Abstract: A distributed power supply system of the present invention comprises a distributed power supply apparatus (4) for supplying electric power to a customer load (2) interactively with a commercial electric power utility (1); an internal load (7) supplied with electric power from the commercial electric power utility; a current sensor (5a, 5b) for detecting a magnitude of a current and a direction of the current, the current being in a location closer to the commercial electric power utility than the internal load and the customer load; and a controller (8); wherein in a state where the distributed power supply apparatus 84) is not generating the electric power, the controller causes the internal load (7) to actuate, performs determination control as to an installation state of the current sensor (5a, 5b) plural times based on a value detected by the current sensor, and performs the determination control in such a manner that at least one of plural intervals at which the determination control is performed is set

Abstract: A partially-reduced iron producing apparatus includes: an exhaust gas circulating device supplying an oxygen-containing gas to raw-material pellets to be heated by ignition of raw-material pellets, the oxygen-containing gas made by circulating part of an exhaust gas by use of the heat of the ignition raw-material pellets and mixing the discharged exhaust gas with air; and a liquid-tar separating device which is provided in the exhaust gas circulating device. A partially-reduced iron is produced by heating and reducing the whole of the raw-material pellets in a bed height direction thereof through a combustion region for the raw-material pellets and a heating region for the raw-material pellets, the combustion region formed on an upstream side of an endless grate by supplying the gas having a high oxygen concentration; and the heating region formed downstream of the combustion region of the endless grate by supplying the gas having a low oxygen concentration.

Abstract: A releasing film for ceramic green sheet production processes a base material, a resin layer laminated on a first surface of the base material. The resin layer has a conductive polymer and with a thickness of 30-290 nm. A releasing agent layer is laminated on the resin layer, and the surface of the releasing agent layer has a maximum profile peak height of 10-100 nm. A second surface of the base material preferably has an arithmetic mean roughness of 5-50 nm and a maximum profile peak height of 40-300 nm. Such a releasing film can obtain high smoothness of the releasing agent layer and effectively suppress the electrostatic charge while suppressing the releasing agent layer from dropping off.

Abstract: A power converter of the present invention is configured to convert DC power generated by a power generator (1) into AC power. The power converter includes: a boost converter circuit (3) configured to boost an output voltage of the power generator (1); an inverter circuit (5) configured to convert an output voltage of the boost converter circuit (3) into AC power and to interconnect the AC power with a power system (2); a buck converter circuit (8) configured to perform power conversion of output power of the boost converter circuit (3) and to supply resultant power to an internal load (60); and a controller (9). The controller (9) is configured to control the output voltage of the boost converter circuit (3) to be lower than or equal to a second voltage value which is less than the maximum value of AC voltage of the power system (2), in a case of supplying output power of the power generator (1) to the internal load (60) via the boost converter circuit (3) and the buck converter circuit (8).

Abstract: A method of producing an ink cured product having a step of printing an active energy beam-curable ink comprising a monomer having an ethylenic double bond and a photopolymerization initiator onto a substrate, and then curing the active energy beam-curable ink with an active energy beam, wherein the monomer having an ethylenic double bond comprises an acrylate monomer having a molecular weight of 330 or less and containing 1 to 3 acryloyl groups, the photopolymerization initiator comprises three or more types of compounds selected from the group consisting of (A1) ?-aminoalkylphenone compounds, (A2) acylphosphine oxide compounds, (B1) thioxanthone compounds and (B2) benzophenone compounds, and the substrate is either a paper having a high degree of smoothness or a plastic film.

Abstract: Robotic posture transfer assist devices for assisting a posture transfer of a patient in a bed may include a device body, a stabilizer coupled with the device body and the bed, and at least one robotic arm having a plurality of degrees of freedom, wherein the robotic arm may be coupled with the device body. Robotic posture transfer assist devices may further include an end-effector removably coupled with the robotic arm, a controller module that provides a control signal to the robotic arm to control a movement of the robotic arm about the plurality of degrees of freedom, and a user input device that provides a command signal to the controller module to command the movement of the robotic arm, wherein the control signal provided by the controller module corresponds with the command signal.

Abstract: A mobile sanitizing device may include a sanitizer solution dispenser module, a motorized wheel assembly, and a controller module. The sanitizer solution dispenser module may be operable to dispense the sanitizer solution. The motorized wheel includes at least one wheel and is coupled to the sanitizer solution dispenser module. The controller module includes a microcontroller and a memory, and is programmed to log a sanitization record into a sanitization history of at least one user, compare the sanitization history of the user with a sanitization standard, and control the motorized wheel assembly to cause the mobile sanitizing device to approach the user to dispense sanitizing solution to the user when the sanitization history does not meet the sanitization standard.

Abstract: The coal deactivation apparatus including: a separating device that separates out a portion of the beneficiated coal deactivated in the main treatment apparatus; a main evaluation apparatus into which the sample of the beneficiated coal separated out by the separating apparatus is supplied; a blower and heater that supply air at the evaluation temperature to the main evaluation apparatus; a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the air that has heat-treated the sample in the main evaluation apparatus; and a control unit that, when the temperature of the air is at or below the lower limit on the basis of information from the temperature sensor, determines whether or not the temperature of the process gas is at or below the lower limit and if the process gas temperature exceeds the lower limit, controls the heater to reduce the temperature of the process gas by a prescribed value.

Abstract: A leaf spring supports a pillar shaped movable portion disposed in a center portion with respect to a cylindrical fixed portion disposed around the movable portion in the direction of a center axis shiftably so as to position the movable portion in a radial direction. The leaf spring is made of stainless steel having relative magnetic permeability which is not less than 1.1.

Abstract: A leaf spring supports a pillar shaped movable portion disposed in a center portion with respect to a cylindrical fixed portion disposed around the movable portion in the direction of a center axis shiftably so as to position the movable portion in a radial direction. The leaf spring is made of a material having Vickers hardness which is not less than 500 (HV).

Abstract: Robotic posture transfer assist devices for assisting a posture transfer of a patient in a bed may include a device body, a stabilizer coupled with the device body and the bed, and at least one robotic arm having a plurality of degrees of freedom, wherein the robotic arm may be coupled with the device body. Robotic posture transfer assist devices may further include an end-effector removably coupled with the robotic arm, a controller module that provides a control signal to the robotic arm to control a movement of the robotic arm about the plurality of degrees of freedom, and a user input device that provides a command signal to the controller module to command the movement of the robotic arm, wherein the control signal provided by the controller module corresponds with the command signal.

Abstract: Mash seam welding is performed to weld metal plates with thicknesses of 2 mm or more to stabilize the strength of a joint portion, reduce uneven parts of the joint portion, and ensure high strength and reliability of the joint portion. First, two metal plates, clamped with first and second clamping devices, are placed to overlap each other at their end portions. The overlapping portions (L) of the metal plates are pressed together with a pair of upper and lower electrode wheels while welding currents flow to continuously weld the overlapping portions (L) and join the metal plates. The pressing forces applied to the electrode wheels are controlled so that upper and lower welding forces acting upon the overlapping portions are equal to each other during the time when the overlapping portions are continuously welded.

Abstract: Provided is a green pellet (10) which comprises: an inner core layer (11) containing an iron oxide-containing starting material, a carbonaceous material for reduction, and a slag-forming agent; and a coating layer (12) disposed so as to encapsulate the surface of the inner core layer (11), wherein the coating layer (12) is formed from a protective layer (12a), which is disposed so as to encapsulate the surface of the inner core layer (11) and which contains an inorganic compound (includes an alkali metal oxide) having a melting point that is 750° C. or greater but less than 1100° C., and a combustion layer (12b), which is disposed so as to encapsulate the surface of the protective layer (12a) and which contains the carbonaceous material.

Abstract: A power converter of the present invention is configured to convert DC power generated by a power generator (1) into AC power. The power converter includes: a boost converter circuit (3) configured to boost an output voltage of the power generator (1); an inverter circuit (5) configured to convert an output voltage of the boost converter circuit (3) into AC power and to interconnect the AC power with a power system (2); a buck converter circuit (8) configured to perform power conversion of output power of the boost converter circuit (3) and to supply resultant power to an internal load (60); and a controller (9). The controller (9) is configured to control the output voltage of the boost converter circuit (3) to be lower than or equal to a second voltage value which is less than the maximum value of AC voltage of the power system (2), in a case of supplying output power of the power generator (1) to the internal load (60) via the boost converter circuit (3) and the buck converter circuit (8).

Abstract: A robotic cane may include a grip handle, a cane body extending from the grip handle at a first end, a motorized omni-directional wheel coupled to a second end of the cane body, a balance control sensor, and a controller module. The balance control sensor provides a balance signal corresponding to an orientation of the robotic cane. The controller module may receive the balance signal from the balance control sensor and calculate a balancing velocity of the motorized omni-directional wheel based at least in part on the balance signal and an inverted pendulum control algorithm. The controller module may further provide a drive signal to the motorized omni-directional wheel in accordance with the calculated balancing velocity. The calculated balancing velocity is a speed and direction of the motorized omni-directional wheel to retain the robotic cane in an substantially upright position.

Abstract: The head unit includes: a recording head; and a sub-carriage to which the recording head is fixed in a state where spacers are interposed therebetween, wherein each spacer has a spacer main body portion having a base surface which comes into contact with the sub-carriage, and back end-side protrusion portions, reference plane protrusion portions, and leading end-side protrusion portions, which are convex portions that rise from the spacer main body portion to direct toward the flange portion side, to which the spacer is fixed, from the sub-carriage side and which are respectively formed toward a leading end portion of the flange portion in relation to a direction of the nozzle row, at both end portions in a width direction perpendicular to the nozzle row of the recording head, each reference plane protrusion portion has a surface that becomes a reference plane which comes into contact with the flange portion.

Abstract: A lens holder driving device includes a lens holder moving portion, a fixed member, suspension wires, and a damper compound. In the lens holder moving portion, a lens holder moves in an optical axis and in first and second directions which are orthogonal to the optical axis and which are perpendicular to each other. The fixed member is disposed apart from the lens holder moving portion in the direction of the optical axis. The suspension wires have first end portions fixed to the fixed member at outer regions thereof, extending along the optical axis, having second end portions fixed to an elastic member mounted to the lens holder moving portion, and swingably supporting the lens holder moving portion in the first direction and the second direction. The damper compound is disposed so as to enclose at least one suspension wire and suppresses undesired resonance in the lens holder moving portion.

Abstract: A physical assistive robotic device may include a frame including an upright support member, a lateral member slidably engaged with the upright support member, a handle slidably engaged with the lateral member, an elevation actuator coupled to the upright support member and the lateral member, and a lateral actuator coupled to the lateral member and the handle. The elevation actuator translates the lateral member and the lateral actuator translates the handle to transition a user between a standing position and a non-standing position.

Abstract: A lens holder driving device includes an auto-focusing lens holder driving portion moving a lens holder holding a lens barrel along an optical axis, and an image stabilizer portion stabilizing image blurred by moving the auto-focusing lens holder driving portion in first and second directions which are orthogonal to the optical axis and which are perpendicular to each other. The image stabilizer portion includes: a fixed portion disposed apart from the auto-focusing lens holder driving portion in the direction of the optical axis; a plurality of suspension wires having first end portions fixed to the fixed portion at outer regions thereof, extending along the optical axis, having second end portions fixed to the auto-focusing lens holder driving portion, and swingably supporting the auto-focusing lens holder driving portion in the first direction and the second direction; and a fracture preventing member preventing the suspension wires from fracturing.

Abstract: A drying device including: a travelling unit and a drying unit. The travelling unit transports a sheet-like substrate in a travelling direction. The sheet-like substrate includes a thin film body wherein at least one surface of the thin film body is coated with a coating material including an active material. The drying unit dries the thin film body. The drying unit includes a radiative heater and a first nozzle. The radiative heater irradiates an infrared ray to a to-be-dried surface of the thin film body. The first nozzle blows a dry air to the to-be-dried surface in a direction opposite to the travelling direction of the sheet-like substrate.