Abstract: A semiconductor water is contained in a reaction tube, and the reaction tube is exhausted through an exhaust pipe while supplying ammonia and dichlorosilane into the reaction tube. A silicon nitride film is deposited on an object to be heat-treated by a reaction of ammonia and dichlorosilane. Subsequently, TEOS is supplied into the reaction tube, while the reaction tube is exhausted through the exhaust pipe. A silicon oxide film is deposited on the object by resolving the TEOS. A semiconductor wafer on which a laminated layer of the silicon nitride film and the silicon oxide film is formed is unloaded from the reaction tube. Then, reactive products attached into the exhaust pipe and the reaction tube are removed, by conducting fluoride hydrogen thereinto, thereby cleaning the pipes. The top end of the exhaust pipe is split into two vents, either one of which is used for discharging exhaust gas for forming films and the other one of which is used for discharging HF gas for cleaning the pipes.

Abstract: A process chamber has one or more gas inlets. One gas inlet is formed as a ring surrounding the periphery of a substrate retained in the process chamber. Added control over a deposition process is obtained by such a ring. In one embodiment, the ring is moveable. Various arrangements of gas inlets and valves are described.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for exposing a substrate to plasma including a first reaction chamber adapted to generate a plasma comprising ions and radicals and a second reaction chamber coupled to the first reaction chamber and adapted to house a substrate at a sight in the second reaction chamber. The second reaction chamber is coupled to the first reaction chamber by an inlet member and radicals of the plasma flow through the inlet member into the second reaction chamber.

Abstract: A pair of pet waterers, a pair of pet feeders or a pet feeder and a pet waterer are disclosed that are adapted to be packaged together in a manner that reduces the amount of volume occupied by the combination compared to if they were packaged separately. The pet feeder has a feed receptacle for storing feed, which has a first end and a second end and a first tray to permit the pet to eat the feed. The first end of the feed receptacle when placed in the first tray occupies only a portion of the tray leaving the remainder for the feed. The pet waterer has a water receptacle for storing water. The receptacle has a first end and a second end and a second tray to permit the pet to drink the water. The first end of the water receptacle when placed in the second tray occupies only a portion of the tray. The second end of the feed receptacle is adapted to be received by the second tray and the second end of the water receptacle is adapted to be received by the first tray.

Abstract: A convenient, inexpensive, durable, refillable, specialized dog toy which can be made of various materials and have various aesthetic designs. The toy is a self-contained water source, or reservoir, for use where a messy dog bowl would be inappropriate. As the dog bites down upon the toy, in a particular location, water seeps out through tiny valves. The outside of the toy may be a superficial art form, perhaps including but not limited to, imitation bones, steaks, or burgers. The outside may be composed of rubber, plastic, vinyl, latex, or a cloth, denim or furry exterior. The toy may even be made of wood or substances which are edible to a dog. A fill cap is provided by which water can be added to the reservoir. A carrying cord may be provided on the outside by which the toy can be carried by dog or human without compressing out any of the water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treatment of liquid or semi-liquid animal waste using porosive particulate matter to remove malodorous materials, and to an organic fertilizer composition comprising organic substances derived from animal waste, said organic substance being held in pores of porosive, nutritionally inert particulate matter.

Abstract: A pet carrier for use in transporting pets within the passenger compartments of aircraft includes selectively closeable windows formed from mesh fabric, a fully openable end and a fully openable side for providing access to the interior of the pet carrier, an access port in the top having a full length double zipper closure and a rotatable locking member for securing the access port in the closed condition, a multi-function strap securable to the opposite ends of the pet carrier for use as a shoulder strap and securable to one end of the pet carrier for use as a pulling strap; individually removable rollers supporting the pet carrier for rolling movement over an underlying surface; and a removable floor.

Abstract: The pet grooming tool comprises a body sized to be held in the hand. The body has an opening in its underside. Within the body is mounted a rocking grooming tool holder which rocks within the body to follow the general contours of the animal as the grooming tool is manually moved over the coat of a pet animal to be groomed. Springs resiliently center the grooming tool holder in the body.

Abstract: An animal training device for administering audio and physical encouragement to an animal. An animal worn device comprising sod and shock producing elements is attached to a leash or lead. A transducer or similar strength measuring means is connected to the shock and sound producers of the animal worn device. The leash or lead is connected to the transducer. As the animal pulls of the lead, the transducer measures the strength of the pull. When the pull strength of the animal reaches a first level, an audio tone is sounded. If the strength of pull exceeds a second level a shock is administered to the animal. In this fashion the animal learns not to pull to hard on a lead. In an alternate embodiment, the trainer has a transmitter with variable signal strength. The animal worn device had a receiver that senses the signal strength. If the signal strength drops to a preset limit indicative of distance from the transmitter, a tone is sounded. Further signal drop results in the a shock being delivered.

Abstract: An animal control device directs a pressure pulse wave to an animal as a negative stimulus to deter undesired behavior. The animal control device includes a collar worn by an animal with a pressure pulse generator probe in contact with the animal's skin. The pressure pulse wave applied may be adjustable commensurate with the severity of undesired behavior. In one embodiment, the animal control device contains a remote transmitter for a trainer to administer a pressure pulse manually and at a desired intensity. In an alternate embodiment, the animal control device may contain a bark sensor to administer a pressure pulse when the animal produces undesirable barking. Alternatively, the animal control device may contain a sensor for directing a pressure pulse if an animal strays from a desired confined location.

Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses a portable electronic, multi-sensory animal containment and tracking device which comprises a transmission cable 20 that is placed directly upon the ground to define a selective containment area 18 which cable 20 is plugged into and operated by a base unit 26 which can be powered by either rechargeable batteries 30 or a conventional 110-volt AC external power source 14. The transmission cable 20 has a plastic or rubberized coating 78 that is of a blue-violet and/or a yellow color to enhance the transmission cable's visibility to a canine 16. The transmission cable 20 emits a radio frequency output generated by a frequency generator 42 disposed in the base unit 26 and also activates an audible alarm through speaker 58 disposed in the remote unit 28 attached to the animal's collar 22 which thereby warns the animal 16 that it is close to the boundary line 20 and should retreat.

Abstract: An animal mask for removable fitment to the appropriate portion of the head of an animal such as the front of the head or over one nostril for the effective delivery of drugs or medicaments, for pulmonary or nasal absorption. The rings of the mask are nestable, forming a succession of monotonically decreasing sized telescopable rings from a largest ring to a smallest ring to form a relatively flexible skirt. An animal interface adapter extends from the largest ring and is adapted to establish a substantial seal between the animal interface adapter and the face of an animal. The animal mask is collapsible to permit use in a full or partially open state, and to permit easy and convenient transport in a collapsed or closed state.

Abstract: A platform assembly which inserts into the receiver hitch of a vehicle to allow dogs to have easier entry into or exit from a pickup or a sport utility vehicle, and which can easily be removed, folded to a compact size, and stored when not in use. The dog step is formed by a main support bar and a multiple piece platform, hinged together and secured with support braces. The platform will fold, allowing for easy storage. Another embodiment of the device allows for use with sport utility vehicles or trucks with fold down tailgates.

Abstract: The present invention is a training halter for dogs having either regular elongated muzzles or brachiocephalic (short nosed) muzzles. This dog training device replaces collars of all types, and uses pressure on top of the dog's muzzle guiding him instead of dragging or hurting him. The trainer simply turns the dog's head in the direction he/she wishes to go and the dog follows. This training device is used in conjunction with humane and positive training methods, utilizing communication techniques instead of force.

Abstract: A waste heat boiler for cooling hot syngas in heat exchange with water under boiling pressure, consists of an outer pressure shell (1) having a water space (2) filled with boiling water up to a predetermined fluid level (4) and a steam space (3) above it. In the water space (2), heat exchanger tubes (5) are arranged, through which the syngas to be cooled flows. Downstream from the heat exchanger tubes (5) is a superheater for superheating the saturated steam generated by the boiling water. This superheater is positioned at least partially in the steam space (3) above the fluid level (4) and has straight tubes (7), through which the syngas coming from the heat exchanger tubes (5) flows and around which the steam exiting from the water space (2) circulates.

Abstract: An oxygen separation and combustion apparatus such as a boiler or a nitrogen generator in which a plurality of fluid passages and oxygen transport membranes are located within a combustion chamber. The oxygen transport membranes separate oxygen from an oxygen containing gas, thereby to provide the oxygen within the combustion chamber to support combustion of a fuel and thereby to generate heat. The fluid passages are positioned to allow a portion of the heat to be transferred from the combustion to the oxygen transport membranes to heat said oxygen transport membranes to an operational temperature and a further portion of the heat to be transferred from the combustion to the fluid, thereby to heat the fluid and also, to help stabilize the operational temperature of said oxygen transport membranes. Fuel is introduced into the combustion chamber by injection or as a mixture with circulated flue gas.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of operating a direct injection internal combustion engine operated on both spark-ignitable and autoignitable fuel, more specifically on gasoline, wherein the operational range of the engine is allocated autoignition ranges and spark-ignition ranges, an at least nearly homogeneous fuel-air mixture being produced in the combustion chamber in autoignition ranges, a high compression ratio suitable for spontaneous ignition of the fuel being provided and the combustion in the autoignition range being mostly initiated by spontaneous ignition, and wherein, in the ranges of spark ignition, combustion is initiated by spark ignition of said air-fuel mixture and a spark ignition range is assigned to the full load range and an autoignition range assigned to at least part of the part load range and wherein the effective compression ratio is lowered in spark ignition ranges and combustion controlled by regulating the residual gas content in the ranges of spontaneous ignition.

Abstract: An operating characteristic representative of a first stage reaction in HCCI combustion is sensed and used as a control event for injecting water into the combustion chamber to delay the start of combustion of the primary HCCI reaction.

Abstract: A flywheel energy storage system for maintaining fan speed of a cooling fan on an internal combustion engine. The flywheel energy storage system allows a fan to rotate independent of the internal combustion engine and use energy stored in a flywheel for the continued rotation of the fan when a speed of the internal combustion engine falls below a predetermined speed. In this manner, the fan can provide an adequate air flow to cool the components of the internal combustion engine regardless of the speed of the internal combustion engine. To accomplish this, a fan is coupled to a clutch and a flywheel.

Abstract: A water pump assembly for controlling the flow of temperature control fluid in an internal combustion engine. The water pump assembly includes a housing with an inlet, an outlet and an electric motor assembly for causing fluid to flow from the inlet to the outlet. A housing is mounted to the inlet of the water pump and an outlet of a radiator. A valve member is located within the housing and reciprocatable between a first and second position. The valve member permits fluid flow from the radiator to the inlet in the first position and inhibits fluid flow in the second position. The valve member is positioned within the inlet of the water pump. A bypass inlet is formed in the inlet and channels a flow of fluid into the inlet. An electronic control system controls the actuation of the valve between the first and second position.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for operating a two-stroke engine in a portable handheld work apparatus. The engine includes a cylinder (12) and a combustion chamber (26) which is delimited by a reciprocating piston (14). The combustion chamber includes an outlet (28) discharging exhaust gases and an inlet (30) of a storage channel (34). The inlet (30) lies approximately opposite the outlet (28) and the other end of storage channel (34) opens via a controlled end (38) into the crankcase (18). Between its ends, the storage channel (34) is connected to a first fuel metering device (20) of a first fuel path; whereas, the crankcase (18) has a crankcase inlet (24) which is connected to a second fuel metering device (19) of a second fuel path. In the case of an acceleration, additional fuel is metered to one or both fuel paths via an acceleration unit (22).

Abstract: A paired counterweights of a crankshaft have projected inner surfaces which protrude toward each other defining a given space therebetween. A plurality of links are arranged to convert a reciprocating motion of a piston to a rotational motion of the crankshaft. One of the links is pivotally connected to other links through link connecting portions and swingably disposed on a crank pin of the crankshaft so that upon rotation of the crankshaft, a peripheral portion of the link passes through the given space. At least one of the link connecting portions is placed within an imaginary circle which would be described by a radially innermost part of the projected inner surfaces of the paired counterweights when the paired counterweights turn about an axis of the crank pin.

Abstract: A camshaft used in an internal combustion engine which has reduced weight and added wear resistance at a lobe of the camshaft. The camshaft is provided to add increased wear resistance and reduced weight to the internal combustion engine for increased efficiency of the internal combustion engine. The camshaft includes wear resistant material at the surface of the lobe of the camshaft. The wear resistant material is distributed on the outer surface of the lobe and incorporated into the base material.

Abstract: A valve control system for an internal combustion engine includes a housing comprising a cylinder defining a longitudinal axis and an exhaust port. A piston is disposed in the cylinder and is moveable along the longitudinal axis in a first and second direction. The piston has a first and second side. An engine valve is operably connected to the first side of the piston. An exhaust member is disposed in the housing and is variably moveable along a longitudinal path to a desired position between a maximum and minimum lift position. The exhaust member has an exhaust port that is maintained in communication with the housing exhaust port as the exhaust member is selectively, variably moved between the maximum and minimum lift positions. A pressure source selectively applies a pressure to the second side of the piston as the piston is moved in the first direction.

Abstract: A valve lift mechanism, in particular for internal combustion engines of motor vehicles, has a driven cam element, a valve control member which can be driven (translational movement or pivot rotation) by the cam element, and a flexible enveloping element, wherein the cam element is rotationally mounted The enveloping element is movably connected to the valve control member in the plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the cam element.

Abstract: The valve drive mechanism is particularly suitable for internal combustion engines of motor vehicles. The mechanism has at least one driven cam element and a valve control member which is moved (translationally or rotationally) by the cam element. The cam element is rotatingly mounted in a flexible surround element which is connected to the valve control member in a plane orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the cam element. The surround element can be reversably extended, such as elastically extended, to enable a variation in the resulting valve lift.

Abstract: An engine includes an engine body and an air induction system. The engine body has a cylinder block that defines cylinder bores. Pistons are reciprocally disposed within the respective cylinder bores. A cylinder head member closes the respective cylinder bore to define combustion chambers together with the cylinder bores and the pistons. The air induction system is arranged to supply air to the combustion chambers. The air induction system includes intake conduits that communicate with the combustion chambers. Inlet conduits communicate with the intake conduits and extend along the intake conduits to provide a sufficiently long air intake to improve the torque characteristics of the engine. In one preferred outboard marine embodiment, this longer air intake does not require any increase in the size of the engine cowling.

Abstract: The invention relates to an internal combustion engine with a level plate that is arranged between a cylinder head and a cylinder, is adjacent to a combustion chamber and is provided with at least one opening for at least one inlet valve and/or one outlet valve and/or at least one injection equipment or the like, said plate bordering on a level cylinder head bottom. In order to reduce the introduction of heat into the cylinder head in the easiest possible way, there is provided that the diameter of the opening is larger than the valve seat for the inlet valve and/or for the outlet valve and that the valve seat for the inlet valve and/or for the outlet valve is formed by the cylinder head or by a valve seat ring that is solidly connected thereto.

Abstract: A engine having a timing gear cover with integrally formed coolant inlet and discharge fittings for connection to a radiator. The cover forms a water pump inlet chamber and a water pump outlet chamber defined by the walls of the cover and the front face of the engine block. The lower pressure water pump inlet chamber separates the higher pressure water pump outlet chamber from a timing gear chamber to prevent coolant leakage from the water pump inlet chamber into the timing gear chamber where the lubricating oil will be contaminated. The water pump housing also includes a drain fitting for draining coolant from the engine.

Abstract: A four-stroke cycle internal combustion engine in which an oil reservoir for storing lubricating oil is arranged below a crank chamber housing a crankshaft, and oil mist formed in the oil reservoir is supplied to the interior of the crank chamber and to a valve chamber through an oil mist passage for providing fluid communication between the oil reservoir and the valve chamber. The oil mist passage include pre-separation oil mist passage section formed in the crankshaft, and having one end in fluid communication with the oil reservoir and the other end opened on the radial outer-periphery of the crankshaft; a cylindrical centrifugal-separation chamber surrounding the outer-periphery of the crankshaft on which the other end is opened; and a post-separation oil mist passage section extending from the centrifugal-separation chamber in the opposite direction of the rotational direction of the crankshaft and in fluid communication with the valve chamber.

Abstract: A compact Gearbox used to drive a dry sump oil pump for internal combustion engine for High Performance Application. The oil pump drive is driven by an auxiliary shaft using rotating power supplied from the camshaft through a set of helical gears. The oil pump drive supplies power to rotate the pump through a set of spinal bevel gears arranged in appropriate manner to proved the correct pump rotation.

Abstract: A two-stroke engine including a cylinder body having an air intake and an air vent, a piston slidably positioned in a portion of the cylinder body and having an admission passage and an air channel located in an upper portion of the piston, a crankshaft rotatably positioned in another portion of the cylinder body and having a cam, a connecting rod connected between the piston and the cam shaft, the connecting rod comprising an upper portion connected to the piston and a lower portion connected to the crankshaft at the cam, the upper and lower portions connected to each other and being rotatable with respect to each other, and a spring actuated tappet slidably located in slots in the upper and lower portions and biased against the cam on one end of the tappet, another end of the tappet connected to the upper portion such that sliding action of the tappet in response to rotation of the cam causes the upper portion to rotate a selected amount with respect to the lower portion, which causes the piston to rotate w

Abstract: A four-stroke reciprocating internal combustion engine is disclosed in which fuel and exhaust vapors are purged from the engine manifolds and each cylinder when the engine is shut down in order to minimize emissions on subsequent engine startup. The engine includes combustion chamber defined by a cylinder, a reciprocating piston contained within the cylinder, and a cylinder head. An exhaust port with an exhaust valve is in fluid communication with the combustion chamber and an exhaust manifold with an emissions control device. An intake port with an intake valve is in fluid communication with the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A number of combustion chamber configurations for direct injected engines wherein the fuel injectors inject at least two fuel patches in circumferentially spaced locations. This fuel is injected into a cavity arrangement formed in the head of the piston, which directs the fuel upwardly toward a pair of circumferentially spaced spark plugs so as to insure complete combustion within the combustion chamber. Embodiments having single and paired cavities in the piston head are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an internal combustion engine employs a split injection to create stratified air/fuel mixture charge. The stratified charge includes an ignitable air/fuel mixture portion around a spark plug within the surrounding lean air/fuel mixture and experiences a two-stage combustion. The first stage is combustion of the ignitable air/fuel mixture portion initiated by a spark produced by the spark plug, providing an additional increase of cylinder pressure. The second stage is auto-ignited combustion of the surrounding lean air/fuel mixture induced by such additional cylinder pressure increase. The system and method also employ generating a combustion event indicative (CEI) parameter related with combustion speed or ignition timing point of auto-ignition of auto-ignited combustion of the surrounding mixture, and determining control parameters of a spark timing controller and a fuel supply controller in response to the CEI parameter.

Abstract: A cylinder head for an internal combustion engine utilizing direct fuel injection, wherein the inner surface of the cylinder head defines a combustion chamber, the combustion chamber is asymmetrical about the centerline of the cylinder, a portion of the combustion chamber is symmetrical about a line angularly offset from the centerline of the cylinder, and wherein fuel is injected along a line angularly offset from the centerline of the cylinder from a location displaced perpendicularly from the centerline of the cylinder in the direction of the angular offset of the injection line, and wherein the inner surface of the cylinder head is smooth and continuous, and wherein the height of the combustion chamber is low relative to the width of the cylinder.

Abstract: Compression brake systems using “back-fill” between combustion cylinders or requiring an exhaust valve to be opened twice during a braking cycle require brake actuation systems able to maintain control over the exhaust valve during different loading conditions. In a first opening event where a piston is at or near bottom dead center, pressures in the combustion cylinder are low. During a second opening event near top dead center pressures are higher. Movement of the exhaust valve may be slowed during the first opening event by controlling fluid leaving a second actuator volume opposite a first actuator volume providing opening force on an exhaust valve.

Abstract: An integral engine fueling and engine compression braking hydraulically actuated, electronically controlled unit injector (HEUI) system comprises a fuel injection piston. A brake rocker arm extends transversely through the fuel injector and axially accommodates the fuel injector plunger and plunger return spring. The brake rocker arm is also operatively connected to the engine exhaust valve rocker arm, and a camming shaft, having a flat or planar surface portion, is operatively connected to an end portion of the brake rocker arm. When the end portion of the brake rocker arm is disposed in contact with the flat or planar surface portion of the camming shaft, normal fuel injection can occur in accordance with an electronic control module (ECM).

Abstract: To improve the efficiency of assembling multiple on-off valves into a manifold body and reduce resistance to rotation of a shaft after assembly, frame members (3) are fitted in downstream end portions of individual intake passage sections (12) of a manifold body (2), on-off valves (4) are placed inside the individual frame members (3) and a shaft (5) is passed through the on-off valves (4) in such a way that the frame members (3) constitute parts of inside walls of intake passages where the on-off valves (4) are located, the frame members (3) rotatably supporting the on-off valves (4) and the shaft (5). A cutout (23) is formed in a surrounding wall of each frame member (3), thereby making each frame member (3) expandable and compressible by elastic deformation.

Abstract: Even in such an arrangement in which the throttle valve is operated independently of the engine control system, abnormal engine behavior is ensured to be detected such that a necessary fail-safe operation should be taken. The arrangement of the invention is comprised of the electronically controlled throttle system, engine control system and engine speed monitoring unit, wherein the electronically controlled throttle system is allowed to monitor engine behaviors. Thereby, in the case when the throttle valve is operated independently of the engine control system, if its engine behavior becomes abnormal relative to its drive contents, the engine system senses the abnormality, and takes a fail-safe operation such as to stop operation of the throttle valve and the like.

Abstract: Optimum MBT and BDL ignition timing value are obtained from calibration values stored in stability limited (SL) and optimum power (OP) calibration tables using a power index (PI) value that is indicative of the relative desire of the driver for fuel economy or power to interpolate over the range of values in the SL and OP tables to calculate values of MBT and BDL that are optimal for all altitudes and levels of driver demand. The ignition timing value used at any point in time is preferably the lesser of the MBT value and the BDL value. The calibration values for MBT and BDL ignition timing are associated with cam timing values in cam timing tables so that ignition timing changes in lock step with the cam timing.

Abstract: A method for knock control of an internal combustion engine, in which values are provided by an adaptive characteristics map for retarding an ignition angle is proposed, the values of the adaptive characteristics map being assigned to at least one operating parameter. Upon occurrence of a dynamic in the at least one operating parameter, a characteristics map value (wkra) is read from the adaptive characteristics map as a function of the instantaneous value of the at least one operating parameter. In this context, a previous value for the ignition angle adjustment (wkr(old)) is only replaced by the characteristics map value (wkra) when the amount of the difference between the previous value for the ignition angle adjustment (wkr(old)) and the characteristics map value (wkra) is less than a predefinable ignition angle difference (KRDWAA) (|wkr(old)−wkra|<KRDWAA).

Abstract: In a system in which an oxygen quantity stored in a catalytic converter is estimated to feedback control a fuel injection quantity based on the estimated oxygen quantity, when a predetermined period of time has not yet passed from an occurrence of misfire and from the end of misfire, the update of the oxygen quantity is suspended, and also, when the predetermined period of time has not yet passed from the end of misfire, the fuel injection quantity is decreasingly corrected and the oxygen quantity is reset after the predetermined period of time has passed.

Abstract: A fuel injection system for internal combustion engines essentially comprises a high-pressure injection pump, supplied with fuel from a low-pressure region, and a magnet valve, embodied as a piston valve and serving to control the injection pump, which magnet valve, in a valve housing, has two coaxial valve chambers, communicating with one another through a valve opening but separable from one another by a valve seat, and an armature chamber. The armature chamber communicates with the inlet side via a pressure conduit, and the (low-pressure) valve chamber communicates with the outlet region of the injection pump. The (low-pressure) valve chamber has a fuel inlet conduit and a fuel outlet conduit. The fuel inlet conduit and fuel outlet conduit, each in the respective portions immediately adjacent to the (low-pressure) valve chamber, have a gradually tapered cross section compared to the cross section of the remaining regions of the fuel inlet conduit and fuel outlet conduit.

Abstract: According to the present invention, an edge filter for a pressurized fuel rail system having a plurality of fuel injectors from which pressurized fuel is fed to the injectors through a fuel inlet tube is disclosed. The edge filter has contoured leading and trailing ends that may be either spherical or conical to reduce turbulence in fuel upstream and downstream of the edge filter. The edge filter has inlet and outlet slots that are sloped between about 5% and 15% with the depth of the inlet slot decreasing as it approaches the outlet end and the depth of the outlet slot increasing as it approaches the outlet end.

Abstract: The present invention relates to engines having common rail fuel injection systems. In traditional common rail fuel injection systems, each fuel injector utilized by the fuel system includes its own solenoid. These individual solenoids must cooperate to ensure that the proper amount of fuel is being injected from each injector at the proper time. Having individual solenoids requires a multiple number of moving electrical components. In contrast to the traditional common rail fuel injection system, the fuel injection system of the present invention includes fuel injectors that are controlled in operation by a common electronic actuator that is positioned remote from the fuel injectors. Therefore, the present invention reduces the number of moving electrical components in the fuel injection system by reducing the need for individual solenoids for each fuel injector.

Abstract: A rail connection assembly includes an outer rail connection tube having a rail connection outlet, a component having a substantially centrally located bore that is fixed to the outer rail connection tube remote from said rail connection outlet, and a piston adapted for movement between a first position and a second position, with the second position being remote from said bore. A nipple having a predetermined cross section and extends from the piston and is slidably movable into and remote from said bore when the piston is moved between the first and second positions, respectively. A fluid communication path exists between the bore and the rail connection outlet. This provides a pilot injection of fuel when the piston moves into an intermediate position between the first and second positions and a full injection of fuel when the piston reaches the second position.

Abstract: A fuel supply assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes an electrically actuatable fuel injector having a first end, a longitudinal axis, and a fuel channel extending generally along the longitudinal axis. The fuel injector also includes a dielectric overmold including first and second electrical contact rings disposed about an outer perimeter of the overmold. The dielectric overmold extends downstream of the first end. The assembly also includes a dielectric connector shell generally surrounding at least part of the overmold. The connector assembly has an outer perimeter and a first electrical contact extending generally longitudinally proximal to the outer perimeter. The first electrical contact has a first contact end extends outward from the longitudinal axis and a second contact end electrically engaging the first electrical contact ring. The assembly also includes an injector cup disposed over fuel injector upstream of the overmold between the fuel injector and the connector shell.

Abstract: An air induction system for an engine is provided with a flow meter to sense a flow amount of air introduced into a combustion chamber of the engine. The air induction system includes an improved construction that can protect the flow meter from rigorous environment. The construction includes a primary intake passage through which the air flows. A secondary intake passage extends from the primary passage to communicate with the primary passage. At least a portion of the air flows through the secondary passage. A filter is disposed in the secondary passage to filtrate the portion of the air. The flow meter is positioned downstream of the filter in the secondary passage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuel drawing-off device for a motor vehicle tank, the device comprising a drawing-off pump and a fine filter placed upstream from the pump, wherein the drawing-off pump is a pilot operated pump.