Abstract: A method for slope improvement including layering a life-extending layer on the surface of a protective layer made from mortar or concrete sprayed onto a slope in order to prevent rain water or the like from entering cracks in the protective layer, inhibit degradation of the protective layer, and prevent mortar pieces or concrete pieces from spalling off the protective layer, the method for slope improvement being characterized in that the life-extending layer is formed by a coating layer that has a crack conformability of 0.8 mm or larger and has salt-blocking properties and neutralization-preventing properties.

Abstract: A spring damper for absorbing vibration of a double coil spring is made of elastic material and composed of a cylindrical body, outer-wall convex portions, and inner-wall convex portions. The spring damper is arranged in an annular space formed between an outer coil spring and an inner coil spring of the double coil spring, so that the outer-wall convex portions push the outer coil spring in a radial outward direction and the inner-wall convex portions push the inner coil spring in a radial inward direction. Longitudinal ends of the cylindrical body are prevented from being hooked by spring wires of the outer or inner coil spring, when the double coil spring is expanded and compressed.

Abstract: A spring damper for absorbing vibration of a double coil spring is made of elastic material and composed of a cylindrical body, outer-wall convex portions, and inner-wall convex portions. The spring damper is arranged in an annular space formed between an outer coil spring and an inner coil spring of the double coil spring, so that the outer-wall convex portions push the outer coil spring in a radial outward direction and the inner-wall convex portions push the inner coil spring in a radial inward direction. Longitudinal ends of the cylindrical body are prevented from being hooked by spring wires of the outer or inner coil spring, when the double coil spring is expanded and compressed.

Abstract: A rotation angle detection device for detecting a rotation angle of an object has a substantially cylinder-shaped yoke, a magnetism generation unit which is fixed to an inner surface of the yoke, a magnetism detection member which is arranged substantially in a center axis of the yoke, at least one bearing which rotatably supports the yoke, and a support member which holds the bearing. The yoke is made of a magnetic metal, and fixedly mounted at the object to be rotatable integrally with the object. The magnetism generation unit generates a magnetic field substantially perpendicular to the center axis of the yoke. The magnetism detection member generates an output corresponding to a variation of the magnetic field to detect the rotation angle of the object relative to the magnetism detection member.

Abstract: A rotation angle detection device for detecting a rotation angle of an object has a substantially cylinder-shaped yoke, a magnetism generation unit which is fixed to an inner surface of the yoke, a magnetism detection member which is arranged substantially in a center axis of the yoke, at least one bearing which rotatably supports the yoke, and a support member which holds the bearing. The yoke is made of a magnetic metal, and fixedly mounted at the object to be rotatable integrally with the object. The magnetism generation unit generates a magnetic field substantially perpendicular to the center axis of the yoke. The magnetism detection member generates an output corresponding to a variation of the magnetic field to detect the rotation angle of the object relative to the magnetism detection member.

Abstract: A pedal assembly is disclosed that includes a gear having a first tooth with a root and terminal ends. The gear rotates due to an input force. The assembly also includes a rack having a second tooth with root and terminal ends. The second tooth meshes with the first tooth at a contact point such that rotation of the gear causes linear movement of the rack. The assembly further includes a biasing member that biases the rack. The assembly additionally includes a slide member on which the rack slides. The slide member is provided on a side of the rack opposite to that of the gear such that the rack pushes on the slide member due to meshing of the first tooth and the second tooth.

Abstract: A reference electrode is used for detecting acidity or basicity of an oil with a sensitive electrode changed in response to the acidity or basicity of the oil. The reference electrode and the sensitive electrode are used as a pair of electrodes for detecting a difference between an electric potential of the sensitive electrode and an electric potential of the reference electrode. The reference electrode has a substantially constant output potential with respect to a pH which is changed according to the acidity or basicity of the oil. The reference electrode is constructed with an electrode substrate made of a metal, and a metal salt provided on the electrode substrate, such that the metal salt contains the metal and is hardly soluble in water.

Abstract: A device for detecting deterioration degree of oil is composed of an electrode unit in a cylindrical coil shape and a detector circuit connected to the electrode unit. The electrode unit is composed of a first electrode plate and a second electrode plate, both wound in a coil shape with an insulating layer disposed therebetween. The electrode unit is dipped in oil, and a potential difference between the electrode plates is measured by the detector circuit. The oil deterioration degree is detected based on the potential difference that varies according to a pH level of the oil. A distance between the first and the second electrode plates is kept small and precise to enhance accuracy in detecting oil deterioration without making the detector size large.

Abstract: A method and a device for detecting a deterioration of vehicle oil are disclosed in which the end point of the oil service life can be detected with higher accuracy, while at the same time detecting the progress of the oil condition in the vicinity of the end point of the oil service life. The acidity or basicity of the vehicle oil is measured using a pH sensor (11) generating an output in responding to the degree of the acidity or basicity. The deterioration of the vehicle oil can be detected based on the fact that with the increase in vehicle mileage, a line approximating the output of the pH sensor (11) with respect to the vehicle mileage has a tendency to change from a first inclination to a second inclination larger than the first inclination and then from the second inclination to a third inclination smaller than the second inclination.

Abstract: An oil condition sensor detects a condition of oil in response to the potential difference between electrodes. The electrodes include at least a first and second electrodes coaxially arranged. The electrodes have projections being arranged to face each other in an opposed manner. Therefore, the projections provide wide surface area that performs as electrodes. It is possible to provide compact oil condition sensor that is easy to install into an oil tank or oil pan.

Abstract: A method and a device for detecting a deterioration of vehicle oil are disclosed in which the end point of the oil service life can be detected with higher accuracy, while at the same time detecting the progress of the oil condition in the vicinity of the end point of the oil service life. The acidity or basicity of the vehicle oil is measured using a pH sensor (11) generating an output in responding to the degree of the acidity or basicity. The deterioration of the vehicle oil can be detected based on the fact that with the increase in vehicle mileage, a line approximating the output of the pH sensor (11) with respect to the vehicle mileage has a tendency to change from a first inclination to a second inclination larger than the first inclination and then from the second inclination to a third inclination smaller than the second inclination.

Abstract: In a pair of electrodes where a potential difference is changed in accordance with acidity or basicity of oil, a reference electrode is made of cobalt or a cobalt alloy, and a sensitive electrode is made of tungsten or a tungsten alloy. The sensitive electrode is used in combination with the reference electrode. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a pair of electrodes for detecting the acidity or the basicity of the oil which use a novel electrode material not hazardous to the environment and at the same time, suited for use in a semiconductor fabrication technique.

Abstract: An oil condition sensor detects a condition of oil in response to the potential difference between electrodes. The electrodes include at least a first and second electrodes coaxially arranged. The electrodes have projections being arranged to face each other in an opposed manner. Therefore, the projections provide wide surface area that performs as electrodes. It is possible to provide compact oil condition sensor that is easy to install into an oil tank or oil pan.

Abstract: In a pair of electrodes where a potential difference is changed in accordance with acidity or basicity of oil, a reference electrode is made of cobalt or a cobalt alloy, and a sensitive electrode is made of tungsten or a tungsten alloy. The sensitive electrode is used in combination with the reference electrode. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a pair of electrodes for detecting the acidity or the basicity of the oil which use a novel electrode material not hazardous to the environment and at the same time, suited for use in a semiconductor fabrication technique.

Abstract: A photo-reactive grinding wheel 1 is irradiated with light by a light irradiation device 2 which is provided opposite to the grinding wheel, to bring about a chemical reaction and change in property, and dissolved/removed by a solution 4. Simultaneously, a workpiece 5 is processed by the photo-reactive grinding wheel 1. Thus, processing can be performed without causing clogging in the grinding wheel of a resin bond containing fine abrasive grains, high-grade surface roughness can be realized, and processing efficiency is relatively high. The controllability of the dressing is excellent, automation of dressing and in-process dressing can also be realized, a system which contains no metal ion in the whole processing can be designed, an expensive device is not required, and handling is easy.

Abstract: An air cleaner for use in an intake air passage connected to an engine of a vehicle, including a housing separable into two housings, a filter element received in one of the two housings, a sealing member for sealing contact with a sealing surface of the other housing, and a hinge device for rotatably connecting the two housings to each other, the hinge device including a receiving member having a receiving opening, and an axis member for being received in the receiving member through the receiving opening, the axis and receiving members being displaceable relative to each other substantially along a plane in which the sealing member extends, the air cleaner further including a clamp device cooperating with the hinge device to secure the two housings to each other, and a protector including two abutting portions, the protector allowing the sealing surface and the sealing member to be brought into the sealing contact with each other when the axis member is positioned at a hinging position in the receiving memb

Abstract: A muffler including an offshoot path, one end of which is connected to a middle of a ventilation path so as to diverge from the ventilation path, and another end of which is closed. One portion of the offshoot path and another portion thereof are communicated through a communicating portion. Accordingly, sound waves entering the offshoot path are propagated in a direction of a closed portion, and are also propagated via the communicating portion from the one portion to the other portion.

Abstract: An intake control system includes an intake control valve disposed in a common intake pipe connected to engine cylinders or a plurality of intake control valves disposed in intake pipes connected respectively to the engine cylinders. The intake control valves are openable and closable under the control of an electronic control unit directly or through respective actuators, based on an electric signal indicative of an operating condition of intake valves on engine cylinders.