Abstract: A developer collection device includes a container, a frame, a first fin, and a second fin. The container has an opening, and contains a developer introduced into the container from the opening. The frame extends in a first axis direction, and is attached, to the container, swingably relative to the container in the first axis direction. The first and second fins are provided in the container, and are attached to first and second base points of the frame, respectively. The first and second fins extend in third and fourth directions from the first and second base points, respectively. The third and fourth directions are directions inclining downward and thereby forming angles that are smaller than ninety degrees relative to first and second directions, respectively. The first direction extends along the first axis direction. The second direction is a direction opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: An exposure device irradiates a light beam to the photoconductor drum and thereby forms an electrostatic latent image on a photoconductor drum. A developing roller causes toner to adhere to the electrostatic latent image and thereby develops a toner image. A development bias power supply circuit applies a development bias to the developing roller. A direct current detection circuit detects a direct current that flows between the development bias power supply circuit and the developing roller. A control circuit (a) causes the exposure device to form an electrostatic latent image of an adjustment patch for toner density adjustment, (b) measures a value of the direct current at a timing when the developing roller causes the toner to adhere to the electrostatic latent image of the adjustment patch, and (c) performs the toner density adjustment on the basis of the measured value of the direct current.

Abstract: A control device includes a controller configured to receive either one of a periodical first signal and a non-periodical second signal at a single port thereof. Depending on a state of the second signal, the controller switches first control for effecting control synchronized with the first signal and second control for effecting control synchronized with a predetermined cyclic period on the basis of a cyclic period of the first signal.

Abstract: A roller member includes a cored bar, an elastic layer, and a non-conductive member. The elastic layer is disposed on an outer circumferential face of the cored bar. The cored bar has a projecting portion projecting beyond a range in which the elastic layer is disposed, toward an axial end of the cored bar. The non-conductive member is made of a non-conductive material. The non-conductive member is disposed on the projecting portion. The non-conductive member bites into an end face of an axial end of the elastic layer.

Abstract: The power supply apparatus is configured to detect the output voltage of a piezoelectric transformer and controls the frequency of a pulse signal to drive the piezoelectric transformer based on the detected output voltage and a preset target voltage so as to perform feedback control of the output voltage of the piezoelectric transformer, the gain when performing the feedback control is switched in accordance with the target voltage.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes a transformer, a heater, a temperature acquiring portion, and control portion. A first switching unit allows or cuts off power supply from a primary-side circuit to the heater by supplying power, and a second switching unit allows or cuts off power supply from the primary-side circuit to the temperature acquiring portion by supplying power. The power supply to the heater can be allowed or cut off according to the temperature of the heater acquired by the temperature acquiring portion. In addition, the control portion cuts off power supply from the primary-side circuit to the heater and power supply from the primary-side circuit to the temperature acquiring portion by controlling operations of the first switching unit and the second switching unit with the one signal.

Abstract: An oscillator includes a substrate, a detection flap plate which is disposed facing the substrate, and an elastically deformable beam portion which displaceably supports the detection flap plate in a Z axis direction with respect to the substrate, in which the detection flap plate is displaced to the substrate side in a range in which recovery force of the beam portion is larger than the electrostatic force which is formed between the substrate and the detection flap plate. That is, when a boundary at which electrostatic force and recovery force are equal is a pull in critical point, the detection flap plate is displaced within a region above the pull in critical point.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical sensor (MEMS) package includes a gyroscope and an accelerometer. The gyroscope is located within a low-pressure cavity that is sealed from an external pressure. The accelerometer is located within a cavity, and the seal for the accelerometer cavity is entirely within the gyroscope cavity. Under normal operating conditions, the accelerometer seal holds the accelerometer cavity at a higher pressure than the pressure of the enclosing gyroscope cavity. In the event that one of the gyroscope seal or the accelerometer seal is broken, the gyroscope senses the change in pressure.

Abstract: A controller for controlling the operations of an autosampler, a sample push unit, and a make-up unit includes a pump stop timing setting unit for setting a first timing T1 of completion of dilution of a sample, and a subsequent second timing T2 of completion of trapping of a sample in the trap column, a dilution control unit for causing a solvent delivery pump for make-up of the make-up unit to operate, and for stopping operation of the solvent delivery pump for make-up at the first timing T1 set by the pump stop timing setting unit, and a sample push control unit for causing a solvent delivery pump for sample push of the sample push unit to operate, and for stopping operation of the solvent delivery pump for sample push at the second timing T2 set by the pump stop timing setting unit.

Abstract: A portable speedometer calibration stand is disclosed. The stand includes a forward frame and two separate rear frame portions. Rollers rotatably mounted on each of the forward frame and the two separate rear frame portions engage tires of the test vehicle and allow the tires to rotate. Measurements of the speed of rotation of least one of the rollers allow the user to calculate speed of rotation of the tires and, from that calculation, calibrate the speedometer on the test vehicle.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes a first rotatable member configured to heat, in a fixing nip, an unfixed toner image formed on a sheet with a toner having a parting material. A second rotatable member cooperates with the first rotatable member to form the fixing nip. A cleaner is configured to clean the first rotatable member, and a covering member is configured to cover the first rotatable member over a range from the cleaner to an entrance of the fixing nip along a rotational direction of the first rotatable member with a gap D of not less than 0.5 mm and not more than 3.5 mm. In addition, the gap D (mm) between the covering member and the first rotatable member and the peripheral speed V of the first rotatable member (mm/s) satisfy 0.5?D?0.0059×V+0.72.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for reducing power consumption of a sensor. The method includes determining if a predetermined condition has been met to change at least one of a sensing rate or a sensor resolution, and changing at least one of the sensing rate or sensor resolution if it is determined that the predetermined condition has been met.

Abstract: A gas analysis system includes a fluidic channel for flow of a gas to be analyzed, a detector in the channel and adapted for measuring interactions of the gas with the detector, the detector including a resonator of the electromechanical nanosystem (NEMS) type and a heating system for heating a part of the detector, an actuation device for vibrationally actuating the resonator according to an excitation signal applied to an input of the detector, a detection device adapted for providing an output electric signal representative of the vibrations of the resonator, a read-out device connected to an input of the detector and configured for simultaneously measuring, from the output signal of the detector, the change in resonance frequency and the change in amplitude of the vibrations at the resonance frequency of the resonator, and a processing device configured for determining from the changes a fluidic characteristic of the gas.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a tray on which a plurality of developing units are mounted, and a position adjustment unit that is disposed on at least one side of the tray, is movable with respect to the tray, and rotatably supports the plurality of developing units. As the position adjustment unit is moved with respect to the tray, the plurality of developing units are rotated and positions of the plurality of developing units are adjusted by the position adjustment unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatuses for testing the blowout preventer (BOP) piping system on a drilling rig for leaks. The method and apparatuses can be used in conjunction with a pressure or volumetric method to more accurately test the BOP for integrity and to shorten the total time of testing.

Abstract: The present invention is intended that diluted exhaust gas is supplied to a plurality of measurement instruments by a single exhaust gas dilution device to thereby reduce in size an exhaust gas measurement system incorporated with the exhaust gas dilution device and dilute exhaust gas with the same exhaust gas under the same dilution condition in the plurality of measurement instruments.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes first and second image forming units each having an image bearing member and an electrification portion. A developing bias application portion applies a common developing bias to first and second developer bearing members. A controller controls a second electrification bias application portion so as to have a voltage value of a second electrification bias applied to a second electrification portion in a first period different from that in a second period such that an absolute value of a potential difference between a surface potential of a second image bearing member and the common developing bias applied to the second developer bearing member in the first period is smaller than that in the second period.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus according to one or more embodiments includes: an engagement part to which a replacement unit with a first communication part is detachably attachable; a second communication part configured, in a state where the replacement unit is attached to the engagement part, to communicate wirelessly with the first communication part of the replacement unit; and a control unit programmed to control the second communication part. In a process of causing the second communication part to communicate wirelessly with the first communication part a plurality of times, the control unit detects a change in a response from the first communication part.

Abstract: A rotation rate sensor which includes a substrate, a first structure which is movable relative to the substrate and a second structure which is movable relative to the substrate and relative to the first structure. The first structure includes at least one first drive device and the second structure includes at least one second drive device. The first and second drive devices are situated for the joint deflection of the first structure from a neutral position of the first structure in parallel to a drive direction and of the second structure from a neutral position of the second structure in parallel to the drive direction, due to an interaction between the first and second drive devices in such a way that the first and second structures are excitable into an oscillation in phase opposition, in each case with a motion component in parallel to the drive direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing roller, a voltage applying part, a direct current correcting part and a correction switching part. The developing roller supplies a toner to an image carrier. The voltage applying part applies a superimposed voltage of an alternating current voltage and a direct current voltage to the developing roller. The direct current correcting part corrects the direct current voltage on the basis of variation of an alternating current flowing between the voltage applying part and the developing roller. The correction switching part switches the direct current voltage correcting part between an operating state and a non-operating state.