Abstract: An oxygen-containing gas discharge manifold member is provided for a first end plate of a fuel cell stack. The oxygen-containing gas discharge manifold member has a first opening connected to a non-circular oxygen-containing gas discharge passage and a second opening connected to a circular external pipe. In a front view of the first end plate, in an area where the opening shape of the first opening and the opening shape of the second opening are overlapped with each other a sensing part is provided.

Abstract: A stage apparatus includes a base. A table is movable relative to the base in a predetermined moving direction. A drive mechanism moves the table in the moving direction. A pressing mechanism presses the table in a direction different from the moving direction of the table. A position detection device detects a location of the table. A control device controls the pressing mechanism in accordance with table position information. The control device pinpoints a first location of the table before the table is pressed by the pressing mechanism and a second location of the table after the table is pressed by the pressing mechanism, and controls one or both of the drive mechanism and the pressing mechanism in accordance with a difference between the first and second locations of the table.

Abstract: Provided is a sample positioning technology wherein micro-vibrations of a top table on which a sample is placed are suppressed such that the quality of an image to be observed or the precision of a measured dimension value can be improved. A sample positioning apparatus according to the present invention is provided with an active brake for stopping the top table, an inner frame which surrounds the active brake, an outer frame which surrounds the inner frame, and actuators for driving the active brake. The actuators, after driving the active brake to stop the top table with respect to a stage, press the outer frame to adjust the position of the top table.

Abstract: Provided is a sample positioning technology wherein micro-vibrations of a top table on which a sample is placed are suppressed such that the quality of an image to be observed or the precision of a measured dimension value can be improved. A sample positioning apparatus according to the present invention is provided with an active brake for stopping the top table, an inner frame which surrounds the active brake, an outer frame which surrounds the inner frame, and actuators for driving the active brake. The actuators, after driving the active brake to stop the top table with respect to a stage, press the outer frame to adjust the position of the top table.

Abstract: A purging apparatus for a fuel cell system according to the present invention comprises a steam supply pass 18 and an air supply pass 19. A purging method for the fuel cell system according to the present invention comprises, at a time of causing a fuel reformer 12, a fuel cell body 1 and a fuel supply line 13 to carry out the purging operation, first carrying out the purging operation by steam, and then carrying out the purging operation by air. According to such a structure, there can be provided the purging apparatus for the fuel cell system and the method therefor, which have an easy structure and an easy operation, and enables combustible gas and condensed water remaining in the system to be removed in a reliable manner.

Abstract: A purging apparatus for a fuel cell system according to the present invention comprises a steam supply pass 18 and an air supply pass 19. A purging method for the fuel cell system according to the present invention comprises, at a time of causing a fuel reformer 12, a fuel cell body 1 and a fuel supply line 13 to carry out the purging operation, first carrying out the purging operation by steam, and then carrying out the purging operation by air. According to such a structure, there can be provided the purging apparatus for the fuel cell system and the method therefor, which have an easy structure and an easy operation, and enables combustible gas and condensed water remaining in the system to be removed in a reliable manner.

Abstract: A fuel cell power plant comprised of a fuel cell main unit to which a fuel is supplied, a containment vessel for housing the fuel cell main unit; a purge gas supply pipe for introducing a purge gas which excludes combustion elements in the containment vessel; and a combustion element removal apparatus which is provided with the purge gas supply pipe and which effectively removes combustion elements in the purge gas before the purge gas is introduced in the containment vessel. The fuel call power plant may include a fuel reformer having at least a reforming space, and may use a reformed fuel gas or a used fuel gas as the purge gas from which the combustion elements are removed. The fuel reformer may include a burner for a reforming reaction, and in this case, the power plant may use a burner exhaust gas as the purge gas from which the combustion elements are removed.