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: 11916247
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: 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: 20240063460
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Hall, Luke A. Wilhelm, Qingcheng Zeng, Mujeeb Ijaz, Donald G. Dafoe
  • Patent number: 11837707
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Hall, Luke A. Wilhelm, Qingcheng Zeng, Mujeeb Ijaz, Donald G. Dafoe
  • Publication number: 20230318075
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Josef L. Miler, Luke A. Wilhelm, Andrew C. Chu
  • Publication number: 20230291027
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Josef L. Miler, Luke A. Wilhelm, Andrew C. Chu
  • Patent number: 11699821
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Josef L. Miler, Luke A. Wilhelm, Andrew C. Chu
  • Patent number: 11502354
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Inventors: 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: 11469471
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: 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: 20220231364
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: Josef L. Miler, Luke A. Wilhelm, Andrew C. Chu
  • Patent number: 11296380
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Josef L. Miler, Luke A. Wilhelm, Andrew C. Chu
  • Patent number: 11296381
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: 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: 10923788
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Inventors: 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: 20200303712
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Hall, Luke A. Wilhelm, Qingcheng Zeng, Mujeeb Ijaz, Donald G. Dafoe
  • Patent number: 10686178
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Hall, Luke A. Wilhelm, Qingcheng Zeng, Mujeeb Ijaz, Donald G. Dafoe
  • Patent number: 10608224
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Kaye, Maria N. Luckyanova, Josef L. Miler, Luke A. Wilhelm
  • Publication number: 20190157635
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Josef L. Miler, Luke A. Wilhelm, Andrew C. Chu
  • Publication number: 20190157636
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Applicant: 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: 20190148696
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Steven Kaye, Maria N. Luckyanova, Josef L. Miler, Luke A. Wilhelm
  • Publication number: 20190140237
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Steven Kaye, Maria N. Luckyanova, Josef L. Miler, Luke A. Wilhelm