Patents by Inventor Tetsuo Kawamura

Tetsuo Kawamura 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: 10186711
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods of preparing metal particles on a support material, including platinum-containing nanoparticles on a carbon support. Such materials can be used as electrocatalysts, for example as improved electrocatalysts in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEM-FCs).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Motor Corporation, Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Tochi Tudor Nwoga, Kazuo Kawahara, Wen Li, Yujiang Song, John A. Shelnutt, James E. Miller, Craig John Medforth, Yukiyoshi Ueno, Tetsuo Kawamura
  • Patent number: 9792189
    Abstract: In a server system, a hardware configuration comparison is made with respect to each combination of a current server and a backup server, and, by referring to hardware configuration matching policy information, the presence or absence of hardware configuration concealment and the possibility of a take-over are determined with respect to each combination of the current server and the backup server. In addition, with respect to each combination of the current server and the backup server, a configuration matching rate indicating the ratio of hardware configuration matching is calculated. Based on information about the presence or absence of hardware configuration concealment, information about the possibility of a take-over, and information about the configuration matching rate with respect to each combination of the current server and the backup server, the backup server as a take-over destination of the current server is allocated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsuo Kawamura, Shunji Umehara
  • Patent number: 9548501
    Abstract: A supported catalyst is prepared by a process that includes establishing shell-removal conditions for a supported catalyst intermediate that includes capped nanoparticles of a catalyst material dispersed on a carbon support. The capped nanoparticles each include a platinum alloy core capped in an organic shell. The shell-removal conditions include an elevated temperature and an inert gas atmosphere that is substantially free of oxygen. The organic shell is removed from the platinum alloy core under the shell-removal conditions to limit thermal decomposition of the carbon support and thereby limit agglomeration of the catalyst material such that the supported catalyst includes an electrochemical surface area of at least 30 m2/gPt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignees: The Research Foundation of State University Of New York Research Development Services, Binghamton University, Toyoata Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Audi AG
    Inventors: Chuan-Jian Zhong, Brigid Wanjala, Jin Luo, Peter N. Njoki, Rameshwori Loukrakpam, Minhua Shao, Lesia V. Protsailo, Tetsuo Kawamura
  • Publication number: 20160266987
    Abstract: In a server system, a hardware configuration comparison is made with respect to each combination of a current server and a backup server, and, by referring to hardware configuration matching policy information, the presence or absence of hardware configuration concealment and the possibility of a take-over are determined with respect to each combination of the current server and the backup server. In addition, with respect to each combination of the current server and the backup server, a configuration matching rate indicating the ratio of hardware configuration matching is calculated. Based on information about the presence or absence of hardware configuration concealment, information about the possibility of a take-over, and information about the configuration matching rate with respect to each combination of the current server and the backup server, the backup server as a take-over destination of the current server is allocated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsuo KAWAMURA, Shunji UMEHARA
  • Patent number: 9252431
    Abstract: A fuel cell supported catalyst includes an underlying support structure having at least one of a metal oxide and a metal phosphate. Catalyst particles are arranged onto and in engagement with the support structure. An intermediate conductive, corrosion-resistant layer, such as boron-doped-diamond, is arranged onto and in engagement with the support structure to surround the catalyst particles. The supported catalyst is produced by depositing the intermediate layer onto the support structure after the catalyst particles have been deposited on the underlying support structure, in one example. In another example, voids are provided in the intermediate layer, which has been deposited onto the underlying support structure, to subsequently receive the catalyst particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignees: Audi AG, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Belabbes Merzougui, Tetsuo Kawamura
  • Publication number: 20140080038
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods of preparing metal particles on a support material, including platinum-containing nanoparticles on a carbon support. Such materials can be used as electrocatalysts, for example as improved electrocatalysts in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEM-FCs).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Sandia Corporation, Toyota Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Tochi Tudor Nwoga, Kazuo Kawahara, Wen Li, Yujiang Song, John A. Shelnutt, James E. Miller, Craig John Medforth, Yukiyoshi Ueno, Tetsuo Kawamura
  • Publication number: 20140031193
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods and structures of metal particles on a support material, including platinum-containing nanoparticles on a carbon support. Such materials can be used as electrocatalysts, for example as improved electrocatalysts in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEM-FCs).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Sandia Corporation, Operator of Sandia National Laboratories, Toyota Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Wen Li, Tetsuo Kawamura, Tetsuo Nagami, Hiroaki Takahashi, John Muldoon, John A. Shelnutt, Yujiang Song, James E. Miller, Michael A. Hickner, Craig John Medforth
  • Patent number: 8609573
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods of preparing metal particles on a support material, including platinum-containing nanoparticles on a carbon support. Such materials can be used as electrocatalysts, for example as improved electrocatalysts in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEM-FCs).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Motor Corporation, Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Tochi Tudor Nwoga, Kazuo Kawahara, Wen Li, Yujiang Song, John A. Shelnutt, James E. Miller, Craig John Medforth, Yukiyoshi Ueno, Tetsuo Kawamura
  • Patent number: 8541146
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods of preparing metal particles on a support material, including platinum-containing nanoparticles on a carbon support. Such materials can be used as electrocatalysts, for example as improved electrocatalysts in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEM-FCs).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Motor Corporation, Sandia Corporation, Operator of Sandia National Laboratories
    Inventors: Wen Li, Tetsuo Kawamura, Tetsuo Nagami, Hiroaki Takahashi, John Muldoon, John A. Shelnutt, Yujiang Song, James E. Miller, Michael A. Hickner, Craig Medforth
  • Patent number: 8372562
    Abstract: A conductive carbon carrier for a fuel cell having at least a surface layer graphitized, characterized in that the dimension (La) in a six-membered ring face (carbon plane) direction of a crystallite measured by X-ray diffraction is 4.5 nm or more. This carbon carrier improves the durability in a fuel cell and enables operation for a long period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignees: Cataler Corporation, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiharu Tabata, Tomoaki Terada, Takahiro Nagata, Susumu Enomoto, Yosuke Horiuchi, Hiroaki Takahashi, Tetsuo Kawamura, Hideyasu Kawai
  • Publication number: 20120258854
    Abstract: A method for treating a supported catalyst includes establishing shell-removal conditions for a supported catalyst that includes nanoparticles of a catalyst material on a carbon support. The nanoparticles each include a platinum alloy core capped in an organic shell. The shell-removal conditions include an elevated temperature and an inert gas atmosphere that is substantially free of oxygen. The organic shell is then removed from the platinum alloy core in the shell-removal conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventors: Tetsuo Kawamura, Minhua Shao, Lesia V. Protsailo, Chuan-jian Zhong, Bridgid Wanjala, Jin Luo, Peter N. Njoki, Rameshwori Loukrakpam
  • Publication number: 20120190536
    Abstract: A supported catalyst is prepared by a process that includes establishing shell-removal conditions for a supported catalyst intermediate that includes capped nanoparticles of a catalyst material dispersed on a carbon support. The capped nanoparticles each include a platinum alloy core capped in an organic shell. The shell-removal conditions include an elevated temperature and an inert gas atmosphere that is substantially free of oxygen. The organic shell is removed from the platinum alloy core under the shell-removal conditions to limit thermal decomposition of the carbon support and thereby limit agglomeration of the catalyst material such that the supported catalyst includes an electrochemical surface area of at least 30 m2/g Pt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: Chuan-Jian Zhong, Brigid Wanjala, Jin Luo, Peter N. Njoki, Rameshwori Loukrakpam, Minhua Shao, Lesia V. Protsailo, Tetsuo Kawamura
  • Publication number: 20120021337
    Abstract: A fuel cell supported catalyst includes an underlying support structure having at least one of a metal oxide and a metal phosphate. Catalyst particles are arranged onto and in engagement with the support structure. An intermediate conductive, corrosion-resistant layer, such as boron-doped-diamond, is arranged onto and in engagement with the support structure to surround the catalyst particles. The supported catalyst is produced by depositing the intermediate layer onto the support structure after the catalyst particles have been deposited on the underlying support structure, in one example. In another example, voids are provided in the intermediate layer, which has been deposited onto the underlying support structure, to subsequently receive the catalyst particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: Belabbes Merzougui, Tetsuo Kawamura
  • Publication number: 20120003569
    Abstract: A method of forming a supported catalyst for a fuel cell includes depositing platinum onto a carbon support material, depositing a first alloy metal onto the carbon support material following the deposition of the platinum, and depositing a second alloy metal onto the carbon support material following the deposition of the first alloy metal. The first alloy metal is selected from iridium, rhodium, palladium, and combinations thereof, and the second alloy metal includes a first or second row transition metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventors: Tetsuo Kawamura, Lesia V. Protsailo
  • Patent number: 7910512
    Abstract: To provide a production process of an electrode catalyst for fuel cell whose initial voltage is high and whose endurance characteristics, especially, whose voltage drop being caused by high-potential application is less. A production process according to the present invention of an electrode catalyst for fuel cell is characterized in that: it includes: a dispersing step of dispersing a conductive support in a solution; a loading step of dropping a platinum-salt solution, a base-metal-salt solution and an iridium-salt solution to the resulting dispersion liquid, thereby loading respective metallic salts on the conductive support as hydroxides under an alkaline condition; and an alloying step of heating the conductive support with metallic hydroxides loaded in a reducing atmosphere to reduce them, thereby alloying them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Cataler Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Takahashi, Sozaburo Ohashi, Tetsuo Kawamura, Yousuke Horiuchi, Toshiharu Tabata, Tomoaki Terada, Takahiro Nagata, Susumu Enomoto
  • Publication number: 20100304960
    Abstract: Alloy catalysts have the formula of PtXRh, wherein X represents one or two elements from the group consisting of Ti, Mn, Co, V, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zr, Zn, Fe, Ru, Pd, Re, Os, Ir, and Au. These catalysts can be used as electrocatalysts in fuel cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Tetsuo Kawamura, Lesia Protsailo, Marianne Pemberton
  • Publication number: 20100304268
    Abstract: Alloy catalysts have the formula of PtiIrjXk, wherein X represents an element from the group consisting of Ti, Mn, Co, V, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zr, Zn, and Fe. These catalysts can be used as electrocatalysts in fuel cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Tetsuo Kawamura, Lesia Protsailo
  • Publication number: 20100234210
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell electrode catalyst which offers an improved durability while inhibiting the degradation of an initial catalytic activity to exhibit a stably high catalytic activity over a long period. The present invention provides a fuel cell electrode catalyst having an alloy carried by carbon, the alloy consisting of platinum and a platinum-family metal other tha platinum, characterized in that a composition ratio of platinum to platinum-family metal other than platinum to carbon is 1:(0.03 to 1.5):(0.46 to 2.2) (wt ratio).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventors: Tetsuo Kawamura, Hiroaki Takahashi, Susumu Enomoto, Tomoaki Terada, Takahiro Nagata
  • Publication number: 20100227249
    Abstract: A method for producing an electrode catalyst for a fuel cell, including: an immersion step (step A) for immersing one or more selected from a catalyst component, a carrier of conductive particles, and a polymer electrolyte in a solvent; a catalyst loading step (step B) for loading the catalyst component on the carrier; and a reaction site forming step (step C) for depositing the polymer electrolyte onto the catalyst-loaded carrier, characterized by irradiating ultrasonic waves in at least one of steps A, B, and C. In the present invention, by suppressing a catalyst from being loaded inside the pores of a carrier, a method for producing an electrode catalyst for a fuel cell which increases the utilization rate of a noble metal catalyst and which improves power generation performance, an electrode catalyst for a fuel cell, and a solid polymer fuel cell provided therewith which can obtain high cell output can be obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: Tetsuo Kawamura, Hiroaki Takahashi, Yasuaki Maeda, Rokuro Nishimura, Kenji Okitsu
  • Publication number: 20100068591
    Abstract: The present invention actualizes a polymer electrolyte fuel cell that exhibits a high durability even when undergoing electric potential variation cycles. Used is a fuel cell catalyst characterized in that a metal catalyst, and an oxide of niobium (Nb2O5) and/or an oxide of tantalum (Ta2O5) are supported on a conductive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventor: Tetsuo KAWAMURA