Abstract: An envelope processing apparatus for enclosing an enclosure in an envelope includes an envelope conveyance path, an enclosure supplier, an envelope supplier, a flap opener, and an envelope stacker. The envelope conveyance path extends in a substantially vertical direction to convey the envelope. The enclosure supplier supplies the enclosure to the envelope via the envelope conveyance path. The envelope supplier supplies the envelope to the envelope conveyance path, The flap opener opens a flap portion of the envelope between the envelope supplier and the envelope conveyance path. The envelope stacker stacks the envelope ejected from the envelope conveyance path.

Abstract: An enclosing-sealing apparatus includes a flap opener that opens a flap of an envelope while the envelope is conveyed to an enclosing position. A first envelope detector is disposed upstream from the flap opener in an envelope conveyance direction and detects both ends of the envelope in the envelope conveyance direction. A second envelope detector is disposed downstream from the flap opener in the envelope conveyance direction and detects both ends of the envelope in the envelope conveyance direction in an open state in which the flap opens. A controller determines the open state of the flap based on a first detection result sent from the first envelope detector and a second detection result sent from the second envelope detector. The controller performs troubleshooting for enclosing the enclosure into the envelope if the controller determines that the open state of the flap is faulty.

Abstract: A substrate processing method is for processing a substrate that includes a first region and a second region with compositions different from each other. The substrate processing method includes (a) preferentially forming, by a substrate processing apparatus, a first deposit on the first region; (b) forming, after (a), a second deposit on the second region, the second deposit containing fluorine and the second deposit being different from the first deposit; and (c) removing, after (b), the second deposit and at least a part of the second region. The steps (a)-(c) are repeated, in order, in a case that a stop condition is not satisfied.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for selectively etching a first region made of silicon oxide to a second region made of silicon nitride. The method includes: performing a first sequence once or more to etch the first region; and performing a second sequence once or more to further etch the first region. The first sequence includes: a first step of generating plasma of a processing gas containing a fluorocarbon to form a fluorocarbon-containing deposit on a workpiece; and a second step of etching the first region by radicals of the fluorocarbon. The second sequence includes: a third step of generating plasma of a processing gas containing a fluorocarbon gas to form a fluorocarbon-containing deposit on a workpiece; and a fourth step of generating plasma of a processing gas containing oxygen gas and an inert gas in the processing container.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for selectively etching a first region made of silicon oxide to a second region made of silicon nitride. The method includes: performing a first sequence once or more to etch the first region; and performing a second sequence once or more to further etch the first region. The first sequence includes: a first step of generating plasma of a processing gas containing a fluorocarbon to form a fluorocarbon-containing deposit on a workpiece; and a second step of etching the first region by radicals of the fluorocarbon. The second sequence includes: a third step of generating plasma of a processing gas containing a fluorocarbon gas to form a fluorocarbon-containing deposit on a workpiece; and a fourth step of generating plasma of a processing gas containing oxygen gas and an inert gas in the processing container.

Abstract: An upper surface of a head part of a valve lifter has a predetermined turn back portion at which, with a variable valve control device kept controlled to induce a maximum lift of an engine valve, a swing stroke of a rounded cam surface of a swing cam relative to the upper surface of the head part changes a traveling direction from a radially outward direction for opening the engine valve to a radially inward direction for closing the engine valve. An inlet end part of an oil hole formed in the head part is placed at a radially inside position of the upper surface other than a position where side edges of the rounded cam surface of the swing cam are in contact with the inlet end part of the oil hole when the rounded cam surface is placed in the vicinity of the turn back portion.

Abstract: An upper surface of a head part of a valve lifter has a predetermined turn back portion at which, with a valuable valve control device kept controlled to induce a maximum lift of an engine valve, a swing stroke of a rounded cam surface of a swing cam relative to the upper surface of the head part changes a traveling direction from a radially outward direction for opening the engine valve to a radially inward direction for closing the engine valve. An inlet end part of an oil hole formed in the head part is placed at a radially inside position of the upper surface other than a position where side edges of the rounded cam surface of the swing cam are in contact with the inlet end part of the oil hole when the rounded cam surface is placed in the vicinity of the turn back portion.

Abstract: A variable valve operating apparatus including a drive cam, a rocker cam swingably moveable about the swing axis so as to move an engine valve to open and closing positions, a motion transmission mechanism operative to convert a rotational motion of the drive cam to a swing motion of the rocker cam, and a control shaft operative to control an attitude of the motion transmission mechanism to vary a valve lift of the engine valve. A roller or a follower portion are disposed on one end portion of the motion transmission mechanism on a side of the drive cam and contacted with the drive cam. A biasing member is arranged to bias the roller onto the drive cam through a roller shaft or biases the follower portion onto the drive cam through a support for the biasing member.

Abstract: A valve-operating device for an internal combustion engine equipped with two cylinder banks each having a variable valve timing and working angle mechanism comprises a drive shaft, a cylindrical hollow camshaft fitted to an outer periphery of the drive shaft to be rotatable relatively about the drive shaft, a non-uniform velocity coupling including an annular disc disposed between the drive shaft and the camshaft for transmitting motion of rotation from the drive shaft to the camshaft, permitting a phase change of the camshaft relative to the drive shaft with non-uniform rotation during eccentric motion of the annular disc, and a control housing rotatably supporting the annular disc. Also provided is a decentering mechanism supporting the control housing rockably to produce the eccentric motion of the annular disc.

Abstract: A device for moving a hollow cam relative to a driving shaft includes an intermediate member between a drive member fixed to the driving shaft and a driven member fixe to the hollow cam. A cam ring in the form of an eccentric cam is disposed between the driving shaft and the intermediate member to maintain eccentric rotation of the intermediate member relative to the driving shaft. A driver mechanism controls the angular position of the cam ring.

Abstract: A drive shaft is synchronously driven by an internal combustion engine. A cylindrical hollow cam shaft is rotatably disposed about the drive shaft. The cam shaft has thereon a cam which actuates a valve of the engine. A first flange is formed on one end of the cam shaft. A second flange is connected to the drive shaft to rotate therewith. The second flange faces the first flange. First and second radially extending grooves are formed in mutually facing surfaces of the first and second flanges respectively. The first and second grooves are arranged at opposite sides with respect to an axis of the drive shaft. An annular disc is disposed between the first and second flanges. The annular disc has first and second pins which are slidably engaged with the first and second grooves respectively. A control housing rotatably receives therein the annular disc. The control housing is pivotal in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the drive shaft and has therein a cam receiving circular opening.

Abstract: A valve lifter and processing method therefor include a valve lifter surface to be installed in a recess of a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine. The method includes a grinding step for beveling, or tapering, the circumferential end of a cylindrical wall portion of the valve lifter which slidingly contacts the recess. Excess material resulting from the beveling process is then removed for smoothing the beveled circumferential end. The smoothed surface is then coated with a hardening layer for abrasion protection and smoother operational movement. As a final step, the hardening layer may be polished for further enhancement of operating performance.

Abstract: According to a control strategy, a cylinder valve control device is monitored and operation of the engine is modified. The cylinder valve control device includes a driving shaft driven by the engine to drive an intermediate member which in turn drives a cam arranged to open an engine intake valve, and a driver which is operative in response to a command to vary an amount of eccentricity of the intermediate member with respect to a shaft axis of the driving shaft. During one mode of engine operation, the intermediate member is supported in a support for rotation about an axis in eccentric condition with respect to the shaft axis to accelerate and decelerate the cam with respect to rotation of the driving shaft. During another mode of engine operation, the intermediate member is in concentric condition with respect to the shaft axis to provide a synchronous motion of the cam with rotation of the driving shaft. In response to the eccentricity of the intermediate member, the engine operation is modified.

Abstract: In an apparatus for detecting a valve lifting characteristic of a cam shaft assembly for use in a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine with a cylinder head to control opening and closure of cylinder valves, a sensor which is so arranged and constructed as to detect the valve lifting characteristic of the cam shaft assembly is disposed on an end of at least one of either a first eccentric control cam or a second eccentric control cam, both of the first and second eccentric cams being rotatably coupled with an intermediate member supported by a support so as to vary an eccentricity of the intermediate member to a shaft axis of a driven shaft according to a rotation position of the first eccentric control cam, the first and second eccentric control cam, the intermediate member, the support, and the driven shaft constituting the cam shaft assembly.

Abstract: According to a control strategy, a cylinder valve control device is monitored and operation of the engine is modified. The cylinder valve control device includes a driving shaft driven by the engine to drive an intermediate member which in turn drives a cam arranged to open an engine intake valve, and a driver which is operative in response to a command to vary an amount of eccentricity of the intermediate member with respect to a shaft axis of the driving shaft. During one mode of engine operation, the intermediate member is supported in a support for rotation about an axis in eccentric condition with respect to the shaft axis to accelerate and decelerate the cam with respect to rotation of the driving shaft. During another mode of engine operation, the intermediate member is in concentric condition with respect to the shaft axis to provide a synchronous motion of the cam with rotation of the driving shaft. In response to the eccentricity of the intermediate member, the engine operation is modified.

Abstract: A catalytic combustion apparatus has a cylindrical housing defining a fluid passage, and a plurality of combustion catalyst bodies arranged face to face along the fluid passage in the cylindrical housing. The catalyst bodies are loosely fired in the cylindrical housing. Each catalyst body defines numerous bores extending along the fluid passage. The cylindrical housing includes holders extending inwardly of the housing for contacting end surfaces of the catalyst bodies to prevent movement thereof along the fluid passage.

Abstract: An engine valve control mechanism is disclosed in which the eccentricity of an intermediate member can be varied by a pivotable support and a valve lift of a cylinder valve is varied in response to the varying eccentricity such that a reduced valve lift is produced during operation with the intermediate member held eccentric with a driving shaft which drives, via the intermediate member, a cam which actuates the valve.

Abstract: A catalytic combustion apparatus has a cylindrical housing defining a fluid passage, and a plurality of combustion catalyst bodies arranged face to face along the fluid passage in the cylindrical housing. The catalyst bodies are loosely fitted in the cylindrical housing. Each catalyst body defines numerous bores extending along the fluid passage. The cylindrical housing includes holders extending inwardly of the housing for contacting end surfaces of the catalyst bodies to prevent movement thereof along the fluid passage.

Abstract: In order to detect a position where a human body may exist with the aid of a single infrared detector, a human body detecting system comprises a condenser for the provision of a plurality of effective detection regions each having different areas and provided within partial detection regions. When the human body moves across one of the effective detection regions, the infrared detector detects the infrared rays radiated from the human body to produce signals. Accordingly, the thus output signals present different frequencies depending on the effective detection regions, whereby the differences in the fluctuation times of the output signals and in the frequencies are discriminated by a decision apparatus to consequently detect which partial detection region includes the human body.

Abstract: A cam shaft assembly comprises a first coupling between a drive collar rotatable with a driving shaft and an annular disc at a first position spaced from the shaft axis, and a second coupling between the disc and said hollow cam at a second position angularly spaced from said first position with respect to the shaft axis. The first and second couplings are so spaced from the shaft axis that they are at varying distances from the axis of the disc during operation. Each of the first and second couplings has a movable connection with the disc to permit the variation in its distance from the axis of the disc. The disc is rotatably supported in a disc housing. A control rod is mounted for rotation and has an eccentric control cam which controls movement of the disc housing. A pivot shaft extends through the disc housing for allowing movement of the disc housing following the eccentric control cam in which said plurality of hollow cams are disposed.