Patents by Inventor Toshihiko Harada

Toshihiko Harada 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: 11530665
    Abstract: A deterioration determination apparatus is usable with an ammonia sensor that includes an ammonia element portion that includes, a solid electrolyte, an ammonia electrode, and a reference electrode. The deterioration determining apparatus compares a first evaluation value and a second evaluation value, and determines whether deterioration has occurred in the ammonia element portion of the ammonia sensor at an evaluation time or subsequent to the evaluation time. The first evaluation value is based on a first sensor current obtained when a DC voltage is applied between the ammonia electrode and the reference electrode of the ammonia element portion at an initial time that is during an initial use period of the ammonia sensor. The second evaluation value is based on a second sensor current obtained when the DC voltage is applied between the ammonia electrode and the reference electrode subsequent to the initial period of use of the ammonia sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Nakamura, Toshihiko Harada, Kensuke Takizawa, Eriko Maeda, Hiroaki Yoto
  • Patent number: 11492950
    Abstract: An abnormality determination apparatus for an ammonia sensor is usable in an exhaust purification system including a catalyst, a supply apparatus, an ammonia sensor, an NOX sensor, and an oxygen sensor. During a continuation period within which ammonia supply to the catalyst continues after the supply apparatus stops supply of reductant, the abnormality determination apparatus calculates the ammonia concentration on a downstream side of the catalyst as a first concentration value, based on an output of the ammonia sensor and an output of the oxygen sensor. During the continuation period, the abnormality determination apparatus calculates the ammonia concentration on the downstream side of the catalyst as a second concentration value, based on an output of the NOX sensor and the output of the oxygen sensor. The abnormality determination apparatus determines presence or absence of abnormality in the ammonia sensor based on the first concentration value and the second concentration value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kensuke Takizawa, Toshihiko Harada, Hiroki Ichikawa
  • Publication number: 20220011257
    Abstract: A sensor element of a gas sensor includes a solid electrolyte body, a first insulator, a gas chamber, a second insulator, a reference gas duct, a pump electrode, a sensor electrode, a reference electrode, and a shield layer. The shield layer is formed of an insulating ceramic material and covers a sensor-side electrode portion of the reference electrode, the sensor-side electrode portion being arranged to overlap the sensor electrode through the solid electrolyte body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Toshihiko HARADA, Keigo MIZUTANI, Hironobu SHIMOKAWA, Yusuke KAWAMOTO, Hiroki ICHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20210333232
    Abstract: A gas concentration detection device has a first element part, a first detection part, a second element part, a second detection part and a sensitivity correction part. The sensitivity correction part is configured to correct a second gas component concentration detected by the second detection part based on a time difference between a first response time of the first detection part and a second response time of the second detection part when the first detection part and the second detection part have a function of detecting a common gas component contained in a target gas to be detected, and a variation in concentration of the common gas component exceeds a reference variation amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Toshihiko HARADA, Kensuke TAKIZAWA, Hiroki ICHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20210310984
    Abstract: An ammonia sensor has an ammonia element section having a first solid electrolyte body which is provided with a detection electrode and a reference electrode, a heater section that heats the first solid electrolyte body, and a potential difference detection section for detecting a potential difference between the detection electrode and the reference electrode. The detection electrode contains at least Au and Pd. The content ratio of Au and Pd on the surface of the detection electrode is more than 0 mol % and 80 mol % or less of Pd with respect to 100 mol % of Au.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Satoshi NAKAMURA, Toshihiko HARADA, Kensuke TAKIZAWA, Hiroki ICHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20210262974
    Abstract: A gas sensor includes an ammonia element section, a heater, and a potential difference detecting section. The detection electrode has a distal end, a proximal end, and a central position in the longitudinal direction. The detection electrode is partitioned at the central position in the longitudinal direction into a distal end region and a proximal end region, the distal end region being located to be closer to the distal end than the proximal end region is, the proximal end region being located to be closer to the proximal end than the distal end region is. The heating section has a heating center arranged to face an offset point which is located to be closer to the distal end than the central position is, the heating center arranged to face the offset point causing average temperature in the distal end region to differ from average temperature in the proximal end region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Toshihiko HARADA, Kensuke TAKIZAWA, Hiroki ICHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20210247354
    Abstract: An ammonia detector includes a solid electrolyte body, a detection electrode, and a reference electrode. The solid electrolyte body includes a measured gas facing surface, which comes into contact with a measured gas, and a reference gas facing surface, which comes into contact with a reference gas. The detection electrode is formed on the measured gas facing surface of the solid electrolyte body. The reference electrode is formed on the reference gas facing surface of the solid electrolyte body. The detection electrode contains at least alumina and 50% or more by mass of Pd.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eriko MAEDA, Takumi OKAMOTO, Hiroaki YOTO, Toshihiko HARADA
  • Publication number: 20210222607
    Abstract: An abnormality determination apparatus for an ammonia sensor is usable in an exhaust purification system including a catalyst, a supply apparatus, an ammonia sensor, an NOX sensor, and an oxygen sensor. During a continuation period within which ammonia supply to the catalyst continues after the supply apparatus stops supply of reductant, the abnormality determination apparatus calculates the ammonia concentration on a downstream side of the catalyst as a first concentration value, based on an output of the ammonia sensor and an output of the oxygen sensor. During the continuation period, the abnormality determination apparatus calculates the ammonia concentration on the downstream side of the catalyst as a second concentration value, based on an output of the NOX sensor and the output of the oxygen sensor. The abnormality determination apparatus determines presence or absence of abnormality in the ammonia sensor based on the first concentration value and the second concentration value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Kensuke TAKIZAWA, Toshihiko HARADA, Hiroki ICHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20210095611
    Abstract: A deterioration determination apparatus is usable with an ammonia sensor that includes an ammonia element portion that includes, a solid electrolyte, an ammonia electrode, and a reference electrode. The deterioration determining apparatus compares a first evaluation value and a second evaluation value, and determines whether deterioration has occurred in the ammonia element portion of the ammonia sensor at an evaluation time or subsequent to the evaluation time. The first evaluation value is based on a first sensor current obtained when a DC voltage is applied between the ammonia electrode and the reference electrode of the ammonia element portion at an initial time that is during an initial use period of the ammonia sensor. The second evaluation value is based on a second sensor current obtained when the DC voltage is applied between the ammonia electrode and the reference electrode subsequent to the initial period of use of the ammonia sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi NAKAMURA, Toshihiko HARADA, Kensuke TAKIZAWA, Eriko MAEDA, Hiroaki YOTO
  • Patent number: 10928354
    Abstract: Disclosed is an ammonia sensor element having a measured gas chamber, a reference gas chamber and a solid electrolyte body arranged therebetween. The solid electrolyte body has a first main surface facing the measured gas chamber and a second main surface facing the reference gas chamber. A detection electrode is formed on the first main surface. A reference electrode is formed on the second main surface. The solid electrolyte body contains a first proton conducting solid electrolyte. The detection electrode contains a second proton conducting solid electrolyte. The second proton conducting solid electrolyte has an acid strength greater than that of the first proton conducting solid electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshihiko Harada, Shinya Teranishi, Satoshi Nakamura, Hiroaki Yoto
  • Patent number: 10788443
    Abstract: A gas sensor element having good sensitivity and responsiveness at low temperature, and a gas sensor are provided. The gas sensor element includes a solid electrolyte member made of an oxygen ion conductive ZrO2-based ceramic, and a reference gas-side electrode and a measuring gas-side electrode respectively provided on a surface and the other surface of the solid electrolyte member. The gas sensor includes the gas sensor element. The reference gas-side electrode and the measuring gas-side electrode are formed so as to face each other with the solid electrolyte member interposed therebetween, and are both made of a noble metal or a noble metal alloy. A mixed layer with an average thickness of 800 nm or less is formed between the solid electrolyte member and the reference gas-side electrode. The mixed layer contains a noble metal or a noble metal alloy and a ZrO2-based ceramic mixed with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hironobu Shimokawa, Toshihiko Harada, Kazuki Yagi
  • Publication number: 20200088665
    Abstract: In a gas sensor diagnosis device, a temperature change part varies a temperature of a sensor element in an ammonia sensor at a first temperature which is outside of the predetermined activation temperature range. A zero-voltage shift detection part detects whether the mixed potential of the sensor element is not more than a predetermined output threshold value after the temperature change part varies a temperature of the sensor element. A temperature acquisition part detects a zero-voltage shift temperature of the sensor element at which the zero-voltage shift detection part detects that the mixed potential of the sensor element drops below the predetermined output threshold value. The deterioration state detection part detects a deterioration state of the ammonia sensor based on the zero-voltage shift temperature of the sensor element detected by the temperature acquisition part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Kensuke TAKIZAWA, Toshihiko HARADA, Hiroki ICHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20180259476
    Abstract: A gas sensor element having good sensitivity and responsiveness at low temperature, and a gas sensor are provided. The gas sensor element includes a solid electrolyte member made of an oxygen ion conductive ZrO2-based ceramic, and a reference gas-side electrode and a measuring gas-side electrode respectively provided on a surface and the other surface of the solid electrolyte member. The gas sensor includes the gas sensor element. The reference gas-side electrode and the measuring gas-side electrode are formed so as to face each other with the solid electrolyte member interposed therebetween, and are both made of a noble metal or a noble metal alloy. A mixed layer with an average thickness of 800 nm or less is formed between the solid electrolyte member and the reference gas-side electrode. The mixed layer contains a noble metal or a noble metal alloy and a ZrO2-based ceramic mixed with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Hironobu SHIMOKAWA, Toshihiko HARADA, Kazuki YAGI
  • Publication number: 20180180569
    Abstract: Disclosed is an ammonia sensor element having a measured gas chamber, a reference gas chamber and a solid electrolyte body arranged therebetween. The solid electrolyte body has a first main surface facing the measured gas chamber and a second main surface facing the reference gas chamber. A detection electrode is formed on the first main surface. A reference electrode is formed on the second main surface. The solid electrolyte body contains a first proton conducting solid electrolyte. The detection electrode contains a second proton conducting solid electrolyte. The second proton conducting solid electrolyte has an acid strength greater than that of the first proton conducting solid electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Toshihiko HARADA, Shinya TERANISHI, Satoshi NAKAMURA, Hiroaki YOTO
  • Patent number: 8491498
    Abstract: A sample collection implement S1 includes a container 1 having an accommodation portion 10 in which a liquid 5 for suspending or diluting a sample is accommodated, a sample collection stick 2 being able to be disposed in the accommodation portion 10, a filter 3 provided inside the container 1, and a movable member 4 that can be moved in a predetermined direction inside the container 1 and has a function of pushing the liquid 5 and causing the liquid to pass through the filter 3, when moved in the predetermined direction. With such a configuration, when the liquid 5 is filtered, it is not necessary to move the filter 3 by directly pushing it and a filter with a low mechanical strength can be used as the filter 3. In addition, it is not necessary to use a centrifugal apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: ARKRAY, Inc.
    Inventors: Koji Okumura, Toshihiko Harada, Kazuya Iketani, Masafumi Koike
  • Patent number: 8303908
    Abstract: This invention relates to technology for analyzing a specific component in a sample liquid, and provides an analyzing tool and an analyzing apparatus. Analyzing tool (Y) includes a liquid inlet (61) at a central portion of the tool and a plurality of channels (51) which communicate with liquid inlet (61) and move the sample liquid introduced through liquid inlet (61) by capillary action from the central portion towards a peripheral portion of the tool. Each channel (51) extends linearly for example from the central portion towards the peripheral portion, and the plurality of channels (51) are arranged radially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: ARKRAY, Inc.
    Inventors: Takayuki Taguchi, Shigeru Kitamura, Yuichiro Noda, Toshihiko Harada
  • Publication number: 20120151992
    Abstract: In a PM detection sensor S having a PM sensor element 1 installed in an exhaust-gas pipe of an engine E/G, PM detection electrodes are placed in detection spaces in slits, respectively, formed in an insulation substrate. In the insulation substrate, one slit is embedded between an electric field generating electrode and a common electric field generating electrode. The other slit is embedded between an electric field generating electrode and the common electric field generating electrode. The same magnitude of an electric field is generated between the detection spaces when electric power is supplied to the electric field generating electrodes. An average value of sensor outputs transferred from the PM detection electrode is used as a sensor output of the PM sensor element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshihiko HARADA, Satoshi Nakamura, Shinya Teranishi, Eriko Maeda
  • Publication number: 20120048749
    Abstract: A proton conductor has a porous sintered body made of tetravalent metallic oxide. Pyrophosphate as tetravalent metallic compound is formed on surfaces and porous walls of the body, and in the inside of each pore of the body. A method produces the proton conductor by immersing the porous sintered body made of tetravalent metallic oxide into liquid solvent containing phosphate, and heating the porous sintered body at 400° C. over 4 hours. A carbon quantity detecting sensor has the proton conductor, a pair of a measuring electrode and a reference electrode, and an electric power source for supplying a predetermined current or voltage to the electrode pair composed of the measuring and reference electrodes. The measuring electrode is formed on one surface of the proton conductor to face the measuring gas. The reference electrode is formed on the other surface of the proton conductor to be apart from the measuring gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicants: DENSO CORPORATION, NIPPON SOKEN, INC.
    Inventors: Toshihiko Harada, Keigo Mizutani, Shinya Teranishi, Satoshi Nakamura, Yushi Fukuda, Takashi Hibino, Yanbai Shen
  • Publication number: 20110130681
    Abstract: A sample collection implement S1 includes a container 1 having an accommodation portion 10 in which a liquid 5 for suspending or diluting a sample is accommodated, a sample collection stick 2 being able to be disposed in the accommodation portion 10, a filter 3 provided inside the container 1, and a movable member 4 that can be moved in a predetermined direction inside the container 1 and has a function of pushing the liquid 5 and causing the liquid to pass through the filter 3, when moved in the predetermined direction. With such a configuration, when the liquid 5 is filtered, it is not necessary to move the filter 3 by directly pushing it and a filter with a low mechanical strength can be used as the filter 3. In addition, it is not necessary to use a centrifugal apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: ARKRAY ,INC.
    Inventors: Koji Okumura, Toshihiko Harada, Kazuya Iketani, Masafumi Koike
  • Publication number: 20110048981
    Abstract: A sample collection implement S1 includes a container 1 having an accommodation portion 10 in which a liquid 5 for suspending or diluting a sample is accommodated, a sample collection stick 2 being able to be disposed in the accommodation portion 10, a filter 3 provided inside the container 1, and a movable member 4 that can be moved in a predetermined direction inside the container 1 and has a function of pushing the liquid 5 and causing the liquid to pass through the filter 3, when moved in the predetermined direction. With such a configuration, when the liquid 5 is filtered, it is not necessary to move the filter 3 by directly pushing it and a filter with a low mechanical strength can be used as the filter 3. In addition, it is not necessary to use a centrifugal apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: ARKRAY, INC.
    Inventors: Koji Okumura, Toshihiko Harada, Kazuya Iketani, Masufumi Koike