Patents by Inventor Kazuo Watabe
Kazuo Watabe 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).
-
Publication number: 20200408722Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sensor includes a first structure body, a second structure body, and a detector. The first structure body includes a supporter, a deformable part supported by a first portion of the supporter, and a membrane part. At least a portion of the membrane part is connected to the deformable part and a second portion of the supporter. The second structure body is connected to the first structure body. A liquid is provided between the first structure body and the second structure body. The detector outputs a signal corresponding to a deformation of the deformable part.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2020Publication date: December 31, 2020Applicants: The University of Tokyo, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBAInventors: Isao SHIMOYAMA, Thanh-Vinh NGUYEN, Minh Dung NGUYEN, Takahiro OMORI, Kazuo WATABE
-
Publication number: 20200408721Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sensor includes first and second structure bodies, and a detector. The first structure body includes a supporter, and first and second deformable parts supported by the supporter. The second deformable part has at least one of a second length less than a first length of the first deformable part, a second width greater than a first width of the first deformable part, a second thickness greater than a first thickness of the first deformable part, a second Young's modulus greater than a first Young's modulus of the first deformable part, or a second spring constant greater than a first spring constant of the first deformable part. The second structure body is connected to the first structure body. A liquid is provided between the first and second structure bodies. The detector outputs a signal corresponding to a deformation of the first or second deformable part.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2020Publication date: December 31, 2020Applicants: The University of Tokyo, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBAInventors: Isao SHIMOYAMA, Minh Dung NGUYEN, Thanh-Vinh NGUYEN, Takanori USAMI, Kazuo WATABE, Takahiro OMORI, Kiyoshi MATSUMOTO
-
Patent number: 10794990Abstract: A structure evaluation apparatus has an acquisitor and an evaluator. The acquisitor acquires a distribution that represents a distribution of strength of a reflected wave obtained by an electromagnetic radar scan to a reinforced concrete which comprises concrete and a material other than concrete. The evaluator calculates similarity, with reference to a reference region including the material in the distribution, of other regions including the material than the reference region in the distribution.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2017Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Kyoto UniversityInventors: Hidefumi Takamine, Kazuo Watabe, Tomoki Shiotani
-
Patent number: 10793378Abstract: According to an embodiment, a transfer apparatus includes a gripper, a first driving mechanism, an elastic passive joint part, a conveyor, a second driving mechanism, and base. The gripper grips an article. The first driving mechanism linearly moves the gripper in at least two directions including a first direction and a second direction intersecting with the first direction. The elastic passive joint part is interposed between the gripper and the first driving mechanism, and operates in accordance with an operation of the gripper. The conveyor conveys the article. The second driving mechanism linearly moves the conveyor in the at least two directions, and is connected to the conveyor. The base supports the first driving mechanism and the second driving mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2019Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Junya Tanaka, Kazuo Watabe, Akihito Ogawa, Hideichi Nakamoto, Takafumi Sonoura, Haruna Eto
-
Publication number: 20200295250Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sensor module includes at least one sensor and at least one switch. The sensor includes a first piezoelectric element. The first piezoelectric element includes a first electrode. The first piezoelectric element is set with a resonance frequency to resonate at a vibration frequency of a detection target. The switch includes a second piezoelectric element. The second piezoelectric element includes a second electrode connected to the first electrode and a third electrode electrically separated from the second electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2019Publication date: September 17, 2020Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBAInventors: Yongfang LI, Takahiro Omori, Takashi Usui, Osamu Nishimura, Kazuo Watabe
-
Publication number: 20200292505Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sensor module includes a sensor and a diagnosis circuit. The sensor includes piezoelectric transducers and switches. The piezoelectric transducers have different resonance frequencies. The switches are provided to correspond to the piezoelectric transducers, respectively. Each of the switches outputs an output signal corresponding to a voltage generated by an inverse piezoelectric effect of a corresponding piezoelectric transducer of the piezoelectric transducers. The diagnosis circuit diagnoses, based on a difference in pattern of the output signal, whether vibration has newly occurred in the sensor, and switch an output destination of the output signal of the sensor according to a result of the diagnosis.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2019Publication date: September 17, 2020Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Yongfang Li, Takahiro Omori, Takashi Usui, Osamu Nishimura, Kazuo Watabe
-
Patent number: 10712318Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sensor adhesion state determination system includes a plurality of sensors, a calculator, and a determiner. Each of the plurality of sensors detects elastic waves. The calculator calculates peak frequencies of the elastic waves on the basis of the elastic waves detected by the plurality of sensors. The determiner determines the adhesion state of each of the sensors by comparing the peak frequencies with information serving as a determination reference.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2018Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Hidefumi Takamine, Kazuo Watabe
-
Publication number: 20200217822Abstract: According to one embodiment, a detection system includes a plurality of sensors, a locator, a first counter, and a determiner. The plurality of sensors that detect an elastic wave, the sensors being disposed separately from each other in a direction in which the welded portion extends and each being installed on the first member or the second member. The locator that locates a generation source position of the elastic wave on the basis of outputs of the plurality of sensors. The first counter that accumulates information of generation source positions of a plurality of elastic waves located by the locator to calculate a distribution of generation source positions of the plurality of elastic waves over a predetermined time. The determiner that determines the position of the crack on the basis of the distribution calculated by the first counter.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2020Publication date: July 9, 2020Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBAInventors: Keiichiro SOMEDA, Takashi USUI, Kazuo WATABE, Shuichi HIRANO
-
Patent number: 10648949Abstract: According to an embodiment, a structure evaluation system includes a plurality of sensors, a position locator, a velocity calculator, and an evaluator. The sensors detect an elastic wave generated from a structure. The position locator derives a wave source distribution of the elastic waves generated from the structure, on the basis of the elastic waves. The velocity calculator derives a propagation velocity of the elastic wave generated from the structure, on the basis of the elastic waves. The evaluator evaluates the soundness of the structure on the basis of the wave source distribution and the propagation velocity of the elastic waves.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2019Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Kyoto UniversityInventors: Kazuo Watabe, Hidefumi Takamine, Tomoki Shiotani
-
Patent number: 10613060Abstract: According to an embodiment, a structure evaluation system includes a plurality of AE sensors, a signal processor, a position locator, and an evaluator. The AE sensors detect an elastic wave generated from a structure. The signal processor performs signal processing on the elastic wave detected by the AE sensors and outputs an AE signal including information on the elastic wave. The position locator derives a source distribution indicating the distribution of sources of the elastic wave generated in the structure, using an AE signal caused by an impact on the structure. The evaluator evaluates a state of deterioration of a predetermined region of the structure from a density of the sources of the elastic wave obtained on the basis of the source distribution.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2017Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Kyoto UniversityInventors: Hidefumi Takamine, Kazuo Watabe, Tomoki Shiotani
-
Publication number: 20200080970Abstract: According to one embodiment, a detection system includes a base member, a plurality of sensors, and one or more processors. The plurality of sensors are provided on the base member, and detect an elastic wave from a test object of a plurality of test objects. The elastic wave propagates through a connecting member among a plurality of connecting members that connect the test objects with the base member. The connecting members each have a thickness smaller than a wavelength of the elastic wave. The one or more processors detect an abnormality of the test objects based on the detected elastic wave.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2019Publication date: March 12, 2020Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEMS & SOLUTIONS CORPORATIONInventors: Takashi USUI, Yasuo Yoshii, Kazuo Watabe
-
Patent number: 10578587Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method is used for diagnosing a deterioration of a utility pole having at least one bolt and a plurality of holes provided for attaching the bolt. In the method, an impact is applied to the bolt. Elastic waves generated due to the impact are detected by a sensor shaped like a bolt. The sensor is attached to at least one of the holes. A propagation situation of the elastic waves in the utility pole is derived, based on the elastic waves detected, and each position of the bolt and the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2017Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Keiichiro Someda, Kazuo Watabe, Osamu Nishimura, Michihiko Inukai
-
Patent number: 10551353Abstract: According to an embodiment, a detection system includes a plurality of first sensors, a second sensor, a first calculator, and a second calculator. Each of the first sensors is configured to detect an elastic wave generated from a structure, and convert the elastic wave into a detection signal. The second sensor is configured to detect a noise propagating from surroundings, and convert the noise into a reference signal. The first calculator is configured to calculate a plurality of difference detection signals based on the respective detection signals and the reference signal. The second calculator is configured to calculate a position of a generation source of the elastic wave from the plurality of difference detection signals.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2016Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Takashi Usui, Kazuo Watabe
-
Patent number: 10545119Abstract: According to an embodiment, a signal processing apparatus includes a receiver, a time information generator, a processor, and a communicator. The receiver receives a voltage signal from a sensor that detects an elastic wave generated from a structure. The time information generator generates time information having a bit length based on a measurement continuing time period of the structure, a propagation velocity of the elastic wave, and a position identification accuracy of a generation source of the elastic wave. The processor generates detection information in which feature amount information that indicates a feature of the voltage signal and the time information that indicates a reception time of the voltage signal are in association with each other. The communicator transmits the detection information to a server.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2015Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Takashi Usui, Kazuo Watabe, Akihiro Kasahara, Takahiro Omori
-
Publication number: 20200018729Abstract: According to one embodiment, a detection system of an embodiment includes a sensor configured to detect elastic waves and a determiner. The determiner determines a region where an elastic wave generation source is positioned on the basis of waveform information if the waveform information including a plurality of peak groups related to one elastic wave is included in a detection result of the sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2019Publication date: January 16, 2020Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBAInventors: Tomoya FUMIKURA, Takahiro OMORI, Kazuo WATABE
-
Publication number: 20190383696Abstract: According to one embodiment, a structure evaluation system according to an embodiment includes a plurality of sensors, a position locator, and an evaluator. The plurality of sensors detect elastic waves. The position locator locates positions of elastic wave sources by using the elastic waves among the plurality of elastic waves respectively detected by the plurality of sensors having an amplitude exceeding a threshold value determined according to positions of the sources of the plurality of elastic waves and the positions of the plurality of disposed sensors. The evaluator evaluates a deteriorated state of the structure on the basis of results of the position locating of the elastic wave sources which is performed by the position locator.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2019Publication date: December 19, 2019Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Kyoto UniversityInventors: Tomoki Shiotani, Katsufumi Hashimoto, Hidefumi Takamine, Kazuo Watabe
-
Publication number: 20190317051Abstract: According to an embodiment, a structure evaluation system includes a plurality of sensors, a position locator, a velocity calculator, and an evaluator. The sensors detect an elastic wave generated from a structure. The position locator derives a wave source distribution of the elastic waves generated from the structure, on the basis of the elastic waves. The velocity calculator derives a propagation velocity of the elastic wave generated from the structure, on the basis of the elastic waves. The evaluator evaluates the soundness of the structure on the basis of the wave source distribution and the propagation velocity of the elastic waves.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2019Publication date: October 17, 2019Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Kyoto UniversityInventors: Kazuo WATABE, Hidefumi TAKAMINE, Tomoki SHIOTANI
-
Patent number: 10444197Abstract: According to an embodiment, a detection system includes a plurality of first sensors, a second sensor, a first calculator, and a second calculator. Each of the first sensors is configured to detect an elastic wave generated from a structure, and convert the elastic wave into a detection signal. The second sensor is configured to detect a noise propagating from surroundings, and convert the noise into a reference signal. The first calculator is configured to calculate a plurality of difference detection signals based on the respective detection signals and the reference signal. The second calculator is configured to calculate a position of a generation source of the elastic wave from the plurality of difference detection signals.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2018Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Takashi Usui, Kazuo Watabe
-
Publication number: 20190302061Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for arranging a detection device for a structure is provided. The structure includes a member; a trough rib provided on an opposite side of the member; and a welded portion that is provided along an end of the trough rib facing the member and fixes the member and the trough rib. The method includes: attaching, to the trough rib, a plurality of acoustic emission sensors so as to be separated from each other in a direction in which the welded portion extends, wherein the following relationship is satisfied: ?20 degrees<?<20 degrees, where ? denotes an angle between a line connecting any given two adjacent acoustic emission sensors of the plurality of the acoustic emission sensors and a reference line extending in the direction in which the welded portion extends.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2019Publication date: October 3, 2019Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBAInventors: Takashi Usui, Kazuo Watabe, Takahiro Omori, Hidefumi Tkamne, Akihiro Kasahara
-
Publication number: 20190285590Abstract: According to an embodiment, a detection system includes a wheel, at least one sensor, a generation unit, and a diagnosis unit. The wheel has an outer edge including an inner wall in which an installation surface is provided. The at least one sensor is installed on the installation surface to detect an elastic wave transmitted from at least one of the wheel and a structure making contact with the wheel. The generation unit is configured to generate time information representing time at which the elastic wave is detected, and feature information representing features of the elastic wave. The diagnosis unit is configured to diagnose, on the basis of the time information and the feature information, a position of a damaged portion of at least one of the wheel and the structure, and a degree of damage of the damaged portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2018Publication date: September 19, 2019Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBAInventors: Junko HIROKAWA, Ena ISHII, Yasutaka ITO, Yuki UEDA, Takashi USUI, Takahiro OMORI, Kazuo WATABE