Abstract: An ink ribbon feeder for use in a facsimile machine has a feed roll winding thereover an ink ribbon and a take-up roll for taking-up the ink ribbon fed from the feed roll. A friction mechanism is provided at one end of the take-up roll for rotating the take-up roll in a taking-up direction. A back tension mechanism is provided at one end of the feed roll for rotating the feed roll in a direction opposite the taking-up direction. The friction mechanism and the back tension mechanism are provided at the same side of the ink ribbon. A separation segment is provided between the feed roll and the take-up roll and is positioned below the ink ribbon and in contact therewith. The separation segment has a sliding surface extending in a widthwise direction of the ink ribbon. A height of one and another ends of the sliding surface is different from each other.

Abstract: A cutting device including: a support member; a first blade having a linear-shaped cutting edge extending in a lengthwise direction from a first lengthwise end, to a central portion, and to a second lengthwise end of the first blade, the first blade being supported by the support member; and a second blade having a linear-shaped cutting edge extending from a first lengthwise end to a central portion, and to a second lengthwise end of the second blade, the second blade being supported in confrontation with the first blade by the support member, the first blade and the second blade cutting therebetween a sheet-shaped medium by serially contacting each other from the first lengthwise ends to the second lengthwise ends while the second blade presses against the first blade in a thickness direction of the first blade; wherein at least one of the first and second blades has a smaller deformation resistance, with respect to the support member, in its blade thickness direction at its first and second lengthwise ends

Abstract: An ink ribbon feeder wherein a feed roll support section rotatably supports an ink ribbon feed roll and a take-up roll support section rotatably supports a take-up roll support section; a first driving section turns a take-up roll to wind the ink ribbon in an ink ribbon take-up direction, and a second driving section turns the feed roll in the opposite direction of the first driving section, to apply a tension to the ink ribbon. The first driving section and the second driving section are disposed on the same side of both the take-up roll and the feed roll in the ribbon take-up direction. The recording unit, inclusive of the recording head, the ink ribbon feed roll and the take-up roll are mounted in various ways to equalize the tension over the width of the ink roller.

Abstract: A combined fuel cell/gas turbine power generation system includes a fuel cell, a reformer connected to the fuel cell for producing a hydrogen rich reformed gas by steam reforming and feeding the reformed gas to the fuel cell, an air compressor having an electric motor which drives the air compressor, the air compressor compressing air taken from open air and feeding a pressurized air to the fuel cell, a gas turbine which is connected to the fuel cell and generates power using, as a working fluid, an exhaust combustion gas from the reformer obtained by burning an off gas and off air from the fuel cell, and a generator which is coaxially connected to the gas turbine and driven by the axial output power of the gas turbine, the generator generating power with the axial output power of the generator, the output power of the generator driving the electric motor in the air compressor.

Abstract: A paper feeding device for feeding a sheet of paper from a paper feed cassette removably mounted in a body of an equipment includes a paper feed roller, a roller moving member for moving the paper feed roller between a normal position and a specific position, a fixing member for fixing the roller moving member so as to hold the specific position of the paper feed roller upon unloading the paper feed cassette, and a canceling member for canceling the fixation of the roller moving member by the fixing member so as to yet hold the specific position of the paper feed roller upon loading the paper feed cassette again. Accordingly, in the case of continuing to use the paper of the same size, it is possible to eliminate undue reciprocation of the paper feed roller between the normal position and the specific position upon loading and unloading the paper feed cassette and therefore reduce wear.

Abstract: A sheet supply system utilizes a cassette for holding a stack of sheets. The cassette includes an interlocking member formed on the bottom of the cassette which cooperates with an upstanding orienting member on a cassette receiving tray. The interlocking members permit orientation of the cassette on the tray in two positions, which are orthogonal to each other. Fringe marks on the tray delineate the marginal edge of cassettes to be placed on the tray, in each position the cassette can be oriented on the tray. The arrangement eliminates the need for movable guide members to position differently sized cassette on the tray or to position cassettes in different orientations on the tray.

Abstract: A suction type sheet feeding device which attracts an uppermost sheet of a sheet stack to a suction cup by a negative pressure, and transfers the attracted sheet to a predetermined position. For producing the negative pressure, a bellows or accordionlike enclosure is employed. In accordance with axial shrinkage and expansion of the bellows, the negative pressure is produced. The bellows is in fluid communication with the suction cup. Improvement is also made on a cleaning arrangement for cleaning the suction cup, and on the structure of the suction cup unit.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus having a sheet cartridge in which a rolled photosensitive recording medium is accommodated. The sheet cartridge has a sheet retaining device for preventing the recording medium from being retracted into a cartridge casing. The retaining device also provides a light shielding member. The image recording apparatus also includes structure for preventing the cartridge from being removed in a case where a residual recording medium is still rolled in the cartridge casing. The image recording apparatus is provided with a wiper member for removing dusts deposited on a surface of a feed roller. Further, a sensor element is provided for detecting non-rotation of a takeup shaft or a slack of the recording medium.

Abstract: In order to improve the efficiency of a fuel cell power generation system and its ability to adjust to disturbing factors which may occur during operation, a motor driven compressor for providing reaction air to the fuel cell system is driven independently of a power recovery system which recovers energy lost in operational by-products and converts the energy into electrical power. The independent motor driven compressor provides a stable supply of reaction air to the fuel cell and aids in shortening the time necessary for system start up.