Abstract: A plurality of magazines each receive an array of pyrotechnic devices. The magazines are latched to a fire control and support assembly which automatically engages the fire control circuit to each device of each magazine. The circuit ignites all devices of all the magazines in a given serial sequence. The system, under control of an operator, when turned off, may be restarted at the beginning of a selected sequence, at the point where the last device was ignited and continue the sequence or at selected different portions of devices. Different size devices can be ignited by one circuit using different magazines all coupled to one unit. Safety features also include delay ignition after startup and sounding an alarm before any device is ignited. A CPU is enabled by a fire command signal and disabled by internal programmed instructions. The CPU is periodically enabled in a device ignition cycle by external timing signals initiated by the CPU when enabled.

Abstract: A tubing and casing cutter is shown which can be assembled in the field from a plurality of pressed segmented pellets of free standing explosive material. The segmented pellets have a liner glued to at least one exposed face thereof. The pellets are glued to a backup plate with two mirror image plates being stacked to form a plate assembly. A plurality of plate assemblies are stacked within a surrounding container to form the cutter. The pressed pellets can also be assembled within a cup-shaped container to form a shaped charge.

Abstract: A spring disc includes a contiguous outer ring including a first plurality of holes and having a contiguous, upwardly curved portion having an outer edge. A middle ring encompasses a second plurality of holes, and a contiguous inner ring, is encompassed by the outer ring and the middle ring. The inner ring surrounds a central aperture sized to accommodate installation onto a cartridge case member, where the outer ring, inner ring and middle ring operate together so as to support the cartridge case by evenly distributing stresses when installed on a cartridge case. A taper angel &thgr; is built into a bottom with a value of about 1° as measured from the bottom extending radially from the center of the inner ring to the outer edge with reference to a plane parallel to an imaginary plane overlaid on the contiguous outer edge.

Abstract: A method an apparatus for inducing spin, or rotation, in a dispersed payload of a non-spin guided projectile is taught. Rifling is applied to a cylindrical surface of a projectile casing. The rifling engages a member on a payload, which may be a bulkhead, as the payload is expelled from the projectile casing. The rotation imparted to the payload causes the dispersed projectile, grenades in the preferred embodiment, to form a spiral pattern that provides a more uniform coverage of the target area as compared to the prior art.

Abstract: A gas generating composition for air bags to be used as occupant crash protection systems in automobiles, which is less toxic or dangerous, can be easily handled, has a high combustion efficiency and a high gas generation efficiency, produces few residue during combustion, can be safely manufactured and exhibits a high molding strength in the molding step; and a molded article thereof. The invention provides a gas generating composition containing (a) a fuel comprising at least one polymer compound selected from polyacrylic polymer compounds, polyacetal, urea resins, melamine resins, ketone resins and cellulose-based polymer compounds; (b) an oxidizing agent selected from ammonium nitrate and phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate; and (c) at least one combustion accelerator selected from oxyacid salts such as metal nitrates, metal nitrites, perchlorates and chlorates; a molded article thereof; and an inflator for air bags with the use of the same.

Abstract: A vented hatch coaming for a covered hopper car permits unloading without opening the hatch cover. The vented hatch includes an opening in the coaming for the passage of air. Preferably, a housing is positioned adjacent the ring opening to exclude contaminants and, where extraordinary sanitation is required, a filter element.

Abstract: A well car for carrying shipping containers has a pair of end structures supported by rail car trucks, a pair of first and second spaced apart side beams extending between the end structures and a well defined therebetween. A container support cross member is mounted between the side sills in a position to support an end of a shipping container load carried within the well. The container support cross member may be a monolithic beam member with a attachment fitting formed at an end thereof. The attachment fitting is connectable to a side sill at a moment connection. The remaining end of the cross member is similarly configured and connected to the second side sill. Each end of the cross member has load bearing surface portions which may be used for supporting a corner of a shipping container. The moment connections permit a bending moment to be carried by the cross member between the first and second side sills.

Abstract: A collapsible table (10), having a framework (12) including a number of support members (14) which are joined together by connectors (21, 26) which allow movement such that the framework (12) is moveable from a collapsed configuration (70) to an extended configuration (36). A table surface (16) is attached to the framework (12). There is also at least one elastic element (31) which serves to maintain tension in the table surface (16) so that the table surface (16) is urged to resist sagging when the framework (12) is in the extended configuration (36).

Abstract: A support assembly is provided that includes a platform and an arm. The arm has a first end and a second end. The second end of the arm is attached to the platform. The first end of the arm rotatably and slidably engages with a support guide so that the arm and platform move between a raised and a storage position.

Abstract: A circulating fluidized bed steam generator 10 and a method for operating the circulating fluidized bed steam generator are provided which offer the flexibility to use carbon dioxide (CO2) both as a desirable end product and as support to the combustion process. The method includes the step of introducing a substantially pure oxygen feed stream into the circulating fluidized bed steam generator 10 and the step of combusting a fuel in the presence of the substantially pure oxygen feed stream to produce a flue gas having carbon dioxide and water vapor as its two largest constituent elements by volume. The method also includes the step of passing the flue gas through an oxygen feed stream pre-heater 144 at which heat from the flue gas is transferred to the oxygen feed stream. Furthermore, the method includes the step of separating the flue gas into an end product portion and a recycling portion.

Abstract: An applicator mechanism is used in combination with a land vehicle and a source of fluid treatment substance to introduce the substance into a turf surface so that the turf surface is treated by the chemical. The applicator mechanism includes a frame mountable to the land vehicle. The frame is movably supported by gauge wheels and gauge rollers above the turf surface such as the frame is capable of being driven across the turf surface by the vehicle. At least one applicator unit is swivelably attached to and depends from the frame. The unit includes a sled slidably engaged in the turf surface and at least one coulter mounted axially rotatably to the sled and having a cutting edge that extends below the sled for engaging and cutting the turf surface. A chemical dispensing device is mounted to the sled rearwardly of the coulter and extends below the sled.

Abstract: A seeder airflow control system for accurately placing seeds in a furrow at approximately zero velocity with respect to the ground surface. The seeder airflow control system includes a first tube connected to a seed singulator, a second tube having a plurality of openings movably positioned about the first tube, and an actuator connected between the first tube and the second tube for adjusting the relative position of the tubes with respect to one another. The second tube is fluidly connected to a seed delivery tube that has a lower segment that is positionable adjacent and parallel to the bottom of a furrow to deliver the seed at a velocity of approximately zero with respect to the ground surface. When the tubes are extended away from one another, an increased number of the openings within the second tube are exposed thereby decreasing the air pressure and velocity through the delivery tube.

Abstract: Method for forming a foamed product integral with trim cover assembly, in which a foam padding piece and a surface cover piece are formed such that the former is small in size relative to the latter. According to the method, the peripheral ends of the foam padding piece are aligned and sewn with the peripheral ends of the surface cover piece to form a cover section. A plurality of such cover sections are provided and are bent at their respective end portions, stretching each surface cover piece on and over each foam padding piece, after which, the thus-bend end portions of cover sections are sewn with one another to form a three-dimensional trim cover assembly. A liquid foaming material is injected and cured in that trim cover assembly to form a foamed product integral with the trim cover assembly.

Abstract: The metallic midship section of a hybrid marine vessel hull is attached through transition extensions thereof to bow and stem sections of the hull made of a fiber reinforced plastic having transition extensions of reduced cross-section abutting and/or overlapping the transition extensions of the metallic hull section and held firmly attached thereto by holding attachments carried by cover plating extending between the overlapped transition extensions.

Abstract: The wake behind a water vessel may be enhanced for wake boarding or water skiing by providing a fluid fillable chair in the rear of the water vessel to act as ballast so as to increase the wake of the water vessel. As the water vessel moves through the water, the towed individual experiences an increased wake, thereby improving enjoyment of the activity. In a preferred embodiment, the chair of the present invention includes a seat portion and a back portion and wherein the seat portion is adapted to be filled with a volume of water. The back may be filled with water or air. By filling at least the seat portion with water, the weight of the chair is increased such that when the chair is positioned in the rear portion of a boat, a relatively large wake may be created as the boat moves through a body of water.

Abstract: A towrope retriever system for a watercraft for simplifying and improving the safety of the towrope handling, storage, reeling out, and reeling in of a towrope, in which the towrope retriever is connected to or integrated into a support unit such as a tower or pylon securely attached to the watercraft, substantially increasing the overall height of the watercraft, and allowing the performer to jump higher and perform more challenging aerial maneuvers, is disclosed. The towrope retriever may be rotatable to allow the performer a greater flexibility of movement and may be easily removed for storage.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for reducing sea state induced vertical motion of a shipboard crane's load. Sea state induced vertical velocity of the crane's suspended load is determined as a function of: i) the horizontal radial distance the load extends from the crane's axis of rotation, and ii) motion of the ship at the crane's axis of rotation. The load is then moved vertically at a speed that is defined as being equal to the vertical velocity in a direction that is opposite that of the vertical velocity.

Abstract: A user deployed, passive location indicator and method are disclosed, the location indicator including a body mountable carriage, a castable disk releasably engageable at the carriage, and a light weight streamer material associated at one end with the carriage and at its opposite end with the disk. The streamer material is stored in a chamber at one or the other of the carriage or the disk when they are engaged, and is unfurled when the disk is disengaged from the carriage by the user and cast away from the carriage (and thus away from the user).

Abstract: A pet toy that projects a moving light beam in various directions to entertain a pet is provided. The pet toy comprises a hollow housing having an upper opening and a lower opening. A domed cover is pivotally attached to the housing and capable of closing the upper opening. The domed cover has a reflective material on an underside thereof. A light source is operatively received within the housing and capable of producing a beam of light directed upward through the upper opening. An electric motor is operatively received within the housing and capable of moving the light source. A power source is operatively received within the housing for powering the light source and the electric motor. A switch is located on the housing and movable to an on position allowing the power source to power the light source and/or the electric motor and an off position for preventing the power source from powering the light source and/or the electric motor.

Abstract: A bird launcher for training dogs having a support frame, a pivot arm mounted on the support frame for pivotal movement between a bird loading position and a bird launching position, a magazine carried by the support frame for holding a plurality of birds to be launched by the pivot arm during successive movements of the pivot arm from the loading position to the launching position, a loader carried by the support frame for loading a bird from the magazine onto the pivot arm, and a power assembly such as a pressurized air supply carried by the support frame for pivoting the pivot arm with sufficient force to launch the bird by flinging it in an arc away from the pivot arm.

Abstract: An apparatus for disposing of pet waste including a housing defining a receiving opening and an internal storage area. A pair of control arms are slidably connected to opposite side walls of the housing and include a handle at first ends thereof for controlling the position of the control arms. An L-shaped door is pivotally connected at one end to a front wall of the housing adjacent the opening, and pivotally connected to the control arms so as to be movable between open and closed positions. To dispense of pet waste, the control arm handle is pulled forward to open the door, the receiving opening is placed behind the pet waste, and the handle is pushed to close the door and capture the pet waste within the housing.

Abstract: A system and a method for controlling water injection of an internal combustion engine are disclosed. A proper amount of water is injected into the internal combustion engine serving as a core carrier to enlarge the contact area of the gasoline fuel with the combustion-supporting air, and reduce the overall temperature of the combustion chamber. The system monitors the revolving rate of the engine to control the water intake timing. Giving a car engine as an example, when the driver releases the accelerator significantly, no water is required to enter the combustion chamber of the engine practically. Therefore, the control system stops to inject water into the car engine once it detects a quick drop of the revolving rate of the engine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a valve-type device including a housing having a fluid access (7) which is shut off by a shutter (9) secured to an actuator (10) as a function of the temperature of the fluid passing through the device. The device also includes an expanding-material safety thermostatic element (22) located in the stream of fluid passing through the housing. The element 22 actuates the shutter (9) when, as a result of defective operation of the actuator (10) or of its control equipment, the shutter has not been moved by the actuator. The actuator also consists of an expanding-material thermostatic element containing a heating means (13) connected to control equipment.

Abstract: In a cooling system for a vehicular engine wherein a cooling water storage chamber communicating with the top of a water jacket provided in an engine body is located at a position higher than the engine body, a connecting hose is not used, whereby it is intended to decrease the number of components used and facilitate the assembling work. A cooling water storage chamber is formed within a vessel member which is connected directly to an upper portion of an engine body.

Abstract: A variable compression ratio mechanism of a reciprocating engine includes at least an upper link connected at one end to a piston pin and a lower link connecting the other end of the upper link to a crankpin. At top dead center, when hypothetical connecting points between the upper and lower links are able to be supposed on both sides of the line segment connecting the piston-pin center and the crankpin center, and the first one of the connecting points has a smaller inclination angle, measured in the same direction as a direction of rotation of the crankshaft, from the axial line of reciprocating motion of the piston-pin center and to a line segment connecting the piston-pin center and the first connecting point; as compared to the second connecting point, the first connecting point is selected as the actual connecting point.

Abstract: A fuel controlling apparatus includes: a fuel injector, the fuel injector being controlled on a basis of a throttle opening degree and an engine speed without measuring a quantity of an intake air; and a carburetor that supplies the fuel to the engine using a negative pressure produced by the intake system of the engine. The fuel is supplied to the engine solely by the fuel injector while the engine speed is lower than a lower limit of a high engine speed range including an upper limit engine speed. The fuel is supplied to the engine by both the fuel injector and the carburetor so that the fuel of a necessary quantity is supplied to the engine by combining a quantity of the fuel supplied by the fuel injector and a quantity of the fuel supplied by the carburetor while the engine speed is in the high engine speed range.

Abstract: A discrete lift, variable timing (DLVT) engine valve control system for an internal combustion engine includes a plurality of electrohydraulic valves. The plurality of electrohydraulic valves are operable between at least an open and closed position. Each of the plurality of electrohydraulic valves is operable independently of the other of the plurality of electrohydraulic valves. In one preferred embodiment, a selected combination of the plurality of electrohydraulic valves are selectively operated between at least the open and closed positions to move a selected combination of a plurality of pistons disposed in a selected combination of a plurality of axially spaced cylinders positioned serially one on top of the other. In an alternative preferred embodiment, a selected combination of the plurality of electrohydraulic valves are selectively operated between at least the open and closed positions to open a selected combination of longitudinally spaced exhaust ports communicating with a cylinder.

Abstract: In a vane type valve timing control apparatus, when an amplitude of a rotation phase of a cam shaft with respect to a crank shaft is above a predetermined value, a target value for the rotation phase is forcibly changed to a maximum advance angle and a maximum delay angle, so that oil of an advance angle side hydraulic chamber and a delay angle side hydraulic chamber is discharged together with air.

Abstract: A variable valve timing control apparatus is constructed so as to supply hydraulic pressure to an unlocking chamber for unlocking a lock pin only from a retarding chamber. In cranking an engine, a hydraulic pressure control valve is controlled so as to supply the hydraulic pressure only to an advancing chamber and so as not to apply the hydraulic pressure to the unlocking chamber. Thereby, the lock pin is prevented from being unlocked in cranking the engine in advance. After that, control current of a solenoid of the hydraulic pressure control valve is switched to hold current for holding the position of the camshaft phase at the point of time when a time necessary for enabling to supply the hydraulic pressure sufficient to control the camshaft phase from the completion of cranking to supply the hydraulic pressure equally to the both advancing and retarding chambers. Thereby, the hydraulic pressure is supplied also to the unlocking chamber from the retarding chamber and the lock pin is unlocked.

Abstract: A system for the rotation of a camshaft relative to a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine, which includes a drive pulley connected to the crankshaft of the engine through a chain, belt, or sprocket drive, and includes an electric motor that transfers torque to the camshaft of the engine. The electric motor is flanged directly to one end of the and is a primary drive unit of the camshaft as well as a servomechanism to adjust and maintain a controlled camshaft angular shift, whereas the drive pulley is fastened to and moves about the other end of the camshaft within a defined range of rotation and is provided as a forced synchronization instrument for the electric motor within the range of rotation, as well as being a secondary drive unit of the camshaft. Further, the electric motor (7) is connected to an RPM controller (10) that synchronizes and modifies the RPM of the electric motor (7) relative to the RPM of the drive pulley (4).

Abstract: An internal combustion engine with two camshafts (4, 5) arranged side by side in the cylinder head (1), each having a mechanism (8, 9) for varying the control timing of gas exchange valves is provided. The feeding and discharge of the hydraulic pressure medium to and from the mechanisms (8, 9) takes place through electromagnetic control valves (15, 16), each including a cartridge which can be inserted into a valve holder (19, 20) and an attached electromagnet (23, 24) which has an electrical socket (27, 28) located on its clear front side (25, 26). The valve holders (19, 20) are constructed as separate flanged connectors which are situated directly above the bearings of the camshafts (4, 5) on the cylinder head of the engine in such a way that the control valves (15, 16) are situated beside each other with their cartridges facing away from each other and with their electromagnets (23, 24) facing each other along a common longitudinal axis running transverse to the longitudinal axis of the camshafts (4, 5).

Abstract: A valve train layout for an overhead valve engine uses a single camshaft actuating two inlet valves and a single exhaust valve. The two inlet valves are preferably aligned on an inner side of a cylinder with the exhaust valve on an outer side. The inlet valves are preferably actuated by a cam follower and single push rod driving a rocker arm with dual arms and separate lash adjusters actuating the inlet valves. The exhaust valve is preferably actuated by a cam follower with a lash adjuster driving a single push rod operating a primary rocker arm that drives a secondary push rod pivoting an exhaust rocker arm to actuate the exhaust valve. In one embodiment, the primary rocker arm for the exhaust valve pivots on a common axis with the intake rocker arm. In an alternative embodiment, the primary rocker arm pivots on a canted pivot axis.

Abstract: A desmodromic drive (30) for imparting reciprocal translation to a valve (32) has a cam ring (52) that rotates about an axis (42), a follower (50) that reciprocates with axial motion as the ring rotates, an endless cam track (69) on the ring, and rollers (76, 78) on the follower that ride along the cam track as the ring rotates. A follower guide (48) guides the follower for axial. Rollers (60, 62) constrain the follower against rotation on the follower guide.

Abstract: A valve train with components connected by ball and socket joints is provided with projecting assembly guides adjacent the sockets of selected joints. The assembly guides include guide surfaces angling toward the sockets to guide the ball end of a push rod or other actuator into the socket of an associated rocker arm or other component. The guide surfaces may be generally conical or comprised of multiple spaced surfaces. The assembly guides facilitate assembly of valve trains, especially where components with multiple ball and socket joints are involved.

Abstract: A valve train for a twin cam engine has three valves per cylinder, including a pair of side-by-side intake valves and a single exhaust valve on an opposite, exhaust side of the combustion chamber. Dual camshafts in a V-type engine separately drive the intake and exhaust cams through a single dual arm intake rocker arm and a single exhaust rocker arm per cylinder, which provides much improved inlet port airflow for improved specific output compared to a single inlet valve engine. The single exhaust valve provides better catalytic converter performance due to lower exhaust heat loss than in four-valve engines of the same output capability. The intake and exhaust valve trains provide coplanar action of the push rods, rocker arms and valve stem axes, yielding an efficient and simplified valve train with a high flow combustion chamber. Additional features and advantages are disclosed.

Abstract: A valve moving apparatus of an internal combustion engine comprises an engine valve, a valve spring, a spring seat supporting an end of the valve spring and a cam driving the engine valve to open. A valve spring set load changing device in the valve moving apparatus comprises the spring seat including a base seat and a support seat movable relatively to the base seat, an actuator generating drive force in accordance with an operational condition of the engine and a manipulating mechanism transmitting the drive force to the support seat. The actuator and the manipulating mechanism are positioned outside of the spring seat. When the support seat is rotated by a predetermined amount by the drive force transmitted through the manipulating mechanism, the support seat moves also in direction of expansion and contraction of the valve spring to change set load of the valve spring.

Abstract: A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine is provided which performs intake air flow control for controlling an engine speed to a target engine speed during starting of the engine, by adjusting a throttle opening depending upon the engine speed. The control apparatus judges a degree of deterioration of a combustion state in the engine, based on a difference between a predetermined reference peak engine speed and an actual peak engine speed, and switches from the intake air flow control to ignition timing control for controlling the engine speed when the engine operates in a poor combustion state, at a point of time that is determined based on the degree of deterioration of the combustion state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling ignition timing during startup of a two-stroke internal combustion engine while avoiding ignition timing errors caused by engine speed fluctuations. A rotational component of the engine, such as a flywheel, bears a plurality of spaced indicator markers including a plurality of ignition triggering markers, each of which designates a position on the rotational component that is acceptable for triggering ignition in a respective cylinder of the engine. Ignition in each cylinder is triggered upon detecting the associated ignition triggering marker and without taking engine velocity into account. Ignition timing errors that could otherwise be introduced due to erroneous assumptions based on engine speed therefore are avoided.

Abstract: In a handheld type four-cycle engine, the lubricating system includes an oil tank placed outside an engine main body, a through hole providing communication between the oil tank and a crank chamber, an oil feed pipe placed outside the engine main body and providing communication between the crank chamber and a valve operation chamber of a cylinder head, an oil return pipe placed outside the engine main body and providing communication between the valve operation chamber and the oil tank, and a one-way valve for transferring oil from the crank chamber to the valve operation chamber side via the oil feed pipe. The side walls of the engine main body can thus be made thinner and the weight of the engine main body can therefore be reduced regardless of the presence of the oil feed pipe and the oil return pipe.

Abstract: A cleansing oil filter includes a housing, a porous filter element disposed in the housing, and a quantity of liquid antioxidant/additive solution in the housing associated with the filter element. Preferably, the filter contains at least 10 ml of antioxidant, and more preferably, between 20 and 100 ml of antioxidant. A substantial quantity of the liquid antioxidant/additive solution is available for immediate release when oil flows through the filter. A method of converting an internal combustion engine from a petroleum-based lubricating oil to a botanically-based lubricating oil involves draining a petroleum-based lubricating oil out of the engine, removing an oil filter from the engine and replacing it with a first cleansing filter having a quantity of liquid antioxidant/additive solution therein, adding a first batch of a botanically-based lubricating oil to the engine, running the engine until warm, and replacing the oil and filter a second time using botanically-based oil.

Abstract: A connecting rod assembly for a reciprocating internal combustion engine includes a beam portion having a first end for receiving wrist pin attached to a piston and a second end for engaging a crankshaft. A cap for maintaining the second end of the beam portion in contact with the crankshaft is connected with fasteners which extend through bores formed in the cap and into the second end of the beam portion. The bores into which the fasteners extend have central axes which are not normal to the parting plane defined by the joint between the cap and the second end of the connecting rod beam portion, with the result that the connecting rod cap may be installed upon the beam portion of the connecting rod in only one orientation.

Abstract: A fuel vapor treating mechanism includes a canister for adsorbing fuel vapor produced in a fuel feed system. The treating mechanism purges the fuel vapor adsorbed by the canister, along with air, to an intake system of the engine. An ECU computes a value representing the flow rate of the purged gas as a value that represents the capability of the treating apparatus. The ECU sets a decision value in accordance with the amount of the fuel vapor produced in the fuel feed system. The decision value represents a required capability of the treating mechanism. When the value representing the capability is less than the decision value, the ECU prohibits stratified charge combustion and causes the engine to perform homogeneous charge combustion. Therefore, as many opportunities as possible are provided to perform stratified charge combustion, which improves fuel efficiency.

Abstract: A control unit is provided for an internal combustion engine including an engine block comprising a plurality of cylinders operable in a homogenous combustion mode and a stratified combustion mode in response to an engine throttle position. The control unit is programmed to switch the engine cylinders to the homogenous combustion mode at a throttle position of greater than about 20% of wide open throttle. As such, the combustion mode is switched form the stratified combustion mode to the homogenous combustion mode at a higher throttle opening that more capably supports increased fuel injection quantities of homogenous combustion in the engine cylinders. Problematic conditions of conventional pontoon boat systems due to switching of engine cylinders to homogenous combustion at high RPMs and restricted throttle openings is therefore avoided.

Abstract: A method for operating a reciprocating-piston internal combustion engine with direct fuel injection.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine (1), especially for a motor vehicle, is described, which has a combustion chamber (4) into which fuel can be injected in at least two operating modes. Each of the injections has an injection start angle and an injection duration. Furthermore, a control apparatus 18 is provided for control (open loop and/or closed loop). An injection end angle can be determined by the control apparatus (18) from the injection start angle and the injection duration. Likewise, a check can be made by the control apparatus (18) as to whether an injection interrupt angle is exceeded by the injection end angle.

Abstract: A fuel injecting method and a corresponding arrangement for an internal combustion (10), especially of a motor vehicle, wherein a first injection takes place during an induction stroke. Proceeding from operating characteristic variables of the engine (10), a tendency-to-knock signal is determined which characterizes the tendency to knock of the engine (10). At least one second injection takes place when the tendency-to-knock signal exceeds a threshold value. (FIG.

Abstract: An ignition timing control apparatus for an internal combustion engine is provided which is capable of preventing the generation of knocking immediately after an intake air control valve is driven to operate. An intake air control valve (23) is provided in an intake passage (5) of an engine (1). A swirl control element (10) controls the opening and closing of the intake air control valve in accordance with operating conditions of the engine thereby to adjust a magnitude of an intake air swirl. An ignition timing calculating element (10) determines ignition timing of the engine through interpolation using ignition timing map data corresponding to the number of revolutions per unit time of the engine and an engine load. A map data setting element (10) switches and sets the ignition timing map data in accordance with opening and closing of the intake air control valve (23).

Abstract: A control system for an internal combustion engine is provided which comprises detecting means for detecting a discharge current flowing between electrodes of a spark plug when a high voltage for ignition is applied to the spark plug, judging means for judging whether or not the spark plug is fouled on the basis of the discharge current, and inhibiting means for inhibiting the progress of spark plug fouling when the spark plug is judged fouled. A method carried out by the control system is also provided.

Abstract: A motorcycle having a system for combustion knock control. The motorcycle includes a spark generating circuit having a spark plug. The spark generating circuit produces a spark across a spark gap of the spark plug in response to a sparking signal. The motorcycle further includes an ion signal circuit that provides an ion signal indicative of an ion current being generated across the spark gap, and an analysis module electrically connected to the ion signal circuit and the spark generating circuit. The analysis module generates the sparking signal in a timed sequence, receives the ion signal from the ion signal generating circuit, measures a knock intensity within the ion signal, and modifies the timing sequence when knock is present.

Abstract: The invention relates to a common rail for a common rail fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine, having a base body whose interior communicates with a plurality of connections. To increase the high-pressure strength, the interior is formed by at least two substantially circular-cylindrical recesses whose longitudinal axes are disposed parallel to one another and which communicate with one another, and the connections discharge into the interior of the base body, in the communicating region of the two substantially circular-cylindrical recesses.