Patents by Inventor Kenneth W. Chen

Kenneth W. Chen 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: 6104967
    Abstract: A distributed energy storing system employing a communications network is disclosed. A distributed battery system includes a number of energy storing modules, each of which includes a processor and communications interface. In a network mode of operation, a battery computer communicates with each of the module processors over an intra-battery network and cooperates with individual module processors to coordinate module monitoring and control operations. The battery computer monitors a number of battery and module conditions, including the potential and current state of the battery and individual modules, and the conditions of the battery's thermal management system. An over-discharge protection system, equalization adjustment system, and communications system are also controlled by the battery computer. The battery computer logs and reports various status data on battery level conditions which may be reported to a separate system platform computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ronald A. Hagen, Kenneth W. Chen, Christophe Comte, Orlin B. Knudson, Jean Rouillard