Abstract: An operation control apparatus is provided of a compressor having a rotary shaft which is rotated by a driving apparatus by way of a clutch. The operation control apparatus comprises a recess or projection formed in or on one end surface of the rotary shaft as a portion-to-be-sensed offset from the axis thereof, an electromagnetic sensor disposed in facing relation with a locus described by the recess or projection according to the rotation of the rotary shaft, and a pulse monitoring circuit connected to the sensor. The sensor generates a periodic pulse signal in response to rotation of the rotary shaft. The pulse monitoring circuit generates a clutch release commanding signal to the clutch when it receives no pulse signal from the sensor for a predetermined time duration to protect the driving apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for a gaseous discharge lamp includes a power controlling device for converting an AC voltage into a phase control output, a high frequency generating device for converting the output of the high frequency generating device into an high frequency output and a discharge lamp which is lighted by the output of the high frequency generating device and whose filament is heated. The high frequency generating device includes a DC power source for supplying a DC voltage to the power controlling device whenever the power controlling device remains to generate the phase control output. The output of the DC power source heats the filament of the discharge lamp for a period during which no phase control output is produced.

Abstract: A low frequency AC voltage is rectified through a full-wave rectifier to obtain a pulsating voltage, which is superimposed with an auxiliary voltage of a predetermined level provided from an auxiliary power source, and the resultant composite pulsating voltage is inverted at an inverter to a high frequency voltage. The high frequency voltage thus obtained from the inverter is used to operate a discharge lamp. Minimum value V.sub.min of the resultant voltage is set to be 1/3 to 4/5 of the maximum value V.sub.max of the resultant voltage.

Abstract: A rotation sensor for sensing a swash-plate type compressor being in rotational state. An electromagnetic sensor including a permanent magnet and a coil disposed in the neighborhood thereof is fixed on a housing of the compressor such that it may be opposed to a part of a rotational locus described by a specific portion of the external periphery of the swash-plate. The electromagnetic sensor generates a signal pulse everytime the specific portion passes nearby. When the swash-plate is made of a non-magnetic material some magnetic body is fixed on the external periphery of the swash-plate for constituting a portion-to-be-sensed. This magnetic body may be a ring or lump of ferrous material, a temperature sensitive ferrite, a permanent magnet, etc.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a soap pad comprising winding metallic wool into a roll form, applying a soap solution internally to the roll form to cause the solution to adhere to the metallic wool, separating the metallic wool roll from the spindle and press forming the metallic wool into a desired shape.

Abstract: A protecting device for protecting a refrigerant compressor from overheating or seizure caused by a shortage of refrigerant by any chance such as leakage thereof. The device includes a temperature sensor disposed on the outer wall of the compressor casing in the vicinity of a refrigerant intake suction suction port for sensing the temperature of the outer wall to output the sensed or measured data and a discriminator for discriminating an occurrence of refrigerant shortage by an excess of the data over a predetermined condition for comparison. The signals from the discriminator cause a warning issuance of the refrigerant shortage or an automatic stoppage of the compressor operation.

Abstract: A device for protecting a refrigerant compressor against troubles resulting from shortage of the refrigerant, including two temperatures sensing units so disposed as to monitor temperatures of compressor outer wall or of the refrigerant near inlet and outlet of the compressor. Outputs from the two temperature sensing units are applied to inputs of a judging unit which generates a signal in the event it judges a refrigerant amount is insufficient through examining the inputs against a specific relationship known between the inlet and outlet temperatures as measured while the refrigerant amount is held at a predetermined lower limit. The signal is then transferred to a working means which automatically turns off the compressor and/or takes other proper actions necessary for protecting the compressor.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating a gaseous discharge lamp comprises a D.C. power source, a transistor inverter which is connected to the D.C. power source through a switch, provided with at least one inverter transistor and generates an output having a prescribed frequency, and a discharge lamp which is energized by an output from the transistor inverter and having a pair of electrodes heated by part of the output. The apparatus further comprises base current control means which holds the base current of the inverter transistor at a level lower than a first level during a prescribed length of time after the close of the switch, and holds the base current at the first level after the prescribed length of time. The discharge lamp has its electrodes preheated, but does not display discharge when the base current has a level lower than the first level, and commences discharge when the base current reaches the first level and thereafter continues discharge.