Patents by Inventor Jin Woo Kwak

Jin Woo Kwak has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10468572
    Abstract: A thermoelectric element unit is provided. The thermoelectric element unit includes a plurality of thermoelectric elements and a plurality of electrodes embedded in each of the thermoelectric elements by a predetermined number. Additionally, at least one of the plurality of electrodes includes a terminal part that protrudes to an exterior of the thermoelectric element having the at least one electrode embedded among the thermoelectric elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Byung Wook Kim, Jin Woo Kwak
  • Publication number: 20190323404
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for a vehicle is provided to improve fuel efficiency by implementing an integrated structure of exhaust gas heat recovery function and thermoelectric generation function. The heat exchanger allows exhaust gas that is flowed into the heat exchange generator in the cold start mode of the vehicle to pass through the exhaust gas heat recovery component side and thermoelectric generation component side. Therefore, the temperature of the coolant rapidly increases, thereby reducing the engine warm-up time, and electricity is generated through thermoelectric module, thereby maximizing the fuel efficiency improvement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Jong Ho Seon, Kwang Min Choi, Byung Wook Kim, Hoo Dam Lee, Jin Woo Kwak, Ho Chan An
  • Patent number: 10439122
    Abstract: A thermoelectric module mounted on an uneven surface (a curved surface or an irregular surface) to reduce thermal boundary resistance and significantly improve thermoelectric power generation efficiency is provided. The thermoelectric module includes one or more first thermoelectric elements, one or more second thermoelectric elements having opposite polarity to that of the first thermoelectric elements and alternating with the first thermoelectric element. An electrode unit in provided and includes upper and lower electrodes configured to electrically connect the first and second thermoelectric elements. A connection member is configured to connect the first and second thermoelectric elements to vary the relative positions of the first and second thermoelectric elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Byung Wook Kim, Kyong Hwa Song, Jin Woo Kwak, Gyung Bok Kim, In Woong Lyo, Han Saem Lee
  • Patent number: 10388842
    Abstract: A thermoelectric generator system of an engine is provided and includes an insulating heat protective cover that is mounted within an engine. Additionally, a unit is disposed at an upper end of the heat protective cover to uniformly distribute heat energy to use the heat protective cover mounted at an upper end of an exhaust manifold of the engine to protect a wiring from exhaust heat. Accordingly, heat energy discarded from the exhaust manifold is absorbed to generate electricity using the waste heat discarded from the exhaust manifold without affecting the catalyst to improve the fuel efficiency of the internal combustion engine. Further, heat is transferred by conduction at a particular temperature or greater and heat is transferred by radiation and convection at a temperature less than the particular temperature to increase the efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jin Woo Kwak, In Woong Lyo, Tae Won Lee, Hong Kil Baek, Han Saem Lee, Su Jung Noh, Seung Woo Lee, Kyong Hwa Song
  • Patent number: 10375858
    Abstract: Disclosed is a housing for electronic/electrical that includes an inner panel and an outer panel, a strip of metal plate, and a strip of shape memory material. The inner panel and the outer panel are disposed parallel to each other at regular intervals to define an internal space. The strip of metal plate extends from an inner surface of the outer panel. The strip of shape memory material extends from an inner surface of the inner panel and is attached or detached to/from the metal plate on the outer panel while changing into an original straight shape or a bent shape according to a temperature variation. Here, when the temperature increase beyond a first transition temperature, the shape memory material straightens to form a heat transfer path. At a low temperature environment, the shape memory material bends and is separated from the metal plate to interrupt the heat transfer path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jin Woo Kwak, Kyong Hwa Song, Byung Sam Choi, Han Saem Lee
  • Publication number: 20190189887
    Abstract: A thermoelectric module includes: an electrode; a double layer stacked on a thermoelectric pellet; and a solder layer interposed between the double layer and the electrode to bond the double layer to the electrode, the solder layer containing a Sn—Cu-based alloy. The solder layer is formed to have an interface with one of the double layer and the electrode and has at least one ? layer having an ? phase (Cu3Sn).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2018
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Jin Woo Kwak, Byung Wook Kim, Kyong Hwa Song, Byung Jin Hwang, Byeong Hoon Yeon, Kyoung Hyun Son, Jong Bae Kim, Seung Ho Yang, Jae Soung Park
  • Publication number: 20190178141
    Abstract: An exhaust heat recovery system is provided. The system includes a branch pipe that has branch fluid passages that are formed to be connected with an exhaust gas source emitting emit exhaust gas. a valve at least partially opens or closes the branch fluid passages to selectively introduce the exhaust gas into at least one of the branch fluid passages. Additionally, a thermoelectric module performs thermoelectric power generation by selectively using exhaust heat of the exhaust gas passing through a specific branch fluid passage of the branch fluid passages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Byung Wook Kim, Hoo Dam Lee, Jin Woo Kwak
  • Publication number: 20190165235
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a thermoelectric module sheet that includes a base substrate, a plurality of thermoelectric elements laminated on a surface of the base substrate, and a plurality of electrodes, each of which is laminated on at least one surface of at least one of the plurality of thermoelectric elements to electrically connect the plurality of thermoelectric elements by a predetermined connecting method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Inventors: Jin Woo Kwak, Byung Wook Kim, Su Jung Noh, Hoo Dam Lee
  • Publication number: 20190131506
    Abstract: A thermoelectric element unit is provided The thermoelectric element unit includes a plurality of thermoelectric elements and a plurality of electrodes embedded in each of the thermoelectric elements by a predetermined number. Additionally, at least one of the plurality of electrodes includes a terminal part that protrudes to an exterior of the thermoelectric element having the at least one electrode embedded among the thermoelectric elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2017
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Byung Wook Kim, Jin Woo Kwak
  • Publication number: 20190097111
    Abstract: Provided herein are a thermoelectric material and a method for preparing the same. The thermoelectric material may include a plurality of grains formed by a chemical bond between a first element and a second element, a graphene-based material; and metal particles. In particular, the graphene-based material and the metal particles may be in interfaces between the grains.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2017
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Byung Wook Kim, Jin Woo Kwak, Woo Young Lee, Gwan Sik Kim, Hyun Jun Rim
  • Patent number: 10082066
    Abstract: A thermoelectric generating system for a vehicle, the thermoelectric generating system includes an engine for producing power, a thermoelectric module for producing electric energy from thermal energy of an exhaust gas generated by the engine, a purifying device for purifying the exhaust gas generated by the engine, and a controller for driving the thermoelectric module when a temperature of the purifying device arrives at a predetermined operational temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Han Saem Lee, In Woong Lyo, Kyong Hwa Song, Hong Kil Baek, Jin Woo Kwak, Gyung Bok Kim, Byung Wook Kim, Seung Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 10074789
    Abstract: Provided herein are a thermoelectric material and a method for preparing the same, wherein the thermoelectric material has excellent thermoelectric performance and high mechanical properties (in particular, fracture toughness), and thus, when the thermoelectric material is applied to a thermoelectric module, the thermoelectric module has excellent performance and efficiency and a long lifespan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation,Yonsei University
    Inventors: Byung Wook Kim, Jong Kook Lee, Han Saem Lee, In Woong Lyo, Jin Woo Kwak, Woo Young Lee, Gwan Sik Kim, Hwi Jong Lee
  • Publication number: 20180175270
    Abstract: Provided herein are a thermoelectric material and a method for preparing the same, wherein the thermoelectric material has excellent thermoelectric performance and high mechanical properties (in particular, fracture toughness), and thus, when the thermoelectric material is applied to a thermoelectric module, the thermoelectric module has excellent performance and efficiency and a long lifespan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, Yonsei University
    Inventors: Byung Wook KIM, Jong Kook LEE, Han Saem LEE, In Woong LYO, Jin Woo KWAK, Woo Young LEE, Gwan Sik KIM, Hwi Jong LEE
  • Patent number: 10003001
    Abstract: A thermoelectric module mounted on a non-flat surface of a heating source component to reduce thermal resistance to enhance thermoelectric generation efficiency is provided. The thermoelectric module includes at least one electrode component having a first electrode plate and a second electrode plate connected to be pivoted with respect to each other. Additionally, least one semiconductor component includes a first semiconductor element electrically connected to the first electrode plate and a second semiconductor element electrically connected to the second electrode plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Byung Wook Kim, Kyong Hwa Song, Jin Woo Kwak, Gyungbok Kim, In Woong Lyo, Han Saem Lee
  • Patent number: 9997694
    Abstract: Provided is a thermoelectric generating system which may be easily installed in a heat source of a vehicle and which is easy to assemble and disassemble overall by eliminating the necessity to be assembled with a cooling module. The thermoelectric generating system includes a first substrate, a second substrate configured to be slidably engageable in contiguity with a heat source of a vehicle, and a thermoelectric module disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Su Jung Noh, Jin Woo Kwak, In Woong Lyo, Han Saem Lee
  • Publication number: 20180122719
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a thermoelectric module is provided. The thermoelectric module includes thermoelectric pellets, first electrodes, second electrodes, and an insulating substrate. The apparatus includes a fixing tray to which the thermoelectric module is fixed, a first die including a first heating member configured to heat a first adhesive layer, which is interposed between the thermoelectric pellets and the first electrodes. The fixing tray is mounted on the first die such that the insulating substrate faces the first heating member. A second die includes a second heating member configured to heat a second adhesive layer, which is interposed between the thermoelectric pellets and the second electrodes, the second die facing the second electrodes. A transfer unit is configured to transfer at least one of the first die and the second die to adjust a distance between the first die and the second die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Jin Woo Kwak, Kyong Hwa Song, Byung Wook Kim, In Woong Lyo, Han Saem Lee
  • Publication number: 20180013050
    Abstract: A method for packaging a thermoelectric module may include thermoelectric module accommodation, of accommodating at least one thermoelectric module in a housing having a base and a sidewall, electric wire sealing, of sealing an electric wire of the thermoelectric module with a sealing tube, bonding member interposing, of placing a cover having a top portion and a sidewall on top of the housing and interposing a bonding member between the sidewall of the housing and the sidewall of the cover, and bonding, of bonding the sidewall of the housing and the sidewall of the cover that are hermetically sealed by the bonding member, in which the bonding member may be formed of a resin material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Byung Wook KIM, Kyong Hwa SONG, Jin Woo KWAK, Gyung Bok KIM, In Woong LYO, Han Saem LEE
  • Patent number: 9859485
    Abstract: A method for packaging a thermoelectric module may include thermoelectric module accommodation, of accommodating at least one thermoelectric module in a housing having a base and a sidewall, electric wire sealing, of sealing an electric wire of the thermoelectric module with a sealing tube, bonding member interposing, of placing a cover having a top portion and a sidewall on top of the housing and interposing a bonding member between the sidewall of the housing and the sidewall of the cover, and bonding, of bonding the sidewall of the housing and the sidewall of the cover that are hermetically sealed by the bonding member, in which the bonding member may be formed of a resin material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Byung Wook Kim, Kyong Hwa Song, Jin Woo Kwak, Gyung Bok Kim, In Woong Lyo, Han Saem Lee
  • Publication number: 20170352793
    Abstract: An an apparatus for manufacturing a thermoelectric module is provided. The apparatus includes a thermoelectric element interposed between a lower substrate that includes a lower electrode and an upper substrate that includes an upper electrode. Additionally, the apparatus includes a first block that is configured to support the lower substrate and a second block that is configured to move vertically with respect to the first block and support the upper substrate. A jig is configured to position the thermoelectric element in connection with the upper electrode and the lower electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Han Saem Lee, Jong Kook Lee, Kyong Hwa Song, Byung Wook Kim, Jin Woo Kwak, Gyung Bok Kim, In Woong Lyo
  • Publication number: 20170345988
    Abstract: A housing for a thermoelectric module can stably protect individual elements of the thermoelectric module such as thermoelectric elements, electrodes, and insulating boards, while maintaining power generation performance of the thermoelectric module. The housing for a thermoelectric module includes: a housing enveloping at least one thermoelectric module; and a heat barrier unit configured to prevent a flow of heat from being transferred through a sidewall of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Byung Wook Kim, Kyong Hwa Song, Jin Woo Kwak, Gyung Bok Kim, In Woong Lyo, Han Saem Lee