Abstract: A synchronous-machine starting device includes an induction voltage operating unit (61) calculating an induction voltage induced to an armature of a synchronous machine based on an estimated phase representing a position of a rotor, an estimated rotational speed of a rotor, an AC voltage signal, and an AC current signal, and outputting an induction voltage signal representing the calculated induction voltage, a selection unit (SEL) selecting and outputting one of the induction voltage signal received from the induction voltage operating unit (61) and the AC voltage signal received from the AC voltage detection unit, and a feedback operating unit (34) calculating an error of the estimated phase based on the induction voltage signal or the AC voltage signal received from the selection unit (SEL), calculating the estimated phase and estimated rotational speed based on the calculated phase error, outputting a speed signal representing the calculated estimated rotational speed to the induction voltage operating un

Abstract: A synchronous machine starting device includes a power conversion unit for converting supplied power into AC power and supplying the AC power to an armature of a synchronous machine, an AC voltage detection unit for detecting AC voltage supplied to the armature of the synchronous machine, a rotor position detection unit for detecting a rotor position of the synchronous machine, based on the detected AC voltage, and a power conversion control unit for controlling the power conversion portion, based on the detected rotor position.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, a gas liquid separator, a first drain channel, and a second drain channel. The gas liquid separator is connected to a fuel gas discharge passage of the fuel cell stack through a fuel gas discharge channel. The first drain channel is connected to the fuel gas discharge passage separately from the fuel gas discharge channel, and connected to the gas liquid separator through a valve unit. The second drain channel chiefly discharges liquid droplets from the gas liquid separator.

Abstract: A fuel cell is provided for improving the starting performance at low temperatures. The fuel cell includes a cell structure in which an anode and a cathode are provided on either side of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane. The fuel cell may include a first cooling liquid passage and a second cooling liquid passage independent of the first cooling liquid passage. Cooling liquid is heated by an external heating device and supplied to the second cooling liquid passage.

Abstract: A nebulizer includes a nebulizer body and a relay pipe. The nebulizer body includes a connection portion that has an aerosol lead-out port to lead out aerosol, and the relay pipe includes a connection portion that has an aerosol introduction port to introduce the aerosol. The nebulizer body and the relay pipe can take a first connection state in which the relay pipe is detachably connected to the nebulizer body and a second connection state in which the relay pipe is connected to the nebulizer body so as to be not able to be detached from the nebulizer body. In the first connection state, the aerosol introduction port and the aerosol lead-out port are communicated with each other. In the second connection state, the aerosol lead-out port is blocked by a blocking portion provided in the relay pipe. Therefore, the nebulizer in which reuse of the nebulizer body or relay pipe is simply prohibited after the usage can be provided by the configuration.

Abstract: A blood pressure monitor includes a cuff having an air bag, a main-unit casing in which an inflation/deflation mechanism for inflating/deflating the air bag is provided, a flexible air tube connecting the air bag and the inflation/deflation mechanism, and a retractor unit capable of drawing in the air tube that is drawn out from the main-unit casing into an air tube housing provided in the main-unit casing. With this structure, the blood pressure monitor can be made superior in housing of the air tube connecting the cuff and the main-unit casing.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell having a stack composed of stacked cells that generate electrical power from anode gas and cathode gas; a cell voltage measuring device connected to the cells to measure the voltages of the cells, the cell voltage measuring device outputting a first predetermined value as a measurement value when the voltage of the cell being measured is at or below a detection limit; a stack voltage measuring device connected to the stack that measures the voltage of the stack; and a control unit that restricts the current flowing though the fuel cell when the difference between the sum of the individual voltages of the cells measured by the cell voltage measuring device and the voltage of the stack measured by the stack voltage measuring device exceeds a second predetermined value.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly and first and second metal separators for sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly. In the membrane electrode assembly, a surface area of a gas diffusion layer is larger than a surface area of a gas diffusion layer. A seal member is provided at a position corresponding to an outer marginal region of the gas diffusion layer. The seal member includes a main seal inserted between a solid polymer electrolyte membrane and the first metal separator, and an a flow field wall inserted between the gas diffusion layer and the first metal separator for defining a part of an oxygen-containing gas flow field.

Abstract: A fuel cell system has a fuel cell, a fuel supply device, a gas discharge valve, a voltage detecting device and a control device. The fuel supply device supplies a fuel gas to the fuel cell. The gas discharge valve discharges the fuel gas into an external environment. The voltage detecting device detects an output voltage of the fuel cell. The control device controls a discharging process when a request for starting the fuel cell is given. The discharging process includes introducing the fuel gas from the fuel supply device into a predetermined passage, opening the gas discharge valve and discharging residuals staying in the passage into the external environment. When the control device receives the request and determines that the output voltage has reached a first threshold before the discharging process has not been completed, the control device starts power generation irrespective of completion of the discharging process.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly, and a first and second separators for sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly. The first separator has an oxygen-containing gas flow passage for allowing an oxygen-containing gas in a serpentine pattern to flow horizontally back and forth, and flow downwardly. Partition areas are provided along the oxygen-containing gas flow passage in the serpentine pattern. The partition areas are formed by partially cutting out a gas diffusion layer. Insulating seals for preventing leakage of the oxygen-containing gas are provided in the partition areas.

Abstract: First and second fuel cell stacks having a simple and compact structure are connected in parallel to each other to enable ensuring a desired electric power generating performance. The first and second fuel cell stacks have the same structure and are arranged in parallel to each other with polarities thereof reversed. A manifold piping is mounted to one ends of the first and second fuel cell stacks. In order to supply an oxidizer gas, a fuel gas, and a coolant to the first and second fuel cell stacks, at least an oxidizer-gas supply pipe, a fuel-gas supply pipe, and a coolant supply pipe in the manifold piping are provided to be symmetrical with respect to the first and second fuel cell stacks.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly and first and second separators for sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly. A serpentine oxygen-containing gas flow field is formed on a surface of the first separator. A seal member is provided around the oxygen-containing gas flow field, i.e., around the anode. Filling seals are provided in a clearance between the seal member and the cathode at positions where the leakage of an oxygen-containing gas is likely to occur.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a cell assembly formed by stacking a plurality of fuel cells in a stacking direction. Terminal plates are provided outside opposite ends of the cell assembly in the stacking direction. An electrically conductive first heat insulation plate is interposed between one end of the cell assembly and the terminal plate, and an electrically conductive second heat insulation plate is interposed between the other end of the cell assembly and the terminal plate. The first and second heat insulation plates are metal corrugated plates. Heat insulation air chambers are defined between the first and second heat insulation plates and the cell assembly.

Abstract: A fuel cell which can self-heat in a short time, in which no reaction gas is necessary for combustion, thereby improving the starting performance at low temperatures. The fuel cell comprises a cell structure in which an anode and a cathode are provided on either side of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane. This cell structure has a power generation plane and at least a part of the generation plane is defined as a local generation area so as to locally generate power. The fuel cell may include a pair of separators between which the cell structure is placed, and a reaction gas passage may be formed between the cell structure and each separator. One of a system for supplying a reaction gas to only a part of the reaction gas passage, and a system for supplying a reaction gas to the entire reaction gas passage is switchably selected.

Abstract: (2R)-1-[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl]-4-[2-[(2S)-2-(methoxymethyl)morpholino]ethyl]-2-(3-hydroxy-4-methylbenzyl)piperazine dihydrochloride is obtained by debenzylating (2R)-4-benzyl-1-[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)-benzoyl]-2-(3-hydroxy-4-methylbenzyl)piperazine, then N-alkylating and converting to hydrochloride.