Abstract: In a magnetoresistive head according to the present invention, a magnetic domain control film formed at the end of a free layer of a stack of magnetoresistive layers is formed of a Co alloy film, and an underlayer controlling the crystallization state of the Co alloy film and an amorphous metal film layer for controlling the crystallization state of the underlayer are disposed below the magnetic domain control film.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a charge amplifier which can be operated at low cost so that electric charge generated in a piezoelectric pressure sensor having one end grounded is converted into a voltage signal.

Abstract: A tube having a passage for passage of a temperature-regulating medium therethrough has a surface covered with an elastic insulating layer which is coated with an insulating lubricant. The tube is inserted in a through hole which is defined in a fuel cell stack in the direction in which generator cells are stacked.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a pressure sensor unit which is formed separately from a spark plug, and in which an extra space does not have to be secured in the peripheral portion of a pressure sensing element, while a space for attaching peripheral components such as an ignition coil and the like can be secured flexibly in a spark plug hole.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack comprises a power-generating cell and a cooling cell which are stacked, an insulating means for electrically insulating the cooling medium supplied into the cooling cell from the power-generating cell, and a conducting means for electrically connecting the power-generating cells arranged with the cooling cell interposed therebetween to one another. Accordingly, the earth fault and the liquid junction, which would be otherwise caused by cooling medium, is reliably avoided with a simple structure, making it possible to maintain desired power generation performance.

Abstract: A spark plug cap for facilitating the fitting/detaching operation of a spark plug with a built-in pressure sensor, and a method of easily fitting the spark plug with a built-in pressure sensor are provided. The spark plug cap is provided with a cylindrical part of glass-containing PBT, a grommet provided with a cable passing groove, and an ignition coil unit provided with a high voltage terminal. The cylindrical part includes a first engagement part engageable with a spark plug fastening tool on one end, a second engagement part of a metal material engageable with a hexagonal part of the spark plug with a built-in pressure sensor on the other hand, and a groove-shaped clamp part on the outer side surface. By engaging the hexagonal part with the second engagement part to attach the cylindrical part to the spark plug, holding a sensor output cable by the clamp part, and fitting and fastening the spark plug fastening tool in the first engagement part, the spark plug is fitted into an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A pressure sensor-incorporating spark plug including a groove 17e for accommodating an output cable 27 formed on a side surface of a hexagonal portion 17a. A U-shaped member is bent into a tubular shape to obtain a fixing member 31. After the fixing member 31 and the output cable 27 passing through the fixing member 31 are placed in the groove 17e, the fixing member 31 is crimped in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 5(a), so that the fixing member 31 is deformed to fit the wall surface of the groove 17e. Thus, the output cable 27 is nipped by the fixing member 31, and the fixing member 31 is held within the groove 17e of the hexagonal portion 17a. As a result, the output cable 27 is fixed to the hexagonal portion 17a.

Abstract: A misfire deciding method for an internal combustion engine, which can be executed conveniently at low cost by using a gasket type pressure sensor and which can decide a misfire highly accurately and reproducibly. The internal pressure of an internal combustion engine having a spark plug mounted therein is measured by a pressure sensor (or a gasket type pressure sensor) mounted in the mounting seat of the spark plug. The measured information of the internal pressure for a period (or a before top dead center period) after an intake valve is closed and before the crank angle reaches top dead center is used as the before top dead center pressure information, and the measured information of the internal pressure for a period (or an after top dead center period) after the crank angle reaches the top dead center and before an exhaust valve is opened is used as the after top dead center pressure information.

Abstract: In an image signal encoding method for encoding an image signal using motion compensation, a motion vector is found by means of a block matching method, a first distortion SEmc of motion compensated prediction associated with the motion vector, and a second distortion SEnomc of prediction without motion compensation are detected, the motion vector is used for for inter-picture prediction encoding when SEnomc>SEmc+K, with K being a constant greater than 0, and a vector having a value zero is used, in place of the motion vector, for inter-picture prediction encoding when SEnomc≦SEmc+K. In another aspect, a speed of motion in a sequence of pictures is detected, and for a part of the sequence of pictures detected to contain a quick motion, the prediction encoding is performed using one-way prediction encoding, and for a part of the sequence of pictures without a quick motion, prediction encoding is performed using bi-directional prediction encoding.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel cell stack comprising fuel cell units and first and second separators which are alternately stacked with each other. Wedge members are integrally inserted, over the plurality of fuel cell units, into communication holes of a fuel gas supply passage, an oxygen-containing gas supply passage, and a cooling water supply passage, as well as a fuel gas discharge passage, an oxygen-containing gas discharge passage, and a cooling water discharge passage. A fluid is uniformly delivered to each of the fuel cell units by the aid of the wedge members. Accordingly, the fluid of any one of a fuel gas, an oxygen-containing gas, and a cooling medium is uniformly delivered to each of the fuel cell units. Further, it is possible to simplify the arrangement of the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A tube having a passage for passage of a temperature-regulating medium therethrough has a surface covered with an elastic insulating layer which is coated with an insulating lubricant. The tube is inserted in a through hole which is defined in a fuel cell stack in the direction in which generator cells are stacked.

Abstract: A pressure sensor-incorporating spark plug including a groove 17e for accommodating an output cable 27 formed on a side surface of a hexagonal portion 17a. A U-shaped member is bent into a tubular shape to obtain a fixing member 31. After the fixing member 31 and the output cable 27 passing through the fixing member 31 are placed in the groove 17e, the fixing member 31 is crimped in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 5(a), so that the fixing member 31 is deformed to fit the wall surface of the groove 17e. Thus, the output cable 27 is nipped by the fixing member 31, and the fixing member 31 is held within the groove 17e of the hexagonal portion 17a. As a result, the output cable 27 is fixed to the hexagonal portion 17a.

Abstract: A fuel cell system comprises a fuel cell stack including stacked power-generating cells, a cooling medium-circulating passage for supplying a cooling medium to the fuel cell stack in a circulating manner to cool the power-generating cells, and a heat exchange means arranged for the cooling medium-circulating passage, for performing a heat exchange treatment for the cooling medium used to cool the power-generating cells, wherein the operation temperature of the fuel cell stack is set to be within a range of 100° C. to 210° C. Accordingly, it is possible to improve durability of the fuel cell system in the high output operation and to easily miniaturize the fuel cell system.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack comprises a power-generating cell and a cooling cell which are stacked, an insulating means for electrically insulating the cooling medium supplied into the cooling cell from the power-generating cell, and a conducting means for electrically connecting the power-generating cells arranged with the cooling cell interposed therebetween to one another. Accordingly, the earth fault and the liquid junction, which would be otherwise caused by cooling medium, is reliably avoided with a simple structure, making it possible to maintain desired power generation performance.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack has a plurality of fuel cells, separators sandwiching each of the fuel cells, and first and second end plates disposed on respective opposite ends of the plurality of fuel cells. A fastening structure incorporated in the fuel cell stack has a liquid chamber disposed on an outer surface of the first end plate, a silicone oil filled in the liquid chamber, and a pressurizing mechanism disposed on an outer surface of the second end plate, for pressing the fuel cells toward the first end plate. The plurality of fuel cells is given a uniform surface pressure, and can be reduced in weight and made compact.

Abstract: A brake control apparatus for automotive vehicles is provided which has two separate hydraulic brake lines leading to wheel cylinders and performs a brake assisting operation to hold the wheel cylinder pressure higher than the master cylinder pressure in each of the hydraulic brake lines when a brake pedal is depressed by a vehicle operator. The brake control apparatus also includes a fluid pressure difference regulator which regulates a pressure difference between the two hydraulic brake lines so as to fall within a given allowable pressure range, thereby minimizing adverse effects on the brake assisting operation which are caused by electric and/or mechanical performance difference between the two hydraulic brake lines.

Abstract: In an image signal encoding method for encoding an image signal using motion compensation, a motion vector is found by means of a block matching method, a first distortion SEmc of motion compensated prediction associated with the motion vector, and a second distortion SEnomc of prediction without motion compensation are detected, the motion vector is used for for inter-picture prediction encoding when SEnomc>SEmc+K, with K being a constant greater than 0, and a vector having a value zero is used, in place of the motion vector, for inter-picture prediction encoding when SEnomc.ltoreq.SEmc+K. In another aspect, a speed of motion in a sequence of pictures is detected, and for a part of the sequence of pictures detected to contain a quick motion, the prediction encoding is performed using one-way prediction encoding, and for a part of the sequence of pictures without a quick motion, prediction encoding is performed using bi-directional prediction encoding.

Abstract: A mounting device of a lithoplate, having a head clamp and a tail clamp of a lithoplate provided at a cutout portion of a plate cylinder, includes a register pin fixed to a lower blade of the head such that it penetrates through and projects from an upper blade of the head clamp. A clamp provided to the mounting device of a lithoplate includes a clamp having a register pin at an upper surface of an upper blade of the clamp and a roller which can freely rotate is provided at the position of a plate cylinder side opposed to the register pin. The mounting device of a lithoplate also includes a device for covering at least a part of a lithoplate holding tail edge at a region between a tip of a vise at a tail side and a plate cylinder to which no pressure is applied.

Abstract: A spark plug includes a central electrode, an insulator exterior to the central electrode, a metallic shell exterior to the insulator and having the central electrode protrude from one end of the metallic shell, a ground electrode having one end coupled to the metallic shell and having another end facing the central electrode, and an igniting portion secured to either the central electrode or to the ground electrode or to both for forming a spark discharge gap, wherein the igniting portion comprises a chip including a metal-oxide composite material including at least 10 wt % of Ir, an alloy having at least one element selected from a group consisting of Rh, Mo, Nb and Pt in a total amount in a range of 0.5 to 88.4 wt %, and a rare earth oxide in an amount ranging from 1.6 to 15 wt %.