Patents by Inventor Berton Vite

Berton Vite 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: 11742540
    Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for battery pack thermal management, such as heating and cooling of individual batteries arranged into battery packs. The methods and systems use thermal control modules, specifically configured to thermally couple to the side wall and the bottom end of each battery in a battery pack. In some examples, a thermal control module comprises a thermal plate and one or two battery engagement components, connected and thermally coupled to the thermal plate. Each battery engagement component comprises a plurality of battery receiving openings. When the batteries are installed into these openings, the side wall and the bottom end of each battery are thermally coupled to the thermal control module. Thermal fluid is circulated through at least the thermal plate to provide cooling or heating to the batteries without any direct contact between the thermal fluid and the batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Canoo Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Deborah Bourke, Michael Fricke, David Tarlau, Phillip Weicker, Berton Vite, Hrayr Torosyan, Cody Joel Rhebergen
  • Patent number: 11677109
    Abstract: Thermal management systems for batteries utilize vapor chambers having wicking components therein. An exemplary thermal management system includes a vapor chamber containing a working fluid and wicking components. A plurality of battery cells are disposed at least partially in the vapor chamber. A cold plate is coupled to the vapor chamber, and a heat pump is coupled to the cold plate. A capillary tube may be utilized to facilitate movement of vapor and working fluid in the thermal management system. Via use of exemplary systems, improved thermal management for batteries is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Romeo Systems Technology, LLC
    Inventors: W. Porter Harris, Qian Wang, Berton Vite, W. Hunter Greene
  • Publication number: 20230046621
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an interconnect assembly configured to receive and retain multiple batteries. The interconnect assembly includes a retainer configured to receive portions of the batteries and a conductive interconnect layer carried by the retainer. The conductive interconnect layer includes a first layer of conductive material having a first thickness and a second layer of conductive material having a second thickness less than the first thickness. The first and second layers of conductive material are attached together to form the conductive interconnect layer. The second layer of conductive material includes multiple interconnects configured to be coupled to cathodes and anodes of the batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Kenneth Kawanishi, Deborah A. Bourke, Seth Lewis, Cody J. Rhebergen, Berton Vite, Phillip J. Weicker
  • Publication number: 20230048671
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an interconnect assembly configured to receive and retain multiple batteries. The interconnect assembly includes a retainer configured to receive portions of the batteries, a conductive interconnect layer carried by the retainer, and a terminal bar configured to transport electrical currents to and from the conductive interconnect layer. The conductive interconnect layer includes a conductive layer positioned between first and second insulative layers, where the conductive layer has a first thickness that is less than a thickness of the terminal bar. The conductive layer includes multiple interconnects configured to be coupled to cathodes and anodes of the batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Kenneth Kawanishi, Deborah A. Bourke, Seth Lewis, Cody J. Rhebergen, Berton Vite
  • Publication number: 20220247014
    Abstract: Thermal management systems for batteries utilize vapor chambers having wicking components therein. An exemplary thermal management system includes a vapor chamber containing a working fluid and wicking components. A plurality of battery cells are disposed at least partially in the vapor chamber. A cold plate is coupled to the vapor chamber, and a heat pump is coupled to the cold plate. A capillary tube may be utilized to facilitate movement of vapor and working fluid in the thermal management system. Via use of exemplary systems, improved thermal management for batteries is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Applicant: Romeo Systems Technology, LLC
    Inventors: W. Porter Harris, Qian Wang, Berton Vite, W. Hunter Greene
  • Patent number: 10998590
    Abstract: Thermal management systems for batteries utilize vapor chambers having wicking components therein. An exemplary thermal management system includes a vapor chamber containing a working fluid and wicking components. A plurality of battery cells are disposed at least partially in the vapor chamber. A cold plate is coupled to the vapor chamber, and a heat pump is coupled to the cold plate. A capillary tube may be utilized to facilitate movement of vapor and working fluid in the thermal management system. Via use of exemplary systems, improved thermal management for batteries is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: ROMEO SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: W. Porter Harris, Qian Wang, Berton Vite, W. Hunter Greene
  • Publication number: 20210074969
    Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for battery pack thermal management, such as heating and cooling of individual batteries arranged into battery packs. The methods and systems use thermal control modules, specifically configured to thermally couple to the side wall and the bottom end of each battery in a battery pack. In some examples, a thermal control module comprises a thermal plate and one or two battery engagement components, connected and thermally coupled to the thermal plate. Each battery engagement component comprises a plurality of battery receiving openings. When the batteries are installed into these openings, the side wall and the bottom end of each battery are thermally coupled to the thermal control module. Thermal fluid is circulated through at least the thermal plate to provide cooling or heating to the batteries without any direct contact between the thermal fluid and the batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Applicant: Canoo Inc.
    Inventors: Deborah Bourke, Michael Fricke, David Tarlau, Phillip Weicker, Berton Vite, Hrayr Torosyan, Cody Joel Rhebergen
  • Publication number: 20210043992
    Abstract: A battery cell is made more thermally efficient with the addition of an integrated vapor chamber that extends out from the cell and into an external heat exchange interface. The integrated vapor chamber can contain a working fluid which undergoes phase changes between liquid and vapor phases when there is a temperature differential between the interior and exterior of the cell. The integrated vapor chamber can include a wicking material to transfer the working fluid to the exterior wall of the vapor chamber. The integrated vapor chamber allows for both heating and cooling of the battery cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: W. Porter Harris, William Hunter Greene, Qian Wang, Wesley Thibault, Berton Vite
  • Patent number: 10886512
    Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for battery pack thermal management, such as heating and cooling of individual batteries arranged into battery packs. The methods and systems use thermal control modules, specifically configured to thermally couple to the side wall and the bottom end of each battery in a battery pack. In some examples, a thermal control module comprises a thermal plate and one or two battery engagement components, connected and thermally coupled to the thermal plate. Each battery engagement component comprises a plurality of battery receiving openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Canoo Inc.
    Inventors: Deborah Bourke, Michael Fricke, David Tarlau, Phillip Weicker, Berton Vite, Hrayr Torosyan, Cody Joel Rhebergen
  • Patent number: 10818987
    Abstract: A battery cell is made more thermally efficient with the addition of an integrated vapor chamber that extends out from the cell and into an external heat exchange interface. The integrated vapor chamber can contain a working fluid which undergoes phase changes between liquid and vapor phases when there is a temperature differential between the interior and exterior of the cell. The integrated vapor chamber can include a wicking material to transfer the working fluid to the exterior wall of the vapor chamber. The integrated vapor chamber allows for both heating and cooling of the battery cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Romeo Systems Technology, LLC
    Inventors: W. Porter Harris, William Hunter Greene, Qian Wang, Wesley Thibault, Berton Vite
  • Publication number: 20200220132
    Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for battery pack thermal management, such as heating and cooling of individual batteries arranged into battery packs. The methods and systems use thermal control modules, specifically configured to thermally couple to the side wall and the bottom end of each battery in a battery pack. In some examples, a thermal control module comprises a thermal plate and one or two battery engagement components, connected and thermally coupled to the thermal plate. Each battery engagement component comprises a plurality of battery receiving openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Applicant: Canoo Inc.
    Inventors: Deborah Bourke, Michael Fricke, David Tarlau, Philip Weicker, Berton Vite, Hrayr Torosyan
  • Patent number: 10218043
    Abstract: A cooling system for a battery cell. In one embodiment, the cooling system includes a wicking material and a first cooling liquid; a battery cell support to hold the battery cell in communication with the wicking material; a first cooling channel having a wall, the wall having an interior and an exterior surface, the interior surface of the wall defining a lumen, the exterior surface of the wall of the first cooling channel in communication with the wicking material; whereby a first cooling fluid is passed through the lumen of the first cooling channel, whereby the first cooling liquid in the wicking material vaporizes in response to heat radiating from the battery cell, and whereby the vaporized first cooling liquid condenses upon contact with the wall of the first cooling channel and is wicked by the wicking material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: FARADAY & FUTURE INC.
    Inventors: David Tarlau, W. Porter Harris, Pei Chen, Berton Vite
  • Patent number: 10153524
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to techniques for implementing a cooling system for a vehicle heat-generating component wherein a two-phase coolant flows between a heat sink module and a heat radiator module. The heat radiator module can be mounted at a higher elevation within the vehicle than the heat sink module. High and low temperature fluid paths can fluidly couple the heat sink module and the heat radiator module. The heat sink module can be coupled to a heat-generating component. As the coolant is heated at the heat sink module by heat from the heat-generating component, it can change to a substantially gaseous phase and move, primarily by force of buoyancy, to the heat radiator module via the high temperature fluid path. As the coolant is cooled by the heat radiator module, it can change to a substantially liquid phase and move, primarily by force of gravity, to the heat sink module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: FARADAY&FUTURE INC.
    Inventors: Khiem Dinh, David Tarlau, Berton Vite
  • Publication number: 20180183118
    Abstract: A battery cell is made more thermally efficient with the addition of an integrated vapor chamber that extends out from the cell and into an external heat exchange interface. The integrated vapor chamber can contain a working fluid which undergoes phase changes between liquid and vapor phases when there is a temperature differential between the interior and exterior of the cell. The integrated vapor chamber can include a wicking material to transfer the working fluid to the exterior wall of the vapor chamber. The integrated vapor chamber allows for both heating and cooling of the battery cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: W. Porter HARRIS, William Hunter GREENE, Qian WANG, Wesley THIBAULT, Berton VITE
  • Publication number: 20180145381
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to techniques for implementing a cooling system for a vehicle heat-generating component wherein a two-phase coolant flows between a heat sink module and a heat radiator module. The heat radiator module can be mounted at a higher elevation within the vehicle than the heat sink module. High and low temperature fluid paths can fluidly couple the heat sink module and the heat radiator module. The heat sink module can be coupled to a heat-generating component. As the coolant is heated at the heat sink module by heat from the heat-generating component, it can change to a substantially gaseous phase and move, primarily by force of buoyancy, to the heat radiator module via the high temperature fluid path. As the coolant is cooled by the heat radiator module, it can change to a substantially liquid phase and move, primarily by force of gravity, to the heat sink module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Khiem Dinh, David Tarlau, Berton Vite
  • Publication number: 20180145382
    Abstract: Thermal management systems for batteries utilize vapor chambers having wicking components therein. An exemplary thermal management system includes a vapor chamber containing a working fluid and wicking components. A plurality of battery cells are disposed at least partially in the vapor chamber. A cold plate is coupled to the vapor chamber, and a heat pump is coupled to the cold plate. A capillary tube may be utilized to facilitate movement of vapor and working fluid in the thermal management system. Via use of exemplary systems, improved thermal management for batteries is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: W. Porter Harris, Qian Wang, Berton Vite, W. Hunter Greene
  • Publication number: 20170092999
    Abstract: A cooling system for a battery cell. In one embodiment, the cooling system includes a wicking material and a first cooling liquid; a battery cell support to hold the battery cell in communication with the wicking material; a first cooling channel having a wall, the wall having an interior and an exterior surface, the interior surface of the wall defining a lumen, the exterior surface of the wall of the first cooling channel in communication with the wicking material; whereby a first cooling fluid is passed through the lumen of the first cooling channel, whereby the first cooling liquid in the wicking material vaporizes in response to heat radiating from the battery cell, and whereby the vaporized first cooling liquid condenses upon contact with the wall of the first cooling channel and is wicked by the wicking material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: David Tarlau, W. Porter Harris, Pei Chen, Berton Vite