Abstract: A cooling apparatus for a fuel cell system having high cooling efficiency. The cooling apparatus includes a chemical heat pump circuit using isopropyl alcohol, acetone, and hydrogen gas as a heat carrier. The chemical heat pump circuit includes an endothermic device incorporated in the fuel cell and an exothermic device for releasing heat from the circuit. The temperature of a heat carrier is increased to a first temperature by the heat of the fuel cell. The chemical heat pump circuit uses the heat of the heat carrier after it is heated to the first temperature to heat the heat carrier to a second temperature, which is higher than the first temperature. The heat of the heat carrier is used for other useful purposes or is simply desorbed. After the heat carrier is heated to the second temperature, the heat carrier is easily cooled by a cooling fan. Thus, the cooling apparatus has a high cooling efficiency.

Abstract: A fuel cell system having a fuel cell, a gas compressor arranged to compress process air and connected to the fuel cell via an air-supply line to supply the compressed process air, a recovery unit connected to the fuel cell via an exhaust gas line, a liquid-gas separating unit arranged in the exhaust gas line to separate produced water from an exhaust gas and to store the separated produced water in a water storing vessel portion thereof, and a water-supply line extending from the bottom of the water storing vessel portion to a water-supply port provided for the gas compressor to supply the gas compressor with the produced water under the pressure of the exhaust gas applied to the produced water stored in the water storing vessel.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, a motor, a scroll type compressor, connected to the air feeding pipe of the fuel cell and a scroll type regenerator connected to the air exhaust pipe of the fuel cell. The movable scrolls of the compressor and the regenerator are coupled to opposite ends of the motor output shaft in symmetry with each other. A pressure ratio of the regenerator is selected to be smaller than that of the compressor by an amount corresponding to a pressure loss of the exhaust gas across the fuel cell, so that the rotation of the regenerator never transmits a negative torque to the motor output shaft MC. Therefore, the regenerator can efficiently provide power assistance to the compressor.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, a motor, a scroll type compressor connected to the air feeding pipe of the fuel cell and a scroll type regenerator connected to the air exhaust pipe of the fuel cell. The compressor and the regenerator share a movable scroll which is operatively coupled to the motor output shaft. The movable scroll has a common base plate, a first scrolling wall arranged on one side of the common base plate to engage with a scrolling wall of a stationary scroll of the compressor, and a second scrolling wall arranged on the other side of the common base plate to engage with a scrolling wall of a stationary scroll of the regenerator. This arrangement simplifies the structure and facilitates power assistance to the compressor.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fuel cell apparatus in which a discharge gas having a pressure energy even after an oxygen has been consumed at the fuel cell is expanded at an expander to collect the pressure energy in the discharge gas as a mechanical energy for assisting driving of a compressor. A clutch (20) is disposed between the electric motor (16) and the expander (15) for connecting/interrupting the expander with/from the electric motor, and a control means (21, 22) for controlling the clutch is provided. The control means detects a pressure in the gas discharge tube (13) between the fuel cell (10) and the expander (15), to interrupt the clutch as long as a detected pressure is lower than a predetermined value, and to connect the clutch when the detected pressure becomes higher than the predetermined value.

Abstract: A rotation balancing mechanism of an orbiting scroll of a scroll-type compressor that reduces the outer diameter of the compressor housing. A compression mechanism includes a fixed scroll and an orbiting scroll. The compression mechanism is coupled to a support frame at the front of a drive motor. A drive crankshaft is located between the drive shaft of the motor and a base plate of the orbiting scroll. The drive crankshaft causes the orbiting scroll to orbit. Follower crankshafts are located between the support frame and the base plate. The follower crankshafts permit the orbiting scroll to orbit and prevent the orbiting scroll from rotating about its own axis. A central balance weight is located on the drive crankshaft. The central balance weight opposes part of the centrifugal force that is applied to the drive crankshaft when the orbiting scroll orbits. Outer balance weights are attached to the follower crankshafts to oppose the remainder of the centrifugal force.

Abstract: A yarn tensioning device which is arranged to impart a high unwinding tension to a feed yarn in a yarn draw-out phase of operation and to impart a low unwinding tension with a large yarn draw-back capacity. The yarn tensioning device is is particularly suitable for use on a textile machine which is arranged to produce at three-dimensional fabric by interweaving a large number of yarns 24 fed from yarn carriers 20 which are driven by a carrier drive mechanism to shift the respective positions along predetermined loci of movements within a common carrier shifting plane. Mounted on each carrier 20 is a high tensioning mechanism which acts with a small yarn draw-back capacity and a high yarn tensioning capacity for a feed yarn 24 being unwound from a bobbin 23, in combination with a low tensioning mechanism 22 which acts on the feed yarn with a large yarn draw-back capacity and a low tensioning capacity.

Abstract: A yarn tensioning device which is arranged to impart a high unwinding tension to a feed yarn in a yarn draw-out phase of operation and to impart a low unwinding tension with a large yarn draw-back capacity. The yarn tensioning device is is particularly suitable for use on a textile machine which is arranged to produce a three-dimensional fabric by interweaving a large number of yarns 24 fed from yarn carriers 20 which are driven by a carrier drive mechanism to shift the respective positions along predetermined loci of movements within a common carrier shifting plane. Mounted on each carrier 20 is a high tensioning mechanism which acts with a small yarn draw-back capacity and a high yarn tensioning capacity for a feed yarn 24 being unwound from a bobbin 23, in combination with a low tensioning mechanism 22 which acts on the feed yarn with a large yarn draw-back capacity and a low tensioning capacity.

Abstract: A yarn tensioning device which is arranged to impart a high unwinding tension to a feed yarn in a yarn draw-out phase of operation and to impart a low unwinding tension with a large yarn draw-back capacity. The yarn tensioning device is is particularly suitable for use on a textile machine which is arranged to produce a three-dimensional fabric by interweaving a large number of yarns (24) fed from yarn carriers (20) which are driven by a carrier drive mechanism to shift the respective positions along predetermined loci of movements within a common carrier shifting plane. Mounted on each carrier (20) is a high tensioning mechanism which acts with a small yarn draw-back capacity and a high yarn tensioning capacity for a feed yarn (24) being unwound from a bobbin (23), in combination with a low tensioning mechanism (22) which acts on the feed yarn with a large yarn draw-back capacity and a low tensioning capacity.

Abstract: A stepping actuator having a housing containing two linearly reciprocating members independently and axially slidable, and a common rotating member passed through them. One of the housing and linearly reciprocating members has endless circulating grooves formed by tilted grooves interconnected by circumferentially extending grooves while another one of them holds projections adapted to fit in the circulating grooves. The circumferentially extending grooves have a circumferential length equal to a circumferential length of an opposite tilted groove corresponding to another of said slidable reciprocating members. The linearly reciprocating members and rotating member are linked together by a coupling that transmits the rotary motion while allowing free axial motion.

Abstract: A stepping actuator which is simple and compact in construction, and capable of converting rectilinear reciprocating motions into stepwise rotations of a predetermined stepping angle suitable for application of limited or limitless stepping rotations in one direction or in both forward and reverse directions.

Abstract: A rod-type three-dimensional weaving method and apparatus sends weft rods from within a rod magazine between groups of warp rods consisting of a large number of warp rods disposed parallel to one another by means of rod pushers substantially continuously by automatically changing a used-up magazine with another one filled with a new set of weft rod groups. To achieve such continuous weaving, a sensor senses a point where one of the rods in the magazine reaches the preset limit for a magazine change, and a control unit acting on the signal from the sensor removes the used-up magazine and brings another magazine filled with a new set of rod groups into the rod filling position. Or the same control unit stops the rod pushers on one side and starts feeding weft rods from the opposite side by employing the magazine and rod pushers on the opposite side of the group of warp rods, with a significant reduction in the weaving time.

Abstract: A weaving mechanism for producing rod piercing type three-dimensional multiple-axis fabrics using a fall-preventive wall to prevent fall-off of inserted weft rods. The weaving mechanism being adapted to obviate the use of wastefully lengthy weft rods. For inserting weft rods into a warp rod group obliquely from a plural number of directions in the weaving process of a three-dimensional multiple-axis fabric, the inserted weft rod portions which protrude out of the warp rod group are received by a fabric guide which constitutes a fall-preventive wall. The fabric guide which guides the woven fabric is formed in a cylindrical shape enveloping the woven fabric in small gap relation therewith when seen in the axial direction of the warp rods. The weft rods are inserted at a position outside an end portion of the fabric guide or through notched grooves in the fabric guide.

Abstract: A number of rods are disposed along at least three differently oriented axes, the rods being formed by bonding together bundles of fibers with a matrix. Each rod in one group is passed between rods of the other differently oriented groups. The cross-sectional shape of a rod extending in at least one direction is matched to the shape of a clearance which is left between rods extending in other directions to admit the rod inserted therethrough. Put otherwise, a rod extending in at least one direction has a projection to fill such a clearance. Great enough strength to withstand external forces exerted from any direction is imparted to the three-dimensional fabric composite materials either by increasing the area of contact between individual rods or by minimizing the clearances between rods by means of a matrix or the like.

Abstract: A number of rods are disposed along at least three differently oriented axes, the rods being formed by bonding together bundles of fibers with a matrix. Each rod in one group is passed between rods of the other differently oriented groups. The cross-sectional shape of a rod extending in at least one direction is matched to the shape of a clearance which is left between rods extending in other directions to admit the rod inserted therethrough. Put otherwise, a rod extending in at least one direction has a projection to fill such a clearance. Great enough strength to withstand external forces exerted from any direction is imparted to the three-dimensional fabric composite materials either by increasing the area of contact between individual rods or by minimizing the clearances between rods by means of a matrix of the like.

Abstract: A three-dimensional fabric is woven by disposing a large number of contiguous rotors in columns and rows in an area in which carriers move about, with a carrier holding a thread being held between a pair of adjoining rotors. One of the paired rotors turns to move the carrier held between them while using the other rotor as a guide to help the transfer of the carrier. The carrier is caused to move along a predetermined path by repeating the above cycle.

Abstract: A system for transporting roving bobbins in a cyclic manner between roving frames (1), spinning frames (2) and a residual roving clear-off process, in which the roving bobbins are transported by a carrier (7) driven by a tractor (14) along a main rail (3) arranged to form an endless loop and working rails (4, 5, 6) branched from the main rail (3). Dogs (28, 29, 30) for representing the respective frame address or the respective working rail address are disposed on the main rail (3) and detected by a sensor (34, 35, 36) mounted on the tractor (14). A station (68, 69, 70) is disposed in the inlet area of the roving and spinning processes for transmitting a command issued from a central control unit (71) supervising the system to the tractor (14).

Abstract: A method of regulating the tension of warp yarns in a weaving machine is disclosed herein. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, variation in warp yarn tension is detected by a tension roller which is movable with a change in the tension. The speed at which a warp beam is rotated is controlled in dependence upon the manner of the tension roller movement in such a way that its unwinding rotation during normal weaving operation of the machine is speeded up with an increase in the warp yarn tension and slowed down with a decrease therein, and also that its rewinding rotation during reversing operation of the machine is decelerated with an increase in the warp yarn tension and accelerated with a decrease in the tension.

Abstract: A method of regulating the tension of warp yarns in a weaving machine is disclosed herein. Displacement of a tension roller, which is movable with a change in warp yarn tension, from a reference position corresponding to an optimum tension of the warp yarns in the weaving machine is detected by a sensor, which then converts such mechanical displacement of the tension roller into electrical signals proportional to the amount of said displacement. The signals are sampled successively in synchronism with the operation of the weaving machine. Adjustment of the speed at which a warp beam is rotated is made depending upon the data from sampled signals in such a way that the speed is decreased when the tension is dropped beyond the lower limit of a predetermined range, while it is increased when the tension is built up to exceed the upper limit thereof.

Abstract: A method of stopping a loom, whose operation is controlled by a microcomputer, at a predetermined position thereof is disclosed herein. In view of the phenomenon that the load on loom operation is varied with the operating cycles thereof depending on the texture of fabric to be woven, but the variation takes place in repeated cycles of similar patterns each including different phases in succession of a known number, the method according to the invention comprises the steps of detecting the deviation of the actual stop position from the predetermined position resulting from the preceding loom braking operation, executing arithmetic operation on data regarding said deviation for compensation thereby to adjust the position at which brake is to be applied in the current braking operation, and applying brake when said position determined through said arithmetic operation is reached by the loom, wherein such steps are carried out in each group of the phases that correspond to each other in similarity.