Patents by Inventor Takahide Izutani

Takahide Izutani 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: 9531023
    Abstract: An exhaust state control device for a fuel cell for a mobile unit includes an exhaust gas temperature sensor (17) that measures the temperature of exhaust gas in a discharge passage that discharges the exhaust gas from the main body of the fuel cell, and an ambient temperature sensor (19A) that measures the temperature of ambient air to which exhaust gas is to be discharged. If, based on the difference between the exhaust gas temperature and the ambient temperature, it is determined that white smoke is generated, it is determined whether a condition to reduce white smoke is satisfied. When a first condition is satisfied, a process to reduce white smoke is activated. When a second condition, which requires further reduction of white smoke than under the first condition, is satisfied, a process to suppress the generation of white smoke is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiromi Tanaka, Keigo Suematsu, Takahide Izutani
  • Patent number: 8746274
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hydrogen supply apparatus which can mix an odorant with hydrogen gas even at a low temperature and can detect the leakage of the hydrogen gas. The apparatus comprises a gas storage means for storing hydrogen gas therein, an odorant-addition means for adding an odorant to the hydrogen gas fed from the gas storage means, and a temperature control means for controlling the temperature of at least one of the hydrogen gas stored in the gas storage means, the hydrogen gas fed from the gas storage means and the odorant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahide Izutani, Tatsuaki Yokoyama, Syuuji Hirakata, Osamu Yumita, Hiroshi Fujitani, Keigo Suematsu, Masaaki Matsusue, Nobuo Watanabe, Katsuhiko Oshikawa, Katsuhiko Hirose, Takumi Kuwahara, Atsushi Matsuba
  • Publication number: 20130289813
    Abstract: An exhaust state control device for a fuel cell for a mobile unit includes an exhaust gas temperature sensor (17) that measures the temperature of exhaust gas in a discharge passage that discharges the exhaust gas from the main body of the fuel cell, and an ambient temperature sensor (19A) that measures the temperature of ambient air to which exhaust gas is to be discharged. If, based on the difference between the exhaust gas temperature and the ambient temperature, it is determined that white smoke is generated, it is determined whether a condition to reduce white smoke is satisfied. When a first condition is satisfied, a process to reduce white smoke is activated. When a second condition, which requires further reduction of white smoke than under the first condition, is satisfied, a process to suppress the generation of white smoke is activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiromi TANAKA, Keigo SUEMATSU, Takahide IZUTANI
  • Publication number: 20130189593
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hydrogen supply apparatus which can mix an odorant with hydrogen gas even at a low temperature and can detect the leakage of the hydrogen gas. The apparatus comprises a gas storage means for storing hydrogen gas therein, an odorant-addition means for adding an odorant to the hydrogen gas fed from the gas storage means, and a temperature control means for controlling the temperature of at least one of the hydrogen gas stored in the gas storage means, the hydrogen gas fed from the gas storage means and the odorant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takahide IZUTANI, Tatsuaki YOKOYAMA, Syuuji HIRAKATA, Osamu YUMITA, Hiroshi FUJITANI, Keigo SUEMATSU, Masaaki MATSUSUE, Nobuo WATANABE, Katsuhiko OSHIKAWA, Katsuhiko HIROSE, Takumi KUWAHARA, Atsushi MATSUBA
  • Patent number: 8277999
    Abstract: A fuel cell system has an apparatus sending gas to the fuel cell; a part calculating an amount of residual water in the fuel cell system based on an operating and an environmental condition; a part judging whether at least one state quantity value that includes a generating duration of the fuel cell, an amount of electric power generated, and an amount of temperature change of a coolant is equal to or less than a prescribed threshold value; a part calculating a sending apparatus operating time for decreasing the residual water amount to a prescribed value; and a control part operating the gas sending apparatus until the end of the operating time, wherein the operating time calculating part calculates a different operating time depending on whether one of the state quantity values is equal to or less than a prescribed threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahide Izutani, Nobuyuki Kitamura
  • Patent number: 8252473
    Abstract: A vehicle equipped with a fuel cell recognizes an external characteristic of a following mobile unit. Corresponding to the recognized characteristic, the vehicle controls the permission, the amount and the prohibition of discharge of the water produced along with electricity generation of the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takahide Izutani
  • Patent number: 8232019
    Abstract: The present invention provides a technology related to a fuel cell system capable of adjusting a discharge amount of an odorant discharged to an outside of a moving body according to a state of the moving body. The fuel cell system mounted to a moving body includes: a fuel cell which generates electric power by electrochemically reacting a hydrogen gas with an oxidation gas; and a adjusting portion which adjusts an amount of an odorant to be discharged to an outside of the moving body according to a state of the moving body, the odorant being included in an anode off-gas discharged from an anode side of the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keigo Suematsu, Tatsuaki Yokoyama, Shuji Hirakata, Takahide Izutani, Atsushi Matsuba, Katsuhiko Oshikawa
  • Publication number: 20110053028
    Abstract: The present invention provides a technology related to a fuel cell system capable of adjusting a discharge amount of an odorant discharged to an outside of a moving body according to a state of the moving body. The fuel cell system mounted to a moving body includes: a fuel cell which generates electric power by electrochemically reacting a hydrogen gas with an oxidation gas; and a adjusting portion which adjusts an amount of an odorant to be discharged to an outside of the moving body according to a state of the moving body, the odorant being included in an anode off-gas discharged from an anode side of the fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Keigo Suematsu, Tatsuaki Yokoyama, Shuji Hirakata, Takahide Izutani, Atsushi Matsuba, Katsuhiko Oshikawa
  • Patent number: 7851097
    Abstract: The present invention provides a technology related to a fuel cell system capable of adjusting a discharge amount of an odorant discharged to an outside of a moving body according to a state of the moving body. The fuel cell system mounted to a moving body includes: a fuel cell which generates electric power by electrochemically reacting a hydrogen gas with an oxidation gas; and a adjusting portion which adjusts an amount of an odorant to be discharged to an outside of the moving body according to a state of the moving body, the odorant being included in an anode off-gas discharged from an anode side of the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keigo Suematsu, Tatsuaki Yokoyama, Shuji Hirakata, Takahide Izutani, Atsushi Matsuba, Katsuhiko Oshikawa
  • Patent number: 7794888
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel cell system that is capable of sensing unintended gas leakage from a discharge control means based on odor. A fuel cell system is provided with a bypass passage 32 connecting a fuel offgas passage 30 at inlet of a odorant removal unit 40 to the fuel offgas passage 30 in the vicinity of outlet of the odorant removal unit 40, and the fuel cell system facilitates the removal of odor from the discharged fuel offgas, by closing a bypass valve 33 in conjunction with opening a purge valve 31, and suppresses the removal of odor, by opening the bypass valve 33 in conjunction with stop of discharge of fuel offgas caused by closing the purge valve 31.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuaki Yokoyama, Osamu Yumita, Masaaki Matsusue, Takahide Izutani, Keigo Suematsu, Shuji Hirakata, Hiroshi Fujitani
  • Publication number: 20100212979
    Abstract: A vehicle equipped with a fuel cell recognizes an external characteristic of a following mobile unit. Corresponding to the recognized characteristic, the vehicle controls the permission, the amount and the prohibition of discharge of the water produced along with electricity generation of the fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takahide Izutani
  • Publication number: 20100190069
    Abstract: An exhaust state control device for a fuel cell for a mobile unit includes an exhaust gas temperature sensor (17) that measures the temperature of exhaust gas in a discharge passage that discharges the exhaust gas from the main body of the fuel cell, and an ambient temperature sensor (19A) that measures the temperature of ambient air to which exhaust gas is to be discharged. If, based on the difference between the exhaust gas temperature and the ambient temperature, it is determined that white smoke is generated, it is determined whether a condition to reduce white smoke is satisfied. When a first condition is satisfied, a process to reduce white smoke is activated. When a second condition, which requires further reduction of white smoke than under the first condition, is satisfied, a process to suppress the generation of white smoke is activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiromi Tanaka, Keigo Suematsu, Takahide Izutani
  • Publication number: 20090317675
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel cell system that is capable of sensing unintended gas leakage from a discharge control means based on odor. A fuel cell system is provided with a bypass passage 32 connecting a fuel offgas passage 30 at inlet of a odorant removal unit 40 to the fuel offgas passage 30 in the vicinity of outlet of the odorant removal unit 40, and the fuel cell system facilitates the removal of odor from the discharged fuel offgas, by closing a bypass valve 33 in conjunction with opening a purge valve 31, and suppresses the removal of odor, by opening the bypass valve 33 in conjunction with stop of discharge of fuel offgas caused by closing the purge valve 31.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsuaki Yokoyama, Osamu Yumita, Masaaki Matsusue, Takahide Izutani, Keigo Suematsu, Shuji Hirakata, Hiroshi Fujitani
  • Publication number: 20090110990
    Abstract: Disclosed is a hydrogen supply apparatus which can mix an odorant with hydrogen gas even at a low temperature and can detect the leakage of the hydrogen gas. The apparatus comprises a gas storage portion which stores hydrogen gas therein, an odorant-addition portion which adds an odorant to the hydrogen gas fed from the gas storage portion, and a temperature control portion which controls the temperature of at least one of the hydrogen gas stored in the gas storage portion, the hydrogen gas fed from the gas storage portion and the odorant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takahide Izutani, Tatsuaki Yokoyama, Syuuji Hirakata, Osamu Yumita, Hiroshi Fujitani, Keigo Suematsu, Masaaki Matsusue, Nobuo Watanabe, Katsuhiko Oshikawa, Katsuhiko Hirose, Takumi Kuwahara, Atsushi Matsuba
  • Publication number: 20090029200
    Abstract: A fuel cell system has an apparatus sending gas to the fuel cell; a part calculating an amount of residual water in the fuel cell system based on an operating and an environmental condition; a part judging whether at least one state quantity value that includes a generating duration of the fuel cell, an amount of electric power generated, and an amount of temperature change of a coolant is equal to or less than a prescribed threshold value; a part calculating a sending apparatus operating time for decreasing the residual water amount to a prescribed value; and a control part operating the gas sending apparatus until the end of the operating time, wherein the operating time calculating part calculates a different operating time depending on whether one of the state quantity values is equal to or less than a prescribed threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: Takahide Izutani, Nobuyuki Kitamura
  • Publication number: 20080226957
    Abstract: The present invention provides a technology related to a fuel cell system capable of adjusting a discharge amount of an odorant discharged to an outside of a moving body according to a state of the moving body. The fuel cell system mounted to a moving body includes: a fuel cell which generates electric power by electrochemically reacting a hydrogen gas with an oxidation gas; and a adjusting portion which adjusts an amount of an odorant to be discharged to an outside of the moving body according to a state of the moving body, the odorant being included in an anode off-gas discharged from an anode side of the fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: Keigo Suematsu, Tatsuaki Yokoyama, Shuji Hirakata, Takahide Izutani, Atsushi Matsuba, Katsuhiko Oshikawa
  • Patent number: 6343499
    Abstract: Under normal conditions, the temperature of an oxygen ion-conductive element provided in a sensor body is about 700° C., and the element impedance is about 30 &OHgr;. If there is a fault in the sensor body or a sensor body drive circuit, the current becomes zero and the element impedance becomes infinite. If a heater has deteriorated, the element temperature rises only up to, for example, about 550° C., and the element impedance becomes about 150 &OHgr;. If there is a fault in the heater or the heater drive circuit, the element is heated only by exhaust gas, so that the element temperature rises only up to about the temperature of exhaust gas and the element impedance becomes a value corresponding to an element temperature of about 300° C. Three reference values Z1, Z2, Z3 are set for comparison with the detected value of element impedance in order to perform fault diagnosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinsuke Inagaki, Takahide Izutani, Keiichiro Aoki
  • Patent number: 6082338
    Abstract: In an evaporated fuel treatment device for an internal combustion engine, various parameters indicating that an engine is currently in a state where a fuel vapor is generated from a fuel tank are detected from moment to moment to estimate in advance that the amount of the fuel vapor is generated more than a capacity of the canister. Then, the purge from the canister is promoted on the basis of that estimation so that the fuel vapor of more than the capacity of canister is prevented from being adsorbed by the canister. With this structure, the overflow of the fuel vapor from the canister is prevented, and also the evaporative emission is suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahide Izutani, Akinori Osanai
  • Patent number: 6059057
    Abstract: In an engine mounted on a hybrid vehicle, even in an atmosphere that readily cools down a catalyst by relatively low-temperature gaseous exhausts, for example, under a fuel cut control, the structure of the invention quickly warms up the catalyst and maintains a conversion efficiency of the gaseous exhausts at a high level. When it is determined that an engine is in operation and the fuel cut control is being performed, a reflux valve is turned on to reflux the gaseous exhausts into an intake conduit. This control procedure enables the relatively low-temperature gaseous exhausts to be refluxed to the intake conduit, instead of flowing into the catalyst, thereby preventing the catalyst from being cooled down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Suehiro Yamazaki, Kaoru Ohtsuka, Takahide Izutani
  • Patent number: 6032753
    Abstract: In an engine mounted on a hybrid vehicle, even in an atmosphere that readily cools down a catalyst by relatively low-temperature gaseous exhausts, for example, under a fuel cut control, the structure of the invention quickly warms up the catalyst and maintains a conversion efficiency of the gaseous exhausts at a high level. When it is determined that an engine 10 is in operation and the fuel cut control is being performed, a reflux valve is turned on to reflux the gaseous exhausts into an intake conduit. This control procedure enables the relatively low-temperature gaseous exhausts to be refluxed to the intake conduit, instead of flowing into the catalyst, thereby preventing the catalyst from being cooled down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Suehiro Yamazaki, Kaoru Ohtsuka, Takahide Izutani