Patents by Inventor Yin-Wen Tsai

Yin-Wen Tsai 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: 12155217
    Abstract: A power supply includes fuel cell, secondary battery, power converter, current detecting unit and control unit. The power converter couples the fuel cell with the secondary battery, and is adapted to convert current outputted by the fuel cell into output current. The current detecting unit couples the power converter with the secondary battery and adapted to detect charging current of the output current transferred to the secondary battery. The control unit couples the current detecting unit with the power converter and is adapted to: when the charging current is greater than a charging current upper-limit-setting value of the secondary battery, a down-adjustment signal is outputted to the power converter to reduce the output current; and when the charging current is less than the charging current upper-limit-setting value, an up-adjustment signal is outputted to the power converter to increase the output current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Chien-Chi Chiu, Yuh-Fwu Chou, Yin-Wen Tsai, Chih-Wei Hsu, Ku-Yen Kang
  • Publication number: 20240241179
    Abstract: A power supply system, a fuel cell power generation performance detection device and a control method thereof are provided. The fuel cell has a rated output voltage and an internal resistance having a preset resistance value. The detection device includes a test resistor, a first test switch, a current detection unit and a control unit. The control unit controls the first test switch and the current detection unit to send a first control signal to selectively turn on the first test switch. When the first test switch is turned on, the fuel cell, the test resistor, the first test switch and the current detection unit define a test loop. The current detection unit detects a test current passing through the test loop. The control unit obtains a real-time resistance value of the internal resistance based on the test current to evaluate the power generation performance of the fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2023
    Publication date: July 18, 2024
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Yuh-Fwu CHOU, Ching-Jung LIU, Yin-Wen TSAI, Ku-Yen KANG, Chih-Wei HSU
  • Publication number: 20240157801
    Abstract: A method for estimating a flight time of a hydrogen fuel cell UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) includes multiple steps performed by a controller: obtaining an internal pressure of a hydrogen tank by a pressure sensor installed on the hydrogen tank, calculating a remaining hydrogen volume according to the internal pressure and a capacity of the hydrogen tank, obtaining a reaction current value of the fuel cell, calculating a first hydrogen consumption rate according to the reaction current value, the number of a set of membrane electrodes connected in series and a Faraday constant, obtaining a second hydrogen consumption rate of a purge operation of an anode of the full cell; obtaining a hydrogen leakage rate of a stack of the fuel cell, and calculating the flight time according to the remaining hydrogen volume, the first hydrogen consumption rate, the second hydrogen consumption rate and the hydrogen leakage rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2023
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Ching-Jung LIU, Yuh-Fwu CHOU, Ku-Yen KANG, Yin-Wen TSAI, Ching-Fang HO, Cheng-Hsien YU
  • Patent number: 11811114
    Abstract: The power supply device is configured on an aircraft and includes a secondary battery, a transformer, a fuel cell and a bypass switch. The transformer is electrically connected between the secondary battery and the aircraft. The fuel cell is suitable for providing a first output current to the aircraft. The bypass switch is connected in parallel with the transformer. The transformer has a first output voltage set value. When a first output terminal voltage of the fuel cell is lower than the first output voltage set value and the bypass switch is in a non-conducting state, a second output current of the secondary battery is provided to the aircraft via the transformer. When the first output terminal voltage is lower than the first output voltage set value and the bypass switch is in a conducting state, the second output current is provided to the aircraft via the bypass switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Yin-Wen Tsai, Chih-Wei Hsu, Yuh-Fwu Chou, Chin-Yi Shih, Chien-Chi Chiu
  • Publication number: 20230216307
    Abstract: A power supply includes fuel cell, secondary battery, power converter, current detecting unit and control unit. The power converter couples the fuel cell with the secondary battery, and is adapted to convert current outputted by the fuel cell into output current. The current detecting unit couples the power converter with the secondary battery and adapted to detect charging current of the output current transferred to the secondary battery. The control unit couples the current detecting unit with the power converter and is adapted to: when the charging current is greater than a charging current upper-limit-setting value of the secondary battery, a down-adjustment signal is outputted to the power converter to reduce the output current; and when the charging current is less than the charging current upper-limit-setting value, an up-adjustment signal is outputted to the power converter to increase the output current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2022
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Chien-Chi CHIU, Yuh-Fwu CHOU, Yin-Wen TSAI, Chih-Wei HSU, Ku-Yen KANG
  • Patent number: 11552315
    Abstract: A control system and a control method of fuel cell stacks are provided. The control system includes a set of fuel cell stacks, a secondary battery, a monitoring device, and a control device. Each fuel cell stack has a power output that can be independently started up or shut down. The secondary battery is connected to power output terminals of the fuel cell stacks via a power transmission path. The monitoring device is configured to monitor an electrical parameter of the power transmission path. The control device receives an electrical parameter signal from the monitoring device, and outputs a control signal to shut down or start up the power output of at least one of the fuel cell stacks if the electrical parameter's value is higher than a predetermined upper limit or lower than a predetermined lower limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Yin-Wen Tsai, Chih-Wei Hsu, Ku-Yen Kang, Yuh-Fwu Chou, Chin-Yi Shih
  • Publication number: 20220209262
    Abstract: A control system and a control method of fuel cell stacks are provided. The control system includes a set of fuel cell stacks, a secondary battery, a monitoring device, and a control device. Each fuel cell stack has a power output that can be independently started up or shut down. The secondary battery is connected to power output terminals of the fuel cell stacks via a power transmission path. The monitoring device is configured to monitor an electrical parameter of the power transmission path. The control device receives an electrical parameter signal from the monitoring device, and outputs a control signal to shut down or start up the power output of at least one of the fuel cell stacks if the electrical parameter's value is higher than a predetermined upper limit or lower than a predetermined lower limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Applicant: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Yin-Wen Tsai, Chih-Wei Hsu, Ku-Yen Kang, Yuh-Fwu Chou, Chin-Yi Shih
  • Publication number: 20220209267
    Abstract: The power supply device is configured on an aircraft and includes a secondary battery, a transformer, a fuel cell and a bypass switch. The transformer is electrically connected between the secondary battery and the aircraft. The fuel cell is suitable for providing a first output current to the aircraft. The bypass switch is connected in parallel with the transformer. The transformer has a first output voltage set value. When a first output terminal voltage of the fuel cell is lower than the first output voltage set value and the bypass switch is in a non-conducting state, a second output current of the secondary battery is provided to the aircraft via the transformer. When the first output terminal voltage is lower than the first output voltage set value and the bypass switch is in a conducting state, the second output current is provided to the aircraft via the bypass switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Yin-Wen TSAI, Chih-Wei HSU, Yuh-Fwu CHOU, Chin-Yi SHIH, Chien-Chi CHIU
  • 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
  • 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: 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
  • Patent number: 8293418
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a fuel supply control system to control a fuel cell system to work in a predetermined temperature range by controlling a fuel supply rate. The fuel supply control system includes a fuel supply controller and a fuel supply device. The fuel supply controller calculates a temperature variation slope to generate a first fuel supply rate by increasing or decreasing the predetermined fuel supply rate according to the relationship of system temperature and predetermined working temperature, and controls a fuel delivering rate of the fuel supply device according to the first fuel supply rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chiou-Chu Lai, Bin-Chen Wei, Shih-Hao Liang, Yin-Wen Tsai
  • Publication number: 20100055515
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a fuel supply control system to control a fuel cell system to work in a predetermined temperature range by controlling a fuel supply rate. The fuel supply control system includes a fuel supply controller and a fuel supply device. The fuel supply controller calculates a temperature variation slope to generate a first fuel supply rate by increasing or decreasing the predetermined fuel supply rate according to the relationship of system temperature and predetermined working temperature, and controls a fuel delivering rate of the fuel supply device according to the first fuel supply rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Chiou-Chu Lai, Bin-Chen Wei, Shih-Hao Liang, Yin-Wen Tsai
  • 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