positive electrode material, and a lithium ion exchange membrane positioned between the first and second volumes. Liquid reactant negative electrode material includes lithium or a material including lithium. The lithium ion exchange membrane facilitates a lithium ion exchange reaction between the liquid reactant materials to generate a lithium depleted negative electrode material and a lithium enriched positive electrode material.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2011Publication date: December 27, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Adam T. Timmons, Benjamin R. Christian