Abstract: A first measured value of a specific physical quantity at a target portion is correlated with a damage evaluation index to calculate a damage degree corresponding to the first measured value. The specific physical quantity is measured at least once at a position corresponding to the first measurement position in another time period having a different usage elapsed time from that of the first measurement, and these second and subsequent measured values are correlated with damage degrees calculated based on temporal changes corresponding to the second and subsequent measurements. A new damage evaluation index is approximately calculated based on a relationship between the first, second, and subsequent measured values and the damage degrees corresponding to the first, second, and subsequent measured values.

Abstract: A first measured value of a specific physical quantity at a target portion is correlated with a damage evaluation index to calculate a damage degree corresponding to the first measured value. The specific physical quantity is measured at least once at a position corresponding to the first measurement position in another time period having a different usage elapsed time from that of the first measurement, and these second and subsequent measured values are correlated with damage degrees calculated based on temporal changes corresponding to the second and subsequent measurements. A new damage evaluation index is approximately calculated based on a relationship between the first, second, and subsequent measured values and the damage degrees corresponding to the first, second, and subsequent measured values.

Abstract: Deflection (bend) in the length direction due to a difference in the heat expansion between two plate-like members, between which rows of heat transfer tubes are sandwiched, is reduced, and deflection (bend) of rows of heat transfer tubes is prevented. Two long plate-like members, in which a plurality of cutouts along the longitudinal direction are provided in one side the widthwise direction, are provided, and each of the cutouts includes two rectilinear sections that extend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction axis of the plate-like members, and a semicircular section that links one end of the rectilinear sections together. The distance between the two rectilinear sections along the lengthwise direction axis of the plate-like members and the diameter of the semicircular section is set so as to be greater than the diameter of the heat transfer tubes that are contained within the cutouts.

Abstract: In order to provide a welding structure of a tube header and tube stubs which successfully improves the durability thereof against creep and fatigue damage of the tube stubs without interposing a component of a different material between the tube header and the tube stubs, i.e. requiring additional components, a welding structure of the present invention comprises: a tube header (2) being made of ferritic heat resisting steel; a plurality of tube stubs (4) which are welded onto an outer surface of the tube header, each of the tube stubs having a bended section, in which the plurality of tube stubs (4) are made of austenite stainless steel, and welded to the tube header (2) by using nickel base alloy as a welding material.

Abstract: A cryogenic refrigerator comprises a compressor including a compressor housing within which a cylinder is mounted, and a piston reciprocal within the cylinder, and a cold finger including a low temperature cylinder within which a displacer is reciprocable, and a regenerater mounted within the displacer. A plurality of flat piston suspension springs include a plurality of spiral slits to provide a plurality of spiral arms deflectable as the piston is reciprocated within the compressor cylinder. A plurality of annular inner retainers are secured to the piston and adapted to sandwich the inner peripheral edges of the piston suspension springs. A plurality of annular outer retainers are secured to the compressor housing and include a plurality of projections extending inwardly from the outer ends of the spiral slits to sandwich the outer peripheral edges of the flat piston suspension springs.

Abstract: A refrigerator comprising a first cylinder and a second cylinder which are coaxially arranged, a first movable coil and a second movable coil which are oppositely arranged in a magnetic flux produced by a magnet, and which can be reciprocated by applying an a.c.

Abstract: A refrigerator comprises a compressor including a first cylinder having an inner cylindrical surface, a piston reciprocating in the first cylinder, and a linear motor for having a.c. electric input power applied thereto to drive the piston; a cold finger including a second cylinder having an elongated inner cylindrical surface, a displacer reciprocating in the second cylinder, and a cold space and a hot space which are divided by the displacer; a temperature detector for detecting the temperature in the cold space; an electric input power decision unit for having a detection signal inputted from the temperature detector and for deciding the electric input power to be applied to the linear motor so that the electric input power grows greater and greater as the temperature in the cold space decreases; and a power source for providing the electric input power to the linear motor based on the output from the electric input power decision unit.

Abstract: A control device in a motor vehicle having a clutch and a transmission for controlling operation of the clutch and the transmission, includes a control lever angularly movable in first and second directions perpendicular to each other, a first connector mechanism interconnecting the control lever and the transmission for enabling the transmission to shift gears therein in response to angular movement of the control lever in the first direction, a follower having a portion extending in the first direction, the follower being angularly movable in the second direction, the portion being normally held in contact with the control lever when the control lever is angularly moved in the first and second directions, a second connector mechanism interconnecting the follower and the clutch for enabling the clutch to be engaged and disengaged in response to angular movement of the follower in the second direction, and a member for allowing the control lever to be angularly moved in the first direction only when the contr

Abstract: A control device for a clutch and a transmission in a vehicle comprising a single control lever has a substantially single control lever angularly movable about at least one shaft for actuating the clutch and the transmission, a first link mechanism for transmitting angular movement of the control lever to the release lever of the clutch, a second link mechanism for transmitting angular movement of the control lever to the shifter of the transmission, and a damper for imposing a dampening force on the connection operation of the clutch. The damper has a damper stroke varying mechanism operatively cooperating with the second link mechanism for rendering the damper stroke of the damper shorter as higher-speed gears of the transmission are selected by the control lever.

Abstract: A snow blowing machine is disclosed, in which collection and throwing of snow is effected by an auger and blower assembly rotating at high speed and which is in direct engagement with the ground, the auger and blower assembly having blades edged with an antifriction material which reduces the frictional engagement of the auger and blade assembly with the ground, the residual friction providing the motive force for moving the snow blowing machine across the ground, thus eliminating the requirement for a separate drive for that purpose, and also eliminating a separate drive to the blower.

Abstract: A lawn mowing machine of a self-driving type having a rotating and stopping device for a lawn cutting blade and a driving and stopping device for the machine body, in which a gripping lever for on-and-off operations of the rotating and stopping device for the cutting blade is operable independently of a gripping lever for on-and-off operations of the driving and stopping device for the machine body, while the latter-mentioned lever, when it is gripped, is engaged with the former-mentioned lever to move it in an operative direction, thereby maintaining it in an operative state.

Abstract: A power transmission device for a power-operated lawn mowing machine, in which a rotational shaft for a prime mover and a rotational shaft for a cutting blade are interlocked with a friction clutch to be engaged and disengaged each other by an operating lever, and a disc brake to apply braking action to the cutting blade at the time of the clutch disengagement is provided between the movable engaging member of the clutch and a fixed member at the side of the prime mover.

Abstract: Improved decompression-type, four-cycle internal-combustion engine which has the conventional compression chamber, reciprocable piston, and intake valve therein; comprising, in accordance with the invention, means for delaying the closing time of the valve, in the course of the compression stroke, with the piston moving upwards, for obtaining reduced compression pressure; and means for closing the valve to its at least nearly closed condition within the closing delay period. The inventive delaying and closing means is preferably embodied in a specifically shaped cam for controlling the operation of the intake valve, with respective depressed, slightly protruding as well as flat portions at preferred, predetermined crank angle positions.