Abstract: In an internal combustion engine cylinder head for being clamped to a cylinder block for defining therewith a plurality of combustion chambers arranged in a row, the cylinder head is formed with three parallel coolant passages along the row of combustion chambers, a first, a second and a third one of those passages successively passing by intake ports, exhaust ports and roofs of the row of combustion chambers, respectively, each passage being independently connected at one end thereof with a coolant jacket of the cylinder block to receive coolant therefrom, so that three parallel coolant flows of a favorable triple distribution of flow rates are optionally established according to certain relative magnitudes of flow resistance of the three coolant passages.

Abstract: Several embodiments of fuel injection systems for internal combustion engines wherein certain components of the engine are lubricated directly by lubricant supplied by a lubricant pump and the lubricant pump also supplies lubricant to a fuel injection pump. In some embodiments, the fuel delivered to the injection pump is mixed with the fuel pumped by the injection pump for delivery to the engine through an injection nozzle.

Abstract: A hollow cam shaft for use in an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The cam shaft includes a steel pipe, a journal portion and a cam portion. The journal portion is provided at a part of the outer peripheral surface of the steel pipe and having an outer diameter smaller than that of the steel pipe. A cam lobe is assembled on the other portion of the outer peripheral surface of the steel pipe. The journal portion is formed by cutting the part of the outer peripheral surface of the steel pipe by a uniform axial length and radial depth.

Abstract: A spark plug for an internal combustion engine which utilizes an annular round ring surrounding the center electrode. Surrounding the center electrode is a fire hole which includes an enlarged annular space to achieve an increased volume of the fire hole to maximize the ignition of the fuel/air mixture within the fire hole. The ground ring may include a series of ports to facilitate dispersement from the spark plug of the ignited fuel/air mixture within the fire hole.

Abstract: A molded thermoplastic valve stem oil deflector for an internal combustion engine comprises a two piece cup-shaped member having a skirt and a neck defined by two axially spaced radial flanges. The flanges have apertures therethrough defining a radially inwardly opening annulus for the acceptance of a conventional O-ring that seals on the valve stem and supports the oil deflector relative thereto.

Abstract: A dual-chamber support bed or motor vehicle engine mount with hydraulic cushioning includes a resilient housing part and a support base for use in defining a working chamber and compensating chamber filled with liquid, the housing walls are annular rubber diaphragms with a buckling characteristic that is adjustable to adapt to the operating load. The chambers are connected to one another through a nozzle channel. Means for controlling the buckling characteristics (buckling rigidity) are provided in a wall of the working chamber and in a preferred embodiment include an additional buckling spring that is clamped into the fixed base housing and is adjustable in its buckling behavior from the exterior by a spindle.

Abstract: A fuel injection system comprising a fuel injection pump, at least one fuel injection nozzle connected thereto, and a control device for varying the rate of injection of the system according to varying engine parameters. The control device has a variable volume chamber, the volume of which is varied by a piston located by a piezoelectric actuator. The variable volume chamber and a pumping chamber of the pump is intermittently connected by a passage which is specifically designed in such a manner that the fluid communication between the chambers, during the delivery stroke of a pump plunger, is provided only for an initial stage of the delivery stroke. A rate of injection is controlled in the initial stage to perform a pilot injection.

Abstract: In a fuel injection apparatus for an internal combustion engine which has a fuel injection pump having a plunger and one control sleeve fitted on the plunger and capable of regulating both the fuel injection quantity and the timing of the beginning of fuel injection by the adjustment of the relative positional relationship therebetween, and a control unit for controlling the positional relationship in order to obtain the optimum fuel injection rate and fuel injection quantity, the apparatus comprises a detector for detecting any trouble occurring in the control system for regulating the position of the control sleeve and a limiting circuit for limiting the control operation by the control unit so that an excessive rise in the inner pressure of the cylinders in the internal combustion engine is prevented when the occurrence of the trouble is detected by the detector.

Abstract: An engine having a fuel injector for normally feeding a lean air-fuel mixture into the engine cylinders. Ignition timing is determined so that it is suitable for the lean air-fuel mixture. The gear changing operation of the transmission of the engine is detected from the change in the engine speed and the change in the absolute pressure in the intake passage. When the gear changing operation is carried out, a rich air-fuel mixture is fed into the engine cylinders, and the ignition timing is retarded.

Abstract: A system is provided for an automotive engine comprising two intake valves for one cylinder, and a camshaft having cams for operating the intake valves. One of the cams is rotatably and axially slidably mounted on the camshaft. An eccentric conical hole is in a side of the cam and an eccentric conical portion is formed on the camshaft. A hydraulic cylinder is formed between the cam and the camshaft to form an oil chamber so as to shift the cam, and a spring is provided for urging the cam to the oil chamber. When the cam is shifted by the operation of the cylinder, the eccentric conical hole of the cam is engaged with the conical portion at a predetermined angular position.

Abstract: An automatic choke system has a thermostatic spring connected to a choke valve, and a heater for heating the thermostatic spring so as to open the choke valve. A control circuit is provided for controlling the current passing through the heater. At starting of an engine, when cooling water temperature is lower than a predetermined temperature the control circuit operates to decrease the current so as to slowly open the choke valve. When the cooling water temperature is higher than a predetermined temperature, a rated current is supplied to the heater so as to quickly open the choke valve.

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio feedback control system is provided with a look-up table storing a plurality of time data dependent on an engine operating condition. The time is decided to correspond to a control delay time of the control system. When a desired air-fuel ratio varies, feedback operation is stopped for a time derived from the look-up table.

Abstract: Several embodiments of outboard motor fuel feed systems wherein a position responsive valve is interposed between a remotely positioned fuel tank and the engine charge former for precluding the inadvertant flow of fuel to the charge former when the outboard motor is tilted up. In each embodiment, the valve is a gravity responsive valve and in another embodiment a pressure responsive valve member is provided for ensuring fuel flow when the outboard motor is again tilted down to its normal running position.

Abstract: An outer vent control device for use with a carburetor includes a valve housing adapted to be attached to the outer wall of a float chamber in thermally conductive relation, a first control valve disposed in the valve housing and openable when the engine stops its operation, and a second thermosensitive control valve disposed in the valve housing and closable when the temperature of the float chamber drops below a preset temperature. The second thermosensitive control valve includes a thermosensitive unit and a cover attached to a valve housing thereof in covering relation to the thermosensitive unit. The second thermosensitive control valve also has a valve seat member with a valve seat disposed in the valve housing and a valve body movably disposed in the valve housing and seatable on the valve seat. The valve body has an upper conical surface facing an inlet port remotely from the valve seat. The cover has a ventilation hole defined in the bottom thereof at a lowermost position thereon.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine may be driven in the suction mode as well as the supercharging mode. Switchover from the suction to the supercharging mode takes place with the accelerator pedal in a switchover position, and switchback to the suction mode is effected in the return switching position of the accelerator pedal. The switchover and switchback positions are offset with respect to each other with the accelerator pedal in a central position between its initial position and its final position. The arrangement is such that the switchover position is reached at the end of the suction mode at fully open throttle flap (full power position). Upon switchover the throttling of the supercharging flow (throttling begin position) is increased as compared to the end of the suction mode. This throttling of the supercharging is diminshed by further actuation of the accelerator pedal in the direction of the final position.

Abstract: An air/fuel ratio control system is constructed to calculate a base value of an air/fuel ratio control in response to a plurality of engine operational parameters. The base value is adjusted by an output signal of an exhaust gas component concentration sensor, to provide an output value which is directly used for the air/fuel ratio control. Under a predetermined operational condition of the engine, the adjustment of the base value on the basis of the output signal of the exhaust gas component concentration sensor is stopped and the base value is corrected by a correction value, which is one of a number of values stored correspondingly as engine operational parameters, and read out using present values of the engine operational parameters.

Abstract: A hand held disc launcher is constructed of one piece molded plastic material having a handle and a flat head portion having a symmetrical construction on opposite sides thereof whereby the launcher may be used by a left handed or right handed person. Projections extend on opposite sides of the head portion on one side of the axis of the handle and a flexible arm extends from the head portion on the opposite side of the axis of the handle whereby a disc may be held on the head portion between the projection and the arm. A projection is formed on the free end of the arm and a complementary recess is formed in the rim of the disc so that a spinning motion is imparted to the disc as it leaves the launcher under the influence of centrifugal force which overcomes the holding force of the flexible resilient arm.

Abstract: A dressing roll unit is supported on a nonrotating shaft clamped and maintained as a "fixed end" beam, thereby restrained against axial movement and deflection. The shaft is formed with spaced-apart bearing points, wherein wedge-shaped relief sectors are formed about the shaft at the bearing points, and a roll body is maintained about the bearing points with an annular clearance. Rotation of the dressing roll body and roll thereby forms high pressure hydrodynamic wedges of oil at the relief sectors and annular clearances, to create an extremely rigid roll mounting unit, without the need for pivoting bearing parts.

Abstract: A biomass stove has an outer chamber formed by a continuous side wall which is connected to a bottom wall. An air inlet is formed in the bottom wall for allowing introduction of air into the interior of the outer chamber. A fuel basket, also formed as a continuous side wall attached to a bottom wall, is located within the outer chamber. In the fuel basket, near the bottom of the fuel basket, a grate is positioned. First and second reflecting members are positioned below the grate within the fuel basket. Air inlets are located along the bottom periphery of the fuel basket with primary air flowing up through the air inlets and over the reflecting members and through the grate into a fuel supply which can be located within the fuel basket on the grate. One or more of the primary stoves can be suspended in a support housing to form an appropriate multi-burner stove.

Abstract: A draft-assisting chamber is positioned between the combustion chamber and the flue pipe of a heating appliance so as to capture combustion gases in a quantity sufficient to initiate gas flow through the flue pipe. By use of the chamber, gas flow is initiated in the flue pipe during conditions that would otherwise delay such initialization.

Abstract: A gas-fired radiant tube that employs heterogeneous catalytic combustion, and a high combustion efficiency, low NO.sub.x catalytic combustion radiant tube heating system, incorporating the radiant tube, are disclosed. In the system, essentially mirror image, combined inlet/exhaust units containing heat regenerator units are connected at opposite ends of the catalytic combustion tube. Combustion flow is cycled back and forth through the units and the combustion tube so that during any given cycle the hot exhaust gases heat the regenerator in the exhaust side of the flow for preheating the inlet gases during the next, reversed flow cycle and the natural gas fuel is completely oxidized. Thus, the cycled flow completely consumes the fuel and constantly preheats inlet air so that the sytem provides both high combustion efficiency and high thermal efficiency.

Abstract: A compact, high efficiency condensing furnace includes a combustion chamber and a pair of radiators. The temperature of the combustion gases is reduced in one of the radiators to the point at which combustion products condense, thereby extracting the latent heat of vaporization from these combustion products. Each of the radiators has an inlet and an outlet and a baffle between the inlet and outlet to prevent combustion gases from passing directly from the inlet to the outlet. Additional turbulence-providing baffles can be provided within the radiators if desired. A combustion air inlet pipe extends through a recess in the bottom of each radiator to the combustion chamber, and a gas burner tube extends generally concentrically within the combustion air inlet pipe to provide a gas flame within the combustion chamber. A flame spreader plate directs the flame toward the bottom of the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A fuel composition for a reaction chamber which when combined with a selected reactant produces heat energy and hydrogen gas. A reaction chamber structure, method of making and method of operating the reaction chamber are also disclosed.

Abstract: For the tracking control of a reflector focusing the solar radiation on an absorber corresponding to the apparent movement of the sun, an adjusting mechanism of the reflector is driven by means of a direct-current motor 5. The terminals of the electric motor are connected to a parallel connection consisting of two solar cells (9, 10). The parallel connection of both solar cells is such that they generate by constant radiation about a similar amount of voltage however with opposite polarity. The driving of the direct current motor takes place with the voltage differential occurring on the parallel connection. Both the solar cells are rigidly mounted to that part of the stationary arranged absorber on which part the solarrays are focused by the reflector. Both the solar cells are arranged symmetrical to the longitudinal axis of the absorber.

Abstract: An improvement to an implantable amplitude modulated frequency receiver wherein a resistor in the demodulator portion of a prior art receiver, which provides a discharge path for a capacitor, is replaced with an active circuit portion that includes a semiconductor device that provides the discharge path wherein the conductivity level of the semiconductor device is inversely related to the level of conduction of a rectifier to which the received amplitude modulated signal is applied. The active circuit portion improves the efficiency of the receiver in that less power is lost than in the case of the resistor the active circuit portion replaces.

Abstract: A baby bed is described which includes an air mattress connected to a bubble chamber consisting of a partially-filled container of fluid through which air is discharged and from which an arhythmic supply of air is supplied to the air mattress so that the surface of the mattress vibrates in an arhythmic fashion to prevent apnea.

Abstract: A body massager includes a casing having handles at opposite sides disposed in planes mutually at right angles, for ease of manipulation of the massager. A massage head is mounted in the casing for pivotal rocking movement about a transverse axis and has a contoured massage surface for imparting a percussive massage action to a patient. The massage head is driven from an electric motor by a dynamically balanced eccentric driving a connecting rod connected to the massage head by way of a resilient link that can be adjusted to vary the amplitude of the rocking motion.

Abstract: The invention is to an apparatus for applying traction to an immobilized patient undergoing oscillatory therapy. The support means for weights has a portion on an oscillating support platform of the bed and part stationary beyond the oscillating portion with a cable contained partially within a conduit thereinbetween offset from the longitudinal center line of oscillating patient support.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved stiffener cylinder for use as part of a penile erection device. The cylinder is constructed with one or more bellows-like folds that permit significant elongation and also eliminate localized cylinder buckling. Further, the cylinder is constructed with greater vertical expansion capability than horizontal expansion capability so that, when two of the cylinders are utilized in the penis in side-by-side relationship, the penis achieves a generally circular cross section in the erect state.

Abstract: A fixator for externally anchoring broken bones including a pair of generally planar members each having a plurality of openings adapted to receive a respective group of bone pins inserted in respective pieces of bone. The pins are clamped to the planar members with respective headed screws, and the members are held in adjustable end-to-end relationship by a lead screw anchored at one end in one of the members and engaging a threaded bore in the other member. In an embodiment useful for the treatment of comminuted displaced fractures of the distal radius and ulna, the said one member consists of two articulated sections arranged for angular and rotational adjustment.

Abstract: An improved surgical drape form maintaining a sterile condition about a selected surgical site on a body portion of a patient during a surgical procedure such as hip surgery and the like. The surgical drape comprises generally a sheet of conformable, impervious material having an opening for receiving the patient's limb and having side portions adjoining the opening for shielding the patient with respect to direct contact and ambient air flow. A boot of conformable impervious material is attached to the sheet for receiving the patient's limb. The boot has a tubular sidewall defining a pocket which is joined in registration with the sheet opening. The tubular sidewall is sealed against the sheet portions forming the border of the opening, thereby providing a continuous, sterile barrier.

Abstract: A cushion device shaped into a configuration suitable for supporting the foot and ankle in a normal position or for supporting the elbow, and comprised of a flexible sheet material having adjacent major and minor panels joined by a web to allow the panels to be formed into the necessary shape to match the normal angular position of the foot and ankle, or elbow bend. The sheet material is provided on one surface with an array of pressure fluid cells organized to give the necessary support without causing the formation of sores usually associated with long periods of inactivity of movement. The sheet in its shaped configuration is secured by adjustable cooperating devices of the Velcro type.

Abstract: A wound management dressing device. A foamed polyurethane pad of a selected size and having a hydrophilic side for contact with a wound and a hydrophobic side for facing away from the wound is positioned on a porous non-woven fibrous sheet of a larger selected size and having an adhesive on the side contacting the hydrophobic side of said pad so that the device presents the hydrophilic side and the adhesive for use in contact with the wound. A non-sticking removable cover is placed over the adhesive side of the sheet to prevent early exposure of the pad and the adhesive.

Abstract: A helmet comprises a headshell, visor and a harness within which the head of the user is engagable. An auxiliary electrically operated service is provided, such as a lamp or air supply, operated by a switch actuated as the helmet is engaged or disengaged from the user's head. When the service is an air supply, the switch operates a fan motor which draws air into the helmet through a filter.

Abstract: A surgical scalpel having an extendable blade, said blade being extended by rotating a movable portion of a barrel with respect to a fixed barrel portion, the initial extension being done at a fast rate and the final extension or depth adjustment being done at a slow rate. Additionally, the invention includes a gauge in combination with the scalpel for calibrating blade depth, the gauge consisting of a base, a slidable block with a tapered ridge and width markings and a slidable support for the scalpel, so that the scalpel can be abutted with the block for measurement and backed off for block adjustment.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for advancing an electrode-holder elem in particular mounted on a pulse generating apparatus of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,559,227 to Rieber. This advance device comprises a radially projecting element fast with the rear part of the electrode-holder element and a member for controlling same, the radially projecting element being formed by a toothed wheel of fixed axial position with respect to the insulating support and controlled in rotation by two pistons mounted symmetrically on either side of the wheel to control a rotation in both directions. This device allows a greater precision of the advance of the electrode and an increase in the efficiency of destruction of the targets.

Abstract: A sternum closure device for closing the sternum of a patient comprising a head portion, tail portion and flexible spine portion. The head portion includes a locking tang to prevent backward movement of the spine portion once it is received and engaged in the head portion. The spine is made of a biocompatible metal coated with a biocompatible polymer along part of its length. One end of the spine is sharpened to serve as a needle. The tang pierces the polymer and locks against a serration of the spine. A method of using the sternum closure device is also disclosed.

Abstract: Hemostatic valve and method for positioning a plurality of elongated elements such as dilatation catheters and guide wires in the cardiovascular system. The hemostatic valve has two or more separately sealable access ports through which the elongated elements can be inserted and manipulated independently of each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to an obstetric vacuum extractor with a vessel 1 comprising an evacuable vessel chamber open to one side, and to which a pull device 10 is attached. The vessel 1 is divided into at least two vessel chambers 1', 1" open to said one side and evacuable separately.

Abstract: A cardiac pacer which generates pacing pulses at a predetermined pacing rate includes a device for making a body activity measurement. The measured body activity signal is non-linearly amplified such that signal portions having higher amplitudes are more amplified than signal portions having lower amplitudes. The non-linearly amplified body activity signal is integrated over a period of time. The predetermined pacing rate is varied dependent on the integrated signal.

Abstract: The apparatus for pacing a heart in accordance with the heart rate needed to produce a required cardiac output while the person is exercising, comprises a pacer adapted to be implanted in a human body and having a pulse generator and control circuitry (e.g. including a microprocessor) therein, a pacing lead adapted to be implanted in a right ventricle in a heart and having a distal electrode adapted to engage and supply pacing pulses to the apex of the right ventricle and a pressure sensor or impedance sensing electrode mounted in or on the lead.

Abstract: A method, and an apparatus for performing the method, are described, for imaging a region of a body using NMR in which part of the region is moving with a motion such that its displacement with respect to time is a nonmonotonic function during the time period over which NMR data signals are collected. The data signals are collected in an order dependent on the motion such that motion artifacts are reduced.

Abstract: Blood pressure measurement apparatus comprises means for variably occluding a body zone by progressive application of external pressure between levels respectively above systolic and below diastolic, means for detecting variations in blood volume in said zone during variable occlusion thereof, and means responsive to the occluding and detecting means to indicate as systolic and diastolic pressures the values of said external pressure respectively when the maximum and minimum detected volume levels are each about half way between zero and the maximum level following the last minimum which does not depart significantly from zero. The blood volume variations are preferably determined by reference to light transmission through the zone, suitably infrared, but other measures are suitable as determined by strain gauge, proton magnetic resonance or microwave absorbtion.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for simultaneously measuring the oxygen content in blood as well as blood pressure at one or more sites within a body cavity or blood vessel. An elongated optical fiber is located within a catheter capable of being inserted into a body cavity. The distal end of the catheter contains a filter covering an end hole so that light may be transmitted through the filter at wavelengths in the red and infrared region while reflecting light of other wavelengths. This permits measurement of the oxygen content of blood. The optical fiber is coaxially surrounded by cladding means essentially throughout its length and is uncladded for at least a portion of its length near the distal end thereof. The catheter carries a pressure transducer associated with the uncladded core portion.

Abstract: Thermocouple pairs measure the temperatures at a cold-fluid injection point and a downstream point. The reference thermocouple of each pair sees the temperature of a thermally floating heat sink of unknown temperature that has high thermal conductivity and mass, and is well insulated from the environment. Consequently the heat-sink temperature drift is practically constant. To the extent that heat-sink temperature drift is significant, the invention overcomes the effects of drift to a first approximation by providing electronic circuitry that in effect registers the drift in measurement voltage before fluid injection, extrapolates this voltage drift into the measurement time period, and automatically subtracts the extrapolated voltage drift from the measurement voltages.

Abstract: A vacuum blood collection system is provided. The blood collection system contains an evacuated sample collection container which is open at both ends. One end of the container is closed by a self-sealing puncturable stopper adapted to be penetrated by one end of a double ended needle. The other end of the collection container is closed by a slidable sealing stopper affixed to a plunger to provide a piston assembly. The blood collection system also includes restraining means to prevent premature movement of the slidable sealing stopper and may contain a temporary seal to prevent movement of the piston assembly prior to the need for removing the blood specimen from the collection container.

Abstract: An article of wearing apparel, to be worn on the upper body of a subject, includes a portion for covering the back of the subject. Sensors for sensing the changes in posture of the subject and providing electrical signals proportional to the degree of change in posture are removably mounted on the portion for covering the back of the subject. Electronic circuitry analyzes the electrical signals to provide an output, which can be sensed by the subject, when the posture of the subject deviates from a pre-set postural position by a predetermined amount. The electronic circuit is disposed in a carrier which is also removably mounted from the article of clothing apparel.

Abstract: A smoker's pipe that includes a hollow shank, a bowl assembly mounted at one end of the shank and a bit connected to the other end of the shank. The pipe also comprises in one embodiment a flow separator which respectively directs the smoke and liquid components of the smoke fluid into a gaseous smoke conduit and a liquid conduit, part of each conduit being in the shank and part of each conduit being in the bit. Also included is a rotatable connector that sealingly connects the two parts of each conduit together, yet also permits relative rotation of the bit and shank.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for treating particulate material with a liquid additive in a rotatable cylinder involves the use of a pressurized fluid such as steam directed obliquely against the inner wall of the cylinder to effect a cleaning action on the inner wall as the cylinder is rotated and to augment agitation action produced by the rotational movement of the cylinder and gravitational forces acting on the particulate material. Strategically located spray nozzles apply controlled amounts of liquid additive to the particulate material as it is undergoing agitation by the combined effects of the applied forces. The method and apparatus disclosed are particularly suited to the treatment of tobacco with casing materials.

Abstract: Cigarette rods include four segments of smokable material. First and second segments are positioned at the extreme ends of the rod. The first segment is positioned at the end of the rod to be lit. A third segment is positioned adjacent the first segment, and a fourth segment is positioned adjacent the second segment. The density of the third segment is greater than the fourth segment. The first and second segments can be "dense ends" or "loose ends" relative to the respective adjacent segments. The cigarette rods have a relatively uniform burn rate provided by treatment of the wrapping material of the rod with burn rate suppressants and burn rate accelerators in the positions thereof which overlie the third and fourth segments, respectively.