Abstract: A linear motion mechanism with precise linear motion has structural robustness and allows easy reduction in weight and size, simple production and easy operation. The linear motion mechanism includes: an elastic arrangement which is arranged to transform an input direction and an input displacement to an output direction and an output displacement, wherein the output direction is orthogonal to the input direction; an operating member which is arranged to deform the elastic arrangement in the input direction by the input displacement; and a movable member fixed to the elastic arrangement to move in the output direction by the output displacement.

Abstract: A linkage rod including a limited-displacement flexible mechanism has structural robustness and allows easy reduction in weight and size, simple production and easy operation. The linkage rod including at least one limited-displacement flexible mechanism, wherein the limited-displacement flexible mechanism comprises at least one limited-displacement flexible joint which comprises: a flexible member; and at least one bend limitation section which is arranged in parallel with the flexible member so that the bend limitation section limits a bend of the flexible member.

Abstract: A novel deformation motion mechanism with precise motion precise motion and structural robustness is achieved. A deformation motion mechanism includes: an elastic ring member shaped symmetrically with respect to a center line, wherein one end of the elastic ring member is fixed and the other end is movable along the center line; a drive unit which is placed within the elastic ring member and is arranged to rotate a feed screw engaged with both ends of the elastic ring member along an operating line orthogonal to the center line, to press or stretch the elastic ring member along the center line; and a plurality of flexible arms which connects the drive unit to the elastic member in at least a direction of the center line.

Abstract: A novel deformation motion mechanism with precise motion precise motion and structural robustness is achieved. A deformation motion mechanism includes: an elastic ring member shaped symmetrically with respect to a center line, wherein one end of the elastic ring member is fixed and the other end is movable along the center line; a drive unit which is placed within the elastic ring member and is arranged to rotate a feed screw engaged with both ends of the elastic ring member along an operating line orthogonal to the center line, to press or stretch the elastic ring member along the center line; and a plurality of flexible arms which connects the drive unit to the elastic member in at least a direction of the center line.

Abstract: A multiple-degree-of-freedom adjustment mechanism with precise linear motion has structural robustness and allows easy reduction in weight and size, simple production and easy operation. The multiple-degree-of-freedom adjustment mechanism includes: at least one support assembly; and a plate supported by the at least one support assembly, wherein the at least one support assembly includes: a bipod having a first rod and a second rod, one ends of which are fixed to each other at a top provided with a support section; and a linear motion arrangement having a first movable member and a second movable member which are fixed to the other ends of the first rod and the second rod respectively, wherein the first movable member and the second movable member independently move in a linear motion direction.

Abstract: A linkage rod including a limited-displacement flexible mechanism has structural robustness and allows easy reduction in weight and size, simple production and easy operation. The linkage rod including at least one limited-displacement flexible mechanism, wherein the limited-displacement flexible mechanism comprises at least one limited-displacement flexible joint which comprises: a flexible member; and at least one bend limitation section which is arranged in parallel with the flexible member so that the bend limitation section limits a bend of the flexible member.

Abstract: A novel deformation motion mechanism with precise motion precise motion and structural robustness is achieved. A deformation motion mechanism includes: an elastic ring member shaped symmetrically with respect to a center line, wherein one end of the elastic ring member is fixed and the other end is movable along the center line; a drive unit which is placed within the elastic ring member and is arranged to rotate a feed screw engaged with both ends of the elastic ring member along an operating line orthogonal to the center line, to press or stretch the elastic ring member along the center line; and a plurality of flexible arms which connects the drive unit to the elastic member in at least a direction of the center line.

Abstract: A multiple-degree-of-freedom adjustment mechanism with precise linear motion has structural robustness and allows easy reduction in weight and size, simple production and easy operation. The multiple-degree-of-freedom adjustment mechanism includes: at least one support assembly; and a plate supported by the at least one support assembly, wherein the at least one support assembly includes: a bipod having a first rod and a second rod, one ends of which are fixed to each other at a top provided with a support section; and a linear motion arrangement having a first movable member and a second movable member which are fixed to the other ends of the first rod and the second rod respectively, wherein the first movable member and the second movable member independently move in a linear motion direction.

Abstract: A linkage rod including a limited-displacement flexible mechanism has structural robustness and allows easy reduction in weight and size, simple production and easy operation. The linkage rod including at least one limited-displacement flexible mechanism, wherein the limited-displacement flexible mechanism comprises at least one limited-displacement flexible joint which comprises: a flexible member; and at least one bend limitation section which is arranged in parallel with the flexible member so that the bend limitation section limits a bend of the flexible member.

Abstract: A linear motion mechanism with precise linear motion has structural robustness and allows easy reduction in weight and size, simple production and easy operation. The linear motion mechanism includes: an elastic arrangement which is arranged to transform an input direction and an input displacement to an output direction and an output displacement, wherein the output direction is orthogonal to the input direction; an operating member which is arranged to deform the elastic arrangement in the input direction by the input displacement; and a movable member fixed to the elastic arrangement to move in the output direction by the output displacement.

Abstract: In a freeze-concentrating apparatus, an aqueous solution is cooled by a cooling cylinder 22 serving as a heat exchanger for cooling to continuously produce a suspension containing ice crystals. A liquid component is separated and discharged from the suspension to increase the ratio of the ice crystals, and the ice crystals are grown to produce a column-shaped ice cake. The ice cake is cut into an ice pillar of a given length and a concentrated solution is taken out from the ice pillar.

Abstract: A disturbance compensation system for a camera on board a spacecraft and having an imaging device and condensing means for condensing light onto the imaging device. Linear actuators adjust the position of the imaging device by moving it with multifreedom. A control circuit computes, in response to position information associated with the imaging device, an amount in which the position of the imaging device should be corrected, and controls the linear actuators on the basis of the computed amount.