Abstract: An electrically-heated catalyst is disclosed. The catalyst may include a carrier; more than two comb-shaped electrode portions extending in a longitudinal direction; an electrically conductive underlying layer provided between the carrier and the comb-shaped electrode portions; and more than two electrically conductive fixing layers bonding to at least one of the comb-shaped electrode portions and to the underlying layer to fix the comb-shaped electrode portions to the carrier at more than two points spaced apart.

Abstract: A turbocharger includes: a turbine wheel that is driven by exhaust gas from an engine and supported rotatably by a predetermined rotary shaft; and a turbine housing that forms an exhaust gas passage that leads the exhaust gas to the turbine wheel, wherein the turbine housing includes a housing main body constituted by a plate-form member and a reinforcement member that forms the exhaust gas passage together with the housing main body and reinforces the housing main body, the reinforcement member includes a pair of annular portions having a substantially annular shape and provided about an axial center of the rotary shaft at an interval in an axial direction of the rotary shaft, and a connecting portion that connects the pair of annular portions, and the pair of annular portions and the connecting portion are molded integrally by implementing deformation processing on the plate-form member.

Abstract: A turbocharger with a rotating electric machine includes a turbine rotor which constitutes a portion of a rotating member of the turbocharger; a compressor impeller which constitutes a portion of the rotating member of the turbocharger; a rotating electric machine which includes a stator and a rotor that constitutes a portion of the rotating member of the turbocharger; a shaft which supports the turbine rotor at one end and the compressor impeller at the other end, and which supports the rotor of the rotating electric machine at an intermediate portion; bearings each of which has an inner race and an outer race, and one of which supports the shaft at a portion between the one end and the intermediate portion, and the other of which supports the shaft at a portion between the other end and the intermediate portion; and a cylindrical member which encases the rotor of the rotating electric machine at a center portion and which contacts the inner race of one of the two bearings at one end portion and the inner ra

Abstract: A turbocharger with a rotating electric machine includes a turbine rotor which constitutes a portion of a rotating member of the turbocharger; a compressor impeller which constitutes a portion of the rotating member of the turbocharger; a rotating electric machine which includes a stator and a rotor that constitutes a portion of the rotating member of the turbocharger; a shaft which supports the turbine rotor at one end and the compressor impeller at the other end, and which supports the rotor of the rotating electric machine at an intermediate portion; bearings each of which has an inner race and an outer race, and one of which supports the shaft at a portion between the one end and the intermediate portion, and the other of which supports the shaft at a portion between the other end and the intermediate portion; and a cylindrical member which encases the rotor of the rotating electric machine at a center portion and which contacts the inner race of one of the two bearings at one end portion and the inner ra

Abstract: A turbocharger with a rotating electric machine includes a turbine rotor which constitutes a portion of a rotating member of the turbocharger; a compressor impeller which constitutes a portion of the rotating member of the turbocharger; a rotating electric machine which includes a stator and a rotor that constitutes a portion of the rotating member of the turbocharger; a shaft which supports the turbine rotor at one end and the compressor impeller at the other end, and which supports the rotor of the rotating electric machine at an intermediate portion; bearings each of which has an inner race and an outer race, and one of which supports the shaft at a portion between the one end and the intermediate portion, and the other of which supports the shaft at a portion between the other end and the intermediate portion; and a cylindrical member which encases the rotor of the rotating electric machine at a center portion and which contacts the inner race of one of the two bearings at one end portion and the inner ra

Abstract: A turbocharger with a rotating electric machine includes a turbine rotor which constitutes a portion of a rotating member of the turbocharger; a compressor impeller which constitutes a portion of the rotating member of the turbocharger; a rotating electric machine which includes a stator and a rotor that constitutes a portion of the rotating member of the turbocharger; a shaft which supports the turbine rotor at one end and the compressor impeller at the other end, and which supports the rotor of the rotating electric machine at an intermediate portion; bearings each of which has an inner race and an outer race, and one of which supports the shaft at a portion between the one end and the intermediate portion, and the other of which supports the shaft at a portion between the other end and the intermediate portion; and a cylindrical member which encases the rotor of the rotating electric machine at a center portion and which contacts the inner race of one of the two bearings at one end portion and the inner ra

Abstract: The valve driving apparatus of an internal combustion engine includes a valve element functioning as an intake valve or an exhaust valve of the internal combustion engine, an electromagnetic actuator for driving the valve element, an actuator body having a plurality of electromagnetic actuators mounted thereto, and wiring for supplying electric power to each of the electromagnetic actuators. The actuator body has a flow path for allowing a cooling medium to flow therethrough. The wiring is provided near the flow path of the actuator body. This structure enables a reduction in space for power distribution while minimizing overheating of the wires.

Abstract: The valve driving apparatus of an internal combustion engine includes a valve element functioning as an intake valve or an exhaust valve of the internal combustion engine, an electromagnetic actuator for driving the valve element, an actuator body having a plurality of electromagnetic actuators mounted thereto, and wiring for supplying electric power to each of the electromagnetic actuators. The actuator body has a flow path for allowing a cooling medium to flow therethrough. The wiring is provided near the flow path of the actuator body. This structure enables a reduction in space for power distribution while minimizing overheating of the wires.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator includes a pair of core assemblies and a spacer. An armature is provided between the pair of core assemblies. The spacer is molded to be integral with a coil provided in electromagnets of the core assemblies. The spacer is located between the electromagnets. A relative position of the pair of electromagnets with respect to each other can be determined by the size of the spacer. A space that allows the armature to reciprocate is securely defined by the spacer located between the core assemblies.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control apparatus for controlling a solenoid valve that functions to displace one of an intake valve or an exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine. The object of the invention is to adjust, when a valve element connected to the solenoid valve is displaced between a valve-open position and a valve-closed position, the magnitude of an electromagnetic force displacing the valve element, to a controlled value based on a pressure acting on the valve element. The solenoid valve displaces the valve element (40) by a cooperation of resilient forces of an upper spring (104) and a lower spring (106) and electromagnetic forces of an upper coil (98) and a lower coil (100). In the control apparatus, a pressure acting on the valve element (40) is detected directly or indirectly.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine having a plurality of electromagnetically driven valves for each cylinder, when an required EGR amount Er is relatively small during an exhaust gas recirculation performed independently of the exhaust stroke, a first exhaust gas recirculation mode is entered by driving only a first exhaust valve of each cylinder. An open valve duration Td1 for achieving the required EGR amount Er in a one-valve drive manner is longer than a corresponding open valve duration in a two-valve drive manner. Therefore, even if the required EGR amount Er is small, a “one-valve drive in pattern 1” mode can be achieved provided that Td1>a. That is, the incidence of performing the control in pattern 2, which allows only a narrow range of control, can be reduced. Hence, degradation of controllability can be prevented even if the required EGR amount Er is small.

Abstract: A valve driving apparatus for driving an exhaust valve, using electromagnetic force provided in an internal combustion engine, the exhaust valve being movable between an open position and a closed position. An armature is coupled with the exhaust valve. An em coil generates an em force exerted on the armature. A valve spring generates a force exerted on the exhaust valve. A controller changes a normal state of movement of the exhaust valve to a state of movement that prevents the armature from bouncing off the em coil at the open position when combustion is suspended in the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuating system having a valve member is provided. This system can improve a response of movement of the valve member while reducing power consumption of the system. The electromagnetic actuating system includes an armature which moves with the valve member, an electromagnet which attracts the armature in a direction of movement of the valve member by being supplied with a current, and a spring which presses the armature away from the electromagnet. A permanent magnet which can exert a magnetic attracting force between the armature and the electromagnet is provided. A current controller supplies a release current to the electromagnet so that magnetic flux is generated in a direction opposite to a direction of magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnet when the armature is released from the electromagnet.

Abstract: The present invention offers a valve driving apparatus provided in an internal combustion engine. The valve driving apparatus drives an exhaust valve by using electromagnetic force. The exhaust valve is movable between an open position and a closed position. The valve driving apparatus includes an armature coupled with the exhaust valve, an electromagnetic coil for generating an electromagnetic force exerted on the exhaust valve, and a control means for controlling the electromagnetic force applied to the armature in the direction of the closed position of the exhaust valve when the exhaust valve is moving to the open position, in the fuel injection cut control, that is, combustion is suspended in the internal combustion engine. The present invention also offers a method for driving the exhaust valve, which comprises the steps of driving the electric current through the electromagnetic coil, biasing the armature and controlling the electromagnetic force applied to the armature.

Abstract: A valve driving apparatus for driving an intake and an exhaust valve uses electromagnetic force and is provided in an internal combustion engine. Each intake and exhaust valve is movable between an open position and a closed position. The valve driving apparatus includes an intake armature coupled with the intake valve, an exhaust armature coupled with the exhaust valve, an intake valve opening spring for generating a force exerted on the intake valve in the direction of the open position of the intake valve, an intake valve closing spring for generating a force exerted on the intake valve in the direction of the closed position of the intake valve, an exhaust valve opening spring for generating a force exerted on the exhaust valve in the direction of the open position of the exhaust valve, and an exhaust valve closing spring for generating a force exerted on the exhaust valve in the direction of the closed position of the exhaust valve.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a solenoid-operated valve that functions as an intake or exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine includes a lower spring biasing a valve body of the valve in a valve closing direction and upper and lower coils disposed above and below an armature for generating electromagnetic forces to move the valve body in the valve closing and valve opening directions. After a request for closing of the valve body is made, command currents are supplied to the upper and lower coils in suitable timing to increase the speed at which the valve body is seated against a valve seat. As the valve body rotates about its axis due to the action of the lower spring in the course of moving toward the valve seat, it is possible to crush and remove carbon between the valve body and the valve seat without causing local wear of the valve body.

Abstract: The present invention offers a valve driving apparatus provided in an internal combustion engine. The valve driving apparatus drives an exhaust valve by using electromagnetic force. The exhaust valve is movable between an open position and a closed position. The valve driving apparatus includes an armature coupled with the exhaust valve, an electromagnetic coil for generating an electromagnetic force exerted on the exhaust valve, and a control means for controlling the electromagnetic force applied to the armature in the direction of the closed position of the exhaust valve when the exhaust valve is moving to the open position, in the fuel injection cut control, that is, combustion is suspended in the internal combustion engine. The present invention also offers a method for driving the exhaust valve, which comprises the steps of driving the electric current through the electromagnetic coil, biasing the armature and controlling the electromagnetic force applied to the armature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electromagnetically driven valve suited for use in an internal combustion engine and aims at achieving appropriate operating characteristics in accordance with operating conditions of the internal combustion engine at the time of opening or closing a valve body. An armature moving together with the valve body is provided and upper and lower cores are disposed on opposed sides of the armature. The upper core and the lower core accommodate upper and lower coils, respectively. An annular protrusion, formed not on the upper core but on the lower core only, has an inner diameter slightly larger than an outer diameter of the armature.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuating system of an internal combustion engine is provided. The system can hold an armature in a fully closed position or a fully opened position when the engine is started while obviating a necessity of the initial actuation and effectively reducing power consumption of the system. The system includes an engine valve which functions as an intake valve or an exhaust valve of the internal combustion engine, an armature which moves with the engine valve, an electromagnet which attracts the armature in a direction of movement of the engine valve by being supplied with a current and a spring which presses the armature away from the electromagnet. A permanent magnet, which can exert a magnetic attracting force between the armature and the electromagnet, is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electromagnetically driven valve suited for use in an internal combustion engine and aims at achieving appropriate operating characteristics in accordance with operating conditions of the internal combustion engine at the time of opening or closing a valve body. An armature moving together with the valve body is provided and upper and lower cores are disposed on opposed sides of the armature. The upper core and the lower core accommodate upper and lower coils, respectively. An annular protrusion, formed not on the upper core but on the lower core only, has an inner diameter slightly larger than an outer diameter of the armature.