Patents by Inventor Shiro Yamaoka

Shiro Yamaoka 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: 10151332
    Abstract: A hybrid work machine includes: an engine controller (14) that controls rotational speed of an engine (7) in accordance with a target rotational speed input from an EC dial (31); an assist motor (10) that generates electricity using power of the engine (7); a hydraulic pump (6) operated using power of the engine and/or of the assist motor; and a vehicle body controller (11) that estimates power (Pe) the engine is required to output when a request to generate electricity is sent to the assist motor and permits the assist motor to generate electricity only when the engine power requirement is not greater than an electricity generation threshold value (Eth1). The electricity generation threshold value (Eth1) is determined based on the power and characteristics of energy loss of the engine (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Hoshino, Shinji Ishihara, Shiro Yamaoka
  • Patent number: 9617715
    Abstract: A construction machine including an internal combustion engine controlled based on a torque command, an electric motor mechanically connected to the internal combustion engine, and an electric energy storage device that supplies electric power to the electric motor, the construction machine performing work by driving a hydraulic pressure generator using the internal combustion engine and the electric motor, the construction machine including: a speed control device that controls a speed of the electric motor based on a speed command; and a torque limiter that limits the torque command relative to a torque target, wherein the torque command is limited by the torque limiter in such a manner that a rate of change with time of the torque command is limited to be equal to or less than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Ishida, Hidetoshi Satake, Yusuke Kajita, Shiro Yamaoka
  • Patent number: 9399856
    Abstract: A hydraulic working machine has an assist electric motor connected to an engine and a hydraulic pump. The emissions of air pollutants in the exhaust gas from the engine are minimized regardless of fluctuations in the load torque of the hydraulic pump. A specific revolution speed suitable for reducing the emissions of air pollutants is stored, and an engine is controlled using the specific revolution speed as a target revolution speed. The absorption torque of a hydraulic pump is subjected to high-pass filtering whereby a high-frequency component devoid of a trend component is obtained. Target assist torque is computed from the high-frequency component, and the assist electric motor is subjected to power running/generation control accordingly. A specific output torque range suitable for reducing the emissions of air pollutants is stored, and the target assist torque is corrected so that the trend component does not exceed the specific output torque range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuo Fujishima, Yusuke Kajita, Mitsuo Sonoda, Masatoshi Hoshino, Akira Nakayama, Junji Yamamoto, He Bao, Seiji Ishida, Shiro Yamaoka, Takashi Okada
  • Publication number: 20160153176
    Abstract: A construction machine including an internal combustion engine controlled based on a torque command, an electric motor mechanically connected to the internal combustion engine, and an electric energy storage device that supplies electric power to the electric motor, the construction machine performing work by driving a hydraulic pressure generator using the internal combustion engine and the electric motor, the construction machine including: a speed control device that controls a speed of the electric motor based on a speed command; and a torque limiter that limits the torque command relative to a torque target, wherein the torque command is limited by the torque limiter in such a manner that a rate of change with time of the torque command is limited to be equal to or less than a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Applicant: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji ISHIDA, Hidetoshi SATAKE, Yusuke KAJITA, Shiro YAMAOKA
  • Publication number: 20160097405
    Abstract: A hybrid work machine includes: an engine controller (14) that controls rotational speed of an engine (7) in accordance with a target rotational speed input from an EC dial (31); an assist motor (10) that generates electricity using power of the engine (7); a hydraulic pump (6) operated using power of the engine and/or of the assist motor; and a vehicle body controller (11) that estimates power (Pe) the engine is required to output when a request to generate electricity is sent to the assist motor and permits the assist motor to generate electricity only when the engine power requirement is not greater than an electricity generation threshold value (Eth1). The electricity generation threshold value (Eth1) is determined based on the power and characteristics of energy loss of the engine (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Applicant: HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Hoshino, Shinji Ishihara, Shiro Yamaoka
  • Publication number: 20140188321
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a construction machine that can reduce particulate matter (PM) or nitrogen oxide (NOx) discharged from an internal combustion engine mounted on the construction machine. The construction machine 200 includes a diesel engine 101 controlled based on a torque command, an electric motor 102 mechanically connected to the diesel engine, an electric energy storage device 111 that supplies electric power to the electric motor, and a hydraulic pump 103. The construction machine performs work by driving the hydraulic pump using the diesel engine and the electric motor. A speed control device 118 controls a speed of the electric motor 102 based on a speed command. A torque limiter 115 obtains the torque command having a rate of change with time limited based on a torque target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Inventors: Seiji Ishida, Hideloshi Satake, Yusuke Kajita, Shiro Yamaoka
  • Publication number: 20140020375
    Abstract: A hydraulic working machine has an assist electric motor connected to an engine and a hydraulic pump. The emissions of air pollutants in the exhaust gas from the engine are minimized regardless of fluctuations in the load torque of the hydraulic pump. A specific revolution speed suitable for reducing the emissions of air pollutants is stored, and an engine is controlled using the specific revolution speed as a target revolution speed. The absorption torque of a hydraulic pump is subjected to high-pass filtering whereby a high-frequency component devoid of a trend component is obtained. Target assist torque is computed from the high-frequency component, and the assist electric motor is subjected to power running/generation control accordingly. A specific output torque range suitable for reducing the emissions of air pollutants is stored, and the target assist torque is corrected so that the trend component does not exceed the specific output torque range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuo Fujishima, Yusuke Kajita, Mitsuo Sonoda, Masatoshi Hoshino, Akira Nakayama, Junji Yamamoto, He Bao, Seiji Ishida, Shiro Yamaoka, Takashi Okada
  • Publication number: 20130300192
    Abstract: An electric vehicle power storage system includes a plurality of power storage element rows comprising a plurality of power storage elements connected in series, and includes a parallel connecting switch which selects the power storage element rows and connect the same in parallel, and performs connection and disconnection with respect to an electric load from one power storage element row to another. A parallel connection switch controller controls the parallel connection switch. A vehicle power requirement calculating unit calculates a vehicle power requirement, and a remaining level detecting unit detects a remaining level of the power storage element row. A voltage detecting unit detects a voltage of the power storage element row. A power storage system control apparatus controls the parallel connection switch on the basis of the vehicle power requirement, the remaining level of the power storage element row, and the voltage of the power storage element row.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Ryou Inaba, Naoyuki Tashiro, Shiro Yamaoka
  • Patent number: 8464687
    Abstract: An object is to provide a control device and control method for a compressed self-ignition type internal combustion engine, which can reduce torque variation due to misfire when the air-fuel ratio varies during compressed self-ignition type combustion, and thereby effectively use the potential for reducing fuel consumption. As the combustion mode, a spark-ignition type combustion mode by use of an ignition plug and a compressed self-ignition type combustion mode which utilizes a pressure increase in a combustion chamber in association with upward movement of piston are selectively set depending on an operational state of the engine, and when the air-fuel ratio in the compressed self-ignition type combustion mode is rich, a regional upper limit of the compressed self-ignition type combustion region is changed toward the lower engine torque side, and when the air-fuel ratio is lean, the regional upper limit is changed toward the higher engine torque side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromu Kakuya, Kengo Kumano, Shiro Yamaoka
  • Patent number: 8290685
    Abstract: A control device for an engine, capable of accurately estimating the quantity of exhaust heat from the engine and performing engine control which improves the exhaust quality and fuel consumption of the engine in various operating conditions thereof, by using the accurate estimated value of the quantity of exhaust heat. A control device for an engine is provided with an exhaust flow rate sensor for directly sensing the flow rate of exhaust gas discharged from the engine, an exhaust temperature estimating device for sensing or estimating the temperature of the exhaust gas discharged from the engine, and an exhaust heat quantity estimating device for estimating, based on an output of the exhaust flow rate sensor and an output of the exhaust temperature estimating device, the quantity of heat of the exhaust gas discharged from the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shiro Yamaoka, Yoshihiro Sukegawa, Noboru Tokuyasu, Hiroaki Hoshika, Daisuke Terada
  • Patent number: 8224555
    Abstract: In an in-cylinder injection type spark ignition internal combustion engine in which the intake air amount is controlled by use of an intake valve or an exhaust valve, which is provided with mainly a variable valve mechanism, instable combustion during a low-load operation is avoided without an increase in pumping loss (without a decrease in the thermal efficiency). In the in-cylinder injection type spark ignition internal combustion engine, during low-load operation, on the basis of the cooling water temperature of the engine the opening and closing timing of the intake valve is controlled in a retard angle manner and the opening and closing timing of the exhaust valve is controlled in an advance angle manner. Furthermore, the fuel injection timing is controlled in a retard angle manner on the basis of the retard angle amount of the intake valve opening and closing timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kengo Kumano, Yoshihiro Sukegawa, Shiro Yamaoka
  • Publication number: 20120055445
    Abstract: An object is to provide a control device and control method for a compressed self-ignition type internal combustion engine, which can reduce torque variation due to misfire when the air-fuel ratio varies during compressed self-ignition type combustion, and thereby effectively use the potential for reducing fuel consumption. As the combustion mode, a spark-ignition type combustion mode by use of an ignition plug and a compressed self-ignition type combustion mode which utilizes a pressure increase in a combustion chamber in association with upward movement of piston are selectively set depending on an operational state of the engine, and when the air-fuel ratio in the compressed self-ignition type combustion mode is rich, a regional upper limit of the compressed self-ignition type combustion region is changed toward the lower engine torque side, and when the air-fuel ratio is lean, the regional upper limit is changed toward the higher engine torque side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromu Kakuya, Kengo Kumano, Shiro Yamaoka
  • Patent number: 8078387
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a control apparatus for a spark-ignition engine that is capable of avoiding knocking at the time of high-load operation. With this control apparatus, a residual-gas suction unit or the like is not used, an exhaust gas does not deteriorate due to injection in a compression stroke, and a thermal efficiency also does not decrease. An engine control apparatus (ECU) 20 is used for the control of a direct-injection type spark-ignition engine. During the high-load operation of the spark-ignition engine, the ECU 20 injects fuel a plurality of times. In addition, the ECU performs first fuel injection toward internal EGR that exists in a combustion chamber of the spark-ignition engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kengo Kumano, Shiro Yamaoka, Hiromu Kakuya, Yoshihiro Sukegawa
  • Patent number: 8050846
    Abstract: An engine controller capable of reducing torque fluctuation and the like in change between spark ignition combustion and homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion is provided. Spark ignition burning mode or homogeneous charge compression ignition burning mode is selectively set as burning mode according to the operating state of an engine. In spark ignition burning mode, a spark plug is used. In homogeneous charge compression ignition burning mode, fuel is burned utilizing pressure rise in a combustion chamber in conjunction with the ascent of a piston. The burning mode is changed between these modes. In transition for change between the spark ignition burning mode and the homogeneous charge compression ignition burning mode, the following measure is taken: a period during which the lift amount and/or the valve opening period (IVevent) of an intake valve is made smaller than a set value for the homogeneous charge compression ignition burning mode is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromu Kakuya, Kengo Kumano, Shiro Yamaoka
  • Patent number: 8001767
    Abstract: A first, a second, and a third combustion region are defined by the air-fuel ratio of the mixture gas feeding combustion. Upon switching of combustion regions from the first combustion region to the third combustion region and from the third combustion region to the first combustion region, namely, when the second combustion region is passed, the mass of NOx emission downstream of an exhaust purifying device and the torque variation are estimated online. Based on the estimated value of the mass of NOx emission and the estimated value of the torque variation, the mass of intake air introduced into the combustion chamber is adjusted in a manner different from when normal, such as by changing the amount of lift of the intake valve, for example, so as to reduce the mass of NOx emission downstream of the exhaust purifying device and the torque variation below predetermined values upon passing of the second combustion region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromu Kakuya, Shinji Nakagawa, Shiro Yamaoka, Atsushi Shimada
  • Publication number: 20110166768
    Abstract: A control device for an engine, capable of accurately estimating the quantity of exhaust heat from the engine and performing engine control which improves the exhaust quality and fuel consumption of the engine in various operating conditions thereof, by using the accurate extimated value of the quantity of exhaust heat. A control device for an engine is provided with an exhaust flow rate sensor for directly sensing the flow rate of exhaust gas discharged from the engine, an exhaust temperature estimating device for sensing or estimating the temperature of the exhaust gas discharged from the engine, and an exhaust heat quantity estimating device for estimating, based on an output of the exhaust flow rate sensor and an output of the exhaust temperature estimating device, the quantity of heat of the exhaust gas discharged from the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shiro Yamaoka, Yoshihiro Sukegawa, Noboru Tokuyasu, Hiroaki Hoshika, Daisuke Terada
  • Patent number: 7957887
    Abstract: In an engine controller capable of carrying out spark ignition type combustion and compressed self-ignition type combustion, in order to suppress operation performance deterioration and exhaust performance deterioration at the time of switching a combustion mode from the compressed self-ignition type combustion to the spark ignition type combustion, intake pipe pressure downstream a throttle is quickly reduced by making the throttle opening degree smaller than a target throttle opening degree of the spark ignition type combustion immediately after switching for a certain period during the combustion mode is switched from the compressed self-ignition type combustion to the spark ignition type combustion. As a result, responsiveness of an intake amount at the time of switching the combustion mode from the compressed self-ignition type combustion to the spark ignition type combustion is enhanced, and combustion switching without exhaust deterioration and torque variation is realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kengo Kumano, Hiromu Kakuya, Shiro Yamaoka
  • Patent number: 7954373
    Abstract: There is provided a thermal type flow meter capable of accurately detecting a flow rate even when a fluid temperature varies rapidly or when the fluid temperature is high. A probe includes: a first main heating resistor; a second main heating resistor set at a temperature different from that of the first main heating resistor; and a sub-heating resistor for heating lead wires of the two main heating resistors. A CPU of a sensor control circuit finds a fluid temperature by using the two main heating resistors, and finds a fluid flow rate by using at least one of the two main heating resistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Sukegawa, Noboru Tokuyasu, Hiroaki Hoshika, Shiro Yamaoka
  • Patent number: 7866306
    Abstract: A control apparatus of an EGR control valve has an EGR control valve has an exhaust gas recirculation passage to circulate exhaust gas of an combustion engine from an exhaust gas passage to an intake air passage. A measurement unit measures a flow rate of EGR gas flowing in the exhaust gas recirculation passage, and a controller receives an input from the measurement unit and closes the EGR control valve if the EGR-gas flow rate is smaller than a predetermined threshold value when the EGR gas is flowing from the exhaust side to the intake side of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiichiro Ohata, Shiro Yamaoka, Yoshihiro Sukegawa, Hiroaki Hoshika, Kaori Kashio
  • Patent number: 7848869
    Abstract: A controller of an internal combustion engine capable of spark ignition combustion and compression ignition combustion which restrains the degradation of operation performance and exhaust performance at the time of combustion type switching. The controller includes control means for performing combined combustion which leads to ignition combustion by a pressure rise by spark ignition combustion through adjustment of an internal cylinder temperature and a combustion speed at the end of compression, wherein the combined combustion is performed in the process of combustion type switching between spark ignition combustion and compression ignition combustion based on a result of determination of whether or not combustion type switching is possible, thus implementing a smooth combustion type switching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromu Kakuya, Kengo Kumano, Shiro Yamaoka