Abstract: An acoustic wave receiving apparatus is used, which includes: a holding member; a reception transducer array; a liquid vessel to which the reception transducer array is fixed and configured to store an acoustic matching liquid; a liquid supplying unit; a controlling unit configured to control a supplying rate of the acoustic matching liquid; and a scanning unit, wherein the controlling unit is configured to reduce the supply of the acoustic matching liquid into the liquid vessel when the reception transducer array detects an acoustic wave.

Abstract: A probe array in which adhesion of bubbles generated in an acoustic matching liquid is reduced, and an acoustic wave reception device including the probe array are provided. The probe array includes a plurality of probes each having a reception surface which comes in contact with the acoustic matching liquid stored in a vessel, and a support portion that supports the plurality of probes and has a proximal surface which comes in contact with the acoustic matching liquid and is adjacent to the reception surface. The reception surface is equal or smaller in a contact angle with respect to the acoustic matching liquid to or than the proximal surface.

Abstract: An acoustic wave receiving apparatus is used, which includes: a holding member; a reception transducer array; a liquid vessel to which the reception transducer array is fixed and configured to store an acoustic matching liquid; a liquid supplying unit; a controlling unit configured to control a supplying rate of the acoustic matching liquid; and a scanning unit, wherein the controlling unit is configured to reduce the supply of the acoustic matching liquid into the liquid vessel when the reception transducer array detects an acoustic wave.

Abstract: A method of forming a container having a lid and a container body which define an inside space, and a material containing an organic compound provided in the inside space. The method includes forming a groove and a communication member for communicating the groove with an outside space, in at least one of the lid and the container body, providing the material in the inside space, welding the lid and the container body to each other, and exhausting the organic compound vaporized by welding heat to the outside space through the groove and the communication member.

Abstract: A joined product according to the present invention is a joined product including a cemented carbide sintered compact serving as a first material to be joined and a cBN sintered compact or a diamond sintered compact serving as a second material to be joined. The first material to be joined and the second material to be joined are joined by a joining material that forms a liquid phase at a temperature exceeding 800° C. and lower than 1000° C. and that is placed between the first material to be joined and the second material to be joined. The first material to be joined and the second material to be joined are joined by resistance heating and pressing at a pressure of 0.1 to 200 MPa.

Abstract: A stage apparatus includes a movable stage; a magnetic unit including a first permanent magnet that is provided on the stage and magnetized in a direction perpendicular to a moving direction of the stage and at least one pair of second permanent magnets that are magnetized such that opposing portions of the first and second permanent magnets have the same pole. The magnetic unit applies a force to the stage in the moving direction thereof by placing the first permanent magnet between the pair of second permanent magnets. An actuator is configured to drive the second permanent magnets in the direction of magnetization. The force applied to the stage is varied by driving the actuator.

Abstract: A positioning apparatus includes a beam which is driven in a first direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the beam, a movable member which surrounds at least a part of the beam and moves with the beam moving in the first direction, an actuator which generates a force in the first direction between the beam and the movable member to control a positional relationship in the first direction between the beam and the movable member, and a position regulator arranged between the beam and the movable member and which regulates the positional relationship in the first direction between the beam and the movable member.

Abstract: A method of forming a container having a lid and a container body which define an inside space, and a material containing an organic compound provided in the inside space. The method includes forming a groove and a communication member for communicating the groove with an outside space, in at least one of the lid and the container body, providing the material in the inside space, welding the lid and the container body to each other, and exhausting the organic compound vaporized by welding heat to the outside space through the groove and the communication member.

Abstract: A container including at least two structural members welded to each other to define an inside space, and a material containing an organic compound provided in the inside space, in which in at least one structural member of the at least two structural members has (i) a groove formed between a welded portion thereof and the material in order to release the organic compound, as the organic compound is vaporized when the structural members are welded to each other, and (ii) a communication member to communicate the groove and an outside space of the container with each other, so that the vaporized organic compound is exhausted to the outside space.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus which can change a reticle efficiently with a simple arrangement is provided. When changing the reticle, a table is moved to a predetermined change operation position. At this time, a second magnet is retreated to a position where a repulsion force generated by a first magnet and the second magnet does not act on the table. After the reticle is changed, the second magnet is restored to a position where a repulsion force generating unit exerts a repulsion force upon the table.

Abstract: A citrus fruits polishing apparatus polishes citrus fruits in a short period of time with a simple arrangement before shipping the citrus fruits to increase the visual quality and enhance the commercial value thereof. The citrus fruits polishing apparatus includes a support board fixed to an open bottom of a cylindrical member, a motor fixed to the support board with a revolving shaft protruding upward, a bearing mounted over a revolving shaft of the motor, a turn disk rotatably fixed to the bearing, a disk polisher fixed to the turn disk and a cylindrical polisher fixed to the inner periphery of the cylindrical member. A plurality of legs are fixed to the external face of the cylindrical member at predetermined intervals to support the apparatus at a predetermined height. The turn disk is rotated intermittently, and the rotation direction of the turn disk is reversed at every predetermined time.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus which can change a reticle efficiently with a simple arrangement is provided. When changing the reticle, a table is moved to a predetermined change operation position. At this time, a second magnet is retreated to a position where a repulsion force generated by a first magnet and the second magnet does not act on the table. After the reticle is changed, the second magnet is restored to a position where a repulsion force generating unit exerts a repulsion force upon the table.

Abstract: A stage apparatus includes a movable stage; a magnetic unit including a first permanent magnet that is provided on the stage and magnetized in a direction perpendicular to a moving direction of the stage and at least one pair of second permanent magnets that are magnetized such that opposing portions of the first and second permanent magnets have the same pole. The magnetic unit applies a force to the stage in the moving direction thereof by placing the first permanent magnet between the pair of second permanent magnets. An actuator is configured to drive the second permanent magnets in the direction of magnetization. The force applied to the stage is varied by driving the actuator.

Abstract: A vibration wave driving apparatus includes a vibration member in which an electro-mechanical energy conversion element is fixed to an elastic member, and a contact member pressed against a sliding part provided in the vibration member, so as to be kept in contact therewith. The vibration wave driving apparatus is configured to supply alternating signals in a predetermined driving frequency band to the electro-mechanical energy conversion element, thereby generating a predetermined natural vibration mode in the elastic member to drive the contact member. In the apparatus, the natural vibration mode is generated in the elastic member, a natural frequency of another vibration mode different from the natural vibration mode is detected, and a stiffness of the support member is altered if the natural frequency of the other vibration mode detected is included in the driving frequency band.

Abstract: Disclosed is a container in which at least two structural members, for example, a lid (11) and a body tray (12) having an opening, are welded each other to define an inside space, and in which a sealing material (15) is disposed within the inside space, wherein at least one structural member of the at least two structural members has a groove (17) formed between a welded portion and the sealing material, and a communicating bore (18) for communicating the groove and an outside space of the container with each other.

Abstract: A positioning apparatus includes a beam, an X-Y slider which surrounds at least a part of the beam and moves with the beam, an actuator which generates a force between the beam and the X-Y slider to control a positional relationship between the beam and the X-Y slider, and a stopper which regulates the positional relationship between the beam and the X-Y slider. A minimum gap between the beam and the X-Y slider is determined by the stopper.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vibration wave driving apparatus which comprises a vibration member in which an electro-mechanical energy conversion element is fixed to the elastic member, and a contact member pressed against a sliding part provided in the vibration member, so as to be kept in contact therewith, and which is configured to supply alternating signals in a predetermined driving frequency band to the electro-mechanical energy conversion element, thereby generating a predetermined natural vibration mode in the elastic member to drive the contact member. In the apparatus, the natural vibration mode is generated in the elastic member, a natural frequency of another vibration mode different from the natural vibration mode is detected, and a stiffness of the support member is altered if the natural frequency of the other vibration mode detected is included in the driving frequency band.

Abstract: A vibration driven motor including a vibration member for generating a vibration therein as a driving force, and a contact member in press contact with the vibration member, wherein a vibration generated in the vibration member causes relative movement between the vibration member and the contact member. The vibration member includes an elastic contact portion, and the contact member includes an elastic contact portion in contact with the contact portion of the vibration member.

Abstract: An operating lever assembly is provided for attachment to a bicycle handlebar which itself includes a pair of end grips. The lever assembly comprises a mount bracket fixable to the handlebar, and an operating lever pivotally connected to the mount bracket. The mount bracket is formed with an auxiliary grip which is usable for manual gripping in addition to the handlebar end grips, thereby enabling the rider to selectively assume at least two different riding postures.

Abstract: A bicycle brake lever assembly comprises a mount bracket having a front end and a base end fixable to a bicycle handlebar, and a brake lever extending downward from the mount bracket and having a connecting end pivotally connected to the front end of the mount bracket. The mount bracket further has an upper surface elongated enough to work as a palm rest for a rider. The brake lever has a first finger engaging portion which is substantially straight and extends rearward from the connecting end to approach the base end of the mount bracket. The brake lever further has a second finger engaging portion which is substantially straight and bent relative to the first finger engaging portion to extend downward away from the mount bracket.