Patents by Inventor Hideaki Okada
Hideaki Okada 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).
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Patent number: 7314110Abstract: A hydraulic driving vehicle comprises front and rear transaxles incorporating respective hydraulic motors, and a pump unit separated from the front and rear transaxles. The pump unit incorporates a hydraulic pump having a pump shaft. A hydraulic circuit is formed by piping between the pump unit and the front and rear transaxles so as to circulate hydraulic fluid between the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motors. A reservoir tank of the hydraulic fluid is connected to the hydraulic circuit by piping. A first cooling fan blowing air away from the pump unit and a second cooling fan blowing air toward the pump unit are disposed oppositely to each other with respect to the pump unit and drivingly connected to the pump shaft. At least a pipe for the piping of the hydraulic circuit and the reservoir tank passes an area blown by each of the first and second cooling fans.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2006Date of Patent: January 1, 2008Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.Inventors: Michio Tsukamoto, Hideaki Okada
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Publication number: 20070225100Abstract: A hydrostatic transaxle apparatus, comprises: a housing filled therein with fluid so as to serve as a fluid sump; an axle disposed in the housing; a first hydraulic displacement unit disposed in the housing, the first hydraulic displacement unit having a rotary shaft serving as an input shaft; a second hydraulic displacement unit disposed in the housing, the second hydraulic displacement unit having a rotary shaft serving as an output shaft drivingly connected to the axle, wherein at least one of the first and second hydraulic displacement units includes a cylinder block fixed on the rotary shaft, the cylinder block and the rotary shaft having a coupling portion therebetween through which the cylinder block and the rotary shaft are coupled to each other, a plurality of axial pistons axially reciprocally fitted into the cylinder block in parallel to the rotary shaft, the plurality of pistons including at least two pistons disposed opposite to each other with respect to a center axis of the rotary shaft, and aType: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2007Publication date: September 27, 2007Inventors: Hideaki Okada, Masaru Iida
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Publication number: 20070222280Abstract: An axle driving system which houses in a housing thereof a hydrostatic transmission, axles, and a driving gear train for connecting output means of the hydraulic transmission and axles, so as to transmit power from a driving source to the hydrostatic transmission and to change the speed, thereby driving the axles. A first chamber therein contains the hydrostatic transmission and a second chamber therein contains the driving gear train. Both the first and second chambers are independent of each other so as to prevent a foreign object, such as iron powder produced in the driving gear train, from entering the hydrostatic transmission. The system includes an L-like-shaped center section on which the hydrostatic transmission is offset such that an imaginary plane which includes a motor mounting surface passes in proximity to the axis of a pump shaft. The pump shaft is disposed perpendicular to the axles. The motor shaft is disposed in parallel thereto.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2007Publication date: September 27, 2007Inventors: Robert ABEND, Hideaki Okada, Ryota Ohashi
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Patent number: 7261178Abstract: An articulate vehicle comprises a first frame disposed at one of front and rear portions of the vehicle and a second frame disposed at the other of front and rear portions of the vehicle. The first frame supports a first transaxle apparatus supporting a first axle. The second frame supports a second transaxle apparatus supporting a second axle. Proximal ends of the frames with respect to the vehicle are coupled to each other through a coupling part so that the first and second frames are rotatable relative to each other around a vertical axis according to steering operation. An engine is mounted on the first frame. A first hydraulic motor is integrally assembled in the first transaxle apparatus so as to drive the first axle. A working vehicle is equipped at a distal side of the second frame with respect to the vehicle. A second hydraulic motor is integrally assembled in the second transaxle apparatus so as to drive the second axle.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2006Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Inventors: Hideaki Okada, Michio Tsukamoto, Robert Abend
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Publication number: 20070186550Abstract: A hydraulic transaxle comprises: an axle; a hydraulic pump driven by a prime mover; a hydraulic motor fluidly connected to the hydraulic pump so as to drive the axle; a bypass fluid circuit bypassing between suction and delivery ports of the hydraulic motor; a bypass valve provided in the bypass fluid circuit; a bypass operation device for selectively opening or closing the bypass valve; and a reset mechanism for closing the opened bypass valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2006Publication date: August 16, 2007Inventors: Michio Tsukamoto, Norihiro Ishii, Hideaki Okada
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Patent number: 7225618Abstract: An axle driving system which houses in a housing thereof a hydrostatic transmission, axles, and a driving gear train for connecting output means of the hydraulic transmission and axles, so as to transmit power from a driving source to the hydrostatic transmission and to change the speed, thereby driving the axles. A first chamber therein contains the hydrostatic transmission and a second chamber therein contains the driving gear train. Both the first and second chambers are independent of each other so as to prevent a foreign object, such as iron powder produced in the driving gear train, from entering the hydrostatic transmission. The system includes an L-like-shaped center section on which the hydrostatic transmission is offset such that an imaginary plane which includes a motor mounting surface passes in proximity to the axis of a pump shaft. The pump shaft is disposed perpendicular to the axles. The motor shaft is disposed in parallel thereto.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2006Date of Patent: June 5, 2007Inventors: Robert Abend, Hideaki Okada, Ryota Ohashi
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Patent number: 7220204Abstract: A hydrostatic transaxle apparatus comprises a housing in which an HST, a pair of axles, a differential unit differentially connecting the axles to each other, and a horizontal counter shaft interposed between the HST and the differential unit. The HST comprises axial piston type hydraulic pump and motor mounted on vertically opposite surfaces of a center section, respectively, so as to be fluidly connected to each other so that pump and motor shafts are disposed vertically coaxially to each other. The center section is disposed adjacently to the differential unit and one of the axles. A cooling fan is fixed on the pump shaft projecting outward from the housing. When along the pump shaft, most of the housing except portions thereof for housing the respective axles is disposed within an area of rotary locus of the cooling fan.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2005Date of Patent: May 22, 2007Inventors: Hideaki Okada, Masaru Iida
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Patent number: 7191594Abstract: A hydrostatic stepless transmission comprises a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor, at least one of the hydraulic pump and motor being variable in displacement; a closed circuit for fluidly connecting the hydraulic pump and motor to each other therethrough, the closed circuit including a pair of oil passages between the hydraulic pump and motor, one of the oil passages being hydraulically higher-pressured and the other being hydraulically depressed when the hydraulic pump delivers oil to the hydraulic motor; a speed change operation device for changing output rotational speed of the hydraulic motor; and a leak valve connected to the speed change operation device.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2005Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Inventor: Hideaki Okada
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Publication number: 20070060435Abstract: A transaxle apparatus comprises: a housing; a hydrostatic transmission disposed in the housing, the hydrostatic transmission including a hydraulic pump receiving power from a prime mover, a first hydraulic motor driven in response to fluid supplied from the hydraulic pump, and a center section including an inner fluid passage for fluidly connecting the first hydraulic motor to the hydraulic pump; a first axle disposed in the housing and driven by the first hydraulic motor; a hydraulic actuator disposed outside the housing so as to drive a second axle disposed outside the housing; a port opened outside the housing so as to be fluidly connected to the hydraulic actuator; and a block interposed between the center section and the port in the housing, wherein a fluid passage is disposed in the block so as to connect the port to the inner fluid passage in the center section.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2006Publication date: March 15, 2007Inventors: Ryota Ohashi, Hideaki Okada, Shinichi Hirose, Hironori Sumomozawa
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Publication number: 20070044466Abstract: An axle driving system which houses in a housing thereof a hydrostatic transmission, axles, and a driving gear train for connecting output means of the hydraulic transmission and axles, so as to transmit power from a driving source to the hydrostatic transmission and to change the speed, thereby driving the axles. A first chamber therein contains the hydrostatic transmission and a second chamber therein contains the driving gear train. Both the first and second chambers are independent of each other so as to prevent a foreign object, such as iron powder produced in the driving gear train, from entering the hydrostatic transmission. The system includes an L-like-shaped center section on which the hydrostatic transmission is offset such that an imaginary plane which includes a motor mounting surface passes in proximity to the axis of a pump shaft. The pump shaft is disposed perpendicular to the axles. The motor shaft is disposed in parallel thereto.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2006Publication date: March 1, 2007Inventors: Robert Abend, Hideaki Okada, Ryota Ohashi
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Publication number: 20060272878Abstract: A vehicle includes a first transaxle incorporating a first hydraulic motor for driving a first axle, a pair of second transaxles incorporating respective second hydraulic motors for driving respective second axles, and a pump housing separated from the first transaxle and the pair of second transaxles. The pump housing incorporates a hydraulic pump. The first hydraulic motor and the pair of second hydraulic motors are fluidly connected in series to the hydraulic pump. The second hydraulic motors are fluidly connected in parallel to the hydraulic pump.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2006Publication date: December 7, 2006Inventors: Ryota Ohashi, Hideaki Okada
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Publication number: 20060243515Abstract: An articulate vehicle comprises a first frame disposed at one of front and rear portions of the vehicle and a second frame disposed at the other of front and rear portions of the vehicle. The first frame supports a first transaxle apparatus supporting a first axle. The second frame supports a second transaxle apparatus supporting a second axle. Proximal ends of the frames with respect to the vehicle are coupled to each other through a coupling part so that the first and second frames are rotatable relative to each other around a vertical axis according to steering operation. An engine is mounted on the first frame. A first hydraulic motor is integrally assembled in the first transaxle apparatus so as to drive the first axle. A working vehicle is equipped at a distal side of the second frame with respect to the vehicle. A second hydraulic motor is integrally assembled in the second transaxle apparatus so as to drive the second axle.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2006Publication date: November 2, 2006Inventors: Hideaki Okada, Michio Tsukamoto, Robert Abend
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Patent number: 7127890Abstract: An axle driving system which houses in a housing thereof a hydrostatic transmission, axles, and a driving gear train for connecting output means of the hydraulic transmission and axles, so as to transmit power from a driving source to the hydrostatic transmission and to change the speed, thereby driving the axles. A first chamber therein contains the hydrostatic transmission and a second chamber therein contains the driving gear train. Both the first and second chambers are independent of each other so as to prevent a foreign object, such as iron powder produced in the driving gear train, from entering the hydrostatic transmission. The system includes an L-like-shaped center section on which the hydrostatic transmission is offset such that an imaginary plane which includes a motor mounting surface passes in proximity to the axis of a pump shaft. The pump shaft is disposed perpendicular to the axles. The motor shaft is disposed in parallel thereto.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2005Date of Patent: October 31, 2006Inventors: Robert Abend, Hideaki Okada, Ryota Ohashi
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Publication number: 20060225927Abstract: In a hydraulic four-wheel drive vehicle, a rear transaxle incorporates a hydraulic motor for driving rear wheels, a front transaxle incorporates a hydraulic motor for driving front wheels, and hydraulic pressure fluid pipes interposed between the front and rear transaxles are extended along at least one of left and right side plates of a frame of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2006Publication date: October 12, 2006Inventors: Koji Iwaki, Shiro Ueno, Norihiro Ishii, Hideaki Okada, Hiroshi Sugimoto, Shinichi Hirose, Hironori Sumomozawa, Fumitoshi Ishino
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Patent number: 7096989Abstract: An articulated vehicle with a working device has a first frame having a prime mover mounted thereon and supporting a first transaxle apparatus. The first transaxle apparatus includes an input shaft receiving power from the prime mover, a pair of first axles, and a hydrostatic transmission. The hydrostatic transmission comprises a variable hydraulic pump, a first hydraulic motor fluidly connected to the hydraulic pump via a fluid passage, and a housing with a port fluidly connected to the fluid passage. The second transaxle apparatus includes a pair of second axles having different lengths and a second hydraulic motor. The second hydraulic motor is fluidly connected to the port. Proximal ends of the first and second frames with respect to the vehicle are coupled to each other so that the first and second frames are rotatable around a vertical axis relative to each other when steered.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2005Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Inventors: Ryota Ohashi, Hideaki Okada
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Publication number: 20060189433Abstract: A transaxle comprising a transmission, a pair of coaxial axles, a deceleration assembly for decreasing output rotational speed of the transmission, a differential assembly for transmitting power from the deceleration assembly to the pair of axles, and a common housing incorporating the transmission. The differential assembly includes a pair of gear train units disposed on the respective axles, and a bull gear for receiving output rotation of the deceleration assembly. Each of the gear train units includes a sun gear fixed on each of the axles, a holder relatively rotatably provided on each of the axles, and a planetary gear supported by the holder to mesh with the sun gear. The holders of the pair of gear train units are symmetrical with respect to a surface perpendicular to the pair of axles and joined to each other through the surface, and integrally fitted together in the bull common gear.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2006Publication date: August 24, 2006Inventor: Hideaki Okada
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Patent number: 7090045Abstract: An articulate vehicle comprises a first frame disposed at one of front and rear portions of the vehicle and a second frame disposed at the other of front and rear portions of the vehicle. The first frame supports a first transaxle apparatus supporting a first axle. The second frame supports a second transaxle apparatus supporting a second axle. Proximal ends of the frames with respect to the vehicle are coupled to each other through a coupling part so that the first and second frames are rotatable relative to each other around a vertical axis according to steering operation. An engine is mounted on the first frame. A first hydraulic motor is integrally assembled in the first transaxle apparatus so as to drive the first axle. A working vehicle is equipped at a distal side of the second frame with respect to the vehicle. A second hydraulic motor is integrally assembled in the second transaxle apparatus so as to drive the second axle.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2005Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Inventors: Hideaki Okada, Michio Tsukamoto, Robert Abend
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Patent number: 7082759Abstract: A hydraulic driving vehicle comprises front and rear transaxles incorporating respective hydraulic motors, and a pump unit separated from the front and rear transaxles. The pump unit incorporates a hydraulic pump having a pump shaft. A hydraulic circuit is formed by piping between the pump unit and the front and rear transaxles so as to circulate hydraulic fluid between the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motors. A reservoir tank of the hydraulic fluid is connected to the hydraulic circuit by piping. A first cooling fan blowing air away from the pump unit and a second cooling fan blowing air toward the pump unit are disposed oppositely to each other with respect to the pump unit and drivingly connected to the pump shaft. At least a pipe for the piping of the hydraulic circuit and the reservoir tank passes an area blown by each of the first and second cooling fans.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2004Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Inventors: Michio Tsukamoto, Hideaki Okada
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Patent number: 7041026Abstract: A transaxle comprising a transmission, a pair of coaxial axles, a deceleration assembly for decreasing output rotational speed of the transmission, a differential assembly for transmitting power from the deceleration assembly to the pair of axles, and a common housing incorporating the transmission. The differential assembly includes a pair of gear train units disposed on the respective axles, and a bull gear for receiving output rotation of the deceleration assembly. Each of the gear train units includes a sun gear fixed on each of the axles, a holder relatively rotatably provided on each of the axles, and a planetary gear supported by the holder to mesh with the sun gear. The holders of the pair of gear train units are symmetrical with respect to a surface perpendicular to the pair of axles and joined to each other through the surface, and integrally fitted together in the bull common gear.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2004Date of Patent: May 9, 2006Inventor: Hideaki Okada
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Publication number: 20060080956Abstract: An axle driving system which houses in a housing thereof a hydrostatic transmission, axles, and a driving gear train for connecting output means of the hydraulic transmission and axles, so as to transmit power from a driving source to the hydrostatic transmission and to change the speed, thereby driving the axles. A first chamber therein contains the hydrostatic transmission and a second chamber therein contains the driving gear train. Both the first and second chambers are independent of each other so as to prevent a foreign object, such as iron powder produced in the driving gear train, from entering the hydrostatic transmission. The system includes an L-like-shaped center section on which the hydrostatic transmission is offset such that an imaginary plane which includes a motor mounting surface passes in proximity to the axis of a pump shaft. The pump shaft is disposed perpendicular to the axles. The motor shaft is disposed in parallel thereto.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2005Publication date: April 20, 2006Inventors: Robert Abend, Hideaki Okada, Ryota Ohashi