Patents Assigned to Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
  • Patent number: 5174168
    Abstract: This invention relates to a flexible robot arm comprising a plurality of disc-shaped elements arranged in a series so as to consist of a flexible arm, both surfaces of each of the elements being formed in convex having an arched opposed single curve so as to form contact surfaces, and a plurality of wire-like actuating devices for allowing the flexible arm to curve or bend in a desired direction. The flexible robot arm of this invention is directed to make motors for driving the actuating devices compact in size and light in weight and also a drive unit section compact in size and light in weight. The flexible robot arm includes two drive units each interconnected to the proximal ends of respective pairs of actuating devices (e.g. 3a and 3c, and 3b and 3d) disposed oppositely to each other on the diagonal and driven through rotary members (5a, 5b, 9a, 9b or 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d) each being rotated by one of the motors (8a, 8 b) in both the clockwise and the anti-clockwise directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventors: Hiroaki Takagi, Yozo Nishi
  • Patent number: 5174385
    Abstract: A blade control system for a bulldozer enables the bulldozer to effectively perform a ground leveling work or a grading work with high accuracy in a minimum amount of time. The system compensates for pitching of a tractor portion of the bulldozer, and for variations in the amount of earth to be moved by a blade of the bulldozer. The system comprises: a pair of photo receivers (2, 3) which are mounted on the tractor portion (1) along a longitudinal axis of the portion (1) while spaced apart from each other, each of which receivers (2, 3) detects an optical reference plane (6) produced by a photo projector (4) to issue a level signal; and a blade controller (13) which controls an hydraulic valve actuaor (14) for moving the blade (8) based on the level signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventors: Tetsuya Shinbo, Toyoichi Ono
  • Patent number: 5174190
    Abstract: A moving speed regulator for a hydraulically driven work implement capable of automatically controlling the lifting speed of a boom, and regulating the maximum lifting speed thereof in particular during earth and sand scooping operation, and also having for its object to enable the lifting speed of the boom when the boom is lifted to a position near its highest position. This regulator comprises a pilot circuit (10) having a pilot pump (P); a hydraulic circuit for driving a work implement, which includes a work implement operating valve (g) adapted to be actuated by a pilot fluid pressure from a hydraulic pilot valve (i.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignees: Komatsu MEC Corp., Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventor: Masanori Ikari
  • Patent number: 5174137
    Abstract: An object of this invention consists in exactly specifically identifying the position where abnormality arises in a speed changing system installed on a construction machine or similar vehicle. Specifically, a microprocessor (29) determines whether or not clutches H and L and clutch R, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th are brought in an engaged state in conformity with clutch pressure commands (C.sub.1 l to C.sub.7). In addition, the microprocessor (29) determines whether or not the clutches are selected and then brought in an engaged state in conformity with the clutch pressure commands and shafts (2a, 7a and 8a) located before and behind the clutches are rotated in conformity with speed reduction ratios corresponding to the selected clutches. Thereafter, the microprocessor (29) exactly specifically identifies based on the results derived from the aforementioned determinations the position where a failure arises in the speed changing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventors: Takeo Kato, Kohei Kusaka
  • Patent number: 5170753
    Abstract: A sea water cooling apparatus for a marine diesel engine with a supercharger is provided with a thermostat to recycle at least part of the cooling water through a first bypass line to the inlet of the sea water pump until the warming up operation has been accomplished. A second bypass line containing a valve is provided between the inlet of the thermostat and the water outlet to the sea, in order to achieve a satisfactory large output if a rapid accelerating operation is performed after the warming up operation has been performed or in case of an operation under a large load. The valve in the second bypass line can be operated responsive to the sea water pump discharge pressure, or the discharge pressure of the supercharger, and/or the engine revolution speed. A fuel cooler can be included in the outlet conduit of the sea water pump, with the fuel cooler, the engine and a fuel tank being connected to one another by fuel conduits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventor: Fumihide Sato
  • Patent number: 5168610
    Abstract: The present invention provides a complex machine tool wherein the punching center is coincides with the cutting work position so that the range of movement of a workpiece is not subjected to any restriction even during the workpiece cutting work in the same manner as in the workpiece punching work. The composite machine tool comprises a plasma torch (16) mounted on the machine tool body near the working position and arranged to be movable freely such that it can be withdrawn from the working position when a workpiece (5) is subjected to die-punching work, and proceeded to the working position when the workpiece is subjected to cutting work. Futher, the machine tool comprises protecting means (18, 19) for protecting the lower turret (3) and other members mounted adjacent thereto from the dross and heat developed by plasma arc during the workpiece cutting work by the plasma torch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventors: Masaaki Ichimura, Hiroaki Tamaki, Hitoshi Sawamura
  • Patent number: 5168973
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for controlling a hydraulic pressure usable for a clutch wherein the appratus is employed for a transmission mounted on a construction machine or the like in such a manner that it is provided separately for a plurality of clutches 1 and it is controlled individually. The apparatus includes a first valve 3 for allowing a large amount of hydraulic oil to flow in the clutch and a second valve 4 for electronically controlling a clutch pressure so that the termination of filling and the clutch pressure are detected by a simple structural arrangement on the basis of a displacement of a spool 21 for the first valve 3 and a separately disposed piston. In addition, appearing of an overshoot pressure on the termination of filling is prevented by providing a difference in pressue receiving areas on the spool 21 for the first valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventors: Yoshio Asayama, Makio Tsubota, Yasunori Okura, Takayuki Sato
  • Patent number: 5170342
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for automating a routine operation of an electronically controlled hydraulic-powered machine is provided. The apparatus is mounted on the hydraulic-powered machine to have the hydraulic-powered machine automatically and repetitively perform its simple routine operation. The present invention also provides a method and apparatus for automating a routine operation of an electronically controlled hydraulic-powered machine to perform an effective loading operation of a present amount of load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventors: Kentaro Nakamura, Kiyoshi Note, Koichi Yamashita, Shinji Maeda
  • Patent number: 5170338
    Abstract: An apparatus for carrying out serial control and a method of controlling the apparatus wherein the apparatus and the method are employable for a centralized control system for various machinery such as press, machine tool, ship, aircraft or the like machine as well as a centralized control system for unmanned conveyor, unmanned warehouse or the like installation. The apparatus comprises a plurality of nodes connected in series one after another and a main controller connected to the nodes. A data row length of data included in a signal from the node at the preceding stage is counted by a data row length counter and the counted data row length is compared with data row length data included in the signal from the node at the preceding stage. When the counted data row length does not coincide with a data row length representative of the data row length data, this non-coincidence is determined as a data row length abnormality thereby to generate an error signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventors: Masakazu Moritoki, Masao Hagiwara, Yukinori Katayama
  • Patent number: 5167158
    Abstract: This invention provides a semiconductor film pressure sensor in which the pressure-sensitive resistance layers are made of an n-type polycrystalline silicon layer, and a method of manufacturing the sensor. In the semiconductor film pressure sensor of the invention, the pressure-sensitive resistance layers are formed on a diaphragm, and in addition a coarsely adjusting pattern and a finely adjusting pattern for zero point adjustment and the resistors of a temperature compensating circuit are formed on the diaphragm using the same n-type polycrystalline silicone layer. In formation of the n-type polycrystalline silicone layer, the substrate temperature is held at 500.degree. to 600.degree. C. The coarsely adjusting pattern and finely adjusting pattern for zero point adjustment, and the resistors of the temperature compensating circuit are formed in the same step as the pressure-sensitive resistance layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventors: Makoto Kamachi, Jun Tajika, Aki Tabata, Noritake Suzuki, Hiroshi Inagaki
  • Patent number: 5165321
    Abstract: A main bearing device for a bent axis type axial piston pump/motor constructed such that respective sums of a thrust load and a radial load, in other words, respective total loads acting on first and second bearings, respectively, disposed in a tandem arrangement in the axial direction of the main bearing device becomes uniform. The main bearing device has a first bearing (8) and a second bearing (9) that are disposed in the tandem arrangement through inner and outer wheel seats (10, 11) and a gap defined within the range of 10 to 30.mu. is formed between the inner side end surface (12) of the outer race (8b) of the first bearing (8) and the inner side end surface (13) of the outer wheel seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventors: Takeo Arimoto, Takashi Ogata, Kazuyoshi Nagahara
  • Patent number: 5163542
    Abstract: A switch-over valve 6 is provided in a pressure circuit 31 between a hydraulic pump 2a and a clutch 7, and a pressure limiting valve 5 is provided between a reflux circuit 9 for the valve 6 and the pressure circuit 31. The clutch actuating hydraulic circuit includes another hydraulic pump 2b, and a switch-over valve 8 for switching over a discharged fluid of the hydraulic pump 2b. A downstream side of the switch-over valve 8 is connected to the pressure circuit 31 and to the reflux circuit 9. Consequently, when the clutch is engaged or disengaged, the discharged fluid of the hydraulic pump 2b is combined with the discharged fluid of the hydraulic pump 2a so as to increase the flow rate to the clutch 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventor: Ryuichi Saiga
  • Patent number: 5163477
    Abstract: This invention relates to an electrohydraulic proportional control valve which continually provides pressurized oil into an oil path on the output side to prevent the existence of air therein and which can move a spool without any time delay when a solenoid is energized, thus improving response. The hydraulic proportional control valve includes a spool which establishes/cuts off communication between an inlet port communicating with a hydraulic pump and an outlet port on the output side, a spring disposed in such a manner as to apply to the base end of the spool such a spring force, which is in equilibrium with the oil pressure force acting on the tip of the spool so as to keep the spool at the position where the inlet port and the outlet port slightly communicate with each other, and a moving rod disposed in such a manner as to oppose the base end of the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventors: Toshiro Takano, Sadao Nunotani, Naoki Ishizaki
  • Patent number: 5163109
    Abstract: An optical connector assembly (1) for connecting an optical fiber (9), an optical element (4) (light-emitting element or light-receiving element), and an electric circuit together. A bolt (32) of an optical fiber-mounting fitting in which the optical fiber (9) is inserted in the hole of an elastic seal and a bolt (31), is screwed into a threaded hole formed in a housing (2) of the plug (1) that accommodates the optical element (4) in order to couple the optical fiber (9) to the plug (1). The connection between the optical element (4) and the electric circuit is accomplished by a jack (20) and the plug (1) is provided with a lock mechanism based on a push-type lever (20), featuring improved sealing performance against water, oil, dust and dirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventors: Minoru Okugawa, Masakazu Moritoki, Yasuyoshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5163056
    Abstract: An apparatus for carrying out serial control includes a single main controller and a plurality of node controllers for directly controlling a variety of sensors and actuators. The node controllers are serially connected to the main controller. The main controller receives a data signal row which is successively transferred through the node controllers and then indirectly and centrally controls sensor data derived from the sensors, as well as actuator control data transmitted to the actuators. Data is transmitted from the data signal row to the sensors or the actuator to be controlled and vice versa in each node controller. An error code is added to the data signal row which is to be transferred to a succeeding port under logic conditions indicating the occurrence of an error. The occurrence of an error is confirmed by inspecting an error check code which is previously added to the data signal row to check whether an error has or has not occurred between the node controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventors: Masao Hagiwara, Masakazu Moritoki, Tatsuo Mimura
  • Patent number: 5151109
    Abstract: A peripheral surface of an annular shaped grinder is distributed with grinding particles. The grinding particles have a particles distribution such that the spacing between the grinding particles in the axial direction is less than 2/3 of the mean diameter of the particle and that the spacing between grinding particles in the circumferential direction is about 5-80 times of the mean particle diameter. The grinder is manufactured by a method of forming a pattern of an adhesive layer on a synthetic resin sheet, fixing the grinding particles to the patterns and laminating the sheets with fixed particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1992
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kitabayashi, Tadayuki Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 5148833
    Abstract: A first conversion means amplifies the directly operated displacement of a laminated piezoelectric actuator and converts it to a rotary displacement. A second conversion means reversely converts this rotary displacement to a directly operated displacement for the purpose of driving a valve spool. The directly operated displacement of the piezoelectric actuator can be converted to a rotary displacement by placing the piezoelectric actuator in contact with a cam disposed on a first rotatable shaft so that a rotary tangential line force will act at a position deviated a fixed amount from the center of the first shaft. The displacement amount of the piezoelectric actuator is amplified by the combination of a gear disposed on the first shaft and a pinion disposed on a second shaft, with the second shaft being parallel to the first shaft. The second conversion means, which converts the rotation of the second shaft to the linear displacement of valve spool, can be a rack and pinion mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventor: Kazuo Ota
  • Patent number: 5148676
    Abstract: A service valve circuit of a hydraulic excavator connected beforehand for use in controlling a special attachment in addition to a prescribed actuator control valve. The service valve circuit comprises a confluence valve 17 for performing electromagnetic proportional flow rate control, disposed in a confluence circuit 16 in communication with the section between inflow circuits 3F and 3R of two variable pumps 2F and 2R, an electrical switch 21 for switching the confluence valve 17 on or off according to a required flow rate and a volume 22 for adjusting the quantity of flow after passing through a confluence valve 17 in a range of flow for a maximum of one to two pumps. Since the requirement of confluence with respect to a required quantity of flow for a special attachment e and the quantity of confluence are set in advance, there will be no excess or shortage of the quantity of confluence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventors: Yukio Moriya, Toshio Yokoyama, Fujitoshi Takamura, Takumi Onoda
  • Patent number: 5144470
    Abstract: A laser scanner driving device has a piezoelectric actuator which acts through a lever to rotate a drive shaft against the force of a plunger which is biased by a reaction spring. The drive shaft is the input to a displacement amplifier. A laser beam deflecting mirror is mounted on the output shaft of the displacement amplifier. In order to reduce the effect of friction on the conversion of the rectilinear displacement of the piezoelectric actuator into the rotational displacement of the mirror and to avoid non-coaxial reaction forces on the piezoelectric actuator, at least one rotatable contactor is provided between the free end of the piezoelectric actuator and the lever and at least one rotatable contactor is provided between one end of the plunger and the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventor: Kazuo Ota
  • Patent number: 5142543
    Abstract: A method for controlling a narrow-band oscillation excimer laser which is suitable for control of an excimer laser used as a light source of a reduced projection exposer, and a system thereof. At least two wavelength selective element are disposed within a laser oscillator. There are provided a center wavelength control for causing an oscillation center wavelength determined by these wavelength selective elements to coincide with a desired value, an overlapping control for overlapping the transmission wavelengths of these wavelength selective elements, and a power control for controlling a voltage applied to electrodes located within a laser chamber to thereby control a laser output. Partial gas replacement is carried out when the application voltage to the electrodes within the laser chamber becomes high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventors: Osamu Wakabayashi, Masahiko Kowaka