Abstract: An apparatus for machining a circumferential surface defining a cylindrical bore of a workpiece, the apparatus including a tool holder rotatable about a first rotation axis, and a form roller supported on the tool holder so as to be rotatable about a second rotation axis parallel to a central axis of the cylindrical bore of the workpiece. The form roller has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the cylindrical bore of the workpiece and is adapted for forming a plurality of microscopic recesses on the circumferential surface defining the cylindrical bore of the workpiece.

Abstract: A micro-concave portion machining method is provided for forming micro-concave portions on an inner circumferential surface of a cylindrical bore form in a workpiece. The micro-concave portion machining method includes performing mirror surface machining and subsequent plastic working on the inner circumferential surface. The plastic working on the inner circumferential surface forms a plurality of recesses with each of the recesses including a micro-concave portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming microscopic recesses on a circumferential surface that defines a cylindrical bore in a workpiece, including a tool holder rotatably about a rotation axis, a form roller support moveable in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the tool holder, a form roller rotatable about a rotation axis parallel to the rotation axis of the tool holder, and control means for controlling the form roller support such that the form roller is allowed to be in press contact with the circumferential surface of the cylindrical bore at a press contact load of a predetermined value on the basis of a centrifugal force which is exerted on the form roller support and the form roller during rotation of the tool holder.

Abstract: A micro-roll forming device for providing a cylindrical blank metal article with a minute convexoconcave bearing surface, comprises a powered article holding structure that, when energized, rotates the cylindrical blank metal article about its axis; a forming tool that includes a form roller with a corrugated circular ridge; a tool holding structure that holds the forming tool in such a manner that the corrugated circular ridge of the form roller is directed toward and in contact with an outer surface of the cylindrical blank metal article rotatably held by the article holding structure; a biasing member that is incorporated with the tool holding structure to press the form roller against the outer surface of the cylindrical blank metal article with a given pressing force; and a powered moving structure that, when energized, moves at least one of the article holding structure and the tool holding structure in such a manner that the selected one moves in both a first direction perpendicular to an axis of the u

Abstract: A high smoothness grinding process for obtaining a highly smooth surface of a metal material member. The process includes grinding an outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical or generally cylindrical metal material member by using a super abrasive grain grinding wheel in a condition in which a value [a peripheral speed of the grinding wheel/a peripheral speed of the metal material member] is not larger than 100, the grinding serving as a main grinding step.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming microscopic recesses on a circumferential surface that defines a cylindrical bore in a workpiece, the apparatus including a form roller, a form roller drive driving the form roller to rotate about a rotation axis in an axially offset position in which the rotation axis is offset from a central axis of the cylindrical bore, an axial drive causing a relative axial movement of the workpiece and the form roller drive along the central axis of the cylindrical bore, and a rotary drive driving at least one of the workpiece and the form roller drive to rotate about the central axis of the cylindrical bore while keeping an outer peripheral surface of the form roller pressing against the circumferential surface that defines a cylindrical bore.

Abstract: An apparatus for machining a circumferential surface defining a cylindrical bore of a workpiece, the apparatus including a tool holder rotatable about a first rotation axis, and a form roller supported on the tool holder so as to be rotatable about a second rotation axis parallel to a central axis of the cylindrical bore of the workpiece. The form roller has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the cylindrical bore of the workpiece and is adapted for forming a plurality of microscopic recesses on the circumferential surface defining the cylindrical bore of the workpiece.

Abstract: A high smoothness grinding process for obtaining a highly smooth surface of a metal material member. The process includes grinding an outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical or generally cylindrical metal material member by using a super abrasive grain grinding wheel in a condition in which a value [a peripheral speed of the grinding wheel/a peripheral speed of the metal material member] is not larger than 100, the grinding serving as a main grinding step.

Abstract: A micro-roll forming device for providing a cylindrical blank metal article with a minute convexoconcave bearing surface, comprises a powered article holding structure that, when energized, rotates the cylindrical blank metal article about its axis; a forming tool that includes a form roller with a corrugated circular ridge; a tool holding structure that holds the forming tool in such a manner that the corrugated circular ridge of the form roller is directed toward and in contact with an outer surface of the cylindrical blank metal article rotatably held by the article holding structure; a biasing member that is incorporated with the tool holding structure to press the form roller against the outer surface of the cylindrical blank metal article with a given pressing force; and a powered moving structure that, when energized, moves at least one of the article holding structure and the tool holding structure in such a manner that the selected one moves in both a first direction perpendicular to an axis of the u

Abstract: A method of forming a traction drive rolling element including: forming a preform having a working surface with an arcuate profile in section taken along a central axis; supporting the preform to be rotatable about the central axis; allowing a relative movement between the preform and a grooving tool for moving the grooving tool along the arcuate profile, simultaneously with rotating the preform about the central axis, to form microscopic recesses and projections alternately arranged in a direction perpendicular to the central axis along the arcuate profile; pressing a grindstone having a contact surface area of 25 mm2 or less, on the working surface; and allowing a relative movement between the preform and the grindstone for moving the grindstone along the arcuate profile simultaneously with rotating the preform while keeping pressing the grindstone on the working surface until a height of the microscopic projections becomes 3 ?m or less.

Abstract: A method of forming a traction drive rolling element including: forming a preform having a working surface with an arcuate profile in section taken along a central axis; supporting the preform to be rotatable about the central axis; allowing a relative movement between the preform and a grooving tool for moving the grooving tool along the arcuate profile, simultaneously with rotating the preform about the central axis, to form microscopic recesses and projections alternately arranged in a direction perpendicular to the central axis along the arcuate profile; pressing a grindstone having a contact surface area of 25 mm2 or less, on the working surface; and allowing a relative movement between the preform and the grindstone for moving the grindstone along the arcuate profile simultaneously with rotating the preform while keeping pressing the grindstone on the working surface until a height of the microscopic projections becomes 3 &mgr;m or less.

Abstract: For producing a toroidal disc for a traction drive device, the following steps are employed. First, a circular steel body is prepared which has been subjected to a carbonitriding hardening/tempering process. The steel body has a concentric toroidal surface which is formed with a plurality of fine recesses each having a depth of smaller than 3 &mgr;m. Then, the circular steel body is turned about a rotation axis thereof. Then, a ball member is pressed against the toroidal surface with a given pressing force. And then, the ball member is moved on a given angular range of the toroidal surface in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the circular steel body while being pressed against the toroidal surface with the given pressing force.

Abstract: In a catalyst body using a direct support, this invention provides a ceramic catalyst body capable of preventing degradation resulting from aggregation of catalyst components, excellent in low thermal capacity and low pressure loss and having excellent catalytic performance and high durability. Catalyst particles prepared by supporting a catalyst metal such as Pt on intermediate substrate particles and an assistant catalyst of a metal oxide such as CeO2 are directly supported on a ceramic support using cordierite, a part of constituent elements of which is replaced, as a substrate and capable of directly supporting the catalyst components on replacing elements so introduced. Even when the CeO2 particles having low bonding strength move, the catalyst metal such as Pt is prevented from moving and aggregating because it is bonded to the intermediate substrate particles, and catalyst performance can be maintained for a long time.

Abstract: The invention provides a gas concentration detection element that can prevent the drop of catalytic activity due to thermal aggregation of catalyst particles under high temperature conditions, can maintain a stable output for a long time and can be easily produced at a low production cost. A reference electrode 12 is formed on an inner surface of a cup-like oxygen ion conductive solid electrolyte 11 and a detection electrode 13 is formed on its outer surface to constitute a gas concentration detection element 1 for detecting a specific gas component in a measured gas. A catalyst layer 15 is constituted by directly supporting a catalyst component on ceramic support particles, such as particles of element-substituted cordierite, through a chemical bond so that both bonding strength and durability can be improved.

Abstract: An oxygen concentration detector comprises a solid electrolyte 21, a sensing element 2 which consists of the solid electrolyte 21 coated on the surface with an outer electrode 23, a heater 3 provided inside the solid electrolyte 21, and a protecting cover 16 which protects the sensing element 2. The protecting cover 16 has two levels of openings 161, 162, the outer electrode 23 is constructed within the range defined by the length of the heat-generating part 31 of the heater 3, and the relationship between the length L1 of the heat-generating part 31 and the distance between the openings L2 of the two levels of openings 161, 162 in the axial direction is such that L1/L2=0.9 to 1.3.

Abstract: An oxygen sensor element is inserted and fixed in a housing. A base body is provided at an end of the housing. The base body is made of a resin. The base body has a flange at an end. The housing has a caulking portion which is deformable when received a pressing force acting in a direction parallel to an axis of the oxygen sensor. By deforming the caulking portion, the flange is tightly connected with the caulking portion.

Abstract: An oxygen sensor 3 having a heater 2 capable of providing an improved temperature increasing characteristic, while maintaining an increased amount of introduced air and a high production efficiency. The sensor 3 includes a sensor element 1 having an air chamber 100 in which a heater 2 is arranged. The heater 2 has a rectangular cross sectional shape. In order to produce the heater 2, onto a green ceramic sheet, a heater of a predetermined pattern including a plurality of heater sections is printed. Then, to the printed sheet, different ceramic green sheets are applied so as to obtain a laminated body. The laminated body is subjected to a cutting so as to produce an intermediate body in which a heater section is included. The intermediate body is subjected to a firing to obtain a completed heater.

Abstract: A method for fixing a reagent layer directly onto a supporting base plate in the preparation of a dry analysis kit for determining a specific component in a liquid specimen wherein at least one of the reagent layer and the base plate is a thermoplastic resin, and which comprises the steps of:placing the reagent layer in contact with the base plate and externally applying ultrasonic vibration and pressure to the two layers to generate frictional heat thereby to melt the surface of the thermoplastic resin;applying pressure to make the molten surface of thermoplastic resin bite the non-thermoplastic material or to integrate the surfaces of thermoplastic layer and base plate; andremoving the ultrasonic vibration and pressure.

Abstract: A lead wire for a sensor has a conductor unit including at least stainless steel wires and copper wires. By setting the cross-sectional percentage of the stainless steel wires in the conductor unit within the range of 30 to 70%, it is possible to obtain a lead wire having low electrical resistance, and high flexibility, tensile strength and elasticity. There are preferred values in hardness and heat treatment of the stainless steel wires. The copper wires are preferably coated with an antioxidant film. The lead wire may include hybrid wires stranded together and obtained by integrally molding or forming stainless steel and copper. It is preferable that the lead wire is coated with an insulating coating material such as a Teflon type resin.

Abstract: A method for fixing a reagent layer directly onto a supporting base plate in the preparation of a dry analysis kit for determining a specific component in a liquid specimen wherein at least one of the reagent layer and the base plate is a thermoplastic resin, and which comprises the steps of:placing the reagent layer in contact with the base plate and externally applying ultrasonic vibration and pressure to the two layers to generate frictional heat thereby to melt the surface of the thermoplastic resin;applying pressure to make the molten surface of thermoplastic resin bite the non-thermoplastic material or to integrate the surfaces of thermoplastic layer and base plate; andremoving the ultrasonic vibration and pressure.