Abstract: A residual amount in the discharged stencil sheet box is displayed, a superior compression is performed against the discharged stencil sheet and many stencil sheets can be stored in the box. When the perforated stencil sheet 22 transferred by the feeding means 41 into the discharged stencil sheet box 42 is compressed by the discharged stencil sheet compression plate 43, the encoder 50 is utilized for detecting moving amount and compression force of the plate 43. When the pulse width of the pulse generated from the encoder 50 becomes a predetermined value, it is discriminated that the compression force with the plate 43 reaches a desired value, and the compression motor 44 is stopped. The number of pulses generated by the encoder 50 is counted to detect the moving position of the plate 43 and the residual amount in the box 42 is displayed in response to the moving position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a center-cut blasting method for tunnel excavation. The center-cut blasting method includes the step of drilling a single central center-cut hole at the center of a center-cut region, drilling a plurality of auxiliary center-cut holes comprised of large unloaded auxiliary holes and loaded auxiliary holes that are alternately arranged around the central center-cut hole to be situated in a circle having a predetermined diameter, and drilling a plurality of spreader center-cut holes outside the auxiliary center-cut holes to be situated in concentric circles centered by the central center-cut hole. Thereafter, the center-cut holes are loaded with delay detonators and explosives and the center-cut holes are stemmed with stemming material at their entrances. The loaded auxiliary holes of the auxiliary center-cut holes are blasted so as to create a circular pre-split. After that, the central center-cut hole is blasted so as to create initial dual free surfaces.

Abstract: The invention provides a combination of a gun having a barrel and propellant means for launching a projectile from the barrel; and a non-lethal projectile;

Abstract: A door system for a railway car which provides for both high and low level access. The door system comprises a sliding door, a platform displaceable between raised and lowered positions for respectively clearing and covering the stairwell of the railway car, and a threshold extending laterally outwardly of the sliding door to provide a continuation of the platform when displaced to its lowered position. The threshold is releasably connected to the sliding door for co-linear movement with the sliding door when the platform is raised, while remaining stationary in a functional position when the platform is lowered for enabling high level boarding.

Abstract: Provided are aqueous pigment ink sets for color inkjet recording which solve the degeneration of the color balance of printed matter. One aqueous pigment ink set includes yellow ink, cyanide ink, and magenta ink, wherein the sedimentary degree of yellow ink is 40% or less, the sedimentary degree of cyanide ink is 30% or less, and the sedimentary degree of magenta ink is 15% or less.

Abstract: A reversible thermosensitive coloring composition including an electron donating coloring agent and an electron accepting color developer, wherein the composition achieves a colored state when heated at a temperature not lower than a coloring temperature and then cooled at a cooling speed (a), and the composition in the colored state achieves a non-colored state when heated at a temperature lower than the coloring temperature and not lower than an erasing temperature, or when heated at a temperature not lower than the coloring temperature and then cooled relatively slowly compared to the cooling speed (a), and wherein the electron accepting color developer includes a phenolic compound having the following formula (1): 1

Abstract: There is provided an ink composition which can realize good images, especially an ink composition which, when used in an ink jet recording method, can be stably ejected and can realize good image quality. The ink composition comprises: a colorant; water; a water soluble organic solvent; and a mixture of saccharides, wherein the mixture of saccharides comprises a monosaccharide and/or a derivative thereof, a disaccharide and/or a derivative thereof, and a tri or higher polysaccharide and/or a derivative thereof.

Abstract: A pallet made up of a first base part which is attached to a second base part. The first base part is formed by a first sheet, which has a first fold line symmetrical to a first sheet center line. The first sheet is further divided by thirteen fold lines on each side of the first fold line. The first sheet, when folded at the fold lines, forms the first base part. The second sheet has seven symmetrical fold lines on each side of a second sheet center line. The second sheet, when folded along the fold lines, forms the second base part. To assemble the pallet, the first sheet is folded along the thirteen lines on each side of and symmetric to the first sheet center line, and on the center line, the second sheet is folded along the seven lines on each side of and symmetric to the second sheet center line, and the folded first sheet is attached to the folded second sheet to form the pallet.

Abstract: The Invention relates to a novel safety system for road vehicles and is characterized by a data safe which is housed in the motor vehicle with a receptacle for at least one data medium for personal data of the motor vehicle user.

Abstract: A system for combusting difficult to combust fluid such as waste fluid wherein fuel and gaseous oxidant combust in a hot combustion gas chamber to form a hot combustion gas mixture which is accelerated to a high speed and at a steady, i.e. non-pulsing, flow is then used to atomize and then combust the fluid.

Abstract: When a trace mode is started, a needle and a presser foot are moved relative to an embroidery frame. When a STOP key is pressed, moving is temporarily stopped, and the operator can visually check a positional relationship between the needle and the embroidery frame. When it is necessary to check the positional relationship in detail, a DOWN key is pressed and the presser foot is lowered independently of the needle, so that the operator can visually check the positional relationship between the presser foot and the embroidery frame.

Abstract: A portable, hand-operated quilting clamp capable of holding multiple layers of quilting material firmly together while being easily grasped by the user. A manually openable clamp body comprises top and bottom portions hingedly connected together and moveable between a clamping position and an open position and defining a fabric receiving gap. At least one spring is connected to the clamp body and biases the clamp closed. The clamp top portion has a handle extending away therefrom to aid in both opening the quilting clamp and gripping the quilting clamp by the user. With the clamp bottom portion supported from underneath, pressing on the handle urges the clamp top portion towards the open position. A cushion material, such as felt, is disposed on all or part of the bottom side of the bottom portion. The quilting clamp is ≧2 inches wide, but not more than about 4 inches.

Abstract: A submersible and semi-submersible watercraft for swimmers and divers having a body shaped in the form of a stingray. The watercraft has at least one interior shell or ballaster for stabilizing the vehicle during a submerged mode. The weight of a user is used in combination with the weight of the vehicle to simultaneously semi-submerge the vehicle or alternatively prime the motors. A dual in-line motor system is used for providing propulsion and is electrically connected to a throttle hand control unit with illumination switches disposed adjacent thereto for speed control and night illumination respectively. The hand control(s) provide at least one of rotatable and angular control of the water craft as well. A processing unit is optionally provided for digital readouts of time, pressure and voltage readings, including an on/off control switch for activating and deactivating the watercraft.

Abstract: A sliding elevated pilot deck section (“SEPDS”), including a main deck segment with an upper portion and a lower portion and an engine compartment chamber generally in the middle of the upper portion of the main deck segment, a moving rear pilot deck assembly (“RPDA”), and means for moving the RPDA along the main deck section toward and away from the transom of the vessel.

Abstract: An indicating instrument includes a transparent dial plate, a printed circuit board disposed behind the dial plate, a drive unit disposed behind the printed circuit board having a plurality of lead wires soldered to the printed circuit board, a light conductive luminous pointer and a light emitting diode disposed on the printed circuit board near a rotary shaft so that the pointer can receive light emitted from the light emitting diode. Each end of the plurality of lead wires is disposed on the printed circuit board at a distance from the light emitting diode sufficient to insulate the light emitting diode from heat of soldering the plurality of lead wires to the circuit board.

Abstract: The present invention relates to single crystal silicon, in ingot or wafer form, which contains an axially symmetric region which is free of agglomerated intrinsic point defects, and a process for the preparation thereof. The process for growing the single crystal silicon ingot comprises controlling (i) a growth velocity, v, (ii) an average axial temperature gradient, G0, during the growth of a constant diameter portion of the crystal over a temperature range from solidification to a temperature of no less than about 1325° C., and (iii) a cooling rate of the crystal from a solidification temperature to about 1,050° C., in order to cause the formation of an axially symmetrical segment which is substantially free of agglomerated intrinsic point defects.

Abstract: The method for making a uniform, large-size single crystal of calcium fluoride includes placing a single precursor crystal of calcium fluoride in a tempering vessel provided with a cover; introducing calcium fluoride powder into the tempering vessel and subsequently heating the single precursor crystal, preferably in intimate contact with the calcium fluoride powder, in the tempering vessel together with the calcium fluoride powder for two or more hours at temperatures above 1150° C. to temper the precursor crystal and thus form the uniform, large-scale single crystal of calcium fluoride. The uniform large-sized single crystals of calcium fluoride can be used to make improved lens, prism, light-conducting rod, optical window or other optical component for DUV photolithography, steppers, excimer lasers, wafers, computer chips and electronic devices containing the wafers and chips.

Abstract: A planar body with a good crystallinity is grown continuously and stably when a planar body of an oxide single crystal is grown by a micro pulling-down method. A raw material of the oxide single crystal is melted in a crucible 7. A planar seed crystal 15 is contacted to a melt 18, and then the melt 18 is pulled down from an opening 13c of the crucible 7 by lowering the seed crystal. A planar body 14 is produced following the seed crystal 15. In this case, differences in lattice constants between each crystal axis of the seed crystal 15 and each corresponding crystal axis of the planar body 14 is controlled at 0.1% or less, respectively.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus comprises a chamber, a gas introducing portion, a gas discharge port, a substrate transfer gate, and a substrate moving member which moves the substrate between a substrate processing position where the substrate is processed in the chamber and a substrate transferring in-out position in the chamber where the substrate transferred into the chamber from the substrate transfer gate is located and where the substrate is located when the substrate is transferred out from the chamber through the substrate transfer gate. The gas introducing portion, the substrate processing position, the gas discharge port and the substrate transfer gate are disposed in this order. A gas restraining member which restrains processing gas for processing the substrate from flowing toward the substrate transfer gate is provided between the gas discharge port and the substrate transfer gate.

Abstract: A film-forming apparatus comprising a vacuum chamber, a power application electrode, a raw material gas introduction portion through which a raw material gas is introduced into said vacuum chamber, and an exhaustion portion through which said vacuum chamber is exhausted, said power application electrode being arranged so as to oppose a substrate for film formation positioned in said vacuum chamber, characterized in that at least said raw material gas introduction portion or said exhaustion portion is provided with an opening adjusting member having a desired thickness for intercepting said plasma, and said power application electrode and said opening adjusting member are arranged to satisfy an equation a or c≧b.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for balancing a rotating body by material addition is disclosed which comprises dispensing means for supplying a balancing material to be applied to the rotating body, the balancing material consisting in a semifluid product (6) susceptible of being dried, as a not yet polymerized resin, and the apparatus comprising a dispensing unit (7) for dispensing measured quantities (9) of the not yet polymerized resin on the rotating body, and a stabilizing unit (14) for catalyzing the polymerization of the resin after dispensing of the same.

Abstract: A part painting method and apparatus in which dust, paint residue, and dripping excess paint are prevented from falling on a surface to be painted. A lens, as an example of a part to be painted, is covered with a mask body with a surface to be painted of the lens exposed through the mask body. The lens is positioned and fixed on the rear side of the mask body. The front side of the mask body, which functions as a masking surface with respect to spray paint from the paint gun, is arranged slanted downward with respect to vertical such that painting is performed with the mask body slanted at a predetermined angle so that excess paint dripping from the mask body does not drip onto the lens.

Abstract: A method for forming a textured polysilicon layer that includes forming a layer of doped polysilicon having a textured surface on the surface of a semiconductor substrate includes a second amorphous silicon film to which a low concentration of dopant has been added is deposited on a first amorphous silicon film to which a high concentration of dopant has been added; the first and second amorphous silicon films are then crystallized by annealing, during which step, silicon atoms are allowed to migrate at the surface of the second amorphous silicon film before the crystallization proceeds from the first amorphous silicon film and reaches the surface of the second amorphous silicon film, thereby forming a texture in the surface of the second amorphous film.

Abstract: A reactor of a chemical vapor deposition system is equipped with a gas feeder for blowing dopant gas to plural semiconductor wafers supported by a wafer boat at intervals, and the gas feeder has a gas passage gradually reduced in cross section and gas outlet holes equal in diameter and arranged along the wafer boat for keeping the doping gas concentration substantially constant around the semiconductor wafers, whereby the dopant is uniformly introduced in material deposited on all the semiconductor wafers.

Abstract: In a parallel flat plate type plasma CVD apparatus, plasma damage of constituent parts in a reaction chamber due to irregularity of dry cleaning in the reaction chamber is reduced and the cost is lowered. In the parallel flat plate type plasma CVD apparatus in which high frequency voltages of pulse waves having mutually inverted waveforms are applied to an upper electrode and a lower electrode, and the inversion interval of the pulse wave can be arbitrarily changed, the interior of the reaction chamber is dry cleaned.

Abstract: Plasma reactor having a generally cylindrical reaction chamber which is substantially greater in diameter than in height, a generally cylindrical waveguide which is aligned axially with the reaction chamber, and a window which separates the waveguide from the reaction chamber and permits microwave energy to pass from the waveguide to chamber to ionize gas and form a plasma in the chamber. In some embodiments, the microwave energy is applied initially in pulses and thereafter as a continuous wave in order to avoid the need for retuning upon ignition of the plasma, and in others the need for retuning is avoided by the use of fins which lock in a desired mode of operation.

Abstract: A method and system of holding a substrate where foreign substances on the back surface can be decreased. The substrate holding system comprises a ring-shaped leakage-proof surface having a smooth surface on the specimen table corresponding to the periphery of the substrate, a plurality of contact holding portions within the periphery of the substrate, and electrostatic attraction means for fixing the substrate by contacting the back surface of the substrate to the ring-shaped leakage-proof surface and the contact holding portions. The substrate contacts to the cooling surface at the ring-shaped leakage-proof surface and the contact holding portion placed on a position inside the ring-shaped leakage-proof surface. The back surface of the substrate and the cooling surface do not contact to each other in the large portion of the remaining area.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of heating a liquid medium by means of a first thermal system (2, 3, 4, 7, 12, 13) and at least one second thermal system (5, 6, 6A, 15, 16) following said first thermal system (2, 3, 4, 7, 12, 13), which thermal systems each have at least one heat exchanger (2, 5) through which the medium flows, and which second thermal system (5, 6, 6A, 15, 16) is operated at a higher temperature level than the first thermal system (2, 3, 4, 7, 12, 13). The method is characterized in that, for the accelerated raising of the temperature of the medium in the first thermal system (2, 3, 4, 7, 12, 13), the direct feed of the medium to the same is reduced and in the extreme case prevented, and in that medium flowing through the first thermal system (2, 3, 4, 7, 12, 13) is directed in a circuit. The invention also relates to a plant for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A ventilation device of an agricultural vehicle such as a combine, forage harvester or tractor having an engine (10) and a cooling device (12) for cooling the engine (10) and/or additional parts to be cooled that are in a heat conducting relationship. The ventilation device comprises a fan (20) a fan drive (18) and a control system (26) connected to the fan drive (18) to regulate the feeding rate of the fan (20). The control system (26) is arranged to control the fan drive (18) in the most energy-efficient way while making allowance for the amount of ambient air required by the cooling device (12) and the drive power requirements of the fan (20) using a flat logic (fuzzy control).

Abstract: A method for starting an electromechanical regulating device especially designed for controlling the charge cycle in an internal combustion engine. The electromechanical regulating device has an actuating element and an actuating drive. The actuating drive includes a first electromagnet with a first coil and a second electromagnet with a second coil, an armature which can move between contact faces of the first and second electromagnets, and at least one restoring means which is mechanically coupled to the armature. To start the regulating device, the second coil is energized until a first predefined condition is fulfilled and then the first coil is energized from the time at which a second condition is fulfilled until the armature comes into contact with the contact face.

Abstract: Several embodiments of variable valve timing mechanisms for an internal combustion engine wherein the timing of two valves associated with the same combustion chamber of the engine may be driven at the same time interval and at the same speed from the engine output shaft and both valves may have their timing adjusted simultaneously by a first variable valve timing mechanism and only one of the valves may have its timing adjusted relative to the other valve by a second variable valve timing mechanism to provide a simpler operational control and lower cost assembly.

Abstract: A hydraulic actuator includes an elongate cylinder having a central axis, a sidewall, a top and a bottom. The sidewall is interconnected with the top and bottom in an air and fluid tight manner. An elongate control shaft has a first portion disposed within the cylinder and is substantially parallel with the central axis thereof. The control shaft extends in an axial direction through the top and is engaged thereby in an air and fluid tight manner. A second portion of the control shaft is disposed external to the cylinder. The second portion of the control shaft is configured for being pivotally coupled to at least one variable valve mechanism. A fixed vane is disposed in sealing engagement with the sidewall, top and bottom of the cylinder, and with the first portion of the control shaft. A movable vane is in sealing engagement with the top and bottom of the cylinder.

Abstract: A belt-driven variable valve actuating mechanism includes a rocker having a central rocker axis that is substantially parallel with and spaced apart from a central axis of a rotary input shaft. A frame member has a first end configured for being pivotally mounted upon the input shaft and a second end pivotally carrying the rocker. A connecting rod has a first end configured for engaging an eccentric of the rotary input shaft and a second end pivotally attached to the rocker. The connecting rod transfers rotation of the input shaft to oscillation of the rocker relative to the rocker central axis. An output cam is configured for being pivotally mounted upon the input shaft. A belt engages the rocker and the output cam, and transfers oscillation of the rocker to oscillation of the output cam.

Abstract: A first variable valve actuating mechanism varies an operating angular range of an intake valve, a second variable valve actuating mechanism varies a center angle of the operating angular range, and a control unit controls, through the first and second variable valve actuating mechanisms, the operating angular range and the center angle in accordance with an operation condition of the engine. The control unit is configured to carry out, in a low-output operation range of the engine, advancing the center angle with increase of the engine output while making the variation of the center angle larger than that of the operating angular range; and in a middle-output operation range of the engine, increasing the operating angular range with increase of the engine output while making the variation of the operating angular range larger than that of the center angle.

Abstract: A variable valve actuating mechanism includes a rocker having a central rocker axis that is substantially parallel with and spaced apart from a central axis of a rotary input shaft. A frame member has a first end configured for being pivotally mounted upon the input shaft and a second end pivotally carrying the rocker. A connecting rod has a first end configured for engaging an eccentric of the rotary input shaft and a second end pivotally attached to the rocker. The connecting rod transfers rotation of the input shaft to oscillation of the rocker relative to the rocker central axis. An output cam is configured for being pivotally mounted upon the input shaft. An output cam gear is affixed to the output cam. A crank gear is affixed to the rocker and engages the output cam gear.

Abstract: In a spark plug, an earth electrode (40) has a cladding member (43) made of a Ni-based alloy, a first core member (44) made of pure Cu and contained in the cladding member, and a second core member (45) made of pure Ni and contained in the first one. The second core member is protruded from the first one. A tip of the protruded portion is located to satisfy 0.3 mm≦L1≦L0, L1 being a distance between the protruded tip and a front end of the earth electrode and L0 being a distance between a farthest located edge of a melted portion (61 or 62) around a chip (60) from the front end of the earth electrode and the front end itself .

Abstract: A remote vehicle starter with a capacitor for starting a vehicle by electrically connecting the vehicle starter directly or via the vehicle battery. The vehicle starter capacitor may be connected to a power source during a starting procedure, thereby remaining in a charged state and more effectively starting the vehicle. Optional circuitry, e.g., activating lights and a buzzer, may be present to warn the operator that incorrect vehicular and capacitive polarities have been mated, before the capacitor is discharged.

Abstract: An injector is stored in a fixing block integrally formed with an intake manifold. A soundproof cover covers the entire electric supply terminal projecting from the injector in a lateral direction and the coupler connected to the plug. In addition, the soundproof cover brought into close contact with a fuel distribution pipe covering over top portions of a plurality of injectors to supply fuel and with the intake manifold to prevent operating sound from leaking out. Further, a hard material cover for covering the fixing block of the intake manifold, the soundproof cover and the fuel distribution pipe so as to improve its aesthetic appearance as well as its soundproof effect is also provided. This arrangement results in shutting off operating sound from an injector of an engine having a cylinder head projecting in a transverse direction of a vehicle body.

Abstract: There is disclosed a fuel injection control system for an internal combustion engine, which is capable of properly determining fuel injection timing such that the fuel injection timing reflects behaviors of injected fuel, thereby improving drivability and fuel economy. The internal combustion engine of an in-cylinder fuel injection type is operated while switching between a stratified combustion mode in which fuel injection into each cylinder is performed during a compression stroke and a homogenous combustion mode in which the fuel injection into the cylinder is performed during an intake stroke. The fuel injection control system controls fuel injection timing. A required fuel injection time is determined based on detected operating conditions of the engine. A direct ratio and a carry-off ratio are determined based on the operating conditions of the engine.

Abstract: A starting method of an engine wherein a fuel is directly injected into a combustion chamber, the engine having a starter for starting up the engine, the starting method including the steps of actuating the starter and injecting a fuel in a compression stroke when the starter is actuated.

Abstract: There is disclosed a fuel injection control system for an in-cylinder fuel injection internal combustion engine, which is capable of properly determining a fuel injection time period such that the fuel injection time period reflects a fuel pressure and a deposition of fuel, thereby controlling the amount of fuel to be actually injected. Operating conditions of the engine are detected, and a required fuel amount is determined based on the detected operating conditions. At the same time, a deposited-fuel amount, i.e. an amount of fuel deposited in a combustion chamber, is determined based on the detected operating conditions, and the required fuel amount is corrected according to the determined deposited-fuel amount. Further, a fuel pressure of fuel to be injected into the cylinder is detected, and the fuel injection time period is determined by correcting the corrected required fuel amount according to the detected fuel pressure.

Abstract: A hot water type first idle control device includes a heating chamber through which cooling water for an engine is allowed to flow, a wax case heated by the heating chamber, and a device housing in which the wax case is accommodated and retained. In the hot water type first idle control device, the heating chamber is integrally defined in the device housing to adjoin the wax case with a partition wall interposed therebetween for separating the heating chamber from the inside of the device housing. Thus, it is possible to effectively heat the wax case by hot water, while preventing the entering of the hot water into the device housing.

Abstract: A manually guided implement having a drive motor is provided. Control elements, such as a gas throttle and an arresting element, are pivotably disposed on a grip of the implement disposed remote from the motor. The arresting element is fixed in position on the throttle by a pivot joint, and is held in a position of rest by a spring element. The arresting element can be pivoted out of the rest position into an arresting position by the hand of an operator. The arresting position defines a starting throttle position of the gas throttle on the grip of the implement.

Abstract: In a method of recognizing the ignition stroke in a single-cylinder four-stroke engine, the position and the angular speed of the crankshaft are determined. The period duration is measured from the top of dead center to a defined angle of rotation of the crankshaft, and the measured period durations of two successive revolutions of the crankshaft are compared. The ignition stroke takes place during the rotation of the crankshaft having the shorter period duration.

Abstract: A method of assessing operation of a common-rail injection system of an internal combustion engine; the injection system having a number of injectors, a high-pressure circuit supplying high-pressure fuel to the injectors, and a low-pressure circuit supplying fuel to the high-pressure circuit; and the method including the steps of hydraulically isolating the high-pressure circuit from the low-pressure circuit and the engine; and assessing operation of the injection system as a function of the fuel pressure drop in the high-pressure circuit.

Abstract: A fuel injector includes a body having a nozzle end and a connector end. The body defines a side feed opening disposed between said nozzle end and said connector end. An injection assembly is disposed in the nozzle end and includes an actuating coil, a valve actuated by the coil, and a valve seat operably associated with the valve.

Abstract: Atomizing air flowing in an atomizing gas passage is merged with fuel spray to promote atomization of the fuel, and carrier air flowing in a carrier gas passage is merged with the fuel spray at a further downstream position so as to surround around the fuel spray. By doing so, the atomized fuel spray is carried to the downstream side so as to prevent the fuel spray from adhering onto the wall surface. Starting-up performance, fuel consumption and exhaust gas cleaning of an internal combustion engine are improved.

Abstract: A valve arrangement is provided for a feed line to supply fuel from a tank to a combustion engine consisting of a valve housing with an inlet channel and outlet channel, and a valve with a movable valve head to seal the outlet channel from the inlet channel, whereby a feed pump is assigned to the feed line, and the valve head is in closed position when there is no feed pressure from the feed pump. The danger of feed line leakage for combustion engines that burn liquid fuel is eliminated using a coaxial second valve using no additional space to solve the problem. The other essentially coaxial valve within the main valve is in open position opposite the feed direction when the pressure at the outlet channel is greater than the feed pressure. The valve arrangement functions as a check valve when the combustion engine is running, and as an overpressure valve when it is off.

Abstract: Purge control valves are mounted to purge pipings arranged in parallel for supplying purge gas from a canister to an engine. A flow rate of the purge control valve having a larger flow rate size is controlled in a step mode, and a flow rate equal to or smaller than a variation quantity in said step mode is controlled by the purge control valve having a smaller flow rate size.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preheating fuel in vehicles powered by internal combustion engines supplied with fuel from a fuel tank. A heat exchanger is provided for indirect heating of fuel. The heat exchanger has a fuel circulation conduit with a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet. The fuel inlet is connected to a first fuel flow line originating from the fuel tank. The fuel outlet is connected to a second fuel flow line extending to the internal combustion engine. A temperature sensor is positioned in the second fuel flow line. A control unit is coupled to the temperature sensor for controlling the temperature of the heat exchanger to maintain fuel within a predetermined temperature range as sensed by the temperature sensor.