Patents by Inventor Kazuhiko Shiratani

Kazuhiko Shiratani 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: 20070259121
    Abstract: A part provided with an oil-repellent coating having an oil repellency great enough to enable droplets of fuel and lubricating oil to quickly slide off from the surface in the vicinity of an injection port of a fuel injector and a method of production of the same are provided. A part comprised of a metal base material on the surface of which an oil-repellent coating is provided, said part provided with an oil-repellent coating wherein said oil-repellent coating is constituted by a bottom layer of PES (polyether sulfone) adhered to a surface of the base material and a top layer formed by dispersion of discrete phases of FEP (tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer) in a continuous phase of PES integrally formed with the PES of the bottom layer and wherein the top layer is exposed as the surface of the oil-repellent coating. A weight ratio PES wt %:FEP wt % of PES and PEP which form the oil-repellent coating is preferably 40:60 to 80:20, more preferably 60:40 to 75:25.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Publication date: November 8, 2007
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Shiratani, Syoji Miyazaki, Katsumi Sakamoto, Akihito Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7111594
    Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine having an; electromagnetically driven intake valves for a vehicle. With the method, deviation of an opening operation of the electromagnetically driven intake valve in response to a command signal for opening the intake valve from a predetermined characteristic is detected, and at least one of parameters used for controlling operation of the internal combustion engine is corrected so as to reduce a change in an intake air charging state in which the internal combustion engine is charge with the intake air. A valve closing timing of the intake valve or a valve closing timing of the exhaust valve that cooperates with the intake valve may be used as parameters to be corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tametoshi Mizuta, Isao Matsumoto, Kazuhiko Shiratani, Shoji Katsumata, Keiji Yoeda, Makoto Ogiso, Hideyuki Nishida
  • Patent number: 7028652
    Abstract: A device for controlling an internal combustion engine with a variable valve timing system is provided. While the piston descends just after the combustion in the cylinder, the intake valve is opened by the variable valve system for the intake valve such that the intake air is supplied into the cylinder from the engine intake system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Iwashita, Shigeo Kikori, Kazuhiko Shiratani, Shouji Katsumata, Keiji Yoeda, Makoto Ogiso, Hideyuki Nishida, Tomomi Yamada
  • Patent number: 7007920
    Abstract: A control method with variable feedback gain for energization of an electro-magnetically driven intake/exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine increases opening and closing speeds of the intake/exhaust valve driven with electromagnets having small capacity and brings the final speed of the opening and closing action of the valve close to zero. A target moving speed of the armature relative to the electromagnets is determined dependent upon a spacing distance of the armature from the electromagnet; at least a part of energization of the electro-magnetically driven valve is controlled through feedforward control so as to make an actual moving speed of the armature relative to the electromagnets in conformity with the target moving speed while at least the other part of the energization is controlled through feedback control based upon a deviation of the actual moving speed from the target moving speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideyuki Nishida, Isao Matsumoto, Kazuhiko Shiratani, Shoji Katsumata, Tametoshi Mizuta, Keiji Yoeda, Makoto Ogiso
  • Patent number: 6945036
    Abstract: Carbon-containing particulates like soot included in an exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine are collected by means of a heat-resistant filter medium. The filter medium dispersedly collects hydrocarbon compounds and the carbon-containing particulates included in the exhaust gas. Even when the exhaust gas has a lower temperature than the combustible temperature of the carbon-containing particulates, such dispersed collection ensures start of a preliminary oxidation reaction of the collected hydrocarbon compounds with oxygen included in the exhaust gas. The collected hydrocarbon compounds and the collected carbon-containing particulates are then subjected to combustion with the exhaust gas having a filter inflow temperature lower than the combustible temperature of the carbon-containing particulates by utilizing the reaction heat and active species produced by the reaction. This technique thus simply but securely regulates and reduces the carbon-containing particulates included in the exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Zenichiro Kato, Hiromichi Yanagihara, Toshihisa Sugiyama, Yoshimitsu Henda, Kazuhiko Shiratani, Rentaro Kuroki
  • Publication number: 20050016478
    Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine having an; electromagnetically driven intake valves for a vehicle. With the method, deviation of an opening operation of the electromagnetically driven intake valve in response to a command signal for opening the intake valve from a predetermined characteristic is detected, and at least one of parameters used for controlling operation of the internal combustion engine is corrected so as to reduce a change in an intake air charging state in which the internal combustion engine is charge with the intake air. A valve closing timing of the intake valve or a valve closing timing of the exhaust valve that cooperates with the intake valve may be used as parameters to be corrected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Publication date: January 27, 2005
    Inventors: Tametoshi Mizuta, Isao Matsumoto, Kazuhiko Shiratani, Shoji Katsumata, Keiji Yoeda, Makoto Ogiso, Hideyuki Nishida
  • Patent number: 6829891
    Abstract: A first heat-resistant filter medium is disposed in an exhaust pathway of an internal combustion engine. The first heat-resistant filter medium traps hydrocarbon compounds and carbon-containing particulates included in a flow of exhaust gas in a dispersive manner to bring the respective particulates and hydrocarbon compounds in contact with oxygen included in the exhaust gas. The trapped hydrocarbon compounds and the trapped carbon-containing particulates are subjected to combustion with the exhaust gas having a filter inflow temperature lower than a combustible temperature of the carbon-containing particulates. A second heat-resistant filter medium is further disposed downstream of the first heat-resistant filter medium to trap the remaining carbon-containing particulates, which have not been trapped by the first heat-resistant filter medium but have passed through the first heat-resistant filter medium. This arrangement desirably enhances the reduction rate of the particulates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Zenichiro Kato, Hiromichi Yanagihara, Toshihisa Sugiyama, Yoshimitsu Henda, Kazuhiko Shiratani, Rentaro Kuroki
  • Patent number: 6830233
    Abstract: A rush adjuster which adjusts a relative position between a valve body and an armature in an axial direction so that a state of zero-rush is formed is arranged between an armature shaft and a valve shaft. At a time of starting an electromagnetic drive valve, a first starting current is applied to either one of an upper coil and a lower coil for generating electromagnetic forces for attracting the armature closer, whichever a distance with respect to the armature is shorter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shoji Katsumata, Isao Matsumoto, Kazuhiko Shiratani, Tametoshi Mizuta, Keiji Yoeda, Makoto Ogiso, Hideyuki Nishida
  • Publication number: 20040244740
    Abstract: A control method with variable feedback gain for energization of an electro-magnetically driven intake/exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine increases opening and closing speeds of the intake/exhaust valve driven with electromagnets having small capacity and improves the control performance in bringing the final speed of the opening and closing action of the valve close to zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Hideyuki Nishida, Isao Matsumoto, Kazuhiko Shiratani, Shoji Katsumata, Tametoshi Mizuta, Keiji Yoeda, Makoto Ogiso
  • Patent number: 6776815
    Abstract: A particulate filter can be prevented from being damaged. The ashes can be removed from the particulate filter without by burning. A non-woven welding operation for a sealing portion can be simplified. The operability is enhanced by facilitating an insertion of a multi-layer body into a heat resisting container. The number of recycling processes executed when particulate matters such as soot are accumulated on the particulate filter is made as small as possible. A particulate filter 1 comprises an axial core 7 composed of a heat resisting metal, a multi-layer body 3 formed by winding said axial core with a multi-layer member into which a non-woven fabric 11 and a corrugated sheet 13 each composed of a heat resisting metal are tiered, and a heat resisting container 5 charged with said multi-layer body 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Zenichiro Kato, Hiromichi Yanagihara, Kazuhiko Shiratani, Youichi Nagai, Satoru Itsuaki, Kohei Shimoda, Kazutoshi Shibutani
  • Patent number: 6759640
    Abstract: When a displacement of an armature of an electromagnetically driven valve fails to reach a predetermined threshold value even after an elapse of a predetermined time from switching opening/closing of the valve, it is determined that step-out has occurred or step-out is about to occur and then the valve opening/closing control is changed. The valve opening/closing control is changed, for example, by interrupting application of current to the valve for attracting the armature released from the other valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keiji Yoeda, Isao Matsumoto, Kazuhiko Shiratani, Shoji Katsumata, Tametoshi Mizuta, Makoto Ogiso, Hideyuki Nishida
  • Publication number: 20040089250
    Abstract: A device for controlling an internal combustion engine with a variable valve timing system is provided. While the piston descends just after the combustion in the cylinder, the intake valve is opened by the variable valve system for the intake valve such that the intake air is supplied into the cylinder from the engine intake system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Iwashita, Shigeo Kikori, Kazuhiko Shiratani, Shouji Katsumata, Keiji Yoeda, Makoto Ogiso, Hideyuki Nishida, Tomomi Yamada
  • Patent number: 6729128
    Abstract: Carbon-containing suspended particulates in exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine are collected by a heat-resistant filter, and are burned on the filter. It is determined whether there is a need to increase the temperature of the heat-resistant filter. If it is necessary to increase the filter temperature, the dynamic pressure on the filter is increased. The conceivable cases where a filter temperature increase is needed includes a case where the exhaust gas temperature is low, a case where the filter is clogged to some extent, etc. If the dynamic pressure on the heat-resistant filter is increased, the filter temperature rises. Therefore, particulates can be effectively removed from exhaust gas while the clogging of the heat-resistant filter is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Nippon Soken, Incorporated
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Shiratani, Naohisa Oyama, Yoshitada Kodama
  • Patent number: 6729126
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided which includes an internal combustion engine of a lean-burn type, an NOx catalyst disposed in an exhaust passage of the engine so as to remove nitrogen oxides contained in exhaust gas emitted from the engine, and a variable valve control system capable of changing at least one of the opening and closing timing and a lift of the intake valve and/or the exhaust valve for each cylinder of the engine. The variable valve control system is controlled so that the exhaust gas to which the NOx catalyst is exposed is controlled so as to be suitable for removing a selected gaseous component from the NOx catalyst when the selected gaseous component should be removed. A method of purifying an exhaust gas emitted from the above engine is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Ogiso, Shouji Katsumata, Kazuhiko Shiratani, Keiji Yoeda, Hideyuki Nishida, Tomomi Yamada, Takamitsu Asanuma, Yoshihiro Iwashita, Kiyoshi Nakanishi
  • Publication number: 20030106305
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided which includes an internal combustion engine of a lean-burn type, an NOx catalyst disposed in an exhaust passage of the engine so as to remove nitrogen oxides contained in exhaust gas emitted from the engine, and a variable valve control system capable of changing the opening and closing timing and/or a lift of the intake valve and/or the exhaust valve for each cylinder of the engine. The variable valve control system is controlled so that the exhaust gas to which the NOx catalyst is exposed is controlled so as to be suitable for removing a selected gaseous component from the NOx catalyst when the selected gaseous component should be removed . A method of purifying an exhaust gas emitted from the above engine is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Makoto Ogiso, Shouji Katsumata, Kazuhiko Shiratani, Keiji Yoeda, Hideyuki Nishida, Tomomi Yamada, Takamitsu Asanuma, Yoshihiro Iwashita, Kiyoshi Nakanishi
  • Publication number: 20030080306
    Abstract: When a displacement of an armature of an electromagnetically driven valve fails to reach a predetermined threshold value even after an elapse of a predetermined time from switching opening/closing of the valve, it is determined that step-out has occurred or step-out is about to occur and then the valve opening/closing control is changed. The valve opening/closing control is changed, for example, by interrupting application of current to the valve for attracting the armature released from the other valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keiji Yoeda, Isao Matsumoto, Kazuhiko Shiratani, Shoji Katsumata, Tametoshi Mizuta, Makoto Ogiso, Hideyuki Nishida
  • Publication number: 20030038261
    Abstract: A rush adjuster which adjusts a relative position between a valve body and an armature in an axial direction so that a state of zero-rush is formed is arranged between an armature shaft and a valve shaft. At a time of starting an electromagnetic drive valve, a first starting current is applied to either one of an upper coil and a lower coil for generating electromagnetic forces for attracting the armature closer, whichever a distance with respect to the armature is shorter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shoiji Katsumata, Isao Matsumoto, Kazuhiko Shiratani, Tametoshi Mizuta, Keiji Yoeda, Makoto Ogiso, Hideyuki Nishida
  • Patent number: 6519933
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided which includes an internal combustion engine of a lean-burn type, an NOx catalyst disposed in an exhaust passage of the engine so as to remove nitrogen oxides contained in exhaust gas emitted from the engine, and a variable valve control system capable of changing at least one of the opening and closing timing and a lift of the intake valve and/or the exhaust valve for each cylinder of the engine. The variable valve control system is controlled so that the exhaust gas to which the NOx catalyst is exposed is controlled so as to be suitable for removing a selected gaseous component from the NOx catalyst when the selected gaseous component should be removed. A method of purifying an exhaust gas emitted from the above engine is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Ogiso, Shouji Katsumata, Kazuhiko Shiratani, Keiji Yoeda, Hideyuki Nishida, Tomomi Yamada, Takamitsu Asanuma, Yoshihiro Iwashita, Kiyoshi Nakanishi
  • Publication number: 20020194844
    Abstract: Carbon-containing suspended particulates in exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine are collected by a heat-resistant filter, and are burned on the filter. It is determined whether there is a need to increase the temperature of the heat-resistant filter. If it is necessary to increase the filter temperature, the dynamic pressure on the filter is increased. The conceivable cases where a filter temperature increase is needed includes a case where the exhaust gas temperature is low, a case where the filter is clogged to some extent, etc. If the dynamic pressure on the heat-resistant filter is increased, the filter temperature rises. Therefore, particulates can be effectively removed from exhaust gas while the clogging of the heat-resistant filter is avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Shiratani, Naohisa Oyama, Yoshitada Kodama
  • Publication number: 20020189247
    Abstract: A first heat-resistant filter medium is disposed in an exhaust pathway of an internal combustion engine. The first heat-resistant filter medium traps hydrocarbon compounds and carbon-containing particulates included in a flow of exhaust gas in a dispersive manner to bring the respective particulates and hydrocarbon compounds in contact with oxygen included in the exhaust gas. The trapped hydrocarbon compounds and the trapped carbon-containing particulates are subjected to combustion with the exhaust gas having a filter inflow temperature lower than a combustible temperature of the carbon-containing particulates. A second heat-resistant filter medium is further disposed downstream of the first heat-resistant filter medium to trap the remaining carbon-containing particulates, which have not been trapped by the first heat-resistant filter medium but have passed through the first heat-resistant filter medium. This arrangement desirably enhances the reduction rate of the particulates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Zenichiro Kato, Hiromichi Yanagihara, Toshihisa Sugiyama, Yoshimitsu Henda, Kazuhiko Shiratani, Rentaro Kuroki