Patents by Inventor Kenichi Hirotsu
Kenichi Hirotsu 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: 11736060Abstract: A photovoltaic apparatus includes: a concentrator photovoltaic panel; a driving device configured to change an attitude of the photovoltaic panel; a current detection unit configured to detect an output current of the photovoltaic panel; and a control unit configured to cause the driving device to perform a sun-tracking shift operation when it is determined based on a detection result of the current detection unit that the photovoltaic panel is generating no power during tracking of the sun.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2019Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Seiji Yamamoto, Rui Mikami, Satoshi Hatsukawa, Kenichi Hirotsu
-
Patent number: 10937918Abstract: Provided is a flexible printed circuit including: a film-shaped insulating base material having flexibility and having a withstand voltage value of at least 2000 V; and an electric conductor layer formed on the insulating base material and forming a circuit pattern, wherein with respect to the insulating base material, a principal component thereof is a polyimide and a filler content thereof is 0%. Thus, a flexible printed circuit can be obtained that has an insulating base material which suppresses decrease in withstand voltage performance even in a high humidity environment.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2015Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Kenji Saito, Youichi Nagai, Kenichi Hirotsu, Takashi Iwasaki, Shougo Asai, Hiroyuki Matsuyama
-
Publication number: 20210028743Abstract: A photovoltaic apparatus includes: a concentrator photovoltaic panel; a driving device configured to change an attitude of the photovoltaic panel; a current detection unit configured to detect an output current of the photovoltaic panel; and a control unit configured to cause the driving device to perform a sun-tracking shift operation when it is determined based on a detection result of the current detection unit that the photovoltaic panel is generating no power during tracking of the sun.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2019Publication date: January 28, 2021Applicant: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Seiji YAMAMOTO, Rui MIKAMI, Satoshi HATSUKAWA, Kenichi HIROTSU
-
Patent number: 10693387Abstract: A transformer is provided between a power supply and a load, and includes a front stage circuit and a rear stage circuit each having a function of performing switching so as to alternately invert a polarity of output relative to input. The transformer further includes: a series unit provided in at least one of both circuits and composed of a pair of reactance elements connected in series to each other via a connection point; and a switch device which, with both ends of the series unit serving as a first port, causes a part between one end of the series unit and the connection point, and a part between the other end of the series unit and the connection point, to serve as a second port alternately through switching while inverting a polarity, and executes power transmission from the first port to the second port or vice versa.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2014Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignees: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., National University Corporation Toyohashi University of TechnologyInventors: Hideaki Nakahata, Kenichi Hirotsu, Nobuo Shiga, Takashi Ohira, Kyohei Yamada, Daiya Egashira
-
Patent number: 10320305Abstract: A transformer is provided between a power supply, and a load with a resistance value R, and includes a two-terminal pair circuit composed of n-number of reactance elements that are mutually connected, where n is a natural number equal to or greater than 4. With respect to any value of the resistance value R of the load, an input impedance Zin of the two-terminal pair circuit has a real number component of k·R, where k is a constant, and an imaginary number component of 0. Such a transformer has a small size and a light weight, and does not need a coil, an iron core, and the like as used in a conventional transformer.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2014Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignees: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD., NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION TOYOHASHI OF TECHNOLOGYInventors: Kenichi Hirotsu, Nobuo Shiga, Hideaki Nakahata, Takashi Ohira, Kyohei Yamada
-
Patent number: 10122288Abstract: A transformer includes a front stage circuit and a rear stage circuit. As a front stage circuit, a switch series unit, which is connected in parallel to a power supply, includes odd-numbered switches and even-numbered switches alternately turned ON. Mutual connection points of the respective switches and points at both ends of the switch series unit are regarded as m nodes in total. Capacitors are provided on at least one of a first electrical path combining odd nodes to lead them to a first output port, and a second electrical path combining even nodes to lead them to a second output port. The capacitors are present so as to correspond to at least (m?1) nodes. The rear stage circuit includes an element series unit, which is composed of a pair of semiconductor elements connected in series to each other for conducting operations of mutually opposite polarities, and necessary inductors.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2015Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignees: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., National University Corporation Toyohashi University of TechnologyInventors: Hideaki Nakahata, Kenichi Hirotsu, Takashi Ohira, Kyohei Yamada, Daiya Egashira
-
Patent number: 10116197Abstract: A front stage circuit of a transformer includes a switch series unit, capacitors, and a ground electrical path. The switch series unit, connected in parallel to a power supply, includes odd-numbered/even-numbered switches configured to be alternately turned ON. Assuming that mutual connection points of the switches and points at both ends of the switch series unit are m nodes in total, and one of the points at the both ends is a ground node, the capacitors are provided on at least one of a first electrical path that combines odd nodes and leads them to a first output port, and a second electrical path that combines even nodes and leads them to a second output port, and the capacitors are present to correspond to (m?1) nodes excluding the ground node. The ground electrical path connects the ground node directly to the first output port without an interposed capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2015Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignees: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., National University Corporation Toyohashi University of TechnologyInventors: Hideaki Nakahata, Satoshi Hatsukawa, Kenichi Hirotsu, Takashi Ohira, Kyohei Yamada, Daiya Egashira
-
Patent number: 9837558Abstract: A concentrator photovoltaic module 1M includes a vessel-shaped housing 11 composed of a metal and a flexible printed wiring board 12 provided so as to be in contact with an inner surface of the housing 11. The flexible printed wiring board 12 includes an insulating layer 124, an insulating substrate 121a, a pattern 121b, a plurality of power generation elements 122, and an insulting layer 126. The insulating layer 124 is in contact with a bottom surface 11a of the housing 11. The insulating substrate 121a is provided on the insulating layer 124 and has flexibility. The pattern 121b is composed of a conductor and is provided on the insulating substrate 121a. The plurality of power generation elements 122 are mounted on the pattern 121b. The insulating layer 126 is provided so as to cover an entire surface of the pattern 121b except for portions where the power generation elements 122 are mounted.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2014Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Youichi Nagai, Takashi Iwasaki, Kazumasa Toya, Kenji Saito, Kenichi Hirotsu, Hideaki Nakahata
-
Publication number: 20170294829Abstract: A front stage circuit of a transformer includes a switch series unit, capacitors, and a ground electrical path. The switch series unit, connected in parallel to a power supply, includes odd-numbered/even-numbered switches configured to be alternately turned ON. Assuming that mutual connection points of the switches and points at both ends of the switch series unit are m nodes in total, and one of the points at the both ends is a ground node, the capacitors are provided on at least one of a first electrical path that combines odd nodes and leads them to a first output port, and a second electrical path that combines even nodes and leads them to a second output port, and the capacitors are present to correspond to (m?1) nodes excluding the ground node. The ground electrical path connects the ground node directly to the first output port without an interposed capacitor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2015Publication date: October 12, 2017Applicants: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION TOYOHASHI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION TOYOHASHI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGYInventors: Hideaki Nakahata, Satoshi Hatsukawa, Kenichi Hirotsu, Takashi Ohira, Kyohei Yamada, Daiya Egashira
-
Publication number: 20170288559Abstract: A transformer includes a front stage circuit and a rear stage circuit. As a front stage circuit, a switch series unit, which is connected in parallel to a power supply, includes odd-numbered switches and even-numbered switches alternately turned ON. Mutual connection points of the respective switches and points at both ends of the switch series unit are regarded as m nodes in total. Capacitors are provided on at least one of a first electrical path combining odd nodes to lead them to a first output port, and a second electrical path combining even nodes to lead them to a second output port. The capacitors are present so as to correspond to at least (m?1) nodes. The rear stage circuit includes an element series unit, which is composed of a pair of semiconductor elements connected in series to each other for conducting operations of mutually opposite polarities, and necessary inductors.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2015Publication date: October 5, 2017Applicants: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., National University Corporation Toyohashi University of TechnologyInventors: Hideaki Nakahata, Kenichi Hirotsu, Takashi Ohira, Kyohei Yamada, Daiya Egashira
-
Patent number: 9712069Abstract: A transformer of distributed-constant type is provided between an AC power supply with a frequency f and a load with a resistance value R, and includes: a first converter connected to the AC power supply and having a length of ?/4; and a second converter provided between an end of the first converter and the load, and having a length of ?/4, where a wavelength at the frequency f is ?. Such a transformer has a small size and a light weight, and does not need a coil, an iron core, and the like as used in a conventional transformer.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2014Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignees: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., National University Corporation Toyohashi University of TechnologyInventors: Hideaki Nakahata, Nobuo Shiga, Kenichi Hirotsu, Takashi Ohira, Kyohei Yamada
-
Patent number: 9577131Abstract: A concentrator photovoltaic module including: a flexible printed circuit provided in contact with a bottom surface of a housing; and a primary concentrating portion formed by a plurality of lens elements being arranged, each lens element concentrating sunlight, wherein the flexible printed circuit includes: an insulating base material and a conductive pattern; a plurality of power generating elements provided on the pattern, so as to correspond to the lens elements, respectively; a cover lay as a covering layer having insulating property and a low water absorption not higher than a predetermined value, the cover lay covering and sealing a conductive portion including the pattern on the insulating base material; and an adhesive layer having insulating property and a low water absorption not higher than the predetermined value, the adhesive layer bonding the insulating base material and the covering layer together.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Kenji Saito, Takashi Iwasaki, Kazumasa Toya, Yoshiya Abiko, Kenichi Hirotsu, Youichi Nagai, Hideaki Nakahata, Rui Mikami
-
Publication number: 20170033249Abstract: Provided is a flexible printed circuit including: a film-shaped insulating base material having flexibility and having a withstand voltage value of at least 2000 V; and an electric conductor layer formed on the insulating base material and forming a circuit pattern, wherein with respect to the insulating base material, a principal component thereof is a polyimide and a filler content thereof is 0%. Thus, a flexible printed circuit can be obtained that has an insulating base material which suppresses decrease in withstand voltage performance even in a high humidity environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2015Publication date: February 2, 2017Inventors: Kenji Saito, Youichi Nagai, Kenichi Hirotsu, Takashi Iwasaki, Shougo Asai, Hiroyuki Matsuyama
-
Publication number: 20160211760Abstract: A transformer is provided between a power supply, and a load with a resistance value R, and includes a two-terminal pair circuit composed of n-number of reactance elements that are mutually connected, where n is a natural number equal to or greater than 4. With respect to any value of the resistance value R of the load, an input impedance Zin of the two-terminal pair circuit has a real number component of k·R, where k is a constant, and an imaginary number component of 0. Such a transformer has a small size and a light weight, and does not need a coil, an iron core, and the like as used in a conventional transformer.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2014Publication date: July 21, 2016Inventors: Kenichi HIROTSU, Nobuo SHIGA, Hideaki NAKAHATA, Takashi OHIRA, Kyohei Yamada
-
Publication number: 20160204708Abstract: A transformer of distributed-constant type is provided between an AC power supply with a frequency f and a load with a resistance value R, and includes: a first converter connected to the AC power supply and having a length of ?/4; and a second converter provided between an end of the first converter and the load, and having a length of ?/4, where a wavelength at the frequency f is ?. Such a transformer has a small size and a light weight, and does not need a coil, an iron core, and the like as used in a conventional transformer.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2014Publication date: July 14, 2016Inventors: Hideaki NAKAHATA, Nobuo SHIGA, Kenichi HIROTSU, Takashi OHIRA, Kyohei YAMADA
-
Publication number: 20160181937Abstract: A transformer is provided between a power supply and a load, and includes a front stage circuit and a rear stage circuit each having a function of performing switching so as to alternately invert a polarity of output relative to input. The transformer further includes: a series unit provided in at least one of both circuits and composed of a pair of reactance elements connected in series to each other via a connection point; and a switch device which, with both ends of the series unit serving as a first port, causes a part between one end of the series unit and the connection point, and a part between the other end of the series unit and the connection point, to serve as a second port alternately through switching while inverting a polarity, and executes power transmission from the first port to the second port or vice versa.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2014Publication date: June 23, 2016Inventors: Hideaki NAKAHATA, Kenichi HIROTSU, Nobuo SHIGA, Takashi OHIRA, Kyohei YAMADA, Daiya EGASHIRA
-
Patent number: 9136911Abstract: To realize a transmission function of power line communication by a further simplified and cost-effective circuit configuration, in a PLC modem installed in an electric appliance such as a household electrical appliance. A semiconductor switching element that is present on an electric circuit connected to a power line is driven by a modulator unit. The modulator unit controls ON/OFF operations of the semiconductor switching element, to thereby cause a communication signal of a modulated rectangular wave to be output to the power line for a prescribed period.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2010Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignees: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD., KYOTO UNIVERSITYInventors: Takashi Hikihara, Tsuguhiro Takuno, Kenichi Hirotsu, Takefumi Shimoguchi, Toshikazu Shibata, Takashi Tsuno, Satoshi Hatsukawa
-
Publication number: 20150243797Abstract: A concentrator photovoltaic module 1M includes a vessel-shaped housing 11 composed of a metal and a flexible printed wiring board 12 provided so as to be in contact with an inner surface of the housing 11. The flexible printed wiring board 12 includes an insulating layer 124, an insulating substrate 121a, a pattern 121b, a plurality of power generation elements 122, and an insulting layer 126. The insulating layer 124 is in contact with a bottom surface 11a of the housing 11. The insulating substrate 121a is provided on the insulating layer 124 and has flexibility. The pattern 121b is composed of a conductor and is provided on the insulating substrate 121a. The plurality of power generation elements 122 are mounted on the pattern 121b. The insulating layer 126 is provided so as to cover an entire surface of the pattern 121b except for portions where the power generation elements 122 are mounted.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2014Publication date: August 27, 2015Inventors: Youichi Nagai, Takashi Iwasaki, Kazumasa Toya, Kenji Saito, Kenichi Hirotsu, Hideaki Nakahata
-
Publication number: 20150027510Abstract: A concentrator photovoltaic module including: a flexible printed circuit provided in contact with a bottom surface of a housing; and a primary concentrating portion formed by a plurality of lens elements being arranged, each lens element concentrating sunlight, wherein the flexible printed circuit includes: an insulating base material and a conductive pattern; a plurality of power generating elements provided on the pattern, so as to correspond to the lens elements, respectively; a cover lay as a covering layer having insulating property and a low water absorption not higher than a predetermined value, the cover lay covering and sealing a conductive portion including the pattern on the insulating base material; and an adhesive layer having insulating property and a low water absorption not higher than the predetermined value, the adhesive layer bonding the insulating base material and the covering layer together.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2014Publication date: January 29, 2015Applicant: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Kenji SAITO, Takashi IWASAKI, Kazumasa TOYA, Yoshiya ABIKO, Kenichi HIROTSU, Youichi NAGAI, Hideaki NAKAHATA, Rui MIKAMI
-
Publication number: 20140373899Abstract: Provided is a concentrator photovoltaic system including: a concentrator photovoltaic panel; a driving device configured to cause the concentrator photovoltaic panel to perform operation of tracking the sun; and a control device configured to detect a change pattern repeatedly occurring in temporal change in generated power of the concentrator photovoltaic panel, and configured to compare the detected change pattern with a form characteristic to deviation in an azimuth and a form characteristic to deviation in an elevation, to detect the presence/absence of deviation in tracking.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2014Publication date: December 25, 2014Inventors: Takashi IWASAKI, Kenichi HIROTSU, Hideaki NAKAHATA, Seiji YAMAMOTO, Naoki AYAI