Patents by Inventor Akira Iwano

Akira Iwano 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: 11512744
    Abstract: An excessive torque releasing type clutch apparatus comprises an outer ring, an inner ring arranged radially inside and coaxially with the outer ring and rotatably relative to the outer ring, a torque transmitting portion capable of transmitting torque between the outer ring and the inner ring, and a restricting mechanism for restricting excessive torque from being input from an input torque transmitting member to a driving ring of the outer ring and the inner ring and restricting excessive inverse torque that is input to a driven ring of the outer ring and the inner ring from being input to the input torque transmitting member. Treatment steps for securing strength of constituent members of the clutch apparatus in manufacturing be simplified or omitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: NSK-WARNER K.K.
    Inventors: Shinji Okada, Akira Iwano, Osamu Katayama, Yukiyoshi Suzuki, Ryo Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 11261923
    Abstract: A clutch apparatus comprises a first race, a second race arranged coaxial with and rotatable relative to the first race, and an engagement mechanism provided between the first race and the second race for engagement of the first race and said second race. The engagement mechanism comprising a first clutch allowing rotation of the first race in only one direction, and a second clutch arranged axially adjacent to the first clutch, the second clutch comprising a rotary member that is provided on the second race in a rotatable and axially immovable manner and a movable member that is movable in the axial direction, and a cam mechanism disposed between the rotary member and the movable member, and the movable member being engaged with the first race by being moved in the axial direction by the cam mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: NSK-WARNER K.K.
    Inventor: Akira Iwano
  • Publication number: 20210301882
    Abstract: An excessive torque releasing type clutch apparatus which can release torque when an excessive torque is input thereto, comprises an outer ring 3, an inner ring 5 arranged radially inside and in coaxial with the center axis of the outer ring 3 and rotatably relative to the outer ring 3, a torque transmitting portion that is capable of transmitting torque having the center axis as the center between the outer ring 3 and the inner ring 5, and a restricting mechanism for restricting a torque that exceeds a predetermined torque from being input from an input torque transmitting member to a driving ring of the outer ring 3 and the inner ring 5 and an inverse torque that is input to a driven ring of the outer ring 3 and the inner ring 5 and exceeds the predetermined torque from being input to the input torque transmitting member. Treatment step for securing strength of constituent members of the clutch apparatus in manufacturing process can be simplified or omitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Shinji OKADA, Akira IWANO, Osamu KATAYAMA, Yukiyoshi SUZUKI, Ryo KINOSHITA
  • Patent number: 10801561
    Abstract: A one way clutch comprises an outer race including a radially outer first annular part to which rotation is input from outside and a radially inner second annular part capable of rotating when receiving rotation from the first annular part, an inner race provided radially inside the outer race and rotatable relative to the outer race, a plurality of torque transmission members provided between the outer race and the inner race to transmit torque between the outer race and the inner race, and a coupling mechanism that couples the first annular part and the second annular part together to make them integrally rotatable when the speed of rotation input from outside is lower than a specific speed and decouples them when the speed of rotation exceeds the specific speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: NSK-WARNER K.K.
    Inventor: Akira Iwano
  • Patent number: 10655691
    Abstract: A one-way clutch apparatus of torque input-switching type in which torque capacity can be secured without increasing an axial dimension. The one-way clutch apparatus of drive input-switching type, includes a plurality of first torque transmitting members interposed between a shaft 3 and an intermediate ring 7 at circumferential predetermined intervals, and provided for transmitting torque between the shaft 3 and the intermediate ring 7, and a plurality of second torque transmitting members interposed between the intermediate ring 7 and an outer ring 5 at circumferential predetermined intervals, and provided for transmitting torque between the intermediate ring 7 and the outer ring 5, in which either the torque input into the shaft 3 or the torque input into the outer ring 5 is transmitted to the intermediate ring 7, in which the first torque transmitting member is a sprag 23 and the second torque transmitting member is a roller 29.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: NSK-Warner K.K.
    Inventor: Akira Iwano
  • Publication number: 20190301545
    Abstract: A one way clutch comprises an outer race including a radially outer first annular part to which rotation is input from outside and a radially inner second annular part capable of rotating when receiving rotation from the first annular part, an inner race provided radially inside the outer race and rotatable relative to the outer race, a plurality of torque transmission members provided between the outer race and the inner race to transmit torque between the outer race and the inner race, and a coupling mechanism that couples the first annular part and the second annular part together to make them integrally rotatable when the speed of rotation input from outside is lower than a specific speed and decouples them when the speed of rotation exceeds the specific speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventor: Akira IWANO
  • Publication number: 20190257375
    Abstract: A clutch apparatus comprises a first race, a second race arranged coaxial with and rotatable relative to the first race, and an engagement mechanism provided between the first race and the second race for engagement of the first race and said second race. The engagement mechanism comprising a first clutch allowing rotation of the first race in only one direction, and a second clutch arranged axially adjacent to the first clutch, the second clutch comprising a rotary member that is provided on the second race in a rotatable and axially immovable manner and a movable member that is movable in the axial direction, and a cam mechanism disposed between the rotary member and the movable member, and the movable member being engaged with the first race by being moved in the axial direction by the cam mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventor: Akira IWANO
  • Publication number: 20190120299
    Abstract: A one-way clutch apparatus of torque input-switching type in which torque capacity can be secured without increasing an axial dimension. The one-way clutch apparatus of drive input-switching type, includes a plurality of first torque transmitting members interposed between a shaft 3 and an intermediate ring 7 at circumferential predetermined intervals, and provided for transmitting torque between the shaft 3 and the intermediate ring 7, and a plurality of second torque transmitting members interposed between the intermediate ring 7 and an outer ring 5 at circumferential predetermined intervals, and provided for transmitting torque between the intermediate ring 7 and the outer ring 5, in which either the torque input into the shaft 3 or the torque input into the outer ring 5 is transmitted to the intermediate ring 7, in which the first torque transmitting member is a sprag 23 and the second torque transmitting member is a roller 29.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventor: Akira IWANO
  • Patent number: 10001178
    Abstract: A one-way clutch allows unlocking torque input to a movable retainer to be made low, thereby enabling downsizing of an external apparatus that inputs unlocking torque to the movable retainer. The one-way clutch includes an inner ring, an outer ring, first rollers used to transmit torque between the inner ring and the outer ring provided in an annular space between the inner ring and the outer ring, and fixed retaining portions of a fixed retainer and a movable retaining portions of a movable retainer that are arranged alternately. The one-way clutch also includes second rollers provided between the movable retaining portions and the first rollers adapted to transmit unlocking torque from the movable retaining portions to the first rollers and the inner ring as the movable retaining portions move in a clockwise direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: NSK-WARNER K.K.
    Inventors: Akira Iwano, Takaya Yamada
  • Publication number: 20170089411
    Abstract: An object is to provide a one-way clutch that allows unlocking torque input to the movable retainer to be made low, thereby enabling downsizing of an external apparatus that inputs unlocking torque to the movable retainer. A one-way clutch 1 includes an inner ring 5, an outer ring 3, first rollers 19 used to transmit torque between the inner ring and the outer ring provided in an annular space A between the inner ring 5 and the outer ring 3, and fixed retaining portions 31 of a fixed retainer 27 and a movable retaining portions 37 of a movable retainer 33 that are arranged alternately. The one-way clutch 1 also includes second rollers 23 provided between the movable retaining portions 37 and the first rollers 19 adapted to transmit unlocking torque from the movable retaining portions 37 to the first rollers 19 and the inner ring 5 as the movable retaining portions 37 move in the clockwise direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Akira IWANO, Takaya YAMADA
  • Patent number: 9546758
    Abstract: A blanket installation method includes: a transporting step of transporting a blanket unit (1), in which a blanket (2) and a transport jig (3) are integrally coupled, between an inner tank (60) and an outer tank (50) of a double shell structure tank in a suspended condition; and a mounting step of mounting the blanket unit (1) on a shell plate of the inner tank (60). The transport jig (3) is formed by attaching a blanket fixing pin (34) to a jig main body (3A) through pin coupling. The blanket (2) is held at the blanket fixing pin (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: IHI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Shiomi, Masaki Takahashi, Hidenori Suzuki, Satoru Nagumo, Akira Iwano
  • Patent number: 9353911
    Abstract: Provided is a blanket installation method, which includes a transporting step of transporting a blanket unit (1), in which the blanket (2) and a transport jig (3) are coupled in one body, between an inner tank (60) and an outer tank in a double shell tank, in a suspended condition, and a mounting step of mounting the blanket unit on a shell plate of the inner tank. According to the method, in the event of installing work of the blanket, the improvement in work efficiency and safety can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: IHI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaki Takahashi, Hidenori Suzuki, Satoru Nagumo, Akira Iwano
  • Patent number: 9328782
    Abstract: A two-way clutch includes an outer race having a cam section in an inner periphery, an inner race that is separated in an inside diameter direction with respect to the outer race, and is disposed concentrically to be relatively rotatable, a torque transmission member that is disposed between the outer race and the inner race, and transmits torque, a cage that is capable of engaging with the torque transmission member and is movable in a circumferential direction, a drag strip that is supported by the cage, and a switching mechanism that can cause the two-way clutch to take at least a state locked in two directions by causing the drag strip to slide onto the inner race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: NSK-Warner K.K.
    Inventors: Akira Iwano, Takaya Yamada
  • Publication number: 20150048094
    Abstract: A blanket installation method includes: a transporting step of transporting a blanket unit (1), in which a blanket (2) and a transport jig (3) are integrally coupled, between an inner tank (60) and an outer tank (50) of a double shell structure tank in a suspended condition; and a mounting step of mounting the blanket unit (1) on a shell plate of the inner tank (60). The transport jig (3) is formed by attaching a blanket fixing pin (34) to a jig main body (3A) through pin coupling. The blanket (2) is held at the blanket fixing pin (34).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Hiroshi Shiomi, Masaki Takahashi, Hidenori Suzuki, Satoru Nagumo, Akira Iwano
  • Publication number: 20140326565
    Abstract: A two-way clutch includes an outer race having a cam section in an inner periphery, an inner race that is separated in an inside diameter direction with respect to the outer race, and is disposed concentrically to be relatively rotatable, a torque transmission member that is disposed between the outer race and the inner race, and transmits torque, a cage that is capable of engaging with the torque transmission member and is movable in a circumferential direction, a drag strip that is supported by the cage, and a switching mechanism that can cause the two-way clutch to take at least a state locked in two directions by causing the drag strip to slide onto the inner race.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: NSK-Warner K.K.
    Inventors: Akira Iwano, Takaya Yamada
  • Patent number: 8784073
    Abstract: A liquid pressure generating apparatus including a pump, and two one-way clutches arranged coaxially with the pump drive shaft in a line in the axial direction on the side of a first axial direction. The pump case includes a projecting portion projecting from the corresponding pump case. Inner races of the respective two one-way clutches are integrated with each other and form a common inner race. Outer races of the respective two one-way clutches are formed independently from each other and are driven respectively by pump driving members different from each other, and directions of restricted relative rotation with respect to the common inner race are identical to each other. The common inner race includes a coupling portion to be coupled to the pump driving shaft on the side of the first axial direction with respect to the projecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignees: Aisin Aw Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, NSK-Warner K. K
    Inventors: Shinichi Nomura, Hiroshi Yoshikawa, Atsushi Mori, Hironari Toyoda, Ryo Watanabe, Haruhisa Suzuki, Akira Iwano
  • Patent number: 8714940
    Abstract: A liquid pressure generating apparatus including a pump; and two one-way clutches arranged coaxially with the pump's drive shaft. Inner races of the respective two one-way clutches are integrated with each other to form a common inner race. Outer races of the respective two one-way clutches are formed independently from each other and are driven respectively by pump driving members different from each other. The common inner race includes a coupling portion coupled to the pump drive shaft and extending in the radial direction and a cylindrical body portion extending from the coupling portion in a second axial direction opposite from the first axial direction on the radially outside the pump drive shaft. The body portion includes a depression indented radially outward on an inner peripheral surface thereof. A lubricant supply portion for the depression is provided radially inside the depression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignees: Aisin Aw Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, NSK-Warner K. K
    Inventors: Shinichi Nomura, Hiroshi Yoshikawa, Atsushi Mori, Hironari Toyoda, Ryo Watanabe, Masabumi Nishigaya, Akira Iwano
  • Patent number: 8662271
    Abstract: A differentially controllable two-way clutch including an outer wheel with a cam portion on an inner circumference, an inner wheel arranged apart from the outer wheel and toward an inner diameter of the two-way clutch as well as rotatably and concentrically with respect to the outer wheel, a torque transmission member located between the outer wheel and the inner wheel to transmit torque, a cage configured to hold the torque transmission member and to be slidable in a circumferential direction and which is differentially controlled, and a spring supported by the cage and configured to be capable of biasing the torque transmission member so that the torque transmission member engages with a cam surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: NSK-Warner K.K.
    Inventors: Akira Iwano, Kazuhiko Muramatsu
  • Publication number: 20130255059
    Abstract: Provided is a blanket installation method, which includes a transporting step of transporting a blanket unit (1), in which the blanket (2) and a transport jig (3) are coupled in one body, between an inner tank (60) and an outer tank in a double shell tank, in a suspended condition, and a mounting step of mounting the blanket unit on a shell plate of the inner tank. According to the method, in the event of installing work of the blanket, the improvement in work efficiency and safety can be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: IHI Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Takahashi, Hidenori Suzuki, Satoru Nagumo, Akira Iwano
  • Publication number: 20120076674
    Abstract: A liquid pressure generating apparatus including a pump, and two one-way clutches arranged coaxially with the pump drive shaft in a line in the axial direction on the side of a first axial direction. The pump case includes a projecting portion projecting from the corresponding pump case. Inner races of the respective two one-way clutches are integrated with each other and form a common inner race. Outer races of the respective two one-way clutches are formed independently from each other and are driven respectively by pump driving members different from each other, and directions of restricted relative rotation with respect to the common inner race are identical to each other. The common inner race includes a coupling portion to be coupled to the pump driving shaft on the side of the first axial direction with respect to the projecting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicants: AISIN AW CO., LTD., NSK-WARNER K. K, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinichi NOMURA, Hiroshi YOSHIKAWA, Atsushi MORI, Hironari TOYODA, Ryo WATANABE, Haruhisa SUZUKI, Akira IWANO