Abstract: A fluid flow meter, for example for measuring the velocity of an air flow, comprises a flow duct having a transverse vortex-shedding bar, the ultrasonic or other detector means for sensing the shedding of Karman vortices from the bar as the fluid flow passes the bar, and for converting the alternating output signal of the detector means into a signal of square-wave form of operating a digital counter, and one or more additional cross-members extending across the flow duct downstream of the flow section where the vortex-sensing means operates, the additional cross-member extending transversely to the vortex-shedding bar and being of cylindrical or aerofoil cross-section, or of rectangular or other cross-section having a flat upstream face parallel to the bar. The provision of the additional cross-member is found to improve the regularity of the vortex-shedding from the bar and hence the accuracy of the meter reading.

Abstract: In measuring the mass flow rate of the inlet air entering an internal combustion engine or other combustion device, or of the exhaust gas discharged therefrom, a constant metered flow of helium or other inert tracer gas is introduced through a temperature-controlled critical flow orifice into the air intake of the engine or device, and the exhaust gas is continuously sampled and the sample analyzed by means of a mass spectrometer. From the measurement of the concentration of the tracer gas in the exhaust gas sample provided by the mass spectrometer, the required mass flow rate is derived and displayed. The mass spectrometer may be employed to measure in sequence the concentrations of other constituents of the exhaust gas sample as well as that of the tracer gas, and from these measurements other parameters related to the mass flow rate of intake air may be derived by means of a microprocessor, and displayed.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine of reciprocating-piston type with injection of liquid or gaseous hydrocarbon fuel, provided with catalytic means for initiating the combustion of the air/fuel charge in the combustion chamber of the or each cylinder. The major part of the combustion chamber of each cylinder is afforded by a recess formed in the piston crown, and a catalytic element of mesh, grid, perforated or sintered or other construction, is carried by the piston in a position at least partly overlying the said recess, the fuel being injected into the said recess to contact and pass through the catalytic element, being ignited by its contact with the catalytic element.

Abstract: A two-stroke internal combustion engine has a plurality of transfer ports controlled by the movement of the piston, the transfer ports being at the ends of passages each extending from the interior of the crankcase through the cylinder wall so as to place the crankcase interior in communication with the upper working space in the cylinder above the piston when its associated transfer port is uncovered by downward movement of the piston. Some, but not all, of the transfer port passages are provided with pressure-responsive non-return valves which are lightly spring-biassed towards closed positions in which they restrict the gas flow through those passages, in the direction towards the upper working space in the cylinder, causing the gas flow from the crankcase to travel at increased velocities through the remaining transfer port passage or passages.