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: A catalytic converter deterioration detecting system for an engine derives a low-frequency component in an output of a downstream-side oxygen sensor provided downstream of a catalytic converter. The system detects deterioration of the catalytic converter based on the low-frequency component, such as, an amplitude of the low-frequency component or a period of the low-frequency component. For higher detection accuracy, an amplitude of a high-frequency component in the output of the downstream-side oxygen sensor is additionally used for detecting deterioration of the catalytic converter. Specifically, the system determines that the catalytic converter is deteriorated when the low-frequency amplitude is smaller than a given value and the high-frequency amplitude is greater than a given value.

Abstract: A method for cooling the parts of an extractor valve assembly to workable levels by cooling a portion of the produced gases and mixing it with the newly produced gases to lower the average temperature of the gases produced which is seen by the valving means and by recirculating engine oil along the production tubes to precool the gases before they arrive at the valving means.

Abstract: A secondary air introduction apparatus introduces secondary air into an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine so as to clean exhaust gases emitted from the engine through the aid of a catalyst which is disposed in the exhaust system. The apparatus has a heating device which heats the secondary air which is to be introduced into the exhaust system, thereby elevating the temperature of the exhaust gases when the noxious components in the exhaust gases react with the oxygen in the secondary air, thereby improving the cleaning efficiency. In one form of the apparatus, the heating device is fixed to a part of the exhaust system such as a catalyst case connected in the exhaust pipe. The apparatus may have a controller which, upon detecting occurrence of any abnormality through detection of the temperature of the secondary air heated by the heating device, operates to activate a warning device or stop the operation of the whole apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for heating or cooling the levels of a multi-story building. A single furnace-air conditioning unit is utilized to heat or cool the levels as dictated by the settings of thermostats in each level. An arrangement is employed to direct heated air from the upper level to the lower level during the heating cycle to lessen temperature differentials between the upper and lower levels.

Abstract: A method for dehydrating and cleaning high pressure gases withdrawn from within the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine including maintaining the gases at a high pressure and cooling the gases to cause condensation of water, entraining particulate matter in the water, and delivering the water to the normal exhaust system of the engine for disposal thru vaporization back to being exhaust gas.

Abstract: A thermoelectric module (10) which is adapted to selectively heat or cool the inside of a container includes an exterior heat exchanger (51) having a plurality of spaced and generally parallel undulating fins (52). An exterior fan (31) is positioned adjacent to the exterior heat exchanger (51) and is adapted to move air from the outside of the container through the spaces between the fins (52) of the exterior heat exchanger (51). An interior heat exchanger (54) has a plurality of spaced and generally parallel undulating fins (55). An interior fan (42) is positioned adjacent to the interior heat exchanger (54) and is adapted to move air from the inside of the container through the spaces between the fins (55) of the interior heat exchanger (54). A motor (28) drives the fans (31, 42) and is cooled by air drawn in through apertures (34) in the hub (32) of the exterior fan (31).

Abstract: An apparatus for diminishing the amount of NO.sub.x in the exhaust gases of an engine by a catalytic converter installed in its exhaust system. The apparatus includes an injector associated with the intake system of the engine, or the exhaust system upstream of the catalytic converter for injecting fuel into the intake, or exhaust system to ensure that the catalytic converter receives a sufficient supply of hydrocarbon. The amount of NO.sub.x in the exhaust gases leaving the engine is estimated from the number of revolutions thereof and the angle of a control lever, or the concentration of NO.sub.x in the exhaust gases leaving the catalytic converter is detected by a sensor. The amount of fuel injection into the intake, or exhaust system is controlled in accordance with the estimated amount of NO.sub.x, or the output of the sensor.

Abstract: A manifold converter comprises a housing constructed of two metal shells welded at their mating edges; a catalyzer carrier unit installed in the housing in a manner to define therein upstream and downstream portions with respect to the catalyzer carrier unit; and a sealing mat disposed between the catalyzer carrier unit and the housing to achieve a hermetical sealing therebetween. A binding structure is further employed for binding a given portion of the housing where the sealing mat is located. With this binding structure, undesired permanent expansion of the housing caused by the inevitable thermal expansion is suppressed or at least minimized.

Abstract: An automotive engine and exhaust aftertreatment system includes an engine, a catalytic exhaust aftertreatment device for receiving exhaust gas from the engine, and an air source for supplying air to the exhaust stream entering the catalyst. An exhaust gas oxygen sensor determines the amount of oxygen contained in the exhaust entering the catalyst, and an engine control computer connected with the air source and with the oxygen sensor monitors the amount of oxygen contained in the exhaust and controls the amount of air supplied to the exhaust stream by the air source such that the available oxygen is slightly in excess of the stoichiometric requirement. In this manner, the light-off time of the catalyst is minimized.

Abstract: A very compact arrangement of a catalyst bed and exhaust gas bypass passage for a catalytic converter assembly having an essentially overall oval shape with the catalyst bed and bypass passage essentially parallel and side-by-side, and a multi-wing butterfly valve alternately seatable to close one of the passages while opening the other, and vice-versa.

Abstract: An exhaust-gas purification device for an internal combustion engine or the like which can effectively purify hydrocarbon (HC) among the toxic components of the exhaust-gas emitted by the engine or the like even when the temperature of said exhaust-gas is relatively low, and an exhaust-gas purification device, wherein, in an exhaust system in which a first purification-treatment section 4 carrying a catalyst 3 is placed in a main exhaust passage 2, a bypass passage 5 is placed which diverges from said main exhaust passage 2 and which later returns to said main exhaust passage 2 at a certain distance, and a second purification treatment section 7 carrying an absorbent 6 is placed in said bypass passage 5.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine assembly comprising an internal combustion engine including an exhaust port, an exhaust conduit communicating with the exhaust port and having an inner surface, the conduit including first and second conduit portions having respective ends, the first and second conduit portions being connected end-to-end, a catalyst which is located within the conduit and which includes catalytic material and a sleeve surrounding the catalytic material, the sleeve having a length and an outer surface spaced from the inner surface of the conduit along substantially the entire length of the sleeve, the sleeve having thereon a rigid, radially outwardly extending flange captured between the ends of the conduit portions, and a flexible gasket between the flange and the end of one of the conduit portions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an outboard motor comprising a drive shaft housing including an inner wall partially defining a pumping chamber, an air inlet port communicating between the pumping chamber and the atmosphere, and an air outlet port communicating with the pumping chamber, a propeller shaft rotatably supported by the drive shaft housing, an engine mounted on the drive shaft housing, a drive shaft drivingly connecting the engine to the propeller shaft, a closure member which is supported by the drive shaft housing, which partially defines the pumping chamber, and which rotatably supports the drive shaft, an exhaust passageway communicating with the engine, a catalytic converter located in the exhaust passageway and communicating with the outlet port, and an impeller located in the pumping chamber, mounted on the drive shaft for rotation therewith, and operative to supply air to the catalytic converter.

Abstract: Support apparatus for the exhaust pipe of an internal combustion engine in which three suspension rods pivotably support the pipe at one longitudinal station and two others engage the pipe at a second longitudinal station. An external radial force is applied to the pipe preferably at a suspension rod at the second station. Specific and constant bearing forces determined by the size of the external force occur essentially independently of the temperature of the exhaust pipe and these forces hold the exhaust pipe in a secure state, free of play, without introducing damaging stresses. In addition, the position of the exhaust pipe at a specific temperature can be obtained by suitable selection of the arrangement and length of the suspension rods.

Abstract: A NO.sub.x absorbent which absorbs NO.sub.x in exhaust gas when the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas is lean and releases absorbed NO.sub.x when the oxygen concentration of the exhaust gas is lowered, is disposed in an exhaust passage of an engine. When the amount of the NO.sub.x absorbed by the NO.sub.x absorbent is increased, the regenerating process of the NO.sub.x absorbent is performed by supplying a reducing agent to the NO.sub.x absorbent so that the NO.sub.x absorbed by the NO.sub.x absorbent is released and reduced by the reducing agent. Usually, to reduce the amount of the reducing agent required for the regenerating process, the inflowing exhaust gas into the NO.sub.x absorbent is shut off. In the present invention, even in the regenerating process of NO.sub.x absorbent, a small amount of the exhaust gas (carrier gas) is introduced to the NO.sub.x absorbent to carry the supplied reducing agent through the NO.sub.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring a system for delivering secondary air to an exhaust tube of an internal combustion engine. In the method and apparatus, a secondary air pump is switched on and builds up a pressure on the inlet side of a blocking valve which is normally closed and not being acted upon. The blocking valve has a valve closing member that is acted upon by a predetermined closing force of an elastic element. If the secondary air quantity pumped by the secondary air pump reaches a certain minimum air quantity and pressure, then with the then-opened blocking valve, a lambda sensor disposed in an exhaust tube detects a change in the lambda value in the exhaust tube that exceeds a predetermined threshold value. The apparatus is suitable for monitoring the function of a system for delivering secondary air to the exhaust tube of an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A manifold of an engine has a liner, a housing and an insulating element covering and extending about the liner between the liner and the housing. The external surface of the housing is free of insulating elements. The insulating element is quilted and has ceramic fiber encased within fiberglass.

Abstract: An exhaust manifold (10) for directing heated exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine (12), the manifold comprising a manifold body (32) having an outer wall (34), and an inner wall (42) defining an exhaust passageway (43) for directing the heated exhaust gas. The inner wall (34) has embedded therein a plurality of ceramic members (58) having a lower thermal conductivity than that of the manifold body (32) such that heat transfer through the ceramic members (58) to the outer wall (34) is reduced. The invention also includes a method of manufacturing same.

Abstract: An engine comprising an exhaust passage having therein an NO.sub.x absorbent which absorbs NO.sub.x when the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas flowing into the No.sub.x absorbent is lean and releases absorbed NO.sub.x when the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas flowing into the NO.sub.x absorbent becomes rich. The temperature of the NO.sub.x absorbent is maintained within a predetermined range by injecting fuel into the exhaust gas when the temperature of the NO.sub.x absorbent drops, and by injecting air into the exhaust gas when the temperature of the NO.sub.x absorbent becomes high.