Abstract: A method of fabricating a thin-film compound solar cell having an n-type buffer layer formed therein for providing a heterojunction with a p-type compound semiconductor light absorbing layer formed on a back electrode by applying a chemical bath deposition (CBD) process using an aqueous solution for dipping the light absorbing layer to deposit particles on the surface thereof. In this process, the temperature of the solution is controlled from low to high to increase sizes of the particles to be deposited on the light absorbing layer so as to form the buffer layer which possesses a high optical transmittance, tight adherence to the light absorbing layer and conformity with the transparent electrode formed thereon even if it would be made of InS material generally possessing a small bandgap and hard to pass light of short wavelengths.

Abstract: A method and catalysts for producing a hydrogen-rich syngas are disclosed. According to the method a CO-containing gas contacts a water gas shift (WGS) catalyst, optionally in the presence of water, preferably at a temperature of less than about 450° C. to produce a hydrogen-rich gas, such as a hydrogen-rich syngas. Also disclosed is a water gas shift catalyst formulated from: a) Pt, its oxides or mixtures thereof; b) Ru, its oxides or mixtures thereof; and c) at least one of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Sc, Y, Ti, Zr, V, Mo, Mn, Fe, Co, Rh, Ir, Ge, Sn, Sb, La, Ce, Pr, Sm, and Eu. Another disclosed catalyst formulation comprises Pt, its oxides or mixtures thereof; Ru, its oxides or mixtures thereof; Co, its oxides or mixtures thereof; and at least one of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Sc, Y, Ti, Zr, V, Mo, Mn, Fe, Rh, Ir, Ge, Sn, Sb, La, Ce, Pr, Sm, and Eu, their oxides and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell, which generates power by supplying anode gas and cathode gas into the fuel cell, a compressor which controls the amount of the gas to be supplied into the fuel cell, and a pressure control valve which controls the gas pressure of the fuel cell and which is provided on the downstream of the fuel cell, is controlled by changing an amount of the supply gas by said compressor, and thereafter changing the opening of said pressure control valve during the transition period of the fuel cell.

Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided comprising a seat back frame having right and left side frames, a headrest for supporting a head of a seat occupant, and a back-and-forth movable body provided inside a backrest that is positioned at a rear of the seat occupant, wherein a backward movement of the back-and-forth movable body forwardly moves the headrest to support the head of the seat occupant. The back-and-forth movable body is attached to each side frame through a link member and is provided with a backward protrusion protruding backward, and the backward protrusion extends laterally.

Abstract: According to embodiments, there is provided an electronic component unit, including: a circuit board including: a heat generating element that generates a heat; and a bonding metal foil layer formed on a face thereof; a heat transfer board including: a board body having a thermal conductivity higher than that of the circuit board; an insulative layer formed on a first face of the board body; and a heat transfer metal foil layer formed to cover the insulative layer; and a heat sink, wherein the circuit board is assembled with the heat sink via the heat transfer board such that (1) the heat transfer metal foil layer is soldered to the bonding metal foil layer and (2) the second face of the board body is superimposed on the heat sink.

Abstract: An electronic scanning radar apparatus includes a transmission unit configured to transmit a transmission wave, and a receiving unit including a plurality of antennas receiving a receiving wave coming from a target. The receiving wave is formed from a reflection wave of the transmission wave reflected at the target. A beat signal generation unit is configured to generate beat signals in response to the transmission wave and the receiving wave. A frequency resolution processing unit is configured to obtain complex number data calculated from beat frequencies having signal levels obtained by performing a frequency resolution for the beat signals based on a predetermined frequency width. A peak detector is configured to detect an existence of the target by detecting peak signal levels of the beat frequencies, and a direction detecting unit is configured to calculate an incoming direction of the receiving wave based on a normal equation having an order.

Abstract: An engine balancer system is provided in which a balancer housing (17) disposed so as to face an oil pan beneath a crankshaft is formed by joining an upper housing (29) and a lower housing (30) via mating faces (P), and the height of the mating faces (P) is lower on a vehicle front side than on a vehicle rear side. Oil discharge holes (45a, 46) for discharging oil that is within the balancer housing (17) are formed in the mating faces (P) on the higher side of the balancer housing (17) and in the upper housing (29) above the mating faces (P) on the lower side of the balancer housing (17). This enables the position of the oil discharge hole (45a) on the lower side to be as high as possible, thereby suppressing penetration of oil into the interior of the balancer housing (17) through the oil discharge hole (45a).

Abstract: There is provided a mudguard mounting structure, superior in versatility and capable of reducing the number of steps for mounting. The present invention is a structure for mounting a mudguard on a rear bumper of a vehicle, in which a mounting member is used to mount the mudguard on the rear bumper, said mounting member comprising a clamping portion on one side thereof for clamping an end portion of the rear bumper, and a mounting portion on which the mudguard is mounted on an other side. The mounting member can be mounted on the rear bumper by allowing the clamping portion to clamp the aforementioned end portion, thereby reducing the number of parts and steps for mounting, and costs. Since the mounting member excels in versatility, costs can be further reduced. An engagement portion for engaging the rear bumper is provided on an inner surface of the clamping portion.

Abstract: An oil exchange timing indicating apparatus for vehicles capable of informing a user of an exchange timing of oil on the basis of the degree of degradation of oil as quickly as possible. An oil exchange timing indicating apparatus includes an odometer for integrating vehicle travel distances, an operation time integrator for integrating operation times of an engine mounted on the vehicle, an oil exchange informing device for informing a user of an exchange timing of oil, and a controlling device for starting, when either an integrated value of the travel distances or an integrated value of the operation times, based on signals from the odometer and the operation time integrator exceeds a preset value, the oil exchange informing device to inform the user of the exchange timing of oil.

Abstract: According to the embodiments, there is provided an image processing apparatus including: an acquisition section configured to acquire 3×3 pixel block data to have one red pixel at a center; an estimation section configured to compute blue value differences between blue values of diagonal pairs of blue pixels in the block data, and to estimate a direction of a contrast boundary based on the blue value differences; and a processing section configured to compute a computed blue value based on the blue values of the four blue pixels within the block data according to the estimated direction of the contrast boundary, to compute a computed green value based on green values of two green pixels within the block data, and to output a color image pixel to have a red value of the red pixel and the computed blue and green values.

Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided comprising a seat back frame having right and left side frames, a headrest for supporting a head of a seat occupant, and a back-and-forth movable body provided inside a backrest that is positioned at a rear of the seat occupant, wherein a backward movement of the back-and-forth movable body forwardly moves the headrest to support the head of the seat occupant. The back-and-forth movable body is attached to each side frame through a link member and is provided with a backward protrusion protruding backward, and the backward protrusion extends laterally.

Abstract: A motion calculation device includes an image-capturing unit configured to capture an image of a range including a plane and outputs the captured image, an extraction unit configured to extract a region of the plane from the image, a detection unit configured to detect feature points and motion vectors of the feature points from a plurality of images captured by the image-capturing unit at a predetermined time interval; and a calculation unit configured to calculate the motion of the host device based on both of an epipolar constraint relating to the feature points and a homography relating to the region.

Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided comprising a seat back frame having right and left side frames, a headrest for supporting a head of a seat occupant, and a back-and-forth movable body provided inside a backrest that is positioned at a rear of the seat occupant, wherein a backward movement of the back-and-forth movable body forwardly moves the headrest to support the head of the seat occupant. The back-and-forth movable body is attached to each side frame through a link member and is provided with a backward protrusion protruding backward, and the backward protrusion extends laterally.

Abstract: An in-vehicle illuminating device 1 capable of efficiently guiding luminous flux emitted from a luminous source to a light guiding body. The in-vehicle illuminating device 1 is provided with a rod-shaped light guiding body 13 which reflects, on its inner surface, light rays incident from an optical incidence plane 16 provided at an end 13a to guide the light rays to the other end longitudinally provided, a lamp 19 which emits light to a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the rod-shaped light guiding body 13 and is arranged in the vicinity of the optical incidence plane 16, and an light introducing body 20 for introducing the luminous flux emitted from the lamp 19 to the optical incidence plane 16. The light introducing body 20 allows the optical incidence plane 16 to be set within a range of the luminous flux emitted from the lamp 19.

Abstract: An operation apparatus includes image capturing device capable of capturing images of a plurality of mark members provided in assembled members in a compartment; determining device capable of determining individually whether each of the mark members is or is not shielded on the basis of the image data taken and outputted by the image capturing device; and operation instructing device configured to output an operation command to on-board devices in accordance with a result of the determining by the determining device. Accordingly, it is easy for an operator to understand operational steps, thereby effectively preventing an erroneous operation due to the operator's misunderstanding. Furthermore, it is possible to simplify a determination logic of the operation instructing device, and also possible to easily provide a retrofitted option.

Abstract: There is provided an illuminating device for vehicle which can be protected from penetration of, for example water. An illuminating device 1 for vehicle comprises a light source 7 and a lighting main body 2 that transmits light irradiated from the light source 7 and then emits the light outward. The lighting main body 2 includes a light guide body 5 and a casing 6 formed integrally with the light guide body 5. The casing 6 has a light source installation portion 11 for installing the light source 7 and a cover 4 which covers only the light source installation portion 11. A gap is sealed between the light source installation portion 11 and the cover 4.

Abstract: An electronic scanning radar apparatus includes a transmission unit configured to transmit a transmission wave, a receiving unit including a plurality of antennas receiving an incoming wave coming from a target, a beat signal generation unit configure to generate beat signals in response to the transmission wave and the incoming wave, a frequency resolution processing unit obtaining complex number data calculated from beat frequencies having signal levels obtained by performing a frequency resolution for the beat signals based on a predetermined frequency width, a peak detector detecting an existence of a present target by detecting peak signal levels of the beat frequencies, a target link unit associating between the present target detected in a present detecting cycle and a past target detected in past detecting cycles; and a direction detecting unit calculating a direction of the incoming wave based on the weighted averaging process.

Abstract: There is provided a structure for mounting an attachment for vehicle capable of absorbing the marginal difference of a front spoiler and reducing the procedures for controlling the dimension of the front spoiler. The structure for mounting a front spoiler on a front bumper includes: a male clip provided on the front spoiler; an insertion hole provided on the front bumper for inserting the male clip therethrough; and a female clip engaged with the male clip and allowing the front spoiler to be held by the front bumper. The male clip is loosely inserted through the insertion hole and engaged with the female clip around said insertion hole via an abutting brim, thereby producing a gap between the insertion hole and the male clip, thus increasing the degree of freedom of positional adjustment, reducing the steps for mounting and controlling the accuracy of the attachment, reducing the overall cost.

Abstract: A navigation device includes a base unit 10 which is mounted to a body of a vehicle, a front panel unit 14 which is detachably mounted to and connected to the base unit 10, the front panel unit having a navigation function of displaying map data on a front panel and displaying a location of the vehicle on the map data, and an authentication unit 30 which performs authentication to confirm that the base unit 10 and the front panel unit 14 have been connected to each other and, when confirmed, permits operation of an electrical control unit of the vehicle. The navigation device can be used as an antitheft device.

Abstract: There is provided an antenna small in its size but capable of achieving sufficient gain. The antenna comprises antenna elements connected to a power source. The antenna elements comprise upstanding vertical sections connected to the power source and horizontal sections substantially parallel with a ground pattern and having one end thereof connected to an end portion of the vertical sections. The antenna elements further comprise short stubs provided away from the vertical sections toward the other end of the horizontal sections and connected to the ground pattern, and open-ended open stubs provided away from the short stubs toward the other end of the horizontal sections and extending from the horizontal sections toward the ground pattern. The antenna elements are made of a metal foil and are provided on an antenna board.

Abstract: An in-vehicle illuminating device capable of preventing light emitted from a light source from coming directly into a passenger's sight. An in-vehicle illuminating device 1 includes a housing 2, a reflective member 18 provided within the housing 2, a light source or LEDs 10 orienting a light axis of light emitted therefrom to the reflective member 18. Reflected light obtained by allowing the reflective member 18 to reflect the light emitted from the LEDs 40 is irradiated to the outside of the housing 2, thus preventing light emitted from the LEDs 40 from coming directly into a passenger's sight.

Abstract: In an ECU, a coolant fan performs cooling operation such that a control DUTY value is limited by a control DUTY value according to tolerable noise level of the cooling fan based on a vehicle speed in a case in which the temperature in the high-voltage battery is lower than a predetermined limitation for highest temperature. In a case in which the temperature in the high-voltage battery is higher than the predetermined limitation for highest temperature, the cooling fan performs the cooling operation by using an energy storage device cooling operation requirement value and an IPU cooling operation requirement value such that performance in the high-voltage battery is not affected. By doing this, a temperature controlling apparatus for batteries in which it is possible to cool the battery and solve temperature difference among a plurality of batteries can be provided.

Abstract: There is provided a cover panel including a lighting device which is attachable without a mounting seat. A cover panel 1 includes a panel main body 5 fixed on an instrument panel 3 in an interior of an automobile and a lighting device 6 provided inside the panel main body 5. The panel main body 5 comprises an opening 7 which forms a gap between itself and the instrument panel 3, and light emitted through the opening 7 from the lighting device 6 illuminates the interior of the automobile. The panel main body 5 and the lighting device 6 are integrated and are fixed on the instrument panel 3, so that the cover panel 1 including the lighting device 6 can be fixed on the instrument panel 3 without utilizing the mounting seat as was conventionally done.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a thin-film compound solar cell having an n-type buffer layer formed therein for providing a heterojunction with a p-type compound semiconductor light absorbing layer formed on a back electrode by applying a chemical bath deposition (CBD) process using an aqueous solution for dipping the light absorbing layer to deposit particles on the surface thereof. In this process, the temperature of the solution is controlled from low to high to increase sizes of the particles to be deposited on the light absorbing layer so as to form the buffer layer which possesses a high optical transmittance, tight adherence to the light absorbing layer and conformity with the transparent electrode formed thereon even if it would be made of InS material generally possessing a small bandgap and hard to pass light of short wavelengths.

Abstract: An onboard radar apparatus includes a transmission wave generating unit configured to generate a transmission wave, a vertically polarized wave transmitting antenna configured to vertically polarize and transmit the transmission wave, a horizontally polarized wave transmitting antenna configured to horizontally polarize and transmit the transmission wave, a receiving antenna configured to receive a reflection wave, a switch control unit configured to perform a switching between the vertically polarized wave transmitting antenna and the horizontally polarized wave transmitting antenna, and a receiving unit configured to receive one of the reflection waves based on receiving levels of the reflection waves, which have been received by the receiving antenna before and after the switching is performed by the switch control unit.

Abstract: An output compensating device of an image sensor using a number of light-sensor circuits, each of which represents a unit pixel and works by 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 using sub-threshold region characteristic of a transistor having a logarithmic output characteristic in a weak inverse state, which enables the image sensor to compensate for variations in each pixel output by using a sensor signal obtainable when changing a gate voltage and drain voltage of the transistor with shut-off light falling on the photoelectric converting element to a value lower than normal voltages of the transistor for taking video. This enables the image sensor to easily compensate for variations in output characteristics of respective light sensor circuits in a pseudo output state created therein with no actual light falling thereon.

Abstract: A passenger detection system includes a satellite sensor circuit; and a master determination unit. The satellite sensor circuit includes an antenna electrode which is provided in at least one of a seating face or a back face of a seat; and an electric field generation unit which generates an electric field around the antenna electrode, and generates a current signal based on the electric field. The master determination unit includes a current detection unit which detects a variation of the current signal; and a control unit which determines a sitting situation of a passenger by comparing signal data with threshold data, the signal data being related to a current signal which flows based on the electric field which is obtained from the current detection unit and which is generated at the antenna electrode, the threshold data being related to the sitting situation of the passenger. The satellite sensor circuit and the master determination unit are connected via a power supply line and a ground line.

Abstract: An engine balancer system is provided in which a balancer housing (17) disposed so as to face an oil pan beneath a crankshaft is formed by joining an upper housing (29) and a lower housing (30) via mating faces (P), and the height of the mating faces (P) is lower on a vehicle front side than on a vehicle rear side. Oil discharge holes (45a, 46) for discharging oil that is within the balancer housing (17) are formed in the mating faces (P) on the higher side of the balancer housing (17) and in the upper housing (29) above the mating faces (P) on the lower side of the balancer housing (17). This enables the position of the oil discharge hole (45a) on the lower side to be as high as possible, thereby suppressing penetration of oil into the interior of the balancer housing (17) through the oil discharge hole (45a).

Abstract: A system is provided that enables communications between a driver of a vehicle and a person outside the vehicle, between a rider of a motorcycle and a fellow rider of the same vehicle, or between a driver of a vehicle and another driver of another vehicle. A Bluetooth communication system comprises a Bluetooth communication device mountable to a helmet, and an indicator unit having an indicator disposed in a viewing range of a driver of such a vehicle as a car or a boat. It further comprises a transmitting module disposed in the Bluetooth communication device for transmitting an indication signal to the indicator in response to reception of a calling signal and a receiving module disposed in the indicator unit for driving the indicator in response to reception of the indication signal. The indicator indicates when a call arrives at a Bluetooth communication device mounted on a helmet.

Abstract: A fuel cell is provided for improving the starting performance at low temperatures. The fuel cell includes a cell structure in which an anode and a cathode are provided on either side of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane. The fuel cell may include a first cooling liquid passage and a second cooling liquid passage independent of the first cooling liquid passage. Cooling liquid is heated by an external heating device and supplied to the second cooling liquid passage.

Abstract: A silencer capable of preventing a damage of a metallic layer formed on an inner surface of an external cylinder formed from CFRP, and the external cylinder for the silencer. The silencer 1 includes the external cylinder 2, an internal cylinder 3 and an acoustic absorbent (not shown). A posterior end 2r of the external cylinder 2 is detachably provided with a tail cap 4. An anterior end 2f of the external cylinder 2 is detachably provided with a coupling body 5. An inner circumferential surface of the posterior end 2r of the external cylinder 2 includes a posterior covering portion 30 while an inner circumferential surface of the anterior end 2f thereof includes an anterior covering portion 32. This posterior covering portion 30 covers a posterior end portion 8r of a metallic layer 8 while the anterior covering portion 32 covers an anterior end portion 8f thereof.

Abstract: A front and rear wheel drive vehicle having a front wheel pair and a rear wheel pair, one of which is driven with an engine and the other one of which is driven with a motor. The vehicle includes an engine driving force setting section which sets a target driving force of the engine based on driving conditions of the vehicle, a motor driving force setting section which sets a target driving force of the motor based on driving conditions of the vehicle and a control section of the motor in accordance with changes of the target engine driving force and the target motor driving force.

Abstract: A part mounting grommet comprises an outer grommet and an inner grommet inserted into the outer grommet and supported by the outer grommet, and supports a part provided with a mounting member beforehand on a vehicle main body. The outer grommet has a clearance in a radial direction with a mounting hole drilled in the vehicle main body, a first stopper stopped by the outer edge of one side of the mounting hole on one end thereof, and an elastically deformable first latching piece latched with the outer edge of the other side of the mounting hole. The inner grommet has a clearance in the radial direction with the outer grommet, a second stopper which abuts with the first stopper, and an elastically deformable second latching piece latched with the other end of the first stopper. The outer grommet and the inner grommet are respectively movable in the radial direction.

Abstract: A grip includes a grip body to be fitted on a mounting portion. The grip body includes an inner piece, an outer casing mounted on the inner piece, and a resin member fitted on the inner piece so as to be exposed through an opening, such as a hole or a cutout provided in the outer casing. The resin member is inserted in the outer casing so as to be partly exposed through the opening, and the inner piece is then inserted in the resin member fitted in the outer casing.

Abstract: A lane recognition apparatus that recognizes a lane from an input image sequence captured from a visual sensor mounted on a vehicle at a fixed time interval, includes a time series smoothing part for generating a smoothed feature image based on a feature image extracted from the input image sequence so that a dotted line lane boundary describes a linear locus over time, a gradient image generation part for generating a gradient image by estimating a feature value gradient at each pixel position of the smoothed feature image, and a Hough transform part for performing Hough transform on the gradient image and detecting lines of edges in the smoothed feature image.

Abstract: A warm-up apparatus GS for a fuel cell 1, 51 comprising: a compressor 22, 71 for feeding supply gas A to the fuel cell 1, 51; a main passage W1, W3 connecting the compressor 22, 71 and the fuel cell 1, 51 and feeding supply gas A; an intercooler 23, 73 arranged in the main passage W1, W3; and a bypass passage W2, W4 connecting the compressor 22, 71 and the fuel cell 1, 51 and feeding supply gas A in such a manner that the supply gas A bypasses the intercooler 23, 73.

Abstract: An antitheft system and method capable of being more easily mounted than was conventionally done, with a detecting capability, necessary and sufficient to determine the occurrence of a theft. An RSS value r is calculated as a square-root of sum of squares by putting together each of variations in X-, Y- and Z-axes in a sensor unit 38. Then, a moving average value av obtained by averaging a predetermined number of consecutive RSS values r taken in chronological order is utilized to determine whether a theft is in process or not. Hence, even if an X-axis detector 41, a Y-axis detector 42 and a Z-axis detector 43 are not matched to longitudinal, lateral and vertical directions FR, LR and UD of a two-wheeled motor vehicle, it is possible to determine whether a theft is in process or not.

Abstract: The present invention provides a metallic separator for fuel cells capable of suppressing dropping out of conductive inclusions due to gaps formed at the interface of a base material and the conductive inclusions due to press-forming, thereby decreasing the contact resistance and enhancing the power generation performance, and also provides a method for producing the same.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a fuel cell stack includes a fuel cell stack having a stacked body formed by stacking fuel cell units together and a pair of end plates sandwiching the stacked body therebetween; electrical heaters disposed near the ends of the stacked body or the end plates, respectively; a water purging device for purging water which is generated during a power generation operation in the fuel cell stack, and which is held in the fuel cell units; and a control unit which controls the power generation operation in the fuel cell stack, and which is operatively connected to the electrical heaters and the water purging device. The control unit is adapted to operate the electrical heaters and the water purging device when the power generation operation is stopped.

Abstract: A system capable of controlling an autonomous walking assist rhythm, while following changes in a walking rhythm of a walker at the same time. A control system 100 in accordance with the present invention generates a first oscillator x that tugs and is tugged by a walking oscillator (hip joint angular velocity) ?H? such that an intrinsic angular velocity is reflected. Then, a new intrinsic angular velocity ?m is determined on the basis of the difference between a first phase difference ?HM between the first oscillator x and the walking oscillator ?H? and a desired phase difference ?d. Furthermore, a second oscillator y is generated that tugs and is tugged by the walking oscillator ?H? such that the intrinsic angular velocity ?m is reflected, and has a second phase difference ?hm, which is closer to the desired phase difference ?d than the first phase difference ?HM is, with respect to the walking oscillator ?H?.

Abstract: A powered vehicle door system and method in which a motor-driven door opening and closing mechanism and a motor-driven latching mechanism cooperate to enable the door to open from a latched, fully-closed position with improved noise control and improved smoothness of operation. The door can be a tailgate or a swinging or sliding door, and the opening and closing mechanism is operative to place the door in an over-closed position, thus reducing or eliminating the inherent tension placed upon the latch from the compressive force of the seal interposed between the door and the door frame. Optionally, the door latching mechanism assists the door opening and closing mechanism in placing the door in the over-closed position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a removable adhesive sheet, which comprises a mixture of a hot-melt removable adhesive and a ferromagnetic material. The removable adhesive sheet of the present invention can be held to the prescribed location by means of magnetic force in initial stage of the adhesion at room temperature to an article composed of a metal or the like, and further, can move easily and position easily to a correct location, and can be peeled off easily after sticking by heating.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing an exhaust pipe assembly for an engine which are capable of decreasing a temperature difference between a seam-welded outer surface and a seam-welded inner surface at the time of seam welding. An exhaust pipe assembly manufacturing apparatus 70 comprises an outer circumferential electrode wheel 71 abutted on an outer circumference of a mounting ring 41, a pressing means 102 pressing the outer circumferential electrode wheel 71 to the mounting ring 41, an inner circumferential electrode wheel 103 abutted on an inner circumference of a pipe 40 making up an exhaust pipe assembly 26, a transformer 104 serving as a voltage supply means for supplying a predetermined voltage to the outer and inner circumferential electrode wheels 71 and 103, and a controller 105 for control of voltage of the transformer 104. Thickness T1 of the outer circumferential electrode wheel 71 is formed larger than thickness T2 of the inner circumferential electrode wheel 103.

Abstract: In an onboard gateway apparatus, when data is received from one network, the received data is stored in the buffer. The buffer includes a first storage area for storing data in the order of priority of an identifier (ID) attached to the data and a second storage area for storing data in the order in which the data is received. A control means stores the received data in one of the first and second storage areas based on the attached identifier, and sends the data to another network in accordance with the priority of the ID of the data. As to data passing through the first storage area, sending in the order of priority is ensured. As to data passing through the second storage area, sending in the order in which the data is received is ensured.

Abstract: A fuel cell separator plate comprising a portion in contact with an electrode, and a sealing portion provided around the contact portion, the contact portion having a larger surface roughness (Rmax) than that of the sealing portion. It is preferably a molded separator plate made of a composite carbon material comprising carbon and a thermosetting resin.

Abstract: An engine balancer system is provided in which a balancer housing (17) disposed so as to face an oil pan beneath a crankshaft is formed by joining an upper housing (29) and a lower housing (30) via mating faces (P), and the height of the mating faces (P) is lower on a vehicle front side than on a vehicle rear side. Oil discharge holes (45a, 46) for discharging oil that is within the balancer housing (17) are formed in the mating faces (P) on the higher side of the balancer housing (17) and in the upper housing (29) above the mating faces (P) on the lower side of the balancer housing (17). This enables the position of the oil discharge hole (45a) on the lower side to be as high as possible, thereby suppressing penetration of oil into the interior of the balancer housing (17) through the oil discharge hole (45a).

Abstract: The present invention provides a metallic separator for fuel cells capable of suppressing dropping out of conductive inclusions due to gaps formed at the interface of a base material and the conductive inclusions due to press-forming, thereby decreasing the contact resistance and enhancing the power generation performance, and also provides a method for producing the same.

Abstract: A control device for starting a fuel cell is provided which is capable of preventing an excessive reduction of the terminal voltage of the fuel cell. A primary precharge portion, provided with a high voltage switch and a current limiter, is disposed at the output portion of a power storage unit, and a secondary precharge portion, provided with a DC-DC chopper and a control portion, is disposed at the output side of a fuel cell. The primary precharge portion controls the output current to flow in a path via a resistor having a predetermined resistance. The secondary precharge portion controls an output current of the fuel cell based on a current command value IFCCMD for the fuel cell.

Abstract: A system for purifying exhaust gas generated by an internal combustion engine including a bypass branching out from the exhaust pipe downstream of a catalyst and merging to the exhaust pipe, an adsorber installed in the bypass, a bypass valve member which closes the bypass, and an EGR conduit connected to the bypass at one end and connected to the air intake system for recirculating the exhaust gas to the air intake system. The bypass valve member is opened for a period after engine startup to introduce the exhaust gas such that the adsorber installed in the bypass adsorbs the unburnt HC component in the exhaust gas. The adsorber adsorbs the HC component when the exhaust temperature rises and the adsorbed component is recirculated to the air intake system through the EGR conduit. In the system, the bypass valve is provided at or close to the branching point in the exhaust pipe and a chamber is provided close to the branching point such that the conduit is connected to the bypass at the one end in the chamber.