Abstract: A gas-sensing element configured to measure a concentration of a specific component of a gas is mounted to a first circuit board which includes a driving circuit configured to drive the gas-sensing element. A moisture-proof material is disposed over at least one side of the first circuit board disposed in a tubular gas-sensing element case fixed to a sensor case. A gas-sensing chamber is defined by the first circuit board and an inner tubular surface of the gas-sensing element case, and opens at an open end of the gas-sensing element case to receive the gas to be monitored. A second circuit board which includes a control circuit configured to control the gas-sensing element via the driving circuit is fixed to a sensor case, and disposed in a position separate from the gas-sensing chamber such that the second circuit board is kept out of contact with the gas to be monitored.

Abstract: This gas sensor is provided with: a detection element that measures a gas concentration of a detection target gas contained in an examination gas; a substrate having a heating element; and a supporting member that is fixed to the substrate, protrudes from the heating element, and supports the detection element.

Abstract: A centrifugal fan includes a space in which the dimension between a shroud-facing wall and a shroud, from the outer peripheral side to the inner peripheral side of the shroud, is substantially uniform, wherein the shroud-facing wall includes a recess extending in the circumferential direction, the recess being disposed at the inner peripheral side of the outer peripheral end of the shroud-facing wall forming the space having the uniform dimension so that the recess forms a space larger than the other part.

Abstract: An air-conditioning unit and an air-conditioning apparatus capable of setting the air temperature at a defroster vents higher than the air temperature at the foot vents during heating operation are provided. Each of the air-conditioning unit and air-conditioning apparatus includes a chassis; a cooling unit configured to cool air introduced into the chassis; a heating unit configured to heat air introduced into the chassis; a conditioned-air channel configured to guide the heated air and the cooled air into a high-temperature hot-air vent and a low-temperature hot-air vent; and a mixing-suppression unit configured to suppress mixing of the heated air and the cooled air, the mixing-suppression unit being provided in the conditioned-air channel.

Abstract: A degradation diagnosis method for simply performing degradation diagnosis of a gas sensor such as a hydrogen sensor. The hydrogen sensor has a reference detector member and common detector member, with each detector member respectively constituted of a detector element and temperature compensating element that form a pair. Power is normally supplied to the common detector member, which performs concentration detection of the hydrogen gas. When performing degradation diagnosis of this common detector member, concentration detection is performed simultaneously by each detector member for the gas of the prescribed hydrogen concentration by supplying power to both the common detector member and reference detector member and comparing the output value of the common detector member and the output value of the reference detector member.

Abstract: There is provided a propeller fan in which a clearance between a rotary vane wheel and a shroud is constant three-dimensionally to improve air blowing efficiency and suppress noise. Furthermore, there is provided a propeller fan in which a span length of the rotary vane wheel with respect to the shroud is varied between a front edge portion and a rear edge portion to improve air blowing efficiency and suppress noise. Still further, there is provided a propeller fan characterized in that chamfering is applied only to a negative pressure face of a circumferential outer edge portion of a vane.

Abstract: A shroud of the present invention includes a body portion 5B, a mount 7 positioned at a center of the body portion 5B and supporting rotary vane wheel driving means 6, and multiple support beams 10 radially extending from the mount 7 and joining the mount 7 and the body portion 5B, where each of the support beams 10 becomes thicker from an upstream side of a flow direction of air toward a downstream side thereof, and an edge portion 10ti of each of the support beams 10 on the downstream side of the flow direction of the air discharged by the rotary vane wheel 8 is oriented in a direction parallel to a rotation axis of the rotary vane wheel 8, and the edge portion on the upstream side is oriented in a direction opposite to a rotation direction of the rotary vane wheel 8.

Abstract: A vehicle component tamper detection system is provided capable of appropriately preventing tampering from occurring, and of facilitating and ensuring detection of such tampering when it occurs, while maintaining flexibility in layout and in manufacturing processes. The present invention omits wiring between an RFID 12 and an ECU 14 by employing a small radio frequency identification integrated circuit (RFID) to wirelessly transmit signals to a receiver 13. With this configuration, the present invention contributes to increased layout flexibility as well as a reduction in assembly steps and manufacturing costs. Furthermore, because the RFID 12 is small, the RFID 12 may be mixed in slurry and disposed at an inconspicuous portion of a detection target component 11. Subsequently, it is possible to hinder visual confirmation of the RFID 12, thereby making the tampering itself difficult.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing a nozzle plate for an ink-jet print head. The nozzle plate includes (a) a substrate having an outside surface which is to be opposed to a print media, an inside surface which is opposite to the outside surface and nozzle holes which are formed through the substrate so as to be open in the outside and inside surfaces, and (b) a non-wetting layer which has a non-wetting characteristic and which covers the outside surface of the substrate. The manufacturing process includes: (i) a masking step of applying a resist on the inside surface of the substrate, and charging the nozzle holes with the insulating material such that portions of the resist protrude outwardly from openings of the nozzle holes on the outside surface; (ii) a non-wetting-layer forming step of forming the non-wetting layer on the outside surface in a plating operation; and (iii) an unmasking step of removing the resist from the substrate.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a gas sensor with a built-in heater is provided which can prevent damage to, deterioration of, and reduction in accuracy of detection of, a gas sensor. When an ignition switch is turned ON, supply of electricity to a heater 27 starts, and when the temperature in the vicinity of a gas sensor 15 (gas temperature of gas detection chamber 24) Ts becomes greater than a predetermined temperature #Ti at start, or when a predetermined electricity supply time after start of supply of electricity to the heater 27 has elapsed, the gas sensor 15 is started. The flow of off-gas is started simultaneously with starting of the gas sensor 15, or after starting. When the ignition switch is turned OFF, the flow of off gas is stopped, and the supply of electric power to the gas sensor 15 is stopped.

Abstract: A degradation diagnosis method for simply performing degradation diagnosis of a gas sensor such as a hydrogen sensor. The hydrogen sensor has a reference detector member and common detector member, with each detector member respectively constituted of a detector element and temperature compensating element that form a pair. Power is normally supplied to the common detector member, which performs concentration detection of the hydrogen gas. When performing degradation diagnosis of this common detector member, concentration detection is performed simultaneously by each detector member for the gas of the prescribed hydrogen concentration by supplying power to both the common detector member and reference detector member and comparing the output value of the common detector member and the output value of the reference detector member.

Abstract: An ozone purifier for a vehicle is configured of an ozone purification catalyst mounted on the vehicle; a first ozone concentration detection mechanism for detecting an ozone concentration in air before its passing the ozone purification catalyst; a second ozone concentration detection mechanism for detecting an ozone concentration in air after its passing the ozone purification catalyst; a deterioration detection mechanism for using output values of the first and second ozone concentration detection mechanisms and detecting deterioration of the ozone purification catalyst; and furthermore a mechanism for calibrating the output values of the first and second ozone concentration detection mechanisms, and when detecting the deterioration of the ozone purification catalyst, the purifier calibrates the output values of the first and second ozone concentration detection mechanisms.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing a nozzle plate for an ink-jet print head. The nozzle plate includes (a) a substrate having an outside surface which is to be opposed to a print media, an inside surface which is opposite to the outside surface and nozzle holes which are formed through the substrate so as to be open in the outside and inside surfaces, and (b) a non-wetting layer which has a non-wetting characteristic and which covers the outside surface of the substrate. The manufacturing process includes: (i) a masking step of applying a resist on the inside surface of the substrate, and charging the nozzle holes with the insulating material such that portions of the resist protrude outwardly from openings of the nozzle holes on the outside surface; (ii) a non-wetting-layer forming step of forming the non-wetting layer on the outside surface in a plating operation; and (iii) an unmasking step of removing the resist from the substrate.

Abstract: In an ink jet head according to the invention, an electrode provided on an actuator board has two-layer structure. A first layer is made of a noble metal such as palladium containing phosphorus or boron with a property of being able to form a layer directly on a piezoelectric element of the actuator board, such as PZT. A second layer, to be formed on the first layer, is made of a noble metal the same kind of metal used for the first layer and with high degree of purity close to 100%. This structure improves corrosion resistance to ink, eliminates the necessity to form a conventional protective layer, and leads to reductions of the manufacturing steps and costs.