Abstract: Methods for selective etching of one layer or material relative to another layer or material adjacent thereto. In an example, a SiGe layer is etched relative to or selective to another silicon containing layer which either contains no germanium or geranium in an amount less than that of the target layer.

Abstract: In an ignition apparatus, a deterioration determination circuit performs a deterioration determination task of (i) monitoring an absolute increase in a temperature parameter during a predetermined deterioration detection period that has been started since an energization command signal being inputted to a control circuit, and (ii) performing a comparison between the absolute increase in the temperature parameter and a predetermined deterioration detection threshold to thereby determine whether a level of deterioration of a switching circuit is within an acceptable level.

Abstract: An ignition device for an internal combustion engine includes a switching circuit and a control circuit. The control circuit monitors a voltage level inputted to a switching device which is installed in the switching circuit and connected to a primary winding of an ignition coil. The control circuit includes an overvoltage protection circuit which outputs an energization inhibit signal to inhibit energization of the switching device when the monitored voltage level is higher than an overvoltage threshold level. When the monitored voltage level exceeds the overvoltage threshold level in an output duration in which the energization control signal is outputted, the overvoltage protection circuit stops output of the energization inhibit signal until the output duration expires. This enables the switching device to be protected from damage and an ignition operation to be executed at a correct timing to eliminate a risk of damage to the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: An ignition control device includes an ignition coil, a main ignition circuit unit for performing a main ignition operation, and an energy input circuit unit for performing an energy input operation. A main ignition signal generation circuit generates a main ignition signal such that a point in time when a waiting time has passed from a detection start time of a first signal of an ignition control signal at which a signal level of the ignition control signal changed from a first level to a second level for the first time, and the signal level of the ignition control signal is the second level, is a start of the main ignition signal, and a detection end time of a second signal of the ignition control signal at which the signal level of the ignition control signal shifts to the first level thereafter is an end of the main ignition signal.

Abstract: An ignition device for an internal combustion engine includes a switching circuit and a control circuit. The control circuit monitors a voltage level inputted to a switching device which is installed in the switching circuit and connected to a primary winding of an ignition coil. The control circuit includes an overvoltage protection circuit which outputs an energization inhibit signal to inhibit energization of the switching device when the monitored voltage level is higher than an overvoltage threshold level. When the monitored voltage level exceeds the overvoltage threshold level in an output duration in which the energization control signal is outputted, the overvoltage protection circuit stops output of the energization inhibit signal until the output duration expires. This enables the switching device to be protected from damage and an ignition operation to be executed at a correct timing to eliminate a risk of damage to the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: An ignition control device includes an ignition coil, a main ignition circuit unit for performing a main ignition operation, and an energy input circuit unit for performing an energy input operation. A main ignition signal generation circuit generates a main ignition signal such that a point in time when a waiting time has passed from a detection start time of a first signal of an ignition control signal at which a signal level of the ignition control signal changed from a first level to a second level for the first time, and the signal level of the ignition control signal is the second level, is a start of the main ignition signal, and a detection end time of a second signal of the ignition control signal at which the signal level of the ignition control signal shifts to the first level thereafter is an end of the main ignition signal.

Abstract: In an ignition apparatus, a deterioration determination circuit performs a deterioration determination task of (i) monitoring an absolute increase in a temperature parameter during a predetermined deterioration detection period that has been started since an energization command signal being inputted to a control circuit, and (ii) performing a comparison between the absolute increase in the temperature parameter and a predetermined deterioration detection threshold to thereby determine whether a level of deterioration of a switching circuit is within an acceptable level.

Abstract: The vibration of a cab deck as well as the mass of a deck supporting member is suppressed. A slewing frame of an upper slewing body includes a front plate connected to a second side plate. A cab deck is disposed on a front side of an engine deck with a gap between the cab deck and the engine deck. A deck supporting member is connected to the second side plate and the cab deck. When viewed along an up-and-down direction, a connection portion of the front plate to be connected to the second side plate is opposed to, in the lateral direction via the second side plate, a connection portion of the deck supporting member to be connected to the second side plate.

Abstract: The vibration of a cab deck as well as the mass of a deck supporting member is suppressed. A slewing frame 10 of an upper slewing body 1 includes a front plate 17 connected to a second side plate 15B. A cab deck 30 is disposed on a front side X1 of an engine deck 20 with a gap S between the cab deck 30 and the engine deck 20. A deck supporting member 40 is connected to the second side plate 15B and the cab deck 30. When viewed along an up-and-down direction Z, a connection portion of the front plate 17 to be connected to the second side plate 15B is opposed to, in the lateral direction Y via the second side plate 15B, a connection portion of the deck supporting member 40 to be connected to the second side plate 15B.

Abstract: A switching element driving device includes: a drive circuit that is connected between an element driving power supply and a circuit ground and outputs a driving signal to a driving switching element; a capacitor that is connected between the circuit ground and a reference ground to which a potential reference side conduction terminal of the driving switching element is connected; and a regulator that charges and discharges so that the capacitor has a predetermined terminal voltage. The regulator discharges the capacitor when the terminal voltage exceeds an upper limit value, and charges the capacitor when the terminal voltage falls below a lower limit value.

Abstract: A switching element driving device includes: a drive circuit that is connected between an element driving power supply and a circuit ground and outputs a driving signal to a driving switching element; a capacitor that is connected between the circuit ground and a reference ground to which a potential reference side conduction terminal of the driving switching element is connected; and a regulator that charges and discharges so that the capacitor has a predetermined terminal voltage. The regulator discharges the capacitor when the terminal voltage exceeds an upper limit value, and charges the capacitor when the terminal voltage falls below a lower limit value.