Patents by Inventor Derek R. Weber

Derek R. Weber 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: 10038226
    Abstract: A cooling plate for a battery pack with a plurality of battery cells is provided. The cooling plate includes a cooling fin with a substantially planar surface and a perimeter. The cooling plate includes a frame abutting the cooling fin and forming a seal with the cooling fin adjacent the perimeter of the same. The frame and the cooling fin define at least one fluid inlet, at least one fluid outlet, and a flow channel therebetween. The at least one fluid inlet and the at least one fluid outlet are disposed through the seal and are in fluid communication with the flow channel. The flow channel is disposed adjacent the perimeter and in heat transfer communication with the substantially planar surface of the cooling fin. A battery pack with the cooling plate, and a method for controlling a temperature of the battery pack, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Derek R. Weber, Roger Michael Brisbane
  • Publication number: 20150044523
    Abstract: A cooling plate for a battery pack with a plurality of battery cells is provided. The cooling plate includes a cooling fin with a substantially planar surface and a perimeter. The cooling plate includes a frame abutting the cooling fin and forming a seal with the cooling fin adjacent the perimeter of the same. The frame and the cooling fin define at least one fluid inlet, at least one fluid outlet, and a flow channel therebetween. The at least one fluid inlet and the at least one fluid outlet are disposed through the seal and are in fluid communication with the flow channel. The flow channel is disposed adjacent the perimeter and in heat transfer communication with the substantially planar surface of the cooling fin. A battery pack with the cooling plate, and a method for controlling a temperature of the battery pack, are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Derek R. Weber, Roger Michael Brisbane
  • Patent number: 8877366
    Abstract: A cooling plate for a battery pack with a plurality of battery cells is provided. The cooling plate includes a cooling fin with a substantially planar surface and a perimeter. The cooling plate includes a frame abutting the cooling fin and forming a seal with the cooling fin adjacent the perimeter of the same. The frame and the cooling fin define at least one fluid inlet, at least one fluid outlet, and a flow channel therebetween. The at least one fluid inlet and the at least one fluid outlet are disposed through the seal and are in fluid communication with the flow channel. The flow channel is disposed adjacent the perimeter and in heat transfer communication with the substantially planar surface of the cooling fin. A battery pack with the cooling plate, and a method for controlling a temperature of the battery pack, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Derek R. Weber, Roger Michael Brisbane
  • Patent number: 8845762
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments include method of sealing battery cooling plates, and methods of assembling battery using battery cooling plate racks and a single component including multiple cooling plates and connection portions therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Derek R. Weber, Alastair Gordon Anderson, Steven J. Spencer, Paul F. Spacher
  • Patent number: 8574740
    Abstract: A molded cooling fin and frame is described. The molded cooling fin and frame includes a corrugated center cooling fin; a pair of outer cooling fins on opposite sides of the corrugated center cooling fin, each of the outer cooling fins having a ridge around an edge; and a frame covering an edge of each of the outer cooling fins, the frame sealed to the edge of each of the outer cooling fins. A battery pack including the molded cooling fin and frame and a method of making the molded cooling fin and frame are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Megan J. Quick, Derek R. Weber, Thaddeus J. Grey, Michael Duffield
  • Patent number: 8465863
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment includes a method of sealing battery cooling plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Derek R. Weber, Alastair Gordon Anderson, Steven J. Spencer, Paul F. Spacher
  • Patent number: 8460807
    Abstract: A battery pack is described. One embodiment of the battery pack includes a pair of end frames, the end frames having a top and a bottom and a pair of sides, the end frames having a detent on at least one of the sides of the end frames to receive a clamp; a frame positioned between the pair of end frames, the frame having a top and a bottom and a pair of sides, the frame having a ridge on at least one of the sides of the frame; a plurality of battery cells positioned in the frame and the pair of end frames, the plurality of battery cells electrically connected to each other at the top of the frame; and at least one cooling fin positioned between the battery cells. Methods of repairing battery packs are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Patrick J. Meehan, Stuart D. Barter, William L. Martz, Megan J. Quick, Rick F. Rourke, Edgar M. Storm, Derek R. Weber
  • Publication number: 20120040222
    Abstract: A molded cooling fin and frame is described. The molded cooling fin and frame includes a corrugated center cooling fin; a pair of outer cooling fins on opposite sides of the corrugated center cooling fin, each of the outer cooling fins having a ridge around an edge; and a frame covering an edge of each of the outer cooling fins, the frame sealed to the edge of each of the outer cooling fins. A battery pack including the molded cooling fin and frame and a method of making the molded cooling fin and frame are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Megan J. Quick, Derek R. Weber, Thaddeus J. Grey, Michael Duffield
  • Publication number: 20120028098
    Abstract: A battery pack is described. One embodiment of the battery pack includes a pair of end frames, the end frames having a top and a bottom and a pair of sides, the end frames having a detent on at least one of the sides of the end frames to receive a clamp; a frame positioned between the pair of end frames, the frame having a top and a bottom and a pair of sides, the frame having a ridge on at least one of the sides of the frame; a plurality of battery cells positioned in the frame and the pair of end frames, the plurality of battery cells electrically connected to each other at the top of the frame; and at least one cooling fin positioned between the battery cells. Methods of repairing battery packs are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Patrick J. Meehan, Stuart D. Barter, William L. Martz, Megan J. Quick, Rick F. Rourke, Edgar M. Storm, JR., Derek R. Weber
  • Publication number: 20110206964
    Abstract: A cooling assembly for a battery assembly including at least one conduit and at least one cooling plate, the conduit having a flexible portion to facilitate a relative movement between an inlet end and an outlet end thereof to selectively expand and contract the cooling assembly, and the cooling plate including a flow channel formed therein, wherein at least one battery cell is disposed adjacent and in heat transfer communication with the at least one cooling plate to transfer heat from the at least one battery cell to a fluid disposed in the flow channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Kennedy U. Odumodu, Paul J. Boor, Derek R. Weber
  • Publication number: 20110162820
    Abstract: A cooling plate for a battery pack with a plurality of battery cells is provided. The cooling plate includes a cooling fin with a substantially planar surface and a perimeter. The cooling plate includes a frame abutting the cooling fin and forming a seal with the cooling fin adjacent the perimeter of the same. The frame and the cooling fin define at least one fluid inlet, at least one fluid outlet, and a flow channel therebetween. The at least one fluid inlet and the at least one fluid outlet are disposed through the seal and are in fluid communication with the flow channel. The flow channel is disposed adjacent the perimeter and in heat transfer communication with the substantially planar surface of the cooling fin. A battery pack with the cooling plate, and a method for controlling a temperature of the battery pack, are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventors: DEREK R. WEBER, ROGER MICHAEL BRISBANE
  • Patent number: 7851080
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment including a battery cooling plate has discrete channels. In one exemplary embodiment each of the channels has a width ranging from about 1 mm to about 5 mm. In another exemplary embodiment the battery cooling plate includes a first cooling channel having a flow path generally in a U shape, and a plurality of other channels each having a generally U-shaped flow path, and wherein the other flow channels are in a nested position with respect to the first flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek R. Weber, Steven J. Spencer, Paul F. Spacher
  • Publication number: 20090255109
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiment include method of sealing battery cooling plates, and methods of assembling battery using battery cooling plate racks and a single component including multiple cooling plates an connection portions therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: DEREK R. WEBER, ALASTAIR GORDON ANDERSON, STEVEN J. SPENCER, PAUL F. SPACHER
  • Publication number: 20090258288
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment includes a method of sealing battery cooling plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Derek R. Weber, Alastair Gordon Anderson, Steven J. Spencer, Paul F. Spacher
  • Publication number: 20090258289
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment including a battery cooling plate has discrete channels. In one exemplary embodiment each of the channels has a width ranging from about 1 mm to about 5 mm. In another exemplary embodiment the battery cooling plate includes a first cooling channel having a flow path generally in a U shape, and a plurality of other channels each having a generally U-shaped flow path, and wherein the other flow channels are in a nested position with respect to the first flow channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Derek R. Weber, Steven J. Spencer, Paul F. Spacher