Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for guiding steel bands of a continuously operating press about a longitudinal axis during operation of the press without overstretching one side of the steel bands. First and second bands are guided, via driving drums and return drums, around a pressing ram and a pressing table, respectively. The steel bands are supported, with an adjustable pressing gap, on a plurality of co-rotating steel rods which are guided, with their axes of rotation extending transversely to the direction of travel of the bands, against abutment lugs of the table and the pressing ram. The axis of at least one of the drums is altered in a first direction through an angle .beta..

Abstract: A press includes a reciprocation unit having a crank structure which is driven in horizontal reciprocation by an associated press drive. A motion direction shifting unit having a link structure is coupled to the reciprocation unit a ram so as to reciprocate the ram vertically between an upper position and a lower rest position in response to the horizontal reciprocation of the reciprocation unit, such that the ram remains in a state of substantial rest with respect to the shifting unit for a predetermined period of time upon reaching the lower position. A control unit controls a hydraulic fluid supply system to cause a pressure applying device to apply a controlled press forming force to the ram when a sensor detects that the ram is in the rest state.

Abstract: A safety device for limiting axial operating loads which are exerted on a drive worm of a machine, such as a platen press, including a pressure chamber receiving a first piston connected to an auxiliary shaft, which is axially shiftable and non-rotatable, and is connected to one end of a main shaft of the drive worm. Fluid pressure in the pressure chamber holds the piston in a first position to maintain the axially displaceable connection of the other end of the main shaft to a drive shaft. In response to an axial overload, the pressure in the pressure chamber is relieved to eliminate the holding feature to allow the main shaft to shift axially to disengage it from the drive shaft. The safety device includes a second piston for moving the first piston to the first position where the drive shaft and main shaft are recoupled when the machine is in a rest position.

Abstract: A helicopter armament system includes an elongated support plank longitudinally extending transversely through the helicopter and having opposite end portions projecting outwardly beyond opposite sides of the helicopter. Mounted on these opposite plank end portions are a pair of 0.50 caliber machine guns supplied with belted ammunition by two ganged pairs of ammunition magazine boxes supported within the cabin area, on the top side of the plank, by roller support structures operable to isolate the boxes from forces arising from plank flexure, and to significantly facilitate operative attachment of the boxes to the plank and subsequent removal of the boxes therefrom. Using specially designed inserts and lid structures, each of the boxes may be rapidly converted between 0.50 caliber and 7.62 mm ammunition belt storage and outfeed, and the same boxes may be used individually or ganged in a two or four box group to feed a 0.50 caliber machine gun, or used individually or ganged in a two box group to feed a 7.

Abstract: A drive system for a lid or a flap of a convertible car body in which the control effort for the drive system is reduced by configuring the working cylinder as a control valve which releases the lid or the like after unlocking of the lock for lifting by the lifting cylinder, and is connected between the control device and the lifting cylinder.

Abstract: A radial piston pump includes a pair of inboard trunions which provide tilting bearing support for the swashplate. The trunion blocks may be made from sections of ordinary cold rolled steel bar stock and attached to the end wall of the pump housing with externally accessible bolted connections which allow final precise alignment of the trunion blocks in the assembled pump. The swashplate includes a concave cylindrical bearing surface which rides on the trunion blocks and, to enable precision finishing and machining of the concave bearing surface in a simple manner. Two swashplates are made from a single metal casting in which a full cylindrical through bore can be accurately cut and finished, and the casting subsequently cut in two to provide two swashplates. The swashplate is mounted with its transverse tilt axis offset from the axis of the pump drive shaft in a direction providing a net imbalance in piston spring biasing force to urge the swashplate on-stroke to enhance start-up operation.

Abstract: A clutch master assembly made of plastic material for an automotive vehicle. The assembly a plastic cylinder housing (1) and a piston (2) and a plastic bushing (3). The plastic bushing is arranged to allow it to be screwed in by means of a thread portion (4) which is located in the housing. By the screwing-in of the bushing a grooved disc (5) and a grooved cup (6) are secured in the assembly. The grooved cup is furnished with knobs (21, 22, 23) which exert a force in axial direction on the arrangement consisting of the grooved cup (6) and the grooved disc (5). The piston-side enlarged end of the piston rod (31, 104) is secured within the piston (2, 103) by a back injection.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an apparatus and method for wetting and dissolving finely divided dry particles, including hygroscopic particles such as coffee fines, in a liquid, including viscous liquids such as concentrated coffee liquor, in a manner in which foaming, the presence of wet lumps and liquor degradation are minimized. The apparatus includes a dissolving tank containing at least one pair of counter-rotating drums partially submerged in a body of the dissolving liquid. The tank includes a liquid inlet and a discharge conduit which maintain a predetermined level of liquid in the tank. A powder feeding device mounted above the tank discharges a falling curtain of particles onto a thin layer of liquid on the surface of one of the drums in each counter-rotating pair.

Abstract: A cushion layer 92 made of plastics or rubber is fixed on a stamp body 90, on which a peelable layer 94 having a certain thickness and formed by a rubber having a glass-transition temperature higher than -50 degrees Celsius, is temporarily fixed, and further, a protective film 96 is temporarily fixed on the peelable layer 94. Next, to form an image section, the peelable layer 94 is cooled to a temperature below its glass-transition temperature, the peelable layer 94 and protective film 96 being cut along a boundary line 116 between the engraving region on which images on the peelable layer 94 are engraved and the blank region other than the engraving region, and the area other than the image on the engraving region being cut and removed so deep that the peelable layer will not be cut.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and process for conveying a printed object, such as a printed bottle. The apparatus comprises a vacuum pump for supplying a vacuum and a rotationally driven central shaft operably associated with the vacuum pump. The central shaft has a bore therethrough for carrying a vacuum. A rotary disc is mounted on the central shaft for rotation therewith for conveying the printed object sequentially from a receipt station to a discharge station. The rotary disc has a front face, a back face and an internal vacuum chamber for carrying a vacuum. The internal vacuum chamber is in communication with the central shaft's bore and the vacuum pump. Additionally, the front face has at least one vacuum port. A valve system is preferably associated with the vacuum port for controlling the delivery of the vacuum to the vacuum port so that suction created by the vacuum picks-up the object at the receipt station.

Abstract: In a stamping device, a stamping stencil is produced and used which does not require manual application of ink to the stencil. Data concerning an image, which may include character, figure and/or symbol data, is input by a input unit, a thermal head generates heat on the basis of the data and transmits the heat to the thermal stencil paper disposed at the printing position. As a result, a corresponding pattern of pores is produced, by the heat of the thermal head, in the thermal stencil paper. Ink is supplied to the pores by an ink supply unit at an ink supplying position when pressure is applied to the back of the ink supply.

Abstract: A sealing device (10) for a printing press (11) having a base (12) defining a chamber (24) for retaining ink, a roller (14) mounted on the base (12) over the chamber (24) with the chamber (24) communicating with the roller (14), and a sealing member (20) having a surface (46) for contacting the roller (14), with the sealing member (20) being constructed from a porous material (49) and having a fluid impervious barrier (56 and 58) extending over at least one side (48 and 50) of the sealing member (20) to prevent passage of ink through the sealing member (20).

Abstract: A device for positioning printing material for use in a printing apparatus in which printing is applied to the printing material by passing the same through between an impression cylinder and a blanket cylinder, the device comprising positioning member disposed in an recessed portion formed on an outer surface of the impression cylinder, the positioning member including, a stopper with which a leading end of the printing material comes to contact, drive means for moving the stopper forward and backward in a direction of transport of the printing material, control unit for controllably driving the drive means while the impression cylinder is being rotated, and operation means for operating the control means. Accordingly, displacement of superimposed printed images in a direction of transport of the printing material resulting from the fact that the positioning member improperly positions printing material can be corrected rapidly and accurately.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic material consists of an oxidizable metal vapor-deposited onto a substrate film of an oxidizing polymeric material the metal and polymeric substrate being conjointly capable of exothermic reaction on ignition. The substrate may be provided in flexible film tape form and coated on both sides with metal to provide a flash transfer medium with flash velocities typically within the range 10-100 ms.sup.-1. The substrate is preferably PTFE and the metal magnesium.

Abstract: A main charge of explosive is positioned symmetrically about a passageway-forming tubular member, such as a well pipe assembly. The charge is outwardly and radially spaced from the member and is coupled thereto by a dense medium, such as soil, which is adapted to transfer the produced explosive energy to the tubular member in the form of a pressure pulse applied by the medium. Initiation charges are supplied at the outer surface of the main charge, to initiate a detonation wave directed at the tubular member. A layer of dense medium is provided to confine the non-coupled surface of the charge and retard venting of explosive gases away from the tubular member. In the end result, concentrated, converging pressure pulses are applied to the tubular member on detonation, to cause it to be symmetrically crimped to restrict the passageway.

Abstract: A method of stemming a blast hole loaded with an explosive charge. The blast hole has side walls, an outwardly opening mouth and a central axis extending longitudinally of the blast hole. The method comprises inserting a conduit having a discharge end inwardly through the mouth of the blast hole and positioning the discharge end of the conduit within the blast hole generally adjacent the explosive charge. Particulate stemming material is forced under pressure through the conduit for exit from its discharge end into the blast hole toward the explosive charge thereby to pack stemming material in the blast hole adjacent the explosive charge. As stemming material is forced out the discharge end of the conduit, the discharge end of the conduit is moved generally axially outwardly relative to the blast hole toward the mouth of the blast hole to simultaneously fill and pack the blast hole with stemming material.

Abstract: This device concerns missiles and in particular those made up of a payload stage in the form of a sub-munitions cargo-container and a propulsion stage. It is intended for the separation and aerodynamic braking of the propulsion stage at the end of its operation so that the sub-munitions can be released without the risk of hitting it. It includes attachment by fitting and locking by shear screws of the two parts of the missile, an inflatable bag arranged in an annular housing, a mobile piston used to separate the two parts of the missile, an initiatable gas generator driving the mobile piston then inflating the bag, means of initiating the gas generator consisting of a primer and firing pin and sensitive to a drop in pressure of the gases in the propulsion stage.

Abstract: A device is provided for reducing the rate of rotation of a spinning submunition unit having a tail end provided with a deployable braking device, from a time after the submunition unit is ejected from a spin stabilized carrier projectile until the braking device is deployed. The device includes a plurality of bands arranged to form a star-shaped symmetrical band structure for placement around the braking device. Each of the bands has a free end provided with a wind pocket.

Abstract: A folding door apparatus for a railway platform has a plurality of continuously provided folding doors each composed of two elements, a mid-portion between the two elements serving as an inflection point, the plurality of folding doors being movable between closed positions in which the folding doors are disposed in a line along a railway platform and inflected positions in which openings in the folding door apparatus are formed; a door opening and closing driving apparatus including a pair of opening and closing acting bodies for moving the folding doors in a direction and amount necessary to form the openings in the folding door apparatus; and a logic unit for analyzing information regarding the positions and widths of entrances of a railway vehicle stopped at the platform, and controlling the direction and amount of movement of the folding doors such that the openings in the folding door apparatus correspond to the entrances of the railway vehicle.

Abstract: An ultra high-speed transportation system comprising a prepared tube for moving people and cargo in vehicles being propelled by a variable-speed motor ultra high-speed air stream generator, a continuous moving ultra high-speed air stream of air within the prepared tube that is end to end, or continuous without end, with a series of load-unload stations that do not have the stream moving through the station. The air stream is bypassed around the station back into the main transportation tube, so as not to interfere with loading and unloading of the vehicles. The vehicle when traveling in the tube is kept from the tube wall and kept in the approximate tube center by the force of the moving air stream, having to move around and past the vehicle that fills only about two thirds of the tube's opening, because the air stream is moving at a higher rate of speed than the vehicle.

Abstract: A propulsion and stabilization system for an inductive repulsion type magnetically levitated vehicle which is propelled and suspended by a system which includes dividing the superconducting magnets into two types: a strong field magnet which is located vertically below the vehicle for propulsion and guidance and a weak field superconducting magnet located at the ends of the vehicle for levitation and added guidance. Several proposed embodiments exist for the placement of the magnetic field shielding: locating the shielding on the vehicle, locating the shielding on the guideway, and locating the shielding on the guideway and adding shielding to the vertical undercarriage. In addition, the separation between the vehicle and the guideway can be controlled to reduce the exposure of the passenger cabin to magnetic fields.

Abstract: A propulsion and suspension system for an inductive repulsion type magnetically levitated vehicle which is propelled and suspended by a system which includes propulsion windings which form a linear synchronous motor and conductive guideways, adjacent to the propulsion windings, where both combine to partially encircling the vehicle-borne superconducting magnets. A three phase power source is used with the linear synchronous motor to produce a traveling magnetic wave which in conjunction with the magnets propel the vehicle. The conductive guideway combines with the superconducting magnets to provide for vehicle leviation.

Abstract: An attachment for attaching the ends of concave floor panels of a gondola car to the center sill by a plate extending through the vertical cover plate of the floor panels and being affixed to the floor panels and to the center sill. The plate includes a curved contour adjacent the concave floor panels and is affixed by lock bolts to both the floor panels and to the center sill. Angle members affix the vertical cover plates to the ends of the concave floor panels.

Abstract: An attractive, sturdy revolving shelf unit which provides for efficient storage space for books, magazines, or wine bottles etc. Each shelf is characterized by an L-patterned arrangement of vertical supports between shelves which permit efficient storage and provide strength. Methods employed in manufacturing the storage units provide for easy adaptation to different sizes of the storage unit and variation in the size of the L-pattern to accommodate different storage items.

Abstract: A modular system for office furniture comprising a sufficient number of three types of modules, each corresponding to one or more of the following functions: a "working surface" function, a "support" function, a "storage" function, and an "electrical wire guiding function." The first module, a "table top module," provides a working surface which performs the "working surface" function. It comprises three sections, two end sections and a middle connecting section, and is supported by the second and third modules. The end sections of the first table top module each rest on a second "support" module which performs both the "support" and "storage functions." The third module is a column having upper and lower portions and performs both the "electrical wire guiding" and support functions." The upper portion contains the electrical wires of all hardware and appliances distributed on the table top module and the lower supports the middle section of the first table top module.

Abstract: A method and a unit for the thermal destruction of industrial fluid wastes in which first and second heating phases are performed by mixing the combustion gases with the fluid wastes into combustion chambers, maintaining the mixture under high turbulence conditions to bring it to a thermodestruction temperature at which the mixed fluid waste is destroyed by heat; the gaseous mixture is maintained in adiabatic conditions at the thermodestroying temperature for a predetermined period of time along a path extending along most of a primary combustion chamber of the destroyer unit. The thermodestroyer unit has a monolithic structure which develops vertically, comprising a primary combustion chamber and an annular stay chamber, which surrounds the primary combustion chamber in which the burning mixture is maintained in a substantially adiabatic condition; the apparatus may be provided with a heat exchanger arranged at the outlet of the stay chamber.

Abstract: A method for economically separating chemical contaminants such as volatile and semivolatile organic chemicals and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), even if the contaminants are present at low concentrations, from inert materials such as soils or sludges is disclosed. The process comprises subjecting inert materials contaminated with chemical compounds to vacuum at a temperature effective to volatilize the contaminants but below incineration temperature, while continuously removing the evolved vapors, for a period of time sufficient to effect the desired degree of separation of contaminants. The evolved vapors may be collected and condensed for off-site disposal.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved method of installing sweatbands or the like in non-sized hats. The band and fabric may be installed in the crown of a hat by a novel rolling process which saves time and expense, while leaving a seamless finish in the area of the soft cloth.

Abstract: An embroidering system comprises plural embroidering machines, a display, an input, a register memory for storing plural embroidering patterns, image data and embroidering data which includes data for characters of several languages having different character symbols in the same phonetic sound, and a main control. When an operator selects a desired language, the main control reads the image data which corresponds to the selected language from the register memory. When an operator selects a key on the keyboard, the main control checks a phonetic sound of that key to determine whether such phonetic sound corresponds to more than one character. If there is more than one character, the main control reads image data corresponding to all of the characters which have the same phonetic sound and displays all of the image data. An operator selects a desired character from the displayed characters.

Abstract: A method for scoop stitching includes the steps of changing the angle of attack of a curved needle before and after penetration of the needle into a fabric. The needle moves along an arc around an axis. The axis is reduced prior to needle penetration and is increased after penetration to assure good penetration depth in thick fabrics.

Abstract: A top feed unit comprises a vertical-movement kinematic mechanism (19) and a horizontal-movement kinematic mechanism (20) acting on a rocking arm (18) supporting a top feed dog (17) and operated by respective eccentrics (21, 29) fitted to an auxiliary shaft (37). The vertical- and horizontal-movement kinematic mechanisms (29, 20) and the auxiliary shaft (37) are contained in a housing structure (34) which can be detachably engaged to the sewing machine head (7). The auxiliary shaft (37) is connected to an interconnecting stem (41) rotatably connected to the sewing machine arm (6) and driven in rotation, through a toothed belt (46), by the upper drive shaft (8) of the sewing machine (2).

Abstract: An appliance for plugging a hole in a boat hull comprises a threaded stem (3), a tubular slide (4) sleeved upon the stem (3), a hub (5) fixed to a distal end of the stem (3), a proximal abutment flange (6) on the slide (4), a distal abutment flange (7) having a converging distal surface on the slide (4), a collar (8) slideable along the slide (4) between the abutment flanges, a plurality of ribs (10), each pivoted at one end to the collar (8) and able to radiate therefrom in the manner of wheel spokes, a like plurality of control arms (11) respectively pivoted at one end to the ribs (10) at a position intermediate the rib ends and pivoted at their other ends to the hub (5), and an impervious membrane (12) secured to the ribs (10) and filling the spaces therebetween when the ribs are radiating from the collar (8). Having been thrust through a hole in a boat hull the slide (4) may be moved outwardly to cause the ribs (10) to swing out and the membrane (12) to cover the hole.

Abstract: A muffler for use with an underwater vehicle. The muffler is mechanically attached to an exhaust tube or aft end of the underwater vehicle and has an hydrodynamic shape and perforated exterior that results in the production of less noise by the vehicle. Large bubbles have been determined to be offensive due to lower frequency collapsing noise which produces a louder vehicle exhaust. The present invention is perforated with holes to break up the flow of exhaust gas from the vehicle into small diameter bubbles that are emitted into the water. The present invention has a contoured outer wall that matches the contour of the underwater vehicle to provide for the hydrodynamic flow of water around the vehicle as it is propelled through the water. The present invention eliminates hydrodynamic voids at the aft end of the vehicle that would normally allow smaller bubbles to coalesce into large bubbles.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical steering device for boats, comprising a push-pull cable (11) coupled between a steering gear (3) and a steering arm (12). The cable jacket is connected with play to the gear housing. The steering gear is coupled to a command value sender (8), the signal of which is compared in an electronics unit (10) with a signal from an actual value sensor (15) (rudder indicator) coupled to the steering arm. An electrical servo motor (14) is coupled to the steering arm and is controlled by the electronics unit in response to the difference between the command value and the actual value signals.

Abstract: Method for launching and recovering a water borne vehicle from a surface ship in water having a turbulent surface while the surface ship is drifting or underway. The water borne vehicle is stored in a portable standard container van which is generally stored on land when not in use and attached to the deck of the surface ship when the vehicle is to be deployed.

Abstract: A machine for gripping and handling underwater vehicles and the like includes a gripping device provided with a guiding member made integral at its upper end, an articulated member connected with a rod sliding inside a guide attached to a free end of a jib of the crane and with floats capable of maintaining the guiding member raised above the water in a preset position of the rod relative to the guide controlled by a sensor imparting movement to the jibs of the crane in order to maintain the gripping device in vertical position relative to the ship.

Abstract: This invention relates to a one-step formed all-plastic boat, the entire hull of which is comprised of plastic material that contains in addition small amounts of an additive and a filler. The hull has a cavity, divisional cavities, open and closed compartments, but no welded parts. The process of manufacturing the all-plastic boat comprises feeding physically modified resinous material into a closed container type boat mold, subjecting the mold to a complex motion of circular and semicircular rotations of 360.degree.-180.degree. and rockings of selected positional angles; applying an operational heat treatment at 200.degree.-450.degree. C. to the mold while the mold undergoes the complex movements; and after heat treatment, cooling the mold and then releasing the entire all-plastic boat.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a flag pole assembly having a bracket, a pole, a stopping member at one end of the pole, and a removable sleeve substantially the length of the pole which attaches to the flag. The sleeve is formed to slide onto and off the pole over its mounted end when removed from the bracket. In use, the sleeve is prevented from sliding off the outer end of the pole by the stopping member and, because of the length of the sleeve, the bracket retains the sleeve in place at its lower end. Thus, the flag and sleeve are easily removable as a unit from the pole once the pole is removed from the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A pet food dish uses a combination of several water-filled moats and one or more climbing obstacles to prevent ants and other crawling insects from gaining access to the food in it. The dish has an upper, food containing, portion that is supported by a pedestal. The pedestal is preferably formed integrally with a base portion of the dish that incorporates a moated region. A separate deflector-trap is placed on the base unit around the pedestal. The deflector-trap comprises one of the climbing obstacles and has an intramural region that provides one of the moats.

Abstract: Anode and cathode electrodes are placed at the upstream and downstream ends of an elongated tank containing fish to be electroanesthetized by applying an electric signal to the electrodes to create an electric field within the tank sufficient to induce petit mal in the fish. By maintaining a flow of water in the tank from the end containing the anode electrode to this end containing the cathode electrode, the fish will tend to head toward the anode electrode and be subject to the largest voltage gradient induced by the electric field. A barrier at each of the anode and cathode electrodes prevents contact by the fish to protect the fish against injurious electrical shock.

Abstract: A pet carrier having ventilated sidewalls and four supports at the corners of the bottom of the carrier. Each support contains a roller that is selectively retractable into the support or projected outwardly to enable the carrier to be pulled by a pull cord. Four corresponding receptacles are secured to the corners of the top of the pet carrier of slightly greater dimension than said supports so as to snugly receive said supports when like carriers are in stacked position.

Abstract: A plurality of high power semiconductor devices are connected in circuit with at least one electric traction motor for controlling electric power to the motor. The semiconductor devices are each thermally connected between a pair of generally hollow heat sinks adapted for passing cooling air therethrough for extracting heat therefrom. An anode terminal of the devices is coupled to one of the heat sinks of a pair and a cathode terminal of the devices is connected to the other heat sink of the pair. Each of the heat sinks are mounted in a cantilever fashion to a common air plenum forming one wall of an electrical circuit area of a vehicle. The distal ends of the heat sinks of a pair are coupled together by an air flow conduit thus forming a continuous air passage through the pair of heat sinks which begins and ends at the surface containing the air supply plenum. One end of one of the pair of heat sinks, preferably the heat sink coupled to the cathode terminal, is connected to an exhaust conduit.

Abstract: Several embodiments of engine intake systems that improve the charging efficiency by providing a closed branch passage which forms a volume in the intake tract between the throttle valve and the point of discharge into an engine chamber. The illustrated embodiments of the application of this concept is to both four and two cycle engines. In addition, a plenum chamber is illustrated for permitting the effective volume of the branch passage to be increased without unduly increasing its length. The branch passage outlet in certain embodiments is oriented so that its discharge during the intake cycle increases turbulence to improve combustion efficiency.

Abstract: An engine cylinder block having a shallow water jacket in either a V-type, in-line, or opposed engine configuration. The engine cylinder block further having an isolation chamber below the shallow water jacket forming a cavity between the cylinder bore walls and the outer engine block wall. Additionally, ventilation passages are located between the crankcase and isolation chamber through the upper crankcase plate.

Abstract: An intake manifold (10) includes cast plenum (12) and flange (14) members defining a plurality of outlet (22) and inlet (24) holes therein. Tubes (16) have opposite first (44) and second (46) ends which are received into the outlet (22) and inlet (24) holes with an interference fit and joined thereto with metallurgical bonds (48,50) comprising a low melting point metal coating material (52), such as zinc, alloyed with the tube metal and each of the plenum and flange metals. The method includes coating the ends (44,46) of the tubes (16) and the walls of the holes (22,24) with the molten coating material (52), heating the plenum (12) and flange (14) to an elevated temperature and then forcing the tubes (16) into the holes (22) to form the metallurgical bonds (48,50).

Abstract: A valve assembly is provided for location in a fluid flow path between an intake manifold and a cylinder for preventing blow back from the cylinder into the manifold and for reducing back pressure in said manifold on an internal combustion engine. The assembly comprises a plurality of valved units each having an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is operatively connected to the intake manifold, and the outlet is operatively connected to the cylinder. A valve member is disposed on each of the units and is flexible between a valve open position where the member is offset from the outlet, and a valve closed position where the member operatively closes the outlet, thereby preventing reversed fluid flow from the cylinder into the intake manifold. A novel method of assembling the reed valve assembly of the present invention is also provided.

Abstract: An outboard motor having an air compressor for delivering compressed air to a scavenging system for the engine. The air compressor is designed so that when the engine is not running, any moisture which may be present in the pumping cavity of the air compressor will drain out of the outlet opening of the compressor.

Abstract: A hydraulic actuator includes a pneumatic piston, a hydraulic piston, and an engine valve on a common shaft. The pneumatic piston is urged between first and second stable positions primarily by a double acting pneumatic spring, with high pressure hydraulic fluid connected to a first hydraulic chamber being used to cock the hydraulic piston in a first stable position (engine valve closed). Hydraulic fluid isolated in a second hydraulic chamber is used to latch the hydraulic piston in a second stable position (engine valve open). Transfer of hydraulic fluid between first and second chambers is effected by a carrier for two check valves, which carrier in a first position disables the second check valve to permit fluid to flow from the second chamber to the first chamber, whereupon the first check valve closes (cocking). In a second position the carrier disables the first check valve to permit fluid to flow from the first chamber to the second chamber, whereupon the second check valve closes (latching).

Abstract: An adjustable valve gear is provided for two lift-type intake valves per cylinder in an internal combustion engine which are actuated by the cams of a camshaft via rocker arms with variable support and a rocker cam. In order to make possible different lift curves for the two lift-type intake valves, each lift type intake valve is assigned a separate rocker cam. At least one of the curve joints assigned to a lift-type intake valve and establishing the connections between a cam and a rocker arm, between the rocker arm and its support and between a rocker cam and the lift-type intake valve are configured with a different shape or a rotated installation position relative to a curve joint assigned to the other lift-type intake valve.

Abstract: The invention relates to valve control means for a push-rod internal combustion engine. With reference to FIG. 8 of the drawings, the valve control means comprises valve means, cam means comprising a camshaft having a first cam member and a second cam member having a different profile from the first cam member, and means for transmitting reciprocating movement to the valve means from the cam means. The means for transmitting reciprocating movement comprises a first cam follower member in engagement with the push-rod and a second cam follower member movable relative to the first cam follower member, and locking means to enable the follower members to be linked to move together.