Abstract: The present invention provides a method of culturing an alga that enables practical realization of low-cost and space-saving production of biofuels and bioenergy by culturing the alga using a reaction tank equipped with a digestive solution tank comprising digestive solution containing high concentration of nutrient salts, a membrane with a pore size of 0.45 µm or less and a culture tank comprising culture solution and the alga, which comprises consuming the nutrient salts by the alga in the culture tank to maintain the difference in concentration the nutrient salts between the digestive solution tank and the culture tank and supplying the nutrient salts contained in the digestive solution through the membrane into the culture solution by the diffusion depending on the concentration difference as well as an alga culture system therefor.

Abstract: A battery diagnostic apparatus and a battery diagnostic method that are capable of accurately determining a deteriorated state of a battery and enabling use of the battery immediately before or near the end of the battery life are provided. The battery diagnostic apparatus includes a power supply monitoring unit 5 configured to detect that a power supply voltage has changed from less than a predetermined voltage to equal to or more than the predetermined voltage, and a controller 4 configured to measure a battery voltage in a predetermined period after the detection that the power supply voltage is equal to or more than the predetermined voltage, calculate electric power associated with a remaining capacity of the battery 1 based on the battery voltage, and perform deterioration determination of the battery 1 based on the electric power associated with the remaining capacity of the battery 1.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus including a communication module including a processor and a communication unit; and an application module detachably coupled to the communication module, wherein the application module includes a functional unit including at least one of a sensor, an actuator, or a communication port that is to be connected to at least one of an external sensor or an external actuator, and an application module memory for storing firmware that is executed by the processor.

Abstract: A battery diagnostic apparatus and a battery diagnostic method that are capable of accurately determining a deteriorated state of a battery and enabling use of the battery immediately before or near the end of the battery life are provided. The battery diagnostic apparatus includes a power supply monitoring unit 5 configured to detect that a power supply voltage has changed from less than a predetermined voltage to equal to or more than the predetermined voltage, and a controller 4 configured to measure a battery voltage in a predetermined period after the detection that the power supply voltage is equal to or more than the predetermined voltage, calculate electric power associated with a remaining capacity of the battery 1 based on the battery voltage, and perform deterioration determination of the battery 1 based on the electric power associated with the remaining capacity of the battery 1.

Abstract: A processing apparatus for processing a workpiece by transferring the workpiece between a ram and a die block. At least one recessed die of a plurality of dies molds the workpiece into a bottomed tubular shape by a punch. A punch, among a plurality of punches, that has entered the recessed die exits from the recessed die with the formed workpiece being attached to the punch, together with the workpiece. Since the workpiece is transferred from the die block to the ram when the punch exits from the die, a step of moving the ram forward relative to the die block to transfer the workpiece from the die block to the ram can be omitted accordingly.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus including a communication module including a processor and a communication unit; and an application module detachably coupled to the communication module, wherein the application module includes a functional unit including at least one of a sensor, an actuator, or a communication port that is to be connected to at least one of an external sensor or an external actuator, and an application module memory for storing firmware that is executed by the processor.

Abstract: A multi-diameter tubular body is cold-forged by forming a large-diameter hole portion in a formed body having a preliminary hole through subjection of the preliminary hole to deep hole forming and by punching out the bottom surface of the large-diameter hole portion to thereby form a small-diameter hole portion. Since a punch having a central protrusion on its forward end surface is used, an internal flaw is generated by dead metal in the inner circumferential surface of a depression, formed by the protrusion, in the bottom surface of the large-diameter hole portion. An outside diameter of a protrusion of a deep hole forming punch is rendered smaller than an inside diameter of the small-diameter hole portion to be formed later by punching out the bottom surface of the large-diameter hole portion. As a result, the internal flaw is removed when the small-diameter hole portion is formed.

Abstract: A field device management system include a plurality of field devices equipped in a plant, one or more host devices equipped at a place distant from the plant and configured to connect to the field devices via a first network, and a terminal apparatus configured to connect to the field devices via a second network and to connect to the host devices via a third network. The terminal apparatus includes a first communication interface module configured to perform field communication with the field devices via the second network, a second communication interface module configured to perform near field communication with the host devices via the third network, and a controller that, when updating data of any one of the field devices, performs communication with the host devices through the second communication interface module, and receives update permission information from the host device through the second communication interface module.

Abstract: A multi-diameter tubular body is cold-forged by forming a large-diameter hole portion in a formed body having a preliminary hole through subjection of the preliminary hole to deep hole forming and by punching out the bottom surface of the large-diameter hole portion to thereby form a small-diameter hole portion. Since a punch having a central protrusion on its forward end surface is used, an internal flaw is generated by dead metal in the inner circumferential surface of a depression, formed by the protrusion, in the bottom surface of the large-diameter hole portion. An outside diameter of a protrusion of a deep hole forming punch is rendered smaller than an inside diameter of the small-diameter hole portion to be formed later by punching out the bottom surface of the large-diameter hole portion. As a result, the internal flaw is removed when the small-diameter hole portion is formed.

Abstract: A processing apparatus for processing a workpiece by transferring the workpiece between a ram and a die block. At least one recessed die of a plurality of dies molds the workpiece into a bottomed tubular shape by a punch. A punch, among a plurality of punches, that has entered the recessed die exits from the recessed die with the formed workpiece being attached to the punch, together with the workpiece. Since the workpiece is transferred from the die block to the ram when the punch exits from the die, a step of moving the ram forward relative to the die block to transfer the workpiece from the die block to the ram can be omitted accordingly.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a metal fitting having a tool engagement portion engageable with a tool. The manufacturing method includes a cold forging process, wherein the cold forging process includes: a step (a) of forming a body portion having a first maximum length and a butt portion being continuous to the body portion and having a second maximum length larger than the first maximum length; and a step (b) of drawing at least a part of the butt portion in the axis direction, thereby forming the tool engagement portion.

Abstract: A field device provided with a first communication unit for communicating over a communication network, a second communication unit for communicating via infrared with an external device, a converter for converting a message transmitted by the external device and received by the second communication unit into data that can be transmitted over the communication network, and a first controller for controlling the first communication unit and transmitting the data converted by the converter to the communication network.

Abstract: There is provided a method of manufacturing a metal shell formed body by cold forging for a metal shell of a spark plug. In the manufacturing method, a semi-finished formed body is first provided with a second inner step without the formation of an annular front end portion. After the semi-finished formed body is inserted from its front end side into a die, a punch is pushed into the semi-finished formed body from its rear end side. By pushing the punch, an annular front-facing surface of the punch is pushed onto the second inner step so as to press a front end portion of the formed body against an annular front end portion forming part of the die. By such a forming step, the metal shell formed body is obtained in which the annular front end portion is formed by extrusion.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a metal fitting having a tool engagement portion engageable with a tool. The manufacturing method includes a cold forging process, wherein the cold forging process includes: a step (a) of forming a body portion having a first maximum length and a butt portion being continuous to the body portion and having a second maximum length larger than the first maximum length; and a step (b) of drawing at least a part of the butt portion in the axis direction, thereby forming the tool engagement portion.

Abstract: There is provided a method of manufacturing a metal shell formed body by cold forging for a metal shell of a spark plug. In the manufacturing method, a semi-finished formed body is first provided with a second inner step without the formation of an annular front end portion. After the semi-finished formed body is inserted from its front end side into a die, a punch having an annular is pushed into the semi-finished formed body from its rear end side. By pushing the punch, an annular front-facing surface of the punch is pushed onto the second inner step so as to press a front end portion of the formed body against an annular front end portion forming part of the die. By such a forming step, the metal shell formed body is obtained in which the annular front end portion is formed by extrusion.

Abstract: A field apparatus includes a first memory that stores a program specifying an operation of the field apparatus; a second memory that stores parameters to be used in the field apparatus; a log generation unit configured to generate an operating log in which first information representing a type of an event generated within the field apparatus, second information representing a time at which the event was generated, and third information related to the event are associated; and a control unit that includes the log generation unit, the control unit storing the operating log in a log storage region secured in a free space in one of the first memory and the second memory.

Abstract: A field device management system include a plurality of field devices equipped in a plant, one or more host devices equipped at a place distant from the plant and configured to connect to the field devices via a first network, and a terminal apparatus configured to connect to the field devices via a second network and to connect to the host devices via a third network. The terminal apparatus includes a first communication interface module configured to perform field communication with the field devices via the second network, a second communication interface module configured to perform near field communication with the host devices via the third network, and a controller that, when updating data of any one of the field devices, performs communication with the host devices through the second communication interface module, and receives update permission information from the host device through the second communication interface module.

Abstract: A spark plug includes an insulator having an axial hole, a first inner circumferential surface, a second inner circumferential surface whose diameter is greater than that of the first inner circumferential surface, and a ledge portion connecting the first and the second inner circumferential surfaces. The spark plug also includes a center electrode having a large-diameter portion, a projection portion, and a circular columnar leg portion that projects into a space surrounded by the first inner circumferential surface. The spark plug includes a seal portion which fixes the center electrode within the axial hole. When C<A, A?C?B?A, where A represents a diameter of an imaginary cylinder having the minimum diameter required for surrounding the projection portion, B represents a maximum diameter of the large-diameter portion, and C represents an average diameter of the leg portion present in the space surrounded by the first inner circumferential surface.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing electrodes for a spark plug that reduces manufacturing time. The method includes a supply step of supplying a workpiece to a die for extrusion forming, wherein the die has a supply hole and an extrusion hole located adjacent to the supply hole for forming the workpiece to have a predetermined cross-sectional shape. The supply hole has a cross section greater than a cross section of the extrusion hole. The method also includes a forming step of pushing the workpiece, supplied to the supply hole, through the extrusion hole so as to form the workpiece into a shape corresponding to the cross section of the extrusion hole. In the supply step, the workpiece is supplied such that a plurality of workpieces form a vertical line in the die.

Abstract: A field device provided with a first communication unit for communicating over a communication network, a second communication unit for communicating via infrared with an external device, a converter for converting a message transmitted by the external device and received by the second communication unit into data that can be transmitted over the communication network, and a first controller for controlling the first communication unit and transmitting the data converted by the converter to the communication network.