Abstract: To downsize a high-pressure tank apparatus comprising: a high-pressure tank in which high-pressure gas is charged; and a valve mechanism including a regulator valve for reducing the gas pressure in the tank, to prevent damage to the valve mechanism, and to facilitate the handling of the valve mechanism and the like, the valve mechanism is provided at a gas outlet of the high-pressure tank to locate inside of the tank. The valve mechanism includes a capsule fixedly attached to the gas outlet in a gas-tight manner to face the inside of the high-pressure tank. Within the capsule, a shut-off valve for providing and interrupting communication between the inside and outside of the tank by its opening and closing, respectively, and a regulator valve for reducing the pressure of the high-pressure gas in the tank are disposed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rotating tool for friction stir welding capable of providing uniform welding strength by friction stir welding over the entire length of a butted portion of work pieces including tack-welded sections by weld metal structures, and a method and apparatus of friction stir welding using the rotating tool. The rotating tool for friction stir welding has a cutting blade for removing the weld metal structures. By rotating and moving the rotating tool along the butted portion of the two work pieces, friction stir welding is carried out while removing the weld metal structures by using the cutting blade. The rotating tool is provided with a shoulder portion at a tip end side of a tool body and a pin at a tip end of the shoulder portion. Two cutting blades may be symmetrically provided from the shoulder portion to a tip end portion of the tool body.

Abstract: To downsize a high-pressure tank apparatus comprising: a high-pressure tank in which high-pressure gas is charged; and a valve mechanism including a regulator valve for reducing the gas pressure in the tank, to prevent damage to the valve mechanism, and to facilitate the handling of the valve mechanism and the like, the valve mechanism is provided at a gas outlet of the high-pressure tank to locate inside of the tank. The valve mechanism includes a capsule fixedly attached to the gas outlet in a gas-tight manner to face the inside of the high-pressure tank. Within the capsule, a shut-off valve for providing and interrupting communication between the inside and outside of the tank by its opening and closing, respectively, and a regulator valve for reducing the pressure of the high-pressure gas in the tank are disposed.

Abstract: A method for prompting an operator during assembly of a product includes the initial step of recording a list of tasks for the operator to complete in a sequential order to assemble the product. The operator then plays the recording of each task as a prompt to assemble the product. The operator repeats the playing of each recorded task as necessary during the assembly of the product. The method also includes the operator activating a first switch on a remote module which transmits a signal to a control apparatus, activating the playback of the recorded tasks, which are transmitted to a receiver in the remote module.