Abstract: In a marine hydraulic steering assembly for a propulsion unit there is included a hydraulic steering cylinder operatively connected to the propulsion unit and is provided with first and second chambers. A hydraulic output system is actuated by a steering wheel at the helm of the marine vehicle and is operatively connected to the propulsion unit for effecting common movement of the hydraulic steering cylinder in response to actuation by the steering wheel. The hydraulic output system including a second hydraulic cylinder having first and second chambers, and a reservoir, and fluid communication extends between the first chamber and the reservoir and the second chamber and the reservoir.

Abstract: A catamaran-type sailboat with a steering mechanism preferably located at the level of the catamaran deck. This steering mechanism may include a rotatable or generally linearly moveable pad or element. The pad is usually actuated by foot, leaving the users hands free to operate a sail, but it can also be actuated by hand. The movement of the pad is generally simultaneously transferred to rudders at the rear of each catamaran hull by a push-pull cable unit, thereby steering the sailboat. An elastic band attached to the pad keeps the steering mechanism self-centered when not in use. When the user wishes to maneuver the sailboat, he simply moves the pad in the proper direction with his foot or hand.

Abstract: To permit use of a ship as production ship, among other things in conjunction with a so-called STL-buoy (30) and in test production without a buoy (30), and in which the ship (10) is formed with a bottom recess (12) for the reception of the buoy (30) in a mutually pivotal manner, there has been formed, immediately above said bottom recess (12), a vertically oriented cavity (14) in the ship's hull. In this cavity (14) is pivotally supported a sleeve-shaped turret (16) which is configured with at least one through bore, channel or other passage for passing pipelines (24, 24′), pipeline portions (38, 38′), or the like, which may be connected at the one end via a swivel device (22) to one or more pipes or the like (26) fixed in the vessel. The sleeve-shaped turret (16) works alone during test production, but is connected to the buoy (30) so that together they form a turret (16, 30) in regular production.

Abstract: A barge mounted, vertically adjustable receiver is provided which allows connection of a tug boat or pusher boat to a barge and which permits compensation to be made for changes in the draft of the barge by changing the vertical position of the receiver on the barge without disconnection the boat and barge.

Abstract: A concrete module having a buoyant center core with a light weight concrete outer shell. The modules have lengthwise and width wise passages on non-common planes which are above the water line when the modules are floated with weight. The modules are connected with rods, cables or other interconnecting method through the passages. The sides of the modules may be concaved to allow the modules to fit securely together in a straight line without bowing or bending. The top of the module is constructed with reinforcing ribs for strength. The size of the modules are designed to be transported using standard hauling trucks and moved with skid loaders or fork lifts. The modules have common sizes and connecting passages between modules to make uniform modules to allow custom designed docks and other floating structures to be configured. A variety of brackets are provided for attaching items to the modules making up the floating structure.

Abstract: A guide device for attachment adjacent the rear of a boat trailer to assist the driver of a towing vehicle in backing the unloaded trailer into the water. The guide device includes a mounting bracket for attaching the device onto a rear part of the boat, such as onto the front face of the rear lateral frame member, and a signal member mounted on the bracket and pivotal between raised and lowered positions. The signal member includes an elongated staff above the bracket and a flotation element attached to the lower end of the staff beneath the bracket. The flotation element is lighter than water, and has a weight greater than the weight of said staff. When the trailer is out of the water, the staff is pivoted by the weight of the flotation element to a generally vertical position. When the rear of the trailer is backed into the water, the flotation element rises to pivot the staff to a generally horizontal position.

Abstract: A soft sandwich board is disclosed, being formed utilizing a standard traffic cone. An ultraviolet stabilized nylon shroud is employed to simulate the two sides of a standard A-Stand sign system. The shroud is double sided, with an opening at its top for connection to the cone, and a concentric larger opening at its base for slipping over a square shaped cone weight connected adjacent the base of the cone. A Tee Cone Adapter and crossbar at the top of the cone provides for shaping the shroud into a pair of identical square or rectangularly shaped panels on which warning signs are imprinted, and reflecting strips are attached. Possible damage to vehicles or persons due to collision with these soft sandwich boards, or due to violent weather conditions blowing them about, is minimized.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a cathode 54 having a large diameter part 56 and a long thin small diameter part 58, and the upper end surface of the large diameter part 56 faces the plasma forming space 76. The substrate 66 which is to be processed is mounted on the upper end surface of the large diameter part 56. The lower end of the small diameter part 58 is connected via the matching circuit 60 to the high frequency power source 62. The transmission path within the chamber comprises a large diameter coaxial line, a small diameter coaxial line and a radial line which connects them. The large diameter coaxial line includes the large diameter part 56, the first side wall 42 and the insulator 70. The radial line includes the lower surface of the large diameter part 56, the upper surface of the bottom plate 46 and the gap 72 between them. The small diameter coaxial line includes the small diameter part 58, the second side wall 68 and the gap 74.

Abstract: A plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition system includes a balancing inductor in the circuit path between the radio frequency generator and the “showerhead” that is used to introduce reactant gases to the system. The balancing inductor reduces the resonant frequency of the circuit to a level below the frequency of the signal produced by the radio frequency generator. Since the effective capacitance of the showerhead electrode varies monotonically with the power input to the plasma, fluctuations in the power delivered to the plasma will be self-correcting the system will be stabilized. For example, a drop in the power to the plasma will reduce the resonant frequency, but the corresponding reduction in the effective capacitance of the showerhead electrode will tend to increase the resonant frequency, thereby offsetting the change and stabilizing the system.

Abstract: A milking machine of a kind having a milk line to a milk receiver through which a vacuum is drawn, the machine being operable in (i) a milking mode and in (ii) a cleaning mode, wherein there is provided a cleaning line for cleaning fluid into the milk line, and wherein, when the machine is in its cleaning mode, cleaning fluid pooling and/or pooled in the cleaning line is caused to move (wholly or in part) under the action of a gas (e.g. ambient air) impulse into the pooling and/or pooled cleaning fluid from the cleaning line into the milk line and preferably the milk receiver. In moving from the cleaning line into the milk line which is of greater cross-section the fluid under the action of a transition zone flaring from the smaller conduit into the larger conduit, and a transition zone flushing flow flaring means flares to the surface of the milk line.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in transporting and lifting immobile large animals. It has two major cooperating components: a cart and a lift. Both have tubular frame constructions with fabric releasably attached to the frames for supporting an animal. The cart has large wheels for maneuverability even over rough terrain to an animal needing care. The fabric can be unsnapped from the cart frame to more easily load the animal. The legs can be pivoted outward, allowing the cart to be lowered to the ground for greater ease in loading an animal. The cart, with the loaded animal, fits over a lowered lift. The lift has an upper frame which can be raised to bring the supported animal to a desired level. It has wheels on its base frame to allow it to be wheeled to a desired location. Two separate motor-driven lifting mechanisms are used to raise the upper frame, capable of lifting up to 300 pounds. Belts are provided to secure an animal on the lift.

Abstract: A feeder comprising a hopper with an upper portion and a lower portion; the lower portion of the hopper includes a domed base to the interior of the hopper and also includes at least one feeding port to provide a passage for feed from the interior to the exterior. The hopper also includes one or more baffles projecting from the interior wall of the hopper that act to support at least some of the feed stored within the hopper.

Abstract: A feed dish for use in combination with a cage having a cage side formed as a lattice of horizontal and vertical members. The feed dish includes a bowl and mounting structure wherein the mounting structure includes a pair of elongated leg members having enlarged end portions. The mounting structure further includes a slide member having a pair of slots for engaging over the leg members wherein the slide member is retained on the leg members between the bowl and the enlarged portions to retain the bowl in engagement with the side of a cage with the leg members extending through the lattice structure.

Abstract: A feeder for dispensing feed to livestock which includes a trough having a surface adapted to receive the feed thereon, and a hopper positioned above the trough surface. The hopper has a bottom with an aperture therethrough and a side wall. A feed wheel is rotatably mounted on the trough and includes a radially extending spoke engageable by livestock. A deflector cone having an upwardly tapering cross-sectional configuration is positioned in the hopper and includes a lower edge positioned above the hopper bottom and terminating inwardly of the hopper side wall and outwardly of the hopper bottom aperture. A sweep member is positioned below the deflector cone lower edge and adapted for sweeping feed in the hopper to the aperture. An adjustment mechanism is provided for suspending the deflector cone above the hopper bottom and adjusting a spacing between the lower edge of the deflector cone and the hopper bottom.

Abstract: A method for orally administering feed supplements to a plurality of animal feed stations, and an apparatus for accomplishing the method are disclosed. A feed reservoir is separately connected to the feed station via a tube and is dispensed into a feed trough through a plurality of spray nozzles, providing essentially unlimited supplemental feed. The apparatus also comprises separator plates, such that individual feeding stations result. Additionally, a method of disinfecting and rinsing the apparatus is provided.

Abstract: A curry comb comprises an elongated handle, a plurality of curved blade and a hardened resin. The handle is preferably formed from a single piece and includes a first end and a second end, defining a longitudinal axis. A plurality of ridges and grooves are defined in the handle adjacent to the first end. A plurality of slots defined in the second end of the handle are generally parallel to one another and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle. A curved blade, having a secured end, a working end, an outer curved edge and an inner curved edge, extends into each of the slots and is secured in position with a hardened resin. The curved blades may be oriented in opposing directions and the inner curved edges of opposing blades may be sharpened to different degrees of sharpness.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for restraining an animal within an animal squeeze. The animal squeeze has a “V” shaped passage in which the animal is suspended by relative movement of the sidewalls and the floor. A pressure member is movable into an operative position engaging a back of the animal and restraining the animal. An animal, such as a deer, suspended in a “V” shaped passage, will normally continue to struggle. However, when pressure is exerted upon the back of the deer by the pressure member, the deer ceases to struggle.

Abstract: A water heater baffle having an inlet and an outlet for the passage of water therethrough, the baffle being arranged to force the water entering the baffle through a labyrinth before exiting the baffle in a direction substantially 90° to its general flow of entry into the baffle.

Abstract: For the purpose for avoiding the generation of the air standing by making the mounting position of the thermo-case low, shortening the length of cooling water piping between the thermo-case and the radiator, and enhancing the cooling efficiency, the mounting bracket 20 for mounting the internal combustion engine 1 on the internal combustion engine body 2 is provided and on the mounting bracket 20 the thermo-case 9 installed in the thermostat 11 to be provided in the cooling water circuit is mounted in a unit. And, to the thermo-case 9 the cooling water pipings 8 and 10 interconnecting the radiator 7 and the water pump 3 are connected.

Abstract: The invention relates to a latent heat storage system for use on the cooling-water circuit of a vehicle combustion engine, whereby a motor-driven rotary pump is secured either at the edge of the storage system housing or inside said housing.

Abstract: A cooling device of an engine includes a first liquid pump driven by decelerated rotation of an engine and for circulating the cooling liquid in the engine. A second liquid pump is driven by electricity and circulates the cooling liquid in the engine as a supplement to the first liquid pump.

Abstract: A combustion system which can utilize high compression ratios, short burn durations, and homogeneous fuel/air mixtures in conjunction with low equivalence ratios. In particular, a free-piston, two-stroke autoignition internal combustion engine including an electrical generator having a linear alternator with a double-ended free piston that oscillates inside a closed cylinder is provided. Fuel and air are introduced in a two-stroke cycle fashion on each end, where the cylinder charge is compressed to the point of autoignition without spark plugs. The piston is driven in an oscillating motion as combustion occurs successively on each end. This leads to rapid combustion at almost constant volume for any fuel/air equivalence ratio mixture at very high compression ratios. The engine is characterized by high thermal efficiency and low NOx emissions. The engine is particularly suited for generating electrical current in a hybrid automobile.

Abstract: A two stroke, internal combustion, reciprocating, engine with a displacer 11 made up of a number of similar working units. Each working unit is comprised of a cylinder 12 that is closed at one end by cylinder head 4, and contains exhaust port 34, compressed air chamber 13, air inlet valve 2, power piston 18 that is connected to power output shaft 22, and displacer 11. Displacer 11 moves between power piston 18 and cylinder head 4, and the means to accomplish this are: spring 10, the urging of power piston 18 after a collision, and the difference between the internal and external pressures. During the compression stroke the pressure inside the engine exceeds the pressure outside of the engine, this pressure difference, along with power piston 18 urging displacer 11, forces displacer 11 up against cylinder head 4 and deforms spring 10. Heat is added in compressed air chamber 13. During the expansion stroke the pressure difference continues to keep displacer 11 up against cylinder head 4 and spring 10 deformed.

Abstract: A fuel direct injection type two cycle internal combustion engine including a high output pressure fuel pump having a pump drive shaft connected thereto and disposed in a vacant space in an engine body.

Abstract: A camshaft phase controlling device which has a quill shaft extending through a hollow camshaft and has one end of the quill shaft directly connected to the drive gear with the other end of the quill shaft formed with helical splines that are connected through a connector member to straight splines formed on the inside diameter of the hollow camshaft so that axial movement of a connector member located between the helical splines and the straight splines serves to rotate the camshaft a predetermined distance upon actuation of an electric stepper motor.

Abstract: The phase of a camshaft in an internal combustion engine can be changed by the piston rod of a double-acting hydraulic cylinder and piston unit which is controlled by a valve having a spool movable axially by an electromagnet which is adapted to be influenced by a plurality of signals including those from the engine electronics.

Abstract: A shoe housing 3 is connected to and rotatable together with an input shaft. A vane rotor 9 is connected to an output shaft and accommodated in shoe housing 3 so as to cause a rotation within a predetermined angle with respect to shoe housing 3. Vane rotor 9 and shoe housing 3 cooperatively define hydraulic chambers 10, 11, 12 and 13 whose volumes are variable in accordance with a rotational position of vane rotor 9 with respect to shoe housing 3. A locking member 7 is accommodated in vane rotor 9 and shiftable in a direction parallel to a rotational axis common to shoe housing 3 and vane rotor 9. And, an engaging bore 20, formed on a front plate 4 secured to shoe housing 3, receives locking member 7 through a tapered surface.

Abstract: A camshaft drive arrangement for an internal combustion engine wherein the drive includes first and second intermediate shafts journaled directly within the cylinder block. The first intermediate shaft is driven directly to the crankshaft and the second intermediate shaft is driven from the first intermediate shaft by a flexible transmitter drive. The second intermediate shaft drives a camshaft journaled in the cylinder head by a second flexible transmitter drive.

Abstract: A resilient retainer is disclosed for a rocker arm coupling joining a valve assembly to a rocker arm assembly in an internal combustion engine. The rocker arm coupling includes a first coupling member having a socket for receiving a ball extending from a second coupling member. The resilient retainer consists of unitary polymeric material including a resilient mounting portion and a resilient restricting portion. The resilient mounting portion is engageable with a recess delineated within the first coupling member for resiliently securing the resilient retainer. The resilient restricting portion permits insertion of the ball into the socket upon deformation of the resilient restricting portion with the resilient restricting portion inhibiting removal of the ball from the socket.

Abstract: A sheet metal rocker arm manufactured by the steps of punching one metal plate to form a blank having a predetermined contour and through holes, and subjecting this blank to a bending work based on a press work to form a pair of side walls parallel to each other and a connecting portion for connecting the both ends of the side walls in the width direction thereof. This rocker arm is also provided with at least a pair of through holes formed at positions which are aligned with each other on the both side walls and at least one engagement portion provided in a part of the connecting portion. The thickness of at least one engagement portion, is formed to be greater than the thickness of the both side walls.

Abstract: A cooling device for an internal combustion engine includes a brushless DC motor having a housing, an output shaft, a magnet rotor fixedly mounted on the output shaft, and a stator positioned in the housing and having three phase windings which are arranged in the circumferential direction around the magnet rotor, an impeller connected at an outside of the housing to one end of the output shaft of the motor and circulating a cooling liquid through the engine, and a radiator while the output shaft is being rotated. A device can be provided for generating heat at the phase windings for warming-up the cooling liquid if a temperature thereof is below a set value. A device can be provided for stopping the rotation of the output shaft of the motor without interrupting the energization of the motor when a temperature of the cooling liquid is below a set value.

Abstract: An engine starting apparatus comprises a case having an outer case and a case cover defining an interior space. The outer case has at least first, second and third bolt apertures, for attaching the case to an engine. A motor mounting seat is formed in an inner wall of the outer case for mounting thereon a starter motor for starting the engine. A recoil starter mechanism is disposed in the interior space of the case for starting the engine. The recoil starter mechanism has a starting rope pulling port disposed adjacent to the first bolt aperture. The starter motor is disposed between the first bolt aperture and the third bolt aperture when the starting rope pulling port is positioned between the first bolt aperture and the second bolt aperture, and the starter motor is disposed between the first bolt aperture and the second bolt aperture when the starting rope pulling port is positioned between the first bolt aperture and the third bolt aperture. First louvers extend from an outer surface of the case cover.

Abstract: A composite air intake manifold assembly adapted for use with an internal combustion engine includes an upper half shell formed from a polymer and a lower half shell formed from a polymer and joined to the upper half shell. The upper half shell formed includes an upper perimeter flange having a pair of side flanges and a pair of end flanges, the side flanges having an inner surface and the end flanges having an inner surface. The lower half shell includes a lower perimeter flange having a pair of side flanges and a pair of end flanges, the side flanges having an inner surface and the end flanges having an inner surface. The lower half shell is joined to the upper half shell to define a housing having an internal cavity.

Abstract: A valve system designed for use in an internal combustion engine to regulate the flow of working fluids including air/fuel mixtures and exhaust gases to and from a cylinder comprising an intake valve and an exhaust valve. At least one but preferably both of the intake and exhaust valves comprise a shutter valve, defined by a plurality of valve elements in the form of partially overlapping valve blades slidable relative to one another and defining a central aperture having an adjustable dimension dependent upon the relative positioning of the plurality of valve elements as they are selectively oriented between an open position and a closed position. The central aperture at least partially defines a free, unobstructed flow path of fluid passing into or out of the combustion chamber before and after the ignition of the air/fuel mixture.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a mixture lubricated four-stroke engine having a cylinder and a piston which delimits a combustion chamber in the cylinder. The piston drives a crankshaft via a connecting rod with the crankshaft being journalled in a crankcase. An inlet valve and an outlet valve are provided for the combustion chamber and have respective valve members which are actuated via a valve drive assembly driven by the crankshaft. The inlet valve is connected via an intake channel to a mixture-preparation device. The valve housing is, on the one hand, connected to the crankcase and, on the other hand, is flow connected via a connecting channel to the intake channel. The crankcase is connected to the mixture-preparation device exclusively via the valve housing, the connecting channel and the intake channel. In this way, an adequate lubrication and excellent acceleration performance is ensured with a constructively simple configuration and excellent exhaust-gas quality.

Abstract: A three-way fuel injection control valve assembly is provided which includes a pilot valve for controlling the movement of a drain valve member and a separate supply valve member to minimize valve response time and transition flow losses. The solenoid operated two-way pilot valve controls the flow of fuel from a control volume formed adjacent the ends of the drain valve member and the supply valve member to begin and end an injection event. A transition flow loss limiting feature is provided which causes the drain valve member to close prior to the opening of the supply valve member and subsequently causes the supply valve member to close prior to the opening of the drain valve member during a given injection event thereby minimizing transition flow losses.

Abstract: The piston 4 is one whose top part has a flat shape. Fuel is injected directly inside the cylinder 1 from the fuel injection valve 2. The tumble air flow control valve 7 adjusts the strength of the tumble air flow. The combustion pressure control section 110 of the control unit 100 varies the combustion pressure in accordance with the rotational speed of the engine while maintaining constant the opening angle of the tumble air flow adjustment valve 7. The TCV opening angle control section 120 varies the opening angle of the tumble air flow adjustment valve 7 in accordance with the rotational speed of the engine while maintaining constant the combustion pressure. The control is made by switching between the combustion pressure control section 110 and the TCV opening angle control section 120 depending on the rotational speed of the engine.

Abstract: A throttle valve for an engine is disabled to be driven by an actuator by limiting a target throttle angle upper limit of a target throttle angle, when a failure is detected by an electronic control unit. Then, the target throttle angle is returned to a value used at a normal time at a restoration timing of a restoration of the system to a normal state or while the opening speed of a throttle valve at a restoration is being restrained. Thus, an abrupt opening operation of the throttle valve in response to the depression carried out by the driver on an accelerator pedal. Further, the throttle valve is driven in a limp-home operation mode by controlling the reduced number of operating cylinders of the engine. The reduced number of operating cylinders is increased or the operations of all cylinders are halted, when the engine speed rises above a predetermined value.

Abstract: In a method to avoid bucking oscillations during acceleration of vehicles the throttle valve position is influenced, in which, for conversion of engine torque trend between the lower torque initial value and an upper torque target value, the trend of the throttle valve position is changed between an initial closed position corresponding to the torque initial value and a target opening position corresponding to the torque target value. To prevent bucking oscillations reliably without adversely affecting the acceleration behavior and exhaust behavior, the trend of the throttle valve position adjacent to the initial closed position has a local maximum that opens the throttle valve and a local minimum that closes the throttle valve between the local maximum and the target opening position.

Abstract: There is provided an air flow meter for detecting the flow rate of air, an electronically controlled throttle for opening and closing a throttle valve and a calculating device to which a target engine intake air flow rate, a value detected by the air flow meter, the position of a throttle valve detected by a throttle position sensor, and a value detected by an engine speed sensor are input. The calculating device calculates a time constant of a delay of response of the air flow rate into the engine, and a air flow rate passing through the throttle valve to compensate for the delay of response, and drives the throttle valve such that the flow rate of air passing through the throttle valve agrees with the calculated value.

Abstract: A fuel injection valve for the cylinder injection 100 comprising: a valve assembly 3 which injects fuel; a solenoid assembly 26 which opens and closes the valve assembly 3; a housing 102 which accommodates the valve assembly 3 and the solenoid assembly 26; and a core 33 which also functions as a fuel pipe which connects The valve assembly 3 to a delivery pipe 4. The core 33 comprises: a delivery-pipe-side pressure-receiving portion 150 which is disposed within the delivery pipe 4 and is subjected to fuel pressure from within the delivery pipe 4; a housing-side pressure-receiving portion 140 which is connected to the valve assembly 3 within the housing 102 and is subjected to fuel pressure from within the housing 102; and a fastening portion 33d disposed between these two pressurized portions to fasten the core 33 to the housing 102.

Abstract: A circular cross-sectional fuel pipe can be prevented from undesired rotation in an engine cylinder head, by a key-key slot combination having a relatively small radial dimension. The key slot is formed by a groove formed in a cylindrical sleeve that is press fit in a counterbore machined in the cylinder head. The mating key can be a ball, or pin, or bar press fit into a side surface of the fuel pipe.

Abstract: A method for deciding the combustion state of each cylinder on the basis of an ion current signal generated between gaps of an ignition plug in an internal combustion engine, and a fuel control system which reduces a fuel injection quantity while suppressing the combustion change of each cylinder and reduces a non-combustion composition in an engine exhaust gas after starting of engine.

Abstract: The Internal Ram Fuel Delivery (IRFD) is a means for utilizing the movement of a reciprocating piston within an internal combustion engine, in conjunction with a secondary piston, or ram, to deliver fuel in the form of a liquid, gas, or an air mixture into a combustion chamber. The two most likely configurations of the IRFD involve either: a ram attached to an engine's primary piston(s) that travels inside a stationary ram cylinder attached to the top of the primary piston's cylinder head, with controlled fuel pathways; or, a ram cylinder attached to, or housed inside of the engine's primary piston(s) which travels on a stationary ram that is attached to the top of the primary piston's cylinder head, with controlled fuel pathways; whereby, the ram and ram cylinder move relative to one another when the engine's primary piston reciprocates, creating a pumping effect that can deliver fuel into a combustion chamber at a predetermined point during the primary piston's travel.

Abstract: A fuel treatment apparatus comprising a fuel heater assembly having: a body with a fuel inlet, fuel outlet and a fuel passageway in communication with the fuel inlet and fuel outlet; and a coolant inlet, coolant outlet and a coolant passageway in communication with the coolant inlet and coolant outlet. Coolant enters the coolant inlet; travels through the coolant passageway; and exits the coolant outlet. The coolant is used to heat the fuel. The fuel enters the fuel inlet; travels through the fuel passageway; and exits the fuel outlet. The fuel treatment apparatus also includes a demoisturizing assembly and a fuel filter assembly.

Abstract: A baffle for fitment over breather gas inlet of an internal combustion engine breather system to limit the ingress of oil droplets has a baffle plate at a first end, a second end connectable to a breather gas inlet, and a gas conduit extending between the ends, open at the second end and closed at the first end by the baffle plate, and having a perforated wall.

Abstract: An intake and exhaust system for use with internal combustion engines that uses two intake valves and one exhaust valve for each engine. The three valves are preferably circular and spaced around the cylinder centerline in said cylinder head. One or more spark plugs (or other suitable ignition devices) are provided in the head on the cylinder centerline and/or between pairs of adjacent valves. For best results, the ratio of total exhaust valve cross sectional area to total intake valve cross sectional area should be in the range of 45% to 65%. Three squish areas having a total area of at least about 12% of the bore cross-sectional area are preferably provided spaced around said combustion chamber periphery and extending between pairs of adjacent valves. At top dead center, the distance between the piston corresponding head squish pad areas is up to about 0.02 times the bore diameter.

Abstract: Arrangements are taught for decoratively engraving a surface, such as hardened concrete or stone, particularly by engraving stencil-defined swaths into the surface with a tool of the type commonly called a needle scaler. The arrangements include methods of covering portions of the surface with a stencil made of material capable of withstanding a chisel blow, and then engraving exposed swaths by repeated chisel blows from one or more chisels having a restricted stroke. In some cases non-contiguous portions of a stencil are interconnected by bridge-line connectors selected to allow free access to the entire swath by a needle scaler or other chisel driving apparatus. In other cases a space-frame is placed atop a stencil and used to support discrete non-contiguous island portions of the stencil.

Abstract: The present invention comprises two grills that slide in and out of a center support piece, with the center support piece attaching to the underside of a grate within a fireplace. Each grill of the present invention has a grow frame and a grill screen, with the grow frame fabricated in a rectangular frame, being composed of hollow circular metal tubing. Each grill has two ends, a first end and a second end, two surfaces, a top surface and a bottom surface, and two sides, a first side and a second side. Each grill has a grill screen which is spot welded to the top; surface of the grill frame of each grill. The first end of each grill frame is designed to be inserted into a center support. The second end of each grill frame has two adjustable hooks attached to the top surface of the grill frame with the adjustable hooks allowing the present invention to be attached to the bottom of a fireplace grate with varying degrees of clearance.

Abstract: An infrared heating apparatus (1), in particular for the agricultural sector, for directional downward heating in livestock buildings, comprises at least one burner delimiting at least a conduit supplying an air/gas mixture, a reflector (3) enclosing the burner (2) and an air/gas combustion chamber (4) located at the burner conduit (2) end coaxial with the reflector (3). The burner combustion chamber (4) arranged coaxial with the reflector (3) co-operates with a solid screen (5) located beneath and in the axis of the burner conduit (2) to stop falling particles coming from the combustion and to reduce the intensity of the apparatus axial radiation thereby eliminating central overheating. The invention is useful for heating livestock buildings.