Abstract: An agent for preventing scale formation and a method for preventing scale formation include a polymer which has at least 50% of N-vinyl formamide units or N-vinyl acetamide units and a phosphorus compound added to water in a cooling water system, a boiler water system, or the like. The scale preventing agent and scale preventing method of the present invention are effective in preventing the adherence of various types of scales which are generated in cooling water systems, boiler water systems, and the like. In particular, the present invention is effective in preventing the adherence of silica and calcium scale.

Abstract: The intensity of an infra-red light source has substantially increased uniformity over an illuminated area. A reflector of specific size and shape reflects and focuses infra-red light emissions over a given area. Increased uniformity of intensity permits greater clarity in a given field of vision, particularly in a far field of vision. Greater uniformity allows surveillance systems, such as those using closed circuit television, to receive high quality images throughout a field of view. Images received from a far field of view are particularly enhanced.

Abstract: Lock arms on both sides of a connector have locking protuberances which lock into indentations of a mate connector. One side of the each of the lock arms as well as the sides along the indentation have tapered edges. The sides of the connector can be twisted with respect to each other. During twisting the tapered edges engage to raise the locking protuberances out of engagement with the indentations, thereby permitting easy disconnection of the connectors. The result is a connector locking structure which is easily disconnected but which positively resists unintended disconnection.

Abstract: A series of resonators are affixed to a vehicle engine air intake pipe path to provide muffling of air intake noises. An air intake port, facing toward the front of the vehicle, has a midsection bent back on itself. A connection opening is provided on the bent-back part. A pipe-form resonator, having a closed-off tip, is bent back on itself in roughly a U-shape at its midsection. A base end of the resonator is joined to the connection opening of the air intake port. This resonator makes it possible to muffle intake sound of frequencies that heretofore could not be absorbed by other affixed resonators.

Abstract: An electronic dust collector for collecting and removing dust from an air stream uses a corona discharge between a discharge electrode and a dust collection electrode to ionize the dust particles which are then attracted to, and held, on the surface of the negatively charged dust collection electrode. The surface of the dust collection electrode includes a catalyst layer for oxidizing and decomposing the deposited dust thereon. A heater is included in the dust collection electrode for periodic self-cleaning. The application of electricity to the heater is controlled to produce slow moderate temperature elevation during the self-cleaning of the dust collection electrode. This permits stepwise oxidation and decomposition of the dust deposited on the dust collection electrode, thereby cleaning the dust collection electrode by removing the dust on the dust collection electrode while suppressing generation of smoke and odor which would otherwise occur by burning of the dust.

Abstract: A disk transferring device has a driven disk guide and a fixed disk guide. The fixed disk guide includes a plurality of guide blocks, each having a guide groove. At least one of the guide blocks is a straightening arm that is rotateably mounted on the fixed disk guide through a first and second gear. A spring biases the second gear so that the straightening arm is biased toward a front of the device. As a disk is inserted, the guides move apart. When the guides are moved a predetermined distance, a stopper engages with the second gear and forces it to rotate against the biasing force of the spring. This causes the straightening arm to move into a recessed position away from the disk.

Abstract: An automotive roll-up partitioning system includes a pair of roll-up devices providing a pair of partitioning members to separate one volume of a vehicle from a second volume. The partitioning members protect the passengers from forward moving of baggage caused by, for example, a rapid deceleration of the automobile. Each roll up device includes a lock mechanisms detecting that the partitioning member is rapidly pulled out, stopping the rotation of a roll-up shaft of the roll-up device. With a partitioning system so designed, the seat backs can be independently reclined and positioned upright while the partitioning members maintain their protective feature.

Abstract: A globe (11) and a substrate (12) form an outer shell (1). In the outer shell (1), there is arranged an attachment (3) having an electric lamp mount (32) and a support stand part (33). In the electric lamp mount (32) of the attachment (3), there is arranged a serially connected body of no-base type small electric lamps (4), and at the support stand part (33), there is arranged a support body (5). The serially connected body of no-base type small electric lamps (4) has a plurality of no-base type small electric lamps (51) and conductors (52) for serially connecting these no-base type small electric lamps (51), is composed by gathering these plurality of no-base type small electric lamps (51). The support body (5) supports the serially connected body of no-base type small electric lamps (4).

Abstract: Sliding contact portions on an inner surface of a bearing seat slidably support a ball head of a ball stud in a housing. Spaces between one or more of the sliding contact portions contain lubricant reserves. Load receiving portions on the outer surface of the bearing seat facing the housing also support the load placed on the ball stud. Protruding portions on the sliding contact portions decrease contact surface area and permit lubricant to cover nearly the entire ball head surface. The load receiving portions and sliding contact portions, including the protruding portions, deform to absorb repeated heavy loads while maintaining friction compensation and stable torque. The ball joint has an improved ability to compensate for dimensional tolerances, which facilitates component manufacture. The load withstanding ability, lubrication efficiency and durability of the ball joint are thus improved.

Abstract: The present invention provides an outdoor floor construction, having at least first and second floor surface units. The first and second floor surface units are installable adjacent each other and capable of assembly with edges abutting each other. There is at least a first hole in first floor surface unit and a second hole in the second floor surface unit. In addition, there is at least one joint member having means for supporting the floor surface units and which is aligned below the first hole and said second hole. The joint member has at least a first and second latching piece. A first latching piece fits into the first hole and the second latching piece fits into the second hole thereby retaining the first and second floor surface units with respect to one another. Wall units may also be installed along the outer edge of the floor using similar construction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a manufacturing method for a monocrystal and to a monocrystal manufacturing device. The present invention relates to a technology for manufacturing a granular monocrystal, wherein: melt of melted raw material is made into a supercooled spherical melt; while the melt is levitated under microgravitational conditions, the free energy of a portion of the surface of the melt is reduced, and a monocrystal is grown. A monocrystal manufacturing device 31 comprises: a gold image furnace 35, a chamber 33, a raw material supply/retention mechanism 38; a drop tube 36 and a drop tube 37; a rotating plate 39; a recovery vat 40; and the like. Raw material 32a of semiconductor material is heated and melted and allowed to free fall in a vacuum inside drop tubes 36, 37. During the drop, rotating plate 39 comes into contact with a portion of the surface of supercooled spherical melt 32b, and a crystal nucleus is generated.

Abstract: A photoconductor for electrophotography includes a photoconductive layer that contains titanyloxyphthalocyanine as a charge generation agent. The concentration of SO.sub.4.sup.2- with respect to the concentration of titanyloxyphthalocyanine is adjusted to be less than or equal to 500 ppm. The photoconductor may be of either a monolayer or a laminate construction. In the case of a laminate type photoconductor, the titanyloxyphthalocyanine is incorporated into the charge generation layer.

Abstract: An electrically driven bicycle includes: a driving section for driving a wheel; a battery for supplying an electric power to the driving section; and a battery case loaded with the battery and mounted onto a main frame of the bicycle, wherein the battery case is formed to have a transversal cross section that includes a recess to cover at least a part of an outer surface of the main frame, and at least a portion of the battery is inserted into an inner space on each side of the recess.

Abstract: A slippage prevention piece integrally formed onto a main socket unit of a power supply connector socket blocks undesired removal of a fuse from the power supply connector. A locking mechanism is included in the connector socket and connector plug to more reliably hold the power supply connector intact. The locking mechanism further aids in preventing the removal of the fuse from the power supply connector. The fuse is prevented from accidental removal by vibrations or contact with external objects. The result is a power supply connector having a fuse which is securely held in place.

Abstract: A front and a back cloth body are bonded at the edges to form a bag. The bag is inflated from an air bag device disposed on a seat back so that it expands between a seat and a side door, thus protecting a passenger over a range from a torso to a head. The bag contains a supply section which holds an inflator that injects a pressurized fluid into the bag. A torso protection section, contiguous with the supply section, extends forward from the supply section. A head protection section, contiguous with the torso protection section, extends upward from the torso protection section. When the inflator is activated pressurized fluid is injected to expand head protection section. The resulting inflation pressure tends to make front side air bag pivot around the supply portion. To prevent this, in one embodiment an auxiliary section is inflated with a pressure in a direction opposite to the rotation at roughly the same time as the expansion of the head protection section.

Abstract: The connector includes a male member with an engaging portion on its outer face, a female member with an inner space for receiving the male member and a pair of manipulating members provided in the female member from opposite sides. The engaging portion of the male member is received through and behind the pair of manipulating members in the inner space. Each manipulating member has a part which enters the track region of the engaging portion and an elastic piece. The coupling of the male and female members is reliably obtained by two opposite side engagements between the engaging portion of the male member and the pair of manipulating members and maintained by the thrusting force by the elastic piece.

Abstract: An electronic component connector has first and second connection sections disposed in an indentation in an insulating housing. The first connection section is annularly formed at a first radius at the bottom of the indentation. The second contact section is disposed at a second radius within the annulus of the first contact section. An electronic component has first and second contacts positioned at the first and second radius to electrically engage the first and second connection sections when the electronic component is contained in the indentation. Additional concentric annular connection sections formed at the bottom of the indentation allow for electrical connection to electronic components having additional contacts positioned to engage the additional annular connection sections when the electronic component is contained in the indentation.

Abstract: Waste water containing nitrogen compounds is treated by first breaking the nitrogen compounds down by electrolysis in the presence of chlorine ions. The electrolysis step converts chlorine ions to hypochlorite ions. The partially treated water is returned to a storage container. The hypochlorite ions oxidize the nitrogen compounds and are reconverted to chlorine atoms. The partially treated water then may be returned to the electrolysis container to regenerate hypochlorite ions. In a second step, the partially treated waste water is passed over a metal peroxide catalyst. The metal peroxide catalyst further breaks down the nitrogen compounds, and removes the excess hypochlorite ions.