Patents by Inventor Hiroki Fujiwara

Hiroki Fujiwara 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: 10309451
    Abstract: A thrust foil bearing (20) includes a foil holder (21) and a plurality of foils (22). Each of the foils (22) includes: a top foil portion (22a); an extending portion (22b); and an underfoil portion (22c). The extending portion (22b) of the each of the foils (22) is arranged behind another of the foils (22) that is adjacent to the each of the foils (22) on the one circumferential side. The underfoil portion (22c) of the each of the foils (22) is arranged between the top foil portion (22a) of the another of the foils (22), which is adjacent to the each of the foils (22) on another circumferential side, and the end surface (21a) of the foil holder (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masato Yoshino, Hiroki Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 10177416
    Abstract: A drying method includes a step of heating an object to be dried provided in a drying chamber to a predetermined temperature, a step of maintaining the predetermined temperature, a step of increasing an air pressure inside the drying chamber to a predetermined air pressure that is higher than an atmospheric pressure, and a step of decreasing the air pressure inside the drying chamber to be lower than the predetermined air pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroki Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20180355909
    Abstract: The present invention provides a foil bearing (10), including: a top foil portion (Tf); and a back foil portion (Bf), which is arranged on a back of the top foil portion (Tf), and is configured to elastically support the top foil portion (Tf), wherein the back foil portion (Bf) includes: an intermediate portion (23) being flat; first projecting portions (21) projecting on a front side of the intermediate portion (23); and second projecting portions (22) projecting on a back side of the intermediate portion (23).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: Masato YOSHINO, Hiroki FUJIWARA, Mitsuo KAWAMURA
  • Publication number: 20180313400
    Abstract: A foil bearing (40) includes foils (42) at a plurality of portions in a rotation direction of a shaft member (11). A top foil portion (Tf) including a bearing surface (S2) is formed in a region including a front end (421) of each of the foils (42), and a back foil portion (Bf) is formed in a region including a rear end (422) of each of the foils (42). A gap (C1) is secured between, of two of the foils adjacent to the foil (42) in a rotation direction (R) and a direction opposite to the rotation direction, the rear end (422) of the foil on the rotation direction side and the front end (421) of the foil on the side opposite to the rotation direction side. A width of the gap (C1) is set to be non-uniform in a direction (N) orthogonal to the rotation direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Masato YOSHINO, Hiroki FUJIWARA
  • Publication number: 20180313401
    Abstract: A foil bearing includes a foil holder and a plurality of foils fixed to the foil holder and arrayed in a circumferential direction. Each of the foils includes a top foil portion having a bearing surface, an extending portion formed on one circumferential side of the top foil portion, an underfoil portion formed on another circumferential side of the top foil portion, and an insertion slot formed between the top foil portion and the underfoil portion in the circumferential direction. The insertion slot includes a positioning portion and a wide portion that is larger in circumferential width than the positioning portion and is opened to an end portion of each of the foils. An edge of the top foil portion, which is opposed to the wide portion, retreats toward the one circumferential side with respect to an edge opposed to the positioning portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Masato YOSHINO, Hiroki FUJIWARA
  • Publication number: 20180306235
    Abstract: A thrust foil bearing (20) includes a foil holder (21) and a plurality of foils (22). Each of the foils (22) includes: a top foil portion (22a); an extending portion (22b); and an underfoil portion (22c). The extending portion (22b) of the each of the foils (22) is arranged behind another of the foils (22) that is adjacent to the each of the foils (22) on the one circumferential side. The underfoil portion (22c) of the each of the foils (22) is arranged between the top foil portion (22a) of the another of the foils (22), which is adjacent to the each of the foils (22) on another circumferential side, and the end surface (21a) of the foil holder (21).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Masato YOSHINO, Hiroki FUJIWARA
  • Patent number: 10012109
    Abstract: A foil bearing includes: a tubular foil holder (31); and a plurality of foils (32) having a radial bearing surface (S1) and being arrayed on an inner peripheral surface (31a) of the foil holder (31) in a circumferential direction. Both circumferential ends (projecting portions (32e) and projecting portion (32c)) of each of the foils (32) are held on the foil holder (31). The foil bearing is configured to support a shaft (6) inserted along an inner periphery thereof in a freely rotatable manner. The plurality of foils (32) are held on the foil holder (31) under a circumferentially movable state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masato Yoshino, Hiroki Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 9991769
    Abstract: The motor according to the present disclosure comprises a rotary unit, a stationary unit disposed around the rotary unit, and a bearing mechanism which rotatably supports the rotary unit relative to the stationary unit. The rotary unit comprises a plurality of magnets. The stationary unit comprises a stator disposed around the rotary unit, and a cover which is electrically conductive and covers a top surface of the stator, and the stator comprises a stator core which includes a plurality of teeth and a core back, and a coil which is wound around the stator core via an insulator. The cover has openings on at least one area of a circumferential interval between neighboring teeth when seen in a top view, and the cover is connected to a ground potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: NIDEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eiji Furutachi, Hiroki Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 9964143
    Abstract: A foil bearing (thrust foil bearing (40)) includes a foil holder (41) and a plurality of foils (42) arrayed in a circumferential direction. Each of the foils (42) includes a body portion (42a) having a thrust bearing surface (S2) and an extended portion (42b) extending from the body portion (42a) to a radially outer side. An end portion (42d) of the body portion (42a) of each of the foils (42) on one circumferential side is arranged so as to be overlapped on the body portion (42a) of adjacent one of the foils (42). The extended portions (42b) of the plurality of foils (42) are fixed onto the same plane of the foil holder (41).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masato Yoshino, Hiroki Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 9822816
    Abstract: Provided is a foil bearing, an air film is formed in a radial bearing gap between a first bearing surface arranged on a top foil and a second bearing surface along with rotation of a shaft, and the shaft is supported with a pressure of the air film. Lubricating powder is interposed between the bearing surfaces. The top foil is partially elastically deformed in a width direction of the radial bearing gap in accordance with the pressure of the air film generated in the radial bearing gap, thereby being alternately shifted between a first state in which a retaining portion capable of retaining the lubricating powder is formed and a second state in which the retaining portion substantially disappears, and shifted from the second state to the first state along with an increase in the pressure of the air film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jun Midoumae, Masato Yoshino, Hiroki Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 9784307
    Abstract: A foil bearing includes an outer member (11), and a plurality of foils (13) that are mounted to an inner circumferential surface (11a) of the outer member (11) and directly face the inner circumferential surface (11a) of the outer member (11) in a radial direction without interposition of another member (such as back foils). The foils (13) each include: holding portions (13a, 13b) that are formed at both circumferential ends and held while in contact with the outer member (11); and a body portion (13c) that is formed circumferentially between the holding portions (13a, 13b) and has a bearing surface (A). At least an end portion on one side in a circumferential direction of the body portion (13c) is raised radially inward with respect to the inner circumferential surface (11a) of the outer member (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masato Yoshino, Hiroki Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20170184150
    Abstract: A foil bearing includes an outer member (11), and a plurality of foils (13) that are mounted to an inner circumferential surface (11a) of the outer member (11) and directly face the inner circumferential surface (11a) of the outer member (11) in a radial direction without interposition of another member (such as back foils). The foils (13) each include: holding portions (13a, 13b) that are formed at both circumferential ends and held while in contact with the outer member (11); and a body portion (13c) that is formed circumferentially between the holding portions (13a, 13b) and has a bearing surface (A). At least an end portion on one side in a circumferential direction of the body portion (13c) is raised radially inward with respect to the inner circumferential surface (11a) of the outer member (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masato YOSHINO, Hiroki FUJIWARA
  • Patent number: 9689422
    Abstract: A foil bearing unit includes: a first foil holder formed of a single component; a radial bearing foil mounted to an inner peripheral surface of the first foil holder; a thrust bearing foil mounted to an end surface of the first foil holder; and an inner member including: a shaft portion; and a flange portion projecting radially outward from the shaft portion. The inner member is supported in a radial direction by a fluid pressure that is generated in a radial bearing gap between a bearing surface of the radial bearing foil and an outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion, and the inner member is further supported in a thrust direction by a fluid pressure that is generated in a thrust bearing gap between a bearing surface of the thrust bearing foil and one end surface of the flange portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masato Yoshino, Mitsuo Kawamura, Hiroki Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 9631556
    Abstract: A foil bearing includes an outer member (11), and a plurality of foils (13) that are mounted to an inner circumferential surface (11a) of the outer member (11) and directly face the inner circumferential surface (11a) of the outer member (11) in a radial direction without interposition of another member (such as back foils). The foils (13) each include: holding portions (13a, 13b) that are formed at both circumferential ends and held while in contact with the outer member (11); and a body portion (13c) that is formed circumferentially between the holding portions (13a, 13b) and has a bearing surface (A). At least an end portion on one side in a circumferential direction of the body portion (13c) is raised radially inward with respect to the inner circumferential surface (11a) of the outer member (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masato Yoshino, Hiroki Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 9634348
    Abstract: A battery pressing device for pressing a battery cell, the battery cell including an external casing, an electrolyte, a battery element in which electrodes and a separator are arranged in layers in the external casing, electrode terminals extending out of the external casing from an end of the battery element, and an insulating member for preventing short-circuiting of the electrode terminals attached to the electrode terminals inside the external casing, the battery pressing device includes a pressing member configured to press the battery cell in a layering direction of the battery element over a region so as to avoid pressing the insulating member inside the external casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Automotive Energy Supply Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Yasooka, Hiroki Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20170089389
    Abstract: Provided is a foil bearing, an air film is formed in a radial bearing gap between a first bearing surface arranged on a top foil and a second bearing surface along with rotation of a shaft, and the shaft is supported with a pressure of the air film. Lubricating powder is interposed between the bearing surfaces. The top foil is partially elastically deformed in a width direction of the radial bearing gap in accordance with the pressure of the air film generated in the radial bearing gap, thereby being alternately shifted between a first state in which a retaining portion capable of retaining the lubricating powder is formed and a second state in which the retaining portion substantially disappears, and shifted from the second state to the first state along with an increase in the pressure of the air film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Jun MIDOUMAE, Masato YOSHINO, Hiroki FUJIWARA
  • Publication number: 20160356310
    Abstract: A foil bearing (thrust foil bearing (40)) includes a foil holder (41) and a plurality of foils (42) arrayed in a circumferential direction. Each of the foils (42) includes a body portion (42a) having a thrust bearing surface (S2) and an extended portion (42b) extending from the body portion (42a) to a radially outer side. An end portion (42d) of the body portion (42a) of each of the foils (42) on one circumferential side is arranged so as to be overlapped on the body portion (42a) of adjacent one of the foils (42). The extended portions (42b) of the plurality of foils (42) are fixed onto the same plane of the foil holder (41).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masato YOSHINO, Hiroki FUJIWARA
  • Publication number: 20160312655
    Abstract: A foil bearing includes: a tubular foil holder (31); and a plurality of foils (32) having a radial bearing surface (S1) and being arrayed on an inner peripheral surface (31a) of the foil holder (31) in a circumferential direction. Both circumferential ends (projecting portions (32e) and projecting portion (32c)) of each of the foils (32) are held on the foil holder (31). The foil bearing is configured to support a shaft (6) inserted along an inner periphery thereof in a freely rotatable manner. The plurality of foils (32) are held on the foil holder (31) under a circumferentially movable state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masato Yoshino, Hiroki Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20160265437
    Abstract: A foil bearing includes an outer member (11), and a plurality of foils (13) that are mounted to an inner circumferential surface (11a) of the outer member (11) and directly face the inner circumferential surface (11a) of the outer member (11) in a radial direction without interposition of another member (such as back foils). The foils (13) each include: holding portions (13a, 13b) that are formed at both circumferential ends and held while in contact with the outer member (11); and a body portion (13c) that is formed circumferentially between the holding portions (13a, 13b) and has a bearing surface (A). At least an end portion on one side in a circumferential direction of the body portion (13c) is raised radially inward with respect to the inner circumferential surface (11a) of the outer member (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masato YOSHINO, Hiroki FUJIWARA
  • Publication number: 20160233746
    Abstract: The motor according to the present disclosure comprises a rotary unit, a stationary unit disposed around the rotary unit, and a bearing mechanism which rotatably supports the rotary unit relative to the stationary unit. The rotary unit comprises a plurality of magnets. The stationary unit comprises a stator disposed around the rotary unit, and a cover which is electrically conductive and covers a top surface of the stator, and the stator comprises a stator core which includes a plurality of teeth and a core back, and a coil which is wound around the stator core via an insulator. The cover has openings on at least one area of a circumferential interval between neighboring teeth when seen in a top view, and the cover is connected to a ground potential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Eiji FURUTACHI, Hiroki FUJIWARA