Patents by Inventor Kazuo Aikawa

Kazuo Aikawa 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: 6973731
    Abstract: Disclosed is an encoder including a rotary member and a fixed member. The fixed member is provided with an electrode having A-channel, B-channel and C-channel patterns, the rotary member is provided with contacts which are to be opposed to the electrode. A-C state switches from OFF to ON at each rotation of the rotary member for one click angle from a stable click position in both CW and CCW direction. During CW rotation for one click angle, B-C state remains unchanged from OFF; during CCW rotation for one click angle, B-C state switches twice between ON and OFF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Aikawa, Hideyasu Hayashi
  • Patent number: 6946979
    Abstract: An encoder includes a rotary member having a predetermined electrode pattern and a fixed member having multiple channel contacts which are opposed to the electrode. The rotary member has stable reference phases where at most one pair of the contacts is ON (in electrical contact) and at least another pair is OFF (not in electrical contact), i.e. both pairs may be OFF. When the rotary member is rotated clockwise or counter-clockwise from one reference phase, both pairs of contacts are temporarily on before reaching the adjacent reference phase. The pairs of contacts that are ON or OFF at the adjacent reference phase differ dependent on the direction of rotation. A counter is incremented or decremented according to the direction of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Aikawa, Hideyasu Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20050138822
    Abstract: Disclosed is an encoder including a rotary member and a fixed member. The fixed member is provided with an electrode having A-channel, B-channel and C-channel patterns, the rotary member is provided with contacts which are to be opposed to the electrode. A-C state switches from OFF to ON at each rotation of the rotary member for one click angle from a stable click position in both CW and CCW direction. During CW rotation for one click angle, B-C state remains unchanged from OFF; during CCW rotation for one click angle, B-C state switches twice between ON and OFF.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Inventors: Kazuo Aikawa, Hideyasu Hayashi
  • Patent number: 5849169
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method for electrolytically coloring an aluminum material which is capable of coloring an anodic oxide film in a gray color and a gray-colored aluminum material obtained thereby. In a method for electrolytically coloring an aluminum material having the anodic oxide film formed on the surface thereof in an electrolytic coloring solution containing an inorganic metal salt, a strongly acidic electrolytic coloring solution containing sulfuric acid, stannous sulfate, nickel sulfate, and ammonium sulfate and having a pH of not more than 2.5 is used as the electrolytic coloring solution. Preferably the electrolytic coloring solution contains sulfuric acid at a concentration in the range of 3 to 30 g/liter, stannous sulfate at a concentration in the range of 0.1 to 3.0 g/liter, nickel sulfate at a concentration in the range of 10 to 100 g/liter, and ammonium sulfate at a concentration in the range of 20 to 100 g/liter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuo Aikawa, Satoshi Ishikura, Makoto Kato
  • Patent number: 5304260
    Abstract: The present invention provides high strength magnesium-based alloys which are composed a fine crystalline structure, the alloys having a composition represented by the general formula (I) Mg.sub.a X.sub.b ; (II) Mg.sub.a X.sub.c M.sub.d, (III) Mg.sub.a X.sub.c Ln.sub.e ; or (IV) Mg.sub.a X.sub.c M.sub.d Ln.sub.e (wherein X is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Cu, Ni, Sn and Zn; M is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Al, Si and Ca; Ln is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Y, La, Ce, Nd and Sm or a misch metal of rare earth elements; and a, b, c, d and e are atomic percentages falling within the following ranges: 40.ltoreq.a.ltoreq.95, 5.ltoreq.b.ltoreq.60, 1.ltoreq.c.ltoreq.35, 1 .ltoreq.d.ltoreq.25 and 3.ltoreq.e.ltoreq.25). Since the magnesium-based alloys have a superior combination of properties of high hardness, high strength and good processability, they are very useful in various industrial applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Yoshida Kogyo K.K.
    Inventors: Kazuo Aikawa, Katsuyuki Taketani
  • Patent number: 5221375
    Abstract: Disclosed is a corrosion resistant aluminum-based alloy which is composed of a compound having a composition consisting of the general formula: Al.sub.a M.sub.b Mo.sub.c X.sub.d Cr.sub.e wherein: M is one or more metal elements selected from the group consisting of Ni, Fe, Co, Ti, V, Mn, Cu and Ta; X is Zr or a combination of Zr and Hf; and a, b, c, d and e are, in atomic percentages; 50%.ltoreq.a.ltoreq.89%, 1%.ltoreq.b.ltoreq.25%, 2%.ltoreq.c.ltoreq.15%, 4%.ltoreq.d.ltoreq.20% and 4%.ltoreq.e.ltoreq.20%, the compound being at least 50% by volume composed of an amorphous phase. The Al-based alloy exhibits a very high corrosion resistance in severe corrosive environments, such as hydrochloric acid solution or sodium hydroxide solution, due to the formation of a highly passivative protective film. Therefore, the alloy exhibits a good durability in long services under such severe corrosive environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Assignee: Yoshida Kogyo K.K.
    Inventors: Junichi Nagahora, Kazuo Aikawa, Katsumasa Ohtera, Hideki Takeda, Keiko Yamagata
  • Patent number: 5122205
    Abstract: The present invention provides a corrosion resistant aluminum-based alloy consisting of a compound which has a composition represented by the general formula:Al.sub.a M.sub.b Mo.sub.c Hf.sub.d Cr.sub.ewherein:M is at least one metal element selected from Ni, Fe and Co and a, b, c, d and e are atomic percentages falling within the following ranges: 50%.ltoreq.a.ltoreq.88%, 2%.ltoreq.b.ltoreq.25%, 2%.ltoreq.c.ltoreq.15%, 4%.ltoreq.d.ltoreq.20% and 4%.ltoreq.e.ltoreq.20%,the compound being at least 50% by volume composed of an amorphous phase. The aluminum-based alloys not only have a high degree of hardness, strength and heat resistance but also exhibit a significantly improved corrosion resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Assignee: Yoshida Kogyo K.K.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Masumoto, Akihisa Inoue, Junichi Nagahora, Katsumasa Ohtera, Kazuo Aikawa, Madoka Nakajima, Keiko Yamagata
  • Patent number: 4463084
    Abstract: A circuit board such as a code disk having a smooth contact surface and a minute pattern is fabricated by depositing an alumite film on an aluminum and selectively filling electrically nonconductive and conductive materials in the cells in the crystals of the alumite film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1984
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ken'ichi Mitsumori, Kazuo Aikawa
  • Patent number: 4420378
    Abstract: The invention provides a novel and improved method according to which the surface of a shaped article of aluminum or an aluminum-based alloy is provided with decorative streak patterns electrolytically engraved in the surface which can be subsequently colored to increase the decorative effect with uniform distribution over whole surface of the aluminum article. The method comprises first subjecting the anodically oxidized aluminum article to an anodic direct current electrolysis in an electrolytic solution containing a specified electrolyte and then carrying out a cathodic direct current electrolysis with the aluminum article and the counterelectrode kept as before in the same electrolytic solution as used in the first anodic direct current electrolysis with reversed polarity to give uniformly distributed streak patterns on the surface of the aluminum article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1983
    Assignee: Yoshida Kogyo K. K.
    Inventors: Masatake Tsuboi, Hatsuo Hirono, Kazuo Aikawa
  • Patent number: 4365057
    Abstract: Method for drying poly(.alpha.-olefins) comprising contacting poly(.alpha.-olefins) having a content of hydrocarbon medium of 0.2 to 2% by weight with nitrogen gas having substantially no hydrocarbon medium and having a dew point of -10.degree. C. or lower in counterflow in a silo type through-flow drying apparatus whereby poly(.alpha.-olefins) having a content of the hydrocarbon medium of less than 0.2% by weight can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1982
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventors: Shinichi Saito, Kazuo Aikawa, Michio Orino, Kazuya Aoi, Hideo Kusakabe
  • Patent number: 4070255
    Abstract: Aluminum or aluminum alloy is first anodized to form an oxide film thereon. With the pores in this oxide film unsealed, the basis metal is then electrolyzed by use of alternating current at a preselected starting voltage, and this voltage is lowered at least once before completion of the electrolytic coloring of the basis metal. The electrolytic solution in which the electrolysis is effected contains either at least three metallic salts or at least two metallic salts and a strong reducing compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1978
    Assignee: Yoshida Kogyo K.K.
    Inventors: Mutsuo Hasegawa, Kazuo Aikawa, Katsuyuki Nagata
  • Patent number: 4042471
    Abstract: Aluminum or aluminum alloy is first anodized to form an oxide film thereon. With the pores in this oxide film unsealed, the basis metal is then electrolyzed in an electrolytic solution containing at least two metallic salts and a strongly reducing compound, by use of alternating current at potentials not more than about 15 volts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1977
    Assignee: Yoshida Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mutsuo Hasegawa, Kazuo Aikawa, Katsuyuki Nagata
  • Patent number: 4042469
    Abstract: Aluminum or aluminum alloy is first anodized to form an oxide film thereon. The anodized basis metal is electrolyzed by use of alternating current in an electrolytic solution which is prepared by adding formaldehyde, usually as formalin, and a thiosulfate to an acid solution of stannous sulfate. The acid solution of stannous sulfate can be prepared by dissolving stannous sulfate in an aqueous solution of sulfuric acid, sulfamic acid, tartaric acid or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1977
    Assignee: Yoshida Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mutsuo Hasegawa, Toshikazu Imaoka, Kazuo Aikawa
  • Patent number: 4042468
    Abstract: Aluminum or aluminum alloy is first anodized to form an oxide film thereon. Before being colored electrolytically in an electrolytic solution, the anodized basis metal is made anodic in this solution, and direct current is passed therethrough. The basis metal is then electrolyzed in the same solution by use of alternating current for actual coloring operation. The electrolytic solution in use contains at least two metallic salts, together with or without a strongly reducing compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1977
    Assignee: Yoshida Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mutsuo Hasegawa, Kazuo Aikawa, Shinji Hayashi