Abstract: To improve cycle characteristics in a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery containing silicon as a negative electrode active material. A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprising a negative electrode made of a negative electrode active material containing silicon, a positive electrode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte containing an electrolyte salt and a solvent, wherein a first electrolyte salt containing boron and fluorine and a second electrolyte salt having a decomposition rate on the surface of the negative electrode during charging and discharging, which is lower than that of the first electrolyte salt, are used as the electrolyte salt.

Abstract: Provided are a winding method and a winding apparatus in which it makes possible to expedite the winding cycle with a relatively simple construction. In a winding method in which a plurality of conductor wires are arranged in parallel and wound around a reel to form a coil, which is dropped into a coil receiving jig, the plurality of conductor wires are temporarily wound around a bobbin, and the bobbin is attached to a flyer of a winding apparatus. The flyer is rotated to wind the plurality of conductor wires around the reel while drawing them out of the bobbin.

Abstract: Disclosed is a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery which has a negative electrode containing silicon as a negative active material, a positive electrode containing a positive active material, a nonaqueous electrolyte and a separator. Characteristically, an additive which retards oxidation of silicon during operation of the battery is contained either in an interior or surface portion of the positive electrode, or in an interior or surface portion of the negative electrode, or in an interior or surface portion of the separator.

Abstract: A rechargeable lithium battery including a negative electrode made by depositing a noncrystalline thin film composed entirely or mainly of silicon on a current collector, a positive electrode and a nonaqueous electrolyte, characterized in that said nonaqueous electrolyte contains carbon dioxide dissolved therein.

Abstract: An electrode for a lithium secondary battery includes a thin film of an active material having a first phase that reacts with Li dominantly and a second phase that reacts less readily with Li than the first phase and exists at least before initial-cycle charging and after discharging in each cycle following the initial cycle. A surface of the current collector has an arithmetical mean roughness Ra of 0.1 &mgr;m or greater. A surface of the thin film has irregularities formed corresponding to the irregularities of the current collector surface. By the charging and discharging in the initial cycle and thereafter, gaps form along the thin-film thickness on lines connecting valleys in the thin-film surface irregularities and valleys in the current-collector surface irregularities, and the thin film is divided into columnar or insular structures by the gaps.

Abstract: A spatula heating apparatus with excellent usability which overcomes drawbacks inherent to conventional gas burner type and electro-thermal type apparatuses. A spatula heating apparatus for heating spatulas 9, 9a for wax molding includes a heating coil 8 for induction-heating of spatulas 9, 9a, a heating amount setting switch 5, and an inverter control circuit 21 for supplying high frequency current to the heating coil 8 to perform heating at a preset heating amount. When high frequency current is applied to the heating coil 8, the spatulas 9, 9a are heated at the preset heating amount through electromagnetic induction.

Abstract: Two embodiments of winding methods and apparatus for winding coils of a rotating electrical machine where the armature teeth are skewed. The winding mechanism and method operates so that the winding needle does not have to enter to the bottom of the slots between the pole teeth but the wire is wound around the pole teeth from one end thereof with an arrangement for causing the windings to progressively move down the pole teeth as the winding continues.

Abstract: An automatic machine and method of winding of armatures having maximum coil density because the winding nozzle does not enter into the slots between the pole teeth and the wire is directed toward the core portion of the armature during winding to improve coil density.

Abstract: An automatic machine and method of winding of armatures having maximum coil density because the winding nozzle does not enter into the slots between the pole teeth and the wire is restrained at at least one the ends of the core portion of the armature to facilitate winding.

Abstract: Armature structures and methods that provide very dense coil windings and afford very rapid winding methods at a relatively low cost. In addition the likelihood of damaging the already wound wires by contact with the winding nozzle is substantially eliminated. This is achieved by moving the winding needle in varying distances and directions away from the pole teeth to induce varying degrees of slack in the wire during the winding and when the needle is not in the slot between the pole teeth.

Abstract: A spatula heating apparatus with excellent usability which overcomes drawbacks inherent to conventional gas burner type and electro-thermal type apparatuses. A spatula heating apparatus for heating spatulas 9, 9a for wax molding includes a heating coil 8 for induction-heating of spatulas 9, 9a, a heating amount setting switch 5, and an inverter control circuit 21 for supplying high frequency current to the heating coil 8 to perform heating at a preset heating amount. When high frequency current is applied to the heating coil 8, the spatulas 9, 9a are heated at the preset heating amount through electromagnetic induction.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive device for a torque sensor which has a high sensor sensitivity whether the excitation frequency is in a high frequency range or in a low frequency range and can withstand excess load torques well, and also a method of easily manufacturing the device. In manufacturing the magnetostrictive device 1 for a torque sensor, which has a magnetic anisotropic portion 15 formed on the surface of a shaft body 10 thereof, the method of forming the magnetic anisotropic portion 15 comprises the steps of: forming spiral grooves in the surface of the shaft body 10 to form a plurality of troughs 16 and ridges 17 alternately; and directly applying a compressive stress only to the ridges 17 to cause deformations accompanied by plastic flow and to provide an almost planar plateau portion 171 at a crest portion of each of the ridges 17.

Abstract: Two embodiments of winding methods and apparatus for winding coils of a rotating electrical machine where the armature teeth are skewed. The winding mechanism and method operates so that the winding needle does not have to enter to the bottom of the slots between the pole teeth but the wire is wound around the pole teeth from one end thereof with an arrangement for causing the windings to progressively move down the pole teeth as the winding continues.

Abstract: An automatic machine and method of winding of armatures having maximum coil density because the winding nozzle does not enter into the slots between the pole teeth and the wire is restrained at at least one the ends of the core portion of the armature to facilitate winding.

Abstract: Armature structures and methods that provide very dense coil windings and afford very rapid winding methods at a relatively low cost. In addition the likelihood of damaging the already wound wires by contact with the winding nozzle is substantially eliminated. This is achieved by moving the winding needle in varying distances and directions away from the pole teeth to induce varying degrees of slack in the wire during the winding and when the needle is not in the slot between the pole teeth.

Abstract: An automatic machine and method of winding of armatures having maximum coil density because the winding nozzle does not enter into the slots between the pole teeth and the wire is directed toward the core portion of the armature during winding to improve coil density.