Patents by Inventor Haruyuki Nakanishi

Haruyuki Nakanishi 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: 20150196901
    Abstract: Provided are a photocatalyst having higher activity for hydrogen production through water splitting and a photoelectrode comprising the photocatalyst. The photocatalyst for water splitting of the present invention comprises a Ga selenide, an Ag—Ga selenide, or both thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicants: THE UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Haruyuki NAKANISHI, Tsutomu MINEGISHI, Kazunari DOMEN, Jun KUBOTA, Chika MIWADA
  • Patent number: 8986894
    Abstract: A solid electrolyte including a layered metal oxide represented by the formula (1), (La1-xAx)(Sr1-yBy)3(Co1-zCz)3O10-???(1) [wherein A represents a rare earth element other than La; B represents Mg, Ca, or Ba; C represents Ti, V, Cr, or Mn; 0?x<1, 0?y<1, 0?z<1; and ? represents an oxygen deficiency amount].
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, National University Corporation Hokkaido University
    Inventors: Haruyuki Nakanishi, Tatsuya Takeguchi, Hiroki Takahashi, Ayaka Nakamura, Saburo Hosokawa
  • Patent number: 8945788
    Abstract: A fuel cell system whose fuel loss caused by the crossover of the fuel is small and which can be operated economically. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell 10, a primary feeding system 12 for feeding a primary fuel which is a liquid fuel to the fuel cell 10, a secondary feeding system 13 for feeding a secondary fuel which is a liquid fuel whose saturation vapor pressure is lower than that of the primary fuel to the fuel cell 10, a ECU 30 for controlling each part so that the primary fuel in the fuel cell is replaced with the secondary fuel when terminating the operation of the fuel cell 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Haruyuki Nakanishi, Hidekazu Arikawa, Kazuya Uchisasai
  • Patent number: 8940459
    Abstract: An alkaline fuel cell electrode catalyst includes a first catalyst particle that contains at least one of iron (Fe), cobalt (Co) and nickel (Ni), a second catalyst particle that contains at least one of platinum (Pt) and ruthenium (Ru), and a carrier for supporting the first catalyst particle and the second catalyst particle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Haruyuki Nakanishi, Yusuke Kuzushima
  • Patent number: 8932773
    Abstract: A hydrogen generating apparatus for effectively generating hydrogen from ammonia and relates to the hydrogen generating apparatus for generating hydrogen from ammonia. The apparatus comprises an ammonia oxidation part having ammonia oxidation catalysts which oxidizes ammonia, and an ammonia decomposition part having an ammonia decomposition catalyst which decomposes ammonia to generate nitrogen and hydrogen. The decomposition part is located downstream of the oxidation part in a direction of feed gas flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Hitachi Zosen Corporation
    Inventors: Haruyuki Nakanishi, Hidekazu Arikawa, Susumu Hikazudani, Chikashi Inazumi, Sadao Araki, Takuma Mori
  • Publication number: 20140248441
    Abstract: In an alkaline fuel cell, an electrode catalyst includes a magnetic material, and catalyst particles supported on the magnetic material. Besides, the alkaline fuel cell includes an electrode that has the function of allowing negative ions to permeate through the electrolyte, and an anode electrode and a cathode electrode respectively disposed on the both sides of the electrode, and at least the cathode electrode of the both electrodes is the electrode catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Haruyuki NAKANISHI, Yusuke KUZUSHIMA
  • Publication number: 20140238316
    Abstract: A hydrogen generator that can be operated in a broad temperature range is disclosed, which comprises a first ammonia conversion part having a hydrogen-generating material which reacts with ammonia in a first temperature range so as to generate hydrogen; a second ammonia conversion part having an ammonia-decomposing catalyst which decomposes ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen in a second temperature range; an ammonia supply part which supplies ammonia; and an ammonia supply passage which supplies ammonia from said ammonia supply part to the first and second ammonia conversion parts. The first temperature range includes temperatures lower than the second temperature range, and hydrogen is generated from ammonia by selectively using the first and second ammonia conversion parts. An ammonia-burning internal combustion engine and a fuel cell having the hydrogen generator are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kyoichi TANGE, Norihiko NAKAMURA, Haruyuki NAKANISHI, Hidekazu ARIKAWA
  • Patent number: 8815470
    Abstract: It is a main object of the present invention to provide a fuel cell catalyst in which a support for supporting a metal catalyst has electrical conductivity in itself and which can prevent agglomeration of the metal catalyst during long term use of the fuel cell. In the present invention, the object is achieved by providing a fuel cell catalyst for use in a cathode-side catalyst electrode layer of a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell, comprising a metal catalyst and a perovskite-type complex oxide (ABO3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koshi Sekizawa, Haruyuki Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 8741463
    Abstract: A fuel cell assembly that includes at least one cell cartridge with two or more cell modules, a pair of electrodes and current collectors, each cell cartridge further having a fixing portion and module connecting portions; and an outer case for storing one or more cell cartridges, the outer case having a plurality of planar cartridge connecting portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Haruyuki Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 8735007
    Abstract: An alkaline fuel cell having an electrolyte, and anode and cathode electrodes disposed on two sides of the electrolyte is provided. A fuel cell system has this fuel cell, a discharge passageway that is connected to a discharge opening of the fuel cell and that discharges from the fuel cell an exhaust fuel containing unreacted fuel, and a circulation passageway that is connected to an introduction opening for introducing the fuel into the fuel cell and that circulates and supplies the exhaust fuel to the fuel cell. The fuel cell system further includes fuel/water separation means linked to the discharge passageway and the circulation passageway and disposed between the discharge and circulation passageways. The means separates and removes water from the exhaust fuel flowing in from the discharge passageway, and then causes a concentrated fuel from which water has been separated and removed to flow into the circulation passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Haruyuki Nakanishi, Yusuke Kuzushima
  • Patent number: 8658228
    Abstract: A tubular fuel cell module comprising a tubular fuel cell capable of improving current collection efficiency, and a fuel cell comprising the fuel cell module are provided. A fuel cell module (100) includes a plurality of tubular fuel cells (10A, 10A, . . . ) arranged in parallel and a first current collector (35), wherein the tubular fuel cells (10A, 10A, . . . ) are woven by the first current collector (35) in a direction crossing an axial direction of the tubular fuel cells (10A, 10A, . . . ) in a plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Haruyuki Nakanishi, Shigeaki Murata, Masahiro Imanishi, Yoshihisa Tamura
  • Patent number: 8657920
    Abstract: An apparatus and method purify hydrogen from a mixed fluid containing gaseous hydrogen, gaseous oxygen, and liquid water. The apparatus has a mixed fluid channel through which the mixed fluid flows; a first gas channel through which a mixed gas containing gaseous hydrogen and gaseous oxygen flows; a second gas channel through which gaseous hydrogen or oxygen flows; a gas-liquid separating membrane forming a wall between the mixed fluid channel and the first gas channel, separating the mixed gas from the mixed fluid of the mixed fluid channel, and providing the separated mixed gas to the first gas channel; and a hydrogen or oxygen separating membrane forming a wall between the first gas channel and the second gas channel, separating gaseous hydrogen or oxygen from the mixed gas of the first gas channel, and providing the separated gaseous hydrogen or oxygen to the second gas channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Haruyuki Nakanishi, Norihiko Nakamura, Hidekazu Arikawa, Hirofumi Fujiwara, Hidehito Kubo, Keiji Toh, Akiko Kumano, Shohei Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8623313
    Abstract: The invention provides a process for efficient synthesis of ammonia. The process includes a water-splitting step in which water is decomposed to obtain a first source gas comprising hydrogen and oxygen, a first oxygen removal step in which the oxygen contained in the first source gas is at least partially separated and removed by an oxygen separating membrane or hydrogen separating membrane to obtain a second source gas having a lower oxygen concentration than the first source gas, a second oxygen removal step in which the oxygen in the second source gas is reacted with hydrogen to produce water for removal, or is adsorbed onto an adsorption medium for removal, to obtain a third source gas having a lower oxygen concentration than the second source gas, and an ammonia synthesis step in which the hydrogen in the third source gas is reacted with nitrogen to synthesize ammonia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Hitachi Zosen Corporation
    Inventors: Norihiko Nakamura, Haruyuki Nakanishi, Hidekazu Arikawa, Susumu Hikazudani, Chikashi Inazumi
  • Publication number: 20140001036
    Abstract: Provided are a photocatalyst having higher activity for hydrogen production through water splitting and a photoelectrode comprising the photocatalyst. The photocatalyst for water splitting of the present invention comprises a Ga selenide, an Ag—Ga selenide, or both thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Haruyuki Nakanishi, Tsutomu Minegishi, Kazunari Domen, Jun Kubota, Chika Miwada
  • Patent number: 8597583
    Abstract: An ammonia synthesis apparatus includes: a first gas channel; a second gas channel disposed outside the first gas channel; a third gas channel disposed outside the second gas channel; an air supply unit that supplies air to the second or third gas channel; a water supply unit that supplies water to the first gas channel; and a heat supply unit that supplies heat to the first gas channel. A metal or a metal oxide that reduces water to produce hydrogen is placed in the first gas channel. An ammonia synthesis catalyst is placed in the second gas channel located downstream of the downstream end portion of the first gas channel. The second and third gas channels are at least partially partitioned by an oxygen permeation membrane, or a nitrogen permeation membrane, so that oxygen is supplied to the third gas channel, and nitrogen is supplied to the second gas channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Hitachi Zosen Corporation
    Inventors: Haruyuki Nakanishi, Norihiko Nakamura, Hidekazu Arikawa, Susumu Hikazudani, Sadao Araki, Chikashi Inazumi
  • Patent number: 8585996
    Abstract: The invention provides a process for efficient synthesis of ammonia. The process includes a water-splitting step in which water is decomposed to obtain a first source gas comprising hydrogen and oxygen, a first oxygen removal step in which the oxygen contained in the first source gas is at least partially separated and removed by an oxygen separating membrane or hydrogen separating membrane to obtain a second source gas having a lower oxygen concentration than the first source gas, a second oxygen removal step in which the oxygen in the second source gas is reacted with hydrogen to produce water for removal, or is adsorbed onto an adsorption medium for removal, to obtain a third source gas having a lower oxygen concentration than the second source gas, and an ammonia synthesis step in which the hydrogen in the third source gas is reacted with nitrogen to synthesize ammonia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Hitachi Zosen Corporation
    Inventors: Norihiko Nakamura, Haruyuki Nakanishi, Hidekazu Arikawa, Susumu Hikazudani, Chikashi Inazumi
  • Patent number: 8574421
    Abstract: A water-splitting apparatus and method generating hydrogen and oxygen at separate electrodes have a structure enabling a photo catalytic reaction to be efficiently performed. The apparatus includes a photolysis element having an N-type water-splitting electrode surface and a P-type water-splitting electrode surface at the opposite side surface to the N-type water-splitting electrode surface, a hydrogen generating cell holding the N-type water-splitting electrode surface and collecting the hydrogen generated at that water-splitting electrode surface, and an oxygen generating cell holding the P-type water-splitting electrode surface, collecting the oxygen generated at that water-splitting electrode surface, and adjoining the hydrogen generating cell across the photolysis element. The photolysis element has through holes enabling circulation of water between the hydrogen and oxygen generating cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Haruyuki Nakanishi, Hidekazu Arikawa
  • Patent number: 8486583
    Abstract: In a fuel cell including an electrolyte membrane and a pair of electrodes disposed on both sides of the electrolyte membrane, at least one of the electrodes has an electrically conductive nanocolumn that is oriented with an inclination of 60° or less with respect to a planar direction of the electrolyte membrane, a catalyst supported on the electrically conductive nanocolumn, and an electrolyte resin coating the electrically conductive nanocolumn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Hitachi Zosen Corporation
    Inventors: Haruyuki Nakanishi, Chikashi Inazumi, Yuki Sairyo, Momoyo Sawai, Kenji Yoshikawa, Tomoya Yamashita
  • Patent number: 8476322
    Abstract: Provided is a microphase-separated structure membrane including a block copolymer in which a hydrophilic polymer component and a hydrophobic polymer component are coupled to each other via a structural unit having a reactive group, an electron acceptor or electron donor, or a dye. In the microphase-separated structure membrane, a cylinder structure composed of the hydrophilic polymer component lies in a matrix composed of the hydrophobic polymer component and is oriented in the direction perpendicular to the membrane surface, and the structural unit having a reactive group, an electron acceptor or electron donor, or a dye lies between the matrix and the cylinder structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignees: Tokyo Institute of Technology, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomokazu Iyoda, Sadayuki Asaoka, Yukimitsu Suzuki, Haruyuki Nakanishi, Shinichi Matsumoto, Hidekazu Arikawa
  • Patent number: 8475722
    Abstract: The present invention provides a hydrogen generation device using a photocatalyst to generate hydrogen from liquid water or water vapor and a method of using the same. The hydrogen generation device of the present invention has a water channel through which liquid water or water vapor flows, and which has an outer circumferential wall made at least in part of a transparent material; a hydrogen channel through which hydrogen flows and which is located at the inner circumference side of the water channel; a hydrogen separating membrane forming at least part of a wall between the water channel and hydrogen channel, separating hydrogen from the liquid water or water vapor in the water channel, and providing the hydrogen to the hydrogen channel; and a photocatalyst layer arranged on least at part of the water channel-side surface of the hydrogen separating membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Haruyuki Nakanishi, Norihiko Nakamura, Hidekazu Arikawa, Hirofumi Fujiwara, Hidehito Kubo, Keiji Toh, Akiko Kumano, Shohei Matsumoto