Abstract: According to a first aspect of the present invention, a fuel cell includes a base body, a flow channel and an electrolyte member. The base body includes a layered body of a plurality of insulating layers. The flow channel links grooves of the different insulating layers. The electrolyte member contacts with a portion of the flow channel.

Abstract: An energy buffer drive apparatus alternates between a state wherein a vehicle is caused to travel while rotational energy of a heat engine is intermittently stored in a flywheel, and a state wherein the vehicle is caused to travel using only the stored energy. In a process where the flywheel speed is reduced by the vehicle traveling using the rotational energy of the flywheel alone, the point in time when the heat engine again begins to supplement rotational energy to the flywheel is determined from (1) a speed ratio e=N2/N1 of the revolution speed N1 of the input shaft and the revolution speed N2 of the output shaft in the continuously variable transmission always being smaller than the maximum allowed speed ratio, and (2) the output power of the heat engine exceeding the demanded power for a power train when the heat engine starts supplying energy once more.

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the present invention, a fuel cell includes a base body, a flow channel and an electrolyte member. The base body includes a layered body of a plurality of insulating layers. The flow channel links grooves of the different insulating layers. The electrolyte member contacts with a portion of the flow channel.

Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle driving system adapted to accumulate power output intermittently from a thermal engine in a flywheel as rotational energy and only a necessary part of the accumulated energy is taken out to the output shaft of a power dividing type power transmission unit. Thermal engines to which the present invention is applicable include internal-combustion engines and external-combustion engines.

Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle driving system having differential gear including an input shaft, an outlet shaft and a reactionary shaft, a flywheel, an engine, the flywheel and the engine being interlocked with the input shaft, an output shaft interlocked with the outlet shaft, a first motor generator (MG) interlocked with the reactionary shaft and a second MG adapted to receive the output electric power of the first MG as input.

Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle driving system having differential gear including an input shaft, an outlet shaft and a reactionary shaft, a flywheel, an engine, the flywheel and the engine being interlocked with the input shaft, an output shaft interlocked with the outlet shaft, a first motor generator (MG) interlocked with the reactionary shaft and a second MG adapted to receive the output electric power of the first MG as input.

Abstract: With a method of controlling a vehicle driving system comprising a flywheel for accumulating the output of engine as energy, a motor generator to be driven by the engine to generate electricity and an output shaft interlocked with the drive wheels of a vehicle, provided that (A) the lower limit rotational speed of the flywheel at the time of restarting the engine to supply rotational energy to the flywheel while decelerating the flywheel by not operating the engine is Nfc, (B) the largest power of the engine operating on the fuel economizing characteristic curve is Pem, (C) the pedaled quantity of the accelerator pedal is Acc and (D) the pedaled quantity of the accelerator pedal for the largest power output of the engine is Acc=1.0, (E) when 0?Acc?1.

Abstract: A fuel cell casing comprises a base body having a concavity for housing a membrane electrode assembly having first and second electrodes, a first fluid channel formed so as to extend from a bottom surface of the concavity facing the membrane electrode assembly to an outer surface of the base body, a first wiring conductor having its one end disposed on the bottom surface of the concavity, and its other end led out toward the outer surface of the base body, a lid body mounted on an upper surface of the base body, a second fluid channel formed so as to extend from a lower surface of the lid body to an outer surface of the lid body, and a second wiring conductor having its one end disposed on the lower surface of the lid body, and its other end led out toward the outer surface of the lid body.

Abstract: A fuel cell casing includes a base body having plural concavities for housing a membrane electrode assembly, the membrane electrode assembly having first and second electrodes; a first fluid channel extending from a bottom surface of the concavity to an outer surface of base body; a first wiring conductor having one end disposed on the bottom surface of the concavity, and another end led to the outer surface of the base body; a lid body mounted around the concavity; a second fluid channel extending from a lower surface to an outer surface of the lid body; a second wiring conductor having one end disposed on the lower surface of the lid body, and another end led to outer surface of the lid body; and a third wiring conductor having one end opposed to the first electrode on bottom surface of one concavity, and another end opposed to the first electrode on the bottom surface of the other concavity.

Abstract: A static pressure thrust bearing includes a shoe member or a thrust axis provided with a static pressure pocket and a land for sealing the static pressure within the pocket, and a swash plate on a sliding surface provided with a slide surface upon which the shoe member is slidable. Lubricating oil flows through the shoe member and between the slide surface and the land surface, and each of the land and slide surfaces has a plurality of very small recesses so as to receive small particulates which may be within the lubricating oil. The difference of the static pressure occurring between the land surface and the slide surface alternately moves the small particulates originally disposed within one of the recesses thereof, into the other recesses as a result of the sliding movement of the shoe member whereby the small particulates are removed from the bearing by means of the lubricating oil.

Abstract: In a hydro-mechanical transmission for automobiles which has an input shaft, an output shaft, a differential gear set including an input element connected to the input shaft and an output element connected to the output shaft and two reaction elements, a first positive displacement hydraulic pump-motor connected to the input shaft, a second hydraulic pump-motor connected to the first hydraulic pump-motor through a pair of conduits, a first clutch for performing the low operational mode of the low speed ratio by connecting the second hydraulic pump-motor to one of the two reaction elements, and a second clutch for performing the high operational mode of the high speed ratio by connecting the second hydraulic pump-motor to the other reaction element, the operational modes being switched over when the rotational speed of the first clutch corresponds to or is synchronized with that of the second clutch, the improvement being, whether a setting signal is generated for increasing or decreasing the speed ratio, the

Abstract: A continuously variable drive ratio transmission for motor vehicles is interposed between a prime mover and a drive shaft. When a single foot pedal is depressed the prime mover is brought to the driving condition thereof so as to drive the vehicle. When the single foot pedal is released the drive ratio of the transmission is decreased and the prime mover is brought to the braking condition thereof in response to the releasing of the pedal so as to apply the dynamic brakes on the vehicle. The depression and release of the foot pedal, respectively, rotate first and second cams incorporating cam surfaces representing desired speeds of the prime mover for any pedal setting.

Abstract: A hydromechanical transmission comprises a first and a second planetary gear sets drivingly connected to an output shaft to provide a low and a high speed ratio drive power trains between a transmision input shaft and the output shaft to control the speed ratio of the output shaft and a variable ratio hydrostatic drive unit to control operation of the two planetary gear sets. Between the input shaft and the input member of the first planetary gear set, provided is a low speed range clutch by way of a speed reduction gear train to selectively connect the input shaft to the first planetary gear set. Between the input shaft and the input member of the second planetary gear set, provided is a high speed range clutch to directly connect the input shaft to the second planetary gear set on engagement thereof.

Abstract: A piston shoe for fluid pressure pump motors of the piston type is substantially disc-shaped and includes a concave portion provided upon one end face thereof for seating the convex portion of a piston rod associated with the piston and cylinder assemblies of the pump motor, while the other end face thereof is substantially flat for contacting the sliding surface of a swash plate. A holder or retainer is also provided in association with the shoe for retaining the piston rod within the concave seat, such retainer being secured to the shoe by biasing means, or alternatively by being pressed or crimped thereon.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission includes a hydraulically controlled speed differential means drivingly connected with an output shaft for transmitting the rotation torque of an input shaft to the output shaft and including a hydraulic element functionable as a reaction element therefor, a hydraulic positive displacement pump-motor drivingly connected with the input shaft for controlling the hydraulic element in accordance with the displacement ratio thereof, and a line circuit to provide hydraulic communication between the hydraulic element and the pump-motor. In the hydrostatic transmission, a drive power train selector gear unit is disposed between the input shaft and the speed differential means to selectively complete the forward and reverse drive power trains inbetween the input shaft and the output shaft by way of the speed differential means.

Abstract: A servo mechanism for a prime mover interconnected to a hydrostatic transmission includes a source of pressurized fluid, a fluid reservoir, an actuator having a piston operatively connected to the hydrostatic transmission and being provided with large and small hydraulic receiving areas which are exposed to first and second hydraulic chambers, respectively within the actuator housing, a first passage for connecting the pressurized fluid source to the second chamber, a second passage for connecting the pressurized fluid source to the first chamber, a third passage for connecting the first chamber to the reservoir, and a pair of spool valve means disposed, respectively, within the second and third passages and responsive to a signal indicative of the power required of the prime mover and an actual speed or feedback signal of the prime mover.