Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for route planning and navigation using a portable communication device. A route planning and navigation unit receives a route request from a caller. The route planning and navigation unit checks the latest traffic/road condition data, long term map database, knowledge database, Internet resources, if necessary, and then determines the best route for the driver to reach the destination. The caller may also enter general destination information and be prompted to may a selection from the possible choices. The route planning and navigation unit may also provide exact location information to police officers and emergency personnel, if necessary. During the navigation phase, the caller may receive turn-by-turn navigation and reminders to change lanes in preparation for turns, etc.

Abstract: An improved measuring and cutting tool is provided, which consists of an extensible tape measure. A mechanism for cutting is on a first end of the extensible tape measure. A structure for guiding is on a second opposite end of the extensible tape measure. The guiding structure will allow the cutting mechanism to make quick and accurate cuts into a piece of soft thin material.

Abstract: A secondary air control device for an internal combustion engine wherein the secondary air is introduced into the engine intake downstream of the carburetor in response to sudden increases in vacuum, such as upon rapid deceleration of the vehicle and in turn the engine. The device includes detectors and a circuit for controlling the operation of the secondary air control valve which prevent opening of the valve if both the engine temperature is too low and the vehicle transmission is in neutral.

Abstract: A reservoir in which coolant is stored, is fluidly interposed between the downstream end of the condensor in which coolant vapor from the engine coolant jacket is condensed, and a coolant return pump which is responsive to a level sensor disposed in the coolant jacket, in a manner to form part of the cooling circuit of the system. The system further includes two temperature sensors, the first is disposed in the lower tank of the radiator and the other in the coolant jacket proximate the cylinder head. A device which modifies the pressure prevailing in the system is operated in response to one or both of the temperature sensors. This device can take the form of a cooling fan or an electromagnetic valve which controls one of a coolant jacket/atmosphere vent or a reservoir/atmosphere vent.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided to increase the retarding horsepower of a compression release engine retarder driven from the exhaust valve pushtube or the fuel injector pushtube. The mechanism includes a plenum communicating with the exhaust valve slave piston and the master piston driven by a remote exhaust valve pushtube or the fuel injector pushtube. A trigger check valve is located between the master piston and exhaust valve slave piston so that the initial motion of the master piston delivers energy to the plenum. At a predetermined point in the travel of the master piston, the trigger check valve is opened by the master piston to permit the delivery of the energy stored in the plenum to the slave piston. Additional pumping capability is provided by a second master piston while a control check valve communicating with the second master piston limits the intake of hydraulic fluid into the system after working pressures have been attained to that hydraulic fluid which may leak from the system.

Abstract: A cooling system for the engine (11) of an outboard motor (10) uses a pressure relief valve (28) to control the coolant pressure and flow through the cylinder block (34). The relief valve member (36) controls flow at the outlet (42) of the block and is controlled by a diaphragm (45) responding to pump (14) discharge pressure at the inlet to the block (34). An orifice (53) bypasses flow around the block (34) when the main valve seat (35) is closed and is closed by the valve member (36) when the main valve seat (35) is fully opened.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine, of the type having a block with a line of cylinders and a cylinder head attached to the block and coolant distribution and discharge manifolds provided adjacent each other on one side of the block is provided with an improved coolant arrangement. Coolant from a pump enters the distribution manifold at a point intermediate the ends of the line of cylinders and from there flows freely up into the cylinder head through cast openings corresponding in number to the number of cylinders. The majority of coolant flows across the cylinder head and down to coolant chambers surrounding the engine cylinders via a pair of orificed holes for each cylinder. The orificed holes control the flow of coolant around the cylinders and are provided in a gasket between the cylinder block and cylinder head. After the coolant flows around the cylinder liners, it is discharged from the coolant chambers in the cylinder block to the discharge manifold via a cast opening for each cylinder.

Abstract: A backflush coupling and method for flushing the cooling system of an internal combustion engine. The preferred method comprises cutting the coolant discharge hose which extends from the engine to a heater and installing the male and female connector halves of a backflush coupling into the cut ends. The installed backflush coupling constitutes a conduit for normal coolant flow. The coupling is disconnectable for attachment of a flushing hose to the female connector half, the male connector serving as a drain. A union sleeve facilities assembly and disassembly of the coupling connector halves. The coupling is adapted to fit within heater hoses of different sizes, and certain embodiments signal over pressurization of the cooling system, reveal condition of the coolant and indicate general rate of flow, and provide for air induction for mixture with the flushing liquid. A locking device prevents inadvertent separation of the coupling connector halves.

Abstract: The internal combustion engine includes a carburetor having an air induction passage communicating with the engine combustion chamber and a throttle valve mounted inside the induction passage for pivotal movement between an idling speed position and a range of high speed positions, a primary fuel delivery system including a fuel pump for supplying fuel to the carburetor during normal engine operation, and a secondary fuel delivery system for supplying a flow of enrichment fuel to the engine combustion chamber, independently of the primary fuel delivery system, during periods of rapid engine deceleration.

Abstract: An air-air/fuel throttle body is provided with a secondary throttle valve of a differing diameter and operating in a different cross-sectional area of the throttle body induction passage, the upstream throttle valve being positively connected to the vehicle accelerator pedal to assure a like opening or closing movement of the latter throttle valve upon movement of the accelerator pedal, the construction assuring that main control of the flow of air and changes in manifold vacuum will be retained by the lower smaller diameter servo operated throttle valve operating in a smaller cross-sectional area.

Abstract: In an air induction apparatus for the carburettor of an internal combustion engine the temperature of air flow into an air filter is controlled by a flap to meter the amount of heated air which is mixed with cold air, the control thereof being by a temperature sensitive vacuum control element and in order to prevent icing under full throttle low vacuum conditions a bimetal element is arranged edge-on in the intake air flow path to prevent complete reclosure of the flap for less than a predetermined in-flow air temperature.

Abstract: A method of fuel treatment and distribution for an internal combustion engine including the steps as follows:(a) operating an adiabatic reactor without a substantial amount of exhaust heat within an operational temperature range, the catalyst bed reactor including a partial combustion catalyst and a dissociation catalyst;(b) providing a substantial amount of engine exhaust heat to an endothermic reactor having an endothermic dissociation catalyst therein,(c) vaporizing liquid alcohol to form alcohol vapor;(d) mixing the alcohol vapor with air to form a partial combustion mixture;(e) contacting the partial combustion mixture and the partial combustion catalyst whereby a dissociation mixture is formed and heat is evolved;(f) contacting the dissociation mixture and the dissociation catalyst to form a hydrogen rich fuel;(g) contacting the hydrogen-rich fuel and the endothermic dissociation catalyst to form a fuel product whereby at least a portion of any residual undissociated alcohol in the hydrogen-rich fuel is

Abstract: An apparatus for contacting two immiscible fluids is disclosed. A liquid stream enters the top of the apparatus and travels downward within an annular bed of packing. A vapor stream or a less dense liquid stream enters the bottom of the apparatus and travels upward making many radial flow passes succeedingly higher parts of the annular bed. The sigmoid flow of the rising stream is channeled by horizontal disks within the open central volume of the annular bed and by horizontal open-centered rings which surround the annular bed at staggered elevations.

Abstract: In an apparatus for mixing gases with and dissolving gases in bodies of liquid there is an axial-flow pump impeller (22), which is arranged to raise the liquid through a substantially vertical riser line (20) whose lower end exhibits an inlet (15) for the liquid and whose upper end forms an outlet (11) for the pumped liquid and is defined by guide surfaces (7) arranged to deflect the liquid radially from the axis of the riser line (20), the drive shaft (4) of the impeller extending coaxially with the riser line from a drive unit, located above the said body of liquid, to the impeller (22), the improvement in which the drive shaft (4) is enclosed by a stationary line (16) whose inner wall together with the drive shaft (4) defines a gas-communication passage (17) whose lower end discharges into the riser line (20) via at least one outflow passage (19) directed substantially radially to the general center line, said gas-communication passage openly communicating with a gas source, such as the surrounding atmosph

Abstract: A multi-step wheel is provided for separating heavy metals in the free state from their ores.One embodiment of a separating wheel includes at least two sets of inwardly directed spiral grooves that move from the wheel periphery to a central annulus. A retaining step or ledge area is defined between each groove set for collecting or retaining ore.In another embodiment, the separator wheel is inwardly curved with a decreasing groove depth when moving from the outer periphery to the central annulus.Unique groove designs for the separating wheel are also disclosed.

Abstract: The method consists in a counter-current introducing of liquid sulfur into a vertical stream of air, having the linear velocity increasing downwards, from a velocity lower than the critical velocity of sulfur dust in the sprinkling zone to a velocity higher than the critical velocity of formed granule in the zone of intensive cooling. As an additional cooling medium water can be employed, introduced in form of a mist at the place of emission of the air from the column into the ambient atmosphere.The variable velocity of air is achieved through employing in the granulating apparatus the cross-sectional area increasing from the smallest in the zone of intensive cooling to the maximum area in the sprinking zone.After the method according to the invention granules can be produced, having any grain characteristic, high selectivity and smooth spherically formed surface, and high mechanical strength.