Abstract: A friction damper includes: a hollow cylindrical member with a bottom; a movable member disposed in said hollow cylindrical member in such a manner as to be movable in an axial direction of said hollow cylindrical member but immovable about an axis of said hollow cylindrical member; a coil spring disposed between said movable member and the bottom of said hollow cylindrical member, one end of said coil spring abutting against the bottom of said hollow cylindrical member and another end thereof abutting against said movable member; a rotating member disposed in said hollow cylindrical member in such a manner as to oppose said movable member and to be relatively rotatable about the axis of said hollow cylindrical member; and a frictionally-resisting-force generating mechanism for generating a frictionally resisting force to the relative rotation of said rotating member with respect to said hollow cylindrical member, and for causing said movable member to move away from said rotating member in the axial directio

Abstract: A gear reducer housing includes rotating assembly supports in a housing shell, and fixturing pads disposed about the periphery of the housing shell. The fixturing supports are formed in the casting blank from which the housing shell is machined. The pads permit the shell blank to be fixtured once for machining of various features of the final shell. The pads may be formed in a peripheral flange and the flange may be machined around the pads to form a sealing surface. Apertures may be provided in the flange to facilitate assembly of the gear reducer. The apertures and fixturing pads may be provided in mirror image locations about a centerline of the housing. The apertures may be slotted, with major axes of mirror image-located apertures having transverse major axes, such that inherent tolerance is provided for positioning fasteners used to assemble the product.

Abstract: A torque converter 1 equipped with a lockup device 8 is provided to secure sufficient space in the axial direction for the damper in a hydraulic torque transmitting device provided with a lockup device having a damper. Lockup device 8 is disposed between a front cover 4 and a turbine 6. Lockup device 8 has a clutch mechanism 31 for mechanically coupling front cover 4 and turbine 6 and a damper mechanism 32 for absorbing and attenuating torsional vibrations. In the vicinity of its outlet, turbine 6 has a linearly shaped part 62 that is aligned with damper mechanism 32. As a result, the axial dimensions of torsion springs 52 can be enlarged.

Abstract: An improved vibration attenuator for reducing undesired vibrations generated by cutter bits being drawn across the faces of a rotating brake rotor. The attenuator has friction pads with engagement members that extend therefrom which are configured to cause force to be exerted on the sides of fasteners that affix the cutter bits to the cutter arms in a direction parallel to the surface being machined and perpendicular to the direction of rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: A device (1) for cutting potatoes (5) or other vegetables into slices or sticks, comprising a cutting member (2) with a supply tube (3) and a discharge tube (4) connected thereto. The device is designed for moving potatoes (5), by a water stream supplied by the supply tube (3), through the cutting member (2) and discharging them again via the discharge tube (4). In the cutting member (2), a number of knives (9) are arranged. The cutting member comprises a number of segments (6) held together by a casing (11), each segment having an opening (20) which together form a passage for the water stream, while in each opening (20) one or more knives (9, 10) may be provided.

Abstract: Punch machine 30 has a plurality of punches 52, 53 and dies 54, 61 for punching a hole out of a sheet, a driving means 35 for reciprocating in a direction intersecting with respect to the punch by the driving force of driving source 33, and cam mechanisms 44, 84, 94, 62, 69 for changing the motion of the driving means into the movement direction of the punch so as to transmit to the punch between the punch and the driving means. A plurality of punches are divided into first group and second group. The cam mechanism provided between each punch of the first group and the driving means moves each punch 52 by the motion operation of the driving means in a first direction, and the cam mechanism provided between each punch of the second group and the driving means moves each punch 53 by the motion operation of the driving means in a second direction. Different pattern of punching is respectively possible by the first and second groups of punches.

Abstract: A punch unit (1) is provided with: a punch (2), which is reciprocally driven in a punching operation; and, a die (3), which cooperates with the punch (2) in punching a hole in a soft metal sheet (i.e., workpiece not shown). In this punch unit (1): punch guides (12, 13a) and the die (3) are integrally formed into a punch block (11); and a radial clearance between the punch (2) and the die (3) is set at a value of from 4 to 15 % of a thickness of the soft metal sheet to be punched; and, the punch unit (1) is further provided with a sheet hold-down means (5) the sheet hold-down means (5) functioning to hold down the soft metal sheet when the soft metal sheet is punched.

Abstract: A stringed instrument such as a contrabass uses a height-adjustable bridge assembly for supporting strings under tension with a desired height, which is manually adjusted by a human operator. The bridge assembly is mainly constructed by a bridge whose lower end portion is forked to form a pair of legs and a pair of height-adjustment members, each of which is constructed by a screw rod and a foot. The legs of the bridge are respectively assembled together with the height-adjustment members being held inside of a hollow which is formed at a prescribed position and elongated in a direction roughly perpendicular to the strings being stretched on a belly of the stringed instrument. Herein, each leg has a hole formed with an internal thread which engages with an upper portion of the screw rod whose lower portion is buried in the foot which is held inside of the hollow in a free rotation manner.

Abstract: A music box plays music or another pleasant sound only when the lid is opened. The music is stored in a memory device. This can allow for a selection of various songs or sounds, as well as selections of longer duration than typically found in standard mechanical music boxes. Likewise, the output from this memory device is triggered by a light sensitive sensor. The sensor can be located on either the box or its lid, but it is located so that it is obscured from light when the lid is closed.

Abstract: A sensing device is constructed by a sensor case which is attached to a bottom surface of a footwear (e.g., sole of a shoe) and which contains a piezoelectric sensor, a sensor fixing member, a disc plate pressure member and an annular elastic member. The sensor fixing member has elastic deformability so that the sensor fixing member is located to face with the disc plate pressure member with an air gap in which the sensor fixing member is capable of deforming within a limit of elasticity thereof. Thus, it is possible to perform musical tone control in response to an output of the piezoelectric sensor when a foot motion is applied to the footwear. In addition, a musical tone control apparatus of a percussion instrument type is constructed using a pad unit stored in a pad storage portion of an upper case. Herein, the pad unit is constructed by a pad skin unit and a sensing unit.

Abstract: A reproducing system is produced for reproducing music recorded on a digital disc, and a rotating dial is provided to be rotated by a user. A rotating condition of the rotating dial is detected and reproduced music is processed in accordance with a detected rotating condition.

Abstract: A hydraulic-pressure counter-force mechanism 37 which produces a counter force when a brake booster is operated is made up of an input-side member 38 slidable disposed within a valve body 3, a second constant-pressure chamber 39 formed on the rear side of the input-side member and into which a pressure is introduced from a constant pressure chamber A, and a second constant-pressure chamber 39 formed on the front side of the input-side member and into which a pressure is introduced from a variable pressure chamber B. The counter force from the hydraulic-pressure counter-force mechanism 37 is reduced by an orifice passage 43 as counter-force reducing means in rapid operation for brake.

Abstract: A method of operating an electrostatic precipitator (7) comprises feeding the precipitator with electric power generated by a power supply (10) according to a regime adapted to impart between the precipitator electrodes a voltage having a DC components and an AC component. A control unit (8) measures the electrode voltage, establishes a voltage peak value and a voltage mean value, and computes the product of peak value by mean value to arrive at an index of expected performance (IEP) . Operating set points are tuned so as to maximize this index of expected performance.

Abstract: A compression machine (compressor 4 and/or pump 5) of the plant (1) for the treatment of a fluid, typically by pressure swing adsorption, comprises at least one detector (7) for detecting clearance between a moving part (6) and a stator and delivering a measurement signal used so as to vary, depending on this measurement, the operation of the plant and especially to automatically shorten the phases during which the machine is running at an excessively high speed.

Abstract: In a beverage extracting apparatus (10) for extracting a beverage by pouring hot water into a cartridge (1) charged with a powdery material, an open receptacle (12) is interposed between a hot water tank (11) and a hot water pump (13). The open receptacle is open to ambient air and connected to the hot water tank to be supplied with the hot water from the hot water tank. The hot water pump is connected to the open receptacle and carries out a hot water supplying operation of sucking the hot water in the open receptacle and supplying the hot water into the cartridge.

Abstract: Automatic espresso coffee dispensing unit comprising hot water delivery means (2) and, for containing coffee powder or a capsule, a compartment (47, 152) to be moved into sealed relationship against said delivery means, said compartment being in the form of a cylindrical jacket (73, 41) rigid with a movable hollow body (7, 40) which is sealedly mounted on a fixed hollow body (5, 50) to create a variable volume chamber connected via a two- or three-way valve alternately to a pressurized water source and to discharge.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for separating and delivering, orderly positioned, stiff folded baked products, such as taco shells, from a first conveyor (1), the baked products on said first conveyor resting on carrier means (6), which are preferably adapted to the shape of the baked products, a relative motion being imparted to the respective baked products (12) in relation to the associated carrier means (6) by a separating means (13) being brought into contact with the baked product, preferably from below, to separate the baked product from the carrier means before it is delivered to a delivery station. According to the invention, the respective baked products (12) are separated from the associated carrier means (6) by the baked product being caused to slide, during its transport motion (7), towards a surface portion (14) of the separating means (13), which surface portion is inclined relative to the transport motion of the carrier means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a peeling element (10, 11) having a rod-like shape and being attached to means for rotating the peeling element around a rotation axis (3) and comprising peeling means on an outer surface. To allow a product to be peeled in a single peeling device, on a first part (1) of said peeling element (10, 11) said outer surface comprises a rough scraping surface, and on a second part (2) of said peeling element (10, 11) at least one cutting means (4).

Abstract: A screw press provided with a rear excess fluid outlet is described herein. The rear excess fluid outlet includes a circular screen provided at a longitudinal end of the screw press body, near a material inlet. Scraper blade assemblies are provided to prevent the screen from clogging. The efficiency of excess fluid removal is thereby increased by the increased screen surface near the material inlet of the screw press.

Abstract: A printer for printing a viscous material at predetermined positions forming a pattern on a substrate. The printer includes a frame, a device, mounted to the frame, having a number of perforations arranged to form the pattern, a support apparatus, coupled to the frame, that supports the substrate in a printing position beneath the device, and a material dispenser. The material dispenser has a chamber to contain the viscous material to be printed on the substrate. The chamber has an opening through which the viscous material is dispensed. The material dispenser is coupled to the frame, positioned over the device, and constructed and arranged to dispense the viscous material through the perforations in the device and onto the substrate. The material dispenser has a retraction device that prevents leakage of the viscous material from the opening after dispensing is complete.

Abstract: A printing method and system which includes at least one printing apparatus is provided. Each printing apparatus includes a printing member for selectively receiving ink into an ink receptive portion, the ink receptive portion includes a plurality of ink receptive dots forming a pattern in a desired resolution and an ink repelling portion, the ink repelling portion includes the entire area of the printing member except the ink receptive dots. Each printing apparatus includes at least one printing unit, preferably but not necessarily an ink-jet printing unit, the printing unit for applying ink onto the printing member in accordance with a pattern representing an image to be printed, thereby forming an ink image on a portion of the ink receptive dots, and a transfer system for transferring the ink image onto a printing substrate.

Abstract: A flexographic printing machine for extensible webs like synthetic resin foil webs has a tension-measuring or length-measuring arrangement along the path through the multiplicity of printing units so as to control a web-drawing device at the downstream side of the path to ensure registry of the imprints or impressions produced by the printing units.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide a sheet guide unit for a sheet-fed press which will prevent the sheet from flapping or fluttering, and allow sheets of thinner paper to be conveyed smoothly even when a skeleton cylinder, which is better suited to thicker papers, for preventing the air streams exiting from both ends of the sheet guide surface from colliding with the frame and causing turbulence. The sheet guide unit according to this invention is provided under an intermediate cylinder or a delivery cylinder, and separated from the cylinders by a small sheet guide space for guiding the sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for maintaining a minimum amount of ink in an ink fountain (10) of a printing press includes an ink fountain level sensor (28) and ink dispenser (26) mounted on a carriage (30) for lateral movement on a track (32) across the ink fountain. The carriage traverses the ink fountain. When the ink in the fountain develops a spot below a preset minimum level, a preset amount of ink is immediately dispensed upon detection of the low spot by the sensor.

Abstract: An inking device for feeding ink that is fed to an ink rail to a printing plate on a plate cylinder via a group of rollers that are sequentially in contact with each other, comprising a first roller part of the outer periphery of which faces an ink feeding surface of the ink rail, a second roller that is disposed downstream of the first roller in the ink feeding process and in contact with the outer periphery of the first roller on the downstream side in the rotating direction from the position at which the first roller faces the ink feeding surface of the ink rail, a third roller that is in contact with the first roller on the downstream side in the rotating direction from the position at which the second roller comes in contact with the outer periphery of the first roller, and a fourth roller that is in contact with the outer peripheries of the second and third rollers and blocks the front side in the rotating direction of the first and second rollers at the position where the first and second rollers are i

Abstract: An apparatus and method for maintaining a minimum amount of ink in an ink fountain (10) of a printing press includes an ink fountain level sensor (28) and ink dispenser (26) mounted on a carriage (30) for lateral movement on a track (32) across the ink fountain. The carriage traverses the ink fountain. When the ink in the fountain develops a spot below a preset minimum level, a preset amount of ink is immediately dispensed upon detection of the low spot by the sensor.

Abstract: A pressure switch 302 is set in communication with suction cups 124 of a suction adherence conveying device 109 applied to an automatic exposure device. Further, a suction fan 126, which can approach and move away from a photopolymer plate 102 or an interleaf sheet 118 accommodated within a magazine 208, is set integrally with the suction cups 124. By utilizing the fact that degrees of vacuum of the suction cups 124 differ in accordance with materials to be suction-adhered, determination of a material to be suction-adhered is performed based on output signals of the pressure switch 302.

Abstract: A transportation system for transporting a load into and out of a serviced area. The transportation system comprises near and far support lines and a cross support line suspended from the near and far support lines. A trolley assembly traverses the cross support line, and the trolley assembly is adapted to carry the load from the area to harvested. A transfer track may be used to allow the trolley to traverse the near and/or far support lines.

Abstract: An anticorrosive agent containing, as essential components, (a) urea or a urea derivative and (b) a hydroxy aromatic compound.

Abstract: The invention concerns compositions containing essentially amorphous cellulose nanofibrils, carboxyl cellulose with a degree of substitution not more than o.95 as additive, and optionally at least one co-additive, the content in additive and optional co-additive being less than 30 wt. % relative to the weight of nanofibrils and additive and optional co-additive. The invention also concerns a method for preparing such compositions, consistin in adding to a substantially amorphous nanofibril suspension, the additive and optionally the co-additive(s), then in drying the suspension thus additivated. The resulting compositions are easily redispersable and preserve all their rheological properties.

Abstract: A tubular formed body defining a longitudinal axis and made of several layers of rolled-up lined corrugated cardboard having flutes extending in a direction of the longitudinal axis, wherein at least some of adjoining one of the layers are securely connected to one another through a positive engagement.

Abstract: A double chain stitch is made has by first pushing a needle carrying a needle thread down through goods to be seamed to form below a lower face of the goods a needle-thread loop and then passing a looper carrying a looper thread transversely to a stitching direction parallel to the face through the loop below the lower face to pass the looper thread through the needle-thread loop. Then the looper thread and needle-thread loop are gathered on an element below the lower face and the element is moved with the gathered needle and looper threads away from the needle and looper generally parallel to the face while advancing the goods in the direction to form with the needle-thread loop and looper thread a window. Thereafter the needle is again passed through the window and the gathered needle and looper threads are released from the element so that they engage around the most recently formed needle loop. The steps are then repeated.

Abstract: In the single crystal SiC according to the invention, heat treatment is performed in an inert gas atmosphere under a state where a cutting plane of a single crystal &agr;-SiC substrate which is produced in a plate-like form by cutting along (1 1 {overscore (2)} 0) Miller index plane ±10°, and (2 2 0) Miller index plane of a polycrystalline &bgr;-SiC plate are superimposed on each other, whereby single crystal having a crystal orientation of an orientation of the cutting plane is integrally grown in the polycrystalline &bgr;-SiC plate in conformity with the single crystal &agr;-SiC substrate. According to this configuration, single crystal SiC of very high quality is obtained to which influence of micropipes of the single crystal &agr;-SiC substrate is not transferred, thereby preventing distortion and micropipe defects from occurring.

Abstract: The invention provides a crystallization apparatus that includes an agitation tank, a liquid circulation means for circulating a liquid or a slurry along a wall of the agitation tank, and one or more temperature difference creation means capable of creating a temperature difference at the wall of the agitation tank, wherein the temperature difference creation means is installed to the agitation tank. The temperature difference creation means is, for example, arranged at a region where liquid or slurry spouted by rotating the liquid spouting device contacts the wall of the agitation tank or a region below that region, and which increases or decreases the temperature of the spouted liquid or slurry compared to the temperature of surrounding liquid or slurry. Since the apparatus with this configuration has a large vaporization area and a large heat transfer area, the induction period for crystal generation can be shortened, and crystals with narrow size distribution and large size can be obtained.

Abstract: A glass sealer spray system for vehicle, the system comprising: an air controller; a sealer spray frame mounted with the air controller at one side thereof; glass contact rollers each mounted at left and right side of the sealer spray frame; a spray nozzle unit movably mounted at the sealer spray frame which is a midsection of the glass contact roller; a glass press roller unit rotated by power transmitted to one side of the spray nozzle; and a variable motor unit disposed underneath the sealer spray frame for transmitting power to the glass press roller unit.

Abstract: A can component (3) is coated with a coating material (2) in a manner which involves determining the number of can components to which the coating material is applied, determining the total amount of coating material applied to the can components, and determining, on the basis of the number of can components and the total amount of coating material applied, the average amount of coating material applied to each can component. In this way it is possible to determine whether the correct amount of coating is being applied to the can components.

Abstract: A chemical vapor deposition apparatus comprising: a reaction chamber for defining an enclosed space; a pedestal arranged within the reaction chamber on which a substrate is settled; heater means arranged within the pedestal for heating the substrate; a gas inlet for introducing gas into the reaction chamber; a gas outlet for exhausting gas from the reaction chamber; and a gas injector extended from the end of the gas inlet, wherein the gas injector has a hollow side wall so that a heat exchanging medium can flow through the side wall, and inlet and outlet ports arranged in the outside of the sidewall, each of the inlet and outlet ports communicating with the inside of the side wall. Here, the outlet port is arranged higher than the inlet port.

Abstract: A linear aperture deposition apparatus and process are provided for coating substrates with sublimed or evaporated coating materials. The apparatus and process are particularly suited for producing flexible films having an optical interference coating with a very high surface thickness uniformity and which is substantially free of defects from particulate ejection of a source material. The apparatus includes a source box containing a source material, a heating element to sublime or evaporate the source material, and a chimney to direct the source material vapor from the source box to a substrate. A flow restricting baffle having a plurality of holes is positioned between the source material and the substrate to confine and direct the vapor flow, and an optional floating baffle is positioned on the surface of the source material to further restrict the vapor flow, thereby substantially eliminating source material spatter.

Abstract: On the top wall of a processing vessel 1 of a plasma processing system, a transmission window 10 capable of transmitting microwaves is provided. On the top of the transmission window 10, a microwave antenna 2 is mounted. Microwaves are supplied from a microwave supply source 3 to the antenna 2 through a connecting waveguide 4. The antenna 2 has two ring-shaped antenna waveguides 5a and 5b which are substantially concentrically arranged. Each of the antenna waveguides 5a and 5b comprises a rectangular waveguide having a bottom wall in which a plurality of slots 6a and 6b are formed at intervals, and the proximal end portion of each of the antenna waveguides 5a and 5b is connected to the connecting waveguide 4. The proximal end portions 7a and 7b of the antenna waveguides 5a and 5b are provided with control gates 9a and 9b for varying the size of apertures, respectively.

Abstract: A processing station adaptable to standard cluster tools has a vertically-translatable pedestal having an upper wafer-support surface including a heater plate adapted to be plugged into a unique feedthrough in the pedestal. At a lower position for the pedestal wafers may be transferred to and from the processing station, and at an upper position for the pedestal the pedestal forms an annular pumping passage with a lower circular opening in a processing chamber. A removable, replaceable ring at the lower opening of the processing chamber allows process pumping speed to be tailored for different processes by replacing the ring. In some embodiments the pedestal also has a surrounding shroud defining an annular pumping passage around the pedestal. A unique two-zone heater plate is adapted to the top of the pedestal, and connects to a unique feedthrough allowing heater plates to be quickly and simply replaced.

Abstract: An animal feeder has a hopper for storing pieces of food. The bottom of the hopper has an opening accessible by an animal. The opening is smaller than a piece of food, but large enough for the animal to gnaw the food through the opening. The hopper has a surface adjacent the opening, to receive fallen gnawed food and hold the fallen gnawed food in a position accessible by the animal for eating. The hopper engages a mounting bracket. The bracket is directly attachable to the animal's cage. The bracket has a lip which partially covers the receiving surface of the hopper to physically limit the animal from leaning on the hopper and to prevent the hopper from tipping back so far that it falls off the conical mount. A conical bottom surface is attached to the hopper. The conical bottom surface seats on a conical mount. The conical mount transmits a downward force from the conical bottom surface to a sensor, but does not transmit an upward force or moment to the sensor.

Abstract: A brush handle is formed with a continuously arched upper surface portion and a lower surface portion separated into two arched portions by a humped semi-circular ridge. One of the lower arched portions forms a trigger grip for a single finger held in either a forehand or backhand grip. The handle is preferably covered with a high friction material in the form of a contoured rubber or elastomeric sleeve which is stretched over a complimentarily contoured molded plastic handle.

Abstract: A gas water heater including a water container adapted to be heated by a gas burner; and an enclosure surrounding the burner, the enclosure having at least one entryway adapted to allow air and fumes to enter the enclosure without igniting flammable gases or vapors outside of the enclosure.

Abstract: An engine generator has an engine and a muffler driven by the engine, both protected by an engine cover. The engine cover has a double-wall structure of an outer wall that protects the engine generator, an inner wall that forms a space for containing the engine and used as a cooling-air passage through which the engine and the muffler are cooled, and a hollow inner space formed between the outer and the inner walls.

Abstract: This invention concerns a two-stroke cycle engine, more specially it concerns a two-stroke cycle engine using a preceding air-layer for scavenging. It has a scavenger passage connected to a branching scavenger passage opened to said scavenging port. The engine has a connecting passage to link the air passage and the fuel passages so that negative pressure in the air passage forces the fuel-air mixture in the fuel passage into said air passage. Further, the engine according to this invention has a removable guide with a surface forming a curved smooth channel which is attachable to the scavenger passage in the crankcase from the mounting surface, and forms a portion of said scavenger passage with the curved channel. The blow-up angle of the scavenger passage varies along the circumferential direction of the cylinder.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for controlling HC in exhaust, with Schnuerle type 2-cycle engine. When piston reaches near dead center point, the ends of the channel at the bottom end of piston reach from outlet ports and No. 1 transfer ports, and exhaust gas from outlet ports moves to the top of No. 1 transfer ports, and there a specified amount is kept. With scavenging, the pair of No. 1 transfer ports open first to combustion chamber, and the exhaust gas is introduced to combustion chamber, after which the pair of No. 2 transfer ports is opened to combustion chamber, and the air-fuel mixture is introduced to combustion chamber. Exhaust gas first introduced from No. 1 transfer ports creates a reverse eddy, and there is scavenging within combustion chamber, purging gas as it is into exhaust port. Air-fuel mixture introduced later from No. 2 transfer ports is limited in purging, and is kept in combustion chamber.

Abstract: In a device for operating a gas exchange valve of an internal combustion engine having an electromagnetic actuator including a valve opening magnet and a valve closing magnet, between which there is arranged an armature which, together with an opening spring, engages a valve stem against the force of a closing spring, and a hydraulic play-compensating element is arranged in the valve operating force transmission structure, the hydraulic play-compensating element is installed in the transmission structure together with a mechanical adjusting element providing for minimal valve play when the engine is shut down.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lock mechanism for a valve timing regulation device which regulates the timing of the opening and closing of engine valves, the lock mechanism locks or releases a first rotating body and a second rotating body in response to the operational condition of an engine. The lock mechanism includes a radial groove 32 provided in either the first rotating body 21 or the second rotating body 24 and extending in a radial direction of the rotating body. A locking member 35 is slidably inserted into the radial groove 32, and the locking member is urged towards a center of the rotating body by an urging means 36. An oil pressure is applied to the locking member 35 in a direction opposite to the urging direction.

Abstract: A portable, combustion-engined tool including a combustion chamber (1), a piston (8) adjoining the combustion chamber (1), with a pressure build-up in the combustion chamber (1) providing for movement of the piston (8) from its initial position, in which the piston adjoins the combustion chamber (1), away from the combustion chamber (1), a brake device (43) for retaining the piston (8) substantially in its initial position during build-up of pressure in the combustion chamber (1), and elements for changing a braking force applied to piston (8).

Abstract: In an engine control apparatus for a multicylinder engine including an injection pulse width-setting unit for setting an injection pulse width for an injection valve situated in each cylinder based on signals output from an engine operational condition-detection system situated in a vehicle; the injection pulse width-setting unit includes an engine starting injection pulse-setting unit for setting an injection pulse width for each cylinder in the engine starting operation, and the engine starting injection pulse-setting unit includes an injection pulse width-correction unit for determining a correction coefficient to a basic injection pulse width, for each cylinder at each cycle.