Abstract: A method of inspecting a workpiece during a production run in which workpieces are supplied to workstations by an autoloader. In accordance with the method, the supply of the workpieces by the autoloader is performed in accordance with a supply control routine. When it is desired to inspect a workpiece in a workstation, the supply control routine is interrupted after its then current cycle and the autoloader is used to move the workpiece to a quality control station. The supply of the workpieces in accordance with the supply control routine is then resumed. While the autoloader is operating in accordance with the supply control routine, the workpiece is inspected. If the workpiece is acceptable, the supply control routine is again interrupted after its then current cycle and the autoloader is used to move the workpiece to an output area. The supply of the workpieces in accordance with the supply control routine is then resumed again.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes separators and electrolyte electrode assemblies in a first area between the separators. Each separator includes a first plate and a second plate stacked together to form a second area between the first plate and the second plate. The second area is divided by an outer ridge into a fuel gas channel, and an oxygen-containing gas channel. The fuel gas channel formed in one separator is connected to a fuel gas flow passage in the first area through fuel gas inlets for supplying a fuel gas to anodes. The oxygen-containing gas channel in the other separators is connected to an oxygen-containing gas flow passage in the first area through oxygen-containing gas inlets for supplying an oxygen-containing gas to cathodes.

Abstract: A fuel cell of the invention has unified a processing circuit processing a cell voltage output signal of a fuel cell stack and a connector connecting an circuit unit with terminals provided extending from separators of the fuel cell, thereby having abolished connection points (in which harnesses are attached and detached) of an electrical circuit unit with the connector. So, for connection, reliability can be improved, and downsizing is possible. Moreover, with a casing enclosing the connector and electrical circuit unit, the fuel cell can be made compact and the processing circuit can be surely protected thanks to being shielded from surroundings, thereby handling as a unit being able to be facilitated.

Abstract: A brake drum includes a ring-shaped drum body, and a friction member secured to the inner circumferential surface of the drum body. Because the drum body is formed of a lightweight Al alloy and the friction member is formed of an Al-base composite material, the brake drum can be reduced in weight as a whole. Further, because the friction member, having projection portions formed on its outer periphery, is cast enveloped by molten metal of the Al alloy, the friction member and the drum body can be firmly fastened together. Thus, even when a great braking force is applied to the drum brake, the friction member can be prevented from being undesirably detached from the drum body.

Abstract: A device and method for extending the lifetime of a battery of a tire pressure sensor disposed in a tire are described, in which the battery can be recharged through the valve stem of the tire. The device includes an electrical power source and an electrode adapted to be coupled to the valve stem and supply power from the electrical power source to the valve stem.

Abstract: In the transmissions of the background art, two larger-diameter gears are mounted on a final shaft thereby causing an increase in weight of the transmission. The present invention reduces the weight of a transmission by mounting only one larger-diameter gear on a final shaft.

Abstract: A simulator comprising computer-aided design programs for simulating a shift control algorithm stored in an ECU of an automatic transmission having hydraulic clutches. In the simulator, a simplified hydraulic model describes the entire system so as to design a third model based on which simulation is conducted. With this, by using such a simplified model, it becomes possible to decrease simulation time to 4 sec., enabling to simulation in a time close to an actual shift of approximately 1.5 sec. Moreover, the durability of transmission is tested by repeating the simulation. When the occurrence of undesirable shift phenomenon is forecast in the simulation, the shift control algorithm is corrected until the phenomenon disappears in the next simulation. With this, the manufacturing of a test transmission and a preliminary test are no longer needed, thereby further improving the efficiency and costs of transmission development.

Abstract: An output compensating device capable of optimally compensating output signals of an image sensor composed of a number of light-sensor circuits, each of which represents a unit pixel and is capable of producing in a photoelectric converting element a sensor current proportional to a quantity of light falling thereon, converting the current into a voltage signal by a MOS type transistor with a logarithmic output characteristic in a weak inverse state, initializing itself by removing a charge accumulated in a parasitic capacitor of the photoelectric converting element by changing a drain voltage of the transistor to a value lower than a normal value for a specified time and outputting a pixel signal having a logarithmic characteristic at a large quantity of the sensor current and a pixel signal having a non-logarithmic characteristic at a small quantity of the sensor current.

Abstract: A fuel cell system for supplying electricity to a main motor as a power source includes a fuel cell stack and pumps for supplying a fuel gas and an oxygen-containing gas to the fuel cell stack. The fuel cell system further includes a driving force transmitting mechanism. The driving force transmitting mechanism connects the main motor, the pumps, and the supercharger for driving the pumps and the supercharger by the main motor.

Abstract: A fuel cell separator manufacturing method including the steps of removing an abnormal layer (91) arising at the surface layer of a metal material for use as a separator (20) when it is rolled, exposing portions of conductors (92) included in a surface layer part of the metal material itself to project, and carrying out a passivation treatment on the surface layer part of the metal material itself. The steps of removing the abnormal layer and exposing portions of the conductors are possible in the same process, chemically or electro-chemically. Therefore, the number of steps can be cut and increased productivity and reduced cost of separators can be achieved.

Abstract: A sealant rubber composition which forms a spongy tacky sealant layer having moderate viscosity properties; and a pneumatic tire having in the tire main body a tacky sealant layer obtained by heating the rubber composition. The rubber composition comprises 0.2 to 20 parts by weight of a peroxide per 100 parts by weight of polymers comprising 95 to 50 parts by weight of a polymer decomposable with the peroxide and 5 to 50 parts by weight of a polymer crosslinkable with the peroxide.

Abstract: An active noise control system is capable of canceling out noise in the passenger compartment of a vehicle based on low-frequency road noise. The active noise control system has a feed-forward control unit for being supplied with reference signals highly correlated to noise from a noise source and generating a noise cancellation signal which is out of phase to noise in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, and a canceling sound generating unit disposed in the passenger compartment for generating a noise canceling sound in response to the noise cancellation signal from said feed-forward control unit. The active noise control system also has microphones for generating reference signals which are positioned respectively near the base of the front seat, near the center of a roof, and within a trunk compartment, i.e., respectively at vibrational antinodes of a primary or secondary acoustic normal mode of the passenger compartment in the longitudinal direction thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a production system capable of further improving production efficiency and quality. The ring management system comprises size measurement unit 300 for measuring size (l, t) of the ring w, first convey unit 400 for moving the ring w whose size has been measured, a first stocker 500 having a plurality of storage positions for storing rings conveyed in by the first convey unit 400, a second convey unit 700 for conveying out the rings from the first stocker 500 means for stacking, and a control unit 900.

Abstract: A control system for a plant is disclosed. The control system includes a controller for controlling the plant based on a controlled object model which is obtained by modeling the plant. The controlled object model is modeled using an input and an output of the plant which are sampled at intervals of a sampling period which is longer than a control period of the controller. The sampled input of the plant is a filtered control output which is obtained by filtering an output of the controller. The controller carries out a control process of the plant at intervals of the control period.

Abstract: A method of forming a powder metal fractured bearing component, such as a connecting rod, includes the step of forming a component blank having a bearing aperture for separation of the component blank into a main body and a bearing cap, wherein the component has a hardness in the range of about HRC 22 to about HRC 34. The method also includes the steps of forming a stress riser in the blank where the fracture is to occur, and fracturing the component blank of the connecting rod into a main body and a bearing cap by applying tensile force thereto, in order to form a surface area ratio of >113% on the mating surfaces of the main body and the bearing cap.

Abstract: A lawn mower comprises a power source for rotatably driving an output shaft, a housing having an interior space having a generally spiral-shaped portion, and a cutting blade disposed in the interior space of the housing and connected to the output shaft for rotation therewith to cut grass. The rotating cutting blade coacts with the spiral-shaped portion of the interior space to generate a swirling air flow that causes the cut grass to swirl within the interior space. A grass discharge passage communicates with the interior space of the housing and discharges therethrough grass cut by the cutting blade and swirling within the interior space of the housing. A pivotal shutter is pivoted about a generally vertical axis by manual operation of a control member to open and close the grass discharge passage. The pivotal shutter comprises a pivotal shaft and a unitary shutter member mounted on the pivotal shaft to undergo pivotal movement therewith for opening and closing the grass discharge passage.

Abstract: A system, a method and a computer readable medium are provided for simulating a combined musculoskeletal and augmentation device system. The dynamics model of the combined musculoskeletal and augmentation device system receives computed torques at the joints as inputs and delivers simulated kinematic data of the segments as outputs. The augmentation device controller for control of the augmentation device, receives the simulated kinematic data as inputs and delivers assist torques as outputs. The inverse dynamics model for the musculoskeletal and augmentation device system, receives the simulated kinematic data, desired kinematic data of the segments and the assit torques as inputs and delivers the computed net joint torque and muscle torque. The muscle force and muscle capacity module for checking and adjusting the computed torques, receives the computed torques as inputs and delivers computed torques as outputs after the checking and adjustment.

Abstract: A journal of a crankshaft is rotatably supported by a journal-supporting portion of a cylinder block and a bearing cap. An arcuate oil guide groove is defined in a side face of the bearing cap, and coils which are portions of a stator of a generator or motor are fitted into an oil guide groove. Oil flowing down from an oil return passage provided in the cylinder block and oil flowing down from a blow-by gas passage, flow downwards from an upper end of the oil guide groove and return through an opening to an oil pan. In this process, the oil is brought into contact with the coils to cool the stator. Therefore, even if the stator is located above the oil stored in the oil pan, the stator having a raised temperature can be cooled efficiently, to thereby prevent degradation of the performance of the generator or motor.

Abstract: A vehicle electronic key system includes a control device mounted on a vehicle and an electronic key for transmitting a response signal in response to reception of a request signal from the control device. The control device includes means for outputting a request signal to the electronic key in response to the ON operation of a main switch of the vehicle (request signal generation means, a transmission circuit, and a transmission antenna), means for detecting a response signal from the electronic key (a reception circuit and response signal matching means), and means for performing an alarm output (monitoring means, a third drive circuit, and an alarm lamp) when no response signal is detected in spite of the output of the request signal.