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).

  • Patent number: 9991571
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Dominik Grass, Tim Schmidt, Thierry Mingers
  • Patent number: 9984327
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Rong Zhou, Tim Schmidt, Minh Binh Do, Serdar Uckun
  • Patent number: 9941501
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Tim Schmidt, Thierry Mingers, Dominik Grass
  • Patent number: 9909231
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: HEMLOCK SEMICONDUCTOR OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Arvid Neil Arvidson, Terence Lee Horstman, Michael John Molnar, Chris Tim Schmidt, Roger Dale Spencer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9614201
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Tim Schmidt, Dominik Grass
  • Patent number: 9460053
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Tim Schmidt, Rong Zhou, Lukas D. Kuhn, Robert Price, Johan de Kleer
  • Patent number: 9406983
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thierry Mingers, Tim Schmidt, Dominik Grass
  • Patent number: 9331368
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Tim Schmidt, Dietmar Luz, Jeremy Curnow
  • Publication number: 20160064784
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Dominik Grass, Tim Schmidt, Thierry Mingers
  • Publication number: 20160064704
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Tim Schmidt, Dominik Grass
  • Patent number: 9231285
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Tim Schmidt, Dietmar Luz, Nikolai Henger, Jeremy Curnow
  • Publication number: 20150380718
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Dominik Grass, Tim Schmidt, Thierry Mingers
  • Publication number: 20150372280
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Tim Schmidt, Thierry Mingers, Dominik Grass
  • Patent number: 9201851
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Volusion, Inc.
    Inventors: Sheetal Prabhu, Tim Schmidt, Dimitri Lundquist
  • Publication number: 20150333382
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Thierry Mingers, Tim Schmidt, Dominik Grass
  • Publication number: 20150090178
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: ARVID NEIL ARVIDSON, TERENCE LEE HORSTMAN, MICHAEL JOHN MOLNAR, CHRIS Tim SCHMIDT, ROGER DALE SPENCER, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20150072199
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Tim Schmidt, Thierry Mingers, Felix Kojokar, Rolf Esslinger
  • Patent number: 8926749
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Hemlock Semi Conductor
    Inventors: Arvid Neil Arvidson, Terence Lee Horstman, Michael John Molnar, Chris Tim Schmidt, Roger Dale Spencer, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140079974
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Tim Schmidt, Dietmar Luz, Jeremy Curnow
  • Publication number: 20140079968
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Tim Schmidt, Dietmar Luz, Nikolai Henger, Jeremy Curnow