Patents by Inventor Robert NARK

Robert NARK 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: 20240006719
    Abstract: The present invention relates in at least selected embodiments to novel or improved microporous battery separators for lithium rechargeable batteries and/or related methods of making and/or using such separators. A particular inventive dry process battery separator or membrane separator exhibits a thickness that is less than about 14 ?m and has increased strength performance as defined by reduced splittiness. The mode of splitting failure has been investigated, and the improvement in splittiness quantified by a novel test method known as the Composite Splittiness Index (CSI).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Xiaomin Zhang, Kang Karen Xiao, Robert A. Nark, Ron E. Smith
  • Publication number: 20230411674
    Abstract: In accordance with at least selected embodiments, a battery separator or separator membrane comprises one or more co-extruded multi-microlayer membranes optionally laminated or adhered to another polymer membrane. The separators described herein may provide improved strength, for example, improved puncture strength, particularly at a certain thickness, and may exhibit improved shutdown and/or a reduced propensity to split.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Kang Karen Xiao, Eric Joseph Penegar, Takahiko Kondo, Robert Nark, Eric Robert White, Xiaomin Zhang, Kristoffer K. Stokes
  • Patent number: 11784344
    Abstract: In accordance with at least selected embodiments, a battery separator or separator membrane comprises one or more co-extruded multi-microlayer membranes optionally laminated or adhered to another polymer membrane. The separators described herein may provide improved strength, for example, improved puncture strength, particularly at a certain thickness, and may exhibit improved shutdown and/or a reduced propensity to split.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Celgard, LLC
    Inventors: Kang Karen Xiao, Eric Joseph Penegar, Takahiko Kondo, Robert Nark, Eric Robert White, Xiaomin Zhang, Kristoffer K. Stokes
  • Patent number: 11728546
    Abstract: Several embodiments of a microporous battery separator for lithium rechargeable batteries and/or related methods of making and/or using such separators are disclosed. A dry process battery separator or membrane separator exhibits a thickness that is less than about 14 ?m and has increased strength performance as defined by reduced splittiness. The mode of splitting failure has been investigated, and the improvement in splittiness quantified by a test method known as the Composite Splittiness Index (CSI).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Celgard, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaomin Zhang, Kang Karen Xiao, Robert A. Nark, Ron E. Smith
  • Publication number: 20230234273
    Abstract: Described herein is a multilayer microporous film or membrane that may exhibit improved properties, including improved dielectric break down and strength, compared to prior monolayer or tri-layer microporous membranes of the same thickness. The preferred multilayer microporous membrane comprises microlayers and one or more lamination barriers. Also disclosed is a battery separator or battery comprising one or more of the multilayer microporous films or membranes. The inventive battery and battery separator is preferably safer and more robust than batteries and battery separators using prior monolayer and tri-layer microporous membranes. Also, described herein is a method for making the multilayer microporous separators, membranes or films described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Kang Karen Xiao, Eric J. Penegar, Takahiko Kondo, Robert Nark, Eric R. White, Xiaomin Zhang, Kristoffer K. Stokes, Stefan Reinartz, Masaaki Okada
  • Patent number: 11495865
    Abstract: Described herein is a multilayer microporous film or membrane that may exhibit improved properties, including improved dielectric break down and strength, compared to prior monolayer or tri-layer microporous membranes of the same thickness. The preferred multilayer microporous membrane comprises microlayers and one or more lamination barriers. Also disclosed is a battery separator or battery comprising one or more of the multilayer microporous films or membranes. The inventive battery and battery separator is preferably safer and more robust than batteries and battery separators using prior monolayer and tri-layer microporous membranes. Also, described herein is a method for making the multilayer microporous separators, membranes or films described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Celgard, LLC
    Inventors: Kang Karen Xiao, Eric J. Penegar, Takahiko Kondo, Robert Nark, Eric R. White, Xiaomin Zhang, Kristoffer K. Stokes, Stefan Reinartz, Masaaki Okada
  • Publication number: 20210384587
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel or improved microporous battery separator membranes, separators, batteries including such separators, methods of making such membranes, separators, and/or batteries, and/or methods of using such membranes, separators and/or batteries. Further disclosed are laminated multilayer polyolefin membranes with exterior layers comprising one or more polyethylenes, which exterior layers are designed to provide an exterior surface that has a low pin removal force. Further disclosed are battery separator membranes having increased electrolyte absorption capacity at the separator/electrode interface region, which may improve cycling. Further disclosed are battery separator membranes having improved adhesion to any number of coatings. Also described are battery separator membranes having a tunable thermal shutdown where the onset temperature of thermal shutdown may be raised or lowered and the rate of thermal shutdown may be changed or increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Xiaomin Zhang, Eric Robert White, Kang Karen Xiao, Robert A. Nark, Insik Jeon, Kristoffer K. Stokes, Paul Vido, Zhengming Zhang
  • Publication number: 20210376425
    Abstract: In accordance with at least selected embodiments, a battery separator or separator membrane comprises one or more co-extruded multi-microlayer membranes optionally laminated or adhered to another polymer membrane. The separators described herein may provide improved strength, for example, improved puncture strength, particularly at a certain thickness, and may exhibit improved shutdown and/or a reduced propensity to split.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Kang Karen Xiao, Eric Joseph Penegar, Takahiko Kondo, Robert Nark, Eric Robert White, Xiaomin Zhang, Kristoffer K. Stokes
  • Patent number: 11101525
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel or improved microporous battery separator membranes, separators, batteries including such separators, methods of making such membranes, separators, and/or batteries, and/or methods of using such membranes, separators and/or batteries. Further disclosed are laminated multilayer polyolefin membranes with exterior layers comprising one or more polyethylenes, which exterior layers are designed to provide an exterior surface that has a low pin removal force. Further disclosed are battery separator membranes having increased electrolyte absorption capacity at the separator/electrode interface region, which may improve cycling. Further disclosed are battery separator membranes having improved adhesion to any number of coatings. Also described are battery separator membranes having a tunable thermal shutdown where the onset temperature of thermal shutdown may be raised or lowered and the rate of thermal shutdown may be changed or increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Celgard, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaomin Zhang, Eric Robert White, Kang Karen Xiao, Robert A. Nark, Insik Jeon, Kristoffer K. Stokes, Paul Vido, Zhengming Zhang
  • Patent number: 11056750
    Abstract: In accordance with at least selected embodiments, a battery separator or separator membrane comprises one or more co-extruded multi-microlayer membranes optionally laminated or adhered to another polymer membrane. The separators described herein may provide improved strength, for example, improved puncture strength, particularly at a certain thickness, and may exhibit improved shutdown and/or a reduced propensity to split.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Celgard, LLC
    Inventors: Kang Karen Xiao, Eric Joseph Penegar, Takahiko Kondo, Robert Nark, Eric Robert White, Xiaomin Zhang, Kristoffer K. Stokes
  • Publication number: 20210194095
    Abstract: Described herein is a multilayer microporous film or membrane that may exhibit improved properties, including improved dielectric break down and strength, compared to prior monolayer or tri-layer microporous membranes of the same thickness. The preferred multilayer microporous membrane comprises microlayers and one or more lamination interfaces or barriers. Also disclosed is a battery separator or battery comprising one or more of the multilayer microporous films or membranes. The inventive battery and battery separator is preferably safer and more robust than batteries and battery separators using prior monolayer and tri-layer microporous membranes. Also, described herein is a method for making the multilayer microporous separators, membranes or films described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Karen Kang Xiao, Stefan Reinartz, Takahiko Kondo, Hisaki lkebata, Eric J. Penegar, Robert Nark, Changqing Wang Adams, Masaaki Okada, Brian R. Stepp, Eric Robert White, Allen M. Donn, Katharine Chemeiewski
  • Publication number: 20200028139
    Abstract: Described herein is a multilayer microporous film or membrane that may exhibit improved properties, including improved dielectric break down and strength, compared to prior monolayer or tri-layer microporous membranes of the same thickness. The preferred multilayer microporous membrane comprises microlayers and one or more lamination barriers. Also disclosed is a battery separator or battery comprising one or more of the multilayer microporous films or membranes. The inventive battery and battery separator is preferably safer and more robust than batteries and battery separators using prior monolayer and tri-layer microporous membranes. Also, described herein is a method for making the multilayer microporous separators, membranes or films described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Kang Karen Xiao, Eric J. Penegar, Takahiko Kondo, Robert Nark, Eric R. White, Xiaomin Zhang, Kristoffer K. Stokes, Stefan Reinartz, Masaaki Okada
  • Publication number: 20190334151
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel or improved microporous battery separator membranes, separators, batteries including such separators, methods of making such membranes, separators, and/or batteries, and/or methods of using such membranes, separators and/or batteries. Further disclosed are laminated multilayer polyolefin membranes with exterior layers comprising one or more polyethylenes, which exterior layers are designed to provide an exterior surface that has a low pin removal force. Further disclosed are battery separator membranes having increased electrolyte absorption capacity at the separator/electrode interface region, which may improve cycling. Further disclosed are battery separator membranes having improved adhesion to any number of coatings. Also described are battery separator membranes having a tunable thermal shutdown where the onset temperature of thermal shutdown may be raised or lowered and the rate of thermal shutdown may be changed or increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Xiaomin Zhang, Eric Robert White, Kang Karen Xiao, Robert A. Nark, Insik Jeon, Kristoffer K. Stokes, Paul Vido, Zhengming Zhang
  • Publication number: 20190267599
    Abstract: Described herein is a multilayer microporous film or membrane that may exhibit improved properties, including improved dielectric break down and strength, compared to prior monolayer or tri-layer microporous membranes of the same thickness. The preferred multilayer microporous membrane comprises microlayers and one or more lamination barriers. Also disclosed is a battery separator or battery comprising one or more of the multilayer microporous films or membranes. The inventive battery and battery separator is preferably safer and more robust than batteries and battery separators using prior monolayer and tri-layer microporous membranes. Also, described herein is a method for making the multilayer microporous separators, membranes or films described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Kang Karen Xiao, Eric J. Penegar, Takahiko Kondo, Robert Nark, Eric R. White, Xiaomin Zhang, Kristoffer K. Stokes, Stefan Reinartz, Masaaki Okada
  • Patent number: 10347890
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel or improved microporous battery separator membranes, separators, batteries including such separators, methods of making such membranes, separators, and/or batteries, and/or methods of using such membranes, separators and/or batteries. Further disclosed are laminated multilayer polyolefin membranes with exterior layers comprising one or more polyethylenes, which exterior layers are designed to provide an exterior surface that has a low pin removal force. Further disclosed are battery separator membranes having increased electrolyte absorption capacity at the separator/electrode interface region, which may improve cycling. Further disclosed are battery separator membranes having improved adhesion to any number of coatings. Also described are battery separator membranes having a tunable thermal shutdown where the onset temperature of thermal shutdown may be raised or lowered and the rate of thermal shutdown may be changed or increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Celgard, LLC
    Inventors: Xiaomin Zhang, Eric Robert White, Kang Karen Xiao, Robert A. Nark, Insik Jeon, Kristoffer K. Stokes, Paul Vido, Zhengming Zhang
  • Publication number: 20180323417
    Abstract: In accordance with at least selected embodiments, a battery separator or separator membrane comprises one or more co-extruded multi-microlayer membranes optionally laminated or adhered to another polymer membrane. The separators described herein may provide improved strength, for example, improved puncture strength, particularly at a certain thickness, and may exhibit improved shutdown and/or a reduced propensity to split.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Kang Karen XIAO, Eric Joseph PENEGAR, Takahiko KONDO, Robert NARK, Eric Robert WHITE, Xiaomin ZHANG, Kristoffer K. STOKES
  • Publication number: 20170033346
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel or improved microporous battery separator membranes, separators, batteries including such separators, methods of making such membranes, separators, and/or batteries, and/or methods of using such membranes, separators and/or batteries. Further disclosed are laminated multilayer polyolefin membranes with exterior layers comprising one or more polyethylenes, which exterior layers are designed to provide an exterior surface that has a low pin removal force. Further disclosed are battery separator membranes having increased electrolyte absorption capacity at the separator/electrode interface region, which may improve cycling. Further disclosed are battery separator membranes having improved adhesion to any number of coatings. Also described are battery separator membranes having a tunable thermal shutdown where the onset temperature of thermal shutdown may be raised or lowered and the rate of thermal shutdown may be changed or increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Xiaomin Zhang, Eric Robert White, Kang Karen Xiao, Robert A. Nark, Insik Jeon, Kristoffer K. Stokes, Paul Vido, Zhengming Zhang
  • Publication number: 20160149181
    Abstract: The present invention relates in at least selected embodiments to novel or improved microporous battery separators for lithium rechargeable batteries and/or related methods of making and/or using such separators. A particular inventive dry process battery separator or membrane separator exhibits a thickness that is less than about 14 ?m and has increased strength performance as defined by reduced splittiness. The mode of splitting failure has been investigated, and the improvement in splittiness quantified by a novel test method known as the Composite Splittiness Index (CSI).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Xiaomin Zhang, Kang Karen Xiao, Robert A. Nark, Ron E. Smith
  • Patent number: 6692867
    Abstract: A method for removing a pin from a battery assembly by the step of providing a separator comprising: a microporous membrane having an exterior surface portion of polypropylene, the polypropylene including at least 50 ppm of metallic stearate, preferably calcium stearate Static and being adapted to exhibit a pin removal force ≦7100 g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Celgard Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Nark, Ronald W. Call, Donald K. Simmons, Mark W. Ferebee
  • Publication number: 20030072995
    Abstract: A method for removing a pin from a battery assembly by the step of providing a separator comprising: a microporous membrane having an exterior surface portion of polypropylene, the polypropylene including at least 50 ppm of metallic stearate, preferably calcium stearate Static and being adapted to exhibit a pin removal force ≦7100 g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: Celgard Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Nark, Ronald W. Call, Donald K. Simmons, Mark W. Ferebee