Patents by Inventor Brian Joseph Robert
Brian Joseph Robert 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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Publication number: 20240195001Abstract: A battery assembly includes a base including a first locking feature, a lid including a second locking feature, and a metal joint fusing the first locking feature to the second locking feature. The metal joint is configured to melt to disconnect the first locking feature from the second locking feature.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2022Publication date: June 13, 2024Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Stuart C. Salter, Renata Michaela Arsenault, Brian Joseph Robert, Ann O'Neill, David Brian Glickman, Kent Snyder, Lorne Forsythe
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Publication number: 20240189939Abstract: A system for recycling a component of a battery assembly includes a removal tool and a cover of the battery assembly. The cover includes a component removal zone configured to be removable from the cover by the removal tool to expose the component and a locator identifying the component removal zone for removal by the removal tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2022Publication date: June 13, 2024Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Stuart C. Salter, Renata Michaela Arsenault, Kent Snyder, Brian Joseph Robert, Ann O'Neill, David Brian Glickman
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Publication number: 20240072232Abstract: Various methods of making low-tortuosity electrodes are disclosed. In some embodiments, the low-tortuosity electrodes have a tortuosity of less than 2.0 or 1.4 and include battery-active material and solid electrolyte with the solid electrolyte having channels therein that are vertically aligned. A solid-state lithium-ion battery electrode is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2022Publication date: February 29, 2024Inventors: Zijie Lu, Xiaojiang Wang, Andrew Robert Drews, Brian Joseph Robert, Lingyun Liu
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Patent number: 11909008Abstract: A wireless cell array tracker includes a daisy chain connecter and processor each supported on a circuit substrate. The circuit substrate is attached to a battery array. The daisy chain connector physically interfaces with a battery sensing module of the battery array. The processor retrieves data from the battery sensing module via the daisy chain connector, and commands wireless transmission of the data.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2021Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Benjamin A. Tabatowski-Bush, Renata Michaela Arsenault, Kent Snyder, Brian Joseph Robert
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Publication number: 20230344058Abstract: A battery housing assembly for housing battery components of an electric vehicle includes a battery tray, a lid, and a sealant. The battery tray includes a channel located outwardly relative to the battery components. The lid is secured to the battery tray and includes an end portion disposed within the channel. The lid further includes at least one alignment feature configured to align the lid and the battery tray. The sealant is disposed within a portion of the channel of the battery tray and is configured to secure the battery tray and the lid to each other. The sealant is further configured to seal an internal cavity of the battery housing assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2022Publication date: October 26, 2023Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Stuart C. Salter, Renata Michaela Arsenault, David Brian Glickman, Kent Snyder, Brian Joseph Robert, Ann O'Neill, Lorne Forsythe
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Patent number: 11600875Abstract: A traction battery cell assembly including a battery cell and a cell case is provided. The cell case defines a cavity sized for receiving the battery cell and includes an inner wall, an outer wall, and a plurality of support chambers disposed between the inner wall and the outer wall. Each of the support chambers defines a polygon having multiple sides. The sides are arranged with one another to define an agent cavity to house neutralizing agent. The plurality of support chambers is arranged with the inner wall and the outer wall such that an impact to one of the walls causes a puncture to one of the sides of the support chambers releasing the neutralizing agent. Each of the support chambers may include five or more sides and adjacent sides may define an angle therebetween greater than ninety degrees.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2018Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Brian Joseph Robert, Andrew Robert Drews, Mohan Karulkar
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Publication number: 20220384862Abstract: A wireless cell array tracker includes a daisy chain connecter and processor each supported on a circuit substrate. The circuit substrate is attached to a battery array. The daisy chain connector physically interfaces with a battery sensing module of the battery array. The processor retrieves data from the battery sensing module via the daisy chain connector, and commands wireless transmission of the data.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2021Publication date: December 1, 2022Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Benjamin A. Tabatowski-Bush, Renata Michaela Arsenault, Kent Snyder, Brian Joseph Robert
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Patent number: 11207986Abstract: This disclosure details exemplary home energy storage systems capable of storing electricity locally for later consumption, such as for charging an electrified vehicle, supporting various home energy needs, and supporting alternative energy storage/power source functionality. An exemplary home energy storage system may include a stationary unit, one or more modular units removably connectable to the stationary unit, and a rack mounting and handcart transportation system configured to mount, detach, and transport the modular unit relative to the stationary unit. Once undocked from the stationary unit, the modular unit(s) may be utilized as a portable power source for powering one or more electrical loads. This disclosure further describes various interconnected functionalities (e.g., electrical and wireless communication of state of uses) between the stationary unit and the modular unit of home energy storage systems and between the modular unit and various satellite equipment associated with the modular unit.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2019Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Brian Joseph Robert, Rachel Blaser, Renata Michaela Arsenault
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Patent number: 11058037Abstract: A vehicle on-board charging assembly includes at least one power electronics module and a coolant channel in thermal contact with the at least one power electronics module. The charging assembly also includes a first reactive portion along a wall of the coolant channel defining a first reactive property and a second reactive portion along the wall of the coolant channel defining a second reactive property. The charging assembly further includes a plurality of emitters arranged to activate the first and second reactive portions. The charging assembly also further includes a controller programmed to sequentially activate the emitters to cause peristaltic pumping of coolant through the coolant channel.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2019Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Brian Joseph Robert, Serdar Hakki Yonak
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Patent number: 11043834Abstract: A method and system for an electric vehicle include a controller and a battery cooling system. The controller automatically detects when the vehicle is being driven to a charging station. The controller controls the battery cooling system to pre-cool a traction battery of the vehicle as the vehicle is being driven to the charging station so that the traction battery is cooled to a target temperature upon the vehicle reaching the charging station. The battery cooling system includes a phase change material (PCM) surrounding at least a portion of the traction battery. The traction battery is pre-cooled by circulating refrigerant coolant to the PCM to cool the PCM and thereby pre-cool the traction battery.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2019Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Waqas Ahmed Manzoor, Daniel C. Huang, Yinhua Zheng, Brian Joseph Robert
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Patent number: 10964930Abstract: A battery pack includes a pouch cell having electrode tabs extending therefrom, each of the tabs defining perforations, a bus bar in contact with the tabs, and respective agglomerations of mechanically bound solid metal particles each filling one of the perforations to mechanically bind and electrically connect the tabs to the bus bar.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2019Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Brian Joseph Robert, Thomas P. Brackett, III
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Patent number: 10930978Abstract: A lithium ion pouch battery cell includes a rigid frame forming a skeleton of the cell and defining an aperture, an anode, a separator, and a cathode disposed within the aperture. The anode and cathode each include a current collector with an exposed tab portion, and a pair of terminals, integrated into the frame, each having an exterior portion and an interior portion bonded to one of the current collectors.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2017Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Andrew Robert Drews, Brian Joseph Robert, Mohan Karulkar
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Publication number: 20200412160Abstract: A method and system for an electric vehicle include a controller and a battery cooling system. The controller automatically detects when the vehicle is being driven to a charging station. The controller controls the battery cooling system to pre-cool a traction battery of the vehicle as the vehicle is being driven to the charging station so that the traction battery is cooled to a target temperature upon the vehicle reaching the charging station. The battery cooling system includes a phase change material (PCM) surrounding at least a portion of the traction battery. The traction battery is pre-cooled by circulating refrigerant coolant to the PCM to cool the PCM and thereby pre-cool the traction battery.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2019Publication date: December 31, 2020Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Waqas Ahmed Manzoor, Daniel C. Huang, Yinhua Zheng, Brian Joseph Robert
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Publication number: 20200413574Abstract: A vehicle on-board charging assembly includes at least one power electronics module and a coolant channel in thermal contact with the at least one power electronics module. The charging assembly also includes a first reactive portion along a wall of the coolant channel defining a first reactive property and a second reactive portion along the wall of the coolant channel defining a second reactive property. The charging assembly further includes a plurality of emitters arranged to activate the first and second reactive portions. The charging assembly also further includes a controller programmed to sequentially activate the emitters to cause peristaltic pumping of coolant through the coolant channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2019Publication date: December 31, 2020Inventors: Brian Joseph ROBERT, Serdar Hakki YONAK
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Patent number: 10749225Abstract: A vehicle traction battery assembly may include a traction battery cell, a case, and a thermal plate. The case may define a cavity to receive the traction battery cell and has a first side defining a first form feature. The thermal plate may be for positioning adjacent the traction battery cell and define a coolant channel sized for engagement with the case via the first form feature such that traction battery cell is in thermal communication with coolant flowing through the coolant channel. The first form feature may be serpentine-shaped or S-shaped. The first form feature may be castle-shaped from a cross-sectional plan view. The case may be multi-layered and include a first polymer layer, a second polymer layer, and an aluminum layer disposed between the polymer layers.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2017Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Brian Joseph Robert, Alvaro Masias, Kent Snyder
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Publication number: 20200254887Abstract: This disclosure details exemplary home energy storage systems capable of storing electricity locally for later consumption, such as for charging an electrified vehicle, supporting various home energy needs, and supporting alternative energy storage/power source functionality. An exemplary home energy storage system may include a stationary unit, one or more modular units removably connectable to the stationary unit, and a rack mounting and handcart transportation system configured to mount, detach, and transport the modular unit relative to the stationary unit. Once undocked from the stationary unit, the modular unit(s) may be utilized as a portable power source for powering one or more electrical loads. This disclosure further describes various interconnected functionalities (e.g., electrical and wireless communication of state of uses) between the stationary unit and the modular unit of home energy storage systems and between the modular unit and various satellite equipment associated with the modular unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2019Publication date: August 13, 2020Inventors: Brian Joseph Robert, Rachel Blaser, Renata Michaela Arsenault
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Patent number: 10734629Abstract: A vehicle traction battery assembly including a battery cell, a busbar, and a thermal spray is provided. The battery cell may include a terminal having an angled taper upper portion extending therefrom. The busbar may define a through-hole having a taper defining an angle substantially opposite of the angled taper upper portion such that a cavity is defined therebetween when the terminal extends through the through-hole. The thermal spray may be deposited within the cavity to secure the busbar to the terminal. The thermal spray may be formed from a metallic powder selected to include particles that deform and connect when accelerated to a speed of approximately 500 mph or more to join the particles and form a bond securing the terminal to the busbar. The particles of the metallic powder may be iron, copper, aluminum, nickel, iron, or magnesium.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2018Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Brian Joseph Robert, Thomas P. Brackett, James Maurice Boileau
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Patent number: 10700323Abstract: A battery system is disclosed. The system may include a frame surrounding a battery active region and defining a vent carried by the frame and mounted between the battery active region and coolant passage. The vent may be configured to vent gas from the battery active region to the coolant passage responsive to a pressure or temperature of the gas exceeding a predetermined threshold, and to isolate the battery active region from the coolant passage otherwise.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2017Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mohan Karulkar, Andrew Robert Drews, Brian Joseph Robert
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Patent number: 10700322Abstract: A plug for a fill port of a battery cell includes a body defining a channel. The plug includes a cover coupled to the body and covering the channel. The cover is configured to open in response to predetermined conditions to vent the battery cell.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2017Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mohan Karulkar, Brian Joseph Robert, Andrew Robert Drews
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Patent number: 10686166Abstract: The disclosure provides a battery cell casing for holding a plurality of cell elements, each electrode structure in its own compartment. The disclosed casing eliminates the need for some individual cell walls and replaces them with shared wall partitions.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2016Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kent Snyder, Alvaro Masias, Brian Joseph Robert