Patents by Inventor Katsuhiro Aoki

Katsuhiro Aoki 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: 11572841
    Abstract: This single-shaft combined cycle plant comprises: a power generator; a gas turbine; a steam turbine that is driven by using waste heat from the gas turbine, and is connected to the power generator by a clutch when the rotational speed syncs with the rotational speed of the gas turbine; a steam turbine over-rotation prevention device; a gas turbine over-rotation prevention device; and a control device. The control device sets the power generator to an unloaded state and, whilst maintaining the rotational speed Ng of the gas turbine so as to be higher than the rotational speed Ns of the steam turbine and lower than the maximum rotational speed Nglim of the gas turbine, increases the rotational speed Ns of the steam turbine to the maximum rotational speed Nslim of the steam turbine (time t2-t4) and tests whether or not the steam turbine over-rotation prevention device operates normally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Daisuke Esaki, Katsuhiro Aoki, Yoji Endo, Junya Ideguchi, Naoya Kanakuchi, Takashi Shiraiwa
  • Publication number: 20210010393
    Abstract: This single-shaft combined cycle plant comprises: a power generator; a gas turbine; a steam turbine that is driven by using waste heat from the gas turbine, and is connected to the power generator by a clutch when the rotational speed syncs with the rotational speed of the gas turbine; a steam turbine over-rotation prevention device; a gas turbine over-rotation prevention device; and a control device. The control device sets the power generator to an unloaded state and, whilst maintaining the rotational speed Ng of the gas turbine so as to be higher than the rotational speed Ns of the steam turbine and lower than the maximum rotational speed Nglim of the gas turbine, increases the rotational speed Ns of the steam turbine to the maximum rotational speed Nslim of the steam turbine (time t2-t4) and tests whether or not the steam turbine over-rotation prevention device operates normally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Daisuke ESAKI, Katsuhiro AOKI, Yoji ENDO, Junya IDEGUCHI, Naoya KANAKUCHI, Takashi SHIRAIWA
  • Patent number: 9783186
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus includes a first electric motor, a second electric motor, a power storage device, a first consumption amount calculator, a first saving amount calculator, a saving balance calculator, and a display controller. The first consumption amount calculator calculates a first fuel amount consumed by the engine owing to charging when the power storage device is charged. The first saving amount calculator calculates a first fuel amount saved by the engine owing to discharge when the power storage device is discharging. The saving balance calculator calculates, based on the first fuel amount consumed and the first fuel amount saved, a fuel saving balance for each calculation period. The display controller controls, based on the fuel saving balance, fuel saving information to be displayed on a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takafumi Matsushita, Katsuhiro Aoki, Makoto Nakamoto, Yusuke Komatsu
  • Publication number: 20160368473
    Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus includes a first electric motor, a second electric motor, a power storage device, a first consumption amount calculator, a first saving amount calculator, a saving balance calculator, and a display controller. The first consumption amount calculator calculates a first fuel amount consumed by the engine owing to charging when the power storage device is charged. The first saving amount calculator calculates a first fuel amount saved by the engine owing to discharge when the power storage device is discharging. The saving balance calculator calculates, based on the first fuel amount consumed and the first fuel amount saved, a fuel saving balance for each calculation period. The display controller controls, based on the fuel saving balance, fuel saving information to be displayed on a display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Takafumi MATSUSHITA, Katsuhiro AOKI, Makoto NAKAMOTO, Yusuke KOMATSU
  • Publication number: 20150277272
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprising: a charging member (110) that receives application of a charge potential to charge an image bearing member (100); an exposing member (120) that exposes the image bearing member (100); a developing member (130) that receives application of a developing bias to form a toner image on the image bearing member (100) based on a state of the exposure; a transfer member (140) that receives application of a transfer bias to transfer the toner image formed on the image bearing member (100) to a recording medium; a transfer bias applicator (240) that applies a predetermined voltage to the transfer member (140); a current detector (250) that detects currents flowing through the transfer member (140) upon application of two or more kinds of voltages from the transfer bias applicator (240) to the transfer member (140); and a voltage determination unit (300) that determines a charge potential and a developing bias to be employed in image formation based on a predefined voltage decision
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventor: Katsuhiro AOKI
  • Patent number: 9008556
    Abstract: A development device includes a developer bearer to carry developer thereon and receive a development bias and a developer regulator to adjust an amount of developer carried on the developer bearer. Multiple recesses recessed from a reference surface area are formed in a surface of the developer bearer, the developer bearer includes a conductive base in which the recesses are formed, and the conductive base in the reference surface area is coated with an insulative surface layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuuji Ishikura, Katsuhiro Aoki, Masaaki Yamada, Masayuki Yamane, Atsushi Kurokawa, Yuuki Satoh
  • Patent number: 8768224
    Abstract: A developing device includes: a first developer carrier that is moved in a same direction as a moving direction of a latent image carrier at a faster linear speed than the latent image carrier; a second developer carrier that further develops the obtained toner image and that is moved in a same direction at a faster linear speed than the latent image carrier; and a bias output unit that outputs a developing bias to be applied to the second developer carrier. The developing bias includes a direct-current component and a non-rectangular alternating-current component whose waveform has a gentle edge at which a direction of an electric field between the second developer carrier and a background portion of the latent image carrier is changed to a direction in which the toner is moved from the background portion toward the second developer carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Daichi Yamaguchi, Katsuhiro Aoki, Akihiro Kawakami
  • Patent number: 8626039
    Abstract: A developing device includes a non-magnetic rotatable sleeve of a developer bearer to bear developer and a development electric field generator to generate a development electric field between the image bearer and the developer bearer by applying a development bias to the developer bearer. The developing bias is an AC bias generating an AC electric field therebetween. The magnetic carrier includes a plurality of fine particles each covered by a covering layer made of prescribed material having a volume resistivity equal to or more than 1012 [?·cm] having a prescribed particle diameter equal to or less than 100 [nm]. Each of the a plurality of fine particles has a total volume resistivity equal to or less than 105 [?·cm]. The magnetic carrier has a total volume resistivity equal to or more than 1012 [?·cm].
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Aoki, Akira Azami, Daichi Yamaguchi, Akihiro Kawakami
  • Publication number: 20130243499
    Abstract: A development device includes a developer bearer to carry developer thereon and receive a development bias and a developer regulator to adjust an amount of developer carried on the developer bearer. Multiple recesses recessed from a reference surface area are formed in a surface of the developer bearer, the developer bearer includes a conductive base in which the recesses are formed, and the conductive base in the reference surface area is coated with an insulative surface layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventors: Yuuji Ishikura, Katsuhiro Aoki, Masaaki Yamada, Masayuki Yamane, Atsushi Kurokawa, Yuuki Satoh
  • Publication number: 20130071148
    Abstract: A development device includes a developer bearer to carry by rotation developer to a development range facing a latent image bearer, a planar developer regulator disposed to contact a surface of the developer bearer to adjust an amount of developer carried to the development range, and a lateral end seal to contact an axial end portion of the developer bearer. The developer bearer includes an uneven surface range having projections and recesses and including an axial center of the developer bearer and smooth surface ranges positioned outside the uneven surface range in an axial direction of the developer bearer, and the lateral end seal is disposed astride the uneven surface range and the smooth surface range of the developer bearer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: Yuuji ISHIKURA, Yasuyuki ISHII, Osamu ENDOU, Yoshiko OGAWA, Katsuhiro AOKI, Masaaki YAMADA, Masayuki YAMANE, Atsushi KUROKAWA, Yuuki SATOH
  • Publication number: 20120213557
    Abstract: A developing device includes: a first developer carrier that is moved in a same direction as a moving direction of a latent image carrier at a faster linear speed than the latent image carrier; a second developer carrier that further develops the obtained toner image and that is moved in a same direction at a faster linear speed than the latent image carrier; and a bias output unit that outputs a developing bias to be applied to the second developer carrier. The developing bias includes a direct-current component and a non-rectangular alternating-current component whose waveform has a gentle edge at which a direction of an electric field between the second developer carrier and a background portion of the latent image carrier is changed to a direction in which the toner is moved from the background portion toward the second developer carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Daichi Yamaguchi, Katsuhiro Aoki, Akihiro Kawakami
  • Patent number: 8180270
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit and a re-heating unit. The fixing unit fixes a toner image on a recording medium by applying heat to the toner image with a first glossiness level. The re-heating unit re-heats the toner image, fixed on the recording medium by the fixing unit, to set a second glossiness level lower than the first glossiness level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kei Yasutomi, Hitoshi Maruyama, Masanori Saitoh, Takeo Tsukamoto, Katsuhiro Aoki, Katsuaki Miyawaki, Eisaku Murakami
  • Publication number: 20120082485
    Abstract: A developing device includes a non-magnetic rotatable sleeve of a developer bearer to bear developer and a development electric field generator to generate a development electric field between the image bearer and the developer bearer by applying a development bias to the developer bearer. The developing bias is an AC bias generating an AC electric field therebetween. The magnetic carrier includes a plurality of fine particles each covered by a covering layer made of prescribed material having a volume resistivity equal to or more than 1012 [?·cm] having a prescribed particle diameter equal to or less than 100 [nm]. Each of the a plurality of fine particles has a total volume resistivity equal to or less than 105 [?·cm].
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Inventors: Katsuhiro AOKI, Akira Azami, Daichi Yamaguchi, Akihiro Kawakami
  • Patent number: 8059996
    Abstract: A developing apparatus performs image visualization processing by electrostatically adhering toner carried on a developer carrying member onto an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrying member. In the developing apparatus, the toner to be supplied to the developer carrying member is directly injected onto the developer carrying members after flying inside an electric field generated immediately before reaching the developer carrying member. The electric field has one of a homopolarity and a reverse polarity to the electrostatic latent image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ikeguchi, Katsuhiro Aoki
  • Patent number: 7822351
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a toner-layer filling-rate lowering unit that causes a toner layer of toner images to be formed on an image carrier so that the toner layer has sufficient optical transparency for exposing and the toner-layer filling rate is set relatively low; and a toner rolling rate adjusting unit that rolls the toner images at a predetermined toner rolling rate in accordance with the toner-layer filling rate when the toner images are transferred to the transferring/fixing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Aoki, Takeo Tsukamoto, Takashi Fujita, Yasuyuki Ishii, Katsuaki Miyawaki, Masanori Saitoh, Kei Yasutomi, Hitoshi Maruyama
  • Patent number: 7751746
    Abstract: A rotary-body driving-force transmitting mechanism transmits a driving force from a driving-force source to a rotary body. A rotary-inertial-body driving-force transmitting mechanism transmits the driving force to a rotary inertial body that suppresses a velocity fluctuation in the rotary body. A rotational velocity shift mechanism shifts the rotational velocity. The rotary inertial body, the rotary-body driving-force transmitting mechanism, and the rotary-inertial-body driving-force transmitting mechanism are provided coaxially with a rotary shaft of the rotary body. A satellite frictional gear mechanism is used as the rotational velocity shift mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Katsuaki Miyawaki, Tetsuo Watanabe, Takeo Tsukamoto, Katsuhiro Aoki, Kei Yasutomi, Hitoshi Maruyama, Hiroshi Ikeguchi
  • Patent number: 7738813
    Abstract: A corona charger includes a case provided in the vicinity of a device to be charged. The case includes an opening facing the device, a discharge electrode, a first charging region, and a second charging region. The discharge electrode provided inside the case and supplied with a voltage so as to generate a corona discharge charges a surface of the device from the opening by supplying the corona discharge to the surface. The first charging region includes no grid electrode at a position upstream of the opening in a surface moving direction of the device. The second charging region includes a grid electrode to which a predetermined voltage is applied at a position downstream of the opening. The voltage applied to the discharge electrode is an alternating current (AC) voltage superimposed on a direct current (DC) voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kei Yasutomi, Hitoshi Maruyama, Katsuaki Miyawaki, Takeo Tsukamoto, Masanori Saitoh, Katsuhiro Aoki
  • Patent number: 7734233
    Abstract: A disclosed development device includes: a latent image carrier; a conveying member disposed so as to face the latent image carrier, the conveying member having plural electrodes insulated from one another and arranged at predetermined intervals so as to generate an electric field for moving toner on the conveying member; a voltage application unit applying a voltage of n phases (n is a positive integer not less than one) to the electrodes so as to form a cloud of the toner and the toner is adhered to the latent image carrier so as to form a visualized toner image; a toner supply unit supplying the toner to the conveying member; and a height adjusting member adjusting a uniform height for a toner layer of the toner immediately before a development area on the conveying member in which development is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Aoki, Hideki Zemba, Tomoko Takahashi, Nobuaki Kondoh, Masanori Horike, Masaaki Yamada, Takeo Tsukamoto, Hideki Kosugi, Ichiro Kadota, Yoshinori Nakagawa, Yasuyuki Ishii
  • Patent number: 7672625
    Abstract: A developing device, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus that use ETH development, and are capable of forming good multi-color images with a simple construction, and are capable of preventing the dispersal of powder. The developing device is for developing latent images on a latent image carrying member by applying powder to the latent image carrying member, and comprises: a transport member disposed in opposition to the latent image carrying member and having a plurality of transport electrodes that generate a progressive wave electric field to move the powder; a voltage supply device for applying a multi-phase voltage to the transport electrodes; and a transport member surface potential determination device for determining the surface potential of the transport member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoko Takahashi, Katsuhiro Aoki, Hideki Zemba
  • Publication number: 20090324301
    Abstract: A developing apparatus performs image visualization processing by electrostatically adhering toner carried on a developer carrying member onto an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrying member. In the developing apparatus, the toner to be supplied to the developer carrying member is directly injected onto the developer carrying members after flying inside an electric field generated immediately before reaching the developer carrying member. The electric field has one of a homopolarity and a reverse polarity to the electrostatic latent image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ikeguchi, Katsuhiro Aoki