Abstract: Provided are an analog-to-digital (AD) converter, a sensor processing circuit, and a sensor system capable of improving responsiveness of feedback control. AD converter includes input part, AD conversion part, first output part, and second output part. The analog signal output from sensor is input to input part. AD conversion part digitally converts an analog signal to generate first digital data and second digital data. First output part outputs the first digital data to control circuit. Second output part outputs the second digital data to sensor before first output part outputs the first digital data.

Abstract: A separation membrane module and fluid separation method are disclosed. A plurality of tubes are arranged in a body. A first chamber on a first fixed plate at an opposite side where the tubes are attached, comprising a plurality of rooms divided by at least one divider. A second chamber on a second fixed plate at an opposite side where the tubes are attached, comprising a plurality of rooms divided by at least one divider. The tubes are connected in series in terms of fluid path. A operation in which mixed fluid containing two or more types of fluid that flows into one of the rooms within one of chambers flows within one of the tubes, flows into one of the rooms within another chamber, and flows into another of the tubes by way of one of the rooms within the another chamber is repeatedly carried out.

Abstract: The present invention provides silicon nitride ceramics having high thermal conductivity and a method for production thereof. This invention relates to a method for producing a silicon nitride sintered body having a microstructure with silicon nitride crystals oriented uniaxially and exhibiting high thermal conductivity of 100 to 150 W/mK in the direction parallel to the orientation direction of the crystals, which comprises of preparing a slurry by mixing a mixed powder of a sintering auxiliary, beta-silicon nitride single crystals as seed crystals and a silicon nitride raw powder with a dispersing medium, forming the slurry by tape casting or extrusion forming, calcining the formed silicon nitride body with beta-silicon nitride single crystals oriented parallel to the casting plane to remove the organic components, densifying it by hot pressing and the like if required, and further annealing it at 1700 to 2000.degree. C. under the nitrogen pressure of 1 to 100 atmospheres.

Abstract: A steel material and a steel pipe each exhibiting an excellent corrosion resistance in an environment containing a wet carbon dioxide and a small amount of hydrogen sulfide are produced at low cost and with high productivity, a steel slab which contains, in wt %, 0.01 to 0.6% of Si, 0.02 to 1.8% of Mn, 7.5 to 14.0% of Cr, 1.5 to 4.0% of Cu and 0.005 to 0.1% of Al, which reduces C to not more than 0.02%, N to not more than 0.02%, P to not more than 0.025% and S to not more than 0.01%, and whose balance consists of Fe and unavoidable impurities, is heated to a temperature of 1,100.degree. to 1,300.degree. C., hot rolling is finished at a rolling finish temperature of not less than 800.degree. C. and a cumulative rolling reduction quantity at a temperature not more than 1,050.degree. C. is at least 65%, and cooling is carried out at a cooling rate of less than 0.02.degree. C./sec to at least 500.degree. C. so as to substantially convert the metallic structure to ferrite.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing an aluminum nitride sintered body having excellent characteristics and an aluminum nitride powder conveniently and inexpensively. The present invention relates to a method for production of an aluminum nitride sintered body comprising forming a metal aluminum power into a thin-plate like shape, heating the formed body to a temperature not exceeding the melting point of aluminum in a vacuum atmosphere, and then sintering it under N.sub.2 pressure (1-150 kg/cm.sup.2), and a method for production of an aluminum nitride powder comprising heating a metal aluminum powder to a temperature not exceeding the melting point of aluminum in a vacuum atmosphere, sintering it under N.sub.2 pressure (1-150 kg/cm.sup.2, and further cooling and pulverizing it.

Abstract: A steel pipe having excellent corrosion resistance in an environment containing wet carbon dioxide and a small amount of hydrogen sulfide and having also excellent weldability is produced at a low production cost and with high productivity. The production method comprises heating to a temperature of 1,050.degree. to 1,300.degree. C. a slab containing, in terms of wt %, 0.01 to less than 1.2% of Si, 0.02 to 3.0% of Mn, 7.5 to 14.0% of Cr and 0.005 to 0.5% of Al, reduced C, N, P and S contents, at least one of Cu, Ni, Co, Mo and W, a balance of Fe and unavoidable impurities, and having an MC value of at least 0, finishing hot rolling within an austenite monophase temperature range, coiling the steel sheet as a hot coil having a sheet thickness of 3.0 to 25.4 mm, cooling the coil at a cooling rate of at least 0.01.degree. C./sec to at least 500.degree. C. to convert the steel sheet to a steel substantially consisting of martensite, reheating the steel to a temperature of 550.degree. C. to not more than an A.sub.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a reclining chair which comprises a seat cushion portion and a seatback portion which are pivotally connected so as to achieve simultaneous pivoting movements thereof. A generally U-shaped pipe frame is used for holding a seat cushion sheet. The portions of side sections of the U-shaped frame are projected in a direction away from the seat cushion sheet so that upon a person sitting on the seat cushion portion, the thigh portions of the seated person do not touch the side sections of the frame thereby providing him or her with comfortable sitting.