Patents by Inventor Chiaki Iwakura
Chiaki Iwakura 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).
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Patent number: 7820330Abstract: An alkaline storage battery includes: a positive electrode containing nickel hydroxide; a negative electrode; a separator layer intervening between the positive electrode and the negative electrode; and an alkaline electrolyte. The separator layer includes a water-absorbing polymer, a water repellent, an alkaline aqueous solution, and a scavenger capable of trapping an element which leaches from the negative electrode into the alkaline aqueous solution. The scavenger comprises an oxygen-containing metal compound. The negative electrode is a hydrogen storage alloy electrode, a cadmium electrode or a zinc electrode. The water-absorbing polymer comprises a cross-linked polymer having at least one kind of monomer unit selected from the group consisting of an acrylate unit and a methacrylate unit.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2005Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Chiaki Iwakura, Naoji Furukawa, Yoshitaka Dansui, Yoichi Izumi
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Patent number: 7153607Abstract: An alkaline zinc secondary battery in accordance with the present invention comprises a separator layer comprising a gel electrolyte comprising a water absorbent polymer and an alkaline aqueous solution, disposed between a negative electrode comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of zinc and zinc oxide and a positive electrode. Because the separator layer is in a gel form, transfer of zinc ions is limited. Thereby, deformation of the negative electrode and generation of dendrite due to charge and discharge of the battery are substantially inhibited. Moreover, since impurity ions such as nitrate ions become less prone to move, self-discharge of the battery is also inhibited.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2001Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chiaki Iwakura, Naoji Furukawa, Yoichi Izumi, Yoshinori Toyoguchi
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Patent number: 7022434Abstract: In order to obtain a nickel-metal hydride storage battery having a long cycle life and a low self-discharge rate, in a nickel-metal hydride storage battery comprising: a positive electrode containing nickel hydroxide; a negative electrode containing a hydrogen storage alloy; a separator interposed between the positive and negative electrodes; and an electrolyte comprising an aqueous alkaline solution, a water absorbent polymer, a water repellent and an aqueous alkaline solution are added into the separator. This battery can be produced with low cost.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2001Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chiaki Iwakura, Naoji Furukawa, Yoichi Izumi, Yoshio Moriwaki
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Patent number: 6967232Abstract: A high-molecular gelling agent precursor for an electrolyte comprises a copolymer formed of (A) a hydrophobic monomer having a hydrophobic group, which forms a carboxyl group upon saponification, and (B) a hydrophobic polyfunctional monomer. The saponification product of the copolymer has property to gel the electrolyte. A high-molecular gelling agent for the electrolyte is produced by saponifying the precursor with a saponifying agent selected from the group consisting of acids and alkalis while using a reaction medium selected from the group consisting of water and hydrophobic organic solvents.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2002Date of Patent: November 22, 2005Assignee: Dainichiseika Color & Chemicals Mfg., Co., Ltd.Inventors: Minoru Takizawa, Seiji Doi, Chiaki Iwakura, Hiroshi Inoue, Naoji Furukawa, Shinji Nohara, Yoshifumi Sugito, Naomi Oguma, Sachio Yoshikawa, Michiei Nakamura
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Publication number: 20050186478Abstract: An alkaline storage battery includes: a positive electrode containing nickel hydroxide; a negative electrode; a separator layer intervening between the positive electrode and the negative electrode; and an alkaline electrolyte. The separator layer includes a water-absorbing polymer, a water repellent, an alkaline aqueous solution, and a scavenger capable of trapping an element which leaches from the negative electrode into the alkaline aqueous solution. The scavenger comprises an oxygen-containing metal compound. The negative electrode is a hydrogen storage alloy electrode, a cadmium electrode or a zinc electrode. The water-absorbing polymer comprises a cross-linked polymer having at least one kind of monomer unit selected from the group consisting of an acrylate unit and a methacrylate unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2005Publication date: August 25, 2005Inventors: Chiaki Iwakura, Naoji Furukawa, Yoshitaka Dansui, Yoichi Izumi
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Publication number: 20040005503Abstract: In order to obtain a nickel-metal hydride storage battery having a long cycle life and a low self-discharge rate, in a nickel-metal hydride storage battery comprising: a positive electrode containing nickel hydroxide; a negative electrode containing a hydrogen storage alloy; a separator interposed between the positive and negative electrodes; and an electrolyte comprising an aqueous alkaline solution, a water absorbent polymer, a water repellent and an aqueous alkaline solution are added into the separator. This battery can be produced with low cost.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2003Publication date: January 8, 2004Inventors: Chiaki Iwakura, Naoji Furukawa, Yoichi Izumi, Yoshio Moriwaki
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Publication number: 20030124430Abstract: A high-molecular gelling agent precursor for an electrolyte comprises a copolymer formed of (A) a hydrophobic monomer having a hydrophobic group, which forms a carboxyl group upon saponification, and (B) a hydrophobic polyfunctional monomer. The saponification product of the copolymer has property to gel the electrolyte. A high-molecular gelling agent for the electrolyte is produced by saponifying the precursor with a saponifying agent selected from the group consisting of acids and alkalis while using a reaction medium selected from the group consisting of water and hydrophobic organic solvents.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2002Publication date: July 3, 2003Applicant: Dainichiseika Color & Chemicals Mfg. Co., Ltd.Inventors: Minoru Takizawa, Seiji Doi, Chiaki Iwakura, Hiroshi Inoue, Naoji Furukawa, Shinji Nohara, Yoshifumi Sugito, Naomi Oguma, Sachio Yoshikawa, Michiei Nakamura
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Publication number: 20020164530Abstract: An alkaline zinc secondary battery in accordance with the present invention comprises a separator layer comprising a gel electrolyte comprising a water absorbent polymer and an alkaline aqueous solution, disposed between a negative electrode comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of zinc and zinc oxide and a positive electrode. Because the separator layer is in a gel form, transfer of zinc ions is limited. Thereby, deformation of the negative electrode and generation of dendrite due to charge and discharge of the battery are substantially inhibited. Moreover, since impurity ions such as nitrate ions become less prone to move, self-discharge of the battery is also inhibited.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2002Publication date: November 7, 2002Inventors: Chiaki Iwakura, Naoji Furukawa, Yoichi Izumi, Yoshinori Toyoguchi
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Patent number: 6328861Abstract: An electrolytic apparatus which comprises effecting electrolysis of an electrolytic solution in an electrolytic chamber separated from a reaction chamber by a hydrogen-storing metal member with one surface of the hydrogen-storing metal member as a cathode opposing an anode so that hydrogen thus produced is adsorbed by the hydrogen-storing metal member while allowing hydrogen thus adsorbed and a material to be treated to undergo continuous catalytic reaction in the reaction chamber on the other surface of the hydrogen-storing metal member to cause hydrogenation or reduction reaction by hydrogen thus adsorbed, wherein an electrolytic apparatus having a porous catalyst layer provided on the catalytic reaction surface of the hydrogen-storing metal member is used.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 1999Date of Patent: December 11, 2001Assignee: Permelec Electrode Ltd.Inventors: Yasuki Yoshida, Setsuro Ogata, Masaharu Uno, Masashi Tanaka, Yoshinori Nishiki, Takayuki Shimamune, Hiroshi Inoue, Chiaki Iwakura
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Patent number: 6296754Abstract: A method of reducing nitrous oxide which comprises introducing nitrous oxide into a reaction chamber disposed in contact with an electrolytic chamber having an anode and a cathode comprising a hydrogen-absorbing material, the cathode serving as a diaphragm separating the reaction chamber and the electrolytic chamber, and contacting the nitrous oxide with the diaphragm to thereby continuously reduce the nitrous oxide with hydrogen atoms electrolytically generated on the cathode, absorbed by the hydrogen-absorbing material and passing through the diaphragm. The cathode preferably has catalyst comprising a platinum group metal black deposited on the side of the cathode opposite the anode. Also disclosed is an electrolytic cell for the reduction of nitrous oxide partitioned with a diaphragm into an electrolytic chamber having an anode and a reduction reaction chamber, the diaphragm comprising a hydrogen-absorbing material, and the side of the diaphragm facing the electrolytic chamber serving as a cathode.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1999Date of Patent: October 2, 2001Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Maruzen CreateInventors: Yasuki Yoshida, Setsuro Ogata, Yoshinori Nishiki, Shuji Nakamatsu, Hiroshi Inoue, Chiaki Iwakura
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Patent number: 6238530Abstract: A cathode for electrolysis comprising a hydrogen-occluding material for use in an electrolytic cell partitioned by the cathode into two chambers including a reaction chamber and an electrolysis chamber. The cell is arranged so that a reactant is reduced or hydrogenated in the reaction chamber. The cathode comprises an ion exchange membrane or porous membrane. A first layer made of a hydrogen-occluding metallic palladium or a palladium alloy is formed on the reaction chamber side of the membrane. A second layer which is a porous catalyst layer made of a platinum metal black or gold is formed on the first layer. Also disclosed is an electrolytic cell using the cathode for electrolysis.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2000Date of Patent: May 29, 2001Assignee: Permelec Electrode Ltd.Inventors: Yasuki Yoshida, Masashi Tanaka, Setsuro Ogata, Hiroshi Inoue, Chiaki Iwakura
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Patent number: 6224741Abstract: An electrolytic process which can operate in a hydrogen reaction chamber at a hydrogen reaction rate corresponding to the increase in the rate of production of hydrogen accompanying the increase in the electrolysis rate and maintain the current efficiency at a very high value with respect to the electrolytic current for producing hydrogen and a process for the production of an electrode for this purpose.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 1998Date of Patent: May 1, 2001Assignee: Peremelec Electrode Ltd.Inventors: Yasuki Yoshida, Setsuro Ogata, Masaharu Uno, Masashi Tanaka, Yoshinori Nishiki, Takayuki Shimamune, Hiroshi Inoue, Chiaki Iwakura
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Patent number: 6099914Abstract: An electrolytic process and apparatus which can operate in a hydrogen reaction chamber at a hydrogen reaction rate corresponding to the increase in the rate of production of hydrogen accompanying the increase in the electrolysis rate and maintain the current efficiency at a very high value with respect to the electrolytic current for producing hydrogen and a process for the production of an electrode for this purpose.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 1999Date of Patent: August 8, 2000Assignee: Permelec Electrode Ltd.Inventors: Yasuki Yoshida, Setsuro Ogata, Masaharu Uno, Masashi Tanaka, Yoshinori Nishiki, Takayuki Shimamune, Hiroshi Inoue, Chiaki Iwakura