Abstract: A control method with variable feedback gain for energization of an electro-magnetically driven intake/exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine increases opening and closing speeds of the intake/exhaust valve driven with electromagnets having small capacity and brings the final speed of the opening and closing action of the valve close to zero. A target moving speed of the armature relative to the electromagnets is determined dependent upon a spacing distance of the armature from the electromagnet; at least a part of energization of the electro-magnetically driven valve is controlled through feedforward control so as to make an actual moving speed of the armature relative to the electromagnets in conformity with the target moving speed while at least the other part of the energization is controlled through feedback control based upon a deviation of the actual moving speed from the target moving speed.

Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine having an; electromagnetically driven intake valves for a vehicle. With the method, deviation of an opening operation of the electromagnetically driven intake valve in response to a command signal for opening the intake valve from a predetermined characteristic is detected, and at least one of parameters used for controlling operation of the internal combustion engine is corrected so as to reduce a change in an intake air charging state in which the internal combustion engine is charge with the intake air. A valve closing timing of the intake valve or a valve closing timing of the exhaust valve that cooperates with the intake valve may be used as parameters to be corrected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling an internal combustion engine. A target cylinder torque required of one of a plurality of cylinders is individually calculated in accordance with a target engine torque, and a timing for opening and closing each of a plurality of intake and exhaust valves in each of the plurality of cylinders is determined in accordance with the target cylinder torque. Thereby the torque of the internal combustion engine is individually controlled for each of the plurality of cylinders.

Abstract: A rush adjuster which adjusts a relative position between a valve body and an armature in an axial direction so that a state of zero-rush is formed is arranged between an armature shaft and a valve shaft. At a time of starting an electromagnetic drive valve, a first starting current is applied to either one of an upper coil and a lower coil for generating electromagnetic forces for attracting the armature closer, whichever a distance with respect to the armature is shorter.

Abstract: A power supply device which converts a voltage by a switching method is connected to a load. Whether a current supplied from the power supply device to the load falls within a proper range is determined. At this time, while preventing an increase in cost in current detection and reducing Joule loss caused by an unwanted resistance component, it is determined that the current falls within the proper range. In order to determine a current supplied from a DC/DC converter to the load, a current determination unit (1) is arranged. The current determination unit (1) compares, with a preset voltage, a voltage obtained by DC-detecting a gate driving pulse signal used to turn on/off a switching MOS transistor (3), thereby determining whether the current flowing from the DC/DC converter to the load exceeds a predetermined current (proper range). In current detection, Joule loss by an unwanted resistance component can be reduced.

Abstract: A control method with variable feedback gain for energization of an electro-magnetically driven intake/exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine increases opening and closing speeds of the intake/exhaust valve driven with electromagnets having small capacity and improves the control performance in bringing the final speed of the opening and closing action of the valve close to zero.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control device for an engine able to control at least one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve via a driving mechanism actuated without a torque from an output shaft of the engine, and a transmission connected to the engine. The control device includes a torque transmitting device for reducing the torque from the engine while that torque is being transmitted to an output shaft of the transmission, and control means for controlling the torque transmitting device so as to reduce the torque transmitted from the engine to the output shaft of the transmission during an upshift, controlling a engine speed to a target speed after shifting during the unshift, and controlling the torque transmitting device so as to increase the torque transmitted to the output shaft of the transmission after the engine speed is synchronized with the speed after shifting.

Abstract: To maximize the life of a rechargeable battery and the life of cells forming the rechargeable battery, the rechargeable battery is so constructed that each of the cells forming the rechargeable battery can be charged independently of the other cells. To charge this rechargeable battery, a cell to be charged is selected, and the selected cell is charged.

Abstract: An excitation coil unit for use in an image heating apparatus includes a coil formed with a conductor without an insulation covering and a heat-resistant insulating material covering the coil. It is thus possible to obtain an image heating apparatus of induction heating type of a low cost.

Abstract: In order to realize stable image printing, this invention provides an image printing apparatus capable of supplying a stable voltage to a printhead, and maintaining a compact shape. For this purpose, in the image printing apparatus in which a carriage which supports a printhead is scanned on a printing medium to print an image, a power converter which converts power to be supplied to the printhead is mounted on the first print circuit board of the carriage so as to supply a predetermined voltage to the printhead. The printhead and a power smoothing unit which smoothes the voltage converted by the power converter in accordance with the load of the printhead are mounted on the second print circuit board. The first and second print circuit boards are separately arranged at a proper gap in the image printing apparatus, which prevents an increase in the size of the image printing apparatus.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes: a variable valve timing mechanism for changing a valve timing of at least one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve; a pressure for detecting an intake pressure and an exhaust pressure of the internal combustion engine that pulsate in association with the actions of the piston, the intake valve, and the exhaust valve; and controller for setting the valve timing based on a magnitude relationship between the intake pressure and the exhaust pressure detected by the pressure detector.

Abstract: When a displacement of an armature of an electromagnetically driven valve fails to reach a predetermined threshold value even after an elapse of a predetermined time from switching opening/closing of the valve, it is determined that step-out has occurred or step-out is about to occur and then the valve opening/closing control is changed. The valve opening/closing control is changed, for example, by interrupting application of current to the valve for attracting the armature released from the other valve.

Abstract: A device for controlling an internal combustion engine with a variable valve timing system is provided. While the piston descends just after the combustion in the cylinder, the intake valve is opened by the variable valve system for the intake valve such that the intake air is supplied into the cylinder from the engine intake system.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided which includes an internal combustion engine of a lean-burn type, an NOx catalyst disposed in an exhaust passage of the engine so as to remove nitrogen oxides contained in exhaust gas emitted from the engine, and a variable valve control system capable of changing at least one of the opening and closing timing and a lift of the intake valve and/or the exhaust valve for each cylinder of the engine. The variable valve control system is controlled so that the exhaust gas to which the NOx catalyst is exposed is controlled so as to be suitable for removing a selected gaseous component from the NOx catalyst when the selected gaseous component should be removed. A method of purifying an exhaust gas emitted from the above engine is also provided.

Abstract: A cylindrical member including a cylindrical substrate and at least one coating layer thereon is formed through an applying step of applying a coating liquid on the cylindrical substrate and a drying step of drying the coating liquid that has been applied in the applying step by induction heating device to form the coating layer. The induction heating device is disposed in the interior of the cylindrical substrate. The induction heating device has an excitation coil for generating a magnetic flux in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the cylindrical member. The excitation coil is disposed along the inner surface of the cylindrical substrate.

Abstract: A dynamic pressure bearing apparatus having high performance and excellent stability without hindering operations of appliances due to a leaked oil, the dynamic pressure bearing apparatus including: a rotating shaft inclined in a predetermined direction from a vertical direction; a sleeve rotatably supporting the rotating shaft; an operating fluid for generating a dynamic pressure, the operating fluid being filled in a gap formed between the sleeve and the rotating shaft; and a capturing device for capturing the operating fluid leaked from the gap, the capturing device being disposed on an outside surface of the sleeve in the predetermined direction.

Abstract: In order to realize stable image printing, this invention provides an image printing apparatus capable of supplying a stable voltage to a printhead, and maintaining a compact shape. For this purpose, in the image printing apparatus in which a carriage which supports a printhead is scanned on a printing medium to print an image, a power converter which converts power to be supplied to the printhead is mounted on the first print circuit board of the carriage so as to supply a predetermined voltage to the printhead. The printhead, and a power smoothing unit which smoothes the voltage converted by the power converter in accordance with the load of the printhead are mounted on the second print circuit board. The first and second print circuit boards are separately arranged at a proper gap in the image printing apparatus, which prevents an increase in the size of the image printing apparatus.

Abstract: A power supply device which converts a voltage by a switching method is connected to a load. Whether a current supplied from the power supply device to the load falls within a proper range is determined. At this time, while preventing an increase in cost in current detection and reducing Joule loss caused by an unwanted resistance component, it is determined that the current falls within the proper range. In order to determine a current supplied from a DC/DC converter to the load, a current determination unit (1) is arranged. The current determination unit (1) compares, with a preset voltage, a voltage obtained by DC-detecting a gate driving pulse signal used to turn on/off a switching MOS transistor (3), thereby determining whether the current flowing from the DC/DC converter to the load exceeds a predetermined current (proper range). In current detection, Joule loss by an unwanted resistance component can be reduced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus controls an internal combustion engine having electromagnetically driven valves. A target cylinder torque required of one of a plurality of cylinders is individually calculated in accordance with a target engine torque, and a timing for opening and closing each of a plurality of intake and exhaust valves in each of the plurality of cylinders is determined in accordance with the target cylinder torque. Thereby the torque of the internal combustion engine is individually controlled for each of the plurality of cylinders.

Abstract: A cylindrical member including a cylindrical substrate and at least one coating layer thereon is formed through an applying step of applying a coating liquid on the cylindrical substrate and a drying step of drying the coating liquid that has been applied in the applying step by induction heating device to form the coating layer. The induction heating device is disposed in the interior of the cylindrical substrate. The induction heating device has an excitation coil for generating a magnetic flux in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the cylindrical member. The excitation coil is disposed along the inner surface of the cylindrical substrate.