Allen E Powers

US Patent:

20130154541, Jun 20, 2013

Filed:

Dec 15, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/327570

Inventors:

John F. Stickelmaier - El Segundo CA, US
Allen R. Powers - El Segundo CA, US

Assignee:

THE BOEING COMPANY - Chicago IL

International Classification:

H01M 10/46
H02J 7/00

US Classification:

320101, 320134, 320107

Abstract:

A method, system, and apparatus are disclosed for autonomous lithium-ion battery protection. In particular, the present disclosure teaches a system that provides for automatic protection of lithium-ion batteries from damage due to deep discharge and, in some embodiments, from recharging in low temperatures. The disclosed system employs internal logic, autonomous switches and, in some embodiments, heaters to protect the battery without any need for spacecraft monitoring or control intervention. The system uses one or more dedicated strings of solar array cells to, in some embodiments, preheat, and to recharge the battery. The system is completely self contained in the battery with the only additional interface being for the string(s) of the solar array cells that are used to provide dedicated and reliable power to the system.

US Patent:

60133880, Jan 11, 2000

Filed:

Jun 17, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/098850

Inventors:

Steven J. Stadnick - Lakewood CA
Allen R. Powers - Torrance CA
Barry G. Gage - La Crescenta CA

Assignee:

Hughes Electronics Corporation - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

H01M 1050
H01M 230

US Classification:

429120

Abstract:

A battery cell terminal having structure for receiving a thermal conductor. The receiving structure may comprise a bore defined by an inner surface of the terminal. The thermal conductor may be a heat pipe or other suitable conductor. A layer of electrical insulation may be disposed between the terminal and the thermal conductor. The terminal conducts heat produced by electrodes in the cell to the thermal conductor which then conducts the heat to a heat sink.

US Patent:

53894600, Feb 14, 1995

Filed:

Mar 31, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/221335

Inventors:

Walter R. Oswald - Huntington Beach CA
Steven J. Stadnick - Lakewood CA
Allen R. Powers - Venice CA
David W. Wong - Torrance CA

Assignee:

Hughes Aircraft Company - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

H01M 210
H01M 1034

US Classification:

429101

Abstract:

A battery (20) includes a battery container (22), a base (30) attached to the interior of the wall (24) of the battery container (22), a compliant first weld ring (32) extending to a first side of the base (30), and a compliant second weld ring (34) extending to a second side of the base (30). A first electrochemical storage cell stack (36) is supported on a core (42) extending from the first weld ring (32), and a second electrochemical storage cell stack (38) is supported on a separate core (42) extending from the second weld ring (34). Each of the storage cell stacks (36,38) includes a set of storage cells (40) and a gas screen (68) between each of the storage cells (40). The gas screens (68) are dimensioned to extend outwardly to contact the wall (24) of the battery container (22), thereby serving to damp vibrations in the storage cell stack (36, 38 ).

US Patent:

20160308191, Oct 20, 2016

Filed:

Apr 17, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/689488

Inventors:

- Huntington Beach CA, US
Allen R. Powers - Palos Verdes Estates CA, US

International Classification:

H01M 2/34
H01M 10/0525

Abstract:

A fault tolerant battery system includes an electrical storage cell having a positive terminal and a negative terminal. The electrical storage cell is provided with a normally open bypass circuit path that is closed in the event of an overdischarged, or open-circuit failure of, the electrical storage cell. The bypass circuit path includes a first electrical conductor connected to the negative terminal of the electrical storage cell, a second electrical conductor connected to the positive terminal of the electrical storage cell, and a shorting gap between the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor. The first and second electrical conductors and a non-conductive barrier define an enclosed chamber that encompasses a mass of a fusible material, a spring that is positioned to force the mass of the fusible material into the shorting gap when the mass of the fusible material is at least partially molten, and a heat source is activatable upon the occurrence of the failed electrical storage cell. Two diodes connected in electrical series serve as heat sources, one of which is operable to melt at least a portion of the mass of the fusible material and one of which is operable to heat the conductive web. The chamber entraps the partially molten fusible material such that the spring forces the molten material into the shorting gap, where it closes the shorting gap so that the first electrical conductor is in electrical communication with the second electrical conductor.

US Patent:

20160308254, Oct 20, 2016

Filed:

Apr 17, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/689607

Inventors:

- Huntington Beach CA, US
Allen R. Powers - Palos Verdes Estates CA, US

International Classification:

H01M 10/42
H01M 2/34

Abstract:

A low energy activation, fault tolerant, battery system includes an electrical storage cell having a positive terminal and a negative terminal. The electrical storage cell is provided with a normally open bypass circuit path that is closed in the event of an overdischarged, or open-circuit failure of, the electrical storage cell. The bypass circuit path includes a first electrical conductor connected to the negative terminal of the electrical storage cell, a second electrical conductor connected to the positive terminal of the electrical storage cell, and a shorting gap between the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor. The first and second electrical conductors and a non-conductive carrier at least partially enclose a heat source activatable upon the occurrence of the failed cell, a mass of a meltable material that is heated by the heat source, a plunger having an electrically conductive face, and a spring that is positioned to force the plunger into the mass of the meltable material when it is at least partially molten. The heat source includes two diodes connected in electrical series, each of which is operable to melt at least a portion of the mass of the meltable material. When the spring forces the plunger into the meltable material, the electrically conductive face of the plunger head physically contacts the first and second electrical conductors to eliminate the shorting gap so that the first electrical conductor is in electrical communication with the second electrical conductor.