Abstract: The production method includes a first step, a second step and a third step. In the first step, a steel material is forged by dies, whereby a forged product including a rough web part and four plate-shaped rough flange parts is produced. In the second step, at least one specified rough flange part, which is at least one of the four rough flange parts, is pressed by a first die, whereby a first bent portion bending outward in an up-down direction is formed in the specified rough flange part. In the third step, the edge of the first bent portion is pressed by a second die inward in the up-down direction, whereby the edge is deformed and a second bent portion is formed. In the third step, the edge of the specified flange part is deformed while the edge is kept from deforming in a front-rear direction.

Abstract: In a pressing step, a first forged product is pressed by a first die, and thereby, a second forged product including a rough flange having a thickness-changing portion is produced. The thickness-changing portion includes a front part protruding frontward from a side of a rough web part and a rear part protruding rearward from the side of the rough web part. Each of the front part and the rear part includes a first part, and a second part that is thicker than the first part and is located farther from the rough web part than the first part. In the pressing step, at least a part of the rough flange that is above or below the web part (thick part) is pressed by the first die, whereby the material of the first forged product in the part is caused to flow frontward and rearward, and the thickness-changing portion is formed.

Abstract: A disclosed front axle beam includes a beam section. The beam section includes a first flange part, a second flange part, and a web section connecting the first flange part and the second flange part. The web section includes a varying-slope section that includes a plurality of first slope sections and a plurality of second slope sections. Each of the plurality of first slope sections inclines in one direction with respect to the vehicle-height direction in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Each of the plurality of second slope sections inclines in the opposite direction to the one direction with respect to the vehicle-height direction in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The first slope section and the second slope section are located in an alternate manner along the longitudinal direction. In this way, the rigidity of the front axle beam can be increased.

Abstract: An eddy current retarder includes a brake drum, a magnet retention ring, and a switch mechanism. The brake drum is fixed to a rotating shaft. The magnet retention ring is arranged inside the drum and retains magnets at regular intervals entirely in a circumferential direction such that the magnets face the inner peripheral surface of the drum. The switch mechanism includes switch plates that switch, during braking, to a state in which magnetic circuits develop between the magnets and the drum, and switch, during non-braking, to a state in which no magnetic circuits develop. Protrusions are provided on an end face of the drum at regular intervals entirely in the circumferential direction. Electricity generating coils are provided in a non-rotating part of a vehicle at regular intervals entirely in the circumferential direction such that the electricity generating coils face the regions of the end face of the drum.

Abstract: An eddy current retarder includes a brake drum, a magnet retention ring, and a switch mechanism. The brake drum is fixed to a rotating shaft. The magnet retention ring is arranged inside the drum and retains magnets at regular intervals entirely in a circumferential direction such that the magnets face the inner peripheral surface of the drum. The switch mechanism includes switch plates that switch, during braking, to a state in which magnetic circuits develop between the magnets and the drum, and switch, during non-braking, to a state in which no magnetic circuits develop. Protrusions are provided on an end face of the drum at regular intervals entirely in the circumferential direction. Electricity generating coils are provided in a non-rotating part of a vehicle at regular intervals entirely in the circumferential direction such that the electricity generating coils face the regions of the end face of the drum.

Abstract: An eddy current retarder includes a brake drum, a magnet retention ring, and a switch mechanism. The brake drum is fixed to a rotating shaft. The magnet retention ring is arranged inside the drum and retains magnets at regular intervals entirely in a circumferential direction such that the magnets face the inner peripheral surface of the drum. The switch mechanism includes switch plates that switch, during braking, to a state in which magnetic circuits develop between the magnets and the drum, and switch, during non-braking, to a state in which no magnetic circuits develop. Protrusions are provided on an end face of the drum at regular intervals entirely in the circumferential direction. Electricity generating coils are provided in a non-rotating part of a vehicle at regular intervals entirely in the circumferential direction such that the electricity generating coils face the regions of the end face of the drum.

Abstract: Disclosed is an eddy-current rail brake which includes: a magnet array which includes a plurality of permanent magnets arranged in one row so as to face toward a rail in a braking state; a holding member which holds the magnet array, the holding member being supported so as to be rotatable together with the magnet array; a cylindrical member which covers the magnet array, which is rotatable; and a driving device coupled to an end portion of the holding member. The magnet array is switchable between the braking state and a non-braking state by rotating the magnet array.

Abstract: A crankshaft includes journals that define a central axis of rotation; crank pins that are eccentric with respect to the journals; crank arms connecting the journals to the crank pins; and counterweights integrated with the crank arms. Each of the crank arms has recesses in a surface adjacent to the crank pin. The recesses are disposed inward of peripheral regions in both sides along an edge of the surface, and are disposed along the peripheral regions. The crankshaft has a reduced weight, an increased torsional rigidity and an increased flexural rigidity.

Abstract: A crankshaft includes journals serving as a central axis of rotation, crank pins decentered from the journals, and crank arms connecting the journals and the crank pins. Some or all of the crank arms have counterweights integrated therewith. At least one of the crank arms has a recess in a crank pin facing surface. The crank arm includes ribs formed respectively in two side portions of the recess along a periphery of the crank arm.

Abstract: A crankshaft includes: journals that define a central axis of rotation; crank pins that are eccentric with respect to the journals; and crank arms for connecting the journals and the crank pins, wherein each of the crank arms or at least one of the crank arms integrally includes a counterweight. The crank arms have a recess in a surface adjacent to a corresponding one of the journals, the recess disposed inward of a peripheral region along a periphery of the surface, the recess disposed along the peripheral region. With this configuration, it is possible to provide a crankshaft which has reduced weight and increased torsional rigidity in combination with increased flexural rigidity.

Abstract: A crankshaft includes journals serving as a central axis of rotation, crank pins decentered from the journals, and crank arms connecting the journals and the crank pins. Some or all of the crank arms have counterweights integrated therewith. At least one of the crank arms has a recess in a crank pin facing surface. The crank arm includes ribs formed respectively in two side portions of the recess along a periphery of the crank arm.

Abstract: The disclosed is a deceleration device including a cylindrical brake member fixed to a rotary shaft, a plurality of permanent magnets arrayed in a circumferential direction of a circle around the rotary shaft, a cylindrical magnet holder holding the permanent magnets, and a switching mechanism that switches between a braking state and a non-braking state. The plurality of permanent magnets include primary magnets and secondary magnets that are arrayed alternatively in the circumferential direction. When viewed on a surface facing the brake member, north poles of the primary magnets are circumferentially adjacent to and in contact with north poles of the secondary magnets, and south poles of the primary magnets are circumferentially adjacent to and in contact with south poles of the secondary magnets. The magnetic holder is ferromagnetic.

Abstract: This eddy-current retarding device includes: a magnet holding member that is coaxially provided to a rotating shaft and holds plural permanent magnets in a circumferential direction; a brake member that includes paired disk portions disposed on both sides of the magnet holding member in the axial direction of the rotating shaft, a connecting portion that connects the paired disk portions, and an eddy-current generating portion that causes eddy current due to rotation of the permanent magnets, and this brake member being supported in a relatively rotatable manner with respect to the rotating shaft; and a friction brake that causes a friction member to press against the brake member at the time of braking to bring the brake member to a stop.

Abstract: A heat generating apparatus includes a rotary shaft, a heat generating drum, a plurality of permanent magnets, a magnet holding ring, a switching mechanism, and a heat recovery system. The magnets are arrayed in a circumferential direction along the circumference of the rotary shaft throughout the whole circumference such that magnetic pole arrangements of circumferentially adjacent ones of the permanent magnets are opposite to each other. The magnet holding ring holds the magnets. The switching mechanism switches between a state to generate magnetic circuits between the magnets and the heat generating drum and a state to generate no magnetic circuits between the magnets and the heat generating drum. The heat recovery system collects heat generated in the heat generating drum. Thereby, thermal energy can be recovered from the kinetic energy of the rotary shaft efficiently.

Abstract: The disclosed heat generating apparatus includes: a rotary shaft, a heat generator, a plurality of permanent magnets, a magnet holder, and a heat recovery system. The rotary shaft is rotatably supported by a non-rotative body. The heat generator is fixed to the rotary shaft. The magnets are arrayed to face the heat generator with a gap such that magnetic pole arrangements of adjacent ones of the magnets are opposite to each other. The magnet holder holds the magnets and is fixed to the body. The heat recovery system collects heat generated in the heat generator.

Abstract: The disclosed heat generating apparatus includes: a rotary shaft, a heat generator, a plurality of permanent magnets, a magnet holder, and a heat recovery system. The rotary shaft is rotatably supported by a non-rotative body. The heat generator is fixed to the body. The magnets are arrayed to face the heat generator with a gap such that magnetic pole arrangements of adjacent ones of the magnets are opposite to each other. The magnet holder holds the magnets and is fixed to the rotary shaft. The heat recovery system collects heat generated in the heat generator. A non-magnetic partition wall is provided in the gap between the heat generator and the magnets.

Abstract: A crankshaft includes journals that define a central axis of rotation; crank pins that are eccentric with respect to the journals; crank arms connecting the journals to the crank pins; and counterweights integrated with the crank arms. Each of the crank arms has recesses in a surface adjacent to the crank pin. The recesses are disposed inward of peripheral regions in both sides along an edge of the surface, and are disposed along the peripheral regions. The crankshaft has a reduced weight, an increased torsional rigidity and an increased flexural rigidity.

Abstract: This fluid-type retarding device includes: a rotating disk provided to a rotating shaft; a rotating housing that includes paired disk portions and a cylinder portion connecting outer circumferential portions of the disk portions so as to surround the rotating disk, and is rotatably supported with the rotating shaft; and a friction brake that presses a friction member against the rotating housing at the time of braking to bring the rotating housing to a stop. On at least one surface of the rotating disk, a disk vane extending from an inner circumference of the surface toward an outer peripheral side is formed, and on an inner surface of each of the paired disk portions corresponding to the disk vane, a housing vane extending from an inner circumference to an outer periphery is formed. Furthermore, working fluid is accommodated within the rotating housing.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor layer formed over a substrate, a second semiconductor layer formed over the first semiconductor layer, a source electrode and a drain electrode formed over the second semiconductor layer, an insulating film formed over the second semiconductor layer, a gate electrode formed over the insulating film, and a protection film covering the insulating film, the protection film being formed by thermal CVD, thermal ALD, or vacuum vapor deposition.

Abstract: An eddy current retarder includes a brake drum, a magnet retention ring, and a switch mechanism. The brake drum is fixed to a rotating shaft. The magnet retention ring is arranged inside the drum and retains magnets at regular intervals entirely in a circumferential direction such that the magnets face the inner peripheral surface of the drum. The switch mechanism includes switch plates that switch, during braking, to a state in which magnetic circuits develop between the magnets and the drum, and switch, during non-braking, to a state in which no magnetic circuits develop. Protrusions are provided on an end face of the drum at regular intervals entirely in the circumferential direction. Electricity generating coils are provided in a non-rotating part of a vehicle at regular intervals entirely in the circumferential direction such that the electricity generating coils face the regions of the end face of the drum.