Patents by Inventor Bryan L. Thieme

Bryan L. Thieme 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: 11945331
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes an automotive battery system that uses switching devices to increase operational performance and reliability. The battery system includes a battery cell, a primary switching device electrically coupled to a terminal of the battery cell, and a secondary switching device electrically coupled to the terminal of the battery cell and in parallel with the primary switching device. The primary switching device includes an electromechanical switching device that enables charging or discharging of the battery and generates a boosted voltage. A secondary switching device includes a solid-state switching device and a diode, electrically coupled in series, which detect short circuit conditions in a power-efficient manner and remove the short circuit condition by using the boosted voltage to actuate the armature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: CPS Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Michael R Blemberg, Ronald J. Dulle, Mark R. Johnson, Bryan L. Thieme
  • Publication number: 20230249554
    Abstract: A battery module includes a housing, a plurality of battery cells disposed in the housing, and a printed circuit board (PCB) assembly disposed in the housing. The PCB assembly includes a PCB and a shunt disposed across a first surface of the PCB. A second surface of the shunt directly contacts the first surface of the PCB, and the shunt is electrically coupled between the battery cells and a terminal of the battery module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Ronald J. Dulle, Mark D. Gunderson, Bryan L. Thieme, Richard M. DeKeuster, Edward J. Soleski, Robert J. Mack, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Stephen D. Cash, Lisa L. Winders, Jack L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11628728
    Abstract: A battery module includes a lower housing and a plurality of battery cells. The plurality of battery cells are electrically coupled together to produce a voltage. The module also includes an assembly disposed over the battery cells and coupled to the lower housing. The assembly may include a lid and a plurality of bus bar interconnects mounted on the lid. The module also includes a printed circuit board (PCB) assembly disposed on and coupled to the assembly. The PCB assembly may include a PCB. The module also includes a cover disposed over and coupled to the lower housing to hermetically seal the battery module. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing the battery module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: CPS Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Ronald J. Dulle, Mark D. Gunderson, Bryan L. Thieme, Richard M. DeKeuster, Edward J. Soleski, Robert J. Mack, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Stephen D. Cash, Lisa L. Winders, Jack L. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20230020364
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes an automotive battery system that uses switching devices to increase operational performance and reliability. The battery system includes a battery cell, a primary switching device electrically coupled to a terminal of the battery cell, and a secondary switching device electrically coupled to the terminal of the battery cell and in parallel with the primary switching device. The primary switching device includes an electromechanical switching device that enables charging or discharging of the battery and generates a boosted voltage. A secondary switching device includes a solid-state switching device and a diode, electrically coupled in series, which detect short circuit conditions in a power-efficient manner and remove the short circuit condition by using the boosted voltage to actuate the armature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Michael R. Blemberg, Ronald J. Dulle, Mark R. Johnson, Bryan L. Thieme
  • Patent number: 11427105
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes an automotive battery system that uses switching devices to increase operational performance and reliability. The battery system includes a battery cell, a primary switching device electrically coupled to a terminal of the battery cell, and a secondary switching device electrically coupled to the terminal of the battery cell and in parallel with the primary switching device. The primary switching device includes an electromechanical switching device that enables charging or discharging of the battery and generates a boosted voltage. A secondary switching device includes a solid-state switching device and a diode, electrically coupled in series, which detect short circuit conditions in a power-efficient manner and remove the short circuit condition by using the boosted voltage to actuate the armature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: CPS Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Michael R. Blemberg, Ronald J. Dulle, Mark R. Johnson, Bryan L. Thieme
  • Patent number: 11241965
    Abstract: The present subject matter relates to a battery module for use in a vehicle. The battery module may include a housing, a plurality of battery cells disposed within the housing, and solid state pre-charge control circuitry that pre-charges a direct current (DC) bus that may be coupled between the battery module and an electronic component of the vehicle. Furthermore, the solid state pre-charge control circuitry may include solid state electronic components as well as passive electronic components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: CPS TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Ronald J. Dulle, Mark D. Gunderson, Bryan L. Thieme
  • Patent number: 10737578
    Abstract: An automotive battery system that includes a lead-acid battery electrically coupled to a first bus, in which the lead-acid battery supplies electrical power to a starter via the first bus to cold crank an internal combustion engine of a vehicle; a lithium-ion battery electrically coupled to a second bus, in which the lithium-ion battery captures and stores electrical energy generated by a regenerative braking system when the vehicle brakes and supplies electrical power to the second bus using the electrical energy captured from the regenerative braking system such that a first portion of the second electrical power is supplied to an electrical system; and a DC/DC converter electrically coupled between the first bus and the second bus, in which the DC/DC converter controls supply of a second portion of the second electrical power to charge the lead-acid battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: CPS Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Bryan L. Thieme, Daniel B. Le
  • Publication number: 20200127267
    Abstract: The present subject matter relates to a battery module for use in a vehicle. The battery module may include a housing, a plurality of battery cells disposed within the housing, and solid state pre-charge control circuitry that pre-charges a direct current (DC) bus that may be coupled between the battery module and an electronic component of the vehicle. Furthermore, the solid state pre-charge control circuitry may include solid state electronic components as well as passive electronic components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Ronald J. DULLE, Mark D. GUNDERSON, Bryan L. THIEME
  • Patent number: 10581056
    Abstract: The present subject matter relates to a battery module for use in a vehicle. The battery module may include a housing, a plurality of battery cells disposed within the housing, and solid state pre-charge control circuitry that pre-charges a direct current (DC) bus that may be coupled between the battery module and an electronic component of the vehicle. Furthermore, the solid state pre-charge control circuitry may include solid state electronic components as well as passive electronic components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: CPS Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Ronald J. Dulle, Mark D. Gunderson, Bryan L. Thieme
  • Publication number: 20200052522
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes an automotive battery system that uses switching devices to increase operational performance and reliability. The battery system includes a battery cell, a primary switching device electrically coupled to a terminal of the battery cell, and a secondary switching device electrically coupled to the terminal of the battery cell and in parallel with the primary switching device. The primary switching device includes an electromechanical switching device that enables charging or discharging of the battery and generates a boosted voltage. A secondary switching device includes a solid-state switching device and a diode, electrically coupled in series, which detect short circuit conditions in a power-efficient manner and remove the short circuit condition by using the boosted voltage to actuate the armature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Michael R. Blemberg, Ronald J. Dulle, Mark R. Johnson, Bryan L. Thieme
  • Publication number: 20200020920
    Abstract: A battery module includes a housing, a plurality of battery cells disposed in the housing, and a printed circuit board (PCB) assembly disposed in the housing. The PCB assembly includes a PCB and a shunt disposed across a first surface of the PCB. A second surface of the shunt directly contacts the first surface of the PCB, and the shunt is electrically coupled between the battery cells and a terminal of the battery module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Ronald J. Dulle, Mark D. Gunderson, Bryan L. Thieme
  • Patent number: 10468654
    Abstract: A battery module includes a housing, a plurality of battery cells disposed in the housing, and a printed circuit board (PCB) assembly disposed in the housing. The PCB assembly includes a PCB and a shunt disposed across a first surface of the PCB. A second surface of the shunt directly contacts the first surface of the PCB, and the shunt is electrically coupled between the battery cells and a terminal of the battery module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: CPS Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Ronald J. Dulle, Mark D. Gunderson, Bryan L. Thieme
  • Publication number: 20180257506
    Abstract: An automotive battery system that includes a lead-acid battery electrically coupled to a first bus, in which the lead-acid battery supplies electrical power to a starter via the first bus to cold crank an internal combustion engine of a vehicle; a lithium-ion battery electrically coupled to a second bus, in which the lithium-ion battery captures and stores electrical energy generated by a regenerative braking system when the vehicle brakes and supplies electrical power to the second bus using the electrical energy captured from the regenerative braking system such that a first portion of the second electrical power is supplied to an electrical system; and a DC/DC converter electrically coupled between the first bus and the second bus, in which the DC/DC converter controls supply of a second portion of the second electrical power to charge the lead-acid battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Bryan L. Thieme, Daniel B. Le
  • Patent number: 9969292
    Abstract: An automotive battery system that includes a lead-acid battery electrically coupled to a first bus, in which the lead-acid battery supplies electrical power to a starter via the first bus to cold crank an internal combustion engine of a vehicle; a lithium-ion battery electrically coupled to a second bus, in which the lithium-ion battery captures and stores electrical energy generated by a regenerative braking system when the vehicle brakes and supplies electrical power to the second bus using the electrical energy captured from the regenerative braking system such that a first portion of the second electrical power is supplied to an electrical system; and a DC/DC converter electrically coupled between the first bus and the second bus, in which the DC/DC converter controls supply of a second portion of the second electrical power to charge the lead-acid battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Bryan L. Thieme, Daniel B. Le
  • Publication number: 20170324075
    Abstract: A battery module includes a housing, a plurality of battery cells disposed in the housing, and a printed circuit board (PCB) assembly disposed in the housing. The PCB assembly includes a PCB and a shunt disposed across a first surface of the PCB. A second surface of the shunt directly contacts the first surface of the PCB, and the shunt is electrically coupled between the battery cells and a terminal of the battery module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Ronald J. Dulle, Mark D. Gunderson, Bryan L. Thieme
  • Patent number: 9716263
    Abstract: A battery module includes a housing, a plurality of battery cells disposed in the housing, and a printed circuit board (PCB) assembly disposed in the housing. The PCB assembly includes a PCB and a shunt disposed across a first surface of the PCB. A second surface of the shunt directly contacts the first surface of the PCB, and the shunt is electrically coupled between the battery cells and a terminal of the battery module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Ronald J. Dulle, Mark D. Gunderson, Bryan L. Thieme
  • Patent number: 9698403
    Abstract: A printed circuit board (PCB) assembly includes a PCB and a high current interconnect mounted on the PCB. The high current interconnect is configured to electrically couple a first high current bladed component, a second high current bladed component, and a trace disposed on the PCB. The high current interconnect includes feet made of a conductive material that are coupled to the PCB. The trace is coupled to the feet via a weld.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Edward J. Soleski, Richard M. DeKeuster, Bryan L. Thieme, Ronald J. Dulle, Mikhail S. Balk
  • Patent number: 9368782
    Abstract: A battery system includes at least a first battery module and a second battery module, and a service disconnect unit electrically coupling the first battery module to the second battery module. The service disconnect unit comprises a bus bar that includes a first portion electrically connected to the first battery module, and a second portion electrically connected to the second battery module. The service disconnect unit also comprises a removable conductive member configured to electrically connect the first portion of the bus bar to the second portion of the bus bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Soleski, Stephen D. Cash, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Mikhail S. Balk, Bryan L. Thieme, Richard M. DeKeuster
  • Publication number: 20160137092
    Abstract: An automotive battery system that includes a lead-acid battery electrically coupled to a first bus, in which the lead-acid battery supplies electrical power to a starter via the first bus to cold crank an internal combustion engine of a vehicle; a lithium-ion battery electrically coupled to a second bus, in which the lithium-ion battery captures and stores electrical energy generated by a regenerative braking system when the vehicle brakes and supplies electrical power to the second bus using the electrical energy captured from the regenerative braking system such that a first portion of the second electrical power is supplied to an electrical system; and a DC/DC converter electrically coupled between the first bus and the second bus, in which the DC/DC converter controls supply of a second portion of the second electrical power to charge the lead-acid battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Bryan L. Thieme, Daniel B. Le
  • Patent number: 9209628
    Abstract: Systems and methods for de-energizing battery packs in vehicles that receive at least a portion of their motive power from electricity generated from a battery are provided. By way of example, one embodiment includes a battery de-energizer that is configured to electrically couple to a port or receptacle, such as the service disconnect receptacle, on the vehicle and discharge the electrical energy stored in the battery pack. Another embodiment includes a battery management unit (BMU) designed to monitor one or more sensors to determine if a crash has occurred. If a crash is determined, the BMU electrically couples a battery de-energizer circuit to the battery pack to discharge the electrical energy stored in the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology LLC
    Inventors: Bryan L. Thieme, Edward J. Soleski, William M. Cavanaugh, Dharmendra B. Patel, Thomas M. Watson