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).
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Patent number: 11945331Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 19, 2022Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: CPS Technology Holdings LLCInventors: Michael R Blemberg, Ronald J. Dulle, Mark R. Johnson, Bryan L. Thieme
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Publication number: 20230249554Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2023Publication date: August 10, 2023Inventors: 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
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Patent number: 11628728Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 24, 2019Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: CPS Technology Holdings LLCInventors: 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
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Publication number: 20230020364Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2022Publication date: January 19, 2023Inventors: Michael R. Blemberg, Ronald J. Dulle, Mark R. Johnson, Bryan L. Thieme
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Patent number: 11427105Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 25, 2017Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: CPS Technology Holdings LLCInventors: Michael R. Blemberg, Ronald J. Dulle, Mark R. Johnson, Bryan L. Thieme
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Patent number: 11241965Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 17, 2019Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: CPS TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LLCInventors: Ronald J. Dulle, Mark D. Gunderson, Bryan L. Thieme
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Patent number: 10737578Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 14, 2018Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: CPS Technology Holdings LLCInventors: Bryan L. Thieme, Daniel B. Le
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Publication number: 20200127267Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2019Publication date: April 23, 2020Inventors: Ronald J. DULLE, Mark D. GUNDERSON, Bryan L. THIEME
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Patent number: 10581056Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 31, 2014Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: CPS Technology Holdings LLCInventors: Ronald J. Dulle, Mark D. Gunderson, Bryan L. Thieme
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Publication number: 20200052522Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2017Publication date: February 13, 2020Inventors: Michael R. Blemberg, Ronald J. Dulle, Mark R. Johnson, Bryan L. Thieme
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Publication number: 20200020920Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2019Publication date: January 16, 2020Inventors: Ronald J. Dulle, Mark D. Gunderson, Bryan L. Thieme
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Patent number: 10468654Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 24, 2017Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: CPS Technology Holdings LLCInventors: Ronald J. Dulle, Mark D. Gunderson, Bryan L. Thieme
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Publication number: 20180257506Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2018Publication date: September 13, 2018Inventors: Bryan L. Thieme, Daniel B. Le
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Patent number: 9969292Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 11, 2015Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Bryan L. Thieme, Daniel B. Le
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Publication number: 20170324075Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2017Publication date: November 9, 2017Inventors: Ronald J. Dulle, Mark D. Gunderson, Bryan L. Thieme
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Patent number: 9716263Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 31, 2014Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Ronald J. Dulle, Mark D. Gunderson, Bryan L. Thieme
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Patent number: 9698403Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 31, 2014Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology CompanyInventors: Edward J. Soleski, Richard M. DeKeuster, Bryan L. Thieme, Ronald J. Dulle, Mikhail S. Balk
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Patent number: 9368782Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 5, 2013Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology LLCInventors: Edward J. Soleski, Stephen D. Cash, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Mikhail S. Balk, Bryan L. Thieme, Richard M. DeKeuster
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Publication number: 20160137092Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2015Publication date: May 19, 2016Inventors: Bryan L. Thieme, Daniel B. Le
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Patent number: 9209628Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 8, 2013Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology LLCInventors: Bryan L. Thieme, Edward J. Soleski, William M. Cavanaugh, Dharmendra B. Patel, Thomas M. Watson