Abstract: A continuous firing equipment for ceramics is disclosed. A furnace body is equipped with electrical heating elements and has a horizontally looped track extending therethrough. A plurality of cars made of a metal material having a small heat capacity and a high resistance to thermal shocks are arranged all along the track so as to travel on the track. A plurality of saggars made of a ceramic wool material are loaded on the cars. A drive system including a looped driving member arranged along the circumference of the track and coupled to the cars is provided for driving the cars along the track.

Abstract: An infrared radiation sensing device such as a pyroelectric effect device is mounted on one surface of an insulating substrate of alumina ceramic or the like. External connection leads are provided on the insulating substrate. A hollow cylindrical member is mounted on its end on the radiation receiving surface of the infrared radiation sensing device. A field effect transistor is provided on the other surface of the insulating substrate for amplifying the signal generated in the sensing device by incident infrared radiation. The apparatus is suitably encapsulated in a layer of resin.

Abstract: An infrared radiation sensing device such as a pyroelectric effect device is mounted on one surface of an insulating substrate of alumina ceramic or the like. External connection leads are provided on the insulating substrate. A field effect transistor is provided on the other surface of the insulating substrate for amplifying the signal generated in the sensing device by incident infrared radiation. The apparatus is suitably encapsulated in a layer of resin.

Abstract: A ferroelectric ceramic composition of a ternary system solid solution represented by the general formula:xPb(Sn.sub..alpha.Sb.sub.1.sub.-.sub..alpha.)O.sub.3 -- yPbTiO.sub.3 -- zPbZrO.sub.3wherein x, y and z are the respective mol fractions of the components, x + y + z = 1.00 and 1/4 .ltoreq. .alpha. .ltoreq. 3/4.