Patents Assigned to SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
  • Linear Actuator
    Publication number: 20080127817
    Abstract: A cylinder body includes a first guide surface made up from first guide grooves and a first bulging portion, wherein a slide table is displaceably supported on the first guide surface via a guide mechanism. Additionally, guide members of a guide block that constitutes the guide mechanism are inserted into and fixed within the first guide grooves. Further, the cylinder body is equipped with a second guide surface, which is formed with substantially the same shape as the first guide surface. In the event that the first guide surface is oriented upwardly and the slide table is installed thereon, the second guide surface acts as a mounting surface, whereas, in the event that the second guide surface is oriented upwardly and the slide table is installed thereon, the first guide surface acts as the mounting surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: SMC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Someya, Masayuki Hosono, Kouichirou Kanda, Yoshihiro Toshimori
  • Pneumatic Device Selection System, Pneumatic Device Selection Method, Recording Medium, And Pneumatic Device Selection Program
    Publication number: 20080109745
    Abstract: The present system includes a standard circuit selection processing means for selecting a cylinder operating system based on input data, and independent characteristic calculation processing means for calculating characteristics of the cylinder operating system based on entered usage conditions, a branching and joining circuit processing means for selecting a branching and joining circuit based on input data and calculating characteristics of the selected branching and joining circuit, a manifold circuit processing means for selecting a manifold circuit based on input data and calculating characteristics of the selected manifold circuit, and a shock absorber selection processing means for selecting a shock absorber based on input data and/or a selection result from the standard circuit selection processing means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2005
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: SMC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Huping Zhang, Mitsuru Senoo, Naotake Oneyama
  • Valve Apparatus
    Publication number: 20080087346
    Abstract: A valve apparatus includes a first base block having flow passages formed therein, a second base block and a control block. By connecting together side surfaces of the blocks so that the surfaces mutually oppose one another, a manifold formed in the interior of each of the blocks is configured and connected, and valves are installed internally in the first base block and the second base block. Further, gaskets are gripped between each of the interconnected parts, wherein the gaskets are held in a state of being flush with or protruding with respect to outer surfaces of the blocks that are positioned on both sides of the gaskets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: SMC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideyuki Takada, Yoshihiko Ito
  • Linear actuator and method for processing the same
    Patent number: 7353748
    Abstract: A bent section, which is bent substantially perpendicularly toward a main cylinder body, is formed at one end of a slide table. Further, a pair of ball-rolling grooves, in which a plurality of ball bearings roll, are formed on side surfaces of the slide table opposed to a guide section. A relief groove, which has a width wider than a spacing distance between the ball-rolling grooves and which makes it possible to change the direction of a processing jig when the ball-rolling grooves are processed, is formed at ends of the ball-rolling grooves disposed on a side of the bent section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshio Sato, Akira Tadano, Gen Tsuchiya
  • Manual Switching Valve
    Publication number: 20080078968
    Abstract: In a manual switching valve, which enables a valve plug to be opened and closed manually, a piston is threadedly engaged with a shaft that is inserted through a housing, wherein a handle having a switching mechanism therein is installed on an upper end of the shaft. After a valve plug is seated on a valve seat, any further turning force applied to the handle is interrupted without being transmitted to the shaft owing to the fact that balls disengage from tooth portions of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: SMC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Fukano, Tadashi Uchino
  • Non-Contact Transport Apparatus
    Publication number: 20080079208
    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: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seikai Yo, Katsuaki Takahashi, Masayuki Hosono, Kazuo Nakano
  • Pipe Joint
    Publication number: 20080067804
    Abstract: A pipe joint is equipped with a socket and a plug, which are attachable and detachable from each other, wherein a pressure fluid introduced from the plug flows toward the socket through second holes formed in a plug valve. In addition, the pressure fluid flows smoothly along outer circumferential surfaces of the plug valve and a socket valve, and along inner circumferential surfaces of a plug body and a socket body. Further, the pressure fluid flows from the socket body to a back body, through first holes formed in the socket valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Applicant: SMC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Motohiro Sato, Shuichi Saito
  • Cylinder apparatus
    Patent number: 7343849
    Abstract: A piston, which is provided in a cylinder tube, is connected to a pair of guide rods by the aid of a plate. The guide rods are arranged displaceably in the axial direction along guide holes of the cylinder tube. The displacement of the piston is guided by the guide rods. The guide holes are communicated with the outside via a tube connected to an air hole. The air is sucked into and discharged from the guide holes via the tube in accordance with the reciprocating motion of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Asaba
  • Position Detecting Sensor
    Publication number: 20080022789
    Abstract: A position detecting sensor is equipped with a holder capable of accommodating a sensor member therein on which a magnetic sensor is disposed. A connector formed on an end of the holder is connected to a fitting through a connecting bolt. The fitting is disposed by insertion into a sensor groove of a cylinder apparatus, and after insertion of the fitting into the sensor groove, the holder and the fitting are fastened by the connecting bolt, thereby fixing the holder with respect to the cylinder apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: SMC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Haruhiko Okuno, Norimasa Ozaki, Gen Uchimido, Katsumi Kobayashi
  • Chuck Apparatus
    Publication number: 20080023925
    Abstract: A pair of gripping sections performs opening and closing operations along a base member through displacement of a piston by means of a pressure fluid supplied to a chuck body. A pair of fingers, which constitute the gripping sections, is openable and closable in directions perpendicular to opening/closing directions of the gripping sections, by means of a driving force supplied from a driving section. The gripping sections are positioned with respect to a workpiece by actuating the pair of fingers to perform the opening/closing operation. Thereafter, by supplying the pressure fluid, the workpiece is gripped at a desired gripping position by means of the gripping sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: SMC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Seiji Tomita, Motohiro Sotome
  • Chuck and tube joint
    Patent number: 7318609
    Abstract: A chuck includes an annular ring portion, a first engaging portion which extends along a central axis of the annular ring portion and which engages with the first tube joint member, and a second engaging portion which extends from the annular ring portion along the central axis of the annular ring portion and which elastically engages with a second tube joint member. A-three-dimensionally shaped portion, which is an end of the second engaging portion, includes a pair of expanded portions on a metal plate. The annular ring portion is formed by rounding the metal plate with both ends, which are not fixed to one another so that both ends are displaceable circumferentially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keiichiro Naito, Yoshimoto Taneya, Taku Tomita, Hitoshi Hamasaki
  • Flow Sensor
    Publication number: 20080006085
    Abstract: A flow sensor functions as a flow meter, for measuring the flow rate of a measurement objective fluid. The flow sensor comprises a flow passage, through which the measurement objective fluid flows, a sensor arranged so as to face the flow passage from a top wall that defines the flow passage, a throttle surface opposed to the top wall where the sensor is arranged, and an inclined surface provided on an upstream side of the throttle surface. The inclined surface is disposed such that the flow passage widens toward the inlet side of the flow passage. The inclined surface has an angle such that an extension line thereof passes through a position that is offset toward the upstream side, as compared to the detecting section of the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Applicant: SMC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Yamashita, Yuta Oshima
  • Stopper Cylinder
    Publication number: 20070295578
    Abstract: A lever, provided with rollers, is rotatably supported with respect to a lever holder. A lock pin disposed on the lever engages with a lock pawl of a lock mechanism. Accordingly, rotary action of the lever is regulated so as to stop a workpiece that is transported in a predetermined direction. On the other hand, when the workpiece is transported in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction, a second bracket having the lock pawl is rotated due to a pressing action of the lock pin. Accordingly, the lever is released from its rotation-regulated state effected by the lock pin, whereupon the lever is rotated and displaced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: SMC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mitsuo Miyamoto
  • Non-Contact Transport Apparatus
    Publication number: 20070290517
    Abstract: A non-contact transport apparatus comprises a top plate with a supply port for supplying air thereto, a diffuser plate having a plurality of discharge holes for discharging air, and a sheet-shaped nozzle plate interposed between the top plate and the diffuser plate and having a plurality of nozzles therein. The top plate, the nozzle plate and the diffuser plate are stacked and integrally connected to one another through a plurality of connecting bolts. Air is supplied from the supply port and via flow passages to the plurality of nozzles. Air is directed to the outside from the plurality of discharge holes, via radially formed nozzles oriented in a radially outward direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Applicant: SMC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shigekazu Nagai, Akio Saitoh, Masahiko Someya, Masaru Saitoh, Yukihisa Yoshida
  • Dual pedestal shut-off valve
    Patent number: 7309056
    Abstract: Integrated micro-valve is formed to control fluid flow and pressure. The valve converts supplied energy to mechanical energy through a means for energy conversion resident above a flexible wall or membrane. In one embodiment a sealed cavity contains a fluid that expands and contracts as it is heated or cooled, thus causing the flexible wall to move. Movement of this wall or membrane is used to move a valve element and dynamically control the opening or closing of a valve port over a predetermined range. Additional means for stiffening are added to the membrane to improve performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: James M. Harris, Michael Selser, Bradford A. Cozad, Albert K. Henning
  • Micro-electromechanical sensor
    Patent number: 7305890
    Abstract: A force or pressure transducer is includes a substrate, a dielectric material disposed on the substrate, a spacing member disposed on the dielectric material, and a resilient element disposed on both the dielectric material and the spacing member. A portion of the resilient element is separated from the dielectric material, and another portion of the resilient element is in contact with the dielectric material. The contact area between the resilient element and the dielectric material varies in response to movement of the resilient element. Changes in the contact area alter the capacitance of the transducer, which can be measured through associated circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Art Zias, Phil Mauger, Sean Cahill, Norm Nystrom, Albert K. Henning
  • Control system for electric actuator
    Patent number: 7298108
    Abstract: A driver comprises a direction-switching means which switches a rotation direction of a rotary driving source based on a direction instruction signal, a current amplifier/limiter which converts a voltage outputted from the direction-switching means into a corresponding current and which limits the current to a preset reference current IMAX (threshold value), a current sensor which detects the current supplied to the rotary driving source, and a current loop which feeds back a detection signal supplied from the current sensor to an upstream side of the current amplifier/limiter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigekazu Nagai, Takeshi Hirose
  • Pump apparatus
    Patent number: 7293967
    Abstract: A constant rate discharge pump comprises a rotary shaft which is rotatable together with a rotary driving source, a piston which is displaceable in an axial direction in a pump chamber of a body by the rotation of the rotary shaft and which has a tapered surface having diameters reduced downwardly on an outer circumference thereof, and a skirt section which is disposed on the piston and which extends radially outwardly. The constant rate discharge pump further includes a valve plug membrane of a resin material which is displaceable together with the piston, and a pressure sensor installed in the body which detects a pressure of a fluid flowing through the pump chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Fukano, Takamitsu Suzuki
  • Linear actuator
    Patent number: D554164
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuya Naruse, Kazuhiro Iida
  • Position detector with attachment
    Patent number: D567683
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Haruhiko Okuno, Norimasa Ozaki, Gen Uchimido, Katsumi Kobayashi