Patents by Inventor Kouji Ishikawa

Kouji Ishikawa 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: 20170002545
    Abstract: When option attachment has not been attached, a reserve flow/direction control valve 8 is made to operate as a center bypass cut valve. When an option attachment has been attached, switching control is performed. In the switching control, when the option attachment is not used, the reserve flow/direction control valve 8 is made to operate as a center bypass cut valve for adjusting composite opening area of a center bypass and thereby controlling the flow rate of hydraulic fluid flowing into an actuator. When the option attachment is used, the reserve flow/direction control valve 8 is made to operate so as to supply the hydraulic fluid to an option hydraulic actuator 14.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Applicant: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoaki KANETA, Kouji ISHIKAWA, Hidetoshi SATAKE, Shinya IMURA
  • Publication number: 20160348340
    Abstract: A construction machine is characterized by including: a track structure 10; a swing structure 20 provided on the track structure 10 in a swingable manner; swing motors 25, 27 that drive and swing the swing structure; a boom 31 connected to the swing structure 20; a boom cylinder 32 that moves the boom 31 vertically; a swing operation system 72 that instructs a swing operation of the swing structure 20; a boom operation system 78 that instructs a vertical movement of the boom 31; a detector 74d that detects a bottom pressure of the boom cylinder 32; and a controller 80 that reduces swing speed of the swing structure 20 according to a signal from the detector 74d with respect to a reference swing speed according to a signal of the swing operation, while signals of the swing operation and a boom raising operation are being inputted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicant: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoaki KANETA, Kouji ISHIKAWA, Hidetoshi SATAKE, Shinya IMURA
  • Publication number: 20160319869
    Abstract: A cage of a cage and rollers includes engaging projecting portions that are provided on outer circumferential surfaces of rim portions, the engaging projecting portions being configured to be elastically deformed when the cage is inserted into a support hole of a rocker arm to thereby allow the cage to be contracted in diameter and to be elastically restored to be brought into engagement with the rocker arm after the cage is inserted in the support hole, to thereby position the cage properly in relation to an axial direction relative to the rocker arm. The cage and rollers can be assembled to the rocker arm while being positioned properly in relation to the axial direction so that the cage and rollers and the rocker arm can be formed into a rocker arm unit, and the cage and rollers can easily be assembled to the rocker arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Applicant: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Eisho WATANABE, Sou MATSUMOTO, Kouji ISHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20160312440
    Abstract: A construction machine includes: a swing structure (20); hydraulic and electric motors (25) mechanically coupled to each other; a hydraulic pump (41) that supplies hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic motor; swing control lever (72) that instructs the swing structure to make a swing motion; and a control device (80) that controls at least either a delivery flow rate of the hydraulic pump or an output torque of the electric motor in such a manner that meter-out and meter-in pressures of the hydraulic motor that is run together with the electric motor approach each other when the demanded torque necessary for the swing motion of the swing structure instructed by the swing control lever can be produced by the electric motor alone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Applicant: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shiho IZUMI, Kouji ISHIKAWA, Shinya IMURA, Shinji NISHIKAWA, Tomoaki KANETA, Hiroaki AMANO
  • Publication number: 20160298313
    Abstract: Provided is a hybrid-type construction machine including a swing device of the hydraulic-electric combined swing type and by which, in a work for which accurate swing operability is demanded like, for example, a crane work, a swing body is driven alone by the electric motor. The hybrid-type construction machine includes an engine, a hydraulic pump driven by the engine, a swing body, an electric motor for driving the swing body, and a hydraulic motor driven by the hydraulic pump for driving the swing body. The swing body is swung by simultaneous drive by the electric motor and the hydraulic motor. The hybrid-type construction machine includes a control apparatus having a work mode changeover unit by which an operator changes over a mode in response to an aspect of a work and an electric alone swing controlling unit configured to control the swing body to be swung by the electric motor alone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Applicant: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki AMANO, Kouji ISHIKAWA, Hidetoshi SATAKE, Shinya IMURA, Shinji NISHIKAWA, Tomoaki KANETA, Shiho IZUMI
  • Patent number: 9394670
    Abstract: Provided is a construction machine comprising an energy recovery device for recovering hydraulic fluid energy from a hydraulic actuator and being capable of achieving excellent operability even when the power of the prime mover is changed. The construction machine comprises an engine 1, a hydraulic pump 2, a plurality of hydraulic actuators 31-34, a plurality of control valves 41-44, a plurality of operating devices 71-74, an energy recovery device 80, an operation mode selector switch 76, an engine revolution speed dial 77, a pressure sensor 75, and a controller 90 which controls the flow rate of hydraulic fluid recovered by the energy recovery device based on input signals from the operation mode selector switch, the engine revolution speed dial and the pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Hijikata, Kouji Ishikawa, Takatoshi Ooki, Shinya Imura
  • Patent number: 9341198
    Abstract: A hydraulic drive device for a hydraulic excavator, includes: a first hydraulic pump; a first boom directional control valve and a second arm directional control valve which are connected in parallel to the first pump; a second hydraulic pump; and a second boom directional control valve and a first arm directional control valve which are connected in parallel to the second pump; wherein: the hydraulic drive device also includes: a third hydraulic pump; a third boom directional control valve connected to the third pump and controlling the flow of pressure oil supplied to a boom cylinder; and a third arm directional control valve connected in tandem with the third boom directional control valve and controlling the flow of pressure oil supplied to an arm cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Nakamura, Kazunori Nakamura, Yasuo Okano, Kouji Ishikawa, Kensuke Sato, Hiroyuki Azuma, Mitsuhiko Kanehama, Yusuke Kajita
  • Patent number: 9290908
    Abstract: A hybrid construction machine is capable of performing satisfactory operations even when trouble occurs that disables the electric motor from outputting torque. The hybrid construction has both a hydraulic motor and an electric motor driving the swing structure and a controller for switching between a hydraulic/electric hybrid swing mode (using both the hydraulic motor and the electric motor) and a hydraulic-alone swing mode (using only the hydraulic motor). The switching is executed while achieving satisfactory operability and performance in each mode. Normally, an energy saving operation is performed in the hydraulic/electric hybrid swing mode. When the electric amount of an electricity storage device has gone out of a prescribed range or an abnormality has occurred in an electric system (e.g., failure of an inverter), the swing mode is switched to the hydraulic-alone swing mode so that driving with normal braking torque is possible by the hydraulic motor alone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takenori Hiroki, Manabu Edamura, Toshihiko Ishida, Manabu Sugiura, Hidetoshi Satake, Kouji Ishikawa, Takatoshi Ooki, Shinji Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 9285023
    Abstract: To rapidly stop an upperstructure even though relief pressure is lowered due to an abnormality in a hydraulic device included in a swing motor driving circuit while intending to stop the upperstructure when a predetermined delay time has passed since a swing operation tool is brought back to a neutral position, provided are: a first choke for controlling a parking brake to apply a braking force to a swing motor when a predetermined delay time has passed since the tool is brought back to a neutral position in a state where the tool is connected to a pilot pump; and an on-off valve and a second choke for controlling the parking brake to apply a braking force to the motor when a delay time shorter than the predetermined delay time has passed since the tool is brought back to the neutral position and disconnected from the pilot pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouji Ishikawa, Hidetoshi Satake, Shinji Nishikawa, Takatoshi Ooki
  • Patent number: 9260838
    Abstract: A fuel-efficient hydraulic fluid has a lower viscosity than a standard hydraulic fluid, a pressure loss decreases, and thus, when control based on a standard model is exercised, the speeds of various actuators increase. However, the speeds need not be increased beyond the speeds of the standard model. Instead, it is preferred that fuel efficiency be improved. As a result, an engine revolution speed decreases by 50 rpm and a pump torque decreases by 5%. This reduces an engine output. Therefore, when a hydraulic fluid is changed from the standard hydraulic fluid to the fuel-efficient hydraulic fluid, the fuel efficiency can be improved while maintaining operability equivalent to that of the standard model. Hence, the fuel efficiency can be improved while maintaining the operability when an item affecting the fuel consumption is replaced. In addition, the settings can be changed with ease by a service technician.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shingo Sawada, Kouji Ishikawa, Hidetoshi Satake, Takako Satake, Shinji Nishikawa, Takatoshi Ooki
  • Patent number: 9255385
    Abstract: A hybrid construction machine according to the present invention includes a controller for controlling an engine with a droop characteristic. The controller includes: a target engine output calculation unit (2-4) that calculates a target output of the engine; a target speed setting unit (2-7) that sets a target speed command of a motor-generator; a target droop calculation unit (2-8) that obtains an intersection point of a constant output line with the target output value of the engine and a constant speed line with the target speed command of the motor-generator on a speed-torque characteristic diagram, and determines a governor characteristic of the engine so that the governor characteristic passes through the intersection point; a governor characteristic changing unit (2-10) that changes the governor characteristic of the engine; and a motor-generator control unit (2-9) that controls the motor-generator in accordance with the target speed command value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Ishihara, Masatoshi Hoshino, Shinya Sato, Kouji Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 9249879
    Abstract: A hydraulic drive system designed so that while maintaining intact a structure of a relief valve having a shockless function, the drive unit hydraulic drive system facilitates changing a driving pressure or braking pressure of a hydraulic swing motor and hence, changing a maximum driving torque or braking torque of the hydraulic swing motor. Inside a swing motor unit is arranged a first swinging relief valve provided with a shockless function to limit a driving pressure or braking pressure of the hydraulic swing motor in order to prevent the pressure from exceeding a first setting pressure. Also, a second swinging relief valve is provided for limiting the driving pressure or braking pressure of the hydraulic swing motor in order to prevent the pressure from exceeding a second setting pressure that is lower than the first setting pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kouji Ishikawa, Yusuke Kajita, Hidetoshi Satake, Takatoshi Ooki
  • Publication number: 20160002887
    Abstract: A construction machine, comprising a hydraulic pump, a swing hydraulic motor, a swing electric motor, a delivery capacity regulating device, and a control unit which controls the driving/braking of the swing structure, is configured to comprise an operation amount detection device for detecting the operation amount of the swing control lever and a speed detection device for detecting the speed of the swing electric motor. The control unit includes a hydraulic pump output reduction control unit which takes in an operation amount signal representing the operation amount of the swing control lever detected by the operation amount detection device and a speed signal representing the speed of the swing electric motor detected by the speed detection device and controls the delivery capacity regulating device by calculating a reduction rate of the output of the hydraulic pump based on the detection signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Shiho IZUMI, Shinya IMURA, Hidetoshi SATAKE, Kouji ISHIKAWA, Tomoaki KANETA, Hiroaki AMANO, Shinji NISHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20160002880
    Abstract: A work machine prevents a fault in a swing electric motor if an uneven coil temperature increase occurs in the swing electric motor during swing press and related operations. An electricity storage device is connected to the electric motor. An inverter drives the electric motor and a swing control lever issues a command to drive the swing structure. A rotational speed detecting device detects swing speed of the swing structure and a controller controls torque of the electric motor. The controller reads the swing speed of the swing structure detected by the rotational speed detecting device to control such that, when the swing speed is zero, the torque of the electric motor is smaller than a maximum torque value and, when the swing speed is a first rotational speed higher than zero, the torque of the electric motor is the maximum torque value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Shinya IMURA, Kouji ISHIKAWA, Hidetoshi SATAKE, Shinji NISHIKAWA, Tomoaki KANETA, Shiho IZUMI
  • Publication number: 20160003266
    Abstract: A work machine is adapted for reduced fuel consumption in regions where swinging by a hydraulic motor is prone to deterioration in efficiency, such as when the operating stroke of the swinging is small. The work machine includes an engine, a hydraulic pump, a swing structure, an electric motor for driving the swing structure, and a hydraulic motor for driving the swing structure, the hydraulic motor being driven by the hydraulic pump, and includes a swing control lever device that commands the swing structure to be driven. A control device operates in either an electric swing mode in which the swing structure is driven mainly by torque of the electric motor or a hydraulic swing mode in which the swing structure is driven mainly by torque of the hydraulic motor, depending on an operating stroke of the control lever device and/or a swing speed of the swing structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Shinya IMURA, Kouji ISHIKAWA, Hidetoshi SATAKE, Shinji NISHIKAWA, Tomoaki KANETA, Shiho IZUMI
  • Publication number: 20150377264
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for construction machinery is capable of suppressing irregularity in the operation of the front structure not intended by the operator, and includes a regeneration motor adapted to be driven by return fluid from a bottom port of a boom cylinder; a regeneration electric motor converting rotary power into electric energy; return fluid control valves controlling the flow of the return fluid according to a pilot pressure related to an operation of a boom control lever; and a malfunction prevention device adapted to be activated by pressure fluctuation caused by malfunction of a solenoid valve for the return fluid control valve that interrupts the delivery of a pilot secondary pressure from the solenoid valve to the corresponding return fluid control valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Takatoshi OOKI, Seiji HIJIKATA, Kouji ISHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20150354603
    Abstract: This invention provides a hybrid construction machine including a swing structure, a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic swing motor driving the swing structure using hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pump, an electric swing motor driving the swing structure in conjunction with the hydraulic swing motor, a boom cylinder operated simultaneously with the swing structure at times and driven by the hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pump, a first directional control valve controlling flow of the hydraulic fluid supplied from the hydraulic pump to the hydraulic swing motor, a second directional control valve controlling the flow of the hydraulic fluid returning from the hydraulic swing motor, and a controller and solenoid pressure reducing valves which prevent operation of the second directional control valve when the boom cylinder is operated simultaneously with the swing structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Shinji NISHIKAWA, Kouji ISHIKAWA, Hidetoshi SATAKE, Shinya IMURA, Shiho IZUMI
  • Patent number: 9181684
    Abstract: During a swing start, a pump torque calculating section associated with pump delivery pressure, a pump torque calculating section associated with swing operation pressure, and a maximum value selecting section of a controller perform control to change a maximum absorption torque of a second hydraulic pump between Tb and Tc in accordance with a delivery pressure of the second hydraulic pump. In an operation combining swing with other motion, a subtraction section performs a calculation to subtract a maximum absorption torque Tp2 of the second hydraulic pump from a total pump torque Tr0 to thereby distribute an amount of torque reduced in the second hydraulic pump to a first hydraulic pump associated with an actuator other than a swing motor. Further, a required flow rate can be supplied to the swing motor, thus achieving a smooth shift to a constant speed swing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuo Okano, Tsuyoshi Nakamura, Kouji Ishikawa
  • Publication number: 20150300378
    Abstract: The energy efficiency is increased by reducing the throttle/relief loss in the delivery flow of the hydraulic pump caused by the bleed-off control, while also making it possible to control the delivery pressure of the hydraulic pump according to the operation amount of the control lever unit and improving the operational performance. A controller 6 includes a target pump pressure setting unit 32 which calculates a target pump delivery pressure which increases with the increase in an operation amount signal from an operation amount detector 20A/20B based on the operation amount signal and a pump flow rate upper limit setting unit 33 which calculates a pump flow rate upper limit which increases with the increase in the operation amount signal based on the operation amount signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Tsutomu Udagawa, Akira Nakayama, Ryohei Yamashita, Shiho Izumi, Manabu Edamura, Kouji Ishikawa, Hidetoshi Satake
  • Publication number: 20150275484
    Abstract: A hybrid construction machine according to the present invention includes a controller for controlling an engine with a droop characteristic. The controller includes: a target engine output calculation unit (2-4) that calculates a target output of the engine; a target speed setting unit (2-7) that sets a target speed command of a motor-generator; a target droop calculation unit (2-8) that obtains an intersection point of a constant output line with the target output value of the engine and a constant speed line with the target speed command of the motor-generator on a speed-torque characteristic diagram, and determines a governor characteristic of the engine so that the governor characteristic passes through the intersection point; a governor characteristic changing unit (2-10) that changes the governor characteristic of the engine; and a motor-generator control unit (2-9) that controls the motor-generator in accordance with the target speed command value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Shinji ISHIHARA, Masatoshi HOSHINO, Shinya SATO, Kouji ISHIKAWA