Patents by Inventor Debbi Callicoat
Debbi Callicoat 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: 9203068Abstract: A battery pack for a vehicle may include a cell array defining an upper surface and a housing defining a raised portion extending along and above a length of the array such that the raised portion and upper surface define a vent manifold therebetween which may be configured to collect gases generated by the array. The housing may define a discharge opening configured to allow gases to exit the manifold. A pair of end plates may be disposed at opposing ends of the array. One of the end plates may define a pass through portion in at least partial registration with the discharge opening. An outlet tube may be configured to facilitate fluid communication between the vent manifold and exterior of the vehicle. The battery pack may also include spacers located between upper edges of adjacent cells and may be configured to prevent cooling gases from entering the vent manifold.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2014Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Brian Utley, Saravanan Paramasivam, Patrick Daniel Maguire, Steven F. Chorian, Venkateswa Anand Sankaran, John Peter Bilezikjian, Hari Addanki, Debbi Callicoat
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Patent number: 9166215Abstract: A battery pack of the type that may be used in an electrically-powered vehicle comprises first and second arrays of cells disposed adjacent one another, and a housing enclosing the two arrays. The housing defines a cooling chamber surrounding heat transfer surfaces of the cells, a first manifold sealed from the cooling chamber and collecting gasses generated by the first array, and a second manifold sealed from the cooling chamber and collecting gasses generated by the second array. A tunnel connects the first and the second manifolds to allow passage of any collected gasses from the first manifold into the second manifold, and a discharge opening in the second manifold allows the collected gasses to escape from the housing. An electrically conductive bridge bar extends through the tunnel and connects the first array with the second array.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2011Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Brian Utley, Saravanan Paramasivam, Debbi Callicoat
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Publication number: 20150288159Abstract: A bus bar assembly includes a deformable bus bar including a bus bar positive terminal flange, a bus bar negative terminal flange spaced-apart from the bus bar positive terminal flange and a flange connecting portion connecting the bus bar positive terminal flange and the bus bar negative terminal flange. A deformable bus bar frame includes a bus bar frame positive terminal flange carried by the bus bar positive terminal flange of the deformable bus bar and a bus bar frame negative terminal flange carried by the bus bar negative terminal flange of the deformable bus bar. A method of installing a deformable bus bar on positive and negative terminals of a battery cell is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2014Publication date: October 8, 2015Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Steve F. Chorian, Debbi Callicoat, David J. Chesney, David Wardzala, Yongcai Wang, Yunan Guo
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Publication number: 20150270666Abstract: A self-locating bus bar assembly for locating a bus bar on a cell terminal of a battery cell includes a bus bar locating tab adapted for attachment to the bus bar; an assembly bracket; a tab opening in the assembly bracket, the tab opening sized and configured to accommodate the bus bar locating tab; and a bracket terminal opening in the assembly bracket, the bracket terminal opening sized, configured and located to accommodate the cell terminal of the battery cell when the bus bar locating tab is disposed within the tab opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2014Publication date: September 24, 2015Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Debbi Callicoat, Brian Utley, Derek Hartl, Steve Droste, Yunan Guo
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Publication number: 20150224892Abstract: A vehicle includes a traction battery having a plurality of battery cells positioned in an array with a non-conductive bus bar housing having a plurality of compartments insulated from one another and containing one or more bus bars each having an integrally formed voltage sense connector. Each compartment may accommodate terminals of a pair of adjacent battery cells to be coupled by the associated bus bar. The voltage sense connector may include fingers for crimping and securing a voltage sense wire or a welding pad for welding, soldering, or similar connection. The voltage sense wires connect to a battery control module.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2014Publication date: August 13, 2015Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC.Inventors: DEBBI CALLICOAT, RAYMOND C. SICIAK
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Publication number: 20150214534Abstract: A vehicle traction battery assembly includes a bus bar insulator having a recess configured to receive a bus bar and an opposite side covering the bus bar and defining a welding slot sized to permit a welding beam to weld the bus bar to two adjacent battery cells and to inhibit human contact with the bus bar through the welding slot. A method for assembling a vehicle traction battery having battery cells includes positioning bus bars within corresponding openings of a bus bar insulator that covers one side of each bus bar and has welding slots with a welding slot for each of the battery cells and welding the bus bars to the associated battery cells through the welding slots.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2014Publication date: July 30, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: DEBBI CALLICOAT, RAYMOND C. SICIAK
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Publication number: 20150207126Abstract: A traction battery assembly is provided including a support member, two battery cells, a busbar, and a segmented busbar holder. The battery cells include adjacent terminals at differing heights relative to the support member. The busbar is attached to the terminals. The segmented busbar holder includes adjacent panels configured to cover and orient the busbar relative to the terminals. The panels are also configured to move relative to one another such that the holder accommodates the differing heights of the terminals.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2014Publication date: July 23, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Steven F. Chorian, Steven Droste, Debbi Callicoat
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Publication number: 20150191088Abstract: An example contactor weld detection method for an electric vehicle includes detecting that a contactor is welded closed when the contactor is commanded closed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2014Publication date: July 9, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Philip Michael Gonzales, Debbi Callicoat, Masahiro Kimoto, Ben A. Tabatowski-Bush
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Publication number: 20150111093Abstract: A battery assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a terminal holder, a terminal at least partially surrounded by the terminal holder, and a bus bar module connectable to the terminal holder. One of the terminal holder and the bus bar module includes at least one locating feature to position the bus bar module in a welding position relative to the terminal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2013Publication date: April 23, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Debbi CALLICOAT, Brian UTLEY, Steve DROSTE, Derek HARTL
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Publication number: 20150111071Abstract: An example electric vehicle battery current communication device includes a terminal landing and a transition from the terminal landing having an area that is both bent and tapered.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2013Publication date: April 23, 2015Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Brian Utley, Debbi Callicoat, Keith Kearney
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Publication number: 20150102815Abstract: A voltage sensing system for a vehicle traction battery having a plurality of cells includes: a battery controller, a plurality of electrical circuits, each being respectively connected to at least one of the cells and including an electrical component for limiting current therethrough, and a plurality of wires, each being respectively connected to one of the electrical circuits in series with a respective one of the electrical components for limiting current and the controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2013Publication date: April 16, 2015Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Debbi Callicoat, Robert Bolduc, Ben A. Tabatowski-Bush
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Publication number: 20150086833Abstract: An example method of connecting an electric vehicle battery includes welding a landing of a terminal to a bus bar, and pressing a landing of the terminal and the bus bar against one another during the welding. The landing is along a first plane and a base of the terminal is along a second plane that is spaced from the first plane.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2013Publication date: March 26, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Vineeth Seshadri Kallur, Hari Addanki, Brian Utley, Steve F. Chorian, Debbi Callicoat
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Publication number: 20150061413Abstract: A battery system includes a battery cover, a battery access panel removably connected to the battery cover, and a service disconnect switch. The service disconnect switch includes an electrical interlock switch. The service disconnect switch has a first position cooperating with the battery access panel to prevent removal of the access panel from the battery cover. In the first position, the service disconnect connects a traction battery to circuitry. The service disconnect also has a second position, the second position being displaced from the access panel and disconnecting the battery.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2013Publication date: March 5, 2015Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Suriyaprakash Ayyangar Janarthanam, Saravanan Paramasivam, Patrick Daniel Maguire, John Peter Bilezikjian, Jason C. Marcath, Debbi Callicoat
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Patent number: 8816530Abstract: A system and method for managing electrical loads in a vehicle includes a high voltage power source capable of providing electrical power to at least one high voltage load. An electrical converter is operable to receive an input of high voltage power from the high voltage power source and to provide an output of low voltage power to one or more low voltage loads. A control system is in communication with the converter, and it is configured to receive signals from the converter related to the converter output, and cut power to at least one of the low voltage loads when the signals received from the converter indicate that the high voltage power source cannot provide full power to the low voltage loads.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2011Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Debbi Callicoat, Matthew Roger DeDona, Mark J. Ferrel
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Publication number: 20140205870Abstract: A battery pack for a vehicle may include a cell array defining an upper surface and a housing defining a raised portion extending along and above a length of the array such that the raised portion and upper surface define a vent manifold therebetween which may be configured to collect gases generated by the array. The housing may define a discharge opening configured to allow gases to exit the manifold. A pair of end plates may be disposed at opposing ends of the array. One of the end plates may define a pass through portion in at least partial registration with the discharge opening. An outlet tube may be configured to facilitate fluid communication between the vent manifold and exterior of the vehicle. The battery pack may also include spacers located between upper edges of adjacent cells and may be configured to prevent cooling gases from entering the vent manifold.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2014Publication date: July 24, 2014Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Brian Utley, Saravanan Paramasivam, Patrick Daniel Maguire, Steven F. Chorian, Venkateswa Anand Sankaran, John Peter Bilezikjian, Hari Addanki, Debbi Callicoat
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Publication number: 20140021916Abstract: A low cost charger circuit with pre-charge functionality can include a DC/DC converter arranged in parallel with a charger device. When used for electrified vehicle applications, the DC/DC converter can be configured to operate during vehicle propulsion, restorable energy storage system (RESS) recharging, and while only the DC/DC converter needs to be energized. A DC/DC converter can be coupled to a first high voltage bus on a load side of a primary contactor, and to a second high voltage bus on an energy side of a primary contactor. A pre-charge circuit can controllably charge a voltage bus and protect a DC/DC converter against high inrush current. An auxiliary contactor can controllably couple a DC/DC converter to a load portion of a high voltage bus. It can also couple a charger thereto. A charger contactor can controllably couple a charger device to an energy portion of a high voltage bus.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2012Publication date: January 23, 2014Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: John Peter Bilezikjian, Debbi Callicoat
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Publication number: 20130143083Abstract: A battery pack of the type that may be used in an electrically-powered vehicle comprises first and second arrays of cells disposed adjacent one another, and a housing enclosing the two arrays. The housing defines a cooling chamber surrounding heat transfer surfaces of the cells, a first manifold sealed from the cooling chamber and collecting gasses generated by the first array, and a second manifold sealed from the cooling chamber and collecting gasses generated by the second array. A tunnel connects the first and the second manifolds to allow passage of any collected gasses from the first manifold into the second manifold, and a discharge opening in the second manifold allows the collected gasses to escape from the housing. An electrically conductive bridge bar extends through the tunnel and connects the first array with the second array.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2011Publication date: June 6, 2013Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Brian Utley, Saravanan Paramasivam, Debbi Callicoat
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Publication number: 20130082521Abstract: A system and method for managing electrical loads in a vehicle includes a high voltage power source capable of providing electrical power to at least one high voltage load. An electrical converter is operable to receive an input of high voltage power from the high voltage power source and to provide an output of low voltage power to one or more low voltage loads. A control system is in communication with the converter, and it is configured to receive signals from the converter related to the converter output, and cut power to at least one of the low voltage loads when the signals received from the converter indicate that the high voltage power source cannot provide full power to the low voltage loads.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2011Publication date: April 4, 2013Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Debbi Callicoat, Matthew Roger DeDona, Mark J. Ferrel
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Publication number: 20130065108Abstract: Methods and apparatus for assembling a high voltage battery without exposing an operator to contacts having a voltage greater than a predetermined maximum are presented. A bus bar module has standard compartments equipped with integrated bus bars separated by break compartments without bus bars. The bus bar module can be coupled to a plurality of electrochemical cells to connect the cells in groups having a voltage less than a predetermined maximum Vmax. Compartment lids can be closed to prevent contact with connected posts. A separate non-integrated bus bar can be provided to a break compartment to connect a first group of cells with a second group of cells to form a series of connected cells that can provide a voltage greater than Vmax, to achieve a desired battery voltage. The bus bar module and methods of the invention can protect an operator during battery assembly or service.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2011Publication date: March 14, 2013Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Debbi Callicoat, Philip Michael Gonzales