Patents by Inventor Akihiro Satou

Akihiro Satou 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: 6777107
    Abstract: A raised portion 32 is provided on an upper face of an end portion of a plate 31 which forms one side of a frame member 30. An end portion of a plate 41 of another frame member 40 is abutted with the plate 31 of the frame member 30. The frame members 30 and 40 are aluminum alloy extruded frame members and the directions of extrusion of the two frame members are orthogonal. A welding padding is carried on an upper face of the plate 41 of the frame member 40. Under this condition, a rotary tool is inserted from above and a friction stir welding is carried out. Accordingly, the padding serves the same function on the plate 41 as the raised portion 32 on the plate 31, so that a good welding can be carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiro Satou, Masakuni Ezumi, Kazusige Fukuyori
  • Patent number: 6745929
    Abstract: Plural extrusion members 100, each having plural ribs 105 formed on one surface of a face plate 101, are mounted on a frame 40 with the surface not having the ribs 105 facing downward, and with the end regions of the adjacent members 100, 100 being butted to each other. Then, the end regions of said members 100 are welded using friction stir welding from the upper direction with a rotary body 20, and then a hairline finish is applied to said surface not having the ribs, which constitutes the exterior surface of the vehicle body. In this way, there is substantially no need to cut off the joint bead, which improves the appearance of the vehicle body and reduces the manufacturing cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakuni Ezumi, Akihiro Satou, Kazushige Fukuyori
  • Patent number: 6733900
    Abstract: A raised portion 32 is provided on an upper face of an end portion of a plate 31 which forms one side of a frame member 30. An end portion of a plate 41 of another frame member 40 is abutted with the plate 31 of the frame member 30. The frame members 30 and 40 are aluminum alloy extruded frame members and the directions of extrusion of the two frame members are orthogonal. A welding padding is carried on an upper face of the plate 41 of the frame member 40. Under this condition, a rotary tool is inserted from above and a friction stir welding is carried out. Accordingly, the padding serves the same function on the plate 41 as the raised portion 32 on the plate 31, so that a good welding can be carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiro Satou, Masakuni Ezumi, Kazusige Fukuyori
  • Patent number: 6722286
    Abstract: In a railway car, extruded frame members of an aluminum base alloy containing Si of 0.4-0.9 wt % and Mg of 0.4-1.2 wt % are welded according to a friction stir welding method. In a structure, an aluminum base alloy plate containing Si of 0.4-0.9 wt % and Mg of 0.4-1.2 wt % is prepared, to one face of the aluminum base alloy plate a rib is formed, and the aluminum base alloy plate is an extruded frame member. Accordingly, a railway car having a low welding distortion and a structure having a low welding distortion can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisanori Okamura, Isao Funyuu, Akihiro Satou, Kinya Aota, Masakuni Ezumi, Yasuo Ishimaru
  • Patent number: 6716538
    Abstract: Disclosed is a friction stir welding technique which avoids occurrence of a dent, in adjoining region, extending to a level beneath the joined surfaces. At end portions of the frame members to be joined, at the joining region, thickened parts which project toward the rotary body joining tool are provided. Two adjoining thickened parts, of adjacent members to be joined, can form a trapezoid shape. The rotary body joining tool has a small-diameter tip portion and a larger diameter portion. The rotary body joining tool is inserted in the thickened parts. In a state where the rotary body joining tool has been inserted small-diameter tip and first, to a level where the larger diameter portion of the rotary body joining tool overlaps the thickened part but does not extend below the upper surface of the non-thickened surfaces of the members joined, the rotary body is rotated and moved along the joining region. Even when a gap exists between two thickened parts, a desirable joining can be carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kinya Aota, Masakuni Ezumi, Yasuo Ishimaru, Hisanori Okamura, Isao Funyuu, Akihiro Satou
  • Patent number: 6691484
    Abstract: End portions of face plates 111 and 112 of a frame member 110 are connected by a rib 116A. To protrusion chips 117b1 and 117b2 end portions of face plates 101 and 102 of another frame member 100 are overlapped. The corners between the rib 116A and the rear faces of the face plates 111 and 112 are in the form of a convex circular arc 131 which protrudes into a hollow portion 119 of the frame member 110. Both end portions of the circular arc 131b1 are connected to the rib 116A and the face plates 111 and 112 by two smooth recessed circular arcs 132b1 and 133b1. Accordingly, since a flow-out of metal does not occur from this portion, the cross-section can be small and a light weight structure an be obtained. A structural body formed of hollow frame members which are joined by friction stir welding provides a light weight structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakuni Ezumi, Akihiro Satou, Kazusige Fukuyori, Takeshi Kawasaki
  • Publication number: 20040004109
    Abstract: Disclosed is a friction stir welding technique which avoids occurrence of a dent, in a joining region, extending to a level beneath the joined surfaces. At end portions of the frame members to be joined, at the joining region, thickened parts which project toward the rotary body joining tool are provided. Two adjoining thickened parts, of adjacent members to be joined, can form a trapezoid shape. The rotary body joining tool has a small-diameter tip portion and a larger diameter portion. The rotary body joining tool is inserted in the thickened parts. In a state where the rotary body joining tool has been inserted small-diameter tip end first, to a level where the larger diameter portion of the rotary body joining tool overlaps the thickened part but does not extend below the upper surface of the non-thickened surfaces of the members joined, the rotary body is rotated and moved along the joining region. Even when a gap exists between two thickened parts, a desirable joining can be carried out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Kinya Aota, Masakuni Ezumi, Yasuo Ishimaru, Hisanori Okamura, Isao Funyuu, Akihiro Satou
  • Publication number: 20030226622
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of an auger composed of an auger body integrally formed thereon with a spiral blade and at its opposite ends with a pair of shaft portions, comprising the steps of forming annular recesses on the shaft portions respectively in a cutting process, building up an anti-abrasive and anti-corrosive alloy by plasma-arc welding in the annular recesses of the shaft portions and finishing each built-up portion of the alloy in a grinding process to form a journal portion on the respective shaft portions of the auger, wherein precipitation hardening stainless steel used as a base metal of the auger body is preheated for a predetermined time prior to the plasma-arc welding of the alloy and subjected to aging heat treatment caused by the preheating and welding heat during the plasma-arc welding process for precipitation hardening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventor: Akihiro Satou
  • Publication number: 20030211004
    Abstract: An anti-abrasive and anti-corrosive alloy capable of being finished by cutting process in a condition where it has been built on the surface of a base metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventor: Akihiro Satou
  • Patent number: 6640515
    Abstract: Disclosed is a friction stir welding technique which avoids occurrence of a dent, in a joining region, extending to a level beneath the joined surfaces. At end portions of the frame members to be joined, at the joining region, thickened parts which project toward the rotary body joining tool are provided. Two adjoining thickened parts, of adjacent members to be joined, can form a trapezoid shape. The rotary body joining tool has a small-diameter tip portion and a larger diameter portion. The rotary body joining tool is inserted in the thickened parts. In a state where the rotary body joining tool has been inserted small-diameter tip end first, to a level where the larger diameter portion of the rotary body joining tool overlaps the thickened part but does not extend below the upper surface of the non-thickened surfaces of the members joined, the rotary body is rotated and moved along the joining region. Even when a gap exists between two thickened parts, a desirable joining can be carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kinya Aota, Masakuni Ezumi, Yasuo Ishimaru, Hisanori Okamura, Isao Funyuu, Akihiro Satou
  • Patent number: 6619534
    Abstract: Disclosed is a friction stir welding technique which avoids occurrence of a dent, in adjoining region, extending to a level beneath the joined surfaces, structural body formed. At end portions of the frame members to be joined, at the joining region, thickened parts which project toward the rotary body joining tool are provided. The rotary body joining tool has a small-diameter tip portion and a larger diameter portion. The rotary body joining tool is inserted in the thickened parts. In a state where the rotary body joining tool has been inserted small-diameter tip end first, to a level where the larger diameter portion of the rotary body joining tool overlaps the thickened part but does not extend below the upper surface of the non-thickened surfaces of the members joined, the rotary body is rotated and moved along the joining region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kinya Aota, Masakuni Ezumi, Yasuo Ishimaru, Hisanori Okamura, Isao Funyuu, Akihiro Satou
  • Patent number: 6613447
    Abstract: Disclosed is a friction stir welding technique which avoids occurrence of a dent, in adjoining region, extending to a level beneath the joined surfaces, structural body formed. At end portions of the frame members to be joined, at the joining region, thickened parts which project toward the rotary body joining tool are provided. The rotary body joining tool has a small-diameter tip portion and a larger diameter portion. The rotary body joining tool is inserted in the thickened parts. In a state where the rotary body joining tool has been inserted small-diameter tip end first, to a level where the larger diameter portion of the rotary body joining tool overlaps the thickened part but does not extend below the upper surface of the non-thickened surfaces of the members joined, the rotary body is rotated and moved along the joining region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Inventors: Kinya Aota, Masakuni Ezumi, Yasuo Ishimaru, Hisanori Okamura, Isao Funyuu, Akihiro Satou
  • Patent number: 6607837
    Abstract: Disclosed is a friction stir welding technique which avoids occurrence of a dent, in adjoining region, extending to a level beneath the joined surfaces. At end portions of the frame members to be joined, at the joining region, thickened parts which project toward the rotary body joining tool are provided. Two adjoining thickened parts, of adjacent members to be joined, can form a trapezoid shape. The rotary body joining tool has a small-diameter tip portion and a larger diameter portion. The rotary body joining tool is inserted in the thickened parts. In a state where the rotary body joining tool has been inserted small-diameter tip and first, to a level where the larger diameter portion of the rotary body joining tool overlaps the thickened part but does not extend below the upper surface of the non-thickened surfaces of the members joined, the rotary body is rotated and moved along the joining region. Even when a gap exists between two thickened parts, a desirable joining can be carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kinya Aota, Masakuni Ezumi, Yasuo Ishimaru, Hisanori Okamura, Isao Funyuu, Akihiro Satou
  • Patent number: 6585443
    Abstract: Disclosed is a friction stir welding technique which avoids occurrence of a dent, in adjoining region, extending to a level beneath the joined surfaces. At end portions of the frame members to be joined, at the joining region, thickened parts which project toward the rotary body joining tool are provided. Two adjoining thickened parts, of adjacent members to be joined, can form a trapezoid shape. The rotary body joining tool has a small-diameter tip portion and a larger diameter portion. The rotary body joining tool is inserted in the thickened parts. In a state where the rotary body joining tool has been inserted small-diameter tip and first, to a level where the larger diameter portion of the rotary body joining tool overlaps the thickened part but does not extend below the upper surface of the non-thickened surfaces of the members joined, the rotary body is rotated and moved along the joining region. Even when a gap exists between two thickened parts, a desirable joining can be carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kinya Aota, Masakuni Ezumi, Yasuo Ishimaru, Hisanori Okamura, Isao Funyuu, Akihiro Satou
  • Publication number: 20030056459
    Abstract: End portions of face plates 111 and 112 of a frame member 110 are connected by a rib 116A. To protrusion chips 117b1 and 117b2 end portions of face plates 101 and 102 of another frame member 100 are overlapped. The corners between the rib 116A and the rear faces of the face plates 111 and 112 are in the form of a convex circular arc 131 which protrudes into a hollow portion 119 of the frame member 110. Both end portions of the circular arc 131b1 are connected to the rib 116A and the face plates 111 and 112 by two smooth recessed circular arcs 132b1 and 133b1. Accordingly, since a flow-out of metal does not occur from this portion, the cross-section can be small and a light weight structure an be obtained. A structural body formed of hollow frame members which are joined by friction stir welding provides a light weight structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Masakuni Ezumi, Akihiro Satou, Kazusige Fukuyori, Takeshi Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 6513698
    Abstract: The rotary tools are disposed to weld along two spaced welding lines. The two rotary tools are inserted into respective welding joints and moved at the same time along the respective welding lines. At a position P1 of a portion of a window one rotary tool is withdrawn from the welding joint to that the friction stir welding on that welding joint is stopped although the welding tool continues to move. At a position P3, the rotary tools are gradually withdrawn from their respective welding joints while they continue to move along the welding line. At a position P4, the movement of the rotary tools along the respective welding lines is stopped, the rotary tools are completely withdrawn and the welding is stopped. Next, the rotary tools are inserted into the respective welding joints once again and movement thereof is started again. An insertion amount of the rotary tools at this time is larger than the insertion amount thereof prior to the stopping of the movement of these rotary tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakuni Ezumi, Kazusige Fukuyori, Akihiro Satou
  • Publication number: 20030005852
    Abstract: In a railway car, extruded frame members of an aluminum base alloy containing Si of 0.4-0.9 wt % and Mg of 0.4-1.2 wt % are welded according to a friction stir welding method. In a structure, an aluminum base alloy plate containing Si of 0.4-0.9 wt % and Mg of 0.4-1.2 wt % is prepared, to one face of the aluminum base alloy plate a rib is formed, and the aluminum base alloy plate is an extruded frame member. Accordingly, a railway car having a low welding distortion and a structure having a low welding distortion can be obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2002
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Inventors: Hisanori Okamura, Isao Funyuu, Akihiro Satou, Kinya Aota, Masakuni Ezumi, Yasuo Ishimaru
  • Patent number: 6502739
    Abstract: The rotary tools are disposed to weld along two spaced welding lines. The two rotary tools are inserted into respective welding joints and moved at the same time along the respective welding lines. At a position P1 of a portion of a window one rotary tool is withdrawn from the welding joint so that the friction stir welding on that welding joint is stopped although the welding tool continues to move. At a position P3, the rotary tools are gradually withdrawn from their respective welding joints while they continue to move along the welding line. At a position P4, the movement of the rotary tools along the respective welding lines is stopped, the rotary tools are completely withdrawn and the welding is stopped. Next, the rotary tools are inserted into the respective welding joints once again and movement thereof is started again. An insertion amount of the rotary tools at this time is larger than the insertion amount thereof prior to the stopping of the movement of these rotary tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakuni Ezumi, Kazusige Fukuyori, Akihiro Satou
  • Publication number: 20030000996
    Abstract: A raised portion 32 is provided on an upper face of an end portion of a plate 31 which forms one side of a frame member 30. An end portion of a plate 41 of another frame member 40 is abutted with the plate 31 of the frame member 30. The frame members 30 and 40 are aluminum alloy extruded frame members and the directions of extrusion of the two frame members are orthogonal. A welding padding is carried on an upper face of the plate 41 of the frame member 40. Under this condition, a rotary tool is inserted from above and a friction stir welding is carried out. Accordingly, the padding serves the same function on the plate 41 as the raised portion 32 on the plate 31, so that a good welding can be carried out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Akihiro Satou, Masakuni Ezumi, Kazusige Fukuyori
  • Publication number: 20030000997
    Abstract: A raised portion 32 is provided on an upper face of an end portion of a plate 31 which forms one side of a frame member 30. An end portion of a plate 41 of another frame member 40 is abutted with the plate 31 of the frame member 30. The frame members 30 and 40 are aluminum alloy extruded frame members and the directions of extrusion of the two frame members are orthogonal. A welding padding is carried on an upper face of the plate 41 of the frame member 40. Under this condition, a rotary tool is inserted from above and a friction stir welding is carried out. Accordingly, the padding serves the same function on the plate 41 as the raised portion 32 on the plate 31, so that a good welding can be carried out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Akihiro Satou, Masakuni Ezumi, Kazusige Fukuyori