Patents by Inventor Toshiro Hirai

Toshiro Hirai 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: 10490855
    Abstract: The present application provides an electrochemical energy storage device with a desirable reaction reversibility by using a metal halide as an electrode active material. The electrochemical energy storage device disclosed herein includes: a positive electrode; a negative electrode; and a non-aqueous electrolyte in contact with the positive electrode and the negative electrode, wherein: at least one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode contains a metal halide as an electrode active material; and the non-aqueous electrolyte contains, as a solvent, an ionic liquid of which a component is a cation having an alkoxyalkyl group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignees: PANASONIC CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, KYOTO UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Toru Matsui, Koji Suto, Toshiro Hirai, Jun-ichi Yamaki, Zempachi Ogumi
  • Patent number: 10153491
    Abstract: A secondary battery in which the difference between the voltage at the time of discharging and the voltage at the time of charging is small, ensuring good energy efficiency, and the charge/discharge life is long. Therefore, in order to attain the above-described object, a secondary battery containing a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an electrolytic solution, wherein at least one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode contains, as the active material, at least one selected from the group consisting of a metal ion-containing fluoride, a metal oxide, a metal sulfide, a metal nitride, and a metal phosphide; the electrolytic solution contains an anion receptor; and the anion receptor forms a salt or a complex with an anion contained in the active material, thereby enabling the active material to dissolve in the electrolytic solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignees: KYOTO UNIVERSITY, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zempachi Ogumi, Toshiro Hirai, Jun-ichi Yamaki, Hideyuki Horino, Ken-ichi Okazaki, Yukinori Koyama
  • Patent number: 10033049
    Abstract: The present invention provides: a non-aqueous electrolyte for an electrochemical device, having ion conductivity sufficient for practical use and capable of improving energy density; a method for producing the same; and an electrochemical device using the same. The non-aqueous electrolyte for an electrochemical device includes a non-aqueous solvent and an alkaline earth metal chloride. The alkaline earth metal chloride is dissolved in an amount of 0.015 mol or more relative to 1 mol of the non-aqueous solvent. The total content of the non-aqueous solvent and the alkaline earth metal chloride is 70 mass % or more in the non-aqueous electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tooru Matsui, Zempachi Ogumi, Toshiro Hirai, Akiyoshi Nakata
  • Patent number: 9972875
    Abstract: An alkaline storage battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode containing, as an active material, at least one of a metal capable of forming dendrites and a metal compound thereof, and an alkaline electrolyte solution, wherein a compound having a primary amino group and having no carboxyl group is contained in the alkaline electrolyte solution in an amount greater than or equal to 7% by volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignees: GS Yuasa International Ltd., KYORO UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Tadashi Kakeya, Akiyoshi Nakata, Toshiro Hirai, Hajime Arai, Junichi Yamaki, Zempachi Ogumi
  • Patent number: 9882246
    Abstract: An electrochemical energy storing device disclosed herein includes a positive electrode containing a positive-electrode active material, a negative electrode, and a nonaqueous electrolyte solution which is in contact with the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The positive-electrode active material in a discharged state contains at least one selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal chloride, an alkaline-earth metal chloride, and a quaternary alkylammonium chloride. The nonaqueous electrolyte solution contains, as a solvent, an ionic liquid including cations having an alkoxyalkyl group as a component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignees: PANASONIC CORPORATION, KYOTO UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Toru Matsui, Toshiro Hirai, Jun-ichi Yamaki, Zempachi Ogumi
  • Patent number: 9812264
    Abstract: Disclosed is a high-capacity electrochemical energy storage device in which a conversion reaction proceeds as the oxidation-reduction reaction, and the separation (hysteresis) between the electrode potentials for oxidation and reduction is small. The electrochemical energy storage device includes a first electrode including a first active material, a second electrode including a second active material, and a non-aqueous electrolyte interposed between the first and second electrodes. At least one of the first and second active materials is a metal salt having a polyatomic anion and a metal ion, and the metal salt is capable of oxidation-reduction reaction involving reversible release and acceptance of the polyatomic anion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tooru Matsui, Zempachi Ogumi, Toshiro Hirai, Akiyoshi Nakata
  • Patent number: 9742035
    Abstract: An exemplary electrochemical energy storage device includes: a positive electrode including a positive electrode active material; a negative electrode including a negative electrode active material; and a non-aqueous electrolytic solution. The non-aqueous electrolytic solution includes an electrolyte salt represented by Li(XSO2NSO2Y) (where X and Y are any of F, CnF2n+1 and (CF2)m, and (CF2)m forms a cyclic imide anion), an organic solvent which is capable of dissolving the electrolyte salt, and a polyethylene glycol of which both terminals are not OH. The positive electrode active material includes a chloride of Cu, Bi or Ag, and the negative electrode active material includes lithium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignees: PANASONIC CORPORATION, KYOTO UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Toru Matsui, Akiyoshi Nakata, Toshiro Hirai, Jun-ichi Yamaki, Zempachi Ogumi
  • Patent number: 9716292
    Abstract: An exemplary electrochemical energy storage device includes: a positive electrode including a positive electrode active material; a negative electrode including a negative electrode active material; and a non-aqueous electrolytic solution including LiCl, at least one of Li(XSO2NSO2Y) (where X and Y are any of F, CnF2n+1 and (CF2)m, and (CF2)m forms a cyclic imide anion) and LiBF4, and at least one of tetrahydrofuran and a polyethylene glycol of which both terminals are alkyl groups, the non-aqueous electrolytic solution being in contact with the positive electrode and the negative electrode, wherein the positive electrode active material includes a chloride of Cu, Bi or Ag, or the negative electrode active material includes magnesium chloride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignees: PANASONIC CORPORATION, KYOTO UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Toru Matsui, Toshiro Hirai, Jun-ichi Yamaki, Zempachi Ogumi
  • Publication number: 20170033359
    Abstract: A secondary battery in which the difference between the voltage at the time of discharging and the voltage at the time of charging is small, ensuring good energy efficiency, and the charge/discharge life is long. Therefore, in order to attain the above-described object, a secondary battery containing a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an electrolytic solution, wherein at least one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode contains, as the active material, at least one selected from the group consisting of a metal ion-containing fluoride, a metal oxide, a metal sulfide, a metal nitride, and a metal phosphide; the electrolytic solution contains an anion receptor; and the anion receptor forms a salt or a complex with an anion contained in the active material, thereby enabling the active material to dissolve in the electrolytic solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Applicants: KYOTO UNIVERSITY, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zempachi OGUMI, Toshiro HIRAI, Jun-ichi YAMAKI, Hideyuki HORINO, Ken-ichi OKAZAKI, Yukinori KOYAMA
  • Publication number: 20160285128
    Abstract: An exemplary electrochemical energy storage device includes: a positive electrode including a positive electrode active material; a negative electrode including a negative electrode active material; and a non-aqueous electrolytic solution. The non-aqueous electrolytic solution includes an electrolyte salt represented by Li(XSO2NSO2Y) (where X and Y are any of F, CnF2n+1 and (CF2)m, and (CF2)m forms a cyclic imide anion), an organic solvent which is capable of dissolving the electrolyte salt, and a polyethylene glycol of which both terminals are not OH. The positive electrode active material includes a chloride of Cu, Bi or Ag, and the negative electrode active material includes lithium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Toru MATSUI, Akiyoshi NAKATA, Toshiro HIRAI, Jun-ichi YAMAKI, Zempachi OGUMI
  • Publication number: 20160233547
    Abstract: An exemplary electrochemical energy storage device includes: a positive electrode including a positive electrode active material; a negative electrode including a negative electrode active material; and a non-aqueous electrolytic solution including LiCl, at least one of Li(XSO2NSO2Y) (where X and Y are any of F, CnF2n+1 and (CF2)m, and (CF2)m forms a cyclic imide anion) and LiBF4, and at least one of tetrahydrofuran and a polyethylene glycol of which both terminals are alkyl groups, the non-aqueous electrolytic solution being in contact with the positive electrode and the negative electrode, wherein the positive electrode active material includes a chloride of Cu, Bi or Ag, or the negative electrode active material includes magnesium chloride.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Toru MATSUI, Toshiro HIRAI, Jun-ichi YAMAKI, Zempachi OGUMI
  • Publication number: 20160164151
    Abstract: An alkaline storage battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode containing, as an active material, at least one of a metal capable of forming dendrites and a metal compound thereof, and an alkaline electrolyte solution, wherein a compound having a primary amino group and having no carboxyl group is contained in the alkaline electrolyte solution in an amount greater than or equal to 7% by volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Tadashi KAKEYA, Akiyoshi NAKATA, Toshiro HIRAI, Hajime ARAI, Junichi YAMAKI, Zempachi OGUMI
  • Publication number: 20150325883
    Abstract: The present application provides an electrochemical energy storage device with a desirable reaction reversibility by using a metal halide as an electrode active material. The electrochemical energy storage device disclosed herein includes: a positive electrode; a negative electrode; and a non-aqueous electrolyte in contact with the positive electrode and the negative electrode, wherein: at least one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode contains a metal halide as an electrode active material; and the non-aqueous electrolyte contains, as a solvent, an ionic liquid of which a component is a cation having an alkoxyalkyl group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Toru MATSUI, Koji SUTO, Toshiro HIRAI, Jun-ichi YAMAKI, Zempachi OGUMI
  • Publication number: 20150255830
    Abstract: An electrochemical energy storing device disclosed herein includes a positive electrode containing a positive-electrode active material, a negative electrode, and a nonaqueous electrolyte solution which is in contact with the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The positive-electrode active material in a discharged state contains at least one selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal chloride, an alkaline-earth metal chloride, and a quaternary alkylammonium chloride. The nonaqueous electrolyte solution contains, as a solvent, an ionic liquid including cations having an alkoxyalkyl group as a component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: Toru MATSUI, Toshiro HIRAI, Jun-ichi YAMAKI, Zempachi OGUMI
  • Publication number: 20150214549
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide an electrode cell which is, when used in a battery, able to improve cycle characteristics of the battery, and a battery including the electrode cell. Presented is an electrode cell including at least an electrode active material layer and an electrolyte layer, wherein the electrode active material layer contains at least one electrode active material selected from the group of: vanadium(III) chloride, lead(II) chloride, tungsten(II) chloride, nickel(II) chloride, vanadium, lead, tungsten and nickel, and wherein the electrolyte layer contains an electrolyte containing aluminum(III) chloride and an ionic liquid that contains a chloride ion and organic onium cation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Koji Suto, Katsunori Nakaya, Zempachi Ogumi, Toshiro Hirai, Akiyoshi Nakata
  • Publication number: 20140242474
    Abstract: Disclosed is a high-capacity electrochemical energy storage device in which a conversion reaction proceeds as the oxidation-reduction reaction, and the separation (hysteresis) between the electrode potentials for oxidation and reduction is small. The electrochemical energy storage device includes a first electrode including a first active material, a second electrode including a second active material, and a non-aqueous electrolyte interposed between the first and second electrodes. At least one of the first and second active materials is a metal salt having a polyatomic anion and a metal ion, and the metal salt is capable of oxidation-reduction reaction involving reversible release and acceptance of the polyatomic anion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tooru Matsui, Zempachi Ogumi, Toshiro Hirai, Akiyoshi Nakata
  • Publication number: 20140170507
    Abstract: The present invention provides: a non-aqueous electrolyte for an electrochemical device, having ion conductivity sufficient for practical use and capable of improving energy density; a method for producing the same; and an electrochemical device using the same. The non-aqueous electrolyte for an electrochemical device includes a non-aqueous solvent and an alkaline earth metal chloride. The alkaline earth metal chloride is dissolved in an amount of 0.015 mol or more relative to 1 mol of the non-aqueous solvent. The total content of the non-aqueous solvent and the alkaline earth metal chloride is 70 mass % or more in the non-aqueous electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tooru Matsui, Zempachi Ogumi, Toshiro Hirai, Akiyoshi Nakata
  • Patent number: 6586940
    Abstract: A capacity estimation method for a Li-ion cell is provided. In the method, according to a first aspect, an elapsed time from the time when charge voltage in constant current charge reaches a predetermined voltage to the time when charge condition is changed to a constant voltage mode is used for calculating an estimated capacity of said Li-ion cell. According to a second aspect, a charge current after a lapse of a predetermined time from the time when charge condition is changed to a constant voltage mode is used. According to a third aspect an elapsed time from the time when charge condition is changed to a constant voltage mode to the time when charge current becomes &agr; (0<&agr;<1) times is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
    Inventors: Kaoru Asakura, Toshiro Hirai
  • Publication number: 20010022518
    Abstract: A capacity estimation method for a Li-ion cell is provided. In the method, according to a first aspect, an elapsed time from the time when charge voltage in constant current charge reaches a predetermined voltage to the time when charge condition is changed to a constant voltage mode is used for calculating an estimated capacity of said Li-ion cell. According to a second aspect, a charge current after a lapse of a predetermined time from the time when charge condition is changed to a constant voltage mode is used. According to a third aspect an elapsed time from the time when charge condition is changed to a constant voltage mode to the time when charge current becomes &agr; (0<&agr;<1) times is used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Publication date: September 20, 2001
    Inventors: Kaoru Asakura, Toshiro Hirai
  • Patent number: 5572426
    Abstract: In an apparatus and method for controlling a damping force characteristic of a vehicular shock absorber, a vertical sprung mass velocity signal V.sub.n is determined on the basis of a vertical G sensor output signal as a control signal. A control gain when a control unit changes a damping force characteristic of either an extension stroke side or a compression stroke side of a piston member of the shock absorber according to the control signal is increased as a moving average of peak values of the vertical sprung mass velocity signal V.sub.n is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignees: Unisia Jecs Corporation, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Sasaki, Toshiro Hirai