Edward N Mrotek

US Patent:

6376126, Apr 23, 2002

Filed:

Oct 13, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/418203

Inventors:

Helmuth Faust - Brookfield WI
Edward N. Mrotek - Grafton WI
Dennis L. Marshall - New Berlin WI

Assignee:

Johnson Controls Technology Company - Plymouth MI

International Classification:

H01M 202

US Classification:

429176, 429 66

Abstract:

A composite battery container for housing one or more cell elements comprising positive and negative plates alternately interleaved with separator material includes a battery housing defining one or more cell compartments. The cell compartments have resilient, flexible spacer and plate-rest ribs integrally formed in the sides and bottom of the cell compartments, but having different material properties than the battery housing. The battery housing is made of a rigid, low cost plastic material, while the ribs are a flexible thermoplastic elastomer. The flexible ribs elastically deform when a cell element is disposed within the cell compartment and return to a substantially non-deformed, originally molded position when the cell element is removed. The ribs are formed in any suitable orientation and at any suitable acute or obtuse angle from the cell compartment walls.

US Patent:

6399239, Jun 4, 2002

Filed:

Jan 18, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/232543

Inventors:

James J. Bolstad - Shorewood WI
James T. Daley - Grafton WI
James A. Lenz - Oconomowoc WI
Michael G. Andrew - Menomonee Falls WI
Thomas J. Dougherty - Waukesha WI
Edward N. Mrotek - Grafton WI

Assignee:

Johnson Controls Technology Company - Plymouth MI

International Classification:

H01M 210

US Classification:

429100, 429 96, 429 97, 429121, 429123, 429179

Abstract:

A battery system includes a battery with a pair of terminals extending from one side of the battery case, and a tray-like battery holder. The terminals have hollow sockets inserted therein which are engaged by posts extending from conductive plugs that extend through an end wall of the holder. A threaded connection is formed in the plug and opens to the outside of the holder. Alignment posts are formed in the holder to be disposed within cylindrical wells in the bottom of the battery case and ensure proper alignment of the battery in the holder. A hinged latch is formed in the holder and engages a projection on the battery case. When in place in the holder, the battery case rests on resilient pads located on a floor of the holder.

US Patent:

6461758, Oct 8, 2002

Filed:

Oct 20, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/622737

Inventors:

Matthias Geibl - Germantown WI
Thomas J. Dougherty - Waukesha WI
Gerald D. Slayton - South Milwaukee WI
Mark S. Inkmann - Wauwatosa WI
Guy L. Pfeifer - Milwaukee WI
Gerald A. Cummins - Union KY
Edward C. Frelka - Muskego WI
Edward N. Mrotek - Grafton WI
Helmuth Faust - Brookfield WI
Arch A. Pope - Holland OH
David J. Novak - Menomonee Falls WI
William J. Ross - Mukwonago WI
Bradley R. Niemuth - Germantown WI
Ronald F. Kirby - Racine WI

Assignee:

Johnson Controls Technology Company - Plymouth MI

International Classification:

H01M 212

US Classification:

429 72, 429 82

Abstract:

An improved vent cap system for use in an electrochemical battery is provided which includes a ring flange for forming a ring seal between the vent cap assembly and the fill tube. When the vent cap assembly is positioned in the battery housing, the ring flange and the fill tube deform to create a seal therebetween to provide a fluid tight seal.

US Patent:

7452235, Nov 18, 2008

Filed:

Feb 8, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/703767

Inventors:

Kenneth R. Davis - Grafton WI, US
Edward N. Mrotek - Grafton WI, US
Daniel P. Heil - Savannah MO, US

Assignee:

Johnson Controls Technology Company - Holland MI

International Classification:

H01R 11/00

US Classification:

439504, 4394761

Abstract:

A device for electrically connecting a plurality of batteries includes a member including a handle and two arms extending from the handle. The handle includes a first portion, a second portion spaced apart from the first portion, and a connector extending between the first portion and the second portion. The member also includes a contact coupled to a first of the two arms for contacting at least a portion of a battery terminal when the device is secured to a battery. The first of the two arms is configured for securing the device to a first side of a battery and a second of the two arms is configured for securing the device to a second side of the battery.

US Patent:

7690943, Apr 6, 2010

Filed:

Oct 9, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/248662

Inventors:

Kenneth R. Davis - Grafton WI, US
Edward N. Mrotek - Grafton WI, US
Daniel P. Heil - Savannah MO, US

Assignee:

Johnson Controls Technology Company - Holland MI

International Classification:

H01R 11/00

US Classification:

439504, 4394761

Abstract:

A device for electrically connecting a plurality of batteries includes a member including a handle and two arms extending from the handle. The handle includes a first portion, a second portion spaced apart from the first portion, and a connector extending between the first portion and the second portion. The member also includes a contact coupled to a first of the two arms for contacting at least a portion of a battery terminal when the device is secured to a battery. The first of the two arms is configured for securing the device to a first side of a battery and a second of the two arms is configured for securing the device to a second side of the battery.

US Patent:

7767347, Aug 3, 2010

Filed:

Nov 20, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/984666

Inventors:

Wen-Hong Kao - Brown Deer WI, US
Shu Jen F. Kao, legal representative - Brown Deer WI, US
Glenn W. Andersen - Hartford WI, US
M. Eric Taylor - Milwaukee WI, US
Kenneth A. Adams - Germantown WI, US
Edward N. Mrotek - Grafton WI, US
Jeffrey P. Zagrodnik - Hales Corners WI, US

Assignee:

Johnson Controls Technology Company - Holland MI

International Classification:

H01M 4/74

US Classification:

429244

Abstract:

A battery grid includes a frame that includes a top element, a bottom element, a first side element, and a second side element. The battery grid also includes a plurality of wires provided within the frame and defining a plurality of open areas and a current collection lug extending from the top element in a first direction. The battery grid further includes at least one feature provided in the battery grid that is configured to reduce the amount of growth of the battery grid in the first direction due to corrosion of the battery grid during the life of the battery grid.

US Patent:

7955737, Jun 7, 2011

Filed:

Jun 25, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/823803

Inventors:

Wen-Hong Kao - Brown Deer WI, US
Shu Jen F. Kao, legal representative - Brown Deer WI, US
Glenn W. Andersen - Hartford WI, US
Eric M. Taylor - Shorewood WI, US
Kenneth A. Adams - Germantown WI, US
Edward N. Mrotek - Grafton WI, US
Jeffrey P. Zagrodnik - Hales Corners WI, US

Assignee:

Johnson Controls Technology Company - Holland MI

International Classification:

H01M 4/74

US Classification:

429241

Abstract:

A battery grid includes a frame that includes a top element, a bottom element, a first side element, and a second side element. The battery grid also includes a plurality of wires provided within the frame and defining a plurality of open areas and a current collection lug extending from the top element in a first direction. The battery grid further includes at least one feature provided in the battery grid that is configured to reduce the amount of growth of the battery grid in the first direction due to corrosion of the battery grid during the life of the battery grid.

US Patent:

8399135, Mar 19, 2013

Filed:

Apr 26, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/457242

Inventors:

Glenn W. Andersen - Hartford WI, US
Eric M. Taylor - Shorewood WI, US
Kenneth A. Adams - Germantown WI, US
Edward N. Mrotek - Grafton WI, US
Jeffrey P. Zagrodnik - Hales Corners WI, US
Shu Jen F. Kao - Brown Deer WI, US

Assignee:

Johnson Controls Technology Company - Holland MI

International Classification:

H01M 4/74

US Classification:

429244, 429241

Abstract:

A battery grid is provided having a frame that includes a top element, a bottom element, a first side element, and a second side element. A current collection lug is coupled to the top element. The battery grid includes a plurality of wires provided within the frame and defining a plurality of open areas. The plurality of wires includes a plurality of linear vertical wire members which extend from the top element toward the bottom element, first side element, or second side element. At least one of the linear vertical wire members includes a discontinuity terminating the linear vertical wire member before reaching the bottom element, first side element, or second side element, the discontinuity being defined by parallel horizontal wire members defining an open space.