Abstract: Disclosed is a nickel layer formed on a substrate by sputtering, in which nickel layer a percent ratio of an X-ray diffraction peak intensity of the (200) plane of the nickel layer to that of the (111) plane of the nickel layer is not less than 10%. This nickel layer has a reduced stress, and therefore, lessens a bending of a substrate. The nickel layer is formed by a process for sputtering nickel on a substrate, comprising supplying an argon gas into a vacuum chamber, adjusting a pressure of the argon gas in the vacuum chamber to a predetermined value, ionizing the argon gas, bombarding a target containing nickel with the ionized argon gas, to sputter nickel atoms, and depositing the sputtered nickel atoms onto the substrate, wherein the predetermined pressure of the argon gas is not lower than 12 mTorr.

Abstract: A semiconductor pressure sensor comprises a silicon substrate having a surface orientation of substantially (110), a diaphragm formed from the substrate, strain gauges disposed on the diaphragm, and a base joined with the substrate. The diaphragm has an octagonal shape whose sides are orthogonal to axes <100>, <110>, and <111>, respectively. This sensor causes substantially no output error and no fluctuation between output characteristics of the strain gauges irrespective of a change in temperature.

Abstract: When display data for both odd-numbered and even-numbered scan electrodes in an electroluminescent display are both actuating data, the brightness of electroluminescent elements connected to the odd-numbered electrode is adjusted by adjusting the timing for starting the application of the actuating voltage and the brightness of electroluminescent elements connected to the even-numbered electrode is adjusted by adjusting the timing for terminating the application of the actuating voltage. Moreover, electric charge in the EL elements is retained by maintaining the application of the actuating voltages during scanning operations.

Abstract: A terminal portion (11) of a spark plug (10) and a connecting terminal (22) of an ignition coil (20) are connected through a coil spring (30) serving as a conductive member which in turn is covered with an insulating member (40) having a cap (41), a sleeve (47) and a bushing (48) and extending from the terminal portion (11) to a high-tension tower (21). A first air vent hole (44) is defined by an upper surface of a collar portion (42) of the cap (41) and a bottom surface of an ignition coil body (23) in intimate contact with the upper surface, and a plurality of reservoir spaces (45) having a greater volume than the first air vent hole (44) are formed in circumferentially spaced apart relation along the first air vent hole (44). A second air vent hole (46) is formed in the cap (41) for communication between the first air vent hole (44) and the interior of a plug hole (H).

Abstract: An electronic device intended for use as a tag to be attached to identify contents of the container to which it is attached. In particular, the present invention relates to an electronic tag which has a facility for storing delivery information and is equipped with a responding means for transmitting the delivery information stored therein in response to a query signal received from an interrogating apparatus. Codes, including items such as the names and addresses of the destination and the sender, and a sorting code are written into predetermined blanks of a delivery label, and into a memory. The memory responds to a query by transmitting the sorting information to allow automated sorting. The tag may be initiated only when torn, to extend battery shelf life.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy composite material for brazing has a core member made of an aluminum alloy, Al-Si filler member and a cladding member made of an aluminum alloy. Mg contained in the aluminum alloy of the core member is restricted to within 0.2% or less by weight. The aluminum alloy of the cladding member essentially consists of 0.3% to 2.5% by weight of Mg. During brazing, the core member serves to restrain the diffusion of Si from the filler member clad on one surface of the core member and the diffusion of Mg from the cladding member clad on the opposite surface of the core member.

Abstract: A module for electrical connection to a rack forming a part of programmable controller is provided which includes a body member having a display portion and a circuit board terminal block connected to the body member. A door is hingedly attached to the body member, and has a panel presenting a surface adapted to be marked with the usual marking pen or pencil for identifying the module. In other embodiments, the module includes an additional panel portion for placement of an identifying label, a snap fitment arrangement for attachment to the rack as well as guide slots in the rack for the circuit board and a wire tie arrangement for holding electrical wires in a consolidated manner.

Abstract: An intake air amount control apparatus of an internal combustion engine controls an air control valve provided at a by-path formed with respect to a throttle valve which is provided in an intake air path of the engine. When the open-loop control mode of the engine is set, the apparatus determines which of the feedback loop and the open-loop control mode has been performed. When it is found that the feedback loop control mode has been switched to the open-loop control mode, a control amount corresponding to a current cooling water temperature of the engine is read out from a preset map, thus preparing for the following open-loop control. Simultaneously, a control amount in the previous feedback control mode is read out, and a current open-loop control amount is calculated by adding a compensation value to the thus read-out control amount. When it is determined that the open-loop control mode is continuously performed, a control amount corresponding to the current cooling water temperature is read from the map.

Abstract: A periodic signal detecting circuit including a comparator compares a threshold voltage varying with a time constant and an engine speed signal from an electromagnetic pickup coil so as to generate an output. The time constant is varied in accordance with the switching operation of a diode switch which is turned on and off in accordance with the comparator output. When the switch is in off condition, the threshold voltage is varied with the time constant which is changed successively.