Abstract: A motorized leg (1) is provided with a lower knee member (110), an upper knee member (120), a knee joint mechanism (130) coupling the lower knee member (110) and the upper knee member (120) such that the angle therebetween can be changed, and an extendable device (140) capable of changing the angle between the lower knee member (110) and the upper knee member (120) by extending and contracting. The extendable device (140) comprises a motor (M) and a transmission (T) that transmits power from the motor (M). The transmission (T) comprises a first transmission mechanism (T1) that transmits power from the motor (M) at a first gear ratio, and a second transmission mechanism (T2) that transmits power from the motor (M) at a second gear ratio different from the first gear ratio.

Abstract: The joint device having a linking unit which links a first member and a second member in a manner allowing relative movement, and having an expansion/contraction device 12 which is connected across the first member 1 and the second member in a manner allowing power transmission and which can modify an angle formed by the first member and the second member around the linking member by expanding and contracting. The expansion/contraction device has a rotary unit which generates rotary power, and a conversion unit which is connected to the rotating unit in a manner allowing power transmission and converts the rotary power generated by the rotary unit into translational motion along a direction of expansion/contraction.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for a magnetic recording medium which includes a magnetic layer, a lower protective layer, an upper protective layer and a lubricating layer on a substrate, and in which the total film thickness of the lower protective layer and the upper protective layer is 2.5 nm or less, includes: 1) depositing the lower protective layer; 2) performing oxygen plasma treatment on the lower protective layer; 3) depositing the upper protective layer; and 4) performing nitrogen plasma treatment on the upper protective layer. It is preferable that the lower protective layer and the upper protective layer are formed of a carbon-based material, and it is further more preferable that the lower protective layer and the upper protective layer are formed of diamond-like carbon. Moreover, it is preferable that the contact angle of the lower protective layer with respect to water in the atmosphere is 25° or less.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium includes a substrate having sequentially formed thereon (a) a magnetic layer; (b) a protective layer having a thickness ranging from 1.0 nm to 2.5 nm and being composed of an amorphous metal layer having a thickness of at least 0.3 nm, the amorphous metal layer being composed of a metal selected from the group consisting of Si, Al, Ge, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo and W that is in an amorphous state; (c) a carbon layer formed on the amorphous metal layer and having a thickness of at least 0.3 nm, the carbon layer including amorphous carbon; and (d) a lubricating layer, wherein the carbon layer includes nitrogen atoms in a surface thereof in which a ratio of number of nitrogen atoms to total number of carbon atoms, nitrogen atoms, and oxygen atoms is 14 atomic % or less.

Abstract: A recording medium for recording and reproducing information by means of a head which performs information readout and writing based on magnetic principles is disclosed. The medium comprises a magnetic layer formed on a substrate and a protective layer formed on the magnetic layer. The protective layer comprises an underlayer formed on the magnetic layer and includes a material selected from the group consisting of silicon, silicon carbide and germanium. A carbon layer formed on the underlayer includes amorphous carbon containing hydrogen. The amount of hydrogen in the carbon layer is 24.7 at % or higher and 46.8 at % or lower, the thickness of the underlayer is 0.3 nm or greater and 1.8 nm or less, and the thickness of the carbon layer is 0.2 nm or greater and 1.7 nm or less. The medium exhibits corrosion resistance, sliding durability and head flying characteristics, and reduces magnetic spacing while securing reliability.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for a magnetic recording medium which includes a magnetic layer, a lower protective layer, an upper protective layer and a lubricating layer on a substrate, and in which the total film thickness of the lower protective layer and the upper protective layer is 2.5 nm or less, includes: 1) depositing the lower protective layer; 2) performing oxygen plasma treatment on the lower protective layer; 3) depositing the upper protective layer; and 4) performing nitrogen plasma treatment on the upper protective layer. It is preferable that the lower protective layer and the upper protective layer are formed of a carbonvery easy to use VVery eas-based material, and it is further more preferable that the lower protective layer and the upper protective layer are formed of diamond-like carbon. Moreover, it is preferable that the contact angle of the lower protective layer with respect to water in the atmosphere is 25° or less.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium includes a substrate having sequentially formed thereon a magnetic layer; a protective layer having a thickness ranging from 1.0 nm to 2.5 nm and being composed of an amorphous metal layer having a thickness of at least 0.3 nm formed on the magnetic layer, and a carbon layer composed of amorphous carbon having a thickness of at least 0.3 nm formed on the amorphous metal layer; and a lubricating layer, wherein the carbon layer includes nitrogen atoms in a surface thereof in which a ratio of number of nitrogen atoms to total number of carbon atoms, nitrogen atoms, and oxygen atoms is 14 atomic % or less. Recording performance is improved by reducing the thickness of the protective layer thereof. A method of manufacturing the magnetic recording medium includes performing a nitrogen plasma treatment on a surface of the carbon layer that is effective to adjust the ratio.

Abstract: A recording medium for recording and reproducing information by means of a head which performs information readout and writing based on magnetic principles is disclosed. The medium comprises a magnetic layer formed on a substrate and a protective layer formed on the magnetic layer. The protective layer comprises an underlayer formed on the magnetic layer and includes a material selected from the group consisting of silicon, silicon carbide and germanium. A carbon layer formed on the underlayer includes amorphous carbon containing hydrogen. The amount of hydrogen in the carbon layer is 24.7 at % or higher and 46.8 at % or lower, the thickness of the underlayer is 0.3 nm or greater and 1.8 nm or less, and the thickness of the carbon layer is 0.2 nm or greater and 1.7 nm or less. The medium exhibits corrosion resistance, sliding durability and head flying characteristics, and reduces magnetic spacing while securing reliability.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a magnetic recording medium, which includes providing a substrate for the magnetic recording medium, electrically charging the substrate with a positive voltage, and then forming the thin film layers on the substrate. The thin film layers includes at least a metallic underlayer, a magnetic recording layer, a protective layer composed of at least carbon, and a lubricant layer, formed in this order on the substrate. The method enables manufacture of a magnetic recording medium that exhibits high reliability and good read/write performance.

Abstract: A high-recording-density magnetic recording medium and a method of its manufacture can achieve a high OR with only a small reduction in Hcr. The magnetic recording medium has a nonmagnetic substrate and a first seed layer, a second seed layer, a first underlayer, a second underlayer, and a magnetic recording layer formed on the substrate in this order. The first seed layer can be a single layer or a plurality of layers made of at least one material selected from the group consisting of Ni—Ti alloys, Cr—Al alloys, Cr—Ta alloys, and Cr—Ti alloys. The second seed layer can be a single layer or a plurality of layers made of at least one material selected from the group consisting of Ni—W alloys, Ni—Ru—W alloys, and Co—W alloys. The first underlayer can be a single layer or a plurality of layers made of a Cr—Ru alloy. The second underlayer can be a single layer or a plurality of layers made of a Cr alloy comprising Cr and at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mo, B, Ti, and W.

Abstract: The present invention presents techniques for simulating and generating lifelike digital representations of scenes that may include one or more dynamic linear objects such as rope, antennae, hair, feathers, fur and grasses. Individualized geometric models may be defined for a selected, manageable subset of the linear objects. By interpolating and animating based upon these defined geometric models, subject to user-specified object parameters, a dynamic simulation and a static geometry may subsequently be generated. Rendering techniques according to the present invention may be used to generate two-dimensional image projections of these geometries, as seen from a specified point of view. These steps of geometric interpolation and rendering are performed in an iterative manner, such that numerous fine-grained objects may be processed and rendered portion by portion, thereby greatly reducing the computational complexity of the task.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine control system retards a fuel ignition time based on a deviation in the intake air quantity from a predetermined target intake air quantity which is necessary to keep an internal combustion engine idling at a predetermined idle speed. The fuel ignition time is retarded when a transmission is shifted into a neutral range so as to cause a quantity of intake air to converge with the predetermined target quantity of intake air. An engine speed of the internal combustion engine thereby converges with the predetermined idle speed.

Abstract: An overhead valve engine including a bottom mounting part and a crankcase mounted on and extending upwardly from the mounting part. A crankshaft and a camshaft are rotatably mounted on the crankcase, the shafts being at substantially the same vertical height above the mounting part. A cylinder is formed in the crankcase and has a cylinder axis which slants at an angle of substantially 45.degree. upwardly and over said cam shaft. Air intake and exhaust valves are provided at the upper end of the cylinder, a curburetor is mounted on a side of the crankcase at a level which is below the valves, and an air inlet manifold extends from the air intake valve downwardly to the carburetor. Two push rods extend between the camshaft and the valves, and the air inlet manifold extends between the two push rods.

Abstract: A water jet propulsion system for watercraft having an impeller, especially a conical oblique flow impeller with an increased outer diameter in going toward the downstream side. The impeller is secured to a transmission shaft which is journalled by bearings in a hub of fixed blades and formed at its end portion with spline grooves being able to fit in spline strips formed at the forward end portion of a drive shaft. This allows a pump portion of the water jet propulsion system to be assembled outside the watercraft and separately therefrom, so that positioning of the impeller with respect to its duct can be effected with a high degree of accuracy.

Abstract: A small watercraft including a hull of longitudinally elongated shape having a deck in its upper part, and an engine for thrusting the watercraft forwardly. The hull is formed in the forward and rearward portions of its lower part with water accommodation compartments formed with a plurality of openings for water to flow therethrough into and out of the compartments. When the watercraft is at rest, water flows into the water accommodation compartments through the openings to stabilize the hull. When the watercraft is cruising, the water in the water accommodation compartments is released therefrom through the openings, so that the watercraft lightly cruises.

Abstract: Water-jet propulsion unit for vessels which includes a water duct having an inlet and outlet portions and an impeller disposed in the water duct. The outlet portion has a variable outlet nozzle which can discharge water downwardly when desired to produce a lift force for lifting the stern of the vessel. The arrangement provides an improved rolling stability under a stationary condition and is also effective to decrease a drag force under the "hump" condition.