Patents by Inventor Hiroshi Akama
Hiroshi Akama 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: 20110071019Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying catalyst (1) includes: a three-dimensional structural substrate (10) having a plurality of cells (11) partitioned by cell walls (12) having pores (13); and catalyst layers (20) formed in the three-dimensional structural substrate (10). The catalyst layers (20) have pore-cover portions (22) formed on surfaces (13a) of the pores (13) of the cell walls (12). In addition, the catalyst layers (20) of the pore-cover portions (22) have activated pores (22a) with a pore diameter of 0.1 micrometers to 10 micrometers. In the exhaust gas purifying catalyst (1), the obstruction of the vent holes (pores (13)) in the catalyst layers (20) can be controlled, and the pressure loss can be reduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2009Publication date: March 24, 2011Inventors: Yasunari Hanaki, Hiroshi Akama, Hitoshi Onodera, Toru Nishizawa, Yoshiaki Hiramoto, Hideaki Morisaka, Masahiro Takaya
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Publication number: 20110019322Abstract: A power supply apparatus and method are provided. A conversion component outputs a first current having a predetermined phase region, an output component outputs a load voltage, a sense component senses a second current value, and a switch element allows current to flow in a first state and impedes current in a second state. The switch element changes between states based on a drive signal forcing the switch into the second state when the first current is in the predetermined phase region and the second current value exceeds a threshold indicating an overcurrent condition. A region determination circuit determines whether the first current is in the predetermined phase region and produces a phase region signal. An overcurrent detection circuit senses the second current value, determines whether it exceeds an overcurrent condition threshold, and produces an overcurrent signal. A protection circuit causes the drive circuit to switch the drive signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2010Publication date: January 27, 2011Applicant: SONY CORPORATIONInventor: Hiroshi Akama
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Publication number: 20100199635Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying system includes: a NOx trapping agent (2) which adsorbs nitrogen oxide when an excess air ratio of exhaust gas is more than 1, and releases nitrogen oxide when the excess air ratio is 1 or less; a NOx purifying catalyst (13) which reduces nitrogen oxide to nitrogen; and an oxygen concentration controller which controls oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas. When the excess air ratio of the exhaust gas is more than 1, nitrogen oxide is adsorbed to the NOx trapping agent (2). When the excess air ratio of the exhaust gas is 1 or less, the oxygen concentration controller controls the oxygen concentration of the exhaust gas at an inlet of the NOx purifying catalyst between 0.8 and 1.5% by volume, so that the NOx purifying catalyst reduces nitrogen oxide released from the NOx trapping agent.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2008Publication date: August 12, 2010Inventors: Hiroshi Akama, Hitoshi Onodera
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Patent number: 7572422Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying method for a fuel cell vehicle comprises preparing an exhaust gas purifying system for the fuel cell vehicle, the exhaust gas purifying system including a methane removal catalyst for accelerating the conversion of methane into hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The methane removal catalyst comprises a catalytic ingredient including at least one of rhodium, platinum and palladium.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2007Date of Patent: August 11, 2009Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toru Sekiba, Hiroshi Akama
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Publication number: 20080219907Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying method for a fuel cell vehicle comprises preparing an exhaust gas purifying system for the fuel cell vehicle, the exhaust gas purifying system including a methane removal catalyst for accelerating the conversion of methane into hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The methane removal catalyst comprises a catalytic ingredient including at least one of rhodium, platinum and palladium.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2007Publication date: September 11, 2008Inventors: Toru SEKIBA, Hiroshi Akama
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Publication number: 20060292051Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying method for a fuel cell vehicle comprises preparing an exhaust gas purifying system for the fuel cell vehicle, the exhaust gas purifying system including a methane removal catalyst for accelerating the conversion of methane into hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The methane removal catalyst comprises a catalytic ingredient including at least one of rhodium, platinum and palladium.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2006Publication date: December 28, 2006Inventors: Toru Sekiba, Hiroshi Akama
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Patent number: 7115236Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying method for a fuel cell vehicle comprises preparing an exhaust gas purifying system for the fuel cell vehicle, the exhaust gas purifying system including a methane removal catalyst for accelerating the conversion of methane into hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The methane removal catalyst comprises a catalytic ingredient including at least one of rhodium, platinum and palladium.Type: GrantFiled: December 25, 2002Date of Patent: October 3, 2006Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toru Sekiba, Hiroshi Akama
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Patent number: 6916450Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying system for an automotive internal combustion engine. The exhaust gas purifying system comprises a flow-through monolithic catalyst disposed in an exhaust gas passageway through which exhaust gas flows. The monolithic catalyst functions to adsorb and oxidize a soluble organic fraction in exhaust gas, to adsorb nitrogen oxides in exhaust gas in a condition in which a temperature of exhaust gas is not higher than 200° C. and to allow carbon particle in exhaust gas to pass through the monolithic catalyst. Additionally, a filter catalyst is disposed in the exhaust gas passageway downstream of the flow-through monolithic catalyst. The filter catalyst functions to trap the carbon particle and to oxidize hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and nitrogen monoxide in exhaust gas.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2001Date of Patent: July 12, 2005Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroshi Akama, Hiroaki Kaneko, Junji Itou, Motohisa Kamijo
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Patent number: 6845021Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-output DC-DC converter which supplies an input direct voltage to a series circuit consisting of a primary winding (3a) of a transformer (3) and a switching circuit (2) to obtain first and second output direct voltages from a secondary winding (3b) of the transformer (3) via first and second rectifying circuits, wherein a switching signal of the switching circuit (2) is controlled corresponding to the first output direct voltage so that the first output direct voltage is caused to be constant, and a variable reactor (10) is inserted into the second rectifying circuit. Thus, loss of power can be reduced in a simplified configuration.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2001Date of Patent: January 18, 2005Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Hiroki Kanehira, Hiroshi Akama
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Patent number: 6729125Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying system for an internal combustion engine mounted on an automotive vehicle. The exhaust gas purifying system includes an exhaust gas component concentration regulating device disposed in an exhaust gas passageway of the engine, for regulating concentrations of gas components in exhaust gas discharged from the engine such that the concentrations of carbon monoxide and hydrogen are respectively not more than 2.0% by volume and not less than 0.5% by volume and such that a volume concentration ratio of [hydrogen/carbon monoxide] is not smaller than 0.5, in rich and stoichiometric conditions of exhaust gas. Additionally, a NOx adsorbing and reducing catalyst is disposed in the exhaust gas passageway downstream of the exhaust gas component concentration regulating device, for adsorbing nitrogen oxides in a lean condition of the exhaust gas and reducing the nitrogen oxides into nitrogen in the rich and stoichiometric conditions.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2002Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Katsuo Suga, Yasunari Hanaki, Maki Shimada, Hiroshi Akama, Motohisa Kamijo, Hironori Wakamatsu
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Publication number: 20040072687Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying method for a fuel cell vehicle comprises preparing an exhaust gas purifying system for the fuel cell vehicle, the exhaust gas purifying system including a methane removal catalyst for accelerating the conversion of methane into hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The methane removal catalyst comprises a catalytic ingredient including at least one of rhodium, platinum and palladium.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2003Publication date: April 15, 2004Inventors: Toru Sekiba, Hiroshi Akama
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Publication number: 20030141855Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-output DC-DC converter which supplies an input direct voltage to a series circuit consisting of a primary winding (3a) of a transformer (3) and a switching circuit (2) to obtain first and second output direct voltages from a secondary winding (3b) of the transformer (3) via first and second rectifying circuits, wherein a switching signal of the switching circuit (2) is controlled corresponding to the first output direct voltage so that the first output direct voltage is caused to be constant, and a variable reactor (10) is inserted into the second rectifying circuit. Thus, loss of power can be reduced in a simplified configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2002Publication date: July 31, 2003Inventors: Hiroki Kanehira, Hiroshi Akama
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Publication number: 20030093992Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying system for an internal combustion engine mounted on an automotive vehicle. The exhaust gas purifying system comprises an exhaust gas component concentration regulating device disposed in an exhaust gas passageway of the engine, for regulating concentrations of gas components in exhaust gas discharged from the engine such that the concentrations of carbon monoxide and hydrogen are respectively not more than 2.0% by volume and not less than 0.5 by volume and such that a volume concentration ratio of [hydrogen/carbon monoxide] is not smaller than 0.5, in rich and stoichiometric conditions of exhaust gas. Additionally, a NOx adsorbing and reducing catalyst is disposed in the exhaust gas passageway downstream of the exhaust gas component concentration regulating device, for adsorbing nitrogen oxides in a lean condition of the exhaust gas and reducing the nitrogen oxides into nitrogen in the rich and stoichiometric conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2002Publication date: May 22, 2003Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Katsuo Suga, Yasunari Hanaki, Maki Shimada, Hiroshi Akama, Motohisa Kamijo, Hironori Wakamatsu
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Patent number: 6557342Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying system for an internal combustion engine mounted on an automotive vehicle. The exhaust gas purifying system may include an exhaust gas component concentration regulating device disposed in an exhaust gas passageway of the engine, for regulating concentrations of gas components in exhaust gas discharged from the engine such that the concentrations of carbon monoxide and hydrogen are respectively not more than 2.0% by volume and not less than 0.5 by volume and such that a volume concentration ratio of hydrogen/carbon monoxide is not smaller than 0.5, in a first exhaust gas condition in which air/fuel ratio of exhaust gas is within a range of from a rich value and a stoichiometric value.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2001Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Katsuo Suga, Yasunari Hanaki, Maki Shimada, Hiroshi Akama, Motohisa Kamijo
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Patent number: 6526950Abstract: A fuel vapor treatment or recovery system for an automotive internal combustion engine. The system comprises a canister containing a fuel vapor adsorbing material. A membrane separation module is provided to be connected to the canister and including a separation membrane for separating a mixture gas into an air-rich component and a fuel vapor-rich component. The separation membrane has an air-selective permeability so that the air-rich component is be able to pass through the separation membrane, the mixture gas containing air and fuel vapor. Additionally, a gas transporting device is provided to be connected to the canister, for causing purge gas to be introduced into the canister to purge fuel vapor from the fuel vapor adsorbing material and causing fuel vapor purged from the canister to be fed to the membrane separation module.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2001Date of Patent: March 4, 2003Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masashi Ito, Mikio Kawai, Kazuhiko Shinohara, Hiroshi Akama, Junji Ito
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Publication number: 20020056270Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying system for an internal combustion engine mounted on an automotive vehicle. The exhaust gas purifying system comprises an exhaust gas component concentration regulating device disposed in an exhaust gas passageway of the engine, for regulating concentrations of gas components in exhaust gas discharged from the engine such that the concentrations of carbon monoxide and hydrogen are respectively not more than 2.0% by volume and not less than 0.5 by volume and such that a volume concentration ratio of [hydrogen/carbon monoxide] is not smaller than 0.5, in a first exhaust gas condition in which air/fuel ratio of exhaust gas is within a range of from a rich value and a stoichiometric value.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2001Publication date: May 16, 2002Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO.,LTD.Inventors: Katsuo Suga, Yasunari Hanaki, Maki Shimada, Hiroshi Akama, Motohisa Kamijo
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Publication number: 20020053202Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying system for an automotive internal combustion engine. The exhaust gas purifying system comprises a flow-through monolithic catalyst disposed in an exhaust gas passageway through which exhaust gas flows. The monolithic catalyst functions to adsorb and oxidize a soluble organic fraction in exhaust gas, to adsorb nitrogen oxides in exhaust gas in a condition in which a temperature of exhaust gas is not higher than 200° C. and to allow carbon particle in exhaust gas to pass through the monolithic catalyst. Additionally, a filter catalyst is disposed in the exhaust gas passageway downstream of the flow-through monolithic catalyst. The filter catalyst functions to trap the carbon particle and to oxidize hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and nitrogen monoxide in exhaust gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2001Publication date: May 9, 2002Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTDInventors: Hiroshi Akama, Hiroaki Kaneko, Junji Itou, Motohisa Kamijo
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Patent number: 6370870Abstract: A nitrogen oxide absorbing material (38) which absorbs nitrogen oxide when the reduction component concentration of exhaust gas in the exhaust passage (31) of an engine (1) is lower than a predetermined concentration, and discharges nitrogen oxide when the reduction component concentration of exhaust gas in the exhaust passage (31) of the engine (1) is higher than the predetermined concentration, and a catalyst (38) which promotes reduction of the discharged nitrogen oxides by a reduction component are provided. A controller (40) first reduces the reduction component concentration of the exhaust gas over a first predetermined time period by, for example, advancing the fuel injection timing. The controller (40) then increases the reduction component concentration of the exhaust gas over a second predetermined time period by, for example, retarding the fuel injection timing.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 1999Date of Patent: April 16, 2002Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Motohisa Kamijo, Maki Kamikubo, Hiroshi Akama, Jyunji Itou, Motohiro Shinzawa, Yasuhisa Kitahara
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Publication number: 20020038542Abstract: A hydrogen-containing gas producing system of an onboard type, for producing hydrogen-containing gas to be used for purification of exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine. The hydrogen-containing system comprises a fuel supply source for supplying fuel as a raw material of the hydrogen-containing gas. A carrier gas supply source is provided for supplying a carrier gas for carrying the fuel. A device is provided for vaporizing the fuel so as to form a vaporized fuel serving as a reaction gas. The fuel vaporizing device is connected to the fuel supply source and the carrier gas supply source. Additionally, a reforming section is connected to the fuel vaporizing device, for reforming the reaction gas so as to produce the hydrogen-containing gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2001Publication date: April 4, 2002Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Hiroshi Akama, Junji Itou, Hiroaki Kaneko
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Publication number: 20010011539Abstract: A fuel vapor treatment or recovery system for an automotive internal combustion engine. The system comprises a canister containing a fuel vapor adsorbing material. A membrane separation module is provided to be connected to the canister and including a separation membrane for separating a mixture gas into an air-rich component and a fuel vapor-rich component. The separation membrane has an air-selective permeability so that the air-rich component is be able to pass through the separation membrane, the mixture gas containing air and fuel vapor. Additionally, a gas transporting device is provided to be connected to the canister, for causing purge gas to be introduced into the canister to purge fuel vapor from the fuel vapor adsorbing material and causing fuel vapor purged from the canister to be fed to the membrane separation module.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2001Publication date: August 9, 2001Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Masashi Ito, Mikio Kawai, Kazuhiko Shinohara, Hiroshi Akama, Junji Ito