Patents by Inventor Nicholas John Sampson
Nicholas John Sampson 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).
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Publication number: 20170005316Abstract: A current carrier may include a circuit board that may be connected to a plurality of battery cells. Each of the battery cells may include a first end, an anode terminal on the first end, and a cathode terminal on the first end of the battery cell. Each battery cell may be positioned so that the first end of each of the plurality of battery cells is oriented in the same direction. The circuit board may include a first layer. The first layer may include a first group of positive contacts that may be electrically connected to cathode terminals of a first group of battery cells among the plurality of battery cells. The circuit board may also include a second layer. The second layer may include a first group of negative contacts that may be electrically connected to anode terminals of the first group of battery cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2016Publication date: January 5, 2017Inventors: W. Porter Harris, Nicholas John Sampson
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Publication number: 20170005376Abstract: Provided are systems for vehicle energy storage having parallel cooling comprising a plurality of modules. Each module may comprise two half modules coupled together. Each half module can include a plurality of battery cells. A current carrier of each half module may be electrically coupled to the cells. The cells may be disposed between the current carrier and a plate. Each half module can have the cells, current carrier, and blast plate disposed in an enclosure. The enclosure can have a coolant sub-system for circulating coolant in parallel to the plurality of cells such that each of the battery cells is at approximately the same predetermined temperature. The modules may be disposed in a tray. A coolant system may be provided for circulating coolant across the plurality of modules in parallel such that each of the modules can be maintained at approximately the same predetermined temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2015Publication date: January 5, 2017Inventors: W. Porter Harris, Blake Rosengren, Nicholas John Sampson
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Publication number: 20170005384Abstract: Provided are battery modules. Each module may comprise an enclosure having a base, the base having a plurality of first holes disposed therein, the enclosure including a coolant input port, a coolant output port; the enclosure having a coolant sub-system for circulating coolant being directed into the enclosure through the coolant input port and the plurality of first holes and out of the enclosure through the coolant output port; a center divider affixed to the enclosure; a module cover coupled to the enclosure at an opposite end of the module from the center divider; a retainer disposed within the enclosure and configured to support a plurality of cells; a current carrier disposed between the module cover and the retainer; and the plurality of cells disposed between the current carrier and the center divider, the cells being coupled to and supported by the retainer.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2015Publication date: January 5, 2017Inventors: W. Porter Harris, Blake Rosengren, Nicholas John Sampson
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Publication number: 20170001584Abstract: Provided are battery coupling systems. The system may comprise a first terminal electrically coupled to a vehicle electrical system; and a first contactor electrically coupled to a first battery connection of a battery and the first terminal, the first contactor comprising a first solid state switch for selectively coupling and decoupling the first battery connection to and from the first terminal, using a first control signal. The system may also comprise a second terminal electrically coupled to the vehicle electrical system; and a second contactor electrically coupled to a second battery connection of the battery and the second terminal, the second contactor comprising a second solid state switch for selectively coupling and decoupling the second battery connection to and from the second terminal, using a second control signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2015Publication date: January 5, 2017Inventors: W. Porter Harris, Nicholas John Sampson
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Patent number: 9030063Abstract: An integrated drive system assembly is provided that combines an electric motor, a power inverter assembly and a gearbox into a single, multi-piece enclosure. Combining these components into a single enclosure reduces weight, reduces drive system complexity, reduces system volume, simplifies assembly integration into an electric vehicle, reduces manufacturing cost, allows the flexible and lengthy electrical cables between the power inverter and the electric motor to be replaced with short, low loss, rigid bus bars, and simplifies component cooling by allowing the use of a common thermal management system, i.e., a mutual thermal management system. The common thermal management system includes a liquid coolant loop that is thermally coupled to the electric motor, the power inverter assembly and the gearbox.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2011Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.Inventors: Peter Dore Rawlinson, Nicholas John Sampson, Nicholas Robert Kalayjian, Vincent George Johnston, David Fred Nelson, Gary Allen Pinkley, Wulfer Adrijan de Bruijn, Benjamin David Dettmann, Nicolas Verzeni, Michael Raj Kubba, Edwin M. Pearce, Jr., Jim Robbins
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Publication number: 20140141948Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to an exercise apparatus having a frame comprising a first end, a second end and two generally horizontal frame members extending from the first end to the second end, a carriage supported by the horizontal frame members, the carriage being configured to translate along at least a portion of a length of the horizontal frame members and having a planar support surface, a first set of springs supported by the carriage, the first set of springs being configured to extend toward at least the first end of the frame, and a convertible platform positioned adjacent to at least one of the first and second ends of the frame. A vertical height of the convertible platform is adjustable from a first, platform or carriate height position to at least a second, chair position relative to a ground surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2013Publication date: May 22, 2014Applicant: ROCKIT BODY PILATES, LLCInventors: Judith Miriam ARONSON, Joshua Lev TARGOWNIK, Nicholas John SAMPSON, Spencer Lee MACKAY, Robert LaVenture FLETCHER
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Patent number: 8511738Abstract: A dual hinged door assembly for a vehicle is provided, the assembly including an upper door portion and a lower door portion. The upper door portion, which may include a window, pivots about a primary axis formed by its juncture with a structural member in the roof. The lower door portion, which may include a window, pivots about a secondary axis formed by its juncture with the upper door portion. Primary and secondary drive systems may be used to provide independent powered motion of the upper and lower door portions. Each drive system may include a powered strut, e.g., a hydraulic strut, and a non-powered strut, e.g., a gas strut.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Lee Brown, Franz von Holzhausen, Peter Dore Rawlinson, Nicholas John Sampson, Michael James Eckert, David Lemire, Axel Boris Vollmer
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Patent number: 8511739Abstract: A control system for use with a vehicle's dual hinged door assembly is provided, the control system including a door switch, upper and lower door portions, primary and secondary door drive systems and a controller. The upper door portion pivots about a primary axis formed by its juncture with a structural member in the roof while the lower door portion pivots about a secondary axis formed by its juncture with the upper door portion. Primary and secondary drive systems provide independent powered motion of the upper and lower door portions. The controller monitors door switch activation and determines whether activation corresponds to a door open or door closed command; performs preset door opening and closing sequences using the drive systems; and modifies the preset door opening and closing sequences based on data from proximity sensors, pinch sensors, latch sensors, drive system motor speed and the current draw by the drive systems.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Lee Brown, Franz von Holzhausen, Peter Dore Rawlinson, Nicholas John Sampson, Michael James Eckert, David Lemire, Axel Boris Vollmer
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Patent number: 8449015Abstract: A method of controlling the operation of a vehicle's dual hinged door assembly is provided, where the dual hinged door assembly includes a first door portion hingeably coupled to a structural member within the vehicle's roof such that it pivots about a primary axis formed by its juncture with the structural roof member, a second door portion hingeably coupled to the first door portion such that it pivots about a secondary axis formed by its juncture with the first door portion, a primary drive system providing powered motion for the first door portion about the primary axis, a secondary drive system providing powered motion for the second door portion about the secondary axis, and a controller coupled to the drive systems that provides independent motion control of the first and second door portions via the primary and secondary drive systems.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Lee Brown, Franz von Holzhausen, Peter Dore Rawlinson, Nicholas John Sampson, Michael James Eckert, David Lemire, Axel Boris Vollmer
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Publication number: 20130097940Abstract: A method of controlling the operation of a vehicle's dual hinged door assembly is provided, where the dual hinged door assembly includes a first door portion hingeably coupled to a structural member within the vehicle's roof such that it pivots about a primary axis formed by its juncture with the structural roof member, a second door portion hingeably coupled to the first door portion such that it pivots about a secondary axis formed by its juncture with the first door portion, a primary drive system providing powered motion for the first door portion about the primary axis, a secondary drive system providing powered motion for the second door portion about the secondary axis, and a controller coupled to the drive systems that provides independent motion control of the first and second door portions via the primary and secondary drive systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2012Publication date: April 25, 2013Applicant: TESLA MOTORS, INC.Inventors: Matthew Lee Brown, Franz von Holzhausen, Peter Dore Rawlinson, Nicholas John Sampson, Michael James Eckert, David Lemire, Axel Boris Vollmer
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Publication number: 20130099523Abstract: A dual hinged door assembly for a vehicle is provided, the assembly including an upper door portion and a lower door portion. The upper door portion, which may include a window, pivots about a primary axis formed by its juncture with a structural member in the roof. The lower door portion, which may include a window, pivots about a secondary axis formed by its juncture with the upper door portion. Primary and secondary drive systems may be used to provide independent powered motion of the upper and lower door portions. Each drive system may include a powered strut, e.g., a hydraulic strut, and a non-powered strut, e.g., a gas strut.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2012Publication date: April 25, 2013Applicant: TESLA MOTORS, INC.Inventors: Matthew Lee Brown, Franz von Holzhausen, Peter Dore Rawlinson, Nicholas John Sampson, Michael James Eckert, David Lemire, Axel Boris Vollmer
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Publication number: 20130099524Abstract: A control system for use with a vehicle's dual hinged door assembly is provided, the control system including a door switch, upper and lower door portions, primary and secondary door drive systems and a controller. The upper door portion pivots about a primary axis formed by its juncture with a structural member in the roof while the lower door portion pivots about a secondary axis formed by its juncture with the upper door portion. Primary and secondary drive systems provide independent powered motion of the upper and lower door portions. The controller monitors door switch activation and determines whether activation corresponds to a door open or door closed command; performs preset door opening and closing sequences using the drive systems; and modifies the preset door opening and closing sequences based on data from proximity sensors, pinch sensors, latch sensors, drive system motor speed and the current draw by the drive systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2012Publication date: April 25, 2013Applicant: TESLA MOTORS, INC.Inventors: Matthew Lee Brown, Franz von Holzhausen, Peter Dore Rawlinson, Nicholas John Sampson, Michael James Eckert, David Lemire, Axel Boris Vollmer
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Publication number: 20120153718Abstract: An integrated drive system assembly is provided that combines an electric motor, a power inverter assembly and a gearbox into a single, multi-piece enclosure. Combining these components into a single enclosure reduces weight, reduces drive system complexity, reduces system volume, simplifies assembly integration into an electric vehicle, reduces manufacturing cost, allows the flexible and lengthy electrical cables between the power inverter and the electric motor to be replaced with short, low loss, rigid bus bars, and simplifies component cooling by allowing the use of a common thermal management system. The common thermal management system includes a liquid coolant loop that is thermally coupled to the electric motor, the power inverter assembly and the gearbox.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2011Publication date: June 21, 2012Applicant: TESLA MOTORS, INC.Inventors: Peter Dore Rawlinson, Nicholas John Sampson, Nicholas Robert Kalayjian, Vincent George Johnston, David Fred Nelson, Gary Allen Pinkley, Wulfer Adrijan de Bruijn, Benjamin David Dettmann, Nicolas Verzeni, Michael Raj Kubba