Abstract: A DPF and a SCR catalyst are provided in an exhaust pipe, and a urea solution addition valve is provided between the DPF and the SCR catalyst for performing addition supply of urea solution into the exhaust pipe. In a urea solution supply system, the urea solution of prescribed concentration is stored in a urea solution tank, and a urea solution pump is provided in the tank. A urea solution supply pipe is connected to the urea solution pump. A part of the urea solution supply pipe is structured as a compound pipe structure defining two passages. One of the two passages serves as a urea solution passage, and the other one serves as an engine coolant passage.

Abstract: A reforming device includes a reforming part that subjects a hydrocarbon-based raw material to be reformed to a reforming reaction to form a reducing agent to be supplied to a reducing catalyst for reducing nitrogen oxide selectively. The reforming part has a reforming reaction region through which the raw material to be reformed passes and is reacted with supplied hydrogen atoms supplied so as to be reformed to the reducing agent. For example, a hydrogen permeable membrane having a first surface and a second surface may be provided in the reforming part to permeate hydrogen atoms from the first surface to the second surface and to produce the hydrogen atoms on the second surface. The reforming device can be suitably used for an exhaust gas control system for cleaning exhaust gas, for example.

Abstract: A fuel injection valve (2) includes a first injection hole group (14), a second injection hole group (15), a control chamber (20), a first needle valve (12), and a second needle valve (13). The first needle valve (12) opens/closes an injection hole in the first injection hole group (14). The second needle valve (13) opens/closes an injection hole in the second injection hole group (15). Lifting of the first needle valve (12), and lifting of the second needle valve (13) are controlled by a pressure of fuel in the control chamber (20). An automatic valve (32) is further provided to change a flow rate at which the fuel flows into the control chamber (20), or a flow rate at which the fuel flows out from the control chamber (20), based on a common-rail pressure in a fuel supply source (1), when the needle valves (12, 13) are lifted. Thus, the fuel injection valve (2) injects fuel at the optimum fuel injection rate in various engine operating states.

Abstract: A battery pack includes: a plastic-made, elongated outer casing composed of interconnected peripheral walls to define a battery storage portion inside; and a battery accommodated in the battery storage portion inside the outer casing. The outer casing has a mounting protrusion to be attached to and projecting outwardly from electronic equipment casing and incorporates an inner casing inside the outer casing located at the mounting protrusion. The battery pack is so constructed and arranged that an outer battery located outside electronic equipment is accommodated inside the inner casing.

Abstract: A throttle unit placed in an exhaust gas passage controls an opening-ratio of each of first and second valve members to control a gas-flow sectional area of the exhaust gas passage. When the temperature of a three-way catalyst is low, the throttle unit introduces the exhaust gas flow into a part of an outer-periphery of the three-way catalyst. This control can rapidly increase the temperature of the three-way catalyst from an early period of starting an internal combustion engine within a short period of time. The throttle unit increases the gas-flow sectional area of the exhaust gas passage according to increasing the temperature of the three-way catalyst. When the three-way catalyst reaches its activation temperature, the throttle unit instructs the first and second valve members to fully open. This decreases a pressure loss of the exhaust gas because the exhaust gas is supplied into the entire of the three-way catalyst.

Abstract: In a hybrid vehicle equipped with an exhaust gas purifying apparatus, when a gasoline engine stops, an exhaust gas passage is closed by a pair of upstream-side and downstream-side throttle units to form an accommodation space. A pressure reduction unit reduces a pressure of the closed accommodation space where a three way catalyst is placed. The exhaust gas around the three way catalyst in the closed accommodation space does not leak into either an outside atmosphere side or into the gasoline engine side. Reducing the pressure in the closed accommodation space decreases heat conduction through the exhaust gas toward the outside. It is thereby possible to prevent the temperature drop of the three way catalyst and to keep the three way catalyst at a temperature of not less than its activation temperature for a long period of time even if the gasoline engine stops.

Abstract: A fuel supply apparatus includes a component adjustment unit, a low-pressure side passage, and a valve. The unit adjusts component composition of fuel by separating a particular component from fuel. The unit includes a component separation wall, which divides an interior of a portion of a fuel supply passage between an anterior chamber and a posterior chamber. The wall includes a separation membrane, which the particular component of fuel in the anterior chamber selectively permeates to be separated. The particular component after passing through the wall is temporarily stored in the posterior chamber. When the low-pressure side passage connected to the posterior chamber is opened by the valve, the particular component is separated. Fuel, from which the particular component is separated, is supplied to an injection valve from the anterior chamber. When the low-pressure side passage is closed by the valve, the separation of the particular component is restricted.

Abstract: An anterior chamber receives a mixture fluid, in which a lubricant oil and a fuel are mixed. A semipermeable separation film is permeable to the fuel component in the anterior chamber and is not permeable to the lubricant oil in the anterior chamber due to a molecular size difference between the lubricant oil and the fuel, so that the semipermeable separation film selectively separates the fuel component from the mixture fluid. A posterior chamber is placed on an opposite side of the semipermeable separation film, which is opposite from the anterior chamber. The posterior chamber receives the separated fuel component, which is separated by the semipermeable separation film.

Abstract: An exhaust emission control device has an additive valve and a control unit to decrease nitrogen oxides contained in an exhaust gas by means of a reducing agent. The control unit sets a valve opening period of time and a valve closing period of time alternately elapsing in a repetition cycle. The control unit controls the valve to discharge the agent into the exhaust gas during each valve opening period and to stop discharging the agent during each valve closing period. The control unit sets the valve opening period to be shortened as a flow rate of the exhaust gas is lowered, so that a penetration force of the reducing agent is appropriately set. The control unit sets the repetition cycle at a value depending on the flow rate of the nitrogen oxides to sufficiently deoxidize the nitrogen oxides by means of the agent.

Abstract: A reducing gas generator generates reducing gas including ammonia. The generator includes a solid reductant and a heat-generating portion. The solid reductant is formed in a columnar shape. A cross-sectional surface of the solid reductant has a constant shape and is perpendicular to a central axis of the solid reductant. The heat-generating portion includes a heat-generating surface opposed to a lower surface of the solid reductant in a vertical direction thereof and in contact with an entire region of the lower surface, and a heating element that heats the heat-generating surface when energized, so that the solid reductant is heated and decomposed to generate the reducing gas.

Abstract: An exhaust emission control device includes a reducing agent adding valve for injecting a reducing agent into an exhaust pipe. The adding valve has a tip end portion having a nozzle and facing an internal space of the exhaust pipe. The tip end portion is disposed outwardly of an inner circumferential surface of the exhaust pipe. The adding valve is kept out of direct striking contact with the exhaust gas and hence is substantially free from thermal degradation and adhesion of deposits.

Abstract: A water separation unit includes a water separation portion. The water separation portion includes a component separation wall, a liquid chamber, and a gas chamber. The separation wall divides the water separation portion between the liquid chamber and the gas chamber. Liquid fuel is led to the liquid chamber. The separation wall includes a separation membrane, which water selectively permeates to be separated from liquid fuel in the liquid chamber. Water passing through the separation wall is temporarily stored in the gas chamber. A fuel supply apparatus supplies liquid fuel in a fuel tank to an internal-combustion engine. The apparatus includes the water separation unit. The water separation portion is disposed integrally in one of the fuel tank and a passage leading from a filler opening into the fuel tank, such that the liquid chamber is located above the gas chamber in a vertical direction of the water separation portion.

Abstract: A DPF and a SCR catalyst are provided in an exhaust pipe, and a urea solution addition valve is provided between the DPF and the SCR catalyst for performing addition supply of urea solution into the exhaust pipe. In a urea solution supply system, the urea solution of prescribed concentration is stored in a urea solution tank, and a urea solution pump is provided in the tank. A urea solution supply pipe is connected to the urea solution pump. A part of the urea solution supply pipe is structured as a compound pipe structure defining two passages. One of the two passages serves as a urea solution passage, and the other one serves as an engine coolant passage.

Abstract: A fuel supply apparatus includes a component adjustment unit, a low-pressure side passage, and a valve. The unit adjusts component composition of fuel by separating a particular component from fuel. The unit includes a component separation wall, which divides an interior of a portion of a fuel supply passage between an anterior chamber and a posterior chamber. The wall includes a separation membrane, which the particular component of fuel in the anterior chamber selectively permeates to be separated. The particular component after passing through the wall is temporarily stored in the posterior chamber. When the low-pressure side passage connected to the posterior chamber is opened by the valve, the particular component is separated. Fuel, from which the particular component is separated, is supplied to an injection valve from the anterior chamber. When the low-pressure side passage is closed by the valve, the separation of the particular component is restricted.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for manufacturing a soft magnetic powder material covered by oxide layers at surfaces of the powder, by using a soft magnetic alloy powder containing a soft magnetic powder material and a second element such as Si having an oxidizing reactivity higher than iron, and heating the soft magnetic alloy powder in an atmosphere of a weak oxidizing gas by mixing a weak oxidizing gas in an inert gas, and oxidizing selectively the second element at surface layers of the powder while restraining an oxidation of iron to form thin oxide layers with high electrical resistance.

Abstract: A fluid injection valve has an outer and inner needles provided with an opening-side interlock and a closing-side interlock. The opening-side interlock engages the outer needle with the inner needle to limit a relative displacement between the outer and inner needles within a first predetermined distance during an opening operation of the outer and inner needles to open an outer and inner injection holes. The closing-side interlock engages the outer needle with the inner needle to limit the relative movement between the outer and inner needles within a second predetermined distance during a closing operation of the outer and inner needles.

Abstract: A reforming device includes a reforming part that subjects a hydrocarbon-based raw material to be reformed to a reforming reaction to form a reducing agent to be supplied to a reducing catalyst for reducing nitrogen oxide selectively. The reforming part has a reforming reaction region through which the raw material to be reformed passes and is reacted with supplied hydrogen atoms supplied so as to be reformed to the reducing agent. For example, a hydrogen permeable membrane having a first surface and a second surface may be provided in the reforming part to permeate hydrogen atoms from the first surface to the second surface and to produce the hydrogen atoms on the second surface. The reforming device can be suitably used for an exhaust gas control system for cleaning exhaust gas, for example.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for preparing a soft magnetic material which meets demands for low iron loss, high density, high strength and high productivity. The method comprises a surface oxidation step of forming oxide films on the surfaces of a soft magnetic powder, a step of preparing a molding compound of the soft magnetic powder by mixing a soft magnetic powder and a binder with a predetermined blending ratio, a press molding step of press-molding the molding compound of the soft magnetic powder into a predetermined shape, and a sintering step of sintering the press-molded soft magnetic powder to produce a soft magnetic material, wherein a millimeter wave sintering apparatus or a discharge plasma sintering apparatus is used as a heating means in the surface oxidation step or in the sintering step.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for manufacturing a soft magnetic material, wherein an Fe—Si alloy powder is heated in a weakly oxidizing atmosphere to form a SiO2 oxide film on the surface, and the powder is then press-molded and fired in a weakly oxidizing atmosphere to obtain a sintered product. By performing the surface oxidizing step in a weakly oxidizing atmosphere such as water vapor, Si is selectively oxidized to form a thin oxide film with high electrical resistance. Furthermore, by firing the molded product in a weakly oxidizing atmosphere, the sintering can be performed while the oxide film, in which cracks and the like are generated at the press-molding, is repaired.

Abstract: A thermoelectric module 2 constituting an exhaust heat recovery system has p-type semiconductors 3p and n-type semiconductors 3n which both constitute thermoelements 3 for converting a difference in temperature between high temperature side end portions 21 and low temperature side end portions 22 into electricity. The thermoelectric module 2 is constructed such that the n-type semiconductors 3n and the p-type semiconductors 3p are stacked alternately along a longitudinal direction of an exhaust pipe portion 20 with heat insulating support portions 41, 42 being interposed therebetween, and the n-type semiconductors 3n and the p-type semiconductors 3p are electrically connected to each other via electrode members at the high temperature side end portions 21 and the low temperature side end portions 22.