Patents by Inventor Hisamichi Kimura

Hisamichi Kimura 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: 10017840
    Abstract: A copper alloy of the present invention contains 5.00 to 8.00 atomic percent of Zr and includes Cu and a Cu—Zr compound, and two phases of the Cu and the Cu—Zr compound form a mosaic-like structure which includes no eutectic phase and in which when viewed in cross section, crystals having a size of 10 ?m or less are dispersed. This copper alloy is formed by a manufacturing method including a sintering step of performing spark plasma sintering on a Cu—Zr binary system alloy powder at a temperature of 0.9 Tm ° C. or less (Tm(° C.): melting point of the alloy powder) by supply of direct-currant pulse electricity, the Cu—Zr binary system alloy powder having an average grain diameter of 30 ?m or less and a hypoeutectic composition which contains 5.00 to 8.00 atomic percent of Zr. The Cu—Zr compound may include at least one of Cu5Zr, Cu9Zr2, and Cu8Zr3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignees: NGK Insulators, Ltd., Tohoku University
    Inventors: Takashi Goto, Hisamichi Kimura, Akihisa Inoue, Naokuni Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 9777348
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a copper alloy is provided, including melting and casting a copper alloy having a composition expressed, in atomic percent, by a formula of Cu100?(a+b)ZraBb, wherein 1.0?a?8.0, 0?b?4.0, and a+b?8.0, by a nonrefractory melting method. A cold working with a reduction of about 50% or more for the copper alloy without a solution treatment is performed to provide the copper alloy a dual phase structure having a layered structure including a Cu matrix phase having a plurality of grain particles having an average diameter of about 10 ?m or less, and an eutectic phase around the Cu matrix phase. At least part of each grain particle contacts another grain particle within the eutectic phase, and the eutectic phase includes at least one of a Cu—Zr compound and a Cu—Zr—B compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Inventors: Hisamichi Kimura, Naokuni Muramatsu, Ken Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9754703
    Abstract: A copper alloy wire rod includes a copper parent phase and short fiber-shaped composite phases which are dispersed in the copper parent phase and which contain Cu8Zr3 and Cu, wherein the content of Zr is within the range of 0.2 atomic percent or more and 1.0 atomic percent or less. This copper alloy wire rod can be obtained by including the steps of melting a raw material in such a way that a copper alloy having a Zr content within the above-described range of is produced so as to obtain a molten metal in a melting step, casting the molten metal so as to obtain an ingot in a casting step, and subjecting the ingot to cold wire drawing in a wire drawing step, wherein the wire drawing step and a treatment after the wire drawing step are performed at lower than 500° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignees: NGK Insulators, Ltd., Tohoku University
    Inventors: Akihisa Inoue, Hisamichi Kimura, Naokuni Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 9210805
    Abstract: The zirconium content of the alloy composition of a copper alloy foil of the present invention is 3.0 to 7.0 atomic percent, and the copper alloy foil includes copper matrix phases and composite phases composed of copper-zirconium compound phases and copper phases. As shown in FIG. 1, the copper matrix phases and the composite phases form a matrix phase-composite phase layered structure and are arranged alternately parallel to a rolling direction as viewed in a cross-section perpendicular to the width direction. In addition, the copper-zirconium compound phases and the copper phases in the composite phases form a composite phase inner layered structure and are arranged alternately parallel to the rolling direction at a phase pitch of 50 nm or less as viewed in the above cross-section. This double layered structure presumably makes the copper alloy foil densely layered to provide a strengthening mechanism similar to multilayer reinforced composite materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignees: NGK Insulators, Ltd., Tohoku University
    Inventors: Naokuni Muramatsu, Hisamichi Kimura, Akihisa Inoue
  • Patent number: 9175406
    Abstract: There is provided a metallic glass component with its surface layer having both durability of a film and chromatic color properties, and a method for forming the surface layer. Surface active treatment is performed wherein the surface of the metallic glass component is reacted with a mixed aqueous solution of nitric acid and hydrofluoric acid to remove an oxide film and to provide an anchor bond shape on the surface of a metallic glass component, and electroplating or electroless plating is then performed, to form a plating film on the surface of the metallic glass component. It is thereby possible to form a surface layer of a metallic glass which has both durability and a chromatic color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignees: TOKOKU UNIVERSITY, NGK INSULATORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Xin Min Wang, Naokuni Muramatsu, Junsuke Kiuchi, Hiroshi Suzuki, Tatsue Arakawa, Hisamichi Kimura, Akihisa Inoue, Eiichi Makabe
  • Patent number: 9165695
    Abstract: The zirconium content of the alloy composition of a copper alloy wire is 3.0 to 7.0 atomic percent; and the copper alloy wire includes copper matrix phases and composite phases composed of copper-zirconium compound phases and copper phases. The copper matrix phases and the composite phases form a matrix phase-composite phase fibrous structure and are arranged alternately parallel to an axial direction as viewed in a cross-section parallel to the axial direction and including a central axis. The copper-zirconium compound phases and the copper phases in the composite phases also form a composite phase inner fibrous structure and are arranged alternately parallel to the axial direction at a phase pitch of 50 nm or less as viewed in the above cross-section. This double fibrous structure presumably makes the copper alloy wire densely fibrous to provide a strengthening mechanism similar to the rule of mixture for fiber-reinforced composite materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignees: NGK Insulators, Ltd., Tohoku University
    Inventors: Naokuni Muramatsu, Hisamichi Kimura, Akihisa Inoue
  • Publication number: 20150225818
    Abstract: A copper alloy of the present invention contains 5.00 to 8.00 atomic percent of Zr and includes Cu and a Cu-Zr compound, and two phases of the Cu and the Cu-Zr compound form a mosaic-like structure which includes no eutectic phase and in which when viewed in cross section, crystals having a size of 10 ?m or less are dispersed. This copper alloy is formed by a manufacturing method including a sintering step of performing spark plasma sintering on a Cu-Zr binary system alloy powder at a temperature of 0.9 Tm° C. or less (Tm(° C.): melting point of the alloy powder) by supply of direct-currant pulse electricity, the Cu-Zr binary system alloy powder having an average grain diameter of 30 ?m or less and a hypoeutectic composition which contains 5.00 to 8.00 atomic percent of Zr. The Cu-Zr compound may include at least one of Cu5Zr, Cu9Zr2, and Cu8Zr3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: Takashi GOTO, Hisamichi KIMURA, Akihisa INOUE, Naokuni MURAMATSU
  • Patent number: 8968891
    Abstract: A magnetic recording medium 1 includes a substrate 11; and a metallic glassy layer 12 that is arranged on the substrate 11 and has a plurality of convex portions 12A and concave portions 12B. The metallic glassy layer 12 has a chemical composition represented by any one of the formulae (1) to (3): FemPtnSixByPz (wherein, 20<m?60 at %, 20<n?55 at %, 11?x<19 at %, 0?y<8 at %, and 0<z<8 at %)??(1); Fe55Pt25(SixByPz)20 (wherein, 11?x<19 at %, 0?y<8 at %, and0 <z<8 at %)??(2); and (Fe0.55Pt0.25Si0.16B0.02P0.02)100-xMx (wherein, 0<X?6 at %; and M represents an element or a combination of any two or more of the elements selected from Zr, Nb, Ta, Hf, Ti, Mo, W, V, Cr, Mn, Al, Y, Ag,and rare earth elements.)??(3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Japan Science and Technology Agency
    Inventors: Akihiro Makino, Akihisa Inoue, Wei Zhang, Hisamichi Kimura
  • Patent number: 8865253
    Abstract: A method of coloring a surface of a zirconium-based metallic glass component that includes the step of imparting interference colors by carrying out an anodizing process using an alkaline solution to form a film having a thickness of 300 nm or less on the surface of the zirconium-based metallic glass component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignees: NGK Insulators, Ltd., Tohoku University
    Inventors: Naokuni Muramatsu, Ken Suzuki, Akihisa Inoue, Hisamichi Kimura
  • Publication number: 20140205492
    Abstract: A copper alloy wire rod according to the present invention includes a copper parent phase and short fiber-shaped composite phases which are dispersed in the copper parent phase and which contain Cu8Zr3 and Cu, wherein the content of Zr is within the range of 0.2 atomic percent or more and 1.0 atomic percent or less. This copper alloy wire rod can be obtained by including the steps of melting a raw material in such a way that a copper alloy having a Zr content within the above-described range of is produced so as to obtain a molten metal in a melting step, casting the molten metal so as to obtain an ingot in a casting step, and subjecting the ingot to cold wire drawing in a wire drawing step, wherein the wire drawing step and a treatment after the wire drawing step are performed at lower than 500° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicants: TOHOKU UNIVERSITY, NGK INSULATORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Akihisa INOUE, Hisamichi KIMURA, Naokuni MURAMATSU
  • Patent number: 8663439
    Abstract: A sputtering target for producing a metallic glass membrane characterized in comprising a structure obtained by sintering atomized powder having a composition of a ternary compound system or greater with at least one or more metal elements selected from Pd, Zr, Fe, Co, Cu and Ni as its main component (component of greatest atomic %), and being an average grain size of 50 ?m or less. The prepared metallic glass membrane can be used as a substitute for conventional high-cost bulk metallic glass obtained by quenching of molten metal. This sputtering target for producing the metallic glass membrane is also free from problems such as defects in the metallic glass membrane and unevenness of composition, has a uniform structure, can be produced efficiently and at low cost, and does not generate many nodules or particles. Further provided is a method for manufacturing such a sputtering target for forming the metallic glass membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignees: JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation, Tohoku University
    Inventors: Atsushi Nakamura, Masataka Yahagi, Akihisa Inoue, Hisamichi Kimura, Shin-ichi Yamaura
  • Patent number: 8652399
    Abstract: A sputtering target for producing a metallic glass membrane characterized in comprising a structure obtained by sintering atomized powder having a composition of a ternary compound system or greater with at least one or more metal elements selected from Pd, Zr, Fe, Co, Cu and Ni as its main component (component of greatest atomic %), and being an average grain size of 50 ?m or less. The prepared metallic glass membrane can be used as a substitute for conventional high-cost bulk metallic glass obtained by quenching of molten metal. This sputtering target for producing the metallic glass membrane is also free from problems such as defects in the metallic glass membrane and unevenness of composition, has a uniform structure, can be produced efficiently and at low cost, and does not generate many nodules or particles. Further provided is a method for manufacturing such a sputtering target for forming the metallic glass membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignees: JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation, Tohoku University
    Inventors: Atsushi Nakamura, Masataka Yahagi, Akihisa Inoue, Hisamichi Kimura, Shin-ichi Yamaura
  • Publication number: 20130118645
    Abstract: The present invention provides a metallic glass having a chemical composition represented by any one of the following formulae (1) to (3): FemPtnSixByPz (wherein, 20<m?60 at %, 20<n?55 at %, 11?x<19 at %, 0?y<8 at %, and 0<z<8 at %)??(1); Fe55Pt25(SixByPz)20 (wherein, 11?x<19 at %, 0?y<8 at %, and 0<z<8 at %)??(2); and (Fe0.55Pt0.25Si0.16B0.02P0.02)100-xMx (wherein, 0<X?6 at %; and M represents an element or a combination of any two or more of the elements selected from Zr, Nb, Ta, Hf, Ti, Mo, W, V, Cr, Mn, Al, Y, Ag, and rare earth elements.)??(3). The present invention provides a magnetic recording medium 1 comprising: a substrate 11; and a metallic glassy layer 12 that is arranged on the substrate 11 and has a plurality of convex portions 12A and concave portions 12B. The metallic glassy layer 12 has a chemical composition represented by any one of the above formulae (1) to (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: JAPAN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AGENCY
    Inventors: Akihiro MAKINO, Akihisa INOUE, Wei ZHANG, Hisamichi KIMURA
  • Patent number: 8430978
    Abstract: A sintered sputtering target having a structure where the average crystallize size is 1 nm to 50 nm and preferably comprises an alloy having a three-component system or greater containing, as its primary component, at least one element selected from among Zr, Pd, Cu, Co, Fe, Ti, Mg, Sr, Y, Nb, Mo, Tc, Ru, Rh, Ag, Cd, In, Sn, Sb, Te and a rare earth metal. This target is manufactured by sintering atomized powder. Thereby provided is a high density target having an extremely fine and uniform structure manufactured with the sintering method, in place of a conventional bulk metal glass produced by the quenching of a molten metal, which has a coarse crystal structure and requires a high cost for its production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation
    Inventors: Akihisa Inoue, Hisamichi Kimura, Kenichiro Sasamori, Masataka Yahagi, Atsushi Nakamura, Hideyuki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8377580
    Abstract: A magnetic recording medium 1 includes a substrate 11; and a metallic glassy layer 12 that is arranged on the substrate 11 and has a plurality of convex portions 12A and concave portions 12B. The metallic glassy layer 12 has a chemical composition represented by any one of the formulae (1) to (3): FemPtnSixByPz (wherein, 20<m?60 at %, 20<n?55 at %, 11?x<19 at %, 0?y<8 at %, and 0<z<8 at %) (1); Fe55Pt25(SixByPz)20 (wherein, 11?x<19 at %, 0?y<8 at %, and 0<z<8 at %) (2); and (Fe0.55Pt0.25Si0.16B0.02P0.02)100-xMx (wherein 0<X?6 at %; and M represents an element or a combination of an two or more of the elements selected from Zr, Nb, Ta, Hf, Ti, Mo, W, V, Cr, Mn, Al, Y, Ag, and rare earth elements.) (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Japan Science and Technology Agency
    Inventors: Akihiro Makino, Akihisa Inoue, Wei Zhang, Hisamichi Kimura
  • Publication number: 20120148441
    Abstract: The zirconium content of the alloy composition of a copper alloy wire is 3.0 to 7.0 atomic percent; and the copper alloy wire includes copper matrix phases and composite phases composed of copper-zirconium compound phases and copper phases. The copper matrix phases and the composite phases form a matrix phase-composite phase fibrous structure and are arranged alternately parallel to an axial direction as viewed in a cross-section parallel to the axial direction and including a central axis. The copper-zirconium compound phases and the copper phases in the composite phases also form a composite phase inner fibrous structure and are arranged alternately parallel to the axial direction at a phase pitch of 50 nm or less as viewed in the above cross-section. This double fibrous structure presumably makes the copper alloy wire densely fibrous to provide a strengthening mechanism similar to the rule of mixture for fiber-reinforced composite materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicants: Tohoku University, NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naokuni Muramatsu, Hisamichi Kimura, Akihisa Inoue
  • Publication number: 20120145438
    Abstract: The zirconium content of the alloy composition of a copper alloy foil of the present invention is 3.0 to 7.0 atomic percent, and the copper alloy foil includes copper matrix phases and composite phases composed of copper-zirconium compound phases and copper phases. As shown in FIG. 1, the copper matrix phases and the composite phases form a matrix phase-composite phase layered structure and are arranged alternately parallel to a rolling direction as viewed in a cross-section perpendicular to the width direction. In addition, the copper-zirconium compound phases and the copper phases in the composite phases form a composite phase inner layered structure and are arranged alternately parallel to the rolling direction at a phase pitch of 50 nm or less as viewed in the above cross-section. This double layered structure presumably makes the copper alloy foil densely layered to provide a strengthening mechanism similar to multilayer reinforced composite materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: NGK Insulators ,Ltd.
    Inventors: Naokuni Muramatsu, Hisamichi Kimura, Akihisa Inoue
  • Publication number: 20110107795
    Abstract: A method of coloring a surface of a zirconium-based metallic glass component that includes the step of imparting interference colors by carrying out an anodizing process using an alkaline solution to form a film having a thickness of 300 nm or less on the surface of the zirconium-based metallic glass component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicants: NGK Insulators, Ltd., Tohoku University
    Inventors: Naokuni MURAMATSU, Ken Suzuki, Akihisa Inoue, Hisamichi Kimura
  • Patent number: 7923067
    Abstract: A method of coloring a surface of a zirconium-based metallic glass component that includes the step of imparting interference colors by carrying out an anodizing process using an alkaline solution to form a film having a thickness of 300 nm or less on the surface of the zirconium-based metallic glass component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignees: NGK Insulators, Ltd., Tohoku University
    Inventors: Naokuni Muramatsu, Ken Suzuki, Akihisa Inoue, Hisamichi Kimura
  • Patent number: 7906219
    Abstract: A metallic glass laminate of the present invention is characterized in that a metallic glass layer of amorphous phase is formed on the substrate surface, and there is no continuous pore (pinhole) through the metallic glass layer. The metallic glass laminate is preferably obtained by solidification and lamination of at least part of the metallic glass powder in the molten state or in the supercooled liquid state on the substrate surface. Because of the dense metallic glass layer of homogenous amorphous phase, the functionalities of metallic glass such as corrosion resistance and wear resistance can be satisfactorily provided. A thick and a large-area metallic glass layer can be formed. The metallic glass layer can also be formed into various shapes within the supercooled liquid temperature range. In addition, a metallic glass bulk can be obtained by removing the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignees: Topy Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Tohoku University, Akihisa Inoue
    Inventors: Masaki Ohara, Takanori Igarashi, Masaharu Sugiyama, Seiji Yamada, Kenichi Takahashi, Atsuo Mochizuki, Yoshitsugu Motoe, Akihisa Inoue, Hisamichi Kimura