Patents by Inventor Richard M. Mank
Richard M. Mank 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: 11870037Abstract: Energy storage devices, battery cells, and batteries may include a battery cell component that may be or include a ceramic layer produced by methods including admixing a ceramic with a water-soluble dispersant to form a first mixture. The methods may include admixing an organic polymeric dispersant with the first mixture to form a second mixture. The methods may include admixing a binder with the second mixture to form a slurry. The methods may also include depositing the slurry on a substrate.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2018Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Lin Ma, Mikyong Yoo, Richard M. Mank
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Patent number: 11811051Abstract: An electrochemical cell has a cathode having a cathode current collector and a cathode active material, an anode having an anode current collector, lithium metal seed, and an anode cap on the lithium metal seed, a liquid electrolyte, a separator between the cathode active material and the anode active material, and a polymer electrolyte lamination layer bonding the anode to the separator. The polymer electrolyte lamination layer is formulated using a crosslinked polymer, a lithium salt, a plasticizer, and an anode additive. The anode cap and the polymer electrolyte lamination layer work together to produce densely plated lithium metal between the lithium metal seed and the anode cap with little or no external pressure.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2020Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Alan A. Ritchie, Karl M. Brown, Lin Ma, Korhan Demirkan, Andrew Basile, Richard M. Mank, Bernd Jurgen Neudecker
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Patent number: 11784302Abstract: Lithium-metal batteries with improved dimensional stability are presented along with methods of manufacture. The lithium-metal batteries incorporate an anode cell that reduces dimensional changes during charging and discharging. The anode cell includes a container having a first portion and a second portion to form an enclosed cavity. The first portion is electrically-conductive and chemically-stable to lithium metal. The second portion is permeable to lithium ions and chemically-stable to lithium metal. The anode cell also includes an anode comprising lithium metal and disposed within the cavity. The anode is in contact with the first portion and the second portion. The cavity is configured such that volumetric expansion and contraction of the anode during charging and discharging is accommodated entirely therein.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2020Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Bernd J. Neudecker, Shawn W. Snyder, Richard M. Mank
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Patent number: 11728547Abstract: An electrochemical cell has a cathode having a cathode current collector and a cathode active material, an anode having an anode current collector and an anode active material comprising lithium metal, a liquid electrolyte, a separator between the cathode active material and the anode active material, and a polymer electrolyte lamination layer bonding the anode to the separator. The polymer electrolyte lamination layer is formulated using a crosslinked polymer, a lithium salt, a plasticizer, and an anode additive.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2020Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Lin Ma, Alan A. Ritchie, Bernd Jurgen Neudecker, Richard M. Mank
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Publication number: 20230019903Abstract: A battery assembly can be formed on a base layer provided on a substrate, with a thin film battery stack including an anode layer, a cathode layer, and an electrolyte layer between the anode and cathode layers. The thin film battery stack can be attached to a pattern film layer with holes for electrical connection to the anode and cathode layers.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2022Publication date: January 19, 2023Inventors: Lili Huang, Richard M. Mank
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Publication number: 20230006241Abstract: Energy storage devices, battery cells, and batteries may include a battery cell component that may be or include a ceramic layer produced by methods including admixing a ceramic with a water-soluble dispersant to form a first mixture. The methods may include admixing an organic polymeric dispersant with the first mixture to form a second mixture. The methods may include admixing a binder with the second mixture to form a slurry. The methods may also include depositing the slurry on a substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2022Publication date: January 5, 2023Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Lin Ma, Mikyong Yoo, Richard M. Mank
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Publication number: 20230006242Abstract: Energy storage devices, battery cells, and batteries may include a battery cell component that is formed by a method that includes forming a slurry that includes a ceramic material, a binder, and an ionic dispersant. The ceramic material may be greater than 50% of the slurry by weight. The method may also include applying the slurry to a polymeric material to form a two-layer separator. The slurry may be applied to a thickness of less than or about 10 ?m.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2022Publication date: January 5, 2023Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Lin Ma, Mikyong Yoo, Richard M. Mank
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Patent number: 11539086Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting and compensating for expansion of rechargeable batteries over time. An expansion detector may be coupled to or positioned proximate a rechargeable battery to monitor for expansion thereof. After expansion exceeding a selected threshold is detected, the expansion detector may report the expansion to an associated processing unit. The processing unit may undertake to arrest further rechargeable battery expansion by modifying or changing one or more characteristics of charging and/or discharging circuitry coupled to the rechargeable battery. For example, the processing unit may charge the rechargeable battery at a lower rate or with reduced voltage after detecting expansion.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2020Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Daniel W. Jarvis, David M. DeMuro, Hongli Dai, Julian Malinski, Julien Marcil, Meng Chi Lee, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Rishabh Bhargava, Steven D. Sterz, Richard M. Mank, Soundararajan Manthiri, Vijayasekaran Boovaragavan
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Publication number: 20220376225Abstract: An all-solid-state battery cell has a cathode on which a cathode current collector is attached, a solid electrolyte deposited on the cathode opposite the cathode current collector, an anode comprising lithium deposited onto the solid electrolyte opposite the cathode, and an anode current collector bonded to the anode opposite the solid electrolyte with a bonding layer of a metal alloyed with the lithium.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2021Publication date: November 24, 2022Inventors: Penchala N. Kankanala, Karl M. Brown, Alan A. Ritchie, Richard M. Mank, Ulrich A. Bonne, Korhan Demirkan
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Patent number: 11508984Abstract: A battery assembly can be formed on a base layer provided on a substrate, with a thin film battery stack including an anode layer, a cathode layer, and an electrolyte layer between the anode and cathode layers. The thin film battery stack can be attached to a pattern film layer with holes for electrical connection to the anode and cathode layers.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2018Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Lili Huang, Richard M. Mank
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Patent number: 11289769Abstract: Cell stacks are presented that include binders for wet and dry lamination processes. The cell stacks, when laminated, produce battery cells (or portions thereof). The cell stacks include a cathode having a cathode active material disposed on a cathode current collector. The cell stacks also include an anode having an anode active material disposed on an anode current collector. The anode is oriented towards the cathode such that the anode active material faces the cathode active material. A separator is disposed between the cathode active material and the anode active material and comprising a binder comprising a PVdF-HFP copolymer. In certain instances, an electrolyte fluid is in contact with the separator. Methods of laminating the cell stacks are also presented.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2020Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Mikyong Yoo, Richard M. Mank, Bookeun Oh
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Publication number: 20220093969Abstract: An electrochemical cell has a cathode having a cathode current collector and a cathode active material, an anode having an anode current collector and an anode active material comprising lithium metal, a liquid electrolyte, a separator between the cathode active material and the anode active material, and a polymer electrolyte lamination layer bonding the anode to the separator. The polymer electrolyte lamination layer is formulated using a crosslinked polymer, a lithium salt, a plasticizer, and an anode additive.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2020Publication date: March 24, 2022Inventors: Lin Ma, Alan A. Ritchie, Bernd Jurgen Neudecker, Richard M. Mank
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Publication number: 20220093908Abstract: An electrochemical cell has a cathode having a cathode current collector and a cathode active material, an anode having an anode current collector, lithium metal seed, and an anode cap on the lithium metal seed, a liquid electrolyte, a separator between the cathode active material and the anode active material, and a polymer electrolyte lamination layer bonding the anode to the separator. The polymer electrolyte lamination layer is formulated using a crosslinked polymer, a lithium salt, a plasticizer, and an anode additive. The anode cap and the polymer electrolyte lamination layer work together to produce densely plated lithium metal between the lithium metal seed and the anode cap with little or no external pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2020Publication date: March 24, 2022Inventors: Alan A. Ritchie, Karl M. Brown, Lin Ma, Korhan Demirkan, Andrew Basile, Richard M. Mank, Bernd Jurgen Neudecker
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Patent number: 11223036Abstract: An anode active material comprises a silicon-carbon secondary particle comprising a composite having an exterior conformal carbon coating and formed of type I primary particles. Each type I primary particle comprises a core particle of interconnected silicon, the interconnected silicon formed of nano-sized silicon particles each connected to at least one other particle, inner pores internal to the core particle and defined by the interconnected silicon, an internal carbon coating on internal wall surfaces of the inner pores and a conformal carbon coating on the core particle.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2019Date of Patent: January 11, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Zuqin Liu, Richard M. Mank, Hyea Kim, Hongli Dai, Sunho Kang, Ji-Guang Zhang, Ran Yi, Qiuyan Li, Xiaolin Li, Wu Xu, Rajankumar L. Patel, Hyung-Seok Lim, Chongmin Wang, Langli Luo, Yang He
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Patent number: 11038227Abstract: An outer cover of a pouch-style battery includes a nanoceramic coating. Constructing an outer cover including a nanoceramic coating may include forming a malleable layer, applying a sealing layer to an inside surface of the malleable layer, and applying the nanoceramic layer to an outside surface of the malleable layer. Fabricating an outer cover including a nanoceramic coating may further include applying a protective film to an outside surface of the outer cover, which may be removed shortly before or after installation of a battery cell for which the outer cover is manufactured. Fabricating an outer cover including a nanoceramic coating may also include applying one or more adhesive layers, for example an adhesive layer between the malleable layer and the sealing layer. An outer cover including a nanoceramic coating may be sealed around a battery-active-material assembly to form a pouch-style battery cell.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2017Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: YooEup Hyung, Sang Young Yoon, Dennis M. Foley, Richard M. Mank
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Publication number: 20210075068Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting and compensating for expansion of rechargeable batteries over time. An expansion detector may be coupled to or positioned proximate a rechargeable battery to monitor for expansion thereof. After expansion exceeding a selected threshold is detected, the expansion detector may report the expansion to an associated processing unit. The processing unit may undertake to arrest further rechargeable battery expansion by modifying or changing one or more characteristics of charging and/or discharging circuitry coupled to the rechargeable battery. For example, the processing unit may charge the rechargeable battery at a lower rate or with reduced voltage after detecting expansion.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2020Publication date: March 11, 2021Inventors: Daniel W. Jarvis, David M. DeMuro, Hongli Dai, Julian Malinski, Julien Marcil, Meng Chi Lee, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Rishabh Bhargava, Steven D. Sterz, Richard M. Mank, Soundararajan Manthiri, Vijayasekaran Boovaragavan
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Publication number: 20210066693Abstract: Lithium-metal batteries with improved dimensional stability are presented along with methods of manufacture. The lithium-metal batteries incorporate an anode cell that reduces dimensional changes during charging and discharging. The anode cell includes a container having a first portion and a second portion to form an enclosed cavity. The first portion is electrically-conductive and chemically-stable to lithium metal. The second portion is permeable to lithium ions and chemically-stable to lithium metal. The anode cell also includes an anode comprising lithium metal and disposed within the cavity. The anode is in contact with the first portion and the second portion. The cavity is configured such that volumetric expansion and contraction of the anode during charging and discharging is accommodated entirely therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2020Publication date: March 4, 2021Inventors: Bernd J. Neudecker, Shawn W. Snyder, Richard M. Mank
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Patent number: 10930915Abstract: A battery assembly includes a battery cell with leads extending from the battery and a circuit including a substrate and contacts that extend from the substrate. The leads are coupled to the contacts by mechanical or adhesive bonds located on sections of the contacts extending from the substrate. In various implementations, the circuit may include a variety of different components coupled to the substrate. Such components may be operable to perform a variety of functions such as regulating, monitoring, controlling, and/or otherwise managing the battery cell. Such components may include one or more battery management units, safety circuits, capacity gauges, and/or other components.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2015Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Tyler S. Bushnell, Charles W. Werley, Richard M. Mank, Xiaoyun Hu, Thai T. Ton, George V. Anastas, Vijayasekaran Boovaragavan
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Patent number: 10892512Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a battery cell which includes a set of jelly rolls enclosed in a pouch. Each jelly roll includes layers which are wound together, including a cathode with an active coating, a separator, and an anode with an active coating. The battery cell also includes a first set of conductive tabs and a second set of conductive tabs. Each of the first set of conductive tabs is coupled to the cathode of one of the jelly rolls, and each of the second set of conductive tabs is coupled to the anode of one of the jelly rolls. At least one of the first set and one of the second set of conductive tabs extend through seals in the pouch to provide terminals for the battery cell.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2019Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Ramesh C. Bhardwaj, Taisup Hwang, Richard M. Mank
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Patent number: 10868290Abstract: Lithium-metal batteries with improved dimensional stability are presented along with methods of manufacture. The lithium-metal batteries incorporate an anode cell that reduces dimensional changes during charging and discharging. The anode cell includes a container having a first portion and a second portion to form an enclosed cavity. The first portion is electrically-conductive and chemically-stable to lithium metal. The second portion is permeable to lithium ions and chemically-stable to lithium metal. The anode cell also includes an anode comprising lithium metal and disposed within the cavity. The anode is in contact with the first portion and the second portion. The cavity is configured such that volumetric expansion and contraction of the anode during charging and discharging is accommodated entirely therein.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2016Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Bernd J. Neudecker, Shawn W. Snyder, Richard M. Mank