Patents by Inventor Steve Droste

Steve Droste 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: 20190140227
    Abstract: An exemplary method includes, among other things, providing first and second blanks that are nominally identical and that include an array of raised features. The method further includes removing a first combination of individual raised features from the first blank to provide a first battery component with a first flow path, and removing a different, second combination of individual raised features from the second blank to provide a second battery component with a different, second flow path. An exemplary battery assembly includes, among other things, a blank having a plurality of ribs extending from a floor. The blank is configured such that a first combination of the ribs are removable from the blank to provide a first battery component having first flow path, and a different, second combination of the ribs are removable from the blank to provide a second battery component having a different, second flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Saravanan Paramasivam, Brent Zapczynski, Steve Droste, Hari Krishna Addanki, Samir Subba, Ali Saad, Michael E. Reibling
  • Publication number: 20180309175
    Abstract: An exemplary support assembly for a battery array includes a spacer axially separating a first battery cell from a second battery cell, a frame that holds the spacer, and an insert secured to the frame. The insert is compressed against the first battery cell. An exemplary method of supporting a battery cell includes compressing an insert against a corner region of a battery cell. The insert is secured to a frame made of a first material. The insert is made of a second material that is softer than the first material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Steve F. Chorian, Kimberley King, Rajaram Subramanian, Steve Droste, Saravanan Paramasivam
  • Patent number: 10066657
    Abstract: An insert according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a body extending along an axis between a proximal portion and a distal portion and a plurality of tabs that protrude radially outwardly from an outermost surface of the body at a location between the proximal portion and the distal portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steve Droste, Jesus Cardoso
  • Publication number: 20180212291
    Abstract: A battery pack includes a support structure, an array frame mounted relative to the support structure, and a thermal fin held within the array frame and grounded to the support structure. The thermal fin may include a grounding extension that is grounded to the support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Inventors: Saravanan Paramasivam, Steve Droste, Rajaram Subramanian, Kimberley King, Mladen Marjanovic
  • Publication number: 20180151858
    Abstract: A battery pack includes a support structure, an array frame including a fastener housing, and a fastener received through the fastener housing for mounting the array frame to the support structure. The array frame may be mounted to the support structure using a top-down approach that includes inserting a fastener through a fastener housing of the array frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Saravanan Paramasivam, Steve Droste, Rajaram Subramanian, Kimberley King
  • Publication number: 20180083239
    Abstract: An exemplary support assembly for a battery array includes, among other things, a frame and an insert secured to the frame. The insert is configured to hold at least one battery cell within the frame. The frame is made of a first material and the insert is made of a second material that is softer than the first material. An exemplary method of securing a battery cell within a traction battery pack of an electrified vehicle includes, among other things, compressing an insert against the at least one battery cell. The insert is secured to a frame made of a first material. The insert is made of a second material that is softer than the first material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Rajaram Subramanian, Bhaskara Boddakayala, Saravanan Paramasivam, Steve Droste, Enrique Rivera
  • Publication number: 20180076430
    Abstract: An exemplary method of securing portions of a battery pack includes, among other things, slidably engaging a portion of a battery cell frame within a channel of an extrusion, and securing the extrusion to a support to secure the battery cell frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Rajaram Subramanian, Tom M. Gunther, Saravanan Paramasivam, Steve Droste, Rohit Gunna
  • Patent number: 9853262
    Abstract: An exemplary assembly includes an extrusion providing a channel that receives a portion of a battery cell frame. The extrusion is securable to a support to secure the battery cell frame relative to the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rajaram Subramanian, Tom M. Gunther, Saravanan Paramasivam, Steve Droste, Rohit Gunna
  • Publication number: 20170309875
    Abstract: A battery array includes a frame body extending along a longitudinal axis and including a top surface, a bottom surface, and frame arms that connect between the top surface and the bottom surface. In some embodiments, the array frame includes at least one lifting arm that extends from the top surface and establishes an engagement area for engaging and lifting the frame body. In other embodiments, the array frame includes a recessed groove for accommodating a tension strap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Rohit Gunna, Patrick Daniel Maguire, Steve Droste
  • Publication number: 20170263986
    Abstract: An exemplary battery assembly includes, among other things, a thermal fin, a frame holding the thermal fin, and a stand-off of the frame configured to limit relative movement of the thermal fin toward a thermal exchange plate. An exemplary thermal fin positioning method, includes limiting relative movement of a thermal fin toward a thermal exchange plate using a stand-off disposed upon a battery cell assembly frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: Rajaram Subramanian, Steve Droste, John Jardine, Saravanan Paramasivam, Juil Yum
  • Patent number: 9728755
    Abstract: A battery array frame according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a frame body extending along a longitudinal axis and including a top surface, a bottom surface and frame arms that connect between the top surface and the bottom surface. At least one of the top surface and the bottom surface is rotationally symmetric about an axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Rohit Gunna, Patrick Daniel Maguire, Steve Droste
  • Publication number: 20160372725
    Abstract: An exemplary method of securing a battery array includes attaching a twist-lock to a case, and securing a battery array to the case by rotating the twist-lock from a first position to a second position. Another exemplary method of securing a battery array includes securing a twist-lock to a case, and rotating the twist-lock from a first position to a second position where a portion of a battery array is clamped between the twist-lock and the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Rajaram Subramanian, Patrick Daniel Maguire, Rohit Gunna, Steve Droste
  • Patent number: 9476444
    Abstract: An insert according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a body extending along an axis between a proximal portion and a distal portion and a plurality of tabs that protrude radially outwardly from an outermost surface of the body at a location between the proximal portion and the distal portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steve Droste, Jesus Cardoso
  • Patent number: 9478788
    Abstract: A battery assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a terminal holder, a terminal at least partially surrounded by the terminal holder, and a bus bar module connectable to the terminal holder. One of the terminal holder and the bus bar module includes at least one locating feature to position the bus bar module in a welding position relative to the terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Debbi Callicoat, Brian Utley, Steve Droste, Derek Hartl
  • Patent number: 9461286
    Abstract: An exemplary attachment device includes a twist-lock rotatable from a first position to a second position. The twist-lock in the first position permits movement of a battery array to and from an installed position within a battery pack. The twist-lock in the second position secures the battery array in the installed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rajaram Subramanian, Patrick Daniel Maguire, Rohit Gunna, Steve Droste
  • Patent number: 9350127
    Abstract: A self-locating bus bar assembly for locating a bus bar on a cell terminal of a battery cell includes a bus bar locating tab adapted for attachment to the bus bar; an assembly bracket; a tab opening in the assembly bracket, the tab opening sized and configured to accommodate the bus bar locating tab; and a bracket terminal opening in the assembly bracket, the bracket terminal opening sized, configured and located to accommodate the cell terminal of the battery cell when the bus bar locating tab is disposed within the tab opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Debbi Callicoat, Brian Utley, Derek Hartl, Steve Droste, Yunan Guo
  • Publication number: 20160133895
    Abstract: An exemplary assembly includes an extrusion providing a channel that receives a portion of a battery cell frame. The extrusion is securable to a support to secure the battery cell frame relative to the support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Rajaram Subramanian, Tom M. Gunther, Saravanan Paramasivam, Steve Droste, Rohit Gunna
  • Publication number: 20160104921
    Abstract: A battery module according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a housing having first and second vertical walls. Each of the first and second vertical walls including electrical connections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Steve F. Chorian, Steve Droste, Jesus Cardoso
  • Publication number: 20160056431
    Abstract: An exemplary attachment device includes a twist-lock rotatable from a first position to a second position. The twist-lock in the first position permits movement of a battery array to and from an installed position within a battery pack. The twist-lock in the second position secures the battery array in the installed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Rajaram Subramanian, Patrick Daniel Maguire, Rohit Gunna, Steve Droste
  • Publication number: 20160036018
    Abstract: A battery array frame according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a frame body extending along a longitudinal axis and including a top surface, a bottom surface and frame arms that connect between the top surface and the bottom surface. At least one of the top surface and the bottom surface is rotationally symmetric about an axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Rohit Gunna, Patrick Daniel Maguire, Steve Droste