Patents by Inventor Charles J. Schaeffer

Charles J. Schaeffer 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: 9577266
    Abstract: A method for producing a negative grid for a battery which includes providing a strip of battery grid material and performing a punching operation on the battery grid material to remove material and form a grid. The punching operation produces a negative battery grid having a plurality of grid wires bounded by a frame. The battery grid includes a top frame member. A first side frame member is coupled to the top frame member at a first end thereof. A second side frame member is coupled to the top frame member at a second end thereof. A bottom frame member is spaced apart from the top frame member and coupled to the first side frame member and the second side frame member. The negative grid does not include exposed wire ends that may puncture a polymeric separator when the negative grid is provided within the separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Troxel, Charles J. Schaeffer, Glenn W. Andersen, Michael E. Lacroix, Wen-Hong Kao
  • Patent number: 8709664
    Abstract: A grid network for a battery plate is provided. The grid network includes a plurality of spaced apart grid wire elements, each grid wire element having opposed ends joined to one of a plurality of nodes. Each node includes the juncture of one of the opposed ends of a plurality of the grid wire elements to define a plurality of open spaces in the grid network. At least one of the grid wire elements has a first transverse cross-section intermediate its opposed ends that is a different shape than a second transverse cross-section at at least one of the grid wire element's opposed ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Charles J. Schaeffer, Jeffrey L. Troxel, M. Eric Taylor, Wen-Hong Kao, Christian P. Hansen, Yu-Lin Chen, Dan J. Cantillon, Bart Sauer
  • Patent number: 8252464
    Abstract: A method of forming battery grids or plates that includes the step of mechanically reshaping or refinishing battery grid wires to improve adhesion between the battery paste and the grid wires. The method is particularly useful in improving the past adhesion to battery grids formed by a continuous batter grid making process (such as strip expansion, strip stamping, continuous casting) that produces grid wires and nodes with smooth surfaces and rectangular cross-section. In a preferred version of the method, the grid wires of battery grids produced by a stamping process are deformed such that the grid wires have a cross-section other than the rectangular cross-section produced by the stamping process. The method increases the cycle life of a battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Charles J. Schaeffer, Jeffrey L. Troxel, M. Eric Taylor, Wen-Hong Kao, Christian P. Hansen, Yu-Lin Chen, Dan J. Cantillon, Bart Sauer
  • Publication number: 20120064413
    Abstract: A grid network for a battery plate is provided. The grid network includes a plurality of spaced apart grid wire elements, each grid wire element having opposed ends joined to one of a plurality of nodes. Each node includes the juncture of one of the opposed ends of a plurality of the grid wire elements to define a plurality of open spaces in the grid network. At least one of the grid wire elements has a first transverse cross-section intermediate its opposed ends that is a different shape than a second transverse cross-section at least one of the grid wire element's opposed ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Charles J. Schaeffer, Jeffrey L. Troxel, M. Eric Taylor, Wen-Hong Kao, Christian P. Hansen, Yu-Lin Chen, Dan J. Cantillon, Bart Sauer
  • Publication number: 20120058394
    Abstract: A grid network for a battery plate is provided. The grid network includes a plurality of spaced apart grid wire elements, each grid wire element having opposed ends joined to one of a plurality of nodes. Each node includes the juncture of one of the opposed ends of a plurality of the grid wire elements to define a plurality of open spaces in the grid network. At least one of the grid wire elements has a first transverse cross-section intermediate its opposed ends that is a different shape than a second transverse cross-section at at least one of the grid wire element's opposed ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Charles J. Schaeffer, Jeffrey L. Troxel, M. Eric Taylor, Wen-Hong Kao, Christian P. Hansen, Yu-Lin Chen, Dan J. Cantillon, Bart Sauer
  • Publication number: 20120047719
    Abstract: A method of forming battery grids or plates that includes the step of mechanically reshaping or refinishing battery grid wires to improve adhesion between the battery paste and the grid wires. The method is particularly useful in improving the past adhesion to battery grids formed by a continuous batter grid making process (such as strip expansion, strip stamping, continuous casting) that produces grid wires and nodes with smooth surfaces and rectangular cross-section. In a preferred version of the method, the grid wires of battery grids produced by a stamping process are deformed such that the grid wires have a cross-section other than the rectangular cross-section produced by the stamping process. The method increases the cycle life of a battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Charles J. Schaeffer, Jeffrey L. Troxel, M. Eric Taylor, Wen-Hong Kao, Christian P. Hansen, Yu-Lin Chen, Dan J. Cantillon, Bart Sauer
  • Patent number: 8034488
    Abstract: A grid network for a battery plate is provided. The grid network includes a plurality of spaced apart grid wire elements, each grid wire element having opposed ends joined to one of a plurality of nodes. Each node includes the juncture of one of the opposed ends of a plurality of the grid wire elements to define a plurality of open spaces in the grid network. At least one of the grid wire elements has a first transverse cross-section intermediate its opposed ends that is a different shape than a second transverse cross-section at least one of the grid wire element's opposed ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Charles J. Schaeffer, Jeffrey L. Troxel, M. Eric Taylor, Wen-Hong Kao, Christian P. Hansen, Yu-Lin Chen, Dan J. Cantillon, Bart Sauer
  • Publication number: 20100304219
    Abstract: A grid network for a battery plate is provided. The grid network includes a plurality of spaced apart grid wire elements, each grid wire element having opposed ends joined to one of a plurality of nodes. Each node includes the juncture of one of the opposed ends of a plurality of the grid wire elements to define a plurality of open spaces in the grid network. At least one of the grid wire elements has a first transverse cross-section intermediate its opposed ends that is a different shape than a second transverse cross-section at at least one of the grid wire element's opposed ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Charles J. Schaeffer, Jeffrey L. Troxel, M. Eric Taylor, Wen-Hong Kao, Christian P. Hansen, Yu-Lin Chen, Dan J. Cantillon, Bart Sauer
  • Patent number: 7799463
    Abstract: A method of forming battery grids or plates that includes the step of mechanically reshaping or refinishing battery grid wires to improve adhesion between the battery paste and the grid wires. The method is particularly useful in improving the paste adhesion to battery grids formed by a continuous battery grid making process (such as strip expansion, strip stamping, continuous casting) that produces grid wires and nodes with smooth surfaces and a rectangular cross-section. In a preferred version of the method, the grid wires of battery grids produced by a stamping process are deformed such that the grid wires have a cross-section other than the rectangular cross-section produced by the stamping process. The method increases the cycle life of a battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Charles J. Schaeffer, Jeffrey L. Troxel, M. Eric Taylor, Wen-Hong Kao, Christian P. Hansen, Yu-Lin Chen, Dan J. Cantillon, Bart Sauer
  • Publication number: 20100101078
    Abstract: A method for producing a negative grid for a battery which includes providing a strip of battery grid material and performing a punching operation on the battery grid material to remove material and form a grid. The punching operation produces a negative battery grid having a plurality of grid wires bounded by a frame. The battery grid includes a top frame member. A first side frame member is coupled to the top frame member at a first end thereof. A second side frame member is coupled to the top frame member at a second end thereof. A bottom frame member is spaced apart from the top frame member and coupled to the first side frame member and the second side frame member. The negative grid does not include exposed wire ends that may puncture a polymeric separator when the negative grid is provided within the separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Troxel, Charles J. Schaeffer, Glenn W. Andersen, Michael E. Lacroix, Wen-Hong Kao
  • Patent number: 6921611
    Abstract: A method of making a battery includes forming a strip of interconnected grids from a grid material by feeding a continuous strip of the grid material along a linear path aligned with the longitudinal direction of the strip and punching grid material out of the strip. Each interconnected grid includes a plurality of wires, with each wire having opposed ends joined to one of a plurality of nodes to define a plurality of open spaces. The method also includes modifying at least one of the wires at a position intermediate the opposed ends of the wire such that a first transverse cross-section taken intermediate the opposed ends of the wire differs from a second transverse cross-section of the wire taken at one of the opposed ends of the wire. The method further includes applying paste to the strip and cutting the strip to form a plurality of plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Charles J. Schaeffer, Jeffrey L. Troxel, M. Eric Taylor, Wen-Hong Kao, Christian P. Hansen, Yu-Lin Chen, Dan J. Cantillon, Bart Sauer
  • Publication number: 20040187986
    Abstract: A grid for a battery having a current collection lug and a plurality of wires is made by a method that includes forming the grid utilizing a punching operation. The grid is formed of an alloy including calcium in an amount of about 0.05 percent by weight to about 0.08 percent by weight, tin in an amount of about 1.2 percent by weight to about 1.8 percent by weight, and bismuth in an amount of less than about 0.04 percent by weight. The balance of the alloy comprises lead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Charles J. Schaeffer
  • Publication number: 20040033157
    Abstract: A lead alloy for a grid for a battery is disclosed. The alloy includes calcium in an amount of about 0.05 percent by weight to about 0.0725 percent by weight, tin in an amount of about 1.2 percent by weight to about 1.8 percent by weight, silver in an amount of greater than about 0.001 percent by weight, and bismuth in an amount of about 0.0005 percent by weight to less than about 0.04 percent by weight. An alloy for a grid for a battery is also disclosed having calcium in an amount of about 0.05 percent by weight to about 0.07 percent by weight, tin in an amount of about 1.2 percent by weight to about 1.5 percent by weight, silver in an amount of greater than about 0.001 percent by weight and bismuth in an amount of greater than about 0.0115 percent by weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Charles J. Schaeffer
  • Publication number: 20020015891
    Abstract: A method of forming battery grids or plates that includes the step of mechanically reshaping or refinishing battery grid wires to improve adhesion between the battery paste and the grid wires. The method is particularly useful in improving the paste adhesion to battery grids formed by a continuous battery grid making process (such as strip expansion, strip stamping, continuous casting) that produces grid wires and nodes with smooth surfaces and a rectangular cross-section. In a preferred version of the method, the grid wires of battery grids produced by a stamping process are deformed such that the grid wires have a cross-section other than the rectangular cross-section produced by the stamping process. The method increases the cycle life of a battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Charles J. Schaeffer, Jeffrey L. Troxel, M. Eric Taylor, Wen-Hong Kao, Christian P. Hansen, Yu-Lin Chen, Dan J. Cantillon, Bart Sauer
  • Publication number: 20020009633
    Abstract: An alloy for casting terminals for lead-acid batteries which has good corrosion resistance, produces less dross during manufacturing, has resistance to polypropylene degradation, as well as other improved features. The alloy is composed of antimony present in the range of about 2.5-4.75%; arsenic present in the range of about 0.15-0.35%; tin present in the range of about 0.2-0.6%; copper present in the range of about 0-200 ppm; sulfur present in the range of about 0-40 ppm and the balance lead. In an alternative embodiment, copper and sulfur are replaced with selenium in the range of about 40-90 ppm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventors: Christian P. Hansen, Lena N. Klebanov, David A. Wynn, Glenn M. Trischan, Charles J. Schaeffer
  • Publication number: 20010031394
    Abstract: An alloy for casting terminals for lead-acid batteries which has good corrosion resistance, produces less dross during manufacturing, has resistance to polypropylene degradation, as well as other improved features. The alloy is composed of antimony present in the range of about 2.5-4.75%; arsenic present in the range of about 0.15-0.35%; tin present in the range of about 0.2-0.6%; copper present in the range of about 0- 200 ppm; sulfur present in the range of about 0-40 ppm and the balance lead. In an alternative embodiment, copper and sulfur are replaced with selenium in the range of about 40-90 ppm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Inventors: CHRISTIAN P. HANSEN, LENA N. KLEBANOV, DAVID A. WYNN, GLENN M. TRISCHAN, CHARLES J. SCHAEFFER
  • Patent number: 6300007
    Abstract: An alloy for casting terminals for lead-acid batteries which has good corrosion resistance, produces less dross during manufacturing, has resistance to polypropylene degradation, as well as other improved features. The alloy is composed of antimony present in the range of about 2.5-4.75%; arsenic present in the range of about 0.15-0.35%; tin present in the range of about 0.23-0.6%; copper present in the range of about 0-200 ppm; sulfur present in the range of about 0-40 ppm and the balance lead. In an alternative embodiment, copper and sulfur are replaced with selenium in the range of about 40-90 ppm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Lena N. Klebanov, Christian P. Hansen, David A. Wynn, Glenn M. Trischan, Charles J. Schaeffer
  • Patent number: 6274274
    Abstract: A method of forming battery grids or plates that includes the step of mechanically reshaping or refinishing battery grid wires to improve adhesion between the battery paste and the grid wires. The method is particularly useful in improving the paste adhesion to battery grids formed by a continuous battery grid making process (such as strip expansion, strip stamping, continuous casting) that produces grid wires and nodes with smooth surfaces and a rectangular cross-section. In a preferred version of the method, the grid wires of battery grids produced by a stamping process are deformed such that the grid wires have a cross-section other than the rectangular cross-section produced by the stamping process. The method increases the cycle life of a battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Charles J. Schaeffer, Jeffrey L. Troxel, M. Eric Taylor, Wen-Hong Kao, Christian P. Hansen, Yu-Lin Chen, Dan J. Cantillon, Bart Sauer