Abstract: A compost bin module for aerobic decomposition of organic matter. The module is in the form of a container comprising a free-standing portable structural frame for placement on or above the ground. It further comprises removable sidewalls, and an open top and open bottom. Each of said removable side walls insertable into the structural frame and laterally restrained thereby. The structural frame comprises at least three spaced-apart posts, at least an equal number of structural members spanning between and interconnecting the posts, each of the structural members spanning between two adjacent posts at or near their base.

Abstract: A compost bin module for aerobic decomposition of organic matter. The module is in the form of a container comprising a free-standing portable structural frame for placement on or above the ground. It further comprises removable sidewalls, and an open top and open bottom. Each of said removable side walls insertable into the structural frame and laterally restrained thereby. The structural frame comprises at least three spaced-apart posts, at least an equal number of structural members spanning between and interconnecting the posts, each of the structural members spanning between two adjacent posts at or near their base.

Abstract: An axial flow rotary valve (1) for an internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder head (10) having a bore in which an axial flow rotary valve (1) rotates. The valve having a cylindrical centre portion (4), and an inlet and an exhaust port (2, 3) terminating as openings (7, 8) in the centre portion, the openings periodically communicating with a combustion chamber (23) through a window (15) in the bore. The clearance between the centre portion and the bore being sealed by an array of floating seals comprising at least two axial seals (16a, 16b) spaced apart on opposite sides of the window. The assembly further comprising at least one floating axially extending masking seal (5) being disposed outside the window and circumferentially remote from the axial seals.

Abstract: An axial flow rotary valve for an engine, that is rotatable about an axis within the bore of a cylinder head. The valve communicating with a respective cylinder in which a piston reciprocates, and an ignition means associated with the cylinder. The valve is provided with inlet and exhaust peripheral openings that periodically communicate with cylinder through a window in the bore. A combustion chamber is formed in the space between the crown of the piston at top dead centre and the cylinder head and the valve. The ignition means comprising first and second spark plugs, each of said spark plugs having a nose located at one end thereof exposed to the combustion chamber, said noses being disposed on opposite sides of said window within the axial extremities of said window.

Abstract: A gas sealing element of an array of floating seals for a rotary valve internal combustion engine. The engine comprising a cylinder head (6) having a bore (8), a rotary valve (1) within the bore with a predetermined clearance, and a window (12) in the bore communicating with a combustion chamber. The sealing element (15) having an elongate form and having a sealing face (23), an underside (24) opposite said sealing face, and first and second side faces (25,26) opposite each other, the sealing element being adapted to be located in a slot (20) in the cylinder head bore. The side face (25) of the sealing element facing the window having at least one channel (17) extending from the sealing face to the underside of the sealing element.

Abstract: A sealing system for an axial flow rotary valve internal combustion engine comprising an array of floating gas seals and an optional oil sealing system. The array of floating seals surrounding a window (15) in the bore (11) of the cylinder head (10) through which the ports (2, 3) of the valve (1) communicate with a combustion chamber (31). The array of floating seals comprising axial seals (16) and circumferential seals (17) housed in slots (18, 19) in the bore of the cylinder head wherein the circumferential seals are disposed axially between the ends of the axial seals.

Abstract: An axial flow rotary valve (1) for an engine, the valve rotatable about an axis (12). The valve having an inlet port (2) extending from an axial opening (5) and terminating as a peripheral opening (7). The port having a throat (22), with a cross sectional area at least 2% less than the axial opening, at a distance of at least 0.2 times the length of the peripheral opening from the end of the peripheral opening closest to the axial opening, and a port floor (19) extending from the first end to the axial opening. The port having a port floor profile (37) generated by the intersection of the port floor with any plane coincident with the axis intersecting the port floor wherein the angle (?) between the tangent to the profile and the axis is less than 60 degrees over at least 75% of the length of the profile.

Abstract: A rotary valve internal combustion engine comprising a crankshaft, a throttle (23), a throttle actuator, a cylinder head (7), a combustion chamber (8), and at least one rotary valve (1). The rotary valve (1) having at least two ports (2, 3) terminating as openings (4, 5) in its periphery, the cylinder head (7) having a bore (11) in which the rotary valve (1) rotates, a window (6) in the bore (11) communicating with the combustion chamber (8), the openings (4, 5) successively aligning with the window (6) by virtue of the rotation, a drive mechanism comprising a phase change means (18), the drive mechanism driving the rotary valve (1). The at least two ports (2, 3) comprise an inlet port (2) and an exhaust port (3), and the phase change means (18) applies a phase change in response to changes in the operating conditions of the engine over at least one engine cycle.

Abstract: A rotary valve internal combustion engine comprising a crankshaft, a throttle (23), a throttle actuator, a cylinder head (7), a combustion chamber (8), and at least one rotary valve (1). The rotary valve (1) having at least two ports (2, 3) terminating as openings (4, 5) in its periphery, the cylinder head (7) having a bore (11) in which the rotary valve (1) rotates, a window (6) in the bore (11) communicating with the combustion chamber (8), the openings (4, 5) successively aligning with the window (6) by virtue of the rotation, a drive mechanism comprising a phase change means (18), the drive mechanism driving the rotary valve (1). The at least two ports (2, 3) comprise an inlet port (2) and an exhaust port (3), and the phase change means (18) applies a phase change in response to changes in the operating conditions of the engine over at least one engine cycle.

Abstract: A variable valve timing mechanism for an internal combustion engine comprising at least one rotary valve (1) having at least two ports terminating as openings (2, 3) in its periphery, a cylinder head (7) having a bore in which the rotary valve (1) rotates, and a window (6) in the bore communicating with a combustion chamber (8). The openings (2, 3) successively align with the window (6) by virtue of the rotation. The mechanism also comprises a drive mechanism (13) driving the rotary valve (1). The at least two ports (2, 3) of the rotary valve (1) are an inlet port and an exhaust port. The drive mechanism (13) varies the angular velocity of the rotary valve (1) at least within a portion of at least one engine cycle while maintaining an average angular velocity over the at least one engine cycle that has a fixed relation to the average angular velocity of crankshaft over the at least one cycle.

Abstract: A variable valve timing mechanism for an internal combustion engine comprising at least one rotary valve (1) having at least two ports terminating as openings (2, 3) in its periphery, a cylinder head (7) having a bore in which the rotary valve (1) rotates, and a window (6) in the bore communicating with a combustion chamber (8). The openings (2, 3) successively align with the window (6) by virtue of the rotation. The mechanism also comprises a drive mechanism (13) driving the rotary valve (1). The at least two ports (2, 3) of the rotary valve (1) are an inlet port and an exhaust port. The drive mechanism (13) varies the angular velocity of the rotary valve (1) at least within a portion of at least one engine cycle whilst maintaining an average angular velocity over the at least one engine cycle that has a fixed relation to the average angular velocity of crankshaft over the at least one cycle.