Patents by Inventor Michael L. Epstein

Michael L. Epstein 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: 20140292260
    Abstract: A method for rapidly recharging a military or a non-military device having an electric battery is provided. The method includes recharging the military or non-military device and the recharging includes delivering coolant to the military or non-military device to cool the electric battery. A military device, a non-military non-vehicular device, a mobile charging station and a stationary charging station are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Lightening Energy
    Inventors: Christopher K. Dyer, Michael L. Epstein, Duncan Culver
  • Patent number: 8822064
    Abstract: A modular battery includes: a first battery cell having a first electrode surface; a second battery cell having a second electrode surface; a compressible interconnector connecting the first battery cell and the second battery cell; and a polymeric material holding the first battery cell against the second battery cell with the interconnector in a compressed state. A method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Lightening Energy
    Inventors: Duncan Culver, Christopher K. Dyer, Michael L. Epstein
  • Publication number: 20140148965
    Abstract: A method for creating a collective energy reserve network is provided. The method includes receiving first data including location data and first energy reserve interest data from a first remote device; receiving second data including location data and second energy reserve interest data from a second remote device; and using the first location data, first energy reserve interest data, second location data and second energy reserve interest data to permit creation of a first collective energy reserve. The energy reserve may be free standing or integrated with an electric vehicle recharger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Lightening Energy
    Inventors: Michael L. Epstein, Christopher K. Dyer, Duncan Culver
  • Publication number: 20140136281
    Abstract: A method for creating an alternate fuel vehicle refueling network includes receiving first location data and first alternate fuel refueling station interest data from a first remote device; receiving second location data and second alternate fuel refueling station interest data from a second remote device; and using the first location data, first alternate fuel refueling station interest data, second location data and second alternate fuel refueling station interest data to permit creation of a first alternate fuel refueling station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventors: Duncan Culver, Michael L. Epstein, Christopher K. Dyer
  • Publication number: 20130346902
    Abstract: A computer implemented method for creating an alternative energy vehicle supply station network is provided. The method includes displaying selectable potential alternative energy vehicle supply stations to users via a graphical user interface displayed on remote devices, the potential alternative energy vehicle supply stations being selectable by each of the users of remote devices to submit at least one preference of each user as a user submission; updating a memory of a computer to include the user submissions; processing, by a processor of the computer, the user submissions as a function of preselected criteria; and outputting, by the computer, the potential alternative energy vehicle supply stations satisfying the preselected criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Michael L. Epstein, Ryan McNellis, Greg Katz, Christopher K. Dyer
  • Patent number: 8587253
    Abstract: A method for recharging an electric vehicle having an electric battery for powering a vehicle drive system is provided. The method includes recharging the electric vehicle during a first period at a first electrical power and recharging the electric vehicle during a second period shorter than the first period at a second electrical power higher than the first electrical power. The recharging includes delivering coolant to the electric vehicle to cool the electric battery during the second period. Other methods of recharging an electric vehicle are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Lightening Energy
    Inventors: Christopher K. Dyer, Michael L. Epstein, Duncan Culver
  • Patent number: 8498886
    Abstract: A method for creating an electric vehicle charging network includes receiving first location data from a first remote device; providing electric vehicle charger data to the first remote device as a function of the first location data; receiving second location data from a second remote device; providing the electric vehicle charger data to the second remote device as a function of the second location data; and, in response to the electric vehicle charger data, receiving interest data from the first and second remote devices to permit creation of a first electric vehicle charger. Further methods and systems are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Lightening Energy
    Inventors: Michael L. Epstein, Christopher K. Dyer, Duncan Culver
  • Publication number: 20130046513
    Abstract: A method for creating an electric vehicle charging network includes receiving first location data from a first remote device; providing electric vehicle charger data to the first remote device as a function of the first location data; receiving second location data from a second remote device; providing the electric vehicle charger data to the second remote device as a function of the second location data; and, in response to the electric vehicle charger data, receiving interest data from the first and second remote devices to permit creation of a first electric vehicle charger. Further methods and systems are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: Lightening Energy
    Inventors: Michael L. EPSTEIN, Christopher K. DYER, Duncan CULVER
  • Publication number: 20130026998
    Abstract: A method for recharging an electric vehicle having an electric battery for powering a vehicle drive system is provided. The method includes recharging the electric vehicle during a first period at a first electrical power and recharging the electric vehicle during a second period shorter than the first period at a second electrical power higher than the first electrical power. The recharging includes delivering coolant to the electric vehicle to cool the electric battery during the second period. Other methods of recharging an electric vehicle are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: Lightening Energy
    Inventors: Christopher K. DYER, Michael L. Epstein, Duncan Culver
  • Publication number: 20130029193
    Abstract: An electric vehicle is provided. The electric vehicle includes an electric battery powering a drive system of the vehicle. The battery has a housing and a plurality of cells within the housing. The cells are spaced apart by interconnectors. The electric vehicle also includes a coolant delivery. The coolant delivery delivers coolant to the interconnectors. An electric battery is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: Lightening Energy
    Inventors: Christopher K. DYER, Michael L. EPSTEIN, Duncan CULVER
  • Patent number: 8349485
    Abstract: A modular battery includes a housing, a first planar battery cell having a first planar electrode surface, a second planar battery cell having a second planar electrode surface, and an interconnector disposed between the first planar surface and the second planar surface and electrically connecting the first and second planar electrode surfaces, side peripheries of the interconnector, the first and second planar battery cells being electrically insulated from the housing. A method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Lightening Energy
    Inventors: Duncan Culver, Christopher K. Dyer, Michael L. Epstein
  • Patent number: 8350526
    Abstract: A vehicle charging station is provided. The vehicle charging station includes a charging source providing an electrical charge, a coolant source providing coolant and a connector having both an electrical supply section delivering the electrical charge and a coolant supply section delivering the coolant. The connector is capable of connecting to a vehicle. A connector for a vehicle charging station and an electric vehicle are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Lightening Energy
    Inventors: Christopher K. Dyer, Michael L. Epstein, Duncan Culver
  • Patent number: 8343642
    Abstract: A modular battery includes a housing, a first battery cell having a first electrode surface, a second battery cell having a second electrode surface, and a pressurizable bladder forcing the first battery cell against the second battery cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Lightening Energy
    Inventors: Duncan Culver, Christopher K. Dyer, Michael L. Epstein
  • Publication number: 20120221299
    Abstract: A method for creating an electric vehicle charging network includes receiving first location data from a first remote device; providing electric vehicle charger data to the first remote device as a function of the first location data; receiving second location data from a second remote device; providing the electric vehicle charger data to the second remote device as a function of the second location data; and, in response to the electric vehicle charger data, receiving interest data from the first and second remote devices to permit creation of a first electric vehicle charger. Further methods and systems are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: Lightening Energy
    Inventors: Michael L. Epstein, Christopher K. Dyer, Duncan Culver
  • Publication number: 20120183832
    Abstract: A modular battery includes a housing, a first planar battery cell having a first planar electrode surface, a second planar battery cell having a second planar electrode surface, and an interconnector disposed between the first planar surface and the second planar surface and electrically connecting the first and second planar electrode surfaces, side peripheries of the interconnector, the first and second planar battery cells being electrically insulated from the housing. A method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: Lightening Energy
    Inventors: Duncan Culver, Christopher K. Dyer, Michael L. Epstein
  • Patent number: 8173294
    Abstract: A modular battery includes a housing, a first planar battery cell having a first planar electrode surface, a second planar battery cell having a second planar electrode surface, and an interconnector disposed between the first planar surface and the second planar surface and electrically connecting the first and second planar electrode surfaces, side peripheries of the interconnector, the first and second planar battery cells being electrically insulated from the housing. A method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Lightening Energy
    Inventors: Duncan Culver, Christopher K. Dyer, Michael L. Epstein
  • Patent number: 8174235
    Abstract: A method for recharging an electric vehicle having an electric battery for powering a vehicle drive system is provided. The method includes recharging the electric vehicle during a first period at a first electrical power and recharging the electric vehicle during a second period shorter than the first period at a second electrical power higher than the first electrical power. The recharging includes delivering coolant to the electric vehicle to cool the electric battery during the second period. Other methods of recharging an electric vehicle are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Lightening Energy
    Inventors: Christopher K. Dyer, Michael L. Epstein, Duncan Culver
  • Publication number: 20120043935
    Abstract: A vehicle charging station is provided. The vehicle charging station includes a charging source providing an electrical charge, a coolant source providing coolant and a connector having both an electrical supply section delivering the electrical charge and a coolant supply section delivering the coolant. The connector is capable of connecting to a vehicle. A connector for a vehicle charging station and an electric vehicle are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: Lightening Energy
    Inventors: Christopher K. DYER, Michael L. Epstein, Duncan Culver
  • Publication number: 20120043943
    Abstract: A method for recharging an electric vehicle having an electric battery for powering a vehicle drive system is provided. The method includes recharging the electric vehicle during a first period at a first electrical power and recharging the electric vehicle during a second period shorter than the first period at a second electrical power higher than the first electrical power. The recharging includes delivering coolant to the electric vehicle to cool the electric battery during the second period. Other methods of recharging an electric vehicle are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: Lightening Energy
    Inventors: Christopher K. Dyer, Michael L. Epstein, Duncan Culver
  • Publication number: 20110200867
    Abstract: A battery cell for a modular battery includes a positive end electrode; a negative end electrode; and at least one further electrode between the positive end electrode and the negative end electrode; at least one of the positive and negative end electrodes including a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer adjacent to the first conductive layer, the first conductive layer defining an electrical contact surface facing away from the further electrode and being made of a material less susceptible to oxidation than the second conductive layer. A battery and a method are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: Lightening Energy
    Inventors: Duncan Culver, Christopher K. Dyer, Michael L. Epstein