Abstract: A method of producing starch-emulsifier compositions by heating a starch in the presence of an emulsifier to form a complex with unique properties. The product can be further treated to obtain greater than about 20% short chain amylose. Starch-emulsifier compositions (e.g., powders, gels, pastes) produced by this method and food products containing the starch-emulsifier composition are also described.

Abstract: Coating compositions containing a bituminous material and an effective amount of a methyl/ethyl ester diluent for coating bulk solids are disclosed. The coating compositions of the present invention are particularly suited to reduce dust formation and cake formation in fertilizers.

Abstract: Composition for treating and stabilizing soils, in particular wet soils, comprising, in the form of a powder having a particle size less than 2 mm, quicklime and/or calcium-based hydraulic binders, as well as a non-aqueous fluid additive capable of agglomerating the finer particles of the composition together.

Abstract: A screw boss for blow-molded structures, such as portable tables and chairs, allows various components to be securely attached to the blow-molded structure. For example, the screw boss may allow support legs to be securely fastened to a blow-molded table top. The screw boss is integrally formed in an outer surface of the blow-molded structure and it includes a receiving portion that is sized and configured to receive a fastener such as a screw. Preferably, the fastener has threads that threadably engage the inner surface of the receiving portion to provide for secure attachment of the fastener to the blow-molded structure.

Abstract: A shelving and attachment system provides for the completely concealed attachment of hollow, built up shelves to a wall or similar structure. The present system may be used for the attachment of a single shelf to a single wall structure, or may be used to secure a series of shelves to a single wall or to two or more adjacent walls. The hollow shelves of the present shelf system preferably include at least one vertical rib therein, extending between the top and bottom panels or surfaces of the shelf for greater structural strength. One or more relatively thin wall mounted cleats, or alternatively, deeper built up cleat boxes for greater shelf support, provide for shelf attachment, with the edges of the shelf box structure fitting over the edges of the cleats. Two or more sides of the shelf structure may be left open, to engage a corresponding number of cleats.

Abstract: A folding sectional table assembly includes a pair of table sections, each of which includes a frame assembly and a table top. Each frame assembly includes inner and outer leg assemblies, and each leg assembly has an upper tubular member pivotably mounted at its ends relative to a pair of apron members secured to the underside of the table top, for providing pivoting movement of the leg assembly relative to the table top. A torsion bar assist mechanism is disposed within selected ones of the upper tubular members of the leg assemblies, and includes a torsion bar located within an internal passage defined by the upper tubular member. At one end, the torsion bar is engaged with a torsion bar retainer mounted to a hub arrangement which also functions to pivotably mount one end of the upper tubular member.

Abstract: Processes and systems are provided that include introducing ammonia liberated from organic waste to a coal burner in a coal burning power plant, preferably for NOx removal at the power plant. The ammonia is preferably either ammonia liberated upon drying a mixture of organic waste and coal combustion by-products or ammonia liberated when organic waste is mixed with coal combustion by-products and one or more alkaline additives. Also provided are processes and systems of fueling a coal burner of a power plant with coal and either a dried mixture of organic waste and coal combustion by-products, or a mixture of organic waste, coal combustion by-products and one or more alkaline additives. The present invention is further directed to mixtures of either organic waste and coal combustion by-products, or mixtures of organic waste, coal combustion by-products and alkaline additives made by the processes of the present invention.

Abstract: A liquid manure application system, including a drag hose assembly and three point hitch adapted to retain the assembly in the course of operation while permitting the releasable three point attachment of tillage tools. The hitch itself provides dimensions and characteristics adapted for such use, including a structural attachment site for the drag hose assembly and a side load capacity considerably greater that comparative available hitches, and sufficient to withstand the side load forces encountered in the course of manure application.

Abstract: An article and an apparatus and method for making the article. The article including a first piece of material having a margin extending inwardly from an edge of the material. The margin has an inner edge spaced from the material edge. A second piece of material having a margin extending inwardly from an edge of the second material is joined to the first piece of material along inner edges of the margins. A third piece of material is fixed over the margins, and has a first edge fixed to the first piece of material and a second edge fixed to the second piece of material.

Abstract: An electric trolling motor transom mount that (a.) allows a trolling motor to kick over logs while the boat is traveling forward without damaging the trolling motor shaft or mount, (b.) and yet secures the trolling motor propeller in the water while propelling the boat in reverse, and (c.) also allows the operator to remove moss or debris from the propeller while the operator is comfortably seated in the boat, and (d.) allows the trolling motor to be placed in a stowed position on the floor of the boat.

Abstract: In operation for wave avoidance the WAY presents only a small profile and a small part of its total structure to the most dynamically active part of all ocean waves, their surface and crests. This includes all storm and rogue waves. In this mode the bulk of the vessel is distributed through lower more quiescent water and spans differentiated deep wave effect. In this mode the WAY has low above surface reserve buoyancy-able-to-induce unwanted motion. In wave avoidance mode when not underway, the WAY is stabilized by low reserve buoyancy of its wave piercing causeways (12). Underway the WAY behaves as a small wing effect hydrodynamic flying body and does not rely upon wings or hydrofoils which receive undesirable acceleration forces and motion from deep wave effect. Flight path is controlled by orientation which is controlled by a large separation between center of buoyancy and a purposefully moveable center of mass.

Abstract: There is provided a tanker for carrying petroleum products, including crude oil, chemicals or other potentially environmentally harmful materials, having an inner hull and an outer hull and where the void between the inner hull and outer hull at the bottom of the tanker is at or near the minimum spacing required by U.S. and international regulations. The tanker has side tanks for holding ballast, which extend upward from near to or above the ballast water line. The dimensions of each side tank are large enough to hold a sufficient volume of ballast water to keep the tanker in ballast condition meeting U.S. and international regulations for ballast draft. The cross-sectional shape of the side tank is substantially rectangular in the preferred embodiment, although other shapes to most efficiently utilize the space available on the tanker ship also can be used.

Abstract: An aluminum boat hull is disclosed having an integrally molded bumper rigid frame formed on the sidewalls that are more securely attached and protected. The bumper is made of a first and second layer of foam covered with an outer protective layer. Formed on the outside surface of the hull's sidewalls are a plurality of chambers formed between upper and lower longitudinal frame members and a plurality of intermediate frame members attached between the longitudinal frame members. Perpendicularly aligned and attached to the outside edge of each intermediate frame member is an anchor plate. Also formed on the inside surfaces of the upper and lower longitudinal frame members are upper and lower stiffeners. During manufacturing, closed-cell first foam is poured into the chambers to cover. An optional layer of fiberglass is placed over the outer surface of the first foam layer and allowed to cure. A closed-cell, second foam layer is then created over the fiberglass layer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for docking a boat stern first. The device is preferably attached to a dock or sea wall and floats on the water surface. The boat docking device has two rods joined in an L-shape configuration. On one rod there is a sliding member that holds an end of a third moveable rod. The moveable rod slides in the sliding member and pivots, with respect to the L-shaped rods, around a joint. In an open position a boat can easily enter the device stern first. The device guides the boat into docking position and the moveable rod closes on the boat to hold the boat in the secured position.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for hull attachment for submersible vehicles are disclosed. In one embodiment, a submersible apparatus includes a hull having an elongated channel, a sliding member moveably disposed in the channel, and a mounting assembly attached to the sliding member. The mounting assembly includes an engagement member selectively engageable between a first position wherein the mounting assembly is moveable along the channel, and a second position wherein the mounting assembly is secured in a fixed position along the channel. The apparatus advantageously permits a wide variety of equipment or devices (e.g. tow point assemblies, wing assemblies, tail assemblies, propulsion units, illumination devices, imaging devices, instrumentation, sensors, etc.) to be adjustably attached to the hull, and provides improved adjustability, maintainability, integrity, reliability, and overall improved mission performance.

Abstract: A device for launching and recovering an underwater vehicle 20 comprises a submersible assembly comprising a lower chassis 24 and an upper chassis 25, the lower 24 and upper 25 chassis being connected by a flexible connection so that the distance between the said upper 25 and lower 24 chassis is adjustable. The flexible connection and the lower 24 and upper 25 chassis form a receiving cage 23 provided with an opening 28, the vertical dimension of which can be adjusted. Moving the lower 24 and upper 25 chassis apart makes it possible to enlarge the vertical dimension of the said opening 28 so that the underwater vehicle 20 can enter or leave the cage 23 without the movements of the cage 23 due to the heave impeding the entry or departure of the underwater vehicle 20.

Abstract: A jet propulsion system for a submersible vehicle, such as a submarine includes a propulsion unit mounted away from the stem of the submersible. Generally, the propulsion system consists of a set of blades secured to a hub within a shroud. Combining such a propulsion system with a surface texture treatment greatly reduces overall drag while improving the submersible's efficiency. Further, such an arrangement contributes to the submersibles stealthy characteristics. An additional hub and set of high-speed blades capable of generating a supercavity may be added to achieve supercavitation. The propulsion system can be varied to include a pumpjet and/or a centrifugal force blade system.

Abstract: A trail marking apparatus is used for marking a trail in a woodland. A spring loaded clip is normally closed under a spring tension and manually opened for attachment to a twig or small limb. The clip provides a pair of flat surfaces on opposing sides for receiving a pair of adhesive reflective markers which are engaged with the flat surfaces of the clip. A flexible streamer of approximately 10 inches in length has one end of the streamer bonded to the clip and the other end of the streamer fitted with a pair of reflective markers adhered to opposing sides of the streamer. The apparatus is used to mark a trail by engaging the clip with any natural object in the wooded area as the hunter passes. When returning at night the hunter finds the trail markers by shining a light beam in an approximate direction.

Abstract: A mailbox delivery indicator for a standard rural mailbox signals to a resident when the mail carrier has been to his mailbox. When the mailbox door is opened, an actuator arm extends and pushes an active signaling element, causing it to fall by gravity to a hanging position below the mailbox. Once the active signaling element has fallen, a passive signaling element is exposed for remote observation. The active signaling element in the hanging position together with exposure of the passive signaling element indicate to the resident that the mail carrier has been by his mailbox. At this time, the resident can check his mailbox without wasting a trip to the mailbox. After the resident checks his mail, he closes the door and resets the active signaling element to the covering position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device for controlling a crystal pulling apparatus while pulling a single crystal according to the Czochralski method. To this end, a crystal pulling apparatus is provided which has a vertically adjustable crucible, a heater surrounding at least a portion of the crucible, a pulling device operatively disposed over the crucible, and a control circuit operatively connected to the pulling device and the crucible. The heater is energized to form a molten mass in the crucible and the pulling device is actuated to pull a crystal from the molten mass. Through a control circuit, the crucible with the crystal can be adjusted in height relative to a heater, so that the upper edge of the heater juts to a greater or lesser degree over the crucible.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating thin Group III nitride layers as well as Group III nitride layers that exhibit sharp layer-to-layer interfaces are provided. According to one aspect, an HVPE reactor includes one or more gas inlet tubes adjacent to the growth zone, thus allowing fine control of the delivery of reactive gases to the substrate surface. According to another aspect, an HVPE reactor includes both a growth zone and a growth interruption zone. According to another aspect, an HVPE reactor includes a slow growth rate gallium source, thus allowing thin layers to be grown. Using the slow growth rate gallium source in conjunction with a conventional gallium source allows a device structure to be fabricated during a single furnace run that includes both thick layers (i.e., utilizing the conventional gallium source) and thin layers (i.e., utilizing the slow growth rate gallium source).

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for producing a gallium nitride (GaN) epitaxial layer characterised in that it consists in depositing on a substrate a dielectric layer acting as a mask and depositing on the masked gallium nitride, by epitaxial deposit, so as to induce the deposit of gallium nitride patterns and the anisotropic lateral growth of said patterns, the lateral growth being pursued until the different patterns coalesce. The deposit of the gallium nitride patterns can be carried out ex-situ by dielectric etching on in-situ by treating the substrate for coating it with a dielectric film whereof the thickness is of the order of one angstrom. The invention also concerns the gallium nitride layers obtained by said method.

Abstract: A method of making a spinel-structured metal oxide on a substrate by molecular beam epitaxy, comprising the step of supplying activated oxygen, a first metal atom flux, and at least one other metal atom flux to the surface of the substrate, wherein the metal atom fluxes are individually controlled at the substrate so as to grow the spinel-structured metal oxide on the substrate and the metal oxide is substantially in a thermodynamically stable state during the growth of the metal oxide. A particular embodiment of the present invention encompasses a method of making a spinel-structured binary ferrite, including Co ferrite, without the need of a post-growth anneal to obtain the desired equilibrium state.

Abstract: A substrate is held on a spin chuck, and resist solution is supplied to the surface of the substrate at a plurality of positions spaced at predetermined intervals from a plurality of resist nozzles provided the bottom surface of a resist pipe provided over a first direction across the surface of the substrate. Thereafter, the substrate is oscillated or rotated, thereby making the resist solution on the substrate a thin coating film with a uniform thickness. In the coating apparatus and method, which are excellent in responsiveness to a degree of viscosity of coating solution, various kinds of treatment agents with a wide range of viscosity can be used, and mechanical accuracy such as the space between the nozzles and the substrate, accuracy of the nozzle size, and the like can be loosened.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method that dispenses an electrolyte solution on an object. The apparatus comprises a storage chamber and a dispensing portion. The storage chamber is configured to hold the electrolyte solution. The dispensing portion is configured to dispense the electrolyte solution on the object.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying at least one coating solution of a predetermined viscosity to a photosensitive material. The apparatus includes at least an application roller which is adapted to apply the coating solution onto the photosensitive material. A solution supply guide is positioned relative to the application roller to supply coating solution onto the application roller. The apparatus and method further includes a washing arrangement for washing the coating apparatus in an efficient manner. The washing arrangement includes a movable scrubber bar arrangement which retracts away from the application roller when the coating apparatus is in a coating mode of operation, and is movable to contact the application roller by way of brushes in a cleaning mode of operation. The apparatus and method further includes a recirculation system which alternatively supplies coating solution to the supply guide and cleaning solution to at least the washing arrangement.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a device for the two-dimensional application of free-flowing adhesive to strip material, especially to furniture edge banding, which material is in motion relative to the device, with an adhesive channel in the applicator head (2), with an applicator valve for the selective blocking or release of the flow of adhesive in the adhesive channel, and with a slot nozzle (16) communicating with the adhesive channel, which nozzle has a slot and an elongated, slot-shaped exit opening (18) for dispensing adhesive onto the strip material.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a coating section, a developing section, a heat-treating section and a transport mechanism. The coating section has first processing units each for performing a coverage process to supply a photoresist solution to a substrate and cover a surface of the substrate with the photoresist solution, a second processing unit for spinning the substrate, after the coverage process, at high speed to make the photoresist solution into a film, dry the photoresist film, and clean the substrate. All substrates are processed with the same coating conditions to suppress differences in quality among the substrates. The first and second processing units perform the respective processes concurrently to improve the throughput of substrate processing.

Abstract: A cold wall chemical vapor deposition apparatus includes: a chamber; a susceptor movable up and down in the chamber by a driving means, the susceptor including a heater and an internal electrode; a heat reflector over the susceptor, the heat reflector reflecting a heat emitted from the heater back to a wafer on the susceptor and serving as an correspondent electrode to the internal electrode; a heater control unit connected to the wafer, the heater and the driving means, the heater control unit sensing a temperature of the wafer, the susceptor moving according to the temperature; a gas supply unit supplying gases to the chamber; and a power source applying a voltage to the chamber.

Abstract: A dividing plate for a thin-film deposition apparatus divides the interior of the vacuum reaction chamber into a plasma discharge space and a film deposition process space, by fixing or connecting a plurality of laminated plates together by securely bonding them over the entire area of their interfacial surfaces, or a large portion thereof.

Abstract: A method is described for reducing surface oxide growth which heating aluminum containing surfaces in a vacuum environment prior to the deposition of a ceramic coating. The method comprises flowing an inert or non reactive gas into the coating apparatus adjacent to the surface to be coated to reduce oxygen reaction with the surface.

Abstract: A device for and a method of milking animals. Said device is provided with a cleaning device for cleaning at least a part of a milking machine, the cleaning device comprising a cleaning start device for starting the cleaning. A milking machine is provided with a computer comprising a memory. The computer is adapted to store the points of time of the visits of the animals to the milking machine in the memory. The cleaning start device is activated by a cleaning start signal issued by the computer on the basis of historical data in relation to the points of time of the visits of the animals stored in the memory.

Abstract: A device for determining the spatial position of a teat 21 of an animal. Said device is provided with a first transmitter element 13 for emitting a first ray or beam of rays 27 in a first sub-area A of the space, and with a second transmitter element 14 differing from the first transmitter element 13 for emitting a second ray or beam of rays 27′ in a second sub-area B of the space. The first sub-area A and the second sub-area B constitute together the space. A first receiver element 18 is arranged to receive a reflection of the first ray or beam of rays 27. A second receiver element 17 differing from the first receiver element is arranged to receive a reflection of the second ray or beam of rays 27′. A single mirror 3 rotatable about an axis of rotation 4 directs the ray or beam of rays emanating from each transmitter element in a relevant plane of the relevant sub-area of the space and/or directs a ray or beam of rays reflected from the relevant sub-area to the relevant receiver element.

Abstract: A device for supplying feed to animals, such as cows. The device is provided with a feeding trough (6) which is accessible to an animal, with a bottom (5) having a floor portion (8) on which an animal can stand, and with identification means (7) for identifying an individual animal. The distance between the feeding trough (6) and the floor portion (8) is adjustable. The distance between the feeding trough (6) and the floor portion (8) is automatically adjustable with the aid of data from the identification means (7). An assembly of a device for supplying feed to animals, such as cows, said device being provided with a feeding trough (6) which is accessible to an animal, and with identification means (7) for identifying an individual animal, and with a bottom (5) having a floor portion (8) on which an animal can stand for making use of the device, the distance between the feeding trough (6) and the floor portion (8) being adjustable.

Abstract: A poultry feeder includes a drop tube which attaches to a horizontal feed distribution or conveyor tube enclosing an auger driven by a motor and gear reducer unit. The feeder includes a feed pan and grill assembly mounted on the drop tube for relative vertical movement, and an annular feed level control member is supported above the feed pan for relative vertical movement by an actuator sleeve. A feed conveyor control unit includes a base housing recessed within a center portion of the pan and supports a spring biased inverted cone member covered by a flexible diaphragm for sensing the weight of feed supported within the center portion of the feeder. The cone has a center plunger or stem which carries an adjustable metal actuator screw positioned to actuate an inductive type proximity switch or sensor connected to control the drive motor for the auger drive unit.

Abstract: A device for supplying feed to animals, which device is provided with a hopper for the feed, a feeding parlor, and conveying means for conveying feed from the hopper to the feeding parlor, said device being adapted to be positioned relative to a bottom on which an animal can stand. The conveying means comprise a first conveyor for conveying feed upwards from a hopper. The first conveyor has a supply end. The feeding parlor may be constituted by a feeding trough having a shape that widens from the entrance opening. Additionally or alternatively the conveying means are arranged such that the supply end is movable from and towards each of the feeding parlors. Additionally or alternatively the distance between a feeding trough and a bottom portion is adjustable. An assembly of such a device and a bottom portion, the bottom portion being provided with means for adjusting the orientation of the bottom portion relative to the bottom, and with means for locking the bottom portion in an adjusted position.

Abstract: A device for supplying feed to animals, such as cows. Said device is provided with a plurality of feeding troughs disposed on a framework which is located around a central axis. Each feeding trough is accessible to an animal and has an entrance side for the head of an animal. At least one feeding trough has a shape that widens from the entrance side. Preferably all the feeding troughs have a shape that widens from the entrance side.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods, compositions and kits for improving the raising of pre-adult anadromous fish, or preparing pre-adult anadromous fish for transfer to seawater. The methods involve adding at least one Polyvalent Cation Sensing Receptor (PVCR) modulator to the freshwater in an amount sufficient to increase expression and/or sensitivity of at least one PVCR; and adding feed for fish consumption to the freshwater, wherein the feed comprises an amount of NaCl sufficient to contribute to a significantly increased level of the PVCR modulator in serum of the pre-adult anadromous fish.

Abstract: A pet enclosure for dogs and cats which is an attractive piece of furniture. The pet enclosure includes a decorative exterior cabinet with a padded lower portion for pet comfort. An upper ventilation structure includes a motion activated electric motor and activated carbon filters to provide ventilation for the pet while eliminating odors and airborne pet dander from exiting into the room. The pet enclosure includes a light and a camera connectable to the Internet for viewing pet activity remotely from a computer. Various upgrade packages adapt the features of the pet enclosure, such as the ventilation, lighting, and Internet camera to other pet enclosures.

Abstract: A bone conduction speaker and a radio set having at least a receiving function are mounted on an animal such as a police dog or a rescue dog. This enables an animal trainer to have his or her instructions transferred to the animal even when the animal goes out of the range of the trainer's voice and/or encounters a very noisy environment in tracking, searching and like operations. The bone conduction speaker and the radio set both mounted on the animal are combined with each other to realize a method and apparatus for communication with the animal without fail. The method and the apparatus enable the trainer to transmit the instructions to the animal through the bone conduction speaker, so that the animal can perform an adequate action. Preferably, other instruments such as a microphone, a loudspeaker and a camera are additionally mounted on the animal.

Abstract: A main burner 22, a pilot burner 25, and a lead-in pipe 29 supplying combustion exhaust to the pilot burner 25 are arranged in a combustion chamber R2. A flame arrester 27 with small holes 27 a is provided at a bottom plate 13. Furthermore, a primary thermocouple 26 detecting the flame state of the pilot burner 25 and a secondary thermocouple 28 detecting the temperature in the combustion chamber R2 are connected in series but with opposite polarities. When the flame arrester 27 clogs up with fine particles, the pilot burner 25, which sucks in combustion exhaust, performs abnormal combustion before the main burner 22, which is detected by the primary thermocouple 26 and the secondary thermocouple 28, whereupon the combustion with the main burner 22 is stopped. Thus, incomplete combustion due to blocking of the air supply path can be prevented.

Abstract: In a cooling system for a water-cooled internal combustion engine and a control method applicable to the control system, a pump to circulate a coolant to the water-cooled engine and a heat exchanger is drivingly controlled in such a manner that, when a temperature of the coolant detected by a temperature detector indicates a value higher than a predetermined target temperature, a flow state of the coolant circulated within a plurality of tubes arranged within the heat exchanger falls within a predetermined range including at least one of a transition range between a laminar flow range and a turbulence flow range and a part of the turbulence flow range which is placed in vicinity to the transition range (corresponding to 1800 through 6000 in Reynolds number) and the coolant is circulated through the pump into the water-cooled engine and the heat exchanger by a predetermined flow quantity.

Abstract: A mixture lubricated two-stroke engine includes a cylinder (4) having a cylinder head (3) and a cylinder bore (5) open to the crankcase (6). A piston (7) is displaceably arranged in the cylinder bore (5). The piston (7) and the cylinder (4) conjointly delimit a combustion chamber (8). A mixture is lead into the crankcase (6) via a mixture inlet (12). The crankcase (6) is flow connected to the combustion chamber (8) via transfer channels (14, 15). The transfer channels (14, 15) are open at their ends (16) toward the crankcase (6) and are connected to bypass channels (18, 19) between the ends (16) of the transfer channels facing toward the crankcase and their ends (17) facing toward the combustion chamber. The bypass channels (18, 19) supply air and open via a membrane valve (20) into the transfer channels. The membrane (21) of the membrane valve (20) is held on a wall part of the transfer channel (14, 15).

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting valve lift (VVL apparatus) is made up of a substantially cylindrical tappet casing having on an upper end thereof a cam contact portion which comes into contact with a cam which is provided on a camshaft and which has a high lift cam profile; an outer tube coaxially disposed inside the tappet casing; an inner tube coaxially disposed inside the outer tube so as to be axially slidable and circumferentially rotatable; and a helical spring which is disposed between the inner tube and the tappet casing and which constantly urges the inner tube in a direction of increasing an amount of axial displacement of an intake valve. A ramp groove with which pins of the inner tube are engaged is an arcuate groove having a curve of secondary degree. Collision noises in low lift mode are thus arranged to be adequately absorbed. Silence at a low engine speed can therefore be secured and the number of parts is reduced and the weight of the VVL apparatus is reduced.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine comprising an hydraulic system for the variable driving of valves, one tappet comprises two separate piston sections that are connected to two distinct pressure chambers, which control the driving pistons of two separate valves of the same engine cylinder.

Abstract: A cam actuated continuous simultaneously variable valve timing and lifting assembly for selectively operating the valve of an internal combustion engine. The valve is actuated by a cam on a camshaft driven by a crankshaft. The cam is in operative engagement with a slider. The slider is selectively movable by a slider actuator within a rocker arm. The slider actuator is selectively extended and retracted by a first motor drive unit. A computer controller operatively controls the motor drive unit to selectively and simultaneously vary the timing and lifting of the valve.

Abstract: A valve timing control device includes a rotary member rotatably arranged in a torque transmitting route between a crankshaft and a camshaft of an internal combustion engine, a rotational transmitting member rotatable relative to the rotary member, a pressure chamber formed by the rotary member and the rotational transmitting member, a vane provided on the rotary member or the rotational transmitting member to divide the pressure chamber between an advancing chamber and a delaying chamber, a helical spring having a coil portion, a first end portion engaging the rotary member, and a second end portion engaging the rotational transmitting member to urge the rotary member in the advancing direction to expand the advancing chamber. One of the end portions of the helical spring extends on an imagined radial plane arranged in the radial direction of the coil portion.

Abstract: A valve timing control system of an internal combustion engine has: a drive force conveyer; a cam shaft; a housing rotating integrally with one of the drive force conveyer and the cam shaft; a vane rotor housed in the housing, the vane rotor rotating integrally with the other of the drive force conveyer and the cam shaft; an advanced angle chamber and a retarded angle chamber housed in the housing, and turning the vane rotor with an oil pressure; an oil pressure supply-drain measure; a lock gear; and an unlock gear. A large diameter section of a lock pin and an inner periphery of a pin hole define a first clearance while a small diameter section of the lock pin and the inner periphery of the pin hole define a second clearance, such that the first clearance is larger than the second clearance.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a heat accumulator to accumulate heat from a heat medium, a heat supplier to supply the heat medium accumulated in the heat accumulator to the internal combustion engine, and plural inlets to introduce the heat medium supplied by the heat supplier to each cylinder of the internal combustion engine. Differences in temperature among the cylinders are decreased since the warmed heat medium flows into each cylinder directly.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system and a method for starting and/or positioning an internal combustion engine ICE, whereby an electric machine S/G is provided that is connected by way of a spring-and-damper assembly S/D to the internal combustion engine having a total start-up torque T1.