Patents by Inventor Kou Komori

Kou Komori 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: 20170226928
    Abstract: A disclosed micro gas turbine system includes a micro gas turbine apparatus and an extracting cycle apparatus. The micro gas turbine apparatus includes a first compressor, a burner, and a first turbine. The first turbine expands a combustion gas generated by the burner. The extracting cycle apparatus includes a second compressor and a second turbine. The second compressor receives a flow of extracted air that is generated by extracting a part of a working fluid discharged from the first compressor. The second turbine expands the working fluid discharged from the second compressor. The working fluid discharged from the second turbine cools down the first turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventors: HIDETOSHI TAGUCHI, KOU KOMORI, OSAO KIDO, FUMITOSHI NISHIWAKI, YOSHITSUGU NISHIYAMA
  • Patent number: 9719699
    Abstract: An air conditioner (1A) as a refrigeration apparatus includes: a refrigerant circuit (2) including an evaporator (25), a first compressor (21), a vapor cooler (3), a second compressor (22), and a condenser (23) that are connected in this order; a heat release circuit (4) that allows a heat medium to circulate between the condenser (23) and a first heat exchanger (5) that releases heat to the atmosphere; and a heat absorption circuit (6) that allows a heat medium to circulate between the evaporator (25) and a second heat exchanger (7). The vapor cooler (3) is a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between a refrigerant vapor compressed by the first compressor (21) and the heat medium flowing in the heat release circuit (4) or the heat medium flowing in the heat absorption circuit (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoichiro Tamura, Kou Komori, Bunki Kawano, Hidetoshi Taguchi
  • Patent number: 9618234
    Abstract: A refrigeration cycle apparatus (50) includes: a main refrigerant circuit (21) having a compressor (1), a radiator (2), a first expansion mechanism (5), a second expansion mechanism (6), and an evaporator (4); an injection passage (22) for supplying an intermediate-pressure refrigerant to an injection port 1c of the compressor 1; and a water circuit (30) through which water to be heated in the radiator (2) flows. The refrigeration cycle apparatus (50) includes a sub heat exchanger (3) for cooling the water in the water circuit (30) by exchanging heat between the refrigerant in the injection passage (22) and the water to be heated in the radiator (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kou Komori, Yuichi Yakumaru, Tomoichiro Tamura, Masaya Honma, Hiroki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 9574571
    Abstract: A pump device (1A) includes: an impeller (2) that rotates about an axis of rotation (A); an inlet passage (10a) that extends along the axis of rotation (A) of the impeller (2); a volute chamber (10b) provided around the impeller (2); a high-pressure chamber (4) provided around the inlet passage (10a); a circumferential wall (5) that separates the inlet passage (10a) and the high-pressure chamber (4); and a bypass passage (6) that communicates the volute chamber (10b) and the high-pressure chamber (4). The circumferential wall (5) has a plurality of through holes (51) provided in a circumferential direction. The central axis (B) of each of the through holes (51) is included in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation (A). The central axis (B) is inclined with respect to a reference line (L).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Bunki Kawano, Kou Komori, Tomoichiro Tamura
  • Patent number: 9394913
    Abstract: A centrifugal compressor includes: an impeller having full blades and splitter blades; a shroud wall forming an intake and having a shape conforming to the impeller; and a bleed chamber facing an outer surface of the shroud wall. The bleed chamber communicates with a discharge space having a pressure equal to or lower than a pressure of a working fluid at the intake. The shroud wall is provided with a slit (a bleeding passage) that directs a portion of the working fluid that has flowed into a space between the full blade and a pressurizing surface of the splitter blade to the bleed chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Taguchi, Fumitoshi Nishiwaki, Kou Komori
  • Publication number: 20160153697
    Abstract: If an exterior heat exchanger is sensed to be frosted while a heat pump device is operating in a first heating operation mode in which two interior heat exchangers are used, the operation modes are switched into a second heating operation mode in which one interior heat exchanger is used, and then switched into a defrosting operation mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Hiroshi HAMAMOTO, Kohei FUKAWATASE, Yoshihiko OTAKE, Kou KOMORI, Subaru MATSUMOTO, Norihiro MIYAMURA
  • Publication number: 20160153695
    Abstract: An exterior heat exchanger is provided with paths P1-P4. The flow rate of the air being blown by an exterior blower to pass through the path P4 closer to a refrigerant outlet of the exterior heat exchanger is set to be higher than that of the air being blown by the exterior blower to pass through the path P1 closer to a refrigerant inlet of the exterior heat exchanger. An air-conditioning controller activates cooling fans during a defrosting mode of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Hiroshi HAMAMOTO, Kohei FUKAWATASE, Yoshihiko OTAKE, Kou KOMORI, Subaru MATSUMOTO
  • Publication number: 20160153696
    Abstract: An exterior heat exchanger is provided with first to fourth paths. The flow rate of the air being blown by an exterior blower to pass through the first path closer to a refrigerant inlet of the exterior heat exchanger is set to be higher than that of the air being blown by the exterior blower to pass through the fourth path closer to a refrigerant outlet of the exterior heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Hiroshi HAMAMOTO, Kohei FUKAWATASE, Yoshihiko OTAKE, Kou KOMORI, Subaru MATSUMOTO
  • Publication number: 20160090913
    Abstract: A gas turbine system (1A) includes a gas turbine unit (2) and a cooling fluid generator (5). The gas turbine unit (2) includes a first compressor (21) and a first expansion turbine (23) coupled to each other by a first shaft (22), a combustor (26), and a fuel tank (30). A fuel held in the fuel tank (30) circulates through a fuel circulation passage (31). A working fluid that has a pressure increased by the first compressor (1) is extracted from the gas turbine unit (2). The cooling fluid generator (5) includes a cooler (55) for cooling, with the fuel flowing through the fuel circulation passage (31), the working fluid that has been extracted from the gas turbine unit (2), and a second expansion turbine (53) for expanding the working fluid that has flowed out of the cooler (55).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Hidetoshi TAGUCHI, Fumitoshi NISHIWAKI, Kou KOMORI, Tomoichiro TAMURA, Subaru MATSUMOTO
  • Publication number: 20160075214
    Abstract: If the quantity of heat absorbed by an exterior heat exchanger 33 has decreased, a switch is made into a first hot gas heating operation mode in which a refrigerant discharged from a motor-driven compressor 30 is allowed to flow through a downstream interior heat exchanger 31 and an upstream interior heat exchanger 32, bypass the exterior heat exchanger 33, and then be sucked into the motor-driven compressor 30 after its pressure has been reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Applicants: JAPAN CLIMATE SYSTEMS CORPORATION, Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi HAMAMOTO, Kohei FUKAWATASE, Yoshihiko OTAKE, Kou KOMORI, Subaru MATSUMOTO, Katsuyoshi WAKANO, Mio FURUI, Norihiro MIYAMURA
  • Patent number: 9243826
    Abstract: A refrigeration cycle apparatus (1A) includes: an evaporator (23) that retains a refrigerant liquid and that evaporates the refrigerant liquid therein; a condenser (22) that condenses a refrigerant vapor therein and that retains the refrigerant liquid; a vapor channel (2A) that is provided with a compressor (21) and that directs the refrigerant vapor from the evaporator (23) to the condenser (22); a liquid channel (2B) that directs the refrigerant liquid from the condenser (22) to the evaporator (23); a condensation-side circulation path (4) that allows the refrigerant liquid retained in the condenser (22) to circulate via a heat exchanger for heat release (41) and that is provided with a condensation-side pump (45) at a position upstream of the heat exchanger for heat release (41); and a back-flow path (7) that directs a portion of the refrigerant liquid flowing in a section downstream of the heat exchanger for heat release (41) in the condensation-side circulation path (4) to a section upstream of the conde
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bunki Kawano, Tomoichiro Tamura, Kou Komori
  • Publication number: 20160016459
    Abstract: A heat pump device 20 is operated so as to make a switch between multiple operation modes including a first dehumidification and heating operation mode in which a refrigerant discharged from a compressor is circulated through a downstream interior heat exchanger 31, a first pressure reducing valve 52, an upstream interior heat exchanger 32, and an exterior heat exchanger 33 in this order so that the heat exchanger 31 functions as a radiator and the heat exchanger 32 functions as a heat absorber, and a second dehumidification and heating operation mode in which the refrigerant discharged from the compressor is circulated through the downstream interior heat exchanger 31, a second pressure reducing valve 53, the exterior heat exchanger 33, and the upstream interior heat exchanger 32 in this order so that the heat exchanger 31 functions as a radiator and the heat exchanger 32 functions as a heat absorber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicants: Panasonic Corporation, JAPAN CLIMATE SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi HAMAMOTO, Kohei FUKAWATASE, Yoshihiko OTAKE, Kou KOMORI, Subaru MATSUMOTO, Katsuyoshi WAKANO, Mio FURUI, Norihiro MIYAMURA
  • Patent number: 9239009
    Abstract: A gas turbine system (1A) includes a gas turbine unit (2) and a cooling fluid generator (5). The gas turbine unit (2) includes a first compressor (21) and a first expansion turbine (23) coupled to each other by a first shaft (22), a combustor (26), and a fuel tank (30). A fuel held in the fuel tank (30) circulates through a fuel circulation passage (31). A working fluid that has a pressure increased by the first compressor (1) is extracted from the gas turbine unit (2). The cooling fluid generator (5) includes a cooler (55) for cooling, with the fuel flowing through the fuel circulation passage (31), the working fluid that has been extracted from the gas turbine unit (2), and a second expansion turbine (53) for expanding the working fluid that has flowed out of the cooler (55).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Taguchi, Fumitoshi Nishiwaki, Kou Komori, Tomoichiro Tamura, Subaru Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20150362231
    Abstract: A gas heat pump air conditioning system includes: a gas engine that generates power by using gas as a fuel; a heat pump cycle including a compressor that is driven by the gas engine and at least one heat exchanger disposed in an interior space and air-conditioning the interior space by the heat exchanger; a power generator that is driven by the gas engine and generates electric power; and a local air conditioner that is disposed in the interior space in which the heat exchanger is disposed and that air-conditions the interior space by using the electric power generated by the power genera or.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: SHIGEAKI MATSUBAYASHI, MIO FURUI, KOU KOMORI, YUUKI FURUTA
  • Patent number: 9157684
    Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus (air conditioner (1A)) includes: a vapor channel (2A) that directs a refrigerant vapor from an evaporator (25) to a condenser (23); a liquid channel (2B) that directs a refrigerant liquid from the condenser (23) to the evaporator (25); a first circulation path (4) that allows the refrigerant liquid retained in the evaporator (25) to circulate via a first heat exchanger (indoor heat exchanger (31)); and a second circulation path (5) that allows the refrigerant liquid retained in the condenser (23) to circulate via a second heat exchanger (outdoor heat exchanger (33)). A first switching means and a second switching means are provided on the first circulation path (4) and the second circulation path (5). The first switching means and the second switching means are, for example, four-way valves 61 and 62.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kou Komori, Tomoichiro Tamura, Bunki Kawano, Hidetoshi Taguchi
  • Patent number: 9086243
    Abstract: A fin-tube heat exchanger has a plurality of fins (3) arranged parallel to and spaced from each other at a predetermined gap, and a plurality of heat transfer tubes (2) penetrating the fins (3). In each of the fins (3), a first cut-and-raised portion (5a), a second cut-and-raised portion (5b), and a third cut-and-raised portion (5c) are formed in that order by cutting and raising a portion of the each of the fins so as to turn it over from an upstream side to a downstream side. The horizontal cross-sectional shape of each of the first cut-and-raised portion (5a), the second cut-and-raised portion (5b), and the third cut-and-raised portion (5c) is formed in a semicircular shape and curved so as to taper toward the upstream side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kou Komori, Osamu Ogawa, Hiroki Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20150183294
    Abstract: A air conditioning control device is configured to estimate whether or not the temperature of refrigerant on a high-pressure side in a heat pump device is equal to or lower than a predetermined low temperature and to switch a flow path switching device to an air-heating start-up mode when it is estimated that the temperature of refrigerant on the high-pressure side in the heat pump device is equal to or lower than the predetermined low temperature and switch the flow path switching device to a normal air-heating mode when it is estimated that the temperature of refrigerant on the high-pressure side in the heat pump device is higher than the predetermined low temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicants: PANASONIC CORPORATION, JAPAN CLIMATE SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Hamamoto, Kohei Fukawatase, Yoshihiko Otake, Kou Komori, Subaru Matsumoto, Katsuyoshi Wakano
  • Patent number: 8978743
    Abstract: A fin tube heat exchanger 1 according to the present invention includes fins 31 and a heat transfer tube 21 penetrating through the fins 31. A region that is surrounded by line segments connecting among two reference points BP and two leading edge reference points BPF is defined as a reference region. A region that is included in the reference region and located between an upstream reference line LU and a downstream reference line LD is defined as a specific region. Each fin 31 is provided with a cut-and-raised portion 12 having, in the specific region, another leading edge different from a leading edge 31f. The cut-and-raised portion is formed by cutting and raising a part of the fin 31.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoichiro Tamura, Kou Komori
  • Patent number: 8919296
    Abstract: A hot water supply system includes a first tank for storing hot water for heating; a second tank for storing hot water to be supplied to a hot water tap; a heater circulation path for supplying the hot water of the first tank to a heater; a first path that includes a first heat transfer portion surrounding the exposed portion of the second tank to the inside of the first tank and that connects the first tank to a forward portion of the heater circulation path so that the hot water of the first tank can be supplied to the heater through the first heat transfer portion; and a second path that includes a second heat transfer portion disposed along the first heat transfer portion, and that allows heat exchange between the hot water of the second tank and the hot water flowing through the first heat transfer portion due to the flow, in the second heat transfer portion, of the hot water of the second tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kou Komori, Yuichi Yakumaru, Atsushi Kakimoto, Tomoichiro Tamura
  • Publication number: 20140352341
    Abstract: A heat pump device includes an air conditioning control device configured to switch the heat pump device among a plurality of operation modes including an air-heating operation mode in which an indoor heat exchanger serves as a radiator and an outdoor heat exchanger serves as a heat absorber, and an air-cooling operation mode in which the indoor heat exchanger serves as a heat absorber and the outdoor heat exchanger serves as a radiator. The air conditioning control device switch a refrigerant pipe such that refrigerant is, in the air-cooling operation mode, supplied to part of the outdoor heat exchanger serving as a refrigerant inlet in the air-heating operation mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicants: Panasonic Corporation, JAPAN CLIMATE SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi HAMAMOTO, Kohei FUKAWATASE, Yoshihiko OTAKE, Kou KOMORI, Subaru MATSUMOTO, Katsuyoshi WAKANO