Patents by Inventor Kunihiko Yoshioka

Kunihiko Yoshioka 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: 20230170534
    Abstract: Provided is a secondary battery including a power generation unit including a positive electrode layer, a negative electrode layer, a porous separator, and an electrolytic solution. The negative electrode layer is a dissolution-deposition electrode. When viewed in plan view, a functional region, identified as a region where the positive electrode layer, the negative electrode layer, the electrolytic solution, and the porous separator overlap, is divided into power generation regions and a linear non-power generation region demarcating each power generation region. The power generation regions have a value ? of 30 or less, the value ? being defined by the equation: ?=?P/wt, wherein ? represents an area equivalent diameter (mm) per region of the power generation regions, P represents a thickness (mm) of the negative electrode layer, w represents a line width (mm) of the non-power generation region, and t represents a thickness (mm) of the porous separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2023
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Applicant: NGK INSULATORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Shinichiro SHICHI, Kunihiko YOSHIOKA
  • Patent number: 10183893
    Abstract: A compact is formed by introducing a slurry containing a ceramic powder or a metal powder, a binder and a solvent into a compaction die, and compacting the slurry in the compaction die. The compact embedded in the compaction die is immersed in an alternative CFC (liquid) (FIG. 4A). The solvent contained in the compact is gradually replaced with the alternative CFC. In the course of this process, the compact separates naturally from the compaction die (releasing is achieved) without receiving an external force. Subsequently, the compact is taken out of the alternative CFC (liquid). The alternative CFC has a boiling point as low as 95° C. at 1 atmospheric pressure. Accordingly, the alternative CFC contained in the compact will volatilize at high speed, thus being removed. Consequently, the compact can be dried in a relatively short time without being heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yusuke Fuji, Kunihiko Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 9802648
    Abstract: A vehicle lower portion structure has: a tunnel portion disposed at a vehicle transverse direction central portion of a floor portion; a front side member whose rear portion is disposed at a vehicle lower side of the floor portion and a vehicle transverse direction outer side of the tunnel portion; a first member including a first horizontal wall that extends from the rear portion toward a vehicle transverse direction inner side, and a first vertical wall bent toward a vehicle upper side from the first horizontal wall; and a second member spanning an opening portion of the tunnel portion. The second member includes a second horizontal wall, and a second vertical wall that is bent toward the vehicle upper side from the second horizontal wall, is disposed parallel to the first vertical wall, and is joined to the first vertical wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hyuga Atsumi, Susumu Takenaka, Kunihiko Yoshioka, Tetsuo Nuruki
  • Patent number: 9718212
    Abstract: A second mold is placed on a planar surface of a first mold to form a first mold cavity, which is filled with a first material slurry containing a first material powder and the molded slurry is caused to set, thereby forming a first molded part on the planar surface of the first mold. A third mold is placed on the planar surface of the first mold from which the second mold is removed and on which the first molded part is formed, thereby forming a second mold cavity. The second mold cavity is filled with a second material slurry which contains a second material powder different from the first material powder so as to mold the slurry in contact with the first molded part. The molded slurry is caused to set, thereby forming a second molded part on the planar surface of the first mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunihiko Yoshioka, Kimihisa Kaneko, Makoto Ohmori, Kenji Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20170021865
    Abstract: A vehicle lower portion structure has: a tunnel portion disposed at a vehicle transverse direction central portion of a floor portion; a front side member whose rear portion is disposed at a vehicle lower side of the floor portion and a vehicle transverse direction outer side of the tunnel portion; a first member including a first horizontal wall that extends from the rear portion toward a vehicle transverse direction inner side, and a first vertical wall bent toward a vehicle upper side from the first horizontal wall; and a second member spanning an opening portion of the tunnel portion. The second member includes a second horizontal wall, and a second vertical wall that is bent toward the vehicle upper side from the second horizontal wall, is disposed parallel to the first vertical wall, and is joined to the first vertical wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hyuga ATSUMI, Susumu TAKENAKA, Kunihiko YOSHIOKA, Tetsuo NURUKl
  • Patent number: 9493188
    Abstract: A vehicle lower portion structure has: a tunnel portion disposed at a vehicle transverse direction central portion of a floor portion; a front side member whose rear portion is disposed at a vehicle lower side of the floor portion and a vehicle transverse direction outer side of the tunnel portion; a first member including a first horizontal wall that extends from the rear portion toward a vehicle transverse direction inner side, and a first vertical wall bent toward a vehicle upper side from the first horizontal wall; and a second member spanning an opening portion of the tunnel portion. The second member includes a second horizontal wall joined to the first horizontal wall, and a second vertical wall that is bent toward the vehicle upper side from the second horizontal wall, is disposed parallel to the first vertical wall, and is joined to the first vertical wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hyuga Atsumi, Susumu Takenaka, Kunihiko Yoshioka, Tetsuo Nuruki
  • Patent number: 9474193
    Abstract: Provided is a method of producing “a ceramic green bonded compact in which a ceramic green film is bonded on each bonding surface of a ceramic green substrate having hole portions,” the method imparting good adhesiveness to a thin green film while suppressing the green substrate from having deformation. In this method, first, a layer of a paste for bonding is formed on each bonding surface of green sheets prepared. Next, each bonding surface of the green sheets on which the paste layer is formed is brought into contact, in a state in which the paste layer is wet, with each bonding surface of a porous ceramic green substrate prepared. While this state is maintained, pores in the green substrate absorb a dispersion medium in the paste layer in the wet state. As a result, the paste layer is dried, thereby completely bonding the green substrate and the green sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunihiko Yoshioka, Satoshi Ishibashi
  • Publication number: 20160137228
    Abstract: A vehicle lower portion structure has: a tunnel portion disposed at a vehicle transverse direction central portion of a floor portion; a front side member whose rear portion is disposed at a vehicle lower side of the floor portion and a vehicle transverse direction outer side of the tunnel portion; a first member including a first horizontal wall that extends from the rear portion toward a vehicle transverse direction inner side, and a first vertical wall bent toward a vehicle upper side from the first horizontal wall; and a second member spanning an opening portion of the tunnel portion. The second member includes a second horizontal wall joined to the first horizontal wall, and a second vertical wall that is bent toward the vehicle upper side from the second horizontal wall, is disposed parallel to the first vertical wall, and is joined to the first vertical wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hyuga ATSUMI, Susumu TAKENAKA, Kunihiko YOSHIOKA, Tetsuo NURUKl
  • Publication number: 20160046530
    Abstract: A compact is formed by introducing a slurry containing a ceramic powder or a metal powder, a binder and a solvent into a compaction die, and compacting the slurry in the compaction die. The compact embedded in the compaction die is immersed in an alternative CFC (liquid) (FIG. 4A). The solvent contained in the compact is gradually replaced with the alternative CFC. In the course of this process, the compact separates naturally from the compaction die (releasing is achieved) without receiving an external force. Subsequently, the compact is taken out of the alternative CFC (liquid). The alternative CFC has a boiling point as low as 95° C. at 1 atmospheric pressure. Accordingly, the alternative CFC contained in the compact will volatilize at high speed, thus being removed. Consequently, the compact can be dried in a relatively short time without being heated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Yusuke FUJI, Kunihiko YOSHIOKA
  • Publication number: 20150276661
    Abstract: A method of the present invention is a method for producing a film laminated structure, including the steps of: (a) preparing a ceramic substrate; (b) charging a mold with a slurry that contains a raw material powder, a gelling agent containing at least two polymerizable organic compounds, and an organic solvent serving as a dispersion medium, and molding and hardening the slurry through a polymerization reaction of the gelling agent to form a green body having a recessed portion or through-hole; (c) inserting the ceramic substrate into the recessed portion or through-hole of the green body and then drying the ceramic substrate and the green body to form a green structure; and (d) firing the green structure to form a film laminated structure, the film laminated structure including a film formed from the green body by firing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Satoko MORIYAMA, Mika MURAKAMI, Kunihiko YOSHIOKA, Hironori SAKAKIBARA
  • Publication number: 20150276660
    Abstract: A method of the present invention is a method for producing a film laminated structure, including the steps of: (a) preparing a substrate; (b) achieving a state that a mold is charged with a slurry that contains a raw material powder, a gelling agent containing at least two polymerizable organic compounds, and an organic solvent serving as a dispersion medium, and that the substrate is placed at a predetermined position in the mold; (c) molding and hardening the slurry through a polymerization reaction of the gelling agent to combine the substrate and a green film to form a green structure; and (d) firing the green structure to form a film laminated structure, the film laminated structure including a porous film formed from the green film by firing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Satoko MORIYAMA, Mika MURAKAMI, Kunihiko YOSHIOKA, Hironori SAKAKIBARA
  • Patent number: 9089993
    Abstract: The present invention provides a ceramic green sheet with a thin flat plate shape obtained by molding and solidifying a ceramic slurry, which contains a ceramic powder, dispersion medium, and gelling agent, into a thin flat plate. The ceramic green sheet partially includes a body that is obtained by molding and solidifying a conductor paste, which becomes a conductor later, and the body is exposed on a part of each of the both surfaces of the sheet. Plural ceramic green sheets described above are produced. The plural ceramic green sheets are successively stacked and press-bonded in the thickness direction in such a manner that the bodies included in the respective sheets are connected to each other for all combinations of the adjacent two sheets. As a result, a ceramic green sheet laminate is formed, which includes one body that is obtained by connecting the bodies included in the respective sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunihiko Yoshioka, Koji Kimura, Satoshi Ishibashi
  • Patent number: 8999607
    Abstract: A compact of a support-member divided-member, which has a shape formed by dividing a support member into two in the thickness direction so as to divide the fuel channel into two in the thickness direction, is manufactured by a gel cast method in which slurry is filled in a molding die. A compact of a fuel-side electrode and a compact of an electrolyte are successively stacked on the upper surface of the compact of the support-member divided-member, whereby a compact of a cell divided member is obtained. The two compacts of the cell divided member are bonded and sintered, whereby an SOFC cell (sintered body) in which an oxygen-side electrode is not formed is formed. A compact of the oxygen-side electrode is formed respectively on the upper and lower surfaces of the sintered body, and then, the compact of the oxygen-side electrode is sintered, whereby the SOFC cell is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuji Kimura, Kunihiko Yoshioka, Makoto Ohmori
  • Publication number: 20150084508
    Abstract: A structural body is provided in fluid, perpendicular to a typical flow direction of the fluid. The structural body includes a cylindrical insulating body having at least one hollow portion and at least one conducting body positioned in the hollow portion of the insulating body. In a cross section of the insulating body having a normal line in an axial direction of the insulating body, the following relationship is satisfied: 1.5×Diy?Dix?15×Diy where Dix is a length of the insulating body in the typical flow direction (direction x) and Diy is a maximum value of a length of the insulating body in a direction (direction y) perpendicular to the typical flow direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Yoshimasa KONDO, Kunihiko YOSHIOKA
  • Publication number: 20150042009
    Abstract: A second mold is placed on a planar surface of a first mold to form a first mold cavity, which is filled with a first material slurry containing a first material powder and the molded slurry is caused to set, thereby forming a first molded part on the planar surface of the first mold. A third mold is placed on the planar surface of the first mold from which the second mold is removed and on which the first molded part is formed, thereby forming a second mold cavity. The second mold cavity is filled with a second material slurry which contains a second material powder different from the first material powder so as to mold the slurry in contact with the first molded part. The molded slurry is caused to set, thereby forming a second molded part on the planar surface of the first mold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Kunihiko YOSHIOKA, Kimihisa KANEKO, Makoto OHMORI, Kenji SUZUKI
  • Patent number: 8900686
    Abstract: A second mold is placed on a planar surface of a first mold to form a first mold cavity, which is filled with a first material slurry containing a first material powder and the molded slurry is caused to set, thereby forming a first molded part on the planar surface of the first mold. A third mold is placed on the planar surface of the first mold from which the second mold is removed and on which the first molded part is formed, thereby forming a second mold cavity. The second mold cavity is filled with a second material slurry which contains a second material powder different from the first material powder so as to mold the slurry in contact with the first molded part. The molded slurry is caused to set, thereby forming a second molded part on the planar surface of the first mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunihiko Yoshioka, Kimihisa Kaneko, Makoto Ohmori, Kenji Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20140342108
    Abstract: A structural body includes a tubular insulating body having a hollow portion and a conducting body inserted into the hollow portion in the insulating body, and the insulating body and the conducting body are directly integrated with each other by firing. In a tensile test in which the insulating body is fixed, and a portion of the conducting body that protrudes from the insulating body is pulled in the axial direction, the displacement of the conducting body with respect to the insulating body is 5% or less of the axial direction length of the contact portion between the hollow portion and the conducting body under a tensile load per unit contact area between the insulating body and the conducting body of 0.05 kgf/mm2 or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: NGK INSULATORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshimasa KONDO, Kunihiko YOSHIOKA
  • Patent number: 8703352
    Abstract: On each of upper and lower surfaces of a flat-plate-like support substrate having a longitudinal direction and having fuel gas flow channels formed therein, a plurality of power-generating elements A connected electrically in series are disposed at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction. On each of the upper and lower surfaces of the support substrate, a plurality of recesses are formed at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction. Each of the recesses is a rectangular-parallelepiped-like depression defined by four side walls arranged in a circumferentially closed manner and a bottom wall. That is, in the support substrate, frames are formed to surround the respective recesses. Fuel electrodes of the power-generating elements A are embedded in the respective recesses, and inter connectors are embedded in respective recesses formed on the outer surfaces of the fuel electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Ohmori, Kunihiko Yoshioka, Takashi Ryu, Kenji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8692982
    Abstract: A fluid observation apparatus for performing a method for observing a fluid by PIV. The method for observing a fluid includes capturing an image of inorganic particles in a fluid for flow observation by irradiating the fluid for flow observation passing through a flow channel with light, the fluid for flow observation containing inorganic particles to be observed each having a planar surface, a dispersion medium to be observed, and a viscosity modifier. The fluid for flow observation is high-viscosity non-Newtonian slurry containing inorganic particles. The fluid for flow observation may be a simulated fluid for a fluid for flow analysis. The simulated fluid closely resembles the particle size of inorganic particles to be analyzed and the viscosity of the fluid for flow analysis. The fluid for flow analysis contains the inorganic particles to be analyzed and a dispersion medium to be analyzed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunihiko Yoshioka, Satoshi Ishibashi
  • Publication number: 20140065375
    Abstract: Provided is a method of producing “a ceramic green bonded compact in which a ceramic green film is bonded on each bonding surface of a ceramic green substrate having hole portions,” the method imparting good adhesiveness to a thin green film while suppressing the green substrate from having deformation. In this method, first, a layer of a paste for bonding is formed on each bonding surface of green sheets prepared. Next, each bonding surface of the green sheets on which the paste layer is formed is brought into contact, in a state in which the paste layer is wet, with each bonding surface of a porous ceramic green substrate prepared. While this state is maintained, pores in the green substrate absorb a dispersion medium in the paste layer in the wet state. As a result, the paste layer is dried, thereby completely bonding the green substrate and the green sheets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunihiko YOSHIOKA, Satoshi ISHIBASHI