Patents by Inventor Akihiro Konno

Akihiro Konno 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: 11454532
    Abstract: A first arithmetic circuit computes a propagation velocity of an ultrasonic wave based on a first time difference between an output timing, at which an ultrasonic element outputs an ultrasonic wave, and a reference timing, at which a comparator circuit outputs a detection signal on reflection off a distal end of a reference pipe, and a length of the reference pipe. A period circuit sets a propagation path detection period to detect a liquid level timing, at which the comparator circuit outputs the detection signal on reflection off the liquid level, based on a longest and shortest propagation path lengths and the propagation velocity. A second arithmetic circuit computes the length of the propagation path based on a second time difference, which is between the liquid level timing and the output timing during the propagation path detection period, and the propagation velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kyoko Kurokawa, Takuya Koizumi, Akihiro Konno, Hironori Iwamiya
  • Patent number: 11435216
    Abstract: An ultrasonic element generates an ultrasonic wave and converts an input ultrasonic wave into an electric signal. A transmission circuit outputs a drive signal to the ultrasonic element. A comparator circuit outputs a first detection signal when the electric signal becomes larger than a threshold value and outputs a second detection signal when the electric signal becomes smaller than the threshold value. An arithmetic circuit computes a distance of a propagation path of the ultrasonic wave based on a time difference between an output timing, at which the ultrasonic element outputs of the ultrasonic wave, and a liquid level timing, at which the comparator circuit outputs the first detection signal, and based on a propagation speed of the ultrasonic wave. A storage unit stores a time difference between the first detection signal and the second detection signal. The transmission circuit increases the drive signal, as the time difference decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiro Konno, Hironori Iwamiya, Takuya Koizumi
  • Patent number: 11385095
    Abstract: An ultrasonic distance measuring device retrieves an ultrasonic wave propagation speed from a correlation between an output of a medium sensor and a corresponding ultrasonic wave propagation speed. The ultrasonic distance measuring device sets a propagation path detection period for detecting a detection signal, which corresponds to the ultrasonic wave reflected by a liquid surface, based on a longest propagation path length and a shortest propagation path length between the liquid surface and the retrieved propagation speed of the ultrasonic wave. The ultrasonic distance measuring device calculates a distance of the propagation path based on a time difference between a detection timing of the detection signal and an output timing of the ultrasonic wave in a propagation path detection period, and the propagation speed of the ultrasonic wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuuya Shibata, Hironori Iwamiya, Akihiro Konno
  • Patent number: 11181635
    Abstract: A liquid level detector has an ultrasonic sensor connected thereto by two signal lines. When a drive signal is output from a drive circuit, the drive signal is output via an impedance matching circuit, thereby transmission and reception signals on the signal lines flow as complementary level signals. A receiver circuit obtains an amplified signal by amplifying the transmission and reception signals with a differential amplifier circuit, and by cutting a same phase noise signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuya Koizumi, Hironori Iwamiya, Akihiro Konno
  • Publication number: 20210010847
    Abstract: An ultrasonic element generates an ultrasonic wave and converts an input ultrasonic wave into an electric signal. A transmission circuit outputs a drive signal to the ultrasonic element. A comparator circuit outputs a first detection signal when the electric signal becomes larger than a threshold value and outputs a second detection signal when the electric signal becomes smaller than the threshold value. An arithmetic circuit computes a distance of a propagation path of the ultrasonic wave based on a time difference between an output timing, at which the ultrasonic element outputs of the ultrasonic wave, and a liquid level timing, at which the comparator circuit outputs the first detection signal, and based on a propagation speed of the ultrasonic wave. A storage unit stores a time difference between the first detection signal and the second detection signal. The transmission circuit increases the drive signal, as the time difference decreases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Akihiro KONNO, Hironori IWAMIYA, Takuya KOIZUMI
  • Publication number: 20210010848
    Abstract: A first arithmetic circuit computes a propagation velocity of an ultrasonic wave based on a first time difference between an output timing, at which an ultrasonic element outputs an ultrasonic wave, and a reference timing, at which a comparator circuit outputs a detection signal on reflection off a distal end of a reference pipe, and a length of the reference pipe. A period circuit sets a propagation path detection period to detect a liquid level timing, at which the comparator circuit outputs the detection signal on reflection off the liquid level, based on a longest and shortest propagation path lengths and the propagation velocity. A second arithmetic circuit computes the length of the propagation path based on a second time difference, which is between the liquid level timing and the output timing during the propagation path detection period, and the propagation velocity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Kyoko KUROKAWA, Takuya KOIZUMI, Akihiro KONNO, Hironori IWAMIYA
  • Publication number: 20210010846
    Abstract: An ultrasonic distance measuring device retrieves an ultrasonic wave propagation speed from a correlation between an output of a medium sensor and a corresponding ultrasonic wave propagation speed. The ultrasonic distance measuring device sets a propagation path detection period for detecting a detection signal, which corresponds to the ultrasonic wave reflected by a liquid surface, based on a longest propagation path length and a shortest propagation path length between the liquid surface and the retrieved propagation speed of the ultrasonic wave. The ultrasonic distance measuring device calculates a distance of the propagation path based on a time difference between a detection timing of the detection signal and an output timing of the ultrasonic wave in a propagation path detection period, and the propagation speed of the ultrasonic wave.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Yuuya SHIBATA, Hironori Iwamiya, Akihiro Konno
  • Publication number: 20200256985
    Abstract: A liquid level detector has an ultrasonic sensor connected thereto by two signal lines. When a drive signal is output from a drive circuit, the drive signal is output via an impedance matching circuit, thereby transmission and reception signals on the signal lines flow as complementary level signals. A receiver circuit obtains an amplified signal by amplifying the transmission and reception signals with a differential amplifier circuit, and by cutting a same phase noise signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: Takuya KOIZUMI, Hironori IWAMIYA, Akihiro KONNO
  • Patent number: 10731005
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing granular polyarylene sulfide (PAS) with increased average particle size and enhanced particle strength, a method for increasing the average particle size of granular PAS, a method for enhancing the particle strength of granular PAS, and granular PAS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: KUREHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiro Konno, Hiroyuki Sato
  • Patent number: 10647817
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a method that can produce polyarylene sulfide having a high viscosity at a high yield. The method of producing polyarylene sulfide according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a preparation step of preparing a mixture containing an organic amide solvent, a sulfur source, a dihalo aromatic compound, and an alkali metal hydroxide; a first-stage polymerization step of initiating a polymerization reaction by heating the mixture and producing a prepolymer until a pH of a reaction system reaches a range of 10 to 11; and a second-stage polymerization step of continuing the polymerization reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: KUREHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiro Konno, Ken-Ichi Takaki, Haruki Mokudai, Hiroyuki Sato
  • Patent number: 10647818
    Abstract: A method of producing a polyarylene sulfide (PAS) includes a preparation step of preparing a charged mixture containing an organic amide solvent, a sulfur source, water, and a dihalo aromatic compound; a first-stage polymerization step of performing a polymerization reaction on the charged mixture at a temperature of from 170 to 280° C. to produce a prepolymer having a conversion ratio of the dihalo aromatic compound of 50% or greater; and a second-stage polymerization step of continuing the polymerization reaction in a phase-separated state at a temperature of from 245 to 290° C. in a reaction system containing the prepolymer, and includes adding a polyfunctional compound to the reaction system in the phase-separated state. A PAS having a melt viscosity (310° C., shear rate: 1216 sec?1) of from 0.1 to 8000 Pa·s is produced by the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: KUREHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiro Konno, Ken-Ichi Takaki, Yui Yoshida, Hiroyuki Sato
  • Patent number: 10649262
    Abstract: [Object] To provide an electronic apparatus that can prevent defects caused by a seepage of ultraviolet curable resin, a method of bonding the electronic apparatus, and a substrate laminate. [Solving Means] An electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present technology includes a translucent substrate, a display panel, a first bond layer, and a guard. The translucent substrate has a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a frame-shaped coating arranged at a periphery of the first surface. The display panel has a display surface faced to the first surface. The first bond layer bonds the first surface and the display surface together, coats an inner periphery of the coating, and is made of a cured product of light-curable resin. The guard is arranged on the coating along at least a part of a periphery of the first bond layer and has a structural surface with lower wettability to the light-curable resin than that of the coating. [Selected Drawing] FIG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Koichi Sugiyama, Akihiro Konno, Fei Zeng
  • Patent number: 10570255
    Abstract: Provided is a method of producing polyarylene sulfide at low cost while productivity enhancement and resource saving are attempted by avoiding the use of a complicated step and special apparatus (facility). The method of producing polyarylene sulfide according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a preparation step of preparing a mixture containing an organic amide solvent, a sulfur source, a dihalo aromatic compound, and an alkali metal hydroxide in an amount less than an equimolar amount relative to an amount of the sulfur source; a first-stage polymerization step of initiating a polymerization reaction by heating the mixture, and producing a prepolymer having a dihalo aromatic compound conversion ratio of 50% or greater; and a second-stage polymerization step of adding an alkali metal hydroxide such that the alkali metal hydroxide is in an amount of 1.00 to 1.10 mol per 1 mol of the sulfur source, and continuing the polymerization reaction in a homogeneous liquid phase condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: KUREHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Haruki Mokudai, Akihiro Konno, Hiroyuki Sato
  • Publication number: 20200024402
    Abstract: To provide a method for producing granular polyarylene sulfide (hereinafter, PAS), the method capable of providing granular PAS having high particle strength and low melt viscosity in high yield without using special additives and the like; and granular PAS. A method according to the present invention is a method for producing granular PAS having a melt viscosity of from 1 to 30 Pa.s, which is measured at a temperature of 310° C. and a shear rate of 1216/s, by polymerizing a sulfur source and a dihalo aromatic compound in an organic amide solvent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Akihiro KONNO, Ken-ichi TAKAKI
  • Patent number: 10501582
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a method of producing polyarylene sulfide that can produce polyarylene sulfide having a low halogen content simply and easily and at low cost. The method of producing polyarylene sulfide according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a preparation step of preparing a mixture containing an organic amide solvent, a sulfur source, a dihalo aromatic compound, and an alkali metal hydroxide; a first-stage polymerization step of producing a prepolymer until a pH of a reaction system reaches a range of lower than 10 but 7 or higher by initiating a polymerization reaction by heating the mixture; and a second-stage polymerization step of continuing the polymerization reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: KUREHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiro Konno, Ken-Ichi Takaki, Hiroyuki Sato
  • Publication number: 20190153162
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a method of producing polyarylene sulfide that can produce polyarylene sulfide having a low halogen content simply and easily and at low cost. The method of producing polyarylene sulfide according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a preparation step of preparing a mixture containing an organic amide solvent, a sulfur source, a dihalo aromatic compound, and an alkali metal hydroxide; a first-stage polymerization step of producing a prepolymer until a pH of a reaction system reaches a range of lower than 10 but 7 or higher by initiating a polymerization reaction by heating the mixture; and a second-stage polymerization step of continuing the polymerization reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: AKIHIRO KONNO, KEN-ICHI TAKAKI, HIROYUKI SATO
  • Patent number: 10280264
    Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing fine polyarylene sulfide (PAS) powder, in which impurities such as alkali metal salts and/or PAS oligomers are reduced while the wettability of the fine PAS powder in a fine PAS powder-containing solid is retained after solid-liquid separation of a separation liquid obtained by subjecting a dispersion liquid containing granular PAS to separation into granular PAS and a separation liquid; and a fine PAS powder. The method for manufacturing a fine PAS powder of the present invention includes: (a) separating granular PAS and a separation liquid from a dispersion liquid containing granular PAS, by solid-liquid separation using at least one screen that has an opening diameter of 75 to 180 ?m; (b) performing solid-liquid separation of the separation liquid to obtain a fine PAS powder-containing solid; (c) heating the fine PAS powder-containing solid to reduce an amount of an organic solvent to obtain a wet cake; and (d) washing the wet cake using an aqueous solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: KUREHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiro Konno, Hiroyuki Sato
  • Publication number: 20190055358
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing granular polyarylene sulfide (PAS) with increased average particle size and enhanced particle strength, a method for increasing the average particle size of granular PAS, a method for enhancing the particle strength of granular PAS, and granular PAS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Akihiro KONNO, Hiroyuki SATO
  • Publication number: 20190049769
    Abstract: [Object] To provide an electronic apparatus that can prevent defects caused by a seepage of ultraviolet curable resin, a method of bonding the electronic apparatus, and a substrate laminate. [Solving Means] An electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present technology includes a translucent substrate, a display panel, a first bond layer, and a guard. The translucent substrate has a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a frame-shaped coating arranged at a periphery of the first surface. The display panel has a display surface faced to the first surface. The first bond layer bonds the first surface and the display surface together, coats an inner periphery of the coating, and is made of a cured product of light-curable resin. The guard is arranged on the coating along at least a part of a periphery of the first bond layer and has a structural surface with lower wettability to the light-curable resin than that of the coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Koichi Sugiyama, Akihiro Konno, Fei Zeng
  • Publication number: 20180340043
    Abstract: Provided are a method of producing a polyarylene sulfide (PAS) by a polymerization reaction of a sulfur source and a dihalo aromatic compound in an organic amide solvent, in which the PAS having a high degree of polymerization can be obtained at a high yield and the generation of a byproduct that imposes a large burden of a waste treatment can be effectively reduced; and a PAS having a high degree of polymerization. The method of producing a PAS includes a preparation step of preparing a charged mixture containing an organic amide solvent, a sulfur source, water, and a dihalo aromatic compound; a first-stage polymerization step of performing a polymerization reaction on the charged mixture at a temperature of from 170 to 280° C. to produce a prepolymer having a conversion ratio of the dihalo aromatic compound of 50% or greater; and a second-stage polymerization step of continuing the polymerization reaction in a phase-separated state at a temperature of from 245 to 290° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: AKIHIRO KONNO, KEN-ICHI TAKAKI, YUI YOSHIDA, HIROYUKI SATO