Abstract: An open waveguide electromagnetic wave radiator is used to radiate electromagnetic waves of cyclotron frequency to plasma within a vacuum container. This radiator comprises a waveguide having evacuation holes and containing ridges having a T-shaped cross-section, a radiator section connected to, and integrally formed with, the open end of the waveguide, evacuation pipes connected to the evacuation holes, a chamber enclosing the closed end portion of the waveguide and the evacuation pipes, and a pump for evacuating the chamber. The evacuation holes are made in that wall of the waveguide to which the leg of one of the ridges is connected.

Abstract: An ion source apparatus comprising a bulk type thermionic cathode, which, when heated, emits thermoelectrons; an anode for causing a gas discharge in cooperation with the cathode thereby producing plasma; a grid electrode for extracting ions out of the plasma; a magnetic member for confining the plasma within a prescribed region; and a ferromagnetic body which surrounds the thermionic cathode. The ferromagnetic body removes the lines of magnetic force produced by magnets from the neighborhood of the surface of the thermionic cathode. As a result, thermoelectrons are freely emitted from the thermionic cathode, thereby ensuring a stable gas discharge.

Abstract: A beam direct converter recovers the energy of incoming ion particles intermingled with neutral particles. An angular cylindrical collector of the direct converter has its lengthwise side substantially aligned with the flowing direction of a beam of neutral particles. Angular cylindrical suppressors are provided upstream and downstream of the collector as viewed from the flowing direction of the beam of neutral particles. The collector is set at a positive potential to decelerate ion particles taken into the collector. Suppressors set at a negative potential prevent electrons produced outside of the direct converter from being carried into the collector. A plurality of conductive pipes are embedded in the suppressor. When the conductive pipes are supplied with current running in the same direction, a magnetic field acting in parallel with the plane of the suppressor envelops it.

Abstract: A gas is introduced into a discharge chamber of an ion source apparatus, and a gas discharge is performed between a thermionic cathode and an anode. Ions are extracted from the plasma formed in this gas discharge by a grid electrode. The thermionic cathode has a hollow cylindrical shape. A cathode chamber is defined by the thermionic cathode and a cylindrical partition wall supporting it. A columnar auxiliary electrode is coaxially inserted in the thermionic cathode. An A.C. voltage from a power source unit is supplied between the thermionic cathode and the auxiliary electrode such that effective power for keeping the thermionic cathode at a positive potential with respect to the auxiliary electrode is higher than that for keeping the auxiliary electrode at a positive potential with respect to the thermionic cathode.

Abstract: A method of electronically controlling the operation of an internal combustion engine is effected on the basis of results of arithmetic operations of digital control quantities derived from detected operating conditions of the engine through digital processing operations. The digital processing operations are subdivided into a number of tasks in dependence on the control functions to be performed. In addition, these tasks are subdivided into a plurality of priority levels. The memory has a task control block having run or execution flag areas in response to the priority levels and start request flag areas in response to the tasks, the start request flag areas being classified in accordance with the levels, in order to make it easy to correct, alter or add tasks. An order for starting the execution of the task is always controlled in accordance with the condition of the run flags and the start request flags.

Abstract: The invention relates to a humidity sensor of electric resistance type whose electric resistance changes in accordance with an ambient humidity, characterized by a protective film of silicone resin provided on the surface of a humidity-sensitive material, and to a method for preparing the same. The protective film of silicone resin is formed by applying a varnish of siloxanes to the humidity-sensitive material and subjecting the varnish to reaction. The varnish can be of one-part curing system or two-part curing system, and desirably the reaction of siloxanes is a cross-linking reaction. The formed protective film is not influenced by swelling or shrinking of the humidity-sensitive material, and is prevented from flowing off due to a temperature rise, or from deposition of dusts, etc.

Abstract: The invention provides a power source device for an ion source, including first to third power source units coupled to the anode, the cathode and the beam extraction electrode of the ion source. The second power source unit applies an alternating voltage across the cathode. An alternating heating current then flows through the cathode. Each cycle of the alternating voltage from the second power source unit has positive and negative components with preset levels which are generated with a predetermined time interval between them. The power source device further includes a control circuit for interrupting the operation of the first and third power source units during the predetermined time interval.

Abstract: A method of starting the operation of an internal combustion engine utilizes a turning force transmitted from wheels of a vehicle through a clutch in addition to a driving force generated by a starting motor. A computer for controlling engine operations detects the initiation of the engine starting operation on the basis of the rotating speed of the engine or intake air quantity and additionally detects the termination of the engine starting operation when the engine rotating speed or intake air quantity exceeds an associated reference value. When the engine stops in the course of running of a vehicle, the engine can be re-started under the influence of the inertial force of the vehicle without resorting to the operation of the starting motor.

Abstract: A method of controlling, electronically, the operation of an internal combustion engine on the basis of results of arithmetic operations of digital control quantities derived from detected operating conditions of the engine through digital processing operations. The digital processing operations are divided into a number of tasks in dependence on the control functions to be performed. The method comprises a step of setting an activation request indication for a task through the execution of another task, a step of setting an activation request indication for a task through execution of the task itself, a step of searching the activation request indications for the individual tasks, and a step of executing the tasks to which the activation requests are issued on the basis of the effects of the tasks.

Abstract: An electronic fuel feed system wherein pulses generated in synchronism with the revolutions of an engine are multiplied by N, the suction air of the engine is measured by a swirl-type air flow meter, the pulses increased N times as fall within a pulse of the air flow meter are counted, and the quantity of fuel supply is calculated from the inverse number of the count value.

Abstract: A temperature responsive apparatus includes a thermocouple producing a thermoelectric e.m.f. depending on the temperature difference between a temperature to be detected and a circumferential temperature and a first winding supplied with current from the thermocouple to generate a first magnetic field. A second winding is connected to a voltage source to generate a second magnetic field in the opposite direction to that generated by the first winding and a reed switch is positioned in the total magnetic field generated by the first and the second windings so as to respond to the intensity of the total magnetic field to make and break its contacts. A diode is also connected to the voltage source, and the second winding is always excited in accordance with the voltage drop across the diode to maintain said second magnetic field.

Abstract: A solid state relay or controlled switch for connecting an AC power source to a load includes a solid state switching circuit in which a semiconductor controlled rectifier element, such as a photothyristor, thyristor or light-AC controlled element, is ignited by an external control signal, thereby to feed a load with an alternating current. A zero voltage switching circuit which executes switching when the instantaneous value of the amplitude of the supply voltage of the AC load current is zero or a value close thereto is connected to the rectifier element. As an improvement, a series circuit consisting of a resistor and a capacitor are connected between the base and emitter of a transistor in the zero voltage switching circuit. Thus, a zero voltage switching solid state relay whose withstand voltage build-up rate is enhanced and whose switching is endowed with a hysteresis characteristic is provided.

Abstract: A thermal time-delay switch comprises contacts which are normally engaged, a first bimetallic element associated with one of the contacts to separate the contacts from each other with temperature rise in the first bimetallic element, a second bimetallic element associated with the other of the contacts to bring the contacts into engagement with each other with a temperature rise in the second bimetallic element, and a heating resistor provided for each of the first and second bimetallic elements to heat it. The relative displacement between the contacts caused by the first bimetallic element with the temperature rise therein is larger than that caused by the second bimetallic element, so that the contacts are separated from each other substantially independent of voltage fluctuations over a wide range of a voltage source feeding the two heating resistors when the heating resistors have been connected to the voltage source for a given period of time.