Patents by Inventor Akira Hochi

Akira Hochi 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: 8919659
    Abstract: A heating system includes: a heat generation unit which generates heat using electricity supplied through a second power system of a lower electricity rate; a heat storage unit which stores heat generated by the heat generation unit; a heat radiation unit which radiates heat stored in the heat storage unit; and a control unit which causes, when receiving a signal from a power supplier indicating that a supply of electricity through the second power system is to be stopped after an elapse of a predetermined period of time, the heat generation unit generates additional heat that is required while the supply of electricity through the second power system being suspended, during a period of time from when the signal is received to when the supply of electricity through the second power system is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Takasaki, Atsushi Kakimoto, Akira Hochi
  • Publication number: 20120152514
    Abstract: A heating system includes: a heat generation unit which generates heat using electricity supplied through a second power system of a lower electricity rate; a heat storage unit which stores heat generated by the heat generation unit; a heat radiation unit which radiates heat stored in the heat storage unit; and a control unit which causes, when receiving a signal from a power supplier indicating that a supply of electricity through the second power system is to be stopped after an elapse of a predetermined period of time, the heat generation unit generates additional heat that is required while the supply of electricity through the second power system being suspended, during a period of time from when the signal is received to when the supply of electricity through the second power system is stopped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinichi Takasaki, Atsushi Kakimoto, Akira Hochi
  • Publication number: 20070171677
    Abstract: A cover layer 21 made of a first transparent resin is formed on outer peripheries of bulbs 25 of plural fluorescent lamps 20 of a backlight 10 for liquid crystal display. The fluorescent lamps 20 are enclosed in the holder member 22 made of a second transparent resin so as to be juxtaposed with each other. The first transparent resin has lower hardness than that of the second transparent resin so as to absorb stresses applied to the fluorescent lamp 20. The first transparent resin has greater heat resistance than that of the second transparent resin so as to suppress alternation such as yellowing due to heat generated by the fluorescent lamps 22.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Tadashi Yano, Akira Hochi
  • Patent number: 7215082
    Abstract: An electrodeless self-ballasted fluorescent lamp includes: a luminous bulb 1 having a cavity portion 15; an induction coil 3 inserted in the cavity portion 15; a ballast 4 electrically connected to the induction coil 3; and a base 7, wherein the luminous bulb 1, the ballast 4 and the base 7 are configured as one unit. The luminous bulb 1 includes an approximately spherical outer tube 12 and an inner tube 11. At least the surface of the upper hemisphere of the outer tube 12 is coated with a silicone rubber 10 having the property of transmitting light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Arakawa, Akira Hochi, Tomohiro Sawa, Mitsuharu Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 7064490
    Abstract: A bulb type electrodeless discharge lamp, comprising a recessed part (102), wherein the maximum diameter of a light emitting tube (101) is 60 to 90 mm and the tube wall load of the light emitting tube (101) is 0.07 to 0.11 W/cm2, and a relation between the diameter Dc of the recessed part (102) and an interval ?h between the top of the recessed part (102) and the top part of the light emitting tube (101) meets the requirement of ?h?1.15×Dc+1.25 [mm].
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Hashimotodani, Takeshi Arakawa, Akira Hochi, Koichi Katase, Yuuji Omata, Yoshihisa Hagiwara
  • Patent number: 7049763
    Abstract: An electrodeless discharge lamp operating device including a light-transmitting discharge bulb 120, an induction coil including a core 103 and a coil 104, and a ballast circuit 140 for supplying a high-frequency power to the induction coil. The operating frequency of the ballast circuit 140 is in the range of 80 kHz to 500 kHz, and where the operating frequency of the ballast circuit 140 is f (kHz) and the power input to the discharge bulb 120 is P (W), the rare gas pressure p (Pa) in the discharge bulb 120 satisfies the relationship of the following expression: p ? A P - B f 2 - C [ Expression ? ? 1 ] (where A, B and C are constants having the following values: A=4.0×104, B=3.5×104 and C=6.2), and the power input P to the discharge bulb 120 is 7 W at minimum and 22 W at maximum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Hochi, Takeshi Arakawa, Kiyoshi Hashimotodani, Katsushi Seki, Yuuji Omata, Yoshihisa Hagiwara
  • Publication number: 20050225249
    Abstract: A bulb type electrodeless discharge lamp, comprising a recessed part (102), wherein the maximum diameter of a light emitting tube (101) is 60 to 90 mm and the tube wall load of the light emitting tube (101) is 0.07 to 0.11 W/cm2, and a relation between the diameter Dc of the recessed part (102) and an interval ?h between the top of the recessed part (102) and the top part of the light emitting tube (101) meets the requirement of ?h?1.15×Dc+1.25 [mm].
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Publication date: October 13, 2005
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Hashimotodani, Takeshi Arakawa, Akira Hochi, Koichi Katase, Yuuji Omata, Yoshihisa Hagiwara
  • Publication number: 20050206322
    Abstract: An electrodeless discharge lamp operating device including a light-transmitting discharge bulb 120, an induction coil including a core 103 and a coil 104, and a ballast circuit 140 for supplying a high-frequency power to the induction coil. The operating frequency of the ballast circuit 140 is in the range of 80 kHz to 500 kHz, and where the operating frequency of the ballast circuit 140 is f (kHz) and the power input to the discharge bulb 120 is P (W), the rare gas pressure p (Pa) in the discharge bulb 120 satisfies the relationship of the following expression: p ? A P - B f 2 - C [ Expression ? ? ? 1 ] (where A, B and C are constants having the following values: A=4.0×104, B=3.5×104 and C=6.2), and the power input P to the discharge bulb 120 is 7 W at minimum and 22 W at maximum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD
    Inventors: Akira Hochi, Takeshi Arakawa, Kiyoshi Hashimotodani, Katsushi Seki, Yuuji Omata, Yoshihisa Hagiwara
  • Publication number: 20050012458
    Abstract: An electrodeless self-ballasted fluorescent lamp includes: a luminous bulb 1 having a cavity portion 15; an induction coil 3 inserted in the cavity portion 15; a ballast 4 electrically connected to the induction coil 3; and a base 7, wherein the luminous bulb 1, the ballast 4 and the base 7 are configured as one unit. The luminous bulb 1 includes an approximately spherical outer tube 12 and an inner tube 11. At least the surface of the upper hemisphere of the outer tube 12 is coated with a silicone rubber 10 having the property of transmitting light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Publication date: January 20, 2005
    Inventors: Takeshi Arakawa, Akira Hochi, Tomohiro Sawa, Mitsuharu Kawasaki
  • Publication number: 20040108800
    Abstract: An electrodeless fluorescent lamp according to the present invention includes: a luminous bulb in which mercury in a liquid state is enclosed as a light emitting substance and which includes a cavity portion; an induction coil which is inserted into the cavity portion and generates an electromagnetic field for generating electric discharge in the luminous bulb; a ballast circuit electrically connected to the induction coil; and a luminophor layer which is provided on the inner surface of the luminous bulb and converts light radiated from the mercury to visible light. In the electrodeless fluorescent lamp, a manganese-activated deep red luminescent substance (3.5MgO·0.5 MgF2.GeO2:Mn4+) is contained only in part of the luminophor layer provided on a surface of the cavity portion facing the inner surface of the luminous bulb.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventors: Kazuaki Ohkubo, Mitsuharu Kawasaki, Shingo Matsuda, Akira Hochi, Kiyoshi Hashimotodani, Yuuji Omata, Yoshihisa Hagiwara
  • Patent number: 6737810
    Abstract: An electrodeless discharge lamp apparatus includes an electrodeless discharge lamp, a microwave resonator, and a microwave coupler. The microwave resonator includes a conductive reflecting mirror having an opening, a conductive shield, and two opposing external electrodes provided substantially on a central axis of the reflecting mirror. The electrodeless discharge lamp is disposed between the opposing external electrodes. The focal point of the reflecting mirror is positioned between the opposing external electrodes. When microwave energy is supplied to the microwave resonator via the microwave coupler, a microwave resonant electric field occurs between the opposing external electrodes, whereby discharge of the electrodeless discharge lamp occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Hochi, Kiyoshi Hashimotodani, Koichi Katase
  • Patent number: 6518703
    Abstract: Relatively uniform high frequency energy can be applied to a planar or linear discharge space and a more uniform discharge can be produced by using an electrodeless discharge energy supply apparatus which comprises a surface wave transmission line 11 for exciting a surface wave by a high frequency, the surface wave transmission line 11 being formed from a conductive material having a periodic array of corrugations 14, wherein using the surface wave produced in the vicinity of the surface wave transmission line 11, energy necessary to produce an electrodeless discharge is supplied to an electrodeless discharge tube 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electrical Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Hochi, Mamoru Takeda, Kazuyuki Sakiyama
  • Publication number: 20020135322
    Abstract: An electrodeless discharge lamp apparatus includes an electrodeless discharge lamp, a microwave resonator, and a microwave coupler. The microwave resonator includes a conductive reflecting mirror having an opening, a conductive shield, and two opposing external electrodes provided substantially on a central axis of the reflecting mirror. The electrodeless discharge lamp is disposed between the opposing external electrodes. The focal point of the reflecting mirror is positioned between the opposing external electrodes. When microwave energy is supplied to the microwave resonator via the microwave coupler, a microwave resonant electric field occurs between the opposing external electrodes, whereby discharge of the electrodeless discharge lamp occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: Akira Hochi, Kiyoshi Hashimotodani, Koichi Katase
  • Patent number: 6274984
    Abstract: A high-frequency energy supply device has a group of side resonators which are electrically connected in a practically annular form, and supply high-frequency energy using resonant high-frequency electromagnetic fields generated in the center portion; and a plurality of high-frequency coupling part for coupling a plurality of high frequency energies propagated from a plurality of high-frequency propagation paths to said group of side resonators; wherein a plurality of high frequencies coupled to said group of side resonators from said plurality of high-frequency coupling means have phases and/or frequencies different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Hochi, Mamoru Takeda
  • Patent number: 6049170
    Abstract: Use of a side resonator group comprising a plurality of side resonators, each including both an electromagnetically inductive function section made of a substantially ringed conductive material and an electrically capacitive function section made of a gap, so arranged in a circle as to make said electrically capacitive function sections opposed to the center as high frequency energy supply means, enables a high frequency discharge to take place in a smaller space than that observed in use of a conventional cavity resonator. Besides, application of said high frequency energy supply means to a high frequency electrodeless lamp device enables high frequency energy to be effectively coupled even with a relatively small size of electrodeless discharge lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Hochi, Mamoru Takeda, Kazuyuki Sakiyama
  • Patent number: 6020690
    Abstract: An electrodeless discharge lamp has an arc tube which seals at least rare gas and one of luminous metal and metal halide thereinto, an opening of the arc tube being vacuum-sealed with at least molten glass, and an sealing unit of the arc tube being placed outside a cavity which supplies excitation energy to make said electrodeless discharge lamp emit a light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mamoru Takeda, Tomizo Matsuoka, Akira Hochi
  • Patent number: 5864210
    Abstract: The apparatus has a light transmitting bulb for confining a discharge therein, a fill sealed within the light transmitting bulb and including a rare gas and a metal halide emitting a continuous spectrum by molecular radiation, and a discharge excitation source for applying electrical energy to the fill and for starting and sustaining an arc discharge, and the metal halide includes one kind of halide selected from the group consisting of an indium halide, a gallium halide, and a thallium halide, or a mixture thereof, and in that the light transmitting bulb has no electrodes exposed in discharge space and further this construction utilizes the continuous spectrum of molecular radiation of the metal halide and thereby achieves high color rendering properties and high luminous efficacy simultaneously without using mercury as the fill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Hochi, Shigeru Horii, Mamoru Takeda, Tomizo Matsuoka