Patents by Inventor Gary P. Houchin-Miller

Gary P. Houchin-Miller 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: 20230249554
    Abstract: A battery module includes a housing, a plurality of battery cells disposed in the housing, and a printed circuit board (PCB) assembly disposed in the housing. The PCB assembly includes a PCB and a shunt disposed across a first surface of the PCB. A second surface of the shunt directly contacts the first surface of the PCB, and the shunt is electrically coupled between the battery cells and a terminal of the battery module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Ronald J. Dulle, Mark D. Gunderson, Bryan L. Thieme, Richard M. DeKeuster, Edward J. Soleski, Robert J. Mack, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Stephen D. Cash, Lisa L. Winders, Jack L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11660971
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: CLARIOS ADVANCED SOLUTIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jason D. Fuhr, Steven J. Wood, Dale B. Trester, Gary P. Houchin-Miller
  • Patent number: 11628728
    Abstract: A battery module includes a lower housing and a plurality of battery cells. The plurality of battery cells are electrically coupled together to produce a voltage. The module also includes an assembly disposed over the battery cells and coupled to the lower housing. The assembly may include a lid and a plurality of bus bar interconnects mounted on the lid. The module also includes a printed circuit board (PCB) assembly disposed on and coupled to the assembly. The PCB assembly may include a PCB. The module also includes a cover disposed over and coupled to the lower housing to hermetically seal the battery module. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing the battery module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: CPS Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Ronald J. Dulle, Mark D. Gunderson, Bryan L. Thieme, Richard M. DeKeuster, Edward J. Soleski, Robert J. Mack, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Stephen D. Cash, Lisa L. Winders, Jack L. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20230052813
    Abstract: A lithium-ion battery module includes a housing having a plurality of partitions configured to define a plurality of compartments within a housing. The battery module also includes a lithium-ion cell element provided in each of the compartments of the housing. The battery module further includes a cover coupled to the housing and configured to route electrolyte into each of the compartments. The cover is also configured to seal the compartments of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Jason D. FUHR, Gary P. HOUCHIN-MILLER, Gerald K. BOWEN, John P. DINKELMAN, Dharmendra PATEL, Alex A. MOLINAROLI
  • Patent number: 11515599
    Abstract: A lithium-ion battery module includes a housing having a plurality of partitions configured to define a plurality of compartments within a housing. The battery module also includes a lithium-ion cell element provided in each of the compartments of the housing. The battery module further includes a cover coupled to the housing and configured to route electrolyte into each of the compartments. The cover is also configured to seal the compartments of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: CLARIOS ADVANCED SOLUTIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jason D. Fuhr, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Gerald K. Bowen, John P. Dinkelman, Dharmendra Patel, Alex A. Molinaroli
  • Publication number: 20200235372
    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: April 9, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: Jason D. FUHR, Steven J. WOOD, Dale B. TRESTER, Gary P. HOUCHIN-MILLER
  • Publication number: 20200161614
    Abstract: A lithium-ion battery module includes a housing having a plurality of partitions configured to define a plurality of compartments within a housing. The battery module also includes a lithium-ion cell element provided in each of the compartments of the housing. The battery module further includes a cover coupled to the housing and configured to route electrolyte into each of the compartments. The cover is also configured to seal the compartments of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Jason D. FUHR, Gary P. HOUCHIN-MILLER, Gerald K. BOWEN, John P. DINKELMAN, Dharmendra PATEL, Alex A. MOLINAROLI
  • Patent number: 10573861
    Abstract: A lithium-ion battery module includes a housing having a plurality of partitions configured to define a plurality of compartments within a housing. The battery module also includes a lithium-ion cell element provided in each of the compartments of the housing. The battery module further includes a cover coupled to the housing and configured to route electrolyte into each of the compartments. The cover is also configured to seal the compartments of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Clarios Advanced Soltuions LLC
    Inventors: Jason D. Fuhr, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Gerald K. Bowen, John P. Dinkelman, Dharmendra Patel, Alex A. Molinaroli
  • Patent number: 10511006
    Abstract: A battery module includes a lower housing and a plurality of battery cells. The plurality of battery cells are electrically coupled together to produce a voltage. A lid assembly is disposed over the battery cells and is coupled to the lower housing. The lid assembly includes a lid and a plurality of bus bar interconnects mounted on the lid. A printed circuit board (PCB) assembly is disposed on and coupled to the lid assembly, and the PCB assembly includes a PCB. A cover is disposed over and coupled to the lower housing to hermetically seal the battery module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: CPS TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Richard M. DeKeuster, Edward J. Soleski, Robert J. Mack, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Stephen D. Cash, Lisa L. Winders, Jack L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 10062934
    Abstract: A system includes a battery module having electrochemical cells and a housing configured to receive the electrochemical cells. The housing includes a first sidewall having a first surface and a second surface. The housing also includes cooling channels extending through the first sidewall of the housing from the first surface to the second surface, where the cooling channels are configured to permit fluid flow through the cooling channels for cooling the electrochemical cells. Each of the cooling channels includes a first cross-sectional area across the first surface of the first sidewall and a second cross-sectional area across the second surface of the first sidewall, where the first cross-sectional area is not equal to the second-cross sectional area. Each of the cooling channels also includes a tapered portion extending between the first-cross sectional area and the second cross-sectional area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Kem M. Obasih, Richard M. DeKeuster, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Stephen D. Cash
  • Patent number: 9985268
    Abstract: A battery module includes a housing configured to hold prismatic battery cells within a space defined by four interior walls of the housing. The housing includes a first interior wall that includes partitions extending upwards from a bottom of the housing and a second interior wall that includes partitions extending upwards from the bottom of the housing. The first interior wall faces opposite the second interior wall. The partitions disposed on the first interior wall and the partitions disposed on the second interior wall define slots between adjacent partitions, where each of the slots increases in width between the adjacent partitions from the bottom of the housing upwards. Each of the slots is configured to retain one of the prismatic battery cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Mikhail S. Balk, Richard M. DeKeuster, Stephen D. Cash
  • Patent number: 9941554
    Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of electrochemical cells and a structure including an upper portion configured to support a bottom portion of each of the plurality of electrochemical cells and a lower portion coupled to the upper portion. The lower portion includes a thermal management feature having at least one passage provided therein. The passage is configured for a thermal management fluid to pass therethrough to provide thermal management to the electrochemical cells of the battery module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Advanced Power Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Jason D. Fuhr, Kem M. Obasih, Richard M. DeKeuster, Robert J. Mack, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Dhavalkumar Patel
  • Publication number: 20180013114
    Abstract: A lithium-ion battery module includes a housing having a plurality of partitions configured to define a plurality of compartments within a housing. The battery module also includes a lithium-ion cell element provided in each of the compartments of the housing. The battery module further includes a cover coupled to the housing and configured to route electrolyte into each of the compartments. The cover is also configured to seal the compartments of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: Jason D. Fuhr, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Gerald K. Bowen, John P. Dinkelman, Dharmendra Patel, Alex A. Molinaroli
  • Publication number: 20170317332
    Abstract: A battery module includes a lower housing and a plurality of battery cells. The plurality of battery cells are electrically coupled together to produce a voltage. A lid assembly is disposed over the battery cells and is coupled to the lower housing. The lid assembly includes a lid and a plurality of bus bar interconnects mounted on the lid. A printed circuit board (PCB) assembly is disposed on and coupled to the lid assembly, and the PCB assembly includes a PCB. A cover is disposed over and coupled to the lower housing to hermetically seal the battery module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Richard M. DeKeuster, Edward J. Soleski, Robert J. Mack, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Stephen D. Cash, Lisa L. Winders, Jack L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9793585
    Abstract: Battery systems and modules having external thermal management systems are provided. In one embodiment, a battery module includes a housing and at least one electrochemical cell disposed within the housing. The battery module also includes a thermal interface having a first side in contact with the at least one electrochemical cell. The battery module also includes a heat sink in contact with a second side of the thermal interface. The thermal interface is adapted to enable heat transfer from the at least one electrochemical cell to the heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology LLC
    Inventors: Kem M. Obasih, Robert J. Mack, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Jason D. Fuhr, Richard M. DeKeuster
  • Patent number: 9774020
    Abstract: A lithium-ion battery module includes a housing having a plurality of partitions configured to define a plurality of compartments within a housing. The battery module also includes a lithium-ion cell element provided in each of the compartments of the housing. The battery module further includes a cover coupled to the housing and configured to route electrolyte into each of the compartments. The cover is also configured to seal the compartments of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Advanced Power Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Jason D. Fuhr, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Gerald K. Bowen, John P. Dinkelman, Dharmendra Patel, Alex Molinaroli
  • Patent number: 9711778
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a battery module for use in a vehicle is presented. The method may include disposing battery cells into a lower housing and disposing a lid assembly over the battery cells. The lid assembly may include a lid and bus bar interconnects disposed on the lid. The method may also include disposing a printed circuit board (PCB) assembly onto the lid assembly and electrically coupling portions of the lid assembly, portions of the PCB assembly, and the battery cells to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Richard M. DeKeuster, Edward J. Soleski, Robert J. Mack, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Stephen D. Cash, Lisa L. Winders, Jack L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9620827
    Abstract: A battery system includes a plurality of electrochemical cells provided within a housing. The battery system also includes a thermal management system configured to provide at least one of heating or cooling to the electrochemical cells. The thermal management system includes a solid state coating having a first metal and a second metal different from the first metal. The solid state coating is configured to pass a current therethrough to create a temperature differential across a first surface of the solid state coating and a second surface of the solid state coating to provide the at least one of heating or cooling to the cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson Controls—SAFT Advanced Power Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Gary P. Houchin-Miller, James S. Symanski, Craig W. Rigby, Thomas J. Dougherty
  • Patent number: 9577231
    Abstract: A lithium-ion battery module includes a housing having a plurality of partitions configured to define a plurality of compartments within a housing. The battery module also includes a lithium-ion cell element provided in each of the compartments of the housing. The battery module further includes a cover coupled to the housing and configured to route electrolyte into each of the compartments. The cover is also configured to seal the compartments of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Advanced Power Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Jason D. Fuhr, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Gerald K. Bowen, John P. Dinkelman, Dharmendra Patel, Alex Molinaroli
  • Patent number: 9559393
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a battery module with a housing having first and second ends and first and second lateral sides between the first and second ends. The battery module includes prismatic electrochemical cells and a cooling duct having first and second segments. A first body of the first segment extends along the first lateral side of the housing and includes a first opening to environment. A second body of the second segment extends along the second lateral side of the housing and includes a second opening to the environment. The first and second openings are proximate to the second end of the housing. The battery module includes a fan disposed on the first end of the housing. The fan is fluidly coupled to the cooling duct and provides airflow through the first and second openings and along the first and second bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Kem M. Obasih, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Jonathan P. Lobert, Alex Shi