Patents by Inventor Luke A. Wilhelm
Luke A. Wilhelm 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: 11916247Abstract: Battery packs according to some embodiments of the present technology may include a first longitudinal beam and a second longitudinal beam. The battery packs may include a plurality of cell blocks disposed between the first longitudinal beam and the second longitudinal beam. The plurality of cell blocks may include first and second cell blocks each characterized by a first side surface proximate the first longitudinal beam, a second side surface, a third side surface proximate the second longitudinal beam, and a fourth side surface. The battery packs may include a first interface material thermally coupling the first side surface of the first cell block with the first longitudinal beam. The battery packs may also include a second interface material thermally coupling the third side surface of the second cell block with the second longitudinal beam.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2021Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Josef L. Miler, Luke A. Wilhelm, Edward T. Hillstrom, Dirk E. Long, Russell A. McLellan, Yu-Hung Li, Maria N. Luckyanova, Evan D. Maley, Edward T. Sweet
-
Publication number: 20240063460Abstract: A battery cell includes a cathode casing forming all or a majority of the external can of the battery cell. The battery further includes an anode tab covering at least a portion of a face of the battery cell and an insulating layer for electrically isolating the anode tab from the cathode casing. A plurality of such battery cells may be arranged within a battery pack in contact with each other, and may be held in compression. A conduction enhancement layer may be applied between the anode tab of a first cell and the cathode casing of a second cell within the battery pack. One or more heat dissipation elements may be arranged within the battery pack, in contact with the battery cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2023Publication date: February 22, 2024Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jonathan L. Hall, Luke A. Wilhelm, Qingcheng Zeng, Mujeeb Ijaz, Donald G. Dafoe
-
Patent number: 11837707Abstract: A battery cell includes a cathode casing forming all or a majority of the external can of the battery cell. The battery further includes an anode tab covering at least a portion of a face of the battery cell and an insulating layer for electrically isolating the anode tab from the cathode casing. A plurality of such battery cells may be arranged within a battery pack in contact with each other, and may be held in compression. A conduction enhancement layer may be applied between the anode tab of a first cell and the cathode casing of a second cell within the battery pack. One or more heat dissipation elements may be arranged within the battery pack, in contact with the battery cells.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2020Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jonathan L. Hall, Luke A. Wilhelm, Qingcheng Zeng, Mujeeb Ijaz, Donald G. Dafoe
-
Publication number: 20230318075Abstract: Battery packs are presented having structural members for improving thermal management of battery cells therein. In some embodiments, the battery packs include a first end-member positioned opposite a second end-member and parallel thereto. The battery packs also include a first side beam positioned opposite a second side beam and parallel thereto. The first side beam and the second side beam extend longitudinally between the first end-member and the second end-member. A longitudinal member is disposed between the first side beam and the second side beam and defines a plurality of longitudinal rows. The battery packs may additionally include a lateral member disposed between first end-member and the second end-member to partition the plurality of longitudinal rows into an array of battery cell compartments. A battery cell is disposed within at least one battery cell compartment.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2023Publication date: October 5, 2023Inventors: Josef L. Miler, Luke A. Wilhelm, Andrew C. Chu
-
Publication number: 20230291027Abstract: Battery packs are presented having structural members for improving thermal management of battery cells therein. In some embodiments, the battery packs include a first end-member positioned opposite a second end-member and parallel thereto. The battery packs also include a first side beam positioned opposite a second side beam and parallel thereto. The first side beam and the second side beam extend longitudinally between the first end-member and the second end-member. A longitudinal member is disposed between the first side beam and the second side beam and defines a plurality of longitudinal rows. The battery packs may additionally include a lateral member disposed between first end-member and the second end-member to partition the plurality of longitudinal rows into an array of battery cell compartments. A battery cell is disposed within at least one battery cell compartment.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2023Publication date: September 14, 2023Inventors: Josef L. Miler, Luke A. Wilhelm, Andrew C. Chu
-
Patent number: 11699821Abstract: Battery packs are presented having structural members for improving thermal management of battery cells therein. In some embodiments, the battery packs include a first end-member positioned opposite a second end-member and parallel thereto. The battery packs also include a first side beam positioned opposite a second side beam and parallel thereto. The first side beam and the second side beam extend longitudinally between the first end-member and the second end-member. A longitudinal member is disposed between the first side beam and the second side beam and defines a plurality of longitudinal rows. The battery packs may additionally include a lateral member disposed between first end-member and the second end-member to partition the plurality of longitudinal rows into an array of battery cell compartments. A battery cell is disposed within at least one battery cell compartment.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2022Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Josef L. Miler, Luke A. Wilhelm, Andrew C. Chu
-
Patent number: 11502354Abstract: Energy storage systems, battery cells, and batteries of the present technology may include a heat exchanger or fluid delivery structure that may transfer heat from a battery cell or cell block to a heat exchange fluid. The heat exchanger or fluid delivery structure may substantially maintain an interfacial temperature during a temperature increase from the battery cell or cell block.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2021Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Inventors: Ghyrn E. Loveness, Abraham B. Caulk, Edward P. Yankoski, Zhongying Shi, Kenneth S. Smith, Mujeeb I. Ijaz, Luke A. Wilhelm, Jonathan L. Hall
-
Patent number: 11469471Abstract: Battery packs according to some embodiments of the present technology may include a first longitudinal beam and a second longitudinal beam. The battery packs may include a plurality of cell blocks disposed between the first longitudinal beam and the second longitudinal beam. The plurality of cell blocks may include first and second cell blocks each characterized by a first side surface proximate the first longitudinal beam, a second side surface, a third side surface proximate the second longitudinal beam, and a fourth side surface. The battery packs may include a first interface material thermally coupling the first side surface of the first cell block with the first longitudinal beam. The battery packs may also include a second interface material thermally coupling the third side surface of the second cell block with the second longitudinal beam.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2019Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Josef L. Miler, Luke A. Wilhelm, Edward T. Hillstrom, Dirk E. Long, Russell A. McLellan, Yu-Hung Li, Maria N. Luckyanova, Evan D. Maley, Edward T. Sweet
-
Publication number: 20220231364Abstract: Battery packs are presented having structural members for improving thermal management of battery cells therein. In some embodiments, the battery packs include a first end-member positioned opposite a second end-member and parallel thereto. The battery packs also include a first side beam positioned opposite a second side beam and parallel thereto. The first side beam and the second side beam extend longitudinally between the first end-member and the second end-member. A longitudinal member is disposed between the first side beam and the second side beam and defines a plurality of longitudinal rows. The battery packs may additionally include a lateral member disposed between first end-member and the second end-member to partition the plurality of longitudinal rows into an array of battery cell compartments. A battery cell is disposed within at least one battery cell compartment.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2022Publication date: July 21, 2022Inventors: Josef L. Miler, Luke A. Wilhelm, Andrew C. Chu
-
Patent number: 11296380Abstract: Battery packs are presented having structural members for improving thermal management of battery cells therein. In some embodiments, the battery packs include a first end-member positioned opposite a second end-member and parallel thereto. The battery packs also include a first side beam positioned opposite a second side beam and parallel thereto. The first side beam and the second side beam extend longitudinally between the first end-member and the second end-member. A longitudinal member is disposed between the first side beam and the second side beam and defines a plurality of longitudinal rows. The battery packs may additionally include a lateral member disposed between first end-member and the second end-member to partition the plurality of longitudinal rows into an array of battery cell compartments. A battery cell is disposed within at least one battery cell compartment.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2019Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Josef L. Miler, Luke A. Wilhelm, Andrew C. Chu
-
Patent number: 11296381Abstract: Battery packs are presented. The battery packs include a plurality of cell blocks, each cell block comprising a plurality of battery cells. The battery pack also includes a plenum chamber configured to fluidly couple each of the cell blocks to an exterior of the battery pack in response to a thermal event in the battery cell in a separate cell block. In some embodiments, at least one of the cell blocks is configured to be fluidly coupled to the plenum structure via a cell block vent.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2019Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Josef L. Miler, Alexander J. Clarabut, Mujeeb I. Ijaz, Jonathan Hall, Luke A. Wilhelm, Abraham B. Caulk, Dirk E. Long, Yu-Hung Li
-
Patent number: 10923788Abstract: Energy storage systems, battery cells, and batteries of the present technology may include a heat exchanger or fluid delivery structure that may transfer heat from a battery cell or cell block to a heat exchange fluid. The heat exchanger or fluid delivery structure may substantially maintain an interfacial temperature during a temperature increase from the battery cell or cell block.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2017Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Inventors: Ghyrn E. Loveness, Abraham B. Caulk, Edward P. Yankoski, Zhongying Shi, Kenneth S. Smith, Mujeeb I. Ijaz, Luke A. Wilhelm, Jonathan L. Hall
-
Publication number: 20200303712Abstract: A battery cell includes a cathode casing forming all or a majority of the external can of the battery cell. The battery further includes an anode tab covering at least a portion of a face of the battery cell and an insulating layer for electrically isolating the anode tab from the cathode casing. A plurality of such battery cells may be arranged within a battery pack in contact with each other, and may be held in compression. A conduction enhancement layer may be applied between the anode tab of a first cell and the cathode casing of a second cell within the battery pack. One or more heat dissipation elements may be arranged within the battery pack, in contact with the battery cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2020Publication date: September 24, 2020Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jonathan L. Hall, Luke A. Wilhelm, Qingcheng Zeng, Mujeeb Ijaz, Donald G. Dafoe
-
Patent number: 10686178Abstract: A battery cell includes a cathode casing forming all or a majority of the external can of the battery cell. The battery further includes an anode tab covering at least a portion of a face of the battery cell and an insulating layer for electrically isolating the anode tab from the cathode casing. A plurality of such battery cells may be arranged within a battery pack in contact with each other, and may be held in compression. A conduction enhancement layer may be applied between the anode tab of a first cell and the cathode casing of a second cell within the battery pack. One or more heat dissipation elements may be arranged within the battery pack, in contact with the battery cells.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2017Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jonathan L. Hall, Luke A. Wilhelm, Qingcheng Zeng, Mujeeb Ijaz, Donald G. Dafoe
-
Patent number: 10608224Abstract: Insulators and polymer-coated insulators are provided. The insulators can include thermally-insulating nanoparticles and a binder configured to volatilize at a volatilization temperature. Insulators can also include an inorganic thermally-insulating material forming a porous structure. The porous structure can be configured to reduce the mean free path of gases in the insulator as compared to gases outside the porous structure. Polymer-coated insulators including an inorganic thermally-insulating material and a polymer coating disposed on the surface of the inorganic thermally-insulating material are also provided. Insulators can also include thermally-insulating nanoparticles and an opacifier. The opacifier can include a carbonaceous material coated with a refractory material that inhibits oxidation of the carbonaceous material at a carbon oxidation temperature. The insulators or polymer-coated insulators can be disposed between battery cells or battery cell blocks in an apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2019Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Steven Kaye, Maria N. Luckyanova, Josef L. Miler, Luke A. Wilhelm
-
Publication number: 20190157635Abstract: Battery packs are presented having structural members for improving thermal management of battery cells therein. In some embodiments, the battery packs include a first end-member positioned opposite a second end-member and parallel thereto. The battery packs also include a first side beam positioned opposite a second side beam and parallel thereto. The first side beam and the second side beam extend longitudinally between the first end-member and the second end-member. A longitudinal member is disposed between the first side beam and the second side beam and defines a plurality of longitudinal rows. The battery packs may additionally include a lateral member disposed between first end-member and the second end-member to partition the plurality of longitudinal rows into an array of battery cell compartments. A battery cell is disposed within at least one battery cell compartment.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2019Publication date: May 23, 2019Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Josef L. Miler, Luke A. Wilhelm, Andrew C. Chu
-
Publication number: 20190157636Abstract: Battery packs are presented. The battery packs include a plurality of cell blocks, each cell block comprising a plurality of battery cells. The battery pack also includes a plenum chamber configured to fluidly couple each of the cell blocks to an exterior of the battery pack in response to a thermal event in the battery cell in a separate cell block. In some embodiments, at least one of the cell blocks is configured to be fluidly coupled to the plenum structure via a cell block vent.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2019Publication date: May 23, 2019Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Josef L. Miler, Alexander J. Clarabut, Mujeeb I. Ijaz, Jonathan Hall, Luke A. Wilhelm, Abraham B. Caulk, Dirk E. Long, Yu-Hung Li
-
Publication number: 20190148696Abstract: Insulators and polymer-coated insulators are provided. The insulators can include thermally-insulating nanoparticles and a binder configured to volatilize at a volatilization temperature. Insulators can also include an inorganic thermally-insulating material forming a porous structure. The porous structure can be configured to reduce the mean free path of gases in the insulator as compared to gases outside the porous structure. Polymer-coated insulators including an inorganic thermally-insulating material and a polymer coating disposed on the surface of the inorganic thermally-insulating material are also provided. Insulators can also include thermally-insulating nanoparticles and an opacifier. The opacifier can include a carbonaceous material coated with a refractory material that inhibits oxidation of the carbonaceous material at a carbon oxidation temperature. The insulators or polymer-coated insulators can be disposed between battery cells or battery cell blocks in an apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2019Publication date: May 16, 2019Inventors: Steven Kaye, Maria N. Luckyanova, Josef L. Miler, Luke A. Wilhelm
-
Publication number: 20190140237Abstract: Insulators and polymer-coated insulators are provided. The insulators can include thermally-insulating nanoparticles and a binder configured to volatilize at a volatilization temperature. Insulators can also include an inorganic thermally-insulating material forming a porous structure. The porous structure can be configured to reduce the mean free path of gases in the insulator as compared to gases outside the porous structure. Polymer-coated insulators including an inorganic thermally-insulating material and a polymer coating disposed on the surface of the inorganic thermally-insulating material are also provided. Insulators can also include thermally-insulating nanoparticles and an opacifier. The opacifier can include a carbonaceous material coated with a refractory material that inhibits oxidation of the carbonaceous material at a carbon oxidation temperature. The insulators or polymer-coated insulators can be disposed between battery cells or battery cell blocks in an apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2016Publication date: May 9, 2019Inventors: Steven Kaye, Maria N. Luckyanova, Josef L. Miler, Luke A. Wilhelm