Abstract: To decrease the content of a particulate material contained in an exhaust gas from a diesel engine or the like, the content of the particulate material is continuously decreased by generating plasma in the exhaust gas containing the particulate material to thereby produce a plurality of O(1D) radicals and subsequently produce a plurality of per-hydroxide excited species, and oxidizing the particulate material by the per-hydroxide excited species.

Abstract: A bottom washcoat layer 2 and a top washcoat layer 3 including alumina (Al.sub.2 O.sub.3) are sequentially laminated onto the surface of a monolith carrier 1. Cerium, zirconium and palladium are carried in the bottom washcoat layer 2, and platinum, rhodium, barium and cerium are carried in the top washcoat layer 3. The cerium content in the top washcoat layer 3 is set smaller than that in the bottom washcoat layer 2. This causes the hydrocarbon conversion performance of rhodium and the nitrogen conversion performance of platinum in the top washcoat layer 3 to be balanced properly, while maintaining the hydrocarbon conversion performance of palladium in the bottom washcoat layer, thereby providing an improved exhaust gas purification performance as a whole. In addition, platinum and palladium carried in separate washcoat layers make it possible to inhibit the formation of a platinum-palladium alloy under high temperature conditions to prevent a reduction in exhaust gas purification effect.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy for heat exchangers, the alloy, comprising a base compostion selected from a group consisting of Al-Mg-Si composition containing 0.1 to 0.8 wt % of Mg, 0.2 to 1.0 wt % of Si and 0.3 to 1.5 wt % of Mn; pure-Al composition; Al-Mg composition containing 0.05 to 1.0 wt % of Mg; and a Al-Zn composition containing 0.05 to 2.0 wt % of Zn. The alloy further comprises 0.01 to 0.3 wt % of Fe and/or 0.01 to 0.3 wt % of Ni, wherein the balance are aluminum of purity of 99.9% or higher and unavoidable impurities contained therein, and content of Cu as one of the impurities is controlled to be 0.05 wt % or less.

Abstract: A corrosion-resistant clad material is made of aluminum alloys, and in a preferable mode, comprises: a core which is either formed of an Al-Mn alloy containing 0.5-1.5% by weight of Mn; or alternatively formed of an Al-Mg-Si alloy containing 0.05-1.0% by weight of Mg and 0.05-0.3% by weight of Si. The Al-Mn alloy and Al-Mg-Si alloy further contain, as additional components, 0.05-0.3% by weight of Ti and/or 0.05-0.4% by weight of Zr. The clad material further comprises a skin layer which is formed of an Al-Zn alloy clad onto at least one surface of the core. In another preferable mode, the clad material comprises: a core formed of an Al-Mn alloy containing 0.5-1.5% by weight of Mn; and a skin layer clad onto at least one surface of the core and formed of an aluminum alloy containing 1.3-5.0% by weight of Zn, with or without 0.2-1.0% by weight of Mg, and a balance of aluminum and unavoidable impurities. Cu content as one of the impurities is controlled to 0.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced light alloy member excellent in heat conductivity and sliding properties which contains a mixed fiber uniformly dispersed in a light alloy matrix, the mixed fiber including of a ceramic fiber having a fiber volume fraction of 4 to 60% and a carbon fiber having a fiber volume fraction of 0.5 to 10%, and is produced through a thermal treatment at a heating temperature of 400.degree. to 550.degree. C.

Abstract: A heat exchanger comprises tubular elements and fin members. The tubular elements are made of an aluminum alloy containing 0.05 to 1.0 wt % of Mg, 0.2 to 1.2 wt % of Si, 0.2 to 1.5 wt % of Mn, 0.01 to 0.5 wt % of Fe, as necessary components, and further containing at least one of 0.05 to 0.3 wt % of Cr and 0.01 to 0.05 wt % of Ti, as optional auxiliary components, and 0.05 or less wt % of Cu as a controlled impurity, the balance being aluminum and unavoidable impurities. The fin members are made of another aluminum alloy containing 0.05 to 1.0 wt % of Mg, 0.2 to 1.2 wt % of Si, 0.2 to 1.5 wt % of Mn, 0.01 to 0.5 wt % of Fe, and further containing at least one of 0.01 to 0.1 wt % of In and 0.1 to 2.0 wt % of Zn as necessary components, and still further containing at least one or of 0.05 to 0.3 wt % of Cr and 0.01 to 0.05 wt % of Ti as optional auxiliary components, and 0.05 wt % or less of Cu as a controlled impurity, the balance being aluminum and unavoidable impurities.

Abstract: A valve spring retainer for a valve operating mechanism for an internal combustion engine comprises a matrix formed from a quenched and solidified aluminum alloy powder, and a hard grain dispersed in said matrix. The hard grain is at least one selected from the group consisting of grains of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, SiC, Si.sub.3 N.sub.4, ZrO.sub.2, SiO.sub.2, TiO.sub.2, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 -SiO.sub.2 and metal Si. The amount of hard grain added is in a range of 0.5% to 20% by weight, and the area rate of said hard grain is in a range of from 1% to 6%.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced piston ring for an internal combustion engine comprised of composite body of reinforcing fiber which is long carbon fibers oriented in a peripheral direction of the piston ring and having a fiber volume fraction in a range of 5% to 60% in a matrix of an aluminum alloy. In alternate embodiments the composite body is provided with a layer of aluminum alloy, or a hard layer for wear resistance, or a combination of an aluminum alloy layer and a hard layer.

Abstract: In a composite light alloy member in which a reinforcing portion is bonded or joined to a member body is formed of a reinforcing material and a light alloy matrix filled in said reinforcing material, the reinforcing material is a heat resistant continuous-pore type element having a porosity of 90% or less and an average diameter of pores of 100 .mu.m or less. The reinforcing material may be a metal or ceramic sinter that is preformed and cast into the composite light alloy member.

Abstract: Cooperating slidable aluminum alloy members comprising first and second slidable aluminum alloy members that have a slide portion and slide surface, respectively, which slide relative to each other. The slide portion of the first slidable aluminum alloy member is being comprised of a fiber-reinforced aluminum alloy. The reinforcement fiber used for the first slidable aluminum alloy member being a mixture of an alumina fiber and a carbon fiber. The slide surface of the second slidable member is provided with a layer of heat resistant synthetic resin in which are dispersed a solid lubricant and an abrasion resistance improving agent.

Abstract: A cylinder block made of fiber-reinforced light alloy for an internal combustion engine comprises a cylinder barrel having a fiber-reinforced part formed around a cylinder bore, and a cylinder block outer wall surrounding the cylinder barrel and defining a water jacket between itself and the barrel, wherein a reinforcing deck part is provided to connect between the outer wall and an end portion of the barrel adjacent the cylinder head joining surface, the deck part having a thickness in the direction of barrel axis set to be not less than 7% of a piston stroke.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a cylinder block made of a light-alloy with a cylinder wall around a cylinder bore including a cylindrical fiber-reinforced portion which is formed of a mixture of an alumina-based fiber and a carbon fiber with a light-alloy matrix. The alumina-based fiber has a fiber volume fraction set in a range of 8 to 20%, and the carbon fiber has a fiber volume fraction set in a range of 0.3 to 15%. The alumina-based fiber contains 25% or less, by weight, of silica, has an average aspect ratio of 20 to 150, and an alpha rate of 2 to 60%. The carbon fiber has an average aspect ratio set in a range of 10 to 100 and a Young's modulus set in a range of 20 to 30 t/mm.sup.2. The piston for the cylinder bore has an iron-plated layer covered by a tin-plated layer. The piston rings for the piston may be of austenitic stainless steel to provide thermal expansion characterics similar to the cylinder wall and may be provided with a nitride or chromium-plated layer.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy slide support member which is disclosed herein as a cylinder block of an internal combustion engine includes a slide portion, such as the cylinder for slideably supporting the piston, made of a fiber-reinforced aluminum alloy containing at least an alumina fiber as a reinforcing material, wherein the alpha rate of the alumina fiber is set in a range of 10.0 to 50.0% and the volume content of the alumina fiber is set in a range of 8.0 to 20.0%. Another embodiment employs carbon fibers in addition to the alumina fibers. Further, the walls of the cylinder barrel are of a varying thickness to equalize the cooling and cause uniform thermal expansion of the cylinder barrel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cylinder head for an internal combustion engine, the cylinder head having a valve seat formed therein. The valve seat comprises a plurality of reinforcing fibers cast in a metal matrix. The metal matrix is integrally formed with the valve body by being cast with the remaining portion valve body. The valve seat and valve body are cast from the same material.

Abstract: A system for collecting and catalytically cleaning exhaust gases from an engine which is particularly suited for an arrangement wherein the catalyst is in close proximity to the exhaust ports of the engine. Exhaust pipes are employed having common walls extending longitudinally therethrough to separate and convey exhaust gases from two separate cylinders to a common manifold. The manifold is arranged to provide a mixing of the exhaust from a plurality of cylinders and to direct that homogeneous flow to the catalyst. A restriction is provided at the outlet of the manifold chamber and before an expansion chamber into the catalyst. This outlet and the expansion chamber are designed to provide maximum efficiency in distribution of gases to the catalyst and also provide minimum gas flow disruption and back pressure.

Abstract: A catalytic converter includes ring-shaped cushion members of differing bulk densities at each axial end of a catalyzer carrier, a first cushion member which is supported by a casing of the converter being of lesser bulk density than that of a second cushion member which is interposed between said first cushion member and the adjacent axial end of said catalyzer carrier.

Abstract: A catalyst converter for cleaning the exhaust of a vehicle, and in particular for a vehicle such as a car or motorcycle. The catalyst converter is provided with a case containing and holding a honeycomb-shaped ceramic catalyst body, with the case being divided into two halves in the axial direction. The catalyst body is covered in the front and rear with members supporting the end edges in the axial direction and the outer peripheral portions. The halves of the case are integrally combined while being pressed toward each other.

Abstract: A catalyst converter for cleaning the exhaust of a vehicle, and in particular for a vehicle such as a car or motorcycle. The catalyst converter is provided with a case containing and holding a honeycomb-shaped ceramic catalyst body, with the case being divided into two halves in the axial direction. The catalyst body is covered in the front and rear with members supporting the end edges in the axial direction and the outer peripheral portions. The halves of the case are integrally combined while being pressed toward each other.

Abstract: Catalyst systems for oxidizing carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon gases are described. These catalyst systems may be incorporated into catalyzers for use in oxidizing waste or exhaust carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbon gases emanating from internal combustion engines.