Patents by Inventor Steve F. Chorian

Steve F. Chorian 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: 20240120622
    Abstract: Busbar systems are provided for use within traction battery packs. The busbar systems may include one or more integrated thermal barriers for mitigating the effects of battery thermal events. The thermal barriers may be integrated as part of an outer housing of the busbar system, as part of a fuse area of a busbar of the busbar system, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Bhaskara Rao Boddakayala, Joseph Ravenscroft, Steve F. Chorian, Michael Barr
  • Patent number: 11024900
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steve F. Chorian, Kimberley King, Rajaram Subramanian, Steve Droste, Saravanan Paramasivam
  • Patent number: 10804577
    Abstract: A battery pack includes a heat dissipating structure, an array frame positioned against the heat dissipating structure, and a battery cell retained by the array frame and arranged so at least one surface of the battery cell is exposed by the array frame and is contiguous with the heat dissipating structure. The heat dissipating structure may be a heat exchanger plate or a thermal interface material (TIM).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Kimberley King, Steve F. Chorian, Saravanan Paramasivam, Rajaram Subramanian, Bhaskara Boddakayala, Steve Droste, Mladen Marjanovic
  • Publication number: 20200044298
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a battery for an electrified vehicle and a corresponding method. In particular, the battery and method accommodate for variable cell thickness. An example method of this disclosure includes inserting a separator between a first battery cell and a second battery cell. The separator has a thickness based on a thickness of the first battery cell and the second battery cell. This disclosure has a number of benefits. Among them, the method may be used to provide a battery array with a desired overall length despite differences in individual cell thickness. In turn, this leads to improved battery performance and lifespan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Rajaram Subramanian, Saravanan Paramasivam, Kimberley King, Amar Marpu, Bhaskara Boddakayala, Steve F. Chorian, Nihar Kotak
  • Patent number: 10446887
    Abstract: A battery pack includes a battery cell, a thermal interface material adjacent the battery cell and a heater element integrated with the thermal interface material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Neil Robert Burrows, Steve F. Chorian, George Albert Garfinkel, Dhanunjay Vejalla, Chung-hsing Kuo
  • Patent number: 10293698
    Abstract: An exemplary aspect of the present disclosure relates to an electrified vehicle including, among other things, a vehicle-mounted battery and a modular battery. The modular battery is selectively removable from the vehicle, and is configured to be charged at a location remote from the vehicle. The vehicle is selectively powered by at least one of the modular battery and the vehicle-mounted battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Zenner, Mazen Hammoud, Steve F. Chorian
  • Patent number: 10199697
    Abstract: An exemplary battery pack includes a battery assembly and an enclosure assembly housing the battery assembly. The enclosure assembly is arranged to dissipate heat from at least two sides of the battery assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Hari Addanki, Steve F. Chorian, George Albert Garfinkel, Keith Kearney, Kevin A. Montgomery, Chi Paik, Chung-hsing Kuo, Jeffrey Matthew Haag
  • Publication number: 20180375179
    Abstract: A battery pack includes a heat dissipating structure, an array frame positioned against the heat dissipating structure, and a battery cell retained by the array frame and arranged so at least one surface of the battery cell is exposed by the array frame and is contiguous with the heat dissipating structure. The heat dissipating structure may be a heat exchanger plate or a thermal interface material (TIM).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Kimberley KING, Steve F. CHORIAN, Saravanan PARAMASIVAM, Rajaram SUBRAMANIAN, Bhaskara BODDAKAYALA, Steve DROSTE, Mladen MARJANOVIC
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20170346144
    Abstract: An exemplary battery pack includes a battery assembly and an enclosure assembly housing the battery assembly. The enclosure assembly is arranged to dissipate heat from at least two sides of the battery assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Hari ADDANKI, Steve F. CHORIAN, George Albert GARFINKEL, Keith KEARNEY, Kevin A. MONTGOMERY, Chi PAIK, Chung-hsing KUO, Jeffrey Matthew HAAG
  • Patent number: 9738176
    Abstract: An assembly includes a traction battery of an electrified vehicle, and a blend door moveable between a first position that permits a first flow of air to move toward the traction battery and a second position that permits a second flow of air to move toward the traction battery. The first flow includes more air that has moved through an engine compartment than the second flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: George Albert Garfinkel, Neil Robert Burrows, Chung-hsing Kuo, Steve F. Chorian, Dhanunjay Vejalla
  • Patent number: 9722229
    Abstract: An example method of connecting an electric vehicle battery includes welding a landing of a terminal to a bus bar, and pressing a landing of the terminal and the bus bar against one another during the welding. The landing is along a first plane and a base of the terminal is along a second plane that is spaced from the first plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Vineeth Seshadri Kallur, Hari Addanki, Brian Utley, Steve F. Chorian, Debbi Callicoat
  • Publication number: 20170043670
    Abstract: An exemplary aspect of the present disclosure relates to an electrified vehicle including, among other things, a vehicle-mounted battery and a modular battery. The modular battery is selectively removable from the vehicle, and is configured to be charged at a location remote from the vehicle. The vehicle is selectively powered by at least one of the modular battery and the vehicle-mounted battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas Zenner, Mazen Hammoud, Steve F. Chorian
  • Publication number: 20160347198
    Abstract: An exemplary assembly includes a traction battery of an electrified vehicle, and a blend door moveable between a first position that permits a first flow of air to move toward the traction battery and a second position that permits a second flow of air to move toward the traction battery. The first flow includes more air that has moved through an engine compartment than the second flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: George Albert Garfinkel, Neil Robert Burrows, Chung-hsing Kuo, Steve F. Chorian, Dhanunjay Vejalla
  • Patent number: 9440555
    Abstract: An exemplary assembly includes a blend structure moveable between a first position and a second position. The blend structure in the first position permits a first flow of air. The blend structure in the second position permits a second flow of air. The first flow includes more air that has moved through an engine compartment of an electrified vehicle than the second flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: George Albert Garfinkel, Neil Robert Burrows, Chung-hsing Kuo, Steve F. Chorian, Dhanunjay Vejalla
  • Publication number: 20160129805
    Abstract: An exemplary assembly includes a blend structure moveable between a first position and a second position. The blend structure in the first position permits a first flow of air. The blend structure in the second position permits a second flow of air. The first flow includes more air that has moved through an engine compartment of an electrified vehicle than the second flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: George Albert Garfinkel, Neil Robert Burrows, Chung-hsing Kuo, Steve F. Chorian, Dhanunjay Vejalla
  • 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
  • Patent number: 9281673
    Abstract: A bus bar assembly includes a deformable bus bar including a bus bar positive terminal flange, a bus bar negative terminal flange spaced-apart from the bus bar positive terminal flange and a flange connecting portion connecting the bus bar positive terminal flange and the bus bar negative terminal flange. A deformable bus bar frame includes a bus bar frame positive terminal flange carried by the bus bar positive terminal flange of the deformable bus bar and a bus bar frame negative terminal flange carried by the bus bar negative terminal flange of the deformable bus bar. A method of installing a deformable bus bar on positive and negative terminals of a battery cell is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steve F. Chorian, Debbi Callicoat, David J. Chesney, David Wardzala, Yongcai Wang, Yunan Guo
  • Publication number: 20160020496
    Abstract: A battery pack includes a battery cell, a thermal interface material adjacent the battery cell and a heater element integrated with the thermal interface material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Neil Robert Burrows, Steve F. Chorian, George Albert Garfinkel, Dhanunjay Vejalla, Chung-hsing Kuo
  • Publication number: 20150288159
    Abstract: A bus bar assembly includes a deformable bus bar including a bus bar positive terminal flange, a bus bar negative terminal flange spaced-apart from the bus bar positive terminal flange and a flange connecting portion connecting the bus bar positive terminal flange and the bus bar negative terminal flange. A deformable bus bar frame includes a bus bar frame positive terminal flange carried by the bus bar positive terminal flange of the deformable bus bar and a bus bar frame negative terminal flange carried by the bus bar negative terminal flange of the deformable bus bar. A method of installing a deformable bus bar on positive and negative terminals of a battery cell is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Steve F. Chorian, Debbi Callicoat, David J. Chesney, David Wardzala, Yongcai Wang, Yunan Guo