Abstract: A map update system includes a map data storage unit storing therein map data. The map update system acquires a position of a road marking painted on a surface of a road. The map update system acquires a determination value to be subjected to determination of blurring of the road marking based on at least either of measurement information on the road marking and analysis information analyzing the measurement information. The map update system compares the determination value to a reference value and acquires blur information indicating a degree of blurring of the road marking. The map update system reflects the blur information in the map data.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a stacked body with first conductive layers and first insulating layers alternately stacked. The stacked body includes a staircase portion in which the first conductive layers are in a staircase shape. A columnar portion extends in a stacking direction through the stacked body at the staircase portion. The columnar portion includes a semiconductor layer, a second insulating layer covering a side wall of the semiconductor layer, and a third insulating layer that covers the second insulating layer. The third insulating layer includes a material different from the second insulating layer and includes flanged portions that protrude from a sidewall thereof toward the first conductive layers at corresponding height positions.

Abstract: A venturi nozzle (1), disposed upstream from a blower (20), for mixing combustion air and fuel gas by intake pressure of the blower (20), comprising: a nozzle portion (12) with a shape that is narrowed in diameter downstream and into which combustion air is introduced; a mixing portion (13), disposed downstream from the nozzle portion (12), with a shape that is enlarged in diameter downstream and into which combustion air and fuel gas are mixed; and a fuel gas inlet (15), disposed between the nozzle portion (12) and the mixing portion (13), into which fuel gas is introduced; wherein a plurality of ridges (16) extending in a circumferential direction and arranged at predetermined intervals in a flow direction of combustion air are formed on an inner surface of the nozzle portion (12).

Abstract: A venturi nozzle (1), disposed upstream from a blower (20), for mixing combustion air and fuel gas by intake pressure of the blower (20), comprising: a nozzle portion (12) with a shape that is narrowed in diameter downstream and into which combustion air is introduced; a mixing portion (13), disposed downstream from the nozzle portion (12), with a shape that is enlarged in diameter downstream and into which combustion air and fuel gas are mixed; and a fuel gas inlet (15), disposed between the nozzle portion (12) and the mixing portion (13), into which fuel gas is introduced; wherein a plurality of ridges (16) extending in a circumferential direction and arranged at predetermined intervals in a flow direction of combustion air are formed on an inner surface of the nozzle portion (12).

Abstract: Provided is a needle valve in which a gap between a valve casing and a needle is reliably sealed and an origin of the needle can be readily obtained with high precision. A needle (6) is screwed into a cylindrical rotor (44) of a stepping motor (7) so as to be retractable, and a rotation regulating member (47) prevents the needle (6) from rotating together with the rotor (44). Accordingly, in a case of driving the motor (7) to rotate the rotor (44), the needle (6) vertically moves without rotating. A lower limit sensor (61) and an upper limit sensor (60) detects a detection target piece (49) provided to the rotation regulating member (47), so a lower limit position and an upper limit position of the needle (6) are obtained. The motor (7) is controlled such that, after the motor (7) is driven until the lower limit sensor (61) detects the detection target piece (49), an origin sensor (71) monitors an origin detection plate (62) so as to stop at a predetermined rotation stop position.

Abstract: Provided is a needle valve in which a gap between a valve casing and a needle is reliably sealed and an origin of the needle can be readily obtained with high precision. A needle (6) is screwed into a cylindrical rotor (44) of a stepping motor (7) so as to be retractable, and a rotation regulating member (47) prevents the needle (6) from rotating together with the rotor (44). Accordingly, in a case of driving the motor (7) to rotate the rotor (44), the needle (6) vertically moves without rotating. A lower limit sensor (61) and an upper limit sensor (60) detects a detection target piece (49) provided to the rotation regulating member (47), so a lower limit position and an upper limit position of the needle (6) are obtained. The motor (7) is controlled such that, after the motor (7) is driven until the lower limit sensor (61) detects the detection target piece (49), an origin sensor (71) monitors an origin detection plate (62) so as to stop at a predetermined rotation stop position.

Abstract: There is provided a valve enabling complete prevention of leakage and a backflow and having durability and less noise, and further there may be implemented a valve capable of predicting the tendency of occurrence of damage on the functions of the valve before the functions of the valve are actually damaged. In a valve having a valve chamber 5 formed between a fluid inlet 2 and a fluid outlet 3, a valve element 6 disposed in the valve chamber 5 is composed of an elastic member and an inelastic member.

Abstract: There is provided a valve enabling complete prevention of leakage and a backflow and having durability and less noise, and, further there may be implemented a valve capable of predicting the tendency of occurrence of damage on the functions of the valve before the functions of the valve are actually damaged. In a valve having a valve chamber 5 formed between a fluid inlet 2 and a fluid outlet 3, a valve element 6 disposed in the valve chamber 5 is composed of an elastic member and an inelastic member.

Abstract: In a water-tube boiler in which pollutant (especially NOx) emissions are reduced, a plurality of water tubes arranged in an annular shape are provided. At least some of the water tubes thereof are spaced apart along an annulus so as to provide a plurality of gaps therebetween. A combustion-reaction ongoing gas passes through these gaps, and a temperature thereof is lowered to 1400.degree. C. upon contact with the water tubes. The boiler further includes a second plurality of water tubes arranged in an annular shape outside of the first plurality of water tubes. By adjusting the arrangement of the water tubes along respective annuli and/or adjusting an orientation of the tubes along their length (so as to be straight, tilted, or bent), control of the exhaust emissions is enhanced.

Abstract: Discloses a heat-insulating structure for combustion equipment of such a type that a burner element of combustion equipment is insertedly disposed at an installation opening of thermal equipment such as a boiler, with a view to simplified structure and enhanced workability. In combustion equipment (B) having a burner element (20) insertedly disposed at the installation opening (1) of the thermal equipment (A) via the support frame (30) a thermal insulator (50) flush with the burner element (20) on the thermal equipment (A) side is disposed between the installation opening (1) and the outer side face of the support frame (30).