Abstract: An actuator capable of attaining high output. The actuator includes a frame structure part that forms a frame structure surrounding a housing part, and a volume change part housed in the housing part. The volume change part increases a volume thereof by input of external energy. The frame structure part has a higher Young's modulus than a Young's modulus of the volume change part. The housing part has an anisotropic shape, with a maximum width in first direction of the housing part longer than a maximum width in second direction different from the first direction of the housing part.

Abstract: The present laser processing monitoring device is a monitoring device of a laser processing machine that performs desired laser processing by irradiating a given metal-based workpiece with a laser beam LB and melting the workpiece by means of laser energy, and includes a laser oscillator, a laser power supply, a controller, a guide beam generation unit, delivery optical fibers, a head (an emission unit and a sensor unit, an operation panel, and a monitoring unit. The monitoring unit is a laser monitoring device in the present embodiment, and is configured to mainly include the controller, the operation panel, a sensor signal processing unit, the sensor unit, and the like.

Abstract: An actuator capable of attaining high output. The actuator includes a frame structure part that forms a frame structure surrounding a housing part, and a volume change part housed in the housing part. The volume change part increases a volume thereof by input of external energy. The frame structure part has a higher Young's modulus than a Young's modulus of the volume change part. The housing part has an anisotropic shape, with a maximum width in first direction of the housing part longer than a maximum width in second direction different from the first direction of the housing part.

Abstract: An actuator device includes an operating member that deforms in response to a change in temperature, and a heating member that applies heat to the operating member. The operating member deforms in response to a change in temperature within a range in which a stress generated between the operating member and the heating member remains at or below an elastic limit of the operating member.

Abstract: An actuator device includes an actuator member, a drive subject, a first drive device and a second drive device. The actuator member is configured to be deformed in response to application of energy to the actuator member from an outside. The drive subject is coupled to the actuator member. The first drive device is configured to apply the energy to the actuator member and thereby displace the drive subject in a deforming direction of the actuator member. The second drive device is configured to displace the drive subject in a different direction that is different from the deforming direction of the actuator member.

Abstract: An actuator device includes an actuator member, a drive subject, a drive device, and a tension applicator. The actuator member is configured to be deformed in response to application of energy to the actuator member from an outside of the actuator member. The drive subject is coupled to the actuator member. The drive device is configured to apply the energy to the actuator member and thereby displace the drive subject in a deforming direction of the actuator member. The tension applicator is configured to apply the actuator member a tension, which enables correction of a tension change generated by at least one of elongation and contraction of the actuator member that is induced by natural deformation of the actuator member.

Abstract: An actuator that comprises a deformable material, an energy input part, and a characteristics change detection unit. The deformable material is configured with a polymer fiber and, by deforming in response to energy input from the outside, outputs motive power. The energy input part inputs energy to the deformable material. The characteristics change detection unit detects when the deformation characteristic of the deformable material has changed. The actuator also comprises a drive control unit that, by controlling the above-described energy, controls the output of the deformable material. When the characteristic change detection unit detects a change in the deformation characteristic, the drive control unit controls the energy in accordance with the change in the deformation characteristic.

Abstract: An occupant detection system may detect a state of an occupant in a vehicle compartment. The occupant detection system may photograph the vehicle compartment and generate an image. The occupant detection system may change an attitude in order to change a position of an imaging region within the vehicle compartment. The occupant detection system may estimate the attitude based on information included in the image and control an operation based on the estimated attitude. The sensor may be provided by an infrared temperature sensor. The image may be provided by a thermal image showing a temperature distribution of the vehicle compartment. The occupant detection system may store a correspondence relationship between a position of a specific temperature boundary included in the thermal image and the attitude. The occupant detection system may estimate the attitude based on the correspondence relationship.

Abstract: An occupant detection system includes a state detection unit that detects a state of an object, a detection position changing unit that changes a position of a detection region, the detection region being a region in which state is detected by the state detection unit, and a controller that controls an operation of the detection position changing unit. In this occupant detection system, a position of the detection region is set to a predetermined initial position during a period of time from when a start switch provided in the vehicle is turned off until when the start switch is turned on.

Abstract: An occupant detection system may detect a state of an occupant in a vehicle compartment. The occupant detection system may photograph the vehicle compartment and generate an image. The occupant detection system may change an attitude in order to change a position of an imaging region within the vehicle compartment. The occupant detection system may estimate the attitude based on information included in the image and control an operation based on the estimated attitude. The sensor may be provided by an infrared temperature sensor. The image may be provided by a thermal image showing a temperature distribution of the vehicle compartment. The occupant detection system may store a correspondence relationship between a position of a specific temperature boundary included in the thermal image and the attitude. The occupant detection system may estimate the attitude based on the correspondence relationship.

Abstract: An actuator that comprises a deformable material, an energy input part, and a characteristics change detection unit. The deformable material is configured with a polymer fiber and, by deforming in response to energy input from the outside, outputs motive power. The energy input part inputs energy to the deformable material. The characteristics change detection unit detects when the deformation characteristic of the deformable material has changed. The actuator also comprises a drive control unit that, by controlling the above-described energy, controls the output of the deformable material. When the characteristic change detection unit detects a change in the deformation characteristic, the drive control unit controls the energy in accordance with the change in the deformation characteristic.

Abstract: An actuator device includes an actuator member, a drive subject, a drive device, and a tension applicator. The actuator member is configured to be deformed in response to application of energy to the actuator member from an outside of the actuator member. The drive subject is coupled to the actuator member. The drive device is configured to apply the energy to the actuator member and thereby displace the drive subject in a deforming direction of the actuator member. The tension applicator is configured to apply the actuator member a tension, which enables correction of a tension change generated by at least one of elongation and contraction of the actuator member that is induced by natural deformation of the actuator member.

Abstract: An actuator device includes an actuator member, a drive subject, a first drive device and a second drive device. The actuator member is configured to be deformed in response to application of energy to the actuator member from an outside. The drive subject is coupled to the actuator member. The first drive device is configured to apply the energy to the actuator member and thereby displace the drive subject in a deforming direction of the actuator member. The second drive device is configured to displace the drive subject in a different direction that is different from the deforming direction of the actuator member.

Abstract: An occupant detection system includes a state detection unit that detects a state of an object, a detection position changing unit that changes a position of a detection region, the detection region being a region in which state is detected by the state detection unit, and a controller that controls an operation of the detection position changing unit. In this occupant detection system, a position of the detection region is set to a predetermined initial position during a period of time from when a start switch provided in the vehicle is turned off until when the start switch is turned on.

Abstract: Disclosed is a calcination apparatus, including: a calcination tube having open ends at both terminals; a pair of hoods, each hood covering each open end of the calcination tube; and a pair of rings, each ring sealing a gap between the calcination tube and the hood, wherein the rings are directly or indirectly fixed on an outer surface of the calcination tube; a groove is provided along a circumferential direction of the ring at a contact surface side between the ring and the hood; a sealed chamber surrounded by the hood and the groove is formed; and both the calcination tube and the rings rotate in a circumferential direction of the calcination tube while keeping the hood in contact with both sides of the groove.

Abstract: A method for producing a conjugated diolefin that can suppress reaction byproducts with high boiling point from remaining in steps following a quenching step by a quenching tower, and producing a conjugated diolefin (e.g., 1,3-butadiene) that can be used as a raw material for synthetic rubber, resin and the like, even when using an industrial grade mixed hydrocarbon that may not necessarily have a high purity as a raw material to produce the conjugated diolefin (e.g., butadiene). The method includes a step of producing a product gas by reaction containing a conjugated diolefin by feeding a hydrocarbon containing a monoolefin having 4 or more carbon atoms and oxygen to a reactor accommodated with a catalyst containing a metal oxide and a carrier, and a step of sending the product gas by reaction to a quenching tower and washing with a quenching agent (e.g., an organic amine aqueous solution).

Abstract: Disclosed is a calcination apparatus, including: a calcination tube having open ends at both terminals; a pair of hoods, each hood covering each open end of the calcination tube; and a pair of rings, each ring sealing a gap between the calcination tube and the hood, wherein the rings are directly or indirectly fixed on an outer surface of the calcination tube; a groove is provided along a circumferential direction of the ring at a contact surface side between the ring and the hood; a sealed chamber surrounded by the hood and the groove is formed; and both the calcination tube and the rings rotate in a circumferential direction of the calcination tube while keeping the hood in contact with both sides of the groove.

Abstract: Disclosed is a calcination apparatus, including: a calcination tube having open ends at both terminals; a pair of hoods, each hood covering each open end of the calcination tube; and a pair of rings, each ring sealing a gap between the calcination tube and the hood, wherein the rings are directly or indirectly fixed on an outer surface of the calcination tube; a groove is provided along a circumferential direction of the ring at a contact surface side between the ring and the hood; a sealed chamber surrounded by the hood and the groove is formed; and both the calcination tube and the rings rotate in a circumferential direction of the calcination tube while keeping the hood in contact with both sides of the groove.

Abstract: A method for producing a conjugated diolefin that can suppress reaction byproducts with high boiling point from remaining in steps following a quenching step by a quenching tower, and producing a conjugated diolefin (e.g., 1,3-butadiene) that can be used as a raw material for synthetic rubber, resin and the like, even when using an industrial grade mixed hydrocarbon that may not necessarily have a high purity as a raw material to produce the conjugated diolefin (e.g., butadiene). The method includes a step of producing a product gas by reaction containing a conjugated diolefin by feeding a hydrocarbon containing a monoolefin having 4 or more carbon atoms and oxygen to a reactor accommodated with a catalyst containing a metal oxide and a carrier, and a step of sending the product gas by reaction to a quenching tower and washing with a quenching agent (e.g., an organic amine aqueous solution).

Abstract: Disclosed is a calcination apparatus, including: a calcination tube having open ends at both terminals; a pair of hoods, each hood covering each open end of the calcination tube; and a pair of rings, each ring sealing a gap between the calcination tube and the hood, wherein the rings are directly or indirectly fixed on an outer surface of the calcination tube; a groove is provided along a circumferential direction of the ring at a contact surface side between the ring and the hood; a sealed chamber surrounded by the hood and the groove is formed; and both the calcination tube and the rings rotate in a circumferential direction of the calcination tube while keeping the hood in contact with both sides of the groove.