Abstract: Disclosed is an oil heating apparatus for an internal combustion engine, in which a heating unit for heating an oil is arranged adjacent to an oil pump on an oil path which extends from an oil pan to the oil pump of the internal combustion engine and allows the oil to pass therethrough, and energization of the heating unit is controlled by a heating control unit. When an oil having a high viscosity due to a low temperature is heated to increase the viscosity thereof, the load on the oil pump is reduced to allow an easy starting operation of the internal combustion engine at a low temperature.

Abstract: In a compressor having a sliding member such as a portion of a vane which is disposed to be slid on an opposite member made of iron base metal, the sliding member is made of carbon fiber-reinforced aluminum having a coefficient of thermal expansion of 0.9 to 1.6+10.sup.-5 /.degree. C. in a temperature range from 0.degree. C. to 250.degree. C. and the carbon fiber-reinforced aluminum contains 15 to 40 volume % of carbon fiber which is irregularly distributed within an aluminum matrix without directional property.

Abstract: A method for producing a filter having partially different apparent densities comprises the steps of assembling at least two kinds of foamed bodies having different cell densities, which are formed of an organic compound such as urethane, into a three dimensional structure, immersing the obtained composite body into a slurry composed of ceramic such as cordierite so that the slurry is attached to the surface of the composite body, and firing the composite body to which the slurry is attached, to burn off the foamed bodies. By selecting the portion to be formed into high density, mechanical strength and exhaust gas purifying efficiency of the filter can be improved.

Abstract: An apparatus for adsorbing fuel vapor having a fuel vapor inlet hole communicating to a fuel tank, a mixed gas outlet hole communicating to the intake passage for internal combustion engine, an inlet hole for the desorbent air communicating to the atmospheric air and an adsorbent for adsorbing fuel vapor and by using, as to the adsorbent which is at least partially foamed body of active charcoal constituting a three-dimensional network cell structure having an inner communicating space between granular active charcoals.

Abstract: A catalyst for reforming fuel into a reformed gas rich in hydrogen comprises a catalyst carrier consisting of .gamma.-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and a catalyst metal mixture of the Cu--Ni--Cr type supported on the carrier, the metal mixture having the following composition: Cu = 36-62% by weight, Ni = 8-32% by weight, and Cr = 18-41% by weight, provided that Cu + Ni + Cr = 100% by weight. This catalyst is effective in reforming a fuel, especially methyl alcohol, into hydrogen over a wide temperature range from a low temperature to a high temperature. It is further improved by impregnating the carrier with at least one metal oxide selected from BaO, La.sub.2 O.sub.3, SiO.sub.2, CeO.sub.2, and SrO or by admixing the catalyst metal mixture with at least one of the oxides.