Abstract: A method for a SiC single crystal that allow prolonged growth to be achieved are provided. A method for producing a SiC single crystal in which a seed crystal substrate held on a seed crystal holding shaft is contacted with a Si—C solution having a temperature gradient such that a temperature of the Si—C solution decreases from an interior of the Si—C solution toward a liquid level of the Si—C solution, in a graphite crucible, to grow a SiC single crystal, wherein the method comprises the steps of: electromagnetic stirring of the Si—C solution with an induction coil to produce a flow, and heating of a lower part of the graphite crucible with a resistance heater.

Abstract: A fixing unit or device that can be used in an image forming apparatus includes a first heater element that is formed of a material that increases in electrical resistance with increases in temperature. A controller of the fixing unit is configured to vary a duty ratio of electric power applied to the first heater element during a start-up operation in which the temperature of the first heater element is raised to a target operating temperature. By varying the duty ratio during the start-up operation, changes in the resistance of the first heater element with the heating can be compensated. For example, the duty ratio can be increased during the course of the start-up to achieve the target operating temperature faster.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a heater, a fixing device, and a controller. The heater includes a heat generator that generates heat when the heater is turned on. The fixing device may fix a developer image on a surface of an image forming medium using the heat from the heat generator. The controller detects a voltage of a power supply for supplying electric power to the heater, and determines an occurrence of an abnormality in the heater if a voltage drop amount at the time the heater is turned on as compared to a case in which the heater is turned off is smaller than a first threshold value.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a fixing unit including a heater and a fixing belt. The fixing belt is electrically connected between a first power source and a ground terminal. A controller is configured to control the heater to heat the fixing belt. The controller is further configured to determine whether a current is flowing through the fixing belt and, upon determining that a current is not flowing through the fixing belt, control the heater not to heat the fixing belt.

Abstract: A heating device includes a cylindrical film configured to be rotated about an axis, a heater including a substrate that extends along a longitudinal direction parallel to the axis, and a heater element on the substrate and facing an inner surface of the cylindrical film. A heat conductor extends along the longitudinal direction and has first and second surfaces. A first portion of the heat conductor contacts the substrate and a second portion of the heat conductor has a groove in the first surface. A temperature sensing element is disposed at a position on the second surface at a position opposite the groove.

Abstract: An optical body including: a first optical layer which has a surface having a convex profile in which a plurality of one-directionally extending elongated convex portions are one-dimensionally aligned in one direction; an inorganic layer disposed on the surface of the first optical layer on a side having the convex profile and a second optical layer disposed on a side of the inorganic layer so that the convex profile is embedded; wherein the convex profile meets at least one of the following (1) to (4): (1) a height varies in an extending direction in each of the elongated convex portions, (2) a ridge portion meanders in a direction perpendicular to both the extending direction and a height direction of the convex portion in each of the elongated convex portions, (3) heights of the elongated convex portions adjacent to each other are different from each other, and (4) a triangular prism-shaped convex portion and an elongated convex portion having a curved surface are adjacent to each other.

Abstract: A method for a SiC single crystal that allow prolonged growth to be achieved are provided. A method for producing a SiC single crystal in which a seed crystal substrate held on a seed crystal holding shaft is contacted with a Si—C solution having a temperature gradient such that a temperature of the Si—C solution decreases from an interior of the Si—C solution toward a liquid level of the Si—C solution, in a graphite crucible, to grow a SiC single crystal, wherein the method comprises the steps of: electromagnetic stirring of the Si—C solution with an induction coil to produce a flow, and heating of a lower part of the graphite crucible with a resistance heater.

Abstract: A new and improved microfabrication device, microfabrication method, transfer mold, and transfer object that can suppress a defect are provided. A microfabrication device comprises a tool mounting portion, a predetermined cutting tool, an oscillator, and a controller, wherein the controller performs a cutting process to satisfy at least one of: a cutting condition (1) that oscillations at a start point and an end point of each set are in phase with each other; and a cutting condition (2) that oscillations of the sets are in phase with each other.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide a plasma (or serum) separation apparatus and a plasma (or serum) separation method that enable quick, reliable, and low-cost separation of plasma from blood, even a minute amount of blood, at any place, without using a centrifuge separator, a pressurization/suction pump, or the like. [Solution] A plasma separation apparatus comprises a blood separation part having a blood separation member, and a plasma collection part having a plasma collection member, wherein the blood separation member is mounted on a hydrophobic pedestal and includes a blood receiving area and a plasma separation area that is connected to the plasma collection part, and the plasma separation part has the cross-sectional area thereof gradually decreasing toward the plasma collection part. Here, “plasma” means “plasma or serum.

Abstract: The purpose of this invention is to provide secondary resistance low temperature compensation in vector speed control at values that are close to the actual secondary time constant even at startup of the motor wherein the secondary time constant operation is not carried out.The invention consists of vector speed control devices 1 to 5 of the induction motor IM, with secondary resistance low temperature compensation of the electric motor being carried out by installing a secondary time constant operator (6) which detects the secondary time constant of an electric motor; a comparator/register (7) which holds and outputs low temperature data .tau..sub.2 from a comparison of register data and the output .tau..sub.2 of the aforementioned operator (6); and a damping unit (8) which, during operation, carries out replacement of sequential data with the output .tau..sub.2 of the operator (6), and, during shutdown, which turns to the output values .tau..sub.

Abstract: This invention provides a vector control method for controlling an induction motor that is used to drive an elevator based on secondary time constants, wherein the secondary time constants, which have been corrected for temperature, are determined in a short amount of time and the precision of the determination is improved, by passing a constant current of the same phase as during a similar operation to the excitation side of the induction motor while the elevator is mechanically stopped and then determining the secondary time constants.

Abstract: In an elevator provided with an inverter driven induction motor, output torque is determined by direct current of an inverter, slip frequency is determined from the thusly determined torque, the gap between an open-loop dictated speed pattern and the actual speed is compensated by the slip calculated during acceleration and constant speed movement, so that the open-loop control may be improved in terms of stop position precision.

Abstract: A star-connected sensing resistor at the A.C. output side of a PWM inverter detects an output voltage across the resistor, a PWM control according to the invention then amplifies the detected voltage, compares the amplified voltage with a sine wave voltage command signal, amplifies the compared output in a P-I amplifier having a definite gain for a D.C. current, compares the P-I amplified output to a carrier and thus provides a PWM output for controlling the inverter.