Abstract: Apparatus and method for suspending the basket, of a cooking vessel comprising a pot and inner basket, inside of the pot, to permit drainage of the basket and food inside the basket into the pot after cooking the food in a liquid cooking medium (such as water or cooking oil) contained in the pot. The apparatus comprises a generally S-shaped member, having upper and lower oppositely-facing hooks joined by an intermediate section. A handle may be attached to the apparatus. To use the apparatus, the basket is lifted to a height above the liquid level in the pot. The lower hook is inserted into a perforation in the basket, and the basket and apparatus is then lowered until the upper hook hooks over the top rim of the pot. The basket then rests suspended in the pot above the liquid level therein, with the side of the basket opposite the side in which the lower hook of the apparatus is inserted bearing against the adjacent inner wall of the pot.

Abstract: An indirect heat barbecue grill includes a frame body having an opening at the top section thereof, which defines/grilling a heating area. A heat source area is located at one lateral side of the heating/grilling area, within the barbecue grill. A charcoal tray is located at the heat source area. The present invention is characterized in that a linking hood is mounted to the heat source area and located across the charcoal tray which insulates direct heat from the charcoal to reach the frame body and directs heat energy to the heating/grilling area.

Abstract: A release device for slowly releasing vapors of a sprout inhibitor into a small package of potatoes is disclosed. The release device includes a container for holding finely particulate porous media which has absorbed a liquid sprout inhibitor. The container is at least partially porous with respect to sprout inhibitor vapors such that the release device may be utilized to inhibit sprouting of potatoes in small packages during shipments.

Abstract: The apparatus of the invention has a food receiving apparatus including a cutting device with a cylinder operated plunger. Also provided is a conveyor having a continuous belt for carrying a stack of tortillas or the like to the food receiving apparatus. A detector is provided for detecting the stack of tortillas or the like as it enters the food receiving apparatus. The detector actuates a control system which causes the cylinder to move the plunger toward the cutting device for compressing the tortillas against the cutting device for cutting the tortillas to the desired shape. The plunger then moves away from the food receiving apparatus.

Abstract: A device for making patterns or images having predetermined shape uses powder substances introduced into a container disposed inside a cylindrical body. The container has an open bottom and features at top a recess with a related hole. A bottom mask, with a perforated pattern or image, closes the bottom of the container and is kept by retention means engaging with the cylindrical body. A driving device, set into the recess, has a shaft passing through the hole and fastened to a scraper member disposed inside the container for facilitating passage of the powder substance through holes of the perforated pattern or image of the bottom mask.

Abstract: In the production of a printing stencil, for example a rotary printing stencil for textile printing, for the purpose of transferring a pattern stored in an electronic memory, liquid is applied to the lateral surface of the printing stencil as it rotates. A nozzle which supplies the liquid is driven by pattern data belonging to the pattern. Pattern data situated earlier or later in the circumferential direction of the stencil cylinder are read out as a function of at least one deviation between the actual and desired positions of the lateral surface which respect to the pattern data belonging to the desired position, in order to prevent distortion of the pattern owing to the deviation.

Abstract: There is described herein a method and apparatus for capturing the heat from the web in a web printing system, storing this heat, and then using it to warm the chill rolls to prevent condensation. Particularly, a heat storage tank is used in conjunction with a chill roll cooling system. During startup, the heat from the web is stored in this tank until the reservoir in the tank reaches a pre-set temperature, at which time the chilled water from the chill system is directed to the chill rolls. At each web stoppage, the water from this heat storage tank is flushed to the chill rolls to keep the chill roll temperature above the condensation temperature.

Abstract: A device for perforating, die-cutting, cutting or creasing in printing machines comprises a supporting foil which at two of its opposite sides is provided with strips for mounting onto a rubber blanket cylinder of a printing unit, whereby a component for perforating, die-cutting, cutting or creasing is affixed to the supporting foil. An impression cylinder covered with a protection foil co-operates with the rubber blanket cylinder. The use of a relatively hard supporting foil instead of a rubber blanket allows for much cleaner and quicker perforation and punching, and the affixing of the perforating, die-cutting, cutting or creasing component to the supporting foil on the rubber blanket cylinder allows a much easier and more precise positioning of that component. As a result, the device can also be used in endless printing machines. Moreover, the use of an independent inner underlying blanket allows an exact calibration of the total thickness of the supporting foil comprising the working tools.

Abstract: An adjusting device for a gripper opening cam in a chain delivery of a sheet-fed printing press, the gripper opening cam being pivotally guided in a bearing and being connected by a linkage to one of a pair of threaded nuts of a combination of a lefthand and righthand thread of an adjusting shaft screwable into a fixedly supported other threaded nut of the combination, includes an adjusting motor with an electrical program controller programmable for adapting to parameters which vary as the printing press rpm runs up to and runs down from operating speed for automatically tracking the gripper opening cam, and a coupling operative in the adjusting device, the coupling being disposed between the adjusting motor and the gripper opening cam.

Abstract: Web displacing apparatus selectively displaces a web between a first position engaging a fluid source and a second position spaced from the fluid source. A web drive is constructed and arranged to move the web in a direction from the fluid source toward a surface for engagement with the web for receiving fluid carried by the web from the fluid source. Web moving structure is constructed and arranged to selectively move the web between the first and second positions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning flexographic printing plates which are mounted on a printing cylinder of a flexographic printing press, whereby the printing plates are scrubbed to remove ink, foreign matter and residue resulting from the flexographic printing press, followed by a rinsing of the residue from the printing plates, with the centralized collection of such residue for proper disposal, and the drying of the printing plates by directing pressurized air onto the printing plate to remove excess moisture without the need to remove the printing plates from the printing cylinder.

Abstract: A steerable truck apparatus for railroad cars for providing for the controlled and uniform yawing of the axles of the truck. The truck apparatus provides for a yawing response which is linear substantially throughout the range of movement of the axles. The truck is further configured with pivotably supported pedestals for equalized load distribution. An improved axle bearing construction accommodates pivoting of at least one of the axle ends. A damping apparatus provides stiffness in the steering response toward reducing hunting of the wheels during straight line travel.

Abstract: A three-piece rail car truck has a pair of side frames, a pair of wheelsets and a roller bearing adapter seated on each end of each wheelset. Each side frame has pedestal jaws formed and adapted to seat upon each roller bearing adapter. The improvement comprises a stabilizer bar connected between each roller bearing adapter and adjacent portions of a side frame, with the stabilizer bars resisting unsquaring relative movement between the wheelsets and side frames.

Abstract: A method of producing a rail-bound rail vehicle for passenger transport, includes providing at least one trough-like superstructure with a floor and adjoining side walls formed in a framework construction from side-wall posts, lower longitudinal members and upper longitudinal flanges or chords. The upper longitudinal flanges are supported against one another by connecting members. The side walls have windows and access areas with doors. The side-wall posts are disposed in a zigzag manner and are rigidly connected to the lower longitudinal members and the upper longitudinal flanges, and serve as supporting elements for the windows and side paneling elements fastened thereto. The superstructure is assembled from shaped pieces and bar parts which have been cut to length.

Abstract: A floor structure for attachment to a railway car underframe is provided. The floor structure is formed in part from floor panels having a floor plate and a number of reinforcing members attached to one side of each floor plate. One of the reinforcing members is preferably attached along a first edge of each floor with a portion of the reinforcing member extending laterally from the respective first edge. The opposite edge of the floor plate perfectly extends laterally from the nearest reinforcing member such that when the floor panels are disposed adjacent to each other with the second edge of one floor plate resting on the reinforcing member extending from the first edge of an adjacent floor plate. A butt weld is preferably formed between each adjacent first edge and second edge and the respective reinforcing member. The ends of the floor plates may be bent downwardly for connection to portions of the underframe.

Abstract: A lawn chair attachment is provided including a table with a clamp for securing the table to a lawn chair. Also included is a leg connected to the table for supporting the same.

Abstract: A trestle stage comprises a plyboard and a plurality of supporting beams wherein the plyboard is provided with an embedding groove on each corner thereof and a through hole on the position of each embedding groove, and each supporting beam has embedding plates on both its ends to engage with the embedding grooves and embedding piece corresponding to the respective through hole, such that two plyboard can be kept with constant separation by the supporting beams therebetween and the inventory therein can be stored in layer-fashion without deformation.

Abstract: A positioning apparatus featuring a rotary cam mechanism for providing movement of a platform along a vertical axis and an adjustment mechanism for providing movement of a mounting surface of the platform along a horizontal axis located in a horizontal plane oriented perpendicular to the vertical axis. A bifurcated platform, having upper and lower platforms, is mounted in vertically movable relation to a base, and a rotary cam mechanism is interfaced between the base and the platform for providing selective vertical movement of the platform in relation to the base responsive to selective rotation of a rotary cam. The rotary cam is rotatably connected to the base and includes a pair of opposing inclined cam slots formed therein. A pair of cam pins are connected to the lower platform in mutually opposing relation so as to be each respectively located in a respective cam slot. A threaded vertical adjustment bolt is rotatably connected to the base, in axially immovable relation with respect thereto.

Abstract: A height adjustable work table comprises a work surface and at least three adjustable leg arrangements supporting said work surface. Each leg arrangement comprises a curved leg supported in a leg bracket attached beneath the work surface. Each leg bracket is an open channel having predetermined support positions for engaging the curved leg with fasteners for releasably securing the leg in any of the support positions.

Abstract: A new credit card security device for securely housing credit cards and identification. The inventive device includes a housing having a generally rectangular configuration. The housing has an open upper end, a closed lower end, a wide front face, a wide rear face and opposed narrow side faces. The housing is dimensioned for receiving credit cards and identification cards therein. The open upper end has a cover hingedly secured to a back edge thereof. The cover is defined by an open lower end, a closed upper end, a front face, a rear face and opposed side faces. An ink filled membrane is disposed interiorly of the housing and the cover. The membrane is disposed along the front faces, the rear faces, and the opposed side faces of the housing and the cover.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing NO.sub.x pollution in flue gas produced by a power plant uses heat exchanger elements having extended surfaces which contain a SCR catalyst, with the heat exchanger elements located in the flue gas stream. Coolant is passed through the heat exchanger elements to cool the catalyst, with a temperature control system used to maintain the catalyst at its optimum temperature such that the maximum conversion of NO.sub.x is achieved. Utilizing the present invention, temperature cycling of the catalyst is avoided, prolonging the life of the catalyst, while at the same time optimizing the efficiency of conversion regardless of variations in the flue gas flow or temperature.

Abstract: Apparatus for lifting a mature tree for transplanting at a new location comprises a base disposed within a trench dug about the tree. At least one hydraulic actuator is connected to the base and to a horizontal member that overlies the root ball. A root ball harness attaches the root ball to the horizontal member. Energization of the actuator effects elevation of the cross member and the tree in vertical translation.

Abstract: An extension for use with a furrow opener is disclosed for properly placing seeds in a furrow. The extension attaches to the furrow opener to help direct bouncing seeds into the vertex in the bottom portion of the furrow. The extension comprises an elongated flexible body member defining a general arcuate shape, and also defines an upper segment and a lower segment. The upper segment defines an attachment structure for releasable engagement to the furrow opener. The lower segment depends downwardly and rearwardly from the furrow opener and extends into the furrow. The lower segment has a width dimension decreasing continuously along its length, the width dimension substantially equal to but less than the width of the furrow along the length of the extension. The extension does not contact the furrow. The lower segment terminates at a trailing end, which is spaced above the centrally located bottom portion of the furrow.

Abstract: A hydraulic circuit has first and second pumps coupled to first and second directional valves, each controlling work mechanisms such as a hydraulic cylinder and a hydraulic motor. The directional valves are in a valve assembly having a fluid passage through it. The passage includes first and second input ports and a passage closure intermediate the ports to prevent cross-feeding of the pumps. The first valve is connected to the passage between the first port and the closure and the first pump flows fluid to the first port. Similarly, the second valve is connected to the passage between the second port and the closure and the second pump flows fluid to the second port. In a more-specific embodiment, the second pump is a variable displacement pump and the first pump is a fixed displacement pump also connected to a power steering system through a priority valve. Thus, the first pump flows fluid to the power steering system as well as to the first port.

Abstract: An apparatus for protection from a broken needle of a sewing machine has a needle cover within which a needle of the sewing machine moves vertically. A capturing portion is formed at the lower portion of the needle cover for capturing broken pieces of a needle. The needle cover is removably attached to a presser bar of the sewing machine using a support member. Preferably, a magnet is used to enhance the performance of the protecting apparatus.

Abstract: A textile fold control system (40) includes a hem engager (46) mounted to a downstream side of a sewing machine (42), and a roller (76) for engaging and moving a hem formed in a textile work piece slightly downward so as to bend the hem about a trailing edge (79) of a work surface (54) of the sewing machine, thereby applying increased frictional contact between an edge portion (88) of the work piece and the work surface, and additional surface-to-surface contact between the edge portion and an adjacent body portion (90) of the hem in order to avoid the curling or unfolding of the hem during a pre-feed portion of the sewing cycle of the sewing machine.

Abstract: An improved lift creating sail and sail system where a substantially rectangular mainsail made up of a plurality of panels forms an aerodynamically efficient airfoil that is supported at approximately its center on a pivot so that it has three degrees of freedom. The mainsail can be tilted athartships, rotated along a yaw axis, and tilted fore and aft to create lift and minimum drag. An optional jib sail that tracks the motion of the mainsail also produces lift. The mainsail and jib sail can be trimmed and positioned along three degrees of freedom to obtain maximum lift and minimum drag as well as a stable system. The effect of this sail system is to increase the speed of the boat by 15-25%.

Abstract: A boat in accordance with the present invention includes boat hull and a pair of elongated members or skis or a modification to a standard boat hull to add on a dual ski attachment to make it a dual ski boat. The hull has a port side, a starboard side, an aft and a bow. One of the elongated members is adjustably mounted to and extends along the port side of the hull and the other of the elongated members is adjustably mounted to and extends along the starboard side of the hull. Each of the elongated members is adjustable between a first, retracted position wherein the member is retracted into a first recess in and is substantially flush with the hull and a second, extended position wherein each of the members extends down below and at least one foot behind the aft of the hull. The elongated members each have a forward section and a rearward section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a positioning system using anchoring of the ship which allows it to move in order better to accommodate variations in the environment, avoiding fully parallel situations (in which the ship is fully head on to the weather) and the situation in which it is fully crosswise (arthwart to the weather), based on the distribution and setting-up of mooring lines which define differentiated degrees of rigidity (compliance) in the anchoring system.

Abstract: A seat for a small watercraft includes a shock-absorbing member that helps to absorb shocks transmitted to the seat during watercraft operation. The seat and the watercraft are configured to protect the shock-absorbing member from heat and water damage. The watercraft includes a hull having a length and a width. The hull carries an engine and includes a raised pedestal. A plurality of ventilation devices are located along the length of the hull. The seat is supported by the raised pedestal and includes a seat base, a cushion arrangement, and a seat skin that substantially covers the cushion arrangement. The cushion arrangement includes a cushion and the aforementioned viscoelastic member. A seal is provided between the seat base and the raised pedestal to protect the viscoelastic member from water damage. The viscoelastic member is provided at least partially between a pair of the ventilation devices. The seat base includes a first base portion and a second base portion and a plurality of air flow openings.

Abstract: A flag and paint marking device for marking a path on a ground surface with paint and/or flags to indicate the path of an underground line or pipe, which includes a paint marker for dispensing paint and a flag receptacle for receiving a supply of flags and a stabber or ground hole-forming device for defining a hole into which a flag may be inserted.

Abstract: In a method of positioning means for automatically milking animals, such as cows, there is used a robot construction. The means for automatically milking are positioned, by means of said robot construction, in the longitudinal direction of the milking parlour relative to a reference plane situated transversely to said longitudinal direction, in which reference plane the centre of gravity of the relevant animal is located.

Abstract: A simple, disposable cat litter box has a flexible plastic pullstring bag and a crushable one piece skeletal frame containing four corner expanded rigid polystyrene plastic brackets and a connecting rim at its top. For average sized boxes, the thin bag can be extended approximately twelve inches above the frame and has a drawstring near its top edge for closure. The bottom of the bag receives cat litter. The bag has an additional reinforcer bag up to the frame sufficient to withstand cat scratches. When the box is in use, the bag is tightly wrapped around the skeletal frame or adhered or attached by standard means. Preferably, there is a single outer fold parallel to the perimeter of the bag in the midpoint of the portion of the bag that extends above the frame, or alternatively top of bag is left inside space of frame until consumer folds it around the frame.

Abstract: A system for customized provision of medicated shampoos which are individualized for treatment of specific dermatological disturbances of specific and individual companion animals. The method according to the invention involves diagnosing the dermatological disturbance and then adding to a pre-mixed base shampoo a pre-mixed, medically effective amount of concentrate correlated to the particular dermatological disturbance, and then the composition is provided to the owner of the animal. According to another aspect of the invention, a kit apparatus is provided to carry out the method. According to a further aspect of the invention, packaging for shipment and display of the apparatus is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing materials in a batchwise or continuous fluidised bed, such as a drier, in which the fluidised bed is subdivided into a plurality of smaller areas, to each of which two separately controlled gas flows are provided. The first lower gas flow is provided to the bed preferably all of the time, and is sufficient at least to maintain the bed in an expanded state. The second higher gas flow is provided to each separate area of the bed in sequence by means of a rotary valve arrangement, and is high enough to induce fluidisation in the bed, but not high enough to induce significant solids loss by entrainment in the offtake gas. The higher flow sequence can be chosen to provide almost any desired sequence to the separate parts of the bed. The sequence can be chosen to induce a travelling wave within the bed which can be across or along the bed, and can be skewed relative to the sides of the bed.

Abstract: A deaerated feedwater supply system for a boiler system includes a water supply conduit configured to provide a supply of water to a deaerator tank and a deaerated makeup water conduit configured to convey deaerated makeup water from the deaerator tank to a surge tank at an elevation in the surge tank below the surface of deaerated feedwater contained therein. A heat exchanger is provided for exchanging heat from deaerated makeup water in the deaerated makeup water conduit to the water in the water supply conduit so that the water is heated prior to entering the deaerator tank and the deaerated makeup water is cooled upon entry into the surge tank. Polypropylene spheres are provided within the surge tank for reducing oxygen absorption into deaerated feedwater. A deaerated feedwater conduit is configured to convey deaerated feedwater from the surge tank to the boiler.

Abstract: A spark plug (80) having a center electrode (82) with a cylindrical body and having a tip (84) at one end and a terminal (123) near the other end with an insulator (86) extending around the center electrode (82). A ground shield and retainer unit extends around the insulator (86) and includes a threaded portion (88) near one end and a ground electrode (85) near the other end, having a portion thereof aligned with the center electrode tip (84) to form a spark gap, with a sealing portion (92) disposed therebetween for sealing the engine combustion chamber from the outside environment when the spark plug (80) is installed. The ground shield and retainer unit can be formed from two parts (88,90) which are deformed during manufacturing to be in mechanical engagement and securely holding the insulator (86) in place. The spark plug (80) can also have two or more center electrodes (82,84) with two or more corresponding ground electrodes (83,85) projecting from the ground shield (90).

Abstract: On an annular lib 16 formed at the downstream of an upper cylinder portion 3a of an air-cleaner outlet hose 3, a hose connecting portion 3f is formed to which one end of a resonator 6 is connected, and an intermediate portion 6c of the resonator 6 is fastened at a resonator clamp portion 3h formed in a unit with the upper cylinder portion 3a at the upstream. Further, on the above mentioned annular lib 16 provided adjacent to the bellows portion 3c of the air-cleaner outlet hose 3 a suction air temperature sensor 4 is provided at a position which is not opposing to the position of the resonator, and a harness clamp portion 3e of the suction air temperature sensor 4 is provided. Due to the floating support of the resonator, a reduction of the vibration transmission to the vehicle chamber and the number of the parts and the mounting processes is realized, and eventually a cost down is realized.

Abstract: A dual pumping element fluid system for an engine or other system which reduces the driving power consumption by unloading one pumping element through the use of recirculation when a fluid pressure target value is achieved. A cross-over port fluid system prevents cavitation of the unloaded pump. A pressure-activated flow control valve mechanism is utilized to open and close the conduits from the secondary pump. The fluid system works in conjunction with an engine balance shaft system to control gear rattle at low speeds without adding undue gear loads at high speeds.

Abstract: In a compact gas engine using a liquefied gas for a fuel, a gas canister holder for holding a fuel gas canister is provided. The gas canister holder includes a case having a gas canister outlet and inlet port and a cap axially engaged with the gas canister outlet and inlet port of the case. A pusher brought into contact with an end surface of the gas canister outlet and inlet port of the case and brought into contact with an end surface of the gas canister attached to an inner portion of the case is disposed between the case and the cap. A spring for urging the pusher and the cap in a direction taking these apart from each other is provided between the pusher and the cap. Accordingly, even when the gas canister is not attached within the case, the urging force is applied to the cap by the pusher and the spring, so as to prevent the cap from being disengaged with the case.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a connecting rod for a piston engine in which the inner surface of the small hole of the connecting rod is milled to produce a multifaceted surface which includes two deep spot faces along each edge of the small hole and two tapered faces. This milling step yields thin edge regions along each edge of the small hole to serve as a process reference hole with process reference planes. The final step, according to the method of this invention, is to remove the thin edge regions with a rotating cutting tool, thus exposing the tapered faces to serve as chamfered edges without any significant production of burs or distortion of the connecting rod.

Abstract: An air cleaner for an engine of the type utilized to power a motorcycle comprises a housing having an air inlet and air outlet, and an interior divided into first and second chambers. The outlet is connected to an air passage leading to the engine. The first chamber communicates with air outside of the housing though air inlet apertures. Air drawn into the first chamber is routed through a duct to the second chamber. The second chamber communicates with the outlet through a passage extending from the second chamber through the first chamber. An air filter element is positioned within the second chamber about the entrance to the passage extending to the air outlet. The air cleaner is mounted to the engine of the motorcycle with the air inlet facing the engine. The outlet of the air cleaner is connected to an air passage leading to the combustion chambers of the engine.

Abstract: A variable valve controlled engine causes the inducted exhaust residual to flow from the exhaust port(s) into specific regions of the combustion chamber and remain substantially separate from the air-fuel mixture, thereby creating stratification. The exhaust gas remains substantially on the piston surface and along the entire cylinder wall for at least a portion of the cylinder, with the air-fuel mixture occupying the remaining portion of the chamber.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fuel feeding system for an internal combustion engine, which is suited for use in an in-cylinder injection internal combustion engine. In a system provided with a control valve so that a fuel pressure can be changed over for an adjustment, it is an object of the present invention to permit good combustion in the engine even when the control valve becomes inoperative.

Abstract: A process and a device for controlling an internal combustion engine, specifically an internal combustion engine with self-ignition. Depending on different operating parameters, a signal determining the output power can be defined. The signal determining the output power is increased by a predefined value when a start condition is present and when a further condition is met.

Abstract: In a fuel tank venting system for a vehicle with an internal combustion engine having an air intake duct and an adsorption filter in which fuel vapors are adsorbed, a venting line extends from the adsorption filter to the air intake duct and includes a regeneration valve, and a bypass line is disposed in parallel with a section of the venting line and includes an air pump for pumping air from the adsorption filter to the air intake duct to provide for venting air flow particularly when the engine is operating under a high load where little vacuum is generated in the air intake duct.

Abstract: An evaporative emission control system for an internal combustion engine includes an evaporative fuel passage extending between the intake system and the fuel tank of the engine. A control valve is arranged across the evaporative fuel passage, for opening and closing the evaporative fuel passage. The opening of the control valve is controlled such that the interior of the fuel tank is under negative pressure during operation and stoppage of the engine.

Abstract: An integrated internal combustion engine control system in combination with an automotive emission control system, comprises an exhaust-gas recirculation valve (EGR valve) employed in an EGR system. A target EGR amount is calculated as a function of an intake-air flow rate measured by an air-flow meter and a target EGR rate based on engine operating conditions such as engine speed and engine load. The opening of the EGR valve is adjusted by a command from a control unit so that the target EGR amount is attained. The target EGR rate is preferably calculated depending on an intake pressure as well as the engine speed and the engine load. In combination with the above-mentioned EGR control, a throttle valve disposed in the induction system is effectively controlled in response to an actual valve lift of the EGR valve and a differential pressure between an exhaust pressure and the intake pressure. A fuel-injection amount is accurately controlled in consideration of a variation of an excess-air factor.

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio control device for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle is disclosed. The device controls the air-fuel ratio with a target value which is larger than the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio, as a control center, in an idle condition. The target value is changed to become small when an amount of intake air in an idle condition is larger than a predetermined value.

Abstract: Several embodiments of feedback control systems for either two or four-cycle engines that employ sensors such as oxygen sensors. The systems include an arrangement wherein the sensor condition is determined by comparing the response time with a normal response time. If the time of response is outside of the normal range, compensation may be made so as to permit continued feedback control. Embodiments are also describe that adjust the maximum permissible injection amount and also revert to an open control if the deterioration is more any predetermined amount.