Patents by Inventor Steven J. Wood

Steven J. Wood 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).

  • Patent number: 11660971
    Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of battery cells disposed in at least two rows. The battery cells in adjacent rows are offset from each other. Each of the plurality of battery cells includes a cover and a first terminal that extends from the cover outward. The first terminal is configured to be coupled to a second terminal on an adjacent battery cell. The plurality of battery cells are electrically coupled to each other in a zigzag pattern via the first and second terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: CLARIOS ADVANCED SOLUTIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jason D. Fuhr, Steven J. Wood, Dale B. Trester, Gary P. Houchin-Miller
  • Publication number: 20230099145
    Abstract: Disclosed is a battery system comprising a battery pack having a plurality of cells, each of the plurality of cells each having a cell temperature; a battery management system coupled to the battery pack and designed to obtain temperature plurality of temperatures from the battery pack wherein the battery management system is configured to output a single battery pack temperature value. Further disclosed is a battery system comprising a battery pack having a plurality of cells, each of the plurality of cells each having a cell state of charge; a battery management system coupled to the battery pack and designed to obtain a plurality of state of charges from the battery pack, wherein the battery management system is configured to output a single battery pack state of charge value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Zhihong Jin, Renate Witt, Steven J. Wood, Mark R. Johnson, Michael E. Iverson, Matthew Elberson
  • Publication number: 20220399741
    Abstract: A vehicle battery jump starter including a battery pack interface configured to receive at least one of a first rechargeable battery pack having a first nominal voltage and a second rechargeable battery pack having a second nominal voltage different from the first nominal voltage, a power boost module including one or more energy storage devices, and terminal clamps configured to electrically connect the vehicle battery jump starter to a vehicle battery. The jump starter further includes a controller having an electronic processor configured to close a jump start switch in response to detecting an attempted vehicle start, close a first bypass switch when the voltage of the battery pack is greater than the voltage threshold, and close the second bypass switch when the voltage of the battery pack is less than the voltage threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2022
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventor: Steven J. Wood
  • Patent number: 11450899
    Abstract: Disclosed is a battery system comprising a battery pack having a plurality of cells, each of the plurality of cells each having a cell temperature; a battery management system coupled to the battery pack and designed to obtain temperature plurality of temperatures from the battery pack wherein the battery management system is configured to output a single battery pack temperature value. Further disclosed is a battery system comprising a battery pack having a plurality of cells, each of the plurality of cells each having a cell state of charge; a battery management system coupled to the battery pack and designed to obtain a plurality of state of charges from the battery pack, wherein the battery management system is configured to output a single battery pack state of charge value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: CPS Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Zhihong H. Jin, Renate Witt, Steven J. Wood, Mark R. Johnson, Michael E. Iverson, Matthew Elberson
  • Patent number: 11374429
    Abstract: A vehicle battery jump starter including a battery pack interface configured to receive at least one of a first rechargeable battery pack having a first nominal voltage and a second rechargeable battery pack having a second nominal voltage different from the first nominal voltage, a power boost module including one or more energy storage devices, and terminal clamps configured to electrically connect the vehicle battery jump starter to a vehicle battery. The jump starter further includes a controller having an electronic processor configured to close a jump start switch in response to detecting an attempted vehicle start, close a first bypass switch when the voltage of the battery pack is greater than the voltage threshold, and close the second bypass switch when the voltage of the battery pack is less than the voltage threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Steven J. Wood
  • Publication number: 20220094192
    Abstract: A vehicle battery jump starter including a battery pack interface configured to receive at least one of a first rechargeable battery pack having a first nominal voltage and a second rechargeable battery pack having a second nominal voltage different from the first nominal voltage, a power boost module including one or more energy storage devices, and terminal clamps configured to electrically connect the vehicle battery jump starter to a vehicle battery. The jump starter further includes a controller having an electronic processor configured to close a jump start switch in response to detecting an attempted vehicle start, close a first bypass switch when the voltage of the battery pack is greater than the voltage threshold, and close the second bypass switch when the voltage of the battery pack is less than the voltage threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventor: Steven J. Wood
  • Publication number: 20200235372
    Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of battery cells disposed in at least two rows. The battery cells in adjacent rows are offset from each other. Each of the plurality of battery cells includes a cover and a first terminal that extends from the cover outward. The first terminal is configured to be coupled to a second terminal on an adjacent battery cell. The plurality of battery cells are electrically coupled to each other in a zigzag pattern via the first and second terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: Jason D. FUHR, Steven J. WOOD, Dale B. TRESTER, Gary P. HOUCHIN-MILLER
  • Publication number: 20200212514
    Abstract: Disclosed is a battery system comprising a battery pack having a plurality of cells, each of the plurality of cells each having a cell temperature; a battery management system coupled to the battery pack and designed to obtain temperature plurality of temperatures from the battery pack wherein the battery management system is configured to output a single battery pack temperature value. Further disclosed is a battery system comprising a battery pack having a plurality of cells, each of the plurality of cells each having a cell state of charge; a battery management system coupled to the battery pack and designed to obtain a plurality of state of charges from the battery pack, wherein the battery management system is configured to output a single battery pack state of charge value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Zhihong H. Jin, Renate Witt, Steven J. Wood, Mark R. Johnson, Michael E. Iverson, Matthew Elberson
  • Patent number: 9331318
    Abstract: A battery module that includes a plurality of electrochemical cells. Each of the electrochemical cells has a first end including at least one terminal and a second end having a vent. The plurality of electrochemical cells are arranged such that the second ends of a first set of the plurality of electrochemical cells face the second ends of a second set of the plurality of electrochemical cells. A central chamber is located between the second ends of the first set of the plurality of electrochemical cells and the second ends of the second set of the plurality of electrochemical cells. The central chamber is configured to receive gases released from the vents of the plurality of electrochemical cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Johnson Controls—SAFT Advanced Power Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Steven J. Wood, Majid Taghikhani, Dale B. Trester, Gary P. Houchin-Miller
  • Patent number: 9181895
    Abstract: A start-stop retrofit kit includes a start-stop module configured to monitor one or more parameters of a vehicle, configured to automatically stop an engine of the vehicle when the vehicle is idling during operation, and configured to automatically start the engine when the vehicle is not idling during operation. The retrofit kit further includes a wire harness configured to couple the start-stop module to a switch disposed between a starter motor and an ignition of the engine of the vehicle, wherein the switch is disposed in parallel with an existing connection between the ignition and the starter motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Jason Lee Roberts, Thomas Mark Watson, Steven J. Wood, Marvin Eric Taylor, Sepehr Shirazi, Ramelle Leigh Gilliland, Kari J. Gilbertson
  • Patent number: 9172067
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell includes a can having a first end and a second end and a first element provided within the can and including an electrode. The cell also includes a first terminal integrally formed as a part of the can and extending from one of the first or second ends. The cell further includes a terminal assembly directly coupled to the first element and including a stud configured to act as a second terminal. The first end includes a boss that defines an aperture through which the stud extends, wherein the boss at least partially surrounds the stud and a bushing coupled to the stud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: JOHSON CONTROLS-SAFT ADVANCED POWER SOLUTIONS LLC
    Inventors: Thomas J. Dougherty, Steven J. Wood, John P. Dinkelman, Dale B. Trester, Gerald K. Bowen, Gary P. Houchin-Miller
  • Patent number: 9159982
    Abstract: A battery system includes a plurality of electrochemical cells each having at least one terminal and a plurality of members coupled together to form a frame for securing the electrochemical cells in place. At least one of the members has openings configured to receive the terminals of the plurality of cells and also has features for spacing apart the plurality of cells to facilitate the flow of a cooling fluid between the cells. The battery system further includes a battery management system provided at a first end of the frame and a device provided at a second end of the frame for providing the cooling fluid to the cells and to the battery management system simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Steven J. Wood, Dale B. Trester, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Jacob G. Maki
  • Patent number: 8788225
    Abstract: A system for assessing the accuracy of an electrochemical cell voltage measurement includes a cell discharge circuit electrically coupled to at least one electrochemical cell and configured to partially discharge the at least one cell when the cell discharge circuit is activated, and a cell measurement circuit electrically coupled to the at least one cell and to the cell discharge circuit. The cell measurement circuit is configured to measure a voltage of the at least one cell before activation of the cell discharge circuit and after activation of the cell discharge circuit. The cell measurement circuit compares the voltage before activation of the cell discharge circuit to the voltage after activation of the cell discharge circuit to detect if an error in the voltage measurement occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls-Saft Advanced Power Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Steven J. Wood, Emmanuel Maubert, Olivier Veglio
  • Publication number: 20140050967
    Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of battery cells disposed in at least two rows. The battery cells in adjacent rows are offset from each other. Each of the plurality of battery cells includes a cover and a first terminal that extends from the cover outward. The first terminal is configured to be coupled to a second terminal on an adjacent battery cell. The plurality of battery cells are electrically coupled to each other in a zigzag pattern via the first and second terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Advanced Power Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Jason D. FUHR, Steven J. WOOD, Dale B. TRESTER, Gary P. HOUCHIN-MILLER
  • Patent number: 8642198
    Abstract: A battery system includes a platform having an aperture formed therethrough, a flexible member having a generally planar configuration and extending across the aperture, wherein a portion of the flexible member is coextensive with the aperture, a cell provided adjacent the platform, and a sensor coupled to the flexible member and positioned proximate the cell. The sensor is configured to detect a temperature of the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Center
    Inventors: Steven J. Wood, Dale B. Trester
  • Patent number: 8568915
    Abstract: A battery comprising a housing having a central longitudinal axis. A cover is coupled to the housing and a first flange is integrally formed with the cover and configured to act as a first terminal for the battery. At least a portion of the first flange extends away from the housing in a direction generally perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis. Wherein the first flange is configured for electrical coupling with a terminal of an adjacent battery in a battery system. for electrical coupling with a terminal of an adjacent battery in a battery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls—SAFT Power Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Jason D. Fuhr, Steven J. Wood, Dale B. Trester, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Thomas J. Dougherty
  • Patent number: 8530069
    Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of cells. The battery module also includes a housing configured to substantially enclose the plurality of cells. The battery module further includes a lower tray configured to receive the plurality of cells. The lower tray is located inside the housing adjacent a bottom of the housing and includes a top side and a bottom side. The top side has a plurality of sockets configured to receive the plurality of cells in a closely packed arrangement. The bottom side is configured to define a chamber between the lower tray and the bottom of the housing. The chamber is sealed off from the rest of the battery module and is configured to receive released gas from the plurality of cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls—SAFT Advanced Power Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Steven J. Wood, Gary P. Houchin-Miller, Dale B. Trester
  • Publication number: 20130231848
    Abstract: A start-stop retrofit kit includes a start-stop module configured to monitor one or more parameters of a vehicle, configured to automatically stop an engine of the vehicle when the vehicle is idling during operation, and configured to automatically start the engine when the vehicle is not idling during operation. The retrofit kit further includes a wire harness configured to couple the start-stop module to a switch disposed between a starter motor and an ignition of the engine of the vehicle, wherein the switch is disposed in parallel with an existing connection between the ignition and the starter motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Jason Lee Roberts, Thomas Mark Watson, Steven J. Wood, Marvin Eric Taylor, Sepehr Shirazi, Ramelle Leigh Gilliland, Kari J. Gilbertson
  • Patent number: 8518568
    Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of battery cells and a system configured for passing a fluid past at least a portion of the plurality of battery cells in a parallel manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Dougherty, Steven J. Wood, Dale B. Trester, Michael G. Andrew
  • Publication number: 20130011706
    Abstract: A battery system includes a platform having an aperture formed therethrough, a flexible member having a generally planar configuration and extending across the aperture, wherein a portion of the flexible member is coextensive with the aperture, a cell provided adjacent the platform, and a sensor coupled to the flexible member and positioned proximate the cell. The sensor is configured to detect a temperature of the cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventors: Steven J. Wood, Dale B. Trester