Abstract: A pointer device having an illuminated pointer made of light-guiding material, mounted rotatably about a pointer axis, having a permanently mounted light source whose light is coupled axially into the illuminated pointer. The illuminated pointer includes a radial section which constitutes a pointer vane, and an axial section which constitutes a light gatherer. Light deflection from the axial section to the radial section takes place via a reflective surface and a first-surface mirror.

Abstract: The combination of a bottle used to contain pharmaceutical products such as capsules, pills, tablets, caplets, gelcaps or the like and a permanent indicia system having a plurality of indicators operated sequentially by an irreversible physical act producing a permanent dosage recording indicator, the exposure of a plurality of said indicators showing a cumulative dosage record.

Abstract: A food material dispensing apparatus for adding a topping to a target food is described. The apparatus comprises a first hopper and a first food distributing system. The first hopper is adapted for receiving the food material at an inlet and delivering the food material through an outlet toward a target location. The first food distributing system is designed for spreading the food material over the target food. The food distributing system includes a motor positioned a horizontal distance from the inlet of the first hopper, a curved conduit, and a flexible, rotary shaft. The curved conduit has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is releaseably connected to the motor, and the distal end is adapted for insertion into the hopper. The flexible, rotary shaft is for stirring and/or mixing the food material. The flexible, rotary shaft passing through the curved conduit and is operatively connected at a first end to the motor.

Abstract: In order to form a single-crystalline thin film on a polycrystalline substrate using plasma CVD, a downwardly directed mainly neutral Ne atom current is formed by an ECR ion generator (2). A reaction gas such as silane gas which is supplied from a reaction gas inlet pipe (13) is sprayed onto an SiO.sub.2 substrate (11) by an action of the Ne atom current, so that an amorphous Si thin film is grown on the substrate (11) by a plasma CVD reaction. At the same time, a part of the Ne atom current having high directivity is directly incident upon the substrate (11), while another part thereof is incident upon the substrate (11) after its course is bent by a reflector (12). The reflector (12) is so set that all directions of the parts of the Ne atom current which are incident upon the substrate (11) are perpendicular to densest planes of single-crystalline Si.

Abstract: A multi-site in ovo injection apparatus and related methods for treating live eggs is disclosed. The multi-site injection apparatus includes one or more injection delivery devices which are configured to deliver multiple treatment substances to predetermined areas of eggs. The treatment substances can be provided so that they are spatially and/or temporally separate. The devices and methods enable the effective use of a plurality of treatment substances even those that are effective when used alone but can be noxious if mixed.

Abstract: A biological treatment system for removal of gaseous waste materials. The system comprises a column containing microorganisms which break down components of the waste materials; a pond in series with the column containing life forms in addition to the microorganisms in the column, which life forms provide essential nutrients for the microorganisms in the column; a treatment bed containing a reaction medium for removing undesirable biological metabolic by-products from the action of said microorganisms upon the gaseous waste materials; a fluid distribution means for circulating water between the pond, column and bed and a means for delivering gaseous waste materials through the column before such gaseous waste materials reach the pond.

Abstract: A housing for a small pet animal has a housing body, a plurality of unit plates and attaching mechanism for the unit plates. The unit plates form a shape which fits in the housing body in a horizontal state when combined with each other on an plane. The attaching mechanism is formed on at least one of the unit plates and the housing body to detachably attach the unit plates to the housing body. The unit plates form a partitioning plate for dividing an inner space of the housing body into an upper space and a lower space when the unit plates are combined on a plane in the housing body and are attached to the housing body by the attaching mechanism. The unit plates form stages when at least one of the unit plates are attached to the housing body at a level different from the other unit plates.

Abstract: An outer housing preferably fabricated from a transparent or translucent plastic material, the outer housing including a central connecting portion and three outwardly extending arms. Slots are provided in the top and the sides of the three outwardly extending arms to permit a household pet, such as a cat, to reach and move one or more balls positioned therein towards the central connecting portion. The bottom surface of the central connecting portion preferably includes an upwardly extending projection, preferably conical in configuration, which, by gravitational force, tends to toll the one or more balls positioned therein into one of the three outwardly extending arms.

Abstract: A hot water heater for generating substantial instantaneous hot water by positioning a plurality of burners adjacent one end of a heat transfer section. The heat transfer section includes an elongated housing which has a plurality of tubes carried therein. Water is circulated through the elongated housing for being heated by the products of combustion being generated by the burners being drawn within the elongated tubes by means of a vacuum. A combustion chamber in which the burners are carried is frusto-conical in shape with the large diameter end being exposed to the atmosphere and the small diameter end being in communication with the heat transfer section.

Abstract: A method of operating an engine assembly having a cylinder assembly which defines a combustion chamber is disclosed. The method includes the steps of performing an intake stroke of the cylinder assembly and advancing a conditioning fuel into the combustion chamber during the intake stroke performing step. The method further includes the steps of advancing a gaseous fuel into the combustion chamber during the intake stroke performing step and performing a compression stroke of the cylinder assembly after the intake stroke performing step. The method yet further includes the steps of advancing a pilot fuel into the combustion chamber during the compression stroke performing step and combusting the pilot fuel in the combustion chamber during the compression stroke performing step so as to ignite the conditioning fuel and the gaseous fuel.

Abstract: A cooling system for an internal combustion engine has temperature sensors including at least one sensor for the temperature of the cooling fluid and at least one sensor for the temperature of the metal body of the engine. Both sensors are used for controlling the cooling of the engine and for controlling the fuel injection and the engine ignition.

Abstract: A piston (20) for an engine having a crown portion (22) that contains a generally closed cooling chamber (58) that communicates with a cooling fluid source by a cooling bore (74) formed in a pin ear (60, 62). A tube portion (80) is located along the cooling bore (74) and cooperates with the cooling bore (74) to provide a continuous inlet passageway (88) to the cooling chamber (58).

Abstract: An air intake structure in a construction machine, comprising a radiator chamber, a radiator ventilating hole formed in an upper position of the radiator chamber, an air cleaner chamber formed in close proximity to the radiator chamber, an air cleaner ventilating hole formed in the ceiling surface of the air cleaner chamber, an intake duct disposed below the air cleaner ventilating hole and communicating with the radiator chamber, and an air cleaner disposed in close proximity to the ceiling surface of the air cleaner chamber at a position close to the intake duct. According to this air intake structure, not only the engine cooling efficiency can be enhanced to a satisfactory extent, but also a lower space in the air cleaner chamber can be fully utilized effectively.

Abstract: A part attachment hole for attaching an accessory part, such an ignition plug, is formed in a substantially central part of a cylinder head of a water-cooled engine. A plurality of cylinder block attachment bolt holes are formed around the part attachment hole at a substantially equal pitch. A plurality of hose connection openings are formed between the plurality of cylinder block attachment bolt holes. Furthermore, a single radiator is connected via a radiator hose to the plurality of hose connection openings of the cylinder head having the above structure.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided. The engine includes a housing (9) having at least first and second pairs of chambers (20) formed in the housing. Each chamber extends from the exterior of the housing to a predetermined point therein. The first pair of chambers being aligned with the housing along a first axis and the second pair of chambers being aligned within the housing along a second axis extending substantially normal to the first axis. The engine further including a plurality of piston assemblies (6). Each chamber having one of the piston assemblies rigidly fastened thereto. A cylinder (1) is reciprocally mounted on an elongate cylinder pin assembly (2). The cylinder pin assembly extending within the housing and disposed between the cylinders for reciprocating the cylinders along a predetermined stroke length and relative to the fixed piston assemblies in an opposed manner during operation of the engine. The cylinder pin assembly having two axes of rotation.

Abstract: In a hydraulic type variable valve timing structure having a construction for changing a phase of a cam shaft by controlling the current provided to a linear solenoid valve, and a change of said rotational phase corresponding to the increase of said current is limited by a stopper, a maximum current is provided for a predetermined time to the linear solenoid valve when a target value of the rotational phase is switched to the rotational phase being limited by the stopper, and thereafter, the current is lowered and maintained in the range where the rotational phase being limited by the stopper can be maintained.

Abstract: Integrally formed with each other are a first engaging portion 20A and second engaging portion 20B of a connecting member 20 that are rotatably supported by a support shaft 24 disposed below a rocker arm 10. The engaging portions 20A and 20B are formed to selectively engage with cavities 12B and 14B of a first sub-rocker arm 12 and second sub-rocker arm 14. Therefore, a reduction in size of a selectively connecting mechanism can be achieved.

Abstract: In a variable valve control for an internal combustion engine with a cylinder head having a first camshaft controlling the opening of the engines intake valves and a second camshaft for controlling the closing of the engines intake valve, a control drive for driving the second camshaft at a variable angular position relative to the first camshaft so as to permit controlling the intake valve opening duration, a control wheel with an eccentric collar for actuating the control drive and a control motor for operating the control wheel, all mounted on a bearing housing supporting the camshafts, the control wheel is mounted on the bearing housing sidewardly displaced from the control drive and the control motor has a drive shaft which extends transversely to the axis of the control wheel and is supported on the camshaft bearing housing.

Abstract: A vane-type camshaft adjusting device for an internal combustion engine, comprising a drive pinion (2) connected in driving relationship to a crankshaft, and a winged wheel (8) connected rotationally fast to a camshaft (7), the drive pinion (2) comprises a hollow space (6) which is defined by a circumferential wall (3) and two side walls (4, 5), into which hollow space (6) is inserted the winged wheel (8) having at least one wing (10) on its wheel hub (9), limiting walls (11) defining at least one working chamber (13) in the hollow space (6) of the drive pinion (2), which working chamber (13) is divided into two hydraulic pressure chambers (16, 17) by a wing (10) of the winged wheel (8) with the limiting walls (11) of the drive pinion (2) in sealing contact by axial sealing elements or by sealing gaps with the wheel hub (9) of the winged wheel (8), while the wings (10) of the winged wheel (8) are in sealing contact by axial sealing elements with the circumferential wall (3) of the drive pinion (2) wherein the

Abstract: A valve actuation device. The device may include a free floating valve bridge movably supported within a cavity in the engine housing. The bridge may be provided with a cavity and an orifice arrangement for pumping gases entrained with lubricating fluid toward the piston stems as the bridge reciprocates back and forth. The device may also include a rocker arm that has a U-shaped cross-sectional shape for receiving at least a portion of the valve bridge, valve stem valve spring and spring retainer therein. The rocker arm may be provided with lubrication passages for directing lubrication to the point wherein it is pivotally affixed to the engine housing.

Abstract: An outboard motor embodying a twin overhead camshaft, four cycle internal combustion engine as a power plant. The engine has an improved flexible transmitter drive for the camshaft, which permits the drive pulley to overly the end main bearings for the camshafts so as to reduce bending loads on them.

Abstract: Two embodiments of VVT mechanisms for internal combustion engines. The VVT mechanisms are hydraulically operated by the engine lubricating oil through control passages formed in the forward-most bearing portion of the camshaft. However, spaced on both sides of these control passages, there are provided lubricant supplies to the forwardmost and rearward most ends of the forward bearing surfaces of the camshaft so as to provide good lubrication, particularly in the more highly loaded forwardmost portion thereof.

Abstract: A direct valve drive device which can open and lose a valve with accuracy even if a negative valve clearance forms between the cam and the valve stem due to a difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the cylinder head made of aluminum alloy and the iron valve. A valve lifter is mounted between the cam and the valve stem being biased toward the cam by a valve spring. An adjuster bolt is threaded into a threaded hole formed in the valve lifter. The force of a spring is applied to the adjuster bolt so that the adjuster bolt move, while rotating, toward the valve stem. Formed between the threadedly engaging portions of the adjuster bolt and the threaded hole is an axial hole which is smaller than the height of a ramp formed on the cam but large enough to absorb any difference in thermal expansion between the cylinder head and the valve.

Abstract: In a tappet (1) of a valve train of an internal combustion engine, the leakage of hydraulic medium occurring between its reception bore (6) and skirt (2) is to be reduced. To achieve this, the tappet (1) of the invention comprises an anti-rotation device (22) and, at the same time, a supply of hydraulic medium from a supply gallery (21) to an annular oil reservoir (17) is effected directly, i.e. annular grooves and other oil deflecting measures are dispensed with. An aperture (19) in the skirt (2) for the supply of hydraulic medium can, at the same time, be advantageously arranged in a bottom-proximate region thereof.

Abstract: A driving and starting unit for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle has a driving element, a switching transmission, a coupling arrangable between a drive shaft of the internal combustion engine and the switching transmission, an electrical control device for receiving an outputting and switching signals for the driving element and the switching transmission, the switching transmission being formed as an automatic switching transmission, the driving element including a conventional starter and a starter/generator, the driving element being formed so that the driving element operates in dependence on outer conditions so as to activate one of the conventional starter, the starter/generator, and both the conventional starter and the starter/generator.

Abstract: In a outboard marine engine having a vertically oriented crankshaft, an intake manifold assembly which may consist of a one-piece cast member is disposed on one side of the cylinder block, and a throttle body is connected to an upstream end of said manifold assembly. The upstream end of said manifold assembly defines a surge tank, and is provided with a vertically narrowed section, and an elbow section which curves around a corner of the crankcase so that the throttle body is placed opposite an end surface of the crankcase. The elbow section allows the intake system to be accommodated in an outer profile of the engine assembly without any significant protrusion while maximizing the length of the intake system so as to provide the benefits of the inertia of the intake air.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compact air induction system for an internal-combustion engine in which an air inlet section, a collection section and the intake port section for a plurality of cylinders of the internal-combustion engine are formed adjacent to each other and connected directly or through a partition wall. A control unit for controlling the engine is mounted in the passage at the downstream of the air inlet section.

Abstract: A single cylinder, internal combustion engine with a dry sump lubrication system. The engine includes an engine housing in which the overhead camshaft and crankshaft are rotatably supported, and the housing includes an integrally formed cylinder and head. A timing belt disposed externally of the engine housing interconnects the crankshaft and camshaft, and a piston connected to the crankshaft reciprocates within an internal bore provided in the engine housing cylinder. The cylinder wall around the internal bore is of a generally uniform thickness and circumscribed by cooling fins such that the cylinder resists bore distortion during operation. Dry sump lubrication is obtained by an external oil reservoir connected to a pump which supplies pressurized oil to the bearing journals of the camshaft. A portion of the oil at the camshaft bearing journals flows through passages provided within the cylinder to lubricate the bearing journals of the crankshaft.

Abstract: A rotary disc having at least two radial concave portions and two radial convex portions on one end is opposed at the concave/convex surface to a concave/convex surface of a non-rotary disc having the concave/convex surface of the same shape, and one of the discs is made axially slidably and engaged to the other resiliently. Two variable volume chambers formed between the concave/convex surfaces of the two disc are used as a set of engine chambers in which a suction port is disposed to a slope of the first chamber on the side that the concave/convex surfaces of discs get into engagement, and the exhaust port is disposed to the slope of the second chamber on the side that the concave/convex surfaces of discs get out of the engagement.

Abstract: An engine control system for controlling operation of an engine of a type injecting fuel directly into a combustion chamber in different injection modes according to engine operating conditions has a map of engine control values with respect to specified engine operating conditions at intersection points of a grid pattern in which engine control values at extreme intersection points adjacent to a boundary between adjacent injection modes is discontinual. The engine control system calculates an engine control value for an engine operating condition by interpolation with the aid of engine control values at the intersection points and determines an engine control value for an engine operating condition at a point closer to the boundary than the extreme intersection point of one injection mode based on engine control values at intersection points of the one injection mode only.

Abstract: A number of embodiments of direct injected V-type outboard motors provided with a very effective fuel supply system wherein the number of components can be significantly reduced as well as the elimination of many of the flexible conduits normally employed. This also permits the fuel system to be assembled as a relatively unitary assembly that can be then affixed to the engine. The arrangement is such that purging of the system from vapors during shutdowns is easily accomplished and the system can be purged without complicated construction. Furthermore, the system can be pressure tested by an arrangement where the low pressure system can bypass the high pressure system when the engine is not operating so as to be pressurized for testing purposes. However, when the high pressure system operates, then the bypass line will be closed by the shunting valve arrangement.

Abstract: A diagnostic system for a fuel system of an internal combustion engine such as direct-injection gasoline engine monitors a pressure deviation of a actual fuel pressure sensed by a fuel pressure sensor from a desired fuel pressure in a feedback fuel pressure control, and thereby detects abnormality in the fuel system. When the pressure deviation continues to be outside a normal range, a diagnostic controller commands engine operation in a homogeneous stoichiometric combustion mode, and monitors a feedback correction quantity in a feedback stoichiometric air fuel control during the engine operation in the homogeneous stoichiometric combustion mode. The controller attributes the abnormality to the fuel pressure sensor if the feedback correction quantity of the air fuel ratio is fixed to an upper limit or a lower limit.

Abstract: The control system disconnects the throttle from direct connection with the accelerator pedal, which sets the power requirements or demand. The demand signal passes to a computer control or microprocessor which electronically controls the throttle as a function of the engine operating conditions and pre-established values for controlled parameters stored in bitmaps in the microprocessor's memory. It is preferred to use a fuel injecting stratified charge spark plug in conjunction with the electronic control system and use the electronic control system to control the primary and auxiliary fuel injection systems as well as the ignition timing to permit the engine to run under very lean conditions to produce low levels of emissions such as nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide.

Abstract: A fuel injection device for a diesel engine adapted to perform a preliminary injection (1) and a main injection (2) to a combustion chamber (3), wherein the preliminary injection (1) is adjusted to begin within a valve overlap term (40).Within the valve overlap term (40), no intake air is introduced into the combustion chamber (3) or a little if any and the combustion chamber (3) contains a gas of high temperature. If the preliminary injection (1) is conducted into this gas of high temperature within the combustion chamber (3), a preliminary injection fuel vaporizes soon to thereby shorten the ignition lag of a main injection fuel with the result of improving the combustion.

Abstract: A method of controlling fuel delivery in a fuel injection system capable of performing a split injection includes comparing at least one engine operating temperature to a temperature threshold, and disabling split injection when the at least one engine operating temperature exceeds the temperature threshold. Disabling split injection in this manner enhances cold temperature engine operation, while providing a single injection at higher operating temperatures, as desired. Further, an engine and a computer readable storage medium having information stored thereon representing instructions executable by an engine controller for comparing at least one engine operating temperature to a temperature threshold are also provided. The computer readable storage medium instructions disable split injection when the at least one engine operating temperature exceeds the temperature threshold.

Abstract: A decompression engine brake device is incorporated with an internal combustion engine. The device comprises an exhaust valve arranged to open and close an exhaust port of a combustion chamber of the engine. A valve stem extends from the exhaust valve. A valve lifter is slidably disposed in a cylinder head of the engine. The valve lifter has the valve stem contacting thereto. An exhaust cam disposed about an exhaust cam shaft is operatively engageable with the valve lifter to actuate the exhaust valve in accordance with a contour of the exhaust cam. An engine brake cam is defined by the exhaust cam. A hydraulically operating device is employed for inducing an operative engagement between the engine brake cam with the valve lifter thereby to actuate the exhaust valve in accordance with a contour of the engine brake cam.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and an arrangement for controlling an internal combustion engine wherein the operational reliability of the control is ensured by comparing the actual torque of the engine to a maximum permissible torque. This torque comparison is switched off and another monitoring function is activated when a fault in the area of charge detection is suspected.

Abstract: An electronic fuel injection apparatus for a diesel engine comprising a driving state detection means for detecting a driving state of a vehicle associated with an automatic transmission and a controller for periodically determining a target injection quantity based on the driving state. The target injection quantity at a time when a gearshift position is in a driving position is set to a driving target injection quantity which is obtained by adding a predetermined correction quantity to a target injection quantity at a time when the gearshift position is in a non-driving position. When the change of the gearshift position from the non-driving position to the driving position is detected, the target injection quantity is increasingly corrected to the driving target injection quantity.

Abstract: A control device and a control method capable of eliminating a torque variation in changing an air/fuel ratio and establishing a compatibility of promotion in fuel economy with promotion in drivability is provided. The device includes an outer environment detector for detecting an outer environment in running a vehicle, a running environment determining device for predicting a current running environment in accordance with the outer environment, a data storage device for storing data for changing a driving characteristic, a selecting device for selecting the data, a control quantity calculator for calculating a control quantity based on the data, and a control actuator for controlling a control object.

Abstract: For controlling a throttle valve of an internal combustion engine, there is provided a control valve control device. The device includes a throttle body; a pivot shaft rotatably held by the throttle body and extending across a throttle chamber of the throttle body, the throttle valve being secured to the throttle shaft to pivot therewith; an electric actuator mounted to the throttle body to produce a power to drive the pivot shaft; and a reduction gear mechanism arranged between the electric actuator and the pivot shaft to reduce a speed of an actuation motion applied to the pivot shaft from the actuator.

Abstract: A method for controlling ignition in a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine, such that the control variables are determined on the basis of the parameters sensed by sensors, and such that after output of the control variables, a misfire monitoring operation is performed. After output of an ignition signal, the torque of the combustion event initiated by the ignition event is sensed and compared with an average of the torques of previous combustion events. If, in this context, a deviation of the currently sensed torque from the average of the torques of a definable number of previous combustion events which is greater than a definable threshold occurs, the misfire detection system is switched to inactive status.

Abstract: An engine control system in which a rotary body rotates in association with a crankshaft of an engine and has portions to be detected every predetermined angle and at least one of the portions to be detected is missing, and a pickup is arranged near an outer periphery of the rotary body and generates a pulse each time the portion to be detected passes. In the case where a reference time point to start a measurement of a time until a control start time point to start a predetermined control of the engine is a rotational angle time point of the crankshaft when no pulse is generated from the pickup due to a missing portion to be detected, a timer is allowed to measure the time from a generation time point of the pulse generated from the pickup just before the non-pulse generation period of time during which no pulse is generated until the control start time point.

Abstract: A method for closed-loop control of the positioning of a predetermined fuel amount in the working cycle of a combustion engine of the Otto-type, in which a predetermined amount of fuel is supplied to the combustion chamber via an injector and the ignition of the air-fuel mixture is initiated after the fuel has been supplied by using a spark plug arranged in the combustion chamber. With a biased measuring gap arranged in the combustion chamber, a measuring voltage U.sub.ION is obtained which corresponds to the degree of ionization during the flame ionization phase. A parameter, dU.sub.ION /dt, characteristic for the basic frequency in the measuring voltage during the flame ionization phase is detected, which parameter could be used in order to indicate if an initiated correction of the injection timing is correct, that is, if the basic frequency increases, the timing is correct and is incorrect if the basic frequency decreases.

Abstract: A fuel system damper for damping fuel pressure pulsations in a fuel rail includes a solid, flexible diaphragm which separates an upper chamber from a lower chamber. The upper chamber is sealed and contains a spring which is biased against the diaphragm. The lower chamber has an outlet to permit fuel to communicate with the diaphragm. The upper flange of the lower chamber extends inward at an angle to form a radial shoulder, and the diaphragm rests against and is supported by the shoulder. An attachment clip is fixedly attached between the upper and lower chambers and is positioned to securely engage the damper to a fuel injector cup.

Abstract: An air-assisted type injector injects a fuel into an intake port toward the face part of an intake valve, and its injection port has multiple holes to atomize the injected fuel into a predetermined fuel particle diameter (e.g., SMD=about 50 microns). An air feed pump supplies pressurized air to the injector to atomize the gas particle size of about 10 microns in a low/medium speed and low/medium load region where the face of the intake valve is at low temperatures. In a high speed or high load region where the face temperature is high, the air assistance by the air feed pump is stopped. When the fuel atomization by the air assistance is stopped, the gas particle diameter of the injected fuel is about 50 microns, but the fuel atomization is promoted by the valve face at a high temperature. Thus, the fuel flowing into the cylinder is atomized to a diameter as small as that at the time when the air assistance is executed.

Abstract: An improved fuel injection control system for an engine, wherein the fuel injectors are controlled during normal engine running by sensing engine running conditions. The engine is controlled in the lower ranges and under abnormal conditions by disabling one or more cylinders. On initial starting an enriched amount of fuel is supplied from the fuel injectors. This amount of enriched fuel is held for a predetermined time and then is gradually reduced to return to normal control even when there is cylinder disabling. The spark timing is also advanced well beyond the maximum normal spark advance during starting and is retarded to the normal spark timing after a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A fuel supply system for an internal combustion engine mounted in a cowling of a marine device is disclosed. The engine has a body defining at least one combustion chamber and an output shaft arranged to drive a water propulsion device of the marine device. The engine has an intake system supplying air to the combustion chamber. The fuel supply system includes at least one fuel injector providing fuel to the engine for combustion with the air. Various configurations for at least two pumps used to deliver fuel from a fuel source to the fuel injector(s) which contribute to reduced vapor production and improved pumping efficiency are disclosed.

Abstract: A device for enhancing the combustion of fuel in an internal combustion engine. The combustion enhancer, which is used inside the fuel line of a vehicle, comprises a metallic double spring. The combustion enhancer swirls the fuel and also imparts a charge to the fuel, thus promoting more complete combustion.

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 ignition system for internal combustion engines with spark ignition comprising an ignition coil, a spark plug connected to the secondary winding, an electric supply circuit associated with the primary winding of the coil, where the said circuit includes a semiconductor device controlled by an electronic control unit programmed to produce a charging cycle in the course of which the instantaneous current flowing in the primary winding gradually increases from a minimum value to a maximum value and then returns brusquely to the minimum value. The electronic control unit is programmed to produce a succession of charging cycles during one and the same engine cycle. Each of the said charging cycles is separated from the previous cycle by a time interval (W) of a duration that is either equal to or greater than the duration (DA) of a discharge cycle.