Abstract: A luminaire includes a reflector in a housing, a lampholder for accommodating an electric lamp parallel to a light-emission window of the housing and to second sides thereof, and a light transmissive pane closing the window. Light-screening lamellae are present near the window, transverse to the main direction of the lamp. The luminaire has lamellae in regions adjacent first sides of the window, only; a central region of the window being free of lamellae for allowing easy replacement of the lamp through the central region not occupied by the lamellae. In an embodiment of the luminaire the lamellae are not linked to the pane. The luminaire allows for an easy replacement of the lamp and easy cleaning of the pane. An increased light output is obtained, too.

Abstract: An exhaust gas flow path for an internal combustion engine includes a vaporizer positioned upstream of an exhaust gas oxygen sensor. The vaporizer dissipates any liquid in the exhaust gas stream thus protecting the exhaust gas oxygen sensor from thermal shock.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a lighting device for vehicles which does not irradiate any dazzling rays of light to oncoming vehicles.

Abstract: A reflection surface is divided into four reflection areas by means of a horizontal surface, a vertical surface and a surface inclined with respect to the horizontal surface, the three surfaces respectively including the optical axis of the reflector. The four reflection areas include a basic surface. The basic surface is an aggregate (envelope surface) of intersection lines obtained when a virtual paraboloid of revolution, which includes a reference parabola in the horizontal surface or inclined surface and has as a focus (second focus) a point on an optical axis passing through the vertex and focus of the reference parabola and situated in front of or to the rear of a focus (first focus) with respect to the vertex, is cut by vertical surfaces respectively including the optical axis.

Abstract: A light coupler includes an array of non-imaging optical microcollectors. Each of the microcollectors has an entrance aperture for receiving light emitted from a source, an optical axis, and an exit aperture for emitting the light received by the entrance aperture. The array of non-imaging optical microcollectors are adapted and arranged such that the entrance apertures together subtend an acceptance angle for accepting divergent light emitted from the source and such that the optical axes of the non-imaging optical microcontrollers converge. The acceptance angle preferably is substantially matched to a divergence angle of the source. The entrance apertures can be mapped to a portion of a spherical surface (e.g., a hemisphere) which has a radial center at an apparent or actual center of the source. Alternatively, the entrance apertures can be mapped to a portion of a parabolic surface which has a focus at an apparent or actual center of the source.

Abstract: A device for increasing efficiency of a power plant operated by burning fossil fuel has a boiler for heating a process medium. An inlet line is connected to the boiler for feeding a first process gas in the form of combustion air into the boiler. An outlet line is connected to the boiler removing a second process gas in the form of flue gas from the steam generator. A heat exchanger for heating the combustion air by regaining some of the heat contained in the flue gas is provided. At least one device for preheating the combustion air is connected upstream of the heat exchanger. The device for preheating the combustion air preheats the combustion air with heat energy contained in the process medium which is at a low pressure level. At least one device for transferring a portion of the heat energy, introduced into the combustion air by preheating, from at least one of the process gases to the process medium at a high pressure level is provided.

Abstract: A stirling engine or an internal combustion engine having one or more cylinders, each having a moveable piston which is coupled to a drive shaft to drive a load. The engine load coupling also includes a set of Class 1 elliptical gears of the first type which means each gear rotates about one of its focal points. The load and the engine are efficiently operated as a result of the operation of the coupling arrangement. In apparatus employing a Stirling engine, apparatus and engine efficiencies are enhanced through elliptical gear operation which enables the Stirling engine to operate very closely to the idealized Stirling cycle.

Abstract: A system for generating power as a result of an expansion of a pressurized working fluid through a turbine exhibits improved efficiency as the result of employing a tri-component working fluid that comprises water, ammonia and carbon dioxide. The pH of the working fluid is maintained within a range to prevent precipitation of carbon-bearing solids (preferably between 8.0 to 10.6). The working fluid enables an efficiency improvement in the Rankine cycle of up to 12 percent and an efficiency improvement in the Kalina cycle of approximately 5 percent.

Abstract: In a Stirling engine comprising: a cylinder having an expansion space; a housing accommodating a heat accumulating unit; and a heating unit through which said expansion space is communicated with the heat accumulating unit, the heating unit is formed by using a flattened pipe, and preferably heat transferring fins, and reinforcing members for preventing the increase in volume of the flow path in the heating unit are provided in the latter, so that in connecting the heating unit to the cylinder and the housing, the number of assembling steps is decreased, and the heating unit is sufficiently large in dead volume ("flow path sectional area" x "flow path length") and in heat transfer area.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided that comprise the use of a water-filled vessel having two vertical sections and two horizontal sections that connect the respective upper and lower ends of the vertical sections. A sprocket is mounted for rotation with a horizontal output shaft in one of the horizontal sections, and an idler pulley is mounted for rotation in the other horizontal section. An endless drive chain carrying a plurality of gas receptacles, or buckets encircles the sprocket and the idler pulley within the vessel. A gas inlet is positioned at the bottom of the vessel such that a portion of the gas entering the vessel enters the open ends of the downwardly facing buckets and forces part of the water out of the buckets. The hydrostatic pressure of the water exerts an upward buoyant force on the gas in the bucket moving the bucket upwardly.

Abstract: In the electrically heated catalytic converter system according to the present invention, the catalytic converter is provided with an electric heater. The electric heater is turned on by a switching device for a predetermined time period after the engine starts in order to heat the catalytic converter. When the switching device fails in such a manner that the switching device cannot turn off the electric heater even after the predetermined time period lapsed, the catalytic converter is heated by the electric heater even after the catalyst reaches the activating temperature. This may cause an excessive temperature rise and damage to the catalytic converter.

Abstract: A system based on a refrigeration cycle for converting low grade heat into useful work. A plurality of pressure vessels are interconnected with a common high pressure feed manifold and a common low pressure return manifold, A fluid pressure driven motor is connected across the manifolds. The system is charged with a volatile refrigerant. By sequentially heating and cooling the pressure vessels and directing the flow with a series of valves, a pressure differential is maintained across the manifolds to drive the fluid pressure motor.

Abstract: A waste heat recovery system is provided where a waste heat source is utilized to vaporize a working fluid which in turn powers a turbine to generate power in a heat engine. A heat exhanger is placed between a waste heat source in an industrial process and an evaporator. The evaporator is connected to a turbine chamber further connected to a multi-chambered condensation unit. Each chamber of the multi-chambered condensation unit has a valved inlet port and a valved outlet port. The valved inlet ports of each chamber of the multi-chambered condensation unit are connected to the turbine chamber outlet. The multi-chamber condensation unit includes a number of condensation chambers, each chamber including a plurality of computer controlled valves. The condesation chambers are sequentially evacuated causing the vapor to be drawn through the turbine and brought into the condensation chambers one at a time. A reservoir is provided which collects the condensate where it is pumped back to the evaporator.

Abstract: A number of embodiments of exhaust systems for outboard motors including a combined catalyst bed and exhaust manifold forming member affixed within the cylinder block of the engine so as to be readily detachable for servicing. This combined member is provided with a separate cooling jacket for its cooling.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a temperature-dependent exhaust gas converter arranged to receive a secondary air supply from a secondary air pump, and the engine has a fuel vapor accumulator to collect fuel vapors from the fuel supply for the engine. During cold-starting of the engine, the air pump is operated to draw fuel vapors from the accumulator into the secondary air supply to regenerate the accumulator and provide a flammable secondary air-fuel mixture to the exhaust gas converter.

Abstract: An air/fuel control system (10) and method for an engine (28) coupled to a catalytic converter (50) includes monitoring of the converter (50). Engine air/fuel ratio is controlled (104-178) in response to a pair of two-state signals generated by comparing the outputs of respective upstream (44, 55) and downstream (52) exhaust gas oxygen sensors to a reference voltage. The transitions in the downstream sensor are indicated when a difference in its output amplitude changes signs and a difference between stored peak values occurring during two successive changes in the sign exceeds a predetermined value (200-350). Converter efficiency is indicated from a ratio of transitions in the downstream sensor transitions to transitions in the upstream sensor output which are generated in a similar manner (690-770).

Abstract: An exhaust gas-purifying system for an internal combustion engine has an adsorbing device arranged in an exhaust passage thereof for adsorbing or desorbing unburnt component contained in exhaust gases. An exhaust gas recirculation passage branches off from the exhaust passage at a branch point downstream of the adsorbing device and extending to an intake passage of the engine for returning exhaust gases flowing through the adsorbing device to the intake passage. The path of exhaust gases is changed to selectively introduce the exhaust gases containing the unburnt components into the exhaust gas recirculation passage. The adsorbing capacity of the adsorbing device is checked based on a manner of change in an air-fuel ratio of exhaust gases detected when the exhaust gases are introduced into the exhaust gas recirculation passage.

Abstract: An exhaust apparatus for a combustion engine having a combustion chamber and an exhaust pipe for conveying exhaust gas in an exhaust stream from the combustion chamber wherein the exhaust apparatus includes a fan member disposed within the exhaust pipe and driven by the exhaust stream so as to create an area of low pressure between the fan member and the combustion chamber whereby extraction of exhaust gas from the combustion chamber is facilitated.

Abstract: An aiming mechanism for a automotive lamp in which play is prevented from developing between a nut, threadedly engaged with an aiming screw, and a nut insertion hole formed in a lamp housing. The aiming screw is connected at its front end to a connecting portion of a lamp unit in a manner so as to allow relative pivotal movement therebetween. The aiming screw is threadedly engaged with a nut made of a synthetic resin mounted in a nut insertion hole in a lamp housing also made of a synthetic resin, and extends through the lamp housing in a direction generally parallel to an axis of the lamp housing. When the aiming screw is turned, the aiming screw is moved back and forth relative to the lamp housing to tilt the lamp unit.

Abstract: A combined cycle thermodynamic heat flow process for the high efficiency conversion of heat energy into mechanical shaft power is disclosed. This process is particularly useful as a high efficiency energy conversion system for the supply of electrical power (and in appropriate cases thermal services). The high efficiency energy conversion system is also disclosed. A preferred system comprises dual closed Brayton cycle systems, one functioning as a heat engine, the other as a heat pump, with their respective closed working fluid systems being joined at a common indirect heat exchanger. The heat engine preferably is a gas turbine, capable of operating at exceptionally high efficiencies by reason of the ability to reject heat from the expanded turbine working fluid in the common heat exchanger, which is maintained at cryogenic temperatures by the heat pump system.