Abstract: An adjustment of the amount of energy in at least one specific applying unit is executed when energy is applied to a cylindrical member pair in which another cylindrical member is inserted inside a cylindrical member to melt and weld the cylindrical member pair in a circumferential direction. The adjustment is executed in association with a rotation angle to satisfy a relationship of Pd+Pw>?, wherein Pd is an output decease rotation angle that decreases the energy amount from a steady energy amount HP applied from the specific applying unit in a welding end process, Pw is an overlap rotation angle at which the irradiation parts around the cylindrical member pair overlap with the steady energy amount HP, and ? is a separation angle between the specific applying unit and another applying unit adjacent to each other in a rotation direction around the axis.

Abstract: A martensitic stainless steel contains 0.20 mass %?C?0.60 mass %, 0.10 mass %?N?0.50 mass %, 14.00 mass %?Cr?17.00 mass %, 1.00 mass %?Mo?3.00 mass %, 0.20 mass %?V?0.40 mass %, Si?0.30 mass %, Mn?0.80 mass %, P?0.040 mass %, S?0.040 mass %, Cu?0.25 mass %, Ni?0.20 mass %, and the balance Fe with inevitable impurities.

Abstract: An adjustment of the amount of energy in at least one specific applying unit is executed when energy is applied to a cylindrical member pair in which another cylindrical member is inserted inside a cylindrical member to melt and weld the cylindrical member pair in a circumferential direction. The adjustment is executed in association with a rotation angle to satisfy a relationship of Pd+Pw>?, wherein Pd is an output decease rotation angle that decreases the energy amount from a steady energy amount HP applied from the specific applying unit in a welding end process, Pw is an overlap rotation angle at which the irradiation parts around the cylindrical member pair overlap with the steady energy amount HP, and ? is a separation angle between the specific applying unit and another applying unit adjacent to each other in a rotation direction around the axis.

Abstract: A martensitic stainless steel contains 0.20 mass %?C?0.60 mass %, 0.10 mass %?N?0.50 mass %, 14.00 mass %?Cr?17.00 mass %, 1.00 mass %?Mo?3.00 mass %, 0.20 mass %?V?0.40 mass %, Si?0.30 mass %, Mn?0.80 mass %, P?0.040 mass %, S?0.040 mass %, Cu?0.25 mass %, Ni?0.20 mass %, and the balance Fe with inevitable impurities.

Abstract: In a guide groove of a guide rotator of a valve timing control apparatus, a stopper surface is planar and is positioned in an end of the guide groove. The stopper surface is engageable with a cylindrical outer peripheral surface of a movable body, which is received in the guide groove, to stop the movable body. An arcuate outer connection surface connects between the stopper surface and an outer guide surface and has a radius of curvature, which is smaller than that of the cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the movable body. An arcuate inner connection surface connects between the stopper surface and an inner guide surface and has a radius of curvature, which is smaller than that of the cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the movable body.

Abstract: In a guide groove of a guide rotator of a valve timing control apparatus, a stopper surface is planar and is positioned in an end of the guide groove. The stopper surface is engageable with a cylindrical outer peripheral surface of a movable body, which is received in the guide groove, to stop the movable body. An arcuate outer connection surface connects between the stopper surface and an outer guide surface and has a radius of curvature, which is smaller than that of the cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the movable body. An arcuate inner connection surface connects between the stopper surface and an inner guide surface and has a radius of curvature, which is smaller than that of the cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the movable body.

Abstract: In a valve timing control apparatus, hydraulic oil is supplied into retarding and advancing chambers, and first and second hydraulic chambers, when hydraulic pressure is less than a predetermined pressure and when a phase difference between a most advancing target phase and actual phase of a driver-side rotating member relative to a driven-side rotating member is small. Hydraulic pressure is applied from the first and second hydraulic chambers to the stopper pin, so that the stopper piston is restricted from protruding to the engaging ring before the actual phase coincides with the most advancing target phase. Hydraulic oil is drained from the retarding chamber and the first hydraulic chamber, and hydraulic pressure in the second hydraulic chamber is small, so that the stopper pin protrudes and engages with an engaging ring at the most advancing target phase.

Abstract: A projected portion is provided on an outer wall surface of the vane. The projected portion projects toward the inner wall surface of the circumferential wall in a rotational direction. When the inner wall surface and the outer wall surface are contact with each other at the projected portion, a center point of a force applied to the projected portion is located outside of an contacting area where the bolt is threaded into the circumferential wall in order that the circumferential wall is connected with the side wall by the bolt. The circumferential wall can be bent in the rotational direction by the force. Thereby, even if the vane beats the inner wall surface, the shoe-housing hardly deviates in the rotational direction to restrict the bolt from loosing.

Abstract: A projected portion is provided on an outer wall surface of the vane. The projected portion projects toward the inner wall surface of the circumferential wall in a rotational direction. When the inner wall surface and the outer wall surface are contact with each other at the projected portion, a center point of a force applied to the projected portion is located outside of an contacting area where the bolt is threaded into the circumferential wall in order that the circumferential wall is connected with the side wall by the bolt. The circumferential wall can be bent in the rotational direction by the force. Thereby, even if the vane beats the inner wall surface, the shoe-housing hardly deviates in the rotational direction to restrict the bolt from loosing.

Abstract: In a valve timing control apparatus, hydraulic oil is supplied into retarding and advancing chambers, and first and second hydraulic chambers, when hydraulic pressure is less than a predetermined pressure and when a phase difference between a most advancing target phase and actual phase of a driver-side rotating member relative to a driven-side rotating member is small. Hydraulic pressure is applied from the first and second hydraulic chambers to the stopper pin, so that the stopper piston is restricted from protruding to the engaging ring before the actual phase coincides with the most advancing target phase. Hydraulic oil is drained from the retarding chamber and the first hydraulic chamber, and hydraulic pressure in the second hydraulic chamber is small, so that the stopper pin protrudes and engages with an engaging ring at the most advancing target phase.

Abstract: A variable valve timing apparatus rotatably receives a rotor in a housing. The rotor can rotate within a predetermined angular range. In some cases, the rotor is locked by a lock pin at an intermediate position within the angular range. In this manner, it is possible to realize a suitable valve timing even when an engine is restarted after it is stopped. In some case, the rotor is prevented from moving to the largest delay angle position by a restricting pin. In this manner, it is possible to prevent the rotor from reaching the largest delay angle position before the engine is stopped. On the other hand, while the engine is operated, it is possible to rotate the rotor to the largest delay angle position and to realize a valve timing responsive to the state of operation.

Abstract: In a valve timing adjusting apparatus, rotating response speed of a vane rotor and a moving speed of a lock piston are changed according to changes of oil temperature and pressure. It sometimes happens that the lock piston passes the fitting hole before the lock piston is fitted in the fitting hole. Timing of actuating a solenoid valve is retard by a given delay time from timing of actuating a spool valve. The given delay time is decided by a map based on sensor signals representing the oil temperature and pressure input to ECU. The given delay time is shorter as the oil temperature increases and longer as the oil pressure increases.

Abstract: In a valve timing adjusting apparatus, rotating response speed of a vane rotor and a moving speed of a lock piston are changed according to changes of oil temperature and pressure. It sometimes happens that the lock piston passes the fitting hole before the lock piston is fitted in the fitting hole. Timing of actuating a solenoid valve is retard by a given delay time from timing of actuating a spool valve. The given delay time is decided by a map based on sensor signals representing the oil temperature and pressure input to ECU. The given delay time is shorter as the oil temperature increases and longer as the oil pressure increases.

Abstract: A valve timing control apparatus has a variable valve timing actuator. The system advances the valve timing to at least a middle position before the engine is completely stopped. The middle position is appropriate to start the engine. Before stopping the engine, if the oil temperature is too high to maintain a viscosity, the system provides a control to assist the above-described advancing control. For instance, the system increases the engine speed to supply a sufficient amount and pressure of oil. The system slightly advances the valve timing while the engine is in an idling.

Abstract: A valve timing control apparatus has a variable valve timing actuator. The system advances the valve timing to at least a middle position before the engine is completely stopped. The middle position is appropriate to start the engine. Before stopping the engine, if the oil temperature is too high to maintain a viscosity, the system provides a control to assist the above-described advancing control. For instance, the system increases the engine speed to supply a sufficient amount and pressure of oil. The system slightly advances the valve timing while the engine is in an idling.

Abstract: An engine control system has an ECU and a valve timing control device (VVT). The ECU keeps the engine rotation after a driver turns off an ignition switch, and drives the VVT at least a middle position appropriate for starting the engine. Then the ECU stops fuel supply and ignition. Therefore, the VVT is surely driven to the middle position before the engine is stopped. Additionally, the system may shorten an extended running time of the engine since the engine is stopped when the valve timing reaches to the middle position. Further, the engine may be forcedly stopped if the engine is still running when a predetermined time is elapsed after the ignition switch is turned off.