Abstract: This platform provides access to a hydraulic machine via a suction tube. This hydraulic machine belongs to an installation for converting hydraulic energy into mechanical or electrical energy, or reciprocally. The platform includes a load-bearing element designed to slide along a longitudinal axis in order to enter an opening in the suction tube, said load-bearing element having an extremity that is designed to be immobilized in the suction tube and floor elements that are placed on the load-bearing element. At least some of the floor elements are articulated with the load-bearing element about axes substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, while these floor elements can be rotated about these axes between a folded configuration and a deployed configuration and define at least a portion of a floor of the platform.

Abstract: A suspended scaffold assembly for mounting a scaffold. The suspended scaffold assembly comprises a plurality of horizontally-spaced-apart vertical support members comprising a suspension cable with at least one coupling ring secured thereto and at least one horizontal member. Each one of the at least one horizontal member is removably connectable to a respective one of the at least one coupling ring of two spaced-apart ones of the plurality of vertical support members. A vertical support member for a suspended scaffold assembly, a kit for mounting a suspended scaffold assembly and a method for mounting same are also provided.

Abstract: Ladders, ladder components, adjustment mechanisms and related methods are provided herein. In one embodiment, a ladder may include an adjustment mechanism for adjusting, for example, a leveler, a stabilizer, or any two relatively displaceable components of the ladder. The adjustment mechanism may include an actuating mechanism having a first structure and a second structure slidably disposed adjacent the first structure, the second structure having a plurality of engagement surfaces. A body is coupled with the first structure. At least two engagement pins are slidably displaceable relative to the body, wherein the plurality of engagement surfaces and the at least two engagement pins are arranged such that only a single engagement pin of the at least two engagement pins is in abutting engagement with an engagement surface of the plurality of engagement surfaces at one time. At least one biasing member is configured to bias the at least two engagement pins towards engagement with the engagement surfaces.

Abstract: A self-help oil changing apparatus includes a nozzle having an outer tube in which an oil suction tube and an oil filling tube are received. Each of the oil suction tube and the oil filling tube has an end extending out of an insertion end of the outer tube. A clean oil tank and a dirty oil tank are respectively in communication with the other ends of the oil filling tube and the oil suction tube. An oil pressure control module includes a dirty oil pump and a clean oil pump. The dirty oil pump is connected to the oil suction tube and is in communication with the dirty oil tank. The clean oil pump is in communication with the oil filling tube and the clean oil tank. A control unit is electrically connected to and controls operations of the dirty oil pump and the clean oil pump.

Abstract: A system for re-lubricating a machine element, which comprises an analysis device arranged to determine which part of a lubricant that is being used to lubricate the machine element has been depleted and to generate a signal indicative thereof. A lubrication element is arranged to automatically re-lubricate the machine element only with the part of the lubricant that has been depleted in response to the signal.

Abstract: The device is configured for moving a fluid within a gearbox. In one illustrative embodiment, the device includes a base portion coupled to a rotatable member within the gearbox. An inlet portion of the device is configured to draw the fluid from a reservoir portion of the gearbox. The device is configured to utilize a centrifugal force for moving the fluid from the inlet portion toward the base portion along an interior surface of a conical portion. In another illustrative embodiment, the device includes a conical portion having an external threaded portion configured to capture a fluid during a rotation of the device. In such an embodiment, the threaded portion is configured to utilize a centrifugal force for moving the fluid captured by the threaded portion along an exterior surface of the conical portion.

Abstract: A stairway (1) comprising a plurality of steps (2) each defining a top surface or tread (3) is converted into a lift platform by employing a mechanism concealed beneath an envelope defined by the treads of all of the steps to guide each step of the plurality vertically from a stairway configuration in which the steps form a stairway enabling access from a lower (7) level to an upper level (8) to a flat configuration in which the top edge of each step is substantially in a horizontal plane level with one of the lower and upper levels from which a wheelchair user may wish to travel to the other of the lower and upper levels. As a result, a wheelchair user may move horizontally from the said one of the lower and upper levels on to a platform defined by the top edges of the plurality of steps in the flat configuration. The stairway and flat configurations occupy the same footprint.

Abstract: A device for conveying a person from a first to a second level, in particular a stair lift, comprising a rail (9) which extends between said first and said second level, a frame (3) which is provided with engaging means designed to engage the rail in such a manner that it can be moved along the rail, and drive means designed to cause the frame to move along the rail, and a carrier (4) on which the person can seat himself, in particular a chair, wherein the device is further provided with a safety device comprising a central processing unit and a wireless communication network designed to communicate status information on components of the device and/or objects in the vicinity of the device to the central processing unit, and wherein the processing unit is designed for deciding, on the basis of the communicated status information, whether or not the frame is to be moved along the rail by the drive means.

Abstract: An exemplary elevator destination entry system includes a passenger interface device that presents a visual representation of at least one item that will accompany a passenger on an elevator car. The passenger interface allows the passenger to select the visual representation. A controller is configured to receive indications of passenger requests for elevator service and an indication from the passenger interface device regarding a selected visual representation. The controller determines an amount of space within an elevator car required to accommodate the item based on predetermined space information corresponding to the selected visual representation. The controller assigns a car to a passenger request based on a determination that the assigned car will have adequate space to accommodate the passenger and the item.

Abstract: Method for handling erroneous calls in an elevator system, which comprises at least one elevator, call-giving devices for registering calls on the floor levels and/or in the elevator car, and also a control system that responds to the aforementioned calls one or more calls given by a passenger are registered, it is assessed on the basis of at least one criterion whether some call is erroneous, and at least one corrective action is performed for removing a call, or for rectifying the call data of a call, if the call is ascertained to be erroneous on the basis of the aforementioned criterion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a position and load measurement system for an elevator which system is going to be installed in an elevator car to obtain car position data and car load data, which position and load measurement system comprises at least one sensor mounted in the elevator car. The position and load measurement system comprises: a passenger sensor scanning the car interior and/or the car door area; a load signal processing unit connected to the passenger sensor for generating car load data, an acceleration sensor and/or magnetometer, a position signal processing unit connected to the acceleration sensor and/or magnetometer for generating car position data, and a data link for transmitting the output signals of the load signal processing unit and the position signal processing unit to an elevator control unit. The invention provides improved car load and car position data, particularly in connection with an overlay modernisation of an existing elevator system.

Abstract: A brake actuator assembly for an air disk brake includes an actuator housing having a pushrod that is extensible from the actuator housing. A lever arm is disposed inside a caliper housing. The lever arm is actuated by the pushrod for transferring motion from the actuator to a brake pad. A sensor element is disposed between the actuator housing and the caliper housing with the sensor element being sealably engaged to the actuator housing providing an air tight enclosure between the caliper housing and the actuator. An inspection port is disposed in the sensor element providing access to receive a visual sensor and a pressure sensor for identifying a condition of the brake actuator and for identifying a condition of the air tight enclosure.

Abstract: A wear adjustment device is provided for the adjusting friction surface wear on a brake pad and a brake disc of a disc brake having a brake application device, preferably with a rotary lever. The wear adjustment device can be coupled on the drive side to the brake application device, and on the output side to a spindle unit. A respective rolling body arrangement is axially arranged on both sides of a drive element, one of which is designed as a roller bearing and one is designed as a ball ramp coupling. A central shaft is coupled to the ball ramp coupling and has an output interface for coupling to the spindle unit. A radial freewheel is coupled to the ball ramp coupling by an overload spring unit and to the central shaft. A directionally-dependent torque device is provided, along with a housing in which the drive element, the rolling body arrangements, the overload spring unit, the radial freewheel, the central shaft and the directionally-dependent torque unit are arranged.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a vehicle disc brake includes a caliper body, pistons and a pair of friction pads. The caliper body has a pair of operation arms and a bridge portion. Each operation arm has a cylinder bore and a pair of pad guide grooves. The pistons are each inserted into the corresponding cylinder bore. Each friction pad has a lining and a back plate. Each friction pad further includes a pair of lug pieces and a projection. The lug pieces are accommodated in the pad guide grooves so that the friction pads are movable in an axial direction of a disc rotor. The projection is provided so as to be positioned inside an opening portion of the piston with a gap from an inner circumferential surface thereof.

Abstract: A brake system with linking effect includes rear-wheel and front-wheel brake devices. The rear-wheel brake device includes a first rotating member, a first shifting member allocated in the first rotating member, and a first drawing member encircling the first rotating member at a first connecting radius. The rear-wheel brake device is drawn by the first drawing member and rotated from a first initial position. The front-wheel brake device includes a second rotating member, a second shifting member allocated in the second rotating member, and a second drawing member encircling the second rotating member at a second connecting radius. The front-wheel brake device is drawn by the first drawing member to rotate from a second initial position to perform a braking operation. The first and second shifting members are configured, to allow the first shifting member to draw the rear-wheel brake device to synchronously brake the front and rear wheels.

Abstract: A dust cover comprising a bellows tube portion with a plurality of main valleys being of a concave shape opening towards an outer periphery of the tube portion and arranged in a linked manner. Each of the main valleys includes a pair of slope wall portions that slope to opposite axial outsides while going to an outer peripheral side, and the slope wall portion has a slope angle at its outer peripheral portion smaller than a slope angle at its inner peripheral portion.

Abstract: A method of controlling a multi-function torque converter including a cover, an impeller shell, a turbine shell, a first pressure chamber at least partially formed by the turbine shell and the cover; a second pressure chamber at least partially formed by the impeller and turbine shells, and a third pressure chamber at least partially formed by the impeller shell and the cover, an impeller clutch including a portion of the impeller shell, and a turbine clutch including a portion of the turbine shell, the method including: pressurizing the first pressure chamber to substantially a first fluid pressure level or to a second fluid pressure level greater than the first level; pressurizing the second pressure chamber to a third fluid pressure level greater than the first and second levels; passively draining the third pressure chamber to be substantially at the first level; and connecting the impeller shell to the cover.

Abstract: A torque converter, including: a cover; an impeller shell; a turbine shell; a turbine clutch formed by the turbine and impeller shells; and a stator formed of a single piece of material and including a protrusion extending in an axial direction and having a radial surface. In a drive mode : the cover transmits torque to the impeller shell; the turbine clutch is open; the radial surface forms an entirety of a portion of the stator closest, in the axial direction from the stator toward the turbine shell, to the turbine shell; and the radial surface is free of contact with the turbine shell. In a coast mode for the torque converter, at least a portion of the radial surface is in contact with the turbine shell or is separated from the turbine shell by a layer of fluid in contact with the radial surface and the turbine shell.

Abstract: In at least one illustrative embodiment, a clutch may comprise an outer race, an inner race, and an engagement assembly disposed in a space located radially between the outer and inner races. The engagement assembly may comprise a plurality of locking members and a biasing shoe frictionally engaged with one of the outer race and the inner race. The locking members may be configured to move with the biasing shoe within the space between an unlocked position, in which the locking members are free to move relative to the outer race and to the inner race, and a locked position, in which the locking members are wedged between the outer and inner races to couple the outer and inner races for rotation together.

Abstract: In a roller type one-way clutch comprising: an outer race; an inner race that is apart from the outer race on an inner diameter side in a radial direction and concentrically arranged to allow its relative rotation; a plurality of rollers that are arranged between the outer race and the inner race and transmit a torque between the outer race and the inner race; and a plurality of block bearings that are arranged between the rollers and between the outer race and the inner race, the roller type one-way clutch is characterized in that a curvature in a circumferential direction of a bearing surface of the block bearing facing an outer peripheral surface of the inner race is higher than a curvature in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the inner race.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dry double clutch. A damper flywheel (300) comprises: a connector (600) coupled to a drive plate (320) of the damper flywheel (300); a cover (700) compensating for backlash between the connecting plate (400) and the connector (600); and a first resilient member (616) resiliently pressing the cover (700) in the circumferential direction of the connector (600). A first clutch disk (250) of the set double clutch (200) is characterized by having an assembled structure consisting of: a stopper ring (271) enclosing a boundary portion (256) between the first clutch disk (250) and a first hub (255); a retainer ring (273) coupled opposite the stopper ring (271) and having the first clutch disk (250) interposed therebetween, and enclosing the boundary portion (256); and a resilient washer (275) resiliently supporting the first hub (255).

Abstract: An adjustment device (1) for a friction clutch (2), including at least the following components: a rotatable driving device (3); an adjustment spindle (4) having an axial direction, which is connected to the driving device in a rotationally fixed manner; a spindle nut (6), which is moved in the axial direction by rotation of the adjustment spindle; and an adjusting unit (7) for adjusting a distance (8) between an engagement device (9) and a pressure plate (10), which adjusting unit is adjusted by an axial motion of the spindle nut (6) in such a way that the axial direction (5) of the adjustment spindle (4) can be oriented parallel to a radial direction (11) of the friction clutch (2). Through the adjustment device here, it is possible to realize a robust functional unit that is sufficiently stiff with respect to the applied centrifugal forces and that has low production requirements, low weight, and low installation space.

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch device includes: a meshing member; an electromagnetic coil; an armature; a cylindrical cam member; and a locking portion. The cam member is provided with a plurality of locked portions to be locked by the locking portion at different axial positions, such that the plurality of locked portions is formed adjacent to each other in a circumferential direction; the cam member rotates only by a first predetermined angle due to an axial movement of the armature from a first position to a second position, and the cam member further rotates only by a second predetermined angle due to a movement of the armature from the second position to the first position; and when locking of the locking portion is shifted from one of the plurality of locked portions to another locked portion circumferentially adjacent thereto so that the locking portion locks the another locked portion at a different axial position, the second meshing portion is meshed with the first meshing portion.

Abstract: A method and associated security apparatus for providing security to an automatic teller machine (ATM) having a cash capture device in a presenter area of the ATM. The cash capture device is detected by a proximity detector in the security apparatus in the ATM. A detecting signal is generated by the proximity detector in response to the cash capture device being detected. The detecting signal is received by control circuitry in the security apparatus and in response, the control circuitry causes a dispensing shutter of the ATM to remain in an open position. Each proximity detector is electrically connected to the control circuitry. The dispensing shutter in the open position is configured, in an absence of the cash capture device in the ATM, to dispense paper currency processed and stored in the presenter area of the ATM. security apparatus includes the proximity detector and the control circuitry.

Abstract: This invention describes the design of a carrier system for people or goods that provides a continuous path of travel of a duo spiral escalator ascending and descending around a cylindrical tower with all stairway treads remaining upright and in continuous operation. At the bottom level and at the top level of the spiral escalator the treads follow a curved path from one side of the tower to the other as they travel along two half circle tracks. At the end of the first half circle in the center of the tower, each tread is lifted from its tracks, rotated 180 degrees, and placed back down on the tracks at the beginning of the second half circle. This invention permits continuous transportation of the riders ascending and descending to a plurality of floors of varying ceiling heights.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus has a first conveying path and a second conveying path which joins the first conveying path. The image forming apparatus includes an actuator configured to be pivoted by a recording sheet conveyed through the first conveying path. The image forming apparatus further includes ribs disposed adjacent to the actuator in an axial direction of the actuator. The image forming apparatus has a first recess which faces at least one of the ribs and is recessed in a direction opposite to the conveying direction.

Abstract: A sorting conveyor employs suction to stabilize products on a conveyor belt. The sorting conveyor comprises a conveyor belt including a plurality of embedded rollers for moving conveyed objects relative to the conveyor belt. A vacuum chamber below the conveyor belt houses activators for the rollers and selectively creates a vacuum zone above the conveyor belt for pulling objects on the conveyor belt.

Abstract: Provided is a glass sheet conveying apparatus, which is configured to convey a glass sheet (G) in a state of being placed on a plurality of conveying belts (1) arrayed in parallel, and to move, by pressing rollers (2) arranged on a conveying path, the glass sheet (G) in a width direction orthogonal to a conveying direction, to thereby position the glass sheet (G). The glass sheet conveying apparatus includes an auxiliary supporting portion (3) for supporting, when positioning the glass sheet (G), a part of the glass sheet (G) supported from the bottom by the plurality of conveying belts (1) through use of a liquid layer (8) from the bottom in an auxiliary manner to reduce moving resistance of the glass sheet (G) in the width direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling trays with rod-shaped smokers articles comprises a station for filling the trays, a conveying apparatus for directing the smokers' articles in bulk to the filling station, a first conveyor assembly for directing the empty trays in succession to the filling station, and a second conveyor assembly for removing the full trays in succession from the filling station; the conveying apparatus has an outlet in communication with the filling station, and the apparatus comprises a delivery device for delivering the smokers' articles, in communication with the outlet and insertable into each tray to be filled, and a movement device for reciprocally moving the delivery device and each tray while the tray is being filled.

Abstract: The invention creates a single-track or multiple-track device and a corresponding method for conveying lumpy products in such a way that the products are separated from a product stream on each of the tracks and are subsequently conveyed further spaced apart uniformly and/or in groups. For this purpose, arrangements for supplying the products as a single-row product stream are provided in each track as well as arrangements for discharging the separated products distanced from one another in a row, wherein the products are transferred from the supplying arrangements to the discharging arrangements.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for horizontal movement (26) of groups or layers of articles (10) from a first support level (22) of a first conveyor module (12) to a vertically movable second support level (24) of a second conveyor module (14) immediately downstream of the first conveyor module (12) in the direction of transport or transfer, in particular by means of a transfer device (18) that remains spatially associated with the first conveyor module (12) during the transfer (26). Shortly before or after reaching a final position of the transfer device (18), the respectively transferred group or layer of articles (10) is moved in the direction of transport on the second conveyor module (14) by means of a support surface (32) horizontally movable relative to this second conveyor module (14) and/or centred on the second conveyor module (14) before or during its vertical hoisting movement (42).

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a zone controller and a conveyor device which facilitate identification of a defective part when a defect occurs in a distributed control type conveyor device. There is provided a zone controller (10) which is used for a conveyor device (1) in which a plurality of zone conveyors (2) are arranged in series, which manages one or a plurality of the zone conveyors (2) to control an operation thereof, and which is configured to receive a signal from a different zone controller (10) and transmit a signal to the outside.

Abstract: A rescue auger has a transport tube that is approximately five feet long with a spout having an angled portion that is disposed on top of the transport tube to direct grain out from the transport tube. An auger is located within the transport tube to direct grain up and out towards the spout when rotated. An electric drill is used to operate the rescue auger by attaching the drill to a triangle shank on an exposed portion of the auger shank. An intake guard surrounds a lower portion of the transport tube and has a diameter a little larger than the diameter of the transport tube. A handle is located on a portion of the spout and allows a user to position and hold the rescue auger during use. The rescue auger is used in conjunction with a rescue tube which is first placed around the trapped victim.

Abstract: A material handling system have the ability for the rollers to slip relative to the drive system, such as a roller bed conveyor used an accumulator conveyor system. The rollers include a slip assembly with a clutch surface, wherein the tube of the roller is configured to act as a heat sink.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drum motor optimized for the hygienic requirements in the food industry; in particular the drum motor is used for driving conveyor belts. One embodiment of the invention discloses a drum motor comprising a drum shell accommodating a geared rim secured to the drum shell, a first inner end cap attached to the geared rim, a second inner end cap attached to a locking flange having an expanding element adapted to secure the second inner end cap to the drum shell when attaching the second inner end cap to the locking flange.

Abstract: A material-handling system and method includes at least one first processing station, each having an input and an output. A linear transfer system made up of a plurality of transfer units that travel in unison in a linear motion past the input and output of the first processing station(s) either receives articles from the output and discharges articles to the input or transfers articles between the first processing station and a second processing station. A control sequences articles between the transfer units and the first input and output or between the first processing station and a second processing station in a manner that enhances operation of the processing station(s).

Abstract: In a combination switch, cams having concave and convex surfaces are provided on an opposing surface of a disk-shaped opposing wall that faces a fog switch knob in the axial direction in the inside of a fixed knob. An elastic contact mechanism is provided at a part of the fog switch knob that faces the fixed knob to come into elastic contact with the concave and convex surfaces to hold an operation position of the fog switch knob. The inside of the elastic contact mechanism is filled with grease. The opposing surface of the fixed knob and the concave and convex surfaces and the outer peripheral surfaces of the cams are formed in a minor surface state with a surface roughness lower than the surface roughness of the other general parts.

Abstract: Arrangement of vacuum switching tubes (3, 3a, 3b) in a load transfer switch (1), wherein in each case one cam controller (5) comprising a control cam (7) and a lever bearing (10) for operating a moving contact (13) is associated with in each case one of the vacuum switching tubes (3, 3a, 3b), wherein at least one camshaft (15a, 15b) is arranged axially parallel to a drive shaft (11) and can be driven by means of said drive shaft, and wherein each axis (A) of the moving contact (13) of each vacuum switching tube (3, 3a, 3b) is arranged perpendicular to an axis (E) of the respective camshaft (15a, 15b).

Abstract: A click module which gives a feeling of click when an operation knob which is tiltably and pivotally supported on a casing of an operation switch is tiltably operated has a click face on which a crest portion or a valley portion is formed, a click element which slides on the click face, and a resilient member which biases the click element to a click face side. The click module is detachably mounted on the casing. The click element and the click face slide relative to each other in an interlocking manner with a tilting operation of the operation knob.

Abstract: A switch assembly includes an M-blade snap spring, an actuation arm, and a switch. The M-blade snap spring exhibits snap-action movement between a first actuator position and a second actuator position. The switch is responsive to the snap-action movement of the M-blade to move between a first switch position and a second switch position. The actuation arm is configured to selectively cause the M-blade snap spring to move, via snap-action, between the first actuator position and the second actuator position, which in turn causes the switch to move between the first switch position and the second switch position, respectively.

Abstract: An operating device includes a push operation mechanism including an operating portion to be push-operated, a tactile presenting means that drives the operating portion, a detecting portion for detecting movement of the operating portion, and a drive control unit that drives the driving portion by a drive control signal and a main vibration pulse signal output after outputting the drive control signal, the drive control signal being generated based on a start pulse signal and a pre-vibration pulse signal. The drive control unit sets a mask time to invalidate a detection signal of the detecting portion in a certain period when the drive control signal is output and switches from the output of the drive control signal to the output of the main vibration pulse signal based on a detection signal of the detecting portion after an elapse of the mask time.

Abstract: A two-pole circuit breaker has an internal rotating trip bar that causes a second pole to trip (i.e., interrupt power) in response to a first pole tripping. A first pole may trip when the two-pole circuit breaker senses an electrical fault in the first pole. The tripping of the second pole in response to the first pole tripping may be referred to as common tripping. The trip bar may be connected to a tripping mechanism in each pole and may have interface features that result in less force required to trip the second pole, greater trip bar design tolerances, and/or ultimately more reliable common tripping. Methods of assembling a two-pole circuit breaker are also provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: A capacitive touch panel includes a first transparent substrate, a second transparent substrate, and an isolation layer. First and second sensing electrode serials are disposed on surfaces of the first and second transparent substrates, respectively. The first sensing electrode serials are formed by cascading first sensing electrodes. A first hollow region is formed between two adjacent first sensing electrodes. A first compensating electrode is formed in the first hollow region on the surface of the first transparent substrate. The second sensing electrode serials are formed by cascading second sensing electrodes. A second hollow region is formed between two adjacent second sensing electrodes. A second compensating electrode is formed in the second hollow region on the surface of the second transparent substrate. The isolation layer is disposed between the first and second transparent substrates.

Abstract: A touch panel includes a plurality of first electrodes arranged along a first direction and parallel to each other, wherein each first electrode includes a plurality of first electrode blocks and a plurality of first connection traces. A plurality of second electrodes arranged along a second direction and parallel to each other, wherein each second electrode includes a plurality of second electrode blocks and a plurality of second connection traces. And a plurality of insulating blocks, wherein each insulating block includes a main portion and at ;east one extending portion, the main portion is disposed between each first connection trace and each second connection trace, the extending portion extends from the main portion to the space between the first electrode block and the second electrode block. The present invention further provides a method for forming the touch panel mentioned above.

Abstract: A conductive sheet, method for using conductive sheet and touch panel, having a base substance and conductive parts formed on one of the principal surfaces of the base substance. The conductive parts respectively extend in primary directions, and have two or more conductive patterns made from metal wires arranged in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. The conductive pattern is constituted by serially connecting two or more large gratings in the first direction, and each of the large gratings is constituted by combining two or more small gratings. Around the edges of the large grating, non-connective patterns are formed from metal wires which are not connected with the large gratings.

Abstract: In this method for refining silicon by vacuum melting, the falling of impurity condensate from an impurity trap located above a crucible and contamination of the molten silicon are prevented. A crucible for housing molten silicon, and a heating means for heating the crucible are located inside a treatment chamber equipped with a vacuum pump; further provided are: an impurity trap having an impurity condensation unit for cooling and condensing the vapor of impurities evaporating from the liquid surface of the molten silicon; and a contamination prevention device for preventing contamination of the molten silicon, having an impurity catch unit for catching impurities when impurities trapped by the impurity trap fall.

Abstract: One of these distilling apparatus (10) comprises two columns, an evaporation column (14) and a condensation column (16), separated by a partition (18) equipped with rows of slits dividing them into 4 distillation stages. The evaporation column (14) comprises plates with hydrophilic or wettable faces, and the condensation column comprises rectangular hollow-plate (21) heat exchangers (221-6). Cold water ascends in these exchangers and saturated humid hot air descends in the condensation column (16). A perforated sheet (251-4) increases the uniformity of the partial airflows descending between the plates. The water is heated in a boiler (34); the hot water is scattered at the top of the evaporation column and the air cooled in the condensation column is sucked downwards by a fan (34). The air flows in a closed circuit. Performance is maximised, after the top temperature TE2 (45 to 90° C.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a magnetoresistive element includes intermittently exposing a surface of a base substrate to sputter particles from a sputter target, and thereby forming a thin film on the base substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrolytic process, methods and apparatus for the preparation of carbon monoxide and in particular to electrolysis of molten carbonates to yield carbon monoxide which may be used for chemical storage of electrical energy and further as chemical feedstock for other organic products.

Abstract: The embodiments herein provide a HHO generating system and method for generating hydrogen, oxygen and methane. The system adopts electrolysis process to generate a HHO gas from a water-electrolyte solution. The system comprises a reaction tank filled with the water-electrolyte solution, a plurality of disks stacked one above another, a plurality of frames connecting to the disks and an external power supply. The disks comprise a plurality of negatively charged cathode disks and a plurality of positively charged anode disks. The plurality of frames comprises a plurality of conductive frames and a plurality of support frames configured to hold the disks. An electric current is supplied to the conducting frames so as to electrically charge the disks that react with the water-electrolyte solution to produce the HHO gas. The disks are copper-nickel alloy disks in a ratio of 70:30.