Abstract: A basic target spark timing is determined in accordance with an operating condition of an engine. A spark timing knock corrective value is determined in accordance with the presence or absence of a knock in the engine. A spark timing learning corrective value is determined in accordance with the spark timing knock corrective value and with the engine operating condition. When a transitional condition of the engine is detected, the spark timing knock corrective value is fixed to a preset value independent of the presence or absence of the knock and also independent of the engine operating condition. A final target spark timing is determined in accordance with the basic target spark timing, the spark timing knock corrective value, and the spark timing learning corrective value. A spark is generated in the engine at a timing in agreement with the final target spark timing.

Abstract: A manual valve comprises a spool having two lands slidably disposed in a bore of a housing for movement to a P range, a R range, a N range, a D range, a II range and a I range. The manual valve is formed with an inlet port and five outlet ports. The first and second outlet ports are allowed to communicate with the inlet port to receive a line pressure when the spool is set to R range. The second outlet port is allowed to communicate with said inlet port when the spool is set to N range. The second and third outlet ports are allowed to communicate with said inlet port when the spool is set to D range. The third and fourth outlet ports are allowed to communicate with the inlet port when the spool is set to II range. The third, fourth and fifth outlet ports are allowed to communicate with the inlet port when the spool is set to I range.

Abstract: A robustly constructed box-shaped reinforcing member is securely mounted to a vehicle floor panel with its one end portion located at a side sill above which a door opening is defined. A bracket member is securely mounted to the hinged side door at a portion which is engageable with the end of the reinforcing member when the door assumes its closed position. Thus, when the side door tends to be forced into the passenger compartment by an external force applied thereto, the bracket member movable with the door is brought into engagement with the end of the reinforcing member thereby preventing the side door from continuing its inward movement.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation control system calculates a target EGR ratio value based upon engine operating parameters and maintains the EGR ratio at the target EGR ratio value. Each time the vehicle travels a predetermined distance, the control system calculates an actual EGR ratio value and corrects the target EGR ratio value to reduce a deviation between the target and actual EGR ratio values to zero.

Abstract: In an engine system including an internal combustion engine and an exhaust turbine supercharger, a valve stop mechanism is provided to stop the throttle valve of the engine in an angular position anterior to the idle position thereof when the throttle valve is suddenly moved toward the idle position in the presence of an air pressure higher than a predetermined value in the air induction passageway of the engine downstream of the compressor unit of the supercharger and upstream of the throttle valve of the engine so as to preclude production of pressure surges in exhaust turbine supercharger.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine having an air intake passage containing a throttle valve, and provided with passages to the outside from points upstream and downstream of the throttle valve, an auxiliary air regulator comprising a mounting block within which is formed a bypass passage, one end of which is matably connected with a passage in said air intake passage upstream of the throttle valve, and the other end of which is matably connected with a passage in said air intake passage downstream of the throttle valve. A movable shutter means is disposed within said bypass passage so as to control the effective cross-sectional area of said bypass passage. A bimetallic coil is enclosed within an air tight chamber annd being selectively heated. Engaging means connects the outer end of said bimetallic coil with said shutter means so that a movement of the bimetallic coil in response to a temperature change is transmitted mechanically to the shutter means.

Abstract: A semi-cylindrical body member with a flat section is disposed in a fluid flow conduit in an arrangement to allow the surface of the flat portion to face upstream. Means for counting the number of Karman vortexes created by the body member under flowing of the fluid is disposed in the body member.

Abstract: A closed loop mixture control system for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle is provided with a voltage divider connected across the terminals of a single source of DC potential mounted on the vehicle to develop an offset voltage which is combined with the output of an exhaust gas sensor having a bipolar output characteristic. One of the polarities of the exhaust gas sensor output is compensated for by the offset voltage.

Abstract: A valve operating mechanism comprising a valve, a cam, a cam shaft for rotating the cam about an axis, a rocker lever rotatably mounted about a rocker lever shaft. The rocker lever is axially movable along the rocker lever shaft. The cam is tapered in the longitudinal direction of the axis and has a uniform cross sectional shape. The rocker lever has an arm formed with a surface engaging the cam and an opposite arm provided with means for engaging the end of a valve stem of the valve.

Abstract: The differential pressure between a carburetor venturi and an upstream point, and ambient pressure and temperature are sensed. Analogous electric signals are fed into an electronic computing means which produces an output analogous to the air flow rate through the carburetor.

Abstract: A first air-warming chamber partially surrounds a second air-warming chamber, which is disposed about an exhaust pipe. Air is passed through the first then second chambers in a zigzag flow path. The prewarmed air entering the second chamber is further heated to a desired level.