公开(公告)号：US20160229001A1

公开(公告)日：2016-08-11

申请号：US15017067

申请日：2016-02-05

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Inventor： Teresa J. Rinker ,  Debejyo Chakraborty ,  Ryan C. Sekol ,  Jeffrey A. Abell

IPC: B23K37/00 ,  B23K9/235

CPC classification number: B23K37/003 ,  B23K26/703 ,  B23K37/0435

Abstract: A thermal-management system, for use in controlling temperature of at least a first workpiece of multiple workpieces being joint. The thermal-management system includes a thermal sleeve sized and shaped to at least partially surround the first workpiece during operation of the thermal-management system. The thermal sleeve comprises a fluid compartment configured to hold heat-transfer fluid, such as nanofluid, for use in heating or cooling the first workpiece during operation of the thermal-management system. In various embodiments, the thermal-management system includes a fixture portion having an elongate channel for affecting temperature by way of heat-transfer fluid passed through the channel. In some embodiments, the thermal-management system includes a heat-transfer fluid bath body for holding heat-transfer fluid to cool or heat workpieces being welded together.

Abstract translation: 一种热管理系统，用于控制多个工件的至少第一工件的温度接合。 热管理系统包括尺寸和形状以在热管理系统的操作期间至少部分地围绕第一工件的热套管。 热套筒包括流体隔室，其构造成保持诸如纳米流体的传热流体，以用于在热管理系统的操作期间加热或冷却第一工件。 在各种实施例中，热管理系统包括具有用于通过通过通道的传热流体影响温度的细长通道的固定部分。 在一些实施例中，热管理系统包括用于保持传热流体以冷却或加热焊接在一起的工件的传热流体浴体。

公开(公告)号：US20250132470A1

公开(公告)日：2025-04-24

申请号：US18490179

申请日：2023-10-19

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Inventor： Stephanie Girges ,  Wai Ping Gloria Tam ,  David F. Titmuss ,  Daniel Gerardo Gonzalez ,  Christopher D. James Megdanoff ,  Teresa J. Rinker ,  Jared Matthew Satkowiak ,  Raghavendra Keerthi Manda

IPC: H01M50/54 ,  H01M4/66 ,  H01M50/533 ,  H01M50/534 ,  H01M50/536

Abstract: A battery cell stack assembly for a prismatic battery includes a plurality of monocells and two current collector bracket assemblies. Each monocell includes an anode electrode sheet having an outer perimeter and an anode cell tab and a cathode electrode sheet having a cathode cell tab. One of the current collector bracket assemblies electrically connect each of the anode cell tabs with one another and a remaining current collector bracket assembly electrically connects each of the cathode cell tabs with one another, and each current collect bracket assembly includes at least one arm that is positioned to electrically connect either two or more of the anode cell tabs or two or more of the cathode cell tabs to one another.

公开(公告)号：US20240030564A1

公开(公告)日：2024-01-25

申请号：US17868887

申请日：2022-07-20

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Wayne W. Cai ,  Thomas Alumoottil ,  Jennifer T. Bracey ,  Teresa J. Rinker ,  Cammi L. Siu

IPC: H01M50/536 ,  B23K20/10

CPC classification number: H01M50/536 ,  B23K20/10 ,  B23K2101/36

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a battery cell having electrode foils protruding from a cell pouch includes positioning the cell pouch in a fixture such that distal end sections of the foils extend outward from the fixture. The method includes clamping the distal end sections in a curvilinear guide clamp to cause the distal end sections to taper into an electrode foil stack, and then translating the clamp a predetermined distance toward the fixture to displace the distal end sections by the predetermined distance. The method also includes trimming the distal end sections using a trim tool, positioning a sonotrode and an anvil adjacent opposite surfaces of the stack, and ultrasonically welding the stack to a conductive lead tab using the sonotrode to thereby form a welded joint within the battery cell. The sonotrode may be multi-sided with different knurl patterns for performing different welding processes.

公开(公告)号：US11710879B2

公开(公告)日：2023-07-25

申请号：US17228868

申请日：2021-04-13

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Chih-chang Chen ,  Teresa J. Rinker ,  Hongliang Wang ,  Eric G. Hartnagle

IPC: B23K20/00 ,  H01M50/536 ,  B23K20/10 ,  B23K26/70 ,  B23K26/24 ,  B23K101/36

CPC classification number: H01M50/536 ,  B23K20/10 ,  B23K26/24 ,  B23K26/702 ,  B23K2101/36

Abstract: A method and associated device for joining a battery cell tab to a plurality of foils associated with a plurality of electrodes of a battery cell are described. This includes arranging the plurality of foils in a stack, and joining, via a first joining device, the plurality of foils, wherein the first joining device defines a joining region. A portion of the battery cell tab is arranged on the plurality of foils, and joined, via a second joining device, to the plurality of foils. The second joining device generates a weld joint that is encompassed within the joining region defined by the first joining device. In doing so, weld quality and strength of internal welds in a battery cell may be improved by reducing the occurrence of porosities and cracks in the foil/tab weld joints.

公开(公告)号：US11045897B2

公开(公告)日：2021-06-29

申请号：US16582112

申请日：2019-09-25

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Inventor： Teresa J. Rinker ,  Wayne W. Cai ,  Michael P. Balogh ,  Nicholas W. Pinto

IPC: B23K20/10 ,  B23K20/00 ,  B23K20/22 ,  B23K20/227 ,  H01B1/02 ,  B23K103/18 ,  B23K103/20 ,  B23K103/22

Abstract: A workpiece is described, and includes a substrate, a cable, and a cover piece. A portion of the cable is joined to the substrate employing a vibration welding tool, and the cover piece is interposed between the portion of the cable and the vibration welding tool during the joining.

公开(公告)号：US11006053B2

公开(公告)日：2021-05-11

申请号：US16525731

申请日：2019-07-30

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Megan E. McGovern ,  Teresa J. Rinker ,  Sean R. Wagner ,  Ryan C. Sekol ,  James G. Schroth ,  Michael J. Bland

IPC: H04N5/33 ,  G01N21/95 ,  G01N21/3563

Abstract: A weld inspection system is adapted to inspect a weld of a work product via thermographic technology. The weld inspection system includes a heat source assembly, a thermal imaging camera, and a controller. The heat source assembly is adapted to sequentially direct a plurality of heat pulses upon the work product from varying perspectives and within a pre-determined time period. Thea thermal imaging camera is configured to thermally image the weld over the pre-determined time period and collect thermal imaging data of heat dissipation from the work product. The thermal imaging data is associated with the weld and the plurality of heat pulses. The controller is configured to control the heat source assembly and the thermal imaging camera. The controller includes a processor configured to receive and transform the thermal imaging data into a binary image for evaluation of the weld.

公开(公告)号：US10481215B2

公开(公告)日：2019-11-19

申请号：US15692766

申请日：2017-08-31

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Wayne Cai ,  Debejyo Chakraborty ,  Teresa J. Rinker ,  Megan E. McGovern ,  Ryan C. Sekol ,  Diana M. Wegner ,  Kevin B. Rober

IPC: G01R31/389 ,  G01R31/385 ,  G01R31/382 ,  H01M2/02 ,  H01M10/42 ,  H01M10/48

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for evaluating a battery cell. The battery cell may include a hermetically sealed outer casing, a plurality of electrically conductive components enclosed within the outer casing, an electrically conductive terminal having a proximal end that extends within the outer casing and a distal end that extends in a longitudinal direction relative to the battery cell outside the outer casing, and a solid electrical and mechanical joint formed between one or more of the electrically conductive components and the proximal end of the electrically conductive terminal. Evaluation of the battery cell may include measuring the impedance of the battery cell while applying a longitudinal pulling force or a transverse bending force to the electrically conductive terminal and the solid electrical and mechanical joint.

公开(公告)号：US10473627B2

公开(公告)日：2019-11-12

申请号：US15499955

申请日：2017-04-28

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Megan E. McGovern ,  Teresa J. Rinker

IPC: G01N29/11 ,  G01N29/07 ,  G01N29/28

Abstract: An apparatus for in-situ monitoring of a workpiece includes a fluidic container defining a cavity and having a peripheral portion that defines an aperture. The fluidic container contains an acoustic transmission fluid. A conformable membrane is sealably disposed about the peripheral portion of the aperture of the fluidic container. The conformable membrane is disposed to sealably contain the acoustic transmission fluid within the fluidic container and to conform to a surface of a portion of the workpiece absent an interposed fluid. An acoustic source transducer is disposed in the cavity of the fluidic container and in contact with the acoustic transmission fluid. The acoustic source transducer is disposed to generate a first acoustic wave in the direction of the workpiece. An acoustic receiving transducer is disposed to monitor a residual acoustic wave that is reflected from the workpiece in response to the first acoustic wave.

公开(公告)号：US10241090B2

公开(公告)日：2019-03-26

申请号：US15142408

申请日：2016-04-29

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Wayne W. Cai ,  Debejyo Chakraborty ,  Qian Lin ,  John M. Moote ,  Anthony Ottomano ,  Teresa J. Rinker

IPC: G01N29/44 ,  G01N3/08 ,  G01N29/04 ,  G01N29/34 ,  G01R31/36 ,  B23K20/10 ,  B23K31/12 ,  B23K101/38

Abstract: A method and a test fixture for evaluating a battery cell composed of a cell body having a plurality of electrode foils, a positive terminal and a negative terminal, wherein the positive terminal and the negative terminal are each joined to the cell body at weld junctions. This includes retaining the cell body of the battery cell in a first clamping device. The terminal is grasped in a terminal gripper. A dynamic stress end effector coupled to the terminal gripper applies a vibrational excitation load to the terminal. A static stress end effector applies a static load to the terminal. Integrity of the weld junction is evaluated based upon the applied static load.

公开(公告)号：US10031499B2

公开(公告)日：2018-07-24

申请号：US15017106

申请日：2016-02-05

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Inventor： Teresa J. Rinker ,  Debejyo Chakraborty ,  Ryan C. Sekol ,  Jeffrey A. Abell

IPC: G05D11/00 ,  G05D11/02 ,  G05B15/02 ,  B82Y30/00 ,  F28F13/00

Abstract: A thermal-management system, for use in controlling temperature of a first workpiece of workpieces being joined by welding. The system includes a micro heat exchanger including a heat-transfer fluid tube extending between an inlet and an outlet. The system in some implementations has a body and the inlet and outlet are connected to the body. The heat-transfer fluid tube is configured to channel heat-transfer fluid, such as a nanofluid, to heat or cool the workpiece(s). The heat-transfer fluid is configured to cool or heat at least the first workpiece when the heat-transfer fluid is channeled through the heat-transfer fluid-tube section in operation of the thermal-management system. The technology further includes methods and hardware-based controlling apparatus for using the micro heat exchanger to cool or heat the workpieces.