Abstract: A hermetic tubular casing hermetically containing a gas substantially at the atmospheric pressure is mounted on a mobile object, such as a vehicle, and is provided with a needle electrode at one end thereof and a pair of adjacent semicircular plate electrodes at the other end thereof. A high-voltage power supply applies a high voltage across the needle electrode and the plate electrodes to generate an ionic wind flowing from the needle electrode toward the plate electrodes by producing a corona discharge around the needle electrode. An arithmetic unit detects the difference between ionic currents flowing respectively through the pair of plate electrodes and each corresponding to the number of ions fallen on the corresponding plate electrode. The ionic wind is deflected under the action of a Coriolis force as the mobile object revolves entailing variation in the quantity of ions falling on each plate electrode.

Abstract: An automotive air spoiler device has a pair of wing spoiler members provided on the left and right sides of the tail of an automobile body. Each wing spoiler member is disposed along each lateral side of the tail of the automobile body and extends obliquely outwardly from the automobile body. The wing spoiler members effectively interrupt air which tends to move from respective lateral sides of the tail of the automobile body to one of the upper side, rear side and the underside of the automobile body so as to prevent generation of a negative pressure region on the lateral sides of the tail of the automobile body, thereby ensuring high straight running stability of the automobile during running under the action of a lateral wind.

Abstract: An air heater for heating intake air for an internal combustion engine only in cold start or further warming up operation, having a frame which defines an opening for passing air therethrough, and at least one heater element in the shape of a perforated plate such as a lattice or honeycomb plate supported by the frame so as to traverse only a part of the opening area of the air passage opening, while leaving a substantial part of the opening area free as untraversed by the heater element.

Abstract: A heating device of the present invention has a heating element of a substantially V-shape and is made of a ceramic material having electric conductivity. Electrode plates are respectively mounted at both ends of the heating element for energizing the heating element. Further, the heating device has a holder for holding the heating element by interposing both ends of the heating element therebetween. This holder is composed of a pair of insulating plates made of an electric insulating material. Both ends of the heating element are formed with projections. One of the insulating plates is formed with recesses for receiving both ends of the heating element in coincidence with the shape of both ends of the heating element.

Abstract: In an apparatus for heating intake air arranged in an intake air passage, a heater member of ceramic material having apertures for passing air therethrough is supported between upper and lower frame members. Metal plate members, such as silver plate members, are inserted between the end portions of the heater member and the electrode lead members which connect the heater member with terminal bolts of the heating apparatus.

Abstract: Filter apparatus having a honeycomb structure and a heater for purifying exhaust gases consists of cells or passages defined by porous partition walls. Alternate passages are provided respectively with upstream plugs and downstream plugs. Particulates in exhaust gases are trapped in the honeycomb structure and ignited by the heater. The upstream plugs define spaces upstream thereof in which particulates are trapped in addition to those trapped in the passages having downstream plugs. The heat of burning of the particulates trapped in the spaces facilitates the burning of the particulates trapped in the passages having downstream plugs. Therefore, the exhaust gas particulates trapped and collected in the downstream portion of the structure can also be easily burned to regenerate the structure over its entire length.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation apparatus for diesel engines includes an exhaust gas recirculation passage for recirculating exhaust gases from an exhaust pipe to an intake pipe, a valve body for controlling the cross sectional area of the recirculation passage and a pressure regulator for detecting an amount of fuel injection and to output a signal. A diaphragm device is operatively connected to the pressure regulator to receive a pressure signal to control the position of the valve body, whereby in response to an increase of fuel injection the cross sectional area of the recirculation passage is decreased.

Abstract: An exhaust-gas-recirculation system for use in diesel engines, having a valve member adapted to control the flow rate of the exhaust gas recirculated from the exhaust pipe to the intake pipe of the diesel engine. The exhaust-gas-recirculation system has a fly-weight rotatable in synchronization with the engine to produce a centrifugal force, a governor sleeve displaceable in response to a thrust thereon given by the fly-weight, a control spring counteracting the thrust on the governor sleeve and having a spring load changeable in response to the change in the amount of depression of an accelerator pedal, and an actuator operative in response to the displacement of the governor sleeve to actuate the valve member.

Abstract: Betts process for electrolytically refining lead from crude lead containing bismuth is improved by the use of crude lead anodes containing as impurities 0.8 to 1.3 % by weight of antimony, 0.6 % by weight or less of bismuth, 0.1 % by weight or less of copper and 0.05 % by weight or less of tin, the ratio of the sum of the contents of antimony and arsenic to the content of bismuth being 2.0 or more, whereby producing electrolytically deposited lead which is feasible for being refined into a purity of 99.999 % or more when being subjected to the Harris process. The Betts process can be effected in a large-sized electrolytic cel containing corresponding electrodes by the use of high purity lead cathodes having at the centers many wrinkles capable of absorbing residual strain.