Abstract: A three-dimensional surface potential distribution measurement system for measuring a surface potential of a measurement object comprises: a laser light source; a Pockels crystal exhibiting Pockels effect in which a refractive index changes depending on potential difference between the first end surface and the second end surface; a mirror disposed so as to be attached stationarily to the second end surface of the Pockels crystal; a photodetector to detect a light intensity of the laser light corresponding to the potential difference of the Pockels crystal; a housing that holds those elements; a three-dimensional motion-driver capable of three-dimensionally moving the housing; and a driving controller that controls the three-dimensional motion-driver.

Abstract: A three-dimensional surface potential distribution measurement system for measuring a surface potential of a measurement object comprises: a laser light source; a Pockels crystal exhibiting Pockels effect in which a refractive index changes depending on potential difference between the first end surface and the second end surface; a mirror disposed so as to be attached stationarily to the second end surface of the Pockels crystal; a photodetector to detect a light intensity of the laser light corresponding to the potential difference of the Pockels crystal; a housing that holds those elements; a three-dimensional motion-driver capable of three-dimensionally moving the housing; and a driving controller that controls the three-dimensional motion-driver.

Abstract: A three-dimensional surface potential distribution measurement apparatus includes: a laser light source; a Pockels crystal; a mirror; a light detector; a support structure which supports the aforementioned elements while maintaining a relative positional relationship therebetween; a movement driver which can move the support structure three-dimensionally; a rotary driver which supports the test object and can rotate the test object about an axis extending in a longitudinal direction of the test object; and a drive controller which controls the movement driver and the rotary driver. The drive controller coordinates a driving operation by the movement driver and by the rotary driver while maintaining a gap between the second end face of the Pockels crystal and a surface of the test object at a predetermined value such that the second end face of the Pockels crystal approaches all the surfaces of the electric field reduction system on the test object.

Abstract: A surface-potential distribution measuring device includes: a laser light source; a Pockels crystal; a mirror; a photodetector that detects light intensity of the laser beam reflected by the mirror; a holding and mounting part that holds and moves the Pockels crystal; a voltage correction database; and a calculation unit that identifies an input voltage corresponding to a testing output voltage as a surface potential of the electric-field-reduction system. The Pockels crystal is formed in such a way that a size of a cross section of the Pockels crystal that is perpendicular to an axial direction changes along the axial direction. The holding and mounting part has a protection unit to protect a structure of the Pockels crystal, a movement unit to that moves the Pockels crystal in order to measure a surface potential of the electric-field-reduction system, and a drive control unit to control the movement unit.

Abstract: In a surface potential distribution measuring device for an electric field reduction system of a rotating electrical machine, a Pockels crystal is used between a laser and the surface (test location) of the electric field reduction system. Light intensity of a laser beam reflected on a mirror provided between the Pockels crystal and the test location corresponds to an output voltage that is the voltage difference between the first end surface and the second end surface of the Pockels crystal. Even when an inverter voltage is generated, by using a light detector having a frequency band capable of following the high frequency components of the inverter pulse voltage, the light intensity is detected by the light detector. Therefore, from the light intensity (output voltage), the surface potential distribution measuring device can measure the surface potential of the electric field reduction system in which an inverter pulse voltage is generated.

Abstract: A three-dimensional surface potential distribution measurement apparatus includes: a laser light source; a Pockels crystal; a mirror; a light detector; a support structure which supports the aforementioned elements while maintaining a relative positional relationship therebetween; a movement driver which can move the support structure three-dimensionally; a rotary driver which supports the test object and can rotate the test object about an axis extending in a longitudinal direction of the test object; and a drive controller which controls the movement driver and the rotary driver. The drive controller coordinates a driving operation by the movement driver and by the rotary driver while maintaining a gap between the second end face of the Pockels crystal and a surface of the test object at a predetermined value such that the second end face of the Pockels crystal approaches all the surfaces of the electric field reduction system on the test object.

Abstract: A surface-potential distribution measuring device includes: a laser light source; a Pockels crystal; a mirror; a photodetector that detects light intensity of the laser beam reflected by the mirror; a holding and mounting part that holds and moves the Pockels crystal; a voltage correction database; and a calculation unit that identifies an input voltage corresponding to a testing output voltage as a surface potential of the electric-field-reduction system. The Pockels crystal is formed in such a way that a size of a cross section of the Pockels crystal that is perpendicular to an axial direction changes along the axial direction. The holding and mounting part has a protection unit to protect a structure of the Pockels crystal, a movement unit to that moves the Pockels crystal in order to measure a surface potential of the electric-field-reduction system, and a drive control unit to control the movement unit.

Abstract: In a surface potential distribution measuring device for an electric field reduction system of a rotating electrical machine, a Pockels crystal is used between a laser and the surface (test location) of the electric field reduction system. Thus, the light Light intensity of a laser beam reflected on a mirror provided between the Pockels crystal and the test location corresponds to an output voltage that is the voltage difference between the first end surface and the second end surface of the Pockels crystal. Even when an inverter voltage is generated, by using a light detector having a frequency band capable of following the high frequency components of the inverter pulse voltage, the light intensity is detected by the light detector. Therefore, from the light intensity (output voltage), the surface potential distribution measuring device can measure the surface potential of the electric field reduction system in which an inverter pulse voltage is generated.

Abstract: The torsion beam for a suspension is formed of a hollow shaft having a cross section substantially of the shape of an inverted letter U. It, therefore, can be manufactured simply and is enabled to enjoy light weight and improved torsional rigidity. This torsional rigidity can be adjusted and the amount of offset of the joined parts of opposite wheel supporting members from the other component parts can be freely adjusted. The end plates are constructed of a plurality of mutually joined end plates and the torsion beam is joined by welding to the surface for mounting the beam after the end plates have been machined. Thus, the torsion beam type suspension is manufactured with a relatively simple equipment, with the result that cost of equipment and the cost of production are lowered.

Abstract: An independent suspension provided with a knuckle for rotatably supporting a wheel thereon and a sub-knuckle member pivotally supported on the knuckle, the knuckle connected to the leading terminal of a lower arm through a first ball joint and the basal terminal part of the lower arm is attached to an automobile body. The leading terminal of an upper arm is connected to the sub-knuckle member through a second ball joint and the basal terminal part of the upper arm is attached to the automobile body side. The leading terminal of a control link attached to the automobile body side is connected to the knuckle member through a third ball joint. The axis which passes the centers of the first ball joint and the second ball joint constitutes itself a steering axis. The center of the third ball joint is offset relative to the point of intersection between the horizontal plane passing the third ball joint and the steering axis.

Abstract: A vortex flow hydraulic shock absorber for damping relative displacement of two components comprising a piston provided with a fluid passage therethrough including a pair of vortex chambers formed in a movable valve body disposed between a pair of resilient annular discs in a valve chamber in the piston. The valve body moves against the force of the resilient annular discs in response to an increase in the pressure difference of the working fluid on opposite sides of the piston to positions in which the fluid is permitted to bypass one or both of the vortex chambers as it traverses the piston, thereby varying the damping force of the shock absorber.

Abstract: A shock absorber has a piston which comprises upper and lower members. The upper and lower members are fixedly assembled to define therein the vortex chamber. The piston has vertically-extending channels on the periphery thereof to define the vertical section of the vortex passages together with the inner periphery of the cylinder tube.

Abstract: A vortex flow shock absorber includes a piston having a vortex chamber therein. The piston communicates with one fluid chamber defined in a absorber cylinder via a vortex chamber and with the other fluid chamber separated from the former by the piston via a flow restricting opening. One-way valve is provided in a piston rod which defines a fluid passage permitting one way flow of the fluid from the vortex chamber to one of the fluid chamber. The one-way valve is responsive to an excessive fluid pressure in the vortex chamber to relieve the fluid pressure exceeding a predetermined value. The piston and piston rod are attached together with pressure welding. This simplifies the assembling operation of the piston onto the piston rod.

Abstract: A shock absorber is provided with a relief valve within a thrusting piston. The relief valve defines a vortex chamber therein and is movable in response to the pressure difference between a high pressure chamber and a lower pressure chamber. The valve is movably urged toward an initial position by a set spring which defines the set pressure of the shock absorber.

Abstract: The shock absorber having a piston reciprocatingly disposed in a cylinder and sized small enough to permit a compact construction. The piston defines therein a vortex chamber with a maximum radius. The vortex chamber communicates with fluid chambers defined in the shock absorber via vortex passages formed in the piston. The vortex passage extends in the ceiling or bottom of the piston and tangentially opens at the upper and lower plane periphery of the vortex chamber. By providing the vortex passages in the above-mentioned manner, the radius of the vortex chamber can be maximized in relation to the radius of the piston thus reducing the size of the piston and, in turn the shock absorber.

Abstract: A hydraulic shock absorber including a piston disposed within a hollow cylinder in movable position responsive to a shock applied thereto, the piston defining a hollow vortex chamber therein, the vortex chamber being communicated with fluid chambers defined in the hollow cylinder to introduce a working fluid and to generate a vortex therein for producing an absorbing force,wherein the vortex chamber being so sized as1.ltoreq.(h.multidot.Sv/So).ltoreq.6where:h is a depth of the vortex chamber;Sv is sectional area of the vortex chamber;So is effective sectional area of the piston effecting for the fluid to increase or decrease the pressure thereof.

Abstract: A shock absorber with improved shock absorbing characteristiscs has a piston in which a vortex chamber is formed. The vortex chamber communicates with upper and lower fluid chambers via communication passages. One of the communication passage opens to the vortex chamber tangentially to produce a vortex in the vortex chamber. Within the vortex chamber, a member is normally elastically urged to narrow the area through which the fluid flows. The member is responsive to the fluid pressure exceeding a predetermined value to move against the resilient force in the direction increasing the area allowing fluid flow. A bottom fitting of similar construction and function is also disclosed.