Abstract: A stern drive is for propelling a marine vessel in water. The stern drive has an upper drive unit with a lower mounting surface; a lower gearcase coupled to the lower mounting surface and a trailing end surface that is angled relative to the lower mounting surface; and a propeller shaft extending forwardly from the lower gearcase and being configured to rotate a propeller for pulling the marine vessel in the water. The upper drive unit and the lower gearcase are configured such that when a forward side of the lower gearcase impacts an underwater obstruction, the lower gearcase is caused to pivot relative to the upper drive unit until the trailing end surface impacts the lower mounting surface, which thereby causes the lower gearcase to completely uncouple from the upper drive unit.

Abstract: A GDCI engine recirculates exhaust gases to a combustion chamber using desired early injection parameters for a steady state engine operation from a controller. An engine control system detects a load increase relative to the steady state engine operation, and insufficient recirculated exhaust gases to the combustion chamber are delivered in response to the detected load increase as a result of transport delays. A last fuel injection into the combustion chamber during an engine cycle with multiple fuel injections is delayed as compared to the steady state engine operation. Combustion phasing within the combustion chamber is retarded in response to the delayed injection.

Abstract: A GDCI engine control system includes a heated catalyst in an engine exhaust port that is in close proximity to a combustion chamber and is used to heat rebreathed exhaust gases. The engine more quickly reaches operating temperatures, and emissions are reduced during cold running.

Abstract: A GDCI engine control system provides rapid heating of intake air to the combustion chamber when the engine is cold. The engine uses an intake air pathway that includes a compressor having a compressor inlet and a compressor outlet. A loop fluidly connects the compressor outlet to the compressor inlet. First and second valves are arranged in the loop and are arranged near the compressor outlet and the compressor inlet respectively. First and second passages converge at a first junction, and the first passage fluidly connects the first valve and the first junction. The second passage fluidly connects to the loop at a second junction arranged fluidly between the first and second valves. An intake air heat exchanger is arranged in the first passage and fluidly between the first valve and the first junction.

Abstract: A cylinder deactivation system includes an intake cam follower assembly, an exhaust cam follower assembly, an exhaust cam, and a controller. The intake cam follower assembly is used to open an intake engine valve and is switchable to operate in one of an active state and a deactive state. The exhaust cam follower assembly is used to open an exhaust engine valve and is switchable to operate in one of a primary lift state and a secondary lift state. The exhaust cam includes a primary lift cam lobe and a secondary lift cam lobe and is used to actuate the exhaust cam follower assembly in the primary lift state and in the secondary lift state. The controller is used to open the exhaust engine valve during the deactive combustion cycle in advance of the opening of the intake engine valve that occurs during the subsequent active combustion cycle.

Abstract: A control valve includes a first conduit having a first inlet and a first outlet and defining a first passage; a second conduit having a second inlet and a second outlet and defining a second passage, the second conduit extending into the first passage such that the second inlet is located within the first passage; and a valve plate disposed pivotably within the first passage, the valve plate defining a valve plate surface. Pivoting of the valve plate within the first passage varies flow from the first inlet to the first outlet and the valve plate is pivotal between a first position and a second position such that in the first position the valve plate substantially prevents fluid communication between the first passage and the second passage and such that in the second position the valve plate permits fluid communication between the first passage and the second passage.

Abstract: A cylinder deactivation system includes an intake cam follower assembly, an exhaust cam follower assembly, an exhaust cam, and a controller. The intake cam follower assembly is used to open an intake engine valve and is switchable to operate in one of an active state and a deactive state. The exhaust cam follower assembly is used to open an exhaust engine valve and is switchable to operate in one of a primary lift state and a secondary lift state. The exhaust cam includes a primary lift cam lobe and a secondary lift cam lobe and is used to actuate the exhaust cam follower assembly in the primary lift state and in the secondary lift state. The controller is used to open the exhaust engine valve during the deactive combustion cycle in advance of the opening of the intake engine valve that occurs during the subsequent active combustion cycle.

Abstract: A GDCI engine control system includes a heated catalyst in an engine exhaust port that is in close proximity to a combustion chamber and is used to heat rebreathed exhaust gases. The engine more quickly reaches operating temperatures, and emissions are reduced during cold running.

Abstract: A GDCI engine control system provides rapid heating of intake air to the combustion chamber when the engine is cold. The engine uses an intake air pathway that includes a compressor having a compressor inlet and a compressor outlet. A loop fluidly connects the compressor outlet to the compressor inlet. First and second valves are arranged in the loop and are arranged near the compressor outlet and the compressor inlet respectively. First and second passages converge at a first junction, and the first passage fluidly connects the first valve and the first junction. The second passage fluidly connects to the loop at a second junction arranged fluidly between the first and second valves. An intake air heat exchanger is arranged in the first passage and fluidly between the first valve and the first junction.

Abstract: A GDCI engine recirculates exhaust gases to a combustion chamber using desired early injection parameters for a steady state engine operation from a controller. An engine control system detects a load increase relative to the steady state engine operation, and insufficient recirculated exhaust gases to the combustion chamber are delivered in response to the detected load increase as a result of transport delays. A last fuel injection into the combustion chamber during an engine cycle with multiple fuel injections is delayed as compared to the steady state engine operation. Combustion phasing within the combustion chamber is retarded in response to the delayed injection.

Abstract: A control valve includes a first conduit having a first inlet and a first outlet and defining a first passage; a second conduit having a second inlet and a second outlet and defining a second passage, the second conduit extending into the first passage such that the second inlet is located within the first passage; and a valve plate disposed pivotably within the first passage, the valve plate defining a valve plate surface. Pivoting of the valve plate within the first passage varies flow from the first inlet to the first outlet and the valve plate is pivotal between a first position and a second position such that in the first position the valve plate substantially prevents fluid communication between the first passage and the second passage and such that in the second position the valve plate permits fluid communication between the first passage and the second passage.

Abstract: A sensor including: an upper shell, an outer shield disposed in physical communication with the upper shell, a sensing element comprising a sensing electrode and a reference electrode disposed at a sensing end of the sensing element, wherein the sensing end is disposed in the outer shield, and a sampling tube extending from the outer shield. The sampling tube is configured to enable fluid communication between the sensing element and an environment external to the outer shield.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cat litter formed from an amount of starch material and, optionally, a filler material, whereby the cat litter contains an amount of gelatinized starch equal to at least 30% by weight of each cat litter particle, and has a bulk density ranging between about 250 kg/m3 and about 300 kgm/m3, and an absorption capacity ranging between about 100% and about 140%. This invention also relates to a method of forming the cat litter, with it preferred that the cat litter be formed from a corn flour byproduct and a wheat middling byproduct.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cookie and a method for producing the cookie, wherein the method includes forming a cookie from a high melting-point shortening and par-baking the cookies so that it has a moisture level of greater than 5%. Once the cookie has been formed, it can then be placed in a toaster and heated so that when the cookie is removed from the toaster, it will have characteristics similar to a fresh-baked cookie, including flavor, texture, heat, and aroma, without the cookie burning or resulting in drippings or fat dissipating in the toaster.

Abstract: Torch jet ignition is used to assist conventional spark ignition. A small (0.5-1 cc) chamber in a spark plug has an orifice (0.1-0.2 cm diameter) adjacent the spark gap to emit a torch jet into the main combustion chamber to enhance the combustion. The combustion is initiated by the conventional spark in the combustion chamber and the combustion ignites the torch jet. In another embodiment, two spark gaps in series are used, one in the main combustion chamber and one in the torch chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic measurement system and the method of employing the system with a cutting tool device. The measurement system includes a tool holder for mounting a cutting tool. A measurement probe is automatically mounted and dismounted from the tool holder without removing the cutting tool. The tool holder is preferably affixed to a work support table which is adapted to support a workpiece to be machined and measured thereon.

Abstract: A method for automatically sizing a ground surface utilizes a detector having a reference edge position provided adjacent the rotatable spindle of a jig grinder. The jig grinder spindle center is moved a distance from the detector's reference edge equal to the finished radius value of the surface to be ground, or any known distance to be used as a datum. A tool or grinding wheel mounted for relative movement to the jig grinder centerline along the U-axis is moved relative to the jig grinder centerline to clear the detector's pick-up edge. Then, with the grind side of the grinding wheel facing the detector pick-up edge, the wheel is lowered and outfed back along the U-axis while in a conventional dynamic grinding mode until the wheel's outermost cutting position is equal to or in proximity to the detector's reference edge position, which can be confirmed by laser, force or sound apparatus. When contact is made, the outfeed is instantly stopped with no over-travel.

Abstract: Soy polysaccharides, which are substantially high molecular weight cell wall structural components of soybean cotyledons, are mixed with a therapeutically-active substance and the mixture is made into a tablet by conventional means such as wet or dry granulation or direct compression procedures. The tablets obtained by this method have sufficient hardness and highly beneficial disintegration properties.