Abstract: A load variation amount can be derived from an output of a load sensor for detecting an external force acting on a watercraft. A computation can be performed whether or not the load variation amount is larger than a reference value calculated based on the load sensor output, a running state, and a navigation velocity. The width and the magnitude of a pulse are determined based on the load sensor output, the running state, and the navigation velocity, and the pulse is applied to a steering as reaction torque.

Abstract: A rudder control device for a boat can include a handle position sensor for detecting an operation angle of a handle. An engine control unit can be provided for receiving a detection signal from the handle position sensor. A motor can be provided for receiving a control signal from the engine control unit to drive a steering member to a predetermined rotation angle corresponding to the operation angle. The engine control unit can receive a signal from a speed sensor for detecting a boat speed to control an upper limit of the rotation angle to be smaller when the boat speed is higher than a predetermined value than when not.

Abstract: An electric steering apparatus can include a rudder device driven by an electric motor, a steering wheel for operation by an operator to control the angle of the rudder device, a reaction torque motor for applying a reaction force to the steering wheel, a load sensor for detecting an external force acting on a boat or the rudder during steering, and a reaction torque calculator circuit for calculating a target torque for the reaction motor according to an input of the load sensor.

Abstract: A steering system for an outboard drive includes a steering handle furnished on a watercraft, a steering device, a lever that has first and second ends, and a sensor. The first end of the lever is attached to the drive. The sensor senses an actual position of the steering handle to provide a position signal to the steering device. The steering device includes an electric motor that has an outer casing and a ball screw extending through the outer casing. The ball screw and the outer casing move relative to one another in accordance with the actual position of the steering handle. The second end of the lever is attached to the ball screw or the outer casing. The ball screw or the outer casing steers the drive through the lever.

Abstract: The present invention relates to metal object-coating method, which method comprises coating a primer composition (I) prepared by adding an inorganic anti-corrosive agent to at least one binder component selected from the group consisting of a binder component (A) containing an epoxy resin and ant least one of amino resin and phenol resin, a binder component (B) containing a polyester resin, epoxy resin and phenol resin, and a binder component (C) containing ?-olefin•?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid copolymer resin onto the surface of a metal object coating substrate to form a primer coating film layer, followed by coating a topcoat coating composition consisting of a thermoplastic resin based coating composition (II) onto the primer coating film layer to form a topcoat coating film layer consisting of a thermoplastic resin coating film layer; and the primer composition used in the method.

Abstract: A swivel bracket can be attached to a transom plate of a watercraft by means of a clamp bracket. A steering bracket can be rotationally provided in a swivel shaft of the swivel bracket. An outboard motor body can be secured to the steering bracket. An electric motor can be housed in the outboard motor and engaged with a stationary gear secured to the swivel bracket by way of a reduction gear. Driven by the electric motor, the steering bracket turns relative to the swivel bracket, causing the outboard motor body to turn.

Abstract: A steering system for a boat can include a main switch for turning power on and off, an emergency stop switch for stopping an engine, a steering wheel for operation by an operator, a steering wheel displacement sensor for detecting the operator's displacement of the steering wheel, a rudder device with an electric actuator for providing a force to move a rudder about a rotational shaft according to the detected steering wheel displacement, and a controller for outputting a signal to drive the electric actuator according to the detected steering wheel displacement. The controller can drive the electric actuator of the rudder device to return the rudder to its center position when the engine is stopped by the main switch or an auxiliary stop switch.

Abstract: A steering system can be provided for a boat. Such a boat can include a rudder device using an electric actuator to allow a rudder to rotate about a rotational shaft, and a steering wheel 7 for operation by an operator. The steering system can include a steering wheel displacement sensor for detecting the displacement of the steering wheel and a controller for calculating the rotational displacement of the rudder device corresponding to the detected steering wheel displacement and sending an actuation signal to the electric actuator based on the calculated rotational displacement, in which the controller receives a signal indicating an engine speed for producing a propulsive force in the boat, and changes, in accordance with the engine speed, the ratio of the rotational displacement of the rudder relative to the steering wheel displacement.

Abstract: An electric steering apparatus can include a rudder device driven by an electric motor, a steering wheel for operation by an operator to control the angle of the rudder device, a reaction torque motor for applying a reaction force to the steering wheel, a load sensor for detecting an external force acting on a boat or the rudder during steering, and a reaction torque calculator circuit for calculating a target torque for the reaction motor according to an input of the load sensor.

Abstract: (A) Heavy metal-containing wastes are kneaded in melt with (B) an alkali metal compound or an alkaline earth metal compound and (C) sulfur, or with (E) a sulfide, or with these along with (D) a salt of a metal of which the standard electrode potential is higher than that of the cation of the component (B) or (E), in the presence of a non-aqueous medium, and the resulting melt mixture is cooled and solidified. In the method of treating heavy metal-containing wastes, the heavy metals in the wastes are efficiently passivated, and the heavy metals thus passivated are not released from the treated wastes.

Abstract: (A) Heavy metal-containing wastes are kneaded in melt with (B) an alkali metal compound or an alkaline earth metal compound and (C) sulfur, or with (E) a sulfide, or with these along with (D) a salt of a metal of which the standard electrode potential is higher than that of the cation of the component (B) or (E), in the presence of a non-aqueous medium, and the resulting melt mixture is cooled and solidified. In the method of treating heavy metal-containing wastes, the heavy metals in the wastes are efficiently passivated, and the heavy metals thus passivated are not released from the treated wastes.

Abstract: A process for purifying a polycarbonate resin solution which comprises passing a water-in-oil dispersion type (W/O) emulsion composed of a mixture of an organic solvent solution containing a polycarbonate resin with a aqueous solution and having water particles with an average diameter of 1 to 100 &mgr;m in an oil through a metallic filter having a filtering precision of 10 to 200 &mgr;m, and then, settling the mixture for 1 to 30 minutes to perform separation between the organic solvent solution containing a polycarbonate resin and the aqueous solution containing contaminations.

Abstract: A chain tension device for tensioning a cutting chain of a chain saw utilizing a guide bar having an outer periphery and a drive sprocket. The chain saw body supports the guide bar, the sprocket and a drive source. A cutting chain is wound around the sprocket and the outer periphery of the guide bar and a leaf spring is supported by the chain saw body and interposed between the guide bar and the sprocket. The leaf spring abuts and biases the guide bar away from the sprocket so as to apply automatically an appropriate amount of tension to the cutting chain.

Abstract: A chain saw brake device that can instantly halt the rotation of a cutting chain when a motor drive switch is turned off. The chain saw brake device includes a brake band wound around a brake drum, such that by operating a hand guard and pulling the forward end of the brake band, the brake band is tightened around the brake drum, thereby stopping the cutting chain. The rear end of the brake band is fixed to a bent rod, and the bent rod is urged rearwardly by a coil spring when the drive switch is turned off, causing the brake band to tighten around the brake drum. By activating a trigger lever, the movable member, engaged with the trigger lever, is moved forwards, thereby pushing forwards the bent rod, and loosening the brake band.

Abstract: An operation switch device for use with a lawnmower includes a switch and a first operation member operably movable between an "ON" position and an "OFF" position. A second operation member is mounted on the first operation and is positionable in a first position where the switch is turned on and a second position where the switch is held off when the first operation member is in the "ON" position and the "OFF" position, respectively. A restraining member in a restraining position is operable to prevent the second operation member from moving from the second position to the first position. The restraining member in a releasing position is operable to permit the second operation member to move from the second position to the first position.

Abstract: The chain of an electromotive chain saw is quickly stopped by the combined use of an electric brake and a mechanical brake when a trigger member is turned off. The rear end of a brake band disposed to tighten a brake drum by operating a hand guard is secured to a bent rod. When the trigger member is released, the brake band is normally tightened around the outer periphery of a brake drum by the urging force of a coil spring. When the trigger member is released, a circuit provided with a brake winding is closed, thereby applying a dynamic braking force. When the dynamic brake force is applied, a centrifugal clutch is released quickly and the speed of stopping the brake drum is accelerated.

Abstract: To provide a chain stop device for an electromotive chain saw that can quickly stop the rotation of a cutting chain when a trigger member is released. The electromotive chain saw is provided with a chain stop mechanism operated with a solenoid. When the trigger lever is released, the solenoid is energized, such that a brake force is applied by a chain stop mechanism. The chain stop mechanism is composed of a brake shoe for engaging with or disengaging from the inner periphery of a brake drum, a Y-shaped resilient member for supporting the brake shoe, a swingable lever for slidably guiding the resilient member, and a clutch disconnected when depressed by two arms of the resilient member.

Abstract: The chain of an electromotive chain saw is quickly stopped by the combined use of an electric brake and a mechanical brake when a trigger member is turned off. The rear end of a brake band disposed to tighten a brake drum by operating a hand guard is secured to a bent rod. When the trigger member is released, the brake band is normally tightened around the outer periphery of a brake drum by the urging force of a coil spring. When the trigger member is released, a circuit provided with a brake winding is closed, thereby applying a dynamic braking force. When the dynamic brake force is applied, a centrifugal clutch is released quickly and the speed of stopping the brake drum is accelerated.