Abstract: An object detection apparatus includes distance measuring devices and a hardware processor. The distance measuring devices are provided in a vehicle and emit ultrasonic waves. The distance measuring devices detect an object around the vehicle and obtain distance information indicating a distance to the detected object. The hardware processor determines a scene in which the vehicle is placed. The determination is performed on the basis of the distance information, vehicle speed information, an image of surroundings of the vehicle, and/or a location of the vehicle on a map. The hardware processor performs, on the basis of a scene determination result, setting of a high-sensitivity area where sensitivity for detecting the reflected waves is temporarily increased, a change of an emission interval of the ultrasonic waves, and/or a change of an emission sequence of the ultrasonic waves.

Abstract: A floating liquid-storage tank has side walls of double-hull construction for storing a liquid lighter in specific gravity than water. The double-hull side walls consist of inner and outer hull sections and have watertight partition plates for dividing the hollows of the side walls into upper and lower ballast tanks. The outer hull sections of the upper ballast tanks are built to be resistant to the external water pressure and those of the lower ballast tanks are non-pressure-resistant. Holes through which the water outside can enter the lower ballast tanks are made in the outer hull sections of the lower ballast tanks. The partition plates are horizontally located at or slightly below the level of the intersection of the liquid-pressure distribution line and the external-water-pressure distribution line in the direction of depth of the storage tank in the full loaded condition.