Abstract: The piezoelectric transformer obtains large output powers by way of reducing the heat generation. The piezoelectric transformer includes one or more input parts and an output part. Each of the input parts is formed of alternately stacked piezoelectric sheets and internal electrodes. Each piezoelectric sheet has a first region on which the internal electrode is formed and a second region on which no internal electrode is formed. Each of the input parts includes means for reducing stress concentration around boundary regions between the first and the second regions.

Abstract: There is provided a piezoelectric transformer. The piezoelectric transformer includes: a long-plate-shaped piezoelectric member being polarized in a thickness direction and a longitudinal direction; and input electrodes and output electrodes mounted on the piezoelectric member, wherein a thickness ratio LC/LA of the piezoelectric member ranges from 0.01 to 0.06, LC and LA being a thickness and a longitudinal length of the piezoelectric member, respectively. The piezoelectric member consists of either laminated piezoelectric layers or a monolayer. A thickness ratio LC/LA of the piezoelectric member 10 ranges from 0.01 to 0.06, more preferably, 0.02 to 0.05, thereby resulting in an enhanced efficiency, wherein LA and LC refer to a length and a thickness of the piezoelectric member 10, respectively. Further, an electrode length ratio LB/LA of the piezoelectric member ranges from 0.6 to 0.9, more preferably, 0.7 to 0.8, wherein LB represents a length of the input electrodes.

Abstract: A reproduction apparatus reproduces image data recorded in a plurality of recording modes with different tape feeding speeds from a tape-like recording medium. In this apparatus, in a search mode of searching for still image data by feeding the tape-like recording medium at a high speed, the recording mode of the still image data is discriminated, and the still image data is then reproduced.

Abstract: A liquid detergent composition for cleaning hard surfaces comprising, a liquid washing medium, and globular particles having a mean particle diameter of 0.01 to 15 .mu.m which are insoluable in the liquid washing medium, with the provisos that the content of the globular particles in the composition is 0.1 to 30% by wt. and that the viscosity of the composition is 2 to 500 cps determined at 20.degree. C.

Abstract: A reproducing apparatus having an editing function for editing an information signal recorded on a recording medium, by using a remotely operable external recording apparatus, is arranged to hold beforehand a plurality of kinds of remote operation control data codes which are provided for remotely operating a respective one of a plurality of kinds of recording apparatuses usable as the external recording apparatus and which are respectively associated with the plurality of kinds of recording apparatuses, to select, from among the held plurality of kinds of remote operation control data codes, remote operation control data codes associated with a recording apparatus actually used as the external recording apparatus, and, prior to performing an editing action, so as to cause the recording apparatus actually used as the external recording apparatus to perform a predetermined operation, to transmit, to the recording apparatus actually used as the external recording apparatus, a remote operation control instructio

Abstract: An automatic clutch system includes an operating cylinder which is interconnected through a release lever with a friction element engaging mechanism. The operating cylinder is communicated with a master cylinder and an auxiliary cylinder through a hydraulic passage. A worm wheel driven by a motor has first and second connecting points which are oppositely disposed with respect to a rotation axis of the worm wheel. The first connecting point is interconnected with a piston rod of the master cylinder and has a first distance from the rotation axis. The second connecting point is interconnecting with a piston rod of the auxiliary cylinder and has a second distance from the rotation axis. The second distance is set smaller than the first distance so that the volume change of the auxiliary cylinder side is smaller than that of the mater cylinder side. Therefore, this cylinder arrangement functions stable to cancel a reaction force of a pressure spring of the friction element engaging mechanism to the worm wheel.

Abstract: A shaft coupling structure for a split type drive shaft comprises an internally splined female shaft, and externally splined male shaft coaxially received in the female shaft to establish a spline-connection. A play suppression member is interposed between the male and female shafts for suppressing play of the male shaft relative to the female shaft and vice versa. The play suppression member includes an elongate member extending in and along an axially extending groove defined between the male and female shafts. A hook portion possessed by the elongate member detachably fixes to one of the male and female shafts. The elongated member also has a biasing structure, which biases the male and female shafts in radially opposite directions.

Abstract: A shaft coupling structure for a split type drive shaft comprises an internally splined female shaft and an externally splined male shaft coaxially received in the female shaft to establish a spline-connection. A play suppression member is interposed between the male and female shafts for suppressing play of the male shaft relative to the female shaft and vice versa. The play suppression member includes an elongate member extending in and along an axially extending groove defined between the male and female shafts. A hook portion possessed by the elongate member detachably fixes to one of the male and female shafts. The elongate member also has a biasing structure, which biases the male and female shafts in radially opposite directions.

Abstract: A resin composite having a soft resin composition combined to a hard resin, wherein the soft resin composition consists essentially of 100 parts by weight of a vinyl chloride resin, from 10 to 400 parts by weight of a rubber material containing at least 30 wt % of a tetrahydrofuran-insoluble rubber component and from 30 to 300 parts by weight of a plasticizer, and the hard resin consists of a chlorinated vinyl chloride resin, or a mixture of a chlorinated vinyl chloride resin and a vinyl chloride resin in which the chlorinated vinyl chloride resin is in an amount of at least 20 wt %.

Abstract: A vertical boat for holding a plurality of semiconductor wafers comprising two end members (5) positioned at the top and the bottom of the vertical boat, and a plurality of support members (3,4) vertically mounted on the end members (5), the support members (3,4) including two front support members (3) located on the wafer inserting side and at least one rear support members (4) located on the rear side of the boat, each support member (3,4) having a series of slits (3a,4a) formed thereon at a predetermined interval and a series of support portions defined by the slits (3a,4a) for supporting semiconductor wafers (1), wherein the front support member (3) is generally formed by a circular arc plate, and wherein each angle (A,B) formed between the wafer inserting direction (X) and a line linking the front end (3b) of the support portion of the front support member (3) to the center (1a) of the wafer (1) is 100 degrees or more.

Abstract: A vertical boat for holding a plurality of semiconductor wafers comprising two end members (2) positioned at the top and the bottom of the vertical boat, and a plurality of support members (3,4,5,6,104) vertically mounted on the end members (2) for supporting the wafers, wherein each support member (3,4,5,6,104) is formed by a plate-like member having a series of slits (9,10,7,8,108) formed thereon in such a manner that a plurality of support arms are defined by the slits (9,10,7,8,108) at a predetermined interval, each support arm having a support projection (11,12,13,14,112) formed at the end thereof, and wherein the inner portions (P) of the wafer (1) is to be supported by the support projections (11,12,13,14,112) whereas the periphery of the wafer (1) does not contact the arms of the support members (3,4,5,6,104).

Abstract: Methods and compositions containing cAMP salts in combination with inert carriers for preventing or restoring grayed hair to its natural color.

Abstract: An information reproducing apparatus includes reproduction device for reproducing information recorded on a medium, and a controller for starting the reproduction of information by the reproduction device from a position indicated by data showing a predetermined position on the medium and stopping the reproduction of information by the reproduction device when predetermined information is reproduced by the reproduction device.

Abstract: A thermal printer in which a sheet of recording paper is held by and between a thermal print head includes a plurality of heat generating elements and a platen drum, the amounts of heat of the heat generating elements are selectively changed, and an image is printed onto the recording paper. In the thermal printer, a printing position is set just behind a clamp position at which a clamp clamps the leading end of the recording paper onto the platen drum. Therefore, the image printing can be started immediately after the clamp position passes through the thermal head, with the recording paper being in part wound around the platen drum by the thermal printer. As a result, the time taken from paper feeding to printing starting can be reduced.

Abstract: A flow rate control valve including a valve chest having an open end, an inflow passage and outflow passage each having one end communicating with the valve chest and the other end opened, a valve seat provided at the end of the inflow passage or outflow passage communicating with the valve chest, a sheet-like diaphragm provided to tightly close the open end of the valve chest and a stacked-type dispalcement device made of an electromechanical transducing material exhibiting the maximum value of piezoelectric distortion constant at a higher temperature range than 100.degree. C. or above and which exerts a pressure on the diaphragm by its deformation to change the position of the diaphragm, thereby controlling the gap between the valve seat and the diaphragm.

Abstract: A method of making a layered electrostrictive displacement device by forming sheets of an electrostrictive material alternately with internal electrodes. The laminate formed therefrom has two opposite surfaces at which the ends of the internal electrodes are exposed and two other opposite surfaces at which alternate layers of the internal electrodes are exposed. Temporary external electrodes are formed on the latter mentioned opposite surfaces. Alternate layers of the exposed portions of the internal electrodes are plated at one surface of the laminate with a metal while using a temporary external electrode as a cathode. The exposed portions of the other internal electrodes are plated with metal using another temporary external electrode as a cathode. The non-plated portions of the plated surface are selectively removed to form recesses, and an insulating film is formed on the recesses.

Abstract: A laminated displacement device comprises: a laminate which is formed by alternately laminating thin plates made of an electromechanical converting material and internal electrodes made of a conductive material; and external electrodes which are provided in the side portions of the laminate and are connected to the internal electrodes. In the laminated displacement device, a plane projection area which is obtained by overlapping the internal electrodes in the laminating direction is set to be smaller than a plane projection area which is obtained by overlapping the thin plates in the laminating direction. A relation of B/A.gtoreq.0.5 is satisfied between the width dimension A of a displacement portion which is formed by overlapping the projections of the internal electrodes in the laminating direction and the width dimension B of a non-displacement portion which is formed between the edge of the displacement portion and the side surface of the laminate.

Abstract: A laminate displacement device comprises a laminate body having a plurality of thin plates made of an electromechanical converting material and a plurality of internal electrodes made of conductive material superposed on each other. The internal electrodes are used for every other electrode alternately as electrodes of first and second conductivity type, respectively. A first insulating layer is formed on one side surface of the laminate body so that the internal electrodes used for the electrodes of first conductivity type are exposed. Further a second insulating layer is formed on another side surface of the laminate body so that the internal electrodes used for the electrodes of second conductivity type are exposed. A pair of external electrodes are formed on the first and second insulating layers, which bridge the internal electrodes used as the electrodes of first and second conductivity type, respectively.

Abstract: A flow rate control valve including a valve chest having an open end, an inflow passage and outflow passage each having one end communicating with the valve chest and the other end opened, a valve seat provided at the end of the inflow passage or outflow passage communicating with the valve chest, a sheet-like diaphragm provided to tightly close the open end of the valve chest and a stacked-type displacement device made of an electromechanical transducing material exhibiting the maximum value of piezoelectric distortion constant at a higher temperature range than 100.degree. C. or above and which exerts a pressure on the diaphragm by its deformation to change the position of the diaphragm, thereby controlling the gap between the valve seat and the diaphragm.

Abstract: A magazine is provided for supporting in alignment a plurality of magnetic disc packs each housing a magnetic disc. The magazine includes an insertion opening for loading a magnetic disc pack into the magazine and a withdrawal opening for withdrawing a magnetic disc pack from the magazine. The magazine includes a plurality of grooves formed on its bottom surface through which can be passed a withdrawal member for engagement with a magnetic disc pack for withdrawing the magnetic disc pack from the magazine. The withdrawal opening can be at least partially covered by an openable lid which includes a sensing surface matching with a direction regulating surface of the magnetic disc pack. The magazine can also include a retractable sensing member having a surface adapted to abut against a magnetic disc pack.