Abstract: A motor control integrated circuit according to embodiments outputs predetermined PWM signals to an inverter circuit that drives a synchronous motor and is configured to perform on-off control on a plurality of three-phase bridge connected switching elements in accordance with the PWM signals to convert direct current into three-phase alternating current, and includes: a PWM generation unit configured to generate the signals based on a received speed command value and output the PWM signals; and a current detection unit configured to detect differential values of phase currents at a predetermined time point that is fixed within a period of a carrier wave used for PWM control, based on the carrier wave and a signal generated by a current detector for detecting current conducted to the synchronous motor, wherein the PWM generation unit calculates a speed of the synchronous motor based on the differential values and then, based on the speed, generates the PWM signals to be applied to the synchronous motor.

Abstract: A motor control integrated circuit according to embodiments outputs predetermined PWM signals to an inverter circuit that drives a synchronous motor and is configured to perform on-off control on a plurality of three-phase bridge connected switching elements in accordance with the PWM signals to convert direct current into three-phase alternating current, and includes: a PWM generation unit configured to generate the signals based on a received speed command value and output the PWM signals; and a current detection unit configured to detect differential values of phase currents at a predetermined time point that is fixed within a period of a carrier wave used for PWM control, based on the carrier wave and a signal generated by a current detector for detecting current conducted to the synchronous motor, wherein the PWM generation unit calculates a speed of the synchronous motor based on the differential values and then, based on the speed, generates the PWM signals to be applied to the synchronous motor.

Abstract: A motor driving apparatus according to an embodiment includes a brushless motor. The motor driving apparatus includes a position sensor that outputs a position detection signal in synchronization with a phase of an induced voltage of a coil of the brushless motor. The motor driving apparatus includes a semiconductor integrated circuit that controls driving of the brushless motor by supplying a pseudo sine-wave driving voltage from an energization terminal to the coil of the brushless motor based on the position detection signal and a command signal that prescribes driving of the brushless motor.

Abstract: The DC-DC converter includes a mask controlling circuit that outputs an overcurrent detection mask signal that prescribes a mask period in which the overcurrent detection result signal is masked. The DC-DC converter includes a mask adjusting circuit that adjusts a length of the mask period according to the power supply voltage. The DC-DC converter includes an operation circuit that performs an operation of the overcurrent detection result signal and the overcurrent detection mask signal and outputs an overcurrent controlling signal with the overcurrent detection result signal being masked in the mask period.

Abstract: There are provided screw segments 100, 200 that are capable of shearing and kneading feedstock without causing plugs within a cylinder 1 of a screw extruder, and of extruding it from the cylinder 1. The screw segments 100, 200 each comprise a shaft part 111 to be affixed to a screw shaft 7, and a tooth part 112 that protrudes radially outward from the shaft part 111. The tooth part 112 comprises a tooth surface 116 that is formed on the front side relative to the rotation direction of the screw shaft 7, and that is so sloped as to transition gradually forward relative to the rotation direction as it transitions radially outward from the shaft part 111.

Abstract: A seal ring is provided which allows the interior of a cylinder 1 of a screw extruder to be maintained at elevated temperature and elevated pressure, thus suppressing a variation in the pressure in the cylinder 1. In a special seal ring 300 attached to a screw shaft 7 in the cylinder of the screw extruder so as to be rotatable integrally with the screw shaft 7, thus restraining a material to be treated from being fed from upstream to downstream in the cylinder, a lead groove 317 extending in an axial direction of the shaft 7 is formed in an outer circumferential surface 316 opposing with a predetermined gap to an inner circumferential surface 1a of the cylinder. The lead groove 317 serves to disturb the flow of the material to be treated passing between the outer circumferential surface 316 and the inner wall surface 1a of the cylinder 1 to complex the flow. This stabilizes feeding resistance to suppress a variation in the pressure in the cylinder 1.

Abstract: The DC-DC converter includes a mask controlling circuit that outputs an overcurrent detection mask signal that prescribes a mask period in which the overcurrent detection result signal is masked. The DC-DC converter includes a mask adjusting circuit that adjusts a length of the mask period according to the power supply voltage. The DC-DC converter includes an operation circuit that performs an operation of the overcurrent detection result signal and the overcurrent detection mask signal and outputs an overcurrent controlling signal with the overcurrent detection result signal being masked in the mask period.

Abstract: A motor driving apparatus according to an embodiment includes a brushless motor. The motor driving apparatus includes a position sensor that outputs a position detection signal in synchronization with a phase of an induced voltage of a coil of the brushless motor. The motor driving apparatus includes a semiconductor integrated circuit that controls driving of the brushless motor by supplying a pseudo sine-wave driving voltage from an energization terminal to the coil of the brushless motor based on the position detection signal and a command signal that prescribes driving of the brushless motor.

Abstract: A motor control device has first to third amplifiers which amplify voltage generated at first to third shunt resistances connected to first to third drivers to supply driving current of each of three phases to a three-phase brushless motor, first to third sample-hold circuits which sample and hold voltage amplified by the first to third amplifiers, a multiplexer which sequentially selects and outputs voltage values held by the first to third sample-hold circuits, an A/D converter which performs A/D conversion on output signals of the multiplexer, and an arithmetic unit which calculates the driving current through an output signal of the A/D converter, estimates a magnetic pole position of the motor based on the driving current, and performs pulse width modulation (PWM) control on the driving current by controlling the first to third drivers.

Abstract: A plant biomass pretreatment method which allows prompt pretreatment of plant biomass with simple equipment is provided. The method includes continuously performing in sequence, inside an extruder, pretreatment steps of coarsely crushing the plant biomass to a predefined size or smaller, adding a decomposing agent(s) to the coarsely crushed plant biomass, applying a hot compressed water treatment(s) to the plant biomass with the decomposing agent added thereto, and performing saccharification preparation for mixing the plant biomass with the hot compressed water treatment applied thereto with an enzyme(s) for saccharifying the plant biomass.

Abstract: A seal ring is provided which allows the interior of a cylinder 1 of a screw extruder to be maintained at elevated temperature and elevated pressure, thus suppressing a variation in the pressure in the cylinder 1. In a special seal ring 300 attached to a screw shaft 7 in the cylinder of the screw extruder so as to be rotatable integrally with the screw shaft 7, thus restraining a material to be treated from being fed from upstream to downstream in the cylinder, a lead groove 317 extending in an axial direction of the shaft 7 is formed in an outer circumferential surface 316 opposing with a predetermined gap to an inner circumferential surface 1a of the cylinder. The lead groove 317 serves to disturb the flow of the material to be treated passing between the outer circumferential surface 316 and the inner wall surface 1a of the cylinder 1 to complex the flow. This stabilizes feeding resistance to suppress a variation in the pressure in the cylinder 1.

Abstract: There are provided screw segments 100, 200 that are capable of shearing and kneading feedstock without causing plugs within a cylinder 1 of a screw extruder, and of extruding it from the cylinder 1. The screw segments 100, 200 each comprise a shaft part 111 to be affixed to a screw shaft 7, and a tooth part 112 that protrudes radially outward from the shaft part 111. The tooth part 112 comprises a tooth surface 116 that is formed on the front side relative to the rotation direction of the screw shaft 7, and that is so sloped as to transition gradually forward relative to the rotation direction as it transitions radially outward from the shaft part 111.

Abstract: A driver includes a sensor sensing a driving current and a driving voltage for an external device including a capacitor, a PWM, a PFC, and a controller. The PFC includes a phase angle estimation unit estimating a phase angle variation of an input voltage to the PFC based on a parameter regarding the driving current, a voltage compensator compensating an error of the driving voltage, a first current estimation unit estimating a variation of a charge of the capacitor based on the charge current and the phase angle variation estimated by the phase angle estimation unit, a second current estimation unit estimating a driving current variation, and a calculator calculating a duty ratio for the PWM based on the variation of the charge current estimated by the first current estimation unit and the driving current variation estimated by the second current estimation unit.

Abstract: A differential pressure in a boundary portion between a streaked or linear fluid channel formed of a plurality of convex and concave portions disposed adjacent to one another in an undulated manner and a distribution channel for distributing a reactant gas or cooling water to be introduced into the plurality of fluid channels is reduced. In a structure of a separator of a fuel cell having a structure including streaked fluid channels formed of adjacent convex and concave portions formed on the surface of the separator, and a distribution channel which distributes, to these fluid channels, a fluid to be introduced into the fluid channels, in a boundary portion between the linear fluid channel and the distribution channel, a position of a terminal end of the convex portion constituting the fluid channel and a position of a terminal end of the concave portion are displaced in a streak direction of the fluid channel.

Abstract: A driver includes a sensor sensing a driving current and a driving voltage for an external device including a capacitor, a PWM, a PFC, and a controller. The PFC includes a phase angle estimation unit estimating a phase angle variation of an input voltage to the PFC based on a parameter regarding the driving current, a voltage compensator compensating an error of the driving voltage, a first current estimation unit estimating a variation of a charge of the capacitor based on the charge current and the phase angle variation estimated by the phase angle estimation unit, a second current estimation unit estimating a driving current variation, and a calculator calculating a duty ratio for the PWM based on the variation of the charge current estimated by the first current estimation unit and the driving current variation estimated by the second current estimation unit.

Abstract: A motor control device has first to third amplifiers which amplify voltage generated at first to third shunt resistances connected to first to third drivers to supply driving current of each of three phases to a three-phase brushless motor, first to third sample-hold circuits which sample and hold voltage amplified by the first to third amplifiers, a multiplexer which sequentially selects and outputs voltage values held by the first to third sample-hold circuits, an A/D converter which performs A/D conversion on output signals of the multiplexer, and an arithmetic unit which calculates the driving current through an output signal of the A/D converter, estimates a magnetic pole position of the motor based on the driving current, and performs pulse width modulation (PWM) control on the driving current by controlling the first to third drivers.

Abstract: A differential pressure in a boundary portion between a streaked or linear fluid channel formed of a plurality of convex and concave portions disposed adjacent to one another in an undulated manner and a distribution channel for distributing a reactant gas or cooling water to be introduced into the plurality of fluid channels is reduced. In a structure of a separator of a fuel cell having a structure including streaked fluid channels formed of adjacent convex and concave portions formed on the surface of the separator, and a distribution channel which distributes, to these fluid channels, a fluid to be introduced into the fluid channels, in a boundary portion between the linear fluid channel and the distribution channel, a position of a terminal end of the convex portion constituting the fluid channel and a position of a terminal end of the concave portion are displaced in a streak direction of the fluid channel.

Abstract: A plate formed with a plurality of regular projections projecting from both faces of the plate can suitably be used as a separator for a fuel cell. Projections on one face of the plate and projections on the opposite face of the plate are alternately and adjacently formed in at least one direction along a plane of a reference plate portion of a metal plate. The reference plate portion has not been deformed. The top face sections of the projections or bottom face sections of the projections are thicker than their peripheral corner portions.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for recycling resin scrap including a thermosetting resin paint film and a thermoplastic resin substrate as its major components, wherein the resin scrap is supplied into a passage of a cylinder, melted, and delivered by screw arrays from an upstream side to a downstream side of the passage of the cylinder, and hydrolyzed by a hydrolyzing agent while forming a highly packed region with a resistor. The resistor restricts the resin scrap to flow from the upstream side to the downstream side in a short period of time, and forms the highly packed region where a contact efficiency is enhanced between the resin scrap and the hydrolyzing agent.

Abstract: A process for recycling a thermoplastic resin covered with a thermosetting-resin paint film includes the steps of decomposing the paint film by bringing the thermoplastic resin covered with the paint film into contact with a paint-film-decomposing agent in a molten state, and removing decomposed products, resulting from the paint film and the paint-film-decomposing agent, and the residual paint-film-decomposing agent by degassification to prepare a recycled resin. The paint-film-decomposing agent can be primary amines and/or secondary amines having a boiling point of 250.degree. C. or less, or being decomposed at 250.degree. C. or less, or can be tertiary amines and/or quaternary amines having a boiling point of 250.degree. C. or less, or being decomposed at 250.degree. C. or less to which water and/or alcohols is added.