Technical Dictionary / 技術用語集

Engineering Terms: Mechanical, Electrical, Automation & Process
技術用語：機械、電気、制御、プロセス

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TorqueCouple
A rotational force that causes an object to rotate around an axis. In engineering, it is a crucial specification for motors, engines, and fastener tightening (bolting). Mathematically, it is the product of force and the lever arm distance (Force $\times$ Distance).
Force VectorVecteur force
A geometric representation of a force, having both magnitude (amount of force) and direction. In mechanical analysis, resolving force vectors is essential for determining stresses and loads on a structure.
Bending MomentMoment fléchissant
The reaction induced in a structural element when an external force or moment is applied to the element, causing it to bend. It is a critical factor in the design of beams and supports.
BearingRoulement
A precision machine element that constrains relative motion to only the desired motion and reduces friction between moving parts. Common types include ball bearings and roller bearings, designed to handle radial and axial loads in rotating shafts.
Stuffing BoxPresse-étoupe
A sealing assembly used to prevent leakage of fluid, such as water or steam, between a moving part (usually a rotating shaft) and the casing. It typically uses adjustable gland packing compressed around the shaft.
Split SealJoint en deux parties
A type of mechanical seal design where the components are split into two halves. This allows the seal to be installed or replaced around a shaft without dismantling the equipment (e.g., removing the motor or pump).
Pneumatic CylinderVérin pneumatique
A mechanical actuator that uses the energy of compressed gas (air) to produce a force in a reciprocating linear motion. They are widely used in industrial automation for clamping, pushing, lifting, or positioning parts due to their cleanliness and simplicity.
Gear RatioRapport d'engrenage
The ratio between the number of teeth on two gears that are meshed together. It determines the mechanical advantage: a high gear ratio can increase torque while reducing speed, whereas a low ratio increases speed but reduces torque.
Conveyor (Belt)Convoyeur à bande
A continuous moving strip of material (rubber, fabric, or metal) used to transport objects or bulk materials from one place to another. The most common type of conveyor system.
Conveyor (Roller)Convoyeur à rouleaux
A series of rollers supported in a frame over which objects are advanced manually, by gravity, or by power. Ideal for moving boxes, pallets, or totes with flat bottoms.
Conveyor (Screw)Convoyeur à vis
A mechanism that uses a rotating helical screw blade, usually within a tube, to move liquid or granular materials. Commonly used in biomass, agriculture, and waste management.
Blower / FanVentilateur / Soufflante
A machine for moving air at a moderate pressure. In gasifiers, blowers are essential for supplying the oxidant (air/oxygen) to the reaction zone and for moving syngas through the system.
Tensile StrengthRésistance à la traction
The maximum stress a material can withstand while being stretched or pulled before necking or breaking. It is a fundamental property for selecting materials in structural design, measured in Pascals or PSI.
Yield StrengthLimite d'élasticité
The stress at which a material begins to deform plastically and permanently. This is a crucial limit for engineers, as structural components should generally operate below this point.
Modulus of ElasticityModule d'élasticité
Also known as Young's Modulus, it measures the stiffness of a material—its resistance to elastic deformation under stress. It is the ratio of stress ($\sigma$) to strain ($\epsilon$) in the elastic region.
DuctilityDuctilité
A solid material's ability to undergo plastic deformation without fracturing. Highly ductile materials, like copper, can be drawn into thin wires (wire drawing).
ToleranceTolérance
The total amount by which a specific dimension is permitted to vary. It defines the acceptable limits for mass-produced parts to ensure they fit and function correctly (interchangeability).
HardnessDureté
A measure of a material's resistance to localized plastic deformation, such as indentation or scratching. Common scales include Rockwell, Brinell, and Vickers.
FatigueFatigue
The progressive and localized structural damage that occurs when a material is subjected to cyclic loading (repeated stress). It is the most common cause of failure in mechanical structures.
HydraulicsHydraulique
Technology that uses pressurized liquid (typically oil) to generate, control, and transmit power. Used for applications requiring high force and stiff movement control, such as heavy machinery.
LubricationLubrification
The process of using a substance (oil or grease) to reduce friction and wear between two surfaces in relative motion. It dissipates heat and prevents corrosion.
WeldingSoudage
A fabrication process that joins materials, usually metals or thermoplastics, by causing coalescence. This is often done by melting the workpieces and adding a filler material to form a strong joint.
KinematicsCinématique
The branch of classical mechanics that describes the motion of points, bodies, and systems of bodies without considering the forces that cause the motion. Essential for robotics and mechanism design.
DynamicsDynamique
The study of the forces and torques that cause motion, incorporating Newton's laws of motion. It relates the motion of bodies to the forces that accelerate them.
ViscosityViscosité
A measure of a fluid's resistance to flow. High viscosity fluids (like honey) resist flow strongly, while low viscosity fluids (like water) flow easily. Crucial in fluid mechanics and lubrication selection.
CavitationCavitation
The formation of vapor bubbles in a liquid, typically occurring where the pressure is rapidly reduced (e.g., in pumps or propellers), followed by their immediate collapse, causing noise and damage.
ThermodynamicsThermodynamique
The branch of physical science that deals with the relations between heat and other forms of energy (such as mechanical, electrical, or chemical energy), and the work done by or upon a substance.
CastingFonderie
A manufacturing process in which a liquid material is usually poured into a mold, which contains a hollow cavity of the desired shape, and then allowed to solidify. Used for complex geometries.
MillingFraisage
A machining process using rotary cutters to remove material from a workpiece by advancing the cutter into the workpiece. Used to produce flat or irregularly shaped surfaces.
LatheTour
A machine tool that primarily rotates the workpiece about an axis to perform various operations such as cutting, sanding, knurling, drilling, deformation, facing, and turning.
CNCCommande numérique
Computer Numerical Control. The automation of machine tools by computers executing pre-programmed sequences of machine control commands. It revolutionized manufacturing precision and repeatability.
GasketJoint
A mechanical seal that fills the space between two or more mating surfaces, generally to prevent leakage from or into the joined objects while under compression.
FlangeBride
A method of connecting pipes, valves, pumps, and other equipment to form a piping system. It is a projecting rim, edge, or collar used to connect parts securely.
Centrifugal ForceForce centrifuge
The apparent outward force experienced by a mass when it is rotating. It is an inertial force, used in devices like centrifuges to separate materials based on density.
Moment of InertiaMoment d'inertie
A property of a body that determines the torque needed for a desired angular acceleration about a rotational axis. It is the rotational analog of mass.
ResonanceRésonance
The tendency of a system to oscillate with larger amplitude at some frequencies (natural frequencies) than at others. If an external force matches the natural frequency, it can lead to catastrophic failure.
RunoutFaux-rond
In engineering, it refers to the rotational error in a shaft or spindle, specifically the deviation in the surface of a rotating component from a perfect circle or line.
Fatigue LifeDurée de vie à la fatigue
The number of stress cycles a material or structural component can withstand before failure when subjected to cyclic loading. Often analyzed using S-N curves.
Stress ConcentrationConcentration de contraintes
The localization of high stress around geometric discontinuities, such as holes, corners, or fillets, which can significantly reduce the strength of a structure.
RivetRivet
A permanent mechanical fastener consisting of a smooth cylindrical shaft with a head on one end. The other end is hammered or deformed (bucked) after insertion to create a second head.
Bolt PreloadPrécharge de boulon
The internal axial tension created in a fastener (bolt) when it is initially tightened. This is essential for creating the clamping force that holds the joint together.
Vibration DampingAmortissement des vibrations
Any effect, either deliberate or inherent, that reduces the amplitude of oscillations in a dynamic system over time. Damping dissipates the energy of the vibration.
ErosionÉrosion
The process of surface deterioration or material loss caused by the relative motion of solid particles, fluid, or gas against a surface, often observed in piping and turbines.
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Biomass DryerSéchage de la biomasse
A system used to reduce the moisture content of biomass fuel (wood chips, sawdust) before gasification. Reducing moisture increases the heating value and efficiency of the gasification process.
ChillerGroupe froid (Chiller)
A machine that removes heat from a liquid via a vapor-compression or absorption refrigeration cycle. This liquid (typically water or glycol) is then circulated through a heat exchanger to cool equipment or processes.
Hot Water LoopBoucle d'eau chaude
A closed piping system designed to circulate hot water for heating purposes or process requirements. It typically involves a boiler (or heat source), a circulation pump, expansion tank, and control valves.
Heat ExchangerÉchangeur de chaleur
A device used to transfer heat between two or more fluids (liquids or gases) at different temperatures, typically without mixing them. Essential in HVAC and chemical processing.
Heat Exchanger (Plate)Échangeur à plaques
A type of heat exchanger that uses metal plates to transfer heat between two fluids. This design has a large surface area-to-volume ratio, offering very high heat transfer efficiency in a compact size.
Heat Exchanger (Shell & Tube)Échangeur à faisceau tubulaire
A class of heat exchanger designs consisting of a shell (a large pressure vessel) with a bundle of tubes inside it. One fluid runs through the tubes, and another fluid flows over the tubes (through the shell) to transfer heat.
Biomass GasifierGazéificateur de biomasse
A facility or device that converts organic or fossil fuel based carbonaceous materials into carbon monoxide, hydrogen and carbon dioxide (syngas) at high temperatures ($>700^\circ$C), without combustion.
PyrolysisPyrolyse
The thermal decomposition of materials at elevated temperatures in an inert atmosphere (without oxygen). In a two-stage gasifier, this is typically the first stage where volatiles are released.
SyngasGaz de synthèse
Synthesis gas. A fuel gas mixture consisting primarily of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and very often some carbon dioxide. It is the primary product of gasification and can be used to generate electricity or produce liquid fuels.
CHP / CogenerationCogénération
Combined Heat and Power. A system that generates electricity and useful heat simultaneously from the same fuel source (e.g., syngas from biomass). It significantly increases overall energy efficiency.
Flare StackTorche
A gas combustion device used in industrial plants to burn off combustible gas released by pressure relief valves or during unplanned over-pressuring of plant equipment.
Rotary Valve (Airlock)Écluse rotative
A valve used to feed solid bulk products (biomass, ash) into or out of a pressurized system while preventing air loss or gas leakage. Critical in gasifier feeding systems.
Bag Filter (Baghouse)Filtre à manches
An air pollution control device that removes particulates out of air or gas released from commercial processes or combustion for electricity generation.
Cooling TowerTour de refroidissement
A heat rejection device that rejects waste heat to the atmosphere through the cooling of a water stream to a lower temperature. Common in HVAC and industrial processes.
Cyclone SeparatorSéparateur cyclone
A method of removing particulates from an air, gas, or liquid stream, without the use of filters, through vortex separation. Often used in biomass systems to clean gas.
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VoltageTension
The difference in electric potential between two points, which drives the electric current through a resistive circuit. Often compared to water pressure in a pipe. Measured in Volts (V).
CurrentCourant
The rate of flow of electric charge past a point or region. It is the movement of electrons, measured in Amperes (A). Current is directly proportional to voltage and inversely proportional to resistance (Ohm's Law).
ResistanceRésistance
A measure of the opposition to the flow of electric current in an electrical circuit. It is measured in Ohms ($\Omega$). Materials with high resistance are insulators, and those with low resistance are conductors.
Ohm's LawLoi d'Ohm
A fundamental law stating that the current (I) through a conductor between two points is directly proportional to the voltage (V) across the two points. The relationship is expressed as $V = I \times R$ (Voltage = Current $\times$ Resistance).
AC (Alternating Current)Courant alternatif (CA)
An electric current that periodically reverses direction and changes its magnitude continuously with time. It is the primary form of electricity used for power transmission and distribution.
DC (Direct Current)Courant continu (CC)
An electric current that flows in a constant direction, characteristic of batteries, solar cells, and rectified power supplies. Essential for electronic circuits and control systems.
FrequencyFréquence
The number of times a repeating event occurs per unit of time. In AC electricity, it is the rate at which the current changes direction, measured in Hertz (Hz). Japan uses both 50 Hz and 60 Hz.
ImpedanceImpédance
A measure of the opposition that a circuit presents to a current when a voltage is applied. In AC circuits, impedance ($Z$) is the vector sum of resistance ($R$) and reactance ($X$), $Z = R + jX$.
Power FactorFacteur de puissance
The ratio of real power flowing to the load to the apparent power in the circuit. It is a measure of how effectively the power is being used, with a value between 0 and 1.
Three-Phase PowerCourant triphasé
A common method of AC electric power generation, transmission, and distribution. It uses three conductors carrying alternating currents separated by a phase difference of $120^\circ$. Efficient for large motors.
DiodeDiode
A two-terminal electronic component that conducts current primarily in one direction (asymmetric conductance); it has high resistance in the reverse direction. Used in rectifiers and LED lighting.
Transistor (MOSFET)Transistor (MOSFET)
Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor. A key component used to amplify or switch electronic signals and electrical power. It is the basic building block of modern electronics.
Live Wire (Hot Wire)Fil sous tension
The conductor in an electrical system that carries the voltage and is therefore potentially dangerous. It is the wire that is not connected to the neutral or ground.
RectifierRedresseur
An electrical device that converts alternating current (AC), which periodically reverses direction, to direct current (DC), which flows in only one direction.
Regulator (Voltage)Régulateur (Tension)
A device designed to automatically maintain a constant voltage level. It prevents voltage spikes and dips from damaging sensitive electronic components.
CapacitorCondensateur
A passive electronic component that stores electrical energy in an electric field. It is used for power filtering (smoothing), energy storage, and signal coupling/decoupling in circuits.
InductorInductance
A passive electrical component that stores energy in a magnetic field when electric current flows through it. It resists changes in current and is typically a wire coiled around a core.
TransformerTransformateur
A passive electrical device that transfers electrical energy between two or more circuits through electromagnetic induction, used to increase or decrease AC voltage and current.
GroundingMise à la terre
Connecting an electrical circuit or equipment to the earth (ground) to establish a common reference potential and provide a safe path for fault currents, enhancing safety and stability.
FuseFusible
A safety device that protects an electric circuit from excessive current. Its essential component is a wire or strip that melts when too much current flows, thus opening the circuit permanently.
ContactorContacteur
An electrically controlled switch used for switching an electrical power circuit. It is primarily used for controlling electric motors, lighting, heating, and other high-current loads in an industrial setting.
RelayRelais
An electrically operated switch. It uses a small control current (electromagnet) to open or close a separate circuit with higher power. It provides isolation between the low-voltage control logic and high-voltage loads.
Circuit BreakerDisjoncteur
An automatically operated electrical switch designed to protect an electrical circuit from damage caused by excess current from an overload or short circuit.
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PLC / SequencerAPI (Automate Programmable Industriel)
Programmable Logic Controller. A rugged industrial computer adapted for the control of manufacturing processes, such as assembly lines or robotic devices. It prioritizes reliability and real-time processing of Inputs and Outputs (I/O).
Remote I/OEntrées/Sorties déportées
Input/Output modules located away from the main PLC processor, connected via a network (fieldbus). This reduces wiring costs and complexity by allowing sensors/actuators to connect to a local box.
I/O (Input/Output)E/S (Entrée/Sortie)
Input/Output. The physical interface that connects the PLC to the real world. Inputs read states (sensors, switches), and Outputs set states (actuators, lights, motors).
4-20mA SignalBoucle 4-20mA
The dominant standard for analog signal transmission in process control. 4mA represents 0% signal and 20mA represents 100%. The "live zero" (4mA) allows fault detection (broken wire at 0mA).
Ladder LogicLangage Ladder
A visual programming language for PLCs. It was originally designed to resemble relay logic schematics so that electricians could easily read and debug it. It consists of "rungs" with contacts (inputs) and coils (outputs).
HMIIHM (Interface Homme-Machine)
Human Machine Interface. A user interface (often a touch screen) that connects a person to a machine, system, or device. Used to visualize data, display alarms, view trends, and input control commands.
Proximity SensorCapteur de proximité
A non-contact electronic sensor that detects the presence of nearby objects. Inductive sensors detect metal, while capacitive sensors can detect almost any material.
ActuatorActionneur
A component of a machine responsible for moving or controlling a mechanism. It takes an electrical signal (output from a PLC) and converts it into a physical action (e.g., motor movement, valve opening).
SCADASCADA
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition. A system used to monitor and control industrial processes across large distances or facilities. It sits above the PLC level, collecting data and providing remote control.
PID ControllerRégulateur PID
Proportional–Integral–Derivative Controller. A common control loop feedback mechanism used to calculate an "error" (difference between setpoint and process variable) and minimize it by adjusting a control output.
Digital SignalSignal numérique
A signal represented by a discrete set of values, typically two (ON or OFF, 1 or 0). Used by PLCs for simple status checking (switch closed/open) or simple control (turn motor on/off).
PT100 (RTD)Sonde PT100
A type of resistance temperature detector (RTD) made of platinum that has a resistance of 100 ohms at 0°C. Known for high accuracy and stability in industrial temperature measurement.
ThermocoupleThermocouple
A sensor used to measure temperature consisting of two dissimilar metal wires joined at one end. It produces a voltage proportional to the temperature difference. Used for high-temperature applications (like gasifiers).
Pressure TransmitterTransmetteur de pression
A sensor that measures pressure and converts it into an electrical signal (usually 4-20 mA) for transmission to a control system (PLC).
Pressure GaugeManomètre
An analog instrument used to display the pressure of a fluid or gas locally. It does not transmit a signal but allows operators to visually verify pressure levels.
FlowmeterDébitmètre
A device used to measure the volume or mass of a gas or liquid moving through a pipe. Common types include electromagnetic, vortex, and ultrasonic flowmeters.
Solenoid ValveÉlectrovanne
An electromechanically operated valve. It uses an electric current through a solenoid (coil) to control the flow of fluid or gas. Commonly used for on/off control in pneumatic systems.
VFD / InverterVariateur de fréquence
Variable Frequency Drive. A type of motor controller that drives an electric motor by varying the frequency and voltage supplied to it. Used to control speed of fans and pumps to save energy.
RedundancyRedondance
The duplication of critical components or functions in a system to increase reliability. If one component fails, the redundant component can take over immediately, preventing system downtime.