Patents Examined by Olatunji Godo
  • Patent number: 11949008
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure is provided. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate having a front side and a back side opposite the front side. The semiconductor structure also includes a first contact metal layer disposed on the front side of the substrate. The semiconductor structure further includes a III-V compound semiconductor layer disposed between the substrate and the first contact metal layer. Moreover, the semiconductor structure includes a via hole penetrating through the substrate and the III-V compound semiconductor layer from the back side of the substrate. The bottom of the via hole is defined by the first contact metal layer, and the first contact metal layer includes molybdenum, tungsten, iridium, palladium, platinum, cobalt, ruthenium, osmium, rhodium, rhenium, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: WIN SEMICONDUCTORS CORP.
    Inventors: Chang-Hwang Hua, Chia-Hao Chen
  • Patent number: 11942636
    Abstract: The present application relates to the electrochemical field, and in particular, to a positive electrode material, and an electrochemical energy storage apparatus having thereof. The present application provides a positive electrode material, including a substrate. The substrate includes secondary particles containing primary particles. A surface of the substrate is coated with an oxide coating layer. The oxide coating layer comprises a coating element, and the coating element is selected from one or more of Al, Ba, Zn, Ti, Zr, Mg, W, Y, Si, Sn, B, Co, or P. The electrochemical energy storage apparatus comprises the foregoing positive electrode material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED
    Inventors: Rui Du, Yongchao Liu, Sihui Wang, Deyu Zhao, Na Liu
  • Patent number: 11936078
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide fuel cell system capable of stable start-up and method for starting the fuel cell system. Fuel cell system includes SOFC, a turbocharger, oxidizing gas supply line, a control valve, oxidizing gas blow line, start-up air line for supplying the start-up air to the oxidizing gas supply line with a blower, and a control unit that, in state in which the control valve is closed and the blow valve is opened to supply the start-up air to the oxidizing gas supply line with the blower when the turbocharger is started, decreases the opening of the blow valve and, after the timing at which the opening of the blow valve starts to decrease, increases the opening of the control valve and then stops the supply of the starting air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ozawa, Yasushi Iwai, Kimi Kodo, Kenta Araki
  • Patent number: 11916251
    Abstract: A multi-cell rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) includes a plurality of battery cells organized into battery modules and a first enclosure configured to house the battery modules. The RESS also includes a first vent arranged on the first enclosure and configured to direct air from inside the first enclosure to an environment external to the first enclosure. The RESS additionally includes a second vent arranged on the first enclosure and configured to direct air into the first enclosure from the environment external to the first enclosure. The RESS further includes a phase-change material (PCM) device arranged on the second vent and configured to melt in response to at least one of the battery modules experiencing a thermal runaway event. In combination with the first vent, the PCM generates crossflow ventilation through the first enclosure to cool the battery modules therein and mitigate thermal runaway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin G. Wroblewski, Jordan Mullins, Brian Carrier
  • Patent number: 11912879
    Abstract: Provided is a film forming method of a corrosion resistant film having a corrosion resistance under acidic atmosphere and a corrosion resistant member on which the corrosion resistant film is coated. The film forming method of the corrosion resistant film includes: bringing a substrate made of aluminum into contact with an aqueous solution containing sulfate ions and fluoride ions; and heating the substrate to boil the aqueous solution on a surface of the substrate and forming a corrosion resistant film containing at least oxygen, fluorine, and sulfur in the aluminum derived from the substrate on the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomoharu Kataoka, Masao Watanabe, Yuya Kusano
  • Patent number: 11909085
    Abstract: Disclosed are air electrode materials suitable for use in solid oxide electrochemical cells (SOCs). The disclosed cells can operate in a dual function modes, i.e., as a fuel cell and as an electrolysis cell. In both cases, chemical energy and electrical energy can be directly convert from one mode to the other; thereby providing a highly efficient energy conversion process that can be used as a sustainable energy source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignees: Phillips 66 Company, Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Weilin Zhang, Meilin Liu, Ying Liu, Yucun Zhou
  • Patent number: 11888196
    Abstract: Self-refueling power-generating systems and methods of configuring them are provided, which enable operation in a self-sustained manner, using no external resource for water, oxygen or hydrogen. The systems and methods determine the operation of reversible device(s) in fuel cell or electrolyzer mode according to power requirements and power availability, supply oxygen in a closed circuit, compressing received oxygen in the electrolyzer mode, and supplying water or dilute electrolyte in a closed circuit in conjunction with the closed oxygen supply circuit by separating oxygen produced by the reversible device(s) in the electrolyzer mode from the water or dilute electrolyte received from the reversible device(s). Membrane assemblies may comprise a binder and be hot-pressed to enhance their long-term performance and durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: HYDROLITE LTD
    Inventors: Miles Page, Ervin Tal-Gutelmacher
  • Patent number: 11881572
    Abstract: A method for fault diagnosis and a computer device are provided. The method is applied to a battery management system of the energy storage system and includes the following. A first thermal-runaway parameter detected by a first detection apparatus and a second thermal-runaway parameter detected by a second detection apparatus are obtained. A difference between the first thermal-runaway parameter and the second thermal-runaway parameter is calculated. Determine that at least one of the first detection apparatus or the second detection apparatus fails, when the difference is greater than a difference threshold. Determine that a battery module fails, when the first thermal-runaway parameter is greater than a first threshold, the second thermal-runaway parameter is greater than a second threshold, and the difference is less than or equal to the difference threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignees: Shenzhen Hithium Energy Storage Technology Co., Ltd., Xiamen Hithium Energy Storage Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Huaiyu Jiang
  • Patent number: 11876250
    Abstract: A battery module is disclosed having a plurality of series-connected battery cells contained in, and electrically isolated from, an enclosure, with a first internal relay to control connection between cells and a positive terminal, and a second internal relay to control the connection between cells and a negative terminal. A control signal input is provided to control the relays. An embodiment is disclosed wherein the relays are of distinct types. An embodiment is disclosed having an internal battery management system which controls the relays in response to a digital message. A modular battery pack is disclosed consisting of a plurality of modules connected in parallel, which can be individually and independently activated and deactivated. A method is provided for activating an individual module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: PALATOV GROUP LLC
    Inventor: Dennis Palatov
  • Patent number: 11876263
    Abstract: An integrated hydrogen-electric includes a hydrogen fuel cell; a hydrogen fuel source; an electric motor assembly disposed in electrical communication with the fuel cell; n air compressor system configured to be driven by the motor assembly, and a cooling system having a heat exchanger radiator in a duct of the cooling system, and configured to direct an air stream including an air stream from the air compressor through the radiator, wherein an exhaust stream from a cathode side of the fuel cell is fed via an flow control nozzle into the air stream in the cooling duct downstream of the radiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: ZEROAVIA, INC.
    Inventors: Hung-Chi Wang, Matthew Legg, Rudolf Jacobus Coertze
  • Patent number: 11870049
    Abstract: A thermal storage device for batteries is provided. In some examples, the thermal storage device is provided for a battery pack that includes one or more rechargeable battery cells. In some examples, the lithium ion battery cells are used. The thermal storage device is in thermal contact with the battery cell. The thermal storage device is made of a material that absorbs heat that is given off by battery cells during discharge. In some examples, the thermal storage device is made of a plastic material. The material has a relatively low thermal conductivity but a relatively high specific heat capacity, allowing heat energy to be stored in the thermal storage device. The thermal storage device prevents the battery pack from overheating during use. The thermal storage device defines one or more cell receiving volumes. In some examples, an axially extending relief volume is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Brian Algot Hanson, Paul Frederick Koltz, Robert Luke Anderson, Adam Burghardt Stroud
  • Patent number: 11866395
    Abstract: A method of producing petrochemicals using a hydrocarbon fuel cell includes the steps of operating the fuel cell to produce electricity, thermal energy, and one or more exhaust stream, the one or more exhaust stream comprising at least a carbon-containing gas and water, reacting at least a portion of the exhaust stream with the reactant stream of natural gas to produce one or more petrochemical streams in a reactor, and heating one or more reactants using at least a portion of at least one of the electricity and the thermal energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignees: 1304338 Alberta Ltd., 1304342 Alberta Ltd.
    Inventors: Jose Lourenco, MacKenzie Millar
  • Patent number: 11870114
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a plurality of fuel cell stacks, an anode pipeline, a cathode pipeline, an anode discharge valve, a cathode supply valve, a cathode discharge valve, an anode pressure sensor, a cathode pressure sensor, and a control device. The control device determines whether a cross leak that is permeation abnormality of fuel gas or oxidant gas between an anode and a cathode on the basis of a pressure difference, which is difference between a pressure of the fuel gas and a pressure of the oxidant gas detected by the anode pressure sensor and the cathode pressure sensor in a stopped state of electric power generation of the plurality of fuel cell stacks, or a change in the pressure difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Seiji Sugiura
  • Patent number: 11870115
    Abstract: To provide an air-cooled fuel cell system configured to suppress thermal runaway. An air-cooled fuel cell system, wherein the reaction air supply flow path comprises a first valve in a region downstream of the reaction air supplier and upstream of the reaction air inlet of the fuel cell; wherein the reaction air discharge flow path comprises a second valve downstream of the reaction air outlet of the fuel cell; wherein the fuel gas supply flow path comprises a third valve upstream of the fuel gas inlet of the fuel cell; wherein the fuel off-gas discharge flow path comprises a fourth valve downstream of the fuel gas outlet of the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Nobuaki Nonoyama
  • Patent number: 11862832
    Abstract: A modular fuel cell subsystem includes multiple rows of modules, where each row comprises a plurality of fuel cell power modules and a power conditioning module containing a DC to AC inverter electrically connected the power modules. In some embodiments, a single gas and water distribution module is fluidly connected to multiple rows of power modules, and a single mini power distribution module is electrically connected to each of the power conditioning module in each row of modules. In some embodiments, each row of modules further includes a fuel processing module located on an opposite side of the plurality of fuel cell power modules from the power conditioning module. Fuel and water connections may enter each row from the side of the row containing the fuel processing module, and electrical connections may enter each row from the side of the row containing the power conditioning module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Srihari Raghavan, David Trevisan, Richard Leitch, Armando Gomez, Aaron Ells, Jessica Mahler
  • Patent number: 11848465
    Abstract: An integrated cooling module of a fuel cell stack is attached to a housing of the fuel cell stack, and the integrated cooling module is connected to a plurality of components constituting a thermal management system of a fuel cell. In particular, the integrated cooling module includes: a first injection member defining flow paths guiding coolant into one or more components of the thermal management system of the fuel cell, and at least one second injection member coupled to the first injection member, and the coolants going through the components flow into the fuel cell stack through any one of the flow paths defined by the integrated cooling module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sun Ae Park, Jin Hun Lee, Hun Woo Park
  • Patent number: 11843111
    Abstract: Provided are electrodes that may be used in electrochemical cells that incorporate relatively high loading of active material while also demonstrating excellent adhesion, resistance to mechanical breakdown, and also offer improved capacity retention, particularly at discharge rates of C/2 or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Navitas Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Pu Zhang, Peter Aurora, Michael Wixom
  • Patent number: 11831059
    Abstract: According to the present embodiment, a fuel cell stack comprises a cell stack having a plurality of unit cells stacked therein, each of the unit cells including an electrolyte membrane, a fuel-electrode porous passage plate, and an oxidant-electrode porous passage plate, wherein in the cell stack, at least a part of one main surface of a conductive fuel-electrode porous passage plate is in contact with one main surface of a conductive oxidant-electrode porous passage plate, and a capillary force of water contained in a hydrophilic micropores of the conductive fuel-electrode porous passage plate and the conductive oxidant-electrode porous passage plate prevents an oxidant gas in an oxidant-electrode passage and a fuel gas in a fuel-electrode passage from directly mixing together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Yuma Kato, Akira Maekawa
  • Patent number: 11831046
    Abstract: Disclosed are a system and a method for fuel supply control for a fuel cell. The system includes a fuel supply line, a fuel supply valve, a base duty calculator configured to estimate a required supply amount of a fuel gas required for the fuel supply line on the basis of a power generation state of the fuel cell and to calculate a base duty instruction to open the fuel supply valve on the basis of the estimated required supply amount, and a valve controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jae Won Jung, Sang Wook Han
  • Patent number: 11820240
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide modular battery assemblies for micro-mobility fleet vehicles. A modular battery assembly for a micro-mobility fleet vehicle includes a battery assembly enclosure including an assembly retention interface configured to physically secure the assembly enclosure to a subframe assembly of the micro-mobility fleet vehicle, a battery cell assembly disposed within the battery assembly enclosure, and an enclosure lid mounted to the assembly enclosure. The modular battery assembly may include an arched floorboard panel configured to provide a floor board surface for the micro-mobility fleet vehicle. The battery cell assembly may include a honeycomb battery cell holder and a collector board atop the battery cell holder to provide wire bond interconnects between the battery cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Lyft, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Michael Reimer, Adam Christopher Bender, Neil Richard Anthony Saldanha, Timothy Rex Martin, Jared Mitchell Kole, Andrea Claude Ramos Santos