Patents by Inventor Kohtaro Hashimoto
Kohtaro Hashimoto 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).
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Publication number: 20240110108Abstract: A fuel production system and a fuel production method are provided which can efficiently perform adjusting of a synthesis gas composition by hydrogen supply, while suppressing the generated amount of carbon dioxide by a system overall. A fuel production system includes: a gasification furnace which gasifies a biomass raw material to generate a synthesis gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide; a liquid fuel production device which produces a liquid fuel from the synthesis gas generated by the gasification furnace; a hydrogen supply pump which supplies hydrogen to a raw material supply area or a synthesis gas discharge area; a byproduct sensor which detects a byproduct amount generated inside the gasification furnace; and a controller which switches a hydrogen supply location by the hydrogen supply pump between the raw material supply area and synthesis gas discharge area, based on the byproduct amount detected by the byproduct sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2023Publication date: April 4, 2024Inventors: Hiroshi CHISHIMA, Kohtaro HASHIMOTO
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Publication number: 20240110112Abstract: A fuel production system and a fuel production method are provided which can efficiently perform adjusting of a synthesis gas composition by hydrogen supply, while suppressing the generated amount of carbon dioxide by a system overall. A fuel production system includes: a gasification furnace which gasifies a biomass raw material to generate a synthesis gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide; a liquid fuel production device which produces a liquid fuel from the synthesis gas generated by the gasification furnace; a hydrogen supply pump which supplies hydrogen to a raw material supply area or a synthesis gas discharge area; a temperature sensor which detects a temperature of the gasification furnace; and a controller which switches a hydrogen supply location by the hydrogen supply pump between the raw material supply area and synthesis gas discharge area, based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2023Publication date: April 4, 2024Inventors: Hiroshi CHISHIMA, Kohtaro HASHIMOTO
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Patent number: 11565984Abstract: Production apparatus of triptane includes: carbon dioxide recovery unit configured to recover carbon dioxide from air; hydrogen generation unit configured to electrolyze water by renewable electricity to generate hydrogen; carbon monoxide generation unit configured to generate carbon monoxide from recovered carbon dioxide and hydrogen generated; methanol generation unit configured to generate methanol from carbon monoxide generated and hydrogen generated; acetic acid generation unit configured to generate acetic acid by reacting methanol generated with recovered carbon dioxide or with carbon monoxide generated; acetone generation unit configured to generate acetone and carbon dioxide from acetic acid generated; pinacolone generation unit configured to generate pinacolone from acetone generated; Grignard reagent generation unit configured to generate Grignard reagent from methanol generated; trimethyl butanol generation unit configured to generate 2,3,3-trimethyl-2-butanol by reacting pinacolone generated withType: GrantFiled: January 17, 2022Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kohtaro Hashimoto
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Patent number: 11536228Abstract: Fuel reform apparatus includes: internal combustion engine including injector and configured so that compression-ignition combustion is carried out in combustion chamber; reform unit interposed in fuel supply path from fuel tank to injector and including reformer reforming fuel stored in fuel tank by oxidation reaction; and controller including CPU and memory. Controller performs: estimating progress level of oxidation reaction in reformer; and controlling operation of reform unit based on progress level of oxidation reaction estimated.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2022Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kohtaro Hashimoto, Tomohide Kudo
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Patent number: 11466647Abstract: Fuel reform apparatus includes: internal combustion engine including injector and configured so that compression-ignition combustion is carried out in combustion chamber; reform unit interposed in fuel supply path from fuel tank to injector and including reformer reforming fuel stored in fuel tank by oxidation reaction; ignition timing detector detecting ignition timing of fuel in combustion chamber; and controller including CPU and memory. Controller performs: determining whether fuel has been supplied into fuel tank; determining whether reforming is needed based on ignition timing when it is determined that fuel has been supplied; controlling operation of reform unit so as to reform fuel stored in fuel tank to supply to injector when it is determined that reforming is needed; and controlling operation of reform unit so as to supply fuel stored in fuel tank to injector without reforming when it is determined that reforming is not needed.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2022Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kohtaro Hashimoto, Tomohide Kudo
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Publication number: 20220235729Abstract: Fuel reform apparatus includes: internal combustion engine including injector and configured so that compression-ignition combustion is carried out in combustion chamber; reform unit interposed in fuel supply path from fuel tank to injector and including reformer reforming fuel stored in fuel tank by oxidation reaction; ignition timing detector detecting ignition timing of fuel in combustion chamber; and controller including CPU and memory. Controller performs: determining whether fuel has been supplied into fuel tank; determining whether reforming is needed based on ignition timing when it is determined that fuel has been supplied; controlling operation of reform unit so as to reform fuel stored in fuel tank to supply to injector when it is determined that reforming is needed; and controlling operation of reform unit so as to supply fuel stored in fuel tank to injector without reforming when it is determined that reforming is not needed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2022Publication date: July 28, 2022Inventors: Kohtaro Hashimoto, Tomohide Kudo
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Publication number: 20220235728Abstract: Fuel reform apparatus includes: internal combustion engine including injector and configured so that compression-ignition combustion is carried out in combustion chamber; reform unit interposed in fuel supply path from fuel tank to injector and including reformer reforming fuel stored in fuel tank by oxidation reaction; and controller including CPU and memory. Controller performs: estimating progress level of oxidation reaction in reformer; and controlling operation of reform unit based on progress level of oxidation reaction estimated.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2022Publication date: July 28, 2022Inventors: Kohtaro Hashimoto, Tomohide Kudo
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Publication number: 20220227684Abstract: Production apparatus of triptane includes: carbon dioxide recovery unit configured to recover carbon dioxide from air; hydrogen generation unit configured to electrolyze water by renewable electricity to generate hydrogen; carbon monoxide generation unit configured to generate carbon monoxide from recovered carbon dioxide and hydrogen generated; methanol generation unit configured to generate methanol from carbon monoxide generated and hydrogen generated; acetic acid generation unit configured to generate acetic acid by reacting methanol generated with recovered carbon dioxide or with carbon monoxide generated; acetone generation unit configured to generate acetone and carbon dioxide from acetic acid generated; pinacolone generation unit configured to generate pinacolone from acetone generated; Grignard reagent generation unit configured to generate Grignard reagent from methanol generated; trimethyl butanol generation unit configured to generate 2,3,3-trimethyl-2-butanol by reacting pinacolone generated withType: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2022Publication date: July 21, 2022Inventor: Kohtaro Hashimoto
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Publication number: 20220228077Abstract: A production method of spark-ignition engine fuel, configured to produce fuel for a spark-ignition engine, includes: mixing a light naphtha with a cyclopentane.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2022Publication date: July 21, 2022Inventors: Takuma Arai, Kohtaro Hashimoto, Katsuya Matsuura, Kohei Kuzuoka
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Patent number: 9932916Abstract: A combustion control apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes a spark plug for performing spark ignition of an air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber, a plurality of coil pairs for generating spark discharge in the spark plug, and a fuel injection valve capable of injecting atomized fuel. Atomized fuel is injected into the intake passage, and a homogeneous lean air-fuel mixture is formed in the combustion chamber. The air-fuel ratio of the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber is controlled to be leaner than a predetermined lean air-fuel ratio. A spark discharge start timing and a spark discharge continuation time period are controlled using the plurality of coil pairs. The spark discharge start timing is set to a timing advanced from the spark discharge start timing for igniting a stratified lean mixture, such that the air-fuel ratio in the vicinity of the spark plug is relatively small.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2015Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Takashi Kondo, Hiroshi Hanabusa, Kohtaro Hashimoto
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Patent number: 9835117Abstract: Provided is a fuel reforming system that can convert gasoline into alcohol in a vehicle. Provided is a fuel reforming system (1) equipped with a reformer (15) having a reforming catalyst (152) that uses air to reform gasoline to produce alcohol, a mixer (14) which mixes gasoline and air and supplies the mixture to the reformer (15), and a condenser (16) which separates the gas produced in the reformer (15) into a gas phase and a condensed phase of which reformed fuel is the primary constituent; wherein the fuel reforming system (1) is characterized in that the reforming catalyst (152) is configured including a main catalyst for extracting hydrogen atoms from the hydrocarbons in the gasoline to produce alkyl radicals, and a catalytic promoter for reducing alkyl hydroperoxides produced from the alkyl radicals to produce alcohol.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2014Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Kohtaro Hashimoto
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Publication number: 20160333283Abstract: A fuel reforming system to reform a fuel to be supplied to an internal combustion engine includes a reformer, a first filter, and a first flow path. The reformer includes a reforming catalyst to reform a fuel including a hydrocarbon to produce an alcohol and benzoic acid as a by-product using air. The first filter includes a sodium catalyst to trap the benzoic acid produced by the reforming catalyst. The alcohol produced by the reforming catalyst passes through the first filter. Air passes through the first filter to reform the benzoic acid to phenol. The phenol is mixed with the alcohol produced by the reforming catalyst via the first flow path. Alternatively, the phenol is directly supplied to the internal combustion engine as a fuel via the first flow path.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2016Publication date: November 17, 2016Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Kohtaro HASHIMOTO, Tomohide KUDO
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Publication number: 20160333286Abstract: A fuel reforming device includes a reformer, a mixer, and a condenser. The condenser includes a first casing, a second casing, a fluid mixture flow portion, and a gas-liquid separator. The first casing extends from a bottom portion side of the condenser to an upper portion side of the condenser opposite to the bottom portion side to serve as an outer shell of a main body of the condenser. The second casing is disposed inside the first casing and extends from the bottom portion side to the upper portion side so that a prescribed space is provided between an inner surface of the first casing and an outer surface of the second casing. The fluid mixture flow portion is provided in the prescribed space so that a gas-liquid fluid mixture passes through the fluid mixture flow portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2016Publication date: November 17, 2016Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Tomohide KUDO, Kohtaro HASHIMOTO
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Publication number: 20160333831Abstract: A mixer to mix a fuel with air includes plural fluid inlets, at least one fluid outlet, a casing, a plurality of stirring blades, and a particle material or a porous material. The casing has a substantially tubular shape extending in an axial direction of the casing between the plural fluid inlets and the at least one fluid outlet. The plurality of stirring blades are provided in the casing to align in the axial direction so that a torsional turning direction of the plurality of stirring blades is sequentially reversed in an order of alignment. The particle material or a porous material is disposed in the casing to fill an entire space containing the plurality of stirring blades from the plural fluid inlets to the at least one fluid outlet. Sizes of gaps existing in the entire space are less than a quenching distance of the fuel.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2016Publication date: November 17, 2016Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Tomohide KUDO, Kohtaro HASHIMOTO
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Publication number: 20160290289Abstract: Provided is a fuel reforming system that can convert gasoline into alcohol in a vehicle. Provided is a fuel reforming system (1) equipped with a reformer (15) having a reforming catalyst (152) that uses air to reform gasoline to produce alcohol, a mixer (14) which mixes gasoline and air and supplies the mixture to the reformer (15), and a condenser (16) which separates the gas produced in the reformer (15) into a gas phase and a condensed phase of which reformed fuel is the primary constituent; wherein the fuel reforming system (1) is characterized in that the reforming catalyst (152) is configured including a main catalyst for extracting hydrogen atoms from the hydrocarbons in the gasoline to produce alkyl radicals, and a catalytic promoter for reducing alkyl hydroperoxides produced from the alkyl radicals to produce alcohol.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2014Publication date: October 6, 2016Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Kohtaro Hashimoto
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Publication number: 20160115880Abstract: A combustion control apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes a spark plug for performing spark ignition of an air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber, a plurality of coil pairs for generating spark discharge in the spark plug, and a fuel injection valve capable of injecting atomized fuel. Atomized fuel is injected into the intake passage, and a homogeneous lean air-fuel mixture is formed in the combustion chamber. The air-fuel ratio of the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber is controlled to be leaner than a predetermined lean air-fuel ratio. A spark discharge start timing and a spark discharge continuation time period are controlled using the plurality of coil pairs. The spark discharge start timing is set to a timing advanced from the spark discharge start timing for igniting a stratified lean mixture, such that the air-fuel ratio in the vicinity of the spark plug is relatively small.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2015Publication date: April 28, 2016Inventors: Takashi KONDO, Hiroshi HANABUSA, Kohtaro HASHIMOTO
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Patent number: 9273661Abstract: A combustion control device for an engine capable of operation over a wide range and in which the NOx discharged amount is small is provided, as well as a combustion method for a homogeneous lean air/fuel mixture. The combustion method for a homogeneous lean air/fuel mixture of the present invention forms a homogeneous lean air/fuel mixture inside of the cylinder of the engine, and then causes this homogeneous lean air/fuel mixture to combust by way of spark ignition. A temperature at which a steep rise in a laminar burning velocity occurs when changing a cylinder temperature under a pressure condition corresponding to compression top dead center is defined as an inflection-point temperature. With the combustion method of the present invention, the cylinder temperature at compression top dead center inside of the cylinder is raised to higher than the inflection-point temperature upon combusting the homogeneous lean air/fuel mixture.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2013Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Takashi Kondo, Hiroshi Sono, Kohtaro Hashimoto, Hiroshi Hanabusa
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Publication number: 20140076280Abstract: A combustion control device for an engine capable of operation over a wide range and in which the NOx discharged amount is small is provided, as well as a combustion method for a homogeneous lean air/fuel mixture. The combustion method for a homogeneous lean air/fuel mixture of the present invention forms a homogeneous lean air/fuel mixture inside of the cylinder of the engine, and then causes this homogeneous lean air/fuel mixture to combust by way of spark ignition. A temperature at which a steep rise in a laminar burning velocity occurs when changing a cylinder temperature under a pressure condition corresponding to compression top dead center is defined as an inflection-point temperature. With the combustion method of the present invention, the cylinder temperature at compression top dead center inside of the cylinder is raised to higher than the inflection-point temperature upon combusting the homogeneous lean air/fuel mixture.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takashi KONDO, Hiroshi SONO, Kohtaro HASHIMOTO, Hiroshi HANABUSA
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Patent number: 7597090Abstract: The present invention provides an internal combustion engine which can produce several types of fuels from a single fuel as needed. The internal combustion engine comprises reforming means 3 for reforming a first fuel to be used in homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion into a second fuel having high ignitability, by making the first fuel contact with a catalyst formed from N-hydroxyphthalimide. The engine uses the second fuel when conducting diesel combustion. The engine can switch between the homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion with the use of the first fuel and the diesel combustion with the use of the second fuel. The engine conducts the homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion when a load is low, and conducts the diesel combustion when the load is high.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2007Date of Patent: October 6, 2009Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kohtaro Hashimoto, Kohjiroh Aimoto, Takahiro Gunji, Fumiaki Ikegawa
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Publication number: 20090151232Abstract: To provide a diesel light oil composition having an excellent ignitability while containing butanol. The diesel light oil composition comprises a diesel light oil base material, butanol having a volume percentage in a range of 9% to 20% and butyl nitrate or butyl nitrite having a volume percentage in a range of 0.8% to 4%. It is preferable that the butanol is 20 v/v %, and the butyl nitrate or butyl nitrite is 4 v/v %. The butyl nitrite or butyl nitrate is derived from butanol as a material.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2008Publication date: June 18, 2009Inventors: Kohtaro Hashimoto, Kohei Kuzuoka, Tadashi Kurotani, Yasuharu Kamoi