FUJI ELECTRIC JOURNAL 2003 Vol.76-No.7
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Special Issue for 80th Anniversary of Fuji Electric's Establishment |
Innovative Power Electronics Technology
Hidetoshi Umida
Power electronics technology contributes to energy-savings by
controlling electrical energy. Further technical innovation, however, is
required if power electronics is to play an important role in solving
global environment problems. This paper describes the challenges that
must be overcome in order to achieve breakthroughs in power electronics
technology and Fuji Electric's efforts in leading-edge technological
development.
Fuji Electric's General-purpose Inverter Aims to be No. 1
Masaru Yamazoe
Twenty-seven years have passed since Fuji Electric first introduced
its general-purpose inverter to the world. This paper looks back
on the products and technology over the course of those years and also
describes the requirements and technical trends of future general-purpose
inverters and the goals for Fuji Electric's general-purpose
inverter. With the environment as an ever-important concern, future
Fuji Electric general-purpose inverters will aim to be noiseless and
free from all specified toxic substances. Fuji Electric will also aim to
make its general-purpose inverters efficient on a cost/performance
basis, providing them with a high level of performance and functionality
capable of supporting a diversifying array of applications and providing
improved ease of maintenance.
Fuji Power Semiconductor Devices Aim for Higher Performance and Higher Functionality
Hisao Shigekane
In making an analogy between an electronic system and the human
body, it can be said that power devices are used in a manner similar to
muscle controllers. Fuji Electric has commercialized the Super FAP-G
series of power MOSFETs and the 5th generation U-series of IGBTs,
which were developed to realize lower power loss. To configure the
ideal "muscle," Fuji Electric produces and supplies intelligent power
devices such as IPM devices for industrial applications, M-POWER
devices for switching mode power supplies, and Smart Power
MOSFETs for automotive applications. In addition, Fuji Electric is planning
product launches for Super Junction Power MOSFETs and
Reverse Blocking IGBTs in the near future.
Power Supply IC Technology Contributes to Smaller Size and Lower Power Consumption of Electronic Equipment
Eiji Kuroda
Power supply technology is an important technology for lowering
the power consumption of electronic equipment and making that equipment
smaller and lighter weight. The ICs responsible for controlling
such power supply units are increasingly being required to have lower
current consumption, higher level of integration, built-in power
devices, etc. In response to these trends, Fuji Electric is promoting a
shift from bipolar to CMOS technology. This paper describes the technology
and product development up to now, as well as the technology
for lowering on-resistance and integrating the inductor into a single
unit, which will be the focus in the future.
Water Treatment for Safe and Good-tasting Water
Hiroshi Hoshikawa
The ability to provide a stable supply of safe and good-tasting
water to residents is the most important objective of a water system.
In recent years, however, water source pollution has worsened especially
in large urban areas, and the problems of odorous compounds, trihalomethane,
and cryptosporidium have arisen and have become problems
of public concern. These problems cannot be solved with existing
water purification processes, and therefore Fuji Electric has developed
an ozonation and biological activated carbon (BAC) treatment system.
Focusing on this system, a water quality analyzer for system monitoring
and control and a membrane filtration system for advanced water
purification are described.
Leading-edge Technology for Fuel Cells
Akitoshi Seya
Based on the results of know-how gleaned from basic research,
simulation techniques, and a long history of successful operation, Fuji
Electric has utilized phosphoric acid fuel cells in practical applications
and both the initial performance and operating results have been
extremely favorable. Moreover, based on the advanced technology
acquired from phosphoric acid fuel cells, Fuji Electric is promoting
development of stationary polymer electrolyte fuel cells and is coordinating
development of leading-edge technology with product development
in order to realize practical applications of these polymer electrolyte
fuel cells. Fuji Electric aims to develop these leading-edge fuel
cell technologies into key technologies for an earth-friendly society.
Features and Prospects of Solar Cells Formed on a Film Substrate
Tomoyoshi Kamoshita
This paper describes the features, current status of development
and prospects for solar cells formed on a film substrate. Use of a film
substrate enables a roll-to-roll process to be used during manufacture,
and this is a great advantage for mass production. Stabilized efficiency
of over 8% was achieved during deposition of a photoelectric transfer
layer at a rate of 30 nm/min. This result shows promise for mass production
and practical use. Leveraging their features of light weight,
flexibility and good appearance, solar cells have been integrated with
roofing materials, and a product lineup of these roofing modules is
introduced.
Eco-management by the Fuji Electric Group
Masanori Tsuji
Environmental activities have come to be evaluated on the basis of
green procurement and environmental management. In the EU, there
is an urgency to tighten environmental regulations for products, such
as by prohibiting the use of toxic chemical substances. Such environmental
activities must be implemented as a group effort that unites all
departments in support of the environmental conservation efforts and
environment-conscious product developments. Furthermore, these
actions must be implemented from a global perspective. In response to
these relevant problems of today, Fuji Electric has taken the initiative
to reevaluate its basic policy and framework for promoting environmental
preservation, to promote group activities for environmental
conservation, and to intensify its efforts to develop environment-conscious
products.
Fabrication of High Efficiency OLED Displays with the CCM Method
Kenya Sakurai
This paper summarizes the development status of Fuji Electric's
OLED panels. By utilizing a full-colorization technique known as the
color conversion method (CCM), Fuji Electric has realized a display
that provides top-ranked lifespan and appearance. Optimization of the
carrier balance of elements, moisture removal, and innovative antimoisture
measures are presented as issues related to a longer panel
lifespan. Issues relating to practical applications, such as techniques to
enhance contrast without attaching a circular polarizer to the screen
and efforts to prevent leaks, which are one type of screen defects, are
also described. Using these techniques, the superiority of CCM fullcolor
OLED technology is demonstrated.
Development of Granular-type Perpendicular Magnetic Recording Media
Akihiro Otsuka
Magnetic recording media, which has been used in practical applications
since 1956, has advanced technologically to achieve higher density,
smaller size and lower price. As a result of these advances, the
market for magnetic recording media has grown and magnetic recording
media is presently the mainstream media used for external memory
in the computer industry. Although limitations to longitudinal
recording technology have begun to become evident, perpendicular
recording technology breaks through those limitations and is expected
to drive additional market growth. At the end of 2002, Fuji Electric succeeded
in developing granular-type perpendicular magnetic recording
media having the highest areal density level in the world. By 2005, perpendicular
recording technology is expected to become the mainstream
type of external memory in not only the computer industry but in other
industries as well. This paper describes the current status of Fuji
Electric's development of perpendicular recording media.
Sensor Technology to Protect a Safe and Comfortable Society
Yujiro Kitaide
Fuji Electric has thus far developed and provided unique sensor
components, including a device that uses a semiconductor strain sensor,
a radiation monitor, and various types of FA sensors. Based on the
key concepts of safety and comfort, Fuji Electric intends to develop
proprietary sensory device technology and sensor system technology
that is designed for usability, and to provide sensors that are useful for
society. The types of sensors described in this paper include biosensors
that are useful for ensuring a safe water supply and sanitary food
distribution, and current sensors that monitor energy usage.
Low Voltage Switching Devices that Target the Global Market
Yasutoshi Ide
The pursuits of smaller size, higher performance and easier operation
have been major trends in the development of low voltage switching
devices and these general trends will continue. Fuji Electric has
been providing unique products that conform to these trends and meet
market requirements. Recently, it is becoming important to focus on
new development trends such as meeting the challenges of globalization
and creating environment-conscious products. This paper introduces
Fuji Electric's new products and describes how we reflect new
market requirements and trends in our new products.
IT-driven Evolution of Remote Monitoring and Maintenance Systems for Onsite Equipment
Tetsuhito Watanabe
Efficient facilities management is strongly desired at manufacturing
and production facilities and at sites of retail sales equipment such
as vending machines and in-store displays in order to improve efficiency,
decrease power consumption and cut costs. The application of
Internet technology makes it possible to remotely monitor and maintain
these facilities and equipment. This paper presents overviews of
the MICREX-SX integrated controller, the Internet connection function
in vending machines, software technology to achieve network
compatibility, Java technology, and embedded security technology.
Information Technology Applied to Vending Machines Helps to Create Commercial Amenity Space
Masami Takada
Focusing on the field of food distribution, in which vending
machines such as typical automated machines, cash machines and cold
chain machines are used in combination, this paper describes the current
state and future prospects regarding the application of information
technology (IT) to create commercial amenity space. The evolution of
vending machines is described from the perspective of the application
of IT. Advances in networking and control methods are also discussed
and an integrated service system that spans the entire lifecycle is presented.
The 21st century is considered to be a new era for vending
machines, and concepts for next-generation vending machines are also
presented.
Future Solutions for the Manufacturing Industry
Yoshitake Matsuura
In response to diversifying needs of the market, digital engineering
technology has been utilized by the manufacturing industry in
recent years to shorten the time-to-market for new products.
Moreover, in the near future, with expansion of the Asian market as a
trigger, it is expected that the capability for simultaneous production
and sales throughout the world will become an essential element of a
competitive strategy to secure market share. This paper presents business
solutions developed by Fuji Electric to support flexible operation
of the production line and to significantly reduce the duration of pilot
production.
Plant Service that Meet Various Customer Needs
-- Newly Proposed Plant Service --
Kiyoshi Yoshida
Aiming for stable plant operation and lower operating cost, Fuji
Electric provides medium and long-term service solutions that span
the lifecycle of a plant. The solutions include such services as scheduled
maintenance, boosting operating efficiency, and assessment of the
remaining lifespan. This paper presents new maintenance techniques
and remaining lifespan assessment techniques, a new business model
as typified by an ESCO-type service, and support tools such as an efficiency-
boosting plant operation support system. In addition, the current
status and future outlook for Fuji Electric's IT-driven customer
service center, which centrally positions the plant service business, is
also presented.
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