Abstract: A perfume generating device for preventing a reduction in the level of a consciousness by a supply of relaxing-type aromatic agent, and for preventing a reduction in concentration. Different containers for relaxing-type and refreshing-type aromatic agents and valves for selecting one of the agents are provided on a perfume supply conduit. Upon the selection of the relaxing-type aromatic agent, a repetition of cycles are executed such that, after each three cycles of a relaxing-type aromatic agent, a single supply of refreshing-type aromatic agent or stoppage of the supply of the relaxing-type aromatic agent is performed.

Abstract: In a combustion engine driven refrigerant vapor compression heat pump system, an integrated heat exchanger is provided which recovers and uses waste heat from the combustion engine coolant and exhaust stream, further produces auxiliary heat when the heat pump system is operating in the heating mode of operation, and uses some of the same components to cool the combustion engine coolant when the heat pump system is operating in the cooling mode of operation. Additional features are integrated into the heat exchanger to provide engine oil cooling and heating.

Abstract: A low prime, high heat exchange efficiency oxygenator is provided which includes an oxygenation portion and a heat exchanger portion. Disposed within the heat exchanger portion is a hollow tube heat exchanger wound bundle which includes a plurality of hollow tubes knitted into a mat, the mat wound under tension into a bundle which includes from 16 to 24 layers of the mat. The oxygenator provided permits prime volumes of 180 to 240 mLs.

Abstract: An open hot-water heater includes a water tank; a hot-water overflow extending from the water tank; a faucet connected to the hot-water overflow; and a cold-water supply arrangement for introducing cold water into the water tank to refill the water tank and to drive hot water therefrom through the hot-water overflow. The cold-water supply arrangement includes a cold-water inlet coupled to the water tank and a cold-water discharge pipe connected to the cold-water inlet and having an outlet opening situated in the tank for introducing cold water into the tank. There is further provided a tank volume varying device and a valve assembly exposed to cold-water pressure prevailing in the cold-water inlet.

Abstract: A dual-sensor type air-fuel ratio control system for an internal combustion engine. A catalytic converter disposed within an exhaust pipe is flanked by first and second upstream and downstream air-fuel ratio sensors 11, 12. An apparatus for detecting deterioration of the catalytic converter includes a deterioration parameter calculating circuit 60, a filter circuit 61, and a comparison decision circuit 62. The decision circuit compares a filtered deterioration parameter value .gamma.f with a predetermined value corresponding to a detected operation state of the engine to determine deterioration of the catalyst when the deterioration parameter value exceeds the predetermined value.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a marine propulsion device comprising a combustion chamber, an exhaust passage, an air pump and a three-way catalytic converter. The air pump pumps air into the exhaust passage at or immediately upstream of the catalytic converter. By this construction the internal combustion engine can be run slightly rich, but the catalytic converter will see a close to stoichiometric mixture so that the pollutants in the exhaust stream can be oxidized or reduced appropriately since the catalytic converter will be able to operate as a three-way catalytic converter.

Abstract: A method is described for reducing the total emissions during cold starts from an engine burning a hydrocarbon fuel and having an afterburner arranged upstream of a catalytic converter. The method comprises the steps of:(i) adding an excess of fuel to the engine combustible charge and adding air to the engine exhaust gases immediately after the engine has first fired to assure the presence in the exhaust/air mixture of sufficient concentrations of hydrogen and oxygen to permit the resulting exhaust/air mixture to be ignitable and to burn with a steady flame in the afterburner while the latter is at a temperature close to the ambient temperature, and(ii) igniting the exhaust/air mixture in the afterburner immediately after the engine has first fired.

Abstract: A filter regenerating apparatus for an internal combustion engine is disclosed.

Abstract: Cooling liquid flowing through cooling-liquid passages cools in heat-transmission manner an inner layer on an inner surface of an impermeable intermediate layer and is directed through a piping to an interface between the intermediate and outer layers, whereby the porous outer layer is cooled by latent heat generated by evaporation of the cooling liquid infiltrated into the porous outer layer.

Abstract: An exhaust-gas recombustion system for recombusting exhaust gases coming out of exhaust ports of an internal combustion engine equipped with a catalytic converter, comprises a plurality of branch pipes of an exhaust manifold connected to the exhaust ports, a plurality of secondary air injection tubes each connected to either one of the branch pipes for recombusting the exhaust gases coming out of the exhaust ports by secondary air injection. An air-injection nozzle of the secondary air injection tube is directed towards the exhaust port communicating with the connected branch pipe along the axial line of the exhaust port. Additionally, the air-injection nozzle is arranged close to a curved wall of the connected branch pipe to effectively sweep away resultant exhaust gases left in the exhaust port and consequently to assure a rapid activation of the catalytic converter during a cold start of the engine.

Abstract: Tubular members of predetermined lengths are arranged in ornamental fashion, such as a helix disposed in a conical or cylindrical configuration or as a festooned member, and are adapted to contain a first fluid, such as water, and to receive a second fluid, such as air, which is lighter than water and which passes through the first fluid in pockets separated one from the other. The wall of the tubular members transmits light its entire length which when illuminated coacts with the first fluid and the second fluid, as it passes through the first fluid, to provide a pleasingly aesthetic affect. A conduit member may also be carried by said tubular members to act as a return for the second fluid; and suitable pump means are provided to inject said second fluid into said first fluid. If desired, particles of reflecting material may be disposed in said first fluid, and the light may be of single or changing colors.

Abstract: An exhaust manifold for conducting the heated exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine. The exhaust manifold has a thin noncast metal inner layer, a thicker sheet metal outer layer, and a layer of insulating material, preferably ceramic beads, between the inner and outer layers. The method of making the exhaust manifold is also disclosed. The exhaust manifold is damped, insulated, and permits quicker light off of the catalytic converter.

Abstract: An electronic engine controller monitors the operability of a catalytic converter upon ignition of the engine by sensing the temperature of the exhaust gas entering the converter and of the exhaust gas exiting the converter for a period of time after the engine has been started. The electronic engine controller calculates the rate of heat transfer from the exhaust gas to the catalyst material within the converter. This value is then used to calculate the temperature of the catalyst material. Subsequent rates of heat transfer and subsequent temperatures of the catalyst material are calculated and the rate of change of temperature of the catalyst material is determined for each time step. A ratio is formed from the rate of heat transfer and the rate of change of temperature of the catalyst material. The electronic engine controller determines the ratio of the rate of heat transfer and the rate of change of temperature of the catalyst material for the period of time from engine ignition to catalyst light-off.

Abstract: An automotive internal combustion engine is equipped with a hydrocarbon adsorber for the purpose of controlling the emissions of unburned hydrocarbons from the vehicle's tailpipe. Regeneration of the adsorber is achieved by an electronic engine controller operating an air pump and a sample pump, using information from an exhaust gas oxygen sensor.

Abstract: A burner system for cleaning exhaust gases in the exhaust line of an internal combustion engine during start-up of the engine. The burner system serves to heat the catalytic convertor during start-up. The burner system has a burner including a combustion chamber for supplying combustion gases to the catalytic converter. A fuel line connected to the fuel injection system of the engine supplies fuel to the burner and a fuel regulator is provided in the fuel line. A secondary sir supply system supplies secondary air to the burner and includes an air fan, an air line connecting the air fan to the burner and a pressure regulator in the air line. The pressure regulator is subjected to the pressure prevailing in the combustion chamber or in the exhaust line for the exhaust gases of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: An air circulator control apparatus and method of use for at least one air circulator and a climate control system having a heater and a cooler to regulate the air temperature of a vertical column of air in a structure. The present invention seeks to overcome the negative effects of naturally occurring convection currents and improper placement of air outlets resulting in distinct zones of warm and cool air in structures. The air circulator control apparatus temporarily delays activation of at least one air circulator when used with the heater, to provide for an accumulation of warm air at or near at least one air circulator, before allowing at least one air circulator to be activated. In this manner, generally warm air is circulated in the absence of creating undesirable drafts and wind chills. The air circulator control apparatus instantly activates at least one air circulator when used with the cooler to generally circulate cool air.

Abstract: A device for detecting the deterioration of a catalytic converter for an engine having two or more cylinder groups, and a catalytic converter disposed in a common exhaust passage with which exhaust passages individually connected to the respective cylinder groups are merged, wherein the air-fuel ratio of the respective cylinder groups are controlled independently based on the output of the upstream air-fuel ratio sensors disposed in the respective individual exhaust passages. Since the air-fuel ratios of the respective cylinder groups are controlled independently, the phases of the air-fuel ratio oscillations of exhaust gases flowing into the common exhaust passage from the individual exhaust passages are usually not synchronized. However, during the engine operation, the phases of the air-fuel ratio oscillations of the exhaust gases are occasionally spontaneously synchronized due to slight differences of the periods of the cycle of the air-fuel ratio feedback controls in the respective cylinder groups.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cooling garment, preferably in the form of a vest that contains pouches containing a phase change material. The pouches cover less than the surface area of the vest to thereby permit evaporative cooling to occur and to contribute to the overall comfort of the wearer. An alternate embodiment includes a honeycomb structure which is contained within the pouches and which contains a macroencapsulated phase change material and allows the escape of perspiration through the garment. A heat transfer fluid is adapted to circulate throughout the pouches. The honeycomb structure is designed so that the macroencapsulated phase change material remains within designated ones of the honeycombs, but that permits the flow of the heat transfer fluid through the pouch.

Abstract: An evaporator including a frame which defines a fluid inlet plenum and an interchangeable baffle plate positioned in the plenum along with an interchangeable fluid spray bar. A transition element carries fluid from a standard round tubular fluid inlet and distributes the fluid equally across the width of the spray bar. By forming a plurality of interchangeable baffling plates each having at least one of the placement, configuration and size of holes therethrough different than the other interchangeable baffling plates and forming a plurality of interchangeable spray bars each having a different fluid outlet configuration, the baffle plates and spray bars can be interchanged to design an evaporator for air conditioners and the like with the least amount of internal fluid pressure drop and the best fluid inlet flow balance with the best heat performance.

Abstract: The design and construction of past exhaust port liners with heat insulation capabilities have become more complicated and costly or have incurred increased associated costs for utilizing the invention. The present invention overcomes these problems by utilizing a simple exhaust port liner and seal assembly for an internal combustion engine. The exhaust port liner and seal assembly includes a member which has a flange and a body extending from the flange. The flange is mounted between a cylinder head and an exhaust manifold and the body extends into an exhaust port. The member terminates at an annular lip in close proximity to a cylindrical wall of the exhaust port to form an enclosed space between the lip and the flange. A sealing means surrounds the flange between the cylinder head and the exhaust manifold to seal exhaust gas within the exhaust port before entering the exhaust manifold.