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).

  • Publication number: 20230309442
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Kohei OGURA, Masaaki KONOTO
  • Patent number: 10161684
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Osamu Kosuda, Osao Kido, Atsuo Okaichi, Takumi Hikichi, Masaaki Konoto, Noriyoshi Nishiyama, Yoshio Tomigashi, Tetsuya Matsuyama
  • Patent number: 9964000
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 9966756
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Konoto, Yoshio Tomigashi, Noriyoshi Nishiyama, Takumi Hikichi, Atsuo Okaichi, Osao Kido
  • Publication number: 20170299267
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Osamu KOSUDA, Osao KIDO, Atsuo OKAICHI, Takumi HIKICHI, Masaaki KONOTO, Noriyoshi NISHIYAMA, Yoshio TOMIGASHI, Tetsuya MATSUYAMA
  • Patent number: 9774223
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 9735635
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 9726432
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Osamu Kosuda, Osao Kido, Atsuo Okaichi, Takumi Hikichi, Masaaki Konoto, Noriyoshi Nishiyama, Yoshio Tomigashi, Tetsuya Matsuyama
  • Patent number: 9702263
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 9359915
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshio Tomigashi, Atsuo Okaichi, Tetsuya Matsuyama, Noriyoshi Nishiyama, Osamu Kosuda, Takumi Hikichi, Osao Kido, Masaaki Konoto
  • Publication number: 20150364910
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: MASAAKI KONOTO, YOSHIO TOMIGASHI, NORIYOSHI NISHIYAMA, TAKUMI HIKICHI, ATSUO OKAICHI, OSAO KIDO
  • Publication number: 20150285101
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: TAKUMI HIKICHI, OSAO KIDO, ATSUO OKAICHI, NORIYOSHI NISHIYAMA, YOSHIO TOMIGASHI, MASAAKI KONOTO, OSAMU KOSUDA, SUBARU MATSUMOTO, TETSUYA MATSUYAMA
  • Publication number: 20150252685
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: ATSUO OKAICHI, OSAO KIDO, TAKUMI HIKICHI, OSAMU KOSUDA, NORIYOSHI NISHIYAMA, YOSHIO TOMIGASHI, MASAAKI KONOTO, SUBARU MATSUMOTO, TETSUYA MATSUYAMA
  • Publication number: 20150171679
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2014
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: NORIYOSHI NISHIYAMA, OSAO KIDO, ATSUO OKAICHI, TAKUMI HIKICHI, YOSHIO TOMIGASHI, TETSUYA MATSUYAMA, MASAAKI KONOTO, OSAMU KOSUDA, SUBARU MATSUMOTO
  • Publication number: 20150084346
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: YOSHIO TOMIGASHI, ATSUO OKAICHI, TETSUYA MATSUYAMA, NORIYOSHI NISHIYAMA, OSAMU KOSUDA, TAKUMI HIKICHI, OSAO KIDO, MASAAKI KONOTO
  • Publication number: 20150068208
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: OSAMU KOSUDA, OSAO KIDO, ATSUO OKAICHI, TAKUMI HIKICHI, MASAAKI KONOTO, NORIYOSHI NISHIYAMA, YOSHIO TOMIGASHI, TETSUYA MATSUYAMA
  • Patent number: 8012638
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Konoto, Masaya Fujii, Kazuhiro Seo, Kunihisa Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: 7948781
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichiro Esaka, Masaaki Konoto
  • Publication number: 20100266919
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaaki KONOTO, Masaya Fujii, Kazuhiro Seo, Kunihisa Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: 7767353
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Konoto, Masaya Fujii, Kazuhiro Seo, Kunihisa Sekiguchi