Abstract: A shelter (1) comprising an array of substantially rigid panels (2, 3, 4) hingedly joined together, the arrangement being such that a central polygonal roof panel (2) is surrounded by a number of wall panels (3) equal in number to the sides of the polygon, each wall panel having an edge hingedly attached to an edge of the roof panel, and a tension element (20) being arranged to extend along the edges of the wall panels remote from the roof panel in such a way that by applying tension to the tension element, adjacent edges of respective wall panels can be brought together to form a three-dimensional structure.

Abstract: A modular solarium includes (a) a plurality of prefabricated wall panels, each prefabricated wall panel including (i) at least one transparent sheet of material having a peripheral edge, and (ii) a peripheral frame of an L-shaped cross-section supporting the peripheral edge and positioned therearound, the peripheral frame having opposite exposed surfaces with an opening in at least one of the exposed surfaces; (b) a plurality of prefabricated ceiling panels, each prefabricated ceiling panel including (i) at least one transparent sheet of material having a peripheral edge, (ii) a peripheral frame of an L-shaped cross-section supporting the peripheral edge and positioned therearound, the peripheral frame having opposite exposed surfaces with an opening in at least one of the exposed surfaces; and (c) a plurality of joint members for connecting together the prefabricated panels, each joint member including (i) a joint frame member, and (ii) at least two protrusions extending from the joint frame member, each pro

Abstract: A rodent pest infestation prevention assembly includes a wall for surrounding a predetermined area so as to enclose items, a plurality of top and bottom slits in the wall for making interlocking connection with one another for fastening end portions of the wall together so as to make the wall a substantially continuous structure about an item, and at least one holder member for maintaining the wall in an upright position. The wall may also have a plurality of spaced apart holes formed therein. At least one mateable bolt and nut combination are installed through aligned holes to secure overlapped end portions of the wall to one another and thereby serve the same function as the top and bottom slits of the wall. Each holder member has a base and a pair of elongated pegs. The base has a transverse groove and a pair of recessed holes on adjacent opposite sides of the groove. The groove is for receiving a bottom edge of the wall therein.

Abstract: An free standing platform for enabling elevated structures to survive earthquakes in which the columns supporting the elevated structure rest and float on platforms positioned between the columns and the ground, said platforms able to withstand and dissipate the forces present during an earthquake, and said columns being able to slidably move atop said platforms, thereby enabling the columns to survive the earthquake intact and to continue supporting the elevated structure.

Abstract: A concrete slab and wall spacer with water and radon removal elements. The invention includes a cross-sectionally, L-shaped elongate strip of semi-rigid, nonbiodegradable material. At least halfway up the entire elongate vertical leg of the L-shape is a horizontally disposed projection which is integral with the strip. The spacer projection is placed against a wall, the L base resting on a portion of the footing subtended by the wall in a conventional spacer usage. The underside of the base of the L is generally relieved in order to allow transmigration of water and gaseous substances. Several applications for the strip are disclosed, one being the sealing of the shelf to the abutting wall with placement of a gas impermeable membrane in an overlapping arrangement with the L base so as to form, relative to the strip and the abutted wall, an upper fluid region and a lower gas region.

Abstract: An anchoring clip for the installation of a hollow door or window frame in stud or masonry walls that minimizes the need for additional hardware when installing a hollow door or window frame because the clip can be used along the entire height of either the strike jamb or the hinge jamb of the door frame, across the header of the door frame or at the base of the door frame for secure attachment to both the wall and the floor surrounding the door opening. Furthermore, the anchoring clip can be used for new construction or existing walls without marring the wall finishes or cutting a hole in the walls for the installation of the door frame.

Abstract: A generally planar structural panel includes first and second opposed outer facings with an insulating foam core disposed therebetween. Prior to attachment to the two outer facings, which may be of virtually any of the more common building materials, cuts are made in the foam core extending the length and width thereof. These cuts are in the form of linear elongated slots or channels and are made in the foam so as to form a plurality of thin elongated foam strips within each channel. The cuts may be made using a hot wire in a conventional manner during manufacture without removing the thus formed foam strips. The outer facings are then attached to opposed surfaces of the foam core. Each group of adjacent foam strips may be accessed by cutting a hole in an outer facing of the panel and into the foam to the depth of the strips.

Abstract: A wood railing assembly is attached to the top of a wood deck having rim joists and top deck boards. The railing has vertical posts and horizontal rails mounting spindles, and all of the posts are notched at the bottom. The corner post is attached by the use of a bracket extending all the way around the bottom end portion of the post with flanges extending on the outer surface of the rim joists. Lag screws extend through the bottom end through the bracket, with some of the lag screws extending through the post end of the joists and other lag screws extending directly into the joists to clamp the bracket in place. The side post uses a bracket assembly having an outer channel having a face and sides that enclose the exposed portion of the bottom end and receive machine screws extending through the plate, the lower end, the joists, and through a backing plate, where suitable nuts are used to clamp the assembly together as a unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is an air-flow-directing grille assembly of the type having two frame members and a grille bar supported by such frame members for pivoting movement about a grille bar axis. In the improvement, each frame member has a hole, the bar has an axle extending through the holes and each hole and the axle are cooperatively sized to provide a friction fit between such hole and axle. The grille bar is thereby frictionally retained in a position. A new method for making a grille assembly includes providing a pair of frame members, each having a hole therethrough of a first diameter. A grille bar is provided to have an axle with a second diameter at least equal to the first diameter. The axle and the frame member holes are urged into frictional engagement with one another and the grille bars will thereby hold a selected air-flow-directing position.

Abstract: A pair of EPS foam panels have laterally aligned holes arranged in a rectangular grid. Cross wires or rods extend through the holes. Longitudinally extending wires or rods are located against the interior surfaces of the walls and are welded to the cross rods. Retaining means on the ends of the cross rods are disposed against the exterior surfaces of the walls to provide a sandwich construction firmly to interconnect the walls and the rods.

Abstract: A technique for forming an insulated monocoque concrete shell house, wherein the house structure is built using foamed plastic interlocking and noninterlocking blocks in a manner similar to that in which a log cabin is built using logs. Once the structure is built, openings can be manually cut with ease into the wall of the structure to accommodate windows and doors. The inner and outer surfaces of the foamed plastic block structure, as well as, part of the foundation adjacent to the walls of the structure are sprayed with concrete forming a concrete monocoque shell house.

Abstract: A set of building blocks useful for constructing model structures includes a plurality of building blocks comprising block bodies and block interconnecting structure. The block interconnecting structure releasably locks each block to one or more adjacent blocks by resisting the blocks being pulled apart from each other. The interconnecting structure does provide, however, a limited amount of lateral play between the blocks so that the interconnected blocks may be moved laterally with respect to each other. The interconnecting structure preferably comprises one or more connecting elements installed into respective apertures in the block bodies. Some blocks have connecting elements with both an inserting end that projects above an outer surface of the block body and a receiving end disposed within the aperture. Other blocks have connecting elements having only a receiving end.

Abstract: A framework for a small-scale building. Specifically, the framework includes four poles, two joint beams, two crossbeams and a ridge beam. The top of each of the four poles is connected with one of the crossbeams and one of the joint beams by a moveable joint. The joint beams are divided at an intermediate point into joint beam portions. The joint beam portions and the ridge beam are connected at the intermediate point with a joint. Further, the crossbeams are divided at an intermediate point into cross beam portions and are connected at this intermediate point with another joint. Finally, the ridge beam is divided at an intermediate point into ridge beam portions and connected at a joint. Each of the joints is bendable, such that the framework may be assembled, folded and stored easily.

Abstract: A window molding for automobiles, which is installed around the periphery of a windshield, including a leg and a head. The head is formed to permit the creation of two different water guide portions extending along the molding, one that will function along the roof line and another along the side edge of the windshield. The side water guide portion prevents water from going from the windshield to the side windows. The roof line water guide portion opens toward the window frame and prevents water from flowing from the roof onto the windshield.

Abstract: An integral, one-piece, metallic chord for use as the top and bottom chords of a roof truss. The chord comprises an elongated member of generally U-shaped, singly symmetric cross-section, having a base terminating at its longitudinal edges in mirror image legs. The base portion is planar with a central depressed rib formed therein and extending the length thereof. Each leg comprises a first planar portion perpendicular to and extending from its respective longitudinal edge of the base, followed by an inwardly sloped planar portion leading to a planar attachment portion which is perpendicular to the base portion and which terminates in a flange portion extending outwardly of the attachment portion and then upwardly and inwardly, ending in a longitudinal edge facing the attachment portion. The flange portions form semi-closed reinforcement members. The legs and their flange portions constitute the sides of the chord.

Abstract: A method wherein structures can be assembled using blocks that form a lattice network which can be filled with a reinforcing material, said blocks being capable of serving as a permanent form that provides a finished exterior surface.

Abstract: A system and method for constructing metal frame structures provides a framework in the form of a jig that is typically assembled at a construction site at ground level. The jig is filled with joists that are typically parallel to each other and spaced at predetermined intervals along the jig. A pair of indicator jig sections are used at either end of the grouping of joists. These indicators include a corrugated decking surface along their top. Decking sheets are laid over the joists so that they nest within the indicator decking. The decking is permanently joined to the joists, but not the indicator decking. The assembled decking and joists are lifted from the framework and positioned within a building framework. Further sections are constructed using the same technique until a or roof surface is formed over the entire framework. Utilities can be located within the assembled decking and joist framework while it is still on the ground.

Abstract: Fiberboard doors and methods for constructing the same are shown. Doors are constructed by assembling fiberboard stiles and fiberboard rails to form door-halves and then by bringing the door-halves together. The doors may be constructed to have one or more panels, mullions and intermediate rails. The doors may also be of standard or decorative design, and include panels made of glass or other materials.

Abstract: In an automated prescription dispensing and packing system, empty prescription bottles are labeled and loaded in assigned locations in carriers. Pills are automatically dispensed into the prescription bottles in the carriers. Ranks of carriers containing filled prescription bottles are assembled at stations where the bottles are unloaded and packed into shipping containers with literature printed by the system. Multiple bottles of an order are automatically packed in the same shipping container.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of forming stacked article groups by supplying at least two streams of articles; forming a stream of first article groups having at least one article; placing a support base on a top surface of each first article group; and forming a second article group, having at least one article, on top of the support base of each first article group, whereby stacked article groups are formed. The stacked article groups are subsequently packaged.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a plastic wrapping sheet to a composite product formed of a plastic core tube having a web-shaped material wrapped therearound, the plastic wrapping sheet surrounding the composite product so that an end portion extends beyond an end of the composite product, the apparatus including twin closing yokes which are movable towards one another to gather the end portion together, a cylindrical welding head for welding the gathered end portion to the end of the core tube, and a rotatable cutting bead for removing free excess plastic wrapping sheet from within the core tube.

Abstract: Two holders (27-30) arranged on both sides of the mid-plane (4) of a conveyed tubular bag (1) are rotated in parallel directions by crank mechanisms (15-18). A sealing jaw (37) or matching jaw (38) is vertically guided in the holders (27-30) and prestressed by a spring (41) against a stop (44). Stopping rollers (62) project sideways from the jaws (37, 38) and bump against supporting strips (48, 49) before the jaws (37, 38) touch each other. The supporting strips (48, 49) are moved against each other by a controller (54) in such a way that the vertical components of motion of the jaws are delayed in a controlled manner. On the contrary, before the jaws (37, 38) are moved away from each other, they are accelerated up to the required vertical speed to bump softly against the stop (44). This device works without noise, is gentle to the material and may be adapted to various working conditions.

Abstract: A machine for releasing a bale, particularly a bale of tobacco from a package, comprises a structure movable along an upright and having two arms with rotatable gripping devices for gripping, lifting and rotating a packaged bale so that the block of tobacco can be released from the packaging box, and the empty box can be transferred to a discharge area.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) is disclosed including a web of film (20) extending between first and second pairs of pinch rollers (12-15) and onto a vacuum table (18). A rotary cutter (46) positioned before the first pair of pinch rollers (12, 13) includes laterally extending and spaced knives (52) for creating cuts (54, 58) in the film (20) which expand into vent openings (54') positioned over the sides (68) of the product (72) when the film (20) is wrapped around and shrunk upon the product (72). A further rotary cutter (30) positioned between the pairs of pinch rollers (12-15) includes a cut-off knife (36) and first and second blades (44). The cut-off knife (36) creates a cut (60) in the film (20) to form a single sheet of film (20) and includes notches (38) in its cutting edge to form tie strips (62) connecting the single sheet to the web of film (20).

Abstract: A method for producing a compressed fluid container is provided comprising charging a container with a fluid while simultaneously sealing the container. A double-walled compressed gas cylinder is also provided.

Abstract: A supplemental label may be attached to a bag having a wire loop closure by the steps of: forming a bag neck of a filled, flexible bag by collapsing bag material about the mouth of the bag. The filled, flexible bag is advanced along a process line to a wire loop closure applying station. An elongated neck of a label is placed against the bag neck, and the wire loop closure is applied tightly around the bag neck and the elongated label neck to close the bag, and to simultaneously attach the label to the bag by wire loop closure attachment. The labels may be fed to the system in strip form. Also, they may be printed after being unwound from a storage roller assembly and before being applied to the bag.

Abstract: A sand bagging system is adapted to fill and seal a multiplicity of sand bags in a rapid fashion. Bags are extracted from a cassette of interconnected bags, positioned at a charge station. At the charging station, a charge of bulk material is collected and discharged into the bag, which is subsequently closed and discharged. The sand bagging system is particularly adapted to be used during emergency flooding situations.

Abstract: A method of continuously wrapping products, whereby at least one seat for a respective product is fed continuously along a given path together with a respective retaining element for retaining a respective sheet of wrapping material, which is supplied in such a manner that a first portion is positioned over the seat, and a second portion is engaged by the retaining element; a product is inserted continuously inside the seat so as to fold at least the first portion of the sheet substantially in a U; and the retaining element is so moved as to fold at least part of the second portion of the sheet about the product.

Abstract: A fully automated apparatus and operating system for supplying, transferring, filling, and sealing bags, utilizing a clam shell type of filling spout is provided in combination with apparatus for sealing each filled bag in close proximity to the spout. The bag sealing apparatus incorporates heat sealing bars mounted on a carriage movable between a first position adjacent to the filling spout for receiving filled bags and sealing them, and a second position wherein filled and sealed bags are released. The same carriage supports clamping bars movable between open and closed positions to clamp a filled bag while it is still being held on the filling spout, and to support the bag, after removal from the spout, while the bag mouth is being sealed by the heat sealing bars.

Abstract: A remote release device is adapted to secure a bull rope around the chest of a rodeo bull. The release device includes a radio receiver which receives signals transmitted from a remote transmitter and causes a latching mechanism to release the bull rope from the bull. The transmitter is activated by a person when the bull rider is thrown and is unable to let go of the bull rope. In this way, the bull rider avoids injury.

Abstract: A rotary turf mower (32) suitable for mowing irregular turf areas including a cutting system (60) which includes a plurality of cutting units (102) which are movable over the ground and each carrying at least one cutting blade (114), and a coupler (140) including a span member (144) and a pair of hinges means (150) for interconnecting adjacent cutting units (102), wherein each hinges (150) permits relative pivotal movement about a hinge axis (160), and wherein the hinge axes (160) associated with adjacent cutting units (102) are non-parallel, whereby each cutting unit may display a range of independent motion relative to an adjacent cutting unit. One embodiment of the present invention provides that the hinge axes associated with each span member are substantially directed to a virtual pivot point (184), whereby the motion of adjacent cutting units (102) relative to the virtual pivot point (184) is generally rotational.

Abstract: A two-wheeled lawn trimmer, controlled with a handle attached to a frame which receives a conventional gasoline or electric powered rotary lawn trimmer, and provides balanced maneuverability with low operator forces while providing complete trimming access and cutting height control. Additionally the trimmer provides the operator access to vary the rotary cutting head speed as well as the ability to stop the motor device with controls mounted on the handle grip assembly.

Abstract: A transversely-mounted grass cutter mower combination with a vehicle is provided which is adapted to be activated to move laterally to the right or to the left with respect to its mounting to the vehicle and/or to move vertically up or down with respect to its mounting the vehicle. The vehicle is a motor-driven vehicle having front wheels and rear wheels and a longitudinally-extending frame bed therebetween. A transversely-mounted powered grass-cutting mower, having a mower housing and powered grass cutting blades which is mounted to the frame bed by means of a suspended mounting system. The suspended mounting system includes a cooperative linkage which is secured between the longitudinally-extending frame bed of the motor-driven vehicle and the mower housing. A first powered operator is provided for moving the mower housing, in cooperation with the constraints provided by the cooperative linkage, through an infinite number of vertical locations between an upper limit and a lower limit.

Abstract: A fishing line comprising a core (10) and a sheath (20) encompassing the core (10). the core (10) as well as also the sheath (20) are constructed of high-strength filaments (11, 12, 21, 22). The core (10) is entwined with the filaments (21, 22) forming the sheath (20). the composite of the filaments (11, 12, 21, 22) is set by bonding by means of a fusion-adhesive yarn (19) placed parallel to the filaments (11, 12) forming the core (10). In this way a fishing line can be produced which meets the highest requirements and is simultaneously cost effective.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for crimping and heat setting a filament or a tow of filaments and to provide fine filaments. The apparatus has at least one heating zone with means for heating a filament or a tow of filaments in an inert and/or oxidizing atmosphere. In the heating zone is a pair of horizontally movable mating conveying means having a multiplicity of protrusions for imparting a crimp to said filament or tow.

Abstract: A device for false-twist texturing of yarn material includes at least three rotatable twisters for disposition around a yarn texturing center, "S"/"Z" twist changeover apparatus for adjusting positions of two of the twisters in relation to a first of the twisters and to transpose the two twisters with each other, and drive changeover apparatus for reversing the rotative drive direction of all of the twisters.

Abstract: A pivot angle limiting stopper striking noise suppressing device is provided to prevent a pivot angle limiting stopper of a cable drag chain from generating striking noises, thereby avoiding deformation of the stopper and abrasive wear of abutment surfaces. The pivot angle limiting stopper striking noise suppressing device includes a cushioning material attached to an abutment surface of a pivot angle limiting stopper to absorb a shock impact.

Abstract: A high efficiency economical coal fired combined cycle power generation system and process is described. The system utilizes a circulating fluid bed ("CFB") coal devolatilizer which is fluidized with recycled coal volatiles. The devolatilizer is heated indirectly with hot bed material from a conventional CFB boiler burning the devolatilized coal (char). The CFB boiler is fluidized by gas turbine exhaust gas. The ratio of high efficiency/low capital cost Brayton cycle (gas turbine) power output to lower efficiency, higher capital cost Rankine cycle (steam turbine) power output is maximized by concurrently and/or successively preheating the gas turbine compressor discharge with; (1) gas turbine exhaust (recuperator), (2) hot coal volatiles exiting the devolatilizer, (3) coal char CFB boiler hot bed material (with either an external or internal heat exchanger), and (4) CFB boiler flue gas. The process and method described produces a thermally cracked, clean product gas with a high Btu content (.about.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine having an air compressor and a combustion chamber connected to the air compressor for burning fuel with air from the air compressor. The combustion chamber also has water and/or steam as input. The water and/or steam is combined with the gases generated by the burning of the fuel to generate a gaseous output that drives first and second turbines. A heat recovery system recovers heat and water from the gaseous output after the gaseous output has passed through the turbines. The water is used as the water source for the combustion chamber and for cooling the turbines. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the heat recovery system utilizes a supercritical heat exchanger. Some of the recovered heat is preferably utilized to drive a third expander.

Abstract: Solid rocket motor propellants which burn at at least one stable burn rate over at least one corresponding pressure range (i.e the burn rate v. pressure curve contains at least one area of low pressure exponent with respect to a normal curve) are described. The propellant compositions comprise a binder, from about 65% to about 90% by weight ammonium perchlorate, the ammonium perchlorate being of at least two distinct particle sizes; from about 0.3% to about 5.0% by weight refractory oxide selected from the group consisting of TiO.sub.2, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, SiO.sub.2, SnO.sub.2, and ZrO.sub.2 ; and from about 5 to about 25% by weight metal, such as aluminum.

Abstract: A stiffened composite is provided exhibiting multi-directional reinforcement with continuous long fibers. The composite has a substrate and serpentine stiffeners adhered thereto. The stiffeners merge toward, join with and diverge from adjacent stiffeners to provide a stiffener matrix on the substrate. The serpentine stiffener permit the matrix to exhibit multi-directional reinforcement with the continuous long fibers within the serpentine ribs. The composite structures are useful as aircraft bypass ducts, and as other composite products.

Abstract: A fluid mixing apparatus for mixing primary exhaust and secondary airflow in a turbofan engine with provision for changing the ratio of secondary airflow to primary exhaust cross-sectional areas in the mixing plane. The mixing apparatus includes a segmented annulus (50) attached to the aft end of an engine generator casing (24), the annulus having a plurality of segments of which at least a portion are movable segments (52) hingedly connected to the generator. Each movable segment has an inboard position (54) in which the cross-sectional area ratio is increased and an outboard position (56) in which the ratio is decreased. A number of mixing devices (62) are connected to the segments. A repositioning assembly (96) moves the movable segments between their inboard and outboard positions. A first preferred embodiment of the mixing apparatus includes a number of stationary segments (60) interspersed between the movable segments (52). The mixing devices (62) are attached to the stationary segments (60).

Abstract: A thermal reactor for reducing exhaust emissions generated by an engine. The thermal reactor preferably includes an outer housing and an inner core mounted within the outer housing. The inner core defines an expansion chamber which receives exhaust gas from the engine. When the exhaust gas enters the expansion chamber, it expands and becomes thoroughly mixed. While in the expansion chamber, at least some of the exhaust gas is oxidized. A single-layered recirculation chamber is located between the outer housing and the inner core. The recirculation chamber receives the exhaust gas from the expansion chamber and recirculates the exhaust gas around the outer surface of the inner core such that the inner core is insulated. By insulating the inner core with heated exhaust gas from the expansion chamber, the expansion chamber maintains a high temperature which facilitates oxidation of the exhaust gases.

Abstract: An improved auxiliary heat source for use in an engine cold start emission reduction system includes a flame containment chamber having at least one wall formed of a porous foam material that confines the flame within a predetermined chamber while permitting heat therefrom to emerge and flow to an exhaust system catalyst or, in the case of diesel engines, a particulate trap.

Abstract: Flow diverter methods and apparatus useful, for example, in adsorber systems capable of meeting the California ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV) standard, are described, the adsorber systems incorporating a combination of a burn-off catalyst and a modified adsorber constructed with an open flow region of substantially unobstructed flow having a hole or a region of larger cell openings, the flow diverter acting to control exhaust flow through the adsorber to both increase adsorption and reduce the light-off time of the burn-off catalyst.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for on-board monitoring of NO.sub.x trap performance is proposed that uses two HEGO sensors, one positioned upstream of the NO.sub.x trap, and the other positioned downstream of the NO.sub.x trap. When the engine A/F is reduced from lean to stoichiometric or rich operation to regenerate or purge the NO.sub.x trap the difference in the time it takes for the upstream and downstream HEGO sensors to switch from a lean to a rich indication provides a quantitative measure of the amount of NO.sub.x that was stored on the NO.sub.x trap during the previous lean period of operation. This measure is related to an estimated amount of NO.sub.x produced by the engine to infer the operating performance or efficiency of the NO.sub.x trap. The difference in the output voltage of the two sensors is compared with a predetermined value to determined when to terminate the NO.sub.x purge. When the efficiency drops below a predetermined value the time that the engine is run in a lean cruise mode is reduced.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for operating a diesel engine with an exhaust feedback device located between the exhaust line and the intake air line, with an adjusting element that can be operated by an adjusting drive actuated by an auxiliary force to operate the exhaust feedback device as a function of signals from an electronic control device. An engine regulator permits rich/lean regulation of the diesel engine as a function of its operating parameters. A storage catalyst is located in the exhaust line, in which catalyst oxides of nitrogen (NO.sub.x) can be adsorbed, desorbed, and reduced. A sensor is located downstream from the storage catalyst for detecting the NO.sub.x concentration in the exhaust stream in such fashion that when an NO.sub.x storage threshold value is reached that varies in terms of its characteristics as a function of the rpm and the load, a switch is made from operation with a lambda value of larger than 1 to operation with a lambda value of less than 1.

Abstract: A method for the calibration of a lambda probe in an internal combustion engine in which the lambda probe is arranged in front of and/or behind a catalytic converter in order to control a fuel-air mixture of the internal combustion engine. The lambda probe gives off signal values during a measurement period as a function of the exhaust gas produced from the fuel-air mixture. In order to compensate for the lack of sharpness resulting from a manufacturing process of the lambda probe and an aging of the probe, a method is proposed for the calibration of the lambda probe in which the catalytic converter is supplied with an overly rich fuel-air mixture. During this time the corresponding signal measurement values of the lambda probe are measured independently of other control signals. Upon a further processing of the probe signal, a correction value is formed therefrom, which correction value is fed to the probe signal in the controlled operating state of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: On an exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine, an A/F sensor is disposed at an upstream side of a three-way catalyst and a downstream side O.sub.2 sensor is disposed on a downstream side thereof. A CPU determines according to an exhaust gas temperature whether the operational state of the engine is in a high load. In an early stage of the engine operation of high load, CPU sets a "rich" side target air-fuel ratio within a range that enables the downstream side O.sub.2 sensor to make linear detection of air-fuel ratio and executes feedback control of air-fuel ratio by using the set target air-fuel ratio. Also, when the level of the load has increased, CPU sets a "rich" side target air-fuel ratio according to the exhaust gas temperature and executes feedback control of air-fuel ratio by using the set target air-fuel ratio. Further, when the "rich" width deviates from a range that enables the A/F sensor to make its detection, CPU performs open-loop control with respect to the increment in fuel.

Abstract: A device for re-treating exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine is proposed, in which to promote the efficiency of a downstream reducing catalytic converter, fuel is metered via a metering valve and introduced into the exhaust system via an evaporator device. A metal sheath is provided with a sheathed glow-plug element that is used as the evaporator device and via a flow opening on a face end introduces an evaporated reducing agent into the exhaust gas stream.