Patents by Inventor Duncan Culver

Duncan Culver 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: 20140136281
    Abstract: A method for creating an alternate fuel vehicle refueling network includes receiving first location data and first alternate fuel refueling station interest data from a first remote device; receiving second location data and second alternate fuel refueling station interest data from a second remote device; and using the first location data, first alternate fuel refueling station interest data, second location data and second alternate fuel refueling station interest data to permit creation of a first alternate fuel refueling station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventors: Duncan Culver, Michael L. Epstein, Christopher K. Dyer
  • Patent number: 8587253
    Abstract: A method for recharging an electric vehicle having an electric battery for powering a vehicle drive system is provided. The method includes recharging the electric vehicle during a first period at a first electrical power and recharging the electric vehicle during a second period shorter than the first period at a second electrical power higher than the first electrical power. The recharging includes delivering coolant to the electric vehicle to cool the electric battery during the second period. Other methods of recharging an electric vehicle are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Lightening Energy
    Inventors: Christopher K. Dyer, Michael L. Epstein, Duncan Culver
  • Patent number: 8498886
    Abstract: A method for creating an electric vehicle charging network includes receiving first location data from a first remote device; providing electric vehicle charger data to the first remote device as a function of the first location data; receiving second location data from a second remote device; providing the electric vehicle charger data to the second remote device as a function of the second location data; and, in response to the electric vehicle charger data, receiving interest data from the first and second remote devices to permit creation of a first electric vehicle charger. Further methods and systems are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Lightening Energy
    Inventors: Michael L. Epstein, Christopher K. Dyer, Duncan Culver
  • Publication number: 20130046513
    Abstract: A method for creating an electric vehicle charging network includes receiving first location data from a first remote device; providing electric vehicle charger data to the first remote device as a function of the first location data; receiving second location data from a second remote device; providing the electric vehicle charger data to the second remote device as a function of the second location data; and, in response to the electric vehicle charger data, receiving interest data from the first and second remote devices to permit creation of a first electric vehicle charger. Further methods and systems are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: Lightening Energy
    Inventors: Michael L. EPSTEIN, Christopher K. DYER, Duncan CULVER
  • Publication number: 20130029193
    Abstract: An electric vehicle is provided. The electric vehicle includes an electric battery powering a drive system of the vehicle. The battery has a housing and a plurality of cells within the housing. The cells are spaced apart by interconnectors. The electric vehicle also includes a coolant delivery. The coolant delivery delivers coolant to the interconnectors. An electric battery is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: Lightening Energy
    Inventors: Christopher K. DYER, Michael L. EPSTEIN, Duncan CULVER
  • Publication number: 20130026998
    Abstract: A method for recharging an electric vehicle having an electric battery for powering a vehicle drive system is provided. The method includes recharging the electric vehicle during a first period at a first electrical power and recharging the electric vehicle during a second period shorter than the first period at a second electrical power higher than the first electrical power. The recharging includes delivering coolant to the electric vehicle to cool the electric battery during the second period. Other methods of recharging an electric vehicle are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: Lightening Energy
    Inventors: Christopher K. DYER, Michael L. Epstein, Duncan Culver
  • Patent number: 8350526
    Abstract: A vehicle charging station is provided. The vehicle charging station includes a charging source providing an electrical charge, a coolant source providing coolant and a connector having both an electrical supply section delivering the electrical charge and a coolant supply section delivering the coolant. The connector is capable of connecting to a vehicle. A connector for a vehicle charging station and an electric vehicle are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Lightening Energy
    Inventors: Christopher K. Dyer, Michael L. Epstein, Duncan Culver
  • Patent number: 8349485
    Abstract: A modular battery includes a housing, a first planar battery cell having a first planar electrode surface, a second planar battery cell having a second planar electrode surface, and an interconnector disposed between the first planar surface and the second planar surface and electrically connecting the first and second planar electrode surfaces, side peripheries of the interconnector, the first and second planar battery cells being electrically insulated from the housing. A method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Lightening Energy
    Inventors: Duncan Culver, Christopher K. Dyer, Michael L. Epstein
  • Patent number: 8343642
    Abstract: A modular battery includes a housing, a first battery cell having a first electrode surface, a second battery cell having a second electrode surface, and a pressurizable bladder forcing the first battery cell against the second battery cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Lightening Energy
    Inventors: Duncan Culver, Christopher K. Dyer, Michael L. Epstein
  • Publication number: 20120221299
    Abstract: A method for creating an electric vehicle charging network includes receiving first location data from a first remote device; providing electric vehicle charger data to the first remote device as a function of the first location data; receiving second location data from a second remote device; providing the electric vehicle charger data to the second remote device as a function of the second location data; and, in response to the electric vehicle charger data, receiving interest data from the first and second remote devices to permit creation of a first electric vehicle charger. Further methods and systems are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: Lightening Energy
    Inventors: Michael L. Epstein, Christopher K. Dyer, Duncan Culver
  • Publication number: 20120183832
    Abstract: A modular battery includes a housing, a first planar battery cell having a first planar electrode surface, a second planar battery cell having a second planar electrode surface, and an interconnector disposed between the first planar surface and the second planar surface and electrically connecting the first and second planar electrode surfaces, side peripheries of the interconnector, the first and second planar battery cells being electrically insulated from the housing. A method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: Lightening Energy
    Inventors: Duncan Culver, Christopher K. Dyer, Michael L. Epstein
  • Patent number: 8173294
    Abstract: A modular battery includes a housing, a first planar battery cell having a first planar electrode surface, a second planar battery cell having a second planar electrode surface, and an interconnector disposed between the first planar surface and the second planar surface and electrically connecting the first and second planar electrode surfaces, side peripheries of the interconnector, the first and second planar battery cells being electrically insulated from the housing. A method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Lightening Energy
    Inventors: Duncan Culver, Christopher K. Dyer, Michael L. Epstein
  • Patent number: 8174235
    Abstract: A method for recharging an electric vehicle having an electric battery for powering a vehicle drive system is provided. The method includes recharging the electric vehicle during a first period at a first electrical power and recharging the electric vehicle during a second period shorter than the first period at a second electrical power higher than the first electrical power. The recharging includes delivering coolant to the electric vehicle to cool the electric battery during the second period. Other methods of recharging an electric vehicle are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Lightening Energy
    Inventors: Christopher K. Dyer, Michael L. Epstein, Duncan Culver
  • Publication number: 20120043935
    Abstract: A vehicle charging station is provided. The vehicle charging station includes a charging source providing an electrical charge, a coolant source providing coolant and a connector having both an electrical supply section delivering the electrical charge and a coolant supply section delivering the coolant. The connector is capable of connecting to a vehicle. A connector for a vehicle charging station and an electric vehicle are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: Lightening Energy
    Inventors: Christopher K. DYER, Michael L. Epstein, Duncan Culver
  • Publication number: 20120043943
    Abstract: A method for recharging an electric vehicle having an electric battery for powering a vehicle drive system is provided. The method includes recharging the electric vehicle during a first period at a first electrical power and recharging the electric vehicle during a second period shorter than the first period at a second electrical power higher than the first electrical power. The recharging includes delivering coolant to the electric vehicle to cool the electric battery during the second period. Other methods of recharging an electric vehicle are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: Lightening Energy
    Inventors: Christopher K. Dyer, Michael L. Epstein, Duncan Culver
  • Publication number: 20110200867
    Abstract: A battery cell for a modular battery includes a positive end electrode; a negative end electrode; and at least one further electrode between the positive end electrode and the negative end electrode; at least one of the positive and negative end electrodes including a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer adjacent to the first conductive layer, the first conductive layer defining an electrical contact surface facing away from the further electrode and being made of a material less susceptible to oxidation than the second conductive layer. A battery and a method are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: Lightening Energy
    Inventors: Duncan Culver, Christopher K. Dyer, Michael L. Epstein
  • Publication number: 20110177383
    Abstract: A cell module for a modular battery includes a plurality of positive electrode plates having positive connections extending from the positive electrode plates and having a first end and an opposite second end; a plurality of negative electrode plate having negative connections extending from the negative electrode plates and having a third end and an opposite fourth end, the positive and negative electrode plates alternating and being stacked so that the first and third ends are on a same side of the cell module and the second and fourth ends are on an opposite side; and a separator between the positive and negative electrode plates and covering the second end and the third end. A modular battery and a method are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: Lightening Energy
    Inventors: Duncan Culver, Christopher K. Dyer, Michael L. Epstein
  • Publication number: 20110159352
    Abstract: A modular battery includes a housing, a first battery cell having a first electrode surface, a second battery cell having a second electrode surface, and a pressurizable bladder forcing the first battery cell against the second battery cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: Lightening Energy
    Inventors: Duncan Culver, Christopher K. Dyer, Michael L. Epstein
  • Publication number: 20110159351
    Abstract: A modular battery includes: a first battery cell having a first electrode surface; a second battery cell having a second electrode surface; a compressible interconnector connecting the first battery cell and the second battery cell; and a polymeric material holding the first battery cell against the second battery cell with the interconnector in a compressed state. A method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: Lightening Energy
    Inventors: Duncan Culver, Christopher K. Dyer, Michael L. Epstein
  • Publication number: 20100273044
    Abstract: A modular battery includes a housing, a first planar battery cell having a first planar electrode surface, a second planar battery cell having a second planar electrode surface, and an interconnector disposed between the first planar surface and the second planar surface and electrically connecting the first and second planar electrode surfaces, side peripheries of the interconnector, the first and second planar battery cells being electrically insulated from the housing. A method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: Lightening Energy
    Inventors: Duncan Culver, Christopher K. DYER, Michael L. EPSTEIN