Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a sliding member which sustains lubricating characteristics given to the sliding surface over a long period of time to maintain the low friction coefficient and durability.

Abstract: In a level shifter, in the case where the amplitude voltage of an input signal (i.e., a first power voltage VDDL) input to an input terminal is changed to be higher and the amplitude voltage of an output signal (i.e., a second power voltage VDDH) output from an output terminal is changed to be lower, a fall delay time of the signal output from the output terminal tends to be longer than a rise delay time of the signal. However, an inverted input signal obtained by an inverter is input to a level shifting unit and also to the gate of an N-type transistor, and therefore, the N-type transistor is turned on at the fall of the input signal input to the input terminal, so as to supply a current based on the second power voltage VDDH to an output node of the level shifting unit for assisting the shift into H level performed in the level shifting unit.

Abstract: In a flip-flop circuit which includes an input section using a dynamic circuit and an output section using a static circuit and which captures data during a period of a pulse width shorter than a clock cycle, the number of transistors, circuit area and power consumption are reduced.

Abstract: A friction clutch includes an iron inner clutch plate and two iron outer clutch plates. Each clutch plate has a sliding surface that friction-engages with the other clutch plates. A diamond-like carbon film containing silicon, which functions as a solid lubricant, is formed on the sliding surface of each outer clutch plate through a conventional method such as plasma chemical vapor deposition. The diamond-like carbon film contains 1 wt % to 80 wt % of silicon. A coupling device includes a pilot clutch mechanism that has the friction clutch and an electromagnetic actuator. As a result, the friction clutch has an improved resistance to wear, and the coupling device is durable.

Abstract: A wear-resistant coated member comprising 26 to 80% by weight of silicon (Si), additional components if required and necessary, the remainder being aluminum (Al), and unavoidable impurities, wherein Si is in a fine particle, and has an average particle size in the range of 0.01 to less than 10 .mu.m, and Al matrix and 3% by weight or more of Si form solid solutions. The wear-resistant coated member has excellent wear resistance and machinability.

Abstract: A method for surface treatment in which a fluidizable powder mixture consisting of a powder of a refractory material, and a surface layer-forming powder of a metal, or alloy or both is fluidized by a fluidizing gas supplied through a gas distributor to form above the gas distributor a fluidized bed in which a surface layer is formed on the material to be treated under heating in the presence of a halide. A layer of coarse particles is disposed between the fluidized bed and the gas distributor, and the coarse particles have a mean diameter, D(m), as defined below:(1650V.mu./PG).sup.1/2 <D<6.5dwhereV: velocity of the fluidizing gas (m/s);.mu.: viscosity coefficient of the fluidizing gas (kg/m.multidot.s);P: mean density of the coarse particles (kg/m.sup.3);G: acceleration of gravity (9.8 m/s.sup.2);d: mean particle diameter of the surface layer-forming powder (m).

Abstract: A nitride or carbonitride layer is formed on the surface of a metal material as follows: A treating agent composed of a refractory powder of alumina or the like and a powder of a metal for forming a nitride or a carbide or an alloy thereof is disposed in a fluidized bed furnace; the treating agent is fluidized to form a fluidized bed by introducing an inert gas; the fluidized bed furnace is heated to a temperature of not higher than 700.degree. C.; an activator of a halogenated ammonium salt is intermittently supplied into the fluidized bed at a rate of 0.001 to 5 wt %/hour based on the total amount of the treating agent; and the metal material to be treated is disposed in the fluidized bed during or after any of the above steps. For example, a nitride layer composed of only a metal for forming a nitride which contains almost no Fe--N is formed on the surface of iron steel even at a temperature as low as not higher than 700.degree. C.