Patents by Inventor Jonathan L. Hall

Jonathan L. Hall 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: 11953080
    Abstract: A ball screw spline actuator includes a shaft, a ball nut, and a ball spline. The shaft includes a helical groove and a spline groove intersecting the helical groove forming intersections having a least one ridge including a first surface finish formed by a first manufacturing operation. The ridge is subsequently reformed through a second manufacturing operation to include a second surface finish to reduce stress concentrations in the ridge from cyclical loading from at least one of the ball nut or the ball spline. In one example, the second manufacturing operation reforms the ridge to include a surface finished edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Sina Mobasher Moghaddam, Troy A. Carter, Jonathan L. Hall
  • Patent number: 11938922
    Abstract: A motion control system that includes a support motion control system and a body motion control system. The body motion control system includes passive motion control components and active motion control components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Akhil J. Madhani, Robin A. Auckland, Giles D. Wood, Peteris K. Augenbergs, Xingchen Fan, Jonathan L. Hall, Paul J. Keas
  • Publication number: 20240063460
    Abstract: A battery cell includes a cathode casing forming all or a majority of the external can of the battery cell. The battery further includes an anode tab covering at least a portion of a face of the battery cell and an insulating layer for electrically isolating the anode tab from the cathode casing. A plurality of such battery cells may be arranged within a battery pack in contact with each other, and may be held in compression. A conduction enhancement layer may be applied between the anode tab of a first cell and the cathode casing of a second cell within the battery pack. One or more heat dissipation elements may be arranged within the battery pack, in contact with the battery cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Hall, Luke A. Wilhelm, Qingcheng Zeng, Mujeeb Ijaz, Donald G. Dafoe
  • Patent number: 11837707
    Abstract: A battery cell includes a cathode casing forming all or a majority of the external can of the battery cell. The battery further includes an anode tab covering at least a portion of a face of the battery cell and an insulating layer for electrically isolating the anode tab from the cathode casing. A plurality of such battery cells may be arranged within a battery pack in contact with each other, and may be held in compression. A conduction enhancement layer may be applied between the anode tab of a first cell and the cathode casing of a second cell within the battery pack. One or more heat dissipation elements may be arranged within the battery pack, in contact with the battery cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Hall, Luke A. Wilhelm, Qingcheng Zeng, Mujeeb Ijaz, Donald G. Dafoe
  • Patent number: 11828339
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a retainer, a rotational portion that is connected to the retainer so that it is able to rotate with respect to the retainer on a rotation axis, a rotor that is connected to the rotational portion for rotation in unison with the rotational portion, and a caliper assembly that is connected to the retainer so that the caliper assembly is able to move according to a line of action. The apparatus also includes a damper assembly that is connected to the retainer and is connected to the caliper assembly to regulate movement of the caliper assembly with respect to the retainer along the line of action, wherein the caliper assembly and the damper assembly cooperate to define a mass damper system that damps vibration of the rotational portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Hall, Islam Mohsen Shawki, Jacob L. Dawson
  • Patent number: 11757149
    Abstract: A battery quenching system includes a reservoir that holds a quenching material. The battery quenching system further includes a distribution system for carrying the quenching material from the reservoir to a battery pack, a battery module, or a plurality of battery cells. The battery quenching system further includes a melting plug configured to melt at a predefined temperature, the melting of the plug resulting in release of the quenching material into the battery pack via the distribution system. The melting plug may be positioned within a tube of the distribution system or within an aperture of a battery enclosure. The battery quenching system may further include one or more quenching channels positioned within a battery pack. The distribution system may be configured to carry the quenching material to any or several of a plurality of locations within a battery pack or battery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Hall, Luke Asher Wilhelm, Ghyrn Evan Loveness, Mujeeb Ijaz, Josef L. Miler, Abraham Bruno Caulk
  • Publication number: 20230278386
    Abstract: A motion control system includes a top mount, a bottom mount, a rigid housing, an air spring, and a linear actuator. The air spring transfers force of a first load path between the top mount and the bottom mount. The air spring includes a pressurized cavity containing pressurized gas that transfers the force of the first load path. The linear actuator transfers force of a second load path between the top mount and the bottom mount in parallel to the first load path. The rigid housing defines at least part of the pressurized cavity and transfers the force of the second load path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Hall, Jacob L. Dawson, Paul J. Keas, Troy A. Carter, Roland R. Smith
  • Patent number: 11701942
    Abstract: A motion control system includes a top mount, a bottom mount, a rigid housing, an air spring, and a linear actuator. The air spring transfers force of a first load path between the top mount and the bottom mount. The air spring includes a pressurized cavity containing pressurized gas that transfers the force of the first load path. The linear actuator transfers force of a second load path between the top mount and the bottom mount in parallel to the first load path. The rigid housing defines at least part of the pressurized cavity and transfers the force of the second load path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Hall, Jacob L. Dawson, Paul J. Keas, Troy A. Carter, Roland R. Smith
  • Publication number: 20220413523
    Abstract: A system includes a source that provides air, a first compressor stage that receives the air from the source and is configured to compress the air to a first pressure, and a second compressor stage that receives the air from the first compressor stage and is configured to compress the air to a second pressure. The system also includes a first component, a second component, valves that control flow of the air, and a controller that is configured to control the valves according to a first control mode, in which the air is supplied to the first component by the first compressor stage, and a second control mode, in which the air is supplied to the second component by the second compressor stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Shi Yan, Peter L. Bielawski, Jia Tao, Johnny L. Wall, Islam M. Shawki, Jonathan L. Hall, Zheng Li
  • Patent number: 11502354
    Abstract: Energy storage systems, battery cells, and batteries of the present technology may include a heat exchanger or fluid delivery structure that may transfer heat from a battery cell or cell block to a heat exchange fluid. The heat exchanger or fluid delivery structure may substantially maintain an interfacial temperature during a temperature increase from the battery cell or cell block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Inventors: Ghyrn E. Loveness, Abraham B. Caulk, Edward P. Yankoski, Zhongying Shi, Kenneth S. Smith, Mujeeb I. Ijaz, Luke A. Wilhelm, Jonathan L. Hall
  • Publication number: 20220258557
    Abstract: A suspension system includes a top mount, a bottom mount, a rigid housing, an air spring, and a linear actuator. The air spring transfers force of a first load path between the top mount and the bottom mount. The air spring includes a pressurized cavity containing pressurized gas that transfers the force of the first load path. The linear actuator transfers force of a second load path between the top mount and the bottom mount in parallel to the first load path. The rigid housing defines at least part of the pressurized cavity and transfers the force of the second load path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Hall, Jacob L. Dawson, Paul J. Keas, Troy A. Carter, Roland R. Smith
  • Patent number: 11358431
    Abstract: A suspension system includes a top mount, a bottom mount, a rigid housing, an air spring, and a linear actuator. The air spring transfers force of a first load path between the top mount and the bottom mount. The air spring includes a pressurized cavity containing pressurized gas that transfers the force of the first load path. The linear actuator transfers force of a second load path between the top mount and the bottom mount in parallel to the first load path. The rigid housing defines at least part of the pressurized cavity and transfers the force of the second load path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Hall, Jacob L. Dawson, Paul J. Keas, Troy A. Carter, Roland R. Smith
  • Patent number: 11345209
    Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle that has a vehicle body, a first wheel assembly that includes a first wheel hub, and a second wheel assembly that includes a second wheel hub. The suspension system includes a crossbar that is pivotally connected to the first wheel hub of the first wheel assembly and is pivotally connected to the second wheel hub of the second wheel assembly. The suspension system also includes a first active suspension actuator that is located near the first wheel assembly, is connected to the vehicle body, is connected to the crossbar, and supports the vehicle body with respect to the crossbar. The suspension system also includes a second active suspension actuator that is located near the second wheel assembly, is connected to the vehicle body, is connected to the crossbar, and supports the vehicle body with respect to the crossbar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Troy A. Carter, James J. Dowle, Jonathan L. Hall
  • Patent number: 11285773
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body, a wheel, a suspension system that supports the wheel relative to the vehicle body, a sensing system for determining an environmental condition ahead of the vehicle and a control system. The suspension system includes a primary actuator that transfers force between the wheel and the vehicle body, and a wheel hop damper that includes a moving mass and that transfers force between the wheel and the moving mass independent of the vehicle body to inhibit resonance of an unsprung mass formed by the wheel and a portion of the suspension system coupled thereto. The control system operates the primary actuator to provide additional secondary ride control when the wheel hop damper exceeds a capacity threshold. The control system changes the capacity threshold according to the environmental condition. The wheel hop damper may be a reaction mass actuator or a tuned mass damper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Hall, Matisse J. Milovich, Paul J. Keas, Neal M. Lackritz
  • Patent number: 11173766
    Abstract: A suspension component includes a suspension spring, a screw actuator that is operable to compress and decompress the suspension spring upon supply of electrical power to the screw actuator, and locking structure that engages a portion of the screw actuator to restrain motion of the screw actuator to maintain a current degree of compression of the suspension spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Hall, Neal M. Lackritz, Troy A. Carter
  • Patent number: 11124035
    Abstract: A suspension actuator includes an upper mount, a lower mount, a first actuator mechanism, and a second actuator mechanism. The upper mount is connectable to a sprung mass of a vehicle. The lower mount is connectable to an unsprung mass of the vehicle. The first actuator mechanism forms a first load path between the upper mount and the lower mount. The first actuator mechanism is one of an electromagnetic linear actuator mechanism or a ball screw actuator mechanism. The second actuator mechanism forms a second load path in parallel with the first load path between the upper mount and the lower mount. The second actuator mechanism is one of a mechanical linear actuator mechanism, an air spring actuator mechanism, or a hydraulic actuator mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Hall, Troy A. Carter, Paul J. Keas
  • Patent number: 11090997
    Abstract: A suspension actuator includes an upper mount, a lower mount, a first actuator mechanism, and a second actuator mechanism. The upper mount is connectable to a sprung mass of a vehicle. The lower mount is connectable to an unsprung mass of the vehicle. The first actuator mechanism forms a first load path between the upper mount and the lower mount. The first actuator mechanism is one of an electromagnetic linear actuator mechanism or a ball screw actuator mechanism. The second actuator mechanism forms a second load path in parallel with the first load path between the upper mount and the lower mount. The second actuator mechanism is one of a mechanical linear actuator mechanism, an air spring actuator mechanism, or a hydraulic actuator mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Hall, Troy A. Carter, Paul J. Keas
  • Patent number: 11065931
    Abstract: A suspension system includes a primary actuator, an inertial actuator, and a controller. The primary actuator applies force between a sprung mass and an unsprung mass of a vehicle to control movement therebetween. The inertial actuator applies force between the unsprung mass and a reaction mass to damp movement of the unsprung mass. The inertial actuator has a threshold capacity. The controller controls the primary actuator and the inertial actuator. The controller determines a required damping of the movement of the unsprung mass, and apportions the required damping between the primary actuator and the inertial actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Keas, Jonathan L. Hall, Kan Zhou, Troy A. Carter, Neal M. Lackritz
  • Patent number: 10960723
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel assembly includes a wheel, a tire supported by the wheel, an internal space defined by the wheel, a wheel hub that is rotatably connected to the wheel and is located in the internal space, and a mass actuator that is connected to the wheel hub and located in the internal space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Hall, Peteris K. Augensberg, Matthew M. Torok, Islam Mohsen Shawki, Troy A. Carter, Roland R. Smith
  • Patent number: 10923788
    Abstract: Energy storage systems, battery cells, and batteries of the present technology may include a heat exchanger or fluid delivery structure that may transfer heat from a battery cell or cell block to a heat exchange fluid. The heat exchanger or fluid delivery structure may substantially maintain an interfacial temperature during a temperature increase from the battery cell or cell block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Inventors: Ghyrn E. Loveness, Abraham B. Caulk, Edward P. Yankoski, Zhongying Shi, Kenneth S. Smith, Mujeeb I. Ijaz, Luke A. Wilhelm, Jonathan L. Hall