Patents by Inventor Kenneth A. Adams

Kenneth A. Adams 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: 10050254
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to lead-acid batteries and the manufacture of lead-acid batteries containing acid pump devices to promote the circulation of electrolyte within the battery and/or battery cells to reduce acid stratification and improve battery performance. In various embodiments, battery cell components are assembled within an acid pump assembly that encloses the battery cell components on at least the bottom and ends. In various embodiments, at least a portion of the acid pumps may be integrally molded with or secured to various parts of the battery housing including the cover, side walls, and cell walls. In various embodiments; space for the acid pumps is created by varying the shape of the battery housing (e.g., the side walls or cell walls) and/or by modifying the shape, size, and or position of one or more of the battery electrodes or separators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Zoe H. Jin, Michael S. Baxa, William J. Wruck, Kenneth A. Adams, Lisa M. Franklin, Glenn W. Andersen, Edward N. Mrotek
  • Patent number: 8980419
    Abstract: A battery grid is provided having a frame having a top element, a bottom element, a first side element, and a second side element. A current collection lug is coupled to the top element. The battery grid includes a plurality of wires provided within the frame and defining a plurality of open areas. The plurality of wires includes a vertical grid wire continuously extending from the bottom element toward the top element, and a plurality of horizontal grid wires continuously extending from the first side element or second side element, wherein the vertical grid wire intersects the plurality of horizontal grid wires, but does not intersect the first side element, second side element; or top element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Glenn W. Andersen, Eric M. Taylor, Kenneth A. Adams, Edward N. Mrotek, Jeffrey P. Zagrodnik, Shu Jen F. Kao
  • Patent number: 8974972
    Abstract: A battery grid includes a frame that includes a top element, a bottom element, a first side element, and a second side element. The battery grid also includes a plurality of wires provided within the frame and defining a plurality of open areas and a current collection lug extending from the top element in a first direction. The battery grid further includes at least one feature provided in the battery grid that is configured to reduce the amount of growth of the battery grid in the first direction due to corrosion of the battery grid during the life of the battery grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Glenn W. Andersen, Eric M. Taylor, Kenneth A. Adams, Edward N. Mrotek, Jeffrey P. Zagrodnik, Shu Jen F. Kao
  • Patent number: 8399135
    Abstract: A battery grid is provided having a frame that includes a top element, a bottom element, a first side element, and a second side element. A current collection lug is coupled to the top element. The battery grid includes a plurality of wires provided within the frame and defining a plurality of open areas. The plurality of wires includes a plurality of linear vertical wire members which extend from the top element toward the bottom element, first side element, or second side element. At least one of the linear vertical wire members includes a discontinuity terminating the linear vertical wire member before reaching the bottom element, first side element, or second side element, the discontinuity being defined by parallel horizontal wire members defining an open space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Glenn W. Andersen, Eric M. Taylor, Kenneth A. Adams, Edward N. Mrotek, Jeffrey P. Zagrodnik, Shu Jen F. Kao
  • Publication number: 20120219857
    Abstract: A battery grid is provided having a frame having a top element, a bottom element, a first side element, and a second side element. A current collection lug is coupled to the top element. The battery grid includes a plurality of wires provided within the frame and defining a plurality of open areas. The plurality of wires includes a vertical grid wire continuously extending from the bottom element toward the top element, and a plurality of horizontal grid wires continuously extending from the first side element or second side element, wherein the vertical grid wire intersects the plurality of horizontal grid wires, but does not intersect the first side element, second side element; or top element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Wen-Hong Kao, Shu Jen F. Kao, Glenn W. Andersen, M. Eric Taylor, Kenneth A. Adams, Edward N. Mrotek, Jeffrey P. Zagrodnik
  • Publication number: 20120214062
    Abstract: A battery grid is provided having a frame that includes a top element, a bottom element, a first side element, and a second side element. A current collection lug is coupled to the top element. The battery grid includes a plurality of wires provided within the frame defining a plurality of open areas. The plurality of wires includes a plurality of linear vertical wire members which extend from the top element toward the bottom element, first side element, or second side element. At least one of the linear vertical wire members includes a discontinuity terminating the linear vertical-wire member before reaching the bottom element, first side element, or second side element, the discontinuity being defined by parallel horizontal wire members defining an open space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Wen-Hong Kao, Shu Jen F. Fao, Glenn W. Anderson, M. Eric Taylor, Kenneth A. Adams, Edward N. Mrotek, Jeffrey P. Zagrodnik
  • Publication number: 20120214032
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to lead-acid batteries and the manufacture of lead-acid batteries containing acid pump devices to promote the circulation of electrolyte within the battery and/or battery cells to reduce acid stratification and improve battery performance. In various embodiments, battery cell components are assembled within an acid pump assembly that encloses the battery cell components on at least the bottom and ends. In various embodiments, at least a portion of the acid pumps may be integrally molded with or secured to various parts of the battery housing including the cover, side walls, and cell walls. In various embodiments; space for the acid pumps is created by varying the shape of the battery housing (e.g., the side walls or cell walls) and/or by modifying the shape, size, and or position of one or more of the battery electrodes or separators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: Jonson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Lisa M. Franklin, Glenn W. Andersen, Edward N. Mrotek, Zoe H. Jin, Michael S. Baxa, William J. Wruck, Kenneth A. Adams
  • Publication number: 20110262808
    Abstract: A battery grid includes a frame that includes a top element, a bottom element, a first side element, and a second side element. The battery grid also includes a plurality of wires provided within the frame and defining a plurality of open areas and a current collection lug extending from the top element in a first direction. The battery grid further includes at least one feature provided in the battery grid that is configured to reduce the amount of growth of the battery grid in the first direction due to corrosion of the battery grid during the life of the battery grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Wen-Hong Kao, Shu Jen F. Kao, Glenn W. Andersen, M. Eric Taylor, Kenneth A. Adams, Edward N. Mrotek, Jeffrey P. Zagrodnik
  • Patent number: 7955737
    Abstract: A battery grid includes a frame that includes a top element, a bottom element, a first side element, and a second side element. The battery grid also includes a plurality of wires provided within the frame and defining a plurality of open areas and a current collection lug extending from the top element in a first direction. The battery grid further includes at least one feature provided in the battery grid that is configured to reduce the amount of growth of the battery grid in the first direction due to corrosion of the battery grid during the life of the battery grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Wen-Hong Kao, Shu Jen F. Kao, legal representative, Glenn W. Andersen, Eric M. Taylor, Kenneth A. Adams, Edward N. Mrotek, Jeffrey P. Zagrodnik
  • Publication number: 20100266903
    Abstract: A battery grid includes a frame that includes a top element, a bottom element, a first side element, and a second side element. The battery grid also includes a plurality of wires provided within the frame and defining a plurality of open areas and a current collection lug extending from the top element in a first direction. The battery grid further includes at least one feature provided in the battery grid that is configured to reduce the amount of growth of the battery grid in the first direction due to corrosion of the battery grid during the life of the battery grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Wen-Hong Kao, Shu Jen F. Kao, Glenn W. Andersen, M. Eric Taylor, Kenneth A. Adams, Edward N. Mrotek, Jeffrey P. Zagrodnik
  • Patent number: 7767347
    Abstract: A battery grid includes a frame that includes a top element, a bottom element, a first side element, and a second side element. The battery grid also includes a plurality of wires provided within the frame and defining a plurality of open areas and a current collection lug extending from the top element in a first direction. The battery grid further includes at least one feature provided in the battery grid that is configured to reduce the amount of growth of the battery grid in the first direction due to corrosion of the battery grid during the life of the battery grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Wen-Hong Kao, Shu Jen F. Kao, legal representative, Glenn W. Andersen, M. Eric Taylor, Kenneth A. Adams, Edward N. Mrotek, Jeffrey P. Zagrodnik
  • Publication number: 20090258299
    Abstract: A battery grid includes a frame that includes a top element, a bottom element, a first side element, and a second side element. The battery grid also includes a plurality of wires provided within the frame and defining a plurality of open areas and a current collection lug extending from the top element in a first direction. The battery grid further includes at least one feature provided in the battery grid that is configured to reduce the amount of growth of the battery grid in the first direction due to corrosion of the battery grid during the life of the battery grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventors: Wen-Hong Kao, Glenn W. Andersen, M. Eric Taylor, Kenneth A. Adams, Edward N. Mrotek, Jeffrey P. Zagrodnik, Shu Jen F. Kao
  • Patent number: D546136
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Dixie Consumer Products LLC
    Inventors: Patrick J. Smith, Kenneth A. Adams