Patents by Inventor Fumitoshi Nishiwaki

Fumitoshi Nishiwaki 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: 10774747
    Abstract: A disclosed micro gas turbine system includes a micro gas turbine apparatus and an extracting cycle apparatus. The micro gas turbine apparatus includes a first compressor, a burner, and a first turbine. The first turbine expands a combustion gas generated by the burner. The extracting cycle apparatus includes a second compressor and a second turbine. The second compressor receives a flow of extracted air that is generated by extracting a part of a working fluid discharged from the first compressor. The second turbine expands the working fluid discharged from the second compressor. The working fluid discharged from the second turbine cools down the first turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Taguchi, Kou Komori, Osao Kido, Fumitoshi Nishiwaki, Yoshitsugu Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 10677077
    Abstract: A turbine nozzle according to the disclosure is a turbine nozzle that is used in a radial turbine and includes a ring-shaped hub, a plurality of nozzle vanes that are arranged at equal angular intervals on the hub, and a flow path that is formed between the nozzle vanes. The flow path includes a throat that has a smallest flow path cross-sectional area with respect to a flow direction of working fluid. On a downstream side of the throat with respect to the flow direction, the flow path cross-sectional area increases. Heights of the nozzle vanes on the downstream side of the throat with respect to the flow direction are greater than heights of the nozzle vanes in the throat and gradually increase from an upstream side toward the downstream side with respect to the flow direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Taguchi, Osao Kido, Fumitoshi Nishiwaki, Yoshitsugu Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 10215095
    Abstract: A gas turbine system (1A) includes a gas turbine unit (2) and a cooling fluid generator (5). The gas turbine unit (2) includes a first compressor (21) and a first expansion turbine (23) coupled to each other by a first shaft (22), a combustor (26), and a fuel tank (30). A fuel held in the fuel tank (30) circulates through a fuel circulation passage (31). A working fluid that has a pressure increased by the first compressor (1) is extracted from the gas turbine unit (2). The cooling fluid generator (5) includes a cooler (55) for cooling, with the fuel flowing through the fuel circulation passage (31), the working fluid that has been extracted from the gas turbine unit (2), and a second expansion turbine (53) for expanding the working fluid that has flowed out of the cooler (55).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Taguchi, Fumitoshi Nishiwaki, Kou Komori, Tomoichiro Tamura, Subaru Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20180371955
    Abstract: A cogeneration system (10a) of the present disclosure includes an internal combustion engine (21), a first power generator (22), a first coolant circuit (23), a first heat exchanger (24), a second coolant circuit (25), a Rankine cycle power generation apparatus (26), and an exhaust gas supply path (40). The Rankine cycle power generation apparatus (26) includes a pump (27), an evaporator (28), an expander (29), a second power generator (30), and a condenser (31). The evaporator (28) heats and evaporates a working fluid with exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine (21). The exhaust gas supply path (40) delivers the exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine (21) to the evaporator (28) without allowing the exhaust gas to exchange heat with a liquid. The condenser (31) has a flow path (31a) through which the first coolant flows and which forms a part of the first coolant circuit (23).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Osao KIDO, Fumitoshi NISHIWAKI, Kou KOMORI, Yoshikazu SHIRAI, Tetsu YAMAGISHI, Ryo TAKEYA
  • Publication number: 20180252112
    Abstract: A turbine nozzle according to the disclosure is a turbine nozzle that is used in a radial turbine and includes a ring-shaped hub, a plurality of nozzle vanes that are arranged at equal angular intervals on the hub, and a flow path that is formed between the nozzle vanes. The flow path includes a throat that has a smallest flow path cross-sectional area with respect to a flow direction of working fluid. On a downstream side of the throat with respect to the flow direction, the flow path cross-sectional area increases. Heights of the nozzle vanes on the downstream side of the throat with respect to the flow direction are greater than heights of the nozzle vanes in the throat and gradually increase from an upstream side toward the downstream side with respect to the flow direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: HIDETOSHI TAGUCHI, OSAO KIDO, FUMITOSHI NISHIWAKI, YOSHITSUGU NISHIYAMA
  • Publication number: 20170226928
    Abstract: A disclosed micro gas turbine system includes a micro gas turbine apparatus and an extracting cycle apparatus. The micro gas turbine apparatus includes a first compressor, a burner, and a first turbine. The first turbine expands a combustion gas generated by the burner. The extracting cycle apparatus includes a second compressor and a second turbine. The second compressor receives a flow of extracted air that is generated by extracting a part of a working fluid discharged from the first compressor. The second turbine expands the working fluid discharged from the second compressor. The working fluid discharged from the second turbine cools down the first turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventors: HIDETOSHI TAGUCHI, KOU KOMORI, OSAO KIDO, FUMITOSHI NISHIWAKI, YOSHITSUGU NISHIYAMA
  • Patent number: 9394913
    Abstract: A centrifugal compressor includes: an impeller having full blades and splitter blades; a shroud wall forming an intake and having a shape conforming to the impeller; and a bleed chamber facing an outer surface of the shroud wall. The bleed chamber communicates with a discharge space having a pressure equal to or lower than a pressure of a working fluid at the intake. The shroud wall is provided with a slit (a bleeding passage) that directs a portion of the working fluid that has flowed into a space between the full blade and a pressurizing surface of the splitter blade to the bleed chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Taguchi, Fumitoshi Nishiwaki, Kou Komori
  • Publication number: 20160090913
    Abstract: A gas turbine system (1A) includes a gas turbine unit (2) and a cooling fluid generator (5). The gas turbine unit (2) includes a first compressor (21) and a first expansion turbine (23) coupled to each other by a first shaft (22), a combustor (26), and a fuel tank (30). A fuel held in the fuel tank (30) circulates through a fuel circulation passage (31). A working fluid that has a pressure increased by the first compressor (1) is extracted from the gas turbine unit (2). The cooling fluid generator (5) includes a cooler (55) for cooling, with the fuel flowing through the fuel circulation passage (31), the working fluid that has been extracted from the gas turbine unit (2), and a second expansion turbine (53) for expanding the working fluid that has flowed out of the cooler (55).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Hidetoshi TAGUCHI, Fumitoshi NISHIWAKI, Kou KOMORI, Tomoichiro TAMURA, Subaru MATSUMOTO
  • Patent number: 9239009
    Abstract: A gas turbine system (1A) includes a gas turbine unit (2) and a cooling fluid generator (5). The gas turbine unit (2) includes a first compressor (21) and a first expansion turbine (23) coupled to each other by a first shaft (22), a combustor (26), and a fuel tank (30). A fuel held in the fuel tank (30) circulates through a fuel circulation passage (31). A working fluid that has a pressure increased by the first compressor (1) is extracted from the gas turbine unit (2). The cooling fluid generator (5) includes a cooler (55) for cooling, with the fuel flowing through the fuel circulation passage (31), the working fluid that has been extracted from the gas turbine unit (2), and a second expansion turbine (53) for expanding the working fluid that has flowed out of the cooler (55).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Taguchi, Fumitoshi Nishiwaki, Kou Komori, Tomoichiro Tamura, Subaru Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20140202202
    Abstract: A centrifugal compressor (1) includes: an impeller (2) having full blades (21) and splitter blades (22); a shroud wall (3) forming an intake (12) and having a shape conforming to the impeller (2); and a bleed chamber (4) facing an outer surface of the shroud wall (3). The bleed chamber (4) communicates with a discharge space having a pressure equal to or lower than a pressure of a working fluid at the intake (12). The shroud wall (3) is provided with a slit (32) (a bleeding passage) that directs a portion of the working fluid that has flowed into a space between the full blade (21) and a pressurizing surface of the splitter blade (22) to the bleed chamber (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Taguchi, Fumitoshi Nishiwaki, Kou Komori
  • Publication number: 20120137651
    Abstract: A gas turbine system (1A) includes a gas turbine unit (2) and a cooling fluid generator (5). The gas turbine unit (2) includes a first compressor (21) and a first expansion turbine (23) coupled to each other by a first shaft (22), a combustor (26), and a fuel tank (30). A fuel held in the fuel tank (30) circulates through a fuel circulation passage (31). A working fluid that has a pressure increased by the first compressor (1) is extracted from the gas turbine unit (2). The cooling fluid generator (5) includes a cooler (55) for cooling, with the fuel flowing through the fuel circulation passage (31), the working fluid that has been extracted from the gas turbine unit (2), and a second expansion turbine (53) for expanding the working fluid that has flowed out of the cooler (55).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Taguchi, Fumitoshi Nishiwaki, Kou Komori, Tomoichiro Tamura, Subaru Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8074471
    Abstract: A refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 includes a refrigerant circuit in which a refrigerant circulates. The refrigerant circuit is formed by connecting in sequence a compressor 2 for compressing the refrigerant, a radiator 3 for allowing the refrigerant compressed by compressor 2 to radiate heat, a fluid pressure motor 4 as a power recovery means, and an evaporator 5 for allowing the refrigerant discharged by the fluid pressure motor 4 to evaporate. The fluid pressure motor 4 performs a process for drawing the refrigerant and a process for discharging the refrigerant. These processes are performed substantially continuously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Hasegawa, Masaru Matsui, Takeshi Ogata, Fumitoshi Nishiwaki, Hidetoshi Taguchi, Fuminori Sakima, Masanobu Wada
  • Patent number: 7975502
    Abstract: In a heat pump apparatus of the invention, a refrigerant is circulated through a compressor 31, a radiator 32, a first throttle apparatus 33, a heat exchanger 34, a second throttle apparatus 35 and an evaporator 36 in this order. The heat exchanger 34 can be utilized as both a radiator and an evaporator by operating the first throttle apparatus 33 and the second throttle apparatus 35. Therefore, even if the outside air temperature is high, discharge pressure and suction pressure of the compressor do not rise, the heat pump apparatus can be operated in a stable refrigeration cycle, and energy can be saved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoichiro Tamura, Yuuichi Yakumaru, Masaya Honma, Fumitoshi Nishiwaki
  • Patent number: 7878771
    Abstract: A plurality of vertically standing plates are assembled in a lattice form to a divided member 101 as a floating type wave-suppressing members. The divided member 101 is allowed to float in an interface 24 between working fluid and refrigeration oil of an oil reservoir 21. The interface 24 is prevented from rippling by turning flow, oil drops torn from the interface 24 by the turning flow is reduced, and oil drops of the refrigeration oil are prevented from being supplied from the interface 24 to the working fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Atsuo Okaichi, Hiroshi Hasegawa, Fumitoshi Nishiwaki
  • Publication number: 20100251757
    Abstract: A refrigeration cycle apparatus 1 includes a refrigerant circuit in which a refrigerant circulates. The refrigerant circuit is formed by connecting in sequence a compressor 2 for compressing the refrigerant, a radiator 3 for allowing the refrigerant compressed by compressor 2 to radiate heat, a fluid pressure motor 4 as a power recovery means, and an evaporator 5 for allowing the refrigerant discharged by the fluid pressure motor 4 to evaporate. The fluid pressure motor 4 performs a process for drawing the refrigerant and a process for discharging the refrigerant. These processes are performed substantially continuously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Hasegawa, Masaru Matsui, Takeshi Ogata, Fumitoshi Nishiwaki, Hidetoshi Taguchi, Fuminori Sakima, Masanobu Wada
  • Patent number: 7669430
    Abstract: The present invention realizes a reliable heat pump apparatus and heat pump apparatus having high recovering efficiency. The heat pump apparatus includes an expander 711 for expanding working fluid, a permanent magnet type synchronization power generator 710 which is disposed for recovering power by the expander 711 and which generates three phase AC power, and a first converter 708 which converts the AC power to DC power, and which rotates the power generator 710 at a predetermined target number of revolutions by switching of a switching element group 709. The generated electricity is consumed by connection of an AC power supply 701 to a DC power line which is rectified and smoothened by a rectifier circuit 702 and a smoothing capacitor 703, and by driving of an electric motor 706 which rotates a compressor 707 through a motor drive apparatus 704, and the power is efficiently recovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keizo Matsui, Hiroshi Hasegawa, Fumitoshi Nishiwaki
  • Patent number: 7484945
    Abstract: A projection of an upper bearing member is provided with a porous member, and a lower space between a rotational motor and a compression mechanism is defined into a lower compression mechanism-side space and a lower rotational motor-side space. With this structure, stirring effect of working fluid flowing in the lower compression mechanism-side space caused by rotation of the rotor is suppressed, and oil drops mixed in the working fluid are prevented from being finely divided by the stirring effect, the oil drops are allowed to fall due to the gravity in the lower compression mechanism-side space, and oil separating effect from the working fluid is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsuo Okaichi, Hiroshi Hasegawa, Fumitoshi Nishiwaki
  • Patent number: 7469486
    Abstract: A drying apparatus has a heat pump comprising a compressor (31), a radiator (32), a throttle apparatus (33) and an evaporator (34), and also includes a structure in which drying air heated by heat of the radiator (32) is introduced to a subject (37) to be dried is dehumidified by the evaporator (34). The drying apparatus also includes a bypass circuit (39) through which a portion of dying air heated by the radiator (32) flows to an inlet of the evaporator (34) without coming into contact with the subject, a super heat detecting device (43, 44) for detecting super heat of the heat pump apparatus, and a throttle apparatus control device for controlling flow path resistance in the bypass circuit (39) using a value detected by the super heat detecting device (43, 44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoichiro Tamura, Yuuichi Yakumaru, Fumitoshi Nishiwaki
  • Patent number: 7347675
    Abstract: A high-efficiency vane rotary expander is provided, which prevents a loss due to incomplete expansion or overexpansion from occurring because the volume of an operating chamber may vary. This is done by forming a plurality of discharge ports (28, 29, 48, 49, 50) in an inner wall (21a, 41a) of a cylinder in the circumferential direction, placing, among these discharge ports, the discharge port (28, 48), to which the operating chamber (25, 45) connects at the initial stage of the discharging process, at a position of {180×(1+1/n)} degrees from a small clearance (22, 42) defined between the cylinder (21, 41) and the rotor (23, 43) in the direction where a shaft rotates, and providing a valve mechanism (30a, 30b, 51a, 51b, 52a, 52b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Hasegawa, Fumitoshi Nishiwaki
  • Patent number: 7302807
    Abstract: In a refrigerating cycle device using carbon dioxide as a refrigerant, there exists a problem that the provision of a receiver at a low-pressure side increases cost and volume due to a pressure resistance design necessary for ensuring safety. By adjusting a refrigerant holding quantity of a first heat exchanger in such a manner that a refrigerant pressure of the first heat exchanger 13 is changed by operating a first decompressor 12 and a second decompressor 15, an imbalance of a refrigerant quantity between time for space cooling and time for heating or dehumidifying can be alleviated and hence, it is possible to perform an operation of the refrigerating cycle device with high efficiency with a miniaturized receiver or without providing the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuuichi Yakumaru, Masami Funakura, Fumitoshi Nishiwaki, Noriho Okaza