Abstract: An engagement groove provided near a corner of a sewing cartridge is engaged with a pin shaft protruding from a free end side of an oscillating arm oscillatably provided on the front of an engagement plate. A tip of an engaging member rotatably provided to the oscillating arm is engaged with an engagement portion provided on a right side of the sewing cartridge to maintain a posture of the sewing cartridge. An operating member rotatably supported by the engagement plate is used to disengage the engaging member from the engagement portion of the sewing cartridge. A thread cutting device disposed on the back of the engagement plate is actuated in conjunction with the disengagement of the sewing cartridge using the operating member. With the movement of the operating member after thread cutting operation is completed, a limit switch provided on the engagement plate is turned off, so that a signal is not outputted.

Abstract: A prefabricated fireproof bulkhead section for a ship. The fireproof bulkhead section includes an inner core layer made of an incombustible fiber material and having a first side for receiving a first composite and a second side for receiving a second composite for forming a fireproof bulkhead section. The first composite includes a first metal layer formed of a metal sheet, a first ceramic layer formed of ceramic fibers, a first foil layer formed of a metal foil sheet and a first outer layer formed of an intumescent, fire-retardant coating on a fiberglass sheet; and the second composite includes a second metal layer formed of a metal sheet, a second ceramic layer formed of ceramic fibers, a second foil layer formed of a metal foil sheet and a second outer layer formed of an intumescent, fire-retardant coating on a fiberglass sheet.

Abstract: A watercraft comprises a hull, an internal combustion engine, a propulsion system, and an air/water separating device. The separating device comprises a container having an inlet port and an outlet port. The inlet port enables at least ambient air to enter the container and the outlet port is communicated to the air intake of the engine. The separating device has structure providing spaced apart generally vertical surfaces that define a plurality of elongated tortuous paths between the inlet and outlet ports. The tortuous paths have one or more angular portions and are positioned and configured such that the ambient air passes through the elongated tortuous paths so that water suspended in the air is separated from the air as the air passes through angular portions of the paths with the separated water flowing downwardly along the surfaces to a bottom of the container by gravity.

Abstract: A so-called “wing” sail for a sailing vessel, having an airfoil section performing substantially in the manner of an ideal airfoil on either tack is described. A two-sided inner sail structure having resiliently deformable battens slidably engaging a track, fixed to the mast of the sailing device and extending rearwardly, the mast being rotatable about its vertical axis in either direction relative to vertical planes along the longitudinal axes of the sailing device and the boom. Translation of the two main surfaces of the wing sail as well as the surfaces at the clew corner while maintaining proper tension in the surfaces, is accomplished by opposed inflatable air bladders. An aerodynamic seal is provided along the trailing edge of the wing sail. A horizontal control bar is attached to the mast to control the pivotal movement of the mast. The outer sail members wrap, around the mast and are fastened to the mast by a zipper.

Abstract: A boat hull comprising a bottom panel that makes up the bottom of the boat hull. A first chine member has a base edge and an extended edge. The first chine member is coupled to the bottom panel at the base edge and protrudes generally in a vertical direction away from the boat hull. A curved member couples the extended edge of the first set of chines to a set of side panels. The set of side panels extend from the curved member to the gunwale making up the sides of the boat hull. A second set of chines are located on the set of side panels of the boat hull and extend in a horizontal direction away from the boat hull.

Abstract: A traffic control signal is provided for an intersection at which a first street and a second street meet. The streets are nearly parallel. The sign is for motorists on the first street. The sign is shaped to prevent a motorist on the second street from inadvertently reading the sign.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method of crystallizing an amorphous silicon layer and a crystallizing apparatus thereof which crystallize an amorphous silicon layer using plasma. The present invention includes the steps of depositing an inducing substance for silicon crystallization on an amorphous silicon layer by plasma exposure, and carrying out annealing on the amorphous silicon layer to the amorphous silicon layer. The present invention includes a chamber having an inner space, a substrate support in the chamber wherein the substrate support supports a substrate, a plasma generating means in the chamber wherein the plasma generating means produces plasma inside the chamber, and a heater at the substrate support wherein the heater supplies the substrate with heat.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a single crystal silicon ingot, as well as to the ingot or wafer resulting therefrom. The process comprises controlling (i) a growth velocity, v, (ii) an average axial temperature gradient, G0, and (iii) a cooling rate of the crystal from solidification to about 750° C., in order to cause the formation of a segment having a first axially symmetric region extending radially inward from the lateral surface of the ingot wherein silicon self-interstitials are the predominant intrinsic point defect, and a second axially symmetric region extending radially inward from the first and toward the central axis of the ingot.

Abstract: This invention is a method for identifying conditions for growing protein crystals giving improved protein crystal growth. Crystals of a protein are grown under different sets of predetermined conditions, and x-ray topographic images of the protein crystals are generated to identify the set(s) of conditions that produce crystals having the fewest crystal defects. In a preferred embodiment, the protein crystals are grown in a dynamically controlled crystallization system. An important condition of crystal growth that can be optimized by the method of the invention is the effective gravity, geff, experienced by the growing crystal; for example, when the crystal is grown in a powerful magnetic field that causes the protein molecules in the growing crystal to experience acceleration of an effective gravitational field that is greater or less than the actual gravitational field at the earth's surface.

Abstract: To provide a low dislocation buffer, which can be formed by a simple process for a short period of time, and there is no fear of producing cracks, a first layer made of a nitride semiconductor containing an impurity at a concentration exceeding its doping level is laminated a predetermined number of times alternately with a second layer made of a nitride semiconductor containing no impurity on a substrate to form a superlattice structure in a low dislocation buffer formed between the substrate and a nitride semiconductor as a device material to be formed for constituting a device structure on the substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for depositing a thin dielectric on a portion in which a decreased growth speed of epitaxy is needed in a bridge fashion, and adjusting the width of bridges made of dielectric material and the distance of the bridges deposited, thereby controlling a growth speed and growth thickness of an epitaxial growth layer, which comprising the processes of growing a bridge-shape thin dielectric on a semiconductor substrate for fabricating a semiconductor integrated circuit device, and growing an epitaxial layer with different epitaxial growth rates on selective areas on top of the semiconductor substrate. Thus, the method controls a distance between bridges and a width of the bridge, thereby adjusting a growth speed and growth thickness of an epitaxial layer to be grown in future.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for fabricating a laminate product having a pair of sheet materials spaced by a plurality of flexible parallel vanes which are secured to the sheet material so that planar movement of the sheet materials in opposite directions cause the vanes to shift between open and closed positions. The vane material is formed from a web of material by dyeing the material, drying the dyed material, applying spaced longitudinally extending lines of adhesive on opposite faces of the material, and cutting the material into a plurality of side-by-side strips with each strip having a bead of adhesive on each face and along opposite side edges. The cut material with adhesive applied thereto is taken up on a transfer roll and moved to a vane/strip handling station where the strips of material are processed and delivered to a laminating station in parallel overlapping relationship with each other.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a liquid composition to one or more fibers of a fan of fibers provides a housing defining an elongated passageway therethrough such that the fan of fibers travels along a path through the passageway. The apparatus further provides a plurality of centrifugal spray heads including at least a first centrifugal spray head mounted in the housing and supplied with the liquid composition under pressure for directing the liquid composition onto one or more fibers of the fan of fibers passing a first location of the path. The plurality of centrifugal spray heads further includes at least a second centrifugal spray head mounted in the housing and being supplied with the liquid composition under pressure to direct the liquid composition onto one or more fibers of the fan of fibers passing a second location of the path.

Abstract: A deposition system is used for depositing particles onto a substrate, such as a wafer in a deposition chamber. The particles are carried in an aerosol that is generated an atomizer that includes an impaction plate for removing large particles before the aerosol is discharged, and which has an output that is provided through a particle classifier to the deposition chamber. Various branches of flow lines are used such that the aerosol that has classified particles in it, is mixed with a clean dry gas prior to discharge into the deposition chamber, and selectively the aerosol can be directed to the deposition chamber without having the particles classified. The lines carrying the aerosol can be initially connected to a vacuum source that will quickly draw the aerosol closely adjacent to the deposition chamber to avoid delays between deposition cycles.

Abstract: A heating-type trap device for being fitted in between a film-deposition apparatus and an exhaust piping, and for removing residual film-deposition components from exhaust gases discharged through the exhaust piping from the film-deposition apparatus, includes a trap portion for receiving the exhaust gases, and a plurality of plate heaters disposed within the trap portion, to define a zigzag pathway for the exhaust gases passing therethrough.

Abstract: An improved ALD apparatus is disclosed as having multiple deposition regions in which individual monolayer species are deposited on a substrate under different processing conditions in each region. Each deposition region is chemically separated from an adjacent deposition region. A loading assembly is programmed to follow pre-defined transfer sequences for moving semiconductor substrates into and out of the respective adjacent deposition regions. According to the number of deposition regions provided, a multitude of substrates could be simultaneously processed and run through the cycle of deposition regions until a desired thickness of deposited solid film is obtained.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to stably supply a treatment chamber with a treatment gas with a prescribed composition. A spin on dielectric (SOD) system includes a film treatment apparatus of the present invention which comprises, for forming an interlayer insulating film, a treatment chamber for placing a wafer W, a first mass flow controller for NH3 gas, a second mass flow controller for N2 gas with a prescribed water vapor, thereby supplying the treatment chamber with a gas of a prescribed composition.

Abstract: A method is proposed for vacuum-coating a substrate using a plasma-CVD method. In order to control the ion bombardment during the coating, a substrate voltage (US), produced independently from the coating plasma (20), is applied to the substrate, this voltage being modified during the coating. The substrate voltage (US) is usefully a direct voltage that is pulsed in bipolar fashion with a frequency of 0.1 kHz to 10 MHz. Moreover, a wear-resistant and friction-reducing multilayer structure of alternating hard material individual layers and carbon or silicon individual layers is proposed.

Abstract: For enhancing plasma uniformity and long-term stability so as to readily form a film with excellent uniformity of thickness and quality and with good repeatability and for suppressing occurrence of image defects and drastically increasing the yield to form a deposited film ready for volume production, particularly, a functional deposit film (for example, an amorphous semiconductor used for semiconductor devices, electrophotographic photosensitive members, photovoltaic devices, and so on) is formed in an apparatus including a reaction vessel which can be hermetically evacuated, a substrate holder in the reaction vessel, a source gas supply, a power supply for high-frequency power. An end covering member is provided at an end of each of the substrate holder, the source gas supply and the power supply.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an absorptive filter network is provided between an RF generator and a semiconductor processing reactor. The absorptive filter network includes an absorptive filter circuit which allows energies at a fundamental frequency to pass while absorbing energies at frequencies away from the fundamental frequency. An absorptive filter circuit is located on the reactor-side of the absorptive filter network to isolate the RF generator from the effects of the non-linear loading presented by a plasma in the reactor. Another absorptive filter circuit is located on the RF generator-side of the absorptive filter network to present a stable voltage waveform to the plasma. The absorptive filter network thus minimizes variations in the RF power, and helps prevent fabrication processes from shifting. For applications requiring variable frequency RF power, a filter network having a dissipating circuit is used to minimize RF power variations.

Abstract: A base member is blasted to roughen the surface. Next, a thermal spray member containing for example Al is formed on the blast treated surface of the base member by a thermal spraying. Next, an extremely thin oxide film at an atom layer level is coated on the surface of the thermal spray member, as an uppermost surface. The oxide film is a layer that is formed from stacked layers of about 15 to 23 atoms, and is formed by an O2 or O3 gas plasma, an atmospheric pressure plasma, or a CVD (chemical vapor deposition) method. A nitride film can be coated instead of the oxide film.

Abstract: A deposition chamber is formed in a housing that has a substrate carrier on the interior. The substrate carrier is rotatable about a central axis, and a particle deposition head is mounted in the chamber on a support that can be moved linearly along lines that are substantially radial to the central axis of the substrate carrier. The deposition head thus can be moved to different radial positions of a substrate carried on the substrate carrier as the carrier rotates during deposition from the head to provide for a wide variety of deposition patterns on the substrate. The deposition head has a pair of aerosol discharge openings, one being the end of a substantially tubular central passageway and the other being the end of an annular passageway that surrounds the central tubular passageway.

Abstract: The subject invention provides materials and methods for gathering and/or relaying information about animals. In a specific embodiment, the present invention provides an animal identification system in which a biologically compatible, implanted device serves to accurately identify the location of a live animal and, in the case of livestock, its carcass after slaughter. In a preferred embodiment of the subject invention, the device to be implanted is coated with a bioactive glass to make the device bioactively bond to soft tissue. The coatings may be, for example, sintered, glued, sprayed, plasma sprayed, formed as a composite in the base material of the device or mixed with binders to be painted onto the device.

Abstract: An animal treatment/confinement device is described, with apparatus to aid in the provision of medications, fluids or other supportive care therapy to the animal. The device includes a fluid container support used to support a fluid container, or a syringe cradle used to support a syringe, or both. The device includes a housing sized to receive an animal, and to confine the animal during the therapeutic treatment. The device may also include two top panels hingedly coupled to the housing, which open to allow the animal to be placed into the housing, and which close independently to cover a portion of the top opening. The top panels may be secured by clasps to hinder the animal's escape. In one embodiment, the top opening is not fully covered when both top panels are closed, allowing the animal's handler to have access to the animal.

Abstract: A barn for raising hogs includes walls, a roof, and a floor within the structure for supporting the hogs, the floor being solid such that materials on the floor settle on the floor without passing therethrough and being capable of supporting an animal and the floor including at least one sloped surface and a waste collection area at a lower end of the sloped surface and an animal feeding station adjacent an upper end of the sloped surface. A process is also taught for raising hogs it includes confining hogs on a solid floor, applying compostable, fibrous material to the solid floor, collecting manure-soiled fibrous material from the floor and composting the manure-soiled fibrous material to form a nutrient rich material suitable for use as a compost soil or soil supplement.

Abstract: A composting structure and process is described for a livestock operation. The structure handles manure and treats it over a continuous 25 to 30 day process to produce compost therefrom. The structure includes a elongate walled area into which manure is piled, aerated and mixed while it is moved toward an output end. The structure is sized to handle 25 to 30 days worth of manure from the livestock operation which it services. The aeration is provided by an in-floor system of tubes arranged in zones so that the amount of air injected in the various zones can be selected.

Abstract: A novel cage for reptile and amphibian pets having a bottom wall, top wall, front wall, back wall, first and second side walls, wherein the walls are configured with selection from light-transmissive ventilating mesh screen, clear plastic, or clear glass plate with the requirement that at least three of the walls be configured with ventilating mesh screen, and wherein the bottom wall is removably connected to the cage, and wherein the top wall further has an access hatch, which can be configured with ventilating mesh screen, clear plastic, or clear glass plate, and the front has a door portion configured with light-transmissive ventilating mesh screen, clear plastic, or clear glass plate.

Abstract: A chewable pet shelter. The shelter is used for a small animal and is formed of one or more panels of animal hide. The shelter has an open bottom circumference and the panels include at least one aperture for ingress and egress by the animal. The animal hide is preferably treated with a chemical flavoring that is appealing to the particular animal for which its use is intended.

Abstract: An animal enclosure is provided which can be used for a plurality of purposes. The animal enclosure first of all includes a pen sized to hold the animal (i.e., dog). The pen is formed from a frame which is covered with a removable, washer cover. The dog enters and exits the pen by way of a gate. The gate includes a panel which is raised to close the gate and lowered to open the gate. The panel can be fixed at a desired position, so that the gate can be partially opened. A washable pen cover is provided to cover the frame of the pen. A top is provided which can be easily mounted to, and removed from, the pen frame. The top is hingedly connected to the frame and includes with a pair of pivotal support arms so that the front of the top can be elevated above the pen to the desired amount. A whelping rail is also provided and which is removably received in the pen. The whelpig rail comprises a frame having a bar member and legs extending disgonally downwardly and outwardly from the bar.

Abstract: A manually operated animal training device that can be combined with proven and traditional training methods includes means for providing a fluid spray to deter unwanted animal behavior.

Abstract: This invention provides a superheated steam apparatus that is capable of efficiently heating water to generate superheated steam, and to perform a process such as sterilization utilizing this superheated steam while keeping the loss of heating energy to a minimum.

Abstract: A water pump P is provided in a cover 20 attached to a crank case 22 of an engine E or in the vicinity of the cover 20 and a coolant passage 20A is provided in the cover 20 for introducing the coolant from the water pump P to water jackets 25(25A, 25B) respectively formed in cylinders S of the engine E.

Abstract: A cooling system for cooling an interbore bridge of a cylinder block of a water cooled engine, the interbore bridge having a top surface and a central region of minimum width; the cylinder block having a water jacket; the cooling system including at lest one water passage extending from the top of the interbore bridge adjacent the central region to the water jacket. A method of forming the cooling system, and a cylinder block so formed, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A cylinder head cooling passage structure comprises: a cylinder head H1; two intake valves 22; and an exhaust valve 32. The two intake valves 22 are provided in the cylinder head H1 such that the intake valves are substantially symmetric with respect to a plane that includes a center axis a1 of a cylinder of an OHC-type engine E and is orthogonal to a crank shaft Cr. The exhaust valve 32 is provided in the cylinder head H1 such that the exhaust valve is situated on an opposite side of the intake valves 22 with respect to a plane that includes the center axis a1 of the cylinder and is in a longitudinal direction of the crank shaft Cr.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine, especially a two-stroke engine in manually-guided implement, is provided. A piston that is disposed in a cylinder delimits a combustion chamber and by means of a connecting rod drives a crankshaft disposed in a crankcase. A fuel/air mixture is supplied to the engine via a diaphragm carburetor, the control chamber of which is delimited by a control diaphragm that controls a feed valve. Formed on the dry side of the diaphragm is a compensation chamber that communicates via a flow path with a source of pressure that pulsates as a function of engine speed. Disposed in the flow path is a check valve. The compensation chamber is to be relieved by a pressure-regulating valve disposed in a further flow path.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine, for example a two-stroke engine having scavenging collection, is provided. The combustion chamber formed in the cylinder is delimited by a reciprocating piston. A fuel/air mixture prepared in the Venturi section of a diaphragm carburetor is supplied to the engine. The air portion of the mixture is conveyed to the Venturi section via an intake channel, and the fuel portion is conveyed to the Venturi section via a main nozzle path that branches off from a fuel-filled control chamber to which fuel is supplied via a fuel line and a feed valve that is controlled by a control diaphragm that delimits the control chamber. A device is provided for varying the air portion and/or the fuel portion at full load. Connected to the device is a control unit that receives, as an input variable, an operating parameter of the engine that varies as a function of engine speed. The device is actuated as a function of the output signal of the control unit.

Abstract: A control method for an electromagnetic actuator for the control of an engine valve in which at least one electromagnet displaces an actuator body under the action of the force of magnetic attraction generated by the electromagnet, the electrical supply of the electromagnet being controlled as a function of an objective value of the magnetic flux circulating in the magnetic circuit formed by the electromagnet and the actuator body.

Abstract: A valve timing control apparatus for an internal combustion engine is capable of ensuring good response within a control range, stability outside the control range, and durability without increasing the capacity of electric power for a drive circuit and an OCV coil. The valve timing control apparatus includes an intake vale 31, an exhaust valve 32, an engine operating condition detecting section (3, 11, 14), a target valve timing calculating section 21, variable valve timing mechanisms 15, 16, an actual valve timing detecting section (14, 17, 18), a control amount calculating section 21 for calculating a control amount based on target valve timing, actual valve timing and engine operating conditions, and an actual valve timing control section (19, 20) for outputting the control amount as an output control amount to the variable valve timing mechanisms.

Abstract: An improved valve operating system for a multi-cylinder engine wherein the valve lift and timing of individual cylinders can be adjusted relative to each other so as to promote smoother running to compensate for cylinder-to-cylinder variation and improve output.

Abstract: A valve timing control system for accelerating activation of a catalytic converter in an internal combustion engine in a cold starting operation mode while enhancing control accuracy by learning a reference position of a cam angle. The system includes actuators (15; 16) coupled to cam shafts (15C; 16C), respectively, hydraulic pressure supply means (19; 20) for driving the actuators (15; 16), and a controller (21A) for controlling hydraulic pressure fed to the actuators (15; 16) in dependence on engine operation states to change phases of the cam shafts (15C; 16C) relative to a crank shaft (13C). The controller (21A) is so designed as to set a valve timing to a most advanced position or alternatively to a most retarded position in a cold-state idling operation mode for the purpose of learning a reference position.

Abstract: Intake valve drive shaft and exhaust valve drive shaft are arranged in parallel to each other and provided with sprockets, respectively, for receiving engine rotation from a crank shaft. A rocker cam is swingably mounted on the intake valve drive shaft to push the intake valve, and connected mechanically by a link mechanism with the intake valve drive shaft. The axis of the intake valve drive shaft is offset from the axis of the intake valve to one side. The rocker cam includes a cam nose which projects to the other side of the axis of the intake valve when the intake valve is in the closed state.

Abstract: A relative rotation angle control mechanism of a valve timing control device comprises a radial guide provided by one of drive and driven rotation members which are rotatable about a given axis. A movable control member is guided by the radial guide in a manner to move in a radial direction with respect to the given axis. A link links the movable control member to a given portion of the other of the drive and driven members. The given portion is positioned away from the given axis in a radial direction. An intermediate rotation member is rotatable about the given axis relative to both the drive and driven rotation members. A spiral guide is provided by the intermediate rotation member to guide the movement of the movable control member, so that rotation of the intermediate rotation member relative to the radial guide induces a radial movement of the movable control member.

Abstract: An effective range of urging force of an assist spring is between a maximum retarded phase and a predetermined phase of a camshaft, a vane rotor and vanes. The predetermined phase is equal to an intermediate locking phase of the camshaft, the rotor and the vanes +10 degree CA. Even when oil pressure supplied to each advancing chamber is reduced at the time of engine stop, the camshaft, the rotor and the vanes can be advanced to or beyond the intermediate phase by the spring. Furthermore, at the time of engine start, the rotor and the vanes are positioned near the intermediate phase, so that reaction force of the spring is very small, allowing easy movement of the rotor with drive torque of the camshaft toward a retard side. Thus, the rotor can be locked at the intermediate phase by a lock pin.

Abstract: A drive rotation member is rotated about a given axis by a crankshaft of the engine, and a driven rotation member is rotated about the given axis together with a camshaft of the engine. A relative rotation angle control mechanism is arranged through which the drive and driven rotation members are coaxially connected. The relative rotation angle control mechanism has a movable control member which, when applied with an operation force from an actuation device, varies a relative rotation angle between the drive and driven rotation members.

Abstract: A system and method for providing auxiliary power to a large diesel engine allowing shutdown of such large engine in all weather conditions. An auxiliary power unit made up of a secondary engine coupled to an electrical generator is provided. An automatic control system shuts down the primary engine after a period of idling and the auxiliary power unit provides electrical power for heating and air conditioning. In cold weather, the auxiliary power unit maintains the primary engine coolant and lube-oil warm to facilitate engine restart. The coolant system is kept warm using a heat exchanger and electrical heaters. The lube-oil system is kept warm using a recirculating pump and electrical heaters. In warm weather, the auxiliary power unit provides electrical power for air conditioning and other hotel loads. The auxiliary power unit isolates the primary engine batteries during operation and provides electrical power for hotel and non-vital loads.

Abstract: A valve having a sleeve-like screening element for protecting an internal combustion engine against deposits in a region extending up from a hollow throat to a stripping edge. The screening element has a separate contactor guide surface for the combustion air supplied to the combustion chamber whose surface temperature is lower than the critical temperature for deposits at which fuel particles coke.

Abstract: A device for rotating a valve for producing rotations of a gas charging valve in an internal combustion engine during its opening and closing movements. The device comprises a basic body having a plurality of pockets oriented in a peripheral direction for receiving rolling bodies. There is also a valve shaft disposed in the basic body. In addition, there is also a plurality of rolling bodies and a plurality of tangential springs for holding the plurality of rolling bodies adjacent to the plurality of pockets on the basic body. Finally, there is a cover serving as a valve spring support and force transmitter or energy reservoir for each of the valve rotations, wherein the basic body and the cover consist of reshaped metal components. This design allows for a simple construction process resulting in lower manufacture costs.

Abstract: A structure of bearing housings of a cylinder block comprises aluminum alloy for constituting the whole cylinder block and a plurality of fiber reinforced metal (FRM) areas. The FRM areas are formed by integrally casting a sheet-like preform containing reinforced metal fibers with aluminum alloy. A plurality of such sheet-like preforms are separately provided in a bearing housing in an axial direction of a crankshaft.

Abstract: In a hydraulic pressure control system for an engine cylinder cutoff device through which a first group of cylinders are cut off with at least intake valves of engine valves included in the first group kept inactive, while a second group of cylinders are working, the system includes a valve mode switching mechanism being responsive to supply oil pressure for switching an operating mode of at least an intake valve of engine valves of each of the first group of engine cylinders from active to inactive. Also provided is a hydraulic pressure control valve regulating the supply oil pressure. A control unit incorporated in the system sets the supply oil pressure to a predetermined maximum pressure when initiating the inactive mode, and holds the supply oil pressure at a predetermined oil pressure lower than the predetermined maximum pressure before the inactive mode is released.

Abstract: A trochilic piston engine. A plurality of trochilic pistons rotate about the cylindrical axis of an engine chamber. Each piston presents a pressure-bearing surface against which expanding gases exert a pressure tending to push the pressure-bearing surfaces of adjacent pistons, and therefore the adjacent pistons, apart. The engine includes a gear train comprising a fixed sun gear about which planetary gears associated with each piston revolve, the planetary gears being connected to an assembly for turning a drive-shaft. The pistons are connected to their respective planetary gears through respective crank arms having a sliding member coupled to an eccentrically disposed projection of the respective planetary gear. As the pistons rotate about the pivot point, the leverage that adjacent pistons exert on the respective eccentrically disposed projections varies in opposition over an engine cycle; however, the pistons are constrained to rotate in the same direction by the gear train.