Abstract: A thermostatic device comprises a chamber with ports, at least one of which can be closed off by a valve carried by a moving part of a metering thermostatic element. In order to obtain two reliable levels of regulation, and to maintain regulation unless the device is completely destroyed, a duct opening into the chamber via a seat for the valve contains at least one region of a thermostatic element for adjusting the regulation threshold containing selectively operated heating means and comprises a stop for the thermostatic element. The stop can itself move in the direction of movement of the moving part so as to move closer to the seat when the heating means are switched on.

Abstract: A thermostatic element includes an elongated cap, containing a material expandable and contractible as a function of the direction of variation of its temperature. A piston moveable in the longitudinal direction of the cap is coupled to the expandable and contractible material so as to be displaced in opposite directions, depending on whether the material expands or contracts. The side wall of the cap has flats or depressions around the cap and which extend in the longitudinal direction of the cap and which delimit an inner space. The cross section of the inner space, the length over which the flats or depressions extend, has a lobed shape, and an insert accommodated and fixed in the cap extends in the longitudinal direction of the latter.

Abstract: A thermostatic device comprises a chamber with ports, at least one of which can be closed off by a valve carried by a moving part of a metering thermostatic element. In order to obtain two reliable levels of regulation, and to maintain regulation unless the device is completely destroyed, a duct opening into the chamber via a seat for the valve contains at least one region of a thermostatic element for adjusting the regulation threshold containing selectively operated heating means and comprising a stop for the thermostatic element, which stop can itself move in the direction of movement of the said moving part so as to move closer to the seat when the heating means are switched on. The device can be used in combustion engine cooling circuits.

Abstract: A thermostat comprises a case (1) forming an elbow through which extends a fluid passageway 2 comprising a fluid inlet region (22) and a fluid outlet region (21) and containing a thermostatic element (3). The thermostatic element (3) includes a fixed part (31), a movable part (32) which carries a closing device (4) cooperating with a seat (23), a bridge (5) in which the movable part (32) is slidable, and a spring (6) biasing the bridge (5) away from the closing device (4). The case (1) is in one piece; the fixed part (31) bears against the wall of the passageway (2); the inlet region (22) comprises inwardly extending projections (19) for blocking movement of the bridge (5) caused by the spring before mounting the thermostat on a support.

Abstract: A cooling circuit comprises a regulating valve, the moving shutoff means of which is actuated by an electric motor the feed current of which is subjected to the action of an electronic control system sensitive to various operating parameters of the internal combustion engine. A safety thermostatic wax capsule is located in a chamber of the valve so as to act on the moving shutoff means so that hot cooling liquid coming from the internal combustion engine is conveyed at least for the most part, towards a radiator only in the case where the temperature of the cooling liquid in the chamber exceeds by a predetermined amount, the temperature for which the electronic system is set.

Abstract: A heat motor includes a chamber containing a thermally expansible material and an electrical heating element within the expansible material, wherein the expansible material is interposed between all significant surfaces of the electrical heating element and walls of the heat motor defining the chamber. Electrical leads for the electrical heating element extend out of the chamber through a glass plug mounted in a bottom wall of the heat motor. The bottom wall is connected to a side wall of the heat motor by crimping the side wall under the bottom wall to form a flange and to compress an elastomeric seal between the bottom wall and a shoulder of the heat body above the bottom wall. In one embodiment, the electrical heating element includes electrically conducting plates which receive the electrical leads in a plug-in connection.

Abstract: A variable gas distribution device, or a variable valve timing device, for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The device consists of at least two rocker arms mounted on a common shaft and each engageable with a cam having a different configuration. A connecting element is slidably mounted on the shaft between two of the rocker arms and is engageable with an intake valve of an engine. The connecting element and rocker arms have lateral notches which are matable with one another so that the connecting element rotates with one or the other of the rocker arms. A control device is provided for moving the connecting element along the axis of the shaft so that it can engage with one or the other of the rocker arms.

Abstract: The emission of atmospheric pollutants in the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine having a carburettor is reduced by regulating the composition of the inlet gases, and hence the exhaust gases, of the engine by means of a control device comprising an extra air duct, which has a control valve and bypasses the carburetor, for supplying extra air to the engine inlet, a recirculating duct for recirculating exhaust gases to the engine inlet, a controller which is responsive to signals from an exhaust gas composition sensor installed in the exhaust outlet of the engine and which controls an electrically operated valve in the recirculating duct, and a pressure-sensitive device which communicates with the recirculating duct upstream of the electrically operated valve and which actuates the extra air control valve to regulate the supply of extra air to the engine through the extra air duct.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for feeding hydrogen fuel derived from a metal hydride to an internal combustion engine includes two tanks, one for containing fresh hydride and the other for spent hydride and a low capacity reactor through which the fresh hydride is pumped from the one tank to the other. Heat applied to the small quantity of hydride in the reactor generates hydrogen which is extracted and retained in a storage chamber for feeding to an engine, with the spent hydride being pumped away and fresh hydride being pumped into the reactor to maintain a continuous source of supply of hydrogen therein during operation of the system. Quick starts and stops are made possible and great flexibility of operation and control are obtained by circulation of the hydride through the small reactor for heating.

Abstract: The invention is directed to means for improving the operating conditions of internal combustion engines by the selective recirculation of exhaust gases as a function of the different engine speeds. More particularly, the exhaust gases are recirculated when starting the engine, during the period preceding the actual ignition, during low engine speed periods corresponding to a considerable and pre-adjusted induction vacuum, and also when the engine is operating under full-load conditions, the recirculation being discontinued at the other engine speeds, to reduce the atmospheric pollution and improve the engine performances.

Abstract: A piston type internal combustion engine operating on the stratified charge principle with the object of nonpolluting combustion wherein the engine has a standard valve-charging with a rich mixture. After admission of the rich mixture a quantity of air is introduced into the combustion region opposite the spark plug, before ignition, through the exhaust valve opening or by an independent valve opening into the combustion chamber or a precombustion chamber. The introduction of air can be effected either by the exhaust valve with a precombustion chamber being associated with the inlet valve or exhaust valve.

Abstract: An internal-combustion engine fed with a stratified charge and comprising an inlet leading into a combustion chamber for feeding thereinto a main charge of a lean mixture of a first fuel and air, and an injection device for injecting a second fuel into an ignition zone of the combustion chamber in an amount such that the mixture of the second fuel and the air contained in the lean mixture, in the ignition zone at the time of ignition, attains the level of the ignition richness of the second fuel. Thereby, the second fuel undergoes ignition and combustion and effects flame propagation to produce ignition of the first fuel. A holder with a ball valve protects the fuel injector of the injection device by obturating the injector at the end of the compression stroke and during ignition and the subsequent expansion stroke.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for regulating the fuel supply of internal combustion engines having carburetion, specifically the richness of the air-fuel mixture, as a function of engine speed and atmospheric pressure. The richness is controlled by a supply of pressurized air downstream from the carburetor in the intake manifold, which is controlled in a self-evident manner by a bellows and by the amplified pressure at the carburetor venturi. Application to internal combustion engines with carburetors using a pump supplying pressurized air for anti-pollution purposes is intended.