Abstract: According to one embodiment, a fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly including a plurality of unit cells which are composed of an electrolyte membrane, an anode including anode catalyst layers arranged at intervals on one of surfaces of the electrolyte membrane, and anode gas diffusion layers stacked on the anode catalyst layers, and a cathode including cathode catalyst layers arranged at intervals on the other surface of the electrolyte membrane and opposed to the anode catalyst layers, respectively, and cathode gas diffusion layers stacked on the cathode catalyst layers, wherein a thickness of at least one of the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer of one of the unit cells, which neighbor each other, gradually decreases toward the other of the unit cells.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly including a plurality of unit cells which are composed of an electrolyte membrane, an anode including anode catalyst layers arranged at intervals on one of surfaces of the electrolyte membrane, and anode gas diffusion layers stacked on the anode catalyst layers, and a cathode including cathode catalyst layers arranged at intervals on the other surface of the electrolyte membrane and opposed to the anode catalyst layers, respectively, and cathode gas diffusion layers stacked on the cathode catalyst layers, wherein a thickness of at least one of the anode catalyst layer and the cathode catalyst layer of one of the unit cells, which neighbor each other, gradually decreases toward the other of the unit cells.

Abstract: A television apparatus having a liquid crystal display includes a signal processing portion for reproducing a received video signal, a liquid crystal cell for displaying a video reproduced by the signal processing portion, backlight light sources arranged on a back surface side of the liquid crystal cell for illuminating the liquid crystal cell, drivers for driving the liquid crystal cell, and an inverter for driving the backlight light sources. A transmittance of the liquid crystal cell can be increased because low color-purity cells having a color purity in a range of 40% to 60% is used as the liquid crystal cell. Also, reduction in a color reproductivity of the video caused due to the low color purity can be avoided because a color correcting circuit is provided to the signal processing portion to execute color correcting process on the video signal.

Abstract: A fuel cell using a liquid fuel containing methanol with a concentration of more than 50 mol % and no more than 100 mol %, the fuel cell includes a cathode catalyst layer, an anode catalyst layer to which a vaporized component of the liquid fuel is supplied, and a proton conductive membrane provided between the cathode catalyst layer and the anode catalyst layer, wherein a ratio (L:L0) of a thickness L to a thickness L0 is more than 1:1 and no more than 5:1 assuming a total thickness of the cathode catalyst layer and the anode catalyst layer to be represented by L and a thickness of the proton conductive membrane to be represented by L0.

Abstract: A television apparatus having a liquid crystal display includes a signal processing portion for reproducing a received video signal, a liquid crystal cell for displaying a video reproduced by the signal processing portion, backlight light sources arranged on a back surface side of the liquid crystal cell for illuminating the liquid crystal cell, drivers for driving the liquid crystal cell, and an inverter for driving the backlight light sources. A transmittance of the liquid crystal cell can be increased because low color-purity cells having a color purity in a range of 40% to 60% is used as the liquid crystal cell. Also, reduction in a color reproductivity of the video caused due to the low color purity can be avoided because a color correcting circuit is provided to the signal processing portion to execute color correcting process on the video signal.

Abstract: A rotation number control device for a disk signal reproduction apparatus that reproduces information using a disk on which the information is recorded along a spiral track, such as an optical disk or a magnetic disk. The rotation number control device includes a drive unit which rotates a disk, a rotation number detection unit which detects the rotation number of the disk, a rotation number control unit which controls the rotation number of the disk rotated by the drive unit, a vibration detection unit which detects vibration due to rotation of the disk, and a rotation number storage unit which, for each disk, stores a rotation number of the disk at a time when maximum vibration in a disk allowable vibration range is produced during rotational acceleration of the disk, as a maximum allowable rotation number. The rotation number of the disk is controlled so as not to exceed the maximum allowable rotation number of the disk which is stored in the rotation number storage unit.

Abstract: A rotation number control device for a disk signal reproduction apparatus that reproduces information using a disk on which the information is recorded along a spiral track, such as an optical disk or a magnetic disk. The rotation number control device includes a drive unit which rotates a disk, a rotation number detection unit which detects the rotation number of the disk, a rotation number control unit which controls the rotation number of the disk rotated by the drive unit, a vibration detection unit which detects vibration due to rotation of the disk, and a rotation number storage unit which, for each disk, stores a rotation number of the disk at a time when maximum vibration in a disk allowable vibration range is produced during rotational acceleration of the disk, as a maximum allowable rotation number. The rotation number of the disk is controlled so as not to exceed the maximum allowable rotation number of the disk which is stored in the rotation number storage unit.

Abstract: A bladder clamping device for a tire vulcanizing press is disclosed in which a lower ring on which a lower end portion of a bladder is fitted remains fixed to allow the lower end portion of the bladder to be clamped in a condition in which it has been fitted firmly by an operator. The bladder clamping device for a tire vulcanizing press comprises a lower ring and a clamping ring located on the inner side and the outer side relative to each other at a central portion of a lower mold of the tire vulcanizing press for cooperatively clamping a lower end portion of a bladder, and a hydraulic cylinder having a rod connected to the clamping ring for moving the clamping ring upwardly and downwardly relative to the lower ring.

Abstract: It is the object of the present invention to firstly provide a loading system and loading method of high working efficiency, and secondly, to provide a loading system and method in which a high precision of loading onto a center mold can be regularly assured without the need for repeated correction checks. The loading system includes a transport car 2 movable along a plurality of tire vulcanizing presses 1 arranged in a line; a robot arm 3 mounted on said transport car 2 for movement in three XYZ dimensions to a prescribed position in a desired stance; and a green tire chuck 6 fixed to the end of said robot arm 3. A load method essentially comprises the steps of picking-up, transportation, loading and chucking during shaping, of a green tire largely through movement of the robot arm of said system.

Abstract: A tire vulcanizing system capable of performing high accuracy transportation of a green tire by a loader and of performing high accuracy transportation of a vulcanized tire by an unloader including a group of tire vulcanizing presses having many tire vulcanizing presses 1 arranged in a row and manipulators 2 arranged along the group of the tire vulcanizing presses in such a way that they may freely run. The tire vulcanizing presses 1 are constructed such that the upper and lower molds 80, 81 are stored between the engaging or disengaging upper and lower press members in such a manner that they may be fastened with the green tire mounting table 7 and the post-cure inflator 8 arranged around them.

Abstract: A conveyor system that performs a conveyance by using pallets for loading green tires and device for conveying these pallets, installs a storage area for storing pallets as they are on the way to convey, and uses robots for transferring the green tires from a pallet to a tire vulcanizer. Pallets being of such a type as to be able to load two or more green tires for planar placement and a conveyor devise is desired to be able to get under these pallets for lifting up. Furthermore, a visual sensor provided on a robot reads at least one of a mark concerning the specification of a green tire, a mark for its positioning on a pallet, and a mark for its positioning on a tire vulcanizer, identifies a green tire to be conveyed, and automatically performs a positioning in transferring the green tire from the relevant pallet and a positioning in transferring the green tire to a tire vulcanizer in the conveyor system.

Abstract: A vulcanizing mold setting apparatus for setting a vulcanizing mold assembly (21) on the platen (6) of a tire vulcanizing apparatus (1) comprises: a mold transfer mechanism (54) comprising a mold carriage (49) for horizontally moving the vulcanizing mold assembly (21) to and away from the tire vulcanizing machine (1), a pair of guide units (41) disposed respectively on the opposite sides of the platen (6), and a pair of mold supporting units (24) disposed respectively on the opposite sides of the platen (6) behind the guide units (41) to support the vulcanizing mold assembly (21) above the platen (6); a pair of lifting mechanisms (27) for vertically moving the mold supporting units (24) to place the vulcanizing mold on the platen (6); a centering mechanism (29) for centering the vulcanizing mold assembly (21) on the platen (6); and clamping members (26) for fastening the fixed mold (7) of the vulcanizing mold assembly (21 ) to the platen (6) after the vulcanizing mold assembly (21) has been centered on the pl

Abstract: Disclosed is a center mechanism of a tire curing press which is capable of easy installation and removal of a bladder assembly. The center mechanism comprises the bladder assembly with the upper and lower ends of a bladder supported with upper and lower support members, a piston rod vertically moving into, and out of, engagement with the upper support members, and a lift cylinder vertically moving into, and out of, engagement with the lower support members. In this center mechanism, there is provided a stepped projecting section formed large in diameter in the upper part and small in diameter in the lower part; the upper support members can easily be installed to, and removed from, the upper end of the piston rod by the use of a stepped block which engages the stepped projecting section and is horizontally divided into a plurality of segments, and a restricting member for restricting the horizontal movement of the stepped block, thereby enabling easy installation and removal of the bladder assembly.

Abstract: A tire vulcanizing press is provided, which is of high accuracy, eliminates the adjustment for a guide member, and reduces the area to be machined. The tire vulcanizing press comprises a main body frame including a lower frame, and at least one side frame erected on the lower frame; a lower mold mounting member mounted on the lower frame for fixing a lower mold; an upper mold mounting member for fixing an upper mold in surface-contact with the lower mold; a guide member disposed on one side of the upper mold mounting member for supporting the upper mold mounting member on the side frame in a cantilever state, and which travels to be lifted/lowered; and a drive body for freely vertically lifting/lowering the upper mold mounting member relatively to the lower mold mounting member by traveling of the guide member.

Abstract: A bladder carrying apparatus for a tire vulcanizing press by which a bladder assembly can be carried readily and rapidly onto and off of a center mechanism is disclosed. The bladder carrying apparatus includes an arm mounted on a chuck of a loader, which is mounted for upward and downward movement and also for turning movement for seating a green tire onto a lower metal mold of the tire vulcanizing press preferably mounted, for rotation motion between a center position on the center of the chuck and a retracted position outside of the perimeter of the loader, and a latch mounted on the arm for gripping an upper portion of a bladder assembly on a center mechanism of the tire vulcanizing press.

Abstract: A post-cure inflator wherein an upper rim is automatically exchanged. A locking shaft is mounted for rotation on a rotary frame, and an upper rim support is mounted for rotation on the locking shaft. An upper rim is removably supported on the upper rim support. Also a lower rim support is removably supported on the locking shaft, and a lower rim is removably supported on the lower rim support and cooperates with the upper rim to hold therebetween a vulcanized tire, into which high pressure air is blown to inflate and cool the tire. The upper rim support and the upper rim have cooperating tapered fitting portions, and the upper rim has an outer peripheral circumferential groove formed at an upper portion thereof. A latching member is mounted on the upper rim support for movement into and out of the outer peripheral circumferential groove of the upper rim.

Abstract: A rim clearance adjusting device of a postcure tire inflator is capable of automatically adjusting a clearance between upper and lower rims, A vulcanized tire from a vulcanizer is filled with high-pressure air for inflating and cooling purposes. For these purposes there is installed a rotating screw member which holds the tire between the separable upper and lower rims, and moves the lower rim upwards and downwards between the lower rim and its support member. Also there is provided a sliding device for moving the lower rim, together with the support member thereof, between the lower position of the upper rim and the intermediate position on the vulcanizer side. And furthermore there is mounted a driving mechanism for driving the rotating screw member to the intermediate position.

Abstract: According to this invention, there is provided an improved method of manufacturing a shadow mask obtained by independently etching both the surfaces of a metal substrate. After one surface is etched to form a first opening, an etching resistive agent composition containing an acrylic resin, casein, and a leveling agent is applied to the obtained opening to form an etching resistive layer. Subsequently, the other surface is etched to form a second opening in the other surface, and then the etching resistive layer is removed to cause the first and second openings to communicate with each other.

Abstract: A tire vulcanizing machine includes a bladder; an upper clamping ring for holding the upper end of the bladder; an upper clamping ring for holding the upper end of the bladder; a first lifting mechanism for vertically moving the lower clamping ring; a second lifting mechanism for vertically moving the upper clamping ring; a loader for holding a green tire so as to surround the bladder extended between the upper and lower clamping rings with the horizontal center plane of the green tire in coincidence with the middle point between the upper and lower ends of the bladder; a third lifting mechanism for vertically moving the loader; and a controller for controlling the operation of the first, second and third lifting mechanisms.

Abstract: In a mold clamping device for clamping a mold to, and unclamping the mold from, a mold mounting member of a tire vulcanizing machine, a locking member has a neck section projectingly installed on the mounting surface of a mold. A guide hole of the mold mounting member, in which the locking member is inserted, has a larger-diameter section in a portion corresponding to the neck section. A chuck member has an expansion section which is slidably inserted in the guide hole, and expands in the larger-diameter section, engaging the neck section in the guide hole. A chuck withdrawing device withdraws the chuck member into the guide hole.