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: 20140093755
    Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of electrochemical cells arranged in a first row and a second row offset from the first row. The battery module also includes a heat exchanger configured to allow a fluid to flow through the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is disposed between the first and second rows of cells and has a shape that is complementary to the cells in the first and second rows of cells so that an external surface of the heat exchanger contacts a portion of each of the plurality of electrochemical cells. The heat exchanger is configured to route the fluid between an inlet and an outlet such that a path of the fluid flow includes a plurality of adjacent fluid flow segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Johnson Controls - SAFT Advanced Power Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Anthony C. Pacheco, Martin Wiegmann, Ralf Joswig, Markus Hoh, Mikhail Balk, Kem Obasih
  • Publication number: 20140050967
    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: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Advanced Power Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Jason D. FUHR, Steven J. WOOD, Dale B. TRESTER, Gary P. HOUCHIN-MILLER
  • Patent number: 8609268
    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, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Advanced Power Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Jason D. Fuhr, Kem M. Obasih, Richard Mark De Keuster, Robert J. Mack, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Dhavalkumar Patel
  • Publication number: 20130330594
    Abstract: A battery system includes at least a first battery module and a second battery module, and a service disconnect unit electrically coupling the first battery module to the second battery module. The service disconnect unit comprises a bus bar that includes a first portion electrically connected to the first battery module, and a second portion electrically connected to the second battery module. The service disconnect unit also comprises a removable conductive member configured to electrically connect the first portion of the bus bar to the second portion of the bus bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventors: Edward J. Soleski, Stephen D. Cash, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Mikhail S. Balk, Bryan L. Thieme, Richard M. DeKeuster
  • Patent number: 8603660
    Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of electrochemical cells arranged in a first row and a second row offset from the first row. The battery module also includes a heat exchanger configured to allow a fluid to flow through the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is disposed between the first and second rows of cells and has a shape that is complementary to the cells in the first and second rows of cells so that an external surface of the heat exchanger contacts a portion of each of the plurality of electrochemical cells. The heat exchanger is configured to route the fluid between an inlet and an outlet such that a path of the fluid flow includes a plurality of adjacent fluid flow segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls—Saft Advanced Power Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Anthony C. Pacheco, Martin Wiegmann, Ralf Joswig, Markus Hoh, Mikhail Balk, Kem Obasih
  • Patent number: 8568915
    Abstract: A battery comprising a housing having a central longitudinal axis. A cover is coupled to the housing and a first flange is integrally formed with the cover and configured to act as a first terminal for the battery. At least a portion of the first flange extends away from the housing in a direction generally perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis. Wherein the first flange is configured for electrical coupling with a terminal of an adjacent battery in a battery system. for electrical coupling with a terminal of an adjacent battery in a battery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls—SAFT Power Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Jason D. Fuhr, Steven J. Wood, Dale B. Trester, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Thomas J. Dougherty
  • Patent number: 8530069
    Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of cells. The battery module also includes a housing configured to substantially enclose the plurality of cells. The battery module further includes a lower tray configured to receive the plurality of cells. The lower tray is located inside the housing adjacent a bottom of the housing and includes a top side and a bottom side. The top side has a plurality of sockets configured to receive the plurality of cells in a closely packed arrangement. The bottom side is configured to define a chamber between the lower tray and the bottom of the housing. The chamber is sealed off from the rest of the battery module and is configured to receive released gas from the plurality of cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls—SAFT Advanced Power Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Steven J. Wood, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Dale B. Trester
  • Publication number: 20130207617
    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: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventors: Gary P. Houchin-Miller, James S. Symanski, Graig W. Rigby, Thomas J. Dougherty
  • Publication number: 20130096762
    Abstract: A battery system includes a plurality of battery modules electrically coupled together in series. The battery system also includes a first electronic control unit (ECU) configured to act as a master ECU. The master ECU is electronically coupled to a first one of the plurality of battery modules. The battery system further includes a plurality of slave ECUs, wherein each slave ECU is electronically coupled to one of the other of the plurality of battery modules. The master ECU is configured to control whether electrical power is provided to each of the plurality of slave ECUs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: Johnson Controls - SAFT Advanced Power Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Craig W. Rigby, Thomas J. Dougherty, James S. Symanski
  • Publication number: 20120328922
    Abstract: Provided herein are electrochemical cell element systems. One such system includes a first electrode having a desired length and an interrupted second electrode having one or more interruptions disposed between a plurality of electrode segments. The system also includes one or more separators positioned to separate the first electrode and the interrupted second electrode. The first electrode, the interrupted second electrode, and the one or more separators are wound along the length of the cell element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology LLC
    Inventors: Frederic C. Bonhomme, Jason D. Fuhr, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, John P. Dinkelman
  • Publication number: 20120263988
    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: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology LLC
    Inventors: Kem Obasih, Robert J. Mack, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Jason D. Fuhr, Richard M. DeKeuster
  • Publication number: 20120164508
    Abstract: A battery system for use in a vehicle is configured to provide at least a portion of the propulsion power for the vehicle and includes a plurality of battery modules. Each battery module includes a plurality of electrochemical cells configured to store an electrical charge. The battery system also includes a plurality of fan assemblies each having a motor and at least one fan blade. Each fan assembly is associated with one of the plurality of battery modules to regulate the temperature thereof. A first fan assembly of the plurality of fan assemblies has a different configuration than at least one of the other of the plurality of fan assemblies or is configured to provide an output that is different from an output provided by at least one of the other of the plurality of fan assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Steven J. Wood, Thomas J. Dougherty
  • Publication number: 20120148889
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Jason D. Fuhr, Kem M. Obasih, Richard Mark De Keuster, Robert J. Mack, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Dhavalkumar Patel
  • Publication number: 20120125447
    Abstract: A lithium-ion battery module includes a housing having a plurality of partitions configured to define a plurality of compartments within the 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: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Jason D. Fuhr, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Gerald K. Bowen, John P. Dinkelman, Dharmendra Patel, Alex Molinaroli
  • Publication number: 20120077062
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a housing having a first end and a vent located at the first end that is configured to deploy from the housing to allow the expulsion of gases from within the cell. The electrochemical cell also includes at least one projection extending outward from the first end adjacent the vent. The at least one projection is configured to prevent accidental deployment of the vent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventors: Jason D. Fuhr, Wataru Tsutsui, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Christopher M. Bonin
  • Patent number: 8114540
    Abstract: A buss bar for connecting electrochemical cells together includes a conductive member having a first end, a second end, and an elongated body between the first end and second end. The body includes a stress relief region configured to dampen vibrational forces received by the buss bar. The buss bar also includes a voltage sense terminal coupled to the conductive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Dale B. Trester, Steven J. Wood, Gary P. Houchin-Miller
  • Publication number: 20110269008
    Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of electrochemical cells arranged in a first row and a second row offset from the first row. The battery module also includes a heat exchanger configured to allow a fluid to flow through the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is disposed between the first and second rows of cells and has a shape that is complementary to the cells in the first and second rows of cells so that an external surface of the heat exchanger contacts a portion of each of the plurality of electrochemical cells. The heat exchanger is configured to route the fluid between an inlet and an outlet such that a path of the fluid flow includes a plurality of adjacent fluid flow segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Anthony C. Pacheco, Martin Wiegemann, Ralf Joswig, Markus Hoh, Mikhail Balk, Kem Obasih
  • Publication number: 20110212352
    Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of cells. The battery module also includes a housing configured to substantially enclose the plurality of cells. The battery module further includes a lower tray configured to receive the plurality of cells. The lower tray is located inside the housing adjacent a bottom of the housing and includes a top side and a bottom side. The top side has a plurality of sockets configured to receive the plurality of cells in a closely packed arrangement. The bottom side is configured to define a chamber between the lower tray and the bottom of the housing. The chamber is sealed off from the rest of the battery module and is configured to receive released gas from the plurality of cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventors: Steven J. Wood, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Dale B. Trester
  • Patent number: 7951477
    Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of cells. The battery module also includes a housing configured to substantially enclose the plurality of cells. The battery module further includes a lower tray configured to receive the plurality of cells. The lower tray is located inside the housing adjacent a bottom of the housing. The lower tray has a top side and a bottom side The top side has a plurality of sockets configured to receive the plurality of cells in a closely packed arrangement. The bottom side is configured to define a chamber between the lower tray and the bottom of the housing. The chamber is sealed off from the rest of the battery module and is configured to receive released gas from the plurality of cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Johnson Controls-SAFT Advanced Power Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Steven J. Wood, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Dale B. Trester
  • Patent number: 7871719
    Abstract: A battery module includes at least one electrochemical cell. The electrochemical cell includes a first terminal conductively coupled to a first electrode and a body portion configured to function as a second terminal and conductively coupled to a second electrode via a pressure relief portion. The battery module further includes an end cap comprising a conductive portion and an insulating portion, the conductive portion being conductively coupled to the body portion. The pressure relief portion is configured to separate from the body portion to a deployed position when a pressure within the body portion reaches a first predetermined level, thereby substantially breaking the conductive coupling between the body portion and the second electrode. The insulating portion substantially prevents formation of a conductive coupling between the body portion and the second electrode when the pressure relief portion is in the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Johnson Controls—SAFT Advanced Power Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Dale B. Trester, Steven J. Wood