Patents by Inventor Jason D. Fuhr

Jason D. Fuhr 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: 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
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20170229687
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the field of lead-acid batteries. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to handle retention features that are integrated into the packaging of lead-acid batteries. A disclosed lead-acid battery includes a battery handle assembly having a woven fabric strap with a pair of tabs, wherein each tab includes polymer overmolded about a respective end of the strap. The battery also includes a polymer packaging having a cover, wherein a top portion of the cover defines a pair of slots. Each slot is engaged with a respective tab of the battery handle assembly, and wherein each slot includes a respective retention feature that blocks the respective tab from disengaging from the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventors: Nicholas E. Elison, Christopher M. Bonin, Jason D. Fuhr
  • Patent number: 9705121
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a battery module having a power assembly that includes a plurality of battery cells and a plurality of bus bars that electrically couples a terminal of each of the plurality of battery cells to a terminal of an adjacent battery cell of the plurality of battery cells. The battery module also includes a lead frame that includes a plurality of cell taps respectively electrically coupled to the plurality of bus bars of the power assembly, and a plurality of leads that extends from the plurality of cell taps. The lead frame also includes a plurality of broken interconnects that electrically isolates the plurality of cell taps from one another and electrically isolates the plurality of leads from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Jason D. Fuhr, Joerg Birkholz, Jonathan P. Lobert, Marco Jansen, Martin Wiegmann, Richard M. DeKeuster, Robert J. Mack
  • 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: 9496539
    Abstract: A current collector with improved flexibility and electrical conductivity includes at least one flexible leg coupled to a central portion of the current collector. The flexible leg extends substantially orthogonally to the central portion when a force is applied to the central portion. Specifically, the at least one flexible leg extends at least 16 percent of the outer width when a 1000 Newton loading is applied between the central portion and the outer portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology LLC
    Inventors: Matthew R. Tyler, Jason D. Fuhr
  • Patent number: 9496557
    Abstract: A current collector for an electrochemical cell includes a member having an outer member and an inner member coupled to the outer member by a plurality of flexible arms configured to allow the inner member to move relative to the outer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Johnson Controls -SAFT Advanced Power Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Jason D. Fuhr, Gerald K. Bowen, John P. Dinkleman, Thomas J. Dougherty, Waterloo Tsutsui, Christopher M. Bonin
  • Publication number: 20160268643
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a battery module having a first electrochemical cell and a second electrochemical cell positioned adjacent to the first electrochemical cell. The battery module also includes a separator plate disposed between the first electrochemical cell and the second electrochemical cell. The separator plate includes a body comprising a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The first side is disposed adjacent a first face of the first electrochemical cell and includes a first indention. The first indention defines a first space between the first face of the first electrochemical cell and the first side of the separator plate. The first space is configured to enable swelling of the first electrochemical cell into the first space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Robert J. Mack, Richard M. DeKeuster, Jennifer L. Czarnecki, Jason D. Fuhr, Mark R. Johnson, Jonathan P. Lobert
  • Patent number: 9413035
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology LLC
    Inventors: Frederic C. Bonhomme, Jason D. Fuhr, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, John P. Dinkelman
  • Publication number: 20160197320
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a battery module having a group of electrically interconnected electrochemical cells, a battery module terminal configured to be coupled to a load for powering the load, and an electrical path extending between the group of electrically interconnected electrochemical cells and the battery module terminal, where the electrical path includes a bus bar bridge. The battery module also includes a housing, where the group of electrically interconnected electrochemical cells is disposed within the housing, and the housing includes a pair of extensions positioned along sides of the bus bar bridge and configured to retain the bus bar bridge and to block movement of the bus bar bridge in at least one direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: Robert J. Mack, Richard M. DeKeuster, Jennifer L. Czarnecki, Ken Nakayama, Matthew R. Tyler, Christopher M. Bonin, Xugang Zhang, Dale B. Trester, Jason D. Fuhr
  • Publication number: 20160197329
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a battery module having a stack of electrochemical cells that includes terminals, a housing that receives the stack of electrochemical cells, and a bus bar carrier disposed over the stack of electrochemical cells such that bus bars disposed on the bus bar carrier interface with the terminals of the stack of electrochemical cells. The bus bar carrier includes opposing first and second guide extensions, the stack of electrochemical cells is disposed between the opposing first and second guide extensions, and the opposing first and second guide extensions physically contact a first outer electrochemical cell and a second outer electrochemical cell, respectively, of the stack of electrochemical cells to guide the terminals of the stack of electrochemical cells toward corresponding ones of the bus bars disposed on the bus bar carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: Robert J. Mack, Dale B. Trester, Richard M. DeKeuster, Jennifer L. Czarnecki, Jason D. Fuhr
  • Publication number: 20160197331
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a battery module having a housing and a stack of battery cells disposed in a receptacle area of the housing, where each battery cell has a top having a battery cell terminal and a bottom, where the top of the battery cells face outwardly away from the receptacle area. The battery module includes an integrated sensing and bus bar subassembly positioned against the stack of battery cells and has a carrier, a bus bar integrated onto the carrier, and a biasing member integrated onto the carrier. The bus bar electrically couples battery cells in an electrical arrangement, and the biasing member is between the top of each battery cell and the carrier, where the biasing member has a first material, more compliant than a second material of the carrier, and the biasing member biases the stack of battery cells inwardly toward the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: Robert J. Mack, Richard M. DeKeuster, Jennifer L. Czarnecki, Ken Nakayama, Matthew R. Tyler, Christopher M. Bonin, Xugang Zhang, Dale B. Trester, Jason D. Fuhr
  • Publication number: 20160172643
    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: February 19, 2016
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Jason D. Fuhr, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Gerald K. Bowen, John P. Dinkelman, Dharmendra Patel, Alex Molinaroli
  • Patent number: 9350002
    Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of electrochemical cells arranged within the battery module and a thermal management system configured to provide thermal management to the plurality of electrochemical cells. The thermal management system includes a first thermal plate provided adjacent a first side of the battery module and a second thermal plate provided adjacent a second side of the battery module opposite that of the first side of the battery module. The first thermal plate includes a series of fins that extend from a surface of the first thermal plate from the first side of the battery module to the second side of the battery module. The second thermal plate comprises a series of fins that extend from a surface of the second thermal plate from the second side of the battery module to the first side of the battery module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Johnson Controls—SAFT Advanced Power Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Jason D. Fuhr, Chris Bonin
  • Publication number: 20160126510
    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: November 2, 2015
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Jason D. Fuhr, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Gerald K. Bowen, John P. Dinkelman, Dharmendra Patel, Alex Molinaroli
  • Patent number: 9324976
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a cell element and a current collector disposed in a housing that includes a vent. The current collector includes an outer member and an inner member coupled together by one or more flexible arms. The outer member is coupled to the cell element and the inner member is coupled to the vent, such that the flexible arms allow axial movement of the inner member with respect to the outer member when the vent moves from an undeployed position to a deployed position. The housing may include a shoulder that holds the cell element in the housing. The electrochemical cell may also include a coil plate provided at an end of the cell element. The coil plate is coupled to an edge of at least one electrode of the cell element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Matthew R. Tyler, Jason D. Fuhr
  • Publication number: 20160093849
    Abstract: A battery module includes a housing including a first interior surface, a second interior surface opposite the first interior surface, and a compressed cell assembly disposed within an interior space of the housing between the first and second interior surfaces. The compressed cell assembly includes a plurality of prismatic battery cells arranged in a cell stack that includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a retaining wall disposed between the first end of the cell stack and the first interior surface of the housing. The retaining wall includes a first surface in contact with the first end of the cell stack and a second surface opposite the first surface that contacts the first interior surface of the housing. The first and second interior surfaces are configured to maintain the compressed cell assembly in a compressed state having a compression force above a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Richard M. DeKeuster, Jason D. Fuhr, Robert J. Mack, Jonathan P. Lobert, Jennifer L. Czarnecki
  • Publication number: 20160093851
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a battery module that includes a plurality of lithium ion battery cells disposed within a battery module packaging. Each of the plurality of lithium ion battery cells is individually held in place within the battery module packaging by a restraining medium. The restraining medium conformally covers a substantial portion of the surface of each of the plurality of lithium ion battery cells and prevents each of the plurality of lithium ion battery cells from expanding during operation of the battery module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Jonathan P. Lobert, Jason D. Fuhr, Robert J. Mack, Richard M. DeKeuster
  • Publication number: 20160049630
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a battery module having a power assembly that includes a plurality of battery cells and a plurality of bus bars that electrically couples a terminal of each of the plurality of battery cells to a terminal of an adjacent battery cell of the plurality of battery cells. The battery module also includes a lead frame that includes a plurality of cell taps respectively electrically coupled to the plurality of bus bars of the power assembly, and a plurality of leads that extends from the plurality of cell taps. The lead frame also includes a plurality of broken interconnects that electrically isolates the plurality of cell taps from one another and electrically isolates the plurality of leads from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Jason D. Fuhr, Joerg Birkholz, Jonathan P. Lobert, Marco Jansen, Martin Wiegmann, Richard M. DeKeuster, Robert J. Mack