Patents by Inventor Josef L. Miler

Josef L. Miler 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: 11916247
    Abstract: Battery packs according to some embodiments of the present technology may include a first longitudinal beam and a second longitudinal beam. The battery packs may include a plurality of cell blocks disposed between the first longitudinal beam and the second longitudinal beam. The plurality of cell blocks may include first and second cell blocks each characterized by a first side surface proximate the first longitudinal beam, a second side surface, a third side surface proximate the second longitudinal beam, and a fourth side surface. The battery packs may include a first interface material thermally coupling the first side surface of the first cell block with the first longitudinal beam. The battery packs may also include a second interface material thermally coupling the third side surface of the second cell block with the second longitudinal beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Josef L. Miler, Luke A. Wilhelm, Edward T. Hillstrom, Dirk E. Long, Russell A. McLellan, Yu-Hung Li, Maria N. Luckyanova, Evan D. Maley, Edward T. Sweet
  • Patent number: 11870092
    Abstract: Energy storage systems, battery cells, and batteries of the present technology may include an abatement system for addressing effluent vapors produced by a cell block. The systems may include support structures configured to address vented effluents, and may include oxidants, catalysts, or entrainment systems to assist with the abatement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Kaye, Luke Asher Wilhelm, Josef L. Miler, Alexander J. Clarabut
  • Publication number: 20230318075
    Abstract: Battery packs are presented having structural members for improving thermal management of battery cells therein. In some embodiments, the battery packs include a first end-member positioned opposite a second end-member and parallel thereto. The battery packs also include a first side beam positioned opposite a second side beam and parallel thereto. The first side beam and the second side beam extend longitudinally between the first end-member and the second end-member. A longitudinal member is disposed between the first side beam and the second side beam and defines a plurality of longitudinal rows. The battery packs may additionally include a lateral member disposed between first end-member and the second end-member to partition the plurality of longitudinal rows into an array of battery cell compartments. A battery cell is disposed within at least one battery cell compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Josef L. Miler, Luke A. Wilhelm, Andrew C. Chu
  • Publication number: 20230291027
    Abstract: Battery packs are presented having structural members for improving thermal management of battery cells therein. In some embodiments, the battery packs include a first end-member positioned opposite a second end-member and parallel thereto. The battery packs also include a first side beam positioned opposite a second side beam and parallel thereto. The first side beam and the second side beam extend longitudinally between the first end-member and the second end-member. A longitudinal member is disposed between the first side beam and the second side beam and defines a plurality of longitudinal rows. The battery packs may additionally include a lateral member disposed between first end-member and the second end-member to partition the plurality of longitudinal rows into an array of battery cell compartments. A battery cell is disposed within at least one battery cell compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Josef L. Miler, Luke A. Wilhelm, Andrew C. Chu
  • 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
  • Patent number: 11699821
    Abstract: Battery packs are presented having structural members for improving thermal management of battery cells therein. In some embodiments, the battery packs include a first end-member positioned opposite a second end-member and parallel thereto. The battery packs also include a first side beam positioned opposite a second side beam and parallel thereto. The first side beam and the second side beam extend longitudinally between the first end-member and the second end-member. A longitudinal member is disposed between the first side beam and the second side beam and defines a plurality of longitudinal rows. The battery packs may additionally include a lateral member disposed between first end-member and the second end-member to partition the plurality of longitudinal rows into an array of battery cell compartments. A battery cell is disposed within at least one battery cell compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Josef L. Miler, Luke A. Wilhelm, Andrew C. Chu
  • Patent number: 11469471
    Abstract: Battery packs according to some embodiments of the present technology may include a first longitudinal beam and a second longitudinal beam. The battery packs may include a plurality of cell blocks disposed between the first longitudinal beam and the second longitudinal beam. The plurality of cell blocks may include first and second cell blocks each characterized by a first side surface proximate the first longitudinal beam, a second side surface, a third side surface proximate the second longitudinal beam, and a fourth side surface. The battery packs may include a first interface material thermally coupling the first side surface of the first cell block with the first longitudinal beam. The battery packs may also include a second interface material thermally coupling the third side surface of the second cell block with the second longitudinal beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Josef L. Miler, Luke A. Wilhelm, Edward T. Hillstrom, Dirk E. Long, Russell A. McLellan, Yu-Hung Li, Maria N. Luckyanova, Evan D. Maley, Edward T. Sweet
  • Publication number: 20220231364
    Abstract: Battery packs are presented having structural members for improving thermal management of battery cells therein. In some embodiments, the battery packs include a first end-member positioned opposite a second end-member and parallel thereto. The battery packs also include a first side beam positioned opposite a second side beam and parallel thereto. The first side beam and the second side beam extend longitudinally between the first end-member and the second end-member. A longitudinal member is disposed between the first side beam and the second side beam and defines a plurality of longitudinal rows. The battery packs may additionally include a lateral member disposed between first end-member and the second end-member to partition the plurality of longitudinal rows into an array of battery cell compartments. A battery cell is disposed within at least one battery cell compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: Josef L. Miler, Luke A. Wilhelm, Andrew C. Chu
  • Patent number: 11296380
    Abstract: Battery packs are presented having structural members for improving thermal management of battery cells therein. In some embodiments, the battery packs include a first end-member positioned opposite a second end-member and parallel thereto. The battery packs also include a first side beam positioned opposite a second side beam and parallel thereto. The first side beam and the second side beam extend longitudinally between the first end-member and the second end-member. A longitudinal member is disposed between the first side beam and the second side beam and defines a plurality of longitudinal rows. The battery packs may additionally include a lateral member disposed between first end-member and the second end-member to partition the plurality of longitudinal rows into an array of battery cell compartments. A battery cell is disposed within at least one battery cell compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Josef L. Miler, Luke A. Wilhelm, Andrew C. Chu
  • Patent number: 11296381
    Abstract: Battery packs are presented. The battery packs include a plurality of cell blocks, each cell block comprising a plurality of battery cells. The battery pack also includes a plenum chamber configured to fluidly couple each of the cell blocks to an exterior of the battery pack in response to a thermal event in the battery cell in a separate cell block. In some embodiments, at least one of the cell blocks is configured to be fluidly coupled to the plenum structure via a cell block vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Josef L. Miler, Alexander J. Clarabut, Mujeeb I. Ijaz, Jonathan Hall, Luke A. Wilhelm, Abraham B. Caulk, Dirk E. Long, Yu-Hung Li
  • Patent number: 10608224
    Abstract: Insulators and polymer-coated insulators are provided. The insulators can include thermally-insulating nanoparticles and a binder configured to volatilize at a volatilization temperature. Insulators can also include an inorganic thermally-insulating material forming a porous structure. The porous structure can be configured to reduce the mean free path of gases in the insulator as compared to gases outside the porous structure. Polymer-coated insulators including an inorganic thermally-insulating material and a polymer coating disposed on the surface of the inorganic thermally-insulating material are also provided. Insulators can also include thermally-insulating nanoparticles and an opacifier. The opacifier can include a carbonaceous material coated with a refractory material that inhibits oxidation of the carbonaceous material at a carbon oxidation temperature. The insulators or polymer-coated insulators can be disposed between battery cells or battery cell blocks in an apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Kaye, Maria N. Luckyanova, Josef L. Miler, Luke A. Wilhelm
  • Publication number: 20190157635
    Abstract: Battery packs are presented having structural members for improving thermal management of battery cells therein. In some embodiments, the battery packs include a first end-member positioned opposite a second end-member and parallel thereto. The battery packs also include a first side beam positioned opposite a second side beam and parallel thereto. The first side beam and the second side beam extend longitudinally between the first end-member and the second end-member. A longitudinal member is disposed between the first side beam and the second side beam and defines a plurality of longitudinal rows. The battery packs may additionally include a lateral member disposed between first end-member and the second end-member to partition the plurality of longitudinal rows into an array of battery cell compartments. A battery cell is disposed within at least one battery cell compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Josef L. Miler, Luke A. Wilhelm, Andrew C. Chu
  • Publication number: 20190157636
    Abstract: Battery packs are presented. The battery packs include a plurality of cell blocks, each cell block comprising a plurality of battery cells. The battery pack also includes a plenum chamber configured to fluidly couple each of the cell blocks to an exterior of the battery pack in response to a thermal event in the battery cell in a separate cell block. In some embodiments, at least one of the cell blocks is configured to be fluidly coupled to the plenum structure via a cell block vent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Josef L. Miler, Alexander J. Clarabut, Mujeeb I. Ijaz, Jonathan Hall, Luke A. Wilhelm, Abraham B. Caulk, Dirk E. Long, Yu-Hung Li
  • Publication number: 20190148696
    Abstract: Insulators and polymer-coated insulators are provided. The insulators can include thermally-insulating nanoparticles and a binder configured to volatilize at a volatilization temperature. Insulators can also include an inorganic thermally-insulating material forming a porous structure. The porous structure can be configured to reduce the mean free path of gases in the insulator as compared to gases outside the porous structure. Polymer-coated insulators including an inorganic thermally-insulating material and a polymer coating disposed on the surface of the inorganic thermally-insulating material are also provided. Insulators can also include thermally-insulating nanoparticles and an opacifier. The opacifier can include a carbonaceous material coated with a refractory material that inhibits oxidation of the carbonaceous material at a carbon oxidation temperature. The insulators or polymer-coated insulators can be disposed between battery cells or battery cell blocks in an apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Steven Kaye, Maria N. Luckyanova, Josef L. Miler, Luke A. Wilhelm
  • Publication number: 20190140237
    Abstract: Insulators and polymer-coated insulators are provided. The insulators can include thermally-insulating nanoparticles and a binder configured to volatilize at a volatilization temperature. Insulators can also include an inorganic thermally-insulating material forming a porous structure. The porous structure can be configured to reduce the mean free path of gases in the insulator as compared to gases outside the porous structure. Polymer-coated insulators including an inorganic thermally-insulating material and a polymer coating disposed on the surface of the inorganic thermally-insulating material are also provided. Insulators can also include thermally-insulating nanoparticles and an opacifier. The opacifier can include a carbonaceous material coated with a refractory material that inhibits oxidation of the carbonaceous material at a carbon oxidation temperature. The insulators or polymer-coated insulators can be disposed between battery cells or battery cell blocks in an apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Steven Kaye, Maria N. Luckyanova, Josef L. Miler, Luke A. Wilhelm