Abstract: Clearance Cs during a no-load stop and allowable value Cto of total clearance Ct obtained as a sum of clearance Ch occurring due to Hertzian stress are stipulated to a value less than height h of male coupling 28 along with an allowable value &sgr;hmo of the maximum Hertzian stress acting on rocking edge 26 being stipulated to a value less than an upper limit value &sgr;ho of the Hertzian stress that satisfies the opposing pitching lifespan. The radius of curvature R of the rocking edge is set within a range that satisfies R1≦R≦R2 for the radius of curvature R1 determined in correspondence with the allowable value &sgr;hmo of the maximum Hertzian stress and the radius of curvature R2 determined in correspondence with the allowable value Cto of the clearance between the total elements.

Abstract: A remaining charge detection device for a power storage unit including a current detection unit which detects the current value of a charging current and a discharging current of a power storage unit; a voltage detection unit which detects the voltage value of a terminal voltage of the power storage unit; and a current accumulation remaining charge calculation means which accumulates the current value detected by the current detection unit to obtain an accumulated charging current and discharging current and calculates a remaining charge of the power storage unit. The remaining charge detection device further includes a no-load state detection unit which detects a no-load state of the power storage unit, and a remaining charge for calibration calculation unit which calculates a remaining charge for calibration for the remaining charge of the power storage unit.

Abstract: Computer animators have, till now, largely relegated themselves to using point light sources when simulating directional light sources in computer graphics and animation. The illumination achieved is computationally feasible but not totally realistic. While it is possible to use a finite light source of given size and shape to achieve a more realistic effect, the radiosity analysis required to calculate the illumination effect of such a light source is so cumbersome that it cannot be used for real-time computer animation. The described invention allows the animator to approximate the illumination effect of a finite light source by using a point source of varying location and intensity. Another embodiment of the invention allows the animator to realistically simulate ambient light by a similar method. The resulting illumination effects are comparable to those achieved with full radiosity analyses at much lower computational loads.

Abstract: A fuel pump designed to prevent vapor lock. The pump comprises an inlet check valve located between a pumping chamber and a reservoir. The inlet check valve allows the flow of fluid from the reservoir into the pumping chamber. The inlet check valve is constructed such that when a combination of both liquid and vapor is present in the pumping chamber, the liquid and vapor is allowed to flow from the pumping chamber back into the reservoir; but when the pumping chamber is filled only with liquid, the inlet check valve prohibits flow from the pumping chamber into the reservoir.

Abstract: A diagnostic apparatus for a vehicle can display diagnostic results and an indication of whether or not the diagnosis has been completed with a single display device. The diagnostic apparatus adapted to be mounted on the vehicle for diagnosing the vehicle based on driving condition parameters of the vehicle includes a display device or an indicator for indicating presence or absence of malfunction based on the diagnostic results, means for switching the diagnostic apparatus into a notification mode in response to a predetermined operation state, and a display control unit for displaying on the display device the indication of whether or not the diagnosis has been completed in response to being switched into the notification mode. The indication of whether or not the diagnosis has been uncompleted can be displayed on the display device by switching into a notification mode in response to the predetermined operation status.

Abstract: A shift control system for an automatic transmission comprises a shift lever 201, which is shifted among a “P” position, an “N” position and an “S” position. A first shift guide path 211 is provided to guide the shift lever from the “P” position through the “N” position to the “S” position, and a second shift guide path 212 is provided to guide the shift lever which has been positioned at the “S” position in a direction different from that of the first shift guide path. Along this second shift guide path, the shift lever is shifted to select and set a plurality of ranges necessary for driving a vehicle, including a forward drive range, a neutral range and a reverse drive range.

Abstract: In welding joint surfaces of a high-hardness member and a low-hardness member to each other by use of a laser beam or an electron beam, the point of irradiation of the laser beam or electron beam is offset from the joint surfaces of the high-hardness member and the low-hardness member toward the low-hardness member by a predetermined distance, such that the melting provided by the beam is caused to spread from the low-hardness member to the high-hardness member. Thus, even if the two members different in hardness from each other are welded together by use. of the laser beam or electron beam, it is possible to avoid a poor weld, which would otherwise cause a cracking in the high-hardness member.

Abstract: A method for framing a car body from a plurality of separate body components includes the steps of attaching a bottom plate of the car body to a bottom plate support unit, then bringing at least a part of the separate body components into engagement with the bottom plate by a robot or similar apparatus. The body components are preassembled relative to the bottom plate and/or relative to each other so that a preassembled car body has an external shape of the car body. A support unit is formed from a plurality of separate support elements for supporting the preassembled car body such that at least a part of the support elements is brought into engagement with the bottom plate support unit and/or another support element by a robot or similar apparatus. The support elements are clamped to each other in order to form a support means net.

Abstract: Difference compensation circuits are connected to a volume controller having a tap in series. Each of the difference compensation circuit comprises a voltage control amplifier and an external CR network. The difference compensation circuits are arranged so as to independently attenuate a bass range and increase a mid-range in accordance with an amount of volume control by the volume controller.

Abstract: Electronic circuitry provides protection for refrigeration machines by continuously monitoring supply voltage conditions and various other conditions. Information regarding abnormalities detected in the refrigeration machines or supply voltage is stored in a memory. The stored information may then be downloaded from the memory by a service technician. The electronic circuitry is universal and can therefore be used with various refrigeration machines. Further, the efficiency of a low temperature storage cabinet is enhanced by cycling the evaporator motor in comparison to a compressor percentage run time. Other factors are also considered in the running of the reach-in cabinet evaporator fan.

Abstract: A battery charging control method is disclosed, which can reduce the charging time a low-temperature battery without providing an additional heating system. The method includes executing a first pulsed charging and discharging operation when the battery temperature T is lower than a first predetermined temperature (e.g., 0° C.), wherein the amount of charging is equal to the amount of discharging; and switching from the first pulsed charging and discharging operation to a second pulsed charging and discharging operation when the battery temperature exceeds the first predetermined temperature, wherein in the second pulsed charging and discharging operation, the amount of discharging is less than the amount of charging. Therefore, it is possible to accomplish not only heating but also charging. When the battery temperature T exceeds a second predetermined temperature (e.g., 10° C.), a normal charging operation is performed.

Abstract: When an error occurs to a combustion device, a microcomputer inside a control apparatus for the combustion device closes a safety valve thereby stopping gas supply to a gas burner. In a conventional control apparatus, when a power source resetting is actuated with a power switch, the safety valve is opened to supply the gas burner with gas even though the cause for the error has not been resolved. As a solution, when an error occurs, the fact of such an occurrence is stored in a nonvolatile memory, i.e., electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, EEPROM. It is so arranged that, unless the reset switch is operated, the memory in the EEPROM is not reset. After resetting, the memory in the EEPROM is read out. As long as the reset has not been made, the safety valve is not opened, but the program immediately proceeds to a state in which the operation of the reset switch is held in suspension.

Abstract: A geared motor 101 comprising a reduction gear unit 102 of oscillating internal meshing planetary gear structure type and a motor unit 103 coupled to each other, the reduction gear unit 102 having a first shaft 111 and a second shaft 112 located on its center axis L, external gears 115a and 115b being fitted on the outer periphery of the first shaft so as to be capable of oscillating rotations, an internal gear 120 with which the external gears mesh internally being provided concentrically with the first shaft, the second shaft being coupled to the external gears via means 117 for extracting the rotational components of the external gears. A simple planetary roller mechanism 202 for transmitting rotational power by means of the friction between rollers is interposed between the reduction gear unit and the motor unit to reduce the vibration and noise levels greatly.

Abstract: Each of metal elements 32 includes an element body portion 34 and an element head portion 36 on radially inner and outer sides of left and right ring slots 35 into which metal ring assemblies 31 are fitted, respectively. The metal elements 32 can be brought into contact with one another at inner contact surfaces 38 and outer contact surfaces 39 each of which are formed on the element body portion 34 and the element head portion 36, respectively.

Abstract: In a transmission for automobiles, the shift feeling is improved by smoothly transferring the operational load between a shift rod and a reverse shift fork. This is accomplished by cam faces formed on a reverse shift fork which shifts a reverse idle gear between a neutral position and a reverse position, and cam faces are formed on a drive cam which moves integrally with a shift rod. When the drive cam is moved from a neutral position to the reverse position, one of the cam faces presses against another of the cam faces moving the reverse shift fork in a circular manner in an anticlockwise direction, and the reverse idle gear moves to the reverse position. When the drive cam member is moved from the reverse position to the neutral position, another of the cam faces presses against still another of the cam faces moving the reverse shift fork in a circular manner in a clockwise direction, and the reverse idle gear moves to the neutral position.

Abstract: An insulated pack has a main, insulated compartment suitable for holding refreshments at either a warmed or chilled temperature. The insulated pack has an externally mounted receptacle for carrying a liquid containing vessel, in the nature of a drink bottle or a mister. It also has another compartment for valuables that has receptacles for such objects as cellular telephone handsets, wallets, and keys. It has a reinforced web framework structure, and a carrying handle mounted on the lid. Use of two of these packs, allows a user to keep different objects at different temperatures. The pack is particularly useful for attachment to a golf bag or golf cart to provide cool drinks during a round of golf.

Abstract: Rack (100) for stacking metal sections (105), comprising a plurality of mutually facing frames (110), each frame comprising at least one upright (115a, 115b) and a plurality of cross-pieces (120) extending from the at least one upright to define support surfaces for the sections, at least one further frame (205) associated with each frame, each further frame comprising at least one further upright (210a, 210b) and a plurality of further cross-pieces (215) extending from the at least one further upright and being movable between a rest position in which each further cross-piece is disposed at the same height as a corresponding cross-piece and a working position in which each further cross-piece is disposed at a different height to define further support surfaces for the sections, and means (225a, 225b) for securing the further frames in the rest position or in the working position.

Abstract: An agent apparatus increases security, and can make responses suited to individuals, thereby increasing convenience. The agent apparatus comprises an individual recognition unit which recognizes individuals who use a vehicle; a memory unit which stores agent data corresponding to each individual recognized by the individual recognition unit; a selection unit which selects agent data corresponding to a specific individuals recognized by the individual recognition unit from the agent data stored in the memory unit; and a response unit which responds to the individual based on the agent data selected by the selection unit.

Abstract: When a test instruction signal is outputted from a command decoder, a test mode decoder receives the test instruction signal and outputs a test signal. When a DQM switch circuit receives the test signal, the DQM switch circuit outputs a mask/disable signal (MASK0 or MASK1) inputted to any one of two mask/disable terminals (DQML, DQMU) as a mask/disable signal inputted from the two terminals DQML and DQMU to a write amplifier/sense buffer. Therefore, it is possible to execute a mask/disable operation for all of input and output data with one of the two mask/disable terminals.

Abstract: The adjustment control circuit activates the first adjustment signal that adjusts the characteristic of an internal circuit in response to an adjustment signal from the exterior. The ROM circuit activates the second adjustment signal that adjusts the characteristic of the internal circuit when information to adjust the characteristics of the internal circuits is programmed. The selecting circuit outputs either of the first or the second adjustment signal in response to a control signal. The characteristics of the internal circuits are adjusted in response to either the first or the second adjustment signal. Therefore, the second adjustment signal is masked by the selecting circuit selecting the first adjustment signal. That is, at this time, the information programmed in advance in the ROM circuit is invalidated. Further, where no information is programmed in the ROM circuit, the characteristics of the internal circuits can be adjusted without programming the ROM circuit.