Abstract: An air fuel ratio controller for an internal combustion engine includes an exhaust gas sensor, an identifier and a control unit. The exhaust gas sensor detects oxygen concentration of exhaust gas. The identifier calculates model parameters for a model of a controlled object based on the output of the exhaust gas sensor. The controlled object includes an exhaust system of the engine. The control unit is configured to use the model parameters to control the air-fuel ratio so that the output of the exhaust gas sensor converges to a desired value, and to stop the identifier from calculating the model parameters during and immediately after the engine operation with a lean air-fuel ratio. The calculation of the model parameters may be also stopped during and immediately after fuel-cut operation that stops fuel supply to the engine.

Abstract: A pair of link arms each supported at one end thereof on an engine body for swinging movement about an axis parallel to a rotational axis for a valve-operating cam are connected at the other ends, for relative turning movement about an axis parallel to the rotational axis, directly to a rocker arm having a valve abutment abutting against an engine valve and a cam abutment contacting with the valve-operating cam. At least any one of the link arms is swingably supported at one end thereof on the engine body for continuous movement within a plane perpendicular to a rotational axis for the valve-operating cam. Such an arrangement ensures that a valve-operating system can be constructed compactly, and the opening lift amount of the engine valve can be changed continuously, while ensuring an excellent followability to the valve-operating cam.

Abstract: A composition for use as a catalyst in, for example, a fuel cell, the composition comprising platinum, copper and tungsten, or an oxide, carbide and/or salt of one or more of platinum, copper and tungsten, wherein the sum of the concentrations of platinum, copper and tungsten, or an oxide, carbide and/or salt thereof, is greater than 90 atomic percent.

Abstract: An actuator has a resilient shape memory member 1 with superelasticity, a magnetic body 2, and a magnetic field generator 3. At least one of the magnetic body 2 and the magnetic field generator 3 is fixed to the resilient shape memory member 1 such that one of the magnetic body 2 and the magnetic field generator 3 is stationary while the other is movable, whereby the movable member is moved by a magnetic field provided from the magnetic field generator 3.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing infrared cameras includes: a front plate which has holes arranged in line, and which is adapted to emit an amount of infrared light; and a back plate which is disposed in parallel to and behind the front plate as viewed from infrared cameras to be tested, and which is adapted to emit a different amount of infrared light when compared with the front plate. The back plate is disposed at lower portions of pillars. On the other hand, the front plate is made vertically movable in front of the back plate and along the pillars. By being controlled by a controller, the front plate is movable from the ground height to a level corresponding to approximately two times the height of the back plate.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are disclosed for receiving data from a satellite radio network in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a datagram broadcast via a satellite radio network is received utilizing a receiver. The datagram includes broadcast identifier information that identifies a segment of receivers in the satellite radio network to which the datagram is directed. Utilizing the broadcast identifier information, a determination is made as to whether the recipient receiver is a member of the identified segment of receivers to which the datagram is directed. If the recipient receiver is determined to be a member of the identified segment of receivers to which the datagram is directed, then the datagram is processed.

Abstract: A cell assembly includes a first unit cell and a second unit cell which are stacked to each other. The first unit cell has a first unified body, and the second unit cell has a second unified body. A plurality of oxidizing gas passages and a plurality of fuel gas passages are provided in the cell assembly. The oxidizing gas passages in the first unit cell and the oxidizing gas passages in the second unit cell are communicated in series to each other. The fuel gas passages in the first unit cell and the fuel gas passages in the second unit cell are communicated in series to each other.

Abstract: A fuel cell (10) is formed by sandwiching a membrane electrode assembly (14) between first and second separators (16, 18). An oxygen-containing gas supply passage (20) extends through the fuel cell (10) in a stacking direction. The oxygen-containing gas passage (20) includes first and second straight sections (20a, 20b) to form a single opening. The first and second straight sections are elongated in directions indicated by arrows B and C around a corner at an upper portion of one end of the first separator (16).

Abstract: An image sensor comprising a matrix of solid-state light sensor elements each representing a unit pixel, which is capable of reading out sensor signals from respective pixels in a time series by sequentially selecting pixels on a line-by-line basis and sequentially selecting pixels in a selected line, wherein each pixel line is divided into a plurality of blocks with each block composed of the same specified number of pixels and a first scanning means sequentially reads pixel sensor signals on the block-by-block basis starting from the first block and a second scanning means reads pixel sensor signals of the readout block. The image sensor thus constructed can achieve high speed scanning of respective pixels with a minimal increase in power consumption.

Abstract: An expander (M) employing steam as a working medium is formed from a first radially inner group of axial piston cylinders (49) arranged annularly on a rotor (27) so as to surround the axis (L) of an output shaft (28), and a second radially outer group of axial piston cylinders (57) arranged annularly so as to surround the first group of axial piston cylinders (49). The first and second groups of axial piston cylinders (49, 57) are driven by a common swash plate (39), and the first and second groups of axial piston cylinders (49, 57) are arranged with circumferentially displaced pitches. High-temperature, high-pressure steam firstly operates the first group of axial piston cylinders (49), then operates the second group of axial piston cylinders (57), and the outputs from the two are combined to drive the output shaft (28). This achieves a further reduction in the size and a further increase in the output of the axial type expander (M).

Abstract: A combined welding method with a filler wire using both a YAG laser and an electric arc, and a combined welding device with a filler wire using both a YAG laser and an electric arc. The welding is performed by directing a laser focus of a YAG laser on base materials and for welding in the vicinity of the focus by a filler wire, connecting a power source for applying a voltage to the filler wire between the filler wire and the base materials for welding, irradiating a YAG laser on the base materials for welding in the connecting condition, whereby an arc is induced to the filler wire by a plume (plasma-activated gas and the metal vapor), and holding the plume generated by YAG laser inside and outside of a keyhole.

Abstract: It is arranged such that displacement sensors (70) are installed at a position in or vicinity of elastic members (382), to generate outputs indicating a displacement of the floor contact end of a foot (22) relative to a second joint (18, 20), and a floor reaction force acting on the foot is calculated based on the outputs of the displacement sensors by using a model describing a relationship between the displacement and stress generated in the elastic members in response to the displacement, thereby enabling to achieve accurate calculation of the floor reaction force and more stable walking of a legged mobile robot (1). Further, a dual sensory system is constituted by combining different types of detectors, thereby enabling to enhance the detection accuracy. Furthermore, since it self-diagnoses whether abnormality or degradation occurs in the displacement sensors etc. and performs temperature compensation without using a temperature sensor, the detection accuracy can be further enhanced.

Abstract: A reduction gear (49) for a walking assistance system is provided that includes first to third planetary gear mechanisms (P1 to P3) between an input shaft (Si) connected to a motor (48) and an output shaft (So), the second planetary gear mechanism (P2) being disposed radially outside the first planetary gear mechanism (P1) connected to the input shaft (Si), and the third planetary gear mechanism (P3) being disposed outside, in the direction of an axis L, the first planetary gear mechanism (P1). It is therefore possible, while reducing the speed of rotation of the input shaft (Si) in three stages by the first to the third planetary gear mechanisms (P1 to P3) and transmitting the rotation to the output shaft (So), to reduce the thickness of the reduction gear (49) compared with a case in which the first to the third planetary gear mechanisms (P1 to P3) are disposed so as to be stacked in the direction of the axis (L), thereby improving the appearance when a user is fitted with the walking assistance system.

Abstract: A heat shield for an internal combustion engine exhaust system for supporting a first heat shield plate and a second heat shield plate on a U-shaped exhaust pipe extending from an exhaust port of an engine, via a support member such as band members, and heat shield plate attachment fixtures. The first heat shield plate covers all around a curved section of the U-shaped exhaust pipe in the vicinity of the exhaust port. The second heat shield plate covers an upper part of a straight section of the U-shaped exhaust pipe and extends rearwardly from the curved section. Further, since the exhaust pipe is formed as one piece, the first heat shield plate may be formed as a simple two-part structure using the band members. With this configuration, an effective heat shielding effect can be exhibited, and cost can be reduced.

Abstract: A method and processor for obtaining torques to be applied to joints of a leg of a biped walking system include obtaining moments acting around the joints of the leg, using the vertical component of the ground reaction force acting on the leg at the point of application of the ground reaction force and incorporating the attitude of the leg and the vertical component of acceleration of the center of gravity of the whole body including the leg.

Abstract: A cooling method for a fuel cell using a heat exchanger is provided. The method comprises the steps of: providing an ion exchanger in a circulation system for the cooling fluid; decreasing ion concentration in the cooling fluid by circulating the cooling fluid through the fuel cell and the ion exchanger when the temperature of the cooling fluid is below a thermostat operating temperature; distributing a portion of the cooling fluid discharged from the fuel cell, mixing the portion of the cooling fluid returning from the heat exchanger with another portion of the cooling fluid whose ion concentration has been decreased in the previous step, and returning the cooling fluid mixture to the fuel cell, when the temperature of the cooling fluid is approaching the thermostat operating temperature; and cooling the fuel cell by circulating the cooling fluid through the fuel cell and the heat exchanger after the temperature of the cooling fluid reaches the thermostat operating temperature.

Abstract: An obstacle detection apparatus detects an obstacle to a vehicle by a sensor section including a transmitter which transmits a wave to a predetermined detection area, and a receiver which receives an echo of the wave reflected by the obstacle. The obstacle detection apparatus measures a distance to the obstacle from the output of the sensor section. A detection-distance change circuit changes predetermined detection distances in the maximum detection distance. Alarm means gives an alarm step by step in accordance with the detection distances.

Abstract: A vehicle meter unit has a control unit and a controller area network (CAN) constituting a communications network. On-vehicle systems such as an engine control system, anti-lock braking system and electric power steering system are also provided with CANs and fault diagnostic functions for decentralized control. Faults in the systems are displayed in fault codes through the control unit on a liquid crystal display on which the indications of an odometer and trip recorder are displayed.

Abstract: A metallic sliding member which is improved in initial compatibility and significantly reduced in frictional resistance: and a process for producing the member. The process comprises causing fine particles of molybdenum disulfide to collide against the surface of a base to form a layer containing molybdenum disulfide, serving as a solid lubricant, as a surface layer having a depth not larger than 20 ?m from the surface.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly, and a first and second separators for sandwiching the membrane electrode assembly. The first separator has an oxygen-containing gas flow passage for allowing an oxygen-containing gas in a serpentine pattern to flow horizontally back and forth, and flow downwardly. Partition areas are provided along the oxygen-containing gas flow passage in the serpentine pattern. The partition areas are formed by partially cutting out a gas diffusion layer. Insulating seals for preventing leakage of the oxygen-containing gas are provided in the partition areas.

Abstract: To provide a system for controlling the charging of a secondary battery (battery), which is capable of keeping an initial charging/discharging characteristic of the battery in consideration of a change in environmental temperature and deterioration of the battery with elapsed time. An ordinary charging portion for performing a first charging control specified to stop the charging at a charge level less than a full-charge level is used in combination with a refresh charging portion for performing a second charging control specified to stop the charging at a charge level more than the full charge level. After the charging by the ordinary charging portion is continuously repeated by a specific number of times, for example, ten times, the next charging is performed by the refresh charging portion.

Abstract: Extending sections are positioned along X and Y directions by engagement sections, and positioned along Y direction of a vehicle by positioning sections using mounts of a rear bumper. This makes it possible to accurately indicate a forming position of a vehicular-part mounting hole, which is needed to mount a rear under spoiler, with respect to the rear bumper based on a scribed mark if the extending sections are positioned by using the engagement sections and the positioning sections. Therefore, a worker can form a vehicular-part mounting hole in an appropriate position by merely making a hole in the position of the scribed mark, without requiring a work of removing the rear bumper.

Abstract: While steel sheets are positioned and held by a holding mechanism, a first laser beam is applied to a heating region of the steel sheet to space the steel sheet from the other steel sheet by a predetermined distance. A second laser beam is applied to a welding region to weld the steel sheets. An amount of heat applied by the first laser beam, a moving speed of the first laser beam, and a focused spot diameter of the first laser beam are set to keep the sheet irradiated with the first laser beam in an unmelted state and plastically deform the sheet.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for estimating joint forces and moments in human beings. A forward dynamics module determines simulated kinematic data. An error correction controller forces tracking error between the simulated kinematic data and measured (or desired) kinematic data to approach zero. The error correction controller generates a modified acceleration for input into an inverse dynamics module. The estimated joint forces and moments track the measured (or desired) kinematics without the errors associated with computing higher order derivatives of noisy kinematic data.

Abstract: A welding condition monitoring device for monitoring the welding state of a welding work portion by taking an image thereof by an image sensor having a wide dynamic range and capable of taking an image covering a very bright welding portion and relatively dark portion. The monitoring device selectively emphasizes the outputs of the image sensor for any of luminance areas of the image taken by the image sensor using a sensor output characteristic table and can provide an image clearly showing both the very bright welding portion and the dark bead portion with a sufficient contrast allowing an observer to reliably recognize the objects in the image.

Abstract: A method for representing images for pattern classification extends the conventional Isomap method with Fisher Linear Discriminant (FLD) or Kernel Fisher Linear Discriminant (KFLD) for classification. The extended Isomap method estimates the geodesic distance of data points corresponding to images for pattern classification, and uses pairwise geodesic distances as feature vectors. The method applies FLD to the feature vectors to find an optimal projection direction to maximize the distances between cluster centers of the feature vectors. The method may apply KFLD to the feature vectors instead of FLD.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cell voltage measuring device for a fuel cell comprising: a contact region provided on or in a separator forming the fuel cell; and a terminal contacting the separator at the contact region to measure cell voltage of the fuel cell, wherein the contact region is defined by a groove formed in the outer periphery of the separator, and wherein, in a state in which the terminal is inserted into the groove and contacts the separator, the entire area of the cross-section of the terminal perpendicular to the longitudinal axis thereof at a contact point is disposed in the groove. Accordingly, contact between the terminal and the separator can be preferably retained.

Abstract: An idle control system applicable to a fuel cell vehicle 1 is provided for improving the fuel efficiency. When the fuel cell vehicle is determined to be in a predetermined idle mode, the idle control system stops a compressor to thereby stop power generation of a fuel cell. In contrast, when the state of charge of the capacitor 4 falls below a predetermined value while the fuel cell vehicle is in the idle mode, the idle control system drives the compressor 8 by means of the capacitor to drive the fuel cell in order to charge the capacitor.

Abstract: A landing shock absorbing device 18 disposed in a foot mechanism 6 of a leg of a robot, wherein an inflatable bag-like member 19 (variable capacity element) is provided at a bottom face side of the foot mechanism 6. The bag-like member 19 is constructed of an elastic material such as rubber. The air in atmosphere may flow into and out of the bag-like member 19 by inflow/outflow means 20 equipped with a solenoid valve 27, and the like. In a lifting state of the foot mechanism 6, inflow of the air into the bag-like member 19 is controlled, thereby controlling the final height of the bag-like member 19 in an inflated state to the height in response to a gait type of the robot. While properly reducing an impact load during a landing motion of the leg of a legged mobile robot depending on the gait type of the robot, stability of a posture of the robot may easily be secured, resulting in allowing a configuration to be lighter in weight.

Abstract: In an electronic key system for a motorcycle including the control unit mounted on a specific vehicle and a mobile transmitter-receiver carried by a user, the specific vehicle includeing an openable and closable seat on which the user sits, and is provided with a start switch used for starting the control unit in the seat. More specifically, the start switch is installed on, for example, the left side surface inside the user's seat at the position corresponding to the portion which the user may touch when opening the seat. An operating element of the start switch opposes the back surface of the superficial skin on the left side of the seat.

Abstract: A development department stores physical characteristic data concerning a product to be manufactured, such as shape and CAD data, in a database. Cost factor data are provided from a plurality of potential makers of the product. The cost factor data is stored in a database. Manufacturing costs are calculated for the respective makers based on the cost factor data, and then displayed. The provided information, the cost factor data stored in the databases, and the estimated manufacturing costs can be browsed through a network. Further, the cost factor data stored in the databases can be updated by the makers through the network.

Abstract: An e-mail sending and receiving system in which positional data about a plurality of places can be included in an e-mail message to be sent, and further detailed data can be obtained based on the included positional data, thereby improving the convenience and effectiveness of the positional data. The system includes a mail generating section for generating an e-mail message to be sent to an addressee; a positional data storage section for storing a plurality of positional data; and a positional data attaching section for attaching one or more of the positional data stored in the positional data storage section to the e-mail message generated by the mail generating section. The system may further include a section for generating detailed data relating to each positional data attached to the e-mail message, and attaching a URL for accessing the detailed data to the e-mail message.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the passenger occupancy of a vehicle includes, at least two image pickup sections provided at a specified distance, a measuring section measuring a distance to an object on the basis of the at least two images acquired by the at least two image pickup sections, a reference data providing section providing reference data relating to the distance from the image pickup sections to a seat in accordance with the position of the seat, and a detection section detecting the passenger occupancy of the seat on the basis of the distance measured by the measuring section and the reference data.

Abstract: A nonstaining coating composition which comprises as essential components (A) a specific aliphatic sulfonic acid compound or amine salt thereof, (B) a compound having per molecule at least one functional group selected among carboxyl, a carboxylic acid anhydride group, and a carboxyl group blocked with an alkyl vinyl ether, (C) a specific organosilicate and/or a condensate thereof, and (D) a resin having epoxy groups and/or alkoxysilyl groups in the molecule; and a method of finish coating. Also, a stain resistant coating composition which comprises (F?) a specific modified resin and optionally (B) a compound having in the molecule at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of carboxyl group, carboxylic acid anhydride group and carboxyl group blocked with an alkylvinyl ether compound.

Abstract: In a low floor type vehicle 10, a banking angle ?1 of a longitudinal V-type engine 100 mounted below a low floor is set to an angle equal to or exceeding approximately 90°. The V-type engine is arranged with a bisector L1 of the banking angle directed toward a head pipe 21 of a body frame 20. The body frame is composed of a pair of right and left upper frames 22 extended backward and downward from the head pipe and a pair of right and left down frames 23 extended downward from the head pipe and coupled to the front of a crankcase 104 of the V-type engine and is a diamond type frame from which the V-type engine can be suspended.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack is provided with an outlet side oxygen-containing gas communication hole. First and second oxygen-containing gas flow passage grooves are provided in the direction of the gravity while meandering in the horizontal direction on a surface of a first separator. The second oxygen-containing gas flow passage grooves communicate with the outlet side oxygen-containing gas communication hole via second oxygen-containing gas connecting flow passages. A porous water-absorbing tube, which is used to discharge water to the outside of the fuel cell stack in accordance with the capillary phenomenon and the difference in pressure of air, is provided for the outlet side oxygen-containing gas communication hole.

Abstract: A nitrogen trapping agent is added by a metering hopper to raw materials, which are melted and poured into a mold cavity of a metal mold device (18). The molten metal is then cooled and solidified into a casting (B). Before the molten metal is fully cooled and solidified, free nitrogen present in the molten metal is quickly trapped by the nitrogen trapping agent, producing a nitride. Then, a chilled structure generated in the surface layer of the casting (B) is decomposed by heating the casting (B). Finally, the heated casting (B) is machined into a camshaft (A) which is a cast iron member as a final product.

Abstract: The present invention provides a radio communication system in which not only a communication unit operating in a slave mode but also a communication unit operating in a master mode can be changed into a power saving mode. Among a plurality of communication units, one of them is operating in the master mode while the others are operating in the slave mode. Only the communication units operating in the slave mode are allowed to be changed into a suspend state. The communication unit operating in the master mode stops transmission/reception in synchronization with transition into the stop state of the communication units operating in the slave mode.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine variable compression ratio system is provided that includes a piston inner (5a), a piston outer (5b) that is fitted around the outer periphery of the piston inner (5a) so that it can slide only in the axial direction and is capable of moving between a low compression ratio position (L) and a high compression ratio position (H), a raising member (14) that can pivot around axes of the piston inner and outer (5a, 5b) between a non-raised position (A) and a raised position (B), and an actuator (20) connected to the member (14) and pivoting it to the non-raised position (A) or the raised position (B), in which piston outer high compression ratio position latching means (30b) is disposed between the piston inner (5a) and the piston outer (5b) and operates, when the piston outer (5b) has reached the high compression ratio position (H), so as to prevent relative axial movement of the piston inner (5a) and the piston outer (5b).

Abstract: A fuel cell includes cell assemblies connected to each other by a fuel gas connection passage, an oxygen-containing gas connection passage, and a coolant connection passage. A fuel gas adjusting mechanism, an oxygen-containing gas adjusting mechanism, and a coolant adjusting mechanism are connected respectively to the fuel gas connection passage, the oxygen-containing gas connection passage, and the coolant connection passage. These adjusting mechanisms adjust the temperatures in the cell assemblies, the relative humidity in the fuel gas, and the relative humidity in the oxygen-containing gas.

Abstract: A horn antenna part of a radar apparatus is made of a heat emitting material and includes: an antenna body part having a plurality of horn parts arranged in an array form, wherein each horn part is open toward a front surface of the apparatus, and has a diameter which gradually increases toward the front surface; and a feeder part including a waveguide which communicates with the horn parts, wherein the feeder part is connected to the antenna body part. The radar apparatus also includes: a wireless part for generating a high-frequency signal supplied to the feeder part, and converting a reflected high-frequency signal to a medium-frequency signal; and a circuit part for controlling the high-frequency signal and processing the medium-frequency signal. At least one of the wireless part and the circuit part is arranged in a manner such that it contacts the feeder part.

Abstract: In an abnormality detection system of a mobile robot, it is configured such that it is self-diagnosed whether the quantity of state is an abnormal value, or whether at least one of the internal sensor, etc., is abnormal and when an abnormality is self-diagnosed, abnormality information affixed with a time on which the abnormality occurred is outputted to be stored in an internal memory and in an external memory. With this, it becomes possible to improve the reliability of abnormality detection of the mobile robot and by storing the information affixed with a time on which the abnormality occurred, it becomes possible to ascertain accurately the course of events leading up to the abnormality. It is further configured such that in addition to a time on which the abnormality occurred, the information is stored in an external memory together with a parameter indicative of the quantity of state.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack comprising a plurality of fuel cell units stacked via separator plates, which further comprises (a) voltage-measuring projection terminals on peripheries of the separator plates, (b) a plurality of terminal members connected to voltage-inputting terminals of a voltage-measuring apparatus, and (c) an insulating casing comprising a plurality of partitions for supporting each terminal member in an insulated state.

Abstract: An active noise control system is provided which cancels a noise using a secondary noise from a speaker that is operated in accordance with an output from an adaptive controller. The system is configured such that microphone monitor interrupts a switch to thereby stop the secondary noise from being produced, when an error signal delivered by a microphone used for an adaptive computation in an LMS processing portion has the same sign for a predetermined duration. This allows the system to prevent the user from hearing an abnormal acoustic noise resulting from an abnormal operation or divergence of an adaptive filter even when the output signal from the microphone used for the adaptive computation is indicative of an abnormal level.

Abstract: This invention relates to a remote lock operation apparatus for a light vehicle having a bar handle and a switch case and having no cabin. One objective of the invention is to make it possible for the infrared receiver of the remote lock operation apparatus to cover a range of directivity without being influenced by the seat or the vehicle body rear portion. Another objective is to protect the infrared receiver from the weather and mischief. These objectives are achieved by having an infrared receiver provided on a switch case, with a switch operation element provided on a steering bar handle of a vehicle, thereby protecting the infrared receiver from potential damage while at the same time positioning it so that it can be easily operable by a passenger.

Abstract: Disclosed is a strength-enhancing apparatus for a metal part comprising a recovery mechanism for sucking powder flow dust generated from glass beads crushed on a surface of a gear in a chamber to recover it together with drainage, wherein the recovery mechanism includes a liquid-spouting means arranged on a ceiling in the chamber, for effecting showering for the whole interior of the chamber. Accordingly, it is possible to reliably recover the mist containing the powder flow dust floating in the chamber, and it is possible to reliably avoid adhesion and accumulation of the powder flow dust.