Patents by Inventor Kouichi Kuroda
Kouichi Kuroda 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: 20220348966Abstract: A method for producing metabolites that are heavy alcohols, and particularly branched-chain alcohols is provided, involving contacting a suitable substrate with recombinant microorganisms. The microorganisms contain at least one deletion, disruptions, or mutations from the GLN gene family, VPS gene family, GNP gene family, AVT gene family, GCN gene family, or YDR391C, and combinations thereof, and overproduce the heavy alcohol as compared to a wild-type yeast strain.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2020Publication date: November 3, 2022Applicants: The Trustees of Princeton University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Kyoto UniversityInventors: José L. AVALOS, Sarah K. HAMMER, Kouichi KURODA, Gerald R. FINK, Gregory STEPHANOPOULOS
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Patent number: 10488038Abstract: A method for producing a heat transfer tube for a steam generator comprises a step of providing a tube and then applying cold drawing to the tube by using a high-pressure lubricating oil of 40 MPa or more in pressure. After the step of applying cold drawing to the tube, a step of applying a solid solution heat treatment to the tube is conducted. After the step of applying a solid solution heat treatment to the tube, a step of straightening the tube by using a roll straightening machine is conducted. An offset amount of 5 mm or less is formed for at least successive three pairs of upper and lower straightening rolls of the roll straightening machine.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2018Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATIONInventors: Masatoshi Toyoda, Kouichi Kuroda
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Publication number: 20180299121Abstract: A method for producing a heat transfer tube for a steam generator comprises a step of providing a tube and then applying cold drawing to the tube by using a high-pressure lubricating oil of 40 MPa or more in pressure. After the step of applying cold drawing to the tube, a step of applying a solid solution heat treatment to the tube is conducted. After the step of applying a solid solution heat treatment to the tube, a step of straightening the tube by using a roll straightening machine is conducted. An offset amount of 5 mm or less is formed for at least successive three pairs of upper and lower straightening rolls of the roll straightening machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2018Publication date: October 18, 2018Inventors: Masatoshi TOYODA, Kouichi KURODA
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Patent number: 9972445Abstract: Provided are an electrolytic capacitor with high withstand voltage capable of preventing deterioration of withstand voltage characteristics caused by lead-free reflow or the like and improving ESR characteristics, and a manufacturing method thereof. The electrolytic capacitor is obtained by impregnating a capacitor element in which an anode electrode foil and a cathode electrode foil are wound with a separator interposed, with a dispersion containing: particles of a conductive polymer; sorbitol or sorbitol and polyalcohol; and a solvent so as to form a solid electrolyte layer containing 60 to 92 wt % of the sorbitol or the sorbitol and polyalcohol, and by filling an electrolytic solution containing ethylene glycol in a gap portion in the capacitor element on which the solid electrolyte layer is formed.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2015Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: NIPPON CHEMI-CON CORPORATIONInventors: Kazuya Koseki, Kouichi Kuroda, Masao Sakakura, Tomohiro Matsuzaki, Takayuki Nakaji
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Patent number: 9589734Abstract: A high voltage proof solid electrolytic capacitor that can prevent deterioration of voltage proof property due to lead-free reflow etc. and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. A capacitor element having an anode and cathode electrode foils wound via a separator is impregnated with a dispersion comprising conductive polymer particles or powder and a solvent to form a solid electrolyte layer consisting of a conductive polymer, and the voids inside the capacitor element having the solid electrolyte layer formed are filled with an ion-conducting substance comprising a mixed solvent comprising ethylene glycol and ?-butyrolactone together with a solute selected from at least one type of an ammonium salt, a quaternary ammonium salt, a quaternized amidinium salt, and an amine salt of an organic acid, an inorganic acid, and a composite compound between organic acid and inorganic acids to obtain a solid electrolytic capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2013Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: NIPPON CHEMI-CON CORPORATIONInventors: Kazuya Koseki, Kouichi Kuroda, Junichi Kawakami, Masao Sakakura
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Patent number: 9429254Abstract: There is provided an austenitic alloy pipe that is durable even if a stress distribution different according to usage environment is applied. The austenitic alloy pipe in accordance with the present invention has a tensile yield strength YSLT of at least 689.1 MPa. The tensile yield strength YSLT, a compressive yield strength YSLC in a pipe axial direction, a tensile yield strength YSCT in a pipe circumferential direction of the alloy pipe, and a compressive yield strength YSCC in the pipe circumferential direction satisfy Formulas (1) to (4). 0.90?YSLC/YSLT?1.11??(1) 0.90?YSCC/YSCT?1.11??(2) 0.90?YSCC/YSLT?1.11??(3) 0.90?YSCT/YSLT?1.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2012Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATIONInventors: Naoki Sawawatari, Kouichi Kuroda, Hitoshi Suwabe, Masaki Ueyama
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Patent number: 9238258Abstract: Provided is a method for producing a double-wall tube with braided wires at its interface in which the braided wires are interposed between an outer-wall and inner-wall blank tubes and then a drawing process is applied so as for the braided wires to be brought into close contact with the inner surface of the outer-wall tube and the outer surface of the inner-wall tube, the method comprising: polishing the inner surface of the outer-wall blank tube and the outer surface of the inner-wall blank tube so that a surface roughness thereof satisfies Ra<1.0 ?m, followed by interposing the braided wires between the outer-wall and inner-wall blank tubes; performing a sinking drawing process so that the difference of the outer diameter of the resulting double-wall tube relative to a die bore diameter is 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm; and subsequently performing heat treatment. The double-wall tube produced is suitable as a heat-transfer tube.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2011Date of Patent: January 19, 2016Assignee: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATIONInventors: Takuya Hanada, Takashi Nakashima, Tetsuo Yokoyama, Kouichi Kuroda, Tatsuya Okui
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Publication number: 20150287540Abstract: Provided are an electrolytic capacitor with high withstand voltage capable of preventing deterioration of withstand voltage characteristics caused by lead-free reflow or the like and improving ESR characteristics, and a manufacturing method thereof. The electrolytic capacitor is obtained by impregnating a capacitor element in which an anode electrode foil and a cathode electrode foil are wound with a separator interposed, with a dispersion containing: particles of a conductive polymer; sorbitol or sorbitol and polyalcohol; and a solvent so as to forma solid electrolyte layer containing 60 to 92 wt % of the sorbitol or the sorbitol and polyalcohol, and by filling an electrolytic solution containing ethylene glycol in a gap portion in the capacitor element on which the solid electrolyte layer is formed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2015Publication date: October 8, 2015Inventors: Kazuya KOSEKI, Kouichi KURODA, Masao SAKAKURA, Tomohiro MATSUZAKI, Takayuki NAKAJI
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Publication number: 20150213962Abstract: A high voltage proof solid electrolytic capacitor that can prevent deterioration of voltage proof property due to lead-free reflow etc. and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. A capacitor element having an anode and cathode electrode foils wound via a separator is impregnated with a dispersion comprising conductive polymer particles or powder and a solvent to form a solid electrolyte layer consisting of a conductive polymer, and the voids inside the capacitor element having the solid electrolyte layer formed are filled with an ion-conducting substance comprising a mixed solvent comprising ethylene glycol and ?-butyrolactone together with a solute selected from at least one type of an ammonium salt, a quaternary ammonium salt, a quaternized amidinium salt, and an amine salt of an organic acid, an inorganic acid, and a composite compound between organic acid and inorganic acids to obtain a solid electrolytic capacitor.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2013Publication date: July 30, 2015Inventors: Kazuya Koseki, Kouichi Kuroda, Junichi Kawakami, Masao Sakakura
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Patent number: 8783085Abstract: A method for straightening a tube by using an asymmetric roll, which has different diameters D1 (exit side), D2 (entry side) at relative maximum diameter portions, left and right roll shoulder portions, as a straightening roll of a straightener, wherein the roll shoulder having a smaller diameter is disposed to be located on the tube entry side. The straightening roll used therefor comprises roll shoulders 3a and 3b and a roll barrel portion 4, in which D1>D2 and 0.004?(D1?D2)/d?0.2 (d: outer diameter of tube to be straightened) are satisfied. Further, an aspect of the invention may define radii of curvatures of entry-side and exit-side shoulder potions in a section of the roll cut along a plane including the roll central axis, or a curve representing an outer surface of the roll barrel portion.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2012Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal CorporationInventors: Yoshiyuki Kuroiwa, Kouichi Kuroda, Tomio Yamakawa
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Publication number: 20140083576Abstract: There is provided an austenitic alloy pipe that is durable even if a stress distribution different according to usage environment is applied. The austenitic alloy pipe in accordance with the present invention has a tensile yield strength YSLT of at least 689.1 MPa. The tensile yield strength YSLT, a compressive yield strength YSLC in a pipe axial direction, a tensile yield strength YSCT in a pipe circumferential direction of the alloy pipe, and a compressive yield strength YSCC in the pipe circumferential direction satisfy Formulas (1) to (4). 0.90?YSLC/YSLT?1.11??(1) 0.90?YSCC/YSCT?1.11??(2) 0.90?YSCC/YSLT?1.11??(3) 0.90?YSCT/YSLT?1.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2012Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Medtal CorporationInventors: Naoki Sawawatari, Kouichi Kuroda, Hitoshi Suwabe, Masaki Ueyama
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Publication number: 20130205861Abstract: Provided is a method for producing a double-wall tube with braided wires at its interface in which the braided wires are interposed between an outer-wall and inner-wall blank tubes and then a drawing process is applied so as for the braided wires to be brought into close contact with the inner surface of the outer-wall tube and the outer surface of the inner-wall tube, the method comprising: polishing the inner surface of the outer-wall blank tube and the outer surface of the inner-wall blank tube so that a surface roughness thereof satisfies Ra<1.0 ?m, followed by interposing the braided wires between the outer-wall and inner-wall blank tubes; performing a sinking drawing process so that the difference of the outer diameter of the resulting double-wall tube relative to a die bore diameter is 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm; and subsequently performing heat treatment. The double-wall tube produced is suitable as a heat-transfer tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2011Publication date: August 15, 2013Applicant: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATIONInventors: Takuya Hanada, Takashi Nakashima, Tetsuo Yokoyama, Kouichi Kuroda, Tatsuya Okui
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Publication number: 20130118420Abstract: In a heat transfer tube for a steam generator, a surface roughness of an inner surface of the tube is measured along a longitudinal direction and an amount of dimensional variation in a length of 50 mm taken from a measured roughness chart is 4 ?m or less and an amount of bend crookedness in a portion of a length of 1000 mm from a tube end is 1 mm or less. Hence, when the tube is produced, an inspection of the tube by an eddy current flaw detection can be conducted at a high S/N ratio and hence an inspection efficiency can be improved, and when the tube is assembled into a heat exchanger, the assembling operation can be easily performed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2011Publication date: May 16, 2013Applicant: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATIONInventors: Masatoshi Toyoda, Kouichi Kuroda
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Publication number: 20120304724Abstract: A method for straightening a tube by using an asymmetric roll, which has different diameters D1 (exit side), D2 (entry side) at relative maximum diameter portions, left and right roll shoulder portions, as a straightening roll of a straightener, wherein the roll shoulder having a smaller diameter is disposed to be located on the tube entry side. The straightening roll used therefor comprises roll shoulders 3a and 3b and a roll barrel portion 4, in which D1>D2 and 0.004?(D1?D2)/d?0.2 (d: outer diameter of tube to be straightened) are satisfied. Further, an aspect of the invention may define radii of curvatures of entry-side and exit-side shoulder potions in a section of the roll cut along a plane including the roll central axis, or a curve representing an outer surface of the roll barrel portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2012Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: SUMITOMO METAL INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Yoshiyuki KUROIWA, Kouichi Kuroda, Tomio Yamakawa
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Patent number: 8074482Abstract: A plug 1 includes a first columnar portion 20, a tapered portion 30, and a second columnar portion 40. The first columnar portion 20 has an outside diameter D1. The second columnar portion 40 has an outside diameter D2 which is larger than the outside diameter D1. The tapered portion 30 is formed between the first columnar portion 20 and the second columnar portion 40. The tapered portion 30 has a tapered surface 31 provided with an outside diameter which is gradually increased from the first columnar portion 20 to the second columnar portion 40, and an axial direction length L. The outside diameters D1 and D2, and the axial direction length L meet the following expressions (1) to (4): 0.25???2.00??(1), 0.06?L/D2?0.8??(2), L/D2?0.3×?+0.575??(3), and L/D2?0.1×???(4) where ?=(D2?D1)/D1×100. Therefore, the cold drawing plug according to the present invention can reduce the tensile residual stress on the outer surface of a metal pipe after the cold drawing.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2010Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Tatsuya Okui, Kouichi Kuroda, Tadashi Kawakami
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Patent number: 8070890Abstract: The present invention provides an induction-hardened hollow driving shaft that comprises, as a raw material, a steel pipe that contains, by mass %, 0.30 to 0.47% C, 0.5% or less Si, 0.3 to 2.0% Mn, 0.018% or less P, 0.015% or less S, 0.15 to 1.0% Cr, 0.001 to 0.05% Al, 0.005 to 0.05% Ti, 0.004% or less Ca, 0.01% or less N, 0.0005 to 0.005% B and 0.0050% or less O (oxygen) and the balance Fe and impurities and of which Beff defined by an equation (a) or (b) below is 0.0001 or more, wherein a prior austenite grain size number (JIS G0551) after the hardening is 9 or more. Here, in the case of Neff=N?14×Ti/47.9?0, Beff=B?10.8×(N?14×Ti/47.9)/14 . . . (a), and, in other cases, Beff=B . . . (b). According to the present invention, a hollow driving shaft that is simultaneously provided with excellent cold workability, hardenability, toughness and torsional fatigue strength and can exert stable fatigue lifetime can be obtained and can be widely utilized.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2008Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Kunio Kondo, Kouichi Kuroda
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Patent number: 7788957Abstract: An apparatus for sizing a pipe end comprising: a plug 3 for sizing the pipe end; a chuck 2 for clamping the pipe; and shifting means for shifting the position of the plug 3 and/the chuck 2, which are placed successively from the end of the pipe 2, and the plug 3 has a circular cross section, and is constituted by a taper portion 31 and a diameter equivalent portion 32 continuously formed from the tip of the plug in succession. The outer diameter of the taper portion 31 is gradually expanding from the tip toward the rear end while satisfying the following formulas (1) and (2). The chuck 2 is capable of changing clamping position of the pipe 1. This apparatus makes it possible to size the inner diameter of a pipe end with superior dimensional precision 22?LR/(D1×0.01/2)?115 ??(1) R2?R1 ??(2).Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2008Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Tatsuya Okui, Kouichi Kuroda, Masayoshi Akiyama
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Patent number: 7765850Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanical pipe-end expander comprising a cone and a die having tapered wedge bodies whose outer radius is larger towards a flangeless end direction from a flange end, wherein a pipe-end zone is expanded by a wedge effect of the die, which results from a procedure that the cone and the die are inserted together into the pipe-end zone to be expanded, and that then only the cone is axially drawn outwards leaving the die within the pipe-end zone. A seamless steel pipe with an expanded pipe-end zone is manufactured by applying a mechanical pipe-end expander comprising a die having tapered wedge bodies whose outer radius is larger towards a flangeless end direction from a flange end. The resulting seamless steel pipe has satisfactory pipe-end dimensional accuracy, and exhibits characteristics with excellent field welding workability.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2008Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Tsutomu Arita, Masayoshi Akiyama, Kouichi Kuroda, Tatsuya Okui
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Publication number: 20100170316Abstract: A plug 1 includes a first columnar portion 20, a tapered portion 30, and a second columnar portion 40. The first columnar portion 20 has an outside diameter D1. The second columnar portion 40 has an outside diameter D2 which is larger than the outside diameter D1. The tapered portion 30 is formed between the first columnar portion 20 and the second columnar portion 40. The tapered portion 30 has a tapered surface 31 provided with an outside diameter which is gradually increased from the first columnar portion 20 to the second columnar portion 40, and an axial direction length L. The outside diameters D1 and D2, and the axial direction length L meet the following expressions (1) to (4): 0.25???2.00??(1), 0.06?L/D2?0.8??(2), L/D2?0.3×?+0.575??(3), and L/D2?0.1×???(4) where ?=(D2?D1)/D1×100. Therefore, the cold drawing plug according to the present invention can reduce the tensile residual stress on the outer surface of a metal pipe after the cold drawing.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2010Publication date: July 8, 2010Applicant: SUMITOMO METAL INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Tatsuya Okui, Kouichi Kuroda, Tadashi Kawakami
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Patent number: 7654122Abstract: In straightening a tube using a roll straightening machine provided with drum type straightening roll pairs vertically opposingly disposed, at least an outer layer portion of a roll main body is made of elastic material having spring type hardness Hs (JIS K 6301 A type) of 50 to 100 in at least three pairs of straightening rolls on an outlet side of the roll straightening machine, and an offset amount is imparted to a tube engaged in the three pairs, at least, of straightening opposing rolls such that ? defined by an equation (1) ranges from 1.0×10?3 to 1.5×10?3. The offset amount is set at three positions along a tube axis where the upper and lower rolls of each pair horizontally cross. Therefore, an S/N ratio can be enhanced in an eddy current test from inside of the tube to improve inspection efficiency, and excellent quality accuracy can be ensured in a heat transfer tube used in a steam generator and the like.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2008Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Satoshi Tsuyuguchi, Kouichi Kuroda, Tomio Yamakawa