Patents by Inventor Yasuharu Hirahara

Yasuharu Hirahara 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: 7380416
    Abstract: The present invention provides a A metal conduit for molten glass and a vacuum degassing apparatus are disclosed, which are capable of coping with extension and contraction, and vibration. By disposing at least one convex portion 20 so to have a height of 4 mm or above in a radial direction and continuously extend in a peripheral direction, it is possible to absorb thermal expansion and contraction without changing the entire length of the metal conduit 10 and to suppress from the metal conduit 10 from vibrated even when molten glass 121 is conveyed by the metal conduit. By employing the metal conduit 10 stated earlier in an upstream conveying pipe 130A, an uprising pipe 122U, a vacuum degassing vessel 120, a downfalling pipe 122L, a downstream conveying pipe 130B or the like in a vacuum degassing apparatus 30, it is possible to cope with thermal expansion and contraction, and vibration caused when conveying molten glass 121.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Naruaki Tomita, Yasuharu Hirahara, Kazuo Hamashima, Koji Obayashi
  • Patent number: 7377132
    Abstract: A conduit for molten glass, a molten glass degassing method and a sub-atmospheric apparatus are provided, which are able to produce homogenous and good quality glass at low cost. A conduit for molten glass, which is capable of flowing molten glass in a horizontal direction, and to which vertical pipes are connectable, is disposed in a substantially horizontal direction. The conduit for molten glass can increase the area of a free surface of the molten glass by setting a width W at a larger value than a height H in cross-section and having an outline in cross-section comprising a convex curve. When the conduit for molten glass thus configured is used as a sub-atmospheric apparatus, it is possible to degas the molten glass effectively. Additionally, it is possible to have a sufficient strength since the convex curve forming the cross-section is elliptical. Further, it is possible to reduce costs by decreasing the amount of metal required for forming the cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Kazuo Hamashima, Yasuharu Hirahara, Hajime Ito
  • Publication number: 20050268663
    Abstract: The present invention provides a metal conduit for molten glass and a vacuum degassing apparatus, which are capable of coping with extension and contraction, and vibration. By disposing at least one concave portion 20 so to have a height of 4 mm or above in a radial direction and continuously extend in a peripheral direction, it is possible to absorb thermal expansion and contraction without changing the entire length of the metal conduit 10 and to suppress from the metal conduit 10 from vibrated even when molten glass 121 is conveyed by the metal conduit. By employing the metal conduit 10 stated earlier in an upstream conveying pipe 130A, an uprising pipe 122U, a vacuum degassing vessel 120, a downfalling pipe 122L, a downstream conveying pipe 130B or the like in a vacuum degassing apparatus 30, it is possible to cope with thermal expansion and contraction, and vibration caused when conveying molten glass 121.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Publication date: December 8, 2005
    Applicant: ASAHI GLASS COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Naruaki Tomita, Yasuharu Hirahara, Kazuo Hamashima, Koji Obayashi
  • Publication number: 20050229637
    Abstract: A conduit for molten glass, a molten glass degassing method and a sub-atmospheric apparatus are provided, which are able to produce homogenous and good quality glass at low cost. A conduit for molten glass 20, which is capable of flowing molten glass 21 in a horizontal direction, and to which vertical pipes 22 are connectable, is disposed in a substantially horizontal direction. The conduit for molten glass 20 can increase the area of a free surface 26 of the molten glass by setting a width W at a larger value than a height H in cross-section and having an outline in cross-section comprising a convex curve. When the conduit for molten glass 20 thus configured is used as a sub-atmospheric apparatus 10, it is possible to degas the molten glass effectively. Additionally, it is possible to have a sufficient strength since the convex curve forming the cross-section is elliptical. Further, it is possible to reduce costs by decreasing the amount of metal required for forming the cross-section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Applicant: ASAHI GLASS COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Kazuo Hamashima, Yasuharu Hirahara, Hajime Ito