Abstract: An automated device for centering a mechanical tree spade provides a sighting device on each blade thereof with a readout adjacent to the operator to determine proper blade placement in order to provide an acceptable root ball for transplanting a tree.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel/gas delivery system for use with operating an internal combustion engine in which quantities of a hydrocarbon fuel and hydrogen are introduced into the combustion chamber of the engine. The combustion chamber is provided with an igniter and the delivery of hydrogen is timed relative to both the delivery of the fuel and the activation of the igniter to establish an ignitable mixture at the igniter at the time of activation of the igniter.

Abstract: A method of controlling the mass of air and fuel delivered to an internal combustion engine per cylinder, per cycle, by utilizing a unique control algorithm.

Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine (20) in order to improve the control of the level of emissions in the exhaust gases, comprising the steps of, at least when the engine (20) is operating under idle and/or low load conditions at a temperature below a predetermined value, applying a parasitic load to the engine (20) to increase engine fuel demand, and increasing fueling rate to the engine (20) in response to said engine fuel demand to thereby raise the temperature of the exhaust gases. The method may further comprise the steps of raising the temperature of the air being inducted into the engine (20) and/or directly heating a catalyst (25) in the engine exhaust system (24), conveniently by respective heater elements (23,26) coupled to an alternator (27) driven by the engine (20).

Abstract: An internal combustion engine air supply system having a first air intake passage (11) through which air can flow to the engine (8) with a driver actuated mechanism operatively coupled to a first control means (12) to vary the air flow through the primary passage (11) to the engine (8) in response to the driver demand and a second air intake passage (13) through which air can flow to the engine (8) with an actuator means operable in response to sensed engine operating conditions to operate a second control means (5) to vary the air flow through the second passage (13) to the engine (8); the first control (12) means and second control means (5) being operable independently, so that the air supplied to the engine (8) may pass solely through one of the first (11) or second (13) air passages or simultaneously through both.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine installation is provided which comprises an air compressor (20) to supply air to effect injection of the fuel for combustion in the engine, a fuel tank (12), an air/fuel separator (10) to receive vapor generated in the fuel tank (12) and separate the fuel in vapor from the air and a passage (25) communicating the separator with the inlet port of the compressor (20) so that when the compressor (20) is in operation at least part of the air taken in by the compressor (20) is drawn through the part of the separator (10) where the fuel is held to extract fuel therefrom.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating an internal combustion engine fuel injection system wherein fuel is cyclically injected directly into an engine combustion chamber though a selectively openable nozzle, whereby the nozzle is periodically maintained open while no fuel is being delivered through the nozzle and while the gas in the combustion chamber is at a temperature and pressure so that gas from the combustion chamber will pass into the open nozzle means to raise the temperature thereof sufficient to combust contaminate deposits thereon.

Abstract: A fuel metering apparatus having a metering chamber to hold fuel for subsequent delivery to an engine and a rigid metering member projecting into said chamber and linearly movable relative to the chamber to vary the extent of projection of the metering member into the chamber to thereby control the quantity of fuel displaceable from the chamber for delivery to an engine. An inextensible flexible member between secured to the metering member and to a motor that operate in accordance with the engine fuel demand, the motion of the motor being transmitted to the metering member through the inextensible flexible member. This inextensible flexible member preferably being adjustably coupled to the motor so the limit of movement of the metering member may be set as required.

Abstract: A fuel metering and injection system for an internal combustion engine circulates fuel through a metering chamber (11) via valved fuel inlet and fuel outlet ports (25, 26) to prepare a metered quantity of fuel. Compressed gas is introduced into the metering chamber through a valved air inlet port (14) to displace the metered fuel and deliver it to the engine. Phasing of the valves is controlled to ensure that the fuel inlet and outlet valves (60, 61) are closed prior to opening of the air inlet valve (16), and that on completion of the injection phase residual gas in the metering chamber (11) is expelled through the fuel outlet port (26).

Abstract: A fuel metering apparatus having a metering chamber to hold fuel for subsequent delivery to an engine. A rigid metering member projecting into the chamber linearly movable relative to the chamber to vary the extent of projection of the metering member into the chamber to thereby control the quantity of fuel displaceable from the chamber. An inextensible flexible member secured to the metering member and a motor operated in accordance with the engine fuel demand, the motion of the motor being transmitted to the metering member through the inextensible flexible member. The inextensible flexible member is preferably adjustably coupled to the motor so the limit of movement of the metering member may be set as required.

Abstract: A method of delivering fuel to an internal combustion engine comprising delivering individual metered quantities of fuel into a conduit, and propelling each individual metered quantity of fuel along the conduit by an individual gas pulse. During the time interval between the respective gas pulses that deliver the metered quantities of fuel there is established a secondary gas flow in the conduit so as to limit variations in the quantity of fuel retained in the conduit as the metered quantity of fuel varies with engine fuel demand.