Abstract: An aquaponics system including a rearing tank of a rearing system and cultivation beds of a cultivation system, wherein the cultivation beds are arranged vertically in two or more stages. The system includes a rearing and cultivation circulating system in which liquid in the rearing tank is supplied to each of the cultivation beds, and the liquid in each bed is returned to the tank, to thereby circulate through the tank, beds, and tank. Fish and shellfish can be reared in the rearing tank and a plant can be cultivated in the cultivation beds, with the liquid circulating through the circulating path. Both a cultivation circulating system in which the liquid circulates through the water storage tank, the cultivation beds, and the water storage tank, and a rearing circulating system in which the liquid circulates through the rearing tank, the water storage tank, and the rearing tank may be arranged.

Abstract: A multi-layered aquaponics system used for cultivation has a fish tank, at least one layer of a grow bed adapted to support growth of at least one variety of plant in a direction substantially vertical to a plane of a backing element of the layer, a growth light system having at least one LED growth-light fixture disposed above the grow bed, a water supply system having a water circulation loop, and an aeration system without a power source. The aeration system includes a standpipe inside the layers of grow beds and a plurality of bell siphons positioned within the standpipe and connected to a water drainpipe.

Abstract: An aquaponics system including a rearing tank of a rearing system and cultivation beds of a cultivation system, wherein the cultivation beds are arranged vertically in two or more stages. The system includes a rearing and cultivation circulating system in which liquid in the rearing tank is supplied to each of the cultivation beds, and the liquid in each bed is returned to the tank, to thereby circulate through the tank, beds, and tank. Fish and shellfish can be reared in the rearing tank and a plant can be cultivated in the cultivation beds, with the liquid circulating through the circulating path. Both a cultivation circulating system in which the liquid circulates through the water storage tank, the cultivation beds, and the water storage tank, and a rearing circulating system in which the liquid circulates through the rearing tank, the water storage tank, and the rearing tank may be arranged.

Abstract: A multi-layered aquaponics system and an aquaponics cultivation method in an indoor vertical farming application are disclosed. The aquaponics cultivation method of the multi-layered aquaponic system involves using a submersible pump to drain water (through a supply pipe) from a fish tank, located at the lowest level, to each layer of plant grow-bed. When water in one particular grow-bed is filled up to the height of a standpipe of a Bell Siphon, water would drain automatically into a water drain pipe, which circulates back to the fish tank. The strong water current deploying at least one Bell Siphon in a vertical structure will give suitable aeration into the fish tank and emit no carbon by saving power in the aeration system.

Abstract: Providing a fluid dynamic bearing device, wherein the outer member comprises a member formed by a pressing process on a plate member, the radial bearing surface and at least the one of the thrust bearing surfaces of the outer member being formed by the pressing process, and wherein at least a part of the inner member, which forms the radial bearing surface and the thrust bearing surfaces of the inner member, is made of a sintered metal.

Abstract: A bearing capable of satisfying demands for cost reduction and further quietness, and stably maintaining high support accuracy. A sliding bearing (4) includes an inner member (5) having a mounting surface (9) with respect to a rotary shaft (2), and an outer member (6) being arranged on a radially outer side of the inner member (5). A radial bearing gap is formed between an outer peripheral surface (5a1) of the inner member (5) and an inner peripheral surface (7a1) of the outer member (6), and a lubricating oil is interposed in the radial bearing gap. Further, between the inner member (5) and the outer member (6), sealing gaps (S, S) for maintaining an oil level of the lubricating oil on both axial sides of the radial bearing gap are formed. At least a part of the mounting surface (9) of the inner member (5) is made of a metal.

Abstract: Provided is a sintered metal bearing, which is formed of raw material powder containing copper-based powder and iron-based powder as main components, the sintered metal bearing including a radial bearing surface along an inner periphery thereof. The copper-based powder includes fine copper powder exhibiting a particle size distribution in which a ratio of particles with a diameter of less than 45 ?m is 80 wt % or more, the fine copper powder occupying one-third or more of a whole of the copper-based powder in terms of a weight ratio. A compressed body formed by compressing the raw material powder is sintered at 900° C. or more to 1,000° C. or less.

Abstract: An inner peripheral surface and a lower end surface of a bearing sleeve made of a sintered metal are each formed into a smooth cylindrical surface or a flat surface that does not have a dynamic pressure generating portion. Thus, a step of forming the dynamic pressure generating portion can be omitted from a manufacturing step of the bearing sleeve, and cost of dies can be markedly reduced. Further, the inner peripheral surface of the bearing sleeve is formed into the smooth cylindrical surface, and hence a radial dynamic pressure generating portion is formed on an outer peripheral surface of a shaft member. However, the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion is accessible to tools, and hence the radial dynamic pressure generating portion can be formed easily with high accuracy. As a result, accuracy of a radial bearing gap is enhanced so that a bearing rigidity is enhanced.

Abstract: A bearing capable of satisfying demands for cost reduction and further quietness, and stably maintaining high support accuracy. A sliding bearing (4) includes an inner member (5) having a mounting surface (9) with respect to a rotary shaft (2), and an outer member (6) being arranged on a radially outer side of the inner member (5). A radial bearing gap is formed between an outer peripheral surface (5a1) of the inner member (5) and an inner peripheral surface (7a1) of the outer member (6), and a lubricating oil is interposed in the radial bearing gap. Further, between the inner member (5) and the outer member (6), sealing gaps (S, S) for maintaining an oil level of the lubricating oil on both axial sides of the radial bearing gap are formed. At least a part of the mounting surface (9) of the inner member (5) is made of a metal.

Abstract: Provided is a bearing capable of satisfying demands for cost reduction and further quietness, and stably maintaining high support accuracy. A sliding bearing (4) includes an inner member (5) having a mounting surface (9) with respect to a rotary shaft (2), and an outer member (6) being arranged on a radially outer side of the inner member (5). A radial bearing gap is formed between an outer peripheral surface (5a1) of the inner member (5) and an inner peripheral surface (7a1) of the outer member (6), and a lubricating oil is interposed in the radial bearing gap. Further, between the inner member (5) and the outer member (6), sealing gaps (S, S) for maintaining an oil level of the lubricating oil on both axial sides of the radial bearing gap are formed. At least a part of the mounting surface (9) of the inner member (5) is made of a metal.

Abstract: To increase fixation strength of a bearing sleeve with respect to a bottomed cylindrical housing, a fluid dynamic bearing device (1) is provided with a bottomed cylindrical housing (7), a bearing sleeve (8) fixed to an inner periphery thereof, and a shaft member (2) inserted along an inner periphery of the bearing sleeve (8). An adhesive pool (11) is provided between an inner peripheral surface (7a2) of a smaller diameter portion (7a) of the housing (7) and an outer peripheral surface (8d) of the bearing sleeve (8), which are opposed to each other. Further, an inner peripheral chamfer (7f) continuous with the adhesive pool (11) is provided on an inner peripheral portion of the housing (7), and a first tapered space (12) formed between the inner peripheral chamfer (7f) and the bearing sleeve (8) is sealed with an adhesive (13).

Abstract: An inner peripheral surface and a lower end surface of a bearing sleeve made of a sintered metal are each formed into a smooth cylindrical surface or a flat surface that does not have a dynamic pressure generating portion. Thus, a step of forming the dynamic pressure generating portion can be omitted from a manufacturing step of the bearing sleeve, and cost of dies can be markedly reduced. Further, the inner peripheral surface of the bearing sleeve is formed into the smooth cylindrical surface, and hence a radial dynamic pressure generating portion is formed on an outer peripheral surface of a shaft member. However, the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion is accessible to tools, and hence the radial dynamic pressure generating portion can be formed easily with high accuracy. As a result, accuracy of a radial bearing gap is enhanced so that a bearing rigidity is enhanced.

Abstract: Easy and precise setting of a predetermined thrust bearing gap is made possible. An axial gap 13 having a dimension that is equal to the sum of two thrust bearing gaps is first provided between the flange part 2b of the shaft member 2 and the bearing member or bearing sleeve 8. The shaft member 2 and the bearing sleeve 8 are accommodated inside the housing 7 with this gap dimension ? being kept, and the bearing sleeve 8 is secured to the housing 7.

Abstract: A gap width out of the radial bearing gap is axially differed; a narrow width part which has a relatively smaller gap width in the radial bearing gap is arranged on the side relatively closer to a barycentric position of the rotating body, and a wide width part which has a relatively larger gap width in the radial bearing gap is arranged on a side relatively distant from the barycentric position of the rotating body; and a region facing at least the radial bearing gap of the bearing member is formed to an electroformed part made of deposited metal.

Abstract: Provided is a fluid dynamic bearing device in which an assembly of a bearing sleeve to a housing is facilitated and which has excellent moment rigidity. A fluid dynamic bearing device (1) includes radial bearing parts (R1 and R2) and thrust bearing parts (T1 and T2). Thrust bearing surfaces (C and D) are respectively provided to first and second step surfaces (2d and 2e) of a housing (2), and the thrust bearing parts (T1 and T2) are respectively formed between the thrust bearing surfaces (C and D) and end surfaces (6b and 7b) of seal members (6 and 7) provided while protruding to an outer diameter side of a shaft member (5).

Abstract: A molding pin (23) is formed in a sectional shape of being held in contact at two points (contact points are denoted by P?) with an imaginary cylindrical surface (C?). As a result, an undercut of a fixation hole (21b1) is reduced or eliminated, and hence it becomes easier to process a die. Moreover, a corner portion (21d) between a cylindrical surface (21c) and the fixation hole (21b1) becomes obtuse, and hence the die becomes less liable to deform and break. Therefore, manufacturing cost of the die can be reduced, and hence cost reduction of the bearing device can be achieved.

Abstract: Fixation strength of a bearing sleeve with respect to a housing is increased so that stable bearing performance can be achieved. A fluid dynamic bearing device (1) includes a housing (7) and a bearing sleeve (8) fixed to an inner periphery of the housing (7). The housing (7) and the bearing sleeve (8) have therebetween a press-fitting part (10) at which the housing (7) and the bearing sleeve (8) are fixed by press-fitting, and an adhesive-filled part (11) formed on an opening side with respect to the press-fitting part (10).

Abstract: An oil film is formed in a radial bearing clearance of a first radial bearing portion (R1) and a second radial bearing portion (R2) so as to rotatably support a shaft member (2). A bearing sleeve (8) and the shaft member (2) are accommodated in a housing (7), and the housing (7) has an inner space filled with a lubricant oil and has an opening sealed by a seal member (9). A first seal space (S1) is formed by means of an inner peripheral surface (9a2) of the seal member (9). The housing (7) and the seal member (9) are formed through injection molding of a resin.

Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing apparatus includes shaft member 2, housing 7, sleeve portion 8, and sealing portions 9, 10. The housing 7 includes a straight cylindrical inner circumferential surface with a constant diameter and openings at both axial ends thereof. The sleeve portion 8 is provided separately from the housing 7 and fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the housing 7. A radial bearing gap is formed between the inner circumferential surface 8a of the sleeve portion 8 and the outer circumferential surface 2a of the shaft member 2 , and thrust bearing gaps are formed between the end faces 9b, 10b of the sealing portions 9, 10 and the end faces 8b, 8c of the sleeve portion 8 opposing these to support the shaft member 2 in a non-contact manner in the radial direction and in the thrust direction by the hydrodynamic effect of a lubricating oil produced in each bearing gap.

Abstract: Providing a fluid dynamic bearing device, wherein the outer member comprises a member formed by a pressing process on a plate member, the radial bearing surface and at least the one of the thrust bearing surfaces of the outer member being formed by the pressing process, and wherein at least a part of the inner member, which forms the radial bearing surface and the thrust bearing surfaces of the inner member, is made of a sintered metal.