Patents by Inventor Hiroaki Saeki

Hiroaki Saeki 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: 20100300409
    Abstract: A fuel system for a direct injection engine having a fuel rail and a plurality of direct injection fuel injector assemblies mounted to the fuel rail. Each fuel injector assembly includes a mounting surface and a dampener made of a resilient material is disposed around this mounting surface. A bracket is secured to the engine and has a recess for each fuel injector assembly. Each fuel injector assembly is positioned in its associated recess so that at least a portion of the dampener is sandwiched between the fuel injector assembly mounting surface and a complementary mounting surface formed on the recess. A holder secures the injector assembly in its associated recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: William T. Harvey, Steven J. Miller, Hiroaki Saeki
  • Publication number: 20100300406
    Abstract: A fuel system for a direct injection internal combustion engine having a fuel rail and at least one annular cup secured to the fuel rail so that fuel from the fuel rail flows into the cup. A direct injection fuel injector has a portion axially insertable into the fuel cup to a connected position. A recessed channel on the fuel injector registers with a slot in the annular cup when in the connected position so that a U-shaped clip insertable into the cup slots and the fuel injector channels secures the fuel injector and cup together against axial movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: William T. Harvey, Steven J. Miller, Hiroaki Saeki
  • Patent number: 7837425
    Abstract: A transfer apparatus (20) for a target substrate (W) includes a rotatable rotary base (24). First and second arm mechanisms (26, 28) are attached to the rotary base and configured to bend and stretch. Each of the first and second arm mechanisms has a proximal end arm (26A, 28A), an intermediate arm (26B, 28B), and a pick (26C, 28C) which are pivotally coupled to each other sequentially from the rotary base. The picks are disposed to support the target substrate. A link mechanism (30) is coupled to the proximal end arms of the first and second arm mechanisms to drive the first and second arm mechanisms. A first driving source (32) is disposed to rotatably drive the rotary base. A second driving source (34) is disposed to drive the link mechanism so as to bend or stretch the first and second arm mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Hiroaki Saeki, Shigeru Ishizawa, Takehiro Shindo, Tsutomu Hiroki, Wataru Machiyama
  • Publication number: 20100275883
    Abstract: A fuel system component for a direct injection internal combustion engine. The component includes a fuel rail and a plurality of direct injection fuel injectors which are rigidly attached to the rail. Each fuel injector has an elongated body as well as a harness assembly extending laterally outward from the elongated body. Each injector is attached to the fuel rail such that, when viewed along an axis of the fuel injector body, the fuel rail overlies at least a portion of the injector body and at least a portion of the harness assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd
    Inventors: Atsushi Hohkita, Masahiro Soma, Hiroaki Saeki, Hiroshi Ono
  • Publication number: 20100244440
    Abstract: A high pressure fuel pipe construction for an internal combustion engine, such as a direct injection engine. A conduit for the fuel is open at each end and a ball having a throughbore is slidably positioned over one end of the conduit. A reinforcing sleeve is positioned inside the end of the conduit so that the sleeve extends entirely through the ball. The sleeve, ball and the end of the conduit are then brazed together to attach the ball and conduit together. A double chamfer is provided at one end of the ball throughbore to facilitate inspection of the brazing quality. Additionally, a loop is formed in the conduit and a dampener is attached to the loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd
    Inventors: Harsha Badarinarayan, Akira Inoue, Takashi Yoshizawa, Atsushi Hohkita, Hiroaki Saeki, Hiroshi Ono, Masahiro Soma, William Harvey, Steve Miller, Su-Wei Sung
  • Patent number: 7622006
    Abstract: A main carrying device forming a part of a processing system, comprising a casing (40) forming a main carrying chamber (44) having vacuum atmosphere, the casing (40) further comprising a plurality of transfer ports (52A, 52B) for transferring the processed body (W) between the carrying chamber 44 and the outside, a mobile body (58) is slidably installed on a guide rail (48) horizontally installed in the carrying chamber (44), a linear motor mechanism (54, 62) for moving the mobile body (58) along the guide rail (48) is installed, a holding body (64) for holding the processed body (W) is liftably connected to the mobile body (58) through a support member (66), and a lifting mechanism (74) for lifting the support member (66) relative to the mobile body (58) is installed in the casing (40) at a position corresponding to the transfer ports (52A, 52B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Shigeru Ishizawa, Hiroaki Saeki
  • Patent number: 7527038
    Abstract: An apparatus for attenuating fuel pump noise in a direct injection internal combustion engine. In one proposal, the direct injection fuel nozzle is suspended from a fuel rail in a fashion that avoids direct metal-to-metal contact between the injector and the engine block. The direct injection nozzle may also be connected to the fuel rail by a pair of spaced-apart seals which equalize the longitudinal pressure on the nozzle during operation. Enlarged diameter fuel reservoirs and/or a restricted orifice may be provided fluidly in series between the fuel pump and the direct injection nozzle in order to attenuate noise resulting from fuel pump pulsation. A clip holder and clip plate mount the fuel injector to the injector cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd
    Inventors: Atsushi Watanabe, Atsushi Hohkita, Masahiro Soma, Hiroaki Saeki
  • Publication number: 20080264386
    Abstract: An apparatus for attenuating fuel pump noise in a direct injection internal combustion engine. In one proposal, the direct injection fuel nozzle is suspended from a fuel rail in a fashion that avoids direct metal-to-metal contact between the injector and the engine block. The direct injection nozzle may also be connected to the fuel rail by a pair of spaced-apart seals which equalize the longitudinal pressure on the nozzle during operation. Enlarged diameter fuel reservoirs and/or a restricted orifice may be provided fluidly in series between the fuel pump and the direct injection nozzle in order to attenuate noise resulting from fuel pump pulsation. A clip holder and clip plate mount the fuel injector to the injector cup.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd
    Inventors: Atsushi Watanabe, Atsushi Hohkita, Masahiro Soma, Hiroaki Saeki
  • Patent number: 7427860
    Abstract: A sensor and a control circuit are provided externally of a gear cover. A shift controller is operated by an electric actuator and a motor driven control module similar thereto. A rotating position detection sensor is thereby provided for a switching device without combination of a circuit and a sensor by oil or metal powder of a gear mechanism portion. The circuit includes a signal processing circuit that approximates an MR element output signal relative to the rotational angle of a body in which a magnet is mounted with a multi-function expressed as a three-dimensional formula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masashi Saito, Youichi Nakano, Hayato Sugawara, Hiroaki Saeki
  • Publication number: 20080187416
    Abstract: A supporting mechanism (12A) is used for transfer-ring a target substrate (W) in cooperation with a transfer arm (32), in a semiconductor processing system. The supporting mechanism includes first and second holding portions (38A to 38C, 40A to 40C) each configured to be moved up and down and transfer a substrate to and from the transfer arm. The first and second holding portions are configured to be moved relative to each other in a vertical direction without spatially interfering with each other, and support substrates at substantially the same horizontal coordinate position. The supporting mechanism further includes first and second drives (46, 48) configured to move the first and second holding portions up and down, and a controller (68) configured to control the first and second drives. The controller is arranged to control the first and second drives to alternatively support a substrate by the first and second holding portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventors: Tsutomu Hiroki, Hiroaki Saeki
  • Patent number: 7406946
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for attenuating fuel pump noise in a direct injection internal combustion engine. In one proposal, the direct injection fuel nozzle is suspended from a fuel rail in a fashion that avoids direct metal-to-metal contact between the injector and the engine block. The direct injection nozzle may also be connected to the fuel rail by a pair of spaced-apart seals which equalize the longitudinal pressure on the nozzle during operation. Enlarged diameter fuel reservoirs and/or a restricted orifice may be provided fluidly in series between the fuel pump and the direct injection nozzle in order to attenuate noise resulting from fuel pump pulsation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Watanabe, Harsha Badarinarayan, Jonathan Borg, Donald J. McCune, Takuya Shiraishi, Atsushi Hohkita, Masahiro Soma, Hiroaki Saeki
  • Patent number: 7393172
    Abstract: In a wafer transfer system wherein a wafer transfer robot linearly reciprocates by a linear motor, dust is prevented from adhering to a wafer. A fixed base 9, on which the secondary side 11 of a linear motor M for linearly reciprocating a wafer transfer robot R is mounted, is mounted on the system body 1 of a wafer transfer system A in lateral directions and in vertical directions, so that dust dropping in accordance with the flow of clean air K from a clean air supply system 4 is directly sucked into an exhaust fan 5, which is provided on the bottom portion 1c of the system body 1, to be exhausted without being deposited on the top face of the fixed base 9 and the secondary side 11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Hiroaki Saeki, Masaki Narushima, Tetsu Osawa, Yasushi Taniyama, Shuuji Hagiwara
  • Patent number: 7279067
    Abstract: In a port structure 16A in a semiconductor processing system 2, a door 20A is disposed in a port 12A defined by upright wall 52 and 54. A table 48 opposed to the port is disposed outside the system. Defined on the table is a mount region 76 for mounting an open type cassette 18A for a process subject substrate W. A hood 50 is disposed rotatable relative to the table. The hood defines in its closed position a closed space surrounding the mount region and port, the space having a size to receive the cassette. First ventholes 58 are formed in the upright walls and/or the door so as to introduce gas from within the system into the closed space in the hood. Second ventholes 72 are formed in the table so as to discharge the gas can be discharged out of the closed space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Tetsuo Yoshida, Yoshiaki Sasaki, Hiroaki Saeki, Yasushi Taniyama, Hiroshi Takizawa
  • Publication number: 20070200560
    Abstract: A sensor and a control circuit are provided externally of a gear cover. This enhances reliability of a shift controller operated by an electric actuator and a motor driven control module similar thereto, and constitute them compact. Further, this provides a rotating position detection sensor suitably used for a switching device as described. A circuit and a sensor are not contaminated with oil or metal powder of a gear mechanism portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Applicant: HITACHI LTD
    Inventors: Masasahi SAITO, Youichi NAKANO, Hayato SUGAWARA, Hiroaki SAEKI
  • Patent number: 7247004
    Abstract: An electronically controlled actuator for controlling a turbocharger has a motor, a speed change mechanism and a position sensor contained in a case consisting of a body and a cover. The driving force of the motor is transmitted through the speed change mechanism to an output shaft to drive the movable vanes of a turbocharger for turning. A first bearing supporting the output shaft for rotation is held on the cover, and a second bearing supporting the output shaft for rotation is held on the body. The position sensor is mounted on the output shaft of the motor. The reliability of the actuator is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Suganami, Hiroaki Saeki, Shigeki Yamada
  • Publication number: 20070107845
    Abstract: A semiconductor processing system includes an intermediate structure disposed between an atmospheric pressure entrance transfer chamber and a vacuum common transfer chamber. The intermediate structure includes a transfer passage for a target substrate to pass therein. The transfer passage includes a first buffer chamber a middle transfer chamber and a second buffer chamber detachably connected. An additional processing apparatus is detachably connected to the middle transfer chamber. The intermediate structure is selectively arranged in first or second state. In the first state, the additional processing apparatus performs a vacuum process, while the first buffer chamber is a load-lock chamber. In the second state, the additional processing apparatus performs an atmospheric pressure process, while the second buffer chamber is a load-lock chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Inventors: Shigeru Ishizawa, Hiroaki Saeki, Yoshimitsu Tamura, Shigetoshi Hosaka, Masahide Itoh, Kazushi Tahara, Yasushi Kodashima
  • Patent number: 7215115
    Abstract: A sensor and a control circuit are provided externally of a gear cover. This enhances reliability of a shift controller operated by an electric actuator and a motor driven control module similar thereto, and constitute them compact. Further, this provides a rotating position detection sensor suitably used for a switching device as described. A circuit and a sensor are not contaminated with oil or metal powder of a gear mechanism portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masashi Saito, Youichi Nakano, Hayato Sugawara, Hiroaki Saeki
  • Patent number: 7167805
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a conveying mechanism disposed in a conveying vessel which includes: a moving member which can move in a horizontal moving direction; a rotary table attached to the moving member such that the rotary table can turn in a horizontal turning direction and move in the vertical direction; and two arm mechanisms which can bend and stretch in a horizontal operating direction relative to the rotary table. Also disclosed herein is a reference position correcting device for the conveying mechanism and methods of correcting reference positions of the conveying mechanism. The reference position correcting device includes: a light emitter for emitting a sensing light beam; a light detector for receiving the sensing light beam; and a correcting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignees: Tokyo Electron Limited, Shinko Electric Co, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Saeki, Toshio Kamigaki
  • Publication number: 20060210387
    Abstract: A transfer apparatus (20) for a target substrate (W) includes a rotatable rotary base (24). First and second arm mechanisms (26, 28) are attached to the rotary base and configured to bend and stretch. Each of the first and second arm mechanisms has a proximal end arm (26A, 28A), an intermediate arm (26B, 28B), and a pick (26C, 28C) which are pivotally coupled to each other sequentially from the rotary base. The picks are disposed to support the target substrate. A link mechanism (30) is coupled to the proximal end arms of the first and second arm mechanisms to drive the first and second arm mechanisms. A first driving source (32) is disposed to rotatably drive the rotary base. A second driving source (34) is disposed to drive the link mechanism so as to bend or stretch the first and second arm mechanisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Publication date: September 21, 2006
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Hiroaki Saeki, Shigeru Ishizawa, Takehiro Shindo, Tsutomu Hiroki, Wataru Machiyama
  • Patent number: 7093426
    Abstract: To improve startability and reduce the amount of HC emission at start-up with the aid of a construction where vaporized fuel is supplied to the bypass passage that bypasses the main passage. The main air control valve 16 is installed near the intake port 10 of the main air passage 3, and the main air control valve is closed or throttled at the time of start-up or additional injection from the port injection valve 5 is given in the beginning of start-up cranking. With a apparatus equipped with the main air control valve, vaporization of the fuel injected from the auxiliary injection valve 6 is facilitated in the beginning of cranking and also intake delay of the vaporized fuel is reduced, and hence startability can improve and the amount of HC emission at the time of start-up can decrease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takanobu Ichihara, Masami Nagano, Kozo Katogi, Hiroaki Saeki