Abstract: A continuous-belt baking system having a pair of upper rollers rotatably mounted in frame and spaced at a first distance, a pair of lower rollers rotatably mounted in frame and spaced at a second distance, a continuous thermally-conductive belt passing over the upper rollers, a continuous thermally conductive belt passing over the lower rollers, and two arrays of radiant heating elements. The radiant arrays include a first group of heating elements above a lower run of the upper belt between said upper rollers and a second opposing group of heating elements below an upper run of the bottom belt between the lower rollers. Each heating element may be separately controlled insofar as its ON/OFF state or in accordance with temperature, to provide more localized baking capabilities.

Abstract: A continuous-belt baking system having a pair of upper rollers rotatably mounted in frame and spaced at a first distance, a pair of lower rollers rotatably mounted in frame and spaced at a second distance, a continuous thermally-conductive belt passing over the upper rollers, a continuous thermally conductive belt passing over the lower rollers, and two arrays of radiant heating elements. The radiant arrays include a first group of heating elements above a lower run of the upper belt between said upper rollers and a second opposing group of heating elements below an upper run of the bottom belt between the lower rollers. Each heating element may be separately controlled insofar as its ON/OFF state or in accordance with temperature, to provide more localized baking capabilities.

Abstract: A fast-action direct-fluid (gas or liquid) actuated valve assembly including a valve housing having an internal fluid port defined by a larger chamber and a smaller chamber, separated by a shoulder, a valve body seated in the valve housing and defined by a plurality of ports evenly spaced circumferentially around its circumference adjacent to an endplate seatable in the housing, a plurality of supporting wall sections (mullions) between the ports, and a plurality of internal vanes 9 each running along a corresponding mullion providing reinforcement thereof. The vanes 9 are inclined and/or curved, and defined by rounded faces to promote a smooth circular internal fluid flow. A valve cap formed with an annular collar is affixed to the valve body, and the valve body 2 and cap/collar 7 are slidably carried in the valve housing 1 between an open position and a closed position. A toolset is also disclosed for easily installing and removing the valve assembly.

Abstract: A pneumatically actuated valve assembly for use as intake and/or exhaust valves on two- or four-stroke internal combustion engines. The assembly includes a valve (100), valve housing (200), and compressed gas distribution and timing mechanisms (FIGS. 5–8). The valve (100) is comprised of a short light weight hollow cylindrical body with a capped lower end and an opened upper end. The valve is further defined by a plurality of ports (104) adjacent to the lower end and a collar (198) encircling the body adjacent the upper end. The valve housing (200) is hollow and tubular having a larger diameter upper section and a smaller diameter lower section in which the valve (100) slides up to close and down to open. The housing (200) further includes hollow channels which direct compressed gas, managed by the distribution and timing mechanism, alternately towards the areas above and below the valve collar at regular intervals to open and close the valve, respectively.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a variable spring force intake valve for use in two- or four-stroke internal combustion engines. The device comprises an intake valve body and a torsion spring attached to a gear and rod assembly. Manipulation, via manual or automated means, of the gear and rod assembly adjusts the tension/torsion force exerted by the torsion spring to preload the intake valve and/or to hold the intake valve in the closed position. Varying the tension/torsion force results in an ability to control the timing and the degree to which the ports of the intake valve are actually opened during the operating cycle of the piston, thereby providing a user with an opportunity to enhance the operation of a two- or four-stroke internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A self-cleaning valve for removing hydrocarbon deposits from pressure responsive automatic air intake valves in an internal combustion engine. The self-cleaning valve assembly of the present invention removes soot which naturally accumulates on the surface of the valve as a result of the heat generated by the combustion event when hydrocarbon fuel sources are used. A reciprocating slider is seated within a bushing. The bushing is fluted with small relief passages along its length. The fluted relief passages run more or less parallel to the direction of the movement of the slider, and provide channels for removing soot from the surface of the valve. Repeated closing of the slider hammers soot upwardly into the relief passages, thereby maintaining the valve free of potentially fouling hydrocarbon deposits.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a variable spring force intake valve for use in two- or four-stroke internal combustion engines. The device comprises an intake valve body and a torsion spring attached to a gear and rod assembly. Manipulation, via manual or automated means, of the gear and rod assembly adjusts the tension/torsion force exerted by the torsion spring to preload the intake valve and/or to hold the intake valve in the closed position. Varying the tension/torsion force results in an ability to control the timing and the degree to which the ports of the intake valve are actually opened during the operating cycle of the piston, thereby providing a user with an opportunity to enhance the operation of a two- or four-stroke internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A self-cleaning valve for removing hydrocarbon deposits from pressure responsive automatic air intake valves in an internal combustion engine. The self-cleaning valve assembly of the present invention removes soot which naturally accumulates on the surface of the valve as a result of the heat generated by the combustion event when hydrocarbon fuel sources are used. A reciprocating slider is seated within a bushing. The bushing is fluted with small relief passages along its length. The fluted relief passages run more or less parallel to the direction of the movement of the slider, and provide channels for removing soot from the surface of the valve. Repeated closing of the slider hammers soot upwardly into the relief passages, thereby maintaining the valve free of potentially fouling hydrocarbon deposits.

Abstract: An automatically actuated, pressure responsive air intake valve for an internal combustion engine generally a fixed valve seat housing and a sliding valve member. The valve seat housing is threaded into the head of a working chamber on an internal combustion engine. The sliding valve member reciprocates through the housing in response to differential pressures on either side of the valve. The sliding member has a hollow chamber that opens in a sidewall of the valve seat housing, thereby directing a stream of air outward from the valve structure. By providing multiple valves in the head of the cylinder, a swirling effect may be accomplished to better distribute the fuel/air mixture and enhance cooling of the cylinder.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having two parallel cylinders, namely, an induction cylinder and a power cylinder, whereby the power, ventilation (comprising simultaneous intake and exhaust), and compression events within the power cylinder completely define the cycle of the engine, with induction in the induction cylinder being an auxiliary and incidental function to the cycle within the power cylinder, such that engine cooling and fuel efficiency are improved over prior art internal combustion engines. Interconnecting the power cylinder and the induction cylinder is a transfer chamber which opens into the top of the power cylinder, which chamber in turn is equipped with a one way, pressure responsive transfer valve for allowing air to flow into the power cylinder when pressure therein falls below the pressure in the induction cylinder. An exhaust port is likewise positioned near the bottom of the power cylinder.

Abstract: A dip jibe spinnaker pole constituted by an elongated spinnaker pole tubular body having an inboard end fitting at one end for detachably pivotably mounting the spinnaker pole to the mast and provided with an outboard end fitting about which four sheaves are pivotably mounted via bases to the periphery of the outboard end fitting stinger rod for articulation through an arc of at least 180.degree. at four circumferentially spaced positions. Three snatch guys led through the pole from the inboard end and through the outboard end fitting and through respective sheaves terminate in snap shackles for loosely coupling of the same to sheet/guy control lines connected at one end respectively to port and starboard clews at the foot of the spinnaker sail.