Abstract: In a clutch cover assembly, accurate abrasion compensation is constantly enabled by stabilizing the actuation of an abrasion amount detecting mechanism. The present clutch cover assembly includes a clutch cover fixed to a flywheel, a pressure plate, a diaphragm spring, an abrasion amount detecting mechanism and an abrasion tracking mechanism. The abrasion amount detecting mechanism is a mechanism having a plurality of meshing positions and includes a mobile detecting member configured to release meshing in a first meshing position and move to a second meshing position when the abrasion amount of a friction member reaches a predetermined amount. The abrasion tracking mechanism moves the diaphragm spring to an initial posture side thereof in accordance with the displacement of the mobile detecting member.

Abstract: A process comprising: providing a substrate with a catalyst layer thereon; depositing a first ionomer overcoat layer over the catalyst layer, the first ionomer overcoat layer comprising an ionomer and a first solvent; drying the first ionomer overcoat layer to provide a first electrode ionomer overcoat layer; depositing a second ionomer overcoat layer over the first electrode ionomer overcoat layer, and wherein the second ionomer overcoat layer comprises an ionomer and a second solvent.

Abstract: Provided is an electrolyte membrane containing: a reinforced inner layer; and an unreinforced outer layer on one or each side of the reinforced inner layer, wherein the reinforced inner layer includes an inner ion exchange resin reinforced with a non-woven fabric composed of a melt moldable fluororesin in the form of a continuous fiber, wherein a number of intersecting points of the continuous fiber are fused and/or bonded, and wherein the unreinforced outer layer includes an outer ion exchange resin, which may be the same as or different from the inner ion exchange resin. Also provided is a membrane electrode assembly for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, wherein the membrane electrode assembly contains the above-mentioned polymer electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: To provide a process for producing a membrane-electrode assembly for polymer electrolyte fuel cells, which has a high output voltage in a wide range of current densities and is excellent in durability against a humidity change. With respect to the process for producing a membrane-electrode assembly 10 comprising a first electrode 20 comprising a catalyst layer 12 and a gas diffusion layer 14, a second electrode 30 comprising a catalyst layer 12 and a gas diffusion layer 14 and the polymer electrolyte membrane 40 disposed between the catalyst layers 12 of the respective electrodes, the catalyst layer 12 is formed in such a manner that after forming a coating solution layer by applying a coating solution containing an electrode catalyst and an ion exchange resin on a substrate film, the gas diffusion layer 14 is put on the coating solution layer, and then, the coating solution layer is dried in such a state.

Abstract: To provide a polymer electrolyte membrane having excellent size stability and excellent mechanical strength that can sufficiently prevent the size change due to the swelling condition, the displacement of the polymer electrolyte membrane and the formation of wrinkles during the production of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell, and can prevent damage during the production and operation of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell. In a composite electrolyte membrane including a porous reinforcement layer made of a resin and an electrolyte layer made of a polymer electrolyte and laminated at least one main surface of the reinforcement layer, the direction having a high tensile modulus of elasticity in the reinforcement layer is substantially corresponded with the direction having a high rate of size change in the electrolyte layer.

Abstract: To provide an electrolyte membrane having high strength even if it is thin in the thickness, excellent dimensional stability even upon absorption of water and a low electrical resistance; a process for producing the electrolyte membrane; and a membrane-electrode assembly for polymer electrolyte fuel cells having a high output and excellent durability, having the electrolyte membrane. An electrolyte membrane which is made mainly of an ion exchange resin and reinforced with a non-woven fabric made of continuous fiber of a fluororesin wherein at least some of intersecting points of the continuous fiber are fixed, and which has, as the outermost layer on one side or each side, a layer not reinforced, made of an ion exchange resin which may be the same as or different from the above ion exchange resin. The non-woven fabric is produced by a melt-blown method.

Abstract: To provide a membrane/electrode assembly excellent in durability and capable of providing a high output voltage, and a process for its production. A membrane/electrode assembly 10 for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane 12; a first frame 14 disposed at the periphery of a first surface of the polymer electrolyte membrane 12; a second frame 16 disposed at the periphery of a second surface of the polymer electrolyte membrane 12; a first electrode 22 having a first catalyst layer 18 and a first gas diffusion layer 20; and a second electrode 28 having a second catalyst layer 24 and a second gas diffusion layer 26; wherein the inner edge portion of the is first frame 14 is located between the first catalyst layer 18 and the first gas diffusion layer 20; and the inner edge portion of the second frame 16 is located between the polymer electrolyte membrane 12 and the second catalyst layer 24.

Abstract: Provided is an electrolyte membrane and a process of producing the same, wherein the electrolyte membrane predominantly comprises an unreinforced outer layer on one or each side of a reinforced inner layer, wherein the reinforced inner layer comprises an inner ion exchange resin reinforced with a non-woven fabric comprising a melt moldable fluororesin in the form of a continuous fiber, wherein some intersecting points of the continuous fiber are fused or bonded, and wherein the unreinforced outer layer comprises an outer ion exchange resin, which may be the same as or different from the inner ion exchange resin. The electrolyte membrane has high strength, excellent dimensional stability and low electric resistance and is therefore useful as a polymer electrolyte membrane for a membrane electrode assembly for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell having high output and excellent durability.

Abstract: The present invention provides a membrane-electrode assembly for polymer electrolyte fuel cells and a polymer electrolyte fuel cell having excellent dimensional stability and mechanical strength, and having high durability at the time of a power generation. Each of polymer electrolyte membranes (111, 211, 311) have a region 1 having proton conductivity over the entirety in the thickness direction of the membrane and a region 2 located at the outer peripheral portion of the region 1 and having a non-porous sheet disposed so that the region 2 has no proton conductivity over the entirety in the thickness direction of the membrane, and outer edges of the catalyst layers (127, 128) are disposed so as to be located in the area 2.

Abstract: To provide a process for producing a membrane-electrode assembly for polymer electrolyte fuel cells, which has a high output voltage in a wide range of current densities and is excellent in durability against a humidity change. With respect to the process for producing a membrane-electrode assembly 10 comprising a first electrode 20 comprising a catalyst layer 12 and a gas diffusion layer 14, a second electrode 30 comprising a catalyst layer 12 and a gas diffusion layer 14 and the polymer electrolyte membrane 40 disposed between the catalyst layers 12 of the respective electrodes, the catalyst layer 12 is formed in such a manner that after forming a coating solution layer by applying a coating solution containing an electrode catalyst and an ion exchange resin on a substrate film, the gas diffusion layer 14 is put on the coating solution layer, and then, the coating solution layer is dried in such a state.

Abstract: A process is provided whereby a membrane/electrode assembly for polymer electrolyte fuel cells whereby a high output voltage is obtainable within a wide range of current densities.

Abstract: A process comprising: providing a substrate with a catalyst layer thereon; depositing a first ionomer overcoat layer over the catalyst layer, the first ionomer overcoat layer comprising an ionomer and a first solvent; drying the first ionomer overcoat layer to provide a first electrode ionomer overcoat layer; depositing a second ionomer overcoat layer over the first electrode ionomer overcoat layer, and wherein the second ionomer overcoat layer comprises an ionomer and a second solvent.

Abstract: To provide an electrolyte membrane having high strength even if it is thin in the thickness, excellent dimensional stability even upon absorption of water and a low electrical resistance; a process for producing the electrolyte membrane; and a membrane-electrode assembly for polymer electrolyte fuel cells having a high output and excellent durability, having the electrolyte membrane. An electrolyte membrane which is made mainly of an ion exchange resin and reinforced with a non-woven fabric made of continuous fiber of a fluororesin wherein at least some of intersecting points of the continuous fiber are fixed, and which has, as the outermost layer on one side or each side, a layer not reinforced, made of an ion exchange resin which may be the same as or different from the above ion exchange resin. The non-woven fabric is produced by a melt-blown method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a membrane-electrode assembly for polymer electrolyte fuel cells and a polymer electrolyte fuel cell having excellent dimensional stability and mechanical strength, and having high durability at the time of a power generation. Each of polymer electrolyte membranes (111, 211, 311) have a region 1 having proton conductivity over the entirety in the thickness direction of the membrane and a region 2 located at the outer peripheral portion of the region 1 and having a non-porous sheet disposed so that the region 2 has no proton conductivity over the entirety in the thickness direction of the membrane, and outer edges of the catalyst layers (127, 128) are disposed so as to be located in the area 2.

Abstract: An ink jet recording medium comprising a water-impermeable substrate, a first porous layer formed on the substrate, and a second porous layer formed on the first porous layer, wherein the psychometric lightness (L*) at a black solid printed portion with a black dye ink is at most 5.0.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to obtain a composite sol capable of forming an ink-receiving layer having a high transparency and a high property for fixing dyes. The present invention provides a sol which is a colloidal solution having aggregate particles containing silica and alumina dispersed in an aqueous medium, wherein the silica is such that the primary particles are spherical and the average particle size of the primary particles is from 2 to 200 nm, the average particle size of the aggregate particles is at least twice the average particle size of the silica primary particles and at most 1,000 nm, the &zgr;-potential of the aggregate particles is at least +10 mV, and the pH of the solution is from 3 to 9.

Abstract: An ink jet recording medium comprising a water-impermeable substrate, a first porous layer formed on the substrate, and a second porous layer formed on the first porous layer, wherein the psychometric lightness (L*) at a black solid printed portion with a black dye ink is at most 5.0.

Abstract: Reduced-dimension configuration for retaining a diaphragm spring release-load compensating conical spring in a push-type clutch. The clutch diaphragm spring is retained by a support mechanism that includes axially extending, circularly spaced supports, fixed to the clutch cover, that pass through holes formed at the inter-digital vertices of the diaphragm spring fingers. A diaphragm spring annular pivot is provided on the supports, on the clutch cover side of the diaphragm spring. One edge of the conical spring is supported on an engagement surface of the clutch cover, and the other edge is seated on the diaphragm spring. Engagement tabs project from the edge of the conical spring that is supported on the clutch cover. The engagement tabs are engaged into conical spring engagement holes formed in the clutch cover, or in an alternative embodiment, into inter-digital holes of the diaphragm spring not penetrated by the circularly spaced supports.

Abstract: A vapor permselective membrane consisting essentially of an ion exchange membrane made of a fluorine-containing polymer having a fixed ion concentration of from 1 to 6N, a water content of from 20 to 250% by weight and an ion exchange capacity of from 0.6 to 2.5 meq/g dry resin, the ion exchange membrane having a thickness of from 0.1 to 300 .mu.m and a moisture content of from 1 to 10% by weight, the permselective membrane having a water vapor permeation rate of at least 50 m.sup.3 /m.sup.2.atm.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a modified polyhydroxy compound, which is characterized in that a polyhydroxy compound is heated for 30 minutes or more at a temperature ranging from 150.degree. to 250.degree. C. under stirring and in the presence of tin, tin compounds such as tin halogenide, tin hydroxide and tin oxide. The polyhydroxy compound modified by this method is effective in improving the foamability and mechanical strength of urethane foam, when it is used as a raw material in the manufacture of urethane foam.