Patents Assigned to Railway Technical Research Institute
  • Patent number: 5593175
    Abstract: In a leg apparatus with which a supporting wheel for the magnetically levitated vehicle can be lifted up and down freely, a supporting wheel is positioned and hung by a swing arm and a lifting actuator. Usage of only the lifting actuator flat spring having a damper and coil spring or a combination thereof offer a buffer-supporting to enhance better comfortable feeling of riding. The leg can be completely retracted with a short stroke by a contracting action of the lifting actuator having the internal lock. Moreover the vehicle height can be adjusted. The leg apparatus is also designed and constructed in such a way that a damper or spring is installed inside the preventive wall against fire or foreign obstacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignees: Railway Technical Research Institute, Sumitomo Precision Products Company Limited
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Oda, Masayoshi Azakami, Hideyuki Takizawa, Fumio Iwamoto, Shoji Iwai
  • Patent number: 5582346
    Abstract: The present invention comprises longitudinal beams provided on the underside of each of a pair of rails in the longitudinal direction of the rails and multiple connectors which mutually connect these longitudinal beams at designated spacings along the longitudinal direction. Because the ladder-type sleepers of the present invention have a structure wherein longitudinal beams are continuously positioned along the longitudinal direction of the rails, the bending stiffness of the track frame in the longitudinal direction increases, and the ballast pressure is reduced by improving the distribution of the train load. As a result, it is possible to reduce track irregularities resulting from the repeated burden of the train load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Railway Technical Research Institute
    Inventors: Hajime Wakui, Nobuyuki Matsumoto, Hiromi Inoue
  • Patent number: 5578756
    Abstract: The soundness of a block-shaped structure is evaluated by disposing one set of at least two three-way sensors on a structure, measuring microtremors, determining the contribution factor of rocking vibration, which occupies part of overall vibration, based upon the results of microtremor measurement, and determining extent of rocking vibration at an arbitrary position of the block-shaped structure based upon the contribution factor. Rocking vibration becomes more prevalent as the state of support afforded by the block-shaped structure becomes more unstable. Accordingly, if rocking vibration becomes dominant and exceeds unity, this fact can be used to evaluate the soundness of the block-shaped structure to collapse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignees: Railway Technical Research Institute and Co. Ltd., System and Data Research
    Inventors: Yutaka Nakamura, Muneyuki Tamogami, Shinji Sato, Mitsuhiro Tachibana
  • Patent number: 5575155
    Abstract: A cooling system includes a cold-accumulating refrigerator, and a cooling circuit. The cold-accumulating refrigerator includes a regenerator. The cooling circuit includes a main circuit, and a branched circuit. The main circuit includes a counterflow heat exchanger. The branched circuit is branched from an upstream portion of the main circuit, and joined to a downstream portion thereof, thereby reducing one of the flows of a refrigerant, flowing in a high-pressure-side passage and a low-pressure-side passage which are disposed in the counterflow heat exchanger, with respect to the other one of the flows. Moreover, the branched circuit includes a heat exchanger, and the heat exchanger is thermally brought into contact with a portion of the regenerator whose temperature is varied from a high temperature to a low temperature by another refrigerant flowing therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignees: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha, Railway Technical Research Institute
    Inventors: Hideo Mita, Katsunobu Kanda, Hideo Misawa, Toshiki Herai, Ken Nagashima
  • Patent number: 5525584
    Abstract: A high critical temperature and high critical current density superconductor is disclosed which contains a metal oxide expressed by the following formula (I):(R.sup.1.sub.1-x,Ba.sub.x)Ba.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.d (I)wherein R.sup.1 stands for at least one element selected from the group consisting of La, Nd, Sm, Eu and Gd, x is a number greater than 0 but not greater than 0.5 and d is a number between 6.2 and 7.2. Fine phases of RE211, RE422 and/or a metal oxide expressed by the formula (R.sup.2.sub.1-z, Ba.sub.z) (Ba.sub.1-y, R.sup.2.sub.y).sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.p (R.sup.2 =La, Nd, Sm, Eu or Gd) may be dispersed in a matrix of the matrix phase of the formula (I). The above superconductor may be obtained by cooling a melt having a temperature of 1,000.degree.-1,300.degree. C. and containing R.sup.1, Ba, Cu and O at a cooling rate of 5.degree. C./hour or less under a partial pressure of oxygen of between 0.00001 and 0.05 atm, followed by annealing at 250.degree.-600.degree. C. in an oxygen atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignees: International Superconductivity Technology Center, Railway Technical Research Institute, Shikoku Denryoku Kabushikigaisha, Tosoh Corporation
    Inventors: Masato Murakami, Sang-Im Yoo, Naomichi Sakai, Hiroshi Takaichi, Takamitsu Higuchi, Shoji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5481984
    Abstract: According to this invention, wheels are pivotally supported by a fork arm comprising a lever-type supporting component, an expandable lifting actuator having damper serially arranged to buffer and support thereof at other end end of arm of said supporting component. With this structure, a complete retraction of wheels can be achieved. Hence the supporting component can be used both as the supporting leg apparatus to vertically support the magnetically levitated vehicle and the guide leg apparatus to mechanically guide the vehicle along the guideway side wall. It is, therefore, characterized with the simple structure, light weight, small storage space, and easy to perform maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignees: Railway Technical Research Institute, Sumitomo Precision Products Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Oda, Hideyuki Takizawa, Masamichi Yamada, Fumio Iwamoto, Shoji Iwai
  • Patent number: 5435846
    Abstract: A cement additive for inhibiting concrete deterioration contains as an effective component a powder mixture of an inorganic cation exchanger, such as a highly calcium-substituted zeolite, and an inorganic anion exchanger, such as hydrocalumite. The cement additive inhibits the alkali-aggregate reaction and the corrosion of reinforcing steel, thereby protecting concrete constructions from deterioration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignees: Nippon Chemical Industrial Co., Ltd., Railway Technical Research Institute
    Inventors: Hidenobu Tatematsu, Tohru Nakamura, Hitoshi Koshimizu, Toshihiko Morishita, Hideki Kotaki
  • Patent number: 5432669
    Abstract: A superconducting magnet apparatus according to the present invention has serially connected superconducting magnets, which are energized and de-energized via disconnectors from a power supply installed on a vehicle of the train, mounted in a pair on both sides of a magnetically levitated train that oppose guiding ground coils of a magnetically levitated railway when the magnetically levitated train is traveling, each superconducting magnet has a plurality of serially connected superconducting coils, persistent current switches are parallel-connected across respective ones of the superconducting coils, and demagnetizers are provided for linking and changing over corresponding persistent current switches mounted in pairs on both sides of the magnetically levitated train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: Railway Technical Research Institute
    Inventors: Kaoru Nemoto, Hiroki Kamijo, Akihiko Kishikawa, Eiji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5407907
    Abstract: A method of pulling a crystal of a metal oxide is disclosed, in which the growth of the crystal is performed in a liquid phase having a composition which is different from the metal oxide and which contains components constituting the metal oxide. The liquid phase is in contact with a solid phase located at a position separated from the position at which the crystal of the metal oxide grows. The solid phase has a composition different from that of the metal oxide and supplies components constituting the metal oxide to the liquid phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignees: International Superconductivity Technology Center, Asahi Glass Co., Ltd., Ishikawajimaharima Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd., Kyushu Electric Power Co., Railway Technical Research Institute
    Inventors: Yasuji Yamada, Teruo Izumi, Kanshi Ohtsu, Yuichi Nakamura, Kengo Ishige, Yuh Shiohara, Minoru Tagami, Shoji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5391243
    Abstract: A wire for electric railways comprises a copper alloy which consists essentially, by weight percent, of 0.1 to 1.0% Cr, 0.01 to 0.3% Zr, and 10 ppm or less O, and if required, further contains at least one element selected from the group consisting of 0.01 to 0.1% Si and 0.001 to 0.05% Mg, with the balance being Cu and inevitable impurities. The wire is manufactured by hot working a copper alloy billet having the above composition, immediately quenching the hot worked billet to prepare an element wire, cold working the element wire at least once, and subjecting the cold worked element wire to aging treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Materials Corporation, Railway Technical Research Institute
    Inventors: Motoo Goto, Shizuo Kawakita, Yoshiharu Mae, Takuro Iwamura, Yutaka Koshiba, Kenji Yajima, Syunji Ishibashi, Hiroki Nagasawa, Atsushi Sugahara, Sumihisa Aoki, Haruhiko Asao
  • Patent number: 5389604
    Abstract: To ensure a well-oriented crystal structure, there is provided a process of producing an oxide superconductor of a Y--Ba--Cu--O system with a composition having an atomic ratio Y:Ba:Cu of 1.0-2.0:2.0-2.5:3.0-3.5, the process comprising the steps of: preparing a semimelt including solid and liquid phases and consisting of Y, Ba, Cu and O in the atomic ratio; and solidifying the semimelt to form the oxide superconductor by so controlling a moving speed of a solidification front to have two components of different values in two perpendicularly intersecting directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignees: Nippon Steel Corporation, Tosoh Corporation, Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Hokuriku Electric Power Company, Kawasaki Steel Corporation, Railway Technical Research Institute, International Superconductivity Technology Center
    Inventors: Masato Murakami, Naomichi Sakai, Hiroshi Takaichi, Akihiro Kondoh, Shoichi Kagiya, Naomichi Nakamura, Hiroyuki Fujimoto, Naoki Koshizuka, Shoji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5361707
    Abstract: A multiple feeder system of feeder sections for feeding electricity to ground coils of a superconductive magnetically levitated railway in which a train is equipped with a superconducting magnet is provided with unit feeder sections each having a length shorter than the length of the train; and a multiple feeder line for multiplexing the unit feeder sections so as to drive the train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: Railway Technical Research Institute
    Inventors: Junji Fujie, Hisamitsu Shibakawa
  • Patent number: 5348424
    Abstract: A novel method to construct a reinforcing block in an embankment is provided, wherein a core rod to which a protrusion is molded on the tip, is preset inside a hollow rotating shaft with drilling and agitating blades affixed around its circumference, but with the protrusion on the core rod exposed at the front of the shaft. This drilling and agitating shaft rotates and bores into the earth while simultaneously mixing the soil so agitated with a fixing agent; then at a specified depth, the rotating shaft is withdrawn leaving the core rod to remain anchored in the soil while the fixing agent continues to discharge from the end of the hollow rod; and when the hollow rod is completely removed, a reinforcing block is intact within the soil and the tail end of the core rod exposed on the surface of the banking is directly or indirectly affixed to this surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignees: Railway Technical Research Institute, Tokyu Construction Co., Ltd., Tenox Corp.
    Inventors: Masaru Tateyama, Yukihiko Tamura, Kosei Fukuda, Shigeru Yoshida, Chikashi Kami
  • Patent number: 5341059
    Abstract: A superconducting bearing unit compring a permanent magnet mounted to a rotating shaft and a superconducting body mounted on the inner periphery of a housing surrounding the shaft, the superconducting member being adapted to be cooled with the rotating shaft moved upwards until it attains a superconducting condition, so that the rotating shaft is supported in use in a balanced condition between the weight of the rotating shaft, etc. and a pinning force caused by the permanent magnet and the superconducting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignees: International Superconductivity Technology Center, Nippon Steel Corporation, Railway Technical Research Institute, Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Shikoku Electric Power Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Hiromasa Fukuyama, Satoru Aihara, Masato Murakami, Hiroyuki Fujimoto, Akihiro Kondoh, Hiroshi Takaichi, Naoki Koshizuka
  • Patent number: 5333553
    Abstract: The carrier for linear motor vehicle-borne field magnets includes a aluminium profiled material of a gate shape in section, which is provided with recesses of permanent magnet size in both its legs. Permanent magnets attached to iron cores are inserted into the recesses in such a way that the N and S poles thereof are opposite to each other and alternate in the longitudinal direction of the carrier frame to form a spatial magnetic field by the alternation of the N and S poles between both the legs of the carrier frame, which interacts with the moving magnetic field created by ground-side coils to generate driving power. The carrier further includes support wheels, guide wheels and a vehicle support on which a vehicle is placed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignees: East Japan Railway Company, Railway Technical Research Institute, Magnetic Transportation System Engineering Company
    Inventors: Kazumi Matsui, Kouichi Matsuoka, Shigeru Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 5303514
    Abstract: A rail grinding apparatus for railroad rails has a grinding belt wrapped around motor-driven pulleys which are rotatably mounted on a frame. The frame is supported on the surface of a rail by rollers which bear the weight of the grinding apparatus. A noise guard surrounds the grinding belt to reduce noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignees: Sumikin Osaka Plant Engineering Co., Ltd., Railway Technical Research Institute, Sumitomo Metal Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Hirotsugu Oishibashi, Soji Fujimori, Muneyuki Ohara, Haruo Yokoyama, Akihiro Hosokawa, Kosuke Nagai, Hideshi Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 5303657
    Abstract: A rolling-stock bogie frame has a ladder-shaped frame structure comprising side beams and cross beams, each of which has a trough-shaped part with an open upper part and a reinforcing member secured to the trough-shaped part to cover and close the open upper part thereby to form a closed box beam with a utilizable hollow interior. Each of the trough-shaped part and reinforcing member comprises spaced apart inner and outer sheathings of fiber-reinforced plastic material and honey-comb members inserted between and bonded to the inner and outer sheathings. The bogie frame affords high strength with low weight. The hollow interior of the beam provides an equipment space for accommodating an air reservoir and piping for the pneumatic and hydraulic systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignees: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Railway Technical Research Institute
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Oda, Tetsujiro Fukui, Yukio Minowa
  • Patent number: 5302872
    Abstract: A linear motor has a mover that is a magnetostatic induction element and is relatively movable through electromagnetic coils or the like. The mover has a length of a magnetic path which derives attraction from the coil in regard to the length of the electromagnetic coil. As the magnetostatic induction element proceeds through the electromagnetic coils, the electromagnetic coils are energized while the magnetic field created thereby exert forward attractive force on the magnetostatic induction element, and disenergized before the traction in a reverse direction is exerted on the magnetostatic induction element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignees: Railway Technical Research Institute, Yasutsugu Ohki
    Inventors: Yasutsugu Ohki, Shin-ichi Hase, Hiroyasu Toda, Kouichi Matsuoka, Tetsuo Uzuka
  • Patent number: 5300355
    Abstract: In order to provide a damping material exhibiting an excellent vibration damping property in a wide temperature range, according to the present invention, in a magnetic composite type damping material constructed by bonding an adhesive elastic sheet containing magnetic powder to a constraining plate such as a metal plate by using an adhesive, the adhesive elastic sheet is made of a composite material consisting of rubber elastomer, adhesive resin, plasticizer, magnetic powder, etc.Since not only is the damping material having a construction described above attracted by magnetic force against a vibration source, it also is provided with a superficial adhesiveness, and the excellent vibration damping property is exhibited in a wide temperature range by a synergistic effect of the magnetic force and the adhering force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignees: Nichias Corporation, Railway Technical Research Institute
    Inventors: Naoto Mifune, Yasutaka Nagai, Masaaki Ashizawa, Kazuo Nishimoto, Takahiro Niwa, Shuji Ito, Masanori Hansaka
  • Patent number: 5293824
    Abstract: Ground coils for a magnetically levitated railway include non-flux coils with an upper coil having a main-winding portion and an intermediate terminal forming a shunt-winding portion of the main-winding portion. A lower coil having a main-winding portion and an intermediate terminal forming a shunt-winding portion of the main-winding portion. The upper coil and the lower coils are arranged one above the other and are null-flux connected at null-flux connection points. A first lead terminal is connected to one null-flux connection point and a second lead terminal is connected to the intermediate terminal of the upper coil and the intermediate terminal of the lower coil for connecting to a power source and/or for interconnecting coils on left and right sides to provide guidance forces to the superconducting coils on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Assignee: Railway Technical Research Institute
    Inventors: Junji Fujie, Hisamitsu Shibakawa