Abstract: A pump apparatus that produces a pumping action for a gas or a liquid is produced in an extremely small and slim form and can be favorably used as a cooling pump apparatus for an electronic appliance or the like. There is provided an electromagnetic pump where a plunger 10 including a magnetic body is provided so as to be capable of sliding inside a cylinder that is sealed at both end surfaces thereof by a pair of frames 20a, 20b with spaces between the plunger 10 and the end surfaces of the respective frames 20a, 20b as pump chambers 30a, 30b, air-core electromagnetic coils 50a, 50b are disposed around an outer circumference of the cylinder, and a fluid is conveyed by passing a current through the electromagnetic coils 50a, 50b to reciprocally move the plunger 10 in an axial direction of the cylinder, wherein intake valves 34a, 34b and outflow valves 36a, 36b that connect the pump chambers 30a, 30b and the outside are provided inside regions of the frames 20a, 20b at the end surfaces of the cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention provides metal particles, in which microfine carbon fibers are uniformly dispersed, and a method of producing such metal particles. The method comprises the steps of: electrolyzing an electrolytic solution, in which the microfine carbon fibers are dispersed, so as to deposit metal particles, in which the microfine carbon fibers are incorporated, on a cathode; and separating the deposited metal particles from the cathode. The separated metal particles are collected, cleaned and dried.

Abstract: The method is capable of easily producing a metal-oxide composite material formed into particles, in which fine carbon fibers are uniformly dispersed. The method of producing the metal-oxide composite material comprises the steps of: dispersing fine carbon fibers in an organic solvent including hydrolyzable metallic compound; performing hydrolysis; and performing polycondensation so as to form particles of the metal oxide, whereby the fine carbon fibers are incorporated into particles of the metal oxide.

Abstract: There is provided an electrical contact member where wear can be reduced. The electrical contact member is characterized by one or both of conductive metal particles and conductive metal fibers, at least outer circumferential surfaces of which have been modified with carbon nanofibers or carbon nanotubes, being disposed in a contact layer through which current flows.

Abstract: A solenoid that has a small body and increased propulsion in a controlled range is provided. The solenoid is characterized by being provided with a bearing 40 formed of a nonmagnetic body, n (where n is a positive integer of zero or above) grooves 56 and n+1 tooth parts 58 that are adjacent to the grooves 56 and function as magnetic poles being provided in a facing surface 52 of a first upper yoke 54a, m (where m is a positive integer of zero or above) grooves 70 and m+1 tooth parts 72, 74 that are adjacent to the grooves 70 and function as magnetic poles being provided in a facing surface 55 of a second upper yoke 54b, n+1 grooves 56 and n+1 tooth parts 58, 59 that are adjacent to the grooves 56 and function as magnetic poles being provided in a surface 52 of the slider 36 that faces the first upper yoke 54a, and m grooves 76 and m tooth parts 78 that are adjacent to the grooves 76 and function as magnetic poles being provided in a surface 55 of the slider 36 that faces the second upper yoke 54b.

Abstract: A linear actuator has improved output performance and can be assembled with high precision. The linear actuator includes: a yoke part where yoke components, where a hollow is formed between an outer circumferential surface of a first yoke provided on one side of a ring-shaped permanent magnet and an inner circumferential surface of a second yoke provided on another side of the ring-shaped permanent magnet, are combined on an outer circumference of a guide pipe with end surfaces of the first yokes and/or end surfaces of the second yokes being in contact and magnetic poles formed in facing yoke surfaces having a same polarity; and a shaft-linked part where a coil bobbin, which is disposed in the hollow of the yoke part and around which a coil has been wound, and a shaft inserted into the guide pipe are linked. By switching the direction of the current flowing in the coil, relative movement between the yoke part and the shaft-linked part is reciprocally caused in an axial direction.

Abstract: The commutator is capable of reducing contact resistance between the brush and a commutator, improving efficiency of an electric rotary device and restricting exhaustion of the commutator. The commutator comprises: a plurality of commutating pieces having outer faces; and a plurality of sliding members fixed on the outer faces of the commutating pieces, the sliding members including carbon nano fibers or carbon nano tubes whose outermost layers have electric conductivity.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes an analog signal output unit which converts a digital output signal into at least one analog output signal, and outputs the at least one analog output signal, an analog signal input unit which converts at least one analog input signal received from an exterior into a digital input signal, a switch circuit which provides at least one signal path through which the at least one analog output signal is supplied from the analog signal output unit to the analog signal input unit as the at least one analog input signal, and an offset adjustment control circuit which supplies an output offset from the analog signal output unit to the analog signal input unit via the at least one signal path so as to detect the digital input signal inclusive of the output offset and an input offset, and cancels offsets of the analog signal output unit and the analog signal input unit in response to the output offset and the input offset obtained from the detected digital input signal.

Abstract: The brush is capable of reducing contact resistance between the brush and a commutator, improving efficiency of a motor and restricting exhaustion of the brush. The brush includes carbon nano fibers and/or carbon nano tubes whose outermost layers have electric conductivity.

Abstract: The commutator is capable of reducing contact resistance between the brush and a commutator, improving efficiency of an electric rotary device and restricting exhaustion of the commutator. The commutator comprises: a plurality of commutating pieces having outer faces; and a plurality of sliding members fixed on the outer faces of the commutating pieces, the sliding members including carbon nano fibers or carbon nano tubes whose outermost layers have electric conductivity.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes an analog signal output unit which converts a digital output signal into at least one analog output signal, and outputs the at least one analog output signal, an analog signal input unit which converts at least one analog input signal received from an exterior into a digital input signal, a switch circuit which provides at least one signal path through which the at least one analog output signal is supplied from the analog signal output unit to the analog signal input unit as the at least one analog input signal, and an offset adjustment control circuit which supplies an output offset from the analog signal output unit to the analog signal input unit via the at least one signal path so as to detect the digital input signal inclusive of the output offset and an input offset, and cancels offsets of the analog signal output unit and the analog signal input unit in response to the output offset and the input offset obtained from the detected digital input signal.