Abstract: A network relaying apparatus and method for routing and transferring packets at high speed. A transfer engine stores the packets received through a network interface in a packet buffer, and stores the header information in a header RAM. A search engine searches the transfer control information including the transfer destination information and the action information in accordance with the header information, and writes it in the header RAM. The transfer engine produces an output packet based on the information stored in the packet buffer and the header RAM and outputs it to the transfer destination. A switch switches the output packet to the routing process of the destination. The transfer engine executes the receiving process and the transmission process, and the search engine executes the input search process and the output search process. Each of these processes is executed by pipelining control using a required table independently.

Abstract: A recording medium loading mechanism for use in a signal processing apparatus has a motor which operates uni-directionally, and a power transmission mechanism operative to convert the rotation of the motor output shaft into reciprocating movements of a recording medium carrier between a loading position and a recording-reproducing position. The power transmission mechanism includes a crank pin (18) connected to the motor output shaft, a lost-motion connection for converting the rotational motion of the motor output shaft into reciprocal movements to move a reciprocating member (19), and cams cooperative with cam followers to transmit the reciprocating movements to the recording medium carrier.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator comprises a centrifugation chamber, gas inlet ports for introducing a gas into the centrifugation chamber so as to whirl the gas, a clean gas discharge pipe provided on the upper portion of the centrifugation chamber, and a guide member secured to the lower portion of the centrifugation chamber. The guide member has an annular groove, outer fine holes made in the groove, a guide portion projecting conically inward the centrifugation chamber, and an inner hole made in the center of the guide portion. A gas including particles is introduced into the centrifugation chamber, in which the particles are separated. The separated particles are trapped in the groove with gas, then discharged from the outer holes. The clean gas removed of the particles is guided by the guide member to direct to the gas discharge pipe, at the same time the particles with gas toward the guide member also are guided by the guide member to be subjected to the centrifugal force.