Abstract: A temperature-controlled air cargo container transport dolly for use in transporting perishable cargo from an air cargo storage area to an aircraft. In a preferred embodiment, the air cargo container transport dolly comprises a conventional air cargo trailer having a housing structure mounted thereupon. The housing structure defines a cargo-holding interior within which perishable cargo, as stored within a conventional air cargo container, can be securely stored. To facilitate the ability to move such perishable cargo, rollers may be integrated into the flooring of the housing. A temperature control unit is further integrated within such housing to provide a temperature-controlled environment within the housing. The temperature-control unit will preferably be powered through a variety of means, whether from electricity from an external source, a battery, or by electric generator means, such as a diesel electric generator.

Abstract: A method of controlling a refrigerator having a shaved ice discharger to discharge shaved ice produced within the refrigerator to the outside. The refrigerator includes a shaved-ice maker equipped within a freezing compartment to produce shaved ice, a shaved ice discharge port to discharge the shaved ice produced by the shaved-ice maker to the outside through the freezing compartment door, and a shaved ice discharger connected with the shaved ice discharge port to discharge the shaved ice produced by the shaved-ice maker to the outside of the refrigerator. Since the refrigerator is controlled to maintain the open state of the shaved ice discharge port during a predetermined shaved ice discharging time set corresponding to a selected amount of the shaved ice, it is not necessary to continuously apply external force to the lever, thereby improving convenience in use of the shaved-ice maker.

Abstract: An apparatus for managing refrigerant charge in an air conditioning unit comprising a cooling circuit through which a refrigerant flows from a compressor, through a condenser, and through an evaporator, a heat recovery circuit extending from a first terminus between the compressor and the condenser to a second terminus between the evaporator and the condenser, a heat recovery unit located between the first and second terminus of the heat recovery circuit, a first valve located between the condenser and the first terminus, a second valve located between the first terminus and the heat recovery unit, a third valve located on a cooling charge circuit having a first end on the cooling circuit between the condenser and the evaporator and a second end at the evaporator, a fourth valve located on a heating charge circuit having a first end on the heat recovery circuit and a second end at the evaporator, and a logic unit for sensing a saturated temperature and opening and closing the valves based upon the saturated t

Abstract: A variable speed air handling system for cooling and/or heating a room including a sleep mode. The system includes a fan assembly to transport air from the system into the room, the fan assembly having a substantially continuously adjustable speed within a range of speeds defined by a predetermined upper limit and a predetermined lower limit. A user interface transmits a sleep mode signal upon activation of the sleep mode by a user. A control unit controls the fan assembly and the climate control unit to gradually raise an ambient temperature in the room over a predetermined period of time in response to the sleep mode signal transmitted by the user interface.

Abstract: An apparatus has a compressor having suction and discharge ports. One or more conduits form a main flowpath from the discharge port through a condenser, a heat exchanger first leg, a first expansion device, and an evaporator to return to the suction port. The conduits also form a bypass flowpath bypassing the heat exchanger first leg, the first expansion device, and the evaporator but passing through a second leg of the heat exchanger in heat exchange relation with the first leg.

Abstract: A bus-bar integrated plate and outer frame section, arranged into a double-deck structure and having numerous bus bars molded with a resin molding plate portion, is provided as a wiring for connecting power switching elements and a smoothing capacitor, fixed on an outer surface of a cylindrical wall of a motor housing, to a printed circuit board serving as a control circuit.

Abstract: A method of creating a thermal influence table to describe thermal relationships between components in a system and use of the thermal influence table in a system is described. The thermal influence matrix may be generated dynamically for a system. The matrix may be used by a thermal management policy to enable a hot device to be cooled by power management of another device in the system.

Abstract: A data center is configured in a room using alternating rows of racks containing heat-generating electronic devices and air conditioners or liquid conditioners. Chilled fluid, such as water or a refrigerant, for the air conditioners or liquid conditioners is supplied through redundant plumbing comprising first and second supply and return pipes below a raised floor. Attached to this redundant plumbing are standard fluid couplings configured to couple to either air conditioners or liquid conditioners. The air conditioners and liquid conditioners use the same chilled fluid so that they may share the redundant plumbing and continually receive chilled fluid in the event of the failure of one of the chilled fluid supplies.

Abstract: A system for producing potable water from the atmosphere includes first and second surfaces in parallel. Water condensation from the atmosphere forms on the surfaces in response to cooling of the surfaces. A seal is formed around the first and second surfaces to form an enclosure that is filled with a liquid. The system includes a cooling device positioned within the liquid within the enclosure, and a sensor circuit located near the first and second surfaces. The sensor circuit detects the amount of water condensate formed on the first and second surfaces. A wiper removes water condensate from the first and second surfaces when the sensor detects the amount of water condensate formed on the first and second surface exceeds a predetermined value. The water condensate removed from the first and second surfaces is collected for use as potable water.

Abstract: A system for producing potable water from atmosphere includes an enclosure with at least one intake port and exhaust port. The system includes a plurality of panels arranged within the enclosure substantially parallel to each other along a central axis. Each of the panels is made of a material on which water condensate from the atmosphere forms in response to a temperature differential between the material and the atmosphere passed through the enclosure. The system includes a plurality of conduits arranged to pass through the panels. A cooling fluid is passed through the conduits to cool the panels. The amount of water condensate formed on surfaces of the panels in response to cooling is detected. The panels are rotated about the central axis within the enclosure to remove the water condensate from the surfaces of the panels when the detected amount of water condensate exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A refrigeration system of air conditioning apparatuses with a bypass line between the inlet and outlet of a compressor. The refrigeration system (1) has an expansion unit (10) to execute adiabatic expansion of refrigerant, an indoor unit (20) with a heat exchanger, a compressor (30) to execute adiabatic compression of the refrigerant, and an outdoor unit (40) with a heat exchanger, and is operated to cool or heat air within a space to a desired level by using the phase change of the refrigerant. The refrigeration system also has a bypass line (99) between the inlet and outlet of the compressor (30) to bypass at least a part of the output refrigerant from the outlet to the inlet of the compressor when the pressure of the output refrigerant is lower than a reference level or the temperature of the air outside the compressor is lower than a reference level.

Abstract: Backup refrigeration is provided to a cryogenic refrigeration system comprising multiple cooling loops using a single backup coolant storage vessel. The backup coolant storage vessel is in fluid communication with at least one of the cooling loops, and the cooling loops are in fluid communication with each other. Each cooling loop, in turn, is in fluid communication with a refrigeration unit. In the event of lost coolant from one of the loops, coolant, e.g., liquid nitrogen, is transferred from the other loops to the loop that lost coolant, and the backup coolant storage vessel releases backup coolant into the system.

Abstract: An ice maker for a refrigerator/freezer having a control module for more reliably driving a rotatable ice ejector for removing ice bodies from a mold of the ice maker and for refilling mold cavities with water. The control module has an ice ejector drive with a drive coupling that includes a gear wheel and an ejector shaft section, both made of hard plastic material, preferably a polymide resin, for transmitting higher torque to the rotary ice ejector without failure of the plastic drive components. In one embodiment, a drive sleeve on the gear wheel and a drive shaft section have a spline coupling for more effectively distributing driving forces in the drive coupling. In another embodiment, a metallic collar is tightly positioned over the gear wheel sleeve for enhancing torque transmission in the drive coupling.

Abstract: A refrigerator having a shaved ice discharger to discharge shaved ice produced within the refrigerator to an outside of the refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a body having a freezing compartment defined therein, a freezing compartment door to open and close the freezing compartment, a shaved-ice maker positioned in the freezing compartment to produce shaved ice, a shaved ice discharge port to discharge the shaved ice produced by the shaved-ice maker to the outside of the refrigerator, and a shaved ice discharger to open the shaved ice discharge port for a predetermined time. The shaved ice discharger maintains an open state of the shaved ice discharge port for the predetermined time therefore, it is not necessary to continuously apply external force to the lever, and convenience in use of the shaved-ice maker is improved.

Abstract: A refrigerator including a shaved ice dispensing unit positioned within a freezing compartment door and plural ice dispensing units positioned in an ice cube container to selectively dispense ice cubes, crushed ice and shaved ice. First and second ice dispensing units are positioned in parallel in a freezing compartment. The first ice dispensing unit supplies ice cubes to the shaved ice dispensing unit, and the second ice dispensing unit selectively dispenses the ice cubes and crushed ice through an ice cube/crushed ice discharge port positioned in the freezing compartment door. The shaved ice dispensing unit includes a case having a shaved ice outlet formed therethrough, at least one blade positioned to the shaved ice outlet, a rotational barrel rotatably positioned within the case to be rotated by a driving motor and a reduction gear assembly.

Abstract: A refrigerator including a shaved ice dispensing unit, and an ice cube dispensing unit positioned within an ice cube container such that ice cubes, crushed ice, and shaved ice are selectively dispensed to a user. The shaved ice dispensing unit includes a driving motor, a guide barrel having a shaved ice outlet, a plurality of blades disposed at the outlet, a rotational shaft disposed axially within the guide barrel and connected with the driving motor, a compressing wing connected with the rotational shaft above the outlet and extending in a radial direction, and a spiral wing coupled with the rotational shaft at the front of the compressing wing. When the driving motor is driven, the rotational shaft, the spiral wing, and the compressing wing rotate and compress the ice cubes in the ice cube container to produce the shaved ice.

Abstract: Shipping containers, and more particularly insulated shipping containers, for holding temperature sensitive products and coolant in a predetermined relationship to maintain a refrigerated or frozen condition for an extended period of time. Containers of this type can be molded from rigid polyurethane foam or other materials for shipping or transporting products such as biological and similar products which need to be maintained at 2° to 8° Centigrade or frozen. Specific constructions are shown and described.

Abstract: A cover for the protection and displaying cooked, non-cooked, cooled and non-cooled foods wherein the cover is of a clear or slightly tinted material such that the food can be observed by a person wishing to serve themselves. The cover has a handle for rotating the cover ninety (90) degrees to a substantially vertical position wherein it rests on another handle or the like. Disposed within this cover is a gel pack which operates as a cooling device. Spacers are provided internally on the cover near the inside top thereof to prevent the gel pack from touching the top of the cover and triangular shaped protrusions are associated with the cover to prevent the gel pack from unintentionally sliding out of it if a person picks up the cover by the back handle. The gel pack is kept in place by a support bar, which may swivel, and which acts as support for the gel pack when the cover is in its lowered or cooling position and which support bar may swivel up and out of the way when in the raised or non-cooling position.

Abstract: A vapor-compression refrigerant cycle system having an ejector includes a first evaporator for evaporating refrigerant from a pressure-increasing portion of the ejector, and a second evaporator for evaporating refrigerant to be drawn into a refrigerant suction port of the ejector. Furthermore, a valve member for opening and closing a refrigerant passage of the second evaporator is arranged in serious with the second evaporator in a refrigerant flow, and refrigerant flowing out of the second evaporator flows into the refrigerant suction port through a refrigerant suction pipe. The system is provided to restrict lubrication oil contained in refrigerant from being introduced from the ejector into and staying in the refrigerant suction pipe when the valve member is closed. For example, the refrigerant suction port is provided at an upper side of the ejector.

Abstract: A compressor is provided with an oil separator for separating part of the lubricating oil contained in the compressed refrigerant, path arrangement for connecting a separation chamber of the separator and a delivery port of the compressed refrigerant, the path arrangement having a plurality of linear holes with opening ends that open in the outer surface of the housing wall, and screw plugs closing the opening ends except for the one serving as the delivery port, and a safety device built in at least one of the screw plugs, the safety device having a pressure relief valve and/or a temperature sensor.

Abstract: A single-stage refrigerating system includes a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, and a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between a refrigerant in a path from the evaporator to the compressor and a refrigerant in another path from the condenser to the evaporator, and a non-azeotropic refrigerant mixture used in the system. The refrigerant mixture is a combination of a refrigerant having a normal boiling point of approximately room temperature and a low-boiling-point refrigerant having a normal boiling point below ?60° C. A dew point of the refrigerant mixture at a pressure in the condensing process after the compression is above room temperature. The boiling point is higher than the dew point at a pressure in the lower-pressure region in a path from the evaporator to the compressor.

Abstract: A process for condensing a C3-C4 hydrocarbon vapor which comprises contacting the C3-C4 hydrocarbon vapor with a heat exchanger surface which is cooled by contact with LNG and recovering a liquefied C3-C4 product therefrom.

Abstract: A process for recovering liquefied C3 compounds from a natural gas stream containing C3 compounds which comprises (a) chilling the natural gas stream under conditions sufficient to liquefy the natural gas, whereby a mixture comprising liquid natural gas (LNG) and liquid C3 compounds is formed; (b) fractionating the mixture comprising liquid natural gas (LNG) and liquid C3 compounds in a separation zone under sub-atmospheric pressure and under conditions predetermined to vaporize a significant portion of the natural gas present while retaining the C3 compounds as a liquid fraction; and (c) recovering separately from the separation zone natural gas and liquid C3 compounds.

Abstract: The invention provides a decorative object comprising a transparent or translucent substrate having a body and at least one surface bearing a thin film coating. The coating imparts in the substrate a body color that appears substantially constant at different angles of observation. This body color is imparted in the substrate at least in part by absorption of visible radiation that is transmitted through said coating. The coating includes a high absorption layer comprising film that is highly absorptive of visible radiation. Also provided are methods of coating gems and other decorative objects, as well as methods of heat treating coated gems and other decorative objects.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating waste glass comprising bringing waste glass into contact with hot steam or hot water under pressure. Using this method, a porous material with a high silicon oxide content that can be reused as a resource for general purposes can be obtained, without the addition of auxiliary raw materials, through a procedure which can be carried out at low cost.

Abstract: A mold for molding glass elements includes a substrate (1), a protecting film (2) and a cooling tube (10). The protecting film is formed on the substrate. The protecting film includes at least one noble metal layer (21) and at least one silicon carbide layer (22). The noble metal layer and the silicon carbide layer are alternately stacked one on the other in turn. The cooling tube is arranged in the substrate. The present invention also discloses another mold for molding glass elements including a substrate, a protecting film and a channel. The channel is defined in the substrate. The mold is inexpensive, can withstand high temperatures, and has a long service lifetime.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a new method for floating glasses which are susceptible to reduction reactions, in particular phosphate-containing glasses, with float media which comprise bismuth and/or lead as one basic ingredient. This method can solve the problem that glasses which are susceptible to reduction reactions become useless in conventional, tin-containing float media. Due to this fact, till now no float method for such glasses existed. Rather, from them was produced rolled glass and the required surface quality was effected through expensive and costly grinding and polishing.

Abstract: A molding core includes: a substrate having a roughened article-shaping surface; and a hard coating formed on the roughened article-shaping surface of the substrate and including a protective film that comprises a metal complex of carbon and at least one noble metal selected from the group consisting of Pt, Ir, Ru, Re, Rh, Ta, and Os. The protective film has a thickness greater than 5 ?m so as to increase the number of times that the protective film can be repaired. Combination of the noble metal and carbon can prevent the noble metal of the protective film from reacting with carbon of a diamond tool during turning process.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a method for making sol-gel ceramic nanofibers, and the compositions resulting from practicing such method. Fibers so formed can be used for fabricating filter media and a wide variety of other ceramic fiber structures and devices.

Abstract: A fiber-forming bushing comprises a tip plate and a lateral support. The tip plate comprises at least two tip sections and the section spacing between the tip sections. The lateral support extends laterally along the section spacing.

Abstract: A link for connecting at least one securing member, such as chain, with a locking device having a body and a shackle, where the link comprises a base having a through hole adapted to receive the shackle of a locking device and a first securing element associated with the base, the first securing element adapted to receive a first securing member, wherein the shackle of a lock may be inserted through the through hole such that the lock blocks the first securing member from being separated from the securing element. Also disclosed is a system for securing a locking device having a handle hinged to a vertical lockrod, where the system comprises a strap and a link adapted to be installed upon the vertical lockrod and handle such that the handle is prevented from being manipulated in such a manner as to unlock the locking device.

Abstract: A cover including first and second portions is disclosed for covering a lock. The lock includes an opening device. The lock may be a combination lock and the opening device may be a dial with numbers imprinted thereon. The lock can be at least partially placed inside of the first portion of the cover so that the opening device is surrounded by the first portion of the cover. The opening device can be operated by an individual to open the lock, while the cover is attached to the lock and while the first portion of the cover surrounds the opening device. The cover may include an ornamental design which can be seen when the cover is covering the lock.

Abstract: A deadbolt door lock assembly operates a deadbolt between an unlocked and locked position. It generally comprises an actuator, a ring, and a biasing member. The ring contacts the actuator and rotates it in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction to lock the deadbolt. Once the deadbolt is locked, the biasing member urges the ring out of contact with the actuator. In one aspect, the assembly is operable in either the clockwise or counter-clockwise direction without disconnecting the biasing member. In another aspect, the biasing member includes different portions to urge the ring out of contact with the actuator depending on whether ring operation is in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. The assembly may include a backstop to indicate rotational direction of the ring to lock the deadbolt. The assembly may also include a stabilizing bridge to inhibit transverse rotation of mounting screws that secure the assembly to a door.

Abstract: A latch in a door is protected from an unauthorized entry by forming a first bracket that fits around the latch, and a second bracket that is rotatably connected to the first latch. The second bracket covers the latch when rotated to be in a first position, and exposes the latch when rotated to be in a second position.

Abstract: A digital keypad coded entry electronic lock is provided for operating an electronically operated door bolt locking mechanism within a closure or safe. The digital input handle is provided in two parts, with an upper head part positioning the keypad away from a depending handle part. Insertion and removal of an electronic storage battery is facilitated by providing an open rear portion of the handle through which the battery can be inserted or removed without the need for screws, pins or tools.

Abstract: Mixtures including soil and ground rice hulls are described herein.

Abstract: A peripheral length correction device with a metal ring wrapped around a pair rollers of a rotating driver side and a follower side, wherein, while regulating the separation distance of the pair of rollers and exerting a predetermined tension to the metal ring, corrects the metal ring peripheral length by strengthening the predetermined tension; a peripheral length measurement device which measures the separation distance to provide a measurement value and calculates the metal ring peripheral length from the measurement value; and a surface defect inspection device, wherein, while regulating the separation distance of the pair of rollers and exerting the predetermined tension to the metal ring, inspects for an existing surface defect on the metal ring, which comprise a scraper, wherein each of the pair of rollers has its outer circumferential surface in contact with a blade edge of the scraper.

Abstract: An in-die hydropiercing device comprises a punch with an annular shearing blade which is operated by a hydraulic cylinder and is received in a ring-shaped die button mounted in one of the dies that form a die cavity for the hydroforming of a part, a center support member that is received in the center of the punch and supports the wall of the part inward of the shearing blade during the hydroforming of the part and also during the piercing of the part with the shearing blade, a slug collector, and a slug retainer that is mounted on the center support member and provides for retention of a slug produced from the piercing operation against the center support member and later releases the slug onto the slug collector for disposal following the opening of the dies and insertion of the slug collector between the open dies and then retraction of the slug collector with the slug for slug disposal.

Abstract: A method for performing a hydroforming operation on a hollow workpiece includes the initial step of filling the interior of the workpiece with a hydroforming fluid. The pressure exerted by the hydroforming fluid against the interior of the workpiece is below the yield strength of the workpiece so as to not change the shape of the workpiece. Then, first and second die sections of the hydroforming apparatus are closed about the workpiece. The movement of the two die sections causes some mechanical deformation of the workpiece, but the presence of the hydroforming fluid within the workpiece prevents the amount of this mechanical deformation of the hollow workpiece from being undesirably large. Thereafter, the pressure exerted by the hydroforming fluid against the interior of the workpiece is increased to above the yield strength of the workpiece. As a result, the workpiece is deformed into engagement with the first and second die sections of the hydroforming die.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a seamless tube by the invention can duly control the rotary forging effect without miss-rolling such as defective onset engagement with rolls by satisfying either of (1)-(3) formulas below, dependent on a given range of roll diameter ratio Dg/D1, prevent the occurence of internal surface flaws at the top of the work material attributable to deteriorated hot workability, and further prevent the occurrence of said flaws over the remaining length without altering parameters for piercing-rolling process. Thus, the invention can be widely utilized as an excellent manufacturing method for said tube: in case of Dg/D1<1.1, 23?N/(Df/100)?40 ??(1) in case of 1.1 ?Dg/D1<1.5, 20?N/(Df/100)?44 ??(2) in case of 1.5?Dg/D1?1.

Abstract: An embossing unit, wherein sheet material is fed between a first and a second embossing roller counter-rotating respectively about a first and a second axis of rotation defining a plane, one of the embossing rollers being subjected, in use, to a compression force towards the other embossing roller; and wherein at least one of the axes of rotation oscillates about a virtual hinge or instantaneous centre of rotation, which is movable, in the plane defined by the axes of rotation, in response to displacement, along a pitch line of tangency between the embossing rollers, of a point of application of a reaction force.

Abstract: A bending device includes a fixed mount having a chuck mechanism gripping a workpiece is attached thereon, and an articulated robot which moves a bending mechanism attached thereto. The articulated robot is provided with a plurality of swinging joints which perform swinging operation and a plurality of pivoting joints which perform pivoting operation. The workpiece is clamped between a bending die and a clamping die. The bending mechanism is moved by the articulated robot so that the workpiece is gripped by the chuck mechanism. At the same time, the chuck mechanism is moved by the articulated robot to bend the workpiece at a plurality of positions. After the bending, while the workpiece is clamped between the bending die and the claimping die, the gripping by the chuck mechanism is released. The bending mechanism is moved by the articulated robot so that the workpiece is discharged.

Abstract: A method for bending a tube in a pre-selected geometry includes deriving at least one processing parameter from the geometry, applying a thermal source circumferentially to the tube to heat the tube along at least one circumferentially directed path in accordance with the parameter and actively cooling the tube to a pre-selected temperature. The applying and active cooling steps are alternately performed a number of times. A system for bending the tube includes a thermal source for heating at least one region along the path on the tube, a tube advancing module for advancing the tube, an active cooling module for cooling the tube to a pre-selected temperature, a processing module to derive at least one processing parameter from the geometry and a control module configured to control the thermal source and active cooling module in accordance with the parameter. The alternate heating and cooling are performed a number of times.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to a method and a device for transferring work pieces. In the method, at least one first handling device positions and/or securely holds at least one workpiece in a working region of a shaping machine, and, in at least one shaping process in the shaping machine, the at least one first handling device subsequently transfers the workpiece to at least one second handling device. The at least one workpiece is then aligned in a predetermined (or predeterminable) position when it is received by the at least one second handling device with the assistance of the at least one positioning means and a positioning aid.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for forging a workpiece (3) with an intermittently drivable clamping head (4) for the workpiece (3) and with a counter-holder (5) for receiving the end of the workpiece (3) averted from the clamping head (4), which counter-holder is rotatably held in a frame (12). In order to provide advantageous constructional conditions it is proposed that the counter-holder (5) is connected with an intermittent rotational drive (13) which can be triggered synchronously to the clamping head (4).

Abstract: In a method for monitoring a rotation rate sensor with a vibrational gyroscope which has a first input and a first output which form part of a primary control loop which excites the vibrational gyroscope by supplying an excitation signal to the first input at its natural frequency, where the vibrational gyroscope also has a second input and a second output which form part of a secondary control loop, where an output signal can be taken from the second output, said output signal being amplified and subjected to analog/digital conversion and then demodulated into an inphase component and a quadrature component, where the components are filtered and are then modulated again and compiled to form a driver signal which is supplied to the second input, and where a rotation rate signal is derived from the inphase component, the inphase component and the quadrature component have a test signal added to them whose frequency brings about sidebands which are situated in the driver signal outside of the second control loo

Abstract: Systems and methods for minimizing vibration rectification error (VRE) for a closed-loop accelerometer. In one embodiment, the method includes applying a known vibration signal to the closed-loop accelerometer along a first axis and adjusting a feedback gain setting until VRE is below a first threshold value. After the feedback gain setting has been adjusted, applying a random vibration signal to the closed-loop accelerometer along the first axis and adjusting a servo system proportional gain value until VRE is below a second threshold value.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for functionally testing a filling level sensor which measures the filling level of a liquid in a tank, in which method a change in filling level that is measured by the filling level sensor is compared with a calculated change in filling level. According to the invention, the calculated change in filling level is determined from a measured change in temperature of the liquid.

Abstract: A mounting structure for an air-fuel ratio sensor in a motorcycle is provided which eliminates the influence of water gathered in an exhaust pipe upon the air-fuel ratio sensor and improves the mountability of the air-fuel ratio sensor to the exhaust pipe. The air-fuel ratio sensor is mounted on an exhaust pipe connected to an engine in a motorcycle so that the air-fuel ratio sensor extends radially with respect to a longitudinal axis of the exhaust pipe, and is inclined upward by an angle of 10° or more with respect to a horizontal line H passing through the center of the exhaust pipe 32 in its cross section. The air-fuel ratio sensor is pointed toward the central lateral plane of the motorcycle as viewed in front elevation of the motorcycle.

Abstract: A stacked body constituted by a first insulating sheet, a first terminal plate, a piezoelectric element, a second terminal plate, a second insulating sheet, a weight, and a disk spring is fitted over a cylindrical portion of a base, clamped and held between a nut and a flange portion of the base, and resin-molded. Annular partial electrodes having a width narrower than a radial width of the piezoelectric element are formed on front and rear surfaces of the piezoelectric element. The first and second terminal plates have annular portions formed so as to have annular shapes having an outside diameter and an inside diameter substantially equal to those of the partial electrodes, and are stacked such that the annular portions are placed in close contact with entire surfaces of the partial electrodes.