Abstract: A photoelectric conversion element according to the present invention includes a photoelectric conversion layer. The photoelectric conversion layer includes a p-type semiconductor layer, an n-type semiconductor layer, and a superlattice semiconductor layer which is interposed between the p-type semiconductor layer and the n-type semiconductor layer. The superlattice semiconductor layer has a superlattice structure in which barrier layers and quantum layers are stacked alternately and repeatedly, and is provided so as to form an intermediate energy band between an upper end of a valence band of the barrier layer and a lower end of a conduction band of the barrier layer.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion element according to the present invention includes a photoelectric conversion layer. The photoelectric conversion layer includes a p-type semiconductor layer, an n-type semiconductor layer, and a superlattice semiconductor layer which is interposed between the p-type semiconductor layer and the n-type semiconductor layer. The superlattice semiconductor layer has a superlattice structure in which barrier layers and quantum layers are stacked alternately and repeatedly, and is provided so as to form an intermediate energy band between an upper end of a valence band of the barrier layer and a lower end of a conduction band of the barrier layer.

Abstract: An solar cell of the present invention includes a p-type semiconductor layer, an n-type semiconductor layer, and a superlattice semiconductor layer interposed between the p-type semiconductor layer and the n-type semiconductor layer, in which the superlattice semiconductor layer has a superlattice structure in which barrier layers and quantum dot layers each including a plurality of quantum dots are stacked alternately and repeatedly, the superlattice semiconductor layer contains an n-type dopant and has at least two intermediate energy levels at which electrons photoexcited from the valence band of the quantum dots or the barrier layers can be present for a certain period of time, each of the intermediate energy levels is located between the top of the valence band of the barrier layers and the bottom of the conduction band of the barrier layers, each of the intermediate energy levels is formed from one or a plurality of quantum levels of the quantum dots, and the superlattice semiconductor layer contains an

Abstract: A valve opening/closing timing control device, including: a drive-side rotating body rotating synchronously with crankshaft; a driven-side rotating body arranged coaxially with the drive-side rotating body and rotating synchronously with a camshaft in an internal combustion engine; a partition section provided to at least one of the drive-side rotating body and the driven-side rotating body so as to partition a fluid pressure chamber into a retard chamber and an advance chamber; a seal member preventing leakage of a working fluid between the retard chamber and the advance chamber; and a biasing member engaging with the seal member by a biasing force caused by elastic deformation and biasing the seal member from the partition section side towards the drive-side rotating body side or the driven-side rotating body side.

Abstract: This composite semiconductor device has a normally-on first field effect transistor and a normally-off second field effect transistor connected in series between first and second terminals, gates of the first and second field effect transistors being connected to second and third terminals, respectively, and N diodes being connected in series in a forward direction between a drain and a source of the second field effect transistor. Therefore, a drain-source voltage (Vds) of the second field effect transistor can be restricted to a voltage not higher than a withstand voltage of the second field effect transistor.

Abstract: A superlattice structure includes a plurality of quantum-dot nanowires extending in a substantially vertical direction from a plane region. The quantum-dot nanowires have a structure of barrier layers and quantum-dot layers alternately stacked on the plane region, and the quantum-dot nanowires are substantially the same in diameter in a stacking direction and substantially uniformly arranged at an area density of 4 nanowires/?m2 or more.

Abstract: This composite semiconductor device has a normally-on first field effect transistor and a normally-off second field effect transistor connected in series between first and second terminals, gates of the first and second field effect transistors being connected to second and third terminals, respectively, and N diodes being connected in series in a forward direction between a drain and a source of the second field effect transistor. Therefore, a drain-source voltage (Vds) of the second field effect transistor can be restricted to a voltage not higher than a withstand voltage of the second field effect transistor.

Abstract: A valve opening/closing timing control device, including: a drive-side rotating body rotating synchronously with crankshaft; a driven-side rotating body arranged coaxially with the drive-side rotating body and rotating synchronously with a camshaft in an internal combustion engine; a partition section provided to at least one of the drive-side rotating body and the driven-side rotating body so as to partition a fluid pressure chamber into a retard chamber and an advance chamber; a seal member preventing leakage of a working fluid between the retard chamber and the advance chamber; and a biasing member engaging with the seal member by a biasing force caused by elastic deformation and biasing the seal member from the partition section side towards the drive-side rotating body side or the driven-side rotating body side.

Abstract: A solar cell of the present invention comprises a p-type semiconductor layer, an n-type semiconductor layer and a superlattice semiconductor layer sandwiched between the p-type semiconductor layer and the n-type semiconductor layer, wherein the superlattice semiconductor layer has a superlattice structure in which barrier layers and quantum layers are stacked alternately and repeatedly, and has two or more intermediate energy levels where electrons optically excited from a valence band of the quantum layers or the barrier layers stay for a constant time, the intermediate energy levels being located between a top of the valence band of the barrier layers and a bottom of a conduction band of the barrier layers, and can achieve a high incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency.

Abstract: A solar cell of the present invention comprises a p-type semiconductor layer, an n-type semiconductor layer, and a superlattice semiconductor layer interposed between the p-type semiconductor layer and the n-type semiconductor layer, wherein the superlattice semiconductor layer has a superlattice structure in which barrier layers and quantum dot layers comprising quantum dots are stacked alternately and repeatedly, and is formed so that the bandgaps of the quantum dots are gradually widened with increasing distance from a side of the p-type semiconductor layer and decreasing distance to a side of the n-type semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A clutch mechanism includes rotation operating unit for rotating a second rotational member integrally with a first rotational member, the rotation operating unit includes a collar member installed near the second end of the operating spring, and at least one braking member rotatably disposed generating biasing force containing an element in a radial direction relative to a circumferential slidable contact surface of the collar member. The braking member includes an engaging portion configured to engage the second edge of the operating spring therewith.

Abstract: A clutch mechanism includes means for rotating a second rotational member integrally with a first rotational member, the means for rotating includes a collar member installed near the second end of the operating spring, and at least one braking member rotatably disposed generating biasing force containing an element in a radial direction relative to a circumferential slidable contact surface of the collar member. The braking member includes an engaging portion configured to engage the second edge of the operating spring therewith.

Abstract: A grommet assembly for an outboard motor includes a grommet having a step, a flexible sleeve having a step and a connector configured to engage the step on the grommet and the step on the flexible sleeve. Preferably, the connector is in the form of an annular connector formed of two semicircular members connected to one another. Additionally, the step formed on the sleeve preferably is defined by a helical groove formed on the flexible sleeve. The connector preferably includes a helical wall defining a step that corresponds to the helical step formed on the flexible sleeve. The grommet assembly may also be in the form of a kit including a grommet having a step and a connector configured to engage the step on the grommet and a step formed on an existing flexible sleeve.

Abstract: A protective cowling arrangement for the power head of an outboard motor and an air inlet arrangement therefor. The cowling arrangement is comprised of a cowling portion that defines an internal area in which the engine of the outboard motor is contained and a pair of expansion chambers formed on opposite sides of the cowling assembly and each of which is provided with a respective air delivery port at a forward end thereof for increasing the air flow area available to the interior of the cowling assembly and for placing the point of air admission away from components of the associated engine that should be protected. An improved water gutter and drain arrangement is also employed to prevent water from entering into the engine area.

Abstract: An exhaust system for an outboard motor includes an improved construction that can reduce cost for providing an expansion chamber of an idle exhaust discharge. The outboard motor includes an engine and a protective cowling that surrounds the engine. The protective cowling includes a top and bottom cowling members. The expansion chamber of the idle exhaust route is defined by at least a bottom surface of the bottom cowling member and a separable member.

Abstract: A protective cowling arrangement provides atmospheric air to the engine of an outboard motor for engine cooling and combustion while inhibiting water intake. The protective cowling incorporates one or more air inlets, an air chamber, and ducts of different sizes for permitting atmospheric air to enter the engine compartment. One of these ducts, which is disposed in part above electrical components of the engine, is substantially shorter in length than the other duct. This duct thus has a smaller flow area without unduly restricting air flow through the duct. An air chamber cover is affixed to the engine and shields the ducts to afford further water preclusion.

Abstract: A cowling arrangement for an outboard motor for use in powering a watercraft is disclosed. The motor has an engine and a water propulsion device, the engine having an output shaft arranged to drive the water propulsion device. The cowling defines an engine compartment in which the engine is positioned and an air chamber having an inlet. The cowling comprises a cover and an air chamber base. The air chamber base is connected to the cover in a sealed manner and divides the engine compartment from the air chamber and includes a duct which extends upwardly into the air chamber. The air chamber base which defines an air passage leading from the chamber to the engine compartment. The air chamber base defines a surface sloping in a direction of a drain through the air chamber, whereby water drawn through the inlet is drained therefrom.