Patents by Inventor Tim Schmidt
Tim Schmidt 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).
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Patent number: 9991571Abstract: A battery module (10) has a first and second partial modules (12, 16) with first and second battery cells (14, 18) respectively. A cooling medium for cooling the first battery cells (14) is in a first volume that is bounded by a first partial housing (28) and can flow through the first partial module (12), and a cooling medium for cooling the second battery cells (18) in a second volume bounded by a second partial housing (34) can flow through the second partial module (16). The first partial housing (28) has a first tubular flange (36) projecting into a first intermediate space (24) between the first battery cells (14), and the second partial housing (34) has a second tubular flange (38) projecting into a second intermediate space (30) between the second battery cells (18). The first and second volumes are connected via the first and second tubular flanges (36, 38).Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2015Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AktiengesellschaftInventors: Dominik Grass, Tim Schmidt, Thierry Mingers
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Patent number: 9984327Abstract: A method and system for performing a graph search, includes constructing an abstract representation of the graph using state-space abstraction. The abstract representation of the graph includes one or more abstract nodes having duplicate detection scopes and one or more abstract edges having operator groups. The duplicate detection scopes of the abstract nodes are partitioned into smaller duplicate detection scopes using edge partitioning. The abstract edges include the smaller duplicate detection scopes. Nodes in the current search layer are expanded using the operator groups of outgoing abstract edges of the abstract nodes the nodes map to. The operator groups associated with abstract edges having disjoint duplicate detection scopes are used to expand the nodes in parallel. Once all the operator groups in the current search layer have been used for node expansion the method progresses to the next search layer.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2010Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATEDInventors: Rong Zhou, Tim Schmidt, Minh Binh Do, Serdar Uckun
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Patent number: 9941501Abstract: A battery module (4) has a large number of battery cells (6). Each battery cell (6) has a contact section (10) with a positive pole (14) and a negative pole (12) on an outer wall of the battery cell (6). An apparatus (20) for the battery module (4) has a terminal sheet (22) and a flat body (24) made of an electrically insulating material. The flat body (24) is between the terminal sheet (22) and the battery cells (6) and has holes (26) registered with the positive poles (14). Contact elements (30) extend from the terminal sheet (22) through the holes (26) in the flat body (24) and electrically connect the terminal sheet (22) to the positive poles (14).Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2015Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AktiengesellschaftInventors: Tim Schmidt, Thierry Mingers, Dominik Grass
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Flowable chips and methods for the preparation and use of same, and apparatus for use in the methods
Patent number: 9909231Abstract: A method for recharging a crucible with polycrystalline silicon comprises adding flowable chips to a crucible used in a Czochralski-type process. Flowable chips are polycrystalline silicon particles made from polycrystalline silicon prepared by a chemical vapor deposition process, and flowable chips have a controlled particle size distribution, generally nonspherical morphology, low levels of bulk impurities, and low levels of surface impurities. Flowable chips can be added to the crucible using conventional feeder equipment, such as vibration feeder systems and canister feeder systems.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2014Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: HEMLOCK SEMICONDUCTOR OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Arvid Neil Arvidson, Terence Lee Horstman, Michael John Molnar, Chris Tim Schmidt, Roger Dale Spencer, Jr. -
Patent number: 9614201Abstract: A sealing element (10) for sealing battery cells (18) of a battery module (34) for the purely electric drive of a motor vehicle has a first sealing disk (12) for a seal-forming attachment between a housing (32) and a first attachment frame (44), a second sealing disk (14) spaced from the first sealing disk (12) for a seal-forming attachment between the housing (32) and a second attachment frame (46), and receptacle pockets (16), connecting the first and second sealing disks (12, 14) for accommodating battery cells (18) therein. The first and second sealing disks (12, 14) and the receptacle pockets (16) are manufactured in one piece from a common sealing material. Thus, the battery cells (18) can be sealed with respect to a cooling medium that flows through the housing (32) thereby avoiding the risk of electrical short-circuits via the cooling medium.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2015Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AktiengesellschaftInventors: Tim Schmidt, Dominik Grass
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Patent number: 9460053Abstract: A model-based control system for controlling a production system is disclosed. The production system provides jobs and objectives to the model-based control system. The model-based control system includes, a planner operative to provide the production system with a plan, the planner generating the plan using a depth-first target value search. The depth-first target value search being configured to generate the plan with a failure probability most closely approximating a target value. Also provided is a system model operative to model the behavior of the production system. Another aspect of the model-based control system is a diagnosis engine operative to estimate failure probabilities for plans and provide diagnostic guidance to the planner. The model-based control system including the planner, the system model and diagnosis engine are implemented via a digital processing device.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2012Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center IncorporatedInventors: Tim Schmidt, Rong Zhou, Lukas D. Kuhn, Robert Price, Johan de Kleer
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Patent number: 9406983Abstract: A battery module (10) for the purely electric driving of a motor vehicle has a trough-shaped battery box (12) that runs around a circumferential direction, an inlet for feeding a coolant into a cooling space (30) partially bounded by the battery box (12), an outlet for conducting the coolant away from the cooling space (30), battery cells (14) in the battery box (12) and arranged in the cooling space (30), and an insulating layer (16) for fluid-tight sealing of the cooling space (30). At least one electrical pole (18) of the battery cell (14) projects out of the cooling space (30) through the insulating layer (16). The insulating layer (16) is formed from a previously liquid cured sealing compound. The insulating layer (16) can simultaneously make available a high sealing effect and a statically stabilizing effect for the battery box (12) together with a low intrinsic weight.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2015Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AktiengesellschaftInventors: Thierry Mingers, Tim Schmidt, Dominik Grass
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Patent number: 9331368Abstract: A battery module has at least four battery cells that are cooled via a cooling plate arranged between them. Fins project on the cooling plate and at the same time serve as stops for individual battery cells. As a result, a powerful and very rigid battery module is provided that is of structurally simple construction.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2013Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AktiengesellschaftInventors: Tim Schmidt, Dietmar Luz, Jeremy Curnow
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Publication number: 20160064784Abstract: A battery module (10) has a first and second partial modules (12, 16) with first and second battery cells (14, 18) respectively. A cooling medium for cooling the first battery cells (14) is in a first volume that is bounded by a first partial housing (28) and can flow through the first partial module (12), and a cooling medium for cooling the second battery cells (18) in a second volume bounded by a second partial housing (34) can flow through the second partial module (16). The first partial housing (28) has a first tubular flange (36) projecting into a first intermediate space (24) between the first battery cells (14), and the second partial housing (34) has a second tubular flange (38) projecting into a second intermediate space (30) between the second battery cells (18). The first and second volumes are connected via the first and second tubular flanges (36, 38).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2015Publication date: March 3, 2016Inventors: Dominik Grass, Tim Schmidt, Thierry Mingers
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Publication number: 20160064704Abstract: A sealing element (10) for sealing battery cells (18) of a battery module (34) for the purely electric drive of a motor vehicle has a first sealing disk (12) for a seal-forming attachment between a housing (32) and a first attachment frame (44), a second sealing disk (14) spaced from the first sealing disk (12) for a seal-forming attachment between the housing (32) and a second attachment frame (46), and receptacle pockets (16), connecting the first and second sealing disks (12, 14) for accommodating battery cells (18) therein. The first and second sealing disks (12, 14) and the receptacle pockets (16) are manufactured in one piece from a common sealing material. Thus, the battery cells (18) can be sealed with respect to a cooling medium that flows through the housing (32) thereby avoiding the risk of electrical short-circuits via the cooling medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2015Publication date: March 3, 2016Inventors: Tim Schmidt, Dominik Grass
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Patent number: 9231285Abstract: A battery device has at least two interconnected battery modules and at least one cooling plate arranged between two battery modules for cooling the battery modules. A housing encases the battery device and is provided with a frame structure. The at least one cooling plate is traversed by a flow of fluid and is formed from two metal layers that are connected to one another. Additionally, the at least one cooling plate is connected fixedly at least by its ends to the frame structure and stiffens the frame structure. Thus, the battery device exhibits high power and is robust.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2013Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AktiengesellschaftInventors: Tim Schmidt, Dietmar Luz, Nikolai Henger, Jeremy Curnow
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Publication number: 20150380718Abstract: A terminal holder is provided for holding a connection terminal (20) for at least three round cells (14, 15, 16). The terminal holder has a centrally encircling rib (11) for placement of the terminal holder (10) on the round cells (14, 15, 16) and for spacing the connection terminal (20) apart from the round cells (14, 15, 16). An elastic lip (12) is arranged at the end for clamping the terminal holder (10) between the round cells (14, 15, 16). A plastic head (13) is arranged opposite the lip (12), for fastening the terminal holder (10) on the connection terminal (20).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2015Publication date: December 31, 2015Inventors: Dominik Grass, Tim Schmidt, Thierry Mingers
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Publication number: 20150372280Abstract: A battery module (4) has a large number of battery cells (6). Each battery cell (6) has a contact section (10) with a positive pole (14) and a negative pole (12) on an outer wall of the battery cell (6). An apparatus (20) for the battery module (4) has a terminal sheet (22) and a flat body (24) made of an electrically insulating material. The flat body (24) is between the terminal sheet (22) and the battery cells (6) and has holes (26) registered with the positive poles (14). Contact elements (30) extend from the terminal sheet (22) through the holes (26) in the flat body (24) and electrically connect the terminal sheet (22) to the positive poles (14).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2015Publication date: December 24, 2015Inventors: Tim Schmidt, Thierry Mingers, Dominik Grass
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Patent number: 9201851Abstract: Methods and apparatus for in-line editing of web page content stored in multiple data stores are described. In one embodiment, a rendering of a web page is presented in a what-you-see-is-what-you-get (WYSIWYG) editing environment. The presenting includes combining business transaction data from an inventory and accounting data store and web page presentation data from a page content data store. The presenting further includes rendering in the what-you-see-is-what-you-get environment the web page as viewable in a browser. Responsive to receiving an edit of an element of editable content from the what-you-see-is-what-you-get editing environment, the element of editable content of the electronic commerce web page is updated in both the inventory and accounting data store and the rendering.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2012Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: Volusion, Inc.Inventors: Sheetal Prabhu, Tim Schmidt, Dimitri Lundquist
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Publication number: 20150333382Abstract: A battery module (10) for the purely electric driving of a motor vehicle has a trough-shaped battery box (12) that runs around a circumferential direction, an inlet for feeding a coolant into a cooling space (30) partially bounded by the battery box (12), an outlet for conducting the coolant away from the cooling space (30), battery cells (14) in the battery box (12) and arranged in the cooling space (30), and an insulating layer (16) for fluid-tight sealing of the cooling space (30). At least one electrical pole (18) of the battery cell (14) projects out of the cooling space (30) through the insulating layer (16). The insulating layer (16) is formed from a previously liquid cured sealing compound. The insulating layer (16) can simultaneously make available a high sealing effect and a statically stabilizing effect for the battery box (12) together with a low intrinsic weight.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2015Publication date: November 19, 2015Inventors: Thierry Mingers, Tim Schmidt, Dominik Grass
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Flowable Chips and Methods for the Preparation and Use of Same, and Apparatus for Use in the Methods
Publication number: 20150090178Abstract: A method for recharging a crucible with polycrystalline silicon comprises adding flowable chips to a crucible used in a Czochralski-type process. Flowable chips are polycrystalline silicon particles made from polycrystalline silicon prepared by a chemical vapor deposition process, and flowable chips have a controlled particle size distribution, generally nonspherical morphology, low levels of bulk impurities, and low levels of surface impurities. Flowable chips can be added to the crucible using conventional feeder equipment, such as vibration feeder systems and canister feeder systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2014Publication date: April 2, 2015Inventors: ARVID NEIL ARVIDSON, TERENCE LEE HORSTMAN, MICHAEL JOHN MOLNAR, CHRIS Tim SCHMIDT, ROGER DALE SPENCER, Jr. -
Publication number: 20150072199Abstract: A battery arrangement (10) for a motor vehicle has a plurality of battery cells (12) for storing electrical energy. Each battery cell (12) has two flexible connection lugs (18) to make electrical contact with the battery cells (12). The battery cells (12) are arranged on surfaces of rigid plate-like frame elements (14). At least one connecting element (20) is arranged on one side of the frame elements (14) and is connected to the frame elements (14). The connecting element (20) is of electrically insulating design and has openings (24) through which the connection lugs (18) are routed. An electrically conductive contact element (28, 30; 42, 44) is secured to the connecting element (20) and electrically contacts the connection lugs (18).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Inventors: Tim Schmidt, Thierry Mingers, Felix Kojokar, Rolf Esslinger
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Flowable chips and methods for the preparation and use of same, and apparatus for use in the methods
Patent number: 8926749Abstract: A method for recharging a crucible with polycrystalline silicon comprises adding flowable chips to a crucible used in a Czochralski-type process. Flowable chips are polycrystalline silicon particles made from polycrystalline silicon prepared by a chemical vapor deposition process, and flowable chips have a controlled particle size distribution, generally nonspherical morphology, low levels of bulk impurities, and low levels of surface impurities. Flowable chips can be added to the crucible using conventional feeder equipment, such as vibration feeder systems and canister feeder systems.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2011Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Hemlock Semi ConductorInventors: Arvid Neil Arvidson, Terence Lee Horstman, Michael John Molnar, Chris Tim Schmidt, Roger Dale Spencer, Jr. -
Publication number: 20140079974Abstract: A battery module has at least four battery cells that are cooled via a cooling plate arranged between them. Fins project on the cooling plate and at the same time serve as stops for individual battery cells. As a result, a powerful and very rigid battery module is provided that is of structurally simple construction.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AktiengesellschaftInventors: Tim Schmidt, Dietmar Luz, Jeremy Curnow
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Publication number: 20140079968Abstract: A battery device has at least two interconnected battery modules and at least one cooling plate arranged between two battery modules for cooling the battery modules. A housing encases the battery device and is provided with a frame structure. The at least one cooling plate is traversed by a flow of fluid and is formed from two metal layers that are connected to one another. Additionally, the at least one cooling plate is connected fixedly at least by its ends to the frame structure and stiffens the frame structure. Thus, the battery device exhibits high power and is robust.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AktiengesellschaftInventors: Tim Schmidt, Dietmar Luz, Nikolai Henger, Jeremy Curnow