Patents by Inventor Hiroshi Morihara

Hiroshi Morihara 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: 11124724
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing a mechanically stable, energy dense and water-resistant biomass product. By utilizing a unique two-step heating process in combination with mechanical compression, the resulting biomass product retains its physical shape and strength after immersion in ambient water for many hours. The treatment is effective for a variety of cellulosic biomass materials including forest slash wood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: HM3 Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Morihara, Howard J. Dawson, William C. Breneman, Mary McSwain
  • Publication number: 20200181516
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing a mechanically stable, energy dense and water-resistant biomass product. By utilizing a unique two-step heating process in combination with mechanical compression, the resulting biomass product retains its physical shape and strength after immersion in ambient water for many hours. The treatment is effective for a variety of cellulosic biomass materials including forest slash wood.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Applicant: HM3 Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Morihara, Howard J. Dawson, William C. Breneman, Mary McSwain
  • Publication number: 20190233753
    Abstract: A conventional agricultural “cuber” machine was modified to transform fibrous, low density cellulosic biomass into a mechanically stable form suitable for use as a feed stock to a bulk flow torrefier process without requiring the addition of a “binder” or other such adjuvant. Certain disclosed embodiments of the product concern a compact “cube” or “thin puck” of raw cellulosic biomass having a density of from 4 to 15 times the bulk density of the shredded raw biomass or from 20 to 32 lb/cu ft. The moisture content is below 10%, typically 3-8%. The strength of the product as measured by dropping the product onto a hard surface from a height of 3 ft. will not produce more than 10% breakage. The products of the present invention can be produced having any desirable dimensions, such as substantially square-, rectangular- or parallelogram-shaped product having at least one dimension of from about 5 to about 30 millimeters, which corresponds to the dimension of the die 2 in FIG. 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Applicant: HM³ Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Morihara, Mary McSwain
  • Patent number: 9719040
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a binder-free product and process for making the product. The product is a mechanically stable, water resistant torrefied biomass product that does not comprise an extrinsic binder additive. The product is made using a combination of appropriate pre-treatment steps and compressing the conditioned biomass feedstock into a thermally managed compaction device comprising at least one modified die. The modified die allows for differential cooling/heating modifications so as to control the temperature near the entrance to the compaction device and passing the formed torrefied biomass into a post-formation curing zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: HM³ ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Morihara, William C. Breneman, Dave Carter, Andrew J. Green, Howard J. Dawson
  • Patent number: 9487721
    Abstract: A manufacturing process is disclosed for preparing torrefied biomass having a reduced inorganic content which comprises passing crude torrefied biomass through one or more selective separation devices capable of separating inorganic particulate matter from the torrefied biomass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: HM3 Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Breneman, David T. Carter, Howard J. Dawson, Andrew J. Green, Hiroshi Morihara, Richard F. Palmer
  • Patent number: 9206368
    Abstract: A system and method are described for torrefaction of particulate biomass. The system comprises a reactor having mass flow characteristics, containing particulate biomass, and further is equipped with a heated gas input; a gas discharge output; a particulate solids inlet; and a particulate solids discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: HM3 Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Breneman, David Carter, Hiroshi Morihara, Andrew Green
  • Publication number: 20150307798
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a binder-free product and process for making the product. The product is a mechanically stable, water resistant torrefied biomass product that does not comprise an extrinsic binder additive. The product is made using a combination of appropriate pre-treatment steps and compressing the conditioned biomass feedstock into a thermally managed compaction device comprising at least one modified die. The modified die allows for differential cooling/heating modifications so as to control the temperature near the entrance to the compaction device and passing the formed torrefied biomass into a post-formation curing zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: HM3 ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Morihara, William C. Breneman, Dave Carter, Andrew J. Green, Howard J. Dawson
  • Publication number: 20140013661
    Abstract: A manufacturing process is disclosed for preparing torrefied biomass having a reduced inorganic content which comprises passing crude torrefied biomass through one or more selective separation devices capable of separating inorganic particulate matter from the torrefied biomass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: HM3 ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: William C. Breneman, David T. Carter, Howard J. Dawson, Andrew J. Green, Hiroshi Morihara, Richard F. Palmer
  • Patent number: 5545387
    Abstract: Disclosed are a processes and reactors for rapidly producing large diameter, high-purity polycrystalline silicon rods for semiconductor applications by the deposition of silicon from a gas containing a silane compound. The equipment includes a reactor vessel which encloses a powder catcher having a cooled surface. Also within the vessel is a cylindrical water jacket which defines multiple reaction chambers. The silicon powder generated in this process adheres to the coolest surfaces, which are those of the powder catcher, and is thereby collected. Little of the powder adheres to the walls of the reaction chambers. In some embodiments, a fan can be provided to increase gas circulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Advanced Silcon Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Keck, Kenichi Nagai, Yoshifumi Yatsurugi, Hiroshi Morihara, Junji Izawa
  • Patent number: 5478396
    Abstract: Disclosed are a processes and reactors for rapidly producing large diameter, high-purity polycrystalline silicon rods for semiconductor applications by the deposition of silicon from a gas containing a silane compound. The equipment includes a reactor vessel which encloses a powder catcher having a cooled surface. Also within the vessel is a cylindrical water jacket which defines multiple reaction chambers. The silicon powder generated in this process adheres to the coolest surfaces, which are those of the powder catcher, and is thereby collected. Little of the powder adheres to the walls of the reaction chambers. In some embodiments, a fan can be provided to increase gas circulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Advanced Silicon Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Keck, Kenichi Nagai, Yoshifumi Yatsurugi, Hiroshi Morihara, Junji Izawa
  • Patent number: 5382419
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for rapidly producing large diameter, high-purity polycrystalline silicon rods for semiconductor applications, while maintaining the purity of a highly refined monosilane gas inside the reactor. The equipment includes a reactor vessel which encloses powder catchers consisting of cylindrical water jackets. Also within the vessel is a cylindrical water jacket which concentrically surrounds the powder catchers and which defines multiple reaction chambers. Control is effected in such a way that the temperature distribution in different sections inside the reactor is as follows in the ascending order: the powder catcher walls, the walls of the water jacket which defines the reaction chambers, and the lower wall of the vessel cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: Advanced Silicon Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenichi Nagai, Yosifumi Yatsurugi, Hiroshi Morihara, Junji Izawa
  • Patent number: RE36936
    Abstract: Disclosed are .[.a.]. processes and reactors for rapidly producing large diameter, high-purity polycrystalline silicon rods for semiconductor applications by the deposition of silicon from a gas containing a silane compound. The equipment includes a reactor vessel which encloses a powder catcher having a cooled surface. Also within the vessel is a cylindrical water jacket which defines multiple reaction chambers. The silicon powder generated in this process adheres to the coolest surfaces, which are those of the powder catcher, and is thereby collected. Little of the powder adheres to the walls of the reaction chambers. In some embodiments, a fan can be provided to increase gas circulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Advanced Silicon Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Keck, Kenichi Nagai, Yoshifumi Yatsurugi, Hiroshi Morihara, Junji Izawa, Renzin Paljor Yuthok