Patents by Inventor Nobusuke Toukura
Nobusuke Toukura 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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Patent number: 7527885Abstract: When an electric power generation demand occurs for a fuel cell stack 1, an electric power stored in a battery 8 is commenced to be supplied to a load (step S3) followed by setting a period (step S2), in which a sensor signal from a fuel cell system 10 is held in a preceding value, in a subtraction timer, and when discrimination is made (step S5, step S6) that the fuel cell system 10 is started up and each pressure is stabilized from a sensor signal from the fuel cell system 10, the electric power generated in the fuel cell stack 1 is commenced to be supplied to the load (step S8) followed by setting the period, in which the sensor signal from the fuel cell system 10 is held in the preceding value, in the subtraction timer (step S7).Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2003Date of Patent: May 5, 2009Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Nobusuke Toukura
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Patent number: 7300717Abstract: A control device for a fuel cell system (2) having a fuel cell stack (11) with an oxidizing electrode (11b) supplied with oxidizing gas and a fuel electrode (11a) supplied with fuel gas to generate an electric power is disclosed having an estimating section (13) estimating occurrence of a water-clogging phenomenon wherein condensed water stays in a fuel gas flow passage (HL, HL?) through which fuel gas is supplied to the fuel electrode of the fuel cell stack, and a control section (14) controlling a fuel gas exhaust valve (15), which is disposed downstream of the fuel cell stack to allow the fuel gas to be exhausted from the fuel cell stack, to be brought into an opened condition when the estimating section estimates the occurrence of the water-clogging phenomenon.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2003Date of Patent: November 27, 2007Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Nobusuke Toukura
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Publication number: 20050003250Abstract: A control device for a fuel cell system (2) having a fuel cell stack (11) with an oxidizing electrode (11b) supplied with oxidizing gas and a fuel electrode (11a) supplied with fuel gas to generate an electric power is disclosed having an estimating section (13) estimating occurrence of a water-clogging phenomenon wherein condensed water stays in a fuel gas flow passage (IIL, HL?) through which fuel gas is supplied to the fuel electrode of the fuel cell stack, and a control section (14) controlling a fuel gas exhaust valve (26), which is disposed downstream of the fuel cell stack to allow the fuel gas to be exhausted from the fuel cell stack, to be brought into an opened condition when the estimating section estimates the occurrence of the water-clogging phenomenon.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2003Publication date: January 6, 2005Inventor: Nobusuke Toukura
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Publication number: 20040247962Abstract: When an electric power generation demand occurs for a fuel cell stack 1, an electric power stored in a battery 8 is commenced to be supplied to a load (step S3) followed by setting a period (step S2), in which a sensor signal from a fuel cell system 10 is held in a preceding value, in a subtraction timer, and when discrimination is made (step S5, step S6) that the fuel cell system 10 is started up and each pressure is stabilized from a sensor signal from the fuel cell system 10, the electric power generated in the fuel cell stack 1 is commenced to be supplied to the load (step S8) followed by setting the period, in which the sensor signal from the fuel cell system 10 is held in the preceding value, in the subtraction timer (step S7).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2004Publication date: December 9, 2004Inventor: Nobusuke Toukura
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Patent number: 6729303Abstract: A control unit (41) controls an opening of an exhaust recirculation valve (6) according to a running condition of a diesel engine (1). The control unit (41) calculates an equivalence ratio of the gas mixture supplied to the engine (1) and a target intake fresh air amount taking account of the air amount in the exhaust gas recirculated by the exhaust gas circulation valve (6), based on the opening of the valve (6) and a target excess air factor of the engine (1) set according to the running condition. By controlling a turbocharger (50) according to the target intake fresh air amount, and by controlling the fuel supply mechanism according to a fuel injection amount calculated from the equivalence ratio, the excess air factor of the engine (1) and an exhaust gas recirculation rate of the exhaust gas recirculation valve (6) are respectively controlled to optimum values.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2001Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroyuki Itoyama, Kensuke Osamura, Nobusuke Toukura, Hiroshi Iwano
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Patent number: 6625531Abstract: An IVT controller determines whether the operation mode of an infinitely variable transmission (IVT) is a power recirculation mode or a CVT direct mode, and selects an inertial torque computing equation corresponding to the operation mode. The inertia torque accompanying a speed change of the IVT is computed using the computing equation. An engine controller adjusts the opening of an electronic control throttle, and adjusts the torque of the engine so that computed inertia torque is eliminated.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2001Date of Patent: September 23, 2003Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masayuki Yasuoka, Nobusuke Toukura
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Patent number: 6565481Abstract: An input torque limiting device for an infinitely variable transmission connected to an engine, wherein the transmission can vary a speed ratio up to infinity. In the input torque limiting device, the maximum torque which can be input is computed according to the output/input speed ratio which is an inverse of the speed ratio, without adversely affecting the durability and performance of the infinitely variable transmission, and the engine torque is controlled not to exceed the maximum torque. In this way, in the infinitely variable transmission, input of an excessive torque when the speed ratio is in the vicinity of infinity is prevented.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2001Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Nobusuke Toukura, Masayuki Yasuoka, Hirofumi Shimizu
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Publication number: 20020173898Abstract: A control unit (41) controls an opening of an exhaust recirculation valve (6) according to a running condition of a diesel engine (1). The control unit (41) calculates an equivalence ratio of the gas mixture supplied to the engine (1) and a target intake fresh air amount taking account of the air amount in the exhaust gas recirculated by the exhaust gas circulation valve (6), based on the opening of the valve (6) and a target excess air factor of the engine (1) set according to the running condition. By controlling a turbocharger (50) according to the target intake fresh air amount, and by controlling the fuel supply mechanism according to a fuel injection amount calculated from the equivalence ratio, the excess air factor of the engine (1) and an exhaust gas recirculation rate of the exhaust gas recirculation valve (6) are respectively controlled to optimum values.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2001Publication date: November 21, 2002Inventors: Hiroyuki Itoyama, Kensuke Osamura, Nobusuke Toukura, Hiroshi Iwano
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Patent number: 6418367Abstract: A control system for an engine-CVT powertrain controls the target driving force during traveling on a ramp to meet operator power demand and/or the target input speed of the CVT to accomplish the ramp target window during traveling on the ramp to meet operator deceleration command.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2000Date of Patent: July 9, 2002Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Nobusuke Toukura, Yoshinori Tanaka, Yoshinori Iwasaki, Tomoya Kimura
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Publication number: 20020019692Abstract: An IVT controller (14) determines whether the operation mode of an infinitely variable transmission (IVT) 10 is a power recirculation mode or a CVT direct mode, and selects an inertia torque computing equation corresponding to the operation mode. The inertia torque accompanying a speed change of the IVT 10 is computed using the computing equation. An engine controller (15) adjusts the opening of an electronic control throttle (18), and adjusts the torque of the engine (1) so that the computed inertia torque is eliminated.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2001Publication date: February 14, 2002Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Masayuki Yasuoka, Nobusuke Toukura
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Patent number: 6345222Abstract: An ordinary target driving force is generated against a detected value of the vehicle operator depression of an accelerator pedal and a detected value of the vehicle speed. The ordinary target driving force is a driving force required to keep the vehicle rolling on a flat horizontal road at the detected value of vehicle speed with the detected value of the vehicle operator depression of the accelerator pedal. A running resistance increment, i.e., an increase of running resistance from a standard running resistance, is calculated. A preliminary driving force correction is determined in response to the running resistance increment. The preliminary driving force correction is subjected to variation. The preceding old value of a driving force correction is subtracted from a current value of the preliminary driving force to give a variation in driving force correction. This variation is limited to fall in a range between an upper and a lower limit to give a limited driving force correction variation.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2000Date of Patent: February 5, 2002Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Nobusuke Toukura, Masayuki Yasuoka, Yoshinori Iwasaki, Tomoya Kimura
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Publication number: 20020004438Abstract: The present invention provides an input torque limiting device for an infinitely variable transmission 30 connected to an engine 50, wherein the transmission 30 can vary a speed ratio up to infinity. In the input torque limiting device, the maximum torque which can be input is computed according to the output/input speed ratio which is an inverse of the speed ratio, without adversely affecting the durability and performance of the infinitely variable transmission, and the engine torque is controlled not to exceed the maximum torque. In this way, in the infinitely variable transmission 30, input of an excessive torque when the speed ratio is in the vicinity of infinity is prevented.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2001Publication date: January 10, 2002Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Nobusuke Toukura, Masayuki Yasuoka, Hirofumi Shimizu
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Patent number: 6330504Abstract: A driving force control system is provided for an automotive vehicle powertrain. The driving force control system has an accelerator pedal sensor to detect the vehicle's operator depression of an accelerator pedal of the vehicle, a vehicle speed sensor to detect a vehicle speed of the vehicle, and a powertrain control module. The powertrain control modules includes a microprocessor to determine an ordinary target driving force in response to the vehicle's operator depression of the accelerator pedal and the vehicle speed, to determine a running resistance increment, to determine a driving force correction in response to the vehicle's operator depression and the driving force correction, and to determine a corrected target driving force after correcting the ordinary target driving force with the driving force correction.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2000Date of Patent: December 11, 2001Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Nobusuke Toukura, Mikio Nozaki, Daisuke Yoshinoya, Masayuki Yasuoka
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Patent number: 6308128Abstract: A driving force control system for an automotive vehicle comprises an ordinary target driving force generator. It determines an ordinary target driving force in response to operator manipulation of the accelerator pedal and vehicle speed. The ordinary target driving force is a predetermined target value of driving force required to keep the vehicle rolling over the surface of a flat road that has 0% gradient. A running resistance increment generator determines an increment in running resistance from a standard resistance that is predetermined for the vehicle. A corrected target driving force generator receives the ordinary target driving force, the vehicle speed and the running resistance increment. It determines corrected target driving force. The corrected target driving force generator restrains the corrected target driving force in response to idle and brake signals from an idle switch and a brake switch.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2000Date of Patent: October 23, 2001Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroaki Nishijima, Nobusuke Toukura, Masayuki Yasuoka
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Patent number: 6306062Abstract: A driving force control system for an automotive vehicle comprises a controller. The controller determines standard resistance (RLDTRQ) in response to vehicle speed (VSP), and it also determines an increment in running resistance (RESTRQ) from the standard resistance (RLDTRQ). The controller determines driving force correction (ADDFD) in response to the increment in running resistance (RESTRQ). The controller adds the driving force correction (ADDFD) to ordinary target driving force (tTd#n) to provide corrected target driving force (tTd). The controller converts the increment in running resistance (RESTRQ) into the driving force correction (ADDFD) at a rate that is variable in response to the increment in running resistance (RESTRQ).Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2000Date of Patent: October 23, 2001Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Nobusuke Toukura, Hiroaki Nishijima, Masayuki Yasuoka
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Patent number: 6282465Abstract: A driving force control system for an automotive vehicle comprises a vehicle speed sensor detecting an operating parameter indicative of a speed of the vehicle and generating a vehicle speed signal indicative of said detected operating parameter. An ordinary target driving force generator determines an ordinary target driving force in response to operator manipulation of the accelerator pedal and the vehicle speed. The ordinary target driving force is a predetermined target value of driving force required to keep the vehicle rolling over the surface of a flat road that has 0% gradient. A running resistance increment generator determines an increment in running resistance from a standard resistance that is indicated by the ordinary target driving force. A corrected target driving force generator receives the ordinary target driving force, the vehicle speed and the running resistance increment. It determines corrected target driving force.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2000Date of Patent: August 28, 2001Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroaki Nishijima, Nobusuke Toukura, Masayuki Yasuoka
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Patent number: 6272416Abstract: A control device detects a curve in front of a vehicle based on the vehicle position and map information, and a driver's accelerator pedal operation is detected based on a sensor output. When a curve is detected in front of the vehicle and it is detected that the driver has released the accelerator pedal, a speed ratio of the automatic transmission is modified to generate a deceleration force.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 1999Date of Patent: August 7, 2001Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kouichi Kuroda, Hiroshi Sato, Yoshihiro Sato, Hiroshi Abe, Nobusuke Toukura
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Patent number: RE37469Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a continuously variable transmission for use with an automotive vehicle. The transmission is operable at a variable speed ratio for transmitting a drive from its input shaft to its output shaft. A target value for the speed of rotation of the input shaft of the transmission is calculated based on the sensed vehicle operating conditions including vehicle acceleration and vehicle speed. The target input shaft speed value is corrected to bring the vehicle acceleration into a predetermined range in the presence of the released accelerator pedal indicative signal. The speed ratio is controlled to bring the input shaft speed into coincidence with the corrected target input shaft speed value. The corrected target input shaft speed value is restricted below an upper limit set based on the vehicle speed.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2000Date of Patent: December 11, 2001Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Nobusuke Toukura
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Patent number: RE37598Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a continuously variable transmission for use with an automotive vehicle. The transmission is operable at a variable speed ratio for transmitting a drive from its input shaft to its output shaft. A target value for the speed of rotation of the input shaft of the transmission is calculated based on the sensed vehicle operating conditions including vehicle acceleration. A correction factor per predetermined unit time is calculated based on the sensed vehicle acceleration when the sensed vehicle acceleration exceeds a threshold value with the accelerator pedal released. The correction factor is added to the target input shaft speed value to correct the target input shaft speed value in an increasing direction at intervals of the predetermined unit time. The threshold value is decreased as the vehicle speed increases. The speed ratio is controlled to bring the input shaft speed into coincidence with the corrected target value.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2000Date of Patent: March 19, 2002Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Nobusuke Toukura, Shojiro Sato, Takayoshi Nabeta, Tadayuki Akiyama
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Patent number: RE38241Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a continuously variable transmission having an input and output shaft for use with an automotive vehicle. The transmission is operable at a variable speed ratio for transmitting a drive from the input shaft to the output shaft. A target value for the speed of rotation of the input shaft of the transmission is calculated based on the sensed vehicle operating conditions including vehicle acceleration (deceleration). A correction factor per predetermined unit time is calculated based on the vehicle acceleration (deceleration) when the vehicle acceleration (deceleration) exceeds a threshold value with the accelerator pedal being released. The correction factor is used to correct the target input shaft speed value at intervals of the predetermined unit time. The speed ratio is controlled to bring the input shaft speed into coincidence with the corrected target value.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2000Date of Patent: August 26, 2003Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Nobusuke Toukura