Patents by Inventor Masashi Beppu

Masashi Beppu 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).

  • Patent number: 9061247
    Abstract: A separation membrane module (1A) includes: a tubular pressure container (7); a plurality of separation membrane elements (2) inserted in the pressure container (7) and each having a first end member (3) and a second end member (4); and a sealing member (5A) mounted on one of or both the first end member (3) and the second end member (4) that are adjacent to each other. In a normal condition, the sealing member (5A) is located radially inward of a maximum diameter portion of the first end member (3) and/or the second end member (4) on which the sealing member (5A) is mounted. The sealing member (5A) is deformed due to contact between the adjacent separation membrane elements (2) or due to supply of a pressurized liquid into the pressure container (7), and comes into close contact with an inner circumferential face (7a) of the pressure container (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Chikura, Toshimitsu Hamada, Yasuhiro Uda, Hideyuki Yamane, Kazuhito Yoshida, Masashi Beppu, Masakatsu Takata
  • Patent number: 8758611
    Abstract: Disclosed are an edge member for membrane elements that can effectively improve adhesion with exterior finishing materials, and a membrane element that is equipped with the same. A plurality of types of undulations (134, 135) of different shapes are formed on the circumference of an extension (132) that extends from the main body (131) of an anti-telescoping member (edge member for membrane element) (13) toward a membrane roll body (11), and an exterior finishing material is attached to extend across the circumference of the extension (132) and the circumference of the membrane roll body. The adhesion between the anti-telescoping member (13) and the exterior finishing material can thus be effectively improved, since the exterior finishing material can be attached to the circumference of the extension (132) with the plurality of types of undulations (134, 135) in contact with the exterior finishing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Beppu, Toshimitsu Hamada
  • Patent number: 8568589
    Abstract: Provided are a connection member capable of preventing leakage from a supply side to a permeating side from occurring by a simple means; and a separation membrane module using the connection member. The connection member (20) is used to connect in series a plurality of separation membrane elements equipped with end surface holding members (36) and to install the separation membrane elements in a pressure-resistant vessel (38). The connection member (20) is characterized in that, when the separation membrane elements are connected to each other, the connection member is engaged with respective grooves (36b) of the end surface holding members (36) adjacent to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Uda, Toshimitsu Hamada, Masashi Beppu, Shinichi Chikura, Nobuharu Tahara, Masakatsu Takata
  • Publication number: 20130186819
    Abstract: A separation membrane module (1A) includes: a tubular pressure container (7); a plurality of separation membrane elements (2) inserted in the pressure container (7) and each having a first end member (3) and a second end member (4); and a sealing member (5A) mounted on one of or both the first end member (3) and the second end member (4) that are adjacent to each other. In a normal condition, the sealing member (5A) is located radially inward of a maximum diameter portion of the first end member (3) and/or the second end member (4) on which the sealing member (5A) is mounted. The sealing member (5A) is deformed due to contact between the adjacent separation membrane elements (2) or due to supply of a pressurized liquid into the pressure container (7), and comes into close contact with an inner circumferential face (7a) of the pressure container (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinichi Chikura, Toshimitsu Hamada, Yasuhiro Uda, Hideyuki Yamane, Kazuhito Yoshida, Masashi Beppu, Masakatsu Takata
  • Patent number: 8303815
    Abstract: A spiral-type separation membrane element is provided that can reduce the pressure loss without changing the outer diameter and the inner diameter of the water-collecting tube. In a spiral-type separation membrane element in which a separation membrane, a feed-side flow passageway member, and a permeate-side flow passageway member are wound in a spiral form around a porous water-collecting tube in a laminated state, the feed-side flow passageway member includes a net-constituting thread in a direction tilted relative to a feed solution flow direction; the net-constituting thread has a cross-sectional part such that a thread diameter X in a direction parallel to a feed solution flow plane is larger than a thread diameter Y in a direction perpendicular to the feed solution flow plane; and a central part between intersection parts of the net-constituting thread is made to have a thread diameter Y smaller than that of an intersection part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Beppu, Shinichi Chikura
  • Publication number: 20120037562
    Abstract: Disclosed are an edge member for membrane elements that can effectively improve adhesion with exterior finishing materials, and a membrane element that is equipped with the same. A plurality of types of undulations (134, 135) of different shapes are formed on the circumference of an extension (132) that extends from the main body (131) of an anti-telescoping member (edge member for membrane element) (13) toward a membrane roll body (11), and an exterior finishing material is attached to extend across the circumference of the extension (132) and the circumference of the membrane roll body. The adhesion between the anti-telescoping member (13) and the exterior finishing material can thus be effectively improved, since the exterior finishing material can be attached to the circumference of the extension (132) with the plurality of types of undulations (134, 135) in contact with the exterior finishing material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Masashi Beppu, Toshimitsu Hamada
  • Publication number: 20110266210
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a spiral membrane element that can form a uniform fiber reinforcement layer on an outer circumferential surface by a simple process without a great change in the materials, as well as a process for producing the same. The spiral membrane element of the present invention is a spiral membrane element which is provided with a cylindrical roll R in which a separation membrane, a feed-side flow passageway member, and a permeate-side flow passageway member 3 are spirally wound in a laminate state around a perforated center tube 5 and in which a sealing part for preventing mixing of feed-side fluid and permeate-side fluid is disposed, wherein at least one sheet of the permeate-side flow passageway member 3 has a fiber cloth 23a extended or connected to the outer circumferential side, and the fiber cloth 23a is wound around an outer circumference of said cylindrical roll R, impregnated with a resin and hardened to thereby form a fiber reinforcement layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Shinichi CHIKURA, Katsumi ISHII, Hideki MATSUDA, Masashi BEPPU, Hiroki FUJIOKA, Yasuhiro UDA
  • Patent number: 8034241
    Abstract: A spiral membrane module where membrane elements are easily connected to each other and the connection thereof is prevented from being loosened. The spiral membrane elements (20) are each formed in multiple layers by winding membranes and channel materials around a center tube (3) having holes and are received in a pressure vessel (10) such that they are connected in series with connection mechanisms (J) placed between the membrane elements (20). Each connection mechanism (J) has a movable member (M) installed at either the upstream side end part or the downstream side end part of each membrane element (20) and having an engagement part (9d) engageable with the other of the upstream side end or the downstream side end. The movable member (M) has a contact part (9c) coming into contact with the inner wall (10a) of the pressure vessel (10) and locking the engagement by the engagement part (9d).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignees: Nitto Denko Corporation, National University Corporation Kyoto Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Masashi Beppu, Yasuhiro Uda, Shinichi Chikura, Kentaro Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7998348
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a spiral membrane element that can form a uniform fiber reinforcement layer on an outer circumferential surface by a simple process without a great change in the materials, as well as a process for producing the same. The spiral membrane element of the present invention is a spiral membrane element which is provided with a cylindrical roll R in which a separation membrane, a feed-side flow passageway member, and a permeate-side flow passageway member 3 are spirally wound in a laminate state around a perforated center tube 5 and in which a sealing part for preventing mixing of feed-side fluid and permeate-side fluid is disposed, wherein at least one sheet of the permeate-side flow passageway member 3 has a fiber cloth 23a extended or connected to the outer circumferential side, and the fiber cloth 23a is wound around an outer circumference of said cylindrical roll R, impregnated with a resin and hardened to thereby form a fiber reinforcement layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Chikura, Katsumi Ishii, Hideki Matsuda, Masashi Beppu, Hiroki Fujioka, Yasuhiro Uda
  • Patent number: 7867394
    Abstract: A membrane element sealing material holding member comprising a central opening for insertion of a center tube of spiral membrane element, peripheral orifice for flowing of a raw liquid into a membrane end portion of membrane element and outer circumferential part for holding of circular sealing material, wherein the central opening has inner circumferential surface of cylindrical form with a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the inserted center tube, and wherein at three or more positions on the inner circumferential surface, there is provided projection that has sloping face on its side of center tube insertion and is deformable at the time of insertion of center tube with an outer diameter larger than that of incircle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Uda, Masashi Beppu, Hiroki Fujioka, Yuuji Nishida, Shinichi Chikura, Hideki Matsuda, Katsumi Ishii
  • Publication number: 20110000844
    Abstract: Provided are a connection member capable of preventing leakage from a supply side to a permeating side from occurring by a simple means; and a separation membrane module using the connection member. The connection member (20) is used to connect in series a plurality of separation membrane elements equipped with end surface holding members (36) and to install the separation membrane elements in a pressure-resistant vessel (38). The connection member (20) is characterized in that, when the separation membrane elements are connected to each other, the connection member is engaged with respective grooves (36b) of the end surface holding members (36) adjacent to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Uda, Toshimitsu Hamada, Masashi Beppu, Shinichi Chikura, Nobuharu Tahara, Masakatsu Takata
  • Publication number: 20100326901
    Abstract: Provided are a pressure vessel for a membrane element in which the membrane element can be easily mounted, a membrane filtration apparatus equipped with the pressure vessel for a membrane element, and a method for manufacturing a membrane filtration apparatus. A rail (protrusion) 60 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the pressure vessel 40 in such a manner that a ridge line 61 extends along the insertion direction of the membrane element. Consequently, the membrane element 10 can be inserted into the pressure vessel 40 so as to be in a sliding contact onto the ridge line 61 of the rail 60 formed on the inner circumferential surface of the pressure vessel 40. Therefore, the frictional resistance can be reduced as compared with conventional ways, so that the membrane element 10 can be easily mounted onto the pressure vessel 40.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Shinichi Chikura, Toshimitsu Hamada, Masashi Beppu, Yasuhiro Uda, Masakatsu Takata
  • Publication number: 20090277825
    Abstract: A spiral membrane module where membrane elements are easily connected to each other and the connection thereof is prevented from being loosened. The spiral membrane elements (20) are each formed in multiple layers by winding membranes and channel materials around a center tube (3) having holes and are received in a pressure vessel (10) such that they are connected in series with connection mechanisms (J) placed between the membrane elements (20). Each connection mechanism (J) has a movable member (M) installed at either the upstream side end part or the downstream side end part of each membrane element (20) and having an engagement part (9d) engageable with the other of the upstream side end or the downstream side end. The movable member (M) has a contact part (9c) coming into contact with the inner wall (10a) of the pressure vessel (10) and locking the engagement by the engagement part (9d).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventors: Masashi Beppu, Yasuhiro Uda, Shinichi Chikura, Kentaro Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20090095670
    Abstract: A membrane element sealing material holding member that even when the dimension of outer diameter of center tube varies, enables holding of the center tube in the center and further enables easy insertion of the center tube; and a membrane element utilizing the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Uda, Masashi Beppu, Hiroki Fujioka, Yuuji Nishida, Shinichi Chikura, Hideki Matsuda, Katsumi Ishii
  • Publication number: 20090065426
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a spiral membrane element that can improve the barrier property of a fiber reinforced plastic layer having a fiber roll as a reinforcing phase and that can effectively prevent occurrence of cracks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katsumi Ishii, Shinichi Chikura, Hideki Matsuda, Masashi Beppu, Hiroki Fujioka, Yasuhiro Uda
  • Publication number: 20090026130
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a spiral membrane element that can form a uniform fiber reinforcement layer on an outer circumferential surface by a simple process without a great change in the materials, as well as a process for producing the same. The spiral membrane element of the present invention is a spiral membrane element which is provided with a cylindrical roll R in which a separation membrane, a feed-side flow passageway member, and a permeate-side flow passageway member 3 are spirally wound in a laminate state around a perforated center tube 5 and in which a sealing part for preventing mixing of feed-side fluid and permeate-side fluid is disposed, wherein at least one sheet of the permeate-side flow passageway member 3 has a fiber cloth 23a extended or connected to the outer circumferential side, and the fiber cloth 23a is wound around an outer circumference of said cylindrical roll R, impregnated with a resin and hardened to thereby form a fiber reinforcement layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: Shinichi Chikura, Katsumi Ishii, Hideki Matsuda, Masashi Beppu, Hiroki Fujioka, Yasuhiro Uda
  • Publication number: 20080190836
    Abstract: A spiral-type separation membrane element is provided that can reduce the pressure loss caused by the transmitted water flow within a water-collecting tube without changing the outer diameter and the inner diameter of the water-collecting tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventors: Masashi Beppu, Shinichi Chikura