Abstract: A catalyst deterioration detection apparatus and method detect deterioration of a catalyst connected to an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine by: determining a deterioration characteristic value that indicates a state of deterioration of the catalyst; determining a temperature of the catalyst occurring at a time of the determination of the deterioration characteristic value, as a detection-time catalyst temperature; determining an amount of intake air occurring at the time of the determination of the deterioration characteristic value, as a detection-time amount of air, determining whether the detection-time catalyst temperature and the detection-time amount of air satisfy a predetermined relationship; and prohibiting a determination of the state of deterioration of the catalyst based on the deterioration characteristic value if the detection-time catalyst temperature and the detection-time amount of air do not satisfy the predetermined relationship.

Abstract: An epoxy resin composition for semiconductor encapsulation capable of giving semiconductor devices of high reliability that do not cause short circuits even in pitch reduction in the interconnection electrode distance or the conductor wire distance therein as well as a semiconductor device using the same. The epoxy resin composition for semiconductor encapsulation, which comprises the following components (A) to (C): (A) an epoxy resin, (B) a phenolic resin, and (C) an inorganic filler for preventing semiconductors from short-circuiting in a step of semiconductor encapsulation.

Abstract: A catalyst degradation determining method is for use with an emission control apparatus of an internal combustion engine that includes a catalyst disposed in an exhaust passage of the internal combustion engine, and a downstream-of-catalyst air-fuel ratio sensor disposed in the exhaust passage downstream of the catalyst. The method includes the steps of: acquiring an oxidizing-reducing capability index value that changes in accordance with a degree of an oxidizing-reducing capability of the catalyst; controlling an upstream-of-catalyst air-fuel ratio occurring upstream of the catalyst to an air-fuel ratio that is lean of a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio so that the catalyst stores oxygen in the catalyst up to a maximum storage amount of oxygen.

Abstract: A catalyst degradation determining apparatus calculates a maximum oxygen storage amount of a first catalyst provided in an exhaust pipe, and calculates the temperature of the catalyst occurring during the period of calculation of the maximum oxygen storage amount (calculation period catalyst temperature). On the basis of the maximum oxygen storage amount acquired when the calculation period catalyst temperature is in a predetermined temperature range (learning temperature range), a present-time characteristic value of the first catalyst is determined.

Abstract: When determining a maximum storable oxygen amount of a catalyst disposed in an exhaust passage, a target air-fuel ratio of the gas upstream of the catalyst is set to a predetermined lean air-fuel ratio upon determining that the output of a downstream-side air-fuel ratio sensor indicating a lean air-fuel ratio has changed to indicate a rich air-fuel ratio. Then, a feedback correction amount is calculated such that the air-fuel ratio detected by an upstream-side air-fuel ratio sensor matches the target air-fuel ratio, and a feed-forward amount required for the gas, to be supplied into the internal combustion engine, to become lean is determined. A final injection amount is determined by correcting the feed-forward amount by the feedback correction amount.

Abstract: A catalyst deterioration detection apparatus and method detect deterioration of a catalyst connected to an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine by: determining a deterioration characteristic value that indicates a state of deterioration of the catalyst; determining a temperature of the catalyst occurring at a time of the determination of the deterioration characteristic value, as a detection-time catalyst temperature; determining an amount of intake air occurring at the time of the determination of the deterioration characteristic value, as a detection-time amount of air, determining whether the detection-time catalyst temperature and the detection-time amount of air satisfy a predetermined relationship; and prohibiting a determination of the state of deterioration of the catalyst based on the deterioration characteristic value if the detection-time catalyst temperature and the detection-time amount of air do not satisfy the predetermined relationship.

Abstract: An upstream side catalyst and a downstream side catalyst are disposed in an exhaust passage. A first oxygen sensor is disposed between these two catalysts and a second oxygen sensor is disposed downstream of the downstream side catalyst. The air-fuel ratio is forcibly oscillated and the oxygen storage capacity of the upstream side catalyst is detected. Deterioration of the upstream side catalyst is then detected based on whether this oxygen storage capacity is larger than a predetermined value. The forced oscillation of the air-fuel ratio is performed only when the oxygen storage state of the downstream side catalyst is appropriate.

Abstract: A catalyst deterioration detecting apparatus and method detects a deteriorated functional state of an catalyst provided in an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle. A controller of the vehicle calculates a required total output that is required for driving the vehicle, and an output adjusting device, such as, for example, an electric motor, cooperates with the engine to provide the required total output. The catalyst is diagnosed so as to determine whether the catalyst is in a deteriorated functional state. During the diagnosis of the catalyst, the controller restricts the output of the engine to be held within a predetermined range, and changes the output of the output adjusting device as needed so as to provide the required total output.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector having a heat resisting spacer sleeve covering the exposed end portion without covering member of optical fiber. The outer end surface of said spacer sleeve is inclined with respect to axial direction of the optical fiber, the inclined end surface being made so as to diffuse any high-power laser beam portion diverted from the end surface of optical fiber and reaching on said end surface. At least outer end surface of the spacer sleeve and its inner surface opposed to the optical fiber are made such as to diffuse high-power laser beam. The optical fiber and inner surface of the spacer sleeve opposed thereto are opposed directly to each other without any intermediate substance therebetween.

Abstract: A laser beam-splitting apparatus that is capable of producing a plurality of split laser beams having a uniform laser output as well as easily and precisely adjusting the laser output of the individual split laser beams to any desired value. The apparatus is provided with one or a plurality of partial reflection and transmission mirrors each having a reflectance and transmittance which spatially and continuosly varies in one-dimensional or two-dimensional directions for the wave length of the primary laser beam. The reflectance and transmittance of each mirror for the laser beam incident thereon can be adjusted to a desired value by an adjusting device which is adapted to the position of the mirror. The laser beams reflected or transmitted from the reflection and transmission mirrors are output as the split laser beams respectively.

Abstract: A laser system is provided with a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged to energize the laser source. The individual diodes have separate controls so that they may be turned on separately from one another for different periods of time and to produce different amounts of illumination. A controller such as a CPU may be programmed to actuate the controllers in a desired manner to achieve to a controlled light profile upgrading versatility and accuracy of laser systems. In addition to sequencing individual light emitting diodes in various combinations, the diodes may be energized simultaneously in various combinations. A first combination may be illuminated for a relatively long time and a second combination energized to overlap part or all of the period of that first combination, or even to extend beyond the period of the first. Thus, in addition to adjusting pulse width time, time spacing between pulses and overlap of pulses may be adjusted as well as light amplitude of individual diode light sources.

Abstract: The optical fiber connector is characterized by a cylindrical and ceramic ferrule having a center-axial bore of inner diameter allowing for concentrical insertion of an optical fiber depending upon outer diameter of said optical fiber deprived of its covering layer, and having outer surface coaxial with said center-axial bore, said ferrule being fixed in the connector body of said connector so as to project from said connector body by a predetermined length. Positioning between optical fiber coaxially held in ferrule and corresponding lens unit becomes easier, thereby to have high-power laser beams positively focused on the end surface of the optical fiber and to prevent burning damages of components of the optical fiber connector. Further, once the positioning between lens units and optical fiber has been carried out, any later positioning can be omitted.

Abstract: A laser apparatus includes an electric power supply system and a cooling water supply system. Both the electric terminals of the electric power supply system for connection with an external power cable and ports of the cooling water supply system for communicating with external pipes are placed in the forward part of the laser apparatus for facilitating its maintenance. A storage tank stores cooling water to be supplied to a laser oscillator. Both an ion exchanger and a filter are commonly housed in the tank to downsize the apparatus, to minimize the water leakage and to effectively purify the cooling water. Interchangeable flow control valves are provided for different electric power frequencies. According to the available power frequency an appropriate one of the valves is chosen and connected to internal piping to achieve the desired flow rate of the cooling water supplied to the laser oscillator.

Abstract: A laser output unit according to the present invention comprises a body having a laser output port at an extreme and thereof, lenses provided within said body to condense laser beam introduced to emit it from the laser output port, and a protective glass provided between said laser output port and said lens within said body. A gas jet port and a gas exhaust port opposed to said gas jet port are provided at said body portion between said protective glass and said laser output port. A gas crosses at a position between the protective glass and the laser output port. Flying matter is blown away by the gas and does not arrive at the protective glass.

Abstract: According to the present invention there are provided a solid-state laser device using a laser rod not smaller than 180 mm in length as a laser medium, thereby capable of providing a high output power, facilitating maintenance and inspection, and permitting the reduction of size and simplification in comparison with a conventional laser device using plural laser rods, as well as a machining apparatus using the said laser device as a machining energy source, and a solid-state laser device wherein a laser medium is held in a free state within a resonator so that a longitudinal direction of the laser medium is coincident with an optical axis direction of laser beam and so that the laser medium is capable of expansion or contraction in the said optical axis direction, thereby preventing the breakage of the laser medium and the deviation of the optical axis of laser beam.