Patents by Inventor John C. Mentzer

John C. Mentzer 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: 9024586
    Abstract: A battery cell by-pass circuit that has particular application for by-passing cells in a high voltage battery for a vehicle. The battery includes a plurality of battery cells electrically coupled in series. The by-pass circuit includes a first switch electrically coupled in series with one or more of the battery cells, a by-pass line electrically coupled around the one or more battery cells and a second switch electrically coupled in the by-pass line and in parallel with the one or more battery cells. During normal cell operation, the first switch is closed and the second switch is open so that current flows through the one or more battery cells. If the one or more battery cells fail or are failing, the first switch is opened and the second switch is closed so that current by-passes the one or more cells and they are removed from the battery circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Steven J. Vance, John T. Guerin, Andrew H. Leutheuser, John C. Mentzer
  • Patent number: 8471529
    Abstract: A by-pass circuit for a battery system that disconnects parallel connected cells or modules from a battery circuit or controls the current through the parallel connected cells or modules. If a cell has failed or is potentially failing in the system, then the by-pass circuit can disconnect the cell or module from other cells or modules electrically coupled in parallel. If a cell or module has a lower capability than another cell or module, then the by-pass circuit can control the current to the cell or module to maximize the performance of the system and prevent the system from creating a walk-home condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Steven J. Vance, John T. Guerin, Andrew H. Leutheuser, John C. Mentzer
  • Publication number: 20120091964
    Abstract: A battery cell by-pass circuit that has particular application for by-passing cells in a high voltage battery for a vehicle. The battery includes a plurality of battery cells electrically coupled in series. The by-pass circuit includes a first switch electrically coupled in series with one or more of the battery cells, a by-pass line electrically coupled around the one or more battery cells and a second switch electrically coupled in the by-pass line and in parallel with the one or more battery cells. During normal cell operation, the first switch is closed and the second switch is open so that current flows through the one or more battery cells. If the one or more battery cells fail or are failing, the first switch is opened and the second switch is closed so that current by-passes the one or more cells and they are removed from the battery circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Steven J. Vance, John T. Guerin, Andrew H. Leutheuser, John C. Mentzer
  • Publication number: 20120091963
    Abstract: A by-pass circuit for a battery system that disconnects parallel connected cells or modules from a battery circuit or controls the current through the parallel connected cells or modules. If a cell has failed or is potentially failing in the system, then the by-pass circuit can disconnect the cell or module from other cells or modules electrically coupled in parallel. If a cell or module has a lower capability than another cell or module, then the by-pass circuit can control the current to the cell or module to maximize the performance of the system and prevent the system from creating a walk-home condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS,INC.
    Inventors: Steven J. Vance, John T. Guerin, Andrew H. Leutheuser, John C. Mentzer