Abstract: An air-fuel ratio control system for an internal combustion engine detects a central value of an output from a first exhaust gas component concentration sensor arranged in an exhaust passage at a location upstream of a catalytic converter and having an output characteristic which is substantially proportional to the concentration of a component in the exhaust gases. The central value is corrected based on the output from the first exhaust gas component concentration sensor, when an output from a second exhaust gas concentration sensor arranged downstream of the catalytic converter falls within a predetermined range. The output from the first exhaust gas component concentration sensor is corrected based on the corrected central value. An air-fuel ratio of a mixture supplied to the engine is corrected based on the corrected output value from the first exhaust gas component concentration sensor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a diagnostic system for an internal combustion engine which detects abnormalities of input/output objects used in controlling operation of the engine when the engine is in respective predetermined operating conditions, and carries out respective predetermined fail-safe actions when abnormalities of the input/output are detected. When an abnormality of the input/output objects was detected on the last occasion and has also been detected on the present occasion, and at the same time it is determined that a change in the operating environment of the engine has occurred between when the abnormality was detected on the last occasion and when it has been determined on the present occasion, occurrence of the abnormality is finally determined.

Abstract: An air freshening device employing a forced air means to diffuse air freshening material housed in the device throughout an enclosed area thereby allowing continuous freshening of the air in said enclosed area. The device is adapted to cover a heating or air conditioning vent, and may comprise either a box-like housing with adjustable front openings (FIG. 1), or a cylindrical housing (FIGS. 2 or 3) having a rotatable container therein holding an air freshening material, with cooperating adjustable slots.

Abstract: A method of detecting deterioration of a three-way catalyst of an internal combustion engine comprises the steps of (1) obtaining a first signal and a second signal based on respective signals outputted from a pre-catalyst O.sub.2 sensor and a post-catalyst O.sub.2 sensor at least one of when the fuel supply to the engine is increased and when the fuel supply to the engine is interrupted, (2) comparing a waveform of a signal outputted from the pre-catalyst O.sub.2 sensor with a waveform of a signal outputted from the post-catalyst O.sub.2 sensor, based on the first and second signals while the engine is in a predetermined stable operating condition, and (3) determining from results of the comparison whether or not the three-way catalyst is deteriorated.

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio control system for an internal combustion engine having a catalytic converter arranged in the exhaust system, and an air-fuel ratio sensor arranged upstream of the catalytic converter calculates an air-fuel ratio correction amount by means of proportional control and integral control based on an output from the air-fuel ratio sensor, and controls an air-fuel ratio of a mixture supplied to the engine, based on the air-fuel ratio correction amount. A control frequency at which the air-fuel ratio control is carried out is increased when deterioration of the catalytic converter is detected.

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio control system for an internal combustion engine having a catalytic converter arranged in the exhaust system, a first air-fuel ratio sensor arranged upstream of the catalytic converter, and a second air-fuel ratio sensor arranged downstream of the catalytic converter, calculates an air-fuel ratio control variable, based on an output from the second air-fuel ratio sensor. An air-fuel ratio correction amount is calculated based on an output from the first air-fuel ratio sensor and the air-fuel ratio control variable. The air-fuel ratio of a mixture supplied to the engine is controlled based on the air-fuel ratio correction amount. The air-fuel ratio control variable is corrected in the rich direction such that the air-fuel ratio of the mixture supplied to the engine becomes richer, when deterioration of the catalytic converter is detected.

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio control system for an internal combustion engine having a first and second groups of cylinders and first and second catalytic converters arranged respectively in first and second exhaust systems extending from the respective cylinder groups, includes first and second upstream oxygen sensors upstream of the catalytic converters, and a single downstream oxygen sensor downstream of the catalytic converters. The air-fuel ratios of air-fuel mixtures supplied into the first and second cylinder groups are controlled by the use of first and second air-fuel ratio control amounts based on outputs from the respective first and second upstream oxygen sensors and the downstream oxygen sensor, when the engine is in a predetermined operating condition.

Abstract: A device for detecting deterioration of a catalyst temperature sensor which detects the temperature of a three-way catalyst arranged in the exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine, judges that the sensor has deteriorated when the difference between the actual output value from the catalyst temperature sensor and a reference value based on predetermined engine operating parameters exceeds a predetermined value while the engine is in a predetermined operating condition.

Abstract: A shaver stand which has a stepped configuration, with each step having a shallow recess for receiving the end of the handle of a razor. An elongated wire mesh structure is disposed above and parallel to the steps, for holding an intermediate part of each razor handle in place. From the top plan view the stand is V-shaped, having a wire front cross member joining the two sets of steps, the cross member having a portion for holding the shaver currently being used.

Abstract: An evaporative fuel emission control system for an internal combustion engine has a canister connected to a fuel tank of the engine. The canister temporarily stores evaporative fuel generated from the fuel tank. The evaporative emission control system also includes a purging passage connecting the canister and a portion of an intake passage at a location downstream of a throttle valve arranged in the intake passage. An amount of evaporative fuel is increased which is generated from the fuel tank. In a preferred form, the system includes a second fuel tank arranged between the first-mentioned fuel tank and the canister. Evaporative fuel is increased by evaporating fuel in the second fuel tank.

Abstract: An evaporative emission control system for an internal combustion engine controls purging of evaporative fuel into the intake pipe of the engine. A first control valve is arranged in a communication passage communicating between a charcoal canister and the intake pipe, for supplying the evaporative fuel to the engine at a flow rate dependent on load on the engine. A second control valve is arranged in a bypass passage bypassing the first control valve for supplying the evaporative fuel to the engine at a predetermined flow rate. When a temperature of the engine is below a predetermined value, the first control valve is closed and at the same time the second control valve is made open, to thereby supply the evaporative fuel to the engine at the predetermined i.e. small flow rate. For a predetermined time period after the engine has been warmed up, the first and second control valves are controlled in the same manner. When the engine is idling as well, the same control of the two valves is carried out.

Abstract: A transformer and associated rectifier for supplying low voltage (e.g. 5 volts), high current (e.g. 1,500 amperes) power to a load such as a supercomputer, with a high electrical conversion efficiency and a high volumetric efficiency. The primary winding comprises a number of disc-shaped coils which are spaced apart from each other by coaxial single turn secondary coil elements which are interleaved between the primary coils. A core having E-shaped parts has an inner portion extending through the primary and secondary coils and an outer portion forming two windows with the inner portion, so that the coils extend through the windows. A rectifier assembly is mounted directly to plates which support and act as terminals to the secondary coils.

Abstract: An attachment for a weight stack type exercise machine to pull the weight stack down while it is being lowered, so that the eccentric exercise force required to lower the stack is greater than the concentric exercise force required to raise it. Such asymmetric exercise forces more closely match muscle strengths, which are normally greater for eccentric exercise than for concentric exercise. The attachment has an electric motor and a control unit including a keypad, a display and a microcontroller. The motor is coupled to the weight stack by an eccentric force control cable. The keypad allows the user to select the amount of force added during the eccentric phase of exercise, when the weight stack is moving down and part of a lifting cable connected to a handle or engageable member on the weight stack type machine is moving in. A sensor enables the controller to determine whether the weight stack is moving up or down.

Abstract: A transducer for inline process control of highly viscous fluids at high pressure and high temperature having a torsionally oscillating sensor tip supported by a pressure resistant threaded body portion. The sensor tip, which includes a thermocouple to measure fluid temperature, is driven by a crossarm which oscillates with a constant angular amplitude, the power required to maintain that amplitude despite the viscous resistance offered by the fluid being a measure of the viscosity-density product of the fluid. The crossarm driver and detector electromagnetic coils are oriented at right angles to each other to reduce crosstalk and transducer housing diameter. The associated electronic control unit includes means to compensate for the effects of fluid flow rate and fluid pressure which were found to be encountered with the vibratory viscometer method of measurement when inline measurements are made on high viscosity fluids.

Abstract: A motor-driven treadmill includes a stationary ultrasonic range finder which continuously measures the distance to the torso of a person walking or running on the moving tread of the treadmill. When the person approaches too closely to the front of the treadmill, the treadmill speed and/or the treadmill slope are increased; and when the person retreats too far away from the front of the treadmill, the treadmill speed and/or the treadmill slope are decreased. The response of the treadmill speed and/or slope control system may be improved by making the controller responsive to the rate of change of the distance between the person using the treadmill and the front of the treadmill, so as to provide anticipation of the distances which will be traversed by the user of the treadmill.

Abstract: A method of controlling supercharging pressure in an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The supercharging pressure is controlled based on a basic control amount determined in dependence on operating conditions of the engine. When the transmission is in a lower speed position, the basic control amount is corrected so that the supercharging pressure is lower than a value assumed when the transmission is in a higher speed position. When the engine is in a feedback control mode, the basic control amount is corrected in response to the difference between the actual supercharging pressure and a desired value of the same. The desired value of the supercharging pressure is set lower when the transmission is in the lower speed position than a value assumed when the transmission is in a higher speed position.

Abstract: An evaporative fuel-purging control system for an internal combustion engine having a canister in which evaporative fuel from a fuel tank is absorped. Purge control valves are arranged between the canister and the intake system of the engine for controlling the flow rate of evaporative fuel supplied from the canister to the intake system. An ECU is responsive to an output from an exhaust gas ingredient concentration sensor arranged in the exhaust system of the engine for calculating an air-fuel ratio correction coefficient, based upon the output from the exhaust gas ingredient concentration sensor and controlling the air-fuel ratio of a mixture supplied to the engine by the use of the air-fuel ratio correction coefficient. The ECU calculates an average value of the air-fuel ratio correction coefficient, and is responsive to the calculated average value for controlling the purge control valves.

Abstract: A device for rapidly wrapping a bundle of newspapers or magazines to be recycled, consisting of a fiberboard plate having a hole with a string-receiving slit through its major surfaces, and arcuate recesses on opposite edges of the plate, each recess having a string-receiving slit. A string is looped through the hole and around an adjacent edge of the plate, and tied near one end of the string. To wrap the bundle, the other end of the string is passed around the bundle and through the hole, wedged into the corresponding slit, and then passed by each arcuate recess and wedged into each of the corresponding slits.

Abstract: A system for detecting deterioration of a three-way catalyst of an internal combustion engine. Cutting-off of the fuel supply to the engine is started when the engine is decelerated with the throttle valve substantially fully closed, and the fuel supply to the engine is resumed when the rotational speed of the engine has become lower than a predetermined value. Time is measured which output from the air-fuel ratio sensor has required to reach a predetermined reference value after the resumption of the fuel supply to the engine. It is determined that the three-way catalyst is deteriorated when the time measured is shorter than a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A driving circuit for driving a stepping motor has a plurality of excitation coils, a plurality of excitation transistors for driving the excitation coils of the stepping motor, respectively, and at least one chopping transistor for effecting chopping control of current flowing to the excitation coils. A fault diagnosis transistor is connected in parallel with the chopping transistor. A current limiting resistance is serially connected to the fault diagnosis transistor. A CPU selectively turns on and off the fault diagnosis transistor. The CPU detects output states of the chopping transistor assumed respectively when the fault diagnosis transistor is turned on and turned off. The CPU compares the detected output levels of the chopping transistor with respective predetermined logic levels and detects faults in the driving circuit from results of the comparisons.