Abstract: In an ultrasonic joining method for joining a flange portion of a first member to a portion of a second member, a first horn and a second horn are arranged on the flange portion on a side opposite to the second member, and the first horn is vibrated in a condition that the second horn is biased against the first horn and the first horn and the second horn are pressed against the flange portion such that the flange portion is vibrated while being pressed against the portion of the second member. Because the first horn is vibrated in a condition that the first horn and the second horn are pressed against each other at press-contact portions thereof, vibration of the first horn is transferred to the second horn through the press-contact portions.

Abstract: An ultrasonic welding method and an ultrasonic welding device are provided to join a first member having a substantial pipe shape and a second member at a joining surface by pressure-applying and vibration-exciting. In an arranging process, each of a first horn member and a second horn member is slantways arranged in such a manner that a part of a pressure-applying surface thereof which is nearer to a division surface thereof becomes nearer to the joining surface, according to deformation in a joining process. Thus, in the joining process, the pressure-applying surfaces are disposed substantially parallel to the joining surface due to a pressure-applying reaction force, so that the first horn member and the second horn member can be pressed against each other at the division surfaces thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides means for compensating a multi-stage amplifier having a gain extension characteristic for distortions. The present invention also provides an approach for using an amplification stage biased in a state close to B-class, which exhibits a high power added efficiency at low output, in order to have a gain extension characteristic in all stages of a multi-stage amplifier. The amplifier of the present invention has a gain extension characteristic which presents an increase in gain in response to an increase in input power or output power in a certain range of the input power or the output power.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes for producing a (4E)-5-chloro-2-isopropyl-4-pentenoate and an optical isomer of the (4E)-5-chloro-2-isopropyl-4-pentenoate, namely a process for producing a (4E)-5-chloro-2-isopropyl-4-pentenoate represented by the following formula (4), which comprises reacting a compound represented by the following formula (2) in the presence of an aprotic solvent (II) with a base (II) and then with (1E)-1,3-dichloro-1-propene to give a compound represented by the following formula (3), and dealkoxycarbonylating either ester in the compound represented by the following formula (3), and a process for producing a (S)-(4E)-5-chloro-2-isopropyl-4-pentenoate represented by the following formula (5), which comprises optically resolving a (4E)-5-chloro-2-isopropyl-4-pentenoate represented by the formula (4) obtained by the above-mentioned process (wherein R is a lower alkyl group or an aralkyl group).

Abstract: In a heat exchanger, a core portion includes a plurality of plate fins each shaped like a flat plate and a plurality of tubes in which a fluid flows and each of which is inserted into each of the plate fins to be mechanically bonded thereto. Further, an end portion in a longitudinal direction of each of the tubes is bonded to a header plate which constructs a part of a header tank. In this heat exchanger, the tube is bonded to the header plate in a solid phase. Therefore, the plate fins are mechanically bonded to the tube and the end portion of the tube in the longitudinal direction of the tube can be bonded to the header plate without a furnace of a high temperature.

Abstract: An inexpensive mechanical fuse having a high fatigue limit ratio and high rupture reliability, and superior in forming performance, and a method of manufacturing the same are presented. The mechanical fuse is composed of Fe-based sintered alloy, and comprises an inner rim 2 fixed to one power transmission shaft, an outer rim 3 fixed to the other power transmission shaft, and plural arms 4 for linking the inner rim 2 and outer rim 3, which are formed integrally. The arms 4 include rupture portions 6 which are ruptured when exposed to an overload torque. By treating in steam, an iron oxide phase is formed in the surface layer and pore inner wall. The iron oxide phase is effective to form round pores and lower the notch sensitivity. As a result, the fatigue strength and fatigue limit ratio are enhanced.

Abstract: An electronic circuit includes transistors having first to third terminals, the third terminal controlling the current between the first terminal and the third terminal. The electronic circuit includes: a cascode amplifier (10) including an input transistor (Q1) receiving an input signal (IN) through the third terminal, and an output transistor (QO) having the first terminal connected to the second terminal of the input transistor (QI), the third terminal connected to the ground potential via a capacitor (C1) and the second terminal outputting therethrough an output signal; and a control circuit (20) including a control transistor receiving a control signal through the third terminal, and a diode connected to the first and second terminals of the control transistor (QC) in series. The third terminal of the output transistor (QO) of the cascode amplifier (10) is connected to the ground potential through the control transistor (QC) and the diode (D). The electronic circuit has a reduced signal switching time.

Abstract: When a weld area of weld surface between a flange portion 3a of a pipe 3 and a flange portion 4a of a pipe connection member 4 is S and total energy consumed on the weld surface is Et, ultrasonic welding is carried out to produce said ultrasonic weld assembly in such a manner that an energy density E defined as the quotient obtained by dividing the total energy Et by the weld area S satisfies the relation 26.69e?0.3708P<E<240.9e?0.1445P with a surface pressure P on the weld surfaces of the flange portion 3a and the flange portion 4a. Preferably, ultrasonic welding is carried out in such a manner that the energy density E satisfies the relation 133.45e?0.3708P<E<240.9e?0.1445P.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes for producing a (4E)-5-chloro-2-isopropyl-4-pentenoate and an optical isomer of the (4E)-5-chloro-2-isopropyl-4-pentenoate, namely a process for producing a (4E)-5-chloro-2-isopropyl-4-pentenoate represented by the following formula (4), which comprises reacting a compound represented by the following formula (2) in the presence of an aprotic solvent (II) with a base (II) and then with (1E)-1,3-dichloro-1-propene to give a compound represented by the following formula (3), and dealkoxycarbonylating either ester in the compound represented by the following formula (3), and a process for producing a (S)-(4E)-5-chloro-2-isopropyl-4-pentenoate represented by the following formula (5), which comprises optically resolving a (4E)-5-chloro-2-isopropyl-4-pentenoate represented by the formula (4) obtained by the above-mentioned process (wherein R is a lower alkyl group or an aralkyl group).

Abstract: An electronic circuit includes transistors having first to third terminals, the third terminal controlling the current between the first terminal and the third terminal. The electronic circuit includes: a cascode amplifier (10) including an input transistor (Q1) receiving an input signal (IN) through the third terminal, and an output transistor (QO) having the first terminal connected to the second terminal of the input transistor (QI), the third terminal connected to the ground potential via a capacitor (C1) and the second terminal outputting therethrough an output signal; and a control circuit (20) including a control transistor receiving a control signal through the third terminal, and a diode connected to the first and second terminals of the control transistor (QC) in series. The third terminal of the output transistor (QO) of the cascode amplifier (10) is connected to the ground potential through the control transistor (QC) and the diode (D). The electronic circuit has a reduced signal switching time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing aspartyl dipeptide ester compounds, which can be used as sweeteners, and aldehydes that can be used in the manufacturing processes.

Abstract: Two-step protruding portions are provided in a cover of a pulley for hooking the cover on the pulley. When a bridging part is broken, a driving-unit-side portion of the bridging part is outwardly displaced in a rotation axis direction of the pulley. The first-step protruding portion of the cover thereby slips out from a hooking state. However, after the driving-unit-side portion mounts on the driven-unit-side portion, no further force acts outwardly in the rotation axis direction. As a result, the second-step protruding portion of the cover is hooked on the pulley, so that the cover can be fixed to the pulley. This results in inhibiting broken bridging parts or dampers from dispersing.

Abstract: In a heat exchanger, a core portion includes a plurality of plate fins each shaped like a flat plate and a plurality of tubes in which a fluid flows and each of which is inserted into each of the plate fins to be mechanically bonded thereto. Further, an end portion in a longitudinal direction of each of the tubes is bonded to a header plate which constructs a part of a header tank. In this heat exchanger, the tube is bonded to the header plate in a solid phase. Therefore, the plate fins are mechanically bonded to the tube and the end portion of the tube in the longitudinal direction of the tube can be bonded to the header plate without a furnace of a high temperature.

Abstract: N-[N-[3-(2-hydroxy-substituted phenyl)propyl]-L-?-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester derivatives, which are useful as sweeteners, may be conveniently produced by subjecting a 2-hydroxychroman derivative having various substituents on the benzene ring and aspartame to a reductive alkylation reaction. These compounds may be purified by subjecting such a derivative containing one or more impurities to a crystallization step to crystallize the same. Further, there are provided a process for producing dialkoxychroman derivatives useful as intermediates for the production of such aspartame derivatives in the above process, and novel dialkoxychroman derivatives thus produced, which are excellent as the production intermediate.

Abstract: N-[N-[3-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)propyl]-L-&agr;-aspartyl]-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester useful as a sweetener with a high potency of sweetness, is provided in the crystalline form having a high stability and a good purity which is favorable as a commercial product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing aspartyl dipeptide ester compounds, which can be used as sweeteners, and aldehydes that can be used in the manufacturing processes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing aspartyl dipeptide ester compounds, which can be used as sweeteners, and aldehydes that can be used in the manufacturing processes.

Abstract: Two-step protruding portions are provided in a cover of a pulley for hooking the cover on the pulley. When a bridging part is broken, a driving-unit-side portion of the bridging part is outwardly displaced in a rotation axis direction of the pulley. The first-step protruding portion of the cover thereby slips out from a hooking state. However, after the driving-unit-side portion mounts on the driven-unit-side portion, no further force acts outwardly in the rotation axis direction. As a result, the second-step protruding portion of the cover is hooked on the pulley, so that the cover can be fixed to the pulley. This results in inhibiting broken bridging parts or dampers from dispersing.

Abstract: There is disclosed a variable-gain amplifier circuit comprising an adjustable impedance circuit part including a bipolar transistor having a base connected to a control terminal for receiving a controlled bias voltage, a collector connected to a positive power supply voltage terminal, and an emitter connected to ground through a diode in such a manner that an anode of the diode is connected to the emitter of the transistor and a cathode of the diode is connected to the ground. The variable-gain amplifier circuit further comprises a variable-gain amplifying circuit part having an amplifying circuit having an input coupled through an DC blocking capacitor to an input terminal for receiving an input signal and an output connected to an output terminal. The emitter of the bipolar transistor is connected to a node between the input terminal and the DC blocking capacitor.

Abstract: Herein are disclosed a process for producing xylitol of high purity (one-step desalting process) which comprises the steps of (1) removing the solid matter from a culture froth obtained by culturing a xylitol-producing microorganism in an aqueous culture medium, (2) desalting the resulting solid matter-removed culture broth by removing the ionic substances therefrom by means of a cation-exchange resin and an anion-exchange resin, (3) subjecting the resulting desalted solution to the chromatography using a strongly acidic cation-exchange resin to separate the xylitol from the other sugar alcohol(s) and sugar(s), and (4) obtaining the xylitol by separating it at a high purity from the resulting xylitol solution (fraction), and to a similar process (two-step desalting process) but wherein the desalting carried out twice by adding the ion-exclusion step between Steps (1) and (2) of the above-mentioned process, whereby most of the ionic substances are removed, by which processes highly pure xylitol can be obtained