Patents by Inventor Qingcheng Zeng
Qingcheng Zeng 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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Patent number: 10923728Abstract: Energy storage devices, battery cells, and batteries of the present technology include a current collector including a polymer film coupled with a plurality of wires of a metal-containing material. The current collector may include a first region and a second region. The first region may be characterized by an extension of the metal-containing material. The polymer film may be contained within the second region of the current collector. Additionally, the plurality of wires may extend from the extension of the metal-containing material along the polymer film.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2018Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Inventor: Qingcheng Zeng
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Patent number: 10916796Abstract: Energy storage devices, battery cells, and batteries may include a first current collector having an anode active material disposed along a first surface of the first current collector. The cells may include a plurality of first electrodes positioned along a second surface of the first current collector opposite the first surface. The plurality of first electrodes may be characterized by a first orientation. The cells may include a second current collector having a cathode active material disposed along a first surface of the second current collector. The cells may include a separator positioned between the anode active material and the cathode active material. The cells may also include a plurality of second electrodes positioned along a second surface of the second current collector opposite the first surface. The plurality of second electrodes may be characterized by a second orientation substantially orthogonal to the first orientation.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2019Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Inventors: Tobias Zeilinger, Donald G. Dafoe, Paul W. Firehammer, Andrew C. Chu, Christopher T. Campbell, Mario Tippelhofer, Alexander A. Bondarenko, Qingcheng Zeng
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Patent number: 10916741Abstract: Energy storage devices, battery cells, and batteries of the present technology may include a first current collector and a second current collector. At least one of the first current collector and the second current collector may be a non-metal current collector. The battery cell may include a seal between an edge region of the first current collector and an edge region of the second current collector. The seal may contact a first surface of the first current collector and a first surface of the second current collector. The battery cell may also include a metal material coupled with the non-metal current collector on a second surface of the non-metal current collector opposite the first surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2018Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Inventors: Donald G. Dafoe, Andrew C. Chu, Christopher T. Campbell, Tobias Zeilinger, Kenzo Nagai, Qingcheng Zeng
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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
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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
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Patent number: 10658632Abstract: Battery housings and batteries are presented for accommodating swelling of an electrode assembly. In one aspect, a battery includes an electrode assembly that includes a cathode and an anode. The battery also includes a receptacle that includes at least one feedthrough disposed through one or more sides of the receptacle. A lid is sealed to the receptacle. The receptacle, the at least one feedthrough, and the lid form a sealed volume in which the electrode assembly and an electrolyte are disposed. The lid is configured to displace from a first position to a second position in response to a swelling of the electrode assembly within the sealed volume. The receptacle is configured to strain less than the lid during the swelling of the electrode assembly. The second position of the lid may correspond to an expanded volume of the electrode assembly that is 15% greater than an initial volume.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2018Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Inventors: Qingcheng Zeng, Donald G. Dafoe, Kenzo Nagai
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Patent number: 10573876Abstract: Energy storage devices, battery cells, and batteries of the present technology may include an enclosure. The enclosure may house a cathode current collector and a cathode tab coupled with the cathode current collector. A cathode terminal may be accessible at an external location of these devices, and the cathode terminal may be electrically coupled with the cathode tab. The enclosure may also house an anode current collector and an anode tab coupled with the anode current collector. An anode terminal may be accessible at an external location of the devices, and the anode terminal may be electrically coupled with the anode tab. The devices may further include a fuse housed within the enclosure. The fuse may be positioned between the anode terminal and anode tab, and may also be in electrical communication with both the anode terminal and the anode tab.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2017Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Inventors: Qingcheng Zeng, Donald G. Dafoe
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Publication number: 20200052305Abstract: Energy storage devices, battery cells, and batteries of the present technology may include a first current collector, and may include a separator. The battery cell may include a first active material disposed between the first current collector and the separator. The battery cell may include an electrolyte diffusion material disposed between the first active material and the first current collector.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2019Publication date: February 13, 2020Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christopher T. Campbell, Andrew C. Chu, Tobias Zeilinger, Ghyrn E. Loveness, Qingcheng Zeng, Kenzo Nagai, Donald G. Dafoe
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Patent number: 10396339Abstract: A bi-metal tab includes an internal tab segment that can be coupled to a battery cell terminal within an interior of the cell and an external tab segment that can be coupled to an element external to the cell. One tab segment includes a pin tab segment that comprises a pin, and another tab segment includes a socket tab segment comprised of a separate metal material, that comprises a socket. The socket can be at least partially enclosed, on at least two opposing sides, by the structure of the socket tab segment, and the socket and pin of the separate segments can be configured to couple, to form the tab, where at least two surfaces of the pin are in flush contact with the socket tab segment structure. A protection layer that restricts electronic transport across the tab based on exposure to particular physical conditions can be included between the tab segments.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2016Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Qingcheng Zeng, Donald G. Dafoe, Andrew Chu, Ashley S. Harvey, Junwei Jiang
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Publication number: 20190190030Abstract: Energy storage devices, battery cells, and batteries of the present technology may include a first cell and a second cell disposed adjacent the first cell. The devices may include a stacked current collector coupled between the first cell and the second cell. The current collector may include a grid or matrix, and may include a combination of conductive and insulative materials.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2019Publication date: June 20, 2019Inventors: Andrew C. Chu, Christopher T. Campbell, Qingcheng Zeng, Kenzo Nagai, Isaac S. Harper, Donald G. Dafoe
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Patent number: 10153474Abstract: Battery separators are presented having improved temperature ranges for battery shutdown. The battery separators include a first layer having a first shutdown temperature range, a second layer having a second shutdown temperature range, and a third layer having a third shutdown temperature range. The first shutdown temperature range and the second shutdown temperature range have a first overlap in temperature. The second shutdown temperature range and third shutdown temperature range have a second overlap in temperature. In some embodiments, the second layer is disposed between the first layer and the third layer to create a sandwiched structure.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2016Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Inventors: Qingcheng Zeng, Donald G. Dafoe
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Patent number: 10116013Abstract: A battery includes one or more protection layers, applied to one or more foil layers in the battery, which restrict electronic transport across the protection layer based on exposure to particular physical conditions. The protection layer can change from being an electrically conductive layer to being an electrically insulating layer based on the exposure. The protection layer can include a mixture of materials that change state to electrically insulating states based on exposure to various particular physical conditions. A battery can include multiple protection layers that restrict electronic transport based on exposure to different physical conditions. A protection layer applied to a foil layer that is applied to an electrode restricts electronic transport between the foil layer and the electrode based on exposure to the one or more physical conditions. A protection layer located between separate battery cells can restrict electronic transport between portions of separate battery cells.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2016Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Qingcheng Zeng, Donald G. Dafoe, Andrew Chu, Junwei Jiang
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Publication number: 20180205118Abstract: A bipolar battery including a first electrochemical cell and a second electrochemical cell is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2016Publication date: July 19, 2018Inventors: Andrew C. Chu, Qingcheng Zeng, Donald G. Dafoe, Steven Kaye
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Patent number: 9929393Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to the design of a jelly-roll battery comprising an alternating anode and cathode layers coated with intervening separator layers wound into a jelly-roll. The alternating anode and cathode layers are coated with, respectively, an anode active coating and a cathode active coating. A first common notch and a second common notch are formed along at least one side of the jelly-roll. A common cathode tab can be bonded to the cathode tabs within the first common notch, and a common anode tab can be bonded to the anode tabs within the second common notch. The jelly-roll battery also includes a pouch enclosing the jelly-roll. Common anode and cathode tabs can extend through the pouch to provide cathode and anode terminals for the battery cell.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2016Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Brian K. Shiu, Qingcheng Zeng
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Publication number: 20170092925Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to the design of a jelly-roll battery comprising an alternating anode and cathode layers coated with intervening separator layers wound into a jelly-roll. The alternating anode and cathode layers are coated with, respectively, an anode active coating and a cathode active coating. A first common notch and a second common notch are formed along at least one side of the jelly-roll. A common cathode tab can be bonded to the cathode tabs within the first common notch, and a common anode tab can be bonded to the anode tabs within the second common notch. The jelly-roll battery also includes a pouch enclosing the jelly-roll. Common anode and cathode tabs can extend through the pouch to provide cathode and anode terminals for the battery cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2016Publication date: March 30, 2017Inventors: Brian K. Shiu, Qingcheng Zeng
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Publication number: 20160240831Abstract: An apparatus includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a porous layer positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode. The porous layer resists dendrite growth from the first electrode through the porous layer to the second electrode. The porous layer includes a plurality of pores sized to permit ionic transport through the porous layer and to resist dendrite growth through the porous layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2016Publication date: August 18, 2016Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Qingcheng Zeng, Richard M. Mank, Jie Guan, Shouwei Hao, Bookeun Oh
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Patent number: 9343720Abstract: The described embodiments relate to methods and apparatus for improving pick and place operations. Pick and place operations involving the movement of flexible substrates can be improved by cooling a flexible substrate below a threshold temperature at which the flexible substrate transitions from a flexible state to a rigid state. Once in the rigid state, the flexible substrate can be handled and maneuvered by pick and place operations for a period of time with a limited risk of the flexible substrate wrinkling and tearing. In some embodiments, the flexible substrate is a thin polymeric substrate used to separate oppositely charged battery cells within a battery assembly.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2014Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Qingcheng Zeng, Shouwei Hao, Brian Shiu
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Publication number: 20160043369Abstract: The described embodiments relate to methods and apparatus for improving pick and place operations. Pick and place operations involving the movement of flexible substrates can be improved by cooling a flexible substrate below a threshold temperature at which the flexible substrate transitions from a flexible state to a rigid state. Once in the rigid state, the flexible substrate can be handled and maneuvered by pick and place operations for a period of time with a limited risk of the flexible substrate wrinkling and tearing. In some embodiments, the flexible substrate is a thin polymeric substrate used to separate oppositely charged battery cells within a battery assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2014Publication date: February 11, 2016Inventors: Qingcheng Zeng, Shouwei Hao, Brian Shiu
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Publication number: 20140272529Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to the manufacture of a battery cell. The battery cell includes a first set of layers including a cathode with an active coating, a separator, and an anode with an active coating. The separator may include a ceramic coating and a binder coating over the ceramic coating. During manufacturing of the battery cell, the layers are stacked, and the binder coating is used to laminate the first set of layers within the first sub-cell by applying at least one of pressure and temperature to the first set of layers. In addition, uniform pressure is applied to the cell stack to laminate the first and second sets of layers.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Sheba Devan, Richard M. Mank, George V. Anastas, Jack B. Rector, III, Qingcheng Zeng, Shouwei Hao, Adnan N. Jafri
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Publication number: 20140272543Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to the manufacture of a battery cell. The battery cell includes a first set of layers including a cathode with an active coating, a separator, and an anode with an active coating. The separator may include a ceramic coating and a binder coating over the ceramic coating. During manufacturing of the battery cell, the layers are stacked, and the binder coating is used to laminate the first set of layers within the first sub-cell by applying at least one of pressure and temperature to the first set of layers. One or more fiducials are also disposed on each electrode from a set of electrodes for the battery cell and/or a fixture for the electrodes. The one or more fiducials may be used to align the electrodes during stacking of the set of electrodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Sheba Devan, Richard M. Mank, George V. Anastas, Jack B. Rector, III, Qingcheng Zeng, Shouwei Hao, Adnan N. Jafri