Abstract: A lubricant composition comprising a lubricating base oil, fine particles and a calcium sulfonate-based thickener, a speed reduction gear filled with the lubricant composition, and an electric power steering apparatus comprising the speed reduction gear are disclosed. It is possible to reduce the operating noise of a speed reduction gear regardless of the amount of backlash that occurs on combining a small gear and a large gear without a more complicate structure of the speed reduction gear by an action of the fine particles while preventing separation of oil by an action of the calcium sulfonate-based thickener added to the lubricant composition, and thus the noise in the inside of car generated by the electric power steering apparatus can be reduced with a low cost.

Abstract: When a column 4 reaches a tilting ascent end, the lower end 732 of a nut 73 abuts on the buffering segment 83 of a buffer 82. Thus, while the buffering segment 83 of the buffer 82 is elastically deformed, the nut 73 stops with no impact. Accordingly, the inertia when the nut 73 stops is restrained and the tightening torque of the nut 73 when the nut 73 stops is also restrained. For this reason, when an electric motor 61 is rotationally driven in a reverse direction, a feeding screw shaft 71 rotates in the reverse direction with the normal rotation torque of the electric motor 61. Thus, the nut 73 is caused to ascend in the axial direction along the screw segment of the feeding screw shaft 71 so that the column 4 can be tiltingly moved downward.

Abstract: A pedal is rotated in a forward rotational direction by a pedal force applied from a driver and is rotated in a reverse rotational direction by a restoring force exerted from a double coil spring arrangement. A friction member generates friction between the pedal and the friction member. The friction member includes a sliding part, a holding part and a resiliently deformable part. The sliding part slidably engages the pedal, and the holding part is held by a housing. The resiliently deformable part is resiliently deformable between the sliding part and the holding part to permit displacement of the sliding part relative to the holding part.

Abstract: A wave gear drive comprises a circular rigid internal gear and a flexible external gear inside the rigid internal gear. A wave generator in the flexible external gear flexes the flexible external gear into an elliptical shape. The cross-section of the flexible external gear perpendicular to the axis at a point in the tooth trace direction of the flexible external gear is set as the main cross-section. The rigid internal gear and flexible external gear are gears with a module m, and the flexible external gear has a number of teeth that is smaller than the number of teeth of the rigid internal gear. The moving route M of a tooth of the flexible external gear with respect to a tooth of the rigid internal gear that accompanies rotation of the wave generator when meshing of the teeth in the main cross-section is approximated by rack meshing.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine including a transmission for transmitting power from a crankshaft to an output shaft through speed change, with the speed change in the transmission being performed by the driving of a speed change electric motor through a speed change drive mechanism, wherein power transmission control means for controlling the transmission of power from the crankshaft to the transmission is provided at one end of the crankshaft, and at least a part of the speed change electric motor and the speed change drive mechanism is disposed on the outside of the power transmission control means. This configuration of the internal combustion engine is reduced in size because of the layout of the speed change drive mechanism and the speed change electric motor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for removal of boron from metal silicon inexpensively and extremely efficiently by a simple method, specifically, heating metal silicon containing boron as an impurity to its melting point to 2200° C. to place it in a molten state, then adding a solid mainly comprised of silicon dioxide and a solid mainly comprised of one or both of a carbonate of an alkali metal or a hydrate of a carbonate of an alkali metal into said molten silicon so as to form a slag and remove the boron in the silicon.

Abstract: The invention is a high capacitance capacitor anode manufactured by creating a green anode body from particles of a dielectric oxide film-forming electrical conducting non-agglomerated powder, sintering the green anode body, and anodizing the sintered body. The non-agglomerated powder comprises fine particles having a small average particle size and a narrow size distribution, which gives the green anode body a morphology that allows it to be sintered at temperatures lower than 1200° C. The invention is also a method of manufacturing these anodes.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for treating a slurry of liquid metal and solid particles is disclosed using various combinations of vacuum distillation and transfer with hot inert gas.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process that involves (1) feeding (a) a first valve metal powder component containing valve metal particles and (b) reducing component into a reactor having a hot zone; and (2) subjecting the first valve metal powder component and the reducing component to non-static conditions sufficient to simultaneously (i) agglomerate the first valve metal powder component particles, and (ii) reduce oxygen content in the valve metal powder component particles, and thereby form a second valve metal powder component containing oxygen-reduced valve metal particles, in which the reducing component is selected from the group consisting of magnesium reducing components, calcium reducing components, aluminum reducing components, lithium reducing components, barium reducing components, strontium, reducing components, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: High purity cobalt with a very few content of impurities such as copper, a method of manufacturing thereof, and high purity cobalt targets are provided. The cobalt containing impurities such as copper is dissolved in a hydrochloric acid solution, and the concentration of the hydrochloric acid of the aqueous solution of cobalt chloride is adjusted to 0.1 kmol/m3 to 3 kmol/m3. Then, cobalt is added in the aqueous solution of cobalt chloride, and an inert gas is injected into the solution with agitating, in order to convert the divalent copper ions contained in the aqueous solution of cobalt chloride to monovalent copper ions. Then, the aqueous solution of cobalt chloride is fed into a column filled up with the anion exchange resins. Cobalt is not absorbed on the anion exchange resins although the monovalent copper ions are absorbed on the anion exchange resins. Therefore, copper can be separated from the aqueous solution of cobalt chloride.

Abstract: The present invention relates to copper nano-particles having controlled particle size, high monodispersity, and oxidation stability, a method of preparing the copper nano-particles, and a method of forming a copper coating film using the copper nano-particles. The present invention provides a method of preparing copper nano-particles, comprising mixing a copper salt solution with a mixture of a reducing agent and a solvent; where the copper salt solution is added to the mixture at a temperature of 300° C. or less so that the copper salt solution can react with the mixture. It is thus possible to obtain copper nano-particles with controlled particle size and monodispersity by inducing uniform nucleation and nucleus growth through control of the reaction rate and/or the amount of copper ions during synthesis of the copper nano-particles.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for overcoming the adverse effects of disintegration of molten steel streams due to sub-surface growth of carbon monoxide bubbles when exposed to reduced pressures and thus permits refining of liquid scrap much the same way as if it were a quiescent liquid melt. Steel scrap contaminated with copper, tin, zinc and organics, such as PVC coating, is preheated and melted continuously using melt circulation and then continuously refined in-line to yield high quality liquid steel and separate non-ferrous metal byproducts by straightforward physical desorption under reduced pressure using an inert strip gas within a desorber and then subsequent iron vapour condensation by direct contacting with liquid steel followed by selective condensation of copper initially and then recovery of tin. Formation of dioxins from scrap containing chlorine is precluded by inline scrubbing of pyrolysis gas formed during scrap preheating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fastening member fastening apparatus for positioning and fastening a hexagon head bolt (2) with respect to a nut (7) with an opening (7a). The fastening member fastening apparatus comprises a rotary axle body (1) being rotated by a drive source, a forwardly and backwardly movable socket (3) being connected with a tip end of the rotary axle body (1) and fitting thereon the hexagon head bolt (2), and a guide mechanism (5) having triple claw members (4) which are operated to open and close in accordance with the forward and backward movement of the socket (3). A tip end of the guide mechanism (5) in a closed state is inserted into the opening (7a) of the nut (7) so as to position and fasten the hexagon head bolt (2) with respect to the nut (7).

Abstract: A toggle locking tool is provided with an adjustment screw assembly comprising a force-enhancing shank that enables the holding force of the tool to be multiplied manifold. The adjustment screw assembly comprises an adjustment screw conventionally adapted to be fed into and to engage a threaded bore in the outer end of the fixed handle of the tool; however said adjustment screw itself comprises an internal, fine-threaded bore that extends through the length of said screw, and that receives a threaded force-enhancing shank having a head portion adapted for turning manually or with a turning tool. An end portion of said shank extends beyond the adjustment screw to form the bearing surface which, in a conventional toggle locking tool, is provided by the tip of the adjustment screw. Rotation of the adjustment screw provides rapid, low-force locking adjustment of the tool, and subsequent torquing of the force-enhancing shank results in the application of a multiplied locking force to the jaws of the tool.

Abstract: A screwdriver has an elongate handle and an elongate shank arranged along an axis of the handle and has one end embedded within the handle and another end provided with a driver tip configured for engaging and driving a fastener by rotating a fastener about its axis, substantially coextensive with the handle axis. An auxiliary driver in the region of the driver tip drives a fastener about an axis substantially normal to the handle axis. The handle may be provided with at least one axial elongate channel generally parallel to the handle axis dimensioned for receiving at least one driver tip when not in use. Suitable retaining member may be used for retaining the driver tips within the channel.

Abstract: Tightening tools is provided with a pair of clutch members disposed between a motor and a tool bit. The pair of clutch members is provided with a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion. The first engaging portion is constructed so as to disengage the pair of clutch members when the torque applied to the tool bit is equal to or above a first predetermined value. The second engaging portion does not engage the pair of clutch members while the first engaging portion engages the pair of clutch members and the second engaging portion engages the pair of clutch members after the first engaging portion disengages the pair of clutch members. The second engaging portion is constructed so as to disengage the pair of clutch members when the torque applied to the tool bit is equal to or above a second predetermined value. The second predetermined value may be different from the first predetermined value.

Abstract: A torque-indicating driver that includes, a handle, a tube casing; a click arm with a fastener-engaging portion at one end that projects from the tube casing and operably coupled to a torque-limiting mechanism housed within the tube casing at the other, torque-adjusting mechanism within said handle and coupled to said torque-limiting mechanism for adjusting the torque-limiting mechanism to the desired torque value, and torque-indicating mechanism operably coupled to said click arm such that an indicator is activated to signal that the desired torque has been reached during the tightening of a fastener.

Abstract: In the assembly of vibration body, the first width in the lateral direction (X axis direction) is greater than the second width in the longitudinal direction (Y axis direction) in the cross sectional form perpendicular to Z axis of the first portion on the tip side from the closest node position, thereby, the rigidity of a vibration body main part in the X axis direction can be enhanced, and lateral bending vibrations on fixing portion can be restrained. Consequently, an object can be processed highly accurately by the assembly of vibration body that is controlled with a high precision.

Abstract: There is described a control method for a tool machine. Said machine tool comprises adjustment devices which are used to produce relative displacement between a machining head and a work piece. The adjustment movements are detected by sensors associated with the adjustment devices. A value for the relative displacement from the machining head to the work piece is determined from the signals of the sensors associated with the adjustment devices. The adjustment devices are controlled according to the value of relative displacement in order to produce predetermined adjustment movements. State variables which describe relative displacement between the machining head and work pieces are detected in at least one additional sensor. The state variables are taken into account when the value for the relative displacement is determined.

Abstract: A one-piece lathe tool for boring with a cross-section of less than 10 mm, includes an essentially-cylindrical tool body intended to be inserted and held in a tool support which is traversed by at least one lubricant supply channel. One end of the tool body extends into a neck which terminates in a head that forms the active part of the tool. In order to ensure good lubrication, the neck is offset in relation to the axis of the tool body, while, at the end of the neck, the head is offset in relation to the axis. The head, together with the cutting edge thereof, falls within and is essentially tangent to the periphery of a cylindrical space corresponding to the extension of the tool body. A machining assembly including such a one-piece lathe tool and a tool support are also disclosed.

Abstract: A microtome comprises a histological cassette support member that is adapted and configured to allow the microtome to be used in connection with relatively thin histological cassettes. A method of reversibly altering a microtome for use with different size histological specimen cassettes comprises exchanging the cassette support member of the cassette holding assembly of the microtome with another cassette support member without altering other portions of the cassette holding assembly.

Abstract: A sliced piece is continuously cut from plural sample blocks with a less fear of failing to make a sliced piece specimen even if continuously operated and, moreover, without causing a hand to intervene.

Abstract: The present invention is an angle indicator for a sawing machine. The sawing machine has a worktable, a pivot shaft, a saw blade holder fastened to the pivot shaft as the pivoting center thereof and having a motor, and a saw blade connected to the saw blade holder, rotatable by the motor and passing through the worktable. The angle indicator has an angle indicating member having an index zone and a following member. The following member is fixed on the pivot shaft and connected to the angle indicating member. Thereby the saw blade is moved with the saw blade holder, and the following member is pivoted with the saw blade holder by the pivot shaft to result in movement of the index zone when the saw blade holder pivots, so that the displacement of the index zone corresponds to the movement of the saw blade.

Abstract: A twine cutting apparatus in combination with an automated grass baler having a twine holding reel for feeding wrapping twine to the baled grass. The apparatus has a pivoted knife arm with a first end structured to cooperate with a cam surface for actuating the knife arm to a cutting position and an opposite end for mounting a twine cutting knife. The twine cutting knife is formed with an elongated, serrated cutting edge extending a distance greater than the radius of the twine holding disc presenting an elongated cutting surface to said twine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cutter head disk for a meat cutter, on which at least one knife can be mounted by means of eccentric bolts and optional magnets and which is provided with a metallic core for accommodating the drive shaft. Preferably, the core comprises a plastic envelope. The invention further relates to a knife having a geometry that is provided with a great axial load-bearing capability. Also disclosed are a system comprising a cutter head disk and two knives, a cutter head encompassing several systems, and a method for assembling a cutter head.

Abstract: A punch device includes a punch 1 and a punch auxiliary tool 3. The punch 1 includes a punch station 10 formed with a guide hole 12 and a slit 11 into which a sheet is inserted, a punching blade 13 to be guided in the guide hole, an operating section 15 for operating the punching blade, and a housing 20 having an opening 25 in which the operating section is disposed. The punch auxiliary tool 3 includes arms 36 rising from both sides of the station 30, and a pressing operating member 40 pivotally supported by the arms. An inserting/detaching opening 31 for inserting and detaching the punch is provided on a side where the pressing operating section is pivotally supported. A lower surface of the pressing operating member of the punch auxiliary tool is provided with a pressing section 41 which presses the operating section of the punch inserted from the inserting/detaching opening.

Abstract: A hole punch with a detached base includes a base supporting an anvil with a first magnetic element, and a punch assembly with a plunger extendable from the framework of the punch assembly. The punch assembly supports a second magnetic element positioned for magnetic coupling to the base to align the anvil with the plunger. The magnetic coupling feature eliminates throat depth limitations caused by the framework of mechanically coupled hole punches of the prior art and allows for hole placement at any desired location on any size of sheet.

Abstract: A food slicer is provided having a support member including a base portion and an upstanding portion integrally formed with the base portion. The upstanding portion includes a rotating cutting blade secured thereto for slicing food product and at least one motor positioned within the upstanding portion for rotating the cutting blade. The base portion includes a food product table slidably secured thereto and is movable across the cutting blade for holding product while it is being sliced by the cutting blade. An adjustable gage plate also is provided for determining the thickness of a food product to be sliced by the cutting blade. A product fence for assisting in holding and stabilizing food product during slicing is included where the fence is removably secured to a portion of the food product table by frictional engagement therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting materials and more specifically an improved saw blade includes a plurality of variable teeth thereon. The variable tooth saw blade cuts faster and smoother while reducing harmonic vibrations. Specifically, the teeth on the saw blade are grouped into sections with differing circumferential widths and differing spacing between the sections.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting materials and more specifically an improved saw blade includes a plurality of variable teeth thereon. The variable tooth saw blade cuts faster and smoother while reducing harmonic vibrations. Specifically, the teeth on the saw blade are grouped into sections with differing circumferential widths and differing spacing between the sections.

Abstract: A jack motion-restricting device for an upright piano, which is capable of maintaining constant a jack motion-restricting position by a simple construction to thereby obtain an intended operation of the jack. The jack motion-restricting device restricts the motion of the jack operating in accordance with key depression by having the jack abut thereagainst. A base part of the device is provided at a location close to the jack. A base layer of the same is formed of a material having dimensional stability, and is affixed to the base part. A surface layer of the same is formed of a material having abrasion resistance and flexibility, and is affixed to the base layer, for having the jack abut thereagainst.

Abstract: A musical instrument having a body defining a substantially hollow volume, a neck coupled to the body, at least one string tensioned between the body and the neck, and a sound module positioned in the body and including a speaker having a front surface communicating directly with the hollow volume. In one embodiment, the speaker is part of a sound module that is positioned within the body of the guitar. Preferably, the sound module further includes an amplifier, a power switch, a volume control, an audio input (e.g., a wireless audio input or an audio input jack), and a battery compartment. A second aspect of the present invention is that the speakers do not face in a direction that is perpendicular to the plane defined by the soundboard. Rather, they face in a direction that is at some other angle, such as angled at least about thirty degrees from being perpendicular to the plane.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to an enhanced knob with multiple integrated functions for use with an electric stringed musical instrument. The enhanced knob can be positioned on an electric stringed musical instrument or on an interconnected amplifier and can be either an add-on feature or can replace one or more existing knobs. In one embodiment of the present invention, the volume knob for an electric guitar is removed and replaced by an enhanced knob. The enhanced knob includes a switch that allows a user to switch between the multiple functions and also allows the user to control each selected function. The enhanced knob includes a volume function to compensate for the removed volume knob. Additionally, the enhanced knob includes a number of other functions, including a tuner function, a metronome function, and a dynamic visual-display function.

Abstract: A breath controlled actuating device for actuating another transducer device, the actuating device having a pipe including a mouthpiece and a second end, a force converter located within the second end, the force converter for converting air blown into the device into movement of a ball housed within the force converter; and a cap assembly affixed to the second end, wherein when a force is applied to the mouthpiece, the force travels through the pipe and is applied to the force converter, thereby causing the ball to impact the cap assembly and actuating the other transducer device. A method of actuating a device by blowing into the above device, flowing the blown air through the pipe and into the force converter causing the force converter to move the ball, impacting the ball against the cap assembly, sensing the impact, and transmitting the impact signal to a transducer device to be actuated, thereby actuating the transducer device.

Abstract: A plurality of areas are set on an image displayed on a display screen, and a plurality of performance indexes, each of which indicates a range of each of the areas, are displayed. An area designated by an operation input is detected, and sound output information is generated when an operation input, which designates one of the areas, and then further designates another area other than the designated area, is detected. Thereafter, a sound is outputted from a speaker in accordance with the sound output information.

Abstract: A portable music player apparatus that outputs visual content to a head-worn transmissive display, the visual content being modulated in time with playing musical content and overlaid upon the user's direct view of his or her physical surroundings. In this way, the user is provided with an enhanced visual view of his or her physical surroundings, the enhanced visual view including transmissive visual content that is generally synchronized in time with the playing music content. This provides the user with an improved music listening experience in which he or she feels present within a visually enhanced version of the physical world that has changing visual qualities that are perceptually synchronized in time with one or more features of the playing music. The displayed visual content may include time-varying translucency and/or color-tinting such that the user's direct view of the physical world changes in brightness and/or color tinting in a manner choreographed with the playing music.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating a tempo includes a peak time detection unit for detecting peak times of input audio data when an amplitude of the audio data reaches peak values; an inter-onset interval (IOI) determining unit for determining IOIs between the detected peak times; an IOI clustering unit for clustering the IOIs into a plurality of 101 clusters and for determining an average of the IOIs contained in each of the IOI clusters; a tempo estimating unit for estimating a tempo of the input audio data based on the average of the IOIs of one of the IOI clusters.

Abstract: A modular energy barrier system has at least one energy barrier module. The module has a substantially rigid casing and an energy absorbing filler material. The casing has at least one frangible side. The filler material is disposed inside the casing. The casing is adapted to be connected to a base support so that the module is interposed between the base structure and an energy source and the at least one frangible side of the casing is oriented to face energy released by the energy source.

Abstract: A ballistic and blast protective composite panel includes a first composite layer and a second composite layer.

Abstract: A protection system features a flexible packaged net with perimeter weighting housed in a deployment box releasably attached to a vehicle. One deployment subsystem includes an airbag packaged in the deployment box behind the net. A sensor subsystem detects an incoming threat and a fire control subsystem is responsive to the sensor subsystem and is configured to activate the deployment subsystem to inflate the airbag and deploy the net in the trajectory path of the incoming threat.

Abstract: In accordance with the first exemplary embodiment a semi-automatic M-4 type firearm is provided. The firearm comprises a receiver and a reversible safety selector. The receiver has a right side and a left side. The reversible safety selector is rotatably coupled to the receiver and comprises a shaft with a user selector member at one end. The user selector member is adapted to allow a user to move the reversible safety selector relative to the receiver. The reversible safety selector is adapted to be mounted to the receiver in a first position with the user selector member located on the right side of the receiver. The reversible safety selector may be mounted to the receiver in a second position different from the first position with the user selector member located on the left side of the receiver.

Abstract: Hydraulic actuating device comprising a first and a second hydraulic actuator, which actuators have a first and a second connection for the supply and discharge of hydraulic fluid, which connections are in communication with a first and a second chamber, respectively, by way of a first and a second opening, respectively, in the cylinder space. The first opening of the second hydraulic actuator is in communication with the first opening of the first hydraulic actuator. The second opening of the second hydraulic actuator is in communication with the second opening of the first hydraulic actuator via a third connection. The third connection is in communication with the cylinder space in the first hydraulic actuator via a third opening. Damping means are achieved by a restriction of the outflow of hydraulic fluid via the second opening before the piston/piston rod assembly reaches the second end position.

Abstract: A pair of leg portions are provided on a swash plate. A main hydrostatic bearing is provided on one leg portion, in communication with one supply/discharge passage through an oil guide passage, and an auxiliary hydrostatic bearing is provided on the other leg portion, in communication with the oil guide passage. Another main hydrostatic bearing is provided on the other leg portion, in communication with the other supply/discharge passage through an oil guide passage, and another auxiliary hydrostatic bearing is provided on one leg portion, in communication with the oil guide passage. By the main hydrostatic bearings and auxiliary hydrostatic bearings, dissociative forces are generated between the leg portions of the swash plate and a swash plate support member in balance with hydraulic reaction forces which are exerted on the swash plate by pistons.

Abstract: A seal includes a seal body forming an annular sealing surface. The annular sealing surface includes an annular ridge protruding substantially radially from the annular sealing surface. The seal body includes an annular cavity. The seal also includes first and second annular springs located adjacent to each other in the annular cavity.

Abstract: A carbon dioxide separation system for a fuel cell system having a small volume and weight of a separation device and of a membrane, at simultaneous increase of the separated volume of carbon dioxide, comprises a separation device for containing a fluid phase, a carbon dioxide phase, and a two phase fluid including fluid and carbon dioxide. The separation device comprises a two phase fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a carbon dioxide outlet, a carbon dioxide separation membrane, and a flow restrictor creating a backpressure which presses separated carbon dioxide through the carbon dioxide separation membrane. The flow restrictor comprises at least one narrow aperture, and is mounted downstream of the separation device. The carbon dioxide separation membrane is positioned in the separation device in such a manner that at least a part of the total membrane area is arranged above a two phase fluid level and is in touch with carbon dioxide contained in the separation device above the two phase fluid level.

Abstract: A method for separating and recovering oxygen-rich air from the air, comprising, using a gas separation membrane module where a laminate consisting of a permeate-side spacer for forming a permeate gas channel communicated with a hollow section in a core tube for collecting and discharging a permeate gas and two flat-film gas separation membranes sandwiching the spacer and a feed-side spacer for forming a feed gas channel are spirally wound around the core tube such that the laminate and the feed-side spacer are alternately superimposed, vacuuming the hollow section of the core tube to 95 kPaA (absolute pressure) or less by vacuuming means while feeding the air into the feed gas channel by air feed means such that a maximum feed-air flow rate and a maximum static pressure divided by an effective membrane area of the gas separation membrane are 100 m3/min·m2 or less and 4000 Pa/m2 or less, respectively, to separate and recover oxygen-rich air from the hollow section of the core tube.

Abstract: A halogen-containing gas is injected into a flowing transport air/sorbent stream at a point close to the point where the sorbent and transport air first mix to maximize the residence time available for the halogen-containing compound to be adsorbed onto the sorbent surface prior to the sorbent being injected into a flue gas containing mercury. This process maximizes the benefit and utilization of the halogen-containing reagent by placing it exactly where it is needed to facilitate elemental mercury removal—on the surface of the sorbent. The sorbent particles with their loading of adsorbed halogen-containing reagent enter the flue gas with a high reactivity for the removal of elemental mercury.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally related to providing thin hydrogen separation membranes coated on porous substrates that are useful in membrane steam reformers and methods for making same. These reformers can be integrated with protein exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells to form power systems.

Abstract: A liquid-gas separator for a direct liquid feed fuel cell includes: a housing having an open hole; a gas extracting membrane that covers the open hole and transmits only the gas; a liquid extracting member that defines a first chamber that contacts the gas extracting membrane and a second chamber that does not contact the gas extracting membrane, and selectively transmits the liquid in the first chamber to the second chamber; an inlet that guides the liquid and the gas into the housing; and an outlet that is connected to the second chamber and guides the liquid in the second chamber to the outside.

Abstract: A chemical filter unit includes a housing, a first filter for filtering liquid chemicals, a second filter for filtering air, and a window in the housing. The housing has an outlet and an inlet through which chemicals enter and leave the filter, respectively, and an air vent that allows air to be discharged from the filter. The first filter is disposed in a path along which chemicals flow inside the housing to filter out particles contained in the chemicals, and the second filter is disposed in a path along which air leaves the filter through the air vent. The second filter includes a medium that collects particles contained in the air. The window allows the second filter to be seen from outside the housing.