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).

  • Publication number: 20110019322
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroshi Akama
  • Publication number: 20100199635
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Hiroshi Akama, Hitoshi Onodera
  • Patent number: 7572422
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Sekiba, Hiroshi Akama
  • Publication number: 20080219907
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventors: Toru SEKIBA, Hiroshi Akama
  • Publication number: 20060292051
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Publication date: December 28, 2006
    Inventors: Toru Sekiba, Hiroshi Akama
  • Patent number: 7115236
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Sekiba, Hiroshi Akama
  • Patent number: 6916450
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Akama, Hiroaki Kaneko, Junji Itou, Motohisa Kamijo
  • Patent number: 6845021
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Kanehira, Hiroshi Akama
  • Patent number: 6729125
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuo Suga, Yasunari Hanaki, Maki Shimada, Hiroshi Akama, Motohisa Kamijo, Hironori Wakamatsu
  • Publication number: 20040072687
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Toru Sekiba, Hiroshi Akama
  • Publication number: 20030141855
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Hiroki Kanehira, Hiroshi Akama
  • Publication number: 20030093992
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Katsuo Suga, Yasunari Hanaki, Maki Shimada, Hiroshi Akama, Motohisa Kamijo, Hironori Wakamatsu
  • Patent number: 6557342
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuo Suga, Yasunari Hanaki, Maki Shimada, Hiroshi Akama, Motohisa Kamijo
  • Patent number: 6526950
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masashi Ito, Mikio Kawai, Kazuhiko Shinohara, Hiroshi Akama, Junji Ito
  • Publication number: 20020056270
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO.,LTD.
    Inventors: Katsuo Suga, Yasunari Hanaki, Maki Shimada, Hiroshi Akama, Motohisa Kamijo
  • Publication number: 20020053202
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD
    Inventors: Hiroshi Akama, Hiroaki Kaneko, Junji Itou, Motohisa Kamijo
  • Patent number: 6370870
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motohisa Kamijo, Maki Kamikubo, Hiroshi Akama, Jyunji Itou, Motohiro Shinzawa, Yasuhisa Kitahara
  • Publication number: 20020038542
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Publication date: April 4, 2002
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Akama, Junji Itou, Hiroaki Kaneko
  • Publication number: 20010011539
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Publication date: August 9, 2001
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masashi Ito, Mikio Kawai, Kazuhiko Shinohara, Hiroshi Akama, Junji Ito
  • Patent number: 5681788
    Abstract: A catalyst for the purification of exhaust gas comprises a first coat layer of a palladium-carried activated alumina containing Ce, Zr and La formed on a honeycomb carrier, a second coat layer of an activated alumina containing Ce, Zr and La formed on the first coat layer, and a third coat layer of copper ion-exchanged zeolite powder formed on the second coat layer and efficiently purifies NOx, HC and CO in the exhaust gas under conditions from theoretical air-fuel ratio to excessive oxygen atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kanesaka, Hiroshi Akama, Maki Kamikubo