Patents by Inventor Jennifer L. Czarnecki

Jennifer L. Czarnecki 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: 10164296
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Robert J. Mack, Richard M. DeKeuster, Jennifer L. Czarnecki, Jason D. Fuhr, Mark R. Johnson, Jonathan P. Lobert
  • Publication number: 20180323468
    Abstract: Present embodiments include a lithium ion battery module having a lineup of prismatic lithium ion battery cells positioned within a cell receptacle area of a housing of the lithium ion battery module. The prismatic battery cells of the lineup are spaced apart from one another in a spaced arrangement by fixed protrusions extending from internal surfaces of the housing forming the cell receptacle area, and the fixed protrusions extend inwardly to form a plurality of discontinuous slots across a width of the cell receptacle area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Richard M. DeKeuster, Robert J. Mack, Jennifer L. Czarnecki
  • Patent number: 10103367
    Abstract: Present embodiments include a lithium ion battery module having a lineup of prismatic lithium ion battery cells positioned within a cell receptacle area of a housing of the lithium ion battery module. The prismatic battery cells of the lineup are spaced apart from one another in a spaced arrangement by fixed protrusions extending from internal surfaces of the housing forming the cell receptacle area, and the fixed protrusions extend inwardly to form a plurality of discontinuous slots across a width of the cell receptacle area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Richard M. DeKeuster, Robert J. Mack, Jennifer L. Czarnecki
  • Patent number: 10062931
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a battery module that includes a stack of battery cells disposed in a housing, where each battery cell of the stack of battery cells has a terminal, and a bus bar having a body and an indicator disposed on the body, where the bus bar is configured to couple a first terminal of a first battery cell of the stack of battery cells to a second terminal of a second battery cell of the stack of battery cells. The battery module also includes a sensing component disposed on the indicator and configured to monitor a condition of at least one battery cell of the stack of battery cells and a weld physically and electrically coupling the sensing component to the bus bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Matthew R. Tyler, Jennifer L. Czarnecki, Christopher M. Bonin
  • Patent number: 10020534
    Abstract: Present embodiments include a lithium ion battery module having a lineup of prismatic lithium ion battery cells positioned within a cell receptacle area of a housing of the lithium ion battery module. The prismatic battery cells of the lineup are spaced apart from one another in a spaced arrangement by fixed protrusions extending from internal surfaces of the housing forming the cell receptacle area, and the fixed protrusions extend inwardly to form a plurality of discontinuous slots across a width of the cell receptacle area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Richard M. DeKeuster, Robert J. Mack, Jennifer L. Czarnecki
  • Publication number: 20180145293
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a stacked cell manufacturing scheme for battery modules. A disclosed method of manufacturing a battery module includes assembling a plurality of prismatic battery cells of the battery module into a cell stack. The method includes compressing the cell stack using an actuating clamping mechanism, inserting the cell stack into a housing of the battery module with the actuating clamping mechanism engaged with and compressing the cell stack, and removing the actuating clamping mechanism from the cell stack. The housing of battery module maintains a compression of the cell stack above a predetermined threshold in the battery module after removing the actuating clamping mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Richard M. DeKeuster, Jason D. Fuhr, Robert J. Mack, Jonathan P. Lobert, Jennifer L. Czarnecki
  • Patent number: 9911951
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Richard M. DeKeuster, Jason D. Fuhr, Robert J. Mack, Jonathan P. Lobert, Jennifer L. Czarnecki
  • Patent number: 9812693
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a lithium-ion battery module including a housing having a base, a battery cell in the housing, and a battery module terminal coupled to the battery cell via an electrical pathway, wherein the battery module terminal provides an electrical output when coupled to an electrical load, and wherein the electrical pathway is defined by a first portion, a second portion, and an interconnecting portion connecting the first and second portions. The first portion has a plurality of first conductive components coupled to one another within first connection planes using a first conductive material, and the first connection planes are substantially parallel to the base. The second portion has a plurality of second conductive components coupled to one another within second connection planes using a second conductive material, different from the first conductive material, and the second connection planes are crosswise to the first connection planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Richard M. DeKeuster, Robert J. Mack, Edward J. Soleski, Jennifer L. Czarnecki
  • Publication number: 20160344059
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a battery module having lithium-ion (Li-ion) electrochemical cells disposed in a row and expansion accommodating elements. Each expansion accommodating element is configured to accommodate swelling of one or more Li-ion electrochemical cell such that a footprint of the row of Li-ion electrochemical cells is substantially constant during operation of the battery module. The battery module also includes a plastic housing having a main body configured to receive the Li-ion electrochemical cells, and a cover heat sealed to a surface of the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Robert J. Mack, Richard M. DeKeuster, Jennifer L. Czarnecki, Jonathan P. Lobert
  • Publication number: 20160336578
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a battery module having a first battery cell with a first cell terminal, a second battery cell with a second cell terminal, a first adapter disposed about the first cell terminal, where the first adapter has a first recess positioned proximate to the first cell terminal, and a second adapter disposed about the second cell terminal, wherein the second adapter has a second recess positioned proximate to the second cell terminal The battery module also includes a bus bar configured to electrically couple the first cell terminal to the second cell terminal via the first and second recesses and an electrically insulative shield configured to cover the first cell terminal and the second cell terminal when the bus bar is being coupled to the first and second recesses to prevent a short circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Robert J. Mack, Richard M. DeKeuster, Jennifer L. Czarnecki, Michael L. Thompson, Jonathan P. Lobert
  • Publication number: 20160315359
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a battery module that includes a stack of battery cells disposed in a housing, where each battery cell of the stack of battery cells has a terminal, and a bus bar having a body and an indicator disposed on the body, where the bus bar is configured to couple a first terminal of a first battery cell of the stack of battery cells to a second terminal of a second battery cell of the stack of battery cells. The battery module also includes a sensing component disposed on the indicator and configured to monitor a condition of at least one battery cell of the stack of battery cells and a weld physically and electrically coupling the sensing component to the bus bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Matthew R. Tyler, Jennifer L. Czarnecki, Christopher M. Bonin
  • Publication number: 20160301045
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a battery module that includes a housing having a stack of battery cells. Each battery cell of the stack of battery cells includes a terminal end having at least one cell terminal and a face oriented transverse to the terminal end. The battery module also includes adhesive tape disposed between a first face of a first battery cell of the stack of battery cells and a second face of a second battery cell of the stack of battery cells, and where the adhesive tape fixedly couples the first battery cell to the second battery cell, and where a first terminal end of the first battery cell is substantially aligned with a second terminal end of the second battery cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: Matthew R. Tyler, Jennifer L. Czarnecki
  • 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
  • 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: 20160197383
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a battery module having a housing, electrochemical cells disposed in the housing and electrically coupled together via bus bars, two or more sensors in electrical communication with the bus bars, and two or more leads corresponding with the two or more sensors and extending away from the two or more sensors. The battery module also includes a bundle mechanism that bundles the two or more leads together in a bundle, and a pass through sized and positioned to accommodate the bundle of two or more leads passing therethrough from a first side of the housing proximate which the bus bars are disposed to a second side of the housing. The battery module also includes a printed circuit board (PCB) disposed on the second side of the housing and configured to receive the bundle of two or more leads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: Richard M. DeKeuster, Jennifer L. Czarnecki
  • 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: 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: 20160197333
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a lithium-ion battery module including a housing having a base, a battery cell in the housing, and a battery module terminal coupled to the battery cell via an electrical pathway, wherein the battery module terminal provides an electrical output when coupled to an electrical load, and wherein the electrical pathway is defined by a first portion, a second portion, and an interconnecting portion connecting the first and second portions. The first portion has a plurality of first conductive components coupled to one another within first connection planes using a first conductive material, and the first connection planes are substantially parallel to the base. The second portion has a plurality of second conductive components coupled to one another within second connection planes using a second conductive material, different from the first conductive material, and the second connection planes are crosswise to the first connection planes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: Richard M. DeKeuster, Robert J. Mack, Edward J. Soleski, Jennifer L. Czarnecki
  • 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
  • Patent number: D810683
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Richard M. DeKeuster, Nicholas E. Elison, Jennifer L. Czarnecki, Rengaraj Balakrishnan