Abstract: An exhaust heat recovery apparatus includes a joining section extending from a downstream end portion of a second flow passage section to a first flow passage section. The joining section has a communication port formed proximate a valve shaft for directing an exhaust gas from the second flow passage section into a housing section. A valve includes a first valve body supported by the valve shaft for closing a downstream end portion of the first flow passage section, and a second valve body extending from the first valve body for closing the communication port. The first valve body and the second valve body are disposed circumferentially of the valve shaft. The second valve body has an arc-shape having a center provided by the valve shaft.

Abstract: To produce a temperature difference in the thermoelectric conversion module, a tabular member of the cooling side arranged side of the thermoelectric conversion module is fitted in a uniform pressed condition on the thermoelectric conversion module. In the airtight container in which the flow tube penetrates the housing and the thermoelectric conversion module is arranged in the reduced pressure space between the housing and the flow tube, a tabular member of the cooling side of the housing corresponding to the thermoelectric conversion module is formed by the thin plate that is flexible, and the thermoelectric conversion module is sandwiched between the thin plate and the flow tube. The thin plate contacts the thermoelectric conversion module in a pressed condition by reducing pressure in the reduced pressure space, and the thin plate deforms by following the shape of the thermoelectric conversion module and fits due to its flexibility.

Abstract: A variable nozzle control device is provided with a drive unit, a stopper, and a controller. The drive unit drives variable nozzles. The stopper is configured to be in contact with the drive unit with the variable nozzles being in a full close state. The controller counts a time including an operating time of an engine after preceding contact of the drive unit with the stopper, determines whether the counted time has reached a predetermined time, and controls the drive unit so as to bring the drive unit into contact with the stopper when determining that the counted time has reached the predetermined time, with the engine at a stop.

Abstract: An exhaust heat recovery apparatus includes a joining section extending from a downstream end portion of a second flow passage section to a first flow passage section. The joining section has a communication port formed proximate a valve shaft for directing an exhaust gas from the second flow passage section into a housing section. A valve includes a first valve body supported by the valve shaft for closing a downstream end portion of the first flow passage section, and a second valve body extending from the first valve body for closing the communication port. The first valve body and the second valve body are disposed circumferentially of the valve shaft. The second valve body has an arc-shape having a center provided by the valve shaft.

Abstract: A multistage Stirling engine 1 mounted on an automobile provided with an internal combustion engine has two cylinders 4 and 5. Displacer pistons 6 and 7 and power pistons 8 and 9 are slidably fitted in the two cylinders 4 and 5, respectively. The exhaust gas discharged from the internal combustion engine and serving as a heating fluid flows sequentially through the cylinders 4 and 5 to heat helium gas serving as a working fluid of the Stirling engine. The cylinders 4 and 5 are disposed parallel to each other. Heaters 16 and 17, regenerative heat exchangers 18 and 19, and coolers 20 and 21 are installed between the cylinders 4 and 5. The multistage Stirling engine is flat and compact.

Abstract: A multistage Stirling engine 1 mounted on an automobile provided with an internal combustion engine has two cylinders 4 and 5. Displacer pistons 6 and 7 and power pistons 8 and 9 are slidably fitted in the two cylinders 4 and 5, respectively. The exhaust gas discharged from the internal combustion engine and serving as a heating fluid flows sequentially through the cylinders 4 and 5 to heat helium gas serving as a working fluid of the Stirling engine. The cylinders 4 and 5 are disposed parallel to each other. Heaters 16 and 17, regenerative heat exchangers 18 and 19, and coolers 20 and 21 are installed between the cylinders 4 and 5. The multistage Stirling engine is flat and compact.

Abstract: A power unit for a vehicle, such as an automobile, includes an internal combustion engine 1 as a prime mover for the vehicle, a generator 3, and a Stirling engine 4 for driving the generator 3. The Stirling engine 4 uses the exhaust gas discharged by the internal combustion engine 1 as a high-temperature heat source. Power generated by the generator 3 is supplied to an electric motor 2 for driving auxiliary machines 7, 8 and 9, and to a battery 5 for supplying power to the electric motor 2. The engine speed of the Stirling engine 4 is controlled through the control of the load on the generator 3 by a field regulator 15. An optimum engine speed of the Stirling engine 4 is determined such that the brake horsepower of the Stirling engine 4 increases to a maximum or substantially maximum brake horsepower.

Abstract: A power unit for a vehicle, such as an automobile, includes an internal combustion engine 1 as a prime mover for the vehicle, a generator 3, and a Stirling engine 4 for driving the generator 3. The Stirling engine 4 uses the exhaust gas discharged by the internal combustion engine 1 as a high-temperature heat source. Power generated by the generator 3 is supplied to an electric motor 2 for driving auxiliary machines 7, 8 and 9, and to a battery 5 for supplying power to the electric motor 2. The engine speed of the Stirling engine 4 is controlled through the control of the load on the generator 3 by a field regulator 15. An optimum engine speed of the Stirling engine 4 is determined such that the brake horsepower of the Stirling engine 4 increases to a maximum or substantially maximum brake horsepower.

Abstract: Specification data including a method of measuring the dimension and mask design data for a photomask pattern is transmitted from an order-sender computer via a communication line. An element dimension calculating unit generates a measurement recipe according to the dimension-measurement method and the mask design data to transmit the measurement recipe to an element dimension measuring unit. The element dimension calculating unit calculates production error data of the pattern according to measurement data and the mask design data to transmit the error data to the order-sender via the communication line.

Abstract: A method of selecting a photomask manufacturer includes the steps of storing bidding data sent from a photomask manufacturer, correcting a responded delivery date included in the received bidding data to a corrected delivery date based on a delivery date achieving ratio in a last month, storing priorities relating to a delivery date, technology, order reception and price, reading the corrected delivery date for each of the manufacturers making a bid for a product number to be ordered when the product number is input, calculating total evaluation for each photomask manufacturer based on the plurality of priorities, and selecting the photomask manufacturer satisfying the corrected delivery date and providing the highest result of total evaluation, as the receiver of the order.

Abstract: A selecting method includes the steps of receiving pattern-forming area 100% region data and unit price data from a mask manufacturer's computer, extracting a 100% code that matches a condition based on the pattern-forming area 100% region data if data are received from computers of at least a predetermined number of mask manufacturers, calculating a pattern-forming area ratio based on a pattern-forming 100% region of the extracted 100% code and a pattern-forming region of the pattern-forming area data, calculating a unit price from a pattern-forming area ratio based on the unit price data and pattern-forming area ratio, and determining a mask manufacturer to which an order is sent based on the calculated unit price.

Abstract: A mask manufacturer selecting method includes the steps of entering factor data including two or more selectable factors by the mask manufacturer affecting a price to be paid by a wafer manufacturer for manufacturing of a photomask; and sending the factor data to computers of mask manufacturers. The mask manufacturer's computer sends estimate data including an estimated price determined based on the factors selected from the two or more factors. The mask manufacturer selecting method further includes the steps of receiving the estimate data; and selecting one order receiver based on the two or more estimate data received from the two or more mask manufacturers' computers.

Abstract: Specification data including a method of measuring the dimension and mask design data for a photomask pattern is transmitted from an order-sender computer via a communication line. An element dimension calculating unit generates a measurement recipe according to the dimension-measurement method and the mask design data to transmit the measurement recipe to an element dimension measuring unit. The element dimension calculating unit calculates production error data of the pattern according to measurement data and the mask design data to transmit the error data to the order-sender via the communication line.

Abstract: A main object of the present invention is to provide a photo-mask improved to ensure dimension with high accuracy. An actual pattern is provided on a substrate. A monitor mark for ensuring dimension of the actual pattern is also provided on the substrate. The monitor mark is provided with a coarse pattern and a high-density array pattern formed to have a density higher than the coarse pattern.

Abstract: There is provided a multi-cylinder engine having an intake manifold that includes a plurality of induction pipes which are each connected at, one end thereof, to a cylinder head the induction pipes extending away from the cylinder head and being curved to extend along a side of a cylinder block, and thereafter being curved further to approach the cylinder block to finally extend toward the respective one end sides of the induction pipes. In the multi-cylinder engine, a starter motor is disposed in a gap defined between the intake manifold and the cylinder block.

Abstract: A sales administration server receives mask design data, administration entrustment specification data of the mask design data and disclosure entrustment specification data related to the mask design data from a terminal of a design maker. Upon receipt of a request to disclose specification information from a terminal of a purchase-requesting maker, the sales administration server transmits the specification information to a terminal of the purchase-requesting maker based on the disclosure condition included in disclosure entrustment specification data. Upon receipt of purchase request specification data from a purchase-requesting maker, the sales administration server transmits the mask design data to a terminal of the maker specified in the purchase request specification data. Thus, a sales method of mask design data mediates sales of mask design data between a maker entrusting sales of mask design data and a maker wishing to purchase.

Abstract: An aperture used in an optical device includes a first light-transmitting region which transmits light emitted from a light source which is provided in the optical device, and a second light-transmitting region which is provided in the periphery of the first light-transmitting region and provides light passing therethrough with a phase difference of 180° with respect to light passing through the first light-transmitting region. Thus, improvement in a function which is required for the optical device can be achieved.

Abstract: A method of selecting a photomask manufacturer includes the steps of storing bidding data sent from a photomask manufacturer, correcting a responded delivery date included in the received bidding data to a corrected delivery date based on a delivery date achieving ratio in a last month, storing priorities relating to a delivery date, technology, order reception and price, reading the corrected delivery date for each of the manufacturers making a bid for a product number to be ordered when the product number is input, calculating total evaluation for each photomask manufacturer based on the plurality of priorities, and selecting the photomask manufacturer satisfying the corrected delivery date and providing the highest result of total evaluation, as the receiver of the order.

Abstract: There is provided a multi-cylinder engine having an intake manifold comprising a plurality of induction pipes which are connected to a cylinder head at one ends thereof and at the other ends thereof extend to be away from the cylinder head, are then curved to extend along a side of a cylinder block, are curved further to approach the cylinder block and finally extend toward the one ends side. In the multi-cylinder engine, a starter motor is disposed in a gap defined between the intake manifold and the cylinder block.