Patents by Inventor J. Kevin Whear

J. Kevin Whear 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).

  • Patent number: 11104804
    Abstract: In accordance with at least selected embodiments or aspects, the present invention is directed to improved, unique, and/or high performance ISS lead acid battery separators, such as improved ISS flooded lead acid battery separators, ISS batteries including such separators, methods of production, and/or methods of use. The preferred ISS separator may include negative cross ribs and/or PIMS minerals. In accordance with more particular embodiments or examples, a PIMS mineral (preferably fish meal, a bio-mineral) is provided as at least a partial substitution for the silica filler component in a silica filled lead acid battery separator (preferably a polyethylene/silica separator formulation). In accordance with at least selected embodiments, the present invention is directed to new or improved batteries, separators, components, and/or compositions having heavy metal removal capabilities and/or methods of manufacture and/or methods of use thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Daramic, LLC
    Inventors: J. Kevin Whear, John R. Timmons, Jeffrey K. Chambers, Tejas R. Shah
  • Publication number: 20210242449
    Abstract: A flooded lead acid battery and a vehicle comprising the same are described herein. The flooded lead acid battery comprises an electrode array, comprising one or more negative plates and one or more positive plates alternately arranged and interleafed with one another. In some embodiments, a negative plate is wrapped or enveloped with a fibrous mat, and a porous membrane is wrapped or enveloped about an adjacent positive electrode. In some embodiments, a fibrous mat is at least partially integrated into a negative plate, and a porous membrane is enveloped about either the negative plate with the fibrous mat partially integrated therein or around an adjacent positive plate. In other embodiments, a negative plate is enveloped with a porous membrane having ribs, and a fibrous mat is present between the wrapped negative plate and the porous membrane enveloping the negative plate. Methods, systems, and vehicles utilizing the disclosed batteries are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Jorg Deiters, Matthew Stainer, Anna L. Verderame, J. Kevin Whear
  • Publication number: 20210203038
    Abstract: Improved battery separators are disclosed herein for use in flooded lead-acid batteries, and in particular enhanced flooded lead-acid batteries. The improved separators disclosed herein provide for enhanced electrolyte mixing and substantially reduced acid stratification. The improved flooded lead-acid batteries may be advantageously employed in applications in which the battery remains in a partial state of charge, for instance in start/stop vehicle systems. Also, improved lead-acid batteries, such as flooded lead-acid batteries, improved systems that include a lead-acid battery and a battery separator, improved battery separators, improved vehicles including such systems, and/or methods of manufacture and/or use may be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Eric H. Miller, M. Neal Golovin, Ahila Krishnamoorthy, Matthew Howard, James P. Perry, J. Kevin Whear
  • Publication number: 20210194093
    Abstract: A separator is provided with a novel construction and/or a combination of improved properties. Batteries, methods, and systems associated therewith are also provided. In certain embodiments, novel or improved separators, battery separators, enhanced flooded battery separators, batteries, cells, and/or methods of manufacture and/or use of such separators, battery separators, enhanced flooded battery separators, cells, and/or batteries are provided. In addition, there is disclosed herein methods, systems, and battery separators having a reduced ER, improved puncture strength, improved separator CMD stiffness, improved oxidation resistance, reduced separator thickness, reduced basis weight, and any combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: J. Kevin Whear, Mohammed Naiha
  • Publication number: 20210167464
    Abstract: A multilayer deep cycle battery separator comprising at least two layers of an automotive-sized separator bonded or welded together. The automotive-sized separator layers include a backweb having a backweb thickness between 6 to 10 mils, an overall thickness of between 25 to 65 mils, and a rib base width of between 20 to 35 mils. The automotive-sized separator layers also have an extraction time of between 45 to 75 seconds, thereby providing an overall extraction time of less than a standard deep cycle battery separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: J. Kevin Whear, Eric H. Miller
  • Patent number: 10985428
    Abstract: Improved battery separators are disclosed herein for use in flooded lead-acid batteries, and in particular enhanced flooded lead-acid batteries. The improved separators disclosed herein provide for enhanced electrolyte mixing and substantially reduced acid stratification. The improved flooded lead-acid batteries may be advantageously employed in applications in which the battery remains in a partial state of charge, for instance in start/stop vehicle systems. Also, improved lead-acid batteries, such as flooded lead-acid batteries, improved systems that include a lead-acid battery and a battery separator, improved battery separators, improved vehicles including such systems, and/or methods of manufacture and/or use may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Daramic, LLC
    Inventors: Eric H. Miller, M. Neal Golovin, Ahila Krishnamoorthy, Matthew Howard, James P. Perry, J. Kevin Whear
  • Publication number: 20210057699
    Abstract: A battery separator has performance enhancing additives or coatings, fillers with increased friability, increased ionic diffusion, decreased tortuosity, increased wettability, reduced oil content, reduced thickness, decreased electrical resistance, and/or increased porosity. The separator in a battery reduces the water loss, lowers acid stratification, lowers the voltage drop, and/or increases the CCA.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Mohammed Naiha, Jörg Deiters, Ahila Krishnamoorthy, Eric H. Miller, J. Kevin Whear, Robert W. Saffel, Naoto Miyake, Kanak Kuwelkar
  • Publication number: 20210057697
    Abstract: A separator for a lead acid battery is a porous membrane having a positive electrode face and a negative electrode face. A plurality of longitudinally extending ribs, a plurality of protrusions or a nonwoven material may be disposed upon the positive electrode face. A plurality of transversely extending ribs are disposed upon the negative electrode face. The transverse ribs disposed upon the negative electrode face are preferably juxtaposed to a negative electrode of the lead acid battery, when the separator is placed within that battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Eric H. Miller, J. Kevin Whear
  • Patent number: 10923700
    Abstract: A multilayer deep cycle battery separator comprising at least two layers of an automotive-sized separator bonded or welded together. The automotive-sized separator layers include a backweb having a backweb thickness between 6 to 10 mils, an overall thickness of between 25 to 65 mils, and a rib base width of between 20 to 35 mils. The automotive-sized separator layers also have an extraction time of between 45 to 75 seconds, thereby providing an overall extraction time of less than a standard deep cycle battery separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Daramic, LLC
    Inventors: J. Kevin Whear, Eric H. Miller
  • Publication number: 20210020886
    Abstract: A battery separator has performance enhancing additives or coatings, fillers with increased friability, increased ionic diffusion, decreased tortuosity, increased wettability, reduced oil content, reduced thickness, decreased electrical resistance, and/or increased porosity. The separator in a battery reduces the water loss, lowers acid stratification, lowers the voltage drop, and/or increases the CCA.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Mohammed Naiha, Jörg Deiters, Ahila Krishnamoorthy, Eric H. Miller, J. Kevin Whear, Robert W. Saffel, Naoto Miyake, Kanak Kuwelkar
  • Publication number: 20210020883
    Abstract: New or improved lead acid batteries with vapor pressure barriers and/or improved battery separators, as well as systems, vehicles, and/or methods of manufacture and/or use thereof are disclosed herein. In at least select embodiments, the instant disclosure provides new or improved lead acid batteries with a vapor pressure barrier. In at least select embodiments, the instant disclosure provides new or improved lead acid battery vapor pressure barriers along with new or improved battery separators, and/or methods of manufacture and/or use thereof. In at least select embodiments, the instant disclosure provides a new or improved lead acid battery with a vapor pressure barrier that reduces the water loss from the battery. In at least select embodiments, a method of reducing the water loss of a lead acid battery may include providing a vapor pressure barrier, such as a layer of oil, inside the lead acid battery along with an improved battery separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Margaret R. Roberts, Jeffrey K. Chambers, James Perry, J. Kevin Whear
  • Publication number: 20200411830
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are exemplary embodiments of improved separators for lead acid batteries, improved lead acid batteries incorporating the improved separators, and vehicles, devices, or systems incorporating the same. A lead acid battery separator is provided with a porous membrane with a plurality of ribs extending from a surface thereon. The plurality of ribs preferably includes both positive ribs and negative ribs having similar heights. The ribs are provided with a plurality of discontinuous peaks arranged such as to provide resilient support for the porous membrane in order to resist forces exerted by active material swelling and thus mitigate the effects of acid starvation associated with such swelling, and increasing the acid availability at the electrodes. A lead acid battery is further provided that incorporates the provided separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventor: J. Kevin Whear
  • Publication number: 20200358137
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are exemplary embodiments of improved separators for lead acid batteries, improved lead acid batteries incorporating the improved separators, and systems incorporating the same. A lead acid battery separator is provided with a porous membrane with a plurality of ribs extending from a surface thereon. The ribs are provided with a plurality of discontinuous peaks arranged such as to provide resilient support for the porous membrane in order to resist forces exerted by swelling NAM and thus mitigate the effects of acid starvation associated with NAM swelling. The separator is also provided to be capable utilizing any motion experienced by the battery housing such a separator in order to mitigate the effects of acid stratification by facilitating acid mixing. A lead acid battery is further provided that incorporates the provided separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Eric H. Miller, Girish Shivaji Patil, J. Kevin Whear
  • Patent number: 10833306
    Abstract: A separator for a lead acid battery is a porous membrane having a positive electrode face and a negative electrode face. A plurality of longitudinally extending ribs, a plurality of protrusions or a nonwoven material may be disposed upon the positive electrode face. A plurality of transversely extending ribs are disposed upon the negative electrode face. The transverse ribs disposed upon the negative electrode face are preferably juxtaposed to a negative electrode of the lead acid battery, when the separator is placed within that battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Daramic, LLC
    Inventors: Eric H. Miller, J. Kevin Whear
  • Patent number: 10811655
    Abstract: A battery separator has performance enhancing additives or coatings, fillers with increased friability, increased ionic diffusion, decreased tortuosity, increased wettability, reduced oil content, reduced thickness, decreased electrical resistance, and/or increased porosity. The separator in a battery reduces the water loss, lowers acid stratification, lowers the voltage drop, and/or increases the CCA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Daramic, LLC
    Inventors: Mohammed Naiha, Joerg Deiters, Ahila Krishnamoorthy, Eric H. Miller, J. Kevin Whear, Robert W. Saffel, Naoto Miyake, Kanak Kuwelkar
  • Publication number: 20200313135
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are improved separators for lead acid batteries, lead acid batteries, systems, vehicles, and/or methods and/or uses for the same. The separators may include a porous membrane and a nucleation additive. In accordance with at least select embodiments, the present disclosure or invention may address current issues or needs, and/or may provide an improved separator and/or battery which overcomes the current issues or problems, for instance, by providing batteries mitigating the formation of dendrites, having improved charge acceptance, and/or having improved cycling performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Matthew Stainer, Susmitha Appikatla, Neal M. Golovin, J. Kevin Whear, Kurma Manickam
  • Publication number: 20200295335
    Abstract: An exemplary hybrid battery separator is provided with a porous sheet with a folded bottom edge and joined lateral edges that form a pocket. The folded bottom edge may have one or more openings or slits. The hybrid separators of the present disclosure are particularly useful for flat-plate cycling batteries. The separators of the present disclosure may effectively enhance the battery re-chargeability and the backup time. In addition, the separators of the present disclosure may contribute to the reduction of water loss in the battery, lowering the maintenance needs in service. It is expected that batteries having the separators of the present disclosure may be useful in various applications, such as in inverters, golf carts, as well as solar and traction applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: Surendra Kumar Mittal, Naveen Prabhu Shanmugam, J. Kevin Whear, Eric H. Miller
  • Patent number: 10693118
    Abstract: An exemplary hybrid battery separator is provided with a porous sheet with a folded bottom edge and joined lateral edges that form a pocket. The folded bottom edge may have one or more openings or slits. The hybrid separators of the present disclosure are particularly useful for flat-plate cycling batteries. The separators of the present disclosure may effectively enhance the battery re-chargeability and the backup time. In addition, the separators of the present disclosure may contribute to the reduction of water loss in the battery, lowering the maintenance needs in service. It is expected that batteries having the separators of the present disclosure may be useful in various applications, such as in inverters, golf carts, as well as solar and traction applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Daramic, LLC
    Inventors: Surendra Kumar Mittal, Naveen Prabhu Shanmugam, J. Kevin Whear, Eric H. Miller
  • Patent number: D877078
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Daramic, LLC
    Inventors: Eric H. Miller, M. Neal Golovin, Ahila Krishnamoorthy, James P. Perry, J. Kevin Whear
  • Patent number: D878296
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Daramic, LLC
    Inventors: Eric H. Miller, M. Neal Golovin, Ahila Krishnamoorthy, James P. Perry, J. Kevin Whear