Patents by Inventor Makoto Ebikawa

Makoto Ebikawa 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: 20090029224
    Abstract: A liquid send/receive joint device that has a simplified configuration, is composed of a small number of components, is of small size, and can be manufactured at low cost and prevent liquid leakage, is provided; and a fuel cell system equipped with such a liquid send/receive joint device is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: NIX, INC.
    Inventors: Toru TAKAHASHI, Nobuo KATSUURA, Junji OYAMA, Makoto EBIKAWA, Takuji MAYUZUMI
  • Publication number: 20080271673
    Abstract: A liquid send/receive joint device that releases pressure on a false connection prevention key and prevents breakage of the false connection prevention key when a rotary force of a predetermined level or greater is applied to the liquid send/receive joint device while a liquid accepter and a liquid reservoir are connected to each other, is provided. A fuel cell system equipped with such a liquid send/receive joint device is also provided. The liquid send/receive joint device includes: a first joint member 10 having a male joint part 14; and a second joint member 50 that has a female joint part 54 to receive the male joint part 14 and is connected to the first joint member 10. The female joint part 54 has ribs 68A to 68D that are inserted into spaces between adjacent engagement protrusions 16A to 16D of the male joint part 14 when the female joint part 54 receives the male joint part 14.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: NIX, INC.
    Inventors: Toru TAKAHASHI, Junji OYAMA, Makoto EBIKAWA, Takuji MAYUZUMI
  • Publication number: 20080105708
    Abstract: A fluid supply container that can continuously apply pressure to a fluid stored therein and enhance the supply rate of the fluid to a liquid acceptor is provided. Also, a fuel cell system including the fluid supply container is provided. A fluid supply container 1 includes a fluid storage unit 20 and a pressurizing mechanism 30 for pressurizing the fluid storage unit 20 and supplies a fluid stored in the fluid storage unit 20 to a fluid acceptor. The fluid storage unit 20 includes a first storage chamber 21 and a second storage chamber 22 defined by a flexible member 23 and connected to the first storage chamber 21 so as to allow the fluid to flow to/from the first storage chamber 21. The flexible member 23 is reversed by means of pressurization by the pressurizing mechanism 30 so that the flexible member 23 enters the first storage chamber 21, thereby reducing the volume of the fluid storage unit 20 storing the fluid. The fuel cell system uses this fluid supply container 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: NIX, Inc.
    Inventors: Makoto Ebikawa, Toru Takahashi, Junji Oyama, Nobuo Katsuura
  • Publication number: 20070222831
    Abstract: A liquid send/receive joint device that allows for a wide range of connection positions of a liquid reservoir and a liquid accepter when they are connected, that can always maintain a good connection between the liquid reservoir and the liquid accepter, and that can send/receive a liquid safely and with certainty; and a fuel cell system equipped with this liquid send/receive joint device. A liquid send/receive joint device 1 includes: a reservoir-side joint member 10 that can be attached to a liquid reservoir 100; and an accepter-side joint member 50 that can be attached to a liquid accepter 200 and connected to the reservoir-side joint member 10 in such a manner that the accepter-side joint member 50 can be attached to or detached from the reservoir-side joint member 10 whenever necessary; wherein the reservoir-side joint member 10 and the accepter-side joint member 50 are connected to each other via a spherical joint mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Inventors: Toru Takahashi, Nobuo Katsuura, Makoto Ebikawa, Junji Oyama