Patents by Inventor Masaaki Konoto
Masaaki Konoto 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: 20230309442Abstract: An electric work vehicle includes at least one motor configured to drive one or both of a travelling device and a working device included in a vehicle; an operation section configured to direct a rotational speed or actuation of the motor; a control section configured to control the motor according to an operation of the operation section; and a battery configured to supply power to the motor. The control section decreases an upper limit of rotational speed of the motor, based on a detected result with regard to a battery condition including a voltage of the battery.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2023Publication date: October 5, 2023Inventors: Kohei OGURA, Masaaki KONOTO
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Patent number: 10161684Abstract: An air cooling unit is an air cooling unit used in a Rankine cycle system and includes an expander and a condenser. The expander recovers energy from a working fluid by expanding the working fluid. The condenser cools the working fluid using air. The air cooling unit includes a heat-transfer reducer that reduces heat transfer between the expander and an air path.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2017Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Osamu Kosuda, Osao Kido, Atsuo Okaichi, Takumi Hikichi, Masaaki Konoto, Noriyoshi Nishiyama, Yoshio Tomigashi, Tetsuya Matsuyama
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Patent number: 9964000Abstract: A combined heat and power system according the present disclosure includes a Rankine cycle apparatus including an evaporator that heats a working fluid by heat exchange between the working fluid and a heat source medium, an expansion machine that converts expansion power of the working fluid into rotational power, and a condenser that cools the working fluid by heat exchange between the working fluid and a heat medium, and a thermal circuit for using the heat medium heated by the condenser. An expansion volume ratio of the expansion machine is equal to or less than an expansion ratio in a theoretical Rankine cycle determined based on a state of a temperature and a pressure of the working fluid at a discharge port of the expansion machine and a state of a temperature and a pressure of the working fluid at a suction port of the expansion machine.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2015Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Takumi Hikichi, Osao Kido, Atsuo Okaichi, Noriyoshi Nishiyama, Yoshio Tomigashi, Masaaki Konoto, Osamu Kosuda, Subaru Matsumoto, Tetsuya Matsuyama
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Patent number: 9966756Abstract: A thermal power generation apparatus includes a control circuit that selects a single operation mode from among a plurality of modes including a normal mode and a specific mode on the basis of a voltage in a commercial system. The normal mode is an operation mode in which alternating-current power output from an inverter is adjusted so that a direct-current voltage in a direct-current power line follows a target voltage. The specific mode is an operation mode in which direct-current power absorbed by an electric power absorber and/or the amount of heat per unit time supplied to a heat engine are/is adjusted so that the direct-current voltage follows the target voltage.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2015Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masaaki Konoto, Yoshio Tomigashi, Noriyoshi Nishiyama, Takumi Hikichi, Atsuo Okaichi, Osao Kido
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Publication number: 20170299267Abstract: An air cooling unit is an air cooling unit used in a Rankine cycle system and includes an expander and a condenser. The expander recovers energy from a working fluid by expanding the working fluid. The condenser cools the working fluid using air. The air cooling unit includes a heat-transfer reducer that reduces heat transfer between the expander and an air path.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2017Publication date: October 19, 2017Inventors: Osamu KOSUDA, Osao KIDO, Atsuo OKAICHI, Takumi HIKICHI, Masaaki KONOTO, Noriyoshi NISHIYAMA, Yoshio TOMIGASHI, Tetsuya MATSUYAMA
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Patent number: 9774223Abstract: A permanent magnet synchronous machine includes a rotor including a core body and an overhang protruding further in an axial direction than a core of a stator. An end surface of the core body includes an N-region disposed on a north pole and an S-region disposed on a south pole. The overhang includes first permanent magnets arranged along an outer edge of the end surface with distances therebetween and a plurality of second permanent magnets disposed on the end surface and adjacent to the first permanent magnets. The first permanent magnets include at least one of a permanent magnet comprising a north pole facing the N-region and a permanent magnet comprising a south pole facing the S-region. The second permanent magnets are provided in the configuration which causes the second permanent magnets to generate a magnetic flux extending from the S-region toward the N-region.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2014Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Noriyoshi Nishiyama, Osao Kido, Atsuo Okaichi, Takumi Hikichi, Yoshio Tomigashi, Tetsuya Matsuyama, Masaaki Konoto, Osamu Kosuda, Subaru Matsumoto
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Patent number: 9735635Abstract: A permanent magnet synchronous machine includes a rotor including a core body and an overhang protruding further in an axial direction than a core of a stator. An end surface of the core body includes an N-region disposed on a north pole and an S-region disposed on a south pole. The overhang includes first permanent magnets arranged along an outer edge of the end surface with distances therebetween and a plurality of second permanent magnets disposed on the end surface and adjacent to the first permanent magnets. The first permanent magnets include at least one of a permanent magnet comprising a north pole facing the N-region and a permanent magnet comprising a south pole facing the S-region. The second permanent magnets are provided in the configuration which causes the second permanent magnets to generate a magnetic flux extending from the S-region toward the N-region.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2014Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Noriyoshi Nishiyama, Osao Kido, Atsuo Okaichi, Takumi Hikichi, Yoshio Tomigashi, Tetsuya Matsuyama, Masaaki Konoto, Osamu Kosuda, Subaru Matsumoto
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Patent number: 9726432Abstract: An air cooling unit is an air cooling unit used in a Rankine cycle system and includes an expander and a condenser. The expander recovers energy from a working fluid by expanding the working fluid. The condenser cools the working fluid using air. The air cooling unit includes a heat-transfer reducer that reduces heat transfer between the expander and an air path.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2014Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Osamu Kosuda, Osao Kido, Atsuo Okaichi, Takumi Hikichi, Masaaki Konoto, Noriyoshi Nishiyama, Yoshio Tomigashi, Tetsuya Matsuyama
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Patent number: 9702263Abstract: A Rankine cycle device in the present disclosure includes an evaporator as a heater, an expander, a cooler, a first temperature sensor, a second temperature sensor, and a control device. The first temperature sensor detects a temperature of the working fluid flowing from an outlet of the heater to an inlet of the expander in the circuit of the working fluid. The second temperature sensor detects a temperature of the working fluid flowing from an outlet of the expander to an inlet of the cooler. The controller controls a number of rotation of the expander based on a difference between a detected temperature of the first temperature sensor and a detected temperature of the second temperature sensor.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2015Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Atsuo Okaichi, Osao Kido, Takumi Hikichi, Osamu Kosuda, Noriyoshi Nishiyama, Yoshio Tomigashi, Masaaki Konoto, Subaru Matsumoto, Tetsuya Matsuyama
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Patent number: 9359915Abstract: A power generation control system includes a converter and a controller. The converter controls a generator of a Rankine cycle system, the Rankine cycle system including an expander, the generator, which is interconnected to the expander, a pump which feeds a working fluid, and an evaporator which evaporates a working fluid. The controller causes the converter to execute, in at least one of a startup operation and a shutdown operation of the Rankine cycle system, first control in at least one of a startup operation and a shutdown operation of the Rankine cycle system such that the expander is prevented from expanding a working fluid if the working fluid at an outlet of the evaporator contains a liquid component while the pump is operating.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2014Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Yoshio Tomigashi, Atsuo Okaichi, Tetsuya Matsuyama, Noriyoshi Nishiyama, Osamu Kosuda, Takumi Hikichi, Osao Kido, Masaaki Konoto
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Publication number: 20150364910Abstract: A thermal power generation apparatus includes a control circuit that selects a single operation mode from among a plurality of modes including a normal mode and a specific mode on the basis of a voltage in a commercial system. The normal mode is an operation mode in which alternating-current power output from an inverter is adjusted so that a direct-current voltage in a direct-current power line follows a target voltage. The specific mode is an operation mode in which direct-current power absorbed by an electric power absorber and/or the amount of heat per unit time supplied to a heat engine are/is adjusted so that the direct-current voltage follows the target voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2015Publication date: December 17, 2015Inventors: MASAAKI KONOTO, YOSHIO TOMIGASHI, NORIYOSHI NISHIYAMA, TAKUMI HIKICHI, ATSUO OKAICHI, OSAO KIDO
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Publication number: 20150285101Abstract: A combined heat and power system according the present disclosure includes a Rankine cycle apparatus including an evaporator that heats a working fluid by heat exchange between the working fluid and a heat source medium, an expansion machine that converts expansion power of the working fluid into rotational power, and a condenser that cools the working fluid by heat exchange between the working fluid and a heat medium, and a thermal circuit for using the heat medium heated by the condenser. An expansion volume ratio of the expansion machine is equal to or less than an expansion ratio in a theoretical Rankine cycle determined based on a state of a temperature and a pressure of the working fluid at a discharge port of the expansion machine and a state of a temperature and a pressure of the working fluid at a suction port of the expansion machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2015Publication date: October 8, 2015Inventors: TAKUMI HIKICHI, OSAO KIDO, ATSUO OKAICHI, NORIYOSHI NISHIYAMA, YOSHIO TOMIGASHI, MASAAKI KONOTO, OSAMU KOSUDA, SUBARU MATSUMOTO, TETSUYA MATSUYAMA
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Publication number: 20150252685Abstract: A Rankine cycle device in the present disclosure includes an evaporator as a heater, an expander, a cooler, a first temperature sensor, a second temperature sensor, and a control device. The first temperature sensor detects a temperature of the working fluid flowing from an outlet of the heater to an inlet of the expander in the circuit of the working fluid. The second temperature sensor detects a temperature of the working fluid flowing from an outlet of the expander to an inlet of the cooler. The controller controls a number of rotation of the expander based on a difference between a detected temperature of the first temperature sensor and a detected temperature of the second temperature sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2015Publication date: September 10, 2015Inventors: ATSUO OKAICHI, OSAO KIDO, TAKUMI HIKICHI, OSAMU KOSUDA, NORIYOSHI NISHIYAMA, YOSHIO TOMIGASHI, MASAAKI KONOTO, SUBARU MATSUMOTO, TETSUYA MATSUYAMA
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Publication number: 20150171679Abstract: A permanent magnet synchronous machine includes a rotor including a core body and an overhang protruding further in an axial direction than a core of a stator. An end surface of the core body includes an N-region disposed on a north pole and an S-region disposed on a south pole. The overhang includes first permanent magnets arranged along an outer edge of the end surface with distances therebetween and a plurality of second permanent magnets disposed on the end surface and adjacent to the first permanent magnets. The first permanent magnets include at least one of a permanent magnet comprising a north pole facing the N-region and a permanent magnet comprising a south pole facing the S-region. The second permanent magnets are provided in the configuration which causes the second permanent magnets to generate a magnetic flux extending from the S-region toward the N-region.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2014Publication date: June 18, 2015Inventors: NORIYOSHI NISHIYAMA, OSAO KIDO, ATSUO OKAICHI, TAKUMI HIKICHI, YOSHIO TOMIGASHI, TETSUYA MATSUYAMA, MASAAKI KONOTO, OSAMU KOSUDA, SUBARU MATSUMOTO
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Publication number: 20150084346Abstract: A power generation control system includes a converter and a controller. The converter controls a generator of a Rankine cycle system, the Rankine cycle system including an expander, the generator, which is interconnected to the expander, a pump which feeds a working fluid, and an evaporator which evaporates a working fluid. The controller causes the converter to execute, in at least one of a startup operation and a shutdown operation of the Rankine cycle system, first control in at least one of a startup operation and a shutdown operation of the Rankine cycle system such that the expander is prevented from expanding a working fluid if the working fluid at an outlet of the evaporator contains a liquid component while the pump is operating.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2014Publication date: March 26, 2015Inventors: YOSHIO TOMIGASHI, ATSUO OKAICHI, TETSUYA MATSUYAMA, NORIYOSHI NISHIYAMA, OSAMU KOSUDA, TAKUMI HIKICHI, OSAO KIDO, MASAAKI KONOTO
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Publication number: 20150068208Abstract: An air cooling unit is an air cooling unit used in a Rankine cycle system and includes an expander and a condenser. The expander recovers energy from a working fluid by expanding the working fluid. The condenser cools the working fluid using air. The air cooling unit includes a heat-transfer reducer that reduces heat transfer between the expander and an air path.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Inventors: OSAMU KOSUDA, OSAO KIDO, ATSUO OKAICHI, TAKUMI HIKICHI, MASAAKI KONOTO, NORIYOSHI NISHIYAMA, YOSHIO TOMIGASHI, TETSUYA MATSUYAMA
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Patent number: 8012638Abstract: A fuel cell system according to the invention comprises a fuel cell stack, a fuel feeder that supplies the fuel cell stack with fuel, a rechargeable battery that is an electric storage device, a bidirectional DC/DC converter that selectively performs an operation of converting the output voltage of the rechargeable battery into a predetermined voltage and then outputting it (a discharge operation), or an operation of charging the rechargeable battery using the electric power outputted from the fuel cell stack (a charge operation), and a mode control circuit. The mode control circuit detects the output voltage of the fuel cell stack so that, when it is higher than the set value, the mode control circuit makes the bidirectional DC/DC converter perform the charge operation; when it is not higher than the set value, the mode control circuit makes the bidirectional DC/DC converter perform the discharge operation.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2010Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co. Ltd.Inventors: Masaaki Konoto, Masaya Fujii, Kazuhiro Seo, Kunihisa Sekiguchi
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Patent number: 7948781Abstract: Provided is a contactless power receiving unit which has a simple configuration, and which is capable of generating constant induced electromotive force regardless of the orientation of a power receiving coil. Multiple power receiving coils are arranged to form certain relative angles to one another in a parallel magnetic field generated by a power supply unit. A rectifier circuit is connected to each power receiving coil. An adder circuit is configured to add DC power obtained, through the rectifier circuits, from the multiple power receiving coils, and to output resultant DC power of the addition.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2008Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Koichiro Esaka, Masaaki Konoto
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Publication number: 20100266919Abstract: A fuel cell system according to the invention comprises a fuel cell stack, a fuel feeder that supplies the fuel cell stack with fuel, a rechargeable battery that is an electric storage device, a bidirectional DC/DC converter that selectively performs an operation of converting the output voltage of the rechargeable battery into a predetermined voltage and then outputting it (a discharge operation), or an operation of charging the rechargeable battery using the electric power outputted from the fuel cell stack (a charge operation), and a mode control circuit. The mode control circuit detects the output voltage of the fuel cell stack so that, when it is higher than the set value, the mode control circuit makes the bidirectional DC/DC converter perform the charge operation; when it is not higher than the set value, the mode control circuit makes the bidirectional DC/DC converter perform the discharge operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2010Publication date: October 21, 2010Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.Inventors: Masaaki KONOTO, Masaya Fujii, Kazuhiro Seo, Kunihisa Sekiguchi
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Patent number: 7767353Abstract: A fuel cell system according to the invention comprises a fuel cell stack, a fuel feeder that supplies the fuel cell stack with fuel, a rechargeable battery that is an electric storage device, a bidirectional DC/DC converter that selectively performs an operation of converting the output voltage of the rechargeable battery into a predetermined voltage and then outputting it (a discharge operation), or an operation of charging the rechargeable battery using the electric power outputted from the fuel cell stack (a charge operation), and a mode control circuit. The mode control circuit detects the output voltage of the fuel cell stack so that, when it is higher than the set value, the mode control circuit makes the bidirectional DC/DC converter perform the charge operation; when it is not higher than the set value, the mode control circuit makes the bidirectional DC/DC converter perform the discharge operation.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2005Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masaaki Konoto, Masaya Fujii, Kazuhiro Seo, Kunihisa Sekiguchi