Abstract: A closed cycle recuperator microturbine and an open cycle heat generating system for supplying heat for driving the turbine includes a pair of valves fluidly connected to the compressor inlet and compressor outlet for bleeding air therefrom when the microturbine engine is operating in the lower power operating envelope of the operating conditions of the microturbine engine while the open cycle heat generating system maintains the thermodynamic conditions of the microturbine engine operating substantially a constant value whereby the fuel consumption of the microturbine engine is enhanced during the low power conditions. The microturbine engine serves to power an electric generator and a ECU heater.

Abstract: In a method for operating a gas turbine centre in the vicinity of the group nominal full-load conditions, the cooling of the working fluid before and/or during the compression is set in such a way that the respectively attainable full-load power is above the current power. Rapid power demands can therefore be rapidly satisfied by an increase in the turbine inlet temperature or by opening an adjustable inlet guide vane row, whereas the control of the cooling effect, which has a tendency to be more sluggish, is employed to adjust the full-load operating point.

Abstract: Active cooling technologies such as thermoelectrics can be used to introduce thermal “gain” into a cooling system and, when employed in combination with forced flow liquid metal cooling loops, can provide an attractive solution for cooling high heat flux density devices and/or components. Total cooling power can be increased by employing multiple thermoelectric elements. Indeed, by employing modern semiconductor technologies, including e.g., thin-film technologies, thermoelectric elements may be cost-effectively employed and configured in large arrays.

Abstract: A cryogenic fluid storage/processing system which includes a tank for storing the cryogenic fluid, and a containment wall surrounding the tank and defining an impoundment area. The system further includes a vaporizer for regasification of the cryogenic fluid. Piping is discharges the vaporizer heating medium into the impoundment area, and/or routes it beneath the tank to heat the ground beneath the tank. Further, the system provides for all liquid hydrocarbons to be contained within the impoundment area with the pumps inside and the vaporizers mounted on the containment walls.

Abstract: A cryogenic tank assembly has a pump which discharges into an accumulator which is located in the cryogenic storage area. This reduces the space required for the device as well as the functioning of the device. The high pressure fluid in the accumulator remains at a cryogenic temperature. The system may also include a heater to deliver high pressure gas form the liquid storage volume.

Abstract: A refrigerant recovery/recycling system includes a source container fluidly connected to a recovery/recycling device via a vaporizer. Liquid refrigerant is introduced into the vaporizer via the source container and the vaporizer changes the refrigerant from a liquid into a vapor. In so doing, slow/no flow conditions of both the source container and the recovery/recycling device can be reduced, which increases the rate in which the recovery/recycling device is charged with refrigerant.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and methods for use in atmospheric moisture harvesters are disclosed. In particular, sectored or zoned cooling/condensation surfaces to optimize cooling efficiency are disclosed. In one embodiment, cooling is provided by dual-refrigerant, buffered cooling cells. In another embodiment, cooling is provided by thermoelectric cooling devices. Where thermoelectric cooling devices are used, an airway duct that covers both the cool side and the warm side of the devices can be provided, such that an airflow system that is driven by the difference in density between cooled, de-moisturized air and warmed air is established. Localized temperatures and moisture levels are monitored so that cooling can be adjusted as necessary to provide optimal, most energy-efficient condensation of moisture.

Abstract: A method for cooling a product (P) including N ordered adsorption/desorption cycles (100, 200, 300), each cycle having the following steps: expanding a refrigerant in liquid phase from a condenser (101, 201, 301) inside an evaporator (103, 203, 303) for evaporating at least one portion of the refrigerant, and; adsorbing this refrigerant in vapor phase inside at least one adsorption/desorption chamber (120, 220, 320) containing a zeolite adsorbent (Z) whereby cooling a remaining portion of the refrigerant in the evaporator to a predetermined low temperature, the low temperature decreasing from one cycle to the next. The method also includes the following steps: effecting N-1 heat exchanges each time the refrigerant enters the evaporator (103, 203) of a cycle and each time the refrigerant enters the condenser (201, 301) of the following cycle for condensing the refrigerant in the condenser.

Abstract: A refrigerator having a removable shelf with a user interface for setting the working conditions of a refrigerator compartment. The user interface also being able to transmit the working conditions to a control unit of the refrigerator. The refrigerator having a package to be inserted in the refrigeration compartment, the package supporting a plurality of inductors for receiving and transmitting data to the user interface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of controlling freezing in a liquid system is disclosed. The apparatus includes a heat exchanger having a initial zone characterized by a surface area to volume ratio. The apparatus also includes means for initiating freezing of a fluid from the initial zone to facilitate volume expansion during freezing in the direction of a final zone characterized by a final zone surface area to volume ratio. The apparatus can further include a plurality of zones located between the initial zone and the final zone, wherein a zone surface area to volume ratio is calculated for each zone. Preferably, the zone surface area to volume ratio of each zone progressively decreases from the initial zone in the direction of the final zone. Preferably, the final freezing zone has the lowest surface area to volume ratio and has sufficient elasticity to accommodate the volume expansion of all the fluid that has frozen from the initial zone.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus for such things as convenience foods and beverages has a tilted, open faced bed from which persons may select objects. The apparatus is self-contained, and may run from a standard single phase electrical outlet. It may be carried by two people, and is suitable for mounting either on its own base in a recess in a checkout counter or other similar installation. The open faced be may have a channel depth of section that is relatively deep as compared with to its width, the flow path length, or the depth of the flow released to run along the channel, thereby tending to discourage mixing of the cooled flow with the surrounding ambient environment. The apparatus may include a two piece molded housing that defines the structural skeleton for both the cooling bed and a lodgement for various elements of the cooling system. The bed may include a porous deck, or drain panels, that may tend to encourgare cooled air to drain toward a cooling plenum intake panel.

Abstract: In order to provide a thermo-siphon chiller refrigerator for use in cold districts which performs natural refrigerant-circulation refrigerating cycle and also can perform a forced refrigerant-circulation refrigerating cycle when outside air temperature is high by using an indoor heat exchanger, an outdoor heat exchanger, and a compressor, and combining them with refrigerant piping, the thermo-siphon chiller refrigerator for use in cold districts of the invention has a compressor (10) additionally installed to a natural refrigerant-circulation refrigerating system comprising an outdoor heat exchanger (12), an indoor heat exchanger (11) located at a position lower than that of the outer heat exchanger (12), and an expansion valve (18). When the refrigerating capacity of the natural refrigerant-circulation refrigerating system is not sufficient, the additional compressor (10) is operated to perform a forced refrigerant-circulation cycle i.e. a vapor compression refrigerating cycle.

Abstract: An apparatus for freezing a biological sample having a frame, an enclosure adapted to conduct a cryogenic fluid therethrough, and a block in the enclosure such that the block is cooled to a temperature capable of freezing the sample. A force generating device is mounted on the frame generally above the enclosure. A sample holder is removably attached to the force generating device having a cavity at its free end for receiving a sample to be frozen. The force generating device, sample holder, and block are constructed to compress the sample between the block and the sample holder such that the holder penetrates the surface of the block and effectively seals the sample during compression.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cooling a food or beverage to a temperature at which the food or beverage is safe to consume. A preferred embodiment of the beverage cooling device comprises a single cooling unit that contains a coolant material. Another preferred embodiment comprises a collection device; and a plurality of cooling units attached to the collection device, each of the cooling units comprising a tubular container containing a coolant material.

Abstract: A refrigerating machine comprising a compressor, a radiator, a pressure-reducing device, a gas-liquid separator, plural heat absorbers functioning selectively in different temperature zones, a unit for allowing introduction of gas refrigerant separated in the gas-liquid separator into an intermediate pressure portion of the compressor, and a low pressure side circuit in which liquid refrigerant separated in the gas-liquid separator is circulated, wherein the low pressure side circuit is provided with at least a heat absorber functioning in a low temperature zone.

Abstract: A hollow closed loop has two end sections and intermediate sections. Flexible sheet material is located within one of the intermediate sections remote from the end sections. The flexible sheet material is fabricated of a crinkle material.

Abstract: A press molding apparatus includes upper and lower molding dies each having a molding surface facing each other, and a driving device which moves at least one of the upper and lower molding dies in a vertical direction so that the upper and lower molding dies are opened and closed. The driving device includes a main shaft which supports the at least one of the upper and lower molding dies, an ascending and descending member which, while supporting the main shaft, ascends and descends, a plurality of screw shafts which is located eccentrically from an axis line of the main shaft, and engages a plurality of screws formed in the ascending and descending member in order to move up and down the ascending and descending member, a driver which synchronously rotates each of the screw shafts, and a controller which controls the driver.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus includes a manifold defining a fluid channel, and also includes a plurality of cooling fins connected to the manifold, wherein at least a portion of a surface of the fins includes porous material.

Abstract: An apparatus according to the invention for producing a knitted fabric with interspacing is embodied in the form of a circular knitting machine with knitting cylinders or with a knitting cylinder and a dial. Between the two needle beds for the needle assemblies defined in this way, a pile thread transfer device 4 is arranged, which is preferably provided with two groups 5, 6 of feed elements that can respectively be moved from an idle position to a thread tucking position. In the process, the feed elements of the one group move toward the needle hooks of the first needle bed and the feed elements of the other group move toward the needle hooks of the other needle bed. In this way, a spaced apart knitted fabric can be produced on circular knitting machines, wherein latch needles can be used and the needle stroke is limited to the standard measure of less than 14 mm. The knitted fabric with interspacing can have a thickness of clearly more than 14 mm, meaning a thickness than far exceeds the needle stroke.

Abstract: The present invention provides articles useful in medical applications including the treatment of heart diseases, and methods for producing the articles. Embodiments include warp knitted fabrics, both single and multilayer, medical articles and methods of making the same.

Abstract: A multifilament yarn composed of multiple filaments as thin as 0.5 to 1.5 dTex is used for all warp knitting yarns (1, 2) and warp weaving yarns (21 to 35-N) of a tape main body (A). As for an exposed portion on a side of a coupling head of each element covered with multiple fixing yarns (11, 11), when it is assumed that a distance from a front end of each coupling head (Eh) to an inside face of a connecting portion (Ec) is (a) while a dimension of a covered portion of an element (E) covered with the fixing yarns (11, 11) in a direction of a leg portion (El) thereof is (b), a value of a ratio (b/a) is larger than 1/2 and 4/5 or less.

Abstract: A hydraulic distributor for a washing machine which comprises a rotating axle (7), water being directed from the mains to a plurality of compartments of the washing machine by means of the rotation of said rotating axle (7); a hydraulic body (2) which comprises an emptying pipe (10), a draining pipe (11) and an exit pipe (15) for re-circulation; and a valve body (6) housed inside said hydraulic body (2). By means of the rotation of the rotating axle (7) the valve body (6) can have a first position, in which the flow from the emptying pipe (10) is directed to the draining pipe (11), and a second position, in which the flow from the emptying pipe (10) is directed to the exit pipe (15) for re-circulation.

Abstract: An improved water supply assembly for a washing machine is provided which prevents breakage of a water supply hose due to freezing. The water supply assembly includes a detergent box assembly provided in a cabinet so as to communicate with a tub of the washing machine, and a water supply valve assembly connected to the detergent box assembly by a hose so as to control a flow of water into the washing machine. By positioning the water supply valve assembly higher than the detergent box, the hose extending therebetween is oriented at a downward slant, thus causing any excess water remaining in the hose after the flow of water into the washing machine has been cut off to naturally drain into the detergent box assembly.

Abstract: A drum washing machine having a gasket to prevent leakage of water in the tub and the laundry from being stuck in a laundry opening part. The washing machine including a cabinet having a first opening through which a laundry is put in the cabinet, a tub installed in the cabinet to have a second opening corresponding to the first opening, a drum installed in the tub to have a third opening corresponding to the second opening, and a gasket including a leakage preventing part having one end connected to a rim of the first opening and the other end connected to a rim of the second opening to prevent water leakage and a laundry-stuck preventing part provided on an inner circumference of the leakage preventing part to prevent the laundry from being stuck in a space between the first and third openings.

Abstract: A cable lockout assembly includes a cable sizing mechanism coupled to a cable clamping mechanism. The cable sizing mechanism is coupled with the cable clamping mechanism for adjusting the cable clamping mechanism relative to a size of the cable.

Abstract: A combination padlock has a housing, a dial core, a connector, a key core and a shackle. The housing has a cavity. The dial core is mounted in the cavity and has multiple dials and a shaft extending through the dials and having a bottom end. The connector is mounted in the cavity and has a cylinder and a lateral arm. The cylinder has a through hole, an open slot and a slid pin extending through the open slot. The lateral arm abuts the bottom end of the shaft. The key core is mounted rotatably in the through hole and has a rail slot holding the slide pin. The combination padlock can be unlocked by either operating the dial core or inserting a corresponding key into the key core so using the combination padlock is convenient.

Abstract: A wedge setup/control method for plate material rolling ensures that the work side and drive side are equal in the rolled plate thickness. The wedge setup/control method, which is used in reversible rolling of a plate material with a rough mill for hot rolling, includes preparing a wedge meter on the outlet side of the rough mill to measure the plate thickness in the direction of the plate width; performing calculations on a wedge measured by the wedge meter, using the influence coefficient of the wedge for roll gap leveling of the rough mill; determining amount of roll gap leveling control; and exercising feedback control to apply the amount of roll gap leveling control to the roll gap leveling of the rough mill.

Abstract: A versatile system for producing channel letter coil of superior reflectivity and durability is described that includes providing a readily formable substrate. A first reflective material is disposed upon a first surface of the substrate. A second reflective material is disposed upon the first reflective material. An aesthetic material is disposed upon a second surface of the substrate. The entire substrate, with the reflective and aesthetic materials intact, is then rolled into a channel letter coil product, ready for immediate and efficient use in sign production.

Abstract: A method is provided for hydroforming a ring-shaped tubular structure such as a door opening for a vehicle body. The method includes providing a ring-shaped tubular blank having a hollow sealed interior, capturing the ring shaped tubular blank in a hydroforming die cavity, piercing the ring shaped tubular blank with a hollow punch, and introducing pressurized fluid through the hollow punch into the hollow sealed interior to expand the tubular structure to conform with the shape of the hydroforming die cavity and thereby hydroform the ring-shaped tubular structure.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a seamless pipe, capable of preventing the carburization phenomenon that occurs in a manufacturing process of pipe and simplifying an elongation rolling process, is provided. In this method, after piercing in the piercing rolling process, rolling is performed without using an inside regulating tool in the elongation rolling process, or without performing the elongation rolling followed by reducing rolling in a reducing rolling process, and thickening is then performed by use of a cold mill or cold draw bench in a cold rolling process. According to this method, the trap of graphite fine particles in the inner and outer surfaces of the pipe that took place in the conventional elongation rolling process can be minimized to prevent the carburization of the pipe. The method of the present invention is effective, particularly as a measure for preventing the carburization of an ultra-low carbon stainless steel or high alloy steel.

Abstract: A bending apparatus for rod-shaped and tubular workpieces, includes a rotatable bending mandrel with a bending groove is provided with a wrinkle smoothener, which immediately precedes the bending mandrel, and two sliding jaws. In order to change the bending direction around the bending mandrel, the sliding jaws can be moved to the other side thereof. In doing so, the sliding jaw on the side of the bending mandrel is arranged freely rotatable on a support axis, which extends parallel to the axis of rotation of the bending mandrel and whose position relative to the bending mandrel can be shifted parallel to the feeding direction of the workpiece. The sliding jaw is provided such that the end of its forming groove facing towards the bending mandrel can be placed in contact with the bending groove by shifting the support axis and, thus, its forming groove tangentially joins said groove.

Abstract: An apparatus for plastically deforming a work piece. The apparatus comprises at least two cylindrical guide rolls rotatable in a first direction, a bendable strip having a portion of at least one surface in communication with a portion of an outer circumference of each of the at least two cylindrical guide rolls, a first cylindrical feeding roll rotatable in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and a plastic deformation passage having a first surface and a second surface, at least a portion of the first surface being defined by a portion of the bendable strip, and at least a portion of the second surface being defined by the outer circumference of the first cylindrical feeding roll. One or both of the bendable strip and the cylindrical feeding roll, when in motion, propel the work piece through the plastic deformation passage wherein the work piece is plastically deformed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coil box, which is mounted between a roughing rolling train and a finishing rolling train, for metal pre-strips, in particular steel strips, which are hot wound to form coils and are protected against further cooling in the vicinity of a winding and/or unwinding station (6) by means of heat-shield devices (7) on the front faces (5a; 5b) of the coils. The aim of the invention is to universally configure said coil box. To achieve this, the heat-shield devices (7) are configured from lateral walls (8; 8b) that can be pivoted to rest against the front faces (5a; 5b) of the coils and a pair of opposing heat-shield devices (7) can be aligned in parallel to different coil widths (5c).

Abstract: A control device for a die cushion mechanism, for carrying out force control with high accuracy and at a high speed. The control device for controlling the force generated by the die cushion mechanism utilizes a press working cycle which is repeatedly carried out. A correcting part of the control device corrects each deviation in one working cycle based on a time-series of deviation data in the just before press working cycle. By repeating this operation, the deviation between the detected value and the commanded value may be converged toward zero. Therefore, the deviation may become smaller than that of the conventional feedback control, whereby it is possible to respond to a change in the commanded value in a short time.

Abstract: An abrasion resistance testing apparatus tests the abrasion resistance of a test sample. The apparatus has an abrading device in fluid communication with a pneumatic system. The abrading device uses a piston to move an abrading tool onto and off of the test sample. A force measuring sensor cell measures the force provided by the piston and can send a signal to an electronic controller. The electronic controller can be used to control the testing conditions, such as by turning on and off a motor, and opening and closing valves in the pneumatic system to control the force on the abrading tool and test sample and other fluid flow.

Abstract: A thermal modulator device for gas chromatography and associated methods. The thermal modulator device includes a recirculating fluid cooling member, an electrically conductive capillary in direct thermal contact with the cooling member, and a power supply electrically coupled to the capillary and operable for controlled resistive heating of the capillary. The capillary can include more than one separate thermally modulated sections.

Abstract: An oil quality sensor system comprise an acoustic wave viscosity and an etch rate sensor. The etch rate sensor system includes a piezoelectric substrate and one or more sensing layers configured upon the piezoelectric substrate. A layer of gold is generally configured above the sensing layer(s), such that the gold layer provides protection to the sensing layer(s), thereby extending the operating life of the resulting etch rate sensor system. The sensing layer(s) generally comprises one or more reactive electrodes. The etch rate sensor system can be adapted for use in a permanent oil quality sensor application.

Abstract: A sharpness tester for testing the sharpness of a blade. The tester has a blade holder 19 and a mounting arrangement 21, 22 for mounting a cuttable material 20. The blade holder 19 is mounted by a carriage 18 which is moveable on a track 14 so that the blade can move relative to the material 20 and contact the material. A linear distance measuring device and a force measuring device 21 enable the tester to determine the force required by part of the blade B to cut the material 20.

Abstract: A method of determining the ambient pressure which is performed in a turbocharged engine having a throttle which is disposed between a heat exchange chamber, known as an intercooler, and an intake manifold. A compressor is provided in order to compress the air in the heat exchange chamber, and the engine is equipped with elements for indicating the pressure in the chamber. The method includes the following steps: detecting the opening of the throttle; measuring the pressure (MAP_UP) in the heat exchange chamber; and determining the ambient pressure (AMP) by measuring the pressure (MAP_UP) in the heat exchange chamber at a predetermined moment which is defined in relation to a characteristic point of the curve (24) representing the pressure (MAP_UP) in the heat exchange chamber as a function of time, the ambient pressure (AMP) being equal to the pressure measured in the heat exchange chamber.

Abstract: When a fuel cut command is issued, a time required for a crankshaft of each cylinder to rotate through a certain angle is stored in one memory per cylinder. In a stage of engine production, a combustion variation per cylinder is stored in another memory. When fuel is supplied, a particular component is extracted from a value obtained by subtracting the sum of the time required for the rotation in a non-combustion state and the combustion variation from the time required for the rotation corresponding to a cylinder determined to be in a combustion stroke. The occurrence of a misfire is determined when the extracted particular component exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: An exhaust flow measurement system uses a noise attenuation device to cancel exhaust gas pulsations at the harmonic frequency of a flow rate measurement transducer.

Abstract: A sensor device for a tire, having enhanced transmission capability without disturbing the assembly of a rim to the tire. With itself installed in the tire, the sensor device detects information inside the tire and transmits the result to the outside. The sensor device has a case for receiving an electronic component and an antenna electrically connected to the electronic component and extended to the outside of the case. The fore-end portion of the antenna is made to be displaceable outwardly in the tire radial direction by centrifugal force generated in the rotation of the tire.

Abstract: A nautical instrument that can be repetitively mounted to and removed from a surface within a ship without the use of tools or other instruments. The nautical instrument incorporates a mounting system that achieves slidable locking engagement of the nautical instrument to a bulkhead plate that is permanently secured to the surface of the ship.

Abstract: A metal plate is supported by a base, and is disposed inside a main passage so as to be generally parallel to a direction of flow of a fluid being measured through the main passage, and a circuit board and a flow rate detecting element are disposed so as to be positioned generally in a common plane with a front surface of the metal plate. A circuit housing portion formed integrally on the base is disposed on the front surface of the metal plate so as to surround the circuit board, an electrical connection portion between the circuit board and the flow rate detecting element, and an electrical connection portion between the circuit board and a connector portion. A measuring passage groove forming portion formed integrally on the base is disposed on the front surface of the metal plate, and functions together with the metal plate to constitute a measuring passage. In addition, the circuit housing portion is charged with a sealing gel, and a cover is mounted so as to cover the circuit housing portion.

Abstract: The electro-optic liquid level sensing system detects a level of liquid in a container having an upper opening, such as for a server container of a beverage maker for a transport system, such as for aircraft, trains, trucks, buses and the like. A support housing mates with the upper opening of the container, and a primary liquid level sensor is mounted in the support housing for non-intrusively measuring the liquid level. A secondary liquid level sensor may be mounted in the support housing to sense a predetermined liquid level to prevent accidental overflows. Protective lenses may be placed in front of the primary liquid level sensor.

Abstract: A system includes a support, a pendular element, an elastic restraint, an image sensor, and a processing system. The elastic restraint couples the pendular element to the support and applies to the pendular element a restraining force that opposes movement of the pendular element in at least a first direction. The image sensor captures images of the pendular element. The processing system determines one or more movement measures describing movement of the support from comparisons of ones of the images captured by the image sensor. In another aspect, a pendular element is elastically coupled to a support. A restraining force that opposes movement of the pendular element in at least a first direction is applied to the pendular element. Images of the pendular element are captured. One or more movement measures describing movement of the support are determined from comparisons of ones of the captured images.

Abstract: A three-axis accelerometer is provided for sensing acceleration in three orthogonal axes. The accelerometer includes a support substrate, fixed electrodes having fixed capacitive plates fixed to the support substrate, and a movable inertial mass having movable capacitive plates capacitively coupled to the fixed capacitive plates. The accelerometer includes banks of fixed and movable capacitive plates oriented to sense acceleration in orthogonal X- and Y-axes. Additionally, the accelerometer includes fixed and movable capacitive plates having a height variation between adjacent plates to sense acceleration in the vertical Z-axis. Input signals are applied to certain electrodes coupled to the fixed capacitive plates, and an output signal is generated on the inertial mass, which is indicative of acceleration in each of the sensing axes. The output signal may be further processed to generate individual acceleration outputs for each of the sensing axes.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for ultrasonic detection of flaws or defects in oil field tubulars utilizing composite transducers. An array of composite transducers are utilized to detect anomalies in the tubulars, such as transverse, wall or longitudinal defects. The use of the composite transducers allow for a greater inspection area over traditional transducers thereby reducing the number of channels needed for inspection of the tubulars.

Abstract: A device comprising an array of sensors and a multiplicity of bus lines, each sensor being electrically connected to a respective bus line and comprising a respective multiplicity of groups of micromachined sensor cells, the sensor cell groups of a particular sensor being electrically coupled to each other via the bus line to which that sensor is connected, each sensor cell group comprising a respective multiplicity of micromachined sensor cells that are electrically interconnected to each other and not switchably disconnectable from each other, the device further comprising means for isolating any one of the sensor cell groups from its associated bus line and in response to any one of the micromachined sensor cells of that sensor cell group being short-circuited to ground. In one implementation, the isolating means comprise a multiplicity of fuses.

Abstract: In an acoustoelectric converter element, a light wave from a light source is introduced into a first optical waveguide of a vibration substrate, and diffracted by a diffraction grating disposed on the first optical waveguide. The diffracted light is directed to and detected by a photo detector. Here, the vibration substrate is so supported as to vibrate with respect to an acoustic wave. Therefore, the diffracted light detected by the photo detector is modulated by the acoustic wave, and a signal is output from the detector in accordance with the acoustic wave.