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).
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Publication number: 20200357974Abstract: A thermoelectric module includes: unit thermoelectric materials including N-type thermoelectric materials and P-type thermoelectric materials and arranged on one surface of a first substrate; first electrodes each electrically connected to one end of a respective one of the N-type thermoelectric materials or to one end of a respective one of the P-type thermoelectric materials; second electrodes each disposed to be spaced apart from the other end of the respective one of the N-type thermoelectric materials and the other end of the respective one of the P-type thermoelectric materials by a predetermined gap; and a second substrate supporting the second electrodes, in which each of the second electrodes is electrically connected to the second end of the respective one of the N-type thermoelectric materials and the second end of the respective one of the P-type thermoelectric materials when a pressing force is applied to the second substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2019Publication date: November 12, 2020Inventors: Woo Ju Lee, Byung Wook Kim, Hoo Dam Lee, Jin Woo Kwak
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Patent number: 10808592Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 18, 2018Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventors: Jong Ho Seon, Kwang Min Choi, Byung Wook Kim, Hoo Dam Lee, Jin Woo Kwak, Ho Chan An
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Publication number: 20200266329Abstract: A thermoelectric conversion module may include a plurality of n type thermoelectric conversion materials and a plurality of p type thermoelectric conversion materials that are disposed alternately, and a plurality of electrodes that connects the plurality of thermoelectric conversion material disposed alternately on one side and on an opposite side alternately, wherein the plurality of electrodes includes a first electrode configured to electrically connect the n type thermoelectric conversion material and the p type thermoelectric conversion material by penetrating the n type thermoelectric conversion material and the p type thermoelectric conversion material to transfer heat obtained from a heat source to the plurality of thermoelectric conversion materials.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2020Publication date: August 20, 2020Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventors: Jin Woo KWAK, Kwang Min CHOI, Byung-Wook KIM, Hoo Dam LEE, Ho Chan AN, Jong Ho SEON
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Patent number: 10727389Abstract: A thermoelectric generating system may include a base substrate configured to be installed at a side of a vehicle exhaust line part; and at least one thermoelectric module configured to be installed on a top surface of the base substrate, in which a side of the exhaust line part is provided with an opening communicating with an internal space of the exhaust line part, the base substrate is installed to seal the opening of the exhaust line part, and the base substrate is made of a thermal conductive material and a surface of the base substrate is formed with an insulating layer.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2016Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Jin Woo Kwak, In Woong Lyo, Kyong Hwa Song, Han Saem Lee, Hong Kil Baek, In Chang Chu, Gyung Bok Kim, Byung Wook Kim, Seung Woo Lee
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Patent number: 10714669Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 25, 2017Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, Yonsei UniversityInventors: Byung Wook Kim, Jin Woo Kwak, Woo Young Lee, Gwan Sik Kim, Hyun Jun Rim
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Patent number: 10686114Abstract: A thermoelectric conversion module may include a plurality of n type thermoelectric conversion materials and a plurality of p type thermoelectric conversion materials that are disposed alternately, and a plurality of electrodes that connects the plurality of thermoelectric conversion material disposed alternately on one side and on an opposite side alternately, wherein the plurality of electrodes includes a first electrode configured to electrically connect the n type thermoelectric conversion material and the p type thermoelectric conversion material by penetrating the n type thermoelectric conversion material and the p type thermoelectric conversion material to transfer heat obtained from a heat source to the plurality of thermoelectric conversion materials.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2018Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventors: Jin Woo Kwak, Kwang Min Choi, Byung-Wook Kim, Hoo Dam Lee, Ho Chan An, Jong Ho Seon
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Patent number: 10677135Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 23, 2018Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventors: Byung Wook Kim, Hoo Dam Lee, Jin Woo Kwak
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Publication number: 20200176660Abstract: A thermoelectric module includes a flexible film with an insulation characteristic, the film having a shape that is longer in a lengthwise direction than in a width direction, a plurality of n-type thermoelectric elements and a plurality of p-type thermoelectric elements alternately arranged on one surface of the film in the lengthwise direction of the film, and first electrodes and second electrodes that alternately connect the plurality of n-type thermoelectric elements and the plurality of p-type thermoelectric elements at one side and an opposite side with respect to the width direction of the film to electrically connect the plurality of n-type thermoelectric elements and the plurality of p-type thermoelectric elements in series. One lateral end and an opposite lateral end of the film are bent with the plurality of n-type thermoelectric elements, the plurality of p-type thermoelectric elements, the first electrodes, and the second electrodes attached to the film.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2019Publication date: June 4, 2020Inventors: Hoo Dam Lee, Byung Wook Kim, Woo Ju Lee, Jin Woo Kwak
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Patent number: 10644214Abstract: A thermoelectric nanocomposite is provided. The thermoelectric nanocomposite includes: a matrix having n-type semiconductor characteristics and comprising Mg, Si, Al, and Bi components, and a nanoinclusion comprising Bi and Mg components. The thermoelectric nanocomposite has significantly increased thermoelectric energy conversion efficiency by simultaneously having an increased Seebeck coefficient and a decreased thermal conductivity, such that the thermoelectric nanocomposite is usefully used to implement a thermoelectric device having high efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2016Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, Yonsei UniversityInventors: Byung Wook Kim, Kyong Hwa Song, Han Saem Lee, Jin Woo Kwak, In Woong Lyo, Su Jung Noh, Woo Young Lee, Gwan Sik Kim, Sung Mee Cho
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Patent number: 10636953Abstract: A thermoelectric conversion module may include a plurality of n type thermoelectric conversion materials and a plurality of p type thermoelectric conversion materials that are disposed alternately, and a plurality of electrodes that connects the plurality of thermoelectric conversion material disposed alternately on one side and on an opposite side alternately, wherein the plurality of electrodes may include a high temperature side electrode configured to protrude towards a pipe, through which a heat transfer fluid flows, with respect to high temperature side end portions of the plurality of thermoelectric conversion materials and to be inserted into a through-hole formed at the pipe to obtain heat while directly contacting the heat transfer fluid and to transfer the obtained heat to the plurality of thermoelectric conversion materials.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2018Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventors: Jin Woo Kwak, Kwang Min Choi, Byung-Wook Kim, Hoo Dam Lee, Ho Chan An, Jong Ho Seon
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Publication number: 20200105993Abstract: A thermoelectric module, a frame for the thermoelectric module, and a vehicle including the thermoelectric module is provided. The thermoelectric module includes a frame alternately bent toward a hot side on which a heat source is located and a cool side on which a cooling medium is located, to have a plurality of hot-side end portions in contact with the heat source, a plurality of cool-side end portions in contact with the cooling medium, and a plurality of thermoelectric element installation portions connecting the plurality of hot-side end portions and the plurality of cool-side end portions, a plurality of n-type and p-type thermoelectric elements arranged on the thermoelectric element installation portions, and a plurality of first electrodes and second electrodes that electrically connect, in series, the plurality of n-type and p-type thermoelectric elements arranged on each of the thermoelectric element installation portions.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2018Publication date: April 2, 2020Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventors: Byung-Wook KIM, Hoo Dam Lee, Jin Woo Kwak
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Publication number: 20200075831Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2019Publication date: March 5, 2020Inventors: Byung Wook Kim, Kyong Hwa Song, Jin Woo Kwak, Gyung Bok Kim, In Woong Lyo, Han Saem Lee
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Publication number: 20200052179Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2019Publication date: February 13, 2020Inventors: Byung Wook Kim, Jin Woo Kwak
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Publication number: 20200040794Abstract: A thermoelectric conversion module may include a plurality of n-type thermoelectric conversion elements and a plurality of p-type thermoelectric conversion elements alternating with one another, a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes that alternately connect the plurality of alternating n-type and p-type thermoelectric conversion elements at hot sides and cool sides, and a plurality of case electrodes, each of which selectively connects the first electrodes adjacent to each other, among the plurality of first electrodes. The first electrodes and the case electrodes are configured to be movable relative to each other so that the plurality of first electrodes are electrically connected through the plurality of case electrodes or electrical connections between the plurality of first electrodes through the plurality of case electrodes are disabled according to a relative movement of the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of case electrodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2018Publication date: February 6, 2020Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventors: Jin Woo Kwak, Kyung Wook Choi, Byung Wook Kim, Hoo Dam Lee
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Patent number: 10553772Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 17, 2016Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Han Saem Lee, Jong Kook Lee, Kyong Hwa Song, Byung Wook Kim, Jin Woo Kwak, Gyung Bok Kim, In Woong Lyo
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Patent number: 10529640Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 25, 2017Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventors: Jin Woo Kwak, Kyong Hwa Song, Byung Wook Kim, In Woong Lyo, Han Saem Lee
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Publication number: 20190393396Abstract: A thermoelectric conversion module may include a plurality of n type thermoelectric conversion materials and a plurality of p type thermoelectric conversion materials that are disposed alternately, and a plurality of electrodes that connects the plurality of thermoelectric conversion material disposed alternately on one side and on an opposite side alternately, wherein the plurality of electrodes may include a high temperature side electrode configured to protrude towards a pipe, through which a heat transfer fluid flows, with respect to high temperature side end portions of the plurality of thermoelectric conversion materials and to be inserted into a through-hole formed at the pipe to obtain heat while directly contacting the heat transfer fluid and to transfer the obtained heat to the plurality of thermoelectric conversion materials.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2018Publication date: December 26, 2019Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventors: Jin Woo KWAK, Kwang Min Choi, Byung-Wook Kim, Hoo Dam Lee, Ho Chan An, Jong Ho Seon
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Publication number: 20190393395Abstract: A thermoelectric conversion module may include a plurality of n type thermoelectric conversion materials and a plurality of p type thermoelectric conversion materials that are disposed alternately, and a plurality of electrodes that connects the plurality of thermoelectric conversion material disposed alternately on one side and on an opposite side alternately, wherein the plurality of electrodes includes a first electrode configured to electrically connect the n type thermoelectric conversion material and the p type thermoelectric conversion material by penetrating the n type thermoelectric conversion material and the p type thermoelectric conversion material to transfer heat obtained from a heat source to the plurality of thermoelectric conversion materials.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2018Publication date: December 26, 2019Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventors: Jin Woo Kwak, Kwang Min Choi, Byung-Wook Kim, Hoo Dam Lee, Ho Chan An, Jong Ho Seon
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Publication number: 20190386196Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2019Publication date: December 19, 2019Inventors: Byung Wook Kim, Kyong Hwa Song, Jin Woo Kwak, Gyung Bok Kim, In Woong Lyo, Han Saem Lee
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Patent number: 10505093Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 28, 2016Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Byung Wook Kim, Kyong Hwa Song, Jin Woo Kwak, Gyung Bok Kim, In Woong Lyo, Han Saem Lee