Patents by Inventor Hisaya Iwata

Hisaya Iwata 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: 8434445
    Abstract: An engine including an automatic choke that includes a choke valve movable between a fully closed position and a fully open position, a temperature sensor coupled to the engine and operable to provide a temperature signal indicative of a temperature of the engine, and a motor connected to the choke valve and operable to move the choke valve in response to a motor control signal. A controller is electrically connected to the motor and to the temperature sensor. The controller includes an electronic circuit having a memory. A table includes engine specific choke position data stored in memory, wherein the controller determines a choke initial position based on the temperature of the engine and the choke position data, and wherein the motor moves the choke valve toward that position in response to an attempt to start the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Hisaya Iwata, Robert Koenen, Andrew Perez
  • Patent number: 8434444
    Abstract: A method of controlling a choke valve of an engine with a controller is disclosed. Also disclosed is an automatic choke performing the method, an engine having the automatic choke, and an apparatus having the engine. The controller includes an electronic circuit, such as a programmable device, and is coupled to a temperature sensor and a motor. The method includes determining a temperature value using the temperature sensor, determining a time period to hold the choke valve in a first position, keeping the choke valve at the first position for the time period, moving the choke valve from the first position toward a second position using the motor, determining a count to hold the choke valve, keeping the choke valve at the second position for the count, and moving the choke valve from the second position toward a fully open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Hisaya Iwata, Robert Koenen, Andrew Perez
  • Publication number: 20120266839
    Abstract: An engine including an automatic choke that includes a choke valve movable between a fully closed position and a fully open position, a temperature sensor coupled to the engine and operable to provide a temperature signal indicative of a temperature of the engine, and a motor connected to the choke valve and operable to move the choke valve in response to a motor control signal. A controller is electrically connected to the motor and to the temperature sensor. The controller includes an electronic circuit having a memory. A table includes engine specific choke position data stored in memory, wherein the controller determines a choke initial position based on the temperature of the engine and the choke position data, and wherein the motor moves the choke valve toward that position in response to an attempt to start the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: BRIGGS & STRATTON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hisaya Iwata, Robert Koenen, Andrew Perez
  • Patent number: 8219305
    Abstract: An automatic choke connectable to an engine. Also disclosed is an engine including the automatic choke, an apparatus including the engine and the automatic choke, and a method of controlling a choke valve. The automatic choke includes a motor for moving a choke valve and a controller electrically connected to the motor. In one construction, the controller is configured to store position information and a flag related to a position of the choke valve, determine the engine has, and control the automatic choke with the stored position information based on the flag and the determination that the engine has re-started. In another construction, the controller is configured to generate a motor control signal to direct the choke valve to a fully-open position without providing choke relief based on a temperature value indicating the engine temperature is greater than a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Hisaya Iwata, Robert Koenen, Andrew Perez
  • Publication number: 20090299614
    Abstract: An automatic choke connectable to an engine. Also disclosed is an engine including the automatic choke, an apparatus including the engine and the automatic choke, and a method of controlling a choke valve. The automatic choke includes a motor for moving a choke valve and a controller electrically connected to the motor. In one construction, the controller is configured to store position information and a flag related to a position of the choke valve, determine the engine has, and control the automatic choke with the stored position information based on the flag and the determination that the engine has re-started. In another construction, the controller is configured to generate a motor control signal to direct the choke valve to a fully-open position without providing choke relief based on a temperature value indicating the engine temperature is greater than a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Hisaya Iwata, Robert Koenen, Andrew Perez
  • Publication number: 20090293828
    Abstract: A method of controlling a choke valve of an engine with a controller is disclosed. Also disclosed is an automatic choke performing the method, an engine having the automatic choke, and an apparatus having the engine. The controller includes an electronic circuit, such as a programmable device, and is coupled to a temperature sensor and a motor. The method includes determining a temperature value using the temperature sensor, determining a time period to hold the choke valve in a first position, keeping the choke valve at the first position for the time period, moving the choke valve from the first position toward a second position using the motor, determining a count to hold the choke valve, keeping the choke valve at the second position for the count, and moving the choke valve from the second position toward a fully open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Hisaya Iwata, Robert Koenen, Andrew Perez
  • Patent number: 7353802
    Abstract: A governor for an engine includes a speed sensor coupled to the engine that moves in response to changes in engine speed. The governor further includes a linkage coupled between the speed sensor and a throttle member to move the throttle member between a first position and a second position. A governor spring couples to the throttle member. A friction spring couples to the throttle member and includes a coil portion frictionally engaged with the linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Hisaya Iwata, Bradley Demi
  • Patent number: 6990969
    Abstract: An automatic choke apparatus for use in an internal combustion engine. The choke apparatus includes a choke valve automatically operable in response to the speed of the engine, a thermally conductive assembly that conducts heat from exhaust gases produced by the engine, a thermally responsive member in thermal communication with the thermally conductive assembly, and a mechanism that moves in response to the thermally responsive member to cause the choke valve to remain in at least a partially open position during engine starting when the thermally responsive member senses a temperature above a predetermined temperature. The thermally conductive assembly at least partially surrounds the path of the exhaust gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Briggs and Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: David Roth, James J. Dehn, Thomas G. Guntly, Curtis Schultz, Hisaya Iwata, Steven R. Schlosser, Travis Nickels, Gregory D. Irwin, Kenneth R. Breitenstein, Steven A. Dethloff
  • Publication number: 20050022798
    Abstract: An automatic choke apparatus for use in an internal combustion engine. The choke apparatus includes a choke valve automatically operable in response to the speed of the engine, a thermally conductive assembly that conducts heat from exhaust gases produced by the engine, a thermally responsive member in thermal communication with the thermally conductive assembly, and a mechanism that moves in response to the thermally responsive member to cause the choke valve to remain in at least a partially open position during engine starting when the thermally responsive member senses a temperature above a predetermined temperature. The thermally conductive assembly at least partially surrounds the path of the exhaust gases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Publication date: February 3, 2005
    Inventors: David Roth, James Dehn, Thomas Guntly, Curtis Schultz, Hisaya Iwata, Steven Schlosser, Travis Nickels, Gregory Irwin, Kenneth Breitenstein, Steven Dethloff