Patents by Inventor Akira Gunji

Akira Gunji 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: 20150030925
    Abstract: A positive electrode material is disclosed that can attain a lithium-ion secondary battery having a high capacity and a high security. The positive electrode material provides a positive electrode having a high capacity and a high security by using a positive electrode active material represented by the following composition formula; xLi2MnO3-(1-x)LiNiaMnbCocMdO2 (0.3?x?0.7, 0.33?a?0.5, 0?b?0.5, 0?c?0.33, 0.01?d?0.06).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Konishi, Akira Gunji, Xiaoliang Feng
  • Publication number: 20140356717
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a lithium ion secondary battery positive electrode, a lithium ion secondary battery, a vehicle mounting the same, and an electric power storage system, which improve the electron conductivity even inside an active material formed into a secondary particle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Akira Gunji, Shin Takahashi, Hiroaki Konishi, Xiaoliang Feng, Takuya Aoyagi
  • Patent number: 8828584
    Abstract: A lithium-ion rechargeable battery module having a plurality of lithium-ion battery cells, arranged that battery cells located at an high temperature portion of the module are electrically connected in parallel with battery cells located at a low temperature portion of the module. The battery cells at the high temperature portion have a higher electric resistance at 20° C. and a better high-temperature storage characteristic at 50° C. than those of the battery cells located at the low temperature portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Gunji, Shin Takahashi, Hiroshi Iwasawa, Shin Yamauchi, Takefumi Okumura
  • Patent number: 8445154
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cell power system, in which a combustion exhaust gas having a high temperature and generated by the combustion reaction of unreacted fuel gas and oxidizer gas which are not utilized in a power-generating reaction is introduced into a gas header for distributing the fuel gas or the oxidizer gas to a plurality of fuel cells contained in a fuel cell body, in such a way that a larger amount of heat is transferred to the gas which is to be supplied to the cells disposed in a peripheral area of the fuel cell body by heat exchange, and a smaller amount of the heat is transferred to the gas which is to be supplied to the cells disposed in a central area of the fuel cell body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Yoshida, Hiromi Tokoi, Kazuo Takahashi, Shin Takahashi, Akihiko Noie, Akira Gunji, Nariyoshi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8377600
    Abstract: A temperature adjustment member is arranged to control temperature of a reformer independently of temperature of a fuel cell module. The reformer is structured as a three-fluid heat exchanger into which a fluid is introducible whose temperature is higher or lower than exhaust-gas temperature of the fuel cell module. Then, the temperature of the reformer is controlled independently of operation temperature of the fuel cell by introducing the higher-temperature or lower-temperature fluid into the reformer. Also, a high-temperature or low-temperature gas is mixed with the module's exhaust gas, thereby adjusting temperature of the exhaust gas itself. This also controls the temperature of the reformer independently of the operation temperature of the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shin Takahashi, Hiromi Tokoi, Akira Gunji, Toshiya Abe, Takeshi Saito
  • Publication number: 20120263999
    Abstract: A lithium-ion rechargeable battery module having a plurality of lithium-ion battery cells, arranged that battery cells located at an high temperature portion of the module are electrically connected in parallel with battery cells located at a low temperature portion of the module. The battery cells at the high temperature portion have a higher electric resistance at 20° C. and a better high-temperature storage characteristic at 50° C. than those of the battery cells located at the low temperature portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventors: Akira GUNJI, Shin TAKAHASHI, Hiroshi IWASAWA, Shin YAMAUCHI, Takefumi OKUMURA
  • Patent number: 8206867
    Abstract: A flat tube double-sided power generation type fuel cell is comprised of the combination of one or more of the following means (1) and (2). That is, means (1) for optimizing the constitution of an current-collecting electrode thereby making the flow of fuel or air uniform over the entire region, and means (2) for dividing the current-collecting electrode into two regions thereby shunting the flow of the fuel into a flow directing to the anode of the cell and a flow directly directing to the downstream, for increasing the power generation amount in the cell, the means being applicable also to a cell of a cylindrical shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromi Tokoi, Nariyoshi Kobayashi, Kazuo Takahashi, Tadashi Yoshida, Akihiko Noie, Shin Takahashi, Akira Gunji
  • Patent number: 8173317
    Abstract: In a fuel cells power generation system provided with a power generation module having a plurality of fuel cells, the structure is made such that a cross sectional area of at least one of a fuel flow path and an air flow path is larger in an inner portion of the power generation module and smaller in an outer portion thereof. Accordingly, gas tends to flow through the inner portion of the power generation module, a gas flow rate is quickened, and it is possible to uniformize a molar flow rate of the fuel and the air supplied to the fuel cell, even in a state in which a temperature distribution of the module is not uniform within the power generation module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Gunji, Hiromi Tokoi, Shin Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20120107708
    Abstract: A temperature adjustment member is arranged to control temperature of a reformer independently of temperature of a fuel cell module. The reformer is structured as a three-fluid heat exchanger into which a fluid is introducible whose temperature is higher or lower than exhaust-gas temperature of the fuel cell module. Then, the temperature of the reformer is controlled independently of operation temperature of the fuel cell by introducing the higher-temperature or lower-temperature fluid into the reformer. Also, a high-temperature or low-temperature gas is mixed with the module's exhaust gas, thereby adjusting temperature of the exhaust gas itself. This also controls the temperature of the reformer independently of the operation temperature of the fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Shin Takahashi, Hiromi Tokoi, Akira Gunji, Toshiya Abe, Takeshi Saito
  • Patent number: 8114546
    Abstract: A temperature adjustment member is arranged to control temperature of a reformer independently of temperature of a fuel cell module. The reformer is structured as a three-fluid heat exchanger into which a fluid is introducible whose temperature is higher or lower than exhaust-gas temperature of the fuel cell module. Then, the temperature of the reformer is controlled independently of operation temperature of the fuel cell by introducing the higher-temperature or lower-temperature fluid into the reformer. Also, a high-temperature or low-temperature gas is mixed with the module's exhaust gas, thereby adjusting temperature of the exhaust gas itself. This also controls the temperature of the reformer independently of the operation temperature of the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shin Takahashi, Hiromi Tokoi, Akira Gunji, Toshiya Abe, Takeshi Saito
  • Publication number: 20110217592
    Abstract: A cathode for a lithium-ion secondary battery is provided, which not only efficiently absorbs oxygen released from a solid solution based cathode active material when initial charging is applied but prevents a cathode energy density from lowering. Further, a lithium-ion secondary battery, a vehicle and a power storage system equipped with the lithium-ion secondary battery are provided. The cathode for a lithium-ion secondary battery comprises a cathode active material represented by the general formula: xLi2MO3-(1?x)LiM?O2 (where 0<x<1; M is at least one element selected from the group of Mn, Ti and Zr; and M? is at least one element selected from the group of Ni, Co, Mn, Fe, Ti, Zr, Al, Mg, Cr and V), and an oxygen absorbing substance having both oxygen absorbing and lithium-ion intercalation/de-intercalation abilities. Herein, the oxygen absorbing substance is disposed on the cathode active material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventors: Akira GUNJI, Shin TAKAHASHI, Takashi NAITO, Tadashi FUJIEDA
  • Patent number: 7972742
    Abstract: It is an object to shorten current path between an anode and a cathode in a tube type SOFC and thereby to decrease resistance. The tube type fuel cell contains a tube type electrolyte placed between an anode and a cathode, wherein an auxiliary electrode is provided over the entire region of a cell reaction region on at least one of the anode and cathode. The current path is shortened and resistance is decreased, because the anode auxiliary electrode or cathode auxiliary electrode is provided over the entire peripheral surface of the anode or cathode, and the current path in the auxiliary electrode has a greatly increased cross-sectional area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromi Tokoi, Shin Takahashi, Akira Gunji, Nariyoshi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7927751
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cell power system and a power generating method in which the rise of concentration of water vapor and carbon dioxide in the direction of the anode gas flow is controlled to enhance the electromotive force in the downstream region of the anode gas flow, thereby improving the power generating efficiency. A mixed gas of a hydrocarbon and water vapor and/or carbon dioxide or a reformed version of said mixed gas having an oxygen atom/carbon atom ratio (O/C ratio) of 2 or higher is supplied from a spot upstream in the direction of the anode gas flow while a hydrocarbon or a mixed gas of a hydrocarbon and water vapor and/or carbon dioxide having an O/C ratio of lower than 2 is supplied supplementally from a spot downstream, and the gas supplied supplementally from the downstream side is reformed by making use of water vapor and carbon dioxide generated by the electrochemical reactions upstream of the anode gas flow and is utilized for power generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Gunji, Hiromi Tokoi, Shin Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20080248342
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell power generation apparatus, wherein cathode gas lines used for activation and used for power generation line are separated from each other, wherein a burner used for activation is disposed close to a header above a generator chamber inside a module, and a preheater used for power generation is also disposed at a position further away from the generator chamber (including fuel cells) inside the module than the burner used for activation is.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: Shin Takahashi, Hiromi Tokoi, Akira Gunji
  • Publication number: 20080160364
    Abstract: A heat pipe is installed in a generating chamber of a module being comprised of a solid oxide fuel cell or a bundle of a plurality of solid oxide fuel cells connected in parallel or series. Preferably, the heat pipe is installed across the generating chamber and a combustion chamber for burning residual fuel unused as electrochemical reaction. By installing the heat pipe as described above, the heat transfer between both the chambers are executed smoothly, and thereby it is possible to make heat uniform in the module, in starting state, normal generating state, high power output state or abnormal state of the module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Hiromi Tokoi, Kazuo Takahashi, Shin Takahashi, Akira Gunji
  • Publication number: 20080107946
    Abstract: In a fuel cells power generation system provided with a power generation module having a plurality of fuel cells, the structure is made such that a cross sectional area of at least one of a fuel flow path and an air flow path is larger in an inner portion of the power generation module and smaller in an outer portion thereof. Accordingly, gas tends to flow through the inner portion of the power generation module, a gas flow rate is quickened, and it is possible to uniformize a molar flow rate of the fuel and the air supplied to the fuel cell, even in a state in which a temperature distribution of the module is not uniform within the power generation module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventors: Akira Gunji, Hiromi Tokoi, Shin Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20080085432
    Abstract: In a solid oxide fuel cell module (1) incorporating a burner (6) not only in an oxidizer side burner (5) of the module (1) but also in a fuel side, directly heating from both sides by a combustion gas, and starting for a short time, a combustion state of the fuel side burner is kept well, and a short-time start is securely achieved. A cooling piping (17) is provided in a burner main body (61) and a premixing chamber (62) of the fuel side burner (6), and is connected to a heat recovery system (16) so as to supply a cooling medium, thereby cooling the fuel side burner (6). Further, a heat held by the cooling medium is recovered by a heat exchanger (18) connected to an outlet side of the heat recovery system (16). A back fire (an abnormal combustion) of the burner is prevented, the module is uniformly heated, and a secure short-time start is achieved, by cooling the fuel side burner (6) so as to adjust temperature. Further, a combined efficiency of the module is improved by utilizing the recovered surplus heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventors: Akihiko Noie, Nariyoshi Kobayashi, Hiromi Tokoi, Kazuo Takahashi, Tadashi Yoshida, Shin Takahashi, Akira Gunji
  • Publication number: 20080081230
    Abstract: A temperature adjustment member is arranged to control temperature of a reformer independently of temperature of a fuel cell module. The reformer is structured as a three-fluid heat exchanger into which a fluid is introducible whose temperature is higher or lower than exhaust-gas temperature of the fuel cell module. Then, the temperature of the reformer is controlled independently of operation temperature of the fuel cell by introducing the higher-temperature or lower-temperature fluid into the reformer. Also, a high-temperature or low-temperature gas is mixed with the module's exhaust gas, thereby adjusting temperature of the exhaust gas itself. This also controls the temperature of the reformer independently of the operation temperature of the fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: SHIN TAKAHASHI, Hiromi Tokoi, Akira Gunji, Toshiya Abe, Takeshi Saito
  • Publication number: 20080063907
    Abstract: A module of solid oxide fuel cells, which is capable of making a temperature distribution of the module uniform, is composed of a plurality of fuel cells which are assembled together, and is adapted to be capable of controlling gas temperatures and/or gas flow rates of gasses fed into a center part and a peripheral part of the module, independent from each other. With this configuration, when the temperature of the center part of the module becomes higher than that of the peripheral part of the module during a temperature rise, the temperature or the flow rate of the gas fed into the center part of the module is controlled so as to restrain the temperature of the center part of the module from being increasing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: Shin Takahashi, Hiromi Tokoi, Akira Gunji, Tomoya Murota
  • Publication number: 20080014485
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cell power system, in which a combustion exhaust gas having a high temperature and generated by the combustion reaction of unreacted fuel gas and oxidizer gas which are not utilized in a power-generating reaction is introduced into a gas header for distributing the fuel gas or the oxidizer gas to a plurality of fuel cells contained in a fuel cell body, in such a way that a larger amount of heat is transferred to the gas which is to be supplied to the cells disposed in a peripheral area of the fuel cell body by heat exchange, and a smaller amount of the heat is transferred to the gas which is to be supplied to the cells disposed in a central area of the fuel cell body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Inventors: Tadashi Yoshida, Hiromi Tokoi, Kazuo Takahashi, Shin Takahashi, Akihiko Noie, Akira Gunji, Nariyoshi Kobayashi