Patents by Inventor Misa Watanabe

Misa Watanabe 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: 8361671
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid electrolyte fuel-cell device wherein a plurality of fuel cells are formed on a single plate. A plurality of cathode layers are formed on one surface of the flat plate-like solid electrolyte substrate, and a plurality of anode layers on the opposite surface thereof, and each fuel cell is formed from a pair of the cathode layer and the anode layer. An electromotive force extracting lead wire is attached to the cathode layer, and a lead wire is attached to the anode layer. The plurality of fuel cells are connected in series by electrically connecting the cathode layer of one fuel cell to the anode layer of an adjacent fuel cell. Flames formed by combustion of a fuel such as a methane gas are supplied to the entire surface of each anode layer, and air is supplied to each cathode layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Shinko Electric Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michio Horiuchi, Shigeaki Suganuma, Misa Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8057950
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell includes: a solid electrolyte; and electrodes on both surfaces of the solid electrolyte, wherein at least one of joint surfaces where the solid electrolyte and the electrodes are in contact with each other is a roughened surface having at least two different types of surface roughness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Shinko Electric Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michio Horiuchi, Yasue Tokutake, Shigeaki Suganuma, Misa Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7803491
    Abstract: A solid electrolyte fuel cell configuration provided with a single sheet shaped solid electrolyte substrate formed with a plurality of fuel cells and thereby not having a sealed structure, achieving a reduction of the size and a reduction of the cost, and able to improve the durability and improve the power generation efficiency, a single sheet shaped solid electrolyte substrate, in particular a solid electrolyte fuel cell configuration provided with a single sheet shaped solid electrolyte substrate, a plurality of anode layers formed on one side of the solid electrolyte substrate, and a plurality of cathode layers formed on the side opposite to the one side of the solid electrolyte substrate at positions facing the anode layers, the anode layers and cathode layers facing each other across the solid electrolyte substrate forming a plurality of fuel cells, the anode layers and cathode layers being connected in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Shinko Electric Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michio Horiuchi, Shigeaki Suganuma, Misa Watanabe, Yasue Tokutake
  • Patent number: 7771886
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell comprising a fuel cell unit which comprises an anode layer made of an electrically conducting mesh and an anode-forming material carried by this mesh, a cathode layer made of an electrically conducting mesh and a cathode-forming material carried by this mesh, and a solid electrolytic layer in the form of a thin film arranged between and supported by the anode layer and the cathode layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Shinko Electric Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michio Horiuchi, Shigeaki Suganuma, Misa Watanabe, Yasue Tokutake
  • Publication number: 20100196731
    Abstract: A vinyl alcohol polymer-containing coating agent for paper is provided that allows a curing step to be omitted after a paper surface is coated therewith and makes it possible to form a layer (for example, a coating layer or a color developing layer) that is excellent in water resistance and is subjected to less yellowing over time. It is an aqueous composition containing a vinyl alcohol polymer (A) in which the content X of vinyl alcohol units (mol %) and the content Y of ethylene units (mol %) satisfy a formula X+0.2Y>95, where X<99.9 and 0?Y?10, and an addition condensate (B) between ethylene urea and glyoxal in which the content of terminal aldehyde groups per gram of solid content is 1.2 to 3.0 (mmol), wherein the solid content weight ratio between the vinyl alcohol polymer (A) and the addition condensate (B) is in a range of (A):(B)=99:1 to 50:50.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: KURARAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi Jikihara, Masato Nakamae, Kazuki Nakagawa, Koji Hori, Misa Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7722980
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell that directly utilizes a flame according to the present invention has a solid oxide substrate, a cathode electrode layer formed on one surface, and an anode electrode layer 3 formed on the opposite surface and a platinum mesh is embedded in the entire surfaces of the solid cathode electrode layer and the anode electrode layer. An oxide layer covers the entire periphery of the solid oxide substrate from the end part of the cathode electrode layer to the end part of the anode electrode layer. Due to the platinum mesh and the oxide layer, thermal shock due to rapid heating by a flame is alleviated and cracking in the solid oxide substrate is prevented from occurring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Shinko Electric Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michio Horiuchi, Yasue Tokutake, Shigeaki Suganuma, Misa Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7659021
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power generating apparatus using a solid oxide fuel cell. A plurality of solid oxide fuel cells, each comprising a solid oxide substrate, a porous cathode electrode layer, and a porous anode electrode layer, are stacked vertically and housed inside a walled structure. A mixture gas is supplied to each solid oxide fuel cell from above. An exhaust gas discharged from each fuel cell is burned in a space below each fuel cell, producing a flame. Each fuel cell is heated by this flame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Shinko Electric Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michio Horiuchi, Shigeaki Suganuma, Misa Watanabe, Yasue Tokutake
  • Patent number: 7470480
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the provision of a solid electrolyte fuel-cell device that achieves increased durability, increased power generation efficiency, and easy utilization of heat, by making provisions to apply flames over the entire surface of an anode layer formed on a solid electrolyte substrate. Each individual fuel cell is constructed by forming a cathode layer and an anode layer on opposite surfaces of a plate-like solid electrolyte substrate. Power generation efficiency is increased by making provisions to ensure that a plurality of flames formed by burning a fuel supplied from a fuel supply pipe are applied over the entire surface of the anode layer. When a coolant pipe is provided in an interlaced fashion with the fuel supply pipe, not only can the heating of the fuel supply pipe by the burning of the fuel be suppressed, but also the waste heat can be utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Shinko Electric Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michio Horiuchi, Shigeaki Suganuma, Misa Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7445862
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell C including a solid oxide fuel cell having a planar solid oxide substrate, a cathode electrode layer formed on one surface of the substrate, and an anode electrode layer formed on a surface opposite the one surface, is disposed so that the anode electrode layer opposes a catalytically-oxidizing member 13 of a heating appliance. Fuel supplied from a fuel storage container 10 is subjected to flameless combustion in the catalytically-oxidizing member by catalytic oxidation. The heat is conducted to the fuel cell C from the catalytically-oxidizing member, thereby maintaining the fuel cell at its operating temperature. Simultaneously, produced oxidation fuel components of the fuel are supplied to the anode electrode layer; and air is supplied to the cathode electrode layer. Hence, the fuel cell generates electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Shinko Electric Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeaki Suganuma, Yasue Tokutake, Michio Horiuchi, Misa Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7264899
    Abstract: A fuel cell comprised of a solid electrolyte layer sandwiched by a cathode layer and an anode layer to which a mixed gas of a fuel gas and air mixed together is supplied, wherein the fuel cell is formed into a spiral member comprised of a single cell layer comprised of the cathode layer, solid electrolyte layer, and anode layer stacked together or a multilayer member of a plurality of the single cell layers stacked together rolled up spirally, the cathode layer and anode layer forming facing surfaces of each upper stratum and lower stratum of the single cell layer or multilayer member adjoining each other in a diametrical direction of the spiral member are arranged through an electrical insulator, and the cathode layer and anode layer or the electrical insulator are or is formed with a gas passage enabling passage of the mixed gas, whereby it is possible to prevent an increase in size of the cell even if increasing the contact area of the anode layer and cathode layer with the air or fuel gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Shinko Electric Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michio Horiuchi, Shigeaki Suganuma, Misa Watanabe, Shuji Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7244525
    Abstract: A fuel cell generates electric power when the solid oxide type fuel cell element is arranged in a flame or in a position close to the flame, and the durability of the fuel cell is high. A fuel cell 10 for generating electricity when the solid oxide type fuel cell, in which a cathode layer is formed on one face of a solid electrolyte layer and an anode layer is formed on the other face of the solid electrolyte layer, is arranged in a flame or in a position close to the flame, wherein the solid electrolyte layer is made of porous material, the porosity of which is not less than 10%, so that cracks are not caused in the solid electrolyte layer by a sudden temperature change in the solid oxide type fuel cell when the solid oxide type fuel cell is arranged in the flame or in a position close to the flame or when the solid oxide type fuel cell is separated from the flame or the position close to the flame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Shinko Electric Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michio Horiuchi, Shigeaki Suganuma, Misa Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20070045113
    Abstract: A solid electrolyte gas sensor of the invention includes a sensor main body S3 having a solid electrolyte board 10, a gas detecting electrode layer (auxiliary electrode layer) 12 formed on one face of the board, and a reference electrode 14 formed on a face thereof on a side opposed to the one face, and a supporting member provided at the sensor main body, and a first and a second conductive member rod 15-1, 15-2 connected to the respective electrodes are adopted as the supporting members. Or, in place of the conductive member rod, as the supporting member rod, an insulating tube for inserting a lead wire, or a rod-like member formed integrally with the sensor main body and extended in one direction can be adopted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Applicant: SHINKO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shigeaki Suganuma, Misa Watanabe, Jun Yoshiike
  • Publication number: 20070026289
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell includes: a solid electrolyte; and electrodes on both surfaces of the solid electrolyte, wherein at least one of joint surfaces where the solid electrolyte and the electrodes are in contact with each other is a roughened surface having at least two different types of surface roughness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Applicant: SHINKO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Michio Horiuchi, Yasue Tokutake, Shigeaki Suganuma, Misa Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7169501
    Abstract: A single chamber fuel cell comprised of a cell arranged in a mixed fuel gas comprised of hydrogen or another fuel gas and oxygen, wherein the cell used is a pn junction type semiconductor having electrodes of a p-type semiconductor with carriers of holes and an n-type semiconductor with carriers of electrons connected to ends of electrical takeout wires, and each of the p-type semiconductor and n-type semiconductor is formed porous to an extent enabling the mixed fuel gas to pass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Shinko Electric Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeaki Suganuma, Michio Horiuchi, Misa Watanabe, Ryo Fukasawa
  • Publication number: 20070020495
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power generating apparatus that generates electric power using a solid oxide fuel cell by directly exposing the fuel cell to a premixed gas combustion flame formed in an infrared gas space heater. The solid oxide fuel cell is built into an infrared radiator in such a manner as to face a burner of the gas space heater, and is supported at a prescribed angle of tilt. An anode electrode layer, which is directly exposed to the flame produced by the burner, is kept in a fuel-rich condition, while a cathode electrode layer is exposed to the atmosphere and thus kept in an air-rich condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Publication date: January 25, 2007
    Inventors: Yasue Tokutake, Shigeaki Suganuma, Misa Watanabe, Michio Horiuchi
  • Publication number: 20070020494
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power generating apparatus that generates electric power, using a solid oxide fuel cell, by directly exposing the fuel cell to a premixed gas combustion flame formed in a gas-fired kichen range. The solid oxide fuel cell is supported by lead wires fixed to a mounting base so that the fuel cell faces a burner located in the center of the gas-fired stove. An anode electrode layer is directly exposed to the flame produced by the burner, and is thus kept in a fuel-rich condition, while a cathode electrode layer is kept in an air-rich condition. An output of the fuel cell is taken out through the lead wires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Publication date: January 25, 2007
    Inventors: Michio Horiuchi, Shigeaki Suganuma, Yasue Tokutake, Misa Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20070015044
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell that directly utilizes a flame according to the present invention has a solid oxide substrate, a cathode electrode layer formed on one surface, and an anode electrode layer 3 formed on the opposite surface and a platinum mesh is embedded in the entire surfaces of the solid cathode electrode layer and the anode electrode layer. An oxide layer covers the entire periphery of the solid oxide substrate from the end part of the cathode electrode layer to the end part of the anode electrode layer. Due to the platinum mesh and the oxide layer, thermal shock due to rapid heating by a flame is alleviated and cracking in the solid oxide substrate is prevented from occurring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Publication date: January 18, 2007
    Inventors: Michio Horiuchi, Yasue Tokutake, Shigeaki Suganuma, Misa Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20060204805
    Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell C including a solid oxide fuel cell having a planar solid oxide substrate, a cathode electrode layer formed on one surface of the substrate, and an anode electrode layer formed on a surface opposite the one surface, is disposed so that the anode electrode layer opposes a catalytically-oxidizing member 13 of a heating appliance. Fuel supplied from a fuel storage container 10 is subjected to flameless combustion in the catalytically-oxidizing member by catalytic oxidation. The heat is conducted to the fuel cell C from the catalytically-oxidizing member, thereby maintaining the fuel cell at its operating temperature. Simultaneously, produced oxidation fuel components of the fuel are supplied to the anode electrode layer; and air is supplied to the cathode electrode layer. Hence, the fuel cell generates electric power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Applicant: Shinko Electric Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeaki Suganuma, Yasue Tokutake, Michio Horiuchi, Misa Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20060204809
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power generating apparatus using a solid oxide fuel cell. A plurality of solid oxide fuel cells, each comprising a solid oxide substrate, a porous cathode electrode layer, and a porous anode electrode layer, are stacked vertically and housed inside a walled structure. A mixture gas is supplied to each solid oxide fuel cell from above. An exhaust gas discharged from each fuel cell is burned in a space below each fuel cell, producing a flame. Each fuel cell is heated by this flame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Inventors: Michio Horiuchi, Shigeaki Suganuma, Misa Watanabe, Yasue Tokutake
  • Publication number: 20060199060
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuel cell power generating system wherein solid oxide fuel cells are installed in the fuel supply system and exhaust gas system of a fuel cell apparatus, thereby increasing the electric power that can be extracted. In this power generating system, a first solid oxide fuel cell is incorporated in an exhaust gas treating apparatus disposed in the exhaust gas system of the fuel cell apparatus, and a second solid oxide fuel cell is incorporated in a combustion device in a fuel reforming apparatus disposed in the fuel supply system. An anode side exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell apparatus is supplied as a power generation fuel to the first fuel cell. The anode side exhaust gas is also supplied to the combustion device for combustion, and the flame produced by the combustion is applied to the anode electrode layer and thus contributes to generating power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Publication date: September 7, 2006
    Inventors: Michio Horiuchi, Shigeaki Suganuma, Misa Watanabe, Yasue Tokutake