Abstract: A thin and large high toughness die-cast product is provided that is formed from an Al—Mg casting alloy having the composition 3.5 wt %?Mg?4.5 wt %, 0.8 wt %?Mn?1.5 wt %, Si<0.5 wt %, Fe<0.5 wt %, a sum (Ti+Zr) of amounts of Ti and Zr added of equal to or greater than 0.3 wt %, and a ratio (Ti/Zr) of the amounts of Ti and Zr added of at least 0.3 but not more than 2, with the balance being Al.

Abstract: A solid state imaging device comprises a color decomposer that decomposes incident light into at least a color of a first wavelength and a color of a second wavelength that is shorter than the first wavelength, a light shielding film that is formed under the color decomposer and comprises first openings through which light decomposed to the color of the first wavelength is transmitted and second openings through which light decomposed to the color of the second wavelength is transmitted, the second openings being formed to be larger than the first openings, and a plurality of photo electric conversion elements that are arranged in lines and columns, each of the photo electric conversion elements generating signal electric charges corresponding to an amount of the incident light by receiving the incident light decomposed by the color decomposer and passed through the openings of the light shielding film.

Abstract: A particulate accumulation amount estimating system is configured to accurately estimate an amount of particulate matter accumulated in a particulate filter based on the pressure difference across the particulate filter even when ash is accumulated in the particulate filter. The particulate accumulation amount estimating system is configured to estimate a particulate accumulation amount of particulate matter accumulated in the particulate filter based on a pressure difference that was detected across the particulate filter and an effective area change of the particulate filter that was detected due to the accumulation of ash in the particulate filter. The estimate of the particulate accumulation amount based on the pressure difference across the filter will be lower as the estimate value of the ash accumulation amount becomes larger.

Abstract: A forming method wherein a billet (31, 66, 77, 87, 107, 128, 136, 144, 153, 77B, 77C) comprising a metal-based composite material (27) prepared by mixing an aluminum alloy (22) and a ceramic (15) is subjected to pressure forming to manufacture a formed article, which comprises carrying out the pressure forming by the use of different compression ratios for different portions of the formed article, wherein a compression ratio means the ratio of the height of a billet before the pressure forming to height of the billet after the pressure forming. The above forming method allows the manufacture of a formed article having different volume contents 8Vf) of the ceramic for different portions thereof.

Abstract: A foaming agent used for manufacturing a foamed or porous metal. The agent is composed of a foamable powder and a coating layer of SiO2 covering the particle surfaces of the powder and having a good wetting property therewith.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purification device (6) comprises: first and second catalyst carriers (21, 22) interposed in an exhaust passage (8) of an engine (1), which purify an exhaust gas; a case (20) provided in the exhaust passage, which houses the first and second catalyst carriers (21, 22) in series in an exhaust gas flow direction; an annular carrier holder (24) interposed between the first and second catalyst carriers (21, 22), which holds the first and second catalyst carriers (21, 22) via a buffering member (23) and has an opening (34) which connects an inner peripheral side and an outer peripheral side; a sensor (10) which detects the state of the exhaust gas flowing through the interior of the case (20); and a sensor attachment portion (26) provided in the case (20), which connects the interior and exterior of the case (20) in an orientation that is substantially orthogonal to the exhaust gas flow direction.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purification apparatus for an automotive internal combustion engine. The apparatus comprises a casing that forms a part of an exhaust gas passage of the engine. A substrate, disposed in the casing, carries a substrate to purify exhaust gas. A supporting mat is provided to support the substrate in the casing by being located between the substrate and the casing. The supporting mat has a depression to trap foreign matters at an upstream-side end of the supporting mat, the upstream-side end facing upstream side of exhaust gas flow in the exhaust gas passage.

Abstract: A brake drum has its strength elevated in its disk portion. The brake drum is formed from a composition having ceramics dispersed in a matrix. The disk portion has a high ceramic content and thereby a high strength. Its cylindrical portion has a ceramic content decreasing gradually from the outer edge of the disk portion.

Abstract: A brake drum has its strength elevated in its disk portion. The brake drum is formed from a composition having ceramics dispersed in a matrix. The disk portion has a high ceramic content and thereby a high strength. The brake drum has a disk portion and a cylindrical portion. The disk portion has a first ceramic content by volume and the cylindrical portion has a second ceramic content by volume that is less than the first ceramic content by volume as a result of the application of a higher compression ratio to the disk portion.

Abstract: A forming method wherein a billet (31, 66, 77, 87, 107, 128, 136, 144, 153, 77B, 77C) comprising a metal-based composite material (27) prepared by mixing an aluminum alloy (22) and a ceramic (15) is subjected to pressure forming to manufacture a formed article, which comprises carrying out the pressure forming by the use of different compression ratios for different portions of the formed article, wherein a compression ratio means the ratio of the height of a billet before the pressure forming to height of the billet after the pressure forming. The above forming method allows the manufacture of a formed article having different volume contents 8 Vf) of the ceramic for different portions thereof.

Abstract: A foamed/porous metal having fine bubbles in a matrix of aluminum or magnesium has shells of aluminum oxide or magnesium oxide formed between the matrix and the bubbles of carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A particulate accumulation amount estimating system is configured to accurately estimate an amount of particulate matter accumulated in a particulate filter based on the pressure difference across the particulate filter even when ash is accumulated in the particulate filter. The particulate accumulation amount estimating system is configured to estimate a particulate accumulation amount of particulate matter accumulated in the particulate filter based on a pressure difference that was detected across the particulate filter and an effective area change of the particulate filter that was detected due to the accumulation of ash in the particulate filter. The estimate of the particulate accumulation amount based on the pressure difference across the filter will be lower as the estimate value of the ash accumulation amount becomes larger.

Abstract: An aluminum plate (13) is first plastic-deformed (FIG. 3D) in such a way as to envelop a foaming-agent compact (14), which is not foamed yet. Then, terminals of the aluminum plate (13) are integrally seam-welded (FIG. 3E) to thereby obtain a closed section structure (23). Subsequently, the foaming-agent compact (14) contained in the closed section structure (23) is foamed by being heated to foaming temperature thereof. Consequently, a pipe-like frame filled with a foam (27) is obtained.

Abstract: An automobile hood has a skin and a frame reinforcing it. At least part of a space defined between the skin and the frame is packed with a foamed metal which breaks down continuously upon receiving an external force. Its continuous breakdown absorbs a substantially equal amount of impact energy continuously.

Abstract: A foaming agent used for manufacturing a foamed or porous metal. The agent is composed of a foamable powder and a coating layer of SiO2 covering the particle surfaces of the powder and having a good wetting property therewith.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purification device (6) comprises: first and second catalyst carriers (21, 22) interposed in an exhaust passage (8) of an engine (1), which purify an exhaust gas; a case (20) provided in the exhaust passage, which houses the first and second catalyst carriers (21, 22) in series in an exhaust gas flow direction; an annular carrier holder (24) interposed between the first and second catalyst carriers (21, 22), which holds the first and second catalyst carriers (21, 22) via a buffering member (23) and has an opening (34) which connects an inner peripheral side and an outer peripheral side; a sensor (10) which detects the state of the exhaust gas flowing through the interior of the case (20); and a sensor attachment portion (26) provided in the case (20), which connects the interior and exterior of the case (20) in an orientation that is substantially orthogonal to the exhaust gas flow direction.

Abstract: A thin and large high toughness die-cast product is provided that is formed from an Al—Mg casting alloy having the composition 3.5 wt %?Mg?4.5 wt %, 0.8 wt %?Mn?1.5 wt %, Si?0.5 wt %, Fe?0.5 wt %, a sum (Ti+Zr) of amounts of Ti and Zr added of equal to or greater than 0.3 wt %, and a ratio (Ti/Zr) of the amounts of Ti and Zr added of at least 0.3 but not more than 2, with the balance being Al.

Abstract: An automobile hood has a skin and a frame reinforcing it. At least part of a space defined between the skin and the frame is packed with a foamed metal which breaks down continuously upon receiving an external force. Its continuous breakdown absorbs a substantially equal amount of impact energy continuously.

Abstract: An exhaust manifold of an engine exhaust apparatus includes a plurality of exhaust branches and a straight pipe section. The exhaust branches extend toward a confluence portion, from respective upstream ends to be connected with cylinders of an engine. The straight pipe section extends from the confluence portion toward a downstream end adapted to be connected to an exhaust purifying catalyst.

Abstract: The plurality of built-in parts 6, 7, 8, 9 are disposed in such a manner that the center of gravity G2 of these built-in parts is situated on the opposite side of the door hinge 5 with respect to the position of the total center of gravity G1 of the door main body itself and the completely-closed windowpane 10. Especially, the drive motor 63 of the window regulator 6 is disposed spaced from the center of gravity G1 on the opposite side of the door hinge 5.