Abstract: A switching device is provided that includes a switching mechanism unit and a switch drive control circuit. In the switching device, an operating member is maintained in an ON position by the sucking force of a permanent magnet and a yoke, despite the pushing force of a biasing unit, when the permanent magnet is in an ON position. The yoke is magnetized in such a manner as to reduce the magnetic force of the permanent magnet, when a coil wound around the yoke is energized by the switch drive control unit. The operating member and a switching member are moved from the ON position to the OFF position by virtue of the pushing force of the biasing unit, thereby shutting a feed line.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aqueous ink containing a dispersant composed of a crosslinked copolymer which is excellent in dispersibility of a colorant such as a pigment and is capable of stably maintaining the dispersed state in an aqueous medium for a long period of time. Specifically, it is an aqueous ink containing a dispersant, a colorant, and an aqueous medium, the dispersant being composed of a crosslinked copolymer containing (A) a crosslinkable monomer, (B) an aromatic group-containing monomer, and (C) an ionic monomer as essential constituting components.

Abstract: A switching device is provided that includes a switching mechanism unit and a switch drive control circuit. In the switching device, an operating member is maintained in an ON position by the sucking force of a permanent magnet and a yoke, despite the pushing force of a biasing unit, when the permanent magnet is in an ON position. The yoke is magnetized in such a manner as to reduce the magnetic force of the permanent magnet, when a coil wound around the yoke is energized by the switch drive control unit. The operating member and a switching member are moved from the ON position to the OFF position by virtue of the pushing force of the biasing unit, thereby shutting a feed line.

Abstract: A lithium secondary battery characterized by a high power capacity and a long service life has a negative electrode 3, a positive electrode 2 and a non-aqueous electrolyte containing lithium salt. The lithium secondary battery is characterized by further comprising multiple oxide represented by a general formula Lix+aMn2−a−bMbQcO4+d (where M denotes at least one element selected from among Ni, Fe, Co, Cu and Cr; Q denotes at least one element selected from among C, N, S, P, Si, F, Cl, I and Br; and x, a, b, c and d are within the range of 0≦x≦) 1.1, 0≦a≦0.5, 0.05≦b≦1.0, 0.000001≦c<0.05 and 0≦d≦0.1, respectively) as a positive electrode activator.

Abstract: A lithium secondary battery having a longer life than conventional battery at a high temperature for electric power storage and electric vehicles is obtained. A lithium secondary battery having a long life at a high temperature can be obtained by using a material specified in Li/Mn atomic ratio, lattice constant, half value width, specific surface area, and average primary particle size as the positive electrode active material; and a material specified in density.

Abstract: A pulse signal generator comprises a magnetic element (10) capable of causing a large Barkhausen jump, a detector for detecting a change of magnetic field in the magnetic element, a magnetic field source (30) for magnetizing the magnetic element in a predetermined direction and a permanent magnet (40). The pulse signal generator further comprises an auxiliary member (50) provided such that the magnetic element is flanked between the permanent magnet and the auxiliary member and is in a magnetic field between the permanent magnet and the auxiliary member. The magnetic field varies with movement of an object (60) to be detected with respect to the permanent magnet to produce a magnetic change in the magnetic element which is detected by the detector to produce a pulse.

Abstract: A pulse signal generator comprises a magnetic element capable of causing a large Barkhausen jump, a detector provided in relation to the magnetic element, a magnetic field source provided in the vicinity of the magnetic element to produce a biasing magnetic field which causes a predetermined magnetization of the magnetic element, and a magnetic circuit forming member provided in the vicinity of the magnetic element to produce a main magnetic field which cause a large Barkhausen jump in the magnetic element such that movement of the object to be detected changes the main magnetic field of the magnetic circuit forming member thereby causing a large Barkhausen jump to provide a pulse signal.

Abstract: A treating fluid is in contact with a negative electrode containing lithium of a lithium cell under a first condition to react a surface portion of the negative electrode, and a treating fluid is in contact with lithium existing inside an article formed on the surface of the above-described negative electrode under a second condition. The cells can be effectively treated under safety condition to collect either the valuable substances, or the cell constructive components.

Abstract: A treating fluid is in contact with a negative electrode containing lithium of a lithium cell under a first condition to react a surface portion of the negative electrode, and a treating fluid is in contact with lithium existing inside an article formed on the surface of the above-described negative electrode under a second condition. The cells can be effectively treated under safety condition to collect either the valuable substances, or the cell constructive components.

Abstract: A safe and controllable method of treating a secondary battery having at least one component containing alkali metal, comprises the steps of opening the battery casing, and introducing a gas containing at least one of water vapor and alcohol vapor into a closed chamber containing the battery thereby to form alkali metal hydroxide. To control hydrogen concentration, the rate of introduction of water and/or alcohol vapor may be varied. Apparatus for carrying out this method is also described.

Abstract: A treating fluid is in contact with a negative electrode containing lithium of a lithium cell under a first condition to react a surface portion of the negative electrode, and a treating fluid is in contact with lithium existing inside an article formed on the surface of the above-described negative electrode under a second condition. The cells can be effectively treated under safety condition to collect either the valuable substances, or the cell constructive components.

Abstract: A safe and controllable method of treating a secondary battery having at least one component containing alkali metal, comprises the steps of opening the battery casing, and introducing a gas containing at least one of water vapor and alcohol vapor into a closed chamber containing the battery thereby to form alkali metal hydroxide. To control hydrogen concentration, the rate of introduction of water and/or alcohol vapor may be varied. Apparatus for carrying out this method is also described.

Abstract: A treating fluid is in contact with a negative electrode containing lithium of a lithium cell under a first condition to react a surface portion of the negative electrode, and a treating fluid is in contact with lithium existing inside an article formed on the surface of the above-described negative electrode under a second condition. The cells can be effectively treated under safety condition to collect either the valuable substances, or the cell constructive components.

Abstract: The present invention provides; a magnetic disk recorder comprising (i) magnetic disks having magnetic recording media, (ii) thin-film magnetic heads for recording information in the recording media and reproducing information therefrom, and (iii) a carriage for moving the magnetic heads to intended positions, the recorder being wherein the thin-film magnetic heads are formed on sliders and these sliders comprise sintered bodies containing a non-magnetic metal oxide of spinel structure and harder ceramic particles than the metal oxide which are dispersed in the metal oxide; a sintered body useful particularly as a material for the magnetic head slider, a method for making the sintered body, and a magnetic head and a magnetic head slider, for recording and reproducing information, which are made by using the sintered body.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic disc file which comprises a thin film magnetic disc for recording information, a motor for rotating the thin film magnetic disc, a magnetic head for writing and reading information, the head being provided with a flying slider, and a carriage for supporting the magnetic head and changing the position of the head in respect of the thin film magnetic disc, the flying height of the flying slider from the thin film magnetic disc being set in the range of 0.05 to 0.15 .mu.m, and the slider being not in contact with the thin film magnetic disc during the seeking operation on the thin film magnetic disc, the slider being a sintered body containing a metal oxide or oxides in an amount of 50 vol % or more based on the total of said body and containing 0.