Abstract: An electromagnetic valve actuator and method of control thereof. The electromagnetic valve actuator is for at least one valve of an internal combustion engine, the electromagnetic valve actuator comprising: a rotor; a stator for rotating the rotor; output means for actuating the valve in dependence on rotation of the rotor; mechanical energy storage means arranged to store energy in dependence on rotation of the rotor and release the energy to assist rotation of the rotor and phase varying means for varying a phase between the mechanical energy storage means and the output means.

Abstract: An electromagnetic valve actuator and method of control thereof. The electromagnetic valve actuator is for at least one valve of an internal combustion engine, the electromagnetic valve actuator comprising: a rotor; a stator for rotating the rotor; output means for actuating the valve in dependence on rotation of the rotor; mechanical energy storage means arranged to store energy in dependence on rotation of the rotor and release the energy to assist rotation of the rotor and phase varying means for varying a phase between the mechanical energy storage means and the output means.

Abstract: An electromagnetic valve actuator (100) and method of control thereof. The electromagnetic valve actuator is for at least one valve (300) of an internal combustion engine (40), the electromagnetic valve actuator comprising: a rotor (102); a stator (101) for rotating the rotor; output means (104, 106) for actuating the valve in dependence on rotation of the rotor; mechanical energy storage means (108, 110, 116, 118) arranged to store energy in dependence on rotation of the rotor and release the energy to assist rotation of the rotor; and phase varying means (400) for varying a phase between the mechanical energy storage means and the output means.

Abstract: An electromagnetic valve actuator (100) and method of control thereof. The electromagnetic valve actuator is for at least one valve (300) of an internal combustion engine (40), the electromagnetic valve actuator comprising: a rotor (102); a stator (101) for rotating the rotor; output means (104, 106) for actuating the valve in dependence on rotation of the rotor; mechanical energy storage means (108, 110, 116, 118) arranged to store energy in dependence on rotation of the rotor and release the energy to assist rotation of the rotor; and phase varying means (400) for varying a phase between the mechanical energy storage means and the output means.

Abstract: A desmodromic valve train (20) for an engine (40), comprising a valve actuator (100) arranged to actuate a valve (400) independently of the crank angle of the engine (40), wherein the desmodromic valve train (20) comprises: a load path arrangement comprising an input arranged to receive actuating force from the valve actuator (100), an output arranged to provide the actuating force to the valve (400), and mechanical advantage means arranged such that a first displacement, of the input, causes a second displacement, of the output, wherein the second displacement is a multiple of the first displacement, the multiple being within the range 1.3 to 1.95.

Abstract: An actuator for operating a poppet valve (30) of an internal combustion engine. The actuator comprises a rotary portion (4) and a body portion (2), and the rotary portion defines a cam surface (50, 60). A cam follower (10) is engaged with the cam surface, and a linkage is coupled to the cam follower at one end and coupled to a valve stem (12) at its other end. The cam surface (50, 60) is shaped such that exertion of a closing force on the valve stem, by a piston of the engine following failure of the actuator for example, causes the cam follower (10) to exert a turning force on the rotary portion (4).

Abstract: A rotary electromagnetic actuator includes a biasing assembly for applying a torque to its rotor. Such an actuator may be used to operate a poppet valve of an internal combustion engine. The biasing assembly is switchable between (a) a first configuration in which the biasing assembly exerts a torque on the rotor over at least part of the range of rotation of the rotor, wherein the torque exerted varies with the rotational position of the rotor according to a torque profile, and (b) a second configuration in which the biasing assembly exerts substantially no torque on the rotor over the range of the rotor.

Abstract: A rotary electromagnetic actuator includes a biasing assembly for applying a torque to its rotor. Such an actuator may be used to operate a poppet valve of an internal combustion engine. The biasing assembly is moveable between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein the biasing assembly stores a higher amount of potential energy in its second configuration than in its first configuration. The apparatus includes a latching mechanism for selectively latching the biasing assembly in its second configuration.

Abstract: A desmodromic valve train (20) for an engine (40), comprising a valve actuator (100) arranged to actuate a valve (400) independently of the crank angle of the engine (40), wherein the desmodromic valve train (20) comprises: a load path arrangement comprising an input arranged to receive actuating force from the valve actuator (100), an output arranged to provide the actuating force to the valve (400), and mechanical advantage means arranged such that a first displacement, of the input, causes a second displacement, of the output, wherein the second displacement is a multiple of the first displacement, the multiple being within the range 1.3 to 1.95.

Abstract: A stator assembly for receiving at least two rotors. The assembly comprises at least two individual stators which are divided into stator segments, with at least one segment being a shared segment which forms part of at least two adjacent individual stators. An engine valve actuation assembly includes a stator assembly comprising at least two individual stators. Each individual stator comprises a peripheral portion extending around the longitudinal axis of the stator, with part of the peripheral portion of each stator forming part of the peripheral portion of an adjacent individual stator. Methods for assembling a stator assembly are also described.

Abstract: A hand-truck pouring stand including a base frame with parallel horizontal forward and rearward stands, a connection member disposed perpendicularly therebetween, and wheels on the horizontal rearward stand. Leveling feet are disposed on the horizontal forward stand. Parallel vertical front and rear frames are perpendicularly disposed on the respective horizontal forward and rearward stand. A bucket support frame, pivotably attached between the horizontal forward and rearward stands, includes a U-shaped lower portion and an annular upper portion attached to lower portion front and rear outer slats. A crossmember slat, disposed on a central lower slat of the lower portion, has stop arms on each outer edge. The annular upper portion and lower portion receive and secure the bucket therein. A threaded set screw, engageable through a threaded hole through the vertical front frame to the front outer slat, selectively secures the bucket support frame in the upright or tilted position.

Abstract: An automatic tensioner having a load cell for detecting and controlling a power transmission belt tension. The tensioner comprises a lead screw driven by an electric motor for setting a lever arm/pulley position and thereby a belt load. The tensioner also comprises a load cell engaged with a tensioner lead screw for detecting a belt load. The tensioner motor is controlled loop using a load cell signal. The controller compares a detected belt load from the load cell with a predetermined belt load value to identify a desired belt load and thereby set a tensioner lever arm position corresponding to said desired belt load. The tensioner may also be controlled by an engine operating condition.

Abstract: The invention is an improved power transmission drive, for an internal combustion engine. The drive is of the type having a flexible link medium for transmitting power between a crankshaft of said internal combustion engine and drive components not associated with a primary purpose of the internal combustion engine. The drive is improved by the inclusion of a drive frame, a camshaft sprocket releasably mounted upon the drive frame, a crankshaft drive-wheel releasably mounted upon the drive frame, an engine accessory mounted upon the drive frame, an accessory drive-wheel mounted upon a shaft of the engine accessory, and the camshaft sprocket, the crankshaft drive-wheel, and the accessory drive-wheel each entrained by the flexible link medium.

Abstract: A connector comprising an adapter having a threaded bore and a bushing having an external thread and an internal thread. The adapter has a stop on an outer surface to prevent rotation. The bushing is threaded into the adapter bore. A bolt is threaded into a bushing bore using the internal threads. As the bolt is turned the internal threads cause an interference fit between the bolt shank and the threads, temporarily preventing further insertion of the bolt. The bolt is then turned further causing the bushing to unscrew from the adapter toward the mounting surface until the bushing bears upon the mounting surface. The adapter engages with part thereby completely compensating for a gap between the part and a mounting surface. The adapter does not turn through engagement of the stop with an immoveable part. As the bolt is turned further, the sacrificial internal threads are stripped to allow the bolt to be fully torqued into a mounting surface hole.

Abstract: An eccentric pivot arm tensioner capable of automatic belt tensioning and substantially simultaneous operating range indexing during installation. The tensioner comprises a stop plate and cooperating lock plate. The tensioner comprises a pivot arm having a pivot arm member that cooperatively engages a base plate member. In a first, or transit mode, the pivot arm member temporarily engages the base plate member to put a torsion spring and thereby the pivot arm in a preloaded condition. The lock plate is engaged with the stop plate. As a mounting fastener is engaged into a mounting surface the pivot arm member is automatically disengaged from the base plate member by an axial movement of the pivot arm, thereby allowing the pivot arm to rotate and thereby impart a torsion spring force to a belt, i.e., tensioning the belt in an operating position.

Abstract: An automatic tensioner having a load cell for detecting and controlling a power transmission belt tension. The tensioner comprises a lead screw driven by an electric motor for setting a lever arm/pulley position and thereby a belt load. The tensioner also comprises a load cell engaged with a tensioner lead screw for detecting a belt load. The tensioner motor is controlled loop using a load cell signal. The controller compares a detected belt load from the load cell with a predetermined belt load value to identify a desired belt load and thereby set a tensioner lever arm position corresponding to said desired belt load. The tensioner may also be controlled by an engine operating condition.

Abstract: The invention comprises a tolerance compensating mounting device comprising a bushing having an internal and external thread. The bushing is threaded into a part to be mounted to a surface. A bolt is then threaded into a bushing bore using the internal threads. The internal threads cause an interference fit between the bolt shank and the threads, temporarily preventing further insertion of the bolt. The bolt is then turned further, thereby turning the bushing and causing the bushing to unscrew from the part toward the mounting surface until the bushing seats on the mounting surface, thereby completely compensating for a tolerance gap. As the bolt is turned further, at a relatively low torque the sacrificial internal threads are stripped allowing the bolt to be fully torqued into the mounting surface hole, thereby simultaneously connecting the components with a properly torqued connection while compensating for a tolerance gap.

Abstract: The invention is an improved power transmission drive, for an internal combustion engine. The drive is of the type having a flexible link medium for transmitting power between a crankshaft of said internal combustion engine and drive components not associated with a primary purpose of the internal combustion engine. The drive is improved by the inclusion of a drive frame, a camshaft sprocket releasably mounted upon the drive frame, a crankshaft drive-wheel releasably mounted upon the drive frame, an engine accessory mounted upon the drive frame, an accessory drive-wheel mounted upon a shaft of the engine accessory, and the camshaft sprocket, the crankshaft drive-wheel, and the accessory drive-wheel each entrained by the flexible link medium.

Abstract: A connector comprising an adapter having a threaded bore and a bushing having an external thread and an internal thread. The adapter has a stop on an outer surface to prevent rotation. The bushing is threaded into the adapter bore. A bolt is threaded into a bushing bore using the internal threads. As the bolt is turned the internal threads cause an interference fit between the bolt shank and the threads, temporarily preventing further insertion of the bolt. The bolt is then turned further causing the bushing to unscrew from the adapter toward the mounting surface until the bushing bears upon the mounting surface. The adapter engages with part thereby completely compensating for a gap between the part and a mounting surface. The adapter does not turn through engagement of the stop with an immoveable part. As the bolt is turned further, the sacrificial internal threads are stripped to allow the bolt to be fully torqued into a mounting surface hole.

Abstract: A well treatment tool is installed along the sucker rod string of a well, within the surrounding production tube string. The tool provides for the distribution of a treatment fluid (solvent, etc.) within the fluid being pumped or flowing from the well. The tool receives treatment fluid through the hollow sucker rod string, and distributes the fluid through a valve which is set at a predetermined pressure. When the treatment fluid pumped down the sucker rod string from the surface exceeds the predetermined opening pressure of the valve, the treatment fluid is distributed into the production tube string through one or more passages in the tool. The present tool may be used simultaneously with well production, with fluid (oil, etc.) rising up the production tube string, carrying the treatment fluid therewith. The treatment fluid is thus distributed throughout the local fluid processing system, including pipelines from the well, any initial treatment operations, and any storage tanks.