Neil C Swenson

US Patent:

20140077605, Mar 20, 2014

Filed:

Sep 14, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/620433

Inventors:

Yakup Bulur - Rochester MN, US
Richard J. Fishbune - Rochester MN, US
Mark E. Maresh - Raleigh NC, US
Neil C. Swenson - Rochester MN, US
Adam M. Wheeler - Rochester MN, US

Assignee:

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION - Armonk NY

International Classification:

H02J 7/00

US Classification:

307 71

Abstract:

A device may include an electronic component stack cover having an open end sized to receive a modular electronic component stack including a plurality of like modular electronic components, an at least partially closed end, and sides extending from the at least partially closed end toward the open end. The at least partially closed end and the at least one side may form a chamber. At least one electrically conductive probe may extend from the at least partially closed end into the chamber. The chamber may conform to an outer shape of at least a portion of the modular electronic component stack, and the electrically conductive probe may be configured to electrically interface with a first connector on the electronic component stack when the stack is within the chamber.

US Patent:

20140080361, Mar 20, 2014

Filed:

Sep 14, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/620416

Inventors:

Yakup Bulur - Rochester MN, US
Richard J. Fishbune - Rochester MN, US
Mark E. Maresh - Raleigh NC, US
Neil C. Swenson - Rochester MN, US
Adam M. Wheeler - Rochester MN, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

H01R 24/28

US Classification:

439627

Abstract:

A modular battery device may include a substantially planar dielectric substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface spaced from and opposite the first major surface. A plurality of conductive couplers may extend through the substrate from the first major surface to the second major surface at spaced locations. Each conductive coupler may have a first connector element disposed at the first major surface of the substrate electrically connected to an associated second connector element forming an extension extending from the second major surface of the substrate. The device may be selectively engageable with another such device by selectively mating the first connector element of a first conductive coupler on the device in mechanical and electrical engagement with the second connector element of a second conductive coupler on the other such device. Devices having batteries may be stacked to provide parallel and/or series connections.

US Patent:

D2903156, Jun 16, 1987

Filed:

Aug 16, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/641301

Inventors:

Neil C. Swenson - Le Sueur MN
Duain Swenson - Le Sueur MN

US Classification:

D 6337

US Patent:

20160344207, Nov 24, 2016

Filed:

Aug 4, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/228340

Inventors:

- Singapore, SG
Richard J. Fishbune - Rochester MN, US
Mark E. Maresh - Cave Creek AZ, US
Neil C. Swenson - Rochester MN, US
Adam M. Wheeler - Rochester MN, US

Assignee:

Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. - Singapore

International Classification:

H02J 7/00

Abstract:

Embodiments of the invention relate to a multi-cell battery, with at least two cells electrically connected in a first parallel arrangement, which is connected in series to a second parallel arrangement of at least two additional cells. Each cell is locally connected to a sensor to sense and control the current of each cell in parallel or parallel-series combination in the multi-cell battery. A control module is in communication with each sensor, and associated instructions electrically remove or disable a cell from the battery determined to be defective based on measurements from the associated sensor. Accordingly, the configuration measures and monitors the state of health of each cell in the battery pack, the measurements including temperature, voltage and current sensing. The identification of one of the cells as subject to a performance failure results in electrically switching the identified cell to an off position.

US Patent:

20160043577, Feb 11, 2016

Filed:

Oct 19, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/886967

Inventors:

- Armonk NY, US
Richard J. Fishbune - Rochester MN, US
Mark Maresh - Cave Creek AZ, US
Neil C. Swenson - Rochester MN, US
Adam M. Wheeler - Rochester MN, US

International Classification:

H02J 7/00
H01M 10/44

Abstract:

A method for charging a battery pack containing a plurality of cells is disclosed. The method includes receiving capacity information for a voltage adjustable set of the plurality of cells from two or more fuel gauges. Each of the two or more fuel gauges is associated with one cell in the adjustable set. The method further includes identifying a target cell for increasing charge voltage based on the capacity information. The method further includes sending a signal to a charge voltage controller associated with the target cell. The signal is configured to cause the charge voltage controller to increase charge voltage on the target cell. The charge voltage controller is one of a plurality of charge voltage controllers. Each of the plurality of charge voltage controllers is associated with one or more cells in the voltage adjustable set.

US Patent:

20160043582, Feb 11, 2016

Filed:

Oct 19, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/886959

Inventors:

- Armonk NY, US
Richard J. Fishbune - Rochester MN, US
Mark Maresh - Cave Creek AZ, US
Neil C. Swenson - Rochester MN, US
Adam M. Wheeler - Rochester MN, US

International Classification:

H02J 7/00
G01R 31/36

Abstract:

A battery pack includes a plurality of cells. Two or more fuel gauges are associated with a voltage adjustable set of the plurality of cells. Each of the two or more fuel gauges is associated with one cell in the voltage adjustable set. Each of the two or more fuel gauges is configured to communicate cell capacity of the associated cell to a master controller. Two or more charge voltage controllers are associated with the voltage adjustable set. Each of the two or more charge voltage controllers is associated with one or more cells in the voltage adjustable set. Each of the two or more charge voltage controllers is configured to receive a signal from the master controller. Each of the two or more charge voltage controllers is configured to increase charge voltage on the associated one or more cells in response to receiving the signal.

US Patent:

20150372515, Dec 24, 2015

Filed:

Jun 20, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/310506

Inventors:

- Armonk NY, US
Richard J. Fishbune - Rochester MN, US
Mark E. Maresh - Cave Creek AZ, US
Neil C. Swenson - Rochester MN, US
Adam M. Wheeler - Rochester MN, US

Assignee:

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION - Armonk NY

International Classification:

H02J 7/00
G01R 31/36

Abstract:

Embodiments of the invention relate to a multi-cell battery, with at least two cells electrically connected in a first parallel arrangement, which is connected in series to a second parallel arrangement of at least two additional cells. Each cell is locally connected to a sensor to sense and control the current of each cell in parallel or parallel-series combination in the multi-cell battery. A control module is in communication with each sensor, and associated instructions electrically remove or disable a cell from the battery determined to be defective based on measurements from the associated sensor. Accordingly, the configuration measures and monitors the state of health of each cell in the battery pack, the measurements including temperature, voltage and current sensing.

US Patent:

20150276886, Oct 1, 2015

Filed:

Mar 26, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/225839

Inventors:

- Armonk NY, US
Richard J. Fishbune - Rochester MN, US
Mark E. Maresh - Cave Creek AZ, US
Neil C. Swenson - Rochester MN, US
Adam M. Wheeler - Rochester MN, US

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G01R 31/36
H02J 7/00

Abstract:

A battery pack includes a plurality of cells. Two or more fuel gauges are associated with a voltage adjustable set of the plurality of cells. Each of the two or more fuel gauges is associated with one cell in the voltage adjustable set. Each of the two or more fuel gauges is configured to communicate cell capacity of the associated cell to a master controller. Two or more charge voltage controllers are associated with the voltage adjustable set. Each of the two or more charge voltage controllers is associated with one or more cells in the voltage adjustable set. Each of the two or more charge voltage controllers is configured to receive a signal from the master controller. Each of the two or more charge voltage controllers is configured to increase charge voltage on the associated one or more cells in response to receiving the signal.