Patents by Inventor Dale B. Trester

Dale B. Trester 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).

  • Publication number: 20160197320
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a battery module having a group of electrically interconnected electrochemical cells, a battery module terminal configured to be coupled to a load for powering the load, and an electrical path extending between the group of electrically interconnected electrochemical cells and the battery module terminal, where the electrical path includes a bus bar bridge. The battery module also includes a housing, where the group of electrically interconnected electrochemical cells is disposed within the housing, and the housing includes a pair of extensions positioned along sides of the bus bar bridge and configured to retain the bus bar bridge and to block movement of the bus bar bridge in at least one direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: Robert J. Mack, Richard M. DeKeuster, Jennifer L. Czarnecki, Ken Nakayama, Matthew R. Tyler, Christopher M. Bonin, Xugang Zhang, Dale B. Trester, Jason D. Fuhr
  • Publication number: 20160197331
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a battery module having a housing and a stack of battery cells disposed in a receptacle area of the housing, where each battery cell has a top having a battery cell terminal and a bottom, where the top of the battery cells face outwardly away from the receptacle area. The battery module includes an integrated sensing and bus bar subassembly positioned against the stack of battery cells and has a carrier, a bus bar integrated onto the carrier, and a biasing member integrated onto the carrier. The bus bar electrically couples battery cells in an electrical arrangement, and the biasing member is between the top of each battery cell and the carrier, where the biasing member has a first material, more compliant than a second material of the carrier, and the biasing member biases the stack of battery cells inwardly toward the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: Robert J. Mack, Richard M. DeKeuster, Jennifer L. Czarnecki, Ken Nakayama, Matthew R. Tyler, Christopher M. Bonin, Xugang Zhang, Dale B. Trester, Jason D. Fuhr
  • Publication number: 20160197321
    Abstract: A lithium ion battery module includes a battery cell stack disposed within a housing of the battery module. The stack includes a first battery cell, a second battery cell positioned adjacent to the first battery cell, and a battery cell separator fitted over the first battery cell. The battery cell separator includes a plurality of walls formed from a continuous material and defining a pocket in which the first battery cell is disposed. The plurality of walls is configured to electrically insulate the first cell from the second cell. The separator also includes a projection extending from a wall of the plurality of walls, the projection is positioned between a terminal of the first battery cell and a terminal of the second battery cell and is configured to electrically insulate the terminals from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: Matthew R. Tyler, Richard M. DeKeuster, Dale B. Trester, Christopher M. Bonin, Ken Nakayama
  • Publication number: 20160197329
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a battery module having a stack of electrochemical cells that includes terminals, a housing that receives the stack of electrochemical cells, and a bus bar carrier disposed over the stack of electrochemical cells such that bus bars disposed on the bus bar carrier interface with the terminals of the stack of electrochemical cells. The bus bar carrier includes opposing first and second guide extensions, the stack of electrochemical cells is disposed between the opposing first and second guide extensions, and the opposing first and second guide extensions physically contact a first outer electrochemical cell and a second outer electrochemical cell, respectively, of the stack of electrochemical cells to guide the terminals of the stack of electrochemical cells toward corresponding ones of the bus bars disposed on the bus bar carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: Robert J. Mack, Dale B. Trester, Richard M. DeKeuster, Jennifer L. Czarnecki, Jason D. Fuhr
  • Publication number: 20160197336
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to washers for lithium ion battery cell terminals. A lithium ion battery module includes a housing, a first battery cell disposed in the housing and having a cell terminal protruding from a surface of a casing of the first battery cell, where the cell terminal is configured to enable electrical connection to the battery cell, and a washer stack disposed about the cell terminal. The washer stack has an electrically insulative washer and an electrically conductive washer. The electrically conductive washer is disposed adjacent to the electrically insulative washer such that the electrically insulative washer is positioned between the electrically conductive washer and the surface of the casing, and the electrically conductive washer is configured to enable electrical connection to the cell terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: Matthew R. Tyler, Dale B. Trester, Christopher M. Bonin
  • Publication number: 20160197324
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a battery module having a housing and a stack of battery cells disposed in the housing. Each battery cell has a battery cell terminal and a battery cell vent on an end of each battery cell, and the battery cell vent is configured to exhaust effluent into the housing. The battery module has a vent shield plate disposed in the housing and directly along an immediate vent path of the effluent, a first surface of the vent shield plate configured to direct the effluent to an opening between the shield plate and the housing, and a second surface of the vent shield plate opposite the first surface. The battery module also has a venting chamber coupled to the opening and at least partially defined by the second surface and a vent configured to direct the effluent out of the battery module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: Richard M. DeKeuster, Dale B. Trester
  • Patent number: 9331318
    Abstract: A battery module that includes a plurality of electrochemical cells. Each of the electrochemical cells has a first end including at least one terminal and a second end having a vent. The plurality of electrochemical cells are arranged such that the second ends of a first set of the plurality of electrochemical cells face the second ends of a second set of the plurality of electrochemical cells. A central chamber is located between the second ends of the first set of the plurality of electrochemical cells and the second ends of the second set of the plurality of electrochemical cells. The central chamber is configured to receive gases released from the vents of the plurality of electrochemical cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Johnson Controls—SAFT Advanced Power Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Steven J. Wood, Majid Taghikhani, Dale B. Trester, Gary P. Houchin-Miller
  • Patent number: 9331314
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a housing and a lid coupled to the housing. The electrochemical cell also includes a first member conductively coupled to the housing and configured to act as a first terminal for the electrochemical cell. The electrochemical cell further includes a second member electrically insulated from the lid and configured to act as a second terminal for the electrochemical cell. A first portion of the second member extends through the lid and a second portion of the second member extends in a direction generally perpendicular to the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Johnson Controls—SAFT Advanced Power Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Jason Fuhr, Xugang Zhang, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Dale B. Trester
  • Publication number: 20160064702
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a battery module that includes a housing having a first protruding shelf along a first perimeter of the housing, a second protruding shelf along a second perimeter of the housing, where the first and second protruding shelves each include an absorptive material configured to absorb a first laser emission. The battery module also includes an electronics compartment cover configured to be coupled to the housing via a first laser weld, and a cell receptacle region cover configured to be coupled to the housing via a second laser weld. The electronics compartment cover has a first transparent material configured to transmit the first laser emission toward the first protruding shelf and the cell receptacle region cover has a second transparent material configured to transmit the first laser emission or a second laser emission toward the second protruding shelf.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Matthew R. Tyler, Christopher M. Bonin, John P. Dinkelman, Richard M. DeKeuster, Dale B. Trester
  • Patent number: 9172067
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a can having a first end and a second end and a first element provided within the can and including an electrode. The cell also includes a first terminal integrally formed as a part of the can and extending from one of the first or second ends. The cell further includes a terminal assembly directly coupled to the first element and including a stud configured to act as a second terminal. The first end includes a boss that defines an aperture through which the stud extends, wherein the boss at least partially surrounds the stud and a bushing coupled to the stud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: JOHSON CONTROLS-SAFT ADVANCED POWER SOLUTIONS LLC
    Inventors: Thomas J. Dougherty, Steven J. Wood, John P. Dinkelman, Dale B. Trester, Gerald K. Bowen, Gary P. Houchin-Miller
  • Patent number: 9159982
    Abstract: A battery system includes a plurality of electrochemical cells each having at least one terminal and a plurality of members coupled together to form a frame for securing the electrochemical cells in place. At least one of the members has openings configured to receive the terminals of the plurality of cells and also has features for spacing apart the plurality of cells to facilitate the flow of a cooling fluid between the cells. The battery system further includes a battery management system provided at a first end of the frame and a device provided at a second end of the frame for providing the cooling fluid to the cells and to the battery management system simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Steven J. Wood, Dale B. Trester, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Jacob G. Maki
  • Publication number: 20140050967
    Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of battery cells disposed in at least two rows. The battery cells in adjacent rows are offset from each other. Each of the plurality of battery cells includes a cover and a first terminal that extends from the cover outward. The first terminal is configured to be coupled to a second terminal on an adjacent battery cell. The plurality of battery cells are electrically coupled to each other in a zigzag pattern via the first and second terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Advanced Power Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Jason D. FUHR, Steven J. WOOD, Dale B. TRESTER, Gary P. HOUCHIN-MILLER
  • Patent number: 8642198
    Abstract: A battery system includes a platform having an aperture formed therethrough, a flexible member having a generally planar configuration and extending across the aperture, wherein a portion of the flexible member is coextensive with the aperture, a cell provided adjacent the platform, and a sensor coupled to the flexible member and positioned proximate the cell. The sensor is configured to detect a temperature of the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Center
    Inventors: Steven J. Wood, Dale B. Trester
  • Patent number: 8568915
    Abstract: A battery comprising a housing having a central longitudinal axis. A cover is coupled to the housing and a first flange is integrally formed with the cover and configured to act as a first terminal for the battery. At least a portion of the first flange extends away from the housing in a direction generally perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis. Wherein the first flange is configured for electrical coupling with a terminal of an adjacent battery in a battery system. for electrical coupling with a terminal of an adjacent battery in a battery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls—SAFT Power Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Jason D. Fuhr, Steven J. Wood, Dale B. Trester, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Thomas J. Dougherty
  • Patent number: 8530069
    Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of cells. The battery module also includes a housing configured to substantially enclose the plurality of cells. The battery module further includes a lower tray configured to receive the plurality of cells. The lower tray is located inside the housing adjacent a bottom of the housing and includes a top side and a bottom side. The top side has a plurality of sockets configured to receive the plurality of cells in a closely packed arrangement. The bottom side is configured to define a chamber between the lower tray and the bottom of the housing. The chamber is sealed off from the rest of the battery module and is configured to receive released gas from the plurality of cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls—SAFT Advanced Power Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Steven J. Wood, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Dale B. Trester
  • Patent number: 8518568
    Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of battery cells and a system configured for passing a fluid past at least a portion of the plurality of battery cells in a parallel manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Dougherty, Steven J. Wood, Dale B. Trester, Michael G. Andrew
  • Publication number: 20130011706
    Abstract: A battery system includes a platform having an aperture formed therethrough, a flexible member having a generally planar configuration and extending across the aperture, wherein a portion of the flexible member is coextensive with the aperture, a cell provided adjacent the platform, and a sensor coupled to the flexible member and positioned proximate the cell. The sensor is configured to detect a temperature of the cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventors: Steven J. Wood, Dale B. Trester
  • Patent number: 8309241
    Abstract: A battery system to monitor temperature includes at least one cell with a temperature sensing device proximate the at least one cell. The battery system also includes a flexible member that holds the temperature sensor proximate to the at least one cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Steven J. Wood, Dale B. Trester
  • Patent number: 8114540
    Abstract: A buss bar for connecting electrochemical cells together includes a conductive member having a first end, a second end, and an elongated body between the first end and second end. The body includes a stress relief region configured to dampen vibrational forces received by the buss bar. The buss bar also includes a voltage sense terminal coupled to the conductive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Dale B. Trester, Steven J. Wood, Gary P. Houchin-Miller
  • Patent number: D763193
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Controls
    Inventors: Matthew R. Tyler, Christopher M. Bonin, Richard M. DeKeuster, Dale B. Trester