Patents by Inventor Sadao Miki

Sadao Miki 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: 10096804
    Abstract: A battery including plural unit cells stacked on top of each other in the up-and-down direction is accommodated in a case to constitute each battery module. The plural battery modules are stacked on top of each other in the up-and-down direction to constitute a battery module stack. The case includes a lower case and an upper case. A sidewall portion of the lower case is situated outside of a sidewall portion of the upper case, and an upper end of the sidewall portion is situated above a lower end of the sidewall portion. Between the sidewall portion of the lower case and the sidewall portion of the upper case, a communicating portion to discharge high-temperature gas generated within the case to the outside is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sadao Miki, Kouji Iwashita
  • Publication number: 20160248058
    Abstract: A battery including plural unit cells stacked on top of each other in the up-and-down direction is accommodated in a case to constitute each battery module. The plural battery modules are stacked on top of each other in the up-and-down direction to constitute a battery module stack. The case includes a lower case and an upper case. A sidewall portion of the lower case is situated outside of a sidewall portion of the upper case, and an upper end of the sidewall portion is situated above a lower end of the sidewall portion. Between the sidewall portion of the lower case and the sidewall portion of the upper case, a communicating portion to discharge high-temperature gas generated within the case to the outside is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: Sadao Miki, Kouji Iwashita
  • Patent number: 8382564
    Abstract: An air vent with a damper for redirecting air flow within the air vent is provided. The air vent can include a housing that has an air inlet end and an air outlet end. In addition, the air vent has the damper within the housing, the damper having a generally flat surface and being movable between a closed position and an open position. At least one fin can be rigidly attached to and extend from the damper, for the purpose of redirecting air flow through the housing when the damper is in the open position. In some instances, a plurality of fins can extend from the damper, with at least one fin extending from an air inlet side of the damper and at least one fin extending from an air outlet side of the damper. The fins can extend from the generally flat surface of the damper at an angle between 15 and 165 degrees and in some instances extend in a generally normal direction from the damper flat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing Norht America, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Sadao Miki
  • Patent number: 8317000
    Abstract: A wheel stop is disclosed which is engaged by a wheel of a vehicle in an attempt to be parked in a parking lot, to limit movement of the vehicle. The wheel stop includes a middle extending portion, first and second leg portions, all of which are integrally formed with a metal pipe. The wheel stop further includes first and second anchor plates affixed to the first and second leg portions, respectively, the anchor plates being anchored to the parking lot; an electric cable disposed within the metal pipe; and an electric outlet disposed on an outer surface of the metal pipe, and connected with the electric cable, to thereby allow, when the vehicle parked in the parking lot is an electric car, a power supply cable extending from the electric car to be plugged into the electric outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: MEC Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sadao Miki
  • Patent number: 8247137
    Abstract: Separators (5A, 5B, 6) and membrane-electrode assemblies (2) of a fuel cell stack (1) are alternately stacked in a guide box (40). The separators (5A, 5B, 6) each have groove-like gas paths (10A, 10B). Powder of an adhesive agent (7) is adhered in advance to the surfaces of the separators (5A, 5B, 6), except the gas paths (10A, 10B), through photosensitive drums (31A, 31B) to which the powder is adsorbed in a given pattern. The separators (5A, 5B, 6) and the membrane-electrode assemblies (2), stacked in the guide box (40), are heated and compressed by a press (43) and heaters (40C) to obtain a unitized fuel cell stack (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Fujiki, Yukihiro Maekawa, Takeharu Kuramochi, Masahiko Katsu, Takayuki Hirao, Takeshi Shimizu, Masanori Iwamoto, Sadao Miki, Haruhiko Suzuki, Yoshiki Muto, Kaoru Eguchi, Masahiro Omata, Hiroshi Saitou
  • Patent number: 8231137
    Abstract: A knee airbag housing assembly including a cover panel, a box case, and a lower panel. The cover panel has an upper support portion and a lower support portion extending transversely from a cantilevered support portion. A tear seam formed between the upper cover and lower cover portion. A lower support portion extends transversely from a cantilevered support on the lower cover portion of said cover panel. The box case supports an airbag module and has a lower wall with a distal end lower wall extending towards the cover panel. The box case is fitted in the space between the upper support and lower support portions such that the distal end lower wall of the box spring is disposed closer to the cantilevered support than the terminal edge of the lower panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Anthony Porcs, Jeffrey Sadao Miki
  • Patent number: 8205767
    Abstract: An adjustable beverage container includes an outer case having a case axis. An actuator ring, is rotatably coupled to the case. The actuator ring includes an arm extension push member and an arm retraction structure. A cover ring is fixedly attached to the case. An arm having an engagement structure including a slot or tab slidingly is engaged with the arm retraction structure of the actuator ring. The arm is also rotatably attached to the case and cover ring. The arm moves into and away from said case axis when the actuator ring is rotated relative to the case about the case axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Lawlor, Jeffrey Sadao Miki
  • Patent number: 8096575
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an instrument panel module including a receiving bracket. An airbag assembly includes an attachment bracket. The receiving bracket and attachment bracket have contact surfaces that provide a datum that guides the airbag assembly from an unsecured position toward a final installation position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Paul Voyer, Jeffrey Sadao Miki
  • Publication number: 20110236801
    Abstract: Separators (5A, 5B, 6) and membrane-electrode assemblies (2) of a fuel cell stack (1) are alternately stacked in a guide box (40). The separators (5A, 5B, 6) each have groove-like gas paths (10A, 10B). Powder of an adhesive agent (7) is adhered in advance to the surfaces of the separators (5A, 5B, 6), except the gas paths (10A, 10B), through photosensitive drums (31A, 31B) to which the powder is adsorbed in a given pattern. The separators (5A, 5B, 6) and the membrane-electrode assemblies (2), stacked in the guide box (40), are heated and compressed by a press (43) and heaters (40C) to obtain a unitized fuel cell stack (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: Akira Fujiki, Yukihiro Maekawa, Takeharu Kuramochi, Masahiko Katsu, Takayuki Hirao, Takeshi Shimizu, Masanori Iwamoto, Sadao Miki, Haruhiko Suzuki, Yoshiki Muto, Kaoru Eguchi, Masahiro Omata, Hiroshi Saitou
  • Patent number: 7981572
    Abstract: Separators (5A, 5B, 6) and membrane-electrode assemblies (2) of a fuel cell stack (1) are alternately stacked in a guide box (40). The separators (5A, 5B, 6) each have groove-like gas paths (10A, 10B). Powder of an adhesive agent (7) is adhered in advance to the surfaces of the separators (5A, 5B, 6), except the gas paths (10A, 10B), through photosensitive drums (31A, 31B) to which the powder is adsorbed in a given pattern. The separators (5A, 5B, 6) and the membrane-electrode assemblies (2), stacked in the guide box (40), are heated and compressed by a press (43) and heaters (40C) to obtain a unitized fuel cell stack (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Fujiki, Yukihiro Maekawa, Takeharu Kuramochi, Masahiko Katsu, Takayuki Hirao, Takeshi Shimizu, Masanori Iwamoto, Sadao Miki, Haruhiko Suzuki, Yoshiki Muto, Kaoru Eguchi, Masahiro Omata, Hiroshi Saitou
  • Publication number: 20110067960
    Abstract: A wheel stop is disclosed which is engaged by a wheel of a vehicle in an attempt to be parked in a parking lot, to limit movement of the vehicle. The wheel stop includes a middle extending portion, first and second leg portions, all of which are integrally formed with a metal pipe. The wheel stop further includes first and second anchor plates affixed to the first and second leg portions, respectively, the anchor plates being anchored to the parking lot; an electric cable disposed within the metal pipe; and an electric outlet disposed on an outer surface of the metal pipe, and connected with the electric cable, to thereby allow, when the vehicle parked in the parking lot is an electric car, a power supply cable extending from the electric car to be plugged into the electric outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: MEC CO., LTD
    Inventor: Sadao Miki
  • Patent number: 7874587
    Abstract: A glove box assembly incorporated into a vehicle instrument panel, along which extends a reinforcing bar. A three-dimensional and interiorly open receptacle is fixedly mounted within the instrument panel. The receptacle includes integrally formed structural projections extending from a rear side thereof and in a direction towards the reinforcing bar. A plurality of ribs are attached to the receptacle proximate the projections and in order to adjust a deformation characteristic of the receptacle. A bin secures within said glove box receptacle and includes a door exposed to adjoining surfaces of the instrument panel. Upon experiencing a collision event resulting in a passenger's knees impacting the door, inward deformation of the receptacle transfers forces both to the instrument panel and through deforming the reinforcing bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Sadao Miki, Benjamin Warren Penner
  • Publication number: 20100308564
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an instrument panel module including a receiving bracket. An airbag assembly includes an attachment bracket. The receiving bracket and attachment bracket have contact surfaces that provide a datum that guides the airbag assembly from an unsecured position toward a final installation position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Paul Voyer, Jeffrey Sadao Miki
  • Patent number: 7703829
    Abstract: An energy transferring system for transferring energy from an occupant's knees through an instrument panel assembly to a vehicle cross beam when an occupant's knee drives the instrument panel assembly into the cross beam as a result of an external load placed on the vehicle. The system having an elongated member projecting from the cross beam towards the instrument panel assembly, and an instrument panel assembly having an energy transferring member and a recess registered to said elongated member. Said elongated member and recess working in concert to prevent said cross beam from slipping past said energy transferring member thereby increasing the energy transferring from an occupant's knees to other vehicle structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Sadao Miki
  • Publication number: 20070271770
    Abstract: Separators (5A, 5B, 6) and membrane-electrode assemblies (2) of a fuel cell stack (1) are alternately stacked in a guide box (40). The separators (5A, 5B, 6) each have groove-like gas paths (10A, 10B). Powder of an adhesive agent (7) is adhered in advance to the surfaces of the separators (5A, 5B, 6), except the gas paths (10A, 10B), through photosensitive drums (31A, 31B) to which the powder is adsorbed in a given pattern. The separators (5A, 5B, 6) and the membrane-electrode assemblies (2), stacked in the guide box (40), are heated and compressed by a press (43) and heaters (40C) to obtain a unitized fuel cell stack (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventors: Akira Fujiki, Yukihiro Maekawa, Takeharu Kuramochi, Masahiko Katsu, Takayuki Hirao, Takeshi Shimizu, Masanori Iwamoto, Sadao Miki, Haruhiko Suzuki, Yoshiki Muto, Kaoru Eguchi, Masahiro Omata, Hiroshi Saitou
  • Publication number: 20070154628
    Abstract: This invention relates to a manufacturing method for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell which is formed by laminating a first gas diffusion layer (6A) and a first separator (7A) on one surface of a membrane electrode assembly (9), and laminating a second gas diffusion layer (6B) and a second separator (7B) on the other surface of the membrane electrode assembly (9). An adhesive is applied to a surface of the first separator (7A) which contacts the first gas diffusion layer (6A), the adhesive is applied to a surface of the second separator (7B) which contacts the second gas diffusion layer (6B), and the first separator (7A), first gas diffusion layer (6A), membrane electrode assembly (9), second gas diffusion layer (6B), and second separator (7B) are disposed between a pair of pressing jigs (113, 123) so as to be laminated in the described sequence. An integrated fuel cell is obtained by applying heat and compression to the first separator (7A) and second separator (7B) using the pressing jigs (113, 123).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akira Fujiki, Yukihiro Maekawa, Takeshi Shimizu, Takayuki Hirao, Masanori Iwamoto, Sadao Miki, Haruhiko Suzuki, Hiroshi Saitou
  • Patent number: 7232896
    Abstract: A colorant for ocular lenses represented by the formula (I) defined herein or a colorant for ocular lenses represented by the formula (II) defined herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Nidek Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sadao Miki, Masaki Kuwahara, Yoshihiro Nakahata, Tsutomu Sunada
  • Publication number: 20060096044
    Abstract: A colorant for ocular lenses represented by the formula (I) defined herein or a colorant for ocular lenses represented by the formula (II) defined herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Publication date: May 11, 2006
    Inventors: Sadao Miki, Masaki Kuwahara, Yoshihiro Nakahata, Tsutomu Sunada
  • Publication number: 20040259456
    Abstract: Phosphor layers are formed on the inner surface of a face plate. An electron source device that emits electrons to excite the phosphor layers is provided on the inner surface of a base plate. The electron source device comprises an alumina substrate that has a number of small through holes. Electron-emitting material is buried in the through holes. A reference electrode is formed on the lower surface of the alumina substrate and contacts the electron-emitting material. A gate electrode is formed on the upper surface of the substrate and insulated from the electron-emitting material. The gate electrode is configured to concentrate an electron field of the electron-emitting material by virtue of an voltage applied between the reference electrode and the gate electrode, thereby to cause the electron-emitting material to emit electrons toward the phosphor layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Takeo Ito, Sadao Miki, Kazuo Sakai
  • Patent number: 6670747
    Abstract: Phosphor layers are formed on the inner surface of a face plate. An electron source device that emits electrons to excite the phosphor layers is provided on the inner surface of a base plate. The electron source device comprises an alumina substrate that has a number of small through holes. Electron-emitting material is buried in the through holes. A reference electrode is formed on the lower surface of the alumina substrate and contacts the electron-emitting material. A gate electrode is formed on the upper surface of the substrate and insulated from the electron-emitting material. The gate electrode is configured to concentrate an electron field of the electron-emitting material by virtue of an voltage applied between the reference electrode and the gate electrode, thereby to cause the electron-emitting material to emit electrons toward the phosphor layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Fuji Pigment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeo Ito, Sadao Miki, Kazuo Sakai