Abstract: An auto-focusing device having a photosensor unit for receiving luminous flux from an object. Lens drive data is predetermined and stored in a storage circuit. The stored lens drive data is selected in accordance with an output from said photosensor unit, and the lens is driven according to the selected data. Each lens drive data stored in the storage circuit is associated with a respective one of a plurality of outputs from the photosensor unit at a time when an object is disposed at a predetermined distance and when luminous flux from the object is actually received by the photosensor unit.

Abstract: A heater device for a motor vehicle detects the temperatures of a burner and a heat exchanger when the heater device is shut off. When the detected temperatures reach respective preset values, a combusting blower for supplying combusting air to the burner and a heating blower for supplying heating air to the heat exchanger are actuated to introduce cooling air to the burner and the heat exchanger for thereby preventing the burner and the heat exchanger from being overheated.

Abstract: An engine braking system, includes an axial flow compressor connected to an output shaft of an engine so as to be driven by said output shaft and to discharge air or exhaust gas supplied thereto. The compression and discharging work performed by the axial flow compessor serves as a braking effort during engine braking. A second embodiment of the engine braking system includes a driving force transmission connection the rotating output shaft of the engine to a power turbine disposed in an exhaust passage of the engine during engine braking so as to transmit the rotative power of the output shaft to the power turbine. This system also includes a throttling mechanism for adjusting a nozzle throat area of the power turbine, which mechanism is provided with movable wing-type vanes circumferentially disposed relative to the power turbine. Finally, a controller is provided for controlling the system in accordance with various running conditions of the engine and vehicle.

Abstract: A turbo compound engine constructed in a manner such that the crankshaft of the engine and a power turbine disposed in the exhaust gas passage are connected to each other by a gear train during exhaust braking with the rotation of the crankshaft being transmitted to the power turbine. The power turbine imposes a negative work on the crankshaft as a braking force. A speed-change mechanism is provided in the gear train to adjust the transmitting revolution speed from the crankshaft to the power turbine and is controlled by a controller based on driving conditions of the vehicle, so that a suitable braking force is applied to the crankshaft.

Abstract: A turbo compound engine comprising an engine having an output shaft and an exhaust line, a power recovering turbine disposed at the exhaust line, a gear train connecting the power recovering turbine with the output shaft of the engine, and a power reversing mechanism including a hydraulic clutch provided with the gear train, so that energy utilized by the power turbine may serve as braking effort against the vehicle upon switching of the power reversing mechanism, and a large load may not be applied to the gear train all at once by allowing the hydraulic clutch to slip during a certain period from the switching of the power reversing mechanism, thereby protecting the drive power transmission system of the vehicle and improving driveability.

Abstract: In a vehicle heating system, heat exchange is made between a combustion gas generated by a burner of a heater and water by a heat exchanger of the heater and the hot water heated by the heat exchanger is sent into a cooling water heater unit of the vehicle for heating. The hot water for heating the vehicle can be obtained by change-over control of a change-over valve from the hot water of the heat exchanger or from the hot water of a radiator of an engine. Furthermore, the combustion gas generated by the burner is sent into an intake or exhaust pipe of the engine.

Abstract: A turbo compound engine including driving power transmission means for drivingly connecting a crankshaft of the engine to a power turbine provided in an exhaust gas passage, so as to secure an adequate braking force, which is relatively weakened by an improvement in engine performance, by activating a power turbine by means of the driving power transmission means during exhaust braking, thereby transforming the work of the power turbine to braking force of the crankshaft in order to increase the entire braking force of the engine.

Abstract: A vehicle heater device for a motor vehicle has a burner for combusting fuel and a heat exchanger for heating warming air to be introduced into a passenger compartment with a combustion gas produced by the burner. The heater device also has a timer for setting an operation starting time and an operation time period for the heater device. If the remaining capacity of a battery used as a power supply for the heater device and the amount of remaining fuel to be supplied to the burner are equal to or greater than prescribed levels, the heater device is operated at the time set by the timer.

Abstract: A turbo compound engine including driving force transmitting means for connecting the crankshaft of an engine, and a power turbine disposed in an engine exhaust passage achieves adequate engine brake force by applying a resistance force against the crankshaft directly or indirectly during the exhaust brake because the engine brake force of the turbocharged engine suffers a relative decrease due to the increase in the output power.