Patents by Inventor Kazuhiro Hirao

Kazuhiro Hirao 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: 20160244888
    Abstract: An anode for oxygen generation and a manufacturing method for the same used for industrial electrolyses including manufacturing of electrolytic metal foils such as electrolytic copper foil, aluminum liquid contact and continuously electrogalvanized steel plate, and metal extraction is provided. The anode for oxygen generation and a manufacturing method for the same comprises a conductive metal substrate and a catalyst layer containing iridium oxide formed on the conductive metal substrate wherein the coating is baked in a high temperature region of 410° C.-450° C. in an oxidation atmosphere to form the catalyst layer co-existing amorphous and crystalline iridium oxide and the catalyst layer co-existing the amorphous and crystalline iridium oxide is post-baked in a further high temperature region of 520° C.-560° C. in an oxidation atmosphere to crystallize almost all amount of iridium oxide in the catalyst layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: Yi CAO, Akihiro KATO, Kazuhiro HIRAO, Takashi FURUSAWA
  • Patent number: 9011041
    Abstract: A subirrigation system 10 includes a water-impervious member 16, and keeps water content in soil of a cultivated land 200 in a proper state for growing a plant. The water-impervious member 16 is formed into an upper opening vessel shape, and has a water reserving function. Water is fed to an inner portion of the water-impervious member 16 from a water tank 12 via a feed water pipe 14, whereby a soil portion 26 in a gravitational water state is formed. A water level 28 of the gravitational water within the water-impervious member 16 is properly controlled to a desired water level by a water level controller 18 provided in the feed water pipe 14. The gravitational water within the water-impervious member 16 controlled to the desired water level is appropriately sucked up to the soil in an upper layer in accordance with a capillary phenomenon. Accordingly, a soil portion 30 in a capillary water state having proper water content is formed in the cultivated land 200.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignees: Kubota-C.I. Co., Ltd., Paddy Research Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Ono, Hiroaki Sakamoto, Kazuhiro Hirao, Toshinobu Kakita, Yasushi Wada, Yoshihito Fujii, Tsuneo Onodera
  • Publication number: 20140374249
    Abstract: The present invention aims to provide an anode for oxygen generation and a manufacturing method for the same used for industrial electrolyses including manufacturing of electrolytic metal foils such as electrolytic copper foil, aluminum liquid contact and continuously electrogalvanized steel plate, and metal extraction. The present invention features an anode for oxygen generation and a manufacturing method for the same comprising a conductive metal substrate and a catalyst layer containing iridium oxide formed on the conductive metal substrate wherein the coating is baked in a high temperature region of 410° C.-450° C. in an oxidation atmosphere to form the catalyst layer co-existing amorphous and crystalline iridium oxide and the catalyst layer co-existing the amorphous and crystalline iridium oxide is post-baked in a further high temperature region of 520° C.-560° C. in an oxidation atmosphere to crystallize almost all amount of iridium oxide in the catalyst layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 25, 2012
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Yi Cao, Akihiro Kato, Kazuhiro Hirao, Takashi Furusawa
  • Publication number: 20140353148
    Abstract: The present invention aims to provide an anode for oxygen generation and a manufacturing method for the same used for industrial electrolyses including manufacturing of electrolytic metal foils such as electrolytic copper foil, aluminum liquid contact and continuously electrogalvanized steel plate, and metal extraction. The present invention features an anode for oxygen generation and a manufacturing method for the same comprising a conductive metal substrate and a catalyst layer containing iridium oxide formed on the conductive metal substrate wherein the coating is baked in a low temperature region of 370° C.-400° C. in an oxidation atmosphere to form the catalyst layer containing amorphous iridium oxide and the catalyst layer containing amorphous iridium oxide is post-baked in a further high temperature region of 520° C.-600° C. in an oxidation atmosphere to crystallize almost all amount of iridium oxide in the catalyst layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 25, 2012
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Yi Cao, Akihiro Kato, Kazuhiro Hirao, Takashi Furusawa
  • Publication number: 20100296870
    Abstract: A subirrigation system 10 includes a water-impervious member 16, and keeps water content in soil of a cultivated land 200 in a proper state for growing a plant. The water-impervious member 16 is formed into an upper opening vessel shape, and has a water reserving function. Water is fed to an inner portion of the water-impervious member 16 from a water tank 12 via a feed water pipe 14, whereby a soil portion 26 in a gravitational water state is formed. A water level 28 of the gravitational water within the water-impervious member 16 is properly controlled to a desired water level by a water level controller 18 provided in the feed water pipe 14. The gravitational water within the water-impervious member 16 controlled to the desired water level is appropriately sucked up to the soil in an upper layer in accordance with a capillary phenomenon. Accordingly, a soil portion 30 in a capillary water state having proper water content is formed in the cultivated land 200.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicants: KUBOTA-C.I. CO., LTD., PADDY RESEARCH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Naoki Ono, Hiroaki Sakamoto, Kazuhiro Hirao, Toshinobu Kakita, Yasushi Wada, Yoshihito Fujii, Tsuneo Onodera
  • Patent number: 5143593
    Abstract: A method of copper-plating a material whereby electrolysis is performed using an electrolytic plating cell including a diaphragm which separates an anode chamber having therein an insoluble metal electrode as an anode from a cathode chamber having therein the material to be plated as a cathode, and further using an electrolyte solution containing copper ions and an additive, wherein the electrolyte is fed to the cathode chamber in a manner such that the copper ion concentration in the electrolyte within the cathode chamber is kept constant and electrolyte is further fed to the anode chamber at a rate of from about 0.2 to 11 ml/KAh.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Permelec Electrode Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Ueno, Kazuhiro Hirao, Genzo Yamane
  • Patent number: 5102521
    Abstract: According to the present invention, an upper electrode and a lower electrode are integrally assembled with insoluble electrodes and diaphragmn in diaphragm electrode structure. Small holes are furnished on the upper electrode, and the diaphragm of the upper electrode is installed obliquely with degassing means. By simply carrying the objects to be plated in horizontal direction, uniform and high quality electroplating can be continuously performed with extensive increase in productivity, while enjoying all of the benefits such as shorter interpolar distance between two electrodes, compact design of the apparatus, saving of expensive additives, etc. Further, the inspection of the diaphragm and the like can be rapidly and easily accomplished, and perfect protection of the diaphragm is assured, thus providing a horizontal carrying type electroplating apparatus suitable for practical use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Assignees: Almex Inc., Permelec Electrode Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Usuda, Ryoei Yamakawa, Kenichi Ueno, Kazuhiro Hirao
  • Patent number: 5059297
    Abstract: An electrode for use in electrolysis is disclosed, which comprises a metallic substrate having formed on the surfaces thereof, in sequence, an amorphous layer free of grain boundaries, and an active electrode material coating. The electrode shows excellent durability even when used in electrolysis accompanied by oxygen evolution. A process for producing the electrode is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: Permelec Electrode Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Hirao, Takanobu Hayashi
  • Patent number: 4925538
    Abstract: A method of electrolytically treating metals with an a.c. current or alternating pulsive current using an electrode comprising a metal substrate having a coating that comprises an oxide of ruthenium, iridium or rhodium as a counter electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: Permelec Electrode Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukiei Matsumoto, Yoshinori Nishiki, Kazuhiro Hirao, Takayuki Shimamune
  • Patent number: 4584084
    Abstract: An electrolytic electrode which exhibits high durability when used in electrochemical processes in which the generation of oxygen is involved and a process for the production of the same. The electrolytic electrode comprises(a) an electrode substrate of an electrically-conductive metal;(b) an electrode coating of an electrode active substance; and(c) an intermediate layer provided between the electrode substrate (a) and the electrode coating (b), wherein the intermediate layer (c) comprises a mixed oxide of(i) an oxide of at least one member selected from the group consisting of titanium (Ti) and tin (Sn), each having a valence number of 4, in an amount of 60 to 95% by weight based on the weight of metal, and(ii) an oxide of at least one member selected from the group consisting of aluminum (Al), gallium (Ga), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni) and Thallium (Tl), each having a valence number of 2 or 3, in an amount of about 5 to about 40% by weight based on the weight of metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1986
    Assignee: Permelec Electrode Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Asano, Takayuki Shimamune, Kazuhiro Hirao, Ryuta Hirayama
  • Patent number: 4581117
    Abstract: An electrolytic electrode which exhibits high durability when used in electrochemical processes in which the generation of oxygen is involved and a process for the production of the same. The electrolytic electrode comprises(a) an electrode substrate of an electrically-conductive metal;(b) an electrode coating of an electrode active substance; and(c) an intermediate layer provided between the electrode substrate (a) and the electrode coating (b), wherein the intermediate layer (a) comprises a mixed oxide of:(i) an oxide of at least one member selected from the group consisting of titanium (Ti) and tin (Sn), each having a valence number of 4, and(ii) an oxide of at least one member selected from the group consisting of aluminum (Al), gallium (Ga), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni) and Thallium (Tl), each having a valence number of 2 or 3, and platinum (Pt) dispersed in said mixed oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1986
    Assignee: Permelec Electrode Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Asano, Takayuki Shimamune, Kazuhiro Hirao, Ryuta Hirayama
  • Patent number: 4578160
    Abstract: A method for electrolyzing a dilute caustic alkali aqueous solution in an electrolytic cell partitioned by a cation exchange membrane using iron, nickel or their base alloys as an electrode, and an apparatus thereof whereby the polarities of the electrodes are periodically reversed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1986
    Assignee: Permelec Electrode Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Asano, Takayuki Shimamune, Kazuhiro Hirao
  • Patent number: 4554176
    Abstract: An electrode comprising a substrate of a conducting metal, a coat of an electrode active substrate, and a layer interposed between the substrate and the coat to serve as a protective barrier for the substrate acquires improved durability by using, as the intermediate layer, a layer having platinum dispersed in a mixed oxide consisting of an oxide of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of titanium and tin, each having a valence of 4, and an oxide of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of tantalum and niobium, each having a valence of 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1985
    Assignee: Permelec Electrode Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Asano, Takayuki Shimamune, Kazuhiro Hirao, Ryuta Hirayama
  • Patent number: 4502931
    Abstract: A process for the production of electrolytic ion exchange membranes with a coating, comprising coarsening the surface of an ion exchange membrane by an ion-etching treatment and, thereafter, coating the coarsened surface with a substance with a low electrochemical activity. The use of these ion exchange membranes greatly reduces the electrolytic voltage while maintaining a high current efficiency, and enables electrolysis to be performed in a stable manner over a long period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1985
    Assignee: Permelec Electrode Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Asano, Takayuki Shimamune, Kazuhiro Hirao
  • Patent number: 4481097
    Abstract: An electrode comprising a substrate of a conducting metal, a coat of an electrode active substrate, and a layer interposed between the substrate and the coat to serve as a protective barrier for the substrate acquires improved durability by using, as the intermediate layer, a layer having platinum dispersed in a mixed oxide consisting of an oxide of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of titanium and tin, each having a valence of 4, and an oxide of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of tantalum and niobium, each having a valence of 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1984
    Assignee: Permelec Electrode Ltd
    Inventors: Hiroshi Asano, Takayuki Shimamune, Kazuhiro Hirao, Ryuta Hirayama
  • Patent number: 4235684
    Abstract: A process for producing glyoxalic acid which comprises electrolytically oxidizing glyoxal in an electrolytic cell comprising at least one anode, at least one cathode and at least one cation exchange membrane therebetween to define an anode compartment(s) and a cathode compartment(s) therein, using an aqueous solution containing glyoxal and halogen ions as an anolyte solution and an aqueous solution containing an inorganic or organic electrolyte as a catholyte solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1980
    Assignees: Chlorine Engineers Corp., Ltd., Daicel Chemical Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Harada, Kazuhiro Hirao, Tadayuki Mitani, Masaaki Ichino