Abstract: An arc welding apparatus includes a main power supply circuit for outputting an arc current, a control circuit for controlling the main power supply circuit, and a high-frequency voltage generating circuit for generating a high-frequency voltage. When an operation switch is turned on for a first time since the apparatus is powered on, the control circuit activates the main power supply circuit to output a high voltage, and the high-frequency voltage generating circuit to generate a high-frequency voltage. With the high voltage superimposed on the high-frequency voltage, the control circuit passes a welding arc current through a torch and a base material. The switch is then turned off, and the control circuit passes a pilot arc current through the torch and the base material. The switch is turned on again, and the control circuit activates the main power supply circuit to output a high voltage, thereby allowing smooth arc transition.

Abstract: The object of the present invention to provide an ethylene-unsaturated ester copolymer film used for forming a laminate, which is provided with emboss having effect on prevention on blocking during storage of the film, and which has good tackiness that is required for alignment in a laminating step. A film 40 for forming a laminate, which is formed from a composition comprising an ethylene-unsaturated ester copolymer and has emboss only on one surface 41 of the film, wherein a surface 42 opposite to the surface having emboss is provided with a fine asperity 43, the surface 42 provided with the fine asperity 43 having a surface roughness profile with a mean spacing between peaks (Sm) of 600 to 1600 ?m and an arithmetical mean roughness (Ra) of 1.2 to 2.2 ?m.

Abstract: The object of the present invention to provide a solar cell sealing film, which has superior durability that maintains adhesive performance for a long duration under the circumstances of a high temperature and high humidity, exerts high crosslink rate at production of the solar cells, and suppresses occurrence of blister, an a solar cell using the sealing film. A solar cell sealing film, comprising: ethylene-polar monomer copolymer, an organic peroxide, and a silane-coupling agent, wherein the silane-coupling agent is represented by formula (I): in which R1 represents alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, three R1s are the same as or different from each other, and “n” is an integer of 1 to 8; and the silane-coupling agent is contained in the range of 0.02 to 1.0 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the ethylene-polar monomer copolymer.

Abstract: A plasma arc power supply with a simple structure and its control method enable shifting from a pilot arc to a main arc. A plasma arc power supply used in a plasma arc apparatus that processes a workpiece by forming a pilot arc between a main electrode and a nozzle electrode and subsequently forming a main arc between the main electrode and the workpiece includes N direct current power supply units (N?2) having negative terminals connected to the main electrode and positive terminals to the workpiece, and a switch between the fourth power supply unit and the workpiece. The fourth power supply unit is connected to cause the nozzle electrode to have an opposite polarity to the main electrode. When the switch is open, the fourth power supply unit supplies a small current between the main electrode and the nozzle electrode while forming a pilot arc between them.

Abstract: The object of the present invention to provide an ethylene-unsaturated ester copolymer film used for forming a laminate, which is provided with emboss having effect on prevention on blocking during storage of the film, and which has good tackiness that is required for alignment in a laminating step. A film 40 for forming a laminate, which is formed from a composition comprising an ethylene-unsaturated ester copolymer and has emboss only on one surface 41 of the film, wherein a surface 42 opposite to the surface having emboss is provided with a fine asperity 43, the surface 42 provided with the fine asperity 43 having a surface roughness profile with a mean spacing between peaks (Sm) of 600 to 1600 ?m and an arithmetical mean roughness (Ra) of 1.2 to 2.2 ?m.

Abstract: A relay contact is connected between positive power supply input terminals of first and second inverters, and a relay contact is connected between negative power supply input terminals of the inverters. A positive DC power supply terminal is connected to the positive power supply input terminal of the first inverter, and a negative DC power supply terminal is connected to the negative power supply input terminal of the second inverter. A drive unit opens or closes the relay contacts when a voltage appearing between the positive and negative DC power supply terminals is larger than a predetermined value or is not larger than the predetermined value, respectively. A diode has its anode and cathode connected to the negative power supply input terminal of the first inverter the positive power supply input terminal of the second inverter, respectively.

Abstract: The object of the present invention to provide a solar cell sealing film comprising chiefly ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, organic peroxides for giving crosslinked structure, which suppresses occurrence of blister without reduction of crosslink rate, even if the film contains silane-coupling agents for improving adhesive strength. The solar cell sealing film comprising ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, an organic peroxide, a silane-coupling agent, and a phosphite compound represented by formula (I): P(OR1)3(I) wherein, R1 is a branched-chain aliphatic alkyl group having 8 to 14 carbon atoms, and three R1s are the same as or different from each other.

Abstract: Lighting of a discharge lamp is controlled in a manner to reduce deterioration of the discharge lamp subjected to high temperature and extend the lifetime of the discharge lamp. A method for controlling lighting of the discharge lamp includes a first constant current control process (period T1, which corresponds to steps S3 and S4) in which constant current control is executed by supplying a first current to the discharge lamp, a second constant current control process (period T3, which corresponds to steps S7 and S8) in which constant current control is executed by supplying a second current greater than the first current to the discharge lamp after the first constant current control process, and a constant power control process (period T4) in which constant power control is executed after the second constant current control process.

Abstract: A rectifying circuit (18) converts inputted AC power to DC power. An inverter circuit (22) converts the DC power to high-frequency power in accordance with a switching control signal applied thereto from a control circuit (50). A voltage transformer (24) voltage-transforms the voltage of the high-frequency power. An output-side rectifying circuit (40) rectifies the voltage-transformed power. An output detecting circuit (34) detects the magnitude of the voltage of the rectified power, and a signal representative of the detected voltage is applied to the control circuit (50). The control circuit (50) generates such a switching control signal as to make the rectified power have a predetermined value. The value of the voltage from the rectifying circuit (18) is detected by an input detecting circuit (62), and a signal representative of the detected voltage is applied to the control circuit (50).

Abstract: Energy loss due to driving a plurality of power supply units simultaneously in a low-current region is prevented, and a more stable load current is obtained. The generation of a load current in a small-current region from a pilot arc current is handled solely by the power supply unit U1, the remaining (N?1) power supply units U2 through U4 are driven when the small-current region is exceeded, and a current that is the composite of all the currents is fed to the load, whereby a stable plasma arc power supply is obtained in which power consumption in the low-current region is reduced.

Abstract: The power supply device of the present invention which outputs pulsed electrical current includes an inverter which converts an input voltage to high frequency AC, a rectifier which rectifies the output of the inverter and converts it to DC, and an output polarity changeover unit which, via a reactor, alternatingly turns ON and OFF the output at a positive electrode side of the rectifier and the output at a negative electrode side thereof. Moreover, this power supply device includes a current transformer including a closed magnetic circuit or coil, pierced by a first output current line in which the current at the positive electrode flows, and by a second output current line in which the current at the negative electrode flows. The directions of piercing of the output current lines through the current transformer are set so that the directions in the current transformer, in which current flows in the first and second output current lines, are the same.

Abstract: This power supply device for an arc apparatus includes: a three phase full wave rectification circuit in which a plurality of semiconductor switching elements are connected in inverse parallel with a plurality of rectification elements, and which rectifies a three phase AC power supply; an AC reactor which is connected to the three phase AC power supply and the three phase full wave rectification circuit; a smoothing capacitor which smoothes the output voltage of the three phase full wave rectification circuit; an inverter circuit which converts the output of the smoothing capacitor to high frequency AC; and a rectification circuit which rectifies the output of the inverter circuit and supplies the result to a load. Moreover, this power supply device for an arc apparatus also includes a control is circuit which performs switching control of the semiconductor switching elements, so that the phases of the input voltage and of the input current of the three phase AC power supply agree with one another.

Abstract: A welder power supply apparatus (10) includes an inverter (20), which is driven intermittently when an electrode (34) and a workpiece (36) are separated from each other and no arc is being generated between them, whereby power loss generated in the inverter (20) when the inverter (20) is driven in the non-load state of the power supply apparatus and power loss caused by exciting current flowing through an transformer (24) disposed in the output of the inverter (20) can be reduced. The inverter (20) is driven continuously when output current (Io) becomes higher than a threshold value (Ib) after the electrode (34) and the workpiece (36) are brought into contact with each other for starting arcing between them. In this manner, the arcing can be initiated without fail.

Abstract: A plasma arc power supply with a simple structure and its control method enable shifting from a pilot arc to a main arc. A plasma arc power supply used in a plasma arc apparatus that processes a workpiece by forming a pilot arc between a main electrode and a nozzle electrode and subsequently forming a main arc between the main electrode and the workpiece includes N direct current power supply units (N?2) having negative terminals connected to the main electrode and positive terminals to the workpiece, and a switch between the fourth power supply unit and the workpiece. The fourth power supply unit is connected to cause the nozzle electrode to have an opposite polarity to the main electrode. When the switch is open, the fourth power supply unit supplies a small current between the main electrode and the nozzle electrode while forming a pilot arc between them.

Abstract: Lighting of a discharge lamp is controlled in a manner to reduce deterioration of the discharge lamp subjected to high temperature and extend the lifetime of the discharge lamp. A method for controlling lighting of the discharge lamp includes a first constant current control process (period T1, which corresponds to steps S3 and S4) in which constant current control is executed by supplying a first current to the discharge lamp, a second constant current control process (period T3, which corresponds to steps S7 and S8) in which constant current control is executed by supplying a second current greater than the first current to the discharge lamp after the first constant current control process, and a constant power control process (period T4) in which constant power control is executed after the second constant current control process.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to realize an optimum lamp control with an inexpensive configuration in a discharge lamp light-up control apparatus. A constant current control unit controls light-up of a discharge lamp by transmitting a control signal to an inverter and includes: a storage for storing lamp characteristics of the discharge lamp; and a CPU for obtaining information indicative of a type of the discharge lamp attached, reading the lamp characteristics from the storage based on the obtained type information, and transmitting a control signal to the inverter so that an output corresponding to the read lamp characteristics are obtained.

Abstract: A power supply apparatus for use with arc-utilizing apparatuses includes a plurality of power supply blocks of the same capacity. Each power supply block includes an input-side rectifying circuit, an inverter, a transformer, and an output-side rectifying circuit. The inverter is controlled by a control circuit in such a manner that high-frequency current flowing the inverter or current flowing through the output-side rectifying circuit can correspond to a reference signal provided by a reference signal generator. The outputs of the output-side rectifying circuits of the power supply blocks are connected in parallel with each other. The values of the reference signals generated by the reference signal generators are made always equal by the action of equipotential lines.

Abstract: A laminated optical film according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a long polarizer having an absorption axis in a lengthwise direction and a long optical compensation film. An angle formed by a slow axis of the optical compensation film and the absorption axis of the polarizer is 5 to 85°.

Abstract: Energy loss due to driving a plurality of power supply units simultaneously in a low-current region is prevented, and a more stable load current is obtained. The generation of a load current in a small-current region from a pilot arc current is handled solely by the power supply unit U1, the remaining (N?1) power supply units U2 through U4 are driven when the small-current region is exceeded, and a current that is the composite of all the currents is fed to the load, whereby a stable plasma arc power supply is obtained in which power consumption in the low-current region is reduced.

Abstract: Welding conditions are set for a power supply apparatus for use with a welding machine, using a control panel unit (96). A memory (105) stores therein welding conditions as set through the control unit (96), and holds the set welding conditions after turning off of a main power supply switch (1) of the power supply apparatus. Upon turning on of the main power switch (1) for starting welding, the welding conditions stored and held in the memory (105) are read out and set in the power supply apparatus.