Patents by Inventor Yukio Kuramasu
Yukio Kuramasu 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).
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Patent number: 8155430Abstract: A method of automatically counting a number of inclusions by eliminating the effects of shrinkage cavities in the conventional method and securing a high correlation with a value measured by a skilled worker and a casting mold for obtaining a cast sample used for the same are provided. A method of measurement of a number of nonmetallic inclusions comprising capturing an image of a rectangular fracture surface of a cast sample consisting of an aluminum alloy by a CCD camera or other image capturing means, processing the image captured by the image capturing means for color density, digitalizing the processed image by a predetermined threshold value, and counting the number of pixel clusters of a predetermined size or more, the method characterized by detecting the end edges of the short sides of the rectangular fracture surface before the capturing of its image and automatically setting measurement regions of an area of ¼ to ? of the area of the fracture surface at the two ends of the fracture surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2008Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Nippon Light Metal Company, Ltd.Inventors: Mitsuyoshi Sato, Hiroshi Kawai, Yukio Kuramasu, Ryouji Abe
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Publication number: 20100119145Abstract: A method of automatically counting a number of inclusions by eliminating the effects of shrinkage cavities in the conventional method and securing a high correlation with a value measured by a skilled worker and a casting mold for obtaining a cast sample used for the same are provided. A method of measurement of a number of nonmetallic inclusions comprising capturing an image of a rectangular fracture surface of a cast sample consisting of an aluminum alloy by a CCD camera or other image capturing means, processing the image captured by the image capturing means for color density, digitalizing the processed image by a predetermined threshold value, and counting the number of pixel clusters of a predetermined size or more, the method characterized by detecting the end edges of the short sides of the rectangular fracture surface before the capturing of its image and automatically setting measurement regions of an area of ¼ to ? of the area of the fracture surface at the two ends of the fracture surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2008Publication date: May 13, 2010Inventors: Mitsuyoshi Sato, Hiroshi Kawai, Yukio Kuramasu, Ryouji Abe
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Patent number: 7695577Abstract: The present invention discloses an aluminum alloy being excellent in wear resistance, containing, in mass %, 12.0 to 13.7% of Si, 2.0 to 5.0% of Cu, 0.1 to 1.0% of Mg, 0.8 to 1.3% of Mn, 0.10 to 0.5% of Cr, 0.05 to 0.20% of Ti, 0.5 to 1.3% of Fe, 0.003 to 0.02% of P, and has a Ca content controlled to less than 0.005 mass %, the balance being Al and inevitable impurities; and an aluminum alloy sliding member excellent in wear resistance, which has in mass %, 12.0 to 14.0% of Si, 2.0 to 5.0% of Cu, 0.1 to 1.0% of Mg, 0.8 to 1.3% of Mn, 0.10 to 0.5% of Cr, 0.05 to 0.20% of Ti, 0.5 to 1.3% of Fe, 0.003 to 0.02% of P, and has a Ca content controlled to less than 0.005 mass %, the balance being Al and inevitable impurities, and contains primary crystals of Si having a grain diameter of 20 ?m or more in an amount of 20 pieces/mm2 or less. The alloy may contain one or two of 0.0001 to 0.01 mass % of B, and 0.3 to 3.0 mass % of Ni.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2006Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: Nippon Light Metal Company, Ltd.Inventors: Masahiko Shioda, Sanji Kitaoka, Yukio Kuramasu
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Publication number: 20090263005Abstract: An impurity measuring device includes a table (T) on which a sample (S) is to be placed with its fracture surface (h) facing up, an illuminating means (7) for irradiating the fracture surface (h) with light (L) from a plurality of directions, an image sensing means for sensing an image of the fracture surface (h) irradiated with the light (L), continuous tone color image processing means for processing the sensed image into a continuous tone color image, and a binarizing means for binarizing the continuous tone color image through comparison between the result of the continuous tone color image processing and a threshold value. As the fracture surface (h) is irradiated with the light (L) from the plurality of directions, the image obtained by sensing the image of the fracture surface (h) is free from shading or optical irregularities caused by minute irregularities on the fracture surface (h).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2009Publication date: October 22, 2009Inventors: Yukio KURAMASU, Tetsuya NUKAMI
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Publication number: 20070068604Abstract: The present invention discloses an aluminum alloy being excellent in wear resistance, containing, in mass %, 12.0 to 13.7% of Si, 2.0 to 5.0% of Cu, 0.1 to 1.0% of Mg, 0.8 to 1.3% of Mn, 0.10 to 0.5% of Cr, 0.05 to 0.20% of Ti, 0.5 to 1.3% of Fe, 0.003 to 0.02% of P, and has a Ca content controlled to less than 0.005 mass %, the balance being Al and inevitable impurities; and an aluminum alloy sliding member excellent in wear resistance, which has in mass %, 12.0 to 14.0% of Si, 2.0 to 5.0% of Cu, 0.1 to 1.0% of Mg, 0.8 to 1.3% of Mn, 0.10 to 0.5% of Cr, 0.05 to 0.20% of Ti, 0.5 to 1.3% of Fe, 0.003 to 0.02% of P, and has a Ca content controlled to less than 0.005 mass %, the balance being Al and inevitable impurities, and contains primary crystals of Si having a grain diameter of 20 ?m or more in an amount of 20 pieces/mm2 or less. The alloy may contain one or two of 0.0001 to 0.01 mass % of B, and 0.3 to 3.0 mass % of Ni.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2006Publication date: March 29, 2007Applicant: NIPPON LIGHT METAL COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Masahiko Shioda, Sanji Kitaoka, Yukio Kuramasu
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Publication number: 20060228017Abstract: An impurity measuring device includes a table (T) on which a sample (S) is to be placed with its fracture surface (h) facing up, an illuminating means (7) for irradiating the fracture surface (h) with light (L) from a plurality of directions, an image sensing means for sensing an image of the fracture surface (h) irradiated with the light (L), continuous tone color image processing means for processing the sensed image into a continuous tone color image, and a binarizing means for binarizing the continuous tone color image through comparison between the result of the continuous tone color image processing and a threshold value. As the fracture surface (h) is irradiated with the light (L) from the plurality of directions, the image obtained by sensing the image of the fracture surface (h) is free from shading or optical irregularities caused by minute irregularities on the fracture surface (h).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2004Publication date: October 12, 2006Inventors: Yukio Kuramasu, Tetsuya Nukami
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Publication number: 20050284040Abstract: A pedestal unit usable for a raised floor is disclosed which comprises: a pair of beams; and a pair of pedestal frames for supporting the beams at both ends of the beams, respectively. Each pedestal frame comprises: a pair of leg members; a pair of base plates for supporting the leg members; respectively, and a connecting member with a predetermined length for rigidly connecting the legs member each other with a predetermined interval. The pedestal frame may be installed under a middle portion of the beams, which frame may be installed after installation of pedestal frames at ends of beams for easy adjustment. Additional pedestal frames for supporting additional beams may be fixed to the pedestal frames or the beam. A supporting surface of leg member may have a mount provided by casting and be cut for accurate dimensions.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2005Publication date: December 29, 2005Inventors: Yakobu Hashimoto, Kazutsugu Hiramatsu, Takenori Yamashita, Hiromichi Sato, Shyouji Kobayashi, Hirotoshi Hidaka, Shinji Ando, Yukiji Oshima, Hideyuki Kaji, Takeshi Ono, Shigenori Saito, Kiyofumi Tanaka, Toshimasa Nishiyama, Yukio Kuramasu, Nobuyasu Hagisawa
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Patent number: 6648054Abstract: The present invention provides a die-casting method comprising the steps of evacuating a cavity 30 defined by dies of a die-casting machine to provide therein a vacuum of 100 millibar or less during a first period, injecting a reactive gas from a sleeve of the die-casting machine into the cavity 30 during a second period which has a partial overlap period with the first period and follows the overlap period, so as to increase the inner pressure of the cavity to atmospheric pressure or more, pouring a molten aluminum alloy M into the sleeve 40 while keeping the injection of the reactive gas, and subsequently moving a plunger 42 in the sleeve forward to forcibly inject the molten aluminum alloy from the sleeve into the cavity 30 while re-evacuating the cavity 30. The evacuation, reactive-gas injection and re-evacuation operations can be performed with respective overlap periods therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2002Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Assignee: Nippon Light Metal Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yukio Kuramasu, Osamu Yoshida, Yoshihiro Tajima, Takaaki Ikari
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Publication number: 20030143101Abstract: An aluminum alloy for die casting, contains, in terms of mass percentage: Si in the range of 1.0˜3.5 %; Mg in the range of 2.5˜4.5 %; Mn in the range of 0.3˜1.5%; Fe in the range equal to or less than 0.15%; Ti in the range of equal to or less than 0.20%; and the balance of aluminum and inevitable impurities. A die cast product having good strength and elongation in a high strain rate region is produced from the aluminum alloy without the need for solution heat treatment.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2003Publication date: July 31, 2003Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTDInventors: Sanji Kitaoka, Yukio Kuramasu, Syuichi Asakuno, Kenji Tsushima, Masahiko Shioda, Hiroshi Kambe, Shinichiro Sumi, Takaaki Ikari
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Publication number: 20030136477Abstract: An aluminum alloy for a die casting, used as the material of parts of an automotive vehicle. The aluminum alloy consists essentially of Si in an amount ranging from 10 to 12% by weight, Mg in an amount ranging from 0.15 to 0.50% by weight, Mn in an amount ranging from 0.5 to 1.0% by weight, Fe in an amount of not more than 0.15% by weight, Ti in an amount of not more than 0.1% by weight, Sb in an amount ranging from 0.05 to 0.20% by weight, B in an amount ranging from 0.005 to 0.02%, and balance consisting of aluminum and inevitable impurities.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2003Publication date: July 24, 2003Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Sanji Kitaoka, Yukio Kuramasu, Shinichiro Sumi, Kenji Tsushima, Hiroshi Kambe, Masahiko Shioda
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Publication number: 20030041993Abstract: The present invention provides a die-casting method comprising the steps of evacuating a cavity 30 defined by dies of a die-casting machine to provide therein a vacuum of 100 millibar or less during a first period, injecting a reactive gas from a sleeve of the die-casting machine into the cavity 30 during a second period which has a partial overlap period with the first period and follows the overlap period, so as to increase the inner pressure of the cavity to atmospheric pressure or more, pouring a molten aluminum alloy M into the sleeve 40 while keeping the injection of the reactive gas, and subsequently moving a plunger 42 in the sleeve forward to forcibly inject the molten aluminum alloy from the sleeve into the cavity 30 while re-evacuating the cavity 30. The evacuation, reactive-gas injection and re-evacuation operations can be performed with respective overlap periods therebetween.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2002Publication date: March 6, 2003Inventors: Yukio Kuramasu, Osamu Yoshida, Yoshihiro Tajima, Takaaki Ikari
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Publication number: 20020088512Abstract: An aluminum alloy for die casting, contains, in terms of mass percentage: Si in the range of 1.0˜3.5%; Mg in the range of 2.5˜4.5%; Mn in the range of 0.3˜1.5%; Fe in the range equal to or less than 0.15%; Ti in the range of equal to or less than 0.20%; and the balance of aluminum and inevitable impurities. A die cast product having good strength and elongation in a high strain rate region is produced from the aluminum alloy without the need for solution heat treatment.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2001Publication date: July 11, 2002Applicant: Nissan Motor Company, LtdInventors: Sanji Kitaoka, Yukio Kuramasu, Syuichi Asakuno, Kenji Tsushima, Masahiko Shioda, Hiroshi Kambe, Shinichiro Sumi, Takaaki Ikari
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Patent number: 6176294Abstract: After a cavity 2 of a die-casting mold 1 is evacuated to exclude gases, oxygen gas is blown into the cavity 2 until an internal pressure of the cavity exceeds the atmospheric pressure, and then a molten metal 5 is forcibly injected into the cavity 2. The cavity 2 is evacuated to a degree of vacuum less than 100 millibar through a suction nozzle 11. The oxygen gas is blown through a nozzle 14 into the cavity 2 so as to fill the cavity 2 with the oxygen gas at an internal pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure. When the molten metal 5 is injected into the cavity 2 clarified in this way, inclusion of gases is perfectly prohibited. As a result, obtained die-cast products are free from defects such as blowholes or porosity caused by inclusion of gases and so useful as functional members as well as structural members.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 1999Date of Patent: January 23, 2001Assignee: Nippon Light Metal Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yukio Kuramasu, Takaaki Ikari
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Patent number: 5762728Abstract: To provide a wear resistance comparable with that of the conventional A390 series aluminum alloys, a reduced attacking to a sliding counterpart, and an improved machinability, a wear-resistant cast aluminum alloy comprises: a chemical composition consisting, in weight percentage of: 14.0-16.0 Si, 2.0-5.0 Cu, 0.1-1.0 Mg, 0.3-0.8 Mn, 0.1-0.3 Cr, 0.01-0.20 Ti, 0.003-0.02 P, 1. 5 or less Fe, and the balance of Al and unavoidable impurities in which the Ca content is limited to not more than 0.005; and a microstructure in which a primary Si crystal and Al-Si-Fe-MnCr-based intermetallic compounds are dispersed in the form of a crystallized particle having a diameter of from 5 to 30 gm. A process of producing a wear-resistant cast aluminum alloy includes casting a melt of the alloy composition at a cooling rate of from 50.degree. to 200.degree. C./sec.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1996Date of Patent: June 9, 1998Assignees: Nippon Light Metal Company Ltd., Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yukio Kuramasu, Akio Hashimoto, Yoji Namekawa, Sanji Kitaoka, Koji Watanabe, Kenji Tsushima, Mamoru Sayashi
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Patent number: 4556165Abstract: In the brazing of aluminum a flux composed of a mixture of alkali metal fluoaluminates, with or without admixed AlF.sub.3, is employed. The flux has a composition of AlF.sub.3 about 53-62%, KF about 35-44%, and LiF about 2-7%, in terms of simple compounds. The flux has a liquidus temperature in the range of 490.degree.-560.degree. C. depending on its actual composition. The flux is of particular utility when brazing aluminum containing 0.4-2% magnesium and/or having a low solidus temperature and is preferably employed in an atmosphere of a dry, inert gas.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 1984Date of Patent: December 3, 1985Assignee: Alcan International LimitedInventors: Satoshi Yamawaki, Atsushi Sugihara, Yasushi Kobayashi, Hiroshi Ishida, Yukio Kuramasu, Ichisei Gotoh
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Patent number: 4475960Abstract: In the brazing of aluminum a flux composed of a mixture of alkali metal fluoaluminates, with or without admixed AlF.sub.3, is employed. The flux has a composition of AlF.sub.3 about 53-62%, KF about 35-44%, and LiF about 2-7%, in terms of simple compounds. The flux has a liquidus temperature in the range of 490.degree.-560.degree. C. depending on its actual composition. The flux is of particular utility when brazing aluminum containing 0.4-2% magnesium and/or having a low solidus temperature and is preferably employed in an atmosphere of a dry, inert gas.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1983Date of Patent: October 9, 1984Assignee: Alcan International LimitedInventors: Satoshi Yamawaki, Atsushi Sugihara, Yasushi Kobayashi, Hiroshi Ishida, Yukio Kuramasu, Ichisei Gotoh