Abstract: An actuator end cap is provided for an actuator having a housing and a cover connected together and defining a joint therebetween. The end cap has a skirt portion disposed in overlying relation to the joint to provide a fluid-tight seal for the joint. A breather hole is formed in the side of the cover and a semi-cylindrical groove is formed on the inner surface of the skirt of the end cap. One end of the groove is disposed in communication with the breather hole in the cover and the other end of the groove is in communication with a vent hole extending outwardly through the end cap.

Abstract: In an electric control apparatus for a clutch mechanism provided therein with a reversible electric motor which is activated under control of a changeover switch to engage the clutch mechanism in its forward rotation and to disengage the clutch mechanism in its reverse rotation, a first period of time is set when the changeover switch has been operated to engage the clutch mechanism, and a second period of time is set when the changeover switch has been operated to disengage the clutch mechanism. The first period of time represents a power supply time during which the electric motor is activated to cause full engagement of the clutch mechanism. The second period of time is defined to be longer than the first period of time and represents a power supply time during which the electric motor is activated to cause full disengagement of the clutch mechanism.

Abstract: There are disclosed an apparatus and a method for searching for the optimum route to be followed by a vehicle. The apparatus comprises a memory storing road maps, a keyboard having keys, and a microcomputer. The driver of the vehicle specifies a starting point and a destination in a network of roads displayed on a color CRT. Then, the microcomputer searches the network for a route which connects the starting point to the destination at the shortest distance.

Abstract: A fixed speed control device including a predetermined vehicle operating speed controller, a release time limit set-up system, a release switch system, and a memory system, which are all electronically connected to an electronic control circuit. The fixed operating speed control device controls the speed of a vehicle so that it is commesurate with a specified preset vehicle speed, and can release itself from the controlled speed when a deviation exceeds a specified value, and properly adopt one of ten control branches to meet various requirements of vehicle operation.

Abstract: In a cruise-control system mounted on an automobile after a cruise-control mode has been established, a microcomputer prevents the electronic fuel-injection system of the automobile from cutting off the supply of fuel to the engine. This prevents the velocity of the automobile from surging when the automobile does down a hill. Another embodiment of a cruise-control system has an electronic fuel-injection system and an actuator that controls the opening of the throttle valve. When the opening decreases to a small opening slightly larger than the opening at which the fuel-injection system stops supplying fuel to the engine, the fuel-injection system maintains the valve at the small opening.

Abstract: An output circuit having a fail-safe function with: a control signal generating circuit which generates a control signal to control the current of a load and includes an operational amplifier which amplifies a difference between a control value and a feedback value to produce the control signal; a drive circuit which drives a load according to the control signal from the operational amplifier; an output current detecting circuit for detecting a current in a load solenoid and adding an offset current to the detected current, with the output of the output current detecting circuit being fed back to the control voltage generating circuit as the feedback value.

Abstract: In a facsimile equipment, a discharge tray on which a received hard copy is discharged is used in common as a receptacle for an original to be transmitted also. In a replay mode, additional information is entered on the received hard copy, which is then read as an original for a re-transmission to a mating facsimile equipment. A position coordinate entry unit is disposed on the common tray so that when a position of a selected item on the received hard copy is depressed, the position coordinate entry unit is effective to read such position to enable a receiving recorder to enter a given mark on the received hard copy at such position as additional information. In this manner, the use of a writing instrument to enter additional information can be dispensed with.

Abstract: An attitude control system controls a seat sliding, a seat reclining, a seat vertical, a head rest, a seat belt anchor, a steering tilting, a steering telescoping and a mirror position or attitude. The system includes a master controller and a slave controller, and a key switch which provides an attitude control command is only connected to the master controller. In response to the attitude control command from the key switch, the master controller delivers an attitude control command which is then transmitted to the slave controller. In order to avoid an interference which may occur between different mechanisms, a sequence in which the attitude control takes place is automatically switched depending on the direction in which the attitude of other mechanisms is controlled or depending on the prevailing controlled status of other mechanisms.

Abstract: An anti-skid control system for an automotive vehicle is provided with braking condition detectors for detecting at least a running condition of the vehicle in braking operation and producing a detected signal corresponding to the running condition. The detected signal is compared with a reference value to produce a braking condition signal. In response to the braking condition signal, selectively provided is one control mode of a simultaneous control mode for controlling simultaneously a braking force applied to both of a pair of right and left road wheels and an independent control mode for controlling independently a braking force applied to each of the right and left road wheels. Then, the braking force applied to the right and left road wheels is controlled in accordance with the control mode.

Abstract: A printed circuit board having electrical components connected thereto in spaced relation is coated with a resin material by immersion in a container of resin material. The flow of resin between the electrical devices and the circuit board is facilitated by the provision of holes through the circuit board in alignment with each electrical component so that the formation of blow-holes is prevented.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system which permits an automobile driver to control electrical devices installed on an automobile by moving his or her pupils and mouth intentionally. The system includes a TV camera, a light, a first microprocessor which controls the electrical devices according to the changes in the shape of the driver's mouth, a second microprocessor for performing various arithmetic operations, and memories. Reference values have been previously assigned to various elements of the driver's face and stored in one of the memories. The second microprocessor normalizes the distances between the elements of the face with the distance between the pupils of the eyes and compares the normalized distances with the reference values to calculate the degrees of similarity of the elements.

Abstract: Dial keys and other keys for a telephone set are provided on an operation board mounted on a steering wheel so as to make an answer-back in accordance with dial operation. The answer-back is effected in terms of numeral values, dial codes or the name of the other party corresponding to each dial code in accordance with operation of the corresponding numeral keys. If a confirmation key is not operated within a predetermined time after an answer-back of the name of the other party, the shortened dial code is updated to another adjacent value to repeat such answer-back sequentially. The name of the other party is issued from a non-volatile memory which stores therein voices of the user.

Abstract: Positive pressure and negative pressure are alternately applied to artificial hearts so as to drive the same. Each of driving systems includes a pressure sensor, and a solenoid valve connected between a pressure source and an accumulator is controlled in its opening and closing in order that the detected pressure is made coincident with a set value. A pair of solenoid valves connected respectively to an output port of the accumulator in a positive pressure system and an output port of the accumulator in a negative pressure system are opened and closed, thereby to supply positive pressure air and negative pressure air to the artificial hearts alternately. There is also included a backup driving system, and upon receiving instruction for system switching, lamps are energized in due sequence so as to inform the operator of valves to be operated manually.

Abstract: An automobile speed control system is provided with a speed signal generator circuit for generating first electrical signal indicative of actual automobile speed and a desired automobile signal supply circuit for supplying a second electrical signal indicative of the desired automobile speed. The first and second signals are compared to provide a throttle valve control signal and an alarm circuit including an audible and/or visual alarm is provided to warn the driver when the actual automobile speed exceeds a pre-set speed.