Patents by Inventor Brian Ahearne

Brian Ahearne 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: 11651922
    Abstract: A temperature-sensitive battery connector is disclosed. The connector can include a connector body and at least one conductor mounted to the connector body and configured to convey a current signal used to measure voltage from a battery pack or battery cell to a battery management system (BMS). The connector can include a thermal switching device mounted to the connector body and thermally coupled to a terminal of a battery pack or a battery cell. The thermal switching device can be configured to provide an overtemperature signal to the BMS by changing or interrupting a current conducted by at least one conductor when a temperature of the battery pack or battery cell exceeds a threshold temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Bourns, Inc.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Tada, Cathal Sheehan, Brian Ahearne, Gordon Lee Bourns
  • Patent number: 11456565
    Abstract: A connector for providing electronic communication with an electronic device is disclosed. The connector can comprise a substrate comprising layers of non-conductive material and conductive material. The connector can include an interface member mounted to the substrate and electrically connected with the conductor. A positive temperature coefficient (PTC) fuse can be embedded in the substrate and electrically connected with the conductor and the interface member. At least a portion of the PTC fuse can be disposed directly below the interface member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Bourns, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Ahearne, Stelar Chu
  • Publication number: 20210384683
    Abstract: A connector for providing electronic communication with an electronic device is disclosed. The connector can comprise a substrate comprising layers of non-conductive material and conductive material. The connector can include an interface member mounted to the substrate and electrically connected with the conductor. A positive temperature coefficient (PTC) fuse can be embedded in the substrate and electrically connected with the conductor and the interface member. At least a portion of the PTC fuse can be disposed directly below the interface member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Brian Ahearne, Stelar Chu
  • Patent number: 10985552
    Abstract: Electromechanical circuit breakers are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the breakers can be integrated into battery management systems to simplify battery management circuitry and/or to provide redundancy to the battery management systems. In some embodiments, the breakers can be provided to reduce damage to the battery management systems during hot-swapping of a battery cell. The breakers can be automatically resettable or not automatically resettable in various embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Bourns, Inc.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Tada, Cathal Sheehan, Gordon Lee Bourns, Brian Ahearne
  • Publication number: 20210066016
    Abstract: A temperature-sensitive battery connector is disclosed. The connector can include a connector body and at least one conductor mounted to the connector body and configured to convey a current signal used to measure voltage from a battery pack or battery cell to a battery management system (BMS). The connector can include a thermal switching device mounted to the connector body and thermally coupled to a terminal of a battery pack or a battery cell. The thermal switching device can be configured to provide an overtemperature signal to the BMS by changing or interrupting a current conducted by at least one conductor when a temperature of the battery pack or battery cell exceeds a threshold temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Tada, Cathal Sheehan, Brian Ahearne, Gordon Lee Bourns
  • Publication number: 20190393696
    Abstract: Electromechanical circuit breakers are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the breakers can be integrated into battery management systems to simplify battery management circuitry and/or to provide redundancy to the battery management systems. In some embodiments, the breakers can be provided to reduce damage to the battery management systems during hot-swapping of a battery cell. The breakers can be automatically resettable or not automatically resettable in various embodiments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Tada, Cathal Sheehan, Gordon Lee Bourns, Brian Ahearne
  • Publication number: 20060055500
    Abstract: The present invention relates to encapsulated or insulated devices. In certain environments and applications, it is necessary to protect devices from external agents. The present invention achieves this by providing a device comprising a segment of insulating material having an aperture defined therein. An element of active, for example positive temperature coefficient (PTC), material is received within the defined aperture. The element is substantially covered by a first metal layer on one side and a second metal layer on the opposing side. A first layer of insulating material substantially covers the first metal layer and a second layer of insulating material substantially covers the second layer of metal. A first terminal provides an external electrical connection to the first metal layer and a second terminal provides an external electrical connection to the second metal layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Publication date: March 16, 2006
    Applicant: BOURNS, INC
    Inventors: Ray Burke, Maurice O'Brien, Brian Ahearne, John Kelly