Abstract: A reciprocating piston internal combustion engine has at least one cylinder with a spark plug and at least one piston reciprocating within the at least one cylinder. At least one first intake duct having a mouth connected to the cylinder and a valve seat located at the mouth is provided. At least one first intake valve resting at the valve seat in a closing position of the intake valve is provided. A control device controls the lift action of the first intake valve. The first intake valve is designed such that, in flow direction of the fuel into the cylinder, for short lifts of the first intake valve a flow cross-section of the first intake duct into the cylinder at the mouth is throttled in a throttle area extending at least over an angular distance about a central axis of the first intake valve such that for small valve lifts a directed inflow with increased velocity results.

Abstract: A method and a device for the variable control of a valve of an internal combustion engine, in particular for a throttlefree load control of an Otto carburetor engine via a lift function of one or several intake valves per cylinder are presented. Thereby the cams of two camshafts which normally rotate at the same speed are followed by a feeler-device in the manner of an adder and the movement of the feeler-device is transferred to an actuating device for actuating the valve. The cams of one of the camshafts which operates as the opening camshaft is provided with a flat section and a lobe which pass into each other via an opening portion. The cam of the other one of the camshafts which operates as the closing camshaft is provided with a lobe and a flat section which pass into each other via a closing portion. For altering the lift and/or opening duration of the valve the phase relationship between the camshafts is changeable.

Abstract: In a method for controlling power output of an internal combustion engine with an external ignition system, a fuel injection system is provided for injecting in an injection step fuel into the combustion chamber. At least one inlet valve for each cylinder of the combustion engine is provided for determining the charge input of the combustion chamber during an intake stroke of the internal combustion engine. With a control device a relative phase position between a first and second camshaft operating at identical rpm is set for determining an opening function of the inlet valve. The opening function is defined by the stroke and duration of the open state of the inlet valve. A position of the control device is adjusted according to an accelerator pedal position and operational parameter of the combustion engine. The ignition timing and/or the amount of injected fuel is controlled directly according to the position of the control device and the rpm of the combustion engine.

Abstract: A contactor includes an actuator which is slidably mounted to a base and carries a set of movable contacts into engagement with a set of stationary contacts when an associated electromagnet is energized. The stationary contacts are located above the electromagnet and are connected to a set of contactor input terminals and a first set of contactor output terminals which extend through the top of the contact enclosure. A second set of contactor output terminals are mounted to the base below the electromagnet where they are easily connected to overload relays. A set of bus bars are mounted to the base and connect the first and second set of contactor output terminals.