Abstract: This invention provides an optimum value search apparatus, method, recording medium, and computer program product used in designing, analyzing, or testing a device having a plurality of factors that have effects on a characteristic. In this method, an orthogonal array is generated by setting level values obtained from the initial values of the factors to the coordinates of a two-dimensional table including a matrix of the characteristics and the factors. From the characteristics on the orthogonal array, characteristic values obtained on the basis of combinations of the level values of the factors of a single characteristic are grasped. A combination having a most excellent characteristic value is selected. The level values of the factors in the characteristic corresponding to the selected combination are reset in the orthogonal array. After resetting, processes are repeatedly executed to search for an optimum value as a most excellent one of the characteristic values.

Abstract: In an interference microscope and a measuring device for observing and inspecting the surface and inside of a specimen such as a wafer by applying laser light to the specimen and using an interferometer, a reference optical path for conducting light is provided between a beam splitter and a reference mirror, and a measurement optical path for conducting light is provided between the beam splitter and the specimen, thereby providing an optical path difference between the reference optical path and the measurement optical path. Further, the reference mirror is tilted slightly, thereby forming interference fringes on detection means. It is possible to measure the surface shape of the specimen (measurement object) such as a wafer only by slightly tilting the reference mirror with a simple configuration and locate the accurate coordinate positions of foreign particles and pole pieces.

Abstract: A row of moving blades for a steam turbine has moving blades elongated radially which are arranged peripherally around and secured to a turbine rotor. The row also has an intermediate support structure for holding the blades to each other at a radially intermediate position. The support structure has a shape of a streamline cross section. The support structure may include a tie wire secured to the blades, or lugs protruding from the blades and combined to each other. The support structure may include lugs protruding from the blades to each other, and a sleeve combining the lugs. The shape of a streamline cross section may have an obtuse-angle or acute-angle upstream part.

Abstract: An elevator includes a car that ascends and descends in an elevation path, and at least one airflow generation device that is set on a surface of a top end part of at least one of upper and lower end parts of the car, the surface facing a platform of the elevation path, and suppresses a separation flow generated at the top end of the car during running, thereby to generate an airflow for rectifying an airflow flowing into a front side of the car.

Abstract: A steam valve in accordance with the present invention is the steam valve that houses a first valve device 21 composed of a valve seat, a valve body, a valve rod, and a driving device, and a second valve device 22 composed of the valve seat, the valve body, the valve rod, and the driving device, combined with each other in the valve casing 23, and a closing portion 41 to block a part of a main steam flow flowing from outside to inside of a strainer is formed in the strainer 27 that is housed in the valve casing 23 and that surrounds the valve body 29 of the first valve device. According to the above described configuration, the steam valve that is aimed to further decrease a pressure loss can be provided by effectively controlling the steam flow in the strainer housed in the valve casing.

Abstract: A row of moving blades for a steam turbine has moving blades elongated radially which are arranged peripherally around and secured to a turbine rotor 9. The row also has an intermediate support structure for holding the blades each other at a radially intermediate position. The support structure has a shape of streamline cross section. The support structure may include a tie wire secured to the blades, or lugs protruding from the blades and combined to each other. The support structure may include lugs protruding from the blades to each other, and a sleeve combining the lugs. The shape of streamline cross section may have an obtuse-angle or acute-angle upstream part.

Abstract: This invention provides an optimum value search apparatus, method, recording medium, and computer program product used in designing, analyzing, or testing a device having a plurality of factors that have effects on a characteristic. In this method, an orthogonal array is generated by setting level values obtained from the initial values of the factors to the coordinates of a two-dimensional table including a matrix of the characteristics and the factors. From the characteristics on the orthogonal array, characteristic values obtained on the basis of combinations of the level values of the factors of a single characteristic are grasped. A combination having a most excellent characteristic value is selected. The level values of the factors in the characteristic corresponding to the selected combination are reset in the orthogonal array. After resetting, processes are repeatedly executed to search for an optimum value as a most excellent one of the characteristic values.

Abstract: A base station is installed in a predetermined area where a large number of target points are studded around the station. When the operator moves a mobile station around the base station, display means is provided for both or either of the base station that guides the operator and the mobile station, and a display screen of the display means displays 2 kinds of a Forward (foreground) mode and a Back (background) mode. In the Forward (foreground) mode, the display screen of the display means displays a landscape in a forward direction (opposite direction to the mobile station by 180° when seen from the base station) of the operator (mobile station) when the operator sees the base station from the current position of the mobile station, or from the next target point if the operator reaches the next target point.

Abstract: A steam valve in accordance with the present invention is the steam valve that houses a first valve device 21 composed of a valve seat, a valve body, a valve rod, and a driving device, and a second valve device 22 composed of the valve seat, the valve body, the valve rod, and the driving device, combined with each other in the valve casing 23, and a closing portion 41 to block a part of a main steam flow flowing from outside to inside of a strainer is formed in the strainer 27 that is housed in the valve casing 23 and that surrounds the valve body 29 of the first valve device. According to the above described configuration, the steam valve that is aimed to further decrease a pressure loss can be provided by effectively controlling the steam flow in the strainer housed in the valve casing.

Abstract: A base station is installed in a predetermined area where a large number of target points are studded around the station. When the operator moves a mobile station around the base station, display means is provided for both or either of the base station that guides the operator and the mobile station, and a display screen of the display means displays 2 kinds of a Forward (foreground) mode and a Back (background) mode. In the Forward (foreground) mode, the display screen of the display means displays a landscape in a forward direction (opposite direction to the mobile station by 180° when seen from the base station) of the operator (mobile station) when the operator sees the base station from the current position of the mobile station, or from the next target point if the operator reaches the next target point.