Abstract: A sample extrusion device 12 for sequentially extruding a sample 1 in a predetermined direction, a sample cutting device 14 for sequentially cutting the extruded sample, and a con-focal image pickup device 16 for focusing an illuminating light at a section portion that was cut to pick up two-dimensional images of the cut section from a reflected light thereof are provided to reconstruct an internal structure of the sample from many two-dimensional images (continuous section images) that differ in the cutting positions. The sample can be continuously cut to continuously observe the sectional images thereof under no influence of the sample being seen transparently, the entirety of the sample can be observed in almost the same condition even though the sample is colored with a fluorescent dye, and thereby, the internal structure of the sample can be reconstructed with a high precision.

Abstract: A sample extrusion device 12 for sequentially extruding a sample 1 in a predetermined direction, a sample cutting device 14 for sequentially cutting the extruded sample, and a con-focal image pickup device 16 for focusing an illuminating light at a section portion that was cut to pick up two-dimensional images of the cut section from a reflected light thereof are provided to reconstruct an internal structure of the sample from many two-dimensional images (continuous section images) that differ in the cutting positions. The sample can be continuously cut to continuously observe the sectional images thereof under no influence of the sample being seen transparently, the entirety of the sample can be observed in almost the same condition even though the sample is colored with a fluorescent dye, and thereby, the internal structure of the sample can be reconstructed with a high precision.

Abstract: To make it possible to provide high quality heating or warming with low environmental pollution for a low environmental pollution vehicle such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, an automotive air-conditioning apparatus has a hot water circuit that includes a hot water heater (heat source unit), a hot water circulating pump and a heater core to thereby perform a heating operation for heating passenger compartment air wherein, an electric motor is excited under the condition that the rotation thereof is fixed to thereby generate heat in the electric motor. The generated heat is utilized as a heat source for the hot water heater. The restricting mechanism may include two electric motors which are rotated in opposite directions to each other or a lock mechanism.

Abstract: A surface acoustic wave actuator is disclosed which includes unidirectional interdigital transducers disposed on both sides of a vibrator and an electrical combiner. One of the unidirectional interdigital transducers and external power supply are connected to an input port, and the other unidirectional interdigital transducer is connected to an output port of the electrical combiner. The electrical combiner combines input energy from an external power supply and surface acoustic wave energy is electrically converted by one of the unidirectional interdigital transducers, and input to the other unidirectional interdigital transducer. Surface acoustic waves excited by the other unidirectional interdigital transducer propagates on a vibrator, and is input to the other unidirectional interdigital transducer again after passing one unidirectional interdigital transducer and the electrical combiner.

Abstract: An elastic surface wave gyroscope includes two transducers attached on a piezoelectric substrate to generate elastic surface waves having different frequencies on the piezoelectric substrate, and two pair of reflectors for reflecting the different elastic surface waves toward the generators to produce two different standing waves, and another pair of reflectors for reflecting an elastic surface wave caused by a Coriolis force to produce a third standing wave, and a detector for detecting an electric signal corresponding to the third standing wave. This gyroscope has a high detection sensitivity.

Abstract: An actuator using an electromechanical transducer capable of driving efficiently and at high speed and a drive pulse generating apparatus, in which the frequency f of a drive pulse is set in a range satisfying equation (1) and the wavelength T is set in a range satisfying equations (2), (3) and (4); (1/3)fr<f<(2/3)fr  (1) 0.4<(T1/T)<0.8  (2) 0.35<(T2/T1)<0.95  (3) 0<(T3/T2)<0.3  (4) where fr: resonance frequency of an oscillating member including the electromechanical transducer, T1: drive pulse width, T2: width of a gradually changing portion of drive pulse voltage, T3: width of a rapidly changing portion of drive pulse voltage and where 0.1<(T3/T2)<0.3 may be satisfied.

Abstract: An elastic surface wave gyroscope includes two transducers attached on a piezoelectric substrate to generate elastic surface waves having different frequencies on the piezoelectric substrate, and two pair of reflectors for reflecting the different elastic surface waves toward the generators to produce two different standing waves, and another pair of reflectors for reflecting an elastic surface wave caused by a Coriolis force to produce a third standing wave, and a detector for detecting an electric signal corresponding to the third standing wave. This gyroscope has a high detection sensitivity.

Abstract: A ferromagnetic member (21) of a movable part (2) is disposed on a side of a stationary part (1) such that the ferromagnetic member (21) faces a high temperature superconductor (11) of the stationary part (1). The high temperature superconductor (11) is brought into a superconductive state by cooling it to a temperature below a critical temperature in a magnetic field. The magnetic flux pinned to the high temperature superconductor (11) is caused to pass through the ferromagnetic member (21) so that an attractive force is generated between the high temperature superconductor (11) and the ferromagnetic member (21) to hold the movable part (2). When the ferromagnetic member (21) has a shape such that when the gap becomes lower than a predetermined value, the attractive force decreases, the movable part (2) can be stably suspended in a non-contacting manner, without the necessity of control, by the combination of the high temperature superconductor (11) and the ferromagnetic member (21).

Abstract: An electrostatic levitating electrode (10) is split into four equal segments on a circular insulating substrate (4) with isolating strips (11a, 11b) interposed between them. A positive voltage and a negative voltage are alternately applied to these four electrodes (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d), which are sector-shaped. In order to prevent the concentration of electric charge in such case, the corner portions of the sector-shaped electrodes (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) are formed to have roundness (13). Furthermore, a lead wire (12a) is connected to the outer side of the sector-shaped electrode (10a), a lead wire (12b) is connected to the outer side of the sector-shaped electrode (10b), a lead wire (12c) is connected to the outer side of sector-shaped electrode (10c), and a lead wire (12d) is connected to the outer side of sector-shaped electrode (10d).

Abstract: A ferromagnetic member (21) of a movable part (2) is disposed on a side of a stationary part (1) such that the ferromagnetic member (21) faces a high temperature superconductor (11) of the stationary part (1). The high temperature superconductor (11) is brought into a superconductive state by cooling it to a temperature below a critical temperature in a magnetic field. The magnetic flux pinned to the high temperature superconductor (11) is caused to pass through the ferromagnetic member (21) so that an attractive force is generated between the high temperature superconductor (11) and the ferromagnetic member (21) to hold the movable part (2). When the ferromagnetic member (21) has a shape such that when the gap becomes lower than a predetermined value, the attractive force decreases, the movable part (2) can be stably suspended in a non-contacting manner, without the necessity of control, by the combination of the high temperature superconductor (11) and the ferromagnetic member (21).

Abstract: A multiple axes drive apparatus having a plurality of electrostatic actuators for applying driving forces in a plurality of different directions within a plane to a driven member. Each electrostatic actuator of the drive apparatus includes a first member that has a plurality of first electrode strips arranged in a single direction with a predetermined pitch, and a second member that has a plurality of second electrode strips arranged in the same direction as the first electrode strips with the same pitch. The members are located opposite to each other so one of the members moves along the single direction in response to a Coulomb force generated between the electrode strips when voltage is applied to the electrode strips.

Abstract: An electrostatic actuator comprising:a first member (1) having a plurality of belt-like electrodes (4) insulated from one another and disposed in a predetermined direction with predetermined gaps between them;a second member (10) constituted by a resistance body on the opposed surface thereof coming into contact with the surface of the first member (1); andcontrol means (11) capable of changing an impressed voltage to be applied to each of a plurality of belt-like electrodes disposed on the first member;the control means (11) being constituted so as to move the first and second members relative to each other by applying a predetermined voltage pattern consisting of a pulse voltage to the belt-like electrodes.

Abstract: An electrostatic actuator according to the present invention includes a first member having a plurality of striped electrodes insulated from one another and arranged in a prescribed direction with a prescribed spacing between them, a second member having a plurality of striped electrodes insulated from one another and arranged in a prescribed direction with a prescribed spacing between them, and continuous-waveform polyphase AC power supplies applied to the electrodes of the first member and the electrodes of the second member, one or both of the first member and second member being moved by an electrostatic coulomb force between the first member and the second member.

Abstract: An electrostatic actuator incorporates a sensor for detecting both position and the state of distribution of charges and is efficiently driven in high-speed operation. A first member has a plurality of driving electrodes thereon, each having the shape of a strip, a second member is placed in contact with the first member, and a control means is provided for changing the voltages applied to the driving electrodes to produce relative movement of the first member and the second member. Detecting electrodes are arranged on the first member at predetermined phases, independently of the driving electrodes, and a detecting unit detects the position of the second member and the state of charges induced on the second member, through the detection of electric signals induced in the detecting electrodes by the charges distributed on the second member.

Abstract: An electrostatic actuator according to the present invention includes a first member having a plurality of striped electrodes insulated from one another and arranged in a prescribed direction with a prescribed spacing between them, a second member having a plurality of striped electrodes insulated from one another and arranged in a prescribed direction with a prescribed spacing between them, and continuous-waveform polyphase AC power supplies applied to the electrodes of the first member and the electrodes of the second member, one or both of the first member and second member being moved by an electrostatic coulomb force between the first member and the second member.

Abstract: An electrostatic actuator comprising:a first member (1) having a plurality of belt-like electrodes (4) insulated from one another and disposed in a predetermined direction with predetermined gaps between them;a second member (10) constituted by a resistance body on the opposed surface thereof coming into contact with the surface of the first member (1); andcontrol means (11) capable of changing an impressed voltage to be applied to each of a plurality of belt-like electrodes disposed on the first member;the control means (11) being constituted so as to move the first and second members relative to each other by applying a predetermined voltage pattern consisting of a pulse voltage to the belt-like electrodes.

Abstract: An electrostatic actuator using films providing a large force with a small and simple structure comprising a stator (1) providing a plurality of belt type electrodes wired in the insulation material, a migrator (10) placed on the stator (1) and composed of an insulation material layer film (11) and a resistance material layer film (12) and a means for floating, driving and positioning the migrator (10) by changing voltages to be applied to the belt type electrodes (4).

Abstract: A microdrive apparatus of a micromanipulator according to the present invention is such that a piezoelectric/electrostrictive element having an inertial member mounted at its tip is attached to a moving member supported on a frictional surface of a support member, and a miniature instrument for manipulation is attached to the moving member. By applying an electric field to the piezoelectric/electrostrictive element, the miniature instrument for manipulation is controlled for fine movement by utilizing this kinetic energy, the inertial effect of the inertial member, and the reaction force acting upon the moving member. In addition, the miniature instrument for manipulation can be controlled to assume a predetermined position and predetermined attitude by a micropositioning device having an articulated portion in which an inertial member is attached to an arm via a piezoelectric/electrostrictive element.

Abstract: A microinjection apparatus according to the invention includes a microsyringe having a plunger, a rotative moving member which rotates together with a shaft, and a micromovement device mounted on the rotative moving member and having a piezoelectric/electro-strictive element equipped with an inertial member. Applying an electric signal to the micromovement device produces a driving force which causes the rotative moving member to rotate by a minute amount. As a result, the plunger is moved a minute amount in the axial direction to move a liquid within the microsyringe. Also provided is a microinjection apparatus which includes a microsyringe having an internal rotary plate serving as a plunger and attached to a center shaft, a rotative moving member which rotates together with the center shaft, and a micromovement device mounted on the rotative moving member and having a piezoelectric/electro-strictive element equipped with an inertial member.

Abstract: In an electromagnetic actuator for moving an object, a plurality of electromagnetic circuits is provided to produce a moving magnetic field in a substrate. There is disposed a flexible resilient plate wholly or partially made of a magnetic material. When the electromagnetic circuits impart a magnetic force to the magnetic material to produce a traveling wave in the flexible resilient plate. Also, a magnetic fluid may be disposed on the substrate and the flexible resilient plate be disposed in close contact with the surface of the magnetic fluid.