Abstract: A valve operating system in an internal combustion engine includes a cam shaft provided with a valve operating cam, a rocker arm having a pair of support wall portions which are integrally connected at their base ends to a swinging support portion swingably supported on a support member mounted on a cylinder head and which are opposed to each other at a distance in a direction along the swinging axis of the swinging support portion, a support shaft supported between the support wall portions, and a roller which is rotatably supported on the support shaft with a bearing interposed therebetween so as to be in rolling contact with the valve operating cam. A lower connecting wall interconnecting lower portions of the base ends of the support wall portions is projectingly provided on the swinging support portion in a manner opposed to an outer peripheral surface of a lower portion of the roller. Thus, it is possible to increase the rigidity of the rocker arm, while avoiding an increase in size of the rocker arm.

Abstract: An ice making machine is provided which includes an ice making section; an ice discharge port connected to the ice making section for receiving ice made in the ice making section; an ice storage section for storing ice produced in the ice making section; an ice delivery chute interconnecting said ice discharge port the said ice storage section; and an ice storage level detecting apparatus including an ice storage level sensor disposed in the ice delivery chute proximate an outlet end of said ice delivery chute. An ice storage level detecting apparatus for an ice making machine is also provided which includes an ice storage level sensor, a housing to receive the ice level storage sensor, the housing adapted to be affixed within an ice delivery chute of an ice making machine at or adjacent an outlet of the ice delivery chute.

Abstract: The invention provides a method using plasma burn-in for maintaining cleanness within a vacuum chamber of a physical vapor deposition system, thereby reducing particles falling upon a processed wafer. When the operation pressure of the plasma for plasma burn-in is elevated above 10 mtorr, the distribution of the plasma is ever changed and able to enter the narrow space between the metal target side surface and an inner wall of the vacuum chamber so as to bombard the nodules on the side surface and to deposit a metal film upon the brittle metal compound film within the vacuum chamber for reducing the number of particles falling upon the wafer.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device comprises: a semiconductor substrate which demarcates a two-dimensional surface; a multiplicity of photoelectric conversion units configured in a multiplicity of rows and columns on the surface of said semiconductor substrate; a light shielding film having openings formed above said semiconductor substrate, each of the openings is formed on each of said photoelectric conversion unit; a planarizing insulating film formed on said light shielding film; micro lenses formed on said planarizing insulating film, each micro lens is formed just above each of said opening; and a modifying film having one layer or a plurality of layers formed directly on said micro lenses and having a top surface with different curvature from that of a top surface of the micro lenses.

Abstract: A cylindrical electric double-layer capacitor includes an electrode winding which is formed by superposing band-shaped positive and negative electrodes one on another with a first separator interposed therebetween, superposing a second separator onto one of the band-shaped positive and negative electrodes to provide a superposed material, and by spirally winding the superposed material such that the second separator is located on an outermost side, and a container having the electrode winding accommodated therein. A cylindrical electrode is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the container opposed to an outer peripheral surface of the electrode winding. The polarity of the cylindrical electrode is set at a polarity opposite from the polarity of that portion of the band-shaped negative electrode, which is located on an outermost periphery of the electrode winding.

Abstract: A radiator mounting structure which has a front grill located in front of a radiator and provided with a projection extending toward the radiator. When a hood collides with an obstacle M and is deformed, the deformation causes the front grill to move rearward whereby the radiator is urged rearward of a vehicle body to tilt in the same direction. Thus, the hood is sufficiently deformable to thereby sufficiently alleviate an impact shock to be applied to the obstacle within a limited space.

Abstract: A thin-film magnetic head wafer with a surface to be exposed by means of an optical stepper includes a plurality of thin-film magnetic head elements formed on the surface, and distance check regions that are flat in level and horizontal to the surface of the wafer, at least one of the distance check regions being formed on the surface within one exposure area of the optical stepper.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device of a dynamic type having an interface of a static-type semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array, and a control circuit controlling a read operation to be initiated in response to a predetermined signal externally applied thereto before a read or write command is externally applied to the control circuit.

Abstract: There is provided a provide a solenoid actuator which is capable of smoothly driving a driven member, with enhanced durability, and at the same time permits the stroke of the driven member to be changed with ease. A solenoid actuator drives a valve by an electromagnetic force such that the valve performs reciprocating motion. An armature is connected to the valve, for performing reciprocating motion in accordance with energization and deenergization of at least one electromagnet to thereby drive the valve such that the valve performs the reciprocating motion. The armature has two end faces extending in parallel with each other in a direction orthogonal to a direction of the reciprocating motion thereof. Two guide joints have respective two guide surface opposed to the two end faces of the armature, each formed with two armature guides.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a thin-film magnetic head with a SVMR element which includes first and second layers of a ferromagnetic material (free and pinned layers) separated by a layer of non-magnetic electrically conductive material, and a layer of anti-ferromagnetic material formed in physical contact with the pinned layer. The method has a first temperature annealing (pin annealing) step of annealing the SVMR element under application of magnetic field to provide exchange coupling between the pinned layer and the anti-ferromagnetic material layer so that the pinned layer is pinned toward a predetermined direction, and a second temperature annealing (free layer annealing) step of annealing the SVMR element so that axis of easy magnetization of the free layer orients a direction substantially perpendicular to the predetermined direction. The free layer annealing is performed at a temperature lower than 150° C.

Abstract: A semiconductor lamination including an n-type layer and a p-type layer composed of a gallium nitride based compound semiconductor and forming a light emitting region is formed on the surface of a substrate. A p-side electrode is formed through a diffusion metal layer on the surface of the semiconductor lamination. Also, an n-side electrode is formed on the n-type layer exposed by etching off a part of the semiconductor lamination. The n-side electrode is formed of an ohmic contact electrode and a bonding electrode. The bonding electrode is formed in such a manner as to cover the surface and the sides of the ohmic contact electrode. As a result, a semiconductor light emitting device made of a gallium nitride based compound semiconductor is produced having an electrode structure of a superior ohmic contact characteristic and a superior wire bonding characteristic.

Abstract: A belt storing bag 25 for storing a belt and a tongue plate 28 of a seat belt 16 is provided so as to be attached to a seat cushion back 24 of an automotive seat 11 comprising a seat cushion 21 and a seat back 13.

Abstract: An effective range for a control voltage to operate a VCO is set in order to prevent the VCO from operating in the reverse characteristic area. A monitoring circuit is provided for monitoring the control voltage. When the control voltage is out of the effective range, the monitoring circuit outputs a monitor signal and inputs it into a charge pump. When the charge pump receives the monitor signal it generates a fixed voltage. Thus, when the reference signal is not inputted, the control voltage is maintained within a prespecified voltage range and the VCO oscillates within a prespecified frequency range.

Abstract: In assembling a vehicle body frame for a motorcycle by welding front and rear frame subassemblies to each other, the following steps are carried out: a step of positioning left and right rear portions of the front frame subassembly by a pair of front positioning device movable at least in a widthwise direction of the vehicle body frame, a step of clamping a head pipe by a front clamp device which is capable of being moved in vertical and longitudinal directions of the vehicle body frame and is capable of being tilted longitudinally, a step of positioning left and right rear portions of the rear frame subassembly by a pair of rear positioning device movable in the longitudinal, widthwise and vertical directions of the vehicle body frame, a step of clamping left and right front portions of the rear frame subassembly by a pair of rear clamp means movable in the longitudinal, widthwise and vertical directions of the vehicle body frame, and a step of welding the front and rear frame subassemblies to each other.

Abstract: Disclosed is a PLL control method of controlling a phase of a PLL for taking synchronism of a receiving signal in a data receiving apparatus. The phase of the PLL is synchronized with a phase when training irrespective of a line characteristic.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device which comprises a memory cell array having a plurality of memory cells, complementary data bus lines connected to said memory cells in said memory cell array and a sense amplifier. The sense amplifier is connected to the memory cells through the complementary data bus lines and amplifies a difference between current values on said complementary data bus lines associated with a logical value stored in the memory cell. The sense amplifier has a positive feedback circuit having a plurality of differential pairs constructed by transistors.

Abstract: A sintered fuse is structured by forming a sintered body of metal powders into a wire form or a plate form. As for the metal powders, powders of the grain diameter of approximately a few &mgr;m, such as Cu or Al, can be used and different types of metal powders can be mixed. In addition, by interposing this sintered fuse (4) between, for example, the negative electrode (12) and the second external lead (3), a solid electrolytic capacitor is formed. As a result, a fuse which melts at the same level of temperature as in a prior art can be obtained without utilizing toxic Pb and a solid electrolytic capacitor, which has this fuse built into it and which is safe and highly reliable, can be obtained.

Abstract: A controller for a cylinder cut-off type internal combustion engine is provided for ensuring an activated state of catalysts in cylinders, which are stopped during a partial cylinder operation, at all times to maintain favorable emission characteristics upon switching from the partial cylinder operation to a full cylinder operation, and for maintaining a satisfactory fuel consumption rate by conducting the partial cylinder operation to the utmost. The cylinder cut-off type internal combustion engine can be switched between the partial cylinder operation and the full cylinder operation. Exhaust gas from cylinders in a right bank, which are switched off during the partial cylinder operation, and from cylinders in a left bank is purified by two catalyst units in exhaust pipes independent of each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor memory device for storing data. The semiconductor memory device performs data masking without increasing power consumption regardless of latency. The device includes a data output circuit for receiving and outputting the stored data. A mask signal input circuit receives a mask signal used to mask the data output from the data output circuit and provides the mask signal to the data output circuit. An input control circuit generates an activation signal that activates the mask signal input circuit and provides the activation signal to the mask signal input circuit. The input control circuit generates the activation signal based on a mode setting signal and a latency determination signal. The mode setting signal is used to activate the mask signal input circuit and set an operation mode of the semiconductor memory device. The latency determination signal has a level corresponding to latency information.

Abstract: The discriminating capability of hybridization assays is increased by a combination of labelled primers which produce amplificates of one strand of a nucleic acid with a capture probe which is complementary to the same strand of the nucleic acid.