Abstract: A centrifugally actuated wet plate clutch which is actuated by the centrifugal pressure of its cooling and lubricating fluid. An input housing defines a radial cavity which is partially filled with the fluid and contains sets of interleaved clutch plates respectively mounted to the housing and to an output shaft which is rotatable independent of the housing. A piston adapted to urge the clutch plates together is mounted in the cavity and has a net piston surface opposing the clutch plates. When the housing is accelerated in rotational speed, centrifugal pressure develops in the fluid and acts on the piston to gradually urge the clutch plates together, thereby engaging the clutch.

Abstract: A safety device for use with machines in which the operator must use his hand or hands to position a work piece in the vicinity of a subsequently descending potentially dangerous element. The mechanism includes a downwardly movable probe which if intercepted by the operator's hand will prevent the machine element from operating. Removal of the hand to a safe position enables the probe to fall and the machine operation to proceed. The mechanisms are controlled by air actuated valves which automatically direct compressed air sequentially to the operative elements.

Abstract: A disposable shipping and installation clip holding in an extended position the input member of a linear actuator, such as the input member of a hydraulic master cylinder operating a remotely located slave cylinder connected to the master cylinder through a conduit, the apparatus being filled with hydraulic fluid prior to shipment and installation on a utilization mechanism. The clip has a generally U-shaped channel body having sidewall portions elastically spreadable apart from each other such as to permit clipping the channel body over the input member. The clip body is preferably provided with outwardly extending projecting portions, finger-graspable, to facilitate removal. In the alternative, the clip is in the form of a U-shaped flat washer disposed in a groove in the input member periphery.

Abstract: A lampholder for insertion into and removal from an electrically powered lighting unit which includes a socket for receiving the lamp, means for communicating electrical power from the unit to the lamp, means for releasably engaging the unit, and a cap structured to prevent cracking superposing the socket and having an upper surface and a lower surface proximate the socket. A plurality of windows through the cap of a sufficient size to vent heat emitted from the lamp, together with the heat resistant material from which the cap is formed, prevent the upper surface from exceeding a predetermined temperature. An insulation layer is preferably disposed between the lower surface and the socket.

Abstract: Several embodiments of induction systems for internal combustion engines embodying pairs of intake passages each serving a single cylinder of the engine. In accordance with each embodiment of the invention, a device is provided for restricting the communication of the intake passages with the cylinder during idle operation so as to improve idle by precluding the backflow of exhaust gases into the intake passages. In some embodiments, the restricting means consists of throttle valves positioned in one or both of the intake passages and which are moved to a closed position when the engine is operating at idle. In accordance with embodiments of the invention, the cams associated with the intake valves provide for opening of one intake valve prior to opening of the other intake valve.

Abstract: A method for operating a two cycle, spark ignition, internal combustion engine of the class having a combustion chamber divided into a relatively small ignition region and a larger combustion region in which the piston reciprocates. Substantially the same stoichiometric fuel-air mixtures are independently supplied to the ignition region in substantially fixed quantities and to the combustion region in variable quantities. These mixtures are compressed simultaneously so that they remain completely separated prior to ignition. The mixtures are stratified with respect to excess air supplied to both regions and to exhaust gases in the engine cylinder, and combustion initiated in the ignition region ignites the variable-sized mixture in the larger region. Burning proceeds from stoichiometric mixtures to lean mixtures as the stratified excess air is mixed into the burning gases. When no fuel is supplied to the combustion region, the ignition region functions independently and burns its fuel efficiently.

Abstract: In a motorcycle ignition system where an internal combustion engine includes front and rear cylinders; a circuit breaker comprising superimposed point plates in which a pair of point assemblies are individually adjusted with respect to at least a single control cam; an offset arrangement of the rubbing block or follower on a pivotal point element with respect to the axis of rotation of the operating cam to afford quicker opening and closing of the points; and a plurality of ignition circuits for multiple cylinder engines in which one or a pair of coils are used; one of the point plates and its respective point assembly being usable in a conventional single point, twin tower arrangement.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having an oil-retaining cylinder block and crankcase (10), a cylinder head (11), a cylinder liner (12) defining the cylinder (13) in which a piston (14) reciprocates, and a crankshaft (15) on which the piston is mounted via a connecting rod (16). The flywheel (17) is mounted on the crankshaft (15) and extends upwardly alongside the base of the cylinder liner (12) whereby the maximum radius of the flywheel is greater than the minimum distance between the rotational axis of the crankshaft and the lowermost position occupied by the base of the piston at bottom dead centre position. Thus there is provided an offset flywheel of low mass but providing a substantial moment of inertia while the overall height of the engine is be reduced without loss of horsepower.

Abstract: A microcomputer is used in the invention for the control of the ignition function of an ignition system of an i.c. engine. The limitation of r.p.m. of the engine at high r.p.m. is brought about by an acurately developed procedure of delayed ignition in two steps. The control of ignition timing is carried out by counting timer pulses between reference points, whereby the number of pulses between such points constitutes an address of a position in the ROM of the computer, where a reference number of the ignition time is stored. In manufacturing of a great assortment of engines several demands for limitation of maximum r.p.m. can be fulfilled in that the microcomputer has a spacing for storing several characteristics. The selection of a particular characteristic for a sort of engine is made by establishing permanent connections (or disconnections) in separate inputs of the computer which reads the combination and choses the corresponding characteristic.

Abstract: A fuel vaporizing device for use with a carburetor to more efficiently vaporize and distribute the fuel portion of the air/fuel mixture. The device is mounted between the carburetor and intake manifold and positions a hot plate element in the flow path of each carburetor barrel discharge. Each hot plate is comprised of a solid metal disk in which a plurality of through bores are formed. Heat is supplied by a conduit extending through the disk, but does not intersect any of the through bores. The conduit is connected to both the intake and exhaust manifolds so that hot exhaust gas passes therethrough at relatively high velocity. To assure uniform flows of exhaust gas, an exhaust reservoir is provided in the connecting line between the exhaust manifold and the vaporizing device.

Abstract: A vacuum operated EGR valve/controller having a vacuum signal responsive diaphragm converted to operate the EGR poppet valve. A flow limiting orifice is provided upstream of the valve and a flow sensing pressure tap provided intermediate the valve and the orifice. Flow pressure is sensed by a piezoresistive transducer which gives an electrical signal indicative thereof. In one embodiment, the transducer is stationary and flow sensing tube is extended to the valve body. In a second embodiment, the transducer is mounted on the diaphragm for movement therewith and flow sensing is internal through the valve actuator. In another embodiment, a flow sensing orifice is provided downstream of the valve and the transducers has a reference and dynamic probe for sensing the differential of flow pressure on opposite sides of the sensing orifice.

Abstract: An instantaneous direction changing rotation mechanism in which its driving shaft and driven shaft have coincident central lines, the driving shaft can be controlled for transmission via either a direction changing train of gear with negative train value or casing of gear for driving the driven shaft for rotation in either reverse or normal direction; the intermediate bevel gear of the train of gear has a spindle extending to the exterior of the casing of gear and fixed to a brake block so that the above control can be achieved by engaging or disengaging the brake block with a barke element; a movable ring is surrounding the upper part of the casing of gear so that while the rotation of the movable ring is restricted by the sensor means, there is an angular displacement against the casing of gear for disengaging or engaging the brake element with the brake block.

Abstract: A ball-type through-passage serves for the pivotal support of the gearshifting lever of a motor vehicle, which consists of two ball halves split along the gear-shifting lever and abutting thereat and of a two-partite bearing housing receiving the same. In order to compensate for radial play, two O-rings are inserted between the ball halves and the gearshifting lever. For the axial fixation radial pins are formed-on at the ball halves, which engage in radial bores of the gearshifting lever.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a method of deriving mechanical work from a combustion gas in an internal combustion engine and reciprocating internal combustion engines for carrying out the method. The method includes the steps of compressing an air charge in a compressor of the engine, transferring the compressed charge to a power chamber of the engine such that no appreciable drop in charge pressure occurs during transfer and admission to the power chamber, causing a predetermined quantity to produce a combustible mixture, causing the mixture to be ignited at substantially maximum pressure within the power chamber and allowing the combustion gas to expand against a piston operable in the power chamber substantially beyond its initial volume.

Abstract: A control arrangement for an internal combustion engine equipped with vacuum-operated control devices includes a method and apparatus for applying a vacuum to a control device, retaining the vacuum for a specified time or under specified engine operating conditions and then reducing the vacuum in a controlled manner. A particular arrangement used to control an exhaust gas return system includes a no-return valve, connected in the vacuum line leading to an exhaust gas return valve, and a by-pass valve for by-passing the non-return valve under specified conditions. Exhaust gas return is maintained over a range of engine operating conditions, incurring a full load condition, to reduce NO.sub.x emissions to desired levels.

Abstract: A fluorescent lighting fixture designed for outdoor use and constructed mainly of polyvinyl chloride. The fixture includes a cylindrical housing made entirely of white high density polyvinyl chloride with an annular ring projecting from its inner wall, a U-shaped standard voltage fluorescent lamp, a socket for said lamp, a circular base supporting said socket and resting on the ring of the cylindrical housing, a retaining ring resting on the upper edge of the circular base, a closed-ended tubular transparent diffuser resting on the upper edge of said retaining ring, a pair of flexible O-rings encircling the lower open end of said diffuser for securing the diffuser within the housing, a circular rear bushing, and a power line passing through a hole in the base plate for energizing said lamp. The U-shaped fluorescent lamp is sealed within the housing by the two O-rings and the closed-ended tubular diffuser.

Abstract: Fuel supply to an internal combustion engine is controlled in accordance with the operating condition of the engine. Enrichment operation after the starting of the engine is executed for a period of from the start of the engine until the actual engine temperature becomes higher than the engine temperature at the start thereof by a predetermined value.

Abstract: A method of controlling the exhaust gas recirculation for a Diesel engine by the adjustment of the sectional area of an exhaust passage connected between the exhaust and suction sides of the engine in accordance with the speed, and the engine load, which comprises the steps of detecting the burning flame light of fuel inside the cylinder, and increasing or decreasing the recirculation amount of the exhaust gas in accordance with the intensity of the light detected by a flame sensor and an apparatus for controlling the same by use of a microprocessor in accordance with signals detected a plurality of sensors including the flame sensor. According to the present invention, the exhaust gas recirculation amount can be accurately controlled in accordance with the change in the atmospheric pressure, or altitude where the engine is running.

Abstract: The invention teaches the use of a cam-operated valve control means, which cam is moved by an electrical motor in response to an operating signal. Such valve control means finds particular application in an exhaust gas recirculation system or idle speed control for an automobile engine.

Abstract: An air intake side secondary air supply system for an internal combustion engine equipped with an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system, employing a single source of control pressure for supplying a control pressure both into an air control valve for controlling the amount of the air intake side secondary air and an EGR control valve for controlling the amount of exhaust gas recirculation. The system is provided with a delay means for delaying the transmission of a fluctuation of pressure in the pressure chamber of the air control valve to a pressure chamber of the EGR control valve, thereby preventing adverse effects on the EGR operation due to an interaction between the air intake side secondary air supply system and the EGR system.