Patents Assigned to SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
  • Brake apparatus for linear motor and method for positioning movable section of linear motor
    Patent number: 7770700
    Abstract: When respective magnetic fluxes are generated by coils and pass through a plate spring, an electromagnetic force, which results from the magnetic flux, is generated within a plate spring, screws, and a magnetic flux-passing member. Therefore, a brake pad is separated from a slide table in accordance with an action of the electromagnetic force exerted against a resilient force of the plate spring. On the other hand, when generation of respective magnetic fluxes from the coils is halted, the electromagnetic force is extinguished, and thus the brake pad presses against the slide table, in accordance with an action of the resilient force of the plate spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hisashi Yajima, Nobohiro Fujiwara
  • Solenoid-operated valve controller
    Patent number: 7758015
    Abstract: A solenoid-operated valve controller includes a first signal line and a second signal line, which are connected respectively to ends of a first solenoid coil and a second solenoid coil. The first solenoid coil and the second solenoid coil have other ends, which are electrically connected in common to a switch. One of the first and second solenoid coils, which corresponds to signal states of a plurality of input signals that are supplied respectively to the first and second signal lines, is selected, and the switch is turned on and off to control the selected one of the first and second solenoid coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Fumio Morikawa
  • Pump apparatus
    Patent number: 7758321
    Abstract: A pump apparatus comprises a piston, which is provided displaceably along a first chamber formed in a body under the action of a pilot pressure, an indirect medium composed of a non-compressive fluid and which is to be pressed by the piston, and a diaphragm that is flexibly bendable in cooperation with the indirect medium. When the fluid is discharged from a discharge port, a change in volume caused by the displacement of the piston in the axial direction is identical to the change in volume caused by the displacement of the diaphragm in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Fukano, Takamitsu Suzuki
  • Silencer
    Patent number: 7753167
    Abstract: A silencer includes a cylindrical member held between a body connected to an exhaust side of a fluid pressure device and a disk-shaped retaining member. A net-shaped sound absorber is disposed around an outer circumference of the cylindrical member. A pressure fluid flows from the body into the interior of the cylindrical member and is discharged toward the sound absorber through a plurality of first through fifth exhaust holes formed in the cylindrical member. Accordingly, dust in the pressure fluid is removed by the sound absorber, which is formed of a plurality of stacked filters, and further, the pressure fluid is discharged to the outside after exhaust noises have been absorbed by the sound absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Fukano, Shoichi Makado
  • Solenoid-operated valve and solenoid-operated valve-driving circuit
    Patent number: 7738234
    Abstract: When a power source voltage is applied to a switch control section, a control signal is supplied from the switch control section to a transistor. The transistor is placed in an ON state during a period of time corresponding to a pulse width of the control signal. The power source voltage is applied as a first voltage to a solenoid coil. On the other hand, when supply of the control signal to the transistor is stopped, the transistor is placed in an OFF state. A voltage-generating section generates a DC voltage, which is lower than the power source voltage. The transistor applies the generated DC voltage as a second voltage to the solenoid coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigeharu Oide
  • CONNECTOR FOR FLUID PRESSURE DEVICES
    Publication number: 20100140921
    Abstract: An adapter includes a base body including a pair of coupling members and a connecting plug inserted through a hole in the base body and screw-engaged with a port of the two-way valve. In addition, upon threaded engagement of the connecting plug, the base body is mounted with respect to an attachment surface of the two-way valve. Further, a seal member is installed on an end surface of the base body, such that a sealing function is performed by abutment of the seal member against the attachment surface. Moreover, first and second connecting flanges of a connecting apparatus are engaged with respect to the coupling members of the adapter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinichi Ito
  • Linear Electromagnetic Actuator
    Publication number: 20100134225
    Abstract: First and second projections are formed to protrude toward a guide rail from both sides of a slide table. Third and fourth projections are formed to protrude toward the slide table from both sides of the guide rail. A plurality of balls are arranged in clearances between the first and second projections and the third and fourth projections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: SMC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hisashi Yajima, Nobuhiro Fujiwara
  • Paint selector valve
    Patent number: 7712484
    Abstract: A piston, which is displaceable by pilot air, is provided in a main body. A valve plug, which is composed of a resin material, is connected to an end of a shaft connected to the piston. The valve plug is seated on a valve seat section of a sub-body connected to the main body, and thus the flow of the paint to a flow passage is cut off. A seating section of the valve plug, which is to be seated on the valve seat section, is formed to be substantially spherical. Further, the surface of the valve seat section is recessed and substantially spherical corresponding to the seating section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Fukano, Shoichi Makado
  • Positioning control system and filter
    Patent number: 7711453
    Abstract: A positioning control system has a disturbance observer for estimating a disturbance from a displaced distance of a cylinder of a controlled object, and feeding back an estimated disturbance. The positioning control system also includes a saturation element and a low-pass element disposed in a feedback loop including the disturbance observer, and a saturated value changer for changing a saturated value of the saturation element based on a deviation. The saturation element is disposed in a forward path of a positive-feedback minor loop, whereas the low-pass element is disposed in a feedback path of the positive-feedback minor loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seikai Yo, Kazuo Nakano, Nobuhiro Fujiwara, Hiroshi Miyachi, Masatoshi Hatakeyama
  • Flow rate control valve
    Patent number: 7694939
    Abstract: A retaining cylinder is threadedly engaged with a fixed cylinder of a flow rate control valve, by means of a screw section formed on an outer circumferential surface. A fence cover, which is capable of expanding and contracting in the axial direction, is installed between the fixed cylinder and a float rod supported by the retaining cylinder. An upper seal member is provided on the float rod, on the upper side thereof with respect to a valve plug. A lower seal member is provided on the lower side thereof with respect to the valve plug. The upper seal member and the lower seal member have substantially identical diameters. The float rod is displaced under an energizing action of a stepping motor. The flow rate of a fluid is controlled depending on a distance of the valve plug with respect to a valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsushi Okitsu
  • Non-contact transport apparatus
    Patent number: 7690869
    Abstract: An inner member having a supply port is installed at the inside of a housing, wherein the housing and the inner member are connected together by connecting bolts. Air is supplied to the supply port of the inner member and is directed and introduced through communication passages into an annular passage. Thereafter, the air is directed outwardly from a plurality of lead-out holes, which communicate with the annular passage, in a swirling direction with respect to an annular recess facing the workpiece. In addition, by having the air flow along the annular recess, which is formed with a substantially trapezoidal shape in cross section, the workpiece is maintained in a non-contact state with respect to a holding surface of the inner member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seikai Yo, Katsuaki Takahashi, Masayuki Hosono, Kazuo Nakano
  • Linear electromagnetic actuator
    Patent number: 7683749
    Abstract: First and second projections are formed to protrude toward a guide rail from both sides of a slide table. Third and fourth projections are formed to protrude toward the slide table from both sides of the guide rail. A plurality of balls are arranged in clearances between the first and second projections and the third and fourth projections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hisashi Yajima, Nobuhiro Fujiwara
  • CLAMP APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20100044942
    Abstract: A lock mechanism includes a casing that is fixed to a side surface of a body, a handle disposed rotatably on the outside of the casing, and a transmission section, which is capable of transmitting a drive force applied by the handle. An end of a guide rod making up the transmission section is connected in a body surrounding groove of a piston rod disposed inside the body. In addition, by rotating the handle, the guide rod of the transmission section is displaced vertically (upward and downward), such that an arm is rotationally displaced through a toggle link mechanism by displacement of the piston rod along the axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsushi Tamai
  • BALL SCREW MECHANISM
    Publication number: 20100043583
    Abstract: A ball screw mechanism is equipped with a ball screw shaft formed from a metallic material, a displacement nut inserted over an outer circumferential side of the ball screw shaft, steel balls installed between a first screw groove formed on the ball screw shaft and a second screw groove formed in the displacement nut, and a pair of first and second return members, through which the steel balls are circulated between one end side and another end side of the displacement nut. The first and second return members include main body parts mounted respectively onto one end and another end of the displacement nut, and cylindrical parts that project outwardly with respect to the main body parts. A return passage, through which the steel balls are circulated, is formed inside of the main body parts and the cylindrical parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: SMC Kabushiki kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Fukano, Toru Sugiyama, Masaki Imamura
  • Pressure switch
    Patent number: 7663496
    Abstract: In a pressure switch, a joint coupling holder is mounted via an opening in a case constituting a housing. A plurality of engagement pawls that make up the joint coupling holder engages with a bottom of the case. Further, by inserting a cap into a recess of the joint coupling holder, the engaged state of the engagement pawls is maintained, whereby the housing, which is made from a resin material, and the joint coupling holder are strongly and rigidly connected together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kawakami, Kazuhiro Kurahara
  • Drain separator
    Patent number: 7662220
    Abstract: A driving section is provided for a housing. A fan is rotated in the housing by the driving section. Saturated steam, which is supplied to the housing, is separated into a liquid component and a gas component by applying the centrifugal force to the saturated steam by the fan to make the saturated steam pass through a cylindrical separating wall. The liquid component is discharged from an outlet port of the housing by the separating wall and a shielding section. On the other hand, the gas component is discharged from a discharge port formed at an upper portion of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Fukano, Takayuki Murai
  • PRESSURE REDUCING APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20100006160
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pressure reducing apparatus. A diaphragm made from an elastic material is provided in the interior of a body. The diaphragm includes a main body portion having a seat member that is capable of being seated on an inner tubular member of the body, a retaining portion disposed on an outer peripheral side of the main body portion and which is slidably displaceable with respect to the inner tubular member, and a skirt that is retained on a flange of the body. Additionally, by flexing of the skirt by means of an elastic force of a spring, the seat member thereof separates away from the inner tubular member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinichi ITO, Michihiro HANADA
  • FLUID PRESSURE CYLINDER WITH TRUNNION SUPPORT FITTING
    Publication number: 20100005957
    Abstract: A pair of trunnion support fittings is installed on a cylinder tube, and the trunnion support fittings have main fittings placed along vertical outer surfaces of the cylinder tube and also have fastening fittings connected to arm sections of the main fittings by screws. Installation projections formed on the fastening fittings are engaged with engagement grooves formed in lateral outer surfaces of the cylinder tube. Also, particle layers are formed on the trunnion support fittings and are in contact with the vertical outer surfaces and lateral outer surfaces of the cylinder tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: SMC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuya Ikari, Makoto Yaegashi
  • Suck back valve
    Patent number: 7637440
    Abstract: A suck back valve comprises a suction amount-adjusting mechanism including a screw member which regulates a displacement amount of a second piston integrally displaceable with a second diaphragm in accordance with abutment of a disk-shaped member, a rotary driving section which allows the screw member to move toward or away from the disk-shaped member, and a detecting section which detects a displacement amount of the screw member. Accordingly, it is possible to appropriately adjust the flow rate of the pressure fluid to be sucked under the negative pressure action of the second diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Fukano, Tadashi Uchino
  • Controller of electrical actuator
    Patent number: D607821
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Fukano, Takeshi Hirose