Patents by Inventor Kiyotaka Nakano

Kiyotaka Nakano 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: 8900764
    Abstract: To provide a solid oxide fuel cell device capable of smooth transition from a startup state to an electrical generating state. The present invention is a solid oxide fuel cell device (1) for generating electricity, having a fuel cell module (2); a reformer (20), a fuel supply device (38); a water supply device (28), a generating oxidant gas supply device (45), and a controller (110) for controlling the fuel supply device and water supply device at the time of startup when the fuel cell module solid oxide fuel cell unit is raised to a temperature at which electrical generation is possible, inducing in the reformer a SR in which only a steam reforming reaction occurs; wherein the control section maintains the fuel supply flow rate in the SR immediately prior to electrical generation at an electrical generation standby fuel supply flow rate determined according to solid oxide fuel module usage conditions and smaller than the fuel supply flow rate at the time of SR startup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Toto Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhisa Tsuchiya, Toshiharu Otsuka, Tsukasa Shigezumi, Toshiharu Ooe, Kiyotaka Nakano, Yoshiyuki Kawamura
  • Patent number: 8859156
    Abstract: To provide a solid oxide fuel cell capable of extending the time period over which a minimum rated output power can be maintained while restraining the advance of fuel cell module degradation. The present invention is a solid oxide fuel cell (1), having a fuel cell module (2), a fuel supply device (38), an oxidant gas supply device (45), and a controller (110); wherein the controller is furnished with a degradation determining circuit for determining degradation (110a) and a fuel correction circuit for correcting operating condition (110b); in which the fuel correction circuit executes a correction to reduce rated output power so that the fuel supply amount is reduced when a determination is made that the fuel cell module has degraded, and when degradation of the fuel cell module advances and predetermined correction switching condition is satisfied, the fuel correction circuit corrects the fuel supply amount supplied to the fuel cell module so as to maintain the reduced rated output power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Toto Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsukasa Shigezumi, Toshiharu Ooe, Katsuhisa Tsuchiya, Kiyotaka Nakano, Yoshiyuki Kawamura
  • Publication number: 20140293240
    Abstract: An air filter includes a filter body configured to trap dust contained in air passing therethrough and a holding frame configured to surround an end edge of the filter body, and the holding frame is formed of a resilient material. The holding frame includes a first surface on a proximal end side in a direction of travel of air passing through the filter body, and a second surface on a distal end side in the direction of travel, and one of the first surface and the second surface is provided with a projecting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kiyotaka Nakano
  • Patent number: 8835069
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell module having a solid-oxide fuel cell and a reformer adapted to perform steam reforming of a fuel gas supplied to the solid-oxide fuel cell, a water supplying unit and a control unit. The controller unit is adapted to control, at least during start up of the fuel cell system switching of a pulse pump from a stop state to a pumping state to start pumping of water, and to change the pulse pump to a normal control state after performing a start-operation-control which sets a feed flow rate of the pulse pump higher for a predetermined time than a feed flow rate of the water during the normal control state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Toto Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiharu Ooe, Kiyotaka Nakano, Yoshiyuki Kawamura, Katsuhisa Tsuchiya, Tsukasa Shigezumi
  • Patent number: 8834770
    Abstract: A sole component having a base, a toe cover and an integral line of articulation permitting the toe cover to be molded in an “open” position and moved into a “closed” position during assembly on the article of footwear. The line of articulation may include a line of reduced thickness extending laterally across the sole. The line of articulation may also include breaks defined in the sidewall of the sole in alignment with the line of reduced thickness. The present invention also provides a method of forming a sole component generally including the steps of providing a mold having bottom and top mold parts shaped to cooperatively define a mold cavity in the shape of a sole component having a toe cover joined to a base along a line of articulation, closing the mold parts, injecting a sole forming material into the cavity, removing the sole component and moving the toe cover about the line of articulation into a closed configuration for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Wolverine World Wide,Inc.
    Inventor: Kiyotaka Nakano
  • Publication number: 20140242488
    Abstract: The present invention is a solid oxide fuel cell system for generating variable power in response to power demand, having: a fuel cell module; a fuel supply device; a power demand detection device; a controller for controlling the amount of fuel supplied by the fuel supply device based on the power demand, and for setting an extractable current value, being the maximum extractable current value; an inverter for extracting current from the fuel cell module within a range not exceeding the extractable current value; and an extractable current detection device for detecting actual extracted current extracted from the fuel cell module; whereby if certain increase-limiting condition is matched, then even when power demand is rising, the controller maintains the extractable current value at a certain value, or lowers the extractable current value, and does not increase that extractable current value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiharu Otsuka, Katsuhisa Tsuchiya, Tsukasa Shigezumi, Toshiharu Ooe, Kiyotaka Nakano, Takuya Matsuo
  • Publication number: 20140242489
    Abstract: To provide a solid oxide fuel cell system capable of efficiently and simply controlling a low speed fuel cell module and a high speed inverter. The invention is a solid oxide fuel cell system, comprising: a fuel cell module, a fuel flow regulator unit, a control section comprising a first power demand detection circuit for controlling the fuel supply amount and for setting the value of current extractable from the fuel cell module; an inverter for extracting current from fuel cell module; and a second power demand detection circuit; and having an inverter control section for controlling the inverter independently from the fuel cell controller so that a current responsive to power demand is extracted from the fuel cell module in a range not exceeding the extractable current value input from the fuel cell controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiharu Otsuka, Katsuhisa Tsuchiya, Tsukasa Shigezumi, Toshiharu Ooe, Kiyotaka Nakano, Takuya Matsuo
  • Publication number: 20140234738
    Abstract: The invention is a solid oxide fuel cell system including: a fuel cell module, a fuel flow regulator unit, a first power demand detection device, a control section for controlling a fuel supply amount and setting the current value extractable from the fuel cell module, an inverter for extracting current in a range not exceeding the extractable current value, and a power state detecting sensor for detecting actual extracted current value; whereby if actual extracted current value declines, then under circumstances where power demand begins to rise in a state of extra margin in the fuel supply amount after the controller suddenly decreases the extractable current value and suddenly reduces the electrical collector, the controller increases the extractable current value at a high current rise rate of change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiharu Otsuka, Katsuhisa Tsuchiya, Tsukasa Shigezumi, Toshiharu Ooe, Kiyotaka Nakano, Takuya Matsuo
  • Publication number: 20140234736
    Abstract: The present invention is a solid oxide fuel cell device with a load following function for changing a fuel supply rate in response to a load defined as a required power determined by demand power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiharu OTSUKA, Katsuhisa TSUCHIYA, Tsukasa SHIGEZUMI, Toshiharu OOE, Kiyotaka NAKANO
  • Publication number: 20140137437
    Abstract: An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole secured thereto. The sole includes a midsole with a receptacle, within which a flexible fluid-filled bladder may be fitted. The bladder is adjustable with respect to the midsole between at least first and second orientations. The bladder provides the sole with a first characteristic when in the first orientation and a second characteristic, different from the first characteristic, when in the second orientation. Accordingly, the sole is readily adjustable between the first characteristic and the second characteristic by movement of the bladder with respect to the midsole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC.
    Inventor: Kiyotaka Nakano
  • Patent number: 8642221
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a solid oxide fuel cell system with a load following function. The system sets a command power value, based on the amount of load, and instructs an inverter to achieve a permitted power value corresponding to the command power value, which is a permitted amount of power to be extracted from the fuel cell system. The system also changes an amount of change per unit time in the next inverter permitted power value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Toto Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiharu Otsuka, Katsuhisa Tsuchiya, Tsukasa Shigezumi, Toshiharu Ooe, Kiyotaka Nakano
  • Patent number: 8641206
    Abstract: A projector includes a light source device which emits an illumination light; an aperture disposed with a tilt with respect to a plane perpendicular to a center axis of the illumination light, provided with an opening section which transmits a part of the illumination light, and block a rest of the illumination light; a pair of first and second lens arrays which divides the illumination light from the light source device into a plurality of partial light; and an overlapping lens which overlaps the illumination light transmitted through the first and second lens arrays, wherein the aperture is disposed on a light path between the light source device and the overlapping lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyotaka Nakano, Masakazu Kawamura, Tomoharu Masuda
  • Patent number: 8607475
    Abstract: A footwear sole includes shock absorbing elements that extend from upper and lower plates. In one embodiment, the shock absorbing elements include a bridge defining a plurality of receptacles extending from the lower plate and a plurality of protrusions extending from the upper plate. Each protrusion is associated with one receptacle, and a portion of each protrusion extends into the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Wolverine World Wide, Inc.
    Inventor: Kiyotaka Nakano
  • Patent number: 8592093
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) device comprises a fuel cell assembly, a reformer, a fuel gas supply device, a reforming air supply device, a power generating air supply device, an ignition device, a temperature detection devices for detecting the temperature caused by combustion of fuel gas, and a control section for sequentially conducting a combustion operation in which fuel gas is ignited by the ignition device and combusted using the power generating air, a POX operation, an ATR operation, and an SR combination, wherein the control section determines that a flameout has occurred when the amount by which the temperature caused by combustion of fuel gas and detected by the temperature detection device drops within a predetermined time is equal to or greater than a preset, predetermined temperature drop threshold, and the predetermined temperature drop threshold is set as a plurality of predetermined temperature drop thresholds in accordance with temperature bands caused by the combustion of fuel gas, the lo
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Toto Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhisa Tsuchiya, Tsukasa Shigezumi, Toshiharu Ooe, Kiyotaka Nakano, Yoshiyuki Kawamura
  • Patent number: 8557157
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an article of footwear having a direct attach sole component includes providing an upper and a receptacle shell that defines a receptacle adapted to receive a cushion insert. A molding insert is placed into the receptacle, and the upper is joined with the receptacle shell. A mold is closed about the receptacle shell and at least a portion of the upper to form a mold cavity corresponding to the direct attach sole component. Material is introduced into the mold cavity to form the direct attach sole component. The mold insert protects the shell from deformation during the molding process. The mold insert is removed and replaced with a cushioning insert after the molding process. The footwear can optionally include a partially transparent shell that supports a sole component that receives a cushion insert, such that the cushion insert and/or sole component are visible through the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Wolverine World Wide, Inc.
    Inventor: Kiyotaka Nakano
  • Patent number: 8546032
    Abstract: The fuel cell device has a control device for conducting, at the time of startup, a partial oxidation reforming reaction (POX) inside the reformer, then an auto-thermal reforming reaction (ATR) inside the reformer, then a steam reforming reaction (SR) inside the reformer; a water supply device is provided with a pump for intermittently supplying extremely small amounts of water to the reformer using pulsed control; the control device controls the fuel supply device, the reforming air supply device, and the water supply device to respectively supply target supply flow rates of fuel, reforming air, and water based on the outputs of various sensors; and, in the ATR region, the control device suppresses changes in the flow rate of fuel supplied by the fuel supply device during at least a predetermined interval following the supply of water by the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Toto Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhisa Tsuchiya, Toshiharu Ooe, Tsukasa Shigezumi, Kiyotaka Nakano, Yoshiyuki Kawamura
  • Patent number: D699427
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Wolverine World Wide, Inc.
    Inventor: Kiyotaka Nakano
  • Patent number: D699428
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Wolverine World Wide, Inc.
    Inventor: Kiyotaka Nakano
  • Patent number: D702031
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Wolverine World Wide, Inc.
    Inventor: Kiyotaka Nakano
  • Patent number: D702032
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Wolverine World Wide, Inc.
    Inventor: Kiyotaka Nakano