Abstract: A solid-state laser processing apparatus includes a solid-state laser oscillator, a laser beam diameter controller, an optical fiber, and a processing head. The solid-state laser oscillator oscillates a laser beam. The laser beam diameter controller controls a beam diameter of the laser beam, and includes an aperture. The aperture controls a beam quality of the laser beam defined by M2 so as to fall in a range of 85?M2?105. The optical fiber guides the controlled laser beam therein. The processing head includes a transfer optical system, and irradiates the guided laser beam to a surface of a workpiece to be processed by way of the transfer optical system.

Abstract: A laser beam machine for processing an article to be processed with a laser beam from a processing scanner 1 comprised of an optical system employing a laser oscillator 10. Article position controllers 2a and 2b are controlled in a coordinated manner in accordance with the direction of the laser beam from said processing scanner 1 such that the position of a surface to be processed of the article is controlled to be nearly perpendicular to the direction of the laser beam from the processing scanner 1. While an article to be processed mounted on one article position controller 2a is being processed and unloaded, another article to be processed can be loaded onto the other article position controller 2b. Thus, the wait time for the laser beam machine can be reduced and production efficiency can be improved.

Abstract: A laser beam machine for processing an article to be processed with a laser beam from a processing scanner 1 comprised of an optical system employing a laser oscillator 10 . Article position controllers 2a and 2b are controlled in a coordinated manner in accordance with the direction of the laser beam from said processing scanner 1 such that the position of a surface to be processed of the article is controlled to be nearly perpendicular to the direction of the laser beam from the processing scanner 1 . While an article to be processed mounted on one article position controller 2a is being processed and unloaded, another article to be processed can be loaded onto the other article position controller 2b. Thus, the wait time for the laser beam machine can be reduced and production efficiency can be improved.

Abstract: A solid-state laser processing apparatus includes a solid-state laser oscillator, a laser beam diameter controller, an optical fiber, and a processing head. The solid-state laser oscillator oscillates a laser beam. The laser beam diameter controller controls a beam diameter of the laser beam, and includes an aperture. The aperture controls a beam quality of the laser beam defined by M2 so as to fall in a range of 85?M2?105. The optical fiber guides the controlled laser beam therein. The processing head includes a transfer optical system, and irradiates the guided laser beam to a surface of a workpiece to be processed by way of the transfer optical system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a laser machining apparatus in a simple structure which can properly carry out laser machining by irradiating a laser beam easily at a predetermined energy density to a machining-target site in a predetermined range, and in addition, which can be downsized and can be kept with easy maintenance and has enhanced durability. The apparatus includes: a semiconductor stack 1 comprising a plurality of semiconductor laser elements; and a controller for controlling emission of the laser beam emitted from each of the semiconductor laser elements. The semiconductor stack 1 is divided into a plurality of blocks B11, B12, B13, B14 in correspondence with the machining-target site of a work piece. The controller controls the irradiation of the laser beam from each of the blocks B11, B12, B13, B14 to be changeable in terms of time.

Abstract: A method of laser beam machining which has a simple construction and which is capable of suitably processing a part to be processed by means of laser beams is provided. A plurality of laser diode arrays 3 are stacked and disposed in such a manner as to allow radiation of laser beams in the direction of a width W of a part 1 to be processed. Each of the laser diode arrays 3 is controlled such that outputs 2R, 2L of laser beams with which the part 1 to be processed is irradiated in its width (W)-wise marginal portions 1R, 1L become higher than an output 2C of laser beams with which the part 1 to be processed is irradiated in its width (W)-wise central portion 1C. While the part 1 to be processed is irradiated with the laser beams with the distribution of energy thus changed, the laser beams are displaced relatively in the longitudinal direction of the part 1 to be processed.

Abstract: A valve timing control apparatus for an internal combustion engine has a lock pin that is movably provided in an accommodation hole of one of vanes of a rotor. A screw portion is formed along part of the outer circumference of the lock pin, which is fixed to a shaft of a motor. When hydraulic pressure control is performed to maintain a housing and the rotor in a predetermined intermediate phase, the lock pin moves in the axial direction of a cam shaft in response to rotation of the motor independently of the hydraulic pressure control, and engages a lock recess portion formed in a sprocket.

Abstract: The present invention provides a laser machining apparatus in a simple structure which can properly carry out laser machining by irradiating a laser beam easily at a predetermined energy density to a machining-target site in a predetermined range, and in addition, which can be downsized and can be kept with easy maintenance and has enhanced durability.

Abstract: An apparatus controls valve timing of an internal combustion engine that is provided with helical splines of an actuator for varying a phase difference in rotation and an actuator for varying a cam profile and lift of an intake cam. When the apparatus for controlling valve timing and respective actuators are not driven, a valve timing can be automatically established, which can achieve a cold valve overlap &thgr;ov. Carburetion of fuel can be promoted in the combustion chamber and intake ports by the blow-back of exhaust resulting from the cold valve overlap &thgr;ov. A mixture is made into a sufficient air-fuel ratio without depending on an increase in fuel when cold idling, wherein combustion is stabilized still more than in a case where valve overlap is not increased, cold hesitation can be prevented from occurring, and drivability can be maintained in a comparatively favorable state.

Abstract: A method of laser beam machining which has a simple construction and which is capable of suitably processing a part to be processed by means of laser beams is provided. A plurality of laser diode arrays 3 are stacked and disposed in such a manner as to allow radiation of laser beams in the direction of a width W of a part 1 to be processed. Each of the laser diode arrays 3 is controlled such that outputs 2R, 2L of laser beams with which the part 1 to be processed is irradiated in its width (W)-wise marginal portions 1R, 1L become higher than an output 2C of laser beams with which the part 1 to be processed is irradiated in its width (W)-wise central portion 1C. While the part 1 to be processed is irradiated with the laser beams with the distribution of energy thus changed, the laser beams are displaced relatively in the longitudinal direction of the part 1 to be processed.

Abstract: A valve timing control apparatus for an internal combustion engine has a lock pin that is movably provided in an accommodation hole of one of vanes of a rotor. A screw portion is formed along part of the outer circumference of the lock pin, which is fixed to a shaft of a motor. When hydraulic pressure control is performed to maintain a housing and the rotor in a predetermined intermediate phase, the lock pin moves in the axial direction of a cam shaft in response to rotation of the motor independently of the hydraulic pressure control, and engages a lock recess portion formed in a sprocket.

Abstract: A camshaft provided with three-dimensional cams is connected at its one end to a valve lift-varying actuator. By the valve lift-varying actuator or displacing the camshaft in the directions of an axis of the camshaft, the lift characteristic of intake valves set by the three-dimensional cams is variably controlled to a target amount of valve lift. The valve lift characteristic related to this control is detected as a detected amount of valve lift by a reference-purposed detected portion and a cam angle sensor. An apparatus and a method diagnoses abnormalities in the valve lift-varying actuator by, for example, evaluating whether the amount of change in the detected amount of valve lift is at most a predetermined value and the absolute value of a difference between the detected amount of valve lift and the target amount of valve lift is greater than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A valve timing control apparatus for an internal combustion engine has a lock pin that is movably provided in an accommodation hole of one of vanes of a rotor. A screw portion is formed along part of the outer circumference of the lock pin, which is fixed to a shaft of a motor. When hydraulic pressure control is performed to maintain a housing and the rotor in a predetermined intermediate phase, the lock pin moves in the axial direction of a cam shaft in response to rotation of the motor independently of the hydraulic pressure control, and engages a lock recess portion formed in a sprocket.

Abstract: A phase variation actuator has an outer rotor that is connected to a cam sprocket so that the outer rotor is rotatable together with the cam sprocket, and an inner rotor that is connected to a journal so that the inner rotor is rotatable together with the journal. The journal is rotatably supported by an internal combustion engine. A camshaft is inserted into a slide hole of the journal provided near the phase variation actuator so that the camshaft is slidable in the direction of the rotating axis of the camshaft. The camshaft is connected to the journal by meshing of splines so that the camshaft is rotatable together with the journal.

Abstract: A camshaft provided with three-dimensional cams is connected at its one end to a valve lift-varying actuator. By the valve lift-varying actuator displacing the camshaft in the directions of an axis of the camshaft, the lift characteristic of intake valves set by the three-dimensional cams is variably controlled to a target amount of valve lift. The valve lift characteristic related to this control is detected as a detected amount of valve lift by a reference-purposed detected portion and a cam angle sensor. An apparatus and a method diagnoses abnormalities in the valve lift-varying actuator by, for example, evaluating whether the amount of change in the detected amount of valve lift is at most a predetermined value and the absolute value of a difference between the detected amount of valve lift and the target amount of valve lift is greater than a predetermined value.

Abstract: An apparatus controls valve timing of an internal combustion engine that is provided with helical splines of an actuator for varying a phase difference in rotation and an actuator for varying a cam profile and lift of an intake cam. When the apparatus for controlling valve timing and respective actuators are not driven, a valve timing can be automatically established, which can achieve a cold valve overlap &thgr;ov. Carburetion of fuel can be promoted in the combustion chamber and intake ports by the blow-back of exhaust resulting from the cold valve overlap &thgr;ov. A mixture is made into a sufficient air-fuel ratio without depending on an increase in fuel when cold idling, wherein combustion is stabilized still more than in a case where valve overlap is not increased, cold hesitation can be prevented from occurring, and drivability can be maintained in a comparatively favorable state.

Abstract: An engine valve drive apparatus. A camshaft rotatably supported by the engine includes a cam for selectively opening and closing a valve. The cam has a cam surface for driving the valve. The cam surface has a profile that varies continuously in the direction of the cam axis. A valve lifter is arranged between the cam and the valve to convey the motion of the cam to the valve. A cam follower is supported on the valve lifter. The cam follower includes a slide surface having a pair of edges. The cam surface is arched outwardly in the direction of the cam axis to prevent the slide surface edges from contacting the cam surface. The curved surface prevents damage to the cam surface and enables smooth sliding between the cam surface and the cam follower. Alternatively, the slide surface of the cam follower may be arched outwardly.

Abstract: A variable valve timing apparatus is employed in an engine that includes a crankshaft, an intake camshaft for driving intake valves, an exhaust camshaft for driving exhaust valves, and a transmission for transmitting rotation between the crankshaft, the intake camshaft, and the exhaust camshaft. The variable valve timing apparatus varies the valve timing of the intake valves or the exhaust valves. A first actuator is incorporated in the transmission to adjust the rotational phase of the intake camshaft or the exhaust camshaft relative to the crankshaft. A second actuator is arranged on the intake camshaft or the exhaust camshaft to adjust the valve lift of the associated valves. The result is a compact engine that avoids interference with other parts in the engine compartment.

Abstract: A camshaft assembly has a shaft and a cam that are formed independently and then assembled together. The cam includes an inclined section and a parallel section. The radius of the inclined section varies in the axial direction in at least one angular section of the cam, and the cross section of the parallel section is constant in the axial direction. The parallel section is adjacent to the inclined section and not contacted by the cam follower.

Abstract: A variable valve timing mechanism of an internal combustion engine varies the rotational phase of a driven shaft with respect to a drive shaft to vary the timing of the valve. The mechanism includes a first rotary member for a rotation in synchronism with the drive shaft and a second rotary member for a rotation in synchronism with the driven shaft. The second rotary member has a vane. The movement of the vane rotates the second rotary member with respect to the first rotary member to change the rotational phase of the driven shaft with respect to the drive shaft. Hydraulic pressure is supplied to one of the first hydraulic chamber and the second hydraulic chamber to move the vane. A lock member locks the second rotary member to the first rotary member to fix the rotational phase of the driven shaft with respect to the drive shaft. The lock member is held in a locked position when the engine is not running.