Abstract: An apparatus and method for vacuum evacuation and pressure filling of a lubricant reservoir are provided which includes a sequence timing and shutoff mechanism for controlling evacuation, testing for air leaks, and filling with lubricant. Visual indication of mechanism performance is provided. A charging gun is adapted for sealingly mating with an opening in the reservoir. Alternatively, a pointed probe utilizable with stoppers of the conventional as well as vented type may be used.

Abstract: Waste heat generated by an internal combustion engine is utilized by an apparatus comprising a supercharger, a turbine drivably engaging the supercharger, a vaporizer, a condenser and fluid injection duct means. The turbine, the vaporizer and the condenser form a closed loop within which a motive fluid is circulated. The vaporizer is intimately associated with the internal combustion engine, and the motive fluid within the vaporizer is converted to gaseous form by heat transfer from the engine. The vaporized fluid is then used to drive the turbine which, in turn, drives the supercharger, thereby increasing the efficiency of the engine. Spent motive fluid is recovered from the turbine, condensed, and recycled to the vaporizer. Additionally, a fluid injection duct introduces fluid preferably in the form of steam into the air which enters the engine.

Abstract: Waste heat generated by an internal combustion engine is utilized by an apparatus comprising a supercharger, a turbine drivably engaging the supercharger, a vaporizer, and a condenser. The turbine, the vaporizer and the condenser form a closed loop within which a motive fluid is circulated. The vaporizer is intimately associated with the internal combustion engine, and the motive fluid within the vaporizer is converted to gaseous form by heat transfer from the engine. The vaporized fluid is then used to drive the turbine which, in turn, drives the supercharger, thereby increasing the efficiency of the engine. Spent motive fluid is recovered from the turbine, condensed, and recycled to the vaporizer.

Abstract: A load follow-up device for use with an internal combustion engine equipped with a supercharger, comprises detector means operatively connected to the engine for sensing a sudden application of load to the engine; air feed means for feeding air into the engine cylinder; intake air relief means for discharging a portion of the pressurized air present within the intake manifold into atmosphere; means for forcedly shifting the fuel rack towards the fuel increasing side; and control circuit means connected to the detector means for operating the air feed means, intake air relief means and fuel rack shifting means in response to instruction from the detector means. The air feed means, intake air relief means and fuel rack shifting means are so arranged that they operate to faithfully follow up the application of an additional load, thereby preventing reduction in engine speed.

Abstract: A gyroscope rotor is rotated to a very high speed when a pawl is moved to release a ratchet coupled to a coil spring drive and keyed to a drive shaft. The coil spring drive then drives the rotor at a multiplied rate of speed through an arbor, planetary pinions revolved by the arbor and meshing with a fixed ring gear, a sun gear keyed to a drive shaft, the drive shaft, and hooking claw clutch teeth on the drive shaft and the rotor. When the spring reaches an unwound condition, the rotor overruns the drive shaft, the clutch teeth on the rotor cam the drive shaft axially away from the rotor, and a compression spring moves the drive shaft and a pilot pin thereon to retracted positions completely out of engagement with the rotor. A keeper bar on the pawl normally overhangs the ratchet to hold the drive shaft in clutching engagement with the rotor, and, when the pawl is released, it moves the keeper bar to a retracted position permitting axial movement of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A heat exchanger of the straight tube type in which different rates of thermal expansion between the straight tubes and the supply pipes furnishing fluid to those tubes do not result in tube failures. The supply pipes each contain a section which is of helical configuration.