Abstract: A method for generating a cargo handling transport path for transporting suspended cargo suspended from arm tip portion of crane arm from an optional cargo handling initial position to an optional cargo handling target position by swinging movement of the crane arm, and the method includes: calculating the cargo handling transport path and a cargo handling transport velocity for transporting the suspended cargo in a straight line track as viewed from at least the vertical direction in at least a part of the cargo handling transport path based on the cargo handling initial position, the cargo handling target position, the range of the arm minimum swinging circle of the crane arm, the upper limit swinging angular velocity of the crane arm, the upper limit swinging angular acceleration of the crane arm, the upper limit luffing velocity of the crane arm, and the upper limit luffing acceleration of the crane arm.

Abstract: A process for producing preoxidized fibers, which comprises preoxidizing acrylic fibers having a fluorine-containing surface active agent and at least one phosphoric surface active agent selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the following formulae (I), (II) and (III), and preoxidizing the acrylic fibers thus-obtained: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 17 carbon atoms, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4, which may be the same or different, and each represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group, a hydroxyethyl group or a hydroxyisopropyl group, ##STR2## wherein R.sub.5, R.sub.6 and R.sub.7, which may be the same or different, each represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyethyl group.

Abstract: A method for producing carbon fibers in a vertical carbonizing furnace and an apparatus for producing carbon fibers using such a method are disclosed. The furnace includes a heating chamber for carbonizing fibers, the furnace including,(i) a fiber inlet at the upper end of the chamber(ii) an air tight sealed fiber outlet at the lower end of the furnace,(iii) an inert gas inlet provided on the wall of the chamber and above the fiber outlet,(iv) at least one inert gas injection portion, formed on the wall of the chamber, each capable of forming a curtain of inert gas across the heating chamber, each injection portion being provided between the gas inlet and the fiber inlet,(v) at least one outlet each being provided below each inert gas injection portion, and(vi) a heating member capable of controlling the temperature in the heating chamber in such a manner that the temperature gradually increases from the upper end toward a lower end of the heating chamber.

Abstract: Acrylic fibers suitable for producing preoxidized fibers free from coalescence which have a fluorine-containing surface active agent or further have at least one phosphoric surface active agent selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the following formulae (I), (II) and (III): ##STR1## (wherein all the symbols are defined in the appended claims).

Abstract: A method for producing carbon fibers in a vertical carbonizing furnace and an apparatus for producing carbon fibers using such a method are disclosed. The furnace includes a heating chamber for carbonizing fibers, the furnace including,(i) a fiber inlet at the upper end of the chamber(ii) an air tight sealed fiber outlet at the lower end of the furnace,(iii) an inert gas inlet provided on the wall of the chamber and above the fiber outlet,(iv) at least one inert gas injection portion, formed on the wall of the chamber, each capable of forming a curtain of inert gas across the heating chamber, each injection portion being provided between the gas inlet and the fiber inlet,(v) at least one outlet each being provided below each inert gas injection portion, and(vi) a heating member capable of controlling the temperature in the heating chamber in such a manner that the temperature gradually increases from the upper end toward a lower end of the heating chamber.

Abstract: High-performance carbon fiber or graphite fiber can be produced by treating the preoxidized fiber or carbon fiber strand with an aqueous solution containing at least one member of polyethylene oxide having a molecular weight greater than 100,000, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, and hydroxyethyl cellulose, and drying the treated fiber strand at a temperature lower than 250.degree. C. prior to carbonization or graphitization.