Abstract: The present invention relates to a ball capturing apparatus and method of capturing one ball from plural balls having the same size, and to a solder ball disposing apparatus and method of disposing a solder ball containing solder in a predetermined position on a circuit board, thereby reliably capturing one ball from the plural balls having the same size. The apparatus includes: a holding member 111 including a holding wall 111a air-tightly closing a space S that holds a plurality of balls B having the same size and in which a hole 1111 larger than a size of one ball and smaller than a size of two balls is formed in an upper part of the holding wall; blowup means 112 for blowing the balls B held in the holding member 111 upward; and capturing means 12 for capturing a ball B blown up by the blowup means 112 and reached the hole.

Abstract: In a method of producing a micro-actuator, a first adhesive is applied to a movable plate, and a movable, and a movable electrode is placed on the first adhesive. A second adhesive is applied to the movable electrode, and a piezoelectric element is placed on the second adhesive. Next, a third adhesive is applied to an actuator base, a base electrode is placed on the third adhesive, and the third adhesive is semi-cured in the same manner as above. A fourth adhesive is applied to the base electrode, the piezoelectric element is placed on the fourth adhesive, and the fourth adhesive is semi-cured in the same manner as above. Finally, the adhered laminate thus obtained is placed into a heating furnace and heated at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time to thereby fully cure the adhesives.

Abstract: In a method of producing a micro-actuator, a first adhesive is applied to a movable plate, and a movable electrode is placed on the first adhesive. A second adhesive is applied to the movable electrode, and a piezoelectric element is placed on the second adhesive. Next, a third adhesive is applied to an actuator base, a base electrode is placed on the third adhesive, and the third adhesive is semi-cured in the same manner as above. A fourth adhesive is applied to the base electrode, the piezoelectric element is placed on the fourth adhesive, and the fourth adhesive is semi-cured in the same manner as above. Finally, the adhered laminate thus obtained is placed into a heating furnace and heated at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time to thereby fully cure the adhesives.

Abstract: In a speed governor linkage mechanism that is displaced by centrifugal force acting on rotary weights, a balancing weight is provided in addition to speed adjustment spring for generating balancing force in opposition to the centrifugal force. When the speed of the cage is less than a prescribed speed, restraint of movement of the speed governor linkage mechanism is performed solely by the balancing force produced by balancing weight but when the speed of the cage exceeds said prescribed speed, restraint of movement of the speed governor linkage mechanism is performed by both the balancing force produced by the balancing weight and the balancing force produced by the speed adjustment spring.

Abstract: A method of bonding a piezoelectric element and an electrode, including the steps of forming a first coating of a material selected from the group consisting of Au, Al, Zn, Cu, and Sn on a bonding surface of the piezoelectric element, and forming a second coating of a material selected from the group consisting of Au, Al, Zn, Cu, and Sn on a bonding surface of the electrode. The combination of the materials of the first and second coatings is preferably Au/Au, Au/Al, Zn/Cu, or Sn/Cu. The method further includes the step of bringing the first and second coatings into close contact with each other and heating them under pressure to form a metallic bond or intermetallic compound between the first and second coatings, thereby bonding the piezoelectric element and the electrode.

Abstract: An elevator has a rope connected at a first end thereof to a top of a car and at a second end thereof to a top of a counterweight and guided and driven by a sheave that is rotated by a motor. A compensating rope suspends between the car and the counterweight. The compensating rope has a curving portion, a first linear portion on the car side of the curving portion, and a second linear portion on the counterweight side of the curving portion for compensating an imbalance of weight between a portion of the rope on the car side of the sheave and a portion of the rope on the counterweight side of the sheave. A first guide is arranged to guide the first linear portion and the second linear portion, and a second guide is arranged below the first guide and positioned between lines extending from the first linear portion and the second linear portion for guiding the curving portion of the compensating rope. A frame is arranged in a pit of an elevator shaft for supporting the first guide and the second guide.

Abstract: In a method of producing a micro-actuator, a first adhesive is applied to a movable plate, and a movable electrode is placed on the first adhesive. The movable plate and the movable electrode are clamped between a first stage and a first head, followed by heating for a first predetermined period of time while exerting a first predetermined press load onto the first head to semi-cure the first adhesive. A second adhesive is applied to the movable electrode, and a piezoelectric element is placed on the second adhesive. The movable plate, the movable electrode and the piezoelectric element are clamped between the first stage and a second head, followed by heating for a second predetermined period of time while exerting a second predetermined press load onto the second head to semi-cure the second adhesive. Next, a third adhesive is applied to an actuator base, a base electrode is placed on the third adhesive, and the third adhesive is semi-cured in the same manner as above.

Abstract: In a method of producing a micro-actuator, a first adhesive is applied to a movable plate, and a movable electrode is placed on the first adhesive. The movable plate and the movable electrode are clamped between a first stage and a first head, followed by heating for a first predetermined period of time while exerting a first predetermined press load onto the first head, to semi-cure the first adhesive. A second adhesive is applied to the movable electrode, and a piezoelectric element is placed on the second adhesive. The movable plate, the movable electrode and the piezoelectric element are clamped between the first stage and a second head, followed by heating for a second predetermined period of time while exerting a second predetermined press load onto the second head to semi-cure the second adhesive. Next, a third adhesive is applied to an actuator base, a base electrode is placed on the third adhesive, and the third adhesive is semi-cured in the same manner as above.

Abstract: A first plate material is set on a work stage. The first plate material includes first components commonly connected to a first connection member. A second plate material is subsequently set on the work stage. The second plate material includes second components commonly connected to a second connection member. The second components are superposed on the corresponding first components. The first components as well as the second components can be handled as a one-piece component. It leads to an improved productivity. Heat surfaces of a heat block contact the second components. The connection members are prevented from thermal expansion. The constant intervals are reliably maintained between the adjacent first components and the adjacent second components.

Abstract: A method of bonding a piezoelectric element and an electrode, including the steps of forming a first coating of a material selected from the group consisting of Au, Al, Zn, Cu, and Sn on a bonding surface of the piezoelectric element, and forming a second coating of a material selected from the group consisting of Au, Al, Zn, Cu, and Sn on a bonding surface of the electrode. The combination of the materials of the first and second coatings is preferably Au/Au, Au/Al, Zn/Cu, or Sn/Cu. The method further includes the step of bringing the first and second coatings into close contact with each other and heating them under pressure to form a metallic bond or intermetallic compound between the first and second coatings, thereby bonding the piezoelectric element and the electrode.

Abstract: An elevator has a rope connected at a first end thereof to a top of a car and at a second end thereof to a top of a counterweight and guided and driven by a sheave that is rotated by a motor. A compensating rope suspends between the car and the counterweight. The compensating rope has a curving portion, a first linear portion on the car side of the curving portion, and a second linear portion on the counterweight side of the curving portion for compensating an imbalance of weight between a portion of the rope on the car side of the sheave and a portion of the rope on the counterweight side of the sheave. A first guide is arranged to guide the first linear portion and the second linear portion, and a second guide is arranged below the first guide and positioned between lines extending from the first linear portion and the second linear portion for guiding the curving portion of the compensating rope. A frame is arranged in a pit of an elevator shaft for supporting the first guide and the second guide.

Abstract: A method of bonding a piezoelectric element and an electrode, including the steps of forming a first coating of a material selected from the group consisting of Au, Al, Zn, Cu, and Sn on a bonding surface of the piezoelectric element, and forming a second coating of a material selected from the group consisting of Au, Al, Zn, Cu, and Sn on a bonding surface of the electrode. The combination of the materials of the first and second coatings is preferably Au/Au, Au/Al, Zn/Cu, or Sn/Cu. The method further includes the step of bringing the first and second coatings into close contact with each other and heating them under pressure to form a metallic bond or intermetallic compound between the first and second coatings, thereby bonding the piezoelectric element and the electrode.

Abstract: In a speed governor linkage mechanism that is displaced by centrifugal force acting on rotary weights, a balancing weight is provided in addition to speed adjustment spring for generating balancing force in opposition to the centrifugal force. When the speed of the cage is less than a prescribed speed, restraint of movement of the speed governor linkage mechanism is performed solely by the balancing force produced by balancing weight but when the speed of the cage exceeds said prescribed speed, restraint of movement of the speed governor linkage mechanism is performed by both the balancing force produced by the balancing weight and the balancing force produced by the speed adjustment spring.

Abstract: An elevator has a rope connected at a first end thereof to a top of a car and at a second end thereof to a top of a counterweight and guided and driven by a sheave that is rotated by a motor. A compensating rope suspends between the car and the counterweight. The compensating rope has a curving portion, a first linear portion on the car side of the curving portion, and a second linear portion on the counterweight side of the curving portion for compensating an imbalance of weight between a portion of the rope on the car side of the sheave and a portion of the rope on the counterweight side of the sheave. A first guide is arranged to guide the first linear portion and the second linear portion, and a second guide is arranged below the first guide and positioned between lines extending from the first linear portion and the second linear portion for guiding the curving portion of the compensating rope. A frame is arranged in a pit of an elevator shaft for supporting the first guide and the second guide.

Abstract: A method of assembling a micro-actuator is provided in which a base frame having a plurality of actuator bases is placed on a stage, a first adhesive is applied to each of the actuator bases, and a base electrode frame having a plurality of base electrodes is placed on the first adhesive. The first adhesive is semi-cured by heating and pressing. A second adhesive is applied to each of the base electrodes, and a plurality of piezoelectric elements are placed on the second adhesive. The second adhesive is semi-cured by heating and pressing. A third adhesive is,applied to the piezoelectric elements, and a movable electrode frame having a plurality of movable electrodes is placed on the third adhesive. The third adhesive is semi-cured by heating and pressing. Next, a fourth adhesive is applied to each of the movable electrodes, and a hinge plate frame having a plurality of hinge plates is placed on the fourth adhesive. The fourth adhesive is semi-cured by heating and pressing.

Abstract: A method of assembling a micro-actuator is provided in which a base frame having a plurality of actuator bases is placed on a stage, a first adhesive is applied to each of the actuator bases, and a base electrode frame having a plurality of base electrodes is placed on the first adhesive. The first adhesive is semi-cured by heating and pressing. A second adhesive is applied to each of the base electrodes, and a plurality of piezoelectric elements are placed on the second adhesive. The second adhesive is semi-cured by heating and pressing. A third adhesive is applied to the piezoelectric elements, and a movable electrode frame having a plurality of movable electrodes is placed on the third adhesive. The third adhesive is semi-cured by heating and pressing. Next, a fourth adhesive is applied to each of the movable electrodes, and a hinge plate frame having a plurality of hinge plates is placed on the fourth adhesive. The fourth adhesive is semi-cured by heating and pressing.

Abstract: In a method of producing a micro-actuator, a first adhesive is applied to a movable plate, and a movable electrode is placed on the first adhesive. The movable plate and the movable electrode are clamped between a first stage and a first head, followed by heating for a first predetermined period of time while exerting a first predetermined press load onto the first head to semi-cure the first adhesive. A second adhesive is applied to the movable electrode, and a piezoelectric element is placed on the second adhesive. The movable plate, the movable electrode and the piezoelectric element are clamped between the first stage and a second head, followed by heating for a second predetermined period of time while exerting a second predetermined press load onto the second head to semi-cure the second adhesive. Next, a third adhesive is applied to an actuator base, a base electrode is placed on the third adhesive, and the third adhesive is semi-cured in the same manner as above.

Abstract: A brake shoe for an elevator emergency stop has a including a brake body having a braking face and (b) plurality of braking pieces embodied in the braking face side of the brake body to be projected from a braking face. The projection of each of the braking pieces forms a column or a multi-cornered pole having rounded corners. The braking pieces are made of a composite material containing a ceramic base material selected from the group consisting of silicon nitride, silicon carbide and sialon, and particles of at least one ceramic material selected from the group consisting of a carbide, a nitride and a boride. The ceramic particles have a particle size in the range of 10 to 150 .mu.m, and dispersed into the ceramic base material.

Abstract: A pollucite powder consisting essentially of a pollucite phase and having an Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 /SiO.sub.2 molar ratio of from 0.21 to 0.25 and a Cs.sub.2 O/SiO.sub.2 molar ratio of from 0.19 to 0.22.

Abstract: A preparation method for zircon powder, which comprises heating a feed powder mixture comprising:(1) silica and zirconia obtained by subjecting a liquid having a pH of not higher than 8 and containing silica and zirconia in a SiO.sub.2 /ZrO.sub.2 molar ratio of substantially 1/1, to liquid-removing treatment, and(2) zircon in an amount of at least 0.1% by weight based on the total amount of said silica and zirconia,at a heating rate of not higher than 5.degree. C./min from 1,200.degree. C. to a calcination temperature, and maintaining it at a calcination temperature of from 1,300.degree. to 1,700.degree. C. for from 1.0 to 24 hours.