Abstract: Disclosed are a novel Lactobacillus fermentum) E4 strain isolated from Kimchi which is a traditional Korean fermented food and a mass production method for the strain. The Lactobacillus fermentum E4 strain is verified to be a safe and useful probiotic strain through acid tolerance, bile acid tolerance, gelatin liquefaction, and urease tests. In addition, high DPPH free radical scavenging (%) associated with antioxidant activity was observed, and reduction in cytokines Iinterleukin-1? (IL-1?), Iinterleukin-8 (IL-8), Iinterleukin-6 (IL-6), and Toll-like receptor (TLR4), which are associated with an inflammatory response, was observed.

Abstract: An engine having a continuously variable valve lift system, may include a camshaft having an input cam formed at one side thereof, wherein the camshaft is mounted on a cylinder head, a drum shaft that is disposed with a predetermined distance from the camshaft, wherein a swing arm is rotatably mounted at one side thereof, a control shaft that is disposed with a predetermined distance from the drum shaft, wherein a control cam that varies a position of the drum shaft is formed thereto, an output cam that is rotatably mounted on the camshaft and is connected to and moved by the swing arm, such that the output cam variably lifts a valve mounted in the cylinder head according to a position of the drum shaft,

Abstract: An exhaust system for a V-type engine according to the embodiment of the present invention includes first and second front exhaust pipes that are respectively connected to first and second exhaust manifolds upstream thereof through first and second front catalytic converters. The first and second front exhaust pipes are joined together at end portions thereof to form a coupling portion. The center exhaust pipe is connected downstream of the coupling portion, and a main catalytic converter is disposed in the center exhaust pipe. The rear exhaust pipe is connected downstream of the center exhaust pipe. The coupling portion is formed such that an angle between a center line of an end portion of the first front exhaust pipe and a center line of an end portion of the second front exhaust pipe is less than 20 degrees.

Abstract: A supporting structure for an engine timing chain comprising a chain guide for artificially limiting vertical movement of the timing chain near a camshaft sprocket, thereby reducing any abnormal engagement between the timing chain and camshaft sprocket while the camshaft sprocket is in motion, decreasing noise, and increasing the life of the components.

Abstract: An exhaust system for a V-type engine according to the embodiment of the present invention includes first and second front exhaust pipes that are respectively connected to first and second exhaust manifolds upstream thereof through first and second front catalytic converters. The first and second front exhaust pipes are joined together at end portions thereof to form a coupling portion. The center exhaust pipe is connected downstream of the coupling portion, and a main catalytic converter is disposed in the center exhaust pipe. The rear exhaust pipe is connected downstream of the center exhaust pipe. The coupling portion is formed such that an angle between a center line of an end portion of the first front exhaust pipe and a center line of an end portion of the second front exhaust pipe is less than 20 degrees.

Abstract: A valve stem sealing device used for preventing oil from entering a combustion chamber through a gap formed between a valve guide and a valve stem is disclosed. The valve stem sealing device comprises an annular oil seal surrounding a valve stem and an annular support member fixed to the top of the valve guide so as to hold the oil seal in its place, wherein the support member has an inwardly opening annular recess and rotatably receives the oil seal in the recess, with a bearing being positioned between said oil seal and the side wall of the support member. In addition, a rubber member is tightly interposed between the support member and the valve guide so as to absorb the vibrations caused by a valve operation. Also, a support cap covers the outside wall of the oil seal so that the outside wall of the support cap is brought into contact with the bearing.

Abstract: A device for generating vortex in cooling water for cylinders of internal combustion engines is disclosed. In the device, a steel casing is inserted into the bottom portion of a cooling water passage of a cylinder head. The steel casing is comprised of inner and outer rings, with an annular cavity being formed between the two rings and allowing engine oil to pass through. A plurality of pressure units are radially mounted to the inner ring. Each of the pressure units is radially movable in opposite directions in response to the pressure of the engine oil in the annular cavity, thus forming vortex in the cooling water passing through the inner ring. The device of this invention enlarges the cooling water contact area of the cylinder, thereby improving the cylinder cooling effect and increasing the engine output power.

Abstract: A device for sensing the amount of oil in oil pans of internal combustion engines is disclosed. In the device, a bottom plunger is fixedly mounted onto the inside bottom of an oil pan, with a contact terminal being mounted onto the top surface of the bottom plunger. A top plunger is movably positioned above the bottom plunger, with a contact terminal being mounted onto the bottom surface of the top plunger. The two contact terminals are normally spaced apart from each other in the event of the amount of oil being not less than a preferred amount. However, the two terminals are selectively brought into contact with each other in the event of an oil shortage in the oil pan. The device also has a means for selectively generating an alarm signal under the control of an ECU in the event of the two terminals being brought into contact with each other.

Abstract: A valve system for an internal combustion engine includes a valve member having a head and a stem extending from the head, the head being capable of forming a seal with a valve seat of the internal combustion engine and the stem having at least one cylinder in an end portion thereof, and a component for contacting a portion of a rocker arm of the engine, the component being movable in the cylinder between a first position and a second position closer to the rocker arm than the first position. Structure is provided for moving the component between the first position and the second position to change lift of the valve member. The system adjusts valve lift according to speed of the engine to improve combustion efficiency.

Abstract: A valve system for an internal combustion engine includes a valve member having a head and a stem extending from the head, a seal ring on the valve member head, the seal ring being movable along an axis of the valve member and being capable of forming a seal with a valve seat of the engine, and an adjustment device on the valve member for moving the seal ring along the axis of the valve member to change lift of the valve member. The adjustment device moves the seal ring in response to temperature changes.