Abstract: A fuel reformer of an internal combustion engine includes: an octane number-increasing catalytic device including an octane number-increasing catalyst; and an oxygen supply device that supplies oxygen to the octane number-increasing catalytic device. The octane number-increasing catalyst includes rhodium and increases an octane number of liquid-phase fuel under presence of oxygen.

Abstract: A fuel reformer of a power source includes: a gas-liquid separator which separates raw fuel into gas-phase fuel and liquid-phase fuel; and a molecular weight-increasing catalytic device which is provided downstream of the gas-liquid separator and includes a molecular weight-increasing catalyst which increases molecular weight of the gas-phase fuel. The fuel reformer is capable of improving combustion characteristics.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying and storing articles comprises an inlet/outlet slot, a plurality of storage spaces stacked vertically and transversely, and a movable bucket for conveying an article from the inlet/outlet slot to one of the storage spaces and conveying an article from one of the storage spaces to the inlet/outlet slot. The bucket comprises a bucket body, an arm projecting from the bucket body, a first driving roller provided on the arm and a guide projecting from the bucket body. The first driving roller and the guide enter one of the storage spaces to clamp an article, thereby enabling the article to be transferred from the bucket into the storage space and be taken from the storage space into the bucket.

Abstract: A pressure sensor comprising a plurality of sensor parts arranged in matrix. A first electrode being connected with first wiring and a second electrode being connected with second wiring are disposed oppositely through a cavity part in the sensor part. The second electrode bends to the first electrode side in response to a pressure from a specimen and touches the first electrode upon application of a pressure of a specified level or above. When the specimen is pressed against a pressure detecting region, both electrodes touch each other at a sensor part corresponding to a protrusions of the specimen and are separated at a sensor part corresponding to a recess. When a scanning signal is fed from a scanning circuit to one wiring and presence of a signal flowing through the second wiring is detected by a sensing circuit, a pressure being applied to each sensor part can be detected.

Abstract: A pressure sensor comprising a plurality of sensor parts arranged in matrix. A first electrode being connected with first wiring and a second electrode being connected with second wiring are disposed oppositely through a cavity part in the sensor part. The second electrode bends to the first electrode side in response to a pressure from a specimen and touches the first electrode upon application of a pressure of a specified level or above. When the specimen is pressed against a pressure detecting region, both electrodes touch each other at a sensor part corresponding to a protrusion of the specimen and are separated at a sensor part corresponding to a recess. When a scanning signal is fed from a scanning circuit to one wiring and presence of a signal flowing through the second wiring is detected by a sensing circuit, a pressure being applied to each sensor part can be detected.

Abstract: A pressure sensor comprising a plurality of sensor parts arranged in matrix. A first electrode being connected with first wiring and a second electrode being connected with second wiring are disposed oppositely through a cavity part in the sensor part. The second electrode bends to the first electrode side in response to a pressure from a specimen and touches the first electrode upon application of a pressure of a specified level or above. When the specimen is pressed against a pressure detecting region, both electrodes touch each other at a sensor part corresponding to a protrusions of the specimen and are separated at a sensor part corresponding to a recess. When a scanning signal is fed from a scanning circuit to one wiring and presence of a signal flowing through the second wiring is detected by a sensing circuit, a pressure being applied to each sensor part can be detected.

Abstract: According to an automatic gear shifting method of the present invention, the actual gear shifting is carried out, when the throttle valve opening degree is greater than a predetermined opening degree, after the following steps have taken place, a step of initiating the closing movement of the throttle valve and when a predetermined time has passed after the initiation of the closing movement of the throttle valve a step of disengaging the clutch.