William F Mchugh

US Patent:

42846919, Aug 18, 1981

Filed:

Jun 13, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/159271

Inventors:

Franz Goebel - Sudbury MA
William T. McHugh - Westwood MA

Assignee:

GTE Products Corporation - Stamford CT

International Classification:

H01M 226

US Classification:

429105

Abstract:

A high-rate, low-temperature, primary electrochemical cell. The cell in accordance with the invention includes an elongated cylindrical metal housing within which a vertical array of battery stack components is disposed and exposed to a cathodelectrolyte solution. Each of the battery stack components has an opening therein through which an elongated metal rod located centrally within the housing passes and serves as an electrical terminal for the cell. The components of the battery stack include a plurality of thin, flat, circular, lithium anode discs secured to the metal rod, and a plurality of carbon current collector cathode/insulator structures arranged in the array in alternation with the lithium anode discs. Each of the carbon current collector cathode/insulator structures includes a generally circular, thin, metal current collector spaced from the metal rod by way of the opening therein and having a size and shape so as to generally conform to the interior configuration of the housing and make direct physical contact with an interior wall of the housing. First and second circular, flat, thin, porous carbon layers are disposed on opposite sides of the metal current collector and spaced from the metal rod by way of the openings therein.

US Patent:

59980516, Dec 7, 1999

Filed:

Nov 6, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/965248

Inventors:

Jeffrey Poirier - Bedford MA
Paul Cheeseman - Holliston MA
Michael McDermott - East Weymouth MA
Jane A. Blasi - Acton MA
Reynald Cantave - Bridgewater MA
Jeffrey Hewes - Holliston MA
Yelena Kouznetsova - Sharon MA
Bhupendra Patel - Mansfield MA
Alex Kaplan - Providence RI
Viet Vu - Medway MA
William T. McHugh - Westwood MA
Lucien P. Fontaine - Lincoln RI
Robert J. Pinault - Canton MA

Assignee:

Duracell Inc. - Bethel CT

International Classification:

H01M 1034
H01M 1050
H01M 1400

US Classification:

429 7

Abstract:

A current interrupt assembly for electrochemical cells is disclosed. The current interrupter assembly may be a self-contained, sealed unit which may be separately inserted into the cell during cell construction. Several current interrupt assemblies may be inserted in the cell. The current interrupter assembly has particular utility for thin rechargeable cells and when inserted in the cell forms a portion of the electrical pathway between a cell electrode and corresponding terminal. The current interrupt mechanism comprises a thin thermally responsive member preferably comprising a disk of a shape memory metal alloy having a curved surface. The current interrupt mechanism may include a heat producing electrical resistance means, preferably a Zener diode in proximity to the thermally responsive member. When cell temperature exceeds a predetermined value the disk deflects to cause a break in the electrical pathway within the assembly. The assembly may include therein a flexible electrically conductive member which forms a part of the electrical pathway within the assembly and which is physically responsive to deflection of the thermally responsive member.

US Patent:

52272672, Jul 13, 1993

Filed:

Nov 1, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/607807

Inventors:

Franz Goebel - Sudbury MA
David C. Batson - Amesbury MA
William T. McHugh - Westwood MA

Assignee:

Yardney Technical Products, Inc. - Pawcatuck CT

International Classification:

H01M 226

US Classification:

429161

Abstract:

A high discharge rate electrochemical battery structure is disclosed as having a perforated disc electrode stack comprising pluralities of disc electrodes respectively connected to a pair of busbars. Each disc electrode has a tab with two fins which are bent at 90 degrees to the disc electrode. Each fin is inserted between two parts of the corresponding busbar and welded thereto. The design of the busbars and disc electrodes provides for redundancy of electrical contact, high thermal and electrical conductivity and improved resistance to mechanical shock.

US Patent:

43150608, Feb 9, 1982

Filed:

Jun 13, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/159267

Inventors:

Franz Goebel - Sudbury MA
William T. McHugh - Westwood MA

Assignee:

GTE Products Corporation - Stamford CT

International Classification:

H01M 600

US Classification:

429122

Abstract:

A metal current collector substrate adapted to be inserted into an elongated cylindrical housing of a primary electrochemical cell. The metal current collector substrate is employed together with porous carbon and fiberglass separator elements to form a carbon current collector electrode/separator assembly for use in the electrochemical cell. The metal current collector substrate in accordance with the invention comprises a thin, circular, metal disc (e. g. , of nickel) having a plurality of curved notches around its periphery. The notches are equally-spaced about the periphery of the disc (e. g. , at 45. degree. intervals) and define a plurality of deflective, resilient arcuate portions intermediate to the notches. Prior to insertion into the housing of the cell, the disc is flat and has a diameter greater than the internal diameter of the housing. The disc is inserted into the housing by pushing the disc longitudinally into the housing whereupon the arcuate portions are deflected upwardly by physical contact with the interior wall of the housing.

US Patent:

60370718, Mar 14, 2000

Filed:

Nov 6, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/965494

Inventors:

Jeffrey Poirier - Bedford MA
Paul Cheeseman - Holliston MA
Michael McDermott - East Weymouth MA
Jane A. Blasi - Acton MA
Reynald Cantave - Bridgewater MA
Jeffrey Hewes - Holliston MA
Yelena Kouznetsova - Sharon MA
Bhupendra Patel - Mansfield MA
Alex Kaplan - Providence RI
Viet Vu - Medway MA
William T. McHugh - Westwood MA
Lucien P. Fontaine - Lincoln RI
Robert J. Pinault - Canton MA

Assignee:

Duracell Inc - Bethel CT

International Classification:

H01M 212

US Classification:

429 7

Abstract:

A current interrupt mechanism for electrochemical cells is disclosed. A thermally activated current interrupt mechanism is integrated into an end cap assembly for an electrochemical cell. The thermally responsive mechanism preferably includes a free floating bimetallic disk or shape memory alloy member which deforms when exposed to elevated temperature causing a break in an electrical pathway within the end cap assembly. This prevents current from flowing through the cell and effectively shuts down an operating cell. The thermally responsive mechanism may include a heat producing electrical resistance means, preferably a Zener diode, to enhance thermal sensitivity. The end cap assembly may include a pressure responsive mechanism which ruptures when there is extreme gas pressure buildup. Gas is allowed to escape from the cell interior to the external environment through a series of vent apertures within the end cap assembly.

US Patent:

54910382, Feb 13, 1996

Filed:

Aug 24, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/295314

Inventors:

Christopher L. DePalma - Framingham MA
William T. McHugh - Westwood MA
Sean A. Sargeant - Westford MA
Marian Wiacek - Holliston MA
Robert A. Yoppolo - Woonsocket RI

Assignee:

Duracell Inc. - Bethel CT

International Classification:

H01M 1048

US Classification:

429 91

Abstract:

An electrochemical cell having an on-cell tester for visually indicating the condition of the cell is provided with an electrically conductive metal ring pressed onto the negative terminal at the crimp seal end of the cell, to permit the tester lead to make an electrical contact with the negative terminal without shorting across the positive terminal of the cell. The ring has a cylindrical wall portion or gripping means which frictionally grips a corresponding mating cylindrical wall potion on the negative terminal and also has a flange portion adjacent the positive terminal. A layer of electrically insulating material disposed between the flange and positive terminal prevents electrical contact between the terminals. The tester lead is either permanently electrically connected to the ring or intermittently connected by the user, depending on the type of tester used.

US Patent:

20200107671, Apr 9, 2020

Filed:

Dec 4, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/703470

Inventors:

- Bedford MA, US
Thomas Fedorka - Billerica MA, US
Thomas Paul Dutremble - Boston MA, US
Gwynn Masada - Portola Valley CA, US
Bradford Range - Allen TX, US
William Philip McHugh - Foxborough MA, US

International Classification:

A47J 31/40
A47J 31/46

Abstract:

A beverage making machine may include a cartridge holder to hold a cartridge used to form a beverage. The cartridge holder may include a lower portion arranged to receive and hold the cartridge and a movable upper portion arranged to clamp the cartridge in place. The cartridge holder may be arranged to hold upper and lower compartments of the cartridge in spaces having a different pressure, e.g., an upper compartment of the cartridge may be held under relatively high pressure, and a lower compartment may be held in a space at ambient pressure. The cartridge holder may pierce upper and/or lower compartments of the cartridge to introduce activating fluid and/or receive carbonating gas from the upper compartment, and/or to introduced pressurized air into the lower compartment to force beverage medium to exit.

US Patent:

20160106256, Apr 21, 2016

Filed:

Oct 20, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/887401

Inventors:

- Waterbury VT, US
Thomas Fedorka - Billerica MA, US
Thomas Paul Dutremble - Boston MA, US
Gwynn Masada - Portola Valley CA, US
Bradford Range - Allen TX, US
William Philip McHugh - Foxborough MA, US

Assignee:

Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. - Waterbury VT

International Classification:

A47J 31/40
A47J 31/46

Abstract:

A beverage making machine may include a cartridge holder to hold a cartridge used to form a beverage. The cartridge holder may include a lower portion arranged to receive and hold the cartridge and a movable upper portion arranged to clamp the cartridge in place. The cartridge holder may be arranged to hold upper and lower compartments of the cartridge in spaces having a different pressure, e.g., an upper compartment of the cartridge may be held under relatively high pressure, and a lower compartment may be held in a space at ambient pressure. The cartridge holder may pierce upper and/or lower compartments of the cartridge to introduce activating fluid and/or receive carbonating gas from the upper compartment, and/or to introduced pressurized air into the lower compartment to force beverage medium to exit.