Abstract: A thrust control valve includes a nozzle having a gas supply chamber, a gas jetting chamber and a connecting passage therebetween. The nozzle has an upstream inner surface defining the gas supply chamber and a downstream inner surface defining the gas jetting chamber. The valve also includes a plug axially movably inserted into the gas supply chamber, the connecting passage and the gas jetting chamber. The plug has an upstream outer surface facing the upstream inner surface to define an upstream passage and a downstream outer surface facing the downstream inner surface to define a downstream passage. The plug can control thrust by simultaneously changing sectional areas of the upstream and downstream passages by an axial movement of the plug.

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting the position of a moving body in which the position of a moving body such as a vehicle can be detected with a high degree of precision. It is possible to perform at least data communication using radio waves between radio base stations and a vehicle capable of movement. Precise positions are stored in advance in the radio base stations and radio wave clocks that keep a common time are provided in the radio base stations. The radio base stations transmit radio waves containing this time information. The vehicle receives these radio waves and determines the difference between the received time information and a clock provided in the vehicle in order to detect the current position of the vehicle by calculating the distances between the vehicle and each of the radio base stations.

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting the position of a moving body in which the position of a moving body such as a vehicle can be detected with a high degree of precision. It is possible to perform at least data communication using radio waves between radio base stations and a vehicle capable of movement. Precise positions are stored in advance in the radio base stations and radio wave clocks that keep a common time are provided in the radio base stations. The radio base stations transmit radio waves containing this time information. The vehicle receives these radio waves and determines the difference between the received time information and a clock provided in the vehicle in order to detect the current position of the vehicle by calculating the distances between the vehicle and each of the radio base stations.