Patents by Inventor Jeffrey Brian Straubel
Jeffrey Brian Straubel 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).
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Publication number: 20100212338Abstract: A method and apparatus for limiting the adverse effects of temperature on the electrical energy storage system (ESS) of an electric vehicle after the vehicle has been turned off are provided. In general, whether or not coolant is circulated through a coolant loop coupled to the ESS depends on the difference between the ambient temperature and a preset temperature, the preset temperature typically corresponding to the temperature of the ESS.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2009Publication date: August 26, 2010Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.Inventors: Weston Arthur Hermann, Scott Ira Kohn, Kurt Russell Kelty, Vineet Haresh Mehta, Jeffrey Brian Straubel
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Publication number: 20100211242Abstract: One embodiment includes a method that includes monitoring a battery state of charge circuit that is coupled to a vehicle battery, calculating an averaged value of the state of charge over a time period, charging the vehicle battery by powering a generator with a fuel burning engine that powered on and powered off according to one of a first operational mode and a second operational mode, wherein in the first operational mode the engine is powered on when the battery state of charge drops below a first state of charge and continues until the averaged value of the state of charge increases to a first preprogrammed value.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2008Publication date: August 19, 2010Inventors: Kurt Russell Kelty, Scott Ira Kohn, Weston Arthur Hermann, Jeffrey Brian Straubel
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Publication number: 20100136409Abstract: The adverse effects of the dielectric material covering the cylindrical case of a conventional 18650 cell are eliminated by replacing it with a ring-shaped dielectric material, wherein the ring-shaped dielectric material does not extend down or otherwise cover the cylindrical outer surface of the cell's casing. The ring-shaped dielectric material provides access to the battery terminal corresponding to the cap assembly while preventing shorting between the battery terminal and the edge of the cell casing.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2009Publication date: June 3, 2010Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Brian Straubel, Eugene Michael Berdichevsky, David Frederick Lyons, Robert Ferber
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Patent number: 7683570Abstract: An apparatus including a rechargeable battery pack installed in an electric vehicle, the rechargeable battery pack coupled to a power supply, the power supply operable to provide a charge voltage to perform charging operations on the battery pack, a heating element to heat a fluid to be circulated through the rechargeable battery pack, a comparator circuit to compare a battery voltage of the rechargeable battery pack to a line source voltage, the comparator circuit operable to compare the battery voltage to the line source voltage and to provide an output signal when the battery voltage is less than a line voltage offset value, and a control circuit coupled to receive the output signal of the comparator, and to couple the line source voltage to the power supply, an to bypass the heating element if the comparator is not providing the output signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2007Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.Inventors: Jean-Pierre Krauer, Jeffrey Brian Straubel, Troy Adam Nergaard, Ian Craven, Arthur Joseph Hebert
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Patent number: 7671567Abstract: A method and apparatus that allows the end user to optimize the performance of an all-electric or hybrid vehicle and its charging system for a desired mode of operation is provided. The system of the invention includes multiple charging/operational modes from which the user may select. Each charging/operational mode controls the cut-off voltage used during charging and the maintenance temperature of the battery pack.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2009Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.Inventors: Martin Forest Eberhard, Jeffrey Brian Straubel, Kurt Russell Kelty, Scott Ira Kohn, Weston Arthur Hermann, Eugene Michael Berdichevsky, Andrew Gregory Simpson, Craig Bruce Carlson
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Patent number: 7629772Abstract: A method and apparatus that allows the end user to optimize the performance of an all-electric or hybrid vehicle and its charging system for a desired mode of operation is provided. The system of the invention includes multiple charging/operational modes from which the user may select. Each charging/operational mode controls the cut-off voltage used during charging and the maintenance temperature of the battery pack.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2009Date of Patent: December 8, 2009Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.Inventors: Martin Forest Eberhard, Jeffrey Brian Straubel, Kurt Russell Kelty, Scott Ira Kohn, Weston Arthur Hermann, Eugene Michael Berdichevsky, Andrew Gregory Simpson, Craig Bruce Carlson
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Patent number: 7629773Abstract: A method and apparatus that allows the end user to optimize the performance of an all-electric or hybrid vehicle and its charging system for a desired mode of operation is provided. The system of the invention includes multiple charging/operational modes from which the user may select. Each charging/operational mode controls the cut-off voltage used during charging and the maintenance temperature of the battery pack.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2009Date of Patent: December 8, 2009Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.Inventors: Martin Forest Eberhard, Jeffrey Brian Straubel, Kurt Russell Kelty, Scott Ira Kohn, Weston Arthur Hermann, Eugene Michael Berdichevsky, Andrew Gregory Simpson, Craig Bruce Carlson
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Patent number: 7622897Abstract: A method and apparatus that allows the end user to optimize the performance of an all-electric or hybrid vehicle and its charging system for a desired mode of operation is provided. The system of the invention includes multiple charging/operational modes from which the user may select. Each charging/operational mode controls the cut-off voltage used during charging and the maintenance temperature of the battery pack.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2009Date of Patent: November 24, 2009Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.Inventors: Martin Forest Eberhard, Jeffrey Brian Straubel, Kurt Russell Kelty, Scott Ira Kohn, Weston Arthur Hermann, Eugene Michael Berdichevsky, Andrew Gregory Simpson, Craig Bruce Carlson
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Publication number: 20090167254Abstract: A method and apparatus that allows the end user to optimize the performance of an all-electric or hybrid vehicle and its charging system for a desired mode of operation is provided. The system of the invention includes multiple charging/operational modes from which the user may select. Each charging/operational mode controls the cut-off voltage used during charging and the maintenance temperature of the battery pack.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2009Publication date: July 2, 2009Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.Inventors: Martin Forest Eberhard, Jeffrey Brian Straubel, Kurt Russell Kelty, Scott Ira Kohn, Weston Arthur Hermann, Eugene Michael Berdichevsky, Andrew Gregory Simpson, Craig Bruce Carlson
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Publication number: 20090143929Abstract: A method and apparatus that allows the end user to optimize the performance of an all-electric or hybrid vehicle and its charging system for a desired mode of operation is provided. The system of the invention includes multiple charging/operational modes from which the user may select. Each charging/operational mode controls the cut-off voltage used during charging and the maintenance temperature of the battery pack.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2009Publication date: June 4, 2009Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.Inventors: Martin Forest Eberhard, Jeffrey Brian Straubel, Kurt Russell Kelty, Scott Ira Kohn, Weston Arthur Hermann, Eugene Michael Berdichevsky, Andrew Gregory Simpson, Craig Bruce Carlson
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Publication number: 20090140700Abstract: A method and apparatus that allows the end user to optimize the performance of an all-electric or hybrid vehicle and its charging system for a desired mode of operation is provided. The system of the invention includes multiple charging/operational modes from which the user may select. Each charging/operational mode controls the cut-off voltage used during charging and the maintenance temperature of the battery pack.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2009Publication date: June 4, 2009Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.Inventors: Martin Forest Eberhard, Jeffrey Brian Straubel, Kurt Russell Kelty, Scott Ira Kohn, Weston Arthur Hermann, Eugene Michael Berdichevsky, Andrew Gregory Simpson, Craig Bruce Carlson
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Publication number: 20090139781Abstract: One embodiment includes a vehicle that includes a battery to supply a flow of electrical energy, an electric motor arranged to propel the vehicle, a first control circuit coupled between the battery and the motor to control the flow of electrical energy to the motor; a first heat exchange loop thermally coupled with a heat exchanger and a heating element, the first heat exchange loop to circulate a first fluid to heat or cool a passenger cabin; a second heat exchange loop thermally coupled with the heat exchanger, the second heat exchange loop to circulate a second fluid to heat or cool the battery and a second control circuit to couple a charger to the battery and to perform charging operations on the battery using a voltage source powered from a line source.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2008Publication date: June 4, 2009Inventor: Jeffrey Brian Straubel
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Publication number: 20090140698Abstract: A method and apparatus that allows the end user to optimize the performance of an all-electric or hybrid vehicle and its charging system for a desired mode of operation is provided. The system of the invention includes multiple charging/operational modes from which the user may select. Each charging/operational mode controls the cut-off voltage used during charging and the maintenance temperature of the battery pack.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2009Publication date: June 4, 2009Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.Inventors: Martin Forest Eberhard, Jeffrey Brian Straubel, Kurt Russell Kelty, Scott Ira Kohn, Weston Arthur Hermann, Eugene Michael Berdichevsky, Andrew Gregory Simpson, Craig Bruce Carlson
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Publication number: 20090020346Abstract: An apparatus including a rechargeable battery pack installed in an electric vehicle, the rechargeable battery pack coupled to a power supply, the power supply operable to provide a charge voltage to perform charging operations on the battery pack, a heating element to heat a fluid to be circulated through the rechargeable battery pack, a comparator circuit to compare a battery voltage of the rechargeable battery pack to a line source voltage, the comparator circuit operable to compare the battery voltage to the line source voltage and to provide an output signal when the battery voltage is less than a line voltage offset value, and a control circuit coupled to receive the output signal of the comparator, and to couple the line source voltage to the power supply, an to bypass the heating element if the comparator is not providing the output signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2007Publication date: January 22, 2009Inventors: Jean-Pierre Krauer, Jeffrey Brian Straubel, Troy Adam Nergaard, Ian Craven, Arthur Joseph Hebert
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Publication number: 20090023056Abstract: A battery pack thermal management system for use in an electric car. The battery pack thermal management system includes a plurality of thermistors connected to a plurality of cells of a battery pack. A battery monitor board is connected to the thermistors. The system also includes a manifold and a plurality of cooling tubes connected to the manifold. A tube seal plug is arranged over an end of the cooling tube and an end fitting is arranged on an end of the cooling tube. The thermal management system will cool the battery pack to predetermined temperatures to increase the longevity of the battery pack within the electric vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2007Publication date: January 22, 2009Applicant: TESLA MOTORS, INC.Inventors: Daniel T. Adams, Gene Berdichevsky, Thomas Everett Colson, Arthur Hebert, Scott Kohn, David Lyons, Noel Jason Mendez, Jeffrey Brian Straubel, Dorian West, Andrew Simpson
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Publication number: 20090021221Abstract: An apparatus comprising battery pack installed in an electric vehicle, a power supply coupled to the rechargeable battery pack, the power supply operable to provide a charge voltage to perform charging operations on the rechargeable battery pack;, a heater to heat a fluid to be circulated through the rechargeable battery pack, the fluid thermally coupled to a plurality of battery cells within the rechargeable battery pack, a switching circuit, the switching circuit coupled to the heater and to the power supply, the switching circuit operable in a first mode to couple the source of electrical power to the heater without coupling the source of electrical power to the rechargeable battery pack, the switching circuit operable in a second mode to couple a source of electrical power external to the electric vehicle to the power supply to form a recharging circuit in order to perform charging operations on the rechargeable battery pack.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2008Publication date: January 22, 2009Inventors: Jean-Pierre Krauer, Jeffrey Brian Straubel, Troy Adam Nergaard, Ian Craven, Arthur Joseph Hebert
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Publication number: 20090024256Abstract: A system for managing battery temperature is described. The system may include a cooling system which may include a fluid. A cabin circulation subsystem may be coupled to the cooling subsystem and may utilize the fluid for cabin cooling. A separate battery circulation subsystem may also may also be coupled to the cooling subsystem so that it may additionally utilize the fluid for battery cooling. A control may be present in order to regulate movement of the fluid to the cabin circulation subsystem and/or to the battery circulation subsystem.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2007Publication date: January 22, 2009Inventors: Daniel Thomas Adams, David Frederick Lyons, Philip Wayne Luk, Eugene Michael Berdichevsky, Jeffrey Brian Straubel
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Publication number: 20080312782Abstract: A method of communicating with an electric vehicle wherein the method includes a step of installing a communication device in the electric vehicle. The method also includes establishing a connection from the vehicle to a network. The methodology also includes controlling and monitoring a battery in the electric vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2007Publication date: December 18, 2008Inventors: Gene Berdichevsky, Kurt Kelty, Jeffrey Brian Straubel, Marc Tarpenning, Colin Kenneth Campbell
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Patent number: 7433794Abstract: A method of mitigating propagation of a thermal event in an energy storage system having a plurality of cells is disclosed. The method includes the steps of identifying the heat sources within the energy storage system and plurality of cells. The method then controls a temperature of the energy storage system and plurality of cells and also detects predetermined conditions within the energy storage system. The method then performs a predetermined action based on when one of the predetermined conditions is detected. A plurality of sensors and switches along with associated hardware or software will be used to control the temperature of the energy storage system upon detection of predetermined conditions involving overheating, over current, over voltage of the like.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2007Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.Inventors: Eugene Michael Berdichevsky, Philip David Cole, Arthur Joseph Hebert, Weston Arthur Hermann, Kurt Russell Kelty, Scott Ira Kohn, David Frederick Lyons, Jeffrey Brian Straubel, Noel Jason Mendez