Patents by Inventor Junichi Funato
Junichi Funato 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).
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Patent number: 11958106Abstract: Provided are a plate holding device, a plate detaching apparatus, a plate attaching apparatus and a plate attaching-detaching apparatus which are capable of reliably attaching and/or detaching a plate with respect to a plate-receiving metal frame. The plate holding device comprises: a plurality of holding members for holding a plate for a sliding nozzle device; widening and narrowing mechanisms to selectively widen and narrow a distance between the holding members; a pressing unit for pressing a central region of the plate when the plate is held by the holding members; and a force sensor for detecting a force received by the holding members and/or the pressing unit from the held plate. The plate holding device is configured to be mounted to a distal end of a robot arm.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2020Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: KROSAKIHARIMA CORPORATIONInventors: Mamoru Yoshimura, Junichi Funato, Yusuke Yamaguchi, Toshihiro Imahase
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Patent number: 11938534Abstract: An opening-closing apparatus capable of, when using a robot arm to selectively open and close a component of a sliding nozzle device, reliably opening and closing the component to respective given positions. The apparatus comprises: a hand-like distal module engageable with an openable-closable component of a sliding nozzle device; a force sensor to detect a force received by the module; and a robot arm to which the module and the sensor are mounted. The robot arm is controllably operated to: move the module toward the component of the sliding nozzle device and engage the module with the component of the sliding nozzle device; then move the module to move the component, if the absolute value of the force detected by the sensor is equal to or less than a given threshold; and stop the movement of the module, when the absolute value of the force detected by the sensor reaches the threshold.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2020Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: KROSAKIHARIMA CORPORATIONInventors: Mamoru Yoshimura, Junichi Funato, Yusuke Yamaguchi, Toshihiro Imahase
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Publication number: 20220097129Abstract: Provided are a plate holding device, a plate detaching apparatus, a plate attaching apparatus and a plate attaching-detaching apparatus which are capable of reliably attaching and/or detaching a plate with respect to a plate-receiving metal frame. The plate holding device comprises: a plurality of holding members for holding a plate for a sliding nozzle device; widening and narrowing mechanisms to selectively widen and narrow a distance between the holding members; a pressing unit for pressing a central region of the plate when the plate is held by the holding members; and a force sensor for detecting a force received by the holding members and/or the pressing unit from the held plate. The plate holding device is configured to be mounted to a distal end of a robot arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2020Publication date: March 31, 2022Applicant: KROSAKIHARIMA CORPORATIONInventors: Mamoru YOSHIMURA, Junichi FUNATO, Yusuke YAMAGUCHI, Toshihiro IMAHASE
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Publication number: 20220016695Abstract: An opening-closing apparatus capable of, when using a robot arm to selectively open and close a component of a sliding nozzle device, reliably opening and closing the component to respective given positions. The apparatus comprises: a hand-like distal module engageable with an openable-closable component of a sliding nozzle device; a force sensor to detect a force received by the module; and a robot arm to which the module and the sensor are mounted. The robot arm is controllably operated to: move the module toward the component of the sliding nozzle device and engage the module with the component of the sliding nozzle device; then move the module to move the component, if the absolute value of the force detected by the sensor is equal to or less than a given threshold; and stop the movement of the module, when the absolute value of the force detected by the sensor reaches the threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2020Publication date: January 20, 2022Applicant: KROSAKIHARIMA CORPORATIONInventors: Mamoru YOSHIMURA, Junichi FUNATO, Yusuke YAMAGUCHI, Toshihiro IMAHASE
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Publication number: 20200391281Abstract: A sliding nozzle apparatus includes a pair of sliding metal frame retaining sections provided on respective sides of opposed long edges of a fixed metal frame in an openable and closable manner. The sliding nozzle apparatus also includes: a pair of shafts each integrated with one of the retaining sections and each rotatably supported on a corresponding one of the sides of the opposed long edges of the metal frame; first and second link members provided, respectively, at one end of the shafts of the sliding metal frame retaining sections; and a link element coupling the first and second link members together, such that, when one of the retaining sections is manually opened or closed, the shaft of the other retaining section is reversely rotated to cause the other retaining section to be simultaneously opened or closed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2019Publication date: December 17, 2020Applicant: KROSAKIHARIMA CORPORATIONInventors: Toshihiro IMAHASE, Junichi FUNATO
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Patent number: 10471504Abstract: A simplified and downsized coupling position switching mechanism capable of transmitting reliably and smoothly the driving force of the drive unit to the slide metal frame to switchably change a coupling position between the slide metal frame and the drive unit in the sliding nozzle apparatus. A coupling portion in the slide metal frame protrudes on the side of the drive unit and allows a rod head of the drive unit to be coupled thereto, and the coupling portion has a coupling space allows the rod head to be disposed movably in a sliding direction of the slide metal frame. A separator is inserted into the coupling space to divide the coupling space into first and second coupling chambers in the sliding direction of the slide metal frame. The coupling portion has a fitting section for allowing the separator to be fitted thereinto when it is inserted into the coupling space.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2015Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: KROSAKIHARIMA CORPORATIONInventors: Toshihiro Imahase, Junichi Funato
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Patent number: 10464128Abstract: A coupling position switching mechanism capable of improving efficiency of a coupling position switching operation, while realizing structural simplification, and reductions in size and cost. A first coupling portion consisting of one of a slide metal frame-side coupling portion and a drive unit-side coupling portion is formed with a groove-shaped recess and a through-hole in this order from the side of a distal end of the first coupling portion, and a second coupling portion consisting of the remaining one of the slide metal frame-side coupling portion and the drive unit-side coupling portion is formed with the through-hole.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2015Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: KROSAKIHARIMA CORPORATIONInventors: Toshihiro Imahase, Junichi Funato
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Publication number: 20180333773Abstract: A coupling position switching mechanism capable of improving efficiency of a coupling position switching operation, while realizing structural simplification, and reductions in size and cost. A first coupling portion consisting of one of a slide metal frame-side coupling portion and a drive unit-side coupling portion is formed with a groove-shaped recess and a through-hole in this order from the side of a distal end of the first coupling portion, and a second coupling portion consisting of the remaining one of the slide metal frame-side coupling portion and the drive unit-side coupling portion is formed with the through-hole.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2015Publication date: November 22, 2018Applicant: KROSAKIHARIMA CORPORATIONInventors: Toshihiro IMAHASE, Junichi FUNATO
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Publication number: 20180001379Abstract: A simplified and downsized coupling position switching mechanism capable of transmitting reliably and smoothly the driving force of the drive unit to the slide metal frame to switchably change a coupling position between the slide metal frame and the drive unit in the sliding nozzle apparatus. A coupling portion in the slide metal frame protrudes on the side of the drive unit and allows a rod head of the drive unit to be coupled thereto, and the coupling portion has a coupling space allows the rod head to be disposed movably in a sliding direction of the slide metal frame. A separator is inserted into the coupling space to divide the coupling space into first and second coupling chambers in the sliding direction of the slide metal frame. The coupling portion has a fitting section for allowing the separator to be fitted thereinto when it is inserted into the coupling space.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2015Publication date: January 4, 2018Applicant: KROSAKIHARIMA CORPORATIONInventors: Toshihiro IMAHASE, Junichi FUNATO
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Patent number: 9211585Abstract: The invention provides a plate-fixing structure designed for use with a sliding nozzle device to fix a plate to a plate-receiving metal frame. The plate-fixing structure is usable in a concavo-convex fitting technique with respect to fitting a convex or concave portion of a plate to a corresponding convex or concave portion of a plate-receiving metal frame to easily achieve alignment between the convex or concave portion of the plate and the corresponding convex or concave portion of the plate-receiving metal frame. A plate for use with the plate-fixing structure is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2012Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: KROSAKIHARIMA CORPORATIONInventors: Junichi Funato, Shunji Sadano
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Patent number: 8960508Abstract: A sliding nozzle device automatically performs a series of operations of loading and unloading pressure between plates and opening and closing a slide frame; maintaining the pressure without additional operations; and operates at full stroke during molten steel flow control. An auxiliary plate-exchanging mechanism includes slide axes moving in the same direction as a hydraulic cylinder operates, and an arm having a proximal end placed around the slide axis. The plate-exchanging mechanism is fixed on an upside frame. A first engagement pin mounted on the proximal end of the arm is inserted in a first engagement groove in a first engagement member engaging with the slide axis, and second engagement pins mounted on bearings are inserted in second engagement grooves in the slide axes. With movement of the slide axes the engagement pins respectively move in the engagement grooves, thereby rotating the slide axes and the arm.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2009Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Krosaki Harima CorporationInventors: Junichi Funato, Hiroyuki Tofuku, Yasuo Kawano, Shinjiro Saito
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Publication number: 20140263483Abstract: Provided is a plate fixing structure which is usable in a concavo-convex fitting technique for fitting with respect to a fitting concave or convex portion provided in a plate-receiving metal frame, and capable of easily achieving an alignment between the fitting convex portion and the fitting concave portion, and a plate for use with the fixing structure. The plate 10 is provided with a first engagement portion 14 extending from one of opposite ends thereof in a sliding direction thereof, and a second engagement portion extending from the other end, and the plate-receiving metal frame 20 is provided with a first support portion 22 and a second support portion 23 each configured to allow a respective one of the first engagement portion 14 and the second engagement portion 15 to be engaged therewith.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2012Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: KROSAKIHARIMA CORPORATIONInventors: Junichi Funato, Shunji Sadano
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Patent number: 8163229Abstract: A continuous-casting-nozzle support apparatus capable of enhancing sealing performance between a continuous casting nozzle and an SN device. The continuous-casting-nozzle support apparatus comprises: a holding mechanism 40 disposed to extend from a stationary column 10 fixed onto a supporting surface, and adapted to be turnable in a horizontal direction and swingable or movable in an upward-downward direction; a lifting mechanism 70 provided on the side of a distal end of the holding mechanism 40; a supporting mechanism 80 provided on the side of a distal end of the lifting mechanism 70, and adapted to support a continuous casting nozzle 100; and a hooking device 90 provided in the lifting mechanism 70, and adapted to allow the lifting mechanism 70 to be hooked to a first engagement portion 111a formed on a sliding metal frame of a sliding nozzle device 110, wherein the lifting mechanism 70 is adapted to lift the continuous casting nozzle 100 through the supporting mechanism 80.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2010Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Krosakiharima CorporationInventors: Junichi Funato, Teruo Aoki, Hisatake Okumura
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Patent number: 8152033Abstract: It is intended to develop a technique of pressing and fixing a plate by a uniform force to suppress the occurrence of a crack around a nozzle hole of the plate during use, and provide a sliding nozzle device capable of improving durability of the plate, and a plate for use in the sliding nozzle device. The sliding nozzle device comprises a plate (2) and a plate-receiving metal frame (1) for fixedly holding the plate (2).Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2008Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Krosakiharima CorporationInventors: Junichi Funato, Hitoshi Nakamura, Takashi Kayashima
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Publication number: 20110101041Abstract: A sliding nozzle device automatically performs a series of operations of loading and unloading pressure between plates and opening and closing a slide frame; maintaining the pressure without additional operations; and operates at full stroke during molten steel flow control. An auxiliary plate-exchanging mechanism includes slide axes moving in the same direction as a hydraulic cylinder operates, and an arm having a proximal end placed around the slide axis. The plate-exchanging mechanism is fixed on an upside frame. A first engagement pin mounted on the proximal end of the arm is inserted in a first engagement groove in a first engagement member engaging with the slide axis, and second engagement pins mounted on bearings are inserted in second engagement grooves in the slide axes. With movement of the slide axes the engagement pins respectively move in the engagement grooves, thereby rotating the slide axes and the arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2009Publication date: May 5, 2011Applicant: Krosaki Harima CorporationInventors: Junichi Funato, Hiroyuki Tofuku, Yasuo Kawano, Shinjiro Saito
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Publication number: 20100244335Abstract: It is intended to provide a continuous-casting-nozzle support apparatus capable of enhancing sealing performance between a continuous casting nozzle and an SN device. The continuous-casting-nozzle support apparatus comprises: a holding mechanism 40 disposed to extend from a stationary column 10 fixed onto a supporting surface, and adapted to be turnable in a horizontal direction and swingable or movable in an upward-downward direction; a lifting mechanism 70 provided on the side of a distal end of the holding mechanism 40; a supporting mechanism 80 provided on the side of a distal end of the lifting mechanism 70, and adapted to support a continuous casting nozzle 100; and a hooking device 90 provided in the lifting mechanism 70, and adapted to allow the lifting mechanism 70 to be hooked to a first engagement portion 111a formed on a sliding metal frame of a sliding nozzle device 110, wherein the lifting mechanism 70 is adapted to lift the continuous casting nozzle 100 through the supporting mechanism 80.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2010Publication date: September 30, 2010Inventors: Junichi FUNATO, Teruo Aoki, Hisatake Okumura
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Publication number: 20100200619Abstract: It is intended to develop a technique of pressing and fixing a plate by a uniform force to suppress the occurrence of a crack around a nozzle hole of the plate during use, and provide a sliding nozzle device capable of improving durability of the plate, and a plate for use in the sliding nozzle device. The sliding nozzle device comprises a plate (2) and a plate-receiving metal frame (1) for fixedly holding the plate (2).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2008Publication date: August 12, 2010Applicant: KROSAKIHARIMA CORPORATIONInventors: Junichi Funato, Hitoshi Nakamura, Takashi Kayashima
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Publication number: 20100163586Abstract: The present invention provides a stopper structure capable of preventing loosening of a shaft rod during use, and gas leakage which is likely to occur when the stopper structure is designed to allow gas to pass therethrough. The shaft rod 1 is adapted to be mounted in a mounting hole 2a of a refractory stopper 2, and formed to have an outer peripheral surface including a first tapered sub-surface 4a which increases in diameter toward an axially lower edge of the shaft rod. The mounting hole 2a of the refractory stopper 2 is formed to have an inner surface including a second tapered sub-surface 4b adapted to come into surface contact with the first tapered sub-surface 4a. The shaft rod 1 is adapted to be fastened to the refractory stopper so as to allow the first tapered sub-surface 4a to be brought into close surface contact with the second tapered sub-surface 4b.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2008Publication date: July 1, 2010Applicant: KROSAKIHARIMA CORPORATIONInventors: Junichi Funato, Takahiro Azuma
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Publication number: 20100019420Abstract: Disclosed is an upper nozzle/plate integral unit comprising an upper nozzle and an upper plate integrated together, which is capable of being easily split into the upper nozzle and the upper plate after use, while adequately maintaining a thickness of a joint between the upper nozzle and the upper plate during use. A metal casing 4 is bent inwardly along an outer peripheral surface of a lower end portion of an alumina carbon-based refractory body of the upper nozzle 1 to form a metal member. The metal member formed by bending the metal casing 4 inwardly has a length of 15 mm. A gap between the metal casing and the refractory body is filled with mortar having a thickness of about 0.5 mm. A recess 11 of the lower end portion of the upper nozzle 1 is fitted onto a raised portion 21 of the upper plate 2 through mortar, and the metal casing 4 of the upper nozzle 1 is in contact with a metal casing of the upper plate 2.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2007Publication date: January 28, 2010Inventors: Junichi Funato, Shunji Sadano, Kenji Tachibana
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Patent number: D698376Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2012Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Krosakiharima CorporationInventors: Junichi Funato, Shunji Sadano, Shinjiro Saito