Patents by Inventor Kurtis C. Kelley

Kurtis C. Kelley 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: 20140087238
    Abstract: A battery electrode assembly comprises a porous electrode plate having a plurality of large and small pores, a pore insert within a plurality of pores, the pore insert maintaining an electrolyte in the pores substantially throughout a discharge/charge cycle. The pore insert may be a gelled electrolyte. The pore insert may be a particulate material. The electrodes may be used in a battery having cells with opposing positive and negative tabs connected in series by an intercell connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Firefly International Energy Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurtis C. Kelley, Mukesh Bhandari, Mathew Stone
  • Patent number: 8617747
    Abstract: An electrode plate for a battery comprising a plurality of electrodes in a grid where the grid defines a plurality of spaces. A paste disposed in the spaces has a top surface and a bottom surface. The paste is narrowed in the space, defining a distance between the top surface of the paste and the bottom surface of the paste that is less than the thickness of the plate over the electrodes. A retention layer of porous fabric is impressed on the top and/or bottom surface of the paste. Electrolyte disposed in electric communication with the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Firefly Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurtis C. Kelley, Mohamadkheir Alkhateeb
  • Patent number: 8399134
    Abstract: A lead acid battery includes a housing and at least one cell disposed within the housing. Each cell includes at least one positive plate and at least one negative plate and an electrolyte disposed in a volume between the positive and negative plates. The at least one negative plate includes a current collector, consisting essentially of a layer of carbon foam disposed on a substrate, and a chemically active material disposed on the current collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Firefly Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurtis C. Kelley, Matthew J. Maroon
  • Publication number: 20120021281
    Abstract: A current collector plate for an energy storage device comprising a first current collector, a bonding layer connected to the first current collector; and, at least one current carrier disposed at least partially between the first current collector and the bonding layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: FIREFLY INTERNATIONAL ENERGY GROUP, INC.
    Inventors: Kurtis C. Kelley, Charles F. Ostermeier
  • Publication number: 20110143184
    Abstract: A separator for use in a battery may include a primary separator layer, wherein the primary separator layer has a peripheral region and an interior region, and wherein the primary separator layer is configured to conduct electrolyte from the peripheral region to the interior region. The separator may also include a secondary separator layer in fluid communication with the primary separator layer, wherein the secondary separator layer includes a material that is less porous than the primary separator layer and wherein the secondary separator layer is configured to receive electrolyte at least from the interior region of the primary separator layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Ellen Mccarthy, Phil Wiggins, Kurtis C. Kelley
  • Publication number: 20100239913
    Abstract: According to one aspect, the present disclosure is directed toward an electrode plate for an energy storage device. The electrode plate may include a carbon foam current collector and an external restraint structure. A chemically active material may be disposed on the carbon foam current collector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventors: Kurtis C. Kelley, Matthew J. Maroon, Ellen McCarthy
  • Publication number: 20100216025
    Abstract: An electrode plate for a battery comprising a plurality of electrodes in a grid where the grid defines a plurality of spaces. A paste disposed in the spaces has a top surface and a bottom surface. The paste is narrowed in the space, defining a distance between the top surface of the paste and the bottom surface of the paste that is less than the thickness of the plate over the electrodes. A retention layer of porous fabric is impressed on the top and/or bottom surface of the paste. Electrolyte disposed in electric communication with the electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: Firefly Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurtis C. Kelley, Mohamadkheir Alkhateeb
  • Publication number: 20100167117
    Abstract: An electrode plate for an energy storage device includes a current collector fabricated at least partially from an electrically conductive phosphate glass. A chemically active material may be disposed on the current collector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Matthew J. Maroon, Kurtis C. Kelley
  • Publication number: 20100035156
    Abstract: An electrode plate (44) for a lead-acid battery (10) is disclosed. The electrode plate includes a current-collecting first layer (48). In addition, the electrode plate also includes a second layer (50) comprising flexible graphite sheeting (52) and configured to distribute thermal energy within the electrode plate. Further, the electrode plate includes a third layer (48, 62), wherein the second layer is disposed between the current-collecting first layer and the third layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventor: Kurtis C. Kelley
  • Publication number: 20090317709
    Abstract: A composite foam including a carbon foam material comprising a network of pores and a plurality of discontinuities and a secondary material deposited on at least some of the plurality of discontinuities of the carbon foam material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: Firefly Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Brazis, Kurtis C. Kelley, Matthew J. Maroon, Boris I. Monahov
  • Publication number: 20090233175
    Abstract: A current collector plate (20) for an energy storage device includes a first current collector (11) and a bonding layer (22) connected to the first current collector. At least one current carrier (31) is disposed at least partially between the first current collector and the bonding layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Kurtis C. Kelley, Charles F. Ostermeier
  • Publication number: 20090130549
    Abstract: A lead acid battery includes a housing and at least one cell disposed within the housing. Each cell includes at least one positive plate and at least one negative plate and an electrolyte disposed in a volume between the positive and negative plates. The at least one negative plate includes a current collector, consisting essentially of a layer of carbon foam disposed on a substrate, and a chemically active material disposed on the current collector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Kurtis C. Kelley, Matthew J. Maroon
  • Publication number: 20090081541
    Abstract: A bipolar battery includes a housing and a plurality of bipolar electrode plates aligned with respect to one another within the housing to form a cell between each pair of adjacent bipolar electrode plates. Each of the plurality of bipolar electrode plates includes an electrode substrate having a first face and a second face, an electrical connection element overlapping at least a portion of both the first face and the second face, a first carbon foam current collector on the first face of the substrate, a second carbon foam current collector on the second face of the substrate, and a chemically active paste on both the first and second carbon foam current collectors. A plurality of electrical separators are interleaved with the plurality of bipolar electrode plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventor: Kurtis C. Kelley
  • Publication number: 20090053601
    Abstract: A bipolar electrode module for a modular bipolar battery includes an electrode substrate having a first face, a second face, and a perimeter. An electrical connection element is disposed on the electrode substrate such that the electrical connection element overlaps at least a portion of both the first face and the second face of the electrode substrate. A first carbon foam current collector is attached to the first face of the electrode substrate, and a second carbon foam current collector is attached to the second face of the electrode substrate. A frame is attached to the electrode substrate along at least a portion of the perimeter of the electrode substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventor: Kurtis C. Kelley
  • Publication number: 20080271712
    Abstract: Carbon deposits on engine components can negatively affect engine performance. An engine of the present disclosure includes at least one carbon deposit resistant engine component attached to an engine housing. The engine component includes at least one relatively high surface tension surface that is a non-contact wear surface and to which a relatively low surface tension coating is attached. The relatively low surface tension coating has a surface tension at least one of equal to and less than 30 dyne/cm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Hind M. Abi-Akar, Xiangyang Jiang, Jorge R. Agama, Mark W. Jarrett, Kurtis C. Kelley
  • Patent number: 7383806
    Abstract: Carbon deposits on engine components can negatively affect engine performance. An engine of the present disclosure includes at least one carbon deposit resistant engine component attached to an engine housing. The engine component includes at least one relatively high surface tension surface that is a non-contact wear surface and to which a relatively low surface tension coating is attached. The relatively low surface tension coating has a surface tension at least one of equal to and less than 30 dyne/cm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hind Abi-Akar, Xiangyang Jiang, Jorge R. Agama, Kurtis C. Kelley, Mark W. Jarrett
  • Patent number: 7341806
    Abstract: A battery cell includes a negative current collector and at least one carbon foam positive current collector disposed within the cell such that the negative current collector at least partially surrounds the at least one carbon foam positive current collector. An insulating mat is disposed between the negative current collector and the at least one carbon foam positive current collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kurtis C. Kelley, Charles F. Ostermeier, Matthew J. Maroon
  • Patent number: 7105252
    Abstract: A method for forming a corrosion resistant electrode for a battery includes supplying an electrode for use in the battery and exposing the electrode to an environment including vaporized carbon. At least some of the carbon from the environment may be transferred to the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Firefly Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurtis C. Kelley, Steven C. Taylor
  • Patent number: 7070674
    Abstract: Method of manufacturing a piezoelectric actuator. The method includes a pre-cure step in which the adhesive is heated to a temperature below the melting point of the adhesive. A stack is formed having a piezoelectric layer and at least one supporting layer with the pre-cured adhesive therebetween. The stack is then cured to form a bonded laminate. The temperature at which the pre-cure occurs allows for the pre-stress in the piezoelectric layer to be modified without changing the material of the supporting layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Caterpillar
    Inventors: Kurtis C. Kelley, Jerry P. Maushard, L. Glenn Waterfield
  • Patent number: 7060329
    Abstract: A metal oxide coating has a nanotextured surface defined by a plurality of capillary openings arranged in a pattern on the surface of the coating. Each of the capillary openings have a diameter defined by a previously present organic macromolecule. The metal oxide coating is formed by depositing a solution containing uniformly dispersed micelles composed of amphiphilic molecules on a metal, oxide, or plastic substrate. The micelles are self-arranging, in solution, as a result of mutually repulsive electrostatic forces on the surface of the micelles, and form a uniformly patterned organic template when the solution is deposited on the surface of the substrate. A metal oxide coating is then applied to the substrate, which forms a ceramic monolayer that is a negative image of the organic template. The organic template is then removed, thereby forming a metal oxide coating having a plurality of macromolecular-sized apertures formed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Kurtis C. Kelley, Jill E. Rockwood, Norval P. Thomson