Patents by Inventor Koichi Takaku

Koichi Takaku 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: 11855319
    Abstract: When leakage of fuel gas is detected by detection signals or disruption of the detection signals is detected, a FCECU limits a supply amount of the fuel gas from a fuel gas supply device, and shuts off the supply of the fuel gas by the fuel gas supply device when determining, after limiting the supply amount of the fuel gas, that the leakage of the fuel gas or the disruption of the detection signals has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin Nishio, Tomonari Hattori, Koichi Kato, Yusai Yoshimura, Kazuhide Inoue, Koichi Takaku, Kuniaki Ojima
  • Patent number: 11746958
    Abstract: A high pressure container system is equipped with an upstream side pressure sensor that measures an internal pressure of high pressure containers upstream of a pressure regulating valve, a plurality of downstream side pressure sensors that measure the pressure of the fluid downstream of the pressure regulating valve, and a control device. At a normal time of the downstream side pressure sensors, a control device monitors the internal pressure of the high pressure containers on the basis of the measured values of the downstream side pressure sensors, and at an abnormal time when any one of the downstream side pressure sensors is abnormal, the control device monitors the internal pressure of the high pressure containers on the basis of the measured values of the downstream side pressure sensors, and the measured value of the upstream side pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoru Kawase, Koichi Takaku, Kazuyuki Kadowaki
  • Patent number: 11670784
    Abstract: In a gas supply system of one embodiment, a gas control ECU performs an initial monitoring step of comparing first detection information of a high-pressure sensor to a first threshold value and, after it is determined that the first detection information has become less than or equal to the first threshold value, performs a secondary monitoring step of comparing second detection information of a mid-pressure sensor to a second threshold value. The gas control ECU causes a valve-open period and a valve-closed period of an injector in the secondary monitoring step to be longer than the valve-open period and the valve-closed period of the injector in the initial monitoring step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Kawase, Kazuyuki Kadowaki, Koichi Takaku
  • Patent number: 11566754
    Abstract: In a gas supply system of one embodiment, if first detection information of a high-pressure sensor exceeds a first threshold value, a gas control ECU causes a pressure adjustment range to overlap a second error range of second detection information of a mid-pressure sensor, the second error range being defined with a second threshold value as a reference point. If the first detection information is less than or equal to the first threshold value, the gas control ECU offsets the pressure adjustment range relative to the second error range defined with the second threshold value as the reference point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Kadowaki, Koichi Takaku, Satoru Kawase
  • Publication number: 20220311032
    Abstract: When leakage of fuel gas is detected by detection signals or disruption of the detection signals is detected, a FCECU limits a supply amount of the fuel gas from a fuel gas supply device, and shuts off the supply of the fuel gas by the fuel gas supply device when determining, after limiting the supply amount of the fuel gas, that the leakage of the fuel gas or the disruption of the detection signals has occurred.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Jin NISHIO, Tomonari HATTORI, Koichi KATO, Yusai YOSHIMURA, Kazuhide INOUE, Koichi TAKAKU, Kuniaki OJIMA
  • Patent number: 11271228
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a gas-liquid separator, a circulation flow path, a connecting flow path, and a distribution flow path. The gas-liquid separator separates fuel exhaust gas, which flows therein via a fuel exhaust gas flow path, into gas and liquid. The circulation flow path causes a gas discharge port of the gas-liquid separator and the fuel gas supply flow path to communicate with each other. The connecting flow path causes a liquid discharge port of the gas-liquid separator to communicate with the oxygen-containing gas supply flow path, via a drain valve. The distribution flow path causes the circulation flow path or a portion of the fuel gas supply flow path that is on a downstream side of a connecting section connecting to the circulation flow path to communicate with a downstream side of the drain valve of the connecting flow path via an opening and closing valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuji Okamura, Koichi Takaku, Koichi Kato
  • Publication number: 20210384533
    Abstract: In a gas supply system of one embodiment, a gas control ECU performs an initial monitoring step of comparing first detection information of a high-pressure sensor to a first threshold value and, after it is determined that the first detection information has become less than or equal to the first threshold value, performs a secondary monitoring step of comparing second detection information of a mid-pressure sensor to a second threshold value. The gas control ECU causes a valve-open period and a valve-closed period of an injector in the secondary monitoring step to be longer than the valve-open period and the valve-closed period of the injector in the initial monitoring step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Satoru KAWASE, Kazuyuki KADOWAKI, Koichi TAKAKU
  • Publication number: 20210372572
    Abstract: In a gas supply system of one embodiment, if first detection information of a high-pressure sensor exceeds a first threshold value, a gas control ECU causes a pressure adjustment range to overlap a second error range of second detection information of a mid-pressure sensor, the second error range being defined with a second threshold value as a reference point. If the first detection information is less than or equal to the first threshold value, the gas control ECU offsets the pressure adjustment range relative to the second error range defined with the second threshold value as the reference point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Kazuyuki KADOWAKI, Koichi TAKAKU, Satoru KAWASE
  • Patent number: 11177492
    Abstract: A method for controlling a fuel cell vehicle including a fuel cell to generate electric power via an electrochemical reaction between fuel gas and oxidant gas, the method includes determining whether the fuel cell vehicle is in a fuel supply state in which the fuel gas is supplied from an outside of the fuel cell vehicle into a fuel storage chamber via a filling lid box of the fuel cell vehicle. It is determined that the fuel gas does not leak, even if a fuel gas detector provided in the filling lid box detects the fuel gas when the fuel cell vehicle is in the fuel supply state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoru Kawase, Koichi Takaku, Takatsugu Koyama
  • Publication number: 20200232603
    Abstract: A high pressure container system is equipped with an upstream side pressure sensor that measures an internal pressure of high pressure containers upstream of a pressure regulating valve, a plurality of downstream side pressure sensors that measure the pressure of the fluid downstream of the pressure regulating valve, and a control device. At a normal time of the downstream side pressure sensors, a control device monitors the internal pressure of the high pressure containers on the basis of the measured values of the downstream side pressure sensors, and at an abnormal time when any one of the downstream side pressure sensors is abnormal, the control device monitors the internal pressure of the high pressure containers on the basis of the measured values of the downstream side pressure sensors, and the measured value of the upstream side pressure sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: Satoru Kawase, Koichi Takaku, Kazuyuki Kadowaki
  • Patent number: 10655787
    Abstract: A valve mechanism includes a first plunger, a second plunger, a seal member, and a valve element. The first plunger has a thread engaging with a threaded portion provided on an inner wall of the flow passage. The first plunger is movable along the axis by rotating around the axis. The second plunger has a first end and a second end. The first end engages with the first plunger such that the first plunger is relatively rotatable with respect to the second plunger. The second plunger is movable along the axis by rotating the first plunger. The seal member is provided to surround the second plunger. The valve element has a back end engaging with the second end such that the valve element is movable along the axis according to movement of the second plunger so as to be seated on and separated from a valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Ozaki, Koichi Takaku, Koichi Kato
  • Publication number: 20190198897
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a gas-liquid separator, a circulation flow path, a connecting flow path, and a distribution flow path. The gas-liquid separator separates fuel exhaust gas, which flows therein via a fuel exhaust gas flow path, into a gas and a liquid. The circulation flow path causes a gas discharge port of the gas-liquid separator and the fuel gas supply flow path to be in communication with each other. The connecting flow path causes a liquid discharge port of the gas-liquid separator to be in communication with the oxygen-containing gas supply flow path, via a drain valve. The distribution flow path causes the fuel gas supply flow path or the circulation flow path to be in communication with the oxygen-containing gas supply flow path, via an opening and closing valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: Yuji Okamura, Koichi Takaku, Koichi Kato
  • Publication number: 20190198898
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a gas-liquid separator, a circulation flow path, a connecting flow path, and a distribution flow path. The gas-liquid separator separates fuel exhaust gas, which flows therein via a fuel exhaust gas flow path, into gas and liquid. The circulation flow path causes a gas discharge port of the gas-liquid separator and the fuel gas supply flow path to communicate with each other. The connecting flow path causes a liquid discharge port of the gas-liquid separator to communicate with the oxygen-containing gas supply flow path, via a drain valve. The distribution flow path causes the circulation flow path or a portion of the fuel gas supply flow path that is on a downstream side of a connecting section connecting to the circulation flow path to communicate with a downstream side of the drain valve of the connecting flow path via an opening and closing valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: Yuji Okamura, Koichi Takaku, Koichi Kato
  • Patent number: 10247623
    Abstract: In an in-tank valve, a detector including a detecting sensor is disposed on an end of a body, and the detecting sensor is accommodated inside a sensor housing. Within the sensor housing, a sensor retaining member is formed in an interior part of an opened sensor accommodating section, and the detecting sensor is disposed therein so as to face toward a first communication hole of the sensor retaining member. Lead wires, which are connected to the detecting sensor, are led out to the exterior in a bending fashion from a wiring port, whereby entry of hydrogen gas to the side of the detecting sensor is prevented by suitably closing the wiring port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignees: KEIHIN CORPORATION, HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideto Hiramoto, Hideki Kawauchi, Narihiro Takagi, Koichi Takaku
  • Patent number: 10174774
    Abstract: In a detector that constitutes an in-tank valve, an attachment part formed on one end thereof is arranged in facing relation to a connector of a drive unit, and arm members of a bracket, which is substantially U-shaped in cross section and is fixed to the connector, are inserted in and engaged with engagement holes of the attachment part. Thus, the detector is always retained firmly in a state of being pulled to the side of the drive unit by elastic forces of the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignees: KEIHIN CORPORATION, HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideto Hiramoto, Hiroyasu Ozaki, Koichi Takaku
  • Publication number: 20180342749
    Abstract: A control unit of a fuel cell system issues an instruction to open/close the drain valve after placing a drain valve provided for a gas liquid separator in an open state and discharging water from the gas liquid separator. Therefore, when the drain valve is opened/closed, the drain valve vibrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Yuji Okamura, Koichi Takaku
  • Patent number: 9917313
    Abstract: An apparatus using fuel gas is provided, ensuring charge amount of a battery. The apparatus includes battery, fuel gas reservoir unit, fuel lid, open/close detection unit for detecting open/close state of fuel lid, fuel gas condition detection unit for detecting pressure and/or temperature being condition of fuel gas reserved in the fuel gas reservoir unit, communication unit for communication with fuel gas supply device, and control unit for, upon reception of signal notifying that fuel lid is in open state from open/close detection unit, performing dispensing communication to notify the fuel gas supply device, via communication unit, of condition of fuel gas having been input from fuel gas condition detection unit. The control unit stops dispensing communication when control unit has determined, according to signal received from open/close detection unit that predetermined time has elapsed with the fuel lid remaining in open state after starting dispensing communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koichi Kato, Koichi Takaku, Taneaki Miura, Hiroyasu Ozaki, Saneto Asano
  • Patent number: 9846441
    Abstract: A pressure reducing valve has a seal member, which is mounted on a side wall of a piston. The seal member is arranged between a first ring and a second ring. Consequently, depending on the direction of displacement of the piston, the first ring or the second ring is positioned on one of a displacement direction upstream side or a displacement direction downstream side of the seal member. The first ring and the second ring are made of a resin material, for example a polytetrafluoroethylene resin or a polyetheretherketone resin, having lower coefficient of friction compared with that of the seal member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Iitaka, Taneaki Miura, Koichi Takaku, Hiroyasu Ozaki
  • Patent number: 9845878
    Abstract: A sealing structure enables easy fitting of an endless backup ring and includes: tank main body having filling chamber body with filling chamber and mouthpiece portion formed in cylindrical shape integrally with filling chamber body; valve body having insertion portion inserted in mouthpiece portion; O-ring provided between mouthpiece portion and insertion portion; and first backup ring endless and disposed on one side of O-ring to restrict movement of O-ring, wherein annular housing groove is formed on inner circumferential surface of mouthpiece portion such as to be recessed outward with respect to radial direction in order to house O-ring and first backup ring, wherein mouthpiece portion is provided with first cylindrical portion integral with filling chamber body and second cylindrical portion attachable/detachable along axial direction to/from first cylindrical portion, and wherein housing groove is divided along axial direction to face outward when second cylindrical portion detaches from first cylindri
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Taneaki Miura, Koichi Takaku, Koichi Kato, Saneto Asano, Hiroyasu Ozaki
  • Patent number: 9825318
    Abstract: A method for operating a fuel cell system includes detecting a pressure in a fuel supply path located downstream of a pressure reducing valve using a pressure sensor. Whether or not the pressure detected by the pressure sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold pressure is determined. The pressure in the fuel supply path located downstream of the pressure reducing is reduced when the pressure detected by the pressure sensor exceeds the predetermined threshold pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koichi Kato, Koichi Takaku