Abstract: Several embodiments of a die for heat sealing a heat sealable carton having a gable shaped closure are disclosed. Each embodiment of the die includes a pair of opposed jaws. Each of the jaws has portions for providing a firm seal capable of keeping bacteria out of the carton, and other portions for selectively sealing non-critical areas of the carton to a lesser extent to make the carton easy to open. The lightly sealed areas are caused by a recessed area in at least one jaw; a protrusion associated with a recessed area provides a highly staked seal area. A method of packaging in gable top cartons is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing a plurality of tires having a threaded portion, a rim portion and two sidewall portions, said method comprising the following steps; peripherally slicing each of said tires in two half tires along said threaded portion about midway between said sidewall portions; performing radial incisions in each of said two half tires, said incisions extending through said threaded portion and part of said sidewall portion; stacking up said half tires one on top of the other in order to form a pile of half tires; compressing said pile longitudinally in order to flatten said half tires one over the other; whereby, said radial incisions allow the threaded portion of each half tire to lie in the same plane as the sidewalls of the same half tire without warping when said half tire is compressed into a flattened condition.

Abstract: A capsule handling system is formed of a loader component and an opener/encapsulater component. The system can handle different sized capsules, and has interchangeable parts so that a compounding pharmacist can conveniently produce a variety of distinct filled capsules, on the order of a prescribing medical professional to meet the unique needs of patients.

Abstract: Containers for beverages are rotated about their own axes and are simultaneously transported past a water applying sponge and thereupon past an applicator of labels which completely surround the peripheral surfaces of the respective containers so that the leader of each label is overlapped by its trailing end. The films of water which are applied by the sponge reduce the likelihood of slippage of labels relative to the peripheral surfaces during draping of the labels, and such films evaporate when the application of labels is completed so that the labels surround but do not adhere to the containers. The trailing ends of the labels are coated with adhesive which bonds them to the respective leaders.

Abstract: A method for capping jars to achieve a seal includes the step of heating the cap prior to placement on the jar. The heated cap is placed on the jar and tightened. The cap and jar are then heated to actuate a seal received in the cap.

Abstract: A slewing device for screw closures for containers includes a screw closure receiving member, a drive for rotating the receiving member, and a control arrangement for controlling power supply to the drive and including a torque sensor for sensing an instantaneous drive torque, a comparator for comparing the instantaneous drive torque with a closing torque having a predetermined value, and a sensor for sensing an angle of rotation of the receiving member and actuatable only upon the instantaneous drive torque reaching the predetermine value. The method of placing a screw closure on a container includes applying a drive torque to the screw closure to screw it down onto the container, sensing an instantaneous drive torque applied to the screw closure, comparing the instantaneous drive torque with a closing torque having a predetermined value, and sensing an angle of rotation of the screw closure only upon the instantaneous drive torque reaching the predetermined value of the closing torque.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for folding the major flaps of cartons uses a folding rail having entry, transitional and exit sections which include vertical, curvilinear and horizontal surfaces, respectively, such that the transitional and exit sections are machined from a solid block of metal to have a curvilinear surface of a particular curvature developed from three-dimensional modelling on a computer aided design system in order to consistently square the cartons in a folding operation. The folding rails are positioned in a flap closure station such that a leading folding rail is mounted on a stationary mounting block and a trailing folding rail is mounted on a translatable folding rail in order for the folding rails to be moved closer together or farther apart to fold cartons of different widths.

Abstract: A flexible web formed of a shape retentive material includes a convex head web having a first end spaced from a second end, with the second end including a convex snout web extending from the second end canted relative to the second end for positioning about the facial portion between a horse's eyes, with strap members arranged to secure the head and snout web about the horse's head. The head web and the snout web each include individual strap portions for securement of the primary flexible web about a horse's head to prevent injury to the horse during loading and unloading of the horse relative to trailers for transport of the horse.

Abstract: A mowing machine with a self propelled carriage for riding with steering front and powered rear wheels with a mowing cutter structure with three mower decks transversely distributed and suspended from the carriage between front and rear wheels, each deck with a vertical spindle carrying a cutter blade. The center deck is suspended from the carriage for vertical lift and adjustment with an outboard deck supported by hinges on each of its sides for up and down pivoting to follow ground contour, for individual power tilting for brush trimming, clearing of obstacles, and to narrow the plan form for transport. A transverse rear axle has a differential with a forwardly extending housing carrying, in series, a carriage drive speed change transmission, a carriage drive clutch, an input drive gear driven from an overhead engine, a mower control clutch, and a triple power head with three gear connected projecting power take-off shafts.

Abstract: A transmission type light sensor is disposed in the vicinity of the exit of a shooter, which has the exit thereof positioned above a grass-bag opening, and the fullness of the grass-bag is detected when the light blocking state of the sensor continues longer than a predetermined time. A light emitting portion and a light receiving portion of the light sensor are positioned opposite to each other so that their optical axes are in coincidence, and they are firmly attached to both ends of a light sensor mounting member. The light sensor consists of a light sensor main body which is placed at one side of a cover, and a retroreflective board placed at the side of the cover opposite to the light sensor main body for reflecting incident light from the light emitting portion in the direction of incidence.

Abstract: A rotary, mulching lawn mower blade, comprising a central mounting portion having opposing ends and being for connection to an external drive structure, and a pair of end portions, one end portion being disposed at each central mounting portion end, the end portions each having at least two cutting members disposed at spatially vertically and horizontally separate locations with respect to each other, and the cutting members each having a cutting surface and a deflecting surface.

Abstract: A steel cord (1) for the reinforcement of rubber articles such as tires includes a core of two to four steel filaments (2) and a layer of steel filaments (3, 4) around the core. All of the filaments have a diameter between 0.15 and 0.40 mm and are twisted in the same direction and at the same pitch. The cord has over a substantial portion of its entire length cross-sections where the accumulated gaps between adjacent layer filaments are at least 0.03 mm. At least one filament of the layer has been preformed differently from the other filaments. The above structure avoids core migration.

Abstract: A spinning machine, preferably an open end spinning machine, having a conduit associated therewith for distributing a flow of conditioned air along a predetermined flow path in which the conditioned air is caused to flow in a direction directly toward and across the rapidly rotating, heat-generating element (e.g., a rotor disposed in a spin box), with a portion of the conditioned air flowing in and around the rapidly rotating element to absorb heat from the same, and with another portion of the conditioned air flowing across the length of fibers fed to the spinning machine and across the yarn produced at the spinning machine to moisturize the length of fibers and yarn.

Abstract: A yarn withdrawal nozzle is provided for an open-end spinning arrangement, the essentially funnel-shaped contact surface of which consists of a material which, in a temperature range of approximately 50.degree. C. to approximately 100.degree. C., has a thermal conductivity of at least 80 W/mK (Watts per meter Kelvin) so that as a result damage to synthetic fibers caused by overheating is avoided also in the case of relatively high rotational rotor speeds.

Abstract: In order to augment the power produced by a gas turbine system of a type having an air compressor for producing compressed air, a combustor for heating the compressed air, and a gas turbine responsive to the heated air for driving the air compressor and the load, cooling air is supplied to the compressor by indirectly contacting the air with water that is chilled by flashing some of the water into a vapor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a distributed fuel system, wherein a plurality of fuel tanks used for storing fuel are distributed in different locations.The fuel tanks are connected to each other via a manifold which permits fuel to flow therein. The distributed fuel system includes a plurality of control components interposed at predetermined points of the manifold to permit or restrict the flow of the fuel contained in the manifold in response to control signals. A method for distributing the fuel between the fuel tanks to achieve predetermined levels in each of the fuel tanks comprises the steps of determining the status and condition of the fuel system. The functions to be performed are then selected. Based on the system status and the functions to be performed, the configuration of the control elements is selected to perform the functions to be performed.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a flue gas stream continuously emitting from a thermal power plant fossil fueled boiler, and containing hazardous volatile organic vapors, heavy metal vapors, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and carbon dioxide by cooling, condensing and gas liquefaction processes employing a heat recovery condensing heat exchanging, and a gas compressor-expander open heat cycle systems.

Abstract: The lean premix combustion approach for NOx emissions control in gas turbine combustion systems has led to the problems of increased combustion pressure oscillation during engine operation and flame outs during rapid engine load reduction. Combustion pressure oscillation can reduce the durability of the engine and combustion system components to unacceptable levels. Flame outs can make the engine unacceptable from the operational viewpoint. The use of a control device allows the combustion pressure oscillation amplitude to be controlled to levels required for long durability of the combustion system components. It also allows an engine control system to operate the engine at part load condition and during rapid load reduction without flame out. When used at small levels, its effect on the engine NOx emissions is small. Higher levels may sometimes be needed to control the combustion pressure oscillation to acceptable levels.

Abstract: This invention relates to fuel staged premixed dry low NO.sub.x gas turbine combustors of the type that are constructed with multiple concentric cylinders to which fuel manifolds are mounted. The cylinders are spaced in a staggered arrangement. Such structures of this type achieve stable combustion over a wide range of fuel-to-air ratios and low flame temperature in the combustor resulting in low emissions of nitrogen oxides (NO.sub.x).

Abstract: A fuel delivery system for a turbine engine having a primary fuel flow circuit and a secondary fuel flow circuit. The primary fuel flow circuit has a unstaged-first manifold and a staged-second manifold. A control valve and flow meter regulate the amount of fuel flow to the unstaged and staged manifolds with a first mode of operation providing fuel to the unstaged manifold only, and a second mode of operation providing fuel to both the staged and unstaged manifolds. When high power is required of the engine, a secondary fuel circuit is provided with a secondary manifold which is connected to a distribution valve which opens when fuel flow is at a predetermined level. The invention allows fuel to be efficiently atomized at various levels of powered operation by having a control center which controls the opening and closing of the distribution valve and control valve based upon fuel flow rates fuel/air ratios and air start core speed.

Abstract: In order to achieve ignition at altitude, particularly in relatively small combustors (10) with low fuel flow rates, a fuel injection system (20) includes an air nozzle (26), a fuel nozzle (28), and an air assist tube (34). The fuel nozzle (28) is disposed in a manner so as to direct fuel through the air nozzle (26) and includes a fuel metering orifice (30) or capillary tube (32) to control fuel flow therethrough. The air assist tube (34) is integrally associated with the fuel nozzle (28) downstream of the fuel metering orifice (30) or capillary tube (32) to accelerate fuel flowing through the fuel nozzle (28).

Abstract: A carburetor for the combustor of a gas turbine engine wherein a swirler and a venturi cooperate to atomize and mix air and fuel for the combustor, wherein a downstream mounted integrally formed sleeve and splash plate is provided to control the flow of the air/fuel mixture into the combustor. The integral splash plate and sleeve has protuberances formed on its upstream surface to increase the area impinged by cooling air and thereby enhance cooling of the splash plate flange thereof.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the purification of natural gas in which the reduction of the nitrogen content of a natural gas stream is achieved by a combination of absorption, purification, flashing, and reflux steps. More specifically, the process achieves the rejection of inert components such as nitrogen from hydrocarbon gas streams without operating in the cryogenic temperature range. The process uses a lean solvent to absorb the non-rejected components in a recovery zone of an absorber and uses a cooled light gas stream to purify the rich solvent in a purification zone of the absorber. The process can be employed to reject hydrogen and recover C.sub.3 +hydrocarbons from a dehydrogenation reaction zone integrated with an etherification zone for the production of ethers to improve recovery and lower operating costs.

Abstract: A cryogenic rectification system wherein excess pressurized fluid produced in a cryogenic rectification plant is turboexpanded and used to chill feed prior to passing the feed through a prepurifier for removal of at least some of the high boiling component of the feed.

Abstract: Heat exchanger with streaming liquid to vaporize a liquid by heat exchange with a second fluid, of the type comprising a parallelepipedal body formed form an assembly of parallel vertical plates (4) defining between them a multitude of flat passages (18, 19) distributed in an assembly of vaporization passages (18), and in an assembly of heating passages (19). Each passage contains an undulant-spacer (20) with vertical generatrices. Structure for distribution of the liquid is provided at the upper end of the exchanger (2) to distribute the liquid over all the length of the vaporization passages (18). Structure (9) is provided to direct the second fluid into the heating passages (19). The distribution structure is disposed in compartments (23) closed at their upper end and situated each above a heating passage (19), from which the compartment is separated by a horizontal strip (22).

Abstract: A cryogenic shipping and storage system includes a cryogenic dewar having a top opening, one or more specimen holders suspended within the dewar, a top housing secured to dewar opening and forming a central opening corresponding with the top dewar opening to allow insertion and withdrawal of the one or more specimen holders, a plug adapted to engage the one or more specimen holders and close the central opening of the top housing, a top cover hingedly carried by the top housing over the central opening, and indicia provided on the top housing to identify each of the one or more specimen holders suspended within the dewar. The top housing includes means for detachably receiving and maintaining the spaced relationship of the one or more specimen holders suspended within the cryogenic dewar.

Abstract: A compressor oil management and separation system for refrigeration installations, including a main oil storage tank, a pump, valves and remote control means for selectively directing oil from the tank to any one or more of several compressors. Oil separation units are connected for collecting oil from low pressure refrigerant and delivering such separated oil to the tank for reuse or disposal. Each oil separation unit includes a collection vessel, valves for selectively alternately connecting the vessel with low pressure refrigerant and the tank, and means for increasing pressure within the vessel for forcing oil toward the tank.

Abstract: A control system for controlling the operation of an air conditioning compressor and method of making the same are provided, the system comprising a thermostat switch and a high pressure switch arranged in series with a compressor switch across two sides of a power source whereby the thermostat switch and the high pressure switch must be in a closed condition thereof with the compressor switch also being in a closed condition before the compressor can be turned on, the system also comprising a low pressure switch that is arranged so as not to be in series with the other switches across the two sides of the power source and a microprocessor having means operatively associated with the low pressure switch to monitor the condition thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to a small-sized refrigerator comprising an evaporator being of a plate shape to provide an increased cold air producing area, and a defrosted water drain pan formed with a plurality of cold air passage openings to allow smooth convention of cold air in a refrigerating chamber, thereby enabling a proper temperature in the chamber to be achieved promptly and the temperature differences between the respective areas of the chamber to be minimized. To this end, the evaporator of a plate shape is mounted horizontally at the upper portion of the refrigerating chamber, and the defrosted water drain pan having a plurality of the cold air passage openings, overflow prevention walls and guide members for preventing defrosted water from passing through the openings is detachably disposed below the evaporator to collect the defrosted water dropping from the evaporator.

Abstract: Method of knitting a pocket on a knitted garment and reinforcing the upper portion of the pocket by rib knitting. Front and rear knitting needles are provided and the yarn is fed to the rear and front knitting needles as necessary and the stitches are transferred from the front needles to the rear needles and from the rear needle to the front needles as necessary for forming the pocket with the garment.

Abstract: A reinforcing yarn and an abrasion resistant knitted fabric made therewith are disclosed. The reinforcing yarn is made by Z twisting one end of a "Z"-twist textured yarn together with one end of a "S"-twist textured yarn to yield an S/Z yarn pair, which is then reverse twisted together with a duplicate S/Z yarn pair to yield a 4-end multi-twisted reinforcing yarn. This reinforcing yarn is knit in plaited relationship to the body yarn of a fabric to produce a fabric with exceptional abrasion resistance.

Abstract: A security device for coin operated machines comprises a closure adapted to overlie the portion of a coin operated machine containing the coin return slot and the coin box. The closure is hingedly affixed to the case of the machine and is formed from a sheet of material having a composition and thickness to resist bending of the closure by prying. Openings are provided in the closure for access to the coin insert slots and coin return ports of the machine. A raised rib formed on the case or on the inner face of the closure surrounds the area of surface of the case where the coin box and coin return ports are located, The rib is disposed between the case and the closure to prevent insertion of a prying tool between the closure and the case.

Abstract: A latch/ejector mechanism (2), designed for use with components (6) such as power supplies, computer modules and circuit boards, is used to secure a component to and release the component from a housing (104) by engaging and disengaging a catch element (96) on the housing. The mechanism includes a handle (8) pivotally mounted to the component for moving between latched and unlatched positions. The handle has a latch (94) at one end (28) which engages with and disengages from the catch element during such pivotal movement of the handle. The mechanism also includes a trigger (10) which must be actuated to permit the handle to be moved from the latched position to the unlatched position. A security lock (12), movable between locked and unlocked positions, is used to prevent the actuation of the trigger. In the locked position the lock surface (86) of the security lock opposes a portion of the trigger, called a prevent element (90).

Abstract: An electrically operated locking system for doors and the like has an electrically operated locking device installed inside the door. A control device installed outside the door is operatively connected with the locking device. A sensor detects the position of the door with respect to the door mounting by a light activated means electrically coupled to the locking device such that when darkness is sensed, the locking device is activatable to operate the locking unit. When light is sensed, however, the locking device is nonactivatable.

Abstract: A seal device for a hydroforming press includes a housing having a bore and a seal carrier slidable within the housing bore. The seal carrier has a bore which fits closely outside of the end of tube to be hydroformed. A V-shaped locator rigidly mounted relative to the housing aligns the end of the tube placed thereon with the carrier bore. A carrier actuator is operable to move the seal carrier between a retracted position away from the end of the tube to an extended position over the end of the tube. A resilient elastomeric annular seal carried by the seal carrier encircles the outer surface of the tube. A seal actuator carried on the seal carrier compresses the seal upon relative movement between the seal actuator and the seal carrier. A stop is engaged by the seal actuator as the seal carrier approaches the extended position so that subsequent further movement of the seal carrier compresses the seal against the tube.

Abstract: There are provided low profile inductor and transformer windings, and methods for fabricating the same. An elongate conductive ribbon is wound in one continuous direction on a generally hourglass shaped mandrel to form the ribbon into a double conical helix having a plurality of spaced apart coils. A sheet of dielectric material having an orifice therethrough is threaded to the midpoint of the double conical helix. The two sides of the helix are then compressed into planes such that the coils in each side lie flat and engage the adjacent side of the sheet of dielectric material. A compound inductor winding can be fabricated from a continuous conductive ribbon wound into a plurality of double conical helixes joined end-to-end. After compression, the compound winding consists of a low profile stack of spiraled windings connected in series, but constituting only one continuous ribbon having no internal connections.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for finish rolling wire and/or round steel on a continuously operating finish rolling block. The finish rolling block includes a plurality of work rolling sets and sizing rolling sets with essentially round sizing rolls, wherein the rolling sets are arranged closely one behind the other and the rolling planes thereof are alternatingly offset relative to each other by 90.degree.. The method includes imparting a twist to the rolled material by asymmetrically spreading the rolled material in the two sets of rolls which precede the last set of rolls, wherein the twist imparted in the two sets of rolls has approximately the same magnitude but is directed in opposite directions, so that the rolled material is stabilized in its position in the last sizing roll pass.

Abstract: A method for extruding molded members with section forms thereof that are partially varied along the extruded axis is provided. The method comprises the steps of extruding members in sectional form by extruding a material from a die hole for molding a sectional form of a maximum area assumed, and extruding members gradually forming different sectional forms by extruding a material while gradually changing the die hole sectional area.

Abstract: An integral, one piece tubular product with a threaded end for mating with threaded connectors is produced by preforming a series of compression and expansion operations on the end of a tubing blank to provide a sufficiently thick wall structure for the formation of rolled threads, and to directly form an external hex head surface for the application of wrenching forces.

Abstract: Stamping and forming machine having reciprocable rams which move towards and away from each other between open and closed positions having adjustable eccentrics for adjusting the strokes of the rams. The rams are reciprocated by oscillating levers which are coupled to a power shaft by eccentric assemblies. Each eccentric assembly has a fixed eccentric on the power shaft and an adjustable eccentric which is rotatable, for adjustment purposes, with respect to the fixed eccentric thereby to change the stroke of the associated ram assembly.

Abstract: A calibration device for use in a spectrometer has a source of electromagnetic radiation, a detector for detecting electromagnetic radiation from the source, a device for recording the output of the detector, and at least one optical element in an optical path between the source and the detector to separate the electromagnetic radiation into spectral elements separately detected by the detector. The calibration device includes a variation mechanism to selectively modulate the intensity of each spectral element detected by the detector and a mechanism to adjust the variation mechanism so that the input of the detector substantially reproduces the input of electromagnetic radiation that the detector would receive in its normal operation from a sample which the spectrometer is intended to analyse.

Abstract: A gas diffusion control assembly comprises a gas inlet; a restriction to the rate of flow of gas or vapor from the gas inlet in the form of a porous diffusion barrier extending across the gas inlet; and a polythene disc for causing all gas or vapor passing out of the inlet into the diffusion barrier to diffuse through part of the barrier along a path with a lateral outward component relative to the direction of action through the gas inlet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for quantitatively determining a gas component of a gas flow and an apparatus therefor. The apparatus includes a testing conduit having a throttle through which the gas flow flows. A sample conduit leading to the gas inlet of a gas sensor branches away from the testing conduit upstream of the throttle. The apparatus further includes a pressure sensor connected to the sample conduit, a valve connected to a gas outlet of the gas sensor and a control unit. The method of the invention is improved in that a defined quantity of gas can be supplied to the sensor without a pump being required. An improvement is achieved in that the control unit is so configured that: in a first step, the valve is opened; the gas volume is determined in a second step by computing the time integral of the signal of the pressure sensor; and, in a third step, the valve is closed after the throughflow of a pregiven gas volume or after a pregiven time duration has elapsed.

Abstract: A knocking detecting system comprising a microcomputer with an A/D converter, 4 which receives a frequency signal processed in accordance with the vibration signal of a knock sensor 1. The microcomputer 4 with the A/D converter operates including, at least, the A/D-conversion steps S.sub.1 -S.sub.4 of continuously sampling digital values, the steps S.sub.5 -S.sub.9 of integrating the differences between the digital values and a background level over a detecting period, and the steps S.sub.10 -S.sub.12 of comparing the integrated value with a judgement level, thereby to judge the presence of knocking and to evaluate a knocking level. The signal of the knock sensor 1 is converted into the digital values and is then arithmetically processed by the microcomputer 4. Thus, the knocking is detected, and the background level is calculated at high precision.

Abstract: A method for the measurement of rheological properties of high density slurry materials and in particular high density mill tailings. A sample of the tailings is placed within a mixing tub, with mixing paddle used to effect the mixing. A digitally controlled electric motor is used to directly drive the paddle at a constant predetermined speed or speeds. Feedback control elements, including a variable speed drive and a computer constantly monitor the mixing speed and compensate for deviations therefrom. The tub is laterally pivotable against a load cell for a direct determination of reaction torque with correlation to viscosity and other rheological properties of the mill tailings. The load cell emits signals which are conditioned and fed to the computer which correlates torque to speed and determines the rheological properties on a continuous real-time basis. The computer also compares determined torque/speed parameters to stored rheological properties of known materials.

Abstract: Erythrocytes exist in vivo in a continuous cell subset gradient of density, with the youngest cells being the lightest. A blood sample is centrifuged in a transparent tube containing plastic beads which are selected to include groups of beads wherein each group has a different sharply defined specific gravity, and which are distributed within the range of red cell densities. The beads form spaced well-defined bands in the erythrocyte layer, which bands form boundaries between the different cell subset layers. Measurements of the lengths of the different cell subset layers are then made to quantify the red cell subsets in the patient's blood.

Abstract: A resiliency and relative hardness of a golf green is tested by the apparatus having a support base mounting a measuring rod orthogonally oriented relative to the support base and coaxially aligned with a support base bore. A golf ball sphere slidably directed through the bore and its resistance effected by contact with an underlying golf green is measured by relative projection of the sphere within the golf green and simultaneous deflection of a dial indicator foot measuring projection of the golf ball sphere into the golf green.

Abstract: An integrated tip strain sensor is combination with a single axis atomic force microscope (AFM) for determining the profile of a surface in three dimensions. A cantilever beam carries an integrated tip stem on which is deposited a piezoelectric film strain sensor. A high-resolution direct electron beam (e-beam) deposition process is used to grow a sharp tip onto the silicon (Si) cantilever structure. The direct e-beam deposition process permits the controllable fabrication of high-aspect ratio, nanometer-scale tip structures. A piezoelectric jacket with four superimposed elements is deposited on the tip stem. The piezoelectric sensors function in a plane perpendicular to that of a probe in the AFM; that is, any tip contact with the linewidth surface will cause tip deflection with a corresponding proportional electrical signal output. This tip strain sensor, coupled to a standard single axis AFM tip, allows for three-dimensional metrology with a much simpler approach while avoiding catastrophic tip "crashes".

Abstract: Provided is a method and circuit for detecting cylinder misfire in an internal combustion engine having an ignition system including an ignition device, an ignition coil having a primary and a secondary winding, and a pair of spark plugs having respective gaps. As disclosed, the circuit is operative to separate spark current and ionization current to improve detection of cylinder misfire. The circuit includes power supply means for supplying voltage to the circuit to generate ion current across the spark plug gaps and voltage limiting means for isolating said power supply means from said ignition coil. There is also included negative voltage clamping means in electrical contact with the ignition coil secondary winding for clamping selected negative voltages generated during ignition.

Abstract: The absolute angular position of an internal combustion engine is determined by monitoring engine intake manifold pressure at a strategic position in the manifold affected most significantly by the intake event of a predetermined cylinder. A significant or maximum depression in manifold pressure over each engine cycle then is indicative of the intake stroke of the predetermined cylinder.