Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide an aroma device that can eliminate the need for the replacement of the light source, can prevent the light source from becoming high in temperature and can allow light and aroma to be enjoyed comfortably with a sense of security for a long time. The aroma device uses, as a light source, LEDs 1 covered with first and second covers 3 and 4, and also uses a heater 5 to heat a material 10 to be heated which emits aroma; hence, the need for the replacement of the light source is eliminated, the light source is prevented from becoming high in temperature, and light and aroma can be enjoyed comfortably with a sense of security for a long time.

Abstract: The present invention provides an incense burner which effectively prevents the user from an easy touch on its high temperature parts, can be used at a plurality of temperature ranges, and can let the user enjoy comfortably light art and aroma for a long period of time with ease. The incense burner of the present invention has a container for accommodating the material to be heated, a heating plate provided beneath the container, a heater for heating the heating plate and a supporting component for supporting the heating plate.

Abstract: An appliance or equipment utilizing water includes an operation section provided on top or side of a main body of the appliance and an outer member. The outer member includes a transparent member, a transparent film formed thereon, and a colored decoration provided on a surface of the transparent member opposite to the transparent film. The operation section is comprised of only the transparent film. In accordance with the appliance of the present invention, a transparent texture quality in outer appearance as well as a depth and classic texture quality in design can be obtained and at the same time a stereovision of characters or figures on an outer surface of the appliance can be provided.

Abstract: An air conditioner having an indoor unit and an outdoor unit which are connected by a refrigerant pipe and electric cables. The indoor unit has a housing, in which a heat exchanger, a fan device and a compressor are arranged. A partition divides the interior of the housing into a fan chamber and a compressor chamber. The fan chamber contains the fan and opens at the front of the housing. The compressor chamber contains the compressor and opens at the back of the housing. Not incorporating the compressor, the outdoor unit is smaller and lighter than otherwise. The indoor unit is secured to the wall of a room, with the back of the housing facing the wall. Hence, the noise the compressor makes while operating does not annoy the persons in the room is much.

Abstract: A passenger-number sensor system wherein a plurality of infrared ray sensors are disposed on a straight line to detect temperature changes in their light reception zones, a plurality of optical lenses are provided one for each of the plurality of infrared ray sensors, and a counter is provided to select one of the addition values in a predetermined range according to a sense pattern based on the temperature changes of the infrared ray sensors and add the selected addition value to a so-far accumulated count value.

Abstract: An automatic bread making apparatus comprises a housing, a baking container disposed in the housing and being provided with an opening and a source of heat, a kneading container which is detachably mounted in the baking container, a lid assembly for covering the kneading container, a kneading blade which is movably disposed in the kneading container, a motor for operating the blade to form the dough, means for detecting temperature in the kneading container, a yeast charger and a control unit for operating the apparatus. This apparatus provides for the automatic addition of yeast to the kneaded dough without manual intervention.

Abstract: Bread ingredients and water are kneaded at the start of a bread making process, and the dough is rested. Susequently, dry yeast is added to the dough, and the dough with the added dry yeast is kneaded again. The dough is then allowed to ferment during which time a gas is released from the dough several times, the fermentation stage being followed by baking the dough. An automatic bread making apparatus has a yeast charger for charging dry yeast into a kneading container. Thus, dry yeast can automatically be added to the kneaded dough without manual intervention.

Abstract: A controlling apparatus controls a series of processes such as a kneading process, a fermenting process, a breathing process and a baking process of material within a bread baking mold based on the temperature of the bread baking mold detected within the baking chamber. The controlling apparatus controls a series of process of at least two types or more and is adapted to select either of the subsequent series of processes in accordance with one temperature input or two temperature inputs each respectively sensed at the kneading start time-point, during the kneading process, or at the kneading completion time-point. Fresh-baked bread which is superior may be provided independent from the changing influences of the seasons or of the material temperatures.

Abstract: In a refrigeration cycle in which a capacity-variable compressor a condenser, an expansion mechanism and an evaporator are connected in the order named, a device for controlling the capacity in the refrigeration cycle comprising a means for detecting the temperature of the compressor or the temperature of the gas discharged therefrom and a control device for limiting the maximum rotational speed of the compressor when the output from the means for detecting the temperature indicates a detected temperature lower than a predetermined level.

Abstract: An optical branching element mainly composed of a central linear optical transmission line and a plurality of peripheral linear optical transmission lines. They have circular sections of approximately the same diameters. The peripheral linear optical transmission lines are provided around the central linear optical transmission line such that their end surfaces are arranged on the same plane as the end surface of the central linear optical transmission line. A holder fixes these central and peripheral linear optical transmission lines on the end surface side. Semispheric reflecting concave surfaces having radii larger than the diameters of said peripheral linear optical transmission lines are formed around the contact points of the end surface of the central linear optical transmission line and the end surfaces of the linear optical transmission lines.

Abstract: A catalytic combustion device of the type including a catalyst for oxidation of a fuel vapor and air, and an ignition heater for initiating oxidation on the catalyst is disclosed. The device comprises a tubular first member carrying thereon the catalyst for supplying the fuel vapor to the catalyst, and a tubular second member disposed in the first member defining therein a passageway for the fuel vapor, the second member being secured at its one end thereof to the first member so as to constitute a thermostatic element for controlling the rate of gas flow by means of the difference in thermal expansion between the first and second members.

Abstract: An optical wavelength demultiplexer includes a retainer means which curvedly retains an optical fiber. A mirror-polished surface is formed on the convex side of a curved portion of the optical fiber which is retained by the retainer means in such a manner that the mirror-polished surface is in close proximity to the core of the optical fiber. Further, a diffraction grating is disposed such as to oppose and contact the mirror-polished surface. The pitch of the diffraction grating is set to be .lambda./2n.sub.f, where .lambda. represents the wavelength of light to be separated, and n.sub.f the effective refractive index of the optical fiber. The direction of the pitch is selected to be coincident with the extending direction of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A damping system for a drive train having a cam coupling mechanism which advances an intermediate member axially along a driven shaft under high torque loads. The intermediate member is spring biased and is associated with a variable volume chamber containing fluid. Damping mechanisms are positioned concentrically within the driven shaft and are in communication with the variable chamber. The damping mechanisms include a check valve for one-way communication with the lubricant supply system of the associated engine, and a flow restricter for generating damping energy. An accumulator piston accommodates volume changes resulting from operation of the piston and allows for leakage flow from the system to insure renewal of oil without temperature build-up and oil deterioration.

Abstract: A loudspeaker comprising a voice coil bobbin with a voice coil wound around its periphery and a line spanned so as to surround the voice coil bobbin, which includes hanging zones for passing by the voice coil bobbin and connecting portions for linking the hanging zones. The voice coil bobbin is engaged with the spanned line in such a manner that the voice coil is positioned in a gap between a central pole piece and a yoke. The voice coil bobbin is preferably put on a reinforced ring which is engaged with the line.

Abstract: In a control system for a hydroelectric power station system including upper and lower water reservoirs connected through a water channel, an intermediate water reservoir having a smaller storage capacity than those of the upper and lower reservoirs and provided on the water channel in cascade with the upper and lower reservoirs, and two power stations disposed between the upper and intermediate reservoirs and between the intermediate and lower reservoirs, respectively, the control system is arranged such that the water level of the intermediate reservoir is detected continuously and the detected value of the water level is used to correct the load instructions which are applied to the power stations for controlling outputs of the power stations whereby the water level of the intermediate reservoir is maintained substantially constant, while the power generation of the power stations is controlled so as to satisfactorily meet with the load instruction applied to the power system.