Patents by Inventor Kwok Tom

Kwok Tom 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: 9337456
    Abstract: A frame member for housing a battery cell, frame assembly and frame/battery cell assembly made therefrom, as well as respective methods of making the same, are disclosed. A frame member for housing a battery cell includes an integral frame having a peripheral wall, the peripheral wall having an attachment face and an opposed cooling face, and an attachment feature located on the attachment face and a complementary attachment feature located on the attachment face that is symmetrically opposed to the attachment feature about a plane of symmetry of the frame, the peripheral wall defining an opening that is configured to matingly receive a battery cell therein. A pair of frame members having a cooling member placed therebetween and attached to the respective attachment faces comprises a frame assembly. A frame/battery cell assembly includes a pair of frame assemblies having at least one battery cell placed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: William Koetting, Kwok Tom, Josh Payne
  • Publication number: 20160072121
    Abstract: An electrochemical storage device comprises a plurality of layer electrodes each including a first charged sector and a second charged sector. The plurality of layer electrodes are assembled with respect to each other such that the first charged sector of a first plate of the plurality of layer electrodes is laid below the second charged sector of a second plate of the plurality of layer electrodes located immediately above the first plate. The charges of the first charged sectors of the first and second plates have a first sign and the charges of the second charged sectors of the first and second plates have a second sign that is opposite the first sign. The device also comprises a separator sector located, and enabling ionic charge exchange, between the first charged sector of the first plate and the second charged sector of the second plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicant: ENERGY POWER SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Subhash Dhar, William Koetting, Kwok Tom, Frank Martin, Jorge Espinel, Michael Nielson
  • Patent number: 9263721
    Abstract: An electrochemical storage device comprises a plurality of layer electrodes each including a first charged sector and a second charged sector. The plurality of layer electrodes are assembled with respect to each other such that the first charged sector of a first plate of the plurality of layer electrodes is laid below the second charged sector of a second plate of the plurality of layer electrodes located immediately above the first plate. The charges of the first charged sectors of the first and second plates have a first sign and the charges of the second charged sectors of the first and second plates have a second sign that is opposite the first sign. The device also comprises a separator sector located, and enabling ionic charge exchange, between the first charged sector of the first plate and the second charged sector of the second plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Energy Power Systems LLC
    Inventors: Subhash Dhar, William Koetting, Kwok Tom, Frank Martin, Jorge Espinel, Michael Nielson
  • Patent number: 9203125
    Abstract: A battery cell assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment is provided. The assembly includes a first frame member having a first plurality of tabs extending away from a first peripheral edge of the first frame member. Each tab of the first plurality of tabs has a first coupling feature at a distal end of the respective tab. The assembly further includes a second frame member having a plurality of slots extending into a second peripheral edge of the second frame member. The assembly further includes a battery cell disposed between the first and second frame members, and each first coupling feature of each tab of the first plurality of tabs is configured to engage a respective slot of the plurality of slots of the second frame member to fixedly hold the first and second frame members together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Steven A. Bronczyk, Kwok Tom, William Koetting
  • Patent number: 9147916
    Abstract: A battery cell assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment is provided. The assembly includes a first frame member having a first plurality of tabs extending away from a first peripheral edge of the first frame member. Each tab of the first plurality of tabs has a first coupling feature at a distal end of the respective tab. The assembly further includes a second frame member having a plurality of slots extending into a second peripheral edge of the second frame member. The assembly further includes a battery cell disposed between the first and second frame members, and each first coupling feature of each tab of the first plurality of tabs is configured to engage a respective slot of the plurality of slots of the second frame member to fixedly hold the first and second frame members together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Steven A. Bronczyk, Kwok Tom, William Koetting
  • Patent number: 8973246
    Abstract: An ultrasonic welding assembly having an ultrasonic horn and an anvil having first, second, and third plate portions is provided. The third plate portion is coupled between the first and second plate portions. The first plate portion has a first knurled region on a first side disposed proximate to the ultrasonic horn, and the second plate portion has a second knurled region on the first side. The third plate portion has a first aperture extending therethrough. The assembly further includes a bracket that receives the second side of the anvil for holding the anvil thereon. The bracket has a second aperture extending therethrough that aligns with the first aperture, such that a coupling member extending through the first and second apertures removably couples the anvil to the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Bruce Johnston, Kwok Tom
  • Publication number: 20150010807
    Abstract: An electrochemical storage device is disclosed. The device comprises a first electrochemical cell and a second electrochemical cell disposed in a common casing and each comprising an anode and a cathode. The anode of the first electrochemical cell is disposed opposite the cathode of the second electrochemical cell. The device further comprises a separator disposed between the anode of the first electrochemical cell and the cathode of the second electrochemical cell. The anode of the first electrochemical cell and the cathode of the second electrochemical cell are electrically insulated and in communication through an ionically conductive medium adsorbed in the separator. The device further comprises a common current collector disposed on the anode of the first electrochemical cell and the cathode of the second electrochemical cell. The first and second electrochemical cells are electrically connected and insulated from ionic conduction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Subhash DHAR, William KOETTING, Michael NIELSON, Kwok TOM, Jorge ESPINEL, Fabio ALBANO
  • Patent number: 8816692
    Abstract: A test system for a battery module is provided. The system includes a housing having a bottom plate; and first, second, third and fourth side walls coupled to the bottom plate that defines an interior region. The system further includes a mounting fixture that fixedly holds the battery module thereon. The system further includes first, second, third and fourth coupling members. The system further includes a lid coupled to the housing utilizing the first, second, third and fourth coupling members. The system further includes a battery charging system that charges the battery module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwok Tom, William Koetting, Steve Howay
  • Patent number: 8808914
    Abstract: An electrochemical storage device comprises a plurality of layer electrodes, wherein each layer electrode includes a first charged sector and a second charged sector, wherein the second charged sector is charged oppositely compared to the first charged sector, and wherein the plurality of layer electrodes are assembled with respect to each other such that the first charged sector of a first plate of the plurality of layer electrodes is laid below the second charged sector of a second plate of the plurality of layer electrodes located immediately above the first plate, wherein the charges of the first charged sectors of the first and second plates have a first sign and the charges of the second charged sectors of the first and second plates have a second sign that is opposite the first sign; a separator sector located, and enabling ionic charge exchange between the first charged sector of the first plate and the second charged sector of the second plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Energy Power Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Subhash Dhar, William Koetting, Michael Nielson, Kwok Tom, Jorge Espinel, Fabio Albano
  • Patent number: 8739400
    Abstract: A press assembly and a method for bending electrical terminals of battery cells are provided. The assembly includes a supporting member that holds a body portion of a cell thereon. The cell has first and second electrical terminals. The assembly further includes a lower plate having first and second dies that hold the first and second electrical terminals, thereon. The assembly further includes an upper plate having third and fourth dies, and guide rods disposed between the lower plate and the upper plate. The upper plate moves vertically on the guide rods relative to the lower plate. The assembly further includes an actuation assembly moving the upper plate toward the lower plate such that the first electrical terminal is bent into a first predetermined shape between the first and third dies, and the second electrical terminal is bent into a second predetermined shape between the second and fourth dies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Janina Stancu, Kenneth J. Oswandel, Kwok Tom, William Koetting
  • Publication number: 20140113177
    Abstract: A lead-acid battery is disclosed, wherein the battery comprises battery modules connected in series, a sealed container, a positive terminal, and a negative terminal. A battery module, in turn, comprises one or more cell assemblies electrically connected in parallel. Next in the hierarchical design, each cell assembly comprises a plurality of electrochemical cells connected in series. Finally, each electrochemical cell comprises a cathode and an anode ionically connected via a separator. In some embodiments, the plurality of modules are disposed within a common cavity in fluid communication via a common fluid. In some embodiments, each battery module has an electric potential of approximately 12 V. In some embodiments, the battery comprises four battery modules and provides a minimum electric potential of approximately 48V.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Energy Power Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Subhash DHAR, William KOETTING, Michael NIELSON, Kwok TOM, Josh PAYNE
  • Publication number: 20140087237
    Abstract: An electrochemical storage device comprises a plurality of layer electrodes each including a first charged sector and a second charged sector. The plurality of layer electrodes are assembled with respect to each other such that the first charged sector of a first plate of the plurality of layer electrodes is laid below the second charged sector of a second plate of the plurality of layer electrodes located immediately above the first plate. The charges of the first charged sectors of the first and second plates have a first sign and the charges of the second charged sectors of the first and second plates have a second sign that is opposite the first sign. The device also comprises a separator sector located, and enabling ionic charge exchange, between the first charged sector of the first plate and the second charged sector of the second plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: ENERGY POWER SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Subhash Dhar, William Koetting, Kwok Tom, Frank Martin, Jorge Espinel, Michael Nielson
  • Patent number: 8662153
    Abstract: A battery cell assembly, a heat exchanger, and a method for manufacturing the heat exchanger are provided. The heat exchanger includes a rectangular-shaped sheet having first and second rectangular-shaped sheet portions coupled together at a bent edge such that the sheet portions are disposed proximate to one another. Outer edges of the first and second rectangular-shaped sheet portions are coupled together such that an interior region is formed between the first and second rectangular-shaped sheet portions. The bent edge has first and second apertures extending therethrough. The heat exchanger further includes a first inlet port disposed on the bent edge over the first aperture, and a second outlet port disposed on the bent edge over the second aperture, such that fluid can flow through the first inlet port and into the interior region and then through the outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: William Koetting, Sean O'Kane, Kwok Tom, Josh Payne
  • Publication number: 20140026386
    Abstract: An ultrasonic welding assembly having an ultrasonic horn and an anvil having first, second, and third plate portions is provided. The third plate portion is coupled between the first and second plate portions. The first plate portion has a first knurled region on a first side disposed proximate to the ultrasonic horn, and the second plate portion has a second knurled region on the first side. The third plate portion has a first aperture extending therethrough. The assembly further includes a bracket that receives the second side of the anvil for holding the anvil thereon. The bracket has a second aperture extending therethrough that aligns with the first aperture, such that a coupling member extending through the first and second apertures removably couples the anvil to the bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Bruce Johnston, Kwok Tom
  • Patent number: 8628872
    Abstract: A battery cell assembly and a method for assembling the battery cell assembly are provided. The battery cell assembly includes first and second battery cells with a heat exchanger disposed between the first and second battery cells. The heat exchanger has a plastic frame and first and second thermally conductive layers. The plastic frame has an interior space extending therethrough. The first and second thermally conductive layers are disposed on opposite sides of the plastic frame to enclose the interior space, such that when a liquid is disposed in the interior space, heat energy is transferred from the first battery cell through the first thermally conductive layer to the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: William Koetting, Kwok Tom, Martin J. Klein, Prabhakar Patil, Kelly Kebl
  • Patent number: 8517078
    Abstract: An ultrasonic welding assembly having an ultrasonic horn and an anvil having first, second, and third plate portions is provided. The third plate portion is coupled between the first and second plate portions. The first plate portion has a first knurled region on a first side disposed proximate to the ultrasonic horn, and the second plate portion has a second knurled region on the first side. The third plate portion has a first aperture extending therethrough. The assembly further includes a bracket that receives the second side of the anvil for holding the anvil thereon. The bracket has a second aperture extending therethrough that aligns with the first aperture, such that a coupling member extending through the first and second apertures removably couples the anvil to the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Bruce Johnston, Kwok Tom
  • Publication number: 20130183572
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes an electrode assembly having a plurality of electrode plates. Each electrode plate includes a current collector having a first portion and a second portion, and each first and second portion having a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface. The first and second surfaces of the first portion include a positively charged active material, and the first and second surfaces of the second portion include a negatively charged active material. In addition, the plurality of electrode plates includes at least two electrode plates, such that the electrochemical cell is arranged with a first portion of one plate electrochemically connected to a second portion of a second plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: Energy Power Systems LLC
    Inventors: Subhash Dhar, William Koetting, Kwok Tom, Frank Martin
  • Patent number: 8486552
    Abstract: A battery module having a cooling manifold is provided. The battery module includes a plurality of battery cell assemblies having a plurality of heat exchangers. The battery module further includes a first cooling manifold having a first inlet aperture extending therethrough and a first plurality of outlet apertures extending therethrough. The battery module further includes a first plurality of ported screws disposed through the first plurality of outlet apertures and configured to fluidly and physically couple the plurality of heat exchangers to the first cooling manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: William Koetting, Josh Payne, Kwok Tom
  • Publication number: 20130141105
    Abstract: A test system for a battery module is provided. The system includes a housing having a bottom plate; and first, second, third and fourth side walls coupled to the bottom plate that defines an interior region. The system further includes a mounting fixture that fixedly holds the battery module thereon. The system further includes first, second, third and fourth coupling members. The system further includes a lid coupled to the housing utilizing the first, second, third and fourth coupling members. The system further includes a battery charging system that charges the battery module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventors: Kwok Tom, William Koetting, Steve Howay
  • Patent number: 8309248
    Abstract: A battery cell carrier assembly having a battery cell carrier for holding a battery cell is provided. The battery cell carrier includes a trapping member for holding the battery cell. The battery cell carrier has at least one aperture extending therethrough for allowing air to flow therethrough to contact the first side of the battery cell for cooling the battery cell. The battery cell carrier further includes a panel member configured to be coupled to the trapping member for holding the battery cell therebetween. The panel member has at least one aperture extending therethrough for allowing air to flow therethrough to contact the battery cell for cooling the battery cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: William Koetting, Kwok Tom, Martin J. Klein, Prabhakar Patil, Kelly Kebl