Abstract: A variable valve timing mechanism comprises a drive shaft including a rocker arm, a control shaft, a stopper, a first spring member and a second spring member. The rocker arm opens and closes at least one of an intake/exhaust valve in response to rotation of the drive shaft. The control shaft changes a position of the rocker arm to continuously change valve lift characteristics of the intake/exhaust valve in response to rotation of the control shaft by driving a control shaft actuator. The stopper regulates an operating range of rotation of the control shaft between upper and lower limits. The first and second spring members urge the control shaft towards the upper and lower limits, respectively. The first and second spring members return the control shaft to a balance position between the upper limit position and the lower limit position when the internal combustion engine stops.

Abstract: A variable valve timing mechanism comprises a drive shaft including a rocker arm, a control shaft, a stopper, a first spring member and a second spring member. The rocker arm opens and closes at least one of an intake/exhaust valve in response to rotation of the drive shaft. The control shaft changes a position of the rocker arm to continuously change valve lift characteristics of the intake/exhaust valve in response to rotation of the control shaft by driving a control shaft actuator. The stopper regulates an operating range of rotation of the control shaft between upper and lower limits. The first and second spring members urge the control shaft towards the upper and lower limits, respectively. The first and second spring members return the control shaft to a balance position between the upper limit position and the lower limit position when the internal combustion engine stops.

Abstract: A VA apparatus includes a rocker arm coaxially swingably supported on a support shaft. The rocker arm is swung by torque transmitted from an engine to operate an engine valve and includes a first arm to which torque is transmitted and a second arm for operating the engine valve. The first and second arms, which are separate and distinct from each other, are swingable relative to each other. Bolts are provided to fix the first and second arms in a predetermined relative angle position.

Abstract: A variable valve operating system for a two-bank engine includes a variable valve-lift and working-angle control mechanism changing at least one of a valve lift and a working angle of each of engine valves arranged in each of cylinder banks, and two variable valve timing control mechanisms provided for each of the banks for changing valve timings independently of each other. A control unit responds a failure in one of the variable valve timing control mechanisms for failsafe purposes. The control unit includes a failsafe section capable of executing a failsafe operating mode in which at least one of the valve lift and the working angle of each of engine valves is increasingly compensated for by the variable valve-lift and working-angle control mechanism, when the one variable valve timing control mechanism is failed.

Abstract: A VA apparatus includes a rocker arm coaxially swingably supported on a support shaft. The rocker arm is swung by torque transmitted from an engine to operate an engine valve and includes a first arm to which torque is transmitted and a second arm for operating the engine valve. The first and second arms are separate and distinct from each other, and are swingable relative to each other. Bolts are provided to fix the first and second arms in a predetermined relative angle position.

Abstract: A variable valve operating system for a two-bank engine includes a variable valve-lift and working-angle control mechanism changing at least one of a valve lift and a working angle of each of engine valves arranged in each of cylinder banks, and two variable valve timing control mechanisms provided for each of the banks for changing valve timings independently of each other. A control unit responds a failure in one of the variable valve timing control mechanisms for failsafe purposes. The control unit includes a failsafe section capable of executing a failsafe operating mode in which at least one of the valve lift and the working angle of each of engine valves is increasingly compensated for by the variable valve-lift and working-angle control mechanism, when the one variable valve timing control mechanism is failed.

Abstract: Method of opening and closing a fluid passage comprises the steps of freezing fluid in the fluid passage by first cooling the fluid to a temperature below the freezing point of the fluid to close the fluid passage and after the fluid passage is closed, raising the temperature of the fluid close (or just below) to the freezing point of the fluid, whereby the fluid passage is maintained in a closed state with a small power supply and the responsiveness in opening the fluid passage is enhanced.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the opening and closing of a channel for a liquid is arranged such that a liquid channel is closed by causing a controller to control one heat absorbing and generating part of a cooling/heating element to execute heat absorption and cooling a heat transmitting element to solidify the liquid in the channel. The apparatus is also arrangement such that the channel is opened first by causing the controller to control the same heat absorbing and generating part to execute heat generation and heating the heat transmitting element to melt the liquid solidified in the channel. A method of controlling the opening and closing of a channel according to the invention includes the steps of: solidifying a liquid in a channel by cooling it from the outside to close the channel; and opening the channel thus closed by melting the liquid solidified in the channel by the application of heat.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of measuring the shape of an object in a non-contacting manner.