Patents by Inventor Osamu SAWAI

Osamu SAWAI 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: 11933435
    Abstract: A high-pressure gas tank connection structure including: a tank main body; a tank side connector; a connection side connector; and a valve body, the valve body being provided further toward a deep side along the axial direction of the tank main body than the tank side connector, the valve body being urged toward the connection side connector, and, in a case in which the valve body is pushed by a distal end of the convex portion in a state in which the convex portion is joined with the concave portion, the valve body being opened from a closed state, and communicating the interior of the tank main body with the exterior to the tank main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Osamu Sawai
  • Publication number: 20240035623
    Abstract: A method of filling a tank with hydrogen includes: a step of attaching a filling tank to a filling device; and a step of controlling hydrogen filling from the filling device to the filling tank based on a temperature sensor provided in a dummy tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Osamu SAWAI, Chiaki KATAOKA, Koji SUGIURA, Tomoki NAKASHIMA
  • Publication number: 20230408041
    Abstract: The pressure vessel contains a fluid, such as a high pressure gas, therein. The metal dome and the metal dome are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the pressure vessel opposite each other with the pressure vessel interposed therebetween. The stay connects the metal dome and the metal dome. The stay is connected to the metal dome and the metal dome such that the distance between the metal dome and the metal dome can be varied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomoki NAKASHIMA, Osamu SAWAI, Koji SUGIURA, Chiaki KATAOKA
  • Publication number: 20230375133
    Abstract: A gas tank comprises: a liner including a cylindrical body part, and a dome part, provided at each opposite ends of the body part; and a reinforcing layer covering an outer periphery of the liner. The reinforcing layer includes: at least one first fiber layer including a first reinforced section provided on an outer periphery of the body part, the first reinforced section being formed by winding fibers in such a manner that the fibers are interlaced with each other; and at least one second fiber layer including a second reinforced section provided on the outer periphery of the body part, the second reinforced section being formed by winding fibers at an angle determined in advance relative to a center axis of the liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuki KAI, Osamu SAWAI
  • Patent number: 11701963
    Abstract: There is provided a high pressure container including a plurality of container bodies, each of the container bodies housing a fluid in a huh pressure state and being able to release the fluid through a release portion, (ii) opening section that is linked to the container bodies, and that opens at or above a predetermined opening temperature to release the fluid inside the container bodies, and (iii) a cover member that straddles the plurality of container bodies, that covers at least a portion of the plurality of container bodies, that is able to withstand a temperature of no less than the opening temperature, that is linked to the opening section, and that is capable of transmitting heat to the opening section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Osamu Sawai
  • Patent number: 11635168
    Abstract: A high-pressure tank for storing a gas includes: a liner having a cylindrical opening; a reinforcing layer covering the liner; a mouthpiece including an external thread portion on an outer periphery thereof and externally fixed to the reinforcing layer covering the opening; a manifold including an inserted portion to be inserted into the opening so as to close the opening, an abutting surface configured to abut on an end face of the opening, and an internal thread portion on an inner periphery thereof to be screwed into the external thread portion of the mouthpiece; and a communicating path that allows the abutting surface of the manifold to communicate with an outside of the high-pressure tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Osamu Sawai, Yuki Kai
  • Publication number: 20230116802
    Abstract: A high-pressure gas tank connection structure including: a tank main body; a tank side connector; a connection side connector; and a valve body, the valve body being provided further toward a deep side along the axial direction of the tank main body than the tank side connector, the valve body being urged toward the connection side connector, and, in a case in which the valve body is pushed by a distal end of the convex portion in a state in which the convex portion is joined with the concave portion, the valve body being opened from a closed state, and communicating the interior of the tank main body with the exterior to the tank main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Osamu SAWAI
  • Publication number: 20230103573
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a tank unit includes performing a pressure resistance inspection on each of a plurality of high pressure tanks before connecting the high pressure tanks, and connecting a gas flow path to the high pressure tanks that have passed the pressure resistance inspection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Chiaki KATAOKA, Osamu SAWAI
  • Patent number: 11597166
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a high-pressure tank includes: forming a vessel body including a body portion having a cylindrical shape, a domical portion having a hemispherical shape and provided at an end of the body portion, and a neck portion extending from the domical portion in an axial direction of the domical portion; winding fibers around an outer peripheral surface of the vessel body to form a plurality of fiber layers laminated in a radial direction of the vessel body; and placing, in a mold, the vessel body around which the fibers have been wound, and then injecting a resin onto the neck portion in an axial direction of the vessel body to impregnate the fibers with the resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Osamu Sawai, Soichiro Matsui
  • Publication number: 20230017919
    Abstract: A high-pressure tank unit capable of securing the sealing property of a sealing member in the neck of the high-pressure tank. The tank unit includes a high-pressure tank and a connecting member connected to the high-pressure tank. The connecting member has an annular sealing member disposed between a liner and an insert portion and adapted to seal a housing space. The high-pressure tank has a tubular body disposed between the liner and reinforcing layer in a position facing the sealing member so as to surround the outer peripheral surface of the liner, the tubular body adapted to restrict radial deformation of the inner peripheral surface of the neck. The longitudinal modulus of the material along the circumferential direction of the tubular body is higher than each of the longitudinal moduli of the materials along the circumferential direction of the liner and reinforcing layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Yuki KAI, Osamu SAWAI
  • Patent number: 11485223
    Abstract: A high-pressure vessel mounting structure includes: a plurality of high-pressure vessels arranged on the upper surface of a bottom wall in a front-rear direction of a vehicle body with a vehicle width direction as an axial direction; a plurality of load transmission members each provided between the high-pressure vessels on the bottom wall and extending along the axial direction; a connection member that connects one axial end of each of the high-pressure vessels; and a support member that supports the other axial end of each of the high-pressure vessels, and the support member can move relatively inward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the high-pressure vessel when a load is input from outside in the vehicle width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Osamu Sawai
  • Patent number: 11473732
    Abstract: A pressure vessel includes a vessel body, a covering part, and a cylindrical mouthpiece. The vessel body includes a cylindrical open end portion on at least one end side of the vessel body. The covering part is made of a fiber reinforced resin and covers an outer surface of the vessel body. The mouthpiece is configured such that a plurality of mouthpiece bodies each having a projection on an inner surface of the mouthpiece body is connected to each other in a circumferential direction of the open end portion. The mouthpiece is attached to an outer peripheral surface of the open end portion by the projections biting into the covering part covering the outer peripheral surface of the open end portion. The mouthpiece bodies of the mouthpiece are connected to each other by fitting together fitting portions formed at end portions of the mouthpiece bodies in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Osamu Sawai, Tomoki Nakashima
  • Patent number: 11447005
    Abstract: A high-pressure container unit includes: a box-shaped case mounted on a vehicle and configured to include a bottom portion, a ceiling portion, and a peripheral wall portion; a plurality of container main bodies arranged in an interior of the case and each having a cylindrical body portion; and a reinforcing member extending along an axial direction of the container main body, the reinforcing member being provided in at least one of a space surrounded by the container main bodies adjacent to each other and the bottom portion and, a space surrounded by the container main bodies adjacent to each other and the ceiling portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Osamu Sawai, Tomoki Nakashima
  • Patent number: 11435036
    Abstract: A pressure container includes a liner filled with gas inside, a reinforcement layer that is formed in contact with the outer surface of the liner by using a fiber reinforced resin and covers the liner from the outside, and a cap attached to the liner. The cap is formed into an annular shape, and includes a plurality of cap bodies that have engagement portions projecting toward the reinforcement layer and are arranged with intervals in a circumferential direction, and bridge portions that connect, in the circumferential direction, the cap bodies adjacent in the circumferential direction. The cap is attached to the liner in a state in which the bridge portions are deformed and the engagement portions of the plurality of cap bodies are engaged with the reinforcement layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Osamu Sawai
  • Patent number: 11421824
    Abstract: A pressure vessel includes: a vessel main body having a cylindrical straight body part, and domed parts respectively including hemispherical portions that have hemispherical shapes and are integrally formed at each end of the straight body part; a first reinforced section formed by winding reinforcing fibers around an outer circumferential surface of one domed part such that the reinforcing fibers are interlaced with each other; a second reinforced section formed by winding the reinforcing fibers helically around an outer circumferential surface of the straight body part, continuously from the first reinforced section; and a third reinforced section formed by winding the reinforcing fibers around an outer circumferential surface of the other domed part such that the reinforcing fibers are interlaced with each other, continuously from the second reinforced section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Osamu Sawai
  • Publication number: 20220260206
    Abstract: A high-pressure tank for storing a gas includes: a liner having a cylindrical opening; a reinforcing layer covering the liner; a mouthpiece including an external thread portion on an outer periphery thereof and externally fixed to the reinforcing layer covering the opening; a manifold including an inserted portion to be inserted into the opening so as to close the opening, an abutting surface configured to abut on an end face of the opening, and an internal thread portion on an inner periphery thereof to be screwed into the external thread portion of the mouthpiece; and a communicating path that allows the abutting surface of the manifold to communicate with an outside of the high-pressure tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Osamu SAWAI, Yuki KAI
  • Patent number: 11378231
    Abstract: Provided is a high-pressure vessel manufacturing method including: molding a liner having a pleated part; forming a fiber-reinforced part on an outer circumferential side of the liner; curving the liner and the fiber-reinforced part; and pressurizing and heating the liner and the fiber-reinforced part. In the molding the liner, the height of first pleats of the pleated part that are disposed on the inner side of the curve relative to an axis is set to be smaller than a height of second pleats of the pleated part that are disposed on the outer side of the curve relative to the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Osamu Sawai
  • Patent number: 11359768
    Abstract: A pressure vessel includes a vessel body, a covering part, and a cylindrical mouthpiece. The vessel body includes a cylindrical open end portion on at least one end side of the vessel body. The covering part is made of a fiber reinforced resin and covers an outer surface of the vessel body. The mouthpiece is configured such that a plurality of mouthpiece bodies each having a projection on an inner surface of the mouthpiece body is connected to each other in a circumferential direction of the open end portion. The mouthpiece is attached to an outer peripheral surface of the open end portion by the projections biting into the covering part covering the outer peripheral surface of the open end portion. The mouthpiece bodies of the mouthpiece are connected to each other by fitting together fitting portions formed at end portions of the mouthpiece bodies in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Osamu Sawai, Tomoki Nakashima
  • Patent number: 11346500
    Abstract: A pressure vessel includes a liner and a reinforcing layer. The liner includes a body portion having a cylindrical shape. The liner is configured such that a gas is filled in the liner. The reinforcing layer is made of a material having a linear expansion coefficient lower than a linear expansion coefficient of a material of the liner. The reinforcing layer is formed in contact with an outer surface of the body portion. The reinforcing layer is configured to cover the liner from outside the liner. A thickness of the body portion is set to such a value that the outer surface of the body portion is not separated from the reinforcing layer when the gas that has been filled in the liner is discharged out of the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Osamu Sawai
  • Publication number: 20220080824
    Abstract: There is provided a high pressure container including a plurality of container bodies, each of the container bodies housing a fluid in a huh pressure state and being able to release the fluid through a release portion, (ii) opening section that is linked to the container bodies, and that opens at or above a predetermined opening temperature to release the fluid inside the container bodies, and (iii) a cover member that straddles the plurality of container bodies, that covers at least a portion of the plurality of container bodies, that is able to withstand a temperature of no less than the opening temperature, that is linked to the opening section, and that is capable of transmitting heat to the opening section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Osamu SAWAI