Patents by Inventor Keigo Shirafuji

Keigo Shirafuji 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: 20150211506
    Abstract: A capacity control valve includes: intake-side passages connecting an intake chamber that takes in fluid and a control chamber; a pressure-sensitive chamber formed midway along the intake-side passages; a liquid-refrigerant discharge valve that receives the pressure of the control chamber to open and close the intake-side passages; a pressure-sensitive body placed in the pressure-sensitive chamber, which extends to apply a biasing force to the liquid-refrigerant discharge valve in the direction of closing the valve, while contracting as the ambient pressure increases; and a solenoid that applies an electromagnetic drive force to control the main valve; wherein the pressure-sensitive body is supported on one side by the driving rod of the solenoid in a manner permitting relative motion, while connected on the other side to the liquid-refrigerant discharge valve, wherein the discharge valve structure and discharge flow passages for discharging liquid refrigerant are simplified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Keigo Shirafuji, Toshinori Kanzaki, Naoki Nishimura, Hideki Higashidozono
  • Patent number: 8387947
    Abstract: A capacity control valve includes a solenoid portion; a tube placed in the solenoid portion; and a movable core which forms a slide surface that is fitted to the tube. An actuation rod has a joint portion and a valve body, the joint portion being engaged with an abutting surface of a solenoid rod portion, and the valve body opening or closing a control fluid passage. The joint surface of the solenoid rod portion or the abutting face of the actuation rod has a concave cone-shape surface while the other has a convex cone-shape portion. A bottom face of the concave cone-shape surface is formed as a wide area of either a planar surface or a circular cross section, wherein a head portion of the convex cone-shape portion is truncated to form a truncated cone surface, the truncated cone surface corresponding to the bottom face of the concave cone-shape surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Eagle Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norio Uemura, Toshiaki Iwa, Katsuya Shirai, Keigo Shirafuji
  • Patent number: 8152482
    Abstract: A displacement control valve for a variable displacement compressor. The displacement control valve includes a drive force transmission body, a pressure sensitive chamber, an internal passage, and a valve body. The valve body includes an annular seal which is contactable with a valve seat surface facing toward the first valve body. The drive force transmission body includes a drive rod and a valve body structure having a shaft passage and forming the first valve body. The drive rod is fitted to the shaft passage and coupled to the valve body structure so as to form a gap passage between an outer surface of the drive rod and a wall surface of the shaft passage. The internal passage includes a recess arranged radially inward from the annular seal, the shaft passage, and the gap passage. The gap passage is in direct communication with the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki, Eagle Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Umemura, Tatsuya Hirose, Yuji Hashimoto, Norio Uemura, Ryosuke Cho, Keigo Shirafuji
  • Patent number: 8128061
    Abstract: A capacity control valve includes a solenoid portion; a tube placed in the solenoid portion; and a movable core which forms a slide surface that is fitted to the tube. An actuation rod has a joint portion and a valve body, the joint portion being engaged with an abutting surface of a solenoid rod portion, and the valve body opening or closing a control fluid passage. The joint surface of the solenoid rod portion or the abutting face of the actuation rod has a concave cone-shape surface while the other has a convex cone-shape portion. A bottom face of the concave cone-shape surface is formed as a wide area of either a planar surface or a circular cross section, wherein a head portion of the convex cone-shape portion is truncated to form a truncated cone surface, the truncated cone surface corresponding to the bottom face of the concave cone-shape surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Eagle Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norio Uemura, Toshiaki Iwa, Katsuya Shirai, Keigo Shirafuji
  • Publication number: 20120037822
    Abstract: A capacity control valve includes a solenoid portion; a tube placed in the solenoid portion; and a movable core which forms a slide surface that is fitted to the tube. An actuation rod has a joint portion and a valve body, the joint portion being engaged with an abutting surface of a solenoid rod portion, and the valve body opening or closing a control fluid passage. The joint surface of the solenoid rod portion or the abutting face of the actuation rod has a concave cone-shape surface while the other has a convex cone-shape portion. A bottom face of the concave cone-shape surface is formed as a wide area of either a planar surface or a circular cross section, wherein a head portion of the convex cone-shape portion is truncated to form a truncated cone surface, the truncated cone surface corresponding to the bottom face of the concave cone-shape surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: EAGLE INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Norio UEMURA, Toshiaki Iwa, Katsuya Shirai, Keigo Shirafuji
  • Patent number: 8021124
    Abstract: A capacity control valve includes a valve body having a first valve portion for opening/closing a discharge-side path and a second valve portion for opening/closing a suction-side path, a pressure sensitive body arranged in a third valve chamber in the middle of the suction-side path, a valve seat body provided at the pressure sensitive body, and a third valve portion connected to the valve body for opening/closing the suction-side path by engagement and disengagement with the valve seat body. One of an engagement face of the third valve portion and a seat face of the valve seat body is formed into a spherical shape with a radius of curvature R satisfying 9 mm<R<11 mm and the other of the engagement face of the third valve portion and the seat face of the valve seat body is formed into a tapered surface shape having a center angle ? satisfying 120°<?<160°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignees: Eagle Industry Co., Ltd., Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Satoshi Umemura, Masaki Ota, Masahiro Kawaguchi, Ryosuke Cho, Keigo Shirafuji, Toshiaki Iwa
  • Patent number: 7806666
    Abstract: A displacement control valve (32) is connected to a variable displacement compressor. An open passage (53) in which a refrigerant gas flows is formed within a rod (31) and a valve body (30) of the displacement control valve (32). Further, an inner circumferential surface of a valve chamber (36) is formed as a guide portion (40) for moving the valve body (30) along an axis (L1) of the valve chamber (36). A valve portion (30a) of the valve body (30) is formed in a circular arc cross sectional shape along a surface of a sphere (K) in which an intermediate point of a length of the guide portion (40) along the axis (L1) of the valve chamber (36) is set to a center (N) on the axis (L1), and a distance from the center (N) to a contact point between a valve seat (36a) and the valve portion (30a) is set to a radius (r).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Eagle Industry Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Umemura, Yuji Hashimoto, Tatsuya Hirose, Kazutaka Oda, Masataka Taniue, Ryosuke Cho, Keigo Shirafuji, Toshiaki Iwa
  • Publication number: 20100051838
    Abstract: A capacity control valve includes a solenoid portion; a tube placed in the solenoid portion; and a movable core which forms a slide surface that is fitted to the tube. An actuation rod has a joint portion and a valve body, the joint portion being engaged with an abutting surface of a solenoid rod portion, and the valve body opening or closing a control fluid passage. The joint surface of the solenoid rod portion or the abutting face of the actuation rod has a concave cone-shape surface while the other has a convex cone-shape portion. A bottom face of the concave cone-shape surface is formed as a wide area of either a planar surface or a circular cross section, wherein a head portion of the convex cone-shape portion is truncated to form a truncated cone surface, the truncated cone surface corresponding to the bottom face of the concave cone-shape surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: EAGLE INDUSTRY CO., LTD
    Inventors: Norio UEMURA, Toshiaki Iwa, Katsuya Shirai, Keigo Shirafuji
  • Patent number: 7533687
    Abstract: An operating rod is subjected to a surface hardening heat treatment without a post finishing process which enhances a responsiveness of the operating rod by preventing powders from being attracted to a sliding surface of the operating rod. The capacitive control valve includes a solenoid rod portion communicating with a moveable core of the solenoid portion, an operating rod connected with the solenoid rod portion, the operating rod including a valve body used for opening or closing a control fluid passage hole, and a fixed core arranged opposite relative to the moveable core. The fixed core includes a guide hole defined therein which guides the operating rod through the guide hole in a freely moveable manner, the operating rod extending longitudinally through an internal bore. The operating rod being subjected to surface hardening treatment at a relatively low temperature that does not exceed 500° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignees: Eagle Industry Co., Ltd., Sanden Corporation
    Inventors: Norio Uemura, Toshiaki Iwa, Katsuya Shirai, Keigo Shirafuji, Yukihiko Taguchi
  • Publication number: 20090108221
    Abstract: A displacement control valve for a variable displacement compressor. The displacement control valve includes a drive force transmission body, a pressure sensitive chamber, an internal passage, and a valve body. The valve body includes an annular seal which is contactable with a valve seat surface facing toward the first valve body. The drive force transmission body includes a drive rod and a valve body structure having a shaft passage and forming the first valve body. The drive rod is fitted to the shaft passage and coupled to the valve body structure so as to form a gap passage between an outer surface of the drive rod and a wall surface of the shaft passage. The internal passage includes a recess arranged radially inward from the annular seal, the shaft passage, and the gap passage. The gap passage is in direct communication with the recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: Satoshi UMEMURA, Tatsuya Hirose, Yuji Hashimoto, Norio Uemura, Ryosuke Cho, Keigo Shirafuji
  • Publication number: 20080138213
    Abstract: A capacity control valve of the present invention includes a valve body (40) integrally having a first valve portion (41) for opening/closing a discharge-side path for having a discharge chamber (11) communicate with a control chamber (12) and a second valve portion (42) for opening/closing a suction-side path for having a suction chamber (13) communicate with the control chamber (12), a pressure sensitive body (50) arranged in a third valve chamber (38) in the middle of the suction-side path, a valve seat body (53) provided at the pressure sensitive body (50), a third valve portion (43) connected to the valve body (40) for opening/closing the suction-side path by engagement and disengagement with the valve seat body (53) and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Satoshi Umemura, Masaki Ota, Masahiro Kawaguchi, Ryosuki Cho, Keigo Shirafuji, Toshiaki Iwa
  • Publication number: 20070145315
    Abstract: A capacity control valve enabling an increase in control fluid control accuracy by preventing the connection part of a solenoid rod part to the operating rod thereof from being worn and reducing the coefficient of friction between a movable core and the operating rod. The capacity control valve (1) comprises a tube (33) installed in a solenoid part (30), the movable core having, on an outer peripheral surface (32A) fitted to the tube (33), a sliding surface (32A1) and a non-contact peripheral surface (32A2) smaller in diameter than the sliding surface (32A) and formed so that the axial length (L1-L2) of the non-contact peripheral surface (32A2), a solenoid rod part (2D) joined to the movable core and having a connection face (2D1) at the end part thereof, and the operating rod (2) having a connection part (2E) engaged with the connection face (2D1) of the solenoid rod part (2D) and having a valve element (3) opening/closing a control fluid passing hole (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Inventors: Norio Uemura, Toshiaki Iwa, Katsuya Shirai, Keigo Shirafuji
  • Publication number: 20060280616
    Abstract: A displacement control valve (32) is connected to a variable displacement compressor. An open passage (53) in which a refrigerant gas flows is formed within a rod (31) and a valve body (30) of the displacement control valve (32). Further, an inner circumferential surface of a valve chamber (36) is formed as a guide portion (40) for moving the valve body (30) along an axis (L1) of the valve chamber (36). A valve portion (30a) of the valve body (30) is formed in a circular arc cross sectional shape along a surface of a sphere (K) in which an intermediate point (N) of a length of the guide portion (40) along the axis (L1) of the valve chamber (36) is set to a center on the axis (L1), and a distance from,the intermediate point (N) to a contact point between a valve seat (36a) and the valve portion (30a) is set to a radius (r).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Publication date: December 14, 2006
    Inventors: Satoshi Umemura, Yuji Hashimoto, Tatsuya Hirose, Kazutaka Oda, Masataka Taniue, Ryosuke Cho, Keigo Shirafuji, Toshiaki Iwa
  • Patent number: 7077380
    Abstract: A capacity control valve is inserted in a flow path connecting a discharge chamber and a crank chamber of a variable capacity compressor and provided with a valve unit and a drive unit. The valve unit has a valve element for opening/closing the flow path or a valve passage of the valve unit. The drive unit has a movable core or plunger for driving the valve element and a communicating path that is formed in the plunger and connects chambers located in both sides of the plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignees: Eagle Industry Co., Ltd., Sanden Corporation
    Inventors: Norio Uemura, Toshiaki Iwa, Katsuya Shirai, Keigo Shirafuji, Yukihiko Taguchi
  • Publication number: 20050040356
    Abstract: A capacity control valve is inserted in a flow path connecting a discharge chamber and a crank chamber of a variable capacity compressor and provided with a valve unit and a drive unit. The valve unit has a valve element for opening/closing the flow path or a valve passage of the valve unit. The drive unit has a movable core or plunger for driving the valve element and a communicating path that is formed in the plunger and connects chambers located in both sides of the plunger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Publication date: February 24, 2005
    Inventors: Norio Uemura, Toshiaki Iwa, Katsuya Shirai, Keigo Shirafuji, Yukihiko Taguchi
  • Publication number: 20050035321
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to improve an anti-abrasive property of an operating rod by using a surface hardening heat treatment without a post finishing process and to enhance a response of the operating rod by preventing powders from being attracted to a sliding surface of the operating rod. Another object is to decrease a machining cost of the operating rod. The capacitive control valve is comprised of a solenoid rod portion communicating with a moveable core of the solenoid portion, an operating rod connected with the solenoid rod portion, a valve body defined in the operating rod and opening or closing a control fluid passage hole and a fixed core oppositely arranged relative to the moveable core, the fixed core retaining a guide hole, the guide hole guiding the operating rod in freely moveable a manner which longitudinally extends through an internal bore wherein the operating rod is processed at no more than 500° C. by a low temperature surface hardening treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Publication date: February 17, 2005
    Inventors: Norio Uemura, Toshiaki Iwa, Katsuya Shirai, Keigo Shirafuji, Yukihiko Taguchi