Patents by Inventor Claus Gerald Pflueger

Claus Gerald Pflueger 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: 11772178
    Abstract: An embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a multi-layer contact plate configured to establish electrical bonds to battery cells in a battery module, comprising a first plate section configured with a first set of raised dimples on an inner side of the first plate section, a second plate section configured with a second set of raised dimples on an inner side of the second plate section, a cell terminal connection layer sandwiched between the first and second plate sections, wherein a portion of the cell terminal connection layer is configured to form a set of bonding connectors to provide a direct electrical bond between the multi-layer contact plate and terminals of at least one group of battery cells, and a set of inter-layer connection points arranged between at least the first and second plate sections, each of the set of inter-layer connection points being arranged where raised dimples on the first and second plate sections are aligned with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: AMERICAN BATTERY SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Heiner Fees, Andreas Track, Ralf Maisch, Alexander Eichhorn, Jörg Damaske, Valentin Brokop, Hans-Joachim Pflüger, Claus Gerald Pflüger
  • Patent number: 11335971
    Abstract: A battery module comprising a battery cell having a battery cell housing, and a battery module housing, wherein a coolant fluid intake is configured between the battery module housing and the battery cell housing, such that a direct and thermal contact is provided between the coolant fluid and the battery cell housing, wherein the battery cell housing further comprises a gas venting opening, which is configured to discharge gas from the interior of the battery cell housing directly to a surrounding environment, wherein the gas venting opening of the battery cell housing is isolated from the coolant fluid intake in a fluid-tight manner, wherein one lateral surface of the battery cell housing of the at least one battery cell, on which the gas venting opening is arranged, other than in the region of the gas venting opening, is essentially entirely enclosed by the coolant fluid intake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Claus Gerald Pflueger, Markus Schmitt
  • Patent number: 11158899
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a battery module includes a first layer of battery cells, and a first set of brackets that are each configured to fix at least one battery cell of the first layer of battery cells into a defined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: TIVENI MERGECO, INC.
    Inventors: Heiner Fees, Andreas Track, Ralf Maisch, Alexander Eichhorn, Jörg Damaske, Valentin Brokop, Hans-Joachim Pflüger, Claus Gerald Pflüger
  • Publication number: 20210305547
    Abstract: An embodiment is directed to a contact plate arrangement for a battery module. In an aspect, the contact plate arrangement includes a busbar configured to transport current between first and second parallel groups of battery cells (P-Groups) in series, and a bonding connector attached to a sidewall of the busbar and configured to form an electrical connection with a cell terminal of a battery cell from a respective one of the first and second P-Groups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Heiner FEES, Andreas TRACK, Ralf MAISCH, Alexander EICHHORN, Jörg DAMASKE, Valentin BROKOP, Hans-Joachim PFLÜGER, Claus Gerald PFLÜGER, Moritz CONZE, Jacob TREMMEL
  • Patent number: 10868345
    Abstract: A battery module comprising at least one battery cell (2), in particular a lithium-ion battery cell, and a cooling plate (3) thermally conductively connected to the at least one battery cell (2), a thermal compensation layer (4) configured in order to increase the thermal conductivity between the at least one battery cell (2) and the cooling plate (3) furthermore being arranged between the at least one battery cell (2) and the cooling plate (3), wherein the thermal compensation layer (4) is formed from a base material (5), and furthermore comprises at least one bimetallic actuator (6), which has a conversion temperature above a temperature of 20° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Ruehle, Claus Gerald Pflueger, Jonas Seib, Torsten Koller
  • Publication number: 20200343517
    Abstract: An embodiment is directed to a method of fabricating a multi-layer contact plate, comprising providing a layer stack with first, second and third conductive layers, inserting brazing material into holes first and/or second conductive layers of a layer stack, and brazing the layer stack after the inserting. Another embodiment is directed to a multi-layer contact plate, comprising a layer stack with first, second and third conductive layers, with at least one inter-layer connection including a brazed area where the second conductive layer is brazed to each of the first and third conductive layers, and where the first and third conductive layers are directly brazed to each other through a hole in the second conductive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Heiner FEES, Andreas TRACK, Ralf MAISCH, Alexander EICHHORN, Jörg DAMASKE, Valentin BROKOP, Hans-Joachim PFLÜGER, Claus Gerald PFLÜGER
  • Patent number: 10797365
    Abstract: The invention relates to a battery module having a multiplicity of battery cells (4), wherein the battery module (1) has a housing (2) with an interior space (3) in which the multiplicity of battery cells (4) is accommodated, wherein a housing wall (5, 6) of the housing (2) has a multiplicity of projections (7) facing toward the interior space (3) of the housing (2), wherein in each case two adjacent projections (7) delimit a flow channel (8) designed for a flow of temperature-control fluid, wherein the multiplicity of battery cells (4) makes direct contact in each case with the multiplicity of projections (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Claus Gerald Pflueger, Mario Kustosch, Markus Schmitt
  • Patent number: 10770697
    Abstract: A battery cell having a first housing element (4) which holds the electrochemical components of the battery cell (2) and has an opening (6), and a second housing element (5) which has a voltage tap (7) to be accessed from a first surface (8) of the second housing element (5), the second housing element (5) closes off the opening (6) so that a first part region (91) of a second surface (9) of the second housing element (5) is immediately adjacent the interior space (10) of the first housing element (4), and that a second part region (92) of the second surface (9) of the second housing element (5) protrudes beyond the first housing element (4), wherein the second housing element (5) comprises a sealing element (11) connected to the first surface (8) and/or to the second part region (92) of the second surface (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Ruehle, Claus Gerald Pflueger, Markus Schmitt, Peter Bauckhage, Torsten Koller
  • Publication number: 20200274118
    Abstract: In an aspect, a battery module is assembly by mounting first and second jig towers (e.g., monolithic or modular/stackable jig towers) on a surface. Battery cell(s) are arranged between the jig towers and fixed in position based in part on battery cell fixation elements arranged in the respective jig towers. At least one magnetic-based supplemental fixation element is used to apply magnetic force (e.g., attractive and/or repulsive magnetic force) so as to direct the battery cell(s) towards the first jig tower and away from the second jig tower (e.g., so that battery cells in respective rows will be flush with each other).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Heiner FEES, Andreas TRACK, Ralf MAISCH, Alexander EICHHORN, Jörg DAMASKE, Valentin BROKOP, Hans-Joachim PFLÜGER, Claus Gerald PFLÜGER
  • Publication number: 20200274184
    Abstract: An aspect is directed to a contact plate arrangement for a battery module. The contact plate arrangement comprises a first contact plate connected to first terminals of a first parallel group of battery cells (P-Group) and to second terminals of a second P-Group, a second contact plate that is partially stacked over the first contact plate, the second contact plate connected to first terminals of the second P-Group and to second terminals of a third P-Group, and a third contact plate that is partially stacked over the second contact plate, the third contact plate connected to first terminals of the third P-Group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Alexander EICHHORN, Heiner FEES, Andreas TRACK, Ralf MAISCH, Jörg DAMASKE, Valentin BROKOP, Hans-Joachim PFLÜGER, Claus Gerald PFLÜGER
  • Publication number: 20200274132
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a multi-cell hold-down mechanism is clamped over multiple contact tabs aligned with respective cell terminals (e.g., positive and/or negative cell terminal(s). While clamped, the contact tabs are securely welded to respective cell terminals through respective gaps in the multi-cell hold-down mechanism. In another embodiment, a multi-cell hold-down mechanism is clamped over an electrically conductive part that is coupled to multiple cell rims which are configured as negative cell terminals. A respective negative contact tab is welded to the electrically conductive part through a gap in the multi-cell hold-down mechanism. In another embodiment, three (or more) battery cell terminals (e.g., positive or negative terminals) are coupled to an electrically conductive bar that is welded to a contact tab of a busbar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Heiner FEES, Andreas TRACK, Ralf MAISCH, Alexander EICHHORN, Jörg DAMASKE, Valentin BROKOP, Hans-Joachim PFLÜGER, Claus Gerald PFLÜGER
  • Publication number: 20200220145
    Abstract: An embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a multi-layer contact plate configured to establish electrical bonds to battery cells in a battery module, comprising a first plate section configured with a first set of raised dimples on an inner side of the first plate section, a second plate section configured with a second set of raised dimples on an inner side of the second plate section, a cell terminal connection layer sandwiched between the first and second plate sections, wherein a portion of the cell terminal connection layer is configured to form a set of bonding connectors to provide a direct electrical bond between the multi-layer contact plate and terminals of at least one group of battery cells, and a set of inter-layer connection points arranged between at least the first and second plate sections, each of the set of inter-layer connection points being arranged where raised dimples on the first and second plate sections are aligned with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Heiner FEES, Andreas TRACK, Ralf MAISCH, Alexander EICHHORN, Jörg DAMASKE, Valentin BROKOP, Hans-Joachim PFLÜGER, Claus Gerald PFLÜGER
  • Patent number: 10700316
    Abstract: The invention relates to a battery housing for receiving at least one battery unit (46) comprising a first housing wall (2) and a second housing wall (3), characterized in that the first housing wall (2) forms a first securing element (4) and the second housing wall (3) forms a second securing element (5) which are formed in such a way that the first securing element (4) and the second securing element (5) are reversibly connected to one another for fixing the first housing wall (2) relative to the second housing wall (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Claus Gerald Pflueger, Klaus Wipfler
  • Patent number: 10644291
    Abstract: A battery, such as a lithium-ion battery, includes two battery cells electrically wired together. Each battery cell includes a battery cell housing, having a connecting structure. The connecting structure of one of the two battery cell housings is configured to engage the connecting structure of the other of the two battery housings in a force-fitting and an interlocking manner to mechanically connect the two battery cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignees: Robert Bosch GmbH, Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Claus Gerald Pflueger
  • Patent number: 10608304
    Abstract: A battery having a plurality of battery cells accommodated in a housing, wherein a plurality of first battery cells are electrically connected to one another in series and/or in parallel, and a plurality of second battery cells are electrically connected to one another in series and/or in parallel, wherein the first battery cells each have a first outer surface and the second battery cells each have a second outer surface, wherein the housing of the battery has a first housing wall and a second housing wall, which is arranged opposite the first housing wall, wherein a first flow channel is formed between the first wall of the housing and the first outer surface of one of the first battery cells, and wherein a second flow channel is formed between the second wall of the housing and the second outer surface of one of the second battery cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Ruehle, Claus Gerald Pflueger, Markus Schmitt, Peter Bauckhage, Torsten Koller
  • Publication number: 20200091490
    Abstract: An embodiment is directed to a cylindrical battery cell, comprising a cell can, a jelly roll area of anode electrode, separator, and cathode electrode foils arranged in a middle section of the cell can. The anode electrode foils, the cathode electrode foils, or both extend out of the jelly roll area into an electrolyte area of the cell can. In one embodiment, some of the extended electrode foils are in direct contact with an end (e.g., top or bottom) of the cell can. In another embodiment, the extended electrode foils contact a plurality of connection taps that are thermally and electrically connected to an end (e.g., top or bottom) of the cell can. In another embodiment, the extended electrode foils are bent and stacked so as to function as a foil-integrated connection tap that is thermally and electrically connected to an end (e.g., top or bottom) of the cell can.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Heiner FEES, Andreas TRACK, Ralf MAISCH, Alexander EICHHORN, Jörg DAMASKE, Valentin BROKOP, Hans-Joachim PFLÜGER, Claus Gerald PFLÜGER
  • Publication number: 20200091493
    Abstract: An embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a battery module, comprising a plurality of battery cells that each include a cell terminal formed from a first metal, and a contact plate including a conductive plate that is formed from a second metal and a first metallic surface layer (e.g., a surface coating or clad material) arranged on a first side of the conductive plate that is formed from the first metal, wherein part of the contact plate is arranged as a plurality of bonding connectors that form direct electrical connections to the cell terminals of the plurality of battery cells. In some designs, a second metallic surface layer (e.g., a surface coating or clad material) may further be arranged on a second side of the conductive plate and may also be formed from the first metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Heiner FEES, Andreas TRACK, Ralf MAISCH, Alexander EICHHORN, Jörg DAMASKE, Valentin BROKOP, Hans-Joachim PFLÜGER, Claus Gerald PFLÜGER
  • Publication number: 20200091479
    Abstract: An embodiment is directed to a battery module comprising an external frame that comprises a bottom plate configured to mechanically reinforce the battery module, and a plurality of battery cells enclosed by the external frame, wherein each of the plurality of battery cells is thermally coupled to the bottom plate to facilitate heat being spread between the plurality of battery cells via the bottom plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Heiner FEES, Andreas TRACK, Ralf MAISCH, Alexander EICHHORN, Jörg DAMASKE, Valentin BROKOP, Hans-Joachim PFLÜGER, Claus Gerald PFLÜGER
  • Patent number: 10581040
    Abstract: A module housing (11) for a battery module (10) having at least one battery cell (12) exhibiting a first substantially L-shaped housing side wall (14) with at least one clip connection (17), and a second substantially L-shaped housing side wall (14) with at least one clip connection (17) and two housing plates (15) which can be arranged on the battery module (10) on the end face, as a result of which the module housing is closable on the end face. At least the two housing side walls (14) can be connected to one another mechanically in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner by means of clip connections (17), as a result of which a cuboid module housing (11) can be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Claus Gerald Pflueger, Klaus Wipfler, Klaus Spieske, Rainer Menig
  • Publication number: 20200052259
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a battery module includes a bottom plate, and a set of positioning elements integrated into the bottom plate or attached to the bottom plate, the set of positioning elements arranged defining a cell fixation region where a bottom of a cylindrical battery cell interfaces with a surface of the bottom plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Heiner FEES, Andreas TRACK, Ralf MAISCH, Alexander EICHHORN, Jörg DAMASKE, Valentin BROKOP, Hans-Joachim PFLÜGER, Claus Gerald PFLÜGER