Patents by Inventor Keith Douglas Kepler

Keith Douglas Kepler 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: 9666907
    Abstract: A lithium ion battery includes a cathode in electrical and thermal connection with a cathode current collector. The cathode current collector has an electrode tab. A separator is provided. An anode is in electrical and thermal connection with an anode current collector. The anode current collector has an electrode tab. At least one of the cathode current collector and the anode current collector comprises a thermal tab for heat transfer with the at least one current collector. The thermal tab is separated from the electrode tab. A method of operating a battery is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: UT-BATTELLE, LLC
    Inventors: Hsin Wang, Keith Douglas Kepler, Sreekanth Pannala, Srikanth Allu
  • Publication number: 20150064511
    Abstract: A lithium ion battery includes a cathode in electrical and thermal connection with a cathode current collector. The cathode current collector has an electrode tab. A separator is provided. An anode is in electrical and thermal connection with an anode current collector. The anode current collector has an electrode tab. At least one of the cathode current collector and the anode current collector comprises a thermal tab for heat transfer with the at least one current collector. The thermal tab is separated from the electrode tab. A method of operating a battery is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Hsin WANG, Keith Douglas KEPLER, Sreekanth PANNALA, Srikanth ALLU
  • Patent number: 8563174
    Abstract: A composite Li1+xMn2?x?yMyO4 cathode material stabilized by treatment with a second transition metal oxide phase that is highly suitable for use in high power and energy density Li-ion cells and batteries. A method for treating a Li1+xMn2?x?yMyO4 cathode material utilizing a dry mixing and firing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Farasis Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Hongjian Liu, Keith Douglas Kepler, Yu Wang
  • Patent number: 8080330
    Abstract: A microporous separator film for electrochemical cells and a method of making such films is disclosed. The microporous separator film includes an intimate mixture of an electrically insulating matrix phase and a self-switching voltage activated conductive phase, wherein the voltage activated conductive phase provides a plurality of conductive paths from a first face of the microporous separator film to a second face of the microporous separator film. The method for making the composite microporous separator film includes the steps of forming an intimate mixture of at least an insulating matrix phase and a self-switching voltage activated phase, forming a film from the mixture, and generating pores within the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Farasis Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Douglas Kepler, Yu Wang
  • Publication number: 20110227243
    Abstract: A microporous separator film for electrochemical cells and a method of making such films is disclosed. The microporous separator film includes an intimate mixture of an electrically insulating matrix phase and a self-switching voltage activated conductive phase, wherein the voltage activated conductive phase provides a plurality of conductive paths from a first face of the microporous separator film to a second face of the microporous separator film. The method for making the composite microporous separator film includes the steps of forming an intimate mixture of at least an insulating matrix phase and a self-switching voltage activated phase, forming a film from the mixture, and generating pores within the film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventors: Keith Douglas Kepler, Yu Wang
  • Patent number: 7989103
    Abstract: A microporous separator film for electrochemical cells and a method of making such films is disclosed. The microporous separator film includes an intimate mixture of an electrically insulating matrix phase and a self-switching voltage activated conductive phase, wherein the voltage activated conductive phase provides a plurality of conductive paths from a first face of the microporous separator film to a second face of the microporous separator film. The method for making the composite microporous separator film includes the steps of forming an intimate mixture of at least an insulating matrix phase and a self-switching voltage activated phase, forming a film from the mixture, and generating pores within the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Farasis Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Douglas Kepler, Yu Wang
  • Patent number: 7633267
    Abstract: A high throughput combinatorial screening method and apparatus for the evaluation of electrochemical materials using a single voltage source (2) is disclosed wherein temperature changes arising from the application of an electrical load to a cell array (1) are used to evaluate the relative electrochemical efficiency of the materials comprising the array. The apparatus may include an array of electrochemical cells (1) that are connected to each other in parallel or in series, an electronic load (2) for applying a voltage or current to the electrochemical cells (1), and a device (3), external to the cells, for monitoring the relative temperature of each cell when the load is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Farasis Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Douglas Kepler, Yu Wang
  • Publication number: 20070212608
    Abstract: A composite Li1+xMn2?x?yMyO4 cathode material stabilized by treatment with a second transition metal oxide phase that is highly suitable for use in high power and energy density Li-ion cells and batteries. A method for treating a Li1+xMn2?x?yMyO4 cathode material utilizing a dry mixing and firing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Inventors: Hongjian Liu, Keith Douglas Kepler, Yu Wang