Abstract: A fuel cell system for directly converting chemical energy of a fuel into electric energy electrochemically. A fuel cell has a cathode and an anode. A main hydrogen absorbing alloy supplies a hydrogen gas to the anode of the fuel cell during steady-state operation of the system. An auxiliary hydrogen absorbing alloy originally having a higher hydrogen gas absorbing/desorbing equilibrium pressure than the main hydrogen absorbing alloy at an equal temperature supplies a hydrogen gas to the anode until the equilibrium pressure of the main hydrogen absorbing alloy, which is supplied an exhaust gas from the fuel cell is equal to a hydrogen gas absorbing/desorbing equilibrium pressure of the auxiliary hydrogen absorbing alloy, the auxiliary hydrogen absorbing alloy receiving the hydrogen gas from the main hydrogen absorbing alloy during steady-state operation.

Abstract: In order to make a thermal utilization system operable in a stable and efficient condition regardless the variation of the operating heat source used, the system is provided with three hydrogen absorbing alloys having different pressure-temperature characteristics, wherein absorption/desorption of hydrogen gas is performed in two steps, i.e. the hydrogen gas desorbed from a first alloy is absorbed by a second alloy at a predetermined pressure, and is absorbed by the third alloy at a higher pressure after it is desorbed from the second alloy in a case when the temperature of the operating heat source is low, while the hydrogen gas desorbed from the first alloy is directly transported from the first alloy to the third alloy to be absorbed there when the temperature of the operating heat source is high.

Abstract: A video camera apparatus for use in a video camera or a video tape recorder having a built-in type camera in which a video light apparatus is detachably mounted to the body of the video camera, includes a circuit whereby the video light apparatus is automatically turned ON or OFF when the video camera apparatus is in a standby mode in response to a remote control signal, so that the video camera apparatus is easy to use and the video light apparatus can be operated for a longer period of time.

Abstract: A refrigerating and/or heating device of the contact type utilizing the endothermic and exothermic reactions of a hydrogen absorbing alloy comprises a contact member (16) in the form of a closed container (18) having a contact surface (17) and packed with a hydrogen absorbing alloy (19), a handle member (21) in the form of a closed container (22) packed with another hydrogen absorbing alloy (23), and a gas pipe (25) interconnecting the two members and having a valve (26).

Abstract: A lens tube guide frame holds a retractable lens tube in the body of the camera and also holds a lens and a film surface in their respective correct positions for making exposures. The lens tube guide frame can be easily inserted in the body of the camera and includes a standard surface at its front inner wall opposite the open side of the lens tube guide frame to provide an exact stop for forward movement of the lens tube. The guide frame cross section is U-shaped or box-shaped, and has two projection portions directed outwards at the open rear end to engage adjacent side walls of the camera body. The lens tube guide frame, with the lens tube already in it, is inserted into the camera body through the back side when assembling, whereby the lens tube guide frame can be positioned without any adjustment.

Abstract: A flash mechanism for use with cameras comprising a program shutter, a diaphragm linkage lever, an intermediate linkage lever for a flash illumination device, a distance ring, and an exposure correction member, such as a correction element for the guide numbers of the illumination device or a correction element for film sensitivity on which the distance ring is mounted, wherein the rotation center of the distance ring is slightly deviated from the rotation center of the exposure correction member so that the distance ring may be used in both the focussing operation and the film sensitivity setting with a flash illumination device.