Patents by Inventor Yasuki Hirota

Yasuki Hirota 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).

  • Publication number: 20160320109
    Abstract: A switching device sequentially switches from having an evaporator-condenser generate an adsorbate and an adsorbent adsorb the adsorbate, to having an evaporator-condenser condense the adsorbate and an adsorbent desorb the adsorbate, such that the evaporator-condenser that generates the adsorbate and the adsorbent that adsorbs the adsorbate face each other, and the evaporator-condenser that condenses the adsorbate and the adsorbent that desorbs the adsorbate face each other. Accordingly, one adsorbent repeatedly desorbs and adsorbs in alternation, and another adsorbent repeatedly adsorbs and desorbs in alternation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO
    Inventors: Ryuichi IWATA, Takafumi YAMAUCHI, Yasuki HIROTA, Takashi SHIMAZU
  • Patent number: 9464824
    Abstract: A heat exchange reactor includes: a first flow path through which a heat exchange fluid flows; a second flow path through which a working fluid flows; and an adsorbent shaped body that is disposed in the second flow path, the adsorbent shaped body having a heat transfer face at which heat is exchanged with the heat exchange fluid flowing in the first flow path, and plural recessed portions arrayed in two dimensions at predetermined spacings along a direction in which the working fluid flows such that the working fluid flows into the plurality of recessed portions, the adsorbent shaped body including an adsorbent and a fibrous thermally conductive material, the adsorbent releasing heat when the working fluid is adsorbed and accumulating heat when the working fluid is desorbed, and the fibrous thermally conductive material being disposed such that an axial direction thereof is oriented in a direction that intersects with the heat transfer face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO
    Inventors: Yasuki Hirota, Takafumi Yamauchi, Takashi Shimazu
  • Publication number: 20160258658
    Abstract: An adsorption heat pump includes: an evaporator/condenser including a section that evaporates a first heat exchange-medium and pipe through which a second heat exchange-medium flows; first adsorption devices, each including an adsorption-section in which the first heat exchange-medium that has been evaporated reacts and retains the first heat exchange-medium, and pipe through which the second heat exchange-medium flows; and second adsorption device in which first heat exchange-medium that has been released from the first adsorption devices reacts and retains the first heat exchange-medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuki HIROTA, Takafumi YAMAUCHI, Ryuichi IWATA, Takashi SHIMAZU, Masaki MORITA, Manabu ORIHASHI
  • Patent number: 9435573
    Abstract: An adsorption heat pump includes: a first evaporator that evaporates a first fluid; a condenser that condenses the first fluid; a heater; and a rotary adsorption device. The rotary adsorption device includes: partitioning portions that radially partition a space encircling the rotation axis into plural regions, that each include a flow path for internally retaining and discharging a second fluid, and that each include an adsorbent on an outer surface thereof or on a wall surface of the flow path; and a pair of closure portions that close off both ends, in the direction of the rotation axis, of the plural regions. Each of the partitioning portions is moved alternately between the first evaporator side and the condenser side by rotation around the rotation axis. In the partitioning portions, retention and discharge of the first fluid, and discharge and retention of the second fluid, are repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO
    Inventors: Yasuki Hirota, Takafumi Yamauchi, Ryuichi Iwata, Takashi Shimazu
  • Publication number: 20150377525
    Abstract: An adsorption heat pump system comprises an evaporator that evaporates an adsorbate; a first adsorption device that adsorbs the adsorbate of the evaporator and generates cooling in the evaporator; and a second adsorption device that adsorbs the adsorbate that was adsorbed by the first adsorption device and generates cooling in the first adsorption device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Yasuki HIROTA, Takafumi YAMAUCHI, Ryuichi IWATA, Takashi SHIMAZU
  • Publication number: 20150345836
    Abstract: A hydrogen storage heat pump, including: a hydrogen storage unit in which hydrogen gas is stored in a compressed state; a hydrogen flow tube through which the hydrogen gas, which is supplied from the hydrogen storage unit, flows; plural hydrogen absorbing materials that are provided at the hydrogen flow tube, that each have a different absorption pressure at which hydrogen is absorbed, and that are arranged in an order such that the absorption pressure decreases in a hydrogen gas flow direction from the hydrogen storage unit; and a switching valve that is disposed between the hydrogen absorbing materials in the hydrogen flow tube and that switches a flow rate of the hydrogen gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Takafumi YAMAUCHI, Yasuki HIROTA, Masakazu AOKI, Takashi SHIMAZU
  • Publication number: 20150323134
    Abstract: A gas storage/supply system includes a gas storage material capable of reversibly absorbing and desorbing a gas, a gas storage tank having the gas storage material sealed therein, a chemical heat storage material capable of making a forward reaction and a reverse reaction with an operation medium, a chemical heat storage tank having the chemical heat storage material sealed therein, a heat exchange mechanism for transferring heat between the gas storage tank and the chemical heat storage tank, and a control mechanism for controlling the gas storage/supply system such that gas absorption heat released upon absorption of the gas to the gas storage material is stored in the chemical heat storage tank and gas desorption heat which is necessary for desorption of the gas from the gas storage material is supplied from the chemical heat storage tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Masakazu AOKI, Takafumi YAMAUCHI, Yasuki HIROTA, Takashi SHIMAZU
  • Publication number: 20150267947
    Abstract: An adsorption heat pump system includes a first adsorption device that adsorbs an adsorbate, and that regenerates on heating to a regeneration temperature or above; a second adsorption device that adsorbs an adsorbate, and that regenerates on heating to a regeneration temperature or above; and a vapor supply member that evaporates the adsorbate and supplies adsorbate vapor to the first adsorption device and the second adsorption device at different respective pressures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventors: Yasuki HIROTA, Takafumi YAMAUCHI, Ryuichi IWATA, Takashi SHIMAZU
  • Publication number: 20150247651
    Abstract: A thermal storage device includes a reactor for generating heat by chemically reacting with ammonia; an absorber, provided with an absorbent, for storing ammonia absorbed by the absorbent; and a connection line for connecting the reactor and absorber to each other and moving ammonia between the reactor and absorber. The reactor has a thermal storage member provided so as to cover an outer peripheral portion of the catalyst, a porous sheet provided so as to cover an outer peripheral portion of the thermal storage member, and a casing for enclosing the thermal storage member and porous sheet. One end of the connection line penetrates the casing and opens to the porous sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO
    Inventors: Satoshi Hariu, Takafumi Yamasaki, Junya Suzuki, Takafumi Yamauchi, Yasuki Hirota, Gentaro Yamanaka, Takashi Shimazu
  • Publication number: 20150192049
    Abstract: A catalytic reactor includes a catalytic reaction section, which has a purification catalyst for gas purification, and a warming-up section, which is located at a position capable of heat-exchanging with the purification catalyst and has a chemical heat storage material that generates heat when ammonia is fixed and absorbs heat when ammonia is desorbed. The catalytic reactor is further includes an ammonia supply section, which has an adsorbent capable of adsorbing ammonia and transfers ammonia to and from the warming-up section through the adsorption and desorption of the ammonia, and an ammonia depressurization section, which has an ammonia fixation section for fixing ammonia and reduces the partial ammonia pressure of at least the interior of the warming-up section after ammonia is desorbed from the chemical heat-storage material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Junya Suzuki, Takafumi Yamasaki, Satoshi Hariu, Takafumi Yamauchi, Yasuki Hirota, Takashi Shimazu
  • Publication number: 20150155604
    Abstract: A system for controlling precipitation and dissolution of a reaction-related substance that is a substance relating to a battery reaction in a secondary battery and that includes a first electrical storage device, a second electrical storage device and a controller. The first electrical storage device is the secondary battery. The second electrical storage device is different from the first electrical storage device. The controller is configured to control an exchange of electric power between the first electrical storage device and the second electrical storage device. The controller is configured to, when the reaction-related substance has precipitated on a negative electrode of the first electrical storage device, charge the second electrical storage device with at least part of electric power that is discharged from the first electrical storage device. Thus, the controller raises a potential of the negative electrode to a potential higher than a potential of the reaction-related substance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuya Fuchimoto, Kenji Takahashi, Shuji Tomura, Yasuki Hirota
  • Patent number: 8935023
    Abstract: A secondary battery system comprises a secondary battery which receives regenerative electric power from a motor, a heat storage unit (heat storage device) which converts a part of electric power stored in the secondary battery or the regenerative electric power from the motor into heat and stores the heat, and which supplies the stored heat to the secondary battery when a temperature of the secondary battery is less than a low-temperature-side threshold value which is set in advance when the electric power is extracted from the secondary battery, and an electric power distribution controller (ECU) which distributes the regenerative electric power from the motor to the secondary battery and the heat storage unit (heat storage device) when the temperature of the secondary battery is less than the low-temperature-side threshold value when the secondary battery receives the regenerative electric power from the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo Kenkyusho
    Inventors: Yasuki Hirota, Shuji Tomura, Takaji Umeno, Takashi Shimazu
  • Publication number: 20140284026
    Abstract: An adsorption heat pump includes: a first evaporator that evaporates a first fluid; a condenser that condenses the first fluid; a heater; and a rotary adsorption device. The rotary adsorption device includes: partitioning portions that radially partition a space encircling the rotation axis into plural regions, that each include a flow path for internally retaining and discharging a second fluid, and that each include an adsorbent on an outer surface thereof or on a wall surface of the flow path; and a pair of closure portions that close off both ends, in the direction of the rotation axis, of the plural regions. Each of the partitioning portions is moved alternately between the first evaporator side and the condenser side by rotation around the rotation axis. In the partitioning portions, retention and discharge of the first fluid, and discharge and retention of the second fluid, are repeated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO
    Inventors: Yasuki HIROTA, Takafumi YAMAUCHI, Ryuichi IWATA, Takashi SHIMAZU
  • Publication number: 20140283544
    Abstract: A heat exchange reactor includes: a first flow path through which a heat exchange fluid flows; a second flow path through which a working fluid flows; and an adsorbent shaped body that is disposed in the second flow path, the adsorbent shaped body having a heat transfer face at which heat is exchanged with the heat exchange fluid flowing in the first flow path, and plural recessed portions arrayed in two dimensions at predetermined spacings along a direction in which the working fluid flows such that the working fluid flows into the plurality of recessed portions, the adsorbent shaped body including an adsorbent and a fibrous thermally conductive material, the adsorbent releasing heat when the working fluid is adsorbed and accumulating heat when the working fluid is desorbed, and the fibrous thermally conductive material being disposed such that an axial direction thereof is oriented in a direction that intersects with the heat transfer face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO
    Inventors: Yasuki HIROTA, Takafumi YAMAUCHI, Takashi SHIMAZU
  • Publication number: 20140053577
    Abstract: A heat pump including an evaporator and an adsorber is provided. The adsorber is regenerated by applying heat from a chemical thermal storage reactor, a heat accumulator or an external heat source, at a temperature higher than or equal to a temperature to regenerate the adsorber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Inventors: Yasuki HIROTA, Takashi SHIMAZU, Takafumi YAMAUCHI, Tomohisa WAKASUGI, Ryuichi IWATA
  • Publication number: 20130059191
    Abstract: A structure for effectively heating a battery. A battery is housed in a battery container. A condenser is formed such that a heating medium is in direct contact with a surface of the battery container, and condenses the heating medium to heat the battery via the battery container. The heating medium condensed by the condenser is supplied to an evaporator that heats and vaporizes the heating medium. The heating medium vaporized by the evaporator which is in vapor is circulated to the condenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO
    Inventors: Yasuki Hirota, Shuji Tomura, Takaji Umeno, Takashi Shimazu, Takashi Murata
  • Publication number: 20100191398
    Abstract: A secondary battery system comprises a secondary battery which receives regenerative electric power from a motor, a heat storage unit (heat storage device) which converts a part of electric power stored in the secondary battery or the regenerative electric power from the motor into heat and stores the heat, and which supplies the stored heat to the secondary battery when a temperature of the secondary battery is less than a low-temperature-side threshold value which is set in advance when the electric power is extracted from the secondary battery, and an electric power distribution controller (ECU) which distributes the regenerative electric power from the motor to the secondary battery and the heat storage unit (heat storage device) when the temperature of the secondary battery is less than the low-temperature-side threshold value when the secondary battery receives the regenerative electric power from the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO
    Inventors: Yasuki Hirota, Shuji Tomura, Takaji Umeno, Takashi Shimazu