Abstract: A catalyst ink for improving the performance of catalyst electrodes in a fuel cell is produced by the following procedure. A catalyst dispersion is prepared by dispersing catalyst-supported particles as conductive particles with a catalyst supported thereon in a solvent. A gel material having viscoelasticity is prepared by mixing an ionomer with a volatile solvent. A catalyst ink having a desired viscosity is produced by stirring and mixing the catalyst dispersion with the gel material.

Abstract: It becomes easy to regulate the storage modulus of the ionomer solution to be not lower than 150 Pa. The production method of catalyst ink for fuel cell includes steps of; (i) preparing a catalyst dispersion by mixing an electrode catalyst, water and an alcohol; (ii) preparing a gelated ionomer solution by mixing an ionomer and a solvent; and (iii) producing catalyst ink by mixing the catalyst dispersion and the gelated ionomer solution, wherein the step (ii) comprises concentration a step of concentrating the gelated ionomer solution.

Abstract: It becomes easy to regulate the storage modulus of the ionomer solution to be not lower than 150 Pa. The production method of catalyst ink for fuel cell includes steps of; (i) preparing a catalyst dispersion by mixing an electrode catalyst, water and an alcohol; (ii) preparing a gelated ionomer solution by mixing an ionomer and a solvent; and (iii) producing catalyst ink by mixing the catalyst dispersion and the gelated ionomer solution, wherein the step (ii) comprises concentration a step of concentrating the gelated ionomer solution.

Abstract: Provided is a stator that can reduce iron loss and ensure a fastening force for stator core segments. The stator of a generally hollow cylindrical shape includes a plurality of stator core segments arranged adjacent to one another in a circumferential direction of the stator and each having an outer surface on the outer side in a radial direction of the stator, and the same number of curved members as the stator core segments, the curved members extending in the circumferential direction, and each having a projecting portion curved to project toward the outer surface, contacting the outer surface and pressing the outer surface inward in the radial direction of the stator.

Abstract: A variable reluctance resolver includes a rotor that rotates about a rotational axis, a plurality of detection coils that detect rotation of the rotor, and a magnetic member that magnetically connects adjacent ones of the detection coils to each other. The magnetic member includes a pair of body portions around which the detection coils are wound, and a connection portion that connects the pair of body portions to each other. Both the body portions and the connection portion have a thin flat shape. The body portions are flat so that a direction of extension of the flat shape is along a rotational axis direction, and the magnetic member has a U shape as viewed from the rotational axis direction.

Abstract: A catalyst ink for improving the performance of catalyst electrodes in a fuel cell is produced by the following procedure. A catalyst dispersion is prepared by dispersing catalyst-supported particles as conductive particles with a catalyst supported thereon in a solvent. A gel material having viscoelasticity is prepared by mixing an ionomer with a volatile solvent. A catalyst ink having a desired viscosity is produced by stirring and mixing the catalyst dispersion with the gel material.

Abstract: An electric power distribution member for stator is a member for connecting a plurality of coils to one another, each having coil opposing end portions located on an inner circumferential side and on an outer circumferential side in a radial direction of a stator, and it includes a plurality of conductor pieces and a plurality of insulating holding portions. The conductor piece has a first connection end portion in a flat plate shape connected to an inner circumferential side end portion of a coil and a second connection end portion in a flat plate shape connected to an outer circumferential side end portion of another coil. In addition, the insulating holding portion integrally holds adjacent conductor pieces at a distance from each other at a portion other than the opposing connection end portions of each conductor piece. The insulating holding portions are arranged in a manner discrete from one another.

Abstract: A motor-generator which is a rotating electrical machine is provided with a coil end cover and a plurality of connecting wires. The coil end cover forms a cooling oil passage around a coil end portion and a cooling oil passage around a coil end portion, and a cooling oil communicating passage that communicates the cooling oil passage with the cooling oil passage on the inside of the stator core. The plurality of connecting wires are provided in the cooling oil passage. The direction in which the cooling oil flows in the cooling oil passage is the same as the direction in which the connecting wires extend at an angle from the radial outside to the radial inside of the stator core. The flowrate of cooling oil in the cooling oil passage is set larger than the flowrate of cooling oil in the cooling oil passage.

Abstract: A biological purifier of the present invention includes chaff retaining sulfate-reducing bacteria. A biological purification system of the present invention includes a treatment container in which anaerobic conditions are maintained, and the above biological purifier is stored; a supply system for supplying the untreated waste water into the treatment container; and an discharge system for discharging treated water from which the heavy metal ions have been removed in the treatment container by the purifier, from the treatment container. In a biological purification method of the present invention, the biological purifier and the untreated waste water are brought into contact with each other under anaerobic conditions, thereby precipitating and removing the heavy metal ions as sulfide from the untreated waste water.

Abstract: Provided is a stator that can reduce iron loss and ensure a fastening force for stator core segments. The stator of a generally hollow cylindrical shape includes a plurality of stator core segments arranged adjacent to one another in a circumferential direction of the stator and each having an outer surface on the outer side in a radial direction of the stator, and the same number of curved members as the stator core segments, the curved members extending in the circumferential direction, and each having a projecting portion curved to project toward the outer surface, contacting the outer surface and pressing the outer surface inward in the radial direction of the stator.

Abstract: A variable reluctance resolver includes a rotor that rotates about a rotational axis, a plurality of detection coils that detect rotation of the rotor, and a magnetic member that magnetically connects adjacent ones of the detection coils to each other. The magnetic member includes a pair of body portions around which the detection coils are wound, and a connection portion that connects the pair of body portions to each other. Both the body portions and the connection portion have a thin flat shape. The body portions are flat so that a direction of extension of the flat shape is along a rotational axis direction, and the magnetic member has a U shape as viewed from the rotational axis direction.

Abstract: An electric power distribution member for stator is a member for connecting a plurality of coils to one another, each having coil opposing end portions located on an inner circumferential side and on an outer circumferential side in a radial direction of a stator, and it includes a plurality of conductor pieces and a plurality of insulating holding portions. The conductor piece has a first connection end portion in a flat plate shape connected to an inner circumferential side end portion of a coil and a second connection end portion in a flat plate shape connected to an outer circumferential side end portion of another coil. In addition, the insulating holding portion integrally holds adjacent conductor pieces at a distance from each other at a portion other than the opposing connection end portions of each conductor piece. The insulating holding portions are arranged in a manner discrete from one another.

Abstract: A motor-generator which is a rotating electrical machine is provided with a coil end cover and a plurality of connecting wires. The coil end cover forms a cooling oil passage around a coil end portion and a cooling oil passage around a coil end portion, and a cooling oil communicating passage that communicates the cooling oil passage with the cooling oil passage on the inside of the stator core. The plurality of connecting wires are provided in the cooling oil passage. The direction in which the cooling oil flows in the cooling oil passage is the same as the direction in which the connecting wires extend at an angle from the radial outside to the radial inside of the stator core. The flowrate of cooling oil in the cooling oil passage is set larger than the flowrate of cooling oil in the cooling oil passage.

Abstract: A stop lamp switch including: an enclosure; a reed switch disposed in the enclosure; a magnet, disposed in the enclosure, a magnetic field of which opens and closes the contacts of the reed switch; an actuating shaft that is movable along an axial direction of the enclosure; a blocking member provided on the actuating shaft, that moves with the movement of the actuating shaft, between a first position, at which the magnetic field from the magnet directed toward the first reed switch is blocked, and a second position, at which the blocking of the magnetic field from the magnet directed toward the first reed switch is no longer blocked.

Abstract: A stop lamp switch including: an enclosure; a reed switch disposed in the enclosure; a magnet, disposed in the enclosure, a magnetic field of which opens and closes the contacts of the reed switch; an actuating shaft that is movable along an axial direction of the enclosure; a blocking member provided on the actuating shaft, that moves with the movement of the actuating shaft, between a first position, at which the magnetic field from the magnet directed toward the first reed switch is blocked, and a second position, at which the blocking of the magnetic field from the magnet directed toward the first reed switch is no longer blocked.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel cell wherein deterioration of fuel cell performance due to dry up phenomenon and flooding phenomenon is suppressed. Specifically disclosed is an assembly for fuel cells or a fuel cell wherein a catalyst layer contains a first composite catalyst particle containing a catalyst supporting particle and a solid polymer electrolyte and a second composite catalyst particle having a larger volume average particle diameter than the first composite catalyst particle and arrangement of the first composite catalyst particle and the second composite catalyst particle is controlled in the thickness direction of the catalyst layer. Consequently, deterioration of fuel cell performance due to dry up phenomenon or flooding phenomenon can be suppressed, thereby realizing a fuel cell with high efficiency.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell includes: producing a gas diffusion layer powder that is used to form a gas diffusion layer; forming a catalyst layer on an electrolyte membrane; and forming the gas diffusion layer on the catalyst layer by depositing the gas diffusion layer powder on the catalyst layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a membrane electrode assembly for a fuel cell, in which a catalyst layer is disposed between an electrolyte membrane and a gas diffusion layer, includes producing a catalyst powder that is used to form the catalyst layer; and forming the catalyst layer by unevenly depositing the catalyst powder on at least one of the electrolyte membrane and the gas diffusion layer.

Abstract: A catalyst powder production method for constructing a catalyst layer in a fuel cell includes: forming a mixture that contains an electrolyte, a pore-forming material, and a catalyst-supporting particle that supports a catalyst; producing a composite powder in which the catalyst-supporting particle and the electrolyte are attached to a periphery of the pore-forming material by using the mixture; and producing the catalyst powder in the form of hollow particle by removing the pore-forming material from the composite powder.

Abstract: A steering wheel incorporating an air bag device that facilitates the attachment and removal of an air bag module with respect to a steering wheel body while reducing manufacturing costs. The steering wheel body has a spoke core, which includes a hook. A horn plate, which forms part of the air bag module, includes a catch that is flexed to engage the hook.