Abstract: An imaging method of an X-ray computerized tomography (X-ray CT) comprising the steps of reconstructing a partial region including a region of interest from penetrating data of an object, extracting only shape information from the reconstructed image, setting a threshold function determined by resolution to the reconstructed image information which is equivalent to linear absorption coefficient distribution (density), extracting the reconstructed image information by making the information into bi-values or tri-values based on the threshold function or by differentiating the information, and extracting and imaging only a portion where the linear absorption coefficient distribution (density) changes stepwise.

Abstract: A plasma welding method has successive steps including pre-heating of members to be welded, tack welding of the members for tentatively fixing these members, keyhole welding for completely welding the members to each other, and finish padding. These steps are automatically conducted by a single plasma welding apparatus operative in accordance with a programmed sequence including data concerning the optimum conditions of operation in each step in relation to the conditions such as sizes and materials of the members to be welded.

Abstract: A gas governor apparatus comprises an inner casing removably mounted on an outer casing. Further, a driving mechanism for driving a valve body to control pressure and flow rate of fluid between the valve body and a valve seat formed in the inner casing comprises a drive motor and a drive shaft. The drive shaft has a dual drive sleeve construction where an outer drive sleeve and the valve body are constituted as a rotating drive mechanism and an inner drive sleeve and the outer drive sleeve are constituted as an axial shifting drive mechanism. The outer and inner drive sleeves are axially shiftable by means of an elastic member. The valve body and the inner casing are maintained sealingly by dual expansible members. A flow passage is defined by the dual expansible members and the inner casing.

Abstract: A plasma welding method has successive steps including pre-heating of members to be welded, tack welding of the members for tentatively fixing these members, keyhole welding for completely welding the members to each other, and finish padding. These steps are automatically conducted by a single plasma welding apparatus operative in accordance with a programmed sequence including data concerning the optimum conditions of operation in each step in relation to the conditions such as sizes and materials of the members to be welded.

Abstract: A piping travelling apparatus having a plurality of continuous treads driven by motors through transmission gearing. The continuous treads are mounted to a frame and spaced apart a predetermined distance peripherally of the inner wall surface of the piping. At least one of the continuous treads is kept in contact with the inner wall surface of the piping no matter what the posture of the apparatus may be, so that the apparatus can travel without any trouble even if its posture undergoes a change when it moves along elevations and depressions on the inner wall surface of the piping or negotiates the boundary between different levels of the inner wall surface or bends of the piping. The apparatus enables a travel through piping of relatively small diameter having vertical or steeply slanted pipes to be made without any trouble.

Abstract: A moving apparatus for moving a moving member within a hollow curved pipe arrangement and method of performing operations within the pipe arrangement by using the apparatus, with the apparatus including a long moving member made of a material having an elasticity and a moderate degree of flexibility, a supporting device for continuously winding the moving member therearound and for supporting the same, and a prime mover connected to the supporting device, through a rotating shaft, so as to supply an electric power to the supporting device at the time of winding the moving member, whereby an elastic strain energy is stored in the moving member by rotating the supporting device by the prime mover and winding the moving member around the same, and, while the elastic strain energy thus stored is continuously released, the moving member is allowed continuously to move within the pipe arrangement.

Abstract: A vertical type antifriction bearing device which includes an antifriction bearing using balls or rollers as rolling members. This bearing device features that, during operation, the level of lubricating oil is maintained below the antifriction bearing allowing the feed of lubricating oil to the antifriction bearing in a suitable amount, and that during the stoppage of operation, the level of the lubricating oil is raised above the antifriction bearing, whereby during the stoppage of operation the antifriction bearing is shielded from atmosphere or moisture to prevent the corrosion thereof and, during the operation, the agitation loss caused by the lubricating oil is minimized.