Abstract: In a semiconductor device, a semiconductor module is pressed against a cooler by a spring member. The spring member is compressed by a beam member that is connected with a strut fixed to the cooler. The cooler has a pressed part in which the semiconductor module is pressed, and a strut fixing part to which the strut is fixed. The strut fixing part has higher rigidity than the pressed part.

Abstract: A power conversion system includes: a switching element; an output circuit that outputs a transmission signal for transmitting information on a physical quantity that indicates a state of the switching element and for transmitting information on abnormality of the switching element; an isolating element that transmits the transmission signal in an electrically isolated state; a filter that deletes the information on the physical quantity from a signal transmitted through the isolating element; a control circuit to which the signal transmitted through the isolating element but not through the filter is input; and a shutdown circuit that shuts down power supply to the switching element on the basis of the signal through the filter.

Abstract: A thermo-element having an excellent response and durability is provided. The thermo-element includes a casing having a bottom, a thermally expandable material filled in the casing and capable of expanding and contracting due to temperature changes, a piston movable in an axial direction thereof, a guide member for slidably holding the piston, and a liquid chamber defined between the thermally expandable material and the piston to receive therein a deformable, incompressible fluid. A bellows is fixed between an upper portion of the piston and an upper portion of the guide member to define a liquid space between an outer periphery of the upper portion of the piston and the bellows. The fluid in the liquid chamber can flow in and out of the liquid space via a through-hole and a radial hole.

Abstract: A semiconductor module is provided in a power system of an apparatus. The semiconductor module includes a semiconductor switch, a voltage applying device configured to apply a first voltage that is equal to or higher than a rated voltage of the apparatus to the semiconductor switch in an off-state in a case where the apparatus is not in practical use, and a leak detecting circuit configured to detect a leak current from the semiconductor switch. The rated voltage of the apparatus is a rated voltage when the apparatus is in practical use.

Abstract: A thermo-element having an excellent response and durability is provided. The thermo-element comprises a casing having a bottom, a thermally expandable material filled in the casing and capable of expanding and contracting due to temperature changes, a piston movable in an axial direction thereof, a guide member for slidably holding the piston, and a liquid chamber defined between the thermally expandable material and the piston to receive therein a deformable, incompressible fluid. A check valve is provided between the liquid chamber and an outside of the thermo-element, and operable to permit a flow of the fluid in a direction from the outside of the thermo-element to the liquid chamber, and inhibit a flow of the fluid in a direction from the liquid chamber to the outside of the thermo-element.

Abstract: A thermo-element having an excellent response and durability is provided. The thermo-element comprises a casing having a bottom, a thermally expandable material filled in the casing and capable of expanding and contracting due to temperature changes, a piston movable in an axial direction thereof, a guide member for slidably holding the piston, and a liquid chamber defined between the thermally expandable material and the piston to receive therein a deformable, incompressible fluid. A bellows is fixed between an upper portion of the piston and an upper portion of the guide member to define a liquid space between an outer periphery of the upper portion of the piston and the bellows. The fluid in the liquid chamber can flow in and out of the liquid space via a through-hole and a radial hole.

Abstract: A thermo-element having an excellent response and durability is provided. The thermo-element includes a casing having a bottom, a thermally expandable material filled in the casing and capable of expanding and contracting due to temperature changes, a piston movable in an axial direction thereof, a guide member for slidably holding the piston, and a liquid chamber defined between the thermally expandable material and the piston to receive therein a deformable, incompressible fluid. A check valve is provided between the liquid chamber and an outside of the thermo-element, and operable to permit a flow of the fluid in a direction from the outside of the thermo-element to the liquid chamber, and inhibit a flow of the fluid in a direction from the liquid chamber to the outside of the thermo-element.

Abstract: A signal control device controls the period of a three-phase signal used to control a three-phase high-voltage converter. An arithmetic unit of the signal control device determines a timing for changing the period for each phase so that the period of the signal for a V phase or a W phase is changed at the point when the phase difference between a U phase and the V or W phase reaches a prescribed phase difference after the period of the signal for the U phase has been changed. A control unit performs control such that the signal period for each phase is changed at the timing determined by the arithmetic unit.

Abstract: A signal control device controls the period of a three-phase signal used to control a three-phase high-voltage converter. An arithmetic unit of the signal control device determines a timing for changing the period for each phase so that the period of the signal for a V phase or a W phase is changed at the point when the phase difference between a U phase and the V or W phase reaches a prescribed phase difference after the period of the signal for the U phase has been changed. A control unit performs control such that the signal period for each phase is changed at the timing determined by the arithmetic unit.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to prevent a sealing member from being degraded and to provide a thermo-element having a good responsiveness and an improved durability. Grooves (41) are formed on the inner surface of a piston insertion bore of a sleeve (40) of a thermo-element. Alternatively, ribs (42) are formed on the outer surface of the sleeve. When the sleeve is pushed and deformed by a wax, the sleeve is bent at the grooves or at the ribs. The piston insertion bore has an inner diameter equal to or larger than the outer diameter (6d) of the piston (6), or the piston insertion bore has an inner diameter (40d) smaller than the outer diameter of the piston. In the latter case, the deformation of the sleeve when pushed and deformed is decreased.

Abstract: To provide a thermo-element having a simple structure, an improved durability and a good response characteristic, by improving heat conduction of wax and by improving a diaphragm. The wax is blended with small pieces of metal, and a low-melting point alloy having a melting point equal to or higher than a melting point of the wax, which are melted and mixed together in the wax, so as to improve the heat conduction and thus response characteristic of the wax. A thick sealing member comprises a piston insertion bore formed in a central portion thereof, a thick portion between the piston insertion bore and a sealing portion in an outer peripheral region the thick portion being easily deformable. The thick sealing member operates both as a diaphragm and as a gummy fluid in a prior art thermo-element. A thermo-element has a small number of components, a simple structure.

Abstract: In the case of the on setting of an eco switch signal ESW, when a torque demand Tr* is less than a good fuel consumption-assuring minimum torque Temin, the hybrid vehicle of the invention stops the operation of an engine and controls a motor MG2 to output a required torque for constant speed drive. When the torque demand Tr* is not less than the good fuel consumption-assuring minimum torque Temin, on the other hand, the engine is driven at a drive point in a good fuel consumption range among drive points on an optimum fuel consumption operation curve to ensure output of the required torque for the constant speed drive. Such control enhances the fuel efficiency for the constant speed drive.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a thermo-element having a simple structure, an improved durability and a good response characteristic, by improving heat conduction of wax serving as a thermally expandable component and by improving a diaphragm. The wax serving as the thermally expandable component is blended with small pieces of metal, such as metal powder and metal foil, and a low-melting point alloy having a melting point equal to or higher than a melting point of the wax, which are melted and mixed together in the wax, so as to improve the heat conduction and thus response characteristic of the wax. Further, a thick sealing member comprises a piston insertion bore formed in a central portion of the thick sealing member, a thick portion having a high thickness between the piston insertion bore and a sealing portion arranged in an outer peripheral region of the thick sealing member, the thick portion being easily deformable.

Abstract: In the case of the on setting of an eco switch signal ESW, when a torque demand Tr* is less than a good fuel consumption-assuring minimum torque Temin, the hybrid vehicle of the invention stops the operation of an engine and controls a motor MG2 to output a required torque for constant speed drive. When the torque demand Tr* is not less than the good fuel consumption-assuring minimum torque Temin, on the other hand, the engine is driven at a drive point in a good fuel consumption range among drive points on an optimum fuel consumption operation curve to ensure output of the required torque for the constant speed drive. Such control enhances the fuel efficiency for the constant speed drive.