Patents Assigned to Espec Corp.
  • Patent number: 12625036
    Abstract: There is provided an environmental test apparatus that can create a predetermined environment inside a test chamber, the environmental test apparatus including: the test chamber for placing a test target object; a heating portion; and a cooling portion. The cooling portion has a refrigeration circuit having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion portion, and an evaporator and in which a phase-changing refrigerant is to be circulated. The refrigeration circuit has a first bypass flow path connecting a discharge side of the condenser and a suction side of the compressor and the first bypass flow path is provided with a first flow rate control portion. A temperature measurement portion for measuring a temperature of the compressor and a controller are provided. The controller is configured to control a substantial degree of opening of the first flow rate control portion according to a detection value of the temperature measurement portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2026
    Assignee: ESPEC CORP.
    Inventors: Haruki Seto, Yuta Moriyama, Katsuhiko Watabe, Tetsuya Okadome, Masaki Yamamoto, Takumi Usui
  • Patent number: 12625059
    Abstract: In a snow accretion test method, a snow accumulation step of accumulating snow on a specimen, and a snow accretion step of freezing snow accumulated on the specimen in a state where snow is not supplied to the specimen are performed. The snow accumulation step and the snow accretion step are repeatedly performed. In the snow accretion step, the ambient temperature of the specimen is adjusted to a temperature lower than the ambient temperature in the snow accumulation step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2026
    Assignee: ESPEC CORP.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Enoki, Haruki Seto
  • Patent number: 12618598
    Abstract: A snow environment test apparatus includes a first nozzle that injects water particles, a second nozzle that injects water particles smaller in size than the water particles from the first nozzle, an air conditioner that regulates a temperature in a test chamber to a set temperature, a state selection section that sets a state of snow to be caused to fall, and a flow rate regulation valve that regulates a ratio between quantities of water to be supplied to the first nozzle and to the second nozzle for obtaining the state of the snow set by the state selection section at the set temperature as a temperature at which a snow environment is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2026
    Assignee: ESPEC CORP.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Enoki, Haruki Seto
  • Patent number: 12618039
    Abstract: An incubator includes: a housing which is divided into a thermostatic chamber and an air-conditioning chamber and allows first air to circulate between the thermostatic chamber and the air-conditioning chamber; and an air conditioner that regulates a temperature of the first air in the air-conditioning chamber. A channel through which the first air flows is formed in the air-conditioning chamber. The air conditioner includes: a supply unit having a supply port for supplying second air colder than the first air to the channel; an upstream fan which is arranged upstream of the supply port and allows the first air in the thermostatic chamber to flow into the channel; and a downstream fan which is arranged downstream of the supply port, mixes the second air with the first air, and allows the first air mixed with the second air to flow from the channel into the thermostatic chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2026
    Assignee: ESPEC CORP.
    Inventors: Koichi Abe, Hiroshi Yata, Kenji Ashida, Yusuke Ueda
  • Patent number: 12442753
    Abstract: An environment forming device includes: a device body having a space for generating a predetermined environment; a door; and a slide mechanism that makes the door slidable with respect to the device body so as to open and close the space. The slide mechanism includes an extension member having an elongated shape fixed to the door, and a holding portion that is arranged on the device body and slidably holds the extension member. A reception portion for a sample is arranged on the door such that the sample is arranged in the space in a state where the door closes the space. The extension member is positioned below the reception portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2025
    Assignee: ESPEC CORP.
    Inventors: Masaaki Ishida, Masataka Nakanishi, Jun Hirai
  • Publication number: 20250305744
    Abstract: A snow subdivision device includes: a receiving member having a receiving surface that receives snow collectively dropping from a snow growth mechanism; and a transmission portion that changes a posture of the receiving member so as to change an inclination of the receiving surface by receiving an external force. The receiving member drops snow on the receiving surface part by part while temporally shifting the dropping by changing the inclination of the receiving surface, so that the snow falls to a subject area. In the receiving member, the receiving surface can be alternately inclined in both directions so that the snow on the receiving surface drops from both sides of the receiving surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2025
    Publication date: October 2, 2025
    Applicant: ESPEC CORP.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki ENOKI, Haruki SETO
  • Publication number: 20250305933
    Abstract: A rainfall test apparatus is a test apparatus that produces rain with rainfall intensity of 10 mm/h or less to evaluate characteristics of a test specimen against rainfall. The test apparatus includes nozzles, each configured to spray water droplets. Each of the plurality of nozzles has a configuration in which the spreading range of the sprayed water droplets changes according to supply water pressure. The nozzles are installed to spray the water droplets toward above the test specimen such that the water droplets reach the test specimen with a flow direction of the water droplets changing downward from the spraying direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2025
    Publication date: October 2, 2025
    Applicant: ESPEC CORP.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki ENOKI, Haruki SETO
  • Publication number: 20250303321
    Abstract: A fog environment forming apparatus includes a spraying portion that discharges atomized water for forming a fog environment, and a blower that suctions air containing the atomized water discharged from the spraying portion and causes the air containing the suctioned water to flow out toward a subject while mixing the air. The blower is configured to cause the mixed air to flow out toward the subject within a height range of the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2025
    Publication date: October 2, 2025
    Applicant: ESPEC CORP.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki ENOKI, Haruki SETO
  • Patent number: 12331980
    Abstract: A snow making apparatus includes a cylindrical body and a snow making nozzle that jets water droplets into the cylindrical body. The cylindrical body has a proximal end that is opened to a temperature environment where snow can be produced from water droplets jetted from the snow making nozzle. A distal end of the cylindrical body is connected to a pipe member communicating with a test chamber. The snow making nozzle is formed of a two-fluid nozzle. The pipe member communicates with a snowfall hood disposed in the test chamber and having a supply opening that allows snow to fall. The cylindrical body is disposed in an oblique posture so as to be lowered from a proximal end toward a distal end of the cylindrical body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2025
    Assignee: ESPEC CORP.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Enoki, Koshi Tamura, Kouki Sakane
  • Patent number: 12287137
    Abstract: A snow making apparatus includes: a snow making container having an inner space for snow making; a supply unit configured to supply fine snow or fine water droplets to the inner space; a catching unit configured to catch the fine snow or the fine snow formed of the water droplets; and a drive unit configured to move the catching unit toward a place where the fine snow is flying in the inner space. The catching unit is configured to be shaken thereby making snow caught by the catching unit fall off from the catching unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: ESPEC CORP.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Enoki, Kouki Sakane, Koshi Tamura
  • Patent number: 12222278
    Abstract: An environmental testing device includes a heat insulation chamber that includes a test chamber and is formed using a heat insulation panel that is electrically conductible. The heat insulation chamber includes a chamber body having an entrance and a door that opens and closes the entrance. A heat insulation panel forming the chamber body includes an outer panel and an inner panel. A radiation-absorbent material is disposed between the outer panel and the inner panel. The heat insulation panel forming the chamber body and a heat insulation panel forming the door are connected to each other in an electrically conductible manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: ESPEC CORP.
    Inventor: Masatoshi Tanabe
  • Patent number: 12159979
    Abstract: There is provided a test device for a secondary battery, the test device including: a test jig including a nail portion configured to pierce the secondary battery and a heater configured to raise a temperature of the nail portion by being supplied with electric power; and a moving mechanism configured to move the nail portion toward the secondary battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignee: ESPEC CORP.
    Inventors: Arata Okuyama, Takashi Kajihara
  • Publication number: 20240384908
    Abstract: A refrigerating device includes a refrigerating circuit and a control portion. The refrigerating circuit includes a main flow path in which a compressor, a condenser, an expansion portion, and an evaporator are connected to each other, and a bypass flow path that connects a discharge side of the condenser and a suction side of the compressor, and a flow rate control portion is provided in the bypass flow path. The control portion is configured to set a target temperature of a coolant introduced into the compressor according to a pressure of the coolant on the suction side of the compressor and is configured to change an opening degree of the flow rate control portion such that a temperature of the coolant introduced into the compressor becomes the target temperature. The target temperature when the pressure is high is higher than that when the pressure is low.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Applicant: ESPEC CORP.
    Inventors: Tetsuya OKADOME, Yuta Moriyama, Norihiro Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20240280280
    Abstract: A temperature chamber includes: a first wall and a second wall facing each other; a temperature adjustment space surrounded by a plurality of walls connecting the first wall and the second wall; an air supply port and an exhaust port opening to the temperature adjustment space; and an installation region where a specimen is to be installed in the temperature adjustment space. A main wind orienting member is provided at a position located in the temperature adjustment space and facing the air supply port. A part of blowing air is to pass through a first ventilation passage and to flow into the installation region, and all or a part of the remainder of the blowing air is to be guided to a second ventilation passage by the main wind orienting member and to flow into the installation region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2024
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Applicant: ESPEC CORP.
    Inventors: Taihei NISHIKAWA, Kaori KIKUCHI
  • Publication number: 20240111073
    Abstract: In a snow accretion test method, a snow accumulation step of accumulating snow on a specimen, and a snow accretion step of freezing snow accumulated on the specimen in a state where snow is not supplied to the specimen are performed. The snow accumulation step and the snow accretion step are repeatedly performed. In the snow accretion step, the ambient temperature of the specimen is adjusted to a temperature lower than the ambient temperature in the snow accumulation step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: ESPEC CORP.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki ENOKI, Haruki SETO
  • Publication number: 20240068930
    Abstract: A snow environment test apparatus includes an injector including a two-fluid nozzle, a temperature setting section for setting an indoor temperature, an air conditioner for cooling an inside of a test chamber, a temperature control section for controlling the air conditioner, a water flow rate setting section for setting a flow rate of water to be supplied to the injector, a water supply section for supplying water having a predetermined temperature to the injector, a snow quality selection section for selecting snow quality, a related information storage section that stores information in which a temperature in the test chamber, a flow rate of water to be supplied to the injector, a pressure of air to be supplied to the injector, and a snow quality are related with each other, and a pressure regulation section for regulating the pressure of the air to be supplied to the injector to a pressure obtained by using the information stored in the related information storage section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: ESPEC CORP.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki ENOKI, Haruki SETO, Hemant Subhas NINGARADDI
  • Publication number: 20240068729
    Abstract: A snow environment test apparatus includes a first nozzle that injects water particles, a second nozzle that injects water particles smaller in size than the water particles from the first nozzle, an air conditioner that regulates a temperature in a test chamber to a set temperature, a state selection section that sets a state of snow to be caused to fall, and a flow rate regulation valve that regulates a ratio between quantities of water to be supplied to the first nozzle and to the second nozzle for obtaining the state of the snow set by the state selection section at the set temperature as a temperature at which a snow environment is obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: ESPEC CORP.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki ENOKI, Haruki SETO
  • Publication number: 20230417632
    Abstract: There is provided an environmental test apparatus that can create a predetermined environment inside a test chamber, the environmental test apparatus including: the test chamber for placing a test target object; a heating portion; and a cooling portion. The cooling portion has a refrigeration circuit having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion portion, and an evaporator and in which a phase-changing refrigerant is to be circulated. The refrigeration circuit has a first bypass flow path connecting a discharge side of the condenser and a suction side of the compressor and the first bypass flow path is provided with a first flow rate control portion. A temperature measurement portion for measuring a temperature of the compressor and a controller are provided. The controller is configured to control a substantial degree of opening of the first flow rate control portion according to a detection value of the temperature measurement portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Applicant: ESPEC CORP.
    Inventors: Haruki SETO, Yuta Moriyama, Katsuhiko Watabe, Tetsuya Okadome, Masaki Yamamoto, Takumi USUI
  • Publication number: 20230304919
    Abstract: An information processing device acquires operation information by a user regarding setting of the operation control information, arrays and displays, independently for each type on a setting screen, a plurality of types of setting parts corresponding to a plurality of types of control setting items included in the operation control information based on the operation information having been acquired, and generates the operation control information based on the arrayed information, and outputs the operation control information having been generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Applicant: ESPEC CORP.
    Inventors: Osamu MATSUGUMA, Akiko KADOWAKI, Takashi OKAZAWA, Yuuki KADO, Miyuki ARIGA
  • Publication number: 20230296496
    Abstract: An environment forming device includes: a device body having a space for generating a predetermined environment; a door; and a slide mechanism that makes the door slidable with respect to the device body so as to open and close the space. The slide mechanism includes an extension member having an elongated shape fixed to the door, and a holding portion that is arranged on the device body and slidably holds the extension member. A reception portion for a sample is arranged on the door such that the sample is arranged in the space in a state where the door closes the space. The extension member is positioned below the reception portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Applicant: ESPEC CORP.
    Inventors: Masaaki ISHIDA, Masataka NAKANISHI, Jun HIRAI