Abstract: A valve control mechanism for effecting split engine operation of an internal combustion engine of the overhead valve type in which each valve is actuated by a rocker arm normally fulcrummed intermediate its ends on an apertured pivot bearing slidably supported on a mounting stud fixed to the cylinder head of the engine, with one end of the rocker arm engaging the stem of the valve to be actuated and its other end being engaged by a reciprocating push rod, the valve control mechanism including a slider support fixed to the mounting stud above the rocker arm, a spring engaged between the slider support and the pivot bearing to normally bias the pivot bearing toward an operative position whereat the rocker arm is pivotable about the pivot bearing, a stepped slider slidably supported by the slider support for movement between a first position at which the pivot bearing is in its operative position relative to the rocker arm and a second position permitting movement of the rocker arm to a position at which the ro

Abstract: Internal combustion engine pistons are provided with aluminum bodies with highly insulative ceramic inserts cast in place in the upper combustion chamber defining wall. In each of the disclosed embodiments, the ceramic insert has tapered edges to dovetail the insert in place. A fibrous ceramic cushioning layer applied around the insert edge before casting distributes cooling stresses and allows limited relative expansion and contraction of the aluminum body and ceramic insert without overstressing either of the members. Other features are also included.

Abstract: In a carburetor as for a vehicle engine, the carburetor having a throttle body with an induction passage therethrough defined in part by a two-dimensional variable rectangular nozzle having a pair of plane parallel opposite walls and a pair of convergent-divergent contoured walls, one of the contoured walls being mounted to an upstream pivot shaft and actuated by an accelerator pedal operatively connected thereto for pivotal movement relative to the other contoured wall and, a fuel injector means pivotably supported by the pivot shaft and having its fuel discharge means positioned to discharge fuel into the induction passage upstream of the throat of the nozzle, the fuel injector means being operatively linked by a fuel injector positioner linkage to the movable contoured wall so that its angular movement is one-half the angular movement of the movable contoured wall.

Abstract: An exhaust reactor manifold having a reaction chamber formed by a hardened insulative ceramic liner which is supported within a protective housing. The liner walls are protected and insulated by compessible fibrous insulation. Springs and wedges in the housing act through the insulation blanket to load the liner walls in compression. Inlet and exhaust ports are provided through angled sealing surfaces of the liner which are urged by the compressive loading of the liner into engagement with mating surfaces of a ported mounting portion of the housing.

Abstract: A fuel-air metering and induction system for an internal combustion engine including an electronic controlled pressurized carburetion system wherein a carburetor mounted on top of the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine is provided with one or more throttle valves to regulate the flow of induction fluid therethrough with a mass airflow meter including an air metering valve mounted on a shaft for rotation in the induction passage positioned upstream thereof, the air metering valve shaft having a cam thereon to actuate the metering rod of a fuel metering valve to control the delivery of fuel to a fuel atomizing nozzle discharging fuel into the induction stream immediately downstream of the throttle valves, the fuel metering valve being supplied with high pressure fuel from an electrically controlled, high pressure fuel pump, the output pressure and therefore volume of fuel delivered to the fuel metering valve being regulated as a function of electrical signals received which are indicative of vario