Abstract: A connection of the exhaust emission control device, to which a collecting portion of an exhaust manifold extending rearwards and downwards from a rear face of a cylinder block is connected, is eccentric toward an engine block by a distance with respect to an axis of a cylindrical main casing. Therefore, the exhaust manifold can be located as close as possible to a rear face of the engine block to ensure that travel wind is difficult to collide with the exhaust manifold, thereby preventing a drop in temperature of an exhaust gas to early raise the temperature of the exhaust emission control device. Moreover, since the exhaust manifold is disposed closer to the rear face of the engine block, a collision stroke permitting the retraction of the engine upon frontal collision can be expanded.

Abstract: A mechanical seal for mounting to a stationary housing that contains a rotating shaft is provided. The mechanical seal employs an inboard mounted spacer element to provide axial and radial spacing between a holder and a gland. In addition to providing selected axial and radial spacing, the spacer element promotes or enhances fluid circulation in a process chamber formed between the gland and holder by rotating about the shaft.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation server for providing traffic information, which is useful and has a suitable data amount, to a vehicle navigation device, so as to make the vehicle have a comfortable travel. The server calculates at least one proposed travel based on input data including a current or start position and a destination of the vehicle, and defines a map mesh consisting of mesh units on the proposed travel route. The server extracts traffic information relating to each mesh unit from a traffic information storage device in turn, where traffic information relating to the mesh unit which includes the start or current position is obtained first. The server monitors a total amount of extracted information, and terminates information extraction for the following mesh units when the total amount becomes equal to or larger than a predetermined value. The server then sends the traffic information to a vehicle navigation device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for thermal processing of a workpiece reduces the time taken for a processing gas to be purged, or switched, during one or more processing steps for thermal processing systems. The thermal processing system includes a heating chamber in accordance with one example embodiment of the present invention. A small-volume workpiece enclosure is disposed about the workpiece. A translation mechanism, e.g., in the form of a positioning assembly, supports the small-volume workpiece enclosure for moving the small-volume workpiece enclosure and the workpiece within the heating chamber. The small-volume workpiece enclosure enables the use of relatively smaller amounts of process (ambient) gases, and decreases the purge time of such gases. The heating chamber can have at least one of a thermal radiation intensity gradient and a temperature gradient for thermally processing the workpiece. The heating chamber can have one or more heating elements disposed about the heating chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides for smart and dumb implementations of a stand-alone, remotely updateable, remotely alterable, flexible electronic label. The electronic label provides for displaying information in connection with a mammal, non-mammal, an item or location. The label includes a display assembly having electronic ink disposed on a support, one or more antennas for sending or receiving signals corresponding to one of instructions, programs, data or selected indicia to be displayed by said display assembly, a storage element in circuit with the antenna for storing the instructions, programs, data and indicia, and one or more processors for intelligently determining the indicia to be displayed by the display assembly, for controlling and coordinating operation of the label, and for generating output signals for instructing the display assembly to display the indicia.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system comprising a mixing tank, a methanol supply unit, and a water supply unit. When it is detected by first and second level sensors that the mixture liquid stored in the mixing tank and the liquid fuel stored in the methanol supply unit are in not more than predetermined amounts respectively, water supply is stopped from the water supply unit to the mixing tank in accordance with the action of a changeover valve. Accordingly, it is possible to always maintain a constant mixing ratio of liquid fuel and water in the mixing tank, and it is possible to simplify the system.

Abstract: There is provided a control system for a vehicle, which enables the vehicle to smoothly travel only to find a place to park when an electric throttle control device is in a condition incapable of controlling a throttle valve, thereby improving drivability. An ECU determines whether or not the electric throttle control device is in the condition incapable of controlling the throttle valve, and interrupts energization of the electric throttle control device when it is determined that the electric throttle control device is in the condition incapable of controlling the throttle valve. The throttle valve is held at a default opening position by a spring when the electric throttle control device is determined to be in the condition incapable of controlling the throttle valve. A throttle valve opening sensor detects a degree of opening of the throttle valve.

Abstract: There is provided a solenoid-type valve actuator for an internal combustion engine, having an inexpensive and single construction which is capable of maintaining stability of operation of a valve and reducing sliding resistance to the valve at the same time, thereby achieving improved response of the valve and reduced power consumption of electromagnets. The solenoid-type valve actuator electromagnetically opens and closes a valve. Two electromagnets are arranged in a manner opposed to each other with a space therebetween. An armature is arranged between the two electromagnets, for reciprocating motion by energization and deenergization of the two electromagnets. Two shafts project from respective opposite sides of the armature and extend through the two electromagnets, respectively, one of the shafts being connected to the valve.

Abstract: An electromagnetic valve controller estimates a dead time based on predetermined parameters. A dead time for the current cycle is determined based on the estimated dead time. The controller measures a dead time in the previous cycle. The controller determines a deviation between the dead time measured in the previous cycle and the dead time estimated in the previous cycle. The deviation is added to the dead time estimated in the current cycle to determine the dead time for the current cycle. The controller further determines a target de-energization timing indicating when to execute a valve timing command. The dead time determined for the current cycle is offset or subtracted from the target de-energization timing to determine an actual de-energization timing. An electromagnet of the valve is de-energized in accordance with the actual de-energization timing.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage apparatus M stores a liquid hydrogen tank 1, hydrogen filling passage 3 that fills liquid hydrogen in to the liquid hydrogen tank, a degassing passage 4 provided with a relief valve V1 that opens when the pressure of hydrogen gasified in the liquid hydrogen tank reaches a predetermined level, and a hydrogen occlusive tank 2 that accommodates a hydrogen occlusive alloy 21 for storing the gasified hydrogen. When liquid hydrogen is being filled into the liquid hydrogen tank 1, the pressure in the hydrogen occlusive tank 2 is lowered using a duct 51, a cooling fan 52, and a conduit 54 for cooling the hydrogen occlusive tank 2. Accordingly, the filling time is shortened and the fuel efficiency is improved.

Abstract: A dual seal assembly for providing a seal between a reciprocating rod and the gland is described. The dual seal includes first and second axially adjacent annular seal elements. The first seal element is constructed of a material having a different hardness than the material forming the second seal element. The first and second seal elements each include a seal edge contacting the rod to provide a respective seal between the first and second seal element and the rod. At least a portion of one of the first seal element and the second seal element engages the gland to form the seal between the rod and the gland. By varying the hardness of the materials forming the seal elements, the first seal element and the second seal element can be configured to provide different functions within the dual seal assembly and can cooperatively provide an effective fluid seal under a wide range of operating conditions.

Abstract: An impact driver (1) includes a main housing (2) encasing a motor (5); an internal gear case (8) which is secured by screws to the main housing (2) and is provided with an externally threaded portion (12); and a hammer case (13) with an internally threaded portion (14) which is adapted for threadable engagement with the externally threaded portion (12) of the internal gear case (8) so as to couple the hammer case (13) to the internal gear case (8). The impact driver (1) additionally includes a rotation stop mechanism comprised of a rack (24) disposed within a forward extending portion (23) of the main housing (2) for meshing with dimples (27) formed in the outer surface of the hammer case (13). By fixing the rack (24) with a feed screw (26) disposed transversely in the forward extending portion (23), the hammer case (13) is prevented from rotation with respect to the internal gear case (8) after assembly of the impact driver (1).

Abstract: In an alternate energization process for alternately energizing a valve closing electromagnet and a valve opening electromagnet periodically, one of the valve opening electromagnet and the valve closing electromagnet is de-energized and thereafter the other electromagnet is de-energized at a time delayed by a predetermined time Toff. The alternate energization process is finished when the displaced position of a valve head which is detected by a displacement sensor has reached a predetermined position Vinit while the valve opening electromagnet is being energized. Thereafter, the valve opening electromagnet is continuously energized to seat the valve head in a closed position (initial position) from the time when the displaced position of the valve head has reached a predetermined position Vstart.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel stack comprising: a plurality of fuel cell units stacked together in a direction of stacking each of which comprises an electrolyte element, a pair of electrodes holding the electrolyte element therebetween, and a pair of separators holding the electrodes therebetween; a pair of terminal plates each of which is disposed outside an end fuel cell unit located at an end of the stacked fuel cell units; and a terminal element extending outwardly in the direction of stacking from the outside surface of at least one of the terminal plates; wherein the location from which the terminal element extends is located within an area on the terminal plate, corresponding to an area in a passage for an oxidizing gas formed in the end fuel cell unit disposed adjacent to the terminal element where the partial pressure of water vapor is lower than the saturated water vapor pressure.

Abstract: A valve operator is provided having a rotatable spindle extending along an axis. The rotatable spindle is rotatable about the axis. The rotatable spindle is additionally pivotable about a first pivot point. A pivotable linkage operably couples with the spindle. The pivotable linkage is pivotably movable about a second pivot point, such that rotation of the spindle moves the pivotable linkage in a pivoting motion about the second pivot point. Rotation of the spindle additionally pivotally moves the spindle about the first pivot point. The inventive valve operator has a fewer number of parts, a relatively low cost of manufacture, and a high operating efficiency relative to known valve operators.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser adapted for telecommunications applications. The opitical mode delivered by the laser has a high power output beam and a narrow far field, thus, enabling efficient coupling of the laser into small numerical aperture optical fibers. The laser is made up of a semiconductor heterostructure and one or more optical trap layers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for translating linear movement into rotational movement in an actuator configuration is provided. For example, a rotary actuator assembly includes a housing having a central bore. A piston is disposed within the housing and is linearly movable along an axis of the central bore. A rolling diaphragm is disposed within the housing and coupled with the piston. A bifurcated linkage having an end flange couples with the piston and the rolling diaphragm. An articulatable coupling further connects the bifurcated linkage with a rotating linkage. A spring button, which can be cone shaped, is disposed within the housing. A compression spring is retained between the end flange of the bifurcated linkage and the spring button, for example, by a threaded rod and nut. The assembly is arranged such that when force is applied to the rolling diaphragm the bifurcated linkage is linearly transported, which results in the pivoting of the rotating linkage about a pivot point.

Abstract: A cam phase control apparatus for an internal combustion engine is provided for improving the controllability in a transient state in which an actual cam phase converges to a target cam phase to accurately and readily identify model parameters even when a mechanism for changing the actual cam phase exhibits an intense friction characteristic. The cam phase control apparatus relies on a sliding mode control algorithm which models a controlled object that receives the control input to a cam phase varying device and outputs an actual cam phase as a discrete time based model, and creates a switching function as a function of time series data of a following error. An ECU functions as a sliding mode controller for determining the control input to the cam phase varying device at a predetermined control period for converging the actual cam phase to a target cam phase.

Abstract: A Mach-Zehnder Modulator (MZM) pulse generator is provided having an increased power output. Power carved from the output signal in creating the pulses is recycled back to the input of the pulse generator via a feedback arm. Careful design of the length of the feedback arm such that a feedback signal has a propagation time of (2n+1)T/2 to complete one loop (n being a non-negative integer and T being the pulse period) allows a 50% duty cycle to be obtained using a driving frequency of only one half of the pulse frequency.

Abstract: A tube having a passage for passage of a temperature-regulating medium therethrough has a surface covered with an elastic insulating layer which is coated with an insulating lubricant. The tube is inserted in a through hole which is defined in a fuel cell stack in the direction in which generator cells are stacked.