Patents by Inventor Ken Maeda

Ken Maeda 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: 11351559
    Abstract: A rotary atomization head is provided, which prevents discharged threads of a coating material from making contact with each other and from being unified. A rotary head 1 includes: a diffusion surface 122 to diffuse the coating material toward an outer edge part 123 by centrifugal force; and a plurality of grooves 124 formed on the outer edge part 123. The plurality of grooves 124 extends in a radial direction. The adjacent grooves 124 have different depths. The grooves 124 have the same width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TRINITY INDUSTRIAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinji Tani, Akira Numasato, Takahito Kondo, Yuki Murai, Takao Ueno, Takatoshi Okuta, Ken Maeda, Kota Harada
  • Publication number: 20200160551
    Abstract: Simplify, downsize and reduce power of devices which comprise the satellite navigation system used in approach and docking in space. The navigation system 1 which estimates an attitude of a target object T in space comprises: an optical marker 10 that is attached to the target T and reflects light; a lighting device 20 that irradiates the target object T with light of a predetermined wavelength band; an image acquisition device 30 that acquires an image of the optical marker 10 which has reflected the light of the predetermined wavelength band; and an image processing device 40 that processes the image acquired by the image acquisition device 30 and thereby estimates the attitude of the target object T. The lighting device 20 and the image processing device 30 are loaded on a spacecraft 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventor: Ken MAEDA
  • Publication number: 20190388915
    Abstract: A rotary atomization head is provided, which prevents discharged threads of a coating material from making contact with each other and from being unified. A rotary head 1 includes: a diffusion surface 122 to diffuse the coating material toward an outer edge part 123 by centrifugal force; and a plurality of grooves 124 formed on the outer edge part 123. The plurality of grooves 124 extends in a radial direction. The adjacent grooves 124 have different depths. The grooves 124 have the same width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TRINITY INDUSTRIAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinji Tani, Akira Numasato, Takahito Kondo, Yuki Murai, Takao Ueno, Takatoshi Okuta, Ken Maeda, Kota Harada
  • Publication number: 20190367192
    Abstract: An object is to increase the success rate of missions at a low cost in a capturing system that captures a target object in the space. A capturing system 1 that captures a target object T in the space has: a plate-like body 10 that is attached to the target object T and attracted with magnetic force; and an aerospace vehicle 20 that has a magnetic force generating portion 23 which generates the magnetic force attracting the plate-like body 10. The aerospace vehicle 20 has a magnetic force generating portion 23 generating magnetic force and enables capturing of the target object T by attracting the plate-like body 10, which is attached to the target object T in the space and attracted with magnetic force, with magnetic force generated in the magnetic force generating portion 23.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Ken Maeda, Yuki Seto
  • Patent number: 10309798
    Abstract: Simplify, downsize and reduce power of devices which comprise the satellite navigation system used in approach and docking in space. The navigation system 1 which estimates an attitude of a target object T in space comprises: an optical marker 10 that is attached to the target T and reflects light; a lighting device 20 that irradiates the target object T with light of a predetermined wavelength band; an image acquisition device 30 that acquires an image of the optical marker 10 which has reflected the light of the predetermined wavelength band; and an image processing device 40 that processes the image acquired by the image acquisition device 30 and thereby estimates the attitude of the target object T. The lighting device 20 and the image processing device 30 are loaded on an aerospace vehicle 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: ASTROSCALE JAPAN INC.
    Inventor: Ken Maeda
  • Publication number: 20180335314
    Abstract: Simplify, downsize and reduce power of devices which comprise the satellite navigation system used in approach and docking in space. The navigation system 1 which estimates an attitude of a target object T in space comprises: an optical marker 10 that is attached to the target T and reflects light; a lighting device 20 that irradiates the target object T with light of a predetermined wavelength band; an image acquisition device 30 that acquires an image of the optical marker 10 which has reflected the light of the predetermined wavelength band; and an image processing device 40 that processes the image acquired by the image acquisition device 30 and thereby estimates the attitude of the target object T. The lighting device 20 and the image processing device 30 are loaded on an aerospace vehicle 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventor: Ken MAEDA
  • Publication number: 20180229865
    Abstract: The objective is to increase the success rate of missions at a low cost for a capturing system which captures a target object in space. A capturing system that captures a target object in space has: a plate-like body that is attached to the target object and attracted with magnetic force; and an aerospace vehicle that has a magnetic force generating portion which generates the magnetic force attracting the plate-like body. The aerospace vehicle has a magnetic force generating portion that generates a magnetic force and enables capture of the target object by attracting the plate-like body, which is attached to the target object in space and is attracted with a magnetic force, with the magnetic force generated by the magnetic force generating portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Ken MAEDA, Yuki SETO
  • Patent number: 9999150
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to improve the cooling performance for a bus bar and a smoothing capacitor in an electric power converter. The electric power converter of the present invention includes a power semiconductor module including a power semiconductor element that converts a DC current to an AC current, a capacitor cell that smooths a DC voltage, a bus bar that electrically connects the power semiconductor module and the capacitor cell, a base plate that is disposed between the bus bar and the capacitor cell, and a sealing material that seals the capacitor cell, the bus bar, and the base plate. The base plate forms an opening through which a capacitor terminal extending from the capacitor cell passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ken Maeda, Toshiya Satoh
  • Patent number: 9950963
    Abstract: A thermal insulator with both excellent heat insulation and strength and a method of manufacturing the thermal insulator are provided. A thermal insulator according to the present invention includes metal oxide fine particles with an average particle diameter equal to or smaller than 50 nm and a reinforcing fiber, wherein the thermal insulator has a bridge structure between the metal oxide fine particles which is formed by elution of part of the metal oxide fine particles. A method of manufacturing a thermal insulator according to the present invention includes a curing step of curing a dry pressed compact including metal oxide fine particles with an average particle diameter equal to or smaller than 50 nm and a reinforcing fiber under a pressurized vapor saturated atmosphere at a temperature equal to or higher than 100° C. for four hours and a drying step of drying the cured dry pressed compact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: NICHIAS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akifumi Sakamoto, Yoshihiko Goto, Yasuo Ito, Ken Maeda
  • Publication number: 20160244371
    Abstract: A thermal insulator with both excellent heat insulation and strength and a method of manufacturing the thermal insulator are provided. A thermal insulator according to the present invention includes metal oxide fine particles with an average particle diameter equal to or smaller than 50 nm and a reinforcing fiber, wherein the thermal insulator has a bridge structure between the metal oxide fine particles which is formed by elution of part of the metal oxide fine particles. A method of manufacturing a thermal insulator according to the present invention includes a curing step of curing a dry pressed compact including metal oxide fine particles with an average particle diameter equal to or smaller than 50 nm and a reinforcing fiber under a pressurized vapor saturated atmosphere at a temperature equal to or higher than 100° C. for four hours and a drying step of drying the cured dry pressed compact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Applicant: NICHIAS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akifumi SAKAMOTO, Yoshihiko GOTO, Yasuo ITO, Ken MAEDA
  • Patent number: 9419535
    Abstract: An electric power converter is provided with: a power semiconductor module, which has a power semiconductor element that converts a direct current into an alternating current; a capacitor module, which has a capacitor element that smooths the direct current; and a cooling body, which cools the power semiconductor module and the capacitor module. The capacitor module has: a case, which has an approximately rectangular shape, has an opening formed in one surface, and has a space for housing the capacitor element; and a DC conductor for electrically connecting the power semiconductor element and the capacitor element to each other. The cooling body is formed to face the bottom surface on the inner wall of the case, and both the side surfaces of the case, the side surfaces facing each other. Between the capacitor element and the inner wall surfaces of the case, the direct current conductor is formed along the bottom surface and both the side surfaces of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsuo Nishihara, Ken Maeda, Kinya Nakatsu, Yukio Hattori
  • Patent number: 9246408
    Abstract: The power conversion apparatus includes an inverter circuit which converts a DC current into an AC current and have a U-phase, V-phase, and w-phase power semiconductor modules, and a capacitor module for smoothing the DC current. Each of the power semiconductor modules is configured separately and connected to a first bus bar. The first bus bar is configured with a first positive side bus bar, a first negative side bus bar, and a first insulation member arranged between the first positive side bus bar and the first negative side bus bar. The first bus bar includes a first to third terminals to which the U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase power semiconductor modules are connected, respectively, and a fourth terminal connected to a terminal of the second bus bar protruding from a surface of sealing material of a second bus bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ken Maeda, Toshiya Satoh, Hiroyuki Yamai
  • Publication number: 20150305188
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to improve the cooling performance for a bus bar and a smoothing capacitor in an electric power converter. The electric power converter of the present invention includes a power semiconductor module including a power semiconductor element that converts a DC current to an AC current, a capacitor cell that smooths a DC voltage, a bus bar that electrically connects the power semiconductor module and the capacitor cell, a base plate that is disposed between the bus bar and the capacitor cell, and a sealing material that seals the capacitor cell, the bus bar, and the base plate. The base plate forms an opening through which a capacitor terminal extending from the capacitor cell passes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Ken MAEDA, Toshiya SATOH
  • Patent number: 9159506
    Abstract: A power conversion device for a vehicle includes: a power module that includes a switching device and, upon operation of the switching device, converts DC power into AC power to be supplied to an electric machine for driving a vehicle; a capacitor module that includes a smoothing capacitor element, an input-side power source terminal for receiving DC power, and an output-side power source terminal for supplying DC power to the power module; and a noise removal capacitor for removing noise, wherein: the noise removal capacitor is built in the capacitor module, and the noise removal capacitor is electrically connected to the input-side power source terminal in a position where a distance between a connection position of the noise removal capacitor and the input-side power source terminal is less than a distance between a connection position of the noise removal capacitor and the output-side power source terminal of the capacitor module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Matsuo, Kinya Nakatsu, Toshiya Satoh, Ken Maeda
  • Publication number: 20140133199
    Abstract: A power conversion device for a vehicle includes: a power module that includes a switching device and, upon operation of the switching device, converts DC power into AC power to be supplied to an electric machine for driving a vehicle; a capacitor module that includes a smoothing capacitor element, an input-side power source terminal for receiving DC power, and an output-side power source terminal for supplying DC power to the power module; and a noise removal capacitor for removing noise, wherein: the noise removal capacitor is built in the capacitor module, and the noise removal capacitor is electrically connected to the input-side power source terminal in a position where a distance between a connection position of the noise removal capacitor and the input-side power source terminal is less than a distance between a connection position of the noise removal capacitor and the output-side power source terminal of the capacitor module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi MATSUO, Kinya NAKATSU, Toshiya SATOH, Ken MAEDA
  • Publication number: 20140085955
    Abstract: The power conversion apparatus includes an inverter circuit which converts a DC current into an AC current and have a U-phase, V-phase, and w-phase power semiconductor modules, and a capacitor module for smoothing the DC current. Each of the power semiconductor modules is configured separately and connected to a first bus bar. The first bus bar is configured with a first positive side bus bar, a first negative side bus bar, and a first insulation member arranged between the first positive side bus bar and the first negative side bus bar. The first bus bar includes a first to third terminals to which the U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase power semiconductor modules are connected, respectively, and a fourth terminal connected to a terminal of the second bus bar protruding from a surface of sealing material of a second bus bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ken Maeda, Toshiya Satoh, Hiroyuki Yamai
  • Publication number: 20140078803
    Abstract: An electric power converter is provided with: a power semiconductor module, which has a power semiconductor element that converts a direct current into an alternating current; a capacitor module, which has a capacitor element that smooths the direct current; and a cooling body, which cools the power semiconductor module and the capacitor module. The capacitor module has a case, which has an approximately rectangular shape, has an opening formed in one surface, and has a space for housing the capacitor element; and a DC conductor for electrically connecting the power semiconductor element and the capacitor element to each other. The cooling body is formed to face the bottom surface on the inner wall of the case, and both the side surfaces of the case, the side surfaces facing each other. Between the capacitor element and the inner wall surfaces of the case, the direct current conductor is formed along the bottom surface and both the side surfaces of the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsuo Nishihara, Ken Maeda, Kinya Nakatsu, Yukio Hattori
  • Patent number: 8674636
    Abstract: A power conversion device for a vehicle includes: a power module that includes a switching device and, upon operation of the switching device, converts DC power into AC power to be supplied to an electric machine for driving a vehicle; a capacitor module that includes a smoothing capacitor element, an input-side power source terminal for receiving DC power, and an output-side power source terminal for supplying DC power to the power module; and a noise removal capacitor for removing noise, wherein: the noise removal capacitor is built in the capacitor module, and the noise removal capacitor is electrically connected to the input-side power source terminal in a position where a distance between a connection position of the noise removal capacitor and the input-side power source terminal is less than a distance between a connection position of the noise removal capacitor and the output-side power source terminal of the capacitor module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Matsuo, Kinya Nakatsu, Toshiya Satoh, Ken Maeda
  • Patent number: 8623782
    Abstract: There is provided by the present invention a process for preparing a copper-based catalyst having good catalytic activity, markedly excellent durability and good reproducibility. The process for preparing a copper-based catalyst of the invention is a process for preparing a catalyst composed of metal oxides containing copper oxide as an essential component and is characterized by comprising the following steps: (1) a step of bringing an acidic metal salt solution containing copper and a precipitant solution into contact with each other to obtain a slurry solution containing a precipitate of a catalyst precursor, and (2) a step of continuously bringing the slurry solution and a wash liquid into contact with each other to wash the precipitate, with substantially keeping the suspended state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Masami Murakami, Ken Maeda, Yuya Goto
  • Publication number: 20130266801
    Abstract: A thermal insulator with both excellent heat insulation and strength and a method of manufacturing the thermal insulator are provided. A thermal insulator according to the present invention includes metal oxide fine particles with an average particle diameter equal to or smaller than 50 nm and a reinforcing fiber, wherein the thermal insulator has a bridge structure between the metal oxide fine particles which is formed by elution of part of the metal oxide fine particles. A method of manufacturing a thermal insulator according to the present invention includes a curing step of curing a dry pressed compact including metal oxide fine particles with an average particle diameter equal to or smaller than 50 nm and a reinforcing fiber under a pressurized vapor saturated atmosphere at a temperature equal to or higher than 100° C. for four hours and a drying step of drying the cured dry pressed compact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: NICHIAS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akifumi Sakamoto, Yoshihiko Goto, Yasuo Ito, Ken Maeda