Patents by Inventor Brian K. Shiu

Brian K. Shiu 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: 11936053
    Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to electrical feedthroughs for thin battery cells. A battery cell enclosure includes a terraced portion having a reduced thickness relative to another portion of the enclosure. The enclosure includes an opening disposed on a horizontal surface of the terraced portion for receiving the electrical feedthrough. Because the feedthrough is disposed on the horizontal surface of the terraced portion, the feedthrough may be over-sized thereby reducing the resistance and impedance of the feedthrough without increasing the height or thickness of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brian K. Shiu, Christopher R. Pasma, Andrew Meyers, Haran Balaram
  • Publication number: 20240039078
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure involve various battery packs. In general, the battery pack includes a battery cell and an enclosure. The enclosure includes a first portion and a plurality of walls that extend perpendicularly from the first portion. The enclosure includes a second portion connected to the plurality of walls to form a body enclosing the battery cell. The first portion, the second portion, and the plurality of walls are a first material comprising stainless steel. The enclosure includes a layer of a second material covering at least a portion of at least one of the first portion, the second portion, and one of the plurality of walls. The second material comprises aluminum, an aluminum alloy, copper, a copper alloy, graphite, graphene, or a combination thereof and has a greater thermal conductivity than the first material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Christopher R. Pasma, Angelo V. Marasco, Brian K. Shiu, Abhishek P. Shiwalkar
  • Publication number: 20230231204
    Abstract: Energy storage devices, battery cells, and batteries of the present technology may include a housing characterized by a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The batteries may include a set of electrodes located within the housing. The set of electrodes may be positioned within the interior region of the housing. The set of electrodes may include a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode may include a tab coupled with a surface of the housing at a distal end and coupled with the first electrode at a proximal end. The tab may be coupled with a first surface of the first electrode. A first insulating material may be applied along a second surface of the first electrode across a section corresponding to a location where the tab is coupled with the first electrode. The batteries may also include a cap at least partially contained within the interior region of the housing. The cap may be characterized by a first surface facing the set of electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Pasma, YooEup Hyung, Brian K. Shiu, Stephen J. Wisler
  • Publication number: 20230088564
    Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to a looped tab for a battery cell. The looped tab may extend from a set of layers. The looped tab may comprise a first portion adjacent to the set of layers, and a second portion adjacent to an inner sidewall of the enclosure. At least a portion of the first portion and at least a portion of the second portion comprise a covered portion. The covered portion comprises a metal surface and an oxide coating covering the metal surface. The oxide coating is configured to prevent contact between a layer in the set of layers or the inner sidewall of the enclosure and the metal surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Jinjun Shi, Brian K. Shiu, Katharine R. Chemelewski
  • Publication number: 20230087851
    Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to a looped tab for a battery cell. The looped tab may extend from a set of layers. The looped tab may comprise a first portion adjacent to the set of layers and a second portion adjacent to an inner sidewall of the enclosure. The first portion may comprise a covered portion, the covered portion comprising a metal surface and an oxide coating covering the metal surface, the oxide coating configured to prevent contact between a layer in the set of layers or the enclosure and the metal surface of the covered portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Jinjun Shi, Brian K. Shiu, Katharine R. Chemelewski
  • Publication number: 20230092789
    Abstract: Battery systems according to embodiments of the present technology may include a battery including a first electrode terminal and a second electrode terminal accessible along a first surface of the battery. The battery may define a recessed portion of the battery along the first surface of the battery between the first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal. The battery systems may include a module electrically coupled with the battery. The module may include a circuit board. The module may include a first conductive tab extending from a second surface of the circuit board opposite the first surface of the circuit board. The first conductive tab may be electrically coupling the module with the first electrode terminal. The module may include a second conductive tab extending from the second surface of the circuit board. The second conductive tab may be electrically coupling the module with the second electrode terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Hirotsugu Oba, Brian K. Shiu, Michael P. Zhang, Xiao Liu, Christopher R. Pasma, Steven M. Labovitz, Katharine R. Chemelewski, Erik D. Gillow, Joshua Walter, Junhua Liu, Michael H. Tsai, Stephan P. Abdo
  • Patent number: 11600865
    Abstract: Energy storage devices, battery cells, and batteries of the present technology may include a housing characterized by a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The housing may include a circumferential indentation proximate the first end. The housing may define a first interior region between the first end and the circumferential indentation, and the housing may define a second interior region between the circumferential indentation and the second end. The batteries may include a set of electrodes located within the housing. The set of electrodes may be positioned within the second interior region of the housing. The batteries may include a cap at least partially contained within the first interior region of the housing. The batteries may also include a first insulator positioned within the housing. The first insulator may extend across the circumferential indentation from the cap to the set of electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Pasma, YooEup Hyung, Brian K. Shiu, Stephen J. Wisler
  • Publication number: 20220352582
    Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to electrical feedthroughs for thin battery cells. A battery cell enclosure includes a terraced portion having a reduced thickness relative to another portion of the enclosure. The enclosure includes an opening disposed on a horizontal surface of the terraced portion for receiving the electrical feedthrough. Because the feedthrough is disposed on the horizontal surface of the terraced portion, the feedthrough may be over-sized thereby reducing the resistance and impedance of the feedthrough without increasing the height or thickness of the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Brian K. Shiu, Christopher R. Pasma, Andrew Meyers, Haran Balaram
  • Patent number: 11476493
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve various battery can designs. In general, the battery can design includes two fitted surfaces oriented opposite each other and seam welded together to form an enclosure in which a battery stack is located. To form the enclosure, the two fitted surfaces are welded together along the large perimeter. Other swelling-resisting advantages may also be achieved utilizing the battery can design described herein including, but not limited to, the ability to modify one or more can wall thicknesses to control a pressure applied to the battery stack by the can, overall reduction in wall thickness of the can through the use of stronger materials for the can surfaces, additional supports structures included within the can design, and/or bossing or other localized thinning of surfaces of the can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Pasma, Siddharth Mohapatra, George V. Anastas, Bookeun Oh, YooEup Hyung, Brian K. Shiu, Haran Balaram, Junhua Liu
  • Patent number: 11431047
    Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to an electrical feedthrough for a battery cell. The electrical feedthrough may include a rivet, an outer gasket, an inner gasket, a terminal and an insulator. The rivet compresses the outer gasket, inner gasket, and terminal to create a hermetic seal at an opening through an enclosure of the battery cell. The inner gasket includes a recessed portion for seating of the terminal to prevent rotation of the terminal with respect to the inner gasket, a protrusion for engaging a corresponding notch on the terminal to further prevent rotation of the terminal with respect to the inner gasket, and a mating surface for attaching to the insulator to align and position the insulator within the enclosure. The insulator is positioned between the battery cell and the inner gasket to prevent physical and electrical contact between the set of layers and the feedthrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Pasma, Brian K. Shiu
  • Patent number: 11417926
    Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to electrical feedthroughs for thin battery cells. A battery cell enclosure includes a terraced portion having a reduced thickness relative to another portion of the enclosure. The enclosure includes an opening disposed on a horizontal surface of the terraced portion for receiving the electrical feedthrough. Because the feedthrough is disposed on the horizontal surface of the terraced portion, the feedthrough may be over-sized thereby reducing the resistance and impedance of the feedthrough without increasing the height or thickness of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brian K. Shiu, Christopher R. Pasma, Andrew Meyers, Haran Balaram
  • Patent number: 11145925
    Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to an electrical feedthrough for a cylindrical battery cell. The electrical feedthrough may include an annular channel having an outer sidewall, an inner sidewall, and a base; an insulator formed of glass having an overmold portion; and a pin extending through the insulator and configured to form an external battery terminal. The insulator is bonded to the inner sidewall of the annular channel and a portion of the base of the annular channel. The overmold portion prevents electrical contact between a set of electrodes and the electrode feedthrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brian K. Shiu, Christopher R. Pasma, Gerald K. Cheung, Haran Balaram, Junhua Liu
  • Publication number: 20210074958
    Abstract: This application relates to a battery system for reducing spacing between components in an electronic device. The battery system includes a housing surrounding an electrode assembly and a connection module. The housing is rigid or semi-rigid and connected to a common ground. The battery system can be positioned in the electronic device to contact components without damaging the components. In some embodiments, the battery system can be used as a structural element in the electronic component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Pelletier, Brad G. Boozer, Christopher M. Werner, Tianren Xu, Brian K. Shiu, Simone M. Missirian, Haran Balaram, Abhishek P. Shiwalkar, Shravan Bharadwaj, Alexander Manosov, Matthew S. Theobald, Huan Huang, Tyler S. Bushnell, Katharine R. Chemelewski, Premanand Ramadass, Yanning Song, Christopher R. Pasma
  • Publication number: 20200403210
    Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to an electrical feedthrough for a battery cell. The electrical feedthrough may include a pin configured to form an external battery terminal, an insulator surrounding the pin and configured to electrically isolate the pin, a channel, and a serpentine tab electrically coupled to the pin at a first end. The serpentine tab is nested within the channel to minimize use of space within an enclosure of the battery cell thereby increasing energy capacity of the battery cell by eliminating the need to allot space within the enclosure to accommodate the tab.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Kyle Tse, Abhishek P. Shiwalkar, Shawn G. Fink, Christopher R. Pasma, Hirotsugu Oba, Brian K. Shiu
  • Publication number: 20200220200
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve various battery can designs. In general, the battery can design includes two fitted surfaces oriented opposite each other and seam welded together to form an enclosure in which a battery stack is located. To form the enclosure, the two fitted surfaces are welded together along the large perimeter. Other swelling-resisting advantages may also be achieved utilizing the battery can design described herein including, but not limited to, the ability to modify one or more can wall thicknesses to control a pressure applied to the battery stack by the can, overall reduction in wall thickness of the can through the use of stronger materials for the can surfaces, additional supports structures included within the can design, and/or bossing or other localized thinning of surfaces of the can.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher R. Pasma, Siddharth Mohapatra, George V. Anastas, Bookeun Oh, YooEup Hyung, Brian K. Shiu, Haran Balaram, Junhua Liu
  • Publication number: 20200176728
    Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to electrical feedthroughs for thin battery cells. A battery cell enclosure includes a terraced portion having a reduced thickness relative to another portion of the enclosure. The enclosure includes an opening disposed on a horizontal surface of the terraced portion for receiving the electrical feedthrough. Because the feedthrough is disposed on the horizontal surface of the terraced portion, the feedthrough may be over-sized thereby reducing the resistance and impedance of the feedthrough without increasing the height or thickness of the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Brian K. Shiu, Christopher R. Pasma, Andrew Meyers, Haran Balaram
  • Patent number: 10629943
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve various battery can designs. In general, the battery can design includes two fitted surfaces oriented opposite each other and seam welded together to form an enclosure in which a battery stack is located. To form the enclosure, the two fitted surfaces are welded together along the large perimeter. Other swelling-resisting advantages may also be achieved utilizing the battery can design described herein including, but not limited to, the ability to modify one or more can wall thicknesses to control a pressure applied to the battery stack by the can, overall reduction in wall thickness of the can through the use of stronger materials for the can surfaces, additional supports structures included within the can design, and/or bossing or other localized thinning of surfaces of the can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher R. Pasma, Siddharth Mohapatra, George V. Anastas, Bookeun Oh, YooEup Hyung, Brian K. Shiu, Haran Balaram, Junhua Liu
  • Publication number: 20200083498
    Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to an electrical feedthrough for a cylindrical battery cell. The electrical feedthrough may include an annular channel having an outer sidewall, an inner sidewall, and a base; an insulator formed of glass having an overmold portion; and a pin extending through the insulator and configured to form an external battery terminal. The insulator is bonded to the inner sidewall of the annular channel and a portion of the base of the annular channel. The overmold portion prevents electrical contact between a set of electrodes and the electrode feedthrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Brian K. Shiu, Christopher R. Pasma, Gerald K. Cheung, Haran Balaram, Junhua Liu
  • Publication number: 20200044289
    Abstract: Energy storage devices, battery cells, and batteries of the present technology may include a housing characterized by a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The housing may include a circumferential indentation proximate the first end. The housing may define a first interior region between the first end and the circumferential indentation, and the housing may define a second interior region between the circumferential indentation and the second end. The batteries may include a set of electrodes located within the housing. The set of electrodes may be positioned within the second interior region of the housing. The batteries may include a cap at least partially contained within the first interior region of the housing. The batteries may also include a first insulator positioned within the housing. The first insulator may extend across the circumferential indentation from the cap to the set of electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Pasma, YooEup Hyung, Brian K. Shiu, Stephen J. Wisler
  • Publication number: 20190341587
    Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to an electrical feedthrough for a battery cell. The electrical feedthrough may include a rivet, an outer gasket, an inner gasket, a terminal and an insulator. The rivet compresses the outer gasket, inner gasket, and terminal to create a hermetic seal at an opening through an enclosure of the battery cell. The inner gasket includes a recessed portion for seating of the terminal to prevent rotation of the terminal with respect to the inner gasket, a protrusion for engaging a corresponding notch on the terminal to further prevent rotation of the terminal with respect to the inner gasket, and a mating surface for attaching to the insulator to align and position the insulator within the enclosure. The insulator is positioned between the battery cell and the inner gasket to prevent physical and electrical contact between the set of layers and the feedthrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher R. Pasma, Brian K. Shiu