Abstract: A method of estimating an air-intake amount of an internal combustion engine is provided. The method may comprise detecting a fluid energy amount in an interior of an air-intake passage at first and second points in time while an intake valve is closed from a compression stroke to an exhaust stroke, and calculating a predicted air-intake amount using the values of the fluid energy amounts at the first and second points with reference to an air-intake amount calculation map showing a correlation between the values of the fluid energy amounts at the first and second points and the predicted air-intake amount in the intake stroke, the air-intake amount calculation map being pre-created by finding the values of the fluid energy amounts in the air-intake passage at the first and second points and the air-intake amount, for plural running states of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: In a manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an epitaxial wafer with a wafer being mounted substantially concentrically with a susceptor, a center rod is provided to extend in an up-and-down direction on a side of a non-mounting surface of the susceptor so that its upper end is adjacent to the center of the susceptor. With this arrangement, part of radiation light irradiated toward the susceptor is diffusely reflected by the center rod before reaching the central portion of the susceptor, thereby reducing the amount of the radiation light irradiated to the central portion of the susceptor as well as lowering the temperature of the portion. Since the center rod and the susceptor are not in surface contact, the center rod does not take the heat from the susceptor, thereby suppressing the temperature from decreasing locally at the central portion of the susceptor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus, and vehicle on which the apparatus is mounted, for controlling combustion of a fuel-injection, internal-combustion engine with two or more cylinders are provided. The method includes determining a deceleration condition of a vehicle being driven by the engine, and thinning the fuel-injection of the engine when the deceleration condition is determined.

Abstract: A method of estimating an air-intake amount of an internal combustion engine is provided. The method may comprise detecting a fluid energy amount in an interior of an air-intake passage at first and second points in time while an intake valve is closed from a compression stroke to an exhaust stroke, and calculating a predicted air-intake amount using the values of the fluid energy amounts at the first and second points with reference to an air-intake amount calculation map showing a correlation between the values of the fluid energy amounts at the first and second points and the predicted air-intake amount in the intake stroke, the air-intake amount calculation map being pre-created by finding the values of the fluid energy amounts in the air-intake passage at the first and second points and the air-intake amount, for plural running states of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus, and vehicle on which the apparatus is mounted, for controlling combustion of a fuel-injection, internal-combustion engine with two or more cylinders are provided. The method includes determining a deceleration condition of a vehicle being driven by the engine, and thinning the fuel-injection of the engine when the deceleration condition is determined.

Abstract: A folding insert for forming a jacket to be used for a device to form a envelope-shape jacket for a magnetic cartridge. The folding insert is provided with protrusions and grooves along both side edges thereof, whereby flaps of the jacket material can be bent more than 180.degree. by a folding bar along the protrusions of the folding insert.

Abstract: A buckle for watch bands comprising three folding members. The members are a clasping member connected to an end of one of the watch bands, a middle plate rotatably connected to the clasping member at one end thereof, and a bottom plate rotatably connected to the other end of the middle plate and connected to one end of the other band. The clasping member and the bottom plate are engaged with each other by an engaging means. A lock member is rotatably supported on the clasping member. A primary hook portion is provided on the lock member, and a secondary hook portion is provided on the bottom plate. The primary hook portion is adapted so as to engage with the secondary hook portion by rotating the lock member when the buckle is in folded state.