Patents by Inventor Asako Satoh

Asako Satoh 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: 20110275003
    Abstract: A fuel cell includes: an anode catalyst layer containing an anode catalyst and a proton-conductive electrolyte; a cathode catalyst layer containing a cathode catalyst and a proton-conductive electrolyte; a proton-conductive electrolyte membrane interposed between the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer; and a mechanism supplying a fuel to the anode catalyst layer, wherein a porosity of the anode catalyst layer as measured by a mercury intrusion porosimeter is 0 to 30%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: Mitsuru Udatsu, Hirofumi Kan, Asako Satoh, Mitsuru Furuichi, Jun Momma
  • Publication number: 20110223497
    Abstract: A fuel cell includes a cathode catalyst layer, an anode catalyst layer, a proton-conductive membrane provided between the cathode catalyst layer and the anode catalyst layer, and a fuel transmitting layer that supplies a vaporized component of a liquid fuel to the anode catalyst layer. Water generated in the cathode catalyst layer is supplied to the anode catalyst layer via the proton-conductive membrane. The liquid fuel is one of a methanol aqueous solution having a concentration of over 50% by molar and liquid methanol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: Hirofumi Kan, Nobuyasu Negishi, Asako Satoh, Yumiko Takizawa, Hiroyuki Hasebe, Yuuichi Sato, Jun Momma
  • Publication number: 20100255389
    Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly includes a fuel electrode, an air electrode and an electrolyte membrane interposed between the fuel electrode and the air electrode, a fuel supply mechanism disposed on the air electrode side of the membrane electrode assembly to supply fuel to the fuel electrode, and a humidification layer disposed on the air electrode side of the membrane electrode assembly to be impregnated with water produced in the air electrode. The humidification layer include a first humidification section disposed opposite to a high-temperature area of an air electrode and a second humidification section disposed opposite to a low-temperature area of the air electrode when generating electricity. The second humidification section is so configured that water vapor is released into air therefrom more easily than from the first humidification section in the membrane electrode assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Akira Yajima, Asako Satoh, Hirofumi Kan, Risa Aoki, Yuichi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7749640
    Abstract: A fuel cell comprising a cathode catalyst layer, an anode catalyst layer including a conductive perfluoro-binder having a micellar structure formed by outwardly orienting hydrophilic groups and inwardly orienting hydrophobic (lipophilic) groups, and a proton conductive membrane provided between the cathode catalyst layer and the anode catalyst layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hirofumi Kan, Asako Satoh, Akira Yajima, Yumiko Takizawa, Hiroyuki Shiroki
  • Publication number: 20100104907
    Abstract: In an electronic device, state detection elements are arranged at various locations of a fuel cell system supplies an electric power to a phone unit, the state detection elements detect states of the fuel cell system at the locations. A cell state detection unit detects an operating state of the fuel cell from an output signal of each of the state detection elements. A determination unit determines an operating mode to prompt action to be taken for the operating state of the fuel cell detected by the cell state detection unit. A content of the operating mode is displayed with an image of a character or a fictitious creature based on a determination by the determination unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventors: Risa AOKI, Akira Yajima, Asako Satoh, Jun Momma, Yumiko Takizawa, Yuuichi Sato, Genta Oomichi, Hirofumi Kan, Nobuyasu Negishi, Mitsuru Furuichi, Yuichi Yoshida, Kiyoto Yoda, Hideo Oota
  • Patent number: 7642015
    Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes an electrode group having a positive electrode and a negative electrode wound flatly by way of an interposed separator, a positive electrode tab electrically connected to the positive electrode, and projecting from a spiral winding surface of the electrode group, a negative electrode tab electrically connected to the negative electrode, and projecting from the spiral winding surface, and a nonaqueous electrolyte, wherein the nonaqueous solvent contains sultone compound including a ring having at least one double bond, and a distance between the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab is 6 mm to 18 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Shusuke Inada, Masahiro Sekino, Akira Yajima, Nao Shimura, Asako Satoh, Masayuki Oguchi, Hiroshi Kitayama
  • Patent number: 7638223
    Abstract: A fuel cell comprising a cathode catalyst layer, an anode catalyst layer including a conductive perfluoro-binder having a micellar structure formed by outwardly orienting hydrophobic (lipophilic) groups and inwardly orienting hydrophilic groups, and a proton conductive membrane provided between the cathode catalyst layer and the anode catalyst layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hirofumi Kan, Asako Satoh, Akira Yajima, Yumiko Takizawa, Hiroyuki Shiroki
  • Publication number: 20090269653
    Abstract: A fuel cell comprising a cathode catalyst layer (2) containing a cathode catalyst particle and a proton conductive resin, an anode catalyst layer (3) and a proton conductive membrane (6) provided between the cathode catalyst layer (2) and the anode catalyst layer (3), wherein a content of the cathode catalyst particle in the cathode catalyst layer (2) is substantially the same on a first surface facing the proton conductive membrane (6) and on a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a content of the proton conductive resin in the cathode catalyst layer (2) is increased with an increase in distance from the second surface toward the first surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Akira Yajima, Yumiko Takizawa, Asako Satoh, Hirofumi Kan
  • Publication number: 20090017353
    Abstract: A fuel cell comprises a membrane electrode assembly including an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte membrane, a fuel reserving section which reserves a liquid fuel, a cover which is arranged on an outside of the cathode and has an oxidant introduction port, and a first thermal insulation member which is laminated on at least either an outside surface or inside surface of the cover and has an opening at a position opposite to the oxidant introduction port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: Yuichi Yoshida, Yuuichi Sato, Asako Satoh
  • Publication number: 20090011321
    Abstract: A fuel cell comprising a cathode catalyst layer, an anode catalyst layer including a conductive perfluoro-binder having a micellar structure formed by outwardly orienting hydrophobic (lipophilic) groups and inwardly orienting hydrophilic groups, and a proton conductive membrane provided between the cathode catalyst layer and the anode catalyst layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Hirofumi KAN, Asako Satoh, Akira Yajima, Yumiko Takizawa, Hiroyuki Shiroki
  • Patent number: 7455933
    Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes a nonaqueous electrolyte and a positive electrode including an active material containing lithium composite oxide powder, the lithium composite oxide powder includes secondary particles, exhibits a peak intensity ratio satisfying the following formula (4), satisfies the following formula (5), and has a particle distribution wherein a particle diameter at a volumetric cumulative frequency of 90% (D90) falls within the range of 10 to 25 m, and the nonaqueous electrolyte contains a sultone compound including a ring having at least one double bond; 2?(I003/I104)<5 ??(4) 0.95?(XLi/XM)?1.02.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Nao Shimura, Koshin Tanaka, Masahiro Sekino, Asako Satoh, Shusuke Inada, Akira Yajima, Masayuki Oguchi
  • Publication number: 20080176143
    Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes an electrode group having a positive electrode and a negative electrode wound flatly by way of an interposed separator, a positive electrode tab electrically connected to the positive electrode, and projecting from a spiral winding surface of the electrode group, a negative electrode tab electrically connected to the negative electrode, and projecting from the spiral winding surface, and a nonaqueous electrolyte, wherein the nonaqueous solvent contains sultone compound including a ring having at least one double bond, and a distance between the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab is 6 mm to 18 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: Shusuke INADA, Masahiro Sekino, Akira Yajima, Nao Shimura, Asako Satoh, Masayuki Oguchi, Hiroshi Kitayama
  • Publication number: 20080020263
    Abstract: A fuel cell using a liquid fuel containing methanol with a concentration of more than 50 mol % and no more than 100 mol %, the fuel cell includes a cathode catalyst layer, an anode catalyst layer to which a vaporized component of the liquid fuel is supplied, and a proton conductive membrane provided between the cathode catalyst layer and the anode catalyst layer, wherein a ratio (L:L0) of a thickness L to a thickness L0 is more than 1:1 and no more than 5:1 assuming a total thickness of the cathode catalyst layer and the anode catalyst layer to be represented by L and a thickness of the proton conductive membrane to be represented by L0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Inventors: Asako SATOH, Nobuyasu Negishi, Hirofumi Kan, Katsumi Ichikawa, Shinichi Onodera, Masakazu Kudo
  • Publication number: 20080014491
    Abstract: A fuel cell comprises a proton conductive membrane, an anode catalyst layer provided on one surface of the proton conductive membrane, and a cathode catalyst layer provided partly on another surface of the proton conductive membrane, wherein water generated in the cathode catalyst layer is supplied to the anode catalyst layer through the proton conductive membrane, and the fuel cell further comprises a water-diffusing portion which is provided on the another surface of the proton conductive membrane and is in contact with the cathode catalyst layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Inventors: Akira Yajima, Yumiko Takizawa, Asako Satoh, Hirofumi Kan
  • Publication number: 20070287058
    Abstract: A fuel cell comprising a cathode catalyst layer, an anode catalyst layer including a conductive perfluoro-binder having a micellar structure formed by outwardly orienting hydrophilic groups and inwardly orienting hydrophobic (lipophilic) groups, and a proton conductive membrane provided between the cathode catalyst layer and the anode catalyst layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventors: Hirofumi KAN, Asako Satoh, Akira Yajima, Yumiko Takizawa, Hiroyuki Shiroki
  • Patent number: 7261972
    Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes an electrode group having a positive electrode and a negative electrode wound flatly by way of an interposed separator, a positive electrode tab electrically connected to the positive electrode, and projecting from a spiral winding surface of the electrode group, a negative electrode tab electrically connected to the negative electrode, and projecting from the spiral winding surface, and a nonaqueous electrolyte, wherein the nonaqueous solvent contains sultone compound including a ring having at least one double bond, and a distance between the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab is 6 mm to 18 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Shusuke Inada, Masahiro Sekino, Akira Yajima, Nao Shimura, Masayuki Oguchi, Asako Satoh, Hiroshi Kitayama
  • Publication number: 20070059575
    Abstract: A fuel cell includes a cathode catalyst layer, an anode catalyst layer, a proton-conductive membrane provided between the cathode catalyst layer and the anode catalyst layer, and a fuel transmitting layer that supplies a vaporized component of a liquid fuel to the anode catalyst layer. Water generated in the cathode catalyst layer is supplied to the anode catalyst layer via the proton-conductive membrane. The liquid fuel is one of a methanol aqueous solution having a concentration of over 50% by molar and liquid methanol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Publication date: March 15, 2007
    Inventors: Hirofumi Kan, Nobuyasu Negishi, Asako Satoh, Yumiko Takizawa, Hiroyuki Hasebe, Yuuichi Sato, Jun Momma
  • Publication number: 20050221180
    Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes a nonaqueous electrolyte and a positive electrode including an active material containing lithium composite oxide powder, the lithium composite oxide powder includes secondary particles, exhibits a peak intensity ratio satisfying the following formula (4), satisfies the following formula (5), and has a particle distribution wherein a particle diameter at a volumetric cumulative frequency of 90% (D90) falls within the range of 10 to 25 ?m, and the nonaqueous electrolyte contains a sultone compound including a ring having at least one double bond; 2?(I003/I104)<5 ??(4) 0.95?(XLi/XM)?1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Nao Shimura, Koshin Tanaka, Masahiro Sekino, Asako Satoh, Shusuke Inada, Akria Yajima, Masayuki Oguchi
  • Publication number: 20050130035
    Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes an electrode group having a positive electrode and a negative electrode wound flatly by way of an interposed separator, a positive electrode tab electrically connected to the positive electrode, and projecting from a spiral winding surface of the electrode group, a negative electrode tab electrically connected to the negative electrode, and projecting from the spiral winding surface, and a nonaqueous electrolyte, wherein the nonaqueous solvent contains sultone compound including a ring having at least one double bond, and a distance between the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab is 6 mm to 18 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Inventors: Shusuke Inada, Masahiro Sekino, Akira Yajima, Nao Shimura, Masayuki Oguchi, Asako Satoh, Hiroshi Kitayama
  • Patent number: 6861175
    Abstract: Disclosed is a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, comprising a nonaqueous electrolyte containing ethylene carbonate and ?-butyrolactone, wherein, when a charge-discharge cycle test satisfying conditions (A) to (D) given below is performed under an environment of 45° C., the capacity retention rate at 100-th charge-discharge cycle is at least 85% based on the discharge capacity in the first charge-discharge cycle, (A) for the charging, the constant current-constant voltage charging to 4.2V is performed for 3 hours under a current of 1C, (B) the discharging is performed to 3V under a current of 1C, (C) after the charging, the secondary battery is left to stand for 10 minutes, followed by performing the discharging, and (D) after the discharging, the secondary battery is left to stand for 10 minutes, followed by performing the charging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masahiro Sekino, Asako Satoh, Masashi Fujiwara, Hiroyuki Hasebe