Abstract: A valve actuation system comprises a first arm having a first arm contact surface and operatively connected to a valve actuation motion. A second arm having a second arm contact surface is operatively connected to the at least one engine valve. A discrete lost motion device is provided that is controllable between a first, motion conveying state and a second, motion absorbing state. The discrete lost motion devices comprises a plunger contact surface and a housing contact surface. The housing contact surface is configured to engage one of the first or second arm contact surfaces, and the plunger contact surface is configured to engage another of the first and the second arm contact surfaces. The first and second arm contact surfaces, the housing contact surface and the first plunger contact surface are configured to support the discrete lost motion device between the first arm and the second arm.

Abstract: An entry nozzle for transporting liquid metal from a tundish to a mould for the continuous casting of thin slab disposed therebelow, wherein the nozzle has a hollow channel therethrough, and at least at its lower outlet end, is, in plan section, of large aspect ratio of width to thickness, and is hollow substantially across its width, the entry nozzle being provided at positions at its lower outlet end arranged in operation to be submerged within the casting mould, with at least one exit port from the hollow channel disposed on each elongate side of the nozzle, and, with the nozzle in its operational disposition, so shaped as to direct metal into the mould from the nozzle transverse to its vertical disposition. With the process in its operating state the controlled effective liquid metal pressure head of the metal in the tundish provides a flow of such metal to the mould that, with the extraction rate of the solidifying metal from the metal forming means, creates a required level of metal within the mould.