公开(公告)号：US20170320156A1

公开(公告)日：2017-11-09

申请号：US15147287

申请日：2016-05-05

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Teresa J. Rinker ,  Leonid C. Lev

IPC: B23K9/08 ,  B23K9/007

CPC classification number: B23K9/08 ,  B23K9/007 ,  B23K37/0426

Abstract: A system for joining at least two components by welding includes a magnetic base for receiving the components for welding and a flexible magnetic member configurable to correspond to a weld path defining a weld joining the components. The flexible magnetic member exerts a retention force on the components in response to a magnetic field produced by selective activation of the magnetic base. The system can include a magnetic locating element positioned adjacent a perimeter edge of the component to be welded, for generating a repulsive magnetic force between the flexible magnetic member and the magnetic locating element to locate the flexible magnetic member relative to the perimeter edge and provide clearance for a welding device to access a continuous weld path defined by the perimeter edge, such that the welding device can form a continuous weld along the weld path. A welding method using the system is provided.

公开(公告)号：US20220328938A1

公开(公告)日：2022-10-13

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: H01M50/536 ,  B23K20/10 ,  B23K26/24 ,  B23K26/70

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：US11095004B2

公开(公告)日：2021-08-17

申请号：US15943065

申请日：2018-04-02

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Inventor： Wu Tao ,  Li Sun ,  Xiaochao Que ,  Haijing Liu ,  Teresa J. Rinker ,  Jeffrey A. Abell

IPC: H01M50/531 ,  B23K26/00 ,  B23K26/22 ,  B23K26/32 ,  H01M10/0525

Abstract: A method for laser welding a plurality of battery foils to a battery tab that does not include ultrasonic welding and includes clamping the plurality of battery foils and the battery tab together. Each of the plurality of battery foils has a thickness that is between 0.004 millimeters and 0.03 millimeters. The battery tab has a thickness that is between 0.1 millimeters and 0.5 millimeters. The method further includes laser welding the plurality of battery foils to the battery tab.

公开(公告)号：US20210037196A1

公开(公告)日：2021-02-04

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 ,  G01N21/3563 ,  G01N21/95

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：US10759006B2

公开(公告)日：2020-09-01

申请号：US16251755

申请日：2019-01-18

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

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

IPC: B23K31/00 ,  B23K31/12 ,  G01N25/72 ,  G01N27/416 ,  G01R31/36 ,  B23K20/10

Abstract: A method and a test fixture for evaluating a battery cell are described, wherein the battery cell is composed of a cell body having a plurality of electrode foils that are joined to both a positive terminal and a negative terminal at weld junctions. The method includes retaining the cell body of the battery cell in a first clamping device and gripping one of the positive and negative terminals in a terminal gripper. A dynamic stress end effector coupled to the terminal gripper is employed to apply a vibrational excitation load to the one of the positive and negative terminals. Impedance between the positive terminal and the negative terminal is monitored via a controller, and integrity of the weld junction of the one of the positive and negative terminals is evaluated based upon the impedance.

公开(公告)号：US20190315308A1

公开(公告)日：2019-10-17

申请号：US15952884

申请日：2018-04-13

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Inventor： Ingrid A. Rousseau ,  Megan E. McGovern ,  Teresa J. Rinker ,  Jeffrey J. Calderas ,  Kestutis Sonta

IPC: B60R22/195 ,  B01D39/20 ,  B01D46/24

Abstract: A lap belt pretensioner for a lap belt configured to secure an occupant of a vehicle seat includes a pyrotechnic device. The pyrotechnic device is configured to generate a force directed to tension the lap belt around the occupant and emit an exhaust gas including particulates at high pressure and high temperature as a byproduct of the generated force. The lap belt pretensioner also includes a housing configured to retain the pyrotechnic device and defining an exhaust passage configured to expel the exhaust gas from the lap belt pretensioner. The lap belt pretensioner additionally includes a shield arranged over the exhaust passage and configured to collect and/or deflect the emitted particulates and dissipate heat energy thereof. A vehicle having the vehicle seat mounted to the vehicle structure and employing the seatbelt system is also provided.

公开(公告)号：US10305153B2

公开(公告)日：2019-05-28

申请号：US15017092

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: H01M10/6556 ,  H01M10/625 ,  B60L11/18 ,  H01M10/633 ,  H01M10/6567 ,  H01M10/6553 ,  H01M10/6554

Abstract: A vehicle-battery system including a battery cell and a micro heat exchanger. The micro heat exchanger includes at least one fluid tube positioned in direct contact with the battery cell. The fluid tube comprises a heat-transfer tube section positioned between a fluid tube entrance and exit and in direct contact with the battery cell. The fluid tube is configured to receive a heat-transfer fluid, such a nanofluid, and channel the heat-transfer fluid through the heat-transfer tube section, to the fluid tube exit. The heat-transfer fluid is configured to cool or heat the battery cell when, in operation of the vehicle-battery system, the heat-transfer fluid is channeled through the heat-transfer tube section. The technology in various embodiments also includes a fluid modification device and a computerized controller for controlling the fluid modification device or other operations of the system such as pumping of the heat-transfer fluid.

公开(公告)号：US20190064277A1

公开(公告)日：2019-02-28

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: G01R31/36 ,  H01M10/42 ,  H01M10/48 ,  H01M2/02

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：US10190833B2

公开(公告)日：2019-01-29

申请号：US15132931

申请日：2016-04-19

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

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

IPC: F28F3/02 ,  F28F3/12 ,  F28D15/00 ,  F28F21/06 ,  F28F23/00 ,  F28F27/00 ,  H01M10/6556 ,  H01M10/0525 ,  H01M10/625 ,  F21V29/58 ,  F21V29/503 ,  F21Y115/10 ,  F28F21/08

Abstract: A mechanically conformable micro-heat exchanger for use in managing temperature of a subject component. The exchanger includes a flexible fluid tube. In various embodiments, the tube is connected to a flexible substrate, such as by a flexible polymer. The exchanger can be changed manually from an initial shape to a first shape to conform to a shape of the subject component. The flexible fluid tube is configured to channel heat-transfer fluid through a heat-transfer tube section of the tube. The heat-transfer fluid is configured to cool or heat the subject component when, in operation of the mechanically conformable micro-heat exchanger, the heat-transfer fluid is channeled through the heat-transfer tube section.

公开(公告)号：US20170315100A1

公开(公告)日：2017-11-02

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 ,  G01N29/34 ,  G01N29/04 ,  G01R31/36

CPC classification number: G01N29/4445 ,  B23K20/10 ,  B23K31/125 ,  B23K2101/38 ,  G01N3/08 ,  G01N29/04 ,  G01N29/045 ,  G01N29/34 ,  G01N2203/0073 ,  G01N2291/025 ,  G01N2291/0258 ,  G01R31/3641

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.