Patents by Inventor Akito Kawasumi
Akito Kawasumi 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).
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Publication number: 20220271314Abstract: To provide a fuel cell configured to suppress chemical deterioration of an electrolyte membrane. A fuel cell wherein each of the first gas diffusion layer, the first catalyst layer and the electrolyte membrane includes a peripheral portion which is a region not facing the second catalyst layer, and a central portion which is a region being surrounded by the peripheral portion and facing the second catalyst layer; wherein the peripheral portion of the electrolyte membrane includes an adhesive layer on a second catalyst layer-side surface; wherein the electrolyte membrane is attached to the resin frame via the adhesive layer; wherein the first gas diffusion layer contains a peroxide decomposition catalyst; and wherein the peripheral portion of the first gas diffusion layer includes a hydrophilic layer on a first catalyst layer-side surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2022Publication date: August 25, 2022Inventor: Akito KAWASUMI
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Patent number: 10615431Abstract: A method of manufacturing a unit fuel cell includes a step of forming an adhesive layer having ultraviolet curability and heat curability on an outer peripheral edge portion of a side surface of a membrane electrode assembly, a step of disposing a support frame so that an inner peripheral edge portion of the support frame which supports the membrane electrode assembly at an outer periphery of the membrane electrode assembly is disposed on an outer portion of the adhesive layer, and a step of disposing a second gas diffusion layer on the side surface of the membrane electrode assembly so that an outer peripheral edge portion of the second gas diffusion layer is disposed on an inner portion of the adhesive layer, and a step of integrating the membrane electrode assembly, the second gas diffusion layer and the support frame by curing the adhesive layer.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2015Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Akito Kawasumi, Kotaro Ikeda
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Patent number: 10270107Abstract: A fuel cell includes; a membrane electrode gas diffusion layer assembly, first and second separators sandwiching the membrane electrode gas diffusion layer assembly; a sealing member having a resin-made base material, a first adhesive layer bonding one surface of the base material to the first separator, and a second adhesive layer bonding the other surface of the base material to the second separator; and an adhering portion bonding an inner periphery of the one surface of the base material to the periphery of the electrolyte membrane. The first and second adhesive layers are separated from the adhering portion, no other adhesive component than an adhering portion is provided in the base material between the inner periphery of the base material and the first and second adhesive layers, and a linear expansion coefficient of the base material is smaller than any of those of the first and second adhesive layers.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2016Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Akito Kawasumi
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Patent number: 9831504Abstract: A single fuel cell includes: a membrane electrode assembly; gas diffusion layers 3c and 3a that placed on both side surfaces of the membrane electrode assembly, respectively so that an outer peripheral edge portion remains in one side surface of the membrane electrode assembly; an adhesive layer formed to cover the outer peripheral edge portion; and a support frame fixed on the adhesive layer. The support frame includes: a support frame body made of resin; and coating layers formed to cover both side surfaces of the support frame body, respectively. The support frame is fixed on the adhesive layer so that the support frame is spaced from the gas diffusion layer on the one side surface of the membrane electrode assembly, and the single fuel cell further includes a protecting layer formed to cover an end of the interior portion of the support frame body.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2016Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kotaro Ikeda, Akito Kawasumi
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Publication number: 20170162882Abstract: A fuel cell includes; a membrane electrode gas diffusion layer assembly, first and second separators sandwiching the membrane electrode gas diffusion layer assembly; a sealing member having a resin-made base material, a first adhesive layer bonding one surface of the base material to the first separator, and a second adhesive layer bonding the other surface of the base material to the second separator; and an adhering portion bonding an inner periphery of the one surface of the base material to the periphery of the electrolyte membrane. The first and second adhesive layers are separated from the adhering portion, no other adhesive component than an adhering portion is provided in the base material between the inner periphery of the base material and the first and second adhesive layers, and a linear expansion coefficient of the base material is smaller than any of those of the first and second adhesive layers.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2016Publication date: June 8, 2017Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Akito KAWASUMI
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Manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus for gas diffusion layer of fuel cell, and fuel cell
Patent number: 9570758Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fuel cell. An insulating member has a plurality of communication holes disposed on a side of a gas diffusion layer, which is formed by stacking a layer made of a carbon fiber and a water-repellent layer, where the water-repellent layer is provided. The gas diffusion layer and the insulating member are sandwiched by a pair of electrodes, and a pair of contact pressure plates are disposed on respective rear surfaces of the pair of electrodes so as to sandwich the pair of electrodes so that the gas diffusion layer is pressurized by the pair of contact pressure plates. When a voltage is applied to the pair of electrodes while maintaining the pressurized state, the protrusion portion of the carbon fiber is burned and removed by Joule heat.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2011Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignees: NIPPON SOKEN, INC., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Yuichi Gomi, Katsuhide Kikuchi, Hiroshi Fujitani, Akito Kawasumi, Junji Nakanishi, Kenji Tsubosaka -
Patent number: 9490493Abstract: In order to define the power generation performance of a monitor cell, a manufacturing method of a fuel cell including a plurality of ordinary cells and a monitor cell configured to have a greater pressure loss of hydrogen gas than a pressure loss of the ordinary cell comprises the steps of: (a) specifying an upper limit voltage in a voltage range of the monitor cell; (b) specifying a lower limit voltage in the voltage range of the monitor cell; (c) determining an upper limit value and a lower limit value in a range of pressure loss of the hydrogen gas in the monitor cell, based on the upper limit voltage and the lower limit voltage; and (d) manufacturing the monitor cell, such that the pressure loss of the hydrogen gas in the monitor cell is limited to the range of pressure loss.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2012Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shuya Kawahara, Akito Kawasumi
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Publication number: 20160260989Abstract: A single fuel cell includes: a membrane electrode assembly; gas diffusion layers 3c and 3a that placed on both side surfaces of the membrane electrode assembly, respectively so that an outer peripheral edge portion remains in one side surface of the membrane electrode assembly; an adhesive layer formed to cover the outer peripheral edge portion; and a support frame fixed on the adhesive layer. The support frame includes: a support frame body made of resin; and coating layers formed to cover both side surfaces of the support frame body, respectively. The support frame is fixed on the adhesive layer so that the support frame is spaced from the gas diffusion layer on the one side surface of the membrane electrode assembly, and the single fuel cell further includes a protecting layer formed to cover an end of the interior portion of the support frame body.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2016Publication date: September 8, 2016Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kotaro IKEDA, Akito KAWASUMI
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Publication number: 20160104909Abstract: A method of manufacturing a unit fuel cell includes a step of forming an adhesive layer having ultraviolet curability and heat curability on an outer peripheral edge portion of a side surface of a membrane electrode assembly, a step of disposing a support frame so that an inner peripheral edge portion of the support frame which supports the membrane electrode assembly at an outer periphery of the membrane electrode assembly is disposed on an outer portion of the adhesive layer, and a step of disposing a second gas diffusion layer on the side surface of the membrane electrode assembly so that an outer peripheral edge portion of the second gas diffusion layer is disposed on an inner portion of the adhesive layer, and a step of integrating the membrane electrode assembly, the second gas diffusion layer and the support frame by curing the adhesive layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2015Publication date: April 14, 2016Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Akito KAWASUMI, Kotaro IKEDA
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Publication number: 20150221966Abstract: In order to define the power generation performance of a monitor cell, a manufacturing method of a fuel cell including a plurality of ordinary cells and a monitor cell configured to have a greater pressure loss of hydrogen gas than a pressure loss of the ordinary cell comprises the steps of: (a) specifying an upper limit voltage in a voltage range of the monitor cell; (b) specifying a lower limit voltage in the voltage range of the monitor cell; (c) determining an upper limit value and a lower limit value in a range of pressure loss of the hydrogen gas in the monitor cell, based on the upper limit voltage and the lower limit voltage; and (d) manufacturing the monitor cell, such that the pressure loss of the hydrogen gas in the monitor cell is limited to the range of pressure loss.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2012Publication date: August 6, 2015Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shuya Kawahara, Akito Kawasumi
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Patent number: 8877406Abstract: A fuel cell includes a separator and a power generating body. The separator and power generating body are laminated each other. The power generating body is equipped at least with an electrolyte membrane. The fuel cell comprises: a sealing part that seals reaction gas supplied for electrochemical reactions at the fuel cell between the power generating body and the separator at an outer circumference part of the fuel cell, wherein a convex part and a recess are fit together in the sealing part. The convex part is formed projecting in the lamination direction on one of the power generating body and the separator, and the recess is formed recessed in the lamination direction on the other of the power generating body and the separator. At least one of the convex part and the recess is formed with a polymer material that expands with moisture absorption.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2010Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroo Yoshikawa, Junji Nakanishi, Akito Kawasumi, Tsunemasa Nishida, Kenji Tsubosaka, Takeaki Saito
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Publication number: 20140045101Abstract: A fuel cell stack and fuel cell modules that constitute such a fuel cell stack are provided, wherein adhesion of foreign materials to an electrolyte membrane of each fuel cell can be effectively prevented, and highly efficient maintenance is possible by replacing a fuel cell with degraded performance out of the fuel cell stack. A plurality of fuel cells 10 each having a membrane electrode assembly 1, gas-permeable layers 2,3,5,6 on the anode and cathode sides, sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly 1 therebetween, and a separator 7 on at least one of the anode and cathode sides are stacked. A gasket 8 is integrally molded with peripheral edges of the membrane electrode assembly 1 and the gas-permeable layers 2,3,5,6 of each of the stacked cells, whereby a single fuel cell module 100 is formed. Stacking and compressing such modules 100, . . . can form a fuel cell stack.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2013Publication date: February 13, 2014Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kenji Sato, Hiroo Yoshikawa, Akito Kawasumi
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Publication number: 20130089808Abstract: A fuel cell includes a separator and a power generating body. The separator and power generating body are laminated each other. The power generating body is equipped at least with an electrolyte membrane. The fuel cell comprises: a sealing part that seals reaction gas supplied for electrochemical reactions at the fuel cell between the power generating body and the separator at an outer circumference part of the fuel cell, wherein a convex part and a recess are fit together in the sealing part. The convex part is formed projecting in the lamination direction on one of the power generating body and the separator, and the recess is formed recessed in the lamination direction on the other of the power generating body and the separator. At least one of the convex part and the recess is formed with a polymer material that expands with moisture absorption.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2010Publication date: April 11, 2013Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroo Yoshikawa, Junji Nakanishi, Akito Kawasumi, Tsunemasa Nishida, Kenji Tsubosaka, Takeaki Saito
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MANUFACTURING METHOD AND MANUFACTURING APPARATUS FOR GAS DIFFUSION LAYER OF FUEL CELL, AND FUEL CELL
Publication number: 20130059226Abstract: According to a manufacturing method for a fuel cell, an insulating member having a plurality of communication holes therein is disposed on a side of a gas diffusion layer, which is formed by stacking a layer made of a carbon fiber and a water-repellent layer, where the water-repellent layer is provided, the gas diffusion layer and the insulating member are sandwiched by a pair of electrodes, and a pair of contact pressure plates are disposed on respective rear surfaces of the pair of electrodes so as to sandwich the pair of electrodes so that the gas diffusion layer is pressurized by the pair of contact pressure plates. When a voltage is applied to the pair of electrodes while maintaining the pressurized state, an electric current flows through a protrusion portion of a carbon fiber which comes in contact with the electrode on the water-repellent layer side via the communication holes of the insulating member, so that the protrusion portion of the carbon fiber is burned and removed by Joule heat.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2011Publication date: March 7, 2013Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, NIPPON SOKEN, INC.Inventors: Yuichi Gomi, Katsuhide Kikuchi, Hiroshi Fujitani, Akito Kawasumi, Junji Nakanishi, Kenji Tsubosaka -
Publication number: 20110229790Abstract: A fuel cell stack and fuel cell modules that constitute such a fuel cell stack are provided, wherein adhesion of foreign materials to an electrolyte membrane of each fuel cell can be effectively prevented, and highly efficient maintenance is possible by replacing a fuel cell with degraded performance out of the fuel cell stack. A plurality of fuel cells 10 each having a membrane electrode assembly 1, gas-permeable layers 2,3,5,6 on the anode and cathode sides, sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly 1 therebetween, and a separator 7 on at least one of the anode and cathode sides are stacked. A gasket 8 is integrally molded with peripheral edges of the membrane electrode assembly 1 and the gas-permeable layers 2,3,5,6 of each of the stacked cells, whereby a single fuel cell module 100 is formed. Stacking and compressing such modules 100, . . . can form a fuel cell stack.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2010Publication date: September 22, 2011Inventors: Kenji SATO, Hiroo Yoshikawa, Akito Kawasumi
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Publication number: 20060044279Abstract: An input device having a data entry section and a controller. The data entry section has a layered structure of “keyboard”-equipped printed input portion, EL device, and touch panel. The controller controls the EL device and the touch panel. Since the printed input portion has keyboard layout, users can input data with ease. Furthermore, the surface lighting of EL device can provide the input device with uniform lighting, increasing visibility of the entire device.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2005Publication date: March 2, 2006Inventors: Tetsutaro Nasu, Koji Tanabe, Akito Kawasumi
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Patent number: 6835112Abstract: An electroluminescent lamp (EL lamp) is formed by stacking a light-transmitting electrode-layer, an adhesive synthetic resin layer, a luminescent layer formed of the synthetic resin layer with phosphor particles fixed uniformly, a dielectric layer and a back electrode-layer on a transparent substrate sequentially. By this structure, a uniform EL lamp having improved brightness can be produced. A method for manufacturing the EL lamp includes following steps for fixing the phosphor particles in the synthetic resin layer uniformly. (1) sinking the phosphor particles in the synthetic resin layer by heating and pressing, after spraying the phosphor particles. (2) blowing the phosphor particles to the synthetic resin layer with heated air. As a result, the phosphor particles are uniformly fixed in the synthetic resin layer having uniform thickness.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2002Date of Patent: December 28, 2004Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Koji Tanabe, Akito Kawasumi, Shinji Okuma, Yosuke Chikahisa, Naohiro Nishioka
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Patent number: 6831411Abstract: An electroluminescent lamp (EL lamp) is formed by stacking a light-transmitting electrode-layer, an adhesive synthetic resin layer, a luminescent layer formed of the synthetic resin layer with phosphor particles fixed uniformly, a dielectric layer and a back electrode-layer on a transparent substrate sequentially. By this structure, a uniform EL lamp having improved brightness can be produced. A method for manufacturing the EL lamp includes following steps for fixing the phosphor particles in the synthetic resin layer uniformly. (1) sinking the phosphor particles in the synthetic resin layer by heating and pressing, after spraying the phosphor particles. (2) blowing the phosphor particles to the synthetic resin layer with heated air. As a result, the phosphor particles are uniformly fixed in the synthetic resin layer having uniform thickness.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2003Date of Patent: December 14, 2004Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Koji Tanabe, Akito Kawasumi, Shinji Okuma, Yosuke Chikahisa, Naohiro Nishioka
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Publication number: 20040027064Abstract: An electroluminescent lamp (EL lamp) is formed by stacking a light-transmitting electrode layer, an adhesive synthetic resin layer, a luminescent layer formed of the synthetic resin layer with phosphor particles fixed uniformly, a dielectric layer and a back electrode-layer on a transparent substrate sequentially. By this structure, a uniform EL lamp having improved brightness can be produced. A method for manufacturing the EL lamp includes following steps for fixing the phosphor particles in the synthetic resin layer uniformly. (1) sinking the phosphor particles in the synthetic resin layer by heating and pressing, after spraying the phosphor particles. (2) blowing the phosphor particles to the synthetic resin layer with heated air. As a result, the phosphor particles are uniformly fixed in the synthetic resin layer having uniform thickness.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2003Publication date: February 12, 2004Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.Inventors: Koji Tanabe, Akito Kawasumi, Shinji Okuma, Yosuke Chikahisa, Naohiro Nishioka
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Publication number: 20020145383Abstract: An electroluminescent lamp (EL lamp) is formed by stacking a light-transmitting electrode-layer, an adhesive synthetic resin layer, a luminescent layer formed of the synthetic resin layer with phosphor particles fixed uniformly, a dielectric layer and a back electrode-layer on a transparent substrate sequentially. By this structure, a uniform EL lamp having improved brightness can be produced. A method for manufacturing the EL lamp includes following steps for fixing the phosphor particles in the synthetic resin layer uniformly. (1) sinking the phosphor particles in the synthetic resin layer by heating and pressing, after spraying the phosphor particles. (2) blowing the phosphor particles to the synthetic resin layer with heated air. As a result, the phosphor particles are uniformly fixed in the synthetic resin layer having uniform thickness.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2002Publication date: October 10, 2002Inventors: Koji Tanabe, Akito Kawasumi, Shinji Okuma, Yosuke Chikahisa, Naohiro Nishioka