Patents by Inventor Kimihiro Nogiwa

Kimihiro Nogiwa 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: 20200016645
    Abstract: A forming apparatus which forms a metal pipe by expanding a metal pipe material, includes: a forming die for forming the metal pipe; a first electrode and a second electrode which clamp the metal pipe material at both end sides and heat the metal pipe material by causing an electric current to flow through the metal pipe material; and a first fluid supply unit and a second fluid supply unit which supply a fluid into the metal pipe material heated by the first electrode and the second electrode to expand the metal pipe material, wherein at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is provided with a movement restriction mechanism which restricts a movement of the metal pipe material in an axial direction of the metal pipe material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Kimihiro Nogiwa, Masayuki Ishizuka, Masayuki Saika, Norieda Ueno, Akihiro Ide, Hiroyuki Kan
  • Publication number: 20190366410
    Abstract: A forming system includes: a forming apparatus which supplies gas into a cylindrical metal pipe material having a welded portion to expand the metal pipe material; a supply device for supplying the metal pipe material to the forming apparatus; and a control device for controlling an operation of the supply device, in which in a case where a position where a distance from a center of the metal pipe material is the longest, on a surface of the die, when viewed from an extension direction of the metal pipe material in a state where the metal pipe material is disposed between the dies, is a longest position, the control device includes a control unit which controls supply of the metal pipe material to the forming apparatus such that the welded portion is not located on a straight line connecting the longest position and the center of the metal pipe material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Kimihiro Nogiwa, Masayuki Ishizuka, Masayuki Saika, Norieda Ueno
  • Publication number: 20190344321
    Abstract: A forming device of forming a metal pipe having a pipe portion includes a first die and a second die constituting a first cavity portion configured to form the pipe portion and a second cavity portion configured to form a flange portion, a drive mechanism configured to move at least one of the first die and the second die, and a gas supply unit configured to supply a gas into a metal pipe material which is held between the first die and the second die and is heated, in which each of the first die and the second die has flange forming surfaces which face each other and constitute the second cavity portion, and a protrusion portion, which protrudes from one flange forming surface to the other flange forming surface, is formed on at least one of the flange forming surfaces of the first die and the second die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Kimihiro Nogiwa, Masayuki Ishizuka, Masayuki Saika, Norieda Ueno
  • Publication number: 20190337034
    Abstract: A forming system forming a metal pipe by expanding a metal pipe material, includes: a main body part having a forming die for forming the metal pipe; an electrode causing a current to flow through the metal pipe material disposed in the forming die such that the metal pipe material is heated; a power supply unit disposed at a position separated from the main body part and supplying power to the electrode; and a power supply line connecting the power supply unit and the electrode, in which the power supply line includes a lower-side passing portion passing through a lower side of a placing surface on which the main body part is placed, a first connection portion drawn to an upper side of the placing surface and connecting the lower-side passing portion and the electrode, and a second connection portion connecting the lower-side passing portion and the power supply unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Masayuki Saika, Masayuki Ishizuka, Kimihiro Nogiwa, Akihiro Ide, Norieda Ueno
  • Publication number: 20180361458
    Abstract: The controller controls the gas supply of the gas supply unit so as to maintain a pressure in a metal pipe material at a first pressure when a gas is supplied into the metal pipe material which is formed into a pipe portion in a main cavity portion in a state where an upper die and a lower die are joined to each other. It is possible to prevent pressure drop in the pipe portion caused by cooling of the pipe portion due to a contact between the dies, and the pipe portion. Thus, it is possible to suppress a decrease in a force for pressing the pipe portion against the dies. It is possible to suppress a decrease in adhesion between the pipe portion and the dies when the metal pipe is formed, and it is possible to suppress occurrence of variations in hardenability in the pipe portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Masayuki Ishizuka, Kimihiro Nogiwa, Norieda Ueno, Masayuki Saika