Patents by Inventor Akira Matsuoka

Akira Matsuoka 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).

  • Publication number: 20220362777
    Abstract: In a channel structure of a channel device, first confluence channels of a plurality of first channels include a plurality of first confluence channels arranged along a second board front surface, first confluence portions of the first channels in each of first boards are configured of a plurality of first confluence portion through-holes that penetrate the first board, and second first-liquid introduction channel and second second-liquid introduction channels of a plurality of second channels are arranged along the second board front surface and are located in an area that is deviated from the first confluence channels in a view in a direction along a stacking direction of the first board and the second board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA KOBE SEIKO SHO (KOBE STEEL, LTD.)
    Inventors: Akira MATSUOKA, Koji NOISHIKI, Nobumasa ICHIHASHI
  • Publication number: 20220331711
    Abstract: The interaction system that causes an interaction between a first fluid and a second fluid includes a plurality of processing units configured so as to cause the second fluid separated in the separation container of each of the plurality of processing units to flow into the processing channel of the interaction unit of a processing unit that is next in flow order to the each of the plurality of processing units, the separation container of the each of the plurality of processing units is connected to the processing channel of the interaction unit of the processing unit that is next in the flow order, a first fluid feeding path that leads the first fluid separated in the separation container of a succeeding stage processing unit among the plurality of processing units from the separation container to the processing channel of the interaction unit of a preceding stage processing unit, a storage container that stores the first fluid led out from the separation container of the succeeding stage processing unit to
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA KOBE SEIKO SHO (KOBE STEEL, LTD.)
    Inventors: Akira MATSUOKA, Koji NOISHIKI
  • Publication number: 20220258070
    Abstract: The interaction system includes: an interaction unit internally including a process flow path that allows a first fluid and a second fluid to flow through the process flow path so as to come into contact and interact with each other; a separation container connected to an outlet of the process flow path so as to receive a mixed fluid of the first fluid and the second fluid discharged from the outlet of the process flow path to retain the received mixed fluid to separate the mixed fluid into the first fluid and the second fluid; a first fluid supply device configured to supply the first fluid to an inlet of the process flow path; a second fluid path connecting a region, where the separated second fluid is accumulated, of the separation container and the inlet of the process flow path so as to guide the second fluid separated in the separation container to the inlet of the process flow path; and a second fluid feed pump provided on the second fluid path to send the second fluid separated in the separation conta
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA KOBE SEIKO SHO (KOBE STEEL, LTD.)
    Inventors: Akira MATSUOKA, Koji NOISHIKI, Nobumasa ICHIHASHI
  • Patent number: 11413595
    Abstract: Provided is a fluid flow device having high freedom of choosing means for detecting flow errors. The fluid flow device includes a channel forming body. The channel forming body forms a plurality of fluid channels, a plurality of detection spaces corresponding to the fluid channels, respectively, and a plurality of communication channels providing respective communications between the fluid channels and the detection spaces corresponding thereto, respectively. Each of the detection spaces contains a detection fluid and a detection gas aligned in a longitudinal direction thereof, and an interface is formed therebetween. The detection gas is contained in the detection space so as to allow the position of the interface to be changed with the pressure change of a processing object fluid that flows through the fluid channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Matsuoka, Koji Noishiki, Tomohiro Ozono
  • Patent number: 11331641
    Abstract: Provided is a reactor capable of generating a proposed target solution in a short time by reacting the raw material solutions with each other while allowing a mixed raw material solution containing a plurality of kinds of raw material solutions mixed with each other to flow, and restraining the temperature of the mixed raw material solution from excessively rising. The reactor includes a reaction channel allowing the mixed raw material solution to flow and a solvent channel allowing a solvent dissolvable in the mixed raw material solution to flow. The solvent channel is connected to the reaction channel between the upstream end and the downstream end of the reaction channel so that the solvent flowing in the solvent channel is mixed with the mixed raw material solution flowing in the reaction channel from the middle of the reaction channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Matsuoka
  • Publication number: 20220105446
    Abstract: An extraction system includes an extractor that carries out an extraction treatment of bringing a raw material liquid into contact with an extraction liquid so that metal ions are extracted from the raw material liquid to migrate to the extraction liquid, a raw material liquid return path that leads the raw material liquid from a separator to a raw material liquid tank; and a raw material liquid pH regulator addition apparatus connected to a raw material liquid pH adjustment place that is one of the raw material liquid tank and the raw material liquid return path, the raw material liquid pH regulator addition apparatus configured to add a raw material liquid pH regulator to the raw material liquid, the raw material liquid pH regulator being a pH regulator that increases pH of the raw material liquid that have been decreased by the extraction treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA KOBE SEIKO SHO (KOBE STEEL, LTD.)
    Inventors: Akira MATSUOKA, Koji NOISHIKI
  • Patent number: 11266969
    Abstract: Provided is a fluid treatment system, including: a plurality of fluid channel devices arranged in series along a regular channel; a plurality of flow control valves each adjusting the flow rate of a treatment target fluid flowing into each of the plurality of fluid channel devices; a flow control valve provided on the upstream side of the plurality of fluid channel device and operable to change the flow rate of the treatment target fluid flowing into each of the plurality of fluid channel device; a bypass channel allowing the treatment target fluid to flow so as to bypass the fluid channel device in which abnormality has occurred, and a plurality of bypass selector valves selectable between a state of allowing the flow of the treatment target fluid in the bypass channel and a state of blocking the flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Matsuoka, Tsuyoshi Kakio, Yuji Kurishiro, Fumiaki Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20220062792
    Abstract: Provide is a phase separator having a phase separation function and a function of promoting mutual contact between the first liquid and the second liquid in a compact structure. The phase separator includes a main body container, a partition member, and a mixed-liquid introduction part. The body container defines a storage space for the mixed liquid. The partition member partitions the storage space into a plurality of horizontally arranged spaces including a mutual contact space allowing the first and second liquids to flow vertically while being in contact with each other, and a phase separation space for separating the mixed liquid into a first liquid phase and a second liquid phase. The mixed-liquid introduction part allows introduction of the mixed liquid through the mixed-liquid introduction part to make the mixed liquid flow from the introduction end toward the discharge end of the partition member through the mutual contact space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA KOBE SEIKO SHO (KOBE STEEL, LTD.)
    Inventor: Akira MATSUOKA
  • Publication number: 20220042650
    Abstract: The gas supply apparatus is installed in a site of a facility for replenishing hydrogen gas. The gas supply apparatus includes: a gas treatment unit for treating the hydrogen gas; a housing including a gas unit accommodation part fix accommodating the gas treatment unit; and a duct part for allowing the air to flow out of or into the gas unit accommodation part. The housing includes a side section and a top section each having a barrier member. The duct part includes an inner opening section opened horizontally to the gas unit accommodation part, a passage section joining the inner opening section, and an outer opening section causing the passage section to open to an outside of the housing. The duct part has a barrier member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA KOBE SEIKO SHO (KOBE STEEL, LTD.)
    Inventors: Daisuke WADA, Akira MATSUOKA, Naofumi KANEI
  • Patent number: 11185814
    Abstract: The absorption agent of the present invention contains water, an amine compound, and an organic solvent, and a value obtained by subtracting a solubility parameter of the organic solvent from a solubility parameter of the amine compound is 1.1 (cal/cm3)1/2 or more and 4.2 (cal/cm3)1/2 or less. The method for separation and recovery of an acidic compound of the present invention includes the steps of: bringing a mixed gas containing an acidic compound into contact with an absorption agent containing water, an amine compound, and an organic solvent to absorb the acidic compound into the absorption agent; causing the absorption agent that has absorbed the acidic compound to be phase-separated into a first phase containing the acidic compound in a high content and a second phase containing the acidic compound in a low content; and heating the first phase to release the acidic compound from the first phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignees: KOBE STEEL, LTD., NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION NAGOYA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Akira Matsuoka, Akira Kishimoto, Hiroshi Machida, Hirotoshi Horizoe
  • Publication number: 20210260557
    Abstract: Provided is a reactor capable of generating a proposed target solution in a short time by reacting the raw material solutions with each other while allowing a mixed raw material solution containing a plurality of kinds of raw material solutions mixed with each other to flow, and restraining the temperature of the mixed raw material solution from excessively rising. The reactor includes a reaction channel allowing the mixed raw material solution to flow and a solvent channel allowing a solvent dissolvable in the mixed raw material solution to flow. The solvent channel is connected to the reaction channel between the upstream end and the downstream end of the reaction channel so that the solvent flowing in the solvent channel is mixed with the mixed raw material solution flowing in the reaction channel from the middle of the reaction channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA KOBE SEIKO SHO (KOBE STEEL, LTD.)
    Inventor: Akira MATSUOKA
  • Publication number: 20210121843
    Abstract: Provided is a fluid treatment system, including: a plurality of fluid channel devices arranged in series along a regular channel; a plurality of flow control valves each adjusting the flow rate of a treatment target fluid flowing into each of the plurality of fluid channel devices; a flow control valve provided on the upstream side of the plurality of fluid channel device and operable to change the flow rate of the treatment target fluid flowing into each of the plurality of fluid channel device; a bypass channel allowing the treatment target fluid to flow so as to bypass the fluid channel device in which abnormality has occurred, and a plurality of bypass selector valves selectable between a state of allowing the flow of the treatment target fluid in the bypass channel and a state of blocking the flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA KOBE SEIKO SHO (KOBE STEEL, LTD.)
    Inventors: Akira MATSUOKA, Tsuyoshi KAKIO, Yuji KURISHIRO, Fumiaki SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20200147658
    Abstract: Provided is a method for cleaning an arbitrary fluid channel in a fluid flow device including a channel-forming body forming a plurality of fluid channels, a first header, and a second header. The method includes opening a cleaning-target channel included in the plurality of fluid channels and closing a non-cleaning-target channel which is the other fluid channel; and supplying a cleaning liquid to a cleaning-liquid supply header selected from the first header and the second header in a state where the non-cleaning-target channel is closed to cause the cleaning liquid to flow only through the cleaning-target channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA KOBE SEIKO SHO (KOBE STEEL, LTD.)
    Inventors: Akira MATSUOKA, Koji NOISHIKI, Tomohiro OZONO
  • Publication number: 20200129950
    Abstract: Provided are formation method and device for slug flow capable of suitably forming a stable slug flow. The formation method for slug flow includes a step of preparing a microreactor (1) that forms a fine flow passage (11), and includes a wall surface having a hydrophilic property, a hydrophilic liquid supply step of supplying the fine flow passage (11) with only a hydrophilic liquid out of the hydrophilic liquid and a hydrophobic liquid, and a step of supplying the fine flow passage (11) with the hydrophilic liquid and the hydrophobic liquid after executing the hydrophilic liquid supply step, thereby forming a slug flow in which cells formed of the hydrophilic liquid and cells formed of the hydrophobic liquid are alternately arranged in a fine-flow-passage length direction of the fine flow passage (11) in the fine flow passage (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.)
    Inventors: Hiroo HANGAI, Akira MATSUOKA, Akitoshi FUJISAWA, Kento OGATA
  • Publication number: 20200122111
    Abstract: Provided is a fluid flow device having high freedom of choosing means for detecting flow errors. The fluid flow device includes a channel forming body. The channel forming body forms a plurality of fluid channels, a plurality of detection spaces corresponding to the fluid channels, respectively, and a plurality of communication channels providing respective communications between the fluid channels and the detection spaces corresponding thereto, respectively. Each of the detection spaces contains a detection fluid and a detection gas aligned in a longitudinal direction thereof, and an interface is formed therebetween. The detection gas is contained in the detection space so as to allow the position of the interface to be changed with the pressure change of a processing object fluid that flows through the fluid channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA KOBE SEIKO SHO (KOBE STEEL, LTD.)
    Inventors: Akira MATSUOKA, Koji NOISHIKI, Tomohiro OZONO
  • Patent number: 10576412
    Abstract: A gas treatment device uses a gas to be treated which contains an acid compound that dissolves into water to produce acid and a treatment liquid which absorbs the acid compound to phase-separate, to separate an acid compound from the gas to be treated. The gas treatment device includes an absorber which brings the gas to be treated into contact with the treatment liquid; a regenerator 14 which heats the treatment liquid contacting the gas to be treated to separate an acid compound; and a liquid feeding portion which feeds the treatment liquid contacting the gas to be treated in the absorber to the regenerator. In the absorber, the treatment liquid contacting the gas to be treated phase-separates into a first phase portion having a high acid compound content and a second phase portion having a low acid compound content. The liquid feeding portion is configured to introduce, into the regenerator, the treatment liquid with the phase-separated first phase portion and second phase portion mixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignees: Kobe Steel, Ltd., NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION NAGOYA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Akira Kishimoto, Akira Matsuoka, Katsuya Akiyama, Makoto Nishimura, Hiroshi Machida, Tsuyoshi Yamaguchi, Takehiro Esaki, Hirotoshi Horizoe
  • Patent number: 10561963
    Abstract: A liquid-liquid contact device includes: an internal casing surrounding an inner chamber for providing countercurrent contact between a light liquid and a heavy liquid; an external casing surrounding the internal casing so as to form an outer chamber around the internal casing; a light liquid introduction tube guiding the light liquid to the inner chamber; and a heavy liquid introduction tube guiding the heavy liquid to the inner chamber. The internal casing has an upper opening and a lower opening which opens at a location below the upper opening. The external casing has a heavy liquid discharge outlet through which the heavy liquid is allowed to be discharged from the outer chamber, and a light liquid discharge outlet which is disposed above the heavy liquid discharge outlet and through which the light liquid is allowed to be discharged from the outer chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Matsuoka, Koji Noishiki, Tomohiro Ozono
  • Patent number: 10525405
    Abstract: A gas transfer processing method includes: transferring gas to an inside or an outside of an absorption liquid within respective processing flow paths while circulating the absorption liquid through the respective processing flow paths; after the gas transferring, separating a mixed fluid including the absorption liquid discharged from outlets of the respective processing flow paths and gas by respective separation headers into the absorption liquid and the gas; and circulating the absorption liquid separated in the separating by returning the separated absorption liquid from the separation headers to inlets of the respective processing flow paths through respective recirculation lines, thus introducing the absorption liquid to the respective processing flow paths. The process promotes transfer of a target component to an absorption liquid, while enabling execution of a component transfer process by compact equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: KOBE STEEL, LTD.
    Inventors: Akitoshi Fujisawa, Koji Noishiki, Akira Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 10449495
    Abstract: A gas treatment system includes an absorber, a liquid separator, a regenerator, a circulation mechanism and a heat transfer apparatus. The absorber contacts the gas with the treatment liquid. The liquid separator separates the treatment liquid having been in contact with the gas into a first phase portion having a high content of the acidic compound and a second phase portion having a low content of the acidic compound. The regenerator heats the first phase portion to eliminate the acidic compound from the first phase portion. The circulation mechanism recycles the second phase portion and the treatment liquid from which the acidic compound has been eliminated by the regenerator, in the absorber as a treatment liquid with which the gas is to be contacted. The heat transfer apparatus transfers heat from the treatment liquid discharged by the absorber and from the gas having undergone separation of the acidic compound, to the treatment liquid in the regenerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Kishimoto, Akira Matsuoka, Norihide Maeda, Makoto Nishimura
  • Patent number: 10413861
    Abstract: A separation method including: preparing a separation device including an absorption processor absorbing into an absorption liquid a target component in a fluid to be processed, by an absorption microduct and a cooling medium microduct positioned for heat exchange; causing the fluid to be processed and the absorption liquid to pass through the absorption microduct in mutual contact, thus causing the target component to be absorbed into the absorption liquid from the fluid to be processed; cooling the fluid to be processed and the absorption liquid by flowing a cooling medium through the cooling medium microduct, and causing heat exchange between the fluid to be processed and absorption liquid flowing through the absorption microduct and the cooling medium; and separating, into the fluid to be processed and the absorption liquid, the mixed fluid of the fluid to be processed after the target component has been absorbed by the absorption liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: KOBE STEEL, LTD.
    Inventors: Akitoshi Fujisawa, Koji Noishiki, Akira Matsuoka