Patents by Inventor Steven A. Africk

Steven A. Africk 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: 20240393405
    Abstract: A battery management system (BMS) can manage an energy storage device. The BMS can include an ultrasound emitter, an ultrasound receiver, a data memory, and a data processor. The ultrasound emitter can direct ultrasound energy into the energy storage device, and the ultrasound receiver can detect ultrasound energy exiting from the energy storage device. The data memory can be configured to store (i) a capture data instance derived from the detected ultrasound energy exiting the energy storage device and (ii) baseline ultrasound data captured during a plurality of normal charging/discharging cycles of the energy storage device. The data processor can be configured to compare the capture data instance with the baseline ultrasound data, and determine an abnormal operating state of the capture data instance as compared with the baseline ultrasound data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2024
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. KOWALSKI, Steven A. AFRICK, Jay F. WHITACRE, Thomas C. FERREE, Maura APPLEBERRY, Shawn D. MURPHY, Sean O'DAY
  • Patent number: 12085624
    Abstract: An energy storage device management system can include a management portion for charging/discharging an energy storage device and an ultrasound interrogation portion for passing ultrasound energy through the energy storage device during charge/discharge cycles. A memory stores a stream of capture data instances derived from ultrasound energy exiting the energy storage device and baseline ultrasound data instances corresponding with the energy storage device during normal charging/discharging thereof. A processor can compare each capture data instance with the baseline ultrasound data and detect abnormal operating states of the energy storage device. A warning system can issue a notification when abnormal operating states are detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Titan Advanced Energy Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Kowalski, Steven A. Africk, Jay F. Whitacre, Thomas C. Ferree, Maura Appleberry, Shawn D. Murphy, Sean O'Day
  • Publication number: 20220349948
    Abstract: An energy storage device management system can include a management portion for charging/discharging an energy storage device and an ultrasound interrogation portion for passing ultrasound energy through the energy storage device during charge/discharge cycles. A memory stores a stream of capture data instances derived from ultrasound energy exiting the energy storage device and baseline ultrasound data instances corresponding with the energy storage device during normal charging/discharging thereof. A processor can compare each capture data instance with the baseline ultrasound data and detect abnormal operating states of the energy storage device. A warning system can issue a notification when abnormal operating states are detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. KOWALSKI, Steven A. AFRICK, Jay F. WHITACRE, Thomas C. FERREE, Maura APPLEBERRY, Shawn D. MURPHY, Sean O'DAY
  • Patent number: 7984642
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for measuring and detecting properties of a variety of particles or cells in suspension. Properties, such as, for example, velocity of particles, concentration and/or size may be measured according to the methods of the invention. Acoustic energy may be introduced to a focal zone and narrow band interrogating signals may be used. The acoustic energy may cause movement or streaming of the fluid or suspension. The acoustic streaming may allow a Doppler effect measurement without any other source of velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Steven A. Africk, Clark K. Colton
  • Patent number: 7844405
    Abstract: A method of measuring the compressibility, and/or the density, of small particles, and especially nano-particles, in suspension is described. The static method uses steady pressures and measures the d-c (static) compressibility of particles. The ultrasonic method utilizes an ultrasonic pulsed doppler system to measure the compressibility of particles at ultrasonic frequencies, which may differ from static values. These methods can also be used together to provide overlapping and complementary information about the particles. In addition, the ultrasonic pulsed doppler system also provides a way to measure particle density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Inventor: Steven A. Africk
  • Patent number: 7543480
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for measuring and detecting properties of a variety of particles or cells in suspension. Properties, such as, for example, velocity of particles, concentration and/or size may be measured according to the methods of the invention. Acoustic energy may be introduced to a focal zone and narrow band interrogating signals may be used. The acoustic energy may cause movement or streaming of the fluid or suspension. The acoustic streaming may allow a Doppler effect measurement without any other source of velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Steven A. Africk, Clark K. Colton
  • Publication number: 20090138216
    Abstract: A method of measuring the compressibility, and/or the density, of small particles, and especially nano-particles, in suspension is described. The static method uses steady pressures and measures the d-c (static) compressibility of particles. The ultrasonic method utilizes an ultrasonic pulsed doppler system to measure the compressibility of particles at ultrasonic frequencies, which may differ from static values. These methods can also be used together to provide overlapping and complementary information about the particles. In addition, the ultrasonic pulsed doppler system also provides a way to measure particle density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventor: Steven A. Africk