Abstract: A graphite electrode includes a pole having a socket in an internal screw shape at an end portion, and a nipple in an external screw shape that can be fastened to the socket, wherein a value obtained by subtracting an effective diameter on a small diameter end side of the nipple from an effective diameter on a small diameter end side of the socket is 0.05 to 0.7 mm, and a value obtained by subtracting a taper angle of the socket from a taper angle of the nipple is ?2 minutes to ?3 minutes 30 seconds.

Abstract: A hot water heating apparatus for an electric vehicle and a hybrid vehicle has a compact heat source apparatus not requiring a wide space for setting. A communication pipe, in which water as a heat medium flows, and an electric heater are embedded in a heat conductor metal in proximity in a row arrangement to form a flat-shaped heat conductor. A heat source apparatus is constructed by stacking multiple flat-shaped heat conductors while the communication pipes are connected to each other in series. Further, the communication pipe and the electric heater are embedded in the heat conductor metal in proximity in a row arrangement, and the communication pipes are connected in series. Therefore, water flowing in the communication pipes is rapidly heated, and heating efficiency is extremely high.

Abstract: A hot water heating apparatus for an electric vehicle and a hybrid vehicle has a compact heat source apparatus not requiring a wide space for setting. A communication pipe, in which water as a heat medium flows, and an electric heater are embedded in a heat conductor metal in proximity in a row arrangement to form a flat-shaped heat conductor. A heat source apparatus is constructed by stacking multiple flat-shaped heat conductors while the communication pipes are connected to each other in series. Further, the communication pipe and the electric heater are embedded in the heat conductor metal in proximity in a row arrangement, and the communication pipes are connected in series. Therefore, water flowing in the communication pipes is rapidly heated, and heating efficiency is extremely high.

Abstract: A lubrication system for the internal combustion engine of a motorcycle that includes a pump that outputs a constant amount of fluid per cycle of operation and a delivery valve which selectively passes lubricant to the engine or returns lubricant back to the system to vary the amount of lubricant supplied by the lubricant pump. The system is designed so as to self purge air from the system by mounting the lubricant pump and the delivery valve in close proximity to each other and at a lower level than the lubricant storage tank. In addition, the engine is supplied with arrangement to preclude lubricant from draining into the engine through the delivery valve when the engine is not running.