Keiichiro Otu

Title: Inventor Keiichiro Otu and His Innovative Contribution to Refrigerant Gas Compression

Introduction

Keiichiro Otu is a notable inventor hailing from Toyota, Japan. He is recognized for his significant contribution to the field of refrigerant gas compressors, holding a patent that enhances the efficiency and durability of these vital components in refrigeration systems. His innovation addresses a common challenge faced by swash-plate type compressors.

Latest Patents

Keiichiro Otu's most prominent patent is titled "Sliding Shoe for a Rotatable Swash-Plate Type Refrigerant Gas Compressor." This invention details a sliding shoe that is slidably connected between a rotatable swash-plate and a ball that is rotatably engaged with a piston. The design ensures that one of the major surfaces of the shoe makes contact with the sliding surface of the swash-plate. Otu's invention uniquely features a sliding surface with a flat plane at the center and chamfered surfaces on the remaining portions, with at least the sliding plane coated in a lead alloy. This design innovation notably reduces wear and seizing of the shoe even in the absence of lubrication, a significant advancement for swash-plate type compressors.

Career Highlights

Throughout his career, Otu has contributed to the development of advanced engineering solutions in reputable companies. Notably, he worked at K.K. Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho (Toyota Industries Corporation) and Taihou Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha. His experience in these organizations afforded him the opportunity to collaborate with skilled engineers and contribute to ground-breaking inventions in the field of mechanical engineering.

Collaborations

Keiichiro Otu has collaborated with notable colleagues in the industry, including Shozo Nakayama and Kimio Kato. These partnerships highlight the collaborative nature of innovation in engineering, where sharing ideas and expertise often leads to successful inventions.

Conclusion

In summary, Keiichiro Otu stands out as an influential inventor in the refrigeration industry, particularly for his innovative sliding shoe design for swash-plate type refrigerant gas compressors. His work not only addresses significant operational challenges but also propels advancements in compressor technology, enhancing efficiency and reliability in refrigeration applications. Otu's contributions, along with those of his collaborators, mark a significant chapter in the ongoing evolution of automotive and mechanical engineering solutions.