Abstract: A heat transfer method uses a heat transfer system including: a heat source unit in which heat is exchanged between a heat transfer medium and a heat source; a utilization unit in which heat is exchanged between the heat transfer medium and a temperature adjustment target; and a first flow path and a second flow path that connect the heat source unit and the utilization unit. The heat transfer medium flows through the first flow path from the heat source unit to the utilization unit, and flows through the second flow path from the utilization unit to the heat source unit. In the heat transfer method, inorganic hydrate slurry, in which an inorganic hydrate that absorbs heat when dissolved in water is mixed with water, is used as the heat transfer medium.

Abstract: One of a first metallic pipe containing a first metal as a main component and a second metallic pipe containing a second metal as a main component includes an expanded-diameter connecting part which is formed at an end part of the one metallic pipe. An inner diameter of the end part is greater than an inner diameter of an adjacent part that is adjacent to the end part. An intermetallic compound layer of the first and second metal is present at an interface of the first and second metal located between a brazing filler metal and the one or the other of the metallic pipes. A thickness of the intermetallic compound layer is configured such that the thickness of an end portion on the side of a base end is smaller than the thickness of an end portion on the side of an open end.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a plurality of fins arranged so that a plate thickness direction intersects an air flow direction and have mutually adjacent plate-shaped first and second fin units, and a plurality of heat transfer pipes inserted into the fins so as to intersect the air flow direction. The first and second fin units have heat conducting parts, upper water conveying parts, and lower water conveying parts. The upper water conveying part of the first fin unit projects a different amount from the upper water conveying part of the second fin unit, and an equal amount to the lower water conveying part of the second fin unit. The lower water conveying part of the first fin unit projects a different amount from the lower water conveying part of the second fin unit, and an equal amount to the upper water conveying part of the second fin unit.

Abstract: A former unit (20) as a drying apparatus includes a horizontally oriented main casing (21). Space inside the main casing (21) is divided into four irradiation zones (31-34). Each of the irradiation zones (31-34) contains one tray unit (10). Each of the tray units (10) contains four metallic transfer trays (14) aligned in the vertical direction, with a distance between the transfer trays (14) set to half a wavelength of a microwave (?/2) or larger. Each of the transfer trays (14) carries wet PTFE powder. In the irradiation zones (31-34), the tray units (10) sequentially move from the first irradiation zone (31) to the fourth irradiation zone (34), and the microwave is laterally applied to the transfer trays (14).

Abstract: One of a first metallic pipe containing a first metal as a main component and a second metallic pipe containing a second metal as a main component includes an expanded-diameter connecting part which is formed at an end part of the one metallic pipe. An inner diameter of the end part is greater than an inner diameter of an adjacent part that is adjacent to the end part. An intermetallic compound layer of the first and second metal is present at an interface of the first and second metal located between a brazing filler metal and the one or the other of the metallic pipes. A thickness of the intermetallic compound layer is configured such that the thickness of an end portion on the side of a base end is smaller than the thickness of an end portion on the side of an open end.

Abstract: A former unit (20) as a drying apparatus includes four irradiation zones (31-34) in a main casing (21). Each of the irradiation zones (31-34) contains one tray unit (10). Each of the tray units (10) contains four transfer trays (14) aligned in the vertical direction. Each of the transfer trays (14) carries wet PTFE powder. In the former unit (20), the tray units (10) sequentially move from the first irradiation zone (31) to the fourth irradiation zone (34). A microwave is applied to the transfer trays (14) in the tray unit (10) from the left in the first irradiation zone (31), from behind in the second irradiation zone (32), from the front in the third irradiation zone (33), and from the right in the fourth irradiation zone.

Abstract: A former unit (20) as a drying apparatus includes a horizontally oriented main casing (21). Space inside the main casing (21) is divided into four irradiation zones (31-34). Each of the irradiation zones (31-34) contains one tray unit (10). Each of the tray units (10) contains four metallic transfer trays (14) aligned in the vertical direction, with a distance between the transfer trays (14) set to half a wavelength of a microwave (?/2) or larger. Each of the transfer trays (14) carries wet PTFE powder. In the irradiation zones (31-34), the tray units (10) sequentially move from the first irradiation zone (31) to the fourth irradiation zone (34), and the microwave is laterally applied to the transfer trays (14).

Abstract: A semi-finished product obtained as a mixture of PTFE powder and water is put on conveyance trays (70) and is then input to a producing apparatus (10). In the producing apparatus (10), the conveyance trays (70) arranged vertically pass through a first drying zone (41), a second drying zone (42), and a heat treatment zone (43) in this order. In the first drying zone (41), the water contained in the semi-finished product is heated by a microwave to be evaporated. In the second drying zone (42), residual water in the semi-finished product is heated by hot wind to be evaporated. In the heat treatment zone (43), the temperature of dried PTFE powder is kept at approximately 160° C. The semi-finished product on each conveyance tray (70) passes through the three zones to be PTFE powder as a finished product.

Abstract: An air conditioner comprises an outdoor heat exchanger having a plate fin whose surface is treated to have water-sliding properties and water repellency and a drain pan arranged under the outdoor heat exchanger. There is a gap throughout between the lower end portion of the outdoor heat exchanger and the upper surface of the drain pan. Water droplets condensed when the outdoor heat exchanger operates as an evaporator fall on the drain pan from the lower end portion of the plate fin. Since the plate fin and the drain pan are not in contact with each other, there is no such case that ice adheres to the contact portion and frost develops therefrom.

Abstract: A superconducting quantum interference device loop, a modulation coil and an input coil are formed in parallel and their axes being parallel to a substrate, on the substrate. At least one tap is formed at a predetermined position on the input coil. In a preferred embodiment, a superconductive shield is formed on the substrate in one body. The superconductive shield surrounds the superconducting quantum interference device loop, the modulation coil and the input coil.