Patents by Inventor Hiroyuki Yokoi

Hiroyuki Yokoi 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: 11920578
    Abstract: A valve includes a first plate having a first vent hole; a second plate defining a valve chamber, which communicates with the first vent hole, between the second plate and the first plate, the second plate having a second vent hole that communicates with the valve chamber and that does not face the first vent hole; and a movable plate having a third vent hole that faces the second vent hole and disposed in the valve chamber such that the movable plate is movable between the first plate and the second plate. The second plate has an auxiliary hole that does not face the third vent hole in the movable plate, the auxiliary hole being surrounded by an edge portion that forms a first corner portion having a substantially convex rounded shape in front view of a principal surface of the second plate at a side facing the valve chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yokoi, Nobuhira Tanaka, Daisuke Kondo
  • Publication number: 20240018358
    Abstract: A polysiloxane-based resin that can be stably dispersed or dissolved in an aqueous medium and that has an appropriate level of viscosity, when made into a solution, is provided. The polysiloxane-based resin contains a polymer containing, as a structural unit, a structural unit derived from a monomer having a radically polymerizable group. The monomer includes (i) a monomer that is soluble in water and forms no micelles in water and (ii) a monomer that is capable of forming micelles in water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Applicant: KANEKA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Yokoi
  • Patent number: 11795934
    Abstract: A pump includes a housing, a first vibrating body, a second vibrating body, and a peripheral wall portion that define a pump chamber, and a driving body. The housing has a first wall portion opposed to the first vibrating body and a second wall portion. The first wall portion includes a first concave portion that opens toward the first vibrating body and opposed to a central portion of the first vibrating body and a first circumferential portion adjacent to the first concave portion. A first chamber includes a first wide portion defined by the first concave portion and the first vibrating body, and a first narrow portion defined by the first circumferential portion and the first vibrating body. The first narrow portion overlaps with at least part of the first vibrating body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daisuke Kondo, Hiroaki Wada, Nobuhira Tanaka, Hiroyuki Yokoi, Hiroki Achiwa, Hiroshi Takemura
  • Patent number: 11391275
    Abstract: A fluid control apparatus includes a valve and a pump. The valve has a valve chamber. The first main plate has a first aperture through which the valve chamber communicates with the outside, and the second main plate has a second aperture through which the valve chamber communicates with the outside. The valve further includes a valve diaphragm disposed inside the valve chamber. The valve diaphragm is configured to switch the communication state. The pump includes a piezoelectric device. The pump has a pump chamber. The pump chamber communicates with the valve chamber through the second aperture. In addition, in flexural vibration of the vibration unit, a frequency coefficient of the first main plate is greater than a frequency coefficient of the second main plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nobuhira Tanaka, Daisuke Kondo, Hiroyuki Yokoi
  • Patent number: 11041580
    Abstract: A fluid control device (111) includes a valve section (12) and a blower section (13). The valve section (12) allows fluid to flow in one direction. The valve section (12) has the shape of a cylindrical container with a valve chamber (40) provided therein. The valve section (12) includes a top plate (21), a side-wall plate (22), a bottom plate (23), and a film (24). A plurality of ejection holes (41) and a plurality of auxiliary holes (49) arranged in a predetermined pattern are formed in a central region of the top plate (21). A plurality of communication holes (43) arranged in a predetermined pattern are formed in a central region of the bottom plate (23). A plurality of film holes (42) arranged in a predetermined pattern are formed in a central region of the film (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yokoi, Daisuke Kondo, Nobuhira Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20210003226
    Abstract: A valve includes a first plate having a first vent hole; a second plate defining a valve chamber, which communicates with the first vent hole, between the second plate and the first plate, the second plate having a second vent hole that communicates with the valve chamber and that does not face the first vent hole; and a movable plate having a third vent hole that faces the second vent hole and disposed in the valve chamber such that the movable plate is movable between the first plate and the second plate. The second plate has an auxiliary hole that does not face the third vent hole in the movable plate, the auxiliary hole being surrounded by an edge portion that forms a first corner portion having a substantially convex rounded shape in front view of a principal surface of the second plate at a side facing the valve chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Hiroyuki YOKOI, Nobuhira TANAKA, Daisuke KONDO
  • Publication number: 20200371536
    Abstract: A fluid control apparatus includes a valve and a pump. The valve has a valve chamber surrounded by the first main plate, the second main plate, and the side plate. The first main plate has a first aperture, and the second main plate has a second aperture. The valve further includes a valve diaphragm disposed inside the valve chamber. The valve diaphragm is configured to switch between a state in which the first aperture and the second aperture communicate with each other and a state in which the first aperture and the second aperture do not communicate with each other. The pump includes a vibration unit that has a piezoelectric device and a vibrating plate. The pump has a pump chamber that is defined by the vibration unit and the second main plate. The pump chamber communicates with the valve chamber through the second aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: Nobuhira TANAKA, Daisuke KONDO, Hiroyuki YOKOI
  • Publication number: 20200355180
    Abstract: A fluid control apparatus includes a valve and a pump. The valve has a valve chamber. The first main plate has a first aperture through which the valve chamber communicates with the outside, and the second main plate has a second aperture through which the valve chamber communicates with the outside. The valve further includes a valve diaphragm disposed inside the valve chamber. The valve diaphragm is configured to switch the communication state. The pump includes a piezoelectric device. The pump has a pump chamber. The pump chamber communicates with the valve chamber through the second aperture. In addition, in flexural vibration of the vibration unit, a frequency coefficient of the first main plate is greater than a frequency coefficient of the second main plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Nobuhira TANAKA, Daisuke KONDO, Hiroyuki YOKOI
  • Publication number: 20200318630
    Abstract: A pump includes a housing, a first vibrating body, a second vibrating body, and a peripheral wall portion that define a pump chamber, and a driving body. The housing has a first wall portion opposed to the first vibrating body and a second wall portion. The first wall portion includes a first concave portion that opens toward the first vibrating body and opposed to a central portion of the first vibrating body and a first circumferential portion adjacent to the first concave portion. A first chamber includes a first wide portion defined by the first concave portion and the first vibrating body, and a first narrow portion defined by the first circumferential portion and the first vibrating body. The first narrow portion overlaps with at least part of the first vibrating body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: Daisuke KONDO, Hiroaki WADA, Nobuhira TANAKA, Hiroyuki YOKOI, Hiroki ACHIWA, Hiroshi TAKEMURA
  • Patent number: 10781810
    Abstract: A valve includes a first plate (10) having a first through hole (100), a second plate (20) having a second through hole (210) that does not face the first through hole (100), a valve chamber (55) formed by being surrounded by the first plate (10) and the second plate (20), and a valve body (30) disposed in the valve chamber (55) and having a third through hole (300) that does not face the first through hole (100) and that faces the second through hole (200), the valve body (30) being movable up and down between the first plate (10) and the second plate (20). In addition, a second opening area of the second through hole (210) is smaller than a third opening area of the third through hole (300), and the second through hole (210) is located in the third through hole (300) when viewed from a front.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuhira Tanaka, Hiroyuki Yokoi
  • Publication number: 20190226472
    Abstract: A valve includes a first plate (10) having a first through hole (100), a second plate (20) having a second through hole (210) that does not face the first through hole (100), a valve chamber (55) formed by being surrounded by the first plate (10) and the second plate (20), and a valve body (30) disposed in the valve chamber (55) and having a third through hole (300) that does not face the first through hole (100) and that faces the second through hole (200), the valve body (30) being movable up and down between the first plate (10) and the second plate (20). In addition, a second opening area of the second through hole (210) is smaller than a third opening area of the third through hole (300), and the second through hole (210) is located in the third through hole (300) when viewed from a front.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Nobuhira TANAKA, Hiroyuki YOKOI
  • Patent number: 10280915
    Abstract: A fluid control device (10) having a flow passage passing through a pump chamber (45) and a valve chamber (40) includes a vibration unit (37) that vibrates to cause fluctuation of an internal pressure in the pump chamber (45), a valve bottom plate (23) facing the valve chamber (40) and having a communication hole (43) communicating with the pump chamber (45) at one end and communicating with the valve chamber (40) at the other end, and a valve top plate (21) facing the valve chamber (40) to be opposed to the valve bottom plate (23) and having a discharge hole (41) communicating with the valve chamber (40). The communication hole (43) and the discharge hole (41) are not opposed to each other, and the valve bottom plate (23) is elastically deformed by transmission of vibration of the vibration unit (37) thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daisuke Kondo, Kiyoshi Kurihara, Hiroyuki Yokoi, Hiroaki Wada
  • Patent number: 10221845
    Abstract: A piezoelectric blower (100) includes a housing (17), a vibrating plate (41), and a piezoelectric element (42). The vibrating plate (41) forms a column-shaped blower chamber (31) together with the housing (17). The vibrating plate (41) and the housing (17) are formed so that the blower chamber (31) has a radius a. The piezoelectric element (42) causes the vibrating plate (41) to concentrically bend and vibrate at a resonance frequency f. A recessed portion (26) is formed in the housing (17) on the side facing the vibrating plate (41). The recessed portion (26) defines a cavity (25), which constitutes the blower chamber (31) and communicates with the vent hole (24). The radius a of the blower chamber (31) and the resonance frequency f of the vibrating plate (41) satisfy a relationship of 0.8×(k0c)/(2?)?af?1.2×(k0c)/(2?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nobuhira Tanaka, Hiroyuki Yokoi, Masahiro Sasaki, Kiyoshi Kurihara
  • Patent number: 10191038
    Abstract: In a known method of measuring a target substance, comprising: providing a sample solution containing the target substance, a first reaction solution, and a second reaction solution; sequentially aspirating the sample solution and the first reaction solution, using a measuring apparatus equipped with a dispensing unit, into the dispensing unit; discharging them at a time from the dispensing unit, to bring them into contact with the second reaction solution, and to form a complex of the target substance and a first partner which is contained in at least one of the first reaction solution or the second reaction solution and reacts specifically with the target substance; and analyzing the resulting complex, an improved method capable of inhibiting a reaction which adversely affects measurement results is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: LSI MEDIENCE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keiichi Shoji, Hiroyuki Yokoi
  • Patent number: 9828989
    Abstract: A liquid delivery device includes a constant flow valve, a pump and channels. A medicinal solution bag is connected to the liquid delivery device. The pump has a suction aperture, a discharge aperture and check valves. The constant flow valve includes a valve casing and a diaphragm that partitions the interior of the valve casing to form a first valve chamber and a second valve chamber. A first opening, a second opening, and a third opening are provided in the valve casing. A conical spring arranged between and in contact with a top plate and the diaphragm is provided in the second valve chamber. The spring applies a pressure towards an O-ring side to a second main surface of the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yokoi, Yuzo Higashiyama
  • Publication number: 20170218949
    Abstract: A fluid control device (111) includes a valve section (12) and a blower section (13). The valve section (12) allows fluid to flow in one direction. The valve section (12) has the shape of a cylindrical container with a valve chamber (40) provided therein. The valve section (12) includes a top plate (21), a side-wall plate (22), a bottom plate (23), and a film (24). A plurality of ejection holes (41) and a plurality of auxiliary holes (49) arranged in a predetermined pattern are formed in a central region of the top plate (21). A plurality of communication holes (43) arranged in a predetermined pattern are formed in a central region of the bottom plate (23). A plurality of film holes (42) arranged in a predetermined pattern are formed in a central region of the film (24).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yokoi, Daisuke Kondo, Nobuhira Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20170138357
    Abstract: A fluid control device (10) having a flow passage passing through a pump chamber (45) and a valve chamber (40) includes a vibration unit (37) that vibrates to cause fluctuation of an internal pressure in the pump chamber (45), a valve bottom plate (23) facing the valve chamber (40) and having a communication hole (43) communicating with the pump chamber (45) at one end and communicating with the valve chamber (40) at the other end, and a valve top plate (21) facing the valve chamber (40) to be opposed to the valve bottom plate (23) and having a discharge hole (41) communicating with the valve chamber (40). The communication hole (43) and the discharge hole (41) are not opposed to each other, and the valve bottom plate (23) is elastically deformed by transmission of vibration of the vibration unit (37) thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Daisuke Kondo, Kiyoshi Kurihara, Hiroyuki Yokoi, Hiroaki Wada
  • Publication number: 20160377073
    Abstract: A piezoelectric blower (100) includes a housing (17), a vibrating plate (41), and a piezoelectric element (42). The vibrating plate (41) forms a column-shaped blower chamber (31) together with the housing (17). The vibrating plate (41) and the housing (17) are formed so that the blower chamber (31) has a radius a. The piezoelectric element (42) causes the vibrating plate (41) to concentrically bend and vibrate at a resonance frequency f. A recessed portion (26) is formed in the housing (17) on the side facing the vibrating plate (41). The recessed portion (26) defines a cavity (25), which constitutes the blower chamber (31) and communicates with the vent hole (24). The radius a of the blower chamber (31) and the resonance frequency f of the vibrating plate (41) satisfy a relationship of 0.8×(k0c)/(2?)?af?1.2×(k0c)/(2?).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Nobuhira TANAKA, Hiroyuki YOKOI, Masahiro SASAKI, Kiyoshi KURIHARA
  • Publication number: 20150248848
    Abstract: A syringe operation detection device includes: a female joint part to be joined to a barrel tip; a male joint part to be joined to a needle hub; a coupling container for allowing the female joint part to be continuous with the male joint part while being closed externally; a detector detecting a pressure, flow velocity, or flow rate of a fluid; and a controller to which a signal from the detector is inputted, the controller including: a sensing section for detecting the signal from the detector; a determination criteria setting section for setting a determination criterion value; and a determination section for determining whether a syringe is operated skillfully or not by comparing sensing data based on the signal with the determination criterion value, and informing a determination result to an operator. As a result, there is provided the syringe operation detection device capable of being applied to a syringe actually used and evaluating an operation state of a syringe in objective terms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Inventors: Hiroyuki YOKOI, Yusuki OOTAKE, Hiroshi NAKASE
  • Publication number: 20150167664
    Abstract: A liquid delivery device includes a constant flow valve, a pump and channels. A medicinal solution bag is connected to the liquid delivery device. The pump has a suction aperture, a discharge aperture and check valves. The constant flow valve includes a valve casing and a diaphragm that partitions the interior of the valve casing to form a first valve chamber and a second valve chamber. A first opening, a second opening, and a third opening are provided in the valve casing. A conical spring arranged between and in contact with a top plate and the diaphragm is provided in the second valve chamber. The spring applies a pressure towards an O-ring side to a second main surface of the diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Yokoi, Yuzo Higashiyama