Abstract: A water heater is provided that includes a centering ring or thermal barrier that facilitates centering or alignment of the water tank while also diminishing heat loss through the bottom of the water heater. Features are provided with the bottom of the water heater and centering ring that can also improve the stability of the water heater when placed in a vertically upright position.

Abstract: A direct contact heat exchanger assembly is provided. The direct contact heat exchanger includes an evaporator jacket and an inner member. The inner member is received within the evaporator jacket. A sleeve passage is formed between the evaporator jacket and the inner member. The sleeve passage is configured and arranged to pass a flow of liquid. The housing has an inner exhaust chamber that is coupled to pass hot gas. The inner member further has a plurality of exhaust passages that allow some of the hot gas passing through the inner exhaust chamber to enter the flow of liquid in the sleeve passage.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus for an integrated exhaust manifold includes: a first cooling jacket configured to surround a portion of an exhaust manifold; and a second cooling jacket configured to surround another portion of the exhaust manifold. The first cooling jacket includes a first portion sitting atop the second cooling jacket and a second portion adjacent the second cooling jacket and positioned lower than the first portion.

Abstract: A power tool has an internal combustion engine with a cylinder. An injection valve supplies fuel to the internal combustion engine. A fuel pump conveys fuel from a fuel tank to the injection valve. A fan wheel is provided that is driven by the internal combustion engine. The cylinder is arranged in a first cooling zone of the power tool and the fan wheel conveys cooling air through the first cooling zone. The fuel pump is arranged in a second cooling zone of the power tool. Between the first cooling zone and the second cooling zone a buffer zone is arranged. The buffer zone is separated by at least one first partition from the first cooling zone and by at least one second petition from the second cooling zone.

Abstract: A variably operated valve system for an internal combustion engine, a valve stop mechanism (11) makes at least one of a pair of fulcrum members lost motion to stop open-and-closure drives for one of two engine valves per cylinder and a stop of open-and-closure drives for the one of the engine valves is inhibited, in a case where a lost motion quantity of the valve stop mechanism exceeds a predetermined value (M3).

Abstract: A roller lifter for internal combustion engines is provided, which has higher rigidity of the lifter body, prevents cocking in the cylinder, and can achieve a size reduction. The roller lifter includes a cylindrical lifter body having a sliding surface on an outer circumferential surface thereof and a roller rotatably attached to the lifter body via an axial support pin and making contact with a rotating cam lobe. The lifter body includes a pair of support portions supporting the axial support pin. The axial support pin is mechanically fastened to the pair of support portions, with both ends thereof inserted in support holes formed in the support portions. The lifter body includes an anti-rotation retainer extending radially outward from the sliding surface. The sliding surface is formed on both front and rear sides in the sliding direction of the anti-rotation retainer.

Abstract: A laser ignition device for an internal combustion engine, encompassing an ignition laser having a combustion chamber window, such that until startup of the laser ignition device, the combustion chamber window is equipped with a protective layer.

Abstract: A corona igniter (20) comprises a central electrode (22) surrounded by an insulator (26), which is surrounded by a conductive component. The conductive component includes a shell (34) and an intermediate part (36) both formed of an electrically conductive material. The intermediate part (36) is typically attached to a lower ledge (52) of the insulator outer surface (50) prior to inserting the insulator (26) into the shell (34). The shell firing end (56) is typically aligned with the lower edge and the intermediate firing end. The conductive inner diameter (Dg) is less than an insulator outer diameter (Dio) directly below the lower ledge (52) such the insulator thickness (ti) increases toward the electrode firing end (40).

Abstract: A system for starting an internal combustion engine without assistance of a battery uses a pull-start assembly to generate electricity and store the generated power in one or more capacitors electrically connected to an electronic control unit via a permanent magnet alternator. The system includes a hand pump for manually forcing a portion of liquid fuel into an air/fuel mixture chamber while an air relief valve connected to an air injector is open. By closing the relief valve and activating the pull-start assembly, the user causes the fuel into the combustion chamber, where the ignition process is initiated upon receipt of a control signal from the electronic control unit.

Abstract: A vehicle having an internal combustion engine and having a vacuum reservoir which is connected to at least one vacuum source and to a plurality of vacuum consumers, wherein the internal combustion engine includes a control device, an intake system with an intake line, and a crankcase, and wherein the vacuum reservoir is connected to the intake line and to the crankcase in such a way that both the intake system and also the crankcase serve as vacuum sources

Abstract: A cylinder liner for an internal combustion engine includes a liner body defining a longitudinal axis coated with a coating on the interior surface of the liner body that varies in thickness along the longitudinal axis. The coating on the interior surface is thicker in a region of the interior surface corresponding to a top dead center or a bottom dead center of a piston.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine of a hand-held power tool has a crankcase having a circumferential wall extending in a circumferential direction of the crankcase. A crankshaft is supported so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation within the crankcase. At least one transfer passage extends from the crankcase into the cylinder of the engine, wherein the transfer passage has an inlet port at the crankcase. At least one fuel retaining device is disposed on the circumferential wall of the crankcase. A radial direction, starting at the axis of rotation of the crankshaft and extending outwardly, extends through the at least one fuel retaining device. The at least one fuel retaining device has a depth in the radial direction and a length in the circumferential direction. The at least one fuel retaining device, relative to the radial direction, has an asymmetric cross-section in the circumferential direction.

Abstract: A method includes coupling a cylinder head to a cylinder block. A valve member is then moved into a valve pocket defined by the cylinder head such that a first stem portion of the valve member engages an actuator. A first portion of the biasing member is then disposed against a second stem portion of the valve member, the second stem portion being opposite the first stem portion. An end plate is then coupled to the cylinder head such that a second portion of the biasing member engages the end plate.

Abstract: Rib configurations for increasing the structural efficiency of a cylinder head, which relates to a peak combustion pressure capability of the cylinder head. In addition to increasing peak combustion pressure, the rib configurations may also improve sealing of the cylinder head and may improve the durability of an associated cylinder head gasket.

Abstract: A method for machining a passage for a connecting rod in an internal combustion engine crank case upper half, including producing, at a base of the cylinder barrel, a straight cut of cylindrical shape capable of allowing the connecting rod a lateral excursion as a piston moves up and down in the cylinder, using a rotary milling tool which is plunge-operated from underneath the cylinder, and a direction of plunging of the milling tool is oriented at an oblique angle to the axis of the cylinder.

Abstract: The present invention provides an oil deterioration suppressing apparatus for an internal combustion engine comprising an oil reservoir section for reserving oil, a filtering component and an adsorption component provided in an oil passage, and a supply device for supplying the oil in the oil reservoir section to a side upstream of the adsorption component and the filtering component. The filtering component is configured to remove unnecessary products from the oil, and the adsorption component is configured to be positioned upstream of the filtering component to adsorb a predetermined acid component in the oil. Since the apparatus can remove a predetermined acid component in the oil from the oil in the adsorption component, it is possible to suppress generation of the sludge in the filtering component, thereby suppressing the oil deterioration appropriately.

Abstract: A combustion engine oil pan including a sump capable of containing oil and a sole configured to compliment the sump, able to support, with sealing, the sump and to be fixed to the engine, particularly a bottom or low part of the engine, wherein the join between the sump and the sole extends to form notched cutouts in the sole and in the sump.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary heat engine that consists of a hollow stator, the inner surface of which has a series of opposite deformations, and also has a cylindrical rotor on the perimeter of which are opposite recesses, defining at least two quadrants or sections that define expansion and expulsion chambers and other admission and compression chambers, wherein each section surface of the rotor has two grooves along which blades slide, by means of bearings that run through guides in the covers of the engine, such that it results in an engine that produces several expansions per revolution, thus managing to perform nearly all the work of the expansions in each cycle, improving the performance of alternate cylinder engines, including the famous Wankel rotary engine.

Abstract: A method for controlling an internal combustion engine (1) comprising a number (W) of cylinders (3); the control method comprises determining the total target torque (Ci—obj) required to be delivered for the operation of the internal combustion engine (1); determining a number (Wa) of active cylinders (3) to be controlled in use for injection and combustion; while a number (Ws) of cylinders (3) are not active and are not controlled for injection and combustion, but only for aspirating an air mass; determining the required target torque (Ci—obj) to be delivered for the operation of the internal combustion engine (1) for each of the active cylinders (3); and controlling the internal combustion engine (1) as a function of the required target torque (Ci—obj) to be delivered for the operation of the internal combustion engine (1) for each of the active cylinders (3).

Abstract: A method for controlling an internal combustion engine, comprising a number of cylinders and wherein the air mass trapped inside each cylinder is adjusted by means of a respective intake valve; the control method includes determining the total target torque; determining a target number of active cylinders; determining a target supercharge pressure such to guarantee the total target torque and controlling the intake valves of the target number of active cylinders (3) according to the target supercharge pressure such as to guarantee the total target torque.

Abstract: An injection apparatus (6) includes a container (62), a liquid ammonia supply part (69) for supplying a predetermined amount of liquid ammonia into the container (62), a compression part (65) connected to the container (62) and for compressing a gas filled in a space for compression to introduce the compressed gas into the container (62), and a nozzle (66) connected to the container (62) and for introducing into a combustion chamber ammonia that is pushed out of the container (62) due to the introduction of the compressed gas into the container (62). The injection apparatus (6) uses a gas that is heated to a high temperature by compression to inject ammonia into the combustion chamber and thus can easily produce the combustion of ammonia in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine (1) has a plurality of combustion cylinders at each of which a fuel injection device (120) is provided. Every combustion cylinder is provided with its own pilot unit (10c-10f) with a fuel accumulator which is integrated therein and which is connected by one of a plurality of first fuel lines (110) to the fuel injection device associated with the respective combustion cylinder for supplying fuel to the latter. A fuel pump which can be connected to a fuel source for supplying a predetermined fuel pressure is integrated in at least one of the pilot units (10d). The fuel accumulator of every pilot unit is so adapted that it ensures that fuel delivered by the fuel pump is supplied to the respective associated fuel injection device in a pressure-stable manner.

Abstract: A fuel injection system is described, and which has an upstream portion and a downstream portion. The upstream portion includes a source of fuel, the fuel inlet of a fuel injection servo or flow regulator, and a first fuel flow line connected in fuel flowing relation relative to the source of fuel and to the fuel inlet of the fuel injection servo. The downstream portion includes a flow divider, at least one fuel outlet of the fuel injection servo, and a second fuel flow line connected in fuel flowing relation relative to the flow divider and the fuel outlet of the fuel injection servo. A fuel accumulator pressure damper is mounted in fuel flowing relation relative to the downstream portion of the fuel injection system so as to substantially reduce standing waves in the fuel injection system.

Abstract: An injector system which is in particular used as an injector block for fuel injection systems of mixture-compressing, spark-ignited internal combustion engines includes a fuel distribution rail, a counter bracket, a first injector, and at least one second injector. Here, the counter bracket has a first connecting piece and a second connecting piece. The first injector is joined to the counter bracket on an input side of the first connecting piece with the aid of an elastic sealing ring. The second injector is joined to the counter bracket on an input side of the second connecting piece with the aid of an elastic sealing ring. In this case, the counter bracket is connected to the fuel distribution rail. The fuel distribution rail is used for distributing compressed natural gas to the injectors. The injector system has a compact design.

Abstract: The coupling device (40) comprises a holding fixture (30) being designed to be mechanically coupled to the fuel rail and comprising a through hole (42) extending between a first surface (44) and a second surface (46), the second surface (46) opposing the first surface (44) and being arranged and designed to face the cylinder head. Furthermore the coupling device (40) comprises a fastening element (48) being designed to be fixedly coupled to the cylinder head. The fastening element (48) comprises a head portion (50) and a shank portion (52). The head portion (50) faces the first surface (44) of the holding fixture (30) and the shank portion (52) is being partially arranged in the through hole (42) and is designed to be in engagement with the cylinder head.

Abstract: A fuel pump temperature is regulated by selectively directing liquid fuel to an expansion section to evaporate the liquid fuel and create a drop in temperature to thermally cool the fuel pump.

Abstract: A closed loop control fuel injection method allows an injection amount and injection timing to be obtained, in such a way that an HRR (Heat Release Rate) is calculated from a combustion pressure signal of a combustion pressure sensor after a related pilot fuel amount is injected in a state in which an engine is warmed up, and to be adjusted according to command values, thereby removing inaccuracy of closed loop calibration and risks due to the excess of EM control caused when simply using a combustion pressure diagram, through predefined stable conditions.

Abstract: Engine conversion systems for converting an internal combustion engine from a single to a multiple-fuel engine are described. After engine conversion, an electronic control unit (ECU), can control amounts of a first fuel (for example, diesel) and amounts of a second fuel (for example, propane) that are provided to combustion chambers within the engine while operating in a multiple-fuel mode. The conversion system can include a diesel oxidation catalyst to reduce undesired exhaust emissions of the engine, and backpressure sensors for maintaining engine exhaust backpressure within a pre-conversion range of exhaust backpressures. The conversion systems can be configured for converting engines with mechanically-controlled or electronically-controlled fuel systems. The ECU can be configured to transition from operating in a multiple-fuel mode to a single-fuel mode if the ECU detects conditions that prevent the supply of predetermined amounts of the first and second fuels for detected operating conditions.

Abstract: A method for starting an internal combustion engine having direct fuel injection, comprising of adjusting a number of direct injections per combustion cycle based on a cylinder event number from a first cylinder event.

Abstract: In a method for operating an injection system for an internal combustion engine having a combustion chamber, in a first method step, a first inlet valve to the combustion chamber is opened and fuel is injected into the combustion chamber through the open first inlet valve by a first injector, and in the first method step, a second inlet valve to the combustion chamber is furthermore opened and fuel is injected into the combustion chamber through the open second inlet valve by a second injector, and in a second method step, additional fuel is subsequently injected into the combustion chamber through the still open first inlet valve by the first injector.

Abstract: A fuel injection device is provided with a fuel injection valve to inject fuel into a combustion chamber of an engine, and an electronic control unit to operate the fuel injection valve to inject the fuel in multiple separate injections. The electronic control unit controls a timing of a first fuel injection by the fuel injection valve to carry out the first fuel injection on the retard side with respect to a timing when a premix duration immediately after the first fuel injection is minimum, and controls a timing of a second fuel injection by the fuel injection valve in such a manner that a heat release rate waveform produced by the first fuel injection and the second fuel injection carried out thereafter has a double-peaked shape.

Abstract: Provided is an abnormality detection apparatus for a fuel supply system that can reliably detect an abnormality of the fuel pressure changing operation of the fuel supply system, comprising a fuel pump unit (11) to supply a fuel to an injector (3), a pressure regulator (20) capable of regulating a pressure of the fuel to a desired one set pressure and a set pressure changing operation mechanism (40) to change the set pressure, a state change detection section (51a) to change the set pressure to a high set pressure in response to a fuel supply amount to the injector (3) being substantially constant and to detect a variation of an energization state of the pump drive motor (11m) after changing the set pressure, and an abnormality determination section (51b) to determine whether or not there is an abnormality occurred in changing the set pressure.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a fuel system that has a fuel valve with a housing, wherein in the housing a fuel chamber is formed. A fuel pump pumps fuel from a fuel tank into the fuel chamber. A conveying pump provides forced conveyance of fuel into the fuel system. A feed line is connected to the fuel chamber of the fuel valve. The conveying pump is arranged in the feed line and supplies fuel to the fuel chamber. A relief line is connected to the fuel chamber of the fuel valve and a first valve is arranged in the relief line.

Abstract: A fuel system having a fuel module for use within a fuel tank of a vehicle is disclosed herein. The fuel module includes a fuel reservoir having an inlet for receiving fuel from the fuel tank, a pump for pumping fuel from the reservoir through a fuel supply line and a temperature sensitive valve having a first port for receiving fuel from a return line, a second port for outputting the received fuel into the fuel reservoir, and a third port for outputting the received fuel into the fuel tank and external to the fuel reservoir.

Abstract: A canister includes: a first adsorbent chamber; a second absorbent chamber connected to the first adsorbent chamber via a connection passage to constitute a U turn shaped flow passage; a casing having a charge port and a purge port at a terminal section of the first adsorbent chamber and having a drain port at a terminal section of the second adsorbent chamber; an adsorbent filled within the first and second adsorbent chambers; and an adsorption quantity sensor attached onto the casing to position a detection section of the sensor within the adsorbent, wherein a measurement point of the adsorption quantity sensor is arranged at a position nearer to a second terminal section of the second adsorbent chamber than an intermediate point of a flow passage length between a first terminal section at a drain port side of the second adsorbent chamber and the second terminal section at the connection passage side.

Abstract: A deaeration and cooling system for a fuel tank of an internal combustion engine includes an absorption refrigerator configured to cool fuel in the fuel tank. The absorption refrigerator includes a burner, an evaporator and an exhaust-gas heat exchanger. Thermal energy for operating the absorption refrigerator is obtained from the combustion of evaporated fuel. The evaporated fuel is removed from the fuel tank and supplied to the burner of the absorption refrigerator.

Abstract: An engine is provided. The engine includes a piston operable to reciprocate in a cylinder, a crankshaft rotatably coupled to the piston, and a supercharger rotatably coupled to the crankshaft. The supercharger has an unequal distribution of mass along a longitudinal plane of the supercharger to provide a rotational counterbalance to reduce engine imbalance.

Abstract: An engine assembly includes an engine block defining a cylinder, an exhaust system, and an exhaust gas recirculation system. A first exhaust valve is configured to control the flow of fluid from the cylinder to the exhaust system. A second exhaust valve configured to control the flow of fluid from the cylinder to the exhaust gas recirculation system. The second valve is deactivatable independently of the first valve, thereby enabling EGR flow.

Abstract: An engine assembly includes an engine block defining a cylinder, an exhaust system, and an exhaust gas recirculation system. A first cam-actuated exhaust valve is configured to control the flow of fluid from the cylinder to the exhaust system. A second cam-actuated exhaust valve configured to control the flow of fluid from the cylinder to the exhaust gas recirculation system. The timing of the second valve is adjustable independently of the timing of the first valve, thereby enabling control of EGR flow through manipulation of exhaust valve timing.

Abstract: The invention concerns a needle sleeve (1), in particular for pivotably mounting the throttle valve shaft of a control device for recirculating exhaust gas in internal combustion engines, which consists primarily of a thin-walled outer ring (2) formed by non-cutting means and a needle roller and cage assembly (3) that is inserted in this outer ring (2) and is composed of a plurality of bearing needles (4) and a needle cage (5) that carries the bearing needles (4) at uniform spacings in the circumferential direction. The needle sleeve (1) has, at its axial sides, two radially inward facing ribs (6, 7) holding the needle roller and cage assembly (3) in the outer ring (2), and is designed with multiple seals (8, 9) by means of which the sleeve is sealed to prevent exhaust gas condensates from flowing through.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a volume-controlled internal-combustion engine having an intake tract and an exhaust system. An expansion machine is arranged in the intake tract in the flow direction of a combustion air in front of an inlet valve of the engine. An output shaft of the expansion machine is coupleable with an output shaft of the engine. A heat exchanger is arranged in the exhaust system. Before combustion air flows through the expansion machine, it is heated in the heat exchanger by exhaust gas of the internal-combustion engine. The method achieves an efficiency improvement in an internal-combustion engine with a volume-controlled load control at partial load.

Abstract: A valve device has a valve that opens and closes a passage, and a cantilever bearing member rotatably supporting a rotating shaft of the valve. The cantilever bearing member has rolling-element bearings arranged in series in an axial direction of the rotating shaft. One of the rolling-element bearings located the closest to the passage has a rolling element, an inner race, an outer race and a seal portion. A space is defined between the inner race and the outer race to receive the rolling element. The seal portion made of rubber tightly seals the space on a side adjacent to the passage.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating vacuum from crankcase ventilation flow. During both directions of gas flow between an engine intake manifold and a crankcase, gases are directed through one or more aspirators to produce vacuum. The drawn vacuum may then be used to operate various engine vacuum actuators.

Abstract: An engine assembly may include an engine structure, intake and exhaust valves, hydraulically actuated valve lift mechanisms, and a valvetrain ventilation line. The engine structure may define a combustion chamber, intake and exhaust ports in communication with the combustion chamber, a crankcase, and a valvetrain chamber isolated from the crankcase. The intake valve may be located in the intake port and the exhaust valve may be located in the exhaust port. The hydraulically actuated valve lift mechanisms may be supported on the engine structure within the valvetrain chamber and engaged with the intake and exhaust valves. The valvetrain ventilation line may be in communication with the valvetrain chamber and may provide communication between the valvetrain chamber and the intake port.

Abstract: A toy gun comprising a plurality of pre-cut thin layer members along with a plurality of pin members, wherein the toy gun is adapted to store a number of elastic bands and to shoot the stored elastic bands in rapid succession. A barrel top notch is adapted to receive front end of a stretched elastic band that will be fired by the toy gun. The stock comprises a series of recesses each of which is adapted to accommodate the rear end of a stretched elastic band. The fore-end member is movable and includes a series of secondary recesses along its back end, staggered in relation to the stock recesses, wherein any particular secondary recess is slightly below the corresponding stock recess and functions as means to transfer each elastic band from its stock recesses to an adjacent stock recess in the upward direction, toward the firing recess.

Abstract: An inventive handle and grip design for a bow allows an archer to adjust the lateral plane of his hand relative to the longitudinal and lateral axes of a bow. This allows the hand to be held in a generally parallel position with the longitudinal axis of the bow, in a generally parallel position with the lateral axis of the bow, or anywhere in the 360° rotation defined by those two axes. The outer portion of the handle can be cylindrical in shape, and the grip of the handle is able to rotate inside the outer portion, either independently, or as a part of an inner cylinder that rotates inside the outer portion of the handle. The rotation can be freely rotating or can be fixed temporarily using optional fixing means. Optionally, the grip itself may further move or rotate, and may be freely moving or temporarily fixed using optional fixing means. The handle and grip may be incorporated into the structure of the bow, or may exist as a separate, interchangeable part.

Abstract: An archery apparatus includes a combined adjustable neck support, handle and release mechanism for reducing the amount of force exerted by an archer to maintain a bowstring and associated arrow in a generally fully drawn position. In operation, the release mechanism is secured to the bowstring, the handle is grasped by the drawing hand of the archer, with the other hand of the archer on the bow frame, the bowstring is drawn by the archer to the generally fully drawn position so that the release mechanism is proximate the side of the head of the archer and the neck support is selectively and supportably disposed against the archer's neck. Thus, both the manual muscular force exerted by the drawing arm of the archer and the force supplied by the neck support are available in tandem for maintaining a bowstring and associated arrow in a generally fully drawn position. The release mechanism is then actuated to provide the normal proper triggering of the arrow into flight.

Abstract: A base is provided for a ball throwing machine having a T-shaped frame. The base includes: a lower frame; an upper frame pivotally connected to the lower frame so as to be moveable through a range of elevation angles relative to the lower frame, and including one or more brackets configured to receive the T-shaped frame of the throwing machine; and an adjustment mechanism configured to releasably secure the upper frame at a selected elevation angle within the range.

Abstract: A kit for mounting a camera to a bow is provided. The kit includes a bow stabilizer for attachment to the bow; and a mounting bracket for attachment to the stabilizer, the bracket including a seat for the camera, an arm extending from the seat at a first end, and a connector at a second end for attaching the arm to the stabilizer.

Abstract: The invention relates to equipment and related methods for producing concrete blocks. The equipment and methods described herein utilize splitting assemblies having larger projections and/or smaller projections or peaks disposed on at least one side of a splitting line and which engage the workpiece as it is split into at least two pieces.