Abstract: Image processing unit is provided in computer, and performs: for each of input images constituting a moving image obtained by capturing a workpiece during arc welding, a spatter detection step of detecting a spatter from an input image constituting a moving image of the workpiece, the moving image being generated by capturing the workpiece during the arc welding; a background bright spot identification step of identifying, as a background bright spot, a position in the moving image, the position being a position where a number of times of the detection in the spatter detection step is equal to or more than a predetermined reference number of times; and a spatter number identification step of identifying, for one input image, a number of spatters excluding spatters each corresponding to the background bright spot identified by the background bright spot identification step among the spatters detected by the spatter detection processing.

Abstract: A factory management system has a database for managing a factory in which a production line is provided. The factory management system includes a communication unit, a collection and storage unit and a compilation and display unit. The communication unit connects production facilities of the production line with host systems such that the production facilities and the host systems communicate with each other. The collection and storage unit is one of the host systems and collects production status data on a production status from the production facilities via the communication unit and stores the production status data in the database. The compilation and display unit is provided separately from the collection and storage unit via a communication interface. The compilation and display unit compiles a predetermined data out of the production status data stored in the database and display the first predetermined data.

Abstract: An ability evaluation system includes an operation time acquisition device configured to acquire operation times of operators, a reference time storage device configured to store reference times of operations, and a production-related ability calculation device configured to calculate, for each of the operators, a production-related ability of each of the operators based on the acquired operation times and the reference time of a corresponding operation by causing a computer to execute first arithmetic processing set in advance. The production-related ability calculation device is configured to calculate the production-related ability based on an achievement value that is a ratio at which the acquired operation times of a plurality of operations achieve the reference time, and based on a stability value of the acquired operation times of the plurality of operations.

Abstract: A refrigerating device is provided which can improve COP when a required load is 50% of a maximum load or below. When the load required of a common evaporator is 50% or less, a control unit stops a second compressor and controls the volume of a first compressor. Accordingly, it becomes possible to improve COP when the required load is equal to or below 50% as compared to the case of controlling the first and second compressors simultaneously to a low volume.

Abstract: A heat exchanger unit includes first and second plate heat exchangers disposed in series along a refrigerant flow direction. A refrigerant flows from the first plate heat exchanger to the second plate heat exchanger when the heat exchanger unit operates as an evaporator to heat the refrigerant, and the refrigerant flows from the second plate heat exchanger to the first plate heat exchanger when the heat exchanger unit operates as a condenser to cool the refrigerant. The first and second plate heat exchangers have first and second gas-liquid mixing structures to promote gas-liquid mixing of the refrigerant when the heat exchanger unit heats the refrigerant. The first and second gas-liquid mixing structures are configured such that pressure loss becomes larger when the gas-liquid mixing action becomes higher and such that the gas-liquid mixing action of the first gas-liquid mixing structure is higher than the gas-liquid mixing action of the second gas-liquid mixing structure.

Abstract: A refrigerating device is provided which can improve COP when a required load is 50% of a maximum load or below. When the load required of a common evaporator is 50% or less, a control unit stops a second compressor and controls the volume of a first compressor. Accordingly, it becomes possible to improve COP when the required load is equal to or below 50% as compared to the case of controlling the first and second compressors simultaneously to a low volume.

Abstract: A heat exchanger unit includes first and second plate heat exchangers disposed in series along a refrigerant flow direction. A refrigerant flows from the first plate heat exchanger to the second plate heat exchanger when the heat exchanger unit operates as an evaporator to heat the refrigerant, and the refrigerant flows from the second plate heat exchanger to the first plate heat exchanger when the heat exchanger unit operates as a condenser to cool the refrigerant. The first and second plate heat exchangers have first and second gas-liquid mixing structures to promote gas-liquid mixing of the refrigerant when the heat exchanger unit heats the refrigerant. The first and second gas-liquid mixing structures are configured such that pressure loss becomes larger when the gas-liquid mixing action becomes higher and such that the gas-liquid mixing action of the first gas-liquid mixing structure is higher than the gas-liquid mixing action of the second gas-liquid mixing structure.

Abstract: A control system for an induction motor of the present invention independently commands the torque current component and the exciting current component of a stator current group supplied to the stator of an induction motor so as to feed-back control the amplitude and phase of the stator current group. The torque current component is commanded to control the output torque of the induction motor in correspondence with the output of a steering force sensor for detecting the steering force. According to an electric power steering apparatus using an induction motor controlled by the control system, a permanent magnet is not used for the motor so additional equipment such as a clutch is not required. Consequently, the structure can be simplified and the size of the unit can be reduced. Further, manual steering operation can be performed in the case of failure.

Abstract: A control system for an induction motor of the present invention independently commands the torque current component and the exciting current component of a stator current group supplied to the stator of an induction motor so as to feed-back control the amplitude and phase of the stator current group. The torque current component is commanded to control the output torque of the induction motor in correspondence with the output of a steering force sensor for detecting the steering force. According to an electric power steering apparatus using an induction motor controlled by the control system, a permanent magnet is not used for the motor so additional equipment such as a clutch is not required. Consequently, the structure can be simplified and the size of the unit can be reduced. Further, manual steering operation can be performed in the case of failure.

Abstract: An optical functional device includes a semiconductor substrate, an optical functional layer provided on said semiconductor substrate and selected from the group consisting of a light emitting layer, a light absorbing layer, and an optical waveguide layer. The optical functional layer has a multi-quantum well layer. Preferably, the semiconductor substrate is a nonplanar semiconductor substrate having a ridge and two grooves adjacent said ridge, said ridge having a ridge width of from 1 to 10 .mu.m, a ridge height of from 1 .mu.m to 5 .mu.m, and a gap distance of from 1 .mu.m to 10 .mu.m. Such an optical functional device can be fabricated by growing, on a nonplanar semiconductor substrate having a specified dimension of the ridge, a strained multi-quantum well layer by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy. Integrated optical device or circuit preferably includes an optical functional device on the nonplanar semiconductor substrate of a specified range of ridge shape factors.

Abstract: A first link member (7), an upper-limit link member (9a), and a lower-limit link member (9b) are rotatably and axially coupled together. When the throttle is to be opened, the throttle valve (5) is electrically controlled by the motor (4) which has been under the control of an output from the accelerator opening sensing device (3), and at the same time, the throttle valve (5) is mechanically controlled by the wire (12) through the link members (7, 9a, 9b) in response to the degree of opening of the accelerator. A high degree of throttle operation such as traction control, idling control, constant speed run, etc. can be executed normally, and when an abnormality arises, the fail-safe function is at work to close the throttle valve (5).

Abstract: A method for operation of a flash smelting furnace comprising a reaction shaft, a settler connected at one end thereof to the lower portion of the reaction shaft and having a slag discharge port and a matte discharge port disposed on the side thereof, an uptake connected to the other end of the settler and at least one concentrate burner disposed to at least one of the top of the reaction shaft and the ceiling of the settler, in which the concentrate burner comprises at least a concentrate shoot, an oxygen blowing tube inserted in the concentrate shoot and an auxiliary fuel burner inserted into the oxygen blowing tube. In this method, the lower end of the oxygen blowing tube is protruded downward to lower than the lower end of the concentrate shoot and an amount of oxygen at least greater than that required for the auxiliary fuel is blown as an industrial oxygen by way of the oxygen blowing tube into the furnace. Oxygen efficiency can be improved remarkably while the rate of dust occurrence can be reduced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for running a car at constant speed, the apparatus controlling the car to run at a desired speed, wherein by a control circuit (21), both a car-speed deviation and an acceleration are taken as variables, and a pulse-width of pulse signals having a predetermined period is computed from a function for defining pulse-width, and the above-mentioned pulse is given to an actuator (12) for adjusting opening of a throttle valve (13), thereby quickening to settle down to a set car-speed, to enable to stably run at constant speed. Moreover, resetting device (9), (220), second constant-speed-running canceling device (11), (219) which cancel a state of constant-speed-running only by operation of a canceling switch (8), (28), and checking device (10) for checking memory data are provided, thereby improving safety and reliability of control.