Abstract: A pipe with a rib includes a pipe portion, and a rib portion formed inside the pipe portion. The rib portion includes a plurality of bent portions in accordance with bending of the pipe portion.

Abstract: This optical waveguide is provided with a slab waveguide in which a grating is formed, an arrayed waveguide connected to a position where a constructive interference portion of a self-image of the grating is formed, and a refractive index change region which is formed between the slab waveguide and the arrayed waveguide, in which an average value of a refractive index in a refractive index distribution in a direction substantially vertical to a light propagation direction is averagely increased from the slab waveguide toward the arrayed waveguide, and in which an average value of the refractive index in a refractive index distribution in a direction substantially parallel to the light propagation direction is increased at a central axis of the arrayed waveguide.

Abstract: An optical waveguide provided with a slab waveguide, which has a plurality of phase gratings arranged at a distance from each other in a direction substantially parallel to a light propagation direction and diffracting propagated light and a plurality of interference regions arranged alternately to the plurality of phase gratings in the direction substantially parallel to the light propagation direction and interfering the light diffracted by the plurality of phase gratings, and an arrayed waveguide whose end is connected to an end of the slab waveguide at a position of a constructive interference portion of a self-image formed by the plurality of phase gratings as an integrated phase grating.

Abstract: A microlens array, which maintains high positional accuracy with respect to an optical circuit such as a waveguide and facilitates connection operation, and an optical transmission component including the microlens array. Solution The microlens array is provided with a plurality of microlenses arranged in an array structure and having the same length in the optical axis direction and optical fibers for alignment arranged at both ends of the array structure so that the optical axis is parallel to the optical axis of the microlens and having a length in the optical axis direction the same as the length of the microlens and a guided mode diameter smaller than an aperture of the microlens.

Abstract: A technique that does not increase the circuit size, does not make the circuit design and manufacturing difficult, and can reduce insertion loss when light enters from a slab waveguide toward an arrayed waveguide or when the light enters from the arrayed waveguide toward the slab waveguide. An optical waveguide provided with a slab waveguide in which a grating is formed therein at a distance from an end, and an arrayed waveguide whose end is connected to an end of the slab waveguide at a position where a constructive interference portion of a self-image of the grating is formed.

Abstract: To reduce an excessively high vane back pressure to an appropriate pressure to thereby relieve operational load, and to improve the vane projectability at the start and during low speed operation to thereby prevent chattering; There are provided back pressure spaces including the bottom portion of vane grooves and attaining a middle pressure between suction pressure and discharge pressure during normal operation of the compressor main body, a first high pressure oil passage establishing communication between an oil sump and the vane groove bottom portions when the vanes are in their discharge stroke positions, second high pressure oil passages establishing communication between the oil sump and the back pressure spaces, and an opening/closing valve for opening and closing the second high pressure oil passages.

Abstract: To reduce an excessively high vane back pressure to an appropriate pressure to thereby relieve operational load, and to improve the vane projectability at the start and during low speed operation to thereby prevent chattering; There are provided back pressure spaces including the bottom portion of vane grooves and attaining a middle pressure between suction pressure and discharge pressure during normal operation of the compressor main body, a first high pressure oil passage establishing communication between an oil sump and the vane groove bottom portions when the vanes are in their discharge stroke positions, second high pressure oil passages establishing communication between the oil sump and the back pressure spaces, and an opening/closing valve for opening and closing the second high pressure oil passages.

Abstract: To provide a gas compressor in which saving of power as well as improved compression performance and durability are attained by enabling reduction of vane back pressure without degrading the projectability of the vanes upon starting operation of the compressor. Scoop grooves and a high pressure supply hole are arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other, and the interval therebetween is set to an interval sufficient to ensure that a vane groove is communicated with neither the scoop grooves nor the high pressure supply hole while the vane groove moves apart from the scoop grooves toward the high pressure supply hole. Further, if there has occurred a reversed pressure relationship between a suction chamber (low-pressure chamber) and a discharge chamber (high-pressure chamber), a pressure control valve is actuated upon starting operation of the compressor to interconnect the scoop groove with the suction chamber side.

Abstract: To provide a gas compressor in which saving of power as well as improved compression performance and durability are attained by enabling reduction of vane back pressure without degrading the projectability of the vanes upon starting operation of the compressor. Scoop grooves and a high pressure supply hole are arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other, and the interval therebetween is set to an interval sufficient to ensure that a vane groove is communicated with neither the scoop grooves nor the high pressure supply hole while the vane groove moves apart from the scoop grooves toward the high pressure supply hole. Further, if there has occurred a reversed pressure relationship between a suction chamber (low-pressure chamber) and a discharge chamber (high-pressure chamber), a pressure control valve is actuated upon starting operation of the compressor to interconnect the scoop groove with the suction chamber side.

Abstract: An air conditioner having a compressor, an outdoor fan, and two indoor heat exchangers which are connected by an electric expansion valve. During a dehumidifying operation, the opening of the electric expansion valve is decreased, thereby decompressing the refrigerant flowing from the first indoor heat exchange into the second indoor exchanger. The first and second heat exchangers thereby function as a reheater and an evaporator, respectively. The second indoor heat exchanger cools and dehumidifies the indoor air, and the first indoor heat exchanger heats the indoor air again. The indoor air, first cooled, then dehumidified, and finally re-heated, is supplied into the room. During the dehumidifying operation, a deviation (T) of the indoor temperature (Ta) from a preset indoor temperature (Ts), and a change (.DELTA.T) in the deviation (T) are detected, and the deviation (H) of the indoor humidity (Ha) from a preset indoor humidity (Hs), and a change (.DELTA.H) are also detected.

Abstract: A first inlet is formed in the front portion of the box of an indoor unit, and a second inlet is formed in the upper portion of the box of the indoor unit. Openable/closable covers are provided to the second inlet. The covers are closed when a silent operation mode is set by an operation unit. When the covers are closed, the second inlet is closed, and the sound caused by a hissing indoor fan in the indoor unit and the sound of the refrigerant flowing in the indoor heat exchanger of the indoor unit will not leak to the outside of the indoor unit.

Abstract: A first recess for detachably mounting an ionizer therethrough is formed to oppose a dust-collecting air suction side of a precipitator machine body. The ionizer includes an ionizing wire unit having an ionizing wire, and a counterelectrode plate, which can be detachably assembled. A second recess for detachably mounting a dust collector therethrough is formed to oppose a dust-collecting air discharge side of the precipitator body. The dust collector captures and collects dust particles, charged by the ionizer, with a Coulomb force. The ionizer and dust collector are simultaneously electrically connected to the body when they are mounted on the corresponding recesses.

Abstract: A louver is provided at an air outlet of an indoor unit. The louver changes the direction of air into the room and swings in a horizontal direction of the room. On the other hand, a temperature sensor unit is provided on the indoor unit. The temperature sensor unit senses temperatures at a plurality of locations in the room. A difference between sensed temperatures of the temperature sensor unit is detected, and the center of swing of the louver is set at a position determined on the basis of the detection result. Further, the angle of swing of the louver is changed in accordance with the detection result.

Abstract: An indoor unit of an air-conditioning system is provided with a heat exchanger, a fan, and an air cleaner. The fan introduces the air in a room into the indoor unit, and blows the air back into the room after guiding the air to pass through both the heat exchanger and the air cleaner. The heat exchanger performs heat exchange with reference to the air circulated by the fan, for air-cooling, heating, or dehumidification. The air cleaner is arranged in front of the heat exchanger, with a predetermined gap maintained with reference to the heat exchanger. The air cleaner catches dust particles in the air and eliminates odorants from the air. The air cleaner is provided with engaging members. These engaging members are projected from the air cleaner and engage with the heat exchanger. Accordingly, the air cleaner is prevented from swinging, and the gap between the air cleaner and the heat exchanger is maintained at a constant value.

Abstract: An indoor unit of an air conditioner includes a heat exchanger, through which room air circulates in a predetermined direction, and an air cleaner, The air cleaner includes an electric duct collecting portion for capturing fine duct in the circulating air, a filter portion for absorbing the odor from the circulating air, and a control unit for controlling the operations of the indoor unit and the collecting portion. The collecting portion, filter portion, and control unit are arranged side by side in a direction intersecting the predetermined direction so that filter portion is situated between the collecting portion and the control unit.

Abstract: A regenerative refrigeration cycle apparatus includes a refrigeration cycle circuit which is constructed by connecting a compressor, a four-way valve, an indoor heat exchanger, an expansion valve, and an outdoor heat exchanger. A regenerative unit for accumulating heat is arranged between the discharge side of the compressor and the four-way valve, and first and second heat exchangers are arranged in the regenerative unit together with a regenerative material. In a regenerating operation mode of the refrigeration cycle circuit, part of the refrigerant discharged from the compressor flows through the first heat exchanger, the indoor heat exchanger, and the outdoor heat exchanger, while the remaining part of the refrigerant flows through the second heat exchanger and the outdoor heat exchanger. The refrigerant discharged from the compressor is condensed in both the first and second heat exchangers, thereby heating the regenerative material.

Abstract: A refrigerating system comprising a compressor, a condenser communicated with the discharge port of the compressor, an evaporator communicated with the suction port of the compressor, a decompression or expansion device inserted in a line intercommunicating the condenser and the evaporator, a heat accumulator interposed between the discharge port of the compressor and the condenser and a bypass line whose one end is communicated with a line intercommunicating the compressor and the decompression device and whose other end is communicated through the heat accumulator to a line intercommunicating the decompression device and the evaporator.

Abstract: A refrigeration cycle of an air conditioner includes a variable-capacity compressor which has a predetermined maximum capacity. A thermal storage tank filled with a regenerative material is connected between the discharge side of the compressor and an indoor heat exchanger. In a regenerating operation of the refrigeration cycle, the regenerative material deprives the heat of a refrigerant discharged from the compressor and stores it. At this time, the compressor is driven within a capacity range having a maximum value lower than the predetermined maximum capacity, and an indoor fan for delivering air to the indoor heat exchanger is stopped.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a solar cell including a p-n junction formed in a semiconductor substrate, impurity ions are implanted through a mask in the form of an oxide film covering a light receiving surface of the semiconductor substrate except an electrode forming part, thereby forming a p-n junction which is deep in an area beneath the electrode forming part but shallow in the remaining area. Formation of the shallow p-n junction improves the spectral sensitivity in a short wavelength range. Further, utilization of the oxide film as a passivation film can prevent shortening of the life time of minority carriers in the substrate due to heat treatment, thereby retarding the electron-hole recombination rate at the light receiving surface of the substrate.