Patents by Inventor Akihisa Inoue

Akihisa Inoue 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).

  • Publication number: 20120145438
    Abstract: The zirconium content of the alloy composition of a copper alloy foil of the present invention is 3.0 to 7.0 atomic percent, and the copper alloy foil includes copper matrix phases and composite phases composed of copper-zirconium compound phases and copper phases. As shown in FIG. 1, the copper matrix phases and the composite phases form a matrix phase-composite phase layered structure and are arranged alternately parallel to a rolling direction as viewed in a cross-section perpendicular to the width direction. In addition, the copper-zirconium compound phases and the copper phases in the composite phases form a composite phase inner layered structure and are arranged alternately parallel to the rolling direction at a phase pitch of 50 nm or less as viewed in the above cross-section. This double layered structure presumably makes the copper alloy foil densely layered to provide a strengthening mechanism similar to multilayer reinforced composite materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: NGK Insulators ,Ltd.
    Inventors: Naokuni Muramatsu, Hisamichi Kimura, Akihisa Inoue
  • Publication number: 20120148441
    Abstract: The zirconium content of the alloy composition of a copper alloy wire is 3.0 to 7.0 atomic percent; and the copper alloy wire includes copper matrix phases and composite phases composed of copper-zirconium compound phases and copper phases. The copper matrix phases and the composite phases form a matrix phase-composite phase fibrous structure and are arranged alternately parallel to an axial direction as viewed in a cross-section parallel to the axial direction and including a central axis. The copper-zirconium compound phases and the copper phases in the composite phases also form a composite phase inner fibrous structure and are arranged alternately parallel to the axial direction at a phase pitch of 50 nm or less as viewed in the above cross-section. This double fibrous structure presumably makes the copper alloy wire densely fibrous to provide a strengthening mechanism similar to the rule of mixture for fiber-reinforced composite materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicants: Tohoku University, NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naokuni Muramatsu, Hisamichi Kimura, Akihisa Inoue
  • Publication number: 20120128970
    Abstract: For providing a magnetostrictive film that can exhibit high magnetostrictive properties in the vicinity of zero magnetic field and their manufacturing methods, a magnetostrictive film thermal sprayed on an object under test includes a metallic glass film subjected to thermal processing at a temperature lower than the glass transition temperature and not lower than the Curie point, and shows a linearity between the magnetic field and the magnetostriction in at least a part of the magnetic field from ?15 kA/m to +15 kA/m (both inclusive).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicants: TOPY KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOHOKU UNIVERSITY, SHINSHU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yoshitsugu Motoe, Koji Nakashima, Tomohito Ishikawa, Masaharu Sugiyama, Takanori Igarashi, Hiroyuki Wakiwaka, Akihiro Makino, Akihisa Inoue
  • Publication number: 20110107795
    Abstract: A method of coloring a surface of a zirconium-based metallic glass component that includes the step of imparting interference colors by carrying out an anodizing process using an alkaline solution to form a film having a thickness of 300 nm or less on the surface of the zirconium-based metallic glass component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicants: NGK Insulators, Ltd., Tohoku University
    Inventors: Naokuni MURAMATSU, Ken Suzuki, Akihisa Inoue, Hisamichi Kimura
  • Patent number: 7923067
    Abstract: A method of coloring a surface of a zirconium-based metallic glass component that includes the step of imparting interference colors by carrying out an anodizing process using an alkaline solution to form a film having a thickness of 300 nm or less on the surface of the zirconium-based metallic glass component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignees: NGK Insulators, Ltd., Tohoku University
    Inventors: Naokuni Muramatsu, Ken Suzuki, Akihisa Inoue, Hisamichi Kimura
  • Patent number: 7906219
    Abstract: A metallic glass laminate of the present invention is characterized in that a metallic glass layer of amorphous phase is formed on the substrate surface, and there is no continuous pore (pinhole) through the metallic glass layer. The metallic glass laminate is preferably obtained by solidification and lamination of at least part of the metallic glass powder in the molten state or in the supercooled liquid state on the substrate surface. Because of the dense metallic glass layer of homogenous amorphous phase, the functionalities of metallic glass such as corrosion resistance and wear resistance can be satisfactorily provided. A thick and a large-area metallic glass layer can be formed. The metallic glass layer can also be formed into various shapes within the supercooled liquid temperature range. In addition, a metallic glass bulk can be obtained by removing the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignees: Topy Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Tohoku University, Akihisa Inoue
    Inventors: Masaki Ohara, Takanori Igarashi, Masaharu Sugiyama, Seiji Yamada, Kenichi Takahashi, Atsuo Mochizuki, Yoshitsugu Motoe, Akihisa Inoue, Hisamichi Kimura
  • Patent number: 7901521
    Abstract: An aluminum base alloy is produced by supercooling a molten alloy composed mainly of aluminum. The molten alloy contains an element capable of forming a quasicrystalline phase, an element which aids formation of the quasicrystals, and an element which stabilizes a supercooled state of the molten alloy and delays crystallization of a crystalline phase, and is composed of a mixed composition of a fine amorphous phase and an aluminum crystalline phase or an aluminum supersaturated solid solution phase, or a single phase of only an amorphous phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masashi Fujita, Akihisa Inoue, Hisamichi Kimura
  • Publication number: 20100320085
    Abstract: A sputtering target for producing a metallic glass membrane characterized in comprising a structure obtained by sintering atomized powder having a composition of a ternary compound system or greater with at least one or more metal elements selected from Pd, Zr, Fe, Co, Cu and Ni as its main component (component of greatest atomic %), and being an average grain size of 50 ?m or less. The prepared metallic glass membrane can be used as a substitute for conventional high-cost bulk metallic glass obtained by quenching of molten metal. This sputtering target for producing the metallic glass membrane is also free from problems such as defects in the metallic glass membrane and unevenness of composition, has a uniform structure, can be produced efficiently and at low cost, and does not generate many nodules or particles. Further provided is a method for manufacturing such a sputtering target for forming the metallic glass membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicants: NIPPON MINING & METALS CO., LTD., TOHOKU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Atsushi Nakamura, Masataka Yahagi, Akihisa Inoue, Hisamichi Kimura, Shin-ichi Yamaura
  • Publication number: 20100313704
    Abstract: An internal gear manufacturing method capable of manufacturing time reduction and easy core removal, and a metallic glass internal gear manufactured thereby. A carbon core formed into a shape of an external gear is arranged in a thin, long tubular mold of a length equal thereto with a space extending longitudinally therealong. A molten metal material is pressure-injected under a temperature higher than a melting point thereof into the space between the mold and the core. The molten metal material is resolidified by rapid cooling at or above a critical cooling rate thereof together with the mold and the core. After resolidification of the molten metal material, the core is removed by pulverization or dissolution. Along internal gear formed of the resolidified metal material is cut into a plurality of segments of a prescribed length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2008
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicants: NAMIKI SEIMITSU HOUSEKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOHOKU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Xinmin Wang, Akihisa Inoue, Yukiharu Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20100310901
    Abstract: The present invention provides a metallic glass having a chemical composition represented by any one of the following formulae (1) to (3): FemPtnSixByPz (wherein,20<m?60 at %,20<n?55 at %,11?x<19 at %,0?y<8 at %, and 0<z<8 at %)??(1); Fe55Pt25(SixByPz)20 (wherein,11?x<19 at %,0?y<8 at %, and 0<z<8 at %)??(2); and (Fe0.55Pt0.25Si0.16B0.02P0.02)100-xMx??(3) (wherein, 0<X?6 at %; and M represents an element or a combination of any two or more of the elements selected from Zr, Nb, Ta, Hf, Ti, Mo, W, V, Cr, Mn, Al, Y, Ag, and rare earth elements.). The present invention provides a magnetic recording medium 1 comprising: a substrate 11; and a metallic glassy layer 12 that is arranged on the substrate 11 and has a plurality of convex portions 12A and concave portions 12B. The metallic glassy layer 12 has a chemical composition represented by any one of the above formulae (1) to (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: JAPAN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AGENCY
    Inventors: Akihiro Makino, Akihisa Inoue, Wei Zhang, Hisamichi Kimura
  • Patent number: 7789948
    Abstract: Provided is a hydrogen separation membrane characterized by comprising a structure obtained by sintering atomized powder having a composition of NixMyZr100-x-y (wherein M is Nb and/or Ta, 25?x?40, 25?y?40) and an average grain size of 50 ?m or less. The prepared hydrogen separation membrane does not require the use of costly Pd metal, and can be used as a substitute for conventional high-cost bulk metallic glass obtained by quenching of molten metal. This hydrogen separation membrane is free from problems such as defects in the hydrogen separation membrane and unevenness of composition, has a uniform structure, and is capable of separating hydrogen at low cost. Further provided are a sputtering target for forming such as hydrogen separation membrane and its manufacturing method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignees: Nippon Mining & Metals Co., Ltd, Tohoku University
    Inventors: Atsushi Nakamura, Masataka Yahagi, Akihisa Inoue, Hisamichi Kimura, Shin-ichi Yamaura
  • Patent number: 7708844
    Abstract: A method for forming a metallic glass, which comprises a step of subjecting a metallic glass to a rough forming by die casting, to prepare a roughly formed article, and a step of heating the roughly formed article to a temperature region corresponding to an undercooled liquid thereof, followed by subjecting the heated article to warm press forming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignees: NGK Insulators, Ltd., Tohoku University
    Inventors: Naokuni Muramatsu, Ken Suzuki, Akihisa Inoue, Hisamichi Kimura
  • Publication number: 20100089761
    Abstract: There is provided a metallic glass component with its surface layer having both durability of a film and chromatic color properties, and a method for forming the surface layer. Surface active treatment is performed wherein the surface of the metallic glass component is reacted with a mixed aqueous solution of nitric acid and hydrofluoric acid to remove an oxide film and to provide an anchor bond shape on the surface of a metallic glass component, and electroplating or electroless plating is then performed, to form a plating film on the surface of the metallic glass component. It is thereby possible to form a surface layer of a metallic glass which has both durability and a chromatic color.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicants: TOHOKU UNIVERSITY, EYETEC CO., LTD., NGK INSULATORS, LTD., MAKABE R&D CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xin Min Wang, Naokuni Muramatsu, Junsuke Kiuchi, Hiroshi Suzuki, Tatsue Arakawa, Hisamichi Kimura, Akihisa Inoue, Eiichi Makabe
  • Patent number: 7626832
    Abstract: An objective of the present invention is to form a hyper-elastic flange integrally within a shield case body around a periphery thereof while decreasing an occupied area for grounding. The shield case 2 according to the present invention is disposed to cover electronic parts 6 on a circuit board 1, and which has a flange 7 formed integrally therewith so as to contact with a metallic ground line 3 on the circuit board 1. The flange 7 is elastically deformed to be grounded, thus a leakage of electromagnetic waves to the outside of the shield case 2 is prevented. The flange 7 is made of metallic glass. By forming the flange 7 from metallic glass, a displacement due to viscous flowing on the atomic level, which is different from a plastic deformation, can be utilized, and thus a high precision flange can be formed without a spring-back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignees: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naokuni Muramatsu, Akihisa Inoue, Tao Zhang, Hisamichi Kimura
  • Patent number: 7622011
    Abstract: Disclosed is a Fe—Ga—P—C—B—Si based metallic glass alloy particle prepared by a gas atomizing process, which has an approximately complete spherical shape, a relatively large particle size and a high crystallization temperature (Tx). The plurality of particles may be subjected to a spark plasma sintering process at the crystallization temperature or less under a compression pressure of 200 MPa or more, to provide a bulk Fe-based sintered metal soft magnetic material of metallic glass, which has a high density, a single phase structure of metallic glass in an as-sintered state, excellent soft magnetic characteristics applicable to a core of a magnetic head, a transformer or a motor, and a high specific resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Japan Science and Technology Agency
    Inventors: Akihisa Inoue, Baolong Shen
  • Patent number: 7614440
    Abstract: A diecast machine comprises: a sleeve extending in a vertical direction; a plunger moving upward in the vertical direction inside the sleeve; a mold disposed above an upper side of the sleeve; and a metal material heater configured to heat a metal material disposed on the plunger and melting the metal material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignees: NGK Insulators, Ltd., Tohoku University
    Inventors: Naokuni Muramatsu, Akihisa Inoue, Hisamichi Kimura
  • Publication number: 20090269573
    Abstract: The present invention provides a new high-performance composite material that uses inexpensive materials, has high toughness, has a low coefficient of friction, excellent wear resistance, lower electrical resistance, and excellent electromagnetic wave absorption, and corresponding manufacturing method. A sintered body containing 0.1˜90 mass % of carbon nanotubes 2 and 99.9˜10 mass % of alumina-silica ceramic 3. The alumina-silica ceramic 3 contains 99.5˜5 mass % alumina and 0.5˜95 mass % silica. A nanocomposite 1, wherein the nano crystals of the carbon nanotubes 2 and the alumina-silica ceramic 3 are mutually intertwined, exists as a construction element. The carbon nanotubes 2 and alumina-silica ceramic 3 raw materials are placed in a water or alcohol solvent to form a slurry that is then stirred for 3˜180 minutes after which the solvent is removed from this mixture material that is then sintered in a non-oxygenated atmosphere in the temperature range of 800° C.˜1,800° C. for 5 minutes to 5 hours.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: National University Corporation Tohoku University
    Inventors: Mamoru Omori, Toshiyuki Hashida, Hisamichi Kimura, Akira Okubo, Yoshihiro Murakami, Shun Ito, Akihisa Inoue
  • Publication number: 20090139858
    Abstract: A sputtering target for producing a metallic glass membrane characterized in comprising a structure obtained by sintering atomized powder having a composition of a ternary compound system or greater with at least one or more metal elements selected from Pd, Zr, Fe, Co, Cu and Ni as its main component (component of greatest atomic %), and being an average grain size of 50 ?m or less. The prepared metallic glass membrane can be used as a substitute for conventional high-cost bulk metallic glass obtained by quenching of molten metal. This sputtering target for producing the metallic glass membrane is also free from problems such as defects in the metallic glass membrane and unevenness of composition, has a uniform structure, can be produced efficiently and at low cost, and does not generate many nodules or particles. Further provided is a method for manufacturing such a sputtering target for forming the metallic glass membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: NIPPON MINING & METALS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi Nakamura, Masataka Yahagi, Akihisa Inoue, Hisamichi Kimura, Shin-ichi Yamaura
  • Publication number: 20090078342
    Abstract: The present invention provides Cu-base amorphous alloys comprising an amorphous phase of 90% or more by volume fraction. The amorphous phase has a composition represented by the formula: Cu100-a-b(Zr+Hf)aTib or Cu100-a-b-c-d(Zr+Hf)aTibMcTd, wherein M is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Fe, Cr, Mn, Ni, Co, Nb, Mo, W, Sn, Al, Ta and rare earth elements, T is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Ag, Pd, Pt and Au, and a, b, c and d are atomic percentages falling within the following ranges: 5<a?55, 0?b?45, 30<a+b?60, 0.5?c?5, 0?d?10. The Cu-base amorphous alloy has a high glass-forming ability as well as excellent mechanical properties and formability, and can be formed as a rod or plate material with a diameter or thickness of 1 mm or more and an amorphous phase of 90% or more by volume fraction, through a metal mold casting process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: JAPAN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihisa Inoue, Wei Zhang, Tao Zhang
  • Publication number: 20090064861
    Abstract: Provided is a hydrogen separation membrane characterized by comprising a structure obtained by sintering atomized powder having a composition of NixMyZr100-x-y (wherein M is Nb and/or Ta, 25?x?40, 25?y?40) and an average grain size of 50 ?m or less. The prepared hydrogen separation membrane does not require the use of costly Pd metal, and can be used as a substitute for conventional high-cost bulk metallic glass obtained by quenching of molten metal. This hydrogen separation membrane is free from problems such as defects in the hydrogen separation membrane and unevenness of composition, has a uniform structure, and is capable of separating hydrogen at low cost. Further provided are a sputtering target for forming such as hydrogen separation membrane and its manufacturing method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: NIPPON MINING & METALS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi Nakamura, Masataka Yahagi, Akihisa Inoue, Hisamichi Kimura, Shin-ichi Yamaura