Abstract: A switched reluctance motor, of an outer rotor type, includes an inner stator having a plurality of salient poles, around which coils of five phases are wound in concentrated winding, and an outer rotor having a plurality of rotor yokes that are formed separately, each being magnetized to have two magnetic poles generated in the rotor yoke, and having a rotor body that is constructed of a non-magnetic conductive material for retaining the plurality of rotor yokes. The switched reluctance motor is configured to excite corresponding salient poles, by simultaneous use of coils of two phases among the coils of five phases.

Abstract: The apparatus is provided with an abnormality determination means for determining abnormality of the apparatus where two different combinations of two electrodes are selected from the three electrodes, an alternating-current voltage is applied to an electrode in one combination by the voltage-applying portion to measure a value of a current flowing to the other electrode via the dielectric body by electrostatic coupling, an alternating-current voltage is applied to an electrode in another combination out of the at least two different combinations by the voltage-applying portion to measure a value of a current flowing to the other electrode via the dielectric body by electrostatic coupling, and an abnormality of the apparatus is determined from the current values measured.

Abstract: The particulate matter detection device of the present invention is a particulate matter detection device 100 including an electrode portion 21 and detection means 23 for detecting an electrical characteristic of the electrode portion 21, whereby a particulate matter 36 contained in an exhaust gas 32 is detected on the basis of a change of the electrical characteristic due to the particulate matter 36 attached to the electrode portion 21. The particulate matter detection device i00 further includes removal means 25 and abnormality judgment means 26 for comparing an initial electrical characteristic in a use initial state of the device with the electrical characteristic measured in a state where the particulate matter 36 attached to the surface of the electrode portion 21 is removed by the removal means 25, to judge whether or not the particulate matter detection device i00 has an abnormality.

Abstract: A PM sensor is provided having high responsiveness and capable of long term detection. A PM sensor includes a sensor element that has particulate collection electrodes to which a particulate collection voltage for causing particulate matter contained in exhaust to adhere to a sensor element is applied, and measurement electrodes to which a measurement voltage for measuring an electrical characteristic of the sensor element is applied, in which, after a particulate collection voltage is applied to the particulate collection electrodes application of the particulate collection voltage is stopped in response to a predetermined condition being satisfied, the measurement voltage is applied to the measurement electrodes and the electrical characteristic of the sensor element is measured.

Abstract: Provided is a DPF failure detection device not only capable of a quick detection but also having less erroneous and a small power consumption. The DPF failure detection device, after starting applying a dust collecting voltage to a dust collecting electrode, applies a measuring voltage to a measuring electrode while the dust collection voltage is being applied, thereby measuring the capacitance of a sensor device. The DPF failure detection device also stops applying the dust collecting voltage to the dust collecting electrode in response to the fact that the measured value (CCOL) of this capacitance exceeds a completion criterion (CCOL—TH). Further, the DPF failure detection device applies the measuring voltage to the measuring electrode, thereby measuring the capacitance of the sensor device and obtaining a measured value (CPM), on the basis of which a DPF failure is determined.

Abstract: To provide a fuel injection device for controlling a fuel injection valve including a solenoid and a magnetostrictive element to generate a drive force for driving the fuel injection valve, the fuel injection device including: a solenoid power source (31) for driving the solenoid, a solenoid drive circuit (10) adapted to control the electrification to the solenoid by the solenoid power source (31), a plurality of magnetostrictive element driving power sources (32, 33) for driving the magnetostrictive element, and a magnetostrictive element drive circuit (20) adapted to control the electrification to a magnetostrictive coil of the magnetostrictive element by the magnetostrictive element driving power sources.

Abstract: The apparatus 100 is provided with an abnormality determination means 32 for determining abnormality of the apparatus 100 where two different combinations of two electrodes are selected from the three electrodes 22a, 22b, and 22c, an alternating-current voltage is applied to an electrode in one combination by the voltage-applying portion 31 to measure a value of a current flowing to the other electrode via the dielectric body 21a by electrostatic coupling, an alternating-current voltage is applied to an electrode in another combination out of the at least two different combinations by the voltage-applying portion 31 to measure a value of a current flowing to the other electrode via the dielectric body 21a by electrostatic coupling, and an abnormality of the apparatus 100 is determined from the current values measured.

Abstract: The particulate matter detection device of the present invention is a particulate matter detection device 100 comprising an electrode portion 21 and detection means 23 for detecting an electrical characteristic of the electrode portion 21, whereby a particulate matter 36 contained in an exhaust gas 32 is detected on the basis of a change of the electrical characteristic due to the particulate matter 36 attached to the electrode portion 21. The particulate matter detection device 100 further comprises removal means 25 and abnormality judgment means 26 for comparing an initial electrical characteristic in a use initial state of the device with the electrical characteristic measured in a state where the particulate matter 36 attached to the surface of the electrode portion 21 is removed by the removal means 25, to judge whether or not the particulate matter detection device 100 has an abnormality.

Abstract: A PM sensor is provided having high responsiveness and capable of long term detection. A PM sensor 11 includes a sensor element 12 that has particulate collection electrodes 123A, 128A to which a particulate collection voltage for causing particulate matter contained in exhaust to adhere to a sensor element 12 is applied, and measurement electrodes 127A, 127B to which a measurement voltage for measuring an electrical characteristic of the sensor element 12 is applied, in which, after a particulate collection voltage is applied to the particulate collection electrodes 123A, 128A, application of the particulate collection voltage is stopped in response to a predetermined condition being satisfied, the measurement voltage is applied to the measurement electrodes 127A, 127B, and the electrical characteristic of the sensor element 12 is measured.

Abstract: A variable lift valve operating system for an internal combustion engine, including a variable lift mechanism capable of changing a lift amount of an engine valve in accordance with rotation of a control shaft rotatably supported in a cylinder head, and an actuator which has an electric motor and power transmission means interposed between the electric motor and the control shaft, and which is connected to the control shaft. The actuator is constructed to have an oilless structure without oil supply, thereby always stably and rotationally driving the control shaft.

Abstract: To provide a fuel injection device for controlling a fuel injection valve including a solenoid and a magnetostrictive element to generate a drive force for driving the fuel injection valve, the fuel injection device including: a solenoid power source (31) for driving the solenoid, a solenoid drive circuit (10) adapted to control the electrification to the solenoid by the solenoid power source (31), a plurality of magnetostrictive element driving power sources (32, 33) for driving the magnetostrictive element, and a magnetostrictive element drive circuit (20) adapted to control the electrification to a magnetostrictive coil of the magnetostrictive element by the magnetostrictive element driving power sources.

Abstract: In a variable lift valve operating system for an internal combustion engine, an actuator for rotatably driving a control shaft of a variable lift mechanism is mounted on an engine body. The actuator includes an electric motor, a deceleration mechanism, a transmission mechanism interposed between the control shaft and the deceleration mechanism, and a default mechanism. A deceleration mechanism accommodation part for accommodating the deceleration mechanism and a default mechanism accommodation part for accommodating the default mechanism are formed in a casing of the actuator so as to sandwich therebetween a thermally vulnerable part which is directly connected to the control shaft. Therefore, it is possible to enhance the degree of freedom of amounting position of the actuator while heat damage is prevented from generating in the thermally vulnerable part of the actuator.

Abstract: In a variable lift valve operating system for an internal combustion engine, an actuator for rotatably driving a control shaft of a variable lift mechanism is mounted on an engine body. The actuator includes an electric motor, a deceleration mechanism, a transmission mechanism interposed between the control shaft and the deceleration mechanism, and a default mechanism. A deceleration mechanism accommodation part for accommodating the deceleration mechanism and a default mechanism accommodation part for accommodating the default mechanism are formed in a casing of the actuator so as to sandwich therebetween a thermally vulnerable part which is directly connected to the control shaft. Therefore, it is possible to enhance the degree of freedom of amounting position of the actuator while heat damage is prevented from generating in the thermally vulnerable part of the actuator.

Abstract: A variable lift valve operating system for an internal combustion engine, includes a variable lift mechanism capable of changing a lift amount of an engine valve in accordance with rotation of a control shaft rotatably supported in a cylinder head, and an actuator which has an electric motor and power transmission means interposed between the electric motor and the control shaft, and which is connected to the control shaft. The actuator is constructed to have an oilless structure without oil supply, thereby always stably and rotationally driving the control shaft.

Abstract: A valve control apparatus for an internal combustion engine is provided which is capable of optimally setting the closing timing of an engine valve according to operating conditions of the engine while suppressing an increase in the inertial mass of the engine valve to the minimum, thereby attaining improvement of fuel economy, and realization of higher engine rotational speed and higher power output in a compatible fashion, and reducing costs and weight thereof. The valve control apparatus controls opening and closing operations of an engine valve. A cam-type valve actuating mechanism actuates the engine valve to open and close the engine valve, by a cam which is driven in synchronism with rotation of the engine. An actuator makes blocking engagement with the engine valve having been opened, to thereby hold the engine valve in an open state. An ECU controls operation of the actuator to thereby control closing timing of the engine valve.

Abstract: A controller for an electromagnetic actuator comprises a pair of springs acting on opposite directions, and an armature connected to the springs. The armature is held in a neutral position given by the springs when the armature is not activated. The actuator also comprises a pair of electromagnets for driving the armature between two end positions. In response to a release of the armature held in one of the end positions, the controller applies brake to the armature according to a load condition of the armature. In high-load conditions, the valve can surely be opened without additional electric power. In low-load conditions, the armature is prevented from colliding with a yoke of the electromagnet. The application of brake includes over-excitation operation, flywheel operation and suspension of power supply. In the over-excitation operation, voltage is applied to the electromagnet corresponding to one of the end positions from which the armature is released for a first period.

Abstract: A valve control apparatus for an internal combustion engine is provided which is capable of optimally setting the closing timing of an engine valve according to operating conditions of the engine while suppressing an increase in the inertial mass of the engine valve to the minimum, thereby attaining improvement of fuel economy, and realization of higher engine rotational speed and higher power output in a compatible fashion, and reducing costs and weight thereof. The valve control apparatus controls opening and closing operations of an engine valve. A cam-type valve actuating mechanism actuates the engine valve to open and close the engine valve, by a cam which is driven in synchronism with rotation of the engine. An actuator makes blocking engagement with the engine valve having been opened, to thereby hold the engine valve in an open state. An ECU controls operation of the actuator to thereby control closing timing of the engine valve.

Abstract: A valve timing control system for an internal combustion engine is provided which is capable of ensuring reliable holding of a valve by an actuator, and attaining energy saving by efficient operation of the actuator. The valve timing control system controls valve-closing timing of a valve opened by a cam provided on a camshaft, by temporarily holding the valve. A response delay of the actuator is predicted as a response delay prediction value. Output timing is set in which a drive signal for driving the actuator is output, according to the predicted response delay prediction value. Holding timing is controlled in which the valve is held by the actuator, by outputting the drive signal to the actuator, based on the set output timing.

Abstract: A controller for an electromagnetic actuator comprises a pair of spring acting in opposite directions, and an armature coupled to a mechanical element. The armature is connected to the springs and held in a neutral position given by the springs when the actuator is not activated. The actuator includes a pair of electromagnets for driving the armature between two end positions. The controller includes voltage application means for applying voltage to an electromagnet providing one end position for a first predetermined period so as to attract the armature to the end position. The controller also includes a peak current detector for detecting the peak of current flowing through the electromagnet in the first predetermined period. In accordance with the peak value, a decision means decides the application period of voltage that is to be applied to the electromagnet after the first application period has elapsed.

Abstract: A controller for an electromagnetic actuator is provided that enables detection of a minute movement of the armature leaving the seating position and carries out pullback operation responsive to such detection. The electromagnetic actuator has a pair of springs acting on opposite directions, and an armature coupled to a mechanical element such as a exhaust/intake valve of an automobile engine. The armature is held in a neutral position given by the springs when the actuator is not activated. The actuator includes a pair of electromagnets for driving the armature between two end positions. The controller having current supplying means for supplying holding current to the electromagnet corresponding to one of the end positions when holding the armature in said one of the end positions.