Patents by Inventor Kotaro Ikeda
Kotaro Ikeda 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: 20240080600Abstract: To provide a high quality listening experience for passengers using inexpensive earphones distributed in an aircraft, equalizer setting according to the characteristics of earphones is necessary. Earphones used in the aircraft are variable according to an aircraft company, and audio reproduction devices used with the earphones are variable according to an aircraft company or a flight number, therefore, it is necessary to prepare a plural of equalizer settings and to select and apply a proper equalizer setting according to a combination of earphones and audio reproduction devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2023Publication date: March 7, 2024Inventor: Kotaro IKEDA
-
Publication number: 20240080599Abstract: To provide a high quality listening experience for passengers using inexpensive earphones distributed in an aircraft, equalizer setting according to the characteristics of earphones is necessary. When using earphones in an aircraft, due to a noise of engine or something, a certain frequency range has a possibility to be masked by the noise. The situations of noise is much different, according to an environment in which the earphones are used.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2023Publication date: March 7, 2024Inventor: Kotaro IKEDA
-
Publication number: 20240080601Abstract: To provide a high quality listening experience for passengers using inexpensive earphones distributed in an aircraft, equalizer setting according to the characteristics of earphones is necessary. Earphones used in the aircraft are variable according to an aircraft company, and audio reproduction devices used with the earphones are variable according to an aircraft company or a flight number, therefore, it is necessary to prepare a plural of equalizer settings and to select and apply a proper equalizer setting according to a combination of earphones and audio reproduction devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2023Publication date: March 7, 2024Inventor: Kotaro IKEDA
-
Publication number: 20240006623Abstract: A surface-treated titanium material for a fuel cell separator, including a titanium substrate having a passive film on a surface of the titanium substrate and a surface layer formed on the titanium substrate. The surface layer includes a titanium oxide layer and carbon particles, the carbon particles are dispersed in an inside of the titanium oxide layer, and a total film thickness of the titanium oxide layer and the passive film is 25 nm or more.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2021Publication date: January 4, 2024Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.), TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Toshiki SATO, Jun SUZUKI, Kotaro IKEDA, Yusuke WATANABE, Takuya ITAKURA, Tomoki TAMBO
-
Publication number: 20230402624Abstract: A power generation unit cell includes: a membrane electrode assembly including an electrolyte membrane and catalyst layers located so as to sandwich the electrolyte membrane; a support located so as to surround the membrane electrode assembly; and a pair of separators located so as to sandwich the membrane electrode assembly and the support. The support includes a base material and adhesive layers stacked on both surfaces of the base material. Each of the separators includes a sealing part and a restraining part, in a portion of the separator that is bonded to corresponding one of the adhesive layers of the support. The sealing part is a smooth surface, and the restraining part is a portion with irregularities.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2023Publication date: December 14, 2023Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kazunori SHIBATA, Hitoshi HAMADA, Kotaro IKEDA
-
Publication number: 20220206534Abstract: An electronic device is installed in a given space and comprises a main body, one or more sensors, and a controller. The one or more sensors are configured to detect an object around the main body. The controller is configured to set a detection range of the one or more sensors according to an installation state of the main body in the given space.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2020Publication date: June 30, 2022Inventor: Kotaro IKEDA
-
Patent number: 10749191Abstract: A fuel cell comprises a membrane electrode assembly configured such that electrode catalyst layers are formed on respective surfaces of an electrolyte membrane; gas diffusion layers placed on respective surfaces of the membrane electrode assembly; and a frame placed around periphery of the membrane electrode assembly. The membrane electrode assembly has a protruding portion that is configured by protruding outside of the gas diffusion layer in a state that the membrane electrode assembly is combined with the gas diffusion layers. The frame has an engagement portion that is configured to engage with the protruding portion. An adhesive layer is formed from an ultraviolet curable adhesive between the protruding portion and the engagement portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2019Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kotaro Ikeda, Hikaru Hasegawa, Naohiro Asada, Makoto Yoshida, Tomokazu Hayashi, Michihisa Mochizuki
-
Patent number: 10615431Abstract: A method of manufacturing a unit fuel cell includes a step of forming an adhesive layer having ultraviolet curability and heat curability on an outer peripheral edge portion of a side surface of a membrane electrode assembly, a step of disposing a support frame so that an inner peripheral edge portion of the support frame which supports the membrane electrode assembly at an outer periphery of the membrane electrode assembly is disposed on an outer portion of the adhesive layer, and a step of disposing a second gas diffusion layer on the side surface of the membrane electrode assembly so that an outer peripheral edge portion of the second gas diffusion layer is disposed on an inner portion of the adhesive layer, and a step of integrating the membrane electrode assembly, the second gas diffusion layer and the support frame by curing the adhesive layer.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2015Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Akito Kawasumi, Kotaro Ikeda
-
Publication number: 20190237777Abstract: A fuel cell comprises a membrane electrode assembly configured such that electrode catalyst layers are formed on respective surfaces of an electrolyte membrane; gas diffusion layers placed on respective surfaces of the membrane electrode assembly; and a frame placed around periphery of the membrane electrode assembly. The membrane electrode assembly has a protruding portion that is configured by protruding outside of the gas diffusion layer in a state that the membrane electrode assembly is combined with the gas diffusion layers. The frame has an engagement portion that is configured to engage with the protruding portion. An adhesive layer is formed from an ultraviolet curable adhesive between the protruding portion and the engagement portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2019Publication date: August 1, 2019Inventors: Kotaro IKEDA, Hikaru HASEGAWA, Naohiro ASADA, Makoto YOSHIDA, Tomokazu HAYASHI, Michihisa MOCHIZUKI
-
Patent number: 10290878Abstract: A fuel cell comprises a membrane electrode assembly configured such that electrode catalyst layers are formed on respective surfaces of an electrolyte membrane; gas diffusion layers placed on respective surfaces of the membrane electrode assembly; and a frame placed around periphery of the membrane electrode assembly. The membrane electrode assembly has a protruding portion that is configured by protruding outside of the gas diffusion layer in a state that the membrane electrode assembly is combined with the gas diffusion layers. The frame has an engagement portion that is configured to engage with the protruding portion. An adhesive layer is formed from an ultraviolet curable adhesive between the protruding portion and the engagement portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2015Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kotaro Ikeda, Hikaru Hasegawa, Naohiro Asada, Makoto Yoshida, Tomokazu Hayashi, Michihisa Mochizuki
-
Patent number: 10199661Abstract: A manufacturing method of a fuel cell separator is provided, whereby the adhesion of a carbon film against a titanium base substrate can be improved and favorable corrosion resistance can be obtained at the same time. A fuel cell separator having such improved adhesion and favorable corrosion resistance is also provided. The method for manufacturing a fuel cell separator according to an embodiment of the invention includes the steps of: forming a TiOx (1<x<2) layer 42 on a titanium base substrate 40; and forming a carbon film 44 on the TiOx layer 42 by plasma CVD so that a binder layer 43 including Ti, O and C is formed between the TiOx layer 42 and the carbon film 44.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2016Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masafumi Koizumi, Kotaro Ikeda
-
Patent number: 10026971Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of cells that are stacked in a stacking direction. Each cell includes a power generating body and a pair of separators. The separators respectively are arranged on opposite surfaces of the power generating body in the stacking direction. Each separator includes a first surface and a second surface. A titanium nitride layer is formed on the first surface, and a conductive carbon layer is formed on the titanium nitride layer. A titanium nitride layer is formed on the second surface. Each separator is in contact with the power generating body via the titanium nitride layer and the carbon layer on the first surface and is in contact with one of the separators of an adjacent cell via the titanium nitride layer on the second surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2016Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Toyota Shatai Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kotaro Ikeda, Yukihiro Suzuki, Eiichiro Morozumi, Takatoshi Asaoka
-
Patent number: 9831504Abstract: A single fuel cell includes: a membrane electrode assembly; gas diffusion layers 3c and 3a that placed on both side surfaces of the membrane electrode assembly, respectively so that an outer peripheral edge portion remains in one side surface of the membrane electrode assembly; an adhesive layer formed to cover the outer peripheral edge portion; and a support frame fixed on the adhesive layer. The support frame includes: a support frame body made of resin; and coating layers formed to cover both side surfaces of the support frame body, respectively. The support frame is fixed on the adhesive layer so that the support frame is spaced from the gas diffusion layer on the one side surface of the membrane electrode assembly, and the single fuel cell further includes a protecting layer formed to cover an end of the interior portion of the support frame body.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2016Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kotaro Ikeda, Akito Kawasumi
-
Patent number: 9786938Abstract: A fuel cell system according to the present invention comprises: a fuel cell including a membrane-electrode assembly in which electrodes, each having a catalyst layer, are arranged on both surfaces of a polymer electrolyte membrane; and a control apparatus that performs performance recovery processing for the catalyst layer by decreasing an output voltage of the fuel cell to a predetermined voltage, wherein the control apparatus predicts a timing of an output increase request being made to the fuel cell and determines the necessity and content of the performance recovery processing based on a result of the prediction.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2012Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masaaki Matsusue, Kotaro Ikeda
-
Patent number: 9748590Abstract: A fuel cell system according to the present invention comprises a control apparatus which performs performance restoration processing for a catalyst layer by decreasing the output voltage of a fuel cell to a predetermined voltage. When an oxide film formed on the catalyst layer during power generation of the fuel cell contains, in addition to a first oxide film that can be removed by decreasing the output voltage of the fuel cell to a first oxide film removal voltage, a second oxide film that can be removed by decreasing the output voltage of the fuel cell to a second oxide film removal voltage which is lower than the first oxide film removal voltage, the control apparatus estimates the amount of the second oxide film and performs performance restoration processing with a set voltage being equal to or lower than the second oxide film removal voltage only when it determines that the estimated amount exceeds a predetermined amount A.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2012Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kotaro Ikeda, Masaaki Matsusue, Yumi Inoue
-
Publication number: 20170141410Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of cells that are stacked in a stacking direction. Each cell includes a power generating body and a pair of separators. The separators respectively are arranged on opposite surfaces of the power generating body in the stacking direction. Each separator includes a first surface and a second surface. A titanium nitride layer is formed on the first surface, and a conductive carbon layer is formed on the titanium nitride layer. A titanium nitride layer is formed on the second surface. Each separator is in contact with the power generating body via the titanium nitride layer and the carbon layer on the first surface and is in contact with one of the separators of an adjacent cell via the titanium nitride layer on the second surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2016Publication date: May 18, 2017Applicant: TOYOTA SHATAI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kotaro Ikeda, Yukihiro Suzuki, Eiichiro Morozumi, Takatoshi Asaoka
-
Publication number: 20170025688Abstract: A fuel cell comprises a membrane electrode assembly configured such that electrode catalyst layers are formed on respective surfaces of an electrolyte membrane; gas diffusion layers placed on respective surfaces of the membrane electrode assembly; and a frame placed around periphery of the membrane electrode assembly. The membrane electrode assembly has a protruding portion that is configured by protruding outside of the gas diffusion layer in a state that the membrane electrode assembly is combined with the gas diffusion layers. The frame has an engagement portion that is configured to engage with the protruding portion. An adhesive layer is formed from an ultraviolet curable adhesive between the protruding portion and the engagement portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2015Publication date: January 26, 2017Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Kotaro IKEDA, Hikaru HASEGAWA, Naohiro ASADA, Makoto YOSHIDA, Tomokazu HAYASHI, Michihisa MOCHIZUKI
-
Patent number: 9520605Abstract: A fuel cell system according to the present invention comprises: a fuel cell including a membrane-electrode assembly in which electrodes, each having a catalyst layer, are arranged on both surfaces of a polymer electrolyte membrane; and a control apparatus which controls an output voltage of the fuel cell. If a target voltage of the fuel cell is set so as to be equal to or higher than a catalyst dissolution voltage at which a catalyst in the catalyst layer is dissolved and the amount of an oxide film formed on the catalyst layer is estimated to be less than a first predetermined amount, the control apparatus controls the output voltage of the fuel cell so as to be equal to an oxide film formation voltage, being lower than the catalyst dissolution voltage, until the amount of the oxide film is estimated to be equal to or greater than the first predetermined amount and then controls the output voltage so as to be equal to the target voltage.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2012Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masaaki Matsusue, Kotaro Ikeda, Yumi Inoue
-
Publication number: 20160301087Abstract: A manufacturing method of a fuel cell separator is provided, whereby the adhesion of a carbon film against a titanium base substrate can be improved and favorable corrosion resistance can be obtained at the same time. A fuel cell separator having such improved adhesion and favorable corrosion resistance is also provided. The method for manufacturing a fuel cell separator according to an embodiment of the invention includes the steps of: forming a TiOx (1<x<2) layer 42 on a titanium base substrate 40; and forming a carbon film 44 on the TiOx layer 42 by plasma CVD so that a binder layer 43 including Ti, O and C is formed between the TiOx layer 42 and the carbon film 44.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2016Publication date: October 13, 2016Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masafumi KOIZUMI, Kotaro IKEDA
-
Publication number: 20160260993Abstract: A single fuel cell includes: a membrane electrode assembly; gas diffusion layers placed on both side surfaces of the membrane electrode assembly, respectively, while an outer peripheral edge portion remains in one side surface of the membrane electrode assembly; an adhesive layer formed to cover the outer peripheral edge portion; a support frame fixed on the adhesive layer; and separators placed on both side surfaces of the support frame and the gas diffusion layers, respectively, so that the peripheral portions of the separators are fixed on the support frame and the central portions of the separators abut on the gas diffusion layers. The support frame includes: a support frame body; and adhesive coating layers formed of an adhesive with thermoplasticity on at least one of both side surfaces of the support frame body.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2016Publication date: September 8, 2016Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kotaro IKEDA