Patents by Inventor Yoo Chang Yang

Yoo Chang Yang 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).

  • Publication number: 20120122018
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cell separator and a method for surface treatment of the same, in which ionized nanoparticles are attached to the surface of a separator to form fine projections such that the surface of the separator exhibits superhydrophobicity. For this purpose, the present invention provides a method for surface treatment of a fuel cell separator which provides nanoparticles for forming fine projections on the surface of the separator to a discharge electrode and ionizes the nanoparticles by an arc discharge generated in the discharge electrode. The ionized nanoparticles are then attached to the surface of the separator by an electric field generated by applying a high voltage between the separator and the discharge electrode, thereby forming fine projections for imparting superhydrophobicity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicants: KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Haeng Jin Ko, Sae Hoon Kim, Yoo Chang Yang, Yun Seok Kim
  • Publication number: 20120122009
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cell separator with a gasket manufactured by integrally forming a gasket on one side of a separator; independently injection molding a frame gasket on a frame such that a first airtight portion covers the entire surface of the frame to maintain the shape of the frame gasket and a second airtight portion projects upward and downward from both ends of the first airtight portion; and bringing the first airtight portion of the frame gasket into contact with the other side of the separator with the gasket formed on one side thereof. To create a fuel cell stack in certain embodiments, the invention stacks the second airtight portion of the frame gasket on another second airtight portion of an adjacent unit cell with a membrane-electrode assembly interposed therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Sang Mun Chin, Sae Hoon Kim, Yoo Chang Yang, Suk Min Baeck, Seong Il Heo
  • Publication number: 20120100410
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cell separator, in which a vortex generating structure is formed on the surface of a channel of the separator to induce a vortex of fluid (i.e., hydrogen and air) flowing through the channel, thus facilitating the supply of reactant gases and the removal of water droplets from a gas diffusion layer (GDL).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Haeng Jin Ko, Young Bum Kum, Sae Hoon Kim, Yoo Chang Yang, Yoo Sun Ku, Yun Seok Kim
  • Publication number: 20120088184
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved metal separator for a fuel cell and a method for preparing same. More particularly, the invention provides a metal separator for a fuel cell, whereby the separator has a surface structure that imparts reduced contact resistance, improved corrosion resistance, and stable electrical conductivity. The invention further provides a surface treatment method for making the metal separator of the invention. The inventive method comprises sintering Fe—Cr—B—V-based powder on the surface of a metal foam to form an alloy layer; and forming a nitride layer of a (Cr—V—B)N-based material while supplying nitrogen gas on the surface of the alloy layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Young Min Nam, Yoo Chang Yang, Suk Min Baeck, Seung Gyun Ahn
  • Publication number: 20120077110
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cell separator with a gasket and a method for manufacturing the same, which can prevent corrosion of the separator and improve corrosion resistance of the separator. In particular, the present invention provides a fuel cell separator with a gasket and a method for manufacturing the same, in which an adhesive is coated on the entire or partial surface of the separator, preferably by screen printing. A process of integrally molding a gasket to the separator is then performed such that the edges of the separator are not exposed to the outside after the injection molding process but, rather, are coated with the resin adhesive. The present invention thereby prevents corrosion of the separator, improves corrosion resistance of the separator, and prevents formation of burrs during the injection molding process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicants: Kia Motors Corporation, Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Sae Hoon Kim, Sang Mun Chin, Seong II Heo, Suk Min Baeck, Yoo Chang Yang
  • Publication number: 20110135812
    Abstract: The present invention provides a metal separator for a fuel cell, which is surface-treated to have high electrical conductivity and electrochemical corrosion resistance, and a method for treating the surface of the same. The metal separator may include an amorphous carbon film formed on the surface of a separator substrate, the amorphous carbon film being carbonized by heat treatment to increase the proportion of sp2. The surface treatment method may include: forming an amorphous carbon film on the surface of a separator substrate; and carbonizing the amorphous carbon film by heat treatment. Fuel cells having the metal separator can show excellent performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Korea Automotive Technology Institute
    Inventors: Sae Hoon Kim, Yoo Chang Yang, Suk Min Baeck, Seung Gyun Ahn, Seung Eul Yoo, Young Mo Goo, Myong Hwan Kim
  • Patent number: 7914948
    Abstract: The present invention provides a metallic bipolar plate for a fuel cell and a method for forming a surface layer of the same, in which the surface layer is formed in such a manner that a plasma nitridation process is performed on the surface of a stainless steel base material to form a nitrogen implanted layer, and oxidation and reduction processes are performed on the surface of the nitrogen implanted layer to form a Fe3O4 surface oxidation layer thereon, thus improving conductivity and corrosion resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: In Woong Lyo, Jeong Uk An, Seung Gyun Ahn, Young Min Nam, Yoo Chang Yang, Sae Hoon Kim, Sang Mun Chin
  • Publication number: 20110033781
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cell separator having an airtight gasket, in which a gasket is integrally injection-molded in a region that requires airtightness of a fuel cell separator to maintain airtightness of each flow field of the separator and to smoothly guide the fluid flow in each flow field. For this purpose, the present invention provides a fuel cell separator having an airtight gasket, which is integrally injection-molded on both surfaces of the separator to form a closed curve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicants: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sang Mun Chin, Sae Hoon Kim, Yoo Chang Yang, Suk Min Baeck, Seong Il Heo
  • Publication number: 20110033782
    Abstract: The present invention preferably provides a separator for a fuel cell, in which a strength reinforcing means is integrally formed in a region, which is not supported by a gasket, over the region from manifolds, through which reactant gases and coolant are supplied, to a reaction flow field, in which a reaction takes place, thus suitably preventing local deformation of the separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicants: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sang Mun Chin, Sae Hoon Kim, Yoo Chang Yang, Chul Ho Yim, Suk Min Baeck, Seong Il Heo
  • Patent number: 7776489
    Abstract: A clamping device includes an oblique device and a unidirectional load control plate disposed on the outside of the fuel cell stack, not on the inside of the fuel cell stack. The device can automatically compensating the surface pressure in the fuel cell stack to be maintained constant, and provide a large clamping load with a small force using the load of the fuel cell stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Pohang University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Young Bum Kum, Sae Hoon Kim, Yoo Chang Yang, Sung Ho Lee, Jung Do Suh, Chul Ho Yim, Ji Hoon Jeon, Woon Bong Hwang, Sang Min Lee, Chang Woo Lee, Seong Jin Cho
  • Publication number: 20100095517
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for manufacturing a metal separator for a fuel cell, which can manufacture large-sized metal separators in large quantities using metal plates such as stainless steel by thermoplastic deformation using an incremental and synchronized rubber molding process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicants: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, KOREA ADVANCED INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Dong Yol Yang, Seung Min Ryu, Sae Hoon Kim, Yoo Chang Yang, Sang Mun Chin, Nam Young Cho
  • Publication number: 20100015499
    Abstract: A metallic bipolar plate for a fuel cell, in which a carbon coating layer containing fluorine is formed on the surface of a stainless steel base material, thus having excellent electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance and further excellent water draining performance and heat radiating performance. In the metallic bipolar plate for a fuel cell of the present invention, the internal residual stress in the surface coating layer is significantly reduced due to the addition of fluorine, and thereby it is possible to improve the adhesive strength between the stainless steel and the surface coating layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: In Woong Lyo, Jeong Uk An, Sung Moon Choi, Seung Gyun Ahn, Young Min Nam, Yoo Chang Yang
  • Publication number: 20090311566
    Abstract: The present invention provides a separating plate for a fuel cell stack and method of manufacturing the same, and more particularly, to a separating plate for a fuel cell stack and method of manufacturing the same, in which the separating plate constituting the fuel cell stack is formed in such a fashion as to interpose an array of metal pipes between two sheets of composite material, and a gasket abutting against the separating plate is formed in such a fashion as to define hydrogen and air flow channels, thereby removing a contact resistance between two adjoining separating plates constituting unit cells to improve the efficiency of the fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Sae Hoon Kim, Yoo Chang Yang, Sung Ho Lee, Jung Do Suh, Byung Ki Ahn, Tae Won Lim, Dai Gil Lee, Seong Su Kim, Ha Na Yu, In Uk Hwang, Byoung Chul Kim, Kwan Ho Lee, Soon Ho Yoon
  • Publication number: 20090311574
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cell bipolar plate and a method for manufacturing the same, in which a carbon or metal fuel cell bipolar plate is surface-treated with a complex transition metal oxide, which is a main component of a variable resistance heating element having a negative temperature characteristic, so that the bipolar plate can ensure a sufficient amount of heat, required to prevent product water from freezing, by itself in a short time without any external energy, thus improving cold start performance of a fuel cell vehicle at a temperature below zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Jong Hyun Lee, Yoo Chang Yang, Seung Chan Oh, Jae Jun Ko, Sang Mun Chin, Suk Kee Um, Hye Mi Jung, Won Gyu Choi
  • Publication number: 20090295012
    Abstract: A separating plate for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell and a method for manufacturing the same is provided. Preferred separating plates for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell are capable of being light weight and corrosion resistant, as well as being economical to produce and exhibit good physical properties. Preferred separating plates are produced with compositions comprising graphite and phenolic resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Min-Kyu Song, Yoo Chang Yang, Kyung Sup Han, Sung Il Huh, Tae Won Lim
  • Publication number: 20090226794
    Abstract: A clamping device includes an oblique device and a unidirectional load control plate disposed on the outside of the fuel cell stack, not on the inside of the fuel cell stack. The device can automatically compensating the surface pressure in the fuel cell stack to be maintained constant, and provide a large clamping load with a small force using the load of the fuel cell stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Pohang University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Young Bum Kum, Sae Hoon Kim, Yoo Chang Yang, Sung Ho Lee, Jung Do Suh, Chul Ho Yim, Ji Hoon Jeon, Woon Bong Hwang, Sang Min Lee, Chang Woo Lee, Seong Jin Cho
  • Publication number: 20090209668
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a proton-conducting reinforced composite membrane, and more particularly, to a reinforced composite membrane which is manufactured by introducing an additive into a sulfonated hydrocarbon-based polymer as a proton-conducting material, and impregnating the additive-introduced polymer into a porous polymer having excellent dimensional stability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicants: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KOREA ADVANCED INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Jong Hyun Lee, Yoo Chang Yang, Seung Chan Oh, Jae Jun Ko, Sang Mun Chin, Suk Kee Um, Hye Mi Jung, Won Gyu Choi
  • Patent number: 7572540
    Abstract: Disclosed is a structure for improving a laminating efficiency of a metal-separator for a fuel cell stack, the metal-separator comprising an embossed structure that has an indentation and a projection alternately formed along at least one edge thereof so as to enable a plurality of the metal-separators to be stably laminated in a honeycomb shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Yoo Chang Yang, Young Bum Kum, Sae Hoon Kim, Min Kyu Song, Hwan Soo Shin, Jong Hyun Lee, Sang Mun Chin, Kyu Taek Cho
  • Publication number: 20090072496
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gasket for reducing stress concentration in a fuel cell stack, which prevents damage or deformation of a separator and further prevents a position shift of the gasket by reducing stress concentration formed at a specific region by deformation of the gasket due to a compression force. Accordingly, the present invention provides a gasket including a T-shaped or cross-shaped gasket joint to form hydrogen, air and coolant manifolds, and the gasket joint has a structure in which two joint branches forming an angle of 180° in the opposite direction to each other are joined at one point with a particular angles so as to reduce stress concentration formed due to compression force by deformation of the gasket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Sae Hoon Kim, Yoo Chang Yang, Sang Mun Chin, Jong Hyun Lee
  • Publication number: 20090023026
    Abstract: The present invention provides a metal separator for a fuel cell, which is formed by stamping molding a first metal thin plate and a second metal thin plate, the metal separator comprising: at least one cooling flow field enclosed by inner surfaces of the first and second metal thin plates; first and second main flow fields enclosed by outer surfaces of the first and second thin plates, respectively; and first and second auxiliary flow fields formed on a top surface of the first main flow field and a bottom surface of the second main flow field, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Sang Mun Chin, Yoo Chang Yang, Sae Hoon Kim