Patents by Inventor Toshiro Higuchi
Toshiro Higuchi 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: 9097359Abstract: A piezoelectric valve whose assembly work can be efficiently performed. A piezoelectric valve according to this invention includes a valve main body having a gas pressure chamber which receives compressed gas supplied from the outside, a plate which is disposed inside the valve main body and is fixed to the valve main body, and actuators each of which has a valve element, a piezoelectric element generating, in the form of a displacement, driving force required for operation of the valve element, and a displacement magnification mechanism for magnifying a displacement of the piezoelectric element and causing the magnified displacement to act on the valve element, are fixed to each of two surfaces of the plate, and are disposed inside the valve main body together with the plate.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2012Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignees: SATAKE CORPORATION, MECHANO TRANSFORMER, KURODA PNEUMATICS, LTD.Inventors: Takafumi Ito, Sze Keat Chee, Takeshi Yano, Takeshi Kamima, Toshitada Hirata, Toshiro Higuchi
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Publication number: 20150060337Abstract: A piezoelectric valve stably supplies gas even for a long gas ejection time, with a high responsivity to opening the valve, is provided. The piezoelectric valve, including a gas-pressure-chamber for receiving a compressed gas supplied from outside, a gas-discharge-channel through which the compressed gas is discharged from the gas-pressure-chamber, comprises: a valve body disposed in the gas-pressure-chamber and opens/closes the gas-discharge-channel; a piezoelectric element for producing a driving force to move the valve body as a displacement; a displacement-enlarging-mechanism for enlarging the displacement of the piezoelectric element to act on the valve body; and a driving unit having a signal-generating-unit for generating a signal comprising a pre-pulse and a main pulse and provides the signal generated by the signal-generating-unit to a driving circuit as an input signal to apply a driving voltage to the piezoelectric element to make the piezoelectric element expand and drive the valve body open.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2013Publication date: March 5, 2015Applicant: Satake CorporationInventors: Takafumi Ito, Teruhiko Takeuchi, Tadashi Matsushita, Sze Keat Chee, Takeshi Yano, Takeshi Kamima, Toshiro Higuchi
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Publication number: 20140339141Abstract: A piezoelectric valve whose assembly work can be efficiently performed. A piezoelectric valve according to this invention includes a valve main body having a gas pressure chamber which receives compressed gas supplied from the outside, a plate which is disposed inside the valve main body and is fixed to the valve main body, and actuators each of which has a valve element, a piezoelectric element generating, in the form of a displacement, driving force required for operation of the valve element, and a displacement magnification mechanism for magnifying a displacement of the piezoelectric element and causing the magnified displacement to act on the valve element, are fixed to each of two surfaces of the plate, and are disposed inside the valve main body together with the plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2012Publication date: November 20, 2014Inventors: Takafumi Ito, Sze Keat Chee, Takeshi Yano, Takeshi Kamima, Toshitada Hirata, Toshiro Higuchi
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Patent number: 8883864Abstract: A process and apparatus for rapidly producing an emulsion and microcapsules in a simple manner is provided wherein a dispersion phase is ejected from a dispersion phase-feeding port toward a continuous phase flowing in a microchannel in such a manner that flows of the dispersion phase and the continuous phase cross each other, thereby obtaining microdroplets, formed by the shear force of the continuous phase, having a size smaller than the width of the channel for feeding the dispersion phase.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2010Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Japan Science and Technology AgencyInventors: Toshiro Higuchi, Toru Torii, Takashi Nishisako, Tomohiro Taniguchi
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Publication number: 20140300435Abstract: There is provided an electromagnetic actuator which can secure a sufficient thrust force at least at a certain level over a wide range of displacement. The electromagnetic actuator 1 having a point of amplified displacement includes: a displacement amplification mechanism 1A made of a magnetic material and having two surfaces 2as, 2bs that form a gap 5 therebetween; and a coil 6 provided in the displacement amplification mechanism 1A. A magnetic flux is generated by passing an electric current through the coil 6, thereby generating an attraction force between the surfaces 2as, 2bs. The attraction force displaces the point of amplified displacement.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2014Publication date: October 9, 2014Applicant: TOKYO WELD CO., LTD.Inventors: Toshiro HIGUCHI, Hiroyuki NABAE, Koji TAKAHASHI
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Patent number: 8833566Abstract: An optical granular material-sorting apparatus includes: a transfer means for transferring objects being sorted; an optical detection means for detecting, at a detection position, objects being sorted as they drop from an end of the transfer means; and a blasting means provided below the optical detection means and designed to blow away objects being sorted through blasting of air based on the result of detection by the optical detection means. The blasting means has a piezoelectric valve which is driven by a driving means to blast air based on the result of detection by the optical detection means. The driving means applies voltage to a piezoelectric element in multiple stages so as to suppress fluctuation in the amount of gas ejected from a gas release channel when the valve opens.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2013Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignees: Satake Corporation, Mechano Transformer CorporationInventors: Takafumi Ito, Teruhiko Takeuchi, Takeshi Yano, Sze Keat Chee, Toshiro Higuchi
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Publication number: 20140230913Abstract: A method and an apparatus for producing various types of microdroplets are provided. The apparatus has a cross intersection portion 7 at which a first continuous phase 2, a first dispersion phase 4, and a second dispersion phase 6 intersect with each other; a first liquid feed device 12 controlling the first dispersion phase 4; a second liquid feed device 13 controlling the second dispersion phase 6; and a control device 11 connected to the first liquid feed device 12 and the second liquid feed device 13, in which the first liquid feed device 12 and the second liquid feed device 13 are controlled by a signal from the control device 11 so that microdroplets 9 formed of the first dispersion phase 4 and microdroplets 10 formed of the second dispersion phase 6 are sequentially produced.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2014Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: JAPAN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AGENCYInventors: Toru TORII, Toshiro HIGUCHI, Takashi NISHISAKO, Shingo OKUSHIMA
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Patent number: 8741192Abstract: A method and an apparatus for producing various types of microdroplets. The apparatus has a cross intersection portion at which a first continuous phase, a first dispersion phase, and a second dispersion phase intersect with each other. A first liquid feed device controls the first dispersion phase and a second liquid feed device controls the second dispersion phase. A control device is connected to the first liquid feed device and the second liquid feed device. The first liquid feed device and the second liquid feed device are controlled by a signal from the control device so that microdroplets formed of the first dispersion phase and microdroplets formed of the second dispersion phase are sequentially produced.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2005Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Japan Science and Technology AgencyInventors: Toru Torii, Toshiro Higuchi, Takashi Nishisako, Shingo Okushima
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Patent number: 8662312Abstract: A piezoelectric valve comprising: a valve main body formed in which are a gas pressure chamber that takes in compressed gas supplied from the outside as well as a gas release channel through which the compressed gas is released from the gas pressure chamber; a valve body placed in the gas pressure chamber to open and close the gas release channel; a piezoelectric element that generates, in the form of displacement, a driving force needed to operate the valve body; at least one displacement amplification mechanism that amplifies a displacement of the piezoelectric element and causes it to act upon the valve body; and a driving means for applying voltage to the piezoelectric element in order to drive the valve body to open the valve and thereby open the gas release channel; wherein such piezoelectric valve is characterized in that the driving means applies voltage to the piezoelectric element in multiple stages so as to suppress fluctuation in the amount of gas ejected from the gas release channel when the valvType: GrantFiled: May 13, 2011Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignees: Satake Corporation, Mechano Transformer CorporationInventors: Takafumi Ito, Teruhiko Takeuchi, Takeshi Yano, Sze Keat Chee, Toshiro Higuchi
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Patent number: 8552620Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of measuring and evaluating rigidity of a target object or mechanical output, such as force, displacement, and mechanical energy generated by a piezoelectric actuator and applied to the target object, according to only a measured value of electric quantity without use of a mechanical sensor, and a method of controlling the piezoelectric actuator, and a device using these methods. Steps of finding equivalent circuit constants of the piezoelectric actuator; applying a voltage to the piezoelectric actuator and measuring electrical quantity flowing into the piezoelectric actuator due to the applied voltage, or applying an electric charge to the piezoelectric actuator and measuring voltage applied to the piezoelectric actuator due to the applied electric charge; and measuring and evaluating one or more of force, displacement, or mechanical energy generated by the piezoelectric actuator and applied to a target object, or rigidity of a target object are included.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2010Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Mechano Transformer CorporationInventors: Takeshi Yano, Kazuo Yakuwa, Akio Yano, Sze Keat Chee, Toshiro Higuchi
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Publication number: 20130256200Abstract: An optical granular material-sorting apparatus includes: a transfer means for transferring objects being sorted; an optical detection means for detecting, at a detection position, objects being sorted as they drop from an end of the transfer means; and a blasting means provided below the optical detection means and designed to blow away objects being sorted through blasting of air based on the result of detection by the optical detection means. The blasting means has a piezoelectric valve which is driven by a driving means to blast air based on the result of detection by the optical detection means. The driving means applies voltage to a piezoelectric element in multiple stages so as to suppress fluctuation in the amount of gas ejected from a gas release channel when the valve opens.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2013Publication date: October 3, 2013Inventors: Takafumi ITO, Teruhiko TAKEUCHI, Takeshi YANO, Sze Keat CHEE, Toshiro HIGUCHI
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Publication number: 20120091927Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of measuring and evaluating rigidity of a target object or mechanical output, such as force, displacement, and mechanical energy generated by a piezoelectric actuator and applied to the target object, according to only a measured value of electric quantity without use of a mechanical sensor, and a method of controlling the piezoelectric actuator, and a device using these methods. Steps of finding equivalent circuit constants of the piezoelectric actuator; applying a voltage to the piezoelectric actuator and measuring electrical quantity flowing into the piezoelectric actuator due to the applied voltage, or applying an electric charge to the piezoelectric actuator and measuring voltage applied to the piezoelectric actuator due to the applied electric charge; and measuring and evaluating one or more of force, displacement, or mechanical energy generated by the piezoelectric actuator and applied to a target object, or rigidity of a target object are included.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2010Publication date: April 19, 2012Inventors: Takeshi Yano, Kazuo Yakuwa, Akio Yano, Sze Keat Chee, Toshiro Higuchi
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Publication number: 20110284431Abstract: A piezoelectric valve comprising: a valve main body formed in which are a gas pressure chamber that takes in compressed gas supplied from the outside as well as a gas release channel through which the compressed gas is released from the gas pressure chamber; a valve body placed in the gas pressure chamber to open and close the gas release channel; a piezoelectric element that generates, in the form of displacement, a driving force needed to operate the valve body; at least one displacement amplification mechanism that amplifies a displacement of the piezoelectric element and causes it to act upon the valve body; and a driving means for applying voltage to the piezoelectric element in order to drive the valve body to open the valve and thereby open the gas release channel; wherein such piezoelectric valve is characterized in that the driving means applies voltage to the piezoelectric element in multiple stages so as to suppress fluctuation in the amount of gas ejected from the gas release channel when the valvType: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2011Publication date: November 24, 2011Applicants: MECHANO TRANSFORMER CORPORATION, SATAKE CORPORATIONInventors: Takafumi ITO, Teruhiko TAKEUCHI, Takeshi YANO, Sze Keat CHEE, Toshiro HIGUCHI
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Publication number: 20100327471Abstract: A process and apparatus for rapidly producing an emulsion and microcapsules in a simple manner is provided wherein a dispersion phase is ejected from a dispersion phase-feeding port toward a continuous phase flowing in a microchannel in such a manner that flows of the dispersion phase and the continuous phase cross each other, thereby obtaining microdroplets, formed by the shear force of the continuous phase, having a size smaller than the width of the channel for feeding the dispersion phase.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2010Publication date: December 30, 2010Applicant: Japan Science and Technology CorporationInventors: Toshiro Higuchi, Toru Torii, Takashi Nishisako, Tomohiro Taniguchi
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Patent number: 7772287Abstract: A process and apparatus for rapidly producing an emulsion and microcapsules in a simple manner is provided wherein a dispersion phase is ejected from a dispersion phase-feeding port toward a continuous phase flowing in a microchannel in such a manner that flows of the dispersion phase and the continuous phase cross each other, thereby obtaining microdroplets, formed by the shear force of the continuous phase, having a size smaller than the width of the channel for feeding the dispersion phase.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2005Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Japan Science & Technology AgencyInventors: Toshiro Higuchi, Toru Torii, Takashi Nishisako, Tomohiro Taniguchi
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Patent number: 7717615Abstract: In a process and apparatus for rapidly producing an emulsion and microcapsules in a simple manner, a dispersion phase is ejected from a dispersion phase-feeding port toward a continuous phase flowing in a microchannel in such a manner that flows of the dispersion phase and the continuous phase cross each other, thereby obtaining microdroplets, formed by a shear force of the continuous phase, having a size smaller than the width of the channel for feeding the dispersion phase.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2005Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: Japan Science & Technology AgencyInventors: Toshiro Higuchi, Toru Torii, Takashi Nishisako, Tomohiro Taniguchi
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Patent number: 7516714Abstract: A solution containing a sample is provided vibration by a vibrating element, the solution is atomized in a status retaining its activities as minute particulate substances, and the solution and/or the atomized minute particulate substances are electrically charged by wires applied a high voltage. Then, the particles are dried out during flying, the particles are deposited onto a substrate grounded by electrostatic force, and to be immobilized in a status keeping its activities.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2002Date of Patent: April 14, 2009Assignees: Riken, Fuence Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yutaka Yamagata, Toshiro Higuchi, Joon Wan Kim, Kozo Inoue
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Patent number: 7378473Abstract: Monodisperse colored spherical particles each having two separated color regions of two hues, that is, two-colored spherical particles, useful, for example, for displays of characters, graphics, images and the like, the two hues being for reverse display in terms of electricity and magnetism from the viewpoint of good suitability for display are provided. In the production process and the apparatus for producing the colored spherical polymer particles, microchannels are utilized including a first microchannel through which a colored continuous phase comprising a color dye/pigment dispersed in a fluid dispersing medium containing a polymerizable resin component and having colored phases of different hues is transferred, and a second microchannel through which a spheroidizing disperse phase flows.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2003Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Assignees: Soken Chemical & Engineering Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toru Torii, Toshiro Higuchi, Takasi Nisisako, Youichi Takizawa, Takanori Takahashi
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Patent number: 7375140Abstract: A process and apparatus for rapidly producing an emulsion and microcapsules in a simple manner is provided wherein a dispersion phase is ejected from a dispersion phase-feeding port toward a continuous phase flowing in a microchannel in such a manner that flows of the dispersion phase and the continuous phase cross each other, thereby obtaining microdroplets, formed by the shear force of the continuous phase, having a size smaller than the width of the channel for feeding the dispersion phase.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2005Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Assignee: Japan Science and Technology AgencyInventors: Toshiro Higuchi, Toru Torii, Takashi Nishisako, Tomohiro Taniguchi
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Patent number: 7360750Abstract: The air valve includes a valve body for controlling operations to open and close the communication between an air pressure chamber and an air outlet, a piezoelectric element for generating driving force in the form of displacements, and a displacement enlarging mechanism for enlarging the small displacements generated by the piezoelectric element by the principle of a pry and applying the enlarged displacements to the valve body. The enlarged displacements cause a large and sufficient gap to be developed between the air pressure chamber and the air outlet when a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element. When the applying of voltage to the piezoelectric element is stopped, the resetting force of the piezoelectric element itself causes the gap to be closed quickly.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2004Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Assignee: Satake CorporationInventors: Takeshi Yano, Toshiro Higuchi, Kenichi Kudoh, Sze Keat Chee, Tsunehiko Shibata, Norimasa Ikeda