Abstract: A retracting needle assembly for use with a syringe barrel having a distally-facing annular sealing surface includes an outer hub having a conduit therethrough, a proximally facing annular sealing surface and means for connecting the outer hub to the syringe barrel. An inner hub having a passageway therethrough is provided. The inner hub includes a distally extending stem and a proximal flange for releasably engaging the outer hub. A needle having a sharp distal end and a proximal end is mounted in the passageway of the inner hub so that the sharp distal end projects distally outwardly. An elongate spring is disposed about the stem of the inner hub and is deflected to provide a bias between the inner hub and the outer hub. A hollow sleeve sized to fit within the conduit of the outer hub over the spring is provided. The sleeve has a sharp edge at its distal end for cutting through the flange to activate the retracting needle feature.

Abstract: A device for the actuation of a gas shuttle valve in an internal combustion engine that allows an optimization of both engine performance and fuel consumption by providing a variable valve lift. The lift of the gas shuttle valve can be varied by adjusting the effective axial distance of the actuators. As needed, the valve lift is increased or decreased in order to either improve engine performance or fuel consumption.

Abstract: In a closed-loop process, a controller uses a flow sensor to monitor the flow of a medicinal fluid being infused into a patient, to achieve a desired rate of flow. A relatively inexpensive peristaltic pump or electronically controlled valve can be used to vary the flow of the medicinal fluid through a fluid line. A Y site within the fluid line includes an integral flow sensor having an orifice. The flow sensor includes proximal and distal pressure sensors disposed on opposite sides of the orifice to monitor the distal and proximal pressure, producing a signal indicative of the rate of flow of the medicinal fluid through the fluid line. A signal produced by the controller is input to a motor driving the pump or to the valve to vary the rate of flow as required to achieve the desired infusion rate of the medicinal fluid.

Abstract: A tappet (1) for the transfer of a lifting motion to a sliding part is provided having two parts, including a circular shaped section (2) with a base (5) connected to it as one piece and a separate dome-shaped socket (9) connected to the base (5) made of thin-walled material with a contact surface (10) for the sliding part. The tappet (1), whose socket (9) extends over a considerable length of the circular shaped section (2), can be economically manufactured.

Abstract: A swing cam to actuate engine valves is rotatably disposed about a drive shaft. A first eccentric cam is tightly disposed on the drive shaft. A ring-link is rotatably disposed on the first eccentric cam. A second eccentric cam is tightly disposed on a control shaft which rotates to a given angular position in accordance with an operation condition of an associated internal combustion engine. A rocker arm is rotatably disposed on the second eccentric cam. A rod-link extends between the rocker arm and the swing cam. A first connecting pin pivotally connects a first arm portion of the rocker arm with the ring-link. A second connecting pin pivotally connects a second arm portion of the rocker arm with an end of the rod-link. A third connecting pin pivotally connects the other end of the rod-link with the swing cam. The first connecting pin is fixed to either one of the first arm portion of the rocker arm and the ring-link.

Abstract: A sliding member (12) is disclosed that has superior slidability and durability at a low cost. A top sliding surface (12a) of the sliding member (12) is formed by a nitriding process that creates a compound layer (14) and a diffusion layer (15) on a base metal (16) of the sliding member (12). The buff polishing process is thinly performed on an outermost layer portion (14a) of the compound layer (14), such that a portion of the compound layer (14b and/or 14c) remains.

Abstract: A method for controlling movement of an armature for an electromagnetic valve actuator. The armature moves between pole faces of juxtaposed solenoid coils. Voltage applied to armature capturing coil is varied in a closed-loop fashion as the armature moves through a flux initialization phase, followed by an armature landing phase whereby a soft landing of the armature is achieved during valve opening movement and valve closing movement.

Abstract: Cylinder deactivation apparatus includes switching valve actuators controlled by rotary valve sleeves surrounding each of the actuators. In a preferred embodiment, the sleeves act to admit continuous pressurized oil to internal lash adjuster mechanisms and selectively control oil flow from a lash adjuster mechanism inlet to a deactivator switching mechanism and discharge of pressure oil from the deactivator switching mechanism. A single oil supply provides pressurized oil to both conventional and deactivation valve actuators for lubrication of associated valve mechanisms and operation of internal lash adjusters as well as for operation of the cylinder deactivation mechanisms. In a valve-actuating position, the rotary sleeve drains oil from the deactivating mechanism so that associated engine valves are operated normally.

Abstract: A valve opening/closing timing control apparatus and method can be used with a camshaft whose rotation is synchronized with opening/closing timing of an intake valve or an exhaust valve in an internal combustion engine; a relative rotation angle adjustment mechanism which transmits torque of a crankshaft in the internal combustion engine to the camshaft and which adjusts a relative rotation angle between the crankshaft and the camshaft; and a lock mechanism which depends on hydraulic fluid, and which mechanically locks or unlocks the relative rotation angle that is adjusted by the relative rotation angle adjustment mechanism. The apparatus and method determine the duration of a time period from a start of the internal combustion engine until a start of relative rotation angle adjustment, based upon an unlocking force of the hydraulic fluid that is applied to the lock mechanism when the lock mechanism is locked and the internal combustion engine is started.

Abstract: The invention relates to valve condition control system and method for an internal combustion engine including a first variable valve drive mechanism for changing a valve condition of one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve, a second variable valve drive mechanism for changing a valve condition of the other of the intake valve and the exhaust valve, and a controller.

Abstract: A hypodermic syringe with a selectively retractable includes an elongate barrel having an open proximal end and a distal end that defines a receiver. The syringe has a hollow elongate plunger with an open proximal end and a closed distal end. The syringe has an elongate hub having a passageway therethrough, a distally extending stem, and a proximal flange with an engagement for engaging said barrel. The syringe has an elongate needle having a fluid path therethrough, a sharpened distal end and a proximal end. The needle is mounted in the passageway so that the distal end projects distally outwardly. The syringe has an elongate spring disposed about the stem of the hub that is compressed between the flange and the receiver to provide a bias. There is a hollow sleeve sized to fit within the receiver over the elongate spring with a proximal sharpened end facing the flange.

Abstract: A two-step finger follower rocker arm assembly for cooperating with high-lift and low-lift cam lobes of an engine camshaft. The rocker arm assembly includes a follower body for engaging an hydraulic lash adjuster and a valve stem. A central well contains a roller for following the central low-lift cam lobe. Pivotably mounted on the body are lateral high-lift followers, including sliders or rollers, for following the lateral high-lift cam lobes. A latch block disposed on the body surface is slidable by piston and spring means between first and second positions to engage and thereby alternatively latch and unlatch the high-lift followers. In latched position, the rocker arm assembly acts in high-lift mode; in unlatched position, in low-lift mode.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a variable valve actuation system is provided. An engine valve is moved from a first position where the engine valve blocks a flow of fluid to a second position where the engine valve passes a flow of fluid. A valve actuator is actuated to prevent the engine valve from returning to the first position. A signal is transmitted to cause the valve actuator and to allow the engine valve to return to the first position. The return of the engine valve to the first position is determined. A time parameter indicative of an elapsed time between the transmission of the signal and movement of the engine valve to the first position is determined.

Abstract: A valve control system for controlling both the amount of valve lift (FIG. 7B) and the timing of the valve lift (FIG. 7A) of an internal combustion engine poppet valve (19). The system includes a rocker arm (37) having an engagement surface (69) and a cam member (51) disposed for to and fro movement relative to a camshaft (27) and having a cam surface (71) in generally face-to-face relationship to the engagement surface (69). A first cam follower (55) engages the cam profile (29) on the camshaft, and a second cam follower (61,70) is disposed between the engagement surface (69) and the cam surface (71), and is connected to the first cam follower (55) by a rigid follower linkage (59). A control arrangement (63) changes the to and fro position of the cam member (51) to vary valve lift, and an adjustable timing linkage (57) moves the first cam follower, to advance or retard the valve timing.

Abstract: An engageable cam follower (1) for acting on a pushrod in the valve train of an internal combustion engine is provided. This cam follower (1) includes of a thin-walled hollow cylindrical housing (2) in whose borehole (3) is positioned an internal element (4) axially movable with respect to the housing (2). The housing (2) and the internal element (4) each possess a radial borehole (13, 10) aligned in a relative position to each other. Positioned in the radial borehole (10) of the internal element (4) is a piston (11) having a convex end (14) and movable toward the radial borehole (13) of the housing (2) for coupling the internal element (4) with the housing (2) in the relative position. According to the invention, the borehole (3) of the housing (2) is shaped in the area of the radial borehole (13) of the housing (2) as a flattening (15) extending in the longitudinal direction of the cam follower (1).

Abstract: A solenoid operated valve has a valve body with a plurality of ports and a spool slidable within the body to interconnect the ports in different combinations. A solenoid, which is coupled to drive the spool, has a coil wound on an annular bobbin with a tube of an electrically conductive, non-magnetic metal within the bobbin. A first pole piece extends into one end of the tube and a second pole piece extends into another end of the tube. A separate bushing is located in an aperture in each pole piece. Each bushing has a tubular body with a first end section that has a larger outer diameter than a second end section and the second end section that has a smaller inner diameter than the first end section. The solenoid further includes an armature that is slidably received in the bushings and engaging the spool.

Abstract: In a variable valve timing system for an internal combustion engine, a soft-landing revertive control that an electromagnetic brake is de-energized and then an angular position of a camshaft relative to a crankshaft returns to an initial position is performed by a combination of a feedback control and a feedforward control. During the revertive control, the feedback control is executed in such a manner as to temporarily halt the angular phase of the camshaft at a predetermined position, which is phase-changed by a predetermined phase angle from the initial position. After the feedback control, the operating mode is switched to a feedforward control, so as to return the angular phase of the camshaft from the predetermined position to the initial position by changing a controlled quantity or a control-signal duty cycle value for the electromagnetic brake with a predetermined time rate of change.

Abstract: An oil pressure control apparatus for an internal combustion engine that has a source of hydraulic pressure and a hydraulic actuator which is actuated by hydraulic pressure provided via a fluid passage which is in communication with the source of hydraulic pressure. A control valve is disposed in the fluid passage for controlling the hydraulic pressure introduced to the actuator. A damper, which is disposed in a fluid communication between the hydraulic actuator and the control valve, is operative to attenuate the force of a pulsing stream of a working fluid in the fluid passage.

Abstract: The cup tappet (1) of the invention for a valve train of an internal combustion engine comprises a hollow cylindrical skirt (2) whose one end (3) is connected to a bottom (5) for making contact with a cam. The skirt (2) has a clearly smaller height than the overall height of the cup tappet (1), and the bottom (5) rises in a roof-like taper from said end (3). By virtue of this configuration, the bottom (5) has a very high rigidity, so that it is possible to minimize its thickness ‘d’ significantly compared to thicknesses of prior art cup tappet bottoms.

Abstract: In a variable valve mechanism that changes an opening characteristic of an engine valve by a rotation force of a direct current motor, an electric current to be supplied to the direct current motor is forcibly lowered by providing restriction to a control signal of a power transistor that supplies the electric current to the direct current motor, or providing restriction to a change speed of target value of the opening characteristic, when an engine temperature is high.