Abstract: A reduced size four-stroke engine and a working machine using the same are provided. A fuel tank is disposed in the space below a carburetor and an engine base is integrally formed with a fuel tank. By this means, the fuel tank is disposed in the space below the carburetor, and therefore the oil tank is not required to be disposed below the oil tank, so that it is possible to reduce the size.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus (EX) exposes a substrate (P) by projecting an image of a pattern on the substrate (P) via a projection optical system (PL) and a liquid (1). The exposure device (EX) has a liquid supply mechanism (10) which supplies the liquid (1) between the projection optical system (PL) and the substrate (P). The liquid feeding mechanism (10) stops the supply of the liquid (1) when abnormality is detected. This suppresses influence to devices and members in the periphery of the substrate caused by leakage of the liquid forming a liquid immersion area, thereby realizing satisfactory exposure processing.

Abstract: A piezo actuator drive circuit comprises a charging path for charging a piezo stack that can be driven by being charged and discharged, an arithmetic circuit for calculating the charging amount for the piezo stack, and a driving control circuit for comparing the calculated charging amount and a target charging amount and correcting the charging amount during the next charging process according to the difference between the compared charging amounts. A charging current flowing through the piezo stack and a charging voltage applied to it may be measured during a charging process. It is preferable that the calculated charging amount be the amount of energy that is the result of the time quadrature of the product of the measured current and voltage.

Abstract: A piezo actuator drive circuit comprises a charging path for charging a piezo stack that can be driven by being charged and discharged, an arithmetic circuit for calculating the charging amount for the piezo stack, and a driving control circuit for comparing the calculated charging amount and a target charging amount and correcting the charging amount during the next charging process according to the difference between the compared charging amounts. A charging current flowing through the piezo stack and a charging voltage applied to it may be measured during a charging process. It is preferable that the calculated charging amount be the amount of energy that is the result of the time quadrature of the product of the measured current and voltage.

Abstract: An apparatus for exposing a pattern, formed on a mask, on each of a plurality of partitioned areas on a photosensitive substrate by a step-and-repeat scheme includes a projection optical system for projecting the pattern of the mask on the photosensitive substrate, a substrate stage for holding the photosensitive substrate and two-dimensionally moving the photosensitive substrate within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the projection optical system, a detection unit for projecting a pattern image having a predetermined shape on the photosensitive substrate and photoelectrically detecting light reflected by the photosensitive substrate to detect a position at each of a plurality of points on the photosensitive substrate along the optical axis of the projection optical system, and a measurement unit for, when each of a plurality of measurement points in a partitioned area on which a pattern of the mask is to be exposed next coincides with or approaches the pattern image, detecting an offset amount b

Abstract: When only a selected area of a mask is being projected onto a photosensitive substrate, a permissible range of positions of the photosensitive substrate along the optical axis of a projection optical system is determined, based on the image curvature aberration and depth of focus of the projection optical system within a range corresponding to the selected area. Accordingly, the pattern in the selected area will be projected onto the photosensitive substrate in a properly focused imaging state. The photosensitive substrate is then positioned within the determined permissible range of positions along the optical axis, and the selected area of the mask is projection-exposed onto the photosensitive substrate.

Abstract: A permanent-wave treatment method which can give a permanent-wave comfortably without using a cap or a turban, and a treatment auxiliary agent used in this method. The permanent-wave treatment method comprises a winding step of applying permanent-wave treatment liquid to hair and winding the hair around rollers, and a liquid drop prevention step of sprinkling a powdery treatment auxiliary agent on the wound hair so as to prevent the permanent-wave treatment liquid from dropping. The treatment auxiliary agent comprises powder which adsorbs or partially dissolves in permanent-wave treatment liquid, and serves to increase the viscosity of the powder-sprinkled permanent-wave treatment liquid and prevent the permanent-wave treatment liquid from dropping.

Abstract: A target fuel injection timing of the fuel injection pump is calculated based on the operating conditions of a diesel engine (Steps 102; 302; 602), while an actual fuel injection timing is calculated based on crank angle signals (Steps 103; 303: 603). Then, a fuel injection timing error (Terr) is obtained based on a difference between the target fuel injection timing and the actual fuel injection timing (Steps 104; 304; 604). To adjust the actual fuel injection timing based on the error (Terr), a rotational position of a roller ring (10) is controlled through a timer piston (21) slidable and housed in a timer device (28) by a hydraulic pressure control valve (27) in response to a pulse actuating signal having a controllable duty ratio (DFIN).

Abstract: An injection timing control device for a fuel injection pump includes an oil-pressure control valve for controllably changing the fuel injection timing of the fuel injection pump. The oil-pressure control valve includes a valve cylinder having a valve seat. The valve seat has a first truncated-conical surface. The oil-pressure control valve further includes a valve needle slidably received in the valve cylinder and movable by a control unit. The valve needle has a second truncated-conical surface for engaging with the first truncated-conical surface to close the oil-pressure control valve and disengaging from the first truncated-conical surface to open the oil-pressure control valve. The first and second truncated-conical surfaces, when engaged, form a circular seal line on which the first and second truncated-conical surfaces abut each other. The circular seal line has a diameter which is substantially the same as a diameter of the valve needle.

Abstract: A common-rail fuel injection system for an engine includes a fuel injector having a nozzle hole. A common rail stores high-pressure fuel. The common rail is connected to the fuel injector to feed the high-pressure fuel thereto. A movable nozzle needle disposed in the fuel injector blocks and unblocks the nozzle hole in accordance with movement thereof. A back pressure control chamber defined in the fuel injector is connected to the common rail to receive the high-pressure fuel therefrom. The nozzle needle is urged in a direction of blocking the nozzle hole in response to a pressure in the back pressure control chamber. A fuel chamber defined in the fuel injector is connected to the common rail to receive the high-pressure fuel therefrom. The nozzle needle is urged in a direction of unblocking the nozzle hole in response to a pressure in the fuel chamber. A fuel-pressure-responsive 2-way valve controls the pressure in the back pressure control chamber.

Abstract: A solenoid valve provided with a relief passage by means of which a high-pressure side and a low-pressure side communicate with each other for use, for example, in combination with a fuel injection pump, comprises a valve element capable of being advanced into and retracted from the relief passage, a first compression spring for biasing the valve element in the retracting direction, an armature attached to the rear end of the valve element, an electromagnet for attracting the armature to disconnect the high-pressure side and the low-pressure side from each other by advancing the valve element into the relief passage against the resilience of the first compression coil spring, and a second compression coil spring for holding the armature in a predetermined position close to the electromagnet against the biasing force of the first compression coil spring when the electromagnet is demagnetized.

Abstract: In a projection exposure apparatus wherein a stage is moved in the direction of optic axis when a mask formed with a predetermined pattern is projected by a shutter onto a photosensitive substrate placed on the stage through a projection optical system, the operations of control means for the shutter and control means for the stage are interlocked with each other on the basis of the operational characteristic of the shutter and the operational characteristics (particularly the speed characteristic) of the stage so that the distribution of the existence probability with respect to movement of the photosensitive substrate from the opening operation starting point of time till the closing operation completing point of time of the shutter, with respect to the direction of the optic axis, may assume substantially equal maximum values at at least two locations in the direction of the optic axis.

Abstract: A fuel injector wherein a piston driven by the extension and contraction of a piezoelectric actuator changes the pressure of a working fluid in a variable pressure chamber and back pressure chamber so as to drive a needle valve to open and close a fuel injection hole, wherein undesirable secondary injection after a main injection in prevented by providing a throttle portion for narrowing the communicating passage between the variable pressure chamber and back pressure chamber when the piston moves forward and the needle valve closes the fuel injection hole.

Abstract: An apparatus for exposing a pattern, formed on a mask, on each of a plurality of partitioned areas on a photosensitive substrate by a step-and-repeat scheme includes a projection optical system for projecting the pattern of the mask on the photosensitive substrate, a substrate stage for holding the photosensitive substrate and two-dimensionally moving the photosensitive substrate within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the projection optical system, a detection unit for projecting a pattern image having a predetermined shape on the photosensitive substrate and photoelectrically detecting light reflected by the photosensitive substrate to detect a position at each of a plurality of points on the photosensitive substrate along the optical axis of the projection optical system, and a measurement unit for, when each of a plurality of measurement points in a partitioned area on which a pattern of the mask is to be exposed next coincides with or approaches the pattern image, detecting an offset amount b

Abstract: A fuel injection apparatus which, when raising fuel of a low viscosity and a low lubricating ability such as gasoline or methanol to a high pressure by a fuel injection pump and injecting it into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine etc., prevents the lubricating oil for the fuel injection pump from being diluted by this fuel by pressurizing a separate working oil with a viscosity and lubricating ability higher than the fuel by the fuel injection pump and raising the pressure of the fuel by a diaphragm apparatus by the pressure of the high pressure working oil and thereby supplies the same to the fuel injector.

Abstract: A fuel vapor purging system includes a container in which a set of divided chambers are formed by partition walls. Absorbent is disposed in the divided chambers. The divided chambers are sequentially connected to form a zigzag passage. Fuel vapor can enter the container from a fuel tank via a vapor line connecting the fuel tank and the container. In the container, an end of the vapor line faces the divided chamber which occupies an end of the set of the divided chambers. In the container, the fuel vapor is absorbed by the absorbent. Air can escape from the container via an opening in the container. The fuel vapor can be separated from the absorbent. The separated fuel vapor can be drawn into a suitable drawing device such as an engine air induction device via a purge line connecting the container and the drawing device. Fresh air can flow into the container via an air inlet provided on the container.

Abstract: A hydraulic valve drive device for intake/exhaust valves of an internal combustion engine using an oil pump similar to a distributor type injection pump. A plunger rotates and engages in reciprocating motion to pressurize hydraulic fluid taken into a pressure chamber and opens to discharge the same into a hydraulic cylinder of a specific intake/exhaust valve in register with the passage. The intake/exhaust valve maintains its valve lift to continue remaining open when the supply of the hydraulic fluid is stopped, but closes when the plunger rotates so that the passage is communicated with a relief channel and the relief valve opens.

Abstract: In a projection exposure apparatus wherein a stage is moved in the direction of optic axis when a mask formed with a predetermined pattern is projected by a shutter onto a photosensitive substrate placed on the stage through a projection optical system, the operations of control means for the shutter and control means for the stage are interlocked with each other on the basis of the operational characteristic of the shutter and the operational characteristics (particularly the speed characteristic) of the stage so that the distribution of the existence probability with respect to movement of the photosensitive substrate from the opening operation starting point of time till the closing operation completing point of time of the shutter, with respect to the direction of the optic axis, may assume substantially equal maximum values at at least two locations in the direction of the optic axis.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has an evaporated fuel purge system for directly feeding evaporated fuel of a fuel tank into an intake pipe of the engine during the engine is running. This system comprises a purge control valve for opening or closing a flow line which connects an upper space of the fuel tank with the intake pipe, a controller for controlling the operation of the valve, a throttle section formed in series with the purge control valve, and pressure and temperature sensors which are located on the upstream side of the throttle section for detecting a pressure and a temperature of the evaporated fuel. When a value detected by the pressure sensor exceeds a predetermined value of pressure for providing a critical pressure ratio at which a flow rate of the evaporated fuel at the throttle section substantially equals to a sonic velocity, the controller opens the purge control valve to cause a purged flow of the evaporated fuel whose flow rate is constant.

Abstract: An automobile ac generator system comprises a generator driven by the engine of the automobile, a system controller for converting the ac power generated by the generator to dc power, controlling the generator on the basis of the voltage of the converted dc power and converting the dc power to ac power of commercial line frequency, and a mode switch for selecting among control operating modes of the system controller.