Abstract: In a torque converter with a lock-up mechanism which can decrease a distribution of hydraulic pressure in the radial and circumferential directions of a frictional material, which can prevent the creation of any excess reaction by the distribution of hydraulic pressure, and which can efficiently give a fastening force to the frictional material to thereby improve transmission torque capacity, an oil groove for reducing the distribution of hydraulic pressure is provided on the frictional material or a piston. This oil groove is provided for depressurization at a location which does not hinder the fastening function.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method of realizing a variety of movements which are controlled while maintaining their complexity by generating complex movements, which appear irregular at a glance, by the deterministic method. A neural network which connects a plurality of neurons to each other is set. The neurons perform calculations that generate chaotic oscillation, and are set in correspondence with the moving direction of an object. The movement vector of the object is calculated from time-series data obtained by the calculations.

Abstract: An automatic microscope comprises an operating member operated electrically, and a detector for outputting an operation signal upon detecting the presence of an observer of the microscope in a predetermined range around the microscope, thereby operating the operating member. The operating member may be a shutter for opening and closing an optical path of the optical system of the microscope, an optical path switching member for switching the optical path of the optical system, a main power switch of the microscope, an auxiliary power switch of the microscope or a power switch for an illuminating light source, and the detector may be a light reflection detector including a light source and a photosensor unit for receiving the reflected light of the light emitted from the light source.

Abstract: An exposure substrate includes a position detection mark having a recessed or projecting portion formed on the substrate with a difference h in depth. The difference h in depth of the recessed or projecting portion is set to(2m+1).lambda./4-0.05.lambda..ltoreq.h.ltoreq.(2m+1).lambda./4+0.05.lambda.where .lambda. is the wavelength or center wavelength in a photoresist, of a monochromatic or quasimonochromatic detection beam to be irradiated on the position detection mark, and m is an integer not less than 0.

Abstract: A scanning exposure apparatus for illuminating an area on a mask has a power supply system for supplying an exposure light source with an electric power regulated to a predetermined state; an illumination intensity varying system provided between the exposure light source and the substrate and adapted to regulate the attenuation rate of the illuminating light; an exposure amount measuring sensor for measuring the exposure energy of the illuminating light emitted from the exposure light source; and a control system for switching a constant power mode for supplying the exposure light source with a predetermined constant electric power through the power supply system, and a constant illumination intensity mode for controlling the function of the power supply system and the illumination intensity varying system in such a manner that the exposure energy measured by the exposure amount measuring sensor is maintained at a predetermined target value.

Abstract: Disclosed is a projection exposure apparatus by a scan-exposure method. The apparatus includes an illuminating means for illuminating a mask transfer region with illumination light for an exposure through an aperture of a variable field stop disposed in a position substantially conjugate to the mask; a driving means for configuring the aperture of the variable field stop in a rectangular shape (having edges orthogonal to a direction of the scan-exposure) and simultaneously making variable a width of the rectangular aperture of the stop in a widthwise direction (the scan-exposure direction) of the transfer region (pattern forming region) on the mask; and a control means for controlling the driving means to change a width of the rectangular aperture of the variable field stop in interlock with variations in position of the variable field stop on the mask transfer region which varies due to the one-dimensional movements of the mask stage.

Abstract: A rechargeable flashlight has a plug unit supported in the flashlight housing for rotation between a non-charging position, in which blades of the plug unit are retracted into the housing, and a charging position, in which the blades are projected from the housing for insertion in an AC outlet. The plug unit cooperates with a switch unit in the housing for connecting a rechargeable battery to a bulb circuit and disconnecting the battery from a charging and indicating circuit when the plug unit is in the non-charging position, and for disconnecting the battery from the bulb circuit and connecting the battery to the charging and indicating circuit when the plug unit is in the charging position. The charging and indicating circuit has a visual indicator that is energized repetitively when the plug unit is turned from the non-charging position but with the blades not inserted in a live AC outlet, and which is energized continuously when the blades are inserted in a live AC outlet.

Abstract: A finder optical system includes a photographing lens, an eyepiece having an optical axis substantially collinear with an optical axis of the photographing lens, and a relay optical system, including a relay lens system, disposed between the photographing lens and the eyepiece for optically connecting a primary focal plane of the photographing lens to a secondary focal plane disposed to be observed through the eyepiece. The relay lens system has an optical axis that is parallel with the optical axes of the photographing lens and the eyepiece, and the relay optical system includes a first pair of reflecting mirrors that relay the optical axis of the photographing lens to the optical axis of the relay lens system, and a second pair of reflecting mirrors that relay the optical axis of the relay lens system to the optical axis of the eyepiece.

Abstract: In manufacturing a yoke for an elastic universal joint, the time required for each step is shortened and the automation of each step is made easy, and by the energy saving and high efficiency of the manufacturing work, a reduction in the cost is achieved. A metallic plate is subjected to working which can be done easily and within a short time by press work such as stamping work, deep drawing work and ironing work, to thereby make a yoke for an elastic universal joint. This can be accomplished because welding work and cutting work which require much working time and which are cumbersome to automate can be eliminated. Investment in facilities may be small.

Abstract: A camera having selectable normal and trimming photographing modes and a photographing zoom lens, has a control system, including a zooming motor for driving the zoom lens, operable to set a desired focal length in response to the actuation of a control element. When a desired focal length is within the normal zooming range of the zoom lens, the normal photographing mode is selected and the zoom lens is driven to the desired focal length in response to actuation of the control element.

Abstract: In order to achieve the curtailment of costs by simplifying the manufacture of parts, the custody of parts and the assembling work, a vertically movable bracket of a tilt mechanism, a mounting bracket for mounting combination switches, and a cylinder bracket of a steering lock mechanism are all formed integrally with an outer column. Also, when the tilt mechanism is omitted, a fixed bracket and the outer column are formed integrally with each other.

Abstract: A catadioptric reduction projection optical system having a first lens unit having negative refractive power and widening a light beam from a reticle, a prism type beam splitter for transmitting therethrough a light beam from the first lens unit, a concave reflecting mirror for returning the light beam emerging from the beam splitter to the beam splitter while converging it, and a second lens unit having positive refractive power and converging the light beam returned to the beam splitter and reflected by the beam splitter, and forming the reduced image of a pattern on the reticle on a wafer.

Abstract: There is disclosed an exposure method for transferring, using an optical system for illuminating a mask having patterns to be transferred on a substrate and a projection optical system for projecting images of the patterns to the substrate, the patterns to the substrate through the projection optical system by means of scanning the mask and the substrate synchronously relative to the projection optical system. The method comprises the steps of providing a plurality of measuring marks on the mask formed along a relative scanning direction, and providing a plurality of reference marks formed on the stage corresponding to the measuring marks, respectively, moving the mask and the substrate synchronously in the relative scanning direction to measure successively a displacement amount between the measuring marks on the mask and the reference marks, and obtaining a correspondence relation between a coordinate system on the mask and a coordinate system on the stage according to the displacement amount.

Abstract: A low-cost and small-size image reader incorporating a variable power function. An original document is irradiated with the light from a light source. The light is reflected in a reading position. The reflected light is incident on a mirror block via a fixed mirror. The light incident on the mirror block is deflected by a pair of mirrors. An optical path is thus extended and shortened in its length without taking a space in the horizontal directions of the reader. The mirror block and the lens are provided with driving devices. The mirror block and the lens are moved to adjust a focal point and a magnification.

Abstract: An indirect ophthalmoscopy lens is comprised of a single biconvex lens and is arranged so that at least one of a patient-side surface and an examiner-side surface of the biconvex lens is formed as an aspherical surface and the following conditions are satisfied:65<.nu.dnd<1.67where nd and .nu.d are an index of refraction and an Abbe number, respectively, of the biconvex lens for the d-line.

Abstract: A positioning staging apparatus comprises a base provided on a floor, a stage provided on the base and movable to the base, an output unit for outputting stage positioning information for moving the stage to a predetermined target position, a stage drive unit provided on the base for driving the stage and outputting the drive information, a stage control unit for controlling the stage drive unit to accelerate and decelerate the stage in accordance with the stage positioning information to stop the stage at the target position, a stage displacement detection unit for detecting the displacement of the stage driven by the stage drive unit to output the stage displacement information, and an anti-vibration unit provided between the floor and the base for applying to the base a force to suppress the vibration of the base generated by the movement of the stage. The anti-vibration unit generates the suppression force in accordance with one of the stage displacement information and the stage positioning information.

Abstract: A variable focal length optical system includes, in succession from an object side, a first lens component, a second lens component, a third lens component, and a fourth lens component, wherein at least two air gaps of a first air gap between the first lens component and the second lens component, a second air gap between the second lens component and the third lens component, and a third air gap between the third lens component and the fourth lens component change when the focal length of the zoom lens is changed.

Abstract: A light exposure apparatus used for manufacturing semiconductors, liquid crystal display elements or the like is provided with an illuminating optical system for illuminating a mask formed with a pattern with pulse light from a light source, a mask stage for loading the mask, a substrate stage for loading the photo-sensitive substrate, and a driving system for synchronously scanning the mask stage and a substrate stage.

Abstract: A sufficient quantity of lubricating oil can be sent into a radial needle bearing and a thrust ball bearing supporting a power roller. The lubricating oil is discharged into a gap space through a send-in side oil supply path formed in a trunnion, and is sent into a receiving side oil supply path in a pivotal support shaft portion. A thrust sliding bearing having a through-hole is provided in the gap space. The downstream end opening of the send-in side oil supply path and the upstream end opening of the receiving side oil supply path are located inside the through-hole.