Abstract: Manufacturing methods of liquid crystal display elements and manufacturing apparatuses for same which prevent an insulating substrate from sliding out of position and which attract and fix the substrate firmly and flatly by removing deformations of the substrate with substantially strong forces, even when a thin-type glass substrate or a thin-type plastic substrate is employed. A blower is used to exert attractive forces on the insulating substrate placed on a stage at a second attraction opening. A vacuum pump and a switching valve are used to exert the attractive forces first at the first attraction openings of the first group, then at the first attraction openings of the first and second groups, and finally at the first attraction openings of the first, second, and third groups on nearly the entire insulating substrate.

Abstract: A sheet-like printing medium with easy-separating means which enables one to easily separate the printing medium into separate portions. When an image is formed on the printing medium having easy-separating means disposed inside and entirely along the peripheral edge thereof, a print area is extended slightly to the peripheral edge beyond the easy-separating means. When the width of a non-print area left in the peripheral edge of the printing area is separated at a part of the easy-separating means, an image is formed spaced from the sides of each of the non-print areas by a predetermined distance.

Abstract: An EFI (exploding foil initiator) or slapper detonator, including a explodable foil (or bridge), a flyer plate and a barrel plate having a movable barrier to close a barrel in a safety mode and for opening the barrel in an arming mode, wherein the movable barrier slides from a closed (safety) position to an open (armed) position under the control of a MEMS (microelectromechanical system) energetic actuator. The slidable barrier is maintained in the closed position by one or more locking devices of the MEMS energetic actuator until predetermined stimuli are detected to cause the locking device(s) to release the slidable barrier, thereby arming the EFI or slapper detonator.

Abstract: A control method for detonators (1) fitted with an electronic ignition module (15). Each module (15) is associated with specific parameters including at least one identification parameter and one explosion delay time, and includes a firing capacitor and a rudimentary internal clock. The modules (15) are capable of establishing a dialogue with a firing control unit (17) fitted with a reference time basis. The identification parameters are stored in the modules using a programming unit (18); the specific parameters are stored in the firing control unit (17); for each successive module, its internal clock is calibrated using the firing control unit and the associated delay time is sent to the module; the modules are ordered to load the firing capacitors; and a firing order is sent to the modules using the firing control unit, triggering off eventual resetting of the internal clocks as well as a firing sequence.

Abstract: Shot having a lead or lead alloy core is sealed from the outside by at least one non-toxic layer which protects the environment from lead waste toxicity and which includes an abhorrent material to act as a repellant for preventing or deterring birds from ingesting or swallowing the shot.

Abstract: Prefabricated kit for producing a station platform which is variable in its dimensions, in which platform slabs (1) are laid on foundations (4) with interposition of spacer elements (3). The spacer elements (3) can be replaced without damaging the other construction elements (1, 3, 4). The platform slabs (1) may be arranged in various horizontal positions above the foundations (4) in order to compensate for horizontal differences in size in relation to the axis of the track.

Abstract: A toy racing car track system includes track sections with electrical power supply rails and connected end-to-end to form at least one lane for an electric toy car. The lane includes a gap having front and rear ends and a carriage supported for movement across the gap to convey the car across the gap under the momentum of the car and subsequently returning upon the car leaving the carriage. A retainer on the carriage retains the car in transit. A resetter resets the retainer. The gap is inclined at a small angle upwards in order for the carriage to return to by gravitational force.

Abstract: An interface between the end of a bolster and a side frame column for a three-piece railcar truck assembly is disclosed. The bolster and side frame have several pairs of facing stop surfaces at the interface. Each pair of facing stop surfaces are at two different spacings: one spacing is close, with a small gap between the stop surfaces; another spacing is greater than the first. The second spacing allows the side frame to pitch with respect to the bolster transverse axis. The bolster stop surfaces may be the lands inboard and outboard of the friction shoe pockets. The lands may be shaped so that there is a raised warp control portion or surface and one or more relief portions or surfaces, the warp control portion extending farther laterally than the relief portions. The warp control portion is used to maintain the truck in a square relationship, and the more loosely spaced relief portions allow for side frame articulation as the truck traverses track at different elevations.

Abstract: A portable lap table to be used by small children for travelling in a vehicle. The lap table includes a kidney shaped board surface, a center support structure, and the center support structure being arched and contoured to fit the user's thighs for comfort and stability. The table's top surface may have various recesses for holding crayons, drinks, and the like, a gutter for containing liquid spills, an outer lip to prevent objects from rolling off the surface, and handles for portability.

Abstract: A plastic pallet assembly having a load member with a flat load surface and a plurality of pillars depending therefrom wherein the pillars are shaped to conform to grooves in a plastic base member wherein the grooves are lined with an electromagnetic thermoplastic bonding material and thereafter subjected to an electromagnetic field to cause the thermoplastic electromagnetic bonding material to flow and subsequently set and secure the load and base members together thereby forming the plastic pallet assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pallet comprising first and second base parts (A1 and B1), each folded from pieces of corrugated, waterproof fiber material, for instance paper. Rectangular pieces (A, B) are cut from rolls of fiber material and the two base parts are made by notching and folding the pieces according to separate sequences. The first base part (A1) is put into the second base part (B1) and beams (31) on the second base part are folded in under the first base part and constitutes the feet of the pallet. The beams have longitudinal, v-shaped inner stiffeners (21, 22). All surfaces and points on the two base parts in contact with each other are glued and all open edges on ends and openings are provided with waterproof layers.

Abstract: A load platform has telescoping feet which provide a variable height opening for insertion of material handling equipment forks. The pallet has a deck having a top and a bottom, and a number of legs which are formed extending downwardly from the deck. Feet connected by stringers are slidably connected to the legs providing a variable height opening defined by the deck bottom, stringer, and adjacent legs and feet.

Abstract: A retrofit kit formed by pairs of telescoping legs and a tool anchoring platform for a collapsible leg structure for a metal bench including a T-shaped brace rod having one end of its stem pivotally connected to the underside of the bench and its other end extending between and lockingly engaged with the depending end portion of a pair of the legs. A strut, pivotally connected with the stem of the brace rod, is slidably engaged with a track bracket secured to the undersurface of the bench to limit downward movement of the brace rod with respect to the bench. Links connecting the legs to the strut collapse the legs to a folded position under the bench when the brace rod is manually released from the legs and moved toward the undersurface of the bench.

Abstract: A deadplate assembly for a section of an I.S. machine. The assembly includes a deadplate table onto which bottles made in the section will be periodically placed for cooling. A plenum having an annular top portion is located beneath the deadplate table and this annular top portion has an inner annular sealing surface. An annular seal is secured to the bottom surface of the deadplate table to establish a seal with the plenum. The deadplate table is supported on compressed springs supported by the plenum so that the vertical location of the deadplate table can be adjusted with the screws.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus, and method of operation, for controlling and suppressing the explosive destruction of munitions by detonation in an explosion chamber. The apparatus comprises a double-walled steel explosion chamber which is moved by wheeled carriage means to a desired location. Granular shock-damping silica sand is introduced into fillable cavities within the chamber walls, ceiling and floor prior to use. After use, the sand is removed to lighten the chamber prior to transport. The floor of the chamber is covered with granular shock-damping pea gravel which may be added before use and removed before further transport. A munition to be destroyed is placed within an open-topped steel fragmentation containment unit. Vaporizable plastic bags of energy-absorbing water are disposed about the munition in a spaced array. An array of vent pipes vents the chamber into manifolds leading to an expansion tank or scrubber for further cooling and environmental treatment of the explosion products.

Abstract: A method of combusting pulverized coal by mixing the pulverized coal and an oxidant gas to provide a pulverized coal-oxidant gas mixture and contacting the pulverized coal-oxidant gas mixture with a flame sufficiently hot to combust the mixture. An oxygen-containing gas is passed in contact with a dense ceramic membrane of metal oxide material having electron conductivity and oxygen ion conductivity that is gas-impervious until the oxygen concentration on one side of the membrane is not less than about 30% by volume. An oxidant gas with an oxygen concentration of not less than about 30% by volume and a CO2 concentration of not less than about 30% by volume and pulverized coal is contacted with a flame sufficiently hot to combust the mixture to produce heat and a flue gas. One dense ceramic membrane disclosed is selected from the group consisting of materials having formulae SrCo0.8Fe0.2Ox, SrCo0.5FeOx and La0.2Sr0.8Co0.4Fe0.6Ox.

Abstract: An equidistant planting system for accurately placing seeds in a furrow thereby providing increased crop yields. The inventive device includes a seed singulator device, a delivery tube extending from the singulator device, and a placement device connected to the delivery tube for dispersing the seed uniformly within the furrow. The placement device comprises a ring member, an opening within the lower portion of the ring member, a disk member rotatably positioned within the ring member, a mechanical drive for rotating the disk member, a cover attached to the ring member, a plurality of inner members attached to the disk member, and a corresponding plurality of guide members attached to the disk member adjacent the corresponding inner members.

Abstract: In an embroidery sewing machine, a value setting screen on a display indicates parametrical items about the movement of an embroidering frame, i.e., “sewable area” and “stand-by position”, as well as parametrical items about the sewing operation, i.e., “thread-breakage sensitivity” and “number of stitch-back stitches”. An operator enters or designates optimum values for those parametrical items by operating numerical keys and cursor moving keys on a keyboard, and registers a name to be assigned to a set of values for those parametrical items. The set of values for those parametrical items are stored in a floppy disk in relation to the registered name. By simply designating one of the registered names correspondingly to a material to be sewn, the optimum values for the parametrical items are retrieved simultaneously and set for the sewing operation.

Abstract: A device for receiving needlepoint embroidery includes a base, which includes a first layer of an elastic material, and a second layer of an elastic material underlying and coupled to the first layer. The second layer is thicker than the first layer to support the first layer and the second layer. A plurality of wedge type slots is defined by the first layer and the second layer for receiving the embroidery material. The slots are disposed in approximately parallel rows with adjacent rows of the slots staggered and overlapping with respect to each other. The device also includes a third layer of penetrable yieldable cellular material underlying and coupled to the second layer, and a fourth layer of substantially rigid material underlying and coupled to the third layer for supporting and protecting the third layer. A way for identifying the locations of the slots is provided.

Abstract: A method of producing fabric covers (19) is disclosed, in particular duvet covers or pillow cases, in which a length of fabric (7) with two longitudinal edges (10, 11) and two transverse edges (8, 9) is laid out flat, the opposing parts (14, 15) of a hook-and-loop tape then being fixed respectively to the two transverse edges (8, 9) at least in strips. The two transverse edges (8, 9) are then brought to lie against one another, the opposing parts (14, 15) of the hook-and-loop tape being aligned, and the superimposed areas of the two longitudinal edges (10, 12) are sewn together by means of ornamental seams (17, 18).

Abstract: A roller furling apparatus is disclosed having a bearing device configured to be rotatably fixed relative to a stay, a furler housing having an opening into which the stay extends and an end portion rotatably mounted on the bearing device such that the furler housing is rotatable with respect to the bearing device and the stay. The furling device further has a drive portion about which a line is coiled so as to rotate the furler housing and drum flanges mounted on the furler housing so as to rotate with the housing, the flanges being spaced apart and located at opposite ends of the drive portion. A line guard is slidably mounted on, and extends between the spaced apart drum flanges, the line guard extending around a major portion of the peripheries of the drum flanges. At least one support member is connected to the line guard and to the bearing device to hold the line guard in a stationary position as the furler housing and drum flanges rotate.

Abstract: A marine fouling prevention system comprises two conductive surfaces and a device that alternates the direction of electric current between the two surfaces. The current is caused to flow through sea water in which the two surfaces are submerged or partially submerged. A monitor measures the current flowing from one of the two conduction surfaces and compares it to the current flowing into the other conduction surface to assure that no leakage of current of substantial quantity exists. The system applies a low magnitude current density, of approximately 0.10 to 0.50 milliamperes per square foot, for an extended duration of time of approximately 10 to 20 minutes. By alternating current direction between the two surfaces, both surfaces can be provided with sufficient chlorine gas bubbles to prevent marine growth from attaching to the surfaces.

Abstract: A performance vee hull that can be made with conventional aluminum manufacturing techniques on a relatively economical basis. The hull uses the lift of a concave bow, the off-setting “hold down” of strakes without lift characteristics, the tracking and drag of a keel and an integrally formed off-set motor mount with a full transom to produce a “severe vee” hull configuration (10-15 degrees inclination per side, 20-30 degrees total vee shape). The hull has a curved, reverse or concave flared bow. A bottom surface of the hull terminates at a rear edge. Behind the rear edge is a set-back section. A transom extends across the rear of the boat, and is relatively flat all the way across. The set-back section extends rearwardly 4-8 inches from the transom and has a bottom surface that is above the bottom edge of the transom, about 3-6 inches.

Abstract: A portable inflatable floatation device for use as a backpack frame to maintain a standard backpack thereto for hiking, with the back pack frame being convertible into floatation device seat, foot rest, and outrigger pontoon mounting. Inflatable pontoons that are to be carried on or in the backpack and are inflated into long cylindrical pontoons at a water site, whereat, with the back pack frame converted to the water craft seat, the seat is attached to span across the pair of parallel inflated pontoons and the outrigger portions of which seat are positioned to rest on and are strapped onto tops of the inflated pontoons, with top and bottom sections of the frame, respectively, pivoted to form and seat back and to a planar attitude with a seat bottom as a foot rest, and straight narrow spacers are secured, as with straps, to the forward and rear pontoon ends completing the floatation device.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for depositing diamond film on a plurality of substrates, and includes: a plasma beam containing atomic hydrogen and a carbonaceous component, and a plurality of substrates, each of the substrates having a deposition surface, the substrates being arranged such that the beam impinges successively on a deposition surface of a first of the substrates and then on a deposition surface of a second of the substrates, the deposition surfaces of the first and second substrates being oriented with respect to each other at a non-zero angle.

Abstract: A processing system for processing a substrate with a plasma comprises a processing chamber defining a process space including a support structure for supporting a substrate within the process space. A gas inlet in the chamber introduces a process gas into the chamber and a showerhead positioned within the chamber disperses process gas from the inlet. A supply of electrical energy biases the showerhead to form a plasma with process gas dispersed by the showerhead. First and second electrical insulator elements are positioned between the showerhead and the processing chamber, and are operable to electrically insulate the showerhead from the processing chamber. The first and second electrical insulator elements each have a passage therethrough for passing a process gas from the gas inlet through the insulator element and the respective passages of the insulator elements are laterally spaced from each other.

Abstract: A reactor 20 includes a shield 50 which prevents the deposition of materials along a line-of-sight path from a wafer 26 toward and onto an electrode 32, or a window 38 which couples an electrode 32 to a reaction chamber of the reactor 20. The shield can be comprised of a conductor and/or an insulator. The shield can affect the character of a plasma generated in the reactor.

Abstract: The invention is a mattress, mat or bed for animals comprising a soft and comfortable mat which-contains aromatherapy herbs having volatile components which aid and enhance certain behaviors in cats and dogs when laid upon. The mat is constructed with layers of soft fiber filling material and herbs are arranged between the layers and an outer cover of the mat. Preferably the filling material are of such a nature as to aid in the confinement and control of the herb material, while allowing for the full effect of the mixture of the herbs to be obtained. The scent and volatile effects of the herbs are able to emerge through the layers of the filling material and be inhaled by the pet to render the desired behavior.

Abstract: A feeder assembly for birds or other animals having a pan member, a feeder tube defining a channel for receiving feed from a feed supply and defining a brood gate opening, a plurality of wing members having a plurality of fingers for adjustably engaging the feeder tube, and a cone member disposed about the feeder tube and slidably mounted to the plurality of wing members by a plurality of engaging arms. The cone member is adapted to slide relative to the feeder tube between a raised position to open the brood gate opening and a lowered position to close the brood gate opening. The pan member and an end of the cone member define a feed opening for permitting feed to pass from the feeder tube to the pan member for presentation. The feed opening can be adjusted in size either by adjusting the wing members relative to the pan member or by sliding and adjustably positioning the cone member relative to the feeder tube and the wing members.

Abstract: A floor mat for livestock, comprising a thermally bonded fiber mat layer having a surface hardness (Durometer hardness) of 60 to 98 by an F-type hardness tester and having a water permeability of not more than 120 seconds.

Abstract: A new and useful amusement device for an animal such as a horse is provided, which is designed to (i) occupy and amuse an animal such as a horse which is confined to an enclosure, (ii) condition the animal against an event such as a foreign object appearing in the enclosure, and (iii) enable the animal to exercise by playing in various ways with the device. The amusement device is designed to be rugged and durable enough to withstand environmental conditions of an animal enclosure such as a paddock or corral, and flexible enough to retain is shape despite the physical abuse associated with being played with by a horse.

Abstract: For achieving a high plant efficiency, a waste-heat steam generator, in particular for a combined-cycle power plant, has a number of heating surfaces heatable by a flue gas and carrying a medium to be heated. The steam generator can be operated at critical or supercritical pressures and has a once-through evaporator connected in countercurrent to the flue gas provided on a medium side. The evaporator is followed by a preheater and preceded by a superheater on a flue-gas side.

Abstract: The steam generator comprises a cylindrical outer jacket (2) arranged with its axis vertical, a bundle wrapper (4) arranged coaxially with respect to the outer jacket and a space (9) in which feed water can flow between the bundle wrapper (4) and the outer jacket (2) or a guide skirt (8, 8a). A water supply device (10) placed towards the top of the space (9) in which the feedwater flows comprises a torus-shaped manifold (12), the upper wall of which is traversed by a number of flow openings (18) distributed in the circumferential direction of the manifold (12). A feed pipe (13) opens into the manifold and the feedwater is guided by a guide device towards the annular flow space (9). Radial dividing walls (19a, 19b, 19c, 19d) are arranged transversely in a water flow space delimited between the manifold (12) and the guide device (14).

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a device for heating liquid feed for veal calves, although this device may have wider application. The present invention is a pre-heater system used to raise the temperature of liquid feed that is being pumped from cold storage to a mixing tank prior to being fed to an animal. Additionally, the present invention is arranged to independently supply heated water externally of the system.

Abstract: A tubesheet protector device is provided for use with a boiler having at least one tube for receiving a fluid extending therethrough. The tubes extend approximately perpendicularly from a tubesheet covering an inlet of the boiler. The tubesheet protector device includes insulating board mounted on the tubesheet having holes therein for receiving ferrules. Each ferrule includes a shank adapted to be received in one of the tubes and a polygon-headed collar coupled with the shank. Both the collar and the shank of the ferrule are wrapped in insulation. The collar has dimensions larger than the outside diameter of the tube, and the collar and the shank both have a common through bore for transporting fluid from outside the boiler to the interior of the tubes extending through the boiler.

Abstract: A two-stroke cycle engine having an improvement of its power output while reducing total hydrocarbons in the exhaust gases. The two-stroke cycle engine comprises a crank chamber adapted to receive a fuel mixture through feed means and a combustion chamber in a cylinder. Scavenging ports are provided for communication between the combustion chamber and the crank chamber to transfer the fuel mixture from the crank chamber to the combustion chamber while a exhaust port is provided for exhausting the burned gases from the combustion chamber. Reciprocation of the piston results in increase or decrease in volume of the combustion chamber while opening or closing the exhaust port and the scavenging ports. Communication means are provided for communicating the exhaust port with the crank chamber via the scavenging ports to draw a portion of the burned gases from the exhaust port into the crank chamber when the piston is in its top dead center.

Abstract: The reciprocating valve actuation and control system includes a poppet valve moveable between a first and second position; a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid; a hydraulic actuator including an actuator piston coupled to the poppet valve and reciprocating between a first and second position responsive to flow of the pressurized hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator; an electrically operated valve controlling flow of the pressurized hydraulic fluid to the actuator; and an engine computer that generates electrical pulses to control the electrically operated valve. The electrically operated valve preferably comprises a three path rotary latched magnetic motor actuating a rotary valve portion having a housing, a rotor, and a stator receiving and supplying hydraulic fluid pressure to the rotor, which alternately directs the hydraulic fluid pressure to the valve cylinder for opening of the valve, or to return to the engine oil sump, for closing the valve.

Abstract: A valve module that can be assembled to an internal combustion engine chamber. The valve module may have a first intake valve, a second intake valve, a third intake valve, a first exhaust valve and a second exhaust valve. The valves may be driven to an open position by hydraulically driven first pins. The exhaust valves may further have hydraulically driven second pins. The additional pins may increase the hydraulic forces which allow the exhaust valves to be opened even when there is a large pressure in the combustion chamber. The first pins of the exhaust valves may be controlled by a microprocessor controlled first control valve. The second pins may be controlled by a microprocessor controlled second control valve. The separate control valves and additional hydraulic force of the second pins may allow the microprocessor to open the exhaust valves at any point during a cycle of a combustion engine.

Abstract: A valve timing control device comprising, a cam shaft assembled within an engine, a rotational transmitting member having a concave portion, which is mounted around the cam shaft to rotate relative thereto within a predetermined range for transmitting a rotational power from a crank pulley, vanes provided on the cam shaft, fluid chambers formed between the cam shaft and the concave portion, which are separated into advancing and delaying chambers by the vanes, a fluid supplying means for supplying fluid under pressure to a selected one of the advancing and delaying chambers, and a stopper located between a radially inner portion of a side wall of the concave portion and the vane to restrict rotate relative between the rotational transmitting member and the cam shaft.

Abstract: A hydraulic apparatus for adjusting the timing of opening and closing of an engine valve includes a cam shaft driven to rotate in synchronization with the engine rotation. An actuator is installed on the cam shaft for changing the timing of opening and closing of an intake valve and/or exhaust valve using a control of a working oil supply. A slidable plunger is disposed in the actuator, and a rotor is disposed in the actuator to engage with the plunger by an engaging hole. A spring urges the plunger to move into the engaging hole to make an engagement therebetween when the engine is stopped, and when the engine begins to run, the working oil is supplied into the engaging hole to push out the plunger from the engaging hole to release the engagement between a housing of the actuator and the rotor. The engaging hole and the plunger have a surface parallel with a slide direction of the plunger, and a clearance therebetween is smaller than 0.17 mm when the engaging hole and plunger engage each other.

Abstract: Since conventionally the chip seal 14, 16 and the metallic blade spring 15, 17 have been formed separately, assembly efficiency has been poor (for example when the chip seal 14, 16 is inserted, the metallic blade spring 15, 17 detaches and falls out) which lowers productivity. As a result, the cross sectional shape of the chip seal 21 which pushes against the rotor 13 is made in the shape of a letter L.

Abstract: A push rod operated multi-valve V-type engine particularly adapted for use in motorcycles or like vehicles and which engine is air cooled. The engine employs a very simplified construction and overhead valve actuating mechanism utilizing push rods. The push rods are contained within push rod tubes formed at one side of the engine that provide a neat appearance and ease of servicing without adversely affecting the air cooling. A composite cylinder head construction is employed, as well as an improved and simplified lubricating system for the pair of driven camshafts. Furthermore, a decompression system is incorporated in the valve actuating mechanism so as to facilitate starting.

Abstract: An in-cylinder direct-injection spark-ignition engine using at least a homogeneous combustion mode and a stratified combustion mode and equipped with a pentroof combustion chamber head having first and second shallow-angled surfaces, comprises intake valves disposed in the first shallow-angled surface, exhaust valves disposed in the second shallow-angled surface. A pair of substantially straight intake ports are formed in the cylinder head. A tumble-and-swirl control valve is disposed in a first intake port of the substantially straight intake ports for adjusting the amount of intake air passing through the first intake port.

Abstract: A compression-ignition type engine in which first fuel of an amount of not more than 30 percent of the maximum amount of fuel is injected in an injection timing region from about 90 degrees to about 20 degrees before top dead center of the compression stroke, then second fuel is injected at substantially top dead center of the compression stroke. When the intensity of engine vibration becomes larger, the first injection amount is made to be reduced.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine assembly including an internal combustion engine including an engine block having at lest one cylinder, a piston mounted within the cylinder for reciprocal movement in the cylinder, a fuel injector for injecting fuel into the cylinder, the fuel injector initiating a fuel injection event at a predetermined time and a circuit for generating a spark in the cylinder a predetermined amount of time after the injection event to cause combustion of fuel in the cylinder.

Abstract: A cylinder head has an intake port with an intake valve for selectively closing the intake port at an end thereof at an intake valve seat. The intake port has a substantially circular cross section in an area adjacent the intake valve seat. The intake port cross section transitions from the substantially circular cross-section at the intake valve seat, into a substantially oblong cross-section.

Abstract: In an in-cylinder injection internal combustion engine which is placed in a selected one of a compression stroke injection mode in which fuel injection is conducted during a compression stroke, and a suction stroke injection mode in which fuel injection is conducted during a suction stroke, depending upon operating conditions of the engine, a fuel control device cut a fuel to be supplied to a combustion chamber of the engine when a certain fuel cut condition set depending upon the operating conditions of the engine is established, and resumes fuel injection in a compression stroke injection mode when a predetermined fuel cut return condition is established. In this fuel control device, when the fully closed state of a throttle valve is detected by an idle switch, or the engine speed is reduced by a large degree, the fuel injection is resumed in an intake stroke injection mode upon return from the fuel cut, so as to prevent undershoot of the engine speed.

Abstract: A cylinder head for a four-cycle internal combustion engine with improved intake port and combustion chamber configuration. The physical shape of the intake port and combustion chamber directs the flow of the incoming air/fuel mixture in a swirl path, which is directed toward the spark plug. In particular, the intake port has a fin at its terminal opening into the combustion chamber. The fin creates a swirling motion in the incoming gasses and also directs the flow of the gasses toward the spark plug. As a result, a greater percentage of the intake charge is in close proximity to the center of the combustion chamber and the spark plug, and hence combustion occurs faster and more completely. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the portion of the cylinder head that forms the upper surface of the combustion chamber, includes a shear ledge that further acts to direct the flow of the incoming gasses toward the sparkplug.

Abstract: A computer-implemented apparatus and method for inferring power steering load and for controlling airflow to an engine of a vehicle having an engine speed. A sensor which is connected to the engine senses the engine speed of the engine. An engine speed reference data table stores at least one engine reference speed, and a reference comparator module which is connected to the sensor and to the reference data table performs a comparison between the sensed engine speed and the engine reference speed. The airflow to the engine is controlled based upon the comparison.

Abstract: A fail-safe system for an internal combustion engine mounted on an automotive vehicle. The fail-safe system comprises a device for causing the engine to generate an engine power output. A detector is provided to detect an operational condition of the causing device so as to generate a detection signal representative of the operational condition.