Patents by Inventor Hikosaburo Hiraki

Hikosaburo Hiraki 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: 8277353
    Abstract: A sun gear of a first planetary gear train is connected to an input shaft. A carrier of the first planetary gear train is connected to a sun gear of a second planetary gear train and to a first pump/motor. A ring gear of the first planetary gear train is connected to a second pump/motor, and a ring gear of the second planetary gear train is connected to an output shaft. A first clutch is provided for engaging and disengaging a carrier of the second planetary gear train and the ring gear of the first planetary gear train with and from each other, and a second clutch is provided for engaging and disengaging the carrier of the second planetary gear train and a fixed end with and from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Hikosaburo Hiraki, Takehiro Komatsu
  • Patent number: 8241162
    Abstract: A sun gear of a first planetary gear train is connected to an input shaft. A carrier 9 of the first planetary gear train is connected to a sun gear of a second planetary gear train and to a first pump/motor. A ring gear of the first planetary gear train is connected to a second pump/motor, and a ring gear of the second planetary gear train is connected to an output shaft. A first clutch is provided for engaging and disengaging a carrier of the second planetary gear train and the ring gear of the first planetary gear train with and from each other, and a second clutch is provided for engaging and disengaging the carrier of the second planetary gear train and a fixed end with and from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Hikosaburo Hiraki, Takehiro Komatsu
  • Publication number: 20120108378
    Abstract: A sun gear of a first planetary gear train is connected to an input shaft. A carrier of the first planetary gear train is connected to a sun gear of a second planetary gear train and to a first pump/motor. A ring gear of the first planetary gear train is connected to a second pump/motor, and a ring gear of the second planetary gear train is connected to an output shaft. A first clutch is provided for engaging and disengaging a carrier of the second planetary gear train and the ring gear of the first planetary gear train with and from each other, and a second clutch is provided for engaging and disengaging the carrier of the second planetary gear train and a fixed end with and from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Hikosaburo HIRAKI, Takehiro KOMATSU
  • Patent number: 8157687
    Abstract: A sun gear of a first planetary gear train is connected to an input shaft. A carrier 9 of the first planetary gear train is connected to a sun gear of a second planetary gear train and to a first pump/motor. A ring gear of the first planetary gear train is connected to a second pump/motor, and a ring gear of the second planetary gear train is connected to an output shaft. A first clutch is provided for engaging and disengaging a carrier of the second planetary gear train and the ring gear of the first planetary gear train with and from each other, and a second clutch is provided for engaging and disengaging the carrier of the second planetary gear train and a fixed end with and from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd
    Inventors: Hikosaburo Hiraki, Takehiro Komatsu
  • Patent number: 8142319
    Abstract: A sun gear of a first planetary gear train is connected to an input shaft. A carrier 9 of the first planetary gear train is connected to a sun gear of a second planetary gear train and to a first pump/motor. A ring gear of the first planetary gear train is connected to a second pump/motor, and a ring gear of the second planetary gear train is connected to an output shaft. A first clutch is provided for engaging and disengaging a carrier of the second planetary gear train and the ring gear of the first planetary gear train with and from each other, and a second clutch is provided for engaging and disengaging the carrier of the second planetary gear train and a fixed end with and from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Hikosaburo Hiraki, Takehiro Komatsu
  • Patent number: 8137228
    Abstract: A sun gear of a first planetary gear train is connected to an input shaft. A carrier 9 of the first planetary gear train is connected to a sun gear of a second planetary gear train and to a first pump/motor. A ring gear of the first planetary gear train is connected to a second pump/motor, and a ring gear of the second planetary gear train is connected to an output shaft. A first clutch is provided for engaging and disengaging a carrier of the second planetary gear train and the ring gear of the first planetary gear train with and from each other, and a second clutch is provided for engaging and disengaging the carrier of the second planetary gear train and a fixed end with and from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Hikosaburo Hiraki, Takehiro Komatsu
  • Publication number: 20110237379
    Abstract: A sun gear of a first planetary gear train is connected to an input shaft. A carrier 9 of the first planetary gear train is connected to a sun gear of a second planetary gear train and to a first pump/motor. A ring gear of the first planetary gear train is connected to a second pump/motor, and a ring gear of the second planetary gear train is connected to an output shaft. A first clutch is provided for engaging and disengaging a carrier of the second planetary gear train and the ring gear of the first planetary gear train with and from each other, and a second clutch is provided for engaging and disengaging the carrier of the second planetary gear train and a fixed end with and from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Hikosaburo HIRAKI, Takehiro Komatsu
  • Publication number: 20110237380
    Abstract: A sun gear of a first planetary gear train is connected to an input shaft. A carrier 9 of the first planetary gear train is connected to a sun gear of a second planetary gear train and to a first pump/motor. A ring gear of the first planetary gear train is connected to a second pump/motor, and a ring gear of the second planetary gear train is connected to an output shaft. A first clutch is provided for engaging and disengaging a carrier of the second planetary gear train and the ring gear of the first planetary gear train with and from each other, and a second clutch is provided for engaging and disengaging the carrier of the second planetary gear train and a fixed end with and from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Hikosaburo Hiraki, Takehiro Komatsu
  • Publication number: 20110230295
    Abstract: A sun gear of a first planetary gear train is connected to an input shaft. A carrier 9 of the first planetary gear train is connected to a sun gear of a second planetary gear train and to a first pump/motor. A ring gear of the first planetary gear train is connected to a second pump/motor, and a ring gear of the second planetary gear train is connected to an output shaft. A first clutch is provided for engaging and disengaging a carrier of the second planetary gear train and the ring gear of the first planetary gear train with and from each other, and a second clutch is provided for engaging and disengaging the carrier of the second planetary gear train and a fixed end with and from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Hikosaburo HIRAKI, Takehiro KOMATSU
  • Publication number: 20110230296
    Abstract: A sun gear of a first planetary gear train is connected to an input shaft. A carrier 9 of the first planetary gear train is connected to a sun gear of a second planetary gear train and to a first pump/motor. A ring gear of the first planetary gear train is connected to a second pump/motor, and a ring gear of the second planetary gear train is connected to an output shaft. A first clutch is provided for engaging and disengaging a carrier of the second planetary gear train and the ring gear of the first planetary gear train with and from each other, and a second clutch is provided for engaging and disengaging the carrier of the second planetary gear train and a fixed end with and from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Hikosaburo HIRAKI, Takehiro KOMATSU
  • Patent number: 7971434
    Abstract: A variable capacity pump and two variable capacity motors are connected in a closed circuit. First to fourth drive gears are fitted to motor shafts of the variable capacity motors via clutches. A first driven gear, which meshes with the first and third drive gears, and a second driven gear which meshes with the second and fourth drive gears are fitted to an output shaft. Equivalent capacities of the variable capacity motors are made different. Control is exerted such that the capacities are decreased to zero in order of equivalent capacities. To decrease the capacity of each variable capacity motor, the gear change ratio of the variable capacity motor the capacity of which has decreased to zero is changed to decrease the equivalent capacity and, at the same time, the capacity is increased to maximum. This increases the gear change ratio for the continuously variable transmission and controls acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Ishizaki, Hikosaburo Hiraki, Koichiro Itou
  • Patent number: 7972236
    Abstract: A sun gear of a first planetary gear train is connected to an input shaft. A carrier 9 of the first planetary gear train is connected to a sun gear of a second planetary gear train and to a first pump/motor. A ring gear of the first planetary gear train is connected to a second pump/motor, and a ring gear of the second planetary gear train is connected to an output shaft. A first clutch is provided for engaging and disengaging a carrier of the second planetary gear train and the ring gear of the first planetary gear train with and from each other, and a second clutch is provided for engaging and disengaging the carrier of the second planetary gear train and a fixed end with and from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Hikosaburo Hiraki, Takehiro Komatsu
  • Patent number: 7717816
    Abstract: To provide a transmission capable of using pump/motors or generator/motors of smaller maximum torque and of small size. The transmission includes input shaft (4), output shaft (16), a mechanical transmission part interposed between input shaft (4) and output shaft (16) including planetary gear mechanisms (5), (6), and a hydrostatic transmission part interposed between input shaft (4) and output shaft (16) including three pump/motors (21), (25), (31). A rotating shaft of first pump/motor (21) and a rotating shaft of second pump/motor (25) are coupled to the mechanical transmission part. Clutches (34), (35), (36) are provided for coupling a rotating shaft of third pump/motor (31) to at least one of the rotating shaft of first pump/motor (21) and the rotating shaft of second pump/motor (25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Hikosaburo Hiraki, Takehiro Komatsu
  • Publication number: 20090139224
    Abstract: A variable capacity pump and two variable capacity motors are connected in a closed circuit. First to fourth drive gears are fitted to motor shafts of the variable capacity motors via clutches. A first driven gear, which meshes with the first and third drive gears, and a second driven gear which meshes with the second and fourth drive gears are fitted to an output shaft. Equivalent capacities of the variable capacity motors are made different. Control is exerted such that the capacities are decreased to zero in order of equivalent capacities. To decrease the capacity of each variable capacity motor, the gear change ratio of the variable capacity motor the capacity of which has decreased to zero is changed to decrease the equivalent capacity and, at the same time, the capacity is increased to maximum. This increases the gear change ratio for the continuously variable transmission and controls acceleration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2006
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Naoki Ishizaki, Hikosaburo Hiraki, Koichiro Itou
  • Publication number: 20090105028
    Abstract: A hydro-mechanical transmission system or electromechanical transmission system is described which uses pumps/motors or generators/motors having smaller capacity than those employed in the conventional techniques, irrespective of setting of a mode switching point that is a basis for shifting between an input split mode and a compound split mode. A sun gear 7 of a first planetary gear train 5 is connected to an input shaft 4; a carrier 9 of the first planetary gear train 5 is connected to a sun gear 11 of a second planetary gear train 6 and to a first pump/motor 16; a ring gear 10 of the first planetary gear train 5 is connected to a second pump/motor 20; and a ring gear 14 of the second planetary gear train 6 is connected to an output shaft 25.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Hikosaburo Hiraki, Takehiro Komatsu
  • Patent number: 7448976
    Abstract: A transmission is provided which has a very compact system configuration and is capable of exerting high energy efficiency over all speed regions from a low speed region to a high speed region, while providing improved operability free from a torque shortage. To this end, the transmission has an input shaft, an intermediate output shaft, a planetary gear mechanism, a first pump-motor, and a second pump-motor connected to the first pump-motor, the input shaft being coupled to a first element of the planetary gear mechanism, the second pump-motor being coupled to a second element of the planetary gear mechanism, the intermediate output shaft being coupled to a third element of the planetary gear mechanism, and the transmission further comprising a switching mechanism for selectively coupling the first pump-motor to either the input shaft or the intermediate output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Hikosaburo Hiraki, Takashi Kuse, Toshikazu Okada, Shigeru Yamamoto, Naoki Ishizaki
  • Patent number: 7416503
    Abstract: A transmission is provided which has a very compact system configuration and is capable of exerting high energy efficiency over all speed regions from a low speed region to a high speed region, while providing improved operability free from a torque shortage. To this end, the transmission has an input shaft 3, an intermediate output shaft 8, a planetary gear mechanism 9, a first pump-motor 7, and a second pump-motor 15 connected to the first pump-motor 7, the input shaft 3 being coupled to a first element (planetary carrier 12) of the planetary gear mechanism 9, the second pump-motor 15 being coupled to a second element (sun gear 19) of the planetary gear mechanism 9, the intermediate output shaft 8 being coupled to a third element (ring gear 16) of the planetary gear mechanism 9, and the transmission further comprising a switching mechanism (synchromesh mechanism 6) for selectively coupling the first pump-motor 7 to either the input shaft 3 or the intermediate output shaft 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Hikosaburo Hiraki, Takashi Kuse, Toshikazu Okada, Shigeru Yamamoto, Naoki Ishizaki
  • Publication number: 20080108467
    Abstract: A transmission is provided which has a very compact system configuration and is capable of exerting high energy efficiency over all speed regions from a low speed region to a high speed region, while providing improved operability free from a torque shortage. To this end, the transmission has an input shaft, an intermediate output shaft, a planetary gear mechanism, a first pump-motor, and a second pump-motor connected to the first pump-motor, the input shaft being coupled to a first element of the planetary gear mechanism, the second pump-motor being coupled to a second element of the planetary gear mechanism, the intermediate output shaft being coupled to a third element of the planetary gear mechanism, and the transmission further comprising a switching mechanism for selectively coupling the first pump-motor to either the input shaft or the intermediate output shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Hikosaburo HIRAKI, Takashi Kuse, Toshikazu Okada, Shigeru Yamamoto, Naoki Ishizaki
  • Publication number: 20080096712
    Abstract: To provide a transmission capable of using pump/motors or generator/motors of smaller maximum torque and of small size. The transmission includes input shaft (4), output shaft (16), a mechanical transmission part interposed between input shaft (4) and output shaft (16) including planetary gear mechanisms (5), (6), and a hydrostatic transmission part interposed between input shaft (4) and output shaft (16) including three pump/motors (21), (25), (31). A rotating shaft of first pump/motor (21) and a rotating shaft of second pump/motor (25) are coupled to the mechanical transmission part. Clutches (34), (35), (36) are provided for coupling a rotating shaft of third pump/motor (31) to at least one of the rotating shaft of first pump/motor (21) and the rotating shaft of second pump/motor (25).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventors: Hikosaburo Hiraki, Takehiro Komatsu
  • Publication number: 20060217225
    Abstract: A transmission is provided which has a very compact system configuration and is capable of exerting high energy efficiency over all speed regions from a low speed region to a high speed region, while providing improved operability free from a torque shortage. To this end, the transmission has an input shaft 3, an intermediate output shaft 8, a planetary gear mechanism 9, a first pump-motor 7, and a second pump-motor 15 connected to the first pump-motor 7, the input shaft 3 being coupled to a first element (planetary carrier 12) of the planetary gear mechanism 9, the second pump-motor 15 being coupled to a second element (sun gear 19) of the planetary gear mechanism 9, the intermediate output shaft 8 being coupled to a third element (ring gear 16) of the planetary gear mechanism 9, and the transmission further comprising a switching mechanism (synchromesh mechanism 6) for selectively coupling the first pump-motor 7 to either the input shaft 3 or the intermediate output shaft 8.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
    Inventors: Hikosaburo Hiraki, Takashi Kuse, Toshikazu Okada