Patents by Inventor Shigeru Toda

Shigeru Toda 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: 20240070663
    Abstract: A data circulation support apparatus includes a memory and a processor configured to execute calculating a score indicating reliability of a contract condition related to circulation of data based on information indicating a sense of value related to contract compliance of each of a user of a circulation source of the data and a user of a circulation destination of the data, and to identifying a contract condition whose score is greater than or equal to a threshold; and recording the contract condition in a ledger upon receiving information indicating approval to the contract condition by the user of the circulation source or the circulation destination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Shigenori OHASHI, Atsushi NAKADAIRA, Shigeru FUJIMURA, Keita SUZUKI, Honoka TODA
  • Patent number: 11380929
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes: a partial oxidation reformer; a fuel cell stack; a CO sensor configured to detect a CO concentration in a fuel gas produced in the partial oxidation reformer and introduced into the fuel cell stack; a mixing ratio adjusting unit configured to adjust a mixing ratio of a raw fuel and air supplied to the partial oxidation reformer; a target CO concentration setting unit configured to set a target CO concentration in the fuel gas introduced into the fuel cell stack; and a mixing control unit configured to control operation of the mixing ratio adjusting unit such that the CO concentration detected by the CO sensor becomes the target CO concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shigeru Toda
  • Patent number: 11183704
    Abstract: A fuel cell module includes a plurality of power generation cells. The plurality of power generation cells are stacked together in a circle, and a tightening load is applied to the plurality of power generation cells in a circumferential direction. Each of the plurality of power generation cells includes a V-shaped electrically conductive base plate. A first reactant gas flow field is provided between power generation cells that are adjacent to each other. A ridge protruding outward is provided in the base plate to provide the first reactant gas flow field by the ridge, and insulating material is provided on the ridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shigeru Toda, Atsushi Koizumi
  • Patent number: 11088384
    Abstract: A fuel cell module is equipped with a fuel cell stack having a stack body in which a plurality of flat plate-shaped fuel cells adapted to generate electrical power by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxygen-containing gas are stacked, and a start-up combustor adapted to generate a combustion gas for raising a temperature of the fuel cells. In the fuel cell module, the start-up combustor is arranged in the vicinity of oxygen-containing gas introduction ports through which the oxygen-containing gas in the interior of the fuel cell stack is introduced into the fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideichi Yamamura, Shigeru Toda
  • Patent number: 11011770
    Abstract: A fuel cell module includes a plurality of power generation cells. Each of the power generation cells includes an electrolyte electrode assembly for performing power generation by utilizing a fuel gas and an oxygen-containing gas. The plurality of power generation cells are stacked together in a circle, and a tightening load is applied to the plurality of power generation cells in a circumferential direction. Each of the plurality of power generation cells has a V-shape, and a peak of the V-shape is oriented to the center of the fuel cell module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shigeru Toda, Atsushi Koizumi
  • Patent number: 10826096
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell system for preventing carbon deposition in a fuel cell stack to be supplied with reformed gas. A fuel cell system 10A of the present invention includes a partial oxidation reformer 22 for partially oxidizing raw fuel to produce carbon monoxide and hydrogen, a shift reactor 23 for shift reacting the carbon monoxide with steam to produce carbon dioxide and hydrogen, a fuel cell stack 20 for generating electric power by electrochemical reaction between oxidant gas and the hydrogen which is produced in at least one of the partial oxidation reformer 22 and the shift reactor 23, and an exhaust gas recirculation pipe P6 for supplying steam contained in exhaust gas of the fuel cell stack 20 to the shift reactor 23.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Mizuno, Shigeru Toda, Keiji Tsukamoto, Hiroki Homma
  • Publication number: 20190393539
    Abstract: A fuel cell module is equipped with a fuel cell stack having a stack body in which a plurality of flat plate-shaped fuel cells adapted to generate electrical power by an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxygen-containing gas are stacked, and a start-up combustor adapted to generate a combustion gas for raising a temperature of the fuel cells. In the fuel cell module, the start-up combustor is arranged in the vicinity of oxygen-containing gas introduction ports through which the oxygen-containing gas in the interior of the fuel cell stack is introduced into the fuel cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventors: Hideichi Yamamura, Shigeru Toda
  • Publication number: 20190393535
    Abstract: A fuel cell module includes a plurality of power generation cells. Each of the power generation cells includes an electrolyte electrode assembly for performing power generation by utilizing a fuel gas and an oxygen-containing gas. The plurality of power generation cells are stacked together in a circle, and a tightening load is applied to the plurality of power generation cells in a circumferential direction. Each of the plurality of power generation cells has a V-shape, and a peak of the V-shape is oriented to the center of the fuel cell module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventors: Shigeru Toda, Atsushi Koizumi
  • Publication number: 20190393537
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes: a partial oxidation reformer; a fuel cell stack; a CO sensor configured to detect a CO concentration in a fuel gas produced in the partial oxidation reformer and introduced into the fuel cell stack; a mixing ratio adjusting unit configured to adjust a mixing ratio of a raw fuel and air supplied to the partial oxidation reformer; a target CO concentration setting unit configured to set a target CO concentration in the fuel gas introduced into the fuel cell stack; and a mixing control unit configured to control operation of the mixing ratio adjusting unit such that the CO concentration detected by the CO sensor becomes the target CO concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventor: Shigeru Toda
  • Publication number: 20190393536
    Abstract: A fuel cell module is equipped with a fuel cell stack in which a plurality of flat plate-shaped fuel cells are stacked, each of the fuel cells including an anode to which a fuel gas is supplied via a fuel gas flow field, and a cathode to which an oxygen-containing gas is supplied via an oxygen-containing gas flow field. Further, in the fuel cell stack, a reforming catalyst (reformer), which reforms a raw fuel primarily containing hydrocarbon and produces the fuel gas, is provided in a fuel gas inlet passage, which penetrates in a thickness direction through the plurality of fuel cells and is in communication with the fuel gas flow fields.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventors: Shigeru Toda, Takayuki Yamada
  • Publication number: 20190393538
    Abstract: A fuel cell module includes a plurality of power generation cells. The plurality of power generation cells are stacked together in a circle, and a tightening load is applied to the plurality of power generation cells in a circumferential direction. Each of the plurality of power generation cells includes a V-shaped electrically conductive base plate. A first reactant gas flow field is provided between power generation cells that are adjacent to each other. A ridge protruding outward is provided in the base plate to provide the first reactant gas flow field by the ridge, and insulating material is provided on the ridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventors: Shigeru Toda, Atsushi Koizumi
  • Publication number: 20190393527
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes: a partial oxidation reformer; a shift reactor; a fuel cell stack; an oxygen-containing gas supply path for supplying an oxygen-containing gas to the fuel cell stack; a startup combustor disposed on the oxygen-containing gas supply path, for combusting a fuel to produce a combustion gas that contains water vapor; and a combustion gas introducing path for guiding to the shift reactor, the combustion gas that was sent out from the startup combustor and passed through the fuel cell stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventor: Shigeru Toda
  • Publication number: 20170288246
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell system for preventing carbon deposition in a fuel cell stack to be supplied with reformed gas. A fuel cell system 10A of the present invention includes a partial oxidation reformer 22 for partially oxidizing raw fuel to produce carbon monoxide and hydrogen, a shift reactor 23 for shift reacting the carbon monoxide with steam to produce carbon dioxide and hydrogen, a fuel cell stack 20 for generating electric power by electrochemical reaction between oxidant gas and the hydrogen which is produced in at least one of the partial oxidation reformer 22 and the shift reactor 23, and an exhaust gas recirculation pipe P6 for supplying steam contained in exhaust gas of the fuel cell stack 20 to the shift reactor 23.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Jun Mizuno, Shigeru Toda, Keiji Tsukamoto, Hiroki Homma
  • Patent number: 9614233
    Abstract: A fuel cell module includes a first casing containing the fuel cell stack, and a second casing containing the first casing, an exhaust gas combustor, and a heat exchanger. The exhaust gas combustor has a combustion gas discharge opening opened to a combustion gas chamber formed between the first casing and the second casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keiji Tsukamoto, Shigeru Toda, Hiroki Homma, Hideichi Yamamura
  • Publication number: 20160064747
    Abstract: A fuel cell module includes a first casing containing the fuel cell stack, and a second casing containing the first casing, an exhaust gas combustor, and a heat exchanger. The exhaust gas combustor has a combustion gas discharge opening opened to a combustion gas chamber formed between the first casing and the second casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Keiji Tsukamoto, Shigeru Toda, Hiroki Homma, Hideichi Yamamura
  • Patent number: 8735020
    Abstract: A fuel cell includes an anode current collector provided between an anode and a separator for collecting electrical energy generated in the electrolyte electrode assembly, and supplying a fuel gas to an electrode surface of the anode. The separator has at least one fuel gas inlet hole for supplying the fuel gas to the anode current collector. The anode current collector has at least one fuel gas inlet channel having an opening that faces an opening of the fuel gas inlet hole at an end of the fuel gas inlet hole, for allowing the fuel gas supplied through the fuel gas inlet hole to flow into the anode current collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Tsukamoto, Shigeru Toda
  • Publication number: 20130040223
    Abstract: A fuel cell includes an anode current collector provided between an anode and a separator for collecting electrical energy generated in the electrolyte electrode assembly, and supplying a fuel gas to an electrode surface of the anode. The separator has at least one fuel gas inlet hole for supplying the fuel gas to the anode current collector. The anode current collector has at least one fuel gas inlet channel having an opening that faces an opening of the fuel gas inlet hole at an end of the fuel gas inlet hole, for allowing the fuel gas supplied through the fuel gas inlet hole to flow into the anode current collector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keiji Tsukamoto, Shigeru Toda
  • Patent number: 7655336
    Abstract: A fuel-cell system with a fuel battery comprising more than one fuel cell having a purge gas passage connecting the fuel battery to a purge gas cylinder, a discharge passage connecting the fuel battery to the exterior, solenoid valves each installed in the passages, and an electronic control unit that opens the solenoid valves to open the passages to supply the purge gas to the fuel battery such that residue in the fuel battery is purged to the exterior by the purge gas. The control unit opens the valves at a time interval determined from an output of a current sensor to conduct purge at optimum timing for the battery operating state so as to prevent accumulation of residue in the fuel battery, while preventing repetition of unnecessary purges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Go Muto, Haruo Nakamura, Hiroshi Umeno, Shigeru Toda
  • Patent number: 7399548
    Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a first separator and a second separator. A reactant air flow channel is formed on one surface of the second separator. A fuel gas flow channel is formed on one surface of the first separator. Further, a coolant air flow channel is formed on the first separator, on the other surface opposite to the fuel gas flow channel. The reactant air flow channel is connected between a reactant air inlet and a reactant air outlet. A coolant air flow channel is connected between a coolant air inlet and a coolant air outlet. The reactant air flow channel and the coolant air flow channel are configured such that the pressure loss of the reactant air between the reactant air inlet and the reactant air outlet and the pressure loss of the coolant air between the coolant air inlet and the coolant air outlet are substantially the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Okazaki, Hiroshi Umeno, Tsutomu Hatsugai, Shigeru Toda
  • Publication number: 20040241512
    Abstract: A fuel-cell system with a fuel battery comprising more than one fuel cell having a purge gas passage connecting the fuel battery to a purge gas cylinder, a discharge passage connecting the fuel battery to the exterior, solenoid valves each installed in the passages, and an electronic control unit that opens the solenoid valves to open the passages to supply the purge gas to the fuel battery such that residue in the fuel battery is purged to the exterior by the purge gas. The control unit opens the valves at a time interval determined from an output of a current sensor to conduct purge at optimum timing for the battery operating state so as to prevent accumulation of residue in the fuel battery, while preventing repetition of unnecessary purges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Go Muto, Haruo Nakamura, Hiroshi Umeno, Shigeru Toda