Abstract: A level shift circuit including a capacitor, a charge control circuit, and a limiting circuit. The charge control circuit is connected to the capacitor to provide the voltage of a high potential power supply to the capacitor and to control the charging of the capacitor. The limiting circuit is connected to the high potential power supply and the charge control circuit to limit the voltage provided to the capacitor from the high potential power supply before the charge control circuit stops providing the voltage of the high potential power supply to the capacitor.

Abstract: A direct fuel injection-type spark-ignition internal combustion engine is disclosed. The engine comprises a fuel injector for injecting fuel as a spray in nearly the shape of a fan having a relative small thickness, a spark plug and a cavity formed on the top surface of a piston. The cavity has a long and narrow groove-like shape. The spray is injected by the fuel injector such that the spray is almost parallel with the center axis of the piston, and impinges in the cavity. The spark plug is arranged in the upper portion of the cylinder to face the cavity.

Abstract: An operational amplifier circuit includes a first differential pair, which includes first and second transistors, and a second differential pair, which includes third and fourth transistors. A fifth transistor is connected to the first and third transistors. A sixth transistor is connected to the second and fourth transistors. A first current source is connected to the first differential pair to provide a first bias current. A second current source is connected to the second differential pair to provide a second bias current. A third current source is connected to the fifth transistor to provide a third bias current. A fourth current source is connected to the sixth transistor provide a fourth bias current. A control circuit controls the first to fourth current sources such that the sum of the first and second bias currents is constant and the second to fourth bias currents become substantially equal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition and a process for producing a magnetic fluid comprising finely divided magnetic particles covered with at least one surfactant. A fluorocarbon-silane surface modifier is employed which is added to cover the free oxidizable exterior surface of the outer layer of the particles to increase the acid resistance of the colloid.

Abstract: A belt-type compression molding apparatus for a tobacco stream includes a compression belt integral with a tobacco band for forming the tobacco stream, and the compression belt extends from the tobacco band toward a wrapping section of a cigarette manufacturing machine. The compression belt defines a compression molding passage for the tobacco stream in cooperation with a molding groove of a molding bed for guiding wrapping paper. The compression belt travels at the same speed as the tobacco band and serves as a movable ceiling wall of the compression molding passage.

Abstract: A process for forming a functional ceramic thin film eliminating the need of high temperature annealing which has been indispensable in the conventional process is provided. This can be achieved by the process for forming a functional ceramic thin film having a crystal of a composite oxide consisting of two or more metal elements and oxygen, which comprises steps of alternately stacking seeding layers having the same crystalline structure as said composite oxide and formable at a temperature lower than the crystallization temperature of the composite oxide, and layers containing a larger amount of a specified metal element than said seeding layers, and then annealing the resultant layers to form an integral body.

Abstract: A voltage generating circuit for a digital to analog converter divides a potential difference between a high potential supply and a low potential supply. The voltage generating circuit includes a voltage dividing circuit having three impedance elements connected in series between the high potential supply and the low potential supply. A first current source is connected to a node between the first two series connected impedance elements and a second current source is connected to a node between the second and third series connected impedance elements. The first and second current source supply first and second currents having the same value to the first and second nodes, respectively. A control circuit compares a reference voltage with a selected voltage output from the voltage dividing circuit and controls the first and second currents supplied by the first and second current source so that the selected voltage is made equal to the reference voltage.

Abstract: A serial printer apparatus comprises a print heat for printing on a medium according to a received character signal, a carrier on which the print head is provided and which runs the print head over an unprintable region and a printable region, and a control circuit for monitoring the running speed of the carrier and controlling the speed of the carrier by accelerating or decelerating the carrier while suppressing the amount of fluctuation of the speed at least in the printable region.

Abstract: In a cigarette manufacturing machine, a device for compressive molding a stream of filler comprises a forming mold having a tongue and a shoe being integrally formed with each other, and a forming surface formed at a lower surface of the tongue, and a compression molding passage for the stream is defined between the forming surface and paper. The forming surface of the tongue has a movable surface formed of a part of an endless belt, and the movable surface moves in the same direction as a flow of the stream.

Abstract: A voltage dividing circuit accounts for resistance caused by switching elements and wires in order to provide accurate digital to analog conversion. The voltage dividing circuit includes a first voltage dividing circuit that divides a voltage between first and second reference power supply voltages and generates an output signal having a divided voltage. The first voltage dividing circuit includes first, second, and third impedance elements connected in series between the first and second reference power supplies. The first and second impedance elements are connected to the first and second power supplies, respectively, and the third impedance element is connected between the first and second impedance elements. A first current source is connected to a first node between the first and third impedance elements and a second current source is connected to a second node between the second and third impedance element.

Abstract: A differential amplifier circuit including a differential input circuit which receives first and second input signals. The differential input circuit amplifies a potential difference between the input signals and outputs first and second voltage signals representing the potential difference. The first and second voltage signals are connected, respectively, to first and second output transistors. The first and second output transistors are serially connected to each other between a first supply voltage and a second supply voltage. A node between the first and second output transistors provides an output terminal. A control circuit receives the first and second voltage signals and controls the drain current of the first output transistor based on a difference between the first and second voltage signals.

Abstract: A differential amplifier circuit includes a differential input circuit which receives first and second input signals. The differential input circuit amplifies a potential difference between the input signals and outputs first and second voltage signals at first and second output terminals representing the amplified potential difference. A first output transistor is connected between a high potential power supply and a third output terminal of the differential input circuit. The first output transistor pulls up the potential at the third output terminal. A second output transistor is connected between the third output terminal and a low potential power supply for pulling down the potential at the third output terminal. A gate voltage controller is connected to the first and second output terminals and receives the first and second voltage signals and controls voltages applied to each of the gate terminals of the first and second output transistors to control the currents flowing to them.

Abstract: The thermal head supporting device of the invention comprises a pair of positioning members disposed at both sides of a platen, a head press/release mechanism movable toward and away from the platen, and a head unit coupled with the head press/release mechanism. The positioning members are disposed coaxially with the platen. The head unit is formed of a head supporting member removably coupled to the head press/release mechanism with a predetermined play, a thermal head supported on the head supporting member and having a plurality of heating elements arranged in a straight line thereon and in confronting relationship with the platen, and a pair of engagement members attached to both sides of the thermal head adjustably for position, and each of the engagement members has a cutting formed therein allowing each positioning member to be removably fitted therein.

Abstract: 1-Chloro-l,2,2-trifluoroethylene or 1,2,2-trifluoroethylene is prepared by reacting 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane and hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst which comprises at least one metal selected from the group consisting of palladium, rhodium and ruthenium and at least one metal selected from the group consisting of mercury, lead, cadmium, tin, indium, copper, bismuth, thallium and silver and a carrier selected from the group consisting of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, SiO.sub.2 and activated carbon, whereby selectivities and yields of 1-chloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethylene or 1,2,2-trifluoroethylene are optimized by selecting the kinds of metals and supports.

Abstract: A case for receiving a tape cassette having a pair of reel hubs and front openings includes a case body and a lid. The case body is made of a synthetic resin or the like material and comprises a rectangular plate-like portion and a plurality of continuous side walls extending upright from along the sides of the rectangular plate-like portion. Further, the case body is provided, on either one of the upper edges of the opposing two side walls extending along the longer sides of the rectangular plate-like portion thereof, with a tape cassette reception operating section for allowing a part of a tape-shaped recording medium projecting from the tape cassette openings to be withdrawn into the cassette. The lid is made of a metal or the like and includes a rectangular plate-like portion and a plurality of continuous side walls extending upright from along the sides of the plate-like portion. The lid closes the case body by being placed over the latter.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for carrying a workpiece for improving efficiency in a workpiece carrying operation. In the apparatus, a moving member having a workpiece holding member is driven with a linear motion in a horizontal plane along a carrier passage, and the workpiece holding member is driven with a revolutional motion in a vertical plane around a revolution axis displaced from a center of the workpiece holding member, while the workpiece holding member maintains an orientation in which a holder holding the workpiece points downwards. The holder of the workplece holding member is controlled to sequentially carry out holding of the workpiece and releasing of the workpiece at lowest positions of the workpiece holding member in the revolutional motion, so as to realize a continuous workpiece carrying operation.

Abstract: A work mounting apparatus according to the present invention comprises a rotating drum divided into upper and lower drums, a head unit arranged on the outer periphery of the rotating drum or the lower drum, a circular work head attached to the head unit, and a suction nozzle protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the work head toward a workbench. While the lower drum is rotating, the suction nozzle of the work head repeats cycloid motion along the workbench with its posture or orientation kept fixed with respect to the workbench. While repeating the cycloid motion, the nozzle receives a work from a work feeder of the workbench by suction, and mounts the work on a printed board on the workbench. The work mounting apparatus further includes a balance weight for the work head, and a friction brake for applying a frictional force to the turning shaft of the work head, to thereby stabilize the turning motion of the work head.

Abstract: In a parts mounting apparatus, suction nozzles are mounted on a rotating carrier driven by a motor. With rotation of the rotating carrier, parts are sucked by the nozzles at a feed station and carried to a mounting station where the parts such as electronic parts are mounted on substrates, for example. A counter counts output pulses from an encoder mounted in the motor driving the rotating carrier. A microcomputer determines the rotational speed and rotational position of the rotating carrier from the count value of the counter. Based on the result of the determination, the microcomputer calculates a timing for delivering a signal for switching the nozzles between two different pneumatic states.

Abstract: In chemical structure of a fulgide type photochromic compound having the following general formula; ##STR1## introduction of electron donative groups into its heteroaromatic structure is effective in improving the long wave length sensitivity without any lowering in its thermal stability. Thanks to such combined functional properties, the products are advantageously used for optical recording media, copying media, printing media, optical filters and display materials.

Abstract: A work mounting apparatus or component mounting apparatus according to the present invention comprises a lower drum of a rotating drum, a head unit arranged on the outer periphery of the lower drum, a circular work head or component head attached to the head unit, and a suction nozzle protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the work head toward a workbench. While the lower drum is rotating, the suction nozzle of the work head repeats cycloid motion along the workbench with its posture kept fixed with respect to the workbench. While repeating the cycloid motion, the nozzle receives a work or component, such as an electronic component from a work feeder of the workbench by suction, and mounts the work on a printed board on the workbench.