Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for diagnosing a characteristic of a body to be examined by passing ultrasound through the body to be examined which is placed between a pair of ultrasound transducers.The apparatus comprises a pair of ultrasound transducers which are fixedly disposed facing to one another, with one of the ultrasound transducers (5) having a first standoff on the transmitting/receiving surface thereof, with the other ultrasound transducer (4) being housed in a movable tank having a second standoff at its front end, and moves the movable tank so that the body between the front end surface of the first standoff and the front end surface of the second standoff are brought into contact thereto and diagnoses a characteristic of the body based on signals emitted and received by the ultrasound transducers.

Abstract: In a conductive plate of an upper electrode of an electric gathering apparatus for manufacturing a poppet valve used in an internal combustion engine, there is formed a polygonal bore in which a drive shaft is engaged. An annular cut-away portion which is larger than the engagement bore in diameter is formed, thereby preventing a burr and increasing durability of the electrode.