Patents Assigned to National Space Development Agency of Japan
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Patent number: 7748164Abstract: The present invention provides a micro gravity environmental control apparatus, such as a plant cultivating apparatus, an animal raising apparatus, and a micro gravity environmental control method, such as a plant cultivating method, an animal raising method, a breeding method, capable of cultivating a plant and raising an animal by using soil and also capable of recovering moisture supplied to the soil so as to reuse the moisture, under a weightless environment or a micro gravity environment. There is provided a micro gravity environmental control apparatus comprising a chamber, an air suction pipe arranged in the vicinity of a lower end portion within the chamber, and an air sucking part communicated and connected with the air suction pipe and used for sucking air within the chamber out of the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2003Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignees: Incorporated Administrative Agency National Agriculture and Bio-oriented Research Organization, National Space Development Agency of Japan, Japan Space ForumInventors: Masayuki Hirafuji, Tokihiro Fukatsu, Kei Tanaka, Keiko Ibaraki
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Patent number: 6885063Abstract: In a power MOSFET, on an N+ drain layer 21 as a substrate, a second N base layer 3 and a first N? base layer 22 are deposited in the order by epitaxial growth. In a surface portion of the layer 22, there are selectively formed a P base region 23, in a surface portion of which an N+ source region 24 is selectively formed. On a channel region in the P base region 23, a gate electrode 26 is formed with a gate insulator film 25 held between. A source electrode 27 and a drain electrode 28 are formed on the N+ source region 24 and on the back of the substrate, respectively. The layer 3 is made to have a thickness equal to or more than ¼ of that of the first N? base layer 22, and an averaged impurity concentration between 1×1015/cm3 and 3×1017/cm3. The thickness can be alternatively given as equal to or more than ½ of a difference between the thickness x shown as x(?m)=VSEB(V)/8 and that of the layer 22, where VSEB is an SEB(Single Event Burnout) voltage of the layer 3.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2003Date of Patent: April 26, 2005Assignees: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd., National Space Development Agency of JapanInventors: Saburo Tagami, Takashi Kobayashi, Fumiaki Kirihata, Satoshi Kuboyama
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Patent number: 6736609Abstract: A pump apparatus of simple construction has a bearing structure for which a lubricant is unnecessary. A flow passage for a refrigerant (liquid ammonia) is formed in a housing to provide communication between a suction port and a discharge port, and slide bearing members formed of amorphous carbon are provided in the housing to be fitted into the flow passage to support a rotating shaft. A drive for rotating the rotating shaft is constituted by a rotor, which is fitted into the flow passage and provided with the rotating shaft, and a stator, which is provided outside the housing to surround the rotor, and a pump body is provided midway the flow passage and connected to the rotating shaft to pump a fluid.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2002Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignees: Fukui Prefecture, National Space Development Agency of Japan, Japan Space ForumInventors: Shozo Katsukura, Mikine Katsukura, Masao Furukawa, Koji Miyazaki, Yuji Aoyagi, Naoki Miyagi
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Patent number: 6710352Abstract: A charged particle measuring apparatus discriminates the types of charged particles accurately and the energy precisely, measures high-energy charged particles precisely, and detects a failure of the apparatus to continue measurement in a mode corresponding to the failure. Outputs from first and second detectors are used as first and second addresses, respectively. The second detector includes a plurality of detectors. The output from a third detector is used as information about whether or not certain charged particles penetrate the second detector. The loss energy characteristics of charged particles to be measured are expressed in the first and second addresses. The number of times the charged particles are measured for loss energy are counted with respect to the addresses. When the series of detectors constituting the first, second, and third detectors suffers a failure, a measurement mode excluding any failed detector is employed to continue measurement.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2002Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignees: National Space Development Agency of Japan, Meisei Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jun Kikuchi, Haruhisa Matsumoto, Hideki Koshiishi, Takashi Nozaki, Shigeru Takehisa
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Publication number: 20040020115Abstract: The present invention provides a micro gravity environmental control apparatus, such as a plant cultivating apparatus, an animal raising apparatus, and a micro gravity environmental control method, such as a plant cultivating method, an animal raising method, a breeding method, capable of cultivating a plant and raising an animal by using soil and also capable of recovering moisture supplied to the soil so as to reuse the moisture, under a weightless environment or a micro gravity environment. There is provided a micro gravity environmental control apparatus comprising a chamber, an air suction pipe arranged in the vicinity of a lower end portion within the chamber, and an air sucking part communicated and connected with the air suction pipe and used for sucking air within the chamber out of the chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2003Publication date: February 5, 2004Applicants: National Agricultural Research Organization, The National Space Development Agency of Japan, The Japan Space Forum (a Japan Foundation)Inventors: Masayuki Hirafuji, Tokihiro Fukatsu, Kei Tanaka, Keiko Ibaraki
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Publication number: 20040009090Abstract: To provide a nickel based brazing filler metal which does not contain at all boron (B) or phosphorus (P) that is likely to form a hard and brittle compound in the brazed layer, in which the liquidus is lowered below 1,100° C. by adding a small amount of silicon (Si) and is abundant in ductility, heat-resistance and corrosion resistance. This is attained by a nickel based brazing filler metal characterized by containing manganese (Mn) of 13 to 20% by wt. and silicon (Si) of 5 to 7% by wt. added as melting point depression elements and chrome (Cr) of 16 to 21% by wt. and the balance consisting of nickel (Ni) and the impurities.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2003Publication date: January 15, 2004Applicants: NATIONAL SPACE DEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF JAPAN, THE JAPAN WELDING ENGINEERING SOCIETYInventors: Makoto Shirai, Ken Sasabe, Takehiko Watanabe
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Patent number: 6660165Abstract: The present invention is to provide a method for regenerating inorganic porous particles, a method for purifying water and a continuous water purification device, which can be easily applied as a recycling system of water in special environments such as space environment, by safely removing impurities contained in water and water vapor with a usage of a compact facility without using any chemicals. The method for regenerating inorganic porous particles is characterized in that adsorbed products such as ammonia and/or amines, are reduced by heating to 100-200° C. under a reduced pressure of 10 Pa or less. The method for purifying water and the continuous water purification device are characterized in that a dense membrane having cationic groups and/or a composite membrane in which a hydrophilic membrane is layered on a surface of a hydrophobic porous membrane is used as a permeable membrane are used as a permeable membrane.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2000Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignees: Japan, represented by Director General of Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute Forestry Agency, Ministry of Argriculture Forestry and Fisheries, The National Space Development Agency of Japan, The Japan Space ForumInventors: Yasuhiko Hirabayashi, Nobukazu Onishi
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Publication number: 20030218210Abstract: In a power MOSFET, on an N+ drain layer 21 as a substrate, a second N base layer 3 and a first N− base layer 22 are deposited in the order by epitaxial growth. In a surface portion of the layer 22, there are selectively formed a P base region 23, in a surface portion of which an N+ source region 24 is selectively formed. On a channel region in the P base region 23, a gate electrode 26 is formed with a gate insulator film 25 held between. A source electrode 27 and a drain electrode 28 are formed on the N+ source region 24 and on the back of the substrate, respectively. The layer 3 is made to have a thickness equal to or more than ¼ of that of the first N− base layer 22, and an averaged impurity concentration between 1×1015/cm3 and 3×1017/cm3.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2003Publication date: November 27, 2003Applicants: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd., National Space Development Agency of JapanInventors: Saburo Tagami, Takashi Kobayashi, Fumiaki Kirihata, Satoshi Kuboyama
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Patent number: 6615609Abstract: The present invention provides an accumulator 21 for evaporating and condensing a refrigerant in a pressure vessel 22 thereof to control pressure or the like in a closed-loop type controlled unit. The accumulator comprises liquid-phase refrigerant holding means 23 for holding the refrigerant in liquid phase, heating means 25 for heating and evaporating the refrigerant in liquid-phase, cooling means 24 for cooling and condensing the refrigerant in vapor-phase, and a connection port 28 in fluid communication with the controlled unit. The liquid-phase refrigerant holding means 23 includes a vane 32 made of a material capable of absorbing the refrigerant in liquid phase, and the end 35 of the vane 32 has a shape in contact with the inner surface of the pressure vessel 22.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2002Date of Patent: September 9, 2003Assignee: National Space Development Agency of JapanInventors: Haruo Kawasaki, Shin'ichi Toyama
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Patent number: 6581452Abstract: Volume measuring apparatus is used in a closed space as in the case of volume measurement of liquid in a container placed on an orbit of an artificial satellite and permits the volume measurement in a state without mixture with gas, liquid, or solid. A volume measuring apparatus is an apparatus for measuring the volume of liquid or solid under microgravity, which has two or more containers coupled to each other by a pipe, a device for separating or fixing a gas phase, a liquid phase, or a solid phase, a pressure fluctuation source, a pressure signal receiver, a pressure gage, and a thermometer, wherein the separating or fixing device, the pressure fluctuation source, the pressure signal receiver, the pressure gage, and the thermometer are placed in the containers and wherein the pressure fluctuation source, the pressure signal receiver, the pressure gage, and the thermometer are connected to a signal analyzing unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2002Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignees: Agency of Industrial Science and Technology, Japan Space Forum, National Space Development Agency of JapanInventors: Akihiro Nakano, Nobukazu Ohnishi
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Patent number: 6494406Abstract: A rocket fairing mounted on a forward section of a rocket body included in a rocket comprises a first structure formed on the fairing-base side, and including a first side wall defining a first storage space for storing a first payload; and a second structure formed on the fairing-forward side, and including a second side wall defining a second storage space for storing a second payload. The first side wall has a plurality of first side wall segments capable of being separated from each other along a plane including the longitudinal axis of the fairing and of being turned away from the first payload when releasing the first payload from the first storage space. The second side wall has a plurality of second side wall segments capable of being separated from each other along a plane including the longitudinal axis of the fairing and of being turned away from the second payload when releasing the second payload from the second storage space.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 1999Date of Patent: December 17, 2002Assignees: National Space Development Agency of Japan, Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yukio Fukushima, Ryuzo Shimizu, Hiroshi Matsunaga, Yoshifumi Yasunaga, Yutaka Matsuda
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Patent number: 6392594Abstract: Provided herein is a radio wave receiving apparatus including a signal processing circuit comprising: a means for the Fourier transform in respect of azimuth of an electric field signal outputted from an antenna receiving circuit; a means for the Fourier transform in respect of azimuth of the antenna pattern of an antenna; a means for dividing the Fourier transform signal derived from the electric field signal by the antenna pattern Fourier transform signal; a low-pass filter for subjecting the divided signal to low-pass filtering; a means for extracting exponential function components of the output signal of the low-pass filter; a means for extending the band of the output signal of the low-pass filter beyond the cut-off frequency of the low-pass filter by using the exponential function components; and a means for subjecting the band-extended signal to Fourier inverse transform in respect of azimuth, the signal after the Fourier inverse transform being outputted as a final antenna output.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 1999Date of Patent: May 21, 2002Assignee: National Space Development Agency of JapanInventor: Toshihiro Sezai
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Patent number: 6353498Abstract: The present invention provides an optical function device which is capable of inverting and amplifying an optical signal of the optical communication wavelength band, and executing operation of an image optical signal, and is operable in a wide temperature range, said optical function device composed of a light transmitting medium containing a rare earth element, comprising a portion thereof doped with 1×1023 per 1 m3 or more of the rare earth element for inverting an optical signal and a portion thereof doped with 1×1021 per 1 m3 or more of the rare earth element for amplifying the optical signal with an excitation light superposed thereto.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2000Date of Patent: March 5, 2002Assignees: National Space Development Agency of Japan, The Japan Space Forum, Toyota School Foundation, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yoshinobu Maeda
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Patent number: 6259397Abstract: A radio wave source information display apparatus including: a signal processing circuit having a means for performing the Fourier transform with respect to azimuth of an electric field signal outputted from an antenna receiving circuit, a means for performing the Fourier transform with respect to azimuth of the antenna pattern of an antenna, a means for dividing the Fourier transform signal derived from the electric field signal by the antenna pattern Fourier transform signal, a low-pass filter for subjecting the divided signal to low-pass filtering with respect to azimuthal frequency, a means for extracting exponential function components of the output signal of the low-pass filter, and a means for obtaining radio wave source information from the extracted exponential function components; and a display section for displaying radio wave source information obtained at the signal processing circuit.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 1999Date of Patent: July 10, 2001Assignee: National Space Development Agency of JapanInventor: Toshihiro Sezai
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Patent number: 6163293Abstract: A radio wave receiving apparatus including having improved antenna resolution. The apparatus includes a signal processing circuit; a circuit for performing the Fourier transform with respect to an azimuth of an electric field signal outputted from an antenna receiving circuit; a circuit for performing the Fourier transform with respect to an azimuth of the antenna pattern of an antenna; a circuit for dividing the Fourier transform signal resulting from the electric field signal by the antenna pattern Fourier transform signal; and a circuit for passing the divided signal through a low-pass filter in respect of azimuthal frequency and then subjecting it to a Fourier inverse transform in respect of azimuth, so as to output the signal after the Fourier inverse transform as a final antenna output, thereby improving the antenna resolution by using a transfer function in the azimuthal frequency domain resulting from the Fourier transform of the antenna pattern with respect to an azimuth.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 1999Date of Patent: December 19, 2000Assignee: National Space Development Agency of JapanInventor: Toshihiro Sezai
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Patent number: 6133997Abstract: A system for spotting moving objects based on a plurality of artificial satellites including: a step of taking images at the same point in time by using imaging devices respectively mounted on at least two units of artificial satellites located separately from one another of which the positions can be defined at every moment in time; a step of discriminating a large number of stars at infinity and a small number of moving objects located near the earth through a synthetic processing by superimposing upon one another at least two images of spots obtained from the image taking at the respective satellites; and a step of specifying the positions of the discriminated moving objects from data of images forming positions of the moving objects on the basis of the large number of stars at infinity.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 1999Date of Patent: October 17, 2000Assignee: National Space Development Agency of JapanInventors: Koji Yamawaki, Yasuhiro Takami, Yoko Nishio, Yutaka Kaneko, Takahiro Kinoshita
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Patent number: 6082677Abstract: Achieved herein is a satellite capable of readily obtaining in a short time span a continuous image of the whole earth by a single unit of the satellite alone, the westward equatorial satellite being an artificial satellite having thereon an image pickup means for picking up an image of the earth and having a circular orbit toward west at an altitude of about 13,942 km above the equator of the earth. Also provided is a meteorological satellite system capable of avoiding noncontinuousness between geostationary meteorological satellites, of readily performing reciprocity data calibration between the geostationary meteorological satellites and of adding a standby function to such geostationary meteorological satellites, by combining a westward equatorial satellite having a circular orbit toward west at an altitude of about 13,942 km above the equator of the earth into a meteorological satellite system employing five units of geostationary meteorological satellites.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1998Date of Patent: July 4, 2000Assignee: National Space Development Agency of JapanInventor: Akira Kikuchi
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Patent number: 5852420Abstract: An antenna system is made up by a main antenna and a sub antenna which is adjacent the main antenna in a direction not perpendicular to the direction of beam scan of the main antenna and which has a beam axis coincident with a beam axis of the main antenna. Antenna beams of the antenna system are scanned by a scan device. Received signals of both the antennas are subjected to a multiplication process under phase coherent condition in a phase-coherent multiplying device. A signal corresponding to a maximum frequency component in the output signal of the phase-coherent multiplying device is output by a frequency discriminating device and then subjected to a signal conversion process in a signal converting device. Information about a radio wave source only in the direction of the antenna beams is thus obtained.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 1993Date of Patent: December 22, 1998Assignee: National Space Development Agency of JapanInventor: Toshihiro Sezai
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Patent number: 5756891Abstract: A transportable three-dimensional calibration wind tunnel system consisting of a small wind tunnel portion for creating a three-dimensional airflow having a suitable wind velocity, and a two-axis rotational deformation device portion for causing the wind tunnel portion to effect a conical motion with a nozzle blow port being in close proximity to an apex to suitably change a flow angle. The two-axis rotational deformation device includes a .beta.-angle rotational deformation device having a .beta.-angle deformation base supported to be rotated horizontally, and an .alpha.-angle rotational deformation device having an .alpha.-angle deformation base supported to be rotated vertically. A rotational axis of the .alpha.-angle deformation base, a rotational axis of the .beta.-angle deformation base and a center axis of the small wind tunnel portion are arranged so that they intersect at a point.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 1996Date of Patent: May 26, 1998Assignees: National Aerospace Laboratory of Science & Technology Agency, National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA)Inventors: Teruomi Nakaya, Osamu Okamoto, Naoaki Kuwano, Seizo Suzuki, Shuichi Sasa, Hidehiko Nakayasu, Masakazu Sagisaka
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Patent number: 5627311Abstract: A transportable three-dimensional calibration wind tunnel system consists of a small wind tunnel portion for creating a three-dimensional airflow having a suitable wind velocity, and a two-axis rotational deformation device portion for causing the wind tunnel portion to effect a conical motion with a nozzle blow port being in close proximity to an apex to suitably change a flow angle. The two-axis rotational deformation device includes a .beta.-angle rotational deformation device having a .beta.-angle deformation base supported to be rotated horizontally, and an .alpha.-angle rotational deformation device having an .alpha.-angle deformation base supported to be rotated vertically. A rotational axis of the .alpha.-angle deformation base, a rotational axis of the .beta.-angle deformation base and a center axis of the small wind tunnel portion are arranged so that they intersect at a point.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 1995Date of Patent: May 6, 1997Assignees: National Aerospace Laboratory of Science & Technology Agency, National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA)Inventors: Teruomi Nakaya, Osamu Okamoto, Naoaki Kuwano, Seizo Suzuki, Shuichi Sasa, Hidehiko Nakayasu, Masakazu Sagisaka