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: 20100092849
    Abstract: A battery module includes a housing configured to receive a plurality of cells. The housing includes a first tray that includes a plurality of depressions and a second tray coupled to the first tray that includes a plurality of depressions. Each of the plurality of cells is received within a depression of at least one of the first tray and the second tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: Steven J. Wood, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Dale B. Trester, Michael G. Andrew
  • Publication number: 20100047682
    Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of cells arranged in a battery pack. The battery pack includes a first tray configured to receive a first row of cells and a second row of cells. A second tray is provided over the first tray, the first row of cells, and the second row of cells. The second tray is configured to receive a third row of cells and a fourth row of cells. A third tray is provided over the second tray, the third row of cells, and the fourth row of cells. The first row of cells and the second row of cells are arranged between the first tray and the second tray and the third row of cells and the fourth row of cells are arranged between the second tray and third tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Steven J. Wood, Dale B. Trester, Anthony Pacheco, Steve Esshaki
  • Publication number: 20100015519
    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: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventors: Dale B. Trester, Steven J. Wood, Gary P. Houchin-Miller
  • Publication number: 20100003584
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a can having a first end and a second end and a first element provided within the can and including an electrode. The cell also includes a first terminal integrally formed as a part of the can and extending from one of the first or second ends. The cell further includes a terminal assembly directly coupled to the first element and including a stud configured to act as a second terminal. The first end includes a boss that defines an aperture through which the stud extends, wherein the boss at least partially surrounds the stud and a bushing coupled to the stud.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas J. Dougherty, Steven J. Wood, John P. Dinkelman, Dale B. Trester, Gerald K. Bowen, Gary P. Houchin-Miller
  • Publication number: 20090317695
    Abstract: A battery module that includes a plurality of electrochemical cells. Each of the electrochemical cells has a first end including at least one terminal and a second end having a vent. The plurality of electrochemical cells are arranged such that the second ends of a first set of the plurality of electrochemical cells face the second ends of a second set of the plurality of electrochemical cells. A central chamber is located between the second ends of the first set of the plurality of electrochemical cells and the second ends of the second set of the plurality of electrochemical cells. The central chamber is configured to receive gases released from the vents of the plurality of electrochemical cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventors: Steven J. Wood, Majid Taghikhani, Dale B. Trester, Gary P. Houchin-Miller
  • Publication number: 20090274952
    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: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: Steven J. Wood, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Dale B. Trester
  • Publication number: 20090208836
    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: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventors: Jason D. Fuhr, Steven J. Wood, Dale B. Trester, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Thomas J. Dougherty
  • Publication number: 20090155675
    Abstract: A battery module includes a housing having a central plenum and a plurality of cells provided within the housing, the plurality of cells including a first group of cells and a second group of cells separated from the first group by the central plenum. The housing is configured to direct cooling air from the central plenum to the plurality of cells and each of the first group and the second group is arranged in a first layer of cells and a second layer of cells offset relative to the first layer of cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventor: Gary P. Houchin-Miller
  • Publication number: 20090111015
    Abstract: A battery system includes a plurality of sleeves modularly coupled together by members provided on an exterior surface of the sleeves. Each of the sleeves is configured to contain an electrochemical cell and comprises an inner surface. A plurality of features extend from the inner surface to define a space between the inner surface and an electrochemical cell provided within the sleeve. An end has a plurality of apertures that are aligned with the space to allow a cooling fluid to enter the sleeve through the apertures and pass adjacent the cell via the spaces to cool the cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: Steven J. Wood, Dale B. Trester, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Nels R. Smith
  • Publication number: 20090042094
    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: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Dale B. Trester, Steven J. Wood
  • Publication number: 20090017366
    Abstract: A battery system includes a plurality of electrochemical cells each having at least one terminal and a plurality of members coupled together to form a frame for securing the electrochemical cells in place. At least one of the members has openings configured to receive the terminals of the plurality of cells and also has features for spacing apart the plurality of cells to facilitate the flow of a cooling fluid between the cells. The battery system further includes a battery management system provided at a first end of the frame and a device provided at a second end of the frame for providing the cooling fluid to the cells and to the battery management system simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: Steven Wood, Dale B. Trester, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Jacob G. Maki
  • Publication number: 20080182158
    Abstract: One embodiment of the disclosure relates to a battery having a housing. The housing has a first end and a second end. The second end has a protrusion. A terminal is located adjacent the first end of the housing and has a recess. The recess is configured to receive a protrusion of a second battery when two or more batteries are coupled together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Dale B. Trester, Steven J. Wood
  • Patent number: 7045236
    Abstract: A heat and gas exchange system for a battery is disclosed. The batter includes a plurality of cells and at least one space between the cells. The system includes a base configured to support the battery. The system also includes a plurality of members coupled to the base. Each of the members is configured to extend at least partially within at least one space between the cells of the battery. A heat and gas exchange system for a battery is also disclosed. A module for a battery for a vehicle is also disclosed. The battery includes a plurality of cells and at least one space between the cells. The module includes a base for supporting the battery. The module also includes a plurality of members coupled to the base. The module also includes a control system configured to provide air through the plurality of members from the space between the cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Michael G. Andrew, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, William P. Segall, Jr., Thomas J. Dougherty, William J. Wruck