Abstract: This invention relates to a gun tube support assembly (10), which comprises four support sections (12) arranged annularly around a gun tube (13) and received in an opening in a cradle (15) of a gun. Each support section (12) comprises a bush housing (14), a cradle bush (16) and a damping means sandwiched between the bush housing (14) and cradle bush (16). The damping means is in the form of a rubber pad (18) made of relatively high-temperature silicon rubber. The rubber pad (18) includes a plurality of protrusions 18.1 extending from a face of the pad (18) for abutting an outer surface of the cradle bush (16). The protrusions (18.1) accommodate compression of the pad (18), the arrangement being such that the rubber pad (18) absorbs and dampens kinetic energy emanating from the gun tube (13) during firing of a projectile.

Abstract: A combustion chamber valve, such as an intake valve or an exhaust valve, is briefly opened during the compression and/or power strokes of a 4-strokes combustion cycle in an internal combustion engine (in particular, a diesel or CI engine). The brief opening may (1) enhance mixing withing the combustion chamber, allowing more complete oxidation of particulates to decrease engine emissions; and/or may (2) delay ignition until a more desirable time, potentially allowing a means of timing ignition in otherwise difficult-to-control conditions, e.g., in HCCI (Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition) conditions.

Abstract: Piston face (104, 204, 304) and combustion chamber (18) designs for use particularly in HSDI (high speed direct injection) diesel engines include an open bowl (108 208, 308) characterized by a large face perimeter region (106, 206, 306) on the piston face (104, 204, 304), and a bowl (18) defined by a first depressed region (112, 212, 312) gently sloping radially inwardly from the face perimeter region (106, 206, 306) and a second depressed region (116, 216, 316) sharply sloping radially inwardly from the first depressed region (112, 212, 312) to the bowl floor (120, 220, 320). Injection is preferably directed towards an intermediate edge which is well-defined between the first and second depressed regions, resulting in portions of the injected fuel plume being directed to both the squish regions and the portion of the bowl situated below the intermediate edge.