Abstract: One kind of super high strength concrete, by adding some zeolites to cement, in order to attain the objective of shortening the time of hydration of cement, so that the concrete shows higher initial compressive strength. Zeolites and cement can undergo the Pozzolanic reaction which results in less void content and higher final compressive strength, so we can get super high strength concrete.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved convertible table construction that includes a central table base section having a central tabletop section with at least two adjacent edges to which at least one adjustable table leaf is attached. The adjustable table leaf is “L” shaped, with one leg of the “L” being a large work surface and the other leg being a smaller work surface. The “L” shaped leaf has attachment hardware along the intersection of the legs that allow the leaf to be attached to the edges of the top work surface of the table base. The hardware of the present invention is uniquely configured to allow the “L” shaped leaves to be attached in two different orientations providing for a work surface that is adjustable in size.

Abstract: The present invention provides a portable table which can be used in relatively confined settings. The table includes two vertical supports which are placed on either side of the user's legs and rest on the floor when the table is in used. The supports are hingedly attached and fold underneath the table to allow for the table to be transported easily.

Abstract: A device to mitigate hydrogen explosions in a vacuum furnace includes at least one igniter, an ignition transformer, and an electrical switch. The at least one igniter includes a set of high-voltage electrodes and is connected to the ignition transformer by high-voltage wires. The electrical switch activates the ignition transformer to provide power to the at least one igniter forming a continuous electrical arc between the electrodes. The at least one igniter is located inside the vacuum furnace at an opening where air may enter the vacuum furnace, which may contain a hydrogen and steam gas mixture under accident conditions. The device consumes hydrogen by controlled combustion as flammable mixtures are formed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling or removing mercury, mercury compounds and high molecular weight organics, if present, from a resource recovery exhaust stream by separately adding a carbonaceous char to the flue gas while it is still within the unit. The char can be produced in situ by adding a carbonaceous material and allowing it to thermally decompose.

Abstract: A method for the subsurface application of fertilizers, biologicals, fumigants, non-fumigant pesticides or other chemicals to soil with reduced application rates. Discrete amounts of the materials are injected into the soil at numerous sites along a path during a pass through the soil. At the injection sites, the materials form diffusion patterns which may touch or overlapping with diffusion patterns of adjacent soil injections. The application of materials to soil in this manner maintains optimum efficacy with the use of the least amount of materials necessary per acre of soil.

Abstract: An adapter for mounting a cone spool on the spool pin of a regular home type sewing machine. The adapter has a truncated conical upper end portion that inserts into the lower open end of a cone type spool. There is an aperture in the body that slip fits onto the vertical pin on the sewing machine and a second aperture offset from the axis of the adapter to slip fit onto a horizontal spool pin of sewing machines so equipped. A slender rod like member is mounted on and projects upwardly from the adapter and terminates in an eyelet to guide the thread as it leaves the spool.

Abstract: A reduced drag marine vessel providing a mechanism that will reduce or even eliminate the drag along the water-solid interface at the hull of the marine vessel. This mechanism is made up of a revolving elastic shell which is similar to a donut shaped belt. This belt forms an interior volume which houses rollers and a framework to support the tubular belt which can be further inflated with a gas to counter the hydraulic pressure of the water outside. Finally, this belt may be housed within a rigid outer tubular shell and contain a propeller within its center so as to form a marine nozzle.

Abstract: Connection arrangements for a male probe and female receiver for selective connection of a spider buoy with a turret for mooring a vessel in offshore waters. A resilient member is provided in the male probe to absorb forces on the probe as it is being pulled into the receiver. A seal is provided between surfaces of the probe and the receiver to seal seawater from the interior of the turret. Contact rings at the bottom opening of the receiver and at the base of the male probe are machined of hardened strengthened steel and test assembled together prior to bolting of the rings to the receiver and the spider buoy respectively.

Abstract: A vertical, flexible, fiberglass pole extending vertically upward from a mooring buoy, said pole having a resilient line holder attached near to the top of the pole. Reflective tape is applied to the pole. The line holder retains a mooring line, which is secured at one end to a chain anchoring the mooring buoy. In an alternate embodiment, a resilient line holder is attached to a piling by means of a vinyl base. The hook is arranged vertically, but can rotate in a horizontal plane 180 degrees. A label of reflective tape is applied to the vinyl base for increased visibility, even during nighttime. The line holder retains a mooring line, which is secured at one end to a cleat attached to the piling, in a coil until removed when mooring.

Abstract: Fast boats create a water resistance that has a detrimental effect on the consumption of fuel. The object of the present invention is to reduce the water resistance to a minimum by meansf of an arrangement that automatically adjusts the direction of the propulsion force and the trimming planes so that minimum water resistance is obtained.

Abstract: A foam padding having a foam pad and a sheet material cover, both being shaped such that the pad extends along the flat side of the central section of a wooden yoke and the cover holds it in place.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the preparation of an iron nitride thin film by which an iron nitride thin film having a high growth rate can be epitaxially grown under atmospheric pressure without using any expensive vacuum system or raw materials, and an iron nitride thin film prepared by this method. This method for the preparation of an iron nitride thin film comprises the steps of vaporizing an iron halide used as a raw material 51 for the preparation of a thin film and reacting the resulting iron halide gas with a nitrogen source gas 7 containing nitrogen to produce an iron nitride gas; and preparing an epitaxial film of iron nitride 63 on a substrate 61 by allowing the iron halide gas to become adsorbed on the substrate 61 under atmospheric pressure and grow epitaxially thereon.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of growing an (In,Ga)N multilayer structure by molecular beam epitaxy. Each GaN or InGaN layer in the multilayer structure is grown at a substrate temperature of at least 650° C., and this provides improved material quality. Ammonia gas is used as the source of nitrogen for the growth process.

Abstract: A nitride-based semiconductor element having superior mass productivity and excellent element characteristics is obtained. This nitride-based semiconductor element comprises a substrate comprising a surface having projection portions, a mask layer formed to be in contact with only the projection portions of the surface of the substrate, a first nitride-based semiconductor layer formed on recess portions of the substrate and the mask layer and a nitride-based semiconductor element layer, formed on the first nitride-based semiconductor layer, having an element region. Thus, the first nitride-based semiconductor layer having low dislocation density is readily formed on the projection portions of the substrate and the mask layer through the mask layer serving for selective growth.

Abstract: The method of heat-treating a fluoride crystal according to the present invention comprises introducing an inert gas and/or a fluorine-based gas into a heat-treating furnace in which a fluoride crystal is placed through a gas-feeding port, and heating the fluoride crystal in the atmosphere of the gas having a pressure not lower than atmospheric pressure, thereby making it possible to prevent turbidity and coloration generated in the fluoride crystal due to oxygen and metal impurities adsorbed by the surface of the fluoride crystal.

Abstract: To miniaturize a crystal holding apparatus which mechanically holds and pulls up a single crystal at a top thereof. To avoid harmful influence on crystal growing resulting from crystal holding. A plurality of pivot clamps 40, 40 are circumferentially mounted at regular intervals on a cylindrical frame 30 which lifts and lowers and rotates for pulling up the single crystal. A clamp operation mechanism 50 is incorporated in the frame 30, which is pushed by a seed chuck 2 lifting in the frame 30 to shift the pivot clamps 40, 40 from an open condition to a close condition. The clamp operation mechanism 50 shifts the pivot clamps 40, 40 from the open condition to close condition when a neck passes inside the pivot clamps 40, 40, and release the pivot clamps 40, 40 after the shift.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous ceramic composite plating method for long doctor base materials which comprises a degreasing step, rinsing step, acid immersion step, rinsing step, electroless ceramic composite nickel plating step, plating solution collection step, rinsing step, and drying step between a first step of supplying continuously one or a plurality of long doctor blade base materials held on one or a plurality of material reels spirally while the blade surfaces are maintained in a horizontal direction with respect to the surface of a solution and a predetermined interval therebetween is maintained and a final step of taking up continuously the one or plurality of blade base materials on a plurality of corresponding take-up reels while the one or plurality of blade base materials are cramped by a plurality of pinch rolls, as well as to an apparatus therefor.

Abstract: A machine for coating particulate material includes a rotatable drum with a solid or perforated sidewall. A boom extends into the drum to support one or more spray nozzles and one or more powder applicators. Particulate material is introduced into the drum and subjected to a solution coating from the nozzles and a powder coating from the powder applicators, while the drum rotates. Air may flow through the perforated drum to facilitate drying of the coating solution and powder. The powder applicators are individually regulated so as to provide even distribution of the powder throughout the length of the drum.

Abstract: A stage assembly (10) for independently moving and positioning a first device (26A) and a second device (26A) in an operation area (25) is provided herein. The stage assembly (10) includes a stage base (12), a first stage (14), a first mover assembly (15), a second stage (16), and a second mover assembly (18). The first mover assembly (15) moves the first stage (14) and the first device (26A) into the operational area (25) and the second mover assembly (18) moves the second stage (16) and the second device (26B) into the operational area (25). The present stage assembly (10) reduces and minimizes the amount of reaction forces and disturbances that are transferred between the stages (14), (16). This improves the positioning performance of the stage assembly (10). Further, for an exposure apparatus (30), this allows for more accurate positioning of two semiconductor wafers (28) relative to a reticle (32) or some other reference.

Abstract: A plurality of unconventional negative tribo-charging materials are described for use as the powder contact surfaces in tribocharging and corona powder spray guns, gun components, and powder delivery system components. The invention also provides a short barrel tribo-charging powder spray gun having an interchangeable powder contact insert and nozzle, with turbulence inducing air jets. The invention further provides novel tribocharging and corona gun designs. Improved powder coating systems are made possible wherein, for example, negative tribo guns can be utilized with negative corona guns to coat different parts of the same workpiece in a powder coating system.

Abstract: When a resist film is formed by discharging a resist solution onto the front face of a wafer housed in a cup, a relation between the film thickness of a resist film and the line width of a circuit pattern when the resist film is exposed into a predetermined pattern and thereafter developed is obtained in advance, from that relation, a line width with less variations corresponding to the changes in film thickness of the resist film is selected from among line widths within a designated region to form a resist film to have the film thickness corresponding to the selected line width. Accordingly, the line width of the circuit pattern after development is not likely to vary regardless of the changes in film thickness of the resist film formed on the wafer.

Abstract: An object of the disclosure is to provide a vacuum processing apparatus capable of minimizing the size of the whole apparatus by reducing a floor area occupied by a vacuum pump. An etching apparatus 20 for applying an etching process on an object to be processed in a vacuum includes a processing vessel 21 for applying the etching process on a semiconductor wafer W introduced into the vessel 21 and a vacuum pump 30 arranged below the processing vessel 21 so as to be coaxial with the processing vessel 21, for sucking exhaust gas in the processing vessel 21 to form the vacuum.

Abstract: An apparatus processing a substrate, comprising a plurality of lift pins causing the substrate to move up and down, a first lifting mechanism causing the plurality of lift pins to move up and down, a heating plate performing a heating process onto the substrate, having a plurality of holes causing the plurality of lift pins to protrude and sink there-through to a surface facing the substrate, a lid having an inside portion and a outside portion, being disposed above the heating plate so that the inside portion faces the heating plate, and capable of moving up and down, a second lifting mechanism causing the lid to move up and down, a first inert gas introducing mechanism introducing a first inert gas to the inside portion of the lid and a second inert gas introducing mechanism introducing a second inert gas onto the surface of the heating plate through the plurality of holes.

Abstract: In the state where a PET container is received in a reception chamber and made airtight by a cover, a solenoid coil is excited. Next, plasma is generated in the reception chamber. Next, DC high voltage pulses are applied from a high voltage power source to an electrode. Thus, ions are implanted into the interior side surface of the PET container so that the surface itself is modified into DLC (diamond-like carbon).

Abstract: An animal soothing system including an animal bedding structure having a pocket formed therein, and a soothing device for generating soothing rhythmic vibrations disposed in the pocket of the bedding structure to communicate the soothing vibrations to animals lying on the bedding structure is provided by the present invention. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the bedding structure is a mattress or pad, and the soothing device is a battery powered heartbeat simulator with a pressure sensitive switch to activate the simulator when an animal lies upon the bedding and deactivate the simulator when the animal rises from the bedding.

Abstract: A wildlife feeder has a generally tubular, upright housing or base unit that is designed to remain permanently attached to its means of support, such as an upstanding post or an overhead hanger, while refillable feed cartridges are readily removed from the housing as need be for refilling or cleaning. In its preferred form, the housing has a pair of internal, upright retaining sockets at its opposite ends that receive a pair of cylindrical, transparent cartridges. The cartridges are open at the top and closed at the bottom, with dispensing ports in the sidewalls thereof. A pair of tall window openings at opposite ends of the housing provide both unimpeded visual examination of the feed level of the cartridges from remote locations and means for removing the cartridges from and reinserting them into the housing.

Abstract: An animal litter composition comprising a mixture of an absorbant material such as clay and silica gel is disclosed. The Litter composition effectively absorbs liquid wastes and controls odors. Also disclosed are methods of making and using the litter composition.

Abstract: A modular cage comprising a bottom surmounted by, and associated with, grille-like walls which are mutually connected by connecting means; the connecting means comprise a first corner joint constituted by a first component that has a hollow corner body in which there are first seats for positioning three convergent grille-like walls, the first component being associated, by way of reversible interlocking anchoring means, with a complementary substantially plate-like second component.

Abstract: A kit and methods for confining a pet within a preselected area is provided. The kit includes a pet anchoring apparatus that can be freely positioned within any environment, that is relatively devoid of obstacles and potentially impaling protrusions, and that can be varied in weight and size to accommodate the pet as well as the environment of the area in which the pet is to be confined. The kit also includes a pet pad for protecting the surface area of the environment in which the pet is confined. The kit, moreover, can include a pet feeder and also can include a pet bed, provided either separately or as an integral part of the pet pad. The methods provide for positioning a pet anchoring apparatus and, to accommodate any sized pet, varying the weight of the anchoring apparatus either by filling a base-contained cavity with liquid and/or particulate matter or by positioning a plurality of anchoring base members adjacent one another.

Abstract: The invention is a new pet blanket that drapes around an animal in an outdoor kennel. The invention is installed in a pet kennel or animal enclosure. It comprises bundles of fabric that are attached to a platform or attached directly to the ceiling of a kennel. The attachment means comprises a Velcro® connection means or a mechanical safety snap connection means. The blanket fabric may be cotton, wool, a synthetic blend, or other suitable material, shaped into strands and gathered into bundles. The bundles of fabric hang down loosely from the ceiling or supporting platform, to within one to three inches from the floor of the kennel or animal stall. The bundles of fabric are spaced to allow the animal to move about freely in the kennel. At the same time, the bundles of fabric automatically provide a blanket that shelters the animal from the outside elements.

Abstract: A pet collar having reduced friction with an outer satin covering of a dense weave, and an inner polymeric liner. Alternatively, a satin sleeve having openings for access to the functional aspects of a collar is provided for use with a conventional collar. The low friction fabric covering reduces matting of hair and irritation to the pet's skin.

Abstract: A domestic gas storage water heater utilizes a plastic non pressure tank to deliver mains pressure hot water. The heater may be external or internal of the tank and has a heat out put of about 4-10 Mega joules per hour. A pressure transfer module uses the mains pressure of the incoming cold water to deliver hot water from the tank at mains pressure. The tank may be of larger storage capacity than conventional gas heaters and the arrangement ensures that the heated water in the tank is stratified into layers of different temperature. This enables an uninterrupted supply of hot water to be achieved.

Abstract: Devices and methods for storing hydrogen fuels or other gaseous fuels. One embodiment of a container for storing gaseous fuels in accordance with an aspect of the invention comprises a high-pressure vessel configured to contain the gas in a high-pressure zone at a pressure significantly above atmospheric pressure. The container can also include a storing medium in the vessel and an inlet/outlet line extending through the vessel. The storing medium can have a plurality of storage spaces configured to physically bind molecules of the gas to the storing medium, and the inlet/outlet line can be a tube extending through the vessel in fluid communication with the storing medium. In operation, the high-pressure vessel is pressurized with a gaseous fuel (e.g., hydrogen) to a pressure significantly above atmospheric pressure (e.g., approximately 3,000-10,000 psi).

Abstract: A closed loop fuel system (10) for an internal combustion engine (12) includes a water tank (14) in which water is electrolyzed to provide hydrogen and oxygen gases that are pressurized for storage in respective tanks (26, 30) for flow to the engine and combustion prior to exhaust flow to a condenser (40) and recycling back into the water tank. The fuel system (10) includes an auxiliary water supply (68) that lowers the burn temperature of the engine and provides additional steam under pressure for operation of the engine as well as providing cooling of the exhaust steam condensed by the condenser (40). A photovoltaic panel (52) can be used to electrolyze the water and provide the hydrogen and oxygen gases.

Abstract: A closed loop fuel system (10) for an internal combustion engine (12) includes a water tank (14) in which water is electrolyzed to provide hydrogen and oxygen gases that are pressurized for storage in respective tanks (26, 30) for flow to the engine and combustion prior to exhaust flow to a condenser (40) and recycling back into the water tank. The fuel system (10) includes an auxiliary water supply (68) that lowers the burn temperature of the engine and provides additional steam under pressure for operation of the engine as well as providing cooling of the exhaust steam condensed by the condenser (40). A photovoltaic panel (52) can be used to electrolyze the water and provide the hydrogen and oxygen gases.

Abstract: A combustion control apparatus for an engine having a variable valve timing mechanism capable of varying valve timings of an exhaust valve and an intake valve establishes a combustion mode to either of following three modes, a four-cycle compression ignition combustion mode at a low and medium load area, a two-cycle spark ignition combustion mode at a high load area, and a four-cycle spark ignition combustion mode at a high speed area. Further, the apparatus establishes the valve timings of the exhaust and intake valves so as to form a negative overlap period in which both exhaust and intake valves concurrently close in the neighborhood of the exhaust top dead center (TDC), when the combustion mode is established to the compression ignition combustion mode and establishes the valve timings of the exhaust and intake valves so as to carry out a gas exchange once per one revolution of the engine, when the combustion mode is established to the two-cycle spark ignition combustion mode.

Abstract: Engine-driven portable tools are widely used for different kinds of work where the surrounding conditions are very different. Large variations in temperature can cause problems for the engine, especially during low temperatures that occur during winter. The present invention reduces these problems in a simple and effective way by guiding heated air from the area adjacent to the muffler through a channel placed outside the casing to the air inlet for the engine. The cold air sucked into the engine is mixed with the heated air from the channel so that the temperature of the air mixture is increased.

Abstract: A variable volume metering chamber and valve assembly for a combustion-powered tool includes a housing defining a metering chamber having an internal volume and including an inlet and an outlet, and a plunger configured for reciprocal movement relative to the chamber for adjusting the internal volume of the metering chamber. The plunger is preferably adjustable by the user to alter the volume of fuel retained in the metering chamber. In the housing, a first valve controls control fluid flow through the inlet, a second valve controls fluid flow through the outlet, and an actuator assembly, connected to the valves, is sequentially operable from a first position, in which the first valve is open and the second valve is closed, to a second position, in which the first and second valves are both closed, and a third position, in which the first valve is closed and the second valve is open.

Abstract: In a piston actuation system of a V-type internal combustion engine with two cylinder banks having at least one pair of cylinders, a piston pin, an upper link, a lower link, and a control link are mechanically linked to each other for each cylinder bank. When changing a compression ratio of the engine, ends of the control links of the two cylinder banks are moved in synchronism. The lower links of the two cylinder banks are coaxially rotatably fitted on the outer periphery of the same crankpin whose axis is eccentric to the axis of the crankshaft.

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio control system for a stratified scavenging two-cycle engine that facilitates the elimination of acceleration failure in the initial stage of acceleration due to the dilution of the air-fuel mixture when scavenging air is introduced. In a preferred embodiment, the control system includes a driving gear and a driven gear that are connected to a carburetor throttling valve for controlling output and an air valve for controlling the flow rate of the scavenging air, respectively. Improved acceleration is achieved by not increasing the amount of air relative to the increasing amount of air-fuel mixture initially being introduced by not engaging the gears until the throttling valve opens slightly from the idling position. When the throttling valve is wide open, the two gears engage with each other, thereby opening the air valve and maintaining a nearly constant flow rate ratio between the air-fuel mixture and the air.

Abstract: A poly valve system for an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder having a bore, a piston capable of reciprocal travel within the bore, a cylinder head adjacent the bore, and a combustion chamber defined between the cylinder head and the piston, comprising a plurality of independently operated valves. Intake and exhaust manifolds are located adjacent to the cylinder head. Valve seats comprise openings in the cylinder head between one of the manifolds and the combustion chamber. Poppet valves are situated in the valve seats to selectively allow communication between one of the manifolds and the combustion chamber. The valves are electrically, pneumatically, or hydraulically operated so that each valve, including one of several intake valves per cylinder, may be operated independently of each other.

Abstract: A method of estimating the effect of the parasitic currents in an electromagnetic actuator for the control of an engine valve, the parasitic currents being modelled by means of an equivalent parasitic current which circulates in an equivalent turn which is short-circuited and magnetically coupled to a magnetic circuit formed by an electromagnet and an actuator body and the value of the equivalent parasitic current being estimated by resolving the differential equation obtained by applying the generalized Ohm's law to the equivalent turn.

Abstract: A camshaft drive system is described for a selectable two-stroke/four-stroke internal combustion engine with exhaust and intake poppet valves opened and closed by at least one camshaft. In a preferred embodiment of the system, the camshaft is connected permanently to a planetary gear set which is driven continuously by the engine crankshaft, and means are provided for setting the planetary gear set in one of two selectable stable modes to function either as a gear box or as a rigid coupling.

Abstract: A VVA apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes a intake valve, and an alteration mechanism which variably controlling lift characteristics of the intake valve in accordance with the engine operating conditions, wherein the valve lift characteristics include a ramp period which is shorter in the range of medium lift amount than in the range of small lift amount and the range of large lift amount.

Abstract: An engine for an outboard motor includes an engine body, a crankshaft and one or more camshafts. A camshaft drive mechanism is arranged on a top surface of the engine body. The camshaft drive mechanism includes a timing belt to rotate the camshafts with the rotation of the crankshaft. A belt tensioner is arranged to adjust tension of the timing belt. The tensioner includes a shaft unit mounted on the engine body. A peripheral unit is swingably carried by the shaft unit and abutting on a portion of the timing belt. A swing axis of the shaft unit is offset from a center axis of the peripheral unit. The tensioner further includes a hydraulic damping mechanism to damp a vibration of the timing belt. The damping mechanism has a piston rod that urges the peripheral unit toward the timing belt. The piston rod is positioned at a location which can be generally the highest of the damping mechanism when a drive unit of the outboard motor is tilted up about a tilt axis.

Abstract: An engine intake manifold is provided that can prevent fuel loss by promptly supplying to an engine the fuel that has collected on the base within an intake air distribution box. The engine intake manifold includes an intake air distribution box having an intake inlet, and a plurality of intake branch pipes made of a synthetic resin that are provided in a vertical arrangement connected to a side wall of the intake air distribution box with downstream ends connected to a plurality of funnel is formed at the upstream end of each of the intake branch pipes disposed within the intake air distribution box. A fuel collector recess is formed on the base of the intake air distribution box. A fuel draw-up hole communicating with the recess, is provided in a side wall of the lowest funnel.

Abstract: A connector between a carburetor and a cylinder connection of an internal combustion engine of an implement is provided. The flow channel formed in the connector is provided with raised portions over the inner periphery of the channel. To avoid fluctuations in the speed of the engine as a function of changes in position of the implement, the raised portions are embodied as wall portions that are oriented approximately transverse to the center line of the channel. The wall portions provide a flow cross-section for the channel that varies in a step-shape or terrace-shaped manner.

Abstract: An internal comustion engine has an air induction system that provides an intake passage and an intake silencer, wherein there are a plurality of openings between the silencer and the intake passage. The openings can be selectively closed so as to effectively lengthen or shorten the flow path through the intake passage. upstream portions of the intake passage are disposed within the intake silencer so as to facilitate compactness of the induction system. The openings are closed during low and medium engine speeds, and are opened during high engine speeds.

Abstract: An intake device for an internal combustion engine including a performance channel (14) and a torque channel (17) for combustion air intake, which branch off from a plenum (12). The performance channel (14) can be closed in a known manner by a rotary valve (13). A solenoid valve (18) advantageously also is arranged in the torque channel (17) for rapidly opening and closing the torque channel. The solenoid valve advantageously can be used to close the torque channel completely in the so-called performance position. This makes it possible effectively to prevent a superposition of flow effects between the two channels and thereby to increase the performance of the internal combustion engine in the so-called performance position of the two valves. At the same time, the solenoid valve (18) can be used in a known manner as an air cycle valve.