Abstract: A flow control valve for an antilocking device in a vehicle brake system prevents a locking of the wheels during a brake application. The flow control valve includes a pressure reducing chamber (115) regularly connected with an outlet port (111) through a passage by way of a fixed orifice (125). An inlet port (110) is normally connected with the outlet port (111) through a small passage. Therefore, even if a spool (116) is fixed in a position closing a large passage, working fluid introduced into the inlet port (110) flows to the outlet port (111) through the small passage, whereby it is possible to apply pressure to a wheel brake without wheel locking.

Abstract: A sintered body for high-accuracy working tools is obtained by sintering powder mixture containing at least 45 percent by volume and not more than 60 percent by volume of cubic boron nitride powder having an average particle size of not more than 2 .mu.m and having a remainder formed of binder powder under a superhigh pressure. The binder contains at least 5 percent by weight and not more than 15 percent by weight of Al and at least 2 percent by weight and not more than 20 percent by weight of W, and has a binder remainder formed of a Ti compound or compounds. The atomic ratio of Ti contained in the binder to a transition metal element or elements belonging to any of the groups IVa, Va and/or VIa of the periodic table including Ti is at least 2/3 and not more than 97/100. In the structure of the sintered body, cubic boron nitride crystals are bonded with each other through bonding phases formed by the binder. When at least one or more Ti compounds are selected from a group of TiN.sub.z, Ti(C.sub.1-x N.sub.x).

Abstract: An insulated electrical wire is suitable for use as a distribution wire, a wire for winding coils, and for other electrical purposes. The wire can be used in a high-vacuum environment or in a high-temperature environment. This insulated electrical wire has a conductor core made of a base material (1), an anodic oxide layer (2), and an oxide insulating layer (3). The base material (1) forms a conductor core and has a surface cover of either an aluminum layer or an aluminum alloy layer at least on its outer surface. The anodic oxide layer (2) is formed on the surface layer. The oxide insulating layer (3) is formed on the anodic oxide layer by a sol-gel method or an organic acid salt pyrolytic method. This insulated electrical wire has a good heat resistance and a good insulating strength as well as excellent flexibility, and does not provide any gas adsorption source.

Abstract: A meat freshness measuring apparatus measures the freshness of meat by detecting changes in a pigment contained in the meat. For this purpose, the meat (2) is exposed to rays of light of different wavelengths applied from a light source (1), and the rays obtained from the meat are separated into spectra for the respective wavelengths, which are received by a photoelectric conversion element (4). Spectrum data for each wavelength are amplified and then the amplified data are converted to a digital signal by an A/D converter (7), whereby the digital signal is stored in a RAM (12). Based on the stored spectrum data and using a prescribed equation of calculation, a content of the pigment in the meat is calculated and outputted by a CPU (10).

Abstract: A semiconductor image sensor having a CCD-structure, includes sensor elements arranged in a linear or in a two-dimensional array suitable for a parallel or serial read-out of information. An avalanche diode is arranged between a p-layer and a high resistance n-layer on a light inlet side of the semiconductor device. The charge carriers coming from the avalanche diode are transferred to a CCD-structure in response to an electrical control signal applied to the p-layer and the n-layer of the image sensor. This construction forms an optical shutter that is controllable by pulses of short duration within the range of about 1 to 10 ns.

Abstract: A device for separating a space for cargo in a vehicle, for example in an aircraft cabin or compartment, is constructed for keeping pieces of cargo, for example baggage, in place and to even intercept cargo pieces that may have gotten loose. Such a structure is secured to the vehicle, e.g. an aircraft body, by ceiling brackets and floor mountings. The wall itself is a multilayer structure with different layers provided for different purposes. At least one layer or strut structure is arranged for taking up impact energy effective in a direction in which impact forces are effective, primarily in the travel direction of the vehicle.

Abstract: An aluminum nitride sintered body is mainly composed of aluminum nitride, contains 0.01 to 1.0 percent by weight of a rare earth element and 0.001 to 0.5 percent by weight of oxygen, and has thermal conductivity of at least 180 W/mK. According to a method of manufacturing such an aluminum nitride sintered body, aluminum nitride powder (201) is first prepared. At least one compound (203) containing a rare earth element is added to the aluminum nitride powder (201) to contain 0.01 to 1.0 percent by weight, in rare earth element conversion, of the compound, to be homogeneously mixed with each other. A formed body obtained by forming such mixed powder is sintered in a non-oxidizing atmosphere containing nitrogen at a temperature of 1500 to 2200.degree. C.

Abstract: A method and system for evaluating signals from a fiber optical gyro employs a 3.times.3-coupler which makes it possible to ascertain a precise Sagnac-Signal in spite of the fact that the fluctuations of the optical characteristics of the fiber coil are unknown. Thus, a high precision is assured, while simultaneously reducing the quality requirments for the optical components of the system.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing trim panels which are made of several trim components or trim materials, such as door trim panels of automobiles, the trim panel is essentially finished in a single work operation in one work station. A vinyl cover film (12) is formed, trim inserts (10, 11) are laminated into the cover film with the aid of a nesting die (8a, 8b), soft-touch inserts (26) are laminated underneath the cover film and the so produced laminate is further laminated onto a rigid substrate (2 or 2'). The substrate may be a prefabricated substrate (2), or may be a rigid foam substrate (2') back-foamed onto the formed vinyl film (12). An apparatus for carrying out the method is essentially a forming station with an upper form or mold (1) and a lower form or mold (15). The lower mold (15) includes nest dies (8a, 8b) for securely holding and then pressure laminating the trim inserts (10, 11), whereby a high placement precision of the inserts (10, 11) is achieved.

Abstract: A diamond synthesizing apparatus has a reaction tube for internally causing a reaction for vapor-phase synthesizing diamond. A plasma generator produces the required microwave plasma in the reaction tube. The reaction tube is coupled with a gas reservoir, which forms a circulation system with the reaction tube. The circulation system is connectable to an exhaust for evacuating its interior. This circulation system further includes a pump for circulating raw material gas, which is a compound containing carbon. A raw material gas supply is also connectable to the circulation system, for intermittently supplying the raw material gas into the circulation system. During the synthesizing operation the circulation system is completely closed. According to this diamond synthesizing apparatus, it is possible to keep pressure fluctuations and composition fluctuations following a reaction and gas addition, to the minimum and to vapor-phase synthesize diamond in very restricted ranges of gas composition and pressure.

Abstract: A flexible photovoltaic device comprises a first transparent, insulating, and flexible resin layer; a transparent electrode formed on the first resin layer; a flexible resin type locking member formed having satisfactory adherence along the inner periphery of the transparent electrode; a semiconductor layer formed to cover the transparent electrode and the locking member for photoelectric conversion; a back electrode formed on the semiconductor layer; and a second insulating and flexible resin layer formed on the back electrode.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device has a crystalline layer of a first conductivity type formed of crystalline silicon semiconductor material, an amorphous layer of an opposite conductivity type formed of amorphous silicon semiconductor material, and a microcrystalline layer formed of substantially intrinsic microcrystalline silicon semiconductor material provided between the crystalline layer and the amorphous layer.

Abstract: A wing type sailing yacht is constructed to incorporate the airfoil principle. Such a yacht has a boat hull, a mast, and a sail, including a bow with a bow keel and a stern with a stern keel. Each keel has a buoyancy control fin (9, 10) at its lower end. An outrigger arm (6, 6') is attached laterally to each side of the hull. The end of each outrigger arm carries a downwardly projecting fin strut which in turn carries a further buoyancy control fin (8, 8'). The buoyancy control fins (9, 10, 8, 8') form a four-point wing or airfoil type system for producing lift or buoyancy and for maneuverability and stability. The outrigger arms (6, 6') are built as narrow surface wing type carriers having a negative sweepback. The arms have a predetermined elasticity. A pontoon (12, 12') is attached to the end of each outrigger arm. The fin struts act as lateral control fins or steering wings (11, 11').

Abstract: In a liver function testing apparatus, light sources (11, 12) expose vital tissue (15) to first light of a wavelength capable of being absorbed by a specific dye dosed into blood of the vital tissue to be taken in and removed by the liver, and second light of a wavelength not capable of being absorbed by the specific dye. Optical pulses obtained from the vital tissue are received by a light receiving element (13), the output of which is sampled by an A/D converter (30) for converting the analog output signals into digital signals. A biocalibration is preformed on the basis of variable components in the blood. For this purpose a CPU (34) determines coefficients for first and second regression line expressions before and after an injection of the specific dye. The coefficients are provided by first and second photoelectric conversion signals.

Abstract: A liver function testing apparatus, provides light signals (11, 12) exposing vital tissue (15) to a first light signal that is substantially absorbed by a specific dye dosed into the blood of the vital tissue. The dye is to be taken in and removed by the liver. A second light signal is substantially not absorbed by the specific dye. Optical pulses obtained from the vital tissue are received by a light receiving element (13), the output of which is sampled by an A-D converter (30) to provide digital output signals. On the basis of variable components in the blood, a CPU (34) determines a coefficient of a regression line expression between first and second photoelectric conversion signals, to perform a biocalibration.

Abstract: A fiber composite material has individual reinforcing fibers embedded in a bonding matrix material. The bonding of the fibers to the embedding matrix material is controlled along the length of the fibers by axially spaced fiber surface bonding zones having a high bonding ability and alternating with further fiber surface low bonding or non-bonding zones having a low or no bonding ability relative to the matrix material. The bonding zones having a high or maximal bonding ability are distributed optimally as to size, location and spacing along the length of a fiber so that loads or forces including the breaking load are transmitted from one bonding zone to the next bonding zone which are preferably formed as ring zones. The low-bonding or non-bonding zones are so dimensioned that bonding zones of fibers located adjacent to one another do not overlap in a direction across the length of the fibers.

Abstract: To fold large sheets of different sizes with different folding patterns, in zig-zag folds, the sheets are introduced into a folding system having first, second and third belts (5, 6, 10) which, between the first, second and third belt define a folding gap. The belts are driven, respectively, in selected directions of rotation to fold a sheet in a zig-zag pattern. A control system (35) having a memory (50) with folding patterns stored therein, is responsive to a sheet-length signal derived, for example, from a printer (75). A stepping motor moves a sheet, in accordance with a selected program stored in the memory, to form the fold based on the length of the sheet. Prior to folding sheet a maybe end-for-end a sheet is flung upwardly in a reversing gap (46) whereupon the sheet is transported by paper removal rollers (44, 48) and transport belts (55, 63) to sheet supply rollers (3) of the folding apparatus.

Abstract: A light absorption detector has one or two light emitting members and a light receiving element spaced a predetermined distance apart from each other on a film substrate (1). Light is transmitted from one side to the other side of a subject. a change in the absorption magnitude of this transmitted light by the subject is then detected to provide respective information. A photodiode (PD) is located near the light emitting member or near two light emitting diodes (LED1, LED2). The photodiode detects a change in the quantity of light emitted. A CPU (16) corrects a change in the quantity of light with a change in the temperature of the light emitting element for controlling the current flowing to the light emitting member or light emitting diodes. Futher, a thermistor (37) and a heater (39) are located in the vicinity of at least one of a light emitting diode (34) and a photodiode (31).

Abstract: A goniometric device for measuring an angle such as the angle of rotation of the steering wheel in a motor vehicle is useful for providing a backlash-free reduction ratio of the angular movement to be measured. For this purpose an elastic torque rod is used to one end of which the angular movement is applied and the other end of which is rigidly fixed. The angular movement of a tap is taken off at a tap location between the two ends. The reduction ratio depends on the ratio between the two distances from the tap to both ends of the torque rod.