Abstract: In a snowmobile, a four-cycle engine is mounted in such a manner that its crankshaft is arranged along the body width direction and the central axis of a cylinder(s) is tilted rearward by angle &agr; with respect to the vertical direction of the body, forming a rear tilted engine. At least part of the engine intake system including an air cleaner box and throttle body, connected to the intake port(s) of the engine is accommodated in the space inside the topmost projected portion of the engine hood. Exhaust is led out to the muffler located in front of the cylinder(s) by the exhaust system connected to the exhaust port(s) at the front of the cylinder head. Further, the intake passage is arranged between the engine body and the steering post.

Abstract: A snowmobile four-cycle engine arrangement, includes: a four-cycle engine arranged in an engine compartment formed in the front body of a snowmobile with its crankshaft laid substantially parallel to the body width and having a cylinder case inclined forwards with respect to the vehicle's direction of travel. The engine employs a dry sump oil supplying system and an oil tank separate from the engine is provided. Another snowmobile four-cycle engine arrangement includes: a four-cycle engine having a cylinder head at its top, arranged in the engine compartment and inclined forwards with respect to the vehicle's direction of travel with an intake path provided on the upper portion of the engine body. An intercooler for cooling the intake air is arranged in a tunnel created inside the body frame for accommodating a track belt.

Abstract: A gate control circuit for turning on and off an insulated gate semiconductor device having gate, emitter and collector terminals, including a first DC power source coupled to the gate terminal via a first switch and configured to apply a positive voltage to the gate terminal in order to turn on the insulated gate semiconductor device when the first switch is turned on and the second switch is turned off; a second DC power source coupled to the gate terminal via a second switch and configured to apply a negative voltage to the gate terminal in order to turn off the insulated gate semiconductor device when the second switch is turned on and the first switch is turned off; a parallel circuit of a diode and a capacitor coupled in series to the second switch; and a turn off assist circuit configured to produce a negative charge on the capacitor to assist in turning off the insulated gate semiconductor device.

Abstract: Prior to annealing of cold rolled stainless steel strip, soot is deposited on the surface of the stainless steel strip by a soot generating burner, and thereby the heat absorption efficiency of the stainless steel strip in the annealing furnace is increased to enhance the heat treatment capability in the annealing furnace. This soot generating burner forms a flame by injecting a premixed gas at low air ratio of fuel gas and pure oxygen or high oxygen enriched air from the nozzle opening, and an air injection port for injecting air for guiding the flame is formed on the outer circumference of the nozzle opening. By this guide air, the flame is guided to form, so to speak, an air curtain, and it is therefore possible to direct the flame efficiently to the surface of the stainless steel strip, thereby preventing the soot from depositing near the nozzle opening.