Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a multicylinder internal combustion engine having a device, preferably an asymmetric swirl valve, located in the cylinder inlet passage and selectively movable by means of a control unit from a starting position into an effective position, for influencing the flow conditions in the cylinder inlet passage. In known methods the swirl control valve is brought into its effective position in a predetermined rotational speed/torque region and the engine is operated with a stoichiometric or rich mixture. Outside this region the swirl control valve is brought into its starting position and the engine is operated using a substantially stoichiometric or rich mixture.

Abstract: A valve having a plurality of movable, coaxially arranged annular plates is characterized by the use of fiber reinforced plate members having a thickness of greater than 0.2 inches and, in a preferred embodiment, a thickness to width ratio in excess of 0.5. A valve in accordance with the present invention is also characterized by the ratio of the number of biasing springs associated with each plate to the mean diameter of the plate being greater than 1.2 per inch.

Abstract: A plate valve is presented in which flow losses are reduced and effective flow area is maximized by establishing a ratio of effective seat area (Fs) to area between the plates (Fb) such that Fs/Fb is between 0.4 and 0.8. The spacing between plates is higher compared to the width of the plates than in the prior art, and the width of the plates may decrease for plates of increasing diameter.

Abstract: A feather valve is presented having shock absorbing strips in the guard section to absorb impact loads and dampen vibration of the feather strips.