Abstract: Provided is a novel piezoelectric element that has a generally long linear shape and has excellent flexibility and bend resistance. The piezoelectric element includes a core wire which is a resin wire having at least one layer of metal foil helically wound therearound, an organic piezoelectric layer that coats the core wire, and a conductor layer that coats the organic piezoelectric layer. The metal foil and the conductor layer each function as an electrode having the organic piezoelectric layer interposed therebetween. The at least one layer of metal foil is helically wound around the resin wire with gaps, and the ratio of the gap to the helical pitch of the metal foil is 0.4% to 50%.

Abstract: A mold includes a first groove part and a second groove part. The first groove part extends with a constant length or a constant width from a center part to an outer circumferential part of the mold. The second groove part extends from a terminal end of the first groove part on an outer circumferential part side of the first groove part and merging with any portion of the first groove part.

Abstract: A mold includes a first groove part and a second groove part. The first groove part extends with a constant length or a constant width from a center part to an outer circumferential part of the mold. The second groove part extends from a terminal end of the first groove part on an outer circumferential part side of the first groove part and merging with any portion of the first groove part.

Abstract: A mold includes a first groove part and a second groove part. The first groove part extends with a constant length or a constant width from a center part to an outer circumferential part of the mold. The second groove part extends from a terminal end of the first groove part on an outer circumferential part side of the first groove and merges with any portion of the first groove part. A molding manufacturing method includes manufacturing a preform by semimolten die casting or semisolid die casting using the mold. The method may also include removing a portion of the preform corresponding to the second groove part.

Abstract: A process for the production of a semi-solidified iron alloy slurry having a crystallized solid phase and a residual liquid phase, wherein a material having a hypoeutectic cast iron composition is used, and an additive agent having a boiling point that is lower than at least a crystallization initiation temperature of primary crystals of the material is added to a melt of the material when the melt temperature is within a specific temperature range of not lower than the crystallization initiation temperature of the primary crystals and not greater than a temperature that is 50° C. higher than the crystallization initiation temperature, to thereby simultaneously conduct the stirring of the melt by the boiling of the additive agent and the cooling of the melt to a temperature falling within a semi-solidification temperature range thereof.

Abstract: A process for producing a semi-solidified slurry of an iron alloy including the steps of pouring a melt of an iron alloy into a semi-solidified slurry producing vessel 30 and cooling the melt therein to obtain a semi-solidified slurry having a crystallized solid phase and a residual liquid phase, wherein a hypereutectoid or hypoeutectic cast iron composition containing 0.8-4.3 wt. % C is used as a material, a melt of the composition is poured into the semi-solidified slurry producing vessel in a predetermined amount at a time, a temperature of the melt when poured into the semi-solidified slurry producing vessel is controlled to be not lower than a crystallization initiation temperature of the composition and not greater than a temperature that is 50° C. higher than the crystallization initiation temperature, and a cooling rate of the melt poured into the semi-solidified slurry producing vessel is controlled not to exceed 20° C. per minute.

Abstract: A process for the production of a semi-solidified iron alloy slurry having a crystallized solid phase and a residual liquid phase, wherein a material having a hypoeutectic cast iron composition is used, and an additive agent having a boiling point that is lower than at least a crystallization initiation temperature of primary crystals of the material is added to a melt of the material when the melt temperature is within a specific temperature range of not lower than the crystallization initiation temperature of the primary crystals and not greater than a temperature that is 50° C. higher than the crystallization initiation temperature, to thereby simultaneously conduct the stirring of the melt by the boiling of the additive agent and the cooling of the melt to a temperature falling within a semi-solidification temperature range thereof.

Abstract: A process for producing a semi-solidified slurry of an iron alloy including the steps of pouring a melt of an iron alloy into a semi-solidified slurry producing vessel 30 and cooling the melt therein to obtain a semi-solidified slurry having a crystallized solid phase and a residual liquid phase, wherein a hypoeutectic cast iron composition is used as a material, a melt of the composition is poured into the semi-solidified slurry producing vessel 30 in a predetermined amount at a time, a temperature of the melt when poured into the semi-solidified slurry producing vessel 30 is controlled to be not lower than a crystallization initiation temperature of the composition and not greater than a temperature that is 50° C. higher than the crystallization initiation temperature, and a cooling rate of the melt poured into the semi-solidified slurry producing vessel 30 is controlled not to exceed 20° C. per minute.

Abstract: A mold includes a first groove part and a second groove part. The first groove part extends with a constant length or a constant width from a center part to an outer circumferential part of the mold. The second groove part extends from a terminal end of the first groove part on an outer circumferential part side of the first groove and merges with any portion of the first groove part. A molding manufacturing method includes manufacturing a preform by semimolten die casting or semisolid die casting using the mold. The method may also include removing a portion of the preform corresponding to the second groove part.

Abstract: A process for producing a semi-solidified slurry of an iron alloy including the steps of pouring a melt of an iron alloy into a semi-solidified slurry producing vessel 30 and cooling the melt therein to obtain a semi-solidified slurry having a crystallized solid phase and a residual liquid phase, wherein a hypoeutectic cast iron composition is used as a material, a melt of the composition is poured into the semi-solidified slurry producing vessel 30 in a predetermined amount at a time, a temperature of the melt when poured into the semi-solidified slurry producing vessel 30 is controlled to be not lower than a crystallization initiation temperature of the composition and not greater than a temperature that is 50° C. higher than the crystallization initiation temperature, and a cooling rate of the melt poured into the semi-solidified slurry producing vessel 30 is controlled not to exceed 20° C. per minute.

Abstract: A billet for a thixocasting process and a thixocasting process using the billet allows casting using a thixocasting process to be realized at low production cost without permeation of an oxide film to the inside of the billet in injection molding. In a billet used for a thixocasting process continuously cast by intermittently drawing out, the interval of the oscillation marks is 10 mm or less and the maximum tilt angle of the oscillation marks relative to a cross section which is at a right angle to the drawing out direction is 45° or less.

Abstract: A billet for a thixocasting process and a thixocasting process using the billet allows casting using a thixocasting process to be realized at low production cost without permeation of an oxide film to the inside of the billet in injection molding. In a billet used for a thixocasting process continuously cast by intermittently drawing out, the interval of the oscillation marks is 10 mm or less and the maximum tilt angle of the oscillation marks relative to a cross section which is at a right angle to the drawing out direction is 45° or less.

Abstract: A method of incinerating wastes while controlling the production of dioxins wherein water vapor or water is sprayed in the main combustion zone of an incinerator. An apparatus for practicing the method of waste incineration, including a line for supplying main combustion air, either alone or together with a line for supplying recycled combustion gas, to the incinerator from below its hearth, is provided with a line for supplying water vapor or water in communication with the line or lines.

Abstract: When a brake pedal is operated by the vehicle driver, and detection signals from hydraulic pressure sensors and a brake switch, for detecting pressure of the brake pedal, are supplied to an ECU, the ECU performs a determination according to the detection signals as to whether or not the hydraulic pressure PM is a maximum pressure gradient d(PM)/dtmax. When the determination result of the braking condition is an emergency braking condition, an intake valve is opened. Thereafter, atmosphere is forcibly supplied to atmospheric chambers of a booster, to assist the braking force.

Abstract: A plug-opening device for a sealed type container, an opening of which is sealed with a sealing plug having a plug-opening tab, comprising a gripping mechanism for gripping the tab of the sealed container at a plug-opening position; and a plug-opening mechanism for moving the gripping mechanism passing through a position above the sealed container obliquely and upwardly on the side opposite to the position for the tab. The plug can be detached automatically from the opening reliably.

Abstract: A method of incinerating wastes while controlling the production of dioxins wherein water vapor or water is sprayed in the main combustion zone of an incinerator. An apparatus for practicing the method of waste incineration, including a line for supplying main combustion air, either alone or together with a line for supplying recycled combustion gas, to the incinerator from below its hearth, is provided with a line for supplying water vapor or water in communication with the line or lines.

Abstract: A plug-opening device which includes a rod capable of moving forwards or backwards, and a plug-opening member having elastic leaf springs, for urging against a circumferential side of a plug of a specimen container, attached to the rod in the longitudinal direction. The plug-opening member preferably includes a plurality of leaf springs in a stack formation, wherein an end portion of a higher leaf spring relative to another end portion of a lower leaf spring, adjacent to the higher leaf spring, extends further away from the end portion of the rod. More preferably, the plurality of leaf springs are attached with a gap being formed between upper and lower leaf springs. The plug-opening device can reliably, effectively, and smoothly open a plug of a specimen container with one stroke of the cylinder rod.

Abstract: A method of preventing dust from adhering to a wall of a combustion apparatus, such as a furnace wall or exhaust duct, is carried out by forcing gas through a porous refractory member forming the wall. Specifically, the furnace wall or exhaust duct wall to which dust might otherwise adhere is made of a porous refractory member and gas is injected through the pores of the refractory member. In an incinerator, the refractory porous member extends around the periphery of a liquid injection nozzle, so that gas fed to the inside of the incinerator through the refractory porous member prevents flower from accumulating at the periphery of the end of the nozzle and attenuates the wake of the injected liquid so as to suppress the entrainment of dust in the liquid. In a melting furnace, the refractory porous members provide the ceiling of a slag separating chamber and the entrance of an exhaust gas duct open to the upper portion of the slag separating chamber.

Abstract: A control apparatus for controlling the output of a vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine. The control apparatus includes a torque control unit and an electronic control unit, is electrically connected to various sensors for detecting the running conditions of the vehicle, and is capable of controlling, e.g., the operations of a throttle valve and an ignition plug, to thereby control the driving torque of the engine. The control apparatus calculates a reference driving torque of the engine on the basis of the vehicle speed, and also calculates a slippage of the driving wheels on the basis of a deviation of peripheral speed between the driving and driven wheels.

Abstract: A motor vehicle output power control system effects a slip control process for preventing the drive wheels of a motor vehicle from slipping against unstable maneuverability and a trace control process for preventing the motor vehicle from failing to make a turn due to an excessive lateral acceleration. The motor vehicle output power control system has a torque control unit for reducing the drive torque produced by the engine irrespective of controlling action of the driver. A target speed for the drive wheels is established on the basis of the motor vehicle speed, and a reference drive torque for the engine is set depending on the target speed for the drive wheels. Based on a slip of the drive wheels, a target drive torque for the engine is established. The torque control unit is controlled by an electronic controller so that the drive torque produced by the engine is equalized to the target drive torque.