Patents by Inventor Yoshio Matsuzaki

Yoshio Matsuzaki 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: 11787753
    Abstract: A methane production apparatus (200) includes: a holding unit (110) configured to hold any one or both of: a metal organic framework containing any one or a plurality of chromium, copper, and magnesium, and storing carbon dioxide; and potassium bicarbonate; and a hydrogen supply unit (140) configured to supply hydrogen to the holding unit (110).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignees: TOKYO GAS CO., LTD., THE UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO
    Inventors: Yoshio Matsuzaki, Yoshitaka Baba, Koki Sato, Hiroki Iinuma, Junichiro Otomo
  • Patent number: 11710841
    Abstract: A reaction device comprising: a first flow path to which a fuel gas is supplied; a second flow path to which a gas containing oxygen is supplied; a hydrogen permeable membrane that separates the first flow path and the second flow path and allows hydrogen contained in the fuel gas supplied to the first flow path to permeate toward the second flow path; and a catalyst that is provided in the second flow path and promotes oxidation reaction between the oxygen and hydrogen passing through the hydrogen permeable membrane, wherein the hydrogen permeable membrane comprises a barium zirconium oxide membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: TOKYO GAS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuharu Kawabata, Yoshio Matsuzaki, Koki Sato
  • Patent number: 11413585
    Abstract: A membrane element includes a filtration membrane and a flowpath member joined thereto. The flowpath member is made of yarn arranged into a three-dimensional structure, and includes inner spaces through which a permeated liquid permeated through the filtration membrane flows, and an outer bonding surface joined to the filtration membrane. At least part of the yarn forming the outer bonding surface is a low-melting point yarn having a softening point lower than that of a material forming the filtration membrane, or the yarn forming the outer bonding surface is formed by twisting a plurality of constituent yarns, and at least one of the constituent yarns is a low-melting point yarn having a softening point lower than that of the material forming the filtration membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigeyuki Mori, Yoshio Matsuzaki, Jun Maeda, Yasuhiro Okawa
  • Publication number: 20220204422
    Abstract: A methane production apparatus (200) includes: a holding unit (110) configured to hold any one or both of: a metal organic framework containing any one or a plurality of chromium, copper, and magnesium, and storing carbon dioxide; and potassium bicarbonate; and a hydrogen supply unit (140) configured to supply hydrogen to the holding unit (110).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Applicants: TOKYO GAS CO., LTD., THE UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO
    Inventors: Yoshio MATSUZAKI, Yoshitaka BABA, Koki SATO, Hiroki IINUMA, Junichiro OTOMO
  • Publication number: 20220077482
    Abstract: This reaction device is provided with: a first flow path to which a fuel gas is supplied; a second flow path to which a gas containing oxygen is supplied; a hydrogen permeable membrane that partitions the first flow path from the second flow path, and that allows hydrogen contained in the fuel gas supplied to the first flow path to permeate toward the second flow path side; a catalyst that is provided in the second flow path and that accelerates an oxidation reaction between the oxygen and the hydrogen that has permeated through the hydrogen permeable membrane, wherein the hydrogen permeable membrane comprises a barium zirconate membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2020
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Yasuharu KAWABATA, Yoshio MATSUZAKI, Koki SATO
  • Publication number: 20200324251
    Abstract: A membrane element includes a filtration membrane and a flowpath member joined thereto. The flowpath member is made of yarn arranged into a three-dimensional structure, and includes inner spaces through which a permeated liquid permeated through the filtration membrane flows, and an outer bonding surface joined to the filtration membrane. At least part of the yarn forming the outer bonding surface is a low-melting point yarn having a softening point lower than that of a material forming the filtration membrane, or the yarn forming the outer bonding surface is formed by twisting a plurality of constituent yarns, and at least one of the constituent yarns is a low-melting point yarn having a softening point lower than that of the material forming the filtration membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: Shigeyuki MORI, Yoshio MATSUZAKI, Jun MAEDA, Yasuhiro OKAWA
  • Patent number: 9878290
    Abstract: A submerged membrane separator includes: a plurality of membrane cartridges arranged at predetermined spaces; a flow generating device for generating flows in one direction along the membrane surfaces of the membrane cartridges; and wall members on both sides of a channel of the flow in the one direction formed between the membrane cartridges adjacent to each other. The membrane cartridges can be attached and detached from another direction substantially orthogonal to the flows in the one direction and substantially orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the membrane cartridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshio Matsuzaki, Kimihiro Ishikawa, Tatsuya Uejima, Tomohiko Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8821726
    Abstract: A submerged membrane separator 31 includes: a casing 33 opened at the top; a plurality of flat membrane cartridges 34 arrayed at intervals in the casing 33; and an air diffuser 36 provided below the membrane cartridges 34. The membrane cartridges 34 are movably held in the up-down direction in the casing 33 while having a space ? in the up-down direction. Lifting suppressing members 63a and 63b for restricting a lifting amount of the membrane cartridges 34 during filtration operation to be smaller than the space ? in the up-down direction are provided in the casing 33.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio Matsuzaki, Tatsuya Uejima, Tomohiko Sasaki, Kimihiro Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 8647507
    Abstract: Disclosed is a membrane cartridge used in a submerged membrane separator. A peripheral portion of a filtration membrane is joined to the surface of a filtration plate. A portion higher than the surface of the filtration plate corresponding to the peripheral edge of the filtration membrane is formed on the surface of the filtration plate further on the outer side than the peripheral edge of the filtration membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuya Uejima, Yoshio Matsuzaki, Tomohiko Sasaki, Kimihiro Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 8377303
    Abstract: A channel groove pattern 38 allowing the passage of a permeated liquid having passed through a filtration membrane 37 is provided on one filtration plate surface of a filtration plate 36, and a permeated liquid outlet nozzle 39 is provided on the filtration plate 36. The channel groove pattern 38 includes multiple channel grooves 38a, and a header groove 44 for averaging suction pressures is formed on the filtration plate 36. An area where the channel groove pattern 38 is formed is divided into upper and lower water collection areas 46 and 47 by the header groove 44. The permeated liquid outlet nozzle 39 and the header groove 44 communicate with each other through the channel grooves 38a of the water collection area 46, and the channel cross-sectional area of the header groove 44 is larger than that of the channel groove 38a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Kimihiro Ishikawa, Kazuhiro Yamazaki, Tomohiko Sasaki, Yoshio Matsuzaki
  • Patent number: 7989113
    Abstract: There is provided a solid oxide fuel cell module comprising a substrate with an internal fuel flow part provided therein, at least a face thereof, in contact with cells, and interconnectors, being an insulator, a plurality of the cells each made of an anode, an electrolyte, and a cathode, stacked in sequence, formed on a surface of the substrate, and the interconnectors each electrically connecting in series the cells adjacent to each other, wherein the respective cells are varied in area along the direction of fuel flow, and solid oxide fuel cell bundled modules using the same. With the solid oxide fuel cell module of a multi-segment type, according to the invention, it is possible to aim at higher voltage and to attain an improvement in power generation efficiency and current collecting efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Matsuzaki, Teruhiro Sakurai, Kenjiro Fujita
  • Publication number: 20110174727
    Abstract: A filtration membrane and multiple channel groove patterns 38 and 39 are provided on a filtration plate 36, and permeated liquid outlet nozzles 41 and 42 for collecting and taking out a permeated liquid in the channel groove patterns 38 and 39 are provided at the circumferential edge of the filtration plate 36, wherein the channel groove patterns 38 and 39 include linear through-channel grooves 38a and 39a that are inclined in parallel and communication grooves 38b and 39b connecting the through-channel grooves 38a and 39a, the through-channel grooves 38a and 39a are arranged from one end to the other end so as to gradually approach the closest permeated liquid outlet nozzles 41 and 42, and the permeated liquid flows to the permeated liquid outlet nozzles 41 and 42 through the through-channel grooves 38a and 39a.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventors: Kimihiro Ishikawa, Kazuhiro Yamazaki, Tomohiko Sasaki, Yoshio Matsuzaki
  • Publication number: 20110163025
    Abstract: A channel groove pattern 38 allowing the passage of a permeated liquid having passed through a filtration membrane 37 is provided on one filtration plate surface of a filtration plate 36, and a permeated liquid outlet nozzle 39 is provided on the filtration plate 36. The channel groove pattern 38 includes multiple channel grooves 38a, and a header groove 44 for averaging suction pressures is formed on the filtration plate 36. An area where the channel groove pattern 38 is formed is divided into upper and lower water collection areas 46 and 47 by the header groove 44. The permeated liquid outlet nozzle 39 and the header groove 44 communicate with each other through the channel grooves 38a of the water collection area 46, and the channel cross-sectional area of the header groove 44 is larger than that of the channel groove 38a.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventors: Kimihiro Ishikawa, Kazuhiro Yamazaki, Tomohiko Sasaki, Yoshio Matsuzaki
  • Publication number: 20110005987
    Abstract: A submerged membrane separator includes: a plurality of membrane cartridges arranged at predetermined spaces; a flow generating device for generating flows in one direction along the membrane surfaces of the membrane cartridges; and wall members on both sides of a channel of the flow in the one direction formed between the membrane cartridges adjacent to each other. The membrane cartridges can be attached and detached from another direction substantially orthogonal to the flows in the one direction and substantially orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the membrane cartridges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2008
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshio Matsuzaki, Kimihiro Ishikawa, Tatsuya Uejima, Tomohiko Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20100300955
    Abstract: Disclosed is a membrane cartridge used in a submerged membrane separator. A peripheral portion of a filtration membrane is joined to the surface of a filtration plate. A portion higher than the surface of the filtration plate corresponding to the peripheral edge of the filtration membrane is formed on the surface of the filtration plate further on the outer side than the peripheral edge of the filtration membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2008
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Tatsuya Uejima, Yoshio Matsuzaki, Tomohiko Sasaki, Kimihiro Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7838166
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a solid oxide fuel cell module involves the steps of co-sintering the respective fuel electrodes, and the respective electrolytes, subsequently forming a dense interconnector out of a dense interconnector material, or an interconnector material which turns dense by sintering in at least parts of the solid oxide fuel cell module, in contact with the respective fuel electrodes, and the respective electrolyte, and forming an air electrode on the respective electrolytes before electrically connecting the respective electrodes with the respective first parts of the interconnectors electrically connecting the respective electrodes with the respective first parts of the respective interconnectors via respective second parts of the interconnectors which have a density less than the respective first parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Matsuzaki, Kenjiro Fujita, Teruhiro Sakurai, Kei Ogasawara
  • Publication number: 20100282655
    Abstract: A submerged membrane separator 31 includes: a casing 33 opened at the top; a plurality of flat membrane cartridges 34 arrayed at intervals in the casing 33; and an air diffuser 36 provided below the membrane cartridges 34. The membrane cartridges 34 are movably held in the up-down direction in the casing 33 while having a space ? in the up-down direction. Lifting suppressing members 63a and 63b for restricting a lifting amount of the membrane cartridges 34 during filtration operation to be smaller than the space ? in the up-down direction are provided in the casing 33.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2008
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: Yoshio Matsuzaki, Tatsuya Uejima, Tomohiko Sasaki, Kimihiro Ishikawa
  • Publication number: 20100285387
    Abstract: There is obtained a segmented-in-series solid oxide fuel cell provided with a current turnaround structure and containing a porous electrically insulating substrate having a fuel flow path extending from a fuel feed port to a fuel discharge port, provided therein, and a pair of the top and back surfaces, in parallel with the fuel flow path, together with a pair of side-faces of the porous electrically insulating substrate, in the transverse direction thereof, provided on the exterior thereof, wherein solid oxide fuel cells made up by sequentially stacking an interconnector adjacent to a fuel electrode layer, the fuel electrode layer, an electrolyte layer, and an air electrode layer, and an interconnector adjacent to the air electrode layer in that order so as to be in parallel with the fuel flow path are disposed at intervals on the pair of the top and back surfaces, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: Kenjiro Fujita, Kazuo Nakamura, Yoshio Matsuzaki, Makoto Koi
  • Patent number: 7736774
    Abstract: There are provided a solid oxide fuel cell system made up of (a) a solid oxide fuel cell stack, (b) a preliminary reformer for removing hydrocarbons having two or more carbon atoms from a hydrocarbon fuel by converting the hydrocarbons having two or more carbon atoms into methane, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide, and (c) an integrated heat exchanger for catalytic combustion for heating either air or fuel, or both the air and fuel, to be guided to the solid oxide fuel cell stack, by use of a combustion gas formed by combusting discharged fuel with the use of discharged air, wherein the component equipment described above are disposed in an adiabatic vessel and the integrated heat exchanger for catalytic combustion for use in the solid oxide fuel cell system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Ogiwara, Yoshio Matsuzaki, Isamu Yasuda, Kentaro Ito
  • Patent number: D674037
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Kimihiro Ishikawa, Kazuhiro Yamazaki, Tomohiko Sasaki, Yoshio Matsuzaki