Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a microbial fuel cell capable of increasing a current density without employing a mediator. The microbial fuel cell 1 includes a 3-dimensionally structured agglomerate formed from conductive fine particles 2 and microorganisms 3. In the agglomerate 4, the conductive fine particles 2 disperse among pieces of Shewanella 3 and the conductive fine particles 2 are coupled to one another to hold Shewanella 3, thus forming the 3-dimensional structure as a whole. Accordingly, with respect to Shewanella 3, conductive fine particles 2 hold Shewanella 3a on a surface of an electrode 103 and even Shewanella 3b positioned vertically away from the surface of the electrode 103. Hence, it becomes possible that more pieces of Shewanella 3 are allowed to transfer electrons.

Abstract: A combustion heater includes an inner tube having a supply passage for combustion gas in an inner portion, and an outer tube disposed to provide a separated combustion space in an outer periphery of the inner tube. A hole part for ejecting the combustion gas is formed on a tube wall of the inner tube and combustion gas is ejected with ejection characteristics such that circulating flow is formed on the periphery of a stagnation point. According to this combustion heater, a stable flame can be formed without increasing costs and the heating efficiency can be improved.

Abstract: A combustion heater (1) comprises an inner tube (20) having a supply passage (21) for a combustion gas (G) therein and an outer tube (10) disposed around the outer periphery of the inner tube with a combustion space (30) interposed therebetween. A hole part (24) for jetting the combustion gas is formed in the wall of the inner tube. A radiation promoting surface (20B) is formed on the outer periphery of the inner tube. By the structure, the excessive heating of the inner tube is suppressed, and the heating efficiency of the combustion heater is increased.

Abstract: A first flow passage (R1) in which uncombusted gas (G1) that contains a combustible fuel is injected from a nozzle hole that is smaller than the flame quenching distance at a flow speed to thereby enable flame maintenance is combusted, and thereby enables flow of combustion gas (G2) resulting from such combustion, and a second flow passage (R2) formed about the first flow passage and enabling flow of uncombusted gas supplied through the nozzle hole are provided. According to the present invention, the combustion chamber in a heating apparatus that heats a liquid to be heated is be reduced in size, the flame in the combustion chamber can be stabilized, and energy efficiency can be improved.

Abstract: A ring-like lubricant supply device 6 is fitted into a recess 4 of a nut member 2. The lubricant supply device 6 contains a lubricant and is formed in an outer peripheral surface with notches 7. Tubular members 8 each having an outer diameter larger than the diameter of the notch 7 are inserted into the notches, pushing and widening the notches 7 in a circumferential direction. One end of the tubular member 8 is fitted into a recess 9b of a retaining ring 9 and the retaining ring 9 is fixed to a nut member 2.

Abstract: A linear guide device has a retaining piece (15) between two adjacent rollers (9). The retaining piece (15) has a retaining piece body (16) having left side-face section and a right side-face section that are parallel to the end face sections of the rollers (9), a first arm section (19) extending from the left side-face section of the retaining piece body (16) toward the end face sections of the two adjacent rollers (9) and fitting in a first guide groove (22) formed in one wall surface section of a circulation path (21), and a second arm section (20) provided on the right side-face section of the retaining piece body (16) so as to be parallel to the first arm section (19) and fitting in a second guide groove (23) formed in the other wall surface section of the circulation path (21).

Abstract: A separator for use in a linear guide apparatus including a guide rail, a slider, and a plurality of rollers which circulate along an endless circulation passage provided in the guide rail and the slider and having guide grooves. The separator includes a separator body interposed between the rollers and having a pair of roller contact surfaces respectively opposing outer peripheral surfaces of the adjacent rollers, and a pair of arm portions which are guided by the guide grooves. A surface of each of the arm portions opposing the guide groove is formed such that an opposition distance with respect to the guide groove becomes wider from a fixed end side of the arm portion toward a free end thereof.

Abstract: A linear guide apparatus has: a guide rail; a slider including a slider body; and a pair of end caps; a guide groove guiding the arm portions of the separators in a circulation direction of the cylindrical rollers when the cylindrical rollers circulate through the pair of the rolling element rolling grooves, the direction change paths, and the rolling element path; and separators each having: a separator body; and an arm portion integrally formed on the separator body, wherein a width of the guide groove is larger than that of the arm portions, the width of the guide groove in a region of each of the direction change paths is larger than that in a region where the cylindrical rollers linearly move, and end portions of each of the arm portions are Chamfered and directed in the circulation direction.

Abstract: A side seal fixing unit 24, which is made up of a U-shaped pressing member 25 which presses and holds a side seal 20 against a lubricant application member 22, a pivot shaft 26 provided at one end portion of the pressing of the pressing member 25 along a height diection of a guide rail 10 and a support plate 27 which supports rotatably the pressing member 25 via the pivot shafty 26 is provided between an end cap 17 and the lubricant application member 22.

Abstract: A side seal fixing unit 24, which is made up of a U-shaped pressing member 25 which presses and holds a side seal 20 against a lubricant application member 22, a pivot shaft 26 provided at one end portion of the pressing member 25 along a height direction of a guide rail 10 and a support plate 27 which supports rotatably the pressing member 25 via the pivot shaft 26 is provided between an end cap 17 and the lubricant application member 22.

Abstract: A linear-motion device has: a slider provided onto a guide rail relatively movably; and a plurality of rolling elements for causing the slider to move relatively in a longitudinal direction of the guide rail; whereby the slider comprising a slider block having rolling-element rolling grooves that oppose to rolling-element rolling grooves formed on the guide rail, and end caps that close both-end openings of the rolling-element rolling paths formed between the rolling-element rolling grooves on the slider block and the rolling-element rolling grooves on the guide rail, and rolling-element return paths for returning the rolling elements, which have rolled in the rolling-element rolling paths, are formed on the slider block, wherein the rolling-element return paths comprises a groove portion formed on an outer surface of the slider block along the longitudinal direction of the guide rail, and a cover member for covering the groove portion.

Abstract: Rolling element holding members have two holding window for holding rolling elements in rolling element running channels formed between both track faces of a rail and a slider. Further, the rolling element holding members are held between two end caps fixed opposite end surfaces of the slider by engagement of four retaining grooves formed on the end caps and opposite end portions of the rolling element holding members.

Abstract: In a linear guide, a separator is interposed between each pair of adjacent balls. The separator has a separator main body interposed between the adjacent balls, and arm portions provided at end portions of the separator main body, which are arranged in the direction of width of each of rolling element rolling grooves for rolling the balls. The separator also has a guide groove which guides the arm portions of the separator along a circulating direction of the balls when the balls circulate along a passage formed by the first and second rolling element rolling grooves, a direction changing passage, and a rolling element passage.

Abstract: A linear-motion device has: a slider provided onto a guide rail relatively movably; and a plurality of rolling elements for causing the slider to move relatively in a longitudinal direction of the guide rail; whereby the slider comprising a slider block having rolling-element rolling grooves that oppose to rolling-element rolling grooves formed on the guide rail, and end caps that close both-end openings of the rolling-element rolling paths formed between the rolling-element rolling grooves on the slider block and the rolling-element rolling grooves on the guide rail, and rolling-element return paths for returning the rolling elements, which have rolled in the rolling-element rolling paths, are formed on the slider block, wherein the rolling-element return paths comprises a groove portion formed on an outer surface of the slider block along the longitudinal direction of the guide rail, and a cover member for covering the groove portion.

Abstract: In a linear guide apparatus including an axially extending guide rail, a slider engaged with the guide rail, and a plurality of rolling elements loaded into the slider, the linear guide apparatus further includes a sealing device fixed to the slider in slidable contact with the guide rail for sealing a clearance existing between the guide rail and the slider, in which the sealing device includes: a lubricant-containing polymer member formed of a synthetic resin containing a lubricant, and having a contact portion contacting with the guide rail to surround the guide rail, both wing portions, a connecting portion connecting the wing portions to be C-shaped substantially, and a pair of first recesses formed in the respective wing portions for fixing the lubricant-containing polymer member to the slider; a first plate member fitted to the lubricant-containing polymer member opposed to the slider; and a pair of first cylindrical members inserted to the respective first recesses.

Abstract: A friction applying apparatus and a linear guide apparatus having the same, according to the present invention can uniformly contact allover contacting faces of sliding members to the contacted members so as to reduce abrasion in the sliding members and the contacted members, and may maintain appropriate frictional force and precision. In the friction applying apparatus forcing the sliding members moving along guide rails for generating friction, the sliding member is made of a material having elastic modulus being 5000 MPa or less and Vickers hardness being 400 or more.

Abstract: Rolling element holding members have two holding window for holding rolling elements in rolling element running channels formed between both track faces of a rail and a slider. Further, the rolling element holding members are held between two end caps fixed opposite end surfaces of the slider by engagement of four retaining grooves formed on the end caps and opposite end portions of the rolling element holding members.

Abstract: In a linear guide device including: a rail having on either side surface thereof a track recess with a track surface formed thereon; a rail cover covering a rail upper surface of the rail; a saddle-like slider moving linearly on the rail; and a rolling member circulating through a connection path provided in the slider and adapted to roll on the track surface of the rail, the rail cover is equipped with a side edge portion having an engagement portion, an upper track surface serving as an engagement surface is provided in a lower portion of an upper side surface of the rail, the engagement surface being a slope gradually diminishing in the rail width direction downwardly from the upper side surface, and an engagement portion of the rail cover is engaged with the engagement surface, whereby it is possible to achieve an increase in the speed of the rail grinding work for allowing engagement of the rail cover covering the rail upper surface of the liner guide device.

Abstract: Rolling element holding members have two holding window for holding rolling elements in rolling element running channels formed between both track faces of a rail and a slider. Further, the rolling element holding members are held between two end caps fixed opposite end surfaces of the slider by engagement of four retaining grooves formed on the end caps and opposite end portions of the rolling element holding members.

Abstract: A linear guide device has a retaining piece (15) between two adjacent rollers (9). The retaining piece (15) has a retaining piece body (16) having left side-face section and a right side-face section that are parallel to the end face sections of the rollers (9), a first arm section (19) extending from the left side-face section of the retaining piece body (16) toward the end face sections of the two adjacent rollers (9) and fitting in a first guide groove (22) formed in one wall surface section of a circulation path (21), and a second arm section (20) provided on the right side-face section of the retaining piece body (16) so as to be parallel to the first arm section (19) and fitting in a second guide groove (23) formed in the other wall surface section of the circulation path (21).