Patents by Inventor Kengo Kubo
Kengo Kubo 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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Patent number: 9346463Abstract: During engine startup and engagement of a transmission clutch in response to an EV?HEV mode-switch demand, the transmission clutch is engaged, which precedes initiation of self-sustaining running by the engine. During the clutch engagement, high engine torque is not input to the transmission clutch, and no large torque differential arises in relation to the torque at the output side of the transmission clutch, which during EV operation is a low value about equal to the low motor torque of an electric motor. Additionally, due to cranking during engine startup, the input/output rotation difference of the transmission clutch is small, and when the transmission clutch is engaged, engagement of the transmission clutch may be carried out with reduced shock, as the input/output torque differential and the input/output rotation difference are small.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2013Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tomoyuki Koike, Kengo Kubo, Yoshiaki Kato
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Publication number: 20150314777Abstract: During engine startup and engagement of a transmission clutch in response to an EV?HEV mode-switch demand, the transmission clutch is engaged, which precedes initiation of self-sustaining running by the engine. During the clutch engagement, high engine torque is not input to the transmission clutch, and no large torque differential arises in relation to the torque at the output side of the transmission clutch, which during EV operation is a low value about equal to the low motor torque of an electric motor. Additionally, due to cranking during engine startup, the input/output rotation difference of the transmission clutch is small, and when the transmission clutch is engaged, engagement of the transmission clutch may be carried out with reduced shock, as the input/output torque differential and the input/output rotation difference are small.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2013Publication date: November 5, 2015Inventors: Tomoyuki KOIKE, Kengo KUBO, Yoshiaki KATO
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Patent number: 8341937Abstract: An apparatus for an exhaust gas system includes a main exhaust passage, a main catalytic converter disposed in the main exhaust passage, a bypass exhaust passage, a bypass catalytic converter disposed in the bypass exhaust passage, and a valve configured to open or close a section of the main exhaust passage. The bypass exhaust passage bypasses the main exhaust passage between a branch point of the bypass exhaust passage out of the main exhaust passage and a junction with the main exhaust passage at a upstream side of the main catalytic converter. A first sensor indicates a first air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas in the bypass exhaust passage. A second sensor indicates a second air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas flowing into the main catalytic converter. A controller determines whether the valve in the closed configuration leaks exhaust gas based on the first and second air-fuel ratios of exhaust gas.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2007Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Sunki I, Kenichi Sato, Motoharu Akaba, Kimiyoshi Nishizawa, Kengo Kubo
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Patent number: 7441520Abstract: A valve-timing control apparatus of an internal combustion engine provides a valve timing controller capable of continuously and variably controlling the overlap period of an intake valve and an exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine. A driving-state determination mechanism determines the driving state of the internal combustion engine and an overlap-period setting apparatus sets the overlap period with the valve timing controller. The overlap-period is set during the start of the internal combustion engine on the basis of the determinations of the driving-state determination mechanism which vary as the internal combustion engine starts.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2006Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tsuyoshi Ishikawa, Kengo Kubo
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Publication number: 20070214775Abstract: An apparatus for an exhaust gas system includes a main exhaust passage, a main catalytic converter disposed in the main exhaust passage, a bypass exhaust passage, a bypass catalytic converter disposed in the bypass exhaust passage, and a valve configured to open or close a section of the main exhaust passage. The bypass exhaust passage bypasses the main exhaust passage between a branch point of the bypass exhaust passage out of the main exhaust passage and a junction with the main exhaust passage at a upstream side of the main catalytic converter. A first sensor indicates a first air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas in the bypass exhaust passage. A second sensor indicates a second air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas flowing into the main catalytic converter. A controller determines whether the valve in the closed configuration leaks exhaust gas based on the first and second air-fuel ratios of exhaust gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2007Publication date: September 20, 2007Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Sunki I, Kenichi Sato, Motoharu Akaba, Kimiyoshi Nishizawa, Kengo Kubo
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Publication number: 20060266313Abstract: A valve-timing control apparatus of an internal combustion engine provides a valve timing controller capable of continuously and variably controlling the overlap period of an intake valve and an exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine. A driving-state determination mechanism determines the driving state of the internal combustion engine and an overlap-period setting apparatus sets the overlap period with the valve timing controller. The overlap-period is set during the start of the internal combustion engine on the basis of the determinations of the driving-state determination mechanism which vary as the internal combustion engine starts.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2006Publication date: November 30, 2006Inventors: Tsuyoshi Ishikawa, Kengo Kubo
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Patent number: 6845749Abstract: An internal combustion engine (1) is provided with a three-way catalytic converter (16) which purifies exhaust gas, a spark plug (6) which ignites a gaseous mixture and a throttle (11) which regulates an intake air flow rate. When the engine (1) is started, the ignition timing of the spark plug (6) is retarded based on the difference of the rotation speed Ne from a target idle rotation speed Net. If the engine rotation speed Ne is higher than the target idle rotation speed even after the ignition timing has reached a retard limit, the ignition timing is fixed to the retard limit and the intake air flow rate is reduced through the throttle (11), thereby forcing the engine rotation speed Ne to converge rapidly to the target idling rotation speed Net while maintaining the ignition timing at the retard limit to ensure rapid temperature increase in the converter (16).Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2003Date of Patent: January 25, 2005Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kengo Kubo
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Publication number: 20040151833Abstract: In applying an internal finishing carbon layer by flow-coating to an inner surface of a funnel of a cathode ray tube, when the internal finishing carbon poured onto the funnel's inner surface passes or after it has passed a region of the funnel at which a getter receptacle is provided, air is blown spotwise onto the internal finishing carbon. Thus, the amount of adhering internal finishing carbon in the region onto which air is blown can be reduced compared to the region onto which no air is blown.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2004Publication date: August 5, 2004Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO.Inventors: Hiroji Morimoto, Kengo Kubo
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Patent number: 6691508Abstract: An air-fuel ratio control system for an internal combustion engine provided with a NOx trap catalyst which is disposed in an exhaust gas passageway and arranged to trap NOx when the air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas flowing to the NOx trap catalyst is lean and to release and reduce trapped NOx when the air-fuel ratio is rich. The air-fuel ratio control system comprises a sensor for detecting an air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas in the exhaust gas passageway downstream of the NOx trap catalyst. Additionally, a control circuit is provided and configured to cause the engine to operate at a rich air-fuel ratio to accomplish a rich air-fuel ratio engine operation after an engine operation at a lean air-fuel ratio, and continue the rich air-fuel ratio engine operation for a duration even after the sensor has detected that the air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas is rich.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kenichi Sato, Kengo Kubo, Kimiyoshi Nishizawa
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Publication number: 20030168041Abstract: An internal combustion engine (1) is provided with a three-way catalytic converter (16) which purifies exhaust gas, a spark plug (6) which ignites a gaseous mixture and a throttle (11) which regulates an intake air flow rate. When the engine (1) is started, the ignition timing of the spark plug (6) is retarded based on the difference of the rotation speed Ne from a target idle rotation speed Net. If the engine rotation speed Ne is higher than the target idle rotation speed even after the ignition timing has reached a retard limit, the ignition timing is fixed to the retard limit and the intake air flow rate is reduced through the throttle (11), thereby forcing the engine rotation speed Ne to converge rapidly to the target idling rotation speed Net while maintaining the ignition timing at the retard limit to ensure rapid temperature increase in the converter (16).Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2003Publication date: September 11, 2003Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Kengo Kubo
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Patent number: 6539709Abstract: A first NOx-trapping catalyzer unit is disposed on an upstream part of an exhaust passage. A second NOx-trapping catalyzer unit is disposed on a downstream part of the exhaust passage. A structure is provided that causes the first NOx-trapping catalyzer unit to be exposed to a relatively high temperature environment and causes the second NOx-trapping catalyzer unit to be exposed to a relatively low temperature environment. Each of the first and second NOx-trapping catalyzer units traps NOx when the exhaust gas applied thereto shows a leaner air/fuel ratio and releases and reduces NOx when the exhaust gas applied thereto shows a stoichiometric or richer air/fuel ratio. The first NOx-trapping catalyzer unit shows the basicity that is higher than that of the second NOx-trapping catalyzer unit or the first NOx-trapping catalyzer shows the reducing ability that is lower than that of the second NOx-trapping catalyzer unit.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2001Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kengo Kubo, Kimiyoshi Nishizawa
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Publication number: 20020194838Abstract: An air-fuel ratio control system for an internal combustion engine provided with a NOx trap catalyst which is disposed in an exhaust gas passageway and arranged to trap NOx when the air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas flowing to the NOx trap catalyst is lean and to release and reduce trapped NOx when the air-fuel ratio is rich. The air-fuel ratio control system comprises a sensor for detecting an air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas in the exhaust gas passageway downstream of the NOx trap catalyst. Additionally, a control circuit is provided and configured to cause the engine to operate at a rich air-fuel ratio to accomplish a rich air-fuel ratio engine operation after an engine operation at a lean air-fuel ratio, and continue the rich air-fuel ratio engine operation for a duration even after the sensor has detected that the air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas is rich.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2002Publication date: December 26, 2002Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Kenichi Sato, Kengo Kubo, Kimiyoshi Nishizawa
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Publication number: 20010037643Abstract: A first NOx-trapping catalyzer unit is disposed on an upstream part of an exhaust passage. A second NOx-trapping catalyzer unit is disposed on a downstream part of the exhaust passage. A structure is provided that causes the first NOx-trapping catalyzer unit to be exposed to a relatively high temperature environment and causes the second NOx-trapping catalyzer unit to be exposed to a relatively low temperature environment. Each of the first and second NOx-trapping catalyzer units traps NOx when the exhaust gas applied thereto shows a leaner air/fuel ratio and releases and reduces NOx when the exhaust gas applied thereto shows a stoichiometric or richer air/fuel ratio. The first NOx-trapping catalyzer unit shows the basicity that is higher than that of the second NOx-trapping catalyzer unit or the first NOx-trapping catalyzer shows the reducing ability that is lower than that of the second NOx-trapping catalyzer unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2001Publication date: November 8, 2001Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Kengo Kubo, Kimiyoshi Nishizawa
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Patent number: 6263666Abstract: An exhaust emission control device of an engine 1 comprises an NOx storage catalyst 9 which traps and stores NOx in exhaust gas and reduces the stored NOx according to an air fuel ratio of inflowing exhaust gas. A controller 6 determines conditions for discharging the SOx stored in the catalyst 9. When SOx discharge conditions are satisfied and the engine running conditions are in a predetermined SOx discharge running region, the controller 6 performs SOx discharge control of the catalyst 9. As lean air fuel ratio control is prohibited from when SOx discharge conditions are satisfied to when SOx discharge is complete, lean air fuel ratio control is prevented from taking place when the NOx trapping capacity of the catalyst 9 is insufficient, and increase of exhaust emission is thereby prevented.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2000Date of Patent: July 24, 2001Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kengo Kubo, Yasuji Ishizuka, Kimiyoshi Nishizawa
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Patent number: 5975862Abstract: A power source and a human contacting portion of a portable power tool, with a vibration-proof member and a spacer placed between them, are tightened by fastening and connecting means in the direction approaching each other. The spacer serves to limit compressive power of the vibration proof member which acts between the power source and human contacting portion within effective vibration-proof range of the vibration-proof member by utilizing the fastening and connecting means, This does not cause the vibration absorbing effect of the vibration-proof member to be lost. In addition, there is no need to check the fastening degree achieved by the fastening and connecting means, thus allowing easy attachment of the vibration-proof member thereto. Alternatively, vibration-proof members may be placed between the power source side and the working member side without spacers if the vibration proof members support the power source apart from the working member.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 1998Date of Patent: November 2, 1999Assignee: Kioritz CorporationInventors: Kouji Arahata, Kengo Kubo, Larry N. Will
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Patent number: 5902971Abstract: A muffler for a two-stroke internal combustion engine includes an expansion chamber into which exhaust gas ejected from the exhaust port of the engine is introduced. An air-supplying device is adapted to supply outside air to the expansion chamber. The air-supplying device is actuated by taking advantage of the pressure pulsation in the crank case of the engine, and is constituted by a diaphragm pump.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 1998Date of Patent: May 11, 1999Assignee: Kioritz CorporationInventors: Yasuharu Sato, Yukio Sakaguchi, Kengo Kubo
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Patent number: 5857327Abstract: A muffler for an internal combustion engine has an expansion chamber (31, 32) into which exhaust gas from the engine is introduced. The expansion chamber has a double wall (32A), with an inner panel (42) of the double wall (32A) having exhaust gas discharge portions (42A, 42B, 42C, 42D) with respective blowout holes (61, 62, 63, 64) for introducing the exhaust gas from the expansion chamber (32) into an air space (Sb) in the double wall (32A). From the air space (Sb), the exhaust gas is vented to the ambient through a discharge hole (37A) in an outer panel (42) of the double wall (32A ). A spark arrester screen (72) covers the discharge hole (37A).Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 1997Date of Patent: January 12, 1999Assignee: Kioritz CorporationInventors: Shigeru Sato, Yukio Sakaguchi, Kengo Kubo
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Patent number: 5738184Abstract: A muffler for a two-stroke internal combustion engine has an expansion chamber into which a rush of exhaust gas is introduced from the engine. In the vicinity of an exhaust gas inlet from the engine into the expansion chamber, the muffler has an external air intake for external air to be suctionally introduced into the expansion chamber by the rush of exhaust gas. With the external air introduced, carbon monoxide (CO) emission into the ambient is reduced.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 1996Date of Patent: April 14, 1998Assignee: Kioritz CorporationInventors: Isao Masuda, Shigeru Sato, Yasuharu Sato, Kengo Kubo
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Patent number: 5722237Abstract: A muffler structure for an internal combustion engine is disclosed which is capable of diminishing occurrence of fraying and lowering of exhaust gas cleaning performance and durability, and which enables replacement of the catalytic cloth and the like to readily be carried out. The muffler structure for an internal combustion engine comprises a muffler 10 and a catalytic assembly 30 disposed in the muffler 10, the catalytic assembly 30 including a spark arresting wire mesh 32 and a catalytic cloth 37 fitted over the spark arresting wire mesh 32, the catalytic cloth 37 has its peripheral edge 37a covered entirely or in substantial part and retained with side walls 34, 34, 36 peripherally provided on the spark arresting wire mesh 32.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 1996Date of Patent: March 3, 1998Assignee: Kioritz CorporationInventors: Giichi Iida, Yasuharu Sato, Kengo Kubo