Patents by Inventor Robert D. Schmidt

Robert D. Schmidt 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: 20240413386
    Abstract: A method to create a garnet-based solid electrolyte separator for a battery cell is provided. The method includes coating a garnet-based material powder, initially including a lithium carbonate layer upon an outer surface of the garnet-based material powder, with aluminum fluoride to create a fluoride-treated garnet-based material powder. The method further includes operating a solid-state reaction upon the fluoride-treated garnet-based material powder, such that the aluminum fluoride reacts with the lithium carbonate layer to create aluminum oxide, carbon dioxide, and lithium fluoride. The solid-state reaction creates a fluoride-treated and solid-state reacted garnet-based material powder including the aluminum oxide and the lithium fluoride. The method further includes sintering the fluoride-treated and solid-state reacted garnet-based material powder including the aluminum oxide and the lithium fluoride.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2023
    Publication date: December 12, 2024
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Xingcheng Xiao, Robert D. Schmidt, Yifan Zhao
  • Patent number: 12148897
    Abstract: A monitoring assembly for an electrochemical cell of a secondary lithium battery includes a porous sensory structure and a transducer. The porous sensory structure includes a sensory layer disposed on a major surface of a porous separator and a buffer layer disposed between the sensory layer and a facing surface of a negative electrode layer. The buffer layer electrically isolates the sensory layer from the facing surface of the negative electrode layer. The sensory layer includes an electrically conductive material and is configured to produce a response to an input signal or to a physical stimulus received within the electrochemical cell. The transducer is configured to process the response produced by the sensory layer to generate an output signal indicative of a diagnostic condition within the electrochemical cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jing Gao, Brian J. Koch, Gayatri V. Dadheech, Mark W. Verbrugge, Alok Warey, James R. Salvador, Robert D. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20240204284
    Abstract: A device for thermal control of a battery system includes a heating control module configured to generate an alternating current (AC) heating current and heat the battery system to a desired temperature by applying the AC heating current to the battery system over a selected heating time duration. The heating control module is configured to monitor a rate of increase of a temperature of the battery system during the applying, during the heating time duration, perform a periodic impedance measurement, the periodic impedance measurement including application of a measurement signal having a selected frequency range to the battery system for a measurement period, a length of the measurement period select to minimize a difference between a desired rate of increase and the monitored rate of increase, and adjust the AC heating current during the applying based on the temperature and the impedance measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Inventors: Shuonan Xu, Neeraj S. Shidore, Robert D. Schmidt, Steven Earl Muldoon, Chandra S. Namuduri, Robert D. Drexler, Antonio Duaine Ulisse
  • Publication number: 20240088430
    Abstract: A hybrid solid-state electrolyte layer for use in an electrochemical cell is provided. The hybrid solid-state electrolyte layer includes a polymeric material, a ceramic material, and an interfacial material adhering the polymeric material and the ceramic material. The interfacial material includes a branched copolymer that includes dopamine and a second monomer. The second monomer forms a polymeric moiety in the copolymer that is the same or similar to the polymeric material. In certain variations, the polymeric material defines a polymeric layer, the ceramic material defines a ceramic layer, and the interfacial material defines an interfacial layer that is disposed between the polymeric layer and the ceramic layer. In other variations, the polymeric material defines a polymeric matrix, the ceramic material defines a plurality of ceramic particles dispersed in the polymeric matrix, and the plurality of ceramic particles are coated with the interfacial material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicants: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Fan XU, Robert D. SCHMIDT, Mei CAI, Manuela Ferreira BORRAS, Yingxi Elaine ZHU
  • Publication number: 20240079726
    Abstract: A solid-state electrolyte for an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions is provided. The solid-state electrolyte includes a sintered layer that includes a plurality of lithiated zeolite particles having pores and a lithium-containing material disposed in at least a portion of the pores of the lithiated zeolite particles. For example, each lithiated zeolite particle has a porosity greater than or equal to about 20 vol. % to less than or equal to about 80 vol. %, and the lithium-containing material occupies greater than or equal to about 20% to less than or equal to about 80% of a total porosity of each lithiated zeolite particle. In certain instances, the sintered layer further includes a superionic additive that is also disposed in a portion of the pores of the lithiated zeolite particles, such that the sintered layer has an ionic conductivity between about 1×10?5 S·cm?1 and about 1×10?1 S·cm?1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2022
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Xingcheng XIAO, Robert D. SCHMIDT
  • Publication number: 20230287153
    Abstract: Methods for forming sulfur polyacrylonitrile are provide. In certain variations, the method includes contacting sulfur and polyacrylonitrile to form an admixture, sealing a container holding the admixture, heating the admixture to a first temperature venting the container holding the admixture to release gases generated during the heating of the admixture to the first temperature, re-sealing the container holding the admixture, and heating the admixture to a second temperature. In other variations, the method includes contacting sulfur and polyacrylonitrile to form an admixture, heating the admixture to a first temperature, sealing a container holding the admixture, and heating the admixture to a second temperature. The second temperature is greater than the first temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2022
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Robert D. SCHMIDT, Shuru CHEN, Fang DAI, Mei CAI
  • Patent number: 11728490
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electrochemical cell that includes an electrically conductive material layer, a precursor material disposed on or adjacent to a first surface of the electrically conductive material layer, and an electroactive material layer disposed on or adjacent to the precursor material. In certain variations, the precursor material forms a continuous layer and a solid-electrolyte interface layer is disposed on or adjacent to an exposed surface of the electroactive material layer. In other variations, the precursor material forms a plurality of distinct precursor structures disposed on the first surface of the electrically conductive material layer in a predetermined pattern, such that at least a portion of each distinct precursor structure is unobstructed by the electroactive material layer. The distinct precursor structures are configured to form surface structures that chemically attach the solid-electrolyte interface layer and the electrically conductive material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Robert D. Schmidt, Gayatri V. Dadheech
  • Publication number: 20220344669
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electrochemical cell that includes an electrically conductive material layer, a precursor material disposed on or adjacent to a first surface of the electrically conductive material layer, and an electroactive material layer disposed on or adjacent to the precursor material. In certain variations, the precursor material forms a continuous layer and a solid-electrolyte interface layer is disposed on or adjacent to an exposed surface of the electroactive material layer. In other variations, the precursor material forms a plurality of distinct precursor structures disposed on the first surface of the electrically conductive material layer in a predetermined pattern, such that at least a portion of each distinct precursor structure is unobstructed by the electroactive material layer. The distinct precursor structures are configured to form surface structures that chemically attach the solid-electrolyte interface layer and the electrically conductive material layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Robert D. SCHMIDT, Gayatri V. DADHEECH
  • Publication number: 20220255063
    Abstract: A lithium metal electrode including ceramic particles is provided herein as well as electrochemical cells including the lithium metal electrode and methods of making the lithium metal electrode. The lithium metal electrode includes ceramic particles present as a ceramic layer adjacent to a first surface of the lithium metal electrode, embedded within the first surface, or a combination thereof. The ceramic particles include lithium lanthanum zirconium oxide (LLZO) particles, alumina particles, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Thomas A. YERSAK, Fan XU, Robert D. SCHMIDT, Biqiong WANG, James R. SALVADOR
  • Patent number: 11404698
    Abstract: Methods of making a solid-state electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions are provided that include applying a liquid metal composition comprising gallium to a first major surface of either a solid-state electrolyte or a solid electrode (e.g., lithium metal) in the presence of an oxidant and in an environment substantially free of water to reduce surface tension of the liquid metal composition so that it forms a continuous layer over the first major surface. The first major surface having the continuous layer of liquid metal composition is contacted with a second major surface to form a continuous interfacial layer between the solid-state electrolyte and the solid electrode. Solid-state electrochemical cells formed by such methods are also provided, where the metal composition comprising gallium is a liquid in a temperature range of greater than or equal to about 20° C. to less than or equal to about 30° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jiagang Xu, Xingcheng Xiao, Robert D. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20220238932
    Abstract: A monitoring assembly for an electrochemical cell of a secondary lithium battery includes a porous sensory structure and a transducer. The porous sensory structure includes a sensory layer disposed on a major surface of a porous separator and a buffer layer disposed between the sensory layer and a facing surface of a negative electrode layer. The buffer layer electrically isolates the sensory layer from the facing surface of the negative electrode layer. The sensory layer includes an electrically conductive material and is configured to produce a response to an input signal or to a physical stimulus received within the electrochemical cell. The transducer is configured to process the response produced by the sensory layer to generate an output signal indicative of a diagnostic condition within the electrochemical cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jing Gao, Brian J. Koch, Gayatri V. Dadheech, Mark W. Verbrugge, Alok Warey, James R. Salvador, Robert D. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11342545
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to electroactive materials for use in electrodes of lithium-ion electrochemical cells and methods of making the same, for example, methods for lithiating electroactive materials. A method of lithiating an electroactive material may include dispersing an electroactive material precursor within a room-temperature electrolyte that includes a lithium-based salt and contacting the electrolyte mixture and a lithium source so as to cause the lithium source to ionize and form lithium ions. The lithium ions may react with the electroactive material precursor to form a fully lithiated electroactive material (e.g., greater than 70% of total lithiation). The method further includes, in certain aspects, electrochemically discharging the fully lithiated electroactive material to form a lithiated electroactive material having an optimized lithiation state (e.g., less than or equal to about 40% of a first lithiation state of the fully lithiated electroactive material).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Cain, Andrew C. Bobel, Nicholas P. Pieczonka, Robert D. Schmidt, Anil K. Sachdev, Mark W. Verbrugge
  • Publication number: 20220020974
    Abstract: A separator includes a porous polymeric separator having an anode side and a cathode side, a cathode-compatible material applied to the cathode side, wherein the cathode-compatible material comprises a polymeric binder and one or more of lithium aluminum titanium phosphate (LATP) particles, lithium lanthanum titanate (LLTO) particles, lithium aluminum germanium phosphate (LAGP) particles, and lithium superionic conductor (LISICON) particles, and an anode-compatible material applied to the anode side, wherein the anode-compatible material comprises lithium lanthanum zirconium oxide (LLZO) particles and a polymeric binder. The polymeric binder of the cathode-compatible material can be polyvinylidene fluoride and the polymeric binder of the anode-compatible material can be polyvinylidene. The polymeric binder of the cathode-compatible material the anode-compatible material can be the polymeric separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas A. Yersak, Fan Xu, Robert D. Schmidt, Biqiong Wang
  • Patent number: 11094996
    Abstract: A method of modifying a carbonate layer formed on a surface of an electrochemical cell component is provided. The surface includes a ceramic oxide. The carbonate layer includes a carbonate and is substantially non-conductive to lithium ions and sodium ions. The method includes contacting the carbonate layer with a modifying agent to form a mixture and causing the modifying agent to incorporate into the carbonate layer and form a modified hybrid layer including a eutectic mixture of the modifying agent and the carbonate. The modified hybrid layer is conductive to lithium ions and sodium ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Xingcheng Xiao, Robert D. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20210175486
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to electroactive materials for use in electrodes of lithium-ion electrochemical cells and methods of making the same, for example, methods for lithiating electroactive materials. A method of lithiating an electroactive material may include dispersing an electroactive material precursor within a room-temperature electrolyte that includes a lithium-based salt and contacting the electrolyte mixture and a lithium source so as to cause the lithium source to ionize and form lithium ions. The lithium ions may react with the electroactive material precursor to form a fully lithiated electroactive material (e.g., greater than 70% of total lithiation). The method further includes, in certain aspects, electrochemically discharging the fully lithiated electroactive material to form a lithiated electroactive material having an optimized lithiation state (e.g., less than or equal to about 40% of a first lithiation state of the fully lithiated electroactive material).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. CAIN, Andrew C. BOBEL, Nicholas P. PIECZONKA, Robert D. SCHMIDT, Anil K. SACHDEV, Mark W. VERBRUGGE
  • Publication number: 20210135230
    Abstract: Methods of making a solid-state electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions are provided that include applying a liquid metal composition comprising gallium to a first major surface of either a solid-state electrolyte or a solid electrode (e.g., lithium metal) in the presence of an oxidant and in an environment substantially free of water to reduce surface tension of the liquid metal composition so that it forms a continuous layer over the first major surface. The first major surface having the continuous layer of liquid metal composition is contacted with a second major surface to form a continuous interfacial layer between the solid-state electrolyte and the solid electrode. Solid-state electrochemical cells formed by such methods are also provided, where the metal composition comprising gallium is a liquid in a temperature range of greater than or equal to about 20° C. to less than or equal to about 30° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jiagang XU, Xingcheng XIAO, Robert D. SCHMIDT
  • Publication number: 20210083249
    Abstract: A method of modifying a carbonate layer formed on a surface of an electrochemical cell component is provided. The surface includes a ceramic oxide. The carbonate layer includes a carbonate and is substantially non-conductive to lithium ions and sodium ions. The method includes contacting the carbonate layer with a modifying agent to form a mixture and causing the modifying agent to incorporate into the carbonate layer and form a modified hybrid layer including a eutectic mixture of the modifying agent and the carbonate. The modified hybrid layer is conductive to lithium ions and sodium ions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Xingcheng XIAO, Robert D. SCHMIDT
  • Publication number: 20190372155
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a composite electrode for use in an electrochemical cell includes preparing a layer of powder including a plurality of electroactive material particles and a plurality of electrolyte particles. The electrolyte particles include a sulfide or oxy-sulfide glass. The method further includes heating the layer of powder to a temperature of greater than or equal to Tg and less than Tc. Tg is a glass transition temperature of the sulfide or oxy-sulfide glass. Tc is a crystallization temperature of the sulfide or oxy-sulfide glass. The method further includes, while the sulfide or oxy-sulfide glass electrolyte is at the temperature, applying a pressure of about 0.1-360 MPa to the layer of powder. The pressure causes the sulfide or oxy-sulfide glass to flow around the electroactive material particles to create a compact. The present disclosure also provides methods of creating laminates including the composite electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Thomas A. YERSAK, James R. SALVADOR, Robert D. SCHMIDT
  • Patent number: 9955405
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a wireless system comprises a host MSC/VLR of a public land mobile network (PLMN) and a plurality of base station subsystems (BBSs). Each BSS includes a respective base station controller (BSC) and one or more base transceiver stations (BTSs). The wireless system further comprises a virtual base station controller (VBSC) communicatively coupled to the plurality of BSSs and the host MSC/VLR. The VBSC appears, from the perspective of the host MSCNLR, to be a base station controller for the BTSs in the plurality of BSSs. The VBSC and at least some of the BSSs include functionality for locally switching calls in the BSSs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: PARALLEL LIMITED
    Inventors: Robert D. Schmidt, Siu Bun Chan, Qiming Zhu
  • Patent number: RE49346
    Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a system for providing wireless coverage and capacity for a public land mobile network within a building. The system comprises a pico base station comprising multiple transceiver units. The pico base station is installed in the building. The system further comprises a plurality of antennas located within the building. The plurality of antennas are located remotely from the pico base station. The pico base station is communicatively coupled to the public land mobile network. The pico base station is communicatively coupled to the plurality of antennas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: STRONG FORCE IoT Portfolio 2016, LLC
    Inventors: Robert D. Schmidt, Rahul Jain, Mark F. Schutzer, Lance K. Uyehara, Gilad Peleg, John O'Connell, Ilan Vardi