Abstract: A linear solenoid valve includes a solenoid having a coil wound around a coil bobbin, a fixed core, and a movable core for being attracted to the fixed core when the coil is energized, and a valve mechanism having a valve element for selectively bringing an inlet port and an outlet port into and out of fluid communication with each other responsive to a displacement of the movable core. The movable core has a nonmagnetic layer formed on an outer surface thereof and having a predetermined thickness.

Abstract: A bottom of a housing has a protruding support extending a predetermined distance toward a movable core, and the movable core has an annular boss extending a predetermined distance toward the housing. The annular boss is disposed in an annular space defined between the bottom of the housing and the protruding support of the housing.

Abstract: An actuator of a variable valve operating device includes an electric motor for varying the distance by which an intake valve of an internal combustion engine is lifted. The electric motor has a hollow cylindrical magnet assembly disposed around a hollow cylindrical holder, and a shaft rotatably supported in a housing, with a hollow region being defined between the shaft and the holder. The magnet assembly is skew-magnetized at a predetermined angle to the axis of the magnet assembly.

Abstract: A linear solenoid valve includes a solenoid having a coil wound around a coil bobbin, a fixed core, and a movable core for being attracted to the fixed core when the coil is energized, and a valve mechanism having a valve element for selectively bringing an inlet port and an outlet port into and out of fluid communication with each other responsive to a displacement of the movable core. The movable core has a nonmagnetic layer formed on an outer surface thereof and having a predetermined thickness.

Abstract: A linear solenoid valve includes a solenoid having a coil wound around a coil bobbin, a fixed core, and a movable core for being attracted to the fixed core when the coil is energized, and a valve mechanism having a valve element for selectively bringing an inlet port and an outlet port into and out of fluid communication with each other responsive to a displacement of the movable core. The movable core has a nonmagnetic layer formed on an outer surface thereof and having a predetermined thickness.

Abstract: A bottom of a housing has a protruding support extending a predetermined distance toward a movable core, and the movable core has an annular boss extending a predetermined distance toward the housing. The annular boss is disposed in an annular space defined between the bottom of the housing and the protruding support of the housing.

Abstract: A housing has a flat outer end face contiguous to the base of a protrusion on the housing. A movable core has an end face facing said protrusion and lying flush with the flat outer end face of the housing. Alternatively, the end face of the movable core may project beyond the flat outer end face of the housing toward the protrusion.

Abstract: A linear solenoid valve includes a solenoid having a coil wound around a coil bobbin, a fixed core, and a movable core for being attracted to the fixed core when the coil is energized, and a valve mechanism having a valve element for selectively bringing an inlet port and an outlet port into and out of fluid communication with each other responsive to a displacement of the movable core. The movable core has a nonmagnetic layer formed on an outer surface thereof and having a predetermined thickness.

Abstract: In a liquid pressure control system including a spool-type control valve mounted between a liquid pressure source and an actuator in such a manner that an output liquid pressure from the liquid pressure source is controlled in accordance with a thrust exhibited by a linear solenoid, a manually operated valve is disposed in a valve housing of the control valve to have an operational axis parallel to an axis of the linear solenoid. The manually operated valve is capable of blocking the communication between the actuator and the control valve and bringing the liquid pressure source into communication with the actuator to bypass the control valve. Thus, the supply of a liquid pressure to the actuator can be secured in any abnormality of the control valve, while enabling a reduction in size of the system in an axial direction of the control valve.

Abstract: In a liquid pressure control system including a spool-type control valve mounted between a liquid pressure source and an actuator in such a manner that an output liquid pressure from the liquid pressure source is controlled in accordance with a thrust exhibited by a linear solenoid, a manually operated valve is disposed in a valve housing of the control valve to have an operational axis parallel to an axis of the linear solenoid. The manually operated valve is capable of blocking the communication between the actuator and the control valve and bringing the liquid pressure source into communication with the actuator to bypass the control valve. Thus, the supply of a liquid pressure to the actuator can be secured in any abnormality of the control valve, while enabling a reduction in size of the system in an axial direction of the control valve.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heater control device which controls a heater used in an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer, a copying machine, or a facsimile machine. The heater control device includes a switch for connecting and disconnecting an application of an alternating current voltage to the heater used in the image forming apparatus, and a switch control unit for varying a period of time for the application of the alternating current voltage to the heater per unit period of time by controlling the switch in accordance with a value of the alternating current voltage applied to the heater. The heater control device can be used regardless of the differing voltage levels of available commercial power provided in various geographic regions of the world respect to voltage.

Abstract: A laser beam printer capable of changing the printing speed and quality. The laser beam printer includes a speed decoding unit for decoding a specification of the printing speed, and a speed setting unit for setting a transport speed for a sheet of paper taken as an object of recording in accordance with decoded contents of the printing speed.

Abstract: A laser beam printer which forms a latent electrostatic image on a photoreceptor with a laser beam to perform an image recording operation, including scanning density switching means for selectively switching a scanning density of the laser beam on the photoreceptor within a plurality of values, and parameter switching means for selectively switching a parameter other than the scanning density of the laser beam within a plurality of values in the steps of producing a print. The parameter is, for example, a quantity of the laser beam, a width of the laser beam for one pixel in the main scan direction, or the like. A switching operation of the parameter switching means is controlled in accordance with a value of the scanning density selected by the scanning density switching means.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a built in AC voltage control circuit which enables the apparatus to be used in regions of the world having commercial power supplies with different supply voltages. The AC voltage control circuit first compares the input voltage to a reference voltage and then performs a switching operation to ensure that the voltage supplied to the AC electric components of the image forming apparatus is the voltage necessary for operation of those components.