Patents by Inventor Eiji Okawachi
Eiji Okawachi 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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Publication number: 20230234453Abstract: A hydrogen storage device provided in a vehicle that uses hydrogen as a fuel includes a plurality of receptacles, a plurality of hydrogen tanks, and a flow channel through which hydrogen flows from the receptacles to the hydrogen tanks. The flow channel has a confluence point configured such that the hydrogen merges into one on a downstream side of the plurality of receptacles. The flow channel branches from the confluence point into the plurality of hydrogen tanks.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2022Publication date: July 27, 2023Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shota YAMAMOTO, Hiroki YAHASHI, Eiji OKAWACHI
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Publication number: 20230013040Abstract: To enable a hydrogen tank to be efficiently filled with hydrogen even when the hydrogen tank has a large capacity, hydrogen filling at the nozzle flow is prohibited when the nozzle flow of a nozzle is larger than the receptacle flow of a receptacle or when the receptacle flow is unknown under the condition that the nozzle and the receptacle can be connected to each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2022Publication date: January 19, 2023Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shota YAMAMOTO, Hiroki YAHASHI, Eiji OKAWACHI, Toshiyuki KONDO
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Patent number: 11374243Abstract: In a fuel cell system, when filling hydrogen into a hydrogen tank is determined to be started, a transmitter configured to transmit a signal indicating pressure in the hydrogen tank to a hydrogen filling device transmits a first signal indicating that the pressure in the hydrogen tank is a first sensor value when the first sensor value detected by a first pressure sensor configured to detect pressure in a filling flow path connecting a filler port and the hydrogen tank is equal to or higher than a reference pressure predetermined to exceed the atmospheric pressure. Moreover, when the first sensor value is lower than the reference pressure, the transmitter transmits a second signal indicating that the pressure in the hydrogen tank is a second sensor value detected by a second pressure sensor configured to detect pressure in a supply flow path connecting the fuel cell and the hydrogen tank.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2019Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Eiji Okawachi
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Patent number: 10996691Abstract: A pressure reducing valve device includes a first body; a second body; a valve mechanism accommodated in the first body, and including a valve seat and a valve element; and a piston that is accommodated in the second body, defines a pressure reducing chamber, and is configured to move in accordance with a pressure in the pressure reducing chamber so as to move the valve element. The first body is connected to an inner portion of a connection portion having a bottomed cylindrical shape. The connection portion is provided in the second body to protrude outward. The valve seat is held between the first body and the second body in a direction in which the first body and the second body are attached to each other such that the valve seat is fixed in a flow passage.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2017Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignees: JTEKT CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Akira Nakano, Toshikatsu Kubo, Shota Yamamato, Akira Yamashita, Yutaka Hotta, Eiji Okawachi
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Publication number: 20200091528Abstract: In a fuel cell system, when filling hydrogen into a hydrogen tank is determined to be started, a transmitter configured to transmit a signal indicating pressure in the hydrogen tank to a hydrogen filling device transmits a first signal indicating that the pressure in the hydrogen tank is a first sensor value when the first sensor value detected by a first pressure sensor configured to detect pressure in a filling flow path connecting a filler port and the hydrogen tank is equal to or higher than a reference pressure predetermined to exceed the atmospheric pressure. Moreover, when the first sensor value is lower than the reference pressure, the transmitter transmits a second signal indicating that the pressure in the hydrogen tank is a second sensor value detected by a second pressure sensor configured to detect pressure in a supply flow path connecting the fuel cell and the hydrogen tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2019Publication date: March 19, 2020Inventor: Eiji OKAWACHI
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Patent number: 10493843Abstract: A vehicle includes a plurality of tanks storing gas in the tanks and arranged in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and each of the tanks includes: a pressure relief device configured to open when a temperature of the tank becomes a predetermined temperature or more; and a release part releasing the gas in the tank in a predetermined direction by the opening of the pressure relief device, wherein the release direction of the gas released from the release part of the front tank located at a frontward position among the plurality of tanks is defined to be a direction directly facing a space between the pressure relief devices of the rear tanks disposed more rearward than the front tank, and a ground.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2017Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Eiji Okawachi
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Patent number: 10081242Abstract: A fuel cell vehicle includes a first tank, a second tank, first and second valves for releasing gas, a gas passage for supplying gas to a fuel cell via the first and second valves, a pressure-reducing valve for decompressing the gas, side members disposed on the respective sides of the vehicle, and a motor disposed rearward of the second tank and configured to drive wheels. The first tank is not disposed downstream of the second tank, on the gas passage. The pressure-reducing valve is disposed in a region located rearward of a rear end of the second tank in a vehicle front-rear direction, forward of a rear end of the motor in the vehicle front-rear direction, and between one of the side members and an extended line extended in the vehicle front-rear direction from a side wall of the motor. The pressure-reducing valve is disposed on the second valve side.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2017Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Eiji Okawachi
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Publication number: 20180147935Abstract: A vehicle includes a plurality of tanks storing gas in the tanks and arranged in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and each of the tanks includes: a pressure relief device configured to open when a temperature of the tank becomes a predetermined temperature or more; and a release part releasing the gas in the tank in a predetermined direction by the opening of the pressure relief device, wherein the release direction of the gas released from the release part of the front tank located at a frontward position among the plurality of tanks is defined to be a direction directly facing a space between the pressure relief devices of the rear tanks disposed more rearward than the front tank, and a ground.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2017Publication date: May 31, 2018Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Eiji OKAWACHI
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Publication number: 20180136672Abstract: A pressure reducing valve device includes a first body; a second body; a valve mechanism accommodated in the first body, and including a valve seat and a valve element; and a piston that is accommodated in the second body, defines a pressure reducing chamber, and is configured to move in accordance with a pressure in the pressure reducing chamber so as to move the valve element. The first body is connected to an inner portion of a connection portion having a bottomed cylindrical shape. The connection portion is provided in the second bods to protrude outward. The valve seat is held between the first body and the second body in a direction in which the first body and the second body are attached to each other such that the valve seat is fixed in a flow passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2017Publication date: May 17, 2018Applicants: JTEKT CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Akira NAKANO, Toshikatsu KUBO, Shota YAMAMATO, Akira YAMASHITA, Yutaka HOTTA, Eiji OKAWACHI
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Patent number: 9897219Abstract: The pressure reduction valve includes: a cylindrical portion, a piston and a spring. The cylindrical portion includes an inlet communicating with the primary side flow path and an outlet communicating with the secondary side flow path. The piston fitted into the cylindrical portion is slidable along an axis direction of the cylindrical portion within the cylindrical portion, and defines, within the cylindrical portion, a space communicating with the inlet and the outlet. The spring applies, to the piston, a force acting toward the space. The outlet is displaced in one direction from the center of the piston when seen in the axis direction. The force applied to the piston by the spring is distributed so as to deviate from the center of the piston to the side of the outlet.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2015Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, JTEKT CorporationInventors: Norihiko Saito, Sogo Goto, Masaaki Kondo, Akira Yamashita, Eiji Okawachi, Munetoshi Kuroyanagi, Toshikatsu Kubo, Takashi Iwaguchi
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Patent number: 9874289Abstract: A valve main unit, in which a high pressure valve is to be provided, includes a channel for hydrogen gas. An internal surface of the channel is constituted by an oxidation layer formed by performing anodizing on an aluminum-based alloy. The oxidation layer of the channel is formed by performing the anodizing under a condition in which the oxidation layer with a thickness of 8 ?m or less is formed at an external surface of the valve main unit, the external surface having an opening communicating with the channel.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2014Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignees: JTEKT CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSIIIKI KAISIIAInventors: Kazuhisa Sugiyama, Koji Nishi, Yutaka Inada, Eiji Okawachi, Akira Yamashita
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Patent number: 9822884Abstract: A valve device includes: a poppet that is formed in a hollow shaft shape except for a leading end, has a tapered closure part at the leading end and a side hole passing through a wall of the hollow shaft-shaped part, and rotates around a shaft center thereof during opening and closing actions; and a valve seat having a sloped seat surface with which the closure part of the poppet comes into contact when closing the valve device. The closure part of the poppet or the seat surface of the valve seat, whichever has a higher hardness, has a cut mark of the opposite direction from a direction of rotation of the poppet around the shaft center that occurs during the valve closing action.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2016Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignees: JTEKT CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Junya Miyake, Koji Nishi, Kazuhisa Sugiyama, Takumi Mio, Sachiko Kubota, Eiji Okawachi, Akira Yamashita, Naohiro Takeshita
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Patent number: 9810327Abstract: A valve element of a pressure reducing valve includes a taper portion seated on an inner periphery of a valve hole that includes a first area, a second area and a third area in order from an upstream side. The first area is provided such that, when the valve element is open, the height of a passage defined between the first area and the taper portion gradually reduces toward a downstream side. The second area is provided such that the height of a passage defined between the second area and the taper portion is constant when the valve element is open and the entire second area contacts the taper portion when the valve element is closed. The third area is provided such that, when the valve element is open, the height of a passage defined between the third area and the taper portion gradually increases toward the downstream side.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2015Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignees: JTEKT CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Toshihiko Shima, Takashi Iwaguchi, Hidetoshi Fujiwara, Munetoshi Kuroyanagi, Toshikatsu Kubo, Eiji Okawachi, Masaaki Kondo, Akira Yamashita, Hidetsugu Hayashi
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Publication number: 20170240039Abstract: A fuel cell vehicle includes a first tank, a second tank, first and second valves for releasing gas, a gas passage for supplying gas to a fuel cell via the first and second valves, a pressure-reducing valve for decompressing the gas, side members disposed on the respective sides of the vehicle, and a motor disposed rearward of the second tank and configured to drive wheels. The first tank is not disposed downstream of the second tank, on the gas passage. The pressure-reducing valve is disposed in a region located rearward of a rear end of the second tank in a vehicle front-rear direction, forward of a rear end of the motor in the vehicle front-rear direction, and between one of the side members and an extended line extended in the vehicle front-rear direction from a side wall of the motor. The pressure-reducing valve is disposed on the second valve side.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2017Publication date: August 24, 2017Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Eiji OKAWACHI
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Publication number: 20160312902Abstract: A valve device includes: a poppet that is formed in a hollow shaft shape except for a leading end, has a tapered closure part at the leading end and a side hole passing through a wall of the hollow shaft-shaped part, and rotates around a shaft center thereof during opening and closing actions; and a valve seat having a sloped seat surface with which the closure part of the poppet comes into contact when closing the valve device. The closure part of the poppet or the seat surface of the valve seat, whichever has a higher hardness, has a cut mark of the opposite direction from a direction of rotation of the poppet around the shaft center that occurs during the valve closing action.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2016Publication date: October 27, 2016Applicants: Jtekt Corporation, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Junya MIYAKE, Koji Nishi, Kazuhisa Sugiyama, Takumi Mio, Sachiko Kubota, Eiji Okawachi, Akira Yamashita, Naohiro Takeshita
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Patent number: 9464731Abstract: A pressure reducing valve comprises an open-close valve and a piston. The open-close valve makes switching between connecting and isolating a primary port and a secondary port. The piston makes sliding motion inside the cylinder according to a difference between force applied from the pressure regulating chamber and force applied from the pressure reducing chamber, thereby opening and closing the open-close valve. The open-close valve includes a valve stem and a valve seat fixing member. The valve seat fixing member restrains displacement of the piston toward a side upstream of the open-close valve by abutting on an end surface of the piston. The valve seat fixing member includes a channel hole communicatively connecting a housing part for the valve stem and the pressure reducing chamber.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2013Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignees: JTEKT CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kazuo Haneda, Toshikatsu Kubo, Eiji Okawachi, Akira Yamashita
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Publication number: 20160138726Abstract: The pressure reduction valve includes: a cylindrical portion, a piston and a spring. The cylindrical portion includes an inlet communicating with the primary side flow path and an outlet communicating with the secondary side flow path. The piston fitted into the cylindrical portion is slidable along an axis direction of the cylindrical portion within the cylindrical portion, and defines, within the cylindrical portion, a space communicating with the inlet and the outlet. The spring applies, to the piston, a force acting toward the space. The outlet is displaced in one direction from the center of the piston when seen in the axis direction. The force applied to the piston by the spring is distributed so as to deviate from the center of the piston to the side of the outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2015Publication date: May 19, 2016Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, JTEKT CORPORATIONInventors: Norihiko SAITO, Sogo GOTO, Masaaki KONDO, Akira YAMASHITA, Eiji OKAWACHI, Munetoshi KUROYANAGI, Toshikatsu KUBO, Takashi IWAGUCHI
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Publication number: 20160118676Abstract: A valve element of a pressure reducing valve includes a taper portion seated on an inner periphery of a valve hole that includes a first area, a second area and a third area in order from an upstream side. The first area is provided such that, when the valve element is open, the height of a passage defined between the first area and the taper portion gradually reduces toward a downstream side. The second area is provided such that the height of a passage defined between the second area and the taper portion is constant when the valve element is open and the entire second area contacts the taper portion when the valve element is closed. The third area is provided such that, when the valve element is open, the height of a passage defined between the third area and the taper portion gradually increases toward the downstream side.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2015Publication date: April 28, 2016Inventors: Toshihiko SHIMA, Takashi IWAGUCHI, Hidetoshi FUJIWARA, Munetoshi KUROYANAGI, Toshikatsu KUBO, Eiji OKAWACHI, Masaaki KONDO, Akira YAMASHITA, Hidetsugu HAYASHI
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Patent number: 9249935Abstract: A fuel supply system includes a fuel gas tank; a temperature detecting portion; a fuel gas discharge flow path; a main stop valve that is provided in the fuel gas discharge flow path; and a control portion. The main stop valve includes an inlet portion and an outlet portion, a main valve that is arranged between the inlet portion and the outlet portion and that opens and closes the fuel gas discharge flow path, a pilot flow path that is provided so as to communicate the inlet portion with the outlet portion, a pilot valve that opens and closes the pilot flow path, and an actuator capable of opening and closing the main valve and the pilot valve at different timings. The control portion opens the pilot valve and closes the main valve when the detected temperature is equal to or lower than a first reference temperature.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2011Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Eiji Okawachi, Kazushi Numazaki
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Patent number: 9109750Abstract: A gap amount (62) between a liner (53) and a reinforcement layer (55) before filling gas into a tank (30) is calculated on the basis of a tank pressure and a tank temperature in the tank (30). It is predicted whether a load larger than or equal to an allowable amount acts on the liner (53) by the gas filling on the basis of the calculated gap amount (62). When it is predicted that the load larger than or equal to the allowable amount acts on the liner (53), a filling flow rate at which the gas is filled into the tank (30) is limited in comparison with a case where it is predicted that the load larger than or equal to the allowable amount does not act on the liner (53).Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2011Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Eiji Okawachi, Tsukuo Ishitoya