Patents by Inventor Kurt R. Kelty
Kurt R. Kelty 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).
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Patent number: 10534028Abstract: An apparatus and method for identifying a presence of a short circuit in a battery pack. A fault-detection apparatus for a charging system that rapidly charges a collection of interconnected lithium ion battery cells, the safety system includes a data-acquisition system for receiving a set of data parameters from the collection while the charging system is actively charging the collection; a monitoring system evaluating the set of data parameters to identify a set of anomalous conditions; and a controller comparing the set of anomalous conditions against a set of predetermined profiles indicative of an internal short in one or more cells of the collection, the controller establishing an internal-short state for the collection when the comparing has a predetermined relationship to the set of predetermined profiles.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2016Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: Tesla, Inc.Inventors: Sarah G. Stewart, Christopher Dangler, Clay H. Kishiyama, Weston A. Hermann, Scott I. Kohn, Kurt R. Kelty
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Patent number: 9694699Abstract: An automated charge preparation method periodically determines critical parameters for the set of relevant operating conditions, determines whether fast charging is possible, applies fast charging when possible, otherwise applies a dynamically scaled charging rate that is optimized based upon current critical parameters (while optionally heating the individual battery cells as long as fast charging is not available) to reduce/eliminate a risk of lithium-plating.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2014Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: Tesla, Inc.Inventors: Kurt R. Kelty, Clay H. Kishiyama, Sarah G. Stewart
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Publication number: 20170074918Abstract: An apparatus and method for identifying a presence of a short circuit in a battery pack. A fault-detection apparatus for a charging system that rapidly charges a collection of interconnected lithium ion battery cells, the safety system includes a data-acquisition system for receiving a set of data parameters from the collection while the charging system is actively charging the collection; a monitoring system evaluating the set of data parameters to identify a set of anomalous conditions; and a controller comparing the set of anomalous conditions against a set of predetermined profiles indicative of an internal short in one or more cells of the collection, the controller establishing an internal-short state for the collection when the comparing has a predetermined relationship to the set of predetermined profiles.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2016Publication date: March 16, 2017Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.Inventors: Sarah G. Stewart, Christopher Dangler, Clay H. Kishiyama, Weston A. Hermann, Scott I. Kohn, Kurt R. Kelty
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Patent number: 9506990Abstract: An apparatus and method for identifying a presence of a short circuit in a battery pack. A fault-detection apparatus for a charging system that rapidly charges a collection of interconnected lithium ion battery cells, the safety system includes a data-acquisition system for receiving a set of data parameters from the collection while the charging system is actively charging the collection; a monitoring system evaluating the set of data parameters to identify a set of anomalous conditions; and a controller comparing the set of anomalous conditions against a set of predetermined profiles indicative of an internal short in one or more cells of the collection, the controller establishing an internal-short state for the collection when the comparing has a predetermined relationship to the set of predetermined profiles.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2014Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: TESLA MOTORS, INC.Inventors: Sarah G. Stewart, Christopher Dangler, Clay H. Kishiyama, Weston A. Hermann, Scott I. Kohn, Kurt R. Kelty
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Patent number: 9197091Abstract: An electric charging system for a battery pack of an electric vehicle, including a charging station electrically coupled to the battery pack, the charging station transferring charging energy to the battery pack at a maximum fast charge rate in a first operational mode and transferring charging energy to the battery pack at a slower charge rate in a second operational mode; a data collection system acquiring a set of data indicating a state of charge (SOC) of the battery pack and one or more desired charge optimization parameters; and a station control, responsive to the set of data and to the desired charge optimization parameters, automatically establishing a charging profile for the battery pack to assert a control signal and operate the charging station in the second operational mode whenever the charging station is able to transfer sufficient energy to the battery pack at the slower charge rate to meet an SOC target and a charge completion time target, otherwise asserting the control signal and operate tType: GrantFiled: January 26, 2015Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.Inventors: Clay H. Kishiyama, Kurt R. Kelty
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Publication number: 20150137768Abstract: An electric charging system for a battery pack of an electric vehicle, including a charging station electrically coupled to the battery pack, the charging station transferring charging energy to the battery pack at a maximum fast charge rate in a first operational mode and transferring charging energy to the battery pack at a slower charge rate in a second operational mode; a data collection system acquiring a set of data indicating a state of charge (SOC) of the battery pack and one or more desired charge optimization parameters; and a station control, responsive to the set of data and to the desired charge optimization parameters, automatically establishing a charging profile for the battery pack to assert a control signal and operate the charging station in the second operational mode whenever the charging station is able to transfer sufficient energy to the battery pack at the slower charge rate to meet an SOC target and a charge completion time target, otherwise asserting the control signal and operate tType: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2015Publication date: May 21, 2015Inventors: Clay H. KISHIYAMA, Kurt R. Kelty
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Publication number: 20150077057Abstract: An automated charge preparation method periodically determines critical parameters for the set of relevant operating conditions, determines whether fast charging is possible, applies fast charging when possible, otherwise applies a dynamically scaled charging rate that is optimized based upon current critical parameters (while optionally heating the individual battery cells as long as fast charging is not available) to reduce/eliminate a risk of lithium-plating.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2014Publication date: March 19, 2015Inventors: Kurt R. Kelty, Clay H. Kishiyama, Sarah G. Stewart
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Publication number: 20150039255Abstract: An apparatus and method for identifying a presence of a short circuit in a battery pack. A fault-detection apparatus for a charging system that rapidly charges a collection of interconnected lithium ion battery cells, the safety system includes a data-acquisition system for receiving a set of data parameters from the collection while the charging system is actively charging the collection; a monitoring system evaluating the set of data parameters to identify a set of anomalous conditions; and a controller comparing the set of anomalous conditions against a set of predetermined profiles indicative of an internal short in one or more cells of the collection, the controller establishing an internal-short state for the collection when the comparing has a predetermined relationship to the set of predetermined profiles.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2014Publication date: February 5, 2015Inventors: Sarah G. STEWART, Christopher Dangler, Clay H. Kishiyama, Weston A. Hermann, Scott I. Kohn, Kurt R. Kelty
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Publication number: 20120111444Abstract: An apparatus and method providing for coolant agent ingress of a high energy density battery enclosure during an internal thermal event. A solution includes a specialized battery enclosure and, in some embodiments, an associated vehicle structure providing a normally closed, pressure activated fill port. Preferably the fill port is positioned so an operator of the fill port is clear from any hot gases exiting from the enclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2010Publication date: May 10, 2012Applicant: TESLA MOTORS, INC.Inventors: Weston A. Hermann, Kurt R. Kelty
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Publication number: 20120046795Abstract: A flexible management system and method for efficiently operating energy storage devices to extend the lifetime and decrease costs includes (a) determining an active energy consumption period for the energy storage device; (b) determining an inactive energy consumption period for the energy storage device; (c) operating the energy storage device in a usage mode during the active energy consumption period; and (d) operating the energy storage device in a storage mode during the inactive energy consumption period.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2010Publication date: February 23, 2012Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.Inventor: Kurt R. Kelty
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Publication number: 20110298417Abstract: An apparatus and method for identifying a presence of a short circuit in a battery pack. A fault-detection apparatus for a charging system that rapidly charges a collection of interconnected lithium ion battery cells, the safety system includes a data-acquisition system for receiving a set of data parameters from the collection while the charging system is actively charging the collection; a monitoring system evaluating the set of data parameters to identify a set of anomalous conditions; and a controller comparing the set of anomalous conditions against a set of predetermined profiles indicative of an internal short in one or more cells of the collection, the controller establishing an internal-short state for the collection when the comparing has a predetermined relationship to the set of predetermined profiles.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2010Publication date: December 8, 2011Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.Inventors: Sarah G. Stewart, Christopher Dangler, Clay H. Kishiyama, Weston A. Hermann, Scott I. Kohn, Kurt R. Kelty
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Patent number: 7786704Abstract: One embodiment of the present subject matter includes a system that includes a battery, an electric vehicle, the battery coupled to the electric vehicle to propel the electric vehicle, and a charging circuit to charge the battery. The embodiment includes a charging cost circuit to estimate a charging cost rate and to turn on the charging circuit. The embodiment also includes a timer circuit to provide a time signal to the charging cost circuit. The embodiment is configured such that the charging cost circuit is to turn on the charging circuit during a first time period in which the charging cost rate is below a first threshold until the battery reaches a first energy stored level, and to turn on the charging circuit during a second time period in which the charging cost rate is above the first threshold.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2009Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.Inventors: Kurt R. Kelty, Eugene M. Berdichevsky
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Patent number: 7719232Abstract: One embodiment of the present subject matter includes a system that includes a battery, an electric vehicle, the battery coupled to the electric vehicle to propel the electric vehicle, and a charging circuit to charge the battery. The embodiment includes a charging cost circuit to estimate a charging cost rate and to turn on the charging circuit. The embodiment also includes a timer circuit to provide a time signal to the charging cost circuit. The embodiment is configured such that the charging cost circuit is to turn on the charging circuit during a first time period in which the charging cost rate is below a first threshold until the battery reaches a first energy stored level, and to turn on the charging circuit during a second time period in which the charging cost rate is above the first threshold.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2009Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.Inventors: Kurt R. Kelty, Eugene M. Berdichevsky