Patents by Inventor Akira Imura

Akira Imura 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).

  • Patent number: 5708319
    Abstract: A multiple axes drive apparatus having a plurality of electrostatic actuators for applying driving forces in a plurality of different directions within a plane to a driven member. Each electrostatic actuator of the drive apparatus includes a first member that has a plurality of first electrode strips arranged in a single direction with a predetermined pitch, and a second member that has a plurality of second electrode strips arranged in the same direction as the first electrode strips with the same pitch. The members are located opposite to each other so one of the members moves along the single direction in response to a Coulomb force generated between the electrode strips when voltage is applied to the electrode strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho, Toshiro Higuchi
    Inventors: Takashi Ban, Takahisa Ban, Akira Imura, Toshiro Higuchi