Patents by Inventor Chun-Ho Tai

Chun-Ho Tai 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: 9153846
    Abstract: A battery pack and a method for controlling charge-and-discharge of the battery pack by its thermoelectric property are provided, in which the battery pack has a plurality of thermal regions divided by different ranges of temperature. The battery pack includes a plurality of parallel-connected battery groups and a plurality of variable resistances. The parallel-connected battery groups are located in the thermal regions respectively, and each of the parallel-connected battery groups includes batteries connected in parallel. The variable resistances are disposed between two parallel-connected battery groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Shih-Hao Liang, Yu-Min Peng, Shou-Hung Ling, Chung-Jen Chou, Chein-Chung Sun, Chun-Ho Tai
  • Patent number: 9153829
    Abstract: A passive fuel cell assembly including a membrane electrode assembly, an anode current collector, a cathode current collector, a hydrophilic and gas-impermeable layer, and a gas-liquid separation layer is provided. The anode current collector and the cathode current collector are disposed at two opposite sides of the membrane electrode assembly. The hydrophilic and gas-impermeable layer is disposed on the anode current collector. The gas-liquid separation layer is disposed on the hydrophilic and gas-impermeable layer, such that the hydrophilic and gas-impermeable layer is disposed between the gas-liquid separation layer and the anode current collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Ku-Yen Kang, Ching-Jung Liu, Chun-Ho Tai, Chiou-Chu Lai
  • Patent number: 9048466
    Abstract: A flat fuel cell assembly including a MEA, a cathode porous current collector, an anode porous current collector, a gas barrier material layer, a case, and at least one air baffle is provided. The cathode porous current collector and the anode porous current collector are disposed at two opposite sides of the MEA. The gas barrier material layer is disposed at a side of the cathode porous current collector and has at least one opening for exposing a surface of the cathode porous current collector. The case is disposed at a side of the MEA, the gas barrier material layer is disposed between the case and the MEA, and an air channel is located between the gas barrier material layer and the case. Additionally, the air baffle disposed within the air channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Ku-Yen Kang, Chun-Ho Tai, Chiou-Chu Lai, Ching-Jung Liu
  • Patent number: 8968946
    Abstract: A fuel cell system is provided, comprising a cell unit capable of gas exhausting. The cell unit comprises an anode current collector and a cathode current collector. A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) is interposed between the anode current collector and the cathode current collector. A frame is formed to surround the MEA, the anode current collector, and the cathode current collector. A hydrophilic gas-blocking layer is disposed adjacent to an anode side of the MEA, underlying the MEA and the frame. A hydrophobic gas-penetrating layer is disposed under the hydrophilic gas-blocking layer. At least one gas exhaust is disposed in the frame, exposing a part of the hydrophilic gas-blocking layer and contacting the area surrounding adjacent to the cell unit for exhausting a gas produced by the MEA from the cell unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Ku-Yen Kang, Chun-Ho Tai, Chiou-Chu Lai, Yin-Wen Tsai, Ying-Ying Hsu
  • Publication number: 20140212781
    Abstract: A stacked type fuel cell includes electricity generating modules, at least two cathode flow field plates, and at least one common anode flow field plate. Each electricity generating module includes an anode collector, a cathode collector, a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) between the anode collector and the cathode collector, a fuel diffusion layer, and a cathode moisture layer. The fuel diffusion layer and the cathode moisture layer are respectively located at two sides of the MEA. The anode collector is between the fuel diffusion layer and the MEA, and the cathode collector is between the cathode moisture layer and the MEA. The common anode flow field plate is between two fuel diffusion layers in two adjacent electricity generating modules. The common anode flow field plate and two electricity generating modules located at two sides of the common anode flow field plate are sandwiched between the cathode flow field plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Li-Duan Tsai, Ching-Jung Liu, Chun-Ho Tai, Ku-Yen Kang
  • Publication number: 20140131340
    Abstract: A heating method of a heating apparatus is provided. The heating apparatus includes a fuel cell, a power storage device, a heat-electricity conversion element, and a switching unit. The fuel cell is adapted for charging the power storage device. The power storage device is adapted for supplying electricity to the heat-electricity conversion element. The switching unit is adapted for switching the heating apparatus between a first mode and a second mode. The method includes a first heating process in which the fuel cell charges the power storage device and generates heat during a charging process, and a second heating process in which the power storage device supplies electricity to the heat-electricity conversion element and the heat-electricity conversion element generates heat. The first heating process and the second heating process are performed alternatively or simultaneously when the heating apparatus is switched to the first mode or the second mode, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Ku-Yen Kang, Ching-Jung Liu, Chun-Ho Tai, Shou-Hung Ling
  • Patent number: 8703347
    Abstract: A flat fuel cell assembly including a membrane electrode assembly, a cathode porous current collector, an anode porous current collector and a gas barrier material layer is provided. The membrane electrode assembly includes a proton conducting membrane, an anode catalyst layer and a cathode catalyst layer disposed respectively on two sides of the proton conducting membrane, and an anode gas diffusion layer and a cathode gas diffusion layer disposed respectively on the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer. The cathode porous current collector is disposed on one side of the cathode gas diffusion layer. The anode porous current collector is disposed on one side of the anode gas diffusion layer. The gas barrier material layer having at least an opening exposing the surface of the cathode gas diffusion layer is disposed on the cathode gas diffusion layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Ku-Yen Kang, Chun-Ho Tai, Chiou-Chu Lai, Ying-Ying Hsu, Yin-Wen Tsai
  • Publication number: 20140030622
    Abstract: A control method of replenishing anode fuel for DMFC system is provided. The DMFC system includes at least a fuel cell, a cathode humidity-holding layer, a fuel distribution unit, a control unit, a liquid fuel replenishment device, a fuel storage region, and a temperature detecting device. The temperature detecting device is for detecting an actual temperature of the fuel cell. The control method of replenishing anode fuel includes utilizing the control unit to adjust a fuel replenishment amount supplied from the liquid fuel replenishment device. The fuel replenishment amount is the sum of a basic replenishment amount and a replenishment amount for temperature correction. The basic replenishment amount is a function of actual discharge current of the fuel cell. The replenishment amount for temperature correction is a function of the difference between the actual temperature of the fuel cell and the target temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Ching-Jung Liu, Ku-Yen Kang, Chun-Ho Tai, Chung-Jen Chou, Shou-Hung Ling
  • Publication number: 20130127423
    Abstract: A battery pack and a method for controlling charge-and-discharge of the battery pack by its thermoelectric property are provided, in which the battery pack has a plurality of thermal regions divided by different ranges of temperature. The battery pack includes a plurality of parallel-connected battery groups and a plurality of variable resistances. The parallel-connected battery groups are located in the thermal regions respectively, and each of the parallel-connected battery groups includes batteries connected in parallel. The variable resistances are disposed between two parallel-connected battery groups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Shih-Hao Liang, Yu-Min Peng, Shou-Hung Ling, Chung-Jen Chou, Chein-Chung Sun, Chun-Ho Tai
  • Publication number: 20130029239
    Abstract: A shutdown and self-maintenance operation process of a liquid fuel cell system is introduced. The liquid fuel cell system gives out a shutdown signal and a liquid fuel cell of the liquid fuel cell system stops discharging when receiving the shutdown signal. Thereafter, a self-maintenance operation consisting of the following four steps will be performed: (a) Supply of the cathode gas is stopped in the liquid fuel cell system. (b) After a first duration, the supply of the cathode gas is started. (c) The liquid fuel cell discharges until the output power of the liquid fuel cell is less than or equal to a first predetermined value. (d) The liquid fuel cell stops discharging and the supply of the cathode gas is stopped again. The (a) to (d) four steps are repeated several times before the liquid fuel cell system is completely stopped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Ku-Yen Kang, Chun-Ho Tai, Ching-Jung Liu, Shou-Hung Ling, Chung-Jen Chou, Yin-Wen Tsai
  • Publication number: 20120156586
    Abstract: A fuel distribution structure including a first material layer, a second material layer, a flow channel layer and a filler is provided. The first material layer has a fuel inlet, the second material layer has a plurality of fuel outlets, the flow channel layer has a patterned flow channel, wherein the fuel inlet and the fuel outlets are covered by a distribution range of the patterned flow channel, and the filler is disposed in the patterned flow channel. In addition, a fuel cell having the above-mentioned fuel distribution structure is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Ku-Yen Kang, Ching-Jung Liu, Chun-Ho Tai, Chiou-Chu Lai
  • Publication number: 20100159299
    Abstract: A passive fuel cell assembly including a membrane electrode assembly, an anode current collector, a cathode current collector, a hydrophilic and gas-impermeable layer, and a gas-liquid separation layer is provided. The anode current collector and the cathode current collector are disposed at two opposite sides of the membrane electrode assembly. The hydrophilic and gas-impermeable layer is disposed on the anode current collector. The gas-liquid separation layer is disposed on the hydrophilic and gas-impermeable layer, such that the hydrophilic and gas-impermeable layer is disposed between the gas-liquid separation layer and the anode current collector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Ku-Yen Kang, Ching-Jung Liu, Chun-Ho Tai, Chiou-Chu Lai
  • Publication number: 20100068584
    Abstract: A flat fuel cell assembly including a MEA, a cathode porous current collector, an anode porous current collector, a gas barrier material layer, a case, and at least one air baffle is provided. The cathode porous current collector and the anode porous current collector are disposed at two opposite sides of the MEA. The gas barrier material layer is disposed at a side of the cathode porous current collector and has at least one opening for exposing a surface of the cathode porous current collector. The case is disposed at a side of the MEA, the gas barrier material layer is disposed between the case and the MEA, and an air channel is located between the gas barrier material layer and the case. Additionally, the air baffle disposed within the air channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Ku-Yen Kang, Chun-Ho Tai, Chiou-Chu Lai, Ching-Jung Liu
  • Publication number: 20090068518
    Abstract: A passive fuel cell system including at least one cell unit, an anode fuel supplying unit, a cathode fuel supplying unit, and a heat-conductive material layer is provided. The cell unit includes a cathode current collector, an anode current collector, and a membrane electrode assembly disposed between them. The anode fuel supplying unit is disposed on a side of the anode current collector, and the cathode fuel supplying unit is disposed on a side of the cathode current collector. The heat-conductive material layer is disposed between the cathode current collector and the cathode fuel supplying unit and/or between the anode current collector and the anode fuel supplying unit. And, a portion of the heat-conductive material layer extends to the outside of a cell system reaction area defined by the cell unit, the anode fuel supplying unit, and the cathode fuel supplying unit along a direction parallel to the cell unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Ku-Yen Kang, Ying-Ying Hsu, Chiou-Chu Lai, Yin-Wen Tsai, Chun-Ho Tai
  • Publication number: 20080096091
    Abstract: A flat fuel cell assembly including a membrane electrode assembly, a cathode porous current collector, an anode porous current collector and a gas barrier material layer is provided. The membrane electrode assembly includes a proton conducting membrane, an anode catalyst layer and a cathode catalyst layer disposed respectively on two sides of the proton conducting membrane, and an anode gas diffusion layer and a cathode gas diffusion layer disposed respectively on the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer. The cathode porous current collector is disposed on one side of the cathode gas diffusion layer. The anode porous current collector is disposed on one side of the anode gas diffusion layer. The gas barrier material layer having at least an opening exposing the surface of the cathode gas diffusion layer is disposed on the cathode gas diffusion layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Ku-Yen Kang, Chun-Ho Tai, Chiou-Chu Lai, Ying-Ying Hsu, Yin-Wen Tsai
  • Publication number: 20080096092
    Abstract: A fuel cell system is provided, comprising a cell unit capable of gas exhausting. The cell unit comprises an anode current collector and a cathode current collector. A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) is interposed between the anode current collector and the cathode current collector. A frame is formed to surround the MEA, the anode current collector, and the cathode current collector. A hydrophilic gas-blocking layer is disposed adjacent to an anode side of the MEA, underlying the MEA and the frame. A hydrophobic gas-penetrating layer is disposed under the hydrophilic gas-blocking layer. At least one gas exhaust is disposed in the frame, exposing a part of the hydrophilic gas-blocking layer and contacting the area surrounding adjacent to the cell unit for exhausting a gas produced by the MEA from the cell unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Ku-Yen Kang, Chun-Ho Tai, Chiou-Chu Lai, Yin-Wen Tsai, Ying-Ying Hsu
  • Publication number: 20080057378
    Abstract: A fuel cell. A membrane electrode assembly includes a proton exchange membrane, a cathode electrode, and an anode electrode. The proton exchange membrane is disposed between the cathode and anode electrodes. A cathode porous current collector is disposed on the cathode electrode. An anode porous current collector is disposed on the anode electrode and opposite the cathode porous current collector. A cathode water-absorptive layer is disposed on the cathode porous current collector, absorbing or guiding water at the cathode electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Ku-Yen Kang, Chun-Ho Tai, Chiou-Chu Lai, Ying-Ying Hsu