Abstract: A crank angle detection device for an engine capable of achieving downsizing and enhancing appearance of the engine is provided. A crank angle detection device for an engine that includes a pulsar ring including a plurality of detection portions and rotating coaxially with a crank shaft of the engine, and a sensor detecting a passage state of the detection portions. Here, the pulsar ring is fixed to a crank web of the crank shaft. A weight for adjusting inertia balance of the crank shaft is fixed to the crank web arranged close to an end of the crank shaft in an axial direction. The weight has a shape obtained by increasing thickness of a part of the pulsar ring.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine for being mounted laterally on a saddle-type vehicle includes an AC generator disposed on an end portion of a crankshaft which is supported in a crankcase. An ACG cover covers the AC generator from outside widthwise across the vehicle. The ACG cover includes an electric power transmission line cover bulging portion covering electric power transmission lines extending to the ACG cover and bulging sideways outwardly widthwise across the vehicle. A crank angle sensor is disposed behind the electric power transmission line cover bulging portion in a vehicle front-back direction. The crank angle sensor is thus protected from flying stones, etc. without an increase in the number of parts used and an increase in the weight of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine for being mounted laterally on a saddle-type vehicle includes an AC generator disposed on an end portion of a crankshaft which is supported in a crankcase. An ACG cover covers the AC generator from outside widthwise across the vehicle. The ACG cover includes an electric power transmission line cover bulging portion covering electric power transmission lines extending to the ACG cover and bulging sideways outwardly widthwise across the vehicle. A crank angle sensor is disposed behind the electric power transmission line cover bulging portion in a vehicle front-back direction. The crank angle sensor is thus protected from flying stones, etc. without an increase in the number of parts used and an increase in the weight of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A crank angle detection device for an engine capable of achieving downsizing and enhancing appearance of the engine is provided. A crank angle detection device for an engine that includes a pulsar ring including a plurality of detection portions and rotating coaxially with a crank shaft of the engine, and a sensor detecting a passage state of the detection portions. Here, the pulsar ring is fixed to a crank web of the crank shaft. A weight for adjusting inertia balance of the crank shaft is fixed to the crank web arranged close to an end of the crank shaft in an axial direction. The weight has a shape obtained by increasing thickness of a part of the pulsar ring.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine with a balancer including a crankcase having a pair of wall portions, a crankshaft supported for rotation on the wall portions and having a balancer driving gear wheel provided thereon, and a balancer shaft supported for rotation by the wall portions and having a balancer driven gear wheel provided thereon, both gear wheels are disposed between the wall portions. A positioning mark including a set of marks provided on side faces in the same direction of the gear wheels is disposed near to pitch circles of both gear wheels. At a position opposing to both side faces of the one wall portion on the side opposing to the positioning mark on the pitch circles of both gear wheels, a through-hole extending through the one side wall is provided to permit the positioning mark to be visually observed through the through-hole.

Abstract: A lubrication structure for a bearing section of an internal combustion engine including a crankcase having a wall portion, a bearing secured to the wall portion, a rotational shaft supported for rotation by the bearing, and a bearing restriction member disposed on a side face of an outer race portion of the bearing and configured to suppress coming off of the bearing, wherein an oil receiving portion formed in a swollen state on the wall portion along an outer periphery on the outer side of an outer periphery below the center axis of the bearing, and an oil reserve section is provided so as to extend over the oil receiving portion and the bearing restriction member.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine with a balancer including a crankcase having a pair of wall portions, a crankshaft supported for rotation on the wall portions and having a balancer driving gear wheel provided thereon, and a balancer shaft supported for rotation by the wall portions and having a balancer driven gear wheel provided thereon, both gear wheels are disposed between the wall portions. A positioning mark including a set of marks provided on side faces in the same direction of the gear wheels is disposed near to pitch circles of both gear wheels. At a position opposing to both side faces of the one wall portion on the side opposing to the positioning mark on the pitch circles of both gear wheels, a through-hole extending through the one side wall is provided to permit the positioning mark to be visually observed through the through-hole.

Abstract: A lubrication structure for a bearing section of an internal combustion engine including a crankcase having a wall portion, a bearing secured to the wall portion, a rotational shaft supported for rotation by the bearing, and a bearing restriction member disposed on a side face of an outer race portion of the bearing and configured to suppress coming off of the bearing, wherein an oil receiving portion formed in a swollen state on the wall portion along an outer periphery on the outer side of an outer periphery below the center axis of the bearing, and an oil reserve section is provided so as to extend over the oil receiving portion and the bearing restriction member.

Abstract: A fuel cell comprises a cathode catalyst layer and an anode catalyst layer disposed on each surface of an electrolyte membrane, an oxidant gas passage facing the cathode catalyst layer, and a fuel gas passage facing the anode catalyst layer. The cathode catalyst layer contains a metal catalyst. In a region (A), in which the differential electric potential between the cathode catalyst layer and the electrolyte membrane is larger than in another region, the metal catalyst content of the cathode catalyst layer or the specific surface area of the metal catalyst in the form of minute particles is increased, and thus a deterioration in electric power generation efficiency caused by melting of the metal catalyst due to the large differential electric potential is prevented.

Abstract: Voltage rising detection unit detects a voltage rising condition of a fuel cell stack after the supply of reactant gas to the fuel cell stack is started. A control unit determines an internal state of the fuel cell stack on the basis of the detected voltage rising condition of the fuel cell stack, and then decides a subsequent operation of the fuel cell stack in accordance with the determination. This makes it possible to minimize deterioration of the fuel cell stack which is caused by generating power continuously in an unsuitable state.

Abstract: A fuel cell comprises a cathode catalyst layer and an anode catalyst layer disposed on each surface of an electrolyte membrane, an oxidant gas passage facing the cathode catalyst layer, and a fuel gas passage facing the anode catalyst layer. The cathode catalyst layer contains a metal catalyst. In a region (A), in which the differential electric potential between the cathode catalyst layer and the electrolyte membrane is larger than in another region, the metal catalyst content of the cathode catalyst layer or the specific surface area of the metal catalyst in the form of minute particles is increased, and thus a deterioration in electric power generation efficiency caused by melting of the metal catalyst due to the large differential electric potential is prevented.

Abstract: A fuel cell (1) comprises a cathode catalyst layer (3) and an anode catalyst layer (4) disposed on each surface of an electrolyte membrane (2), an oxidant gas passage (8) facing the cathode catalyst layer (3), and a fuel gas passage (9) facing the anode catalyst layer (9). The cathode catalyst layer (3) contains a metal catalyst (16).

Abstract: Voltage rising detection unit detects a voltage rising condition of a fuel cell stack after the supply of reactant gas to the fuel cell stack is started. A control unit determines an internal state of the fuel cell stack on the basis of the detected voltage rising condition of the fuel cell stack, and then decides a subsequent operation of the fuel cell stack in accordance with the determination. This makes it possible to minimize deterioration of the fuel cell stack which is caused by generating power continuously in an unsuitable state.

Abstract: A normal operation of a fuel cell (10, 13, 17, 16, 20) for generating electricity with an electrolyte film (1) interposed between a first electrode (11) supplied with a fuel and a second electrode (12) supplied with an oxidizer, is followed by a shutdown operation in which the second electrode (12) is supplied with the fuel to generate hydrogen ions, andhydrogen ions are activated to move with accompanying water, thus transporting moisture, from the second electrode (12) to the first electrode (11) through the electrolyte film (1), by an electromotive force acting between the first and second electrodes (11, 12), as the force is produced therebetween by supplying the oxidizer to the first electrode (11), or as it is imposed therebetween from an external dc power supply (33).

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte fuel cell includes an electric power generating cell provided with a fuel electrode, an oxidizer electrode, a polymer electrolyte membrane sandwiched between the fuel electrode and the oxidizer electrode and a separator formed with a gas flow passage for reaction gas to be supplied to at least one of the fuel electrode and the oxidizer electrode. Also, the polymer electrolyte fuel cell includes a flow passage changeover mechanism changing over a configuration of the gas flow passage in accordance with an operating condition of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte fuel cell stack is provided with a plurality of unit cells, a gas supply manifold supplying reaction gases to each of the plurality of unit cells, a gas exhaust manifold through which the reaction gases are exhausted, and a pressure loss control mechanism controlling the reaction gases passing trough the gas supply manifold, respective flow passages of the plurality of unit cells and the exhaust manifold to control pressure loss of at least one of the gas supply manifold and the gas exhaust manifold corresponding to the flow rates of the reaction gases in a way to establish a predetermined ratio between the pressure loss of at least one of the gas supply manifold and the gas exhaust manifold and pressure loss in the respective flow passages of the plurality of unit cells.