Abstract: An electronic component according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes an element body and a terminal electrode. The element body includes an outer surface provided with a depression. The terminal electrode is disposed on the element body. The terminal electrode includes a first electrode portion and a second electrode portion. The first electrode portion is disposed in the depression. The second electrode portion protrudes from the depression. The second electrode portion is thicker than the first electrode portion.

Abstract: A knock sensor 1 for attachment to an internal combustion engine. The knock sensor 1 includes a cap 41a and a support member 11. At least a part of the top surface of the support member 11 is covered by cap 41a to prevent a mounting bolt 91 from directly making contact with the top surface of the support member 11 when the mounting bolt 91 extends through a through-hole 71 in the sensor. The cap 41a covers the top surface of the support member 11 to protect the support member from being ground or abraded by the mounting bolt 91.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting the NOx concentration includes a first measurement chamber 20 communicating with the gas under measurement via a diffusion rate defining layer 4d and a second measurement chamber 26 communicating with the first measurement chamber 20 via diffusion limiting layers 6d, 22d. A first pump current IP1 is controlled so that an output of a Vs cell 6 will be equal to the reference voltage VCO for controlling the oxygen concentration in the first measurement chamber 20 to a pre-set low value. A constant voltage is applied across the second pump cell 8 for decomposing the NOx component in the second measurement chamber 26 for pumping out oxygen for detecting the NOx concentration from a second pump current IP2. The sensor temperature is detected from the internal resistance of the Vs cell for controlling the current supplied to the heaters 12, 14. If the temperature of the gas under measurement is changed rapidly, the sensor temperature is changed.

Abstract: A knock sensor 1 for attachment to an internal combustion engine. The knock sensor 1 includes a cap 41a and a support member 11. At least a part of the top surface of the support member 11 is covered by cap 41a to prevent a mounting bolt 91 from directly making contact with the top surface of the support member 11 when the mounting bolt 91 extends through a through-hole 71 in the sensor. The cap 41a covers the top surface of the support member 11 to protect the support member from being ground or abraded by the mounting bolt 91.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting the NOx concentration includes a first measurement chamber 20 communicating with the gas under measurement via a diffusion rate defining layer 4d and a second measurement chamber 26 communicating with the first measurement chamber 20 via diffusion limiting layers 6d, 22d. A first pump current IP1 is controlled so that an output of a Vs cell 6 will be equal to the reference voltage VCO for controlling the oxygen concentration in the first measurement chamber 20 to a pre-set low value. A constant voltage is applied across the second pump cell 8 for decomposing the NOx component in the second measurement chamber 26 for pumping out oxygen for detecting the NOx concentration from a second pump current IP2. The sensor temperature is detected from the internal resistance of the Vs cell for controlling the current supplied to the heaters 12, 14. If the temperature of the gas under measurement is changed rapidly, the sensor temperature is changed.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting the NOx concentration includes a first measurement chamber 20 communicating with the gas under measurement via a diffusion rate defining layer 4d and a second measurement chamber 26 communicating with the first measurement chamber 20 via diffusion limiting layers 6d, 22d. A first pump current IP1 is controlled so that an output of a Vs cell 6 will be equal to the reference voltage VCO for controlling the oxygen concentration in the first measurement chamber 20 to a pre-set low value. A constant voltage is applied across the second pump cell 8 for decomposing the NOx component in the second measurement chamber 26 for pumping out oxygen for detecting the NOx concentration from a second pump current IP2. The sensor temperature is detected from the internal resistance of the Vs cell for controlling the current supplied to the heaters 12, 14. If the temperature of the gas under measurement is changed rapidly, the sensor temperature is changed.

Abstract: There are provided a pharmaceutical composition which can easily transport a pharmaceutically active ingredient into a brain, a reagent can easily transport a labeling substance into a brain, and a method for delivering a pharmaceutically active ingredient or a labeling substance from blood into a brain. The pharmaceutically active ingredient and the labeling substance are bonded to a hibernation-specific protein, and used as a conjugate. By administering the conjugate together with a thyroid hormone substance or a substance enhancing secretion and production thereof, the pharmaceutically active ingredient or the labeling substance is delivered into a brain.

Abstract: A method of controlling a direct fuel injection engine is provided. In the method, under a condition where an ignition timing which is accurately detectable is constant, a fuel injection timing is advanced and delayed to measure an average ion current, and the fuel injection timing is controlled so as to maximize the average ion current. Even when the efficiency of a solenoid is lowered to cause a variation of the fuel injection timing, the fuel injection timing can be controlled to be optimized, thus making it possible to maintain an intended efficiency of the direct fuel injection engine over a long period of usage. Particularly, the method can be realized by the use of a conventional ion current detecting device for detection of a misfire, it can be executed with an apparatus which can be attained at low cost. A direct fuel injection engine control system and a storage medium storing the control method of this invention are also provided.

Abstract: A connector 2b for an NOx sensor is connected via a cable C to an end of a sensor body 2a through which a first pump current and a second pump current flow according to the concentration of oxygen and that of NOx, respectively, contained in a gas to be measured. The connector 2b is provided with not only terminals for inputting a signal to and outputting a signal from the sensor body 2a but also a label resistor RL having resistance corresponding to characteristics (relationship between oxygen concentration and first pump current and that between NOx concentration and second pump current) of the sensor body 2a and label signal output terminals T01 and T02 connected to opposite ends of the label resistor RL.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a functional condition of an NOx occlusion catalyst using an NOx sensor. In order to compensate for variations in oxygen concentration of the exhaust gas which would otherwise affect the detected NOx concentration downstream of the NOx occlusion catalyst, a relative value is calculated as the difference between the detected NOx concentration and the value of the detected NOx concentration initially after start of operation control of an internal combustion engine at a lean air-fuel ratio. The occlusion capability of the NOx occlusion catalyst is judged to have deteriorated when an increase in the relative value exceeds a predetermined value. On the other hand, the NOx occlusion catalyst is judged to have suffered an anomaly when the rate of increase in the relative value becomes greater than a predetermined allowable value.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting the NOx concentration includes a first measurement chamber 20 communicating with the gas under measurement via a diffusion rate defining layer 4d and a second measurement chamber 26 communicating with the first measurement chamber 20 via diffusion limiting layers 6d, 22d. A first pump current IP1 is controlled so that an output of a Vs cell 6 will be equal to the reference voltage VCO for controlling the oxygen concentration in the first measurement chamber 20 to a pre-set low value. A constant voltage is applied across the second pump cell 8 for decomposing the NOx component in the second measurement chamber 26 for pumping out oxygen for detecting the NOx concentration from a second pump current IP2. The sensor temperature is detected from the internal resistance of the Vs cell for controlling the current supplied to the heaters 12, 14. If the temperature of the gas under measurement is changed rapidly, the sensor temperature is changed.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting the NOx concentration includes a first measurement chamber 20 communicating with the gas under measurement via a diffusion rate defining layer 4d and a second measurement chamber 26 communicating with the first measurement chamber 20 via diffusion limiting layers 6d, 22d. A first pump current IP1 is controlled so that an output of a Vs cell 6 will be equal to the reference voltage VCO for controlling the oxygen concentration in the first measurement chamber 20 to a pre-set low value. A constant voltage is applied across the second pump cell 8 for decomposing the NOx component in the second measurement chamber 26 for pumping out oxygen for detecting the NOx concentration from a second pump current IP2. The sensor temperature is detected from the internal resistance of the Vs cell for controlling the current supplied to the heaters 12, 14. If the temperature of the gas under measurement is changed rapidly, the sensor temperature is changed.

Abstract: An ion current detection apparatus which can detect ion current with a high degree of accuracy regardless of the presence of voltage damped oscillation and which does not cause contamination of a spark plug. A spark discharge current Isp generated upon spark discharge of a spark plug 10 flows through a charge diode 28, a capacitor 24, and a diode 22, which form a closed loop together with the spark plug 10 and a secondary winding L2 of an ignition coil 12 that constitutes an ignition apparatus. As a result, a Zener diode 26 connected in parallel to these components generates a Zener voltage Vz and thereby charges the capacitor 24. When a preset wait time has elapsed after the ignition timing for starting spark discharge, the discharge switch 30 short-circuits the opposite ends of the charge diode 28 to discharge the capacitor 24, so that a high voltage having a polarity opposite that in the case of spark discharge is applied to the spark plug.

Abstract: Using a sole Nox sensor Nox concentration and oxygen concentration are measured accurately. A measurement device for measuring NOx concentration and oxygen concentration comprises an NOx sensor 2 having a first measurement chamber 20 communicating via a diffusion rate regulating layer 4d with the gas under measurement and a second measurement chamber 26 communicating with the first measurement chamber 20 via diffusion rate regulating layers 6d, 22d. A first pump cell 4 and an oxygen concentration measurement Vs cell 6 are formed on the first measurement chamber 20, while a second pump cell 8 is formed on the second measurement chamber 26. Inside of the first measurement chamber 20 is controlled to a constant low oxygen concentration by controlling the first pump current IP1 so that output of Vs cell 6 will equal a reference voltage VC0. By applying a constant voltage across the second pump cell 8 NOx in the second measurement chamber 26 is decomposed to pump out oxygen.

Abstract: An NOx-concentration detecting apparatus is disclosed which enables a user to readily know a record of operating conditions of an NOx sensor. The apparatus includes an NOx sensor, pumping-current control means, constant-voltage application means, NOx-concentration detecting means, a heater and writing means for writing to a recorder variation of at least one parameter selected from a first pumping current value, a second pumping current value, the concentration of oxygen contained in the measurement gas and the concentration of NOx in the measurement gas. Also disclosed is an NOx-concentration detecting apparatus capable of determining the concentration of NOx at a high resolution even when different NOx sensors are used. The NOx-concentration detecting apparatus detects the first pumping current I.sub.P1, and the second pumping current I.sub.

Abstract: An air/fuel ratio detection device and an air/fuel ratio control device, in which combustion of an engine is controlled with a simple design and toxic substances in exhaust gas discharged from the engine are reduced. Time A during which a lean signal is at a high level is measured. If the time A is shorter than the predetermined value, it is determined that the air/fuel ratio is richer than a target value, and time B during which an electromagnetic valve 21 is open is lengthened, increasing the quantity of supply air and making leaner the fuel mixed air, such that the target air/fuel ratio is approached. If the time A is longer than the predetermined value, it is determined that the air/fuel ratio is leaner and the time B is shortened.

Abstract: An air/fuel ratio sensor is controlled such that the oxygen concentration of the measurement gas can be detected from a pump current substantially instantaneously after a heater turns on. In the air/fuel ratio sensor an oxygen pumping cell and an oxygen concentration measuring cell are each formed of a solid electrolytic layer interposed between a pair of porous electrodes. One of the electrodes of each cell defines a measurement gas chamber in which the diffusion of the measurement gas is controlled. After a micro current is supplied to the other electrode of the oxygen concentration measuring cell for a predetermined period of time, thereby forming an internal reference oxygen source, the supply of the micro current is stopped and at the same time a pump current in the oxygen pumping cell starts to be controlled until the interelectrode voltage of the oxygen concentration measuring cell reaches a target voltage. After the air/fuel ratio sensor is activated, the supply of the micro current is restarted.

Abstract: Oxygen sensor element (ZrO.sub.2 solid electrolyte etc) for detecting oxygen concentration in an exhaust gas has a protective layer which is made of a heat-resistant metal oxide and which carries a component of a IIa subgroup element (Ca, Mg etc) on the side exposed to the exhaust gas of the sensor element, at least a part of the protective layer being present as a nonstoichiometric compound (Ti oxide etc) with respect to the heat-resistant metal oxide. Si-poisoning is prevented. Heater for heating the sensor element is provided for preventing Si-poisoning at low temperatures.

Abstract: A thin film transistor and a producing method therefor having a semiconductor layer which is formed in an islandish form and constitutes a channel forming region, a source region and a drain region, wherein the edge portion of the islandish semiconductor layer is so designed as to be gradually or monotonously thinned toward the edge thereof to prevent the gate insulating film covering the active layer from being thinned at the edge portion of the semiconductor layer. The gate insulating film is also smoothly formed to prevent an electric field concentration phenomenon at the edge portion.

Abstract: A misfire detecting device for an ignition system, comprises high voltage applying means for applying a pulsed high voltage to each spark plug of an engine after completion of firing of the spark plug, voltage restricting means for restricting a peak of the pulsed high voltage to a highest possible value that does not cause firing of the spark plug, voltage detecting means for detecting a plug voltage across a center electrode-to-outer electrode of the spark plug after reducing the same, and misfire detecting means for detecting a misfire at each cylinder on the basis of a decay characteristic of a detection voltage which is caused by application of the pulsed high voltage.