Abstract: This invention relates to a polymer electrolyte membrane for polymer electrolyte fuel cells, comprising a block copolymer which comprises, as its constituents, a polymer block (A) having as a main unit an aromatic vinyl compound unit whose ?-carbon is quaternary carbon, and a flexible polymer block (B), and has ion-conducting groups on the polymer block (A). The electrolyte membrane of this invention is economical, mild to the environment and excellent in moldability and chemical stability and thus durability, and, therefore, can suitably be used in membrane electrode assemblies and polymer electrolyte fuel cells.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electrochemical device which comprises a molding containing as a main ingredient a copolymer (Z) and at least two mutually insulated electrodes in joint with the molding, wherein the copolymer (Z) comprises a polymer block (A) having as a main unit an aromatic vinyl compound unit and a polymer block (B) being incompatible with the polymer block (A), and has ion-conducting groups on the polymer block (A). The electrochemical device of the invention can be used particularly as an actuator device.

Abstract: A multilayer electrolyte membrane for polymer electrolyte fuel cells, consisting of a laminate of at least two polymer electrolyte membranes at least one of which membranes comprises a block copolymer (I) which comprises, as its constituents, a polymer block (A) having as a main unit an aromatic vinyl compound unit and a flexible polymer block (B), and has ion-conducting groups on polymer block (A); and a membrane electrode assembly and a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. The multilayer membrane is economical, mild to the environment, and has high ion conductivity and high methanol barrier properties, together. It is preferred, from the object, that at least two of the constitutive electrolyte membranes comprise block copolymer (I), and/or at least one of the constitutive electrolyte membranes has an ion exchange capacity of 0.7 meq/g or more and at least one of them has an ion exchange capacity of less than 0.7 meq/g.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane comprising as a main ingredient a block copolymer which comprises, as its constituents, a polymer block (A) having as a main unit an aromatic vinyl compound unit and a polymer block (B) forming a flexible phase, and has ion-conducting groups on the polymer block (A), said aromatic vinyl compound unit being such that the hydrogen atom bonded to the ?-carbon atom is non-replaced or replaced with an alkyl group or an aryl group optionally having substituent(s), and at least one of hydrogen atoms directly bonded to the aromatic ring is replaced with an alkyl group; and a membrane electrode assembly and a polymer electrolyte fuel cell both of which uses it. The polymer block (A) can have a restraining phase, and/or can be cross-linked.

Abstract: This invention relates to an ion-conducting binder used for a membrane electrode assembly for polymer electrolyte fuel cells, the assembly consisting of a polymer electrolyte membrane and two gas diffusion electrodes stuck to the polymer electrolyte membrane with the membrane put between the electrodes, which binder comprises a block copolymer which comprises a polymer block (A) having as a main unit an aromatic vinyl compound unit whose ?-carbon is quaternary carbon, and a flexible polymer block (B), and has ion-conducting groups on the polymer block (A), and a solution or suspension thereof, and a membrane electrode assembly and a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. The ion-conducting binder, membrane electrode assembly and polymer electrolyte fuel cell of this invention are economical, mild to the environment and excellent in moldability and oxidation stability.

Abstract: This invention relates to a polymer electrolyte membrane for polymer electrolyte fuel cells, comprising a block copolymer which comprises, as its constituents, a polymer block (A) having as a main unit an aromatic vinyl compound unit whose ?-carbon is quaternary carbon, and a flexible polymer block (B), and has ion-conducting groups on the polymer block (A). The electrolyte membrane of this invention is economical, mild to the environment and excellent in moldability and chemical stability and thus durability, and, therefore, can suitably be used in membrane electrode assemblies and polymer electrolyte fuel cells.

Abstract: A vehicle alternator has a rotor fixed to a rotary shaft, a stator placed around the rotor so that the stator faces an outer periphery of the rotor, and a frame accommodating the rotor and stator. The frame has a drive frame and a rear frame. The drive frame has stay parts. One stay part projects toward the outside of the vehicle alternator, and has a U-shaped hole formed at a front thereof. A circular part with a cut part is formed in the stay part. The circular part with the cut part is coaxial with the U-shaped hole and is larger in diameter and central angle than the U-shaped hole. The stay part is fastened to a mounting bracket of an internal combustion engine while the cut part of the circular part in the stay part is fitted to a step part formed in a fixing bolt.

Abstract: This invention relates to an ion-conducting binder used for a membrane electrode assembly for polymer electrolyte fuel cells, the assembly consisting of a polymer electrolyte membrane and two gas diffusion electrodes stuck to the polymer electrolyte membrane with the membrane put between the electrodes, which binder comprises a block copolymer which comprises a polymer block (A) having as a main unit an aromatic vinyl compound unit whose ?-carbon is quaternary carbon, and a flexible polymer block (B), and has ion-conducting groups on the polymer block (A), and a solution or suspension thereof, and a membrane electrode assembly and a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. The ion-conducting binder, membrane electrode assembly and polymer electrolyte fuel cell of this invention are economical, mild to the environment and excellent in moldability and oxidation stability.

Abstract: A vehicle alternator is disclosed as including a stator having a stator winding, a rotor, having a field winding and rotatably disposed in the stator, which is mounted on a rotary shaft formed with slip rings electrically connected to the field winding, and a brush device including a brush holder having one end formed with an opening portion through which brushes extend toward the slip rings to be held in sliding contact with the slip rings. The brush holder has a discharge port through which foreign matters are expelled. Brush wear particles, resulting from sliding contact between the brushes and the slip rings during operation of the vehicle alternator, pass through clearances between sidewalls of the brush holder and the brushes to the discharge port, through which the brush wear particles are discharged to the outside with no accumulation in the brush holder.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electrochemical device which comprises a molding containing as a main ingredient a copolymer (Z) and at least two mutually insulated electrodes in joint with the molding, wherein the copolymer (Z) comprises a polymer block (A) having as a main unit an aromatic vinyl compound unit and a polymer block (B) being incompatible with the polymer block (A), and has ion-conducting groups on the polymer block (A). The electrochemical device of the invention can be used particularly as an actuator device. The electrochemical device or actuator device of the invention can be actuated swiftly; is excellent in industrial economical efficiency; has only a low influence on the environment; holds self-standing properties; and is excellent in mechanical strength.

Abstract: An automotive AC generator is provided which includes a rotary shaft and a generator connector jointed to the rotary shaft. The generator connector is designed to establish a mechanical connection between the rotary shaft and a motor connector joined to a drive shaft of the motor for transmitting the drive torque to the rotary shaft. The generator connector is placed to establish eccentricity between an axis thereof and an axis of the motor connector at all times during rotation of the rotary shaft, thereby resulting in a radial load acting on bearings of the rotary shaft in one direction so as to keep a total load on the bearings greater than zero (0) at all the time. This avoids the seizing of the bearings and creeping of a bearing holder.

Abstract: A vehicular alternator includes a rotor, a stator and a brush device. The rotor includes a rotor coil wound around pole cores and a pair of collector rings electrically connected with the rotor coil. The stator is disposed around an outer periphery of the rotor across an air gap. The brush device contacts the pair of collector rings and feeds current to the rotor coil. The collector rings are made of dissimilar metal materials respectively. Thus, durability of the vehicular alternator can be improved while inhibiting increase in cost and decrease in output.

Abstract: An ac generator for a vehicle includes a rotor for providing a magnetic field, a stator having a stator core in which a plurality of phase-windings is mounted to generate electromotive force when the magnetic field is supplied, a rectifying unit which includes positive electrode side rectifying elements and negative electrode side rectifying elements respectively connected to the plurality of phase-windings. One of the positive electrode side rectifying element and negative electrode side rectifying element that is connected to a portion of the phase-windings is constituted of a single element and the remainders are constituted of parallelly connected two elements.

Abstract: A vehicular alternator includes a rotor, a stator and a brush device. The rotor includes a rotor coil wound around pole cores and a pair of collector rings electrically connected with the rotor coil. The stator is disposed around an outer periphery of the rotor across an air gap. The brush device contacts the pair of collector rings and feeds current to the rotor coil. The collector rings are made of dissimilar metal materials respectively. Thus, durability of the vehicular alternator can be improved while inhibiting increase in cost and decrease in output.

Abstract: A rectifying apparatus for a.c. dynamo for vehicle is disclosed. The rectifying apparatus of the present invention comprises: rectifier elements for rectifying a.c. current; through holes for fixing the rectifier elements; and a radiator plate for radiating heat generated by the rectifier elements. The rectifier elements are disposed at a part of the through holes, while the blocking members are disposed at the rest of the through holes. The open through holes at which the rectifier elements are not disposed are blocked by the blocking elements, thereby preventing the cooling wind from passing through the through holes, prohibiting the concentrated leakage of the cooling wind and thus obtaining a cooling effect as designed.

Abstract: An ac generator for a vehicle includes a rotor for providing a magnetic field, a stator having a stator core in which a plurality of phase-windings is mounted to generate electromotive force when the magnetic field is supplied, a rectifying unit which includes positive electrode side rectifying elements and negative electrode side rectifying elements respectively connected to the plurality of phase-windings. One of the positive electrode side rectifying element and negative electrode side rectifying element that is connected to a portion of the phase-windings is constituted of a single element and the remainders are constituted of parallelly connected two elements.

Abstract: A rectifying apparatus for a.c. dynamo for vehicle is disclosed. The rectifying apparatus of the present invention comprises: rectifier elements for rectifying a.c. current; through holes for fixing the rectifier elements; and a radiator plate for radiating heat generated by the rectifier elements. The rectifier elements are disposed at a part of the through holes, while the blocking members are disposed at the rest of the through holes. The open through holes at which the rectifier elements are not disposed are blocked by the blocking elements, thereby preventing the cooling wind from passing through the through holes, prohibiting the concentrated leakage of the cooling wind and thus obtaining a cooling effect as designed.