Patents by Inventor Ralf Lerch

Ralf Lerch 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: 9379365
    Abstract: A support frame assembly for holding a plurality of battery cells includes a first end frame having a first plurality of protruding strips, a second end frame having a second plurality of protruding strips, and a structural frame having a plurality of grooves for receiving the first plurality of protruding strips and the second plurality of protruding strips. The first end frame and the second end frame attach to the structural frame to hold a first battery cell, a second battery cell and a foam pad positioned between the first battery cell and the second battery cell. The structural frame has curved features therein for receiving a cooling assembly and a chamfered slot for receiving a cooling fin from the cooling assembly. The support frame assembly also includes interlocking features that mate to another support frame with a gap defined between adjacent support frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ulrich Schmieder, Alastair Gordon Anderson, Reiner Essinger, Karsten Reinhard Spaeter, Ralf Lerch
  • Publication number: 20150072194
    Abstract: A support frame assembly for holding a plurality of battery cells includes a first end frame having a first plurality of protruding strips, a second end frame having a second plurality of protruding strips, and a structural frame having a plurality of grooves for receiving the first plurality of protruding strips and the second plurality of protruding strips. The first end frame and the second end frame attach to the structural frame to hold a first battery cell, a second battery cell and a foam pad positioned between the first battery cell and the second battery cell. The structural frame has curved features therein for receiving a cooling assembly and a chamfered slot for receiving a cooling fin from the cooling assembly. The support frame assembly also includes interlocking features that mate to another support frame with a gap defined between adjacent support frames.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: ULRICH SCHMIEDER, ALASTAIR GORDON ANDERSON, REINER ESSINGER, KARSTEN REINHARD SPAETER, RALF LERCH
  • Patent number: 8841016
    Abstract: A battery module is described. The battery module includes a plurality of battery cells; a plurality of cooling fin assemblies, each cooling fin assembly positioned between two battery cells, the cooling fin assemblies comprising at least one cooling fin and a foot on at least one side of the cooling fin assemblies, the foot having a bottom and interlocking profiles on each end, the interlocking profiles on adjacent feet of the cooling fin assemblies interlocking the feet and forming a surface; and a heat sink contacting the surface of the interlocked feet. A method of cooling a battery module is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alastair Gordon Anderson, Reiner Essinger, Peter Gross, Axel Heise, Joachim Lauk, Ralf Lerch, Manfred Mohr, Stefan Toepfer
  • Patent number: 8592069
    Abstract: Systems and apparatus for securing a battery within a vehicle, such as a battery for an electric vehicle. In some embodiments, a vehicle battery system may be provided that comprises a battery frame for housing a vehicle battery. A tray may be provided that is configured for receiving the battery frame housing the vehicle battery. One or more securement members may be coupled with the tray and configured to engage an upper surface of a portion, such as a foot section, of the battery. The securement member(s) may be configured to engage the battery so as to at least substantially prevent the battery from moving relative to the tray. The securement member may thereby accommodate batteries of different sizes to allow for decreased tolerance requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alastair Gordon Anderson, Ralf Lerch, Stefan Toepfer
  • Patent number: 8323843
    Abstract: A fuel cell assembly having a terminal plate that is isolated from fluid flows passing to the fuel cell stack through manifolds is provided. A corrosion resistant member is positioned between the fuel cell stack and the terminal plate and sealingly engages with the manifold. The sealing engagement between the manifold and the corrosion resistant member prevents fluid flowing through the manifold to the fuel cell stack from contacting the terminal plate. Thus, a fuel cell assembly according to the present invention can be operated while preventing a fluid flow through the manifold from contacting the terminal plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Raiser, Ralf Lerch
  • Publication number: 20120107649
    Abstract: A battery module is described. The battery module includes a plurality of battery cells; a plurality of cooling fin assemblies, each cooling fin assembly positioned between two battery cells, the cooling fin assemblies comprising at least one cooling fin and a foot on at least one side of the cooling fin assemblies, the foot having a bottom and interlocking profiles on each end, the interlocking profiles on adjacent feet of the cooling fin assemblies interlocking the feet and forming a surface; and a heat sink contacting the surface of the interlocked feet. A method of cooling a battery module is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Alastair Gordon Anderson, Reiner Essinger, Peter Gross, Axel Heise, Joachim Lauk, Ralf Lerch, Manfred Mohr, Stefan Toepfer
  • Publication number: 20090311563
    Abstract: A fuel cell assembly having a terminal plate that is isolated from fluid flows passing to the fuel cell stack through manifolds is provided. A corrosion resistant member is positioned between the fuel cell stack and the terminal plate and sealingly engages with the manifold. The sealing engagement between the manifold and the corrosion resistant member prevents fluid flowing through the manifold to the fuel cell stack from contacting the terminal plate. Thus, a fuel cell assembly according to the present invention can be operated while preventing a fluid flow through the manifold from contacting the terminal plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stephen Raiser, Ralf Lerch
  • Patent number: 7629064
    Abstract: A fuel cell assembly having a terminal plate that is isolated from fluid flows passing to the fuel cell stack through manifolds is provided. A corrosion resistant member is positioned between the fuel cell stack and the terminal plate and sealingly engages with the manifold. The sealing engagement between the manifold and the corrosion resistant member prevents fluid flowing through the manifold to the fuel cell stack from contacting the terminal plate. Thus, a fuel cell assembly according to the present invention can be operated while preventing a fluid flow through the manifold from contacting the terminal plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Raiser, Ralf Lerch
  • Publication number: 20050260479
    Abstract: A fuel cell assembly having a terminal plate that is isolated from fluid flows passing to the fuel cell stack through manifolds is provided. A corrosion resistant member is positioned between the fuel cell stack and the terminal plate and sealingly engages with the manifold. The sealing engagement between the manifold and the corrosion resistant member prevents fluid flowing through the manifold to the fuel cell stack from contacting the terminal plate. Thus, a fuel cell assembly according to the present invention can be operated while preventing a fluid flow through the manifold from contacting the terminal plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Publication date: November 24, 2005
    Inventors: Stephen Raiser, Ralf Lerch