Abstract: An image scanning device includes: a light source; a light guide for converting light from the light source into a linear light beam and applying the linear light beam onto a reading position; an image reading element for receiving the light beam reflected from the reading position; and a light intensity sensor for detecting an intensity of the light emitted from the light source.

Abstract: Provided is a control panel support mechanism having a first support member attached to an image forming apparatus, a second support member supporting a control panel and axially supported by the first support member to be vertically swingable with respect to the first support member, a lock member slidable towards or away from a swing axis of the second support member, and a biasing unit to bias the lock member to slide towards the swing axis. The first support member has a plurality of engaging grooves each positioned along a radial direction with respect to the swing axis and having an opening at an end of the first support member opposite the swing axis, the plurality of engaging grooves being aligned vertically. The biasing unit biases the lock member so that the lock member enters one of the plurality of engaging grooves through the opening to lock in engagement with the engaging groove.

Abstract: A magnetic fluid is held by a magnetic field in a stationary state and by a centrifugal force during rotation, leaking and splashing of the magnetic fluid caused by the instability of the pumping of a dynamic pressure bearing are prevented without using a magnetic fluid with a high saturation magnetization value, and the service life of the dynamic pressure bearing is extended. For this purpose, a sleeve 3 having a protruding tubular section is fitted and fixed to the outer periphery of the shaft 1 having a thrust plate 2 formed in an axial vicinity so as to be rotatable relatively to the shaft, an annular cover 4 is formed outwardly from the thrust plate 2 in an axial direction, the radially inward end of the annular cover 4 serves as an opening, at least two clearance sections serve as a reservoir 10 for reserving the magnetic fluid, and a magnetomotive force member 15 is provided for concentrating the magnetic flux lines on the radially outer side of the end portion 13 of the magnetic fluid 12.

Abstract: A magnetic fluid is held by a magnetic field in a stationary state and by a centrifugal force during rotation, leak and splash of the magnetic fluid caused by instability of pumping of a dynamic pressure bearing are prevented without using a magnetic fluid with a high saturation magnetization value, and service life of the dynamic pressure bearing is extended. For this purpose, a sleeve 3 having a protruding tubular section is fitted and fixed to the outer periphery of the shaft 1 having a thrust plate 2 formed in an axial vicinity so as to be rotatable relatively to the shaft, an annular cover 4 is formed outwardly from the thrust plate 2 in axial direction, the radial inward end of the annular cover 4 serves as an opening, at least two clearance sections serve as a reservoir 10 for reserving the magnetic fluid, and a magnetomotive force member 15 is provided for concentrating the magnetic flux lines on the radial outside of the end portion 13 of the magnetic fluid 12.

Abstract: The electrical junctions of either or both sides of a thermoelectric module are placed in direct thermal contact with a heat source or sink or a material to be thermally modified (that is, heated or cooled), thereby eliminating the conventional substrate typically found in such modules and its associated thermal resistance. In one embodiment, the conductive junction passes through a conduit carrying a material to be heated or cooled. In the conduit, the conductive material can be configured into an effective heat transfer shape such as a vane which extends through non-conducting conduit walls. In another embodiment, the geometry of the conductor forming the electrical junction forms a pipe or tube through which material to be heated or cooled is passed. A protection layer of high thermal conductivity can be applied to the conductive surfaces in order to prevent corrosion or short-circuiting of the device in applications where an electrolytic or ionic fluid is passed by the junction.

Abstract: A sealing apparatus which is disposed between the media side and the bearing side and adapted to hermetically seal members rotating concentrically relative to each other, wherein a passageway having in a U-shaped cross section is formed by an outer shielding member on the media side, an outer shielding member on the bearing side and an inner shielding member, the end portion of which is inserted into the cavity between the outer shielding members. The end portion of the inner shielding member has a T-shape or L-shape. A magnet is arranged at either the inner shielding member or the outer shielding member. A ferrofluid is retained in the cavity by the surrounding magnet. An oil repellent material may be coated on the surface of the inner shielding member except for a portion extending into the cavity and an adhered portion on its inner diameter side.

Abstract: This invention discloses a magnetic bearing device comprising a rotary member rotatably supported on a supporting member through a magnetic bearing, a free oscillating member which is oscillatable almost coaxially with the rotary member and disposed at a position not being in contact with both supporting member and rotary member, magnetic coupling member for oscillating the free oscillating member and the rotary member together, and a damping member disposed between the free oscillating member and the supporting member.

Abstract: In the conventional thermoelectric conversion module, P-type thermoelectric semiconductor chips and N-type thermoelectric semiconductor chips are alternately arranged in both the longitudinal and the transverse directions. Consequently, assembling work is complicated and there arises the problem in quality that erroneous types of chips are arranged. In the present invention, therefore, each of either rows of chips or columns of chips is constituted by thermoelectric semiconductor chips of the same type, thereby to improve assembling workability as well as to prevent erroneous arrangement. Furthermore, as a preferred fabricating method, bar-shaped thermoelectric semiconductors are used and are jointed to one substrate and then, are electrically disconnected between the leads.

Abstract: A composite vacuum pump system having first and second vacuum pumps each having its own rotor and drive motor in which the exhaust of the first vacuum pump is removably coupled to the inlet of the second vacuum pump and the first vacuum pump rotor is driven at a constant torque and in which the second vacuum pump has an inlet for permitting the introduction into the pump of a heavy gas for increasing the efficiency of the pumping system.

Abstract: The invention discloses a magnetic bearing device having a rotary main shaft, an armature disk mounted on the rotary main shaft, and a pair of bearing elements disposed on opposite sides in axial direction of the armature disk. Each of bearing elements includes a control coil provided with a pair of pole pieces, wherein a top end of each of the pole pieces is disposed near to the armature disk, and the pole pieces are mounted with a sensor coil at a position nearer to a front end side of the control coil.

Abstract: The invention discloses a magnetic bearing device having a rotary main shaft, an armature disk mounted on the rotary main shaft, and a pair of bearing elements disposed on opposite sides in axial direction of the armature disk of bearing elements includes a permanent magnet provided with a pair of pole pieces, the top ends of each of the pole pieces being disposed near to the armature disk, and a control coil being disposed between said pole pieces at a position nearer to front end side than the control coil.

Abstract: A magnetic bearing device that incorporates a magnetic movable member, a first supporting member having a first coil and a permanent magnet, a second supporting member having a second coil and a permanent magnet, state detecting means for detecting the displacement of the movable member, a first and second wirings for applying current, and switches connected to the first and second wirings for switching the direction of current applied to the first and second coils. The first and second supporting members are located so as to position the movable member between them. During operation, the movable member is magnetically supported so as not to be in contact with either of the supporting members. The first wiring has a first switch circuit connected to a first drive circuit, wherein the bottom end of the first coil is connected between the first switch circuit and the first drive circuit. The first and second wirings are connected in parallel between a dc power source and ground.

Abstract: This invention discloses a magnetic bearing device having a control coil which supports a rotor in a vertical direction and a current controller which increases control current according to an increase in the clearance between the control coil and the rotor. The current controller includes a gain controller which controls the control current with a larger gain when clearance between the control coil and the rotor is less than a certain distance, and with a smaller gain when clearance between the control coil and the rotor is more than that distance.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating synthesized voice from a bar code includes a voice encoding unit of a voice data input unit, a composition data analyzer, and an analyzed information library arranged independent of a voice response unit of a control information generator and voice composer. Analyzed information is written into the information store means in the voice encoding unit.

Abstract: A bearing for a vacuum device having an annular permanent magnet disposed about a rotatable shaft which has one end exposed to low pressure and the other end exposed to atmospheric pressure in which the rotatable shaft has a spherical member formed on the high pressure end for mating with a concave bearing surface having a magnetic fluid interposed therebetween and the rotatable shaft has a plurality of grooves formed thereon for aligning with a plurality of rings formed on an annular pole piece in which a magnetic fluid is disposed between the rings and grooves, which can be formed on the shaft, for providing a high pressure seal.

Abstract: A compact, high-torque electric motor in which one motor element (either the stator or rotor) has magnetic poles whose effective magnetic width is substantially equal and which span equal center angles. The second motor element has a plurality of armature groups, each of which occupies a phase sector of the motor element formed by dividing the total periphery by a natural number. All of the armatures within an armature group are connected electrically in series and excited with a current of one phase (either an alternating current phase or an equivalent phase generated by commutator action). Within on pole group the poles may have equal widths or different widths.

Abstract: A ferrofluid rotary-shaft seal apparatus of extended seal life, particularly adapted for use as an exclusion seal with a computer-disc-drive spindle, which seal apparatus comprises: an annular permanent magnet; first and second pole pieces, one end of which pole pieces extends into a close, noncontacting relationship with the surface of the rotary shaft to form a gap therebetween; ferrofluid in the gap to form at least one O-ring seal; and a heat-conductive sheet material in a close, heat-conducting relationship with at least one pole piece, to aid in removing heat from the ferrofluid in the gap, thereby extending the seal-apparatus life in use.

Abstract: A ferrofluid rotary-shaft seal apparatus of extended seal life particularly adapted for use as an exclusion seal with a computer-disc-drive spindle, which seal apparatus comprises: an annular permanent magnet; first and second pole pieces of unequal length at the one end, and which one end of each pole piece extends into a close, noncontacting relationship with the surface of the shaft, to form a small-gap width and a large-gap width between the one end of the pole piece and the surface of the shaft; and a ferrofluid in the small- and large-gap widths to form a ferrofluid O-ring seal at each gap width, whereby, during rotation of the shaft, the ferrofluid at the small-gap width evaporates and forms an air gap, while the ferrofluid at the large-gap width provides extended seal life.

Abstract: A turbomolecular vacuum pump utilizes a virtually zero power magnetic bearing assembly with a single axis sevo control and has an optimized L/D ratio and an optimized number of pole faces. In such a structure, radial stiffness is low and radial damping is high so that single axis control is possible. A frusto-conical mechanical bearing structure is shown as a fail-safe back-up for the magnetic suspension system taught.