Patents by Inventor Donald G. Dafoe
Donald G. Dafoe 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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Publication number: 20240063460Abstract: A battery cell includes a cathode casing forming all or a majority of the external can of the battery cell. The battery further includes an anode tab covering at least a portion of a face of the battery cell and an insulating layer for electrically isolating the anode tab from the cathode casing. A plurality of such battery cells may be arranged within a battery pack in contact with each other, and may be held in compression. A conduction enhancement layer may be applied between the anode tab of a first cell and the cathode casing of a second cell within the battery pack. One or more heat dissipation elements may be arranged within the battery pack, in contact with the battery cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2023Publication date: February 22, 2024Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jonathan L. Hall, Luke A. Wilhelm, Qingcheng Zeng, Mujeeb Ijaz, Donald G. Dafoe
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Patent number: 11837707Abstract: A battery cell includes a cathode casing forming all or a majority of the external can of the battery cell. The battery further includes an anode tab covering at least a portion of a face of the battery cell and an insulating layer for electrically isolating the anode tab from the cathode casing. A plurality of such battery cells may be arranged within a battery pack in contact with each other, and may be held in compression. A conduction enhancement layer may be applied between the anode tab of a first cell and the cathode casing of a second cell within the battery pack. One or more heat dissipation elements may be arranged within the battery pack, in contact with the battery cells.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2020Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jonathan L. Hall, Luke A. Wilhelm, Qingcheng Zeng, Mujeeb Ijaz, Donald G. Dafoe
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Patent number: 11791470Abstract: Energy storage devices, battery cells, and batteries of the present technology may include a first current collector, and may include a separator. The battery cell may include a first active material disposed between the first current collector and the separator. The battery cell may include an electrolyte diffusion material disposed between the first active material and the first current collector.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2019Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christopher T. Campbell, Andrew C. Chu, Tobias Zeilinger, Ghyrn E. Loveness, Qingcheng Zeng, Kenzo Nagai, Donald G. Dafoe
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Patent number: 11699815Abstract: Batteries according to embodiments of the present technology may include a first battery cell including a first body characterized by a first length and a first width, and a first tab extending from an edge of the first body. The first tab may be characterized by a width less than the first width of the first body. The batteries may also include a second battery cell stacked below the first battery cell. The second battery cell may include a second body characterized by a second length and a second width, and a second tab extending from an edge of the second body. The second tab may be characterized by a width less than the second width of the second body. The second tab may also be characterized by a width greater than the width of the first tab providing an extension of the second tab protruding from below the first tab.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2021Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Qingcheng Zeng, Donald G. Dafoe
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Publication number: 20230076651Abstract: Energy storage devices, battery cells, and batteries of the present technology may include a first cell and a second cell disposed adjacent the first cell. The devices may include a stacked current collector coupled between the first cell and the second cell. The current collector may include a grid or matrix, and may include a combination of conductive and insulative materials.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2022Publication date: March 9, 2023Inventors: Andrew C. Chu, Christopher T. Campbell, Qingcheng Zeng, Kenzo Nagai, Isaac S. Harper, Donald G. Dafoe
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Patent number: 11532824Abstract: Energy storage devices, battery cells, and batteries of the present technology may include a first cell and a second cell disposed adjacent the first cell. The devices may include a stacked current collector coupled between the first cell and the second cell. The current collector may include a grid or matrix, and may include a combination of conductive and insulative materials.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2019Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Andrew C. Chu, Christopher T. Campbell, Qingcheng Zeng, Kenzo Nagai, Isaac S. Harper, Donald G. Dafoe
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Patent number: 11335977Abstract: Batteries according to embodiments of the present technology may include a first battery cell including a first current collector. The batteries may include a second battery cell including a second current collector. The second battery cell may be vertically aligned with the first battery cell, and the second current collector may be positioned adjacent the first current collector. The first battery cell and the second battery cell may be electrically coupled together so the first battery cell and the second battery cell transfer current through the cells between the first current collector and the second current collector. The batteries may also include a patterned coupling material disposed between the first battery cell and the second battery cell and joining the first current collector with the second current collector.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2018Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Inventors: Qingcheng Zeng, Tobias Zeilinger, Kenzo Nagai, Donald G. Dafoe
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Patent number: 11296361Abstract: A bipolar battery including a first electrochemical cell and a second electrochemical cell is provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2016Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Inventors: Andrew C. Chu, Qingcheng Zeng, Donald G. Dafoe, Steven Kaye
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Patent number: 11264665Abstract: Battery housings and batteries are presented for accommodating swelling of an electrode assembly. In one aspect, a battery includes an electrode assembly that includes a cathode and an anode. The battery also includes a receptacle that includes at least one feedthrough disposed through one or more sides of the receptacle. A lid is sealed to the receptacle. The receptacle, the at least one feedthrough, and the lid form a sealed volume in which the electrode assembly and an electrolyte are disposed. The lid is configured to displace from a first position to a second position in response to a swelling of the electrode assembly within the sealed volume. The receptacle is configured to strain less than the lid during the swelling of the electrode assembly. The second position of the lid may correspond to an expanded volume of the electrode assembly that is 15% greater than an initial volume.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2020Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Qingcheng Zeng, Donald G. Dafoe, Kenzo Nagai
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Patent number: 11043703Abstract: Batteries according to embodiments of the present technology may include a first battery cell including a first body characterized by a first length and a first width, and a first tab extending from an edge of the first body. The first tab may be characterized by a width less than the first width of the first body. The batteries may also include a second battery cell stacked below the first battery cell. The second battery cell may include a second body characterized by a second length and a second width, and a second tab extending from an edge of the second body. The second tab may be characterized by a width less than the second width of the second body. The second tab may also be characterized by a width greater than the width of the first tab providing an extension of the second tab protruding from below the first tab.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2018Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Inventors: Qingcheng Zeng, Donald G. Dafoe
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Patent number: 11018343Abstract: Energy storage devices, battery cells, and batteries of the present technology may include a first current collector, and may include a second current collector. At least one of the first current collector and the second current collector may be a metal current collector. The battery cells may include a seal between an external region of the first current collector and an external region of the second current collector. The seal may be coupled with a first portion of a first surface of the first current collector, and may be coupled with a first portion of a first surface of the second current collector. The battery cells may also include a coupling material positioned between the seal and the first portion of the first surface of the first current collector. The coupling material may also be positioned between the seal and the first portion of the first surface of the second current collector.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2018Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Inventors: Donald G. Dafoe, Qingcheng Zeng, Kenzo Nagai
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Patent number: 10916796Abstract: Energy storage devices, battery cells, and batteries may include a first current collector having an anode active material disposed along a first surface of the first current collector. The cells may include a plurality of first electrodes positioned along a second surface of the first current collector opposite the first surface. The plurality of first electrodes may be characterized by a first orientation. The cells may include a second current collector having a cathode active material disposed along a first surface of the second current collector. The cells may include a separator positioned between the anode active material and the cathode active material. The cells may also include a plurality of second electrodes positioned along a second surface of the second current collector opposite the first surface. The plurality of second electrodes may be characterized by a second orientation substantially orthogonal to the first orientation.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2019Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Inventors: Tobias Zeilinger, Donald G. Dafoe, Paul W. Firehammer, Andrew C. Chu, Christopher T. Campbell, Mario Tippelhofer, Alexander A. Bondarenko, Qingcheng Zeng
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Patent number: 10916741Abstract: Energy storage devices, battery cells, and batteries of the present technology may include a first current collector and a second current collector. At least one of the first current collector and the second current collector may be a non-metal current collector. The battery cell may include a seal between an edge region of the first current collector and an edge region of the second current collector. The seal may contact a first surface of the first current collector and a first surface of the second current collector. The battery cell may also include a metal material coupled with the non-metal current collector on a second surface of the non-metal current collector opposite the first surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2018Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Inventors: Donald G. Dafoe, Andrew C. Chu, Christopher T. Campbell, Tobias Zeilinger, Kenzo Nagai, Qingcheng Zeng
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Publication number: 20200303712Abstract: A battery cell includes a cathode casing forming all or a majority of the external can of the battery cell. The battery further includes an anode tab covering at least a portion of a face of the battery cell and an insulating layer for electrically isolating the anode tab from the cathode casing. A plurality of such battery cells may be arranged within a battery pack in contact with each other, and may be held in compression. A conduction enhancement layer may be applied between the anode tab of a first cell and the cathode casing of a second cell within the battery pack. One or more heat dissipation elements may be arranged within the battery pack, in contact with the battery cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2020Publication date: September 24, 2020Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jonathan L. Hall, Luke A. Wilhelm, Qingcheng Zeng, Mujeeb Ijaz, Donald G. Dafoe
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Patent number: 10686178Abstract: A battery cell includes a cathode casing forming all or a majority of the external can of the battery cell. The battery further includes an anode tab covering at least a portion of a face of the battery cell and an insulating layer for electrically isolating the anode tab from the cathode casing. A plurality of such battery cells may be arranged within a battery pack in contact with each other, and may be held in compression. A conduction enhancement layer may be applied between the anode tab of a first cell and the cathode casing of a second cell within the battery pack. One or more heat dissipation elements may be arranged within the battery pack, in contact with the battery cells.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2017Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jonathan L. Hall, Luke A. Wilhelm, Qingcheng Zeng, Mujeeb Ijaz, Donald G. Dafoe
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Patent number: 10658632Abstract: Battery housings and batteries are presented for accommodating swelling of an electrode assembly. In one aspect, a battery includes an electrode assembly that includes a cathode and an anode. The battery also includes a receptacle that includes at least one feedthrough disposed through one or more sides of the receptacle. A lid is sealed to the receptacle. The receptacle, the at least one feedthrough, and the lid form a sealed volume in which the electrode assembly and an electrolyte are disposed. The lid is configured to displace from a first position to a second position in response to a swelling of the electrode assembly within the sealed volume. The receptacle is configured to strain less than the lid during the swelling of the electrode assembly. The second position of the lid may correspond to an expanded volume of the electrode assembly that is 15% greater than an initial volume.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2018Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Inventors: Qingcheng Zeng, Donald G. Dafoe, Kenzo Nagai
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Patent number: 10573876Abstract: Energy storage devices, battery cells, and batteries of the present technology may include an enclosure. The enclosure may house a cathode current collector and a cathode tab coupled with the cathode current collector. A cathode terminal may be accessible at an external location of these devices, and the cathode terminal may be electrically coupled with the cathode tab. The enclosure may also house an anode current collector and an anode tab coupled with the anode current collector. An anode terminal may be accessible at an external location of the devices, and the anode terminal may be electrically coupled with the anode tab. The devices may further include a fuse housed within the enclosure. The fuse may be positioned between the anode terminal and anode tab, and may also be in electrical communication with both the anode terminal and the anode tab.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2017Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Inventors: Qingcheng Zeng, Donald G. Dafoe
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Publication number: 20200052305Abstract: Energy storage devices, battery cells, and batteries of the present technology may include a first current collector, and may include a separator. The battery cell may include a first active material disposed between the first current collector and the separator. The battery cell may include an electrolyte diffusion material disposed between the first active material and the first current collector.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2019Publication date: February 13, 2020Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christopher T. Campbell, Andrew C. Chu, Tobias Zeilinger, Ghyrn E. Loveness, Qingcheng Zeng, Kenzo Nagai, Donald G. Dafoe
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Patent number: 10396339Abstract: A bi-metal tab includes an internal tab segment that can be coupled to a battery cell terminal within an interior of the cell and an external tab segment that can be coupled to an element external to the cell. One tab segment includes a pin tab segment that comprises a pin, and another tab segment includes a socket tab segment comprised of a separate metal material, that comprises a socket. The socket can be at least partially enclosed, on at least two opposing sides, by the structure of the socket tab segment, and the socket and pin of the separate segments can be configured to couple, to form the tab, where at least two surfaces of the pin are in flush contact with the socket tab segment structure. A protection layer that restricts electronic transport across the tab based on exposure to particular physical conditions can be included between the tab segments.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2016Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Qingcheng Zeng, Donald G. Dafoe, Andrew Chu, Ashley S. Harvey, Junwei Jiang
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Publication number: 20190190030Abstract: Energy storage devices, battery cells, and batteries of the present technology may include a first cell and a second cell disposed adjacent the first cell. The devices may include a stacked current collector coupled between the first cell and the second cell. The current collector may include a grid or matrix, and may include a combination of conductive and insulative materials.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2019Publication date: June 20, 2019Inventors: Andrew C. Chu, Christopher T. Campbell, Qingcheng Zeng, Kenzo Nagai, Isaac S. Harper, Donald G. Dafoe