Patents by Inventor Yuuichi Yakumaru

Yuuichi Yakumaru 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: 11598013
    Abstract: An electrochemical hydrogen compressor includes: a cell including a proton conductive electrolyte membrane having a pair of principal surfaces, a cathode disposed on a first one of the principal surfaces of the electrolyte membrane, and an anode disposed on a second one of the principal surfaces of the electrolyte membrane; a voltage applicator that applies a voltage between the anode and the cathode; a dew point adjuster that adjusts a dew point of a hydrogen-containing gas to be supplied to the anode; and a controller that, when the temperature of the cell increases, controls the dew point adjuster to increase the dew point of the hydrogen-containing gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hidenobu Wakita, Yuuichi Yakumaru, Kunihiro Ukai
  • Patent number: 11332835
    Abstract: A hydrogen system includes: a generator which generates hydrogen-containing gas; a storage which stores the hydrogen-containing gas generated by the generator; a first gas passage which connects the generator and the storage; a housing which houses the generator, the storage and the first gas passage; a second gas passage in which the hydrogen-containing gas discharged from the first gas passage to an outside of the housing flows; a first valve provided to the second gas passage; a third gas passage in which the hydrogen-containing gas discharged from the storage to the outside of the housing flows; a second valve provided to the third gas passage; and a controller which opens at least one of the first valve and the second valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuuichi Yakumaru, Hiroaki Fujii, Atsushi Shimizu
  • Patent number: 11332836
    Abstract: A hydrogen system including: a hydrogen production apparatus that produces hydrogen; a hydrogen storage apparatus that stores produced hydrogen; a first flow path, wherein hydrogen discharged from the hydrogen production apparatus flows into the hydrogen storage apparatus through the first flow path; a second flow path, wherein hydrogen discharged from the hydrogen storage apparatus flows into a hydrogen-using apparatus through the second flow path; a casing that houses the hydrogen production apparatus, the hydrogen storage apparatus, the first flow path and at least part of the second flow path; a third flow path, wherein hydrogen discharged from at least one of the hydrogen production apparatus, the hydrogen storage apparatus, the first flow path and the at least part of the second flow path flows outside the casing through the third flow path; a first valve provided in the third flow path; and a controller that opens the first valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuuichi Yakumaru, Hiroaki Fujii, Atsushi Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20200343567
    Abstract: An electrochemical hydrogen compressor includes: a cell including a proton conductive electrolyte membrane having a pair of principal surfaces, a cathode disposed on a first one of the principal surfaces of the electrolyte membrane, and an anode disposed on a second one of the principal surfaces of the electrolyte membrane; a voltage applicator that applies a voltage between the anode and the cathode; a dew point adjuster that adjusts a dew point of a hydrogen-containing gas to be supplied to the anode; and a controller that, when the temperature of the cell increases, controls the dew point adjuster to increase the dew point of the hydrogen-containing gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: HIDENOBU WAKITA, YUUICHI YAKUMARU, KUNIHIRO UKAI
  • Patent number: 10550486
    Abstract: An electrochemical hydrogen pump includes: an electrolyte membrane; a cathode catalyst layer provided on one principal surface of the electrolyte membrane; an anode catalyst layer provided on the other principal surface of the electrolyte membrane; a pair of separators which include gas flow paths and which are provided so as to sandwich the cathode catalyst layer and the anode catalyst layer; and a voltage application portion applying a voltage between the cathode catalyst layer and the anode catalyst layer. In the electrochemical hydrogen pump, the one principal surface is disposed at an upper side in the gravity direction, and the cathode catalyst layer has a hydrophilic property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuuichi Yakumaru, Atsuo Okaichi
  • Patent number: 10480087
    Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly includes: an electrolyte membrane that includes a pair of main surfaces; a cathode catalyst layer that is provided to one main surface of the electrolyte membrane; an anode catalyst layer that is provided to the other main surface of the electrolyte membrane; a cathode gas diffusion layer that is provided to the cathode catalyst layer; and an anode gas diffusion layer that is provided to the anode catalyst layer. The anode gas diffusion layer includes a metal steel plate that includes a plurality of vent holes through which gas passes, unevenness is provided to a main surface of the metal steel plate that neighbors the anode catalyst layer, and a difference in a height of the unevenness in a thickness direction of the metal steel plate is less than a thickness of the electrolyte membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kunihiro Ukai, Yuuichi Yakumaru
  • Publication number: 20190311890
    Abstract: A hydrogen supply system includes: an electrochemical hydrogen pump which includes: an electrolyte membrane; a pair of anode and cathode provided on both surfaces of the electrolyte membrane; and a current adjuster which adjusts a current flowing between the anode and the cathode and which generates hydrogen boosted at a cathode side from an anode fluid supplied to an anode side when the current is allowed to flow between the anode and the cathode by the current adjuster; and a controller which controls the current adjuster to decrease the current flowing between the anode and the cathode when the pressure of a cathode gas containing the boosted hydrogen is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventors: YUUICHI YAKUMARU, KUNIHIRO UKAI
  • Publication number: 20190276944
    Abstract: A hydrogen system includes: a generator which generates hydrogen-containing gas; a storage which stores the hydrogen-containing gas generated by the generator; a first gas passage which connects the generator and the storage; a housing which houses the generator, the storage and the first gas passage; a second gas passage in which the hydrogen-containing gas discharged from the first gas passage to an outside of the housing flows; a first valve provided to the second gas passage; a third gas passage in which the hydrogen-containing gas discharged from the storage to the outside of the housing flows; a second valve provided to the third gas passage; and a controller which opens at least one of the first valve and the second valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: YUUICHI YAKUMARU, HIROAKI FUJII, ATSUSHI SHIMIZU
  • Publication number: 20190271090
    Abstract: A hydrogen system including: a hydrogen production apparatus that produces hydrogen; a hydrogen storage apparatus that stores produced hydrogen; a first flow path, wherein hydrogen discharged from the hydrogen production apparatus flows into the hydrogen storage apparatus through the first flow path; a second flow path, wherein hydrogen discharged from the hydrogen storage apparatus flows into a hydrogen-using apparatus through the second flow path; a casing that houses the hydrogen production apparatus, the hydrogen storage apparatus, the first flow path and at least part of the second flow path; a third flow path, wherein hydrogen discharged from at least one of the hydrogen production apparatus, the hydrogen storage apparatus, the first flow path and the at least part of the second flow path flows outside the casing through the third flow path; a first valve provided in the third flow path; and a controller that opens the first valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Inventors: YUUICHI YAKUMARU, HIROAKI FUJII, ATSUSHI SHIMIZU
  • Patent number: 10301179
    Abstract: An apparatus includes: an electrolyte membrane; a cathode catalyst layer provided to one main surface of the electrolyte membrane; an anode catalyst layer provided to the other main surface of the electrolyte membrane; a cathode gas diffusion layer provided on a main surface of the cathode catalyst layer not facing the electrolyte membrane; a separator including a recess through which cathode gas flows; an anode gas diffusion layer provided on a main surface of the anode catalyst layer not facing the electrolyte membrane; a voltage applicator applying a voltage between the cathode catalyst layer and the anode catalyst layer; and a fastener fastening a laminated body. The cathode gas diffusion layer is accommodated in the recess, projects from the recess in a thickness direction before fastening of the laminated body, and includes an elastic member between side surfaces of the cathode gas diffusion layer and of the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Osamu Sakai, Kunihiro Ukai, Hidenobu Wakita, Yukimune Kani, Yuuichi Yakumaru, Takashi Sotoku
  • Publication number: 20180187319
    Abstract: An electrochemical hydrogen pump includes an electrolyte membrane having a pair of primary surfaces; a cathode catalyst layer provided on one primary surface of the electrolyte membrane; an anode catalyst layer provided on the other primary surface of the electrolyte membrane; a cathode gas diffusion layer provided on the cathode catalyst layer; an anode gas diffusion layer provided on the anode catalyst layer; and a voltage application device applying a voltage between the cathode catalyst layer and the anode catalyst layer, The anode gas diffusion layer includes a laminate of metal sheets which are provided with vents, and among the metal sheets, the maximum diameter of vents provided in a first metal sheet adjacent to the anode catalyst layer is smaller than the maximum diameter of vents provided in a second metal sheet adjacent to the first metal sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Yuuichi Yakumaru, Kunihiro Ukai, Yukimune Kani
  • Publication number: 20180179647
    Abstract: A membrane electrode assembly includes: an electrolyte membrane that includes a pair of main surfaces; a cathode catalyst layer that is provided to one main surface of the electrolyte membrane; an anode catalyst layer that is provided to the other main surface of the electrolyte membrane; a cathode gas diffusion layer that is provided to the cathode catalyst layer; and an anode gas diffusion layer that is provided to the anode catalyst layer. The anode gas diffusion layer includes a metal steel plate that includes a plurality of vent holes through which gas passes, unevenness is provided to a main surface of the metal steel plate that neighbors the anode catalyst layer, and a difference in a height of the unevenness in a thickness direction of the metal steel plate is less than a thickness of the electrolyte membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: KUNIHIRO UKAI, YUUICHI YAKUMARU
  • Publication number: 20180155193
    Abstract: An apparatus includes: an electrolyte membrane; a cathode catalyst layer provided to one main surface of the electrolyte membrane; an anode catalyst layer provided to the other main surface of the electrolyte membrane; a cathode gas diffusion layer provided on a main surface of the cathode catalyst layer not facing the electrolyte membrane; a separator including a recess through which cathode gas flows; an anode gas diffusion layer provided on a main surface of the anode catalyst layer not facing the electrolyte membrane; a voltage applicator applying a voltage between the cathode catalyst layer and the anode catalyst layer; and a fastener fastening a laminated body. The cathode gas diffusion layer is accommodated in the recess, projects from the recess in a thickness direction before fastening of the laminated body, and includes an elastic member between side surfaces of the cathode gas diffusion layer and of the recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: OSAMU SAKAI, KUNIHIRO UKAI, HIDENOBU WAKITA, YUKIMUNE KANI, YUUICHI YAKUMARU, TAKASHI SOTOKU
  • Patent number: 9985302
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a hydro-desulfurizer that removes sulfur compounds in power generation material, a fuel cell unit that generates electric power using the power generation material, a recycle channel that supplies a part of hydrogen-containing gas from the fuel cell unit to the power generation material before the power generation material enters the hydro-desulfurizer, and an ejector which is provided in a power generation material channel upstream of the hydro-desulfurizer and into which hydrogen-containing gas from the recycle channel flows, in which the ejector is heated by exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuuichi Yakumaru
  • Patent number: 9966621
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes: a reformer to generate a fuel gas from a raw material gas, reforming water, and air supplied to the reformer; an SOFC to generate electric power through a power-generating reaction by utilizing the fuel gas and air; a combustor to combust an anode off gas discharged from the SOFC; a hot module housing the reformer, the SOFC, and the combustor, which are covered with a heat insulating material; and a hydrodesulfurizer to remove a sulfur component from the raw material gas by hydrodesulfurization. The anode off gas is supplied to the combustor and the hydrodesulfurizer in a distributed manner. The hydrodesulfurizer performs the hydrodesulfurization of the raw material gas by utilizing the anode off gas as a hydrogen source and utilizing an exhaust gas discharged from the hot module as a heat source, the exhaust gas containing at least combustion heat from the combustor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Susumu Kobayashi, Kunihiro Ukai, Yuuichi Yakumaru
  • Publication number: 20180100243
    Abstract: A gas diffusion layer includes sheet materials laminated to each other and each having a gas diffusion portion in which through-holes are provided to allow a gas to pass therethrough, and a manifold hole which is provided in a region other than that of the gas diffusion portion and through which the gas passes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Inventors: YUUICHI YAKUMARU, KUNIHIRO UKAI
  • Patent number: 9928820
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, an air supplier that supplies air to a cathode of the fuel cell, a flow rate sensor that senses an air flow rate, and a silencer that reduces sound of a certain frequency through interference of an acoustic wave, the flow rate sensor, the air supplier, and the fuel cell being arranged in an air passage in series in order named from an upstream side of flow of the air, the silencer being arranged in a branch portion of the air passage, the branch portion being between the flow rate sensor and the air supplier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuuichi Yakumaru, Akinori Yukimasa
  • Publication number: 20170362718
    Abstract: A gas diffusion layer includes a laminate made up of sheets each having a plurality of through-holes through which gas passes. One or a plurality of the sheets in the laminate includes communication paths to communicate the through-holes in another sheet adjacent to the one sheet or one of the plurality of sheets with each other or to communicate the through-holes in another sheet adjacent to the one sheet or one of the plurality of sheets with the through-holes in the other adjacent sheet, the through-holes being separated from and being not communicated with the other through-holes in the same sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: YUUICHI YAKUMARU, ATSUO OKAICHI
  • Patent number: 9843061
    Abstract: A hydrogen generator includes: a reformer configured to generate a hydrogen-containing gas by a reforming reaction of a material gas; a combustor configured to heat the reformer by diffusion combustion of the material gas and combustion air; a supplementary air flow rate adjuster configured to adjust the flow rate of supplementary air added to the material gas; and a controller configured to control the supplementary air flow rate adjuster such that the flow rate of a mixture gas of the material gas and the supplementary air becomes a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuuichi Yakumaru, Kunihiro Ukai, Susumu Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20170233878
    Abstract: An electrochemical hydrogen pump includes: an electrolyte membrane; a cathode catalyst layer provided on one principal surface of the electrolyte membrane; an anode catalyst layer provided on the other principal surface of the electrolyte membrane; a pair of separators which include gas flow paths and which are provided so as to sandwich the cathode catalyst layer and the anode catalyst layer; and a voltage application portion applying a voltage between the cathode catalyst layer and the anode catalyst layer. In the electrochemical hydrogen pump, the one principal surface is disposed at an upper side in the gravity direction, and the cathode catalyst layer has a hydrophilic property.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: YUUICHI YAKUMARU, ATSUO OKAICHI