Abstract: A static pressure non-contact type mechanical seal that exhibits and maintains a high sealing function or performance for a prolonged period even when sealing gases containing foreign matter such as oil. A labyrinth seal (7) comprising a plurality of annular grooves (71) and annular plates (72) extending into the grooves is provided, the labyrinth seal partitioning a region C on the outside diameter side of the seal faces (31, 41) in the seal case (2) from the inside region A of a gas treatment machine (1). The seal case is provided with a return passage (8) communicating with the bottom portions of the annular grooves 71 and opening into the inside region A of the machine. The seal case also includes a purge gas feed passage for supplying purge gas to the region C on the outside diameter side of the seal faces, the purge gas pressure being higher than that in the inside region.

Abstract: The method consists in subdividing each driving pulse into a certain number of elementary periods of the same duration, in calculating directly or indirectly, at each elementary period, the value of an effective chopping rate He such that He=n1/n2 where n1 is the number of elementary periods during which the coil of the motor was connected to an electric power source from the beginning of the driving pulse and n2 is the total number of these elementary periods from the beginning of the driving pulse, in comparing this effective chopping rate He to the desired chopping rate Hc and, according to whether He≦Hc or He>Hc, in connecting or not connecting the motor coil to the power source from the beginning of the following elementary period. The device includes the means necessary for implementing this method. This method and this device allow the number of distinct rates available for chopping the driving pulses to be increased in a much simpler way than with known methods and devices.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for measuring a chip integrated structure (1) including at least one coil (5) having a plurality of turns (6). The present invention is characterized on the following steps: measuring the resistance across the terminals of first and second portions of said coil (5), corresponding to two different numbers of turns of the coil; computing the ratio of the measured resistances across the terminals of first and second portions of the coil (5); comparing the ratio to a constant measured from a sample of resistance measurements made on coils of identical geometry; and determining the presence or the absence of a short circuit between at least two turns of one of said portions of said coil (5), when the ratio is different from or equal to said constant respectively. The present invention further concerns an integrated circuit which is able to allow implementation of the above mentioned measuring method.

Abstract: A polyimide precursor having repeating units of the formula: wherein R1 is a tetravalent organic group having 4 or more carbon atoms; R2 is a trivalent or tetravalent organic group having one or more aromatic rings; R3 is a monovalent organic group; A is a monovalent group showing acidity; and n is an integer of 1 or 2, is effective for preparing a highly sensitive negative-working photosensitive material developable with an alkaline aqueous solution in a short time with high resolution.

Abstract: Device for instantaneously producing steam comprising a chamber (12) connected to a tank (11) by a duct (13), provided with a pipe (15) containing, as heating member, a halogen lamp (16) and with a nozzle (17) for expelling steam from the chamber (12).

Abstract: The invention concerns a chronograph watch made of precious metal including a case (1), closed by a crystal (12) and a back cover (13) resting on a rigid middle part-bezel (20) having a recess (19) opening towards the center of the case and wherein are provided through passages (3, 25) for a time-setting stem (4) and for guide sleeves (50) for at least two push buttons (2), and a chronograph movement (5) with its display device (6, 7, 8) positioned in said case by a casing ring (40) arranged between said movement (5) and said middle part-bezel (20), characterized in that the guide sleeves (50) include a tube (55) threaded on the outside and which ends in a collar (56) and in that at least two separated segments (30) shaped substantially like the recess (19) and pierced with a threaded hole (35) are arranged facing the push button (2) sleeves (50) to assure, by screwing from the exterior, both that said segments (30) are firmly positioned and that said sleeves (50) are sealed by crushing a metal ring (26) of t

Abstract: A fluid-switchable flow rate control system that permits free changing of the full scale flow rate and which can control a plurality of kinds of fluids with high precision.

Abstract: A plurality of mounting holes 28 are bored in gas discharge channel 9a of turbine shroud 9 disposed on the inner periphery of turbine housing 1 on the opposite side to bearing housing. Screw holes 29 are constructed corresponding to mounting holes 28, in annular holder 12a formed in cover 12 so that gas discharge channel 9a can be inserted. Screw holes 29 are slightly offset from mounting holes 28 in the gas discharging direction. Stopping screws 30 with taper pins 30a tapered at tips thereof are screwed into screw holes 29, thereby taper pins 30a are inserted into mounting holes 28. Thus, the effects of thermal deformation of the turbine housing are prevented from directly acting on the turbine shroud.

Abstract: The electronic memory (2) includes blocks (M1 to MN) associated respectively with protective sequences (P1 to PN) and decision units (D1 to DN) which control access to the memory blocks. The protective sequences include at least two bits. In order to protect the memory blocks against physical actions which could vary the inscribed code, access to a block is closed when the corresponding protective sequence has identical logical states.

Abstract: A device of small dimensions includes a two coaxial wheels (4, 6) respectively including two plates (44, 46) parallel to each other. A sensor (10) including a detection element (14).formed by a magnetic or capacitive element, in particular a flat spiral coil, is provided for detecting the angular position of both of the two wheels. In order to do this, the sensor (10) detects the presence or absence of an active material above the detection element (14). For this purpose, each of plates (44) and (46) has at least one inactive region for the sensor and is formed at least partially of active material for the sensor. The sensor is arranged relative to the wheel the closest to the detection element in such a way that the latter is at least in part above or below said at least one inactive region in at least one determined angular position of said wheel so as to allow the sensor to detect the angular position of the wheel whose plate (44) is furthest from the detection element (14).

Abstract: An optical element having, on an optical substrate, a cured film formed of a coating agent containing (A) modified stannic oxide-zirconium oxide composite colloid particles as prepared by coating at least a part of the surfaces of stannic oxide-zirconium oxide composite colloid particles with stannic oxide-tungsten oxide-silicon oxide composite colloid particles, and (B) an organosilicon compound.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detection of clogging of an orifice by measuring the upstream side pressure without breaking up the piping system in a flow rate control unit using an orifice, so as to extend the life of the flow rate control unit and enhance its safety. The apparatus of detecting clogging of an orifice in a pressure-type flow rate controller has a control valve (CV), an orifice (2), a pressure detector (14) for measuring the upstream pressure P1 therebetween, and a flow rate setting circuit (32) wherein, with the upstream pressure P1 maintained about two or more times higher than the downstream pressure P2, the downstream flow rate QC is calculated with the equation QC=KP1 (K=constant) and wherein the control valve (CV) is controlled by the difference signal QY between the calculated flow rate QC and the set flow rate QS.

Abstract: In a process for hydrocarbon steam reforming, a primary reformed gas is produced from a mixed gas of hydrocarbon and steam with use of a primary reforming means including an external combustion type of reforming furnace. A secondary reforming reaction of the primary reformed gas is carried out in the presence of air and/or oxygen. A burner assembly of the reforming furnace comprises burners for heating reforming tubes of the furnace and regenerators for preheating a combustion air flow to the burners. Combustion exhaust gas of the reforming furnace heats the second regenerator for preheating the combustion air to the second burner, while the first burner is in firing operation, whereas the combustion exhaust gas heats the first regenerator for preheating the combustion air to the first burner, while the second burner is in firing operation. The flow passage for the combustion exhaust gas is so controlled as to be switched to either of first and second flow passages in a predetermined time interval.

Abstract: An air supply device for a fuel cell is disclosed which is provided with a displacement compressor (10) for supplying pressurized air as an air source to a cathode through an air supply line connected to the cathode inlet side of the fuel cell (I) so that a burned gas obtained by burning an anode exhaust gas (AG) discharged from an anode of the fuel cell may be conducted to the intake side of an exhaust gas turbine (8) for driving the displacement compressor, and so that air may be supplied to the cathode (2) by driving the displacement compressor (10) with the exhaust gas turbine that operates with the burned gas of the anode exhaust gas. A heat exchanger (22) vaporizes fuel fed to the anode of the fuel cell. The heat exchanger takes in exhaust gas from the turbine and outputs a high temperature exhaust gas, which is conducted to the intake of the turbine.

Abstract: A bracelet (2) formed by a flexible structure (4) and a plurality of hard elements (6) defining a hard structure, especially a metal structure, arranged in the median region (8) of the bracelet. The hard elements and the flexible structure comprise complementary fixing means defined by respective parts (20, 22) which form mutual abutments in a direction perpendicular (24) to the general surface (26) defined by the flexible structure. This flexible structure comprises elastically deformable parts which are stressed for assembly of the hard elements therewith. The features of the bracelet allow easy assembly without damage. Moreover replacement of the flexible part can be effected without damaging the hard elements, especially elements of gold.

Abstract: A suction elbow is divided in a plurality of sub-channels similar to each other by one or more guide vanes made of a curved plate and flat plates connected to the curved plate based on the following formulas.

Abstract: An improved and reduced-size and low-cost gas supply system equipped with a pressure-type flow rate control unit, to be used, for instance, in semiconductor manufacturing facilities is disclosed. Transient flow rate characteristics are improved to prevent the gas from overshooting when the gas supply is started, and to raise the flow rate control accuracy and reliability of facilities. That eliminates non-uniformity of products or semiconductors and raises the production efficiency.

Abstract: A photosensitive composition comprising a polyimide precursor, a photosensitive material having a structure represented by the following formula wherein A1 is an atom belonging to Group VI of the periodic table, in the molecule thereof and/or a photosensitive material having a structure represented by the following formula: wherein A2 is O, S or N atom, in the molecule thereof is suitable for formation of a positive tone pattern excellent in heat resistance, and applicable to electronic devices.

Abstract: A method for simulating a stochastic phenomenon, particularly one employing a Monte Carlo method, includes a step for generating random numbers having a nonuniform density function &rgr;(x) based on an ideal model of a chaotic dynamic system in the form Xn+1=f(Xn). The ideal model of chaotic map F(x) is a class of an algebraic map derived from an addition theorem of an elliptic function. The nonuniform density function &rgr;(x) is expressed by an algebraic function of a dynamical variable x. Examples of the ideal model of the chaotic map F(x) include a generalized Ulam-von Neumann map and a generalized cubic map. The nonuniform density function &rgr;(x) of the chaotic maps has the form Xn+1=F(Xn). The class of chaotic dynamical systems is ideal in the sense that the invariant measure &rgr;(x)dx satisfies the ergodic property required by the Monte Carlo method. Thus, a statistical simulation can be performed in the same manner as the conventional Monte Carlo method.

Abstract: A push-button switch provided with a hollow push button, a case supporting it, and a switching mechanism having a first contact disposed within the case and a second contact disposed opposite to the first contact, with one of its ends being inserted into a hole of the push button. Within a hole formed in an inserted section of the switching mechanism, a slide block is provided slidably in a direction crossing the direction in which the push button is pushed. A slope capable of engaging with a slope of the hole of the push button is formed on the slide block. A coil spring (return spring) for energizing a shaft of the switching mechanism so as to abut the push button is provided on the bottom of the case. This configuration enables the push button to take up a first OFF state, an ON state and a second OFF state in order of depression.