Ruichen Zhao

US Patent:

20140001858, Jan 2, 2014

Filed:

Jun 28, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/931616

Inventors:

Ruichen Zhao - Austin TX, US

International Classification:

H02M 3/335

US Classification:

307 52

Abstract:

A multiple-input power converter transferring energy from multiple input sources to a load comprises a plurality of voltage inputs. The power converter implements soft-switching techniques thereby reducing the converter switching losses and increasing the converter efficiency while using fewer components than presently designed multiple-input power converters. Such a power converter may include multiple input sources, where serially connected switches are coupled to one of the multiple input sources in an input leg. A voltage blocking capacitor is inserted between these input legs. Furthermore, the power converter includes a transformer for isolating the load from the multiple input sources, where the voltage blocking capacitor is connected to the primary winding of the transformer.

US Patent:

20200313249, Oct 1, 2020

Filed:

Mar 30, 2020

Appl. No.:

16/835231

Inventors:

Ruichen Zhao - Fremont CA, US

International Classification:

H01M 10/48
H01M 10/42
H01M 2/10
G06Q 30/02
G06Q 50/06
G06Q 10/08
B60L 50/64
B60L 58/10

Abstract:

Modular battery packs are disclosed and can be used in different devices and systems, such as electric vehicles, electric aircrafts, and electric scooters. Each modular battery pack includes a trace unit to record information about the battery pack, which is transmitted to a distributed data management system. The distributed data management system maintains a unique record entry for each modular battery back, based on which the residual fair market value can be assessed. This evaluation system facilitates the reselling, renting, and/or exchanging of modular battery packs at an online platform and/or at a physical battery sale, rental, and/or swapping station. Modular battery packs may also be recycled from one application to another application. For example, when a modular battery pack from an electric vehicle is degraded to certain level, it may be recycled and used in an energy storage system or other systems having lower requirements for battery performances.

US Patent:

20200231064, Jul 23, 2020

Filed:

Feb 17, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/278133

Inventors:

Ruichen Zhao - Fremont CA, US

International Classification:

B60L 53/80
H01M 2/10
H02M 3/335
H01M 10/42

Abstract:

Electric vehicles with easily configurable and detachable battery modules are disclosed. An electric vehicle may include a battery module that includes a plurality of modular battery packs, each of which can be detached without affecting the normal functions of the electric vehicle. The number of modular battery packs installed on the electric vehicle can be configured by the manufacturer, retailer, and/or customer based on the customer's needs. Systems and methods of servicing electric vehicles with modular battery packs are also disclosed. Battery swapping and/or renting stations allows electric vehicle users to swapping batteries whose charges run low with fully charged batteries and/or to rent additional batteries to temporary use. A centralized or distributed data system may be used to track each modular battery pack's conditions such use history, capacity degrade, charge cycles, etc. The costs battery swapping and/or renting can be based conditions of the battery packs.