Patents by Inventor Kurt Russell

Kurt Russell 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).

  • Publication number: 20100104935
    Abstract: One embodiment includes an electrical cell that includes a flat housing, at least one electrode and an electrically and heat conductive tab coupled to the electrode and extending through the housing for electrically and thermally coupling to a collector panel, the tab being capable of conducting both current and a substantial amount of heat out of the housing to a temperature control system. The cells may be stacked to form a battery having a temperature panel interfaced to the temperature control system by a thermal interface. The battery may propel an electrically-powered vehicle or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventors: Weston Arthur Hermann, Scott Ira Kohn, Kurt Russell Kelty, Clay Hajime Kishiyama, Anil Paryani, Alexander Thomas Jacobs, Grant Dufresne Cutler, Peng Zhou
  • Patent number: 7683575
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for deactivating a bad battery cell from a battery pack for an energy storage system of an electric vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus and methodology includes a clamshell member arranged at an end of the cells and a printed circuit board arranged adjacent to the clamshell member. A collector plate is arranged adjacent to the printed circuit board and a switch is arranged on the printed circuit board. A wire bond is arranged between the switch and one of the cells and a second wire bond is arranged between the switch and the collector plate. The plurality of switches will allow for the identification of the one individual cell having a weak short circuit within the battery pack. Upon identification of the cell with the weak short circuit that cell will have its switch placed in an open position thus electrically isolating the faulty or bad cell from the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Michael Berdichevsky, Kurt Russell Kelty, Scott Ira Kohn
  • Patent number: 7671567
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that allows the end user to optimize the performance of an all-electric or hybrid vehicle and its charging system for a desired mode of operation is provided. The system of the invention includes multiple charging/operational modes from which the user may select. Each charging/operational mode controls the cut-off voltage used during charging and the maintenance temperature of the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Forest Eberhard, Jeffrey Brian Straubel, Kurt Russell Kelty, Scott Ira Kohn, Weston Arthur Hermann, Eugene Michael Berdichevsky, Andrew Gregory Simpson, Craig Bruce Carlson
  • Patent number: 7629772
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that allows the end user to optimize the performance of an all-electric or hybrid vehicle and its charging system for a desired mode of operation is provided. The system of the invention includes multiple charging/operational modes from which the user may select. Each charging/operational mode controls the cut-off voltage used during charging and the maintenance temperature of the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Forest Eberhard, Jeffrey Brian Straubel, Kurt Russell Kelty, Scott Ira Kohn, Weston Arthur Hermann, Eugene Michael Berdichevsky, Andrew Gregory Simpson, Craig Bruce Carlson
  • Patent number: 7629773
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that allows the end user to optimize the performance of an all-electric or hybrid vehicle and its charging system for a desired mode of operation is provided. The system of the invention includes multiple charging/operational modes from which the user may select. Each charging/operational mode controls the cut-off voltage used during charging and the maintenance temperature of the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Forest Eberhard, Jeffrey Brian Straubel, Kurt Russell Kelty, Scott Ira Kohn, Weston Arthur Hermann, Eugene Michael Berdichevsky, Andrew Gregory Simpson, Craig Bruce Carlson
  • Patent number: 7622897
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that allows the end user to optimize the performance of an all-electric or hybrid vehicle and its charging system for a desired mode of operation is provided. The system of the invention includes multiple charging/operational modes from which the user may select. Each charging/operational mode controls the cut-off voltage used during charging and the maintenance temperature of the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Forest Eberhard, Jeffrey Brian Straubel, Kurt Russell Kelty, Scott Ira Kohn, Weston Arthur Hermann, Eugene Michael Berdichevsky, Andrew Gregory Simpson, Craig Bruce Carlson
  • Publication number: 20090243538
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a system, that includes an electric motor coupled to propel an electrical vehicle, a battery coupled to power the motor, a preheating system coupled to preheat the battery, a battery temperature comparator to compare a temperature of the battery to a target preheated temperature and to provide a battery below temperature signal when the battery temperature is below a specified temperature, a control circuit to determine the time remaining prior to a scheduled drive start time and to provide a preheating enable signal during a target time interval prior to the scheduled drive start time and a further control circuit to operate the preheating system in response to the battery below temperature signal and the preheating enable signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Kurt Russell Kelty, Weston Arthur Hermann, Eugene Michael Berdichevsky
  • Publication number: 20090212745
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Russell Kelty, Eugene Michael Berdichevsky
  • Publication number: 20090216688
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt Russell Kelty, Eugene Michael Berdichevsky
  • Publication number: 20090167254
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that allows the end user to optimize the performance of an all-electric or hybrid vehicle and its charging system for a desired mode of operation is provided. The system of the invention includes multiple charging/operational modes from which the user may select. Each charging/operational mode controls the cut-off voltage used during charging and the maintenance temperature of the battery pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Forest Eberhard, Jeffrey Brian Straubel, Kurt Russell Kelty, Scott Ira Kohn, Weston Arthur Hermann, Eugene Michael Berdichevsky, Andrew Gregory Simpson, Craig Bruce Carlson
  • Publication number: 20090143929
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that allows the end user to optimize the performance of an all-electric or hybrid vehicle and its charging system for a desired mode of operation is provided. The system of the invention includes multiple charging/operational modes from which the user may select. Each charging/operational mode controls the cut-off voltage used during charging and the maintenance temperature of the battery pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Forest Eberhard, Jeffrey Brian Straubel, Kurt Russell Kelty, Scott Ira Kohn, Weston Arthur Hermann, Eugene Michael Berdichevsky, Andrew Gregory Simpson, Craig Bruce Carlson
  • Publication number: 20090140698
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that allows the end user to optimize the performance of an all-electric or hybrid vehicle and its charging system for a desired mode of operation is provided. The system of the invention includes multiple charging/operational modes from which the user may select. Each charging/operational mode controls the cut-off voltage used during charging and the maintenance temperature of the battery pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Forest Eberhard, Jeffrey Brian Straubel, Kurt Russell Kelty, Scott Ira Kohn, Weston Arthur Hermann, Eugene Michael Berdichevsky, Andrew Gregory Simpson, Craig Bruce Carlson
  • Publication number: 20090140700
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that allows the end user to optimize the performance of an all-electric or hybrid vehicle and its charging system for a desired mode of operation is provided. The system of the invention includes multiple charging/operational modes from which the user may select. Each charging/operational mode controls the cut-off voltage used during charging and the maintenance temperature of the battery pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Forest Eberhard, Jeffrey Brian Straubel, Kurt Russell Kelty, Scott Ira Kohn, Weston Arthur Hermann, Eugene Michael Berdichevsky, Andrew Gregory Simpson, Craig Bruce Carlson
  • Publication number: 20090064204
    Abstract: A semi-automatic mapping of a library definition to a simple network management protocol (SNMP) management information base (MIB). By exposing the internal data needed to remotely access arbitrary user space libraries as SNMP data structures which can be directly modified over the network, the internal data, its operations, and usages operations can be modeled remotely.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sean Leo Dague, Konrad Rzeszutek, Kurt Russell Taylor
  • Publication number: 20090023053
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for deactivating a bad battery cell from a battery pack for an energy storage system of an electric vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus and methodology includes a clamshell member arranged at an end of the cells and a printed circuit board arranged adjacent to the clamshell member. A collector plate is arranged adjacent to the printed circuit board and a switch is arranged on the printed circuit board. A wire bond is arranged between the switch and one of the cells and a second wire bond is arranged between the switch and the collector plate. The plurality of switches will allow for the identification of the one individual cell having a weak short circuit within the battery pack. Upon identification of the cell with the weak short circuit that cell will have its switch placed in an open position thus electrically isolating the faulty or bad cell from the battery pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: TESLA MOTORS, INC.
    Inventors: Eugene Michael Berdichevsky, Kurt Russell Kelty, Scott Ira Kohn
  • Publication number: 20090021218
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventors: Kurt Russell Kelty, Eugene Michael Berdichevsky
  • Patent number: 7472186
    Abstract: A semi-automatic mapping of a library definition to a simple network management protocol (SNMP) management information base (MIB). By exposing the internal data needed to remotely access arbitrary user space libraries as SNMP data structures which can be directly modified over the network, the internal data, its operations, and usages operations can be modeled remotely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sean Leo Dague, Konrad Rzeszutek, Kurt Russell Taylor
  • Patent number: 7433794
    Abstract: A method of mitigating propagation of a thermal event in an energy storage system having a plurality of cells is disclosed. The method includes the steps of identifying the heat sources within the energy storage system and plurality of cells. The method then controls a temperature of the energy storage system and plurality of cells and also detects predetermined conditions within the energy storage system. The method then performs a predetermined action based on when one of the predetermined conditions is detected. A plurality of sensors and switches along with associated hardware or software will be used to control the temperature of the energy storage system upon detection of predetermined conditions involving overheating, over current, over voltage of the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Michael Berdichevsky, Philip David Cole, Arthur Joseph Hebert, Weston Arthur Hermann, Kurt Russell Kelty, Scott Ira Kohn, David Frederick Lyons, Jeffrey Brian Straubel, Noel Jason Mendez
  • Patent number: 7272836
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is presented for maintaining a logical composite repository of Object Identifier (OID) tree structures on a server in a distributed data processing system. Each OID subtree repository has been programmed to interface with an application programming interface (API) associated with an OID abstraction layer for the logical composite repository. An OID subtree structure can be added to the logical composite repository resulting in registration with the OID abstraction layer. Any query from a requester in the distributed data processing system about an object contained in the logical composite repository associated with the server is processed by the OID abstraction layer. The query must be in a protocol, such as SNMP, LDAP, and CIM/XML, recognized by the OID abstraction layer. The repository associated with the object of the query is determined from the OID abstraction layer registry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Kurt Russell Taylor
  • Patent number: 6923364
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an air compressor assembly including, between a tank welding step and a final assembling step, a step of submerging a welded tank into a dip tank that contains cooling liquid treated with a corrosion inhibitor. In a preferred embodiment, in the submerging step, all air access ports of the welded tank are open to allow the cooling liquid to coat both the inside and outside surfaces of the air tank to maximize corrosion inhibitor protection and increase tank cooling rate. The method for manufacturing an air compressor assembly according to the present invention may be used in manufacturing air compressor assemblies in various styles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: DeVilbiss Air Power Company
    Inventors: Robert F. Burkholder, Scott Curnel, Mark W. Wood, Matt Wright, David W. Robenalt, Kurt Russell