Abstract: A navigation apparatus mounted on a vehicle comprises a distance sensor sensing the travelled distance of the vehicle, a direction sensor sensing the advancing direction of the vehicle, an information storage unit storing map data, a signal processor computing the present position of the vehicle on the basis of the output signals from the distance sensor and direction sensor for displaying the computed present position of the vehicle on a color cathode-ray tube together with a map read out from the information storage unit. In the navigation apparatus, the map data are provided by position coordinate information or font information of division points dividing a road map into sections that can be linearly interpolated.

Abstract: A water-absorptive contact lens made of a copolymer consisting essentially of:(a) from about 50 to about 95 parts, by weight of the total monomer units, of hydrophilic monomer units consisting essentially of from about 25 to 100 parts, by weight of the total hydrophilic monomer units, of N-methyl-3-methylene-2-pyrrolidone represented by the formula: ##STR1## and from 0 to about 75 parts, by weight of the total hydrophilic monomer units, of N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone; and(b) from about 5 to about 50 parts, by weight of the total monomer units, of reinforcing monomer units consisting essentially of at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of alkyl acrylates, alkyl methacrylates, styrene, alkyl styrenes, benzyl acrylate and benzyl methacrylate.

Abstract: A copolymer comprising,(a) a hydrophilic siloxanylalkyl ester having a structure in which a siloxane part (1) having a terminal acryloyl or methacryloyl group and a siloxane part (2) having a terminal hydrophilic group are bonded through an alkylene chain with each other,(b) a hydrophilic monomer, and(c) a hydrophobic monomeris suitable for use in the production of a soft contact lens having a high oxygen permeability and an excellent affinity for the eye tissue which can be worn continuously for a long period of time.

Abstract: A system for supplying power to automotive parts having a rotary component in which a pair of circular coils are disposed in opposition to each other around a rotary shaft of a rotor. One coil is fixed on rotor side, and the other coil is fixed on stator side, thereby forming a DC/DC converter. The rate of magnetic coupling between the coils is constant against the rotation of the coil on rotor side so that stable power is supplied efficiently to devices on rotor side in contactless fashion.

Abstract: A microwave alcohol fuel sensor comprises a microwave oscillator, a microwave receiver, and a microwave transmission circuit connected to the oscillator and the receiver. The microwave transmission circuit comprises a dielectric substrate and, a strip line mounted on the substrate so that microwaves leak from the substrate to an alcohol gasoline fuel, and the microwaves attenuate by alcohol dielectric loss, whereby output voltage from the receiver corresponds to alcohol content rate. The dielectric substrate is formed tubular so that a constant amount of the fuel is fed the sensor.

Abstract: An automobile air conditioner has a refrigeration cycle composed of a compressor, condenser, liquid tank, orifice means and an evaporator, as well as mechanical parts such as a radiator and radiator fan associated with the condenser and a blower combined with the evaporator. The compressor is operatively connected to the automobile engine through a connecting means so as to be driven by the engine selectively in accordance with the temperature in the passenger's compartment. According to the invention, the compressor is driven when the automobile is being braked, even if the temperature in the compartment is lower than a set temperature, to make an efficient use of the kinetic energy possessed by the mass of the automobile. The cold energy generated during braking is suitably stored and is released into the passenger's compartment as desired.

Abstract: A skid control device employs a wheel speed sensor and the control circuit which includes a microcomputer. The microcomputer computes wheel speed on the basis of a pulse signal derived from the wheel speed sensor and delivers a break releasing signal when the wheels slip. A brake control apparatus for controlling the pressure of oil for applying the brakes to the wheels responds to the outputs of the microcomputer. The microcomputer contains a free-running counter which counts clock pulses and a memory containing a sequence of storage locations. This sequence of storage locations stores count values of the free-running counter. A pulse signal from the wheel speed sensor is employed to produce an interrupt request for the microcomputer. The contents of successively adjacent locations in memory are employed by the microcomputer for carrying out the necessary calculations and computing wheel speed.

Abstract: An automatic air-conditioning apparatus, especially suitable for air-conditioning of an automotive vehicle, comprises a microcomputer controlling the air-conditioning operation and a temperature display element selectively displaying an internal air temperature of the vehicle compartment sensed by an air temperature sensor and a temperature setting set by a temperature setting unit. The temperature display element displays normally the internal air temperature but displays the temperature setting for a predetermined period of time only when the temperature setting unit is manipulated. In the main control flow including the steps of air-conditioning control and temperature display stored in the microcomputer, an interrupt routine is periodically run for the purpose of analog data processing requiring a relatively long period of time, so that the microcomputer can efficiently carry out other controls.

Abstract: The control circuit comprises a memory circuit and a calculation circuit. The control circuit derives wheel speed from a detector, and delivers a brake release signal and a braking signal to a hydraulic brake system of a vehicle after the occurrence of a skid. A memory circuit beforehand memorizes optimum control patterns shown by the function of time and vehicle velocity corresponding to slip rate between wheel and road surfaces. A calculation circuit determines a slip rate by referring to wheel speed, and selects an optimum control pattern corresponding to the calculated slip rate from the memory circuit. Then, the calculation circuit controls the hydraulic brake system in accordance with the selected optimum pattern. When the slip rate becomes 50% after the panic braking, the calculation circuit releases the oil pressure of the hydraulic brake system and, when the slip rate becomes 20% after the panic braking, the calculation circuit outputs the braking signal to the hyraulic brake system.

Abstract: At least one smoothing reactor is connected to the positive terminal of a DC source. A first interphase reactor has its one end connected to the other end of the smoothing reactor. A second interphase reactor is connected to the negative terminal of the DC source. Each of the first and second interphase reactors has first and second terminals at the other end thereof. Connected between the first terminals of the first and second interphase reactors is a first inverter comprising three main valves on each side of the positive and negative terminals, i.e., a total of six main valves each having a control gate and forming a first three-phase bridge. Also connected between the second terminals of the first and second interphase reactors is a second inverter comprising three main valves arranged on each side of the positive and negative terminals, i.e., a total of six main valves each having a control gate and forming a second three-phase bridge.

Abstract: Method for controlling an automatic pipe welder is disclosed. In the automatic welder which requires remote control, welding conditions for butt welding pipes are stored and an actual joint geometry or groove shape is sensed. From signals relating to the stored welding conditions and the sensed groove shape, a control command signal in actual welding is produced to effect welding under an optimum condition. On the other hand, an arc condition at an actual welding point and a melting condition of a metal are monitored and displayed to modify the welding conditions in accordance with the monitored condition to control the automatic pipe welder.

Abstract: An electromobile equipped with an automatic transmission which may detect a running condition of a vehicle and selects a gear ratio suited for the running condition. In this electromobile, a build-up characteristic of an electric motor current immediately after gear-change is improved, thereby minimizing delay in power transmission so as to shorten a gear-changing duration, in an attempt to improve an operational feeding of a driver at the time of gear change.

Abstract: A direct current motor control device for use in battery automobiles comprises a direct current motor to be driven by a plurality of battery groups each battery group delivering an equal voltage. The device comprises a battery change-over thyristor circuit inclusive of a chopper circuit and can control the voltage applied to the motor by means of the chopping operation of the chopping circuit and the series-parallel change-over operation for the battery groups. The series-parallel change-over operation of the battery groups is automatically effected in response to the signal for controlling the control signal of time ratio for the chopper circuit.

Abstract: An electric auto power supply has an energy battery which is capable of discharging a current for a comparatively long period of time and high in energy density, and a power battery which is capable of discharging a current of a comparatively high amperage and high in power density. The energy battery and the power battery are connected respectively by way of switching means in parallel relation to each other, so as to be used as a power source of an electromobile. The current discharged from these batteries is controlled, such that a current required for the travelling of the electromobile, which is dependent upon the travelling conditions thereof, is supplied simultaneously from both batteries, or separately from individual batteries, or otherwise only from one battery, while a current is being charged to the other battery, thus extending the possible mileage range of the electromobile.

Abstract: In a control system of an electric motor for driving an electric motor car of the type wherein the current supplied from a pair of batteries to the motor is controlled by a thyristor chopper, the series and parallel connections of the batteries is switched by switching means including a first thyristor connected between the batteries, a second thyristor for interconnecting the positive terminals of the batteries, and a third thyristor for interconnecting the negative terminals of the batteries. The current flowing through a powering thyristor is commutated by a commutation circuit connected across the powering thyristor and including a capacitor, a reactor and a braking thyristor.