Abstract: A device for transmitting rotational power from a rotational power source to a rotational driven member is provided with a first rotating member provided for rotation in a rotational direction about an axis, and a second rotating member provided for rotation about the same axis. The first rotating member is connected to the rotational power source and the second rotating member is connected to the rotational driven member. An mechanism for rotationally connecting the first and second rotating member is provided. The connecting mechanism is provided with at least one elastic member made of a rubber material; a first holder member for holding the elastic member from the radially outside of the elastic member; and a second holder member for holding the elastic member from the radially inside of the elastic member. The first and second holder members are mounted to one of the first and second rotating members.

Abstract: A ceramic heater body is formed in a plate shape, and has electrode attaching portions at both ends of the heater body. A plurality of openings are formed in the electrode attaching portion, and a metallized layer is formed on the inner peripheral surface of each of the openings. Electrodes having a plurality of wires are connected to the electrode attaching portions, for supplying power to the heater body. The metal wires are inserted into the openings formed having the metallized layers on the inner peripheral surfaces, and are secured by brazing to the metallized layers. The diameter of the metal wire is set to 0.5 to 3 mm, and the metal wires are buried in the openings, at a depth of 1 to 5 mm.

Abstract: An exhaust-gas purifying apparatus according to the present invention comprises an exhaust-gas filter for trapping particulates in exhaust gas from an engine, and a heating device located on the upper-course side of the filter, with respect to the flowing direction of the exhaust gas, the heating device including one or more conductive-ceramic heater elements, capable of heating and burning the particulates caught by the filter, and a heater case for holding the heater elements in position, so that the caught particulates are heated and burned by the heater elements when the flow resistance of the exhaust gas, flowing through the filter, is increased by the caught particulates, whereby the flow resistance is reduced. The heater element includes a fixed electrode portion, immovably fixed to the heater case, and a slidable electrode portion held slidably.

Abstract: A ceramic heater for regenerating a fine particle collecting filter which is exposed to exhaust gases at elevated temperatures. This ceramic heater comprises two electrode potions, a heat generation portion connected to the two electrode portions and a holding projection portion of a ceramic heater connected to the side of the heat generating portion. The two electrode portions, the heat generating portion and the holding projection portion are formed integrally.

Abstract: The ceramic heater of the present invention is used for regenerating a fine particle collecting filter which is exposed to exhaust gases at elevated temperatures. In this ceramic heater, which is capable of being cantilevered, two electrode portions are provided on a single straight or curved line and heat generating portion is positioned on one side of said line. The heat generating portion comprises a ring-like portion and two leg portions integrally connected to the ring-like portion at two connecting portions which approximately bisect the ring-like portion. The two electrode portions are provided at fore ends of the leg portions respectively, and the ring-like portion and the two electrode portions conjointly form a triangle.

Abstract: A heating device of the present invention has a heating element of a substantially V-shape and is made of a ceramic material having electric conductivity. Electrode plates are respectively mounted at both ends of the heating element for energizing the heating element. Further, the heating device has a holder for holding the heating element by interposing both ends of the heating element therebetween. This holder is composed of a pair of insulating plates made of an electric insulating material. Both ends of the heating element are formed with projections. One of the insulating plates is formed with recesses for receiving both ends of the heating element in coincidence with the shape of both ends of the heating element.

Abstract: The ceramic heater of the present invention is used as a regenerating heater for a carbon particulate collecting filter. The ceramic heater comprises a heat-generating body composed of a sintered body which comprises an electroconductive ceramic, such as titanium nitride, and an insulating material, such as silicon nitride. An electroconductive layer is formed on a selected portion of the surface of the heat-generating body. The ratio of the electroconductive ceramic ingredient of the electroconductive layer is greater than the ratio of the electroconductive ceramic ingredient of the heat-generating body. The electroconductive layer of the ceramic heater is formed by partially heat-decomposing silicon nitride.

Abstract: Filter apparatus having a honeycomb structure and a heater for purifying exhaust gases consists of cells or passages defined by porous partition walls. Alternate passages are provided respectively with upstream plugs and downstream plugs. Particulates in exhaust gases are trapped in the honeycomb structure and ignited by the heater. The upstream plugs define spaces upstream thereof in which particulates are trapped in addition to those trapped in the passages having downstream plugs. The heat of burning of the particulates trapped in the spaces facilitates the burning of the particulates trapped in the passages having downstream plugs. Therefore, the exhaust gas particulates trapped and collected in the downstream portion of the structure can also be easily burned to regenerate the structure over its entire length.