Patents by Inventor Takanori Oku
Takanori Oku 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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Publication number: 20180287170Abstract: A fuel cell stack is constituted by stacking fuel cells including a membrane electrode assembly constituted by sandwiching an electrolyte membrane with a pair of electrodes and a pair of separators that have flow passages through which gas to be supplied to the membrane electrode assembly flows, the pair of separators being arranged across the membrane electrode assembly. The fuel cell stack includes a welded portion where the separators adjacent to one another in a stacking direction of the fuel cell are welded. The separator in the stacking direction at the welded portion has a height lower than a height of the separator other than the welded portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2015Publication date: October 4, 2018Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Takanori OKU
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Publication number: 20180226660Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly constituted of an electrolyte membrane and an electrode layer, a frame portion disposed along an outer periphery of the membrane electrode assembly, and separators that include gas flow passages to supply the membrane electrode assembly with fuel gas, wherein the membrane electrode assembly is interposed by a pair of the separators, and the separators include adhesion regions bonded to the frame portion via an adhesive, and reduced portions where distances between the separators and the frame portion are shorter than distances between the separators and the frame portion at other adhesion regions in the adhesion regions.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2015Publication date: August 9, 2018Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Shigemasa KUWATA, Takanori Oku, Mitsutaka Abe
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Publication number: 20180183073Abstract: A fuel cell electrode structure includes a membrane electrode assembly including an electrolyte membrane between a pair or electrodes, and a frame being integrally formed with the membrane electrode assembly supporting the membrane electrode assembly from the peripheral side. The membrane electrode assembly includes a gas diffusion layer on the surface, and a sealing member for sealing the periphery of the membrane electrode assembly is provided on the frame. The sealing member includes a lip portion, and at least partly includes extended portion that extends to the membrane electrode assembly. The extended portion is thinner than the lip portion of the sealing member, and the end face of the extended portion is in contact with the end face of the gas diffusion layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2016Publication date: June 28, 2018Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Takanori OKU, Shinichi MIYAZAKI, RYAN BLUNT
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Publication number: 20180159147Abstract: A fuel cell metal separator structure includes a first separator in contact with a first membrane electrode assembly and a second separator in contact with a second membrane electrode assembly. In the stacking direction of the first separator and the second separator and the membrane electrode assemblies, in an reaction area formed between the two membrane electrode assemblies, an electrically conductive member is put between the first separator and the second separator, and in the sealing portion on a periphery of the membrane electrode assembly, the first separator and second separator are in direct contact with each other so that a space for sealing is expanded due to the increased depth of the sealing grooves.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2016Publication date: June 7, 2018Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Takanori OKU, Shigemasa KUWATA
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Patent number: 9496568Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell including: a membrane electrode assembly (30) formed by joining an anode (32) to one surface of an electrolyte membrane (31) and joining a cathode (33) to another surface of the electrolyte membrane (31); a frame body (20) formed integrally with the membrane electrode assembly (30); and a pair of separators (40, 41) holding the membrane electrode assembly (30) and the frame body (20) therebetween. At least one pair of holding pieces (42, 43) holding the membrane electrode assembly (30) therebetween is formed in the pair of separators (40, 41). Positions of holding end portions (42a, 43a) of the pair of holding pieces (42, 43) are shifted from each other in a stacking direction of the fuel cell.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2012Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Takanori Oku, Manabu Sugino, Shigetaka Uehara, Mitsutaka Abe
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Publication number: 20160324436Abstract: In order to estimate a movement command that a central nervous system is to select to implement a desired movement based on three feature amounts under the concepts of an antagonistic muscle ratio and an antagonistic muscle sum and based on a musculoskeletal model, a movement analysis apparatus includes: a myoelectric potential measurement unit to measure a myoelectric potential of a person who performs a movement; a movement measurement unit to measure a body movement; and a stiffness-ellipse calculation unit, an equilibrium-point calculation unit and a muscle synergy calculation unit to calculate, from measurement information obtained at the measurement units, feature amounts of a stiffness ellipse, an equilibrium point, and a muscle synergy that are base vectors describing the equilibrium point at an operating point based on a musculoskeletal model.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2014Publication date: November 10, 2016Applicant: Osaka UniversityInventors: Fumio MIYAZAKI, Hiroaki HIRAI, Mitsunori UEMURA, Kanna UNO, Takanori OKU
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Patent number: 9450252Abstract: This insulating structure is for a fuel cell stack or a fuel cell of the fuel cell stack. The fuel cell stack includes a membrane electrode assembly with a peripheral frame and a pair of separators that hold the frame and the membrane electrode assembly in between and is formed by stacking a plurality of sets of the membrane electrode assembly and the pair of separators. The insulating structure includes: a coupling member disposed on at least a part of an outer periphery of the fuel cell stack or the fuel cell; and a projection formed on the coupling member in an area surrounded by the pair of separators and the frame.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2014Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Takanori Oku, Kazuhiro Kageyama
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Publication number: 20160079610Abstract: This insulating structure is for a fuel cell stack or a fuel cell of the fuel cell stack. The fuel cell stack includes a membrane electrode assembly with a peripheral frame and a pair of separators that hold the frame and the membrane electrode assembly in between and is formed by stacking a plurality of sets of the membrane electrode assembly and the pair of separators. The insulating structure includes: a coupling member disposed on at least a part of an outer periphery of the fuel cell stack or the fuel cell; and a projection formed on the coupling member in an area surrounded by the pair of separators and the frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2014Publication date: March 17, 2016Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Takanori OKU, Kazuhiro KAGEYAMA
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Publication number: 20150325875Abstract: A fuel cell stack has stacked individual fuel cells, each of the fuel cells having a cell frame, and an anode separator and a cathode separator disposed on respective sides of the cell frame, in which an electrolyte membrane joined with an anode side gas diffusion layer and a cathode side gas diffusion layer on respective sides thereof is disposed in the cell frame, an anode side load bearing member that bonds and fixes the anode separator, the cell frame, and the gas diffusion layer to each other, so as to receive a compressive load acting in a stacking direction of the fuel cell, and a cathode side load bearing member that bonds and fixes the cathode separator, the cell frame, and the gas diffusion layer to each other so as to receive a compressive load acting in the stacking direction of the fuel cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2013Publication date: November 12, 2015Applicant: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuhiro Kageyama, Takanori Oku, Hiromi Sugimoto
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Publication number: 20150295267Abstract: A fuel cell stack has at least two cell modules, each of which includes an integrally-stacked plurality of fuel-cell single cells, and a sealing plate interposed between the cell modules. The sealing plate comprises a sealing member that seals an interface between the sealing plate and an edge part of the cell modules. The fuel cell stack further comprises a member contacting structure that transfers a load in a stacking direction, disposed in a sealed inner area between the cell modules and the sealing plate. Each of the plurality of fuel-cell single cells has a membrane electrode assembly and a pair of separators that sandwich the membrane electrode assembly. The member contacting structure allows the outermost separators of the adjacent cell modules to face each other so as to transfer a load in the stacking direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2013Publication date: October 15, 2015Applicant: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuhiro Kageyama, Hiromi Sugimoto, Takanori Oku
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Publication number: 20150125781Abstract: A fuel battery cell has a membrane electrode assembly, a frame, a pair of separators, and support members. The membrane electrode assembly is formed with an anode and a cathode bonded so as to face an electrolyte membrane. The frame holds the periphery of the membrane electrode assembly. The pair of separators sandwich the frame holding the membrane electrode assembly. The support members protrude along an edge part of the frame so as to pass beyond the frame and support the membrane electrode assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2013Publication date: May 7, 2015Inventors: Takanori Oku, Mitsutaka Abe, Tomoya Nomura, Tomoyuki Takane
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Patent number: 8999597Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel cell provided with a membrane electrode structure having a frame, two separators that sandwich the membrane electrode structure therebetween, and gas seals between the end portion of the frame and the end portions of respective separators, and diffuser sections for distributing a reacting gas to between the frame and respective separators. In the diffuser section on the cathode side, the frame is provided with a protruding section in contact with the separator, and in the diffuser section on the anode side, the frame and the separator are disposed by being spaced apart from each other, thereby excellently maintaining contact surface pressure between the membrane electrode structure and the separators, and preventing contact resistance from being increased.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2011Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Keigo Ikezoe, Mitsutaka Abe, Takanori Oku, Yasuhiro Numao
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Patent number: 8974980Abstract: A fuel cell is provided with a membrane electrode assembly provided with a frame, both of which are sandwiched between two separators. The fuel cell is configured such that reactive gas is circulated between the frame and the separators. The frame and both separators each have manifold holes, the rims of the manifold holes of frame extend into the manifold holes in the separators, and protrusions cover the inner peripheral surfaces of the manifold holes in at least one of the separators. This structure makes possible the easy and accurate position and integration of the separators and the frame, and fuel cell miniaturization can be achieved because space to position the protrusions is not needed.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2011Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takanori Oku, Mitsutaka Abe, Shigetaka Uehara, Yasuhiro Numao
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Publication number: 20140023954Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell including: a membrane electrode assembly (30) formed by joining an anode (32) to one surface of an electrolyte membrane (31) and joining a cathode (33) to another surface of the electrolyte membrane (31); a frame body (20) formed integrally with the membrane electrode assembly (30); and a pair of separators (40, 41) holding the membrane electrode assembly (30) and the frame body (20) therebetween. At least one pair of holding pieces (42, 43) holding the membrane electrode assembly (30) therebetween is formed in the pair of separators (40, 41). Positions of holding end portions (42a, 43a) of the pair of holding pieces (42, 43) are shifted from each other in a stacking direction of the fuel cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2012Publication date: January 23, 2014Inventors: Takanori Oku, Manabu Sugino, Shigetaka Uehara, Mitsutaka Abe
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Publication number: 20140017593Abstract: A fuel battery cell includes: a membrane electrode assembly having a resin frame in a periphery of the membrane electrode assembly; two separators holding the frame and the membrane electrode assembly between the two separators; and diffuser areas each provided between the frame and each of the separators and allowing a reaction gas to flowthrough the diffuser areas. In the diffuser area on any one of a cathode side or an anode side, at least one of mutually opposed surfaces of the frame and the separator is provided with a protruding portion in contact with the other opposed surface. In the diffuser area on the other side, a displacement in a thickness direction between the frame and the separator is capable of being absorbed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2012Publication date: January 16, 2014Applicant: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Mitsutaka Abe, Takanori Oku
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Publication number: 20140011110Abstract: A fuel battery cell C includes a membrane electrode assembly 2 having a frame 1 in a periphery thereof; two separators 3A, 3B holding them therebetween; and gas seal members 11, 12 provided to peripheral portions of diffuser areas D1, D2 each formed between the frame 1 and one of the separators 3A, 3B. A diffuser-area-D1-side edge position of the gas seal member 11 in the diffuser area D1 on the cathode side and a diffuser-area-D2-side edge position of the gas seal member 12 in the diffuser area D2 on the anode side are offset from each other in an inside-outside direction of the diffuser areas D1, D2.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2012Publication date: January 9, 2014Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Takanori Oku, Kazuhiro Kageyama, Mitsutaka Abe
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Publication number: 20130183606Abstract: The invention provides a fuel cell (A1) in which a frame body (20) provided with a membrane electrode assembly (30) is sandwiched between a pair of separators (40, 41), and multiple projections (21) are arranged at given intervals on each of two surface sides of the frame body (20). Thus, a gas flow path (S1) for a hydrogen-containing gas is defined and formed on one surface side of the frame body (20) and a gas flow path (S2) for an oxygen-containing gas is defined and formed on the other surface side of the frame body (20). The projections (21) on the one surface side of the frame body (20) and the projections (21) on the other surface side of the frame body (20) are arranged asymmetrically with respect to the frame body (20) in a stacking direction (?) of the fuel cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2012Publication date: July 18, 2013Inventors: Takanori Oku, Shigetaka Uehara, Mitsutaka Abe
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Publication number: 20130115541Abstract: A fuel cell is provided with a membrane electrode assembly provided with a frame, both of which are sandwiched between two separators. The fuel cell is configured such that reactive gas is circulated between the frame and the separators. The frame and both separators each have manifold holes, the rims of the manifold holes of frame extend into the manifold holes in the separators, and protrusions cover the inner peripheral surfaces of the manifold holes in at least one of the separators. This structure makes possible the easy and accurate position and integration of the separators and the frame, and fuel cell miniaturization can be achieved because space to position the protrusions is not needed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2011Publication date: May 9, 2013Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Takanori Oku, Mitsutaka Abe, Shigetaka Uehara, Yasuhiro Numao
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Publication number: 20130071769Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel cell provided with a membrane electrode structure having a frame, two separators that sandwich the membrane electrode structure therebetween, and gas seals between the end portion of the frame and the end portions of respective separators, and diffuser sections for distributing a reacting gas to between the frame and respective separators. In the diffuser section on the cathode side, the frame is provided with a protruding section in contact with the separator, and in the diffuser section on the anode side, the frame and the separator are disposed by being spaced apart from each other, thereby excellently maintaining contact surface pressure between the membrane electrode structure and the separators, and preventing contact resistance from being increased.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2011Publication date: March 21, 2013Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Keigo Ikezoe, Mitsutaka Abe, Takanori Oku, Yasuhiro Numao
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Publication number: 20120034548Abstract: To provide a means of further improving the cell's start-up capability (below-freezing-point-start-up capability) in a low temperature environment in the gas diffusion layer used in the fuel cell. It is a gas diffusion layer for fuel cell having a pore volume of micropores of 2.0×10?4 cm3/cm2 or higher.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2010Publication date: February 9, 2012Inventors: Yozo Okuyama, Manabu Sugino, Takanori Oku, Isao Ehama, Kazufumi Kodama, Hiroshi Kato, Haruo Nomi, Takafumi Namba, Tomoyuki Takane