Abstract: A method of producing a semiconductor dynamic sensor which features an improved sensitivity yet having a small size while avoiding damage to the thin distortion-producing portion. A resist film 49 is photo-patterned on the front main surface of the semiconductor substrate 41 except for the region where the upper isolation grooves are to be formed prior to forming the lower isolation groove 10 by the first etching of the back main surface of the semiconductor substrate 41 (which includes the epitaxial layer 42). Unlike the prior art, therefore, there is no need to spin-coat the front main surface of the semiconductor substrate 41 with the resist film 49 which is followed by photo-patterning after a predetermined region of the semiconductor substrate 41 has been reduced in thickness by the first etching. Therefore, damage therefore to the thin portion by the vacuum chucking the wafer during the spin-coating of the resist film is avoided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a danger avoidance system capable of avoiding the collision of a vehicle against obstacles and of reducing the effect of collision on a vehicle. A traveling condition deciding unit decides whether or not the vehicle is in a dangerous traveling condition on the basis of the respective outputs of a vehicle monitoring system and an ambient condition monitoring system. A danger recognition confirming unit decides whether or not the driver is aware of the dangerous traveling condition on the basis of the respective outputs of a driver monitoring system, the ambient condition monitoring system and the vehicle monitoring system. When the traveling condition deciding unit decides that the vehicle is in the dangerous traveling condition, measures to avoid danger or to reduce the effect of collision on the vehicle are taken only when the driver is not aware of the dangerous traveling condition.

Abstract: A driving environment surveillance apparatus is provided to specify a region where an obstacle is present depending upon an azimuth detected by an obstacle detecting unit so as to derive a two-dimensional image corresponding to the specified region from an image detecting unit, and to extract the obstacle from the two-dimensional image so as to calculate a size index of the obstacle, thereby detecting a relative distance or the azimuth to the obstacle from a vehicle with high accuracy and at a high speed.

Abstract: An exhaust gas cleaning device for controlling the air-to-fuel ratio of the air-fuel mixture supplied to an internal combustion engine (1) provided with a catalytic converter (14) disposed in the exhaust pipe (13). The air-to-fuel ratio is oscillated around the central level of the integral control or proportional plus integral feedback control signal based on the output of an air-to-fuel ratio sensor (12); the amplitude of oscillation and the proportional control amount are, or alternatively, the frequency of the oscillation is, varied in accordance with the operating condition of the engine.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a stoichiometric B1-type tantalum nitride and a sintered body thereof.A B1-type tantalum nitride and a sintered body thereof, wherein a stoichiometric B1-type tantalum nitride is produced typically according to the method of impact compression, having the properties (a) that the X ray diffraction substantially shows a pattern ascribed to the stoichiometric B1-type tantalum nitride alone but not others, (b) that the measured value of the lattice spacing D (h, k, l) has a deviation of 0.00013 nm or less from the corresponding value calculated based on the B1 structure, (c) that the lattice constant is 0.4335.about.0.4338 nm, (d) that the electron diffraction image substantially shows the spots particular to the stoichiometric B1-type tantalum nitride alone but not others and (e) the value of Z in TaN.sub.z is within a range of 0.96-1.01.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of producing an acceleration sensor of a semiconductor. Piezo resistance layers are formed in a silicon tip 2 of a single crystal etched in an anisotropic etching liquid such as a KOH solution, etc., using as a mask a silicon nitride film. Then the silicon tip 2 of the single crystal is soaked in an isotropic etching liquid for a predetermined time and is etched to a depth of 0.5-2.0 .mu.m. Further, a photoresist is applied over a whole surface thereof to form a slot extending to a hollow.

Abstract: A system for controlling running of a vehicle comprises a switch for setting a slow-run mode, a sensor for detecting that the brake is being applied, a driving force control device mechanically separated from the accelerator for controlling a driving force of the vehicle, a sensor for detecting the running speed of the vehicle, a switch for setting a slow-run speed command signal. A target speed is generated on the basis of information concerning the brake activation and, the running speed of the vehicle and the slow-run speed command signal value. In the slow-run mode, when the brake is not applied, the driving force control device is driven to cause the vehicle to run at the target slow-run speed, and when the brake is applied, the driving force control device is driven so that no driving force is produced at least in the direction of travel of the vehicle.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a stoichiometric B1-type tantalum nitride and a sintered body thereof.A B1-type tantalum nitride and a sintered body thereof, wherein a stoichiometric B1-type tantalum nitride is produced typically according to the method of impact compression, having the properties (a) that the X-ray diffraction substantially shows a pattern ascribed to the stoichiometric B1-type tantalum nitride alone but not others, (b) that the measured value of the lattice spacing D (h, k, l) has a deviation of 0.00013 nm or less from the corresponding value calculated based on the B1 structure, (c) that the lattice constant is 0.4335.about.0.4338 nm, (d) that the electron diffraction image substantially shows the spots particular to the stoichiometric B1-type tantalum nitride alone but not others and (e) the value of Z in TaN.sub.z is within a range of 0.96-1.01.

Abstract: A device for detecting pressure of a high temperature pressurized fluid. A sensing element having a diaphragm adjacent to one end and a lead wire outlet adjacent to another end in the longitudinal direction of a rectangular parallelopiped configuration of the sensing element including the diaphragm. Thus, the lead wire outlet is a predetermined distance from the diaphragm heated by high temperature fluid. This prevents the lead wire outlet and the other electrical assemblies from suffering deterioration or misoperation caused by high temperature. The reliability of the pressure detecting device can be improved.

Abstract: A vehicle power transmission apparatus having an engine starting function is provided which is small in size and has a high degree of freedom and accuracy in controlling torque transmission. The apparatus comprises torque transmitting means including a differential gear mechanism and having at least three (first through third) rotation shafts; an engine operatively connected with the first rotation shaft of the torque transmitting means; a transmission connected with the second rotation shaft for transmitting torque to a drive shaft of the vehicle; an electric motor connected with the third shaft of the torque transmitting means; a power transducer for controlling the electric motor; an electric power source for supplying power to the electric motor through the power transducer; and a controller for controlling the power transducer in such a manner that the electric motor operates as a power source or a load in dependence upon the operating condition of the vehicle.

Abstract: An exhaust gas cleaning device for controlling the air-to-fuel ratio of the air-fuel mixture supplied to an internal combustion engine (1) provided with a catalytic converter (14) disposed in the exhaust pipe (13) is disclosed. The air-to-fuel ratio is oscillated around the central level of the integral control or proportional plus integral feedback control signal based on the output of an air-to-fuel ratio sensor (12); the amplitude of oscillation and the proportional control amount are, or alternatively, the frequency of the oscillation is, varied in accordance with the operating condition of the engine.

Abstract: In construction of a stonework crusher utilizing thermal deformation of shape memory alloy, heating means is coupled to one or more insert heads made of shape memory alloy without leaving any space there between so that thermal deformation of the insert heads should pose no substantial influence upon heat transmission from the heating means. In particular when several crushers are used in combination, uniform heat transmission at different crushers allows concerted generation of crush force by the combined crushers for effective and efficient crushing of stoneworks.

Abstract: A semiconductor pressure sensor having a cylindrical housing with an opening formed at its tip end which is exposed to a pressure atmosphere and a metal diaphragm for receiving pressure, which is formed in a wall of the cylindrical housing defining the opening. A metal oxide layer is formed in a surface of the metal diaphragm by oxidizing the surface of the metal diaphragm, and a glass layer is formed on the metal oxide layer. A semiconductor chip, on which a strain gauge is formed, is firmly and surely bonded to the metal diaphragm through the glass layer by virtue of the metal oxide layer. This semiconductor pressure sensor can measure high pressure with sufficient sensitivity and high accuracy.

Abstract: The pressure sensor has a housing, a sensing body mounted inside an internal space of the housing and having a cavity, one end thereof being open and other end thereof being closed, to form a pressure introducing portion therein, the closed end thereof having a thin thickness forming a diaphragm for receiving a pressure, and a semiconductor chip mounted on one surface of the closed end opposite to the diaphragm for receiving a pressure. The pressure sensor is characterized in that the sensing body is attenuated at a portion including at least the closed end thereof and has a diameter smaller than that of the remaining portion thereof, and a shoulder is provided therebetween, whereby the sensing body is fixedly connected to the internal space of said housing by abutting the shoulder thereof against a stopper portion provided in the internal space of the housing and the external surface thereof is placed in contact with the inner surface of the internal space of the housing.

Abstract: In an apparatus for controlling a headlight of a vehicle, a light from a preceding or oncoming vehicle can be detected without being disturbed by a light reflected on guardrails and the like, or light from a traffic signal, street lights and the like, and the illumination area of the headlight can be suitably adjusted without unnecessary switching of an illumination mode of the headlight. This control is carried out by receiving a light impinging on the front end of the vehicle by a light receiving member divided into a plurality of regions, by carrying out a comparison and discrimination between the light detection signals from the plurality of regions, and based on a result thereof, by selecting an appropriate illumination mode of the headlight.

Abstract: High purity acetylene gas is provided by discharging high purity acetylene gas from a metallic bomb in which a porous material to accommodate high purity acetylene gas and a solvent to selectively dissolve the acetylene gas are charged and passing the gas through an adsorber containing an adsorbent for adsorbing the solvent contained in the gas. Superfine powders of impurities are removed by passing the gas through a filter. Acetylene is purified by adsorbing acetylene into a solvent having a temperature of -20.degree. to -81.8.degree. C. in an absorbing tower, stripping the acetylene from the solvent at a temperature of -10.degree. to +20.degree. C. in a stripping tower and passing the stripped acetylene through a packed bed filled with a porous material for removing impurities from the acetylene and through a filter for removing superfine powders of impurities. The inside of a bomb for dissolved acetylene is purified by heating the bomb and evacuating the bomb.

Abstract: A semiconductor pressure sensor having a cylindrical housing with an opening formed at its tip end which is exposed to a pressure atmosphere and a metal diaphragm for receiving pressure which is formed in a wall of the cylindrical housing defining the opening. A metal oxide layer is formed in a surface of the metal diaphragm by oxidizing the surface of the metal diaphragm, and a glass layer is formed on the metal oxide layer. A semiconductor chip, on which a strain gauge is formed, is firmly and surely bonded to the metal diaphragm through the glass layer by virtue of the metal oxide layer. This semiconductor pressure sensor can measure high pressure with sufficient sensitivity and high accuracy.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine controlling apparatus comprises an exhaust gas returning passage for adjustably returning a part of exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine, a calculating means for effecting digital calculation of a controlled quantity for the engine in response to operational conditions in the engine in accordance with a program, an oxygen sensor for detecting the concentration of oxygen in the intake air after recirculating the exhaust gas to the air intake system, and an operating means for operating the output of the oxygen sensor on the basis of data stored therein to thereby determine a controlled quantity for the engine to operate it at the optimum condition.

Abstract: A receiving set is capable of recording the sound of the broadcast received, while enabling the listener to listen to the present broadcast, and of reproducing the recorded sound when requested by the listener. A digital memory device is provided for recording the detected audio signal in compressed form on the time axis. The memory device is accessed upon request by the listener and the signal read out of the memory is processed to produce a sound.

Abstract: An EGR device for an IC engine is disclosed which comprises an EGR control valve installed in an EGR passageway communicating with an exhaust system and an intake system of an internal combustion engine, an oxygen sensor for detecting the oxygen content of the intake air installed in the downstream of the opening of the EGR passageway in said intake system, a pressure sensor for detecting the atmospheric pressure in the oxygen sensor, and an EGR controller for computing a first quantity corresponding to a target exhaust gas reflux rate, correcting the output signal of the oxygen sensor using the output signal of the pressure sensor, and opening or shutting said EGR control valve in proportion to the deviation of the second quantity thus corrected from the first quantity in order to set the operating condition of the engine in conformity with a predetermined target EGR rate.