Abstract: To restore the efficiency of a platinum catalyst used for engine exhaust purification that has temporarily deteriorated through oxidation, the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio, or an air-fuel ratio set to a richer value than the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio of the air-fuel mixture supplied to the engine, is applied. The engine running condition and a decrease of catalyst oxidation are detected, and a recovery treatment temperature depending on the degree of oxidation is set. An engine running condition range suited to performing recovery treatment is set based on this recovery treatment temperature. By determining whether or not the running condition is within this range and applying a recovery treatment air-fuel ratio, recovery treatment is performed only under conditions satisfying the recovery treatment temperature. Recovery treatment is therefore performed efficiently, while increase of fuel costs and worsening of exhaust gas composition due to recovery treatment at low temperature are kept to a minimum.

Abstract: An encagement vessel contains water and a working gas capable of forming hydrate with the water. A heat exchange arrangement is associated with the encagement vessel for removing heat from the working gas and water in the encagement vessel to form gas hydrate at an initial temperature. A working gas supply continues to add working gas to the encagement vessel as heat is removed in order to maintain the equilibrium pressure of the gas hydrate at the equilibrium pressure associated with the initial temperature as the hydrate is formed. An equilibrium pressure shifting arrangement increases the equilibrium pressure of the gas hydrate to an end pressure. A dissociating heat exchanger is included for adding heat to the hydrate at the end equilibrium pressure to dissociate the gas hydrate into water and working gas at the end pressure.

Abstract: An exhaust filter (10) removes pollutants from exhaust emitted by an internal combustion engine without producing substantial back pressure on the engine. The exhaust filter (10) is assembled from a frame (16), a mounting sleeve (14), and a replaceable filter cartridge (12). A series of baffles (40, 42, 44, 46, 48, and 50) are located along an exhaust passageway (84) within the cartridge (12) for diverting a first portion (88) of a flow of exhaust (80) through a filter media (78). An outlet (86) passes a second portion (90) of the flow of exhaust (80) from the exhaust filter (10) independently of the filter media (78).

Abstract: Power is produced from geothermal fluid containing non-condensable gases whose main constituent is carbon-dioxide. The geothermal fluid is separated into steam and geothermal liquid, the steam being applied to a steam turbine which produces power. The steam exiting the turbine indirectly condensed by an organic fluid liquid which is vaporized and used to run at least one organic vapor turbine for producing power. Organic vapor exiting the organic vapor turbine is condensed and preheated by the steam condensate. Heat extracted from the geothermal liquid is used to run another organic vapor turbine producing power and cooled geothermal liquid which is combined with the cooled steam condensate to form a mixture to which the non-condensable gases are added to form an effluent that is injected into a re-injection well.

Abstract: In a device having air-fuel ratio sensors upstream and downstream of an exhaust gas purifying catalytic converter with learning carried out based on output values from the downstream air-fuel ratio sensor, independent learning is carried out depending on whether the catalytic converter is active or not. The air-fuel ratio is then controlled based on the output value of the first air-fuel ratio sensor, the output value of the second air-fuel ratio sensor and the learned value. As a result leaning accuracy is increased and air-fuel ratio control performance enhanced.

Abstract: In a method for degassing make-up water for a water-steam-circuit of a steam turbine process make-up water is introduced at a location of introduction into an exhaust steam pipe of the steam turbine so as to form a water film. A connector of the exhaust steam pipe is positioned in the vicinity of the location of introduction and connected to an evacuating device. The gases released from the make-up water are removed via the connector and the evacuating device. The device for performing the method has an exhaust steam pipe with an inner wall and free ends. At least one overflow trough including a deflecting shield is connected to the inner wall of the exhaust steam pipe. Closure plates are connected to the free ends of the exhaust steam pipe. The deflecting shield, the closure plates, the inner wall, and the overflow trough delimit a chamber having an opening toward the interior of the exhaust steam pipe only at the lower free edge of the deflecting shield.

Abstract: A Modified Ericsson Turbocharged Reciprocating Engine (METRE), is provided which exhibits a high thermal efficiency for power and refrigeration applications. A Modified Ericsson cycle can include 2, 3, 4, or more stages (number of intercooling and heat/reheat cycles between stages). As stages are added, both cycle efficiency and power density (power/weight flow) increase, therefore, trade-offs between higher performance and number of stages (system complexity, cost, etc.) are necessary to optimize the engine. By combining a turbocompressor for the low pressures of the cycle and a multi-piston reciprocating engine for the high pressures of the cycle, a light weight, highly fuel-efficient, low-polluting, engine can be achieved. The METRE is highly suited for the power range of automobiles and trucks. This engine can use low technology (lower turbine temperatures, efficiencies, etc.) as well as high technology components (higher turbine temperatures, efficiency etc.

Abstract: A thermal power generator includes a high heat source pump, and cold working fluid pumps. An evaporator heat exchanges a high heat source fluid and a warmed working fluid. A liquid-vapor separator is connected to the evaporator. A first stage turbine is connected to the liquid-vapor separator. A second stage turbine is connected to the first stage turbine. A heater is connected to the first stage turbine, and receives remaining vapor working fluid, and the cold-working fluid to heat exchange the fluids. A tank stores and mixes the working fluids discharged from the heater, and supplies the stored working fluid to the first cold working fluid pump. A regenerator receives the liquid working fluid from the separator, and the cold working fluid, and forms a regenerated working fluid, and a warmed working fluid discharged to the evaporator. An absorber is connected to the second stage turbine and the regenerator. A reducing valve is located between the absorber and regenerator.

Abstract: A headlight for motor vehicles is produced so that it has a light source emitting light rays, a reflector which forms by reflection from the light rays emitted by the light source a light beam which is dispersed in horizontal planes and extends substantially parallel in vertical planes. The reflector has an optical axis, the light source is arranged so that its longitudinal axis extends parallel to the optical axis of the reflector. The reflector has an apex region which is formed so that the light emitted from the light source is reflected by the apex region as light rays converging in horizontal longitudinal planes which produce great images of the light source in lateral edge regions of a measuring screen arranged in front of the reflector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gasoline engine having a catalyst for reducing the emission pollutants, with an oxygen absorption device located in the exhaust line upstream of the catalyst. According to the invention, the gasoline engine is operated in a first operating range with a lean air/fuel ratio (.lambda.), and oxygen is removed from the exhaust by the absorption device. In a second operating range, the gasoline engine is operated at .lambda.=1, and the absorption device is bypassed or deactivated. In the case of a gasoline engine with a Denox catalyst the gasoline engine is operated constantly with a lean air/fuel ratio, with the active surface of the Denox catalyst being "depoisoned" temporarily by activating the oxygen absorption device.

Abstract: With a method of controlled regeneration of a diesel soot filter of a diesel engine the diesel soot filter is divided into a plurality of sections which are connected in parallel in the exhaust gas tract and into at least one of which the influx of exhaust gas is blocked in response to the exhaust gas temperatures measured downstream of the diesel soot filter. When the maximum admissible exhaust gas temperature downstream of the diesel soot filter is exceeded this section, consequently, is shut off in part or even completely from the exhaust gas stream so that the mass flow rate through the corresponding filter section is reduced or even cut off, while the mass flow rate through the remaining sections is increased in a way so as to again control the regeneration or even discontinue it.

Abstract: A single flexible mount and a simple adjustment system are used to provide the means to focus the collective outputs of multiple light-emitting elements.

Abstract: An adjustable-length exhaust system for use with two-cycle motors is disclosed. An insert section of pipe is interposed between a header pipe and a conventional tail pipe so that, when it is rotated, the overall length of the exhaust system is adjusted. The insert section is held in place between the tail pipe and a header extension pipe by a compressive force exerted by one or more springs attached between the header and the tail pipe. The insert features, on an end that slips over the header extension section, a series of graduated notches which mate with a protrusion, or "stop", formed on the mating end of a header extension section. This notch and stop combination determines the distance by which the insert section will be permitted to slip over the header extension section, and correspondingly, the overall length of the exhaust system.

Abstract: An apparatus for purifying an exhaust gas emitted from an internal combustion engine, particularly, immediately after starting of the engine, includes a mechanism for reducing the time required to heat a catalyst converter to the activation temperature. The exhaust gas is passed through a preliminary catalyst close to the engine and then through a main catalyst downstream of the catalyst. The engine is operated with an air-fuel mixture which is richer than the amount indicated by the stoichiometric air/fuel ratio for a period of time from when engine is started until the main catalyst is heated to a temperature at which the catalyst can sufficiently perform its purifying capability. The preliminary catalyst is enabled to function at lower temperatures by combusting the exhaust gas which is generated during a rich air-fuel mixture condition. The main catalyst can be heated with the generated combustion heat, resulting in an enhancement in exhaust gas purifying capability.

Abstract: An exhaust manifold in which a plurality of branch tubes at an inlet side are connected to a collecting tube at an outlet side, and in which the fluid flows from the branch tubes to the collecting tube, wherein a volumetric chamber is provided between at least a pair of the branch tubes in communication with the branch tubes, with the volumetric chamber being gradually increased in its cross-sectional area in a fluid flowing direction. An exhaust manifold formed of upper and lower members comprises a branch tube having a bend. The upper lower members are interconnected by joining flanges having a broader width in the vicinity of the bend than other joining flange portions.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for implementing a thermodynamic cycle in which a gaseous working fluid is expanded to transform its energy into useable form, thereby generating a spent stream which is then condensed to produce a condensed stream. From the condensed stream the following streams are generated: a first stream having a higher percentage of a low boiling component than is included in the condensed stream, a second stream having a lower percentage of a low boiling component than is included in the condensed stream, and a third stream having the same percentage of a low boiling component as is included in the condensed stream. The first, second, and third streams are subjected to multiple distillation operations to generate a liquid working fluid which is then evaporated to generate the gaseous working fluid.

Abstract: A casing (11, 12) holds an actuator (18) having a stem (21) that is moves a plunger with substantial force in response to the actuator (18) being heated. The movement of the plunger (22) loads a compression spring (23) that is located between a base end of the plunger (22) and an opposing end wall of the casing. Two longitudinal casing sections (11, 12) form arcuate projections (43, 44) on the opposing end wall (49) which are inserted within at least one coil of the spring with an interference fit to hold the casing half sections together. Beams (64, 65, 74, 75) adjacent the base end wall (17) add support against the thrust reaction movement of the actuator housing (18) in response to movement of the plunger (22) against the compression spring (23).

Abstract: A method is provided for improving the efficiency of a small-size power plant based on an ORC process. The plant comprises at least one energy converter unit, with a power range below 500 kW, and at least one burner for combustion of fuel for producing energy for the energy converter unit. The energy converter unit includes a high-speed machine which comprises first and second turbines and a generator mounted on a common rotor having rotational speed exceeding 8000 rpm. An ORC medium is vaporized in a vaporizer by utilizing energy derived from the combustion of the fuel in the burner, and then expanded in the first turbine of the high-speed machine to produce electric energy. The ORC medium leaving the first turbine is then reheated by a superheater of the vaporizer utilizing energy derived from the combustion of the fuel in the burner.

Abstract: Internal combustion engine exhaust gas is combined with heat energy emitted by an exhaust gas heater in a staged manner through an interface that diverts portions of the exhaust gas into a number of mixing stages with the heat energy, so that exhaust gas temperature may be elevated to levels supporting exothermic oxidation of exhaust gas elements, contributing additional heat energy to that emitted by the heater to provide for rapid catalytic converter heating following a coldstart of the engine.

Abstract: A heat recovery method is disclosed suitable for combined gas turbine/steam turbine cycles including at the exhaust of a gas turbine a waste heat boiler in which water is first treated in a degassing unit connected to a first evaporator and comprising a certain number of heat exchangers. The boiler uses an ultrasupercritical steam cycle with four pressure levels with subcritical fluid intermediate evaporator stages.