Abstract: A link device for stretching a sheet material consists of pantograph-like link member units having a sub-link held substantially at a right angle to the running direction and rollers fitted to said sub-link. Due to the low running resistance of the rollers and the pantograph-like structure composed of long and short links, an endless guide-rail can be introduced in the stretching apparatus for a sheet material and the running of the chain can be stabilized, thereby resulting in a high-speed stable stretching operation. Reduction of the running resistance makes it easy to adjust the stretching ratios according to the desired stretching conditions.

Abstract: A control apparatus for an automotive clutch sets engine rotational speeds set for respective gear positions for disengaging the clutch, and disengages the clutch when the engine rotational speed drops below the set engine rotational speed corresponding to a present gear position at the time a braking force is higher than a preset value upon actuation of a brake. The control apparatus determines a rate of reduction of the engine rotational speed when the brake is actuated, and disengages the clutch when an integrated value of the rate of reduction of the engine rotational speed corresponds to one of preset values set for the respective gear positions.

Abstract: The number of steps required for a step motor to reach a target load is computed by dividing in proportion the number of steps required for the step motor to move a fuel metering member to move from an idle position to a full-load position by a ratio between a target load value of an electric command given by fuel supply command means such as an accelerator pedal to an internal combustion engine and a maximum value of the electric command. The step motor is driven by the computed step number to correct variations in the characteristics of the fuel supply command means. The number of load estimation steps for the step motor driven by drive means is determined by dividing in proportion an electric maximum command given from the fuel supply control means by a ratio between the actual amount of rotation of the step motor and the amount of rotation from the idle position to the full-load position, and a step-out condition of the step motor is detected from the estimation step number.

Abstract: Manufacturing apparatus for continuous casting of sheet metal includes a pair of chill rolls and a vessel containing molten metal. One of the rolls is of a larger diameter, on which the other roll of a smaller diameter is arranged at a position corresponding to a clock position of 12-3 O'clock. The vessel has an open forward end and is arranged to contact the larger roll or leave a gap as narrow as possible. The smaller roll is partially disposed in molten metal in the vessel. When the two rolls are driven at the same peripheral velocity in the opposite direction, molten metal is fed between the rolls to form a sheet metal which may be continuously peeled from the larger roll surface.

Abstract: When the brake pedal on a motor vehicle is depressed, the braking force is detected, and thereafter the speed of rotation of the engine is detected, or the rate of increase of the braking force is detected. Whether the clutch is to be quickly disengaged or not is ascertained on the basis of a combination of the detected braking force and the detected engine speed or the detected rate of increase of the braking force, so that the engine is prevented from being stopped due to, for example, quick depression of the brake pedal.

Abstract: A starting slurry composed of raw brown coal and a solvent is heated and pressurized, subjected to gas-liquid separation and dehydration and then to hydrogenation/liquefaction. The CO.sub.2 -containing gas produced in the preheating/dehydration step and/or a CO.sub.2 -containing gas supplied from outside the system is blown into the slurry in the above-mentioned preheating/dehydration step, whereby carbonate-forming metal components in the brown coal are converted to the carbonates thereof in advance. In this manner, the hydrogenation/liquefaction efficiency is improved, and stabilized long-term continuous operation is attained.

Abstract: A bucket cooled by circulating water and scrap preheating apparatus incorporating the bucket are disclosed. The bucket comprises a bucket-shaped container which contains scrap to be preheated and through which an exhaust gas from an electric furnace is passed to preheat the scrap contained therein, a cooling water passageway which surrounds the periphery of said container, and water supply and exhaust ports which are connected to said cooling water passageway, cooling water being supplied to and exhausted from the bucket during preheating of the scrap contained therein.

Abstract: A clutch control system includes an electronic control apparatus for controlling a clutch based on clutch control data stored through a learning process. The clutch control system has a sensor for measuring the temperature of lubricating oil in a gear transmission, a memory for storing a corrective clutch control value commensurate with the temperature of the lubricating oil, and an electronic control apparatus for correcting a learned value used to control the clutch with the corrective clutch control value obtained on the basis of the measured temperature of the lubricating oil.

Abstract: A device for dismounting an integrated circuit package soldered on a printed electric circuit board by melting the solder, including an electric heater which heats a heating shank disposed so as to contact upper portions of soldered portions of a plurality of leads soldered to circuit ends on an electric circuit board wherein the leads extending from side walls of an IC package mounted on the board. A suction cup member is disposed in a center portion of the heating shank so as to face an upper surface of the IC package and dismount the IC package sucked thereby from the board after melting the solder.