Abstract: A power unit for a small-sized vehicle that includes a valve operating system equipped with a hydraulic valve operation mode change mechanism capable of changing the operational mode of an engine valve, and a clutch device disposed between a crankshaft and a shift mechanism so as to switch hydraulically between connection and disconnection of power transmission, wherein a discharge outlet of one oil pump (209) driven by power transmission from the crankshaft is connected in common to a valve operation mode change mechanisms (63, 64) and a clutch device (102). This enables the hydraulic system to be made compact while avoiding any increase in the overall bulk of the power unit, thus providing a power unit suitable for a small-sized vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reaction apparatus having an enhanced connection, and a fuel cell system and an electronic device that include such a reaction apparatus. A reaction apparatus (1) a reformer (4) in which a reforming reaction chamber (31) is formed, a CO remover in which a removing reaction chamber (35) where a chemical reaction is performed at a temperature lower than that in the reforming reaction chamber (31) is formed, and a connecting portion (6) having a communicating path that communicates between the reforming reaction chamber (31) and the removing reaction chamber (35). The reformer (4) and the CO remover (5) are arranged spaced apart from each other, at least one of which (4, 5) is configured by combining ceramic parts (11, 12) and metal components (15, 16), and the ceramic parts (11, 12) and the metal components (15, 16) are connected with connecting members (18, 20) interposed therebetween.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reaction apparatus that efficiently heats a reaction portion, and a fuel cell system and an electronic device that include such a reaction apparatus. A reaction apparatus (1) includes a reformer (4) in which formed are a reforming reaction chamber (31) and a reformer combustion chamber (30) that generates heat to be supplied to the reforming reaction chamber (31), which (30, 31) are adjacent to each other with a partition interposed therebetween; a CO remover (5) in which formed are a removing reaction chamber (35) where a chemical reaction is performed at a temperature lower than that in the reforming reaction chamber (31) and a remover combustion chamber (34) that generates heat to be supplied to the removing reaction chamber (35), which (34, 35) are adjacent to each other with a partition interposed therebetween; and a connecting portion (6) that connects the reformer (4) and the remover (5).

Abstract: The invention provides a reaction apparatus capable of efficiently causing a reaction, and a fuel cell system and an electronic device that include such a reaction apparatus. A reaction apparatus (1) includes a reformer (4), a CO remover (5) and a connecting portion (6) that connects the reformer (4) and the remover (5). The reformer (4) has a reforming reaction chamber (31) and a reformer combustion chamber (30) that generates heat to be supplied to the reforming reaction chamber (31), which (30, 31) are adjacent to each other with a partition interposed therebetween. The CO remover (5) has a removing reaction chamber (35) and a remover combustion chamber (34) that generates heat to be supplied to the removing reaction chamber (35), which (34, 35) are adjacent to each other with a partition interposed therebetween.

Abstract: This twin-clutch apparatus for use in a transmission of an engine, including: a hydraulic first disk clutch and second disk clutch that exert a predetermined engagement force by pressure members displaced in an axial direction by the pressure of a supply oil from outside, the first disk clutch and the second disk clutch being coaxially arranged adjacent to each other, in which: clutch plates of the first disk clutch and clutch plates of the second disk clutch are different in thickness from each other.

Abstract: In a twin clutch device used in an engine transmission, there are coaxially and adjacently arranged a first disk clutch and a second disk clutch of a hydraulic pressure type that displace a pressing member in an axial direction with externally supplied hydraulic pressure to exert a predetermined engagement force; and the first disk clutch and the second disk clutch respectively have: an engagement side hydraulic chamber that gives the pressing member a pressing force towards a clutch engagement side; and a pressure compensation hydraulic chamber that gives the pressing member a pressing force towards a clutch disengagement side to compensate a pressure of a returning action thereof.

Abstract: A scooter type vehicle provides a pair of right and left frame members in the interior of a vehicle body cover so as to extend substantially horizontally between a head pipe and the front end of a seat. Right and left footrest plates are provided outside on the right and left of the vehicle body cover. An engine is provided between the right and left frame members with the cylinder axis of the cylinder block being provided so as to extend longitudinally, and the center axis of a crankshaft is provided so as to extend laterally and to be located above the upper surfaces of the right and left footrest plates as seen in a side view. A balancer shaft is located below the crankshaft, and the crankshaft and the balancer shaft are sandwiched and supported between the upper and lower case halves with their center axes being located on the joining surface.

Abstract: A shift drum drive system for a transmission includes a drive member and a power transmission device configured to transmit the rotational power of the drive member to a shift drum. The drive member and at least a part of the power transmission device being disposed on a lateral side of a crankcase on the side of one end in the axial direction of the shift drum, to reduce the area occupied by the shift drum drive system inclusive of the drive member on a lateral side of the crankcase on the side of one end in the axial direction of the shift drum, and thereby to contrive a reduction in engine size. The drive member and the shift drum are disposed so as to at least partly overlap with each other when viewed along the axial direction of the shift drum.

Abstract: A power unit for a small type vehicle wherein a speed change mechanism is disposed on a lateral side of a crankcase on the side of one end of a crankshaft. A valve operation controller for controlling the operations of valve operation mode change mechanisms and a speed change controller for controlling a speed change operation of a speed change mechanism are attached to an engine body, to lay out the valve operation controller and the speed change controller in good balance of center of gravity so as to prevent the center of gravity of the power unit from being deviated to one side. The valve operation controller and the speed change controller being attached to the engine body on the opposite side of the clutch device with respect to a vehicle body center line in a direction along the axis of the crankshaft.

Abstract: In a motorcycle-use power unit in which a clutch device arranged in a power transmission path between a crankshaft and a drive wheel is housed in a clutch chamber which is defined between a crankcase and a clutch cover joined to a side surface of the crankcase, the maintenance of the clutch control device can be easily performed while preventing a lowering of oil-pressure transmission efficiency between the clutch device and the clutch control device and preventing an increase in the weight of the motorcycle. A clutch control device performs a changeover of engagement and disengagement of a clutch device by controlling the oil pressure applied to the clutch device. Oil passages for connecting the clutch control device and the clutch device with each other are mounted on a clutch cover.

Abstract: A clutch control apparatus for receiving an air flow more easily and to obtain a higher cooling performance in a power unit for a saddle-ride type vehicle while avoiding the size of the main engine body becoming larger in the front-and-rear direction. The power unit includes a clutch apparatus installed in a clutch chamber. The clutch apparatus is disposed in the course of power transmission from a crankshaft to a drive wheel. The clutch chamber is formed between a crankcase and a clutch cover that is coupled to a side surface of the crankcase. A clutch control apparatus that controls the switching of the connection and disconnection actions of a clutch apparatus is attached to the outer surface of a clutch cover in a position at a side of a cylinder block.

Abstract: A power unit for a saddle-ride vehicle includes a transmission mechanism disposed in the course of power transmission between a crankshaft and a drive wheel is installed in a crankcase, and a shift actuator to drive and control the gear-shifting action of the transmission mechanism is disposed in the engine main body. The shift actuator is attached to a side surface of the crankcase 35 while the operational axis of the shift actuator is placed in a plane that is orthogonal to the axial direction of a transmission mechanism. The shift actuator is disposed so that a high degree of freedom in the layout is guaranteed for the functional parts disposed around the crankcase.

Abstract: A power unit includes a transmission mechanism installed in a crankcase with a clutch apparatus for connecting and disconnecting the transmission of power between a crankshaft and the transmission mechanism being installed in a clutch chamber. An oil filter is set between an oil pump driven by the power transmitted from the crankshaft and portions to be supplied with oil is attached to a clutch cover. The provided power unit guarantees a certain degree of freedom in design for the size of the inner diameter of the cylinder bore, the location of the timing transmission mechanism, and the like. A smaller size of the power unit along the axial direction of the crankshaft needs to be achieved. The oil filter is disposed between the axis of the crankshaft and the axis of the clutch apparatus and below the axis of the crankshaft and the axis of the clutch apparatus.

Abstract: A composite ceramic body and a method thereof are provided. The composite ceramic body comprising a first bonding body comprising a ceramic containing Si ingredient, and a second bonding body bonded to the first bonding body through a bonding material containing, as main ingredient, a Si compound which includes the element common to the Si ingredient contained in the first bonding body. The first and second bonding bodies can be bonded strongly and uniformly without any adhesive. Since the composite ceramic body has high bonding strength, it is applicable to microchemical chips and reformers.

Abstract: A twin clutch apparatus includes a first clutch, a second clutch, and a clutch outer member shared by the first and second clutches. The clutch outer member has groove portions formed therein having a width that gradually increases towards an open-end side of the clutch outer member. A width of each protruding portion formed in friction plates of the second clutch disposed towards the open-end side of the clutch outer member is greater than a width of each protruding portion formed in friction plates of the first clutch disposed towards a closed-end side of the clutch outer member. The twin clutch apparatus, during operation thereof, is operable to control a clearance between groove portions of the clutch outer member and protruding portions of friction plates within a desirable range, to reduce force and sound produced by an impact between the clutch outer member and the friction plates.

Abstract: A clutch actuation mechanism having a plurality of friction plates engaged with a clutch outer and a clutch inner in a relatively non-rotatable manner and arranged alternately between a bearing plate portion and a pressing plate portion. A clutch disengage/engage control mechanism for switching disengagement/engagement of the clutch actuation mechanism. A clutch piston having opposite sides facing toward a control hydraulic chamber and a hydraulic canceler chamber. A division wall member forming the hydraulic canceler chamber between the division wall member and the clutch piston for forming an oil passage, which introduces lubricating oil toward the friction plates, in cooperation with the clutch inner. A control hydraulic chamber, hydraulic canceler chamber, and division wall member are arranged within a range corresponding to the space between the outer surfaces of a bearing plate portion and pressing plate portion and radially inward of a clutch actuation mechanism.

Abstract: A motorcycle with a low floor is configured such that secondary vibration of an engine can be largely reduced and an increase in engine width can be suppressed. The motorcycle with a low floor includes step floors on which to put a rider's feet on left and right sides of a vehicle body frame. An engine is provided between the step floors. A plurality of exhaust pipes extend respectively from cylinders of the engine, the exhaust pipes being gathered at a gathering portion. The engine is an in-line 3-cylinder engine having cylinder portions inclined forwardly. The exhaust pipes extend downwards from the cylinder portions on the basis of each cylinder. The exhaust pipes are bundled and extend on the right side of the engine, in a position on the lower side of one of the step floors.

Abstract: An engine includes a crankshaft for transmitting rotational drive power to a drive wheel, a clutch mechanism for connecting or disconnecting the transmission of rotational drive power of the crankshaft, and clutch actuators. The crankshaft, clutch mechanism, and clutch actuators are accommodated in an engine case. The clutch actuators control the clutch mechanism and are positioned outside the clutch mechanism, viewed from the crankshaft direction.

Abstract: To lower the center of gravity of the entire engine including a speed-change actuator for realization of the lowered center of gravity of a vehicle in which the engine is mounted and to suppress the effect on an arrangement space for components above the engine. In an engine including a transmission which is provided in a power transmission pathway to a drive wheel, a counter shaft which is an output shaft of the transmission, an engine case in which a crankshaft and the transmission are accommodated, and a speed-change actuator which is attached to the engine case, the speed-change actuator is arranged below relative to the counter shaft.

Abstract: A power unit for a vehicle can avoid an increase in the longitudinal size of an engine body and a vehicle body due to the provision of a clutch actuator. Clutches for switching between the connection and disconnection of the transmission of power are provided in a power transmission path for transmitting a rotational drive force of a crankshaft to a drive wheel. A clutch cover is joined to a side portion of a crankcase. A clutch chamber for accommodating the clutches is formed between the crankcase and the clutch cover. A clutch actuator for controlling the switching between an engaged condition and disengaged condition of the clutches is mounted on an engine body. The clutch actuator is provided on an upper portion of the clutch cover.