Abstract: It is determined whether an engine for a flexible fuel vehicle is in a start enabling state based on alcohol concentration of fuel supplied to the engine. When it is determined that the engine is in the start enabling state, a heater for vaporizing fuel is energized. Current flowing in the heater is compared with a reference current representing completion of warmup of the engine. When the current becomes smaller than the reference current, the heater is de-energized, and the fuel is injected to start the engine.

Abstract: An automotive engine has a turbocharger, a wastegate valve for controlling flow rate of exhaust gas applied to a turbine of the turbocharger, and an actuator for controlling the wastegate valve. A standard supercharging pressure is determined dependent on characteristics of the wastegate valve, and a desired supercharging pressure is set in accordance with engine operating conditions. A difference between the desired supercharging pressure and the standard supercharging pressure is calculated, and a ratio of the difference to a detected actual supercharging pressure is calculated. From the calculated ratio, a control value applied to the actuator is calculated.

Abstract: A roller shifting device for a printing press comprises first support means for supporting a form dampening roller for shifting the form dampening roller relative to a surface of a plate on a plate cylinder between a first contacting position and a second released position, second support means for supporting a transfer roller for shifting the transfer roller relative to the form dampening roller between a first contacting position and a second released position, third support means for supporting another roller other than the transfer roller and to be contacted with and released from the form dampening roller for shifting the another roller between a first contacting position and a second released position, means for cooperating the first, second and third support means for synchronous shifting between the first and second positions, means for differentiating a shifting stroke and/or direction of the tfirst support means from those of the second and third support means, and actuating means associated with on

Abstract: A composite membrane excelling in organic solvent resistance, heat resistance and organic vapor resistance is disclosed. The composite membrane of the present invention comprises a porous membrane including as a major constituent a polymer having a repeating unit represented by the formula (I)--Ph--S--Ph--SO.sub.2).sub.n (I)(wherein Ph represents phenyl group, n represents a natural number) and an active layer formed on said porous membrane. The composite membrane of the present invention may be used as a composite membrane for pervaporation, gas separation membrane and as a reverse osmosis membrane.

Abstract: A composite semipermeable membrane which has a high electrolytes rejection even when the concentration of the electrolytes in feed water is very low and even if the pH of feed water is not less than 8 is disclosed. The composite semipermeable membrane of the present invention comprises a microporous substrate and a cross-linked polyamide-based ultra-thin membrane laminated on the microporous substrate, the ultra-thin membrane having a covalently bonded quaternary nitrogen atom.

Abstract: An automatic transmission has a lockup clutch for a torque converter. Concentration of alcohol is detected by an alcohol concentration sensor. The lockup clutch is engaged at a lower vehicle speed when the alcohol concentration detected by the alcohol concentration sensor is higher than a predetermined reference value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a porous membrane which has excellent durability and is useful for ultrafiltration. The porous membrane of the present invention has heterogeneous structure, which consists essentially of a phenylenesulfide-based copolymer of the formula:(Ph--S--Ph--X--).sub.q --(wherein Ph represents phenylene group, X represents --SO.sub.2 -- or --CO--, and g represents an integer from 80-400 which membrane has a dense layer on one or both surfaces of the membrane, the dense layer controlling the separation performance of the membrane, and a porous layer next to the dense layer, which porous layer has a porosity higher than that of the dense layer.

Abstract: An automatic transmission for an alcohol engine is upshifted in accordance with one of first and second shift patterns. The transmission is upshifted at a higher vehicle speed in accordance with the first shift pattern, and the transmission is upshifted at a lower vehicle speed by the second shift pattern. Concentration of the alcohol is detected by an alcohol concentration sensor. The second shift pattern is provided when the detected alcohol concentration is higher than a reference value.

Abstract: In an ink groove to have its one face defined by the circumference of an ink fountain roller and its other face defined by an oblique assembly, to have a V-shaped section, there is disclosed a device for controlling the width of an ink groove remotely, which comprises: drive means for turning the oblique assembly, between a position for forming the ink groove, when actuated, and another position for forming none of the ink groove; and drive pressure supply means for actuating the drive means remotely.

Abstract: A basic threshold value is calculated by averaging fluctuations of engine speed, and an acceleration threshold value which is higher than the basic threshold value is calculated. Surges existing in the fluctuation are compared with the basic threshold value and with the acceleration threshold value. The ignition timing of the engine is retarded by a predetermined initial retard angle when a first surge after beginning of acceleration of the engine is higher than the acceleration threshold value, and the ignition timing is retarded by retard angle which is smaller than the initial retard angle when each of second and subsequent surges is higher than the basic threshold value.

Abstract: A sterilizing apparatus for sterilizing a hollow prism-shaped carton open at both ends includes a sterilizing station, a drying station, and a solution-removing station located between the sterilizing station and the drying station. The solution-removing station has a solution-removing device which rotates intermittently in synchronism with carton conveyers. The solution-removing device includes a plurality of thin and long mandrels extending in a radial direction and spaced apart from each other at regular intervals. Each mandrel supports a carton and has a nozzle which supplies the aseptic air from an aseptic air source into the carton.

Abstract: A process for preparing a semipermeable composite membrane comprising a microporous substrate and an ultra-thin membrane covering the substrate, wherein the ultra-thin membrane comprises a crosslinked piperazine polyamide as a main component and contains a constituent component represented by the following general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R stands for --H or --CH.sub.3 and n is an integer of from 0 to 3.

Abstract: A semipermeable composite membrane comprising a microporous substrate and an ultra-thin membrane with which the substrate is coated, characterized in that the ultra-thin membrane is composed of a cross-linked aromatic polyamide and the cross-linked aromatic polyamide contains a tri- or higher functional aryl residue having at least two --NH groups. The semipermeable composite membrane has a high solute rejection, high and stable water flux and durability, and thereby may be applicable to various fields.

Abstract: An interfacially synthesized reverse osmosis membrane comprising a microporous substrate and an ultra-thin membrane covering the substrate, wherein the ultra-thin membrane comprises a crosslinked piperazine polyamide as a main component and contains a constituent component represented by the following general formula (1): ##STR1## wherein R stands for --H or --CH.sub.3 and n is an integer of from 0 to 3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the membrane treatment method for semipermeable membranes, that is, a method wherein it is characterized that not only remarkable improving effect of selective separation performance of semipermeable membranes is obtained but also durability of said improving effect for selective separation performance is improved by means of extremely simple and easy procedures such as said semipermeable membranes are successively brought into contact with very dilute of aqueous solutions including effective substances which are individually water-soluble in due order and for a short time, where said effective water-soluble substances form water-insoluble or very little water-soluble materials thereof fixed on the surface of said semipermeable membranes.

Abstract: A high performance semipermeable composite membrane containing a microporous substrate having a semipermeable membrane on the surface thereof. A composite ultrathin solute rejection barrier is formed on an intermediate transport layer which in turn is formed on a substrate.A mixture of a water soluble organic polymer having reactive amino groups in terminal and/or side chains, together with a monomer or monomeric polyamine is reacted with an agent having a polyfunctional group.

Abstract: A method of producing a semipermeable membrane comprising a polymeric material based upon a trisisocyanurate structure ##STR1## wherein, R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are hydrogen or alkyl radicals containing from 2 to 5 carbon atoms, and at least two of R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are alkyl radicals having hydroxyl or glycidyl groups. The membrane has high solute rejection, high flux, excellent high pressure resistance, and high temperature resistance and is a highly useful composite membrane for reverse osmosis. In the method, an aqueous solution containing, for example, a reaction product of Formula I is applied to the surface of a porous substrate and is heated at a temperature of about 100.degree. C. to 190.degree. C. to provide a cross-linked structure including a multiplicity of isocyanurate groups on the porous substrate.

Abstract: A membrane treating agent for rejuvenating and improving a rejection performance of a semipermeable membrane, which contains an effective amount of a modified vinyl polymer having acetoxy groups and at least one group represented by the Formula (I) and/or (II): ##STR1## wherein R is a radical selected from the group consisting of aliphatic, aromatic and heterocyclic radicals having from 1 to 9 carbon atoms, and n is an integer from 1 to 3.Valuable modified vinyl polymers are obtained by reacting a partially saponified vinyl polymer with at least one carboxylic acid such as maleic acid, phthalic acid, succinic acid, butane tetracarboxylic acid and/or acid anhydrides or acid chlorides thereof.

Abstract: A high performance semipermeable composite membrane containing a microporous substrate having a semipermeable membrane on the surface thereof. A composite ultrathin solute rejection barrier is formed on an intermediate transport layer which in turn is formed on a substrate.A mixture of a water soluble organic polymer having reactive amino groups in terminal and/or side chains, together with a monomer or monomeric polyamine is reacted with an agent having a polyfunctional group.

Abstract: A method for the selective separation of at least one water-soluble useful material from an aqueous solution by reverse osmosis is provided. The method comprises contacting the aqueous solution under pressure maintained above the osmotic pressure of the aqueous solution with a semipermeable composite membrane. The semipermeable composite membrane comprises a microporous substrate and a barrier layer having about 0.01 to about 0.1 micron thickness and composed of a cross-linked polymeric material having isocyanurate structures of Formula (I) formed on the microporous substrate: ##STR1## wherein each of R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a glycidyl group, and an alkyl radical containing from 2 to 5 carbon atoms, an alkyl radical carrying a functional hydroxyl group and an alkyl radical carrying a functional glycidyl group, with the proviso that at least two of R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.