Abstract: A magnetic recording medium having excellent electromagnetic characteristics in the medium and high frequency regions has a magnetic layer formed on a non-magnetic support or a non-magnetic under layer, said magnetic layer comprising a magnetic metal powder containing iron (Fe) as a main component, 18 to 40% by weight of Co based on iron, Al and Y or a rare earth element, and having a specific surface area (x) by the BET method not exceeding 60 m.sup.2 /g, in which said magnetic metal powder has a saturation magnetization (.sigma.s) (y) and a specific surface area (x) by the BET method within the range bounded by the following four equations:y=0.05x.sup.2 -6x+330 (1)y=0.05x.sup.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium having good dispersibility, dispersion stability of a magnetic paint and electromagnetic characteristics, and excellent running durability and still characteristics, comprises a non-magnetic support and a magnetic layer formed thereon which is mainly composed of a magnetic powder and a binder, wherein said binder is a mixture ofi) a vinyl chloride copolymer having amine-modified vinyl units and acidic functional group-containing vinyl units in a molecule,ii) a polyurethane resin having a number average molecular weight of 5000 to 25000 (Mn 1), andiii) a polyurethane resin having a number average molecular weight of higher than 25000 to 100000 (Mn 2).

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium having an intermediate layer excellent in conductivity, surface properties and strength, and excellent in electromagnetic characteristics, physical properties, etc., which comprises a non-magnetic intermediate layer having a thickness of 0.5 .mu.m to 3.0 .mu.m formed on at least one surface of a non-magnetic support, and a magnetic layer formed on the intermediate layer, the magnetic layer being mainly composed of a ferromagnetic powder and a binder and having a thickness of 0.1 .mu.m to 0.5 .mu.m, in which said magnetic layer is formed on the intermediate layer at least in a dry state, and the intermediate layer comprises(A) an inorganic material having an average particle size of 10 nm to 50 nm and a Mohs' hardness of 7 or less,(B) an inorganic material having an average particle size of 100 nm to 500 nm and a Mohs' hardness of 9 or more,(C) carbon black,a lubricant and a binder.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium possessing excellent electromagnetic characteristics, corrosion resistance, durability, abrasion resistance and lubricity, has an undercoat layer, a ferromagnetic metal layer, a protective layer and a lubricating layer formed in this order on a non-magnetic substrate, or has an undercoat layer, a ferromagnetic metal layer, an intercepting layer, a protective layer and a lubricating layer formed in this order on a non-magnetic substrate, wherein the protective layer is a plasma-polymerized hydrogen-containing carbon film having a refractive index of 1.90 or more and a contact angle of less than 80 degrees, the film thickness of the protective layer or the total film thickness of the protective layer and the intercepting layer is 30 to 150 .ANG., the undercoat layer, as well as the intercepting layer, is a film formed of silicon oxide represented by SiOx (x=1.8-1.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium having excellent electromagnetic characteristics, still characteristics and cupping resistance, reduced rust generation and increased durability, comprises a non-magnetic substrate and a magnetic layer formed thereon by oblique deposition, the magnetic layer being composed of at least two ferromagnetic metal thin films containing Co and Ni as main components, in which the Co content of the thin film closest to the substrate is less than 70 atomic per cent and the Co content of the film farthest from the substrate is 75 atomic per cent or more.

Abstract: Signal compensation apparatus and method compensates for and removes errors due to error factors included in source signals x and y approximated by the sine function and cosine function, respectively, from a measurement apparatus such as a resolver or an encoder. Compensation is achieved by approximating the source signals x and y as expressions which include the terms due to the error factors, detecting the maximum values of x, x+y, etc., and determining coefficients corresponding to the error factors on the basis of the relationships between the maximum values and the coefficients, and removing the errors from the signals provided by the measurement apparatus.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium having excellent electromagnetic characteristics, still characteristics and cupping, decreased rust generation and high durability, includes a non-magnetic substrate and a magnetic layer formed thereon by oblique deposition, the magnetic layer being composed of at least two ferromagnetic thin films, in which the ferromagnetic thin film of the lowest layer has a saturation magnetization of 300 emu/cc or less, a coercive force of 1000 Oe or less and a thickness of 300 to 1500 .ANG., the ferromagnetic thin layer of the uppermost layer has a saturation magnetization of 300 emu/cc or more, a coercive force of 1000 Oe or more and a thickness of 400 to 1500 .ANG., an average value (.theta.) of angles between growing directions of columnar crystalline particles constituting the ferromagnetic thin film of the lowest layer and a principal plane of the substrate ranges from 50 to 70 degrees, and an average value (.theta.

Abstract: An intra-luminal expander assembly for use with a catheter comprises an expandable tubular expander element having openings, for example slots, formed in it, and first and second fixation portions located at or towards its ends. The expander element is disposed around a core element which comprises a shape memory alloy which has been treated so that, when the temperature of the alloy is increased above its A.sub.s temperature, it displays a shape memory effect and the length of the core element decreases. The expander element is attached to the core element through the first fixation portion and oriented so that, as the length of the core element decreases when its temperature increases, the first fixation portion is caused to move relative to the second fixation portion in a direction towards the second fixation portion, and the second fixation portion being restrained against movement with the first fixation portion so that the length of the expander element decreases and its transverse dimension increases.

Abstract: An exothermic conductive coating comprises carbon particles, a substantial portion being spherical particles having a diameter of not more than 500 .mu.m, and a synthetic resin. A conductive heating unit is obtained by coating or impregnating a desirably-shaped solid or solid surface with the coating and curing it. The heating unit provides a uniform temperature distribution at any selected temperature up to about 450.degree. C., and can be formed in various shapes.

Abstract: An electrically-conductive fine particle powder comprises fine, hollow spherical particles of non-magnetic material such as glass or resin plated with a metal and having a bulk density of 0.2 to below 0.9 g/cm.sup.3. An exothermic electrically-conductive coating or paste comprises the above powder and a synthetic resin binder. An electrically-conductive heating unit is formed from a suitably shaped solid or solid surface coated or impregnated with the above coating or paste and is operable at low voltages.

Abstract: A balloon catheter including a pumping mechanism for inflating the balloon, an actuator and control wire for deflecting a distal tip of the catheter and a luer connection for passing a guidewire through the catheter. The balloon can be inflated with a push button which can be locked when depressed so as to inflate the balloon. The balloon is deflated by rotating the push button so that a return spring expands an air bladder and returns the push button to a non-inflating position. The control wire is manipulated by a pivotal lever or a slidable ring. The ring can include a projection which extends through a slot in the housing or the ring can include a circumferentially extending surface which can be finger actuated at any position around the catheter tube.

Abstract: A cushioning material is disclosed which includes two laminated films between which a plurality of air tight cells are formed. Each of the films is composed of an intermediate layer formed of an aromatic polyamide resin and two surface layers formed of a polyolefin resin and provided on both sides of the intermediate layer, wherein the aromatic polyamide resin is one obtained by polycondensing m-xylylenediamine with an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid selected from the group consisting of adipic acid, terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid and mixtures thereof, and the polyolefin resin is a member selected from the group consisting of low density polyethylenes, ethylene/.alpha.-olefin copolymers and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reflow-soldering of printed circuit boards are disclosed. A printed circuit board having electronic parts with lead wires having low temperature resistance alone or together with electronic part of high temperature resistance can be soldered according to the reflow-soldering method in a specifically designed heating zone involving plural preheating chambers and a reflowing chamber while maintaining a difference in temperature between the obverse surface and the reverse surface of the board without causing any soldering failure and any environmental pollution.

Abstract: A composite, thermoplastic resin film includes a matrix in the form of a film, and formed of a first thermoplastic resin and a plurality of substantially continuous tapes dispersed within the matrix film with the plane of each of the tapes being substantially parallel with the plane of the matrix film and each formed of a second thermoplastic resin different from the first resin, a portion of the tapes having a width of at least 200 times the thickness of the composite film so that the composite film has an oxygen permeation rate of 0.12-900 cc/m.sup.2.day.atm at a temperature of 20.degree. C. and a relative humidity of 65%. A method for producing the thermoplastic resin film includes mixing melts of the first and second resins using a static mixer, and extruding the mixed melt discharged from the mixer as is through a die. The film has an excellent gas barrier property and is suitably used for the preparation of cushioning materials.

Abstract: A soldering apparatus of a reflow type contains a preheating chamber and a reflow chamber which are provided with a plurality of heaters for heating printed circuit boards with chips temporarily mounted thereon with solder pastes during conveyance by a conveyor. The heaters are mounted on the side walls of the chamber, extending along a direction of conveyance of the printed circuit boards. The chambers are also provided with a screening member respectively so as to prevent direct radiation of radiant heat from the heaters into the chambers and onto the printed circuit boards and to provide a uniform air flow so as to be blown uniformly onto the printed circuit boards.

Abstract: A composite, thermoplastic resin film comprises a matrix in the form of a film and formed of a first thermoplastic resin, and a plurality of substantially continuous tapes dispersed within the matrix film with the plane of each of the tapes being substantially parallel with the plane of the matrix film and each formed of a second thermoplastic resin different from the first resin, a portion of the tapes having a width of at least 200 times the thickness of the composite film so that the composite film has an oxygen permeation rate of 0.12-900 cc/m.sup.2.day.atm at a temperature of 20.degree. C. and a relative humidity of 65%. The thermoplastic resin film may be obtained by mixing melts of the first and second resins using a static mixer, and extruding the mixed melt through a die. The film has an excellent gas barrier property and is suitably used for the preparation of cushioning materials.

Abstract: A motor includes a field magnet system comprised of plural permanent magnetic poles arranged in a circle and an armature with plural poles each facing the magnetic poles of the field magnetic system. The widthwise length of a magnetic flux generating area of the permanent magnetic poles varies with the rotational angle to eliminate a cogging torque caused by higher harmonic wave components of the magnetic flux.

Abstract: A cumulatable ultrafine polymer particle consisting of one molecular chain of the polymer is prepared by spreading a dilute solution of the polymer at the interface between the atmosphere and a subphase solution having a weak affinity for the polymer, and evaporating the spreading solvent or dissolving it into the subphase. A composite material comprising the polymer particles is produced by contacting the particles formed on the subphase solution with the surface of a substrate. The particles are cumulated on the substrate in a ratio of area occupied by the particles of at least 10%. The particles may be cumulated in multiple layers on the substrate.

Abstract: Novel ultrathin unit layers and built-up multilayers of polymeric imine are obtained when a spreadable polyfunctional aldehyde or its precursor, particularly the alkyl Schiff base formed by its condensation with an alkyl amine, is spread on the surface of an aqueous subphase containing a diamine. The resulting polymeric imine unit layers can be transferred and built up on substrates which included quartz, aluminum and chrome-plated glass, and semiconductors.

Abstract: A magnetron sputtering apparatus has a target disposed above an inner magnetic pole surrounded by an outer magnetic pole of opposite polarity and a gradient adjusting means mounted underneath the target and interposed between the inner and outer magnetic poles. The gradient adjusting means operates such that the gradient of the component of the leakage magnetic field vertical to the target is reduced over the middle portion of the target, between the inner and outer magnetic poles, and is increased at portions closer to the magnetic poles. The gradient adjusting means may be made of a soft magnetic material or a permanent magnet material, and the soft magnetic material may be used alone or in combination with the permanent magnet material. A second permanent magnet may be used in conjunction with the use of a permanent magnet as the gradient adjusting means.