Abstract: A rotary joint capable of lubricating a sealing surface of a mechanical seal forming a fluid passage through which a gas flows using a liquid even when the liquid flows through only one fluid passage is disclosed. A rotary joint includes a plurality of mechanical seals provided in an axial direction in an annular space between a case body and a shaft body to form a first intermediate flow passage that connects a first outer flow passage and a first inner flow passage of a first fluid passage through which a liquid flows to each other and form a second intermediate flow passage that connects a second outer flow passage and a second inner flow passage of a second fluid passage through which a gas flows to each other.

Abstract: A substrate, a diaphragm, and a piezoelectric actuator are laminated in this order in a first direction, the diaphragm includes a first layer containing silicon as a constituent element, a second layer disposed between the first layer and the piezoelectric actuator, and containing any one or both of at least one metal element selected from the group made of chromium, titanium, aluminum, tantalum, hafnium, and iridium, and silicon nitride, as a constituent element, and a third layer disposed between the second layer and the piezoelectric actuator and containing zirconium as a constituent element, and a fourth layer containing any one or both of at least one metal element selected from the group made of chromium, titanium, aluminum, tantalum, hafnium, and iridium, and silicon nitride, as a constituent element is provided on the third layer on a piezoelectric actuator side.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for cutting optical fibers including a pair of slip-grasping clamps arranged to grasp an exposed optical fiber between them such that a slip-grasping force on the optical fiber is maintained constant. An injuring edge is urged against the optical fiber at a point between the two clamps to initially injure the optical fiber. A pressing block is then urged against the optical fiber from a side opposite the initial injury so that tension is exerted on the optical fiber by the slip-grasping force of the clamps, thereby cutting the fiber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting optical fibers using a grooved steel wire to position a pair of guide sleeves and a fitting sleeve into which a pair of optical fibers may be inserted so that end portions thereof bear against each other. A thermal melting adhesive sleeve and a thermal shrinking tube are provided to cover the steel wire, the guide sleeves and the fitting sleeve so that when the thermal melting adhesive sleeve and the thermal shrinking tube are heated, the thermal shrinking tube is shrinked while the adhesive sleeve is melted to integrate the steel wire, the fitting sleeve, the guide sleeves and the optical fibers with each other.

Abstract: An optical fiber holder for use in optical fiber splicing, which comprises a pair of upper and lower holding bodies pivotally connected each other, at least one supporting member slidably mounted on at least one of the holding bodies, at least two pairs of upper and lower rollers facing each other, one of the upper and lower rollers being rotatably mounted on the supporting member so that they are arranged on a line passing through the axes of the rollers which is inclined with respect to the horizontal line, the other being mounted on one of the holding bodies, the supporting member being forced by a spring means so that the rollers mounted thereon come close to the opposite rollers.