Patents by Inventor Hiroto Nakagawa

Hiroto Nakagawa 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: 6050032
    Abstract: A safety fence for a square hatched formed in a slab of a building is provided. The fence has lids pivotable about opposed sides of the hatch, and has such a size that about half of the opening of the hatch is closed by each of the lids. Side frames having a predetermined height are pivotable about opposed sides of the hatch. A plurality of gear mechanisms is provided, with each mechanism comprising a first gear and a second gear in mesh with each other, a first shaft supporting the first gear, a second shaft supporting the second gear, the first and second shafts extending parallel to the opposed ends of the hatch, the first gears being secured to lower ends of the lids, and counterweights mounted to one of the second shafts. The safety fence is set up by erecting the lids and the side frames. A plurality of brackets each having a pair of bracket portions secured to the inner wall of the hatch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignees: Anandenki Co., Ltd., The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Kenichi Yamada, Yukio Nakaya, Hiroto Nakagawa, Mituru Hori
  • Patent number: 5561358
    Abstract: A variable speed pumping up generator includes a first speed control unit for outputting a rotating speed command signal for controlling a pump turbine in accordance with a power output command and outputting an excitation control signal to an AC excitation unit of the generator, and a second speed control unit for controlling, in a generation mode, an amount of AC excitation from an AC excitation unit when a rotating speed of a rotary shaft departs from a lower limit setting or an upper limit setting. The setting is set in accordance with the rotating speed generated during a normal operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Takao Kuwabara, Masataka Harada, Yasuteru Oono, Hiroto Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 5456115
    Abstract: A method of detecting a counterflow in a pump comprises providing with detecting means for detecting variations in the discharge pressure of the pump and signal analyzing means for analyzing oscillation components contained in an output signal from the pressure detecting means, and detecting the pump's operating point to have entered a counterflow characteristic operation region when a waveform of the detection signal generated in association with the variations in the discharge pressure of the pump exhibits a predetermined spectrum distribution. Further, when it is detected that the operating point enters a counterflow characteristic operation region, the escape from that region is performed by temporally throttling the guide vane and temporally increasing the rotating speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Takao Kuwabara, Ezo Kita, Isao Yokoyama, Hiroto Nakagawa, Yasuteru Oono
  • Patent number: 5265002
    Abstract: A semiconductor power conversion system comprising a multiphase bridge circuit which includes semiconductor devices having a controllable firing function and a reverse blocking characteristic, a gate control circuit which gives firing commands to the semiconductor devices, a short circuiting switch in which switching devices having a controllable firing function and a reverse blocking characteristic are connected in parallel with a DC output side of the multiphase bridge circuit, and a protection control device for performing a control for protecting the multiphase bridge circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Akira Bando, Chikara Tanaka, Keiji Saito, Tadao Kawai, Eizo Kita, Keiichi Mitsuhashi, Yasuteru Oono, Hiroto Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 5099409
    Abstract: An improved electric power conversion system comprising a multi-phase bridge circuit composed of semiconductors such as thyristors and an associated firing circuit. It is so constructed that: if the AC input current Iac flowing in the bridge circuit is equal to or larger in value that the DC output current Idc flowing out of the bridge circuit, it will be decided than an inner defect or fault is caused, and possible expansion of inner defect will be prevented by disabling the firing circuit to extinguish the thyristors in the bridge circuit, and if the AC input current Iac is smaller than the DC output current Idc in value, the bridge is permitted to continue the operation of power conversion, thus eliminating unnecessary interruption which otherwise would be caused by exterior disturbances. Also, an improved electric power conversion system may be equipped with a device to prevent an adverse effect from being caused by abnormal rise of thyristors' temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Akira Bando, Chikara Tanaka, Keiji Saito, Tadao Kawai, Eizo Kita, Keiichi Mitsuhashi, Yasuteru Ohno, Hiroto Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 5090872
    Abstract: A method of detecting a counterflow in a pump comprises providing with detecting means for detecting variations in the discharge pressure of the pump and signal analyzing means for analyzing oscillation components contained in an output signal from the pressure detecting means, and detecting the pump's operating point to have entered a counterflow characteristic operation region when a waveform of the detection signal generated in association with the variations in the discharge pressure of the pump exhibits a predetermined spectrum distribution. Further, when it is detected that the operating point enters a counterflow characteristic operation region, the escape from that region is performed by temporally throttling the guide vane and temporally increasing the rotating speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Assignees: Hitachi Ltd., The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Takao Kuwabara, Ezo Kita, Isao Yokoyama, Hiroto Nakagawa, Yasuteru Oono
  • Patent number: 5026256
    Abstract: The operation of a variable speed electric driven pump turbine is monitored continuously during pumping to detect the operation point of the pump turbine, and to prevent it from falling into a hump characteristic region, which is recognizable on a graph of total dynamic head versus flow rate. Stalling occurs in the hump characteristic region as a result of a partial reverse flow of the water with respect to the runner. When the operation point of the pump turbine approaches the hump characteristic region, a corrective action is taken that includes increasing the output level of the electric driven pump turbine to increase its rotating speed, temporarily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., The Kansai Electric Power Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Kuwabara, Hisao Inoue, Hiroto Nakagawa, Eizo Kita
  • Patent number: 4980629
    Abstract: An AC-excited generator/motor apparatus comprising; an AC-excited generator/motor having an armature mounting thereon; an armature winding connected to an AC power system and a rotor mounting thereon; and an exciting winding excited by an AC current. An exciting device for supplying a controlled AC exciting current to the exciting winding comprises; a device for calculating a real slip frequency based on a difference between the phase of an armature voltage appearing on the armature winding and the rotational phase of the rotor; and a device for controlling the exciting current supplied to the exciting winding from the exciting means in response to a deviation of the real slip frequency from a predetermined allowable range of slip frequencies so as to restore the real slip frequency within the allowable range of slip frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Akira Bando, Osamu Nagura, Shigehiro Kayukawa, Junichi Shiozaki, Akira Momiyama, Hiroto Nakagawa, Yasuteru Oono
  • Patent number: 4952852
    Abstract: A generator-motor apparatus with economical protection measures for use in a variable speed pumping-up electric power plant, having a main transformer, a secondary winding of which is coupled to an electric power system, a power system breaker connected to a primary winding of the main transformer, a syncronizing breaker connected in series with the power system breaker, a generator-motor, a rotor of which is mechanically coupled to the pump-turbine and an armature winding of which is connected to the power system through the synchronizing breaker, the power system breaker and the main transformer, and an excitation circuit, including a frequency converter for supplying a field winding of the generator-motor with AC voltage of the variable frequency and a converter transformer for feeding the converter, which is branched from a junction of the power system breaker and the synchronizing breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Akira Bando, Osamu Nagura, Keiji Saito, Ikuro Miyashita, Hashime Nagai, Hiroto Nakagawa, Yasuteru Oono
  • Patent number: 4920277
    Abstract: A variable speed hydro-power plant includes a pump turbine (2) having a S-shaped characteristics at the turbine operation. A current time turbine operating point is grasped on a turbine characteristics diagram of the pump turbine (2). A limit operation characteristics curve (nr) of the pump turbine (2) is formed in advance so as to not reach the S-shaped characteristics turbine operation region. A reach of the limit operation characteristics curve (nr) is detected, a rotating speed (N) of the pump turbine (2) is lowered. An inrush of the pump turbine (2) into the S-shaped characteristics turbine operation region is eliminated, so the continuation of a stable and reliable turbine operation can be guaranteed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1990
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Takao Kuwabara, Hiroto Nakagawa, Eizo Kita
  • Patent number: 4870339
    Abstract: A variable-speed power generating system comprises a variable-speed generator electrically connected at its primary winding to an electric power system and its secondary winding to the electric power system through a frequency converter and mechanically coupled to a driver driving the secondary side thereof, a phase detector generating an output signal representing a slip frequency in response to the application of a first input having a frequency component of an output generated from the primary winding of the variable-speed generator and a second input having a frequency component corresponding to the rotation speed of the driver, a controller controlling the frequency converter on the basis of a reference phase provided by the output signal of the phase detector, and regulating means for controlling the frequency converter so that, when the variable-speed generator is disconnected from the electric power system, the frequency applied to the secondary winding of the variable-speed generator may not deviate
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1989
    Assignees: Hitachi Ltd., The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Yosio Furukawa, Yasuhiro Yasaka, Osamu Nagura, Eiji Haraguchi, Hiroto Nakagawa, Yasuteru Oono
  • Patent number: 4823018
    Abstract: A control system for a variable speed water turbine generator apparatus includes a first function generator that is responsive to an output command signal. The first function generator produces a rotation number command signal. A speed adjuster produces an output signal in accordance with a different signal between the first function generator output and an actual rotation number. An adder adds the generator output command signal to the speed adjuster output signal to determine an overall output command signal. An output aduster produces an output signal in accordance with a difference between the adder output and an actual power output of the generator for controlling the firing angles of the frequency converter. A second function generator, responsive to the generator output command signal, determines an opening command signal for the variable opening vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Assignee: Hitachi Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Kuwabara, Akira Bando, Eiji Haraguchi, Hiroto Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 4812729
    Abstract: There is disclosed a protecting apparatus for a secondary excitation type variable speed AC generator/motor having a primary winding connected to an electric power system and a secondary winding each phase of which is AC excited by an independent power converter unit. The protecting apparatus is arranged to detect an electrical event which includes at least one of an overvoltage and overcurrent appearing at each phase of the secondary winding of the AC generator/motor, to decide whether the detected electrical event meets a predetermined condition and to close, when the electrical event detected in respect to any of phases of the secondary winding is decided as meeting the predetermined condition, a switch circuit connected in the corresponding phase of the secondary winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignees: Hitachi Ltd., The Kansai Electric
    Inventors: Akio Ito, Hidenori Sawa, Hiroshi Sugisaka, Shigeaki Hayashi, Hiroto Nakagawa, Yasuteru Oono, Eiji Haraguchi
  • Patent number: 4812730
    Abstract: A generator/motor system comprises a generator/motor having a primary winding and a secondary winding installed on the motor rotor coupled to a prime mover/load, a main circuit interposed between a power system and the primary winding of the generator/motor, an excitation circuit including a frequency converter inserted between a part of the main circuit and the secondary winding of the generator/motor, a frequency difference detector for determining the difference between the frequency of the power system and a frequency dependent on the rotational speed of the load, and a phase-shift control device for controlling the firing phase of the frequency converter in the excitation circuit by use of a signal from the frequency difference detector as a reference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroto Nakagawa, Yasuteru Oono, Tadaatsu Kato, Osamu Nagura, Sadahiko Niwa, Yosio Furukawa, Shigehiro Kayukawa
  • Patent number: 4766360
    Abstract: An induction generator/motor system has an induction machine connected at its secondary side to a cyclo-converter. An induced voltage develops when the cyclo-converter pauses during a transient phenomenon occurring in the system. When the induced voltage exceeds a predetermined voltage range which covers the maximum output voltage derivable from the cyclo-converter, the polarity of thyristor converters of the cyclo-converter is switched such that the induced voltage is applied to a thyristor converter to be rendered conductive next in forward relationship therewith, thereby preventing occurrence of an overvoltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1988
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., The Kansai Electric Power Co.
    Inventors: Eiji Haraguchi, Hiroto Nakagawa, Akira Bando, Yoji Tanaka, Kenichi Ono, Hiroshi Kashiwazaki, Hiroshi Sugisaka
  • Patent number: 4754156
    Abstract: Disclosed is a control apparatus for a variable-speed hydraulic power generating system comprising a variable-speed a.c. electric generator connected to an a.c. electric power system and a hydraulic machine system including a water turbine for driving the generator and a guide vane for controlling an amount of water supplied to the water turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1988
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Junichi Shiozaki, Akira Bando, Takao Kuwabara, Eiji Haraguchi, Hiroto Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 4743826
    Abstract: In a pumping-up generator/motor system comprising an induction generator/motor, at least one cyclo-converter connected to the secondary winding of the induction generator motor for controlling the rotational speed of the generator/motor in the motor mode and for maintaining the output frequency thereof in the generator mode at a constant level, the center of the speed range of the generator/motor in the generator mode is set near the synchronous speed thereof and a plurality of converter units constituting each cyclo-converter are connected in parallel in the generator mode, and in series in the motor mode thereby allowing the capacity of the cyclo-converter to be made smaller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., The Kansai Elect. Power Co.
    Inventors: Akira Bando, Kenichi Ono, Hiroshi Kashiwazaki, Hiroshi Sugisaka, Eiji Haraguchi, Hiroto Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 4694189
    Abstract: A control system for variable speed hydraulic turbine generator apparatus comprises an induction generator connected at its primary side to an AC power line system, a secondary excitation controller connected to the secondary side of the induction generator and being responsive to a generator output command signal supplied externally to supply to the induction generator an excitation current which causes the induction generator to generate AC power at the same frequency as that on the AC power line system, a hydraulic turbine for rotating the induction generator, a guide valve for regulating the amount of water supplied to the hydraulic turbine, a rotation speed detector for detecting a rotation speed of the induction generator, a rotation speed command calculator for receiving a hydraulic turbine running condition signal inclusive of the external generator output command signal and calculating an optimum rotation speed command, a rotation speed controller for comparing the optimum rotation speed command with
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1987
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Eiji Haraguchi, Hiroto Nakagawa, Akira Bando, Takao Kuwahara, Haruo Nohara, Kenichi Ono