Abstract: An interior permanent magnet electric rotating machine is configured such that either at least one of first intervals between first flux direction regulation portions of a plurality of first flux barriers provided in a rotor core of the machine or at least one of second intervals between second flux direction regulation portions of a plurality of second flux barriers provided in the rotor core is different from corresponding at least one of the remaining first intervals therebetween or at least one of the remaining second intervals therebetween.

Abstract: An exhaust manifold has inner and outer tubes made of stainless steel and welded to flanges provided at inlet ports of the exhaust manifold, from which exhaust gas discharged from an engine enters the exhaust manifold. The inner tube has flat portions, and shield plates disposed within the inner tube protect the flat portions from being directly vibrated by pressure waves of the exhaust gas. Accordingly, the vibration of the flat portions is lowered, so that high frequency noise from the exhaust manifold is reduced.

Abstract: An automatic transmission system with a lock-up clutch for use with an engine includes an automatic transmission having an input shaft and an output shaft. A torque converter with a lock-up clutch is provided between the input shaft of the automatic transmission and an output shaft of the engine. A first device calculates a measure of time-domain variation in the rotational speed of the output shaft of the engine. A second device detects whether or not the measure of time-domain variation in the rotational speed of the output shaft of the engine exceeds a predetermined threshold value. A third device changes the condition of the lock up when the second device detects that the measure of time-domain variation exceeds the threshold value. A similar system is operable when the second device calculates a measure of time-domain variation in the rotational speed of the output shaft or the input shaft of the automatic transmission.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system for an automatic transmission of an automotive vehicle is provided which has a fail-safe function of preventing unsafe operation of the automatic transmission if a failure occurs in any of solenoid valves which control engagement operations of frictional elements such as clutches and brakes of the transmission. The hydraulic control system includes a hydraulic pressure flow control unit which controls hydraulic pressure flow between at least one of the frictional elements and at least one of the solenoid valves to allow the hydraulic pressure to be supplied to a predetermined combination of the frictional elements to achieve the power transmission at one of given gear ratios. The hydraulic pressure flow control unit restricts the hydraulic pressure flow to an inoperative combination of the frictional elements which provides no power transmission. With these arrangements, the power transmission is established if any of the solenoid valves malfunctions to allow the vehicle to travel.

Abstract: An automatic transmission for an automotive vehicle comprises electromagnetic valves 5A-5C activated or deactivated in accordance with a given shift schedule determined based on traveling conditions of the automotive vehicle, a plurality of planetary gear trains 4A-4C driven by an output force of an engine, a plurality of friction devices B1-B4 and C1-C3 receiving hydraulic pressure to selectively connect or fix components constituting planetary gear trains 4A-4C, and a mechanical shift valve 6A having a pair of pressure chambers 62A and 63A and plural ports 64A, 65A and 66A. Upon application of hydraulic pressure to pressure chamber 62A, a fluid communicating path is established in the shift valve 6A so as to connect brake B1 and manual shift valve 8. When hydraulic pressure is applied to both of pressure chambers 62A and 63A, pressurized oil is drained from brake B1.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system for an automatic transmission of automotive vehicles is provided. The hydraulic control system includes a pressure source, a plurality of solenoid valves, and a plurality of directional control valves. Each solenoid valve selectively supplies and release hydraulic pressure to and from one of frictional element of a power train of the automatic transmission according to a given schedule of transmission operation for establishing a given gear ratio. The directional control valves are interposed between the frictional elements of the power train and the solenoid valves, respectively.

Abstract: A rotary flow control valve is provided, that, despite compact design, offers excellent vibration resistance, a high response speed, and superb proportionality of a controlled flow rate to an applied current value. In a channel selector 4 in a rotary flow control valve 1, a guide valve 2 mounted in a hollow of an inner housing 6 is borne by bearings 19 and 20 so that the guide valve 2 can rotate forward or in reverse. Intra-outer housing tubes 10, 11, and 12 are formed in an outer housing 5. In the inner housing 6, communicating channels 13 to 16 are formed in fours at symmetric positions with respect to the rotation center of the guide valve 2. In a torque motor 3, permanent magnets 33 are attached to a lower armature 32 coupled with the guide valve 2 using an adhesive. The magnetic poles at both ends of the permanent magnets 33 are opposed to cylinders 43 about which coils 34 are wound.