Abstract: A backup power supply system of the present invention includes a first auxiliary power supply and a second auxiliary power supply capable of supplying electric power to a first load when failure of a main power supply occurs. In the backup power supply system, a second duration is shorter than a first duration. The first duration is the duration until the first auxiliary power supply becomes capable of supplying electric power to the first load. The second duration is the duration until the second auxiliary power supply becomes capable of supplying electric power to the first load.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus includes an endless first rotary member, a heating element, a second rotary member configured to form a nip portion, and a nip member configured to receive radiant heat from the heating element and heat the nip portion. The nip member includes a main-body portion that contains aluminum or aluminum alloy and a protective layer that includes an oxide film formed on a surface of the main-body portion. The main-body portion contains a heat receiving surface that faces the heating element and receives radiant heat from the heating element, and a rubbed surface that is rubbed against the inner circumferential surface of the first rotary member. The protective layer contains coloring agent that causes an emissivity of the heat receiving surface and the rubbed surface to be higher than an emissivity of a natural color oxide film.

Abstract: An auxiliary power supply system includes a plurality of electrical storage devices that supply power to an electrical device. Each of the storage devices has the communication capability with the electrical device. Each of the storage devices provisionally selects one of a plurality of first communication addresses as a provisional communication address of its own. The plurality of first communication addresses have been set for the plurality of electrical storage devices by the electrical device. Each of the storage devices returns a response signal in reply to a transmission signal, to which the provisional communication address of its own is added. Each of the storage devices changes, when finding that any communication error has occurred while returning the response signal, the provisional communication address of its own into one of one or more unused communication addresses belonging to the plurality of first communication addresses that have been set.

Abstract: Soft soil stratum is stabilized by jetting powdery agent into the ground and mixing and agitating the same with the soil, wherein a rotary shaft is inserted into the ground and a powdery stabilized agent carried by air is pneumatically transported by way of a transportation tube positioned within the rotary shaft and is jetted out from a nozzle disposed in communication with a blade which is integrally attached to and extended from the bottom end of the shaft, is mixed and is agitated for solidification with the soil by the rotation of the mixing blade, while the carrier air jetted into the ground is induced and discharged to the outside of the ground after separation and filtration. The state of the supply of the powdery stabilized agent is continuously optimally controlled in accordance with a predetermined set condition. The powdery stabilized agent can be transported smoothly and mixed with the soil uniformly to provide satisfactory soil stabilization, without repair and maintenance problems.